IBHJ 1090

Shirou and Gaia emerged victorious from the UOs' judgment. With the UOs no longer interfering, Illya could finally contact Chaldea and arrange their return. But after the whole ordeal they had gone through, the group decided to rest at the connection point before reaching out to Chaldea.

Shirou gazed at the ruined landscape. The Ghandaran ghosts still roamed the area, now transformed into monsters that terrorized the land. He shook his head, knowing this was beyond his ability to fix. Only time and the local people could heal the deep-rooted conflict between the Ghandarans and this world.

Arcueid, using her authority as leader of the Emperor's Conquest Guild, secured rooms for everyone at a nearby inn.

That night, Shirou eased himself into the hot spring. His shoulders dropped as he let the warm water wash away the day's grime. The steam rose around him as he rested his head against the edge, feeling the tension leave his body for the first time in days.

He sank deeper into the water, letting out a content sigh. His face softened into a peaceful expression.

His thoughts drifted to what Mordred had told him about his human body in Chaldea. Right now, he still existed as a Servant, but this Saint Graph was deteriorating. Soon, his record would return to the Throne of Heroes.

"A bath feels perfect right now." His eyes grew heavy. "I might just fall asleep here."

"Indeed, Eternal King."

He almost jumped at the voice beside him. Turning, he saw the familiar long hair and gentle face.

"Enkidu." The surprise melted into relief. "You should let me know when you're there."

The tension left his shoulders. Despite Enkidu's beauty - which surpassed many women's - she was a being crafted from clay, neither male nor female.

"Not going back to the Throne yet?" Shirou asked as he settled into the water.

"My contract remains even though my Master lost his mind." Enkidu's expression grew thoughtful. "I'll stay at this connection point until the ghosts find peace."

"That's just like you." He smiled.

A splash came from beyond the wall, followed by Kiara's voice:

"Lady Arcueid, please stop!"

"But you're so cute when you're embarrassed~"

"No, wait-!"

Shirou pressed his fingers to his temples. What was she doing now?

He glanced at the wall separating the men's and women's baths. Of course this inn would have connected bathing areas. Just like those scenes straight out of a harem manga.

He let out a heavy sigh and then turned to Enkidu with a scrutinizing look.

Enkidu smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not interested in women."

"That's not what I meant—wait." He froze as the words sank in. "If you're not interested in women... does that mean you're interested in men?"

"Naturally. Men's bodies are divine art. Those firm muscles, that rough texture." Enkidu's eyes lingered on him. "Your eyes are particularly striking... Oh? Why are you moving away, Eternal King?"

Shirou pressed himself against the far edge of the hot spring. "Just feeling a bit dizzy. Please, continue." He tried to keep his voice steady as he tried to be polite while maintaining distance.

"I see." Enkidu went back to bathing, apparently oblivious to his discomfort. Her delicate body made most women look robust in comparison.

Shirou swallowed hard. Right. He'd forgotten Enkidu had an ambiguous relationship with Gilgamesh. He glanced at Enkidu's body and wiped his brow with a quiet sigh.

"I'm telling you, Shirou must be peeking at us right now!" Arcueid's voice carried over from the women's hot spring.

There she goes again, stirring up trouble.

"What? Really?" The other women clearly didn't know Arcueid's playful nature yet.

"Of course! This is like catnip for guys! Even Shirou can't resist. He's probably hiding somewhere watching us!"

"No way!" Water splashed as the women scrambled.

Shirou massaged his temples. How were they falling for this? Even if they didn't know him that well, surely they realized that a bunch of naked women was the least effective way to get someone's attention.

"Listen, Arcueid. The King would never do something like that."

"Right? If only he were that bold," Morrigan chimed in.

Shirou nodded to himself. As expected of the Pendragon sisters, they truly understand his noble character.

"You're both so boring! Why'd you have to expose me?" Arcueid complained.

"Wait, it was just a joke?"

"So it was just another joke..."

"Obviously. Anyone can tell he's not that type of person."

Shirou was about to step out of the bath when he paused. He raised his eyebrows at how his daughter was defending him. "Mordred, you're so cute~"

Water splashed, followed by dead silence. Then—

"You perverted old man! Are you actually peeking?" Mordred's voice cracked with embarrassment and anger.

"Hey! Answer me!" She pounded the wall repeatedly.

He just hummed a cheerful tune as he left the bath, ignoring her protests.

Teasing Mordred always lifted his spirits. He stepped out of the bath, humming to himself, when a voice called out:

—Shirou!

He stopped. A hand touched his shoulder. "Why did you stop walking?"

He turned to Enkidu. "Did you just say something?"

"Yes." Enkidu smiled. "Mordred's still banging on the wall. She'll probably come looking for a fight soon. We should probably run."

"That kid takes everything so seriously with me. Can't tell when I'm joking." Shirou shook his head with a fond smile. "Let's go."

Enkidu nodded.

—Do you know? I have only one wish, Shirou.

He went still. His face hardened as silver light flickered from his body, forming his dragon armor.

"Eternal King?" Enkidu summoned her weapon as she watched Shirou shift from relaxed to combat-ready. "What's wrong?"

"Something's trying to reach into my mind." Shirou's voice went tight. One voice could be written off, but twice meant danger. The Lord of Salvation was watching from within the Root, after all.

...

Artoria sat on the bed in her white bathrobe, still damp from the hot spring. "What's wrong?" She looked up at Mordred, who had practically dragged her into the room.

"Are you really this oblivious?" Mordred's face twisted with concern, like a prince fretting over an neglected consort.

"You're in serious danger!" She said with a serious and stern expression.

Artoria blinked. "What?"

Mordred's frustration flared at her blank expression. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed anything?"

"Did something happen? Is there still a threat at this connection point?" Artoria straightened. Although the UO problem had ended, the Council still existed. Could there be some danger around that she hadn't noticed? She couldn't have missed a potential danger, could she?

"Ugh!" Mordred ran her fingers through her golden hair. Why was she making this so difficult?

She took a deep breath and met her mother's eyes. "Someone has their sights set on Shirou."

"Who?" Artoria's gaze sharpened.

"Arcueid."

"What?" Artoria stared. "That's impossible. Arcueid wouldn't—"

"Not like that! Like THIS!"

Artoria: "????"

She just looked more confused.

"She's trying to steal your man." Mordred finally said it.

Artoria's face flushed pink. "Mo-Mordred... I never taught you to talk like that."

Mordred shook her head. Of course a mother who left her daughter with Teacher Guinevere to fight on the frontlines for five years wouldn't know about relationship talks. But that blush showed some hope.

"So you do understand the situation." Mordred studied her reaction with crossed arms.

Artoria ducked her head, fingers twisting in her lap. Being lectured about this by Mordred was mortifying.

"And Arcueid isn't the only one interested in him. You need to take action."

She pulled out a pair of black-rimmed glasses and adjusted them. "Don't worry, I have a plan. If you follow my lead, we can win Shirou's heart... Hey, why are you hiding your face?"

Artoria buried her face in her hands. This was too much!

Being lectured about romance by her own daughter - even though Shirou was already someone dear to her - made her feel like some scheming temptress. And taking relationship advice from Mordred of all people... this was too much!

"Mordred, please, this isn't—"

Mordred pressed Artoria against the wall. "Why should I let someone else take Father away?"

"But I—"

"This is on you. You were his first knight. His most trusted knight. You had every chance, and you let them all slip away." Mordred's voice hardened. "Are you really okay with things staying like this? Because of you, I have to keep hiding who I am. Can't you think about someone else for once? Even if you don't care about your own happiness, what about mine? I want a complete family!"

"I..." Artoria looked down. She was usually the stronger one, the elder one, but with Mordred she could never maintain that strength. A hint of vulnerability always slipped through.

And Mordred had a point. Could she really let things continue as they were?