The projection process went very smoothly. After all, Shirou had done this countless times before. The only difference now was that instead of projecting a normal-sized Noble Phantasm, he was making one that was somewhat larger.
Well, only a little larger.
Although he had reduced its weight, it was still not something an ordinary person could wield. Rosemontis was probably the only one capable of swinging it a few times through the use of her Arts.
However, reducing the weight also meant greatly reducing its substance. At this point, it was even more superficial than his already insubstantial projected weapons.
Even if it fell from a great height, the projected weapon itself would break first, so it would not cause much damage.
That way, even if he accidentally lost control of it, he would not have to pay an outrageous amount in compensation.
"That should do it."
Carefully controlling the lightened Ig-Alima, Shirou successfully presented it before everyone.
Making it float was impossible. If he projected it into the air and kept it suspended like his other Noble Phantasms, his mana would probably be exhausted within half an hour.
The reason was simple. Its size and weight were on an entirely different level from his other Noble Phantasms.
So Shirou chose to plant it upright on the grassy field in the open plaza, projecting several additional supports to keep it standing.
If something did not have to be damaged, then it was best not to damage it. Even if the property did not belong to him and he would not be the one paying for it.
"Wow! It really is huge!"
Out of everyone present, Nian was by far the most excited.
Whether that excitement came from the soul of a master craftsman or from finding the perfect movie prop... only she knew.
As for Shirou, all he wanted was to lie down on a lounge chair and rest for a while. He felt as though every last one of his brain cells had died.
"I think this is the first time I have seen it from this close. Before, it was always being used either as cover or for clearing enemies. I only ever saw it from a distance."
Croissant, despite having seen it many times before, could not help sighing in admiration.
"Yes. The last time this thing exploded, the effect was pretty spectacular. I wonder if I will ever get to see that again..."
Exusiai nodded as she spoke.
The moment she finished, everyone turned to stare at her.
Everyone else's expressions clearly said:
"At a time like this, why are you still thinking about explosions?"
Nian's expression, however, was completely different.
The last time she learned that the fireworks Shirou had set off in Lungmen had used projected Noble Phantasms as explosives, her heart had nearly broken.
And now she found out...
Shirou had actually blown up this precious giant sword as well?
Her resentful gaze shifted back and forth between Exusiai and Shirou, making both of them feel a chill run down their spines.
"But Miss Nian, how are you planning to use this sword as a movie prop?"
Seeing the awkward atmosphere between Shirou, Exusiai, and Nian, Sora stepped forward and changed the subject, breaking the deadlock.
"That is indeed a bit troublesome. Let me think."
After hearing Sora's question, Nian fell into thought, allowing Shirou and Exusiai to escape from her resentful stare.
"The next time you are around Nian, do not mention anything related to Broken Phantasms. She is very sensitive about that subject."
The first thing Shirou did after getting away was pull Exusiai aside and quietly warn her.
Getting along with Nian was simple. Many topics were best left unmentioned. The moment someone brought one up, she would latch onto it and refuse to let it go. Had Sora not intervened, he would probably have remained under her scrutiny for quite some time.
"I understand, I understand. I almost thought she was going to kill both of us just now. That was terrifying!"
After hearing Shirou's warning, Exusiai genuinely took it to heart this time.
Nian's expression just now had been genuinely frightening.
"..."
Far away, inside a tall building, a figure clad in crimson robes noticed the commotion.
Although the distance was considerable, the building was tall, and the object causing the disturbance was far too large to miss.
"..."
Wei Yenwu, who was seated across from the figure, naturally noticed it as well.
Faced with the situation, he could only awkwardly pick up the unlit pipe beside him and begin polishing it.
As the long-time occupant of this office, he naturally knew every landmark visible from its windows.
Even if he had not, that enormous sword made it obvious who was responsible. In all of Lungmen, the only person capable of casually creating weapons out of thin air was that young man from Penguin Logistics.
Wei trusted Shirou.
However... there were guests present today, and they did not know any of this.
More importantly, if he remembered correctly, Shirou was currently with the very person these guests were concerned about.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the crimson-robed figure suddenly spoke.
"If I remember correctly... one of Sui's fragments, Nian, should be in Lungmen, correct?"
The crimson-robed figure turned to look at him.
Wei Yenwu replied after a brief silence.
"...Yes. She is currently in Lungmen preparing for a film production."
Ah... let the world end.
At that moment, Wei Yenwu's mind went completely blank.
To keep Nian from crossing paths with these people, he had carefully arranged everything in advance. He had even persuaded the old "Sick Cat" to lend out the Mall.
He had invested an enormous amount of effort into the preparations.
Yet in less than half a day, Shirou had single-handedly drawn all of their attention.
Then again, Wei also knew that Shirou would never bring out something like this just for fun. It had to be because someone needed it as a prop for filming a movie.
How did he know?
His subordinates had been sending him photos from the set at regular intervals. The moment he saw swords flying all over the sky, he knew that the officials from Yan's Grand Judicial Office absolutely could not be allowed to learn of Shirou's existence.
Shirou by himself was manageable.
But if he was together with Nian, things became much more complicated.
Their abilities overlapped to a certain extent. People who knew the truth would dismiss it as a coincidence, but the Grand Judicial Office and those who had sent them certainly would not see it that way.
"Do not worry so much. Matters concerning the Sui Beast are for the Department of Heavenly Years to concern themselves with. We are only here to observe the situation on their behalf."
Noticing the cold sweat hidden beneath Wei Yenwu's composed expression, another figure dressed in crimson robes spoke in an attempt to reassure him.
Unfortunately, the reassurance had the opposite effect.
Wei became even more worried.
Meanwhile, back at Nian's film set...
"In that case, we will just stand it beside the villain! That will immediately make the scene look much more impressive! As for how it will actually be used... we will trust computer effects!"
After thinking for a long time, Nian still could not come up with a proper way to make use of Ig-Alima.
In the end, she settled on the simplest solution.
Just leave it standing there, and let the visual effects team handle the rest.
Would that not be wasting such an incredible sword?
Not at all.
Just look at the crowd around them. The number of onlookers had more than doubled.
That alone made it the perfect advertisement.
At that moment, Nian's thoughts were completely occupied by her movie. She had thoroughly forgotten her pride as a craftsman.
The old Nian would certainly have criticized the giant sword for being flashy but impractical.
However, facing Shirou, she found herself unable to say those words.
After all, he had forged it on the spot.
Even if it could only be used for a single strike, its destructive power was still extraordinary.
And now...
A gigantic, handsome sword like this appearing in a movie would create an overwhelming visual impact.
"I agree. Even just standing there, it gives off an incredible sense of pressure."
Exusiai, who had been helping brainstorm ideas, agreed with Nian's assessment.
Her original suggestion had been even simpler.
She wanted Shirou to use his seemingly invincible magecraft to control Ig-Alima directly.
Unfortunately, the moment she proposed it, Shirou mercilessly rejected the idea.
If he were actually capable of doing that, then he would not be using Ig-Alima as a one-time attack, an obstacle, or even a makeshift platform.
"But if there is only one of them, it will have to be placed behind the villain. We will also have to make sure the other swords do not block it."
Croissant offered her own suggestion.
When it came to movies, everyone at Penguin Logistics had plenty of ideas.
Watching films together in the dormitory was one of their favorite ways to relax, and their boss had collected quite an impressive library of movies. They had watched plenty of classics over the years.
"Is there not another one? I remember you used a different giant sword when you fought Emperor's Blades."
After hearing Croissant's suggestion, Texas remembered the massive sword with a different appearance that Shirou had used during his confrontation with Emperor's Blades not long ago.
"What? You have been hiding another?"
The moment Nian learned that Shirou had another giant sword, she immediately turned toward him, ready to condemn him for keeping it a secret.
"You never asked! Besides, earlier you only said you wanted to see this one!"
Faced with the sudden accusation, Shirou felt completely innocent.
"Oh... you are right."
Nian admitted her mistake without hesitation.
After all, it really had been her oversight.
If she was wrong, then she would admit it.
That said...
She still wanted to see it.
It was a second giant sword, after all.
"Here? Are you sure?"
Seeing the hopeful expression on Nian's face, Shirou pointed at the surroundings.
The only open space available had already been occupied by Ig-Alima.
If he projected Sul-sagana as well, there would be nowhere to put it. It would inevitably damage the paved ground.
"Yes... this really is not the right place..."
Shirou's reasoning proved effective, and Nian began thinking again.
"I will go set up the scenery first! Then, when everything is ready, you can just place both giant swords exactly where they need to be. That will save both time and effort!"
His persuasion had worked.
Just not quite in the direction he had intended.
"...Fine. Go ahead and work on the set. I will take the opportunity to rest for a while and recover."
Shirou could only accept it.
At least she was willing to prepare the set first, which meant there would actually be somewhere to place the swords once he projected them.
As long as nothing around them was damaged, everything would be fine.
Still, he needed some time to recover his mana.
He also needed to adjust Sul-sagana so that it matched the current state of Ig-Alima.
As for Ig-Alima already standing before them, he could simply dismiss it.
The next time he took it out, there would be no need to make those adjustments again.
However, he would still have to destroy it afterward.
Otherwise, if he brought it out again next time and it was easily destroyed, all of the mana he had spent would have been wasted.
This one was far more fragile than the projections he usually created.
"Great! It should only take a little while to finish everything. Just leave this one here for now. It makes a pretty good free advertisement."
After Shirou agreed, a broad smile spread across Nian's face. Carrying her tools, she left.
That left Shirou and the four members of Penguin Logistics standing where they were.
"...I am exhausted."
After Nian left, Shirou found a chair and sat down.
He had spent the entire morning projecting weapons, discussing solutions with Nian, modifying and projecting Ig-Alima, and later he would still have to project Sul-sagana.
Shirou felt that delivering cargo all over the city during the past few days had not been nearly as tiring as this single morning.
"I thought it was pretty fun."
Exusiai could not relate to Shirou at all. She had seen plenty of things that she normally never had the chance to see, making the whole morning incredibly entertaining.
"I think so too."
Croissant nodded in agreement.
"Well, Shirou was the one doing all the work."
Sora, who had slipped away from work to join everyone for a bit of team bonding, actually shared the same opinion as Exusiai and Croissant.
However, she still took Shirou's feelings into consideration.
"That is true."
Texas agreed with Sora.
More importantly, experience had taught her that agreeing with Exusiai and Croissant at a moment like this would probably lead to something unpleasant.
Even though they were technically telling the truth, Texas could almost see the word "Danger" floating above both of their heads, so she immediately made her position clear.
"So you two are feeling pretty brave today, are you? How about I take all of you out for dinner later?"
Hearing Exusiai and Croissant's remarks, Shirou instantly abandoned his exhausted appearance. He sat up straight and said with an unusually gentle smile.
"What are we eating?"
The moment Shirou smiled, Exusiai had been preparing to hide behind Texas.
But after hearing the words "take you out for dinner," she immediately leaped in front of him and became deeply concerned about that evening's meal.
Shirou was treating them to dinner outside.
That was an incredibly rare occasion.
Not only Exusiai, but the other three were also surprised.
"Hot pot. The restaurant you have all been saying you wanted to try."
Shirou answered without hesitation.
"Really? But that place is almost impossible to get into!"
Now even Croissant could not stay seated.
Hot pot had always ranked near the top of her favorite foods.
After all, she could add as much meat as she wanted, making it perfect for a devoted carnivore like herself.
The restaurant Shirou mentioned was extremely expensive.
On the other hand, the quality of the meat was exceptional.
"Of course. I know someone with a VIP membership card. We can just go straight in."
Shirou continued speaking.
However, while Exusiai and Croissant had already become completely absorbed in the thoughts of Shirou treating them to dinner and unlimited meat...
The other two had already noticed that something about the atmosphere was wrong.
Texas and Sora quietly took several steps backward.
They knew Shirou well.
The kinder and friendlier his smile looked...
...the bigger the trap he was setting while waiting for someone to take the bait.
Clearly, the Bread Girl and the Halo Girl had already swallowed it whole.
This was not the first time something like this had happened, so the two of them reacted immediately and retreated, making sure they would not get caught in the crossfire later.
"Shirou, you actually know someone with a VIP membership card?"
Completely unaware that she had already taken the bait, Croissant's eyes sparkled the moment she learned that Shirou had such a connection.
They almost shone brighter than Exusiai's halo beside her, showing just how excited she was.
She did not need to eat there every day.
As long as she could occasionally borrow the VIP card whenever she craved hot pot, she would be perfectly satisfied.
"You both know her too. She loves hot pot as well, and she will be joining us."
Shirou nodded.
"Hm? Wait... we know her too?... No way."
The instant Shirou said that, Exusiai immediately calmed down.
She was not sure how many people everyone else knew.
But she was certain that among the people she knew, hardly anyone had ever openly declared a love for hot pot.
Croissant did not count, since she was standing right here.
Looking at Shirou's smiling face and thinking for several seconds, Exusiai's halo briefly straightened into the shape of an exclamation mark before returning to normal.
Someone who loved hot pot...
Someone they all knew...
And Shirou's smile that was clearly not as friendly as it looked...
She had a very good idea who it was.
"Director Nian let all of you visit the filming set today, and we are also borrowing her VIP membership card. Inviting her to join us for hot pot is only proper, is it not?"
Seeing that Exusiai had already guessed the answer, Shirou stopped hiding his true intentions.
"Ahem... I suddenly do not think hot pot is all that necessary anymore. How about I cook something myself tonight instead?"
The instant Croissant heard that it was Nian's VIP card, her expression changed completely.
Who cared about the VIP card?
She knew perfectly well which was more important:
Hot pot...
Or her own life.
Going out for hot pot with Nian was probably like street racing right in front of Officer Chen.
You would definitely end up with a ticket, or even be hauled off to the Lungmen Guard Department for a lecture.
At least getting lectured by Officer Chen only cost you some patience and money.
Eating hot pot with Nian, on the other hand, cost you your physical well-being.
"It is too late now. I helped you deal with Nian for so long, and after all that you still teased me. I do not think that is very fair. So tonight, we are all going to have hot pot together."
Seeing the complete reversal in their expressions, Shirou immediately felt much better.
Sometimes, when someone put him in a bad mood, the quickest way to cheer himself up was to make them suffer a little instead.
It was something he had learned from Exusiai and Croissant.
It worked extremely well.
He highly recommended it.