Journey to Find Heroic Spirits

Yuxian spoke with her as they walked, distracting her from dwelling too deeply in her sadness.

He comforted Sakura, saying, "If you miss your sister later, you can go see them. They're so close, don't worry about not being able to meet."

"Mhm," Sakura softly replied.

Yuxian was still uneasy. Sakura was a bit too sensible, or perhaps too timid, lacking Rin's assertiveness.

He stopped and crouched in front of Sakura, meeting her gaze. "Sakura, don't be afraid. If there's something you want to do, just do it boldly. No one will blame you."

"But..." Sakura hesitated, not wanting to cause trouble for anyone.

"No 'buts'," Yuxian looked at her seriously and encouraged her, "You are the head of the Matou Family, and your sister will be the head of the Tohsaka Family in the future. It's very necessary for you two to communicate with each other, understand?"

"I understand!" Sakura nodded vigorously, appearing to accept Yuxian's words.

Although deceiving a child made Yuxian feel guilty, he believed they would thank him in the future.

He found a reason for Sakura to visit the Tohsaka Family often, hoping this would make her more proactive.

With Rin looking after her from now on, she wouldn't be bullied.

Yuxian stood up and took Sakura's hand, continuing their slow walk back.

Sakura suddenly looked up and asked, "Big brother, are you guys leaving?"

Yuxian was taken aback. He hadn't mentioned leaving, but the sensitive Sakura had sensed it from his actions.

Being adopted into the Matou Family had made Sakura sensitive to the words and actions of those around her, fearing she would be asked to leave again.

Yuxian fell silent, unsure of what to say.

He loved his life in Fuyuki City, with the delicious meals made by Emiya, adorable little angels like Illya and Sakura, and Mash by his side.

He was very reluctant to leave such days behind.

Could he really not search for the others in Chaldea? To him, those Servants he hadn't met were no different from strangers.

But surely those Servants were waiting for him somewhere.

"Are Illya-neechan and Emiya-niichan leaving too? Can't you stay?"

Sakura tilted her head up, looking at Yuxian with hopeful eyes.

Yuxian gently stroked her head. He no longer deceived her, smiling as he said, "Sakura, you need to grow up quickly. When you're older, we'll come back."

Sakura silently lowered her head.

After a long moment, she looked up again and said earnestly, "You have to keep your word."

Yuxian promised her in a very solemn tone, "I will keep my word!"

Hearing Yuxian's decisive promise, Sakura's mood improved. She believed Yuxian's words.

Children were easily trusting, and Yuxian couldn't bear to destroy that innocence.

I will definitely return, Yuxian told himself.

Returning to the Matou residence, it was time for everyone to eat together again.

The meal on the table today was exceptionally rich. Yuxian thought it was some kind of festival and happily ate until his stomach was full.

After dinner, Emiya looked conflicted and stammered, "Master, I..."

"What's wrong?" Yuxian looked at his unusual expression with curiosity. Emiya was usually a very decisive person.

"I want to stay," Emiya finally revealed his thoughts.

"Mr. Emiya isn't coming back to Chaldea with us?" Mash asked anxiously from the side upon hearing this.

Yuxian looked at Emiya and saw that he wasn't joking at all; his expression was very serious.

He sighed inwardly. No wonder today's meal was so lavish; it was for this reason.

Although he would be reluctant to part with Emiya, the Grand-class chef, he still respected his decision. He said calmly, "Then stay. You need to help Kiritsugu in Germany; otherwise, it will be difficult for him to rescue Illya from the Einzbern family. You can find Waver about dismantling the Greater Grail later; you know he has the ability. Sakura and Rin are still young, and it's more reassuring to have you here. After all, both of them have excellent talent in magecraft and are easily coveted."

"Master..."

Emiya looked at Yuxian with gratitude, unsure how to express himself.

Yuxian blinked, a mischievous smile on his face. "You're dead set on raising lolis, aren't you, Archer!"

He nudged Emiya with his elbow.

Emiya rolled his eyes and turned away, no longer wanting to deal with Yuxian. He felt like his gratitude had been in vain.

Chapter 20: Obtaining Legendary Item: Emiya's Lunchbox

Since Emiya intended to stay, Yuxian felt it was necessary to ask Illya for her opinion and see if she was willing to return to Chaldea.

He found Illya and asked directly, "Emiya has decided to stay here. Does Illya also want to stay here, or will she return to Chaldea with us?"

Illya's small face showed some conflict, but she finally nodded heavily, "I want to go back to Chaldea with Master."

She was reluctant to part with Emiya and Little Sakura, but she wanted to go with Yuxian to find Kuro (Chloe von Einzbern) even more.

Seeing her sadness, Yuxian reached out and patted her head, comforting her, "You'll have the chance to come back here again. Chaldea has a record point for Fuyuki City, so you can teleport back whenever you want."

Illya's mood lifted considerably upon hearing this.

Afterward, Yuxian went to Kiritsugu Emiya's home. They had moved out of Einzbern Castle and settled into a house in Miyama Town.

Emiya's house wasn't far from the Matou residence, so Yuxian walked over slowly by himself.

Kiritsugu Emiya and Irisviel welcomed Yuxian's visit and invited him into the living room to sit down.

Irisviel had recovered well and could now move normally. The Black Mud didn't seem to have had much of an impact on her.

Her face was full of a happy smile; perhaps this was the life she had always longed for.

Yuxian didn't want to intrude on their private time too much, so he got straight to the point: "We're leaving soon. I came to say goodbye."

"Leaving?" The Kiritsugu couple was surprised.

Yuxian calmly replied, "Yes, we're from Chaldea, and it's time for us to return."

Kiritsugu and the others knew he didn't belong to this world, they just hadn't thought about it for a moment.

Now that Yuxian was here to bid them farewell, they were reminded of it again.

Irisviel quickly asked, "Is Illya leaving too?"

She cared deeply for Illya. Despite only spending a short time together, she had grown fond of the little girl who resembled her own daughter so much.

Yuxian nodded. "Illya will be going with us. I've already asked her."

He then turned to Kiritsugu, who had been silent, and said, "Emiya will stay behind. If you need to go to Germany to bring back your daughter, you can ask him for help. The Einzbern family isn't easy to deal with, so you'll need his strength."

Kiritsugu Emiya would undoubtedly go to Germany, and it would be difficult for him to bring his daughter Illya back with his own strength. With Emiya's help, Yuxian believed they would succeed.

Kiritsugu nodded. He had moved past his past obsessions and now only wished for his family to live peacefully in Fuyuki City. He would definitely bring his daughter back here.

Yuxian said no more and got up to leave.

After leaving Emiya's house and walking only a few steps, he encountered Maiya Hisau again.

Maiya leaned against a lamppost, standing alone quietly. Her eyes were fixed in the direction of Emiya's house, lost in thought.

A suitcase sat beside her, indicating she was ready for a long journey. At the last moment, she just wanted to look at him one last time from afar.

Yuxian sighed inwardly and stepped forward, asking, "Aren't you going in to say goodbye?"

Maiya's gaze didn't shift for a moment. Her eyes were full of reluctance.

But she slowly shook her head and said with firm resolve, "No. Goodbyes only bring sadness, and I'm afraid I won't be able to bear to leave here."

Yuxian asked, "Where are you planning to go?"

Maiya was silent for a long time before replying, "I don't know where to go yet. I'll travel around the world first, see different scenery, and maybe find a place I like and stay there for the rest of my life."

Yuxian knew she had made up her mind and could only sincerely wish her well: "Then I hope you find that place soon."

Maiya bid him farewell, picked up her suitcase, and slowly walked away. She was going to find her new life.

Watching her receding figure, Yuxian wished her well in his heart, hoping she would find a good place to belong.

This was a woman who had given everything to Kiritsugu, viewing herself as his tool.

And when Kiritsugu wished for a peaceful life, she resolutely chose to leave, no longer bothering him or causing him any trouble.

After a few more peaceful days, Yuxian finally gritted his teeth and decided to leave.

He feared that if he stayed here any longer, he would become even more reluctant to depart.

On this day, a large group of people gathered at the Matou residence. Kiritsugu and Irisviel, as well as the Tohsaka mother and daughter, had all come specifically to see him off.

Yuxian hugged Emiya and told him, "You're still part of Chaldea. If you ever need anything, be sure to find us."

"You too, Master. You can come find me anytime if you need anything."

Emiya smiled and then instructed Mash, who was standing beside him, "Mash, protect our Master."

"I will, Mr. Emiya," Mash nodded with a hint of reluctance.

Yuxian then walked over to Sakura and Rin, placing his hands on their heads.

Rin Tohsaka vigorously shook her head, pushing Yuxian's hands away. She disliked being treated like a child.

Sakura remained still, looking up at Yuxian. "Big brother, you must come back again."

"I will!" Yuxian nodded, then said to Rin, "Rin, you have to protect your sister well. Don't let anyone bully Sakura."

"Of course!" Rin Tohsaka replied with certainty.

At this moment, Illya came over and hugged Sakura, whispering something in her ear.

Whatever she said, Sakura's sad expression lessened considerably. She gently said to Illya, "Goodbye, Sister Illya."

Illya then ran to Kiritsugu and Irisviel to say goodbye.

Irisviel crouched down and hugged her, speaking to her with great reluctance, her expression filled with sadness.

Illya, in turn, comforted her, smiling. "I'm a Magical Girl, so don't worry about me! You have to tell Magical Girl about Illya's sister, okay?"

After a round of goodbyes, Yuxian, Mash, and Illya stood in the center of a pre-prepared magic circle, ready to depart.

At that moment, Emiya produced a large lunchbox and shoved it into Yuxian's hands.

"This is a parting gift, so you won't end up starving and weak like last time, Master."

Feeling the weight in his hands, it was enough for the three of them to eat for several meals, heavy with thoughtfulness.

"Goodbye!"

As the farewells faded, Yuxian and the other two had vanished, having left...

(Volume 1: End)

Chapter 21: If You Reach Out Again, I'll Hit You

Returning to Chaldea, nothing had changed. It was as empty as when Yuxian had left.

Mash checked the records and said with some regret, "Senpai, Chaldea shows no signs of anyone else returning."

Though he expected it, Yuxian couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Mash's tone then shifted, and she said in surprise, "The time display shows that less than a day has passed in Chaldea."

"Oh? Time desynchronization?"

Too many strange things had happened to Yuxian for him to be shocked by time desynchronization anymore.

As for the reason behind all this, he'd have the researchers among the Servants figure it out later. Yuxian knew he lacked talent in that area, and guessing would only bring him more trouble.

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