The Strongest Conviction

Bright sunlight streamed through the window into Shirou Emiya's bedroom. Feeling the scorching heat radiating from the sun, Shirou Emiya slowly woke from his slumber.

"It's been so long since I've slept this comfortably!"

Ever since arriving in Orario, Shirou Emiya had been working hard every day to strengthen himself, often rising early and sleeping late—so much so that his habit of sleeping in from his days as Emiya had been completely broken.

Sleeping until he naturally woke up like this felt like something from a long time ago.

He sat up in bed, walked to the window, and looked outside. The usually somewhat empty courtyard was now bustling with activity.

"Just as I thought—now that everyone's back from the expedition, Twilight Manor has instantly become lively."

Watching the familia members moving about in the courtyard, Shirou Emiya couldn't help but smile. He liked this lively atmosphere.

"Hey! Shirou! Over here!"

Hearing someone call his name, Shirou Emiya looked over. It was Tiona calling out to him.

Beside her stood Ais, Tione, and Lefiya.

Shirou Emiya smiled and waved at them.

"Come down!"

Seeing that Shirou Emiya had noticed her greeting, Tiona shouted even louder.

"I knew they'd be looking for me."

After last night's party, Shirou Emiya had gotten to know them well enough to roughly understand their personalities.

If he didn't go down, the four of them would probably come up to personally drag him down soon enough!

Figuring he was going down anyway, Shirou Emiya nodded to them and went to wash up.

After tidying himself, Shirou Emiya, now dressed in casual clothes, quickly appeared before the four of them.

"Good morning, everyone! Ais, Tiona, Tione!"

Greeting the three who were training, Shirou Emiya walked over to Lefiya, who was also watching them, and said with a smile, "Good morning, Lefiya!"

"Ah! Good morning, Mr. Emiya!"

Somewhat shy, Lefiya quickly turned around to respond upon hearing Shirou Emiya's greeting.

"Don't get so worked up, Lefiya. We're all comrades—just keep it casual."

He already knew Lefiya was easily embarrassed and timid, but he hadn't expected her to be this shy even when greeting a slightly unfamiliar companion.

"Sorry!"

Watching Lefiya bow her head so low it looked like she was trying to bury it in the ground, Shirou Emiya was at a loss for words.

"Lefiya, Shirou is a comrade in our familia! Getting this nervous won't do, you know!"

Seeing Shirou Emiya arrive, the three who had been sparring stopped and gathered around.

Look at that—what did they call being comfortable with someone right away?

Watching Tiona, who had her hand on his shoulder and was calling him "Shirou" like they were old friends, and then looking at Lefiya, who was still shy despite everyone's coaxing, Shirou Emiya could only say that people really couldn't be compared to each other.

"Don't be scared, Lefiya. Everyone will protect you."

Watching Ais gently pat Lefiya's head, and seeing Lefiya's eyes sparkle under Ais's touch...

As expected, Ais was the one to handle it.

As expected of you, Mountain Blonde Elf, Lefiya!

"Speaking of which, you're finally back—why not rest a bit more?"

"Of course it's to maintain our equipment! And then we'll take a stroll through the streets while we're at it. How about it? Wanna come?"

Tiona said with a grin, hands on her hips.

"Maintain equipment and go shopping?"

To be honest, although Shirou Emiya hadn't really explored Orario much, that didn't mean he wanted to go shopping with these four women.

Shopping with women was already exhausting enough, and these were all top-tier adventurers.

Well, except for Lefiya!

In short, Shirou Emiya really didn't want to go, but he had no choice.

Looking at the two sisters leaning on his shoulders and Ais tugging at his sleeve, Shirou Emiya knew these women hadn't given him the option to refuse.

"Of course, I'd be happy to!"

On the bustling streets, Shirou Emiya walked at the back of the group with a sigh, carrying shopping bags in his hands.

Looking at the bags in his hands, he could only say—just as expected.

Hah, women!

But these were minor issues. After all, he wasn't bothered by this kind of weight anymore.

What bothered him more were the strange looks from the people around them.

"Look, it's him!"

"So this is the legendary new member of the Loki Familia?"

"The archer with shooting power rivaling a magic sword—the fabled bowman!"

Thanks to his LV.2 stats, Shirou Emiya could clearly hear every bit of the surrounding chatter.

It had only happened yesterday, so how was the whole street already buzzing about it today?

Did the people of Orario have that much free time on their hands?

Sigh!

Life was hard, enough to make a cat sigh!

"Are the whispers around us really bothering you that much?"

At some point, the four walking ahead had fallen back to stand in front of Shirou Emiya.

Hearing Tiona's question, Shirou Emiya's face was full of resignation.

"Being the center of everyone's attention like this... I'm really not used to it."

"That just means you need to adapt!"

Tione, who had moved to Shirou Emiya's side, kept patting his shoulder as she laughed and comforted him: "As long as you have strength and are a true powerhouse, you're bound to become a topic of conversation. You'll get used to it over time!"

Listening to their reassurances and glancing at the stares around him, Shirou Emiya sighed and said, "I really don't want to get used to this kind of life, though."

"Ah~!"

?

Looking at the fried potato ball being offered to him, Shirou Emiya stared in confusion at its owner—Ais.

As if sensing his confusion, Ais said flatly, "It's a red bean cream flavored fried potato ball. Eating it will make you feel better."

"Eat it."

As the fried potato ball was brought right to his lips, Shirou Emiya felt waves of resentment enveloping him.

The onlookers who had been gossiping about him had all turned dark, every single one of them glaring at him with bloodshot eyes.

And the strongest source of resentment came from behind Ais—the spot where Lefiya stood.

"Go on, newbie, eat it! It's a senior's token of care!"

Ah, those two idiot Amazon sisters were even fanning the flames.

Hey, hey, hey!

What are you people doing? This was Ais's initiative—it has nothing to do with me!

Are you really okay threatening me like this?

But well? This guy here bends for kindness, not force!

Defying the threatening stares of the crowd, Shirou Emiya casually bit into the fried potato ball held before him.

Delicious!

Truly delicious!

Who knew such a small fried potato ball could taste this good?

Swallowing the bite, Shirou Emiya grinned and said, "It's really good. Thanks for the comfort, Ais."

"It's nothing. We're companions."

"But I do have one question for you."

Hearing Ais's words, Shirou Emiya could roughly guess what she wanted to ask.

"How can you be this strong?"

"Strong?"

At Ais's question, Shirou Emiya's memories involuntarily drifted back to that world, that war.

Am I strong?

Then why did Sakura die?

Am I strong?

Then why couldn't I protect Miyu's life?

Am I strong?

Then why am I here, chasing even greater strength?

Because I'm still weak.

"I'm not strong."

Though by this world's standards of rank, I've progressed quickly.

Compared to my goal, I still have a long way to go.

Hearing Shirou Emiya's answer, Ais was about to retort, but before she could speak, his voice came again.

"If there's one aspect of me that could be called 'strong,' I think it's my conviction."

"That conviction to see things through, even if I have to stand against the whole world."

"That's where my true strength lies."