Illya's Multiverse Odyssey

Chapter 19: Tossing You a Shirou

Illya quickly sensed the deep, spreading malice.

It was precisely because Artoria and the others had sensed Sakura Matou's presence—her power and her strangeness—that they had Sella urgently wake Illya. Facing Sakura Matou, they would likely need the power of the Command Spells.

"Illya, this Black Shadow gives me a very bad feeling..." Artoria said, frowning.

After her Master switched to Illya, both her parameters and skills had risen to the peak of all her summonings. Not only had Strength, Endurance, and Agility all reached Rank A, but Mana and Luck had reached A++. Even her Rank A Instinct had been elevated to the Rank EX Path of the Shining, granting her something close to future sight in battle.

"Indeed. If I'm not mistaken, this Black Shadow should be All the World's Evil. The more upright and kind-hearted a person is, the easier they are to control..."

Without waiting for the others to ask, Illya quickly explained the origin of All the World's Evil.

"So... this is why Kiritsugu wanted me to destroy the Holy Grail? If that's the case... then what meaning is there in us fighting over the Greater Holy Grail?"

Illya gently shook her head at that.

"The Holy Grail is tainted by evil, but its original wish-granting mechanism hasn't been broken. Besides, both Kirei Kotomine and Zouken Matou want to release All the World's Evil. If we do nothing, we'll just be destroyed along with this world."

At this, Artoria, Rin Tohsaka, and the others understood the stakes of this battle. Their expressions grew serious.

"If we can't touch the Black Shadow, how are we supposed to fight?" Mordred couldn't help complaining.

"Use your brain for once, will you? Of course we find her main body and blast it with a Noble Phantasm~" Illya rolled her eyes at her.

Mordred wanted to hit someone, but after glancing at her own Master and then at Artoria... she held back.

"Then what are we waiting for? Her main body must be at the source of that evil aura, right?"

"Don't rush. Actually, we don't need to fight right now~"

With that, Illya turned to Sella and instructed: "Sella, go wake up Shi... Shirou and throw him out of the castle. Tell him someone went to the Emiya residence looking for him and couldn't find him—they're worried, so he should go back."

"Yes, Miss!"

Though deeply puzzled, Sella followed Illya's orders and woke Shirou Emiya. Ignoring his confusion and complaints, she gave him a brief explanation and then tossed him out of the castle.

"Hey! Open the door!"

"At least find me a car—it's way too far from the city to walk—"

"Wait, who would be looking for me this late? Could it be Sakura? Don't tell me... Shinji's bullying her again? Damn it!"

At that thought, Shirou stopped complaining. He glanced back at the tightly shut gate, then hurried off along the only road leading away from the castle. At the same time, the Black Shadows that had been rapidly closing in on the castle seemed to sense his appearance. They suddenly halted and quickly retreated.

"What's going on?" Mordred asked curiously.

"Simple. Sakura Matou loves Shirou Emiya. The reason she attacked us is probably because we took him away. So as long as we give him back to her, it's fine," Illya explained.

"Then we're just letting her go?"

"Don't worry. She's strong, but her weakness is obvious. I've already figured out a way to deal with her... and it won't cost her life." Illya glanced at Rin Tohsaka and added that last part.

Rin, who had been clenching her fists the whole time, froze at those words. When she came back to herself, her gaze toward Illya was filled with gratitude.