Illyasviel von Einzbern placed the Dress of Heaven on a sofa within the Ritual Hall of the Einzbern Castle, carrying mist in her eyes.
From outside, Black, Rin, Shirou, and Sakura eyed her, knowing well that this was Illya's way of saying goodbye to her maids.
After returning to the Castle, using the Dress of Heaven for a final time, Black had put Illya's materialized soul into a discarded homunculus body.
As all Einzbern Homunculi were created in Justeaze's image, they looked almost alike.
However, Illya was born naturally, despite retaining her status as a Homunculus. Because of her special physique as the Lesser Grail and the sheer amount of Magic Circuits she was forced to carry to control Berserker, it had affected her growth. That's why, despite being older than Shirou, she had looked like a little girl.
Black had failed to find a body similar to her original one, though.
Now, Illya possessed a body as tall as Rin, looking… as old as her true age.
"We need to find a suitable body for her," Black commented. "It's possible that her soul will face rejection later…"
Rin nodded. "I know… someone," she said, remembering the Grand Puppeteer from the Mage Association. "It's quite difficult to find out where she is, though. I will find a way…"
"Medea can help," Black reminded her, smiling. "I will ask her not to be too difficult."
Shirou wanted to smile at that, but… "Where are you going?" he asked, instead.
Sakura bit her lip, grabbing her white gown. "Is… Is it… because of me?" she asked, her voice breaking.
Black chuckled. "No…" he said, looking back at Illya. "It's something personal…"
"Off to devour other little girls, are you, you monster!" Illya's words rang in the Hall as she turned toward them, carrying hate in her gaze.
Illya's hate was so strong that Black could see it.
First, he had devoured her… killed her and her Servant, Berserker. Then, he had manipulated Assassin, who was her father, Kiritsugu Emiya, through her, effectively forcing Shirou's side to work with him.
Even the maids Illya had remained with since her childhood had died.
Now… Illya felt as though she was wearing clothes of vastly different proportions. And the greatest tragedy was that she couldn't take off these clothes.
"… Illya, you can't…" Shirou began.
"Shut up!" Illya rebuked. "You dare take his side against your big sister?!"
Shirou's mouth flattened into a thin line. He hadn't even known about Illya before the Holy Grail War. But the mere fact that she was Kiritsugu's daughter… brought emotions surging in his heart, making him go quiet as she chided him.
Black sighed. "… I am sorry, Illya."
"Your apology means nothing, you manipulative beast!" Illya hissed, walking toward him, looking into his black eyes. "Get out of my house! Now!!"
Rin and Sakura shared a glance, while Shirou kept his head down.
None of them dared to say anything in Black's favor. Not because they didn't want to, but because he had asked them not to. Also, it wasn't as if Illya's hatred was unjustified. The act of saving didn't wash out the act of killing. And if it wasn't for Black winning the Holy Grail War, Illya had all but suffered a fate worse than death.
Still…
Black shook his head. "I am claiming this house, Illya."
"You!" Illya grabbed her hair, Mana boiling in her surroundings. Even if she didn't possess her original Magic Circuits, all Homunculi were Einzberns' greatest art… even the failed ones.
"… Wait," Rin suddenly stepped forward. "He means… You will be living with us from now on."
Illya's hand paused, her red eyes reflecting confusion. "… us?"
Rin nodded. "Sakura is moving in with me at Tohsaka Mansion," she said. "Medea and Rider are transferring all the things from Matou Mansion to my house right now. Many people from the Mage Association and the Holy Church might come after us very soon. So, we should remain at the same place under the protection of two Servants for some time."
Illya gulped.
The idea of living with someone… not maids, but friends… somehow eased the discomfort of this body surrounding her soul. But…
"… No!" Illya refused the invitation, looking at the Dress of Heaven over her shoulder. "I need to…"
Sakura walked past Rin and grabbed Illya's hands. "Please… It will be so… lonely here. Please…"
Illya looked at the smiles on Sakura and Rin's faces, and her eyes blurred. "… What about this place?"
Black was about to open his mouth when Rin elbowed him.
"Caster will set up a Bounded Field to secure the place," Shirou said, taking Rin's cue. "If… If something bad happens in the future, we can retreat here and work it out."
Illya looked around, seeing sense in their words.
Hundreds of people had died when Angra Mainyu had almost incarnated through the corrupted Greater Grail. If it wasn't for the Ruler-Class Servant joining hands with Gilgamesh, who knew how many would have succumbed, too. Thousands? Millions?!
And the fact that so many people avoided death… the fact that she was still alive… was all because of a monster's actions.
Illya could still see Black walking toward her, his jaw dropping lower and lower as he prepared to devour her.
Monster was a light word.
This man — was evil!
Could the benevolence of Evil still be called benevolence?!
Illya brought her gaze and thoughts back to the present, her vision reflecting Rin, Sakura, and Shirou's faces, all carrying smiles.
"Sigh!" Illya let out a breath, ignoring Black's very existence. "Let's go…"
As Rin and Sakura jumped to hug Illya, overwhelmed by emotions, Black turned around.
"… When are you leaving?" Shirou asked, moving away from the girls.
Black stared at the notification warning him to leave the Switched World within the next three hours. "Soon," he said, smiling. "At least… not without eating dinner, especially if Sakura is cooking…"
Outside the Einzbern Castle, standing still on the snow, Kai smiled along with his Item.
It was time…
… to get the Blessing of True Ancestor!
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