The Gap Between Super-Sized Illya and Super-Small Illya

The Kiritsugu faction's base of operations was the Einzbern old mansion, hidden in the mountains outside Fuyuki. It had been purchased long ago, after Justeaze, to complete the Third True Magic, Heaven's Feel, and to more conveniently conduct the prototype of the Holy Grail War.

And now, it was provided to Kiritsugu as a secret base, the Einzbern family's temporary magical workshop.

"Honestly."

Kiritsugu Emiya, dressed in black, lit a cigarette, feeling somewhat resentful.

This Holy Grail War had been rough from the start. Before it even began, he crashed in a plane. Although it was a blessing in disguise as he discovered the existence of those two monsters beforehand, this was by no means good news.

When things officially started, it was even worse. He had originally planned to observe quietly and reap the benefits when others fought, but on the first day, Saber became the most conspicuous one besides those two monsters. Not only were her Noble Phantasm and True Name exposed, but he even had to waste a Command Spell to escape that meaningless, inexplicable battle—Saber felt he didn't support the fight, but Kiritsugu wanted to curse too.

What was the point of fighting that kind of enemy?

If he hadn't taken Avalon from Irisviel after the plane crash, he probably would have been taken out by Sisigou's RPG.

Meaningless, a wasted Command Spell, and even a damaged spiritual foundation—it was simply the worst outcome.

Fortunately, the latter half of the night was also quite eventful, allowing him, who was looking for an opportunity to turn the tables, to catch the timing of the Pot King's battle with the Matou family's second master. He sneakily took out the Pot King with one shot—but what made Kiritsugu furious was that he had originally planned to follow up with another shot to directly eliminate the Tohsaka family head. However, that brown-haired woman appeared out of nowhere and interfered, ultimately resulting in only crippling the Tohsaka family head... Utterly disastrous!

After a terrible first day, he had originally planned to wander around the city with Maiya today, looking for opportunities to catch one or two lone Masters, but...

Just as he seemed to have found some leads and was about to take action, Irisviel called.

She, in an unprecedentedly firm tone, demanded Kiritsugu to come home. This made him somewhat surprised and also a bit speechless.

I let you take Saber out to change your mood, not for you to cause me trouble, Irisviel!

Even though he had deep feelings for this wife, he still felt some resentment.

However, considering that this was probably his wife's last remaining time, out of various emotions and guilt, he still rushed back.

But then…

Irisviel, her face cold, suppressed her anger and spoke as soon as he arrived:

"Kiritsugu! What on earth are you trying to do!"

This directly made Kiritsugu somewhat at a loss, and at the same time, he felt some resentment and displeasure.

I put aside important business to rush back, and you immediately question me like this? He felt that the Irisviel before him was so unfamiliar, not at all like the gentle wife who had accompanied him for eight years.

But out of patience, he still suppressed the anger in his heart and asked softly:

"Irisviel, what exactly happened?"

"What happened? You're asking me what happened?"

"Illya!"

The crimson-eyed, silver-haired woman shouted loudly, and the next moment, a small, somewhat timid figure peeked out from behind the door.

And Kiritsugu Emiya, puzzled and not understanding why his wife would suddenly call out their precious daughter's name, also widened his eyes in an instant upon seeing Illya.

He blurted out:

"...Illya?!"

Although he felt somewhat joyful at first, Kiritsugu, regaining his senses the next moment, was filled with incomprehension and doubt. Even out of anxiety, he questioned Irisviel in a demanding tone:

"What's going on? Why is Illya here?"

Still a father to some extent, he was very happy to see his daughter, but definitely not in such a situation.

This was Fuyuki City, the battlefield of the Holy Grail War, a dangerous place where one could die at any moment, yet she actually appeared here.

If he hadn't done it, then it could only mean that it was the doing of his wife, who was from the Einzbern family, or even the Einzbern family behind her.

In this aspect alone, questioning Irisviel was clearly reasonable.

However...

Irisviel's expression worsened.

I'm asking you why Illya is here, and you're asking me what's going on?

Don't answer a question with a question!

"You don't know?" Her mood was very bad, but Irisviel still maintained some rationality. Looking at the expression on Kiritsugu's face, she became somewhat suspicious.

Could it be that she had wronged Kiritsugu?

Kiritsugu didn't speak. His personality made him have to think for a moment when faced with such a topic. But after taking a drag from his cigarette and hesitating for a moment, he still shook his head.

"Kiritsugu...." This moment of hesitation made Irisviel dissatisfied.

"Don't say any more, Irisviel."

Kiritsugu took a drag from his cigarette and said so. He wasn't the type of man who liked to explain too much—well, or rather, he was inherently bad at communication and explanation. Just like with Saber, if he had been more honest, their relationship might have been much better. But the result was that these two people, who had many similarities, ended up becoming 'enemies' who held grudges against each other and disliked each other.

If this was a matter of compatibility, then it was definitely wrong. Because if their initial compatibility was so bad, then even with a designated catalyst like Avalon, Saber couldn't possibly respond to the summoning of someone with opposing principles. In that case, what might have appeared instead would be Servants related to Avalon, like Bedivere or the Lady of the Lake.

Their poor relationship wasn't due to poor compatibility, but simply because their compatibility was too similar, resulting in 'like repelling like.'

"Illya... Tell Dad, how did you get here?"

Grabbing Illya's arm, Kiritsugu asked with extreme solemnity and seriousness.

"Eh..."

The latter was stared at by those empty eyes, and beside her was Irisviel's angry gaze. At this moment, little Illya was somewhat sweating profusely.

For an elementary school student, being inexplicably caught in such a situation was somewhat difficult for her—of course, the main reason was probably that she had never seen Kiritsugu and Irisviel with such expressions before.

The former's gaze was too empty, even making her a little scared, and the latter... Although Mom was also scary when angry, she would never look this furious.

Wuwu.... Master, Ruby, Illya misses you so much! Where are you!

Just as little Illya was at a loss.

Saber timely came to her rescue.

"Master, an enemy is approaching."

Needless to say, Kiritsugu Emiya had already discovered it; after all, the magical barrier had been triggered.

And the target was precisely Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, the blonde man with a lemon-like sour expression, located outside the castle manor.

—The Master of the original Lancer team, one of the twelve Lords of the Mage's Association, the head of the El-Melloi family.

And his purpose for visiting at this time was self-evident.

For a rather traditional magus like Kayneth, the only one worthy of his high regard in this battle was originally the Einzbern family—a proper magical battle should be elegant and formal.

As for why he chose Saber as an enemy, firstly, this place was remote, and the commotion wouldn't be too big. Secondly, it was with the intention of beating a drowning dog.

The ones who suffered the most losses on the first night were arguably Kiritsugu's and Sisigou's teams. Although he was surprised why the Holy Grail War, which should have had seven Servants, had somehow been expanded, reducing the number of enemies was always correct.

Sisigou's location was really hard to find; he couldn't catch those two for the time being. But the Einzbern's base wouldn't change.

Possessing such a Noble Phantasm, and also injured, even King Arthur, who was extremely famous among Servants, was there any reason not to deal with such an opponent first?

"Maiya, take Illya and hide."

Kiritsugu, understanding the impending danger, arranged this for his assistant. The latter nodded and directly picked up Illya and left. But Irisviel was stunned, looking at Kiritsugu in disbelief.

"Irisviel, you can hide too."

Kiritsugu hesitated for a moment, then added this.

The reason for this arrangement was actually very simple... Although he felt apologetic... he suddenly felt uneasy about this wife of his.

With Illya's appearance, Kiritsugu found it hard not to suspect if this was an arrangement by the Einzbern family.

Of course... considering the inevitability, this 'suspicion' was almost a certainty.

And Irisviel, as an Einzbern homunculus, although nearly ten years of being together had made him love this wife very much and trust her, she was, after all, an Einzbern.

Knowing very well what kind of people magi were, Kiritsugu would never refuse to judge their stance from the worst possible angle.

Even if she was his incredibly familiar wife.

Separating Irisviel and Illya was such a precaution—it might sound somewhat ridiculous, although he loved Irisviel very much, the man named Kiritsugu Emiya actually trusted his assistant, Maiya Hisau, more.

It was only out of love that Kiritsugu still had some reservations.

However, for Irisviel, who knew Kiritsugu all too well, this was like a bolt from the blue.

She glanced at Kiritsugu Emiya, clenched her fists, then chased after Maiya Hisau without looking back.

Just as he would suspect her, how could Irisviel possibly trust Kiritsugu—or rather, she originally should have trusted him.

But... because of Illya, because of this man's series of actions just now, even if she trusted him completely and knew him inside out, Irisviel couldn't help but have the delusion, 'Could this be an act to deceive me?'

That lack of knowledge was extremely genuine, yet it could also be a disguise—to cover up his intentions regarding Illya, to deceive her. The past Irisviel would absolutely not think this way, but when her precious daughter appeared before her, she had to show the side of a mother protecting her cub.

At this moment, Irisviel was sensitive and fragile, only able to hide that desperate struggle beneath a gentle exterior.

Compared to living and dying with Kiritsugu, protecting Illya was Irisviel's top priority now.

However—

In the eyes of some, this seemingly ordinary mother-daughter pair fleeing was extremely conspicuous.

Irisviel, needless to say, was the Lesser Grail prepared by the Einzbern family for this Holy Grail War.

It could be said that although she wasn't a Master, she herself was already the most valuable and most contested 'item' in this Holy Grail War.

And Illya…

Although little Illya came from another world.

Even in that world, she was originally a Lesser Grail.

It was just that in that world, Kiritsugu and Irisviel ultimately chose to give up the Holy Grail War, proactively ending everything, and sealing all of Illya's past.

A part of this world's [Illya]'s experiences also belonged to little Illya.

It was merely covered up, not disappeared. For a very perceptive person, one glance would be enough to discover this extremely eye-catching 'grand prize' in the Holy Grail War.

Two Holy Grails, one big and one small.

If one didn't go after them, perhaps even the Lord of the Holy Church would laugh out loud.

In summary—

The moment the two fled, trying to find a safe location, they were attacked.

"Swish—"

A sharp sound of tearing air. Maiya Hisau, through her instinct for life-and-death crises, pushed Irisviel, who was holding Illya, aside, acting as a human shield. While avoiding vital points as much as possible, she let out a muffled groan.

"...Assassin!" Irisviel, holding Illya, recognized at a glance the identity of the dark figures with skull masks constantly appearing around them, gritting her teeth, her expression very grave.

"Illya, hide behind Mom!"

Pulling down her snow-like hair, the thaumaturgical formula [Angel's Poem] began to weave. As a replica homunculus created in imitation of Justeaze, Irisviel's own capabilities also reached the level of a first-rate magus.

However, this was quite powerless against Servants.

After all, even the weakest Servant had a great advantage over a magus. Most magi couldn't possibly fight against a Servant, even a fragile Servant like Angra Mainyu who was no different from an ordinary person.

Let alone the original Assassin, Hundred-Faced Hassan.

Although his individual strength would become ridiculously weak after activating his Noble Phantasm, the sheer number and various skills he possessed were quite intimidating for an ordinary magus.

Irisviel was just holding onto the idea of a desperate struggle, wanting to protect her daughter, intending to fight to the death.

It was impossible to let Maiya Hisau take Illya away. Not to mention she didn't trust Kiritsugu, Assassin and the others wouldn't possibly let anyone else leave.

Little Illya felt a bit wronged. She was clearly a Servant too, a magical girl at least. How did she end up needing her mom's protection?

This was way too weak!

—But unfortunately, without the help of the Ruby wand, little Illya, not in her magical girl state, was just as her appearance suggested, truly just a weakling elementary schooler who couldn't even beat a village goose.

Although her physical constitution might be somewhat enhanced by magical energy, little Illya's stats, which were pitifully weak even among Caster class Servants, clearly didn't need much elaboration.

The Holy Grail War is so dangerous! Ruby! Master! Wuwu, come save me!

It seemed her wish came true.

The next moment—

"Boom—"

A terrifying beam of magical energy swept over accompanied by a roar.

"Honestly, this is completely unbearable to watch!"

Amidst little Illya's pleasantly surprised gaze, in the sky, a silver-haired girl holding the Ruby wand, dressed in a pink transformation outfit, had a look of slight disgust and speechlessness on her face.

"Eh... Illya?"

Irisviel was directly stunned.

She subconsciously glanced at the little Illya beside her, then at '[Jiang Illya]' in the sky, and was bewildered.

....There are two Illyas?!

Looking at the magical girl '[Illya]' who had landed, Illya was somewhat puzzled:

"Ruby, how did you end up on Master?"

"Aren't you both Illya? Since you're Illya, then of course you can share." Ruby's explanation left the latter half-understanding, but the next moment she couldn't help but fulfill her tsukkomi role:

"Eh... That seems to be the case. Wait, you never said anything like that!"

"If Master has to go into battle, then what use do I have for a useless Servant like you? Keeping you around to make the rice more expensive?" The silver-haired girl glanced askance, her words quite harsh.

"So... so mean...!"

"Alright, here's this thing back to you! You take care of the rest! You handle it!"

Catching the Ruby wand thrown by a certain Jiang Illya, Illya was somewhat caught off guard.

"Eh? Me?!"

"I already eliminated a lot just now. You're not going to tell me you can't handle the rest, are you?"

"...Alright then."

Little Illya, holding Ruby, nodded dejectedly, then mustered her fighting spirit:

"Ruby, let's go!"

"...What on earth is going on?" Irisviel, watching this development that completely surpassed her understanding, looked at the familiar appearance of the silver-haired girl in a familiar purple dress and purple hat beside her after she dispelled her transformation, and couldn't help but ask:

"You are... Illya?!"

"Well, I guess so."

The latter affirmed, also making Irisviel instantly notice some strangeness—originally, there were actually many subtle differences between Illya and '[Illya].' Although their age difference wasn't much, and because little Illya herself possessed the homunculus nature of the Einzbern family, it was difficult for her body's growth to change significantly in a short time. However, because little Illya lived in a peaceful era, the latter would inevitably have some abnormalities different from [Illya].

However, because she was convinced there was only one Illya, neither Kiritsugu nor Irisviel had noticed this abnormality.

It wasn't until '[Illya]'s appearance that she realized that '[Illya]' seemed to be the one from her memories.

However, it seemed slightly different...

Compared to [Illya], the current one seemed to have a bit less childish innocence and a bit more adult maturity.

"Didn't Illya tell Mom and Kiritsugu about us?"

"Honestly, I thought she would blurt out everything."

"She said she came to save me..."

"That's more or less it."

"Yes, that's how it is, just like she said."

While '[Illya]' was chatting with Irisviel.

Little Illya, having completed her magical girl transformation, charged angrily towards the Hassans.

Although it was sudden, being suddenly attacked with Mom, and her own weakness—that feeling of 'I can't do anything,' really infuriated the good-tempered little Illya to the extreme.

Now, after completing her dazzling magical girl transformation, it was clearly necessary to get even.

However…

"So fast!"

Little Illya, with high spirits, immediately started dodging clumsily.

Indeed, even among Servants, Hundred-Faced Hassan was a very weak, third-rate Servant.

But unfortunately, even if they were third-rate Servants, they were definitely not something an elementary schooler who could only rely on the advantage of a Mystic Code could deal with casually.

This wasn't some mindless shadow Servant manifested through a class card, but a genuine, bona fide Servant.

"Sigh, Illya is really too weak."

"Magic cannon! Magic cannon! Just like the other Illya-chan! Use a high-powered magic cannon!" Ruby's tone was somewhat disdainful.

How should one put it.

Honestly, she really liked Illya. She was cute and lewd. Comparatively, the other Illya, although very similar, couldn't be posed in eighteen different ways by her like this Illya could—if she even showed a similar inclination, '[Illya]' would unceremoniously nail her to the wall.

However, as a 'user' of a Mystic Code, Ruby had to admit, it seemed that '[Illya]' was stronger.

Even a very short period of transformation synchronization was enough for her to feel the exaggerated strength hidden beneath the latter's frail appearance.

After experiencing '[Illya],' this skilled super-large cup, and then being used by Illya, this inexperienced super-small cup, that was probably the difference. Ruby-chan couldn't help but feel a little melancholic.

However, fortunately, this battle was generally without major danger.

After all, the stats provided to Illya by Ruby, a product of the Second True Magic, were too high. Even if the Hassans had more combat experience, without sufficient raw stats, they could only skirmish for a long time before slowly retreating.

"Well, for a first battle, it's barely a pass." [Illya] glanced in a certain direction, then withdrew her gaze and looked at Illya, giving her evaluation of the battle.

Being able to fight against a proper Servant, even the weakest Hassan, this result was acceptable.

"Haha...."

"However, you seem to have completely missed one thing."

Illya, who was somewhat happy, heard this and felt strange. For some reason, she felt a bit dizzy.

"I told you before, Assassin's methods include poison. You were completely unprepared, right?"

"Plop..."

The words rang in her ears. Little Illya, her consciousness somewhat hazy, fell down into a warm embrace. Besides hearing Mom's surprised cry, "Illya!", there was that helpless, childish voice.

"Be a little more vigilant, honestly."

"Illya!"

Looking at Irisviel rushing to her side, the silver-haired girl supporting Illya pursed her lips, "Don't worry, it's just some simple poison. She'll be fine after sleeping it off."

Of course, this was clearly difficult to dispel the worry and heartache in the former's eyes.

[Illya] didn't pay too much attention to this.

Although, in reality, it wouldn't matter if she didn't experience such things.

But for the fate this child carried, it was better to experience some 'minor setbacks.'

After all.

—Hoping for others to be happy, yet only she herself cannot achieve happiness.

No matter which world's Illya, they would all invariably walk towards such an ending.

[Illya], as if sensing something, looked towards the castle, feeling that powerful magical energy fluctuation, and said:

"It seems quite lively on Kiritsugu's side too."