Early the next morning!
Ayato and the others had already finished breakfast, except for Artoria who was still eating heartily.
"What is Artoria-nee's stomach made of?"
Looking at her own round little belly, then at Artoria, Sakura was puzzled.
"Did I eat too much?"
Artoria sat up straight, her face slightly flushed. "It was just so delicious. I'm very sorry."
"It's nothing. There's still plenty."
Ayato smiled and pushed his remaining portion toward Artoria.
"Thank you, Master."
Just then, Medusa walked in, holding an invitation. "Master, the Einzbern Family has invited us. Shall we go?"
"Oh?"
Ayato's eyes flickered. "Why not?"
Then he stood up and walked toward the door.
"W-Wait for me, Master."
Artoria, her cheeks still puffed out with food, finally managed to finish eating and quickly followed.
...
The Einzbern Family's residence was not close to the Matou Mansion.
However, the group chose not to travel by supernatural means.
Instead, Artoria drove.
As a Servant, as long as it didn't involve supernatural vehicles, she was proficient.
Finally,
A magnificent castle, filled with a sense of history, came into view.
"I didn't expect to return here."
Artoria looked at the castle, her expression somewhat complicated.
Medusa asked curiously, "Have you been here before?"
"Mm... Emiya Kiritsugu was previously employed by the Einzbern Family."
"Huh?"
Sakura widened her small eyes. "Are they... enemies?"
Though she was young, Ayato had also introduced her to some knowledge about the Holy Grail War.
"I don't know!"
Artoria shook her head. "So, Master, please be careful."
"Don't worry."
Ayato smiled slightly. "If they try any tricks, I'll just destroy them."
Artoria fell silent.
She could tell that Ayato wasn't joking.
Indeed, her Master lived up to the name of Devil.
But this same person had saved Sakura.
Artoria looked at Sakura, who had a happy smile on her face.
Though their interaction had been brief,
She also realized that without Ayato, something terrible would have befallen this child.
Upon learning that, she felt her Master was truly complex.
Shaking her head slightly, Artoria temporarily set aside the issue.
At the castle gate!
An elderly man dressed in black, with an expressionless face, had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing the arrivals, he stepped forward and came before Ayato and the others. "You may call me Acht. I am the head of the Einzbern Family. I am pleased to meet you all."
Even as he said this, he remained expressionless.
Regarding this,
Ayato was not surprised!
Because to some extent, the other party was merely an automaton strictly executing procedures.
After sizing him up, Ayato got straight to the point. "What do you want with me?"
Acht said calmly, "More precisely, with your Master."
"I am the Master."
"I see."
Seeing that Medusa did not object, Acht nodded.
He himself did not have strong emotions.
Looking at Ayato, Acht said, "May I ask if you are representing the Matou Family in the Holy Grail War?"
"No, I represent only myself."
"If that is the case, would you be willing to represent our Einzbern Family in this war? It is very important to us."
"I have one question."
Ayato said seriously, "Was Emiya Kiritsugu the son-in-law of your family?"
"No."
Acht said. "He was merely a hired hand. As it turns out, we overestimated his abilities."
Hearing this, the corner of Ayato's mouth curved into a smile.
'It seemed my guess was correct.'
"What is this Master thinking about?"
Medusa muttered nearby. "He hasn't set his sights on another woman, has he?"
Sure enough!
Ayato spoke. "I can accept the employment, but I want Irisviel as payment. Is that acceptable?"
It was an empty promise anyway.
Just like with Artoria, he would only take the benefits.
Then, he would simply fulfill his agreement. The rest was none of his concern.
"You want her to become your wife?"
After a moment of silence, as if calculating gains and losses, Acht finally continued, "If that is the case, then agreed."
"She will become one of my wives."
Ayato said solemnly. "I can guarantee that."
"Good. The deal is made."
Hearing their conversation, Medusa's lip twitched.
'Sure enough!'
'My Master,'
'Had nothing but women on his mind.'
'I was right here, and he was so unrestrained.'
Thinking this, she instinctively glanced at Artoria.
'Well,'
'And there was also this one.'
'If Master had always been like this, then never mind.'