"Fairy Transformation Spell," rendering her powerless. When light rays emanated from Li Mo's hand, directly striking into Illyasviel's body, this Servant fused with three deities became completely powerless.
"Miss Illya, this is a spell targeting deities. Did you know? During the spread of Christianity, the gods from native myths were considered demons or fairies by Christians. Demonizing and weakening gods is an act of Christianity," Li Mo explained.
"This is because Christianity is a monotheistic system; even its original system wasn't polytheistic. How could it tolerate the existence of pagan gods? Thus, those gods either became demons or fairies."
"The root of this spell lies in the latter."
Hearing this, Illya also understood the principle of the spell. It was a trump card against Servants possessing Divinity, a special attack against gods, like Gilgamesh's Enkidu!
The weakness she felt now could be explained. The spirit core within her was pieced together from three deities. In such a situation, it would be strange if she could still move.
"Ah, the effect is unexpectedly good. I thought it would only weaken her, and I'd need to use other methods. After all, my main focus wasn't on this spell. Hmm, I see. Illya, the spirit core within you is a mixture of three deities? Ah, because they are multiple deities, their divinity is exceptionally mixed, making it unable to effectively resist the spell. If it were just a single deity, it could resist effectively instead?"
"The spell still needs improvement."
Li Mo's hand patted Illya's shoulder, and Scáthach-Skadi's blessing activated. The ground beneath the target's neck and below was completely frozen.
Illyasviel was rendered powerless, but Servants still deserved respect.
Servants are beings capable of creating miracles.
"Illya, rest assured. For the sake of our past cooperation, I won't lay a hand on you."
"In that world, did I also get betrayed by you?"
Illyasviel spoke.
The personality surfacing was primarily Illya's. Thus, she spoke from Illya's perspective.
"How could that be? The Fifth Holy Grail War in my world ended with a happy ending. The you in that world is lazily staying at the Emiya household. I just don't know if Taiga will drag you off to elementary school."
Li Mo added: "Illya, you should believe me. In the Holy Grail War, what I coveted was Berserker's combat power, so I wouldn't lay a hand on her."
Illyasviel said, "There is only one Holy Grail. Only one winner in the Holy Grail War."
Li Mo hoisted Illyasviel, frozen with only her head exposed, onto his shoulder, and said, "Since when did you think my goal in participating in the Holy Grail War was the Grail? Is the Holy Grail tainted by All the World's Evils really worth seizing?"
For a brief moment afterward, Illyasviel did not respond to Li Mo.
Only those who have participated in the Holy Grail War know the Greater Grail is polluted by All the World's Evils. It is fundamentally unusable. Even if forced, the means of granting wishes are often malicious, often contrary to one's desires.
"Illya. Believe me~ At most, this will only restrict your personal freedom; it won't harm you. Huh? The three deities within you are respectively: Shitonai from Ainu mythology, Louhi from Finnish mythology, and Freyja from Norse mythology? That makes your safety even more assured."
Illyasviel said, "What's your insight?"
"Of course. The Lostbelt King of this place is called Scáthach-Skadi. Scáthach is the element constructing her body, maintaining her immortality. Skadi is her true name. You've thought of it, right, Illya? The Freyja within you is, in Norse mythology, Skadi's adoptive daughter."
Li Mo spoke eloquently: "Scáthach-Skadi is a benevolent Queen. She has a merciful heart for all life. However, given that you are a Divine Spirit-level Servant, you require closer supervision."
Scáthach-Skadi had never said these words. But Li Mo felt this was the Queen's thoughts. Recalling the original plot carefully, one could remember that the resistance from Proper Human History brought three Servants. Among them, Illyasviel was captured by Skadi and imprisoned in the dungeon; Brynhildr was forced to seal herself atop a mountain.
Only Napoleon was left alone.
Suddenly, it feels quite subtle.
"Oh, so I'm going to be imprisoned?"
"That should be the case. We'll have to see Her Majesty to know for sure."
The advantage of foreknowledge lies here. Perhaps the course of events will change. But a person's character does not change easily. Over half a year was enough for Li Mo to confirm Scáthach-Skadi's character.
She was an excellent superior.
He brought Illyasviel back to the ice and snow castle. Less than an hour had passed since he left. When Scáthach-Skadi saw him and Illyasviel on his shoulder, she showed a satisfied smile.
"You've done well, Li Mo. Is this the Servant from Proper Human History? On her... there truly is a familiar aura. Is it Freyja?" Scáthach-Skadi looked at Illyasviel.
Earlier, when Illyasviel first manifested, she had felt a familiar aura within the target's magical energy. She just hadn't been certain, allowing for the possibility of mistaken perception. But when Li Mo brought her to the palace, Scáthach-Skadi could confirm it.
Li Mo said, "Miss Illyasviel is a being pieced together from three deities, similar to a Pseudo-Servant. One of those deities is Freyja, who is also Your Majesty's daughter in Proper Human History's Norse mythology."
"I am aware of the Norse myths from Proper Human History. As for her, I leave her in your care to be imprisoned in the dungeon. Keep her next to your workshop."
"As you command, my Queen," Li Mo said. "But before proceeding with the task, please allow me to ask a few questions."
"I will answer you, my child."
"Where has little Ophelia gone? How many Servants from Proper Human History are there?"
"Ophelia, like you, was assigned a task by me. As for the Servants, there are only three," Scáthach-Skadi said.
"And the third Servant..."
"There is no need to concern yourself," Scáthach-Skadi said. "I see no divinity in him."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Li Mo led Illyasviel, now freed from the ice, out of the grand and imposing palace hall, away from the Snow Mountain Goddess's sight.
The long corridor was empty. The only sound was the footsteps of the two.
Li Mo asked the girl beside him, "Aren't you going to try to escape? Illya?"
"Do you think I can escape?" Illyasviel said. "You didn't fail to notice, did you?"
Li Mo smiled. In the great hall, he had noticed the ice on Illyasviel had vanished. The blessing on him had been withdrawn by Scáthach-Skadi. In its place, new shackles had been placed on Illyasviel.
For a short time, she would be unable to exert her full power.
He said, "Well then, please bear with it for a while, Illya."