Fate/Zero:Act 5 Part 1
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Placed more western than the remote mountains of Fuyuki, the winding state highway stretched westwards with its back towards the city's lights. Meanwhile, an undeveloped piece of forest waited for visitors further up the road. Along the road and over the county's border, the state highway silently meandered on.
Although it is a two-way road, there were almost no signs of approaching traffic on the sparsely lit state highway. The midnight state highway was as if it was forgotten and left behind in this stretch of silence.
In such a silent night, a sliver beast flew by.
Mercedes Benz 300SL. 'Her' streamlined body, full of elegant charm, was as sedate as a noble lady, while the parallel six-barrelled engine's roars was as majestic as a wild beast's. And the one who sped this classic sedan to over 100 kilometres per hour - what? The wrists that held the steering wheel were as slender as a royal princess's.
"Oi, oi? Really fast, right? This thing."
Irisviel, who held the steering wheel and whose face was full of pleased smiles, said. Sitting in the passenger's seat, Saber's face was full of nervousness, and she barely managed to squeeze out a smile and nodded.
"In... Indeed unexpectedly... skilful... dri... driving."
"Really? I was trained specially to get so proficient."
That been said, based on the unfamiliar way she dealt with the gears, she's far from being a proficient driver.
"Among all the toys Kiritsugu brought to the Einsbern castle, I favour this one the most. I was always just running circles in the castle grounds, and today is the first time for me to drive in such a wide space. It's wonderful!"
"A toy, huh..."
There won't be any objections to call something like a skateboard or bicycle as a toy. But for a machine with a speed of over 100 kilometres per hour on a serpentine road, such a name is rather inappropriate. People would never call things that can put their lives in danger with the smallest mistakes as toys in ordinary situations.
Although it is a classic sedan made more than forty years ago, it possesses a 2996cc MI98 engine and its maximum speed is 260 kilometres per hour. Irisviel's reckless roam, compared to the car's potential ability, is merely a beginning prelude.
Apparently Kiritsugu specially prepared this car in the Einzbern castle earlier on, so Irisviel and Saber can have transportation apart from walking once they enter Fuyuki.
For half a month, this car had been parked in hotel's underground car park. Now they are driving their precious ride towards the Einzbern's castle residence.
"Um, wait a minute Irisviel. You haven't been driving on the left, right?"
"Ah, yes."
Irisviel nodded casually as if it was a very small mistake, then gave the steering wheel a savage turn and changed the path of the car back.
Irisviel had never been outside of the Einzbern castle ever since she was born; for her, it is obviously her first time to drive on a highway. Saber has been paying attention to her line of sight since they took off. Obviously Irisviel does not know anything about street signs. Although driving on the left is written in the law, it appears Irisviel doesn't even know about this.
At least she could understand a little of what traffic lights mean, but that went as far as slowing by a tiny amount when she saw the red light. Although right now it is the rather sparse midnight, it is still a miracle for them to be able to safely arrive at their destination.
"...Have we still not arrived at the Einsbern castle around here?"
"Apparently it will only take one hour to reach by car. If we arrive we should be able to see it."
Saber just wanted to finish a dangerous journey like this as soon as possible. It is already very fortunate that no cars are coming towards them on the midnight highway, but the very curvy road still posed great danger for the extremely fast car. Saber's blood was full of the tension before a battle. As a Servant, she possesses extraordinary reflexes and strength, and can immediately carry Irisviel outside the car to escape if danger occurs. However, then this legendary sedan worth ten million yen would have been reduced to a pile of unrecognisable scrap iron. That doesn't fit with Saber's frugal economics.
"...It would have been better to hire a chauffeur."
"That won't do. It's not that hiring a chauffeur is pointless, but it's too dangerous. After all, once we enter Fuyuki city, we might be attacked by other Masters at any time. Dragging innocents into the array wouldn't be something Saber wants to see, too."
"That is true..."
Just which one is more dangerous on this mountainous road: being attacked by other Masters or Irisviel's driving skills? - Saber was half seriously considering this question when she suddenly felt a surge of killing aura came assaulting down.
"Stop the car!"
"Aye?"
Suddenly befuddled by Saber's warning, Irisviel asked dumbly.
Saber didn't have time to explain to her. She stretched her torso across the driver's seat, took hold of the steering wheel with one hand, and slammed her left foot on the brakes.
The reason Saber could immediately make decisions enabling her to control this rampaging machine is her skill of riding as a Servant. She can completely understand the control of all riding tools both known and unknown to her.
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