Fate: Emiya the Host

"I understand."

Tonight's conversation ended here.

Sella also showed a relieved smile after Shirou finished saying this sentence.

She pulled Shirou's hand up and placed it on her chest. Snow-like silver-white hair scattered amidst wind and snow, yet still clearly visible.

Once a "thing" has its own thoughts, it will desperately want to live, just like a "human."

Homunculi, whose technology is perfected by the Einzberns, are born with "personality." Could it be they don't have such thoughts?

Such doubt arose from the depths of Shirou's heart.

Looking at Sella's smile that melted into the winter snow.

In this moment, it was as if spring had arrived.

"From the very beginning, I've sincerely believed in you, Berserker, because you are a hero," She closed her eyes and devoutly said.

Just like the most sincere pilgrim, facing her almighty god.

'What a pity, I'm not a hero, just an ordinary person who stumbled into the Holy Grail War,' Shirou replied inwardly.

———

At dawn, Jubstacheit began preparing the trial regarding Illya.

So-called trial was, Shirou understood under the maid's explanation, very crude. The Einzbern family is not good at combat for a reason.

Even he, an outsider, thought the trial was crude, let alone someone proficient in combat.

The so-called trial of the Einzberns was merely throwing Illya into the forest to survive among evil spirits and hungry wolves.

How is this different from a savage? What can be learned? Oh, to survive, and nothing more.

Thinking of survival, Shirou once again looked at the maid next to him who explained everything and then didn't move at all.

Flawless face, expression like a robot.

'Am I like this now too?', Shirou hadn't looked in a mirror, but if that was true, no wonder Illya would dislike him.

Thus, he once again looked at the panel's description of "Absolute Rationality."

[Absolute Rationality: A (Due to unknown reasons, you will not lose your rationality, and can remain absolutely calm at all times; perhaps, that is no longer calmness, but lack of emotions. So, with emotions removed in exchange for absolute rationality, are you still human?)]

A fitting description.

"We're heading out, Berserker," Sella urged, interrupting Shirou whose pupils were unfocused.

Turning around, he saw Illya had already left him far behind. They could still talk yesterday, but today she directly ignored him. She only ate the breakfast made by Sella.

'I am already being treated the same as Heracles in the past.'

'Hopefully it will be a bit better on the road.'

Shirou nodded at Sella and Liz, and followed Illya.

Sella sent a blessing in her heart, 'Safe travels.'

"Be careful on the way...", Liz actually said it out loud, though dully.

———

After entering an isolated area, like a forest after being frozen over, Shirou scanned the surroundings.

'Still very close to the Einzbern castle, nothing noticeable for now.'

'Probably we need to go farther. Let's wait until night, then danger will appear.'

They didn't even give food. This wasn't a tria, more like wilderness survival.

'Speaking of which, what do evil spirits look like?'

'How will they appear?'

"Hmm?", Passing through a membrane-like boundary, Shirou noticed a change in the outside world.

Not the icy snow vanishing, but the atmosphere.

'Because I am a spiritual being, am I more sensitive to these?'

'Is this outside the barrier?'

'As expected of a nearly thousand-year-old mage family. So cunning, layering one barrier outside and another inside.'

In between are evil spirits and wolf packs. Ordinary magi really couldn't get in. At least top-tier magi are needed to safely reach the Einzbern castle.

And then continue facing combatants...

"Wait a second, Master, something's ahead," Shirou spoke; he felt it was an evil spirit.

Because Illya didn't want to talk to him, Shirou could only follow behind her, about three to five meters away.

Illya didn't retreat but advanced after hearing that, "Perfect. If I quickly eliminate the evil spirit, I'll pass, right?"

"Calm down, Ma—"

"Berserker!", Illya cut him off, "Enough talk, you just stand there and watch. No matter what kind of trial it is, Illya will pass it alone and show you!"

That completely distrustful attitude didn't make Shirou stop.

"Master, forgive my rudeness, but right now you're acting on impulse. I hope you can—"

"You're really naggy, aren't you? Clearly just a familiar!"

"..."

"You're getting kind of annoying, you know?", Shirou said expressionlessly, "The Illya I remember wasn't this unreasonable."

"So the real you is showing?", Illya raised her eyes in provocation, "We've only known each other for one day, yet you act like you understand Illya. You're not only fake, but also self-righteous."

"You're not much better," Shirou replied.

"Is that so?", Illya smiled cutely, tilted her head, and activated her magic circuit, "By the name of the Command Seal, Berserker, you are not allowed to talk back to me. Be a silent familiar."

"!"

Shirou's expression didn't change, but his heart slightly sank, though it quickly returned to calm.

'So this is the Command Seal's absolute control over a Servant?'

He realized he had no strength to resist at all. He truly couldn't speak, and he had to unconditionally obey the white-haired lolita's commands.

He followed behind Illya, much closer this time, because it was Illya's proud command.

"Hmph, since you're a Servant, just obediently listen to your Master's words, will you? Clearly just a familiar, what are you getting so proud for?", Illya walked ahead with a tsundere attitude.

Shirou silently complained, 'You're the one who's proud.'

Now he confirmed, 'This white haired brat in front of him, really isn't cute at all.'

After walking a bit farther, Illya seemed to be unable to endure the cold, and questioned, "Berserker, what's going on, didn't you say there was something ahead?"

"..."

"Hey Berserker, answer me, are you mute now?", Illya turned around, her momentum weakening.

She remembered she had used the Command Seal to forbid him from speaking.

"Hmph!", Illya turned away and kept walking.

After about a kilometer, she really couldn't endure the cold, still hadn't encountered any evil spirits or wolf packs.

Illya rubbed her hands vigorously.

Shirou didn't feel much, just proves how strong a Servant's body is.

All around was still pure white; apart from trees, it was snow deep enough to cover the knees.

Even the sense of time was starting to fade.

Unable to speak, Shirou communicated with the system.

'System-san, what time is it now?'

["10:23"]

The system gave a precise time.

Right now, it barely counted as intelligent. At least with it, not only would he not be late, but he could also check the time anytime, anywhere.

'System-san, can you make a mirror appear in front of me?'

The system went silent.

'Seems it can't be a magical parenting robot like "Doraemon."'

Shirou wasn't expecting much. His slightly unfocused pupils suddenly focused at one moment.

The presence he felt earlier was right ahead.

Unable to speak, he reached out and placed a hand on Illya's shoulder.

'White-haired red-eyed little demon girl, I'll let you be smug for now. But once we get home, no dinner for you,' Shirou thought viciously.

The moment his hand touched Illya's small shoulder, she reacted like a startled kitten, smacked his hand away, and questioned, "Berserker, what are you doing?"

Shirou expressionlessly pointed ahead.

Illya looked back.

Up ahead, with a skull-like head, half-orc appearance, riding a wolf-like creature, obviously something like an evil spirit, blocked the path in front of the two.

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