"Can we go home now?" A male voice expressed strain.
"Just a little longer," pleaded another, a little girl with white hair. "We still haven't found the perfect outfits.'
"And you haven't even looked at any clothes for yourself," added a tan-skin girl.
Shirou resigned himself to his fate and entered a clothing store. He was used to this, and he had long learned that it was best to just let the girls be themselves. But then again, some things are worth getting excited about, right?
As he sifted through the racks, a blue shirt caught his eye. It was the color of the Mediterranean Sea, and its fabric felt soft and comfortable against the skin of his palm. The material wasn't plain cotton but rather a high-quality polyester blend. It looked like it could stretch with him, ensuring a regular fit. The print on the shirt is apparent, portraying an image of a seagull. Shirou wondered what other colors were available for this style.
He grabbed the sleeve of the shirt. The tag displayed an expensive price, unsurprising given they were in an upscale store. He decided to get it, noticing Miyu's eyes light up. At least one person had good taste in clothes.
Or relatively, it reminded her of the beach.
Shirou's attention was next drawn to the nearby rack of suits. The pants there were dark blue and looked fairly well-made, though a bit loose and baggy in some parts. The sleeves of the shirts were similarly baggy, but fitted well in the shoulders than the hips. The waist area is more rounded, showing off curves effectively.
One suit caught his interest: a three-piece ensemble. It was a tailored suit with smooth textile and fine rims, featuring two outer buttons and another set inside. Dark in color, it was composed mostly of wool with some silk, and less polyester as indicated by the tag. 'Dolce Gabbana,' it read, followed by the price: '2,245.19.'
"Costly much?" He thought. It was definitely worth the price. As 2,245.19 in Japanese Yen would be ¥378,980.65. Money wasn't an issue for them.
The salesperson approached him, after noticing what he was eyeing. She held out his hands so she could position the suit. She smiled pleasantly.
"What size do you want it to be?" She asked. Her accent was thick and her speech was slower.
His response informs her. The suit can only fit him in his adult body.
She nodded in understanding. "I see. We'll get your suit right away."
The three girls behind him continued to browse, and Shirou resumed searching. He ended up finding several pairs of slacks and a few shirts. One of them seemed to match his eyes quite well, but the other, while it had nice lines, simply wasn't enough to match his style. He chose that one and paid for the pair.
Shirou tried on the outfit once and was satisfied. It was a near-perfect fit, with the right amount of length and the flowiest part, which gave it the impression that it could be worn without being uncomfortable. Overall, the overall effect was very pleasing. He took it over to the girls, whose expressions turned into one of utter amazement.
They returned to their shopping spree after that. He spent an additional five minutes picking out a couple of shirts and finally decided on three black ones: one black dress shirt, a deep brown vest, and a dark green tie. The last two shirts were also of decent quality, but they weren't the ones he needed most at the moment. He grabbed the third outfit.
After paying for the clothes, they made their way toward the exit. When they got outside, Shirou looked over at the girls, who had already begun discussing other topics.
He sighed and followed them. He knew better than to interrupt or try to stop the girls when they were like this. Their excitement can be exhausting, and he doesn't really have anything else going for him today anyway. They've done that before, many times before, back when they landed in this world and when they had free time, which led to them having an outing on everything they could lay their fingers on.
But even though they might not understand what makes their choices so particular, he knew they'd appreciate the experience. After all, it's his first time accompanying them on their outing. It was almost as though they understood his lethargy, and thus accepted his company.
Even though Shirou didn't always know why or how, he appreciated it nonetheless. And if it meant having fun, then so be it.
Shirou didn't feel so lonely anymore. He had the opportunity to spend time with friends from his past lives, and the chance to be around people that were different and interesting. So why should he waste that time alone on his own?
He stopped thinking about this as he listened to the conversation between his three sisters. They next came here specifically because they wanted to buy their new sneakers, a luxury item that cost a lot more than it seemed. Sitonai was spoiling her sisters.
As they walked towards the nearest shoe outlet, Shirou noticed the sun still had a long way of setting. This meant they wouldn't have dinner for a while yet. He is starting to feel hungry.
Shirou was silent as the trio reached the shoe outlet. The employee greeted them and pointed them to the correct size on the shelf. The cashier looked bored as she scanned the three items the girls were holding.
Shirou couldn't help but smile slightly.
His smile fell when his eyes widened.
A smell of divinity.
Something... supernatural... was approaching them, no, a place a short distance away from them, not even bothering to hide its aura, making its presence known to all acute to the Moonlit world. There were hints of mana and other magical energy encircling the figure, implying them to be a magic user.
He squinted his eyes and sensed deeply. The direction the mysterious individual was moving toward was a place opposite the shoe store, a restaurant.
They are not too strong or too weak, he is sure he can take them down in a fight, that is already certain when they are outside of the influence of their country.
At best, and within limits, he could assume them as a minor deity.
Miyu and the others were already stiff from their posture and making glances at him, but they still kept buying to play it off.
When he turned his eyes, he caught sight of a woman wearing a long, flowing black dress with intricate lace details, paired with a pair of high-heeled black boots. Her hair was styled in loose, flowing waves, and she was wearing a statement piece of jewelry as a choker while carrying a small, ornate purse, all dressed in a manner that exuded sophistication.
The magical energy she holds clicks something familiar in Shirou's mind. It was something he knew belonged to two certain witches from the Age of the Gods. Medea and Circe, more so Medea due to his familiarity with her part in the Fuyuki Holy Grail War in his numerous lives.
If that is the point, then he can infer the woman is the one who mentored both Medea and Circe in magecraft, the Greek Goddess of Magic, Hecate.
What is she doing here in France? In Rouen?
He watches her walking nonchalantly and enters the restaurant, clearly going to grab a bite. She hid her divinity well, thankfully, the people around her acted normally.
Did she witness the Zegrath war here a few days ago and come over to investigate?
He averted his eyes and communicated with his sisters silently, divulging them to let him confront the goddess on his own. They were ready to protest but held back, nodding.
The image of a Noble Phantasm's blueprint came to mind as he entered the restaurant, readying to project an anti-Divine weapon in case.
He enters and looks around, immediately finding her sitting around at the back of the place. There was no one around her, so he approached her without attracting even the slightest skepticism.
When he reached her vicinity, he felt everything went silent, from the customers to the workers on the counter, leaving no sound except for the goddess drinking.
"A simple concealing Bounded Field, where we can talk peacefully. A straightforward barrier which isolates this area from others, unheard and unseen from outside."
Shirou heard her voice echo throughout the room as he stood in front of her. His expression betrayed nothing but calm composure and a hint of curiosity at her presence.
"So I noticed."
"Seems so, for a powerful Magus of your caliber, you must have known what kind of this Magecraft's flaw was upon entering."
This Bounded Field have a weakness? She probably gave it a defect purposely knowing he would come. She had misjudged him just based on his high Prana because he hadn't noticed the flaw at all.
She stared at him, unblinking.
"Why are you here?" He asked, deciding to get straight to the point. He abandons his care for niceties. "What interest do you have in this city?"
Her brows knit together and she put her drink down. "You shouldn't speak to a god like this," she said in response to his question. "That way of talking will bring you their anger for they deemed it as an offense. I'm not excluded."
"I'll take a risk." He said as he continued to observe her.
"Your choice, your doom." She shrugged.
"Now, about..." He started before he got cut off.
"Pleasantries should be started with introducing your name, should it not? Unless you could go on being rude to me." Hecate's eyes flashed, fingers crossing beside her tea.
Shirou thinned his lips, looking over the goddess slightly, then made known of himself.
"Shirou Emiya, a guardian of humanity." He asserted, steel-eyed.
"'Guardian of humanity'? How daring of you to introduce yourself like that. What? Living a dream to be a hero or something?" Hecate curled her lips in amusement, hiding her entertainment of what she just heard.
Whether she heard of the countable noun in his sentence or not, she didn't show it in her expression. He specifically publicized that he wasn't the only guardian, and that there were others.
The last part of her sentence had unknowingly wounded his feelings. The current life he lives may be dissimilar yet it was better than anything from his previous lives. More than the life with Rin after the Grail war, more than the life before he went to Avalon, and even more than when he was a servant of the original Chaldea. In this life, he felt his undying dream to pursue being the "Hero of Justice" was closer than ever. It was why he wouldn't give up, and continue to strive towards it until he fulfilled his idea.
He held himself back from shooting a comeback to the goddess and earning her animosity. He took a breath and exhaled, calming his nerves down.
"Yes, is there a problem?" He asks her with his back straight. His face is now ease of the usual composure, now a guarded persona.
Meanwhile, Hecate giggled quietly behind her hand, seemingly at the face he was making, "No, no. Excuse me. Let's get straight to the matter. Sit down."
Shirou glanced at the seats she gestured opposite to her, hesitating momentarily. When he saw her staring directly at him intently, he sat. He waited patiently, trying his best to control his emotions. For all she knows, she's just here to talk business.
Shirou watched carefully as the goddess poured two glasses of tea. Before he could say anything, however, she passed one glass to him.
"It is the finest vintage wine, one of my most expensive purchases. Don't expect me to share," Hecate warned as she sat back in her chair. "To start off, I had just arrived here hours ago on a subjective problem I'm seeking to work out before the end of the month. It concerns my Pantheon."
"But before I tell you, I must know if you are trustworthy to learn the reasoning of my trip here. Since you did approach me courageously while being aware of me, I can only presume you are handling this country's foreign affairs."
The goddess was testing his integrity and he accepted it.
She leaned forward again.
"So are you?"
Shirou frowned as he contemplated whether or not to answer. If he wants to know why a foreign goddess brings her presence here, then his answer depends a lot on how he replies. But if he reveals his identity and background, which includes Chaldea, then he would lose any chance of convincing the goddess to cooperate and would demand answers.
In conclusion, he is still undecided whether or not to trust her at all, considering what he has heard of her, even if it was her Pan-Human self or Lostbelt self.
"If there is something you want to hear, then you shall listen later."
"Very well. Nearly two years ago, my Pantheon has been struggling with a strenuous problem, a problem involving their lineages and legacies. It was an endless search for our lost champions that once shaped myth. They were heroes whose threads of life had been severed and entered the Greek afterlife long ago. They should've died, resting in Elysium for eternity. Imagine our bewilderment when we found remnants of their existence leading to this place five countries away. All alive." She stressed the last part, her eyes staring callously at him.
She demanded answers, he hated to admit, she would not let go of him from her presence until he made a reply. Whether his answer satisfies her or not.
"Do you, somehow, know anything about this?"
Silence was the only thing he could give before sipping his glass. It tastes sweet and bitter at the same time, and its smoothness tickles his tongue. Forcing himself not to make any reaction, he decided to play it cool, "What if I do?"
Not that cool. In front of a goddess' face, no less.
Hecate stared at him even more intensely. "Do not push me, boy. I need answers." Her voice sounded cold. Provoking her was now the top of his worries.
He raised his arms. "Calm down, you will receive it soon enough. "
Her eyes narrowed. She wanted an answer, but he needed something to keep her occupied. Something which would convince her that he wasn't lying to her or anything.
Hecate's expression loosened up a bit, and she looked as though she was weighing options. "So you do know something."
It was a statement, Shirou did not wince as he thought.
"Yes, you could say that I met some of those Greek heroes and even interacted with them," he lingered for a bit and then added, "not excluding two certain Magi that associated with you."
She reacted immediately. Her body stiffened up and her dark eyes pierced his very soul. He had completely earned her attention.
"How—no. Where are they?"
"I will explain. But, I need to know what you will do afterward if I tell now."
Her jawline clenches. "What do you think? Find them and bring them back to the Hall of the Gods in Greece. Where they belong."
Shirou snickered inwardly at her answer, thinking it sounded irrational as he knew only the Servants would decide what they would do. No one from this world can coax them from returning to their motherlands. It was their decision, their own will.
He plans to let Hecate meet Medea and Circe, and knowing them, they won't be swayed by even their goddess, hence, there isn't much to worry about anymore.
"Alright, I direct you to meet them. And you must promise me to stop your aimless wander in this country immediately."
"Deal."
Shirou exhaled. "Then, since we've already established a deal, I will be honest with you. You can ask me questions, but I don't know how you will react."
He nodded. This is his first encounter with an outside deity, he needed to maintain the proper decorum.
"Very well, I earlier asked you if you were trustworthy with my reasoning." Hecate leaned to him, eyes piqued in interest.
Shirou thought over how to answer that for a moment, then nodded. "I don't know how to start this, but I'll try. Have you heard of an organization named Chaldea?"
Hecate's eyebrows furrowed. "It is familiar, but I never gave attention to it. Why does this matter?"
"What if I tell you that all those heroes you were trying to track down were members of Chaldea even before they revealed their return to the world?"
"That's... unlikely. Why would they join a human organization?"
A small smile formed on his lips. "They weren't the only ones who came back. There are heroes other than from Greece who have returned too."
Hecate tilted her head, clearly not believing it. Then, she shook her head lightly. "Impossible, only our Pantheon had sensed their return. If otherwise, I would have noticed this country brimming with divinities."
"We weren't ready for the world's attention on us yet. We were occupied preparing a permanent base for our operations to aid Humanity in the still-active Age of the Gods. Humans, even with their Magecraft, were always inferior to the supernatural. That was why we didn't inform anyone else about the resurrected heroes, nor did we allow them to find us until we became strong enough." He said plainly.
"You hid yourselves very well." She whispered. How long had this Chaldea prepared itself to seemingly revolutionize the Supernatural World, even going as far as to bring in past legends to assist humans? It's impossible if it's in a year, but it could be done in a decade, perhaps more.
Hecate believed in Shirou's words, as not yet one of her Bounded Field's lie-detection properties had alerted her.
She is slowly starting to realize a ground-breaking discovery.
Shirou waited until the goddess fell into a prolonged silence, not bothering to break it. After all this time, he couldn't afford to let a hint slip. If he does so, it would surely cause trouble for him and Hecate.
As time passed, silence grew increasingly heavier. The only sounds filling the air by the customers outside, the restaurant door bells jingling, and the now pouring rain, all went unheard.
"You speak as if you are a member. No, you are. 'Guardian of humanity' was it?" Hecate finally spoke after a few minutes.
"That's what we are called now." He nodded. "But in the same sense, it could be an exaggeration."
"Exaggeration? To protect and serve mankind?"
"In a way, yes. The title is aspirational, a grander scope than we can realistically cover. It's a noble title. We aim to protect humanity, but there implies a level we simply don't have. We can only do so much best, we're not infallible. There are threats beyond our control and people we can't save because it oversimplifies our capabilities and the reality of our limitations."
"But in truth, we do have a vast network of Servants that can spread across the world, in nearly every country. Our presence is stronger than we let on, and despite our doubts, we often underestimate the extent of our reach and the impact we have on protecting humanity." Shirou thought.
It's easy to focus on the limitations, but the reality is that Chaldea's sheer number of Servants is more effective than they sometimes acknowledge. Maybe their collective efforts are more aligned with the title than they allowed themselves to believe.
There was no denying that Chaldea is the greatest army ever known to Mankind.
They have managed to conquer and defend many Singularities and Lostbelts and territories with near perfection. The most amazing thing about Chaldea is how quickly, with great resources and manpower, they managed to create weapons and gather allies. Even after years of training, the fact remains that Chaldea is still a new generation in this world. Their abilities have changed dramatically during their long and unfulfilled exploration; however, they can hold their position and continue their work with utmost persistence and determination. They have achieved so much, and in turn, Humanity thrives on it.
Humans depend on Chaldea, and it depends on them in turn.
Shirou watched the goddess as she analyzed everything he told her with her deep red eyes filled with understanding and interest.
"Chaldea is indeed a formidable force, a force capable of protecting mankind without having to sacrifice our pride or ego. However, that kind of power is something few of us possess, we cannot take the credit alone."
Hecate nodded. "And what kind of power should I expect from your organization?"
"The most impressive power you will ever receive in your life. When you think of it, you will feel as if you have taken a step forward in time, as if you can see the future with your own eyes."
A strange look crept upon her countenance. It took a while before she started speaking, while lost in thoughts.
"This sounds like an arrogant claim. And yet, I am convinced of its validity." She turned towards him again. "Almost like you can turn over an entire reality. What do you plan to do with it?"
He shrugged. "Nothing as of yet, and certainly no world-dominating or anything extremist-like. All we want to do is protect humanity, it was our home, and we want to defend it until the end."
"A dignified purpose, truly fitting for an organization like that." Something flickered within Hecate's eyes for the smallest second.
She remained silent for a moment, looking around the interior of the restaurant as if searching for someone. Or more precisely, for some sort of presence.
After snapping her fingers, Shirou felt a hint of mana enter him, and he immediately felt his mind connecting briefly to her who sighed heavily. "I believe it is time for me to depart now, guardian. There are still matters I must attend to. Forgive me for disturbing you on such short notice."
"Ah, you're welcome, goddess Hecate..."
She's leaving already? Presumably, to go back to Greece now that she knows where to find Medea and Circe through him. Yet–
Shirou's eyes flashed steel and Hecate froze, feeling a premonition of what felt like sharp blades on her back, her Bounded Field failing to alert her of a mortal's attack for the first time.
"What I've shared with you, of the information about Chaldea. Are you going to divulge your Pantheon?"
Hecate seemed to have taken offense by him because her face twisted hostile. She held a hand, and in a flash of light, three familiar girls appeared bounded in a magical strain.
Their faces contorted, and they struggle in discomfort, writhing. The Kaleidosticks Ruby and Sapphire were frozen in their hands.
If possible, Shirou's eyes went empty of anything else. His mentality turned akin to his Mind of Steel.
A Reality Marble of swords showed signs of quivering in fervor. The blades stood, planted on the ground like graveyards, waiting for their master to use them.
One strike, one kill, and the threat would be gone for good.
The temperature in the room dropped significantly. His body moved, his arms moving swiftly towards the bound forms of the girls in front of him.
"Let them go."
His voice was low, almost inaudible to even the ears of Hecate who still stood a mere feet away. His hands trembled as he held a weapon that didn't exist yet.
"These little girls have been observing me since your arrival to the place. It is rather nice how this darling magi looks after your well-being to the extent of eavesdropping."
Hecate commented. Her eyes were fixed on the girls in her grasp. They didn't dare move.
A frown etched onto Hecate, and she narrowed her eyes slightly. "Further, it has been troubling me that I cannot discern the nature of the magic imbued within those magical sticks."
Shirou's eyes locked on her, noting the gleam in her eyes as she stared at Ruby and Sapphire. His magecraft slowly manifested.
"Nonetheless,"
Hecate shook her head, then released her grasp on both of them.
The girls instantly collapsed onto the floor and coughed. They immediately hit behind their brother, gasping for breaths.
"My probes are for another time. I am a conscientious person, I won't do anything to the little ones and I won't tell my Pantheon on our talk. I will honor our deal and depart from here."
Shirou stopped his Projection and he spoke. "Do not worry, goddess. I will hold on to it."
With a snap of her finger, she dispelled her Bounded Field and walked away, exiting the restaurant.
The bustling of the people now reached their ears, customers chatting, and the utensils. The sky is enveloped by the dusk.
Illya and Miyu dispel their Kaleidosticks. The two along with Kuro had a nervous expression, being easily subdued by the goddess made them momentarily shake. The three girls had been caught off guard by the sudden ambush of her magic without any warning.
"Is… Is she gone?" Illya whispered.
"Yeah, certainly... Are you alright?" He asked, concern evident.
The girls shook their heads. "No, no, not hurt. We're fine."
"Thank goodness." He breathed out, relieved.
He glanced in the direction of her departure. He thought back on her words. It was expected the gods, whether what myth they were from, to sense the return of their children and legacies. Hecate was the first deity to set foot in this country it was surprising no other did for the last year. Of course, it was only a matter of time before others did.
He is too insouciant. All he did earlier was go on a casual day.
He's done doing little things.