DanMachi: The Epic of the Heroic Spirits of Emiya Shirou

As she sang, Keru began to run.

[Fairy Star Song] is activated, enhancing the magic effect; the effect is amplified at night.

[Mental Reload] is activated. The greater the mental energy consumed, the greater the increase in [Strength].

When 【Swift Wind】 is activated, attack power is increased as speed increases while moving at full speed.

The blades clashed, and Ryu, caught in the raging wind, remained standing tall.

"Under this speed and combat intensity, it's amazing that they can maintain [Parallel Chanting]."

Even Riveria was amazed by Ryu's skill. Looking at the whole of Orario, there are only a handful of mages who can maintain a balance of magic power in such an intense battle.

Ais gritted her teeth, her movements becoming increasingly fierce.

Faced with the aggressive Ais, Ryu wove the incantation in a clear and fluent tone.

Even as the sword blades swept past her and she was drenched in sweat, Liu remained as graceful as a dancing sprite, never stopping.

They even sped up the chanting.

"In the name of the goddess, it's like piercing the sky, leaving behind the footprints of glittering stars on the earth..."

Attack, defend, move, evade, and chant—Ryu simultaneously performed all five actions. Her astonishing, undiminished combat speed far exceeded Ais's expectations, even demonstrating a speed that could surpass her previous fastest chanting speed on the front lines of the battlefield.

This elf possessed absolute confidence.

Whether it's one's own skills, the experience of successfully overcoming countless crises, or the magic itself.

"Can I really stop her?"

Ryu's absolute determination caused Ais to waver for a moment.

But Ryu didn't let his opponent hesitate for even a moment, and finally finished chanting.

"Justice never ceases to flow."

Unlike the preceding ornate lyrics, Liu's final line was like an ancient song, transcending stars and time, setting the stage for a grand drama.

Emblems of stars and wings shimmered beneath her feet, and countless crystals of light appeared, encircling Liu like stars. As she chanted, these crystals transformed into the shapes of different weapons in turn.

A hundred martial arts skills, this is the [Memoirs of Astrea]!

Katanas, short swords, magic wands, shields... different weapons surrounded Ryu, and for a moment, Ais thought of Emiya's fighting posture.

"How could they be so similar?"

"【Red Spikeweed】——"

As Liu Qing thought about it, a crystal transformed into a dazzling red light and entered her body. Then, blazing flames appeared on Liu's sword blade.

At this moment, Ryu only needs to say the name of the magic she wants to use, without chanting, to freely use the magic inscribed in the [Memoirs of Astrea].

"Even if you can use [Enchanted Magic], my [Wind Spirit Swiftness] will never lose!!!"

Ais's fighting spirit did not falter because of the unknown magic.

However, Ryu, empowered by the [Red Flower Bloom] spell, used a second magic.

"【Five Lights of Yan Hua】"

The blazing sword shadows covered Ais's small figure from different directions: up, down, left, and right.

At this point, only one sentence remained in Little Ais's mind:

"It will certainly be useful next time—"

95

Chapter Ninety-Five: Emiya's Sword-Forging Work.

"You two lie down, I'll cast a healing spell."

Riveria looked at the girls, both of them badly injured, and couldn't help but sigh. Her feelings were very complicated, like those of a hardworking mother watching her children roll around in the mud.

In the battle between [Swift Wind] and [Sword Princess], Ais was undoubtedly the loser. When Ryu unleashed the powerful magic of the resonance between [Red Blossoms] and [Five Lights], not only Ais but even the well-informed Riveria was stunned. Where Ryu's blade reached, it was as if the air itself ignited; the five layers of blazing sword light formed a corona-like wheel, engulfing the helpless little Ais.

However, it was actually the victor, Ryu, who was more seriously injured. Her attack did not directly hit Ais, but only shattered the stone slab beneath Ais's feet, burning it to ashes.

Immediately afterwards, [Red Flower Bloom] went out of control, setting Liu on fire and causing her to roll around on the ground.

【Red Flower Bloom】is an extremely dangerous spell; even Alyssa herself accidentally injured herself when she was unfamiliar with it.

Liu, on the other hand, was completely inexperienced and couldn't control its firepower at all. Furthermore, she forcibly used [Five Lights] while [Red Flower Bloom] was active.

Good news! Ryu's iaido katana skills are now proficient enough, and she has successfully used [Five Lights].

Bad news: the [Red Flower Bloom] has fully erupted, directly backfiring on the elven girl.

Fortunately, both Ais and Ryu were first-tier adventurers with tough skin and high durability, and with Riveria by their side, they were immediately treated.

"You wouldn't realize they were just two kids when you watched them fight."

Riveria looked at Ryu and Ais and couldn't help but think.

Ryu is only eighteen years old. Most elves of this age haven't even left their hometown yet, and Ais is only thirteen, her body hasn't even fully developed yet.

For such young children to be able to fight at this level, Riveria felt for the first time that she was getting old.

"Ryu, you'd better not use this dangerous fire magic until you've fully mastered it... or even better, wait until you reach Lv.6."

“Yes, yes, Your Highness Riveria.”

"It shouldn't be too long before they upgrade to Lv.6."

Riveria thought, "It'll probably take four or five years. I wonder if I'll be able to reach Level 7 before then..."

Ais lay on the floor, Riveria's healing magic illuminating her petite body. Despite her minor injuries, Ais remained motionless, simply staring blankly at the crescent moon in the sky.

"I... lost..."

Ais murmured to herself.

The moon in the sky is exactly the same, but the people bathing in its light have different states of mind.

Regardless of Ais's current mood, Haruhime felt only heartfelt joy.

Because the hero the girl admired had come to visit her again.

To avoid drawing attention, Emiya changed into a black haori, like most of the guests who came here.

Aisha's assessment was that the outfit suited the boy well, but it was somewhat intimidating—it always felt like there was a blood-stained lining printed with images of demons and Vajra beneath his kimono, and a sharp sword ready to be drawn at any moment.

Emiya sat quietly at the low table, his posture upright, one hand hanging naturally at his side, the other gently resting on the table, his demeanor dignified.

His eyes were half-closed, and his long breaths were heavy today. At this moment, even Chunji, who was not good at reading people's expressions, could see his fatigue and weariness.

Emiya is an adventurer with extraordinary endurance and a very strong will, but he has indeed been working too hard these past few days.

Emiya hasn't been entering the dungeon lately; he's been focusing on [equipment forging], the essential work of the Hephaestus Familia.

He accepted the commission from the goddess Astrea and is forging a sword. This is not the first time Emiya has forged a sword, but the ones he has made before were just standard templates of weaponry.

Those equipment pieces are adequate as weapons for ordinary adventurers, but their quality falls short when given to first-level adventurers.

So in a sense, what Emiya is currently forging is his actual "first work". And unlike the [Demon Sword Spiral Sword], where he only participated in the design, this time Emiya is personally completing the design and forging of the sword.

Therefore, this forging was of great significance to Emiya, and he took it very seriously. So much so that the forging in the workshop actually made him feel more pressure than when fighting in the dungeon.

"My lord, please allow me to help you rest."

Haruhime recalled the lessons learned from her older sisters in the entertainment district. She knelt on the tatami mat, her upper body straightened, and her hands folded on her thighs.

"Please, please use this as a pillow."

As Chunji spoke, the fox-girl's lovely face unconsciously flushed a delicate red.

"...Then I'll leave it to you, Haruhime."

Emiya did not refuse.

His sword-forging process differed from that of ordinary blacksmiths. While other blacksmiths only expended physical strength during the forging process, Emiya's physical and mental strength decreased like flowing water.

In terms of ability values, when other blacksmiths complete a forging, 60% of their experience points will be increased in "Dexterity", while the rest will be increased in "Strength" and "Endurance".

As for Emiya, he usually crafted ordinary weapons and equipment in the same way, but this time, in addition to "dexterity," his "magic power" received more training.

The goddess Hephaestus judged that this might be the result of his developmental ability [mystery], and therefore, the goddess believed that Emiya would inevitably forge an extremely extraordinary work.

Guided by Haruhime, Emiya gently rested his head on the fox-girl's lap. Even through the kimono, Haruhime tensed up the moment they made contact.

"Lord Emiya's body is so warm..."

Feeling the other's warmth, Chun Ji's arches tensed, and her thick, long golden tail began to wag frantically.

Sensing the girl's nervousness, Emiya tried to get up, but Haruhime firmly extended her hand.

"My lord, please allow me to serve you..."

Her slender fingers gently kneaded the pressure points on both sides of Emiya's body. He obediently closed his eyes, enjoying the fox-girl's awkward yet earnest service.

Even though Haruhime didn't have any special skills, and the strength in her fingers was far too weak for Emiya, he still felt relaxed because of Haruhime's massage, and even his mental strength miraculously recovered a bit.

After a while, Emiya finally got up and sat opposite Haruhime, looking into the girl's eyes.

"Chunji, if I were to redeem you from your servitude, would you come with me?"

He asked bluntly.

96

Chapter Ninety-Six: The Goddess Will Agree.

[Redemption] - A unique rule of the redemption district.

A system that uses large sums of money to buy the freedom of prostitutes.

As long as the debtor pays the debt or a ransom is paid, the payer can buy the prostitute's freedom. It is said that in Orario, successful high-ranking adventurers often buy their favorite prostitutes as their life partners or concubines.

The moment Haruhime heard Emiya mention those two words, she stared in shock, her eyes widening.

Haruhime's rich imagination, cultivated from a young age, began to fantasize.

Although they are only a minority, there are some prostitutes in this redeeming district who have been redeemed by adventurers and left.

It is said that most adventurers never return from the labyrinth, leaving behind unfortunate women... but some leave the city and stay with their loved ones forever.

If only she could have such a beautiful dream—the thought made Haruhime laugh at herself.

Although it was just wishful thinking, I felt really bad for dragging the esteemed master into my silly imagination.

As a prostitute, I have no right to that; as incompetent, I have no value.

Most importantly, Ishtar and the others will not let her off the hook.

Without a second thought, Chunji touched the black collar around her neck and lowered her head with an air of knowing everything.

"...The Ishtar Familia will not let me go, sir."

Chunji seemed to be suppressing her emotions as she answered softly.

Emiya's voice was even calmer:

"Don't worry, Ishtar, the goddess of beauty, is the goddess of love. If a man wants to redeem a prostitute, the goddess will grant his request as long as the woman is willing to go with him."

He reached out and pinched the collar around Chunji's neck. Against the backdrop of the girl's fair skin, the black collar stood out conspicuously.

"My lord, you jest. You are well aware of my condition..."

Chunji said in a low voice.

Even if the Ishtar Familia were to redeem Lv.3 [Reige], they would never let Haruhime go, and the girl was well aware of this.

Of course, [Lijie] probably wouldn't want to buy her freedom, as Aisha deeply loves the promising career of prostitution.

Emiya reached out and pinched the collar around Haruhime's neck. Against the backdrop of the girl's fair skin, the black collar stood out conspicuously.

"Let's assume that if the goddess Ishtar agrees, would you be willing to come with me?"

Haruhime raised her head, her emerald eyes meeting Emiya's gaze, their reflections mirrored in each other's pupils.

Before she could even think, her body had already unconsciously uttered the words—

"I am willing."