Chapter 928

She first wondered if she was hallucinating due to intense frustration.

However, Artoria immediately realized: Oh right, I'm already dead, just like Shirou...

Two people, whose bodies and spirits have vanished, happen to meet in Paradise (the afterlife)—or something like that?

"It seems like I've used up all my luck in this life, "the Paradise Fae thought happily.

"..."

Shirou stared at the Child of Prophecy, who had a blank expression and was shedding tears, and sighed with a frown.

Artoria was overjoyed at the unexpected reunion, but Shirou was clearly unhappy.

"You went to Camelot to pick a fight with Morgan, and then you lost?"

"..."

The Paradise Fae was speechless.

He was entrusted with everything, and he swore to end it all, but he failed halfway through.

In the past, when Shirou was teaching Artoria Projection Magic, he would sometimes speak very harshly, and she would always talk back.

But only this time, Artoria had nothing to say.

Finally, the Paradise Fae could only scratch her hair sheepishly and say with a smile.

"Sorry, I lost... hehe."

"..."

Although the girl tried to charm him, Shirou didn't appreciate it.

He said with a serious expression, "So it really is because I've burdened you too much."

"...?"

Artoria blinked, carefully considering his words.

The blonde girl asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

Why would Shirou think that?

The white-haired youth asked, "Artoria, what is your mission?"

"My mission is... to make the fairies understand their sins, and then to end this world."

Artoria firmly believed in what she had said.

The reason Shirou came into this world.

Everything he wanted to do, I will inherit.

"Because Shirou died in my place in the Inner Sea of the Planet, I must carry on your will."

Artoria said this, but Shirou dismissed her idea.

"I never expected you to do that kind of thing."

"... Huh?"

Artoria's eyes widened.

Then, she remembered Shirou's dying words—

"Live well, Artoria..."

The Paradise Fae's mission is not to save the world, but to forge the Holy Sword.

Originally, during the forging of the Holy Sword of the Stars, her body, spirit, and soul...

Artoria Caster's very existence will become the material for the Holy Sword.

Shirou completed the forging in her place, which is why Artoria was able to survive.

At that time, her mission as Paradise Fae and as the Child of Prophecy had already ended.

Artoria: "..."

Shirou did not do that because he wanted to inherit her will.

He stole his mission from the Paradise Fae—

I just hope I can live a good life and live a life that belongs to me.

If you think about it carefully, it becomes clear: how could such a gentle Shirou place a curse (or mission) on me before he died...?

In the end, I still let him down, the girl thought.

"There's nothing I can do about it because Artoria is an idiot," Shirou said helplessly.

"Yes, yes, I'm so sorry, I'm such an idiot."

Artoria puffed out her cheeks, jokingly deflecting the blame.

"Maybe it's because Shirou always calls me an idiot that I've become increasingly stupid!"

Shirou sat down on the grass next to Artoria, but the Paradise Fae wouldn't let him go.

"Shirou, when you traveled with Morgan before, you didn't call her an idiot, did you?"

So you see, the difference between me and Morgan definitely lies here!

Shirou nodded. "Well... back then, I was usually the one who got called an 'idiot'."

"Oh, I see... Haha."

Artoria scratched her cheek. "Never mind, it's all over now anyway."

We're both dead now, there's no point in dwelling on this anymore.

"No."

Shirou shook his head and said, "Two dead people can't meet, you know. It's not like we're on the Heroic Spirit Throne."

The convenient concept of an "afterlife" also does not exist.

Hearing him say that, Artoria looked confused.

"Huh? What's my situation now? Why am I encountering... Ah!"

Artoria's bottom left the grass, and her body floated up.

"How awful, how familiar this feeling is," she thought to herself, "It's exactly the same as when I was kicked out of the Inner Sea of the Planet!"

Artoria, completely bewildered, began to dance wildly in the air.

Shirou was also taken aback for a moment, then he seemed to immediately realize something and showed a look of sudden understanding.

"W-What's wrong? Explain yourself, what happened?"

Shirou also got up from the grass and cupped the Paradise Fae's soft cheeks in his hands.

"I have something to tell you, Artoria."

"Waaaaah...!!"

The Paradise Fae blushed and her breathing became rapid.

"Wha... what is it? A confession? It can't be a confession, can it? I'm not mentally prepared!"

Shirou said, "Defeat Morgan! Only you can defeat the Queen."

"Why?"

Artoria was completely dumbfounded.

She had expected to hear, "I love you. I still love you, Artoria."

At worst, you'd hear, "Artoria, live on, you are my pride."

The result was a nonsensical "Go and defeat Morgan."

Didn't you just tell me to stop pursuing your unfinished business?

The girl was both confused and speechless.

However, she also vaguely sensed that she seemed to be returning to the world and would soon have to say goodbye to Shirou again.

"Ah, I did tell you to let go of your obsession and return to a peaceful life..."

But, Artoria, we've been underestimated!

By whom?

"By Morgan."

Shirou said, "That guy mocked our pilgrimage."

Artoria: "..."

Is this really a good thing?

"Not good."

"That's right, not good at all, so take down Morgan for me."

Shirou said solemnly, "Let her know that our beliefs will not be defeated by hers!"

Artoria, this is something only you can do! It's all up to you!

Shirou's tone suddenly became high-pitched, and the Paradise Fae felt that something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

This was clearly the real, final farewell.

I clearly had so much more to say to him, but--

"Ah, I understand."

Artoria's expression hardened. "Since this is Shirou's last request, leave it to me... I'll give the Queen a good beating in your place!"

And so, the girl's body floated into the sky.

She saw Shirou on the ground with an expression of no regret.

Hmm... that works well.

That's fine.

In this way, Shirou can finally rest in peace.

I'm still somewhat unwilling to accept it.

The truly important words weren't conveyed to him... but...

Okay, that works well.

That's not good!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Shirou!!!!!!!!"

Artoria, who had already floated tens of meters above the ground, suddenly shouted.

"?"

Shirou was standing on the ground watching him leave, was clearly startled as well.

Artoria took a deep breath and then confessed with the loudest voice she had ever used.

"I like you------

I--I still like you, ahh...

Why didn't you notice? You idiot!

"..."

Shirou dropped open.

Seeing their stunned expressions, Artoria felt a sense of satisfaction, as if she had finally gotten her revenge, and smiled happily.

Hmph, this is karma for treating me like a child! Serves him right!

As the altitude increased rapidly, the girl's consciousness began to dissipate.

Artoria wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and closed them with a satisfied smile.

"Then, farewell... my beloved Shirou."