In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

284. The ahoge remembered his words / The undercurrents of the Fourth War / An unexpected rejection (4k)

"..."

Artoria's expression froze for a moment.

She didn't become like this because she heard the question, but because she was shocked that Ilya was able to ask such a question.

You should know that Mordred, who was about the same age as her back then, would never have said such a thing.

In an instant, Artoria realized that there was a side of Illya that her substitute Master, Irisviel, had not mentioned.

Although, according to the relationship between Servant and Master, she shouldn't be meddling in this matter.

but--

Looking at the innocent little girl Ilya asking such a question, Artoria felt it was necessary to say a few words.

After all, she had once been Mordred's mother, so she couldn't ignore all of this.

"Ilya," Artoria said, trying to remain calm, "why do you suddenly want to know this?"

"because--"

Ilya looked at the Caliburn sword of certain victory in Artoria's hand and revealed a smile that was hard to describe as either angelic or demonic.

"This sword is really beautiful!"

"Wouldn't it be even more beautiful if it could be used as a weapon to pierce someone's body?"

"..."

These few simple words alone sent an indescribable chill through Artoria.

It was a feeling that even the northern winds could not compare to, yet now it was truly unfolding before her eyes.

She wasn't afraid of the chilling atmosphere, but rather felt that it was appearing on someone who shouldn't be there.

This is not right.

This is quite wrong.

Artoria's instincts told her that she couldn't let Illya continue thinking like this.

She hugged the little girl, allowing her to sit on her lap.

Then, Artoria asked in a very serious tone:

"Ilya, why do you feel this way?"

Why do I feel this way?

Ilya looked up, still seemingly oblivious to how terrifying her words had been.

"Isn't this a matter of course?"

"A sword should be used to pierce a person's body."

“That’s not how it is.” Artoria shook her head.

"If a sword pierces the body, it can kill a person."

"Eh?!"

Upon hearing this, Ilya felt as if she had discovered a new world.

She blinked her beautiful red eyes and uttered extremely strange words.

"So it can kill people? Then how come I'm okay?"

"..."

Artoria never imagined that she would fall into endless confusion because of a single sentence.

She realized that something must have happened to Ilya that she didn't know about.

However, probing into it might trigger unpleasant memories for her.

perhaps--

We need to solve this in another way.

I don't know whether to say the memory is too vivid or that it was destined all along.

At this moment, Artoria recalled some words that Ian had said to her many years ago.

My own thoughts on it seem to be perfectly applicable to this situation.

"Ilia."

Artoria hugged the little girl in her arms tighter, then spoke her treasured words in the gentlest tone.

"do you know?"

"A sword is a weapon, and swordsmanship is a technique for killing."

"No matter how you try to cover it up, it is still the truth."

"but--"

Artoria looked down at Illya.

"We have the right to choose whom we point our swords."

"Whom are qualified to point their sword?"

Looking at Artoria, who was holding her just like her mother, Ilya couldn't help but pay more attention to what she was saying.

"Yes." The young swordswoman nodded.

"We need to know who to point our sword at, instead of letting it indiscriminately harm the innocent."

"That would only taint the weapon itself."

"Ilya, you didn't want this to happen, did you?"

"It will taint the weapon itself..."

As Illya murmured Artoria's words, she suddenly realized the contradiction.

"But if you don't kill people, wouldn't the weapon itself lose its meaning?"

“That’s not how it is.” Artoria shook her head.

She transformed the golden sword of certain victory (Caliburn) in her hand into the blade that Ian had given her—though it was now somewhat worn and tattered.

Looking at the token of love between the girl and Ian, a deep affection filled the girl's green eyes.

Her tone of voice also carried a hint of nostalgia for the past.

"Killing is indeed one use of weapons."

"But--"

"It is not only killing that can prove the meaning of a sword."

Do you understand what I'm saying?

"..."

Ilya tilted her head and thought for a while, then nodded thoughtfully.

"Saber, do you mean that even if I want to make the weapon look better, I shouldn't just use it to stab people in the body? Is that right?"

"Hmm." Artoria nodded in response, "Your interpretation is also acceptable."

"Eh--!"

Ilya was very happy.

However, her expression was more like that of someone who had learned something new.

"I'm going to tell Mom about this right now!"

With that, the little girl got off Artoria's lap and went to find her mother, Einstein.

"Hey, that's not right!"

Artoria quickly stopped her.

"No, you shouldn't be telling your Master this kind of thing."

"Why?" Ilya asked, puzzled.

"Because she would find it terrifying, and might even get angry."

"this!"

Upon hearing that her mother, Einstein, might be angry, Ilya immediately backed down.

"Then I won't say anything!"

"Saber, you're not allowed to tell either! This, this is our secret!"

"……Um."

Artoria smiled and nodded.

"Okay, it's our secret."

The northern winds still raged inside the castle, but there seemed to be a faint warmth in the air.

A conversation with profound implications for the future ended unnoticed by anyone.

The curtain of the Fourth Holy Grail War is gradually being lifted by combined forces.

There are complex and intertwined reasons behind this.

Countless tragedies were also sown at this moment.

Inside the clock tower.

A blond man with a dangerously receding hairline slammed his fist on the table in extreme anger and then roared.

"That damned Webber dared to steal that cloak fragment from me!"

The man's full name is Kenneth Elmero Archibald.