Traveling Together

East Main Street.

Following the bustling crowd, Shirou Emiya and Riveria walked side-by-side on the street of East Main Street, looking around at the various stalls.

All sorts of flower wreaths were displayed on both sides of the street, and above their heads, numerous colorful flags fluttered in the wind.

Looking at the lively crowd around them, Shirou Emiya couldn't help but laugh, "As expected of a festival, it's so lively. Riveria, have you never participated in these festivals before?"

"Not entirely. I have participated in some smaller festivals. As for the Monster Festival, that would have been a long time ago, when I first entered Orario."

Wearing casual clothes, Riveria walked beside Shirou Emiya, constantly drawing the attention of the surrounding tourists.

Unlike her usual attire, at Shirou Emiya's urging, Riveria in her casual wear exuded a special kind of beauty.

Truly, she was Elf Royalty, possessing beauty that surpassed even the gods.

Even in casual clothes, she was so beautiful.

Besides, elves always had great fashion sense.

"Is that so? Then perhaps it's because you're usually too stern, Riveria, that they don't dare to invite you. You should smile more."

"Smile more?"

Due to her status as Elf Royalty, all elves treated Riveria with utmost respect.

But she didn't like this attitude, even finding it somewhat distasteful.

However, changing such a thing wasn't easy.

Seeing Riveria looking a bit troubled, Shirou Emiya smiled and said, "Don't worry too much. Changing people isn't that simple. Just do what you want to do."

Shirou Emiya always felt that Riveria and Saber Artoria had some similarities.

It wasn't just their voices that were similar (after all, they had the same voice actress!).

It was also their personalities, both having a certain stubbornness.

But they were surprisingly cute.

On both sides of the street were all sorts of stalls, and the aromas wafting from them made passersby's mouths water.

Even Shirou Emiya couldn't resist the urge to buy something to eat.

After all, what's a festival without buying food!

After buying two portions of fried potato balls from a stall, Shirou Emiya handed one to Riveria.

After hesitating for a moment, Riveria finally accepted it.

"I remember these are Ais's favorite treats!"

"That's right, she's loved them since she was little. I remember her favorite flavor was red bean cream!"

As soon as Ais was mentioned, Riveria's eyes softened. It was clear that Ais held a very important place in her heart.

No wonder she's called "Mom"!

Holding the fried potato balls, they were about to continue walking when they suddenly heard a familiar voice nearby.

"Uh, regular fried potato balls and..."

"Red bean cream flavor, one."

The sudden voice made them both stop in their tracks, and then they turned around.

"Although I had considered this possibility before, this is just too coincidental!"

"It is indeed very coincidental, especially with so many people here."

Since they had met, they had to greet each other. Looking at Loki and Ais standing at the fried potato ball stall, Shirou Emiya called out helplessly, "What a coincidence, Loki, Ais!"

"What? It's Shirou..."

"Ah!!!"

"Why is Riveria here?"

Loki, who had turned around upon hearing the familiar voice, was instantly struck as if by lightning, her expression exaggerated.

"Why am I here? Naturally, Shirou invited me."

"Then why didn't you come when I invited you? I invite you every year!"

Loki, struck by lightning again, couldn't hold back any longer. Faced with such obvious preferential treatment, she couldn't help but cry out.

Before Riveria could explain, Shirou Emiya stepped forward and patted Loki on the shoulder, saying, "Of course, it's because the one who invited her was me!"

Beep, beep, Loki-class battleship is critically damaged!

Upon hearing Shirou Emiya's answer, Loki's entire body turned ashen and she collapsed on the ground.

She kept muttering, "Riveria was stolen away!"

Facing the critically damaged Loki, Shirou Emiya turned back and smiled, giving Riveria an "OK" gesture.

After all, Riveria was his guest, so he couldn't let Loki make things difficult for her!

Looking at Loki lying on the ground and Shirou Emiya with a smug look, Riveria helplessly held her forehead.

Although things were indeed as Shirou Emiya said, why did she always feel something was off?

After this chance encounter, the four of them began to stroll together at Loki's strong suggestion.

After all, she hadn't yet strolled through the festival with Ais and Riveria at the same time.

Yesterday, after obtaining Ais's consent, she had tentatively invited Riveria, hoping to achieve the feat of having one on each arm.

Unfortunately, Riveria quickly saw through her plan and didn't let her succeed.

Now, she had been asked out by Shirou and had run into him again. How could she possibly pass up such a perfect opportunity to have one on each arm!

That's what Loki thought.

And that's what she did.

But why was the outcome so different from what she had imagined?

Walking behind the three of them, watching Shirou Emiya walk between Ais and Riveria, chatting happily with both of them, Loki's eyes were filled with confusion.

Why did it turn out like this! This was the first time she had invited Ais and Riveria out together, the first time she had attended a festival with both of them simultaneously.

These two happy events were intertwined. And these two joys would bring her so much more joy.

She should have been experiencing this dreamlike, blissful time. But why had it turned out like this?

Shouldn't she be standing there right now?

"Ais."

"Brother seems to really like the festival."

"Riveria."

"Indeed, I've never seen you so happy before."

"Shirou."

"If there's a chance, let's go out together again next time!"

Looking at the trio, into which she couldn't insert herself at all, Loki's eyes filled with darkness.

Hehehe!

Shirou Emiya, you scoundrel, how dare you poach my girls right in front of me.

Die, there's no place for you in Loki Familia anymore.

I, Loki, will do as I say.

"Loki, come with us next time too! It's definitely better when it's livelier!"

"Mm, definitely!"

Looking back at Shirou Emiya, Loki said with a smile, "As expected of the pillar of our Loki Familia. After Finn retires, you'll have to be the commander of Loki Familia!"

Wait, why is this person suddenly talking about something so far in the future? What is she thinking!

Shirou Emiya, completely bewildered, hesitantly declined.

Passing through the crowded alleyways and arriving around the arena, Shirou Emiya and his group quickly noticed the Guild members looking around uneasily.

And members of the Ganesha Familia were frequently leaving in a hurry, weapons in hand.

"It seems like some trouble has occurred here?"