"Shirou, Your Dad Got Smaller!" / Facing the Gods

"Just call me Ritsuka, senior. And as you said, he is Orion, the hunter of the three stars (Tristar) in Greece mythology."

"It's... really unique in appearance."

After examining the bear plush toy one more time, Shirou made the above comment.

"Because there are some reasons that are difficult to explain..."

Ritsuka didn't know how to explain for a moment, so she could only turn to the bear plush toy in her hand and ask:

"Since you are here, where is Artemis?"

"I'm not sure, but they should come back to find us in a while."

"..."

Ritsuka really didn't know what to say to this foolish couple, and could only wait until they returned to Chaldea to ask other Servant to discipline them.

Moreover, based on past experience, Artemis will soon find her by following the Spirit Origin's reactions, so there's no need to worry too much.

Therefore, let's focus our attention on the reasons for the formation of Singularity.

At the same time--

"Teacher, your guest has been brought."

As Circe's voice faded, a dazzling light flashed in the stone chamber.

As time passed and the light gradually dimmed, a figure with a beautiful figure slowly emerged from the light.

Where is this?

Looking at the goddess before him, who was still unaware of her situation, a burst of joyful laughter suddenly filled the room.

"It has been a long time, my dear Artemis."

Chapter 413. "Shirou, your father has shrunk!"

This is it.

Finally, Ritsuka, who was following Shirou, stopped in front of a house. Following Shirou's voice, Ritsuka looked up and examined the small building in front of her.

"Don't look yet, let's talk about it after we go inside."

Seeing the barely suppressed curiosity in Ritsuka's eyes, Shirou smiled and said to her.

Before Shirou could even lift his foot, he saw a silver-haired, red-eyed woman walk out of the house.

When she saw Shirou, the silver-haired woman smiled and greeted him.

"Shirou, you're back?"

"Emiya".

The one whom Shirou refers to as "Emiya. Emiya" is undoubtedly Irisviel.

After exchanging greetings, Irisviel turned her gaze to Shirou, who Ritsuka behind Shirou.

"Shirou finally brought a girl home? Illya might cry~"

"Please don't joke with me..."

After hearing Irisviel's teasing, Shirou glanced at Sakura beside him, who was watching the spectacle with amusement, and realizing his Shirou, immediately raised his hands in surrender.

Shirou knew this from the years he spent with the Emiya family—

This mature, silver-haired beauty is even more Demon than her daughter, and Sakura is often her "accomplice."

This is natural, given the misunderstanding between Kiritsugu and Wang Xiaoming, and the fact that Touko Aozaki had given Irisviel and Illya a second chance (because of the relationship between Touko Aozaki and Wang Xiaoming, the Emiya family always treated them as family).

Therefore, during these ten years, Irisviel and Kiritsugu treated Shirou and Sakura like their own children.

"This is Fujimaru Ritsuka, Magecraft from Chaldea. She has something she needs to discuss with my father."

To steer the conversation in the Ritsuka direction, Shirou introduced Ritsuka to Irisviel.

"Hello, Ms. Fujimaru."

"Miss Irisviel, you're too kind."

Upon seeing Irisviel greet her, Ritsuka quickly bowed in acknowledgment.

Although she had met another "Irisviel" in Chaldea and had a good relationship with her, she dared not be so "presumptuous" in front of Shirou's elder here.

Irisviel turned to Shirou and asked him.

"Shirou, you just said you were going to see Mr. Akira?"

Although Irisviel concealed her expression well, Shirou still sensed something strange in her hesitant demeanor.

"Yes, what happened to Dad?"

"... Anyway, you'll understand once you go in."

Before Irisviel could finish speaking, Shirou's figure had already disappeared from their sight.

"Don't joke about your uncle, Irisviel."

Sakura, standing nearby, immediately saw through the hidden smile beneath Irisviel's expression, and her tone involuntarily carried a hint of reproach.

"Actually, I wasn't wrong, considering your uncle's current situation..."

At this moment, Irisviel's expression of trying hard to suppress a laugh only made Sakura and Ritsuka more confused.

At the same time--

"Dad, you—"

Shirou had run straight down the corridor to the living room, was so shocked by what he saw that his mind went blank before he could even finish speaking.

At this moment, Medea, Touko Aozaki, and Lily, three women related to Wang Xiaoming, were all gathered in the small living room.

What should have been a scene of carnage changed due to an "anomaly"—

A child of about seven or eight years old was sitting in Medea's lap, being "ravaged" by her. Lily, sitting next to Medea, would occasionally poke the child's chubby little face.

On the other side, Touko Aozaki, who was sitting in a chair with her legs crossed, looked over there with obvious envy.

"Shirou's here!"

As the first child to see Shirou, the one whose face was being rubbed by Medea jumped out of Medea's arms as if he had seen a lifeline.

She walked up to Shirou and looked up at him.

But the child's very first words caught Shirou completely off guard.

"Oh, son!"

"???"

"So, Dad, you're going to stay like this forever?"

Looking at the child in front of him, Shirou still couldn't accept it for a moment.

"It hasn't always been like that, but you should ask them for details."

Perhaps because the change in his physical appearance affected his personality, Wang Xiaoming now even speaks with a childlike tone. The blame is directly pointed at the two instigators.

However, Touko Aozaki and Medea, the two named, showed absolutely no awareness of being "criminals".

Touko Aozaki was holding an unlit cigarette, probably intending to light it, but considering the presence of the "child," she decided against it.

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoming's question, Touko Aozaki replied with a slightly annoyed expression.

"There's nothing I can do about it. You didn't tell me beforehand. I didn't bring enough materials, and because of the time constraints, I can only make a smaller doll for now."

"I'd never believe you!"

Little Ming, sitting in Medea's lap, thought to himself, "What am I complaining about?"

Because he had previously helped Touko Aozaki collect materials and organize the Magecraft workshop, Wang Xiaoming wasn't entirely a novice when it came to puppets, and he had some understanding of the functions of the puppets he was currently using.

Using a [Primal Heart] to create the drive core, Touko Aozaki probably emptied his coffers... plus other precious or top-tier materials...

This woman really went all out!

Besides these, there are also the incredibly intricate Magic Circuit within her body, which are clearly Medea's doing.

As for the child's form, it must have been discussed and agreed upon by the two of them before the creation process began.

Those two women are truly despicable!

Thinking of this, Wang Xiaoming couldn't help but raise his head and glare at Touko Aozaki sitting opposite him. However, this expression on the already childish face of Xiaoming had no intimidating effect whatsoever. On the contrary, it was extremely damaging to Touko Aozaki, an "older single woman".

"Wait... wait a minute, Dad!"

Before the atmosphere could spiral out of control, Shirou quickly steered the conversation back on track.

After glancing at Ritsuka, who was completely dazed, Shirou then asked Wang Xiaoming.

"There's something I don't understand: why did you switch to a puppet's body? What happened to your original body?"

"My previous body..."

Shirou's question made the atmosphere in the room a little quieter, and then Wang Xiaoming winked at Lily beside him.

Lily turned and left the living room, then returned shortly after, carefully carrying something in her arms.

And what she was holding in her hands was none other than a golden cup!

Ritsuka, who had been watching the drama unfold for a long time, instinctively shouted out after seeing the full picture of the Golden Cup.

"The Holy Grail?!"

According to the rules of the Holy Grail War, although the Holy Grail has not been activated, the protagonist's body, as the "vessel," can no longer withstand the strain.

That's why he changed bodies, but he didn't expect to be tricked by Touko Aozaki and Medea, and ended up becoming a young boy.

Chapter 414. Facing the Gods

At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on the golden cup in Lily's hand. The dazzling gold on the cup seemed even more sacred under the living room lights.

Everyone present seemed to be mesmerized by this "all-powerful wishing machine" that had suddenly appeared before them...

Except for one...

The moment Wang Xiaoming saw the Holy Grail appear, his expression became quite subtle.

Even though I've seen it once before, the thought of my body, which I've used for over thirty years, suddenly turning into a cup after I open my eyes... I doubt anyone would feel comfortable in that situation.

As for his current physical condition, Wang Xiaoming didn't pay too much attention to it.

Having known this Grand Puppeteer for so long, Wang Xiao naturally wouldn't have any prejudice against dolls.

Only...

Why do they have to make it look like a child?!

Wang Xiaoming was truly exasperated by the "perverse tastes" of Touko Aozaki and Medea.

Turning his head, Wang Xiaoming noticed that Shirou and the others didn't seem to understand the current situation, so he coughed lightly.

Once everyone in the room had turned their attention to him, Wang Xiaoming began to explain the current situation to Shirou and the others who were still unaware of what was happening.

"In short, the current situation is as follows..."

"So, they've been planning this for ten years? That's terrifying!"

After Wang Xiaoming had briefly explained the situation, a male voice suddenly interrupted everyone's thoughts.

I'm so sorry!

Following the direction of the sound, Wang Xiaoming saw the girl Shirou had brought in bowing and apologizing to everyone. The communicator on her wrist, which looked like a bracelet, was flashing a green signal.