Chapter 73. The Fox's Repayment! Emiya the Giant's [Blade of the End]!?
"One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand... a hundred million?!"
Shirou Emiya's hands were trembling. This wasn't just the lingering effect of mana depletion, but the shock of the bill delivered by the Guild titled: [Notice of Compensation for Topographical Damage to the 18th and 24th Floors].
The number of zeros was as long as the digits of Pi; there was no end in sight.
"Damage to vegetation on the 18th floor... 3 million compensation." "Destruction of the main passage to the 24th floor 'Pantry'... 50 million compensation." "Collapse of the 18th-floor entrance due to 'unknown causes' (referring to the Ether beam), requiring re-excavation... 200 million compensation."
"Ack..."
Shirou felt his vision go dark, nearly passing away on the spot. Was this a bill? This was clearly a life-indenture contract! Even if he projected magic swords to sell day and night, he'd probably have to keep selling until the next century to pay this off.
"My, my, quite a flamboyant record of battle, Mr. Emiya."
A half-elf girl wearing glasses and a Guild uniform walked over. Eina Tulle. As Shirou's exclusive advisor, her expression could be described as "nuclear-ly kind" to the extreme.
"While the Guild has determined this action was to suppress the Dark Faction, falling under 'justifiable defense' and 'emergency necessity,' thus waiving most of the fines..." Eina adjusted her glasses, a cold glint reflecting off the lenses.
"However! Regarding the excessive destruction, we still have to issue a symbolic penalty. After all, you literally changed the map! The cartographers are in the Guild hall crying themselves unconscious!"
"I'm sorry! I was wrong! I'll do it again next time—(cross out)—I'll definitely be careful next time!" Shirou skillfully utilized his [Dogeza] skill.
"Sigh..." Eina let out a long breath, looking at this hero who caused her so much worry. "Forget it. Captain Finn has already advanced the payment for the fines. He said to consider it a 'strategic investment'."
"Long live Captain Finn!" Shirou was instantly resurrected. As expected, clinging to a "golden thigh" is the first rule of survival in another world.
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Twilight Manor, Lord God's Room.
"Hahahaha! I'm dying! That kid's expression must have been magnificent, right?" Loki rolled around on the sofa, laughing until tears came out. "But speaking of which, 200 million Valis to buy the destruction of 'Knossos' and a Lv. 4 combatant? That's an absolute steal!"
"Loki, stop laughing and get to work." Riveria helplessly slapped a piece of parchment onto Loki's face.
"Emiya has been waiting outside for a long time. Even if he forced a Level Up on the battlefield, his status will be unstable if we don't perform the formal Falna update."
"I know, I know~" Loki sat up straight, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Let him in. I'm also very curious to see what the status sheet of this kid, who broke all common sense, looks like now."
A moment later, Shirou Emiya entered the room. He took off his shirt, revealing a lean back. His once smooth skin was now covered in various faint scars—medals of a warrior. In the center of his back, the clown emblem of the Loki Familia was radiating a burning heat.
"Come, let the Goddess see your 'insides'." Loki bit her finger, and a drop of divine blood fell.
HUM—!!!
Light flared. Sacred characters flowed across Shirou's back like water, restructuring and updating.
A few minutes later, Loki looked at the traced parchment. Her eyes, usually narrowed into slits, opened completely for the first time. In those red vertical pupils was written—pure shock.
"Hey, hey, hey... this is..." Loki's fingers were trembling. "There has to be a limit to cheating, right? How is this a Lv. 4? This is a monster wearing the skin of a Lv. 4!"
[Name]: Shirou Emiya
[Level]: Lv. 4
[Title]: Senji Muramasa
[Basic Abilities]:
Strength: I (0) -> I (90) (Base stats right after leveling up?) Endurance: I (0) -> I (150) (Unbroken Smith bonus) Dexterity: I (0) -> I (80) Agility: I (0) -> I (70) Magic: I (0) -> I (200) (Extreme expansion after mana depletion)
'These are just the surface values. The truly terrifying parts are the [Skills] and [Magic] sections.'
[Magic]:
『Unlimited Blade Works』 o Status: Fully Unlocked.
o New Effects: [Broken Phantasm] consumption reduced, power increased. Unlocked [Permanent Projection] (allows creation of physical weapons).
『Body of Steel』 o New Effects: [Conceptual Defense]. High resistance to curses, mental interference, and instant-death magic.
『???』 (New slot, blurred/unclear) o Note: Detected residue of "Light of the Stars." Suspected precursor to the awakening of the Third Magic.
[Skills]:
『Mind's Eye - True』 -> 『Mind's Eye - Extreme』 o Effect: Can see through current openings and pre-read causality within the next 3 seconds.
『Clairvoyance - Eagle』 o Effect: Visual range expanded to 5km. Includes X-ray, night vision, and mana perception.
『Unbroken Smith』 o Effect: When receiving fatal damage, forcibly retains 1 HP (24-hour cooldown). Mana recovery speed increases as wounds become more severe.
『God Slayer (Pseudo)』 (New) o Source: Defeating monsters with divine power (Antares/Filthy Spirit).
o Effect: Deals extra damage to units possessing "Divinity."
"This... this status sheet..." Riveria leaned in for a look, nearly dropping her staff.
"It comes with a 'Fate-Defying Blade' (cheat-death lock)? It can pre-read the future? It even has anti-god properties?!
Is this child... planning to solo the One-Eyed Black Dragon?"
"Heehee, that's the man I set my eyes on!" Loki was shocked, but more so proud. "With this status, plus Haruhime's [Uchide no Kozuchi]... the current Emiya could truly go toe-to-toe even with Ottar, right?"
"Put your clothes on, Mr. Monster," Loki handed the parchment to Shirou. "By the way, a reminder: that Haruhime girl is waiting for you outside. Looking at her... it seems she intends to 'offer herself' to repay her debt?"
"Please don't say that!" Shirou grabbed his clothes and ran.
At a time like this, facing a fox-girl who wants to repay a debt with her whole heart is much harder than facing a Lv. 7 monster!
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Twilight Manor, Hallway.
"Shirou-sama!"
Just as he stepped out of the room, a petite figure lunged forward. She didn't crash into his arms but slammed on the brakes exactly one meter away, followed by a perfect Dogeza.
"Good morning, Shirou-sama!" Haruhime was wearing the maid outfit Shirou had specifically found for her (don't ask why it's a maid outfit; it was Ais's suggestion). Her golden fox ears were pressed against her head in nervousness, but the large tail behind her betrayed her, wagging frantically.
"Uh... Haruhime, please stand up," Shirou hurried to help her up. "You don't need to perform such a grand greeting in the Familia."
"No! This is necessary!" Haruhime looked up, her eyes watery as she gazed at Shirou. "If it weren't for Shirou-sama, I would still be in that dark place... You are my savior! My light! My everything!"
"Therefore..." Haruhime took a deep breath, a shy blush creeping onto her face. "Please let me... serve you!"
"S-Serve?" Scenes not suitable for children (not really) flashed through Shirou's mind.
"Yes! Laundry, cooking, cleaning, warming the bed (whispering)... I can do anything!" Haruhime clenched her small fists. "Even though I'm clumsy and not as strong as Lady Ais... I will work hard!"
"Uh... the bed-warming won't be necessary," Shirou wiped his sweat. "And as for cooking, I've already got that covered."
"Then... then..." Haruhime grew frantic, seeing no use for herself. Her fox ears drooped. "Then I... will brush your fur (even though he has no fur)?"
"Pfft." A suppressed laugh came from nearby.
Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya were hiding around the corner peeking.
"See, I told you she was a 'loyal dog' type character," Tiona commented while munching on snacks.
"No, it's a 'loyal fox'," Tione corrected.
"Regardless, Mr. Emiya's harem has grown again... it's truly irritating," Lefiya bit her handkerchief in a fit of envy.
"Um... Haruhime." Shirou helplessly crouched down and patted Haruhime's head (excellent texture, 5-star rating). "You don't need to be a servant. You are a member of the Loki Familia, our comrade. Between comrades, there is no need for 'service'."
"..."
"If you really want to repay me," Shirou pointed toward the kitchen. "Then come help me prep. Tonight... we're having a huge victory banquet."
"A victory banquet?!" Haruhime's eyes lit up instantly. "Yes! I'll go wash the vegetables right now! I'm very fast at washing vegetables!"
Watching Haruhime run happily toward the kitchen, Shirou flashed a satisfied smile. As expected, for a foodie—er, for someone who loves life—the kitchen is the best destination.
"Emiya," Ais walked over, naturally standing by Shirou's side. "I'll help too."
"Do you know how?"
"I know how to... sneak a bite. No, taste-test," Ais said with a straight face.
"...Alright, the taste-tester is also a very important position." Shirou smiled dotingly.
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That night, the dining hall of Twilight Manor once again became a battlefield of gourmet food. But this time, it wasn't just the Loki Familia. The Astraea Familia (Alise and others), the Hermes Familia (Asfi), and even Tsubaki from the Hephaestus Familia came. This was a carnival for the victors of the "Great Feud."
"CHEERS—!!!"
The sound of clinking glasses echoed through the air.
"Wow! What kind of meat is this roast? So tender!"
"It's 'Mammoth' meat dropped from the 37th floor! That Emiya kid roasted it using 'Unlimited Blade Works'; the heat control is absolutely perfect!"
"This soup! This soup has the taste of mana! One sip and I feel like my MP is fully restored!"
Shirou stood in the open kitchen, his spatula swinging like a sword.
"Trace Cooking! Perfect Seasoning!"
Beside him, Haruhime was frantically handing over plates, Ais was seriously tasting every dish (and secretly hiding the delicious ones), and Lili was at the door collecting "entry fees" (only for members of other Familias).
"Truly lively," Finn leaned against the window with his glass, watching the chaotic, joyful scene with a faint smile. "Is this... the taste of peace?"
"Yes," Riveria walked up beside him, "even if it's only temporary." She glanced at Shirou, who was surrounded by everyone. "That child... has truly changed many things."
"It's more than just change." Finn's gaze grew deep. "He is 'Hope'. The one who can break this stagnant world... the game-changer."
"Captain! Stop acting deep and come eat! Any later and Tiona will snatch it all!" Gareth's booming voice broke Finn's contemplation.
"Coming, coming." Finn shook his head with a smile and joined the fray for food.
After several rounds of drinks, the banquet reached its climax.
"Um... everyone listen to me!" A tipsy Alise jumped onto a table, holding a wine bottle like a microphone. "To thank Shirou Emiya for saving us (in every sense of the word), I propose... we award him the title of 'Honorary Eternal Captain'!"
"Ohhh! Agreed!" "Cheers!" "Marry me while you're at it!" (This was shouted by some unknown drunken Amazon).
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't talk nonsense!" Shirou was so startled he dropped his spatula. This kind of public execution was way too embarrassing!
"Mr. Emiya." Ryuu Lion walked over. She wasn't wearing her waitress uniform today, but a pale green dress that made it hard to look away. Her face had a slight flush from the alcohol.
"Thank you." Ryuu looked at Shirou, her gaze hazy and tender. "That day... if not for you, I might not be here."
"I told you, it was mutual aid." Shirou rubbed his cheek, a bit embarrassed.
"No." Ryuu shook her head, suddenly leaning close to Shirou's ear and whispering: "In return... let me tell you a secret too."
"A secret?"
"Actually..." Ryuu's voice became very, very soft. "Syr... has been watching you this whole time."
"Eh?" Shirou froze. Before he could react, Ryuu had backed away, a mischievous "prank-successful" smile on her face.
Syr? Watching me? Shirou instinctively looked out the window. The top floor of Babel was still brightly lit. Was that goddess named Freya currently holding a glass, staring at this banquet through a Divine Mirror?
A chill ran down his spine. This feeling of being targeted by an apex predator could not be erased even in the liveliest of banquets.
"What's wrong, Emiya?" Ais noticed Shirou's strangeness and walked over, still holding a half-eaten skewer of meatballs.
"N-Nothing." Shirou shook his head, suppressing the unease deep in his heart. He looked at Ais before him and the laughing companions around them.
No matter how much wind and rain the future held. No matter how many gods wanted to interfere. At least for now... this warmth was real.
"Ais," Shirou suddenly spoke.
"Hmm?"
"If one day... I were to challenge that 'Peak' (referring to the Black Dragon, or Freya)... will you... stand by my side?"
Ais froze for a moment. She looked into Shirou's serious eyes. There was no hesitation, no doubt.
"I will." She held the meatball skewer to Shirou's lips. "No matter where you go... whether it's hell or the heavens. I am your sword. And also your... shield."
"Yeah." Shirou bit into the meatball and flashed a brilliant smile. "Then... I'll be in your care, Lady Sword Princess."
The banquet lasted until late at night. When everyone had collapsed drunk on the floor, Shirou Emiya went out to the balcony alone.
The night breeze blew. The night view of Orario remained enchanting.
"Lv. 4, huh..." Shirou looked at his palm. Power was surging. Unlimited Blade Works was fully unlocked. He finally had the capital to stand firm in this world.
But it wasn't enough. In the depths of the Man-made Labyrinth, that "Spirit" had not completely died. Freya's "Love" still hung over his head. And then... the ultimate "Black Dragon."
"The road is still long."
Shirou pulled the shard of the [Arrow of Orion] from his pocket, along with the dagger Ryuu had given him. He placed them together.
"Trace..."
He was conceptualizing. He was designing. A blade... capable of severing the fate of "Gods," capable of protecting everyone...
The Blade of the End.
"Just wait, Orario." The red-haired Heroic Spirit made a vow to the moon.
"I will completely cut through this sorrowful cycle."
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