DanMachi: The Epic of the Heroic Spirits of Emiya Shirou

Ryu's personality is twisted, stemming from the conflict between her innate noble character and her tragic past.

However, beneath Shirou Emiya's "gentle and kind-hearted" exterior lies a nature that is more profound, more stubborn, and more fundamentally twisted than that of Ryu.

In a sense, it could even be described as "demonic".

Emiya said, "If Ryu cannot find happiness, then I cannot find happiness either."

"what?"

Liu was stunned.

“Ryu, your struggle is not only torturing yourself, but also causing me pain.”

"What--"

"Because that's who I am. My happiness is built on the happiness of those around me. That's the kind of person 'Emiya Shirou' is. Ryu, because you're in pain, I'm in pain too!"

"No, Shirou, what are you saying? I don't understand..."

"Simply put... it's all Ryu's fault."

"Such a statement is completely unreasonable and utterly sophistry..."

Liu bit her lower lip, feeling extremely wronged.

Emiya said with unwavering determination, "So, Ryu, not for yourself, but for me, pull yourself together!"

"Is Shirou... giving me an order...?"

Ryu became increasingly hesitant.

"If this makes you agree, then it's a command. Since Ryu feels her existence is meaningless, then entrust your life to me. I will take responsibility for Ryu's past and future!"

"Why do you do this? Don't make this decision on your own..."

Their golden and blue eyes met, and as Emiya's eyes shone even brighter after his upgrade, as if molten gold flowed within them, Ryu's will wavered more and more.

The boy's eyes were like a tranquil bay, clear and transparent, with an endless abyss beneath the calm surface.

The elf's "twistedness" was gradually swallowed up by Emiya's "demonic nature".

……

"Shirou, I want to write a letter to the goddess Astraea..."

62

Chapter Sixty-Two: Lunova & Chloe: "After tonight, we're retired from this life!"

"Congratulations."

Seele clapped her hands gently: "The relationship is back to normal now."

"Um……"

Liu lowered her head in embarrassment.

A smile appeared on Seele's lovely face. She thought to herself, "No, it should be considered a step further."

"Shirou, that kid, becomes really 'terrifying' when he acts for people or things he cares about."

She thought to herself, "To be able to do that much is really impressive."

Originally, her expectation was nothing more than to savor the romance between two adorable children, but she never expected things to develop so far beyond her expectations.

"The exquisite colors that burst forth from the intertwining of two dazzling souls are even more delicious than 'love'."

Seele gently licked her lips.

In an instant, she seemed to radiate an extreme charm completely different from her identity as a "cute street girl".

However, the next moment, Seele completely lost her composure.

"Seele, how dare you lock us up!"

Liu pinched Seele's cheeks with both hands, stretching them out like kneading dough.

"Ugh, I've already poked it~"

Seele pleaded, "Liu, please let me go."

After some coaxing and pleading from Seele, Ryu finally released his grip on the girl's soft cheek.

Just then, two muffled sounds rang out in the air: "thump," "thump."

Ryu and Hieru both held their heads in their hands, squatted on the ground, and let out pitiful cries.

"You useless fairy, what's with that pile of broken plates?"

After throwing two punches, Boss Mia roared menacingly:

"And you, you idiot girl! I told you to go and call this good-for-nothing out, and you took so long!"

Boss Mia stood there, hands on her hips, furious.

"We already have few people available today, so you two better get to work!"

"Yes! Obey!"

After enduring Boss Mia's "tyranny," the human and elf girls became much more obedient. They nodded repeatedly, quickly got up, and rushed back to their respective work posts.

Looking at the scene before him, Emiya asked, "Are there very few employees in the store today?"

Mia turned her head, threw two punches, and then calmed down a little: "Yes, a lot of people just happened to take the day off today."

She paused for a moment: "If you're free, you can come and help."

Emiya nodded and agreed without hesitation, "Okay."

As he spoke, he turned around and was about to walk towards the kitchen as usual when Mia suddenly called out to him, "Hey, you little rascal, where are you going?"

Emiya stopped and turned back, puzzled. "I was planning to help in the kitchen."

Because he would occasionally help prepare the pub's staff meals, and those dishes were always well-received, the waiters raved about his culinary skills.

Therefore, Emiya naturally assumed that Mia asked him for help because she wanted him to cook.

Upon hearing his answer, Mia's expression became complicated, eventually turning into a sigh. She waved her hand and said, "No!"

“Those picky customers, if they like your cooking today, will complain endlessly every time they come and can’t have it.”

Mia said with dissatisfaction:

"If they start spreading rumors that 'this restaurant's standards have declined,' that would be a real problem!"

Emiya was somewhat helpless. He had originally thought he would be able to show off his skills in the kitchen, but he didn't expect to be stopped by Boss Mia for this reason.

"In that case, I'll go and take the order."

he said.

Mia thought for a moment and nodded, "Hmm, that's more like it."

At lunchtime, the tavern was bustling with activity, and Emiya helped with taking orders.

Just then, he saw a familiar figure.

The man sitting by the window was an ordinary-looking human male. He was none other than Raul Nord, a Lv.4 adventurer of the Loki Familia and Emiya's supporter and guide during Emiya's first dungeon adventure.

Sitting opposite Raul was a cat-like girl with black hair and black eyes, and exquisite features. The girl looked at Emiya quietly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

She is a Lv.4 adventurer of the Loki Familia, the "Lady Cat" Anaqiti Otum. Because her name is difficult to pronounce, those close to her simply call her "Anqi".

"Emiya, it's been a long time. Are you working here?"

Raul greeted him warmly.

"Well, we're a bit short-staffed today, so I'm here to help out."

Emiya responded.

Raul nodded, his gaze lingering on Emiya for a moment, as if trying to confirm something.

Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Emiya, are you really 'Elf Slayer...'?"

Before he could finish speaking, a muffled thud followed. Raul clutched his leg, nearly sliding off his chair in pain.

It was Anachiti, who was sitting opposite him, who kicked Raul without any mercy.

"That's very rude, Raul."

Anachiti's tone was calm, but tinged with reproach: "Besides, I already told you not to believe Loki's nonsense."

Although Loki is a goddess, she doesn't hold much authority within the Loki Familia. The adventurers of the Familia prefer to see her as a friend rather than a "parent."

In addition, Loki, the goddess, is fond of joking and playing pranks. Her strange remarks from time to time are usually just taken as a joke and laughed off.

Recently, Loki has been spreading the so-called "Emiya threat theory" among her followers, which has caused a lot of discussion.

Some members of the Loki Familia believed it wholeheartedly or were skeptical, while others, like Angie, completely dismissed it, seeing it as yet another prank by the goddess.

Raul winced in pain, but under Angie's imposing presence, he could only endure the agony and dared not say another word. Seeing the slightly awkward atmosphere, he quickly composed himself and began to introduce, "This is my fellow Familiar, the [Noblewoman Cat] Anaqi Tiotum."

The cat-girl said in a serious tone, "Just call me Angie."

Angie was unlike any other cat-human Shirou had ever met, including the lively Anya and the tavern cook, Miss Mei; she seemed exceptionally calm and reserved. Shirou couldn't help but remark, "Angie-senpai, you give off a very reliable vibe."

Upon hearing Emiya's words, Angie's tail involuntarily twitched slightly. However, realizing her lapse in composure, she immediately controlled the movement, striving to maintain her usual calm. She nodded gently and said, "Ahem, thank you."

Afterwards, Emiya finished ordering food for Raul and Angie and was about to continue working when he suddenly felt a gaze from behind him.

He turned around and saw a brown-haired human woman sitting not far away.

Although the woman's appearance wasn't as delicate as an elven woman's, her features were well-proportioned, radiating a refreshing and capable aura. Paired with her neat short hair, she possessed a unique charm that was both beautiful and cool.

The moment Emiya turned around, the woman lowered her head slightly, shifting her gaze to the menu in front of her, as if deliberately avoiding eye contact. Out of politeness, Emiya approached and softly asked, "Hello, do you need any help?"

She didn't respond immediately. She simply glanced at the menu, remained silent for a moment, and finally shook her head gently without saying a word. Then, the woman stood up and quietly left the tavern, as if her appearance was merely a brief interlude.

"【Swift Wind】, it has changed."

Leaving the tavern and turning into a dark alley, the brown-haired woman muttered to herself, her voice exceptionally clear in the silent air.

Her name is Lunova Fast, a legendary bounty hunter known as the "Black Fist" in the Orario underworld.

Lured by the bounty, Lunova accepted the mission to hunt down [Gale]. In order to find an opportunity, she had been observing the tavern where [Gale] was hiding, silently watching Ryu's every move.

Runova was born in a war zone; her parents died in the conflict, and she grew up alone. Relying on the power of "Divine Grace" and her invincible fists, she carved out a path to survival in this dangerous world. Over the years, she wandered among different clans, yet she never found a place to call home.

Looking at Ryu's current state, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. The once ruthless and cold-blooded "Swift Wind," who lived only for revenge, now had a peaceful and warm place to settle down.

Lunova Fast, seventeen years old.

The human girl, who spoke with an air of maturity but was actually quite young, looked up at the sky and whispered, "Shouldn't I retire from being a bounty hunter?"

Before her eyes appeared the image of [Swift Wind] standing beside the boy, her head bowed shyly.

"I was going to give up on this job, but I'm so angry... I should at least beat her up."

When Lunova thought of [Swift Wind]'s happy expression, she felt a nameless fire burning in her heart.

Like a child, she wanted to vent her anger on [Swift Wind], who should be living in the same bloodshed as her, but who had found a place to belong all alone.

Runova made up her mind. She raised her hand and grasped a ray of sunlight: "I'll do it tonight, and then—I'll quit this line of work."

Runova Fast.

Lv.4.

Strength: B780.

Durability: B722.

Dexterity: D577.

Agility: D599.

Magic power: I0.

Development capability.

[Punch] H [Broken] I [Boxer] I.

"...She changed, meow."

The cat-girl gazes out from the sun-drenched rooftop of the building at the bar "The Abundant Mistress".