The Holy Grail Girl Wins / Back to Chiba

"Eek!"

"Miss Artoria!"

Gudako and Mash cried out in fright.

"Hehe, I suppose you had your fill?" Artoria had somehow arrived outside the door, with Ca-vall II behind her, and walked straight over.

"What?! Didn't you run off on your own? Why didn't you just find somewhere to quietly disappear? What are you coming back here so shamelessly for?" Jeanne d'Arc demanded.

"Hmph, I just thought it would be rather pitiful if I didn't satisfy you now. So I merely lent Shirou to you for a little while." Artoria sneered.

"Haah? Since when did Shirou become yours? I'm pitiful? What exactly do you mean by that?" Jeanne d'Arc glared back irritably.

"Shirou used the Holy Lance with me. He is already destined to become a member of my Knights of the Round Table!" Artoria declared as though it were only natural.

"With that dining table of yours that can't even seat seven people now?" Jeanne d'Arc mocked.

Artoria stopped paying attention to the silver-haired girl, turned to the Youth, and said:

"Remember this, Shirou. Once you get back, summon me using your phone! White, blue, green, black—anything is fine as long as it isn't red. I just need you to leave a mark."

"Huh? Summon you? You mean summoning in the mobile game?" Shirou asked in surprise.

"That's right. Later, I'll go to your world to find you. I can't guarantee when or where I'll arrive, but as long as your FGO system remains connected to 'me,' I'll come find you the moment I reach that world," Artoria vowed.

"Wait! What's going on? Cold-blooded woman, you have a way to go to Shirou's world?" Jeanne d'Arc rushed forward in shock.

"Hmph, that is why you are such a foolish country girl. Ever since I obtained this, as long as I find a talented Magecraft user to help devise a method, I can travel to that world." Artoria smiled smugly as vortex-like magical energy rippled around her.

"Is that the Holy Grail?!" Jeanne d'Arc cried.

During the battle to defeat Shinjuku Berserker, Shirou collapsed after determining the victor against the black mud Heroic Spirit. Sensing Shirou's condition, Artoria quickly rushed over and happened to see the Holy Grail left behind after the black mud Heroic Spirit vanished.

So, one night, she contacted Da Vinci alone and asked how she could continue staying with Shirou.

The thought of Chaldea gaining such a powerful Servant made Da Vinci welcome her with open arms! So she agreed to help Artoria come up with a plan.

"Wait! I challenge you to a duel right now! Whoever loses has to hand over the Holy Grail!" Jeanne d'Arc instantly returned to her armored form, drew her sword, and shouted.

"Shirou, look forward to our meeting." Artoria wore the smile of someone who had won, a faintly smug expression appearing on her pretty face.

Unfortunately, Jeanne d'Arc's time to return had arrived. Before she could charge forward, her entire body began to dissolve into shimmering light.

"Ah! Damn it! The time's up already! Just you wait!" Jeanne d'Arc glared furiously at Artoria, then turned to the Youth. "Shirou! You wait too!"

Shirou answered helplessly, "Mm... I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other again soon."

"That sort of premonition is truly unpleasant." Artoria frowned.

"What's the honest answer?" Shirou asked, looking at the blonde girl.

"Well, if that naïve little fool really follows us someday, I'll generously take her shopping and let her try some delicious food." Artoria chuckled.

"Haha, so you really do get along quite well." Shirou nodded. After all, Jeanne d'Arc did have some traits that made people worry about her.

"Enough about her. Shirou! I'll leave Ca-vall II in your care for now, all right? You said you had a way to take him with you, didn't you?" Artoria beckoned the white dog, who had been playing with Gudako, over and looked at the Youth.

"You aren't leaving with us now?" Shirou asked.

"Mm. Since I have the Holy Grail, Da Vinci said she would use some methods to cover things up before summoning me to Chaldea again. So I'll leave him in your care for now." Artoria nodded.

"Right, Ca-vall II, you're coming home with me! I can't give you a title of nobility, but I can guarantee three meals a day and walks." Shirou crouched down and stroked the white dog.

"Woof!" The white dog agreed, affectionately licking the Youth's hand.

"Then, are you ready to come back?" Da Vinci asked from Chaldea.

"We're ready!" Gudako answered.

"All right, then let's get ready to head back too!" Shirou said with a smile.

The Youth projected one of Perseus's Noble Phantasms, a bag called "Kibisis" that could be used to store Monsters. It was a Noble Phantasm capable, to a certain extent, of replacing space itself. In theory, as long as Ca-vall II was placed inside, there would be no problem bringing him through the Spiritron Transfer.

"Understood! Shirou-senpai, Gudako-senpai, please prepare yourselves. Beginning Spiritron Transfer!" Mash said.

A flash of light passed. Shirou and Gudako left the world of Shinjuku, and Artoria followed along this passage, arriving at Chaldea.

Through the efforts of the Youth and the girls, this world had been saved.

For unknown reasons, Shinjuku had miraculously reconnected with the original world. Those abnormal things were destined to completely vanish from this place one day—Magecraft, wasps, Demonic Beasts, dolls, the towering black walls. All of it would be banished to the ends of the world... How many living things and objects here would remain by then, the young people did not know.

Passing through the vortex of time and space, Shirou and Gudako finally returned to Chaldea and stepped out of the transfer device's chamber.

"Welcome back, Gudako-senpai! Shirou-senpai!" Mash had already been waiting outside the chamber for the Youth and the girl to return.

"Good work, Gudako, Shirou." A man with a pipe in his mouth greeted them. Holmes, who had fused with Moriarty, had actually returned to Chaldea ahead of them.

"Ah! Holmes, you're all right? That's great!" Gudako said happily.

"Well, I was indeed completely defeated this time. But there are some matters I wish to investigate, so I returned. Since my injuries are rather severe, I'll act as an armchair detective here for a while." The man smiled self-deprecatingly.

"Good work! Gudako, go take a hot bath and get some proper rest first," Da Vinci instructed.

"All right... Well then, good night, everyone. See you later too, Shirou-senpai." Gudako truly was tired, and she waved to the Youth.

"Yes, good night, Gudako-senpai." Mash smiled.

But Gudako reached out, pulled the pink-haired girl over, and smiled warmly. "What are you talking about, Mash? You have to stay with me tonight!"

"Eek?" Mash covered her blushing little face with both hands as she was dragged toward the dormitories.

After Gudako and Mash went to sleep, Shirou found himself alone again. It had been so lively just moments ago, and he was suddenly a little unaccustomed to it. It was like riding a roller coaster racing at high speed—once it stopped at the starting point, his entire body still felt as though it were flying.

At that moment, Da Vinci walked over, smiled sincerely, and said to the Youth:

"Thank you for your assistance, Shirou. All of us at Chaldea offer you our gratitude."

"No, we were helping each other to begin with, weren't we? And when something like this happens, I can't just stand by and watch." Shirou looked at Da Vinci. "So, are there any more missions next?"

"Not for now. This was an emergency, and we lacked combat strength, so we could only ask for your help. Next, we should focus on solving the problems in your world. I also intend to have Mash return to school and continue her studies." Da Vinci smiled.

"Mm, that would be for the best." Shirou nodded.

"Then what exactly is going on with Artoria?" Shirou asked.

"Just as she said, she wishes to go to your world. But due to the restrictions of the world's rules, it is very difficult for a Servant to live there. However, if she has the Holy Grail, along with the help of a genius like me, that changes things. It may require taking a rather roundabout route, but it is theoretically possible," Da Vinci said.

"But you seem to have made some sort of agreement with her, right? It isn't some shady contract, is it?" Shirou asked.

"I merely agreed to help her reach your world on the condition that she assists Chaldea. This is wonderful, isn't it? One powerful helper I was going to find for you has already been confirmed, and she is a great beauty with deep ties to you!" Da Vinci laughed.

"Haah, why do I get the feeling it isn't that simple?" Shirou eyed Da Vinci suspiciously.

"Hahaha, you're just too tired. It's an illusion." Da Vinci laughed loudly and tried to change the subject. She turned to Holmes and asked, "As for why you came back... Fine, I approve. You found something after all, didn't you?"

Holmes packed tobacco into his pipe, lit it, took a puff, and said, "As expected of Leonardo da Vinci. You catch on quickly. When Moriarty absorbed me, I obtained quite a bit of information from him. From his conversation with Demon Baal, I learned that three Demon Pillars are still alive. Their exact information and locations are unknown. Having abandoned the Incineration of Humanity, each pursues a different desire and lurks somewhere in the world."

"It seems the incident is far from over," Da Vinci said.

Holmes nodded. "Indeed, Da Vinci. Although the Incineration of Humanity has been resolved and the Shinjuku Phantom Spirit incident has concluded successfully, the world remains full of mysteries. Besides, there is another matter there that concerns me greatly..."

"What is it?" Da Vinci asked doubtfully.

"...No, it is still too early to speak of it." Holmes shook his head, deciding to conceal it for now.

"Ah! You can't just stop halfway through! That is really irritating!" Da Vinci shouted unhappily.

"If it has caught your interest, so much the better. Then let me begin my investigation at once. Leave the matter of getting Servants to Shirou's world to me as well. I will alter Chaldea's recorded data along the way and cover it up. Weaving together truth and fiction to make things seem reasonable is precisely my specialty." Holmes smiled.

"Mm... I see! From an objective perspective, creatures known as geniuses really are irritating!" Da Vinci said with a frown.

The surrounding staff all nodded in agreement.

"Mm? What is it? Why are Shirou and everyone looking at me so coldly?" Da Vinci asked in confusion.

"Well, experience the pain of working alongside a genius for yourself." Shirou chuckled. He was not an employee here, so there was no need for him to worry about ranks.

"Huh? Huh?" Even an all-purpose genius like her was somewhat at a loss. Why were they all targeting her? Shouldn't they be united against that Holmes who always loved keeping people in suspense?

After that, Holmes began his investigation.

Da Vinci looked at the Youth beside her. "Then I'll send you home for today. We can discuss the plans afterward tomorrow."

"Fine, let's leave it at that for now. Thank you, everyone, for all your help. See you next time." Shirou nodded in agreement.

"Huh... You aren't staying to cook us a meal?" The Chaldea staff looked at the Youth with regretful expressions.

"Heh, maybe next time." Shirou smiled helplessly.

At that moment, Holmes spoke. "Youth, let me give you one piece of parting advice. 'Though carrying out justice is certainly something to be proud of, do not become intoxicated by that feeling. Most of humanity's time must still be spent finding happiness in ordinary daily life.'"

"Mm... Thank you, Holmes." Hearing the man's advice, Shirou reflected on himself as well. Though saving the world through his own efforts had made his quiet heart seem to beat again, family and friends were important too. He could not neglect one for the other.

"Then farewell." With that, the Youth left Chaldea through the transfer device.

Blue light spun, lightning flashed, and he passed through the tunnel of time and space. The next moment, Shirou was back in his kitchen. Outside the window was complete darkness. The living room lights were on, but nobody was there.

The Youth took out the bag for Demonic Beasts and opened it. The white dog immediately ran out.

"Woof, woof!" The white dog looked around at its surroundings, then affectionately ran over when it saw the Youth.

Shirou crouched down and stroked Ca-vall II, checking his physical condition.

"Come on, lie down!"

"Woof."

The white dog obediently lay down on the floor.

"Shake!"

"Woof."

The white dog placed his paw in the Youth's palm.

"Mm, you seem to be in good condition. You really are impressive, Ca-vall II. All right, get familiar with your new home first. I'll make you a little nest later." Shirou patted Ca-vall II's head and stood up in relief.

At that moment, Komachi, who had heard sounds coming from the kitchen, walked over.

"Brother, where did you run off to? You slipped out while making dinner? If I hadn't covered for you, father and mother would have called to look for you." Komachi looked at Shirou.

"Hey, Komachi. It feels like I haven't seen you in a while." Shirou greeted her with a smile.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I helped you when you came back carrying all those clothes earlier." Komachi shot her Brother a disdainful look.

Shirou looked at the clock in the living room and discovered that less than an hour had passed since he had been transferred to Chaldea.

"Woof!" At that moment, a big white dog poked his head out from behind the Youth.

"Ah! What a cute puppy!" Komachi's eyes lit up. She ran over and began rubbing the white dog's head. "Such a good boy~! Such a good boy~! What's your name?"

"Ca-vall II," Shirou introduced him.

"Kava? A foreign dog? And why is he the Second?" Komachi did not even know where to begin criticizing this.

"Well, if it isn't easy to say, just call him II," Shirou said.

"Oh, got it!" Komachi agreed with a smile. "Wait! Are we keeping him?"

"Mm, he belongs to a friend. They've left him in my care for a while," Shirou said.

"Brother, you have a foreign friend? How long are you taking care of him?" Komachi asked.

"Mm, I don't know exactly. Father and mother don't object to us having pets anyway, so just take care of him as the family pet," Shirou said casually.

"Hmm... I feel like there's some hidden story here, but... fine, I'll let it go because you're so cute~!" Komachi hugged the white dog and rubbed her face against him, grinning.

"Woof~!" The white dog, held in her embrace, curiously looked around his new surroundings. Although he had parted from his mistress, as long as he followed his master, they would meet again soon enough.

Thinking that, Ca-vall II gradually accepted this new environment. With three meals a day and walks twice daily, he had nothing to complain about.

Afterward, Shirou explained the matter to his parents and promised that he would be responsible for training the dog, caring for his daily needs, and keeping the house clean.

"It is rare for you to ask me for something, Shirou. Since you promise to take good care of the pet, I'll agree." Hachiman's mother made the decision.

"Woof, woof!" Ca-vall adorably walked forward, wagging his tail as he tried to please the two adults.

After all, since they were often busy working outside, having another animal at home to keep the children company was not a bad option.

And the white dog was indeed extremely intelligent. He understood human speech and had managed to keep himself clean even in an environment like Shinjuku. He was certainly no ordinary dog, so they had no reason to object.