Late at night, Irisviel woke up, and the first thing she saw was Kazuko sitting not far from her, holding a book and reading by the faint candlelight.
Ms. Akubeko was a neighbor in the next yard. When Kuu Maiya and Saber went out with Kiritsugu, Ms. Akubeko took care of her.
Also to protect her.
Anno vaguely revealed to Emiya Kiritsugu the fact that Akuko was not a simple person. The confused Emiya Kiritsugu agreed, but still met Akuko alone and communicated for a long time.
No one knows exactly what was exchanged except Emiya Kiritsugu and Akuko.
Anyway, the final result is that Akuko is sitting here, holding a book, reading while taking care of the immobile Irisviel.
"It doesn't matter, this is just a deal between me, Annuo, and Mr. Emiya. There's no need to thank you or anything like that."
Akuko's eyes were fixed on the book, but she didn't actually look like she was reading.
But her eyes did not fall on Irisviel.
"No, I still have to thank you."
"It's great to be able to meet new people at the end of my life."
Kazuko finally raised her eyes a little and focused on Irisviel.
She squinted her eyes hidden behind her glasses.
What a sad artificial man.
but
"Do you really think this is great?"
Akuko stood up, came to Irisviel's side, and sat down.
"Ah, it's true."
"From before, I have been eager to communicate with more people."
"After all, I could only live in the castle before."
Irisviel sighed in a weak voice.
Kazuko temporarily closed the book and looked at Irisviel.
"There is no contact with the outside world at all."
Yeah.
Just like a mayfly.
Such a short life.
Kazuko, a poppy, is a flesh-eating spirit that has been wandering the earth for thousands of years. With her wide knowledge and sharp eyesight, she can naturally see clearly what Irisviel is doing at this moment.
"Looking at you, you don't seem to regret all this."
"This is not something worth smiling about. You know your ending."
Irisviel's face was pale and her expression was weak, as if she would wither at any moment, but there was indeed a smile on her lips.
With a smile that shouldn't be worn.
"Ah, Miss Aji, are you sympathizing with me?"
Irisviel raised her head slightly, seeming a little surprised.
"Not sympathy."
Kazuko just shook her head slightly.
"I have seen many lives and deaths, some remorseful and some free and easy, but they all have their own reasons for regret and freedom. Irisviel, what is your reason?"
"You obviously have a lot more you want to do."
It was not a provocation, Akuhiko just raised her own questions normally.
She is such a [creature].
The reason why she asked this question was because she thought of someone.
A person whose attitude was very similar to Irisviel's when she was dying.
She wants to call him uncle, he is her husband's brother.
King of Northern Chu, Xiang An.
Regretful, but free and easy, but Xiang An showed such an attitude because of his almost extreme frustration and depression. Why did Irisviel?
"It's because of hope."
Although Irisviel is weak and declining, there is still some light in her eyes.
"Kiritsugu, he can finally realize his wish. Isn't it worth being happy?"
She faced Akuko with great calmness and joy.
"Is this so?"
As a short-lived ephemera, Irisviel tied all her freedom and ease to her lover.
She saw a little bit of herself in Irisviel again.
Humans are such complex creatures, even artificial humans are the same.
This is a species that Kazuko has been observing for thousands of years, but still cannot see through.
“At the end of my life, I will be able to visit Kiritsugu’s hometown, live in a Japanese-style room that seems to have a ghost, go shopping, eat delicious food, watch movies, go to amusement parks, go to comic exhibitions, and go to shopping malls.
During this time, I went shopping, played games, got to know Maiya-san, Saber, Akuta-san, and was able to drive a car myself.”
"Being able to kiss Illya one last time when leaving the castle"
"I can, in Kiritsugu's dream, sacrifice my life for Kiritsugu."
Smiling, Irisviel turned her head to the sky, with tears in her eyes, and spoke tremblingly.
"I think it's enough"
“This is already, very good, very good”
"Fate is on my side."
Don't mean what you say.
But it is indeed what she wants and what she chooses.
Akuko put down the book in her hand, picked up the wet towel from the basin next to her, wiped Irisviel's face, and wiped away the tears at the same time.
"Ah, thank you, Miss Mustard, you are a gentle person."
"I already said this is a deal, no need to thank you."
Akuko threw the wet towel back.
"When will we attack?"
This was the first thing Annuo asked after meeting Emiya Kiritsugu.
"It will be night tomorrow."
Emiya Kiritsugu raised his head and glanced at the moon in the sky.
"Maiya and I will explore the surroundings of Assassin's stronghold in advance. After my order, you will directly attack from the front and force Assassin out of the stronghold."
"This is the only way left to us."
The location of the new stronghold is relatively hidden compared to before, but it is only hidden. Assassin has not found it, just not in the short term. He may find it in the next second.
It is simply unrealistic to try to play the enemy-and-hidden game in front of Assassin. Instead, Assassin will erode all the advantages.
Emiya Kiritsugu was not stupid, and he naturally made this decision after careful consideration.
"I see."
Annuo nodded and stopped talking.
He didn't feel that he could do more than Emiya Kiritsugu in modern society.
Besides, there seems to be really no other way now.
Therefore, he will carry out Emiya Kiritsugu's orders.
Moreover, this was also the first time that he, as a Servant, fought side by side with the Master Emiya Kiritsugu in the true sense.
Zuocun.
You must be waiting for me.
It would be great if I could fight you on such a battlefield.
That’s fine.
Annuo's hand was pressed on the hilt of the sword.
Zuo Cun wanted to challenge him, so why didn't he want to fight Zuo Cun who was going all out?
Combat power is always relative. He is strong and Zuo Cun is weak. It is by no means an absolute situation.
Therefore, he is also looking forward to the battle with Zuo Cun.
The communication between warriors must be on the sword!