Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"Well."

Artoria was left speechless.

Unbeknownst to her, the reason for her excitement was seeing her own reflection in Shirou.

If it is said that "girls should not fight," then by the same logic, "children should not fight either."

Artoria gave up her happiness as a girl and dedicated her life to her country.

She would naturally empathize with Shirou, who had given up his childhood happiness to join the battle.

Even though she believes her choice was right, she cannot bear to see others repeat her mistakes.

"...In short, I still can't accept it."

Saber said this and prepared to leave the room, but Shirou grabbed her wrist.

"Thank you for your concern, Saber. As Alice said, this is my own choice."

"Shirou..."

Saber's pupils trembled slightly as she saw the black holy sword she had seen the previous night appear in Shirou's hand.

"This sword has nothing to do with my servants; it is my own property."

—Shouldn't you understand now?

"I'd be really bothered if you treated me like an ordinary kid, you know, King Knight."

The intense magical energy emanating from Shirou flowed from the depths of Einzbern Castle all the way to the central courtyard.

Artoria's mouth dropped open: Shirou, what exactly are you...?

Shirou pulled her back to the sofa and made her sit down again.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure just now."

"Hehe, I've seen a side of Saber that no one else knows. I find it very refreshing!"

Irisviel smiled and said, "Saber is just so fond of Shirou that she's so excited. I can understand how you feel."

"..."

Saber kept a straight face and didn't say a word.

"Why don't you quickly refute this now?" Shirou thought to himself.

Next is the intelligence exchange session.

It was less of an information exchange and more of a one-sided provision of information by Shirou to these two.

"What! Zouken Matou is dead?"

"What! Kirei Kotomine's Servant is still alive?"

"What! Kirei Kotomine has already secretly allied with Tokiomi Tohsaka?"

"What! Even the Holy Church is in cahoots with them?"

"What! Lancer was corrupted by his Master using a Mystic Code?"

"What! Besides the seven Servants, there's another unknown assassin-type enemy who has infiltrated Fuyuki?"

Irisviel rubbed her forehead and sank into the sofa, exhausted.

"Sorry, Shirou, there's just too much information at once. Let me process it."

In just a few days, Shirou has obtained so much previously unknown information, while I've just been aimlessly wandering around the streets...

Her pride as a Master had just suffered a heavy blow:

Could it be that I'm a Master who's good for nothing except supplying demons?

No, that's not right... It's not that I'm useless! It's just that Shirou is too capable!

Irisviel tried to convince herself.

During the break, a silver-haired, red-eyed android maid served tea.

Saber asked the question while sipping his tea.

"Shirou, what is your wish regarding the Holy Grail?"

This question caused the red-haired boy to pause and think for a moment.

Shirou has no interest in the Holy Grail.

If I had to pinpoint any selfish motive, it would be that I hoped the Holy Grail wouldn't fall into the hands of evil people.

If the all-powerful wish-granting machine were used for evil by someone like Caster, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Shirou felt that if he were to give the Holy Grail to someone other than himself, Irisviel and Saber would be the most suitable candidates.

This is the most important reason for his alliance with Irisviel.

"I see. Your wish is to protect the people who are important to you? The people you talked to on the phone before."

After listening to the boy's thoughts, Saber smiled with satisfaction.

"Hehe, Shirou is such a gentle child."

……

……

"Big Sister Avalon, are you still there?"

"Night is almost here. Tonight, I plan to try to attack the Lancer faction's Magic Workshop with Saber."

"They seem to have identified Saber as their highest priority enemy, so we've decided to strike first."

"Big Sister Avalon, could you give me a power-enhancing spell?"

"Ah, I didn't mean to completely side with Saber and the others..."

"But Kenneth might have seen my face last night, so getting him out of the game is the best option, don't you think?"

The boy's voice continued to echo in the female magician's mind.

"Waaaaah...!"

Lady Avalon lay dying in the dark dreamscape.

Her petite body trembled uncontrollably, her thin back curled up to its limit.

Now I have to admit that I underestimated the Holy Grail War.

Oh dear, even I am terrified by my own genius-level magical talent—

Despite all the optimizations she had made, the side effects of the "Royal Command Spell" still far exceeded her expectations.

She could walk and run around last night, but after a night, she became unable to move.

"Woo...Woo..."

Ms. Avalon suppressed her sobs.

Her beautiful face was slightly contorted with pain, her slender fingers left countless claw marks on the soil, and the tips of her fingers were even deformed from the force she used, with several nails falling off.

The consequences of breaking the taboo—a punishment known as "World Correction"—are eroding Lady Avalon's body (spiritual origin).

It felt like countless worms were relentlessly gnawing at my internal organs, like a chopstick was stirring my brain, like my spine was being pulled out bit by bit.

All day today, Ms. Avalon went through a cycle of being in so much pain that she fainted, woke up, and fainted again.

"Big Sister Avalon?"

"I've already let bygones be bygones that you misled me into thinking Saber was Morgan. If you're online, please reply."

"Are you angry because I didn't ask you to come and save me last night?"

"Seriously... he's completely helpless once he's away from me... 'My Arthur'..."

Ms. Avalon gasped for breath, struggling to prop up her shattered upper body.

Master is a child more perceptive than anyone else; he can detect even the slightest flaw.

She took several tens of seconds to adjust her breathing.

After repeatedly confirming that her tone of voice was no different from usual, she finally began the magic trick of speaking aloud.

"Here she comes~ Big Sister Avalon is here~"

"You're finally here! I've been looking for you all day!"

"Honestly, Master is completely useless once she's away from me. What a useless little Master~"

Shirou's voice was filled with joy: "What did you do during the day? By the way, where are you now? I feel like you're so far away from me."

They are very perceptive; we cannot afford to be careless at all.

Ms. Avalon pondered for a moment, then replied.

"Sorry, Merlin suddenly needed to talk to me, so I had to leave for a while."

"What? You're my servant, aren't you? You're not allowed to run off with other people without permission."

With a poignant expression, Ms. Avalon said, "I'm sorry, please forgive me this once. Don't let it happen again."

"Okay, tell me the story of Merlin and I'll forgive you."

"Hehe, okay, it's a deal?"

Ms. Avalon managed a weak smile.

Master has two "Royal Command Spells" remaining.

no problem.

I should be able to pay for it with the rest of my life.

There are still two more side effects, but I have to get through them no matter what.

"By the way, Big Sister Avalon."

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"Saber's Master said: It seems that whoever defeated Caster yesterday can receive a Command Spell as a reward from the church."

Shirou exclaimed happily, "That means I have another 'Royal Command Spell' to use!"

"........."

Upon hearing this, Ms. Avalon nearly fainted from shock.

Volume 1, Chapter 64: Shirou's First Attempt at the Tea Ceremony (6k5)

"no?"

"No!"

Just as Shirou explained that he could obtain another Command Seal and wanted to convert it into a new "Royal Command Seal," Lady Avalon firmly refused.

"Master has lost decades of his life due to the life-threatening battle last night, and his remaining lifespan is insufficient to activate the 'Royal Command Spell' three more times."

She said earnestly, "You may feel great right now, but that's just an illusion caused by your body working overtime, what's known as a final burst of energy before death."

Furthermore, since your current physical body has been synchronized with your future physical body, you have gained a level of sensory endurance far exceeding your own limits, but that does not mean that your physical body has become stronger.

According to my calculations, once the third "Royal Command Spell" is used up, Master, you will only have one breath left, and then you will only have time to slowly wait for death.

"The remaining life force isn't enough to pay off the loan for the 'Royal Command Spell,' is it?"

"Oh, I see. That's a shame."

Shirou's voice suddenly became somewhat dejected.

Clearly, he was not frustrated by the tragic ending proclaimed by Lady Avalon, but by his inability to activate the fourth Royal Command Spell.

"Well……"

After a moment of silence, Ms. Avalon suddenly changed her mind: "Well... it's not impossible, is it?"

I'll think of a way to equip Master with the fourth "Royal Command Spell."