Fate x Danmachi: The Sword Prince (eng)

The fifth illustration sketch is finally completed, and you can see the sketch of Aiz dancing with Shirou in the library for FREE at

https://www.patreon.com/Rayish

That evening, Shirou arrived at the front of Hostess of Fertility with a light step. The restaurant was already bustling, and the atmosphere inside was full of joy following Hestia Familia's victory in the War Game. As Shirou stepped inside, his eyes immediately fell on Syr, who was standing by the door, waiting for him with a confident smile.

"See? Like I said, Bell would win," Syr said proudly, clearly eager to show that her prediction about Bell's victory had come true.

Shirou smiled gently, shaking his head with feigned admiration. "It seems you were right, Syr. Maybe Bell was able to win with a little help from someone," he replied, offering praise with a deeper meaning. Of course, Shirou was referring to the protective necklace Syr had given to Bell, which secretly helped Bell survive a lethal attack.

But Syr, unaware of the hidden meaning in his compliment, simply laughed shyly and waved her hand. "Oh, don't exaggerate. I don't deserve that much credit," she said, slightly embarrassed, thinking Shirou was just teasing.

Shirou just smiled in response to Syr's innocent attitude, then decided to head upstairs to change into his green waiter uniform before starting work.

After changing into his uniform, Shirou came back downstairs to find the atmosphere even more lively. Not long after, Ryuu arrived at the restaurant, her face calm despite having just been involved in a major battle.

Anya, never one to miss a chance to make a fuss, greeted Ryuu's arrival with a small trumpet as if throwing a grand celebration for her. "Welcome, winner!" she shouted enthusiastically, laughing joyfully.

Chloe, usually more laid-back, took on a more serious tone this time, though only for a joke. With a formal and respectful voice, Chloe gave a speech as if Ryuu was a hero returning from the battlefield. "Thank you for your outstanding contribution in the War Game, Ryuu. Without you, this victory might not have happened," she said, bowing her head slightly before bursting into laughter.

Ryuu could only stand there, her face slightly flushed. Although she always remained calm, this kind of attention clearly made her feel a little embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Syr and Shirou, watching their friends' antics, shared a small laugh from the corner of the room, enjoying the warm moment of togetherness.

Shirou approached Ryuu with a warm smile after seeing how calm she remained amid the celebration. "Congratulations on your victory," Shirou said sincerely. Even though Ryuu always appeared humble and composed, Shirou knew just how important her role was in helping Hestia Familia win the War Game.

Ryuu, as usual, downplayed her contribution and shook her head. "I just helped a little," she said calmly. "It was Bell who did the most. He's the one who brought victory to Hestia Familia." Her voice was filled with sincerity, as though she truly didn't see her contribution as significant.

Lunoire, who overheard their conversation, looked at Ryuu with admiration. "You're still amazing, Ryuu," she praised. Then, with a teasing tone, she asked, "Did you get a share of the War Game winnings? With all the wealth Apollo Familia had, there must be plenty to go around." Her face showed genuine curiosity, though there was a playful smile behind her question.

Shirou, standing nearby, suddenly remembered what would have happened if Apollo Familia had won. Bell would have been forced to join Apollo Familia, and Shirou couldn't imagine that. But now, it was Hestia Familia's turn to claim victory, and Shirou was curious. "If Hestia Familia won, what exactly did they want from Apollo Familia?" he asked.

Ryuu answered succinctly, "Everything." Her short reply left everyone who heard it stunned.

Anya, always reacting with full enthusiasm, immediately opened her eyes wide. "Wait… 'everything'?" she asked in shock. "Does that mean all of Apollo Familia's wealth will belong to Hestia Familia?" Her voice was filled with disbelief.

Ryuu nodded calmly, as always, and added, "Yes, all of Apollo Familia's assets will be confiscated, and beyond that, Apollo Familia will be disbanded. Apollo himself is also exiled from Orario." Ryuu's calm words created a tense atmosphere in the room.

Hearing that, Shirou felt happy for Hestia Familia. He knew their previous base, an old church, had been destroyed during Apollo Familia's siege. Now that they'd won the War Game, Hestia Familia could live in the large mansion that Apollo Familia once owned.

Lunoire, still unsatisfied with the answer, pressed further with a wide grin. "But you haven't answered my question, Ryuu. Apollo Familia was pretty wealthy. Surely you got something, right?" She winked, playfully coaxing a response from Ryuu.

Finally, Ryuu smiled slightly and calmly responded, "Yes, I got a decent share." Though simple, that answer was enough to stir a reaction from the servers listening.

Syr, standing nearby, didn't want to miss out on the fun. With sparkling eyes, she teased Ryuu, "In that case, Ryuu, how about treating us to some new clothes?" she asked with a playful smile.

To everyone's surprise, Ryuu responded seriously. "Alright, I'll treat you," she said without a hint of joking, leaving Syr stunned.

Anya, unable to contain her excitement, immediately cheered. "Yay! I can't wait to go shopping!" she exclaimed joyfully, making the atmosphere in Hostess of Fertility even livelier.

Syr, clearly pleased with Ryuu's idea of treating them to a shopping spree, quickly suggested, "How about we go tomorrow, on the weekend? It's the perfect time since we're off." Syr smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, hoping everyone would agree to her plan.

Chloe, never missing an opportunity to tease, turned her attention to Shirou. With a mischievous smile, she said, "Shirou, you're really lucky! You'll get to go shopping surrounded by beautiful women. Not many guys get to experience that, you know?" she teased.

Shirou, caught off guard by Chloe's remark, was visibly surprised, his expression showing a mix of shock and awkwardness. "Eh, me?" he asked, trying to process what Chloe had just said. Quickly, Shirou tried to politely decline. "Ah, maybe it's better if you all go without me. Shopping for clothes is more suited for you all. I don't need anything," he said gently, trying not to offend anyone.

However, Ryuu didn't let Shirou off the hook that easily. With calm and firm resolve, Ryuu said, "No, Shirou. You have to come. You're part of Hostess of Fertility now." Her words made it clear to Ryuu that Shirou was a part of their little family, not just a temporary server.

Hearing Ryuu's sincere words, Shirou felt touched. He hadn't expected Ryuu to insist on including him and consider him a part of their group. "Thank you, Ryuu," Shirou said softly, full of gratitude. Feeling accepted among them made Shirou feel closer to his friends.

Syr, never missing a chance to tease Shirou, smiled mischievously and added, "Besides, Shirou, you're probably the one who needs shopping the most. You've been wearing the same tunic all the time." Her playful remark filled the room with laughter, and she clearly enjoyed the moment.

Anya, who enjoyed joining in the teasing, immediately agreed with Syr. "Exactly! Shirou, you have to come. This is the perfect chance to update your style!" Anya laughed heartily, adding to Syr's teasing.

Shirou, realizing he truly had no excuse to refuse, could only smile slightly and nod, understanding that he couldn't resist the enthusiasm of his friends wanting him to join in.

The cheerfulness at the Hostess of Fertility didn't last long. The lively atmosphere suddenly changed when a large and imposing figure emerged from the kitchen—Mama Mia. All the waitresses, who had been laughing and joking around, immediately fell silent upon seeing the serious expression of the restaurant's owner, except for one person who hadn't noticed Mama Mia's presence yet.

Anya, still laughing and unaware that Mama Mia had approached, suddenly felt a large hand grip her head. Her laughter stopped instantly as she realized who was standing behind her.

With a firm and authoritative tone, Mama Mia scolded Anya. "Hey, Anya! The restaurant is busy, and you're slacking off here?" she called out loudly. "Go clean the bathroom now!" Without any room for argument, Anya hurriedly ran off toward the bathroom before Mama Mia could get any angrier.

Once Anya was gone, Mama Mia turned her attention to Ryuu, who had just arrived and was still being greeted by her friends. Without caring that Ryuu had just helped win the War Game, Mama Mia immediately scolded her for being late. "Ryuu! Don't think you can relax just because you won the War Game. There's still a lot of work to do, so get to it!" she commanded in a loud but responsible voice.

Ryuu couldn't argue with Mama Mia's orders. Obediently, she immediately got back to work, starting her duties serving customers. Syr, Chloe, and Lunoire, who were also there, were not spared from Mama Mia's attention either. Mama Mia ordered the three of them back to work with the same firm tone they were used to. "You three, don't just stand there. The customers are waiting!" Her command was quickly followed as Syr, Chloe, and Lunoire hurried off to serve the patrons.

After all the waitresses returned to their duties, only Shirou was left standing alone. Mama Mia, now standing in front of him, smiled broadly and, without saying a word, pulled Shirou into the kitchen. "You arrived just in time, Shirou!" she said with satisfaction, laughing. Though initially surprised, Shirou obediently followed Mama Mia.

Unlike the permanent waitstaff, Shirou wasn't a full-time employee at the Hostess of Fertility. However, he often came to help them out. And Mama Mia was always happy to see Shirou arrive to assist in the kitchen, especially when the restaurant was bustling with celebrations like today.

With Shirou now helping in the kitchen, Mama Mia knew that her workload would be a little lighter, and although the atmosphere had shifted from playful to serious, there was a sense of calm among the staff, knowing everything would go smoothly with Shirou assisting behind the scenes.

This time, Ryuu was assigned to work the register. With her usual calm demeanor, she took payments from customers as they came and went, counting coins and managing money efficiently. Though the task seemed simple, Ryuu handled it with the same precision she used in battle.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, things were busy as Syr, Chloe, and Lunoire took turns bringing in orders from customers. They moved quickly, writing down requests and delivering them to Mama Mia and Shirou, who were working hard to prepare the food.

In the kitchen, Shirou and Mama Mia worked in perfect sync. With swift movements, they prepared dish after dish without stopping. Shirou skillfully cooked the meals, while Mama Mia supervised and ensured every plate left the kitchen in perfect condition.

Syr, who came to collect one of the finished orders, smiled brightly as she saw Shirou's cooking. "Your dishes always look delicious, Shirou," Syr praised as she admired the prepared meal. She carefully took the tray and brought it out to the waiting customers.

Mama Mia, cooking next to Shirou, chimed in with a low but proud voice. "Syr's right, Shirou. You're always dependable in the kitchen. The food you make is always on time and tastes amazing," she said as she continued stirring the pot in front of her.

Shirou simply smiled at the praise. "Thank you," he responded humbly. Despite the compliments from Syr and Mama Mia, he remained focused on his work, ensuring every order was ready on time.

As night fell, they had all worked hard throughout the day, serving the customers with full dedication. Shirou felt satisfied that he could help in the kitchen, and although he was tired, the sense of teamwork at the Hostess of Fertility always made him feel warm and welcomed.

As the night grew later and the number of customers dwindled, Shirou finally got a chance to talk to Ryuu, who was stationed at the register. With the quieter atmosphere, Shirou felt it was the perfect time to ask. He approached Ryuu and asked curiously, "Ryuu, do you think the Hestia Familia will come here to celebrate their victory?"

Ryuu looked at Shirou for a moment before answering, hesitantly. "I'm not too sure. Bell was pretty hurt after the War Game earlier, so he might prefer resting and recovering rather than celebrating the victory," she replied calmly. Although Ryuu knew Bell was strong, she also understood how tough the fight had been for him.

Hearing this, Shirou nodded, showing concern. "I hope Bell recovers quickly," he said softly, hoping his friend would regain his health soon.

However, not long after they discussed this, the door to the Hostess of Fertility opened, and the Hestia Familia appeared. Hestia, with a wide smile on her face, led the group. Behind her, Welf, Mikoto, Bell, and Lily followed with relaxed steps. Although Bell looked a bit tired, the group's energy was still palpable. They came in with excitement, clearly intending to celebrate their big win.

Shirou observed the scene, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something strange. Syr, who had been acting normally, suddenly moved quickly toward the stairs. As if trying to avoid attention, Syr quietly went upstairs, leaving the atmosphere downstairs behind.

Sensing something unusual, Shirou decided to follow Syr. As he reached the stairs, he called out, "Syr, why are you heading upstairs so suddenly?" Syr, who seemed a bit panicked, stopped for a moment and turned around with a confused expression. "I... I'm going to clean upstairs," she stammered as if searching for a convincing reason.

Shirou, knowing full well that this was just an excuse, smiled sarcastically as he looked at Syr. "Oh, so you're suddenly diligent now?" he teased, trying to hold back laughter.

Syr snorted in frustration and tried to maintain her dignity. "Of course, I'm diligent!" she replied, pretending to be offended, though it was clear she was avoiding something. Without waiting any longer, she hurried upstairs.

Shirou could only smile slightly at Syr's odd behavior. His mind started to spin, wondering what the real reason was for Syr avoiding the Hestia Familia, especially Bell. Shirou knew that Syr had secretly helped Bell by giving him a green stone necklace that protected him during the War Game. But strangely, now Syr seemed like she wanted to stay away from them.

Shirou glanced toward Hestia, who was eagerly ordering a large amount of food from Lunoire. Hestia's expression was full of joy, with no sign of any trouble. However, Shirou's thoughts shifted to the possibility that the relationship between Hestia and Syr might be more complicated than it appeared.

"Could Hestia be the reason Syr is avoiding them?" Shirou wondered silently. There was always something mysterious about Syr, and now he began to question whether Syr's true identity might be connected to her past as a goddess. Perhaps Syr was a goddess who knew Hestia well in the past, and Hestia's presence could threaten Syr's disguise.

Shirou remained silent with these thoughts, staring at the staircase where Syr had disappeared, trying to piece together the puzzle unfolding before him.

In the midst of his swirling thoughts about Syr and Hestia, Shirou was suddenly brought back to reality when he heard a cheerful voice calling out to him. Hestia, with a wide smile on her face, greeted him from a distance. "Hey, Shirou! You're practically a regular server here in that green uniform. It really suits you!" she called out, laughing softly.

Shirou turned and greeted her back, feeling a little touched by Hestia's compliment. When he first wore the green server uniform, his friends at the Hostess of Fertility couldn't stop teasing and laughing at how funny he looked in it. However, Hestia's sincere compliment made him feel more at ease. "Thanks, Hestia," he replied with a slight smile.

After greeting him, Hestia started reminiscing about the past. "You seem so busy with the Loki Familia now," she said with a slight complaint. "You used to help me sell Jagamaru-kun all the time. Now, it seems like you hardly have time for that anymore." There was a nostalgic tone in her voice, remembering the days when Shirou often helped her with her small food cart.

Shirou smiled, hearing her complaint. "If I have free time, I'll definitely help you again," he said sincerely. But in the middle of the conversation, he felt confused and curious. "But why do you still need to sell Jagamaru-kun? Didn't you take all of Apollo Familia's fortune after winning the War Game?" he asked innocently.

Hestia's joyful face suddenly changed. Cold sweat began to form on her forehead as the question came up. She smiled awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with Shirou's question.

Before Hestia could answer, Lily, who was standing behind Hestia, chimed in immediately. "That's because Hestia has hundreds of millions of Valis in debt to Hephaestus," Lily explained without hesitation, instantly changing the mood. "She wants to pay off that debt through her own hard work."

Hestia's face turned bright red, and she quickly turned to Lily. "Lily! Why did you say that?!" she shouted angrily, embarrassed that her secret had been revealed so easily.

While Hestia was busy scolding Lily for her "loose lips," Shirou could only smile slightly at their amusing interaction. However, behind his smile, his thoughts returned to something he had once learned. The Hestia Knife—the weapon Bell often used in battle. Shirou had once Traced the weapon and knew that the Hestia Knife was one of Hephaestus' works, forged with a special power that made it grow stronger as Bell's status increased.

In his heart, Shirou was amazed. Hestia might be simple in terms of finances, but her sense of responsibility to support Bell, even paying off her debt on her own, showed her greatness as a goddess. "Hestia is truly incredible," Shirou thought quietly, growing more and more impressed by the small goddess.

Bell, noticing Hestia and Lily starting to bicker and pinch each other's cheeks, quickly stepped forward to intervene. With a calm and gentle expression, he separated the two, getting them to stop their playful fight, which was more amusing than serious. Hestia and Lily finally stopped, though they still glared at each other with annoyance.

After the atmosphere settled, Bell turned to Shirou, who had been silently watching the scene. With a serious but grateful expression, Bell said, "Shirou, I want to thank you. You've always helped me, in the moments I needed it the most."

As usual, Shirou smiled humbly and quickly brushed off the praise. "Ah, no need, Bell. I just did what I could," he said, shaking his head, feeling that his actions were nothing worth praising.

But Bell didn't let Shirou dismiss it so easily. He shook his head and seriously began listing all the times Shirou had helped him. "You might have forgotten, Shirou, but I haven't. From the time you carried me out of the Dungeon when I was Mind Down and unconscious, to when you saved me after I was badly wounded fighting the Minotaur. And then, when you brought me, Lily, and Welf to the Loki Familia camp on the 18th floor when we were all unconscious... You were always there when we needed help."

Hearing this, Shirou felt increasingly uncomfortable with the praise. To him, everything he did was simply the right thing to do, not something that needed to be made a big deal of. "Come on, Bell," he said with a forced smile, trying to change the subject. "This is your victory party. Let me cook you something delicious as a celebration."

But Bell only gave a faint smile, clearly understanding Shirou well. "Even now, you're still supporting me," he whispered quietly, full of gratitude.

Shortly after, Mama Mia's voice called out from the kitchen. "Shirou, hurry over here! There's a lot to cook!" she called in her usual commanding tone. Shirou quickly excused himself from Bell and rushed to the kitchen to help.

Bell watched Shirou's figure moving away, observing how his friend carried himself with such responsibility. Shirou was always there when needed, even though he never asked for anything in return.

Just then, Hestia gently patted Bell on the shoulder. "Shirou really has a hard time accepting compliments, doesn't he?" she asked, her tone full of understanding.

Bell could only nod, agreeing with his goddess. Shirou was an extraordinary person, but he was so humble that it was hard for him to accept the recognition he deserved.