"This..."
Listening to Artoria's words, Ian didn't have even a hint of doubt. He knew she was a very honest and gentle girl—naturally, she wouldn't engage in any deception in such matters. That would be contrary to her nature.
"I see," Ian nodded. "I understand. This is indeed a difficult matter to handle... I need to think carefully about what to do."
"Eh?" Hearing this, Artoria's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Mr. Ian. Do you mean... you'll help me?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Ian smiled slightly, reaching out to gently stroke Artoria's head. "You've helped me so much. Now it's my turn to repay you, isn't it?"
"..." Artoria, with her head being stroked, became a little shy. Her toes touched the ground, lightly drawing circles. Only when alone with Ian would Artoria display such a girlish side.
"Then—if it's repayment... Mr. Ian, could you grant me one more small wish?"
"..." "What is it?" Ian asked.
"It's just..." Artoria looked up at the man before her, her voice already like a girl in love. "Tonight—can we sleep together?"
"..." "No problem," Ian answered without hesitation.
[You didn't just impulsively agree to Artoria's request.]
[Although you can't recall many things about her.]
[You can clearly feel the admiration in this girl's eyes for you.]
[Furthermore, Vivian has tacitly approved of her inclusion—which makes you realize that Artoria is worth cherishing.]
[With all these reasons combined, you feel that you should agree to her wish even more.]
Late at night, in the living room of the Tohsaka residence. Ian and Artoria slept here together.
"How awful," the man sighed softly, holding the girl in his arms. "Not enough rooms. To have you sleep here with me—Lily, I'm sorry."
"Not at all, Mr. Ian," the girl shook her head. "It's not your fault. Rin and Sakura both need time to calm down, so they need their own rooms; Rin has to sleep with Archer Atalanta—that can't be helped; not to mention Berserker and Illya joining us; with so many people suddenly, it's normal to run out of space, isn't it!"
"And—" Artoria held the man's hands on her waist, her eyes full of deep affection. "Being able to sleep like this with Mr. Ian... is already a great happiness." After all, in this situation, Artoria never dreamed that Ian would directly agree to her. She truly liked him very much, but she didn't want to trouble him because of it.
"Lily," Ian rested his head on Artoria's shoulder, gently inhaling her scent. "You're truly thoughtful. If it were before... I must have liked you very much too."
"..." Hearing this, Artoria's expression was a mix of happiness and sadness. She was happy because she received Ian's compliment—the most direct and sincere kind. And she was sad because she recalled the price Ian paid for those words. Meeting in this Holy Grail War was already a miracle.
"So, Mr. Ian doesn't like me now?" Artoria asked shyly. "Or... does Mr. Ian not like sleeping on the sofa?"
"Not at all," the man replied.
"If not—" Artoria moved her body closer, then touched his vital spot. This was a rather embarrassing situation, but the girl had no thought of avoiding it at the moment. "Tonight... can I have Mr. Ian all to myself?"
"..." "..."
The atmosphere was first silent, and then the man actively took the girl's hand.
"Okay. As long as you don't mind this humble place."
"I don't mind~" Artoria responded to the man's question without hesitation.
"Then—" "Mr. Ian... which side do you want tonight?"
"Which side?" Ian was somewhat surprised by Artoria's answer. "Lily, what do you mean?"
"It's just..." Artoria was a little embarrassed, but at the same time, she actively placed the man's two hands, one in front and one behind, on places that were very difficult for a girl to speak of. "Mr. Ian. Do you want it to be like before... or do you want to try the place we just tried last time?"
"..."
[You understood the meaning behind Artoria's words.]
[You felt yourself recalling more things.]
[You realized that there were past feelings between you and her.]
[Then—]
[What needs to be done next is obvious.]
[That is to satisfy her well.]
"In that case—" Ian's hand was gentle, occasionally making her tremble. "Lily. Which side do you think would make you more comfortable?"
"This..." Artoria didn't expect the initiative to return to her hands. But she wasn't without an answer. "Either is fine. As long as it's Mr. Ian... I'll be very happy either way~"
"I see." Hearing Rider's words, the Knight already had his answer. "Then it seems both places need to be thoroughly satisfied."
"Eh?" Artoria didn't have much experience in this regard, unlike her sister, who had experienced a wide variety of positions with him. So, she was still somewhat confused by this statement. "Mr. Ian... what do you mean?"
"It's troublesome to explain," the man held the girl's hand and said softly. "Mmm... but it doesn't really need explaining—Lily, you just enjoy yourself tonight."
"..." Hearing such words, Artoria, who already trusted Ian one hundred and twenty percent, no longer questioned him. She lifted her blue school uniform skirt to her waist and pulled down her pure white panties to her knees. "I understand. Mr. Ian... I will enjoy myself greatly." The Knight said no more, but silently performed.
...
The girl's rear was fully satisfied, while the front flowed like a fountain.
[You successfully satisfied Artoria.]
[You further confirmed your relationship with her—and also realized the uniqueness of this Holy Grail War.]
[You feel that this situation seems difficult to resolve.]
[But no matter what, you know that what you promised Artoria must be fulfilled.]
[Afterward, with Artoria's flushed face, you discussed the next steps.]
Morning. After a night of activity and tidying up, Ian and Artoria stood at the entrance of the Tohsaka residence. The girl's face still held a hint of shyness, clearly not yet recovered from last night's happiness. Ian noticed this and asked gently:
"What's wrong? You still can't accept such things?"
"No, no!" Artoria waved her hands repeatedly. "I... I can accept it! It's just—"
"Just what?"
"It was just a little stimulating," the girl blushed. "I won't be able to forget it for a while."
"Then don't forget it," the man said with a smile. "If it's not something you dislike, why would you forget it?"
"That's true." Artoria's worries completely disappeared with Ian's words. "Indeed... it's a very beautiful memory, I must remember it!"
"But speaking of which—" Artoria looked inside the Tohsaka residence. "Is it really okay for just the two of us to take Illya and Berserker out?"
"We're the only ones who can go out," Ian quickly replied. "Vivian isn't in a good mood right now, and Sakura and Rin still have school. Atalanta can't be too far from Rin—so that leaves only us, doesn't it?"
"Hmm... that's true."
"Alright, don't worry about these things," Ian looked at Illya and Ibaraki Doji running out of the residence, his gaze softening. "They're here."
"Big Sister Artoria~" Illya, carrying a small backpack, looked very happy—she looked as if she was going on a picnic. "Where are we going today?"
"..." The happier Illya was, the more sorrowful Artoria felt. After all—in a sense, Irisviel's death was not unrelated to her.
"To play," Ian answered the question for Artoria.
"Yay!" Illya was even happier now. She looked at Artoria and blinked. "Can Big Sister carry me?"
"..." After a moment's hesitation, Artoria nodded. "Uh... of course."
And so—the girl picked up the small loli with silver hair and red eyes. Ian soon noticed Ibaraki Doji staring at him. He bent down, stroked her head, and said, "Do you want that too?"
"Yes," Ibaraki Doji replied immediately.
"Good." Ian directly picked her up, holding her tightly in his arms. "Then—let's go out now."
[Although you said you were going out to play.]
[But in reality, you and Artoria had formulated a plan after your pleasure last night.]
[Irisviel is indeed dead.]
[But you still feel that there might be some opportunity for her and Illya to meet.]
[That way, the outcome revealed by her mother should be easier to accept.]
[And the place you are heading to is where Artoria had previously slashed.]
[This is a journey with a purpose—but the process was not as smooth as you imagined.]
At the road at the foot of the mountain. Artoria's face was flushed. All along the way, she and Ian were repeatedly mistaken by countless locals as a newlywed couple carrying their children out to play. And every time the girl was about to explain, Illya would coincidentally interrupt her explanation with actions that showed extreme closeness to Artoria. Ian also noticed this—but he didn't intend to explain for her. Because he felt that although Artoria looked embarrassed, she was actually very happy to be spoken of that way. If she was happy, there was no need to say more.
And more importantly—Ian was more troubled by the place before him, which Artoria claimed was where she heard Irisviel's voice. This looked... too normal.
But just then, the helpless Ian suddenly heard Ibaraki Doji in his arms say something.
"Lord Abe."
"Are you... looking for the departed?"