Chapter 154 150: Motivation
A few hours after formally finalizing the alliance, Arthur separated from the girls—who went off to play with Illya—and began walking through the castle. With no particular destination in mind, simply exploring the place, he eventually made his way outside.
Artoria was sitting on the snow, eyes closed and legs crossed, letting the flakes fall silently over her as if she didn't even notice the cold.
When she heard approaching footsteps, she opened her eyes and directed her gaze straight at Arthur.
Arthur spoke first:
"What are you doing?"
"I was thinking about my reason for winning the Holy Grail War."
She replied, lightly shaking her head as if to brush away unnecessary thoughts.
Arthur raised an eyebrow and, without ceremony, sat down beside her, the snow yielding under his weight.
This time, Artoria took the initiative:
"Tell me… what is your reason for participating in the Holy Grail War?"
"My reason?"
Arthur rested his hands on the snow, looking up at the sky for a moment.
"I don't have any wish that needs to be fulfilled. Everything I want… I can obtain without the help of the Holy Grail."
I don't even know how the Holy Grail managed to summon me… even though I was in another universe.
The thought passed quickly through his mind, but he showed nothing.
"I heard about your wish from Irisviel. In that case… how about I help you fulfill it?"
Artoria turned her face slightly toward him.
"Why?"
The question was direct.
Without hesitation.
Arthur smiled faintly.
"Because it is a hero's duty to help his princess in distress—"
He paused for a moment.
"…no, rather, his queen in distress."
Artoria held his gaze for a few seconds.
Unlike before…
She did not look away immediately.
"You don't need to do that…"
"Don't look at me like that."
Arthur replied without hesitation.
"I'm doing this because I want to."
There was something different this time.
Artoria noticed it.
He wasn't just teasing.
Nor was he joking.
That… was genuine.
Arthur stood up.
And, without any hesitation, knelt before her.
He took one of her hands—
And gently kissed it.
"If I were to look for a deeper reason… it would be because I was captivated by you from the very first moment I saw you."
Artoria remained still for a brief moment.
But—
Unlike the first time…
She did not pull her hand away immediately.
Her gaze fell upon him.
Silent.
Analytical.
Confused.
She did not fully understand that kind of feeling.
But also—
She did not feel rejection.
…This doesn't bother me…
The thought came naturally.
In fact…
Her eyes remained on Arthur.
…it's strangely comforting.
…It's the first time I've felt this…
A slight tension formed in her chest.
What is this feeling of excitement…?
She had no answer.
But she didn't try to push the feeling away immediately either.
Even so—
It was soon swallowed by something greater.
Her desire.
Her duty.
The Holy Grail.
The redemption of Britain.
Until that was achieved…
She had no right to consider anything else.
Her brow furrowed slightly.
Arthur noticed the change.
Without commenting, he released her hand and stood up.
He drew his spear—Longinus—and pointed it at her.
"Want to fight again?"
"Yes."
This time, the answer came even faster.
More firmly.
Artoria stood up.
But now there was something different.
Her previous hesitation didn't just disappear—
It was replaced.
By expectation.
By a faint excitement she didn't even try to completely hide.
She picked up her sacred spear.
The two advanced.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of their spears echoed through the snow.
Fast.
Precise.
Without wasted movement.
Artoria was surprised once again.
Arthur's technique wasn't just refined—
It evolved during combat.
It adapted.
It responded.
During the short time they had interacted, Artoria was certain of one thing.
Arthur was the complete opposite of her master, Kiritsugu Emiya.
One was serious and never smiled.
The other was carefree and playful.
One kept his distance.
The other… closed that distance without asking permission.
And yet—
She did not reject him.
"This feeling… isn't so bad…"
she murmured to herself, almost inaudible.
---
Before leaving Germany, Arthur made a suggestion to Irisviel and Kiritsugu, which had already been put into practice.
At that moment, he was wearing a silver armor reminiscent of Artoria's, with a dark blue lining underneath and a rather modern-style hood.
"As I thought, I look great in this outfit," Arthur said.
"From this moment on, I am Arthur Pendragon, the Lancer-class Servant of the Einzbern family," he declared as he summoned his spear once again.
Yes.
That was Arthur's plan.
"This is really reckless…"
Kiritsugu frowned slightly, sighed, and then turned to look at Artoria—who was now dressed in a black suit as a bodyguard beside Irisviel.
"Lancer, what do you think?"
"About what?"
Artoria was somewhat surprised by Kiritsugu taking the initiative to ask for her opinion. After a brief pause, she replied:
"I don't see a problem with it."
Of course, under normal circumstances he wouldn't even consider accepting this, but Arthur had been very convincing. Besides, his current mission was to protect Irisviel.
Kiritsugu fell into deep thought.
Berserker disguising himself as Lancer would allow the real Lancer to prioritize protecting Irisviel. This would both enhance her safety and confuse their enemies.
But what about the Berserker himself?
Arthur had the perfect item for that—a reward he had obtained from the system long ago, which had remained safely stored within the Gate of Babylon until now.
[Shadow Servant]
With it, he could summon a copy of someone he knew as a Servant of one of the seven classes.
[A/N: As I mentioned back then, this was a reward prepared for a future arc.]
That's all.
Irisviel would be the Master of this Shadow Servant, while Artoria disguised herself as a driver and bodyguard in a suit that could hardly conceal her developed figure. Kiritsugu would act as Lancer's Master, and Arthur would remain a Berserker disguised as Lancer.
With their own objectives in mind, the group boarded the Einzbern family's private jet bound for Japan.
As mentioned before, Sakura, Kohaku, Hisui, Fujino, and Caren would remain at the Einzbern castle while waiting for Arthur's return.
Arthur and his group were the only passengers aboard the large aircraft. After a good night's sleep, they had already landed in Japan, and the city of Fuyuki was only half an hour away by car.
Kiritsugu changed course midway and separated from Irisviel, Arthur, and Artoria.
With Arthur, Artoria, and the Shadow Berserker, Irisviel felt very safe.
Arthur and Artoria, dressed in matching black suits, disembarked from the plane first and positioned themselves on each side of the stairs, assisting Irisviel as she descended behind them.
Her health deteriorated day by day due to the increasing effect of being the Holy Grail's vessel—it was as if even a gentle breeze could knock her over.
Though that might be an exaggeration, it was also her destined end.
Holding one of her hands each, Arthur and Artoria exchanged a silent glance, both already fully adapted to their respective bodyguard personas.
It's been a few years since I've done this kind of work, Arthur thought, recalling his time as an assassin while adjusting his suit.
"You look dangerously good in that suit, Artie," Arthur said, glancing at Artoria, who was once again trying—and failing—to fix her tie.
Arthur laughed and stepped closer to help her.
"There's no need to flatter me with compliments, but thank you for the help," she replied.
"So this is the country where Kiritsugu was born?" Irisviel said suddenly, ignoring the two.
She gazed at the scenery ahead and the sky with visible emotion.
Unlike Einzbern, a place covered in snow all year round, this place felt vibrant and alive. For someone who had spent so long confined within a castle, this was more than just a simple trip.
She slightly opened her arms and took a deep breath, as if wanting to preserve that moment.
The wind tousled her white hair as she turned toward Artoria, who had once again moved away from Arthur.
"How are you feeling? What did you think of this trip?"
"I don't have any particular feelings. It was more ordinary than I expected."
Artoria's response was direct, but not as cold as before.
Her gaze, though attentive to the surroundings, was no longer completely closed off. Part of her attention remained on Irisviel, and another part—inevitably—on Arthur, who always found a way to draw her attention.
"Artie, Iri, we're almost at Fuyuki City. Try not to say anything unnecessary and be careful not to reveal our identities."
Arthur spoke casually, already using nicknames as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"We may already be under surveillance by our enemies."
"Really?!" Irisviel immediately brought her hands to her mouth, her eyes scanning the surroundings with genuine, almost childlike surprise.
Arthur couldn't hold back his laughter.
"I was just joking—there's no one around. If someone is watching us, Artie and I will deal with it immediately."
"You shouldn't joke like that~" Irisviel gave him a lightly reproachful look, but soon sighed in relief.
Beside her, Artoria did not laugh.
But she didn't reprimand Arthur either. Instead, she simply confirmed:
"But he's right. We need to be more careful."
"All right."
Irisviel nodded.
Arthur then took a few steps forward, looking around with a faint smile.
"How about we go greet our 'friends'?"
(End of Chapter)