Illya's Redemption

"Wait!" Illya's voice came from nearby.

Sitting on Heracles's broad shoulder, she swiftly leaped into everyone's view.

The moment she learned that a Heroic Spirit had invaded, she began worrying about Emiya Shirou and Artoria, who were training outside.

She immediately rushed out of the basement with Heracles and hurried over.

What she had not expected was that Artoria would be defeated so quickly.

At that moment, Red Archer stepped forward from the crowd and advised Artoria, "Saber, you understand, don't you? You are no match for us right now. In fact, no one else even needs to act—our leader alone would be enough to crush you."

"Rather than seeking death right away, you should listen to our proposal first. There may still be a chance to turn things around."

Artoria's gaze shifted between Illya and the unconscious Emiya Shirou, her heart filled with conflict and struggle.

As a knight, she should not suffer such humiliation. Yet as a protector, she could not selfishly die for the sake of her honor.

After hesitating for a moment, she nodded heavily, temporarily abandoning the thought of seeking death.

In a low voice, she said, "I understand. Since you put it that way, I will listen carefully to your terms."

Seeing that Red Archer had temporarily persuaded Artoria, Iori turned to Illya and asked, "I was entrusted by someone to treat your physical condition."

"There's nothing wrong with my body." Illya replied warily, her fingers unconsciously tightening around Heracles's shoulder until her fingertips turned pale from the force.

How could Uchiha Iori, a Heroic Spirit with no connection to her, have been asked by someone else to treat her?

There was probably only one reason he said that: her body. He had come looking for her in order to obtain the vessel of