Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

He guessed that it was probably because the final battle with her sister was imminent, and Aoko had been in a state of extreme excitement lately.

Then, after leaving Misaki (in her daily life), her excitement level reached a new high.

What should I do in this situation?

There was nothing he could do but obediently comply with her. Shirou hadn't forgotten that he came out today to help Aoko relieve stress.

So no matter how much trouble Aoko causes today, Shirou will just accept it with a smile.

……

……

"Excuse me, big sister, what did you just say? I think I misheard you?"

Although the Golden Wolf boy still had a smile on his face, he had lost his initial composure and calmness.

A girl's voice drifted from the thick fog.

"You heard me right, I said you're weak."

"what!"

A gust of wind swept around the feet of the Golden Wolf Boy.

Perhaps it's because its mood has changed.

The scent of wild beasts transformed into a fierce wind that burned the atmosphere, creating a vortex in the heart of the thick fog.

Beowulf has fought many formidable enemies so far, but this enemy is clearly different from the previous ones.

This feeling was hard to describe—the wolf boy even doubted whether he was really having a conversation with a living being.

"Is that so... Are you looking down on me, big sister...!"

As it uttered words filled with anger, the golden beast's body began to grow larger.

His hair was like burning golden flames, his muscles were as strong as demonic fangs, and his whole body was covered with spiky hair.

By constantly drawing on the magic in the atmosphere, its form of existence becomes increasingly similar to the fantasy of the Age of Gods.

Then, the golden beast named "Beowulf" swaggered into the depths of the thick fog.

Even when faced with an immense mystery that is completely incomprehensible and unknowable, the Golden Beast still stands tall and maintains its kingly demeanor.

"Come on, let's play real house!"

In the thick fog, only the witch's murmured whispers reflected reality like blood.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze arose.

In the thick fog where nothing could be seen, danger was sensed approaching.

A strange bird appeared to the right rear.

With an eerie pure white body and deadly bright red beak and claws, it spread its wings and pounced on the werewolf boy.

Its long beak and hooked claws pierced towards the golden wolf's neck—

Beowulf remained motionless, and the strange bird that appeared in the thick fog also remained still in its pouncing posture.

At the critical moment, the werewolf boy raised his right arm to block the attack.

Without using any magic or even relying on his powerful physique, the Golden Wolf blocked the strange bird's attack using only his body hair.

then.

"Thorn--!"

The golden beast swung its claws, tearing the strange bird into pieces of flesh.

"Well, he doesn't seem that amazing... In the end, he's just a human magician."

Beowulf, with a calm smile, looked down at the monster's limbs and entrails that he had torn apart.

"This is your final destination."

—The girl's voice echoed, and the fog grew even thicker.

"?"

With just a blink of an eye, the monster's shattered corpse vanished in the blink of an eye.

Anger flashed across Golden Wolf's face.

Ultimately, no matter how noble its origins or how many centuries it has lived, its thought process remains at the level of a wild beast.

After you have made your move, the prey must leave behind its carcass—this is the natural order of things.

"Hmph... Another one of those tricks called magic. In that case, I'll just kill your true form."

Deep within the thick fog, the shadowy figure of a girl could be seen floating uncertainly.

Beowulf's intuition told it that killing the girl would make the obstructive fog disappear.

As for the alien monsters hidden in the thick fog—

After their exchange, Beowulf realized that it was no match for him.

Aozaki Touko once said that mystery will be defeated by mystery that is stronger than itself.

Although Beowulf existed for only a "short" few hundred years, that was the time it took to gain intellect as a living being.

Its true origins date back even further.

Long before mystery vanished from the earth's surface, long before the Roman Empire conquered Britain, long before "the first magic (Yumina)" was born.

The world may be vast, but a fantasy like Beowulf's is unique.

Compared to it, both Aozaki Touko, the master, and her enemies are only in their twenties.

Their mystery was nothing compared to Beowulf's.

—More monsters are attacking from the thick fog.

The crocodile-like monster swam across the land, and before it could bite the golden beast, it was pounced on and torn to pieces.

A dragon-like monster emerged from the thick fog, its flames scorching the wolf's mane, but that was all; the golden wolf, like lightning, snapped its neck.

The countless jaws that had previously annihilated the puppet army also appeared, their countless teeth gnawing at the wolf's body and completely swallowing it.

But seconds later, the teeth scattered like shot, and like a mythical reenactment, the golden wolf, burning with flames, reappeared.

A giant claw emerged from the thick fog-shrouded sky.

Judging from the proportions, the monster's body must be at least over fifty meters tall.

A single strike from such a giant claw would be enough to tear the world apart. If it hits directly, the young golden wolf would be crushed into a meat patty, and even a hit to the side would kill it instantly.

But Beowulf, without fear, chose to meet the challenge head-on.

Its body hair stood on end, making it appear as if it had turned into a fluid.

The golden wolf howled at the moon as if displaying its joy, its golden light shining as it began to unleash its power.

Ultimately, the outcome was decided in a single blow.

The beast, transformed into a spear of light, leaped onto the white giant claw that was tearing the world apart, and bit off the wrist with its sharp teeth.

The golden beast roared as it proclaimed its victory, bathing in the monster's splattered crimson blood.

As a result, the witch's rose garden still could not create a monster stronger than the golden beast.

Beowulf proudly defeated all the monsters and came before the girl.

The monsters from before were somewhat powerful, but the girl in the mist was so fragile that Golden Wolf laughed.

Human beings have experienced the weakness of this species far too many times.

Then, Beowulf mercilessly swung his front paws and smashed the girl's head like a watermelon.

Blood and brains were splattered all over the ground; the outcome was decided.

"As expected, I am the best."

Golden Wolf stared at the headless corpse lying on the ground and came to this obvious conclusion.

……

……

"Uh... um..."

Shirou felt dizzy, so he twisted his neck.

The pillow feels strange to me today; it's a bit firm, yet inexplicably soft, and it has a pleasant fragrance.

Shirou, half asleep and half awake, rolled over and buried his face in the triangular crevice of the pillow.

It's so refreshing and cool, it's wonderful!

This feels like... fabric, and it seems to be waterproof...

"Ok?"

Shirou, sensing something was wrong, suddenly opened his eyes.

Then, what came into view was a familiar, brightly colored pattern—the very pattern of the bikini Aoko was wearing.

It was only then that Shirou finally came to terms with his current situation.

He appears to have fallen asleep while soaking in the hot spring.

This situation has occurred occasionally since the Fourth World War. This time, the event jump was initiated to ask Orange to create a new body.

Then, Aoko moved the sleeping Shirou onto her lap.

This is what is known as a lap pillow.

So the fabric we just saw was—

It's Aoko's bikini, the fabric underneath.

"!!"

Shirou turned his head nervously and saw Aoko's face turning red.

What have I done?!

Even though he was asleep, he buried his face in the girl's inner thigh... Even if he were killed on the spot by a magic bullet, Shirou would accept it.

However, Aoko showed no signs of losing her temper.

"Shirou...? You're finally awake?"

"I'm sorry, I was so rude just now."

Shirou quickly moved away from Aoko's lap, and she nodded, indicating "don't take it to heart."

"Qingzi, when did I fall asleep?"

"When I went to the room to get the wine, I came back to find you asleep, Shirou."

I was thinking of shaking you awake to drink together, but I found I couldn't wake you no matter what I did, so...

Shirou said apologetically, "Oh, I see... I'm sorry, I've ruined your precious hot spring trip."

Aoko shook her head seriously: "That's not true. Thanks to Shirou, I was able to relax properly."

Then, she looked at the boy cautiously and asked, "Shirou, your body..."

"It's just a minor side effect. It won't affect your combat or daily life, so don't worry about it."

Shirou looked away, and Aoko muttered.

"How could I not take it to heart?"

Shirou felt uneasy that Aoko had discovered his secret.

"It's so cold——"

Shirou shivered.

It's the end of December, and he and Aoko are half-naked on the terrace of the Japanese-style room at the hot spring inn. They're sure to catch a cold if they stay like this.

"It's getting a little chilly, let's go back to the hot springs for a soak and then rest."

Shirou was about to get up when Aoko grabbed his wrist tightly.