Chapter 10: I Shall Pledge My Fealty to You
While Shirou was contemplating these matters, Liliana, who had been sitting on the bench with him waiting quietly for his thoughts to conclude, saw the red-haired youth turn his face toward her. She immediately stood up and performed a knight's salute to Shirou.
"O King, your heroic act of slaying the Black Dragon Nidhogg has filled me with admiration. I, Liliana Kranjcar, wish to swear an oath of fealty to you. Please, allow me to become your knight!"
Liliana's high-pitched words were filled with respect, and she maintained knightly etiquette from start to finish.
"Heroic act?"
Shirou was slightly stunned by her words. Liliana replied with eyes full of reverence:
"Yes. You moved the 'Heretic God' that was about to cause a massive disaster to another world and defeated it, protecting the people from a natural catastrophe. This is undoubtedly a heroic deed worthy of praise!"
"..."
Hearing those words spoken with a face full of worship, Shirou instantly understood why she was swearing fealty to him. For the magic association [Bronze Black Cross], which had not yet pledged itself to any Campione, being able to serve a "righteous" King was undoubtedly a blessing for Liliana. Compared to a Devil King like Marquis Voban, who disregarded civilians for the sake of god-slaying, Liliana preferred to serve a King willing to protect the people.
When Shirou activated Unlimited Blade Works to pull Nidhogg into his Reality Marble, the dragon had recalled its venomous serpents to fight him. Because of this, Rome had been spared from major destruction during the manifestation of the Heretic God.
In the past, other Devil Kings had the means to lure Heretic Gods to uninhabited areas but never did so; to those strongest beings in the world, the lives of mortals were irrelevant. In their eyes, the act of slaying the god was the greatest mercy they could offer humanity. Compared to these eccentric Devil Kings, Shirou felt that his perspective as a normal person made him seem out of place.
In truth, Shirou hadn't thought that far ahead; he simply felt his chances of victory were higher within his Reality Marble. However, regardless of his intent, his actions became an unquestionable heroic feat in Liliana's eyes.
Choosing not to overthink it, Shirou looked down at the Knight-Maiden kneeling on one knee and spoke softly.
"You may rise."
A look of immense joy appeared on Liliana's face, her eyes sparkling with excitement. For her, serving this Devil King was the best possible outcome for her association, [Bronze Black Cross]. With a King's protection, they could suppress the [Copper Black Cross]—the association of her friend and rival, Erica—and claim the position of Italy's strongest magic association.
Liliana was now looking forward to meeting Erica, the friend who loved to tease her. She wondered what kind of expression Erica would make upon learning she had already pledged herself to a King.
"Does that mean... you accept my fealty!?"
Seeing Liliana's sudden surge of emotion, Shirou smiled.
"After all, you didn't abandon me even when faced with those mad mages. I appreciate your upright character."
Shirou's words caused Liliana's cheeks to flush. She couldn't help but feel a sense of shame. At the time, she had no idea this King possessed such power, yet she had intended to lead by example and protect him... Thinking back on her words, Liliana felt like crawling into a hole.
At this point, Shirou left the bench and stretched. Having lain there for so long, his bones let out crisp popping sounds as he extended his arms.
"Speaking of which, after that big battle, my clothes are damaged and I'm quite dirty. I really want to find a place to have a good rest."
Hearing this, Liliana spoke up respectfully:
"Then, I shall immediately contact [Bronze Black Cross] to prepare a residence for you."
"Yeah, I'll leave it to you." Shirou nodded with a smile.
He was beginning to realize the benefits of having a magic association's fealty. All the tedious, trivial matters didn't require his personal attention; the associations under his protection would handle everything.
Walking alongside Liliana, Shirou suddenly remembered something and looked at the girl.
"By the way, Liliana, how old are you now?"
Shirou had been curious about her current state but hadn't had the chance to ask during the crisis. Liliana was slightly taken aback, wondering why her "King" would ask such a question.
"My King, I have just turned fourteen this year."
"Fourteen..."
Shirou's pupils contracted slightly as he looked up in thought. It seemed his current point in time was slightly deviated from the start of the original story.
"Two years early, then..."
However, even if it was two years early, it didn't affect him much. If anything, it was a good thing—it gave him more time to prepare for the Heretic Gods that would appear later. Thinking of this, Shirou looked at the blue horizon with a hint of anticipation.
'Who will be the next Heretic God...?'
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Milan, Italy.
The moonlight deepened and the sky darkened, yet this prosperous city remained brightly lit, even livelier than during the day. In front of a villa built against a mountain in the Milanese residential district, a young girl in a deep crimson dress arrived.
As a girl raised in Milan, she radiated a noble temperament that commanded attention. She appeared to be fourteen or fifteen, but her well-developed figure left everyone who saw her in awe. Her brilliant golden hair flowed over her back, shimmering under the streetlights. With every step of her wine-red high heels, her waist-length hair swayed slightly.
Were it not for the youthful look still lingering on her face, it would be hard to believe her true age given her mature figure. She stopped at the villa's gates, frowning slightly with her lips pressed together. She wasn't hesitating to enter; she was annoyed.
"I didn't expect Lili to beat me to it by such a coincidence..."
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