The Epic Story of the Heroic Spirit of Emiya Giant Warrior

Chapter 4: The Emiya Family's Meal Today

Reluctantly following Syr, I arrived at the first-floor restaurant. The not-so-spacious area was very quiet; only Ryu and the others were there.

"Let's all try some. I also want to thank everyone for taking care of me these past few days."

This was a dish with various spices, simmered chicken, stir-fried tender eggs, and various vegetables—Oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl).

Realizing she had no room to resist, Ryu resignedly picked up a spoon. Since Shirou had made a lot, Anya and Syr also got a share. The cat-person girl was the most eager.

Ryu heard the sound of a fist clenching. She scooped up a spoonful of the mixed rice and sent it into her cherry-like mouth.

Unlike the rough, dwarven cuisine, where various things are stewed together with heavy oil and salt, suitable for physical laborers or adventurers tired from a day's work, and unlike the overly refined and bland elven cuisine, this dish was delicate and gentle, considering both taste and nutrition.

Mia smiled and spoke slowly.

Ryu was silent. She suddenly realized what she meant to this young man.

Although Ryu believed that she had already disgraced justice and had no face or qualifications to talk about justice or salvation, Emiya's existence still told her that, originally, she could still do some correct things.

"Hehe, all finished."

"Thank you for the treat; I am deeply grateful."

Ryu's mood was very complicated. She looked at Emiya and subconsciously thought: Do I have the qualifications to become someone's savior and guide, like Aiz...

"What are you talking about—"

"It's as natural as paying back debts or a life for a life. Since you ate at the tavern, it's only natural to charge you, right?"

"How, how unreasonable!"

"It's a very normal price. After all, very precious ingredients were added to the dish, like, um... Pylon meat, phoenix eggs, spirit tree fruits, and the like... 50 million valis? Where is that expensive?"

"Huh?!"

Ryu was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a moment.

"Too, too tyrannical! No, it's simply fraud; it's completely lies and sophistry."

"This is Orario. Whether it's the Dungeon or the surface, who knows what you'll encounter."

The dwarf owner's aura surged like a giant wave, making Ryu unable to face its sharpness directly.

Syr: "In this shop, what Mama Mia says must be obeyed... Waaah~"

Anya: "Anya is sleeping, nya. Anya doesn't know anything, nya."

In fact, everyone else present understood that this series of farces was because Syr and the others knew that if they let Ryu, who was currently obsessing over things, leave, something unexpected would definitely happen, and she would most likely die outside. This time, she was already on the verge of death.

At this moment, Ryu, of course, couldn't figure this out.

"It's decided then." Mia made the final judgment.

·

"Thank you, Mama Mia."

"We were short on staff anyway; it's just taking advantage of the situation." Mia snorted: "The attitude towards elves, this kind of awkward race, should be as tough as possible."

Obviously, Mia knew Ryu, and for her, keeping Ryu, this "level one wanted criminal," was not much trouble.

Weimiya Shirou did not waver; his expression, tone, and gaze were all extremely firm.

"I want to become an adventurer."

Mia turned around, her strong arms crossed in front of her chest: "What's the reason?"

"Is it for money, fame, wanting to become a hero, or simply pursuing power?"

The young man took a deep breath and said softly: "I don't want to feel the powerlessness of not being able to protect the important people anymore."

Familia, organizations centered around gods, composed of "children" who have received the grace of the gods. The city of Orario is made up of various large and small Familia. People conduct activities such as adventuring, production, and commerce in units of Familia.

She walked to the counter and rummaged around, quickly finding a thick, somewhat old booklet—《Orario Familia Encyclopedia》.

Mia's first sentence directly categorized more than 90% of the Familia as trash, leaving only the first few options.

Freya, the goddess of beauty and love in Norse mythology. Her Familia is the pinnacle of Orario at this time, not only possessing multiple Level 5 or higher first-class adventurers but also having the city's strongest, the only Level 7 powerhouse.

"However, I don't recommend you go to the Freya Familia." After thinking and struggling for a long time, Mia still came to a conclusion.

"Obviously, you are a firm and earnest person, and not only do you not lack love, but you are also the type whose outward giving of love will overflow." Mia said seriously.

"So you are not suitable for the Freya Familia. If you go there, you will probably collapse." Mia thought deeply: "That's my judgment."

Turning past the Freya Familia's crest, then there was a clown mask crest.

Loki Familia, the second strongest faction in Orario, possessing three Level 6 first-class adventurers, and four Level 5 adventurers. Their combat power is second only to the Freya Familia, and they are more active in dungeon exploration activities than the Freya Familia.

Then, Mia introduced various Familia to Emiya in turn.

Ishtar Familia, excluded. Although their combat power is strong, this family runs the pleasure quarter. It's best to stay away if you don't want to be squeezed dry.

The Ganesha Familia has 11 LV5 members internally. The leader, Shakti Varma, is also a LV5. In addition, the Ganesha Familia also has many LV3 and LV4 members, and is the vanguard force against the dark faction.

"The Ganesha Familia seems like a good choice, and then there's... the Astraea Familia..." Emiya muttered.

"That Familia is no longer around. They encountered an accident in the dungeon, and almost all of the Familia members were wiped out. The god also left Orario." Mia said in a low voice: "This encyclopedia is from three years ago."

The Hephaestus Familia is a comprehensive Familia that takes into account production, commerce, and adventure. Its main activities are weapon and equipment manufacturing, and it is the largest equipment producer and vendor in Orario.

"I plan to join this Familia." Emiya made up his mind.

"I see. Because you are an excellent chef, you are interested in blacksmiths who also use fire? No problem, I can help you write a letter of recommendation." Mama Mia acted swiftly and decisively, and directly settled the matter.

"If you ever get tired of being an adventurer in the future, come back anytime. I can still afford to feed one person."

The god with red hair, wearing an eyepatch on her right eye, a white top and black trousers, and black over-the-knee high-heeled boots, the god Hephaestus took the letter of recommendation from Emiya's hand, and made a decision without even opening it to look.

Ryu realized that she might have been brought to a very significant place.

The boy's wish was granted by Mama Mia, and he was currently busy in the kitchen. After a while, he and Mama Mia walked over, carrying steaming platters.

"It's meat, nya! Anya's favorite meat~"

One of the most common home-cooked dishes Shirou had made in his previous life, second only to curry rice.

"This kid's skills..." Mama Mia, who had been watching Shirou cook in the kitchen, was shocked, then looked at Ryu, who was in a daze: "Eat quickly, or the food will get cold!"

"Wow, delicious, better than Mama Mia's cooking, nya!"

First, the freshness of the chicken soup and the tenderness of the egg spread in her mouth. At the same time, the fragrant rice also melted in her mouth, and the sweetness of the vegetables flowed on her tongue.

It was like a home-cooked meal made by a mother.

"This dish brings warmth and is very delicious." Even though she was a very awkward elf, she would tell the truth when it came to food.

"This is a dish filled with sincerity, whether it's gratitude or longing, it's all the boy's feelings for you." She said, "Being able to enjoy such delicious and heartfelt food is reason enough to live on, right?"

At least, it saved a child.

So, what is the right thing to do next...?

Ryu didn't say a word, picked up the spoon again, and ate the food, spoonful after spoonful. Although the elf girl's mouth was small, she moved quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the entire plate of food was gone.

"So—you've finished eating."

The flow had changed.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy, and Ryu immediately became alert.

Ryu's expression became very stiff, while Mia's lips curled up.

"Thank you for your patronage, 50 million valis."

Shirou: "Eh?"

The elf girl slammed the table and stood up: "This price is a complete scam!"

Shirou: "...No, it's not. It's just ordinary chicken, eggs, and potatoes."

Of course, under Mia's threatening gaze, he didn't say it out loud.

"Well, judging by your appearance, you probably can't pay. In that case, there's nothing we can do. Just stay here and work to pay off your debt."

If it were in the past, Ryu would have attacked with full force, but she couldn't do it now because the other party was much stronger than her. Therefore, the elf girl fell into unprecedented panic, her ears trembling with anger.

She looked at the others in a hurry.

The girl covered her face with her hands, crying very fake tears. That cunning girl!

Shirou: "Miss Ryu, I'm also being taken in to work..."

"Just as Syr said, I represent the 'law' here. If I say it's white, even if it's black, everyone has to treat it as white." Mia showed a villainous smile on her face.

Syr and Mia did this to cheer up the stubborn Ryu, and at least to keep her alive no matter what.

"You're scheming against me!"

Just like that, Ryu was forced to work as a waitress in the tavern "The Benevolent Mistress."

Syr and Anya dragged Ryu to try on the waitress uniform, leaving only Shirou and Mia in the restaurant.

"Besides, she is worth saving." The dwarf woman's tone carried a hint of reminiscing about the past.

"What about you, kid? Do you want to be the tavern's chef? My employees here are generally only women, but with your skills, I can make an exception." Mia's lips curled up: "All your colleagues around you will be beautiful girls. Are you tempted?"

"What is your reason for wanting to become an adventurer? 'Adventure' isn't as simple as saying it."

Chapter 5: Hephaestus Familia

Mia was not surprised by this.

"Alright, not a bad reason. Which Familia are you planning to join?"

"Well, I don't really know yet..." Shirou said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Seriously, you want to become an adventurer without even considering this?" Mia said disdainfully, "Come with me."

Looking at the content on the cover, Shirou realized that he seemed to have mastered the language and writing of this world on his own.

"First of all, any Familia that doesn't even have a Lv.4 member can be ignored. They're all trash and not worth paying attention to."

"Currently, the most powerful Familia in the city is the Freya Familia. How should I put it? I have some connections in the Freya Familia and can recommend you." Mia said, flipping open the Familia encyclopedia. The first page showed the Valkyrie emblem of the Freya Familia.

"Why?" Shirou asked.

"Not suitable. The compatibility is too bad. The Freya Familia is full of lost and unloved children, and you are neither lost nor unloved." Mia made this judgment.

This statement was a bit strange, it was kind of like describing a scumbag...

"Eh, is it that serious?"

"No, it's not saying that you'll break down, but that the Freya Familia will break down... In short, it's not suitable." Mia thought silently, "The Freya Familia's admission standard is 'the color of the soul.' Fortunately, that goddess's current interest is in 'purity' rather than 'brilliance.'"

"If you want to become an adventurer, the Loki Familia should be one of the best choices, but..." Mia spread her hands, "I can't help you with a recommendation for the Loki Familia. If you're interested, you can try it yourself."

Shirou naturally avoided things like the Pleasure Quarter, and showing interest in that Familia would probably get him killed directly by Mama Mia.

In Orario, the Ganesha Familia has the function of city guards. Because of their good relationship with the Guild, the Ganesha Familia is responsible for the usual defense and patrols of Orario, maintaining order.

The goddess of stars and justice, Astrea. He was somewhat concerned about this Familia.

"I see..." Shirou silently skipped the Astrea Familia, but he still made sure to remember the emblem of the Wings of Justice.

"And then there's the Hephaestus Familia."

The main god is the goddess of fire, Hephaestus, who is proficient in forging techniques.

The captain is a Lv.5 first-class adventurer, the highest-level blacksmith in Orario, Tsubaki Collbrande, the "One-Eyed Blacksmith."

"Oh, why?"

"I have some interest in the matter of 'forging swords.'"

Shirou said apologetically, "Sorry, I promised to help out here..."

"It doesn't matter. Just pay back the panacea and treatment fees when you earn money in the future. I don't need another child here." Mia waved her hand and patted him on the shoulder.

·

"No problem, welcome to the Hephaestus Familia."

As expected of a goddess, her beauty was undiminished. In addition, her simple outfit of a white top with black pants and gloves, like menswear, could be described as "beautiful" and gave the impression of a "big sister" to those who saw her for the first time.