Chapter 90

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Shirou slowly released his grip from Lefiya's hands, giving her space to return to her own position. Lefiya stared at the pistol in her hands, filled with awe and a hint of fear. "This weapon… is so powerful," she murmured, still stunned by the strength she had just experienced. "But earlier, you said this weapon could cause major problems. What do you mean?"

Shirou sighed before answering, "The problem is that creating a weapon like this is incredibly complex and almost impossible to achieve with the forges we have here. This weapon requires technology far more advanced than what we have in Orario."

Lefiya tilted her head, curious. "You mean… how is it made? Is there some sort of magic involved?" she asked, examining the Desert Eagle in her hands, her fingers tracing its smooth surface and intricate design.

"No," Shirou replied, shaking his head. "This weapon isn't made with magic but by machines in large factories. In my world, there are facilities specifically designed to mass-produce weapons like this."

Hearing this, Lefiya's eyes widened. "Mass-produce? So… there are many people in your world who own weapons like this?" she asked, her voice filled with shock.

"That's right," Shirou nodded, his gaze serious. "Firearms like this are fairly common in my world, especially in certain countries."

Lefiya felt a chill run down her spine. The thought of thousands, perhaps millions, of people walking around with such deadly weapons made her feel uneasy. "That's… terrifying," she whispered, looking at the pistol in her hands with newfound dread.

Shirou turned his gaze to the tree full of bullet holes. "But that's not the only issue," he said, his voice heavier. "What do you think? Would a weapon like this be effective against the monsters in the Dungeon?"

Lefiya fell silent for a moment, contemplating the question. She imagined scenarios where this weapon might be used against kobolds, goblins, or even minotaurs in the upper floors of the Dungeon. "I think… for monsters on the upper floors like goblins or kobolds, it might be effective. It could even work against a minotaur, depending on its speed and accuracy," she said softly. "But… for stronger monsters on the middle or lower floors, I don't think this weapon would be enough."

Shirou nodded in agreement. "Exactly. A pistol like this was designed to injure or kill ordinary humans, not supernatural monsters like those in the Dungeon. If used against civilians in my world, this weapon would be incredibly lethal. But against monsters or even adventurers with Falna, this pistol might not be strong enough," he explained with a serious tone.

Hearing this, Lefiya looked back at the pistol in her hands, but this time with deeper apprehension. It felt as though the coldness of the metal seeped into her skin. "So… this weapon is better suited for killing humans than monsters?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"That's right," Shirou answered without hesitation.

Lefiya shivered, then carefully handed the pistol back to Shirou. "I don't think I want to touch this thing again," she said softly, her expression a mix of fear and disappointment.

Shirou took the pistol from her hands, gazing at it for a moment before speaking in a serious tone. "The issue isn't just with this weapon, but the impact it could have," he said. "If I were to forge a pistol like this and use it openly, I'm certain the blacksmiths in this world—especially the talented ones—could figure out how to create something similar just by observing it."

Lefiya frowned, trying to grasp Shirou's point. "You mean… blacksmiths from Hephaestus Familia or Goibniu Familia?" she asked hesitantly.

Shirou nodded. "Yes, they're the most likely examples. Blacksmiths like them have incredible skills. Even if they couldn't make an exact replica, they could create weapons with a similar concept. And I'm certain that one day, the people of this world will discover the technology for firearms in their own way. But…" Shirou paused, his gaze serious as he looked at Lefiya. "I don't want to accelerate that process. I don't want to be the reason weapons like this are used in wars between humans."

Lefiya was silent for a moment, contemplating Shirou's words. She finally nodded slowly, understanding the danger he was describing. "You're right," she murmured. "Ares Familia already uses magic swords from the Crozzo family to destroy Elf forests. If they had pistols like this…" Lefiya bit her lip, her eyes filled with worry. "The consequences could be far worse."

Shirou gave a faint smile, though there was no joy in it. "That's why our plan to forge weapons from my world seems like it'll have to be abandoned," he said as he dissipated the Desert Eagle in his hands. The weapon slowly dissolved into particles of prana that faded into the air, along with the earmuffs Lefiya had used.

Lefiya remained silent, reflecting on everything that had just happened. The thought of the dangers posed by Shirou's world's weapons lingered in her mind. However, she also felt relieved that Shirou was wise enough not to introduce such technology to their world. Without saying a word, she followed Shirou back toward the forge, her eyes fixed on his back, which seemed to bear a heavy burden of responsibility. In her heart, she felt both admiration and concern. Shirou is right, Lefiya thought. His strength isn't just about his remarkable abilities but also about the wisdom to choose when to use that power.

They both stepped back into the forge, but Shirou quickly noticed Lefiya's somber expression. Her eyes were cast downward, her lips slightly pursed—a clear sign that her thoughts were still troubled by their earlier conversation about weapons from Shirou's world.

Noticing this, Shirou stopped walking and spoke gently, "Lefiya, how about we take a break? You seem like you could use some time to clear your mind." He reached for a small bag on the table and looked at it with care.

Lefiya lifted her face and offered a faint smile. "Alright. Maybe some fresh air will help," she replied softly, following Shirou outside.

They walked toward a long bench situated in front of the forge, shaded by the branches of a large tree. The morning sun climbed higher, its warm rays creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Shirou sat down first, opening his small bag and taking out one of their meal boxes, which contained steamed buns. Casually, he removed the lid, took one bun, and began eating it slowly.

Lefiya sat beside him, a little closer than usual, and took one of the remaining buns. She nibbled on it gently while gazing ahead before turning her eyes to Shirou. "Shirou," she suddenly said, her voice full of curiosity, "isn't there any weapon from your world that's effective only against monsters?"

Shirou paused his chewing for a moment, staring off into the horizon. His mind turned over various possibilities—missiles, bombs, or other large-scale weapons. But he knew such answers wouldn't satisfy Lefiya. "There are," he finally said, looking at Lefiya with a serious expression. "There are some weapons from my world that might be effective against monsters."

Lefiya's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? What kind of weapons are those?" she asked eagerly, even stopping her hands mid-bite.

However, Shirou let out a long sigh before continuing. "The problem is, those weapons are far more difficult to create than a pistol. And even if they could be made, they'd still be more effective for killing humans than monsters," he explained, his voice heavy.

The hope that had appeared on Lefiya's face quickly faded. She lowered her gaze, letting out a long sigh as she stared at the bun in her hands. "I see…" she murmured in disappointment, her tone subdued.

Shirou silently watched the elf girl. He knew that bringing something from his world into this one could end worse than expected, but seeing Lefiya's disappointment made him feel guilty. Shirou took another bite of his bun, searching for a way to lift Lefiya's spirits without giving her false hope. Under the increasingly bright morning sun, the two sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

After finishing their steamed buns, Shirou leaned back on the wooden bench, tilting his head up toward the rising sun. "Wait a moment," he said suddenly, raising a hand to catch Lefiya's attention.

Lefiya, still deep in thought, turned to him, slightly confused. "What is it, Shirou?" she asked.

In response, Shirou chanted softly, "Trace on." In an instant, two simple cups appeared in his hands. He handed one to Lefiya before opening the thermos they had prepared earlier. A cool mist escaped as Shirou poured fresh-squeezed orange juice into both cups.

"Here. Try it—you'll like it," Shirou said, holding out the cup to Lefiya.

Lefiya accepted the cup with both hands, inhaling the fresh citrus aroma before taking a slow sip. Her eyes widened, and a bright smile spread across her face. "It's so refreshing! This tastes amazing, Shirou!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm.

But suddenly, her expression shifted. Her eyes darted toward the thermos on the table, and her mouth fell open as if struck by a brilliant idea. "Ahhhhhh!" Lefiya suddenly shouted, causing the birds nearby to scatter.

Shirou nearly spilled his drink, staring at Lefiya in alarm. "What's wrong?! Are you okay?" he asked, his tone filled with concern.

"Shirou! Shirou! Shirou!" Lefiya called his name repeatedly, shaking his arm with both hands. Her face was lit with childlike excitement, as if she had just discovered a new toy.

"Yes, what is it, Lefiya?" Shirou replied patiently, though he was a bit bewildered by her sudden energy.

Lefiya picked up the thermos with both hands and exclaimed with conviction, "I have an idea! Instead of focusing on weapons from your world, why not focus on making things like this?"

Shirou tilted his head, trying to grasp her meaning. "You mean… you want me to forge a thermos?" he asked hesitantly.

Lefiya nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Not just thermoses, Shirou! You could create other advanced tools from your world! We've been too fixated on weapons, but tools like this are much safer and more useful!" she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Shirou was silent for a moment, staring at the thermos in Lefiya's hands. In his heart, he felt a jolt of realization. Why didn't I think of this before? he thought. He had been too focused on weapons because nearly everything in Unlimited Blade Works was a weapon. But Lefiya was right—there was immense potential in bringing his world's technology to this one without introducing something dangerous.

"Lefiya…" Shirou finally said softly, a small smile forming on his lips. "You've just given me a great idea."

Lefiya beamed, proud that her idea was appreciated. "Of course! I'm a genius, aren't I?" she teased, laughing lightly.

Seeing Lefiya's enthusiasm, Shirou could only offer a small smile. He sipped his chilled orange juice, now pondering a new idea that shifted the direction of his plans.

After they finished enjoying their drinks, Shirou slowly let the projected cups dissipate, allowing them to return to prana and vanish without a trace. He then packed the remaining meal box and the still-filled thermos into the small bag they had brought.

But before Shirou could stand, Lefiya gently tugged at his sleeve, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Shirou, can you project more tools from your world? I want to see more! Maybe we can decide which one we'll make first," she said, her voice brimming with anticipation.

Shirou paused, lost in thought. What other modern items could I project? A phone, a television, a computer… no, those are too complicated. Their internal structures are too intricate for me to replicate perfectly. But simpler electronic devices, like an oven or a rice cooker, might be within his reach. Finally, an idea struck him.

"Alright, I'll start with something simple," Shirou said as he stood up. Closing his eyes for a moment, he uttered the mantra so familiar on his tongue. "Trace, on." A small shimmer appeared in his hands, and soon, a white mixer with metal beaters materialized. He held it up and handed it to Lefiya.

Lefiya carefully took the mixer, curiously examining its shape. "What is this, Shirou? And what's it used for?" she asked, touching the beaters.

"That's called a mixer," Shirou explained with a faint smile. "It's used for mixing ingredients, like making dough for bread or cakes. With this, you can combine things faster and more efficiently."

Lefiya tilted her head, pondering for a moment. "Oh, I see. So it helps with cooking? Interesting! But… can you show me how to use it?" she asked hopefully.

Scratching the back of his head, Shirou looked slightly embarrassed. "Well… the thing is, this device needs electricity to work," he said, pointing to the cord and plug dangling from the mixer.

Lefiya stared at the plug in confusion, then turned her gaze to Shirou. "Electricity? What do you mean?" she asked innocently.

Shirou let out a light sigh. "Electricity is a power source in my world. It's what makes devices like this run. But in this world, we don't have electricity."

Lefiya chuckled softly and said, "The people in your world must be amazing to create tools like this. But Shirou… why did you project something we can't even use?"

Feeling slightly guilty, Shirou replied, "Erm… maybe we can try using an alternative power source?" he suggested, hoping to resolve the issue.

Lefiya tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… maybe we could use energy from a magic stone. But I think that's too complicated for our first attempt," she said, setting the mixer down on the chair. "It's probably better to focus on tools that don't need power, like that thermos. It's simpler and immediately usable."

Shirou nodded in agreement. "You're right. Starting with something practical and straightforward is a better approach," he said, already brainstorming other tools they might try to create. Lefiya smiled, relieved to have guided Shirou toward a more reasonable direction for their project.

"Then why don't we make the thermos our first creation?" Shirou asked, tilting his head. He wanted to ensure their first choice was simple yet practical.

"Hmm, that's fine," Lefiya replied, tapping her chin with her index finger. Then, with a spark of enthusiasm, she added, "But... I want something more impressive! Something cooler! Something that will surprise everyone in the Loki Familia when they see it!"

Shirou paused, processing Lefiya's request. Something cool, huh... he thought, picturing grand and awe-inspiring items from his world. Briefly, images of jet planes and tanks flashed through his mind, but he quickly shook his head. Those are way too complex. Projection alone is impossible, but forging them? That's out of the question.

His thoughts drifted to his past. He remembered the motorcycle owned by Raiga Fujimura, an old yakuza who often asked for his help fixing it. A motorcycle might be more feasible, he mused. I think I could project one, but forging it would still be a massive challenge. This simple forge wouldn't be enough for something like that.

Noticing Shirou lost in thought, Lefiya started to feel uneasy. She worried her request was burdening him too much. Speaking softly, she said, "If it's too difficult, it's okay, Shirou. Something simpler is fine too."

Lefiya's words were like a light bulb moment for Shirou. He snapped out of his musings. Something simpler? Then why not a bicycle? he thought. The idea felt much more realistic. He was confident a basic bicycle could be easily projected and forged in a straightforward manner.

Finally, Shirou raised his head and gave Lefiya a small smile. "I think I have the perfect tool for us to create. It's simple, but still cool," he said confidently.

"Really? What is it?" Lefiya asked, her curiosity piqued.

Shirou extended his hand forward and, in a low voice, chanted, "Trace On." In an instant, a simple bicycle materialized before them. It was pristine white with a minimalist design, featuring just a pair of gears. At the front, there was a small basket, adding a practical touch.

Lefiya's eyes widened in amazement. She stared at the bicycle, unblinking, as if it were a treasure from another world. "What... what is this, Shirou?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

"This is called a bicycle," Shirou explained, patting its frame gently. "It's a tool for traveling. You just pedal, and it lets you move faster than walking."

"Wow... this looks so interesting!" Lefiya exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. Though she didn't fully understand how it worked, she felt the potential of the tool. "Can we make this in the forge?"

"I think we can give it a try," Shirou replied with a smile. Inwardly, he felt relieved to have found something that not only met Lefiya's request but was also realistic for them to create together.

With curiosity shining in her eyes, Lefiya approached the bicycle Shirou had projected. She inspected every detail—from the sleek white frame to the sturdy-looking wheels. "Can I try sitting on it, Shirou?" she asked eagerly.

"Of course," Shirou replied, stepping back to give her room.

Lefiya carefully climbed onto the bicycle. She sat on the saddle, her feet trying to reach the pedals that were just slightly out of her range. However, due to her short skirt, her position made her pale thighs slightly visible. Shirou, initially focused on the bicycle, couldn't help but glance briefly at her legs. His face immediately turned red, and he cleared his throat awkwardly before saying, "Um... Lefiya, it might be better if you try this another time while wearing pants. I'm worried your skirt might get caught or… be uncomfortable."

Realizing what he meant, Lefiya quickly got off the bicycle, her face equally flushed. She smoothed her skirt and stammered, "A-Ah, you're right. I didn't think of that..." Inwardly, Lefiya couldn't help but smile shyly, realizing Shirou had glanced at her legs. But I can't really blame him, she thought, blushing. I've also stolen glances at his muscles plenty of times. So, we're even, right?

Sensing the awkward tension, Shirou cleared his throat again to refocus their conversation. He raised his hand, causing the bicycle to dissolve into particles of prana. "When we forge this bicycle, I'll try projecting each part separately. That way, we can replicate them in the forge," he explained.

"That's a great idea," Lefiya agreed. But then, a thought crossed her mind. She looked at Shirou with excitement. "Shirou, will the tools we forge have a brand?"

"A brand?" Shirou asked, puzzled. He had never considered that before.

Lefiya nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, a brand! So people will know these tools are the result of our hard work," she said with a broad smile.

Scratching the back of his head, Shirou felt this was a little out of his depth. "In that case, do you have a suggestion for the name?" he asked, leaving the decision to Lefiya.

While Shirou waited for an answer, Lefiya sank into thought. How about we name it 'Shirou & Lefiya'? She flushed at the idea. That sounds like a husband-and-wife business... She shook her head quickly to dispel the thought. Then, her mind landed on what connected them both—their ability to "imitate."

"I've got an idea," Lefiya said confidently. "What if we call it 'Faker'?"

Shirou raised an eyebrow, surprised but amused. "Faker, huh? That's an interesting name," he said with a small laugh. The irony wasn't lost on him, as they were essentially copying tools from his world rather than inventing something new. However, he couldn't deny the logic behind it. "Alright, we'll go with that. Our brand will be 'Faker.'"

Lefiya's eyes sparkled with delight at Shirou's agreement. "And our motto," she added with excitement, "will be what you always say, Shirou: 'There's no rule that says the fake can't surpass the original.'"

Shirou nodded, feeling the name, though simple, perfectly captured the essence of their partnership and the journey they were about to embark on.