Chapter 17: Doing errands

It is still strange leaving the train without the one who accompanied me before. Now I am alone and it is around five PM now. By now, all the others must have realized that we are gone, because I had totally forgotten to tell them that Saber and I went to the Lord. Rethinking about today, I totally messed up. Saber is gone and I somewhat broke my promise with Tohsaka. At least, I should buy something for tonight. If we have nothing to eat for tonight, I am sure it would stir up more trouble and Straw Hat would certainly be enraged. By now, the sky has cleared up and people are flocking into the markets and streets. Due to the rush hour, the streets are bursting of cars and the headache-inducing horns blend into the noises of all the people talking. All in all, it is very lively here now. I proceed forward and do not talk with anyone passing by.

As I bought all the groceries needed, I look up into the sky and sigh.

"Hope, Sakura and the others are not too angry about it…"

As I turn around, I see a… familiar shape. In fact, it was standing already in front of me as I left the shop, but I did not notice it. To my defense, she is rather short and I could have easily run into her. Despite her look, I freeze in my movements. It is the girl who commanded Berserker- her Master. Now, I am done. She could beat me now without any resistance as I lost Saber. However, would she rally dare to attack me within the crowd? Would it not actually violate the official laws for Magi?

"Mmm, it seems like you remember me", the little girl says to me.

She appears to be so innocent and simpleminded, yet she is the Master of Berserker. Seeing her now, I could barely believe that- if Berserker would not have attacked us in that night. Still, she makes no attempt to kill me. No; her appearance does not match that of her back then. She on the other hand, seems wondered.

"What are you thinking about? Is something troubling you?"

Now she is even worryed about me? This is all too surreal.

"You are… Berserker's Master, right?", I ask her.

Somehow, her aura instantly changes and now the small innocent girl resembles more the one that tried to kill us.

"No, don't worry. I won't kill you. In fact, Berserker is not even here"

"Berserker is not around?"

"I could summon him at any moment, though"

And now, she is threatening me. Why is everyone threatening me all of a sudden?

"You certainly don't mind me when I accompany you? I mean, you are defenseless without Saber"

How does she know that I have lost Saber? Is she… maybe that person? I inspect her closely. No, she cannot be her. I cannot feel the same presence that the unknown enemy radiates. They are entirely different persons.

"Hey, don't forget me!", Berserker's Master annoyedly shouts at me.

She looks like a little child who has been ignored by its parent while showing off something to them.

"I am sorry. I was just thinking about something"

"So, will you agree?"

Oh, I remember. She threatened me to kill me when I do not allow her to accompany me.

"I guess, I have no other options"

Suddenly, she jumps up and down happily and grabs my arm. She drags me away from the shop.

"W-wait, this is the wrong way! The opposite direction; I live there!"

She stops in her tracks and looks at me insecure.

"The way I am going is wrong?", she questions.

"Yes, you are following the wrong path. We have to turn around"

As she nods, the small girl turns around and pulls me along the way while she cheerfully hums. Luckily before I almost fall over, she stops and lets go of me.

"I just recalled: You haven't told me your name yet, big brother"

"What?"

"Your name"

I think it is not fatal when I tell her my name. I assume I have no choice here.

"My name is Emiya Shirou and when I tell you my name, you have to-"

"Shirou… hm, Shirou", she mumbles to herself.

"Would you tell me your name?", I insist.

"Sure, I'm Illyasviel von Einzbern"

She is from noble heritage? I have not expected this.

"Illyasviel it is-"

"Call me Illya"

"Okay, Illya"

Illya grabs my hand again, although this time she does not pull me away.

"Let us take a walk, Shirou", Illya proposes.

I nod and then we walk the street down without exchanging a word. Illya peacefully walks with me while I am still frustrated about today.

Eventually, we arrive at the bridge and the sun is setting. White snow is falling down and slowly burying the ground beneath it. The river is shining and the golden-red rays of the sun present a jubilant dance on the surface of the water.

"Come on, you haven't said anything yet. I have long waited for this moment and you are ruining it", Illya laments, "don't you want to chat a little bit?"

"Well, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure", Illya joyfully agrees.

She is full of energy while I shuffle over the bridge. I look into the distance where the snow has painted everything white. Although it is snowing now, it is way warmer than her presence. Yet, the white and empty landscape is enthralling.

"Where do you actually live?"

"I live in a castle nearby. It is surrounded by a forest; you should visit me there!"

I am surprised she has told me this so easily, but on the other hand she behaves like a little joyful child when Berserker is not around.

"Do you live alone?"

"No, I live with Sella and Liz. I even sneaked out behind Sella's back to meet you. Feel honored!", Illya answers proudly while pointing at me with her index finger.

"I see"

"I have a question, too. Who is this guy with the Straw Hat?", Illya requests.

She has been quite shocked when he randomly entered the scene and blocked off Berserker without any trouble. Therefore, she probably wants to know more about him.

"I can't tell you very much about him… I know very little about Straw Hat myself"

"It is unfair to have two Servants! Acht explained there are only seven Servants, so how can you have two? You are a cheater!", Illya accuses me.

"No, no, he is not my Servant. He is no Servant at all… we are as clueless as you are"

"Liar! Only Servants can be that strong"

"Straw Hat is a special case. He is just thrown into all this and he doesn't know himself as to why. To be frankly, he doesn't even know himself at all… he lost his memories"

Strangely, Illya's face expression changes. She does not look anymore like the playful child from before.

"Do you know him?", she asks expressionless.

"What do you mean?"

Who is she talking about? And why is Illya so serious now?

"Is something wrong, Illya-"

"Do you know Emiya Kiritsugu?"

She knows Kiritsugu? How? Why does everyone know so much about me…

"Yes, of course I do. He was my-"

"Do you really know Emiya Kiritsugu?"

"Of course, I… I…"

After all these events I am not sure anymore if I know him. He was a Master in the last Holy Grail War- the Master of Saber- he destroyed the Grail and… this is all I know about his past. I must confess to myself that I know barely anything about Emiya Kiritsugu. Still without any emotions, Illya turns away.

"I understand. Tonight, I will visit you, big brother. If you want to put up a fight, then have at least Saber at your side"

Then, her purple boots clackle against the ground and slowly Illyasviel fades away from my view. I stretch out my left arm to her.

"Wait, Illya!"

I could run towards her and catch her, but I am unable to. Or rather, I see no point in it. What she said has clearly been a warning. She will certainly "visit" me with Berserker. The surface of the water is calm and quiet.