45 - The Sword that was Groomed

Shirou looked down upon the horde of Nightmare Creatures within the ravine of the floating island. He had a maniacal smile on his face, as he spread his hands to his sides and leaned back.

"With this sacred treasure I summon…"

A red star was glowing in the sky behind him.

It was getting close.

"LUMEN DRACONIS!"

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Sunny felt the ground shake, as a mushroom cloud appeared on an island quite far away. He deadpanned as he realized that Shirou was having fun exterminating Nightmare Creatures with that wyvern of his.

Sunny heard his voice somehow, even though he was a few miles away. It seemed that he was quoting something from a TV show that they had watched together. It was quite old, from before far before the dark times, but Sunny enjoyed the raw insanity that some of the characters exhibited.

However, that did not mean that he would go around shouting out their lines just for fun.

…Definitely.

Sunny watched as a flying lizard approached his direction. He caught sight of Shirou riding atop it's back, looking unnecessarily joyful.

Jolly bastard.

Shirou jumped off the dragon, using swords to step on as he slowly descended.

"You saw my extraordinary move, right?"

Lost From Light nodded, "…Yeah. I suppose I did."

"Then you should understand that you will never match up to me!"

Sunny's left eye twitched, "We'll see about that. Unlike you, I prioritize efficiency over flashiness. I wonder how much essence that used up."

Shirou paled, causing Sunny to smirk. It seemed that Forged In Hell couldn't use a move like that too often.

"…I'm almost dry. Even though Draconis and I are both Titans, if I try to make an attack that destructive, we're both going to run on fumes."

Sunny gave him a smug look, "I couldn't imagine having to worry about that. I'm only a Devil, yet I have never had to worry about running out after a single attack."

Shirou reached out to try to strangle the heir of death, yet he simply disappeared into the shadows. However, Shirou had a trick up his sleeve. He looked down at the human shaped shadow, and punched it.

Sunny suddenly reappeared, holding onto his shoulder.

"How the hell did you do that?"

"…Weren't you the one who showed me the [Cruel Sight]? I already had the [Black Mirror] enchantment applied to my body, so I was still able to hit you. Thanks for the free soul damage."

Damnation!

Sunny grit his teeth, before getting back to business, "The ball is going to be tomorrow. Are you really just going to announce the return of your clan to the entire room? That doesn't sound like much of a good idea."

Shirou sweated slightly, as he smiled sheepishly, "Uh… I was just going to see how it goes?"

Sunny facepalmed.

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The six Masters sat inside a luxury PTV, all wearing formal attire. They were currently moving towards the stronghold of the Valor Clan.

Although most of them were thinking about the fortress that they were approaching, with Sunny and Kai sensing the sentries around them, Shirou was distracted by something else.

The youngest of the cohort was wearing a white suit, which made him seem older than he really was.

He stared with narrowed eyes at Cassie's half mask, wondering what purpose would it serve. He guessed that it was a memory, but wouldn't people be more at ease if they could see her eyes?

Cassie seemed to have sensed his gaze, as she turned towards him with a triumphant smile. Shirou had no idea what had her so happy, but was more distracted by the mask.

"What is it, Shirou?"

Shirou pointed at the mask, "What's up with the mask?"

The smile on her face slipped off.

The rest of the cohort facepalmed.

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Around a week ago, Cassie had tried to create a situation in which she could seduce Shirou. It hadn't been quite successful, as he always had Sunny with him.

Even when he didn't, if he walked in on her changing in her office, he would just apologize before exiting the room. Not a single change in expression.

He would then proceed to ask her why she wasn't just wearing her memories.

She wouldn't answer him.

And now, just when she thought that he was going to compliment her dress, Shirou instead inquired about her mask.

…How far do I need to go?!

It had gotten to the point that Cassie wanted to just jump him right there.

She slowly spoke, "…Would you like me to take it off?"

The one who is denser than steel tilted his head, "Well, I don't see any real issue with it. I'm sure you'd be pretty either way."

The rest of the cohort gave her a thumbs-up, causing Shirou to look around in confusion.

Cassie coughed into her fist to hide her smile, "I see. Well, I suppose you look quite handsome as well."

Shirou tilted his head at her, before shrugging his shoulders. He said something to Sunny that she couldn't hear, before a hand of shadows appeared.

Cassie watched in confusion as Shirou tried to arm wrestle with the shadow. He was really straining himself, as the shadow didn't budge an inch.

It's like an adult indulging a child.

Cassie tried her best to not giggle at his antics, but she couldn't help herself.

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Shirou heard Cassie giggle at him, but he couldn't care less right now.

The damn hand won't move!

He couldn't use his full strength, since he didn't want to damage the PTV, but he couldn't believe that a shadow could be this strong!

Was this the power of the heir to shadows and fate?!

After a few minutes, they had arrived at the center of the complex. Sunny dismissed the shadow hand, causing Shirou to look out the windows.

A whole lot of red.

Indeed, it seemed that the favorite color of the Valor Clan was red. They had flags that displayed an anvil with a sword going through it. Personally, Shirou felt that if they really liked swords that much, they should just make him the leader of the clan.

Shirou froze. Weren't they most likely going to offer the heir of the clan to be his wife? Wouldn't that technically mean that he would lead the clan one day? At the very top?

Shirou shook his head. Although he missed the metaphorical power he had back in Camelot, he couldn't allow himself to be controlled by a Clan.

What if they tell me to stop saving people?!

Shirou couldn't let that happen.

Even if he had to fight a Sovereign.

The door to the PTV opened, allowing the cohort to exit. They walked on a vermilion carpet, walking past the gaurds that stood at it's sides.

They walked through the towering halls. Many eyes were locked onto the cohort with most of them staring at Nephis and Shirou. Nephis's fame was to be expected, but it seemed that anyone who was allied with Valor was more interested in him.

They walked up a set of stairs, before standing in front of massive wooden doors.

As the doors opened into a vast chamber of exquisitely dressed people, a loud voice announced:

"Lady Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan! Ascended Song of the Fallen! Ascended Raised by Wolves! Ascended Nightingale! Ascended Sunless! And…"

Does Sunny not have a True Name?

"…Sir Forged In Hell."

They even called me sir! Is this what it's like to have people suck up to you?

Shirou had almost forgotten about it, but it seemed that Sunny had taken him seriously back in the Crimson Spire. He had revealed that Shirou had a True Name since his First Nightmare, so he was currently equal to Nephis in overall worth.

Of course, Valor wanted him much more than they did Nephis.

Shirou felt a pressure fall upon him. He tilted his head, as he was slightly bothered. He got rid of it however, as he just…

…Deluded himself into thinking that he was clashing his spiritual pressure with everyone in the room.

This isn't something that would realistically happen, so the people in the room were confused when they felt a pressure press on them.

Of course, Shirou wasn't aware of this fact, so he genuinely believed that powerful individuals would clash their pressures against each other.

If he was aware, he would have been able to understand the core of his Aspect.

The power of delusions was a truly terrifying force.

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Shirou robotically spoke with anyone that approached him, politely speaking with anyone that approached him.

Unfortunately, Shirou and Nephis were constantly bombarded with people approaching them. The rest of the cohort just watched in amusement as Nephis tried to not kill everyone in the room, while Shirou had to reject the advances of women who were twice his age.

…Wait, isn't Artoria twice my age?

Shirou realized that he seemed to be a magnet for older women, which made him quite uncomfortable. Seishan from the Song Clan was also here to put up a front of unity, and was currently talking to Nephis. Shirou didn't pay attention, as he looked around the room.

He felt Sunny tap on his shoulder, which snapped him out of his trance. He looked towards the shadow of treachery, as he pointed at Seishan. For some reason, she was staring intently at him.

I don't think I've ever talked with her before, right?

Shirou awkwardly waved at the grey-skinned woman, who seemed to have something to say. She had a sultry smile on her face.

"Sir Shirou, has anyone ever told you that your blood smells delectable?"

RED FLAG!

Shirou remembered something, which he didn't want to remember.

[Kingslayer]

The Attribute made it so that royalty of the opposite gender was attracted to him. He also had Cerise in his blood, which may have played a part in this situation.

He felt Cassie burning a hole into the back of his head.

Shirou walked over to Kai, before hiding behind his back. He would have used Sunny as a shield, but unfortunately, he was too short.

Shirou was not going to let himself fall into the grasp of a cougar.

I DON'T WANT TO BE A BOYTOY!

Shirou waited for the princess of Song to leave. Once she did, she sent a wink in his direction with a blush on her face.

Cassie had walked up to him, and whispered in his ear:

"Shirou, if you ever get frustrated, go to me, not her."

Frustrated?

Shirou didn't understand what Cassie was asking him, but agreed anyways.

The combination of [Kingslayer] and [Eroge Protagonist EX] was once again putting the boy in unreasonable situations. The only Attribute that could possibly match up is [Fateless], but of course, nobody was aware of that yet.

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Saint Madoc had given out a speech to the guests at the ball, but Shirou didn't pay attention. The moment he had finished, Shirou went off to do something more important.

He took a bite of the cake.

He gobbled up a slice of meat.

He drank some wine.

After testing out all of the food that was laid out for the guests, Shirou had come to the conclusion that they were all cheaters.

Who made cooking Aspects legal?!

Shirou was pissed. He was brought out of his thoughts when he saw Sunny pulling Nephis out of the great hall.

…No way.

He didn't think that they would be so daring. To participate in such debauchery within the stronghold of a Great Clan was absolutely devious.

I apologize for underestimating you! I didn't think that you were capable of going this far, Master Sunless!

By the time he was done testing the food, he saw Cassie approaching him. She held out her hand, but didn't say anything.

Shirou wasn't quite sure what she wanted, but grasped her hand and shook it awkwardly. She tilted her head in confusion, before pulling him to the dance floor.

Huh? If you wanted to dance, shouldn't you say something like "shall we dance"?

A few moments later, Shirou was tripping over himself. Fortunately, Cassie's Aspect helped her anticipate when he would stumble, so it wasn't that bad.

Shirou was simply not built for something like this.

He had no trouble dancing through a horde of Nightmare Creatures, but dancing with another person was not in his skill set.

There was also the issue of Shirou trying to not get too close to Cassie, so he tried to keep a safe distance from her.

He had no problem with this before, but Shirou didn't think that she would appreciate him doing so in public. Especially if she suddenly fainted right then and there.

However, it was quite difficult to do so when she kept stepping towards him.

Once it was over, Cassie went off to see Nephis about something, leaving Shirou with nothing to do.

He leaned against a wall, thinking about the best way to announce the revival of the Emiya Clan. Originally, he was going to simply say it out loud, but that was an issue for obvious reasons.

He then decided that he would attempt to inform a high-standing member of Valor, but he didn't quite know who was who. Saint Madoc was up on the balcony, and although he seemed to take glances at Shirou, he never approached him.

Shirou felt another person stand beside him. He looked to his left to see a woman with long, curly black hair. After a moment, he turned away from her, seeing no reason to bother somebody just for standing near him.

If anyone asked, he did not take a glance at her chest.

"It is nice to finally meet you, Sir Forged In Hell."

Huh?

Shirou looked back at the woman, who was now facing him with ruby eyes.

Once again, Shirou did not take a glance at her chest.