Chapter 59: Degradation

Chapter 59: Degradation

Making his way into the living room, Shirou ran his unbandaged right hand through his hair as he replied, "I was hoping to discuss this much later on. But I guess now is as good a time as any..."

After reaching a more comfortable conversing distance, Shirou looked around, meeting the gazes of everyone present before settling on Illya as he revealed, "The reason we haven't gone out to sea in the past year and a half isn't because of my injuries. Once my body reaches 51% corruption, I will cease to exist..."

As she was well aware of Shirou's condition, Illya couldn't help feeling confused, asking, "What do you mean? I know you've been borrowing the power of your 'future' self, but it's still you, right? Even if your skin and hair change color, you wouldn't just cease to exist."

Shaking his head, Shirou replied, "You're wrong. While Heroic Spirit EMIYA and I are connected, we possess distinct egos. His is much stronger than mine, so once he takes control, everything I am will become a part of his 'memory.'"

Before Illya could interrupt him, Shirou raised his right hand to silence her, revealing, "It's alright, Illya. Miyu is already aware of my condition, and we both came to terms with it years ago. That's one of the reasons we've been loitering her for the past year and a half. If I have to fight someone like Kizaru again, that's probably the end for me..."

Tearing up, Illya replied, "That can't be true..." in a faint, sobbing tone. Then, as if a switch had been flipped inside her brain, she became serious and resolute, loudly asserting, "There has to be a way to save you! With the power of Magic, anything is possible...!"

Instead of attempting to refute Illya's words, Shirou nodded, adopting a wry smile as he replied, "You're right. With the power of the Holy Grail and the Heaven's Feel Ritual, it's possible to separate mine and EMIYA's egos anew. We could also transfer my consciousness to a body without Magic Circuits, preventing his encroachment at the cost of my ability to manifest his power. There are plenty of ways to save me, but they all involve giving up the ability to fight..."

Directing his attention to Thomas, Shirou asked, "I know this is asking for a lot, but will you help us? I have always been willing to die for our cause, but I don't want to make my sister sad..."

Though he was a little overwhelmed by the severity of the discussion, Thomas didn't have to consider his response, stating, "I already agreed to hand over any Install Cards we came across. If you need anything else, it will have to wait until I've reached my goal and helped a few other people attain their dreams. After that, I don't mind lending you a hand. I may be a selfish asshole, but I'm not a monster."

Disagreeing with Thomas's words, Vivi furrowed her brows and asserted, "You're not a selfish person, Tom. If you were, you wouldn't be working so hard to help others and keep your promises."

Smiling wryly, Thomas decided not to argue with Vivi. Instead, he held Shirou's gaze as he added, "It will be three years at the earliest. Until then, I can arrange to have the Doctor I summoned take a look at you. With the proper ingredients, he can even cure death and make people immortal. Stabilizing your condition shouldn't be an issue."

Blinking in surprise, Shirou asked, "You summoned a Doctor? That's the first time I've heard that classification for a Heroic Spirit..."

Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas revealed, "The nine Class Cards I was given were a little unorthodox. Instead of the usual seven Classes, they were positions associated with seafaring. More specifically, I summoned a Captain, First Mate, Second Mate, Cook, Doctor, Navigator, Shipwright, Sniper, and Musician."

Still seated atop Thomas's head, Ruby exhaled an exasperated sigh as she remarked, "That certainly sounds like something my Creator would do..."

Continuing where he left off, Thomas explained, "The Doctor I summoned is Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine. He's off doing his own thing right now, but if your condition deteriorates, I can summon him using one of my Command Spells. He won't be happy having his research interrupted, but once he hears about your condition...let's just say he's very devoted to his work..."

Adopting a faint smile, Shirou replied, "I appreciate your concern, but you don't need to waste a Command Spell on me. So long as I don't overexert myself against a powerful opponent, I'll be fine. The condition of my body isn't worsening or anything."

"Well, the offer is on the table," replied Thomas, adding, "My Command Spells regenerate at a rate of one per month, and I don't really use them for anything else."

"..." x 3

Undaunted by the trio's silence, Chloe narrowed her eyes, adopting a catty smile as she asked, "Did that excite you, perhaps~?"

To 'expose' Thomas's true nature, Chloe slid her right hand under the hem of Illya's blouse, pushing it up to expose her navel. Thomas's gaze didn't wander, but Chloe could sense the elevation in his tensions, compelling her to tease, "Look at you, getting all flustered..."

Retracting her hand from the still-dazed Illya, Chloe caressed her own exposed abdomen, appending, "Mine and Illya's bodies are pretty much identical. Maybe you have a preference for innocent and bashful girls...?"

Closing his eyes, Thomas exhaled through his nose and said, "This is why I refused your request to accompany us. I don't need the added stress of a second legal loli trying to tempt me. Like, I get that you're not a kid, but it doesn't change the fact you look like one..."

Shrugging her shoulders, Chloe reiterated, "Once again, it's not like I'm suggesting we have sex or anything. Kisses don't mean anything unless you think they do, and there's no harm in simply staring. I don't mind, so why make a fuss?"

Without waiting for Thomas's response, Chloe looked to Astolfo and Vivi, questioning, "What do the two of you think? Do you think my appearance is that big an issue?"

As she originated from a time and place where 'meaningful' consent was a mere seven years of age, Astolfo replied, "I don't really see the issue, but I respect Tom's reservations. If he feels your appearance is an issue, then it is. At least to him."

Though she had encountered girls in their late teens and early twenties who were even smaller than Chloe, Vivi's expression became awkward as she replied, "My response is similar to Astolfo's. I wholeheartedly support whatever decision Thomas makes..."

Clicking her tongue, Chloe was about to ask Vivi how old she was when Thomas interjected, stating, "I know it's possible to transfer Magical Energy without kissing. Establishing a contract should be the same. If you're going to keep trying to force the matter, you can forget traveling with us..."

Shrugging for the nth time, Chloe replied, "I'm not trying to 'force' the matter. I'm just trying to get you to accept that you're making a big deal over nothing. If you want to establish the contract another way, I don't have a problem with it. It's just a lot of additional effort for no 'justifiable' reason."

Inserting himself back into the conversation, Shirou said, "Either way, it can wait until after lunch. We're having tonkatsu rice, panko, miso soup, and salad. We should hurry before it gets cold."

Without waiting for anyone to respond, Shirou took the initiative to leave the living room. He was used to Chloe's 'obstinance' after three and a half years, so he didn't bat an eye at her behavior. The most important thing, at least from his perspective, was that Thomas wasn't the one trying to take advantage of the situation. If Chloe was the one to take the initiative, it was perfectly fine. Much like how student-teacher relationships worked back in his home country...

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(A/N: Different cultures have different rules, and morals change drastically with time...)