"Who are you?!"
Listening to Artoria's question, Alexander couldn't help but sighed helplessly.
"It's this question again. You people always ask me this question every day. I can only say that I'm just an ordinary mangaka."
After Alexander finished speaking, he turned to look at the setting sun, which had dropped below the sea level, casting a last glimmer of light before disappearing completely. He knew it was time to act.
"It's already dark. The Holy Grail War should start tonight. Don't look at me like that; I'm not your enemy," Alexander said, addressing Artoria, who was extremely vigilant. He realized he may have said too much, as he seemed to have startled her.
"Isn't everyone our enemy in the Holy Grail War? Can we consider the other masters in Fuyuki City our friends?" Artoria questioned, skeptical of Alexander's words. She believed that all the masters in the Holy Grail War were enemies, a belief that had remained unchanged for centuries.
"Save your strength. There's a big fight ahead tonight," Alexander advised, remembering the upcoming battle of spears and sword. He took out his mobile phone and opened an episode of Fate/Zero, specifically the one featuring a battle with guns and swords.
Artoria watched the episode with curiosity, but her expression changed when she saw a scene she didn't remember—Diarmuid fighting against her with two spears, using a magic-breaking yellow rose to injure her finger. She was certain she had never fought Diarmuid.
"How is it possible!? This is the battle between me and Lancer? But I obviously don't have this memory!"
"Of course not. This is the future," Alexander explained with a smile. He was eager to see how Artoria would react to this knowledge. With this foreknowledge, Artoria could potentially change the outcome of the battle.
"The future? Are you saying this was supposed to happen? You can predict the future and turn it into an animation? Your credibility is questionable," Irisviel interjected, staring at Alexander. She searched his face for any sign of deceit but found none.
"Believe it or not, I just want to see what interesting things will happen once you know each other's information. Alright, Rin, let's go," Alexander said, ready to see how events would unfold.
After Alexander spoke, he stood up and left with Rin by his side. Alexander really likes the role of Artoria, but he thinks his character is not one to flatter others. He chose to share this episode of the anime to plant a seed in Artoria's heart, but when this seed will sprout is not for him to decide.
As Alexander left, Irisviel and Artoria looked at each other. Both could see the confusion and disbelief in the other's eyes.
"Saber, do you think the anime that man showed us was a real future event? Could it have really happened?" Irisviel still couldn't believe it. The existence of a magical world that predicts the future is one thing, but the level of detail in this prediction, including dialogue, fighting styles, and outcomes, is quite unsettling.
"Irisviel, don't panic. We'll find out the truth when the time comes. What interests me more now is that man's identity. I have a feeling that he has a unique and confident personality, as if he can control everything. My intuition tells me that what Alexander said may be true."
"What should we do then? Should we contact Kiritsugu immediately?"
"Not yet. Let's first verify the truth of his words before making a decision." Artoria shook her head and then turned her gaze out the window. "Diarmuid? The red spear and the curse-breaking yellow rose? If such things really exist, then let me test them to see if they're real."