IBHJ 1154

Goetia's frown deepened, his voice sharp with distaste. "So you want to be our king?"

Shirou shook his head. "Not a king. A leader—someone to represent our shared will."

The wording made all the difference, if he'd suggested picking a king, Goetia would have exploded right there.

But his careful phrasing seemed to work. The anger in Goetia's eyes dimmed slightly as he thumped his chest. "In that case, clearly this person should be—"

"—Obviously it should be me, Gaia!"

A light screen flickered to life, showing Gaia standing on a stool, puffing out her chest.

Goetia's words died in his throat. He glared at her, bristling at being cut off, but since she was their boss, he had to swallow his pride.

Shirou glanced at Gaia's image and shook his head. "You won't do."

Unlike with Goetia, he didn't even try to soften the blow.

"Why not?" Gaia demanded indignantly. She truly believed she could lead them. After all, everything—Heroic Spirits, humans, even Beasts—came from the planet. So shouldn't they all answer to her?

"Do I really need to explain? After stealing my personality, don't act so entitled. You know exactly why," he scolded.

As they say, those with nothing to lose fear nothing. He didn't want anything from Gaia, so why tiptoe around her? Back when he was preparing for Crimson Moon over 1,500 years ago, sure, he would have sweet-talked her. But now? He already had her love and blessings, and her siblings were keeping her main body somewhere. What was left to be nice about?

Well... she could still connect to the planet, making her their best global surveillance. Maybe a little sweet talk wouldn't hurt?

This was the true face of this shameless rogue!

But Gaia was hung up on something else entirely.

"St-steal your personality? That's ridiculous!" She turned away, guilt written all over her face.

But she wasn't lying, exactly. Unlike her siblings, her personality was a mix of different sources.

It just happened that the foundation of that personality came from copying Shirou.

And maybe... just maybe... she'd borrowed a few records from the Throne of Heroes.

Besides, how could borrowing from your subordinate count as stealing?

Right, definitely not stealing. She nodded to herself.

Shirou watched Gaia squirm with expressionless face. The truth was, she'd make the perfect leader. She had the status, the perspective, and most importantly, she'd copied his personality and thought patterns. Her baseline thinking was essentially his.

But with her stuck in exile somewhere outside the solar system, she'd have to settle for being their eyes on the planet.

"Well, if Gaia is out, the choice is obvious. It should be—"

With Gaia rejected, Goetia perked up. As the Demon God King, born to rule over all, his grand destiny to surpass Solomon would start here.

But before he could finish, Abigail pointed at Shirou. "—Then it should be you, Big Brother."

Goetia's face froze.

Kama nodded. "Eternal King would be a good fit."

Merlin nodded. "I'm fine with Shirou taking command. I'm already his subordinate anyway. What about you, Lady Tethys's legacy, Lord Ambrosius?"

Ambrosius sighed. "...To think I'd get tangled up with all of you. Well, I'm curious to see what Eternal King has planned, so no objections here."

All eyes turned to Goetia, who hadn't finished speaking.

His face darkened. What was he supposed to say now that everyone had decided?

In desperation, he looked to Gaia.

Surely as the planet's true ruler, she wouldn't bow to anyone else for long. She'd understand that only he, Goetia—

"Shirou's fine by me. Just remember, I am Gaia! You're all depending on my good grace... huh? Goetia, what’s wrong? why do you look so weird?" Gaia blinked at his stormy expression.

Arms crossed, face dark as thunder, Goetia muttered, "I have no objections."

Gaia stared at Goetia, puzzled by his mood.

"Alright, then it's settled," Shirou said. "I'm grateful for your trust, and I'll take on this role. But please understand that this doesn't change our standing. We're equals. I know you're all far more talented than I am. But there's one thing I need to make clear—"

His voice turned serious. "There can only be one leader at any time. You can voice your concerns before we decide on a plan, but once we commit to something, we stick to it. I know I can't force any of you, and I know my own limits—I might not deserve this responsibility. But for the sake of everything we're fighting for, trust in me, and I'll prove myself with results."

He was being quite solemn, but Abigail's expression was rather strange.

"Something wrong, Abby?"

"No... it's just that Big Brother was being so funny."

"Funny?"

"Yeah. Getting all serious out of nowhere... I mean, I know you're a king and all, but look around, there's barely any of us here. Why so formal?"

Before he could respond, Merlin cut in with a smile. "You don't get it, Abby. Rules aren't just for crowds—they're like foundations. The fewer people there are, the easier it is to lay them down properly." He gestured around the near-empty space. "Think of it like building a house. You don't wait until the walls are up to pour the foundation. By then, it's too late.”

“Besides, the best time to establish order is when there's no pressure to enforce it." Merlin shot him a knowing wink, and Shirou smiled back.

For all his faults—and there were many—Merlin really did understand him.

Just then, Mordred emerged from the temple.

"I knew you'd start grabbing power, but by the time I got here, it was already done. Damn! I would've been perfect for it!" Mordred shot Shirou a frustrated look.

"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow, amused. "Bad timing on your part."

Kama studied Mordred, wanting to ask about Ector but feeling it was inappropriate now, so she held back.

But Goetia had no such restraint. "So you can kill Apostles?"

Mordred smiled and nodded. "That's right."

She pulled out her Grail. "This is what gives me that power!"

Morgan and Bedivere's eyes snapped to the Cup.

"Mordred...!"

Shirou's frown deepened as he noticed the Cup's third eye—always sealed tight before—had cracked open slightly. The sight filled him with unease.

"It's fine. You think I can't get over the kingdom's fall? Heh, who do you think I am? I'm Mordred! Instead of dwelling on useless things, better to focus on how I can now take back the history we built!"

Mordred swung the Cup casually, her smile bright and fierce.

Merlin was speechless.

He'd watched her grow up, but he'd also watched her march toward destruction.

How much strength did it take to smile so naturally?

No. Maybe it wasn't strength at all—maybe she was just hiding her pain so others wouldn't worry.

That was just like her. Merlin's heart ached.

Mordred turned to their Apostle friend. "Bedivere..."

"Please, King Mordred. I can't talk to you right now. I... I don't know how to face you." he turned away.

Doubt, loyalty, guilt, conviction, shame... his mind was a storm of emotions, making it impossible to look at the one who had killed Ector.

Mordred fell silent.

She nodded and turned away. "Right... I understand."

She'd keep her distance from Bedivere for now.

Looking at the group, she forced a smile. "We should probably plan for their next attack. Leader, what do you think..."

She turned to Shirou, but instead of answering, he pulled her into a hug.

"Really... I'm fine," she murmured with her head down.

A gentle embrace. A father's embrace. Silent but saying everything.

"BOOM!"

The entire ground suddenly shook violently.

Ambrosius's expression changed. "They're here already? No... impossible! This- this presence! How could it be! How could something like this even exist...!"