Chapter 71: Fight for the hero of justice
(3rd Person's POV)
Shirou initially forged a pact with Siegfried, bonding instantly over their shared heroism. Their strength solidified a deep camaraderie between them.
However, the dynamic shifted when Gunther, Kreimhild's brother, sought Siegfried's aid in winning over Brunnhilde. Despite Shirou's attempts to intervene, the dragon slayer effortlessly subdued him. Gunther successfully triumphed over Brunnhilde's trials, aided covertly by Siegfried's invisibility cloak.
[Titus: Seriously? You could've blown Siegfried's cover during those trials.]
"I know... I'm... I'm sorry… I've failed. I'm utterly pathetic," Shirou clenched his teeth, frustration evident in his admission of incompetence. He had let down his closest friend, unable to fulfill a simple task.
[Titus: Don't be too hard on yourself. Get back here; I'll find you another task. You could even cancel the summon agreement.]
Titus proved a steadfast friend. Even in Shirou's failure, Titus offered a second chance.
"Titus, could you give me another chance? I'm asking for a lot, but I need to reach Siegfried." Shirou implored.
[Titus: How?]
"Words failed me, so now only fists can speak." Shirou declared, a determined smile gracing his face. "I'll confront the dragon slayer head-on."
[Titus: Seriously? He's invincible, unlike you. He might not shoot lasers or energy beams from his sword, but he's still the dragon slayer.]
Shirou was perplexed. Laser beams from a sword? Who does that?!
[Titus: You're strong, but you're still adjusting to this body. Plus, there's a significant power gap between you two.]
"I know, but I have to try. Just this once, please." Shirou pleaded, hands clasped together.
[Titus: Fine. I'll use my command spell! Shirou Emiya, you can invoke your Noble Phantasm whenever you feel like it.]
As Titus uttered those words and raised his hand, an immense surge of magical energy coursed through Shirou.
"So, this is the power of a command spell…" Shirou muttered, examining his newfound strength. He offered a grateful smile to Titus. "Thank you, Titus. I'll bring Siegfried back."
[Titus: I believe in you, but I'll prepare a backup plan this time.]
Shirou flushed with embarrassment. Relying on him again would be foolish, so Titus must be strategizing.
"I'm sorry again…" Shirou sighed, then smiled weakly. "Well, see you later."
With that, Shirou ended the communication and directed his gaze toward Siegfried's tent.
"Time to bring the hero of justice to his senses."
---
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(Titus's POV)
I shook my head after the conversation. When I turned around, Nero and Tamamo looked concerned.
"What's wrong?" They asked.
I smiled wryly, "I think you might have to welcome another sister."
---
I found myself in a slightly lavish, decorated room, accompanied by an elegant lady. Her lustrous silver hair complemented her regal demeanor. Captivating sapphire eyes held depth and determination, accentuating a serene face. Adorned in elegant, regal attire, she exuded an air of grace and authority that turned heads.
This was Kriemhild, the princess of Burgundy and Siegfried's wife.
In a few days, I forged connections with loyalties through strategic 'donations' and arranged a meeting with the princess.
"Since Sir Titus sought the meeting himself, are you finally considering a role in my kingdom?" Kriemhild initiated the conversation.
"Ahem, before we delve into that, may I request something, Lady Kriemhild?" I asked, my face growing flustered.
"Hah?" Kriemhild looked confused but shyly nodded.
"Can you… can you say, 'O Kawaii Koto'?" I requested.
Ladies and gentlemen, Kriemhild is Kaguya-sama. Yes, she sounded exactly like Aoi Koga, just not Japanese. As a die-hard fan of the voice actor, how could I not hear those legendary words?
Kriemhild nodded, her lips parting to speak those legendary words, "O Kawaii Koto~"
Stunned, I instinctively covered my face. "W-what happened?"
"N-nothing. It's just that Princess Kriemhild looks so cute," I muttered, trying to ease the awkwardness.
"Um." Kriemhild blushed and nodded, "I see. But I-I am Siegfried's wife, so I don't think it's appropriate for Sir Titus to praise me so openly."
"Yeah, about your husband…" I shifted the conversation, delving into the main topic. I explained how Siegfried was being treated as a slave and how her brother was involved in unsavory dealings with women.
"HAH!" Kriemhild's shocked scream pierced the air, making me wince. I quickly covered my ears to muffle her sharp voice.
Enraged, she slammed her hands on the table, reacting strongly to my statement. "Sir Titus, do you have any idea what kind of statement you're making?! If your words are false, you will face unbearable consequences," she glared at me. Her shift from adorable to berserker-like was startling. She was undeniably fierce.
"I won't gain anything by stating false information. I'm here in good faith to prevent an impending war between our nations," I replied nonchalantly, unfazed by her anger. "And you know your brother's tendencies well."
Kriemhild realized the truth and gritted her teeth, "I apologize for my behavior, but you're right. Gunther is an asshole, a weak and pathetic manipulator who uses others."
Her blunt choice of words caught me off guard.
"I'm sorry, but I have to leave," Kriemhild said, making a swift move toward the exit. I intercepted her path.
Instinctively, I wrapped my hand around her waist and drew her closer. Locking eyes with Kriemhild, I smirked, "How about forgetting about your husband and becoming mine?"
---
(3rd Person's POV)
Siegfried answered the call of Shirou Emiya and arrived at the plain field. This young man had joined Siegfried's army after hearing tales of his exploits. However, their relationship had soured when Shirou attempted to hinder Siegfried from aiding his brother-in-law. Despite this, Siegfried agreed to hear what the young lad had to say before deciding whether to assist Gunther once again.
"What do you want, Shirou Emiya?" Siegfried inquired, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the field.
Shirou didn't respond immediately. Instead, he raised his right hand toward Siegfried. "Lord Siegfried, I respected you a lot as a hero. However, I was wrong. You are nothing but a slave to people. You are no hero."
Siegfried glared at this direct assault on his character. Although usually oblivious to people's remarks, he wouldn't tolerate such disrespect to his face. "What are you up to?"
"Today, you are going to return back and abandon your current self of justice," Shirou Emiya declared, his gaze unwavering. "And for that, I challenge you to a duel."
"What if I don't accept the challenge?" Siegfried smirked, sensing an unfamiliar excitement from being challenged. While uneasy about a duel that wouldn't benefit anyone, he also felt a peculiar sense of freedom.
"Or I would just bring your ass back after beating you," Shirou glared, determination etched on his face. "I am fighting this battle not for anyone but for you. I want to make you free. I want to teach you that you are not invincible or immortal. I will remind you of the taste of death so that you will cherish this life, not waste it fulfilling people's selfish wishes!"
A surge of a new feeling coursed through Siegfried. It wasn't anger, nor envy; it was a lust for battle. Whatever Shirou sought, at this moment, Siegfried felt a need to protect his pride and the status of being a hero.
He unsheathed his demonic blade Balmung and bolted towards Shirou. The blade swung, but Shirou conjured a magical shield, blocking the attack with finesse.
"I am the bone of my sword…" Shirou began to chant a spell, and Siegfried knew he'd be at a disadvantage if Shirou completed it. He laughed, assaulting the multilayer shield, attempting to break it. But his efforts only managed to crack the first few layers.
"Unlimited Blade Works!!" As Shirou unleashed those words, reality itself warped into a sprawling, mystical landscape. The surroundings transformed into an otherworldly realm adorned with countless weapons. Shimmering blades stood tall, casting a mesmerizing glow across the horizon.
The air crackled with latent power, each weapon pulsating with ethereal energy. It was a breathtaking expanse, an arsenal of infinite possibilities where reality bent to the wielder's will. The atmosphere hummed with the weight of history, a manifestation of Shirou's ideals materialized into a stunning and formidable domain, embodying his unwavering determination and boundless resolve.
Siegfried was stunned by this domain but focused on the mysterious young fighter before him. Before he could react, several blades, lodged in the ground, launched into the air with lightning speed, piercing Siegfried.
"Ghah!" Siegfried winced. While not life-threatening, it was the first time he felt pain after having an invincible body. He realized he had underestimated the young boy.
In the next moment, Siegfried attempted to block twin blades, but the impact nearly drove him into the dirt. The blades impaled in his body restricted his movements.
"Siegfried, tell me the last time you felt happy to help someone?" Shirou's question left Siegfried speechless. Happy to help someone? There was a time when he felt a sense of accomplishment from aiding others, but that seemed like a distant memory now.
"Why did you help that loser Gunther? Didn't you consider the consequences of your actions? Do you think that warrior queen will just spend her life happily in a false marriage?" Shirou's words cut deep.
"I… Because Gunther asked for help!" Siegfried retorted, his tone defensive. "Don't you help someone in need?!"
"Then you didn't even consider your wife's feelings? Have you ever thought about how she would feel with you entangled with another woman?"
Siegfried widened his eyes at Shirou dragging his wife into the conversation. "Keep her out of this!"
"Oh, but why not~? You probably don't care about that woman. You probably would offer your own wife to anyone who asks you to. After all, you're the hero of the people, Siegfried."
In that moment, memories flooded Siegfried's mind—moments of love and happiness with his wife. He remembered how deeply he fell for her, how they shared joyous memories that surpassed all the accolades he received from the people.
"Nobody gets to speak ill about my wife…!" A surge of determination ignited within him.
"ENOUGH!!" His eyes turned predatory as he unleashed a roundhouse kick, sending Shirou flying meters away.
Siegfried forcibly unpinned himself from the impaling blades, rushing toward Shirou, who had also recovered and leaped toward him.
Wielding Balmung, Siegfried deflected a barrage of flying swords sent by Shirou as they clashed, some blades grazing him and slowing his movements, but most were deflected. The combat intensified as Siegfried engaged Shirou, their movements a flurry of precision and agility.
Their clash resonated with the echo of steel meeting steel. Siegfried's agility matched Shirou's precision, neither yielding. Amid the skirmish, Siegfried anticipated Shirou's moves, countering while maintaining his offensive.
The battle intensified, showcasing their skills and determination—a relentless dance of blades and strategy. Each combatant aimed to gain the upper hand in this intense fight.
"Now answer me one last time, do you feel satisfaction fighting to protect your wife's pride?!" Shirou questioned as their blades clashed.
"Yes! I feel satisfied!" Siegfried grinned fiercely, his response resolute.
"Then let's end this!" Shirou declared, creating distance while engaging Siegfried into deflecting the flurry of flying blades.
He then materialized a sword, and it wasn't just any sword. Siegfried recognized the blade well—it was none other than the demonic sword Balmung.
"This is just a copy of your real sword, but even then, the power of this sword is the manifestation of your legend, Siegfried!" Shirou called as the sword began to glow with powerful energy, its light towering in the sky. "Befall, Balmung!"
Siegfried couldn't help but admire the pure rage and power of the light. He stood, ready to face the attack—a true manifestation of what people believed a hero should be against the seemingly pathetic servant that was Siegfried.
As the light engulfed him, he realized something profound. He was indeed a hero, but he lacked his own will. Shirou was right. He had become a mere slave to the wishes of the people.
---
It was Siegfried's defeat. Reduced to a crisp and on the verge of death, Shirou healed him with some kind of healing potion.
"I realized that I was missing something. I didn't judge people and accepted the requests of those with power and those who could come forward. I neglected many who truly needed my help," Siegfried muttered, feeling the wind on his face as he looked at the beautiful mountains.
"And that's how a hero neglects the most important people in his life," Shirou came beside him and looked at Siegfried. "My best friend always used to scold me that a person can play a hero of justice but should never lose sight of the right path and be a hero to his loved ones first."
"You have a good friend, Shirou Emiya. From today onward, I will be the hero on my own terms and act according to my own sense of justice without depending on praises and acknowledgment from people. I want to stand on the side of what I believe in. If I could do that, then surely—I would be able to live with my chest puffed up proudly. I won't fight for the sake of someone else. I won't fight for my own sake either. For the sake of the benevolence that I believe in, the justice I believe in, the loyalty I believe in, and the love I believe in."
Siegfried then looked at his sword, "I will take hold of this sword and fight with this body. That is my dream, my wish. I want to be a hero of justice."
Shirou heard those words, feeling fulfilled himself. It wasn't just Siegfried; it was also Shirou's declaration. In his heart, his respect and admiration for his best friend Titus grew tenfold for showing him this path.
"Shirou Emiya, I am forever thankful to you for showing me this path. I am indebted to you," Siegfried bowed slightly.
"Please don't be. I also accomplished something today," Shirou smiled wryly. After a couple of seconds of silence, he faced Siegfried, his eyes firm, "Thank you, Siegfried. Let's talk again when we live our lives as true heroes."
"Yeah, let's," Siegfried smiled and nodded, "By the way, I still haven't forgotten about those words you said about my wife."
"Eh!" Shirou shrieked and laughed wryly. For the next couple of hours, he went through Siegfried's hellish training as an apology.
(AN: Oh boy, I spent whole day to write the battle. Tell me if you guys liked it.)
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