Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"My original design lifespan was only 9 years, but thanks to your efforts, it was forcibly doubled..."

"Now, there's no way to continue this."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Volume 4, Chapter 166: The Birth of Ilya (?)

Irisviel von Einzbern was designed as an artificial life form with a lifespan of only 9 years.

In the original plan, she was supposed to die at the same time as Einzbern's victory, and it was impossible for her to live until after the Fourth Holy Grail War.

However, during that ceremony, Irisviel herself developed a desire to live, ultimately betraying her family.

After the war, Irisviel's life was extended far beyond her original lifespan limit.

Shirou also thought she would live to be a hundred years old like an ordinary human being—no, he sincerely hoped so.

Although it was Irisviel who initially declared herself Shirou's "mother," after fighting and living together for so many years, Shirou had long regarded her as his real mother.

Irisviel's lifespan ends here... No, I don't want that kind of thing!

Shirou wants Irisviel to stay by his side forever, even if it's the fate of homunculus to not live long... at least let her live for another ten years, no, thirty years!!

Shirou forced a smile.

"Hahaha... Irisviel, what nonsense are you talking about? You're really trying to scare people."

You're not at the end of your life, you're just sick. Just rest for a few days and follow your treatment, and you'll recover completely.

Irisviel shook her head and said, "Shirou, you don't need to comfort me like that. I know my own body better than anyone else."

"..."

Shirou frowned, a nameless fire of anxiety rising in his chest.

"So let's stop talking about lifespan! That's not even a problem!"

Who decided that androids cannot live as long as humans?

"Irisviel, haven't you lived for over fifteen years? So this isn't a problem at all!"

As he said this, the boy reached out to the android's chest to check Avalon's magical response.

Tsk... The scabbard was still there, so why didn't you protect Irisviel? Aren't you the strongest guardian in the world?

Shirou poured more magic into the scabbard, and Irisviel, seeing his futile efforts, spoke up.

"Yes, thanks to Shirou, I've been able to live until now... but I've reached my limit..."

"That won't happen, I'll figure something out."

Shirou gripped the silver-haired android's hand tightly and said with a firm expression.

"I will absolutely find a way to keep Irisviel alive, even if it costs me all my resources."

"Shirou, thank you."

The silver-haired android stroked the boy's cheek and softly thanked him.

Shirou smiled happily: "Well, so Irisviel, you can rest now. Leave everything else to me—"

"I feel very happy right now..."

Irisviel gently interrupted Shirou's vow.

"Meeting you...being saved by you...living with you...spending almost a lifetime together as an artificial human..."

I'm such a terrible woman... From the very beginning, I was just trying to take advantage of you...

I wanted to use you to fulfill my selfish desires as a "mother," but I never considered your feelings or your happiness.

Over the years... I've caused you a lot of trouble, haven't I? It's no wonder you hate me..."

“Irisviel is my mother!” Shirou exclaimed.

“I’ve never thought of you as a nuisance, and I could never hate you… so stop thinking that way.”

The silver-haired android smiled weakly: "Shirou is such a gentle child."

Isn't this a bit too extravagant for my son?

Hehe... Just kidding, just kidding, don't be angry or glare at me..."

Irisviel closed her eyes, and beautiful memories of the past few years flashed through her mind.

Memories of her, Shirou, Sera, and Lyselle, sometimes with Fujimura Taiga and the others, of going to the park to admire flowers, of traveling abroad, and so on.

Every time, it's because Irisviel suddenly decides to go somewhere on a whim. Shirou complains incessantly, but in the end, he always gives in to her whims.

"Shirou, thanks to you, I am so happy... I am really grateful that you are willing to love a doll like me."

“I haven’t had a chance to do anything for Irisviel yet,” the boy said in a low, dejected voice.

"No, that's not true. You gave me all the happiness in the world that I could never have dreamed of..."

Irisviel gently stroked the boy's hair.

"I've experienced all the happiness in this world, and I have no regrets... In fact, I feel like I've hit the jackpot, haha!"

"So Shirou, you don't need to feel guilty... You should feel proud, because you even saved someone as difficult as me..."

So in the end, Shirou... say goodbye to me with a smile..."

"------"

Shirou was speechless.

Even if Irisviel says she has lived a very fulfilling and regretless life, he still can't accept it.

Living is more important than anything else; this is the value that Shirou formed during his long life in the Fairy Kingdom.

Shirou doesn't believe that people should resort to any means necessary to survive, or abandon all things noble, but—

What he couldn't accept was that Irisviel, who was so young and full of hope for the future, had so easily accepted her fate of death.

Shirou clenched his fist, determined to save Irisviel.

It's probably not enough to rely on my own strength alone; I must consult with others first.

Shirou's first thought was of his women, who were at the pinnacle of modern magic: Aoko, Arisu, Touko...

No, although their magic knowledge and skills are hundreds or thousands of times greater than mine, the three of them combined are not even 80 years old...

There is an even more suitable person to discuss this with—

Back in his room, Shirou took out a toy rubber duck from a drawer, awakening the necromancer's intellect sealed within it.

Shirou told Machiavelli about Irisviel, and the latter fell into a brief silence after listening.

"Is there any way, Machiri?" Shirou urged anxiously.

"Kukuku... kid, do you know why artificial life forms have such short lifespans?"

Shirou thought for a moment and replied, "To save costs?"

"That little girl is a homunculus created as a minor Holy Grail. Do you think the richest Einzbern in the world would be unwilling to invest resources in her?"

"Won't……"

Shirou, feeling impatient, pressed on, "Stop keeping me in suspense, Machiri."

Machiri said, "Artificial life forms are originally born in the form of adults, and are creatures that can move immediately the moment they are completed. If the way they are created is perfect enough, they will not die when their lifespan is over."

However, perhaps because their birth method is inherently against the natural order, most artificial life forms have some physical defects.

The Einzberns are an exceptional case among exceptional cases. They possess world-class alchemy and are also ancient descendants of the Third Magic, which has existed for over 2000 years.

However, artificial life forms other than Einzbern were not so lucky. Many of them were born with weak constitutions, and some even lacked the most basic intelligence.

Even—there are artificial life forms created as batteries to supply magic power.

Perhaps because of Irisviel, Shirou felt a surge of anger.

Despite possessing human form and intelligence, they were born merely as beings to be plundered, used, and discarded.

Is this kind of thing common in the world of magicians?

"Kukuku, don't be angry, don't be angry... I haven't finished speaking yet."

The little yellow duck's sticky laughter calmed Shirou down a bit.

Machiri continued, "The lifespan of an artificial human is often related to its design features."

An android created as a soldier, an android with top-tier magic circuits—

Their lifespan is often shorter than that of ordinary androids, probably two or three months to half a year is the limit.

Shirou immediately thought of Lyselette and Sera, but their lifespans were not short.

They seem to have been born shortly before the Holy Grail War, and are now seven or eight years old.

"So Einzbern is an exception among exceptions."

The stronger a cyborg's performance in a certain aspect, the weaker its lifespan and other functions.

Even the true Third Mage was not spared.

Is the "Winter Saintess" this guy is referring to?

Shirou heard that Irisviel's ancestor, Justessa, was born weak and sickly, and could hardly walk.

Although she mastered true magic, her performance as a sorcerer was extremely poor, which is why she transformed her physical body into the Holy Grail.

"Oh right, and that 'Heaven's Garment'."

She was originally created as a Mystic Code for the "Minor Grail," and should perish along with the "Minor Grail" when it dies.

"Lyselite too... So what's the method? Machiri, I didn't call you out here to listen to a lecture. Is there any way to prolong the life of an artificial human?"

"No."

Machiri said, "I think I've made myself very clear. Even the world's strongest artificial human technology, the Einzbern family, can only extend the 'Minor Grail' for a maximum of nine years."

This is the limit of magic.

From this perspective, the little girl from Einzbern can indeed be considered the culmination of all her achievements.

"If magic doesn't work, how about sorcery?"

"Hmm... if the Greater Grail were still around, perhaps I could try making this wish to it, Kukuku."

Machiri said in a joking tone, and Shirou glared at him fiercely.

"Magic other than the third one."

"It probably won't work."

Why can you make such a assertion?

"My old friend was the greatest alchemist in human history, which is why I can make such a statement."

Shirou said, "Huh? I'm not interested in your past experiences. We're talking about the lifespan of androids now."

Marchi said, "The so-called artificial life form (Homunculus) is, in essence, an existence 'forged' based on magic circuits."

Because they cannot experience accumulation and growth like humans, their souls are as pure and fragile as those of infants.

This is the real reason why androids have short lifespans; their souls are incomplete... to put it another way, like embryos soaking in a flask.

So even if you bury the Knight King's sword sheath into the android's body, it will be useless. It is not the body that ages rapidly, but the soul.

To change the lifespan of androids, one must use the third magic—to fundamentally alter their souls.

The room fell silent.

Shirou had his head down, seemingly lost in thought.

At this moment, Machiri spoke up and asked.

"Kid, why do you want to save the little girl from Einzbern? Is it just because of your pointless kindness?"

Shirou answered without hesitation: "No, I couldn't have done this if it were someone unrelated."

If Shirou sees a cancer patient in the hospital, he will only do what he can to help.

There are over 60 billion people in the world; he can't possibly save everyone, but—