Chapter 4. Even if He's Only Level 1, Don't Underestimate the Men of the Emiya Household!
Early morning in Orario, the air was thick with a refreshing mist.
As the first ray of sunlight hit the spires of Twilight Manor, Shirou Emiya was already standing in the courtyard. He wore the light leather armor provided by the Loki Familia, with two ordinary shortswords hanging from his waist—backups suggested by Finn, as constantly projecting weapons would place too much of a mental burden on a newcomer.
"Good morning, Emiya."
A cold voice drifted over.
Ais Wallenstein was standing under the cloister, her long golden hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. Today, she wore her signature light armor with the Desperate sword at her hip, looking valiant and heroic.
"Good morning, Ais," Shirou greeted her with a smile. "Up early for morning practice?"
"No."
Ais shook her head, her golden eyes staring straight at Shirou—or more accurately, at the massive wicker picnic basket he was carrying.
"I was waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?" Shirou blinked.
"Finn said you are a newcomer and need someone to 'lead' you through the Dungeon for the first time," Ais said expressionlessly.
"Lefiya was originally assigned, but I refused."
She paused, then added with absolute seriousness: "I will do it."
It wasn't just because of her curiosity regarding Shirou's magic to create swords out of thin air. More importantly... that Salisbury steak last night had been far too delicious.
Instinct told this simple-minded Sword Princess: Follow Emiya, and there will be meat.
"Then I'll be in your care, Ais-sensei."
Shirou let out a helpless laugh. Though he had guessed her hidden motive, being led by a top-tier Level 5 (at the time) adventurer was a treatment countless people dreamed of.
.
.
.
On the way to the Dungeon, the pair attracted countless gazes.
That was the "Sword Princess," Ais Wallenstein! The poster girl of the Loki Familia and the dream girl of countless gods and adventurers! Why was she walking with a red-haired Level 1 rookie?
"Who is that kid? How can he walk beside the Sword Princess?"
"Tch, probably just a supporter carrying luggage."
"That kid's face... it really pisses me off."
Ignoring the jealous looks that felt like they could kill, Shirou and Ais walked side-by-side into the magnificent Tower of Babel and stepped onto the spiral staircase leading underground.
"Levels 1 through 4 are the zones for Goblins and Kobolds."
Upon entering the labyrinth, Ais's aura shifted instantly. She became sharp and focused, like a sword drawn from its scabbard. Even so, she slowed her pace to patiently explain things to Shirou.
"The monsters' movements are fast, but their attack patterns are simple. As long as you time it right..."
Shink—!
Before Ais could finish her sentence, a cold flash of light streaked past her side.
A Goblin that had lunged from a crack in the wall didn't even have time to roar before its head was parted from its shoulders.
Shirou held the ordinary steel shortsword, lightly flicking the blood off the blade. His movements were crisp and efficient, without a single wasted motion.
"...Like this?" Shirou turned his head and asked with a smile.
Ais opened her mouth slightly, her prepared "newbie tutorial" lines stuck in her throat.
'So fast.'
It wasn't the speed of physical stats, but the speed of "prediction."
A full second before the Goblin attacked, Shirou had already swung his sword. That was an intuition formed through countless life-and-death battles—[Mind's Eye (True)].
"Yes... just like that."
Ais nodded, a hint of recognition appearing in her eyes.
"Who taught you your swordsmanship?"
"An old man with a terrible personality, and a very talkative archer in red, I suppose."
Shirou made up a casual excuse. In reality, his swordsmanship was a fusion of Kiritsugu Emiya's practical combat techniques and the thousands of refinements from the Heroic Spirit EMIYA.
"Let's continue."
The two delved deeper. As the floor numbers increased, the number of monsters began to grow. By the 5th floor, they could see swarms of Killer Ants and War Shadows.
"Trace on."
Facing a large number of enemies, the ordinary shortsword was no longer enough.
Shirou gave a low shout, and green Magic Circuits instantly wrapped around the steel blade. [Reinforcement Magecraft].
The mundane edge instantly became incredibly sharp, its hardness increasing several times over. Shirou's figure charged into the monster swarm like a red whirlwind.
Sidestep, parry, counter.
Every swing precisely severed a monster's joint or Magic Stone.
Ais followed quietly behind. She had originally intended to step in if Shirou encountered danger, but now... she was truly just a "spectator." This newcomer didn't need protection at all.
His fighting style was too mature—calm like a machine, yet filled with passionate explosiveness.
"Phew..."
After clearing the last Killer Ant, Shirou let out a long breath. While his technique was sufficient, the endurance of this Level 1 body was still a bit lacking.
"Let's take a break."
Shirou found a clean rock to sit on and, as if by magic, set down the large picnic basket.
Ais's eyes lit up instantly.
"Lunchtime."
Shirou smiled and opened the basket. Inside were not the hard, dry jerky strips adventurers usually ate, but neatly arranged, still-steaming sandwiches and a thermos filled with thick soup.
"These are special Tonkatsu (Fried Pork Cutlet) sandwiches; they stay crispy even when cold. And this is cream of mushroom soup."
Shirou handed a portion to Ais. She took the sandwich and bit into it almost impatiently.
Crunch.
The crispy breadcrumbs shattered, and the thick pork cutlet overflowed with juice. A sense of satisfaction instantly filled her mouth.
"...Delicious."
A faint blush appeared on Ais's normally cold face. She chewed in small but rapid bites, like a little cat guarding its food.
"Eat slowly, there's plenty more." Shirou handed her a handkerchief.
Ais took the handkerchief, wiped the corner of her mouth, and suddenly looked up, her golden eyes staring seriously at Shirou.
"Emiya, you are strong."
It was a statement of fact.
"Not just at cooking... but with the sword too." Ais's fingers lightly brushed her sword hilt.
"Your sword has no hesitation."
"No hesitation, huh?"
Shirou gave a bitter smile, looking at his sandwich.
"Perhaps. Because I'm just a fool who only knows how to move toward a single goal."
'To become an Ally of Justice.'
No matter which world he was in, that was his only path.
"A goal..."
Ais lowered her head, her voice becoming a bit heavy.
"I... also want to become strong. Strong enough to defeat 'that'... even if I have to give up everything."
She thought of the Black Dragon that had taken her parents—her nightmare.
Suddenly, a warm hand was gently placed on top of her head.
Ais's body tensed, and she instinctively reached for her sword. But feeling that the palm held no malice and instead carried a reassuring warmth, she stopped.
"I don't know what burden you're carrying, but don't push yourself too hard."
Shirou gently ruffled her smooth golden hair.
"Becoming strong isn't for the sake of throwing your life away; it's for the sake of protecting. If you're ever tired, you can come find me... at the very least, I can make you something good to eat."
Ais looked up, staring blankly at the red-haired youth. Against the light of the Dungeon's crystals, his smile was so warm it was almost blinding.
'Protecting?'
"Mm."
Ais gave a soft response. She didn't swat Shirou's hand away; instead, she lowered her head slightly, appearing to enjoy the sensation of being comforted.
"ROAARRRR—!!!"
Just as the atmosphere was getting comfortable (or perhaps a bit ambiguous), an ill-timed roar shattered the silence. The ground began to vibrate.
At the end of the passage, a massive Orc accompanied by over a dozen smaller Orc minions charged out.
A rare monster on the 7th floor?!
"Looks like lunch break is over."
Shirou withdrew his hand and stood up, his gaze shifting instantly from a kind older brother to a cold warrior.
"Ais, you keep eating."
He stepped in front of Ais, his hands forming hollow grips as his Magic Circuits surged. This time, there was no need to hold back.
"Trace—On!"
The black and white twin blades—Kanshou and Bakuya—manifested out of thin air.
"Even if I'm only Level 1, don't underestimate the men of the Emiya household!"
Shirou lunged forward.
Watching that back—not particularly broad, yet inexplicably reliable—Ais took another bite of her sandwich. The taste... seemed even sweeter than before.
She didn't draw her sword, because she believed this man would win.
And...
Ais touched the top of her head where she had just been patted, her lips curling into an almost imperceptible arc.
This feeling... wasn't bad at all.