Chapter 13. [High Rank Incubus · Emiya Shirou]? A DanMachi Version Shura Field?
In the afternoon of Orario, the sunlight spilled lazily onto the cobblestone paths.
Having concluded the morning's Dungeon exploration (which was merely to let Lili adapt to their coordination, taking them only to the 5th floor), Shirou Emiya walked with Lili toward West Main Street.
"Emiya-sama, do we really have to go to such a high-class pub for lunch?"
Lili, carrying her massive—though currently empty—backpack, tugged at Shirou's sleeve with some unease.
"Actually, a potato puff from a roadside stall would be fine. Going to the 'Hostess of Fertility' is far too extravagant..."
To Lili, who had only just escaped the poverty line, a place where a single meal could cost several thousand Valis was practically a den of gold-devouring sin.
"Don't worry about the money."
Shirou laughed and patted the bulging coin pouch at his waist. "Besides, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank a certain lady there. That Grimoire from last time was a huge help."
As they spoke, a familiar golden figure suddenly appeared ahead.
Ais Wallenstein was standing before a small stall named "Jagamarukuns." Her golden eyes, usually devoid of ripples, were currently staring fixedly at the sizzling potato balls on the iron plate. She felt around her pockets, seemingly having forgotten her change; a visible sense of disappointment washed over her face (though her expression remained faint, her ahoge drooped).
"Ais?"
Shirou walked over.
"...Shirou?"
Ais turned her head. Seeing Shirou and then looking at Lili beside him, she tilted her head slightly. "A date?"
"It's not a date! It's team building! Team building!"
Lili jumped up to retort like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, though her face was a bit red.
"We're on our way to lunch," Shirou said, pulling out a few coins to buy two freshly made potato puffs, which he handed to Ais.
"Haven't had lunch yet, right? Want to join us?"
Ais took the potato puffs, took a small bite, and squinted her eyes in happiness.
"Mhm. Together."
And so, the original party of two became a group of three.
-
-
-
"Welcome~! Oh my, it's Emiya-san!"
The moment they pushed open the doors of the "Hostess of Fertility," Syr's energetic voice rang out. The grey-haired waitress seemed exceptionally happy today. Seeing Shirou enter, she directly abandoned the other guests she was serving and flew over like a graceful butterfly.
"I knew you'd come today!"
Syr naturally linked her arm with Shirou's (ignoring the murderous gaze from Lili nearby), saying with a beaming smile, "How was that book from last time? Did it help?"
"It was a huge help."
Shirou calmly noted the soft sensation against his arm and the faint, heart-fluttering divine aura she emitted.
"Thanks to you, Syr-san, I learned a magic that suits me perfectly."
"Is that so? That's wonderful~"
Syr blinked, leaning in close to Shirou's ear, her breath like lilies.
"Then... how do you plan to repay me?"
"Ahem."
A cold cough interrupted Syr's advance.
Ryuu Lion, dressed in her green staff uniform, stood by the table expressionless, though the tray in her hand was creaking from her grip.
"Syr, do not harass the guests. Also, bring the menu over."
"Oh, Ryuu is so stiff."
Syr stuck out her tongue, let go of Shirou, and turned to grab a menu. Shirou breathed a sigh of relief and looked gratefully at Ryuu.
"Thanks, Ryuu-san."
"...It was nothing."
Ryuu avoided Shirou's gaze, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.
"Also, the... sandwich from last time was very delicious."
With that, she turned quickly, leaving the group with a flustered silhouette.
"That elf... she actually blushed?" Lili's eyes went wide, as if she'd discovered a new continent.
"Emiya-sama, what on earth did you do to her?"
"I just treated her to breakfast," Shirou said, spreading his hands innocently.
.
.
.
After ordering, the group sat by a window chatting. Ais was focused on eliminating the pasta on her plate, while Lili was busy calculating accounts for Shirou.
Just then, Syr walked over carrying a box wrapped in cloth, a trace of bashful (and somewhat mischievous) blushing on her face.
"Um... Emiya-san."
Syr placed the box on the table.
"I heard your cooking is excellent, even conquering the stomachs of the Loki Familia... so, I tried to make a bento. I wanted to ask for your critique."
"A bento?"
Shirou froze. A bento made by the Goddess of Beauty herself?
"Wow! It looks promising!" An unsuspecting Lili leaned in.
Syr slowly opened the box.
"..."
"..."
"..."
A deathly silence instantly fell over the dining table.
Inside the box was an indescribable mass. It was purple. It was emitting an eerie black smoke. One could even vaguely see something resembling tentacles squirming.
"Wha... what is this?" Lili turned pale and took half a step back. "Is it some new type of monster from the Dungeon?"
"It's a stew~" Syr said with a smile.
"Although it looks a little bit subpar, I spent a long time making it with all my heart. Emiya-san, you'll surely try it, won't you?"
It was the whisper of a devil.
Shirou looked at the mass. [Structural Analysis] activated automatically.
Composition: Unknown carbonized matter, a gel suspected to be slime, a certain poisonous herb (likely a seasoning mistake), and... extremely concentrated affection (Curse). Conclusion: Lethal dose. Any adventurer below Level 2 would ascend to the heavens on the spot after one bite.
"Um... Syr-san."
Cold sweat broke out on Shirou's forehead. His pride as a chef made it impossible to swallow such "food," but his survival instinct as a man told him he absolutely couldn't reject her directly.
"What's wrong? You don't want to eat it?" Syr looked at him with teary eyes; that pitiful appearance was enough to break any man's heart.
"No, well..."
Just as Shirou was cornered—
"I'm not a picky eater."
Beside him, Ais suddenly put down her fork, her golden eyes staring curiously at the lunchbox. "I want to try."
The airheaded Sword Princess knew nothing of the wickedness of the human heart; she just thought the color looked like a rare Magic Stone.
Perhaps the taste was unique?
"No! Ais!"
Shirou went pale with shock, lunging to pin down Ais's hand as she reached for the "Gates of Hell."
"That thing... is too early for the current you!"
"Too early?" Ais tilted her head.
"Is it food for adults?"
"No, it's a trial for heroes."
Shirou took a deep breath, as if he had made a momentous decision. He picked up a spoon and, under Syr's anticipation, Lili's terror, Ais's curiosity, and Ryuu's worry, scooped a small portion of the purple matter.
"Since it's your heartfelt gift, Syr-san..."
Shirou closed his eyes and swallowed it in one gulp.
Gulp.
One second. Two seconds.
Shirou's face went from red to white, then to green, finally settling on an eerie shade of purple.
"Steel is my body..."
He instinctively activated his defensive magic, attempting to use a stomach of steel to contend with that destructive flavor. Sour, bitter, spicy, numbing—along with a spiritual shock that pierced straight to his crown.
"H-how is it?" Syr asked nervously.
Shirou slowly opened his eyes, a single crystalline tear rolling down his cheek.
"...It's very unique."
He gave his critique in a trembling voice.
"It's like a magical bomb that shouldn't exist on this floor exploded in my mouth. Syr-san... your talent in cooking is practically on the level of a God of Destruction."
"Eh? Are you praising me?" Syr clapped her hands happily.
"You idiot! That's clearly a cry for help!"
Ryuu, walking by, couldn't stand it anymore.
She quickly brought over a glass of extra-strong detox juice (Mama Mia's special) and poured it directly into Shirou's mouth.
"Syr! Didn't I tell you that you're banned from the kitchen!" Ryuu scolded sternly.
"Are you trying to kill all the customers?!"
"Wuu... I just wanted to cook for Emiya-san..."
The farce ended with Ryuu's lecturing and Syr's acting cute. Shirou slumped in his chair, feeling like he had just visited the Sanzu River.
"Shirou, are you okay?"
Ais reached out and lightly poked Shirou's cheek, her eyes full of worry.
"I'm fine... probably."
Shirou smiled weakly and caught Ais's finger.
"Promise me, Ais. In the future, no matter who gives you something of this color, absolutely do not eat it."
"Mhm. I'll listen to you." Ais nodded seriously.
Watching the two interact so intimately, Lili puffed out her cheeks, and Syr—who was being scolded—narrowed her eyes slightly.
'It seems there are more competitors than I imagined.'
Syr licked her lips. Watching Shirou look so tender even in pain, her sense of possessiveness grew even stronger.
'But to eat that and not pass out... Emiya-san, your body really is quite sturdy.'
The afternoon sun remained warm. But within the "Hostess of Fertility," the vortex of the shura field surrounding Shirou Emiya seemed to have only just begun to spin.