BMN Chapter 125 (Patreon)

Chapter 125: Saber's Rebellion

"Saber's Master."

The Snow Empress enveloped the fainted Irisviel in magical power, then carried her back to Ryuudou Temple. "Has he lost his mind?"

Bai Luo had described the man known as Emiya Kiritsugu to his companions—a man who harbored a sense of justice, who wanted to become a hero and bring peace to the world.

But what kind of justice and peace was he referring to? Rather, if justice were defined by one's personal perception, could it truly be called justice?

In any case, the Snow Empress couldn't comprehend his strange way of thinking.

"Humans..."

The Snow Empress shook her head inwardly, her entire form dissolving into ice crystals that scattered in the air. "Truly difficult to understand."

She took Irisviel with her. It wasn't just to vent her anger—she was also curious about a certain power that existed within the woman's body.

The Snow Empress couldn't comprehend it, but that didn't stop her from bringing the woman back for Bai Luo to assess.

"Emiya Kiritsugu!"

Meanwhile, Artoria, who had been forced to leave, returned to Emiya Kiritsugu's side almost instantly under the power of the Command Spell.

"Have you stooped so low that you would even abandon Irisviel?"

The moment she arrived, Artoria grabbed him by the collar and demanded, "In your eyes, can anyone be sacrificed for the sake of victory?"

"Everyone has their own mission. Iri is no exception."

Kiritsugu was well aware of Irisviel's purpose. She was the vessel of the Holy Grail, a crucial part of its summoning.

With Lancer's fall, three Heroic Spirits had already died at Bai Luo's hands. This also meant that Irisviel's physical body was nearing its limit.

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me—what do you mean by that?"

Compared to Kiritsugu, Artoria held Irisviel in much higher regard. If she could, she wished with all her heart that Iri were her Master, not this despicable man before her.

"Iri is the vessel of the Holy Grail."

Emiya Kiritsugu then told Artoria of Irisviel's identity and purpose.

The Holy Grail was divided into the Greater Grail and the Lesser Grail.

The Greater Grail was the body of the Winter Saint, Justeaze. It was connected to the leylines of Fuyuki and drew magical power from them to conduct the Holy Grail War. It possessed the power to connect with the Throne of Heroes and summon spiritual fragments of Heroic Spirits in the form of Servants.

As for the Lesser Grail—simply put, it was a tool used to control and operate the Greater Grail, to prevent it from malfunctioning.

This tool was provided by the Einzbern family: the homunculi they created.

Irisviel was the Grail vessel created by the Einzbern family for the Fourth Holy Grail War. Whenever a Heroic Spirit was killed, their soul would return to Irisviel's body.

Once the number of dead Heroic Spirits exceeded three, Irisviel's personality would begin to collapse.

"When only two Heroic Spirits remain, the Holy Grail will manifest."

At that time, Irisviel would die. This was predetermined, something that could not be changed.

"This is why I summoned you back."

Emiya Kiritsugu said, "To remain there was nothing but a pointless sacrifice."

"..."

Artoria had never imagined things would be like this. "Why didn't you tell me something so important sooner?!"

The thought that Iri would die sooner or later made Artoria's heart ache for her. The meaning of her birth was solely to summon the Holy Grail.

How was that any different from a sacrificial offering?

'The Holy Grail I seek is obtained through Iri's life.'

Artoria could not accept such an outcome. Moreover, if the Holy Grail was this kind of thing, could she truly, with a clear conscience, wish upon it for the salvation of her country and people?

"With that man's level of magecraft, it's impossible he couldn't see Iri's importance."

Emiya Kiritsugu had already accepted Iri's impending death. Therefore, he wouldn't go to save her, because there was no need.

"You truly are a bastard!"

What justice, what world peace.

In Saber's eyes, Emiya Kiritsugu was nothing but scum lost in his own beautiful dream.

"I'm going to bring Iri back!"

Artoria prepared to head to Ryuudou Temple. She would formally visit Bai Luo and ask him to return Iri.

Bai Luo was strong, but he was also a king, with his own sense of honor.

If possible, Artoria also hoped Bai Luo could find a way to avert Iri's fate of death. For that, Artoria was willing to pay any price.

"By my Command Spell, Saber..."

"Swish!"

However, before Emiya Kiritsugu could continue, Artoria's blade was already at his neck.

"Do not stop me, Kiritsugu."

Artoria now saw clearly. "Otherwise, the moment my Command Spells are exhausted, I will kill you!"

What Holy Grail War. What Master and Servant.

If she couldn't even protect the person she cherished right before her, what was this so-called wish to save her people?

She was going to bring Iri back. Even if it meant risking her own life, she would not hesitate.

"..."

Watching Saber leave, Emiya Kiritsugu's face was incredibly grim.

He truly regretted summoning Saber. Had he summoned any other Heroic Spirit with better compatibility, he wouldn't be in such a passive position.

According to Emiya Kiritsugu's plan, with the situation as it was, they should have temporarily stood by and watched, waiting for Bai Luo and Gilgamesh to determine a victor.

A Heroic Spirit's magical power and Noble Phantasms were ultimately limited. No matter which side won, the one left standing would surely have their strength greatly diminished.

Only by having Saber strike then would he have a chance to obtain the Holy Grail.

Unfortunately, Saber had no taste for such schemes.

Meanwhile, within Ryuudou Temple, Bai Luo looked at the white-haired woman the Snow Empress had brought back, a look of surprise on his face.

"This is..."

Bai Luo asked, "What happened?"

"My spoils of war."

The Snow Empress recounted what had just happened to Bai Luo.

"So you were displeased with Saber's sudden departure, and you kept Irisviel as retaliation?"

Bai Luo scratched his head, saying awkwardly, "It's not that I blame you for doing it, but... what should we do with her?"

Killing her was certainly out of the question. Locking her up, then? Bai Luo wasn't so crude as to treat a woman that way.

"Never mind."

Bai Luo said, "Find a room and have two Kijin take good care of her."

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