Chapter 61 Why It Is Called Corruption
She might be right. The relationship between Illya and Heracles is something only the two of them have the right to comment on. But even so... "Why does Illya still look like she's on the verge of crying?"
Illya didn't answer immediately. A few seconds later, she sighed with a soft "mmuu": "Shirou, reading the atmosphere is a necessary skill for taking care of a lady, you know?"
"I think it's fine even if Illya isn't a 'lady.' To me, Illya is just Illya; no matter what state you're in, you shouldn't have to hide it."
Illya's eyes widened.
She puffed out her cheeks like a hamster, then began wiping the mirror like a child. Because the mirror would reflect things without any concealment, Shirou would usually call for a stop, but this time he didn't block Illya's sulking behavior.
Shirou didn't fully understand, but he knew Illya did.
She grasped a certain distortion that a mere bystander wouldn't even realize—a key point that only a former Master could understand. Though he didn't comprehend it, Shirou would listen to Illya confide it in her own words, praying in this way that the sadness on her face would disappear.
As if understanding Shirou's feelings, Illya's reflection in the mirror smiled at him.
"Shirou... Berserker wouldn't come to kill me with such desperate resolve for a boring reason like that."
This sentence had two meanings.
If karmic retribution were a "boring matter," he would have no interest in killing Illya; if karmic fate were as natural as a falling leaf returning to its roots, there would be no need for "desperate resolve."
Alcides "values" Illya, yet the moment he saw her, he abandoned all concealment and immediately fired a hidden arrow that rejected their reunion.
Upon this reminder, Shirou understood the reason as well.
"Could it be that that guy hasn't found peace in his heart at all?"
Isn't it the same as the messy paradox mentioned earlier? Because he cares immensely, he has to take all sorts of measures. It's the "Avoidance equals Interest" theory. The truth of this theory varies depending on the time. It isn't always right—but it isn't necessarily wrong either.
Touching the mirror like a child, Illya raised her eyes and spoke seriously: "Yeah... Isn't it like he did something he feels guilty about, but doesn't dare to face me?"
She popped the illusory bubble. This argument significantly contradicted established notions, yet Illya was certain. Shirou frowned, as he hadn't imagined an existence derived from Heracles could be so childish.
Yes, childish.
The essence of those who use force to solve problems is that they cannot solve the problem without using force to kill the other party. This was practically claiming that the existence named Alcides didn't even have the courage to let someone who made him feel guilty continue to exist.
"Her continued existence affects my mindset for fighting the Holy Grail War," Alcides might explain it that way. But Shirou could assert that if that excuse were used, it would be the excuse of a coward.
Shirou had never feared the fact of the red Archer's existence, whether he agreed with him or not. He never thought the other had to die.
Emiya Shirou originally thought Alcides was the same type of person.
"Shirou."
Like a flower blooming under the white snow, Illya lowered her slender, fair arms and stopped worrying about the clear, dustless mirror: "I will definitely meet that person again, won't I? I've probably made my resolve. I must make Berserker... change back to his original self."
She wasn't talking about making Alcides lose his sanity again. Illya was vowing to make the true monster face the radiance that could still be faintly felt even when one's sanity is lost.
Preserved in the memories of those still living, in the Castle of Snow, the one who once stood before someone possessed a noble silhouette.
Illya's relationship with him was complex, and she felt she had a necessity to stay alive. Even so, Illya still wanted to face Alcides now; she didn't run away.
Shirou felt it was somewhat ironic.
The strongest of Greece surely wouldn't lose in terms of resolve to a little girl who originally wasn't supposed to live past a year, right? Heracles wouldn't be like that; therefore, this is the difference between "Alcides" and "Heracles."
Or perhaps Shirou had it backwards—"Alcides" is precisely why, for the distinction to hold, he must deliberately maintain a state where his resolve is drowned in thick darkness.
Because that is a door concealing a hero that must never be opened.
Illya said: "If he still considers me, his former Master, an important relation... I want to demand to know exactly what he did to wrong me."
Far away from Alcides, a key that should not have appeared—one that should have been destroyed—still remained; the girl gripped that key tight.
Finally, the current her silently withdrew it into the depths of her heart. In its place, she softly bloomed a smile for her most important family member standing right next to her.
The tall young man was looking on with grave concern; he surely didn't know yet.
Illya was able to quickly find her resolve because someone with true courage had been accompanying her all along.
Illya thought for a bit, shook her head, and let her wet hair scatter to one side. The girl smiled.
Before Shirou could snap back to reality and get flustered, Illya pounced forward. Wrapping her fair, delicate arms around his back, she said:
"Thank you, Big Brother."
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.
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Snowfield City, Small Hut by the Marsh
Sigma stared blankly at the message displayed on his white phone screen.
'He sent a message. I should reply.'
If it were a work report, Sigma could easily send a report on his tasks. Just earlier, Faldeus had asked Sigma to send him a report on what he had done during the shooting. Sigma first submitted a version that covered up the specific dialogue.
If it were Francesca, Sigma might tell the truth, but his relationship with Faldeus had become very subtle. Moreover, that man was a shooter.
Then again... what should one send for small talk?
When Sigma still had friends, things like mobile phone emails weren't popular yet. They seemed to have become popular only in the last few years. Later, his friend was killed by him in a counter-attack after trying to kill him.
It felt like Emiya Shirou didn't just send the email to hear a single "I'm okay"...
Sigma's day had passed like any other; he hadn't met any extra people today. After all, half the day was spent in the city center.
How should "business as usual" be expressed?
While carefully selecting words in his mind, Sigma noticed he seemed to be falling into a bit of decision paralysis. There was truly no need to agonize over it, it's just that... no one had ever asked him "How was your day?" before.
[Sigma: I am currently living alone in a small hut by a marsh. No abnormalities occurred today.]
After thinking for about ten minutes, Sigma chose this phrasing and sent it. Sigma felt this would definitely put Shirou at ease, because being able to eat, drink, and sleep as usual was probably the best kind of life.
Sigma stood up from the chair alone, took off his shoes by the bed alone, and sat at the head of the bed alone. Staring at the darkness inside the small hut, Sigma began to naturally enjoy a peaceful sleep that had not yet changed.
'Maybe he sleeps like this too?' Sigma suddenly felt this thought was very likely, so he pulled up the blanket.
Everything as usual. Everyone was busy, but Sigma hadn't done anything.
'Being alone is so boring.'
The first day of the Holy Grail War—ended simply.
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