A Gamer's Fate Chapter 33: Blood of Salem (31), a fate/stay night fanfic

Just like always, another two weeks has passed, and it's time for the new chapter to arrive.

Now, I don't have a question this. I'm just going to rant a bit, so do skip if you're not interested.

Suffice to say, this chapter was annoying to write. Really annoying. I probably rewrote the thing several times over, and even then, I'm not completely satisfied with the product. The part with Ritsuka was awesome to write though, so that doesn't really count. Didn't help that I fell sick throughout the past week, so I've been feeling even more terrible than before. Getting better though, so that's a plus.

Anyways, enough ranting from me for now. As always, if you have anything you want to share, do leave a review, but for now, enjoy~!

P.S. Been playing (addicted to) Princess Connect Re:Dive lately. Anyone know the game?

["Please be more mindful of your health, master."]

...eh? Where am I? Where is this?

Why can't I see anything?!

["Don't be too alarmed, master. You are in no harm."]

That voice...Brimstone Elemental-, no, Flame Goddess?

["That's correct, master."]

This is strange, really strange, but oddly familiar for some reason. Why is that? I don't think I've ever experienced something like...this…

Wait, isn't this really similar to when I first died and turned into Hanami?

Huh, I didn't expect to find myself in a formless state like this again. Flame Goddess said that I'm not in any possible harm, so I think I'm fine. And I do remember being carried by Saber before falling asleep, so all should be good.

...Oh yeah, I got carried by Saber.

To be fair, she was very comfortable, so I don't regret it.

Still, I didn't think I did anything too weird. Why did this time send me here?

["That's because of me."]

Ah, so you did it, Flame Goddess?

["Indeed."]

I see...

Actually, calling you Flame Goddess every time is getting awfully tiring. Do you mind if I call you something else?

["I do not mind."]

Alright, cool!

Okay, let's see...You control fire, so maybe 'Flame'? That's really boring though, and sounds like a name I'd give to a dog, so that's a no. Perhaps...a short of crimson? 'Crim'? That sounds fine, but a shiver passes through my non-existent spine when I think of that name, so I think I'll scrap that too.

Hmm...This is tough.

["You do not need to if you're struggling, master."]

No, no, it's fine. Everybody deserves a name after all-

Oh! I just remembered something! Before you became whole again, you were sitting on a stone shaped like a rose, right? Maybe 'Roseria'! How does that sound?

["..."]

...Um, do you not like-

["No, I love that name, master. I was just...surprised."]

Well, aight. Roseria it is then. Feel like I somehow stepped on a landmine though, so I'll be careful.

That all aside, where is this exactly? I would've used my mystic eyes by now, but I'm kind of bodiless at the moment, so I can't-

[Void of Consciousness]

The empty space inside your mind. Nothing exists here. Everything exists here. Wish for anything, and they'll appear.

-Note: Anything created here will not be brought into the real world-

...Nice. So my skills work even here, huh?

Still, "Wish for anything, and they'll appear." How does that even work? I've been picturing my body for the past minute now, and I remain bodiless.

Maybe it can't create living things?

["That is correct, master."]

Damn, that sucks. Well, I can still create inanimate objects, right? So…

Suddenly, from the white void appears a small wooden cube, and it just lands onto the floor with a dull thump. That's, admittedly, pretty damn cool, and also confusing.

Because how the hell am I even able to see? I don't have eyes!

["I believe that's because you don't require eyes to see anymore, master. Not even in the real world."]

...How, exactly?

["...I do not know, master. I just do."]

Oi. What kind of answer is that?

But, getting back to the matter at hand. You said that you're the one that brought me here, right? Why? I just fainted because I used up too much stamina, right?

["I'm afraid that's not the case."]

My invisible eyes narrow.

Explain.

["The backlash from the contract contained Tiamat's energy, and through the outburst shattering the contract created, she tried to invade your soul. I was able to divert it away through the purified connection we now have, but the sheer danger of it all still caused you to fall unconscious."]

...Damn. So if Roseria wasn't here for me, my soul could've been taken over my Tiamat? Would I become something like a [Lahmu]?

But, [Protection for the Soul], huh? How does one get that naturally? I mean, not even [Enlightenment of a Sacred Fig] provided that, since it only protects me against mental afflictions.

Fuck.

["As I said, please be mindful of your health, master."]

I will. I definitely will. Not looking forward to having my soul be corrupted completely any time soon.

Fuu, but I guess I'm just waiting until I wake back up, huh? I mean, I can create all kinds of things from just my will alone, but the lack of interaction's making it feel a bit...hollow, to say the least.

In other words, I'm bored.

Ooh! I just thought of something!

Hmm, I wonder if this'll work…

Name: Roseria

Age: -

Sex: Female

Race: Goddess

Class: [Divine Spirit], [Empty]

Level: 170

HP: 68,000/68,000 (27,268HP/min) (x2)

MP: 150,000/150,000 (31,671MP/min) (x2)

Stamina: -

Strength: 100

Vitality: 400 (+200)

Dexterity: 750 (+200)

Intelligence: 1810 (+310)

Wisdom: 1810 (+310)

Luck: -

[Skills]: [Brimfire – Lv Max], [Flight – Lv Max], [Brimstone – Lv Max], [Magical Resistance – Lv 75], [Speed Burst – Lv Max], [Hope – Lv Max], [Divine Flame - Lv 30], [Brimspark - Lv 50], [Divine Shell - Lv 5]

It works!

…

Wait, what?

["Is there something strange about my status, master?"]

...Well, I mean, I guess not. You are level 170, so having stats in the thousands isn't so farfetched. I'm just surprised to see so many maxed level skills, because-

Hold on, did you just say 'status'?

["I did, master. Is there something strange about it?"]

How...did you know about it? Is it because I got you from the [Store] or something? Or is it because you're connected to me?

["...Both? I'm rather unsure, but I do believe so."]

Hmm, an interesting thing to think about. I'll leave that in the back of my brain box for now.

Anyways, again, why do you have so many maxed skills, Roseria?

["I'm afraid I'm not sure, but I do believe it's due to the system you have."]

Huh?

["Most of my [Skills] were stuck at a singular point, and no matter what I did, they'd never improve. Only when I became privy to the system you wield did I start gaining experience once more."]

...I don't think it's just that really. My [Gamer] system definitely helped, but I think the biggest contributor goes to my status as a [High Human]. Then again, all the description says is that it allows others in my presence to break past their natural limits, so I don't actually know how much it actually helps with this kind of thing.

Well, whatever the reason may be, it doesn't change the result.

Although your skill list feels somewhat...empty? Is that the right word?

["I believe that's because you're an anomaly, master. No individual is capable of normally attaining so many different and diverse skills."]

Hey, not my fault.

After all, my [Gamer] system is a cheat!

[You have slept on a luxurious bed. HP, MP, and Stamina fully restored!]

Yeah, definitely agree. The bed I'm sleeping on sure is luxurious. But comfortable? No. Definitely not.

It's not because the bed itself is faulty in some major way or anything. The bed was perfect in every way, and had I the chance, I'd probably let myself sink into the wonderfully warm sheets for a couple more hours.

But that's if everything's normal, and this moment is certainly not normal.

Because what kind of reaction am I supposed to have when Gil's sleeping next to me!?

...She's naked as well!?

Actually, that's not that weird. I've seen the woman naked enough times in the baths we take together, so that doesn't really affect me anymore. Doesn't make her any less hot though.

"Mm, do stop moving so much, Hanami."

"...Oh, sorry." Gilgamesh makes a sleepy nod to me before she dips back onto her pillow, fast asleep once again. I smile wryly at the entire situation, before slowly dragging myself out the bed, doing my utmost best to not disturb the clearly tired king.

Task successful, I make a silent retreat out the castle, and the night sky greets me, its stars twinkling across the darkness.

Seems like I missed out on the entire day, which kinda sucks.

But! All's not bad. Most of them can be done tomorrow when everyone's awake again, and I still have an entire night to spend doing some of the more personal projects.

Now then, since I now have time to spend, let's get to making that sword for Ritsuka, shall we?

So I snap my fingers, and the night air is replaced by the dimly lit glow of the [Tool Station].

But there's something that feels off. I don't know what it is, my mystic eyes aren't telling me anything, and there aren't anything strange in my immediate vicinity, but there's just something odd. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but the [Tool Station] feels a lot more...complete?

Hmm.

Well, investigations can wait.

Walking over to the [Soul Forge], I bring out the materials for the upcoming creation. It's mostly just a small pile of [Mithril] and [Demon Steel]; one with high durability and the other a great magic conductor, but there are also a bunch of gems and stones in the mix, just in case they're somehow needed.

With everything ready, I begin.

Melding the two metals comes first, twisting the much more malleable [Demon Steel] over the [Mithril] before pounding the two together with a prana-enhanced hammer.

The ease is slightly surprising, considering the struggle I had to go through the last time I did something like this months ago. But it's understandable, since I now have the [Natural Body] to double my already high [Strength] stat.

The new combined metal finished and rested, I continue on, now hammering the combination into my desired shape. Again, this one's fairly smooth sailing, the addition of magic helping me tremendously in my endeavors. Still need to be careful though; the forge's getting just a tad too slippery.

And with the sword's blade now shaped like a katana, it's time to enchant the thing!

[Od Manipulation]

Starting simple, I begin with the second skill I've ever gotten, and one that's getting awfully close to the max level. Sadly, my [Mystic Code Crafting] only allows me to place D Rank skills at the moment, which is about level 20 or so. Kinda sucks, but what's done is done.

The blade hums under my touch as the skill is embedded, its blood red sheen glowing.

[Reinforcement]

Next up, the skill that's saved me more times than I can count. I'm honestly somewhat baffled why this isn't considered a standard for all magi to have. I mean, yeah, getting it wrong could cause your muscles to tear apart, but magi put themselves in danger all the time, so why isn't this more common?

The blade glows again, and I continue on.

[Sword Mastery]

And here it is, the bread and butter of this entire thing. It's a degraded version of my own [Sword Mastery] of course, but this should allow Ritsuka to at least put up a fight when she's in a pinch.

Although I'm not sure what'll happen to this when Ritsuka's own skill in the blade exceeds the enchanted skill. Would it add? Would the skill I placed in this sword be negated? Or would something else happen?

The red blade glows for a moment.

[Sprint]

A slightly odd addition, but one that'll definitely help. One can never know when they'll need to apply the Joestar's secret technique, after all.

And finally,

[Attribute Enchant: Holy]

Basically everything in this Singularity is demonic in nature, so this will give the girl a massive bump in power. Ain't giving her [Morningstar] though, not that I can anyways.

...Hmm, does that make this sword a holy sword then? The blood red color kinda clashes with that.

With that finished and all the necessary [Skills] pumped in, I stick a sleek wooden handle by the blade's bottom and give the handle a nice leather grip, just for some additional comfort.

And just like that, a brand new sword is made!

Now, for the important question,

What should this sword's name be?

"Um." Ritsuka begins, eyeing the blood red katana in her hands. "Can I...is it okay for me to have this?"

"Hmm? Yeah, of course. Made it for you after all." Hanami casually responds as she reads over one of the few stone tablets Gil had given her. "And besides, I'd told you that I'd make something to help you, right?"

"Yeah, but-"

"Don't worry about it being a burden to me. It's just a Rank C+ Noble Phantasm after all."

Just a Rank C+, huh?

Ritsuka smiles wryly before she looks down to the katana again.

This wasn't the first time she'd held a Noble Phantasm, and certainly not the first time she'd held a sword, but something about this one feels strange, different. She can feel her instincts calling for her to swing it, to let the sword's guiding hand move her arms, to let its magic thrum as she falls to the battlefield.

So she does. She gives the sword a couple swings, and is immediately surprised at how fluid she feels. Her arms and wrists spin with no issue, and her grip on the sword is just right, familiar. It almost feels as if she's been holding the sword for years, and it's amazing, and very much frightening.

Because if what Hanami said is true, then she created this in a single night.

How?

How is someone able to do things like this with such nonchalance? EMIYA can create Noble Phantasms using his magecraft, but they were degraded, weaker. Da Vinci can create mystic codes from magic and string, but they're nothing compared to genuine Noble Phantasms.

So how is Hanami able to do things like this?

Her control over the second true magic makes her powerful, but it doesn't give someone the power to create Noble Phantasms from virtually nothing. That's the first magic, and that has been long lost to time.

So how?

She's fortunate that the Hanami she's come to know is kind. Playful and illogical, but ultimately kind. But what if she comes across another Hanami, one that's not so gentle, one that cares far less for the lives on the line?

Because if someone like the virtuous Saber has a counterpart in her Alter form, then surely someone like Hanami has an alter as well.

Just the thought of that chills her to her core.

And then she's warm when a hand wraps around her waist, before she's suddenly pulled away, Ritsuka's body crashing onto Hanami.

"Hana-?"

"Quiet." Hanami cuts her off, voice much softer and intense than she'd ever heard before. Ritsuka blinks for a moment, surprised, but she then looks around and sees what once was Uruk is now covered in an inky black mud, and she shivers.

"[Reality Overlay]..." Hanami whispers, her eyes a bright spiraling blue. She narrows her eyes. "Don't speak, and don't separate from me."

[Reality Overlay]? What does that even mean!?

"It's like my [Empty ID], but created by Tiamat." She explains, and Ritsuka's swiftly reminded that reading minds is something Hanami can easily do. "Touching it causes mental distortions. I'm immune to it, and I can extend it to you as long as we're in contact. So don't separate, okay?"

The master nods silently, now eyeing the inky mud with caution. Still, something about the mud's effect feels...familiar. She doesn't really remember anything remotely similar to this, but she can't help but feel like she's seen something like this before.

She can only wonder why.

"Probably cause you've nearly drowned in them before." Hanami explains, and Ritsuka flinches at the sudden intrusion. "Not sure when or how, but a part of your psyche's locked, and damaged. It's somewhat similar to what I've suffered."

...A part of her psyche has been locked? What does that-

"Hold on. We've got company."

"!?" Ritsuka quickly tightens her hold as she's suddenly lifted, carried up as Hanami lifts off the ground, just in time to avoid the misshapen hands that suddenly sprouted out the mud. "W-What is that?"

"[Lahmus]. A lot of them combined into one." Hanami quickly explains, her eyes narrowed as she observes the giant mass below her. "I'd thought they'd wait a bit more to deploy such a large number, but I guess that's not what Tiamat wants."

The hands continue to rise, reaching further and further, and Hanami frowns. "Tell me if you're having trouble breathing. We're going to ascend."

With those words, they sped off into the uncovered sky. And in response, the hands speed up to match them, hands made of mud racing towards them. Ritsuka's faced several giant monsters before, some larger than even buildings, but this giant [Lahmu] is a truly jaw-dropping one.

"Ritsuka, tell me when the giant [Lahmu]'s fully formed." Hanami says, lips curled to a small grin. "I'm going to drop my Noble Phantasm when it's fully shown itself."

Of course, Ritsuka immediately wonders what 'Noble Phantasm' she's going to drop, but quickly pushes the thought out. She'll see the spectacle soon enough.

As they continue to fly, the muddy hands continue to rise, and slowly, the giant [Lahmu] begins to form. The rising mud twists and shapes itself, the muddy hands merging together as the entire being continues to rise.

Then, after a full minute of flying upwards, the giant Lahmu finally forms.

It's a giant monolith, with malformed faces adorning its four sides and sharp jagged wings spinning all around it. It looks almost like one of those biblically accurate angels she'd once seen in a book she'd read years ago.

It's honestly a bit unsettling.

But she isn't scared.

Because above her are dark clouds, roaring loudly as lightning snapped across the darkened skies. She sees Hanami grin, and light flashes before a staff magically appears in the magician's hand, the gem on its top glinting despite the lack of sunlight. Hanami raises it, and lightning shoots from the gem and up into the thundering clouds.

A powerful thunder roars from above, the winds pick up to a storm, and Ritsuka is forced to apply [Reinforcement] onto her arms to maintain her grip, silently thanking her new sword's aid in empowering her magecraft.

Then the world shouts. Ritsuka looks up, and her jaw drops as she sees a giant dragon made of lightning descend from the clouds, its body glowing an illuminating green as electricity snaps all around it. It gives out a small huff, and Ritsuka distantly realizes that the lightning-made dragon is grinning.

And then,

"[Hearth of Daedron]!"

It opens its mouth, and a beam of condensed lightning fires out of its jaw and slams down onto the giant [Lahmu]. The unholy thing screeches, pained as the beam quickly burns through the mud that makes up its slimy form.

But it isn't over. Not yet.

The thundering skies are lit up as several giant orbs of light form, their lights enough to rival even that of the sun's. By her side, Hanami takes a quick breath, and shouts once again.

"[Megido]!"

At her command, the miniature suns crash down onto the already hurting [Lahmu]. The giant orbs' brightness burns away the [Lahmu]'s mud, before they explode, the energy they contained released and let loose.

However,

"W-Wha-!?" Perhaps distracted by the spectacle, Ritsuka noticed the slimy tentacle wrapping around her leg far too late, and she could only gasp as she's harshly pulled down.

SUBMIT

The moment her grip on Hanami breaks, the mud's sanity-degrading effect takes place, and she winces as an onslaught of words and intents reach deep into her mind.

SUBMIT

She struggles against it, resists it. The mud's taint reaches deeper, farther, and it begins to encroach into her memories, into what makes her who she is.

SUBMIT

It hurts. It's cold.

Distantly, she realizes she can't see the thundering clouds anymore, her body having been swallowed by the giant Lahmu. Silently, she wonders what Hanami is doing right now. Is she trying to destroy the Lahmu and bring her back out? Is she alive? Is she still fighting? Is she okay?

A small part of her wonders of it mattered.

SUBMIT

Here, within the dark, her body cold and unmoving, her mind wanders.

I'm tired, she whispers to herself. She'd been through so much already, seen many things, met many people, and lost just as many. Why is she even here? She didn't even want to be here. She didn't want to be a part of Chaldea. When the Clocktower discovered her odd penchant towards magecraft, they immediately brought her in as a reserve.

She doesn't want to fight. She doesn't like fighting. She doesn't like hurting others. She doesn't like being hurt.

She just wants to go home, to go back to her family, to return there and retell what she's experienced over some warm dinner, to invite Mash and Romani and Da Vinci and just eat as they talk.

She just wants to go back.

Is that so hard?

SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT. SUBMIT.

But Ritsuka shakes those thoughts away. All of them are true, but to give up now would only lead to regret.

Because her life isn't her own, not anymore. Mash depends on her, Romani depends on her, Da Vinci depends on her. The entirety of Chaldea depends on her. Her world depends on her. Humanity depends on her.

And just the same, she's depended on many others. She's depended on Cu back in Singularity F. She'd been aided by Jeanne in the first Singularity, then Nero on the second, then Francis on the third. Mordred had been a pillar in the fourth Singularity, Nightingale had healed her in the fifth Singularity, Bedivere had fought with her on the sixth.

Shirou had saved her when she'd first arrived. Ushi, Leonidas, and Benkei had become her friends in arms. Merlin had become an annoying but ultimately kind guiding hand. Saber had come from the heavens and struck Gorgon down. Hanami and Gil had arrived and demolished the army of monsters when they all needed it most.

Much depends on her, and she'd depended on much more.

It's time to repay them back.

The taint continues to spread, to corrupt deeper and further, but Ritsuka ignores it. A well of strength awakens within her, and she starts to push back, begins to fight back the creeping mental taint.

She can feel it growing, becoming frantic, but Ritsuka struggles on.

She's faced a lot. She can face more.

Then, the connection between them snaps. It's just for a moment, for just a single fraction of a second.

But that's enough.

Wrenching her arms free, Ritsuka shouts as she reaches to her waist and takes hold of the sword Hanami had given her. Its blood red blade glows, its purpose matching with her intent, and the metal seems to almost sing as she raises the katana above her head.

The taint renews its assault, stronger and more feral than before, but they do nothing. They can do nothing.

For this was the cry of a girl, a wish of duty and desperation

The darkness surrounding her twists, spiraling as they're absorbed into the katana's blade, and it thrums with power. The blade's red glow brightens, and it absorbs more, taking more.

The air rumbles as the giant [Lahmu] growls, desperate to stop whatever her sword's trying to do, but Ritsuka just tightens her hold, pumping more and more magic. The katana continues to glow, brighter and brighter.

Then, a single word echoes in her mind.

It was a nameless blade, an empty Phantasm, created with no other purpose than to aid its wielder.

But it can be more.

"[SALEM]!"

And so she swings her blade down.

Holy shit.

I-I don't know what happened. I mean, I was just up in the sky, about to launch [Hearth of Daedron] down onto the poor [Lahmu] when I noticed that its HP was regenerating, and regenerating fast. So I added several [Megidos] to the mix, but even then, it still wasn't enough to combat the healing.

But then Ritsuka was suddenly pulled away from me, faster than I can reach, and the girl was devoured before my eyes.

I was shocked, then horrified, and then determined when I noticed that she was still alive. So I increased Deadron's firepower, empowering the beam.

When suddenly, everything seemed to stop. The air stopped blowing, lightning stopped moving, and all grinded to a halt as my mystic eyes slowed my perception of time.

Then, the [Lahmu] lets out a powerful cry, both pained and desperate, before a blinding streak of red light sliced right through the monster. A second passes, then two, and then the entire giant [Lahmu] just falls apart, its huge body cut cleanly in half.

And I just stayed there for a moment, staring dumbly at what the hell just happened, before I spotted an unconscious Ritsuka down on the now cleared ground.

Which brings me to this moment, sitting on a wooden chair atop the soil as I stared at Ritsuka, peacefully asleep over a bed I'd brought out from my inventory.

It's clear that the streak of red light came from Ritsuka and the sword I gave to her. But how? Ritsuka doesn't have any notable [Skill] that'll allow her to do that, and the sword I gave her didn't contain enough power for something like that.

Or, it did, but not anymore.

[Salem]

Rank B+

For this was a cry of a girl, a wish of duty and desperation.

Once an empty Phantasm created by Tsunaka Hanami, it has since been filled and bound to Fujimaru Ritsuka. A holy blade untied to faith nor legend, it shouldn't have held any power, any weight.

But the strength of a single wish is often unrecognized, and through it, the night shall be absorbed into the light.

-Stat Requirement nullified-

+100 Strength and Vitality when wielded

+20 Agility when wielded

Damage done to [Demonic] and [Undead] enemies is increased by 100%

Damage received from [Demonic] and [Undead] enemies is reduced by 10%

All [Self-Improvement] skills gain a 100% increase to effectivity

If commanded, the sword will begin to absorb magical energy from the surrounding area. If the absorbed energy is [Demonic] in any nature, then the gained magical energy will be doubled.

-[Soul Bound] to Fujimaru Ritsuka-

I mean, just, what? How the hell did my unnamed sword turn into this!?

But then I stop, because this isn't the first time something like this has happened.

The [Spuit Lance] I gave to Astolfo back in the Fourth Holy Grail War showed the same effect. Not to the insane extent of this, but just like [Salem], it gained powerful effects and somehow bounded itself to Astolfo.

Still, how? I ponder over it for a few more minutes, scrolling through my status to find something that might contribute to this phenomenon.

And then, I came across this.

[High Human]

With your existence, and through your influence, the barrier barring evolution can be lifted.

"The barrier barring evolution can be lifted." it says. I initially assumed it only worked on living beings, since, you know, they're the only ones that go through evolution and all.

But this world isn't quite so normal, isn't it? There's magic, there are monsters, there are gods. Normal objects can be soaked in magic long enough and suddenly grow sentient. Mythical objects with legends can hold incredible powers. Even the unassuming soil itself can contain the curses that once flowed above it.

So what's to say evolution can't happen for swords and spears as well?

If that's true however,

Then the possibilities this time are truly endless, aren't they?

Everyone was, understandably, very worried for Chaldea's last master. Mash went near catatonic when I mentioned that she was swallowed by a [Lahmu], and then shocked when I told them that she herself was the one to kill the [Lahmu], in a single strike.

I quickly left after that.

Which brings me to now, alone in an [Empty ID] as I ponder over what to do. Everything's currently on a lull at the moment, and with Ritsuka recovering, I doubt they'd be planning anything spontaneous anytime soon.

I can go and scout out my enemies, but the information I'm getting from my mystic eyes are annoyingly vague. I mean, I tried using my mystic eyes a couple nights ago to see where Amakusa might be at that moment, but the information I got was an estimated area so big it might not have been an estimate at all.

Once again, it's as if they're using something to deliberately mislead my mystic eyes.

So that option's out the window as well, which...doesn't really leave much really. [Remnant of Skypiea]'s a possible option, but I think I've had my fill of battling for the day. I don't feel like exploring [Yuriele] either.

...Maybe I should just visit Wanda? I haven't seen her in a while. You know what, yeah, I might as well.

Mind made up, I snap my fingers and the world around me fades into glittering shards of glass. I watch the void for a moment, observing the many colors on display as the transport continues. It's a bit dizzying actually; very beautiful, but watching the colors appear and fade over and over is certainly dizzying.

Then, the transport ends, and I find myself before the ever familiar [Dun Stadia].

Well, it isn't so familiar anymore.

What was once a village has expanded to a full-blown town; though the population's remained relatively the same. All the functional buildings have been brought into the stone complex under the ground, which leaves more space on the surface to be filled with other amenities. The roads are cleaner, fields and orchards are more abundant, and I can even see a school for the children.

It's a massive improvement over what it once was, though I don't find myself too surprised. After all, Gil took the reigns as the mayor for several days. She probably gave some notes and such for the people to follow after she left.

Now, where is Wanda…

...Hmm? She's not here?

I blink, and blink again, and then I quickly expand my search, looking towards the neighboring islands. Again, no signs on Wanda, and I begin to panic. But then I sense Wanda's mother sleeping peacefully on her bed, and my panic dies down slightly, because she certainly won't be sleeping like that when her daughter's missing.

After some more searching, I finally sense the girl, about four islands to the south. How did she get there? I wonder at first, but I quickly slap the thought away. After all, the girl can fly now, so she's obviously able to go there.

[Morningstar] activating, I float into the sky and take off. I speed through the skies, passing by the other islands and sending blasts of wind as I go, before slowing down as I approach the island Wanda's on.

And talking about Wanda, there she is, sitting idly beside a neat pile of bird corpses. She's cleaning her spear at the moment, wiping the blood and grime off the spear's head.

I land before her with a soft thud, and I smile as her eyes turn up to mine. "Hello!"

"Ms. Hanami!" She bolts up, a bright smile on her face as she closes in on me. "You're back!" My smile widens at the display, and I give the girl's head a gentle pat, watching as Wanda melts under the touch.

"Mm. I have time, so I'm making a visit." I say, taking a glance at the pile of corpses. "So, what're you doing here? Getting some morning practice?"

She eagerly nods, and I hum thoughtfully. "Those birds will probably make for some good points…" I absently say. "You need help carrying them?"

She nods again, and with a small smile, I bring up my status. Aiming it at the pile of corpses, my inventory comes up, and the corpses are absorbed with a small shower of light. "Aight, there you go!"

With that done, we both take off to the skies, me using [Morningstar] and Wanda using the pair of wings she gained several days back. The wings are really pretty, though their regality somewhat clashes with the casual clothing the girl's wearing at the moment. Still, doesn't change the fact that they're really pretty!

Oh, and if she wears some additional horns on her head, she'd probably look pretty cute too.

...I should totally make that.

On our way back, we talked of random topics, mostly around the new changes [Dun Stadia] is going through. They'd switched their method of gaining points apparently, switching from exchanging apples to exchanging foods in general. That said, the monsters Wanda brings back is worth some pretty good points as well.

They were doing pretty damn well overall.

Not all's sunshine and rainbows though. Other cities and kingdoms are taking notice, and [Dun Stadia] can only do so much to push away the more unscrupulous visitors. Wanda's done some of her own work kicking out some annoying people, but more and more are coming, and they're not really sure what to do.

To be honest, I'm not sure either.

Back on earth, we have rules and regulations that can give a budding country breathing time, but here? There's nothing of the sort here. Where power exists, power rules, and with magically enhanced beings running around in this world filled with floating islands, there are a lot of strong people.

But that means that [Dun Stadia] just needs its own firepower to push back against the outside forces, right? I mean, I can help provide the city with enough weapons to make it rain, but with no one able to use them effectively, the weapons will just-

...Wait, enough weapons to make it rain…?

Oh. Oh yeah. The moment those words passed through my head, an idea immediately shined in my mind, and I can't quite keep the grin off my face,

"Ms. Hanami…?" I hear Wanda ask by my side, her voice just a tad wary.

I continue grinning.

Aight, it's finally time for some omakes to be added at the end!

I've had this particular idea for a while now, so I might as well dump it in a quick snippet. Anyways, do share with me what you think. If you like it, I'll probably make some more of these omakes, if you don't, then...well, I'll probably still make them, but I'll make them less. Anyways, enjoy!

-Omake-

"What if Hanami had taken Shirou's place instead?" - Story 1

It's a normal day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I'm relaxing by the kitchen counter, idly chopping some carrots to prepare for lunch.

Then Taiga smashes through the door, a bright smile on her face, her clothes dirty with blood and grime. "I'm back~" She drawls out, kicking her sandals off and placing them atop the cabinet.

"Mm. Welcome back, Fuji-nee."

Even after a decade, the words still taste off in my mouth. Normally it'd be Shirou who'd welcome her with those words, smiling awkwardly as he watched his supposed guardian loiter around the house like a feline. The woman would then tackle her adopted brother, pinning him with questions about his day and such.

But Emiya Shirou doesn't exist.

Instead, I've taken his place. Instead of finding a dying boy under a pile of flaming rubble, the heartbroken Kiritsugu had found me, frail and young and coughing as I struggled to live.

And I can't help but wonder what the Shirou of this world is doing. Did he die in the Fuyuki fire? Did he survive? Was he even at Fuyuki when the Fourth Holy Grail War went so wrong? Is he with his actual family right now?

Whatever the case might be, it doesn't change the fact that he isn't here now.

"Fuji-nee," I say, placing a washed potato on the cutting board. "Please change your clothes. Your stories can come later."

"Okay~" And with that, the woman rushes off to her room to change her wardrobe, probably taking a quick shower in the process. Of course, she rushes to her room with inhuman speed, speeds that would've definitely torn off the tatami walls that made up this large japanese mansion.

Thankfully, the tatami walls aren't quite so normal. They were enhanced and fortified by several runes I've drawn on them, with help from a certain Fraga.

Well, I say 'I' did it, but it was mostly Kiritsugu who did it, since I seem to be horrendous at runes for whatever reason.

On the note of Kiritsugu, that's another change I've managed to make. Since I've got the [Gamer] system, the effects of [Avalon] was boosted to an insane level, and the injuries I received healed in record time. Seeing the man who'd saved me slowly shriveling, I quickly pulled the artifact out of myself and implanted it into him.

My act didn't go unnoticed of course. The man had come to me the next morning and demanded an explanation, and I gave him one, though one weaved with both truths and lies. I told him that I knew of it instinctually, as if it had called onto me, but I left out the fact that I knew about that because of my [Gamer] system.

He was worried of course, worried over what the lack of Avalon would do to me, but when he saw that nothing was going to happen, he relented and accepted it.

With his strength regained, he barged into the Einzbern's family mansion and took back his first daughter, completely destroying the family in the process. Even now, I'm still unsure on what actually happened, but all I know is that the Einzberns are no longer a family.

That's both awesome and terrifying.

And somehow, in the middle of that, we managed to introduce the moonlit world to Taiga without getting her to freak out, which sounds as amazing as it does.

Which brings us to this moment, with me chopping potatoes as I watch Taiga barge back into the living room, a bottle of cold beer somehow in her hands.

"Muu~, I was so lonely this time…" She complains in a whisper, taking a big drink of her cold beer. "Let's go to an [ID] together next time, okay?"

Hanami simply smiles. "Mm."

Confirmation given, a bright smile appears on Taiga's face as she begins to retell her journey, and the many, many monsters she smacked and killed along the way.