"This idiot!"
Whether it was Saber in danger, Kenneth's attack, or the appearance of Kotomine Kirei, the usually indifferent Justeaze finally couldn't sit still.
Irisviel was the Lesser Grail of this Holy Grail War, and her existence was more important than the seven Masters and Servants. If she encountered any problems, even if the Holy Grail War ended, the Holy Grail summoning ritual would fail.
Irisviel absolutely couldn't have any issues—this was what Justeaze thought as she left the castle, abandoning her prime observation spot and heading straight for Irisviel's location.
Driven by an inexplicable sense of urgency, she forgot to inform Shinji, forgot that the "Lesser Grail" didn't need Irisviel to be alive, and even her specially adjusted body wasn't necessary. All that was needed was to preserve her heart to prevent any impact on the ritual.
At this moment, Justeaze didn't realize that Irisviel's importance didn't stem from being the Lesser Grail but rather because she possessed the human soul and emotions that Justeaze desired.
...
Equally anxious was Maiya, who was heavily injured and unable to move.
Previously, they had agreed that during the confrontation with Kotomine Kirei, Irisviel would only provide covert support and must not reveal herself regardless of the circumstances.
Maiya was well aware that if she failed, Irisviel, who had no combat experience, would be no match for Kotomine Kirei.
"Madam, you can't!"
Ignoring her injuries, Maiya coughed up blood as she tried to stop Irisviel.
Kotomine Kirei lowered his clenched fist and expressionlessly observed this sudden confrontation with the artificial human.
He couldn't understand Irisviel's actions. In his view, Irisviel was Saber's Master, the core of the entire Einzbern faction, and someone who must be protected at all costs. If she died, the Einzbern would repeat the same mistakes of the previous Holy Grail War.
According to Tohsaka Tokiomi's account, the Einzbern family, due to their heavy emphasis on alchemy, was not adept at combat and always withdrew from the Holy Grail War early. Given their hiring of the mercenary Emiya Kiritsugu, they should have reflected on that humiliating experience.
So, why would the Master of the Einzbern family appear alone before Kotomine Kirei with the female guard lying on the ground? Wasn't that seeking death?
"Woman, perhaps you'll find it surprising, but I didn't come here to defeat you."
It sounded like a low-level lie that no one would believe, but it was Kotomine Kirei's genuine sentiment. His purpose was to confront Emiya Kiritsugu on the battlefield, and compared to that, everything else was inconsequential.
"I understand very well, Kotomine Kirei."
Kotomine Kirei was surprised that Irisviel believed him.
"I know your purpose, but it's impossible. You won't reach Emiya Kiritsugu. We will stop you right here!" said Irisviel in response to Kirei's words, feeling puzzled by her confidence. Was she ignorant, or did she have something to rely on?
Taking advantage of her opponent's hesitation, Irisviel drew out a concealed weapon from her coat sleeve. Well, it couldn't exactly be called a weapon; it was just a bundle of soft metal wire.
"Madam, this man is an Executor, a skilled hunter of heretics. He's not an opponent that can be dealt with using ordinary magic!" exclaimed Maiya, who was crouching on the ground, enduring the pain. Irisviel responded with a calm smile.
"Kiritsugu taught me more than just driving! He taught me how to live, not as a puppet, but as a human being!"
In front of the speechless Maiya and the astonished Kirei, Irisviel infused magic into the metal wire. The extremely thin wire unraveled from its bundle, and like a living organism, it began to flow between Irisviel's fingers.
No one knew that Irisviel's rank as a magus was higher than her husband, Emiya Kiritsugu.
No one knew that Irisviel had long since acquired her combat style by learning from her husband, who had always been involved in battles, and through her determination to live together with him.
"ShapeistLeben! (Form of Life)"
With a two-verse incantation, she swiftly weaved the magic.
This was Irisviel's Mystic Code—Metal Form Manipulation. It was a Mystic Code unparalleled in the world of magecraft.
Silver threads crisscrossed and formed intricate patterns. They intertwined and combined, giving shape to a complex three-dimensional object that resembled a woven craftwork, with fierce wings, a bird's beak, and sharp claws.
It was an exquisite silver wire artwork modeled after an eagle.
No, it was more than just a replica.
"Kyeeeee!!"
Issuing a high-pitched screech reminiscent of a metallic blade slicing through the air, the Silver Wire Eagle took flight from Irisviel's hand.
It was an artificial life form created on the spot using alchemy, a weapon imbued with life by Irisviel, who was currently facing a life-or-death situation.
The Silver Wire Eagle flew with a bullet-like trajectory, far exceeding Kirei's expectations. It narrowly missed him with its attack, but its razor-sharp beak grazed his nose.
After the first attack missed, the Silver Wire Eagle immediately hovered above Kirei's head. This time, it swooped down with its hooked claws aimed at his face.
However, for an Executor like Kirei, this was not an attack he couldn't handle. Fearlessly, he used his powerful fist to strike back at the eagle.
Descending rapidly, the eagle couldn't change its trajectory. Kirei's fist directly hit its abdomen.
"Hmm?"
To Kirei's surprise, the eagle transformed back into shapeless silver wires upon being struck, entwining around his right fist like a vine. Despite immediately attempting to pull it off with his left hand, the silver wires wrapped around that hand as well. The silver wires that had just been soaring in the form of an eagle now bound Kirei's hands like handcuffs.
"Hmph!"
Faced with this predicament, Kirei only snorted and rushed towards Irisviel. Having engaged in countless battles with magi in the past, he wasn't concerned about his hands being restrained. As long as he got close, he could launch a decisive kick and determine the outcome.
"You're too naive!"
Irisviel scolded and infused more magic into the silver wires.
A bundle of silver wires extended from the entangled strands that bound Kirei's hands and swiftly moved through the air like a snake, entwining around nearby tree trunks.
Now even Kirei couldn't defend against it. In the moments when he lost his balance and tried to stabilize himself, the silver wires tightly wrapped around the tree trunk, continuously dragging Kirei. Eventually, they securely bound his wrists to the tree trunk.
The diameter of the tree trunk exceeded thirty centimeters, making it impossible for a human's strength alone to break or uproot it. This fearsome Executor was finally completely immobilized.
However, it wasn't a time for celebrating victory. Under Kirei's physical strength, Irisviel was gradually losing the hard-fought advantage she had gained.
Under normal circumstances, Kirei's hands should have been severed by the pressure of the silver wires. But his muscles, honed to be as strong as steel, were far more resilient than Irisviel had imagined. Her silver wires were on the verge of breaking, strained to their limits. To reinforce the metal and prevent it from snapping, she had to continuously exert all her magical power.
"Maiya, please, hurry!"
The one holding the key to victory was Maiya, who was crouching on the ground. Irisviel had exerted all her strength to bind Kirei, and the only one who could deliver the final blow to him, unable to move, was Maiya.
She didn't need to get close enough for a kick that Kirei could reach. A single shot to his exposed head would be enough. Kirei was unable to protect his head with the sleeve of his bulletproof vest like before.
Having caught her breath for a moment, the injured Maiya regained enough sensation in her hands and feet. Groaning in pain from her broken ribs, she slowly moved toward the discarded M950 pistol.
The outcome was determined by the endurance contest measured in seconds. Despite the pain from the magical circuit, Irisviel gritted her teeth and persevered.
Maiya picked up the gun and fired. As long as she maintained the strength of the silver wires until then, they could eliminate the threat posed by Kirei Kotomine.
However, they underestimated the terrifying nature of Kirei Kotomine and Bajiquan.
Irisviel, who did not know Chinese martial arts, believed that binding Kirei's hands to a tree would render him defenseless. But Kirei, a highly skilled martial artist, had weapons all over his body.
Kirei firmly planted his feet on the ground, causing the tree trunk to shake violently. The deafening sound made Irisviel shudder.
This was the sound produced when one used their full strength to punch the center of a tree.
The sound of impact rang out again, different from before. This time, the sound of the tree cracking mixed with it, sending shivers down one's spine.
Though she couldn't see what was happening, Irisviel, who controlled the silver wires, understood through touch that a massive crack had appeared in the tree trunk, right where the silver wires were entwined, directly below Kirei's hands.
Kirei, with his hands pressed against the tree bark, was forcefully striking the trunk with the palms of his hands.
Chinese martial arts didn't rely solely on the strength of the arms or wrists. It utilized the power of the feet planted on the ground, the rotation of the waist, the twisting of the shoulders, and the movement of the arms and wrists, channeling the explosive power of the entire body into a single punch, delivering a blow that surpassed ordinary imagination.
In necessary situations, it was not impossible to deliver power from parts other than the arms, known in Chinese martial arts as "inch power."
The third sound of impact reverberated through the forest, louder than before, and the tree emitted its final mournful cry.
The broken fibers snapped, and the tree, which served as a support for the silver wires, collapsed.
Kirei calmly freed himself from the silver wire encirclement and used his hands to tightly grip the wires, tearing them apart section by section.
Irisviel felt a strong sense of exhaustion from the feedback of her shattered magic and fell to her knees.
Looking at the despairing eyes of the two women, Kirei, with the demeanor of a victor, took a step forward and reached for the M950 that Maiya was about to pick up. He casually smashed the resin frame with his foot like an iron hammer.
"You bastard!"
After a disdainful glance at Maiya, who was still unable to get up and muttered with hatred, Kirei kicked her in the abdomen without any interest. Maiya flipped over and fell to the ground, motionless and unconscious.
Then, with an emotionless gaze, Kirei turned his attention to Irisviel.
Unaware of his assured victory, he didn't notice that the scattered silver wires on the ground were silently gathering together.
"This idiot!"
Whether it was Saber in danger, Kenneth's attack, or the appearance of Kotomine Kirei, the usually indifferent Justeaze finally couldn't sit still.
Irisviel was the Lesser Grail of this Holy Grail War, and her existence was more important than the seven Masters and Servants. If she encountered any problems, even if the Holy Grail War ended, the Holy Grail summoning ritual would fail.
Irisviel absolutely couldn't have any issues—this was what Justeaze thought as she left the castle, abandoning her prime observation spot and heading straight for Irisviel's location.
Driven by an inexplicable sense of urgency, she forgot to inform Shinji, forgot that the "Lesser Grail" didn't need Irisviel to be alive, and even her specially adjusted body wasn't necessary. All that was needed was to preserve her heart to prevent any impact on the ritual.
At this moment, Justeaze didn't realize that Irisviel's importance didn't stem from being the Lesser Grail but rather because she possessed the human soul and emotions that Justeaze desired.
...
Equally anxious was Maiya, who was heavily injured and unable to move.
Previously, they had agreed that during the confrontation with Kotomine Kirei, Irisviel would only provide covert support and must not reveal herself regardless of the circumstances.
Maiya was well aware that if she failed, Irisviel, who had no combat experience, would be no match for Kotomine Kirei.
"Madam, you can't!"
Ignoring her injuries, Maiya coughed up blood as she tried to stop Irisviel.
Kotomine Kirei lowered his clenched fist and expressionlessly observed this sudden confrontation with the artificial human.
He couldn't understand Irisviel's actions. In his view, Irisviel was Saber's Master, the core of the entire Einzbern faction, and someone who must be protected at all costs. If she died, the Einzbern would repeat the same mistakes of the previous Holy Grail War.
According to Tohsaka Tokiomi's account, the Einzbern family, due to their heavy emphasis on alchemy, was not adept at combat and always withdrew from the Holy Grail War early. Given their hiring of the mercenary Emiya Kiritsugu, they should have reflected on that humiliating experience.
So, why would the Master of the Einzbern family appear alone before Kotomine Kirei with the female guard lying on the ground? Wasn't that seeking death?
"Woman, perhaps you'll find it surprising, but I didn't come here to defeat you."
It sounded like a low-level lie that no one would believe, but it was Kotomine Kirei's genuine sentiment. His purpose was to confront Emiya Kiritsugu on the battlefield, and compared to that, everything else was inconsequential.
"I understand very well, Kotomine Kirei."
Kotomine Kirei was surprised that Irisviel believed him.
"I know your purpose, but it's impossible. You won't reach Emiya Kiritsugu. We will stop you right here!" said Irisviel in response to Kirei's words, feeling puzzled by her confidence. Was she ignorant, or did she have something to rely on?
Taking advantage of her opponent's hesitation, Irisviel drew out a concealed weapon from her coat sleeve. Well, it couldn't exactly be called a weapon; it was just a bundle of soft metal wire.
"Madam, this man is an Executor, a skilled hunter of heretics. He's not an opponent that can be dealt with using ordinary magic!" exclaimed Maiya, who was crouching on the ground, enduring the pain. Irisviel responded with a calm smile.
"Kiritsugu taught me more than just driving! He taught me how to live, not as a puppet, but as a human being!"
In front of the speechless Maiya and the astonished Kirei, Irisviel infused magic into the metal wire. The extremely thin wire unraveled from its bundle, and like a living organism, it began to flow between Irisviel's fingers.
No one knew that Irisviel's rank as a magus was higher than her husband, Emiya Kiritsugu.
No one knew that Irisviel had long since acquired her combat style by learning from her husband, who had always been involved in battles, and through her determination to live together with him.
"ShapeistLeben! (Form of Life)"
With a two-verse incantation, she swiftly weaved the magic.
This was Irisviel's Mystic Code—Metal Form Manipulation. It was a Mystic Code unparalleled in the world of magecraft.
Silver threads crisscrossed and formed intricate patterns. They intertwined and combined, giving shape to a complex three-dimensional object that resembled a woven craftwork, with fierce wings, a bird's beak, and sharp claws.
It was an exquisite silver wire artwork modeled after an eagle.
No, it was more than just a replica.
"Kyeeeee!!"
Issuing a high-pitched screech reminiscent of a metallic blade slicing through the air, the Silver Wire Eagle took flight from Irisviel's hand.
It was an artificial life form created on the spot using alchemy, a weapon imbued with life by Irisviel, who was currently facing a life-or-death situation.
The Silver Wire Eagle flew with a bullet-like trajectory, far exceeding Kirei's expectations. It narrowly missed him with its attack, but its razor-sharp beak grazed his nose.
After the first attack missed, the Silver Wire Eagle immediately hovered above Kirei's head. This time, it swooped down with its hooked claws aimed at his face.
However, for an Executor like Kirei, this was not an attack he couldn't handle. Fearlessly, he used his powerful fist to strike back at the eagle.
Descending rapidly, the eagle couldn't change its trajectory. Kirei's fist directly hit its abdomen.
"Hmm?"
To Kirei's surprise, the eagle transformed back into shapeless silver wires upon being struck, entwining around his right fist like a vine. Despite immediately attempting to pull it off with his left hand, the silver wires wrapped around that hand as well. The silver wires that had just been soaring in the form of an eagle now bound Kirei's hands like handcuffs.
"Hmph!"
Faced with this predicament, Kirei only snorted and rushed towards Irisviel. Having engaged in countless battles with magi in the past, he wasn't concerned about his hands being restrained. As long as he got close, he could launch a decisive kick and determine the outcome.
"You're too naive!"
Irisviel scolded and infused more magic into the silver wires.
A bundle of silver wires extended from the entangled strands that bound Kirei's hands and swiftly moved through the air like a snake, entwining around nearby tree trunks.
Now even Kirei couldn't defend against it. In the moments when he lost his balance and tried to stabilize himself, the silver wires tightly wrapped around the tree trunk, continuously dragging Kirei. Eventually, they securely bound his wrists to the tree trunk.
The diameter of the tree trunk exceeded thirty centimeters, making it impossible for a human's strength alone to break or uproot it. This fearsome Executor was finally completely immobilized.
However, it wasn't a time for celebrating victory. Under Kirei's physical strength, Irisviel was gradually losing the hard-fought advantage she had gained.
Under normal circumstances, Kirei's hands should have been severed by the pressure of the silver wires. But his muscles, honed to be as strong as steel, were far more resilient than Irisviel had imagined. Her silver wires were on the verge of breaking, strained to their limits. To reinforce the metal and prevent it from snapping, she had to continuously exert all her magical power.
"Maiya, please, hurry!"
The one holding the key to victory was Maiya, who was crouching on the ground. Irisviel had exerted all her strength to bind Kirei, and the only one who could deliver the final blow to him, unable to move, was Maiya.
She didn't need to get close enough for a kick that Kirei could reach. A single shot to his exposed head would be enough. Kirei was unable to protect his head with the sleeve of his bulletproof vest like before.
Having caught her breath for a moment, the injured Maiya regained enough sensation in her hands and feet. Groaning in pain from her broken ribs, she slowly moved toward the discarded M950 pistol.
The outcome was determined by the endurance contest measured in seconds. Despite the pain from the magical circuit, Irisviel gritted her teeth and persevered.
Maiya picked up the gun and fired. As long as she maintained the strength of the silver wires until then, they could eliminate the threat posed by Kirei Kotomine.
However, they underestimated the terrifying nature of Kirei Kotomine and Bajiquan.
Irisviel, who did not know Chinese martial arts, believed that binding Kirei's hands to a tree would render him defenseless. But Kirei, a highly skilled martial artist, had weapons all over his body.
Kirei firmly planted his feet on the ground, causing the tree trunk to shake violently. The deafening sound made Irisviel shudder.
This was the sound produced when one used their full strength to punch the center of a tree.
The sound of impact rang out again, different from before. This time, the sound of the tree cracking mixed with it, sending shivers down one's spine.
Though she couldn't see what was happening, Irisviel, who controlled the silver wires, understood through touch that a massive crack had appeared in the tree trunk, right where the silver wires were entwined, directly below Kirei's hands.
Kirei, with his hands pressed against the tree bark, was forcefully striking the trunk with the palms of his hands.
Chinese martial arts didn't rely solely on the strength of the arms or wrists. It utilized the power of the feet planted on the ground, the rotation of the waist, the twisting of the shoulders, and the movement of the arms and wrists, channeling the explosive power of the entire body into a single punch, delivering a blow that surpassed ordinary imagination.
In necessary situations, it was not impossible to deliver power from parts other than the arms, known in Chinese martial arts as "inch power."
The third sound of impact reverberated through the forest, louder than before, and the tree emitted its final mournful cry.
The broken fibers snapped, and the tree, which served as a support for the silver wires, collapsed.
Kirei calmly freed himself from the silver wire encirclement and used his hands to tightly grip the wires, tearing them apart section by section.
Irisviel felt a strong sense of exhaustion from the feedback of her shattered magic and fell to her knees.
Looking at the despairing eyes of the two women, Kirei, with the demeanor of a victor, took a step forward and reached for the M950 that Maiya was about to pick up. He casually smashed the resin frame with his foot like an iron hammer.
"You bastard!"
After a disdainful glance at Maiya, who was still unable to get up and muttered with hatred, Kirei kicked her in the abdomen without any interest. Maiya flipped over and fell to the ground, motionless and unconscious.
Then, with an emotionless gaze, Kirei turned his attention to Irisviel.
Unaware of his assured victory, he didn't notice that the scattered silver wires on the ground were silently gathering together.
