chapter 242

Clack, clack, clack, clack!

As the door holding Miyu came closer, the hero's face lit up with visible joy.

Beside him was another Shirou Emiya, just rescued and still unaware of the situation, and... Rin and Luvia.

"Miyu..."

The hero's near-whispered murmur, filled with deep emotion, made Shirou, who was also rushing up the tower steps, feel a wave of sentiment.

Who would have thought Miyu's brother was a parallel world version of himself? No wonder when Miyu first saw him, she instinctively called out "brother" and ran into his arms.

After thinking for a while, Shirou found comforting words that wouldn't be awkward. He spoke up.

"Don't worry, we'll definitely rescue Miyu. She's a good girl..."

"Uh..."

Rin, following behind them, showed a strange expression upon hearing Shirou's raspy voice and couldn't help but ask, "Hey, Emiya, what's wrong with your throat? Why is it so hoarse?"

"It's a long story..."

Shirou's raspy voice made one wonder if he had drunk any water for days.

"OK! Hold on a second!"

Seeing Shirou about to go into a long explanation, Luvia, walking beside Rin, raised her hand to stop him: "Since it's a long story, let's save it for later. Rescuing Miyu is our priority now!"

...

Finally! Finally...!

Looking at the door just a few steps away, the hero's heart filled with excitement, especially at the thought of seeing that small figure once he opened the door.

Three steps, two steps, one step...

The door handle was right in front of him!

Reaching out, just about to touch...

"Really, you managed to find quite a loophole, but this also shows your strength is not to be underestimated, and I indeed was careless. Let me introduce myself, I'm Darius Enzbern, head of the Enzbern family..."

At the moment the lazy-sounding man's voice rang out, both Shirou Emiya and Rin and Luvia felt an immense pressure!

This pressure, like gravity on their bodies, appeared out of nowhere, making them unable to resist or fight back!

As a result, all four of them were immediately pressed to the ground, unable to move!

"Gravity... is it?"

Rin struggled with all her might against the pressure, but it was useless. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't lift a finger!

At the same time, she was deeply shocked. If Darius was here, it meant that Bazett and Lancer had failed within those few minutes!

"No... it's not gravity. This is... conceptual interference..."

Luvia, nearly flattened by the ground and in pain, answered. Then, she forced her eyes open to look at the unkempt man who had just appeared, and at the card he held between his index and middle fingers.

"Another... card..."

"Unseen Sovereign of Black Jade..."

Darius lazily announced the Noble Phantasm card in his hand.

Unseen Sovereign of Black Jade!

Not gravity, nor body manipulation, but a Noble Phantasm that interferes with the opponent through concepts!

A Noble Phantasm not found in the King's Treasury!

"Give... give Miyu back to me..."

The hero struggled to speak, unable to resist the pressure despite his strength!

"Oh, what are you talking about? Give her back?"

Darius seemed intrigued, crouching down in front of the hero with a playful expression.

"Ahahaha! How funny! Emiya Shirou! Don't worry, I won't kill you. After all, as a tool, you still have a use—to make Miyu obedient..."

"Bastard!!"

Shirou cursed. People who use such underhanded methods to manipulate others are never good people!

"But you..."

Darius's tone shifted, and he looked at Shirou, Rin, and Luvia.

"You're different. You've intruded into my Enzbern family twice. If I don't repay the favor, it would be impolite. After all, I don't want people to say the Enzbern family is rude. Don't you agree?"

"Where is Julian?"

The hero, gritting his teeth, forced out the question.

"Julian? Oh, there was such a person, but... he's no longer here."

"What?!" The hero was shocked.

Swish, swish, swish!!

Boom!!

Several sword lights flashed across the walls, and the top room of the tower collapsed into ruins!

In the moment of the sword lights, Darius reacted quickly, dodging the sword aimed at his back with ease!

"Brother!"

Having summoned Saber's card and wielding Excalibur, Miyu, who had just destroyed the room, anxiously called out upon seeing the hero and others immobilized at the door.

"Shirou, Rin, Luvia! Are you alright?"

Illya, who had slipped into the room unnoticed, called out anxiously.

Seeing the Class Card in Illya's hand, Darius looked a bit helpless, scratching his greasy hair.

"Honestly, I was too careless, letting someone sneak into this room..."

"Never underestimate... the Einzbern family!!"

Without further ado, Illya pulled out a silver hair, her face serious, and with a strong pull, countless silver threads shot towards Darius, binding his right hand. Simultaneously, Miyu, wielding Excalibur, rushed forward to strike!

But...

Clang!

Seeing Darius effortlessly catch Excalibur with his left hand, everyone was in disbelief. This person... was absurdly strong!

"So, this is the Einzbern family?"

Unconcerned with Excalibur, Darius looked disappointedly at the silver threads on his right hand, then casually pulled, breaking them instantly!

"Far from it. Compared to my Enzbern family, the Einzbern are miles away."

Seeing Darius shaking his head in regret, Illya was angry but didn't lose her composure. She replayed all of Darius's words in her mind.

"Julian? Oh, there was such a person, but... he's no longer here."

"My Enzbern family..."

Displacement magic, consciousness transfer, dolls...

Could it be!!!

Suddenly, Illya thought of a shocking possibility, her eyes widening, but only for a fraction of a second.

"Miyu! Use this card!"

Without hesitation, Illya tossed Caster's card to Miyu, while keeping a close eye on Darius.

"Got it! Illya!"

Miyu responded, stepping back, exiting Saber's summoning, and using Caster's card for a new summon!

Clap, clap!

Seeing this, Darius couldn't help but applaud, not stingy with his praise.

"Oh, remarkable insight, Illyasviel! Indeed, to deal even a tiny bit of damage to me, only that Noble Phantasm could do it. But..."

Darius grinned, his eyes and face showing a hint of madness.

"You need to hit me first!"

Just as he finished speaking, Darius suddenly froze, realizing Illya had vanished from beside Miyu!

Stab—!

Turning mechanically, Darius saw Illya, transformed using Archer's card, and the blade of her Noble Phantasm piercing his back!

"You... you little...!"

At that moment, Darius remembered this Servant not only had projection magic but also teleportation skills! He finally realized he had been fooled by this seemingly elementary-school-aged girl!

"That's right, Darius Enzbern. Everything just now was to confuse you. Having Miyu use Caster's card was a diversion. The real attack is this! This Servant's projection magic!"

"Bastard—!"

Darius raged, but could do nothing as another consciousness within him began to awaken, and his body started to lose control!

Seeing Darius in pain, stumbling backward, and groaning, Illya didn't care much. She ran towards Shirou and the others.

"Shirou, are you alright?"

Feeling the pressure lift, Shirou stood up: "Yeah, I'm fine. By the way, Illya, this form..."

Looking at Illya's scantily clad heroic spirit form, Shirou felt awkward.

"It's my first time using it, but I'm glad it worked."

Illya glanced at herself, then quickly exited the summoning. Unlike Miyu with unlimited magical power from Ruby, her own vast but finite magic required careful use!

"Brother..."

Miyu, having exited her summoning, helped the hero up, tears of longing in her eyes.

"It's all over now, Miyu."

The hero's gentle voice and gaze held only Miyu.

Watching this, Illya compared the hero with Shirou, feeling a bit jealous.

Look at him and then look at you. Both are Shirou, but the difference is huge. Why can't your eyes hold only me?

Illya could be a good sister like this too! Just say the word, and Illya will be as capable and caring as Miyu every day!