Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

Illyasviel von Einzbern. 

The current representative sent by the Einzbern family to participate in the Holy Grail War—the biological daughter of Kiritsugu Emiya, and an unnamed sister without blood ties. Learning all this from a certain magus left Shirou Emiya with mixed emotions. Kiritsugu rarely spoke about his past, much like Shirou himself, who lost so much in the great fire ten years ago that he couldn't bear to look back.

Of course, this was Shirou's assumption. In reality, the great fire ten years ago was caused by none other than Kiritsugu. A large portion of New Fuyuki City burned to ashes because of it. Participating in this Holy Grail War might be the best decision Shirou ever made—it allowed him to uncover truths about Kiritsugu that had long eluded him.

"Can I call you Illyasviel? Or just Illya?"

"Hmm? Call me whatever you like. It doesn't matter to someone already dead, does it? Now I understand why you're here. Three Servants, is it? Let me see—Saber, Archer, Rider?" 

Illyasviel scanned the Masters' backs, where their Servants stood openly in physical form. Though outnumbered, she showed no signs of panic. Quantity didn't equate to quality in battles like these.

Rin Tohsaka interjected, "Illyasviel, is this how your family welcomes guests? Shouldn't we be invited inside instead of freezing out here?"

"It seems you're not here to fight after all. How surprising. I thought you brought three Servants to eliminate Berserker," Illyasviel teased lightly.

"In that case, wouldn't it have been better for us to sneak in and attack directly?" Rin countered.

"You can try if you'd like, Rin. I'll still call you 'Rin,' right?" 

"Why aren't you afraid?"

"Why should I be? Berserker is unbeatable."

A brief silence followed. From this exchange, Rin deduced that the young girl genuinely believed her Servant could handle three opponents effortlessly. The figure in question: Heracles, the mighty demigod from Greek mythology hailed as one of history's greatest heroes.

From Illyasviel's unwavering confidence, Rin recalled why Li Mo had dispatched three Servants for this confrontation. Was even the enigmatic young man unsure of victory against Berserker?

Shirou, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. "Illyasviel, I want to discuss something with you—something about Kiritsugu."

"Kiritsugu? You mean the man who abandoned his own daughter? What's there to talk about? Are you suggesting we battle right now, Shirou?" Illyasviel's tone quickened slightly at the mention of her father's name, betraying inner turmoil beneath her composed exterior.

Hatred preserved clarity in her mind. The stern, stoic middle-aged man lingered vividly in her memories since their parting ten years ago—a presence that never faded.

"Is it possible... that it wasn't Kiritsugu who avoided you, but rather the Einzbern family preventing him from seeing you?"

Shirou remembered the key insight shared by Li Mo earlier. Illyasviel's resentment stemmed not from Kiritsugu himself but from the belief that he abandoned her. In truth, her image of him remained largely positive.

At least, she wanted her father to be normal—a good parent. 

Kiritsugu *was* a good father. His actions during their time in Germany proved it. But he also prioritized greater causes over family bonds.

"Do you really think so?" Illyasviel asked skeptically, clearly disbelieving.

"Every year, while Kiritsugu was alive, he would leave Fuyuki City during winter. And every time he returned, his expression carried unmistakable melancholy. He went to see you, Illyasviel."

Shirou wouldn't forget this detail. During the years he lived with Kiritsugu, he often wondered why his adoptive father traveled abroad annually during snowy seasons. Why not stay peacefully in Fuyuki?

Now, everything clicked. Kiritsugu wanted nothing more than to spend holidays with his biological daughter. Though Shirou couldn't know Kiritsugu's exact thoughts back then, he did remember the increasing disappointment etched on his face whenever he returned from Germany. That same disappointment accompanied him into death.

What caused such despair?

Young Shirou didn't know, but older Shirou had suspicions.

Illyasviel opened her mouth to retort, hesitated, then fell silent. She wanted to deny it—but deep down, a flicker of hope stirred. On one hand, her grandfather's words echoed in her mind: Kiritsugu abandoned her. On the other, Shirou's claim suggested otherwise—that Kiritsugu hadn't truly forsaken her.

Two conflicting voices clashed within her, clouding her judgment.

After a prolonged pause, Illyasviel finally said, "Sella, Leysritt, entertain our guests."

With that, she turned and walked toward the castle interior. The two maids, identical in appearance, followed suit.

"Yes, Miss Illyasviel," they replied emotionlessly, leading the group forward.

Sella and Leysritt—homunculi and loyal servants of Illyasviel. While their physical capabilities weren't weak, they weren't designed for direct combat against Heroic Spirits. Thus, Illyasviel personally arrived with Berserker to greet them.

"Please follow us, guests."

Under Shirou's guidance, Rin Tohsaka and Sakura Matou trailed behind the maids into the castle. Only Red Archer paused briefly outside, gazing into the distance through his *Clairvoyance*. After a single glance, however, he entered without further delay.

"Archer's vision remains sharp as ever. Truly fitting for a class defined by ranged attacks," Li Mo muttered, lowering the relic mirror in his hand. This device, capable of observing distant landscapes, served as his personal telescope most of the time. If Sane knew how he used it, she'd likely scold him for wasting its potential.

Currently perched atop a mountain overlooking the Einzbern estate, Li Mo blended seamlessly into the dense forest. Despite the foliage, his vantage point offered a clear view of the castle below. The road winding along the mountainside was the only route leading to the Einzbern property—a fact that brought memories flooding back.

Perhaps this was where Irisviel once raced motorcycles ten years ago.

"Koyanskaya-san, Cu Chulainn—looks like we have visitors." 

Li Mo shifted his gaze downward, spotting a motorcycle roaring up the road below.