"I'm fine."
In response to Heroic Spirit Emiya's concern, Matou Shinji only wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, then frowned as he spoke.
For some unknown reason, Matou Shinji always felt that this Heroic Spirit Emiya gave him a strange sense of familiarity—though in his memory, he had never met such a person before.
But Matou Shinji had no desire to know what kind of background his Heroic Spirit had. As long as he could be used as a handy tool, that was enough.
"How's the matter I asked you to investigate? Who exactly is that Servant Tohsaka Rin summoned? And have you gathered any information on the other participants!?"
Matou Shinji's tone toward Heroic Spirit Emiya was far from pleasant, but Emiya seemed long accustomed to it—after all, back when he was still "Emiya Shirou," he had already been treated like this by Shinji.
"I couldn't investigate. The Tohsaka residence is protected by a magical barrier—I was unable to break through. As for the other participants… for now, I only know that there seems to be a contestant from the Mage's Association."
"Trash!"
Matou Shinji's face twisted with dissatisfaction—even though he knew he could hardly blame Heroic Spirit Emiya for this.
In this world, the Tohsaka family, having received support from the Mage's Association, was not lacking in wealth, and naturally not in gemstones used for arranging barriers.
The current Tohsaka head's magical ability surpassed even that of the time of the Fourth Holy Grail War. Even the Assassin of the Fourth War would find it difficult to break through so easily now.
And Heroic Spirit Emiya was merely an Archer. In terms of stealth infiltration, he had no real advantage—unless he were willing to expose his identity and charge in directly.
"In any case, we must hurry and gather intelligence on the other Holy Grail War participants… My time is running out."
Matou Shinji gave Heroic Spirit Emiya a look full of hatred and disappointment, then pressed painfully against his chest.
His magical talent was even lower than Matou Kariya's, so the price he paid was even heavier.
At least Kariya had managed to last until the end of the Holy Grail War. But Shinji felt that he might not even hold out until the day this War ended.
So he couldn't afford to prepare step by step and fight slowly—he had to end the Holy Grail War early, and use the Grail to preserve his life.
"How unsightly, Matou Shinji."
Just as Shinji was about to order Heroic Spirit Emiya to go out and gather more intelligence, a man's voice—tinged with mockery—suddenly came from behind him.
Matou Shinji froze. He had never heard that voice before. But right now, he was in the underground chamber of the Matou estate, the entrance sealed with a simple magical lock.
This was originally Matou Zouken's worm chamber, where Shinji had found the Crest Worm. Not even his own father, Matou Byakuya, dared to enter this place casually.
So Shinji had always believed no outsider could appear here—until that voice rang out.
With fear in his eyes, Shinji turned his head—only to see two figures standing at the basement entrance.
It was Zuke and Sitonai. The mocking voice just now had been spoken by Zuke.
Although Zuke had earlier said he didn't need Sitonai's help, Sitonai seemed eager to prove her worth by helping him, looking as if she were on the verge of tears.
So Zuke had no choice but to bring her along.
"Oh-ho, so the Heroic Spirit you summoned is really this guy, huh?"
Of course, once inside the chamber, Zuke immediately spotted the Archer standing beside Shinji—that Heroic Spirit Emiya.
His appearance and attire were almost identical to the one in Zuke's memory. It was impossible to mistake him.
"A participant in the Holy Grail War, I presume?"
Emiya instantly took up a defensive stance—anyone who could infiltrate the Matou residence at this time was obviously connected to the War.
But what struck him even more was the figure standing at Zuke's side. From her appearance and physique, she was unmistakably the Illyasviel he knew.
Yet unlike his memory, this "Illya" was dressed in clothes with an ethnic style, and faint cold air emanated from her body.
He had no memory of the Einzbern homunculi ever having such clothing or abilities.
In an instant, twin black-and-white short swords appeared in Emiya's hands—"Kanshou" and "Bakuya."
They weren't the originals, but projections, Noble Phantasms produced by Emiya's skilled use of Projection Magic. Even so, their quality rivaled genuine Noble Phantasms.
"Projection Magic, huh…"
Seeing the twin blades, Zuke recalled that this guy specialized in Projection Magic.
But since Projection Magic was essentially a skill, Zuke wasn't sure whether devouring Emiya would allow him to acquire it.
Still, whether or not he gained Projection Magic, Zuke would definitely devour him in the end—after all, he still needed Unlimited Blade Works.
"Go, Sitonai. Remember, capture him alive."
Zuke smiled as he patted Sitonai's head, speaking to her with the tone one might use for a pet dog.
Sitonai shot him an annoyed glare, but said nothing. The next moment, she activated her Noble Phantasm:
"Roar, my friend, my power—Optateshke Okimunpe!"
A wave of freezing cold erupted from Sitonai's body. A massive white bear descended from above, slamming down with icy force right in front of Emiya and Shinji.
Seeing this, Emiya's pupils shrank. That was unmistakably a Noble Phantasm.
[Illya actually became a Heroic Spirit herself!?]
In Emiya's memory, Illya's Heroic Spirit had been the Berserker-class Heracles… This change was far too great!
But before he could think further, the massive white bear charged forward. A surge of frigid air crashed over Emiya like a tidal wave.
Boom!!!
With raw force alone, the bear's charge sent Emiya flying, smashing him hard against the underground chamber wall and collapsing the reinforced stonework.
Watching Emiya being knocked aside by Sitonai's bear, Zuke's expression was oddly complicated.
In the original story, Sitonai—or rather, Illya—had shown quite a bit of care for "Emiya Shirou," treating him as her younger brother.
But in this worldline, they shared no bond at all. In fact, Sitonai was helping to capture Heroic Spirit Emiya alive for Zuke.
It was a strange, indescribable feeling.
To be continued…