"Ugh~ My head... Where am I...?"
Shirou raised a hand to his temple and gently massaged it.
He wasn't fully awake yet, and his head was still aching.
But soon, he remembered what had happened.
"Ugh~ She actually made me accept drinks from everyone... And who brought me here?" he murmured as he sat up in bed.
Despite complaining, he was smiling.
How long had it been since he felt like this?
Ever since Miyu was kidnapped, he had spent a lot of time alone.
Loneliness was unpleasant for anyone—especially for someone who was used to the company of his younger sister and Sakura.
According to Shirou's fate, after the end of any of the three routes in Fate/stay night, the possibility of him becoming Archer still existed—but the chance was nearly zero.
EMIYA (Archer) is an alternate version of Shirou from a parallel timeline of Fate/stay night, where he made a contract with the World (Alaya) and became the Heroic Spirit EMIYA.
He acted as a Counter Guardian as part of that contract. He was summoned because he still carried the jeweled pendant Rin had used to save his life after Lancer stabbed him in the heart.
The jewel he possesses is the summoning catalyst—not the one Rin still holds at the time of the summoning.
That's why Shirou really liked Fate/Kaleid Liner. Its lighter and more family-friendly tone was something he truly appreciated.
"I guess I should decorate this room..." he muttered with a smile as he looked around the empty room he was in.
"But before that, I should go buy some gear," he said, getting out of bed and stretching a bit to wake up properly.
He hadn't just been drinking at the banquet the night before.
He had made sure to learn about many things—including the benefits that newcomers could receive.
The first was the initial fund.
Any rookie could receive a starting allowance of 100,000 Valis to buy equipment, potions, etc. That amount was more than enough for most beginners.
But in special cases, it was also possible to get more funds through a loan from the Familia.
Of course, those loans had to be repaid—no Familia wanted to support a parasite taking advantage of them.
The second benefit was combat training.
But Shirou didn't need that. He was no rookie in this area.
The last was knowledge.
In the Loki Familia's mansion, there was a massive underground library containing various books and resources for Familia members to study.
Shirou planned to visit that library soon.
After a quick freshen-up, Shirou left the room and walked to the main hall to collect his initial funds.
Even though 100,000 Valis sounded like a ridiculous amount for a rookie, that wasn't quite the case.
A single meal at the Hostess of Fertility—the tavern frequently visited by the Loki Familia—could cost thousands or even tens of thousands of Valis.
Still, it was more than enough for any beginner to buy their initial gear. And for Shirou specifically, he didn't need to spend much on weapons—at most, just a spare sword, since he could create as many as he wanted with his magic.
That alone would save a lot of money, allowing him to buy more potions and other supplies.
Shirou planned to commission an outfit similar to the one used by Sengo Muramasa—made of reinforced leather, light metal, and other durable, lightweight materials.
Aside from offering decent protection, the outfit wouldn't restrict his mobility in the slightest—and it would be cheaper than buying metal armor or something more resilient.
Additionally, he could buy potions to help restore his mana and heal wounds. After all, no matter how confident he was in his skills, one could never be sure what might happen inside the dungeon.
After getting ready, Shirou left the Twilight Mansion and walked toward the shop recommended by his seniors.
Being a member of the Loki Familia, he managed to get a nice discount. After ordering his custom outfit—scheduled to be ready later that afternoon—Shirou bought a sword and a dagger and left the store. Then he headed to a smaller shop to buy potions.
With that, all of his preparations were complete.
As for buying furniture or decorating his room? He decided to leave that for when he had more money.
Afterward, Shirou spent some time getting to know Orario better while waiting for his outfit to be finished.
A few hours later, he returned to the store to pick up his clothes.
His outfit consisted of a tight, sleeveless black vest that covered his torso and had a short collar, layered with a white haori (a traditional Japanese coat) with wide sleeves and a tribal gray pattern on the shoulders.
Black bracers covered part of his forearms and hands, leaving his fingers free.
He wore black pants with layered segments that resembled a short skirt with side slits. They featured light gray or white wave-like patterns and were tied with a large red obi (Japanese sash), stylishly knotted at the front with two long tails. Small pouches hung from the sides.
His sandals had firm soles, black straps, and red details.
White vertical lines decorated the outfit, giving it an elegant and structured look.
There were also red cords hanging from the sides of the obi, adding a refined touch.
After changing in a fitting room inside the shop, he returned to the Twilight Mansion.
"So, what did you think of Orario, Shirou? Beautiful, isn't it?" Loki, who was sitting in the courtyard enjoying the cool night air, waved at him as he returned.
"Yeah, Orario has a unique beauty compared to other cities I've been to."
Naturally, Shirou had never visited any other cities in this world, so he compared it to the city he used to live in—Fuyuki—and the cities he and Kiritsugu had visited during their travels.
Compared to a modern city, Orario really did have a distinct charm.
"Of course! Orario is the most beautiful city in this world!" Loki laughed, giving Shirou a pat on the shoulder.
"You look great in those clothes—you've got good taste~ Soft, flexible, and sturdy—and stylish, too," Loki praised as she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"When do you plan to enter the dungeon?"
Each Familia in Orario has its specialty. For example, the Hephaestus and Goibniu Familias are blacksmith-types, while the Demeter Familia focuses on agriculture.
The Loki Familia, on the other hand, specializes in exploration.
"In two or three days. I plan to go to the library and find some books about the dungeon and monsters to study."
"A great philosopher once said: 'He who anticipates the enemy and knows the terrain has a greater chance of victory.'"
"I see. That's a smart mindset—I'm glad you're thinking ahead. Dinner is almost ready, go freshen up. I'm sure they'll try to get you drunk again~"
(...Maybe I should skip dinner...?) Shirou wondered, unconsciously recalling the night before.
Giving one last glance at Loki—who had sat back down to enjoy the evening breeze with her signature smile—Shirou smiled and returned to his room.
"Somehow, Loki reminds me of Fuji-nee..." Shirou murmured, thinking of Taiga Fujimura—a reckless, clumsy woman prone to sudden bouts of extreme laziness or enthusiasm.
---
Two days passed quickly, and Shirou, having completed all his preparations, left the Twilight Mansion early in the morning and headed for the dungeon alone.
The reason he was going alone was simple—he had turned down the help of his seniors.
Even though it would be his first time entering the dungeon, Shirou didn't want anyone around teaching him basic things he already knew.
Although he no longer had the same strength he had during the Holy Grail War, mere goblins or kobolds would never pose a real threat to him.
As he walked through the still-quiet morning streets, Shirou breathed in the fresh air, preparing himself to face the dungeon.
The closer he got to the towering Babel, the more adventurers and supporters he saw, all fully equipped and walking through the streets.
Shirou didn't need a supporter to help him—he could collect everything himself.
By the time he finally reached Babel Tower, the surrounding area was already crowded. Many adventurers were gathered in groups of three or five, waiting for the rest of their parties to arrive.
Some looked relaxed, while others were clearly nervous or afraid.
But no matter how they felt, they were all armed.
After all, the dungeon could not be underestimated. Any mistake—no matter how small—could be fatal.
"Alright, let's do this," Shirou murmured, walking through the crowd and approaching the dungeon entrance.
It was a massive hole—like a giant well. Through an enormous spiral staircase, Shirou and many other adventurers descended into the dungeon.
After going down the spiral stairs, he finally reached the first floor of the dungeon.
As he stepped onto the first floor, Shirou took a deep breath, pulled a cloth from his backpack, and tied it around his forehead.
"Trace On..." Shirou whispered, summoning Kanshou and Bakuya and gripping them firmly in his hands.
"Let's begin..."
---
(End of the chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."