Chapter 7: The Holy Grail Is No Longer in My Hands

During lunch break, Shirou, having been called by Rin, decided to stop by Sakura’s classroom before heading to the rooftop. He wanted to properly apologize regarding the situation with Rin and Saber. After all, that house wasn’t just his—it belonged to Sakura and Fuji-Nee too. It was only right to apologize for doing something behind their backs without asking. When he honestly expressed how he felt and bowed his head, Sakura forgave him with her usual kindness.

As he was about to go meet Rin afterward, the bell rang, and he missed his chance entirely.

After school, planning to apologize for missing lunch, he headed to Rin’s class. The moment she saw his face, she smiled sweetly. Without a word, she stomped over and grabbed his hand, practically dragging him off. Ignoring the teasing stares around them, Shirou was pulled into a quiet, isolated corner—and immediately felt a wave of murderous intent that made his whole body shudder.

"This idiot Shirou!"

His ears rang. He tried offering a sheepish smile to calm her down, only to be met with a punch to the face and the words, “Don’t smile like that!” Shirou groaned inwardly, thinking a girl shouldn’t be using her fists like that.

"I waited for you because I wanted to give you a warning! So why didn’t you come!?"

Faced with her overwhelming fury, Shirou had no choice but to respond honestly.

"It was… about Sakura. I thought maybe…"

Her expression suddenly shifted to one of fear.

"Because I’m staying at your house?"

"Y-Yeah. I kind of glossed over it this morning, so I went to properly ask for her forgiveness."

"…I see. Then I guess it can’t be helped."

With that, she let the matter go just like that.

"Yeah, if that’s the reason, I’m fine with it. More importantly, what I wanted to talk about at lunch—"

What Rin began to explain was far more dangerous than Shirou had expected: a large-scale bounded field had been constructed within the school.

"Magical seals have been embedded across a wide area. Once activated, a massive barrier will cover the entire school grounds. And more importantly—I can’t believe a modern-day magus could set something this powerful."

"You mean… the one who cast the barrier is a Servant? Then their Master must be—"

"Almost certainly someone affiliated with the school. If they set up a barrier here, they’d have to be someone who wouldn’t raise suspicion even if they were hanging around the place."

Shirou finally understood why Rin had been so angry. While all this was going on, he’d spent the whole day completely unaware. The thought made him feel intense regret.

"Sorry… I—"

"I’ll let it slide this time. You had a good reason."

Relieved to be forgiven, Shirou pressed Rin about the identity of the enemy.

"I don’t know who the Master is, but Archer tracked down a Servant."

"Seriously!?"

"Yes. You should ask your own Servant about it later. Archer fought them off, but the one who was attacked was Saber."

"Saber!?"

Eyes wide, Shirou stepped closer to Rin.

"Is Saber okay!?"

"Calm down, Shirou. She’s fine. Archer protected her."

"Archer… did?"

The unexpected news left Shirou blinking in surprise.

"Yes, so there’s no need to worry. What matters now is the nature of this barrier."

"The nature?"

"This is a type that, once activated, dissolves and absorbs every living thing within it. People like us, who can defend ourselves with magical energy, might be okay, but regular humans without magic could die in moments. This isn’t about maybe getting civilians caught in the crossfire. If this barrier goes off, everyone in the school will be massacred."

"Wha—"

As Shirou stood there speechless, Rin continued, mercilessly driving the point home.

"Do you get it now? The Master hiding in this school is the kind of person who would use a barrier like that."

Stay sharp. Rin’s words struck a deep chord.

"Tohsaka… Is there any way to break the barrier—"

"I’ve already tried. It’s impossible. I’ve located all the anchor points, but I can’t erase them. Since the barrier was placed by a Servant, the most I can do is temporarily weaken the points to delay activation."

"…If you can delay it, then as long as you’re here, we can—"

"It’s not that simple. The barrier’s already finished. From here on, it’s just a matter of gathering enough magical energy. Archer thinks it’ll take about a week. After that, it’s up to the Servant or Master to trigger it whenever they feel like it."

"…Then before that happens, we have to find the Master hiding in the school—"

"And defeat them. But that’s not going to be easy. The moment this barrier was completed, it was practically a guaranteed win for them. Even if they do nothing, the field will activate. I doubt they’ll show themselves until then."

"So the only chance we’ll get… is when it actually activates."

"Exactly. So stay quiet for now. When the time comes, we’ll be fighting whether we want to or not. Until then, it’s best to keep information under wraps."

"…Got it."

Honestly, Shirou couldn’t stand the idea of letting someone who’d set up a barrier like that roam free—but without a clue to their identity, making the wrong move would only backfire. For now, his concern was Saber. Hopefully she hadn’t been injured…

"I’ve got something to take care of. You should meet up with Saber and head home. No detours, got it?"

"…Understood. But what’s your errand?"

"It’s nothing important."

With that, Rin turned and walked away. Still puzzled, Shirou headed toward the school gates to meet up with Saber. There she stood, looking up at the sky.

"Ah, Shirou-kun!"

She waved with a radiant smile. The stares from the other students were almost painful.

"…Sorry to keep you. Let’s get going."

He took Saber’s hand and started walking, tugging her along. She quickly adjusted her pace to match his, flustered. Under the red-stained sky, their shadows looked as if they were walking in step, side by side.

"…Hey. Do you mind if we stop by the shopping district?"

Shirou asked as the thought popped into his head.

"I’d like to get back before sundown, but…"

"It won’t take more than thirty minutes."

"…Alright."

Saber reluctantly agreed, and as they walked, Shirou told her about the school’s barrier, just as Rin had described it.

"…I’m guessing the woman who attacked me is the one who set it up."

"By the way, are you okay? You weren’t hurt or anything…?"

"Don’t worry. Archer protected me."

"…That’s a bit surprising."

Shirou frowned slightly.

"I figured he was the kind of guy who’d use Saber as bait to take down the enemy, not the type to protect her."

"I feel the same. In fact, if he’d taken that approach, he probably could’ve defeated the enemy right there. A Servant capable of creating a barrier like that—it would’ve made more sense for him to abandon me. Would’ve been smarter too. So why didn’t he…?"

"He trained you seriously… Maybe Archer knows something about Saber?"

"…Most likely. Not about me—but about King Arthur."

"Now that you mention it… even back when he first stormed into our house—before we even formed an alliance—he jumped in without hesitation to help Saber and pulled Lancer off her."

"…You're right."

Saber’s expression was puzzled.

"This is getting a bit too strange, even for him."

Even if Rin had given the order, Archer was acting far too conveniently for Saber’s benefit.

"Maybe… he likes Saber."

"Technically, it's more accurate to say he admires King Arthur. If that’s the case, I feel kind of bad for him."

In the original story, it was never clear how Archer truly felt about Saber. He seemed to hold some degree of admiration, but… who could say for sure?

Feeling a subtle sense of discomfort, Saber decided to drop the topic. Either way, no one could ever fully understand another person's heart.

“For now, let’s just finish shopping and head home.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Mount Miyama's shopping district was the only real commercial center in town. There were much flashier malls in Shinto, but most residents of Miyama still did their shopping here. That made this time of day—right before dinner—the busiest.

“Hey there, Shirou! Got a cute one with you today, huh?”

Out of nowhere, the greengrocer called out to them. Saber widened her eyes in surprise, while Shirou casually chatted with the shopkeeper and picked out some vegetables.

“How about some cabbage? Sweet and crisp today.”

“Sure, I’ll take that too.”

They moved on to the butcher, the fishmonger, and the liquor store, exchanging greetings with each shopkeeper. Saber felt like she was watching a living record of Shirou’s life unfold before her.

Now and then, she’d get pulled into the conversations too, which gave her a strange, ticklish feeling she didn’t quite dislike.

“You’re amazing, Shirou.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

On the walk home, as they carried their bags between them, Saber suddenly spoke up, making Shirou tilt his head in confusion.

“I’ve never gone around chatting like that at every shop. Not once.”

“I’ve been in charge of the housework ever since before I started living alone. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, so they all remember me.”

“They’re your living proof, Shirou. When you die, I’m sure they’ll mourn you. That just makes me want to protect you even more.”

“…Saber…”

Shirou looked at her, his expression complicated as he saw the firm resolve in her eyes.

The truth was, he didn’t want her to make that kind of decision.

He’d lived a peaceful life, one that had nothing to do with war—and yet, here she was, ready to throw her life away to protect him. That was something he just couldn’t accept.

“I—”

“Hold it, Shirou.”

Saber suddenly cut him off in a low, wary voice.

Following her gaze, he saw her.

A small girl with flowing silver hair—Illyasviel von Einzbern.

“Y-You’re…”

Reflexively moving to shield Saber, Shirou was surprised when she leapt ahead of him instead.

“…Illyasviel.”

Saber’s voice trembled with fear. But Illya’s gaze wasn’t on her—it was locked onto Shirou.

“I’m glad. You’re still alive, Onii-chan.”

She smiled with what seemed like genuine happiness.

The master of the monster that had once torn his body apart now approached with the face of an angel.

“—Are you… Illya?”

The words stuck in his throat, paralyzed by fear.

“Eh?”

“No, I mean… Illyasviel, right? Sorry, I got it wrong…”

Why was he apologizing to someone who’d tried to kill him?

No, he knew exactly why—because she looked like she was about to cry.

Flustered, Shirou scrambled to explain himself.

“N-No offense meant! I just… it slipped out…”

“…Your name.”

“Huh?”

“Your name. Tell me. It’s not fair if I’m the only one who doesn’t know.”

For a second, he didn’t understand what she meant.

“…Ah, my name. Right.”

Come to think of it, she had introduced herself properly, but he never gave his name in return.

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Shirou finally told her.

“…Emiya Shirou. That’s how it’s pronounced.”

“Emiya… Shiro? What a strange sound.”

“That’s the first time anyone’s said it like that. Okay, how about this: ‘Emiya’ is my family name, and ‘Shirou’ is my given name. Just call me Shirou—it’s easier to remember.”

Illya’s odd pronunciation made him reflexively correct her, pointing a finger right at her nose. She immediately looked like she was about to cry again.

“…Shirou. Shirou, huh… Yeah, I like it. Simple, but the sound is nice. I approve. I’ll forgive you for earlier, then.”

With that, she threw her arms around his.

“H-Hey! Illyasviel! W-What do you think you’re doing?!”

Panicking, Shirou glanced over at Saber. She stood there watching with a conflicted expression, torn between stepping in and seeing how things played out. In the end, Shirou figured he had to deal with this on his own.

Clearing his throat, he looked back at Illya, who was now pouting slightly.

“What’s the big idea, looking at Saber when I’m right here?”

“I-It’s not like that! I wasn’t thinking anything weird—”

He blurted out a poor excuse without meaning to.

Shaking his head, Shirou raised his voice.

“W-What’s your goal here, anyway!? Don’t tell me you plan to fight before the sun’s even down!?”

She clung to his arm as he demanded answers. Illya tilted her head and looked at him curiously.

“That’s a weird question. What, Shirou—do you want me to kill you?”

Her narrowed eyes sent a chill down his spine. The innocent smile from a moment ago had vanished, replaced by the cold expression of a true Master.

“…Heh. I don’t really get it, but if that’s what you want, I’ll just kill you both here—Saber and all.”

“D-Don’t be stupid! I don’t want to die! And we can’t fight here!”

“Exactly. Masters aren’t supposed to fight during the day. So I won’t fight right now.”

“Yeah, I figured that much… Then why did you come? Don’t tell me this is just coincidence.”

“Of course not. I snuck out without Sella noticing just to come see you. You should be grateful.”

Once again, she flashed an innocent, childlike smile.

The sudden shift in expression made Shirou dizzy.

“Uh, so… you’re saying you came all this way just to see me, Ilya?”

“That’s right. I came to talk with you, Shirou. I’ve been waiting all this time, after all. That’s not a problem… is it?”

“Uh…”

I glance over at Saber for help. She looks troubled too.

“...There you go again, looking at Saber.”

Ilya pouts, her mood taking another sharp dip.

“S-sorry.”

I don’t even know what I’m apologizing for.

“...Well, fine. Saber, if you try to interrupt my conversation with Shirou, I’ll kill you right here. If you don’t want that, stay out of it.”

“...Understood.”

Her voice leaves no room for jokes. Saber quietly obeys, stepping away from us. She must’ve decided that provoking Ilya any further would be dangerous.

“Well then, now that the little bug’s gone, let’s talk properly. Normal kids chat peacefully with each other, don’t they?”

“W-well, yeah, but… come on, you and I are both Masters. We even fought once! We’re supposed to be enemies, aren’t we?”

At that, Ilya laughed.

“What are you talking about? I don’t have any enemies. The other Masters are just pests. But you, Shirou… if you behave, I’ll let you off the hook.”

A chill runs down my spine. My instincts scream at me—not to defy her.

“O-okay. You want to talk, right? I actually wanted to talk with you too, Ilya, so I don’t mind.”

That part was true. I really had been wondering—why would such a young girl be part of the Holy Grail War? I wanted to hear it from her directly.

“Yay! Let’s go then! I found a nice, quiet park just a little while ago!”

No sooner had she spoken than Ilya darted off. I glance quickly at Saber. She gives a small nod.

“...Well, guess it’s out of my hands.”

Resigned, I follow after her.

When we reach the park, Ilya and I sit on a bench. Saber waits quietly near the entrance.

The conversation turns out to be more peaceful than I’d expected. Ilya really did just want to talk. She didn’t ask any weird questions—just showed a simple curiosity about how I lived.

“Hey, Shirou. Do you like me?”

She hits me with that question at the end. I stumble over my words but give her an honest answer.

“...We only just met, and a lot’s happened, but… I don’t dislike you, Ilya. At the very least, if it’s the you I’m seeing right now—I’d like to be friends.”

“R-really?”

“Yeah. It’s kind of like… I got a little sister or something. It’s… fun.”

“...I see.”

Ilya beams and throws her arms around me.

“...Man, you’re a weird one.”

Even as I grumble, I feel a strange warmth inside. We talk for nearly an hour after that.

Just normal, everyday stuff—but Ilya enjoys it immensely. That somehow makes it feel bittersweet, and it changes the way I see her.

“...Ilya.”

She’s far too innocent. So much so that I start to wonder if she even understands right and wrong. Does she really grasp what it means to take a life?

I open my mouth to ask her—but before I can speak, she suddenly stands up.

“Oh, Berserker woke up. I have to go now.”

She hops off the bench, gives me a wave, and runs off with a cheerful “See you!”

I sit there, dumbfounded, until Saber approaches.

“She was like a storm.”

“Y-yeah, no kidding.”

After a while, the two of us head home—our thoughts still on that girl with snow-white hair.

That night, I can’t focus at all during magic training. In the end, I decide there’s no point in forcing it and go to wrap things up… but just then, I sense someone at the storehouse entrance.

I turn to look—and see an unexpected face.

“...Archer?”

For some reason, the moment I see him, a wave of irritation wells up inside me. We’ve never even spoken, and he’s helped Saber out more than once. I should be grateful.

But the instant our eyes meet, I know.

I can’t stand this guy. No matter what happens, I’ll never accept him.

And I know… he feels the same.

It’s shocking, almost, how completely incompatible we are.

“...What do you want?”

I ask. Archer stares at me with something that’s not quite hostility—but close enough. I fight back the urge to flinch and return his glare.

“I asked what you want! Weren’t you supposed to be on watch or something?”

“I was. I don’t have time to waste on you… but there was something I couldn’t ignore.”

“Couldn’t ignore…?”

“Why aren’t you relying on Rin?”

I didn’t really understand what he meant by that.

“No, I do rely on Tohsaka. If anything, I rely on her too much—”

“At this rate, it’s just Rin fighting alone. Or perhaps I should say… Saber.”

“W-Why are you bringing Saber into this!?”

He lets out a deliberately loud sigh, and it ticks me off. But before I can react, Archer pins me down with a cold, unmistakable hostility.

“So Saber was right. You really are just a child.”

“W-What are you—!”

“You act like you don’t need anyone’s help. That you can handle everything on your own. But that mindset tramples on everything Saber believes in.”

“That’s not… I’m not disrespecting her!”

“Do you really believe that?”

We stare each other down in silence for a moment. Then Archer is the first to speak.

“…You’ve got a brilliant magus by your side. So why haven’t you asked her to teach you?”

He looks me straight in the eye as he asks.

“...Huh?”

I’m caught off guard. Archer continues.

“She wouldn’t refuse you if you asked. You know that as well as I do. And yet, you don’t. Why is that? Is it really just embarrassment that keeps you from bowing your head?”

“No, I—”

“Saber’s doing everything she can to protect you. She knows what she lacks, and she humbles herself to ask Rin for help. She even came to me for instruction. You’ve seen that, haven’t you? With your own eyes. So why, while she’s pushing herself that far, are you here alone, wasting your time on what can’t even be called training?”

I have no answer.

I’ve seen her, prepared to risk her life to ask for Rin’s help. I’ve watched her spar with Archer for hours into the night, kendo sword in hand. And yet—

“I just…”

“Throw away your meaningless pride. Let me guess—you’ve decided that women are meant to be protected, and that’s why you don’t want to rely on them?”

He nailed it.

That line hit straight at the core of me.

“How do you even know that—?”

“Because it’s obvious. You’re the most transparent kind of fool. Still clinging to that fantasy of being a ‘hero of justice,’ aren’t you?”

Now I really can’t say anything.

Archer has seen straight through me—into the depths of my heart.

“If you truly want to protect something… then toss that nonsense aside. Crawl through the dirt if you have to. Beg, borrow, steal—do whatever it takes to gain power. No matter how noble your ideals are, they’re worthless without strength.”

With that, Archer turns on his heel.

“H-Hey—!”

“If you don’t want to end up full of regrets.”

I instinctively move to chase after him, but his parting words stop me in my tracks.

“One last warning.”

Even as his figure disappears into the darkness, his voice carries back to me.

“Saber may possess the body of a Heroic Spirit, but inside… she’s just a person. Her judgment might be wise, but in the end, it’s still that of an amateur. Don’t forget that.”

“What’s that supposed to—?”

I try to ask, but he’s already gone. Not a trace of him left.

“…What the hell is with that guy? Just says his piece and vanishes…”

So basically, if I want to stick to my ideals, I have to swallow my pride and ask Rin for help. Otherwise, it’s not fair to Saber.

“…He really might be in love with Saber, huh?”

In the end, even that lecture felt like it was for her sake. Thinking that made my anger vanish, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

---

In a damp, enclosed chamber, a girl descended the stairs alone. Countless writhing insects shifted at her feet, parting to clear a path for her. Waiting at the end of it was an old man.

“Let’s hear your report.”

“…He was there. But it seems something is different inside.”

Upon hearing the girl’s report, the old man burst into shrill, raucous laughter.

“Fascinating! I was curious how it would turn out, but I never imagined this! Haha!”

Clutching his stomach as he laughed, the girl quietly pleaded.

“Grandfather… please, about senpai…”

“Yes, yes, I understand. The Servants must be dealt with—but the Masters are another matter. Well, that depends on your cooperation.”

“…Yes.”

The old man turned his gaze toward the space behind him.

“This is going to be entertaining. Don’t you think so too?”

Hidden in the darkness, the figure made no sound, its form still impossible to make out. It gave only a small, affirmative motion—silent, without a single word.

That alone seemed to satisfy the old man. Gleefully, as if he were already certain of his triumph, he declared:

“This time, the war is all but won. The Holy Grail… is already within my grasp.”