The Exorcism Tale of Hachiman

With the misunderstanding cleared up, Artoria's serious expression softened considerably, though she remained wary of Karna.

"Alright, Karna, come back."

Hachiman Hikigaya realized that the two women opposite him had no intention of fighting, so he called Karna back.

Let's relax a bit.

Seeing Karna retreat back behind Hachiman Hikigaya, Irisviel curiously observed Hachiman Hikigaya while signaling Artoria to lower her guard as well.

"Hello, my name is Irisviel, and I am the Einzbern family's representative in this Holy Grail War."

Leading Artoria to the three of them, Irisviel extended a gesture of goodwill.

"Hachiman Hikigaya, just a wandering magician."

Hachiman Hikigaya nodded politely in response and stated his name.

"Hikigaya Hachiman?"

Irisviel frowned upon hearing the name Hachiman Hikigaya.

In fact, ever since Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly appeared in Fuyuki City and took Sakura away, the Einzbern family's intelligence network has been searching for their whereabouts.

However, just as Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly appeared, after taking Sakura away from Fuyuki City, Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly disappeared from this world again.

Irisviel didn't believe that this magician, shrouded in mystery, was merely a wandering magician.

However, just as Irisviel herself said before, she only planned to relax before the Holy Grail War today.

Therefore, after briefly agonizing over Hachiman Hikigaya's identity, her gaze was instantly drawn to Sakura, who was clinging to Hachiman Hikigaya's arm.

"So cute~"

Looking at the fair-skinned little girl in front of her, Irisviel couldn't help but imagine what her daughter, Ilya, would look like when she grew up.

Overwhelmed by maternal instincts, Irisviel looked up at Hachiman Hikigaya and pleaded:

"Um, may I hug her?"

"Alice!"

Upon hearing Irisviel's words, Artoria immediately tensed up.

Although Hachiman Hikigaya and his two companions have not shown any hostility yet, what if the little girl takes Irisviel hostage while she is holding her?

Although the child is still young, it's not impossible...

"It's okay, you're just too nervous!"

Irisviel waved to Artoria, indicating that she didn't need to worry, and then looked up at Hachiman Hikigaya again.

"May I?"

"You should ask Sakura that question. My opinion doesn't count..."

Completely unprepared for his rival to make such a request upon their first meeting, Hachiman Hikigaya, feeling both amused and exasperated, handed the choice over to Sakura.

"do not want!"

Upon noticing Irisviel's gaze fixed on her, Sakura immediately hid behind Hachiman Hikigaya, a wary expression on her face.

"It seems that's not possible..."

Rejected by Sakura, Irisviel lowered her head in disappointment, but she quickly composed herself and smiled again.

"Although I'm very sorry, please accept this gift..."

As she spoke, Irisviel took a bracelet from her hand that looked quite valuable and handed it to Sakura.

"..."

Seeing the sparkling bracelet in Irisviel's hand, Sakura's face showed a hint of interest, but she did not immediately reach out to take it. Instead, she looked up at Hachiman Hikigaya.

"If you like it, just take it."

With a warm smile on his face, Hachiman Hikigaya stroked Sakura's long hair and spoke in a tone full of affection.

"Ok!"

Upon hearing Hachiman Hikigaya's words, Sakura nodded and accepted the bracelet from Irisviel's hand, then gave her a polite smile.

"Oh no, Saber, seeing her reminds me of Illya."

Looking at Sakura's smiling face, Irisviel cupped her own face in her hands, revealing a happy expression.

"Um, Irisviel, this is in front of outsiders, please restrain yourself..."

Although she already knew that Irisviel was still a little girl at heart, she still revealed it in front of her rival, which forced Artoria to speak up and remind her.

"Feel sorry......"

Upon hearing Artoria's words, Irisviel instantly reverted to her previous noblewoman demeanor.

She coughed lightly twice to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"It's nothing, um..."

Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head, about to address her, but realized he didn't know the woman's name at all.

"Irisviel, you can just call me Alice."

"Would Mrs. Alice be suitable?"

Since Irisviel had previously revealed that she already had a daughter, it would be somewhat inappropriate for Hachiman Hikigaya to still address her as "Miss."

"Please feel free to address me as you like."

Once personal emotions are set aside, Irisviel, who grew up in the Einzbern family, demonstrates impeccable manners.

"Then, Mrs. Alice, how about we call a truce for today?"

Chapter 211 There's really no other way.

"armistice?"

Irisviel looked puzzled when she heard Hachiman Hikigaya's words.

She and Artoria never intended to fight, so why would they need to call a truce?

"After all, neither side intends to take action at the moment. But if we continue to be on guard against each other..."

"I understand! Instead of being wary of each other and making everyone tense today, why not sign a ceasefire agreement from the start, have a good time today, and then decide whether to go to war tomorrow... Am I right, Mr. Hachiman?"

"That's right!"

Hachiman Hikigaya nodded, then looked at Irisviel's pale face, which revealed a hint of illness, and waited for her answer.

"I agree! We just arrived in Fuyuki today and had no intention of fighting anyway. Signing a ceasefire agreement would be ideal!"

Irisviel agreed to Hachiman Hikigaya's suggestion without the slightest hesitation.

Putting aside the fact that she didn't receive orders from her lover, Kiritsugu Emiya, the fact that Sakura was still present made it impossible for her to order Artoria to attack Hachiman Hikigaya and the others.

The magic contract was signed in a quiet coffee shop. When the two groups of people came out again, the tense atmosphere had completely disappeared.

"Um, if it's okay, how about we all play together today?"

Stretching out her arms and basking in the midday sun, Irisviel suddenly turned around and offered a suggestion to Hachiman Hikigaya and his two companions who were about to leave.

"Play together?"

Hachiman Hikigaya frowned instantly.

Although a ceasefire agreement had been signed, and Artoria was not supposed to attack them, Hachiman Hikigaya was not prepared to let his guard down too much.

According to the original plan, after parting ways with Irisviel here, he should continue to accompany Sakura shopping, and take the opportunity to use Karna's sensory abilities to continue searching for Zouken Matou's whereabouts.

But if it's the woman in front of me...

Looking at Irisviel's genuine and sincere smile, Hachiman Hikigaya glanced down at Sakura beside him and hesitated.

"Alright, then please take good care of me today."

After hesitating for a moment, Hachiman Hikigaya nodded and agreed to Irisviel's suggestion to go on the trip together.

"Eh?"

Sakura, who had been clinging to Hachiman Hikigaya's arm, suddenly looked up with a surprised expression.

He exchanged a glance with Hachiman Hikigaya before quickly looking away.

"Brother, did you agree to this because of me?"

With her left hand over her chest, Sakura could feel her heart beating very fast. A joy of being cared for by the person she liked rippled through her body, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

"Are you really happy?"

Seeing the smile on Sakura's lips, Hachiman Hikigaya breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It seems his choice was right; Sakura really looked forward to playing with women who were like mothers.

"Then let's go!"

Suddenly, Irisviel's excited shouts rang in my ears.

Immediately, Hachiman Hikigaya felt his arm being grabbed and then dragged forward.

"Wait, wait a minute, Mrs. Alice! Running like this in the street..."

"I will not make a move today!"

Watching Hachiman Hikigaya and the other two run further and further away, Artoria stared at Karna with a serious expression.

"Since Master has already signed a temporary ceasefire agreement with your side, I will naturally comply."

They ignored the additional implications in Artoria's tone.

After stating his position, Karna quickly chased after Hachiman Hikigaya in the direction he had left.

"I hope so..."

Suppressing the inexplicable unease in her heart, Artoria sighed softly and followed after them.

After all, she had sworn an oath of knightly honor to protect Irisviel from any harm, and as a knight, she had to keep her promise!

............