Chapter 878

However, I'll ask anyway.

"You have a few options now."

"Choose?"

"My first choice is to leave me without asking any questions."

To be honest, Shirou would be very troubled if Artoria chose this option, but he didn't want to force her.

Although it would be a bit troubling for me if she chose this option, I don't want to force her.

"The second option is to accept only the bare minimum of instructions and then travel with me."

"Finally, after you know the whole truth, travel with me," Shirou said.

Artoria stared into his eyes. "What if... after hearing your explanation, I choose to part ways with you?"

"It's not impossible. But after hearing my explanation, would you still choose to split up with me?"

The man who called himself Shirou spoke with great confidence.

Artoria felt that this was exactly what she lacked most.

This guy's life must have been smooth sailing so far... Hmph.

Shirou: "Don't space out."

Artoria: "Ah, I'm sorry!"

He continued, "I recommend that you accept the minimum explanation first, and then come with me."

As for whether we want to hear more details, or where to separate them...

You can judge these things after you get to know me better.

Artoria looked troubled.

Seeing her like this, Shirou felt a little sorry for her.

Generally speaking, if a suspicious man you've just met says a lot of suspicious things, you should immediately turn around and leave.

However, for her, who had reached the point of desperation and entered the Nameless Forest, encountering someone who did not see her as an enemy was salvation in itself.

Even if the other party is suspicious, she probably doesn't want to give up easily.

It pains Shirou to see such an innocent girl being exploited, but it's all for Morgan and everyone else...

"Well... well, in short, please accept the minimum explanation first."

As Shirou predicted.

If it were Morgan from before, I would definitely make the same choice.

"Understood."

Shirou nodded.

"Simply put, your Fae Kingdom will have a negative impact on my world."

We came into this world to solve this problem.

The phrase "solve the problem" is far too simplistic.

But Shirou doesn't intend for Artoria to bear the burden of "ending the world" so early.

Shirou observed her reaction and continued.

"To be honest, one of the reasons I came to this forest was to find you."

"Whether or not I can get your help will drastically change the plan."

Shirou didn't want to do anything strange or deceptive, so he spoke frankly and explained things to her.

"..."

Artoria's gaze wavered, revealing a troubled expression, which finally turned into one of resignation.

She had come here wanting to forget her mission and catch her breath, but she was asked by humans from outside the world to cooperate for the fate of the world.

Thinking of this, Shirou said, "But don't get the wrong idea, okay?"

While your help would certainly make things much easier, I don't intend to force you to do so.

And since I'm asking for your help, I don't intend to push all the work onto you alone."

Artoria, who had been looking down, raised her head, her eyes showing surprise and anticipation.

"Regarding your mission, I will do my best to help you. After all, our interests are completely aligned in this regard."

Because they can see through the truth with their Fae Eyes, this kind of thing becomes much simpler.

Although the girl still seemed to have some disbelief, the look of anticipation on her face grew stronger.

So, what do you think?

Shirou stood up, walked up to Artoria, and extended his hand to her.

"For the sake of our world, and to fulfill your mission, would you like to travel with me?"

Without much hesitation, the girl grasped Shirou's hand in return.

"Your name is... Shirou, right? Nice to meet you from now on."

"Ah... Nice to meet you, Artoria."

Thus began the pilgrimage of the original Faerie Knight and the second-generation Paradise Fae to Britain.

After confirming, Shirou and Artoria began heading towards the exit of the forest.

"Speaking of which, the curse of oblivion didn't work on you?"

The blonde girl belatedly asked.

Because of the constant surprises that had followed their meeting, she only noticed this crucial issue now.

"Yes, although the Principle are different, I, like you, possess Oblivion Correction."

"Eh~"

Upon hearing this, Artoria gave a look as if she had seen some rare creature.

Are all people in the outside world like you?

"No, I'm probably the only one like this."

"Ugh~~~"

The Paradise Fae seemed somewhat unable to accept it.

"Speaking of which, Artoria doesn't seem to be afraid of the curse of forgetting, but I'll give this to you anyway."

Shirou spoke, he opened the Time Pocket of the Fifth Magic Application.

"Magic... Magecraft? No, this is..."

Artoria stared in disbelief as Shirou produced a necklace-shaped Magic Crest from thin air—

It's more like a ring strung together with a cord than a necklace.

Just like the one given to Morgan, it's a top-tier Magic Crest that Shirou personally crafted.

He had originally planned to just give the ring to Artoria directly, but something like that happened when he was saying goodbye to Morgan...

To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, Shirou strung the rings he had prepared for Artoria together with a cord to make a necklace.

Just imagine, what if Morgan saw his sister wearing the same ring...

Artoria will be killed.

Shirou will be killed too.

He explained, "It's something like a talisman. Well, it has several other effects as well."

It will definitely be helpful for your trip in the future. It would be even better if you could accept it honestly.

"No, no, no, how could I accept such an expensive decoration from someone I just met!?"

The girl waved her hands in refusal.

This reaction was exactly what Shirou had expected.

He said, "You clearly wanted to catch your breath during a break from your mission, but I foolishly forced you to face reality..."

Even just a little bit would be fine, consider it my apology for this.

Artoria's waving hand stopped abruptly.

Even though you look so troubled, I'm still bothered.

Although we share the same interests, I'm truly happy to have found someone willing to be my companion...

So rather than saying I want to apologize, I'd say I want to thank Shirou!

Shirou didn't think he showed such obvious embarrassment, but was that how the Fae Eyes him?

Although I don't want to force Artoria, I'm sorry, but I'll have to be a little firmer for now.

"Please, Artoria."

With sincere hope that she would accept his words, Shirou spoke again.

Artoria froze for a moment, looking as if she had been ambushed.

Then, she showed a somewhat resigned expression.

"You're too cunning, Shirou... I understand. I'll take it."

She was indeed very cunning; Shirou knew all too well that she couldn't refuse.

However, considering future developments, Shirou cannot back down here.

He handed the necklace to Artoria and instructed her, "Try not to take it off with you; always wear it with you."

This is a great item; it has various effects such as exorcising demons and detecting the location of people who are separated from their group.

The actual functionality isn't there.

However, there's no need to tell her the truth yet.

"Artoria, let me help you put it on."

"Oh? Hmm, okay... thank you."

The girl, who had only ever received gifts from her grandfather, suddenly felt very embarrassed, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

With Shirou's help, she put on the necklace and then tucked the ring part inside her clothes.

"I don't know why, but Shirou, you definitely know about my eyes, right?"

The girl tilted her head and asked.

Shirou nodded. "Yeah, we've been exposed..."

"I knew it... Shirou seems to know a lot about me."

Artoria narrowed her eyes and began to observe the strange human she was meeting for the first time.

"But... it's strange. You're neither afraid of nor disgusted by my eyes."

The Fae Eyes can easily see through someone's lies and their negative emotions.

This is a terrifying ability that both fairies and humans avoid at all costs in Britain.

The fact that the Paradise Fae are disliked is partly due to their eyes.

"Is it because Shirou considers himself an upright and honest gentleman?"

"How is that possible?"

"I think so too, so why is that?"

"I guess I've gotten used to it by now."

That's right--