Stepping into the Einzbern castle.
The white marble floor was polished to perfection, and the visual effect created by the red carpet laid in the center further emphasized the vastness of the space.
The thickness alone was enough to accommodate an ordinary house, and the lighting falling from the high ceiling resembled a sky full of stars, while the silver decorations on the walls sparkled with brilliant and luxurious light.
It was an exquisitely crafted beautiful building.
Dozens of servants lined up on either side of the red carpet, offering the highest respect to their returning master.
Rin and Sakura also had servants at home.
But they had never witnessed such a grand occasion, making it feel like a king was returning to the castle.
Rin and Sakura both felt a bit restrained.
They walked as if on a tightrope, cautiously.
Their nervous expressions resembled that of young cubs arriving in the outside world, almost looking up every three steps, making one want to chuckle.
"Don't be too stiff; although the atmosphere is like this, just be yourself. Being too stiff will be tiring."
Moran was very considerate of Rin and Sakura.
He had never been one to pay much attention to etiquette, and adhering to elegance was not his principle.
With Moran's words.
Sakura and Rin relieved a significant amount of their tension.
"It's so beautiful… Sister… don't you think we… look like princesses now… Teacher Moran is like a prince…!"
Sakura's eyes were filled with starlight.
Her gaze was fixed on Moran, who was walking ahead.
Rin looked at her sister, who was already smitten.
She showed a helpless expression.
However, seeing Sakura, who had always been downcast, become happy, Rin, as her sister, was also infected by her joy.
Her gaze then shifted to Moran's face.
"Ugh… indeed…"
Rin's little face also turned red.
She realized that the gorgeous and pure interior of the castle, combined with Moran's extraordinary demeanor, truly resembled a prince from a fairy tale.
Her youthful heart fluttered.
"Ugh… how could this be…"
Rin's cheeks flushed again.
As if unable to admit her own shyness.
"Rin, what's wrong?"
"N-nothing! I'm completely fine! It's just too hot! Yes! It's just too hot!"
Rin turned her face away in a panic.
She didn't even dare to meet Moran's gaze.
"Hot? It's still snowing outside."
Moran showed a puzzled expression.
Clearly, he treated Rin and Sakura as children, so he didn't think much about it in this regard.
Mordred's sense of smell was very keen.
She, as a woman, sensed the feelings of the two little girls, but only revealed a fearless smile.
Two insincere little girls.
How could they possibly win against her, Mordred?
"When the previous Holy Grail War began in Fuyuki, my grandfather disdainfully refused to set up a base in the direct territory of the Tohsaka family, so he resorted to financial means to buy the closest spiritual land to Fuyuki, treating it as the foundation of the Einzbern family, and built this castle…"
As she stepped into the castle, Irisviel kindly shared the history related to this castle.
Of course, she didn't let Mordred have all the fun.
She also held onto another arm of Moran.
Watching the two girls standing firmly, Moran felt that they seemed to be getting more competitive.
There was something worth mentioning about the castle.
It is said that the Einzbern family treated the vast primeval forest as a barrier, isolating it from the outside world, and completely rebuilt a secondary castle from the German family here.
From this, one can glimpse the astonishing financial power and deep commitment of the Einzbern family from hundreds of years ago.
But the most ironic thing is that the intermediary for purchasing the land and the covert work in the area were all handled by the Tohsaka family.
Without the help of the Tohsaka family, the Einzbern family would not have been able to build this castle.
"Ah, it's time, isn't it? Moran, there are still some aspects of the alchemy you taught me the other day that I would like to ask you about."
As Irisviel spoke, she increased the strength of her grip.
But the other side was the same.
Although they had talked as artificial beings, they had not settled matters regarding feelings.
"Oh dear, what bad luck! I have a sword practice appointment with Father. As for alchemy, that can surely be postponed, right?"
"What are you saying? Alchemy requires the right timing, location, and harmony among people; all three are indispensable. If you want to practice swordsmanship, Mordred, you can do that anytime, right?"
"Ha, what bad luck! Practicing swordsmanship also depends on the feel; it can't be done slowly! Well, I suppose it's true; a pampered young lady who has never stepped onto the battlefield wouldn't understand this principle."
The situation was almost as perilous as a standoff.
It seemed one could see the increasingly intense sparks flying from the eyes of Irisviel and Mordred.
The collision of their gazes revealed hostility.
Both of them had a strong sense of possession and jealousy.
Moran found himself at the eye of the storm, looking troubled.
The scene he had anticipated had come to pass.
"Pampered!?"
Irisviel couldn't help but widen her eyes.
It was as if she had stepped on a red line.
Her snow-white silver hair seemed to be blown by a hot wind, rising with a surge of anger as if dancing.
Mordred was indeed merciless with her words.
She could be considered the fiercest at the Round Table.
She had accurately struck at Irisviel's sore spot; she had indeed been sheltered and had not ventured out.
The atmosphere took a sharp downturn.
Ultimately, it returned to the familiar dilemma regarding Moran, a choice that was all too familiar yet offered no answers.
"Moran, what's wrong? Don't just stand there in silence; you should be more interested in teaching alchemy than swordsmanship, right?"
Irisviel casually glanced at Moran.
Her tone was quite friendly.
However, Moran knew he couldn't agree directly.
He felt that if he answered Irisviel like that, there was a high possibility that a sword would come stabbing from behind.
At that moment, it would definitely be a case of a white knife going in and a red knife coming out.
A chill ran up his spine.
"Hehe, how could that be! Swordsmanship must be better! The clash between swords is the intersection of souls! Father, you would definitely choose swordsmanship, right? You must!"
Mordred revealed a faint smile.
In the past, when facing Artoria and Morgan, she had chosen to suppress the feelings that were swelling within her.
But only after losing did she realize their value.
No matter what, she didn't want him to leave like this; she wanted to possess every moment by his side.