Shirou's Return From the Fae Kingdom

Irisviel smiled and replied, "Because you and the Demon Sword wielder were having such a passionate fight. I was stunned just watching from the sidelines~

Eh? Saber, are you jealous of me?"

"Irisviel!!"

Artoria's expression was annoyed, but a blush crept onto her cheeks.

At that moment, she felt a gaze upon her.

"..."

Saber turned strangely towards the boy who had fought alongside her moments before. "Is something wrong with my face?

Let me be clear, things are absolutely not as Irisviel described. Please don't misunderstand."

Artoria furrowed her brow, thinking: Is it an illusion? I feel like the gaze he's giving me is particularly... complicated?

"..."

Shirou stood frozen in place, unable to speak.

"Mr. Demon Sword wielder, aren't you going to read this book?"

Irisviel asked, taking the "Tome of the R'lyeh" from his hand.

Shirou dismissively replied, "Destroy it quickly. This thing is extremely dangerous. Just like Caster, it shouldn't remain in this world."

During the previous battle, Shirou had maintained a cold demeanor the entire time.

From when he joined the fray to defeating Caster, despite their seamless coordination, he hadn't once looked at Saber's face.

It wasn't until the battle ended and Saber proactively approached him that Shirou had the chance to observe her up close for the first time.

Saber's appearance was as he had anticipated, no different from the hazy features he'd seen in the crystal ball.

Flowing, soft golden hair, impeccably neat and beautiful features.

Cherry-blossom lips, eyes that had become slightly greener but remained beautiful and noble, a petite build that exuded a dignified aura no less than any man's...

Most importantly, that sword, Excalibur. It was undoubtedly the Holy Sword of the Stars forged by the Paradise Fae sacrificing their own lives.

That's right.

This should have been a moving reunion across multiple universes, and yet--

Huh????

Shirou's mouth fell open.

...She wasn't Morgan.

Even though Saber and Morgan looked exactly alike.

Even though Saber held the genuine Holy Sword of the Lake in her hand.

Shirou wouldn't mistake it, nor could he possibly mistake it.

No matter how similar their appearances and temperaments were, no matter how radiant and noble the sword's glow.

She wasn't Morgan, absolutely not Morgan.

"So..."

Shirou stared at Saber's face and asked blankly.

"You're... really King Arthur?"

Volume 1, Chapter 057: Artoria: My God! He's Just Like Me! (6K5)

"...Eh?"

Saber froze in stunned silence at Shirou's sudden question.

Do you think you are King Arthur? I think I am.

Saber replied with a solemn expression.

"Indeed. My name is Artoria Pendragon, the son of Britain's King Uther Pendragon."

After stating her name, her eyes locked onto Shirou.

Artoria actually had a mountain of questions for this boy who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Who are you? Are you an enemy or a friend? Why did you help Irisviel and me?

However, her most pressing concern was clearly the inverted holy sword the boy was wielding.

Why... is my Excalibur in his hands? And why has its magical nature changed, transforming from a holy sword into a demon sword?

"Demon Sword wielder, since I have answered your question by revealing my true name, shouldn't you also follow etiquette and reveal your identity?"

Saber stared at Shirou's black holy sword, her expression eager as she asked.

"If my senses are correct, you're also a king from somewhere, aren't you?"

Due to the hindering magic cast by Lady Avalon, she couldn't discern anything from Shirou.

However, Artoria could still sense a certain quality about him.

It was a kingly aura different from her own, different from the King of Conquerors, and different from the King of Heroes.

Yet, the boy said nothing. He didn't seem inclined to reveal his name, merely reaching for his mask.

Huh? Huh! Is he going to take it off?

After hiding his face until now, are you sure you want to take it off?

Saber suddenly panicked, both nervous and expectant, staring at him with a touch of bewilderment.

Shirou, however, maintained an indifferent attitude.

Having come to the Einzbern forest, he was prepared to let Saber and her Master know his identity.

Shirou removed his mask, and then Artoria saw—

Beneath the skull mask, a childish face of an elementary school boy was revealed.

"So, so cute..."

Saber realized she'd spoken aloud and quickly shut her mouth. Damn, I just said what I was thinking. How careless.

But... the one who fought alongside me earlier was actually such a small child?

If she hadn't experienced it herself, she wouldn't have believed her eyes.

Just as she was about to say something else...

"Shinji! It really is you! I'm so glad you're okay!!!"

Irisviel suddenly shouted excitedly, rushing forward and hugging Shirou.

Saber: "Huh?"

Irisviel held Shirou tightly, nuzzling her cheek against his red hair affectionately.

"What's going on, Irisviel?"

Saber asked, confused. "Did you two know each other before?"

Irisviel nodded. "Saber, do you remember?

He's the exceptionally cute boy I told you about, the one I met while shopping?"

"Uh, you mean..."

Saber blinked, then immediately understood, her gaze towards Shirou filled with suspicion.

"So you're also involved in the Holy Grail War?"

The gentle and relaxed expression on the girl's face vanished in an instant, replaced by her usual serious demeanor.

Although she had been momentarily captivated and moved by the Aurora Reverse, she now realized that beautiful radiance actually symbolized destruction and ruin.

Saber's expression turned stern. "You approached Irisviel when I wasn't paying attention... What is your purpose in getting so close to us?"

"Saber, about that..."

"Wait, Saber, Shinji is a good kid! He's not what you think! This is a misunderstanding!"

Irisviel defended Shirou while hugging him, but Artoria didn't let her guard down. Instead, she grew more tense.

"Irisviel, please get away from him quickly! Get behind me!"

She even tightened her grip on her wind-wielding holy sword, further escalating the tension.

"Even if he's a cute child, he could very well be an enemy Servant!"

Irisviel: "Right? Saber, you think this child is cute too, don't you?"

Saber: "That's not the point!"

These past few days, she had been blaming herself for getting separated from her Master.

This knightly self-reproach had made her nerves taut, and her attitude was even more severe than usual.

"Saber, isn't that a bit rude? Shinji is my savior, please put your sword down.

The King of Knights' sword isn't meant to intimidate cute children, is it?"

Seeing Saber's unyielding stance, Irisviel's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her expression turned a little displeased.

"No, he's just too suspicious..."

Irisviel tilted her head, observing Shirou's face. "Is he? Where is he suspicious?

I only see a boy who is both cute and well-behaved...

Whoa! He really is too cute! Come back to Einzbern Castle with me right now, Shinji!"

Shirou said, "Please calm down, Saber. And you, especially you, Irisviel."

"I'm perfectly calm!"

Irisviel and Saber said in unison.

Shirou sighed, "I'll explain everything, Saber. Just put the sword down for now."

The blonde girl shouted, "You give my Master back to me first!"

"Ehh~ I don't want to~"

Hearing Saber say that, the silver-haired homunculus held Shirou even tighter. The large, soft mounds pressed and rubbed against his chest, making it hard for Shirou to breathe.

Seeing her Master trust and cling to Shirou so much, Saber's expression grew even more distressed:

"Guh, what did you do to my Master... Was it some incredibly high-level enchantment magic?"

Shirou: "I didn't do anything!"

Saber: "How could things turn out like this if you did nothing?"

Shirou: "Ask your Master, I want to know too!"

Irisviel: "Wuwuwu, Shinji-kun is so cute~"

Oh dear, oh dear... It's the same old stable 'shuraba' development, just as expected from a Master~

High above the three, Lady Avalon was gleefully enjoying the chaotic scene.

Although I guessed it would be like this before, Master really saw through it at a glance... Amazing.

It's a bit of a shame Master didn't mistake Saber for Morgan, but...

The meeting of the two Arthurs is really interesting, it was definitely the right decision to come along today.

I have a feeling their future developments will be very interesting too~