Meanwhile, back at the village, Shirou and Naofumi were currently setting up a mobile clinic with Raphtalia handling the minor injuries, Naofumi curing ailments with his medicine and Shirou using Avalon to help the more critically injured. It may not be as potent without Saber, but it's strong enough to patch up wounds at least. Even the boy from earlier helped as well, inspired by the three of them, jealous because of the happiness they felt helping people.

After the healing is finished, Shirou then helps bury the dead and places a random cross-shaped sword as a headstone. Similar to how his future self did, although this grave, he did not cause.

Afterwards, the people gather in front of Naofumi, Raphtalia and Shirou and all bow, with the chief saying "Thank you for all your help Lord Shield Hero, Lord Fake Hero and companion" to which Naofumi then says "Everyone was just lucky I guess".

One of the men then shakes his head, saying "No, if you three did not come to our aid, we wouldn't have survived that."

The boy with red hair then looks at Shirou and says "I want to be a hero just like lord Shield hero and you someday!"

Shirou smiles and kneels down and asks "What's your name kid?" The kid then says "My name is Kuro Arriyah." Shirou then asks "Where's your family?" to which Kuro then says "My dad... He said we didn't have any more money, so he promised he'd come back only when he can get a job and help me and mom... but never returned... not since last year. Mom died during the waves... Then... Lord Shield Hero came and saved me from the fire. I guess dad just... left..."

Shirou's eyes widen as he thinks to himself... "Wait..."

He then flashes back to a familiar voice. "K-kuro? I-is that you my boy?"

He then recalls the blonde man from a few weeks back, the very one he had to arrest due to gaining notoriety as a masterful thief...

By denying the man freedom... he had denied the boy a chance, however small it may be, for a normal life, as that man could have surely saved his wife... In some twisted sense, he has become what Kotomine Kirei became in Rin's life in this boy's life with Naofumi becoming the boy's ideal model of justice.

Shirou then holds the boy's hand, and then lowers himself down to eye level. He then gives the boy a steady gaze, saying "No, if he was truly bad would he have told you what he said to you?"

Kuro shakes his head in response, meeting Shirou's steady, steel-like gaze with his own empty ones.

"He will come back, I just know it. But... it's going to take a bit of time..."

Naofumi and Raphtalia see them talk but decide not to interfere, whatever is happening with both red heads right now, one thing is for certain, this is a talk only they can proceed with. Therefore, they can only help, by helping everyone else, and so left the two to their devices for the time being.

He then places a hand on Kuro's shoulder and says "You want to make your dad proud when he gets back, right?" to which Kuro nods saying "I... Want to smile like sir Shield hero... I want to save everyone I can see...". Their empty eyes met each other as if Shirou was looking through a ten year old reflection.

He then says "Well then, I have two pieces of advice for you then. One, your life matters. I know you how you feel right now, but those who died... you can't save them anymore. It's time to move forward. Don't let your guilt overwhelm you. Your life still matters, a dead hero of justice is not a good hero of justice..."

Shirou smiles fondly, as he unironically repeats Rin's advice to him, all those months ago.

He then ruffles Kuro's hair before turning his back on him, his silhouette casting a shadow similar to Archer, yet ever slightly different. He then smiles a bit more and then finishes.

"Second, you can't save everyone. No matter how hard you try, you can't save everyone. So just save as many as you can and don't regret those you couldn't. No matter how hard we train, we are still physically limited."

While that happens, Raphtalia takes notice of the second advice, which alleviated her internal question. "Did we really win? Since we couldn't save everyone after all."

Naofumi smiles and bows as well to the villagers as a sign of respect which caused the villagers to let out various gasps before Naofumi realized what he did and corrects their notions and said "That's just how we greet and show respect in my country, d-don't fret."

As they begin to walk away, Naofumi then asks Shirou, "Hey, do you know your Avalon thingy is still with the kid?" Shirou then gave off his signature smirk and said "Yeah, I know. I figured he might need it more, being a fledgling hero of justice and all. Besides... I can always trace a copied one. It's weaker... But I can't really give the copied one since it's technically an extension of my legendary weapon."

Rin is then carried back to Shirou by Archer and Saber. Saber then says "Shirou, where's Avalon? Could you use it on master?" Shirou then nods before holding out his hand, and chants out "Trace... on."

His system then connects a golden circuit to Avalon tracing it and putting it into Rin, and due to Artoria's presence, provides supercharged healing.

Raphtalia then smiles as Rin pushes herself up, completely limber now. Archer and Saber then hol hands as Saber drops the manticore head and says "Well, this is goodbye for now." Rin nods weakly before both of them dissolve into red and golden motes of light which then slink back into the card pouch.

Rin then asks Shirou, "Shirou, where is the actual Avalon? I can tell this one was traced since it's weaker by a slight bit" to which smiles and says "The next generation of heroes" making her look at him with a puzzled expression.

The night after, the palace then holds a banquet. Shirou, Rin, Raphtalia and Naofumi all went, with Raphtalia being the only one enjoying herself. Shirou is currently somewhere else fulfilling an... obligation, Rin was explaining to the king the arrangements around Naofumi, and Naofumi was reading the [Help] screen. Suddenly the three heroes came towards Naofumi with Motoyasu saying "You, it's time to fight."

He looks at him with a frown and a sigh before asking "What are you going to accuse me of this time?". Motoyasu then says "I've been told that Raphtalia-chan is a slave! Is this true?"

Naofumi then looks at him, sighs and then nods, making Motoyasu gasp in indignation.

He then further explains. "I'm not doing anything illegal anyways. It's perfectly legal to own a slave in this country."

Motoyasu then shouts back in a more aggressive tone, saying "That's besides the point. We're heroes, that's not right! This might be a different world, but we're still Japanese. That means we still live by the same morals despite it all."

He then twirls his spear before taking a stance and pointing the spear at Naofumi, saying "Fight me, if I win, then you'll have to free Raphtalia."

Itsuki, worried by the whole situation, then aims the bow in between Naofumi and Motoyasu.

Shirou returns after his business and arrives to see Itsuki with bow drawn and pointed at Naofumi and MotoMotoyasu. He then points his finger at him, saying "Itsuki, the last time you aimed that bow, you spaced out and shot me. Put it down."

Itsuki turns his head and then undraws his bow before saying "Oh, it's you..."

Naofumi then says "Why would I accept that? I have nothing to gain from that and yet everything to lose." to which Motoyasu says "Isn't regaining your moral compass enough for you?!" to which Naofumi shouts out "I never lost it okay? I've never once mistreated Raphtalia. Heck, she's only even a slave by title, she's closer to a partner than a slave!"

Myne, the b word she is, then makes fake tears as she says "L-like me? A-are you doing to that girl what you did to me you monster?! Gaining her trust then taking advantage of it?!"

She then falls on Motoyasu's arms before sobbing convincingly. Motoyasu, the dense oaf, then glares at Naofumi, saying "So that's your plan eh?!" as a random noble then says "Yeah! And the only allowed slaves are those damned demi-humans!" making Raphtalia who was only now made aware of the situation glares at the man.

From his throne, King Aultcray Melromarc and the one he is talking to, the Card Hero Rin Tohsaka, were both made aware of the situation down below.

He then asks Rin "Lady card hero, do you know of these proceedings?" to which she nods, saying "Yes, Naofumi has indeed purchased a slave. However, don't worry, she is a demi human and, therefore of legal purchase."

"B-but still! Have you not heard of what he has done all those months ago?"

"Yes, I do. And that's why Shirou and I made it our duty to not only aid him, as well as monitor his actions ever since. I have only been able to inform you this recently due to disparity in time allocations. And I assure you, he has done nothing to warrant suspicion since our time with him."

"But that's when he was with you, should you ever leave him alone, I, in good conscience CANNOT let a scoundrel near someone as defenceless to them as their slave."

"But-"

"I'm sorry Lady Card hero, I have to do something."

"Right..."

Rin then tries to resist the urge to shoot the back of the old crone's head with a gem bullet as she goes to formulate a plan.

Naofumi is then blocked by spear point once again... Just like... on that day... with spearmen blocking his exit and Raphtalia as the king comes out and says "It has been brought to my attention that the Shield Hero has been confirmed to be harbouring slaves. Originally, I did not want to believe this outrage(pfft, yea right), but now that it has been confirmed, I simply cannot allow you to leave. You have violated our customs and are chargeable for such. By my authority, I order you to accept this challenge. See this as my mercy."

Raphtalia then takes off her beanie and pulls up the tail coat of her skirt and says "I'm a demihuman! In this country, slavery of my kind is allowed! Besides, I continued to follow lord Naofumi on my own free wi-" She then gets silenced by one of the guards as Naofumi gets sealed away by even more guards.

Naofumi then shouts out "Leave her alone!" She was then dragged away as the king says "I know... However, that man is responsible for having defiled one of his own when amongst no company. You, young one, are especially vulnerable to him due to your slave seal. As the king of this land, it is my duty to protect all its inhabitants and I simply cannot stand by and think of what he might do to you, should he separate from his two supervisors. Do not worry for soon, when Lord Motoyasu win, you shall be released!"

Naofumi then tries to get to Raphtalia only for the royal guard captain to say "Draw your swords!" as all the guards then drew their swords against Naofumi. The king then says "Obey my orders or I shall have her taken from you by force!"

Naofumi then shouts out "Fine! I'll do it! I'll win! And I'll get her back!"

Shirou, being Shirou, then jumps off from where he was, summons Kanshou and Bakuya, and then lands in front of Naofumi, saying "Stop! He is under my supervision. Fight him and you face me."

Out from behind the king, Rin then appears and says "Then how bout this? Since we are responsible of him, then it only makes sense that we aid him."

The king then looks at Rin and says "A-are you sure about that lady card hero? I understand that you see the practicality in keeping his slave... but to openly defend him and put your own reputation on the line... Would you truly go so far?"

Rin nods and says "Throughout our journeys, Iwatani has always shown that he is willing to do anything to defend his allies and, as reserved as he is at showing it, he DOES care for the people and to me, that's enough for me to risk my reputation. After all, Shirou is right."

She then looks down and smiles at Shirou, nodding, before turning his head back to the king to say "Sometimes... it's not wrong to help."

The king then sighs in resignation, knowing very well that opposing a hero could cause all sorts of troubles, especially a new one that only the Melromarc has ever summoned and then says "Very well..."

The king then faces the crowd once more saying "A recent development has slightly changed things. The Card hero wishes it to be changed into a 2v2 to determine the fate of the Shield hero's companion. If any hero wishes to rise up to the challenge, please step forth."

Itsuki then raises his hand, only for Shirou to say "Make it a 3v3!" to which everyone looks at him in shock. Although he feels uncomfortable from the attention, he pushes through and says "I have some unfinished business with the bow hero, so I think it's high time we settled our difference in combat."

The king then coughs and says "V-very well... I permit it-" getting cut off by Itsuki who says "If I may, may I add a caveat?"

The king sighs quietly before saying "Yes Sir Itsuki?".

Itsuki nods and then levels a stern gaze at Shirou, saying "Should we win in the 3v3, I would like to have a person be removed from prison and added to my team."

The king, already tired of the events, then says "Fine, fine, Sir Ren, do you have anything to add?"

Ren then says "Aside from the fact that I look forward to this PvP match... Nothing much really."

The king then sighs in relief before saying "Everyone, regroup at the arena in three hours time, I have to take some migraine medicine."

Later that night, all three of them then go inside a gladiatorial arena wherein they wait until their time to fight comes. First was Rin vs Ren.

As the six were waiting for their turn, Shirou decides to massage Rin. Earlier on, he asked if could project her a weapon only for her to turn it down, as it was a disqualification if she receives any sort of outside help.

The door opens and Shirou then nervously says to Rin "Don't kill him, please." to which Rin smiles and says "Oh I won't, but I'll make my threat realistic though."

Both black haired, blue eyed combatants then looked at each other from opposite sides of the room and bowed. An announcer then says "With the viewing of both the king and the pope, this match shall be deemed official!"

"Ready? Begin!" the referee says.

Both then circle each other with Ren eyeing the card on Rin's hand especially. But it was different from her usual. Instead of the red clad archer's bowman symbol or the blue sword woman's sword symbol, it was different. It was that of a horse head. Rin then smirks and says "Oh don't worry, I'm not summoning anyone. I'll actually fight this time."

She then raises the card, and shouts "Install!" as a massive swarm of mana then engulfs Rin. However, Ren, having seen enough transformation from anime, decides not to take the chance and immediately charge, shouting "Crimson blade!" charging at Rin with a flaming sword. He then swings down into the hearth of the azure display of light only for-

*clank*

His fiery blade then gets parried by what seems like a regular katana only to be hit by a wooden sandal, making him skid back. As quick as he struck so too was the kick that connected with his jaw.

He is then sent back by the sheer impact of the punch. He looks at his health bar only to see 1/32 of it get chipped off. He then held up his blade, ignoring the tingling feeling in his jaws.

The light then explodes into a powerful gust of wind and shows Rin wearing her outfit earlier, but now has various bits of lamellar armor on her shoulder, her hips, her arms and legs. Her hair also changed to that of a single ponytail instead of two. A pair of wolf ears also twitched above her head as she then unsheathes a katana from a raccoon tail-like sheath and gets into a high guard stance.

As if possessed by the rider herself, she then looks at Ren impassively with a dignified stance and says "State your name, as is the custom of a proper duel." to which Ren blurts out "R-ren Amaki. Highschooler and S-sword hero." before taking a calmer stance.

She then nods and says "I am Rin Tohsaka, heir of the Tohsaka bloodline, magus, fresh graduate, card hero and certified badass", saying that last bit with a smirk.

"You won't take the first strike? Then let me oblige!" is what Rin says before propelling herself at the shocked Ren which starts a high speed sword clash between both with Ren only barely being able to keep up due to the skills possessed by the sword he carried.

Aultcray's eyes then begin to twitch at seeing RinUshi's wolf ears and then says "Lady Tohsaka... you were a damned demihuman this whole time?!" under his breath.

Now most would have had problems hearing that, but wolves ARE known for their acute sense of hearing so, in an act as cocky as it is stupid, Rin decides to abuse her current A rank agility and starts dodging Ren's strikes effortlessly while looking at the king. And, as if possessed once more, then says "Your majesty, if I may!"

Which earns a gasp from the king. She then continues and says "These ears are not of mine but are of the heroic spirit within my class card, Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Or, in this form, Ushiwakamaru." which earns a gasp from the four legendary heroes and a facepalm from Shirou who says "Says the person who, alongside Saber, expressly told me NOT to reveal the servant's names. But... I guess since we're in another world, it's okay? I guess?"

The four heroes then look at her in shock. The king then calls Itsuki's attention and asks "Why are you so shocked heroes? Who is that supposed to be?"

Itsuki then looks at him and says "If... If Tohsaka is correct, then in her possession is currently one of the most famous generals from the country of our original world! One which has had songs sung in their name that survived hundreds of years!"

Motoyasu then nods and says "Yeah... I didn't pay much attention to history class as a kid, but even I know of that! A woman general..."

Itsuki then looks at him with a confused look and says "Wait, isn't he a dude? Eh, universal disparities I guess."

King Aultcray then looks on at the battlefield with only one thought in mind.

"Legendary sword hero, good luck."