Chapter 55. Loki vs. Freya! The Great Familia War!
Time returns to the moment Shirou Emiya just stepped out of the Tower of Babel.
"Phew... I'm back among the living."
Shirou leaned against a bench in the plaza, feeling as though his body had been tossed into a tumble dryer for three hours—and on the spin-cycle, no less. His left arm had a hairline fracture, three ribs were broken, his Magic Circuits were overheating, and his HP bar was likely flashing on its last sliver.
This was the price of "grinding high-level mobs." Although he had gained a small advantage against Ottar using [Nine Lives], the counter-force was like an egg hitting a rock; the rock got a little scuffed, but the egg was practically smashed.
"Shirou-kun! Waaaah..." Hestia clung to him like an accessory, smearing tears and snot all over him.
"You scared me to death! I thought you were really going to be kidnapped by that wicked woman to be her trophy husband!"
"Stop crying, Goddess-sama." Shirou helplessly patted Hestia's head (activating his soothing skill in the process).
"Didn't I come back in one piece? Even if I lost a bit of durability."
"Idiot." Ais stood to the side, her hand tightly gripping Desperate, her eyes full of self-reproach. "If I were stronger... I could have rushed up to save you myself."
"That would have turned into a world war, Ais." Shirou laughed bitterly. If Ais had actually charged the top of Babel, it wouldn't have been a "sparring match"—it would have been an all-out bloodbath between the two largest Familias.
"However, Master Emiya." Lili whispered as she wrapped bandages around Shirou, looking toward Babel with deep concern. "Did that Goddess... really just let you go in the end? It feels a bit too smooth, like a horror movie where the protagonist thinks they've escaped, only to realize they've walked into a bigger trap."
"You feel it too?" Shirou sighed, looking at the tower piercing the clouds. That sensation of being watched like a needle in his back hadn't disappeared. Freya's final gaze... that fanatical look that wanted not just to possess the flesh but to devour the soul, reminded him of a certain thing called the "Black Holy Grail."
"Most likely... she still has a trump card."
The moment those words left Shirou's mouth—
Vrrrrm—
A massive surge of mana erupted from the peak of Babel. It wasn't an attack spell, but a sort of... wide-frequency broadcast.
The entire sky of Orario was suddenly dyed an exotic light purple. Countless silver specks of light fell from the sky like dreamlike snowflakes, sprinkling every corner of the city.
"What is this? Is it snowing?" "No! This is... Divine Will!" The adventurers in the plaza looked up, expressions of shock on their faces.
Then, an elegant, lazy, yet irresistibly authoritative female voice echoed directly in everyone's minds.
[To all my children in Orario.]
[I am Freya.]
A mere opening statement plunged the entire city into a dead silence. The Goddess of Beauty, Freya. She was the uncrowned queen of this city, the symbol of beauty, and the pinnacle of power. She rarely spoke in public, and when she did, it usually meant—a divine decree.
[Tonight, I discovered a beautiful gemstone.]
[His brilliance surpasses all the stars I have ever seen. His soul is more dazzling than the purest gold.]
Shirou's mouth began to twitch. What was with these "public execution" lines? The shame level was off the charts! Was she seriously reading a love letter in front of the entire server?!
[However, this gemstone is currently locked inside an 'unrefined treasure chest.']
[This makes me... very unhappy.]
Freya's voice gradually rose, carrying a shuddering excitement.
[So, I have decided.]
[I shall launch—a War Game.]
[The target is—the Loki Familia.]
[The stake is—Shirou Emiya (Senji Muramasa).]
[Loki, my old friend. In three days, we shall meet on the battlefield. If you win, I swear to never lay a hand on this child again.]
[But if you lose...]
The Goddess let out a soft chuckle, full of the arrogance of certain victory.
[That child, along with his heart and body, shall belong to me.]
[That is all.]
The light faded. The voice stopped. Orario fell into ten seconds of absolute, deathly silence.
And then—
"IT EXPLODED—!!!"
The entire city instantly turned into a boiling pot of oil.
"Hey! Did you hear that?! A War Game! And it's Freya Familia vs. Loki Familia?!"
"Is this the legendary 'Battle for the Strongest'?!"
"Over one man? Who the hell is this Shirou Emiya?! To make the Beauty Goddess start a war of this scale?!"
"I know! It's that 'Senji Muramasa'! That monster rookie who can hand-craft artifacts!"
"Heavens... is this what they call a 'femme fatale' (or homme fatale) causing the downfall of nations?"
In the center of the plaza, Shirou Emiya—the center of the storm—had completely petrified.
He felt countless gazes—envious, jealous, gossiping, mocking—focusing on him like spotlights. If there were a hole in the ground right now, he would have jumped in without hesitation and sealed himself for a few thousand years with [Avalon].
"This is... the trump card?" Shirou covered his face, letting out a desperate groan.
"This isn't a trump card; this is flipping the entire table!"
"AAAAHHHHH! That husband-stealer! That shameless woman!" Hestia rolled on the ground in a rage, her twin tails whipping wildly.
"How dare she openly snatch him! And in this way! This is a declaration of war! A declaration of war against the Pure Love Faction!"
"Calm down, Goddess Hestia." Though Lili was shocked, her professional instincts had her quickly calculating the gains and losses.
"Things have gone big. This is a War Game... the losing side might even be forced to disband. The Freya Familia is betting everything!"
"Emiya."
A hand gently took hold of Shirou's wrist. Ais. She didn't scream like Hestia, nor was she panicked like the people around them. She simply looked at Shirou quietly, her golden eyes burning with a sharp, unprecedented fighting spirit.
"I will not lose." Ais's voice was soft, but every word sounded like an oath.
"No matter who the opponent is... even if it's Ottar. I will never... hand you over."
Looking into the girl's steady eyes, the panic in Shirou's heart miraculously settled. Right. Since he couldn't hide, then he would fight. After all, of all the troubles he had faced in his life, which one hadn't been on "Hell" difficulty?
"Yeah, I believe in you, Ais." Shirou squeezed her hand back and revealed a smile.
"But before that... we'd better think about how to face Loki.
That alcoholic goddess is probably fuming right now, isn't she?"
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Twilight Manor.
Just as Shirou expected, the atmosphere at the Loki Familia headquarters wasn't just "fuming"; it was the eve of a volcanic eruption.
"FRE—YA—!!!"
Loki stood on the table, clutching a wine bottle. Her usually grinning jester-like face was currently covered in bulging veins. Her red eyes were wide open, revealing the terrifying divine aura of the "God of Mischief."
"How dare she ride over my head?! Over one man?! Are you a cat in heat?!
Fine! Since you want to fight, then let's fight! I've been putting up with you for a long time!"
"Calm down, Loki." Finn sat in his chair. Although his face was grim, he remained rational (even though his thumb was twitching so hard it was nearly cramping).
"This is clearly a provocation. If we rush into battle impulsively, we'll be playing right into her hands."
"Then what do you want me to do? Be a shrinking turtle?" Loki jumped off the table and pointed out the window.
"All of Orario heard it! If we refuse, where does the Loki Familia's dignity go? How will we show our faces in Orario after this?"
"Moreover..." Riveria sighed, putting down her grimoire.
"We all know Freya's personality. Since she publicly declared war, it means she is prepared to 'forcibly start a war even if we refuse.' If we don't accept a War Game within the rules, what we'll face next is likely endless assassinations and street brawls."
"Exactly." Gareth wiped his battle-axe, his eyes fierce. "Better than being hit passively, we should crush them fair and square on the front lines!"
"But... that's the Freya Familia." Tiona said with some worry.
"While we are strong, the other side has that 'Warlord' Ottar... and those four Lv. 6 freaks..."
Looking at the top-tier power, the Freya Familia indeed had the upper hand. The existence of Ottar (Lv. 7) was like an insurmountable mountain. On the Loki Familia's side, there was currently no Lv. 7.
"What are you afraid of!" Bete kicked over a chair. "I've wanted to beat that boar-man for a long time! This is the perfect chance to see who's truly the strongest in Orario!"
While the group was arguing, the doors were pushed open.
Shirou Emiya entered, flanked by Ais and the others. All eyes immediately focused on him—the "trigger" of this war, and the priceless "prize."
"Yo, you're back, our 'Princess'." Loki made a sarcastic jab, but then she walked up to Shirou and slapped his shoulder hard.
"How was it? Went to the wolf's den—did you lose any meat?"
"Didn't lose any meat, but I almost didn't come back." Shirou laughed bitterly. "Sorry, Loki. I've brought trouble to the Familia."
"What stupid things are you saying?" Loki grinned, revealing that reassuring smile.
"You're my person. As long as I don't nod, no one is taking you away. Not even that nymphomaniac goddess."
"And besides..." Loki turned to address every member in the conference room.
"This is also an opportunity.
An opportunity to prove who is the true hegemon of Orario.
Finn, give the order." Loki put away her smile, showing the authority of a primary deity. "We accept the challenge."
Finn nodded. He stood up, an incredible aura exploding from his small body.
"Everyone, listen to my orders!
Loki Familia, enter Level 1 combat readiness!
This is not a drill, nor is it an expedition. This is—a War Game!
Objective: Crush the Freya Familia!
For glory! And to... protect our cook companion!"
"OHHHHHHHH!!!"
For the next three days, the entirety of Orario fell into a strange state of excitement. A showdown between the two strongest Familias—this was a grand event unseen in decades. Betting odds fluctuated wildly, and countless adventurers flocked from all directions to watch.
As for the person involved, Shirou Emiya was placed under "house arrest" by Finn.
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Twilight Manor, Underground Training Ground.
"Why do I have to be locked up too?" Shirou looked at Finn helplessly.
"To ensure the safety of the 'prize'," Finn said solemnly. "And, during these three days, there is something you need to do."
"What is it?"
"Special training." Finn pointed to a pile of materials nearby—it was every rare metal and magic stone in the Familia's warehouse.
"The format of the War Game has been decided. It's a 'Siege'.
Freya Familia defends, Loki Familia attacks. Time limit: three days.
As long as we can break through their defenses and seize the flag acting as the 'token,' we win."
Finn looked at Shirou, his eyes gleaming.
"You are the key to this war, Emiya.
While you at Lv. 3 might not be able to stop Ottar on the front lines, your 'Magecraft' and 'Forging' are the biggest variables we can utilize.
In these three days, I want you to do one thing.
Fill up your [Unlimited Blade Works]."
"Fill it up?" Shirou blinked.
"Exactly." Riveria walked over and handed Shirou a thick book. "This is the 'Compendium of Ancient Magic Swords.' Although most are lost to time, it records detailed structural diagrams."
"Since it's a siege..." Finn revealed a smile that could be described as "evil."
"Then there's no need for knightly sportsmanship.
I want you to manufacture enough 'disposable magic swords' to blow up half of Orario.
When the time comes... we'll give that woman Freya a grand 'fireworks show'."
Shirou looked at the pile of materials, then at the expectant faces of Finn and Riveria. He suddenly felt that if you cut these two open, they'd be black to the core.
"...I understand." Shirou took a deep breath and picked up his hammer (projected). As a craftsman and an Archer, this "firepower saturation" mission was... right up his alley.
"Since you want fireworks..." The fire of a craftsman burned in Shirou's eyes.
"Then I'll give you a... legendary-level 'Nuclear' feast."
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Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The day of the final battle finally arrived.
The wilderness plains east of Orario. This area was designated by the Guild as the battlefield for this War Game. A massive fortress, temporarily built by the Freya Familia (actually generated rapidly with magic), towered in the center of the plain.
Opposite the fortress, the Loki Familia's army had already completed their formation.
Finn stood at the front, his spear pointing straight ahead. "Loki Familia! Attack!"
"CHARGE!!!"
As the army began its rush, on a high ground in the rear of the battlefield, Shirou Emiya stood alone. Dense rows of swords of various shapes were thrust into the ground around him, like a forest of steel.
"Trace—On."
He raised his hand, and golden ripples appeared behind him. Though he was no Gilgamesh, at this moment, he possessed an aura even more "extravagant" than that King of Heroes.
"First volley—Prepare."
"Lady Freya, this is the... return gift I prepared for you."
"Fire!"
Shoom-shoom-shoom-shoom-shoom!!!
Thousands of magic swords took to the sky, streaking across the firmament like a meteor shower, crashing down toward the Freya Familia's fortress. At that moment, all of Orario witnessed a rainstorm of swords named "Infinity."
The Great Feud has officially begun.