With the death of Acht Einzbern, the Einzbern Clan's final humanoid control terminal, it was essentially equivalent to the downfall of the Einzbern Clan. Such groups, with a single existence as their absolute core leader, are like this: once the head dies, they lose their power.
Conversely, if Acht Einzbern had escaped, it would not have been a crippling blow to the Einzbern Clan. As Golem Jubstacheit, the father of all Homunculuses, as long as he had enough time to find another secluded corner of the world to settle down, perhaps in a hundred or two hundred years, another Einzbern Castle would be shrouded by a hidden great barrier, concealed within the world.
Rin watched with interest as the seventeen "Irisviels" who had just defected and eliminated Acht Einzbern, nodding with a pleased smile.
At this moment, these elite combat Homunculi, who were the foundation of the Einzbern Family, were all in a frozen state before Rin, standing silently with their eyes closed.
If one observed closely, they would notice that their human aura was becoming increasingly real; compared to their previous mechanical appearance, they were drawing closer to being human.
"The newly implanted souls still need time to integrate with their bodies, so I'll give you all another push."
The chalice materialized again, and overflowing soul energy spread out under Rin's control, an invisible wave of soul-cleansing washing over the Homunculi.
The Homunculi opened their bright red eyes, no longer dull and indifferent; the colors of humanity began to appear on them.
"Thank you, Master, for bestowing new life! (×17)"
Upon awakening, the seventeen "Irisviels" immediately bowed and thanked Rin, who smiled gently and accepted their gratitude.
After seeing these seventeen exquisite, top-tier Homunculi of the Einzbern, Rin decided to claim them for herself.
The Homunculi created by Einzbern were truly miraculous, almost divine.
The fact that Irisviel could conceive Illya with Kiritsugu Emiya showed how wondrous they were; their only flaw was their soul, which even a simulated soul could not perfectly mend.
The soul is the blueprint of the body, the driver of the flesh, and the vessel for mysteries.
Without a soul, it cannot be considered life, and a flawed soul directly impacts the body, leading to weakness, rapid aging, and so on.
The reason these Homunculi, possessing the strength of Heroic Spirits, only had a lifespan of one day was because their simulated souls could not sustain such bodies, leading to rapid aging and collapse after activation.
Now, Rin, with the magic of the chalice, completed their souls, allowing them to overcome the final and greatest hurdle between Homunculus and human, truly becoming human.
Therefore, bestowing new life was an undeniable fact, not an exaggeration!
"Master, how are things on your end?"
At this moment, Jalter and Black Ya pushed open the chapel doors and entered, having clearly sensed Rin's location through their contractual link and rushed over.
"Ah, quite well, a bountiful harvest."
Rin replied with a smile, scanning around and noticing Artoria was absent.
"Where's Saber?"
"I'm here."
Just then, the king of knights, in silver armor and blue dress, walked in, holding a Little Girl who looked to be only five or six years old—it was Illya.
The girl, like snow, had silver hair and red eyes, dressed in purple, appearing innocent and naive, making one think of a snow elf.
Her delicate, doll-like face was filled with fear and shyness, clearly overwhelmed by the sudden drastic changes in her home, so adorable that Rin almost wanted to pinch her cheek.
"It's alright, don't be scared.
My father entrusted me to pick you up.
This is what he gave me."
Illya looked at the pendant belonging to Kiritsugu Emiya in Rin's hand, and her fear immediately subsided.
If she hadn't recognized Artoria, who was holding her, the Little One would probably have been terrified.
"Did Kiritsugu send you to pick me up?"
Illya blinked her bright big eyes at Rin, asking curiously:
"Yes, we are friends of your mother, and your father found us to pick you up together."
"But Grandpa said Kiritsugu betrayed everyone and killed Mom."
A shadow fell over Illya's lively eyes as she looked down in disappointment.
Artoria, holding her, also looked at her with pity, as such a truth was too cruel for an innocent child.
"Perhaps so, Kiritsugu Emiya did betray the Einzbern, but he didn't betray you.
His willingness to risk his life and everything he had to ask us to save you is the best proof.
You'll meet him soon, and then you can complain to him properly."
Rin smiled, reaching out to ruffle Illya's smooth, shiny silver hair.
The soul-healing power of the chalice's magic also washed over and illuminated Illya's fragile soul.
Illya was different from ordinary Homunculi; she was the product of a Homunculus and a human, and her physical structure and soul composition differed from both.
From within her mother's womb, she had undergone extensive magical modifications, overdrawing too much of her life potential.
Simply completing her soul couldn't solve the fundamental problem.
It seemed Rin would need to thoroughly study the Einzbern's Homunculus technology before finding a way to cure her.
Rin frowned slightly, using her magic to investigate Illya's physical condition, concluding it was very poor.
However, Illya, whose silver hair was being smoothed, felt an unprecedented sense of comfort under the nourishment of the chalice's magic, as if her soul was immersed in a hot spring.
Unconsciously, she completely let go of her shyness and fear towards Rin.
"Thank you, Auntie."
Click... Illya's petrification magic hit its target, with excellent effect.
Tohsaka Rin was hit and could no longer move, deceased!
Rin's body stiffened, and she turned her head, trembling violently, her facial muscles twitching as she looked at Illya.
"A... A... Auntie?"
Illya's large, crystal-like red eyes looked at Rin innocently.
"Mom's good friend should be called Auntie, right?
Did Illya do something wrong?"
"No... no, it's just..."
Even Rin, who had defeated the King of Conquerors and fought Gilgamesh, now didn't know how to answer this innocent Little Girl.
Although what she said was entirely correct, the fact was... I'm actually a year younger than you!
What the hell is this, calling me Auntie!?
Rin, unconsciously tugging at her twin-tails and roaring internally, suddenly felt her whole world collapse!
She didn't dwell on the issue for long, quickly calming down and turning to the "Irisviels" standing silently by her side, instructing them:
"I'll leave Illya in your care for now.
I've already notified Miku to pick up Kiritsugu Emiya.
As the ultimate guardians of the Einzbern Clan, you should know where the Einzbern core vault is, right?"
The Irisviels looked at each other, then the one who had first fought Rin, the "Irisviel" using a knight's sword, stepped forward and said to Rin:
"I apologize for my previous offense, Master.
I shall guide you."
"Good, then I'll leave it to you."
It was then that Illya noticed the Irisviels standing by, their familiar figures, delicate faces, pure white hair fluttering, and red eyes filled with gentle expressions, all complemented by their white family dresses... these were definitely not those inferior, inorganic Homunculi!
"Mommy? So many Mommies?"
Illya said blankly.
"Oh! Is that Illya? We finally get to see you!"
Artoria placed Illya on the ground and, along with Rin, headed towards the Einzbern's collection room. Illya, left behind, was immediately surrounded by the newly awakened Irisviels! They were all incredibly affectionate.
"Illya, we've wanted to see you for a very, very long time! Unfortunately, Master Acht Einzbern only kept us dormant before, so we never had the chance! Thanks to our Master, we finally had the opportunity to fully awaken and become true humans..."
"Uh..."
Faced with the kind care and affection from a group of people who looked exactly like her mother but were definitely not her mother, yet were full of emotion, Illya was clearly overwhelmed. Like a doll, she was hugged and pinched by the Irisviels, indicating she was completely unable to adapt. What exactly was going on!
"Kiritsugu, come save me!"
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