Fate x Danmachi: The Sword Prince (eng)

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The afternoon sun bathed Twilight Manor as Lefiya and Shirou finished cleaning the forge, which had once been thick with dust and grime. The room now looked more presentable, though still far from perfect. Shirou wiped the sweat from his forehead, then unintentionally noticed Lefiya's outfit—a pink rosette cape over a white blouse and pink corset dress, now smudged with dust and dirt. The elegant attire had lost its usual charm due to their hard work.

"Lefiya, I'm sorry," Shirou said suddenly, his voice filled with regret. "I didn't think your clothes would end up like this from cleaning this place."

Lefiya glanced at her clothes and chuckled softly. "It's okay, Shirou. They're just clothes. I can wash them later."

Still, Shirou didn't look entirely convinced. "Maybe after we rest and have lunch, you shouldn't come back here. I'm planning to start forging, and the sparks or dust might ruin your outfit even more."

Lefiya paused, her heart warmed by Shirou's small gesture of care. Even something so simple showed how much he thought about her. He notices even little things like this, Lefiya thought, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

"Alright," Lefiya finally agreed, her voice light. "But I still want to help, so maybe I'll change into something more… practical later."

Shirou gave a faint smile. "That's a good idea. Thank you for helping so much, Lefiya. I really appreciate it."

After finishing the last of their cleaning tasks, they walked back toward Twilight Manor. The clear midday sky and the satisfaction of their teamwork made their steps feel lighter. Once they arrived at the Manor, Lefiya glanced at Shirou again before bidding farewell.

"I'll come back after lunch and a change of clothes. Enjoy your break, Shirou," she said cheerfully.

Shirou nodded. "You too. Don't forget to rest well, Lefiya."

The girl nodded softly before heading to her room, leaving Shirou standing alone in the Manor's hallway.

***

After lunch, Shirou returned to the forge ahead of time, ready to begin his forging work. He removed his tunic, hanging it in the corner of the room, and organized the tools he had projected earlier for cleaning. Now, he was wearing only a thin white tank top, one that Syr had picked out for him a while back.

He paused to think. If I forge in this tank top, it'll probably get ruined quickly. Not wanting to damage it, Shirou took off the tank top and planned to project a new one for work. While he was still shirtless, the sound of light footsteps came from the doorway.

"Shirou!" Lefiya's cheerful voice called out as she entered. She was wearing a casual shirt with a distinctive Elf-style touch and a wide smile on her face. However, she froze mid-step when her eyes landed on Shirou, who was clad only in his pants. The forge's dim light illuminated his athletic build. His defined six-pack abs and muscular biceps were visible, leaving Lefiya speechless. Her face turned as red as a tomato.

What is this? Why am I suddenly… admiring a man's body? Lefiya thought, her heart racing. She was usually captivated by the beauty of her idol, Aiz, whose figure was slender and elegant. But this time, something different made her both nervous and unable to look away.

Unaware of Lefiya's thoughts, Shirou felt guilty instead. He lowered his gaze slightly. "Sorry, Lefiya. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. I haven't had time to put a shirt back on," he said apologetically.

Trying to overcome her embarrassment, Lefiya let out a small laugh, attempting to joke despite her flushed face. "W-Were you planning to forge shirtless? Isn't that dangerous?"

Shirou smiled, glancing at her briefly. "I'm not crazy," he replied, hanging his original tank top on a wooden peg in the wall. He closed his eyes for a moment, and within seconds, a new white tank top appeared in his hand, courtesy of his projection. He put it on with ease, then said, "There, this is better, right?"

Lefiya nodded slightly, trying to refocus on the book she was holding. "I brought something to help you," she said in a calmer voice, though her heart was still pounding.

Lefiya extended a thick book with a worn leather cover to Shirou. "Here," she said with an enthusiastic smile. "I found this book in the Manor's library. It's about basic forging theory for beginners. I thought it might help you."

Shirou looked at the book attentively before smiling warmly. He could sense Lefiya's sincerity in her small gesture. "Thank you, Lefiya," he said softly, "but I don't think I'll need this book."

Lefiya blinked, confusion evident on her face. "Huh? But… isn't this your first time forging? Wouldn't it be better to have a guide?" she asked, a little anxious that her effort might not be appreciated.

Shirou nodded lightly, acknowledging the truth in her words. "You're right; this is my first time forging," he admitted. "But I have an advantage from my Magecraft technique, Tracing. With it, I can deeply understand how a weapon is made. Every sword I've ever traced left detailed impressions in my mind—materials, temperatures, and the techniques used to create them. So even though I'm new, I already have a clear picture."

Lefiya stood silent, processing his explanation. She felt slightly deflated, thinking her effort had been for nothing. "So… the book was useless, huh…" she murmured softly, lowering her head a bit.

Seeing Lefiya's change in expression, Shirou stepped closer and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't say that," he said calmly. "What you did means a lot to me. You took the time to find this book and thought of me. It shows how much you care."

Hearing those words, Lefiya looked up. Her eyes met Shirou's sincere gaze, and slowly, a smile returned to her face, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. "You really know how to make someone feel better," she said with a small laugh, her embarrassment fading.

"Well, it's kind of my job," Shirou replied with a playful tone, making Lefiya laugh more freely. The two of them felt at ease again, ready to continue their day in the forge.

Shirou carefully lit the forge's fire, using structural analysis to ensure every mechanism worked perfectly. The flames grew stronger, casting a warm glow that illuminated the freshly cleaned forge. Lefiya stood nearby, watching with curiosity. "Good thing this forge is still usable," she murmured, her voice sounding relieved.

Shirou smiled faintly at her comment. "Yeah, even though it looks old, it still has life in it."

Once the forge was burning steadily, Shirou used Projection magecraft to summon a sturdy anvil onto the forge. He stood still for a moment, staring into the roaring fire, his mind focused. "So," he muttered more to himself, "what weapon should I forge?"

Lefiya, who had been watching intently, finally mustered the courage to ask, "How about trying to forge the two swords you often use? Yin and Yang, if I'm not mistaken."

Shirou turned to her, a bit surprised. "Kanshou and Bakuya?" he asked for confirmation. Lefiya nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Shirou let out a light sigh before responding, "I'm just a beginner, Lefiya. Even though I know how to forge them thanks to Tracing, I don't have the materials needed to create them."

Lefiya tilted her head, looking curious. "Then... what materials do those swords need?"

Shirou paused as if considering his response. He turned toward a corner of the room and projected two wooden chairs. "Take a seat," he said gently, gesturing to the chair across from him. "I'll explain, but it's a bit of a long story."

Lefiya, slightly confused but not wanting to argue, stepped forward and sat down in the chair Shirou indicated. She looked at him with deep curiosity. "Why sit down?" she asked with a small smile.

Shirou took a seat in the chair opposite her, meeting her gaze with a serious but calm expression. "Because the answer to your question," he said softly, "is a long story. And I want you to know all of it."

Lefiya felt something special in his tone. She nodded, ready to listen, as the forge's warm glow created an intimate atmosphere between them.

Shirou took a deep breath and began his story, his voice steady but filled with meaning. "Kanshou and Bakuya," he began, his eyes drifting to the forge's flames behind Lefiya. "They're not just ordinary swords. They come from a legend in my world—a story about a married couple, Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, known as the greatest blacksmiths of their time."

Lefiya leaned forward slightly, her eyes shining with interest. "A married couple? They forged those swords together?" she asked eagerly.

Shirou nodded, his smile faint. "Yes, they worked together to forge the legendary swords of Kanshou and Bakuya. But the process wasn't easy. The king they served was a cruel and ambitious man. He ordered Gan Jiang to forge the perfect sword. However, after months of work, the metal still wouldn't melt."

Lefiya tilted her head, looking puzzled. "Why couldn't the metal melt? Was something wrong?"

Shirou continued, "It's said the metal was too hard to melt with ordinary fire. So, Mo Ye, Gan Jiang's wife, decided to sacrifice herself. She threw herself into the forge's flames, giving her life to create enough heat to melt the metal." Shirou paused, watching as Lefiya froze, her lips slightly parted in shock.

"S-Sacrifice herself?" Lefiya whispered, her voice soft, almost trembling. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "That's... so tragic."

Shirou nodded slowly. "Yes. But Mo Ye's sacrifice wasn't in vain. From those flames, two swords were born: Kanshou, the guardian sword, and Bakuya, the destroyer sword. The swords were seen as a symbol of their love because they were created with Mo Ye's blood, soul, and sacrifice."

Lefiya bit her lower lip, her gaze dropping to the floor. "That's... really heartbreaking. They loved each other, but it ended like that. Mo Ye shouldn't have had to sacrifice herself." She raised her head, looking at Shirou with a gentle but emotional expression. "What happened to Gan Jiang after that?"

Shirou gave a faint, bittersweet smile, his eyes reflecting a hint of sorrow. "Gan Jiang gave Kanshou to the king as ordered, but he hid Bakuya to protect himself and to ensure that part of Mo Ye's sacrifice remained safe. In the end, he also lost his life, but not without a fight. Kanshou and Bakuya remain symbols of their love, protecting each other even though they could never meet again."

Lefiya let out a deep sigh, lowering her head. "That's so cruel. But also... so beautiful. They weren't together, but their love stayed eternal in those swords."

Shirou nodded with a faint smile. "That's why I always feel there's a deeper meaning when I use Kanshou and Bakuya. They're not just weapons; they're a legacy of love and sacrifice."

Lefiya gazed at Shirou, her heart touched by the story. She found herself admiring the man before her even more—not just for his skills but for his heart that understood the significance behind the swords he wielded. "I understand now why they're so important to you," she said softly.

Shirou simply smiled, allowing the warm silence to fill the room as the flames of the forge danced, as if bearing witness to the eternal tale of Kanshou and Bakuya, brought back to life through his words.

Lefiya's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked at Shirou, still affected by the tragic story he had shared. She nodded slightly as if arriving at her own conclusion. "So when you said you don't have the materials… you meant it's because what's needed is a sacrifice like Mo Ye's?" she asked cautiously, trying to confirm her thoughts.

Shirou nodded, his smile faint. "Exactly. Those swords weren't just forged from metal but from a person's soul and life. It's something I can never replicate, even with the ability to copy their form."

Lefiya was silent for a moment before flashing a mischievous smile, attempting to lighten the mood. "Then how about I sacrifice myself? Maybe that way you could forge swords even greater than Kanshou and Bakuya," she said with a small laugh, her tone clearly joking.

However, Shirou's reaction surprised her. He shook his head seriously, his eyes meeting hers directly. "I would never sacrifice your life, Lefiya. Not for swords, not for anything." His tone was firm, yet filled with sincerity.

Hearing his response, Lefiya felt her cheeks heat up. Her heart raced, and she felt as if it bloomed from Shirou's genuine concern. She turned her face away, trying to hide her embarrassment. "You… you're really serious, huh? Thank you, Shirou," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. She tried to shift the focus back to the previous topic. "Then where did you get the Kanshou and Bakuya you use? Did they come from… something you copied?"

Shirou hesitated, his expression shifting slightly. He scratched the back of his head, as though deciding how to answer. "That's… a bit complicated to explain," he said at last.

Lefiya frowned, though her curiosity remained undeterred. She quickly made a guess, her eyes lighting up again. "Could it be… did you meet Gan Jiang or Mo Ye as Heroic Spirits? Or… did those swords come from Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon?"

Shirou chuckled faintly at her guesses, though doubt flickered in his eyes. "No," he replied lightly.

Lefiya furrowed her brows, her curiosity only growing. "Then where? Is there another secret?"

Shirou gazed at the forge, which had grown hotter, before replying slowly, "I copied those swords from another Faker."

Lefiya's eyes widened. "WHAT?!" she exclaimed loudly, her voice echoing through the room. "There's another Faker?!"

Before Shirou could elaborate, their attention was drawn to the thin wisp of smoke rising from the anvil atop the forge. The heat had reached the perfect level for forging. Shirou stood calmly, picking up a hammer nearby, while Lefiya remained frozen in place, staring at him with a mix of confusion and awe. "Wait! We're not done talking about this!" she protested, though her tone now sounded more like eager curiosity.

Shirou twirled the hammer slightly in his hand, his gaze fixed on the perfectly heated anvil. "The story of the other Faker is longer and more complicated than the tale of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye," he said, glancing at Lefiya briefly, trying to give an answer without revealing too much.

But inside, his thoughts churned. Archer—Shirou Emiya, another version of myself. My future self, who became a Counter Guardian and returned to try to kill me during the Holy Grail War. Shirou gritted his teeth slightly, considering how he could explain something so absurd and personal to Lefiya without confusing or worrying her. That story isn't just long—it's one of the darkest chapters of my life, and I'm not ready to reveal it yet.

Lefiya realizing Shirou was reluctant to explain further, finally gave up. She sighed softly and sat back in her chair. Half-jokingly, she asked, "So… that means I'm not the second Faker, huh? I'm the third?"

Shirou paused for a moment before turning to look at her. A small smile graced his face, though a mysterious glint flickered in his eyes. "Not quite," he replied calmly. "The other Faker and I… you could say we're both the first Faker."

Lefiya frowned, trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind Shirou's words. "Both the first Faker?" she repeated quietly, staring at him with genuine confusion. "How does that make any sense? There's only one of you, right?"

Shirou didn't elaborate, instead redirecting his focus to the anvil. He began preparing to forge, leaving Lefiya to puzzle over his cryptic statement on her own.

Finally, Lefiya raised her hands in surrender, her face adopting an adorably frustrated expression. "Alright, I give up," she said with a long sigh. "I won't try to figure that out anymore. At least… I'm still the second, right?" she added playfully, trying to console herself.

Shirou chuckled softly at her last remark but remained silent. Inside, he felt relieved that Lefiya wasn't pressing him further—for now, there were some things better left unsaid.

Shirou stared calmly at the flames dancing in the forge before finally speaking. "Alright, I'll start with something simple as a warm-up." He raised his hand, and a soft light shimmered. A plain iron rod, created through projection magecraft, materialized in his grasp. He examined the material carefully before placing it on the heated anvil.

However, Lefiya watched his actions with a furrowed brow. "If you're using material from projection magecraft, won't it only last three days?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest, her tone slightly scolding.

Shirou smiled faintly and nodded. "That's true, but this is just practice. I don't mind if the result disappears afterward."

Lefiya shook her head firmly, her expression showing clear disapproval. "No, Shirou. That's not right." She quickly walked toward a corner of the room, opening one of the old, dusty boxes. One by one, she lifted heavy, genuine iron rods, her small hands determinedly hauling them without hesitation.

Shirou watched her with slight confusion. "Lefiya, what are you doing?" he asked, stepping closer.

After a moment, Lefiya returned to him, carrying a stack of real iron rods she had found. Slightly out of breath, she spoke with spirited determination. "Here. If this is your first time forging something, you should use real materials. Wouldn't it be better if the result could be kept as a memento?"

Shirou looked at the pile of iron rods in Lefiya's hands and then at the girl herself, smiling with unwavering confidence. A part of him wanted to explain that he preferred practicality, but seeing her effort in bringing the heavy materials, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Finally, Shirou sighed softly and took one of the iron rods from Lefiya's hands. "Alright, I'll use this," he said with a gentle smile. "But don't overexert yourself like this again, okay?"

Lefiya merely giggled. "I just want to make sure your hard work doesn't disappear into thin air," she replied, brushing a bit of dust off her cheek.

Shirou nodded slightly and placed the iron rod on the anvil. Now, with real material in his hands, he felt a slight added weight of responsibility to ensure the final result was nothing less than perfect.