Did the Heroic Spirit I conquered become a reality?

"...Is everything you've done what you want to achieve yourself? Or...are you just following orders from others?"

Every word, every sentence, was like an invisible hammer, striking hard against her heart, which had quietly sprouted "humanity" and "emotion".

She was a "container" born out of the family's tragic wish.

Her life, her knowledge, her emotions... even her joys and sorrows, were all "programmed" to better bear the power of the Holy Grail and ultimately to help the Einzbern family reach the Root.

This is the sole "mission" and "meaning" she was instilled with from the very beginning of her "birth".

Irisviel never doubted it, nor did she ever think of questioning it.

Because she is an artificial human of Einzbern, a descendant of the "Winter Saintess," this is her destiny.

however……

Caster's question, however, was like the finest needle, easily piercing the "shell" she had always firmly believed in, making her begin for the first time...dazed, begin...confused.

Was everything she did truly what she wanted to achieve?

Or is she simply faithfully fulfilling the "program" she has been given, like a meticulously crafted puppet, following a predetermined script, step by step toward a predetermined ending?

If... if the Holy Grail is truly corrupted, as that boy said, then wouldn't the Einzbern family's millennia-long tragic wish become a colossal joke? What meaning would her existence as a "vessel" hold?

If the Holy Grail cannot grant her true wish, and if the price of winning the war is her own demise, then... what was the purpose of this "ritual" for which she gave everything?

Just thinking about this made the woman feel an unprecedented emptiness and... fear.

That doubt about the meaning of her own existence and the uncertainty about her future fate overwhelmed her like a cold tide.

Faintly, Tohsaka Yu's gentle yet penetrating voice from not long ago seemed to echo in my ears again:

“Miss Irisviel, don’t you want to try living like a real person, just once?”

"If... if you really had the chance to escape the fate of being a 'container,' what would you want to do?"

To live like a human being... what would I do?

For no apparent reason, Irisviel recalled the last thing the boy said before he left: "If there's time after the Holy Grail War ends, I'd be happy to take you out for a walk and see the scenery of Fuyuki."

As a stranger to the servant with an unclear stance, I invited her with incredibly sincere words...

Just thinking about this, for the first time, a feeling called "expectation" arose in Irisviel's heart... a feeling she herself couldn't quite explain.

If... if there really is a chance... after the Holy Grail War ends, maybe I could really try to go out and travel.

...provided that the now-contaminated Holy Grail can be successfully purified.

Moreover, even if she accepted Tohsaka Yu's cooperation, it didn't mean that the magician assassin hired by the Einzbern family, or even Saber, would help her.

Thinking of this, Irisviel couldn't help but look up in the direction of Eindzbern Castle.

If Saber knew...would she agree to help? She couldn't help but wonder.

……

The fluttering petals dissipated in the night breeze, and Kiritsugu Emiya and Merlin silently returned to Einzbern Castle.

When Kiritsugu Emiya rushed into the castle and saw that the defensive barrier, originally constructed from countless alchemical and magical techniques, was now being torn apart by some more advanced and unreasonable force, with even the internal structure of the castle showing many abnormal "distortions," his face immediately darkened.

The castle was deathly silent, with only the crackling of the embers in the fireplace illuminating the empty and messy hall.

Irisviel has indeed disappeared.

"Saber, is there any way to find her?"

Kiritsugu Emiya's voice was extremely low. Although he knew that if he lost Irisviel, he would most likely miss the Holy Grail War, he remained calm.

Merlin emerged from the shadows, glancing around at the traces of magic interfered with by the divine-level magic, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"Although my clairvoyance can see a lot of things... the place where Caster is is not suitable for spying with my clairvoyance."

"After all... it would be troublesome if we angered her."

“Her?” Kiritsugu Emiya keenly caught the word.

"It's the special being you saw last time, summoned by Caster... Emiya, believe me, you don't want to see her true form in this Holy Grail War."

Seemingly sensing that Kiritsugu Emiya was already getting restless, Merlin intentionally or unintentionally reminded him: "If you want the Holy Grail War to proceed smoothly... don't try to harm the people around Caster, especially the people in his residence."

Kiritsugu Emiya frowned deeply. "So, are we just going to wait here like this?"

"Sometimes waiting is a strategy."

Merlin's tone carried an undeniable certainty: "Trust me, Caster will soon bring Miss Irisviel back safe and sound."

……

Just as Merlin had guessed, the next morning, Yu Tohsaka sent Irisviel back to the territory of the ice castle.

He knew he had said what he needed to say and done what he needed to do. As for what choice Irisviel would make after learning the "truth"—whether she would continue to be a tool of the Einzbern family, or… try to find her own "meaning" and "future"—that was up to her.

After Irisviel left, the apartment returned to a temporary calm.

Looking at Sakura, who was still curled up in his arms and sleeping soundly, and Tiamat Lily, who was curiously observing everything from the sofa not far away, Yu Tohsaka felt a little relieved of the tension and fatigue caused by the Holy Grail War.

He gently picked up Xiaoying and prepared to take her back to the guest room that had been temporarily arranged for her the night before.

The girl didn't sleep well last night because she was worried, and what she needs most now is a good night's sleep.

"Brother..." As if sensing Tohsaka Yu's movements, Sakura murmured unconsciously in her sleep, her small arms tightening around his neck even more, as if afraid he would leave again.

Yu Tohsaka paused slightly, looking at her younger sister's face, which still carried a hint of unease and dependence even in her sleep, and her heart softened.

He knew that after that nightmarish experience with the Matou family, Sakura's biggest weakness was a lack of security.

"caster~"

Just then, Aika Sajou's voice, tinged with a hint of sweetness and curiosity, came from the direction of the living room.

The blonde girl, with her bare, snow-white little feet, silently came up behind him. She tilted her head and stared intently at Sakura in his arms and the gentle expression on his face with her bright green eyes.

"It seems your little sister is quite attached to you?" Ayaka Sajou's tone carried a subtle, peculiar undertone.

Yu Tohsaka smiled helplessly, "It wasn't like this before... Sakura must have suffered too much lately."

After all, she went from being Tokiomi Tohsaka's 'daughter' to the Matou family's stepdaughter, and was almost thrown into the insect warehouse.

For this girl, Tohsaka Yu's appearance was like a ray of light cutting through the darkness. If in the past Tohsaka Sakura had only slightly clung to Tohsaka Yu... then after that, she focused almost all her attention on Tohsaka Yu.

Yu Tohsaka paused for a moment, as if making a decision, and looked at Ayaka Sajou, saying seriously, "Master, I want to send Sakura to Rin's side before tonight. If possible, I still hope that she will not be involved in this cruel Holy Grail War."

He wanted Sakura and Rin to reunite, at least... with Aoi Tohsaka by their side, they could temporarily escape the bloody battle between magicians.

However, to Yu Tohsaka's surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, the girl in his arms seemed to have heard him and suddenly opened her eyes, all her drowsiness gone.

"No...I want to stay here with my brother!"

Sakura Tohsaka stretched out her little hands and hugged Yu Tohsaka's thigh tightly, burying her face in his trouser leg. Her body trembled slightly with fear, and her tearful appearance would make anyone feel sorry for her.

Yu Tohsaka looked at her younger sister, who was clinging to her like a frightened little animal, and couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

Just as he was at a loss for what to do, Sajou Aika's voice, tinged with a hint of amusement, rang out at the opportune moment.

"It seems your sister can't live without you."

She walked to Yu Tohsaka's side, extended her slender finger, and gently touched Sakura's smooth, short black hair, her emerald green eyes sparkling with understanding.

“However,” Sajō Aika changed the subject, a pure and innocent smile appearing on her face, “the Holy Grail War has only just begun, and it’s not safe to stay here any longer.”

She tilted her delicate face slightly, looked at Tohsaka Yu, and suggested in a lighthearted tone, "How about this, we'll take her to that place you mentioned together. It'll be safer with another person, right?"

Yu Tohsaka looked at Ayaka Sajou's expectant expression, then at Sakura, who was still clinging tightly to his leg and staring at him longingly, and finally sighed.

"Alright... then I'll leave it to you, Master."

Although I'm a little reluctant to part with her, I imagine Rin must be worried about Sakura too, so it would be better for the sisters to meet sooner rather than later.

With Ayaka Sajou by his side, Yu Tohsaka successfully delivered Sakura Tohsaka to the secluded villa. The joy and tears of the two sisters' long-awaited reunion need no further explanation. After settling Sakura in, Yu and Ayaka Sajou quietly departed.

Back at the apartment, Tohsaka Yu felt much more relaxed.

Although the crisis of the Holy Grail War still exists, at least his family members, whom he cares about, are in a relatively safe state for the time being.

“Alright, Master,” Tohsaka Yu said, looking at Sajou Aika beside him, “things have been dealt with for the time being. Now… we should start adding a little ‘variable’ to this ‘Holy Grail War’.”

His gaze was fixed on a certain direction in Fuyuki City—there lay Ryudou Temple, where the Greater Grail lay dormant.

Since the Greater Grail has already been corrupted, to solve the problem at its root, or rather, to achieve a relatively "less terrible" outcome in this Holy Grail War...

Purifying the Greater Grail is imperative.

But... how exactly should it be purified?

Although Yu Tohsaka possesses EX-rank magic power and a connection with Tiamat, in the end, Tiamat's 'Sea of ​​Life' and the 'Black Mud' in the Greater Grail are quite similar.

If he were to actually take action, it probably wouldn't just be purifying the Greater Grail, but rather causing it to become completely 'corrupted'.

At this moment, Aika Sajou tilted her head and revealed a pure yet somewhat self-assured smile.

"To purify the Greater Grail?"

Sajou Aika pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "This isn't difficult; just leave it to me."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tohsaka's heart stirred.

He knew that Ayaka Sajou was connected to the Root and possessed near-omniscient and omnipotent power. For her, purifying a corrupted Greater Grail might really be... just a matter of lifting a finger.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard the girl's incredibly gentle voice softly ring in his ear: "However, I have a small condition."

Tohsaka Yu was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "What are the conditions?"

If it were an ordinary Master, upon learning that the Greater Grail was corrupted and could no longer be used as a 'wish-granting machine,' they would probably have agreed without hesitation to find a way to purify the Greater Grail.

However... Sajō Aika had no interest in the Greater Grail from the beginning; all her actions were simply for 'fun'.

I wonder what conditions she will propose?

Just as Tohsaka Yu had mentally prepared himself and looked up at Sajō Ayaka, he saw her suddenly take half a step forward, tilt her head slightly, and stare directly into the boy's eyes: "Caster, you don't have a lover, do you?"

Yu Tohsaka noticed that when she said those words, her eyes seemed to lose some of their luster, and she looked at him with a dark gaze.

"I have this feeling that if I don't answer this question well, I might get hacked to pieces at any moment..." Yu Tohsaka thought to himself.

However... he does not have a lover.

Sakura and Rin... are still too young, and they're practically his sisters. As for Tiamat, needless to say... she's his mother!

Recalling the kiss he shared with Ayaka Sajou on the balcony not long ago, and seeing the expectant look in her eyes, Yuu Tohsaka finally nodded gently: "Mmm..."

A bright smile bloomed on Sajou Aika's face.

"Then my conditions are very simple..."

She tiptoed and gently brought her small, cherry-like lips to Tohsaka Yu's ear. Then, a shy yet alluring voice quietly rang out.

"From now on, you can just call me Aika, okay, Yu-kun~"

Volume 1: Chapter 52 Morgan: Become mine, Tohsaka Yu

Irisviel sat quietly by the window, the icy chill of the snowflakes seeping through the glass, but it did nothing to calm her chaotic thoughts.

Her gaze was unfocused, seemingly piercing through the howling wind and snow, landing in a certain direction, as the words that Tohsaka Yu had once said to her kept echoing in her mind.

"The Greater Grail has long been corrupted..."

"...Miss Irisviel, why are you participating in this Holy Grail War? Is it to fulfill the Einzbern family's millennia-old wish to reach the Root? Or...is it merely for yourself?"

"...Is everything you've done what you want to achieve yourself? Or...are you just following orders from others?"

Those words, like pebbles thrown into a calm lake, stirred up ripples in her heart.

As the vessel for the Holy Grail, she was given a mission from the very beginning and never doubted it. But Yu Tohsaka's words made her begin to examine the meaning of her own existence for the first time.

"What's wrong, Master? You've seemed distracted ever since you came back?"

A gentle yet teasing voice sounded from behind, interrupting Irisviel's thoughts.

She turned her head to look behind her and saw the white-haired mage standing quietly behind her, his purple eyes, which seemed to see through everything, smiling as he looked at her.

This legendary magician could always easily see through her disguise.

Irisviel managed a weak smile: "Nothing, I was just thinking about some things."

As she spoke, seeing that Merlin didn't seem to intend to ask anything further, she finally couldn't suppress her doubts and asked, "Saber, you don't seem to be curious at all about why Caster let me come back so easily?"

Merlin's smile remained calm, a hint of understanding flashing in his purple eyes: "Caster and I have known each other for a while, and I understand his style to some extent. His choice doesn't surprise me."