Walking in the Question and Answer System of Heroic Spirits

[Ilya seemed to sense that Hercules was about to disappear, and desperately tried to grab him, but alas—]

In the moments before his death, Hercules seemed to regain his senses. His eyes, filled with longing and resentment, gazed at Illya, who had slid a bloody path across the ground, and a single tear slowly fell...

A drop of water falls to the ground, scattering golden light.

[Hercules exits the stage.]

Chapter 550: The Third Showdown with Medea

【"Berserker..."】

Tears of blood streamed down Ilya's face, splashing onto the pristine snow like plum blossoms.

["Pfft—"]

There was no mercy, no compassion, only cruelty and pleasure.

[Blackhearted Flash coldly grabbed Ilya by the hair and lifted her up, then ripped out her heart.]

[“You—Aaaaaaaaah!!!”]

This bloody scene was witnessed by Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka, who had just finished disciplining Shinji Matou and rushed over.

Even though he wasn't very familiar with Illya, watching such a life perish before his eyes, and in such a cruel way—that's Shirou Emiya.

[Projection magic activated, Gan Jiang and Mo Xie appeared in his hands, and Shirou Emiya roared as he charged towards Black Heart Flash.]

Blackheart Flash revealed a hint of disdain, and with a casual wave of his hand, several Noble Phantasms shot out.

[Shirou Emiya swiftly swung his sword to parry, but was immediately thrown back by the powerful force, coughing up blood.]

His injuries haven't healed yet.

On the other side, Ilya lay in a pool of blood, one hand touching the ground in front of her.

That's where Hercules once lived.

"Even if it's pitch black, I won't be afraid, because Berserker is strong. Having someone like that by my side makes me feel safe..."

"You've always protected me. Although I was afraid at times, you're so gentle, and your strong physique is like a father's."

Just once more, I want you to hold me in your arms...

And so, the girl's body slowly sank into the depths of cold.

"Ouch! Ouch!!!!"

The Emiya family's rage has reached its maximum!

It's foreseeable that Gilgamesh and the Emiya family won't be able to have a proper conversation for a long time to come.

As for Gilgamesh, he scoffed at this.

That's the Lesser Holy Grail! Why not take it this way instead of letting him take the whole body back?

"hateful..."

Seeing himself in the video unable to save Illya, Shirou Emiya felt extremely guilty.

As it turns out, my actual skill level in the video wasn't high enough.

If we had the strength of Emiya Shirou, many tragedies could have been avoided.

He must work even harder and absolutely prevent what happened in the video from becoming a reality!

[On the Black Heart Flash side, having already obtained the Lesser Grail (Illya's Heart), he was too lazy to bother with Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka anymore, and simply left with Shinji Matou.]

Watching her leave like that, Shirou Emiya was powerless to stop her. With a grim face, he went forward, picked up Illya's body, and carried her back to the castle.

Once again, he failed to protect anything...

"...I don't want to see anyone die in front of me."

Looking at the lifeless little figure before him, Shirou Emiya was filled with grief.

He hates this kind of thing.

How heartbreaking it is to see people before you yearning for salvation but not being saved...

【"..."】

Rin Tohsaka looked at Illya's corpse with a complex expression.

What a cruel twist of fate!

[They came seeking help, but ended up being the ones needing help.]

This time, I really have to rely on myself.

Gina: "This is really..."

Blonde Rin: "This is just adding insult to injury—"

We haven't even dealt with Medea yet, and now we have another one, Blackheart Flash.

With their only potential reinforcements, Illya and Hercules, gone, it's truly unimaginable how Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya can turn the tide.

Time flies, and before you know it, a lot of time has passed.

[Inside the church.]

[The restless Archer (Red A) found Souichirou Kuzuki and started trying to get information out of him.]

He wanted to know Souichirou Kuzuki's wish.

Souichirou Kuzuki made no attempt to hide this.

[To fulfill Medea's wish—that was Souichirou Kuzuki's dream.]

The conversation reached Medea's ears without missing a beat.

[How could Medea possibly trust someone as unpredictable as Archer? Naturally, she monitored him constantly.]

At this moment, Medea was filled with happiness, relieved that she hadn't chosen the wrong person.

A warm home, and an honest husband who will never betray you.

My wish has actually already come true.

However, Medea's joy was short-lived, as she quickly reverted to her cold demeanor.

Because she sensed it; Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya had returned.

Since she's so eager to die, then this time she absolutely won't hold back.

[Video paused.]

[Question: What will be the outcome of the three decisive battles between Rin Tohsaka, Shirou Emiya, and Medea, Souichirou Kuzuki?]

[A: The battle has been successfully turned around; Medea has retreated with Souichirou Kuzuki.]

[B: The tide has turned; Medea and Souichirou Kuzuki have both perished.]

[C: The comeback failed, and both were killed by Medea.]

[D: The comeback failed, but Medea, being kind-hearted, let them go once again.]

[You have 1 minutes to answer the questions. Please begin now.]

"A comeback!"

Upon seeing this option, everyone frowned.

The opponent now has three Servants, including a Servant named Souichirou Kuzuki who is no less powerful. It will be extremely difficult for Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya to turn the tide.

Unless something unexpected happens... like, a black-hearted flash crashes in!

But if that guy Blackheart Flash shows up, he'll probably take care of both sides at once.

As for the outcome of failing to turn the tide—

Even if Medea is kind, she probably won't let them off this time.

After all, once or twice is acceptable, but not a third time.

"Hmph, I'd like to see how these two brats manage to turn the tables."

Medea curled her lip in disdain and chose C directly.

She didn't believe that a magician from the Age of Gods like herself could lose to two rookie magicians from the modern era.

[Time's up, the quiz is over.]

[The answers will now be revealed.]

Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya walked confidently toward the church, but Archer, who was on lookout duty, naturally stopped them first.

"I know you too well, you'll definitely come."

As for Rin Tohsaka's return, Archer had an expression that said, 'I expected this.'

As for Shirou Emiya standing to the side—ignore him completely.

Meanwhile, Shirou Emiya looked at Archer with a complicated expression.

Rin Tohsaka has already told him that Archer is his future self.

Blonde Rin: "Oh, so you're finally coming clean? I thought you were going to keep it a secret until the very end and let Emiya Shirou find out on his own."