Just like that, Shirou believed he had effortlessly helped Melusine overcome a huge challenge—filling a critical gap Nono had overlooked in her "crash course" education.
After finishing his task, Shirou humbly chose to hide his contributions. He advised Melusine to read the books on her own and not mention that it had been his idea.
Satisfied, he watched as Melusine smoothly slipped into study mode. Then he quietly walked away, leaving no trace, and inwardly marveled at the hardworking atmosphere of this household.
It was 8 p.m., and yet everyone was bursting with energy like it was 9 a.m. The motivation here was off the charts.
Everyone truly wanted to improve.
Shirou, feeling inspired by the collective effort, headed to the backyard to devote himself to even more intense training.
As he left Melusine's room, night deepened silently, creeping in like a ghost. The world moved on in its quiet, mournful way—like morning dew vanishing, the fleeting nature of life urging all to march forward with reluctant resolve.
Shing.
A sliver of pale moonlight fell on his cheek. Focused, Shirou drew his sword—its blade humming.
The silvery moonlight gathered on the three-foot blade. Flames infused with fantasy danced upon the edge, seven parts shaping the dreamlike form, while three parts roared into raw sword aura. One swing, and it felt like the sky could be split in half.
"Tch, it's still missing something. I need more reference designs for Noble Phantasms."
He lowered the blade. All his current techniques had been self-developed from wandering the world. Without any formal teacher, few could even qualify to guide him. His greatest mentors were the swords themselves.
But renowned swords and Noble Phantasms were rare, and not easily found.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Huh? Who's calling at this hour?
"Hello? What's up?" Shirou answered. A voice from the Zhou clan came through, and the matter quickly became clear in his mind.
Ah—right. It was time. Time to set off for Tokyo.
——
The next morning at breakfast, Shirou tapped on the table. "I've got an announcement. All today's classes are canceled."
"Woohoo!"
Melusine, freshly dragged out of bed, was still dazed—but upon hearing that, she quietly cheered. In this house, Shirou's word carried absolute authority. Not even Nono, the head steward, could overrule it.
Nono shot Melusine a sideways glance and snorted softly. You might dodge a test today, little dragon, but you won't dodge them all forever.
Then she turned to Shirou and asked, "Is it time for the meeting in Tokyo?"
"Yeah. The time and location are confirmed. This morning at the Tokyo Sword Museum. No idea which Zhou clan rep they're sending—hopefully a young guy who's easy to talk to, not one of those crusty old geezers."
Shirou recalled the stern, ancient faces of the Zhou elders and frowned slightly.
"So that's the deal. No training this morning, and we'll pause research this afternoon. I'll be taking the train to Tokyo and meeting up with the clan. I'll probably be back late tonight, so lunch and dinner will be on you guys…"
"I want to go too!" Xia Mi raised her hand.
Nono immediately shot back, "What for? It has nothing to do with you."
"Don't be so harsh, onee-san!" Xia Mi took a bite of her thin-skinned pork and mushroom shumai, a grain of sticky rice clinging adorably to her lip.
"I'm not going to interfere. I've been looking into Yokohama Library's archives, but they're too limited. I plan to check the Metropolitan Library in Tokyo—no delays, totally unrelated routes!"
Realizing she had overreacted, Nono raised her chin and adopted a haughty pose. "Oh? Then I'm going to Tokyo too."
Now Shirou was surprised. "You too? Why?"
"I'm not going for business. I just want to hang out. Got a problem? Oh, right—Melusine, want to come with me?"
Melusine's face immediately fell. She feared Nono would use the travel time to drill more etiquette lessons into her.
Panicked, she looked toward Shirou, eyes silently begging for help.
Shirou smiled warmly and nodded, believing he understood: Melusine must be scared of being left alone. She's just lonely…
He raised a hand and decisively finalized the plan like a commanding general, "Then Melusine will go with Nono. The four of us will head to Tokyo together. If time allows, we'll grab dinner outside before heading back."
Melusine: "…"
——
"Hurry up! That 'Enki' has been enshrined in the Chichibu Shrine since the Kamakura era! I don't care if it's behind glass—handle it carefully!"
"Bakayarō! That's the 'Ōdenta Mitsuyo,' one of the Five Greatest Swords Under Heaven! If you damage it, I swear you'll be committing seppuku on the spot!"
"Have you gathered all the records on Nagafune Yorisada's work? Don't make me repeat myself, you bunch of useless gorillas!"
Inside the Tokyo Sword Museum, yakuza members from the Yatsuki Group had taken over preparations and were working rapidly to redecorate the venue.
Despite being labeled "yakuza," most didn't have visible tattoos or flashy hairstyles. Many looked like young salarymen in suits.
After all, in Japan—where yakuza have largely gone legit—big groups like the Yatsuki had corporatized. Many of their businesses were indistinguishable from regular companies, and their employees lived like normal workers, with timecards and paychecks.
And, as in any strict corporate hierarchy, messing up meant getting chewed out by your boss.
Like now, where chaos was brewing in the museum. "Chicken and dog in chaos" would be putting it mildly.
Soon after, Minamoto Raito arrived in a dark trench coat, stepping out of an official vehicle from the Execution Bureau. As the glass doors sensed his approach, they swung open to let him in. Cold air from the central AC chilled the space with a light mist.
Raito glanced at the "No Smoking" sign, resisting the urge to light up a Mild Seven. Turning to his assistant Yabuki Sakura, he asked:
"Shirou Emiya hasn't arrived yet, right? How long until the appointment?"
"Yes," replied Sakura, dressed in slacks, suit, and long ponytail, wearing fine black-framed glasses that made her blend into the background.
"There's still 30 minutes left. Shall I assign someone to monitor his route?"
"No need. For now, show me around. Let's see how the place looks."
Raito flicked his coat aside, revealing the two alchemic masterpieces at his waist—
Spider Cutter and Dōjigiri Yasutsuna, said to be named after Minamoto no Yorimitsu's slaying of the Earth Spider and Shuten-dōji.
Sakura bowed slightly and led the way. The moment they stepped into the exhibition hall, every suit-clad staffer and burly man in black trench coats froze and bowed in respect.
Even low-level thugs knew: Minamoto Raito wasn't just the Yatsuki heir—he was the adopted son of the current patriarch and a future successor. Rumors said he would soon be promoted to Bureau Chief, a meteoric rise like a rocket.
Yet this VIP had arranged today's event to welcome… a foreign guest?
Some guessed it was the Tokyo Governor. Others thought it might be a visiting minister. Senior staff suspected someone from the Secret Party—an important hybrid from overseas.
The truth was soon revealed.
From a few modest sedans emerged a group of young people in matching outfits. Their faces and auras carried subtle similarities—but the red-haired young man at the front, with calm demeanor and suppressed sharpness, instantly drew attention.
Raito stepped forward. He immediately recognized Shirou Emiya.
And the other party had also noticed who the leader here was. Shirou strode straight toward him.
But before Raito could introduce himself—
"You're a Minamoto, descended from Minamoto no Yorimitsu?"
Shirou suddenly asked, his eyes bright with certainty.
"I am… but how did you know that?"
Raito was stunned by the sudden question.
Then he realized Shirou wasn't staring at him—he was staring at the two legendary swords at his waist.
(End of Chapter)
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