"This is the formal contract?", Illya closed her eyes, feeling the magic power filling her body.
Yes, filled. Having contracted two Servants, Illya was still relaxed to an unbelievable degree.
You must know, when Tohsaka Rin supplied mana to two people, it only allowed Ahoge Queen to release a single Noble Phantasm, and after releasing it, she disappeared. [A/N: Specifically mentioned in the last few episodes of the UBW route, when Rin was providing mana to both Shirou and Saber.]
From this, it's clear how strong Illya, as a Lesser Grail, with magic circuits comparable in quality to Command Spells, truly is. [A/N: At the time, the Einzberns did this partly to strengthen control over the Servants.]
Worthy of being the strongest Master in the Fifth Holy Grail War.
"Don't be too happy too early," Medea put on her hood, reminding like a witch, "Having this kind of effect is because you, as the Master, are standing on the land of Fuyuki City, with the Greater Grail's blessing."
"In other words, a truly powerful magi, before fighting us, would cut off the Master's connection with Fuyuki City's leyline."
'It always feels like this is satirizing a certain young lady.'
That's right, Tohsaka Rin. As the manager of Fuyuki's leylines, she instead failed to consider this kind of situation.
'Is it because she must remain elegant at all times?'
'Or does she just drop the ball at critical moments?'
"No problem," Shirou couldn't help but take out his summoning device to stroke it.
Ever since the Emperor Armor's belt evolved, it had become like a Servant's proof of heroism, a "Noble Phantasm," and could be summoned at will, extremely convenient.
'Baby, soon you'll be fighting by my side.'
Before that…
"Caster, the real reason I brought you here is actually to resolve Illya's problem as the Lesser Grail."
"So that's it…", After sensing that the Master she had just contracted with was the vessel of the Lesser Grail, Medea vaguely grasped Berserker's true intent in seeking out a magus.
'To go this far just for a Master, it's truly enviable and touching.'
Thinking for a moment, Medea said, "Regarding this matter, I need to examine Master's body alone, if you're both willing."
She chuckled.
Having drawn her Noble Phantasm earlier, and based on what she said before, her True Name should be completely revealed by now.
The traitor witch, though she herself hated this name, it was a fact etched into history, unerasable.
So, what choice would they make?
"Then I'll leave it to you," Without hesitation, that's what was said.
Medea was stunned, 'Wait, he's just the Servant, wanting to examine the Master…'
Illya's gaze was innocent, "When do we start, Caster?"
Medea: "..."
After a moment, she said, "So that's how it is… seems you still don't know my True Name."
"No, we do," Illya smiled with her hands behind her back.
Shirou, meanwhile, was expressionless, "I already said I have no interest in your identity or origin. Of course, knowing it was inevitable."
"Then why do you still…"
Medea didn't know how to express the message of "why do you trust me?"
But Illya tilted her head, "After meeting Berserker, I came to understand, even Heroic Spirits must have situations where they can't speak their true feelings. Berserker always keeps a cold face, but is actually gentler than anyone. He says he hates housework, but does it more carefully than Sella…"
"Ugh~", Sella, acting as background decoration, got hit out of nowhere.
Shirou immediately retorted, "I most hate people saying I'm gentle."
"Indeed," The corners of Medea's mouth hidden under her cloak slightly curled up, "Berserker is a bit too kind, so kind that one might worry if they don't keep an eye on him, he'll break one day."
Shirou: "?"
"Berserker… kind," Even Liz spoke.
'System-san, hand me my lawyer letter. I'm suing them for slander!'
["Would you like to…"]
"So, Caster," Illya came up to her, extending her hand, "Let me say in advance, I hate you, you vixen who's seducing Berserker! But, you are my Caster. On that one point, I acknowledge you."
She said strange words, complex and hard to understand. Yet at this moment, Medea seemed to see an angel, being understood, being acknowledged.
'Is this the reason you're willing to fight so hard for her, Berserker?'
'Then why can you also ignore my identity and trust me?'
Medea didn't know how to feel, but she extended her hand and grasped Illya's small palm.
Thus, the contract was formed.
———
Waiting time was not pleasant. It was now 2 a.m.
Shirou sat on the sofa, stealing someone else's job, making coffee for the two maids.
"I remember someone saying they hated housework," Sella coldly mocked.
"That's right," Shirou replied without changing expression, "being able to do something I hate this well, I really am amazing."
"Berserker, tasty!", Liz lazily praised.
Hearing that, Sella, who had just picked up her cup but hadn't sipped yet, immediately put it down.
"Liz!", Her voice rose slightly with dissatisfaction, "I told you many times, don't omit parts that shouldn't be omitted."
"And, how can you act so lazy as a maid of the Einzbern family?"
"…slurp~ slurp~", Liz half-squinted her eyes, dozing off.
Sella was speechless. She was about to chat with Shirou again about housework, but found he had gone off to train.
Helpless, she could only take it out on her coffee. Liz reminded from the side, "Sella, fat, drink less."
Sella: "..."
———
At 4 a.m., sounds came from the crude magic workshop in the Einzbern castle.
Shirou had just finished training.
[Strength: B+]
'I take back what I said earlier. Even turtles are faster than you.'
———
"How are you, Illya?"
The first to come out of the magic workshop was Illya rubbing her eyes.
"Miss, any discomfort in your body?", Sella also showed concern.
Liz: "Body, okay?"
"No problem," Illya reassured, "It was just a check."
Inside the magic workshop, Medea's voice came, "Berserker, regarding the Master's issue, I need to speak with you alone."
Shirou nodded to Illya and gestured to Sella with his eyes,."Take care of the Master," Then he entered the magic workshop.
Sella glared at his back and said, "Taking care of the Illya-sama is something I don't need you to say."
She knew that the Servant could feel that gaze.
It was Shirou's first time entering the Einzbern magic workshop in Fuyuki.
Different from the one in Germany, this place was very spacious, lacking materials or tools, let alone magical instruments.
"Modern magi are at this level?", Medea's tone was contemptuous, "Calling this a magic workshop, looks as crude as a straw hut to me."
"From now on, not just this room, the whole castle, you can modify however you want," Shirou gestured at the castle with his hand, then said, "You know, I didn't come here to discuss that."
"Of course," Under Shirou's powerful dynamic vision, it seemed like Medea moved her lips, or maybe she didn't.
Then, the room was enveloped in a barrier.
"!"
"No need to worry. This is for your own good. I got the Master's permission," After explaining, Medea seriously removed her hood.
"Now, I want to ask you a very important question."
"Mm, ask," Shirou nodded.
"Berserker, the items you project, can they be permanently preserved?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"That's troublesome," Medea bit her lip, thinking.
"I thought they could be permanently stored…"
"Are you kidding?", Shirou looked at her like she was an idiot, "As a magus, you don't even know that basic fact? If it could be done to that extent, it wouldn't be magic anymore."
"That's right, it would be a miracle," Medea answered softly.
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