Preparation Complete

"Where is this? How did I get here?"

Shirou Emiya slowly raised an arm to his forehead and gazed at the unfamiliar ceiling above him. Still half-asleep, he muttered to himself.

However, he quickly woke up and remembered what had happened.

"Was I drunk and then sent back here? What a bunch of animals. They really poured it down my throat!"

Though he complained, Shirou Emiya's face was full of smiles as he sat up.

How long had it been since he had experienced this feeling? Ever since Miyu had been taken away by Julian, he had been all alone in his home.

Loneliness was unbearable for anyone, let alone Shirou Emiya, who was naturally suited to a lively life.

Following the course of Shirou Emiya's fate, with nothing left to hold him back, he would become Archer and meet a regretful end.

But whether he chose Saber, Rin Tohsaka, or Sakura Matou, he would never become Archer.

That was why he genuinely loved the liveliness within the Familia.

It was also another reason why he had chosen Loki Familia back then. This place had more of a familial atmosphere.

Sitting up in bed and feeling the warmth of the sunlight shining through the window onto him, Shirou Emiya looked around the somewhat crude room and chuckled. "Looks like I'll have to furnish the room myself. But before that, I should go buy my equipment!"

Last night's banquet had not consisted solely of drinking. Through the senior members of the Familia, Shirou Emiya had also learned about some of the benefits available to newcomers.

First came the funding. Any newcomer could receive starting funds of up to one hundred thousand Valis to purchase equipment, improving their chances of survival and their leveling efficiency.

Under normal circumstances, one hundred thousand Valis in starting funds was definitely enough for a newcomer. In special cases, they could also borrow more Valis from the Familia.

However, anything extra had to be repaid.

After all, the Familia cultivated companions who fought together, not freeloaders who only knew how to enjoy themselves.

Next came the cultivation of combat skills.

However, Shirou Emiya had no need for that. He was not a complete newcomer who knew nothing.

Finally, there was knowledge and information.

Loki Familia had a huge Underground Library filled with all kinds of books and materials for its members to study.

Shirou Emiya planned to study this area thoroughly later.

After tidying up briefly, Shirou Emiya went to the hall and collected his initial funds of one hundred thousand Valis from the senior member in charge of the Familia's finances.

Don't assume that one hundred thousand Valis was a lot. After all, a single meal at the Hostess of Fertility, the tavern frequently visited by the protagonist in the original story, cost more than a thousand Valis.

One hundred thousand Valis was only enough to cover a month of meals.

Although one hundred thousand Valis was not much, it was more than enough to purchase a beginner's equipment. For Shirou Emiya, it was more than sufficient.

With Projection Magic, Shirou Emiya had no need to purchase high-quality weapons, which were usually the most expensive part of preparing one's equipment.

He also did not need to wear armor.

Shirou Emiya only planned to buy a set of leather armor. Even if he wore armor in the future, it would be Light Armor that did not hinder his movements.

Besides that, he also needed to prepare a spare weapon, just in case.

The Dungeon was filled with danger, and the most famous danger was an Abnormal Situation.

No one knew whether they might encounter an Abnormal Situation the next moment. If he encountered one on his way back, he could easily lose his weapon after exhausting his magical power.

Therefore, a spare weapon was necessary.

After arriving at the shop recommended by a senior member of the Familia and giving Loki Familia's name, Shirou Emiya quickly completed the preparations he had planned.

A set of leather armor, a spare short sword, and a backpack. Those were all the equipment Shirou Emiya had purchased.

After exchanging the remaining funds for some practical potions, Shirou Emiya completed all his preparations.

As for his room? He would obviously wait until he had money before furnishing it!

Afterward, while shopping, Shirou Emiya took the opportunity to look around the nearby area. After all, Orario was so large that it could not be explored in a single day.

It was not until evening that he returned to Loki Familia's headquarters, Twilight Manor.

"How was it? Orario is beautiful, isn't it?"

Loki, who was sitting in the courtyard enjoying the shade, waved and greeted Shirou Emiya when she saw him returning.

"Yeah. Compared to other cities, Orario does have a unique beauty to it."

Shirou Emiya had naturally never seen the other cities in this world, so the city he was comparing it to was the one he had lived in before: Fuyuki City.

Compared with a modern city, Orario, filled with gods, truly possessed a unique beauty.

"See? The most beautiful place in the world really is Orario!"

Laughing, Loki patted Shirou Emiya on the shoulder and continued asking, "Now that you've finished preparing your equipment, when do you plan to head to the Dungeon?"

Because the gods had different wishes, their Familias also developed in different directions. Some specialized in selling medicine, some specialized in selling alcohol, and some even ran brothels. Loki Familia's direction, however, was exploring the Dungeon.

"I'll wait two more days. During that time, I plan to look for some books about the Dungeon in the Underground Library. After all, knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle!"

"Is that so? It's good that you have your own plans! Then I won't keep you any longer. Go eat dinner."

Looking at Loki, who had returned to her chair to enjoy the shade and was waving him away, Shirou Emiya smiled and returned to his room.

"I feel like Lady Loki is a little similar to Fuji-ne."

After involuntarily comparing Fuji-ne and Loki in his mind, Shirou Emiya quickly shook his head. He put the backpack back in his room and went to the cafeteria for dinner.

After all, nothing was more important than eating.

Two days later, having completed all his preparations, Shirou Emiya left Twilight Manor early in the morning and headed to the Dungeon alone.

The reason he was alone was naturally because he had refused the company of a senior. Although one of the seniors had intended to take him along so he could get accustomed to things, Shirou Emiya was not a genuine newcomer.

After growing through the Holy Grail War, his body was still that of an ordinary human, but his combat experience and methods were not something a true Level 1 could compare with.

After exchanging blows with the seniors, Shirou Emiya had earned the right to act alone.

Now, with most of the main force away on an expedition, he could be considered one of the stronger members of the Familia.

Of course, that was without using a Reality Marble.

Walking along the somewhat deserted streets, Shirou Emiya savored the silence of the moment. But this was only temporary.

As he drew closer and closer to the Tower of Babel, the number of people on the road increased. They were all fully equipped adventurers and supporters.

Shirou Emiya had no need for supporters who assisted a party. He could serve as his own supporter.

By the time he arrived at the Tower of Babel, the surrounding area was already packed with surging crowds. Many adventurers had gathered in groups of three or five, seemingly waiting for their companions.

Some of them looked relaxed, while others were weighed down with tension. Regardless of their mood, they were all fully armed.

After all, no one could afford to underestimate the Dungeon. In the labyrinth, any moment of carelessness could lead to death.

"Phew!"

After gently exhaling, Shirou Emiya passed through the crowd and arrived at the Dungeon's entrance.

It was a huge opening, resembling a well. Using a man-made contraption similar to a construction-site elevator, Shirou Emiya entered the hole together with many other adventurers.

After descending along the spiral staircase, he finally reached the first floor of the Dungeon.

Standing before the entrance, Shirou Emiya gazed ahead for a moment before taking a headscarf from the backpack behind him and putting it on.

Paired with his red leather armor, he seemed to have returned to the Holy Grail War of his memories.

"Projection Start!"

That familiar sensation returned. Gan Jiang Mo Ye appeared tightly gripped in Shirou Emiya's hands.

"Next comes the moment of battle."