Ryuu's personality is twisted, rooted in the conflict between her inherently noble character and her tragic past.
However, Emiya Shirou, beneath his exterior as a gentle and kind person, possesses a nature that is more deeply, stubbornly, and fundamentally twisted than Ryuu's.
In a sense, it could even be called demonic.
Emiya spoke, "If Ryuu cannot find happiness, then I cannot find happiness either."
"Huh?", Ryuu was stunned.
"Ryuu, your struggle is not only tormenting yourself but also causing me pain."
"What—"
"Because that's just the kind of person I am. My happiness is built upon the happiness of those around me. 'Emiya Shirou' is that kind of person. Ryuu, because you are in pain, I feel pain too."
"No, Shirou, what are you saying? I don't understand..."
"To put it simply... it's all Ryuu's fault."
"That's so unreasonable, completely twisting logic...", Ryuu bit her lower lip, feeling utterly wronged.
Emiya was unusually firm, "So, Ryuu, not for yourself, but for me, pull yourself together."
"Shirou, are you... ordering me?", Ryuu was increasingly shaken.
"If that's what it takes for you to accept it, then yes, it's an order. Since Ryuu feels her existence has no meaning, then entrust your life to me. I will take on your past and future."
"How can this be? Don't just decide things on your own..."
Golden and blue eyes met. As Ryuu looked into Emiya's eyes, which shone even brighter after his level-up, as if molten gold flowed within them, her resolve wavered more and more.
The boy's eyes were like a tranquil bay, clear and transparent, with an endless abyss beneath the calm surface.
The twist of the elf was gradually being swallowed by Emiya's demonic nature.
"Shirou, I want to write a letter to Goddess Astrea..."
———
"Congratulations."
Syr gently clapped her hands, "Your relationship is back to normal."
"Yeah...", Ryuu lowered her head in embarrassment.
A smile appeared on Syr's cute face, and she thought to herself, 'No, it should have gone even further.'
"That kid Shirou, when he acts for the sake of someone or something he cares about, he becomes truly 'terrifying.'"
She thought, 'To be able to go this far, he's really something.:
Originally, her expectation was just to savor the romance between two adorable kids, but she never expected things to develop far beyond her expectations.
'Two dazzling souls, intertwining in fate, bursting with a beauty even more exquisite than 'romance," 'Syr lightly licked her lips.
For a moment, an extreme charm, completely different from her identity as a cute street girl, seemed to radiate from her.
However, in the next moment, Syr completely broke character.
"Syr, how dare you lock us up," Ryuu grabbed Syr's cheeks and stretched them like dough.
"Mmm, I'm sowwy~", Syr pleaded, "Ryuu, let me go."
After Syr's relentless begging and cooing, Ryuu finally released the soft cheeks of the girl.
At that moment, "Thud," "Thud," two dull sounds echoed in the air.
Ryuu and Syr both clutched their heads, squatting on the ground, letting out pitiful cries.
"Useless elf, what's with that pile of broken plates?", Mama Mia swung two punches and roared angrily, "And you, stupid girl! I told you to call this useless elf out, and it took you this long!"
Mama Mia stood there, hands on her hips, furious.
"Today, we're already short-staffed, and you two are still not hurrying to work!"
"Yes! Understood!", After enduring Mama Mia's tyranny, the human and elf girls became much more obedient. They nodded repeatedly, quickly got up, and rushed back to their respective workstations.
Emiya watched the scene before him and asked, "Is the staff short today?"
Mama Mia turned her head, and after throwing two punches, her anger subsided slightly, "Yeah, many people happened to take the day off."
She paused for a moment, "If you're free, you can come help."
Emiya nodded without hesitation, "Sure."
With that, he turned around, about to head to the kitchen out of habit, but Mama Mia suddenly called out:,"Hey, kid, where are you going?"
Emiya stopped and looked back in confusion, "I was going to help in the kitchen."
Since he often helped prepare staff meals at the tavern, and those dishes were always well-received, the waitstaff praised his cooking skills.
So, Emiya naturally assumed that Mama Mia wanted him to cook.
Upon hearing his answer, Mama Mia's expression became somewhat complicated, eventually turning into a sigh, and she waved her hand, "No!"
"Those picky customers, if they fall in love with your cooking today, they'll complain endlessly every time they come back and can't have it."
Mama Mia said discontentedly, "By then, they'll spread rumors like 'this place's standards have dropped,' and that would be troublesome."
Emiya felt a bit helpless. He had thought he could showcase his skills in the kitchen, but he never expected Mama Mia to stop him for such a reason.
"In that case, I'll help with taking orders," He said.
Mama Mia thought for a moment and nodded, "Hmm, that's more like it."
During the lunch rush, the tavern was bustling, and Emiya helped with taking orders.
At that moment, he saw a familiar figure.
It was a seemingly ordinary human man sitting by the window. He was Raul Nord, a Lv.4 adventurer from the Loki Familia, who had been Emiya's supporter and guide during his first dungeon exploration.
Sitting across from Raul was a black-haired, black-eyed cat-girl with delicate features. She quietly watched Emiya, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
She was Anakitty Autumn, a Lv.4 adventurer from the Loki Familia. Because her name was hard to pronounce, those close to her simply called her "Anya."
"Emiya, long time no see. Are you working here?", Raul greeted warmly.
"Yeah, we're a bit short-staffed today, so I'm helping out," Emiya replied.
Raul nodded, his gaze lingering on Emiya for a moment, as if trying to confirm something.
Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Emiya, are you really the 'Elf Slayer...'"
Before he could finish, a dull thud followed. Raul clutched his leg, almost sliding off his chair in pain.
Anakitty, sitting across from him, had mercilessly kicked him.
"That's so rude, Raul,".Anakitty's tone was calm but carried a hint of reproach, "Besides, I told you not to believe those baseless claims from Goddess Loki."
Although Goddess Loki was a goddess, she didn't command much authority within the Loki Familia. The adventurers of the familia preferred to see her as a friend rather than a parent.
Moreover, Goddess Loki loved jokes and pranks, and her occasional bizarre statements were usually taken as jokes and laughed off.
Recently, Goddess Loki had been vigorously promoting the so-called "Emiya Threat Theory" within the familia, sparking much discussion.
Some members of the Loki Familia believed it wholeheartedly or were skeptical, while others, like Anya, dismissed it entirely, seeing it as just another of the goddess's pranks.
Raul grimaced in pain, and under Anya's stern gaze, he could only endure the pain and not say more. Seeing the atmosphere slightly awkward, he quickly straightened up and began to introduce, "This is Anakitty Autumn, from the same familia as me."
The cat-girl said seriously, "Just call me Anya."
Anya was different from all the cat-people Emiya had met, including the lively Anya and the tavern's cook, Miss May. She seemed particularly calm and reserved. Emiya couldn't help but say, "Anya-senpai, you give off a very reliable vibe."
Hearing Emiya's words, Anya's tail involuntarily swayed slightly, but noticing her own lapse, she quickly controlled her tail's movement, maintaining her usual composure. She nodded lightly, "Ahem, thank you."
After that, Emiya finished taking Raul and Anya's orders and was about to continue working when he suddenly felt a gaze from behind.
He turned around and saw a brown-haired human woman sitting not far away.
Though her features weren't as delicate as an elf's, her well-proportioned face exuded a refreshing and capable aura. Paired with her neat short hair, she gave off a unique charm that was both beautiful and handsome.
The moment Emiya turned around, the woman slightly lowered her head, shifting her gaze to the menu in front of her, as if deliberately avoiding eye contact. Out of politeness, Emiya walked over and softly asked, "Hello, do you need any help?"
She didn't respond immediately. She just looked down at the menu, remained silent for a moment, and then gently shook her head without speaking. Then, the woman stood up and quietly left the tavern, as if her appearance was just a brief interlude.
.
.
.
"[Gale], you've changed."
After leaving the tavern and turning into a dark alley, the brown-haired woman muttered to herself, her voice clear in the quiet air.
Her name was Lunoire Faust, a legendary bounty hunter in the underground world of Orario, known as [Black Fist].
Lured by the bounty, Lunoire had taken on the mission to hunt down [Gale]. To find the right moment, she had been observing the tavern where [Gale] was hiding, silently watching Ryuu's every move.
Lunoire was born in a war zone, her parents died in the chaos, and she grew up alone. Relying on the power of [Falna] and her indestructible fists, she carved out a path of survival in this dangerous world. Over the years, she had moved between different familias but never found a place to call home.
Seeing Ryuu's current state, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. The once cold and ruthless [Gale], who lived only for revenge, now had a peaceful and warm place to call home.
Lunoire Faust, seventeen years old.
A human girl with an old-fashioned tone but actually quite young, looked up at the sky and whispered, "Maybe it's time to retire from bounty hunting."
Before her eyes, the image of [Gale] standing beside the boy, shyly lowering her head, appeared.
"I was going to give up on this mission, but I'm so angry... I at least have to punch her once," Lunoire, thinking of [Gale]'s current happy expression, felt a nameless fire burning in her heart.
Like a child, she wanted to vent her anger on [Gale], who should have been living in the same blood-stained world as her but had now found a place to belong.
Lunoire made up her mind. She raised her hand and grasped a ray of sunlight, "I'll make my move tonight, and then—I'll retire from this line of work."
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[Lunoire Faust]
[Lv.4]
Strength: B780
Endurance: B722
Dexterity: D577
Agility: D599
Magic: I0
—: Development Abilities :—
[Fist Strike] H [Shatter] I [Fighter] I
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———
"...She's changed, nya~"
The cat-girl, basking in the sunlight on the rooftop of a building, gazed at the tavern "The Hostess of Fertility."
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