However, after hearing Adam mention another "her," Illya seemed provoked, a competitive fire flashing in her eyes.
"I-I suddenly think I can give it a try."
"Losing to another me… Absolutely not!"
At that moment, Ruby jumped out again, her voice still laced with teasing amusement.
"Oh? Is Illya getting jealous of her other self?"
"Actually, you don't have to compete with her. The two of you could always serve together…"
"Ah~!"
Illya swung Ruby around wildly, leaving the magical wand spinning and dazed once more.
Just then, a deep rumble rose from the pit where Heracles had fallen.
Heracles had finished regenerating his legs. He rose to his full towering height and let out a thunderous roar.
"ROOOAAAR~~~"
Illya stared up at the giant Berserker, tension tightening her small frame.
Mash immediately went on high alert, shield at the ready. She stayed poised to knock him flying the instant he showed any sign of danger.
Adam stood close by, equally prepared. His battle interface hovered open, finger ready to pull Illya out at a moment's notice.
But it turned out his worries were completely unnecessary.
The instant Heracles laid eyes on Illya, the madness drained from him. The roaring stopped. He slowly walked forward and simply stood before her, waiting in silence as if awaiting orders.
Illya stared blankly at the scene, then turned to Adam with wide, questioning eyes.
"Did I… actually succeed?"
Seeing Heracles standing obediently at attention, Adam flashed Illya a big thumbs-up.
The meaning was obvious: Success!
Illya still looked puzzled as she studied the towering Servant.
"But… I didn't even do anything."
Hearing her words, Adam felt a flicker of confusion himself.
That didn't add up. This Illya truly shouldn't have any prior connection to Heracles.
So why had the Berserker calmed completely the moment he saw her?
Was it the bond between Master and Servant that transcended worlds themselves?
Or maybe… since Heracles was a figure from the Nasuverse Greek legends, he simply had a thing for little girls?
Adam couldn't quite rule it out.
Still, the how didn't matter. The result was what counted.
Heracles had joined their side.
On the way back to the school's rest area, Heracles carried Illya on his massive shoulders like a doting father giving his daughter a ride.
When Adam returned with Heracles and Illya in tow, the rest of the group froze in stunned silence.
They had watched the entire scene unfold from above.
Weren't they told Heracles had lost all sense of self and gone completely berserk?
Everyone had assumed Adam had gone down there to finish him off.
At first, the Berserker had still looked ready to rampage again.
But the instant he spotted that silver-haired elementary-school girl, he had settled down completely, peaceful as could be.
It left them utterly baffled.
Adam closed his eyes for a moment, considering how best to explain.
"In short, don't worry about the details. The important part is that Heracles is now on our side."
[Olga Marie Affection +10]
[Mash Affection +10]
[Ritsuka Fujimaru Affection +10]
[Medusa Affection +10]
...
Adam paid little attention to their shocked expressions. He had a nagging feeling he was forgetting something.
What was it?
He scanned the group and realized someone was missing.
Wait—Cú Chulainn?
His gaze fell on the Lancer, still half-buried in the rubble with only his legs sticking out.
"Someone… help me out first?"
Adam hurried over and activated his Mystic Code, bathing the area around Cú Chulainn in healing light.
"You didn't treat him first?" he asked.
Olga Marie scratched her head awkwardly as she took in the Servant's battered state.
"Sorry… We got too caught up watching everything happening down there and completely forgot."
Cú Chulainn, finally able to breathe properly, gave them a speechless look.
For a few terrifying moments back there, he had genuinely thought he was about to return to the Throne of Heroes.
"You guys…"
After several minutes of healing, Cú Chulainn could move again, though he was still a little unsteady.
Adam walked over to the window and gazed toward the distant Greater Grail. Then he turned to the injured Lancer.
"Cú Chulainn, how are your wounds? Can you still fight?"
Cú Chulainn pushed himself to his feet with a slight wobble.
"Of course. Don't underestimate me."
Adam nodded, genuinely impressed.
As expected of Cú Chulainn. No matter the Class, his combat endurance was second to none.
"Alright, let's do one final check and get ready to resolve this Singularity!"
——————————
Mount Enzou.
The Chaldea team had reached the entrance to the chamber containing the Greater Grail.
Cú Chulainn pointed at the cave ahead.
"The Greater Grail is inside. The path gets pretty complicated from here."
"Everyone stay close. Don't get separated."
Mash gazed at the cavern entrance and murmured in awe.
"It looks… like a natural cave formation. Did Fuyuki always have something like this?"
Olga Marie offered her thoughts.
"Most likely. This sort of half-natural, half-artificial workshop was gradually carved out over generations by mages—an underground atelier."
Adam stared into the dark opening, already picturing the look on Artoria Alter's face when he summoned Morgan right in front of her.
If his reserves allowed it, he would have loved to call forth Morgan's entire Fairy Knight squadron as well, just to let her experience the full judgment of the Round Table Knights from another world.
Just as the group was about to step inside the cave—
A barrage of swords suddenly shot toward them from a high ridge behind!
Mash reacted in an instant!
She summoned her shield in a flash and blocked the attack.
Adam turned toward the source.
It was EMIYA.
The Archer glared at Cú Chulainn with clear irritation.
"I distinctly remember giving you your marching orders myself!"
"And here you are, dragging even more annoying guests along!"
His eyes then landed on Medusa and Heracles, and his frown deepened.
What was going on?
Why had his allies turned into enemies?
But when he spotted Illya perched on Heracles' shoulders, his expression froze completely.
"That girl is…"
[EMIYA Affection +10]
...
Adam regarded EMIYA (Archer) calmly and slowly opened his system panel, his gaze shifting to the other EMIYA (Assassin) listed among his Servants.
***
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