Morning at the Amamiya residence began with a chorus of hands coming together.
"Let's eat!!"
The long dining table was set with grilled fish as the main dish, along with white rice and miso soup for six.
"All right, everyone, look this way. Due to various circumstances, Sakura got up early this morning to make breakfast."
"Everyone, especially a certain good for nothing, should thank Sakura properly and savor every bite."
"Mm-hmm."
Shirou's gaze passed over Rin Tohsaka and Illya, who were nodding earnestly, and landed on Taiga Fujimura.
With Irisviel currently traveling abroad with her Ancestor and the maids, Taiga Fujimura had become their temporary guardian. At the moment, she was picking through her spinach and chicken like a fussy child.
"Ugh, natto again... I already said I wouldn't eat it, but Sakura never listens."
"Taiga, you eat natto, right? Trade me your fried egg for it."
There was more than one picky eater in the household. Illya stared in disgust at the foul smelling mush in her bowl.
"I don't mind, but do you still hate natto, Illya? You shouldn't be so picky. Still, your big sister can trade you half her fried egg."
"Hehehe. Not understanding how delicious natto is over rice only proves you're still a child."
"Only half...? Fine, I'll trade."
Illya narrowed one eye. "I couldn't finish all of it anyway. Just don't fall for Sakura's scheme without realizing it."
Taiga Fujimura nodded. "Mm-hmm. An equal exchange. Half my fried egg for Illya's natto... Wait, what scheme is Sakura plotting?"
Sakura Matou hurriedly said, "It's fine. There's nothing to worry about. I calculated all the calories perfectly."
"As long as you eat properly and exercise, you won't put on any extra fat! Right, Tohsaka-senpai?"
"Y-yes, Sakura is absolutely right."
Rin Tohsaka scratched her cheek guiltily. "Our body types are different, so I can't say for certain, but I'm sure Fujimura-sensei won't be the only one gaining weight."
She normally skipped breakfast, but today she had deliberately appeared in the Amamiya residence's living room so she could go to school with Sakura.
With her calorie control plan ruined, Miss Perfect decided she would go hungry at lunch instead.
"S-see? Even Tohsaka-senpai agrees. Please eat as much as you like. There's still plenty of rice."
"You don't have to tell me twice. Sakura, fill up a huge bowl for me."
The lively breakfast filled the living room with noise.
Amid the girls' ordinary morning chatter, Shirou looked at the girl sitting across from him.
The nun with silver curls, Caren Hortensia, was quietly eating breakfast.
After returning from London, Shirou had used the medicine he received from Rita Rozay-en to cure Caren, who had remained unconscious.
Although Shirou had not wanted to mention it, she seemed to have learned that someone had come into conflict with the largest faction among the Twenty-Seven Ancestors because of her.
"...I caused you quite a lot of trouble."
It was the first time Shirou had ever seen Caren speak so honestly.
"It was nothing. We're partners, aren't we? We still have evil Magi to hunt together."
"About that... our contract is over."
"...Huh?"
"You no longer need to work as my Agent. That's all."
Before Shirou could ask why, Caren left Fuyuki.
What had happened?
Wait, had Caren resigned from her work as an Agent and become an exorcist instead?
If what Natalia had said was true, then Caren's "exorcisms" were actually...
Just as Shirou was seriously considering buying a ticket to Italy, storming the Papal Court, and rescuing Caren, she returned a week later.
"The review by my superiors has been approved. I have been formally reappointed as the administrator of the Fuyuki Church. I look forward to working with you from now on."
The silver haired girl delivered the news coldly.
Shirou stared at her in complete confusion. "Wait a minute... What exactly happened?"
"You cannot even understand that? Your lack of comprehension fills me with despair."
What was with this girl? She had started acting superior the moment she came back, Shirou thought.
The girl continued, "I reported to the Church that 'no Holy Grail was discovered in Fuyuki, nor were there any signs that another Holy Grail War was about to begin.'"
"You have all been cleared of suspicion. Rejoice."
Shirou froze.
"Is that why you went back to the Papal Court?"
"That was the reason I came to Fuyuki in the first place."
"Ah, right. I suppose it was."
Caren proudly thrust out her shapely chest. "With this, I have repaid the debt I owed you."
Despite her smug expression, Shirou could easily imagine how relentlessly she must have argued on his behalf at the Papal Court.
"From now on, I will have to submit a regular report every Saturday."
"We are now accomplices protecting the same secret. If the Papal Court discovers that I lied, then all of us will..."
"Thank you, Caren."
The boy gratefully took her hand.
"..."
Looking flustered, Caren turned her head away and gave a quiet, "Mm."
From that day onward, Caren, who had rarely been seen around town before, began visiting the Amamiya residence frequently.
Today, she had once again appeared directly at the breakfast table in the living room.
Shirou felt that they had grown a little closer, but it was not enough.
He wished Caren could naturally become part of the group as well.
With that thought, Shirou spoke to her.
"Caren, your rice bowl is already empty."
"Half a bowl is enough for breakfast."
"Oh, are you dieting too, Caren?"
At Shirou's question, the girl looked up at him with contempt.
"I do not have the constitution of a Japanese person who gains weight easily. As a follower of God, I am simply expected to live in poverty and frugality."
"I see."
Shirou nodded in understanding.
He had originally assumed she was from Western Europe, but later learned that she was of mixed Japanese and Latin ancestry. No wonder she was so slender and tall.
Then he turned his head.
"Hm? What's wrong with you two?"
Caren's remark had petrified the Tohsaka sisters beside him, as though they had been struck by the Mystic Eyes of a Greek monster.
"That's so unfair, Caren-san..." Sakura Matou muttered resentfully.
"Awuh, awuh, awuh."
Tears gathered in the corners of Rin Tohsaka's eyes as she gave up and stuffed a large amount of carbohydrates into her mouth.
...
"Hey, Amamiya. Perfect timing."
A familiar voice called out to Shirou in the school corridor at lunchtime.
He turned around and saw Ayako Mitsuzuri and Rin Tohsaka, the most famous pair of beauties in the high school division of Homurahara Academy.
"Good afternoon, Mitsuzuri, Tohsaka."
"Good afternoon, Amamiya-kun."
"Have you heard the most famous rumor going around school lately?"
Ayako Mitsuzuri looked at Shirou with a teasing smile.
"What rumor?"
Shirou had known Ayako for ten years, so he immediately sensed that she was up to no good. Tohsaka's expression also seemed strange.
"The rumor that our dear Tohsaka is dating a certain boy."
"Who?" Shirou asked in surprise.
"Who else?"
Ayako Mitsuzuri stared at Shirou and smiled mischievously again.
"...Oh."
Shirou finally understood her attitude.
"So, what's the truth?"
Ayako Mitsuzuri poked Shirou's arm. "Are you two dating?"
"No."
"That was quick. Your girlfriend's going to be hurt." Ayako Mitsuzuri looked displeased.
"We're not dating, so we're not dating. Right, Tohsaka?"
Shirou looked at Rin Tohsaka beside him.
"Um... Yes. I've told Ayako that over and over, but she refuses to believe me. Honestly."
"But it's true that the two of you took leave from school together and went abroad, isn't it?"
Ayako Mitsuzuri was one of the few people who knew Shirou and Rin had traveled overseas together.
She had known both of them for years, so there was no way they could have hidden it from her.
Shirou and Rin Tohsaka fell silent.
Ayako Mitsuzuri studied their reactions, then asked in confusion, "Why did you choose a time like this to travel to England?"
"I can understand Amamiya doing it, but I never expected it from Rin... That's hardly model student behavior."
Since Shirou and Rin both denied dating, Ayako Mitsuzuri was willing to believe them.
Although she complained aloud, she was probably envious deep down. After all, they had gotten to travel abroad while everyone else was attending school.
"By the way, where did you go? London? Did you visit Loch Ness?"
Shirou and Rin could only exchange looks while trying to think of a convincing answer.
Rin Tohsaka had traveled abroad under the pretext of investigating potential study opportunities.
However, she would not even become a second year high school student until next spring. No matter how one looked at it, the excuse made no sense.
Shirou could not help suspecting that Rin had used Suggestion on the teachers when requesting leave.
"You two have been exchanging looks this whole time. You really are dating, aren't you?"
"We already told you we're not," Shirou and Rin replied in unison.
"It's not that I'm particularly fond of gossip, but..."
Ayako Mitsuzuri looked toward the junior high students on the athletic field. "If you ever do decide to date, make sure you explain everything properly to Sakura."
"..."
Rin Tohsaka's expression stiffened.
Shirou muttered, "So you were only worried about your junior."
"Looking at Amamiya's expression, I suppose I don't need to worry."
"What does that mean?"
Ayako Mitsuzuri smiled. "I have a feeling you'll be in the same grade as Sakura next year."
"You mean I'm going to repeat the year!?" Shirou's face went pale.
"Oh my. Judging by Amamiya-kun's face, that may not be impossible."
Rin Tohsaka joined in the teasing.
They had been allies only moments ago, but she abandoned Shirou as soon as an opportunity appeared. What a vicious woman!
"Well, Amamiya-kun... should the worst happen, I'll take care of you," Rin Tohsaka said.
"Huh? Are you going to tutor Amamiya?" Ayako Mitsuzuri asked curiously.
"Not only that. I could even help him decide what to do after graduation." Rin Tohsaka grinned mischievously.
Ayako Mitsuzuri looked even more confused.
The black haired little devil said, "Amamiya-kun said he was considering studying abroad too. When the time comes, we could share an apartment and save money on rent."
"Wow... Are you sure that's a good idea, Tohsaka?" Ayako Mitsuzuri covered her mouth.
Shirou was a little surprised. Had Tohsaka actually considered that possibility?
What to do after graduation.
Although it was still two years away, for Shirou, who had lived through three lifetimes, two years would pass in the blink of an eye.
The future.
Shirou had not thought about it at all.
Since the matter with Caren had been resolved, his thoughts had been almost entirely occupied by Artoria.
After parting with Tohsaka and the others, Shirou went to the student council room.
Since it was lunchtime, no one was there. That was precisely why Shirou had come. He intended to take a quiet nap.
He had spent last night testing his Mystic Eyes until late, then helped Sakura prepare breakfast that morning, leaving him severely sleep deprived.
Shirou laid his head on the desk in the student council room and soon fell into a deep sleep.
…
"Good evening~~~~"
Through the haze, Shirou heard an unfamiliar voice.
It was a man's voice he had never heard before, yet for some reason it felt strangely familiar. So familiar that it was almost irritating.
Shirou slowly opened his eyes and found himself gazing upon an endless expanse of lush green fields.
Standing there was a suspicious, pure white male figure.
"Nice to meet you. This should be the first time we've spoken like this, shouldn't it?"
The man addressed Shirou with the casual familiarity of an old friend.
"You are..."
Shirou rubbed his eyes, wondering whether he was seeing things.
The man with dreamlike silver hair suddenly grew excited and spread his arms wide.
"Welcome to Big Brother Merlin's dream world! Though I can't recommend REM sleep!"
"Even for a nap, I suggest sleeping more deeply."
"Otherwise, I can't come and bother you!"
"A male... Merlin...!?"
Shirou's eyes widened in disbelief.
How could he describe what he was feeling?
Perhaps it was like the overwhelming emotion Helen Keller's tutor must have felt when she first said the word "water."
So a male Merlin really did exist!?
"Hmm... You're surprisingly excited for someone who's asleep..."
The man calling himself Merlin seemed taken aback by Shirou's reaction. It was probably the first time anyone had ever welcomed him so enthusiastically.
"Since you're willing to believe me, the rest of this conversation should be simple, Arthur from another world."
"No, I can't trust you."
"What!?"
Merlin's words caught in his throat as Shirou continued.
"Now that I know you're Merlin, there's no way I could trust you, is there?"
"That's true. Perfectly reasonable."
Merlin's shoulders slumped.
"This is exactly why I dislike REM sleep, when the mind is only half awake."
Though briefly discouraged, he quickly recovered.
"Still, even though I'm a completely untrustworthy Merlin, I hope you'll welcome me this time."
"As for why... Yes, why indeed!"
"You're troubled over Artoria, aren't you?"
"That means it's my turn to step in. Just leave this little problem to me!"
Judging by what he said, this man really was Artoria's teacher.
Shirou was beginning to understand why Artoria had turned out the way she had.
The Magus of Flowers (♂) wore the knowing expression of someone speaking from experience.
"Oh dear... Artoria has always been a very stubborn girl."
"Once she takes up the Holy Lance, she stops listening to reason entirely, and now she's gone and become a Divine Spirit."
"Honestly, who could possibly have given her such a thing...?"
"It has nothing to do with me, of course, but she has my deepest sympathy."
"Fou——————!"
Just then, a white meteor streaked across the sky.
Some kind of furry creature came plummeting down, slammed into Merlin's face, and sent him flying several meters.
"Fou, fou! (It was you, you stupid Incubus!)"
Shirou stared in surprise.
What was this adorable creature? More importantly, could it speak like a human?
"It's not actually speaking. You can understand it because we're inside a dream."
Using his staff for support, Merlin climbed back to his feet.
"Still, I never expected you not to know about Cath Palug. That genuinely surprised me."
"It seems unusually fond of you, though. As long as Fou is here, I won't be able to fill your head with whatever nonsense I please."
"I suppose I'll have to postpone that particular pleasure for a while..."
The suspicious man calling himself Merlin brushed the dust from his clothes as he spoke.
"It can't be helped. Let's get straight to the point."
"As you know, Artoria has formed an alliance with another version of me... Ahem, with Lady Avalon, my little sister."
"If those two join forces, it's all over. Therefore, I'll assist you."
"The strongest King Arthur, you, and the strongest Merlin, me."
"Together, we should be more than capable of opposing them."
"Well? That sounds like a fairly good offer, doesn't it?"
Shirou frowned. "Wait. Teacher, my Merlin, is the strongest Merlin."
"...That's what you're focusing on!?" Merlin retorted.
Suspicious though he was, the man's proposal was certainly tempting.
If Shirou intended to oppose the deified Artoria and Teacher, doing so alone would be far too difficult.
Forget stopping them. Shirou did not even know where the two of them were or what they were planning.
"Fou, fou! (Wait. You still can't trust this man completely.)"
The little white beast, now nestled in Shirou's arms, warned him.
"All right. I accept your proposal."
After considering it briefly, Shirou took the hand Merlin offered him.
He would simply assume Merlin was deceiving him. It would hardly be the first or second time Teacher had led him around by the nose.
"Fou~ (Sigh...)"
"So, what do we do next?" the boy asked.
"The truth is, I've run into a little trouble on my end, and I'd like you to come help me," the Incubus said, abruptly changing the subject.
Shirou regarded him suspiciously. "Isn't Artoria's situation more important?"
"No, no, no. My problem concerns the very survival of human history."
"Come to think of it, I only became entangled in this mess because the phase shift caused by you changed everything... So please, Arthur from another world, you simply must help me."
Beaming broadly, Merlin clutched Shirou's hand and refused to let go.
The little white beast sighed helplessly.
"Fou, fou~ (That's why I told you not to trust him.)"
...
In the towering royal palace at the very heart of Uruk, the King sat upon his throne, resting his chin in one hand with an impatient expression.
"That Merlin. There's been no word from him for two days. What in the world is he doing...?"
Two days earlier, the Magus Merlin had announced that he would travel to another era in search of new reinforcements to replace the several Heroic Spirits they had lost. He had then departed Uruk.
Although the fortifications constructed around Uruk could repel the attacks of the Magical Beasts, their forces remained insufficient against the true threat, the Three Goddess Alliance.
"Though I find it unlikely... He couldn't have run away, could he?"
The King of Uruk muttered as he read the reports inscribed upon the stone tablets.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from below the hall.
"Your Majesty, Merlin-dono has returned!"
The King lazily raised his head.
There stood Merlin inside the hall, dragging a red haired boy along with him.
"Ho..."
The Golden King, Gilgamesh, studied Shirou and narrowed his eyes with interest.
"Mongrel, have we met somewhere before...?"
"Hm? Isn't that Gilgamesh?"
Shirou stared in surprise at the King of Heroes seated upon the throne, looking unbelievably haggard.
"Long time no see. Why do you look like you could drop dead at any moment?"