Fodlan, Mauser territory, midnight

The thunderous galloping of the black horse we were riding rode through the village of Blacksmiths. The houses were dark, and the smell of melted steel permeated the air. We were almost at the Mauser household at this rate.

"So that's what happened," I loudly asked Garith since the wind was pushing past us at an incredible speed. "I was trying to gather some clue as to what was going on and who was. behind the attack. I investigated the assassins that attacked Mauser castle the night we were there. They were just three-bit mercs that were willing to take on a job like this, or at least I thought they were three-bit. I recognized their Guild emblem on their bodies. They belong to a mercenary guild that takes on assassinations jobs for royalty." "For royalty?" "Yeah, so that narrowed down the possible reasons as to who would want her dead. I checked their gear next, wanna know what I found?" "What?" "Mauser produced weapons." "Really? But can't you buy those anywhere?" "Via certain vendors, yes and that's what I thought, but no, my hunch told me otherwise. I investigated the blacksmiths next. Vlad Mauser secretly had one of the best blacksmiths commission several swords, daggers, and a lance, one that can handle large portions of magical energy." "So that's how you figured it was the uncle?" "Yeah, that and his position in the family." "You mean his inheritance?" "Exactly, I got the info from Maria's personal attendant that she signed a will before the assassination attempts." "So we're looking at the typical case of spoiled asshole wanting the family business?" "Looks that way, it was obvious too." "Yep, sure as hell is."

The details behind this don't matter anymore, we already know the facts now. Still, this isn't an uncommon case where a family member tries to kill another, it's like a common trend amongst nobles that weren't able to inherit money, land, or business if they were a merchant family. Usually, it would be a sibling who tries their hand at killing one of their brothers or sisters." "That's the usual suspect, but nope, it was the uncle. Gotta say I'm kind of surprised."

The horse stormed right up the steps. The ride was bumpy, to say the least, the higher we elevated, the more I thought we were going to fall off the saddle.

"This horse is..." "I know, it's insane, I got from a bet. It's bit only fast, but crazy as hell!" "That's not a good thing, old man!" The horses jumped up from the stairs and roughly landed on the ground. In our sights were a bunch of assassins in our way.

"Well, looks like they were expecting us," Garith said. "Seems that way." "Then you better buckle down, cause we're going in!" He whipped the horse. We were going straight for the door into the manor. As the old man said, I buckled down and got ready for impact. "Hold on tight!" The black horse destroyed the front door, as well as knocked any assassin out of the way. I jumped off the horse, landing on one of the assassins.

"Way to make an entrance, old man!" "No problem, and I'm not old!" The room immediately filled up with assassins that came from other ends of the grand hall. Garith got off his horse with his ridiculously gigantic bastard sword.

"Rock, get going, I'll make sure they don't get in your way." "You sure?" "Don't worry, I'll keep them distracted until you rescue the princess, so go!" He gripped his sword with both hands, readying himself for a fight. I can say whatever I want about the old man, but at the end of the day, he was a man to not be underestimated. Leaving this in his hands was alright.

"Okay then, I'll let you rough it out down here." "Thanks, I'll see you in a bit!" I ran up the stairs, not looking back to see if he was going to be alright. There's no time to indulge in that luxury...

Mauser castle, Rooftop, midnight

Breaking open the door with the swing of my sword, I rushed through the entranceway to the center of the roof. Maria and Yoshio weren't anywhere to be sighted. The assassins on the lower floor told me I could find Maria on the rooftop, so where the hell is she?

"You're late, Shirou!" Behind me, on top of the entranceway to was Yoshio and Maria. The little girl seemed to be asleep while the lanceman held her by the collar.

"I'm going to ask you this once, let her go," I demanded, ice as a tone. "No, I won't, not until you join me." "I'm not in the mood for jokes." "It is not a joke, this is a very serious matter." "You know I'm just gonna say no, so get down here so we can finish this." "You're right, I suppose talking it out won't do." He dropped Marie and jumped from his higher position.

"No more running, we settle this with our weapons and honor on the line." "No need for honor." "Ah yes, I forgot, someone like you would have no idea what it means to have honor, or to even wage it." "My life will do just fine." "Then I'll steal your life!" He charged in with his spear, stretching it at me. My sword arm moved like a flash, striking at the tip of his spear. The next move was to strike him while I had the chance to strike at his head. The spearman took an unexpected defensive measure by letting go of his spear, grabbing the wrists of my sword arm to stop my movement then proceeded to flip me overhead to the ground. He kicked his spear to his hand, I rolled out of the way before he could stab it into me. He pierced the ground, like hitting a fish in the sea.

"Nice thought I had you there for a second." It would take more to catch me like that. That being said, he was able to catch me off guard with the flip, a martial arts practitioner. There was no time to theorize this, he was coming at me with his spear in hand. He swung his spear with only one hand, acting as if it was a sword, he wielded it from the back of the spear. It was good for fast attacks but it was bad since it can be easily deflected. With one strike, I hit the spear, knocking the spear off course. I had another chance to strike, I need to hit him square in the chest if I want to do damage.

"Got you!" He turned his body, avoiding my sword while he struck me in the chest. Yoshio was going to strike again. I tried to counter but he stopped me in my tracks and continued to strike at me using Martial Arts. Any counter I tried to do was disturbed or blocked, by the end, he hit me with front palm hit.

"What's the matter, I thought you would put up more of a challenge than this. Most disappointing." He picked up his spear from the ground, as I picked up my sword. He was right, I need to put up more of a fight, I have to stop thinking about anything else, all thoughts need to be killed off... Nothing shall remain. My hands were stable, my breathing was silent, my mind was devoid of all outside thought. I held up my sword to the side of my head while my non-dominant hand was behind the butt of my sword. I stare was directed only at him, he was the only thing I could see, and the only thing I need to destroy. Yoshio began his charge against me. In 7 seconds we would clash, but in 3, I was going to strike first. So as 3 three seconds passed, I moved. He froze in place, I was right in front of him. Before we were about 20 away from one another, but I closed the gap in a second or two. Before he could react, I swung my sword across his chest. Shifting soon after to move behind him to slash his back.

"You bastard!" He swung his spear with rage, I blocked it, I hit him on the side of his arm in retaliation. Without any choice, he retreated to his own space.

"Hahaha!" His hysterical laughter could be heard in the night. "I knew it, I knew I was right! Those lightning-fast movements, those merciless strikes, and those cold eyes housing only bloodlust and death! This is truly wonderful, truly splendid!" "What are you going on about?" "I knew you were the one, the one who would truly save our country. A warrior breed for the battlefield, a legend among warriors: A Manslayer!"