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[Knight Of Goddess(The Moon Knight Whose Radiance Never Falls)]
— Controls the weapon in hand and grants it enhancements.
— Can additionally consume mental power to make the weapon tougher and sharper.
— Under moonlight, the enhancement effect no longer consumes mental power, and its effect is strengthened.
— Under moonlight, temporarily adds the development ability [Spirit Heal], [Self-Heal], or elevates existing [Spirit Heal], [Self-Heal] by one level.
— When injured, the effect of this skill increases.
(Also has an unparseable hidden effect, triggered in desperate situations, limited to one time)
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This is a new skill that Emiya obtained after leveling up, or to be more precise, it is an upgrade of his original skill [Knight Of Owner(A Knight Does Not Die with Empty Hands)].
And now, the skill [Knight Of Goddess] is undoubtedly deeply connected with the goddess Artemis.
Emiya recalled that sacred and strong moon goddess, who broke free from the beast's restraint through death and was quietly awaiting rebirth. [A/N: Actually, she has already revived, but they don't know.]
Now, the goddess's power and will seemed to resonate within him in some way.
"Artemis…", Emiya sighed softly.
Upon hearing it, the goddess Hephaestus also let out a sigh.
She and Artemis had been close friends in the divine realm, and now feeling traces of her again inevitably stirred deep emotions within her.
Hephaestus fell silent for a moment, but soon she showed a gentle smile.
The goddess softly comforted, "Don't take it too hard, Shirou. Gods don't truly have a concept of 'death.'"
"Artemis's so-called 'death' and 'rebirth' aren't entirely accurate. It's just a way for the children of the lower world to understand more easily, hence such terms are used."
A more accurate description would be 'lost' and 'return'.
"Besides, a ten-thousand-year period isn't considered long, nothing to worry about. Honestly, I have a god-friend named Hestia, she can stay holed up at home for a hundred thousand years without going out."
Emiya nodded, then turned his attention to the second skill he had obtained.
Compared to before, his feelings this time were even more complicated.
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[Innocent Monster]
— Regardless of personal true will and nature, through layers of legends, rumors, and misunderstandings from the world, ultimately forms a "distortion" contrary to one's essence, from which special abilities derive.
— When fighting females, attack power increases.
— When attacking Amazon females, attack power increases greatly.
— When attacking elven females, attack power increases immensely.
(Also has an unparseable hidden effect).
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Looking at these cold words, Emiya fell completely silent. The complex emotions in his heart made him unsure how to react.
On the side, the goddess Hephaestus couldn't hold it in anymore. Even though she tried to remain calm, seeing Emiya's helpless expression and this absurd skill effect, she couldn't help but laugh with delight, "Hahaha… sorry, Shirou, I really couldn't hold it in."
Hephaestus laughed as she patted Emiya on the shoulder.
Seeing the goddess Hephaestus laughing to the point of tears, Emiya let out a helpless sigh, "So now I've really become a [Elf Slayer]..."
'Though in the physical sense.'
Hephaestus finally stopped laughing, half-teasing, half-comforting as she said, "Ah, Shirou, don't be so down. At least in battle, this skill is genuinely useful."
Although it seems to have no effect in monster battles, it allows Emiya to naturally have the upper hand when facing female adventurers, especially when the opponents are Amazons or elves.
There was one more thing the goddess didn't mention, as she couldn't yet fully confirm it herself; the feats Emiya accumulated during this journey were too many, to the point that even a single level-up couldn't fully use them all...
———
In the afternoon, Emiya brought a gift and arrived at the Loki Familia's base—the Twilight Manor.
Thinking back, his connection with the Loki Familia was quite deep.
The first time he entered the dungeon, Emiya had teamed up with Loki Familia members. Later, he and Alicia, Lefiya, and others were involved in the Black Goliath incident.
This time's expedition to subdue Antares in the [Great Tree Sea] was also led by Loki Familia's Riveria.
Unknowingly, he had formed close ties with many adventurers of the Loki Familia.
However, today was the first time he had personally come to the Loki Familia's base.
The Twilight Manor stood tall before him. As Emiya stood at the mansion gate, just about to enter, he encountered a familiar figure.
"Miss Aki," Emiya called out to the catgirl who was about to enter the residence.
[Noble Cat] Anakitty Autumn, Loki Familia's Lv.4 adventurer. Emiya had once met her briefly at the Hostess of Fertility tavern.
Though she was from the cat people race, she was quite patient and reliable. Like most others, Emiya kindly called her Aki.
"Emiya-kun, long time no see. What brings you here?", Aki turned around, her black cat-like pupils filled with curiosity as she looked at Emiya who had suddenly appeared at the Loki Familia's base.
"I came to give a return gift to Riveria. She helped me before, and I owe her a favor," Emiya explained briefly.
After hearing that, Aki showed a kind smile, "How thoughtful, Emiya-kun. In that case, come with me. I'll take you to Riveria's room. She should be there."
With that, Aki enthusiastically made a "please" gesture and turned to lead the way.
Emiya followed behind Aki, feeling slightly more relaxed.
However, the two Lv.1 guards at the entrance of the Loki Familia exchanged uneasy glances.
They were feeling conflicted, because the goddess Loki had already given orders: if someone named 'Emiya Shirou' came to the Twilight Manor, they must stop him and absolutely not let him enter.
The goddess even said it would be best to 'throw him out' immediately.
But the problem now was complicated. The one bringing Emiya in was Aki, a high-level Lv.4 adventurer of the Loki Familia.
So, although they had doubts, they ultimately didn't dare to say anything. They could only watch as Emiya, under Aki's lead, smoothly entered the Twilight Manor.
After Emiya entered, the guards looked at each other with unease. After a moment of hesitation, they finally decided they still needed to inform the goddess Loki.
One of the guards hurried off to report to Loki.
Meanwhile, under Aki's guidance, Emiya had already passed through several quiet corridors and arrived at Riveria's room, not encountering anyone on the way.
Knock! Knock!
Aki lightly knocked on the door and said, "Lady Riveria, Emiya-kun of the Hephaestus Familia is here to visit you."
After a brief silence, there came a series of clinking sounds from inside the room, as if something had been accidentally knocked over.
"Ju-just a moment," Riveria's flustered voice came from within the room.
———
In the room, Riveria hurriedly put on her clothes. At this moment, she was only wearing a swimsuit.
This swimsuit was a gift from the hot spring inn back then. The reason she brought it back was mainly because she was worried that the elf waitresses in the tavern would pick it up and treat it like some sort of heirloom to worship.
These elves who excessively worship the royal family really might do such a thing that gives her a headache.
Although Riveria did not wear the swimsuit when soaking in the hot spring, just thinking about the situation still made her involuntarily feel very embarrassed.
Besides that, she admitted that there was another insignificant reason why she took the swimsuit. Because it really looked nice.
Just now, when she was packing her luggage, she accidentally caught a glimpse of the swimsuit, and a thought suddenly popped into her mind, then she unknowingly put it on.
Then, Riveria subconsciously stood in front of the mirror.
In the mirror, the woman had a well-proportioned and slender figure, her skin was fair and tight, as if time had never left any trace on her. She carefully examined herself, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.
"Hmm, not bad," She whispered to herself, exhaled a little relaxed, thinking, 'I'm still very young.'
Riveria slightly turned her body and posed in a way she thought was quite charming.
However, at this moment, Aki's knocking sounded, along with the message she brought, "Lady Riveria, Emiya-kun of the Hephaestus Familia is here to visit you."
This sentence shattered the peace in the room like a thunderclap. Riveria was startled instantly, and the composure and elegance on her face disappeared without a trace in an instant.
Her heartbeat accelerated, and she scrambled to grab her clothes, trying to restore her normal appearance.
However, time was tight. Riveria didn't even have time to take off the swimsuit, so she directly put her clothes on top.
Because she was too flustered, her toe accidentally kicked the table corner, almost making her lose balance.
Very soon, Riveria calmed herself, opened the door, and greeted Emiya and Aki.
Her room was divided into two parts, the front was the study, and the back was the bedroom. At this moment, Riveria rushed out from the bedroom.
Emiya noticed that Riveria's outfit was slightly messy, as if something had just caught her off guard. Although he was a bit puzzled in his heart, he still remained polite and didn't ask.
"Shirou, what brings you here so suddenly?", While making small talk with him, Riveria felt an intense shame in her heart.
Because she knew that at this moment, under that solemn and proper outfit, she was wearing a swimsuit that shouldn't be worn on normal occasions.
'I actually met Shirou while wearing something like this…', Riveria felt a wave of guilt in her heart and even started to imagine, 'If Loki knows about this, who knows what kind of absurd story the goddess will spin out of it.'
Emiya, on the other hand, honestly explained his reason for coming, "Actually, I came to return the favor for the ring you lent me before."
Hearing the word 'ring,' Riveria's expression turned a bit dazed.
Riveria spoke, "Back then it was for subjugating Antares that I handed the ring to you. Later when something went wrong and the ring couldn't be taken off, I should be the one apologizing to you. How could I possibly accept a gift from you instead?"
But Emiya firmly shook his head and said, "No, Riveria, that ring is a very precious item. No matter what, I must return the favor."
As for Aki who brought Emiya here, she had politely left from the beginning, just not too far away.
———
At this moment, Aki was standing not far from the door, with a pair of agile cat ears gently twitching, catching the sounds coming from inside the room.
"This doesn't count as eavesdropping, it's Emiya-kun who forgot to close the door properly," Aki murmured softly to herself.
Although she didn't fully believe the absurd rumors from Goddess Loki about Emiya being a 'Elf Slayer,' even rumors, when heard often, naturally stir some curiosity.
'Lady Riveria actually gave a ring to Emiya-kun? What's that about?', Aki was shocked in her heart. However, after hearing that it was something that happened in order to subjugate a monster, her hanging heart was slightly relieved.
'As expected, it's Loki causing trouble again,' Aki secretly smiled in her heart and shook her head.
'Lady Riveria and Emiya-kun… there's no way, right…'
———
Inside the room, Emiya carefully and solemnly took out the tiara from the gift box prepared by the Goddess Hephaestus.
When that exquisite tiara appeared in front of Riveria, she couldn't help but softly sigh, "So beautiful…"
"Tiara of Avalon," Emiya slowly said, gently speaking the name of the tiara.
Riveria cautiously received the tiara from Emiya's hand, secretly marveling in her heart, "So exquisite… it must cost tens of millions, maybe even over a hundred million valis."
Obviously, Riveria completely misjudged the value of the tiara, because she never expected that it would actually be forged personally by the Goddess of Smithing.
Her estimate of the price was made based on jewelry standards. In Orario, first-tier equipment is the real luxury, far more valuable than gold and silver jewelry.
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