Odin's death rippled through the world, affecting many people and factions to varying degrees.
For most who heard the news, it was simply shock at Emiya's god-slaying feat — greatly increasing his renown. Those who thought deeper waited, bewildered, to see what the Shenzhou families would actually do now that they'd stepped onto the stage.
Only a small minority in the world's shadowy underbelly began to pay close attention — wary of what kind of new storm the hidden chessmasters might unleash.
As for Emiya Shirou himself, he had no clear sense of the storm he'd sparked.
But right now, he was acutely aware of a much simpler reality: the suffocating awkwardness in the room.
Earlier, Joude Mai had carried him to the medical tent with an attitude so solicitous it nearly made him blush. A supermodel like her already drew every gaze — but a supermodel carrying the "god-slayer" Emiya on her back?
That was everyone's eyes on them.
With the prickling sensation of so many stares making his scalp crawl, Emiya stammered that she could just put him down and he'd walk himself.
But Joude Mai refused, even locking her arms in some strange hold behind him so he couldn't break free — using joint techniques?! Really?!
The two of them, plus Zero following like a silent bodyguard, made it to the improvised medical station.
The Zhou family's doctor was quite the character. After a thorough exam that of course found nothing wrong — magic circuit issues were beyond the scope of any ordinary physician anyway — he just patted Emiya's shoulder and said:
"Good build, son. Solid physique."
"…Uh, thanks?"
"I mean you've got plenty of energy — but don't burn yourself out." He even pointed at the two beautiful women standing by. "Doesn't matter how good your base is if you run yourself ragged, eh?"
…This kindly old doctor sure had a cheeky tone.
"Here, I'll write you a couple of tonic prescriptions. Go pick up the decoctions at the estate and take them on schedule."
Emiya left clutching a pair of traditional medicine prescriptions he didn't understand at all, deeply suspicious they were some sort of dangerous "tiger-wolf medicine."
Given his constitution, it probably wouldn't hurt him… right?
On the way back, he was still being carried on Joude Mai's back, still enduring all those stares, until they finally boarded a custom-modified Airstream RV. Only once the vehicle rolled away did the ordeal end.
"Relax — this was Wanu's arrangement, not mine." Joude Mai gently laid him on a sofa as big as a bed, shrugging.
Zero silently sat on a low stool by the coffee table — just tall enough for her feet to reach the floor.
Looking around, Emiya realized this was less a luxury vehicle and more a fully equipped mobile suite.
Zero spoke flatly, like reciting from a brochure:
"Airstream is Mercedes' RV brand. This model is customizable with expanded space, can carry a small sports car in the rear, all windows are double-layered ballistic privacy glass worth more than a B-class sedan…"
"Tch. The Zhou family really is filthy rich. Even a temporary arrangement's this fancy… Actually, all these families are loaded pigs."
Joude Mai muttered — then suddenly understood why the "Chip Girl" always cried about the budget whenever they burned through a fortune. Maybe they really ought to rein in the spending. Or… maybe next time. Or the next next next time.
"Could you at least be subtle about your complaints? There are other people in the car." Emiya lay staring at the ceiling — or rather, the roof.
Joude Mai spread her hands. "This is Wanu-sama's VIP car. Other than the driver? Oh, there's one more — in a private cabin."
She meant the unconscious Nono, who'd already been treated.
"Her?" Emiya raised a brow.
"What? Interested? Maybe she's your long-lost half-sister."
"…Think about what you just said."
Emiya scowled. Long-lost half-sister? What is this, Miyu? Really?
"Kidding."
Joude Mai's high ponytail swayed like a playful tail. "You've been so tense all this time. Odin's dead — time for you to relax."
"…Relax…"
Emiya froze.
Come to think of it, ever since arriving at the Zhou estate, he'd spent all his time leveraging his position to improve his projection techniques, sparring with Lao Tang or others, and managing his circuits. Only during that one arranged "date," or his conversations with Wanu, had he really relaxed.
His schedule was always tight — like he carried some heavy burden.
That fear had been with him since realizing he was Emiya Shirou — fear of his own talent. Being too good could attract covetous enemies, even the Clock Tower's Sealing Designation Enforcers.
He had to build power. Power to resist Sealing Designation. Power to walk freely in this dangerous world.
But… killing Odin seemed to have changed everything.
"You know," he murmured, "I used to think… being too good would only bring danger."
Joude Mai frowned. With his level of ability, his bloodline had to be very high — and she'd heard plenty of stories of the Secret Party "deeming a hybrid too dangerous" and lobotomizing them on some island. A Secret Party tradition, apparently.
But in the end, she plopped onto the coffee table, her figure forming a graceful arc, and declared:
"That was then. This is now. You made your name in one stroke. You slew Odin. Who'd dare touch you now?"
Everyone knew it — unleashing an extinction-level kotodama meant Odin, a Dragon King, had appeared, and Emiya had killed him head-on. He was a true super dragon-slayer hero.
The only reason the Secret Party hadn't acknowledged it was because they didn't want to shoulder an even bigger scandal.
In the current situation, anyone daring to lay a finger on Emiya Shirou could very well spark all-out war between Wanu's Shenzhou families and the Secret Party.
"…You're right. Even if that Odin wasn't truly a god."
Emiya nodded.
(End of Chapter)
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