Illya's Multiverse Odyssey

Illya worked hard to steady her breathing, making herself look like she'd recovered a fair bit. But Artoria still shook her head with a pang of pity and voluntarily cut off the mana supply.

"I have the Red Dragon Heart. Even without a Master supplying mana, I can recover on my own—just a little slower. You don't need to provide me with mana anymore, understand?"

Seeing Artoria treating her like a child, Illya found it both amusing and exasperating, but she didn't insist.

"Alright, I get it~"

Illya obediently agreed. Since Artoria had already severed the mana link, the pain in her body was gone.

But still... this is my Saber's embrace!

So warm!

Illya wrapped her arms around Artoria's slender waist, unable to resist rubbing her cheek against her vigorously.

"Why... do I feel like Illya is taking advantage of Father King?" Mordred, now relieved, suddenly grew suspicious. Unfortunately, she had no proof—and besides, Illya was a girl.

A dozen minutes later, Sella and Riesbyfe, having received the call, drove over to pick them up and brought them back to the Einzbern Castle on the outskirts.

"The scenery here is still the same as ten years ago..." Artoria looked around at the familiar surroundings, a wave of emotion washing over her heart.

"Irisviel... I'm sorry... last time I failed to protect you. But this time, I swear on the honor of the King of Knights, I will protect Illya and help her win the Holy Grail!"

Artoria turned to Illya beside her, her gaze growing more resolute than ever before.

But Illya didn't notice her look, because she suddenly remembered something else.

"Oh, right—how could I forget! Avalon is still inside Shirou's body! Good thing I brought him along too. Hmph, I'm so clever~!"

Shirou Emiya: Didn't you bring me because my house was flattened and I had nowhere to go?

Illya: Shut up!

"By the way, Kiritsugu left a Mystic Code for you back then. I need to take it out."

Finding an opportunity, Illya cornered Shirou Emiya alone.

"A Mystic Code? I don't remember Kiritsugu ever giving me any Mystic Code?"

"He put it inside your body. Don't move—I'll do it myself—"

Shirou Emiya let out a muffled grunt. Outside the door, Sella, who had been about to knock, paused mid-motion, hesitated, and silently turned and walked away.

"I'll bring Emiya-kun's pajamas later..."

Illya: ???

Avalon in hand, Illya couldn't be bothered with Shirou Emiya, who had collapsed unconscious on the bed. She dashed straight back to her own room, then... scrubbed Avalon thoroughly over a dozen times before inserting it into her own body.

A strange energy seeped out from Avalon, stabilizing her crumbling body considerably. However, Avalon only maintained its eternal effect in Artoria's hands; in anyone else's, it merely accelerated recovery.

"Hmm... about three more months added. Not bad..."

Illya sat cross-legged on the bed, chin in hand, silently calculating.

Until Chloe pushed the door open and walked in.

"Sis, want to go take a bath?"