Chapter 20. Can Divine Constructs be Projected in the Danmachi World?
"Senji Muramasa... Senji Muramasa..."
At the breakfast table, Tiona chewed on her spoon, repeating the name like a mantra before suddenly snapping her head up, eyes sparkling.
"It really is super cool! It sounds like one of those eccentric old blacksmith grandpas who lives as a hermit deep in the mountains but is ridiculously strong!"
Pfft—
Shirou Emiya, who was drinking milk, nearly choked to death. An old blacksmith grandpa? While Tiona's intuition was frighteningly accurate in a sense (referring to the Heroic Spirit he channeled, Senji Muramasa), being evaluated that way by a beautiful girl left him with mixed feelings.
"Hey, 'Muramasa'."
The werewolf Bete, sitting opposite him, pushed an empty plate over with a look of displeasure.
"More meat. Since you've got such a flashy title, your cooking speed better keep up too."
"Yes, yes, Lord Bete."
Shirou took the plate helplessly. Though Bete was sharp-tongued, his attitude toward Shirou had softened significantly since the "Pass Parade" incident—at least he was willing to eat Shirou's food now.
After all, [Today's Menu for the Emiya Family] was no joke.
"However, Emiya."
Finn elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth. "Since you've reached Level 2 and obtained your Alias, according to Guild custom, you have a 'Mandatory Rest Period'."
"A rest period?"
"Correct," Riveria explained. "An adventurer who has just ranked up needs time for their mind and body to adapt to the new 'vessel.' If you jump immediately into high-intensity Dungeon exploration, accidents can easily happen due to poor power control."
"Three days, then..."
Shirou rubbed his chin. For someone used to being busy, suddenly having free time felt a bit unsettling. In his memory as a [Hero of Justice] from EMIYA... he was the most overworked laborer for the Counter Force. Leisure time was truly a luxury. Even going back to his time as just "Shirou Emiya," he was constantly asked to do various chores by a certain seaweed-haired classmate.
"Since I can't go to the deep floors, I'll stay at the Familia and organize my equipment," Shirou decided.
.
.
.
After breakfast, the others left for the Dungeon expedition, and the Twilight Manor grew quiet. Shirou sat on a bench in the courtyard, seemingly researching... whether he could project those [Divine Constructs] he knew from his original world.
"Um... Emiya."
A cool, clear voice drifted over. Ais Wallenstein stood beneath the corridor at some point, clutching her beloved sword, Desperate.
"Ais? You didn't go to the Dungeon today?" Shirou was surprised.
"Finn said I should take a day off too." Ais walked over to him, looking a bit hesitant. "I heard... you can 'read' swords?"
"Read swords?" Shirou blinked, then understood. "You mean 'Structural Analysis'? Yeah, I can understand them to an extent."
"Then... could you look at this for me?" Ais handed her rapier over, her eyes holding a mix of expectation and nervousness, like a parent handing their child over to a doctor for a checkup.
"Of course."
Shirou took the silver rapier. It was heavy, and the blade radiated a piercing chill. This was a First-Tier weapon forged by the Goibniu Familia, a divine tool possessing the "unbreakable" attribute.
"Trace—On."
Emerald magic circuits flowed from his fingertips into the blade. In that instant, Shirou felt as if he could hear the sword's breathing. He felt the microscopic fatigue left by countless swings, the nearly invisible stress damage deep within the metal, and... the sword's own will and hunger for battle.
"It's well-maintained," Shirou said, opening his eyes in admiration. "Despite countless fierce battles, the edge remains as sharp as ever. Ais, you cherish it very much."
"Yes. It is my... other half." Ais nodded, her lips curving slightly upward at Shirou's praise.
"However..." Shirou's tone shifted as his finger brushed a tiny scratch near the crossguard. "Right here, there's a slight misalignment in the internal structure. It doesn't affect use now, but in a high-intensity clash, it might cause a delay in mana conduction."
"A delay?" Ais was startled. For her, whose combat style was defined by speed, even a millisecond of delay could be fatal.
"Don't worry, I can fix it."
Shirou took a deep breath and slowly injected mana. He didn't use fire; instead, he used mana to directly interfere with the metallic molecular arrangement, gently "pushing" the misalignment back into place.
"Trace on."
Hum—! The blade let out a crisp ring, as if cheering. The silver light became even more dazzling than before.
"There." Shirou returned the sword. "It's in perfect condition now. Want to try it?"
Ais took the sword and performed a casual flourish. Swish! The air was sliced effortlessly, and the frictionless smoothness made her eyes light up.
"Incredible..." Ais looked at Shirou, her golden eyes shimmering with admiration. "It feels better than when I get it serviced at the shop. Emiya... really is 'Muramasa'."
"I'm just familiar with swords," Shirou smiled.
"Um..." Ais suddenly took a step closer, so close that Shirou could smell her faint, clean fragrance. "In return, I want to help you too."
"Help me?"
"Yes." Ais nodded earnestly. "You can't go to the deep floors, but I can accompany you in the courtyard... to practice. I can teach you a faster sword."
This was a one-on-one private lesson from the "Sword Princess." An opportunity countless people in Orario dreamed of.
"Then I'll be in your care, Ais-sensei," Shirou said without pretense, picking up a nearby wooden sword and standing up.
Under the sunlight, the red-haired youth and the blonde girl's figures intertwined. It was not just a sparring of swordsmanship, but a process where two hearts grew closer amidst the clashing of blades.
.
.
.
At noon.
Having finished his training, Shirou left the Twilight Manor carrying a lunch box. To thank Ais for her guidance, he had made a special lunch for her, but he also had to go out to buy ingredients for dinner.
Passing by the West Main Street, Shirou stopped at the entrance of " Hostess of Fertility."
"Might as well deliver that thing I promised."
It was the lunch break, and there were no customers in the tavern. He pushed the door open to find a few staff members cleaning.
"Welcome—Ah, Emiya-san!" Ryuu Lion, who was wiping a table, looked up. An imperceptible softness flickered in her sky-blue eyes when she saw him.
"Miss Ryuu, good afternoon." Shirou shook a small paper bag in his hand. "I'm here to return a favor. Thanks for helping me out last time (referring to the detox juice)."
"It was nothing," Ryuu put down her cloth and walked over. "Besides, you saved me as well."
"This is for you." Shirou handed her the bag. "It's a new dish I experimented with: 'Honey-Marinated Lemons.' It's very effective for recovering from fatigue, and I thought you'd like the refreshing taste."
Ryuu paused and took the bag. Inside was an exquisite small glass jar, filled with golden lemon slices soaking in honey, looking crystal clear.
"Specifically... for me?" Ryuu asked softly.
"Yeah. I felt this sweet and sour flavor suited you well," Shirou said with a smile. "Since you're always so tense, you should take in some sugar once in a while."
"Meddling..." Ryuu turned her head away, but her hand gripped the jar tightly.
"By the way, that Alias..." Ryuu spoke up suddenly. "[Senji Muramasa]."
"Ahaha, is it weird?" Shirou scratched his head awkwardly. "I think it's a bit 'chunibyo' myself..."
"No." Ryuu turned back to look at Shirou earnestly. "I think it suits you perfectly."
"Eh?"
"Muramasa, the legendary demonic blade that severs karma and destiny." Ryuu's gaze deepened, as if she were looking through Shirou's body to the soul that swung a blade for justice in the alleys. "Your sword is swung to protect, but the resolve within it is sharper than anyone's. If it is that blade... perhaps it really can sever the 'malice' spreading through this city."
Shirou looked at Ryuu. This elf, who had once been scarred by the pursuit of vengeance and justice, was now looking at him with eyes full of trust.
"Severing malice, huh..." Shirou clenched his fist, feeling the power known as [Unlimited Blade Works] within him.
"Yeah. If it's something that must be cut." Shirou gave a confident smile. "Whether it's the Evilus or something else. As long as it stands in the way of everyone's happiness, I will cut it down.
That is the way of a [Hero of Justice]."
Looking at the youth's smile, Ryuu's heart skipped a beat. That radiant light made her—someone accustomed to walking in the shadows—long to draw closer.
"...Idiot," Ryuu lowered her head, her face appearing slightly flushed.
It had to be said... Ryuu's original Familia represented the concept of [Justice]. And "Emiya Shirou" was also a very stubborn [Hero of Justice]. While their personalities weren't a perfect match, they were both, at the very least, pursuing the same ideal.
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