Chapter 35: The Funeral (Patreon)

At 7:30 in the morning, Shinji finally composed himself, changed into the solemn black Japanese-style mourning clothes he had prepared in advance, and stepped out of his room at an easy, steady pace.

Today’s main event was the funeral.

He had already handled every arrangement by email the previous day. Anyone who needed to be notified had been. The cemetery plot, coffin, tombstone, and the funeral hall were all secured overnight through the efficient work of the company—no, the conglomerate—that Shinji now controlled.

The Buddhist monks assigned to conduct the rites had arrived outside the Matou residence moments earlier.

The choice to use monks instead of hiring a priest for a Western-style service was deliberate. It symbolized the Matou family’s complete departure from the world of magecraft.

Stepping into the parlor, Shinji immediately saw Sakura—already dressed in dark mourning attire—receiving a familiar monk: Ryoudou Reikan, Issei’s older brother.

Although a bit surprised Sakura had dressed for the funeral, Shinji didn’t inquire. He simply joined Reikan and began discussing final details regarding the ceremony.

…

By evening, the intentionally simple, streamlined funeral concluded.

The coffin—containing only two pieces of clothing—was lowered into the ground.

In the dim, heavy atmosphere of the cemetery, Shinji encountered an uninvited attendee.

The Magical Girl Illya… no—Illyasviel von Einzbern.

A petite girl with red eyes and silver hair, dressed in an elegant purple dress, had been standing quietly at a distance throughout the entire service.

By the time the funeral ended, night had fully fallen. Only faint traces of sunset clung to the horizon.

Just as Shinji, who stayed until the final moment, and Sakura, who had insisted on attending despite everything, were preparing to leave, Illya approached them.

"Once, a great wish also resided with a man… In other words, did Makiri remember his original wish in the end?"

Shinji didn’t respond. The line she quoted—“Once, a great wish also resided with a man”—was inscribed on Zōken’s tombstone.

"Ah, I almost forgot," Illya said lightly. "I should introduce myself at a time like this."

Lifting her dress slightly, she crossed one foot behind the other and performed a graceful noble curtsy.

"My name is Illyasviel von Einzbern. You can call me Illya. I suppose you’ve heard the name Einzbern, right, big brother? If not, then this big sister must have heard of it, surely?"

Shinji remained silent, brow slightly furrowed. Sakura followed his lead and said nothing.

Their lack of reaction made Illya giggle.

"How amusing. The elder brother with no magical aptitude seems to know everything, and the big sister with magical aptitude knows so very little. How fascinating. Grandfather Makiri’s education methods were… intriguing."

"No, your name was too long. I didn’t catch it. Can you repeat it?" Shinji said flatly.

Illya froze.

"You can just call me Illya, big brother. Your songs and novels are famous abroad too. I really like them."

"Thanks, but they were all plagiarized."

"Hahaha, big brother, you’re funny." She twirled slightly, then looked up at him. "Anyway, I see what the Matou family intends. Avoiding the Western Church and using a traditional Japanese funeral—this is your announcement of withdrawing from magecraft, correct? But isn’t it a waste? This big sister’s magical potential is quite impressive."

"Perhaps," Shinji replied with a shrug. "But my sister says she doesn’t want to become a magus. As her brother, I can only support what she wants."

"Big sister, you have a very good brother," Illya said sweetly, her eyes curving with a meaning only she knew. "Truly enviable."

"Illyasviel," Shinji said, his tone turning more cautious, "the reason you came here is because you're participating in that war, right? Now that the Matou family is no longer involved—"

"Don’t misunderstand, big brother," Illya cut him off with a raised finger. "Since the Matou are out, we’re not enemies. I simply came to pay respects to Grandfather Makiri, who had ties with the Einzbern. I just didn’t expect an unexpected bonus."

She turned her gaze to the other side of the tombstone, where another short epitaph was carved.

"Had forgotten the light… What a simple epitaph. But fitting. Grandfather Makiri remembered his original wish in the end."

"He was old," Shinji replied casually. "Old people forget things all the time."

Illya laughed again.

"Giggle giggle, big brother really is amusing."

Shinji changed the subject.

"But things engraved in the soul aren’t easily forgotten. At most, they get overlooked. That he remembered at the end just proves it. His period of… overlooking was just a bit too long."

Illya’s expression sharpened for the first time.

"Big brother, it’s fortunate you have no talent for magecraft. Otherwise, you would be an enemy in this war who’d give me a great deal of trouble."

Those few sentences alone convinced her: Shinji was no ordinary person. If he were an opponent, he would be dangerous.

Shinji only smiled, offering nothing further.

This seemingly innocent, cheerful girl was far too perceptive. A single misstep could make her suspicious. He knew exactly what he could and couldn’t say.

Honestly, he never expected to meet Illya at such a fragile moment. But it was a clear reminder: never lower your guard.

Thankfully, he had taken precautions before leaving home—using a special potion he developed from the Matou family archives to hide Sakura’s Command Spells. He had also instructed Sakura to leave Rider safely at home. Otherwise, the first battle of the Holy Grail War could’ve erupted right there.

Sakura couldn’t see it, but Shinji could—the hulking, violent presence lurking behind Illya.

The deceptively innocent Illya tilted her head and asked:

"One last thing. I’m curious, big brother. How was this big sister’s function as a vessel stopped and reversed?"

"What?" Shinji looked genuinely confused, as if the question meant nothing to him.

Seeing his confusion, Illya hesitated.

Could it be that Makiri truly had a moment of clarity at the end?

Realizing his own cruelty…

Did he save this girl at the final moment?

Don’t speak. Stay silent.

Shinji transmitted the words directly to Sakura. She obeyed immediately.

"Well, never mind," Illya said at last, unable to glean the truth from their expressions. Her cheerful smile returned. "Either way, we’re no longer enemies. Goodbye, big sister of Makiri, big brother."

And with that, she turned and walked off into the night.