"After watching the fireworks, we're going to Komachi's house to celebrate her successful admission, right? We won't be able to eat dinner if we fill up now," Yukino reminded everyone.
International High School had posted its admission list on Tuesday, and Komachi had been accepted without issue. So after watching the fireworks, they had decided to gather at the Higashiya family home and hold a lively celebration.
"Komachi, there's a cake waiting for you at home," Shirou said, looking at his younger sister.
"It's fine, it's fine! Desserts go into a separate stomach!" Komachi said with a grin as she bit into a candied hawthorn.
"Exactly! After the fireworks, let's buy candy apples and cotton candy too!" Yuihama nodded enthusiastically.
At that moment, everyone's phones rang at once and began vibrating violently.
"Everyone, this is bad! A pack of Demonic Beasts is rampaging on the nearby hill! There's an enormous magical energy reading—it'll be dangerous if this keeps up!" Xiao Da suddenly ran over and shouted.
"Didn't they say ordinary Monsters couldn't break through the barrier around the alternate space?" Shirou exchanged a glance with the girls and hurried toward the hill where the alternate space had appeared.
When they reached the hill and looked up, they saw a red dragon coiled atop the pavilion at the summit. Magical energy was gathering inside its gaping jaws. It seemed to have mutated; the wings on its back had become translucent, jewel-like shards and appeared incapable of flight.
Yet they continuously absorbed magical energy from the alternate space. Every so often, the quality of the energy gathered in the dragon's mouth rose another degree.
By now, they could already sense the dangerous aura of total destruction.
The crimson demonic dragon raised its long neck high. It had also noticed the young men and women who had intruded.
Stretching out its neck, the demonic dragon lowered its head over the stone steps and locked onto them. A scorching crimson beam erupted from its mouth. The terrifying force it displayed at that moment was at least on the level of an A-rank anti-army Noble Phantasm as it blasted straight down the mountain.
Mash rushed to the front, raised her massive cross-shaped shield, and activated her Noble Phantasm. The towering city of Camelot rose up and blocked the destructive beam.
The mutated demonic dragon's wings were constantly absorbing magical energy, continuously strengthening it. Its next breath attack could only become even more powerful!
The entire mountain was filled with densely packed green and yellow gleams in the darkness—the eyes of Demonic Beasts. There were probably thousands of them. There might not even be a place to stand if they tried to climb the mountain.
"This is basically a cannon turret protected inside a fortress," Mash said as she looked at the layers upon layers of Black Shadows on the mountain and the demonic dragon above them.
"And it had to happen somewhere with this many people!" Shirou summoned Merlin through Possession Summoning and used illusions to create a realistic false landscape, isolating the entire mountain from the outside world to prevent the Demonic Beasts from escaping. He also planted suggestions in the minds of nearby visitors, making them stay away.
Komachi took out her phone and looked at the Monsters around them. "Are these the Demonic Beasts Brother and the senpais fought before? They really are formidable enemies! But it's fine! As long as Komachi and Brother are together, our sibling duo is invincible!"
A spirited girl in samurai attire appeared. Komachi, wrapped in a long scarf and wearing a light-colored haori, drew the famous blade Kikuchimonji Norimune!
The Servant summoned into Komachi's body was the peerless swordswoman Okita Souji, creator of the ultimate sword technique Mumyo Sandan Zuki!
A gust of wind swept past, sending the girl's scarf fluttering high. She tightened her grip on her sword, fixed her sharp gaze on the demonic dragon high ahead, and spoke to the others behind her in a dashing tone:
"Leave these small fry to you. Leave the demonic dragon at the top to me, the genius swordswoman! Watch as I use my exquisite Shukuchi footwork to reach the summit in an instant and take that dragon's head—cough, cough." Before she could finish, Komachi covered her mouth, crouched down coughing, and spat out something bright red.
"Komachi! Are you okay? I'll heal you right away!" Shirou asked anxiously.
"Cough, cough... I'm fine... Brother, I just coughed up the candied hawthorn that got stuck in my throat." Komachi, transformed into Sakura Saber, crouched weakly on the ground. "I really don't need a passive skill like A-rank Weak Constitution..."
"That's enough... Just rest here." Shirou spoke helplessly. She really was his little sister—how could she possibly stay cool for long?
At crucial moments, she would inevitably do something silly or let everyone down. Then again, he was already used to looking after people like that.
Fireworks Never Wait for Anyone
At that moment, the organizers on the bridge outside had already lit the fireworks. Flashes of light flickered across the surrounding ground as explosions bloomed in the air. The people watching in the park smiled as they looked up at the sky.
What no one knew was that on the small hill behind the park, a group of young men and women were fighting a brutal battle for them.
On the steps of the hill sealed off by illusions, the gathered Demonic Beasts revealed vicious emerald glows and pressed downward step by step.
At the summit platform above the steps stood a pavilion, and atop it coiled a corrupted red dragon. The dragon's twin wings had turned into pale-red crystals, their color gradually deepening as they continually absorbed magical energy from the alternate space. Looking closely, one would notice that it had no foreclaws. It merely extended its long neck, gathered magical energy in its mouth, and emitted a terrifying presence, as though it were about to unleash another crimson breath attack like before.
Xiao Da flew out at that moment and said nervously, "Everyone! The data on the demonic dragon at the top is in! Its class is Lancer class. It was originally a Wyvern, a subspecies of dragon, but it mutated. Its crystallized wings have become magical energy absorption and conversion devices. Through constant amplification, it has now reached the level of a Dragon species. If we leave it alone, it'll only keep getting stronger. Please end this battle quickly!"
More than ten arrows infused with magical energy shot upward from below, flying toward the top of the stone steps and directly at the demonic dragon's head.
It was Yukino, who had summoned Atalanta through Possession Summoning, and Asuna, who had summoned Berserker class Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Holding longbows, they fired arrow after arrow at the giant dragon.
Just as the arrows were about to cross the long flight of steps and strike the pavilion, small Demonic Beasts on the upper platform leaped out one after another. Every arrow was blocked by their bodies.
Standing above the sloping stone stairway, the dragon atop the pavilion sensed the threat. It retracted its long neck and lowered its body, hiding itself in a blind spot below where it could not be seen.
"Shirou, the angle is completely blocked. It looks like we can't kill that dragon just by finding a way to climb the mountain," Asuna said with a frown as she put away her bow.
"What do we do? My Noble Phantasm can cover this entire area from the sky, but against a Dragon species with such high defense, I can't kill it in one strike," Yukino said.
"Is there a stronger Servant with greater burst power? One that can take down the demonic dragon before it fires its next breath attack?" Shirou pondered.
"There's no choice. Leave the defense to me! Senpais, please find a solution quickly!" Mash shouted while holding up her shield. But her Noble Phantasm was not omnipotent. Especially in this restricted world, if the attack exceeded its limits, her defense could very well be broken through.
"Yuihama, this time we'll have to rely on you." Yukino called out to the dango girl, who was standing to one side holding a meat bun and staring blankly at her phone.
"I'm trying to decide which character to summon." Yuihama discovered that a new character had appeared in the FGO system on her phone.
Stuffing the meat bun into her mouth in dissatisfaction, she pulled out her phone and said, "Honestly! I wanted to watch the fireworks, then go around the food stalls with everyone! I wanted to eat sweet candy apples!"
At that moment, a golden Servant frame in the FGO system lit up, responding on its own to the girl's summons.
White light enveloped the girl. Within the spiritual world, the Servant communicated with her.
Appearing before Yuihama was a yellow-haired girl with two horns.
"Ibaraki Doji, hurry and help me defeat the demonic dragon on the mountain!" Yuihama said excitedly.
"Eh... I'd rather go play at that place with all the snacks first." Ibaraki Doji spoke in a careless tone.
"Ibaraki! I get it! I'll take you to eat lots of delicious food too! So help us deal with the monster at the top first!" Yuihama said to the Oni girl inside her.
"Hmph... Eh... First tell me what delicious things there are?" Ibaraki Doji paused, rolled her eyes, and could not resist asking.
"Let's see..." Yuihama recalled the food stalls they had visited earlier.
First, there were the classic sweets like cotton candy, candy apples, and rice dumplings. There were also freshly stir-fried noodles, fried rice noodles, and steaming-hot oden.
Since they were by the water, the cold wind blew continuously. At a time like this, freshly made large meat buns and fried foods were incredibly popular as well.
On the other side of the park, someone had set up charcoal grills with chicken and sparrows roasting over them. They slowly rotated over low heat, thoroughly grilling them until they were crisp outside and tender inside. Even the tiny bones within were roasted crisp enough to chew and swallow. Customers could also have them brushed with honey or chili sauce according to their preferences.
For customers who did not like meat, the innkeeper would warmly recommend the roasted sweet potatoes in another oven. Once the skin was peeled back, vivid orange flesh steaming with heat was revealed, and its sweet fragrance instantly spread through the air for over ten meters.
The scent of food filled the entire area, making even passersby who had not intended to watch the fireworks salivate and unconsciously walk in this direction.
And after the fireworks, they would go to Shirou's home to celebrate little sister Komachi's admission to International High School.
There would be a big cake covered in cream, chocolate, and strawberries, along with all kinds of dishes carefully made by Shirou, Roman-style grilled meat he had learned from Red Saber, and the Chinese cuisine he was already very skilled at.
Though Yuihama could not describe it well in words, the scenes she imagined in her mind within the spiritual world were conveyed clearly into Ibaraki Doji's mind as the most persuasive evidence.
By then, the blonde Oni girl was already drooling. Looking at the dango girl, she praised her:
"Yuihama Yui! Though thou art human, thou art an expert who truly understands delicious food. I like thee! I want to take thee to Mount Ooe and have thee prepare delicacies exclusively for us."
"Hehe, thanks. I'm just more knowledgeable about where to eat. If we're talking about cooking, we need Shirou and Yukino for that," Yuihama said, scratching the back of her head shyly at the praise.
"No, knowing how to eat is enough! We can simply capture the ones who know how to cook and make them do it!" Ibaraki Doji said.
"Then, Ibaraki Doji, are you willing to help me now?" Yuihama asked.
"Of course! Watch me quickly defeat the enemy, then let us eat every delicious thing there is!" Ibaraki Doji's eyes lit up as she readily agreed.
"Mm-hm, then I'm counting on you, Ibaraki." Yuihama voluntarily handed her body over to the battle-proficient Servant.
Magical Fireworks Bloom
The moment the girl and the Servant reached an understanding, their compatibility rapidly rose to one hundred percent.
As a pillar of light descended, Ibaraki Doji officially manifested in the world.
Yuihama changed into an open pale-yellow kimono decorated with small floral patterns, wearing fitted white clothing underneath. Massive prayer beads were tied around her waist, a pair of crimson pointed horns grew from her forehead, and she held a sharp bone blade. Her surging magical energy burned behind her in the form of flames, like a pair of enormous fiery wings.
The horned girl pointed her blade at the demonic dragon on the mountain and said:
"I am Ibaraki Doji! Leader of the Oni of Mount Ooe! Though this is not Heian-kyo, if thou wishest for a Hyakki Yagyō, it is only proper etiquette to have the strongest Oni lead the way! These insolent Monsters shall all be annihilated!"
"Hey! Human, I'll deal with that strange dragon. Help me clear out the small fry around me!"
A golden Beam Cannon shot upward from the ground, blasting through the stairs and sending the Demonic Beasts above flying.
Holding Caliburn, Shirou said to Ibaraki Doji, "Got it! Leave the demonic dragon to you! We'll clear a path for you."
"Oh, so thou art Shirou, the one who is good at making delicious food. I look forward to it! I'm going!" Ibaraki Doji said as she raised her bone blade and charged toward the summit.
Shirou swung his staff and used illusion magic. Thin mist enveloped Ibaraki Doji's body, keeping the Monsters along the way from obstructing her.
Then, he gathered the magical energy within the alternate space into a single point and bestowed it upon the target he was supporting. This was the Magus of Flowers' greatest lifelong achievement and one of his proudest spells, much like how he had once nurtured an unparalleled king.
In a brief period, he reshaped Ibaraki Doji's Saint Graph, repaired its flaws, raised her endurance, magical energy, and combat ability, and gave her the greatest possible enhancement.
The path blasted open on the stairs was quickly filled again by Demonic Beasts rushing down from above.
"Leave the front to us!" Asuna charged ahead of Ibaraki Doji and activated her Noble Phantasm.
"Tch... Why is Raikou here too?" Ibaraki Doji curled her lips and continued running forward.
"—Ox King's Thunder? The Net of Heaven Has Wide Meshes!" Asuna held her sword and slashed out a long arc of lightning, sweeping away the Monsters along the path.
"Phoebus Catastrophe!" Using Atalanta's extraordinary leg strength, Yukino leaped high into the air, drew her bow toward the sky, and unleashed her Noble Phantasm. The rain of arrows that descended from above cleared out the Demonic Beasts lying in wait at the mountaintop.
"Well done! Cat-eared female monster, leave the rest to me! Run wild, Gouryuuka—Rashomon Daien Ki!"
Finally, Ibaraki Doji leaped high into the air and roared. The instant she reached the summit, she threw a punch at the demonic dragon atop the pavilion.
A crimson giant claw burning with searing flames flew forth. Mere contact shattered the surrounding Monsters into fragments and burned them into ash. The enormous claw seized the mutated demonic dragon by the neck and forcibly twisted it, while the blazing heat around the Oni claw swept over the dragon's entire body.
This was a demonic flame born from a thousand years of resentment from a demonic species. It burned vegetation, burned the earth, burned the air, burned everything. It also burned away the magical energy continually gathering within the demonic dragon before exploding with a thunderous blast!
The demonic dragon let out a scream. The energy gathered in its mouth scattered, and its crystalline wings were smashed apart and fell to the ground.
"Kahahaha!!! So what if it's a dragon? This is my overwhelming victory!" Ibaraki Doji laughed wildly, raised the hand holding her blade high, and slashed down at the demonic dragon's neck!
That bone blade had been forged from the incomparably hard bones of the Oni Tribe, tempered countless times in the karmic flames of hell. It was incomparably sharp, severing the demonic dragon's neck in two and sending blood spraying across the sky.
After the demonic dragon was defeated, the remaining Demonic Beasts no longer posed a threat.
With Mash handling defense and Shirou using Merlin's magecraft for support, the girls absorbed magical energy during battle to charge their Noble Phantasms. After several rounds, the Monsters across the entire mountain were gradually cleared away.
"Haha, watch Komachi! First step, crossing sound; second step, no interval; third step, absolute blade—Mumyo Sandan Zuki!!!"
Unfortunately, by then the fireworks had already ended. Looking from the mountain toward the bridge, they could only see faint lingering smoke in the moonlight.
"Ahh... The fireworks festival we waited so long for," Yuihama said dejectedly.
"...Yes. What a shame," Mash agreed regretfully.
"That's right. There will be more Fireworks Festivals in the future. Let's go back and hold Komachi's celebration," Asuna said with a smile.
"Yeah, if we keep an eye out, there'll definitely be other places holding fireworks displays. Let's head down the mountain," Yukino said as well, though she was somewhat disappointed.
"You're right... Ibaraki, you can hide inside my body, right? I'll return to normal now, then we can go buy something to eat," Yuihama said to the Servant within her.
"I can!" Ibaraki Doji cooperatively concealed her Spiritron Dress, returning the girl to her usual state. This was a new ability they could use freely after reaching one hundred percent compatibility.
"No, I'm not really in the mood right now. Komachi feels like she didn't get to show any of her strength at all." Komachi spoke in frustration. Though she had successfully used her Noble Phantasm in the end, her opponent had only been a small fry, so she could not get excited about it.
"It's okay, Komachi. As long as you get used to battle and build experience, you'll definitely grow stronger! Mm... Though Weak Constitution is a skill, so even the Holy Grail can't change it..." Mash comforted her.
"Doesn't that mean Komachi is hopeless? Fine... Everyone's been so enthusiastic, so I guess we should go down the mountain after all..." Komachi said with the dead-fish eyes of someone who had given up on her dreams.
"No, everyone, wait." Shirou stopped the girls, then turned to Xiao Da floating in the air and asked, "Can I use magecraft once for something other than combat?"
"Well, as long as it isn't destructive, and the Servant is willing, I think it's fine," Xiao Da said with a nod.
"Then let me be selfish for once." Shirou summoned Merlin to possess himself, raised his staff high, and began chanting the spell Merlin had often used when traveling through his homeland with an immature girl during her knightly training: "—Artoria, dinner's ready!"
One multicolored firework after another shot into the sky, suddenly rising into the night sky before blooming into dazzling fireworks of every shape and color. Some became long blue streaks soaring toward the heavens, some blossomed into purplish-red rings and spirals, while others burst into countless long lines that formed golden-orange and snowy-white camellias...
The spectators who had already started leaving the park to have dinner or return home stopped again. In surprise, they raised their heads to look at the fireworks blooming in the sky once more.
"So beautiful!"
"Where are these fireworks being launched from?"
No one knew that this was merely a small whim born from the Youth's sudden impulse. Just to make up for the girls' regret, Shirou had borrowed Merlin's knowledge of illusion magecraft and slightly modified this "dinner signal flare" spell.
On the chairs of the mountaintop platform, the Youth holding his staff occasionally released another beam of light into the sky. Sitting in a row with the girls, he enjoyed watching the fireworks above from the best seats possible.
Whenever the fireworks rose to their highest point and blossomed, their brilliant light illuminated the faces of every person looking up at the sky. Perhaps it was only an illusion, but the sparks in the sky somehow felt warm and gentle. Maybe the Youth's heart had been carried into the magical energy, offering this world a sincere blessing and hoping that everyone could find peace and happiness.
The Youth Was About to Set Out
After the girls finished watching the fireworks and felt satisfied, they pulled Shirou along and descended the mountain.
Before you continue