Winter Had Only Just Passed / Are Swimsuits Really That Far Away?

"High energy, high calories is the way to go!" Artoria said matter-of-factly.

"Hmph! You tell me, you cold-blooded woman! Do you think Shirou's cooking or someone else's is better?!" Jeanne d'Arc retorted defiantly.

"What? A girl is swearing in the street?"

Passersby saw two girls arguing with a boy in between, and couldn't help but peek out curiously, wondering what was going on.

'Asura Field?'

'Cheating? Did she cheat on you?'

Those who saw the girl's face clearly exclaimed, "So beautiful!! Are those two girls celebrities or models? And what's with that guy?"

"He'd be lucky to even meet one person, and he's still not satisfied? Now he's exposed..."

"Serves him right! Let's see how that scumbag gets out of this mess, hehehe." The men around him grinned maliciously and gleefully.

"I'm sure! It's Shirou, of course! I love it so much I can't live without it for a day! But Assault Girl! You ate some too, didn't you? Snacks!" Artoria declared.

"Ugh..." Jeanne d'Arc gritted her teeth, thinking of the roasted sparrows, crepes, glutinous rice balls, and matcha pastries she had eaten along the way. Even she could only remain speechless at this moment.

But if we do that, we'll be taken advantage of. 'Isn't that betrayal? He's been working so hard, day and night, trying every possible way to make delicious food for me, Shirou!'

At that moment, the silver-haired girl saw the boy's kind smile.

"Ah! No, my favorite is definitely Shirou's cooking! Ahh! Never mind!" The silver-haired girl hurriedly explained to the boy, finally clutching her head in frustration and asking, "Shirou! What do you think?"

Artoria also turned her gaze to the boy, as if waiting for him to make a decision.

"It's here! It's here! The end of the Asura Field!"

"No matter what choice you make, whether it's a machete or a kitchen knife, the end result will be dismemberment. You deserve it! You social butterfly!"

The onlookers, hiding nearby, clenched their fists in excitement.

Shirou was being stared at by the two girls, paused for a moment, then instantly understood! They wanted him to decide whether to go to the hamburger shop or go shopping for clothes!

"Indeed, I can make all of these snacks." The boy considered it seriously, resting his chin on his hand, and then said, "However, considering the cost-effectiveness, making these at home would require buying all sorts of tools."

Foods like meat buns and steamed buns require well-sealed steamers; takoyaki requires specially grooved cookware; grilling, whether charcoal or fire-grilled, requires a rack; smoked meat requires an oven; and teppanyaki grills also require electricity or a hot plate.

Although Shirou is considered very frugal, he doesn't skimp on food, having a teppanyaki grill, microwave, and oven.

However, it's still far from enough to say that it can make snacks from all over the world. For example, a large steamer specifically for steaming buns, even a mediocre one, costs several thousand yuan, and a hamburger machine for making hamburgers is even more expensive.

American-style smoked meat and Peking duck cannot be made without a specially built room for roasting.

Besides, it's just a snack, so it's impossible to make it every day, and you might only buy it a few times a year.

Furthermore, if the required amount of ingredients is small, the price of materials cannot be discounted. The cost of purchasing professional equipment is not cheap."

"So if the chef's skills are good, it's better to buy many snacks from the restaurant," Shirou analyzed with a smile.

"Of course, since I can use Projection, I can create all sorts of things, so if there's any food you particularly want to eat, I can make it for you."

"I see, as expected of Shirou." Jeanne d'Arc nodded, then glanced at Artoria provocatively and said, "Did you hear that, you cold-blooded woman!"

"But eating out feels different from eating at home! Sometimes you might crave food like that, right? Is that okay, Shirou?" Artoria said, looking at the boy.

Shirou smiled and said, "Haha, what a cute request! Sure, I'll buy you whatever you want to eat today. But Artoria, can you bear with it for a little while? There are burger shops and fried chicken shops just outside!"

"Hmm... well, then just bear with it for a bit." The blonde girl looked at the boy, paused for a moment, then turned her head away and coldly agreed.

"Jeanne d'Arc, thank you for worrying about me. But as long as everyone has fun today, you'll be fine. The direction from the hamburger shop is on the way to the clothing store that Komachi usually goes to," Shirou said with a smile to the silver-haired girl.

"Hmph, whatever! I only took pity on you. Since you don't care, Shirou, then I have nothing more to say. Let's do it this way." Jeanne d'Arc awkwardly raised her eyebrows and pouted.

"Is that so? Okay, let's go then," Shirou said.

"Hmm." Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc followed, walking out from the inner side of the street and heading outside.

"Wait? What happened?! The Asura Field is over just like that?" the onlookers said, bewildered.

'Could it be that the boy was forgiven for cheating? Or did he tame those two pretty girls?' The people around him looked astonished.

The men behind the "Big Teacher!" clasped their hands together in a gesture of worship, some praying for family harmony, others for finding a partner soon.

Fortunately, burger and fried chicken restaurants are found all over the world, so they were easy to find. Shirou took the girl to queue up and bought ten burgers, which finally cheered her up.

After that, the group arrived at a plaza where a large crowd had gathered, seemingly for some kind of event. Upon closer inspection, they discovered it was an exhibition of antique high-class samurai equipment, ranging from renowned samurai swords from a century ago to modern handicrafts.

Shirou stepped forward and saw a full set of purple samurai armor hanging on a rack in a fighting stance. The samurai combat suit had scales on the shoulders and a tengu mask under the helmet. Even though it was just an empty shell, it looked very intimidating.

Because of the many similarities, Shirou was reminded of his previous dream. In the final battle against Soji Alter, he and Muramasa possessed a man who displayed incredible power.

At the last moment, 'Muramasa' forged exquisite armor, not with steel, but with spirit and soul. No part of the armor he wore was ordinary; in outside terms, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a divine artifact.

Because of the possession and summoning, Shirou, who shared the memories with Muramasa at that time, sensed that Muramasa had communicated with the Magic Eye, seemed to have used the curse and flames of the demon sword to create something from nothing and complete a miraculous forging.

Using the same amount of energy for creation, skipping all forging processes, the final equipment was completed.

But it wasn't Projection. What he felt at the time was more like creation from nothing. The equipment didn't seem to disappear when the magic power stopped supplying it, but would be preserved until it was eaten away by insects and weathered away.

Because that is a world between dreams and reality, where he was already dead, there was no way to verify it.

"Hehe, I'll answer that question for you." At that moment, a 3D image suddenly appeared, and Da Vinci from Chaldea stepped out to speak to him.

"Da Vinci, stop scaring people like that, okay? And just popping out like that, are you sure it's okay?" Shirou complained, looking around at the crowd on the street, and finding that they didn't seem to be doing anything unusual.

"It's alright, it's alright~!" Da Vinci said with a smile, unconcerned. "Just talk to me in your mind. This is an upgraded version of the 3D projection. Ordinary people around here won't be able to see or hear me without magic."

"That's good, I was just about to ask you about that," Shirou said.

"I feel that all along, through possession and summoning, I've learned a lot from other people in other worlds, from other Servant. But this time, as the possessor, I've experienced battles and learned a lot from the original owner of the body. I'm wondering if even Servant have the potential to become stronger?"

Da Vinci said, "No, those who are revered as heroes cease to be free from the moment of their death. The Servant who enter the Throne of Heroes are more of a constant, conceptual existence. Servant are merely summoned beings. No matter how much Servant experiences, once they die, all that remains in the Hall of Heroes is a cold, lifeless record."

"Theoretically speaking, Servant are like Projection of Heroic Servant placed in the world. They cannot be reflected back to the Servant because the Servant is fixed the moment he enters the throne. Every time he is summoned, the Servant at that moment will be used as the basic model."

Servant exist outside the timeline, as conceptual beings. Emotions and regrets are meaningless to them; only the Servant remember their inner desires and respond to the Holy Grail's call.

If the influence of the Counter Force is weakened, there might be some Servant memories retained, but each Projection will rebuild the Spirit Origin and physical body, so it can only be considered a completely different individual."

"Yes, I know that." Shirou nodded. Although he didn't know anything when he participated in the Holy Grail War in his previous life, fortunately Tohsaka helped him. However, he also made up for his knowledge in this area after going to the Clock Tower.

"Of course! If a genius like me can find a way to keep my Spirit Origin intact and preserve my memories, then even if I change bodies several times, I'll still be me! At least I'll be the 'me' who inherits my current will."

"I think Shirou, no matter which world he's in, is unique yet shares similar beliefs," Da Vinci said with a slightly lonely chuckle.

"Da Vinci?" Shirou said.

Da Vinci resumed his usual smile, shrugged, and said, "Ah, it's nothing. Artists are always sentimental. Shirou, your idea is both right and wrong; it depends on your own choice."

The Servant has already lived its entire life, and many aspects of its thoughts and personality have long been fixed.

"But if there are Servant have experienced thousands upon thousands of battles, and they keep fighting like this, perhaps one day a qualitative change will really occur."

"If Servant gains a physical body, it's like gaining a second life. Starting a new life, experiencing many things, learning and experiencing new things, they will continuously grow, and perhaps one day they can truly become someone who surpasses the Hall of Heroes."

Chapter 248 Winter has just passed

"After obtaining a physical body, the changes and growth will also increase significantly, just like Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc now, right?" Shirou nodded and said.

Both girls are constantly trying to explore new things, learn new knowledge, and change themselves to accept the new era's society and system.

Artoria, following her own wishes, tried becoming a maid, standing outside the king and seeing the world from the perspective of serving others, although in her altered state she didn't actually intend to serve anyone.

Jeanne d'Arc was learning to read, from practicing her signature by copying it to being able to understand French and English, although mathematics still seemed to be a challenge for her.

Da Vinci looked at Shirou seriously and reminded him, "That's right. And now, thanks to the Holy Grail, they've come to this world as girls with some fighting ability. After gaining physical bodies, they actually have more weaknesses than when they were in spirit form. If their physical bodies suffer a fatal injury, they will die. So Shirou, you have to cherish them."

"Of course, that's always been my thought. Now that Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc have come to my world, I'll naturally take on the responsibility of taking care of them. The battles against the black mud Heroic Spirit and the Demonic Beast will be tough, but if we all work together, we'll always find a way," Shirou readily agreed.

"Yes, that's good!" Da Vinci nodded with a satisfied smile, but she didn't say one more thing. A hint of worry crossed Da Vinci eyes as she looked at the boy, thinking, 'You're the same, Shirou.'

Da Vinci composed himself, then turned to look inside and remarked, "Speaking of which, it's quite lively inside."

"Huh? What's wrong?" Shirou followed Da Vinci's gaze in the virtual Projection and looked at the girls trying on clothes in the clothing store. He didn't know when they had started picking out swimsuits.

Komachi held up a pure white and a light Mashiro bikini and held it up against Mashiro's body. The adorable girl let Komachi dress her up as she pleased, and in the end, she was simply dragged into the dressing room.

With his excellent eyesight, Shirou could clearly see the girls interacting inside even standing at the store entrance through the glass.

The silver-haired girl, holding up a bikini that was clearly two sizes too big for Artoria, then revealed an extremely wicked and mocking smile.

Then Artoria stretched out both hands, with an air of wanting to crush a coconut, and grabbed at the silver-haired girl's chest.

Jeanne d'Arc, of course, wouldn't let her opponent succeed. She casually tossed her bikini aside and hung it on something, then reached out and grabbed Artoria's outstretched hand, a battle-ready smile on her lips.

A smile appeared on Artoria's lips, but it was as cold as a farewell to an enemy during a fierce battle.

He used all his strength as if he wanted to crush the other person's hand, and even his arms trembled uncontrollably.

Without a word, the two began to struggle, their intense movements creating a chilling gust of wind in the warm clothing store.

"Ha! I was just trying to help you pick out clothes, but are they too small? They'll just fall off even if you put them on! Why don't we go look in the children's section over there?" Jeanne d'Arc looked at the girl in front of her with a mocking smile, a truly wicked villain's grin on her face.

Upon entering the shop and seeing all those swimsuits, Jeanne d'Arc realized one thing: she could now defeat the Cold-blooded King! In this realm filled with all sorts of flowing swimsuits, she could achieve an absolutely overwhelming victory!

Having realized this, Jeanne d'Arc of Arc naturally wouldn't let go of such a good opportunity to regain face, and continued to provoke the past.

"Oh, Assault Girl, are you actually saying you want me to cut off those two flabby lumps on your chest right now? You even wet your pillow when you sleep, how dare you say that to me?" Artoria said angrily, looking coldly at the silver-haired girl.

"Hehehe..." Jeanne d'Arc revealed a smug look in her eyes, thinking to herself: 'I'll burn you!'

"Huff huff huff..." Artoria would never bow down to anyone, especially not this annoying Assault Girl. She thought to herself, annoyed and embarrassed, 'That bright red bikini is totally not my thing, and besides, I'm not exactly short of suitors! Let's just blow her up!'

The clerk on the side, who originally wanted to come over to help and had a bikini on her head, could only keep a professional smile and was sweating coldly without daring to speak. She could only place her hope on the people who came out of the dressing room, 'Guests, please help persuade your friends!'

Komachi looked around; the female shop assistants here were all Mashiro, recalling the feeling of her hand bouncing back when she helped Mashiro change clothes earlier...

Even though she was a woman, she was also accidentally drawn in and almost became addicted. Although it was a good thing, she still felt resentful.

"Damn it! Mashiro! You're on the other side too..." Komachi lowered her head in sorrow. Even though she was in the bustling Shinjuku district, she suddenly couldn't find another companion...

"?" Mashiro tilted her head, looking completely bewildered.

"Damn it... If that's the case... Ria -nee, Go! Go! Ria -nee, do your best! Although as a friend, Komachi hopes everyone can get along well with her brother! But! Only this time! Let them know! JK flat-chested girls are justice!" Komachi raised her fist and shouted.

"Oh no!!! They're making a fuss instead!" the shop assistant cried out in her heart, clutching her face in despair.

Her colleagues on the other side, responsible for other areas, all turned away. Those who knew her better waved to her, urging her to leave that dangerous place as soon as possible.

But if something goes wrong with the product, it seems she'll have to rely on herself to stop it all now. The shop assistant, trembling, mustered her courage and weakly said, "Um..."

"Huh?!" x2, Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc, who were locked in a struggle, turned their heads and glared at each other at the same time.

"No! It's nothing..." The shop assistant silently backed away, still wearing a smile, but it was just because she was too nervous and her smile muscles were stiff.

My mind was reeling, thinking, "No! This is terrifying! It's like they're going to kill me! I just want to go home and have a beer to calm my nerves."

"Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc are still as close as ever, but it's only just past winter, isn't it a bit too hasty to buy swimsuits now?" Shirou chuckled and teased.

Chapter 249 Swimsuits, Are They Far Away?

"No... perhaps we'll need it soon," Da Vinci said meaningfully.

"Huh? What?" Shirou asked, looking in confusion at the black-haired noblewoman in the 3D image that only he could see.

"Swimsuits, stay tuned! For Chaldea, this is just an annual tradition," Da Vinci said with a mysterious smile.

"Why do you make it sound like you're the one who orchestrated this?" Shirou asked Da Vinci suspiciously.

"Oh, come on, as a manager, I would never abuse my power for personal gain. It's just that every year, for some reason, every summer, Gudako always seems to get dragged into strange places and encounter a bunch of strange Servant," Da Vinci said, waving his hand with amusement.

'This feels even more suspicious now...' Shirou thought to himself, but even if he asked, the other party wouldn't admit it, so he decided to let it go.

"Of course, if we're talking about the most likely candidate, it has to be the current Artoria! There are countless Servant of Artoria's Servants: a swimsuit-clad Artoria wearing a green blanket; a cavalry-riding Artoria; a maid-like Artoria in a maid outfit; Artoria with the eye attribute; and even an Assassin-class Artoria whose goal is to kill all Artoria!"

It also features Artoria Lily, who represents purity and is like the girl next door; and as for pets, there's even Lion Artoria dressed in a lion costume.

"Artoria wearing a lion plush toy pajama, who knows, I might want to keep her as a pet." Shirou imagined a crying, hungry little Artoria and blurted out. But he quickly realized his mistake and retorted, "No way! A lot of what you're saying is just simple cosplay!"

"Shirou... you don't understand. Although it may seem like just a change of clothes and a haircut, the important thing is the change inside. Different beliefs, different eras, different memories, different experiences—these alone are enough to make them different people. Even if they come from the same Servant, they are still different individuals."

"Of course, the same goes for Jeanne d'Arc now. As long as she keeps trying to explore new things and master new skills, it's not impossible for her to change her Spirit Origin and transform into any class," Da Vinci said with a smile.

"Is that so..." Shirou frowned, looking troubled. For some reason, he seemed to see a dozen or so Artoria with the same face sitting around a dining table, fighting over food...

Because it was so realistic, Shirou was momentarily stunned.

Inside the shop, Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc were still arguing loudly.

Seeing that the shop assistant was on the verge of tears, Komachi finally intervened. However, once the two started fighting, they weren't going to back down easily.