The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

When a Heroic Spirit descends as a Servant, their mind is automatically filled with knowledge about the modern world—enough to understand what kind of world this is and what they are supposed to do in it.

So, Flandre immediately understood what Irisviel was wondering about.

The girl smiled slightly, then began to explain.

"Well, yes, I did descend under the Berserker class. That's because it's the class most suited to me. But my destructive power is just a little too strong, so that golden lady sealed away part of my strength… that way I could keep my sanity."

Flandre beamed happily as she spoke.

"So really, thank you, Master. If you hadn't summoned me, I might never have known what it feels like to think rationally."

Though Flandre smiled, Yoru could feel an overwhelming sorrow behind that smile, so deep that he couldn't help but ask:

"Were you… always in a state of madness before this?"

"Ah, more or less… I was insane for a few hundred years. I caused my sister and the others a lot of trouble. It's a shame I can only maintain my reason in this world as a Heroic Spirit… I still never got the chance to say sorry to them."

Flandre spoke wistfully, but the sadness on her face vanished quickly, replaced again by a sweet smile.

"But now that I finally have the chance to see the outside world, I'm going to have as much fun as I can!"

"A f-few hundred years?"

Flandre had spoken so casually, but both Yoru and Irisviel were stunned by that one particular phrase.

"That's right~ Don't judge me by my looks and think I'm just a little kid—I'm a vampire, you know."

Seeing their dumbfounded expressions, Flandre gave a toothy, mischievous grin.

But her moment of triumph didn't last long, as a hand appeared on her head. Yoru began to rub her hair while muttering:

"A kid is still a kid. I don't care what you are—you're no different from my daughters."

"I told you I'm not a kid, Master! I'm old enough to be your great-great-great-grandmother!"

"Come on, let's go. I'll introduce you to my two daughters. I'm sure you'll like them."

"Why would I like a bunch of little brats?"

Flandre grumbled in protest, but she still let Yoru drag her out of the chapel.

Following behind them with an amused smile, Irisviel thought the two of them looked just like Yoru and Illyasviel when they bickered.

Just as they left the chapel, Yoru and Irisviel ran into Jubstacheit, who had clearly been waiting outside. He was the one most anxious to see what kind of Servant Yoru had managed to summon.

"This… this is the Servant you summoned?"

Jubstacheit looked at the girl Yoru was dragging along, who was clearly reluctant, and a deep look of disappointment crossed his face.

A female hero—and one who looked so young. In Jubstacheit's memory, there was no famous Heroic Spirit who matched that image.

If she wasn't one of the legendary names, then her strength must surely be lacking.

"…Forget it, just forget it…"

Sighing, Jubstacheit turned and walked away.

"What's with that old man?"

Flandre blinked and asked, confused by how quickly Jubstacheit's attitude had shifted.

"Probably thinks you're just a little girl, not strong enough. So now he's disappointed."

Yoru shrugged, while Flandre snorted in disdain.

"Tch. Shortsighted old fool. What does he know?"

Regardless, the summoning was complete. Whether in joy or sorrow, whether the summoned Servant was strong or weak, the Holy Grail War was about to begin.

◇

The final stronghold of the Einzbern—sealed in ice.

An ancient castle hidden deep in the mountains, long untouched by humans, preserved in secret by the magi of old. On this day, it was finally freed from the grip of wind and snow.

Though the sky wasn't completely clear, it was brighter than a snowy day. The milky-white sky cast light across the barren winter landscape, where no birds flew and no green grass grew.

Standing at the windowsill with Irisviel, Yoru looked down and chuckled.

"And she still claims she's not a kid."

Below, three small figures played together in the snow—Sakura, Illyasviel, and Flandre, who had only just been summoned yesterday.

The three girls were having a snowball fight. At first it seemed like every girl for herself, but eventually Sakura and Illya teamed up and began ganging up on Flandre.

Compared to the timid girl who had arrived in Einzbern nearly a year ago, Sakura had regained the innocence and liveliness of a child her age. She and Illya got along wonderfully.

As for Illya—who had always been alone until now—she was clearly overjoyed to have someone to play with.

"I'm done! I quit! You're cheating! Two against one!"

Soon enough, Flandre cried out in protest, her head covered in snow.

"Then let's have a contest! Papa, come down here!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming."

Hearing his daughter's call, Yoru's face lit up with a rare smile, and he leapt down from the window.

Like little birds returning to their nest, the two girls ran to Yoru's side and clung to him affectionately. Flandre, on the other hand, pouted and looked away.

"Hmph. Brats."

This, coming from the one who'd just been shrieking after getting hit by snowballs.

Yoru looked like he was trying not to laugh at her adorable expression.

"A contest…? What's that?"

Flandre's air of superiority didn't last long. The moment Illya mentioned a contest, she was hooked, curiosity written all over her face.

"It's a contest to find the first sprouting walnut bud! I'm not gonna lose today!"

Declaring her intent with pride, Illya marched toward the edge of the forest, clumsily stomping through the snow with her little boots. She carefully scanned every tree around her, not missing a single detail. At that moment, she was fully focused on her contest with her father.

On the other side, Sakura was just as serious, her small face showing absolute determination as she ducked into the woods.

"What the heck… kids and their games."

Flandre muttered, but her eyes betrayed her interest. Yoru simply smiled gently, and joined the three girls in their game.

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