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Ilya

Illyasviel von Einzbern, a Homunculus.

HomunculusWP (ホムンクルス, Homunkurusu?, plural "Homunculi") is a term for an existence created through an alchemical method to produce fully functional lifeforms from sperm and other elements without the use of a womb.[1]

Characteristics[]

Homunculi are born with mature bodies and all necessary knowledge and reasoning given to them the moment they are born.[2] They never become older, so the concept of "age" is meaningless for them. As an example, despite their mature appearance and personalities, Leysritt and Sella have lived for little more than two years.[3] On the other hand, Mordred, Yui Shousetsu, Illyasviel von Einzbern are examples of homunculi born as babies due to various circumstances, although only Yui grew normally, while Mordred grew up at the abnormal speed and Illya ceased growing at pre-pubescent stage. Since Homunculi have no accumulated experience like humans do, their souls are young, pure, and sturdy like an infant's. As such. they won't be dyed by anything, and their bodies can endure any kind of transformation,[4] like being possessed by a Heroic Spirit[4] or by a Divine Spirit.[5][6]

A perfect Homunculus is essentially a man-made artificial extension of nature that, external factors aside, will not die for as long as the planet is healthy and has Mana left.[3] However, the price of being given life through such artificial means is that the Homunculus will invariably have some sort of physical defect (small stature, short lifespan, lower intellect or lack of reproductive capabilities are just a few examples).[1] Even with their potential longevity, they are below humans when it comes down to their strength as life-forms.[3]

Despite having the same form and cognition as humans, Homunculi are ultimately different beings due to their possessing a powerful Magic Circuit. Regardless of how fragile they are, their Magic Circuits makes it possible for the Homunculus to achieve powers that are beyond an ordinary human's. Fundamentally different than the Magi that are humans with Magic Circuits, Homunculi are better defined as "Magic Circuits with a human form". Not "something made to be a Magus", but rather "something made to be a Magic Circuit".

It takes special means to create Homunculi, so even a talented Magus like Zouken Matou cannot create one as needed.[7]

Variations[]

Einzbern Homunculi[]

The Homunculi of the Einzbern are created from the knowledge passed down by Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, known as the "Master of Northern Alchemy", and Kiritsugu Emiya claims that none can match her descendants in the process of creating artificial humans.[8] Created through cultivation tanks, they are of a high quality.

The Homunculi created by the Einzbern, even those regarded as failures, have enough Magical Energy to pose a threat to the Enforcers of the Mage's Association.[9] Also, their knowledge of Magecraft comes from being branded with a standardized reverse-type Magic Crest. The models based on Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, such as Irisviel von Einzbern and Illyasviel von Einzbern, share the memories and personality of the original. In a way, they're the same being. Illya herself is a very special case and her very existence can be considered a miracle in itself. She was “birthed” through conventional means by her mother, Irisviel, although she was put through several magical treatments while still in the womb. Said treatments made her body become even more unlike that of a human being than other Homunculi and caused her poor growth.

  • Einzbern Master - The representative of the Einzberns in the Third Holy Grail War.
  • Philia - The Einzbern Representative in the False Holy Grail War.
  • Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern - Justeaze was the head of the Einzbern Family 200 years before the events of Fate/stay night. She later became the basis for the standard Einzbern Homunculus.
  • Irisviel von Einzbern - Irisviel was developed to have all the functions of a human body, Magic Circuits far surpassing normal Magi, and a "standardized reverse-type Magic Crest" branded onto her as the "starting default."[8] She is born as the "vessel of the Holy Grail", an organic body which has had the inorganic Holy Grail broken down and fused with her organs.[10] Her highest priority has been designated as self-preservation for the safety of the vessel.
  • Illyasviel von Einzbern - Illya is considered to be a being with "all great achievements of Alchemy gathered within her", born from the womb of her mother, Irisviel, and conceived with the sperm of a Magus, Kiritsugu.[11] Differing from her mother who is "covering" the Holy Grail within her, Illyasviel is born with the ability that her physical body itself is capable of becoming the vessel. With even greater self-defense mechanisms, the secrets of the Holy Grail were implanted into the embryo, and she was given Magic Circuits to her exterior.[11] She is an experimental specimen for the Dress of Heaven.
  • Leysritt - One of Illyasviel's maids.
  • Sella - One of Illyasviel's maids.

Frankenstein[]

Frankenstein's Monster was an artificial life made after the basis of the "ideal human." Although she wishes for a mate of the same kind as her, she sees herself as being fundamentally different from other Homunculi.[12] Mordred says she is similar to a Homunculus in the original novel,[4] while she remarks the opposite in the same scene of the anime version.[13]

According to Romani Archaman, Fran and other creations of Victor Frankenstein are closer to an Artificial Human (人造人間, Jinzō Ningen?) than Homunculi; the difference being that while Homunculi are created with Magic Circuits as a base body, Frankenstein's creations are made out of human body parts, and are corpses powered by Magical Energy. According to Victor Frankenstein, such Artificial Humans have degraded souls that are inferior to regular Human souls, due to not being made from magic circuits like normal Homunculi.[14]

Mephistopheles[]

Mephistopheles is a Homunculus created by Georg Faust. Dr. Faust, with his gifted engineering, has advanced Homunculus technology several generations ahead of his time, but due to his strange nature and sense of aesthetics, he strengthened the Homunculus' ego. A Homunculus that is exceedingly quite human ——— that is the key part of "Mephistopheles" [15]

Orlocke Caesarmund's Homunculus[]

OrlockeYoung

Orlocke Caesarmund made a homunculus out of his own blood and semen, planning to transfer his personality into the new body through his Magic Crest.[16][17]

Paracelsus's Homunculi[]

Paracelsus homuculi

Paracelsus' homunculi serving Misaya Reiroukan.

Paracelsus von Hohenheim made it possible for over 10 Homunculi to share their senses using some special method. They feel like a colony partly because none of them acts spontaneously. Paracelsus coins the female-type ones making up the absence of the Reiroukans' servants in Fate/Prototype: Fragments of Sky Silver.[18]

Homunculus[]

Main article: Homunculus (monster)

Proto Homunculus[]

Main article: Proto Homunculus


Mini Paracel[]

MiniParacel

Mini Paracel (パラケル君, Paracel-kun?) are small Homunculi stylized after Paracelsus. Rather than fully autonomous beings, they are more comparable to robots made to carry out a single task efficiently.

Yggdmillennia Homunculi[]

Yggdmillennia creates Homunculi using techniques stolen from the Einzberns and other great Alchemical houses, but their level of expertise is menial compared to that of an expert. They consider that sufficient enough for creating soldiers, servants for their castle, and living Magical Energy batteries for Servants.[12]

Those created as soldiers are built to be able to wield large halberds and use powerful Magecraft, potent enough to easily match an average Magus. Created as disposable soldiers meant to overwhelm in numbers, their lifespans amount to only two months due to being born with various defects.[19]

However, unlike other Homunculi created by others, all Homunculi crafted by the Yggdmillennia are connected, however weakly, by pathways similar to that between Masters and Servants. One of the results of their mass production, possibly – as while they had a critical lack of individuality, they could all receive important information such as one another’s survival from anywhere without any need for conscious efforts such as telepathy. Of course, such data was not necessary to them precisely due to their sameness; the death of another Homunculus was just one more number in the grand calculation.


Known homunculi[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Fate/stay night - Heaven's Feel route - Day 13: LAST TALK - Gift
  2. [v] Fate/Zero material - Encyclopedia: Irisviel von Einzbern [Person's name], p.090

    Irisviel von Einzbern [Person's name]
    A homunculus modeled after Justizia Lizleihi.
    Although the Einzbern homunculi have their functions determined during the design process, Irisviel only developed the plan to conceive Illyasviel after she was created. Thus, as a special case, she was allowed to hold multiple “functions different from the plan”. That is, not only did she give birth, but she was also given the role of rearing Illyasviel. Although Justabcheit determined that this method would be more efficient than using a newly-constructed homunculus as a wet nurse, it was still a special case when it came to the Einzberns' standard. Anyhow, the result was that although a homunculus, Irisviel obtained the experiences of raising a child as a “mother” just like a human would, and it produced an effect on her character that even Acht could not predict.
    Even compared to other Einzbern homunculi, there had never been an example of one who had interacted with humans for as long as 9 years, or had such colorful and irregular mental activity. In other words, for the Einzbern, Irisviel was the first to receive the same treatment as a human, and the first to have emotions like a human. Because her physical and mental capabilities originally surpassed those of a human, those mental processes did not fail her after her exceptional growth, and she finally possessed self-awareness and emotions equal to those of a normal human.
    Even so, compared with the inherent knowledge and reason, the crystallization of the Einzbern's wisdom accumulated over millennia, that comes with the format of homunculus, her emotions and human experiences have only accumulated over a mere 9 years, which results in her having both the elegance of an upper-class lady and the innocent nature of a child, making her a troublesome princess.
    Some additional information: during the time when Zero’s plot was being set, apparently the setup of Angra Mainyu in Hollow wasn't well-known yet. How in the world the author came up with "that ending", even for us, couldn't be scarier.

    アイリスフィール・フォン・アインツベルン【人名】
    ユスティーツァ・リズライヒな鋳型として錬成されたホムンクルスの一人。
    設計段階から用途を特定され、肉体も精神もその目的に最適化された状態で産み落とされるのがアインツベルンのホムンクルスだが、アイリスフィールについては鋳造された後からイリヤスフィール受胎の計画が発案されたため、特例的に「本来とは違う役割」を兼任させられることとなった。即ちイリヤスフィールの出産のみならず育成までも任されたのである。乳母役のホムンクルスな新造するよりも効率的であろうというユーブスタクハイトの判断だったのだが、これはアインツベルンの基準に照らせば異例のことである。ともあれ結果としてアイリスフィールは、ホムンクルスでありながら人間の女性と同様に子な産み育てるという「母親」として経験を積むこととなった。これが彼女の情操面において、アハト翁が予想だにしたかった影響を及ぼすことになる。
    他のアインツベルン製ホムンクルスと比べても、九年の長きに渡って人間と交渉し、多彩で変則的な精神活動を行った個体は過去に例がない。言い方を変えるなら、アイリスフィールほどに人間同等の扱いを受け、人間的な情緒を身につけたホムンクルスはアインツベルンにおいては初だった。もとより心身の機能においては人間をむしろ凄駕する存在だけに、異例の成長を遂げた後もその精神構造は破綻せず、ついには一般的な人間と何ら遜色のない自意識と感情を備えるに至った。
    とはいえ、ホムンクルスのフォーマットとして生まれつき持ら合わせている知識と理性がアインツベルン千年の英知の結晶であるのに対し、情動面を育んだ人生経験はたったの九年に過ぎず、結果として彼女は貴婦人としての風雅と幼児的な稚気を兼ね備えるという、ちょっと困ったお姫様になってしまった。
    余談ながら、Zeroのプロットが確定した段階では、ホロウにおけるアンリマユの設定をまだ聞かされていなかったんだよなぁと思い返してみると、いったい筆者は〝あの結末″に至るまでをどういう経緯として書く気だったのか、我ながら空恐ろしいことこの上ない。

  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Fate/hollow ataraxia - Other - Einzbern Castle - Ghost Gossip Glamorous
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Fate/Apocrypha Volume 2: Round Dance of Black / Festival of Red - Chapter 3
  5. Fate/strange Fake Volume 3 - Prologue IX
  6. Fate/strange Fake Volume 6 - Chapter 18: "As Dream and Reality are Both Illusion I"
  7. Fate/stay night - Heaven's Feel route - Day 15 - limited. - Interlude 15-1: Succeed from deep
  8. 8.0 8.1
    [v] Fate/Zero Season 1 Boxset - Drama CD 1

    Track 1

    Kiritsugu: So this is the Grail vessel. It collects the souls of Heroic Spirits anchored to this world as Servants, and is then presented as an offering for the Great Grail summoning. A container for that purpose. If it‘s just a vessel, it should look like one. But why does it have the appearance of a human? Damn it, this makes things difficult.

    Kiritsugu: Ah, can you hear me? Do you understand what I’m saying?

    Irisviel: Yes, Emiya Kiritsugu.

    Kiritsugu: Ah, so you can speak too. I’m surprised.

    Irisviel: You seem to have extremely low expectations for Einzbern homunculi.

    Kiritsugu: Not at all. I doubt anyone can match the descendants of Justica Lizleihi, Master of Northern Alchemy and the Saint of Winter, in creating artificial humans.

    Irisviel: That’s right, I come with all the functions of a complete human body. I also have magic circuits that far surpass that of a normal person and was branded with a standardized reverse-type magic crest as the starting default. My potential as a Mage should be greater than yours.

    Kiritsugu: Right, that’s really great. But I have no need for those functions of yours. You’ll be… Damn it, why must I explain these things?

    Irisviel: If you aren’t satisfied with my functions, you need to make yourself clear or I won’t be able to do anything about them.

    Kiritsugu: Are you properly aware of the reason you were created?

    Irisviel: Yes. I am the Grail vessel. I will function as the key that will activate the Great Grail in the coming 4th Holy Grail War.

    Kiritsugu: Exactly. You’re just a container. Regardless of your purpose, you’re really no different from a beer mug. Why does the thing have limbs, talk so much, and even lecture its master? I don’t get it.

    Irisviel: In that case, please allow me to explain. On top of protecting the Grail vessel, as the most effective method, I have also been given a psyche so I can act independently and evaluate situations. That’s what I am.

    Kiritsugu: So you’re saying I don’t need to worry about protecting the Grail vessel because it can make its own decisions and keep itself safe?

    Irisviel: That would be correct.

    Kiritsugu: Let me ask you, then. Do you really have the ability to defend yourself in battle?

    Irisviel: That’s how I was designed.

    Kiritsugu: Looking at you, I find that hard to believe.

    Irisviel: Are you judging me by my appearance?

    Kiritsugu: Very well. All I need to do is put it to the test.

    Kiritsugu strikes Irisviel

    Kiritsugu: Hey. Are you playing the fool? How could you not even counter such a simple attack? Do you not even have basic self-defense skills?

    Irisviel: I had no need to counter it. You are Emiya Kiritsugu, and therefore can’t possibly want to destroy the Grail vessel.

    Kiritsugu: I’m not playing around. If you’re a defect that only knows how to talk and can’t defend itself, then it’s better for me if I destroy you right away and ask the family head to prepare another vessel.

    Irisviel: Is returning the blow and fighting with the intent to harm what you define as self-defense?

    Kiritsugu: That’s right. Got a problem with that?

    Irisviel: That’s the worst decision I could make to ensure my survival. I should be avoiding dangerous situations as my greatest priority. In the event I make a strategic mistake that puts me in a situation where danger is unavoidable, escape, disguise, deceitful negotiations and so forth would be the next best options.

    Kiritsugu: I’ll give it to you straight. Battle strength is what I need, not sophistry. I need agility that kills before being killed, accuracy, and destructive power.

    Irisviel: That’s not a strategy for survival. If we compare you and me in terms of self-defense… Emiya Kiritsugu, you’re weaker than I am.

    Kiritsugu: You’re unbelievable.

                                ———————————————————————–
    Track 2

    Kiritsugu: What do you think you’re doing, forcing a homunculus like that onto me?

    Jubstacheit: You aren’t satisfied with her? She is among the best of my creations in recent years.

    Kiritsugu: As a doll, she is indeed very well-made. But I’ll have absolutely no use for her in the Grail War. You gave the Grail vessel a humanoid body and a sense of self capable of self-defense, apparently, but she’s completely useless. If she encounters a drunk on the streets, she’ll most likely get hurt. I’d have better uses for it if you gave it the body of a crow or a Doberman.

    Jubstacheit: You live up to your name of Mage Killer, Emiya Kiritsugu. The savagery of the way you think is far beyond our ability to understand.

    Kiritsugu: Isn’t that why you sent for me? The methodology you Einzberns employ couldn’t be any less suitable in battle.

    Jubstacheit: Whether or not an instrument’s functions can be put to good use depends on its owner. Regarding that, it’s clear that debating with you would just be a waste of time. Anyway, on that point, it’ll be enough to simply prove her tenacity to you. Constructed to be harder to break than a typical Grail vessel, she’s even been designed to prevent herself from being broken. You’ll witness that function of hers directly. Let’s see, we’ll have the results in two or three days.

    Kiritsugu: What are you talking about?

    Jubstacheit: It’s just a little experiment. You can think of it as a test of her durability. I left her at the disposal yard for failed creations in the forest depths last night.

    Kiritsugu: Wha-?!

    Jubstacheit: I threw her, naked, right into the middle of hungry wolves and evil spirits in the frigid blizzard. It’s a trial where even the most robust of warriors either die of cold or are killed and eaten within the night. If she manages to return to this castle alive, then you’ll have to acknowledge her strength.

    Kiritsugu: You can’t be serious. She may be a homunculus, but she’s a girl you created with your very own hands!

    Jubstacheit: All I ask of that thing is that it doesn’t break and maintains itself until the Great Grail ritual. If it cannot even endure a trial as trivial as this, then, in line with your complaint, I'II acknowledge the defects in my design and prepare a new vessel.

                               ———————————————————————–
    Track 3

    Irisviel: Where am… I?

    Kiritsugu: There’s no need to worry. Get some more rest and don’t speak.

    Irisviel: Why am I… in the castle?

    Kiritsugu: I brought you back to put an end to that ridiculous test Acht sent you.

    Irisviel: Ah… You can’t do that.

    Irisviel: I still haven’t finished the trial. I still haven’t proved my durability to you.

    Kiritsugu: Don’t be ridiculous. Does that body of yours not feel pain?

    Irisviel: It does. In order to properly grasp the state of my body, pain is a neccesary sensation.

    Kiritsugu: Then why? Is putting up a bold front even though your body’s been so brutally battered what you call strength?

    Irisviel: Exactly. My mission is to survive. It is to live through any extreme situation. Any bodily damage that does not go beyond permitted levels is fine.

    Kiritsugu: You’re wrong.

    Irisviel: Why?

    Kiritsugu: Strength isn’t measured by how much pain you can endure. If you don’t feel anger towards pain and have the will to retaliate against whatever caused you pain, you won’t ever win. Don’t you feel anger towards the family head? Towards Jubstacheit, the one who did this to you?

    Irisviel: Anger? But why? Greatgrandpa didn’t do anything wrong.

    Kiritsugu: He hurt you badly just to clear the humiliation I gave him. He values his pride as a designer more than your pain. Ah… I suppose I also hold responsibility for thinking light of you. That’s why you should be feeling anger towards Acht and me, because we’re both the reason why you were hurt.

    Irisviel: Even in my current condition of damage, my body can still more than fulfill its function as the Grail vessel. Therefore, my greatgrandfather’s pride and clearing up your misunderstanding are far more important than my pain.

    Kiritsugu: You’re wrong. You’re wrong! In order to become strong, you must learn what anger is.

    Irisviel: Why?

    Kiritsugu: Because it’s the very basis of the act of fighting. No matter how you are, you must resist anything that results in your being hurt.

    Irisviel: I don’t understand what you’re saying.

    Kiritsugu: You seem to be aware of your value and the meaning of your existence, at least in theory. But do you feel happiness and pride in your being born to this world and in the mission you have been given? I’m slighting that very aspect of you this time.

    Irisviel: Ah…

    Kiritsugu: If you really do think your mission is to protect yourself, wouldn’t you want to become stronger? Wouldn’t you want to broaden your fighting repertoire so you could win battles?

    Irisviel: Yes. If it really is possible, it would be very profitable learning.

    Kiritsugu: Then start by having more concern for yourself. Find happiness in your life and its stage, the world. Then you won’t allow any of these things to be damaged. That way, you should be able to acquire the emotion we call anger.

    Irisviel: Happiness… Concern… It’s difficult for me to embrace emotions with no basis.

    Kiritsugu: Damn it, must I really go to such lengths for you? Okay. I’ll teach you about them. All right, let’s start with your-

     Ah, I shouldn’t keep referring to you like that. Do you have a name? Not “vessel”, not “homunculus”, but a name of your very own?

    Irisviel: I’m… Irisviel, Irisviel von Einzbern.

                               ———————————————————————–
    Track 4

    Maiya: How has the homunculus been doing since?

    Kiritsugu: She’s becoming a different person day by day. She must’ve been given a great thirst for knowledge. She greedily absorbs any information I give her, and her general knowledge is becoming abundant.

    Kiritsugu: Already, she can hold casual conversations like any typical person. But is there a point in educating her so much? Sometimes, I wonder if it’s all a big mistake. Maiya, you mentioned… how you used to think of yourself as a machine, didn’t you?

    Maiya: Yes. What about it?

    Kiritsugu: I’m just puzzled as to how you manage to firmly keep your sanity in battle when you think of yourself like that.

    Maiya: That’s a strange question coming from you, Kiritsugu. I thought it’d be second nature to you as to how one stays sane in the battlefield.

    Kiritsugu: It appears I’ve gotten confused on many things since I began training Irisviel. It’s true that, since she doesn’t think of herself as anything more than a machine, she probably isn’t suited for the battlefield. I thought there’d be room for improvement if l could instill battle instincts in her by strengthening her sense of self, but I might’ve gotten the premise itself wrong.

    Maiya: Being a tool, she was never made for battle to begin with. Even so, while the homunculus may have forgotten she is a tool, her aptitude for battle won’t immediately awaken.

    Kiritsugu: A human and a machine… which of the two would be better in battle, I wonder?

    Maiya: While machines are tougher than humans, they do have their limits. On the other hand, while humans are incredibly weak, they sometimes surpass their limits and become experts of slaughtering. In other words, exceptional entities we call Heroes appear from time to time. We can perhaps overlook these rare irregularities. For the remaining majority of fighters, it is of greatest priority that they overcome their weaknesses in order to survive. That is why people abandon their souls in battle and become machines. I am one of those many people.

    Kiritsugu: Maybe I really am wasting my time.

    Maiya: Kiritsugu. You’re like someone who was given a hammer when you needed a pair of scissors. Since it didn’t serve its purpose, you melted it back into a lump of iron. If you wish to use it again as a sharp blade, you’ll have to reforge it. Is that not so?

                               ———————————————————————–
    Track 5

    Irisviel: Hey, Kiritsugu, what are you showing me today? A movie? Photos? Or some music?

    Kiritsugu: You seem excited, Irisviel.

    Irisviel: Yes! It’s true that the knowledge you’re giving me has nothing to do with the Holy Grail War, but it all amazes me so much. I had no idea the world was so plentiful and diverse. With just my basic education, I never would’ve even imagined that.

    Kiritsugu: Do you want to know even more about the world?

    Irisviel: Of course! But don’t worry. My mission of greatest importance is to complete the third true magic. My interests are ultimately of lower priority, and I haven’t lost sight of our wish.

    Kiritsugu: If it’s what you want, you can walk away from fate.

    Irisviel: Huh?

    Kiritsugu: If you really admire humanity with all your heart. If you really do wish to spend your remaining years living a peaceful life… you just need to run. If you leave the castle in the dead of the night, nobody will come after you. The Grail vessel can simply be recreated. Acht won’t be very happy about having to do it again, but that’d be all. He holds no expectations for you other than that of a tool. That’s nothing compared to your sense of self.

    Irisviel: Ah…

    Kiritsugu: This was why I opposed Acht’s idea to give the Grail vessel a sense of self. A tool cannot fight on its own will, and an object with a will isn’t a tool. And objects that are no longer tools must start by asking themselves if they wish to fight on their own will. That’s why you should take everything you’ve learned so far into account and ask yourself once again. Is the mission you were given really worth the fighting and the spilling of blood?

    Irisviel: Are you asking me to abandon everything that I have?

    Kiritsugu: That’s right. By abandoning everything, you can redo it all from square one. If that‘s what you wish.

    Irisviel: Ah… I see what you’re saying. Kiritsugu, I now understand why you’ve been educating me.

    Kiritsugu: What?

    Irisviel: The knowledge you’ve presented to me until now, the way the world is, how people live…they’re all things you’ve forsaken and walked away from, aren’t they?

    Kiritsugu: Well-

    Irisviel: Did you once prioritize your mission over your happy life and choose to fight battles worth the spilling of blood? … No… that’s not it. If you had already determined which is more valuable, you wouldn’t be letting me choose. If you really do strongly believe in your justice, you wouldn’t have prepared these two options for me. Did you have no choice?

    Kiritsugu tries to say something but cannot

    Irisviel: Emiya Kiritsugu, aren’t you the one who’s been living like a machine with just one function? It’s strange. You’re human, but live like a machine. I’m a doll, but you’re giving me a choice meant for humans.

    Kiritsugu: You have defects as a tool to be brought to the battlefield. I’m adjusting you because you’ll burden me otherwise. That’s all there is to it. Don’t get any strange ideas.

    Irisviel: I see. You think that I shouldn’t blindly follow my mission as a homunculus, but acquire an impulse of wanting to fight based on thought. Is that why you’re trying to elicit anger, happiness, and pride within me?

    Kiritsugu: It’s only been a few months since you emerged from the cultivating tank, but you’ve become quite eloquent.

    Irisviel: I hope you aren’t underestimating my ability to think and analyze, inherited from Justeaze’s designs. From the learning materials you’ve given me, I’ve already derived a different opinion from the one you have.

    Kiritsugu: What?

    Irisviel: You said that anger is the source of the will to fight, and that the basis for anger is one’s dignity. But according to my analysis, anger merely runs from another simpler and more comprehensive impulse. That impulse is… love.

    lrisviel’s words catch Kiritsugu off guard

    Irisviel: People don’t get angry at their enemies for no reason. I’ve identified many examples of people steadfastly spilling blood for their family, their compatriots, and their country. Even animals show hostility and fight seriously to protect their newborn offspring. Even the concept you call dignity is but love towards oneself. In order for me to acquire the emotion of anger, I must first learn about love.

    Kiritsugu breathes heavily

    Irisviel: Because I’ve grasped my own construction and function, I’m unable to feel newly-found concern and interest in myself. However, in becoming strong, there’s no need for me to restrict my love to just myself. The more I learn about people different from me, the more amazed I am, the more I discover… the happiness is incredible. For example… Emiya Kiritsugu. I find you very interesting. The complex internal thoughts you hide arouse my curiosity to no end.

    Kiritsugu: Huh? What are you saying, Irisviel?

    Irisviel: So that I can acquire the strength you ask of me, the will to fight, as soon as possible, I will start by judging whether it is appropriate for me to love you. What do you think?

    Kiritsugu: That’s enough joking around!

    Irisviel: No, I’m simply trying to fulfill what you ask of me. You’re the one who wants me to become strong. I definitely won’t allow anyone to take away what you’ve given me. I’ll be able to feel anger and show hostility towards anyone who seeks to hurt you. Is there a… problem with that?

    Kiritsugu: No, uh… It wouldn’t be very convenient for me…

    Irisviel: No, don’t worry. I won’t burden you at all. It‘ll just be what I’m thinking inside.

    Kiritsugu: The love between man and woman isn’t that simple! Ah, damn it… I can’t believe I have to explain all this… Okay. I’ll teach you for now. You’ll soon realize just how wrong everything you were talking about was.

    Irisviel: That sounds interesting. I’m really looking forward to it.

                               ———————————————————————–
    Track 6

    Kiritsugu: This is nothing more than an act. Irisviel, I cannot love you, and you cannot love me.

    Irisviel: But why?

    Kiritsugu: To begin with, look at what our aim is. After we win the Holy Grail War and defeat all the other Servants, you will cease to exist. I will cause your death.

    Just how big of a fool am I? I’m trying to teach someone I’ll be forced to kill the insistence and desire to live. If I had only so much as thought about it, I would’ve realized just how cruel it is.

    Irisviel: Kiritsugu…

    Kiritsugu: If there was a way to save you, then I could continue to love you. But if I do that, everything I’ve sacrificed up until now would be for naught. The many lives I’ve taken would become completely meaningless. Your death is the only way I can make up for all the sins I’ve committed. Do I have any right to receive your love?!

    Irisviel: Why is it wrong to love something that will be destroyed? Kiritsugu, it doesn’t look like you’ve thought about your life after the Grail War. You intend to burn yourself out and perish in the coming battles, don’t you?

    Kiritsugu breathes out heavily

    Irisviel: Even so, I find myself holding feelings of love for you. We only have nine more years together in this world. Is there anything wrong with loving each other during that time?

    Kiritsugu: We have no salvation, no hope. The two of us have no future.

    Irisviel: Future?

    Kiritsugu: You see, love is about wishing for the salvation and hopes of your partner and entrusting those prayers. I’m unable to save you, and there is no hope for you, so we can’t possibly love each other. Even now, by saying you love me, it means you’re still unable to love yourself. The fact that you feel no sadness for your eventual demise is proof enough.

    Irisviel: Anger is needed for strength… Love is needed for anger… And a future is needed for love. Is that it?

    Kiritsugu: Great, not only have we wasted much of our time, we’ve come straight to a dead end. I’m sorry. If I knew it’d all be in vain, you’d have it so much easier if you had just remained the emotionless tool that you were.

    Irisviel: No. I have no regrets. Everything I’ve received from you is very precious to me. If we don’t have a future now, we just need to create a new one. A blank sheet, a new life, that isn’t yet bound by anything…

    Kiritsugu: What?

    Irisviel: I’m a woman. You’re a man. Together, we can create new life.  As a complete homunculus, I have a womb that functions no differently from that of a normal person. It should be entirely possible.

    Kiritsugu: That’s just…

    Irisviel: If I can carry your hopes inside my body, and if I can one day give birth to an individual that will give you hope… As the one who made it possible, I’ll be able to feel proud of and love myself. Without needing how others think, I’ll be able to fight for my life and the fate of the future it leads to, entrusting my prayers…

    Kiritsugu: Iri, why would you go to such lengths?

    Irisviel: That’s because I’m stronger than you are. I think I’ve said so before.

    Kiritsugu: Heh…

    Irisviel: Having won and survived many battles, you probably think you’re stronger than everyone else, but you’ve simply chosen to make your enemies die before you do. That’s not the same as wanting to live longer. The strength you’ve acquired is nothing more than the ability to hasten the deaths of others as you all rush towards your doom. You’ve simply arranging the order in which you and others die. That’s not true strength.

    Kiritsugu sighs

    Irisviel: To never give up… to be able to find a way out and execute it no matter the predicament… to carry out the will to live until the moment of your demise… That’s the strength of the perfect Einzbern homunculus. That’s the power of the souls of the truly strong, something you don’t yet have.

    Kiritsugu: Ah, I see… It appears I’m no match for you. I have no further worries, I can truly believe now. Together, the two of us will yield to no enemy and surely reach the Grail.

    Irisviel: Yes.

    Kiritsugu: Please bear me a strong child. A child who’ll give me new hope once the war is over.

    Irisviel: Yes, please come up with a wonderful name for the child… my love.

  9. Fate/hollow ataraxia - Heaven's Feel - 1/ Heaven's Feels Backnight I
  10. [v] Fate/Zero material - Encyclopedia: Vessel of the Holy Grail [Other], p.098

    Vessel of the Holy Grail [Other]
    The substitute prepared to facilitate the descent of the Holy Grail. In the first three Grail Wars it was merely an object, but in the fourth war the Einzberns sought to gain an advantage in the struggle for possession of the vessel by implanting it with a will of its own and a sense of identification with the Einzbern family.
    Although Irisviel's homunculus body is unmistakably organic, the inorganic Holy Grail was broken down and fused with her organs.
    While it's certainly true that making the vessel required to win the war a member of their own faction is a reprehensible act of cheating, technically their only obligation is to "deliver a vessel to Fuyuki", which they did. Besides, it's a war. Is there really that big of a difference between stealing somebody's possessions and killing them then taking the body?

    聖杯の器【その他】
    四度目に用意された聖杯降臨のための憑代となる器は、それそのものに自衛のための自我とアインツベルン家への帰属意識を植え付はて、器の争奪戦を優位に運ぼうという発想のもとに作られた。
    ホムンクルスとしての肉体は行機物に違いないが、その内臓に無機物の聖杯が分解された状態で血合しているのがアイリスフィールである。
    その所有権が勝判条件のひとつとなる器を、勝手に自分たちの戦力となる駒として改造してしまったわけだから、卑怯極まるチート行為ではあるのだが、そもそもアインツベルンの義務は「器の役目を果たすものを冬木に持ち込む」ことだけなので、これはぺつたん白眼視されるはどの逸脱ではない。所持品を奪うか、殺して死体を持ち去るかの違いは、聖杯戦争において大した落差ではないのである。

  11. 11.0 11.1 Fate/Zero Volume 4: Flames of Purgatory - Act 13 Part 4 -37:02:47
  12. 12.0 12.1 Fate/Apocrypha Volume 1: Apocrypha: Great Holy Grail War - Chapter 3
  13. Fate/Apocrypha Anime - Episode 10: "Scattered Flower"
  14. Fate/Grand Order - Frankenstein Interlude: The Events of a Lonely Night in November
  15. Fate/Grand Order material I- Mephistopheles, p.317
  16. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 1: case. Adra Castle Separation - Chapter 5 Part 1
  17. [v] Lord El-Melloi II Case Files material - Encyclopedia: Orlocke Caesermund [Person], p.099-100

    Orlocke Caesermund [Person]
    One of the invitees to Adra, the Castle of Separation. A user of Butterfly Magecraft. His elemental affinity is Wind.
    Though he first appeared with the impression of a last boss, he ended up showing a rather good-natured side to El-Melloi II, and so ended up like that. His unexpected adaptability and understanding of Modern Magecraft likely stems from his distance from the political games of the Clock Tower, allowing him to judge based on merit alone.
    As a magus capable of reaching the rank of Brand, he nevertheless found himself drowned in love.
    Instigated by Geryon himself, Orlocke came to have a relationship with Geryon’s wife. Born from that affair, Granid Ashbourne was genetically Orlocke’s son.
    The boy he ended up engraving his Magic Crest and personality on to at the end of the story was named Shanon. Perhaps that was the name Orlocke had intended to give to his own child someday…
    Perhaps the sickness that struck down Orlocke was the same that claimed the lives of Geryon’s wife and son…
    And perhaps all of that was part of Geryon’s plan from the beginning.
    For now, it all remains a mystery.
    But, his incantation of “Perform a dance” is something El-Melloi II will never forget.

    オルロック・シザームンド【人名】
    剥離城アドラの招待客のひとり。蝶魔術の使い手。属性は風。
    いかにもラスボス然として現れながら、エルメロイII世には意外と好々爺とした面を見せつけ、そのままに逝った老人。現代魔術に対しても意外な順応性と理解を示していたのは、彼が時計塔の権力抗争からは離れており、純粋に価値だけを判断できる立場だったからだろう。
    色位にも届こうという高位の魔術師でありながら、恋に溺れた男。
    ゲリュオンにそそのかされ、彼の妻を抱いてしまう。後に生まれたグラニド・アッシュボーンは、遺伝的には彼の息子ということになる。最終的に魔術刻印と人格を移植させた器の少年はシャノンという。はたして、その名は、オルロックが自らの子供につけようとしていたものだったかどうか……。
    また、オルロックの倒れた病というのが、ゲリュオンの妻やグラニドの罹患した死病と同じものであったのかどうか―――それがゲリュオンの細工であったかどうかも含めて、これも謎のままである。
    ただ、「Perform a dance」と祈るような彼の呪文を、II世はずっと忘れることはなかった。

  18. Fate/Prototype: Fragments of Sky Silver Volume 2: Best Friend Arc - Act 3 Part 2
  19. Fate/Apocrypha Volume 1: Apocrypha: Great Holy Grail War - Prologue
  20. [v] Lord El-Melloi II Case Files material - Encyclopedia: Orlocke Caesermund [Person], p.099-100

    Orlocke Caesermund [Person]
    One of the invitees to Adra, the Castle of Separation. A user of Butterfly Magecraft. His elemental affinity is Wind.
    Though he first appeared with the impression of a last boss, he ended up showing a rather good-natured side to El-Melloi II, and so ended up like that. His unexpected adaptability and understanding of Modern Magecraft likely stems from his distance from the political games of the Clock Tower, allowing him to judge based on merit alone.
    As a magus capable of reaching the rank of Brand, he nevertheless found himself drowned in love.
    Instigated by Geryon himself, Orlocke came to have a relationship with Geryon’s wife. Born from that affair, Granid Ashbourne was genetically Orlocke’s son.
    The boy he ended up engraving his Magic Crest and personality on to at the end of the story was named Shanon. Perhaps that was the name Orlocke had intended to give to his own child someday…
    Perhaps the sickness that struck down Orlocke was the same that claimed the lives of Geryon’s wife and son…
    And perhaps all of that was part of Geryon’s plan from the beginning.
    For now, it all remains a mystery.
    But, his incantation of “Perform a dance” is something El-Melloi II will never forget.

    オルロック・シザームンド【人名】
    剥離城アドラの招待客のひとり。蝶魔術の使い手。属性は風。
    いかにもラスボス然として現れながら、エルメロイII世には意外と好々爺とした面を見せつけ、そのままに逝った老人。現代魔術に対しても意外な順応性と理解を示していたのは、彼が時計塔の権力抗争からは離れており、純粋に価値だけを判断できる立場だったからだろう。
    色位にも届こうという高位の魔術師でありながら、恋に溺れた男。
    ゲリュオンにそそのかされ、彼の妻を抱いてしまう。後に生まれたグラニド・アッシュボーンは、遺伝的には彼の息子ということになる。最終的に魔術刻印と人格を移植させた器の少年はシャノンという。はたして、その名は、オルロックが自らの子供につけようとしていたものだったかどうか……。
    また、オルロックの倒れた病というのが、ゲリュオンの妻やグラニドの罹患した死病と同じものであったのかどうか―――それがゲリュオンの細工であったかどうかも含めて、これも謎のままである。
    ただ、「Perform a dance」と祈るような彼の呪文を、II世はずっと忘れることはなかった。

Concepts
Bounded FieldConceptual WeaponMagic (Second MagicThird MagicFifth Magic) • Magical Spells (AstromancyGradation AirFlash AirTuning) • Marble PhantasmMystic CodeMystic Eyes (Mystic Eyes of Death Perception) • PsychicReality Marble
Creatures
BicornCentaurDaemonDead ApostleDemonDemon BoarDivine SpiritDollDragonD'yavol TronFairyFamiliarGazerGiantGolemHomunculusHumanHydraLamiaMagicianMagusMixed-BloodOniOuter GodPhantasmal SpeciesSoul EaterSphinxSpiritsVampireUltimate OneTenguTrue AncestorWitchWizardXianYaga
Holy Grail War
Anti-HeroCatalystCommand SpellBlackeningGreater Holy Grail of FuyukiLesser Holy Grail of FuyukiHeroic SpiritHoly GrailIncarnationMasterMirror WorldOverseerNoble PhantasmParameter RulesSaint GraphServant (Class CardDemi-ServantGrand ServantHigh-ServantPseudo-ServantServant Universe) • Servant classesSkill
Organizations
Holy Church (Burial Agency (Remake)) • Chaldea Security OrganizationDemon Hunter OrganizationMage's Association (Clock TowerAtlasWandering Sea) • Spiral ManorSummit CourtThe Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors (Remake)
Terms
AdvantageAkashaAuthorityAnti-Purge DefenseCounter ForceIncantationsImmortalityElementsWorldWorld of MagecraftMagic CircuitMagical EnergyMagic CrestMagical WorkshopMysterySoulSpiritronStarlogResurrectionTextureTime TravelTradition ProtectionParallel WorldQuantum Time-LockUnderworld
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