UPDATE 29/7/2016: A poll has been made. Please check on my profile if it's there and give it your thought if you have time. As the notice in the poll said, it won't affect previously written stories since whichever that win will receive monthly release of chapter. Do note that in case you want to read the details, a synopsis has been made for each entry in the profile. *bows formally* Deadline for the poll: 1 month.


It wasn't until I noticed a glimpse of brown and gold did I came to a halt.

Two blocks away, in front of a family restaurant were Issei and Yuuto standing while chatting. They seemed to discuss about something, and judging from Yuuto's expression, it wasn't a pleasurable talk. Drawn by the seemingly serious air between the two, my feet brought me forward and they noticed me from the edge of their peripheral vision.

"Oh, Sieg! Hey! You're alright already?" Issei waved a hand.

I nodded, "A night's sleep helped. I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you all."

"It's fine...! But Sieg, if you're unwell then don't go out on your own." Issei shrugged.

Even Yuuto nodded in agreement. It looks like I have made the Gremory endlessly worried...

"Besides..."

Hm? I looked up slightly and my shoulders were gripped tightly. Had I been a flesh-and-blood human, I'd have screamed in pain but this much strength... is... strange, even for-

"You! How in the bloody hell did you score that kind of extremely cute girl?! Who the hell is Rider-chan?!" Issei howled with bloodshot eyes.

Umm... I guess that wouldn't be enough to describe it. His face distorted in such a way that I almost saw tears of blood coming out from his eyes. Still, Rider... chan...?

"Ah. Are you referring to Rider? Did you two have a talk while I was unconscious-"

"Why?! Why are you blessed with a freakishly cute girl like her?! Also, she even called you 'Master', you damned handsome!"

...huh? He did...? So he blurted out our true identity as participants of Holy Grail War already... I wonder how much information has been leaked out during my absent. I'm worried though judging from Issei's reaction...

"Uhm... Well, Rider is technically contracted to me as a Servant so..." I muttered in small voice. "I guess calling me that isn't all incorrect."

"You're already in that kind of relationship?!" Issei almost screamed.

In the next second, he staggered back and paled. As his jaw hung loosely, his knees toppled and he crashed down at all fours.

"WWHHHYYYYYyyyyy?! Go-ouch!-why hath thou forsaken meeeeee!?"

Then he broke down while cursing the heaven.

...while I wasn't quite sure of everything that had transpired... I guess, I could confirm that Issei knew nothing of Holy Grail War. There was no way any Magus and their cohorts could mistake the terms with their more mundane counterparts. That meant the Gremory group had small chances to be other participants, to which I found sincere relief in for I knew little in dealing with an enemy who's also a friend. Meanwhile, the Sitri... well, I was still unsure of it at the moment.

Setting my investigation aside-

"Issei, I don't think God will ever take you in. You're a Devil." I pointed out.

Oh, also, Rider is a... Uhm, how should I put it? To describe Rider is like describing why clouds are shaped as clouds. It's almost at the level of Great Mystery as the sensible parts of his identity could elude even people like Ruler. The fair administrator of Holy Grail War must remain neutral so it's one extraordinary feat for Rider to have made her missing it.

But as if he was granted with divine providence, Issei was once again slack-jawed with eyes as round as the sun.

"Heh... you two are really close friends." So Yuuto chimed in.

Issei stared at him long, "Oh shut up. You're my friend too, Kiba, so don't make yourself left out of this."

The blond boy grimaced a little. He seemed... troubled. Why?

"Anyway, perfect timing, Sieg. One more helper so I think we can manage even better. I have something to tell you too." Issei then proceeded into the family restaurant.

Both Yuuto and I were left alone. Feeling the silence as uncomfortable, I decided to break the ice.

"Shall we?"

"Yes... let's."


After my order, a cup of hot chamomile tea arrived, I sipped the tea slowly and steadily, not breaking any etiquette I have learned so far in drinking teas.

I found that drinking and brewing tea became one special method in killing time. Even so, I took it to a serious level as I feel... fascinated of the British culture behind it, also because people of this eastern country founded the way in debating politics while having teas.

If I remembered correctly, the one who founded the culture in Japan was a famous warlord of the civil war era. I think his name possessed a hint of origin with Dragons. I wonder if he too became a Heroic Spirit? He's especially formidable if he were summoned here... Hm, wait. I don't think this is the correct place to mind my own business.

"...I understand the situation." Kiba Yuuto said after drinking his coffee, terrible frowns adorning his face. "But I find it slightly dissatisfying for the wielders of Excaliburs allowing me to destroy one."

Excaliburs... That one word had also caused me to a pause before erasing my anxiety with my silent drinking act.

After all, we, Devils, a Dragon, and Exorcists are discussing of a plan to destroy relics categorized as the most powerful Noble Phantasm in a moderately public place. Had I not suggested on drawing a bounded field, which I painstakingly tried to create out of my limited knowledge about Runes, I'd have risked everyone in this place as potential targets of one of the Three Biblical Factions. It was with some gratitude and slight judging stares from the Exorcists that I could do so well than before.

I couldn't say whether it was good or not for having excluded That Person. The two Exorcists said she's a professional and worked best alone but I couldn't help being worried. I did faint just because of exchanging a few words with her...

Still, I was surprised with the reason behind the entire event.

"To think that the Church would experiment on people so as to be able to wield reforged versions of a holy sword. Times truly have changed." I commented while eyeing the object wrapped with holy shroud slung behind Xenovia Quarta's back.

She was glaring back at me though. From what she had seen, she probably assumed I was a magic user, which in the eyes of the Church, a pagan and a sinner who turned his back from the Lord's teachings. It was a conception often adopted by most Executors and all agents of Church, but her sending such glare intensely probably had something to do with how Rider blurted out the name of a fellow Paladin who once wielded the holy sword Durandal.

Are they even related? That would make sense if the girl was related in some ways to the famous knight said to have a preference with 'kinky stuff' such as chains or cuffs.

"That incident also became one of the worst cases among us and the higher-ups felt disgusted about it. The person in charge of that project at that time was said to have a problem with his belief so he was charged with heresy. Now he's one of those people on the Fallen Angels side." The blue one spoke flatly.

I would have snorted, but chose to only shake my head in resignation.

A certain Saint sacrificed her life, her future, and her entire faith all for the sake of the God who lamented over the hellish world which it had become during the Hundred Years' War. A God who cried over the lives lost. A God whose voice only she heard of which cemented an indomitable belief that made her to save her country.

Imagine my disgust when I heard that not only the Church's agents are swinging poorly reforged Last Phantasm which was adored very so by a Knight of the Roundtable, the Church itself had sacrificed innocent people which was supposed to go against the natural teachings the Maid of Orleans believed in. To be honest, I was already on the verge of standing up and departing to Vatican for the sake of burning the entire land down.

The only reason I didn't do so was because there were more important matters than my newly acquired personal vendetta. The Holy Grail. The Class-Piece. And the Excalibur fragments' thievery.

"So... not only a fragment of a holy sword was stolen, a leader of the Fallen Angels Faction was behind it. Does that mean there's a traitor in the Church's ranks to have allowed the thievery?" I asked further, leaving my anxiety over the fact that the same Fallen Angel attacked me several weeks prior.

While the two Exorcists pursed their lips in distaste, they nodded as a response.

"The culprit is most likely Balba Galilei, the heretic who started the entire holy sword project." Irina Shidou explained. "He was supposed to be exiled but he suddenly vanished and the agents sent after him were all killed. Last thing we know, the traces led us to Japan."

"Specifically, this town in particular as the other Exorcists sent here were also eliminated mercilessly." Quarta added.

I swallowed the information and processed it. If that was so, then they... Kokabiel had already planned this all from the beginning, even before I was stranded in this dimension. Was that it? Is it because of my unknown allegiance and nature that made him to suspect me as another Exorcist?

...no. He knew my true identity. Perhaps after observing my actions, he deduced I could be a thorn on his sides. It still didn't explain how he never pursued me after Rider assisted my escape, and the words he said to me... Hmh... Now I couldn't understand. Just what was his true purpose, to observe and even interacting with me? What did he want from knowing me?

"...I see. So it's him..." Yuuto whispered with malice dripping off his words.

Almost everyone looked at him, but they didn't say anything. The youth who survived a forbidden experiment where children were used in order to wield a degraded form of Last Phantasm was clearly vengeful. I could see madness and hatred swirling in those eyes, as they reminded me of the wrathful Chaste Huntress of the Moonlight. That chaotic anger was not something that could be put off with words alone.

Thus I understood the purpose of this discussion. Issei's plan was to help him... is it? It might not lead to a proper conclusion but it was the correct move to be allowed in destroying a fragment of the holy sword. Even though the sword did not do anything, it was still one viable method to smother his vengeance to a degree. But-

"Then it looks like I have to share information as well. The other day I was attacked by a person who had the Excalibur. At that time, he killed a priest. The one who was killed is probably from your organization." The Knight of Gremory reported. "The name of that person is Freed Zelzan. Does this name sound familiar?"

I shifted my gaze to the agents of Church. Their eyes turned sharper at the mention of the name foreign to me, but Issei and Toujou had similar expressions as well. Oh? It seemed something had happened between the Devils and this Freed-person.

"Freed Zelzan. Former Exorcist of the Vatican. The genius who became an Exorcist at the age of 13. He had lots of big achievements because he kept on eliminating Devils and mystical beasts." Shidou explained as if she noticed my and Genshirou's clueless states.

"But he overdid it. He even killed his allies. Freed never had any beliefs towards our God from the start. The only thing he had was fighting instinct and killing intent towards monsters. And an abnormal obsession for battles. It was a matter of time that he'd be charged for heresy." Quarta commented.

...

...that... was not something I expected. An Exorcist with obsession for battles who had no remorse in killing his allies. Did the Church recruit such a lost cause? Has the organization sank to such an extent?

I could only sigh at hearing the degradation of the religious organization Ruler believed in, "Had my comrades been here, they'd have received terrible shocks."

It seemed my idle comment drew intrigued reaction from Quarta. She stared at me with suspicious eyes but there was no longer sharp-as-razor hostility from them.

"So the one who you were accompanied with is a Christian believer?" She asked.

I nodded, feeling no reason to not disclose the harmless information. But saying it with words may draw unnecessary attentions so I simply provided a vague answer.

"Hmph. And yet you are hanging out with these Devils." Quarta snorted.

I shrugged lightly, "While it may be true that I am at a risk for involving myself with the supernatural, does it even matter? Do you require a reason to refuse someone who offered kindness despite having no reason at all?"

Rider helped me even though the act did not possess any merit for him. He had no wish for the Holy Grail and yet all he wanted was to help those in troubles. Such pure kindness might have led him to be taken advantages of for many times in his past life but it was exactly because of that that he was granted a place in the Throne of Heroes.

"...I see. So you wouldn't mind if they betrayed you in turn?" Quarta asked again.

"It still doesn't mean accepting help and helping others as something sinful. No matter what reason they may have, to know that someone possesses a shred of kindness that they extended a hand is far better than knowing a devout believer has no qualm in experimenting children." And I once again replied simply.

The air probably seemed tense judging by the sweats forming on Genshirou's and Issei's faces. Meanwhile, Yuuto nodded as if approving my words alongside Toujou.

"...a sound argument. Fine. I will not ask any more then. Let's move onto the cooperation strategy."

Ah, so you can be somewhat flexible. I smiled thinly at the resigned expressions of the Exorcists, and the atmosphere finally returned back to normal. The only oddity would be how Issei was grinning widely to my direction. Did I even do something strange?


In the end, everything turned out for the better. With a network of communication formed between us with a passable strategy formed, everyone split off in different directions. I was feeling a bit dispirited since I couldn't meet That Person but to pursue the matter would draw in suspicions from both the Devils and the Church.

Perhaps during the mission, we could pass by each other. Although if the opportunity arose, can I even respond properly...? My heart beat in a very uncomfortable way whenever I recalled that familiar face...

"Thanks a lot, Sieg! You were awesome earlier!" Issei shouted, rekindling his spirits like he usually did.

He's quite an optimist. Perhaps, he can get along with Mordred and Astolfo? Speaking of which...

"You won't ask what happened to me?" I asked, recalling as after the discussion ended, the Devils huddled together for a small talk.

It turned out that Genshirou wanted to know what was going on so he asked for the truth from Yuuto. The result was quite unexpected as he cried like waterfalls and declared he would support Yuuto to fulfill his revenge no matter what. I was quite certain he would face imminent troubles in the future if he continued to act so brazenly but scolding another not of my group isn't to my taste.

I leave that to Sitri-san. Genshirou is her Pawn after all.

"Oh? Well, about that..." Issei scratched his head. "Y'know, it's fine if you don't tell us. Just make sure you're going to be fine or I'm going to have to hit you. Don't make Rider-chan cries!"

...ah. That is... certainly one convincing way to teach me of self-restraint. I nearly forgot that I wasn't with Rider today. He's always sticking close with me and he kept on helping me even when outside of combat. But even when he knew we were not going to stay around each other for long, he still pushed on with a wide, cheerful smile.

For several times I've seen people crying over me, and I think... I, my heart ached whenever I saw those tears. The most notable being Ride for his closeness with me. After asking why he cried, he answered that he thought he could not see me again. To even feel sorrowful for being unable to meet a mere Homunculus... a man-made magical construct...

Because of such kindness, I came to a conclusion:

"Ah. I'll try to not push my luck."

I don't know if words alone were enough. Even so, I know that if I wanted to make the people around me to be happy without having the needs to cry over me... the only choice is to live. To live, even if it were a defeat I have to face.


"Oh my. Sieg-kun, is there something you need at this hour?" Tsubaki Shinra inquired when he saw me approaching the Student Council Office of Kuoh Academy.

"Is Sitri-san still around?" I asked in a slightly hurried tone due to trekking the elevated grounds between the Academy and the town.

While she seemed confused and looked as if she wanted to ask for what purpose, the Vice President nodded down, answering my question nonetheless.

"Thank you," I smiled, "And I'm sorry. It will not take long."

The girl replied in the same manner albeit it was something I believed as rare even for her, "Not at all! Take your time, Sieg-kun!"

Err... I don't think that is allowed. From what I know, there is a school curfew going on so I doubt Sitri-san who obeyed the rules almost involuntarily could deny that. Ah, but then again, she's a Devil.

Since I was allowed to, I opened the door to the office and called out, "Sitri-san? Are you there? Do you have some time to spare?"

"Huh? Sieg-kun...?" The Devil with bobbed hair cut turned with surprise painting her indifferent mask, "Yes, I do... but you..."

I waved a hand, "I am fine. I have rested enough."

I see, the girl nodded down in acceptance. It saved me the troubles since Sitri-san was far more cool-headed than most of her peers. I could see that she had drawn a conclusion that I didn't come here only for idle talk as she sat down in her chair.

"And? May I know why you are seeking me out?" Sitri-san asked as the dim orange light of twilight showered the office from the window behind her.

I opted to keep standing as I doubted I'd have much time to do here. It wasn't that I was trying to be disrespectful but at this point, having the slightest sense of sensibility was more than enough.

And so I cut straight to the point, "I would like you to tell me everything you know in regards of the Fallen Angels, especially Kokabiel."

The High-class Devil froze.

No. Freezing over was not the correct wording. She was staring me in the eyes with unreadable expression but soon enough those eyes gained a sharp glint, a razor sharp light that seemed as if it was trying to pierce through my heart.

It was the eyes of a predator.

"And... for what purpose is that information going to be used? The answer you wanted is something that can be considered as top-class and classified, even for the governor of this town, Sieg-kun. Surely you know that such intel is placed at high importance due to its delicate nature that can affect the status quo." Sitri-san explained.

In other words, a dangerous information that was the same as a leverage to start another Great War. I acknowledged the risk right then and there, and understood that even if I wanted to have it, I'd require a price to pay.

"Of course. But what I wish to do is directly opposite to it." I countered. "I have known of the existence of the Exorcists. They are searching for the culprits who stole three Excalibur fragments under their nose and it seemed that a leader of the Fallen Angels participated in the thievery. Perhaps even orchestrated it."

"Then..."

"Other than the thieves being here, under your jurisdiction, Sitri-san... I believe Kokabiel too has long been around, and is already preparing for something using those holy swords."

I finished my deduction and breathed out. It was a strange feeling, to debate over a topic of conversation. But there was not much time. When night arrived, everything could happen. It was the time where Stray Devils went active and it was also the time for the Moonlit World to cast over its hidden dominion.

Night was the time for those who dabbled in thaumaturgy. Within the darkness, under the confine of the shadow cast by civilization, night was the symbol of humanity's fear against the unknown. The Mystery within which all sorts of distortion could occur.

"I need your help, Sitri-san." I told her with a pleading voice. "I do not wish to let dangers befall upon the people in this city."

The only one I could rely on right now was Sitri-san. With Kokabiel choosing to kill me that night, I have lost my guide, my beacon in this dimension; a dimension I did not know of.

If the girl too refused, then I-

"I understand. If that is truly what you believe, Sieg-kun, then I can only respond to your wish in the same way."

Sona Sitri pushed her glasses, a thin approving smile could be seen on her face. I blinked twice before I could process that answer, then a great amount of invisible burden slowly vanished from weighing my shoulders. I exhaled deeply to feel the sensation, the relief I came to recall as familiar.

"But - I have conditions." Sitri-san muttered.

I stared at her with raised eyebrows, "Conditions...?"

"Yes. It's nothing hard to do." She pushed the frame of her glasses once again, this time a glint flashed across the lens.

Was there... a sound that didn't sound natural at all? It was like a mechanism automatically activating.

"So, Sieg-kun... Who did you receive the information from? The Exorcists, the Excalibur fragments and the involvement of a leader of the Fallen Angels. Please tell me everything without lying this time."

It was the first time I saw Sitri-san smirking maliciously. Realizing I have been too hasty, the alternative that was to question the Gremory Heiress for her more direct relation with the incident just dawned in my mind. It was... it's too late now.

"There is no need to hold back. In case you are wondering, this is a cheap price compared to the normally needed procedure to access such specific information," Sitri-san added with a mildly suggestive tone, "Please go on. It will not do if we are not conducting this trade professionally."

...I once again cursed Fafnir for my luck with everything but wealth.


At the other side of the town, Jeanne was conducting her own investigation.

As... if! It was the usual mission assigned to her. Kill that crazy Freed Zelzan and old man Balba Galilei no matter what. Also Kokabiel and the two High-class Devils secretly if she could.

Being a young veteran Exorcist, Jeanne had long committed herself in this path. She didn't question whether or not the target of her mission was truly a heretic or not. She simply pressed forward and get the job done. Nothing more, nothing less. Unnecessary emotion was a hindrance in her line of works.

"Still doesn't mean I can't do everything in my own way." Jeanne murmured ruefully, feeling a bit miffed.

She had devoted her life to the Lord. Her entirety was meant to deliver prayers to the God. By doing so, she became the sword and shield of Lord, mercilessly cutting enemy who dared to threaten the general faith and beliefs she prayed for. It was the lifestyle she had chosen, perhaps similar but different to her ancestor in a way. Even so, it was the only thing she possessed for she was the sole descendant of the Maid of Orleans.

Standings. Reputation. Responsibility. Pride. There were many things that pushed her to become who she was now.

However, lately, she had been thinking of other things. Her mind inexplicably wandered as she grew older, and she sometimes took on her whims without logical reasons. She remained devoted during her missions, of course, but when it was everything in-between, she didn't mind having a sip of mundane pleasure other people always took for granted.

"Maybe Sieg-kun was right. I'm way too easy to be swayed." Jeanne muttered, about to laugh at the thought.

"That being the case, you are still young. Curiosity is within your nature as one, Jeanne d' Arc."

Jeanne stiffened. The Exorcist realized something was wrong and she reached up to the hilt of her sword hidden beneath the cloak. She was also already turning toward the origin of the voice, which eerily held no emotion whatsoever.

It was weird. As if... the speaker was speaking simply for the sake of speaking.

"You are well-guarded. I see. It seems that this world has not yet lost the sharpness of war, to have a legend-in-the-making such as you." The person said, nodding lightly as she stood in the middle of the alley.

Jeanne narrowed her eyes, "Well, I am flattered. But I don't think we have met before, do we...?"

Her amethyst-colored eyes reflected the figure of a girl wearing jet-black gothic dress, her blonde hair was finely texture it seemed as if it was sprinkled with golden dust. Her slender physique suggested she was a young woman in her late teens but with strangely pale white skin that seemed as if she had never met the light of the sun.

However, what struck Jeanne the most was perhaps her beauty.

A marred beauty, as despite bearing brilliant golden-colored eyes, they were devoid of light and looking so lifeless, so empty. Her complexion was deathly pale as if she was sick but there was no disturbance in that facial. It was like a cover, a mask that held not even the slightest bare of emotion, a mask that horribly befit her.

"Indeed. While I do not know of your ancestor's legend until recently, you indeed possess her heroic heart. Your faith is yet another matter that I found respect and acknowledgement in." The young woman bowed her head slightly, seemingly conveying the respect she said with sincerity.

Even so, there was no emotion in those words. That indifferent attitude. That respect many would say as stating a fact. Jeanne found that it was her first time to know that a human could be so... so mechanical, like a soulless doll.

And it unnerved her. Very much so.

"I... see... May I know who am I speaking to? Also, do you need something from me?" Cautiously Jeanne asked.

The dusk was about to end in less than five minutes. Vermilion and purple could be seen at the sky far behind the emotionless girl as if night was invited by her. But as times went by, Jeanne realized her hands were palpitating, the hairs on her back going colder as her body rattled under invisible pressure.

"Yes." The girl nodded, "It is an honor to be known by the descendant of a Saint. Regardless of the rotten ties shared between our lands in the past, it is still a memorable event to meet an incarnation of a hero."

Steadily she bowed, impassive as she had been. The girl whose golden-colored eyes closed as she elegantly introduced herself like a knight would in front of a royalty.

"Unfortunately, I have abandoned my name for the glory and life I carved has already ended long ago. However, I have but a single order given by my Master: I am tasked to take back what is rightfully mine from your side, Jeanne d' Arc."

As the dark sky prevailed, armors woven from thin air manifested. The girl was clad with jet-black armors that looked as if they were tainted by something dark, something evil. Held in her hand was a sword that seemed so big and heavy that someone like her would no doubt have been unable to handle it properly.

The blade was jet-black with cursed red linings decorating it. There was nothing that could describe the sword as even glancing at it caused Jeanne to wince. Black mist and light seemed to wrap the sword with enormous magical energy seeping out as the blade sung in the girl's grasp. But there was something that she could be sure of.

That sword was tainted. That sword was beautiful beyond comparison that even the term 'beautiful' was unsuitable for it, as if the word would taint it. That sword was the deadliest weapon she had ever seen. Yet that sword was something she could never forget even if her memories were erased, and she would surely die should its blade reached her.

"Draw your sword, descendant of the Saint!"

Blasting the air and destroying the concrete pavement with a kick of a foot, the girl launched herself forward to begin her assault.


"Huff... I guess I picked the wrong choice." I loosened my collars slightly, trying to breathe a little greedier than usual.

It couldn't be helped. I declined the offer and excused myself like a coward I was. Issei told me to kept the cooperation under wraps so to sell my friends out would be against my codes. However...

"I'm quite certain she's angry. Sitri-san couldn't look colder than back there." I recalled the young Devil's expression and then suppressed the memories altogether.

How could I not? It was frightening, as if shards of ice were wrapping my heart and brain at the same time. Not only that, I think the room was filled with freezing white mist though I wondered if it was a type of Magecraft only Sitri-san could do. Rather than a spell that bent the laws... it felt as if the prana of the surroundings was converted into one element.

But again, I wouldn't want to recall her coldest fury just yet. I had more things to do-

"Hm?" I shifted my sight to the left, peering into an alleyway covered by jet-black darkness.

Night had prevailed. It was the time where the town became deathly quiet like a ghost town, where common people slept while being unable to notice the dangers of the Moonlit World. It was tranquil, but it was the same as a graveyard where the living could not be seen. Perhaps the murder cases going on in the middle of the night have alarmed the people, as the victims were all Exorcists sent by the Church.

And then I realized that my mind wandered to a grim possibility. What about those three new Exorcists...? Will they be targeted as well-

'Siiiiieeeeggg! You there?!' A loud voice bordering hysterical echoed in my head.

I winced slightly but the familiarity the voice brought made me to realize that I had yet again forgotten something important.

"R-Rider?" I let out my voice unconsciously.

The telepathic link was filled with a deep relieved sigh. But in no less than a second, it was filled with loud words that ranged from worries to angry scoldings. I couldn't help but wincing as had it been someone else who became Rider's Master, their sanity would probably already be lost.

'Now you get it?! Where are you!?' Rider finished with a question that warranted some attentions.

And maybe it was most fitting. A Master staying around the empty neighborhood without a Servant was anything but suicidal. It was simply unthinkable and crossing over stupidity. Still, though-

"I'm four blocks away from the mansion. Southwest." I answered as my eyes returned back to stare at the alleyway. "I need your help, Rider. I found a bounded field in an active state."

I stumbled upon it because my senses were alarmed. I thought it was just one of the bounded fields used to protect the Devils' families. The energy was similar to a degree that it meshed with the others I have recorded in my memories. But from up close... it was not a passive one used to defend or to conceal a Workshop. It wasn't even something made with the unusual power Devils such as Gremory and Sitri-san emitted.

At least, not when prana of the livings and the surroundings are being drained by it.


"It's... I don't know. This looks very dangerous. It can hide stuff and it can predate on prana efficiently." Rider who arrived with his armors on tilted his head.

For him, to cross the distance of several kilometers was nothing but a light walk. I admitted I was quite jealous for I could not do the same without using Magecraft, also because my draconic traits would force me to feed on the prana of all living things nearby through respiration alone. Should I have no control over my strength, this country would turn into a dead wasteland.

Nevertheless, I would like to investigate this bounded field as quickly as possible. While my Magic Resistance may allow me to enter it, but I wouldn't know if it was a trap or not. If I remembered correctly, Rider possessed a Noble Phantasm that could negate most if not all Magecrafts below A-Rank, thus why I chose to wait for his arrival.

"Can you dispel it, Rider?" I asked.

"Of course I can! But well..." The Heroic Spirit faltered. "Uh... what was it again? That Noble Phantasm I had?"

...I deeply sighed. As I thought, Rider was still forgetful. It was a sad thing to know that his curse could not be lifted even though ages had passed. Then again, perhaps my perception of time was skewed as I lived in the Land Where No Man Could Ever Reaches. Sometimes I wondered if time flowed differently in the Surface World and the Reverse Side of the World, as from what I have heard, people such as Caules and Fiore were still around while having aged only for about a decade or so.

At any rate, "It's a book. A grimoire, I think. You called it a manual."

I gave the clues because I was being cautious. To suddenly expose a Heroic Spirit's Noble Phantasm's name was nothing less than sheer stupidity. Fortunately, Rider had a legend which caused him to have a wide array of Noble Phantasms, and he continued to have more after I was gone. But even if the pieces were placed together correctly, Rider had no real 'weakness' that could harm him critically unlike many Heroic Spirits out there.

Then again, he's quite average as a Servant so if I don't support him we will not have a real chance to win the Holy Grail War.

"Oh, right! Wasn't it something like this?" Rider pulled out a grimoire from the belt that strapped some of his many Mystic Codes. "Mmm... the name was Luna..."

..huh?

"Break... Manual?"

The grimoire opened, it's pages fluttered, the ancient letters carved on them shone. It was enough to blind my sight for an instance and Rider yelped. As the light faded though... now there was a definite crack on the empty space before us.

It was small but the running crack multiplied, spreading noisily, messily, then shattered altogether to make a small but unremarkable path into... the... bounded field...?

"...Uh... Rider? Is there another realm within the bounded field?" I pointed out as the scenery within it was devastated.

If I were to look at the landscape above the cracks, there was nothing unusual. Nothing but a quiet residential district. Yet... the opposite spoke the truth as I acknowledged the rubble contained by the magical wards carved through a combination of ancient letters and materials that suggested strong skill in alchemy.

Inside the bounded field was a ruin. While far away, there were houses that still stood upright, the areas around the pathway looked as if they were blown away, pulverized by something akin to Prana Burst. It was... eerily similar to how Saber of Red's Noble Phantasm would affect the surroundings.

"Master, I dunno what you're talking about but..." Raider trailed off.

But...? I peered at my Servant. He grinned widely and pulled me by the wrist.

"Got it! Let's enter!"

"Wha-?"

I was brought into the bounded field without my consent. When we entered, the cracks spread even further and I realized there was a dissonance, a distortion enough to twist the magical wards. It would probably require time and some efforts but the space... the secondary realm contained in the bounded field would maybe collapse for certain.

In other words, we must not stay here for lon-

"...Rider. Stop." I told my Servant in a cold tone that made him to halt.

It wasn't an order but he noticed, perhaps. There was something different with my voice.

"...Sieg...?" He asked as I slowly stood on my own two feet, listlessly staring at the sky above.

The atmosphere was different. Just by being here, I realized how powerful the effects of the bounded field was. Within an enclosed space, it drained prana from the small gaps within the fabrics of reality, as well as the branches of leylines running deep below the ground. Even though I wasn't sure why would it even need the ability to copy the landscape, the quality of the ward was extraordinarily above what most Magi could produce.

This alternate realm is... filled with magical energy. Enough to supply Magecraft some steps behind Sorcery, and enough to let two Servants to unleash their strongest Noble Phantasms for several times. To tell the truth, it's almost overflowing but... Something drifted in the air. Something familiar. Something similar to the acidic rust. Something resembled blood.

And it was the blood of a person who I knew way too well to even dismiss it as a mere coincidence.


It's no use...

That was the last thought Jeanne had when she confronted the Dark Knight. It wasn't like her at all to even conclude the result of a battle she had barely participated in but this was different. It was different because she knew, understood, and believed on it strongly.

From the stance she had. From the way she swung her broadsword. From the way she carried herself like a general leading an army in merciless wars. And from her strength that exceeded her wildest imaginations. All of that caused Jeanne to acknowledge the threat, and when the Excalibur fragment slipped off her maimed hand... she thought of one thing.

She could not win against her, even if she were to pour her entire life for the sake of defeating her. The difference... was too much.

"Hm... even with those wounds, you are still conscious. Is it because of your faith too? Or is it because of your own will to resist death?" The knight asked, pulling the holy sword stabbed on a piece of rubble. "Regardless, the victor has been decided. I will now relinquish my sword, Maid of Orleans."

Her sight flickered, encroached by the darkness. Lying on the ground, her hurting body could no longer move as she wanted to. Not even an inch.

Of course, something within her scoffed. She was defeated, resisted when asked to give up and was tossed like a ragdoll as a result. It wasn't even a fight as the... engagement ended in less than five minutes. It all began with the knight's initiative, then ended with the knight's complete victory. While she was a bloody mess, the Black Knight was unscathed, nor was she exhausted with all the chase around this alternate realm.

Jeanne wondered if there was someone this strong. Someone that could rival Siegfried, perhaps even surpassing him in every aspect. While she thought the knight was a human, a part of her believed she was far stronger than humanity as a whole. Her strength was simply unreal.

But... "...your... sword...?" Jeanne forced words out despite her damaged organs sending fiery feedback through the nerves. "...Ex...calibur... is not... yours... it is... the Church's..."

The knight who stood at the edge of her peripheral sight was silent. There was no movement but it seemed as if she had heard something odd.

"...I see. So they did not even tell you. No, perhaps that is just how it is. Even in my time, the truth could not be spread wide lest it lend a hand to a greater calamity." She muttered as if resigned.

'...in... my... time'...?

"For one such as you, it might be best to remain ignorant. You have tried to fulfill your duty, your prayers devoted innocently for the God for your entire life and in some ways... you are burned from that same faith."

The knight walked by her. Her gaze remained emotionless as she strode away, untarnished like an invincible hero who had won a vicious war.

"It is not my place to answer your doubts. You are still young, still ignorant of how the world works. Therefore, rest well. Forget this all happened, and preserve that innocence well, descendant of the Saint."

With her back turned against her, the knight left her sight. Soon enough, darkness overcame her will and her eyes closed. In the cold darkness, there was no longer any shred of resistance as she slept for certain.

Had it been not for a roar that resembled one of a Beast.


My vision was red.

The world was red.

All was dyed red.

I didn't know why or how it became like this. All I remembered was red of blood and then nothing else.

"You are..."

I heard a voice but I was sure it was nothing but a past memory. It was familiar. It was nostalgic, even when there was no semblance of emotion in that voice. I wondered why but the throbbing red filling my mind prevented me to think, and disallowed me to remember the memories I cherished.

"A Beast... a Primate Murderer? Wrong..."

There was the distant sound of screeches. There was devastation on a land that was already half-ruined. As the scenes flashed, deep red once again throbbed and threw me into a loop of stunned dazes.

"Sieg...! Snap out of it!"

I heard a familiar voice and I gained control over my body again. My senses returned but when I realized, one of my arms was already cut off. A black flash blinded my eyes and the scenery distorted only to return to normal when my back struck something sturdy like walls of concrete, pinning me on it like a frog smashed to the wall.

"I see... so you are the same..."

As my sight fell on a destroyed pavement where red and black flames danced, a figure stood, her armors cracked, dirt stained her beautiful-yet-stoic visage.

In her hands were a black sword emitting dazzling black flame. The blade was about 90-centimeters in length, possessed a cross guard, a long hilt for two hands to hold, and a small pommel. Black was its color as it enveloped every part of the sword with red sinister linings engraved from the sword guard down to the blade.

It was a weapon. A tool for killing, but also to protect. It had a name. It was a sword, but it was too beautiful that even the word would stain it. It was perhaps crafted by something beyond human understanding.

"But you are different. We are the same and yet so different. Is it because your choice allowed you to live in such way?" The knight asked before shaking her head. "Regardless. It seems I have failed to accomplish my duty. Even so, you are an obstacle for my Master. Thus..."

The sword flared, black flames erupted from its entirety. The enormous tainting flames expanded the sword into a weapon meant to smite something more than humans. A flame meant to destroy everything. A dark radiance that seemed as if it was powered by the wills of the planet.

"Haa!" She yelled as she swung the blazing dark flame upward to bisect me.

Before darkness engulfed memories flooded in and I recited the keywords that crossed my mind.

"Logic path/open!"

I extended my cut off arm forward and a hole opened up. Inhaling prana from the surroundings, I flowed the energy to the barrel that was structured in my arm to manifest a blade crafted by a spell.

When the Servant's sword was about to slash me, the severed arm shot out a sword towards her chest.

"...!" By reflex she skidded to a halt, spun on her heels and dodged the blasted sword which flew faster than an arrow.

Due to it her attack turned erratic, the black flame waving just above my head before pulverizing a house into nothingness rather than disintegrating me. I descended to the ground then jumped back as the knight had already recovered and charged ahead.

The ruin blew apart as she took a leap, her body coated with a burst of prana that I realized very similar to that of the Knight of Treachery. Guided by familiarity and honed reflex, I once again materialized a blade that was fired through my arm.

It was deflected of course so the knight approached me even closer to enter her range. I gritted my teeth when the sword slashed down, carving a wide gash on my torso even though my body was one of a Dragon. Before she followed up I already stepped back and dodged several blinding slashes by a hair breadth though it didn't stop me from being blown away by the winds they produced.

I landed clumsily after I broke through a wall of a house and exiting it. Getting back up on another ruined road, the clouds of dust in front of me scattered with the arrival of the swordswoman who struck down with her flame-clad sword.

Rather than blocking it, I opted to avoid it. Once I reinforced my entire body and senses to the limits, I could see the attacks but barely capable of matching her entire movement. My other arm manifested a sword that shattered upon contacting that blackened sword and I was pushed back, thrown off the ground again and again and again.

It was impossible to match her swordsmanship. There was no opening I could utilize, no chance to use nor a second to cast my attentions elsewhere. Her attack was extraordinarily strong, precise, frank, heavy and decisive without doubts or elegance. At this point, I was simply devoting myself only for the sake of struggling with the instinct to survive as a crutch for my dwindling mind as well as focus.

"Impressive." At one point the knight voiced out a monotonous opinion. "No wonder He holds you in high regards. You possess a great potential, Sieg."

But, she added before the twenty-third clash between our swords. It was obvious that my makeshift sword was destroyed once again and the fierce wind brought me to a distance away; this time the knight did not pursue me for the momentum.

Feeling something as strange, I released the breath I wasn't aware of holding, "...what...?"

"It is unfortunate that we must part ways here." The blonde knight shifted her gaze upward. "It seems the wards have reached their limits in sustaining this realm. Also, my Master desires my immediate return."

As I processed her words, a telepathic link blared through my mind.

'Sieg! If you're still alive, get out of there!'

"Rider...? But-"

When I looked ahead, the Servant bowed her head and promptly vanished, leaving a broken concrete pavement and clouds of dust. I blankly stared at the scene and only when the sky cracked did I snap out of my dazed state. Only now did I realize the vermilion lights falling from those cracks. I felt the distortion in the space leaping in bounds with the flows of prana going haywire.

Electricity crackled alongside the descent of fragments of the fake night sky. My back shivered as pieces of rubble began to float and then disintegrating, proving that the laws of physics working in this place were crumbling as well. This ruination... perhaps it's happening because Rider recited the wrong name of his Noble Phantasm, making it to work incorrectly in nullifying the bounded field.

'Get off there, please! We're already out here!' Rider shouted once again through the telepathic link.

I frowned, "'We'...?"

'This world's Jeanne! Did you forget her?!'

...ah... that's... that's...

"That's right... I..." I exasperated, staggering as the entire memories prior to that confrontation dawned upon me.

I saw... her. I saw her unmoving form. I saw her wounds, grave enough to threaten her life. I saw her bloodied form on the ground while the black knight stood still with two swords, one a holy sword and another was that tainted sword. Then... then I... I...

I attacked her. I attacked the knight with all of my fury, only to be beaten back with stoic calmness. I... what kind of stupidity have I done?

'Oy, Sieg! Hey!' Thankfully, Rider once again pulled me back from the shock I was engulfed in.

Shaking my head, I responded hastily, "A-ah... I got it, Rider... I, I'm on my way.'

I looked around and reinforced my legs to escape from the distorted bounded field. As I dashed through the landscape that had received more damages than earlier, I couldn't care less even when I felt as if I was being watched by something. Maybe it was that Servant from earlier.

Who was she? Was she the one who set up this intricate bounded field? Why did she look so familiar? Why was her technique... her skills resembled Saber of Red? And what was her purpose here?

Even with all the questions weighing my mind, all I could focus on was that I would have died had this place not been on the verge of collapsing. For certain, death was about to grasp me had it been not for Rider's misconduct. I... I was so close from being killed.

"What have I done...?"

Eventually, I questioned myself for the recklessness which I thought had long disappeared after the Great Holy Grail War. I had lived through turbulent time in the Reverse Side of World. I had long tempered my mind for the sake of fulfilling my duty, regretting nothing even though I was isolated from my kin and comrades as a consequence. I have accepted my fate, choosing my path with steeled resolve. And yet...

"Why? Why is my emotion running out of control now...?"


-Author's Rambling-

"This...! Is...! SPAR-TAAAAAAAAAA!"

In commemoration of the 300 followers (see the blatant reference there?), I've decided to think of this story more carefully than ever. It's also because of the Servants that will be introduced in the future development but it's mainly because of the direction this story is going to.

As of now, my main concern lies in the supernatural battle between Servants. The work is still incomplete (e.g. The scene above) since I haven't played any of the FSN for years. I'm still not sure if this kind of battle pictured the height where Heroic Spirits clashed on. It's just... the amount of ridiculous stunts they can do are above my imagination. Really, they're already powerful when they were alive but if the lore is integrated, the strength spiked with additional bonus skills and parameter changes. I must check on their profiles, make a mock-passage, double-checking, then finally putting the conforming abilities into the scene while comparing them with working rules since it's Fate fanfic we're talking about, even if it's a crossover. Damn realistic tidbits often pointed out by many.

If the battle scene is (truly) lacking, I need help ASAP. Excalibur Arc is entering the halfway mark so I hope I won't screw up badly.

P.S: Forgot to tell you. As suggested by a reader, today we have Tiger Dojo flipped out into something else.


-Tavern of Heroes-

Late at night, a two-story tavern was crowded with its usual customers. However, this time, something was happening-

Illya (dressed in waitress uniform): Wait a minute! Isn't this happening too fast!? Since when did a rundown dojo became a tavern with two floors and a basement?!

Chloe (same clothing style): Ignore it, Illya. Anything can happen here. Even the Author allowed fourth-wall breaking. Oh yeah, here's your order, Lancer.

Chu Culainn: Thanks a lot, missy! So hear me, Master. I ain't doubting our lucks are poor enough to not make us appearing in canon again.

Scathach: You expect a godslayer and a Servant that couldn't survive Holy Grail War even in all three routes to appear? *raises an eyebrow* Please, Setanta. You're way too drunk.

Illya: Wagh! Kuro, aren't you being too laidback!? Or rather, why are those two here?!

Chloe: Psht. Illya, that pun is unnecessary. Anything can happen in this do-tavern, y'know?

Taiga (in bartender outfit): Oy, you two! Move your hands, not your mouths! *throws a thick glass mug that roared a demonic tiger's roar*

Illya: Gebuh!? *THUD!* Wh-why...?

Chloe: So Torashinai becomes Toramug here... Did Sieg altered its shape? Maa, anyway, this tavern is located adjacent to Throne of Heroes so as expected, Heroic Spirits would lurk around as customers.

Illya: ...d-do they even pay for the alcohols?

Shuten (currently ranked 9): Oyaoya~ Another challenger~? Come, come! Let's drink the night away~!

MHX (currently ranked 8): G-gh...! How dare you! Even though you're rock bottom at the Big 10 list! Fine! I'll have some too!

Nightingale (currently ranked 7): Do not drink more than necessary. Alcohol destroys your liver.

Jeanne (same rank as above): U-ugh... My Lord forbids getting drunk. I'm sorry but-

Shuten: Oh ho ho~! Bad child! You shouldn't try to skulk away like that~ Ara, you have golden hair same like him.

Jeanne: W-wait! Where are you touching?!

Chloe: *staring with deadpan eyes* ...Well, as expected, those four have rotten lucks too. 33, 25 and 20 huh.

Illya: They increased! What's going on?!

Chloe: Well, this is how the author interprets their behaviors. Think of it as how he will create their base characters if they appeared for real in the story. If the readers don't like how he would portray them, then he'll remove them like Collective Wills do their usual stuff. By the way, the numbers i mentioned are their respective votes.

Illya: It's a teaser dialogue?! Wait, we're breaking the fourth wall too much this time!

Chloe: Then again, Gaia-chan and Alaya-chan are upstairs dueling for Onii-chan's ownership. He went straight heroic badass in chapter 43 of Drei they fell in love all over again. Gaia-chan is being a tsundere though since she wants him to properly become a Heroic Spirit unlike her counterpart.

Illya: They what?!

Taiga: Work, you dimwit! *shot another Toramug*

Illya: *SMASH!* Uncle?!

Chloe: Oh yeah. Forgot these guys over here. *pulls out the orders* The orders are distilled alcohols with cups made from the skulls of humans.

Nobunaga (rank 5): Hoh hou! Tis but what we waited for!

Paracelsus (rank 6): Hmm... quite a novel experience indeed to drink using such medium. *thoughtful*

Nobunaga: Tis suits us well, servant! We shall appreciate this!

Chloe: Your gratitude knows no bound, milord. *elegantly bows* Oh yeah, Illya. These two have 38 and 37 votes.

Illya: Ugh... s-so...?

Chloe: Common sense dictates Nobu-chan shouldn't appear due to her power level, while Paracelsus-san can be somewhat bipolar considering how passive he is in GO but psychopathic in Fate/prototype. Heck, these two are abnormal just like Arjuna-san, who's ranked 3rd with 53 votes.

Illya: *slowly gets up* Y-yeah... I can see that. But Arjuna-san isn't bad... right?

Chloe: Humans ain't divided into black and white alone. *sighs deeply* Even someone like him can be quite evil. Remember the archery competition Karna-san tried to jump in? Then again, problem with Indian Heroes are because they're ridiculously powerful. Most are even immortals with anti-world NPs like Karna-san.

Illya: Un... that's bad.

Chloe: Seriously bad. You'd rather put them in fictions depicting interplanetary wars to have a proper match. I think Sidonia has a missile that can pulverize a planet so it should be that kind of crossover. But well, the author is kind of an idiot so he forgot to set up basic rules for the competition. *shrugs*

Illya: You're right... Uh, so here's your orders?

Atalanta (rank 4): Thank you, child. Helping your family, I see? *smiles warmly*

Illya: Heh? Ah, well... *scratches cheek* I was just dragged along.

Chloe: Heh heh...! Of course we are, Onee-chan! *grinning slyly*

Atalanta: Ufu fu...! I see. That's good to hear. So, little one. Would you like hot milk with roasted apple?

Jack-ko (rank 3 with same counts as Arjuna): Oh...!

Chloe: *stands a bit further away* Huh. I guess that's just how they're going to be even with their stellar past.

Illya: It sure is heartwarming...! They're like mother and child!

Chloe: Maa, Atalanta-san is still going to be like that. She's actually pretty stubborn with her ideal as she mentioned she understood there are evils that only certain people, even children can do. In fact, it's similar to how Onii-chan's dream is.

Illya: ...I think she doesn't deserve being corrupted like that in canon.

Chloe: Such is life. Hell, it's because Collective Wills are around that fates can be set in stone. Had it been not for Root and them, then the world can work like ordinary archtypes of shounen-mangas.

Illya: I just hope those two can have happier conclusions though.

Chloe: To tell the truth, those two are the author's favorites for Sieg's Servants. Considering one is tied against Arjuna-san and the other is still three steps behind, I think the possibility is very likely.

Illya: It's too bad Zenithzwei-san never cared for the common grounds. He even believed the fanfic would fail like his other stories.

Chloe: Blame his weak self-esteem then. Oh yeah, here's the sake you ordered!

Tamamo (rank 2): Mufufu~! Thanks a lot! Now Jekyll-kun, let us toast for being the second and the first contenders with large gaps against everyone else!

Jekyll (rank 1): Y-yeah...! Cheers!

Tamamo: So so, since you've 93 votes, are you going to appear next? *sips while tails are wagging*

Jekyll: From the looks of it... I wonder if I can do well. If Hyde appears, I'd become a giant werewolf...

Tamamo: Who can still live for several minutes even with Excalibur driven through your spiritual core. You're basically the toughest Servant there is since even Herakles-kun couldn't be that tough. I think you can even survive being attacked with Gil-kun's Ea. If Shiro-bou can do that in UBW and Prisma, why can't you?

Jekyll: *takes a deep breath and sighs* Yeah... I don't want that to happen though. It still hurts even when Hyde is awake.

Tamamo: Ara, please have some more pride. It's a honest praise after all!

Jekyll: *Blushes* Th-thank you, Miss Tamamo. I think you've done excellent job too since your votes reached 68.

Tamamo: One more addition and I'd have called for a certain bed technique with Master! Mufufufuuu!

Jekyll: B-bed technique...!? Y-you mean sixty-ni-

Tamamo: *places a finger on the lips* Jekyll-kun...? A woman's secret shouldn't be revealed so easily, you know?

Jekyll: Uuuugh...?! *overheats* ...a...alright...

*Chloe and Illya awkwardly stayed away*

Illya: Somehow, aren't they being lovey-dovey already?

Chloe: No no, Tamamo-sama is one heck of a Servant. Doubling as a goddess in her past life, she pretty much is loved because who she is. Her character is very well-developed, her motive is just and even with her uselessness, she's still coming out stronger than before with her girlpower. Also, she loves humanity because of who they are so by extension, Sieg and other human Servants in the group can be said as a big family.

Illya: Not that she will give up her spot as a legal wife right? Most of the candidates are female Servants.

Chloe: Well, Mordred-chan wouldn't think twice on refusing to be lumped together. She'd probably act as a Bro or frienemy with her wild character.

Illya: I see... As expected of the Treacherous Knight. *nod nod* But what about her power?

Chloe: Well... without Blue and CCC's features, she can't ascend into a Goddess right? And she loves being ordinary Servant so a youkai born from the Stone of Death can be a solid, reasonable setting.

Taiga: WORK ALREADY! *Toramug flew to strike the two Einzberns with a chain combo successfully.* Hmph! I'm not paid enough for this! And it's not like the people around here can pay up except some like Goldie!

Shirou (hired chef): Wait. Then why am I here?!

Caules (cashier registry): And why the hell am I here?!

Night flew as the Tavern of Heroes once again rolled with everything. Well, Heroes can get bored sitting on thrones for eternity after all.

Shirou&Caules: Don't just roll with it dammit!

*rushing footsteps*

Gaia-chan (wearing toga with the form of gudako): Shiroooooouuuu! You're hired! Now cook some meals for me! Also, have a date with me as Butler-class Heroic Spirit!


RAC!

j: Sure. Votes accepted.

Ehh im a guest: He's a king. A GOLDEN KING! You expect him not to be awesome?! Shifting that aside, it has been speculated that Jeanne and Siegfried were once a part of the Church and then betrayed them by joining KB. Reasons unknown but if we can set aside Cao Cao's ambition, they are prominent figures in Christianity so it's (almost) a given. It can be linked that they found out the truth hidden away by the Angels and higher ups. Also, Pendragon is confirmed as having nothing to do with the Church, and Arthur is in Vali's group from first appearing. He said there's a bad blood between him and them that he left with Le Fay. And yeah, you'll have to wait for Rider's explanation about him.

Knight of Steam: As a matter of fact, this has already been planned before the story officially begins.

LL: It would be a different matter if Jeanne of DxD is a real witch rather than a saint. If it was Jeanne!Alter then there can be some ways. Who knows? The truth is always blurry when it comes to the distant past. Ophis? What's her relation with this all? Then Koneko must have noticed something about Sieg if she stopped Issei from teaching him the divinity of H.

ZJ: Well, what do you think? Look forward to it!

Master of Dragons God: Thanks for the praise!

Azul: Uh-huh. Votes accepted.

Lord Zod: I'm honored to have a spot with that great work. Thank you! And Votes accepted.

Student: You're not incorrect but there are still some more clues to be find out... Well, you'll figure it out eventually since you're already on the right path. You know what? Sieg's contracted with Rider. It's already like Heaven's Fell all-over again with the MC having the help of Rider-class Servant against Saber Alter.

Sky Magician: As expected of a Magician, you have some nasty idea there. Admittedly, Siegfried(DxD) can be said as Sieg's distant relative, just like how Grey is to Arturia though the latter case has so much mysteries to uncover (u know, the usual discrepancies of legend). But it's more because of Fafnir's curse running their blood maybe. If Siegfried is truly a descendant of the hero Siegfried then he'd have some partial-immortality just like Sieg's heightened lifespans and strength. Regarding Xenovia... actually, she and Roland is probably similar in some ways more than meets the eyes.

King0fP0wers: Tokyo Ghoul is full of trainwrecks. I mean, I didn't even expect Arima's complexity can increase just by short explanation and some flashbacks. Some would say the story is a mess but the charm is the characters and their personal views. It's amazingly done well. About this chapter, though. I did my very best but feel dissatisfied since I couldn't convey Sieg's emotions as I envisioned it to be. There's just not enough space to explain without breaking my rule over explanation-length. If I went on, it'd turn into irrelevant and incoherent psychological counseling which can branch away messily.

Mard Geer: Well, staying true to the title of the chapter is one of my forte. There are lots of 'coincidence' happening ain't there?

hey: Umhm, I don't want to make a flawless character after all. Mary Sue and Gary Stu are all my archenemies!

Tamamo-chan: Votes accep... Wait, what?

Erastone: He already disclosed Sieg's a Master. Let's just sit warmly and watch for more chaos to unfold. The lead is (un)surprisingly, the split-faced Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the Berserker-class! And to tell the truth, I've been meaning to do that but Sieg's stubborn in only the field of magecraft alone. He respects several such as Caules or Fiore but most Magi would be his target of fury.

bob: Got it.

Boomlancer: Yeah. The individual personalities are quite stronk on the popular choices. Quite unhelpful even if judged logically. I'd better make sure I have a backup if they affect future development negatively. Don't worry though, Jekyll is confirmed to be the king for this round so... yeah. Think that gag can totally happen.

Thunder Dragon: To tell the truth, I have some problem concerning that crossover. Not because of the idea as impossible but it's because... well, even Sieg himself is way too powerful in Halkegenia. It's not a problem if he (and only he alone of the Nasuverse) is summoned as Louise's familiar, but everything's no doubt going down to hell if other Void Familiars were Heroic Spirits and Sieg summoning multiple Servants happened. The former could be said as a balancer but the latter can break the story into a simple story where there's no actual challenge at all. Unless, of course, the enemies are as powerful as King Arthur for each.

Answer1: It can happen but it ultimately depends on my pen and brain.

Answer 2: There's another Servant around and she's clearly hostile. Who knows? She might be related to the whole incident of vol.3

The True UBW: Well, what do ya think?

Theflyingcat: Sorry, haven't played it yet so I'm unsure of it.

archy: And other Servants? The Berserker, Caster and Assassin haven't been filled yet.

TYRFTCH: Right... Anyway, votes accepted.

Mr. Tanaka: I don't want the issues be left out after all. Even Sieg has his own problems and he's not just 'a good guy' in my dictionary. Well, it's true that Nightingale as a character has not enough depth to explore. Feels like her personality is quite... one-dimensional. It's dissimilar but not different to Shirou's naive ideal *glare at UBW and Fate routes*. Though saying that, Jekyll pretty much ruled the selection. Who knows what'll happen at the end of Excalibit Arc?

JZ: Jeanne Alter is actually highly expressive and temperamental, but this one is emotionless. Noticed anything from the description?

rias: Whut? Since when Ravel can go Alter?

Azrael: Sure. Votes accepted.

Craven: What about the slot for Archer and Assassin?

a guest: Mhmm... Can you explain why you choose them? It's just for a little research.

Jack-O-Lantern: Then, please tell me who you are voting for Archer and Assassin to make this counts.

Kirin: Let's find out later, okay? Well, we already have TWO Sieg, despite one is real descendant and the other is one with a heart implant. Then again, other characters' allegiances are up in the air until the story unfolded. You guessed correct for the newest addition of character.

Shaker: A harem... might be inevitable. It's just how it is since Siegfried had the gall to be stuck between his wife Kriemhild and Brynhildr. Or rather, it'd be historically accurate if Sieg and Siegfried have problems in relationships. The thing is, even if his Servants were all females, I won't go down the path where they're all attracted to him. Just NO. Issei is already one huge ball of it. The Servants will have their own life, their own outlooks, their own circles, their own problems and their own secrets to share so they CAN be not a part of the harem even if readers wanted them to be. In the end, it all depended on my desire and objective in writing this story.

Fumi chan: I think I'm going to open a poll for the third story. This one is already set as a 'long-length series' so I don't think my ideas can endure being hidden from fresh air.

Guest-san: Using everything at my disposal is already my motto. And about Heroic Spirits... While no doubt Vali would want to fight one, but I wonder if his allies want to. It's basically summoning a dead hero as a familiar. Arthur would probably frown at the act if he's truly the descendant of the King of Knights.

Arjuna: Right...what about the others? Assassin. Berserker and Caster.

LastEncore: They indeed can. Especially in this Holy Grail War.

Sinov: Let's see how things play out first, alright?

Henry Jekyll: ...uh... G-got it.

Ost: Okay.

Nobunaga Archer: As expected of a Demon King, not fearing even against the hero of laser beam.

Signor Vali: Probably want to duke it out. Using Dress Break or bilingual only to fail maybe?

Minx: Well, this selection is simply because Jeanne (Heroic Spirit) is of the Ruler category, has an Alter version, and she is a neutral party. But DxD Jeanne will probably match as a vessel though the repercussions might cause concerns for two men with dragonblood running in their veins.

KILLAH OPA: It's inevitable. The problem will appear be it sooner or later as long as Sieg is in DxDverse.

Camelot: At least the King herself is out in the open, and we've got Mordred ready to be set loose.

Niko: Unfortunately, both the ballot and myself cannot agree. I also don't know who this Ramses is. Haven't read F/PF yet.

Ltpas: Okay. Would you like to share your voice for your choices?

Fatefan: Thank you! I see that your reasons are acceptable at least.

Etherious: Hmhmm! Because those two's characters are easy to write after all!

Silver Eyes: Since canon allows for multiple fights against an assortment of supernatural beings, why not?

Chaos: Right. Want to voice out your views of your chosen selections?

Manlybadasshero: And here's a badass battle against a dragon and a human with dragon blood (artificial)!

CCC: You can expect it soon.