Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"Well, thank you."

The silver-haired homunculus smiled back: "That's what I thought too, Saber... It's so good that you're my servant."

……

……

Today, the city of Einzbern was liberated from the long-awaited snowstorm.

Although the sky wasn't exactly clear, the milky white sky was much brighter than on a snowy day.

At her Master's enthusiastic invitation (and a bit of spoiled pouting), Saber was dragged out of the castle, and the two strolled across the boundless snowfield.

Perhaps their previous conversation had opened their hearts to each other, and Saber, who never touched on other people's secrets, took the initiative to speak.

"Irisviel, what do you want to do after the war ends?"

It's not Einzbern's wish, but your personal wish.

"desire……"

Upon hearing this question, the silver-haired android stopped in its tracks.

Saber was unaware that Irisviel would not survive until after the war.

Even if they are lucky enough to defeat all six groups of enemies, she will have to become the final sacrifice for the Holy Grail along with Saber.

Although I am destined to have no future, let me indulge in a little fantasy for this very moment.

Irisviel spoke of the wish that had been buried deep in her heart.

"It's less of a wish and more of a dream—"

Saber, I want a child.

"……evil."

Saber gave a look of utter disgust, as if something was incredibly troublesome.

Although she disliked the topic of parenting at all, she didn't want to spoil the princess's interest, so she went along with it and asked.

"Does Irisviel want to be a mother?"

"Hmm," the silver-haired android nodded with a longing expression, "It would be great if she were a cute girl. It's okay if she's a little mischievous, but..."

Hehe, a lively yet steady boy seems like a good choice too.

Volume 1, Chapter 28: The Summoning of Heroic Spirits with "Optimal Compatibility"

"The strongest Saber...King Arthur!"

Shirou Amamiya was unaware that his body was trembling.

This phenomenon is known in Japan as "Musha-jin," a physiological occurrence caused by a surge of adrenaline on the battlefield or in the presence of a powerful enemy.

Shirou was as excited as Shinji when discussing anime: As expected, King Arthur from the pan-human history is also the strongest!

I wonder which is stronger, King Arthur here or me in my prime – "Fairy Knight Arthur"?

Which is stronger, the Knights of the Round Table from the pan-human history or my "Fairy Round Table"?

In the past, Shirou could only learn about King Arthur's life and deeds based on fragmented information from "drifting objects".

Only after returning to pan-human history was he able to learn the full picture of the legend.

According to legend, he was a perfect knight who embodied many qualities such as kindness, nobility, justice, and humility, and was loved and worshipped by the people and his subordinates.

Wow, she totally blows me away with her personal charm...

I am the man whom the fairies call a tyrant and a lowly king.

If Lord Knight King knew that in another world of Britain, there was a villain impersonating him and stirring up wars everywhere, he would be furious, wouldn't he?

However, Shirou really likes King Arthur.

If you don't like someone, you can't use their name, right?

"I want to shine like the Knights of the Round Table! To become a man among men, a knight among knights, like King Arthur!"

Shirou also harbored similar thoughts in his youth.

Although this idea was ultimately defeated by the ruthless reality of the Fairy Kingdom, that's a story for another time.

"Of course, my favorite is still Morgan, um, by the way..."

Morgana, the queen consort and the king's sister, is the main antagonist in the Arthurian legend.

She doesn't seem to be the same person as Morgan, whom Shirou knows.

Although they are both powerful witches skilled in magic, they have nothing in common in terms of personality or experience.

Morgan of the Fairy Kingdom is kind-hearted and full of a sense of justice; Morgan of the Pan-Human History is vicious and full of jealousy.

My Morgan is both beautiful and pure; Morgan of the Pendragon family is both alluring and dissolute.

If possible, Shirou really doesn't want to acknowledge Morgan on this side.

Okay, it’s decided!

If you encounter Morgana, the enchantress from the Pan-Human History faction, in the Holy Grail War, you must give her a good beating! Make her admit the mistakes she made!

In short, although the Arthurian legend was only a small part, it did reignite Shirou's long-dormant fighting spirit.

While going to and from school every day, playing with the Matou siblings, and taking care of Fujiwara's peaceful daily life, Shirou is enthusiastically preparing for the Fourth Holy Grail War.

It took Shirou more than a month to set up an impenetrable barrier at the Amemiya residence, transforming it into a magical fortress that rivaled Matou Mushiku's.

Then there's the only enemy currently in the open—the complete surveillance of the Tohsaka family.

Shirou picked up the low-level familiar manipulation magic he had abandoned halfway through.

When choosing a familiar, a crow was selected.

The crows of Britain are very friendly with Morgan and the sage Grimm, but Shirou has never gotten along with these clever and cunning creatures.

Because they always steal the food Shirou makes!

After barely managing to get the crows of Fuyuki to obey him, Shirou sent some of them to the vicinity of the Tohsaka Mansion, while the rest were scattered throughout the streets of Fukayama Town and Shinto.

Of course, surveillance has also been arranged for the Church, a neutral zone in the Holy Grail War located on the outskirts of the new capital.

The task of finding the summoning catalyst was entrusted to Matou Tsuruno.

Zouken Matou possesses vast overseas assets, and Shirou decides to borrow some from his allies as temporary war funds.

Shirou: "I'm thinking of selling a few stocks to buy relics. Grandpa, you don't mind, do you?"

Little Yellow Duck (not started): "..."

Silence means no opinion.

"Apple's stock price has dropped another 50% this year. Sigh, I'll just sell it at a loss for you."

Little Yellow Duck (not started): "..."

Shirou's Holy Grail War was being prepared and planned meticulously and systematically.

Soon, Matou Tsuruno obtained the catalyst for the summoning from overseas channels—

It was an exquisite ebony box that looked very expensive.

Shirou carefully opened it, and inside was a piece of wood with signs of processing, emanating a lingering magical aura.

"This is……"

Matou Tsuruno nodded: "This is the planned relic, the 'Round Table,' one of its fragments."

In the past, many knights who could take on a thousand men gathered around this round table to exchange ideas.

To protect their homeland, Britain, they will not wield swords, but clash with words.

"Well done, Tsuruno."

Shirou stroked the wooden piece with his fingers, as if he could feel a trace of warmth left by that legend.

Matou Tsuruno said, "It's just... impossible to predict which Knight of the Round Table will be summoned. It should be a Heroic Spirit that matches Shirou's temperament."

Without using a catalyst, a magician can summon a Servant whose mental structure is similar to their own.

Shirou nodded: "I heard from the old man that most of the Knights of the Round Table are at least first-class Servants."

If we could summon top-tier Round Table fighters like Gawain and Percival, we could easily win in the end.

"Winning at least the first three Holy Grail Wars shouldn't be a problem."

Strength is not the only reason Shirou chose the Round Table among the many relics.

As the King Arthur of another world, he wants to fight alongside the Knights of the Round Table in this world.

Of course—if you're lucky enough to win King Arthur himself, that would be the grand prize of the grand prizes.

……

……

On the vast continent separated by the sea, there is an idiom called "strike while the iron is hot".

Although he didn't know if the story was related to sword forging, Shirou especially liked this idiom, to the point that he could use it as his motto.

That evening, he started setting up the summoning array as soon as he finished his homework.

The location of the summoning circle is said to be very particular.

After much deliberation, Shirou finally chose the family's warehouse.

This mansion is fully equipped, and even has a dojo for practicing kendo.

Why didn't Shirou, a magician who forges swords, choose to set up a summoning circle at the dojo?

Because he didn't want to add too much bias to the summoning ritual.

If the ceremony is held at a dojo, then the one who descends might be a member of the Round Table renowned for their swordsmanship.

Shirou did not expect this outcome—

He hopes to follow the basic principles of the Holy Grail War and summon the Round Table members who are most compatible with him.

"If I set up a summoning circle in the restaurant, maybe it will attract the members of the Round Table who are big eaters," Shirou thought to himself.

After eliminating all factors that could potentially affect the outcome, only an empty warehouse remained.

no doubt.

Shirou will meet his "most compatible" Round Table member here.

The time was midnight.

"Alright, let's begin."

Shirou tossed aside the white chalk he used to draw the summoning circle and took a deep breath.

In the end, you still don't know what your wish is—put such distracting thoughts aside for now.

"Kukuku... Adding two special sections to the incantation of the Advent Ritual can grant the Servant a Berserk attribute, forcibly transforming them into the Berserker class."

The annoying advice of the toy rubber duck came to mind.

"Although it will cause the Servant to lose their sanity, it can improve their overall stats."

"Statistically speaking, he might even surpass Saber... Well, that's probably a clumsy trick you don't need."

"I won't add the berserk spell..."

After placing the fragments of the round table that had been used as a catalyst on the ground, Shirou went to a corner of the warehouse and began chanting a spell.

"Be full, be full, be full, be full, be full. And so it goes, and then five times."

(..snip..)

"The three powerful words that bind you come from the Wheel of Restraint, guardian of the scales—!"

As it ended, a gale swept up from the summoning circle, and dazzling light filled the entire warehouse.

"It hurts..."