Chapter 156

They often heard sorcerers envying the guards for their cool swordplay, and guards envying sorcerers for their magic.

This situation often stems from a sense of burnout towards one's profession.

Or rather, we often envy what we can't have.

After all, ordinary people have limited energy and it is difficult to master multiple combat skills at the same time; at most, they can only extend their skills slightly.

For example, Hoshiguma and Chen's free fighting skills are quite good.

However, Shirou's current situation... he doesn't seem to be weak in close combat either; he can at least hold his own against Chen a few times.

Although Chen did not go all out, it was not an ordinary person who could be evenly matched with a sword.

However, these are all minor matters; they have more important things to face now.

So what exactly was Wei Yanwu's purpose in suddenly summoning Shirou for a meeting?

After parking the car, the tension that had just disappeared returned to the group.

Shirou, in particular, had already begun to imagine scenes like that in his mind.

A whole line of work... or rather, Mr. Wei Yanwu, dressed in a suit and smoking a pipe, asked him why with a gloomy expression.

He hadn't thought of a topic to discuss; he genuinely didn't know why he had been suddenly summoned for questioning.

"Relax, Old Chen and I are here."

Standing beside Shirou, Hoshiguma said.

It wasn't some comforting remark made because she saw the other person was nervous; what she wanted to express was that she would stand on the same side as Shirou.

Of course, this is on the premise that it comes from Wei Yanwu's pointless and difficult words.

As a seasoned veteran... or rather, a long-time employee, Hoshiguma wondered if there was some conflict between Wei Yanwu and the Emperor of Penguin Logistics, so she sought out Shirou as a middleman.

While it's understandable that the other party shouldn't act this way given their personality, what if the boss of Penguin Logistics really did rap and berate Director Wei to the point of questioning his existence?

Make bold assumptions, then verify them carefully!

"It's alright, at worst you can just go up and stab him a couple of times, Shirou."

Chen said as he retrieved his two swords from the back seat and put them into his body.

"That won't do, will it?"

Upon hearing Chen's words, Shirou realized that was probably the most dangerous path, as he had no intention of leaving Lungmen yet.

All his social circles here are in Lungmen, with the exception of Rosemary from Rhodes Island.

"It's just talk. Even if you actually try to hurt him, you might not be able to."

Chen said, "I'll fasten the two swords to my waist."

She just carried it with her out of habit; it wasn't that she carried it to prevent the two of them from fighting or anything.

No matter what, Wei Yanwu taught her how to use a sword, and she didn't think she could compete with him in that area.

"Isn't it inappropriate to say such things here?"

Shirou retorted, "Aren't we supposed to be right under their headquarters? Is it really okay to say things like that?"

However, Chen really had a bad impression of Wei Yanwu, which Shirou attributed to the fact that the two often had conflicts at work.

Penguin Logistics shows him many movies and TV series with similar plots.

If we add a blood relationship, it would be even more like a TV drama.

Hmm? Wei Yanwu was Ancients of the dragon race, and Chen's race is also dragons?

Shirou suddenly felt like he was imagining a scene from a B-movie.

"Are you spacing out? Going upstairs."

After adjusting his belt, Chen took a step forward and then noticed Shirou standing there in a daze. He called out to him.

"Okay, coming right away."

After being reprimanded, Shirou reflexively straightened up and followed.

There was no way around it; Chen's voice was a bit loud and quite intimidating when he was working.

Shirou, who was sitting near Chen's desk, indicated that he was already very clear about this.

Inside the elevator, the three didn't talk much, after all, the surveillance cameras upstairs weren't just for show.

The main reason was that Shirou hadn't said a word since he came in, so neither of them felt like talking.

It wasn't that I was nervous, it's just that Isv visited the homes or offices of important people, speaking as little as possible was the best option.

You never know if something you consider unimportant might be a deadly weapon in someone else's hands.

Clearly, Wei Yanwu was very much in Shirou's mind to be a great man, so when he saw the monitor, he spontaneously quieted down and even imitated Chen and Hoshiguma's movements, standing up straight and placing his hands behind his waist.

If Isv saw this scene, he would probably just say that Shirou was overthinking it.

"Ahem... Old Chen was just joking, don't take it seriously. Just relax when you're with Director Wei, don't overthink it. If anything happens, Old Chen and I will back you up. You're our subordinate now."

As the elevator was about to arrive, Hoshiguma lowered her head and whispered to Shirou.

From all perspectives, she should have sided with Wei Yanwu, but Shirou's behavior has always been quite good, and he could even be considered a good citizen of Lungmen.

Moreover, strictly speaking, although Shirou was the one who first took a liking to Emiya, Hoshiguma had more contact with him, and now he is Chen's subordinate.

However, Shirou's mind was still more on his former employer Penguin Logistics, and Fuyuki Store, which he founded.

It's... a rather complicated relationship.

"I know."

In response to Hoshiguma's final reminder, Shirou nodded to indicate that he understood.

At the same time, he tried to make his facial expression look slightly more serious.

After exiting the elevator and walking a short distance, the three of them stopped in a room that looked like the home of an important person.

Chen didn't speak, but instead reached out and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Wei Yanwu's voice came from inside.

As Chen pushed open the door, Shirou seemed to realize something and immediately held his breath.

Hmm... no smoke is coming out?

He had expected a lot of smoke to rush out when he opened the door, but it seemed there wasn't any.

"You two came along too?"

Wei Yanwu was not surprised to see the three people walk in.

After all, Shirou. Apart from being a little over-the-top when he went out on fieldwork on his second day after reporting for Knights of the Round Table, there was nothing else strange about him.

It's normal that the two of them would find it strange and follow him when he suddenly called to ask to meet with Shirou.

"Although Shirou is only an intern in name only, we are still his superiors after all, so there shouldn't be any problem with us coming along, right?"

Standing up straight, Chen spoke expressionlessly.

"I understand, but I called him over not because of the Knights of the Round Table, but because I have something else I want to talk to him about."

Seeing Chen's expression, Wei Yanwu reached out to take something out of his pocket, but after seeing Shirou, he suddenly remembered something and ultimately did not take out what was in his pocket.

It wouldn't be good if someone reported it to me.

"Can I interpret this as meaning we're being told to leave?"

Upon hearing Wei Yanwu's words, Chen replied directly.

If it's a private matter, it will be even more troublesome.

If it's not a matter for the Knights of the Round Table, then it's a private matter, which means that her presence as "Shirou's superior" is useless to Hoshiguma.

It means we have to go out.

"No, keeping it is fine too. The things we need to discuss later are also things that the Knights of the Round Table needs to pay attention to next."

Faced with Chen's hostility, Wei Yanwu did not react. He opened a drawer, took out a piece of paper, and turned on the Projection screen next to him.

"Uh-huh!?"

Shirou was puzzled when he saw the Projection screen that suddenly appeared.

First, I was amazed by the high technology here, which allows the Projection screen to appear directly in mid-air. Then I was shocked to see that the images on it were hand-drawn by people.

Although it was somewhat hastily drawn, Shirou could recognize the things in the picture.

The Noble Phantasms he drew by hand, Gan Jiang Mo Ye, the Seven Circles of the Burning Sky, the Spiral Sword, the Golden Sword, etc., are all on it. Most of them are his commonly used weapons, so he recognized them at first glance.

Even if you don't immediately recognize what the rest are, you still have some impression of them.

Even if only a simple outline is drawn, all the necessary elements are present.

"What are these?"

Although Chen didn't recognize most of the weapons, she did recognize the twin swords, the longbow, and the precious sword.

So why is there a flower among them? It looks out of place among a bunch of weapons!

"It seems you recognize those weapons in the picture."

Ever since the Projection screen was displayed, Wei Yanwu had been paying close attention to Shirou's reaction.

He received these documents from his subordinates yesterday, and they were marked with the words "Red Demon" in large letters.

It wasn't too difficult to investigate. There were already rumors circulating in the Slums, and Wei Yanwu knew that the chilling title was for Shirou.

It originated from some infected individuals in Ursus, and appears to be the guardian of the Ursus infected.

Wei Yanwu only knew that there was such a person who was once active in the Northern Plains, but disappeared three years ago.

However, he knew more than anyone else.

The opponent appeared to have been besieged by a large army dispatched by Ursus. In the end, a powerful attack triggered an avalanche, leaving behind the Ursus army that had been besieging him, as well as several of his Inner Guards.

The Ursus people did not seem to find the other party's remains, but the other party did not reappear and disappeared without a trace.

Shirou had used all the weapons mentioned above, and after comparing them with known information, Shirou's attack patterns did indeed have similarities to those of his opponent.

After confirming these things, he contacted Chen directly and asked Shirou to come over and "have a chat" with him.

Of course, he hadn't told the Emperor, but judging from his nature, he should have already left after discovering that Shirou was near his office.

As for what to talk about...

It all depends on the other party's reaction.

"I know some of them... or rather, I know them all?"

Looking at the picture above, Shirou felt somewhat puzzled.

After all, there are some Noble Phantasms that he has never Projection here.

For a moment, he was somewhat dazed, and his previous guess seemed to have been confirmed.

He doesn't seem to be the only one who came here?

"Let me guess, are all these weapons yours?"

Seeing Shirou's expression, Wei Yanwu continued to ask.

"... They are not mine; they are all borrowed."

Shirou is quite self-aware in this regard; even Gan Jiang Mo Ye and Mo Xie, as well as the Longbow, belong to Archer, not him.

Everything he owned was borrowed.

"Borrowed...?"

Upon hearing Shirou's reply, Wei Yanwu frowned slightly.

This answer was unexpected.

"Yes, it was borrowed."

Shirou nodded in affirmation, while inwardly considering how to ask the other party where they obtained this information.

Although I have a general idea, what if it's true?