Irisviel got out of the car with Illya, who was a little dizzy from the continuous face-rubbing attack, looked at the building in front of her and announced loudly:
"From now on, this will be our new stronghold!"
Seeing this, Saber asked cautiously:
"Is it really okay? Is this house called the new stronghold a little too close to the center of the battlefield?"
"There's nothing to worry about. Both the Tosaka and Matou families openly built fortifications in the city. Other foreign masters also generously settled in the city, but they built their homes in such remote places.
The Einzberns seem a little different."
For the Holy Grail War, which basically requires secret fighting, the location of the stronghold has no special significance. The so-called "geographical advantage" simply means that there are magical elements related to aura above the earth's veins.
"And from the perspective of concealment, the new location Kiritsugu has chosen may be more reliable than the previous residence."
Irisviel nodded in agreement.
"This place is really close to Tohsaka and Matou's strongholds. We really chose an unexpected place."
"The so-called most dangerous place is also the safest. When it comes to surprise, Kiritsugu's vision is indeed very accurate."
Although it was a very pertinent evaluation, Saber's voice still seemed a bit stiff. To Saber, Kiritsugu's theory was worthy of approval from a strategic level. What she couldn't tolerate was Kiritsugu's coldness and cruelty in tactics.
"From today on, you three will use this place as your base of operations."
Kuu Maiya got off the light truck and said in a routine tone while handing Irisviel a bunch of keys.
However, Irisviel did not go to take the key, and Illya, who returned it to her arms, reached out to take it away.
Seeing this, Kuu Maiya didn't say much, but just introduced the purpose of each key in a routine manner.
"This is the warehouse key in the yard. Although it looks very old, I have confirmed that there is no problem with unlocking it."
Kuu Maiya finally pointed to a key that was different from other keys and had a very ancient casting style. Then he seemed to have thought of something, and a hint of apology appeared on his originally cold expression.
"I just bought this house a few days ago, so I haven't had time to make any preparations inside yet. I'm really sorry. Maybe the environment inside is not suitable for living..."
"It doesn't matter. As long as it can protect you from wind and rain, I have no complaints."
Although it doesn't sound like something that a rich young lady could say, in fact, when it comes to the level of devastation, Einzbern City in the deep mountains and old forests is not much better than here.
"...Then, I'll take my leave first."
Maybe Emiya Kiritsugu had arranged some other tasks for her. After Kuu Maiya said goodbye, she quickly returned to the light truck, leaving behind Irisviel, Illya and Saber who were still standing in front of the empty house.
Left quickly.
"Well, everyone, let's start checking out this new home."
"OK……"
"..."
Illya did not speak, but nodded quietly. If she remembered correctly, this would be their last place of memory, and the Holy Grail War would accelerate after this.
After opening the door, what came into view was the expected desolate scene. The courtyard was covered with waist-high weeds, and the main house was submerged in the weeds, giving it an uncomfortable feeling.
"This is what everyone often calls the haunted ghost house."
"Yeah! It always feels like something is going to escape."
Irisviel didn't seem to care about the deserted abandoned house. Instead, she looked around with interest, just like a child entering a haunted house in an amusement park. Seeing her face seemed to be full of interest
Still childish, Illya chose to agree, but Saber didn't know what expression she should use to face it.
"Oops? What's wrong, saber?"
"...It's nothing. If you don't mind the desolate scene here, that would be great."
For Saber who has experienced many battles, it is already commonplace, so he doesn't care about the desolate scene of this abandoned house. If Irisviel can accept it, then use this place as a new base
There is nothing inappropriate about it.
"There must be a wooden corridor inside, and then there are tatami mats, and paper partition doors. Oh, haha, I once said before that I wanted to see with my own eyes what ancient Japanese houses looked like. Kiritsugu must have remembered my words and did this specifically.
.”
"..."
"..."
How could that ruthless man, who was as ruthless as a war machine, think of such things as love between children on the battlefield? Although Saber did not agree with Irisviel's words, seeing her in such a happy mood, Saber remained silent.
Speak up. Ilia also understands that she has no right to speak on this issue. After all, it is the problem of the couple themselves.
Just like that, after checking the back room while sneezing through the mountains of dust, Irisviel finally put on a serious expression and started thinking.
"Is it different from your expectations?"
"Yeah. I'm quite satisfied with this... As a magician's base here, it's a little difficult."
Saber and Irisviel were having a question and answer session.
"...Master, let me tell you, have you forgotten my rank?"
Seeing that Irisviel was planning to set up a magician's workshop by herself, Elijah was speechless.
"I said, don't ignore me to this extent! You are the same, Saber! Although what I said yesterday did not sound very good to you, but now we are still in the same camp after all, right?"
"...I know, this is my mistake, I apologize."
After Saber was silent for a while, she apologized to Illya seriously.
"Well……"
Illya just wanted Saber to know that no matter what she said, she was still Saber's teammate. She had no idea that Saber would take it so seriously.
"No! I don't want you to apologize...I just want...that...this..."
"laugh……"
Looking at Illya whose tone began to become confused, Irisviel couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, little Ilia, you don't need to explain anymore. I think Saber understands what you mean. Look!"
Looking at Illya who was following Irisviel's instructions, Saber nodded affirmatively.
"So, little Ilia, what do you think happened to your rank?"
"oh oh!"
Ilia, who was still a little dazed, immediately came back to her senses after hearing this.
"I said, Master, are you planning to set up a magician's workshop yourself?"
"Yes what's the matter?"
Irisviel answered Illya's question somewhat unclearly.
"Master, I'm a caster! Translated, it means a magician! You actually set up a magician's workshop without me using it. Isn't that so unreasonable! And master, your..."
"So, little Ilia, you want to set up the magician's workshop? Wouldn't it be the same if I did it myself? It's not like I can't move!"
Interrupting what Illya was about to say, Irisviel spoke matter-of-factly.
Although Irisviel's body function is problematic, she doesn't like doing nothing and doesn't want to use this as an excuse to give up what she can do.
"Hmph! Master, you are looking down on me too much. With a caster rank, how could I only set up an ordinary magician's workshop?! What I know is a higher-level 'temple'! Then
……Well……"
She originally wanted to say, "That's not something that can be compared to ordinary magician workshops!", but Illya suddenly noticed that Irisviel's expression had become a little downcast, and she knew something was wrong. She thought about Irisviel for a moment.
Ilia immediately understood the way you usually deal with others and changed her words:
"Well, that...it's a bit troublesome for me to do it alone. Master, please come and help me!"
"OK!"
'Phew... safe on base...'
Seeing Irisviel's expression turn from gloomy to clear, Illya secretly sighed happily and continued the topic below.
"But it won't work here. The structure of the house is somewhat unsuitable. If possible, it would be best to have a room enclosed with stones and earth."
Saber suddenly thought of something and pointed at the last unused key in Illya's hand.
"Didn't Maiya just say that there is a warehouse in the yard? Do you want to go there and have a look?"
transition
"...Ah, this place is really ideal for me, but what about you, little Ilia?"
As soon as she stepped into the door of the warehouse, Irisviel nodded with satisfaction and said that this warehouse is definitely an ideal place to set up a magician's workshop for Irisviel who uses Einzbern's magic. However,
The one I want to use now is Ilia.
"Not bad. This closed structure suits me very well."
Ilia was also quite satisfied with the structure of the warehouse, but her voice at this moment seemed a bit flat and cold without any emotion.
"Little Ilia? What's wrong with you?"
"Holy, what's the problem here?"
Not only Irisviel, but also Saber noticed the change in Illya's mood.
"No, it's nothing. Master, Saber, please help me with this..."
Elijah avoided Irisviel's questions and used magic power to outline a magic array based on a double hexagram array with two crossed cross-shaped patterns in the middle.
"Use magic mercury to draw one on each wall, six feet in diameter. Then set one of these gems at the intersection of each cross."
With that said, Illya took out some more red and blue gems and handed them to Irisviel and Saber.
"Then how can we connect the magic power of these magic arrays to the earth's veins? I think you, Master, should know it. Now it's up to you to teach Saber how to do it. Only I can construct the main magic array.
, so I don’t need your help anymore.”
"I see."
It was obvious that Illya didn't want to answer that question. After Irisviel glanced at Illya with a worried look, she took Saber, who still wanted to say something, to mix the mercury.
This chapter has been completed!