Illya kept staring at Rei, hesitating to accept his offer. She could feel the eyes of those around her, as if waiting for her to make a decision.
Her thoughts were interrupted when someone landed near them.
"What happened? The world suddenly reversed..." Before Saber could finish her sentence, she noticed Rei, Ayaka, Echidna, and Archer already there.
"I see, so that's what happened," Saber said, immediately understanding the situation without further explanation.
She walked toward her Master. "Master, did you, Sakura, and Rin manage to defeat Shinki?" she asked.
"Yes, we managed to beat her, but before we could do anything, she disappeared, consumed by her own shadow," Rin replied.
"She escaped? That's really bad. Considering what she can do, it's not good if she's roaming freely in the town," Saber said gravely.
"What about her Servant? Did you manage to defeat Rider?" Sakura asked.
"Yes, thanks to this sword, I managed to beat her easily," Saber said, showing her sword.
The moment Shirou looked at the sword, he felt dizzy and clutched his head. "What is that? That sword contains so many concepts I can't analyze it at all. My head is spinning."
"It's the weapon Rei gave me during my fight with Rider. It's Excalibur from his world, but for some reason, it feels different from when he first used it," Saber explained.
Their conversation about the sword piqued Ayaka's curiosity, prompting her to join them and ask about what happened after she and Archer were kidnapped by Rei earlier.
"What's your answer, Illya?" Rei asked again, this time gently touching her cheek with his finger.
The moment his finger touched her cheek, he immediately felt how soft and smooth her skin was, reminding him of the texture of Harvin skin—soft and delicate.
"Don't touch me!" Illya instantly slapped Rei's hand away. "Because of you, my grand plan failed," she pouted, turning away.
"You mean your plan to show off Berserker? Well, your Berserker is impressive for a Servant, especially with his ability to revive after death. But using your entire body's circuits as a Mana battery for him is a bad idea," Rei said casually.
Hearing that, Illya was surprised—not just because Rei knew Berserker's Noble Phantasm, but also because he knew what she had done to form a contract with Berserker.
"You know?" she asked quietly.
"Of course I know. I even know what happened to your parents, if you're curious," Rei replied.
Illya fell silent again, pondering his words. This time, she truly thought hard about the consequences, recalling a quote from a book she once read: "Making a deal with a devil grants your wish, but at the cost of everything."
"What will you gain if I accept your offer?" she asked again, still hesitant.
"I don't know. That's what I enjoy about analyzing something—you never know what you'll get," he said with a smile, his gaze tracing her entire form.
"...Fine, I accept. But you'd better follow through on what I ask," Illya finally said, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Hearing Illya's agreement, Rei smiled, releasing the power that had been keeping her floating in front of him.
"Eh?!" Illya yelped as she suddenly began falling, only to be caught mid-air by Rei before she hit the ground.
"You know, I've always liked you since the first time I saw you," Rei whispered softly into her ear, his tone calm yet teasing.
"Eh!?" Illya looked confused, her cheeks turning a faint shade of red. She opened her mouth to ask what he meant, but before she could say anything, Rei turned to address the others.
"Sakura, Rin, I need to leave for a few days. I'll let the two of you and Shirou handle Shinki like he wanted. But if I come back and it's not done, I'll take care of her myself." With that, Rei vanished with Illya.
"Wait, what?! Rei, hold on!" Rin exclaimed, but her voice trailed off as they both disappeared completely.
Silence fell over the group, and the frozen world Rei had created resumed. Time began moving once again, and the students and teachers in the school were starting to stir.
"Time's resuming. We should get out of here. Should we regroup at Tohsaka's basement?" Archer suggested, her sharp eyes scanning the area.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Without wasting time, Archer, Saber Alter, and Echidna disappeared, while Rin, Sakura, and Shirou made their way inside the school building.
---
Meanwhile, Rei and Illya reappeared just outside the Einzbern castle, located outside Fuyuki City.
However, they weren't alone—Rei had also teleported Berserker, who now stood behind them.
"This… this is my castle! Why are we here?" Illya asked, immediately recognizing her surroundings.
"Naturally, we need to inform your two maids about the situation. And while we're at it, tell your Servant to stop glaring at me like he wants to crush me with that oversized stone sword," Rei said nonchalantly.
Illya turned to look at Berserker and saw that he was, in fact, glaring at Rei, his tension palpable as he watched Rei carry her.
"No, Berserker! I'm fine—don't do anything," Illya commanded firmly.
Hearing his master's words, Berserker slowly calmed down, eventually making his sword vanish.
"Seeing you control Berserker so easily is always impressive," Rei commented, his gaze shifting to the giant Servant. "The fact that you manage to control the hardest Servant to handle, even increasing his Madness Enhancement yourself… that's why I like you."
"Why do you keep saying you like me?! This is only the second time we've met!" Illya exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.
Rei didn't answer her, instead opening the castle door and stepping inside, still carrying her in his arms.
"Can you at least put me down?" Illya muttered, her face flushed with embarrassment.
She hadn't been held like this since she was a child, back when her mother was alive and her *father* hadn't yet disappeared. Especially not by someone with an appearance like Rei—his silver hair, sharp features, and strikingly clear sky-blue eyes that reflected her image. Add in the twelve dark wings on his back, and it was impossible not to notice him.
Rei's presence alone was enough to turn heads if he were to walk through any town.
"No, you're so soft, Illya. And I really like your long white hair," Rei replied casually, ignoring her request as he continued walking.
Suddenly, he stopped, his senses alert.
A moment later, a halberd came crashing down in front of him, smashing the floor beneath it.
Rei looked up and saw two women in matching maid uniforms staring down at him from the upper level.
"Who are you, intruder?" asked the maid with the larger chest, her voice cold and commanding.
But as soon as both maids noticed Illya being carried by Rei, their demeanor changed in an instant.
"Ojou-sama!" they exclaimed in panic, rushing down the stairs toward her.
But before the two maids could reach where Rei and Illya were standing, they stopped abruptly, their eyes narrowing as they looked at Rei with caution.
Seeing his appearance made them halt in their tracks.
"That appearance..." Leysritt, the maid with the larger chest murmured.
"Hey! What are you doing with our Ojou-sama? Put her down, intruder!" Sella, the other maid, exclaimed without hesitation, her tone sharp and commanding.
"No, Liz, Sella, I'm fine. This is..." Illya faltered, unsure of how to introduce Rei.
She glanced at him, clearly debating what to say. When Rei noticed her staring at him, he gave her a soft smile, his expression warm and confident.
"...He's a guest," Illya finally managed, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment as she addressed her maids.
"Yes, like your Ojou-sama said, I'm her guest. I've come to say hello, and Illya has something to tell the both of you," Rei added smoothly, his tone calm and unbothered by their suspicion.
"Guest? If you're a guest, then you should have an invitation! You don't just barge in like this!" Sella retorted, glaring at Rei with distrust.
"Sella, please be silent for a moment," Leysritt interrupted, her voice as emotionless as ever.
Leysritt continued to study Rei intently, observing his silver hair, piercing blue eyes, and overall imposing presence. This was undoubtedly the person her Ojou-sama had been asking her to gather information about.
Leysritt wondered how did Illya go from wanting to *save* her onii-chan to suddenly returning with the very person who seemed to annoyed her before?
"Ojou-sama, we need a full explanation of what's happening here," Leysritt said, her tone devoid of any emotion as her gaze remained fixed on Rei.
A few moments later, the group arrived at the mansion's main room, a space typically reserved for entertaining guests.
The room, like the rest of the castle, was extravagantly decorated with luxurious furniture and adorned with priceless, ancient artifacts. The atmosphere reeked of opulence and formality.
Rei gently put Illya down and casually walked toward the couch. Standing beside it, he motioned formally toward the seat.
"Well, the master of the house should take her seat first," he said, his tone playful yet polite.
Illya puffed her cheeks slightly, muttering something under her breath, but obediently moved to sit on the couch. Rei took his place across from her, while Leysritt and Sella positioned themselves behind Illya like vigilant sentinels.
"So, Illya, care to explain to your maids why we're here?" Rei asked, initiating the conversation.
Illya crossed her arms and turned her head to the side, pouting. "No, you're the one who dragged us here. You take responsibility and explain!"
With a sigh and a slight shake of his head, Rei decided to take the lead. He explained to the two maids about the deal he made with Illya and the other stuff like how both of them gonna be gone for few days.
Naturally, Leysritt and Sella were immediately against the idea.
"Why would you make a deal with someone like him, Ojou-sama? That was a reckless decision!" Sella scolded, her voice filled with concern. She was really protective of Illya, whom she deeply cared for.
Illya looked away, embarrassed, and replied, "Because... he can bring Mother back. And that old man, too."
Sella frowned, while Leysritt crossed her arms, her expression unchanging. "Are you certain he has the ability to do that? What if he's just trying to take advantage of you?"
Illya hesitated for a moment. "I don't know... But after seeing what he's capable of, there's no reason for him to trick me. If he wanted something from me, he could have just taken it by force."
Rei smiled faintly and added, "Exactly. This is a deal where we both benefit. I gain something from analyzing your body, and in return, I bring your parents back."
The maids exchanged skeptical looks. While they still didn't trust Rei, they couldn't argue against Illya's decision. As her maids, their duty was to follow her wishes, no matter how much they disliked it.
"Understood," Leysritt finally said. "But we'll accompany Ojou-sama to ensure nothing happens to her."
"Agreed. He's been treating her far too familiarly for my liking. We'll keep an eye on him," Sella added.
Rei smirked and shrugged. "Sure, bring your maids along. I don't mind." He then glanced at Illya, whose pout deepened.
She sighed. "Alright, let's just get this over with already. The sooner we're done, the sooner I can go back to the Grail War."
Illya just want to continue the war and showing off berserker, and if what Rei said is true then it's gonna be bonus where she's beating up Kiritsugu, but then she suddenly felt her body lift off the couch.
"Eh?! What are you doing? Stop making me float like this!" she shouted, flailing her arms.
"Don't be like that, Illya. You're so soft; it's comforting to hold you," Rei teased, scooping her up effortlessly.
"I AM NOT A PILLOW!" she screamed in protest, her face red with embarrassment.
Rei only laughed in response, his carefree demeanor unshaken. With a wave of his hand, a glowing blue appeared before them.
"You two can bring anything you think Illya might need, but don't take too long. This portal won't stay open forever," he said, stepping into the portal with Illya in his arms.
Leysritt and Sella stood there, watching the two disappear into the shimmering gateway.
"You know," Sella said after a moment, "if Ojou-sama really didn't want to be carried, she could've used her magecraft—or even Berserker—to stop him."
Leysritt remained silent, her expression still the same like before and then She simply turned and began gathering Illya's clothes and necessities for the journey.
"Hey! I know I'm right. Don't just ignore me!" Sella huffed, chasing after her as she continued to grumble.