Chapter 05: Investigation and Sightseeing
(Shirou Emiya's point of view)
"Ugh, my head…"
I move my hand to touch my head.
?
I have bandages tied to my head.
!
I wince once I touch it.
What happened?
I eye my surrounding.
…
I sit up.
When I woke up, I found myself lying on a floor, covered with a blanket.
!
My head aches again.
I take off the blanket and try to stand.
My body feels wobbly…
"No, you shouldn't stand up!"
I turn to face the speaker.
It was the young woman from yesterday.
"What happened?"
She sheepishly averts her face.
…
"I-I kinda hit your head with a vase." She tells me the truth.
…
So that would explain it...
!
My head aches again.
"I'm sorry! But you were trying to stab my mother with that strange dagger." She bows.
…
"Speaking of your mother… how is she?"
The woman raises her head.
A smile of relief is clearly on her face.
"She's no longer in peril. The healer himself was confused by the sudden result. It was as if the curse dispel on its own." The woman tells me.
…
That assures me…
The plague is a curse.
"She's a bit weak since she hasn't eaten anything in days. But, she'll be fine after resting for a few more days." She adds.
I smile at her.
"That's great news."
She nods.
"I don't know what you did. But somehow, you dispel the curse." She smiles gratefully at me.
Rule Breaker works against curses…
"Look, I'm sorry that I hit your head out of sudden. But you were acting so strange with that dagger and all… You need to rest." The woman forces me to sit down.
"I'll bring you food. But for now, just lie down and relax." She adds.
…
But I can't just lie here when I know I can do something about the plague…
"I know what that face means. My father used to have that kind of face whenever he thinks of escaping."
?
"My suggestion; don't. The knights are out there looking for you. And I heard bad rumors circling around it."
…
"Then, why did you help me earlier?"
I didn't warrant anything to earn her aid…
"You were with Wilhelm-sama. Any companion of Wilhelm-sama can't be a bad person. So, I decide to help you." She tells me.
…
Wilhelm's reputation as a knight saved me.
"And now I know… You are a good person." She smiles at me.
I smile back at her.
"Until that wound closes up, you should hide in here. No one would find you unless Crusch-sama personally searches for you."
?
"Is there anything about Crusch-san that I didn't know?"
She tilts her head.
"You sound like you're close to her."
I shake my head.
"Did I sound like that? I must be one heck of a daydreamer."
I feint a laugh.
Then, I straighten my back.
"What do you mean by that? Does Crusch-san possess a unique ability that allows her to find me?"
She nods.
"She possesses a gift entitled the Blessing of the Wind Indication. It allows her to detect lies and deceit."
…
Then, I have no reason to run.
"If she can detect lies, then I have no reason to fear."
The woman tilts her head.
"And why is that?"
…
Now, that I think of it…
Rule Breaker didn't save Ferris…
I hang my head in shame.
"I think I was just being conceited. Forget about it." I tell her.
"I don't know what's going on… But you should just rest."
The woman stands up.
"I have to take care of my mother for now. I'll be back with fresh bandages."
I nod.
/***Scene break***/
"Is there anyone else needs to be healed?"
"Over here Felix-sama!"
"Coming…!"
The cat eared young man spurs into action.
Ever since his return, many of the ill was successfully saved.
His master, Crusch Karsten is watching him with great disbelieve.
"It's nice to have you back, Felix."
Wilhelm, the aged ex knight bids him.
"Yup…! I feel like a whole new me."
The demi human knight responds while focusing on his healing task.
It doesn't make sense to the amber-eyed beauty.
A few hours ago, her ward's breathing stopped the moment that dagger plunged into his chest.
While there was no apparent injury, his heart beating was stopped.
She even asks another healer to check his condition.
Even the Blessing of Water left Felix's body at that moment.
Right now, she is observing a miracle.
The demi human is as cheerful and energetic as ever.
His Blessing of Water is used to rescue more lives.
What did that stranger did to him?
/***Scene break***/
(Shirou's point of view)
I found myself sitting on a porch.
…
This place seems familiar…
?
My hands are surprisingly small.
Am I a child?
"Shirou…"
A kind voice calls out to me.
"Yes, Kiritsugu…"
The younger 'me' responded.
There's a sickly old man sits beside me.
He was gazing the sky as we speak.
…
No, rather than an old man, he was more like a big brother.
The only reason he looks so old was his ill condition.
"It's a fine night." The man known as Kiritsugu comments as he gazes the night sky.
The younger 'me' looks upward as he speaks.
Full moon infuses the sky.
The moon was accompanied by stars.
It was a beautiful night.
The two of us gaze the sky without saying anything.
"You know…"
The man opens his mouth.
"I used to dream of being a hero."
The younger 'me' tilts his head.
"What do you mean 'used to'…?"
The old man chuckles at my remark.
"It appears it was a limited time occupation. I got too old."
The younger 'me' contemplates.
"Oh that…"
The two of us return to moon gazing.
"That's not a problem."
The younger 'me' suddenly says.
Surprised by my remark, the man turns to face me.
"I can be one for you. Since you got too old, I can take your place."
The younger 'me' declares.
A smile of relief creeps into Kiritsugu's face.
"I see…"
He closes his eyes.
"Thank you, Shirou."
The younger 'me' stares at him blankly.
I don't know what I was thinking.
But I kept on staring.
Tears slowly invade my cheeks.
Deep in my heart, I know my old man is gone.
/***Scene break***/
(Shirou Emiya's point of view)
I open my eyes.
I'm back to reality.
My right hand unconsciously moves to my cheek.
It was wet…
The young woman returns.
"I came with food and new bandages—"
She pauses when she saw me.
"What's wrong?"
I avert my face.
She puts down the platter full with food.
"Sit up. I need to change your bandages."
I willingly move my body.
The woman carefully unwrap the bloodstained bandages on my head.
…
Suddenly, the woman gasps.
?
"What are you?"
?
I slowly reach for my open wound.
!
I take away my hand in haste.
…
I accidentally prick my index finger.
"What's going on?" I ask the woman.
The woman stares at the open wound.
…
"I'm going to cover it up. Let's just hope this was nothing more but an illusion."
The woman covers my head with new bandages.
…
What was on my head?
What came out of that wound that startles the woman?
…
"Let me take a look at that." The woman offers to treat the prick on my finger.
I put my finger into my mouth.
"I can handle it."
I said as I suck on it.
The woman shakes her head.
"Men." She mutters.
We, men, don't want to look weak in front of the opposite gender.
"Help yourself with the food. It's not much but that's all we have."
I nod.
"Thanks."
The young woman stands up.
"Hey."
?
"I don't know what happened. But keep it going, okay?"
…
She saw me…
The woman walks away.
/***Scene break***/
The houses of nobles under the Karsten banner meet in a conference room.
The head, Crusch Karsten is sitting as the speaker.
Her knight, Felix Argyle, and her butler, Wilhelm Van Astrea stands by her side.
"We demand explanation!" One of the nobles begins their meeting.
"Oh… What do you need to be explained?" The woman simply says.
"Our prisoner, the stranger with red hair, escaped from our dungeon a day ago. Your servant was seen escorting him!" The noble claims as he points at Wilhelm.
The Karsten head simply closes her eyes.
"I'm afraid I'm not aware of this." She simply answers.
Rage fills the opposing noble's face.
"Crusch-sama, that boy is suspected to be a carrier to this curse. We need to apprehend him!" Another noble decides to speak up.
The woman opens her eyes.
"I'll have to object."
The other nobles present in the room gasp.
"With all due respect, would you explain to us about your objection, Crusch-sama?"
The woman clasps her hands on the table.
"If he was a carrier, shouldn't I be the first to die from the curse?" She says.
The nobles start whispering.
"And why is that?"
The woman closes her eyes again.
"A few days ago, that young man cooked me a magnificent breakfast. So, he has many opportunities to curse me or poison me." She declares to the open.
The nobles whisper to each other.
"Not only that, most of my servants were in contact with the stranger. Why haven't any of them fell ill?" She states her question.
"But Felix Argyle fell to his curse! It could be a ruse in order to subdue the kingdom's best healer!" A nobleman argues.
"And he was the one who breaks it."
The present nobles gasp.
"His method was strange and unsophisticated. But my knight was saved by his eccentricity." Crusch claims.
"It's true. Shirou-kyun saved my life." Felix adds to support Crusch's statement.
"But your breathing stopped once! Doesn't that mean something?"
The demi human snorts.
"I can survive a fatal physical damage and back to my cheerful self." The young man claims.
"That doesn't explain anything!"
"Wait until I'm finished!" The cat eared young man chastises the interjector.
He let out a sigh.
"If its physical damage we're talking about, I can walk away unscathed. But that curse was something else. Once it takes full effect, no blessing or divine protection could save us." The cat eared demi human declares.
He pauses for a second.
"Since I have experienced it myself, I can understand why no other healers are capable to break it. It was a channeling curse."
The crowd gasps.
"Does that mean we have a spell caster actively harming us?" Crusch asks the cat demi human.
"I'm afraid not. From what I can tell, it wasn't channeled by a living being." He informs the noblewoman.
"Then, what channels the plague?"
The young man hangs his head in shame.
"I can't answer that… I can't find the source despite how hard I try."
The crowd remains silent.
"But that still doesn't explain why your heart stopped beating!" A nobleman points out.
"Ara… You sure fuss about menial stuff." The knight says nonchalantly.
"Menial…!? It was your life endangered by that stranger!"
"I know… That's why I said it was menial."
The noble's seething anger fumes.
"It was my Blessing." The young man decides to humor the noble.
"Your Blessing…?" Crusch raises her eyebrow.
Felix nods.
"When that strange dagger hits me, the curse along with my Blessing leaves my body. As you all know, Divine Protection would only leaves once the possessor dies." The demi human narrates his experience.
All of them nod showing acknowledgment.
"However, something unusual happen. My Blessing takes my soul along when it leaves my body, leaving it cold."
The nobles start to whisper again.
"That is certainly unusual." Crusch muses.
It's not impossible.
"Well, it appears that dagger is a double edged weapon, literally and spiritually." The knight concludes.
"Are you saying that dagger can eliminate magical contracts?" A noble inquires.
The cat eared knight nods.
"Luckily for me, the Blessing of Water has no better candidate for its next possessor. It returns to my body along with my soul." He says with playful cat paw gesture.
A small smile forms on Crusch's face.
"Felix's circumstance aside, we need to find the source of this channeling curse." She brushes the matter aside for a greater reason.
"But that just doesn't make any sense! There's no way this is a curse! It's just too different from any curses ever recorded!"
The noblewoman closes her eyes.
"Have you ever considered the possibility that this curse doesn't belong in our world?"
She has the crowd's attention.
"My sources believe that this curse is originated from a foreign land. And I don't mean a land in this world."
She was skeptical but that was the only plausible reason.
The appa seller may have a point.
"That's preposterous!"
"Then, how could you explain the irregularity?" She deadpans.
"That's precisely my point! Your own statement is pointing towards that stranger with red hair!"
Crusch Karsten gathers her thoughts.
"No. It wasn't that boy. And I have a witness that can prove his innocence." She declares.
Surprised by her statement, the nobles stand to their feet.
"This curse is already in our land before the strangers' arrival."
/***Scene break***/
(Shirou Emiya's point of view)
I'm bored…
I've never expected to be in this kind of situation.
I'm forced to lie down doing nothing…
…
I want to go out and search for the plague's foundation.
But with knights roaming around searching for me, I can't move freely.
Moreover, the injury on my head is making it worse.
I can't blame the woman for making such action…
I was kinda hasty with my decision to use Rule Breaker.
…
It's been awhile since I work my body.
I begin doing sit-ups.
[Door banging]
?
It came from upstairs.
I grab my jacket and sneak upstairs.
"What is it?"
I overheard the young woman asks her visitor.
"Why won't anyone help me…!?"
?
A familiar voice.
"I'm afraid you'll have to leave." The woman was about to close her door.
…
It was that man from a few days ago.
I mean the one with missing daughter.
The man abruptly forces the door open.
"Why won't anyone help me…!? My daughter is missing!"
"Tell that to the knights! Why are you blocking my door…!?"
"They won't listen to me!"
"Stop it, you madman!"
A knight apprehends the man.
"You got to help me! My daughter went missing!"
"That doesn't justify your action to harass a maiden."
"I wasn't harassing! Please, you have to find her! She's been missing for five days!"
The knight takes him away, ignoring his plead.
…
I need to do something about this.
I saw a cloak on my way here.
/***Scene break***/
Three men in dark red robes prostrate themselves before a huge shadow.
"Scorn, Strife, Spite…"
The huge shadow speaks.
""Yes, master.""
All three of them responded.
"How is our subjugation of Lugnica?"
"The plan is moving smoothly, my lord. Soon, the Karsten's land will fall into our hands." Scorn informs his master.
"Only Karsten's? FOOL!"
The voice echoes.
"My apology master… But the implementation of the insignias takes a long time. Unless the carrier moves closer to the execution site, the insignia can't be activated." Scorn stands up to his opinion.
"Are you saying my judgment was flawed, Scorn?"
The red mage lowers his head.
"Your judgment is magnificent, my lord. However, Shirou Emiya was a poor choice as a carrier."
A hearty laugh echoes.
"What is the intention of the insignias, Scorn?"
"To spread the plague…" The red mage simply answers.
"That is only one of its functions. The true power of the insignias will only activate once that ignorant child traveled to the whole continent."
The red mage simply lowers his head.
The truth is, he fails to see the logic behind his master's planning.
"As you say, Lord Emijah..."
/***Scene break***/
(Shirou Emiya's point of view)
For some reason, the crowd has return to the public.
There were no signs of fear in their faces.
As if the plague was only a bad dream…
"Nii-chan, how about an appa?"
I meet the apple seller again.
However, I'm wearing a cloak so he can't recognize me.
"I would like to buy one but I have no money." I tell him.
"Hah…? Then, get lost! Stop blocking my customers!" The man chastises me.
I walk aside.
?
A petite woman with long, wavy purple hair replaces my position.
Her blue eyes remind me of someone.
She wears a long white dress with a fur hat and scarf.
In her hand, a large purse shaped like a wallet.
Besides her, there's a short child with long orange hair.
?
Wait a minute…
I eye the child's attire.
It resembles a knight.
"Anastasia, I want appa!" The child pleads her guardian.
The petite woman smiles.
"Give me a dozen."
!
That voice…
I knew it from somewhere.
"Shirou, you idiot!"
…
Most of the time, the same voice keeps calling me an idiot.
"Do you need something?" The woman turns to face me.
"Ah… Nothing." I step back from her.
She closes her eyes.
A small smile apparent on her face.
"What a horrible brute…" She utters with indifferent expression.
?
"You were eyeing me." She simply says.
…
Dammit, she's sharp!
"Uh… Maybe that's because you were—"
Exuding an aura similar to a small animal.
I didn't say it loudly because it might offend her.
"You were attractive. Yeah, you were attractive!" I cover up my lie.
"Ara… What an honest man." She giggles.
"Wow… Someone actually hits on you." Her companion comments as the child-like knight munches on one of the apples.
…
I really can't register that thing as an 'appa'…
"Although, I must say it was a bit forced."
?
"I can tell from your tone… Lying is not nice." The woman smiles creepily at me.
…
Where did I see that kind smile before?
"No matter… Come along, Mimi." The woman shrugs.
"See you again, Casanova!" The child waves at me.
I wave back.
"Hitting on a Priestess Candidate, huh? Smooth move, Nii-chan."
?
The apple seller snorts at me.
"A Priestess candidate…?"
"Wait… Are you telling me, you didn't recognize her? That's Anastasia Hoshin of Hoshin Trading Company. She's pretty famous among the candidates." He informs me.
…
"I can't see your face. But I know from that gesture that you have no idea what I'm saying." The stall owner snorts.
I nod.
The gangster-like man sighs.
"What did I bother telling you all this?"
…
"What is this 'Priestess candidate' business?"
The man makes a startled face.
"You're kidding me…"
…
"Where did you live before? Under a rock…?" He questions me.
"Actually, I have amnesia. I'm looking for my identity." I tell him, half-lying.
I did lose my memory but it wasn't a memory from this world.
The man sighs.
"Fine… I'll tell you how this world works."
He clears his throat.
"This Kingdom is governed by a dragon. We made a convent with the great dragon many years ago in order to form our current peaceful world. Though, it's not as peaceful as before…" The last part was in murmurs.
…
"Every few years, a maiden is selected to be a priestess. That maiden will become the ruler of this country since the original ruler doesn't have any living heir."
…
"Those who are chosen by the Dragon Emblem, becomes candidates. Right now, only four out of five candidates were chosen."
…
"Anastasia Hoshin is one of the candidates. Among the four of them, she's the only candidate that has no blessing."
?
"Are you saying every other candidate beside Anastasia has unique ability similar to Crusch-san?"
"Why are you calling Crusch-sama with such familiarity?"
I purse my lips.
"Yes. That's one way to put it. Crusch-sama has Divine Protection of Wind Indication while that arrogant woman has Divine Protection of the Sun." The man snorts.
?
"What arrogant woman?"
"Pricilla Barielle, another candidate for the 42nd King." The man says with disdain.
…
"Ah… I hope I don't meet her. She's too extravagant for someone like me." The apple seller muses.
…
?
"Wait a minute… From your tone earlier, you sounded like Crusch-san is a candidate, isn't she?"
The man nods.
"Crusch Karsten is a candidate."
…
"Well, aside from those three, the last candidate is the most notable one." He mutters.
?
"Do you believe in the Devil?"
…
"Well, if you don't believe in one, then maybe you could stomach the fact that a half devil is a ruler candidate for this country."
?
"A half-devil…?"
"Technically, she's a half elf."
…
"Then, why did you guys call her a half devil…?"
The man purses his lips.
…
"Why am I bothering to waste my time explaining to this guy?" The apple seller palms his head.
"Run along. I have business to take care…!" He tells me to go away.
At least finish the history lesson…
"Oh yeah… Are you one of those crazy people preaching about Emijah?"
?
"Forget it… Your robe is a bit different."
The man shrugs…
"Emijah…?"
"A couple of days ago, a bunch of cuckoos came by and start preaching to me about how great this 'Emijah' lord is. I've never heard such name… As if the Witch Cult isn't bad enough."
…
"Well, I threw them off. At least, they didn't bother coming back."
"How did they look like?"
The stall owner raises his eyebrow.
"They all wear dark red robes. I'm surprised the knights didn't take any action against them. They look almost similar to a Witch Cultist. Well, I guess they were just a bunch of fanatics. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here talking to you." The man shrugs again.
…
"Which way did they go?"
"The sewers look likely for a place to hide. But I don't think so… Sounds like a bunch of kids playing cult."
…
I think I got a lead.
#Chapter End#
/Character traits unlocked/
Dream cycle: Learn something of his childhood, sitting beside a man named Kiritsugu; promised him to be a hero/ally of justice
Miscellaneous: Learn of the Dragon Priestess Candidates; Crusch Karsten, Pricilla Barielle, Anastasia Hoshin, and unknown half elf.
/Case Unlocked – Shirou's perspective/
Case 01: Woman with ill mother (solved)
I manage to heal her mother. It confirmed my suspicion that the plague is a curse. I got my head hit by a vase in return…
Case 02: Strange person with similar outfit as mine
The apple seller (appa seller) told me about someone with similar outfit as mine. I don't know the details but the stall owner said that person wore a jacket.
Case 03: Beautiful girl with silver hair
The said stranger was looking for a silver haired girl.
Case 04: Man with missing daughter
His daughter is missing! For some reason, the knights are taking him lightly.
Case 05: Strange Trio
I saw three oddly dressed men at the marketplace. All of them are very tall. One of them exceeds standard human height. The huge man adorned red robe with gold lining. The said man is a blond man with a moustache. He left without saying anything to me. The other man was a person with snow-white hair, slicked back, and azure blue eyes. He adorned cerulean three-tailed overcoat on his black Kevlar. The man was annoyed with me for no reason. He left without saying anything. The last man was a slender man with long silver hair. I don't think he was the girl that mysterious jacket person was looking for… The said man has green catlike eyes. He adorned black coat over his naked chest.
Case 06: Silver haired man
A different case file is made for this particular man. He and I had a conversation. Apparently, those who aren't from this world can't recognize 'appa' as apples. He told about the existence of many worlds but somehow I was not surprised. He told me about the underground cultist. Later, I meet him again in a strange building. He left after I doubt his intention. There were black feathers scattered on the floor after he left.
Case 07: Underground Cultists
I still don't have any information about this thing…
Case 08: Witch Cultist
I heard this from Wilhelm-san.
Case 09: Strange maid
She knew something about me…
Case 10: Red mages
A mage in red robes by name Scorn engaged me in combat. I lost pathetically… His spells consist of Hellfire (Fireballs), Aegis (Invisible force field that blocks physical attack), Pulverize (Tossing giant boulders), pyramid-shaped energy bolt, and some kind of spell that allows him to materialize shadow. He knew my full name. His companion showed up to prevent Scorn from killing me. The other red mage is called Strife. They said I was a carrier. Was I the carrier for the plague? I was sure they were the one who brought me here and erased my memories.
Case 11: The Plague (updated)
I've confirm this as a curse. Rule Breaker should do the trick.
Case 12: Dragon Priestess (updated)
I heard this from the apple seller (don't bother to correct me). Five candidates will be chosen to be the King of Lugnica (the name of this kingdom). Right now, only four candidates have been chosen. The chosen four were Anastasia Hoshin, Crusch Karsten (I was surprised to hear this), Pricilla Barielle, and an unknown half elf. The half elf was nicknamed the Devil. I don't see why they called her a half devil…
Case 13: Emijah Cult (updated)
Strange cult has been preaching around the capital. I suspect that they were the one spreading the plague. Scorn and Strife once mentioned the name of their lord is 'Emijah'.
[Author's note]
Bear with me until the end of this arc.
Thanks for reading.
