Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka had intended to scout the terrain of Einzbern Forest today, so they could prepare to work together against Berserker.
But when they reached the outskirts of Einzbern Forest, Rin spotted a barrier that restricted Magecraft.
Though they knew they had already been discovered, they had Servants with them and could make a quick retreat.
As they cautiously approached Einzbern Castle, the sounds of fierce fighting and explosions reached their ears.
Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka were both perplexed. Who would challenge Berserker at a time like this?
The Holy Grail War was already nearing its end.
Aside from Shirou Emiya's Saber and Rin Tohsaka's Archer, only Berserker and Lancer remained.
Would Lancer, who had been elusive from the very beginning, really dare to challenge Berserker?
With that thought, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka hurried to Einzbern Castle.
There, they saw Gilgamesh fighting Berserker.
But they were a step too late. Under Gilgamesh's overwhelming assault, Berserker had already been defeated and destroyed.
Just as they wondered who Gilgamesh was, Archer spotted Illya, Kaoru Sakura, Sasuke, and the others standing not far away.
For a moment, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka couldn't make sense of what was going on.
It was all far too chaotic.
Before they could react, Gilgamesh attacked Illya, only for Sasuke to intercept him.
The ensuing battle, which shook heaven and earth, left them utterly dumbfounded.
If they hadn't had Servants with them, they might not have escaped the aftershock of the battle.
Their retreat had been so hurried that they ran into Illya's group.
That was where things stood now.
Perhaps because the day's events had been so chaotic, Sasuke still had no intention of deactivating his Mangekyō Sharingan. He watched Shirou Emiya and the others expressionlessly.
Seeing Sasuke return victorious, Shirou Emiya quickly explained, "Mr. Uchiha, don't misunderstand. We wouldn't attack a Master who has no Servant."
Since Shirou Emiya had spoken before she could, Rin Tohsaka kept quiet. She knew Illya was still a Master and could still form a bond with a Servant and continue fighting.
But given the uncertainty of the situation, Rin Tohsaka didn't want to say anything of the sort.
Sasuke's strength was simply far beyond anything she could comprehend.
So it was better to say nothing.
Saber and Archer stayed silent as well. There was clearly no reason to fight anymore.
Just as Sasuke was about to say something, Illya spoke from behind him.
Illya was holding the unconscious Kaoru Sakura in her arms. Weariness was plain on her face as she stared at Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka and said, "The Einzberns don't welcome you. Please leave."
Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka's ultimate goal had been to defeat Berserker.
Now that Berserker had been defeated, there was no reason for them to stay. They might as well think about what to do next.
Of course, that was only Shirou Emiya's opinion.
After being told to leave, Shirou Emiya turned to Rin Tohsaka and asked, "Tohsaka, should we just head back?"
Rin Tohsaka stared at Illya for a long time, as if she wanted to say something. In the end, however, she looked at Shirou Emiya. "All right. Let's go."
Though Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka both wanted to ask Sasuke what had led to the day's events, given the circumstances, it was better to wait.
After saying goodbye to Sasuke, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka left with Saber and Archer.
Before leaving, however, Artoria, appearing once more in the Saber class, looked back at Illya.
Artoria had probably guessed a few things.
After all, ten years ago, Artoria and Gilgamesh had taken part in the final battle.
Though Artoria didn't know Gilgamesh's true identity or why he had appeared in this world again, she knew how powerful he was.
But Artoria had never imagined that Gilgamesh would be killed by Sasuke Uchiha.
If the two of them had been evenly matched, their battle might have destroyed all of Fuyuki City.
There were many reasons Artoria looked back at Illya.
Ten years ago, Shirou Emiya's adoptive father, Kiritsugu Emiya, had summoned Artoria during the Holy Grail War.
Kiritsugu Emiya's wife, Irisviel von Einzbern, was an artificial human created by the Einzbern family.
Their daughter was Illya.
Artoria had recognized Illya during their first battle with Berserker.
Since the Einzberns were following the same plan again, Illya was most likely this year's Lesser Grail.
But this wasn't the right time to talk about it.
After Shirou Emiya and the others left, Illya turned to Sella and Leysritt beside her.
"Go to the forest and slowly repair the Einzbern barrier with Magecraft."
Sella seemed to understand what Illya meant. Looking deeply unsettled, she gazed at Illya in confusion. "My lady, but your health..."
Before Sella could finish, Illya sharply cut her off.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"That's an order. I don't want to repeat myself."
Leysritt, meanwhile, simply stood to one side, looking as vacant as ever.
Sella sighed, then took Leysritt by the hand and bowed respectfully to Illya. "Leysritt and I will restore the castle to its former glory. Please come and inspect it yourself when we're done, my lady."
With that, Sella and Leysritt headed into the forest together.
But every few steps, Sella looked back at Illya.
Holding Kaoru Sakura in her arms, Illya responded with a stern expression.
Sella and Leysritt kept walking until they were far away and had disappeared completely from Illya's view.
Night was about to fall over Fuyuki.
Perhaps the final battle had changed the very world around them, because the entire sky looked unusually dark.
The setting sun shone through the leaves overhead that veiled the sky, illuminating Illya's weary face.
Just then, Illya's arms began to tremble as she held Kaoru Sakura. Her legs gave way, and she slumped onto the grass. Her once-clear eyes now looked utterly exhausted.
Illya could no longer even support Kaoru Sakura in her arms.
All she could do was tip forward and brace the sleeping Kaoru Sakura with her small frame.
Lying against Kaoru Sakura, Illya raised her heavy eyelids and took one last look at her.
"Living like a normal person really is too much to hope for, isn't it?"
With that thought, Illya's tired eyes closed, and she finally succumbed to sleep.
Beside her, Sasuke watched it all expressionlessly through his Mangekyō Sharingan.
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