The sensation of being kicked on the cheek woke Shirou Emiya from his sleep. It was around four o'clock in the morning, and the sun hadn't risen yet, so the sunlight passing through the curtains was dim. In the dark bedroom, Shirou Emiya expressionlessly raised his hand, removed the tiny feet from his face, and sat up. He turned his head and glanced at Elysia, who was sleeping messily on the bed. He remained silent for a while, then wearily covered his face and sighed.

It was no wonder that Shirou Emiya reacted that way when faced with such a beautiful girl who resembled a pure angel. After all, no matter how magnificent and flawless the girl in his dream was, the realization that she was the same person who had drooled and almost put her immature feet into his mouth while he slept brought about a mix of emotions and immediate doubt: "Why is this guy suddenly acting high and mighty?" or "Are they actually the same person?"

One thing was certain—Elysia had been cute as a child. In terms of appearance alone, Shirou Emiya believed that the pure and beautiful girl in his dream couldn't surpass Elysia lying on the bed. However, no matter how adorable she looked, Shirou Emiya couldn't bring himself to see her as a member of the opposite sex, regardless of her growth.

He got out of bed, briefly assuming his spirit form, and then returned to his physical body to remove the stains. Afterward, he opened the door and leisurely made his way to the kitchen on the first floor. Yesterday's sumptuous dinner had depleted most of the refrigerator's contents, leaving only a small amount of pre-marinated chicken and lettuce. Since they were leaving town that day, he needed to prepare at least a day's worth of provisions for Elysia.

Shirou Emiya took a few slices of toast from the shopping bag in the kitchen. Considering nutrition, portability, and storability, he decided to make sandwiches. Although he had enough water and food in the packed luggage, such as compressed biscuits and canned goods, those were reserved for emergencies. After all, they were entering a world ruled by human civilization, where they would usually arrive in cities where they could purchase essential supplies as long as they had money. Food and shelter wouldn't be a concern. Therefore, apart from a small tent, emergency water and food, and a few changes of clothes, Shirou Emiya's preparations for Elysia's journey consisted of little else.

As a Servant, he didn't need to eat when his mana supply was sufficient. He could even transform into a spirit form that remained imperceptible to others when not required. That was the immediate reason behind his decision. As long as Elysia was by his side, she wouldn't encounter any insurmountable problems during the trip.

After frying the chicken nuggets, cutting the stuffed toast into quarters, and packing them in plastic bags, Shirou Emiya returned to the second-floor bedroom. Contrary to his expectations, the room was empty, and the curtains were drawn. He could hear the sound of running water from the bathroom.

It seemed that Elysia was still filled with anticipation and excitement for the journey ahead, waking up before five o'clock. Shirou Emiya approached the bathroom door and lightly knocked on the frosted glass: "Ellie, come down for breakfast and rest up. After we eat, we can start getting ready. Sound good?"

"Okay~~!" Elysia's energetic, youthful voice echoed from the bathroom. Apparently, the incident involving her foot in someone's mouth hadn't affected her morning spirits.

Shirou Emiya shook his head helplessly and returned to the kitchen on the first floor. Today's morning seemed simpler and more rushed than usual. Not only was breakfast hastily prepared, but even the diners had abandoned the etiquette carefully taught by their guardians. They settled for sandwiches on plates in small groups.

While Elysia gorged herself, Shirou Emiya closed the water and electricity gates and valves one by one and checked the self-closing valve for hot air. By the time he finished, Elysia had already packed her bulging backpack and was bouncing with excitement in front of him.

"Are you ready?" Shirou Emiya jumped off the stool after flipping the electric switch and turned his gaze to the excited Elysia. "If we leave now, we might not be able to return for a while."

"Emiya, you talk too much!" Elysia adjusted her backpack straps and raised her head proudly. "I can't wait any longer! It's Elysia's Paradise Adventure! Let's go!"

"What's a Paradise Adventure...?" Shirou Emiya sighed, reaching out to wipe the crumbs from the corner of Elysia's mouth. "I'll turn on the water for you so you can wash your face before we start the adventure. You don't want the townsfolk to see you looking greasy like this."

Elysia's expression froze immediately, and her joyful and excited cheers came to a sudden halt.

[Although you had various concerns after seeing Elysia's unreliable appearance, you still left behind the modest and cozy bungalow filled with warm memories. It wasn't luxurious or spacious, but it was home for the past seven years.]

[Vostok was a small town. To the west lay a plain, relatively safe but guarded by border forces. To the east, past the mountains, was the most prosperous metropolis in the country.]

[As a spiritual entity, you could freely cross borders undetected, but Elysia couldn't. For safety reasons, you embarked on this journey facing the rising sun.]

[The midsummer sun was more scorching than imagined, and the sound of cicadas filled the mountain forest. Despite her excellent physical strength, Elysia started sweating profusely within half a day.]

[You, in your spiritual form, silently stood by Elysia's side.]

[As you watched Elysia grit her teeth and push forward without complaints or signs of giving up, you felt a pang of distress, yet refrained from offering assistance.]

[This was the path Elysia had chosen for herself, a journey that belonged solely to her. It was said that a journey of a thousand miles began with a single step. While you would provide her with various kinds of help and always stand by her during this journey, when it came to "how she should walk her own path," you were not inclined to intervene.]

[After overcoming initial anxiety, Elysia embarked on her journey and gradually learned to perceive your presence through the contractual bond between her and you. Though she couldn't see your physical form, she could sense that you were always there, guarding her.]

[In the darkness, she sensed both your distress and encouraging gaze. Encouraged, Elysia rallied and pressed forward through the sweltering mountains and forests.]

[Finally, as the sun set, you reached the other side of the mountains.]

The mountain at night was dark and eerie. Insects filled the air with their incessant buzzing, and the distant roars of wild animals could be faintly heard. As the cool night wind rustled through the branches and leaves, one couldn't help but feel a sense of being surrounded in the forest.

However, Elysia, standing halfway up the mountain, seemed untouched by fear. Her bright, clear pink eyes reflected the vibrant cityscape beneath the starry sky. The city lights illuminated the entire city, drowning the blurred skyline amidst towering buildings. From a distance, the downtown buildings resembled luminous square cages, while streams of light flowed along viaducts and roads, connecting in all directions. The highways and viaducts crisscrossed, weaving a glittering spiderweb in the twinkling lights.

Car headlights streaked through the gaps between buildings like shooting stars across the night sky.

It was the first time Elysia, born in a small town, had witnessed such a scene. Although Vostok had gradually become a relatively affluent town due to urbanization in recent years, it was still far from the grandeur of other cities. Compared to those cities, Vostok remained an ordinary town.

"Wow..." Elysia stared in awe at the brightly lit metropolis, her tender lips parting as she unconsciously expressed her admiration. "Is this our destination? So many lights... so many buildings... so much beauty..."

Elysia marveled at the sight before her, where the lights of countless households congregated under the night sky, creating a magnificent panorama. She recalled the satellite photo she had seen in a picture book once shown to her by Shirou Emiya. It depicted a night view of the entire world, with city lights appearing minuscule against the dark backdrop. Yet, those seemingly faint dots of light, from a distance, formed a vast expanse of shimmering radiance.

"It's so beautiful..." After a moment of being captivated, Elysia finally snapped out of her trance. The breathtaking scene momentarily held her in its grasp, but compared to that distant sky, the bustling city before her felt more tangible and real, especially with the little knight who had been faithfully by her side all along.

This sense of familiarity and authenticity compelled Elysia to share her feelings. "Look, Emiya! This is our first destination, right?"

"Yeah," Shirou Emiya replied, unsure when his physical form had materialized. His gaze fixed on the cityscape resembling a starry sea. Unlike Elysia, he didn't have strong emotions stirred by the night scene. After all, both Fuyuki City and Nagazora City could be considered relatively prosperous. However, as he recalled the past seven years of simulated life, he couldn't help but feel a sense of transience.

Seven years were enough to bring about significant changes. Nowadays, he hardly discussed his ideal of "becoming a hero of justice." Although he wasn't ready to abandon this ideal, which lacked a clear objective at the moment, the current Shirou Emiya found greater value in the "truth" of parenthood he had experienced within this simulated existence.

I'm truly a worthless person... Shirou Emiya turned his head, gazing at Elysia's bright eyes, and sighed softly from the depths of his heart.

No, even though he believed he had been the one raising her, in the end, perhaps the influence and changes this child brought into his life were greater than what he had taught her.

Raising a child was a profoundly realistic experience. In his journey to solve the challenges encountered, Shirou Emiya gradually learned to adopt a more realistic perspective toward everything around him, including his own ideals. Though he wasn't willing to compromise his will for the simulated copy produced by the "Mother Simulator," in these seven years, Shirou Emiya had learned to assess his surroundings and ideals from a more practical standpoint.

"Now it's time to find the 'paradise' that belongs to me... that belongs to us!"

Elysia's crystal-clear voice broke Shirou Emiya's train of thought. Hearing her mention "paradise," he couldn't help but shake his head, smiling wryly.

Although he had gradually developed a more realistic outlook, Elysia, in her youthful enthusiasm, still leaned toward the realm of dreams.

He could still remember why Elysia had chosen the name Elysia. It was from a bedtime story he had read to her one night, a tale that had captivated her and made her gleefully embrace the name.

Even after all this time, she hadn't forgotten that fairytale.

If an ideal utopia like Flawless Paradise truly existed in this world, perhaps his own dreams could come true...