This book began with the first chapter uploaded on August 20, 2024, and after six months, it is now officially complete. [T/N: I started translating it from February 6, 2025 and it ends on October 13, 2025.]
It's been a journey that wasn't short, and during this time, I am truly, deeply grateful for everyone's companionship and support.
To be honest, this book could have continued if I wanted to.
By adding a few settings, using reasons like "spirit foundation limitations" or "world restrictions" to limit Emiya's power level in the Type-Moon world, it would've been possible to continue writing him into the plots of various Fate works, turning this into a Type-Moon fanfic.
With the results it has now, continuing the story would still bring in a fairly decent monthly manuscript fee.
However, I don't really like the kind of storytelling that forcibly extends a story by deliberately limiting the protagonist. Besides, in my opinion, there are already far too many Type-Moon fanfics written that way.
From the very beginning, my intention for this story was always: the story of Emiya Shirou in the Danmachi world. The Type-Moon portions were meant as a way to fill certain regrets, and to give Emiya the Heroic a proper, complete ending, something more like an extra story.
As a Danmachi fanwork, I believe the content and structure of this book are already quite complete.
The initial idea for writing this story came after I watched the fourth season of the Danmachi anime, which led me to reread the Danmachi light novel.
After that, I was inspired to create a Danmachi fanfiction. When drafting the outline, I decided to make the protagonist Emiya Shirou from the Miyu world of Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya, that is, "Emiya the Heroic Spirit."
Danmachi is my favorite light novel series, and Emiya Shirou is one of my favorite characters. Of them all, I especially like the Emiya Shirou from Miyu's world.
Looking back at the writing process, I can say that overall, this story came together rather smoothly. Since I had already completed a full outline before starting, I was able to follow it through to the end more or less as planned.
For example, the ending, where Emiya saves the world using the same method as Illya, was actually decided before I even began writing Chapter 1. Originally, the final boss was meant to be the goddess Gaia, corresponding to the sky god Ouranus. But later, I realized Gaia didn't have a clear personality or image, which made her difficult to depict, so I replaced her with Tiamat, another primordial creation goddess.
That said, even with a solid outline in advance, I have to admit: once a Danmachi fanfic reaches the later stages, the difficulty of writing increases sharply.
For example, the common issue where the protagonist becomes too powerful and runs out of worthy opponents to fight, that's something many Danmachi fanfics face. I used a bit of a trick to handle this: after reaching Level 5, Emiya's role became more of a "final boss" rather than a "challenger." And as for the true final boss of this story, well, no matter how strong one's power is, the battle can only be won through mechanics, not raw strength.
Then there's the problem that the original Danmachi story hasn't been completed yet. So there's little description of areas outside Orario, and the two core mysteries, the Black Dragon and the Dungeon itself, remain unrevealed... among other things.
Adding to that, due to my own circumstances, as my doctoral studies progressed, with growing research and project pressure, by the final stages of this book, I was indeed physically and mentally exhausted. The ending might feel a little rushed, and there are definitely parts that weren't written as well as I'd have liked.
Still, even if it isn't perfect, at least it brings this story to a complete, and relatively satisfying, conclusion.
Also, from the very beginning of serialization to the very end, this book maintained full attendance without any breaks. I think I can allow myself a little pride for that.
If I have new ideas in the future, I might write some afterstories or extra chapters. But as for the main story, it is officially complete.
The tale of Emiya the Heroic Spirit comes to an end here.
Once again, thank you all for your companionship and support.
I wish everyone success and bright futures, and may we meet again someday.
— 香夏凝 (Xiang Xianing)
[T/N: Thanks for all your support and give my other works, 'Fate: Emiya the Host', 'Emiya in Honkai: Star Rail', a try as well. Have a great read~]