Emiya Shirou Doesn't Want to Work Overtime [243]

“———”

Alastor abruptly halted mid-sentence, as if sensing something unexpected.

Shana swiftly turned her head, staring sharply into the distance.

“Another Flame Haze has arrived,” Alastor quickly judged, responding to the aura he had just sensed.

Hum—!

A tremor passed through the air, rippling invisibly like waves spreading across a pond’s surface—emanating outward from above Misaki City, radiating steadily toward all directions.

It was a pulse Shirou Emiya could not perceive; only someone proficient in using Power of Existence would feel these vibrations clearly.

That was precisely why Shana had suddenly noticed the presence of another Flame Haze—normally, she wouldn't have sensed another Flame Haze approaching the city so easily.

“An Unrestricted Spell for detection?” Alastor warned Shana.

“To cast a spell covering such a wide area, this Flame Haze must be an expert at Unrestricted Spells. But we don't know her purpose.”

“Since she used a detection-type spell, she should have already felt my presence. Yet she hasn't withdrawn—instead, she's continuing her spell openly,” Shana calmly analyzed, carefully sensing the vibrations through the air.

Normally, a city would host only one Flame Haze—not because of any explicit rule, but simply due to an unspoken custom among Flame Hazes.

In most cases, a Flame Haze who operated alone possessed enough power to face Crimson Denizens directly. Truly powerful Crimson Lords were few and far between.

One Flame Haze per city was usually sufficient to handle all threats. Once finished, they'd typically move on—there were far more cities than Flame Hazes, after all.

If another Flame Haze discovered someone was already stationed here, they would naturally leave and find somewhere else more in need. So, normally, another Flame Haze sensing Shana’s presence would choose departure rather than remain so brazenly.

Unless special circumstances were involved—or the Flame Haze in question deliberately encroached upon another’s hunting ground.

Either way, Shana had to go and greet them properly.

Boom—!

With a sound like shattering air, a flurry of embers burst from Shana’s body as she became a streak of crimson flame, darting swiftly toward her destination.

“Honestly… Did she completely forget someone else was here?” Shirou muttered lightly, watching Shana’s reckless departure. Still, he wasn’t particularly bothered—he was just teasing her rushed style a little.

Immediately, he dismissed his armor, leaping swiftly between rooftops.

Given Shirou’s current physical capabilities, even without the support of Incursio Armor, moving effortlessly between buildings was easy enough.

Though Shana always seemed impulsive, it wasn't as though she never thought things through. In fact, her thinking was careful and thorough. If Shirou hadn’t stopped her earlier, eliminating the Torches would’ve been nothing but beneficial. Even as she prepared to attack the Torches, she had concealed her presence carefully, reducing her sense of existence.

The only reason she was noticed then was because Shirou’s own existence had been overwhelmingly conspicuous, indirectly exposing Shana.

Now, charging straight toward the other Flame Haze, she was clearly confident Shirou could keep pace.

Besides, anyone who could cast such a city-wide search spell could greatly aid their hunt for Friagne’s location.

Shana wouldn’t let pride get in the way of asking for help. She truly lacked expertise in support-type Unrestricted Spells, and openly acknowledged this fact. Losing to Shirou had been similar—though she’d held back many abilities, defeat was defeat. She refused to accept it gracefully, but she wouldn’t deny reality either.

So, her visit was twofold—both to greet this Flame Haze and to seek assistance.

...

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

A strikingly attractive woman, mature and elegant with a perfect figure like a model’s, chestnut-brown hair tied in a ponytail, emerald eyes behind stylish glasses, stood gracefully atop a floating book. As she retracted her finger, the wide-area detection totem that had emanated invisibly from her fingertips rapidly contracted, disappearing quietly above her head.

“Margery!”

The book beneath her feet shouted abruptly.

The woman’s gaze snapped forward.

A streak of blazing red sped rapidly from afar, stopping before her in the span of a few breaths, revealing a petite figure.

“Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter—!”

“Chanter of Elegies—?”

Both sides voiced their astonishment simultaneously.

Both Flame Hazes were famously renowned; meeting in a quiet city like this was startling indeed.

The book beneath Margery suddenly jerked out from under her, floating to the side as it cackled harshly in a crude voice.

“To think it’d be the Flame Haze of the Flame of Heaven himself! Absolutely fantastic for an opponent!”

“Tch—!”

Alastor, still present with Shana, audibly clicked his tongue in disgust. He deeply despised dealing with that book—the Crimson Lord Marcosias, known as the Claws and Fangs of Violation.

Marcosias was a hopeless battle maniac whose reason for contracting a Flame Haze differed entirely from most Crimson Lords. Most Crimson Lords formed contracts with humans to maintain stability in the world—but Marcosias simply sought thrilling battles.

Most Flame Hazes could never reach the overwhelming power of a Crimson Lord. Due to Marcosias’s immense strength, he couldn’t freely appear in the human world.

But he yearned for battles—so he’d chosen to contract a human to become a Flame Haze instead.

Margery Daw, the Flame Haze contracted by Marcosias, had become infamous among Flame Hazes herself, and few ever wished to encounter her.

The reason? Her compatibility with Marcosias was frighteningly high—both of them bloodthirsty battle fanatics. She didn't just hunt Crimson Denizens threatening reality—she’d even pick fights with other Flame Hazes.

Most Flame Hazes worked tirelessly to maintain stability. Facing an unreasonable, battle-obsessed woman like Margery Daw was unbearable, especially given her formidable power. Few Flame Hazes could match her might.

“What are you doing in this city?” Shana asked sharply.

---

T/N: MARGAREREREYGY IS SO HOT??

This is a fan translation of 卫宫士郎不想加班 by 此世无存. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!