An Extremely Evil Plan

Because at the very last moment, he sensed a familiar presence, but the attack came too swiftly; it was too late to dodge or change tactics.

However, Shirou was still pierced by the spear tip and fell to the ground from mid-air. He could see clearly that the person inside was a female knight riding a black horse and wearing black armor. Her face was the face he knew very well, only she had grown up a little, lost some of the girlishness, and gained more of the charm and majesty of a queen.

Before Shirou could speak, the other person spoke first.

The beautiful woman dismounted from her horse, reached out her hand to Shirou on the ground, and said, "Shirou... I didn't expect it to be you. Are you alright?"

"Yes, it's alright." Shirou grasped the woman's hand and used it to stand up. At the last moment, the woman had held back all her strength and magic. He had only been stabbed by the tip of the spear, leaving only a red mark on his chest muscle, without even drawing blood.

The woman is the Black Storm Queen. After pulling the Caliburn, Artoria, who mainly uses the Holy Lance to fight, has had less of an impact on her body from the Holy Sword, and thus has continued to grow, seemingly remaining at the peak of her human form.

Perhaps because of her status as Servant, this special being can influence even the karma of her physical body when she becomes Servant. It could also be argued that the Artoria at this time shares the same origin as the Artoria Shirou knew, but has embarked on a different path King Arthur in another world.

After all, the Throne of Heroes, which is outside the timeline, is too far removed from humanity. Even Magecraft are proficient in spirit summoning and researching the Counter Force do not fully understand it. Even Chaldea, which is on the front lines, still has many unknowns. It is even possible that the knowledge and information they currently possess is only the tip of the iceberg.

Among the many Servant on the Throne of Heroes, there are others similar to Artoria —the same character, yet not entirely the same Servant; beings that are similar yet different.

For example, the more ancient the king, the more he tends to be associated with legends, possessing divine blood. However, there are also powerful and ruthless Hegemon-King Lord made great achievements in history. In history, they were wise and capable Hegemon-King, while in legends they were sons of gods.

There are even beings who were so powerful in life that they could live forever, directly transcending the category of 'Servant' and becoming immortals or Buddhas.

The same character may even give birth to different Servant, such as Vlad the Impaler the vampire and Vlad the Impaler the Iron-Blooded General.

For example, there's Earl Elizabeth, the vampire who was imprisoned in the castle dungeon and eventually starved to death, and Elizabeth, who has absolutely no self-awareness and only dreams of becoming an idol and holding concerts.

"You're different from the Artoria I know. This should be our first meeting, right?" Shirou asked.

"Another version of me, who once slept in Avalon, borrowed my power, and thus I merged with her, gaining memories related to her. Shirou, don't feel distant. Although my personality is somewhat different now, I am undoubtedly still your comrade."

The pale golden hair before her seemed to have grown a bit longer than in her swordsman form, with smooth, curly texture and sideburns hanging down. Her voice sounded like that of a proud and domineering ice queen. Both her mind and body were in a wonderfully mature state, and she exuded femininity in every aspect.

Because of her Alter transformation, she understands people's hearts better than the white Lion King, and is more frank about desires. At this moment, with the composure of a mature beauty, she looks at Shirou with amusement.

The gaze was somewhat intense, somewhat blinding. Shirou turned his head away, awkwardly replying, "Is... that's how it is. I know."

He certainly didn't doubt what the woman said, but...

Shirou hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Um, Artoria, could you please put your clothes on? This is really too much. And you're standing a little too close..."

"Oh, so you're shy." Artoria chuckled lightly, moving closer to Shirou once more, her upper body almost pressing against Shirou.

"Wait! Artoria!" Shirou protested.

"It's been so long since we last met. You fought the White God, and then you disappeared. We couldn't find you anywhere. Can't I even take a good look at your face now, Shirou?" Artoria reached out and affectionately stroked Shirou's cheek, speaking tenderly.

"Mmm... uh..." Shirou blushed shyly, but he didn't refuse the woman's request, and could only let her do as she pleased. At this moment, the distance between the two was no different from that of an embrace.

As male host at the club, he inevitably encounters situations involving close contact with mature women. However, Shirou simply treats these situations as part of his job, trying his best to make everyone feel happy.

Although he received Merlin's careful guidance during his period of amnesia, it's too late for him to regain his integrity now.

However, it depends on the person. If it's one of the older women in the club, even if she's prettier, he remains rational, because he knew from the beginning that there were no real feelings involved. Love without feelings will only leave you with emptiness afterward.

However, once caught in the whirlpool of emotions, even a rational person can go mad.

Shirou has met some wealthy female businesswomen who, in their pursuit of male escorts, went so far as to fight over him, showering him with luxury cars and houses, only to end up bankrupt.

However, the situation is different when the target is Artoria.

Shirou felt his face burning and his heart racing. "Is this what Artoria will be like when she grows up?" These thoughts kept arising in his mind.

In short, Artoria's allure to him was simply too strong.

However, Shirou, a man determined to become a champion of justice, is not about to be completely controlled by a woman.

Indeed, Artoria has grown from a young girl into a great beauty. But he has also gone through several years since he was a high school student, and his body has almost fully matured.

So even though the woman is 171 cm tall and wearing high-heeled boots, he is still a bit taller. The height difference between the two is about 15 or 16 cm, which is exactly the golden ratio.

Shirou reached out and pulled Artoria, who was still smiling and stroking his face, into his arms, looking down at her.

Their eyes met, and for a moment they couldn't look away, their gazes merging into one another.

"Shirou..." The woman's eyes softened even more.

"Artoria..." Shirou responded softly.

Coo coo~!

At that moment, the woman's stomach rumbled.

"Ahem, anyway... come on in. This is my base. I was just about to have a midnight snack." Artoria stepped out of Shirou's arms, coughed, and turned to lead Shirou inside.

'Because I disturbed your meal, that's why... that shot was so direct and merciless...' Shirou thought to himself. 'But... it's the same formula, the same Artoria, no doubt about it.'

"Hahaha." Shirou chuckled and followed them inside. Sure enough, it was a food processing plant with dozens of production machines lined up, showing a mechanical division of labor in conjunction with an assembly line. There was a silver steel door inside, which seemed to be a cold storage for storing food.

Artoria picked up a large bag of bread slices from a table made of cardboard boxes, then sandwiched them with fried chicken patties, salmon, and beef patties produced by the food factory. She didn't need any vegetables, and with a large bottle of cola, she ate them in big mouthfuls.

"Shirou, would you like some too?" Artoria seemed to remember something and invited Shirou.

"No, no need," Shirou replied with a dry laugh. It seemed that their shared love of black food was the same as Artoria Alter's.

He glanced around and saw an open corrugated cardboard box covered with bubble wrap and scraps of cloth, which appeared to be the woman's bed. There was also an inflatable cushion at the head of the bed as a pillow.

In a corner of the factory, many empty bottles and bags were piled up on the ground, forming a small mountain, indicating that she had occupied this place for some time.

At that moment, an astonishing burst of magical power suddenly erupted from outside!

Shirou and Artoria was stuffing a meat patty hamburger into her mouth, exchanged a glance and rushed out together.

Under the cover of night, a huge round light suddenly illuminated a tall building outside the food processing plant, forming a beam of light that shot straight into the sky. The building displayed a giant television screen advertising a movie theater or some other promotional venue.

A figure stood atop the round lamp, spreading its arms to block part of the light, creating a pattern that was imprinted in the night sky. It made a grand entrance in an extremely high-profile manner.

"Moriarty! So it was your scheme after all. But unfortunately, we've foiled it. Don't think you can do whatever you want just because Holmes isn't here this time." Shirou recognized the Bearded Uncle standing on the high-rise building and said with a frown.

I thought this guy had reformed and become a good person after joining Chaldea, but I didn't expect him to cause trouble again in a new place.

Yes, this wasn't their first meeting. He had personally witnessed Moriarty's transformation from Phantasmal Spirit to Servant, and any Servant summoned by Moriarty at any stage would also have that memory.

"I'm sure... there's no such guy as Holmes in this world, so I'm perfect." Moriarty's face showed disgust when he mentioned that man.

Then, changing the subject, she looked at Shirou and said with a smile, "But aren't you just like me? You gave up your divine position and instead found a way to become a perfect human. Through repeated awakenings, surely there will be a time when you can achieve a fulfilling life?"

"I hereby assert that Shirou, your journey has only just begun, and it is definitely not yet this world. However, I must also admit that you, Shirou, have indeed worked hard and possess unique talent. Although it was part of my plan from the beginning... well, even I didn't expect... Shirou... that you wouldn't choose to run away, but instead, in order to continue infiltrating, you even went so far as to cross-dress as a woman."

Moriarty's expression shifted, and he snapped his fingers. He stepped onto the billboard and began playing a video of Shirou wearing a wig and pretending to be a female executive. The illusion didn't seem to work; the camera captured Shirou's face directly.

"Hahahaha!!" Moriarty laughed so hard he raised his head, then pointed at Shirou and burst into laughter again. "Crossdressing!!! Hahahahaha~!!! I really want to take him back to Chaldea to show everyone."

Moriarty laughed wildly for a while, then stopped to look at Shirou, then at the big screen, then pointed at Shirou, and then threw his head back and burst into laughter again.

Shirou's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth.

"Shirou?" The black Lion King Artoria looked at the man beside her with a puzzled expression. This boy seemed slightly different from the one she remembered. First red, then black, then a swordsmith, and now women's clothing. People really do change...

"No, no! It's all for the infiltration mission!" Shirou's face flushed, and he glared at Moriarty in frustration. Then he turned around and noticed Artoria's subtle gaze, so he quickly explained.

So this is professionalism—100%, from beginning to end, everything is for the sake of completing the task.

In the past, the four great Dan (female role) performers in Chinese Peking Opera were all men. Even Mei Lanfang, the leading Dan performer, mostly played female roles in his works, such as "The Drunken Beauty," "Hegemon-King Concubine," and "Mu Guiying."

In Japan, Noh theater is passed down through families from generation to generation, only to men. Even Kabuki, a genre whose origins are self-evident from its name, has evolved into a form of theater performed by men dressed as women.

Like Tom Cruise, Andy Lau dressed as a woman to deceive others, Jackie Chan as Jackie Chan, Hegemon-King, and John Lone as M. Butterfly...

And another thing! From Da Vinci of the Renaissance to Li Chung from Super Girl, how many artists throughout history, both in China and abroad, have dressed as women?

"Anyway... it's all for the mission, do you understand?" Shirou looked directly at Artoria with a sincere expression.

"I understand, Shirou, I understand." Artoria responded with a knowing look and a light laugh, at that moment she really did have the air of an older sister who doted on her younger brother. It was probably only in front of Shirou that she would change her cold demeanor.

At this moment, Merlin, who had been hiding all along, also activated his Projection and appeared here, resting his chin on his hand and echoing his words.

"Yes, Shirou does have some hobbies, but it's nothing. We're not in the past anymore, where white people decide the life and death of black people. You have the freedom to choose your own life."

Everyone has different tastes. Napoleon even wore stockings. Although it's true that aesthetics differed across eras, can you guarantee that those nobles back then, when no one was around, wouldn't rub their thighs with their hands, feeling how smooth and comfortable the stockings felt?

And then there are some authors who, to please their readers, deliberately stop writing because they want to cross-dress, using that as an excuse to pay off their debts. Do they really think no one can see through their hidden lewdness? Do they know that deep down they just like cross-dressing?

"Shut up! Merlin! I only agreed to this mission because I believed you! Are you going to cause me more trouble?" Shirou shouted in frustration.

"Alright, alright, don't be angry, I won't say it anymore." Merlin waved his hand with a grin, and indeed, as Shirou said, what he did was a bit unfair. But because it looked funny, he couldn't help but do it.

Chapter 427 An Extremely Evil Plan

At this moment, Shirou covered his face, not wanting to talk to this guy anymore, while the tall, aloof woman turned her gaze to Moriarty on the other side, who still looked completely at ease, standing there watching the show. Neither of them seemed to want to pay any attention to the Magus of Flowers.

"Hey! Hey~! You handsome lady over there~! Your Majesty~! Can't you see me?" Merlin waved his hands and held up his wand in the holographic image, but after a while, Merlin still received no response.

Merlin, resting his chin on his hand, muttered to himself, "How strange. Did I bite my tongue while chanting the spell? Is that why the Magecraft is malfunctioning?"

The cold-blooded Artoria remained unmoved. If she was usually the Queen of Destiny, fighting for the entire Britain, then now, corrupted and transformed, she was a Cao Cao archetype—a true Hegemon-King, willing to betray the world rather than be betrayed by it.

"By the way, how about we talk about what's been happening around Shirou lately?" Merlin said, drawing out the words.

"Hmph, Merlin, you're here too." Artoria finally turned her head with disdain and glanced at Merlin in the holographic Projection.

"It's been a long time, Artoria. No, in this state, I should still call you my beautiful and powerful queen," Merlin said with a slight bow.

"A meaningless title, nothing to worry about. But you really managed to hide it from the Knights of the Round Table, only coming out to see me now?" Artoria said coldly, her voice devoid of emotion.

"After all, given your current state, the knights I summoned here, apart from Kay and Gawain, are all die-hards. If I brought them to see you, you might start fighting before you even see the enemy," Merlin said helplessly, shrugging his shoulders.

"How could this happen? We're all comrades, it shouldn't come to this!" Shirou said.

Merlin didn't argue with Shirou, but looked at the woman and said, "Then let me ask you a question, Your Majesty: if any of the Knights of the Round Table opposed you, what would you do?"

"No need for further explanation. Anyone who stands in my way, whether friend or foe, will be crushed." Artoria replied without hesitation, her eyes filled with an unyielding domineering resolve.

"..." Shirou looked at the woman, knowing that there was no point in trying to persuade her. It wasn't impossible for a king who was no longer revered by the knights to reunite them, since the Knights of the Round Table held him in absolute respect. However, the price would be far too high.

During the Singularity, when faced with the Lion King's orders, Tristan made a painful choice: to turn against the other Knights of the Round Table, gouge out his own eyes, accept the reversal, and become a cold-blooded killer completely opposite to his true nature, a terrifying and formidable enemy that Gudako and her companions used to resolve the Singularity.

If this time he were to face a tyrant who chooses to wage war to the very end and ruthlessly suppresses everything, without the Lion King's righteousness, then Tristan might still turn and leave as he did in his previous life.

If a conflict breaks out, Lancelot will probably be the first to rush in. After all, even against the White Lion King, he ultimately chose to resist. As a knight, he wouldn't allow it; if he were killed, it would at least lessen his guilt.

Bedivere was the kind of guy who would sternly admonish the king if he saw him doing something wrong. If words didn't work, don't doubt it, he would resort to force.

The remaining two, though moderates who were obedient to the king, had various problems.

Kai is naturally a sister-complex who unconditionally sides with Wang, but he's also a tsundere with a sharp tongue.

Gawain is honest and loyal, and treats women with courtesy, making him a perfect friend to women. However, he is actually a hentai gentleman who is obsessed with young-looking men with large breasts.

So Merlin didn't send anyone here, otherwise things would only get worse. Thankfully, that idiot Mordred wasn't summoned, or the situation would have been completely out of control.

That guy would definitely scurry forward, trying to curry favor. Then he'd be flatly rejected, ruthlessly abandoned, and finally, enraged, he'd raise his greatsword, go berserk, and rebel against my magnificent father, wanting to die with Father King.

As for Merlin himself... if the king hadn't been looking at him like he was a pig, he might have maintained some of his mysterious confidence.

"Haha, that's probably just my imagination," Merlin said with a dry laugh.

However, as Merlin said before, there are some things that Shirou simply cannot do without. It could even be said that if Shirou were not here, this world might very well fall into infighting before even facing Moriarty, and then lose outright. Only with Shirou here can they avoid the fate of turning their swords against each other.

That's why Merlin went to great lengths to bring Shirou from outer space, nurturing Shirou with the same diligence as the King of the South, imparting all his skills to him. That's how Shirou today.

Now that Shirou is here, everything is completely different.

Only with Shirou here can Artoria be calmed down, Merlin can then try to persuade the Knights of the Round Table to cooperate.

Although Shirou was annoyed by Merlin's scheme, he believed it was the best outcome. After all, he couldn't bring himself to hurt Artoria, and Shirou was also a senior he had spent several years with.

At this moment, the enemy on the other side, who were watching the commotion, interrupted their conversation.

With a loud crash, the billboard was kicked to the ground, and the broken steel bars sparked as they scraped along the wall before slamming onto the ground.

"Well... you can wrap up your reminiscing now. Although we're old friends, it's about time we got down to business." Moriarty, who had one foot on the edge of the high-rise building and was leaning out, put away his wicked smile and revealed the evil face of a major villain.

"You really haven't changed at all!" Shirou said angrily, glaring at the person opposite him.

Moriarty waved his hand and asked, "No, I am undoubtedly a gentle gentleman now, it's just that you happen to be in my way. Of course, we don't necessarily have to fight, but even if I ask you to surrender, you will still resist to the end, right Shirou?"

"Of course! Putting aside your methods of ruling the underworld, what exactly is the purpose of that underground arms factory?! The law clearly states that Japan is not allowed to develop offensive weapons privately!" Shirou said angrily, glaring at the enemy.

"That's why I said there's no need to do unnecessary things. Really, Shirou, don't take this so seriously. I'm an expert in breaking the law." Moriarty shook his head, seemingly offering a helpful explanation to Shirou.

"The law is never perfect. There will always be people who want those around them to obey the law, while they themselves try to exploit loopholes to take advantage of others. That's the nature of the law; it's just a not-too-bad way to maintain order that people can find temporarily. People want to use the law to protect their rights, but they don't understand that the law exists precisely to prevent this system of clever people taking advantage of others from collapsing."

"Besides, how can the technology in this world compare to the technology I obtained from Babbage? It's more like this country is desperate for it. Because only by possessing my research results can this country regain its international standing, and the world's technological capabilities will also make a leap forward," Moriarty said emphatically.

"Stop your babbling and spouting nonsense! It's pointless! Since you dare to provoke me, then die! You insect!" Storm Queen Artoria roared, raising her black Holy Lance and unleashing a spiraling aura, with a black beam of light shooting straight towards the rooftop where Moriarty was located.

"Oh dear, I never intended to go toe-to-toe with you." Moriarty tiptoed and turned with the agility of a dancer, dodging the Holy Lance's attack, then snapped his fingers.

A series of footsteps echoed as troops hidden from all directions rushed over, spreading out around the food processing plant and steadily closing in.