IBHJ Chapter 861

"Why do you apologize?"

"This...that..."

Embarrassment flooded her, and she didn't know what to do.

Seeing Artoria flustered, he looked at her with a gentle smile. "Still hung up on titles and status, huh? My kingship ended a long time ago. Wasn't it you who freed me from all that?"

"No, you're wrong. You are a king, and always will be my king!" She stood, looking at him with serious eyes, her voice firm.

Despite her usual gentleness, she could be as unyielding as Salter.

He reached out, placing his hand over hers. "Then don't forget. Before we were king and knight, we were friends."

She met his gaze, then looked down, troubled. My king, you don't understand - being your knight is already more than I deserve. Artoria's heart was conflicted.

"Tch!" A sound of annoyance interrupted them. They turned to see Cu Chulainn, the part-time warrior, scowling.

"Ugh, this lovey-dovey crap is too much! I can't take it!" He grumbled, then pulled out a paper and looked at Shirou. "Hey! Eternal King, your stuff's here, come sign for it! I've got other deliveries to make!"

Hearing this, Shirou released Artoria's hand and stood, giving Cu Chulainn a flat look. "Is this how you provide service?"

Artoria felt both relief and disappointment as the warmth of his hand left hers. She looked up, eyes narrowing at Cu Chulainn.

"Just sign the damn thing...wait, Saber, what's with that look?" Cu Chulainn looked at her fearfully - that glare was intense, like a woman ready to maul someone for interrupting a moment.

Remembering how he'd been caught between Artoria and Altera, getting pummeled repeatedly, Cu Chulainn broke out in a cold sweat. He swallowed hard, forcing a laugh. "Just...just sign, please. I'll leave right after, I promise..."

Shirou didn't bother arguing, simply signing his name. "Improve your attitude, or you won't get my business again. Bazett will have your hide if she finds out you lost a client because of your mouth, won't she?"

Damn it! How dare he threaten me! I am a paragon of virtue, unmoved by poverty or threats!

Cu Chulainn scowled defiantly, but seeing Artoria's look from behind Shirou, as if she wanted to flatten him, he shuddered and plastered on a fake smile. "Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, it was my fault."

"Good that you know," Shirou nodded.

Cu Chulainn fumed inwardly. But then, seeing Artoria's gaze towards Shirou, he practically choked on his own spit. The way she looked at him was fierce, terrifying, like a lioness ready to pounce. Yet the way she looked at Shirou was soft, shy, like a kitten.

She was even twiddling her fingers!

Even stray dogs didn't have such a drastic difference in attitude!

Where was the King of Knights' composure and dignity?

Damn it!

Cu Chulainn was pissed, but years of experience told him not to stick around.

Gotta run!

Cu Chulainn bolted away.

Watching him go, Shirou shook his head. "He didn't even bring the stuff inside."

"Let me get it, my king," she offered with a smile.

"Sure." he nodded.

They walked towards the entrance, but suddenly—

!!

As if something pierced his soul, Shirou's eyes narrowed. "Thump!" He collapsed, clutching his chest as deep black mud seeped from every pore, engulfing him in a muddy torrent.

"My king, you...!" she cried, staring at him with deep worry as the black mud encased him.

"Stay back!" he gasped, clutching his chest, sweat beading on his brow. His face twisted in agony.

The mud, tainted by the Dark Vortex's curse, surged with malice, invading his mind.

He realized the vortex's mud hadn't been fully assimilated by his own. A significant amount of malice remained, trying to assimilate him instead!

"Stay away! Get out of here!" he yelled, the mud trying to twist him into an undead creature like the corrupted Saber and Gilgamesh.

She gritted her teeth, shutting all the doors and windows, locking them both in the dimly lit A-316 room.

"What are you doing? I said leave!" he gritted out, fighting the encroaching curse.

"I won't abandon you, my king!"

"You idiot...! You'll end up like Gilgamesh, your soul trapped by the curse!" he shouted, his voice thick with desperation.

"What does it matter? Wherever my king goes, I follow. In life and in death," she whispered, kneeling before him. Her hands, uncaring of the filth, gently cupped his face.

"You fool..." he groaned, the words barely audible.

The Dark Vortex's malice surged into his mind, trying to consume him. But as it reached for his soul, it stirred something else – the Formless Vortex dwelling within. Like an angered lion, it roared to life, spinning furiously. A boundless force erupted from its core, obliterating the Dark Vortex's curse instantly.

The force surged outwards, enveloping both of them in a blinding light.

Shirou's head spun, his mind reeling. "No!" he cried out internally.

This dizzying sensation, the overwhelming power - he'd felt it before.

When he used the Crimson Moon fragment to become the Moon Emperor.

Was the Formless Vortex trying to assimilate Artoria to do the same?

No!

Absolutely not!

The Formless Vortex would obliterate her, just like it had destroyed the Crimson Moon fragment.

If Artoria was consumed, she would...

No! He wouldn't allow it!

Shirou fought to control the vortex, but to no avail.

The vortex's light swallowed them both.

"Artie..."

"My king!"

Those were their final cries before the light swallowed Artoria, and darkness claimed him.

He awoke some time later with a gasp.

"Artie!"

Silence filled the dim room.

Could she be...gone?

Shirou's throat tightened, a wave of grief washing over him.

"What's wrong, my king?"

A voice answered, jolting him back to the present. But it wasn't Artoria's gentle tone. This voice was masculine, yet strangely familiar.

Shirou turned to see a black-haired youth in pale silver armor sitting up, rubbing his head. "My king, what's wrong...?" he mumbled.

Shirou stared. The youth was...him.

The realization seemed to hit them both simultaneously. The youth's eyes widened as he looked at Shirou. "Why...why is my body over there? My king, where are you? What happened?"

The black-haired youth was equally shocked, while Shirou could only gape.

Then, a horrifying realization struck him.

"No... it can't be..."

Shirou, the king who had buried the Age of Gods, found himself praying for the first time, hoping this wasn't some cruel cosmic joke.

He looked down to see pale, delicate hands, a long white dress, and slender legs clad in stockings...

Damn it all!

Which god thought this was funny?

Shirou groaned and buried his face in his hands.

"My king? What's going on?" The 'Shirou' across from him asked, his voice laced with worry.

Shirou sighed in resignation. "Calm down, Artie."

'Shirou' turned to 'Artoria'.

"It's me! I'm Shirou!" The girl stood, her voice strained with frustration.

The black-haired youth's jaw dropped.

Eh--!?

...

"W-Wait, so you're in my body, and I'm in yours?" Artoria looked at her 'self' in disbelief.

"That seems to be the case," Shirou sighed, rubbing his temples.

"How... how could this happen? I'm... I'm in the King's body..." she stared at her rough, calloused hands, her brow furrowed.

If Artoria was bothered, Shirou felt even worse. The Formless Vortex hadn't merged their records, but swapped them entirely. His mind was in her body, and hers in his.

A headache throbbed behind his eyes.

"S-So what do we do, my king?" she asked, her voice laced with anxiety.

He sighed. "We'll have to wait it out. Once the exchange's magical energy is spent, we should return to normal."

"A-And how long will that take?" she asked anxiously.

He gave her a pointed look. "In that much of a hurry? Is my body really that unpleasant for you?"

"N-No, my king... I, that is..." she stammered, unable to explain.

"Forget it. We'll swap back naturally once the energy runs out."

A troubled look crossed her face. "But I have the Dragon Factor, so I won't deplete magical energy easily. And Your Majesty has All the World's Evil, plus your own vast mana reserves... this, this could mean..."

"You think we're stuck like this? Don't worry, the vortex's energy is different from our mana. As long as... Hm?"

Shirou was about to explain the [Mortal Awakening · Emperor]'s mechanics when he furrowed his brow, looking towards the closed door.

Clang clang clang!

Golden chains erupted through the door, twisting into a knot before yanking it open.

CRAAAASH!

The door splintered and fell.

"That guy...!"

Shirou's expression soured. This was the third time this month someone had broken in like this.

And there was no mistaking who it was.

"Gilgamesh!" he snarled.

"Hahahahaha! Shirou, I've come to play again!"

Gil-kun sauntered in, the Chains of Heaven coiling around him.