Update 12/9/2016: Edited circumstances of Servants.


There were so many things that needed to be dealt with.

For the time being, I asked Rider for help. Since I knew nothing in altering memories of people, much less hypnotizing them without giving heavy drawbacks, I wished one of the Student Council members could accept my request.

"Admittedly, this will cause myself to be indebted even more..." I exasperated in resignation. "I just hope Sitri-san wouldn't take the chance to know the truth."

"Oy, what are you blabbering about?" A certain blonde yelled from the dining room. "If you still treasure your head, get over here and present me the welcoming feast!"

I sighed once again. Even with all the fortune that I have, the kitchen was partially ruined and some goods were no longer salvageable. I didn't doubt the Knight of Treachery becoming displeased by what I could serve her with at this point but I liked my head where it was placed at now, thank you very much.

"Please wait a little longer, Saber. If you truly wish to eat a feast, proper preparation for it is a given." I told my newest Servant with slightly increased volume so that my voice could be heard clearer.

The response I heard was a click of tongue, but there was nothing that indicated a second rampage. It was safe to say that Saber had agreed to my terms even if begrudgingly. I suppose this allowed me to breathe a little easier, though it would have gotten worse if I slipped up and called her by her True Name.

Now that I think about it, should I still call her 'Saber' or 'Saber'? There was her 'father' who held the name 'Saber Alter' so... Maybe 'Saber' is fine if I called the King of Knights as 'Alter'.

"...Sieg... kun?" And then a familiar voice entered my ears.

I turned my attention from the sizzling slice of meat in the frying pan to the left, finding a certain exorcist poking her head into the kitchen from the backdoor. That path was where I usually took the bundle of cooking waste out once it piled up, but considering a Servant with infamous temper was in the dining room, the backdoor instantly became the safest alternative to enter the kitchen.

"Ah... Jeanne." I called out before bowing my head a few degrees. "I'm sorry for causing a ruckus earlier. Are you okay?"

"Eh... I guess? But why are you..." She stared at the frying pan. "Why are you suddenly cooking?"

Well... I wasn't sure if I could answer that question. I knew that instead of preparing a feast, I should have called for some help and reported the mansion's state to legal authority. The police would certainly investigate this incident and would inquiry me but I couldn't hope to ignore Saber lest my head be served on a silver platter.

"It's fine," I told her, "Rider already went off to call for help."

"Help... The Devils? Are you sure that's okay for you?" Jeanne asked again, this time clearly showing worries.

Her concern was understandable, albeit very sharp. She was an Exorcist, an agent of the Church. To oppose Devils who were recognized as the embodiment of sins was something as natural as breathing air for her. In such a way, my way of dealing with this incident might look like I was selling my soul to them but...

"It's far better than revealing the real cause to the world." I muttered as I flipped the meat in the frying pan. "The existence of magic and the supernatural side is not something that should be disclosed so carelessly."

At least not when there was no consent given from each party involved in it. Also, there would be extreme reactions if the people who never recognized the presence of the supernatural discovered the truth. Global chaos is the last thing I needed in my life, and it would make another point proven for the Fake Priest to achieve his dream.

"...you've thought this through." Jeanne whispered in acknowledgement.

Even so, I knew there was heavy reluctance in her voice. I understood that a loyal believer of the Church, especially a hunter of heretics and abomination would be against of dealing with the Devil.

Is she lamenting my choice? Is she disappointed by my method to solve this problem? But that's fine either way.

I shrugged as a thin smile crept on my face, "It's the least I can do-"

"Oy! Stop dawdling and ready my feast, dammit!"

...Hufft. Right, I still have to appease that annoying Servant. Honestly, I wished Command Spells could work on her but I doubted their effectiveness on a pseudo-Berserker Saber. From the information Sisigou Kairi traded with to my personal observation, it was clear that the Knight of Treachery could not be measured as a standard Servant. In such a way, the usual methods to deal with Servants were rendered useless when applied on her.

Truly, this person is a pain in the ass.


And so, the feast began while the evening arrived.

Though there was no need to explain it, almost all of it went straight for Saber. It also meant I was seated without anything except tea to comfort my stomach.

"Ah? You don't eat or something?" Saber asked from across the table.

I shook my head lightly, "I no longer require food to satiate my hunger."

"Hmm... How boring," The Servant hummed, "I'm not gonna give you anything even if you asked then."

So she said. I chose not to retort since it would only cause unnecessary altercation, which would also drain my prana even further. Even though I tried to be watchful over the summoning ritual, it turned out the prana required to power it was as large as summoning Rider. But strangely, when Saber used her Prana Burst, she didn't absorb mine to use it. Not even an iota...

Now that I think about it, Rider's Hipogriff was a Noble Phantasm yet it didn't drain mine. The consumption was all directed to open up a gap in two dimensions and distorting them enough to forcibly create a connecting tunnel for Rider to pass through. The entire process did not include fueling his mount summoning... Why?

"What was that earlier?" Saber asked.

I blinked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb," She snorted haughtily with a fork raised and pointed toward me, "Who was that lookalike? She creeps me out."

Huh... So she noticed her. I didn't expect Saber of all people to especially care about the presences of other people who couldn't match her strength, but since I wasn't sure if she would take her kindly, I had explicitly told the Exorcist to stay in her room for the rest of the day.

After all, no matter how strong and reputed of an Exorcist she claimed to be, she is not a Heroic Spirit or even a Magician.

"Well, she is this world's Jeanne. Or you could say... Someone who possesses similar Origin." I explained. "I guess she's like Laeticia in that sense. An ordinary person with so much similarity she is able to be a vessel of a Heroic Spirit."

The former Saber of Red nodded simply with a short 'I see'. However, she seemed to have lost interests right away. She probably just wanted to satiate her curiosity if not to erase any doubtful factor during her stay as a Servant. Still, it didn't stop me from feeling a bit annoyed that she dismissed Jeanne's presence like that.

No matter what and who she is, that girl isn't a nobody. She's a person with a heart, a life to live through, a future to anticipate, and a dream to fulfill. She's a human, not a pawn or an impostor.

"So what the hell was that?" Saber once again asked.

I raised my head only to watch her tearing in fried chicken leg and chewing it noisily. Others, especially Heroic Spirits with noble heritage would have frowned at such gruff antics but I was already used to some degree of madness the World had in store.

Indeed, this isn't something new. And I knew what she meant.

"It is precisely like what I just said." I replied as I sipped my tea. "The opponent is a Saber with peerless swordsmanship. Capable of wielding a broadsword expertly despite her slender frame, using a style of Prana Burst no different than yours, and holding a holy sword too beautiful that such word will just taint it. Also, she looks a lot like you."

I didn't miss how Saber's gaze narrowed the more I mentioned our enemy's traits. I thought it was because that black knight possessed strength rivaling the Knight of Treachery, but my doubt turned into certainty the moment I mentioned her skill, weapon-of-choice, and finally her appearance.

"Too beautiful that the word itself doesn't fit for it huh?" Saber curved up a savage smirk. "Yeah, that's the right thing to describe Excalibur alright. Fine, this me will take up your words as the truth."

Ah... Looks like I have avoided the pitfall in building a common ground. And yet, I couldn't help thinking there will be more problems piling up in the near future...

"That doesn't mean you're off the hook yet, dimwit. You broke it."

...huh?

"Excuse me?" I asked dumbly, unable to process the sudden accusation.

Saber responded to my question by snorting, "You. Broke. That. Sword. Go take responsibility for your insolence."

...

"...take... responsibility?" I parroted, no longer capable of catching up with the flow of the conversation.

But like always, the Knight of Treachery just nudged, "Well, whatever. 'Father' is probably seething in rage. Ah, I sure want to rub this in 'his' face now. 'His' reign felled, 'his' subjects slaughtered and now 'his' sword is poorly reforged by incompetent fools... Ha!"

The girl cackled audaciously, yet I couldn't comprehend it. How can I?

Saber... Mordred, she was full of contradictions. Never hesitating to do anything to win, inviting herself to a dinner when nobody asked for her presence, talking with her enemy she had let go off, and lecturing a survivor of her onslaught even though she spared no one when victory was assured. Her temper was also very foul and she hated her legend, which also meant she despised everything related to her original life.

Then suddenly, when I told her that another Saber, the King of Knights was our opponent, she simply smiled like a child receiving her favorite toy. Joyful. Bright. But also cruel as she spun out insults and promises of death directed solely to her. It's just... strange.

"Saber, are you... looking forward to it?" I reflexively asked.

The girl raised an eyebrow but she smirked as if she knew what I tried to imply.

"This is perfect, Homunculus... 'Father' is summoned as a fellow Saber so 'he' is at 'his' strongest right now. Just like before, the Battle of Camlann is going to repeat itself... blood and fire will rain down, and I can now slay 'him' without being tied by my mother's machination!" Saber answered.

Her eyes radiant with pure lust for battle. The light within those emerald jewels was frightening, maddening as it caused shivers to run down my spine. Had I not faced her in battle and witnessed her behaviors, I would have told her she was far too obsessed, and perhaps growing mad.

...I wonder why? Why is there no contempt in those words? Even though there was hatred so distinctive, so abundant it bordered insanity, there was no malice in her speech. How come? Why is she so happy even though she is going to face her parent in a death battle?

"I see..." To such joyful Saber, I could only say those two words as a reply.

I didn't understand her. I couldn't understand her. Even now, I still could not understand the individual called as the Knight of Treachery.

"But Saber... Things have changed." I told her.

"What do you mean?" She asked, looking annoyed as if her fun was ruined.

I breathed out, feeling the heat slowly choking my neck that I loosened the collars of my shirts. It wasn't exactly because of gaining this difficult Servant's undivided attention alone, but it too wasn't because I was afraid. I had been thrust in dangerous situations more often than not in my long life, so I was already used to intimidation to a degree.

No, it wasn't because of anything that could bring ire to Saber, but... maybe a bit? It's not like I have any desire in being stabbed or slashed by a silver sword renowned as an equal, if not stronger than the Last Phantasm.

At any rate, divulging the truth now is better than abandoning an ally to her fate while being ignorant of it.

"It's related to our adversary, and our current situation."

It's just... I hope she can take it well. Saber is different than Rider, especially about intelligence.


It was past midnight.

The moon shone once the clouds dispersed, and cold breezes glided into the ruined mansion. Even so, the people I have expected to be here had arrived at last.

"Whoa... This is really something to see," Saji Genshirou commented in a daze before turning towards me, "How did this all happen anyway? Did the enemy attacked this place?"

I shook my head, "It was...another summoning ritual going outside my expectations?"

Tsubasa Yura gave a deadpan stare after she heard my answer. Even the rest of the Kuoh Academy's Student Council members - save for Sitri-san and Shinra who chose to not come along for reasons unknown to me - were befuddled in disapproval.

"Sieg-kun..." Tomoe Meguri rubbed her temple in vexation. "Why are you so insistent on summoning a familiar if it was going to result like this?"

Despite the implication of myself being inexperienced, if not completely inept in using Magecraft other than material alteration, the reddish-brown-haired girl showed clear signs of worry be it in her voice or in her face. Even though she was a Devil who had given up her own humanity at some point, she displayed strong affections to those she were acquainted if not befriended with.

I smiled to reassure her, "Even if things could go wrong, it still doesn't mean the efforts I have committed are worthless. I... No, we need all the help we can have to fight our present enemy too."

"Are you sure...? But aren't you pushing yourself too far?" Meguri pursed her lips.

"Well," I shrugged, "I just don't want to lose any more friends."

And suddenly something seemed to have set off like a chain reaction. Sitri-san's Peerage all gazed on me very hard that I felt incredibly unnerved right now.

...Did I say something out of my line again? Have I just blurted out another thing I wanted to keep as eternal secret to this world?

"Meh! You're being a worrywart again, Sieg!" A boisterous exclamation echoed. The one entering my sight was Rider still in his chainmail. "We're going to win again, you know? You've already got two Servants in your side anyway so victory is already assured!"

That's...

"Isn't that being a little too optimistic? Rider, there's nothing that can guarantee us from surviving this ordeal." I told him bluntly.

"Not like you intend to flop down and concede defeat like a coward would," Rider countered, putting a hand on his waist, "Besides, Mordred is going to kill you if you do that. Or rather, our heads will roll like balls."

...you didn't have to make a point by sliding your thumb across the air in front of your neck, you know? It made me even more worried since that one is the wildest Servant I knew after you, and you already have the skill that disallowed you to keep secrets no matter how small they are.

Is it just my luck to have a nonstandard Servant? Or is this yet again another curse Fafnir had thrown on his Slayer?

"Speaking of which, where's that hothead? I'm pretty sure she's still fuming last time I checked." Rider glanced around.

Yes. She did just that occasionally during the retelling of my life in this world... It was quite fortunate she still had her feast but even that didn't last when I retold my experience over my encounter against her 'father'.

"She yelled on me for getting the blood up my head and insulted me with various insulting remarks..." I scratched the back of my head before rubbing down my neck.

"Duh! Of course she did, you idiot Master! You were stupid for charging against a Saber of all Servants out there!" Rider jeered, further throwing salts on the injury.

Guh... Even so, I didn't want to see someone who looked precisely like Ruler be hurt... Not only because she didn't deserve it, her presence also reminded me the lessons I have learned during the Great Grail War.

To abandon someone to their fate when I have the power to help is simply something I cannot do. I don't think I can forgive myself the moment I chose to discard them just because either...

"Ah well. Her Highness is summoned anyway so I'm going to pay my respect!" Rider walked past me.

I immediately turned around and grasped his shoulder, "Saber decided to retire for tonight. She exhausted quite an incredible amount of prana. Also..."

Rider made a puzzled expression. It was hard to maintain facade before him, unfortunately, but there were other people such as Sitri-san's entourage around us. I would like to at least prevent another mishap from occurring tonight, so...

"Rider. We need to talk. Just the two of us in my room."

"What?"

Silence ensued. Even though I was used to such an abrupt tranquility, this one was slightly different. How should I say...? It was suffocating? But why?

"Oh my! Master, I'm not ready for this yet...! My heart isn't prepared at all!" Rider screamed out, his cheeks fervent red and he wiggled around like a restless child.

...uh...? What are you saying, Rider...? I wasn't intending on making up jokes though...?

"Holy shit-ouch! This guy's timing is monstrous!" Genshirou yelled behind me.

"Oho...!" Yura smirked before putting two fingers under her lips . "So he tried to smooth the road by bringing that kind of topic first... Saji-kun, President was right. You should learn one or two things from Sieg-kun here."

"No way no way! It's definitely impossible!" The blond shook his head profusely.

"Err... I don't think we should focus on that though...?" Reya Kusaka raised a hand before looking on my direction. "Rider-chan, did you just call someone who's not here 'Mordred'...?"

" "Ah." "

Rider and I let out such sound in unison, followed in the same manner by the rest of the Student Council members. With wide eyes, we stared at the most knowledgeable person among the Student Council after the King and the Queen. Even though her wisdom mostly came from common literature, she delved quite seriously in exploring various myths due to her hobby.

But, since she was a Devil, and that she knew of mythical lore such as the Volsunga Saga...

"I suppose it should be expected of her to know of the Arthurian Legend..." I placed a hand on my forehead, sighing remorsefully about my latest mistake. "I'm sorry. The person we talked about is, yes, someone with such name. Also yes, she is my ally right now. Are you going to report this to your King then?"

"Well..." The Bishop scratched her cheek, "It is Kaichou-san we are talking about after all. Also, I was selected to report this event back in place of Fukukaichou. I'm sorry, Sieg-kun."

...haa. It truly can't be helped then.

I shook my head, "It's fine. At this point, even keeping it a secret will change nothing. But... If you can, please don't spread this information as much as you can."

Among the Student Council, the one who had enough curiosity to ask was Genshirou alone.

The Pawn tilted his head, "Why is that?"

"Because..." I paused, wondering what was the appropriate way to explain it.

Considering the pros and cons, I realized that there was nothing that could make a decent reason to keep this a secret. In fact, a question just floated up in my head, which was about the presence of the Knight of Treachery as well as her possible influence in this world.

A Servant who possessed a solid vessel would live even if the Holy Grail were destroyed. In such a way, Saber had no choice but to live another life until the end, with the alternative of being felled in battle or vanishing from the world in a similar way to what I did. I had no interest in stabbing her in the back and who was I to even deny her right to live freely?

But exactly because of that... As long as she is still alive in her current state, she could influence the world no matter what I do about it.

Whether it is in the near or in the distant future, her identity would without a doubt be revealed to the entirety of the Moonlit World. A Heroic Spirit capable of leveling an entire army with one strike, who is also the bastard child of the famed King Arthur Pendragon... Depending on her choices, the power balance in the Moonlit World would change. It could crumble, it could turn extremely unbalanced, or maybe nothing would change at all though I doubt such thing will happen so conveniently. We're talking about Saber after all.

In the end... All I could use to reply to Genshirou's question was just a long, exhausted sigh.

"...I can only hope she will not feel offended that the Devils know her true identity. She's a very willful person." I murmured mostly to myself.

Rider quipped, "You forgot the 'extremely' word, Sieg. Also, 'pain in the ass' is better suited to describe her."

Yes... You are right, Rider, but maybe you shouldn't have said that out loud. Who knows if she was listening to this conversation?

"...err... Is she that violent?" Kusaka asked again. "Hold on. This 'Mordred' is a girl?"

If I was feeling very exhausted earlier, I no longer was right now as I whipped a tense glare at the bibliophile. Swiftly. Immediately. Very, very fearfully suspicious if that pseudo-Berserker's golden antenna was sticking out from the shadows nearby or not.

Confirming there was nothing like that, I approached Kusaka and grabbed her shoulders tightly.

"Do not. Call her 'a girl'." I stated urgently. "Unless you don't value your life, that is."

The Bishop was taken aback just like the remaining Student Council members, but because of my clear words and perhaps reaction, they all nodded even though they were confused. Particularly Kusaka whose cheeks reddened and answered yes sheepishly.

Letting go of her, I retreated back and stood near... Hm? Why are you glaring at me, Rider?

"Oookay..." Genshirou looked around nervously, probably feeling the silence was long overdue. "So... Now that the chat is done. What are we supposed to do again here?"

"Now that is simple, blondie number two!" Rider hopped forward.

Ignoring the boy who entered a state of stuttering mess in the face of the Twelfth Paladin of Charlemagne, my first Servant raised his arm and pointed to his back. Everyone's gaze followed his direction and we all stared at the badly wrecked mansion.

"Two of us here are pretty useless in using Magecraft and Sieg doesn't like expanding his skill set so... can ya fix this place up?"

Before he finished, however, a silver-haired girl who stood quite close to Genshirou gasped.

Momo Hanakai protested, "Hold on! Were we called here just to repair the mansion and alter the memories of anyone who's still awake in the vicinity yet probably already left the area hours ago!?"

...well... I guess? Is that impossible to do?


The darkness covering the sky lightened, paled, replaced by clear blue color.

Beginning from the east, daybreak emerged alongside whitening clouds near the horizon. Stars faded away but it wasn't like they vanished, they simply retreated just like the night did. A cool breeze knocked on the windows, and I turned my head, finding the clear morning sky through the gaps of the curtains.

"...It's morning huh...?" I slowly sat up in my bed, rubbing my still drowsy eyes. "In the end, I didn't get enough sleep."

It was mostly due to monitoring the Devils' progress in dealing with the aftermath of my altercation with Saber, informing the Devils about the tea-party, what Kokabiel's plan was, as well as discussing important subjects with Rider in regards to my latest information gathering. It was quite exhausting for my mind.

"Honestly... In the Reverse Side of the World, using strategy is as rare as the number of Beasts smarter than humans." Murmuring, I then walked towards the wardrobe.

Hmm... While I wasn't one to particularly mind the views of others over my appearance, flashy colors always distracted my eyes. In some ways, I might have developed an aversion to them so it was hard to find a suitable set of clothes. Most of these were selected by Rider after all...

"Urrah!" Suddenly, the door to my room flew off and smashed into the wall across the room.

Swiftly turning around, there I found a single leg outstretched as if yelling 'I kicked your door since it blocked my way!'. But then, the rest of the body parts entered the room and I blinked in surprise. There was one Saber in red glancing around, absorbing the interior before she set her eyes on me.

"Ah, so you're here." She said. "Huh, what are you doing exposing that scrawny top around? You an exhibitionist or something?"

...while it was true that I was half-naked at the moment, I would have liked to point those words back at her very much. Is that underwear, sleeves and cloths wrapped together into a skirts? But now that I think about it, I rarely saw Saber with her armors yet not wearing the clothes she obtained from her previous Master. Judging from the medieval looking red uniform she was wearing, it might be the ones worn under her armors.

Still, from my viewpoint, it almost looked no different than that tube top and short shorts. Still exposing too much skin, I think.

"Whatever. This is the perfect opportunity so get out." Saber pointed with her thumb directed behind her, just above her shoulder.

...I... Couldn't help but tilting my head, "Why? What do you mean?"

The grin the Knight of Treachery had was anything but comforting to me.

"I'm giving you the honor to be my sparring partner so get your ass out and fight me!"


Saji Genshirou woke up when deafening roar and tremors finally pushed his languid body off the sofa. After getting his face up from the floor which was covered with expensive authentic carpet, he looked around like an angry bull who had rammed it's head to the wall.

Truthfully, he really looked like one.

"Ow, dammit! My nose..." He rubbed his reddened face, particularly the hurting bridge of his nose. "What the heck... Where am I?"

He was situated in a large room with hellishly expensive furniture. The amount of wealth spent for the interior simply heightened his wariness but soon memories came back to him and he groaned in realization. More like exhaustion though.

"Oh, right. The repair took a lot of time so everyone chose to lodge in for the night," Saji stood up, "But why am I in the sofa? I thought I passed out in the floor after getting in my room..."

When he looked behind, however, the sole male member of the Student Council almost screamed.

"Wh-what the hell!?" Saji yelled before slapping a hand to shut his damn mouth.

But the damage was done, little it might have been. The entangled, pristine white appendages no different than those of the most magnificent sculptures rustled in the bed were accompanied by tiny groans which sounded like moans of angels to Saji's ears. His eyes rolled upward and captured two slender frames in nothing else other than shirts and underwears. One being a petite brown-haired girl who was his underclassman, Ruruko Nimura, and the other being a white-haired girl who was in the same year as him, Momo Hanakai.

The two were sleeping in the bed while facing each other, their quiet breathes capable of soothing the heart of anyone nearby though hearing them just accelerated the blood in Saji's body. He gaped for a while like a deer caught in a headlight but soon looked down and gasped in horror.

Fuck! What the hell did I do to even deserve this!? No, wait! My love is only for Kaichou alone...!

Alas, Saji was a boy in puberty. He might not admit it but he was no different than Issei when it came to the opposite sex. Therefore, it was a kind of bad luck - as much as he regretted calling this event that - for he had fallen in love with his King even way before he joined the Student Council. To veer away from someone's seduction was a must, no matter how tempting the offer was.

But why are these two sleeping in my room? How did this happen? Or rather, how come they could sleep so defenselessly like this!?

Saji's brain came to a grinding halt when he came to a conclusion that the two were not even seeing him as a boy at the peak of puberty. He recalled that Peerage system could work in a familial way which meant, by extension, he held the position of being a sibling with the rest of the Student Council. Of course he excepted Sona. She was his King, his stoic upperclassman, his President, his superior, and his dearly beloved crush.

Ah... Wait, does that mean I'm not even considered as a male schoolmate to these two...? How disappointing-

"Hah! Your moves are all sloppy like always, Faker!" A boisterous laughter rang out from the windows.

It was so sudden that Saji reacted like a cat would, hopping back with tense shoulders. He blinked before frowning. What was that...

"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Another voice echoed, one that was strangely relatable since it sounded so frustrated.

"Bring it!" The first voice replied back, haughtiness withstanding.

And then there were startling sounds of metals clashing together. Even the glass of the windows trembled when a tiny wave of tremors passed by under Saji's feet. He also noticed that the furniture in the room all trembled a bit so the source of the tremors must have been quite powerful. The only strange thing would be how his schoolmates on the bed were still fast asleep.

Nevertheless, Saji walked to the windows, the swelling curiosity getting the better of him about what might have happened outside.

What he will see is something else, indeed.


It all began with no warning at all.

First came the opening strike. It was decisive, powerful, and for all intents and purposes... loaded with the desire to attain victory even by killing the opponent. I barely dodged it but the winds produced simply pushed me back like an invisible, moving wall. I had to claw the earth just to not be swept off but due to that, the Knight of Treachery infiltrated my range and slashed again.

This time, I chose to block it. The magically materialized great sword vibrated, two different blades growling noisily while my body trembled from the sheer strength transferred through physical contact. In humanoid form like this, the effects of physics affected me much more than I wanted...

"Not bad..." Saber commented. "Now how about this?!"

She jumped back, held the silver sword with both hands, and adjusted her stance as if she was going to run while dragging the sword tip across the land. No, she stabbed the blade down into the ground. That's...

"HAA!" The girl suddenly yelled, red aura burst out from her entire body as she swung Clarent vertically upward.

It resulted in me being peppered with chunks of earth, rocks, dirt, and clouds of dirt.

"Tch..."

I left the clouds of dirt hastily, cutting a corner and charged towards my opponent... who was no longer in the same position. The spot was empty but with traces as if something monstrously heavy had hammered down on it. Quickly spinning around, I stabbed the great sword into the ground which received an attack from the freshly covered crack in my defense.

Orange petals scattered, yet I was driven back by sliding. A roar was heard. I braced myself by pulling the great sword. A wide slash came from below to the sky. I jumped back and avoided it but the silver sword suddenly stopped, only to lash down like a flash of lightning which forced me to parry it by sheer instinct and willpower. Once, twice, thrice.

To be honest, it was like a fierce storm. The Knight of Treachery pressured me with various methods from straight execution of swordsmanship to underhanded tricks like sending up dirt to the face. I was even kicked at the abdomen when the swords were locked together. However...

I am no longer a Homunculus.

Just by willing it, I could enhance my physical capability by multiple folds. Spells too could work in the same manner but I realized this method took less time at the cost of increased prana consumption; probably had relation to my dragonic traits. I too was still paying attentions about breathing in the natural prana in the atmosphere.

"Hmph. Despite your clear distaste over magic, that replica hasn't broke apart." Saber remarked before rushing forward again, perhaps in hope of catching me off-guard.

I foiled her attempt by responding simply yet efficiently. With swords grinding against each other, we were in a particularly close proximity and Saber wasn't wearing her armors. I noted her almost petite feature, her short height and her slender limbs that looked impossible to wield a broadsword like Clarent. Her hair... huh, did it smell this pleasant before?

No, wait. What am I thinking anyway? This isn't the time for that.

"I reinforced it." Suppressing my idle thought, I informed her. "It seems the more thorough I analyzed a structure, the more I could enhance it at cellular level."

"Cellular level?" Saber blinked before twisting in a scowl. "What a pain in the ass. So perfect with the details like someone."

Oh? I was pushed back at once and Saber struck with heavier attacks. I didn't expect thi-

"Raaah!" Saber yelled as she swung a wide slash, throwing me off the sky.

It wasn't high and it wasn't low either. It felt like I was hovering but moving, sliding in midair. When gravity pulled me down, I immediately recovered my stance and once I planted my feet on the ground... another silver flash streaked horizontally in my peripheral sight.

I tried to block it when Clarent suddenly halted right before the two swords clashed, the abrupt stop delivered fierce winds against my entire body. My eyes widened before getting blinded by the dirt carried by the winds as the silver sword flitted, pulled back and snaked from below to disarm me. The great sword spun above, taking a long arc while my arms were left above my head due to the simple trick that factored in the target's reliance on the weight of their weapon...

And for the second time, I was sent flying to the sky by a strong hook from under the chin.


"So when not in that form, you're not even cutout to be a decent opponent." Saber complained, her ornate sword leaning over her shoulder.

I was obviously sprawled on the ground, gazing at the blue expanse. After my descent to the ground, Saber had already stabbed Clarent next to my head with murderous grin that I almost believed she would lop my head off at any moment. It prompted me to yield like a loser I was.

Of course, it didn't mean I was content with her winning against me. Again.

"You do realize my prana hasn't recovered fully yet." I pointed out.

"Bah. Excuses." Saber snorted.

I'd have liked to add that I couldn't go all out in this form no matter what. If I were to revert some parts of my body to that of a Dragon, I might have been able to even out the balance. After all, Phantasmal Beasts such as I could kill heroes so if I did partially transformed, I could wound Saber for certain.

Unfortunately or fortunately, this wasn't a real battle. I also couldn't afford to risk the lives of my friends who are resting in the mansion just because I didn't want to lose against Saber of all people. Hm... Thinking about this all, my nature as an Extension of the World truly forced me to be aware of the surroundings everytime...

"Fine..." I rolled my eyes. "Next time, I'll try harder."

"You wouldn't have next time if that was a real battle." Saber chided.

I winced slightly. "I'm not going to live 'that' down, aren't I?"

Even though I knew it was pointless to state it out, Saber was smirking like a haughty king-to-be she was.

"Damn straight you aren't. How does it feel to make mistakes when you fear for your life?" She asked.

...I slowly raised my upper body and sat cross-legged, "...I admit... it's hard to adjust myself with my current situation. I've rarely thought about the importance of my existence until the eve of the final battle."

It was difficult, in fact. Before, I always thought that even though I existed, it didn't mean I was 'alive'. This life I held was something lent to me, something I borrowed at the expense of a another person's sacrifice. Thus, even the concept of 'risking one's life' was something I could deny wholeheartedly, for I didn't have the thing I could call as 'my own life'.

But now...? Now I believed that despite this life was something I obtained through the sacrifice of someone else, it didn't mean it held no value at all. Life, no matter how fragile it could be, was something precious. Something that held importance be it to oneself or to others, even if it was borrowed.

However, it still didn't mean I have fully accepted it.

"I don't know..." I breathed out tiredly. "I... I'm not so sure if it is the correct choice. Because I am an 'aberration'."

I heard a scoff. I turned to stare at Saber, finding her knitting her eyebrows into deep frowns. While her eyes were closed, her scowling lips proved her mood was dour and that she had little patience left. But she wasn't directing her tempers blindly unlike before...

"So what? If that's the case, then you're no different than me."

That surprised me. I knew what kind of person the Saber of Red was. Holding her head high, she declared that she was a knight who had surpassed her 'father', and that she was the rightful, better king for the great Britain. Always short-tempered, arrogant to those she deemed below her and was an utter battle maniac.

In fact, she hated my guts very much. I was defeated in battle by her and yet I still lived even though I received the full brunt of her Noble Phantasm. For her, it was the largest humiliation she ever received since she thought the victor of a battle was the one who survived, and the defeated was as good as dead livestock. Ah, wait, she never even considered humans as anything beyond pests or locusts.

But it was all the more reason for me to be surprised. To even recognize my existence as no different than hers was... was... How should I say it? Incredibly baffling... I think?

"What?" Saber asked, and grunted in realization after looking at my expression. "You want to die very much, you bastard?"

...ah. Still the same foul-tempered, arrogant knight.

"No thank you." I immediately waved a hand to give further emphasis. "I simply never thought you'd say such thing."

Aah, she retorted in annoyance. The air surrounding her seemed to heat up and I was aware I might have pulled the wrong string. At this point, even taking back my words and apologizing was not a favorable choice since the moment I committed another mistake, the pseudo-Berserker would cut me down in halves.

However... "I'm sorry."

I bowed down my head. In the next moment, the murderous intent directed on me vanished and I raised my head back up to meet blank, confused emerald gaze.

"I knew that what I have done so far will not be pardoned. You deserved your rest yet I interrupted it and forced you to help solving a problem that may not benefit you at all. I even altered your existence without your permission..." I paused. "I'm sorr-"

"Shut up!"

A leg descended as if it was trying to crack open my skull. I stopped it by crossing my arms right above my head, the blow alone enough to sink my body a little into the ground but I resisted, and let the area surrounding me to take the beating. When the collateral damage - which was freshly cracked depression - stopped spreading, however, the leg shifted and Saber's heeled shoe dug into my forearm.

"You talk too much," The Saber said, "And we're already done with this topic!"

I raised my brows in further surprise, but the knight continued on.

"Listen up, you stupid Master. You were lucky you could screw up the scheme of that Crook. If your heart wasn't a transplant from that kind of Heroic Spirit, you would have joined along as a static nobody that cannot even feel pleased for eating delicious grubs!"

...huh? Grubs... As in, food? Why using that as an example-

"Also, who cares if I have solid container that can age and die like human!" Saber yelled out, digging her heel even deeper into my arm.

I winced at the wave of pain, and cringed at the loud revelation she screamed out to the world.

"Saber..." I called out in a pleading tone, yet there was a sign of frustrated growl mixed in it. "That's a vital information."

It was the core issue we have been trying to wrap our minds around with. Considering the source of information came from another nonstandard Servant who is also our upcoming enemy, of course any information provided freely should be doubted in authenticity and accuracy. And yet, I was tempted to know more only to regret it afterward.

Just like Saber said, her container was solid, human-like in so many aspects that there was almost no difference with normal human body. Yet when I focused on reading her parameters, the status showed up although with vast difference from before. Ignoring the obscurity around the statistics, her skill descriptions possessed significant changes such as removal of territorial fame that could have elevated her basic strength. Even the magical pathway between us was so small only a minuscule could be transferred despite Saber and Rider possessing their own prana reserves which regenerated slower than snail pace.

...what other conclusion can I pull other than the summoned Servants being isolated from the Throne of Heroes' reach? Because this universe does not possess collective wills capable of forming defensive mechanism such as the Heroic Spirits? But if that is not it, just how could Saber still be summoned by a holy sword that was not related to her legend-

"Like. I. Give. A. Damn! Hell if I care!" Saber lashed back once again.

...This hard-headed, arrogant savant... Only you would say such thing so openly without remorse whatsoever.

"You were summoned here in a human-like vessel rather than normal familiar, retained your memories of the Great Grail War using a catalyst that resembles a normal chess piece of all things possible, and without the advantages the Throne of Heroes could give to Servants. Can't you imagine this implication?" I questioned her.

The Knight of Treachery simply scoffed, "Of course I know that. I understand myself more than you acknowledging your obviously idiotic self-esteem issue."

...couldn't you pick another derogatory term...? Or rather, you're being incredibly irritated but knowing her personality, her change of nature, and the fact our enemy is the King of Knights at her prime...

It feels as if fate is toying with us. Not to mention there was 'that thing' Kokabiel told me as a parting gift...

"Oy, you dumbass of a Master. You listening or what?" Saber's question snapped my mind back to reality and I inclined my head.

"...I..." Pausing, I wondered what I should say next.

The former Saber of Red snorted and retracted her foot, standing proudly also haughtily like she always did. Even so, I noticed Clarent had vanished from her grasp though this time she put a hand on her waist as if to drive another point in.

"Whatever problem I've been wrapped in right now doesn't matter. I have my own goal and you have your own to pursue. But you and I - we were born as tools, destined to live far shorter than humans, and created just to fulfill the sick obsessions of our creators."

...that's... I see. Perhaps she's right if one were to see it in that perspective...

"But like hell am I going to die a dog's death!" Saber stated out loud. "If I couldn't live like them, then I will just burn through my life and use it so thoroughly that it would make even the shortest-lived be jealous of me! I'm going to overrule their achievements, topple their confidence with my greatness and die laughing at their smallness!"

And I swear to do all that, the Knight of Treachery finished, grunting as she crossed her arms under her chest.

Despite her overbearing words and arrogance, I couldn't help but be captivated. I had never thought she had lived with such principle all this time, even after her ascension into a Heroic Spirit. I knew that not even her 'father' was perfect in every sense when knowing how their legend ended, but to hear how Saber lived her life was...

"...You've changed a bit." I noted, smiling wryly.

"Blame my previous Master for that. Also, you think you have the right to say that?" Saber remarked.

"I don't think I've done anything that benefited you," I shrugged noncommittally, "Even if I did, I never intended to. You're far too wild of a Servant to handle by myself, anyway."

"Bastard..." The girl growled yet smirking, amused.

The wind blew on us. Leaves scattered in the air, and pleasant sounds of nature surrounding the mansion reached my ears. Added with the rising sun that signaled the slow passing from morning to afternoon, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the transient silence.

Yet again, it was a rare experience for me. To pass time like this with someone who once tried to kill me, insulted me for my nature and decisions, as well as haughtily proclaiming that I was her next target if that Fake Priest's faction were felled...

Indeed, how the two of us have changed ever since that War.

"Hm?" But suddenly the silence was interrupted, all done by me this time.

I reopened my eyes and noticed Saber having the same reaction. We both stared at the direction where the front gate was, feeling a presence that was obviously not normal. Just from the scent and presence alone, there was 'something' inherently different about it. Something that belonged neither to human or ordinary inhabitants of the Moonlit World. Even so, it was familiar.

...no, wait. This scent is somewhat different. Steel... Rust... Swords...? Demonic Swords? But there's also some holy scent which... Eh? Why did it smell faintly like Rider?

"But the former scent belongs to..." I stood up and patted the dirt off of my pants.

"You know it?" Saber asked as I went past her; she followed in suite.

I nodded in affirmation before sighing. "Yeah. It's my friend. With an acquaintance."

Saber raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Then why are you sighing?" She asked.

She didn't mean harm, obviously. I knew she was just being blunt and let words rolling out her tongue by reflex. Such was the characteristic of the Knight who never tried to fight like a proper knight at all.

"...well..." I stalled, searching for the right words to reply. "Actually, Saber. Can you behave yourself in front of our guests, even if they are fugitives or nonhumans?"


He was brought up as an orphan, taught that as long as he believed in God, good things would happen. While undergoing harsh experiments that always scarred him be it physically or mentally, he prayed to God so that he could live for another day and become someone appropriate to wield the strongest holy sword one day. Like the legendary heroes who slayed evil. Like the wisest king of all knights that created a reign of peace no matter how transient it was.

Life was hard for someone without parents like him, even more so as he was subjected to violent experiment, but he was surrounded with people he could call as friends. He could endure those experiments because they were there for him. He could withstand all the sufferings he was given with because he did it for his friends. The child was hurt everyday, yet he continued to pray for the day he could wield holy sword and be freed from this prison alongside with his friends. His family.

But the God did not listen to his plea.

One by one, children occupied a room that seemed to have no ventilation. They were all gathered in one place without explanation; only that the 'promised day' had arrived and they deserved the 'rewards' for all their efforts. The boy saw several faces displaying discomforts and he even found the sickly ones brought there as if without cares.

He looked up. Through the strands of blonde hair, his eyes captured one large pipe hanging on the ceiling. He observed with morbid interests as the pipe seemed as if... It brought forth ill omen.

"O little lambs without guidance, hear us. The time has come for you to receive your rightful rewards." And then someone said.

It was the voice of adult. Strange, the boy thought since no adult was present in the room. But he soon realized that perhaps there was a device that could convey words, such as speakers. Some children cheered up at the announcement though the blond could only feel his stomach churning in an unpleasant way.

What is-

"You have worked hard... Now you can rest in peace - defective products."

A living Hell greeted him.

It devoured everyone right in the next instance. As foul smokes flowed from the pipe, the boy's body shuddered without clear reasons. His eyes widened in terror when the first who inhaled the smokes suddenly fell to her knees and vomited blood from her eyes, nose and mouth. Within moments, a girl died and the smokes spread like beasts searching for their next preys.

Screams echoed. The children ran back to the doors they came from and they banged against the steel doors. They didn't budge so everyone scrambled to find another path to escape. The blonde boy was also one of them but his intellect finally told him why the room had no other ventilation, and that the only path leading to this place was only two steel doors.

It was a trap... No. They were herded together just to be killed off. Disposed as if their lives held no meaning at all.

"Amen." The speaker once once again spoke, yet there was no regret not was there anything like an inkling of emotion.

Madness. It was madness. The boy couldn't believe this all yet in his disbelief, he realized his friends toppled one after another. He realized more and more children fell and stopped moving, dying with tears with beds made from their own blood.

"It... Hurts..." Someone whispered.

The boy turned around. While a hand was covering the lower part of his face, his vision was blurring and throbbing pain came from every inches of his body. Yet he ran and approached a boy and a girl who he knew very well. They were still alive yet only barely.

"No...!" The boy screamed, only to choke in the poisonous gas.

His mind corroded, and he vomited blood. Even so, the boy saw the two remaining friends... Family he had, and hoisted them both in hope of finding safety or an exit.

"Save me... Save me..." Someone pleaded behind the boy, but he could only grit his teeth in frustration.

Why is this happening? Why? Even though we believe in God. Even though we prayed and devoted ourselves to You.

After dragging his feet, the boy slid off his arm. He lied on the cold floor, his fate following after the unfortunate ones incapable of resisting the deadly smokes.

In shock, the blonde-haired boy hastily pushed forward and tried to at least bring the girl away with him. His feet sank in wet puddles of blood and he could see most of the children dying off. He almost stepped on one of the corpses and he could feel a lump rising through his throat.

He vomited blood when a whisper reached his ears, "...go..."

He looked at the girl, afraid of the meaning of her word. He wanted to speak but his deteriorating health prevented him from mustering any strength. But the girl...

"...go... Now..."

The doors slammed open. The boy saw people in suits entering and chants were heard. He understood those chants and it was then the nightmares worsened.

Tongues of flames burst forth from the palms of those people. Burning flames licked the corpses and burned the weakened survivors. At the same time, the girl he held left his grasp.

"Go..." She pleaded before she vomited blood, and toppled with tears filling her vacant eyes.

The boy held his breaths. Words died in his mouth, and he immediately let his survival instincts taking over his body.

"Wh - gah!?" A man cried out as he was tackled by him.

The boy used the confusion to flee. He didn't know which way to go but he ran, and he heard angry shouts howling from behind him.

Ignore it. Ignore it. I have to go. I have to go. I have to go. I have to live.

When he left the accursed hellhole, snows were falling. He immediately ran into the darkness of the forest in hope that his pursuers would not be able to catch him. But as he ran, he remembered his friends.

Dead. Dead. They all died in vain. Why? Why is this happening?

As the darkness of night blinded him, his mind clouded over. All he saw was the images of his smiling friends abruptly changing with those from that Hell. All he could hear was the laughter and dreams his family carried, which were all stomped by the heartless clergymen in priest garbs.

I can't forgive them. I can't forgive them. How dare they. How could they...!

His skin had long paled from the cold. His blood was frozen, and his lungs hurt. Once in a while, he spat out blood which was followed by further weakening of his body. He vaguely understood he would not survive. The venom was invading his cells and failing his organs. Even breathing was so difficult as if he was drowning in the deep sea. It was a miracle that he could think and recall his past memories.

If only I knew beforehand. If only those people didn't exist. If only the holy swords never existed...!

His eyes did not see anything beyond darkness. He was all alone once again, burdened by the deaths of his comrades this time. That shackle prevented him to accept death. He couldn't give up here. he couldn't fall here. And he couldn't let it end like this.

"I'll kill them... I'll slaughter them all..." The boy whispered repeatedly. "I will... I will never forgive Excaliburs...!"

Under the snows, basked in the moonlight, the boy named Isaiah cursed those that robbed him of everything; His small figure vanishing into the shadows of the night...


"Ugh... Agh..."

The boy rubbed his eyes, groaning as he woke up from his slumber. Sweats lined down his cheeks as he brushed his blonde hair, soon becoming aware of some... cloths wrapping his forehead. Bandages...?

"Wh... Huh...?" He mumbled. "Why am I... Where is this...?"

I closed the book I was reading. The gesture made the boy to snap his head and looked on my direction, but a certain former Nun exclaimed and drew his attentions all at once.

"Yuuto-san!"

"Huh? Wh-what? Asia...san?"

The girl beamed a relieved smile. However, the moment didn't last long as her head lulled and she fell back.

"Uwoh?! Asia!" Issei half-shouted while preventing his friend from falling to the ground.

His hands on her shoulders, he looked incredibly worried though Argento-san's smile remained and she slowly slept. It caused Issei to breath out in relief and smiled softly, as if he was the girl's older brother. Still, looks like she breached her limits by trying to heal two... no, three gravely injured people in less than a day.

"Hoh... Ain't that handy?" Saber commented while she stood on my left side.

I nodded, but Rider interjected before I could voice out my opinion. "This one is real feisty Nun! Even though she's a Devil, she still believes in the Lord, you know?"

"Like I care about that." Saber rolled her eyes. "Wait. She's a Devil. Aren't she going to disintegrate if she does that?"

I shrugged. "Well, it's not like our knowledge of the supernatural is applicable in this world. Besides, she wears Nun outfit in battle so it seems Devils won't turn to ash just because of wearing or voicing out holy prayers."

Is that so, Saber replied disinterestedly. Though I knew what was running on her mind. She must be thinking along the line of 'So I can go all-out, ask for instant healing, then go back to bludgeon my enemy over and over again.'

She's such a simpleton in that aspect, truly. Morbidly simple, but simple nonetheless.

Still... The Knight of Gremory seemed to be extremely confused. It was quite a normal reaction since there were the rest of his close friends, most of the Student Council, and us three occupying a bedroom larger than the Student Council office. But he seemed to catch on some clues as his sight slowly hovered back on me.

I smiled warmly. "Welcome to my humble abode, Kiba Yuuto. It seems we have so much to talk about."


-Author's Rambling (This One is Rehashed Version)-

"Really now... Did I use the wrong words or are there wild assumptions?"

It's not like I want to make the Servants be Pure Heroic Spirits. No, not like that. I tried to interpret this system by fusing 'Heroic Spirits are summoned as highest-degree familiar in canon - as Servants - in specific vessels called Class Containers.' + 'Evil Piece is capable of giving 'second life''. So here, there's nothing like them getting power ups or gaining what they can use when they are Pure Heroic Spirits. The restriction of Class Containers still exist. It's just the vessels are more organic, have lifespans, and more human-like. Then again, this will of course cause discrepancies if not stated clearly huh? I'm sorry for being so vague... I didn't mean to.

Since the vessel leaned to human body more than familiar, Spiritual Form became useless because the nature of the vessel is incompatible with this intrinsic ability. Meanwhile, no influence of Throne of Heroes is exactly because DxDverse is NOT a universe with Collective Wills that can access to the ToH. To begin with, Heroic Spirits are defense measures that can be deployed only by the World, so you can guess what it means. Well, the debuff just happen as a side-effect. You will see it sooner or later but for now, there's not much things to show off.

P.S: It seems there is chaos caused by misunderstanding. I haven't read alternate continuity or season 3 DxD so I didn't know Loki elevated himself into a leader of an army of evil gods. I assumed Solomon's position as evil god because I don't know any other thing that fits him in DxD, and Balor doesn't count. With that train of thought, I decided him to be an Evil God-class due to there being nobody else in that category, and there's no saying about what they are capable of. So... well, like that. If he's not, then which category does the Magic King belongs to?


RAC!

Student: Indeed, I have recovered but my college schedule is pressing me with lots of field practices. It's getting harder to pump out chapters regularly.

Snorlax-kun: As expected of our resident pervert. His charm attracts anything. It's a bit unfortunate that Fragments of Chaldea is on hiatus though. But EMIYA is going to be Alter's slavechef! And Jeanne!Alter can dominate all kind of Dragons! She's the antithesis of DxD!

Sky Magician: It's noted that Mordred has the quality to be a Berserker. Even when under Saber-class, she's still able to harness traits only for Berserker-class so you can already imagine what kind of thing she is in Apocrypha.

King0fP0wers: And so, stay tuned for the climbing to the climax of this arc!

Guest-san: I'm an evil jerkass mastermind ROB and I'm going to make all the characters suffer waves of problem where nobody but their own can save themselves. Hard difficulty is just right for me to clear the entire challenge!

Stalker Gil-chan: But Gods and anything related to them will anger His Majesty! Also, he's too OP for his own good!

CCC: And then imagine Alter spamming Excaliblast for having contracted Ophis as her Master! The landscape is going to be carved a new one! But for Sieg, he just traced a lookalike. The appearance and shape is the same but it doesn't have the jewel nor any dragon slaying-attribute. It's not even as sharp as Rider's mystic code.

Thunder Dragon: After reading your recommendation... It's unfortunate but I don't like it. How should I say it... OPness much? I'm not into a story where the protagonist is so overly OP nobody can match him. Other than that, I like the dirty jokes and I like how other characters grow but still... Yeah, it's pretty bland IMO.

Answer 1: I don't want to force a pairing. It already ruined my last story so I'm going to let it grow organically then see if I should pair them or not upon reaching a certain threshold.

Answer 2: My plan for Tamamo... is... well, it's different, actually. And the measure I put is right there in this chapter, though it's just a clue with nothing else. Sad to say but I would like to keep the power level not out of the bounds that only select few can overcome it.

Answer 3: It's Apocrypha limited scenario only. It had something to do with... family issues. Sieg himself didn't do anything drastic but Mordred being Mordred, of course she would make it a bigger deal than it actually is.

Answer to Request: Saber-class skill includes Riding. Of course she can be admitted to Rider-class. But once again, I cannot allow class-change or integrating other class-skills into one. She's already strong and decent as is so I'd like to not mess her character up.

Kaiser Dragon: Yes. I want to do major editing once this arc is finished. I'm sorry for the subpar condition right now.

Kirin: What can I say? I'm already not a sane person to even mix the utterly bleak and chaotic Nasuverse with a shounen manga-styled boobs pandering light novel.

Guest-kun: Anime often missed a lot of thing. My source is the wiki, Beast's Lair and the VN itself. Unfortunately, I've been told that Nasu himself seemed to always edited the inner mechanisms of his universe whenever possible. I didn't even know there was some recent editing about Herc's God's Hand ability because something ran counter with the story implementation. Honestly, if it's like this, I'm beginning to wonder which source is more accurate and reliable for references.

Azrael: Nah, he's not gay. He just unconditionally loves anyone he likes, including Sieg. Canon already stated he went to town and slept with women you know?

Knight of Steam: I don't (and never will) pair him up just because. Harem? OTP? I'd rather let the relationships progress by itself rather than forcing my hand in so either can happen, or maybe nothing will happen at all!

Mr. Tanaka: Astolfo=low High-class (cuz he's really second-rate Servant), Saber Alter=low Ultimate (it's supposed to be upper High since she doesn't have immortality but under right condition, her power jumps and sinks accordingly), Karna=high ultimate (he's immortal but the moment he unleashed his NP, he turns easy to poke and burst), while lastly, Solomon=?

Mard Geer: Well, I believe in gray morality. I don't believe every villain goes evil just because. Absence of Light indeed exists but it's not like it applies to everyone. What's more, isn't it better to have varying subplots rather than single patterned ones?

Boomlancer: Have fun out there then. You've got life ahead of you, anyway.

Bang: As you can see, these Servants all have physical bodies. Human vessels, which can degrade if left lazying around. Of course they can get stronger else they will be out of shapes right? But for Azazel, he'd probably probe for the summoning ritual and test it by himself.

Chuck: No, she will kill him first before he can say more! Remember, Shakespeare made a bad move against Jeanne in Apocrypha so he's the only man the France's Heroine ever reserves her wrath on!

Erastone: Of course they can, though I don't think class-change can work. Besides, I like it better if they have to struggle to be good at what their alternate classes can do.