"The outside world, huh… There's a lot of delicious food, all kinds of different big buildings, and so many people. Golden beaches, lush green mountains, endless oceans…"
Shirou Emiya spoke animatedly, painting vivid pictures of the world beyond. Most of the things he mentioned were names and images Illyasviel had never heard of before—places she had never seen.
"Really? Really?! Illya wants to see the outside world too!"
Illya danced in excitement, spinning in circles around Shirou, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Looks like the plan to lure this little cutie is going really well," Shirou thought to himself.
But in his heart, he couldn't help but recall the tragic fate that awaited the little girl before him.
After Kiritsugu left, Illya was left alone, waiting day after day for her father to return. But her waiting would be in vain.
After the Fourth Holy Grail War, Kiritsugu's body was damaged by the black mud, and he became so weak that he couldn't even approach the magical boundary surrounding the Einzbern castle.
He had wanted to take Illya away—but he simply couldn't.
After that, the Einzbern family continued their modifications on her body.
Illya's body was repeatedly cut open and sewn shut, turned into a living mass of magic circuits. Over 70% of her body became embedded with magical energy channels.
She was told that her father had betrayed her—that he had abandoned her and adopted another child. And so, Illya was plunged into a deep, enduring misery.
When the Fifth Holy Grail War began, the Einzberns had already summoned a Servant in advance: Berserker.
But Berserker wasn't just any Heroic Spirit—he was the demigod Heracles.
Maintaining Berserker's form required Illya's mana and Command Seals. Even just the slightest movement from Berserker would cause Illya immense pain, enough to make her collapse and writhe on the ground.
If not for the presence of the Lesser Grail, it would have been impossible for Illya to keep Heracles in this world on her own. Doing so would've been suicide.
Illya hated the massive, ugly brute. She always cursed and yelled at Berserker. Because without Berserker, she wouldn't have been in such pain. She wouldn't have been chosen as a Master. She wouldn't have been thrown into this hellish ordeal.
But at the beginning, Berserker had still retained a trace of reason. He liked speaking with Illya.
Despite her young appearance, Illya hated appearing weak. She believed that yelling and acting fierce made her seem stronger.
Berserker understood her well.
He knew that Illya was only putting up a front—pretending to be tough, pretending she could stand on her own without family, friends, or anyone to rely on. She was bluffing with everything she had.
Eventually, Berserker's reason faded.
When they underwent trials together, Illya was prepared to die. Without her instructions, Berserker couldn't move, and he quickly became the beast's target.
His head, forehead, limbs—all were repeatedly torn at by monstrous fangs. Illya gave the command—not to protect herself, but because she didn't want to see him die.
Even though Berserker's movements caused her immense suffering, to the point her body nearly collapsed, she endured it.
In the end, the beasts were slaughtered, and the two emerged alive, soaked in blood.
In the Winter Forest, Illya leaned against Berserker and wept. It was then she finally understood—in this small, cold castle, the only one she could talk to… was this black giant.
With few exceptions like Gilgamesh, nearly every Heroic Spirit had a wish they sought to fulfill.
And Berserker's one wish—was to protect Illya.
Heracles, the great hero, was a true man. Even after losing his sanity, he never stopped protecting her.
He was killed twelve times, and still surpassed his own legend—just to keep her safe.
After being told of her father's betrayal, Illya's personality began to shift. She became a mixture of angel and demon.
On the outside, she looked like an angel—and she could still be kind like one—but when she killed, her eyes didn't even flicker.
Her fate was truly tragic.
Modified by magecraft while still in the womb, her growth was permanently stunted. Even if she didn't participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War or get killed, her life wouldn't last much longer.
But this time, Shirou Emiya would change her fate.
He wouldn't let Illya participate in the Fifth War. He would make sure Illya lived.
Really lived.
She would be his little angel.
His forever little angel.
---
"Oh, right!"
Suddenly, Shirou reached into his coat and pulled out the still-warm taiyaki.
Thanks to the insulation of his clothes, it hadn't gone cold. He unwrapped it and handed it to Illya.
"What's this?" she asked, cradling the golden fish-shaped treat in both hands. Her big ruby-red eyes were filled with curiosity—this was clearly her first time seeing something like it.
"This is taiyaki. It's delicious."
It was, of course, the special snack Shirou had brought specifically to win over a little girl.
Illya sniffed the treat with her cute, button-like nose.
A warm, buttery aroma filled the air.
She took a small bite—and her eyes instantly lit up with stars.
"It's sooo good! I love taiyaki!"
Illya clearly adored the sweet. The crisp golden exterior, the soft red bean filling—it was a taste she had never experienced before.
She may have been small, but she was an enthusiastic eater. The taiyaki disappeared in no time.
Shirou gently wiped a bit of the filling from the corner of her lips.
Illya didn't resist at all. On the contrary, her affection for Shirou grew visibly stronger.
"Thank you, big brother! That taiyaki was really delicious!"
She thanked him politely, beaming.
"What a pure, innocent little girl," Shirou thought. "All it took was one taiyaki to win her over. Looks like taking her away won't be too hard after all."
With a smile, he said softly, "Illya, don't tell anyone you saw me, okay? Not even your mom or dad."
"Huh? Why not?" Illya blinked, tilting her head in confusion like a curious kitten.
"Because if you do… then big brother won't be able to bring you taiyaki anymore. Meeting me will be our little secret, okay?"
Of course, Shirou knew that taking Illya away right now wasn't impossible. He could do it by force.
But that would only cause Illya to cry and resist.
He didn't want to make her cry.
That meant things would be more complicated. He'd need to gradually earn her trust and build a strong emotional bond, even if it meant risking being discovered.
But if it kept Illya from shedding tears… Shirou believed it was all worth it.
---
When Shirou returned to the villa, he had just stepped inside when he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket.
There was no need to guess—it was Irisviel calling him.
These days, she called him at least once a day. He'd grown used to it.
"Shirou-kun, how are things today?"
Irisviel's cheerful voice came through the small phone.
"Same as always. The Far East is freezing—almost a blizzard every day. Though, today's storm was a bit lighter."
Of course, Shirou wasn't dumb enough to tell Irisviel everything.
Anything related to Illya or the Holy Grail War—those were things Irisviel didn't need to know. Things she must never get involved in.
"I see. That Matranberio guy was super annoying today. He sat in your seat, so I put Nado on his desk! He screamed and jumped like a little kid—serves him right for touching your seat!"
Irisviel sounded quite smug.
Nado was that slimy, gross-looking familiar she once used to scare Shirou with. How she had even summoned something so weird was still a mystery.
Lusté Tranberio belonged to the Tranberio family, one of the Twelve Lords, just like the Yorifis.
PS: Access advance chapters at
https://www.patreon.com/c/NanamiTL