BCloud

IBHJ Chapter 867

Added 2024-06-17 02:03:56 +0000 UTC

After satisfying his hunger, Shirou headed back to Area A.

Before reaching his room, he spotted Morrigan dozing off while making coffee at the public drinking fountain in the hallway.

He smiled and approached her, whispering softly from behind, "Good evening, sister."

"Yah—!"

With a startled shriek, Morrigan tumbled to the floor. "Clatter," the coffee cup in her hand fell, splattering her pristine white dress with dark stains.

But Morrigan's mind was elsewhere. She looked up at the King of Knights, her expression dazed and slightly fearful.

Seeing Morrigan on the ground, Shirou took a few steps closer and offered her a hand. "Are you okay?"

Morrigan hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his and standing up. "I'm fine, just don't sneak up on me like that." She pouted playfully.

"Sneak up on you?" he looked puzzled. "I didn't sneak up on you, Sister Morgan."

At this, she flinched and forced a smile. "There you go again, teasing me. The other you and I had a misunderstanding, but we cleared it up ages ago. I'm Morrigan, not that witch Morgan le Fay."

He gently grasped Morrigan's wrist, his eyes looking into hers with a soft intensity. "Sister, do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"

Such beautiful eyes.

Gazing into those bright orbs, Morrigan's heart skipped a beat. They were too bright, like a pair of shimmering emeralds, like Shirou's eyes. She couldn't help but be drawn to them.

But when his words sunk in, panic set in.

"No, no, you've got the wrong person, Your Highness, I'm not Morgan!"

Morrigan, using a spell, pulled her wrist free and then her body glowed as she levitated slightly, casting a teleportation spell to escape in a panic.

"She ran away," he sighed, rubbing his hand.

"But to panic like that and not even be able to bring herself to face Artoria... Sister, you're only making it more obvious."

A faint smile touched his lips.

However, since she had escaped, there was nothing he could do about it for now.

"I should go back and get some sleep."

Shirou headed back to his room, but as soon as he saw Room 316's door, he was ambushed from behind, a pair of arms wrapping around his waist.

Who?

How bold!

Shirou's eyes narrowed and Evil Blossom violently erupted from the shadows. But then he turned to see who had ambushed him, and both he and the Evil Blossom froze.

"Gotcha!"

The figure hugging him was a woman in a purple top and white pleated skirt, bearing a striking resemblance to Illya.

"Iri... Irisviel?" Shirou's imposing aura faltered.

Irisviel lifted her head from his back, her ruby-like eyes sparkling with amusement.

Oh, right. She's mistaking me for Artoria!

Shirou's stern expression softened, and Evil Blossom slowly retreated back into the shadows.

"I was actually heading to your room to find you, but Chloe said you were out. I figured you'd come see Shirou, so I decided to ambush you. Hehehe... so, how did I do?"

Irisviel giggled, then nuzzled her face against his back. "Mmm, your back is so soft, and you smell nice too, a familiar scent..."

Shirou: "..."

"Let go, Irisviel. Or I'll get angry," he said, frowning.

Huh? Irisviel looked at the frowning "Artoria" in confusion. Something wasn't right. Whenever she pulled this kind of prank before, Artoria would get flustered and blush, not knowing how to react. But today, she seemed angry.

Irisviel blinked, then glanced at Room A-316, a look of understanding flashing across her ruby eyes.

She released him and stepped back, hands behind her back, a knowing smile on her face. "I get it now, I won't tease you here."

Shirou: "..."

No. What do you get? Please don't jump to conclusions!

Sighing, he looked at Irisviel and asked, "Did you need something from me, Iri?"

"Of course," Irisviel replied, then her mischievous smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. She raised a finger and declared solemnly, "We need to have a serious talk about life!"

"A serious... talk about life?"

Shirou was completely taken aback.

He was led by Irisviel to the tea area, where he sipped tea and listened to her woes. It was then that he finally understood why Irisviel had captured him... or rather, why she had captured "Artoria."

Recently, Kiritsugu had been growing closer to Kirei and more distant from her, his lawful wife. This had driven Irisviel to rashly challenge Kirei, despite being clearly outmatched. And as expected, Irisviel suffered a crushing defeat.

But she was not ready to give up her fight against the despicable homewrecker, Kirei Kotomine. For this battle, she naturally needed a strategist to back her up. Irisviel and Artoria were known to be very close friends, so it made sense for her to seek out "Artoria."

As a close friend, Artoria would surely help Irisviel in this struggle.

However...

"I refuse," he said flatly, getting up to leave.

"Don't be like that. If you won't help me, I'll have nowhere left to turn in Chaldea!" Irisviel clung tightly to his waist, refusing to let go.

"You can ask Chloe. She has far more mischievous ideas than I do," he said, deflecting the request.

The last thing he wanted was to get involved in someone else's marital problems!

"But if our children found out about the strain in my relationship with Kiritsugu, it would be devastating!" Irisviel wailed.

Shirou: "..."

He had no desire to meddle in family affairs, but seeing Irisviel so distraught, he sighed and leaned in, whispering an outrageous idea in her ear.

"As expected of Artoria! Such a brilliant plan, you must have used it on Shirou before!" Irisviel gushed.

"Don't be absurd. How could that man ever have such kinks?" he scoffed, turning to leave.

Irisviel tilted her head in confusion, but quickly dismissed it, for she had received an ultimate weapon from Shirou!

"A beautiful young wife, dressed only in an apron, serving a meal to her hardworking husband... It's embarrassing, but if it can defeat that vile homewrecker Kotomine, it might be worth a try! Hang in there, Iri!"

Determination blazed in Irisviel's eyes.

"But as expected of Artoria. She must have already used this tactic on Shirou, otherwise how could she so smoothly suggest it to me?" Irisviel continued to sing Artoria's praises.

Little did she know, it was actually Shirou who had recommended this tactic to her.

Having obtained the ultimate weapon, Irisviel turned and left.

Shirou continued towards his room.

"Geez, asking me to help her seduce a man, and Kiritsugu of all people..."

He sighed, rubbing his temples.

The tactic he suggested to Irisviel was a common fantasy shared by many men - a universal technique.

However, it was a major challenge to one's modesty and shame. Of course, its effectiveness on Kiritsugu was uncertain, but if someone tried it on Shirou, he'd likely just pick them up and toss them out that very night. He preferred more reserved women.

Back in his room, Shirou was surprised to find Artoria awake.

She sat upright on the bed, looking at the returning Shirou with a relieved expression.

"When did you wake up, Artie?"

"I woke up when I could no longer sense your aura, my king. When you were gone, I wanted to search for you, but I didn't want to alert Gilgamesh and jeopardize our plan. I didn't want to trouble you, so I waited for your return," she replied earnestly.

Hearing this, he smiled softly and sat beside her, gently taking her hand in his. "I made you worry, Artie."

"My king..."

The faint moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting delicate patterns on their figures.

The atmosphere was growing intimate...

"Wait, wait!"

He covered his face and stepped back.

"What's wrong, my king?" she asked, puzzled.

"It's best we keep our distance until the vortex's power wears off."

She paused, then nodded and gave a small smile. "I understand, my king."

"By the way, is there anything about your body I should be aware of?" he asked.

"Anything to be aware of?" she shook her head gently and said, "I have nothing to hide from you anymore, so feel free to use my body as you wish."

"I see... I understand," he nodded.