Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

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However, this can be considered a punishment for me, so Lord Artorius, please stop worrying about me...

"Projection, start (Trace On)."

Shirou gripped a giant sword that looked like it was carved from obsidian and slammed it down hard on the ice coffin.

"Wait... Artorius! What are you doing! Stop it!" Joan of Arc shouted in a panic.

"You've been talking to yourself and wallowing in self-pity since just now. Do you think you're the lead actress in a morning drama?"

Shirou angrily shouted as he smashed the outer edge of the ice coffin.

"Speaking of which, I've always thought you were someone who easily wallows in self-pity..."

That's outrageous! Get out here! I'm going to give you a good spanking so you'll understand exactly what you did wrong!

With a powerful swing, he shattered the ice coffin and forcefully grasped the saintess's clasped wrists as she prayed.

"…………!"

Joan of Arc looked hesitant, but in the end she ended her prayer and let the boy pull her out of the ice.

The two fell onto the tatami mat, and for a moment neither of them made any further moves.

Finally, Joan of Arc broke the silence.

"This is really... way too reckless... idiot Artorius..."

The saintess collapsed into the red-haired boy's arms, grumbling softly.

As if worried that she would run away again when he wasn't paying attention, Shirou held her slender and soft waist tightly.

Although he had just said he would beat Jeanne d'Arc up to make her come to her senses, Shirou still softened when the time came.

"Joan of Arc, I need you. Fight alongside me."

Even if you say that, I'm still troubled...

The saintess fidgeted, a somewhat embarrassed expression on her face.

"Is Metatron more important to you than me?"

"This is not a matter of choosing one or the other."

I also want to save humanity, I also want to stop Lord Metatron, but—"

Joan of Arc no longer avoided Shirou's gaze and asked, "Why does it have to be me?"

There are many people who could help Altoris, why me of all people...?

"Because Joan of Arc, you are special."

"what……?"

Joan of Arc's pupils dilated slightly.

Shirou said seriously, "Perhaps you are not the strongest Servant, nor the most skilled in combat, but—"

I would feel very at ease if Joan of Arc were willing to be my companion.

Should we call it charisma or personal charisma?

Nothing is more reassuring than having someone by my side—that's what made Joan of Arc so special to me.

Shirou gazed into her beautiful, amethyst-like eyes, trying his best to convey his sincere attitude.

"……………………"

Joan of Arc's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

Is this... a confession?

This is definitely a confession, right?

I just got confessed to by Artorius?

Confessing your love to me under the guise of saving the world? That's just too much!

"Woooooooooooo..."

Joan of Arc held her cheeks in her hands and shook her head repeatedly. Seeing this, Shirou asked her for her wishes again.

"You've already said all that, what else can I say..."

Shirou stared at the shy, bashful blonde girl in his arms and urged her further, "I want to hear a more definitive answer."

"Bad intentions..."

Joan of Arc gave him a long, sullen look.

"I'm sorry, I'm not in the mood to respond to a confession right now, because the world is still in crisis, but..."

I'll help you! Even if it means going against Lord Metatron, I'll stand by your side until the very end!

"Thank you, Joan of Arc."

"………………Um."

Joan of Arc nodded, embarrassed.

Shirou was puzzled: Come to think of it, what was this "response to the confession" she just mentioned?

Just as he was about to ask—

"How long do you plan to keep hugging?"

Another blonde girl's voice came from the doorway.

Joan of Arc jumped out of Shirou's arms like a startled rabbit.

……

The three returned to the living room, where Shirou prepared chopsticks and a rice bowl for Jeanne.

"Wow... Artorius really can cook, and it's delicious! It wasn't a lie after all!"

Joan of Arc ate the food Shirou had prepared with great relish.

She spent a long, sensual period inside Metatron's body, and had not eaten for who knows how long.

Although Shirou was pleased to see her enjoying her food so much, wasn't there something more important right now? You gluttonous saintess!

Shirou kicked Jeanne under the table, then winked at her.

"Oh...right, let me introduce you."

Joan of Arc looked embarrassed and put down her chopsticks: "This is Miss Metatron, who now occupies my spirit origin."

"That's it, do you understand?"

Metatron wore an expression that was both impatient and somewhat smug.

"Different sides?"

"That's right, it's the other side that wants to destroy the world. I'm just a resident of this house, that's all."

Okay, that's enough about that. Give me more rice.

The blonde girl handed the empty rice bowl to Shirou with a perfectly justifiable attitude.

Are all guys with this face big eaters?

Shirou got up to get more rice, and at the same time asked Jeanne, "Can she be considered our ally? If we can persuade her, we can stop the other Metatron?"

From both perspectives, the answer is "No."

Joan of Arc explained.

From the first perspective, the blonde girl is in a neutral position; she will not stop the other Metatron from acting.

The second point is her strength, because most of the Spirit Origins are on the other side, and Metatron on this side is extremely weak.

Upon hearing Jeanne's words, Shirou's expression immediately turned cold.

"Get your own rice!"

He threw the rice bowl back.

It turns out that there was no need to please this person after all.

"Ugh... I'm so tired..."

The blonde girl reluctantly got up and went to the kitchen to get herself some rice.

After lunch, Shirou and Jeanne discussed how to escape from here.

"This is Artorius's home in Japan..."

Upon learning this information, Joan of Arc excitedly looked around.

In other words, if I successfully marry Altoris... I'll be the lady of this house...?

Stupid, idiot! What am I thinking?! This is not the time to be indulging in such things! We must defeat Metatron and save all of humanity!

"……What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

Joan of Arc concealed her inner turmoil and changed the subject, asking, "Have you seen what's happening outside?"

There's nothing outside.

"Nothing at all?"

"That's right, a void space where there's nothing at all."

"I see," Joan of Arc said thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand. "Should we try to demolish this mansion?"

"Demolish it? It hurts, but it's the only thing we can do right now."

Shirou agreed with Jeanne d'Arc's opinion.

This residence symbolizes his inner peace and tranquility.

What should have been Shirou's only safe haven has now become an obstacle preventing him from leaving Metatron's body.

Shirou and Jeanne left the mansion, and along the way, they forcibly pulled Metatron out of the kotatsu.

"------hiss."

Shirou took a deep breath and drew the holy sword from the void.

Destroying a home into which countless efforts have been poured and which holds countless memories requires a certain amount of mental preparation, even if you know it's an illusion.

"Go for it, Artorius!" Joan of Arc encouraged him.

"Okay, let's go then."

Shirou raises the holy sword high: "Oath (Ex) ————"

"Stop it now, you idiots!" The blonde girl stood in front of Shirou.

“Fools, idiots!?” Joan of Arc exclaimed in astonishment.

"Yes, idiots, what else can we call you idiots?"

She said speechlessly, "Being nervous, anxious, and reckless only leads to this terrible idea."

Joan of Arc retorted, "That's not the case, Miss Metatron. We have reasons to hurry—"

The blonde girl said, "There is no such thing. This is inside my body."

Time here is infinite; impatience is a grave sin.

"Is it a sin..."

"It is a sin, at least to me."