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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Interlude: Lazy Maid's Smile (2)

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"That actually explains... a lot."

Leysritt's words were followed by a nod from the short-haired maid as she listened to what John had to tell her. It had been a few dates now, and Liz had grown trusting of the man in regard to matters related to Illya. To learn from him that the girl had now been put through some unplanned active chore connected to the Kaleidoscope.

The good news in that development was that Illya was a member of the Einzbern family, so it made sense she would be entertained as an active agent to the Wizard Marshal. Lady Justeaze was quite loving of the mindset adopted by Zelretch, thus it was favorable.

The bad news was that it clashed with Lady Irisviel's solid order to not have her daughter involved in any affairs even so remotely connected to Magecraft.

"Which is why I wanted you to know this much, Liz. I know that it would be awkward for Irisviel to learn of this and I wanted her to know this."

"I will bring it up to her. Still," Liz hummed as she took a moment to take a bite from her steak. "How is Illya faring with these... new abilities?"

"Far better than her partner, I would say. In fact, she seemed to be born to use this much creativity in magical creation and her first opponent was... in a few words, demolished by her knowledge of Jojo."

That sounded about right. Out of all anime that were not about Magical Girls, Jojo was the one that got something on Illya. Leysritt didn't like it, but the young girl was so hooked to it that it was almost intriguing to see how fixated on the show she was. If it wasn't cute magical girls, it was the world of 'bulky men that could use mystical powers and muscular manifestations of their souls'.

"So, this threat is tied to a different... dimension?"

"Miyu, the one that Illya is currently partnered with, seems to be her... 'relative' through the role they have. Illya was born as a Lesser Grail, Miyu's role has a similar aptitude toward Wishcraft and her mother was used for the 'Fourth' Holy Grail War where she came from."

"How?" Liz inquired, genuinely puzzled by this detail. "The Einzbern are the sole owners of the means to attain wishcraft."

"From my understanding, some elements of their history is different. The Einzbern retired from competing in the Holy Grail Wars when the world became too unstable, so the new 'retainers' relied on a family that had 'dispersed' in this universe to act in that regard. Miyu's current disposition allows her to act as a vehicle for wishcraft within the situation where a Holy Grail Wars unfolds."

Which is very awkward considering how involved the family was to the war. The reason for this to no longer be the case in this world was tied to the fact that they couldn't do it with the Magus Association blocking the process altogether and destroying the Grail.

From what she knew, this wasn't the case in the other world but... what else could have led the family to stop the tradition altogether? Actually, what could have driven them to give up their knowledge on the grail. She didn't even think John was aware of this as he offered her the chance to look at one of these 'Cards' and... she could tell this one had some severe foundation based on both Einzbern and Matou notes on the Holy Grail War.

If this was indeed the case then... whoever was acting as a retainer of the competition in this new world was not a group to scoff at. Even now, the work of Justeaze and other founders was regarded with great admiration due to how impossible to replicate it was. For a 'unknown' Magus family to achieve this... something wasn't right.

While she was reasonably concerned for Illya, this new detail added a few more layers of trouble that Liz could tell was going to be dreadful to handle in the long run. Maybe it was best to involve Kiritsugu too...

As the date came to an end, the two started to walk out of the restaurant. It had gotten late, thus Liz didn't plan to spend too long around. Yet, John brought up something that made her pause for a moment.

"So, still not up to the next step?"

A shake of head ensued, but not without reason. Liz knew she was ready for it, and it wasn't an issue between them, rather it was an unease in knowing that she could end up being a liability to them. Caren was a staple element to their bedtime, but she felt like she wasn't truly on Taiga's side just yet. And with her pregnancy taking most of her time... yes, it was best to wait.

"Once the baby is born."

Instead of being annoyed, John gave her a hug. There was no malice, no frustration, only understanding. And kissing. Despite the lack of interest to go too deep, the kissing always got to her. It was so wonderfully intense at times, and it made her brain lit up in expectation to be happy for a week.

It was just the care, the love, the strong injection of feeling that made her previously stoic and aimless steps somewhat more determined. And while before the kissing and hugging would draw her brain to pure silence and blankness, now it made her feel super-happy.

The very notion of eventually making a baby with her partner made her somewhat intrigued in the art of modifying her body for the task. Technically speaking, that should be feasible, but asking Irisviel just now felt a bit... too embarrassing.

Out of all potential circumstances, the notion of asking her Lady to work on her groin to make it working to house a baby was as awkward as it was nerve-wrecking. For now, it was just a thought and Taiga's pregnancy offered a bit of cover for her lack of progress in that regard.

Still... it was going to happen. She wanted it to happen and-

"Let's met again soon then, Liz," John spoke up and she saw him leaving on his own as it was time for them to split.

She waved back, having zoned out during the last hug and kiss, ready to go home for some... 'thinking on the future'.

That was definitely nothing depraved on her side like Sella tended to whine about.

AN

Liz has a few browser pages open in her personal laptop with various mechanical methods to get stuff done. Sadly, Sella does use that laptop a few times, which causes quite the scandalous exchange between the 'twins'.