Servants, upon summoning, receive knowledge of the current society, understanding the world and their role.
Flandre immediately understood Illya's surprise.
She smiled and explained.
"I am a Berserker, yes, it's the class most suited to me. However, my destructive power is immense, so that golden-haired girl sealed part of my strength, allowing me to maintain rationality."
Flandre smiled happily.
"Thank you, Master. If you hadn't summoned me, I might never have experienced rational thought."
Though Flandre smiled, Arthas sensed profound sadness, prompting him to ask:
"Were you… always insane?"
"Yes, more or less… insane for centuries, causing trouble for my sisters. Sadly, I can only maintain rationality as a Servant in this world; I still can't apologize to them."
Flandre sighed, but her sadness quickly faded, replaced by a sweet smile.
"But I get to experience the outside world! I'll have fun!"
"Ce… centuries?"
Arthas and Illya were shocked by Flandre's words.
"Don't underestimate me because I'm small; I'm a vampire."
Seeing their stunned expressions, Flandre playfully bared her fangs.
Her triumph was short-lived; a hand landed on her head. Arthas ruffled her hair, muttering:
"You're a child, no matter what you are. You're like my daughter."
"I'm not a child, Master! I'm old enough to be your great-great-grandmother!"
"Let's go meet my two daughters; you'll like them."
"Why would I like brats?"
Flandre grumbled but was forcibly dragged from the chapel by Arthas.
Illya, amused, watched them bicker, reminiscent of Illya and Arthas's usual squabbles.
Outside the chapel, they met Jubstacheit. He'd been waiting, anxious to see Arthas's summoned Servant.
"This… is your Servant?"
Jubstacheit looked disappointed at the reluctant Flandre being pulled along by Arthas.
A female hero, and such a young one at that—Jubstacheit couldn't recall a match.
If she wasn't one of the famous heroes, her strength would undoubtedly be lacking.
"Oh well…"
He sighed and turned to leave.
"What's with that old man?"
Flandre asked, perplexed by Jubstacheit's swift change in demeanor.
"Maybe he thinks you're too young and weak, so he's disappointed," Arthas shrugged. Flandre scoffed.
"Hmph, short-sighted old man. He doesn't know anything."
Regardless, the summoning was complete; the Grail War was about to begin, regardless of the Servant's strength or the Master's feelings.
The ice-enclosed Einzbern Castle.
An ancient city, secretly preserving the Einzbern lineage, located in the remote mountains. On this day, it was briefly freed from the snow.
Though the sky wasn't clear, the milky white sky was brighter than during a snowfall.
On the winter landscape devoid of birds and greenery, the light was abundant.
"And she says she's not a child."
Arthas chuckled, watching the three small figures playing below from the window with Illya.
Sakura, who had been there for almost a year, Illya, and Flandre, who had arrived yesterday.
The three girls were having a snowball fight; it started as individual skirmishes but turned into Sakura and Illya teaming up against Flandre.
Compared to her timid arrival a year ago, Sakura had regained her youthful playfulness and got along well with Illya.
Illya, lonely for so long, was overjoyed to have a playmate.
"No more! You're cheating! Two against one!"
Flandre complained, covered in snowballs.
"Let's have a race! Daddy, come down!"
"Coming, coming."
Arthas smiled, a rare sight, jumping down from the window at his daughters' calls.
The two girls, like birds returning to their nest, clung to Arthas, showering him with affection, while Flandre pouted.
"Hmph, brats."
As if she hadn't been wailing from snowball attacks moments before.
Arthas tried to suppress his laughter, watching Flandre's adorable expression.
"A race… what's that?"
Flandre's air of authority didn't last long; Illya's mention of a race piqued her curiosity.
"It's a walnut sprout race! I won't lose today!"
Illya, declaring her intention with confidence, ran ahead of Arthas towards the forest, her small boots trudging through the thick snow, carefully scanning the trees, leaving no stone unturned. She was fully engaged in the serious competition with her father.
Sakura was equally focused, her small face determined as she ventured into the woods on the other side.
"What a… childish game."
Flandre muttered, but her eyes betrayed her longing. Arthas smiled gently, joining his three daughters in their game.
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