While Kiritsugu Emiya paced anxiously, like an ant on a hot pan, the group finally emerged from the alchemy laboratory.
Kiritsugu immediately rushed toward Irisviel, eager to reunite with his wife. Irisviel, too, stepped forward to meet him. But before they could embrace, a certain someone intervened.
The clone Irisviel, created by Touko Aozaki, was suddenly grabbed by Aoko Aozaki, who restrained her effortlessly.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Miss," Aoko said to the clone.
"You are neither Kiritsugu Emiya's wife nor the homunculus of the Einzbern family."
"You belong to us—my sister Touko and me," Aoko added, lifting the clone Irisviel's chin with her finger.
"You are a human being, a perfect creation, entirely fabricated by my sister and imbued with a soul."
"And you're practically brand-new," she quipped with a mischievous smirk.
"No husband, daughter, and only one affiliation—our Aozaki family."
With that, Aoko glanced at Kiritsugu, who stood frozen, holding Irisviel's hand in disbelief. Her gaze carried a hint of playful malice, clearly amused by his reaction.
Kiritsugu's pupils dilated in shock. After confirming that Irisviel was unharmed, he now faced the staggering sight of another Irisviel.
What had these women done to his wife? Why did this other Irisviel look at him with the same expression as his own Irisviel?
Which one was the real Irisviel?
Overwhelmed by doubt, Kiritsugu unconsciously let go of Irisviel's hand and stepped back.
Noticing his hesitation, Irisviel took his hand again, ignoring his reaction, and led him away from the scene.
...
"Now then," Aoko said, sipping her tea as she addressed Acht, "let's discuss the arrangements for the Fourth Holy Grail War two years from now. I trust your family has prepared sufficiently?"
"Indeed," Acht replied gravely.
"To ensure victory, we've secretly excavated the sheath of King Arthur's sword, the holy relic Avalon, from Cornwall."
"So, you plan to use that mercenary as the Master for this ritual?" Aoko asked, glancing briefly at Kiritsugu, who sat silently to the side.
"Considering his record against magi, Kiritsugu Emiya's résumé is impressive," Acht admitted.
"That's why I chose him."
"That won't suffice. The plan needs adjustment," Aoko said, shaking her head. Kiritsugu couldn't help but feel an ominous premonition at her words.
"Please elaborate," Acht said.
"My sister Touko requires a spot in the war," Aoko declared.
"So, Avalon is ours. I suggest you assign Kiritsugu a different relic—Arthur is unsuitable for someone like him."
Acht nodded, finding her reasoning compelling. Aozaki Touko, a Grand Magus nearing the Third Magic, needed to personally participate to claim the soul-materialization aspect of that Magic after victory.
"I understand. We'll hand over Avalon to Miss Touko," Acht agreed.
"As for Kiritsugu, we'll find another relic for him. He can then assist Miss Touko from the shadows to secure her victory."
Acht did not consider Kiritsugu's opinions, nor did he care about his fervent desire to save humanity.
Sitting silently, Kiritsugu clenched his fists. Beside him, Irisviel looked at her husband with concern.
The path to his ideal had now encountered a colossal obstacle—Grand Magus who had already glimpsed the Root.
Kiritsugu had never felt this unsettled before. While confident in his skills as a magus killer, he knew his limits. Against ordinary magus, he stood a strong chance. But against Magus of their caliber, it was an impossible task.
No… not impossible, he thought, regaining composure. The Aozaki family, renowned in Japan, had a reputation for disregarding mundane threats like weapons and assassins. This was his area of expertise.
The dismissive attitude Aoko had displayed toward him only confirmed that he wasn't on her radar—a critical advantage.
If he could exploit that and hit one of the Aozaki sisters with an Origin Bullet at the right moment, he might force the other to surrender. Difficult, but not without hope.
Kiritsugu resolved to begin gathering intelligence on the Aozaki family immediately. He decided to dispatch Maiya to Misaki Town soon.
In mere moments, Kiritsugu had devised a plan to counter the Aozaki sisters. But he was unaware that Aoko, seated across from him, had already seen through his duplicity and schemes.
"Make sure the information on the Lesser Grail and Greater Grail is ready," Aoko instructed Acht.
"Once we have it, we'll return to Misaki Town."
"By the way, those two maids who gave my sister and me massages the other day were quite good. Let them accompany us," she added with a smirk.
"Of course," Acht replied readily.
"We'll prepare Avalon and the documents by tomorrow. Sella and Leysritt will join you in Japan."
...
Later, Aoko privately sought out Acht for another conversation, deliberately avoiding Kiritsugu and the two Irisviels.
This discussion focused on the Extra Servant summoned during the Third Holy Grail War: Avenger, Angra Mainyu.
Acht candidly admitted that Einzbern had indeed summoned the entity in a desperate gamble, only for it to fail miserably. The war ended on the fourth day because Angra Mainyu, far from being a Zoroastrian deity, was a fraud with negligible combat abilities.
"I have a bad feeling about this Avenger," Aoko said seriously to Acht, her sharp gaze unyielding.