As soon as Souta finished speaking, Irisviel's gaze immediately locked onto the man he was holding. Her elegant, noble features twisted in shock and concern. She hadn't expected that she, exposed and vulnerable, would be safe—yet the carefully hidden Emiya Kiritsugu would be captured.
"...No Mana...a human..."
Artoria instantly assessed Souta's state—no detectable magical energy, a regular human.
Seizing the fleeting opportunity, she gripped her wind-cloaked holy sword, dashed forward with inhuman speed, and slashed at Souta's hands—aiming not to kill, but to free her Master.
Yet, shock filled her eyes when her blade met no resistance.
Her attack had done nothing.
Before her stood a man, unharmed, casually watching her, utterly unfazed.
But it was too late to retreat.
Souta dropped Kiritsugu and tapped the air with a glowing fingertip.
Suddenly, a bizarre field engulfed Artoria, overwhelming her with suffocating pressure.
Her thoughts slowed, like drowning in a bog.
She couldn't resist—her consciousness gradually freezing.
She didn't know that the best way to fight Souta, a divine being, was long-range, high-damage bombardment. His time-stopping powers weakened with distance and drained immense energy over range.
Despair crept in—but suddenly, Souta shook his head like annoyed with himself.
"No, no... stopping you wastes too much divine energy. Might as well nuke you directly."
As he spoke, the field dissipated, and freedom returned to Artoria's body.
Without hesitation, she leapt back, standing in front of Irisviel defensively.
"You... you're no Servant... who are you...?"
Shock filled her eyes.
A human... wielding time powers?
Souta casually picked up Kiritsugu again, unfazed by their hostility.
"King of Knights, as you saw—if I wanted to, I could've killed your Master and eliminated you effortlessly. But I didn't. That's my sincerity."
"You... know my identity?!"
"My identity's complicated. Let's talk somewhere more comfortable."
Souta smiled—power first, then diplomacy. This was the truth of the world.
"I have a base. Would you ladies accompany me?"
He pointed in a direction.
"Saber, Kiritsugu's in his hands. We can't bargain here."
Irisviel interrupted. Artoria bit her lip, forcing herself to stay calm.
If this man wanted to kill their Master, nothing could stop him. A Servant without mana would soon fade, her soul claimed by the Lesser Grail.
They had no leverage.
Irisviel steadied herself.
"Where are you taking us?"
"The Matou residence."
"You're... the Matou Master? Or a Servant?"
"I'll introduce myself properly later."
Souta tossed Kiritsugu aside, pulled out a card, and threw it at the wrecked car.
The time-reversal card activated, restoring the car to pristine condition.
Artoria's expression hardened.
"You really do wield time... such terrifying power."
"Second Magic?" Irisviel murmured.
Time manipulation fell under its domain.
Souta didn't answer. He loaded Kiritsugu and Maiya into the backseat.
"I'll guide. You two drive."
"And Saber... don't try attacking me. Even your Noble Phantasm can't scratch me. Don't waste your energy."
Artoria's jaw tightened. Her pride stung—her treasured sword dismissed as useless.
But she held back. Her Master was in his hands.
"Saber, he wouldn't set a trap—not with Kiritsugu here."
Irisviel reassured her.
They started the car, heading for the Matou residence.
Matou Mansion, VIP room.
Irisviel sat composed, Artoria stood vigilant behind her.
"So... Mr. Souta, you traveled back from the future?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you for understanding so quickly—it really helps."
Irisviel brushed it off.
"I'm here to help Illya save her family."
"Illya?!" Irisviel gasped.
"Yes, your daughter, Illya. She'll be here soon—then you'll know I'm not lying."
"Man from the future,"
"Do you know who won this Holy Grail War?"
Souta shook his head.
"No winner. Everyone lost."
"Everyone... lost? That's impossible!"
A deep voice cut in—Emiya Kiritsugu, awake, rubbing his temples.
"You're awake?" Irisviel lit up.
As he stirred on the couch, the door opened—
Rin and Illya walked in.