'So that is how people travel in the old world.' Archer thought to himself as he, Saber, and Irisviel stepped off the plane. The servants were both clad in black business suits while Irisviel was clad in her white winter uniform while they traveled. To him it looks like the fairy princess guarded by the black knights from the few stories he heard in his life.
Saber's master has already went on ahead to scout out the masters and servants that will be fighting in this war. He did not take any of them for some reason but he did take the communication jacks that Archer brought out so that way the will be able to talk through each other and plan out maneuvers. Along with his sniper buddy Boone.
Archer was rather impressed by how clean and graceful this Japan looked and seeing Irisviel wondering around with gleaming ruby eyes taking in all the sights made him feel amused. Then he remembered that he made it his vow to see her though this war alive along with her husband so they can see their wonderful child and live the rest of their days out whatever they want to do.
Those were the thoughts he had when their group were in their car driving and exploring the country. He looked back to see his other two companions and saw Saber looking as serious as ever while Irisviel was still in her childlike glee and was smiling at the ocean now.
He knew she wanted to go out and so he relented and let her do so. He motioned to Saber to park around here while she was confused, she trusted him to know what he was doing. Once they got out Irisviel started dashing towards the ocean on the beach looking absolutely ecstatic and twirling around like a fairy.
Saber now had a small smile knowing the reason for why they stopped by and it looks like she respected him just a bit more. "Irisviel I am to assume this is your first time on the beach correct?" to which she gleefully nodded which caused him to chuckle. "Enjoy it while we can for peaceful moments like these are far and few." To which the regal king nodded in agreement.
Then as if Murphy was listening on them he felt magic energy rising out from a certain direction and knew immediately that someone was trying to draw in the servants; a challenge perhaps. Now looking at Saber it seems she had the same thought as well. "So do we approach or ignore it?" Archer asked, but he wanted to approach and so did Saber, the former so she can fight and defeat servants while the latter wanted to gather any useful information.
Irisviel seemed to want to approach them as well. "I guess we are in agreement then we are approaching it. But Saber you should go for the direct approach while I will take the sneaky approach so I can get a grasp of the situation, understood?" To which she nodded in reply.
Now with a plan, he materialized his pip-boy and put on the stealth suit Mk. 2 while outing on the Hazmat helmet and pulling out the YCS/ 186, Lil Devil, and Sleepytime. Putting the two sidearm on his hips and the rifle on his back he then pulled out a Stealthboy and vanished before the astonished duo's eyes before regaining it and heading toward the location.
Saber was rather anxious about approaching this challenger normally people who do that were arrogant fools who usually die very quickly or people with the skills and power to back it up. And considering that this is the Holy Grail War she was going to bet on the latter as everyone in the throne of heroes made it there for a reason after all.
When she and Irisviel finally approached the area they notice someone with a lot of power standing in the shadows, it was clearly a servant based on his power levels. Then he stepped out in a green bodysuit of sorts with armor pieces on it with messy brown hair, a dashing looking face, and two spears in his hands. This was clearly Lancer of the Holy Grail War.
He smirked as he saw me, "Well I thought I had to wait for a while to see anyone approach but it looks like Lady Luck favors me and lo and behold a Servant wanting to battle. I am Servant Lancer of the 4th Holy Grail War and I challenge you fellow hero." A warrior with pride and honor is someone she can respect a lot.
"Tis an honor to meet you as well, I am Servant Saber and I accept your challenge!" As her suit dematerialized and in place her blue dress with armor on top of it and instead of drawing her hidden sword she drew out a finely crafted sword and a kite shield with a picture of a golden lion emblazed on it with a sturdy helmet built to her needs and allowing her maximum eyesight and protection with a few more armor pieces on her all courtesy of Archer's blacksmithing skills.
Both stood ready with their postures stiff and waiting as if waiting for the first to approach. Then immediately Lancer charged in with his spears and pushed the red one first then I raised my shield to block which it did then counterattacked with a mid-slash which he blocked with the golden one then I backed off then charged at him striking all over the place on his body while he appeared to be struggling to block all of it.
Then as if waiting for it to happen he step to the side as I tried to stab him then he aimed his spear over one of the few spots Archer did not cover up and I was shocked to feel something stabbing me then I quickly retreated.
Irisviel rushed up to me and focused her mana and fixed up the wound and I stared frowning at what has happened. "I see the red spear of your cancels out magic it seems."
Then he grinned even further, "And it seems most of your armor seems to be composed of mana save for the few important vital spots. You are in a rather troublesome situation it seems."
Normally I would have dispelled my magic armor so I have additional speed but during the few days I spent with Archer he pointed out in our spars that I had only assume that every hero only has one Noble Phantasm, he quickly broke that mindset of mine with a few well-placed hits from his power fists he called it and broadened my horizon.
I still know that while the red spear is dangerous I still do not know what the gold spear can do yet. And besides the shield that he forged for me was not made from mana but rather toughened metal. So I regained my composure and readied a combat stance.
"Oh? So you still keep the armor on?" Lancer noted with some curiosity.
"I have only seen the effects of one of your spear that does not tell me about the other." I replied back and he nodded and started chagrining forward as did I as we were in a maelstrom of speeding weapons. Then I notice that he then aimed his spear at the open spot on my visor which I quickly dodged out of the way from now.
I do not know much about magic but I have worked with Merlin before and I can feel that it was a cursed spear of sorts. "A red spear that dispels mana, a cursed gold spear, and a mole beneath the right eye that enchants all women."
I now know his identity now. "First Knight of Fianna, Diarmuid of the Radiant Face." I spoke out to him to which he looked a bit peeved before nodding in acknowledgment. "To think I would be facing one such as you."
He shrugged. "Blame the Holy Grail for making it all possible. Shame I do not know your identity yet." Here I have to give praise to Archer's work for making these tools. But I had to hide my identity to hold any advantage we have.
"Indeed you may not know of my identity but it is an honor to meet you in combat fellow knight." To which he accepted rather graciously. "Now let us continue our duel." I spoke with some excitement as he too was excited to continue once more.
As we were about to continue our confrontation. Lighting struck the ground in front of us and a chariot with a giant of a man descends from the sky interrupting our duel. With his arms stretched out and a massive grin on his face he was clearly Rider.
Both of you, sheathe your swords for you in the presence of a King!" He bellowed out to the both of us. Why was he here and why did he interrupt our fight? But more importantly how long has he been watching us?
'Well that was rather unexpected.' Were the first things that popped into Archer's mind he had no idea on how this would go and the guy seems pretty strong too. Not to say he was just sitting around doing nothing of course.
He saw one of the Assassin around here and the info from Kiritsuga told me that he was supposed to be killed by some high level Caster class servant and the master fled into the Church for protection.
It appears by having a high level threat visible all the others would focus on Caster while the other would ignore Assassin while he deals with the masters. Pretty sneaky and smart of them to pull here but not good enough. Replacing my YCS, I pulled out the modified sniper I got and then took aim and took him out quickly and quietly.
I then updated the info to Kiritsuga who acknowledged it and set about trying to find Lancer's master. While I pulled out my YCS and took careful watch of the battle. It appears Saber took my lessons and reminder to heart as she avoided many near death strikes and pushed the advantage till the big guy came.
I must admit that was a heck of an epic entrance there, then he foolishly let loose his identity then had the gall to ask us to surrender the Grail to him and join his group. He seems cool but the fact he called himself King of Conquers had me worried and reminded me of that man.
Needless to say I was reminded of Caesar and me and Caesar got along like me planting C4 all over his camp and me vaporizing him to ashes. "Such a shame that neither of you chose to join me." I quickly cut of my daydreaming and remembered that Saber and Lancer denied him. Then he scarily looked to my direction. "How about you who killed Assassin hidden among the shadows?"
I would have been very surprised by his perception skills but this was something I could not do anything to put it to public knowledge. Besides, no plan survives first contact with the enemy after all.
He then ordered my appearance before him under the authority of his right as King, fool I serve no king and the only one I serve currently is Lady Irisviel. Then a golden portal appeared and there stood the Caster servant that utterly annihilated Assassin the first time.
I must say he did not look the part of Caster, with his golden hair and armor, ruby red eyes, a cruel sneer, and an aura that reminded me of Benny with his arrogance plaguing his thoughts while he begged like a fool for his life before I ended it.
Then he spoke of copies and fools and how he was the one true king and how we should all bow before him. He was really starting to get on my nerves as I aimed at his head. Then as if responding to my thought the Berserker of the war came and he appears similarly dressed to Saber.
It was probably a knight from her time. Then he started charging at Caster who sneered and used golden portals to launch weapons at him. Ah I can see how he was possibly summoned as Caster, the portals used to launch those weapons most be magical in origin and passed close enough to be Caster prowess.
Heck if I wasn't summoned already as Archer that guy would have been it. Then the Berserker displayed a huge amount of skills not thought possible in a normal Berserker as he danced through the storm of blades. (Basically like what happened in the episode)
Then after the battle Berserker turned his attention to Saber, then he started to go into a combat pose and charged at her. Crap! Now that asshole of Lancer's master is using a command seal to force him to fight.
I did not want to reveal anything but Saber's an ally and Irisviel might use a command seal to make me appear so I quickly got out of my stealth suit and applied the Remnants Power Armor or otherwise known as X-01 Armor model F with Saturnite plating and charged into the battlefield.
It was getting increasingly difficult to face the onslaught of both Lancer and Berserker as I dodged another stab from Lancer just as I raised my shield to defect most of the damage from Berserker.
'I do wander if Archer will appear and help me.' I thought to myself as Berserker finally manage to knock me down as I stopped another strike from Lancer. As if answering my prayer something pushed Berserker back and knocked him down as the one who did so finally appeared.
Thank then heavens that Archer is here in one of his unique Armor set as he was holding a Warhammer in one hand and a Halberd of sorts in the other hand. Berserker just screamed at him as he then suddenly charged at him then using one of his special ability to assist he stopped time.
I know this well when all of a sudden Berserker has dent marks all over his armors along with strong slashing marks as well. Then he changed to face Lancer who was astonished by someone matching Berserker then switched to his guns.
It was his riot shotguns then he started attempting to start blasting him to pieces and all that could do was push him back further and further as he dodged every one of those shots then he reequipped them to be submachine guns then he started having a harder time dodging them.
Then Berserker appeared then charged at him as he reequipped to his ballistic fists then punched him as the blast knocked him back then he ran really fast then tackled him to the ground then Archer raised his arm to bash him in when he suddenly dissipated.
Shifting his in confusion he jumped to another side to face Lancer who had both spears out while Archer reequipped the familiar Halberd and a purple electric axe of sorts. "Considering that we have seen all the servants here save for Assassin and Archer, I am going to go on a tangent and guess you to be Archer."
Lancer stated to which Archer ignored once more but took his silence as a yes as he continued on. "Though I never thought that there would be an Archer who also specialize in close combat as well."
Then Archer reequipped his armor once more surprising Lancer and Rider who was looking at him in complete interest. It was his Elite Riot Gear as he called it the best mix of protection and weight which he uses a lot in his adventure.
Though the glowing lens intimidated her a bit, she can now clearly see that Archer is a fearsome yet honorable warrior of sorts. He then materialized his Katana and Machete Gladius and then charged at Lancer as he too charged at him. They entered a stream of combat with either one not gaining any advantage and Lancer's spears were useless as his armor was not magical in nature and the armor bits protected his vitals from the cursed one.
Then they both backed off then Archer called out a laser gun and aimed it onto the roofs where they later heard a scream from Lancer's master. Angrily looking at him he declared they will fight and he will avenge his master while Archer stayed silent as Lancer left.
"So you are Archer. You are quite impressive so I will give you the same offer I offered to everyone else. Would you like to be part of my army and surrender the Holy Grail to me? I will treat you as an equal and friend, people of your skill set are not common after all."
I looked in to see him shaking his head in disagreement before he finally spoke up since this night went. "I already made my vow to serve the one who summoned me, and besides conquest does not interest me Rider." He clearly does not like to betray people another point to him.
Then Archer continued on. "Though that does not mean my master is interested in forming an alliance with you, you want me you have to get my master's approval." Which he look quite happily at while I was confused as to why he offered it.
Then he laughed heartily and left on his chariots and then Archer left as well to keep up the illusion that I was with Irisviel. Who at this time looked very much memorized by the servant she summoned and I could not blame her. A ranged warrior who can fight in close combat and rival Berserker in strength was a rare one indeed. I was still confused as to why Archer kept the alliance possibility open.
Kiritsugu was amazed and shocked at the servant Irisviel summoned he was not only able to take on Berserker in strength in that power armor of his. But he was also able to push back Lancer and spotted where Lancer's master was as if it was nothing.
But that made him all the more dangerous as well. As he has high level independent action he could do something that could threaten them as well. But Boone assured he is not the one to betray, while Kiritsugu was clearly warming up to him.
Both have lost their family and had to put them down while Kiritsugu put his father down because he was a monster. For Boone it was to spare his wife and unborn child from a fate worse than death. When they got set up first Boone noticed there were two Assassins around to which he quickly took aim and took one of them down while the other was dealt with by Archer.
He was still concerned that Archer revealed himself and shown himself to be a formidable ally. Though he does wonder if Archer went in of his own volition or if Irisviel forced him to. When they get back they will have a talk about this.
He was still suspicious of him as he claimed to have no wish of his own. Which is silly since everyone has something they want. It could be possible he desire to save his world from nuclear destruction. But still all that Archer desire was to see him and Irisviel safely to the end.
Normally he would have dismissed that but since Archer replaced most of Irisviel with fake organs and limbs she no longer needed to be the lesser grail and could live to be with their daughter assuming they survive this. But for now he will keep a close eye on Archer.
There you could feel the tension in the room between the Magus Killer and the Courier as both stood and stared one another down in the mansion. Then Archer spoke first to break the silence.
"You gave no orders for that conflict I tried to get into contact with you which you ignored." He spoke seriously as Kiritsugu asked him. "So were you in the fight to protect Irisviel then?" to which he gave a shrug that indicated maybe.
"I was under the impression that Saber was an ally so I chose the moment to appear so that way it would not appear as though I am her ally but a different party that chose to join in on the fight. But also because I was under the impression that Irisviel would have summoned me in her panic and those command seals are important and a last resort that I wish for her to hold."
To everyone in the room that sounded rather reasonable and fitting for him. While Kiritsugu continued on with his questioning. "Why did you gave the idea that any of us might be willing to accept an alliance with him?"
To which he replied "War is something that teaches you to make alliances so you can survive. By placing an option where Rider could possibly seek an alliance still he would be more hesitant about attacking us so it reduces the risk he will confront us."
That was rather sound and sneaky of him, putting Rider in a place where he might want to fight but did not do so because there is still a possible alliance to seek. "So at best we just have to worry about Caster, Lancer, Berserker, and the multiple Assassins."
Kiritsugu at this point decided it was pointless to continue on and figure that he needed to communicate with Saber and Archer more so they can coordinate attacks and plans well regardless of his own feeling for it.
"Lancer, Berserker, Rider, and Caster. What do you two think about them and their capabilities?" This surprised Saber and Archer but they decided to respond on it. Also Archer let Saber go first.
"Lancer is a deadly opponent and not one to be trifled with but considering we have his identity and I have the protection and skills needed to deal with him he is not much trouble. Rider is Alexander the Great and someone we have only see one Noble Phantasm out of I do not know if he has anymore so he is an unknown. Berserker has surprisingly good skills for someone who's supposed to lose their sanity add in the fact he can seemingly convert anything into a Noble Phantasm is quite worrying and has unmatched strength and speed so he is very troublesome. Caster is someone who can seemingly use magic to launch what appears to be an endless amount of Noble Phantasms at people so currently I would say he poses the greatest danger to us all." Saber finished as Kiritsugu nodded at her assessment.
When Archer stood up to speak. "My assessments are roughly the same as Saber here but servants with their identity are less of a risk compared to servants unknown to us. So Rider and Lancer are on the lower tier while Caster and Berserker are people we need to deal with and take extreme caution around." Archer warned them all which they accepted that but then her smirked.
"However based on Caster's personality and traits I can safely assume his identity based on the clues there are." And that caught everyone's attention as they had no idea of where to look for. "Hey I did read those books that your family has master and I decided to study every possible hero summoned to be in the war. When you take into the fact that Caster is a King that narrows it down but add in the fact that he's extremely arrogant it makes it easier to narrow down. However the final key was the fact he referred to all those weapons as treasure." Which he then took in the sight as they were carefully paying attention as he continued on. "Based on these traits and the way it works I can only assume him to be Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes." Archer declared as everyone looked impressed and Saber using her limited connection to the throne was able to connect it and Archer seemed to be correct on that.
"That is impressive Archer and if you pay attention to his story it really does seem like the best possible choice." She spoke out to which he nodded in thanks while Kiritsugu just marveled at how perceptive Irisviel's servant is. Then he had to ask something important.
"Can you possibly figure out what Berserker's identity as well?" To which he shake his head which disappointed him before lighting up on what Archer said next.
"While I could not pinpoint Berserker's identity I was able to gain lots of clues from the fight and I sent one of my teammates to look for Berserker's possible master. The one known as ED-E is trying to track the master down using the stealth feature ED-E has. But I was able to pinpoint the time of Berserker's nature to Saber's time." Now facing Saber who was amazed by his skills. "Do you know anyone who has possibly hide his identity under someone else, is really skilled with any and all weapons, and that armor make?" to which she took in the time to remember anyone like that but paled at who it could be.
"I remember a knight life that once, it was Lancelot." She spoke softly and upset at what happened. Kiritsugu was indifferent, while Irisviel looked worried for her, and Archer looked sympathetic before ED-E appeared before them.
"Ah ED-E have you found any info on Berserker's master?" to which ED-E trilled and beeped at as Archer started to smile which to other told him that it was yes and everyone started to listen to the conversation that ED-E has recorded on Berserker's master. By the time it ended he frowned and contemplative before he started scowling which surprised the others as he tried to never let his emotions rule him.
"What is it you found about him?" Saber demanded as Archer looked rather grim and started to explain everything. "Okay as it turns out Berserker's master did not want to fight but rather a hostage situation of sorts. It turns out from what the info ED-E was able to gather the one who has a hostage appears to be holding a young girl hostage and from what it seems like she is being tortured the way Berserker's master is right now." He took a pause as he absorbed the look of fury on Saber and horror on Irisviel and indifference on Kiritsugu as he continued on. "These worms that ED-E seen and x-rayed were within him and is slowly killing him and when he went to examine the mansion that he was at for a moment's notice he was able to pick up lots of worms in their basement and a young child surrounded in it in areas that is too sick to speak of."
With that Irisviel paled and started vomiting to the side while Saber's look of fury promised pain and Kiritsugu had a brief but murderous look in his eyes. While Archer felt every instinct in his body scream at him to eliminate that monster but it would not be easy. Now facing Irisviel.
"I know we must win the war but I cannot do so while there is a child in distress milady I must save her!" Now looking to Kiritsugu who would have said no if it wasn't for the benefits he spoke about. "Kiritsugu I know you don't want to do this but there are ways that we can use this to our advantage. If we save the girl we can get a contestant to quit and there will be one less servant to deal with or we can use it to acquire the help him and his servant. Who I need to remind you was able to match Caster's weapons and turn them against him."
Then he turned around and gave guilty look on his face while Saber only nodded in understanding. While Kiritsugu was contemplating the whole situation. While the girl was not their issue he started to imagine Ilya in the girl's place then he took in all the advantages that could come with it.
"I am the man who walks with the least amount of bloodshed if what you say is true Archer then we should rescue her once we get the full workings of the place and a plan to use." Which made Saber nodded regally and Archer to smile and Irisviel to look hopeful for the girl.
Saber was really eager for this confrontation, if this goes well then she can have her finest knight back under her command and rescue the girl while they were out it. But first Kiritsugu needed to cut off the world from the mansion to which he did then the plan was starting. She was honestly started to think that Archer was right about her master. True he may seem to be a coward and all but will do the right thing at the end of the day if it means suffering for it. What next a goop of pure evil trying to destroy the world?
she readied her true invisible sword for this while Archer equipped himself with a power armor set called the T-51 and a incredibly powerful flamethrower to burn all those godforsaken worms to ash. She then headed to door and Archer kicked it down while they enter the manor. while she had seen lots of horrible things in her life the pure sickness this manor brings out is just pure evil.
then she shouted out "show yourself you coward!" hoping to provoke a reaction out of the monster in human skin.
"not likely I am a pragmatist after all." the disgusting voice called out to them "Giving you people a target to aim at is suicidal now why are you here? I am not participating in War so leave unless you want the supervisor to hear of this. Also I have protection against servants as well." he taunted them.
"Even against servants with magic resistance?" Kiritsugu retorted back as then a huge swarm of bugs headed their way Archer took point and his weapon breathed green flame on them and burning them apart while Kiritsugu clad in the Assassin Suit which she found ironic. left to pursue the leech abomination.
As me and Archer continued to destroy every bug in the while Kiritsugu was engaging the demon which she could tell as she heard gun shots all over and then they both stopped when they head a young girl scream and lo and behold the one they were suppose to rescue is in front of them. to which Archer quickly calmed her down and then picked her up while they retreated from the house while nodding to me.
That was the sign to let loose only a third of my Noble Phantasm's power which the demon seemed to take not and quickly rushed to take me on only to be help back by Archer's flames and I managed to destroy the house while Kiritsugu managed to let loose a Origin shot in the biggest pile of the demons which caused it to screech in pain before rotting away. At last we manage to save the girl.
Archer then took a look at her who was knocked out during the fight which was a mercy in my opinion then he called out the noble phantasm that helped save Irisviel's life and put her in while they set about to remove the worms from her. taking one last look at the ruined manor we left a note to where we are and how to reach us and hopefully we can gain an alliance. Either way we still manage to save a child.
By the time Berserker's master caught up to us and we explained everything and shown the girl completely unharmed and worms removed he collapse to the ground crying tears of joy and summoned Berserker to remove his mad enhancement so they can interact properly and have a touching reunion with his king as both hugged out all their issues and reconciled at last.
I then told him I can remove the worms to which he denied it as he still needs to supply Berserker with mana and aid us. So now we have three servants with us and the single greatest force in the holy grail war right now. I don't how this will end but I can only assume the best for us in the future.
Author's notes
Hey guys here is another chapter now and all the Faves on this story convince me to make the whole story now. so I will do my best to live up to your expectations so please read and review and like to support me!
