Chapter 43. Is the Hero Emiya Going to be [Superhuman Bear] Today Too!?
On the stage of the Elegia in Orario's Central Plaza.
At this very moment, the air was thick with an awkward atmosphere that could only be described as "Universal Bewilderment."
Within that soaring pillar of blue light, the Moon Goddess Artemis—dressed in pure white divine raiment and possessing a beauty that defied logic—was tightly hugging Shirou Emiya. Her cheek was pressed against Shirou's chest, and her clear eyes sparkled with a longing that spanned a thousand years (albeit one-sidedly).
"I've finally found you... my Orion."
The destructive power of this line was comparable to a Level 9 wide-area magic. It wasn't just a hit to Shirou himself, but also to a certain blue-ribbon goddess below the stage who was about to grind her teeth to dust, and a certain blonde Sword Princess whose potato puff had already been crushed into powder.
"Um... Goddess-sama?" Shirou held his hands up (not daring to move, absolutely not daring to move), a cold sweat trickling down his forehead. "I'm sorry to interrupt such a touching reunion, but I'm really not named Orion. My name is Shirou Emiya. I'm a blacksmith, a part-time chef, and an occasional guest-starring Ally of Justice."
"No, you are." Artemis looked up, her eyes filled with stubbornness (her "airhead" trait erupting).
"The color of this soul, this pure radiance... there is absolutely no mistake! You are the Orion I've been searching for!"
As she spoke, she even nuzzled Shirou's chest, as if confirming ownership.
"LET—GO—OF—HIM!!!"
A scream loud enough to shatter glass broke the pink atmosphere.
Hestia launched herself like an Angry Bird, charging straight onto the stage. She grabbed Artemis by the shoulders, attempting to peel this "sticky candy" off Shirou.
"Artemis! What do you think you're doing?! This is my... my prospective Captain! Not your Orion!"
"Hestia?" Artemis tilted her head, not letting go but instead hugging him tighter. "It's been a long time. But... Orion is Orion. This spear chose him, so it is fate."
"What fate?! This is clearly a trap set by that bastard Hermes!"
Hestia pointed furiously at Hermes, who was nearby whistling and feigning innocence. "Besides, aren't you one of the 'Three Virgin Goddesses'? Aren't you the one who claims to 'absolutely never fall in love'? What kind of behavior is this, hugging a man like this!"
"Because it's Orion, it's okay," Artemis replied matter-of-factly.
"Orion is special. I want to be... with him forever (physically)."
"Pfft—!" Hestia felt like she had taken ten thousand points of critical damage.
What was this? A direct NTR? And the pure, harmless kind at that?
"Um... could you please let go of me first?" Shirou finally found a chance to interject. "I don't know what's going on, but being hugged by a goddess like this... my HP (Shame Gauge) is about to hit zero."
"Ah, sorry." Artemis finally let go, but she still gripped Shirou's sleeve tightly, as if afraid he would run away.
She looked at Shirou, her expression suddenly turning serious. A divine pressure belonging to a goddess enveloped the entire stage in an instant.
"Shirou Emiya... no, Orion.
There is one thing I must ask of you."
"Ask of me?" Shirou was taken aback.
"Yes." Artemis pointed to the long spear in Shirou's hand—[The Arrow of Orion].
"Please... kill me."
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Ten minutes later. Hermes Familia headquarters, VIP guest room.
"So, this is a so-called 'Deicide Quest'?"
Shirou Emiya sat on the sofa, a cup of black tea in his hand, his expression somewhat subtle. Opposite him, Artemis sat perfectly straight; Hestia squeezed between the two like a mother hen guarding her nest, while Hermes stood to the side explaining with a bitter smile.
"To be precise, it's 'Subjugate the monster that swallowed the Goddess'." Hermes spread out a map, pointing to a region north of Orario—[The Elsos Ruins].
"Deep within those ruins, a monster from ancient times is sealed—[Antares]." Hermes explained. "To seal it, Artemis left her 'Divine Power' and 'Existence' there. The one standing before you now... is just a 'projection' or a 'thought-form' created with her residual divine power."
"The main body was swallowed by the monster..." Shirou looked at Artemis. Although she appeared no different from a normal person, under the observation of [Mind's Eye (True)], he could feel that her presence was unstable, like a ghost about to dissipate.
"Antares is using my divine power to try and break the seal and destroy the lower world," Artemis said calmly.
"Once it fully awakens, it will be a disaster more terrifying than the 'Black Dragon.' Its arrows can cover the entire continent; no one will be spared."
"The only thing that can kill it is this spear." She pointed to the weapon in Shirou's hand. "And... the 'Hero' who can use this spear."
"Meaning me?" Shirou pointed to himself.
"Exactly," Hermes added. "This spear can only be pulled by someone with a 'pure soul.' We tested every powerhouse in Orario, and only you succeeded. Shirou Emiya, you are the only hope."
"So I'm the so-called 'Chosen One (Tool-kun)'?" Shirou sighed. Though he wanted to complain about this cliché RPG plot development, looking into Artemis's eyes, which were filled with sorrow and expectation...
An "Ally of Justice" could not refuse such a request.
"I understand." Shirou set down his teacup, his gaze turning firm. "I'm not Orion, and I don't want to be some Savior... but if it's just to slay a monster and save a Goddess while I'm at it, I accept this quest."
"Really?!" Artemis's eyes lit up, and she lunged forward again. "Thank you! Orion! I knew you would agree! I love you the most!"
"Waaaah! Hugging is forbidden! Physical contact is forbidden!" Hestia desperately pried Artemis off.
"Shirou-kun! Are you really going? That's outside of Orario! It's dangerous!"
"It's fine, Lady Hestia." Shirou smiled. "Rather than standing by and watching a tragedy unfold, going on an adventure fits my character better."
"Honestly..." Hestia looked at Shirou's "Mr. Nice Guy" face and sighed helplessly. Then, she suddenly stood up, hands on her hips. "In that case, I'm going too!"
"Eh?" The Gods were all shocked.
"I don't feel safe leaving Shirou-kun alone with this... this shameless goddess!" Hestia said righteously.
"I'm going for surveillance! That's right, to protect Shirou-kun's chastity!"
"I'm going too."
Just then, a cool voice came from outside the door. Ais Wallenstein stepped inside. She was still wearing her white dress, holding the bag of potato puffs, but her gaze was sharper than the sword at her side.
"Ais?" Shirou was surprised.
"I'm going too." Ais walked to Shirou's side and naturally took hold of his other arm (the spot Hestia had wanted).
"I am... the guard."
"This..." Hermes watched the scene, his expression becoming colorful. "This is getting lively. 'Infinity,' 'Sword Princess,' plus two goddesses... this isn't a subjugation team, it's a 'Love Battlefield' sightseeing tour."
"Me too! I'm going too!" A small figure popped out from behind Ais. Lili, carrying her giant backpack, had a look of greed (actually worry) on her face.
"Shirou-sama's wallet... no, Shirou-sama's logistics must be handled by Lili!"
"Alright! Everyone, assemble!" Shirou stood up, looking at the group of companions around him, a surge of pride in his heart.
"Target: The Elsos Ruins!" "Mission: Subjugate Antares, Save the Goddess!" "And while we're at it... a spontaneous trip!"
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Twilight Manor, Primary God's Room.
"So... you want to take a leave of absence?" Loki sat cross-legged on the sofa, playing with the "hush money" (a rare divine sake) Hermes had sent over, squinting at Shirou.
"Yes." Shirou nodded. "It should take about a week. I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Hmph, that slippery Hermes, actually targeting my kid." Loki curled her lip, but she didn't seem angry. "Go ahead. We just got back from an expedition anyway; it's supposed to be vacation time. However..."
Loki suddenly leaned into Shirou's face, a dangerous light flashing in her red eyes.
"Remember, Emiya. You are a member of the Loki Familia. No matter where you go, no matter what God you meet... don't embarrass me. And also..."
She pointed to the [Arrow of Orion] in Shirou's hand.
"That spear might be a divine artifact, but don't rely on it too much. Your 'Unlimited Blade Works' is your strongest weapon."
"Yes, I'll remember." Shirou nodded seriously.
"And!" Loki suddenly switched to a gossiping expression. "Ais-tan is going with you this time, right? Hehehe... a man and a woman alone (though there are third wheels), out in the wilderness... you understand?"
"I don't understand!" Shirou fled the room.
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The next morning, Orario's North Gate.
A massive wyvern (provided by the Hermes Familia) was lying on the ground, waiting for its passengers.
"Wow! It's a wyvern!" Hestia circled the wyvern excitedly. "This is my first time riding one! Will I fall off?"
"Rest assured, Lady Hestia." Asfi (Captain of the Hermes Familia, alias "Perseus"), who was in charge of piloting, pushed up her glasses with a look of exhaustion. "With me here, nothing will happen. Though I really do want to throw a certain God off..."
"Alright, everyone get in... get on the dragon!" Hermes beckoned.
Shirou helped Lili and Hestia onto the dragon's back first, then turned to look at Ais beside him. Today, Ais had changed back into her light combat armor, her [Desperate Sword] polished to a shine at her waist.
"Ready?" Shirou asked.
"Yes." Ais nodded, and then... she suddenly reached out and gently grabbed Shirou's sleeve.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Ais turned her face away, looking at the distant sky, her voice very soft. "I just think... traveling with you seems quite nice."
Shirou froze for a second, then showed a gentle smile. He reached back and took Ais's hand.
"Yeah, me too."
"Hey! You two, stop emitting blinding light over there! Get up here!" Hestia jumped up and down on the dragon's back in anger. "And Artemis! You are not allowed to sit next to Shirou! That's my spot!"
"The seat next to Orion is my special VIP seat~"
"You homewrecker cat!"
Amidst the clamor, the wyvern flapped its wings and soared high. It broke through the clouds, flying toward the far north.
The wind whistled in his ears. Shirou looked down at the shrinking city of Orario, then at his noisy but reliable companions, his heart filled with anticipation.
A new adventure. A new enemy. And... a sad Goddess waiting to be saved.
"Wait for me, Antares." Shirou gripped the long spear in his hand, his gaze like lightning.
"Whether you are a divine beast or a disaster..."
Hello everyone! I'm VarieTL
Thank you as always for your support!
I wanted to announce that I posted a new Fanfiction!
Saving the World with Crossovers, starting with replacing Natsuki subaru with Hikigaya Hachiman
Kawata Osamu transmigrated and became a God.
Wonderful start, right? Unfortunately, this world is destined to be destroyed by the Abyss...
The only thing he can do is try to merge many worlds together thanks to the "Children of the World."
If he can show everyone their adventures and evoke enough emotion, the worlds will merge! Kawata Osamu decided to start by replacing Natsuki Subaru with Hikigaya Hachiman!
2nd Arc: Ayanokouji Kiyotaka in Redo of Healer
3rd Arc: Shirogane Miyuki in Inuyasha
4th Arc: Kousaka Kyousuke in Overlord
I have already posted 264 Chapters of this Fanfiction!
Mostly because it's really really good, so I wanted to continue working on it XD
Read ahead (40 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting