Chapter 691
Okay~
There's no point in agonizing here alone. Let's try to subtly extract some information from Gray later.
Shirou followed the girl toward the restaurant.
When Gray took off her hood, her entire aura changed.
She used to be introverted and timid, but now she is radiant and full of the vitality that comes with her age.
Shirou couldn't help but wonder: Was this how Artoria looked when she completed her apprentice knight pilgrimage with Merlin and Sir Kay?
Wait a minute, I actually took it upon myself to consider Gray as a substitute for Artoria...
This is incorrect.
Although I understand this is wrong, but...
Seeing the girl's joyful figure as she walked away, Shirou thought to himself: Maybe this is Gray's happiest life ever.
Shirou sat down at the table, Gray immediately and efficiently served him breakfast.
Freshly baked bread with fresh milk, plus onion pickles.
She hummed a tune happily as she tore open a piece of bread, spread butter on it, and then continued eating.
"Gray, you seem to be in a good mood today," Shirou asked tentatively.
"Of course! Soon I'll be able to return to my hometown after so long."
It's been three years since you took me from the village... Time flies."
"Hmm? Back to my hometown?" Shirou frowned.
Gray nodded. "Yes, didn't you say so, Your Majesty? I'm planning to visit my hometown during this vacation."
"Hoo hoo hoo, everyone in the village will be so happy to see His Majesty! I hope they won't cause the King any trouble..."
"The village... does it mean Blackmore?"
Gray tilted her head. "Are there other villages?"
Shirou: "... That's true."
Things are getting interesting.
Even in this world, is it impossible to avoid that village?
Shirou was still hesitating about what to do next when an option popped up that he couldn't refuse.
Shirou felt relieved and began to eat the breakfast in front of him.
That was the taste that matched the image of a country girl.
Although its simple style cannot compare to the modern cuisine prepared by Shirou himself, it has a unique rustic flavor.
"Gray, how is your relationship with your mother?"
Upon hearing Shirou's question, the girl put down her bread and smiled, "I love my mom the most!"
"I see..."
Shirou lowered his head and silently swallowed his food.
Gray continued talking at length about her mother, as if this breakfast was something her mother had taught her.
Indeed, Gray in this world is happy.
Image: "~~~", Location: "Images/1772448524-100430532-114526720. jpg"
After breakfast, Shirou and Gray continued their journey to Blackmore.
After several hours of trekking through mountains and rivers, they arrived at their destination village.
For Gray, it was her hometown, which she had left three years ago, but for Shirou, it was a place he would stay for a few hours.
The village, which had been lifeless, was now bustling with activity, as if it were hosting a celebration.
The villagers gathered at the door to welcome the king's visit.
The treatment Shirou received on his two visits was completely different.
Some might say that a difference of 1,500 years is obviously different, but--
The villagers were all faces that Shirou had seen before.
In other words, the villagers of Blackmoa, like Shirou and Gray, also traveled here.
Of course, among these people was Gray's mother, whom Shirou had met before.
"Your Majesty King Arthur!"
With an expression of utmost reverence, she grabbed Shirou and asked him all sorts of questions.
"Did Gray cause any trouble in Camelot?"
"Is there anything this child could have done better?"
... something like this.
Gray also looked nervous, but when Shirou said she had done well in Camelot, the surrounding villagers cheered.
From this perspective, it seems like just an ordinary village where everyone lives in harmony and love.
Arriving at the village entrance was the village's oldest woman, respectfully addressed as Grandma.
The villagers say she must be over a hundred years old.
Wrapped in ancient ethnic clothing, she looked unusually small, like a doll.
The layers of wrinkles on her face almost completely obscured her features.
With the help of the others, the old lady came to Shirou and opened her lips, which were as withered as leaves.
"My king, does our divine child possess the power to become yours?"
"Yes, Gray did a great job." Shirou nodded solemnly.
"... Waaah."
In the crowd, the woman covered her face.
The woman who was Gray's mother wept uncontrollably from overwhelming happiness.
"That's wonderful, that's really wonderful... Now our long-cherished wish has come true..."
That's right, in this world, Gray is still the village's goddess.
Nothing has changed.
However, Gray is no longer the vessel prepared for the resurrection of the Eternal King.
Three years ago, King Arthur (Shirou) heard a rumor and visited this Wales village, then took Gray away with him.
She, here, is Miko created to be offered to the ideal king.
Of course, there are also Bersac in these villages.
After a brief farewell to the villagers, Shirou took Gray to visit the gravedigger.
They bypassed the church and arrived at the dilapidated house, where a clear, crisp sound greeted them.
An old man dressed in Black Robe is chopping wood.
He swung his giant axe with one hand, rhythmically chopping the timber needed for the day.
"Mr. Bersac," Gray said to the old man's retreating figure.
Without turning around, the gravedigger said to the girl behind him, "You're back, Gray?"
"Yes, I'm back... Wang Ye came too."
The hand that had raised the axe stopped.
Bersac wiped the thin layer of sweat from his forehead and turned to look at him.
Would you like some coffee?
"..."
Shirou's face turned deathly pale. Even in this world, could he not escape the coffee-scented muddy water?
Unlike the villagers who all became positive and cheerful, as if they had become completely different people, Bersac underwent the least change.
He remained silent, just as before.
However, the girl beside him was no longer taciturn. Gray excitedly talked about what she had seen and heard in the city and on her adventures, and talked about the members of the Knights of the Round Table.
While Gray and Bersac chatted, Shirou observed the furnishings in the room.
Despite a 1500-year time difference, this wooden house remains completely unchanged...
After all, Bersac had never been accustomed to using modern tools before, which is quite normal.
Shirou had once held a sliver of hope that Bersac might also realize, like himself, that "the world has changed."
Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
Only Shirou remembers that he was transported here from the future Blackmore (?).
That night, the villagers fell asleep in their beds and forgot about what had happened when they woke up.
They reintegrated into their new identities—continuing to live as ordinary people in the 5th century AD.
This unusual situation made Shirou feel as if he were the only one who had been sent to a deserted island.
"... Um?"
At that moment, Shirou noticed a half-empty brass cup in the sink.
Seeing him staring at the empty glass in the sink, Bersac explained, "There were other guests before you today."
Are there... other guests today?
Shirou's eyes suddenly widened.
He thought of something very important.
Gray asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
"Excuse me, I need to go see that guest."
"Huh?"
Both Bersac and Gray looked confused, Shirou walked straight towards the door of the cabin.
A voice called out to Shirou from behind—"Hey! Do you know where that guest is right now?"
Ah, of course I know.
How could I not know!
Shirou didn't need to ask any more questions and ran straight towards the nearby hunting lodge.
Arriving at the hunting lodge where they had spent the night, Shirou pushed open the door.
That person was sitting at the table in front of the door.
Her bright, smooth blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, reminiscent of porcelain-like white skin.
Above her exquisitely beautiful face, which resembled a work of art, were a pair of fiery red eyes that held an unwavering will.
The girl looked surprised when she saw Shirou barging in without knocking.
"... Leinys El-Melloi Archzorti."
Shirou called her name softly, and the girl's eyes widened even more.