Chapter 141 — Shirou: Hermes, I will make you understand the wrath of a mortal!
Orario, now a city plunged into chaos.
Shirou and Hermes encountered each other in a narrow corridor.
Both the man and the god were mentally prepared for this confrontation — they may have sensed this final battle coming a long, long time ago.
"Hermes, so it really was you behind everything."
"Emiya Shirou... no, Sword Demon. I truly didn't expect you to not only defeat the Loki Familia single-handedly but also overcome Ais even in that state. You're practically a monster."
"I am not a monster. I simply possess a will stronger than theirs."
"I see. But to alter reality through sheer will and destroy the script I wrote... even the word 'monster' isn't enough to describe you."
Shirou and Hermes talked, their gazes locked tightly on each other.
Now, they were both extremely wary of the other's presence, but neither made the first move.
As though, before the final battle began, they had to first exchange words — to settle everything that had happened up until now, to give a verbal conclusion and bring closure.
Whether it was Hermes' years of scheming, the tragedies suffered by the Xenos, or the chaos now engulfing Orario — all of it needed to be explained.
That's why they met here, facing each other in near-equal standing.
However, at this critical moment, an unexpected figure broke into this meeting between man and god.
The goddess Hestia ran up the path, seemingly drawn by the overwhelming divine presence of Hermes, arriving at the scene immediately.
"Hestia?"
Both Shirou and Hermes looked at her in surprise, not expecting this petite goddess to barge into the heart of this tangled chaos.
But they clearly underestimated Hestia's resolve.
As the deity of the Hestia Familia, she had come here with a firm belief in uncovering the truth — to find the source of all this chaos.
"I need to know the truth too — Shirou, Hermes!" Hestia took a deep breath and spoke firmly, "No matter what the answer is, no matter why the chaos exists, I must get a result — an answer I can accept!"
"...You really leave me no choice, Hestia." Hermes spoke with a troubled tone. "If that's the case, let me be your confidant. Ask anything — I will answer every question you have, without reservation."
In response to Hermes' dramatic declaration, Shirou didn't hesitate at all. He asked directly:
"The one who incited the Xenos uprising, who caused this war — was it you, Hermes? And before that, the one who led me to obsession, forced me to fight your Familia, and ultimately drove me into the dungeon — was that also you?"
"Straight to the core, huh." Hermes waved his hand. "That's right. It was all me. Everything followed the script written by my divine power."
"Why!?"
The question didn't come from Shirou — it came from Hestia.
She looked at Hermes with a puzzled expression that words couldn't describe — like she was witnessing an old friend's betrayal, her face filled with sorrow and confusion.
Hermes didn't seem willing to lie to Hestia, and so he calmly said:
"Why? The reason is simple. Because this world needs a hero. And to do that — a hero must appear on the stage!"
"A hero? A stage?"
Hermes' words left both Shirou and Hestia confused.
Especially Shirou — he had speculated on Hermes' motives many times, considering many possible schemes, including ones involving Ouranos.
But he never imagined that Hermes' actions had nothing to do with Ouranos, and instead stemmed from a reason so absurd it was hard to comprehend.
Hermes, knowing this would confuse the two, smiled and began to speak:
"Then let's bring the story back to its beginning.
A thousand years ago, when the gods first descended to Genkai, the Three Great Calamities swept across the land.
The Loom of Fate began to waver, and a group of heroes appeared upon the earth.
Perhaps the gods' presence awakened the potential of mortals, or perhaps it was simply the era when heroes were destined to arise.
Regardless, in that distant past, an era of heroes was born."
"Led by these heroes, weak mortals repelled the Three Calamities and countless monsters.
The gods, enamored by the beauty of mortals, created the Falna system. Hand in hand with mortals, they began the official Era of the Dungeon City — Orario.
This Era lasted for a thousand years — until just over a decade ago, when the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia reached the summit of Orario.
The number and quality of heroes under their command were so extraordinary that even the gods struggled to match their brilliance.
Under their might, two of the Three Great Calamities — Behemoth, ruler of the land, and Leviathan, sovereign of the sea — were eliminated by their members.
However, when facing the strongest calamity — the final Sky king, the one-eyed black dragon — both Familias met defeat.
Their main members perished, the Familias disbanded, and they were expelled from Orario.
From that moment on, fate came to a standstill.
The heroic epic that was nearing completion was suddenly paused, and might even end entirely.
Can you accept such a disappointing conclusion? Can you accept such an ugly ending to the story?
No. You can't. I can't. It mustn't end like this!"
Hermes raised his voice passionately, expressing his will.
Hestia, affected by his tone, couldn't help but respond: "You mean, you want to create a hero who can defeat the one-eyed black dragon — to complete the final of the three grand commissions?"
"That's right. That is my long-cherished wish — and the reason why I've roamed Orario ever since the Zeus and Hera Familias fell.
I waited for over ten years, through endless time. I had all but lost hope — and then, hope suddenly appeared before me."
"Hope?"
"Bell Cranel!"
"Bell? How could it be him!?"
Hearing Hermes say that, Hestia was stunned.
She had originally assumed Hermes would say "that person is Shirou."
Hermes seemed to see through Hestia's thoughts, and waved his hand with a smile:
"Sword Demon Emiya Shirou is certainly an extraordinary figure.
In terms of individual strength, he might rival the strongest members of the Zeus and Hera Familias — perhaps even that one known as the Empress.
But I do not believe he can become a hero.
His soul is not pure enough.
His will is not simple enough.
His thoughts are too complex, and that makes it hard for him to become the kind of hero the people envision — one who can lead an entire era."
"So according to you, Bell is suited to be a hero because he's pure and simple-minded?" Hestia looked baffled. "A hero isn't a puppet — how can you judge based on that?"
"Haha, a hero is indeed not a puppet. But a hero must be like a puppet," Hermes said boldly. "Because a hero must meet the people's expectations.
A hero must match what everyone imagines.
A hero must be like the characters in stories, like those sung in songs — flawless, without ego, a being of pure ideals.
Yes — if this world is a stage, if this is a play — then the hero must be the most perfect, the most audience-pleasing character!"
"Your thinking is insane!"
Hestia couldn't accept Hermes' beliefs.
She couldn't accept that he wanted to create a hero who was like a puppet — a tool who merely existed to fulfill the people's fantasies.
"Haha, and so what if it's insane? Truth is always held in the hands of the few," Hermes said calmly. "Besides — the biggest reason I chose Bell wasn't just because his soul is pure.
It's because... he is the only surviving child of the Zeus and Hera Familias."
"The descendant of Zeus and Hera's Familias!?"
"You didn't know, did you, Hestia? Bell's parents were members of the Zeus and Hera Familias. And he — he is the only surviving heir of those two destroyed Familias."
"What!?"
Hestia was stunned, speechless.
She immediately asked, "Even if Bell is the child of those Familias, so what? That has nothing to do with him personally!"
"Haha, Hestia, you clearly haven't seen enough dramas." Hermes raised a finger and wagged it. "In classic hero stories, the descendants of ancient heroes always inherit their parents' will — and fulfill the great deeds their parents left undone.
So whether from the perspective of character or narrative, Bell Cranel is without a doubt the hero — the one destined to step onto the stage."
"All just for that reason... You really are completely insane!"
"...to see through the truth of everything." Hermes spoke with a smile. "Moreover, my plan has now reached this stage. There is only one final step left—the hero that people have long awaited is about to be born."
"...What do you mean?"
"The meaning is simple.
My guidance for Bell is at its end.
Just one more step, and he will be shaped into the hero I've envisioned!" Hermes spoke with a smile before both Hestia and Shirou.
"You two seem confused, wondering what I mean by carrying out a plan.
In fact, from the very first day Bell Cranel arrived in this labyrinth city, Orario, I've been secretly watching him.
From him joining the Hestia Familia, to starting his dungeon adventures in fear, to encountering the Minotaur, facing unsolvable crises, and even the battles with the Soma Familia and Apollo Familia—it was all orchestrated by me."
"What did you say!?"
Hermes' confession made Hestia's eyes widen in shock.
She clearly couldn't accept that the bond she had formed with her familia had all been a performance controlled by another.
Yet Hermes calmly continued, "Hehe, why are you so surprised? As a god, Hestia, you should understand very well that the reason gods descend to Genkai is purely for entertainment, isn't it?
And since it's for entertainment, using a few convenient tricks to enhance the fun should be perfectly natural."
"Your actions are toying with people's emotions! It's despicable!"
Hestia harshly criticized Hermes.
But Hermes merely shook his head and said, "Human emotions? Why should I care about human emotions? After all, Genkai is just the playground of the gods... In the end, gods like you, Hestia, who genuinely care about humans, are truly one in a million."
"..."
Hermes' words left Hestia speechless.
She knew better than anyone how selfish and indifferent most gods were.
Very few gods truly harbored feelings for mortals.
And even when they did, it was at best the affection a master might hold for a pet dog—illusory and fleeting.
As Hestia sank into emotional turmoil, too shaken to respond further, Shirou stepped in to ask, "You said you've manipulated everything about Bell. Does that include accounting for my existence?"
"No, your existence was unexpected, Sword Demon." Hermes waved his hand, admitting the flaw in his plan. "When Bell encountered the Minotaur and was being hunted down, according to my script, the one who should have appeared and saved Bell Cranel was supposed to be Ais, the Sword Princess of the Loki Familia."
"Sword Princess Ais?"
"Indeed. Young men tend to admire powerful girls.
I analyzed every individual in Orario and concluded that Ais was the perfect person to inspire Bell's admiration and give him motivation and a clear goal to pursue.
That's why I deliberately orchestrated the Minotaur incident."
Hermes began to reveal the shocking truth, bit by bit. "I just didn't expect you to show up at that place and, instead of Ais, be the one to save Bell, taking with you even the admiration he would have developed for her."
"Even I was surprised by that," Shirou said.
His meeting with Bell had been pure coincidence, but he was grateful for it—otherwise, he likely wouldn't be standing here alive.
Hermes smiled and continued, "Still, I'm actually thankful to you, Shirou Emiya. Though your presence was accidental, you turned out to be even more perfect than anything I had calculated.
You guided Bell's growth far better than I ever anticipated.
At first, I was worried your presence might cause Bell to stagnate, but your actions have actually deepened his desire to grow stronger.
His admiration for you is strong enough to let him overcome all obstacles and walk the path of the strong."
"If that's the case, why did you arrange for a Familia to attack me? If I die, wouldn't Bell lose the very person he admires?"
"On that point, I had no choice." Hermes shook his head. "It wasn't out of my own desire that you were attacked. The one who ordered it... was Ouranos."
"Ouranos?"
While Shirou had already suspected something, Hestia's eyes widened in shock. She clearly hadn't expected that even Ouranos would want to target Shirou.
"Why?" she asked almost reflexively, pressing Hermes for the reason.
"I'm afraid Ouranos' secrets aren't something I can reveal." Hermes refused to answer. "If you want to know everything, why not ask Ouranos yourself?"
"..."
Hestia fell silent.
She knew well that Ouranos was not someone just anyone could question.
This made her realize the matter was even more complicated than she had imagined.
Shirou, meanwhile, turned to Hermes and asked, "Back to the question—if I die, Bell's admiration will fade. How do you plan to deal with that?"
"Haha, do you really think that the death of the object of one's admiration would directly cause that admiration to disappear?"
"..."
"No, it wouldn't disappear, Shirou Emiya." Hermes smiled at Shirou. "Death is not the end of life.
Only the fading of memory marks life's true end.
So, even after your death, Bell will remember you.
He will always remember you as that powerful guide and, clinging to the memory of you, he will gain an unprecedented drive.
He may even inherit your will and challenge the darkness of Orario. Though that would be a foolish struggle, it would serve as an excellent trial to further strengthen him."
"So everything has been within your calculations."
"Because my divine power is the script. If I can't foresee how events will unfold, how can I write the most fitting narrative for the moment?" Hermes said with a beaming smile. "In short, in order to train Bell and make him a true hero, I have carefully orchestrated all of this.
I will use the blood and flesh of the Xenos to crown him with a hero's laurel, making the people of Orario realize that, after a thousand years, the final and most perfect hero is about to be born!"
"I see. I finally understand your intentions."
Shirou nodded slowly, finally grasping the goal Hermes had been pursuing all along.
At the same time, Hermes extended his hand toward Shirou. "Shirou Emiya, join me in forging Bell Cranel into a true hero."
"What?"
"I understand why Ouranos is wary of you, but I don't necessarily have to obey him. As long as I can achieve my goal, I can stand on your side," Hermes spoke slowly. "While your death could still inspire Bell's admiration, what you demonstrated today made me believe you're better suited to live—to live as Bell's guide and even fight alongside him to slay the Black Dragon and become saviors."
"You think I'm useful?"
"Though it may sound cruel, yes—that's what I mean. To be the guide of a savior, that is an honor not easily attained."
Hermes' words plunged Shirou into silence.
But his silence wasn't due to being tempted by Hermes' offer.
It was from sheer disgust.
Finally, Shirou asked, "Hermes, to you, what are the Xenos suffering in the depths, and the mortals on the surface caught in the chaos of war?"
"Of course—they're supporting characters on the stage," Hermes replied without hesitation. "Every story needs supporting characters.
It needs countless background players to build the world. They are the foundation of the tale—and are fated to make sacrifices for the hero's birth.
After all, only when the world is plunged into suffering, and the people are desperate and broken, can a hero shine more brightly and garner more attention!
To shed blood and sacrifice themselves for the birth of a hero—this should be their greatest honor!"
Shirou gave no reply to Hermes' twisted logic.
At that moment, even Hestia had clenched her fists in fury, grinding her teeth.
Clearly, Hermes' madness had gone beyond what they could bear.
"Hermes, have you ever experienced true despair?" Shirou stared at the god before him. "Have you ever faced something you couldn't escape no matter what, tried your hardest and still couldn't change reality, and watched helplessly as something precious slipped from your hands—with not even the strength to resist!?"
"What are you talking about? As a god, how could I have ever felt something like that?" Hermes responded coldly.
That was to be expected. As a god, he had never truly experienced despair.
Shirou smiled—not a warm smile, but a sneer.
He sneered at the arrogant god who thought himself omnipotent, sneered at the god who believed he held all the strings but was truly grasping at nothing.
"Hermes, in that case, allow me to teach you... what true despair really is!" Shirou said calmly. "If you see this world as your stage and call yourself the scriptwriter—then I will tear your script apart with my own hands, dismantle your madness, and destroy your fantasy!
I will exhaust everything I have to teach you the meaning of despair—to bring about the end of your story, and to make you understand that even a god who toys with mortals... must bear the wrath of those mortals!"
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