Chapter 49

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Shirou helped in the kitchen all afternoon, preparing various dishes for the steady stream of customers. As evening fell and the restaurant began to quiet down, Syr finally arrived at the Hostess of Fertility with light steps. A small smile adorned her face as she entered the restaurant, apologizing to everyone for being late. Her eyes landed on Shirou, dressed in his green server uniform. Unable to hold back her amusement, Syr let out a small laugh, "Sorry, Shirou, but that uniform... it really stands out."

Shirou, now used to the teasing about his green uniform, simply smiled faintly. But as Syr approached, Shirou caught her familiar scent—a winter flower blooming with a divine touch. The fragrance immediately filled his mind, signaling that Syr was in a particularly good mood.

Inwardly, Shirou thought there might be good news from Denatus—the gathering of the gods that Syr likely attended, given her hidden identity as a goddess in disguise. Perhaps it was related to the War Game between Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia.

Seeing Shirou hesitate for a moment, Syr asked softly, "So, why did you suddenly come to help again today? Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

Shirou looked at Syr and replied honestly, "Actually, I was waiting for you, Syr. There's something I want to ask." He paused, making sure no one else was listening, then continued, "I want to know more about the Apollo Familia's siege on Hestia Familia. You might know more about what happened."

Syr seemed slightly surprised but kept her smile. Her blue eyes sparkled, as if carefully considering what she would say.

With a gentle tease, Syr asked, "Why are you so eager to help Bell, even though you're not supposed to get involved as part of Loki Familia?"

Shirou blushed a little but remained serious in his answer, "I just want to know how he's doing. It seems like Bell is in serious trouble."

Seeing the earnestness in Shirou's face, Syr stopped teasing and began to explain, "Bell managed to escape Apollo Familia's siege with Hestia. They were lucky, but not alone. During their escape, Welf, Lily, Mikoto, and others helped."

Hearing this, Shirou visibly relaxed. He nodded slowly, his eyes showing a hint of relief. "So they made it out safely," he murmured.

As she wiped down a table, Syr glanced at Shirou for a moment before continuing, "Yes, although everyone worked hard to protect Bell, none of them were seriously hurt."

"Are they all okay now?" Shirou asked, still concerned, sensing that something hadn't been fully revealed.

Syr paused, remembering something. Her smile faded slightly, causing Shirou to worry even more. "There is one thing that's been bothering me," she said softly.

Shirou immediately put on a serious expression. "What is it? What happened?"

Syr sighed, "I heard that Lily was called back to Soma Familia. Since then, no one has heard from her. She refused to return, but somehow, she's now under Soma's control again."

Shirou's face tightened as he thought about what might have happened to Lily. "So she's with Soma Familia now?" he asked, his voice sharper.

Syr nodded. "It seems so. But no one knows exactly what's going on. She might be in danger."

Hearing this, Shirou felt anxiety rising within him once more.

Silently, Shirou began planning to check on Lily later. The news Syr had shared only deepened his concern for Bell's friend. Even though he wasn't allowed to interfere in the War Game, helping Lily might still be within his limits.

"Thank you for the information, Syr," Shirou said sincerely, though his mind was already busy with thoughts of what to do next.

Syr smiled sweetly, appearing calm and unconcerned. "It's no problem. I hope Bell can win the War Game. He'll need all the luck he can get."

Shirou nodded and replied, "The outcome will depend on the type of War Game that will take place. But... all the decisions are in the hands of the gods and goddesses at Denatus, aren't they?" His voice carried a hint of sarcasm, as if nudging Syr to admit her role in the meeting.

But Syr just smiled, seemingly oblivious to the implication. Her smile remained bright and reassuring. "Just wait for the good news, Shirou. I'm sure everything will turn out fine," she said lightly, revealing nothing definite.

Shirou could only manage a wry smile, realizing he wouldn't get more than that. But inside, he had already decided to take action.

Mama Mia entered the room with an angry expression, her heavy steps echoing as she approached Syr. "Why are you only showing up now, Syr? Don't be so careless—get to cleaning!"

Syr could only chuckle awkwardly as she pleaded, "Sorry, Mama Mia... I got a little delayed earlier. Shirou, could you help me clean up?"

Shirou sighed deeply but couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face. "Alright, but remember, don't be late again, okay?"

Syr laughed lightly, "You really need to learn how to say no to people, Shirou. You're always too kind!"

Shirou shrugged, still smiling gently. "How could I refuse a request from such a dear friend?"

As they cleaned the tables, Anya, who had been lounging in the corner of the room, playfully swung her legs and teased, "Hey, you two, hurry up with the cleaning! Don't make our boss angrier!"

Shirou laughed at Anya's teasing, and together with Syr, they got to work, quickly cleaning up the room. But behind the smiles and laughter, Shirou's heart remained filled with plans to help Lily and Bell in their difficult situation.

Shirou and Syr were busy cleaning the restaurant, starting by sweeping the floor that had quieted down after the customers left. Shirou deftly moved the broom while Syr followed behind him with a bucket and mop to clean the floors. The two worked quickly and efficiently, occasionally joking to lighten the mood.

As they started wiping down the tables, Syr laughed and said, "We've become like a professional cleaning team, huh? I think I might start coming in late more often if I always get help like this."

Shirou just smiled faintly, his hands never stopping as he wiped the tables. "Don't make it a habit, Syr. I'm helping this time, but next time, you better be on time."

Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Ryuu, Anya, Chloe, and Lunoire were relaxing. They were enjoying a moment of rest after a long day of work. Ryuu, with her calm demeanor, watched Shirou and Syr with a quiet but attentive gaze.

"Good job, you two," Ryuu said with a small smile. "It looks like you're enjoying cleaning together."

Anya, reclining in her chair while sipping tea, added with a laugh, "Right! Maybe we should let you two handle the cleaning every night. We could sit back and relax like this every day."

Chloe chimed in playfully, "Or how about we make a team? Shirou and Syr as the cleaning crew, while the rest of us cheer from the sidelines."

Shirou just shook his head with a soft chuckle, saying nothing as he stayed focused on the task at hand. Syr, on the other hand, laughed and responded cheerfully, "If that's the case, you'll have to pay us extra for the extra services."

After finishing the tables, they moved on to washing the dishes. Shirou scrubbed the dirty plates while Syr dried them with a cloth. The lighthearted conversation continued, keeping the atmosphere warm amid the night's routine.

"Hey, Shirou, when was the last time you had some downtime like this?" Lunoire asked, noticing how busy Shirou had been helping everyone.

Shirou smiled while continuing to wash the dishes. "Downtime? Maybe a few days ago, but I prefer staying busy. It feels better than doing nothing."

"He really is the type who can't sit still," Ryuu murmured softly but with a note of admiration, her smile never fading as she watched Shirou.

Once they were done, Shirou and Syr stretched their tired bodies, and the entire restaurant felt cleaner and more organized. Despite their fatigue, the cheerful banter and laughter made the work seem lighter.

Just as Syr and Shirou finished cleaning, the restaurant door swung open, and Hermes walked in with his usual charming smile. "What a beautiful night, isn't it?" he greeted in a relaxed tone.

Anya, lounging with tea in hand, glanced lazily at Hermes and replied, "The restaurant's about to close, Hermes."

Hermes chuckled softly, raising his hands as if in apology. "Don't worry, I'm not here for food. Just some quick business." His eyes scanned the room before settling on Shirou, still dressed in his green waiter's uniform. A flash of surprise crossed his face before he suppressed a laugh.

"Shirou, what are you doing here? Aren't you busy being a supporter of Loki Familia?" Hermes teased, looking Shirou up and down.

Shirou smiled calmly and replied, "I'm just helping out here when I have free time."

Hermes chuckled and shook his head. "Oh, of course. Even a hero can't sit still, huh?"

After greeting everyone, Hermes approached Ryuu, who was seated nearby. With a slightly more serious expression, he said, "Actually, I'm here because I need to talk to you, Ryuu."

Ryuu, who had been quietly listening, raised an eyebrow, slightly confused. "What do you need to talk about, Hermes?"

Hermes leaned closer, but before speaking, he glanced at Shirou, who was listening intently. "It's about Bell," he said in a lower tone.

Hearing Bell's name, Shirou's expression turned to concern, though he tried to remain composed. He knew Bell was in a difficult situation after Apollo's challenge for the War Game, and now, hearing Hermes wanted to discuss something about Bell, his curiosity and anxiety grew. What was happening?

Ryuu regarded Hermes calmly but cautiously, waiting for further explanation from the god known for his schemes.

Hermes glanced at Shirou with a thinner smile, weighing his presence. "This request might intrude on Ryuu's privacy, and I think it's a sensitive matter," he said, giving Shirou a sharp look.

Ryuu turned to Shirou. But instead of the tense expression Shirou might have expected, a gentle smile adorned Ryuu's face. "I trust Shirou; he will keep my secret," she said with quiet confidence.

Hearing Ryuu's words, Syr chimed in with a playful yet serious tone, winking at Shirou, "That means you'll have to keep this secret even from your Familia, right?" Syr's words were delivered with a mischievous smile, but there was a hidden hope in her voice.

Shirou nodded solemnly, accepting the responsibility. "I promise to keep this secret."

Hermes observed Shirou for a moment, then smiled wider, easing the earlier tension. In a playful tone, he remarked, "It seems the waitstaff here really like you, Shirou. Be careful; that could make some people jealous."

Syr let out a light laugh, while Shirou merely smiled faintly, trying to hide the embarrassment creeping up his face. Amid the friendly banter, Hermes finally shifted to the more serious conversation after ensuring the atmosphere was relaxed enough.

With a casual but slightly concerned tone, Hermes began, "About the Denatus meeting earlier... the type of War Game was decided by drawing lots, and—" Hermes paused, scratching his head sheepishly, "—I was the one chosen to draw the lot."

At that, Shirou, already anxious, grew even more tense. "So, what type of battle was chosen?"

With a stiff smile, Hermes replied, "I pulled the lot for a 'castle siege.'"

Immediately, the room fell silent, and Ryuu, normally calm, spoke with a firmer voice than usual, "So... Bell has to face the entire Apollo Familia alone?"

Shirou glanced toward Syr, hoping for a different reaction, but she remained composed, as if she had anticipated this outcome. Her expression was so calm that Shirou became even more convinced of Syr's hidden identity.

With a slight nod, Hermes confirmed, "Yes. Bell will be the attacker, while all of Apollo Familia will defend the castle. But, thanks to some provocations by Freya and Loki, Apollo finally agreed to let Bell receive help... from one person."

Anya, usually cheerful, suddenly realized something and said in a surprised tone, "So, you came here to ask for Ryuu's help?"

Hermes smiled and joked, "Of course, I could ask Shirou to help Bell, but—" Before he could finish, Syr abruptly interrupted.

Syr glared at Hermes with a rare serious tone, "Hermes, why are you making things difficult for Shirou? He's still a newcomer adventurer in Orario!"

Shirou opened his mouth, intending to offer himself, but before he could utter a word, Syr immediately scolded him as well. "And you, Shirou, be careful when accepting requests from others! You're new here, and the captain of the Apollo Familia is already Level 3, just like that drunk adventurer who kicked you when you first arrived in Orario!"

Shirou could only smile wryly, trying to hide the fact that he had actually reached Level 4. He lowered his head, listening to Syr's lecture with embarrassment, while Ryuu remained silent, watching Shirou with sympathetic eyes.

In his heart, Shirou felt torn between his responsibility to protect Bell and the desire to keep his secret from his friends, who cared so much about him.

Hermes could only laugh at Syr and Shirou's concerns. "Don't worry, I was just joking earlier. Apollo is allowing Bell to receive help, but only from Familia members who come from outside Orario. Since you're a member of the Loki Familia, Shirou, you don't qualify."

Upon hearing that, Ryuu fell silent, her gaze distant. She recalled her time with the Astraea Familia and the departure of her goddess, Astraea, from Orario after a major incident that left her with lingering guilt. The regret she had been suppressing resurfaced, along with memories of the responsibilities and honor she had abandoned.

Seeing the hesitation on Ryuu's face, Hermes began to plead, "Ryuu, you're the only one who can help Bell right now. I know it's not an easy task, but if you help him, we'll keep your identity well protected. I can guarantee that."

Ryuu let out a long sigh, considering the offer. Finally, with a calm but resolute voice, she said, "Alright, I'll do it. I'll help Bell."

Hearing Ryuu's decision, the other waitstaff who had been listening to the conversation smiled with relief. They all understood how important this decision was and how much it would affect Bell in the upcoming War Game. Although only one person could help, Ryuu was a strong and trusted ally.

After wrapping up his business, Hermes said his farewells to everyone at the Hostess of Fertility. With his usual mysterious smile, he disappeared out of the restaurant.

Shirou, still worried about Lily, decided to excuse himself as well. He thought it best to check on Lily, as there had been no word from her since she was called back to the Soma Familia.

However, before Shirou could leave, Syr called out to him. "Don't forget to leave your uniform in your room later. I'll wash it," she said with a gentle smile.

Reluctant to accept the help, Shirou tried to politely refuse. "There's no need, Syr. I can take care of it myself."

But Syr insisted, "Consider it a thank-you for helping me with the cleaning earlier," she said, her tone playful but sincere. She didn't want Shirou to feel burdened by such a small task.

From the corner of the room, Anya whistled and teasingly said, "You two are like an old married couple."

Syr blushed immediately at the joke. Her normally calm face grew slightly flustered. "That's not true!" she quickly retorted, trying to deny it with a voice that sounded awkward.

Shirou, blushing as well, scratched his head awkwardly. "Syr likes someone else," he said, trying to deflect the conversation, but that only made Syr more flustered.

The atmosphere lightened with the laughter of the other waitstaff who overheard the conversation.

Shirou went upstairs to his room at the Hostess of Fertility. Once inside, he changed out of his green waiter's uniform into more comfortable casual clothes for traveling.

After changing, Shirou carefully folded his green uniform and placed it neatly on the bed. He smiled to himself as he looked at the uniform, thinking of Syr. Although he wasn't entirely sure of her true identity, Shirou was increasingly certain that Syr was a goddess in disguise, hiding behind the cheerful and friendly persona of a waitress.

It wasn't just because Syr seemed so calm and mature, but also because of her caring and attentive behavior. Shirou smiled wider, reflecting on how serious and diligent Syr was in her work at the restaurant. She even offered to wash his uniform, a task that might seem trivial to most people. But to Shirou, it was a gesture that showed Syr's warmth and kindness.

"If she really is a goddess, she must be a kind one," Shirou thought to himself. A figure like Syr, who patiently and attentively took care of those around her, was truly the opposite of many other goddesses who were sometimes arrogant and considered themselves above mortals.

With a light sigh, Shirou stifled his smile and hurried to the door. There was another important task to complete—checking on Lily.

Shirou said his goodbyes to his friends at the Hostess of Fertility, who warmly reminded him to be careful on the road. Anya waved with a smile, while Ryuu nodded calmly. Shirou nodded back in return before stepping out of the restaurant.

Once outside, Shirou quickly slipped into a quiet alley on one of Orario's corners. He walked carefully under the shadows of the tall buildings until he finally arrived near an abandoned house that had been vacant for a long time. The atmosphere around was so quiet that only the soft rustle of the night wind could be heard.

After ensuring no one was watching, Shirou pressed his back against the wall of the house. Taking steady breaths, he began activating his magecraft. In an instant, Hassan's signature mask appeared on his face, followed by a black cloak that enveloped his entire body. Shirou steadied his breathing and then activated Presence Concealment, a special technique that allowed him to hide his presence from anyone's sight or detection. His body blended with the shadows, disappearing from the naked eye.

With utmost caution, Shirou began moving toward the Soma Familia, where Lily had been called back. He knew this mission needed to be completed quickly and carefully, ensuring Lily's safety without drawing any unwanted attention.