บท 397: C397
In the Fujimaru Residence's living room, Irisviel said, "Let's start by discussing what went down in the Holy Grail War nine years ago."
The mere mention of the Holy Grail War caused Miyu, Rin , Sakura, and even Artoria to tense up a bit, their expressions turning somewhat serious.
"Nine years ago, Shirou won the Holy Grail War..."
"Hold on! Just a minute!" Rin interrupted abruptly, "The Shirou you're talking about is Fujimaru Shirou, right? But nine years ago, he was just a six-year-old kid, wasn't he? How could he have been a participant in the Holy Grail War?"
"Though it's hard to believe, he was indeed involved in the Holy Grail War at just six years old. Caster possessed him and made him actively take part in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Throughout the war, he was relentlessly pursued by others, including Saber and my husband, Kiritsugu," Irisviel explained.
Artoria: "..."
This dark history being brought up made her want to cry.
Irisviel gazed at him and remarked, "Maybe that's why Shirou is so dedicated to protecting young children."
The others instinctively turned their heads to look at him, who remained calm despite the revelation. None of them could have imagined that he had been through such an ordeal.
At the age of six, most magus offspring would typically be immersed in studying magecraft and acquiring knowledge. However, he got caught up in a dangerous war instead.
Artoria couldn't help but feel a mix of heartache and guilt, but she couldn't put it into words, given her lack of a physical form.
"Big brother..." Sakura's heart was filled with a touch of bitterness.
It appeared that her big brother got entangled in the Holy Grail War and was now determined to keep them away from it. However, to think that their brother had been dragged into the Holy Grail War at the age of six, how much suffering did he endure during that war?
Just thinking about this made Sakura's heart ache immensely.
Shirou raised an eyebrow, "Irisviel, sometimes it's best to leave certain things in the past. Let's focus on what really matters."
Rin found herself hesitating, torn between wanting to speak her mind and holding back her words.
The Tohsaka family's Magic Crest was destroyed during the Fourth Holy Grail War, but her father never told her the truth about that war. Now they could finally learn the inside story of the Fourth Holy Grail War, but under the current circumstances, it wasn't appropriate to ask such a thing.
After some consideration, Rin decided to withhold her words for now and investigate the truth of the Fourth Holy Grail War at a more suitable time.
Irisviel nodded and said, "After Shirou emerged victorious in the Fourth Holy Grail War, he selflessly wished for everything to be restored. As a result, those who lost their lives in the war were brought back to life."
Illya's eyes widened in disbelief, "Something like this happened in Fuyuki City? Why can't I remember any of it?"
"During that time, you were still in Einzbern Castle, and you didn't have your memories. Furthermore, thanks to Shirou's help, your father, Kiritsugu, is still among the living today. Otherwise, he would have met his fate during the Fourth Holy Grail War."
"Is that so?" Illya looked at him with a calm expression, but her thoughts were far from calm. No wonder Mom always spoke of him as their great benefactor.
Artoria: "..."
She couldn't help but feel like a failure. During that war, she had relentlessly pursued the King, but in a surprising twist of fate, it was the King who saved her from the brink of self-destruction. She couldn't help but berate herself, feeling like she had fallen short as a result—such a failure, she thought, dejectedly.
"After the end of the Holy Grail War, Shirou, as the victor, entrusted the Grail Crystal to you."
"Me?" Illya's finger pointed towards herself in disbelief, taken aback by the revelation.
She affirmed with a nod.
"Why would he do that?"
"To give you a chance to experience life as an ordinary child," she replied with a warm smile.
After a pause, Irisviel continued with a tender tone, "You, like your mother, were originally created by the Einzberns as a Homunculus, destined to serve as the vessel for the Lesser Grail. It was your fate to become the Holy Grail itself, and even if you had not become the Holy Grail, you were not expected to live past the age of twenty. So, Shirou entrusted you with the Grail Crystal, his war spoils, to grant you a chance at living a normal life."
Illya felt like her entire worldview had been shattered, and she instinctively turned her gaze towards him.
Shirou sat with his arms crossed and eyes closed, neither admitting nor denying.
"But... why can't I remember any of these memories?" Illya looked troubled.
"Because the reincarnation ritual split you in two. One half inherited your personality and body, while the other half inherited your memories and knowledge."
She added with a hint of helplessness, "We did consider reuniting both halves when we completed the reincarnation process. However, by that time, you had already developed a unique sense of self. Forcing you back together would have meant erasing your individuality, and we couldn't bear to do that. So, we sought the expertise of a specialist in this field named 'Morrigan' and had your other half sealed away deep within your consciousness."
"So... so that means..." Illya felt shaken.
"Yes," she nodded, "You and the other half are both essential parts of Illya. Only when you come together as one, will you truly be the complete Illya."
Illya felt her world crumble around her. The reality she had believed in was shattered in an instant. She could never have imagined that things would turn out this way.
Shirou opened his eyes and looked at her.
Illya took several steps back, her face a mix of acceptance and disbelief. All this time, she had lived believing she was her complete self, unaware that she was only half of the whole.
The realization hit her hard. She had said such hurtful and harsh words to the other half of herself, unaware of the truth. The weight of her actions and words now weighed heavily on her heart.
"So, what is your choice, Illya?"
"I... I..." Illya clenched her fists and said seriously, "I want to find her! I want to face this problem together with the other me. If she is my other half, then there's no reason for us to fight each other!"
"Sapphire!" she called out.
"Yes, Illya!" Sapphire flew into her hand.
"I'm leaving, Mom!" she declared with determination. "I will definitely bring back Chloe... no, I mean bring back 'me'!"
With that, she burst through a nearby window and flew out.
Sakura: "..."
She had a gentle smile on her face, but inside she was silently screaming. How many more windows in our house will they break?
"What a good child," Irisviel remarked, her smile lingering as she watched Illya's figure vanish into the distance.
Miyu gazed at Illya flying into the sky with a calm expression, but her hands hidden beneath her sleeves were clenched tightly.
Shirou directed his gaze at Irisviel and asked, "Is Illya's ability to accept this outcome due to her nature, then?"
She gently touched her face, a hint of distress crossing her expression. "Yes, that magus named 'Morrigan' bestowed all the innocence and positive aspects upon Illya while concealing all the negative aspects deep within her consciousness."
"So, Illya can readily accept this revelation because she possesses the positive qualities that this Morrigan instilled within her."
"They are like two sides of the same coin. In terms of duality, Illya represents the bright side, while the other child represents the dark side."
"And what about the original Illya?"
A gentle smile crossed her face. "That child has always been there. She exists within both of them."
This feels like some kind of twin ritual...
He let out a weary sigh, rising from his seat and making his way toward the door.
Concerned, she asked, "What's wrong, Shirou?"
"I need to go somewhere. I have a feeling that person is on his way there."
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