Danmachi- The Heroic Legend of Emiya!

Chapter 20: The Wager

Shirou slammed the beastman's head onto the table with a loud thud that echoed throughout the tavern.

Everyone was momentarily stunned by the scene.

The most shocked were, without a doubt, the members of the Loki Familia. They hadn't expected something like this at all, and certainly never imagined one of their own would be humiliated in such a way.

However, in that instant, they weren't worried about their comrade at all—instead, they were more concerned for Shirou.

Because they knew exactly what kind of personality their beastman companion had, and what kind of insane retaliation he would seek after such humiliation.

"Bete, stop!" shouted a green-haired elf from the Loki Familia, instinctively trying to halt the beastman companion's rage.

But it was already too late.

"RAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

The beastman, Bete, who had never suffered such humiliation, erupted in fury. His claws slashed at Shirou with incredible speed.

It was an exaggerated motion and an astonishing burst of speed.

People in the tavern couldn't even follow Bete's movements. They could hardly imagine what kind of devastation would follow if that attack landed.

Most assumed the red-haired man would die on the spot.

Especially the Loki Familia members—they knew how powerful Bete was. Even outside the dungeon, his attacks were nearly impossible to avoid.

In many eyes, Shirou's lifeless body had already materialized in their minds.

However, that scene never came to be.

Shirou made no move to dodge Bete's claws. While he was surprised by the intensity of the reaction, he had fought far faster enemies before.

Whether it was former battles against Heroic Spirits, or labyrinth boss from the dungeon, he had faced plenty stronger than Bete.

To Shirou, who had survived countless bloody battles, Bete's speed wasn't exactly turtle-like—but it wasn't anything impressive either.

As Bete's claws neared, Shirou grabbed his wrist and, like a matador, used the beastman's own momentum to hurl him away.

Bang!

Bete never expected it. He was thrown like a wild dog and crashed straight into the tavern wall.

Everyone's faces filled with shock.

No one anticipated such an outcome—no one could understand what had just happened.

Before anyone could recover from their shock, Bete, lying on the ground, was already burning with unbearable humiliation. His fury almost seemed to set his fur on fire, smoke practically rising from his head.

"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU, DAMN YOU!!!"

As Bete got up, strange light glimmered around his body. Some kind of peculiar energy was gathering—he seemed to be preparing for a full-blown outburst.

Shirou was intrigued.

He had never fought an adventurer in this world. He didn't know how strong they were or what kind of abilities they possessed.

Bete's earlier display didn't even qualify as a warm-up for him, let alone requiring his true abilities—like his projection magecraft.

If the beastman had stronger tricks up his sleeve, he might just be an entertaining opponent.

But Bete's power-up never came to pass.

Before he could launch himself at Shirou, a dwarf wielding a massive axe and the sword princess Ais Wallenstein appeared at his side.

The two pressed their weapons against Bete's neck, halting his madness.

"GET OFF ME! LET ME KILL HIM!! LET ME KILL HIM AAAAAHHH!!!"

Even with a blade at his throat, Bete wouldn't stop his fury.

At that moment, the green-haired elf from earlier stepped up with a cold voice:

"Do you want to die, Bete? If so, I can make that happen right now."

"Riveria, you..."

Sensing the immense killing intent from the elf named Riveria, Bete finally calmed down, even if barely.

He still glared at Shirou with madness in his eyes, as if ready to kill him the moment his restraints were lifted.

Shirou met that gaze without the slightest hint of retreat.

He was eager for Bete to come at him again, so he could test the strength of Orario's adventurers—and vent some of his own emotions in the process.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Loki Familia were rational people. They weren't going to let Bete go berserk and held him down tightly.

Riveria turned toward Shirou, her expression complex.

"Although you humiliated my comrade just now, I can sense that you had your reasons. Can you tell me why you did it?"

"It's nothing special. He insulted my companion and my Familia."

"Your companion and Familia… Wait, you're from the Hestia Familia?"

Riveria finally realized Shirou's affiliation. Her face was filled with shock and she didn't know what to say.

After all, Shirou had blocked and even countered Bete's attack—a feat far beyond what a normal adventurer should be capable of. She couldn't see through Shirou's strength at all and even suspected he might be equal or stronger than Bete.

But Bete was already Level 5—an elite even within Orario.

If Shirou came from one of the major Familias, that would be understandable. But the Hestia Familia…?

That was truly unexpected.

As emotions churned within Riveria's mind, she quickly spoke again:

"I'm sorry. Our Familia's Bete spoke without thinking and insulted your companion. As the vice-captain of our Familia, I apologize on his behalf."

Riveria's reasonable response caught Shirou off guard.

But Bete clearly wasn't happy with that. He kept struggling.

"Riveria, you idiot! Who gave you the right to apologize for me?! Did I say anything wrong?! Trash is trash—they'll always be trash! That brat will never be able to touch the heels of a real strong man like me!"

The crowd went silent at Bete's words.

Though harsh, many actually agreed.

No one believed someone like Bell—weak and timid—could ever grow strong, let alone reach Bete's level.

Even Riveria, despite apologizing to Shirou, didn't seem to think much of Bell.

This was the reality of the dungeon city Orario—a world where only the strong survived. The weak were destined to be trampled.

Only Shirou stared into Bete's eyes and said slowly:

"You seem to believe the weak are born weak, and some people are destined to never change. I disagree. I believe all strong people come from weakness. And those who become strong from true weakness… are stronger than arrogant people like you."

"You're saying that brat will be stronger than me? Don't joke!"

Bete sneered. He might feel vaguely uneasy about Shirou, but he held nothing but disdain for Bell.

Shirou responded firmly:

"Yes. I believe Bell is stronger than you. He has the heart of a true warrior. One day, he will surpass you."

"Bullshit!"

There was no way Bete would accept that. He could never believe that cowardly brat would grow stronger than him.

But Shirou remained unwavering.

Because he understood what true strength was. And it was something hollow "strongmen" like Bete could never comprehend—something that only those who'd crawled out of despair could truly attain.

"How interesting. Really, this is getting interesting."

As Shirou and Bete faced off, a voice suddenly chimed in—Loki herself, who had been quietly watching the whole time.

Though she knew Shirou and Hestia, she hadn't interfered.

Now, with clear amusement, she stepped forward and said to Shirou with a smile:

"Hey, Emiya boy, how about we make a little wager?"

"A wager?"

"Let's bet on whether that kid from your Familia—Bell—can surpass Bete. Let's give it five years. In five years, can he beat Bete?"

"What's the bet?"

Shirou didn't fall into her trap so easily. Though he didn't sense any hostility from her—in fact, he felt an odd friendliness.

Loki was straightforward:

"If you win, you can pick anyone from our Familia to take with you—or consider it me owing you a favor. We'll do one thing for you, anything we're capable of."

"And if you win?"

"I want you. I want you to join my Familia!"

"..."

Only then did Shirou realize why he hadn't sensed any hostility from Loki.

Because her goal had always been him.

In a sense, her offer had no downside. Win or lose, he stood to gain something. Joining the Loki Familia was the dream of most adventurers in Orario.

But to Shirou, it wasn't a benefit at all. He had no intention of abandoning Hestia. He wouldn't forsake his goddess.

Still, without hesitation, he answered:

"Alright. I accept the bet."

"Eh?"

Loki looked surprised. She hadn't seen even a trace of hesitation in his eyes—as if he didn't doubt for a second that Bell would surpass Bete.

As if it was a foregone conclusion.

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