Chapter 23: Rescue Mission

Chapter 23: Rescue Mission

"What do you mean I've awakened my powers?" Shirou asked curiously. Was it possible that Julius already knew about his Trace On?

"Shirou, the first time I saw you I felt that you had a unique talent. I'm not sure if it's because you've been fused with Avalon for so long or if it's something innate, but I'm sure that both your Element and your Origin are the same: Sword." Julius explained. "Because of this, your magecraft talent is low, and you can never surpass the level of a magus apprentice. However, something like this also comes with an advantage, and that is unsurpassed talent in certain specialties."

Everyone was stunned at the boy's strange condition. The only one who didn't change his expression was Archer.

"You mean my Trace On?" Shirou traced an iron sword out of thin air, it seemed fully functional.

"This is part of it, but it's not your full potential." Julius nodded. Tracing was an extremely peculiar form of magecraft, and even he wasn't sure he could use it properly even if he used his [Recording] ability on him. At least not until I got to Sequence 4. "This is something I want to discuss further with you once the war is over and I take you to the Clock Tower, however, you do have the ability to manifest a Reality Marble, which will allow you to reach heights far beyond that of any normal Servant."

"Wait, what?" Rin looked puzzled.

"Shirou, you are awesome!" Illya clung to the boy's shoulder, who seemed the most impressed of all.

"Shirou has that much potential?" It was hard for Saber to doubt the words of her Master since he had shown to have specific knowledge that exceeded that of others.

Even Emiya frowned in bewilderment. True, he was powerful when he used his Unlimited Blade Works, but Julius made it look like something that would put him at the top of the Servants.

Perhaps there was something he was missing? Something he hadn't figured out about his Reality Marble even after using it so many times?

Unnoticed by him, Julius gave him a sidelong glance.

'Emiya doesn't have the will to go to that extreme, not anymore. I need to completely redirect all the efforts Shirou is capable of in order to save people towards perfecting Unlimited Blade Works.' The magus was determined. He had taken a student under his wing and would do everything possible for him to reach his full potential. "Anyway, enough talk. Let's sleep tonight, I'm pretty tired after having to send a demon into space and fight the corrupted version of King Arthur. I'm sure Tohsaka needs some rest too."

The girl in question nodded fervently and let out an exaggerated sigh.

"I really need to sleep at least twenty hours straight."

They all said goodbye and went to their respective rooms. Luckily, the house was prepared to accommodate many guests, so there were no problems such as a lack of rooms.

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The next day, everyone woke up, albeit reluctantly in Rin's case.

"Okay, today we will save Sakura Matou and carry out the assassination of Zouken Matou if possible." Julius's words focused on Rin and Shirou. "You two know the girl, so it will be easier for you to convince her that we don't want her to come to any harm. It's likely that Zouken has somehow parasitized Sakura's body in order to keep her from getting out of his control, or as a form of security for himself."

Both teens tensed at the thought.

"I'll confirm this before we start the attack. If it's true, I'll need to take care of her myself. This is where you come in, Saber, I trust you can defeat the old man, but you are authorized to use your Noble Phantasm if necessary."

Julius's words surprised Artoria.

"Is it wise to reveal my identity, Master?" she questioned.

"Gilgamesh knows you from the previous war so it won't make any difference. Well, you should refrain from using Avalon since it's our trump card against him, but there won't be a problem with Excalibur."

Saber understood the reasoning and nodded.

"Archer, keep an eye on the area, as we will have to place a Bounded Field and that could attract an enemy." Rin ordered her Servant

"Really, you guys get all the fun." Archer commented with a wry smile.

Julius shook his head. "You have to think Lancer might come snooping around. Didn't you want to end your battle with him?"

The Servant heaved a sigh and raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay."

"If everything is clear, this very afternoon we will begin the rescue mission. The priority is the girl's safety, is that clear?" Julius asked them.

They all agreed.

"Oh, Illyasviel, there's something I need to discuss with you, come with me for a moment."

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I think that the end of this war may not please many, I am warning you. Still, you must trust that I am doing what I think is best for the story and that in the long run, this will surely be the best decision.