Extravagant Hopes

Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka had originally intended to scout the terrain of the Einzbern Forest today, laying the groundwork for their joint effort to take down Berserker.

However, upon reaching the outskirts of the Einzbern Forest, Rin Tohsaka discovered a bounded field designed to restrict mages.

Although they were well aware that they had been detected, having Servants by their sides allowed them to execute a swift retreat.

Just as they were cautiously approaching the Einzbern Castle, the sounds of intense combat and explosions reached their ears.

Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka were both puzzled; who would dare to challenge Berserker at a time like this?

The Holy Grail War had already reached its final stages.

Aside from Shirou Emiya's Saber and Rin Tohsaka's Archer, only Berserker and Lancer remained.

Could it be Lancer, who had been elusive from the very beginning, daring to challenge Berserker?

With this thought in mind, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka rushed to the Einzbern Castle.

There, they witnessed Gilgamesh battling Berserker.

They had arrived one step too late, however; under the overwhelming assault of Gilgamesh, Berserker had already fallen and vanished.

Just as they were wondering what kind of person Gilgamesh might be, Archer spotted Illya, Kaoru Sakura, and Sasuke Uchiha standing not far away.

For a moment, both Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka were unable to grasp the current situation.

It was simply too chaotic.

Before they could even react, Gilgamesh launched an attack on Illya, only to be intercepted by Sasuke Uchiha.

The ensuing battle, which turned the sky dark and the earth dim, left them absolutely dumbfounded.

Had they not been accompanied by their own Servants, they likely would not have survived the residual shockwaves of that fight.

Because their retreat had been so hurried, they ended up crossing paths with Illya's group.

And that was where they stood now.

Perhaps because the day's events were so convoluted, Sasuke Uchiha had no intention of deactivating his Mangekyou Sharingan, staring at Shirou Emiya's group with an expressionless face.

Watching the victorious Sasuke Uchiha return, Shirou Emiya offered an explanation:

"Mr. Uchiha, please don't misunderstand. We have no intention of attacking a Master who lacks a Servant."

Seeing Shirou Emiya speak before she could, Rin Tohsaka remained silent. Although she knew full well that Illya was still a Master and could still forge a contract with a Servant to continue the fight, she did not want to bring that up in this unknown situation.

Sasuke Uchiha's strength was simply far beyond her range of comprehension.

It was better to say nothing at all.

Saber and Archer also remained silent, as there was truly no need for further combat at this moment.

Just as Sasuke Uchiha was about to say something, Illya, standing behind him, spoke up.

Illya was currently cradling the unconscious Kaoru Sakura, her expression masking deep exhaustion as she stared at Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka.

"The Einzbern family does not welcome you. Please leave."

Originally, the ultimate goal for Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka had been to defeat Berserker.

Now that Berserker had been defeated, there was indeed no need for them to remain here; it would be better to consider their next move.

Of course, that was only Shirou Emiya's perspective.

Having been issued an eviction notice, Shirou Emiya looked at Rin Tohsaka and asked:

"Rin, should we head back?"

Rin Tohsaka stared at Illya for a long time, as if she had something she wanted to say, but ultimately, she looked toward Shirou Emiya:

"Very well, let's go."

Even though both Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka wanted to ask Sasuke Uchiha about the cause and effect of today's events, they decided to wait, given the circumstances.

After bidding farewell to Sasuke Uchiha, Shirou Emiya, Rin Tohsaka, Saber, and Archer departed from the area.

However, before leaving, Artoria, who had manifested once again as a Saber-class Servant, glanced back at Illya.

Artoria had likely guessed a few things.

After all, ten years ago, Artoria and Gilgamesh had participated in the final decisive battle.

Although Artoria did not know Gilgamesh's true identity, nor why he was able to manifest again, she was well aware of his strength.

Yet, Artoria could never have imagined that Gilgamesh would actually be killed by Sasuke Uchiha.

If not for the disparity in their strength, a fight like that might have ended up destroying the entirety of Fuyuki City.

As for why Artoria looked back at Illya, there were many reasons.

Shirou Emiya's adoptive father, Kiritsugu Emiya, had summoned Artoria during that Holy Grail War ten years ago.

Kiritsugu Emiya's wife, Irisviel von Einzbern, was a homunculus of the Einzbern clan.

Their daughter was Illya.

When Artoria first clashed with Berserker, she had already recognized Illya.

Since Einzbern was once again resorting to such schemes, it was highly probable that Illya was the Lesser Holy Grail for this iteration.

However, this was not the time to speak of such things.

After Shirou Emiya and the others departed, Illya turned her gaze toward Sella and Leysritt standing beside her:

"Go to the forest and slowly use magecraft to repair the Einzbern barrier."

Seemingly sensing Illya's intent, Sella's expression became extremely unsettled, and she looked at Illya in confusion:

"My Lady, but your body..."

Before Sella could finish, Illya sharply cut her off:

"I am fine, you need not worry."

"This is an order; I do not wish to repeat myself."

As for Leysritt, she simply stood to the side, looking dazed as always.

Sella sighed at this, pulled Leysritt along, and bowed respectfully to Illya:

"Leysritt and I will restore the castle to its former glory; I ask that you come to inspect it yourself when the time comes."

With those words, Sella and Leysritt walked toward the forest together.

Yet, every few steps, Sella would turn back to glance at Illya.

Holding Kaoru Sakura, Illya responded to Sella with a dignified expression.

It was not until Sella and Leysritt had walked far away, disappearing completely from Illya's field of vision.

Fuyuki was on the verge of nightfall.

Perhaps due to the decisive battle that had just occurred, the entire sky appeared unnaturally dim.

The setting sun filtered through the leaves obscuring the sky above, illuminating Illya's weary face.

It was at this moment that the arms holding Kaoru Sakura began to tremble, and Illya's legs gave way, causing her to collapse directly onto the grass. Those eyes, once clear, now appeared incredibly exhausted.

At this point, Illya could no longer even support the weight of Kaoru Sakura in her arms.

Left with no choice, Illya leaned forward, using her own slightly petite frame to prop up the sleeping Kaoru Sakura.

Pressed against Kaoru Sakura, Illya lifted her drowsy eyes for one final look.

To live like a normal person—it truly is an extravagant wish for someone like me.

Thinking this to herself, Illya's weary eyes closed, and she could no longer resist the urge to drift into unconsciousness.

Beside them, Sasuke merely watched everything with a blank expression, his Mangekyou Sharingan active.