IBHJ Chapter 866

As Emiya started cooking, Shirou waited eagerly.

Finally, he could give his stomach some relief.

Enduring this constant hunger must be tough on Artoria, Shirou thought, sipping tea and idly playing with his chopsticks as he waited for the food.

Suddenly, the sound of girls' laughter drifted in from outside.

"Really?"

"Yeah! We paid off half the debt, so no more instant noodles today. We can get something better."

"...I'm sorry, Ayaka."

"It's okay, Altera. Let's not worry about that now and enjoy ourselves. I heard the food here is amazing."

"Mmm..."

Wait! That voice... Ayaka and Altera!?

Shirou whipped his head towards the entrance, eyes wide with surprise.

But it was too late. The door creaked open, and in walked Altera and Ayaka, still laughing.

"King of Knights, your fish balls are ready..."

Emiya placed the fish balls on Shirou's table, then noticed Ayaka and Altera standing at the entrance. The two girls saw him and "Artoria" as well.

The entire scene froze!

Then...

Everyone's expressions changed instantly!

The King of Knights and Altera...

My little restaurant! Emiya's face turned white.

The debt I just paid off half of! Ayaka's face paled.

Then...

"Artoria Pendragon!!"

Altera's face contorted in rage.

Like Broly seeing Goku, Altera drew her sword, her face twisted in a frenzy as she charged at Artoria.

Seeing Altera charging towards him with a roar, Shirou quickly grabbed his chopsticks, scooped up a fish ball, and expertly flicked it into her open mouth.

"Mmph..."

With her mouth full of fish ball, Altera was silenced. She chewed a few times, swallowed, then her face contorted in anger again as she yelled, "Arto..."

But before she could finish, another fish ball was popped into her mouth.

This went on and on, with Altera unable to get a word out, only able to continuously eat the fish balls he kept feeding her.

"Mmph mmph mmph..."

"Is it good?" he asked.

"Delicious..." Altera grumbled, unable to deny it.

He gave her a gentle smile. "Then let's sit down and eat together. We can talk about other things after, okay?"

Having swapped bodies with Artoria, he felt responsible for resolving her problems. Like the issue with Altera.

"We're mortal enemies, how could I possibly eat with you?" she said coldly, her desire to destroy Artoria burning strong.

"But," he gestured towards Ayaka, "Ayaka is really hungry. You wouldn't want her to starve, would you?"

Altera turned to look at Ayaka, her expression conflicted.

He smiled, knowing that to handle someone like Altera, he had to help her calm down and think rationally first.

"Altera, let's eat together. I'm starving..." Ayaka pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears. She was determined to avoid accumulating more debt.

"Mm..." Altera mumbled reluctantly.

Shirou, Altera, and Ayaka then sat together at one table. This made Emiya breathe a sigh of relief. As long as they didn't wreck his restaurant, he was okay. However, with Artoria and Altera together, it was like a ticking time bomb. It would be better to redirect the disaster elsewhere.

Thinking this, Emiya was about to ask them to leave, but before he could speak, Shirou gave him a reassuring smile. "There won't be any trouble, Emiya. If anything does happen, I'll compensate you, so just serve us without worry. As the owner, you wouldn't want to turn away customers, right?"

"Well... of course not," Emiya replied hesitantly, looking into those brilliant, flame-like eyes.

They were captivating, like holy fire gleaming in the darkness, so dazzling that he wanted to gaze at them longer. But he knew it would be rude, so he turned and returned to the kitchen.

"Truly befitting of the King of Knights, so radiant," he mumbled to himself.

Emiya, living up to his reputation as a top-class chef, had culinary skills that far surpassed Shirou's. At the dining table, Shirou chatted casually with Altera and Ayaka. Altera remained silent, but Ayaka responded warmly. For a while, the atmosphere was surprisingly pleasant.

However, after finishing the meal, Altera slammed her hand on the table and glared fiercely at Shirou. "Come on, Artoria Pendragon!"

Finally, her destructive instincts resurged.

Oh no! My poor restaurant! Emiya wailed internally.

My debt! I'll be back to eating dirt! Ayaka's eyes filled with tears.

From their perspective, a clash between Shirou and Artoria was imminent. It was common knowledge in Chaldea that Altera and Artoria meeting was a recipe for disaster!

Rumor had it that Chaldea's section system was even established because of their rivalry.

"I see... I suppose a confrontation is inevitable..." The King of Knights said, head bowed slightly, sounding disappointed.

Eh!?

This reaction from the King of Knights stunned both Ayaka and Emiya. Wasn't this the expected outcome?

"I thought we were friends," the King of Knights said, looking at Altera.

"Fr-Friends?"

Altera was taken aback. This was the first time anyone had called her a friend, and it was coming from her mortal enemy, Artoria Pendragon?

"I used to see you only as the Titan of Destruction, Altera. But during our last mission, I realized I was wrong. I shouldn't have judged you with that prejudice. You're a gentle, kind person at heart. The urge to destroy and conquer isn't your true desire, but an instinct imposed on you. I like this gentle side of you, and I want us to be friends, not enemies." The King of Knights spoke softly, "I've been hoping we could work together again, naturally, like we did before. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Gentle... friends..."

Altera's intensity wavered as she said, "No, that's not right... I'm the Vanguard of Destruction, none of what you said applies to me. I'm a weapon of destruction, devoid of gentleness. I always have been, and always will be...!"

Hearing this, the King of Knights smiled, reached out to take Altera's slightly trembling hand, and placed it on her chest. "The past can't be changed, but we can still strive for a different future."

Altera looked up, her gaze lost in the King of Knights' dazzling eyes that shone like flames.

So beautiful... she couldn't help but think.

"Ugh...mmm...!!" Suddenly coming to her senses, Altera turned and ran off hastily.

However, she didn't run far. She hid by the entrance, peeking her head out to look at the King of Knights. "Are... are we really friends?"

"Don't you think so, Altera?" The King of Knights asked softly, her clear eyes as gentle as water.

"Yes... yes..." Altera lowered her head.

"Eh? Ehh...!!"

⊙▽⊙

Ayaka and Emiya watched in stunned silence as Altera acted so meekly.

"Aya-Ayaka... I'll go back first."

With that, Altera pulled her head back and hurried away.

"Eh? Wait for me, Altera!" Ayaka quickly followed.

Watching Ayaka and her Servant leave, the King of Knights smiled faintly.

"Wh-What just happened?" Emiya asked, completely baffled.

"Nothing much," Shirou replied, turning to look at the confused Emiya with a smile. "Thank you for the hospitality. I left the money on the table."

He then walked towards the exit.

Emiya counted the money and called out to his back, "You gave too much, King of Knights!"

"Think of it as a small tip for the trouble," Shirou waved dismissively and walked away.

His retreating figure looked quite dashing.

"So that was the King of Knights..." Emiya muttered to himself, then sighed, "Eternal King really doesn't understand that girl's feelings at all, does he? Just like those dense male protagonists my old man used to talk about. Well, it's not my problem anymore. Now that Alaya has finally stopped piling work on me, I can enjoy a vacation here without getting caught up in all that drama." Emiya wiped down and cleaned the table.