Emiya Shirou's eyes showed various emotions.
Kiritsugu...
At the end of the last Holy Grail War, what did you see?
Closing his eyes, Shirou Emiya didn't dare to imagine that scene anymore.
The fire suddenly broke out from nowhere, and the entire city was instantly plunged into a terrifying sea of ​​flames.
Innocent people were buried in the sea of ​​​​fire, wailing, crying, and going crazy. They obviously did nothing but had to face the end of death.
——He thought he would also end up like this.
But I saw that ecstatic face, with such an expression, as if it was not him who was rescued, but him who rescued him.
...Why on earth do you show such an expression?
Looking at Illya sitting opposite, the confusion in Emiya Shirou's eyes was still unresolved.
After all, he only strengthened his belief, and many confusions were still unresolved.
"......you mean."
"I...was also contaminated?"
Illya glanced at her hands in disbelief.
Am I contaminated?
How was it contaminated?
Why is it contaminated?
Wasn't that the Lesser Holy Grail that was contaminated during the Third Holy Grail War? Why would such contamination happen to me again?
"It happened the third and fourth times, there's no reason why it won't happen the fifth time."
Kotomine Kirei shook his head gently.
"So, we are here, and for our own safety, we suppressed Berserker first, and also because we want to avoid any more casualties of servants in this Holy Grail War as much as possible. Please understand this.
"
"After all... you should know what will happen when there are too many servant souls stored in the Small Holy Grail, Mr. Einzbern."
Kotomine Kirei's tone was very official.
The Little Holy Grail...that is, my body carries too many Servants' souls...
Illya fell silent.
Such a process will make one's human functions continue to disappear, until oneself loses even the human appearance - the Little Holy Grail is completed.
"What do you plan to do?"
Raising her head, Illya's eyes dodge a little and asked Kotomine Kirei.
If nothing else, at least Kotomine Kirei seems to be a trustworthy person...right?
He had heard about this man a long time ago. He was the rival of Emiya Kiritsugu. He was also a well-known person in the Magic Association and the Holy Church, and he was worthy of respect.
"I wonder if you've heard of me, kid."
Adroson, who was standing on one side, smiled, walked to Kotomine Kirei, sat down, crossed his legs, and looked at Illya.
"Although it's a long time ago, I was indeed a magician in the Clock Tower."
"You can call me...[red crystal] Adrosson Falgo."
It can be seen that Adrosson quite likes his name.
"...Never heard of it."
Illya shook her head in confusion.
Adrosson:......
Impolite kid!
"Forget it, it doesn't matter."
Adroson shrugged.
"I need to look inside you... by reflecting it in a mirror."
"This will at least allow me to see what is contained in your heart, okay?"
Adrosson tried his best to make his smile as gentle as possible.
"..."
Illya didn't speak. She just turned around and glanced at Sera and Ligelit who were standing not far behind her.
Sera's expression looked anxious, but she couldn't make a sound. Li Jielite looked very honest, but the murderous aura in her body had never dissipated from the beginning.
Both men were freed from their restraints, but it seemed to be of no use.
Being watched by such a group of followers, it can only be said that it is difficult to be of any use.
Sighing, Illya turned her head again.
"...Please, Mr. Falgo."
She lowered her head.
It seems like there is no other choice left for her now.
"Shenji, Shirou, come here."
With a smile, Adroson waved to the two boys, then stood up and put his hand on Illya's head - just like he put his hand on Yusi before.
It's the same thing on Teesa's head.
Raising his hand, a gemstone magic mirror appeared in Adrosson's hand, gradually enlarging it and becoming clearer.
"Is this...this kid's heart?"
Matou Shinji looked a little interested.
An Nuo couldn't help but look sideways.
Actually, she is older than you...you should call her "sister" instead of "this kid".
But Illya's appearance does not seem to be convincing.
As Adrosun's magic power deepened, his expression gradually became more solemn.
"This is..."
What he saw was simultaneously projected onto the gem mirror.
black.
It's obviously an incredibly beautiful scenery—but it's all black.
It's extremely rich, a deep black like layers of darkness.
Adroson was searching for Illya's self in the blackness, but suddenly, he felt a chill coming from his heart.
——Just like the feeling he had in the Great Holy Grail that day.
Something...spotted him.
Far away in my heart, there is a shadow...
That shadow is——
"——Irisviel!?"
An Nuo, who had been standing at the back, exclaimed, pushed Xiang An aside, and rushed to the front of the magic mirror.
The only white figure in the black——
It's Irisviel!
Although the appearance of artificial people is almost the same, Irisviel is special to Annuo. He is extremely convinced that the woman who exists in Illya's heart is the one who was once full of tenderness.
The Einzbern cyborg with maternal qualities and a free-spirited girlish personality - Irisviel von Einzbern, wife of Emiya Kiritsugu and mother of Illya!
To be continued...