Fate: I Will Eventually Become the Hero of Justice II

Chapter 246

More than ten days had passed, and though Shirou still had his worries, he knew he had to carry on with his daily routine and face things as they came. The future was uncertain, and he had to leave it up to fate.

Yet, despite his best efforts to focus on the present, Shirou found himself confused about which side he should take, assuming such a decision would ever need to be made. It was ironic that after surmounting so many obstacles, he now feared a possible future.

However, he was a king, firmly grounded in reality. He forced himself to dismiss these anxious thoughts and kept himself busy with his work. Whatever was meant to happen would happen, and he would deal with it as it came. He could only leave the future to his future self.

Shirou had also made a promise to someone who behaved like a cat. He knew that if he didn't fulfill it, the cat-like person would likely be furious and tear him apart. In fact, that cat was seething with anger at the moment.

"Breaking the appointment! Breaking the appointment, breaking the appointment..." she muttered angrily. "I'm so angry, I'll kill him!"

Underneath a towering tree, Arcueid held a box that she had painstakingly crafted, along with the black and white Go pieces she had carefully made one by one. She stamped her feet, revealing her canine teeth in frustration and anger.

That man had promised to teach her Go, but he had left her waiting for almost an entire morning. She was beyond angry; she wanted to tear him apart and crush him to a pulp.

Arcueid's rage was so palpable that anyone who saw her couldn't help but steer clear of her.

Just then, the man arrived.

"Sorry, these days, my mind has been all muddled," Shirou apologized.

"I've been waiting here for an entire morning! The entire morning!" she snapped, still visibly upset.

"I'll teach you Go now," he offered.

"Okay," she replied, her demeanor suddenly shifting from anger to happiness as she eagerly opened the box.

She was like a cat, quick to anger and quick to forgive.

"How do you play this? Last time, I saw you and a little kid playing Go beside a guy who looked like a green mushroom at the temple, but I didn't get a good look."

"Are you talking about the Enlightened One?"

She nodded, looking apprehensive. "That guy... he's so irritating! But I can never seem to beat him."

"You don't need to pay attention to him. He doesn't care about you, whether you acknowledge him or not. Just treat him like air," he reassured her, picking up a go piece. "Come on, let me teach you the rules of the game."

"Okay!" she agreed eagerly.

As Shirou taught Arcueid how to play Go, they played together under the shade of a large tree. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground and creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Suddenly, Arcueid asked, "Shirou, didn't you say you were planning to go back after unifying this island?"

"I can't go back yet. I might have to stay here for a few more years. What about you? Would you like to go back? If so, I can ask Merlin if there's a way for you to return," Shirou offered.

"Nope," she shook her head and smiled brightly. "I'm having too much fun here. I want to keep playing with you. When you're ready to go back, just take me with you."

He smiled wryly, "It's not exactly fun here. There are just piles and piles of troubles to deal with."

"Troubles?" she asked, pointing to her own eyes. "Do you need me to use my Mystic Eyes to help you alleviate your worries?"