Fate x Danmachi: The Sword Prince (eng)

The sketch of Riveria's dreams of being Juliet and Shirou as Romeo is finished please check it out at https://www.patreon.com/Rayish

Syr arrived at the Hostess of Fertility early in the morning, when the sky was still covered in light blue hues and the sun was just beginning to rise from the eastern horizon. The air was still cool, and the sounds of life in Orario had yet to fully awaken. This peaceful atmosphere was always Syr's favorite—a moment when the bar was still empty, and no one was around to disturb her. Usually, the other staff would arrive in about an hour, giving her enough time to prepare everything without rushing.

Her footsteps were soft on the clean wooden floor as she entered the kitchen. There, the faint morning sunlight filtered through a small window in the corner, adding to the warm and calm feeling. Without a word, Syr opened one of the large drawers typically used to store cooking utensils. Inside, she carefully placed the Grimoire she had brought, hiding it under a cloth so it wouldn't draw attention from the other staff. After ensuring the book was safely stowed away, Syr gently closed the drawer, keeping her little secret from everyone.

With the Grimoire taken care of, Syr walked toward the kitchen counter and began preparing ingredients for breakfast. This morning, Bell Cranel, one of the regular patrons of the Hostess of Fertility and the center of Syr's attention, would stop by as usual. Syr had a plan to prepare a special dish, something a little more remarkable than on ordinary days.

However, as her hands began arranging the ingredients, her thoughts drifted to another person—Shirou Emiya. Shirou might not have been as popular as Bell in the eyes of many, but to Syr, he held a special place in her memories and thoughts. Not because of physical strength or bravery, but because of the patience and kindness he had shown while teaching her how to cook.

Before Shirou came along and helped her, Syr's cooking was often far from perfect. She remembered how frustrated she had been—every time she tried to make something, the results were always disappointing. Sometimes the bread she baked would burn on the outside but remain raw on the inside. Other times, she'd add too much salt to the soup, making it inedible. And the most embarrassing was when the meat she cooked would turn out either too tough or undercooked. The other staff at the Hostess of Fertility never really complained, but Syr knew they were holding back from criticizing her cooking.

Everything changed once Shirou started paying special attention to her skills in the kitchen. Unlike the others, Shirou never gave harsh criticism or mocked her disastrous dishes. Instead, he remained calm and patient, carefully showing her each step she needed to improve.

Syr vividly remembered how Shirou taught her the basics of cooking in a simple yet effective way. "Treat the ingredients with respect," he had said one day while expertly slicing vegetables in front of her. "Good food isn't just about taste, but about bringing all the ingredients together in harmony, understanding their nature, and handling them with care."

She recalled nodding, watching closely as Shirou demonstrated everything, from preparing the meat to ensuring it was cooked to perfection without burning, to controlling the heat when making soup so it wouldn't boil too vigorously. He also taught her how to gradually add spices, tasting the dish at each stage to ensure a balanced flavor.

Since then, every time Syr returned to the kitchen, she felt more confident. Her dishes started to taste better. No more burned, overly salty, or undercooked food. Her meals began receiving praise from the staff and customers, including Bell Cranel.

Without realizing it, a small smile appeared on Syr's face as she recalled those moments with Shirou in the kitchen. A warm feeling filled her whenever she remembered how Shirou had patiently taught her, correcting her mistakes without making her feel embarrassed. In just a few weeks, Syr managed to cook much better—good enough to serve Bell, her special customer.

Syr continued her preparations, cutting the ingredients with more confidence, lighting the stove with skilled movements, and cooking breakfast with enthusiasm. This time, she was sure that the dish would be perfect—not just for Bell, but also as a reminder of the effort and sincerity she had learned from Shirou.

Once Syr finished cooking, the aroma of the meal filled the kitchen. She carefully plated the finished dish, placing it in a neat little lunchbox. The breakfast consisted of freshly baked bread, perfectly grilled meat slices, and sautéed green vegetables in a light sauce. Every element was arranged neatly and orderly—a reflection of the lessons she had learned from Shirou.

She wrapped the lunchbox with a soft pink cloth, ensuring everything was packed neatly before carrying it outside the restaurant. The morning was still fresh, with the sun beginning to warm the streets in front of the Hostess of Fertility. Syr waited outside the restaurant, standing on the corner of the street, anticipating the arrival of Bell Cranel.

She knew Bell always completed his morning training early, especially now as he was preparing for the War Game against the Apollo Familia. That great challenge had made Bell even more disciplined in his training, and Syr, as a caring friend, wanted to offer a little support with the meal she had prepared herself. Her heart beat a little faster at the thought of how hard Bell was working to protect his Familia.

A few minutes later, the sound of quick footsteps echoed, and soon, Bell appeared in the distance. Syr smiled softly as she saw him getting closer, sweat on his forehead showing how serious he was about his training. As Bell approached, Syr raised the lunchbox she held in her gentle hands.

"Bell!" Syr called out cheerfully, waving. "I made something for you."

Bell paused for a moment, a bright smile on his face as he walked up to her. "Syr! Thank you so much," Bell said, his face filled with gratitude. He accepted the lunchbox with both hands, clearly appreciative of Syr's thoughtful gesture.

"Your training must be tough, especially with the War Game coming up," Syr continued, gazing at Bell with care. "So, I hope this breakfast can help you."

Bell nodded enthusiastically, feeling deeply touched by Syr's kindness. But before continuing on his way, he shared some news that made Syr feel relieved and happy. "Oh, Syr... I almost forgot to tell you. Lily has left the Soma Familia! She's now officially a member of the Hestia Familia."

Syr was surprised by the news, though she tried not to show it. In her heart, she felt very happy. "Really? I'm so glad to hear that," Syr said, a soft smile appearing on her face. However, her thoughts couldn't escape the events of the previous night—the mysterious figure in the skull mask who had saved Lily. Since then, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about who that person might be, and although many guesses swirled in her mind, she kept her speculations to herself.

Bell nodded excitedly. "Yes, Lily is safe now. And not only that," he continued with even more enthusiasm. "Welf and Mikoto have also joined the Hestia Familia to help us in the War Game against Apollo Familia."

Syr smiled upon hearing that. "I'm glad to hear you have such strong support. And don't worry, Ryuu will also be helping you. She's joining in because Hermes asked her."

Bell looked surprised and moved by the news. "Ryuu? Wow, I didn't know she was going to help too... This is incredible. I'm really lucky to have such caring friends like all of you."

Syr nodded, her smile still on her face. "Yes, Bell-kun. You're not alone. Many people care about you and want to help."

Bell looked at Syr, filled with gratitude, his heart warmed. "Thank you so much, Syr. I don't know what to say... but I'll do my best not to let you all down."

With that, Bell continued on his way, silently vowing to fight with all his strength in the upcoming War Game. Syr watched as Bell's figure slowly disappeared into the distance, warmth spreading through her chest. Despite the challenges ahead, she knew Bell would have plenty of support, not just from his friends but also from those who admired him from afar—like herself.

One by one, the other staff began arriving at the Hostess of Fertility, filling the room with light chatter and the gentle energy of a morning slowly coming to life. The day in Orario was beginning, and the famous restaurant was preparing to open its doors to customers who would soon arrive. The sound of soft footsteps and the creaking door made the previously quiet atmosphere feel warmer and more lively.

The first staff member to arrive after Syr was Ryuu, the serious-faced elf who always showed up on time. As usual, Ryuu wore the restaurant's green uniform, her blonde hair tied neatly behind her. Without much ado, she greeted Syr, who was already in the kitchen. "Syr, you're here early again," she said in her usual flat tone but with a hint of care. "It seems this has become your habit, especially since you started making breakfast for Bell."

Syr turned and smiled slightly. She knew that Ryuu, though often calm and stern, actually paid quite a bit of attention to her friends at the Hostess of Fertility. "Yes, I've grown to like coming early," Syr replied lightly as she continued tidying up the kitchen. "Besides, Bell always seems to need a good breakfast before his training."

Ryuu nodded with an unchanged expression. She understood how serious Bell was about preparing himself for the War Game, and she also knew that Syr's attention to Bell wasn't entirely about food.

Shortly after that, the atmosphere became even livelier. The front door opened again, and this time Chloe, Anya, and Lunoire arrived together, laughing softly among themselves. Chloe, the Cat Person with sharp ears, always brought cheer and a bit of mischief into the scene. "Oh, look who's already here," Chloe said with a playful grin as she spotted Ryuu and Syr in the kitchen.

Anya, equally energetic, greeted them with a joyful laugh. "Wow, Syr, you've been really diligent lately!" she said, her tail swaying enthusiastically. Lunoire, quieter but still friendly, nodded and smiled in agreement with Anya's comment. Each of them quickly got to work, tidying the tables and checking supplies in the kitchen.

The whole team was now gathered, and the morning work atmosphere at the Hostess of Fertility began to take shape. The kitchen, once quiet, was now filled with the sound of footsteps and kitchenware being prepared. The aroma of delicious food began to spread, and everyone performed their tasks quickly and efficiently, as if they had been doing it for years.

That morning, the Hostess of Fertility finally opened its doors, ready to welcome the first customers who would arrive for breakfast. Syr stood for a moment near the entrance, watching the bustling street outside, filled with adventurers and residents of Orario. However, her thoughts couldn't stop wandering to one particular person: Shirou Emiya. She wondered if Shirou would come today, as he had in the past, or if he was too busy with his duties in the Loki Familia.

Syr knew that since joining the Loki Familia, Shirou likely had many responsibilities, especially after he had caught the attention of several prominent adventurers in that Familia. But despite that, Syr still hoped to see him today. There was something about Shirou that always made her want to know more—something that made her feel a connection, though she hadn't fully realized what it was yet.

She smiled a little, letting her thoughts drift briefly to Shirou, who always appeared at the restaurant with a friendly smile and calm demeanor. Perhaps he would come again today. Or maybe not. But somehow, Syr knew that the next time she saw Shirou, it would bring something more interesting—whether it be a light conversation or something deeper.

With that thought, Syr returned to the restaurant, helping to prepare everything to ensure that the morning customers received the best service. However, in the corner of her heart, she continued to wait for Shirou's arrival, even though she knew he might be busy with bigger matters out there.

As the morning turned into midday, the atmosphere at the Hostess of Fertility quieted down a bit. The customers who had come for breakfast had finished their meals, and now the restaurant was in a calm period before the lunchtime rush. The air inside was cool and peaceful, with only a few soft sounds from the staff tidying the tables.

At that exact moment, the front door opened, and the person Syr had been waiting for finally appeared—Shirou Emiya. His steps were as calm as ever, with a face full of peace and warmth. Shirou entered with a slight smile on his lips, and as soon as he walked in, his eyes met Syr's, who had been eagerly waiting for him. Syr, who had been wondering if Shirou would come, immediately brightened up at the sight of him.

"Shirou!" Syr greeted cheerfully, stepping forward to welcome him. "I've been waiting for you."

Shirou returned Syr's smile with a small nod. "Sorry, I'm a bit late. I had a few things to take care of with the Loki Familia," he said as he took a seat in one of the empty chairs. After a brief moment, he looked up and asked, "How's Lily? Do you have any new updates?"

Syr smiled, softly confirming the news Shirou had been waiting for. "Yes, Lily has joined the Hestia Familia. She's safe now with Bell and the others," Syr said gently, watching as Shirou's eyes slowly showed deep relief. Shirou smiled, clearly feeling reassured knowing that Lily, whom he had been concerned about, was now under good protection.

"Thank goodness..." Shirou murmured softly, his smile growing wider. The worry that had been weighing on his mind was gradually fading away.

Syr observed Shirou's reaction with amusement. There was something delightful about seeing him so happy to hear good news about others, even though he always seemed calm and rarely displayed excessive emotion. Syr continued with more details, "Oh, and it's not just Lily. Mikoto and Welf have also joined Hestia Familia to help Bell in the War Game against Apollo Familia."

Shirou nodded attentively, his smile growing even brighter as he heard the news. "That's great. Bell has a stronger team now to help him," he said, his voice sincere and warm.

Seeing Shirou's face light up with happiness, Syr couldn't help but ask, "Are you free today, Shirou?" Her tone carried the hope that Shirou might spend more time at the restaurant today.

Shirou nodded lightly. "Yes, I don't have any important tasks with Loki Familia today. It seems I can help out here again."

Syr smiled, pleased with his response. "In that case, wait just a moment," she said cheerfully. She quickly headed to the back of the restaurant, where the laundry was, to grab the green uniform Shirou usually wore when helping at the restaurant. It had been washed and dried in the morning sun, leaving it clean and fresh. Syr folded it neatly before returning to where Shirou was waiting.

"Your uniform has been washed and dried, here it is," Syr said as she handed him the green uniform with a satisfied smile.

"Thank you, Syr," Shirou said politely, accepting the uniform. He stood up, then glanced toward the stairs leading to the upper floor.

Finally, Shirou made his way upstairs to change. He walked calmly, leaving Syr below, smiling as she watched him go. Syr knew that with Shirou at the restaurant, the day would be more enjoyable—not just for herself, but for everyone at the Hostess of Fertility.

While Shirou was changing clothes upstairs, Syr stood in the kitchen, thinking about the best way to give Shirou the expensive Grimoire. She knew that Shirou, with his humble personality and dislike for being the center of attention, would likely refuse if she gave the Grimoire to him directly. Shirou wasn't the type to accept a valuable gift without reason, and Syr didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

Syr thought of a more subtle approach. After pondering for a moment, she decided not to present the Grimoire openly. Instead, she chose to place it in a spot Shirou often used—near the cooking supplies in the kitchen. That way, she hoped Shirou's natural curiosity would lead him to notice the Grimoire without feeling pressured by its value or purpose. Syr was confident that Shirou's inquisitive nature would prompt him to take a closer look at the book.

Syr retrieved the Grimoire from the drawer where she had hidden it earlier and placed it on the table near the cooking utensils, in a conspicuous enough spot that Shirou wouldn't miss it. She smiled faintly, feeling confident that her plan would work.

As Syr expected, after Shirou finished changing and donned the green uniform of the Hostess of Fertility, he headed straight to the kitchen to start working. Shirou always felt at ease in the kitchen, especially when cooking or helping organize ingredients. As he entered the kitchen, his eyes were immediately drawn to an unusual thick book lying near the cooking tools.

Shirou looked at the book with a bit of confusion. "Whose book is this?" he asked curiously, examining the Grimoire. He didn't realize it was an extremely valuable Grimoire. To him, it was just a large book with an old and somewhat intricate cover.

Syr, who was nearby, kept her face calm. Casually, she lied, "Oh, maybe it's something a customer left behind. I just noticed it too." Her smile remained gentle, hoping Shirou wouldn't become too suspicious.

Shirou nodded as he inspected the Grimoire. He carefully opened the first page, and his eyes were met with rows of strange text and complex magical symbols. His face grew more puzzled as he tried to understand the book's contents. Unlike an ordinary book, the Grimoire's contents were foreign to him—a collection of spells and magical theories far beyond his understanding.

Seeing Shirou open the Grimoire and start reading, Syr initially panicked. She knew the effects of such a Grimoire could be very powerful for someone with magical potential. Usually, anyone who opened a Grimoire would immediately be drawn into a deep state of meditation, like what had happened to Bell Cranel when he first opened a Grimoire and discovered Firebolt. Syr briefly considered stopping Shirou, worried that he might pass out in the kitchen.

However, what happened left Syr stunned. Shirou continued reading page after page of the Grimoire without showing any reaction. There were no flashes of light, no signs of deep meditation, not even any dizziness or fainting. Shirou simply stared at the book with a confused expression, as if he was reading a recipe book that was too complicated for him.

Syr stood in silence, unable to believe what she was seeing. The Grimoire, which was supposed to radiate magical power and unlock the magic potential in someone, seemed to have no effect at all on Shirou. In her mind, Syr began to think, "Could it be... Shirou has no talent in magic at all?" That was the only reasonable explanation. Grimoires like this were designed to unlock someone's magical potential, just like what happened to Bell when he learned Firebolt. But with Shirou, the Grimoire did not respond at all.

Seeing Shirou, who seemed to lack any magical talent, Syr felt bewildered. All the wild theories she had previously entertained about Shirou possibly being the mysterious and powerful figure with the skull mask slowly faded away. How could someone who couldn't activate a Grimoire—a basic method to unlock one's magical potential—be that formidable fighter?

Syr sighed inwardly, realizing how ridiculous her speculations seemed now. All the theories she had about Shirou being involved in major events like saving Lily with high-level magic now appeared impossible. After all, Shirou seemed to truly lack the magical abilities possessed by other adventurers. He didn't react at all to the Grimoire—a book that should have been able to unlock the magical potential in someone.

What Syr didn't realize, however, was that the Grimoire would indeed be useless for someone like Shirou. Grimoires were designed for those who had yet to fully understand or master their own magic—those who still needed a push to unlock hidden potential. But Shirou was different. He had already refined his abilities through magecraft that he had studied long ago and even possessed a Reality Marble called Unlimited Blade Works, a form of magecraft that far surpassed ordinary potential, rendering the Grimoire irrelevant to him. To Shirou, the Grimoire was merely an empty, meaningless book, as he had already surpassed the basic stages of magical learning.

Syr looked at Shirou with pity as he offered to help find the book's owner. "Maybe I can figure out who lost this," Shirou said innocently, unaware of how valuable and powerful the Grimoire was to others. But to him, it was just a collection of strange symbols and writings that held no meaning. Syr couldn't help but smile faintly at Shirou's simple attitude.

After a brief moment of thought, Syr responded. "No need, Shirou-san," she said gently. "Perhaps the book was intentionally left behind, and whoever owned it no longer needs it." She tried to hide her disappointment that her plan to help Shirou develop new magic through the Grimoire had failed. Nevertheless, she couldn't shake her curiosity about Shirou.

As Shirou nodded and continued his work in the kitchen, Syr felt a sense of relief. Even though the Grimoire hadn't unlocked any new secrets about Shirou, she was confident that one day the truth about this mysterious young man would be revealed. And when that day came, Syr would be there to witness it all.

***

Shirou felt confused throughout the day. As he worked in the kitchen, stirring soups and baking bread as usual, his mind was filled with persistent bewilderment. His gaze occasionally drifted toward Syr, who was busy assisting the other waitresses, but the pitying looks Syr gave him felt strange. He couldn't understand why she was looking at him as if he had failed at something important.

Syr, standing a little way off, continued to watch Shirou with a hidden sense of sympathy. She felt guilty for having tried to give the Grimoire to Shirou, only to discover that it was useless to him. The usual scent of winter flowers that accompanied Syr's presence, with its soft divine touch, began to fade slowly. It was as if Syr's mood was reflected in her fragrance—a subtle sadness and deep pity toward Shirou.

Shirou faintly smelled the now-weakened floral scent, adding to his confusion. He continued his work, trying to ignore the strange feeling, but his mind kept returning to Syr's gaze that seemed to place him in a position deserving of sympathy. As the night came, Shirou's curiosity only grew stronger.

After the restaurant closed and the atmosphere at the Hostess of Fertility grew quiet, Shirou finally decided to voice his confusion. As he and Syr were taking a short break, he approached her. "Syr," he called softly. "Why have you been looking at me like that today? It seems like something's off."

Syr, holding the Grimoire in her right hand, paused for a moment. With a gentle expression, she patted Shirou's shoulder with her left hand, signaling that there was nothing to worry about. "Shirou-san," she said softly, "no matter what happens, you'll always be a friend to me, even if you're just a supporter and not a famous hero." There was sincerity in her voice, although deep down, Syr felt a bit disappointed that Shirou hadn't been able to grow further through the Grimoire.

Shirou became even more confused by her words. He stared at Syr for a moment, processing her statement with wonder. "Just a supporter?" he thought. What did she mean by that? With a slightly sarcastic smile, he then patted Syr's shoulder in return. "Don't worry, Syr. I'll still be friends with you, even if you're just an ordinary waitress here," he said with a grin. He knew deep down that Syr was more than just a waitress. Even though he wasn't sure who Syr really was, he was certain she was a goddess disguised as a normal person.

Their eyes met for a moment before they both started to laugh quietly. Patting each other's shoulders awkwardly, they tried to shake off the serious atmosphere that had just occurred.

Their small laughter came to a halt when Ryuu suddenly appeared from behind. "What are you two doing?" Ryuu asked with a flat but curious expression. The two of them immediately fell silent and turned toward Ryuu, smiling awkwardly, not wanting to explain too much.

After that moment, things returned to normal. Shirou and Syr parted ways to head back to their respective homes. However, there was a new bond between them—a strange yet deep familiarity, as if they both understood each other without saying it outright. Shirou, with all his confusion, and Syr, with her secrets, continued their days, even though much remained unspoken between them.