"Gomen ne. Although I'm a little interested in you too, but... could you please hand over my 'Prince' to me?"
"If you do, I would be very grateful, Miss Illya."
The doll-like, blonde-haired girl spoke with perfect manners and sincerity. However, though her words were polite, they were laced with an unyielding firmness that brooked no refusal.
In response, a question mark floated above Miss Illya's head. She was utterly bewildered:
"...Pr-prince?!"
I don't know any prince!
"Master, what does this big sister mean...?"
"You can understand it from the literal meaning, can't you?"
"That child is a complete romantic."
"However... while I'm not particularly fond of that title, it sounds like something out of a fairy-tale love story. But in a way, that title isn't entirely wrong," the other [Illya], Mr. Jiang Qiao, sighed with a frown, looking somewhat troubled and perplexed.
"Well, how strange... Even though I haven't been particularly perfect in this regard, nor have I deliberately hidden anything, for that child to have noticed..."
"So, what should I do...?"
Feeling uneasy under Manaka Sajyou's stare, Miss Illya tried to ask for help—Help me, other Miss 'Illya'!
"That depends on you, Illya."
"If you don't satisfy that child's request, it will most likely escalate into an all-out brawl."
"So she's that forceful of a type?!"
"After all, that child is a prodigy naturally connected to the Root, earning her the nickname 'Princess of the Root.' Although this makes her life rather meaningless, if she sees something she's interested in, she'll probably find a way to possess it no matter what. You could say she's the type with a very strong, even pathologically so, possessive desire."
"From a combat perspective, even most Servants would have a hard time being Manaka Sajyou's opponent."
"Isn't that super troublesome?!"
"I really don't want to get into a fight with someone like that!" Hearing just how troublesome Manaka Sajyou was, Miss Illya met that smiling gaze and felt the pressure mounting, sweat dripping down her back.
"In that case, I'll have to step in myself," [Illya] said.
"Although in terms of magical expertise, I wouldn't lose even to the Princess of the Root—after all, beings within a world are always limited by the world itself—but to have a showdown with a GM like her, who is linked to the administrator, the impact and destruction would probably be considerable..."
"Probably... world-ending?"
"I don't want that!"
"Well, of course, it's also possible that no battle will break out at all. After all, I'm not very good at dealing with this type of girl."
"Phew... Is the world safe now?"
"With that child's personality, if she can achieve her goal, even if you 'wish' for something from her, it would probably be granted. Winning the Holy Grail War should be a piece of cake, since that child is not only quite powerful but also a prodigy in strategy."
"There's such a good deal?!" Miss Illya's face lit up with interest.
Handing over [Illya] means I can just lie back and win?!
An offer like that is almost impossible to refuse!
She subconsciously was already about to raise her hands in surrender to Miss Manaka—Big sister, I'll confess everything! Look at this Holy Grail...
However...
The next moment, [Illya] said with a hint of helplessness:
"If that's the case, I'll probably be 'taken away' by that child."
"Eh?"
"As I said, I'm not very good at dealing with this type of person."
"Although it's not something to be encouraged, and I am somewhat troubled by some of that child's personality traits, but just think about it, a sincere girlish romance, isn't that hard to refuse?"
"That makes a lot of sense, but could you be a little more resolute?!" Miss Illya couldn't help but retort, feeling indignant—Honestly, isn't this just being a 'player'?!
Ruby chirped, "Oooh, those are some very reasonable words! I agree!"
"Ruby, you knock it off too!"
"So... what's your decision?" [Illya]'s calm inquiry echoed in her ears.
At this moment, Miss Illya looked at the imposing blonde girl before her, feeling both fear and a struggle in her expression.
If possible, she really didn't want to clash with such a troublesome enemy.
But, if she handed over [Illya], she wouldn't have to fight this dangerous and troublesome Holy Grail War, right?
The words [Illya] had spoken were full of temptation, prodding at Miss Illya's nerves.
However...
If she handed him over, [Illya] would be taken away...
Miss Illya's mind flashed with memories of [Illya]. Although they had only been together for a few days and, apart from their similar appearances, could only be called strangers, but...
Letting [Illya] be taken away by another girl... she would never want that!
Putting aside the 'completely non-existent' subtle feelings that had blossomed from being with him—yes, definitely non-existent, after all, that was 'herself,' another 'Illya,' how could she have any feelings for herself?!—Just in terms of her own pursuit of a happy end, abandoning a companion was absolutely not allowed!
What's more, [Illya] was another her! How could she hand herself over?!
So—
"Argh, honestly!"
"I get it, I get it," Miss Illya stomped her foot in frustration.
The next moment, under Manaka Sajyou's puzzled gaze, she puffed out her chest, raised her head to look her straight in the eye, and shouted in her childish voice:
"I won't give him to you!"
"Neither the other me nor any 'prince' or whatever, I won't give any of it to you!"
At this moment, meeting the firm and decisive gaze from the girl's ruby-like eyes, Manaka Sajyou was somewhat astonished, caught off guard. The next moment, she smiled.
"Well... is that so? That's your answer."
"What a pity... you've made the wrong choice."
"A very wrong one."
"My apologies, I misjudged you too."
"I thought you were just an interesting, cute little cat, but it turns out..." Staring at Illya's face, she spoke word by word:
"You're a cheating cat!"
"Ch-cheating cat?!" Manaka's term directly startled Miss Illya.
That was not a nice thing to be called at all.
And even if they were to be technical about it, it should be...
"You're the one who came later!"
I met [Illya] first! He's my Master, another me! To call me a cheating cat, you're the one who is, right?! Miss Illya thought indignantly.
However, this sentence somehow made the atmosphere turn deathly silent. The smile on the blonde girl's face stiffened.
I'm the one who came later?
I was expecting a wonderfully romantic girlish love story, a reunion with my prince, why did it turn out like this?
The prince I've been dreaming of is monopolized by another woman, and she even dares to so shamelessly tell me 'you're the one who came later'... Ahhh...
At this moment, Miss Manaka Sajyou felt as if something inside her had shattered.
Hmm, probably her sanity?
"Honestly... what is this... Are you showing off or something?"
"Eh?"
"Unforgivable..."
"I won't forgive you!"
As Illya was about to say something, the girl, whose emotions had inexplicably become agitated, raised her hand.
"Lancer!"
"?"
The next moment, magical energy surged, and a sharp, crimson spear shot towards Illya.
Illya subconsciously wanted to block it with Ruby's magical barrier, but '[Illya]'s warning rang in her ears: "No good! That spear can't be blocked with magic!"
Perhaps it was the 'Firefly Card' taking effect. Illya's body moved on its own, hastily dodging. Finally, she got a clear look at the attacker.
"Mr. Lemonhead's Lancer?!"
Miss Illya was somewhat surprised.
Because "Mr. Brush" was a Servant who had appeared on the first night. Although at that time she was more focused on watching Madoka Magica and didn't pay much attention, she had heard [Illya] introduce information about this Servant—and thus, quite naturally, accepted '[Illya]'s nickname for "Mr. Lemonhead."
As for this Lancer...
The Crimson Rose of Exorcism?!
Miss Illya gazed at the long spear in his hand, and the information '[Illya]' had introduced flashed through her mind.
Honestly, she was somewhat afraid of this "Mr. Brush."
Although in terms of combat power, he wasn't as shocking as Gilgamesh, that big brother, or Kiritsugu's Servant, that Crimson Rose of Exorcism was practically the natural enemy of someone like her who relied on Ruby!
Ruby's magic defense couldn't block it at all. His Magic Resistance as one of the upper three Knight classes was also terrifying, making him the perfect counter for a "cannon" type like Illya. And his martial skill was not something Miss Illya could contend with...
And then there was the Yellow Rose that had screwed over Kiritsugu's Servant, that was also Ruby's natural enemy. If she were injured by that, Ruby's healing magic would be nullified...
Strange, he's Mr. Lemonhead's Servant, why would he listen to her?
Miss Illya was wary and full of doubt.
To this, '[Illya]' sighed:
"Well... although I warned Mr. Lemonhead at the time, it seems he didn't listen..."
Mr. Jiang Qiao was not surprised by this.
After all, he knew very well.
That Princess of the Root—Manaka Sajyou—besides her cheat-like magical talent, also possessed a very exquisite skill: 'Turning Enemies.'
Although her magic level was high, and she had mastered some rather tricky ancient magic that, once used, could rival a Heroic Spirit, her own combat power wasn't that strong, at least she would find it difficult against first-rate or even super first-rate Servants. Therefore, most of the time, she needed the assistance of a Servant.
To achieve this goal, she had to acquire other Servants.
Morgan was unreliable, as the two of them were the same type of 'stand-in,' neither good at frontal combat and more proficient in magic.
Therefore, on the first night, Morgan, at Manaka's instruction, tried to recruit the down-on-their-luck Shishigou team.
Although Mordred's strength was on the weaker side, with their reinforcement, even that Mr. Goldie would be nothing to fear.
But unfortunately, the result was obviously a failure.
However...
They obviously wouldn't give up on the idea of recruiting other Servants.
And so... there was now Lancelot, tangled in a fight with Saber.
And of course, that included the "Brush" before her now.
"My apologies. Although it is against my chivalry to raise my hand against a child and a woman, for my Master, I have no choice," Lancer said, taking a stance. Though full of apology, he quickly attacked [Illya].
She panicked.
He ignores defense and is skilled in close combat, how do I fight this?!
Maybe I should just surrender?!
Miss Illya inexplicably had a very spineless thought.
To this, [Illya] reminded her:
"Don't panic. Didn't I give you a card? Just use that."
"Oh, right! Found it! Ruby, Dream Summons!"
The next moment, with a surge of magical energy, Illya completed the release of the 'Firefly Card.' Her outfit changed abruptly, adding a headband and a viridian green skirt.
"Moths to a flame, rushing towards death to find life! I fight for myself, until everything is burned to ashes!"
Although a bit clumsy, Miss Illya, under [Illya]'s guidance, had learned how to use this card. She took the firefly-shaped transformation device and completed her transformation.
A pillar of fire shot into the sky, reddening half of it and illuminating the night.
This massive magical energy reaction made the Servants who were originally more focused on Saber's battle situation immediately turn their attention to Illya.
"Oooh... this is..."
The bright silver armor was transmitted through the familiars' eyes to every team.
However, it was a bit different from the original Firefly. The Firefly armor that Illya summoned from this 'Firefly' card was clearly more special.
It was a model specially customized for the Empress of Glamoth.
Although Firefly herself wasn't very interested in it, since she didn't care about such things—the original Firefly armor was already quite amusing to wear—but the Empire's higher-ups felt that such a standard-issue armor made it difficult to distinguish the great Her Majesty, the Empress of Glamoth. Thus, this custom model was born.
Of course, what Illya was using was just a replica.
It was a 'monkey model' reproduced by Mr. Jiang Qiao through the means of this world. Limited by the constraints of the magic system, its performance didn't even reach one percent of the original.
And at this moment, Miss Illya's stats after the Dream Summons appeared in '[Illya]'s eyes.
Illya
Class: Empress Glamoth (Originally Caster, forcefully overwritten after using this card.)
Strength: A++ (Originally E)
Endurance: A+ (Originally C)
Agility: A++ (Originally D)
Mana: EX
Luck: A+
Noble Phantasm: A++
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance: B
Infinite Magical Energy Supply: C
Glory of Glamoth: A (Originally EX, downgraded to A because it's only a replica and the user's own qualities are insufficient.)
Noble Phantasm:
Empress-Exclusive Firefly Armor (Replica)
Type: Anti-Unit
Rank: EX
Range: 1~99
Maximum Targets: 1
A multi-functional composite armor from the Glamoth Empire. The original version is a weapon capable of rivaling a planet or an interstellar fleet. But because this is a replica, subject to various limitations, it can only barely provide the ability to annihilate an army or a city head-on.
Elemental Saturation Bombardment
Rank: A++ (Originally A+)
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 1~999
Maximum Targets: 1000
Although the power is severely reduced due to having only a single jewel wand, thanks to the Firefly Armor's firepower enhancement, its power is greatly increased. But naturally, the consumption of magical energy is also more drastic, even reaching a level close to consuming life force.
Looking at Miss Illya's soaring stats, Miss [Illya] showed a slightly pleased expression, feeling a sense of accomplishment like a trainer who had raised a powerful Pokémon.
Great, the weak Miss Illya has finally become a little bit stronger.