Chapter 41: The Princess's Gratitude
Looking at Princess Alice in this state, Shirou couldn't help but recall her "astral form" that had met him in the mansion in Naples. Back then, she was so lively; her beautiful face and perfectly slender body didn't give off this current sense of sickly frailty.
Shirou observed Alice's current physical condition and sighed softly.
"With your current body, you'll live ten years at most."
Hearing this, the young girl looked at Shirou with a gaze that would evoke pity in anyone, her mind unreadable.
"Such a thing... what can I do about it? If that is my end, perhaps it is simply fate."
Princess Alice bit her lip, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly.
"I'm just a little unwilling... I never wanted this power, yet it chose me anyway."
This was likely what they called "the beautiful die young."
Shirou let out a light sigh. Seeing the girl struggle to push herself up with her hands but lacking the strength, he reached out to help her up and placed a cushion behind her back.
"Thank you, King Orihara. Originally, meeting you in a proper manner was the least respect I could show. But if I truly tried to get out of bed and my weak body couldn't even hold a teacup steady, I'm afraid I would only invite ridicule."
Princess Alice spoke to Shirou with an apologetic tone.
"It is shameful to admit, but the witch powers I possess are considered among the strongest in the world. I travel to the Netherworld in astral form to gain revelations and knowledge; that is why I became the Speaker of the [Council of Sages] at such a young age—because a large portion of my knowledge was obtained through Spirit Vision.
While having such immense power allowed me to become a powerful witch at this age, the price paid was this body."
Shirou looked at the current Alice and said to her:
"I actually have a way to restore your body."
Hearing Shirou's words, Princess Alice's eyes lit up instantly. To her, this was undoubtedly heavenly news. However, after a brief moment of ecstasy, she gradually calmed down and looked at Shirou.
"King Orihara, what can I do for you?"
From their previous meeting in Naples, Princess Alice had already gained a general understanding of this new King's temperament. If she hadn't been so unfamiliar with the other Demon Kings, she would never have been so reckless as to meet him like that. But now it was
too late; whether the [Council of Sages] liked it or not, this world-spanning organization was now firmly in this King's pocket.
This King was willing to heal her body, but it likely wasn't out of concern for the Council.
Seeing Alice biting her lip as if deep in thought, Shirou roughly understood what she was thinking. However, he didn't care about that; instead, he considered which method to use to restore the girl.
Soon, Shirou had an answer in his heart.
—「Avalon (The Everdistant Utopia)」.
This scabbard possessed the ability to heal its holder's wounds and halt their aging. If its power were unleashed, it could even place the user within the Fairyland, shielding them from all physical interference—even the Five True Magics could not touch it.
Even 「EA: Sword of Rupture」 could not affect the unleashed scabbard. All of this spoke to the overwhelming power of 「Avalon」.
The original version of 「Avalon」 had the restriction of requiring Saber to be present to function. However, if Shirou manufactured it using his Authority, he could remove such a restriction.
Unfortunately, he couldn't take it out right now. After all, the 「Sword of Promised Victory- Excalibur」 was still being forged.
Weighing his options internally, Shirou reached out toward Princess Alice. Waves of golden divine power surged forth, covering the girl like a layer of golden brilliance.
"This is...?"
Princess Alice felt the divine power pouring into her body and widened her eyes in shock, her face full of disbelief. An unprecedented vitality filled her being.
"Incredible...!"
Alice sat up and moved her limbs with curiosity. The girl felt that her body—which should have had its functions exhausted by her innate, overwhelming spiritual power—was now brimming with life.
"This is only temporary. A mortal body cannot hold onto divine power, not even the strongest witch," Shirou continued.
"This bit of divine power can only sustain you for a month. Once the month ends, you will return to your previous weak state. When you find clues regarding a Heretic God, come find me again."
"I understand, King Orihara. Please wait for the good news."
Feeling the divine power slowly dissipating, Princess Alice felt an urgent desire to complete the task this King had assigned.
Having been in a weak state for so long, she hadn't felt much of it, but now that she had experienced the feeling of moving freely, she never wanted to let it go.
She even selfishly hoped this King would inject her with divine power frequently.
Sensing her energetic body, Alice's eyes suddenly filled with a misty haze. With slightly reddened eyes, she supported herself with both hands, climbed out of bed, and stood on the floor with her bare, porcelain-white feet.
"Your Highness!"
The housekeeper standing to the side was startled by Alice's actions and instinctively moved to support her, but stopped when she saw Alice smiling and shaking her head gently.
Her golden hair cascaded down. Despite being bedridden for years, her shoulder-length hair was as smooth as silk, likely due to specialized daily care. Her jade-like feet stepped lightly on the ground. Perhaps because it had been too long since she felt this, Alice's slender body swayed slightly, but she quickly stabilized.
Her face was lit with a smile unlike any before. She walked cheerfully around the room, looking like an elf leaping through a bed of flowers. On the day she became bedridden years ago, she thought she might never stand again, as if she could see the end of her life at a single glance. But life is unpredictable; no one knows when a surprise might suddenly arrive.
Her golden hair fluttered, reflecting a charming luster in the sunlight as she savored this long-lost feeling—the feeling of having perfect control over her own body.
Finally, like a musical piece reaching its finale, the girl turned toward Shirou, lifted the corners of her hem with both hands, and performed a formal bow.
"Alice Louise Of Nafal, pays her respects to King Orihara."
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