I appreciate those that said your piece. I prefer you to speak your mind in things like this because it helps me improve. As for how I said that I had a rough time figuring out if I'm doing okay or not, well I am, I just gotta get past myself in the matter.

Either way, I'm continuing as best as I can. Buddy told me that I got Arturia down well enough, but Shirou is underwhelming. I can agree. I'm sure the rest of you can too.

Before I forget, I give credit to Mighty C for helping with ideas and personality adjustments so I don't end up making things weird.

17:10:24:52

There are times like this when he preferred to stay solo in this line of work. Even if it was, to him, considered searching for a certain someone.

Shirou sighed at the two people in front of him, "I prefer to go alone, even now. We may work well together, Gerald, but I don't intend to stay in this land forever and you have your brother to take care of. And you-" Pointing to the woman who he ended up saving from something he considered worse than death.

Aside from the cat ears, her long black hair reached to her shoulders with eyes of a vivid yellow to them. While her pupils were normal most of the time, there have been times he'd notice them appear feline before reverting. Seems that it was more often used to see farther or see better in the night. She no longer wore the rags she was recently in as he had quietly projected them after the other two went to sleep.

He didn't bother to measure her size since her stature and height was close to Tohsaka's or Saber's.

"You're here to stay as well because of your wounds. While they're not severe, I would advise you to take care of them before thinking of leaving these walls." His amber eyes bore a hole through them both to emphasize the decision altogether.

"But I can be of use to you." She said, clearly not getting the message. It wasn't that she wasn't useful, to which he doesn't even know yet, it was that he didn't know her and preferred not to.

"That's not the issue. In fact, there is no issue. I just don't do groups, never have. I'll outpace you easily and I don't care for others slowing me down." Blunt as it may be, it is the truth. There's no reason to take on someone who can't keep up. He only allowed Gerald along because of his knowledge and claim on the bounty.

If he so chose, he could cross the entire country within a day or two. Speed was always in his favor, no matter where he was or who he faced. However, his swords are still giving him trouble, especially when turning them to arrows. The bow has taken root in his soul but not his origin. Due to that, they are constantly at odds now. Something he should keep control of no matter what,

This bow is a nuisance but it's useful at the same time. As two faced as it sounded.

"But-"

"No. Look, I appreciate that you care enough to aid me in my endeavors, but this is something that's out of your ability to handle. The only thing that I can ask of you is to take care of yourself." In the dead of night, back at the camp, he noticed a crest on her chest. It was easy to discern that it was a slave crest, and with a quick use of Rule Breaker, it was gone.

Funny how a dagger held all the power since the jolt never came when he held it. The bow knew what it was and knew to keep quiet. Intelligent, but still a nuisance.

"I'll just be captured again…" She slumped her shoulders, growing quiet after the statement. He knew quick enough from his time in the city to figure out that slavery is common practice here. As much as he wanted to try and dismantle it, it would take too long. With too little information on locations and who were in charge of the operations, it was something to be put on the backburner until he'd figure out more to go on.

It still hurt a bit to see children of all things to be enslaved and treated like they were less than those that owned them. Status-wise, yes, but in terms of humanity and morality, the owners were beat.

"Then stay with Gerald and the orphanage. Be a caretaker for the children. It's not like they'll reject you, children love cats… I think." Shirou's words seemed to work. Gerald didn't seem adverse to the idea either, so it's a win-win for them both. Judging from how Gerald kept stealing glances at her spoke more of his acceptance to the idea.

She clenched her dress, her bottom lip quivered ever so slightly before staring at him with a conviction that he hadn't seen on her before now, "I will do that then."

Shirou smiled and spoke, "Good. It's better this way and you know it. There's no use in fighting for your life day in and day out like me. Gerald will help you, yeah?" His eyes landed on the adventurer who suddenly stood ram-rod straight before relaxing. Seems that he was staring a little too much at the woman.

He smirked, "Alright. With that out of the way, I need to leave. Can't stand being in one place for too long." With that, Shirou turned around before walking away from the two.

Hurried footsteps carried themselves behind him before he turned to see Gerald stopping in front of him. Raising a brow, he waited for what the man wanted to say.

Gerald took a deep breath before saying, "Thank you, Shirou. I hope we meet again someday."

He shrugged, "Perhaps. Chances are I'll find my way back here easily enough. The king doesn't seem the type to leave a long leash on me, but I have my ways of cutting that leash. Just need time and distance."

No words were spoken after that. There was no need to. The two understood each other enough to know that. Gerald stayed behind as he watched Shirou leave. The woman walked next to the adventurer before tapping his shoulder.

"Gah!" He jumped to the side, startled at the sudden sensation. She giggled at the reaction, amused by his flailing. He regained his balance before giving a small laugh. He put his hand behind his head in slight embarrassment before his eyes widened a bit at the crossing thought.

"I'm sorry to have taken this long, but what is your name?"

She smiled and said, "Lilith. My name is Lilith."

Gerald nodded and smiled, "It's a nice name… anyway, let's head to the orphanage. I'm sure the kids would love to meet you." He held his hand out in a gesture to follow. The walk wouldn't be far, about two streets down.

She smiled brightly, her eyes shone a bit, and his heart skipped a beat. "I'll be in your care, then."

Keeping his breathing under control, he nodded, "Of course."

His walk had lasted for a few miles before he stopped beside a grove of trees. It would provide decent coverage for a plan that he had in mind. Filolials don't take kindly to him, and he couldn't pull a cart by himself. If anything, he didn't need one. Gaia has no hold on this world, and his projection is capable of almost anything that he understood, which ended up being anything that he'd seen in his life.

Structural Analysis was good for more than just swords and bows.

"Trace on." He whispered with his hand held out in front of him. It would take multiple parts to make what he had in mind, but it would be very useful. After all, horseless carriages are a thing of the future. Why not bring it now?

A light glow appeared in his hand before the first of four appeared on the ground. A rim with four lug-nut holes. Next came the tire, making sure to keep it set for off-road, no use in street tires where asphalt doesn't exist.

After he finished with four of them, a screen appeared in his vision with his name and three bars below it. One red, one green and one blue. The blue bar seemed to have a portion shaved off it. The percentage reads ninety-four percent remaining. Years of projecting allow for seamless creation of any weapon, but things like this tended to expend more or obvious reasons.

His concentration didn't waver in the slightest as he started on the next.

Axles, differentials, bearings, rotors, calipers, pads, etc. All the parts to make a perfectly capable vehicle for his personal usage. The blue bar steadily depleted as he continued. He figured out that it was tied to his circuits quickly enough as his breathing stayed steady. This world seemed to work on the fact that using magic didn't leave you winded. But then again, he hadn't felt winded since his fight with an Apostle a few years back in Iran.

That one gave him a run for his money. He was lucky the creature was alone, otherwise he'd have been surrounded.

His projection allowed for him to mold the tubing to his likeness, forgoing the need for welding. His eyes were all that was needed to make a straight frame for the wheels to sit on. The buggy was well made so far, but the blue bar was nearing empty indicating that his work will have to stop until morning.

It isn't a problem. The experiment was working well enough without Gaia's intervention. The parts are staying in shape and aren't crumbling to pieces… yet. If it even happens, it'd take much much longer than what he was accustomed to. Not that he would ever complain about it, quite the opposite feeling was being felt.

So far, the main frame and part of the engine bay was complete. It's already on four wheels with the drivetrain ready to be attached. At that moment he decided to make drum brakes instead of disk, mainly due the reason that, while he can make brake fluid, he would rather focus on making the fuel instead.

Drum brakes fixes that issue easily enough. The engine is going to be the more complicated part of the creation as it had many moving parts compared to the rest of the pieces that went with it.

Within minutes, a fire was already settled in the clearing between trees. Stones circled it to prevent charred wood still red with heat to spread and unwilling cause a bush fire. The foliage around him is green as can be but he didn't want to take chances.

He still held on to some cook meat from his last trope through the forestry days prior, so he wasn't intending on cooking anything. Only to keep warm. The cold no longer bothers him due to his particular skillset. He's practically a walking forge and with it came heat. His body temperature keeps him warm no matter where he was, the fire is more for comfort than anything.

His eyes stared at the fire, thoughts of what he could do here. There's so much that he hasn't found yet. Information, locations, enemies, anything that could prove to be harmful to innocents. Slavery was definitely one of the issues he'd have to tackle while he was here. The thought that children were treated so harshly due to a difference in looks didn't sit right with him.

It took him back when he was in the middle east, seeing the insurgent's recruiting children in their cause for freedom from the larger nations that thought they were needed everywhere. It only causes suspicion and spite towards the superpowers of the world.

While the people didn't send those very children to the frontlines, they were still posted at important locations. His time clearing out some locations led him to spare at least the little ones. They didn't know like the adults do, nor do they deserve to be put there in the first place.

The crackle of the fire brought him to reality, watching as small embers floated in the air above him. The wood was apparently not as sturdy as he wanted since the embers were evident enough. These trees aren't good for burning but he'd have to work with it for now.

Using what prana that remained, he focused on creating the smaller part of the buggy. Lines, bolts, even the suspension. The front end is thankfully not complicated as it only required the suspension for the tires and the rack and pinion to aid in steering. The gearing had to be better adjusted to compensate for the lack of power steering.

While the adjustment isn't needed due to the low weight, he wanted something to keep his mind busy.

A light yawn escaped his lips before shutting his eyes slowly. Exhaustion is creeping on him now. The expenditure of his projection is probably catching up to him. Or the events of the past few days with little sleep is the culprit. Either way, it was time to rest.

Setting a bedroll next to the fire, he laid down before projecting a dagger to stay next to him. While his situation prevented him from grasping it, he could still hold it aloft in the air to be used as a projectile. Even the Bow can't trouble him for what is essentially an ability of his soul.

This dagger held a larger, more special spot in his soul. It belonged to someone very dear to him in her time as King. Carnwennan.

The ability to hide oneself from sight will always be a useful ability. He can't make use of it due to his inability to hold it, but its presence is enough. His memories wandered until he fell asleep.

.

.

.

"Welcome to Melromarc, Hero of the Sword…"

"Do not call me that…"

.

.

.

His eyes opened as he stared at the dark blue sky. Dawn is yet to arrive, but the light of the sun is visible. Shirou sat up from his position, racking his brain at what he witnessed. It didn't make sense. He didn't recognize the old man in his dream. But he did recognize her voice...

It sounded the same as the last time he'd heard it.

But it was strange. It felt like a memory, too vivid to be a dream fabricated by his sub-conscious. Honestly, it reminded him of when he was still bonded to her, when the war was in full swing. He'd seen her memories before, and she, his.

Shaking his head, he stood up from his bedroll before dismissing the thing. Shirou looked over the buggy that still sat there, nothing seemed missing, so it was safe to assume that nothing will vanish when he goes mobile.

A few hours later

Suffice to say, the buggy performed as he had expected it to. Everything was moving the way it should, and the engine wasn't missing. Instead of a complicate multi-cylinder engine, he decided to use a standard one-cylinder engine commonly used in go-carts. Americans used them more often and perfected it, leading to the well-known Briggs and Stratton. Their motors could be found all over the world for their robustness. Of course, when the time came, he'd make use of a larger engine but for the time being, the little motor will do its job.

Fuel came easy enough, understanding the chemical makeup of it proved to be a boon during his time in the deserts of Iran.

Shirou turned the wheel to avoid another bush, not wanting a repeated accident the last time he ran on over. Poor bastard found himself under his tire. Good thing he was an enemy soldier, but Shirou couldn't, for the life of him, figure out why a lone insurgent was hiding in a small bush hundreds of feet away from his fellows.

To avoid issues with anyone on the road, Shirou took it upon himself to go through the forest instead. With a map he had on him, his projected compass worked well with it. Knowing where to go in a short amount of time.

A village along the border is where he wanted to go. Rumors stated that the Shield Hero was there. Something to do with escaping from Siltvelt and in hiding. Whoever they were, they must have been summoned much sooner than him. Either way, it would help to learn of them. Normally, he'd have brushed it off, but the interesting abilities of his bow made him intrigued at the capabilities of a shield made from a higher power.

There weren't many shields that he knew of, the only prominent one is Rho Aias. Any other shield is mostly unknown to him. Saber's memories hinted at the Round Table itself being a shield, but he never saw it, and isn't capable of projecting it.

A shadow loomed over him, prompting him to look up. His eyes widened at the large dragon that happened to be flying overhead. Judging from its velocity and direction, it might land in front of him… or it might attack him.

He slowed to a crawl before letting the buggy go on its own. The clearing was large enough to allow for loss of steering for a mile or so. He watched with anticipation as it circled over him, prodding a reaction, or simply gauging him. He stayed watching, not moving his bow at all. No point in attacking if it isn't doing the same. He's never met a dragon before, but he knew that they were intelligent.

Ask him how he knows.

His eyes could see its own, and they were looking right at him. The dragon itself was dark grey in color, straight sharp horns jutted from its skull. The dragon itself held a sharp look with spikes and fins all along its body. He could practically feel the aura of power coming from it. It honestly felt like Saber's aura to a marginal degree but it obvious isn't her.

It flipped itself before diving to the ground at an alarming speed before landing heavily on the ground. The ground trembled at its weight and impact. He settled back in the seat before applying the brakes. Once stopped, he reach to the cutoff switch before turning it. The area grew quiet before he slowly stepped out of the buggy.

It growled and rumbled at him, but it didn't seem threatening… yet.

Before he knew it, the dragon shifted.

It shrank, its wings receded into its back, the tail shortened but didn't leave. What stood before him is a woman. Short grey hair with strands hanging down on both sides of her fair. Aside from the two spiraling horns on her head, or is it hair in the shape of horns?

The pointed ears and her tail were all that remained of her draconic form. The large black sweater and… no shorts. Perhaps they're under the sweater. Black laced boots finished the ensemble.

She walked towards him before stopping at twenty feet. Her slit pupiled eyes were bored as she regarded him as if he were an ant… he pondered if Balmung would change that. She's a dragon, after all.

"Where are you going? My Lord doesn't take kindly to heroes leaving his sight."

Shirou furrowed his brows, "I assume your lord is Takt."

"Yes."

"Your lord doesn't control me. He never will."

She giggled a bit, "You have no power in this land. You're weak. You haven't been here long enough to gain even a sliver of power compared to my own."

Fighting dragons wasn't in his forte. His memories were already hazy with the mana transfer with Saber years ago. A… rather interesting memory, but it didn't stay with him because he wanted it to.

The girl tilted her head, "I won't kill you. Not yet. My lord still seeks your bow. There's no use in having you die until you've fulfilled your role to my king."

Shirou scoffed, "Why didn't he take it when he first brought me here?"

She shrugged, "Not everything he knows is known by me. Even he has reasons beyond my understanding." She smirked at him, "But it doesn't matter. It's only a matter of time. Try to resist, would you?" Her arrogance reminded him of the King of Heroes. Shirou watched as the little sprite took off into the air.

She's as short as her threats, barely got anything worth remembering from her… He sighed.

All he knew now is that she's watching… or she isn't. Probably came here to deliver the message and leave. She's with the king, that much was seen and heard. Who else could be out here watching him?

It confirmed his suspicions that he was being followed and/or watched by those loyal to the king. Takt already gave off the image of an arrogant and boastful man, the only thing Shirou's yet to see is if he's capable of protecting that ego.

Unconsciously, he sat back into the seat of the buggy. He didn't bother to restart the engine at this time, there's a lot to consider in his exploration of someone else's land. Kingdoms no longer existed in his world, or there were so little of them, they were considered harmless. Typical governments didn't enforce against those merely sightseeing, aside from border crossing, but then, he wasn't doing that.

His role as this world's hero, or at least this kingdom's, kept him form making rash decisions regarding the bow. Severing the bond could cause irreparable damage to him or this world. There's so much he's missing that he dared not try anything that anyone else wouldn't. At least until he was sure.

Leaning against the seat and frame, hearing the soft ticks of the exhaust pipe cooling before reaching for the key.

As he left, a small form watched from behind the trees.

The town grew in size as got closer, roughly four more miles before he'd have to park somewhere out of sight. The layout, from what he could see from here, was spread out evenly. Whoever planned the building of this place knew what they were doing.

There was no name on the map, but he didn't care. He wasn't there to stay, so there's no need to know the name. His only task is to find jobs that need handling, excluding the kingdom, of course. The silver that he took in the bounty would prove useful in information gathering, there's always someone with a price for good information. Perhaps he should've taken more in case this wasn't enough.

No, this will suffice, he thought.

When he finally came to stop nearly half of a mile away, he placed the buggy by some bushes and covered the rest with what else he could find, ensuring the vehicle was hidden well, even from those close by.

His gaze moved to the main gate, his eyes showing that there were four guards standing as the watch. Two more on the wall above as well. The patterns look relatively normal to any other day, but he supposed that comparing this village to the kingdom walls or the fortress from before was pointless.

He tossed his pack across his shoulder before walking out of the foliage and towards the gate. A steady walk in silence while watching along the wall as he got closer. More guards appeared, whether it was in anticipation, or the shift change is in effect.

His plate indicating his status as an adventurer would provide him passage through, hopefully. If that didn't work, he'll just jumped over the wall. It's only twenty feet high and he doubted there was anyone strong enough to stop him anyway. Not that he'd resort to killing anyone here, if anything he'd rather avoid it until a clear side could be taken.

To them it would seem like a wandering vagabond due to the dark clothing and bright scarf in a warmer climate. His clothes were more along the lines of being mystic codes and parts projected to fit his needs. He'll never get cold or hot in any temperature.

As he drew near, one guard walked up to him before holding his hand out, "Halt."

Shirou stopped, "Is there a problem?"

The guard shook his head, "No, we only stop because we check for identification from adventurer plates and merchant tablets. Will you please give it here?" Shirou nodded before reaching up and taking the band off and around his neck.

Placing the plate in the guard's hand, he watched as the man held it up to his face before reading the inscriptions along the edges.

It didn't take long, the guard nodded his head before handing it back, "You're clear. Welcome to Kindred, adventurer." Shirou bowed gratefully before walking up to the open gate. Both of the guard nodded their heads before resuming their watch.

The gate closed soundly behind him and he marvels at the architecture of the buildings. While the kingdom seemed European in nature, this place was a mix of such and Japanese. The roofs were clearly modeled after his homeland's housing designs while the walls and fences seemed to belong to the former. Overall, it was quite an interesting mixture and easy on the eyes. The townsfolk kept constant smiles, as if strained or forced to keep appearances for newcomers. The atmosphere, by itself seemed fine, but the aura that he sensed from everyone was completely different.

The shadows in the alleyways looked darker than ever. This town is experiencing something strange, and it wasn't natural. Some creature is causing this. Or someone using magecraft… err, magic to affect the air around this town. He could easily smell it, darkness wafted from every corner of every road. It's seeping from everywhere, even now during the day when the sun is at its peak.

Shirou's eyes narrowed before focusing on a stall worker nearby. He walked up to the man, said person currently busy counting his stock. His short black hair was cut in uneven places, as if attempted by himself which didn't seem too far off. With a bushy mustache and overgrown sideburns to finish off the look of your average farmer…

Shirou cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the stall manager. When he turned around, his eyes were sunken, but not enough to indicate illness. Possibly a lack of sleep the past few days. The stall manager smiled lightly, gesturing to his stock of fruits and vegetables.

"Welcome, newcomer. Can I interest you in some fine fruits or vegetables? I grow them myself." He is definitely pleased with his work, his lifestyle. The labor spent is usually paid back in full, with extra on a the side on a good harvest.

"Excuse me for not being wholly interested but I'm looking for the nearest tavern. Know of any around?" It goes without saying that taverns and pubs were usually places of information gathering and sharing, provided you had the coin to back it up.

"Ah, I figured you'd be weary from your travels. Very well." The stall owner turned and pointed in a single direction, and Shirou's eyes already picked out a sign hanging above a door over a hundred feet away. A picture of a cat sat above and the right of the door. To be honest, it looked a little run down but it will do.

"If you keep going that way, you'll come across The Dancing Tabby Cat. The owners are very welcoming. Is there anything I can possibly offer you anyway?" Even asking for directions and the man still wanted something. Shirou sighed, before flicking a coin his way.

"Thanks for the directions."

He made his way to the tavern that seemed like it was busy even from here. Perhaps other adventurers find their way there even in the middle of the day. Everyone works at different hours, and he's no exception.

Walking up to the door, he grabbed the handle and pulled it open to reveal a quaint little abode. Tables lined the edges of the floor with plenty of walk space for the bar that was on the right with a door leading to the kitchen.

Without wasting a beat, he made his way to the bar and sat down. He didn't have to wait long as a large blonde headed man walked up to him. Wearing a short brown apron with brown pants and a white shirt with rolled up sleeves. What could be considered a bandolier wrapped over one shoulder before crossing over his torso.

"What can I get you?"

"Information. If you have it."

"That depends. We have a bounty board over there."

"I've noticed something happening to this town. Not sure if you've noticed."

"I've noticed well enough."

Shirou's gaze never left the man's, "Anything I should know? Money isn't an issue."

The man sighed, "Money is not what I want. I just want this town to go back to the way things were."

"Then tell me what I need to know, and I may be able to help with it."

"It's magical in nature, but not even the mages around here could figure it out. Something has them running in circles, and it isn't great for the businesses around here."

"I've noticed the air is different. Something is here, and it might not be human."

The barman's eyes widened before furrowing his brow, "Monsters don't have the aptitude to generate such an atmosphere…"

Shirou nodded, "Not any monsters of this world, that is. The last wave is still on everyone's minds."

The man's eyes narrowed, "You're saying something from the wave is responsible for this? What could be causing it?"

"I have a few ideas, but I don't have all the details. Any incidents during the night?"

He nodded, "Every now and then, someone goes missing. The searches end with nothing, and the morale is only getting lower. My friend is on the case, but I worry he'll meet the same fate. I can't have that, his daughter means too much to him and myself for the man to thrown himself into danger."

"What's his name?"

"Dale."

An uncommon name, but not unique. Just not used often.

Shirou looked to him, "What's your name?"

"Kenneth."

"And his daughter?"

"Latina."

"Is Dale out there right now?"

Kenneth shook his head, "He's handling a bounty, taking out a pack of Usapils in the forests outside of town. Says it keeps his mind at bay until he begins his searches every night."

"I'll be here to wait for him."

"Alright. Anything to eat while you wait?"

"What's on the menu?"

Keep in mind that I'm constantly on the run to improve. If Shirou seems edgy, that's on me. I've never had to write someone with that sort of personality, but I've had people to explain how to portray him while not seeming like a total asshole.

I hope this update proves well. I understand completely if it's shoddy since I'm doing an "off and on" thing with it. I can't always find time to write, and when I do, sometimes I got nothing to put down.

Either way, I hope you guys have a good one.