Shirou's mind was made up. He wouldn't back down from going to war in the Asura kingdom. But he knew it wasn't fair to his family. So, feeling bad, he said quietly, "I know this might be hard to take. I can't make it up to you. I'm sorry. This is just me being selfish."
Shirou bowed to everyone, ready for them to yell at him.
"This... it shouldn't be like this. Why did it turn out this way?"
Aisha looked confused and upset. She couldn't believe Shirou would just decide to go off to a war he might not come back from.
"The Greyrat family is important to me. But so is the Boreas family, who took care of me for so long."
Shirou said quietly, "Now the Boreas family is in danger, so I have to help. And it's not just the Boreas family. Princess Ariel also needs my help. I can't just stand by and watch the war happen without doing anything."
"..."
Shirou's serious words made everyone in the Greyrat family quiet.
They could all tell that Shirou had made up his mind.
But most of the Greyrat family still found it hard to accept Shirou's decision.
After so many years, after the long and painful time of the big move, the family had finally come back together.
But before they could even spend a day together, they were being split up again. This was hard for everyone there to take.
Shirou had expected this, but he still felt bad.
He knew how much his leaving would hurt the family. The reunion they had worked so hard for would be broken again because of his selfishness.
But he didn't hesitate or doubt himself. He had made his choice. It was something he had to do.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I hope you can understand."
"It's just impossible to accept..."
Rudeus took a deep breath, looking very upset.
Zenith couldn't say anything because of her condition. Paul's feelings were unclear. He didn't say anything definite. Aisha and Rudeus were completely against it and made their feelings clear.
Roxy and Lilia were neutral. They didn't have much power in the Greyrat family.
Finally, Norn spoke, almost yelling, "Brother, are you really going to do this? Knowing we've all waited so long for this day, after so much pain, you're going to go to war and might not come back..."
"I'm sorry."
Shirou couldn't say anything more. He just apologized and sighed.
He was surprised by Norn's reaction.
He thought Norn didn't like him. What happened in the Holy Kingdom of Milis wasn't a good experience. He thought she had every reason to hate him.
So, he didn't expect Norn to try to stop him.
But it seemed he was wrong...
"I haven't spent much time with you, but I remember when we were in Buena Village. Dad and Mom were always worried about you. Rudeus always told me about you when I was little, how reliable and strong you were, and how much he looked up to you. I was a little scared of you at first, but I soon realized you were a reliable brother."
Norn was getting upset. "We all care about you. We all want the day when we can all be together... But is this how it's going to end?"
"..."
Shirou didn't say anything to Norn's words.
He didn't know what had happened at home after he left Buena Village.
He thought the Greyrat family wouldn't care about him much. He never thought they cared about him that much.
Now he could understand how sad everyone would be when they heard his decision.
The reunion they had worked so hard for would be broken because of his decision. The Greyrat family would be separated again. Could he really accept that?
Shirou didn't have an answer. He just sighed and looked helpless.
Seeing that Shirou didn't answer, Norn spoke again. "Brother Shirou, can't you stay? I don't know how important the Boreas family is to you, or what will happen to Princess Ariel without your help... All I know is that if you leave, the Greyrat family will never be complete again. Everyone in the family will be sad and upset because of you."
"...I'm sorry."
Shirou apologized again.
But his apology showed that he hadn't changed his mind.
This was like the argument he had with Paul in the Holy Kingdom of Milis.
Paul had questioned Shirou's choice, saying it was wrong to put Eris' safety above his family's. He even thought Shirou was betraying them.
But Shirou thought Eris was as important as his family. He wanted to protect her too.
This was the same situation. The Boreas family and Ariel were also important to Shirou. Now that he had saved Zenith and had the chance to help, he had to go to the war, even if it meant risking his life.
"Why? Why do you do this, even though you know how much we all care about you?"
Tears were streaming down Norn's face.
Shirou thought she was the person he was least close to in the family. But she was the one who showed her feelings most openly.
Shirou felt very guilty.
"I'll try my best to come back alive."
He finally made up his mind. "For you all, I'll put my life first. I will survive!"
"R-really?"
"Yes, really. Even if the Water God or the Dragon God Orsted is there, I'll survive. I'll live to the end and see you all again!"
Shirou said with determination.
He couldn't let his sister stay sad, even if it meant risking everything. He would keep his promise.
"Can you really survive?"
Paul said in a low voice. He hadn't said much before, but his words made the atmosphere serious. "I grew up in the capital of the Asura Kingdom. I know it's a place full of strong people. There's the Water God, the Water Emperor, the Northern Emperor... It's a scary place, as bad as the Holy Land of Swords. Even if you beat the Northern God and became one of the Seven Great Powers, you might not survive in that environment!"
"I know. So I'll give it my all. I will not lose!"
Shirou said with all his strength, making a vow.
Everyone there had different expressions, but they all felt Shirou's determination and were starting to accept the situation.
Only Paul spoke calmly. "Shirou, you're an adult now. You know words are meaningless. If you want us to believe you can come back alive, you have to show us."
"Show you?"
"Yes. Prove that you can beat the Water God and other strong enemies, win the war in the Asura Kingdom, and come back alive. We'll only let you go if we believe you can do it."
Paul spoke with more calm than ever before.
After everything he had been through, he was finally acting like a father, showing maturity and calmness.
The old Paul would have either drawn his sword and fought Shirou, saying he would break his legs to stop him, or he would have gone with Shirou to the Asura Kingdom without thinking.
But the new Paul was mature.
He knew he couldn't stop Shirou with words or actions. He also knew that his strength wouldn't be enough to help in the Asura Kingdom and would only get in Shirou's way. So, he wanted Shirou to show that he could keep his promise.
"..."
Shirou didn't know how to convince Paul that he could do it.
He wasn't even sure himself if he could help Ariel win the war.
Ariel's side was too weak. Compared to the first prince, who had the advantage in the Asura Kingdom, she had no chance of winning.
Wait...
Thinking about the sides, Shirou suddenly thought of someone.
If that person supported him and Ariel, it might give Ariel a better chance of winning and convince Paul and the others.
So, he immediately said, "I understand. I'll prove it."
"Oh?"
Paul was surprised by Shirou's words. He didn't know how Shirou would prove that he could change the situation and win the war.
Shirou didn't hesitate and said, "I'll ask Sir Dragon King Perugius for help. With Sir Dragon King's influence, if he supports Ariel, she'll definitely become the heir to the Asura Kingdom!"
"..."
Hearing Shirou's words, the Greyrat family looked at each other in surprise.
But because Sir Dragon King's name was so famous, Paul couldn't say anything.
If Sir Dragon King supported her, no one would doubt it.
...
The next day, Shirou found Nanahoshi and asked her to take him to see Sir Dragon King Perugius.
Paul and Rudeus came with him, because they wanted to ask Perugius if there was a way to cure Zenith.
Roxy wanted to come too, but Shirou remembered that Sir Dragon King hated demons, so he refused. Roxy looked disappointed.
After meeting Nanahoshi, she quickly agreed and took Shirou and the others to the floating fortress.
When they arrived at the floating fortress, Rudeus and Paul were shocked. They were amazed by the building flying in the sky.
Shirou had been there before, so he didn't pay much attention. He easily found his way to Perugius' hall.
Just like before, Sir Dragon King Perugius sat high on the throne in the hall. The twelve familiars who were loyal to him stood on both sides, making an impressive display.
After Shirou arrived, he introduced Paul and Rudeus. He noticed that Perugius seemed to dislike Rudeus for some reason.
This made Rudeus nervous and confused.
Luckily, Perugius didn't focus on a normal boy. He quickly turned his attention to Shirou.
"I heard you saved your mother and defeated the Northern God the Third, becoming one of the Seven Great Powers."
"Sir Dragon King, you knew?"
"The changes in the names of the Seven Great Powers are rare events that affect the whole world. Of course I would hear about it right away."
Sir Dragon King smiled. He seemed happy that Shirou had defeated the Northern God the Third. "That Atofe's grandson was arrogant and self-centered. But he had weapons like the Dragon King Sword, which didn't allow him to grow from his failures. It's no wonder he ended up like that."
"..."
Shirou didn't want to talk about the Northern God the Third.
He still thought Alexander's ideas were right. He just gave up his sense of justice.
And he wasn't there to talk about the past. So, he immediately said, "Sir Dragon King, I'm here to ask you to help Ariel become the queen of the Asura Kingdom."
Shirou got straight to the point.
"Oh? Is this Ariel's idea? Does she know she's in trouble, so she asked you to ask me for help?"
"No, this is my idea."
Shirou shook his head and said quietly, "I've decided to help Ariel. But my family is worried about my safety. They're afraid I'll die in the war. So, to put their minds at ease, I hope you can help."
"Heh, what a selfish idea."
"It's not selfish. I've thought about what I can give you in return."
"In return?"
Seeing that Sir Dragon King looked curious, Shirou didn't hide anything. He said directly, "Sir Dragon King, you should have heard of the name Muramasa. And you bought the Jewel Sword Zelretch made by Muramasa. I am the smith Muramasa himself. And I might be able to make you a real jewel sword as a reward for your help!"
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