"Come on in!" Arsviel called out from inside the room. I gently pushed the door open and walked inside. His room was as it always was - neat, with the sole exception of a few picture books and toys strewn on the floor, which belonged to our daughter, Illyasveil. Arsviel himself sat on an armchair in the corner of the room with Illya on his lap. The two looked almost identical, except for the age difference and hair length. They both had fair skin, white hair, and red eyes. Most people would find such a trait unusual, but I was rather used to it as every Einzbern homonculus possessed them, including the maids. They all had similar facial features, even Arsveil - despite him being male and virtually all the others being female.

"Oh, hello Kiritsuchi," he said, looking up from the picture book he was reading to Illya and smiling warmly. "How was the summoning? Did you get the Servant you wanted?"

"Yes - well, sort of. Instead of Sigurd I summoned Siegfried, but he appears to also have the Noble Phantasam 'Armor of Fafnir' that your father was talking about."

"That's wonderful, Kiritsuchi!" His smile turned into a frown, suddenly sullen. "But be careful in the Grail War. Have you thought about my proposal?" I had. In fact, despite its downsides I had already accepted it. Arsviel knew of my preffered 'combat style', so he wanted to be a stand-in master for me and command Sigurd - or now Siegfried - on the front line while I killed the other Masters. This would also reduce the risk of Siegfried's defeat, however it would also put Arsveil in danger. Plus, I wasn't fond of the part where we left Illya alone with her grandfather and the maids - she would grow lonely. But this would help our chances to getting back safely. Or rather, my chances. Arsviel wouldn't come back. As the 'perfect' homonculus, he was destined to be the Fuyuki Grail's vessel, and to do so would guarantee his demise. His father and I had planned on flying him to Japan after I had eliminated all the Masters and perhaps Servants.

"Yeah... I suppose it's alright. Just be very careful, okay? If you feel unsafe, just run - I'll be there or have a familiar nearby so I can pull Siegfried out if it gets dangerous." His smile returned to his face, although I regretted my descision. I don't think I could go on if he died in vain - being sacrificed for the Grail was bad enough.

"Mommy, what will I do?" Illyasviel asked. This was the other downside of the plan - Illya would be here alone. It tore my heart to do this, but I would come back for her. 

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Illya, you're going to have to stay here." I said sadly. "But I will be back."

"Promise?" She asked, tears brimming in her crimson eyes. 

"Yeah. I promise." I said, hugging her tightly. After I let go, she seemed happy - she was still very fickle and changed moods easily.

"Yay! Can I see mommy's Servant then?" I shot a glance at Arsviel, who nodded. 

"Okay Illya," I replied. "but remember to be polite." Illya laughed happily, as if she was oblivious to the fact that this was the last she'd see of Arsveil and I for a while. 

"Arsviel, I'd suggest coming too - you should meet Siegfried." 

"Okay," He said, standing up with Illya in his arms. He set the book down on the chair then followed me out of the room. 

A few moments later, we arrived at the drawing room - which I had cleared out and summoned Siegfried. No, Saber. I should really start thinking of him as Saber. 

"I'm back, Saber." Saber hadn't sat down yet, but simply stood near the door like a guard. Upon my entrance, he stepped ou of the way, ushering us in. "You could have sat down, Saber."

"As a Heroic Spirit, I do not need sleep nor rest and simply function by consuming mana. However, I appreciate the gesture." He smiled, then looked at Arsveil and Illya. "I assume that is my proxy Master?" He said, nodding towards Arsveil.

"Indeed. This is Arsveil von Einzbern, my husband and my daughter, Illyasveil."

"Hello, Saber." Arsveil said in German. "I look forward to working with you." Heroic Spirits gained a certain amount of knowledge on the modern world, including language but it probably was polite to adress a Servant in their native tongue. Unfortunately, German was a language I was unfamiliar with. Despite that fact, I knew picked up a handful of words from the Einzberns.

"You as well, Arsveil." He replied in the same language. "Don't worry, Kiritsuchi, I will still speak in Japanese." He told me. I sighed lightly in relief.

"Hi Saber!" Illya said, who was rather excited. "Wow, you're really big... how much food do you eat?"

"Illya, mind your manners!." Arsveil said.

"Okay," Illya said playfully, probably not understanding her father. "Saber, what's you're name?" Saber looked at me questioningly, and I nodded silently. She would be here in Germany, safe from the chaos in Fuyuki.

"My name is Siegfried. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Illyasveil." He said. Illya giggles at the term 'Miss', but otherwise did nothing out of the ordinary. "To answer your other question, I do not eat  -I am fuled my Kiri- I mean, your mother's prana supply." Illya nodded in semi-comprehension. 

"That's cool!" Illya replied. "Please keep my parents safe, okay? And call my Illya please~"

"Will do, Illya." Saber replied. 

"Alright Saber, Arsveil, we should go to bed. We're flying to Fuyuki tomorrow." I said. "You to, Illya."