"Ha~aam..."
"Oh my? Dumpty-kun, couldn't sleep?"
"Ahh... Roughly so. Somehow ended up that way..."
Did I overdo it yesterday... Dealing with both Kama and Ishtar at the same time isn't easy. Even though I was at my physical limit, they were so wild that I ended up going all night. Satisfied, they both gave me a morning kiss, and despite being tired, I mustered my strength and went to work. Actually, I don't really need to anymore, but...
Since I've laid out a grand plan, I should move.
"By any chance, Taiga-sensei, would you like to grab a drink after work?"
"Could that be, a date invitation...!"
"That's not it... It's just that I have a lot to ask as your senior? I'll treat you."
"If you're treating, of course I'll go!"
Easy. Although it seems she has not a shred of affection for me beyond just being a workplace junior. We haven't known each other long, so it's probably just an enthusiastic junior feeling.
I've secured a connection with Taiga. Then... Let's see what happens later.
If things go as scheduled today, probably... Heh.
=============================
Shirou, who casually greeted Rin at the academy and got scolded.
First, Rin and Shirou didn't form an alliance or anything. Since Saber is also hiding her past from the Fourth War from her Master Shirou, Shirou is trying to deduce the relationship between Illya and himself on his own.
Among those thoughts, the only thing that comes to mind is a connection with Kiritsugu.
Shirou decides to focus on meeting Illya again first.
Of course, Saber will try to dissuade him, saying it's dangerous.
"Ah, Senpai."
"Sakura? Good morning. You weren't here this morning, is something wrong?"
"Ahh... That's because I was tired and overslept. More importantly, thank you for last night."
"Last night...?"
At Sakura's words... Shirou thinks she might be talking about defeating Shinji's Servant and making him safely drop out of the Holy Grail War, and says it was nothing.
Of course, that's not what Sakura is talking about. Rider is actually fine.
Their thoughts are at cross purposes... And another day passes.
"Ha~aam... Shirou-kun, you weren't home late yesterday, right?"
"Ah, Dumpty-sensei. What's that about..."
"Yesterday, Shinji asked you to clean the club room, right? I was wondering if you actually cleaned it."
"Ahh... That, somehow ended up not being able to."
"Oh? Next time he asks like that, tell him no. You're not in the archery club anymore, right? Tell Shinji to do it himself. Anyway, he's such an irresponsible student... On the other hand, you're too diligent. Try being a little selfish. You'll get tired in society later if you keep that up?"
"It's okay. I do it because I like to."
"Hoooh... You'll only come to your senses after becoming a professor's slave or an executive's slave... Sometimes I think you're sick too... Well, it's your life, so do as you please~"
"Ah, yes."
Dumpty passes by, yawning while saying random things. Shirou brushes it off as not a big deal and continues his school life. Shinji wasn't seen today, but Shirou thinks it should be fine and first contemplates the Holy Grail War.
And so, that evening...
"I agree with scouting... but even so, seeking out Ilyasviel is dangerous. After experiencing that with Berserker..."
"But if it's the Holy Grail War, they're ultimately an enemy, right? We'll have to fight someday. If we're lucky, we might become non-hostile like with Tohsaka."
"... With her, surely... No, it's nothing."
Saber had a memory of seeing Dumpty in the past. So she's convinced he's definitely behind Illya and tries to be cautious... But unlike Kiritsugu, Shirou as a Master lacks too much ability and information, so he had no choice but to act directly.
And so, they wander the streets until night falls... A dark park. There, they see Illya swinging alone.
Creak~ creak~
"Good evening, big brother~ How are the wounds from Berserker~?"
"Illya..."
"Ilyasviel. Are you alone again this time?"
"Well~ Last time there were two of you, so I brought Berserker too, but today being alone is enough? Besides... I'm always with Berserker, you know?"
At Illya's words, Saber scans the surroundings but... Unless it's an Assassin with Presence Concealment, it shouldn't escape her intuition. There's no one around. Saber finds it strange, but... she senses that at least the girl isn't bluffing.
"Then~ I'll show you what I couldn't show last time..."
[Here we go~ Super Hero Time~!]
Illya pulls a card from her thigh card case and holds it against her stick.
"Install (Dream Summon)"
Fwaaaaaaah...!!!!
With a intense light, Illya's form changes.
"That form...?"
"What... That is, Berserker...?"
"Then, I won't hold back? Big brother, Saber."
Illya, transformed into Berserker (Heracles) using a Class Card. She then charges, swinging a massive stone sword larger than herself.
Kwaang!!!
"Khh...!?"
A heavy blow just like the real Berserker. Saber blocks her strike with her sword, her arm going numb. Illya continues the fight, displaying Berserker Heracles's prowess.
Saber, feeling like she's fighting a miniature Berserker, is gradually pushed back and changes tactics, trying to quickly move and change locations.
However, unlike Berserker, Illya has reason and uses her intellect, targeting Shirou instead of chasing her. Saber has no choice but to use Mana Burst to run and protect Shirou.
Bang! Bangbangbangbang!
"Ahaha~ This is fun~!"
"You consider this play...!"
"Of course! Because the Holy Grail War is just a game."
Speaking meaningfully, Illya then swings her giant stone sword and sends Saber flying.
Saber is overpowered in strength against Illya wielding Berserker's power. She looks for a chance to use Invisible Air, but...
Kiiing... Fwang!
"Aah... As I thought, using Berserker feels like my brain will melt."
[Time's up~]
While using Class Cards has no time limit, Ruby imposes a time constraint on the Berserker card due to the Madness Enhancement factor, like Ultraman. Illya regretfully puts away the Berserker card.
Thinking this is her chance, Saber quickly charges and swings her sword. Illya hurriedly dodges the sword swung before she can pull out a card.
Saber attacks relentlessly like a storm. Illya shows a tense appearance, frantically dodging left and right.
"Oh my~!? Aren't you fired up!?"
[This is a pinch~!]
"The play is over, Ilyasviel!"
Bang!!!!
Saber then brings her sword down heavily, creating a gust of wind. Illya is pushed back and tumbles on the ground. Lying on the ground looking at the sky, Illya lowers her voice. A voice that feels somewhat chilling.
"... 'The play is over,' you say. Is it really okay if it is? Do you want that? Saber... Shall I get serious for you? I'm starting to get angry because you seem to be underestimating me a little. I'm a veteran with Bond Level 10, you know... Do you think you can catch me if you get serious, Saber-san? It's insulting..."
Krrruk....
Then, an ominous magical energy similar to Testament seeps and rises from Illya, and soon a single card is held in her hand with a black light.
"I tried not to use it if possible. It's power borrowed from a friend Servant who doesn't exist in Chaldea. But, it's perfect for dealing with you, Saber-san... Despite how I look, I have a lot of experience, you know. I fought on the front lines for years... You said the play is over, right? Then, I'll get serious now. It's insulting, you know. Weaker than the Saber-san I know... yet ignoring me, it's annoying, I tell you. If it were Zetian-chan, she would have boiled you alive... So, just die here. Install (Dream Summon)"
Seriously annoyed, Illya uses the Class Card, and soon a black light envelops her, emitting a dark glow.
"Th, this magical energy...?"
Saber flinches, sensing a magical energy that is somewhere familiar yet strangely different...
"Big brother doesn't have it... but it's okay if he doesn't have it now. Because I'll take his place instead. I will... become Master big brother's──"
"I'll become his bodyguard for you."