Chapter 60. Emiya the Hero in Dark Age Orario—Still a [Incubus]?
"BOOM——!!!"
The night sky of the Dark Age was torn apart by a ghastly white radiance. It was a Lv. 7 magic, a despairing hymn known as "Gospel."
"How is this magic... it's clearly a map-wipe cannon!"
Shirou Emiya gritted his teeth, his feet plowing two deep trenches into the ground. In front of him, a purple light shield shaped like flower petals was trembling violently, letting out an overburdened, sorrowful wail.
[Rho Aias (The Seven Rings that Cover the Fiery Heavens)]. Although it was only a four-layered version projected in haste, the first three layers vanished like pencil sketches being rubbed out by an eraser the instant they touched that sonic impact.
Crack!
The final petal was also covered in fissures. The massive impact force was transmitted through the shield into Shirou's body, jolting his internal organs out of place. This was Alfia. With just a casual strike, her power was comparable to a modern cruise missile.
"Oh? You blocked it?"
At the end of the street, Alfia raised an eyebrow slightly. In those heterochromatic eyes, a flicker of something called "interest" appeared for the first time. Although she had used less than ten percent of her mana just now, it wasn't something a mere "blacksmith" should be able to withstand. Even a Lv. 3 heavy-armor warrior should have been turned into a pile of pixels by now.
"The construction of your shield... is very interesting." Alfia raised her hand, heart-stopping mana brilliance once again condensing at her fingertips.
"So, how about this one?"
"Hey, hey, hey! Another one?!" Shirou broke into a cold sweat. His mana was bottomed out, and his HP was in the red. If he took another one, he'd truly hit a "GG" ending.
"STOP——!!!"
At this critical moment, a red figure lunged desperately in front of Shirou. Alise Lovell. The captain of the Astraea Familia gripped her longsword; though her legs were shaking, she stood firmly before the monster.
"You are not allowed... to hurt him!" Alise shouted. "He's just a passerby! He's innocent!"
"Innocent?" Alfia sneered. "In this Orario, weakness is the original sin. Moreover..." Her gaze swept over Shirou, "Someone who can take a hit from me doesn't count as a 'passerby'.
However..." Alfia suddenly covered her mouth, letting out a suppressed cough.
"Cough... cough cough..." A trail of blood flowed through the cracks of her fingers.
The terminal illness cursed by the gods—[The Price of Talent]—had flared up.
"Tch, how disappointing." Alfia wiped the blood from her lips, and the terrifying mana pressure surrounding her instantly dissipated. She glanced at Shirou, then at the death-defying Alise and Ryuu.
"I'll let it go for today." "My 'stomach' (mana/mood) is full."
She turned, her gray skirt fluttering sharply in the wind.
"Be grateful, brats of justice.
You've picked your lives back up.
And you... Shirou Emiya." Alfia paused and looked back over her shoulder, a strange light flashing in her heterochromatic eyes.
"Your food... was not bad."
Next time we meet, if you cannot please me more...I will kill you."
With that, her figure melted into the darkness like a ghost and vanished.
"Phew..." Only when the monster's aura had completely disappeared did everyone present dare to breathe deeply. It felt like they had just taken a tour of the gates of hell and even bought a souvenir ticket.
"W-We lived..." Lyra (the Pallum) collapsed on the ground. "Just now, I saw my late grandmother waving at me from the other side of a river."
"Idiot Lyra, that was a life-flashback." Kaguya snarked, though her hand gripping her katana was still trembling.
"Are you okay, kid?!" Alise turned to support the swaying Shirou. "You're bleeding so much!"
"I'm fine... won't die..." Shirou waved a hand, then his eyes rolled back, and he fainted quite decisively. There was no helping it; MP was at zero, and his stamina was overdrawn. Even an iron man needs to recharge.
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"An unfamiliar ceiling..."
When Shirou Emiya opened his eyes again, he saw a plain but clean wooden roof. The air was filled with a faint scent of herbs and... a pleasant floral fragrance.
"Awake?"
A cool and delicate face appeared above his line of sight. Short light-green hair, pointed ears, and sky-blue eyes as calm as lake water. Ryuu Lion. But the younger version—slightly more innocent, not yet turned into a "Revenger."
"Where is this..." Shirou propped himself up and found himself lying in a soft bed. His wounds had been bandaged (though the wrapping technique looked a bit like a rice dumpling, full of artistic flair).
"The Astraea Familia headquarters, the 'Stardust Garden'." Ryuu brought over a glass of water. "The Captain brought you back. Although I opposed bringing an unidentified man into an all-female Familia base..."
She paused, looking at Shirou with a complex gaze.
"You saved us. That is a fact."
"That was a result of my body moving on its own." Shirou took the glass and had a sip. "Besides... I got beaten pretty badly by that 'weird auntie'."
"Weird auntie..." Ryuu's lip twitched. To call that Hera Familia monster an "auntie"—this guy's guts were in a league of their own.
"Anyway, thank you for saving me." Shirou threw back the covers to get out of bed.
"Where are you going?" Ryuu asked.
"Leaving." Shirou smiled bitterly. "I'm just a passing blacksmith, and a 'ghost resident' at that. Staying here will only bring you trouble." Given it was the Dark Age and the Astraea Familia was already a target for many, he didn't want to put them in greater danger because of himself.
"No way!"
The door was slammed open. Alise charged in like a Genki-bomb, pinning Shirou down by the shoulders.
"Since you're here, you're a guest! And you're currently an injured patient!" Alise put her hands on her hips with a "Listen to me and you'll be fine" expression. "I've already reported to Lady Astraea, and she agreed to let you stay here temporarily to recover!"
"But..."
"No buts!" Alise gave a thumbs-up. "Besides, you can cook, right? Even that monster Alfia said your food was good! The stuff our Familia's 'chef' (Kaguya) makes is basically a biochemical weapon! We need you!"
"Hey! Alise! I heard that!" Kaguya's shamed and angry shout came from outside the door.
"My cooking is just... a bit 'avant-garde'! It's pursuing the original wildness of the ingredients!"
"So avant-garde it can fry gutter oil into charcoal?!" Lyra's snark followed immediately.
Listening to this energetic bickering, Shirou was stunned.
'Is this... the Astraea Familia of the past?'
Noisy, warm, and full of hope. Completely different from the lonely Ryuu he knew in the future.
"...Fine." Shirou sighed, but his gaze softened.
"Since it's an invitation from the 'Goddess of Justice,' I shall humbly accept."
He couldn't go back for now anyway; he might as well... protect this "daily life" here. Even if only temporarily.
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And so, Shirou Emiya's life as a "kept man" (scratch that) "guest" in the Dark Age officially began. Although this era was full of blood and fire, within the walls of the "Stardust Garden," the vibe began to turn strange because of one man's arrival.
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Morning, the kitchen.
This was originally the territory of the "Yamato Nadeshiko" Gojouno Kaguya, but today, it welcomed a new king.
"Um... Mr. Emiya?" Ryuu walked into the kitchen and froze, watching the back of the man skillfully chopping vegetables, stewing soup, and even baking bread simultaneously. "That level of skill... are you really a blacksmith?"
"Blacksmithing and cooking are similar in a sense." Shirou spoke without turning his head, his kitchen knife turning into a blur as if he were performing high-level swordsmanship. "Both are about understanding and reconstructing 'materials.' Heat, time, proportions... it's a very profound field of study."
"Hmph, you talk a big game." Kaguya stood at the door with her arms crossed. Although she was holding a katana (?), her eyes couldn't help but dart toward the pot. "I'll see what tricks you can pull off. My 'Special Black Charcoal Rice Balls' have quite a chew to them!"
"That's not called a 'chew,' that's an 'Anti-Tooth weapon," Lyra quipped as she poked her head out from under Kaguya's arm.
"Alright, it's done." Shirou lifted the lid. While a golden light didn't burst out, a rich, warm aroma instantly filled the kitchen. Using limited ingredients (supplies were scarce in the Dark Age), he used [Reinforcement Magic] to lock in the flavor and precise heat control to cook the—[Emiya Special: Assorted Warming Porridge].
Grumble... Kaguya's stomach gave a very honest growl. She turned her head away, blushing. "Tch, it smells... just average."
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Ten minutes later, the dining room.
"So good! What kind of heavenly taste is this?!" Alise's mouth was stuffed with porridge, looking so happy she was about to ascend; flowers seemingly bloomed in the background.
"Is this the legendary gourmet food? The stuff Kaguya makes really is garbage!"
"Alise! Do you want to die?!" Kaguya cursed, but her spoon was moving at lightning speed, her bowl empty in the blink of an eye.
"A-Another bowl! I'm only eating this to critique it! Yes, it's just for information gathering!"
"Uuuu... I've been revived..." Lyra held her bowl, tears of emotion falling.
"Finally, I don't have to eat Kaguya-san's dark matter. I feel like I can live another ten years!"
"It's not just delicious, but..." Ryuu lowered her head and took a sip, feeling the flow of mana in her body.
"The mana recovery speed has increased? Is this also an effect of 'cooking'?"
"Just a bit of minor magecraft." Shirou smiled modestly. Applying [Reinforcement Magic] to ingredients not only locked in flavor but also enhanced nutritional value. This was a unique skill he had practiced for over a decade in the Emiya household.
Seeing Ryuu's cute "shy but has to say it" expression, Shirou couldn't help but laugh. "Eat more, Miss Ryuu. You're too thin."
"...None of your business." Ryuu buried her face in the bowl, the tips of her ears turning a transparent red.
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Afternoon, the backyard.
This was usually where the girls maintained their weapons. But today, it had become a miniature "arsenal."
In this resource-scarce Dark Age, repairing equipment was a massive expense. But now, they had Shirou Emiya.
"Emiya! My blade has a chip!" Alise ran over frantically.
"My shield is dented, can you fix it?"
Lyra dropped her half-man-high shield on the ground.
"My katana... is a bit dull." Kaguya handed over her beloved blade somewhat awkwardly.
"Be careful, this is a famous sword."
"One by one, don't rush." Shirou sat on a small stool, holding a projected hammer, with a pile of battered equipment before him.
"Trace——On (Sync, Start)."
Emerald green magic circuits lit up. Under the girls' astonished gazes, Shirou's fingers brushed over the battle-scarred weapons.
"Structure Analysis... Fix... Reinforce."
No forge was needed, no anvil required. Shirou filled the cracks in the metal directly with mana, even adjusting the center of gravity and hardness along the way.
Hum——! Alise's longsword was brand new, and a faint magical glow even shimmered on the blade.
"It's fixed. I reinforced the crossguard too; it'll suit your 'thrust' tactics better." Shirou tossed the sword to Alise.
"Amazing! So cool!" Alise swung it twice, her eyes sparkling. "It's easier to use than when it was new! Shirou, are you a blacksmith god reincarnated?! We didn't just save a fortune on repairs, we got upgraded gear?!"
"Just an ordinary blacksmith." Shirou wiped his sweat.
"Next, Lyra's shield. This material is too brittle; I'll add a layer of 'Conceptual Coating' for you."
"Really? Awesome!" Lyra rubbed her hands excitedly. "Emiya-kun, have you considered joining us? Although we don't have money, our Captain (Alise) can offer herself in marriage! She's an idiot anyway, very easy to trick!"
"Hey! Lyra! Who are you calling an idiot!" Alise's face turned red.
"Um..." Ryuu, who had been standing to the side, hesitantly brought out her wooden sword. "Can... this be fixed too?"
Shirou took the wooden sword, which was covered in scratches and even had some cracks. This was Ryuu's most cherished weapon, the proof of her "no-kill" conviction.
"Of course." Shirou smiled gently. "And, I'll make it stronger. Strong enough to... support your 'justice'."
A green light flashed. The wooden sword was restored to its original state, even emitting a faint forest scent (fused with scraps of [Spirit Wood]).
Ryuu took the wooden sword, her fingers gently stroking the smooth surface. "Thank you..." She looked at Shirou's focused profile, and a certain string in her heart seemed to be lightly plucked.
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Night. Except for those on patrol, most members had gone to sleep. Shirou sat alone on the roof, looking at the gray night sky unique to the Dark Age.
"Can't sleep?" Ryuu's figure landed lightly beside him. She held two cups and handed one to Shirou. "This is tea from Kaguya's private stash. It tastes alright (though I took it secretly)."
"Thanks." Shirou took the tea; it was steaming hot.
"Emiya." Ryuu sat beside him, hugging her knees and looking at the distant Babel. "Why... are you so good to us? You're just a traveler; you could have just walked away."
"Because... I couldn't stand to watch, I guess." Shirou took a sip of tea, his gaze deep.
"In this era, it's too hard to stick to doing the right thing. Whether it's Alise or you, you're all fighting desperately for others."
"I'm dim-witted and don't understand grand theories." Shirou turned his head, looking into Ryuu's eyes, which remained clear even in the night. "But I know that 'fools' like you shouldn't be failed by the world."
"If I didn't lend a hand... I'd regret it for the rest of my life."
"Fool..." Ryuu was stunned, then she revealed an extremely faint smile—a smile so beautiful it made one's heart tremble. "You're the biggest fool, aren't you? Even though you're covered in scars yourself."
"Takes one to know one." The two looked at each other and smiled. In this desperate Dark Age, at the edge of a battlefield where death could come at any time, this brief moment of peace and understanding felt exceptionally precious.
"By the way, Emiya," Ryuu suddenly asked, "What is your dream?"
"Dream?" Shirou thought for a moment, and a red silhouette and a blonde King of Knights appeared in his mind.
"Probably... to be an Ally of Justice."
"Pffft." Ryuu couldn't help but laugh. "What an old-fashioned dream. Even children don't say that nowadays."
"Yeah, it's old-fashioned." Shirou laughed too, not refuting her. "But because it's old-fashioned... someone needs to stick with it, don't they?"
Ryuu looked at Shirou. That smile, though carrying a hint of helplessness, had a steadfastness that made it impossible to look away. Like the only candle in the dark.
"An Ally of Justice..." Ryuu whispered.
"If I could be as steadfast as you... I want to become... the kind of 'wind' that brings hope to others."
the night wind blew past. The youth's red hair and the elf's blonde hair intertwined in the breeze. Although the future fate remained cruel (the tragedy of the Astraea Familia), at least in this moment, on this path called "Justice," they were not alone.
This was Shirou Emiya's daily life in the Dark Age. Cooking, fixing gear, being an understanding older brother. Although ordinary, he was slowly changing the trajectory of these girls' fates.
And he did not know. These bonds would, one day in the future, become the seeds of a miracle... one that transcends time and death.
And when he eventually returns to the future, the reason why the "Gale" would trust him so implicitly was all foreshadowed in these ordinary nights.
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