Chapter 147: Anti-Sea Demon Frontline Formed — Shirou Wants Ais to Become a Hero!
"ROAAAARRRR—!!!"
A deafening howl rang out from the far end of the ocean's horizon.
The colossal Sea Demon writhed its gigantic body, stirring up the sea as it slowly crawled toward Orario.
Wherever this massive monster passed, the sea swallowed everything. Countless tentacles tore apart all that existed, while the surging floodwaters rushed inland.
Faced with this apocalyptic scene, the adventurers of Orario were undoubtedly overwhelmed with despair.
Everyone watched as that terrifying entity slowly crept closer — and even began to recall a deep-seated fear etched into the genes of all living creatures, as if they had returned to the dreadful era ruled by the Three Great Calamities.
Just as the adventurers were on the brink of despair, a group of figures rushed in from afar.
Leading them were a blond Pallum and a black-haired Boez, immediately drawing gasps of surprise from the adventurers.
Because those two were none other than:
Finn Deimne, Captain of the Loki Familia, and Ottar, Captain of the Freya Familia.
Behind them were members of both familias — undeniably the strongest battle-type factions in all of Orario.
Freya Familia aside, the Loki Familia — although previously crushed by the "Sword Demon" — had recovered, and upon the Sea Demon's appearance, immediately deployed to the scene.
Not just the familias — even their gods, Loki and Freya, had personally come to the front lines, standing atop Orario's outer wall alongside the adventurers.
"Never… Never in my life did I imagine I'd witness a day like this."
Loki's eyes were wide.
Ever since the chaos caused by the Xenos, she had taken no action.
She had been warned by Ouranos and the Guild not to interfere in Orario's affairs for the time being — or face expulsion as punishment.
Even a crafty god like Loki was unable to act against such a decree from the King of the Gods.
So she had spent the past several days drinking herself unconscious in her room, completely detached from the world.
It wasn't until the Sea Demon suddenly descended and Orario entered an unprecedented emergency state that her familia dragged her out of the room.
At first, Loki didn't believe the so-called Sea Demon was anything too serious. She thought a combined effort from the Loki and Freya familias would be enough to deal with it easily.
But she quickly realized she was wrong.
After seeing the beast occupying the entire sea surface — monstrous tentacles waving wildly as if ready to swallow the entire city — she understood deeply:
This wasn't a crisis that the Loki and Freya familias alone could resolve.
If no serious countermeasures were taken, this could very well lead to a world-ending disaster.
"Loki, got any bright ideas?"
Even Freya — the goddess of beauty — couldn't remain calm after witnessing the Sea Demon. She stared at it with disgust, unable to comprehend what kind of monster it was or where it had come from.
In fact, no one in Orario had any idea where the Sea Demon originated from. Instinctively, they attributed it to the Evilus faction — the remnants of the Dark Faction.
And ironically, they weren't wrong.
Because the Sea Demon was a doomsday weapon created through the collaboration between Shirou and the Dark Faction.
"Ideas? You think something like that can be solved with just a plan?"
Loki shrugged helplessly.
"Let's be honest — just look at the size of that thing.
Even if every adventurer in Orario attacked it at once, we probably wouldn't even leave a scratch.
The scale difference is just too overwhelming.
Unless the Zeus or Hera familias were still around, we'd have no chance of fighting that kind of monster."
Her words were cold — but realistic.
The truth was plain: the Sea Demon was so enormous that it was effectively a dimensional downgrade for Orario's combat power system.
Even adventurers at Level 6 or 7 didn't possess military- or city-level offensive capabilities. Most were still grounded in melee combat.
A classic example was Ottar, the strongest adventurer in Orario — even his ultimate attack could only destroy a single street.
That was nowhere near enough to deal with a monster the size of a small country.
If Ottar couldn't do it, no one else could — even if they all fought together.
There was nothing left to struggle against — the destruction of Orario had already been declared.
"Isn't there anything we can do?"
Finn bit his thumb in frustration.
"Sure, maybe adventurers can't beat that monster, but what about the divine powers of the gods? Isn't there a divine authority strong enough to destroy it?"
"Not likely." Loki shook her head.
"Gods can't use divine power in Genkai.
Most divine authorities are internal or symbolic.
Authorities like Freya's or Hermes' — which can influence an entire city — are extremely rare.
Even then, those authorities only influence things on a mental or spiritual level — they can't cause physical destruction..."
"That's not entirely true, Loki."
Freya suddenly interrupted.
"There are authorities capable of causing destruction comparable to divine power."
Loki gave a bitter smile.
"Right… I almost forgot about her.
The goddess of justice, Astraea.
If she was still in this city, her divine sword of judgment could probably destroy that Sea Demon.
But unfortunately, Astraea has already left Orario.
She's not coming back anytime soon. And aside from her, no other god possesses a destructive authority they can use here."
"So… this is a dead end?"
Finn and the other adventurers looked grim.
No one could calmly accept destruction and despair when staring it in the face.
But Loki just smiled.
"Whether or not it's a dead end depends on you. Gods can't intervene in Genkai — which means that saving the world is always up to you mortals.
"A thousand years ago, the Three Great Calamities almost destroyed the entire world. And yet, the world still stands. Believe in the power of mortals — in your own wisdom and strength. Only you can be the saviors of this world!"
Her tone was light, but her words struck a chord in every heart.
The adventurers realized: wallowing in fear and despair was meaningless.
What mattered now — was standing up and fighting back, even if the enemy seemed invincible.
Even if doom was inevitable — they could not give up!
"Then I guess we've got no choice but to do this."
Finn smiled.
He had long anticipated this situation — even Loki's speech.
He quickly pulled himself together and began organizing the adventurers, preparing to face the Sea Demon — a creature that could truly be described as the incarnation of the apocalypse.
It was a moment of overwhelming intensity.
Freya Familia also took action.
Under Ottar's command, they joined forces with the Loki Familia to prepare atop the city walls.
The two familias, normally mortal enemies, had no choice but to cooperate in the face of this existential threat.
But they weren't the only ones.
On the opposite side of the wall, the dark-skinned Minotaur Xenos, along with other Xenos, arrived at the frontlines.
Upon seeing the monstrous Sea Demon, even the Xenos felt deep fear.
Faced with such a close, apocalyptic threat, all previous conflicts and chaos temporarily vanished. Everyone — adventurers and monsters alike — felt the same fear and despair.
Finally, Ray came forward as the Xenos' representative to negotiate with Orario's adventurers, expressing their desire to join the fight against the Sea Demon.
Their only condition: after the battle, they wished to open negotiations with Orario's adventurers about ending the hunting of Xenos in the future.
That the Xenos could make such a rational request was proof that Hermes' divine authority had lost its grip on reality.
The Sea Demon's overwhelming pressure had completely shattered Hermes' entire narrative, rendering everything he'd scripted irrelevant — an elephant in the room that couldn't be ignored.
Still, many adventurers remained reluctant to accept the Xenos.
To them, the Xenos were still monsters — dungeon creatures that couldn't be trusted.
But Loki and Freya, who both knew the Xenos' truth, maintained a neutral stance.
It was only because of Ouranos' restrictions that they hadn't taken action before.
Now that the world-ending crisis was right before their eyes, Loki and Freya actually did want to make use of the power of the Xenos.
However, neither Loki nor Freya were gods who liked to interfere too much in the decisions of their followers.
In the end, they left the final choice up to their respective familias.
Most adventurers were confused and unsure about the situation. They still harbored doubts toward the Xenos, but their fear of the Sea Demon made them yearn for any possible assistance.
This collective hesitation ultimately resulted in the power of decision falling into the hands of the two commanders: Finn and Ottar.
Ottar didn't hesitate. He quietly spoke:
"Setting aside what Hermes thinks — I want these Xenos to fight alongside us.
Because they possess a will no weaker than the strongest familias."
It was clear Ottar had been deeply impressed by the fighting spirit of the Xenos — particularly from his battle with Asterios — so now he was willing to believe in them.
The final decision, then, rested with Finn.
Finn hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke in a low voice:
"Shall we call it fate? The one who hates monsters the most, Ais, isn't here right now. I'll take that as a sign from destiny. I agree to cooperate with you. And I accept your conditions, Xenos."
With the responses of these two major familias, it was tantamount to Orario itself giving its answer.
Ray took a deep breath and declared:
"Then let us fight together — for survival!"
"For survival, huh… Not a bad sentiment."
Finn nodded at her words, acknowledging the determination of the Xenos.
Ottar, too, gave a silent response — a gesture of respect.
Groups that had once been in conflict, who under normal circumstances could never work together, were now united by the emergence of the Sea Demon.
They weren't exactly companions in the true sense. But at least when it came to fighting the Sea Demon, their interests were aligned — they would face this terrifying enemy together.
Beyond just the Loki Familia, Freya Familia, and the Xenos, other adventurers of Orario had also rushed to the front wall — including Bell and the Hestia Familia.
For this one moment in time — regardless of social standing, background, or purpose — all were forced to set aside their differences and unite to confront the looming world-ending disaster.
This unprecedented unity in the face of calamity had completely diverged from the script that Hermes had written — the story where Bell was to be shaped into a "hero."
The carefully prepared stage Hermes had built — by now — had completely collapsed.
.
.
.
In a dark alley, down a ruined path shredded by the storm of destruction, Ais stood with her eyes closed, her spirit sinking into a bottomless abyss.
She didn't want to think anymore. She didn't want to face reality.
Compared to the unbearable truth, she would rather shut herself off entirely — see nothing, hear nothing.
At the very least, that way… She wouldn't have to endure any more pain. She wouldn't have to suffer the sting of betrayal again.
"Let it all end here… this pathetic life… this meaningless fate…
I don't want to fight anymore."
Ais shut her eyes tightly in despair, letting the clouds drift silently overhead.
Not even the Sea Demon's arrival… not even the chaos erupting in Orario… None of it could awaken her from this self-imposed prison.
Her will had already been completely broken by the despair of reality. She no longer had the strength to stand again by her own resolve.
With her spirit shattered, the Sword Princess allowed herself to fall — toward the abyss of tragedy — waiting for the moment she would be utterly destroyed.
And in that moment, only one voice could reach her — the voice of a hero, capable of calling back the girl who had given up on herself.
But that voice… was not supposed to exist anymore. It belonged to someone who had betrayed her — someone who shouldn't appear again.
And yet — As footsteps slowly echoed from the end of the road, something impossible began to happen once more.
"Wake up, Ais. Or rather… you were never really asleep, were you?"
Bathed in moonlight, Shirou approached from a distance, his tone calm and direct.
Hearing his voice, Ais couldn't help but open her eyes. She instinctively looked at the man before her — the one who had gone down a different path than hers — and her heart once again felt a tearing pain.
Why…? Why did he come back? Why is he standing before me?
Her eyes searched for an answer to those questions.
But Shirou didn't offer one directly. Instead, he quietly said:
"If I told you… that the girl you once held in your arms — Wiene — was also a Xenos, one of the monsters you despise… would you believe me?"
"Wiene… is a monster…?"
Hearing this unbelievable truth, Ais's pupils widened in shock.
She could still feel the warmth of Shirou's adopted daughter — the girl she had once held — vivid in her chest even now.
That warmth… It was utterly indistinguishable from a human's.
How could something so gentle, so kind — be the warmth of a monster?
But even so, Ais wasn't so easily swayed. She clenched her teeth and responded:
"A monster is a monster. Even if they smile like humans… cry like humans… show reason like humans… That doesn't change their nature!"
"If that's what you believe — are you saying you'll kill Wiene the next time you see her?"
"My resolve… will not change." Ais didn't answer the question directly. She simply stated her conviction with words:
"I was born to kill monsters. I live to fulfill my final revenge. My sword will pierce the heart of every last monster!"
"I see… so that's where your identity lies." Shirou nodded. "Then go ahead — fight with that resolve, Ais."
"What…?"
"You can still fight, right? You still have the strength to grip your sword… don't you?"
"…!"
Ais wanted to nod.
But her arms trembled uncontrollably. A fear she couldn't name had taken root in her heart — leaving her unable to answer.
"I… I can't fight anymore."
Ais hung her head. Her once golden hair had grown dull. Her beautiful face had lost its color.
"I thought… I really thought… you would never betray me. I thought… you would be my hero.
But I was wrong. I misunderstood. Heroes… never existed in the first place. It was all just my own delusion."
"You're right. It was just your illusion."
Shirou's voice was cold — as if it pierced straight through her heart.
But even as his words split her chest open — even as they exposed her vulnerable heart — they also injected her with strength.
"Because you don't need those illusions, Ais." Shirou gazed at the golden-haired girl.
In his eyes, there flickered the image of another golden-haired girl — one he did not know personally, yet existed in some long-forgotten corner of his memory.
"You are not some powerless girl who cries and waits for others to save her. You are not someone who must rely on others just to stand.
You are the Sword Princess. A true warrior.
You don't need to imagine a hero. You should become someone else's hero."
"Become… someone else's… hero…"
"You can do it. No — you will do it. I believe it with all my heart.
If this world has a savior — then that person must be you."
Shirou's voice was calm — but filled with conviction.
He slowly reached out his hand to the girl who had collapsed on the ground.
"Instead of lying broken like a little girl and crying — wouldn't you rather be standing at the forefront, sword in hand, saving the world?
If you're willing — take my hand.
I'll make you a hero, Ais."
His words echoed in her ears.
Ais's eyes filled with uncertainty.
She had never imagined someone would say such things to her. Never imagined she would feel so moved by someone's words.
Her heart surged with emotion — until finally, almost instinctively — she reached out and took Shirou's hand.
And with that— The curtain on the hero's stage… finally rose!
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