Void Bladeworks

(A Zero no Tsukaima and Fate / Stay Night crossover)


Disclaimer: seriously no one's bored writing this every time?

AN : dun dun dun here comes the next chapter

Zaralann: thanks for the review!

Dragfire: ecchi scene is only for that chapter, back to action on this one~

MWkillkenny84: Lol, Avengers. Let's just see what'll happen next shall we =]


"Gentlemen! Presenting Miss Louise Francoise LeBlanc de la Valliere and her escort Mister Shirouko Emilya!"

A butler introduced the two new comers in the ball to the small audience of guests.

Louise and Archerko entered the room from a huge door south of the room. Louise had her left arm around Archerko's right arm as they walked down a small flight of stairs. Siesta walked behind them as their maid. Everybody was looking at them. Some of the onlookers were smiling in adoration to see the two look so good together while there were some who had frowns on their faces for they expected Louise to come alone again.

"Who is he? I haven't heard of him before!"

One of the noble ladies there who would rather make an enemy out of Louise than a friend grunted angrily.

"Probably some commoner folk she had to reward to come just to not look bad." One of that girl's friends added.

"He is so dreamy…" A girl from the opposite side of the room sighed while she admired the charming face of the princely boy Louise had with her.

"Hey! I'm your boyfriend damn it stop looking at other men with those lustful eyes!" That girl's boyfriend growled angrily as he turned her away from Louise's direction.

Louise decided to ignore all the comments, both positive and negative and walked forward with Archerko. Even though the party was just starting she was all too excited to go back to the academy but that's impossible since they had to stay there for three days with this being the first.

"This is quite grandeur…" Archerko said as she surveyed the room.

The room was filled with light illuminated from golden chandeliers which were lit with power of magic. The room was big, almost exactly as big as a soccer field. The ceiling was supported by sixteen pillars: five pillars for each of the longer side of the triangular room while there were three pillars each to support the shorter sides. There were two long tables that stretched across the entire length of the room, or rather there were eight tables joined together to look like two long tables. The tables were decorated heavily with expensive silk to act as their cover and some expensive silverware which were literally made in gold and silver.

On top of the table were delicacies that suited nobles from around the continent. There were roasted pigs, some cocktails, some salad, some turkey, and some food from anywhere you can think of. Having anticipated that guests will have different appetites the host took all the trouble to research the culture of different clans in the continent. Even the design of the mantles that draped the tables matched the culture of the food sitting on top of it.

"If you think this is grand, you should come to a party the Princess hosts." Louise joked and smiled at Archerko. For some reason talking to Archerko like this eases her worries a bit.

Archerko surveyed the people in the castle. They were all wearing such flashy attires. The common color the people loved to wear was the color purple. Archerko understood why. Even in her home world, purple denoted fortune and royalty. That's why in games, those who actually buy added contents choose to have their names dyed in color purple.

Up north Archerko noticed a stage filled violinists and flutists. It seemed that choirs are not missing in this world. Of course they would be familiar of music even though she has yet to see a guitar or a piano which were the most common in her world. They were playing a gentle tune to soothe the guests who just arrived there after a moderately long travel.

Louise continued to walk with Archerko. She noticed some young girls eye her escort with gleaming eyes. She felt kind of proud to be seen holding arms with such a charming person. This is the first time people looked at her with such envy, apart from those who just looked at her for being a Valliere.

"There you are Louise, I'm so glad that you could join us."

A noble lady about Louise's age approached them. She was wearing a violet one piece dress with frilly sleeves. Unlike Louise who tried to keep it simple this girl was wearing a ton load of trinkets ranging from golden earrings, necklaces and golden rings with diamond gems. Other than that she was also pretty arrogant on how she talked while she proudly displayed those proud overly developed breasts of hers.

Beside the lady was her escort. A boy with short golden hair wearing something that looked like blue tux. He had a sword sheathed around his waist while wearing a smug grin on his face.

"And who is this?" The lady turned to Archerko.

"I'm sorry Silvia but didn't the butler announce our names?" Archerko asked sarcastically.

"This must be one of those girls Louise mentioned." Archerko clicked her tongue. She too was getting pissed with this lady in front of them.

"That's a sharp tongue you have. It's sad your magic isn't as sharp."

Silvia insulted Louise before laughing mockingly to be heard by everyone near her.

"I heard you summoned a commoner for a familiar how pitiful!" She continued to mock the other mage.

Louise already had her hand in a fist before Archerko stepped forward.

"I'm sorry for my rudeness, I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Shirouko Emilya. It's truly an honor to meet someone as elegant as you."

Archerko said this with hardened voice and utmost politeness. She extended her hand to offer the lady a kiss on her hand.

"Ah someone who knows class when they see one. I am not sure what you saw on that failure but you seem civilized."

The lady stretched gave Archerko her hand which she expected to be kissed. Archerko received her hand with her own right hand and touched her sleeve gently.

"Trace… on…" She murmured to herself.

In an instant, Silvia's clothes were reduced to tatters as parts of it shattered like glass. Bits of clothing were flying everywhere as her now, almost naked body was completely exposed to the public. Everybody was surprised with the sudden explosion of fabric but what was even more surprising was what they saw on Silvia's breasts. Everybody was shocked to see jelly like things resting around the lady's bosom. It was as if they were placed there to shape her chest to her liking under her dress.

"U-U-Uwah!"

Silvia cried as she hid her exposed top in her arms while her date covered her lower part with his own tunic that he just removed. Her face was as red as a rotten tomato while everybody around her was laughing uncontrollably.

"Y-You did this!"

Silvia looked at Archerko with angry eyes. It didn't help that Archerko was still smiling calmly as if she expected it to happen.

"W-wait Arch… err… Shirouko had nothing to do with this. It's all a misunderstanding!"

Louise tried to get in between her familiar and the noble to stop a potential fight. She didn't worry if Archerko could handle herself or not, she already knew that she would make quick work of that idiot with Silvia but she just didn't want to cause a ruckus.

"Behave you!" Louise whispered to her familiar.

"Can't help it… my anti-bitch hormones are tingling..." Archerko smirked.

"Get him!" She ordered her date despite Louise's protest.

The boy left his tunic with Silvia before drawing his sword at Archerko. Everyone in the room backed away from the boy with the blade as he prepared to attack the disguised familiar. Archerko pulled Louise away and stood in front of her with nothing but her hands to face the boy.

"I will teach you to mess with a noble!"

The boy lunged at Archerko aiming to bury his rapier on her chest. His form was average to a trained swordsman but it was mediocre at best to the eyes of a professional. His form in midair left him so many openings and Archerko could've exploited them all so easily. She could've ducked and kicked him under his balls where it would hurt the most, she could've side stepped before countering with a turning long to sweep the boy aside before he can land or she could've simply dragged a table and place it in front of her and let gravity do all the work. But Archerko was a showoff no matter how humble everyone thinks she was, so she slowly raised her hand and waited for the exact moment when she can grab him by the throat and humiliate him.

"Ah!"

The boy got tossed back before Archerko could grab him. The sword of a righteous knight stopped the boy in his tracks before things escalated.

"Eh?"

Archerko turned to see who interrupted their fight.

"Oh… it's you." The familiar smiled, refreshed to see a familiar face other than Louise.

"Shirouko now is it? Well whatever…"

The Knight Captain Agnes grinned before sheathing her sword. She was wearing a black velvet chevalier collared tunic with matching black velvet medeval pants. She turned to the boy who still gripped his sword tightly as the knight approached him.

"You're excitedly gripping your sword? Does that mean you're eager to fight me? Or is that desperation?" The captain asked.

The boy who was thrown back was trembling in front of the captain who repelled him. For a noble, honor is everything. Just now his and his woman's reputation just got soiled and his ego is telling him to do something about it.

"Stand down Captain; I doubt the young man there would want to fight you."

Finally, the person whom the Captain escorted in this ball approached to greet her friend and also to stop the fight. It was Henrietta wearing a beautiful long dress, covered in diamond and other jewelry to match the crown sitting lovely on her head.

"Miss Silvia, not only did you insult my best friend, but you also endangered her life along with everyone else… including mine."

Henrietta sounded pissed as she lectured the shamed noble who was standing behind her date.

"B-but my lady I…"

Silvia's face was stained in panic. In front of her majesty her noble lineage meant nothing. Also she realized that she did indirectly place the Royal Princess' life in danger. That was truly a serious charge: compromising the life of Royalty; the maximum punishment of that sin is death by Tristanian laws.

"My lady I apologize!" Knowing her future if she resisted she desperately prostrated herself in front of the royal highness.

"You can start by asking him to lower his weapon and calm down."The princess pointed at the escort who still grasped his sword tight while trembling in front of the Knight Captain.

"Y-yes my lady! You idiot stop it!"

The girl was relieved to hear that the Royal Highness wasn't going to charge her. She hurriedly stopped her escort and made him lower his weapon. The boy nodded and sheathed his weapon before looking at Archerko who was behind Agnes.

"Consider yourself lucky. If the skillful sword of the Knight Captain did not protect you, your blood would've spilled on this floor." The boy said cockily.

"Protect her… ouch!"

Archerko stepped on the Knight Captain's foot for accidentally saying 'her'. They exchanged weird looks for a few seconds before the captain corrected herself.

"Protect HIM? I'm not sure what you're talking about." Agnes emphasized on 'him' to go with Archerko's demands.

The man left with a troubled face to follow his partner while Agnes was continued to get poked by Archerko for almost blurting out her secret.

"Good afternoon everyone!"

A lady about Louise's age in a one piece pink medeval garb and tunic walked from the front to the center of the room. It seems that she was the host for this party.

"Let's forget about this little incident and continue on with the celebration. Get acquainted and mingle!"

The girl approached her Highness and the group to join them in chatting.

"My dear, go get changed, this isn't a naked party." She whispered to Silvia who took her escort out of the room to save what was left of her dignity.

"Quite the arrangement you've prepared Miss Fayre de la Blancbaston."

Henrietta was the first to talk to the patron of the party. The girl smiled in delight to be complemented by the princess.

"Oh 'tis but a humble gathering of nobles."

The lady noticed Louise and Archerko who were silently looking at her and the princess talk. She approached the Silver-haired prince and the mage with the intention of chatting.

"Louise, so glad you could join us. You look very pretty in that dress and your escort looks so charming. I believe you have the best chance for winning the best couple award."

"Best couple award? We're doing that this year again?"

Louise sighed. She remembered the previous years where the best couple would be called on a stage up north while they were thrown flowers and stuff like they were newlyweds. It would be fine if not for the event that happens next where each of the couples are asked to dance with all of the participants of the opposite sex.

"Care if I join in my ladies?"

The voice of a noble prince entered their conversation from behind Henrietta. Louise and the princess were familiar with the voice while Archerko and Fayre turned to see who it was.

"Wales!" The princess looked awfully happy to see her cousin.

The prince of Albion, Prince Wales Tudor, was wearing a Blue Chevalier's Coat with accolades all over. Unlike the princess he cared not to wear a crown but instead, around his waist was a golden decorative sword.

"Henrietta you look so lovely yet again." The prince admired his cousin's attire.

"Prince Wales it's an honor."

Louise bowed to honor the prince of Albion and she prompted Archerko to do the same. Having no choice in the matter, Archerko just bowed elegantly like a young duke bowing before his king.

"Knight Captain Agnes, I saw what happened. Thank you for stopping that man before he caused more trouble."

The prince tapped Agnes' shoulder who immediately bowed as well.

"It was my duty your Excellency."

The knight captain humbly accepted the praise but was quick to rationalize her actions. She didn't care about accepting complements for heroism when it's merely her job to stop trouble on its root.

"And you are?"

The prince noticed the silver-haired boy who had his hair in a bun. He approached the boy and offered his hand for a hand shake.

"Shirouko Emilya your grace." Archerko accepted the offer and shook the prince's hand.

"You are very pretty for a boy. If I didn't know better I'd say you're a girl in disguise."

The prince said this jokingly before bursting into laughter.

"Ah… y-yeah…"

Archerko and Louise were sweating buckets after that last comment. Henrietta and Agnes were giggling on the other hand. The prince would be shocked to know on how point-on he was to the truth but thank goodness no one would give him that information.

"If Louise has someone as handsome as you then The Griffin Knight Captain Wardes will have competition in his hands."

"Griffin what?" Archerko asked confused.

"Ah you didn't know. Ouch!"

The prince's foot was smashed by Henrietta's pointy heel. She had a stern and dark look on her face which terrified her cousin. The prince's face covered in sweat as he prayed for his life and trembled in front of an angry princess.

"That would be me." Another voice interrupted the group just in time to save the prince.

"…!"

Louise was shocked to see the new comer's face. She had no idea that he was invited. She cringed a bit; it was a bad idea to have brought Archerko here with that man.

"My name is Jean-Jacques Francis de Wardes. I'm pleased to meet you."

The man helped himself into the group and offered Archerko a handshake which the latter accepted. The man was wearing a brown hat to go with his silver tunic and grey pants. He had silver hair which only paled a little compared to Archerko's and had silver mustache and beard.

"I can't say that I'm not jealous Louise." Wardes turned to Louise who blushed a little before turning away.

"I…" Louise couldn't look at the man or Archerko in their eyes.

"Ha-ha, don't worry Louise I know how hard it is to contact me because of my job. Otherwise I'm sure you would've asked me."

Wardes gave off another laugh before turning again to Archerko.

"I want to thank you for safely escorting my Louise here. I'm her fiancée." Wardes said this coldly.

"Eh? Fiancée?" Archerko turned to Louise.

"T-that's!" Louise gasped as she tried to explain.

"… Well then I suppose it'd be rude of me to get in between the two of you."

Archerko smiled at Louise before slowly walking away. She didn't say anything but if someone looked closely they were sure to notice her gleaming, watery eyes. She walked casually as if nothing happened and made it look like she was just going to meet some of the other nobles.

"E- Excuse me…"

Siesta who was disappointed at Louise left Louise as well and followed Archerko.

"I… I…" Louise tried to chase after the two but both disappeared in the vastness of the crowd.

"What's wrong Louise?"

The Viscount Wardes held Louise by her hand and pulled her closer.

"Don't tell me that you had feelings for that boy…" Wardes said this in a downhearted tone.

"I…"

Louise was lost on what to say. She paused for a moment before waving her head.

"No… he was just my escort."

Louise felt that she could cry with that lie. She knew deep inside that she loved her familiar but she couldn't betray Wardes who was chosen for her by her parents. She wanted to run, and find her beloved to explain everything and to make things right but she couldn't.

"Archerko... I…. I'm sorry." She thought to herself before almost breaking down in tears.

"My Lady, seeing that the Prince Wales is already here… may I…"

"Go Knight Captain Agnes."

Henrietta knew immediately that the captain felt the need to comfort her friend. Agnes slowly walked through the crowd to find the familiar and the maid. She felt sorry for Louise but she felt worse for Archerko.

Meanwhile outside the mansion.

"So you're here." Siesta approached the lady sitting over a cliff while watching the sun set on the sea.

"Ah, Siesta!"

Archerko turned to see Siesta who walked closer and sat beside her.

"What are you doing here? You should be enjoying the party."

Archerko suggested for Siesta to go back in. It's unfair that the maid had to stay with her outside while everybody else was dancing merrily inside.

"I'm a maid; I'm not particularly fond with the extravagant atmosphere inside." Siesta waved her head after she declined Archerko's suggestion.

"That was very surprising though. Who knew that her fiancée would be here?"

Archerko giggled. However, despite her forceful attempts to look cheerful the maid looked at her with pitying eyes.

"Miss Archerko it's fine to be sad when you're sad… you don't have to force yourself to smile." The maid tried to comfort her master for the next three days.

"I couldn't have said it better myself."

Agnes finally found them and decided to join in after eavesdropping for a bit. Her usual cold and serious face looked more sympathetic. Usually this was a sight to behold and Archerko would find it cute but in her current state it was more of an unintended insult.

"When you're hurt you don't have to force yourself to look strong in front of everyone. You're just too cool… rely on others sometimes will you?" Agnes said all these before she sat down beside Archerko opposite of Siesta.

"Eh? So you think I'm cool Captain?" Archerko sheepishly asked.

"W-well…"

The knight captain blushed and for a moment there she wished she didn't say what she just did. Ever since her fight with Archerko and after witnessing her abilities in the mansion, there was no moment that she didn't think Archerko was not cool.

"See Miss Archerko, why be sad about one washboard when there are two beautiful ladies loving you crazy like this?" Siesta said while she clung around Archerko's left arm.

"Yeah…"

Ten seconds. That was time it took before what Siesta said finally registered in Agnes' brain. Upon realizing what she just agreed to her face swelled bright red as smoke seemed to come out of her ear.

"W-what do you mean loving her crazy?"

Agnes frantically stood up while flailing at Siesta and finally lost all her composure.

"Hey we're on a cliff be careful! It might not be that high but it's still going to hurt!"

Archerko waved her hand to calm the captain. Beneath the cliff were thorn gardens and dead logs. It's impossible to get out of there without having to remove splinters all over your body after.

"By the way Miss Archerko I've been thinking…" Siesta ignored the Captain's tantrums and decided to change the topic.

"Thinking about what? That fatso which tried to hit on you?" Archerko replied.

"No!"

Siesta cried with a disgusted face. Remembering that shameful excuse for a human being was something not pleasant to anyone's palette.

"I was thinking about your ability to summon weapons."

The maid remembered how the familiar conjured dozens of weapons of different varieties in that fight in the manor. All of the weapons came in different sizes, some were human sized, and some were as small as a kitchen knife while some were taller than a human.

"You can levitate them and fire them in different directions. So… I was wondering if maybe you can ride one of them and fly."

"…"

The place was silent for a moment. The two thought about what Siesta just said.

"You know… I haven't really tried to do that…"

Archerko pondered on the theory. In her long years both as a servant and a counter-counter-guardian she has never thought about riding her own weapons. It's probably because they disappeared too fast when she was still too weak. After long years of experience, she's now able to maintain her projections for hours and so that problem is immediately disregarded.

"Why don't we try it?"

Archerko excitedly got off her feet and doubled back to a clearing a few feet away from the cliff. Then she raised her hands with her palms pointing downwards on the ground where she wanted her projection to appear.

"Hey! This is not exactly the best place to invent a new move."

Agnes was with the idea of trying out a flying move but she was against the idea of trying it there. Not too far from them was a noble's vacation mansion and damaging it will prove to be expensive. Not to mention that it would be hard to explain to the Royal Highness if some sort of trouble was to happen.

"Relax. I'm not about to fire something at the mansion. Hmm… what's the best weapon to… aha!"

Archerko imagined the thickest and tallest weapon in her arsenal that she can make a quick replica of. The weapon she imagined was the sword of the most muscular man that was ever summoned to fight in the Holy Grail war. It dwarfed swords and humans as it stood at the height of a staggering ten feet tall and three feet thick. It made a huge thud on the ground as it fell from a feet where it was conjured. Its original's name was The Nine Lives and this was The Nine Lives Replica. As impressive as it sounds, this replica only had the original's looks and none of its abilities because Archerko didn't bother to imbue them with such for it won't be used for fighting, at least not now.

"That's one big sword."

Agnes was astounded at the mere size of the sword. She has seen similar swords wielded by giants but they never had such deadly design.

"Siesta come!"

Archerko reached for Siesta's hand as she stepped on the sword and had it levitate half a feet above into the air. Siesta looked hesitant and scared to get on the sword as she approached Archerko.

"I-is it safe?" Siesta asked with trembling voice.

"This was your idea…"

Archerko reminded Siesta of what the maid said herself just a few seconds ago.

"It's only fair that you try it first along with me."

Archerko pulled Siesta on the sword gently as the maid surrendered her hand.

"Okay let's go!"

The Nine Lives moved slowly from the clearing to the edge of the cliff with Archerko and Siesta on it. It crept into a crawl until it finally left the cliff while levitating ten feet from the ground below. Then after Archerko set its final trajectory the sword zoomed in sub sonic speed.

"Kyahh!"

Siesta shouted as she got blown off the sword. She thought she was going to die but her hand was caught by Archerko who was grinning as she pulled her back.

"Hold on to me tight! As the master of this sword I can have my feet stuck to it like it was nailed." Archerko said cockily.

"T-that sounds painful." Siesta imagined actual nails connecting Archerko's foot and the big sword.

"I'd say glue, but I'm not sure if this world has any…"

After that comeback, she had the sword fly them in sonic speed to the ocean's direction. The wind they generated just by flying was enough have leaves detach from trees and uproot some small plants.

"Hold on tight Siesta!" Archerko suggested.

"W-what are you planning?"

Siesta feared the cockiness in Archerko's tone. When she sounds like that she's usually prepared to show off something spectacular but what's spectacular for Archerko in this height and speed may mean death to Siesta.

"Weeeee!"

With only a little warning, Archerko had the sword rotate and send them whirling upside down.

"Kyahh!"

Siesta squealed as she felt her stomach churn while they spun like a drill in midair. The maid hugged Archerko tightly to cling on dear life.

"M-Miss Archerko you meanie!" The maid cried as tears erupted from her eyes.

"Okay, we're going back…"

Archerko felt that she already tortured Siesta enough and decided that it was time they headed back to Agnes who was still on that cliff. There was only one problem.

"Uh…"

Archerko groaned.

"W-what's the problem?"

Siesta didn't like that groaning sound.

"I don't know how to turn this around…" Archerko replied.

"W-what?" Siesta panicked after hearing that.

"Yep we're probably going to crash somewhere. Let's just hope someone recognizes our dismembered bodies. In this speed I doubt that…"

"Kyahh!"

Siesta cried out loud. The image Archerko was giving her was too much for her to handle.

"A-ha-ha,"

Archerko laughed.

"Relax I have an idea! Now hold on tight!" Archerko commanded.

That cockiness again appeared in Archerko's tone. Siesta prepared herself for another life threatening experience. Was it going to be another spin? Or maybe this time Archerko will have the sword plunge into vertigo and stop only until they're a few inches away from the ground.

"Hyah!"

After she felt Siesta's hands embraced her tight she grabbed the maid by her waist and carried her off before jumping into a back flip twenty feet above the sea.

"Ah!"

Siesta felt weightless as the familiar completed the back flip and begin free falling. Then before they fell down further from the altitude they made the flip, they stopped. She opened her eyes and saw that they were on another sword while the Nine Lives continued to move forward behind them.

"If I can't turn it around we just have to ride another one that goes the opposite direction right?" Archerko explained.

The new conjured sword flew in sub sonic speed with Archerko's command back to the cliff where Agnes was waiting with a look of astonishment on her face.

"That was incredible!"

Agnes praised the familiar who just landed the sword directly on the edge of the cliff before carrying Siesta who didn't look very well and didn't feel very well.

"Flight-sickness?" Agnes asked the maid who was about to throw up over the cliff.

"It's because…"

Siesta tried to say why she felt sick to her stomach but Archerko went in between them and gently touched her lips where the Captain couldn't see.

"Captain, Siesta needs to rest here for a while. It's your turn now. It's unfair for Siesta to be the only one to experience this."

Archerko had a mischievous grin hidden inside that innocent smile she had on her face. She conjured another Nine Lives and offered for the Captain to get on it.

"M-Miss Archerko…" Siesta sighed. She could feel that after that bad experience inside the mansion, Archerko was trying to rub it off by being mischievously playful.

"I… don't…"

"Oh is the Knight Captain afraid of heights?" Archerko taunted the captain.

"No! I've ridden airships before and this one is just a little faster." The captain got on the sword. Unlike Siesta who clung unto Archerko, the captain held hands with the familiar with their palms pushing rubbing against each other like they were in a dance.

"Okay then… Let's make this more interesting…"

With a flick of Archerko's wrist a large bow appeared in front of the sword. Archerko had its string fully pulled until the nine lives they were on looked like an arrow, a very large deadly arrow.

"W-what are you doing you idiot!"

Agnes knew that this wasn't going to be a pleasurable ride. At least not for her. She remembered how fast Archerko's arrows traveled. To fly at that same speed is just asking for injuries and a death sentence.

"This is a larger version of the bow I use for my Caladbolg II… now let's get going~!"

"N-no! Siesta help me! Get me down from here!" The captain struggled.

"Testalapolca!" Archerko shouted a completely random word as she fired them off in Mach 1 speed (390m/s).

"Gyahh!" The knight captain's screams echoed in the ocean as they quickly disappeared into the horizon.

Three hours after lunch, where many exquisite delicacies where served, it was finally the time for the merriment to push on. Everyone eagerly gathered near the stage up north for a show as the host of the party took the stage.

"I would like to give my thanks to everyone who had to leave their busy lives just to come to my party. It's my honor to host this year's annual party. Now without further ado let's go to the part we all love best! The couple dancing competition." She cheered before she was escorted off the stage by her date.

Every year, a competition is always held in the annual parties. Depending on the kinds of guests in the party they change the kind competition. If more than 70% are mages then they usually held magic talent competitions and if more than 70% are warriors then they hold friendly swordfight competitions with wooden swords. However, if they couldn't reach the deciding number of 70% then a dance competition is held.

"So how's the dance competition going to be held?" One of the nobles asked.

"It's going to be boring if we just watch one couple dance after another so we decided that everybody should have a go at it."

Maids and butlers proceeded to clear the floor after a snap from her fingers. The audience who were escorted unto a balcony watched as the place they stayed on was completely transformed into a medeval dance stage. They laughed and mingled as the white collared works labored into transforming the concrete floor into a shiny dance floor.

"Dancing has always been a good measure of a noble's integrity." One of the nobles who was confident with her skills was quick to talk with her peers.

"When I'm not busy improving my skills I'm always polishing my Waltz." Another girl replied to elevate herself.

"Waltz? That's such a waste of your time girl."

The first girl sneered at her counterpart.

"Polka is what really matters."

She blatantly paraded her skill in front of the other girl with a swing and a turn.

"Not bad, but this will be a couple dance. Are you that confident with your partner? I'll have you know that my partner the son of a duke in Western Tristania is a champion in his town."

All of a sudden the second girl had her chest up high while the other was a crest fallen. It seemed that she wasn't confident with her pick.

"W-Well I'm confident that the judges will love me enough to win for the both of us!"

The first girl stretched her hands beside her hips with while her tensed body trembled.

"Fat chance!" The second girl laughed before she noticed a pink haired girl caught her attention that was leaning on a wall behind the Captain of the Griffin Knights Wardes.

Louise looked depressed as Wardes mingled with another man while they waited. Her eyes were nailed on the ground while her cheeks continued to drop.

"Arch…" She murmured to herself.

"Hey that Louise Valliere, I've never seen her dance before. Think she's good?"

The second girl whispered to her chat mate. She was worried that the Valliere would be a threat to her in the competition.

"I doubt it. I heard she only practiced magic throughout her teenage life." The first whispered. She was very careful not to be heard by the elite noble who was very close to royalty.

"T-then she must be really good with the…"

"No, I heard that she never managed to master even one element." The girl snickered.

"Eh?" The other girl said out loud.

"S-Shh! She'll hear you!"

While some of the girls in the premises were busy talking about themselves and backstabbing their peers Louise was too busy feeling down to notice everything. In her mind right now she wondered if she really wanted to dance with Wardes. She convinced herself that everything she decides on is for the reputation of her beloved family. Despite her success with Archerko her failure to master any of the elements makes her think of her worth. Will a failure of a mage like her amount to something else if she didn't marry into another powerful noble house?

"Louise."

Wardes who just finished mingling with a man in tight suit approached his fiancée. He had a smug look on his face which he quickly brushed off to replace with his 'smiling' charismatic face.

"The dance is about to start. It would be my honor if you would compete in this with me."

Wardes offered to take Louise's hand to take her to the dance floor. Louise reluctantly took his hand and allowed him to lead her there. Everybody looked at her with anticipation. The atmosphere were divided into a feeling of anxiousness and indifference. Some were anxious to find out what the Valliere could do while some were waiting for her to fail.

"I…" Louise wanted to back out for a moment but she was pulled entirely to the center of the floor.

"Okay everyone let's get this going!" The host clapped her hands and a band of five people with stringed instruments entered to act as the choir for everybody.

There were three judges watching the floor. They were all instructors of the dance and some of them were notorious for being very strict. However, this is a party so they were asked to wear a more gentle personality. They normally intimidate dancers with their piercing glares even before the contest starts but today they were all smiles and cheers.

At the sound of the first tune everybody took the hands of their partners and started to gently sway to follow the rhythm. Most of the couples decided to play safe and went with the Waltz and the Foxtrot. The girls had their escorts gently hold them around their waists as they competed for the hearts of the judges. There were some who were cocky enough to try their luck with a different dance like the Tango which needed more space and practice. Quite a few even tried the doubled Samba but had a harder time because of the slower beat the band had best for Waltz and the Foxtrot.

Louise who was least enthusiastic than everyone in the room opted for the simple Waltz with Wardes. Their faces were close to each other but not once did Louise set her eyes on her partner's face. Even when they reached the swing her body moved too stiff for a proper turn.

"What's the matter Louise?"

Wardes asked after he noticed the lack of attention Louise was giving to their dance. He had a disappointed tone in his voice but he continued to wear a smile on his face.

"We won't win this way."

"It's just that I haven't danced in a long time." Louise lied.

"Oh… I guess it's understandable since you've been working hard on your academics." Wardes replied.

"Everyone's doing great!"

The host cheered and encouraged her guests. No matter what, she decided that her party will be a hit.

"Princess Henrietta is looking especially divine with Prince Wales; I think they already started to sweep the competition." She said out loud with every intention to get the Royal highness' attention.

"Did you hear that darling?"

Prince Wales softly whispered to Henrietta's left ear as they swung romantically across the dance floor. Both of them had a loving gaze for each other while they enjoyed each other's company.

"It's all because of you my Prince." Henrietta blushed as she praised her lover.

After a few minutes of slow dancing, except for those who decided to go with the lively Tango, everybody was already halfway towards giving up. They didn't know how they were to be judged so all they could do was continue to move gracefully around the dance floor.

Thirty minutes more, and finally Fayre speaks up.

"Okay the elimination begins now. Whoever will get hit by one of the judges' harmless illumination spells please leave the dance floor." Fayre announced.

The rules were simple. If you get hit by a spell it means you lose and you're out.

Twenty seconds after that announcement. The woman judge sitting at the middle of the other two took her wand and shot a homing ball of yellow light at a couple clumsily prancing at the back of the room. The yellow light was so bright that everyone was surprised before the two people were escorted out of the floor and to the balcony by some maids and butlers.

"That's one!"

Fayre cheered and laughed.

"It doesn't matter if you're in the furthest back part of the room. Our judges are professionals."

After seeing how the first elimination went, Louise wished that the next ball of light would hit her. She rather get humiliated for losing in a dancing competition than feel the way she currently did.

Not long after the first, more of the guests were hit with illumination balls from the judges. It didn't take an hour until only seven pairs were remaining. Louise was surprised that she was still in the competition. She wondered if it was because she was a Valliere and the judges were intimidated to take her out, or because of Wardes who was largely popular for his status as Griffin Knights Captain.

"Finally we're down to the final four!"

Fayre announced as nobles who watched on the balcony clapped and pretended to care. In reality most on the balcony felt bitter that they were not chosen to be a part of the last four.

"Louise we might actually win this."

Wardes smiled at his partner who reluctantly returned the smile.

"You were good with the Mambo before. Let's go with that!"

Wardes decided to kick things up a notch. The Mambo is one of the most sensual and emotional ballroom dances. Swaying hip movements, facial expressions, arm movements and holds all add to the sensuality of the dance. It's legendary in competitions for it has won four of the last seven parties in a row.

"W-Wait I!"

Louise gasped. She wasn't sure if she could follow Wardes in her current state. Since Mambo is very emotional, whatever problems the dancer has internally can affect her dance exponentially.

Wardes pulled Louise closer to start the passionate and flirtatious dance. Every part of the Mambo is energetic, and almost explosive if you will so Wardes started with so much vigor. After pulling Louise who beautifully swung in his arms he immediately flung her back while his hands secured a part of her wrist.

"Magnificent Louise! You're as good as four years ago! No, maybe even better." Wardes encouraged his partner as he continued to lead in the high-energy-level dance.

At this point, even the three contestants, including the Princess of Tristain and the Prince of Albion were looking at Louise with so much awe. The pink-haired mage looked so much like a priceless doll while she was led on by the Griffin Knights Captain.

After a long whirl and a turn, the two reached a step where Wardes had Louise laying backwards in his arms while he leaned forward with one knee slightly bent. It was almost like he was picking up a sleeping beauty by her waist as she slumbered.

The three judges had big smiles on their faces. They were almost nearly ready to declare the two as the winner of the competition. It's too bad that the rules forbade them to do just that for they need to eliminate everybody until only two were left.

"You're very beautiful Louise… I am so honored and I am so eager to have you as my bride soon." Wardes whispered to his partner as they extended the dip step.

"I…"

Louise's eyes watered as she heard that.

"W-What do you mean?" Louise asked while she recovered from the 'dip' and continued to swing with Wardes.

"You didn't know? Your family and mine decided to have our marriage next week." Wardes whispered.

"Huh?"

Louise's eyes widened. Not only did she not hear about that news before, she also did not want to hear it. Her engagement with Wardes was never her choice. She was never able to disobey her parents on what they choose but she found satisfaction on thinking that the day she marries Wardes will still be a decade from now. Hearing that she will be chained to the man she never had feelings for in a week made her heart shatter like a crystal of snow in a sad winter.

"E-excuse me!" Louise cried.

Wardes was about to set Louise for another deep 'dip' but to his surprise, the mage pushed him away. She paused looking at him while stepping back before she ran away while pulling up her skirt to avoid stepping on it.

"Louise!"

Wardes shouted and tried to reach out his hand to grab Louise but it was too late. He was left standing on the center of the dance floor while the three remaining couples continued to dance after a short pause. He watched Louise disappear out the door. Everybody in the balcony gasped in wonder what just happened while Henrietta worried for her friend.

"Prince Wales…" She attempted to talk to her partner.

"You want to go after your friend?"

The Prince of Albion smiled at the Princess.

"I know you're worried for her but believe me when I say that it's best to leave her alone for now. " The prince suggested.

"… Um." Henrietta nodded.

"Besides, from the looks of that boy earlier, what was his name? Shirouko Emilya? I don't think she'll need us." The prince giggled as he swung his partner for a beautiful turn.

Meanwhile outside the castle, a maid was waiting for the two people she was with not too long ago. She stood on the cliff while eyeing the horizon for signs of Archerko and Agnes. A break in the bushes broke her concentration. A white figure appeared from the bushes. The figure is that of a crying girl who looked like she was running away from something.

"M-Miss Louise!" Siesta said aloud.

The maid had a surprised look on her face as her master appeared before her with eyes all red in tears. Siesta took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped some of the dust and tears off Louise's face.

"S-Siesta… Archerko… where is she?" Louise asked.

The mage looked for her familiar who she expected to be around Siesta. However only Siesta was on that hill with the only the plants and the rocks to accompany her.

"She's with Captain Agnes…" Siesta replied.

"Where are they?" Louise continued to ask.

"Well…" Siesta explained to Louise about Archerko's new found ability to ride her summoned weapons. She told Louise every detail on how it felt riding with Archerko on one of her swords.

"Are they coming back?"

Louise hesitantly asked this question with pitiful face and a lonely tone. She thought that maybe her familiar left her for what she did. While it's true that it hasn't even been a year since they met she felt devastated to have Archerko hear that she had a fiancée.

"When Miss Archerko took me for a ride, it only took a while. But I think Miss Archerko intends to play with Knight Captain first before they return. I think Miss Agnes is probably facing a near death experience just about now."

Siesta imagined Archerko tossing Agnes off the sword only to catch the knight after she falls a couple of a hundred meters. The captain would be screaming in despair while begging for mercy and Archerko would be mercilessly controlling the broom in a deathly spiral.

"I… I see…"

Louise twitched her eye weirdly after hearing that.

"Well I guess it won't matter since she probably hates me now." Louise said with a voice filled with regret and self-pity.

"I don't think Miss Archerko hates you Miss Valliere. I don't think that she knows how it is to hate." Siesta replied to try to comfort her master.

"Look out below!"

A voice called out to them. They looked up to see a girl tightly hugged by another girl as they dashed downwards from a height thirty feet higher from the ten feet hill Siesta and Louise were standing on.

"Y-You idiot you'll pay for this!" Agnes cursed as she tightened her embrace around Archerko's waistline.

Siesta pulled Louise away to give Archerko a clear landing path.

"You better make sure that you grab on tight enough!" Archerko had a grin on her face as they approached the landing zone.

"S-slow down! We're about to land so slow down!" Agnes cried.

"Ahaha~!" Archerko laughed playfully while she continued to plunge downward.

"Ahhh!" Agnes cried out loud as her tears were swept away by the wind's friction brushing against her face.

A large thud echoed across the hill after the sword crashed and pierced through a couple of centimeters through the rocky soil. Smoke and dust covered the area leaving bystanders wondering what happened to the two passengers of the flying sword.

"Miss Archerko!" Siesta worried rushed to the scene as the smoke started to clear.

"I won my Captain."

Archerko was seen standing on the hilt of the claymore with the Knight Captain in her hands whom she carried like a princess in distress. She had a smug look on her face as she teased the trembling captain.

"G-get off!"

Agnes struggled and pushed Archerko off the sword. The knight fell on the ground and sat up before catching her breath. She was all pale and sweaty as if she just met a ghost.

"So how many times did you change swords this time?" Siesta asked a question aimed at Archerko.

"I don't know… I guess one or two…" Archerko shrugged.

"One or two?"

Agnes shouted and stood up looking really angry.

"Seventeen times! You dropped and caught me seventeen times!" She roared.

"But you said you could take it."

Archerko moved forward and leaned forward at the Knight Captain.

"What should I take for winning?" Archerko asked teasingly.

"W-wait we never agreed on a bet!" Agnes protested.

"Hmm… I'd like a mansion, or a million gold, but you know what I really want?"

Archerko moved behind the captain and romantically hugged her from behind. She teasingly crept her hands around the captain's sensitive parts. Agnes whimpered as she felt Archerko's touch. She wanted to push her away but for some reason all her strength seemed to be a thing of the past.

"Maybe I should ask for the Captain's virginity?" Archerko whispered to Agnes' left ear.

"A-ah…"

Agnes remembered the bet they had which she lost. 'A night of sinful pleasure' was the bet Archerko wanted and she has still yet to pay that. She wondered if this was Archerko's way of collecting her dues.

"I…"

Boom!

"Uwah!"

The captain was about to say something when they were interrupted with a blast of energy that destroyed the sword they were standing on. Only the hilt remained and a small portion of the blade which was still stuck under the top soil.

"Y-You harlot!" Louise cried as she spammed spells at the familiar who just leapt away from the captain to avoid getting her caught in the cross fire.

"Louise what are you doing here? Is the party finished?" Archerko asked as she landed on the ground. She wore a smile as she approached Louise who looked mad and tearful.

"Y-You're supposed to be my escort… why weren't you dancing with me?" Louise cried as she dived into Archerko's arms.

Archerko caught her master gently in her arms. She wanted to hug her but she couldn't bring herself to wrap her arms around the mage. Even though she persistently said that she was fine, she wondered if she knew how she really felt. She was happy that Louise had someone special to care for her but for some reason she could not bring herself to smile about it. The fake smile she always wore quickly melts into a frown in her heart especially now as Louise pounded on her chest.

"Did that Wardes guy leave you?"

Archerko asked. Her hand quickly turned into a fist as she formed scenarios on how Wardes abandoned Louise.

"If he did something then I…"

"It's not him you idiot! It's you! Where were you?" Louise cried and looked like a child complaining to her parents for not coming to a 'bring your parents to class' day.

"But Louise I…"

Archerko was about to say 'you already have Wardes until she got cut off by the mage again.

"It has to be you!"

Louise shouted before giving Archerko's wrapped chest another loud thud.

"It hurt a lot! When I was in his arms it felt cold. Everything felt cold!"

Louise remembered the cold stares everyone inside gave her. With Archerko around it was bearable but it wasn't the same when she was with Wardes. She felt vulnerable and lonely.

"I- I'm sorry…"

Archerko realized then that she wasn't the only one suffering. She felt miserable that Louise never told her about a fiancée but she didn't consider how Louise felt about it. She slowly closed her arms around Louise's shoulders and pulled her closer.

"I'm sorry…"

The familiar repeated her words. She realized that by leaving Louise alone in the castle because of her own selfish feelings of jealousy she wasn't able to protect her.

"I need you by my side… never leave me again…" Louise whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"I!"

Archerko gasped and blushed. To know that Louise still needs her to be by her side felt blissful for someone who dedicated their life to serve and protect. Now she understands that it's not only Louise's physical body she had to protect but also her heart.

"I was nothing but a fake hero that failed to protect anything. But maybe it's time to properly resign from that job. I am now an original familiar that will protect your everything." Archerko whispered this directly to Louise so that only she may hear.

"A-Archerko…"

Louise looked up to her familiar. That alluring face easily erased her worries as if they never existed. In the spur of the moment the two of them began to close on each other's lips almost like magnets begging to be with each other.

"G-Ghnn!" Agnes gasped then looked away after seeing the two's lips collide.

"M-Mouh…"

Siesta groaned then frowned.

"I'm so jealous. But I'm happy the two of them finally made up." She said to Agnes who was still blushing as she imagined what the two are currently doing behind her.

"D-Disgusting!" Agnes said.

Meanwhile inside the mansion, the dance competition reached its finale. In the end, the Princess and the Prince won. Nobody dared to ask if they won due to skill or because the judges were too scared of the guillotine.

"It was truly an honor to see how the royalty dances. Your highness and Prince Wales truly are in a different league." Fayre praised the two royalties with spicy words.

"A-ah well…"

Henrietta scratched her head. She felt undeserving of the win but on the other hand she must accept it.

"Please forgive my cousin for she's a woman of few words." The prince of Albion stepped forward to give a speech in behalf of them both.

"Wales..." She said in a loving voice.

"I would like to thank everyone who shared this experience with us. Competing with everyone and seeing everyone dance their best is an honor for us." The prince said loudly.

"That was truly a marvelous speech now for the prize of the winners!" Fayre snapped her fingers and two servants took a pillow which had a box resting on top of it.

Meanwhile, in the audience, Wardes was with a man disguised as one of the servants of the mansion. He had a grin on his face as he watched the two servants bring the box to the stage.

"Tell the men to get ready, the moment that box opens is the moment we change Tristania and Albion forever." He commanded.

The servant in disguise nodded and hurried outside. Wardes himself was eager to watch his plan unfold.

"A box?" The Prince of Albion asked with a rather cheerful tone.

The box was designed beautifully by a master craftsman and the color was designed to fit kings and nobles. It was easy to assume that whatever is inside is a gift that's no less than the worth of gold and diamond.

The prince opened the box carefully, for he did not want to accidentally spill whatever it is inside.

"A card?" Prince Wales asked Fayre who was standing beside him and Henrietta.

"W-What? That was supposed to be a bracelet of gold with different jewels!"

Fayre rushed to check the box. She was surprised to see that the prince was saying the truth. The bracelet that her family had prepared for the winner of the competition is gone. In place of it was a card of intricate design.

"I- I'm sorry my prince I don't know what…"

"Oh come now, I like this. This card looks rather unique I have never seen anything like this before." Wales took the card out of the box and examined it closely.

The card had a picture of a knight holding his sword near his chest. Beneath the picture were letters that spelled S A B E R.

"Sei… bah…" The prince read it out aloud.

"Saber?" Henrietta asked.

"I guess that's what's the knight in the picture is supposed to be holding." Prince Wales giggled.

While everyone laughed with the Prince the card began to shine of purple light. It was so bright that the whole mansion looked like a lamp illuminating purple rays from inside it.

"This is rather beautiful. What manner of sorcery is this?" The prince asked as he stared at the card with awe.

Meanwhile at the same time outside the mansion. Archerko and Louise just finished their intimate kiss and found themselves looking away from each other.

"T-T-That never happened I- I- I just!" Louise stuttered as she turned away from Archerko to hide her blushing face.

"What!"

Archerko gasped as she felt a familiar feeling spread across the island. She felt her body tremble and her hair stand up.

"E- Eh are you angry that I said that 'that never happened' I- I'm sorry it's not that I…"

"No I mean that!" Archerko pointed at the mansion which was now bursting in purple light.

"That is!"

Louise was shocked. She remembered that bright yet pale purple glow. The light pulsated as if it was a throbbing heart. The walls of the mansion began to tremble and Louise can hear it crackle outside.

"Oh… Oh- no…" Siesta's eyes widened and the sides of her lids wrinkled as she faced a chilling sensation.

"What's that purple light? Do you know anything about this you three?" Agnes asked.

"No time to explain! If you want see survivors! Get ready to fight Captain!"

Archerko grabbed Louise's hand and together they sprinted towards the mansion and Agnes followed them.

"Siesta go back to the docks!" Archerko commanded as they disappeared towards the mansion. The maid nodded and proceeded towards the direction of the docks. Archerko had to carry Louise to the mansion because she was wearing a long dress and couldn't run.

When the three arrived inside the party room, the Prince still had the card in his hand while it continued to pulsate and glow. Henrietta was beside him as they looked at the card with awe.

"Drop that card!" Archerko shouted.

"Hey it's that boy and he's with Louise again." One of the girls whispered to her companion.

"Oh yeah, where was he and what is he spouting?" The companion replied.

"Sir Shirouko I was wondering where you have…"

"Drop that card! It's dangerous!" Archerko shouted again.

"This?"

The prince took another look at the card before returning to Archerko.

"I don't see the… ah…"

The prince felt his hand get shocked from the card. His instincts told him to drop it immediately but his fingers were tightly closed as if they were glued unto it.

"What's the matter Wales?" Henrietta worriedly asked as she noticed her cousin's face distort in shock and pain.

"T-The card it won't come off!" The prince used his other hand to try and pry open his fingers but they were stuck hard like cement.

"S-Servants help the prince!"

"No… it has already began get away from him!" Archerko shouted but she was ignored by most and many went beside the prince to help him.

"What is that Archerko?" Agnes went beside Archerko for details.

"Did you get a report about the Academy being attacked by a monster?" Archerko asked. She hoped that the kingdom has already heard of the incident because that would make explaining this easier.

"Yes, according to our informants it was a giant sea monster?" Agnes replied. She remembered the guard that reported the incident to her.

"If we're lucky we're going to have another one of that." Archerko replied with a grim look on her face.

"Lucky?" Agnes shouted. She was shocked with Archerko's choice of words.

"Yes, because it can get much, much worse! Agnes take the princess and get her as far away from here as you can!"

"Ghh…" Agnes groaned. She obeyed the familiar and dashed to take the princess.

The captain took the princess by the waist and carried her off the stage. The princess struggled as she tried to reach for the prince who had seven people helping him remove the card.

"Knight Captain Agnes what are you doing?" Henrietta shouted angrily.

"I'm sorry your highness but this is for the best!" Agnes dashed away with the princess on her back.

The people around the prince tried to rip the card with their swords and daggers but it was tougher than their swords. They tried to pull it out but it didn't budge an inch. They also tried to pull the prince's fingers open but it was like they were never apart to begin with. It was as if he was born with his fingers stuck on that card.

"W-What's this…? I…" The prince started pushing everyone around him away.

"Everyone please get away from him!" Archerko cried out. She was already begging as she reasoned to everyone near the prince including Fayre.

"Shut up!" Fayre who feared that this party she started is about to push her in a dungeon with her clan emblem torn from the doors of their mansions.

"N-No Shirouko is right! Run everyone… please!" The prince himself fell on his knee as the card began to throb faster in his hand.

"Prince Wales!" Henrietta reached for her cousin but Agnes had her restrained tight.

"Princess I'm sorry but you can't!" Agnes apologized.

"I command you to take me to him!" Henrietta commanded.

"You can fire me later on, or send me to the dungeon but I cannot obey that command!" Agnes replied.

"Ah!" Wales shouted his final shout as the card in his hand disappeared and merged with his body.

The prince's velvet attire got ripped into shreds as purple light completely enclosed him. The people around him except for Fayre got the message Archerko was trying to tell them and started to run away. Fayre reached inside the purple to help the prince and to her surprise a hand clad in white armor reached out from the purple light and grabbed her by the throat. A small explosion caused the stage to break apart and on the ruins of that stage stood a man who looked almost similar to Prince Wales. This man was clad in white armor and had golden hair.

SNAP

The sound of Fayre's neck snapping echoed across the room. The man tossed the lifeless body of the host on one of the tables.

"This is… Servant Class Saber…"

Archerko immediately recognized the class of the warrior in front of her.

"Agnes please take Louise and the Princess and run!" Archerko pleaded to the knight captain.

"What? Archerko I'm not letting you fight alone!" Louise roared.

"But I…"

"You promised!"

"…" Archerko looked at Agnes.

"Don't look at me…" Agnes sighed.

"Okay then master! It won't be epic spirit versus epic spirit but a familiar and her master versus an epic spirit! Let's see which is stronger." Archerko grinned.

"A-Archerko…"

It was blissful for Louise to hear her familiar finally call her master properly after all this time.

"Right! Let's go!" Louise cheerfully followed Archerko as they marched towards the Class Saber hero.

Saber raised his hand and like magic a sword appeared on his palm. He grabbed the hilt tight and prepared to swing it with all his might.

"A long range attack?"

Archerko noticed that Saber was gathering mana similar to a person she knew.

"What's that sword?" She looked at the white blade the knight was wielding.

"Grahh!" Saber swung his sword horizontally from left to right and unleashed a huge prana blast.

"This is!"

Archerko who didn't have Derflinger to negate the blast ducked along with Louise to dodge the blast.

"There's no mistaking it, it's one of the three sister swords, Excalibur Galantine! Our enemy is Gawain the Knight of the Sun!"

The force of the attack destroyed the mansion's foundation and caused it to slowly breakdown. The once cheerful room was now filled with shouts of panic and despair as everyone rushed towards the exits. Some people rushed towards the door while some jumped off through the windows in desperation.

"So… this is the power of the cards…"

Wardes said as he joined his servants in running away. As he neared the door he noticed that Louise was still with the boy named Shirouko in front of the man clad in white who was once the Prince of Albion.

"Louise there you are! Let's go!" Wardes ran to Louise and grabbed her by her wrists and attempted to pull her away.

"No!"

To Wardes' surprise, the mage kicked him away then only steadily looked at him. Her eyes filled with rebellious light with unending passion towards whatever she was doing.

"Louise you…" Wardes' eyes were wide in shock to see that his obedient Louise was now rebelling against him.

"I'm sorry but… we have a battle to fight." Louise said.

Archerko smiled at Louise after hearing the mage's reply to the Captain of the Griffin Knights. Louise reached for her familiar's hand as they walked side by side to confront the Knight of the Sun.

"That Shirouko… who is he? No matter… you were a part of my plan Louise, to be my queen when I finally sit on the throne of Tristain. But I can't die here with you." Hesitantly, Wardes walked away after a final glimpse of the two who continued to close in to Gawain.

Unlike Caster, this card of class Saber looked more composed. It was as if it was conscious on what it was doing. It took a stance, a stance where he held his sword horizontally forward as if he was about to lunge in and thrust the holy blade into one of his opponents.

Archerko was familiar of that stance. It looked very similar to 'Tsubame Gaishi a.k.a. Swallow Return' which was used by the Assassin in her world. However, unlike Assassin, the holy blade was a European sword which will not easily be used for the same maneuver meant for a katana.

"I need to charge in or he might use another prana blast to get us."

Archerko summoned Kanshou and Bakuya and rushed in.

"Louise cover me!" She asked for her master.

"Uhm!" Louise shouted with full determination as she raised her wand and fired off spread shots of mana bursts.

Having to dodge Louise's attacks, Gawain let Archerko get close to him. The familiar summoned two more swords above Gawain before striking him with Kanshou and Bakuya. The Knight of the Sun managed to fend off the two consecutive attacks but he was hit with a turning side kick square on the stomach and was sent flying. The familiar threw the Kanshou and Bakuya spinning at the knight before catching the two new blades she summoned in midair and rushed in again.

Saber could only defensive repel the Kanshou and Bakuya before engaging Archerko in a losing battle. A crack on the ceiling could finally no longer withstand the stress of their battle and collapsed inside the mansion. Archerko managed to sink in two strikes on each of the Knight's shoulders before doubling back to avoid the falling debris.

"Got him!"

Archerko cheered as she landed beside Louise who fended off some debris falling towards them. As the smoke cleared it revealed a stack of rubble lying on top of the knight who can't be seen under the pile.

"T-The prince he might've reverted we need to save him!"

Louise panicked as she imagined the prince being crushed under the weight of the debris.

"Leave it to…"

Archerko was about to remove the fallen rubble but she didn't need to. The chunks of cement were blasted away in an explosion from under the pile. The Knight of the Sun stood up unscathed from their combos to their surprise.

"What the… I'm sure I connected." Archerko remembered sinking her blades thought the knight's armor.

The familiar had no time to analyze for Saber has already gone into offensive.

"Louise move away from me!" She pushed Louise away.

With the same stance he had before, he dashed in and then swiped Archerko with a horizontal slash. Louise's familiar answered the attack by summoning Kanshou and Bakuya in her hands and blocked it. However, Gawain stepped forward and using all his weight, he forced the attack to crush Archerko's defense and sent her flying. The familiar crashed through a pillar and bounced off a wall before landing on the floor.

"Archerko!" Louise shouted worriedly as she saw her familiar get overwhelmed.

Gawain attempted to deliver the final blow while Archerko was down on the floor still on all fours. Even only as a memory of his true self used by the card to protect itself he prioritized those who were capable of fighting. The Knight of the Sun charged in for a downward slash aimed to decapitate his opponent. Before he could reach Archerko a blast of mana crashed on his shoulder and pushed him off balance. He quickly recovered and looked for the source of the blast and found Louise. He readied himself to use his own prana blast.

A yellow ray of admonishing light rushed to Louise. It did not hit its mark for another ray of similar light deflected it off course. Archerko who finally recovered jumped a few meters in front of Gawain holding a golden sword- Caliburn.

"This is the sword of the person you swore to protect and serve, it's only fitting that this ends your insanity."

Archerko buried the tip of the sword on the ground as if to imitate the proud stance of the Saber from her world. On that same moment a powerful gust of wind blew the hat she wore which revealed the long hair she had in a bun.

"…gh…" Saber groaned.

To Archerko's surprise Gawain began to tremble and even dropped the holy blade he had with him. He fell on his knees and began to crawl as he raised his hand to reach for the replica of the Sword Set in Stone.

"I- It can't be…"

Archerko noticed how Gawain strived to reach her as he crept ever so slowly.

"You're not a servant… you're just a card… a memory of a hero and yet…" Archerko wanted to step back but she needed to see this.

"Archerko what is it…" Louise rushed behind Archerko as they watched Saber approach them together.

Gawain finally reached the Caliburn as he knelt like he did the first time he was ordained as a knight by Arturia. With his head bowed and his hand raised to his heart, he swore allegiance to the Perfect King. Right now it seemed like he was relieving that moment even only as a memory as a façade of a Class Card.

"Forgive… me… my… king…"

Those were his final words before his armor vanished into light. The entire hero's being transformed back into a card leaving only the Prince of Albion kneeling in his place.

"Prince Wales!" Louise was happy to see the prince freed from the card's grasp.

"Don't move Louise!"

Archerko barred Louise from moving forward with her arm.

"The card is still there!" She said.

The card floated in front of Archerko as if it was inviting her to touch it. Archerko was hesitant knowing the power of the card. But after seeing what just happened she decided to risk it. With her knowledge of servants, mana, prana and classes she was confident that she will not be controlled by the card.

"Archerko no!" Louise shouted. She was worried that the same fate will befall her familiar if she touches the card.

"Don't worry Louise."

Archerko turned to her master and smiled.

"It's finally calm." She said as she accepted the card in her hand.

The card vanished into molecules of white light as it vanished inside Archerko's hand. It looked very gentle compared to the purple light it radiated from before.

"So that's why you were uninjured… you're invulnerable under the sun…"

Archerko smiled as the memories and abilities of Gawain were absorbed in her mind.

"In the end… all you wanted to serve here… Seriously… what did you see in that gluttonous friend of mine." She snickered.

"Prince Wales!" A familiar voice interrupted them.

It was the Princess and the Knight Captain. Henrietta rushed beside Wales who weakly lay in her arms. She looked very happy to find the prince still conscious and breathing.

"Sorry Ar… err… Shirouko I just couldn't…" Agnes apologized to Archerko while keeping in mind the name the familiar was currently using.

"It's fine… it's over…" Archerko replied with a grin.

"Shirouko… y-you're a king from a distant land?"

Prince Wales struggled to get on his feet to ask Archerko.

"I was conscious even under his control. I could see through his memories. I saw from within him… a distant king that holds the dream of every hero… every warrior. Are you… that king?" The prince had a wide smile on his face as he interrogated Louise's familiar.

"No… I merely imitated my friend." Archerko replied.

"Then… your friend…"

"Yes."

"Archerko what are you talking about?" Louise approached them; she was confused on what the prince and Archerko were getting at.

"Miss Valliere forgive me, I didn't know that your escort was such a… ah…"

The prince of Albion was about to shake Louise's hand when an arrow pierced through his heart. Blood spilled from his mouth which covered a portion of Louise's cheek. Everyone's mouths were wide open as they saw the prince fell on the ground.

"Wales!" Henrietta cried as she went beside the fallen prince.

Archerko summoned her sword and surveyed the room. She looked for any suspicious person who could've delivered that arrow through the prince's heart.

"Where?"

She shouted angrily. She looked up the hole in the ceiling to see two men riding a dragon. One of them was wearing green tights and a hat while one of them was a silver haired man with a mustache.

"Wardes?" Louise was the first to recognize the man behind the man with the bow.

"I'm sorry Louise… I planned you to be beside me when this happens." Wardes said this in a disappointed tone.

"Knight Captain Wardes! What do you think you're doing?" Henrietta shouted angrily at the assailant of her beloved.

"It's because of war isn't it?"

To their surprise, Wales replied for Wardes. Even though he was extremely weakened and almost dead he had the strength to turn his body side up and face his killer.

"Wales! D-Don't move you're bleeding badly… Someone do something!" Henrietta pleaded to the people around her.

Agnes turned her face away and looked down. She knew that the arrow that pierced the prince hit his heart fatally. There was no saving the prince anymore.

"Archerko can you do something?" Louise tugged on Archerko's long sleeve. She remembered all the wonderful things Archerko did and hoped that healing would be one of those.

Archerko approached the prince to remove the arrow. She imagined using a jewel to save him just as Tohsaka saved her once in her previous life. However just as she reached for the arrow an ominous aura emanating from the arrow repelled her.

"What the… the arrow is imbued with poison! This arrow is made of yew!" She turned to the man that shot the arrow.

Yew can only be harvested in her world for Yew Trees do not grow on this world. Archerko immediately knew what this meant. The man in green could only be a familiar from her world or a world similar to hers or another servant from the cards.

"Never mind… I know I'm already done for… Wardes you intend to start a war between Albion and Tristania do you not?" Wales asked as he held on to his last breath.

"Humph… I do not need to answer the questions of a dying man."

Wardes smiled before tapping his companion on the back.

"Let's go." He commanded.

"You're not going anywhere!" Archerko summoned her bow and aimed at the dragon flying away.

The man with Wardes shot an arrow at a pillar and destroyed it. The room's foundation was finally ready to give in. Archerko could not make chase for now everyone inside was in danger of getting crushed in the collapse.

"Damn you!" Archerko cursed as she readied herself to take on the debris.

"Farewell young man… and farewell Louise…" Wards waved as he flew off with the man in green as the mansion collapsed on the five.

A few minutes later.

Beneath the rubble a hand emerged covered in dust. The familiar pulled herself up from the pile of concrete and marble.

"It looks like we're safe." She said as she pulled the next person behind her.

"Are you alright? You took on all those debris." Louise asked worriedly

Louise remembered what Archerko did before the mansion collapsed. She summoned a white blade that looked like the sword of Gawain and used its power to have the ground collapse beneath them and create a small bunker enough for the five of them to fit in. Then she used a red shield of light to act as a roof while large chunks of concrete crashed on them.

"Don't worry I'm fine… how are the others?" Archerko looked behind Louise to find Agnes carrying Henrietta on her back. The prince sadly laid dead behind them. He perished before the mansion collapsed because of his wound and the arrow's poison.

"We're fine…" Agnes replied before giving a worried look at Henrietta.

"Prince…" Henrietta said this very weakly. Her heart broke when she saw her beloved lose his life in her arms.

"Archerko are you sure you're alright?"

Louise wanted to confirm of Archerko's health. She was worried that Archerko may have overexerted herself again even though she proved to be more powerful when they fought caster.

"Yes master."

Archerko smiled as they all emerged to look at the setting sun. She looked at her hands which were free from any bruises considering the things she went though. Her face was also clean and only her clothes were a bit tattered.

"It seems that… from now on… as long as the sun shines… I will not be harmed." Archerko remembered the ability of Gawain from his memories.

Everybody there was astounded to hear that. However there was no time for praises. What happened here was truly a devastating event and if Wardes was heading where they thought he was heading then they have to prepare for war. The prince was the only factor stopping Albion from declaring war over Tristain and with his death; Wardes will surely spark that dangerous flare. With a war about to break out and the cards still dangerously scattered out there it's not a question if the world will come into ruin, but rather when and how the world will come into ruin. The fate of Halkegenia now rests in the hands of a few.


AN: That's it for now, R&R!