Irisviel fell to the ground. Instinctively gasping for air, it took her a second to collect herself and another to realize who spoke. Staring at the boy Master as she hacked at her nearly-collapsed airways, she spied him restraining Avenger with a hug from behind, only this time, Avenger didn't so much as look her way. Like a glance at her would render her Master's order moot. Instead, the boy spoke for them both as she turned away from Irisviel.
"Sorry for the rough treatment. But then again, you must already have been aware how Servants would react upon learning the truth." That she did. But for him to be able to calm Avenger despite it… it planted doubts in her homunculus brain that his wish was an ordinary one. "Speaking of which, how does your Saber, my ancestor Arturia Pendragon, feel about this?"
The prodding question didn't get a response. But silence again was response enough as the boy devilishly smiled. It was as if he expected it.
"My, my. Of all the Servants, she has probably the boldest wish to ask of the Grail. I wonder… how would my dear ancestor react should she learn of her Master's lie. To be betrayed by her allies once more after resolving herself on a path to prevent the first betrayal from ever occurring… Well, never had I pity King Arthur so much before now…"
Again, Irisviel said nothing. She didn't dare raise her head either. She could feel his eyes burning holes, daring her to speak. However, he was right. Saber… Arturia was her newest and probably the last friend she would ever have in this life. And yet, Irisviel didn't want to think about how she and others had to betray her. The King of Knights was always fighting for their sake as well as the sake of her own… but… on a scale where one country was being weighed against all of humanity… how could that girl's wish compare to his?
The only thing they could offer the girl was a false promise, a dreamy lie that would end with the world's prosperity. The cruel thought was something not quite new to Irisviel who'd grown up wanting to fulfil her husband's dream… but still…
Yet, it's not like she wasn't already prepared to earn the girl King's ire. She couldn't stop now. Not when they were this close. 'Sorry, Arturia. I wish… there was a different way… But if it means creating a gentle world for Illya.'
She could already imagine it now. The face of the young woman, broken and shattered upon hearing the truth… It was disheartening. And though she'd never had a mental link with Saber in the first place, having grown so close to her since she was first summoned… She could already feel the curses that the Servant would hurl her way. Spew at her husband and their selfish dream.
A false Master regretting lying to a Servant not their own… it shouldn't have been possible for her, an artificial human, to feel so. But she did. Maybe she could have acted indifferently and told her everything, maybe, had she stayed emotionless, a husk of a person and a mere failure as a human, she could've absentmindedly exposed the truth of it all…
But Irisviel had grown a heart. In the span of being made, falling in love, getting married, having a child, she'd turned into something more than a homunculus and about as human as anyone could become on their own. She understood that, whatever she did now or before, it wouldn't change the fact that she'd shatter the last of Saber's will to fight… All for the sake of something she believed was far greater.
She couldn't ask for forgiveness. Not when they still needed the holy sword wielder's power to win. Her entire role in this war was to be a bait for other Masters, nothing more. Regret or not lies or not, she had resolved herself to do this job.
But, from what she understood, neither Lelouch nor his Servant had picked up on this truth.
'So long as I can play this role, this is enough for me…' Shedding her last apologetic tears for Saber, she steeled herself.
"Can't even admit the truth to your own Servant…" Avenger muttered with disdain and a pitying smile. "Deny it as you'd like, but your ilk are nothing but pitiful excuses as lords! Naïve as she may be, that brat king is still a retainer who devoted her services to you. But then again, she might see this as me doing her a favour if I just singe you a little."
The air suddenly sparked. The stench of sulfur and brimstone wafted about even though there were no active volcanoes or large bonfires around. Avenger's glare sparked a literal flame and very nearly caught the fringes of Irisviel's hair. But not before the woman's Master quickly pulled her into an embrace. One where her face was forcefully buried into his chest.
"What did I say about losing your cool?" he muttered softly for only his Servant to hear. But in the silence of the dissipating flames, the weakened homunculus didn't need to try harder to hear it all. "No burning our prisoners. Not yet at least, my dear."
Surprisingly, Avenger didn't argue. No. She pouted. "Mm. I know, but… I just want to burn something so badly! Can I at least just maim her legs? Or just singe a bit of her hair? Please?"
That she asked with such a childish tone made her appear more bored than she was vengeful at being tricked earlier. With her back turned to the prisoner, the surreal expression of the demon-flame-clad Servant couldn't be seen. But the tone she was using had Irisviel in slight disbelief.
"No means no, Avenger. Hostages are more valuable, pristine and healthy than half-dead. Just wait for a little bit and you'll have your fill of actual combat, okay?'
"Hm… Only because you're asking me… Be glad your face is really cute, otherwise, this entire city would have been a wasteland by now."
"Yes, yes." The boy patted her head like one would a pet. "And I am quite lucky to have such a patient and understanding partner."
When Avenger looked to the side, clicking her tongue, Irisviel spotted it. The tinge in her cheeks, the soft side glances she shot her Master, it was all clear to Irisviel. And despite being their prisoner, she was able to learn something new about her husband's foes.
'What is… does this mean…?' It wasn't unreasonable for a Servant and Master to share deeper feelings for one another. Though it never happened for her family in the past as they always used homunculi, there was already circumstantial evidence with Lancer and his Master's former betrothed. But it also explained another thing. 'So that's why… she hasn't killed him yet…'
The Avenger Servant had fallen for her Master and, even after the reveal of the truth of the war, neither had broken away from one another. But then that begged a question. 'What does the boy get out of this?'
Avenger's wish was already rendered impossible since the Grail required she die as well… but what did Lelouch Lamperouge stand to gain from continuing this war? If he were to win, he'd still have to sacrifice his… but what if that wasn't the case?
'What if… he wasn't after the Grail… What if… he doesn't want to win it… instead he…'
Irisviel's eyes widened in realization. But as her stare absentmindedly flitted to the pair who weren't doing this to win the war, Avenger, who noticed her intense gaze, smiled like a tease.
"Ara, ara? What's wrong, Einzbern homunculus? Never seen acts of intimacy between two lovers before? Does your artificial brain not compute what we have on display? Or do you perhaps," Avenger drew her Master closer, much to his and Irisviel's surprise, whilst seemingly tickling his ear with her words. "Maybe she has a thing for watching?"
"Wha—?! HAH?!"
"Oh? Did I guess right? What a perverted little creation you are. Not even human, but programmed with even more disgusting human tendencies!"
The allegation caught her off guard. Never had she been teased in such a way that her internal musings were momentarily drawn to a pause. It didn't help when the boy decided to ride along his Servant's jape.
"Come now, my dear. A lady shouldn't tease others on their preferences." Lelouch Lamperouge met Irisviel's eyes in passing before shrugging to himself. "Even if the Lady Einzbern were to have such tastes, we shouldn't judge. No matter her relations with her own Servant… or say, her ever-worried mercenary assassins, such talk is beneath us."
A polite disengage the words may have been, the condescending look he gave her certainly wasn't. He may have only followed along to entertain his Servant who continued to cuddle with him, but with how calculated he'd been wording himself since they met, Irisviel wasn't certain if it was true or not he knew well about her relationships with Saber and her husband.
That look that seemed to go through her, the eyes that shouldn't belong to a boy who wasn't even invited to this war naturally, the chills running down Irisviel's spine didn't let up.
'Wait… Assassins?' It was only then that she realized he used the plurality to refer to her associates. "What… what did you do… to her? To Maiya—?!" Her eyes snapped wide, ignoring the Servant's pitiful stare in jest. "Where is she?! What did you do to my companion?!"
"Maiya? I see. So that's her name." Nodding to himself, Lelouch Lamperouge smiled. "Thank you for informing me. She'd been a bit… difficult, so we didn't even know her name until now."
If that meant she resisted… knowing Kiritsugu's protégé, she was as stubborn and tight-lipped as her husband when it came to work. Being so loyal to him, only rivalling Irisviel's own devotion to the man, Hisau Maiya would never talk… even if it meant she'd break…
Irisviel bit her lip. "What did you… do to her?!"
"Not much… Understand that we had to be a little rough, considering she was far more combative than you during capture." The boy's shrug wasn't all that reassuring. "Rest assured, Lady Einzbern. We aren't that careless in handling captives. Especially those already injured beyond incapacitation. Your little mercenary still lives and will continue to be for the next—" pulling out a watch, he paused. "Give or take, the next hour."
'Which means… Maiya is in danger. A part of whatever plan he'd set in motion.' Irisviel mustered all the strength she had left and spoke with a low voice. "Don't you dare to harm my friends. Kill me if you need to but spare her."
"Hmm, I won't mind doing it for you… But only if you would disclose the location of the Lesser Grail." Her silence was his answer. It was the only answer she could give. "I thought so. But if it makes you feel better, I respect your resolve and conviction to stay silent. I will thank you in advance for behaving until the Magus Killer and the King of Knights arrive here."
Irisviel paled even more than usual. "Kiritsugu—?!"
"Calling him by his first name, I see…" She held her tongue but the damage was done. The boy looked eager as he smiled down at her. "So there is something more to your relationship. Here I thought it was just a little jest to rile you up, but that explains his reaction to my call."
'Call? So… he contacted… but that meant…'
A trap. A trap wherein she and his apprentice were the bait. And no doubt, Kiritsugu was already on his way if the boy was this confident about it all. Whether or not the boy was aware that her husband would only do so because Irisviel herself was the Grail, he was still pulling their strings accordingly. That meant they were knowingly walking right into it. And Lelouch Lamperouge was confident he could take them all on.
The boy was no fool. Even as a homunculus, she was aware of her husband's reputation. No way this child wouldn't be after masterfully manipulating all his other foes who were far more superior in magecraft and power. But for him to be this calm… he was either arrogant or prepared.
Irisviel doubted he was the former no matter how much his demeanour suggested.
"Isn't that nice," Avenger suddenly chimed with a haughty smile. "A murderer assassin and his perverted little sex doll are going to be in one place. Only then can I ensure you both suffer for the bullshit you dragged my Master and myself into!"
The insults didn't get to her. It was when the redheaded Servant leaned down and picked her up by the chin, forcing their similarly crimson eyes to meet once more. Gone was the sarcasm. Gone were the jokes. All that she saw in the red pools was the thirst for blood. For revenge. A trait associated strongly with the Avenger class.
"Since you care so much about them, I will make sure you live long enough to watch them burn in hell. Your companion. Your Servant. Your little lover. They will all suffer and you get to watch until I have you begging to be killed and spared the show." She didn't need to spit into Irisviel's face to get the point across, but she did. "Consider this my payback for trying to trick me into becoming your accursed cup's wine!"
"Avenger," Lelouch Lamperouge was already halfway out the door as he called out to his Servant. "Come. We have to prepare for our… guests."
"Coming, darling!"
The Servant of Vengeance said with a sickly sweet and soft voice that belied the devil hiding under her mask. Hugging her partner's arm as she ran into him, she spared Irisviel one last smirking glance before closing the door. Multiple locks clicked shut. But though they would be easy pickings for any competent magi, Irisviel didn't move.
Attempts at escape would only threaten Maiya. Attempts at ending her life wouldn't help Kiritsugu either. The helpless homunculus didn't—nay, couldn't try anything even after she was left in an empty room with barely any guards or locks holding her down.
"NGH!"
Something within her stirred. Pain coursed through her body as her circuits sizzled and hummed with power. The Grail was waking. Her instincts as a homunculus informed her that, whatever time she had left, it would be short.
Meaning the zenith of the war… it was night. And her time as Irisviel von Einzbern… was at an end.
"Ah…" she sighed in resignation. "So I won't even get to see you… in the end…"
A lone tear streaked down her cheek. The mere idea of saying goodbye to her love had never come up. Not that she never thought about it but for the fact that she didn't want to see her husband make that face should she try.
He'd cried enough. As his wife, it wouldn't add more to his already heavy burden.
But despite the acceptance, despite both of them being resigned, having known this day would come, Iri wanted to be a little selfish still. She wanted to hold his face in her hands once more. She wanted to carry Illya, kiss her daughter goodnight, one last time.
Alas, it was not to be. For the device implanted within her, the same one Lelouch Lamperouge sought after, thrummed awake.
'Please be safe…' All she could do was lean back against the wall and pray. Pray that her beloved and friends could find respite after this storm. 'Please, be safe… no matter what… Kiritsugu… Illya…'
If only there was anyone who could grant the Grail vessel her own wish…