Illya worked hard to steady her breathing, making herself look much better. But Artoria still shook her head sadly and took the initiative to cut off the mana supply.
"I possess the Red Dragon Heart. Even without a Master's mana supply, I can recover on my own—it will just be a little slower. So you don't need to provide mana for me anymore, understand?"
Seeing Artoria acting as though she were coaxing a child, Illya did not know whether to laugh or cry, but she did not insist.
"Alright, I understand~"
Illya obediently agreed. Since Artoria had already cut off the mana supply, her body no longer hurt.
But... this was my Saber's embrace!
So warm!
Illya wrapped her arms around Artoria's slender waist in return, rubbing her little face against her with all her might.
"Why... do I feel like Illya is taking advantage of Father?" Mordred, now relieved, suddenly grew suspicious. Unfortunately, she had no evidence—and Illya was a girl, after all.
More than ten minutes later, Sella and Riesbyfe, who had received the call, found them by car and brought them back to Einzbern Castle in the suburbs.
"The surroundings here are still the same as they were ten years ago..." Artoria looked around at the familiar scenery and could not help but sigh inwardly.
"Irisviel... I'm sorry... I failed to protect you last time. But this time, I swear upon the honor of the King of Knights that I will protect Illya and help her win the Holy Grail!"
Artoria looked at Illya beside her, her gaze becoming firmer than ever.
But Illya did not notice her gaze, because she had suddenly remembered something else.
"Right, how could I forget?! Avalon is still inside Shirou's body! Good thing I brought him back too. Heh, I really am brilliant~!"
Shirou Emiya: Didn't you only bring me here because my house was flattened and I had nowhere to go?
Illya: Shut up!
"Right, Kiritsugu left you a Mystic Code back then. I need to take it out."
Finding an opportunity, Illya sought out Shirou 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 let out a muffled groan. Outside the door, Sella, who had just been about to knock, froze. After hesitating for a moment, she silently turned and left.
"I'll bring Shirou's pajamas later..."
Illya: ???
With Avalon in hand, Illya could not be bothered to care about Shirou, who had fainted on the bed. She dashed back to her room, then... thoroughly washed Avalon more than a dozen times before placing it inside her body.
A strange power flowed out from Avalon, immediately stabilizing her body, which had been on the verge of collapse. However, Avalon could only preserve eternal youth in Artoria's hands. In anyone else's hands, it merely accelerated recovery.
"Mm... that gives me about three more months. Not bad..."
Illya sat cross-legged on the bed, stroking her chin as she calculated in secret.
Until Chloe pushed open the door and walked in.
"Big sister, shall we go take a bath?"
Before you continue