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IBHJ Chapter 644
🕑 Added 2023-12-28 01:11:15 +0000 UTCWhen he awoke, he was both surprised and overjoyed to find his Archer EMIYA Saint Graph gone, replaced by his new Servant - Scáthach.
With a proper Servant, he was now a true Master!
As a Master, Shirou knew he had an extremely swift method to leave the Holy Grail War: directly ordering his Servant's suicide via Command Spell, and losing his qualification.
Most importantly, Scáthach might have pitied him enough to obey such a despicable order, just to help him survive...He truly could have done it. He would use any means to live.
Except he had already caught Gilgamesh's attention. That would be suicidal now. So he gave up that idea. Instead, he decided to get along with Scáthach, asking her how to survive the War. And of course, the most important thing was how to kill Gilgamesh, who had restricted his freedom!
"Those aren't the most important things," Scáthach smiled.
"Then what is?"
Scáthach turned, raising a palm pointing toward the lone Mount Enzou. "We must investigate the temple atop that mountain first!"
"Ryuudou Temple?" he frowned. "Why there?"
"Trapped inside, you couldn't see it. But that place feels bizarre, as if shrouded by an obscuring veil. Gazing in from outside this world, I can't view it clearly at all. Something special must be there."
"The Greater Grail?"
She shook her head. "It should be something else. If it were just a magi-made system, it could never obstruct my sight."
"I see..." he nodded. "Then let's go investigate Ryuudou Temple!"
As Shirou stepped forward eagerly to head to the temple, he noticed Scáthach hadn't budged.
"What's wrong, Shisho?"
"Too slow, Shirou." She said with a faint smile. She reached out and grabbed little Shirou, slinging him over her shoulder.
"This is much faster." she laughed.
"Oh no, this is embarrassing!" he yelped, his face red. "Put me down!"
"Oh, so you do feel shame," she teased. "Sorry, not happening." Carrying him, she strode towards the temple.
"Noooo, I can't let anyone see me like this!"
Scáthach swiftly arrived at the temple with Shirou still slung over her shoulder.
"Hurry, put me down!" he pleaded, his face beet red.
"So you really are embarrassed, huh," she said, an amused smile spreading across her face like she'd made some grand discovery.
"Of course I am! This looks like I got kidnapped to become some bandit chief's wife or something! It's way too awkward!" he exclaimed, covering his face with his hands. "I can't let anyone see me like this!"
"Hehe...well in that case, I'm definitely not putting you down."
"W-why not?"
In response, she extended a finger and lightly tapped him on the nose, smiling. "Because your cute pouty face is just too enjoyable."
Shirou was stunned speechless. "?????"
He realized he may have misunderstood something. Despite her gentle demeanor in his dream, he had subconsciously seen her as a sweet, agreeable big sister figure. But now...
This woman seems to have some hidden sadistic tendencies!
He screamed internally.
Carrying him on her shoulder, Scáthach entered Ryuudou Temple.
Shirou resigned himself to his fate and glanced around as they searched.
After half a day, they hadn't noticed anything unusual like Scáthach claimed.
"Travelers, are you seeking the Man of Great Wisdom?" the temple abbot approached.
Man of Great Wisdom? Shirou recalled hearing mentions of some sage by that name at Ryuudou Temple since arriving in this world.
Having experienced scam gurus before, he had dismissed it offhand. Yet Scáthach nodded. "Yes, we are."
The abbot smiled. "I'm afraid he departed last night. But before leaving, he instructed me to relay a message to the first visitors today."
"What message?"
"'You and I have no karmic affinity,'" the abbot stated.
"I see...sorry for bothering you," Scáthach said politely to the abbot. She turned, sweeping her gaze past the temple's golden Buddha as she carried Shirou out.
"Shisho, we're leaving just like this?" he asked while slung over her shoulder like a rag doll.
"Mhm," she nodded. "Since he's gone, there's no need to stay in this place."
"Who were you talking about?" he asked curiously.
Scáthach was silent for a moment. "Just a hunch...but if it truly was that Enlightened One...it would be odd for him to appear here. Still, there's no use dwelling on it now that he's left."
"Oh, I see."
As they left, Shirou glanced back at the retreating view of the temple. For a moment, he thought he saw a faint golden light around it.
An illusion? He rubbed his eyes. Indeed, the light was gone.
"So um...can you put me down now? This position is way too embarrasing! I can't take it anymore!"
"Well if it bothers you that much, it means I've done my job perfectly," she laughed.
...
Shirou and Scathach were preparing for the fourth Holy Grail War.
He first had Scathach cast a spell to hypnotize his family and send them away. Then he disclosed all the intelligence he had gathered.
"Where did you get all this information from?" she asked with great interest.
"Uh...well...I..." Shirou didn't know how to answer. He didn't want to expose his identity as a transmigrator.
She gave a knowing smile. "I understand. You collected it yourself, right?"
"Yes...that's right..." he nodded, relieved.
"Oh, one more thing," he grabbed a notebook and pen, looking earnestly at his mentor. "Shisho, if you have any concerns, please let me know. I may not be of much use in battle but I have a knack for tactics. Please tell me your principles and what I should watch out for."
Although he was the Master, Shirou positioned himself very lowly. Because he was very clear that he was just begging for his life.
Seeing him so focused on analyzing her, Scathach couldn't help but laugh. She reached out her finger and poked his nose.
"Shisho, can you please stop doing that..." he said with a gloomy face.
"And why is that?"
"It makes me feel too childish...I feel like you're just teasing me like a little kid," he said gloomily.
"Well if you're not a kid, then I'll just be on my way," she made as if to stand up.
"Ah wait, don't go!" Shirou quickly stopped her. "Keep sitting, Shisho. Do what you were doing." He decided not to mention the teasing anymore. Instead he just seriously analyzed the information.
She sat next to him, resting her cheek in her slender palm, her bright eyes watching him work with that serious, focused expression, a smile playing on her lips.
He hadn't become king yet, but that same meticulous intensity as he plotted and planned was already there.
She looked at him with a smile.
Shirou analyzed their advantages and disadvantages, crafting a tailored strategy to suit Scathach's abilities.
What surprised her was how well the plan matched her strengths.
Clearly, from the very beginning, this child had a gift for analysis.
Shirou was planning more tactics when a Servant issued a challenge before nightfall.
Scathach had thought he would ignore it, but to her surprise, as soon as she mentioned the challenge, he stuffed his notebook away and asked her to take him to face the provoking Servant.
This left Scathach unable to read his intentions.
"Just sitting and thinking blindly is useless, Shisho," he said. "Theory guides practice, and practice influences theory. If my initial analysis is wrong, everything after will lead us astray. Plus, my intel needs updating. Contacting other participants is necessary despite the danger!"
Scathach studied his eyes carefully.
"What's wrong, Shisho?" he asked, looking totally confused.
"Nothing," she said with a faint smile. Then she reached out and flicked his nose.
He made an expression that was embarrassed, angry yet dared not vocalize it, which made Scathach feel somewhat delighted inside.
Comments
Zarek
wait, is Shirou gonna be able to completely roast Artoria like the original? I sure hope so
JeanMartin Freites
Someone is really enjoying themselves here.
