Chapter 596

It's impossible to say she wasn't affected at all, but she managed to regain a semblance of composure.

"Alright! It's about time you handed over Gugalanna! How long are you planning to keep hiding him?"

Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) continues to aggressively pursue her Parallel World self.

"Unfortunately, the child can't come out yet... It will take some time to welcome it."

Shirou, of course, also noticed that the divine beast was not currently manifesting on the ground.

For a mythical beast of the caliber of the Bull of Heaven to appear in the modern world, it would require extremely complex rituals and preparations.

Shirou asked, "When it reappears, can you return it to us?"

Ishtar (Filia) narrowed her eyes. "It's possible... but there are conditions."

"Huh? Have you even figured out your own position?"

Shirou silenced Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) for a moment, then asked, "What are the conditions?"

Although defeating the goddess of the Parallel World here and then forcibly subduing Gugalanna is also a viable option.

But if that were done, Ishtar might have to remain the size of a palm forever.

"Hmph, so you're one of the more reasonable people out there. You're really great... Your name is Shirou, isn't it?"

It would be such a waste to leave Ishtar (me) by my side over there...

It's decided! I'm going to make you my man!

The silver-haired goddess stared intently at Shirou, making no attempt to conceal her predatory gaze.

"Shirou will never become your man! Get to the point!"

Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) interrupted angrily.

Ishtar (Filia) brushed away the goddess flying towards her face with the back of her hand, staring at the red-haired boy and saying:

"Well, since you want to take Gugalanna Shirou will have to serve me in that child's place—"

In short, let's kill the King of Uruk and that scoundrel who have appeared on this land first.

Volume 8: Chapter 374 - The Beginning: Publicly Beating Up the King of Heroes

Gilgamesh and Enkidu's participation in this Holy Grail War was something neither Shirou nor Ishtar had anticipated.

"Alright, in that case, let's ask them for help and bring them back to Uruk along with Gugalanna."

"Huh? No, no, no, no, no, no, no!!!"

Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) vehemently opposed it.

"You... you think about it? He's Gilgamesh, you know! How could he possibly obediently listen to your requests?"

After hearing our story...

"I refuse! If the destruction of Uruk is its inevitable fate, then let it be destroyed!"

To think we've fallen so low as to need outsiders to save us—this Parallel World's King and Uruk are truly shameful!

Huhahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

He'll definitely say that!

"Really? If Gil can't do it, then we can talk to Mr. Enkidu. He should be more agreeable, right?"

Although Shirou had never met Enkidu, he knew from people's descriptions that he was a kind and understanding young man.

"Easy to talk to? That piece of junk? You've all been fooled by his appearance; you have no idea how awful his personality is!"

Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) gave a look of disgust.

In short, the goddess refused to ask the two for help, saying, "This is a matter for our world, and we don't need the dead to interfere. Let's take over Gugalanna and go back! Everyone is waiting for us!"

Clearly, she was worried that her previously secure position would be affected once the two returned to Uruk.

"Never mind..."

Shirou also felt that it wasn't good to let Gilgamesh and Enkidu get involved in Uruk's affairs any longer.

Their story ended in the final battle against Goddess Tiamat; let the legend remain at its most beautiful moment.

"So, are you willing to help me now?"

Ishtar (Filia) rested her chin on her hand, gazing meaningfully at the red-haired boy.

She had just heard about Uruk's ordeal from Shirou and learned why they needed Gugalanna.

"I can return Gugalanna to you, but you must kill two people for me."

Those two, needless to say, are Gilgamesh, and Enkidu, the spearman, who are currently in this country.

The goddess residing within the artificial body appears not to be Ishtar herself, but rather a "word" she imposed upon the world during her lifetime.

It could be described as the echo of a deity, a curse, or something similar.

When Gilgamesh and Enkidu are resurrected on earth, the goddess Ishtar will also awaken and vow to hunt them down to the ends of the earth.

"Did you make such a vow before you died?" Shirou, looking at Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) beside him.

"Huh? I can't remember..." The black-haired goddess blinked.

"Don't you remember? You clearly hated those two so much you wanted to grind them to ashes?"

"If you don't remember something, you just don't remember it!"

Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) said angrily.

Seeing her other self's nonchalant attitude, Ishtar (Filia) showed a slightly surprised expression.

You and I are really very different.

"Of course! I am the real deal! You are nothing but the remnant I left on the ground!"

Like some kind of vengeful spirit, right? You imposter, how dare you shamelessly use my name just now!

Having learned the truth, Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) regained her confidence and proudly puffed out her chest.

Ishtar (Filia) narrowed her eyes. "Which original has had its Authority stolen by an imposter this time, reduced to a laughable form like a flying insect?"

"Gurgle...! Shirou! Let's just defeat this guy after all!"

The black-haired goddess flew onto the boy's shoulder and shouted.

"There's no need to revere her like you do me! Just treat her like an evil god and destroy her!"

"I've always thought of you as an evil god," Shirou thought to himself.

"I understand, I'll cooperate with you then."

Shirou reached out his hand to the silver-haired goddess, and the black-haired goddess panicked.

"Wait, Shirou! No! Don't cooperate with that evil god! You'll be tricked... Ugh!"

Ishtar (Filia) glared at Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka), and she immediately became speechless.

Shirou's reason for cooperating with Ishtar from Parallel World is because his goddess's life is entirely in her hands.

"Once I defeat Gilgamesh and Enkidu, you'll be willing to become a Buddha and return Gugalanna, won't you?"

"Certainly."

Ishtar (Filia) flashed a seductive smile and grasped Shirou's hand in return.

Ishtar (Rin Tohsaka) had only a bad feeling in her heart.

Due to Shirou's intervention, Ishtar and her companions went underground with Berserker, since it wouldn't be good if Gilgamesh and Enkidu recognized them.

Incidentally, Shirou immediately recognized Berserker's true name.

It was Humbaba, the Magical Beast that guarded the cedar forest for the goddess Ishtar.

Although its appearance has been transformed into a mechanical monster resembling one from a science fiction movie due to the influence of its summoner and the era, its inner nature remains unchanged.

Shirou could recognize it, then the other two couldn't possibly not.

So, Humbaba followed the two goddesses to prepare for welcoming Gugalanna, while Shirou spent the night with the Master girl who had been taken in by the goddess.

What is your name?

"Ha... Haruri Polzak."

The girl had beautiful golden curly hair and wore an elegant Western-style dress.

Although she looks as cute as a small animal, her eyes are a little cloudy, and she keeps her distance from Shirou with a fearful gaze.

... Polzak?

Shirou felt that the surname sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before.

Why participate in the Holy Grail War?

"For... revenge."

Revenge? A perfectly reasonable reason.

It was nearing evening, Shirou silently moved towards his destination.

"Aren't you going to ask... who I'm doing this for, or who I'm planning to avenge?" the girl asked timidly from behind.

Shirou didn't even turn his head. "The important thing about revenge isn't the reason, but the resolve, isn't it?"

Well, if you want to say it, then say it. Just consider it a way to pass the time while traveling.

"The target of my revenge... is the 'Magecraft society' itself, which denied my father and took away all my family members."

"What?"

Shirou stopped and looked at his Berserker Master behind him—the girl's still-childish face was filled with hatred for Magecraft.

"I see, that's why Berserker responded to your wish and appeared in that industrial-style appearance..."

Wait, you're not planning to... Haruri, are you going to overturn the Mage's Association's principle of secrecy?

Haruri nodded without wavering. "If I obtain the Holy Grail, I intend to render all the deliberate concealments placed upon the Magecraft world ineffective."

As magic becomes more recognized by the general world, its mystique diminishes, Magecraft drift further away from the "Root," and the very foundation of the Magecraft world is shaken.

If she could, she would even pray that the concept of Magecraft would disappear from the planet.

It was for this very wish that she decided to challenge the Holy Grail War, putting her own life at risk.

"Mr. Shirou, can the Holy Grail grant my wish?"

"I think it should be possible."

"... That's good."

The girl slowly lowered her eyelashes, ending the conversation.

She murmured softly, "Mr. Shirou is about the same age as me, yet he manages to maintain his composure even in front of that goddess..."

What an enviable spirit! I wish I could be as strong as you.

"Haruri is already very powerful, to go against the world of Magecraft... that takes courage from just anyone."

"Really? Actually, I'm scared too, and I feel like I can't do anything..."

So when I summoned the Berserker and was attacked and nearly killed by it, I actually felt a sense of relief.

I will die here, but the Berserker that devoured me will continue to exist as a monster.

Its presence will become the focus of global attention, rendering the Magecraft of concealment meaningless...

Shirou poured cold water on her enthusiasm. "Unfortunately, that level of disturbance can't possibly shake the mystique of Magecraft."

That's true, looking back now—

Leaving aside the selfish Magecraft, the Holy Church is quite adept at cleaning up messes.

Haruri sighed; things just wouldn't go as smoothly as she'd hoped.

"Mr. Shirou, I..."