Chapter 15. The Heroic March
"However, once we go out, we won't be able to come back. That's why I don't really want to leave before resolving the underlying danger. If a crisis occurs where we absolutely must flee, I will use this method as a last resort. I hope you won't stray too far from me."
Shirou did not hide the possibility of leaving, but he did not intend to depart just yet.
Naturally, those who wished to escape immediately felt dissatisfied with Shirou's decision; those who, like Shirou, realized how disastrous the fake Snowfield City was for the real world felt encouraged.
Although Shirou had considered sending those who wanted to leave out first and then continuing, Shirou would be unable to find the coordinates of the fake Snowfield City once he left.
Once out, he couldn't get back in; relying on a collision of Reality Marbles was a one-way ticket.
This single opportunity had to be used at the most critical moment. With a faint belief in the group—trusting that they were the type to be encouraged—and to provide a glimmer of hope to everyone present, Shirou had spoken the truth.
However, unexpectedly, the surrounding crowd was neither encouraged nor did they display the dissatisfaction Shirou thought wouldn't be strange; instead, they looked at him with clear, blank eyes.
It seemed they hadn't understood yet.
Shirou: (A long, detailed explanation)
Police Bureau: ?
Shirou: (Explanation phrased in a different way)
Police Bureau: …
Shirou: (Struggling to explain)
Shirou confirmed one thing again. For Shirou, whose maximum magic talent was only 40, fighting was far better than trying to explain theory, especially when he had to hide the existence of a Reality Marble.
Finally, they seemed to have an incredibly long reaction time and finally grasped the situation. Clan Calatin lowered their heads in unison:
""Thank you."" They said in perfect harmony.
"We really cannot leave like this."
"After all, our colleagues are still in the fake Snowfield City," they added.
"And... the consequences of not stopping 'that' would be even worse, right?" someone else added with a bitter face.
"That" referred to the existence that created the fake Snowfield City. Everyone had not forgotten that the puppet-like patients were still remaining in the fake Snowfield City's hospital.
Furthermore... in reality, the fake Snowfield City was not strictly "empty" from the start. While advancing toward the northwest, everyone had seen with their own eyes a small number of humans in ordinary clothing wandering the streets, turning a blind eye to the anomalies. Fortunately, both the magical beast swarms and the black shadows ignored them, so they were not injured. But they could become hostages at any moment.
Snowfield City was not "empty," just "sparsely populated." In other words... there were already countless victims who had been led into the inner side of the abnormal world.
Shirou couldn't smile, but he agreed; on this point, his opinion was in complete alignment with theirs.
Without them even noticing it themselves, the atmosphere had become much more lively, and their expressions had relaxed a bit. Knowing the goal had been achieved, Shirou withdrew his gaze.
When they clearly stated their reasons, Sigma remained silent. But Sigma did not say anything about wanting to go back.
'Saying "I want to go back" at a time like this would definitely lead to being ostracized. That's why I didn't say I wanted to go back. It must be that. It's not because I also feel the scene before me is too precious.'
With their respective thoughts in mind, the team began to move forward.
While continuing the journey, Shirou reconnected the telepathy. "Is it convenient for you now, Butler-kun?" A cheerful and noisy voice came through.
Shirou asked: "We have decided to go to the Kuruoka House. To meet the originator of the barrier. You..."
"Received! I will protect the remaining members of the police bureau. I will continue to investigate the magical principles of this fake Snowfield City."
Even though Shirou hadn't said anything yet, the investigator Flat had proactively proposed the task, leaving Shirou unable to even voice his request.
In the end, Shirou could only graciously swallow his words; unable to owe him this favor, he changed the subject: "Flat, the curse you used as a shell... it was still a form of negative magecraft when you cast it on me, right? Does that mean that while it is negative in nature, it is to the extent that it cannot cause damage?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Shirou then reminded him: "It seems I cannot use the two swords I usually rely on at the same time for now."
"Why?"
"Because if I use my Kanshou and Bakuya simultaneously, this kind of thing will be nullified, and the connection between us will be severed," Shirou explained.
The reason Flat's curse could take effect was that Shirou was not actively using Kanshou and Bakuya to reinforce his Magic Resistance. Since it was a negative anomalous effect, it could not bypass the immunity granted by Kanshou and Bakuya, even if Shirou tried to intentionally allow it. His ordinary magecraft, of course, was useless against Shirou.
"However, if it truly comes to the point of desperation, I will still use those two swords. You might lose contact with me then."
"Received. I won't think that I've been abandoned, okay?"
The half-joking voice made it truly hard to judge if he was serious. Shirou couldn't help but reveal a look of profound bewilderment; it was hard to imagine the person on the other end was actually a genius mage who transcended common sense. After a few more polite exchanges, they silently disconnected... after all, everyone knew they would be very busy soon.
The situation was dire. He had lost contact with Saber, Rin, Sakura, Illya, and Rider; he was completely without reinforcements. It was like being swallowed into the belly of a monster; even though he was already in its stomach, he still had to find a way to solve it, because the others couldn't even see the monster.
Before it opened its giant maw and swallowed Snowfield City whole, a winner had to be decided. But... there were still like-minded people. Even in the depths of despair, Shirou was not alone.
People gathered here must have a purpose. Those who fight valiantly and do not fear the end are called heroes. However, from the perspective of someone who had long been in the land of the dead... even heroes of the past rarely engaged in the folly that today's young people were attempting. Because the people of the underworld are devoid of life.
Those who have already met their end do not rebel against it.
"Mr. Black!"
The young, delicate figure stood in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by her parents.
Squirrels ran through the European grove, bypassing a clump of shadow as if it were mundane. Birds passed by the side of a certain shadow, paying it no mind.
The jet-black mass stood silently or floated among the trees, manifesting before the girl. However, it looked even more mechanical than usual. When facing the girl, there was a lack of focus in the rhythm between the black mists. "Mr. Black~ Is something wrong?" Although her parents were standing nearby, the girl called out with concern as if facing a family member, and she stretched out her arms.
The Black mass judged this to be a display of affection, so the blackness constituting its body lowered slightly, forming the impression of crouching. It extended darkness, gently wrapping around the girl's upper body like an embrace.
"Mr. Black?"
The girl showed a moment of confusion, but it was quickly replaced by satisfaction. The girl was happy. That was enough.
The moment this conclusion was reached—on the head that the girl could not see, at least on the clump that appeared to be a face, the three white crescents immediately began to move. From what should have been the front of the face, they quietly shifted along the surface of the black mist to a certain direction behind the head, and then, as if this were also its face, they began to slowly rotate in a circle.
It was as if it were "looking" in a certain direction. Regarding a certain figure, the Pale Rider just watched silently.
It kept watching, and it kept taking action.
Rustle, rustle. Rustle, rustle.
P.S. I'm sorry to say that the fanfiction will go on hiatus, when there are new chapters I will post them as fast as I can
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