Fate/Zero:Act 3 Part 2
162:27:03
Just at the time Emiya Kiritsugu and Hisau Maiya were bonding in a cheap hotel of Shinto, the Volare Italia charter coming from Germany was landing on the F lane of the airport neighboring Fuyuki city.
Even under the same frozen wind of winter, the one of Japan can't be compared to the intensity of that of the Einsbern castle. Looking up at the soft sunlight of the early afternoon, Irisviel von Einsbern feels her heart lighten.
"So, this is the country Kiritsugu was born in..."
It is a good place. Although she could get to know the place with pictures and such, Irisviel felt refreshed feeling the air through her body.
Not only her heart lightens. Coming to Japan posing as a passenger, she couldn't bring dresses for the castle, but had to bring more common clothing as much as possible, to at least get to know the town. With short heeled boots and a knee-long skirt, her movements felt as light as if she was reborn.
Nonetheless, to an Einsbern who lived a secluded life oblivious of the common sense of the outside world, the dress-up she thought would be fit of common garments was already off. Her silk blouse, her knee-high long boots, her casual coat with silver fox fur, everything was coming straight out of a high class display window; it was very visible that she was a rare gem from a particular birthplace with a particular tailoring. They were clothes clearly fit for a fashion model, but to Irisviel who grew up with polished jewelry, it seemed intimate enough; even, Irisviel had indeed considered it a camouflage for towns areas, but it was simply impossible for a beauty such as her to disappear in the general public to begin with.
"So, Saber? What did you think of the plane travel?"
One step ahead down the runway, Irisviel asks the Servant with a short stature, who is leaving the lap that continues further.
"Nothing in particular. It was more wearisome than expected."
There is no lie in her words. Her azure eyes are perfectly serene.
"Oh, too bad, I thought you would be more surprised and interested."
"... Irisviel, you must be thinking of me as a primitive person."
To the frowning Saber, Irisviel replies with a bright laugh void of any ill intention.
"Flying in the sky is nothing surprising for a Heroic Spirit?"
"Not exactly, But as a Servant summoned in the present world, I have received information about this era. Also, as a Saber, I possess a skill dedicated to Riding. Presently, I might be able to ride this airplane."
Hearing that, Irisviel's eyes go round from astonishment.
"You could― pilot it?"
"Probably. My riding skill applies to all vehicle. If I can sit on a saddle and seize a bridle, I can manage the rest from instinct."
Irisviel burst into laughter from Saber's expression. She hasn't seen the cockpit. What would she think when seeing one filled with gauges instead of her saddle and bridle?
Be that as it may, she said the truth about skills. The mounting ability of the Saber class allows to use any vehicle save for phantasmal beasts and divine beasts. If needed, she could definitely handle modern tools like a car or a bike.
"I'm still a little disappointed. You must be the first Servant ever to travel in a plane with a flesh and blood body."
"... I must apology about that. I am not a good reference."
"Oh, it's fine. ―Don't worry. That isn't what I meant."
Foreign Masters have to travel to Japan one way or another, but Irisviel and her Servant posing together as a party of two must be an exception.
The cause was Saber. Despite being a Heroic Spirit, she had limits other Servants didn't have. The gravest amongst these was that she could not dematerialize. She didn't have the ability to cancel her physical form to move at high speed or cut down the prana consumption from her Master when at rest, something all Servants should be able to do. It's not that there had been a mistake in Kiritsugu's contract or his summoning: the soul of the hero named Arturia functioned differently from the other Heroic Spirits... Apparently. For a reason unknown to even Irisviel.
The most problematic burden was that she was unable to turn invisible and hide her existence to the other people. There was no way she would walk under her armor suit, so Saber had to dress up as a human with a costume of the latest fashion, and accompany Irisviel.
―Although, Irisviel found rather welcome that Saber would follow her in convenient garments.
"I am happy I could travel with you, Saber. I can't get tired of looking at you."
"? Irisviel, why the change?"
"No, It's nothing. Don't mind that."
Hiding a smile, Irisviel turns her head away. Saber finds that reaction suspicious.
"... It means you are holding something when you laugh like that. Tell me frankly what it is."
"It is not a problem if you always remain in physical form, really. I get to have fun choosing your clothes, like that."
"..."
How carefree― Saber wanted to reply, but sighed instead. Being unable to dematerialize is essentially a drawback that can't be dealt with for the Master. Enjoying oneself isn't the primary objective, but telling the Master it is no laughing matter would be mistaking the cause for the end.
"Irisviel, are these clothings fit to look around in town?"
"Yes, ... I guess. It is my first time in this country as well, so I am a little anxious."
If a third party with the common sensibility of a Japanese had happened to be present, he would have definitely been able to tell that Irisviel was different.
Irisviel had taken Saber's measurements before their departure and issued orders to get modern clothings at a tailor of the Frankfurt airport, for a dark blue dress shirt and necktie with a french continental dark suit. That was perfect to disguise her as a man.
It would sound wild and foolish to dress a young woman of under 155 centimeters like that, but this is suddenly a different matter when speaking about Saber.
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