Chapter 44: Here’s the Question, Why Did Shirou Ambush Kirei?

Since he had decided to protect Illya, he absolutely could not have thoughts of being lenient to others.

'This is war. Even if it is just seven people, it is war.'

Just like yesterday in the outskirts. If he hadn't been strong enough, the one who died would have been him.

And what would happen to Illya after his death didn't even need to be imagined.

Confirming that he had done something foolish out of kindness, Shirou's face turned cold.

'It's all your fault, system. If you had just given me a slightly better version of Presence Concealment, I wouldn't have acted so impulsively.'

System: "?"

'What did I do?'

"Saber! Why are you here?", Bazett was so shocked that she didn't know what to say.

"Master!", Dog bro(Lancer) had already rushed to the scene, his response was lightning fast.

"Saber! What's going on?", Seeing Shirou standing beside Bazett, dog bro didn't attack immediately. Instead, he asked for an explanation.

That was a bold yet cautious reaction.

He knew that with Shirou's strength, if he wanted to take out Bazett, he would've done it before Cu Chulainn arrived.

So there had to be another reason.

Shirou's face remained cold and silent, especially when he realized that priest hadn't gotten up, his expression darkened even further.

He knew, the priest definitely wasn't dead. He had escaped.

He hadn't hit hard enough. If he kept treating the Holy Grail War like a game, how was he going to protect Illya?

Recognizing his own immaturity, Shirou began reflecting.

He didn't speak with either of them, he just left.

This stakeout had failed. The priest had fled.

Who knew if he would now issue a bounty on him to the other Masters?

Although the Masters in this Holy Grail War were all quite strange, it probably… maybe… wasn't likely anyone would act just for a single Command Seal, right?

Just in case, Shirou decided, aside from staking out Ryuudou Temple, he absolutely wouldn't run around randomly anymore. And he tied the Emperor Belt around his waist, ready to transform at any time.

A total miscalculation.

The original plan before the war began had been to pick up C-Mom, solve Illya's problem, and then armor-fuse without any worries and brawl with the others, gaining both combat experience and victory at the same time.

The idea had been beautiful, but reality was cruel.

Coming to Fuyuki City, just to prevent Illya from suffering. Because the Pseudo Emperor Armor's magic cost was unbelievably massive, any ordinary Master who fused with Shirou would be instantly drained.

So he had been holding back, planning to wait until he re-contracted before using it.

But he hadn't even met C-Mom yet, and he'd already fought a battle, and now who knew if his identity could still remain hidden?

While Shirou was silently confused, Bazett and Cu Chulainn looked at each other.

By now, Bazett had also realized, Shirou had saved her.

She never expected that the priest she so deeply respected would actually ambush her. Bazett's expression looked as if she had just eaten some of Kirei's ultra-spicy mapo tofu.

"Lancer, let's go back."

"Aren't we going to find that priest and settle the score?"

"Even I couldn't take a kick like that from Saber. Kotomine… that priest is probably already dead," Bazett straightened the wrinkles on her suit and left the church with Cu Chulainn.

"If there's a chance, I'll go thank Saber. He totally saved my life."

And not only that, he gave her the chance to continue trying to change Cu Chulainn's tragic fate.

"Hmm… I'm in favor of that," Cu Chulainn returned to spirit form and followed behind her, "That guy, even though he kept a cold face like he'd been betrayed by a scumbag, there's no doubt, being willing to take action in that kind of situation was a true heroic deed. And also…"

"And also what?"

"Nothing, forget I said anything."

Maybe he misunderstood, but Cu Chulainn thought, Shirou probably did this because of the promise he'd made yesterday.

Postpone the final battle, until then… don't die.

A smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth.

'The red Saber, huh? Surprisingly my type.' [T/N: Oh hell no!]

———

Back at Einzbern Castle, Shirou had already suppressed all his emotions.

Illya knew what had happened at the church.

She hadn't spoken yet, but Sella was the first to raise an objection, "Forgive my bluntness, Berserker, but why didn't you simply eliminate Lancer's Master?"

"What does it matter?", Illya smiled cutely, "He couldn't possibly beat Berserker anyway."

"This has nothing to do with winning or losing," Sella's expression turned serious, her crimson eyes staring sharply at Shirou, "A rare and golden opportunity was just lost. That was absolutely wrong…"

"Or perhaps," her tone gradually grew colder, "your pride as a hero wouldn't allow you to take advantage of someone?"

"Sella, that's enough!", Illya's face turned unhappy, "Berserker is my Servant, you, as an Einzbern maid…"

"No, Illya," Shirou interrupted, "This time it was my fault. Because of pity, I spared Lancer's Master's life. I guarantee this kind of thing won't happen again, Sella."

"..."

"I-It's not that serious," Sella turned her head, "I was just considering that since they've already seen us, if we'd dealt with it early, it would reduce unnecessary trouble for the Illya-sama."

"So… don't take my words too seriously. After all, I-I'm not a combatant…", Sella's voice grew smaller and smaller. With three sets of eyes watching her, her face turned red.

"Sella… is shy. Shy… Sella?", Liz tilted her head, getting closer, wanting to see if this was the big sister she knew.

"That's enough, Liz!", Feeling her little sister's breath, Sella shouted in embarrassment, "Where has your Einzbern maid etiquette gone?"

"Looks like you need some special training."

Liz stepped lightly like a cat, hiding behind Shirou.

"What a surprise, I didn't expect Sella to say that," Illya giggled and poked her slim waist.

"Oh? Sella...", Illya's big eyes were full of curiosity, "Have you gained weight, Sella?"

Just as Sella tried to walk around Shirou and catch Liz, her body suddenly trembled and she declared with vigor, "W-What are you talking about! I haven't gained weight at all! I've just… become more voluptuous!"

"Hey~", Illya gave her a scornful look, eyeing a certain area, "Voluptuous, huh? During our bath yesterday…"

"Illya-sama!", Sella was so flustered she almost grabbed her.

Shirou, still silent, decided that Sella's meal portions would need to be reduced from now on.

Also, the kitchen would be off-limits to her. Otherwise she'd sneak bites under the pretense of taste-testing.

A poke on the back.

Sella turning around, Liz flashed him a peace sign.

She even tried to wink, but hadn't practiced enough and ended up closing both eyes.

"Berserker! Sella has turned into an old witch who abducts girls, save me!", That's right, Illya had been caught by Sella.

Well, not caught per se. As a maid, she wouldn't cross boundaries. But as the head maid of the Einzbern household, she had the duty to ensure the Illya-sama maintained proper ladylike demeanor.

Right now, Illya was being sternly lectured.

Shirou looked up, Sella shot him a fierce glare. It was a warning not to interfere.

Shirou shrugged to show he couldn't help her.

In his heart he thought, 'Hopefully, when it's time to eat, you'll still have that untamable attitude.'

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