Jobless Reincarnation: Emiya the Great Hero Must Show His True Skills

"Looking at something?"

Ariel looked confused, not expecting the other person to say such a thing.

If it weren't for the fact that it was Shirou in front of her, she would have thought he was telling some dirty joke.

But Shirou clearly wouldn't say such meaningless words. He spoke seriously: "Yes, I can understand your idea of ​​abandoning everything and running away, but I also want to tell you that running away is definitely not the way to happiness. Therefore, I will show you the consequences of choosing the wrong path, and show you my whole self!"

Chapter 321 I will tell you the story of a righteous partner.

In modern romance dramas, anime, and movies, the male and female protagonists often elope, leaving behind their original social relationships and escaping to a secluded corner of the world to live a simple but happy life, ending with this kind of story.

The reason for this ending is that the male and female protagonists were unable to overcome the conflicts that occurred in their original social circles, and the creator of the story was too exhausted to devise a more reasonable ending that would resolve all the conflicts in the story, so he simply chose to abandon everything as the ending.

And this is precisely the essence of humanity.

Rather than facing difficulties head-on and confronting unsolvable problems, humans are more likely to choose to escape reality and ignore potential problems by numbing themselves.

However, as the saying goes, escaping is shameful but useful.

Escaping reality can indeed lead to regret for failing to address the crises that should have been resolved, but by overcoming this, people can often find redemption.

Shirou doesn't deny the option of escaping, but only if it's a choice made from the heart, a last resort when all other options are exhausted...

If there is still a solution to the problem, and if there is still time to prepare for the crisis before it arrives, then one should not choose to escape, but should do everything in one's power and use all available means to try to cope with it.

If you can't win even after trying your best, escaping reality might be a last resort.

Let's return to the question of Ariel.

Ariel did indeed encounter a huge obstacle in becoming queen, and it may take her a long time to overcome it, and she may not even be able to gain Percius's approval in the end.

However, the possibility of failure does not mean that we should give up now.

Because conversely, the other party also has a chance of success.

As long as there is still a sliver of possibility, one should never give up or surrender easily. No matter how ugly or shameful it may seem, one should fight with all one's might until the very last moment.

This was Shirou's thought, and also the choice he had made.

Now, facing Ariel who is wavering, confused, and unable to see the way forward, Shirou decides to take action to make her understand the consequences of making the wrong choice.

But what exactly is required to avoid disastrous consequences?

……

The boundless wilderness and endless wheat fields gradually receded into the distance, leaving only green grasslands.

Shirou led a fine horse forward silently, while a girl with long golden hair sat on the horse, holding the reins with an elegant posture.

"Shirou, aren't you coming up and riding with me?"

As Shirou moved forward, Ariel spoke in her beautiful voice.

She clearly felt that Shirou could sit on the horse's back, and the two of them could ride together.

"No, no need."

Shirou shook his head and instinctively looked at Ariel behind him. He briefly imagined the two of them riding together on a horse, and he realized he would need to hold her in his arms. He immediately rejected the idea.

That kind of thing was still too stimulating for him.

"Why? Do you think riding horses with me is a nasty thing?"

Ariel didn't quite understand, and her attitude was even somewhat depressed.

Shirou knew this was because Ariel had been experiencing frequent setbacks lately, causing her to become insecure.

At this moment, he naturally wouldn't take advantage of the situation, so he quickly made an excuse, saying, "Compared to riding a horse, leading the horse like this can strengthen my physique and help me get used to this armor."

Shirou's words were both an excuse and not an excuse.

Because he truly needed to continuously adapt to the armor the Sword God had given him, so that he could wield the Blade of Light even while wearing the heavy armor as soon as possible.

"Armor..."

Ariel noticed the heavy-looking armor Shirou was always wearing. Although she was curious, she didn't ask any questions.

After all, it involved areas she didn't understand, and if she said anything too casual, it would only make the other person dislike her.

Ariel doesn't know when it started, but she found herself becoming very concerned about Shirou's attitude towards her.

She usually doesn't care much about what others think of her.

In fact, most people like her very much.

From a young age, Ariel discovered that she possessed a natural charm that could attract almost everyone. This charm grew stronger as she grew older, until she was able to win the favor of almost everyone.

Even her political opponents, when not in a position to fight, would often give her a gentle look. Only her mortal enemies would truly hate her, but such people were a minority...

Therefore, Ariel has almost become accustomed to the fact that most people like and respect her.

However, as Ariel grew up, she discovered that not everyone in the world would take special care of her because of her appearance and temperament.

Many people, on the contrary, will hate themselves, despise themselves, and reject themselves because of this.

When faced with this situation, Ariel did not appear helpless. On the contrary, she skillfully managed the distance between herself and others, making fewer people dislike her and more people like her.

For her, making people around her feel good about her is as natural as breathing.

Even with Shirou, although he always seemed to reject the presence of those around him and kept his distance from others, Ariel could sense that he also had feelings for her.

However, it is precisely because of this that Ariel understands even more that someone like Shirou will not show loyalty to someone simply because of a good feeling.

Because people like this often have firm goals, unwavering will, and the determination to achieve their objectives at all costs.

Simple words cannot sway their will, and an empty shell cannot gain their approval.

So in reality, Ariel already knew that she could not gain the approval of the Ankylosaurus.

Because Ankylosaurus and Shirou are fundamentally the same kind of people; they are both stubborn beings with clear goals, unwavering will, and a determination that will never change their wishes.

In contrast, Ariel is not that kind of person.

She did not have such a firm will, clear ideals, or the belief to achieve her goals by any means necessary.

Compared to Shirou, she is too empty and too humble.

It's just an empty shell, a puppet that can only shake the audience's spirit with false words on stage, but can't evoke any resonance in the audience's soul.

Ariel understood all of this very well, which is why she asked Shirou, "If I give up becoming king, would you be willing to be with me?"

For Ariel, she herself was already a false and meaningless existence, so she might as well get closer to those real people.

Only in this way can one truly feel that they are still alive, and not just a useless prop.

Of course, there might be some more basic emotion involved, but Ariel was too incapable to think about those things at the moment.

Moreover, Shirou did not agree to her request.

The other party couldn't even fulfill such a simple and pure wish for her.

This undoubtedly disappointed Ariel, but at the same time, she was also very curious about what Shirou wanted to present to her.

Shirou and Ariel arrived in the countryside. To their right was a clear stream, and to their left were empty plains and forests.

Even in the north, the land is lush and green during this season.

Previously, there were potato fields and wheat fields, but now there is only a vast wilderness with nothing left.

Shirou wasn't sure how long they had been moving, but it seemed they had arrived in a deserted area.

The fish in the river reflected a shimmering light under the sunlight.

This seems to be a good place for fishing. If he has the chance, Shirou plans to come here and catch a few fish to take back for dinner.

Of course, these are not important.

"Here we are."

Shirou stopped the horse in an open area and let Ariel dismount.

Ariel looked around and found that there was nothing around her; it was a completely desolate place.

She joked, "Shirou, you didn't deliberately lure me to a place like this so you could kidnap me and turn me into a slave, did you?"

"How can it be."

Shirou decisively denied it.

But he also knew that Ariel was joking; he could tell from the smile on the girl's face.

However, although Ariel was indeed smiling, her smile seemed much emptier than before, and it was clear that she had lost something.

Shirou didn't say anything, but led Ariel to an open space. After making some preparations, he said to Ariel, "Before we begin, can I tell you a story?"

"story?"

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Ariel's expression gradually turned serious. She knew that what he was about to say might be very important, and she no longer showed any casualness.

Shirou wasted no time on this and quickly told Ariel everything that had happened to him.

Having previously told the story to Alice, Shirou spoke even more smoothly this time, without any obscure parts.

Ariel herself has a very high level of comprehension. She did not interrupt Shirou's narration at all, yet she almost understood what Shirou was describing.

From the time Shirou was saved by Kiritsugu Emiya as a child and accepted the latter's ideals of seeking justice, to later, when Shirou chose to abandon justice for his sister Miyu and fight to protect his family...

The story itself isn't long, but listening to Shirou's narration of Ariel's story made it feel like an eternity had passed.

It wasn't until a gentle breeze blew from a short distance away, ruffling her hair, that the girl suddenly awoke, realizing that a considerable amount of time had passed.

"In short, this is what I went through."

Shirou spoke quietly, "This isn't an interesting story, nor is it a heroic tale. It's just that, in a time when I had no choice, I had to sacrifice everything to save someone important to me..."

"No, in my opinion, Shirou, you are almost no different from a hero."

Ariel spoke with shock.

Although there were many inconsistencies in Shirou's narration, even Iris noticed the problem. As the second princess, who was more perceptive than Iris, Ariel almost instantly judged that the story Shirou was telling might not have taken place in the Kingdom of Asura, or even in this world.

But she didn't care where the story took place; she simply felt respect for everything Shirou had accomplished and realized more and more that he was a powerful person.

This strength is not just physical power, but also a tenacious and unyielding spirit.

It made Ariel feel genuine respect for it.

"No, I am not a hero."

Shirou shook his head again at Ariel's attitude, "I didn't become a hero. Compared to me, the other me is the one who became a hero."

"You mean the future you who lent you that power?"

"Yes."

Shirou nodded and looked at Ariel. "Becoming a hero is a difficult thing, because it is destined to be accompanied by pain, despair, and danger, and you can never enjoy the peace and happiness of ordinary people."

"This……"

Ariel fell silent.

Everyone can understand the big principles, but most people clearly cannot grasp the true meaning of these words.

Shirou knew that Ariel couldn't understand, so he quietly said, "That was my own story, but it was essentially to help you understand what happened. What I really want to tell you is what happened to another me, the future me."

"Future you?"

Ariel looked confused; she clearly couldn't understand such an abstract concept.

Shirou didn't pay much attention to this and quickly described it, telling the story of another version of him, the Heroic Spirit Emiya.

He tells the story of how the Heroic Spirit Emiya sacrificed everything in pursuit of justice, constantly walking the path of righteousness, and finally made a contract with the world, saving countless people at the cost of it. However, he was ultimately betrayed by the very people he saved and sent to the gallows. Because of this, after death he was bound by the Counter Force, becoming a tool used by the Counter Force to protect humanity, and embarking on a path contrary to justice...

"..."

Upon hearing Shirou's story, Ariel fell into an even longer silence than before.

Unlike Shirou's story, Emiya's story is a pure tragedy filled with sorrow and suffering, with no redemption in sight.

In contrast, even though Shirou endured a great deal of suffering, at least the ending was beautiful; he accomplished the salvation he sought.

Ariel suddenly seemed to understand what Shirou was trying to say for himself.

But she couldn't express her thoughts from her heart.

At the same time, Shirou didn't comment much on Emiya's tragic life. He simply walked silently to the center of the open space and looked at the lines on his palm.

"When a person aspires to be a hero, they must be prepared to pay a price. Similarly, if they want to give up the path of heroism and become an ordinary person, they must also make a huge sacrifice. We cannot be sure which path is more correct, nor can we see what kind of end we will reach, but at least I think that what we must do as human beings is not to regret our choices."