Chapter 609
But he couldn't just leave Haruri and Tiné alone—if he simply walked away, they would surely die.
The same applies to the Tsubaki Kuruoka.
If Shirou had the personality to leave little girls in distress, he wouldn't have intervened in Sakura Matou's fate back then.
Upon hearing Shirou's words, the woman in red looked surprised:
"You're a king? I hate kings! I hate kings and emperors alike!"
"... Whatever your opinion is fine."
Sameha stared at Shirou's face and said, "But your 'reason' right now... is to protect the children in this family, right?"
"..."
Shirou remained noncommittal in response to her question, "Should we really destroy this crossbow?"
Things you can no longer use should be destroyed as soon as possible to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
"Let's cooperate, young man."
The woman in red placed her hand on Shirou's shoulder and suddenly made this suggestion.
"You protect Chun in my place, and I will help you eliminate your enemies later."
Although I don't know what kind of monsters are ravaging the oceans of your world, I'll leave that to you."
Seeing Shirou's stunned expression, Samehada revealed a smile that seemed to encompass everything.
"... So, have you decided to board my big ship yet?"
Shirou thought to himself, "You're the one who sank the ship, aren't you?"
Volume 8: Chapter 381 Shirou: Nobody understands ahoge better than me
"Then... the contract is established!"
The woman in red smiled brightly and patted Shirou on the back, "I'm leaving Tsubaki's affairs to you, young man."
Shirou nodded. "Ah, even if you hadn't said it, that's what I was planning to do anyway."
By making a contract with the shark, Shirou gained the right to use the "God-Shooting Crossbow".
Although Armed Shirou, who also possesses "Anti-Divinity," already has "Blades of Chaos," this one seems to have other uses as well.
"Hoo hoo hoo, as a way of repaying me for protecting Chun in my place-"
After everything is settled here, I'll go back to your country with you and help resolve the crisis in the ocean.
After all, I'm just a remnant attached to the crossbow right now; I can only be of value when someone uses me. I'll leave the rest to you.
The woman in red spoke fluently, and contrary to her luxurious and dignified appearance, her personality was surprisingly cheerful.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. Without such a strong personality, it would be impossible to still have such lingering feelings 2,000 years after being shot.
Shirou said, "You really are a persistent ghost... I have a feeling that if I just put you back into the sea of the Age of Gods, you'll immediately get a new body."
The merman said, "Please do that. I've had enough of being dry day after day!"
Yes, meeting such an understanding young man was a huge help!
I'd love to chat with you a little longer, but unfortunately, I'm about to "sink again."
Shirou noticed that her figure was fading away like a mirage.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh no, the monster's power has increased... That embodiment of the disease has become stronger and stronger because it has eaten too many strange things."
This means I can no longer completely hide my presence... Oh no, I've reached my limit.
I'm entrusting this to you! Protecting Tsubaki's wish—"
Before she could finish speaking, the red-clad beauty who called herself "Jiao" vanished without a trace.
Shirou stored the crossbow in his body, left the Magecraft workshop, and returned to his house.
"Brother Shirou! Are you leaving?"
As the boy prepared to leave the Kuruoka family, the girl followed him.
"Oh, I have to go take care of something now. I'll play with you when I get back."
"Will Brother Shirou come back?" Tsubaki Kuruoka asked anxiously.
"Certainly."
Shirou hooked his little finger around the girl's and said, "I made a promise with Tsubaki."
"Um!"
The girl smiled innocently.
A fierce battle is taking place on the streets of Snowfield, within the barrier world.
It wasn't just Shirou, the Assassin, and the vampires who were dragged into this world by the black mist; the police force and Saber's master and servants were also searching for Tsubaki Kuruoka.
They weren't as lucky as Shirou; they were found by the "Master of the World (Tsubaki Kuruoka)" as soon as they entered the city.
They were greeted by Cerberus, who had received the blessing of the Underworld and whose power had been restored to its peak.
"Ah..."
They can't even react.
The demonic hound, larger than a residential house, swung its massive claws, resembling excavators, at high speed, creating violent gusts of wind on the road.
Cerberus went berserk, and no one knew how much time had passed.
It felt like only a few minutes had passed, but it also felt like more than thirty minutes had gone by.
Following the Saber's instructions Sajyou Ayaka took refuge in a nearby building, but the aftershocks of the giant beast's attack caused the building to begin to collapse.
Moreover, just as Ayaka hurriedly retreated outdoors, Cerberus, as if it had been eyeing this moment for a long time, blocked her path.
The claws of Cerberus resembled meticulously sharpened greatswords.
If that giant claw touches me, I will surely die.
Just as Ayaka was beginning to feel that thing was real, the giant claw had already closed to within several meters.
No matter what action is taken now, it is impossible to escape.
... Huh?
The name "Sajyou Ayaka" floated into her mind—or perhaps, realizing that her existence was about to disappear, her brain showed her something like a revolving lantern of life.
In this moment when memory is in a daze, the only thing that comes to mind instead of a revolving lantern is my own name.
Who am I, really?
Sajyou Ayaka?
Why did I come to United States to participate in the Holy Grail War?
When asked why, she replied, "Even she doesn't know."
While wandering aimlessly in Fuyuki City, the girl got lost and wandered into a castle-like building deep in the forest.
There, he was caught by a beautiful silver-haired woman and had certain things done to him.
Looking back now, it was probably one of those Magecraft called mind control. However, Ayaka, who lacked knowledge of Magecraft, didn't know the correct answer.
But when he came to his senses, he had already accepted the instruction to "participate in the Holy Grail War in the United States" and boarded a ship bound for United States.
Although I don't know why I had to take a boat, considering I didn't have a passport, it was most likely that I was being smuggled.
In fact, I obtained my passport and visa on board the ship, but I still did not pass through customs normally.
My memories of being on the ship are not only vague, but I was already speaking English when I realized it, which is probably related to some kind of Magecraft.
Under those circumstances, Sajyou Ayaka was forced to disembark on the west coast of the United States and travel to Snowfield with the little money she had earned.
--Ayaka.
--I am Sajou Ayaka...
—While attending university... and then at Semina Apartments...
--University...?
Which university is it?
My memories are gradually becoming blurry.
The existence of the name "Sajyou Ayaka" is the secret code that allows her to maintain her identity.
The three-headed dog's ferocious claws struck, and my muddled thoughts came to an end.
To think that such foolish questions would linger in her final moments would leave even Sajyou Ayaka speechless.
"----!!"
With a loud crash, the beast's claw, resembling a greatsword, was broken off mid-air and flew into the air.
"Saber!"
"Ayaka, are you alright? Don't just stand there!"
The Saber — Richard I— wielded a decorative sword he had somehow acquired, severing the three-headed dog's front paw.
What was clearly just ordinary iron with no history or mystery became a genuine Noble Phantasm in his hands.
"The Ever-Distant Sword of Victory (Excalibur)------!!"
The decorative sword in Saber's hand instantly shone brighter, unleashing a golden streak of light.
The slashes of light cleaved through the city's main roads while simultaneously crashing into the massive Magical Beast that occupied the intersection.
The slash pierced the side of the three-headed dog, causing its massive body to lose its balance as black blood splattered everywhere.
"Did you take them down?"
"... No, it doesn't seem to be very effective."
Cerberus was not just enormous.
Whether it's the body's regenerative ability, the sharpness of the giant claws, or the intense aura of death surrounding his entire body, everything is different from before, with a significant improvement in quality.
It was as if this world was the true home ground for this Magical Beast, and the power binding it seemed to be proving that.
The surrounding police officers and Ayaka had initially predicted that Saber would immediately continue the pursuit, but Saber simply stood on the ground, sword in hand, and then shouted, "Inquire of the giant beast!"
"Watchdog—guardian of the bottomless pit! If you have wisdom, listen to me and answer my questions!"
"Huh?"
Sajyou Ayaka and the police were stunned, but Saber, oblivious to his surroundings, spoke loudly like a general announcing his name to an enemy commander on the battlefield:
"We are not afraid to face the Underworld, nor are we souls who intend to resist judgment and peaceful slumber!"
We are all living beings standing on the right path, marching towards the inevitable death!
If you think I, Heroic Spirit, am a soul fleeing death, that's fine with me!
However, everyone else except me is undoubtedly a living person!
If you have sworn allegiance to the King of the Land of the Dead, may you properly carry out your duties! Okay?
The Saber's posture was far too dignified and imposing.
"----"
Even Ayaka, who had seemed confused the whole time, appeared to be instantly captivated by the speech.
Even the irrational Cerberus, which could only be conquered by the Great Hero's iron fist, stopped its rampage.
"Hey, it's stopped attacking!"
"No way, it can really communicate...?"
The police officers whispered among themselves as they watched the Cerberus press its three faces close to the Saber and begin to sniff him.