Fate x Danmachi: The Sword Prince (eng)

The sketch of Aiz swimming has been completed please check it out at https://www.patreon.com/Rayish

After some time, Raul finally arrived with a group of other members of the Loki Familia. He looked tired but remained enthusiastic, knowing they were getting closer to something important.

"Tch, I really lost to Bete this time," Tiona grumbled, crossing her arms as she stared at the large Orichalcum door with curiosity. "And I was so sure the path we took was the right one."

Bete smirked at her complaint. "Of course, you lost. I'm always sharper than you, Tiona."

"Hah, keep dreaming! I'll be faster next time we race!" Tiona shot back with determination. But before their banter could escalate, Finn raised a hand to command their attention.

"Riveria," Finn called, looking toward the High Elf mage. "You can read the hieroglyphs on this door, right?"

Riveria stepped forward, examining the carvings on the gleaming Orichalcum surface illuminated by torchlight. With her usual calm demeanor, she began analyzing the inscriptions.

"This is ancient," Riveria said, her fingers brushing against the cold metal. "The writing mentions the name of this place... Knossos. According to these hieroglyphs, Knossos was an original project crafted by Daedalus in ancient times. It's not just the complex Daedalus Street; this entire structure is a product of his genius."

"Knossos, huh?" Finn murmured, deep in thought as he tapped his chin. "If this is truly Daedalus' creation, then the people managing Knossos today must have ties to Evilus."

"And that explains how they have the key to open this door," Gareth added, his voice heavy with concern. "There's no way they'd have access to such a place without strong connections."

"Then it's even more crucial that we investigate further," Finn concluded, his gaze sharp. "This isn't just an ordinary hideout."

Meanwhile, Aiz stood nearby, observing the door with a serious expression. She could sense something significant lurking beyond it, sending chills down her spine.

"We have to be careful," Aiz muttered quietly, but loud enough for Lefiya beside her to hear.

"Agreed," Lefiya replied, gripping her staff tightly. "It feels like this place is hiding more than it seems."

Amidst the group, Aiz, now fully aware of her feelings for Shirou, grew anxious as she couldn't spot him anywhere. She quickly approached Finn, who stood in the center organizing their exploration strategy.

"Finn," Aiz called, her tone soft but urgent. "Where's Shirou? Wasn't he supposed to be with your group?"

Finn turned to her, his expression calm yet serious. "Shirou infiltrated ahead. He volunteered to clear out the scouts inside Knossos."

Aiz's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent, clutching her sword tightly. Lefiya, however, couldn't hold back her concern.

"Captain Finn!" Lefiya exclaimed, her voice trembling. "Why did you let Shirou go alone? Even if he's strong, this place is too dangerous! We don't even know what's inside!"

Loki, overhearing Lefiya's outburst, walked over and lightly patted her shoulder.

"Relax, Lefiya," Loki said in a casual yet reassuring tone. "Shirou's still alive. I know because his blessing is still connected to me. If anything happened, I'd know right away."

Lefiya stepped back, still murmuring anxiously. "But... he's alone..."

Seeing her friend's distress, Filvis approached Lefiya. In a gentle but firm voice, she said, "Lefiya, Knossos is a dangerous place. It's better for you to stay in the rear and focus on supporting us with your magic."

However, Lefiya shook her head vigorously, her eyes filled with determination. "I can't stay behind. I want to help my friends. Especially Shirou—he's already gone ahead!"

Filvis paused, watching Lefiya's resolve. Finally, she nodded slowly. "In that case, I'll protect you, Lefiya. I promise, no matter what happens, I won't let anything harm you."

From a distance, Gareth, who had been observing their conversation, approached Loki with a wary expression.

"Loki," he said quietly, "are you sure Filvis can be trusted? We know she's from Dionysus Familia, but in a place like this, we need to be extra cautious."

Loki gave a small smile, shaking her head. "Don't worry, Gareth. I can tell she's genuine. As a goddess, I can sense when someone's lying, and Filvis is honest about her intentions. Besides..." Loki grinned broadly, nodding toward Lefiya and Filvis. "Looks like Lefiya's found her own knight to protect her. Isn't that sweet?"

Gareth snorted, half amused, half concerned. "I hope you're right, Loki."

Hearing the exchange, Lefiya glanced at Filvis with gratitude in her eyes. Despite her worries, she felt a bit more at ease knowing Filvis was by her side. Yet, deep down, she continued to pray for Shirou's safety.

Finn stood firmly in front of the Knossos door, looking at each member of the Loki Familia with a confident but cautious expression. With a commanding voice, he gave the signal. "Prepare yourselves. We don't know what's waiting inside. Stay vigilant and stick to the formation we discussed."

Beside him, Bete, ever blunt, grumbled with irritation. "I don't like this. Bringing weaklings into a place like this feels wrong. They'll just become a burden if things go south. We should leave them here."

Hearing that, Tiona immediately protested, crossing her arms. "Hey, Bete! Don't say that! We need supporters to carry items, spare weapons, and anything else we might need. They're part of our team, you know!"

Bete scoffed but didn't argue further. Finn, observing the exchange, nodded, understanding both sides. He knew Bete wasn't belittling the lower-level members but was genuinely concerned for their safety. Even so, he sided with Tiona.

"Tiona's right," Finn said firmly. "Supporters are a crucial part of the team. They'll ensure we have everything we need during the exploration. So they're staying with us—that's not up for debate."

Bete shrugged, his displeasure evident, but he didn't press the matter further.

Finn then turned his attention to Riveria, who stood among the Fairy Force members. Their eyes met, and he gave her clear instructions. "Riveria, you and the Fairy Force will stay outside. Make sure the exit route is secure. If anything happens, we'll need you to open an evacuation path."

Riveria nodded without hesitation. "Understood, Captain." Yet deep down, she felt a twinge of disappointment. She had hoped to showcase the results of her training with Shirou, proving her ability to combine Magecraft and magic seamlessly. But as one of the most senior members, she knew Finn's orders had to be followed without question.

Behind her, members of the Fairy Force such as Alicia and Sylvie stood ready with their magic staves, ensuring they could defend their position if the situation became dire. Lefiya, standing near Aiz, gazed ahead anxiously, her thoughts still preoccupied with Shirou, who had gone ahead earlier.

Finn, after confirming that everyone was prepared, raised his hand as a signal to move forward. "Alright, let's move." With determined steps, they began their descent into Knossos, navigating its dark and secretive passages, leaving Riveria and her team to guard the exterior.

Arwen, one of the Fairy Force members, glanced toward Lady Riveria, who stood steadfast, watching Finn and the other members of Loki Familia disappear into Knossos. Riveria's expression appeared calm, yet a flicker of longing subtly betrayed her emotions. Cautiously, Arwen asked, "Lady Riveria, do you wish to join them inside?"

Riveria, realizing she'd been caught off guard, felt a faint wave of embarrassment but quickly composed herself. With grace, she replied, "I've recently learned a new skill. I feel it would be quite useful to test it in actual combat." Her voice remained composed, though her heart hoped the answer would suffice.

Before the conversation could grow serious, Loki, standing not far away, overheard and seized the opportunity to tease. With a mischievous grin, she said, "Oh, a new skill, huh? Is it really a new skill, or just an excuse because you've been 'studying' alone with Shirou in the storage room?"

Riveria's face flushed slightly at the playful jab, but she maintained her composure. Calmly, she replied, "Shirou has been teaching me Magecraft. If you'd like, I can demonstrate it now." Deep down, she felt a mix of pride and nervousness about how much her time with Shirou had meant.

Sylvie, who overheard the exchange, couldn't hide her curiosity. "Magecraft? Lady Riveria, could you show us what you've learned?" Her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder.

Seeing the excitement, Riveria allowed a small smile to form. This was a good opportunity to showcase her training. Straightening her posture, she raised her right hand and slowly activated her Magic Circuit. A faint bluish-green glow emanated from her skin, tracing lines along her arm to her fingertips. She channeled Prana through her hand, demonstrating the Reinforcement Magecraft Shirou had taught her.

Arwen and the others stared in awe. The glow shimmered gently yet radiated energy. Sylvie, visibly amazed, exclaimed, "Your hand is glowing… That's incredible! What does it do, Lady Riveria?"

Riveria regarded them with a serious yet kind expression, feeling proud to share her knowledge. "This is Reinforcement Magecraft. With it, I can strengthen parts of my body or certain objects, making them more durable, powerful, and resistant to attacks. For instance, if I use this on my staff, its effectiveness will increase significantly."

Alicia nodded, impressed. "So you can enhance weapons or your own body with this? That sounds extremely useful in battle."

Riveria nodded in agreement, pleased that her explanation was well-received. "Exactly. This skill is not just for offense but also for defense in critical situations."

Sylvie's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Shirou is truly remarkable. Teaching something like this to you must have taken great skill."

Riveria merely gave a modest smile, but her heart swelled with a mix of joy and shyness. Still, this was a major step for her in sharing Magecraft openly with others.

Inside Knossos, an oppressive silence hung over the group, keeping all members of Loki Familia on high alert. As they moved through the narrow corridors, Raul suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he stared at a Gargoyle statue mounted on the wall.

"Hah!?" Raul exclaimed, startled, drawing the attention of the others. Tiona, who was nearby, quickly approached with her weapon drawn. "What is it, Raul? A monster?"

Raul shook his head, his face turning slightly red with embarrassment. "It's nothing... Just... It's just a decoration." He pointed at the intimidating Gargoyle statue, which showed no signs of life.

Aiz, paying closer attention, narrowed her eyes at the statue. "Wait… there's something on top of it." Her gaze locked onto a flower split in half resting atop the statue. "What is that?"

Finn, leading at the front, turned to observe the flower, pondering briefly before answering calmly, "It seems to be Shirou's work. He may have neutralized enemy scouts in this area."

Tione smirked as she glanced at the confining walls of Knossos. "This place really feels like a Dungeon. It's hard to believe humans built all of this."

Finn nodded in agreement but quickly redirected their focus to the task at hand. "Knossos does resemble a Dungeon, but don't let your guard down. We need to move more efficiently. This place is too cramped for a group of our size." He glanced around the group before making a decision. "We'll split into two teams."

Finn quickly laid out the formation. "The first team will be led by me. Bete, Lefiya, Filvis, and the supporters will join me." He turned to Gareth. "The second team will be under your command. Aiz, Tiona, Tione, and the remaining supporters will accompany you."

Gareth, accustomed to such assignments, gave a firm nod. "Leave it to me, Finn. We'll handle our side well."

Finn clapped a hand on Gareth's shoulder, a sign of trust before parting. "Stay sharp, Gareth. If anything unusual happens, notify us immediately through the comms."

"You do the same, Finn. Don't be reckless," Gareth replied with a calm smile.

Meanwhile, Aiz, following Gareth, appeared somewhat pensive. Her thoughts drifted to Shirou. "Has he completed his mission? If so, might he join our group later?"

Quickly brushing aside her thoughts to maintain focus, Aiz clenched her hand around her sword, steeling herself for whatever awaited them within Knossos.

***

In the depths of Knossos, Shirou clad in a black cloak that clung to his form and wearing a skull-shaped mask, moved with extraordinary speed. Thanks to Presence Concealment, his steps were soundless, and his presence melded seamlessly with the shadows of the labyrinth.

Every time his sharp eyes spotted a surveillance flower, Shirou immediately projected a black knife, which flew with pinpoint accuracy, destroying the flowers before they could alert anyone. "Another one down," Shirou muttered softly, his resolve firm as he cleared the path for the Loki Familia group.

As he ventured further, Shirou activated Structural Analysis, mapping every corner and surface of the labyrinth ahead. His magecraft sensors provided early warnings about hidden traps.

The first trap he encountered was a collapsing floor mechanism. Shirou noticed the slight elevation of some tiles compared to the others. Using this observation, he leapt over the area effortlessly, landing lightly on a safe section.

The next trap involved walls that would slam shut to crush anyone passing through. Shirou paused, observing small grooves on the walls that indicated mechanical movement. Utilizing Tracing, he projected a small spear and hurled it at a pressure plate on the floor. The walls slammed together with a deafening sound, but Shirou remained safely behind, waiting for the mechanism to reset before proceeding.

The third trap was more intricate: a poisoned arrow hidden behind a statue at the end of a corridor. Scanning the statue with his analysis, Shirou identified the trigger mechanism in the statue's eyes. He projected another black knife and hurled it with precision, destroying the mechanism from a distance. A faint "click" confirmed the trap was disarmed, allowing him to continue forward.

Employing a straightforward strategy, Shirou chose to always take the right path at intersections. "This way, I can systematically map the labyrinth and ensure I don't get lost," he thought. The method allowed him to methodically navigate the corridors, dismantling surveillance flowers and evading traps. Should he encounter members of the Loki Familia, he planned to regroup with them immediately.

Descending deeper, Shirou stumbled upon a staircase that led down further. He stopped, narrowing his eyes at the unusual structure.

"A staircase? Does this lead to the Dungeon?" he wondered. "How far does this place connect with the Dungeon? How many floors have they constructed?"

Curiosity piqued, Shirou used Structural Analysis to check the staircase's integrity and ensure it was trap-free before cautiously descending. Each step fueled his curiosity, the new questions overshadowing the old: How extensive was this labyrinth's connection to the Dungeon? What was Evilus's ultimate goal in building this structure?

Further below, as Shirou continued taking right turns, he noticed a significant change. Orichalcum doors, which had been sparse above, now appeared more frequently. Some hung precariously, ready to drop as traps, while others were already down, blocking pathways.

"This must be a more critical area," Shirou thought, scanning with Structural Analysis to confirm there were no immediate traps. "If I find one of them carrying a key..." Shirou murmured, "I'll Trace it to replicate and manipulate these doors myself."

In one of the narrow, winding corridors, Shirou finally spotted two figures in white cloaks, their hoods drawn over their heads and masks concealing their faces. Their hurried movements suggested they were heading to regroup with others. Shirou moved silently, his Presence Concealment masking him completely, until he was just a few meters behind them.

"Sorry, but I need something from you," Shirou muttered under his breath before springing into action. Moving like a shadow, he struck one of them on the back of the head with the blunt side of a projected sword, knocking him unconscious. The other turned to react but was too slow; Shirou delivered a precise strike to his abdomen, dropping him to the ground.

"Done," Shirou said curtly, rifling through their cloaks in search of the spherical key he was after. Instead, his hand found something unfamiliar—a round object with a strange texture. He narrowed his eyes as he inspected it more closely.

"A bomb?" Shirou muttered in alarm as realization dawned.

Before he could discard it, the bomb emitted a suspicious click. "Damn, it's armed!" Shirou leapt backward, abandoning the unconscious bodies along with the bomb, which started beeping faster. Moments later, a powerful explosion shook the corridor, red light and smoke engulfing the area.

Luckily, Shirou's quick reflexes saved him from severe harm. Nevertheless, parts of his black cloak were scorched at the sleeves and shoulders. "How could I forget? They're insane. Evilus always carries bombs," he grumbled, patting down the small flames on his cloak. "If I'd been even a fraction of a second slower, I'd have been reduced to ash."

He rose to his feet, surveying the charred remains of the two Evilus members, now obliterated by the explosion. "So, they weren't carrying the key either. They are just pawns ready to blow themselves up. It'll be a major problem if they all act like this." Shirou sighed deeply, trying to calm his nerves.

"I can't afford to be careless again," he reminded himself, proceeding with heightened caution. His damaged cloak added an ominous air to his skeletal-masked figure, making him look like a specter haunting Knossos's corridors. "If this is only the beginning, I can't imagine how much worse it'll get deeper inside."