Chapter 320: Gabriel's Temptation
Ever since meeting the White God and returning to the current world, Shirou's heart had been clouded by a lingering confusion. If one pursues justice with all their heart, striving to make everyone happy, only for the outcome to be a mistake...
Then what should he do? He didn't feel he could do any better than the White God had.
In fact, all he could do was risk his life to protect the people around him. He had felt his own powerlessness countless times before. And the power that God possessed could achieve things he longed for but could never reach—saving world after world, even subduing the Evils of Humanity.
And the result? The Counter Force appeared to tell him that the White God would eventually collapse under the burden, and the worlds saved by that God would meet destruction because of Him.
He himself was a duplicate of the White God—an Emiya Shirou merged from all worlds—an accidental split created by an inadvertent yearning for happiness. He had been sought out by the Counter Force and told he must defeat the White God for the sake of all worlds.
But therein lay the problem: the White God was infinitely stronger than him, and he had already failed. Even if he were to defeat Him, the world wouldn't necessarily become a better place. Facing a world like that, what could he do without power?
If everything could be changed, could the White God's actions be turned into a path toward a happy future? If so, he truly felt that sacrificing his own existence wouldn't be a bad thing—though it would be terribly unfair to his family and friends.
However, even without the White God's interference, some worlds were still destined for ruin: the apocalypse of 2030, the advent of Crimson Moon, the Land of Steel, the Umbral Star, World War III...
Should he believe the Counter Force, or the God who stood closest to himself?
Listening to Xuanzang's words, however, the boy reflected. Perhaps he could be more honest and act according to his own choices.
In this moment, a sharp light flickered in Shirou's eyes. Though his stature was still that of a middle schooler, his eyes seemed brighter than ever before.
"It seems you've thought your way to the core of the matter. That's the spirit! Don't rush; there's no need to act entirely according to someone else's ideas. You will find the answer to your own choice." The black-haired woman paused, looking directly into Shirou's eyes. She then broke into a smile and continued:
"To carry out one's convictions and save all sentient beings is my duty as a monk. Humans have their own convictions as well; you need only make your own choice. Buddhism can only point the way through the mist, but how to walk the path depends on the people themselves."
Shirou felt as though a lotus pedestal and holy light were manifesting behind her. Her words seemed to be not just for his current self, but advice for a more crucial moment in his future.
Everyone has their own faith. Even if it's not religion, it could be the loyalty between friends, the bond of family, the selfless sacrifice of parents, or the undying love between lovers. From a future perspective, these things might not be "absolutely" correct; they might even be seen as foolish by later generations. But for the individual, these beliefs are vital—more important than life itself.
"It's wonderful that you've come to understand a little. From a Buddhist perspective, all is empty; the troubles you face now are like passing clouds. After all, humans and beasts have limited lifespans; one doesn't become immortal just because they are great, not even through the Six Paths of Reincarnation. The final destination of the universe is 'Extinction,' and the final destination of humanity is 'Emptiness.'"
"Shirou, there is only one thing I truly want to say to you: Don't think of yourself as so important. You don't need to carry the weight of all worlds on your shoulders alone," Xuanzang said to the boy with motherly affection.
At that moment, Shirou felt a great weight lift from his heart. It was as if this woman had already attained enlightenment and had come here specifically to tell him these things.
"Ahaha! Did I just sound like a great teacher? Shirou, have you decided to become my official disciple yet?" the black-haired woman asked, laughing and winking.
"I would have, if not for that last sentence," Shirou deadpanned.
"Tch, as expected of someone baptized by the science of the future—you won't believe in me so easily, will you?" Xuanzang pouted.
"Science isn't omnipotent, nor is it the ultimate truth, even in a world without mystery," Shirou said.
In fact, science is a process of constant refinement through reproduction and falsification. Modern theoretical physics, for instance—take the electron. Everyone knows the concept and uses it in various fields, but nobody knows what an electron actually "looks" like. Experiments have even shown that under specific conditions, an electron can split into holons and spinons.
Yet none of this is visible to the naked eye. Its existence can only be proven through precision instruments, observing an electron cloud that looks like a ghost in an overexposed photograph.
This actually shared some resonance with Xuanzang's subjective idealism.
Lord Newton, the giant of scientific history, pulled back the veil for humanity, and his theories are still used today. He discovered gravity, using scientific methods to link the stars of the cosmos to an apple falling from a tree. Humans use the Three Laws of Motion he discovered—
but he discovered them, he didn't invent them, and they are not truths that apply to every situation.
Newton's laws are not absolutely accurate; they only apply to the mechanics of daily life. At a macroscopic, low-speed level, the formulas are perfect and the errors are negligible. But in other scenarios—the realm of modern physics—using classical mechanics results in massive errors. It ceases to be applicable.
Still, it remains a brilliant invention humanity cannot live without; it just isn't a "universal truth" that explains everything. After all, in Newton's time, there were no microchips, and calculations didn't need to be precise to the milligram. Humanity developed into what it is today based on those three laws.
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While Shirou and Xuanzang were chatting, the guard who had gone to report returned with an adjutant dressed in an embroidered robe.
"Monk, you stay outside. We will arrange for someone to attend to you; you won't be mistreated," the adjutant said, glancing at Xuanzang. Then, turning to the boy, his expression shifted entirely. "Prince, please come with us. Hehehe."
Shirou didn't move; he looked at Xuanzang.
"Go ahead, Shirou. I'll be fine on my own. I was planning to take a trip to the castle on the other side anyway," Xuanzang said with a smile.
"Are you going to Charlemagne's side now?" Shirou asked, surprised.
The adjutant snorted coldly upon hearing this. "Hmph! I've heard of you—the monk from the Eastern Nation who is unusually popular with men and travels around trying to convince armies to stop fighting. I suggest you don't waste your effort."
"That's exactly why. Bringing peace to this land is likely the trial the Buddha sent me here for. Although it's lonely without a disciple, I'll work hard. You work hard at finding your companions, too." Xuanzang winked at Shirou, pressed her hands together in a parting gesture, and turned to leave.
"Xuanzang..." Shirou watched her walk away.
The adjutant called out mockingly to the departing monk: "Hmph! I heard that madman Charlemagne has become even more insane after welcoming two suspicious women from the distant forest. It's not like it is here over there. If a 'heretic' with special powers like you goes there, you'll be tied to a stake and burned as a witch!"
"I know! Thanks for the concern, sister!" Xuanzang waved back with a smile, gradually fading into the distance.
"Hmph, who's concerned about you?" The adjutant huffed, then turned to Shirou. She bowed slightly, looking up with a wide, white-toothed grin. "Hehehe... Well then, Prince, please follow us. The Lady Angel is waiting for you."
"Alright, let's go," Shirou agreed. He looked forward to the meeting. Xuanzang had said there was news of his companions here, and she wouldn't lie to him.
"Goodbye, Prince!" the soldiers at the gate waved reluctantly.
The adjutant led Shirou into the palace. "This way, please. Watch your step, hehehe."
"The stone path here isn't very even, but it gets better inside. Hehehe."
Though she was being incredibly attentive, Shirou found her difficult to deal with—especially that laugh.
"Um... could you please stop laughing like that?" Shirou asked helplessly.
The adjutant agreed obligingly, "Certainly, Prince. Hehehe."
Shirou gave up. He followed her into the inner courtyard, which was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the singing of birds. In the center were three pools of clear water.
"You've finally arrived! Person of destiny!" At that moment, Gabriel stood up from the carpet with her back to the door. White wings unfurled from her back, emitting a blinding holy light.
For a moment, nothing else could be seen.
"Oooooh! The Angel is glowing!" The guards watching the spectacle cried out in excitement, clasping their hands in deep emotion. Their eyes, stung by the intense light, welled up with tears.
'See? We knew it! Our respected Angel, the Messenger of God, couldn't possibly be a lazy parasite who just lies on the floor all day thinking about eating and playing.'
"I am the Angel Gabriel. I ask thee: are you the Shirou whose screen name is 'Emiya'?"
Shirou shielded his eyes from the blinding light and nodded to the girl in the center of the room. "That's me."
The glowing Angel pointed a finger at Shirou as he stepped through the door and proclaimed: "Basically! Make me something delicious! If you can make potato chips and cola, that would be even better!"
"Hah? I came here to find my companions." Shirou had expected something profound; he hadn't expected this.
"Hey! Gabriel! You idiot! Don't you have any common sense? This is the eighth century! How could anyone possibly make those things here?" Satania, dressed as a servant, stood with her hands on her hips and laughed mockingly at the blonde girl.
"Who cares about that! Anyway, without chips or cola, I can't get motivated for anything..." Gabriel flopped back onto the floor, speaking listlessly.
"By the way, are you really that Shirou? Why do you seem so small? Aren't you supposed to be Komachi's older brother?" Satania walked over, rubbing her chin as she sized up the boy who didn't seem much taller than her.
"It's a long story. Just tell me, where exactly are my companions?" Shirou asked.
"Well, if there were potato chips..." Gabriel muttered from the floor.
"I can make them," Shirou said.
"Eh? You can make them? Potato chips?" Satania turned back, stunned. She walked right up to Shirou and asked incredulously.
"I can," Shirou nodded.
"There aren't even any potatoes here. Is it still possible?" Raphiel, who had been watching with a squinty-eyed smile, opened her eyes wide in curiosity.
"Yes, it's possible as long as I can find substitute ingredients." Shirou nodded. Even without potatoes, he just needed to find a root vegetable with a similar high starch content. Fried chips are largely flavorless anyway; the taste comes from the seasoning.
"Um... what about... Melon Bread?" Satania asked, her heart pounding with expectation.
"I can do that too," Shirou nodded.
"Even without melons?" Satania's eyes sparkled. She looked at Shirou with pure admiration. "Are you a Super Archdemon!?"
"Well, you don't actually need melons for that," Shirou said, sweating slightly. Most bread requires flour, milk, eggs, and sugar. As long as he had those, he could figure out the rest.
"What about cola? Can you do cola too?" Gabriel sat up, her eyes wide with newfound hope.
"Mhm." Shirou nodded.
"Shirou! Are you a god?!" Gabriel jumped up, sent Satania flying with the impact, and grabbed Shirou's hands, squeezing them tight.
"I'm just a regular cook," Shirou replied. This angel is nothing like the image I had in mind.
Gabriel waved a small hand and declared to the adjutant: "All of you! From now on, Shirou's words are my words! Whatever he needs, you must provide! And bring back potato chips and cola tonight!"
"Yes! Understood!" the adjutant agreed quickly. She had no idea what kind of "holy relics" chips and cola were, but she had never seen the Angel make such a face.
As expected of the Prince of the Eastern Nation—to gain the Angel's recognition upon their first meeting. He truly was the one chosen by destiny.
"Now, all of you! Take Shirou to the kitchen immediately!" Gabriel commanded with a flourish.
"YES!!" The group, fired up by the mission bestowed by the Angel, answered with hot-blooded enthusiasm. "...Wait, the kitchen?"
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