The anime starts from Star Iron

Chapter 258 Artoria's Heart Returns (2000)

The deal between Fu Le and Emiya Kiritsugu went smoothly.

The scabbard might be important to Fu Le or Artoria, but to Kiritsugu Emiya, it was nothing compared to his own daughter.

And so, Fu Le successfully obtained the scabbard from Emiya Kiritsugu.

By the time Matou Kariya returned with Artoria after choosing a room, Fu Le and Emiya Kiritsugu had already completed their transaction.

After that, all that remained for the others to wait for was Irisviel's treatment.

This task was not difficult for Medea either, since she could even purify the Holy Grail, so how could she not cure Irisviel's illness?

Therefore, with prior preparation, Kiritsugu Emiya was not kept waiting for long; Medea had completed the treatment of Irisviel in just two or three hours.

When Medea led Irisviel out of the magic workshop, Kiritsugu Emiya's long-suppressed emotions immediately erupted, and he quickly stepped forward to embrace Irisviel.

Irisviel, who had never seen Kiritsugu Emiya with such an expression before, was quite startled.

But she quickly accepted Kiritsugu Emiya's change and then reached out to hug him.

In the past, Kiritsugu Emiya may have been the one to tolerate Irisviel in some minor matters, but in the crucial moments that truly determined their past and future destinies, it was Irisviel who was the one to tolerate Kiritsugu Emiya.

Now, Kiritsugu Emiya has finally chosen her in this crucial decision.

How could Irisviel not be delighted?

Irisviel and Kiritsugu Emiya, who have finally found mutual affection, are now embracing each other tightly.

The atmosphere emanating from them gave one the feeling that it was impossible to break into their circle.

The same goes for Artoria.

As Irisviel followed Medea out of the magic workshop, Artoria couldn't help but walk forward as well.

However, her movements were not as swift as those of Kiritsugu Emiya.

Therefore, when the two of them hugged, Artoria could only stand there blankly, looking at them with a complicated expression.

Artoria does dislike Kiritsugu Emiya, but she still hopes that Irisviel can find happiness.

Kiritsugu Emiya has now shown his love for Irisviel.

Artoria couldn't say anything more to him.

So she could only stand there, stunned, until Fu Le walked up and gently patted her shoulder.

"Let them be alone here for a while; they must have a lot to say right now."

Fu Le whispered in Artoria's ear.

Upon hearing this, Artoria nodded slightly, and then followed Fu Le upstairs to Fu Le's room.

Medea had been waiting here for a long time.

She was the first to leave the hall and arrive here.

"Now that my contract with Kiritsugu Emiya is complete, Saber, you should be satisfied, right?"

Fu Le sat down at the desk and asked Artoria.

Although this was merely a contract between Fu Le and Kiritsugu Emiya, as the party to the contract, Artoria's opinion was of great importance to him.

When faced with her new Master, Fule, who was completely different from Kiritsugu Emiya and showed her considerable respect, the last trace of resentment Artoria felt due to the change of Master vanished.

"In the battle that follows, I will give my all to you, Master!"

As a knight, Artoria made this promise to Fu Le.

This is also her true feeling.

At this moment, she was willing to give everything, even her life, for her Master, Fu Le, in this Holy Grail War. But she didn't know that Fu Le wanted even more.

"Very well, let's discuss the battle with Rider the day after tomorrow!"

Fu Le clapped his hands in satisfaction, then asked Artoria, "How do you want to fight? We've figured out Rider's combat strength. With his mount destroyed, his only chance of winning is to lure us into his Noble Phantasm and use sheer numbers to defeat us."

"So theoretically we should keep our distance from him and take advantage of his unpreparedness to win by using Caster's magic or Saber's Noble Phantasm."

"But this is just theory. Compared to a cold, theoretical optimal solution, I would prefer to respect your opinions."

Fu Le smiled and asked Medea and Artoria.

Upon hearing Fu Le's question, Artoria was immediately stunned.

The influence of Fu Le on her was so different from that of Emiya Kiritsugu; they were practically polar opposites.

However, it must be said that Fu Le's respect and attitude made Artoria feel very good about him.

Especially when compared to Kiritsugu Emiya.

"Let Saber make the decision. I'm open to whatever she says."

Medea smiled and said to Fu Le.

Compared to Artoria, Medea did not actually have a strong fighting spirit.

Her core wish had already been fulfilled. As for the newly born wish? Medea didn't believe they would lose.

In her view, no matter what tactics or formations they used, it would not affect her eventual retrieval of the Holy Grail.

Given that, she naturally didn't care about things like tactics.

In addition, she also wanted to do Artoria a favor in order to get closer to her.

After all, Medea has some special feelings for Artoria.

But whatever she wants to do, she needs to first build a better relationship with Artoria.

Having guessed Medea's thoughts, Fu Le turned to Artoria and waited expectantly for her response.

Artoria's answer did not disappoint him; it was exactly as he had guessed.

"Please allow me to defeat Rider head-on, Master!" Artoria replied resolutely. "I am now confident that I can defeat the King of Conquerors head-on."

Artoria's confidence stemmed from her ability to defeat the Conqueror King head-on.

Artoria herself is not actually pedantic.

It was only because Diarmuid was different from the others; he was a knight and, with the noble spirit of a knight, was unwilling to kill her when she was facing a desperate situation.

In this situation, Artoria was unwilling to face Diarmuid as a king, but rather as a knight.

That's why she seems out of place in this Holy Grail 'war'.

But when facing Iskandar, the Conqueror King, Artoria wouldn't concern herself with those chivalrous principles.

Faced with Iskandar, who constantly flaunts his kingly ways in front of her, Artoria is determined to let him know that her King's Sword has never been ineffective!

"Okay, if you want to do it this way, then do it this way."

"I'm looking forward to your performance!"

Fu Le stepped forward and patted Artoria on the shoulder in response.

"Yes, Master!"

Artoria responded earnestly.

(End of this chapter)