Marvel: Trading with Worlds

Einzbern House

The Einzbern family, one of the three founding families of the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, inherited their legacy from the Third Magician. Known for their rare use of conventional magecraft, the Einzberns have long played a pivotal role in the Holy Grail Wars. Most notably, the Lesser Holy Grail resides within the core of the Einzbern lineage.

Since the Third Holy Grail War, the Lesser Grail has been placed within the artificial beings created by the Einzbern family. In this generation, Illyasviel von Einzbern possesses an extraordinary number of magic circuits—perhaps the most among them.

When Kain first arrived in this world, he considered seizing the Lesser Grail by capturing Illya. However, at the time, the magical energy supplied by Sakura Matou was insufficient. Even if he teamed up with Rider, they would likely not be a match for Heracles.

Now, with Sakura's mana output vastly improved, and her ability to absorb the souls of Servants restored, there is no longer a need for Kain to pursue Illya.

In fact, when it comes to collecting Servants and offering them to the Grail, the Holy Grail fragments within Sakura Matou seem to offer a superior advantage.

"Sera, have you found out what happened in Fuyuki City?"

During breakfast, Illya inquired about the recent explosion in Fuyuki City—a mystery that still remained unresolved.

Although Kain could erase the memories of high-ranking officials and selected civilians, it was impossible to wipe the memories of every person in such a large city. Besides, he wasn't inclined to waste that much magical power.

"Miss, there isn't much useful information. I can confirm it was a battle between Servants, but few people witnessed it directly. Many seem to have had their memories tampered with."

Sera, Illya's maid, reported back. The Einzbern castle housed only three residents, nearly all of them artificial life forms. Illya herself was the only one considered even partially human.

"As for Emiya Shirou, he's been keeping a low profile and has taken several days off from school. I haven't yet been able to locate him, but his Servant appears to have vanished. That battle that night likely involved him."

Everyone wanted to know what happened near the Matou residence—the fierce tremor, the explosion akin to a Tailed Beast Bomb capable of leveling a city. The Einzbern family was no exception.

Illya nodded thoughtfully.

"If his Servant is gone, hiding is probably the smartest move. The Church has lost its authority, but information from that night is crucial. Keep looking into it."

"Yes, Miss."

Sera bowed respectfully. Whether Illya's interest was strategic or personal when it came to Emiya Shirou, was not for Sera to question.

Boom.

A muffled sound echoed outside the castle walls. The three inside frowned simultaneously—someone had just touched the magical barrier surrounding the Einzbern estate.

"Miss, please allow us to scout the area first. If it's a Servant, we'll gather more information."

"No need. Berserker is the strongest—information on the others doesn't matter."

If that were true, why investigate Emiya Shirou at all?

That question flashed through Sera's mind, but she didn't voice it. Regardless of what Illya claimed, an intruder was still an intruder—they couldn't just sit idly by.

"So this is the so-called Einzbern family, one of the three great founding houses?"

Kier Mark Remis glanced around, unimpressed. The estate looked weathered, almost desolate. For a family said to be more prestigious than their own Mark Remis line, this place didn't live up to the reputation.

"Don't waste your breath. We're here to seek allies—and investigate Bazzett's disappearance."

Another young blonde woman spoke. Both were magi from the Magic Association and members of the Mark Remis family.

They had arrived in Fuyuki City because Kier had been selected by the Holy Grail as a Master. But shortly after, another member of their family was chosen too—an unprecedented event that raised alarms.

The Holy Grail War should have already begun, but with the Master selection process restarting and communication with Bazzett suddenly cut off, it was clear something had gone wrong.

Kier eyed her companion, clicking her tongue.

"It was just an observation. You're thinking the same thing, aren't you? Hmph."

After finishing their conversation, the two continued walking deeper into the forest. They had already triggered the Einzbern family's magical barrier—by now, the master of the house should be aware of their presence.

After a while, Keir Mark Remis grew increasingly impatient.

"It's been so long—why hasn't anyone shown up?" he thought irritably.

Whoosh!

Before Keir could finish his complaint, a needle shot out from the forest ahead. It was so fast, Keir didn't even have time to react.

Clang!

Just as the needle was about to strike him, a figure appeared in front of him, sword in hand, deflecting the projectile with a sharp metallic clang.

"Tch—damn it!" Keir cursed, his face twisting in anger. "We came here to form an alliance! Sure, we touched the barrier, but we haven't made any hostile moves. And this is how they respond?!"

He turned and shouted, "These bastards—Saber, teach them a lesson!"

"Best not to jump to conclusions. Their hostility isn't confirmed. Stay alert, Keir."

The calm voice came from another member of the Mark Remis family. If Saber hadn't acted, she would've blocked the attack herself.

"She's right. And it seems others have been following us. Judging from their tracks, they're likely pursuing us... though I can't say for sure."

Saber Kang Noel frowned. Keir and Petunia both looked surprised—they hadn't sensed anyone tailing them. Petunia, in particular, was alarmed.

"Could it be another Servant?"

"Prepare for combat. Whoever it is, they're not here to talk." Petunia said coolly.

She retrieved several magical tools—armguards, gauntlets, and a wrist-mounted bow. She wasn't about to make the same mistake as Bazzett, who had either disappeared or died due to carelessness.

Keir turned to Kang Noel and asked urgently, "Where are they?"

"Not sure. They're hiding their presence—"

Before he could finish, Kang Noel's expression changed. He grabbed Keir and leapt aside—Petunia also jumped back.

A split second later, seven or eight purple light bombs rained down from the trees, smashing into the ground where they'd just been. The blast shattered the earth, sending shards flying.

"Damn bastards!" Keir hissed, gritting his teeth. "Saber, where's the enemy?!"

A playful, bell-like laugh echoed from the forest.

"Oh my, another naive Master so dependent on his Servant. You remind me of Emiya Shirou!"

Three figures emerged from the trees.

Kang Noel narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Master, listen carefully. All three of them are Servants. Especially the one on the far right... that Saber will be a serious problem."

Keir looked stunned. "What?! You're the legendary Kang Noel! Even you can't handle her?"

"We'll see." Kang Noel replied, placing Keir behind a tree for safety before stepping forward to face the intruders: Medea, Rider, and Black Saber.

The first two gave him no special sense of danger, but the dark-clad Saber set all his instincts on edge. She exuded raw power and killing intent.

Medea gave calm instructions. "Saber, engage their Servant. Judging by his weapon, he's also a Saber. Let's see which of you is stronger. I'll take care of the other two. Rider, stay alert.

"This is the Einzbern domain, and according to Mr. Kain, we don't have the best history with them."

"Understood." Rider replied coolly.

At Medea's command, Black Saber raised her blade with both hands. With a shout, her body surged with magic energy and she charged straight at Kang Noel.

Boom!

Their swords clashed with a thunderous impact, unleashing a gust of wind so strong it sent leaves and debris flying in all directions.

"Haaah!" Black Saber roared, knocking Kang Noel back. Without pause, she followed up, her Excalibur casting trails of phantom swordlight with every swing. Her strikes were fast, heavy, and unrelenting—Kang Noel gritted his teeth as he parried, barely keeping up.

"Heh heh heh," Medea chuckled darkly. "Just as Mr. Kain said—Saber, fallen into darkness, overflowing with magic, unrestrained by conscience... she's the strongest."

Even before she finished her sentence, she raised her staff. Purple ripples flared to life in front of her, blocking an incoming barrage of magical light bullets.

The attacker was Petunia. She had attempted a sneak attack, but Medea had remained alert.

"Hmph. I wanted you to live a little longer... but it seems there's no need for that!"

Medea snorted coldly, waved her staff, and activated a rapid incantation of divine words. Dozens of purple ripplesshimmered into existence behind her, and in the next instant, a barrage of magical light bombs surged toward Petunia like an unrelenting storm.

Rumble—rumble!

A violent tremor shook the ground near the Einzbern villa. Even from a distance, Illya, standing on the rooftop, could clearly feel the quake beneath her feet.

"Miss, I've confirmed that two separate groups have entered the Einzbern territory. The first group doesn't seem to be from the original batch of Masters and Servants. The second group appears to be pursuing them."

Sera reported swiftly after returning, and she had clearly seen one of the Servants in the second group—Emiya Shirou's original Servant.

Illya's expression darkened with displeasure, but she quickly composed herself. "I'll go take a look. Berserker will come with me."

"Miss—" Sera began to protest.

"With Berserker here, it'll be fine!" Illya insisted, already preparing to give the order.

But just as she was about to move, a hand gently pressed down on her shoulder. A calm voice sounded from behind:

"Wait a minute, Ilyasviel von Einzbern. There's something I want to discuss with you."

"Who—!?" Illya reacted instantly.

Sera and Liz (Leysritt) launched simultaneous attacks toward Kain, but both were stopped cold—Kain struck them in the abdomen, and with his punches, he sent a surge of magic power into their bodies, directly sealing their magic circuits. The two artificial lifeforms fell to their knees, immobile.

"Don't order Berserker on impulse. If I wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead."

Seeing Illya about to command Berserker, Kain warned her again—and added a subtle hypnosis spell.

The spell, however, didn't seem to work. Illya remained alert—but she didn't issue the command. Instead, she stepped back to Berserker's side, her small face filled with wariness as she stared at Kain.

"What do you want? I have nothing to say to you. In the Holy Grail War, we're enemies."

"I see fighting as a last resort. When there's something you need, and I can provide it—we can negotiate. We could even become friends."

As Kain spoke, he casually waved his hand. The ground beneath them shifted and reshaped—two chairs and a tableemerged from the earth, sculpted by his transformation magic.

He continued, voice steady:

"You're half-human, half-homunculus. You carry the Lesser Holy Grail within you. When the Holy Grail War nears its conclusion, your death becomes inevitable... but you don't want to die, do you?"

Illya's expression faltered slightly. "This is the mission of the Einzbern family."

"The Einzbern family's mission is to reach the Root—but you are still part human. Do you really have such unwavering devotion to that mission?"

He leaned forward slightly, voice softer now.

"Let me help you. I can save you. I can turn you into a true human—let you live a normal life, grow up like any other girl."

"If you still want to win the Holy Grail, I can help you with that too. But honestly, I don't think you should even be thinking that way. You don't look like someone burdened with the Einzbern family's artificial mission at all."

Although Illya had lived for over ten years, she had spent most of her life secluded in the Einzbern estate, rarely stepping outside. And now, faced with Kain—someone who had spoken directly to the uncertainty in her heart—she suddenly didn't know what to say.

Should she agree? Or shake her head and refuse, then order Berserker to kill him?

Illya hesitated. She didn't know how to choose.

"The Root is the ultimate goal of the Holy Grail, yes," Kain continued, "but nowhere does it say only one person can reach it. If you agree to ally with me, then when this war ends, I can take you to see the Root—if you have the ability.

"And as for everything else I mentioned—turning you human, sparing your life by removing the Holy Grail inside you—it can all be done. If you don't believe me, ask these two. It's far harder for them to become human than it is for you."

Kain laid out his terms casually. For him, helping Illya become fully human and removing the Holy Grail were minor tasks. As for the Root, Kain knew Illya didn't have the capacity to reach it, so he wasn't worried about making that promise.

It wasn't in his nature to kill someone right away. If Illya rejected him outright, then and only then would he treat her as an enemy.

"You... can really do that? Help the Einzbern family win the Holy Grail War?"

"There's no reason for me to lie. If I wanted to kill you, your neck would've snapped the moment I appeared."

Illya's expression turned conflicted. She could no longer focus on the distant sounds of battle—the two offers Kain had presented made her hesitate deeply. Everyone has a scale in their heart, weighing gains and losses, and right now, Kain's words were tipping the balance.

His two bargaining chips—life and freedom—outweighed anything else.

"...Alright. I… agree. But tell me—are we forming an alliance, or are you just being hired like Kiritsugu was by the Einzberns?"

"Cough."

Kain gave a light cough and said with a faint smile, "An alliance is enough. We'll start by restoring your body—you'll see I'm not lying."

With that, he waved his hand and released the seal on Sella and Leysritt's magic circuits, allowing the two artificial maids to move again.

"Once the battle over there is finished, we'll talk more in detail."

The Third Magic, the artificial body, the Lesser Holy Grail, Berserker Hercules—once Illya became a normal human, all of that would drift away from her.

You gain something, you lose something. That's what a transaction is.

And Illya, once she returned to being an ordinary girl, would find her interest in the Holy Grail War diminished—perhaps even gone entirely.

…

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