After the Battle

TYPE-MOON Universe, Earth, Japan, Fuyuki City. 

With Tatsuo's hand resting on her head, Illyasviel found herself completely unable to move. Meaning, there was nothing she could do to help Berserker from being drawn into the shadows while he recovered from the injury Saber inflicted. 

"No~~~~~~~~!" Illyasviel screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably. "Berserker, don't leave me!" 

'*Sigh* This is harder than I thought it would be.' Tatsuo thought to himself while his [Bounded Field] held Illyasviel in place. 'Hearing her cry like this is heart-wrenching. Kinda makes me wonder exactly what she went through in the Einzbern's headquarters outside of what was shown in the anime and games.' 

During the time Berserker was being pulled into the shadows, the battlefield fell silent with Sakura concentrating on her Magecraft while Saber and Rider stood ready in case of any unforeseen circumstances. However, their caution turned out to be unnecessary, as Sakura was successful in taking Berserker off the board. 

Then, as soon as Berserker was gone, the first thing that happened was Rider put her blindfold, the [Breaker Gorgon] back on. However, she did not lower her guard past that point. Instead, she stood ready, just in case Tatsuo and Saber, who she knew were working together, decided that the odds were good enough to try taking out another Servant. 

"Assassin, Saber, it's good to see you again." Sakura said with a smile, not nearly as wary of the two enemy Servants as her own Servant was. "I take it things went well with the Transference since you're both here." 

"Yeah, things went just as planned." Tatsuo replied as he dispelled his [Bounded Field] from around Illyasviel. "The Emiya kid is officially out of the Holy Grail War and Lici has a second Servant." 

"And that puts the rest of us at a disadvantage." Rider said calmly without dropping her guard. 

"Well, I can't deny that." Tatsuo replied with a shrug. 

*Swish!* 

Tatsuo was then forced to tilt his head out of the way the epée Illyasviel thrust at him. 

"Take it easy." Tatsuo said as he pinched Illyasviel's weapon between his fingers before she could pull it away. "I know you're pissed off…" 

Tatsuo then released a dense amount of killing intent, causing not only Illyasviel, but even Sakura, who was a distance away, to freeze up. Rider and Saber, on the other hand, were not surprised that an Assassin-Class Servant would be able to release such potent killing intent. 

"… but don't make me regret sparing your life." Tatsuo said coldly. 

Eventually, Tatsuo retracted his killing intent. When he did, Illyasviel, her knees weak from the fear, dropped her epée. Then, she took a couple of cautious steps away from Tatsuo. 

"Why didn't you kill me?" Illyasviel asked while surveying the surroundings to find an escape route. 

"Because my Master feels sorry for you." Tatsuo replied while crossing his arms in front of his chest. "And as it just so happens, we met someone that might be able to help you with your little problem.' 

"What problem?" Illyasviel asked while furrowing her brows. 

"Your extremely short life span because of that." Tatsuo said while pointing his right index finger directly at Illyasviel's heart. 

Widening her eyes in surprise, Illyasviel took another step back while raising her hands to cover her chest just over her heart. 

Meanwhile, Sakura, having recovered from the shock of Tatsuo's killing intent, and Rider, looked on in confusion. They naturally had no idea about what Tatsuo and Illyasviel were talking about. 

As for Saber, Elicia had informed her of Illyasviel's condition after she and Tatsuo informed her that they were heading to assess the situation on this battlefield. And her willingness to help a former enemy was another reason why she was proud to serve Elicia during this Grail War. 

"How… How could she possibly know about that?' Illyasviel, her composure broken, asked in a cautious tone. 

"Honestly, I have no idea." Tatsuo said, lying as easily as he breathed. "But this was her order. So, I'm just following it." 

"And who is this person you think could help me?" Illyasviel asked, a frown marring her face. 

"I'd rather not say out in the open." Tatsuo replied while scratching the side of his head. "His identity is kind of a big deal. Hell, I'm not even sure anyone else other than us know he's here." 

Though intrigued, Illyasviel was still wary of the people who just help to kill her Servant. And Tatsuo could easily see that. 

"*Sigh* How about this?" Tatsuo said in a tired tone. "If it makes you feel better, we can go back to your castle and get your maids. That way, you won't be going into perceived enemy territory alone." 

'Not that anyone left in the Grail War would consider you an enemy without a Servant.' Tatsuo thought to himself. 'But since she still has those [Command Spells], she's still a minor threat at the most.' 

Realizing exactly what Tatsuo was thinking by the fact that he offered to allow Sella and Leysritt to accompany her to his Master's base, Illyasviel found herself getting annoyed. However, when she thought back to her encounter with Elicia, she could understand why he thought that way. Even if she used everything she had and had Sella's and Leysritt's assistance, she did not see any way that she would come out as the victor if she were to face the thread-wielding Magus. 

"Fine~. I'll bring my---" Illyasviel began to say before she completely registered what Tatsuo said. Before she could finish, however, she snapped her head up to look him in the eyes and exclaimed in confusion. "Wait! How do you know about my maids?" 

In response, Tatsuo only tilted his head to the side while looking at Illyasviel as if she had just asked a stupid question. 

However, when he realized Illyasviel was genuinely confused about how Tatsuo knew about anything in the Einzbern Castle, he straightened his head and smiled at her triumphantly. 

"And why would you think that I couldn't find out about what was going on in your castle?" Tatsuo asked smugly. "Was it those [Bounded Fields] set up all over the forest surrounding it? Or maybe all the alchemical creatures roaming around that same forest? Or perhaps it's because you thought that no one would take the chance to enter with Berserker skulking around? Well, none of that means anything to me. I got through even easier than when I infiltrated Mount Enzou while Caster was still alive." 

Hearing that, Illyasviel's mouth fell open in shock. At the same time, she realized that if Elicia and this Servant wanted her dead, she would not have even known how she was killed. 

Meanwhile, at the top of a building that had a clear view of the park where the battle took place, Archer was watching the aftermath with Rin standing next to him with her arms crossed impatiently. 

"Why are we still waiting here?" Rin asked impatiently, clearly wanting to check on her sister's well-being. "We should meet up with the others. The Einzbern girl is no longer a threat, after all." 

"Calm down, Master." Archer said calmly. "Did you forget? Everyone down there is our enemy. There's no guarantee that they won't turn on us when we arrive." 

"Sakura would never do that.!" Rin shouted. 

"Perhaps." Archer replied, not denying Rin's statement. "But what about the other two? Although we know that Assassin's and Saber's Master is kind enough to not kill Masters, there's no guarantee that she wouldn't order Assassin and Saber to attack us. She needs to defeat us to win the Grail, after all." 

Though she did not want to believe that Elicia, probably the strongest Master left in the Holy Grail War, with the most war potential would resort to a sneak attack. Rin could not completely rule it out, either. And that made her even more frustrated. 

"Whatever." Rin said in a huff, which drew a small smile from Archer. "Let's just go home." 

"As you wish." Archer replied as he once again scooped Rin into his arms and started jumping from rooftop to rooftop in the direction of the Tohsaka Residence. 

At the same time, back at the park, Tatsuo glanced in the direction where Rin and Archer left. Then, he smiled slightly as he turned his attention to Sakura and Rider. 

"It was good seeing you again, Sakura." Tatsuo said. "I kinda miss having an assistant in the kitchen now that you're gone. But what can ya do?" 

Hearing that, Sakura lowered her head and blushed lightly. Rider, on the other hand, still kept her guard up. 

"And you don't' need to be on guard against us, Rider." Tatsuo continued. "Lici won't spring a fight on you out of nowhere. Knowing her, she'll let you know when and where she wants to fight. Now, whether she'll send Saber or me will remain a secret, though. And if she sends me, then you'd better keep your head on a swivel. Because unlike all these Knight-Class Servants like you, Saber, and Archer, I'm not against fighting dirty and from the shadows." 

"I am aware." Rider replied impassively. "Still, I appreciate the advice. But please excuse me if I don't' lower my guard. Like you said, you're not above fighting dirty." 

Hearing that, Tatsuo's smile widened. Saber, on the other hand, looked at Tatsuo with a complicated expression. Although she could tell that Tatsuo was a lot like Kiritsugu based on the fact that he was willing to do anything to take down his target, his sometimes friendly demeanor and the way he just gave Rider advice made it hard for her to get a read on him. 

'Then, there's that weird feeling of suppression I feel whenever I'm around him.' Saber thought to herself as she placed her right hand over her heart. 'Just what is that feeling about, anyway?' 

"Anyway, let's get going." Tatsuo said as he turned his attention back to Illyasviel. "It's getting late. And I'm sure that dammed old man is getting impatient by now." 

Tilting her head in confusion, Illyasviel was still trying to figure out who the guest Tatsuo was talking about could be. Yet, the description, "damned old man" did not tell her anything. The number of elderly men in the magical community were too numerous for that to even be considered a descriptor. 

"Very well." Illyasviel replied, deciding to put the thoughts of the person who might be able to help her on the back burner for now. She then continued in her characteristic cheerful tone. "I'm sure Leysritt and Sella would love to get out of the castle for a while, too." 

With that, Tatsuo and Saber bid Sakura and rider farewell. And to everyone's surprise, Illyasviel did the same, her tone unlike someone who was just fighting them to the death. Then, the trio left the park in the direction of the Einzbern Castle. 

Meanwhile, Sakura and Rider watched them leave until they could no longer see the trio's silhouettes. Then, they, too, started making their way back to the apartment Sakura was renting. 

Not long later, with Tatsuo carrying Illyasviel to shorten the travel time, the three arrived at the road leading to the Einzbern Castle. Then, after putting Illyasviel down, they made their way inside. 

However, things did not go as smoothly as either Tatsuo or Saber would have liked. Because as soon as Illyasviel's overly protective maids saw their mistress return without Berserker, while being accompanied by two enemy Servants, they attacked in order to free Illyasviel from the clutches of the enemy. 

Luckily, although they were strong, neither Sella nor Leysritt were anywhere near strong enough to put up a fight against Servants of Tatsuo's or Saber's caliber. So, they were quickly subdued without being harmed. And that gave Illyasviel the opportunity to tell them exactly what was going on. 

Although they were sad to hear that Berserker had been defeated, especially because they knew how much Illyasviel relied on him ever since he was summoned, when Sella and Leysritt heard that something could be done about Illyasviel's short lifespan, they were both on board when it came to seeing the mysterious guest Tatsuo mentioned. 

So, without delay, the two maids began packing the essentials that Illyasviel would need to go out. And although they may have been a bit overenthusiastic, Tatsuo, Saber, and Illyasviel decided to leave them to their own devices. 

Then, when everything was set, Sella and Leysritt led Tatsuo, Saber, and Illyasviel to the castle's garage where a number of luxury cars were parked. And as soon as they entered the garage, Tatsuo's eyes zeroed in on a particular car. 

'That's a Phantom!' Tatsuo exclaimed to himself. 

That's right, the car at the end of Tatsuo's line of sight was a silver, 2004 Rols-Royce Phantom. And no matter how hard he tried, he could not tear his eyes away from it. 

"Let's drive that one back to the hotel." Tatsuo said excitedly while pointing out the Phantom. 

Turning their heads in the direction Tatsuo was pointing, everyone else saw the Phantom, as well. And when she did, Illyasviel looked at Tatsuo with a bit more interest. 

"You've got a good eye, Assassin." Illyasviel said with a smile. "That's probably the most expensive car, that could fit all of us in it, anyway, in the garage." 

Illyasviel then turned to Sella. 

"Get the keys to the Phantom, Sella." Illyasviel ordered cheerfully. 

"Yes, Miss Illya." Sella replied with a polite bow before going to retrieve the keys. 

Shortly afterwards, Sella returned with the keys to the car and handed them to Illyasviel, who was holding out her hand. Illyasviel then turned to Tatsuo while dangling the keys in front of him. 

"So, wanna drive it?" Illyasviel asked playfully. 

"Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes." Tatsuo replied. 

Shrugging her shoulders while holding back a laugh at Tatsuo's enthusiasm, Illyasviel tossed the keys in Tatsuo's direction. 

*Jingle!* 

However, before Tatsuo could reach out to catch the key, they were snatched out of the air, the sound of the jingling key echoing around the massive garage. 

"I just asked Elicia." Saber said with the keys in hand and Tatsuo staring a hole in her head. "She said you don't have the Riding Skill. So, I'll be driving. This will be much safer." 

Hearing that, Tatsuo's eyes and mouth opened wide in surprise. Then, he looked at Saber as if he had been betrayed. And finally, without speaking to Elicia over the telepathic link, decided that Elicia would be receiving her second food deprivation punishment for this mission as the five climbed into the Phantom and drove towards the Shinto District.