A mighty wind rises, clouds fly high—oh, how I wish for Heroic Spirits to guard all four corners.
You must always be wary of Alaya. There's just no getting around it.
Picture this: you're at home, blissfully enjoying hot pot, singing a little tune, dreaming of a peaceful future…
Smack—
Stabbed in the back. Happiness? Gone in an instant.
So, really, a life without Alaya is the best life.
Sanjiro let out a sigh, staring at the pot of boiling beef, fish balls, and other ingredients. Suddenly, it didn't seem so appetizing anymore.
Damn you, Alaya!
Is this how you show affection?
Is this what you call the "strongest chef"?
If I can't curse, I've got nothing to say!
The light faded from Sanjiro's eyes.
He'd been so foolish. Truly. He already knew he was the perfect tool, already knew Alaya wouldn't just let him go that easily…
Yet he still naively dreamed of living like a normal person.
Now he understood completely.
That black-hearted capitalist wanted to work him to death, then drag him back to the Throne of Heroes—
To work for them again, 24/7, without pause!
Dream on! Never happening!
I will never work again. Not in this life!
I've done more than enough as a "hero of justice." This laid-back lifestyle is the only way to go.
Being a lazy shut-in every day? It's like winning the lottery.
A whole year of chilling? I don't want to work even one day!
Life in Fuyuki Academy City? A hundred times better than slaving away for Alaya.
Back when I was still "working," I had to fight across human history, facing ridiculously strong enemies, no time to breathe.
But here in Academy City—everyone's a gem, they all talk so sweetly, I absolutely love it here!
Clearly, to live a peaceful life, I first need to escape Alaya's endless backstabs.
Fighting people is fun. Fighting the heavens is even more fun.
Light returned to Sanjiro's eyes. He'd made up his mind to go head-to-head with them.
"Going by Alaya's usual MO," he thought, "it's probably just like with Gilgamesh—things start off friendly, but sooner or later, a 'little problem' pops up."
Back in the day, he'd spent a lot of time with Shikotei, wholeheartedly protecting him.
Now, if that relationship gets exposed, there's no way the proud First Emperor won't come looking for him.
If Shikotei finds him, there's no chance of living a quiet, normal life anymore.
So—time to lay low.
Luckily, he didn't need to show up in front of that guy for the time being. Better also keep an eye on that brat, just in case she causes trouble.
If one day she gets dragged in front of him, he's truly screwed.
Sanjiro quietly resolved to add a few more layers of seals on the brat.
Back then, they'd had a rather "pleasant battle." That kid was born to sabotage him.
No panic—stay calm—I got this!
Just then, Fou (currently disguised as a regular kitty thanks to a perception filter) leapt onto his lap—
"Fou… fou~ (I'm here with you.)"
It sprawled across his legs, gracefully stretching, fully displaying its cuteness.
"You're still the cutest." Sanjiro reached out and gently petted its belly.
The little furball shivered with delight, purring happily.
Its purple eyes blinked lazily, like it was throwing a flirty little wink—
"Pet me~ Don't stop!"
What an enchanting little creature.
Sanjiro continued stroking Fou as he casually tapped on the new video, curious what had been exposed this time.
And he had to admit—
Alaya really was a top-tier film director. The cinematography? Absolutely masterful.
Like a personal photographer, perfectly capturing all his heroic angles. If he actually wanted fame, if he craved the spotlight—he'd be overjoyed.
The problem was—
I'm not a "hero of justice" anymore!!
As soon as he clicked the video, a wave of bullet comments came flying across the screen:
HypeArtist-[Aaaaah I'm so hyped!]
IDigBigClock-[Damn you, Shirou! You're even seducing the First Emperor?!]
DaoistYoungMaster-[Nice job, Alaya! The First Emperor is my favorite Heroic Spirit!]
AlmightyMiddleFinger-[@DaoistYoungMaster We don't care chigga! King Artoria is the best!]
Animalistic-[@AlmightyMiddleFinger isn't it a bit rude to do that? I mean, the First Emperor is perfect in everyw—]
YeetTheInfidel-[@Animalistic shut up you good for nothing piece of shit! We did not asked for your opinion when your wench of a mother pop you out in her stinkin ass, or your father who fuck a pig that resulted in a hideous creature like you! No wonder that's your name! We'd take you a blind, deaf and mute if you don't speak. Like, ever!]
—
The screen was flooded instantly.
Some praising The First Emperor, while others just trolling to those that praise him.
"Way to go, Alaya! Just after the First Emperor arrived in Fuyuki, boom—exposé video!" Kirina's face was glowing with excitement.
Two days ago, King Artoria of Britain, the Dark Saint of France, and the King of Heroes of Uruk had gathered in Fuyuki City.
Now, the First Emperor had descended, riding the Epang Palace.
She hadn't been qualified to attend in person, so she'd admired the First Emperor through live broadcast instead—his presence was absolutely overwhelming.
Now, Alaya was exposing his video too? Were they trying to push the First Emperor to meet Sanjiro?
"That's a total backstab!"
Miyu took a deep breath after seeing the video.
It was absolutely a betrayal from Alaya.
Her big brother only wanted a normal life—but they kept forcefully exposing him again and again.
It was like Alaya was trying to drive him to ruin, just to make him work again!
Damn you, Alaya!
But… without Alaya's exposés, she'd have completely forgotten him too.
She'd never know that the warm, peaceful life she was enjoying… was something he fought with everything he had to give her.
Miyu watched the video with a complicated expression.
The video began.
A solemn narrator's voice, heavy with the weight of history, rang out—
[After the War of Deification, the immortals vanished from the mortal world]
[The Flame of the Zhou Dynasty's Feudal System Has Been Extinguished]
[The Hundred Schools of Thought Wander in Darkness Without Light]
[Centuries of Turmoil in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods Never Ceased]
[The One Who Ends the Chaos Is Born in an Enemy Nation]
[His Name—Ying Zheng(Shikotei)!]
...
A simple narration revealed that fragment of history.
The man who destroyed the Six Kingdoms and unified the land, becoming the First Emperor—Shikotei—was once merely a hostage abandoned in the state of Zhao.
Late Warring States period.
The six successive kings of Qin were all wise and capable, gradually elevating the remote northwestern Qin state to become the dominant power.
All other nations regarded it as a grave threat.
To slightly appease Zhao, the King of Qin sent Prince Yiren to the Zhao capital of Handan as a hostage.
He was the father of the First Emperor.
Thus, Shikotei was born in an enemy nation and suffered persecution from a young age.
On screen—
A rosy-lipped, white-toothed, adorable little boy was being held in his mother's arms.
"Wow, is that the First Emperor as a kid? So cute!" Kirina exclaimed in surprise.
Having just watched the First Emperor appear live in Fuyuki, seeing this adorable child created a striking contrast.
"Must be him," Illya nodded beside her.
Earlier, after finishing their work receiving Heroic Spirits, the three had gathered at her house intending to play a pillow fight game—only to stumble upon this leaked footage.
"Mmm, according to history, the nine-year-old First Emperor escaped from Handan and was hunted by enemy soldiers."
Kirina's large eyes sparkled as she watched the video.
Clop clop clop~
Horse hooves thundered in the video as a carriage fled west in panic.
Behind it, hundreds of cavalrymen gave chase, quickly surrounding the carriage.
The wealthy merchant Lü Buwei's face was full of anxiety. "Damn it, how did they catch up?!"
Back then, he had convinced the hostage Prince Yiren in Zhao with the notion of a "rare treasure," investing his entire fortune into him—
Even giving his concubine Lady Zhao as a wife.
So long as Yiren ascended as King of Qin, he'd reap tremendous rewards—dozens, hundreds of times over.
Yiren had promised: if he became King, he would share Qin with him!
Now, Lü Buwei had returned to Handan, intending to take Yiren's son back—never expecting the Zhao army would catch up.
If captured, his investments would vanish, and he would likely die as well!
Hundreds of Zhao cavalry thoroughly surrounded the carriage.
The Zhao general at the front sneered, "Lü Buwei, you dare help the Qin brat escape? You're dead!"
Capturing the Qin child meant great rewards from the King of Zhao.
He could marry into nobility, rise in rank and fortune, reaching the peak of life—it was thrilling to imagine.
He wouldn't allow anything to go wrong!
"We're doomed!" Lü Buwei was instantly filled with despair.
Three people stepped down from the carriage.
A dozen sword-bearing guards formed a protective ring around them.
The delicate-faced little boy was tightly held in his mother's arms, yet his eyes remained calm as water.
Living in an enemy nation since birth, hated by all, had made him mature early.
His mother held him tightly and whispered, "Shikotei, remember these faces. If we return to Qin, you must kill them all—destroy Zhao entirely!"
"Hahaha, you think you can destroy Zhao? I'll kill you now!" the lead general mocked coldly.
The two nations had long been enemies.
Especially after the Battle of Changping, where General Bai Qi of Qin buried 400,000 Zhao soldiers alive.
The entire city of Handan wept, hatred for Qin reaching its peak.
His own father had been one of the buried Zhao soldiers.
"Kill them!"
The black-armored general shouted his command.
The cavalry paused for a second, then obeyed without hesitation.
Clop clop clop~
Dozens of horsemen charged forward, their killing intent overwhelming.
Battle broke out instantly.
The guards were no match for these veteran soldiers and were slaughtered on the spot.
The stench of blood filled the air.
Many viewers suddenly longed for the holy light of the censorship beast to intervene.
"Ancient battles are so brutal!" Kirina's little face turned pale.
As a soft and cute little girl, she hadn't even killed a chicken before.
Seeing such killing was unbearable.
The other two also turned their heads away, unable to keep watching.
The guards were wiped out in an instant.
A soldier raised his sword toward the mother and son!
At that critical moment, a sword blocked his strike—cutting the soldier down!
Thud~
The rider fell from his horse, unwillingness still etched on his face.
Countless anxious viewers collectively sighed in relief.
The Steel-Willed Savior had arrived.
In The Vow Beneath the Snow, he had fought through seven rounds in one night, single-handedly crushing the Holy Grail War.
Even Angelica, wielder of the Sword of Rupture, was defeated by his embodiment of all swords.
What could a bunch of soldiers do against him?
Standing before the mother and son, he softly said, "Sorry, I'm protecting this child."
"Hah, just a lone swordsman dares to stand in our way?"
The Zhao general's expression turned icy. "We outnumber him 150 to one. Kill him!"
Then—
He saw the swordsman vanish in a flash.
Where did he go?
The next instant, he was already at the general's throat—slicing it open in a single strike!
"You..."
The black-armored general never imagined the man would be so powerful.
All his dreams of glory vanished—he died full of regret.
It was a slaughter.
The Zhao soldiers were helpless before him—defeated in the blink of an eye.
The remaining cavalry fled in terror.
Shirou didn't pursue. He turned to the little boy and asked:
"Do you seek power?"
"Then... may I become your disciple? What's your name, sir?"
The young First Emperor's eyes sparkled.
With such strength, he could protect who he wanted, do as he pleased.
"A nameless Heroic Spirit who walks the path of humanity. Sorry, I can't be your teacher."
The man gently shook his head—but then smiled at the disappointed child.
"But I can teach you."
"Really?"
The young Emperor's eyes lit up.
"I have three swords: the Emperor's Sword, the Warlord's Sword, and the Hero's Sword."
The nameless one explained what he could teach.
"The Emperor's Sword uses Mount Tai as its tip, the Six Kingdoms as its blade, and the world as its sheath—one sword to bring peace!"
"The Warlord's Sword has warriors as its tip, soldiers as its blade, and the kingdom as its sheath—one sword to rule as a hegemon!"
"The Hero's Sword uses chivalry as its tip, passion as its blade, and justice as its sheath—roaming the world with sword in hand!"
Three swords—three paths.
One, the Emperor's Sword: to unify the world beneath a single will. A path of burden, sacrifice, and eternal solitude.
One, the Warlord's Sword: to dominate through might and lead a nation to power. A path of ambition, strategy, and transient glory.
One, the Hero's Sword: to walk as a nameless protector, guided by ideals. A path of resolve, passion, and selfless justice—just like Shirou once chose.
Now, these three paths lay before the young Emperor.
With unwavering eyes, he looked up solemnly, "Sir, I choose the Emperor's Sword!"
"That path is filled with hardship. You'll suffer countless calamities, even be reviled by the world," Shirou said, gently placing a hand on the boy's head.
"I understand. I want strength. I want to become a king above all. I want to end the war that has lasted for centuries!"
The young Shikotei held his gaze without backing down.
Having lived in a hostile foreign land since birth, he had seen through many things.
He bowed deeply and performed the disciple's salute:
"Sir, I wish to learn the Emperor's Sword. Please teach me!"
Beside him, Buwei's eyes lit up as he gazed at the child—as if seeing mountains of gold and silver.
Back then, investing in the "Exceptionals" earned him massive profits.
He invested in the father, then the son—generation after generation, milking the Qin like a cash cow. A blood-earning strategy with no loss.
This investment? It seems solid!
Shirou sighed softly:
"Then forge your own Emperor's Sword. I will become the sharpest blade in your hand."
Some are born to be kings. Others become outlaws.
Now, Shikotei, at the mere age of nine, resolutely steps onto a treacherous path.
...
Academy City, Administrative District.
Shikotei strolled forward calmly while listening to Shokatsu Kōmei's casual explanations beside him.
This trip to Fuyuki City was for diplomatic talks with King Artoria of Britain.
Ever since the Brexit referendum, Britain had plunged into a deep economic crisis.
Every sector was affected, and they were in desperate need of aid.
"So, this time, we have home court advantage. We can totally slau— ahem, I mean, engage in comprehensive and friendly cooperation."
Shokatsu Kōmei fanned his feather fan and smiled widely.
He couldn't help being happy.
A gullible target was offering themselves up—not fleecing them would be a crime! He'd make sure to bleed them dry.
"They came looking for Nameless. Did they find anything?"
Shikotei asked casually.
As for the so-called Alaya exposure videos, he didn't pay them much attention.
As an emperor ruling over 2 billion citizens, such trifles didn't concern him. That was the absolute confidence of the First Emperor.
The one who surpasses the Three Sovereigns and dominates above the Five Emperors. This is Shikotei—this is Me!
In comparison, King Artoria and the French Emperor—both so-called monarchs—were fighting over a single man.
Even the once he considered equal King of Heroes had been captured by the same man.
Ridiculous!
"So far, no exposure. We're not sure if they found anything," Shokatsu Kōmei replied.
After all, whether Nameless, a.k.a. the Steel-Willed Savior, even existed in this world was an open question.
He traveled through the History of Humanity and might not even be in this timeline.
"Set it aside for now."
Shikotei's cloak fluttered in the wind as he entered the reception hall surrounded by his entourage.
Inside the Hall.
Britain's delegation had long been waiting.
Shikotei looked at the monarch of Britannia at the forefront, his smile serene:
"Welcome to my empire. I was delayed by prior affairs and couldn't arrive sooner."
"Greetings, First Emperor. Apologies for this sudden visit,"
Artoria responded with an equally polite smile.
Two rulers standing atop the world's pyramid—finally meeting.
Of course, the two wouldn't discuss the details themselves. This was a formal, public meeting.
The real negotiations had already been delegated to Prime Minister Shokatsu Kōmei and Prime Minister Mordred of Britain.
These two were the true driving force behind the talks.
While the monarchs exchanged pleasantries, Shokatsu Kōmei suddenly exclaimed:
"Your Majesty! Alaya has just released a new video—this one concerns you!"
"Oh? Then play it publicly,"
Shikotei said with a proud smile.
That coward Alaya who doesn't even dare show its face—I'd like to see how you plan to expose my past! And what does this so-called Steel-Willed Savior even have to do with Me?
===============
...Okay, this was not how I remembered Shikotei's personality.
Where was the cold, flawless AI emperor who spoke like a dispassionate supercomputer reading a philosophy textbook?
What's with this smug, tyrant energy for fuck sake?! Since when does Shikotei throw shit at Alaya like a chuuni villain mid-monologue?
I'm really fucking confused cuz their was no other versions of him that I know of aside the Lostbelt King.
No regular history version. No alternate classes. Just him.
Was I wrong with the Lostbelt's First Emperor... or is this some kind of wuxia version of him that get out of author's ass?
...Oh right...this chigga ain't the Lostbelt King yet.
Hope Sanjiro give him an ass whooping of the lifetime.