Author's note: Hey guys, it's another chapter for Genichiro's mortal journey. I'll say this now, but this chapter was a hard one to write, mostly because I had school in the middle of writing this, so I didn't have my head in the game and mindset to write, so this chapter is scuffed, but I'm posting it for those who want to read it. I will probably rewrite the chapter in the future. And as always give feedback and criticisms, and enjoy the story.
A room bathed with the afternoon sunlight. A man in his armored Regalia writes down his characters learning the glyph system of writing, recommended by Ram that a newly knighted guard should learn the writing of the land, he accepted her offer.
To him the writing was far too similar, Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji all had their counterparts with these so called glyphs. With him having the habit to learn even further being hammered into him, he wrote them down with ease, albeit foreign, it all made sense to him.
Knock, Knock.
The two light thuds on the lavish wooden door grabbed his attention, drawing him out of the trance of repeating his writing practice.
Putting away the ink pen he looked towards the door. "Come in." He said.
"Pardon my Intrusion, Sir Genichiro." The familiar voice spoke out, her voice filling the room's calm serene silence.
In his visage he saw a pink haired maid carrying a tea set on a tray, one teapot and two tea cups, both of them being of great quality. She walked closer to inspect the work he has been doing and commented.
"I see you really are studying, Sir Genichiro." Ram said the obvious, pouring the tea into the cups.
"What brings you to my room?" Genichiro questioned knowing Ram has some form of ulterior motive whether it be slacking off to just chatting.
"To slack off of course." Ram said honestly grabbing the second cup of tea, quietly holding it in her hands before sipping. Genichiro replied with the same action, the tea was rather bitter for his taste. But it wasn't detestable.
"You sure, do know your places to slack." He commented with a slight laugh at the end of his sentence.
"So? How is your studying coming along?" Ram deflected his comment rather easily before sipping from her cup again.
She started to kick the air in front of her as she sat on his bed, complying with Genichiro's request to not be so tense, and to enjoy the time.
Reviewing his work he understood where he stood in terms of reading.
"Not bad, I'd say I am able to read fairy tales. It's quite interesting to read the philosophy and compare it back home. " He stated, placing the cup of tea back onto it's plate. "Shall I tell you of my homeland?
Ram eyes widened slightly, her pupils fixated on Genichiro. To him it was proof of her interest in his homeland.
"Very well. Let us start. I shall tell you of back home, mainland Japan was in a state of chaos, clans fought and sought power and territory, especially those damned Tokugawa's interior ministry. Ashina's land in the mountains was quite small back then, back before I was born." He paused to take a sip, to gaze upon Ram's visage once more. Her unblinking expression unnerved him a little, but he continued.
"We were a clan of weaklings but, because of one man. Isshin Ashina, the sword saint. The one who staged a bloody coup and wrestled with the other lords of the land, his skill with the blade is unmatched. His search for power was unprecedented." Taking another sip from the tea, he awaited the question that he was expecting.
"Sword saint. You mean to tell me, his sword skills took him to such far heights. They would call him the sword saint." Ram asked slightly exasperated from this sudden revelation.
"That's right, even after he had obtained the title of sword saint, he sought even greater power." He paused with a frown, remembering how Ashina was invaded, but he continued on. "Years passed by, with the sword saint ill and aged. The interior ministry found their nerve to launch an invasion."
He paused, taking a deep breath to calm himself, before he continued. "I was so foolish. To think even with heretical power, it's a mere numbers game with us being outgunned one hundred to ten. He was right no matter how much power I gained, I would be reduced to a monstrous killing machine, with no more of my humanity left. To think I would be so blinded by my own desire to save Ashina, it's mortifying."
"Outgunned? What on earth kind of phrase is that, Sir Genichiro?" Ram offhandedly said as if she wasn't paying attention to Genichiro's story.
"Erm.. Nothing, just a phrase from back home." He said questioning himself as to why on earth this kingdom has no such concept of a gun.
In various texts back in the library descriptions of the Portugese and other western countries deploying the use of armaments known as guns in their armies and such. The worst part was that guns were granted to the Japanese in the middle of the Sengoku Era the time he remembered they were in.
So why on earth does Lugunica not have such weapons? Was it because magic had been prominent and technology revolving around gun powder simply wasn't meant to be? Or simply technology had never evolved beyond a certain point.
"I see. You're still a fool even now, but I must admit you're less of one compared to the one you described before." Ram granted him a small soft smile, while she didn't show it she tried to comfort him. "You've told essentially your own legend of Ashina, now let me ask you this. Did any of the fairy tales from here leave an impression on you?"
"Quite so in fact. I am quite interested in the folk tale of where the Dragon and the royal family were contracted in a covenant, indeed this is the source of the kingdom's title. To think a dragon would protect an entire country with a covenant alone. It must be one important contract." Genichiro said, shutting the book abruptly.
"Yes, that's right. The noble dragon still protects this nation from far away, beyond a great waterfall." Ram stated.
"Are there any texts on the topic of the great waterfall?" He asked while taking a sip.
He was curious after all. Maybe it was possible to go back to Japan, and live a life as if he was a hermit, even so it may not even be possible to go back. This fact saddened quite a bit, he had a lot of unsaid words he wanted to say, and goodbyes he still needed to give out to those who took him in, raised him, and gave him everything. But he couldn't as he was drunk on the hunt for immortality.
Taking a sip of tea to calm his nerves, he put down the cup onto it's plate.
"Documentation of the great waterfall is quite hard to find to begin with, as those who approach seem to never come back. Maybe in the forbidden library there is, but why the sudden interest?" Ram asked with a glint of curiosity cracking through her otherwise flat expression.
"You see, I think I hailed far from the great waterfall. But it's outlandish isn't it? I'm sure there is a theory." He chuckled.
"I believe it's about time I take my leave. enjoy your afternoon Sir Genichiro." Ram abruptly ended the conversation, taking away the tea set.
Genichiro paused, but he knew that it probably wasn't his business to ask where or what she was doing. Giving out a curt nod, she left the room before closing the door behind her. Leaving the former leader of Ashina in his knights quarters.
The sky melted into the night. For some reason Genichiro went asleep early after greeting Emilia about her day, only to be awakened by a strange gut feeling telling him to get dressed in his armor, to perhaps maybe foresee a potential threat, and a reminder that he died by unknown means in his sleep. This fact sent him on edge, he quickly tightened his armor to fit his body perfectly. Taking a deep breath he walked with quiet strides toward the luxurious door.
Why on earth am I paranoid…? I've died twice, surely this can't be that terrible. He thought to himself, a silent bead of sweat dropped off of his face. An eerie silence fills the hallway, with a mute moonlight peering through the windows. With small motes of dust dancing throughout almost enthralling Genichiro.
He took a deep breath to reaffirm his core, with his nerves eased, he looked around the hallway on both sides as if looking for something. His hands never wavered away from his blade's handle, the light shake of his armor could be heard in the silence that profound the hallway, a light rattling. If one were to compare it to something, it would be a certain snake.
He noticed something in the hallway. A flicker of light alights the darkness that surrounded it with some moonlight, for a mere second. Genichiro thought he was seeing things, but right after he rubbed his eyes a little. The sounds of metal chains shook, immediately right after his senses shook him wide awake. a deep unwavering flame of respite arose within him, deep down for as long as he continued fighting he would be fine.
Then…
FWOOSH!
Genichiro barely made it, a black mass flew right into him. He drew his blade up deflecting it away, his arm initially felt like it was being slammed into with the force of a flaming bull, but it didn't sway his mind into submission. No in fact it swayed his mind into fighting, now that he knows what must be doing now.
As the mass and the blade made contact, sparks were being born as the two clashed for the mere second they clashed, they came as fast as they left, the parry could be heard across the mansion. An insidious plot is in action, with the target being him.
"Face me, or will you continue hiding in the shadows?" Genichiro throughout some verbal bait, with whoever was the attacker took it immediately, which only caused the sounds of chains being dragged to further increase.
"Then I have no choice…" The spiked ball's chains on the floor seemingly began to loosen quite a bit. He recognized the voice.
No it can't be?! He inwardly shouted to himself as he realized who he was dealing with.
Her visage came into view, first her clean black shoes, then her dress, then her uniform. Her eyes closed off from the world, her assassination had failed, now she had several more options in store for Genichiro.
To him it was the worst case scenario, to think the maids would be attacking him, it didn't make sense. He follows his duty, makes sure his lady is safe, helps around the mansion. What was she after?
"The ideal scenario would have been to finish this without anyone noticing." Rem said coldly as she opened her eyes to gaze upon her target of elimination. "If you do not resist, I can make your death painless." She said, offering a quiet way out to him.
"Let me ask you this, why are you attacking me? Have you lose your mind?" Genichiro said before placing his katana into a stance, one with very little openings. He gazed and analyzed Rem's posture and body language. Solid and rigid posture, and a predatory look onto her appearance.
"If someone seems suspicious, punish them. That is the rule of maids." Rem finished as she began to stride towards Genichiro at a slow, but terrifying pace.
"To think I had built good relations with you and your sister. But you're throwing it away?" He almost wanted to shout, but it got caught in his throat. Several thoughts flew through his mind, what would Genichiro do if he had died once more? What would he do if he saw Rem at the beginning of the week? As fast as they arrived, they left leaving the two alone once more.
"I intend to finish this before my sister sees anything." She said as she tugged the chains of the morning star with her hands. Genichiro had made up his mind, his determination to live through this week wouldn't let him die without a fight going down.
"So you want to go through the painful way? Alright then…. Prepare yourself!" He said as he bolted forward, readying to meet Rem head on. But met the morning star's head once more, the flurry of deflection began, sparks and shards of metal being born as they made contact, the constant clang and fury of the battlefield began.
Jumping back he pulled back the strings of his bow with arrows drawn directly from his quiver, he fired two arrows with maximum force as could muster within the moment, for one slip of his defense would spell his doom. They flew forward whipping through the air with great force. Rem on the other hand threw her weapon in slash motion to deflect them down. Once her view cleared she barely had enough time to block a blow from Genichiro Ashina.
Capitalizing on the moment of his flowing passage, Rem surprisingly was on the defense. For her it was the utmost shame to be on the defending side from this onslaught of attacks, he moved like the wind throwing out nine attacks in rapid succession in the motion of a dance, the entire fight being extraordinarily loud, the two being worried they would be waking someone up.
With her pride as a maid being thrown down like that, she was angered. And so she began her onslaught of attacks, each one of them causing pain on each deflection for Genichiro. It was so foreign to him, to think he managed to even the odds of the fight by this much, but his thoughts were soon washed away as he met up with the assault. Each blow delivering healthy amounts of damage to his defense. Genichiro didn't expect Rem to be such a match up, he was busy parrying the assault of the maid, and took the time to put some distance between the two.
"What's wrong? Wasn't this entire assassination your idea?" Genichiro chided with a mix of anger and exhilaration .
"Silence! Witch cultist!" Rem roared as she dashed forward leaving a trail of dust behind her.
Rem's weapon was coming dangerously fast and close, he didn't have time to parry it, but dodging didn't seem safe either. So with the knowledge his mentor Tomoe had taught him, he had a counterattack in mind. It flew closer and closer, the wind whistling as it came careening closer into Genichiro's head. Rem was probably feeling glee at taking down a so-called witch cultist, but she was about to be disappointed.
As it came close enough, Genichiro leaped into the air firing three shots down from above with them propelling him up even further into the air by just sheer power. The first two missed but the third made it's home into Rem's forearm. A searing pain burst through her left arm. She quickly looked at it for a second and she pulled it out, shouting in pain and anger, with a tinge of anguish.
It had drained his energy much more than expected, he slowly looked up to see the ball smashing into his stomach, his armor did it's job and reduced much of the force, but at the cost of being a broken plate. As the morning star smashed into his stomach, he spat out blood, as Genichiro flew back trying to use his blade as a hook onto the ground, tearing the carpet apart. His strength was leaking out.
He couldn't die, not here and not now. The two faced each other in desperation, as they prepared to launch their last attack, a sudden burst of ice crystals and wind magic crossed between the two. With the sudden destruction of the poor carpet, and the intrusion of their little duel. Rem turned to look behind Genichiro and so did he.
Two individuals appeared, Ram and Emilia. With a very stern expression plastered on both of them.
"Rem, Sir Genichiro, care to explain what were you two doing?" Ram said with a tired but frustrated look. But then Emilia took control of the conversation.
"But first, put away your weapons. Now." Emilia for the first time was being Assertive, this had shocked the two of them. Both of them complied.
"Now Rem, why did you go and attack Sir Genichiro?" She said with her arms crossed.
"Sissy! The witch's miasma is strong on him, surely he's a witch cultist!" Rem argued in her defense, with indignation plastered on her face.
"Now, Genichiro, why were you fighting Rem?" She said to Genichiro, with an exceptionally cold piece on his name.
"Well, I woke up in the middle of the night, and had this bad feeling something was going to happen. So on this occasion I dressed in my armored Regalia, only to be ambushed by your sister." Genichiro said, clutching his still wounded stomach.
"Lady Emilia, could I ask that you heal your knight's wounds, while I heal my sister's?" Ram quickly went in to cash in a favor for the sake of the two in conflict.
"Of course. now then Genichiro, stay still." Emilia ordered, for which he complied, for he stood still as he received treatment, slowly but surely the feeling of a busted stomach began to slowly go away. This healing magic puts him in awe as to how far one can heal.
"Rem hold onto me, I shall be taking you to your room." Rem quietly complied, but when her and Genichiro's gaze aligned, one could say a mother was protecting their young, while the other had the steeled eyes of an eagle, awaiting the moment to launch their assault.
As soon as Rem and Ram left the vicinity, Genichiro broke the awfully awkward silence.
"I apologize for waking you up, Lady Emilia." Genichiro bowed his head without moving his body as per requested by Emilia.
"It's fine, just please try not to get into anymore fights with Rem." Emilia said, admonishing his actions. "And please, call me Emilia, no formal titles or anything. Just Emilia okay?" She smiled gently, only further reinforcing this favor of hers.
"Very well Emilia, can I ask a question?" He had a rather burning question revolving around the reason why Rem attacked him in the first place.
"Of course, so what is it?" She asked continuing the treatment of her retainer.
"What is the witch cult, and furthermore what on earth is the witch's miasma?" These words froze Emilia in place, while she kept healing, her expression abruptly froze, changing from a awaiting smile to a slight frown.
"I'm not someone you would want to consult about those topics, but I will give you this." She paused with a look of guilt on her face before she continued. "Rem and Ram's village were destroyed by the witch cult, I believe that's why. But as for the previous topics, consult Lady Beatrice. She would know more than me." Emilia said ceasing the healing.
"Your wounds should be fully healed, you should go get some rest, I need to go talk to Roswaal." Emilia excused herself before Genichiro could try to talk, leaving him alone just outside of his room.
I surely am tired, I suppose it's time to get some shut eye.
He turned the knob of the door, putting pressure on it, the door opened slowly revealing his tidy knights quarter. Quickly removing his armor he fell onto his bed allowing sleep to take over him. For he awoke in his dreams. A forest far from the mansion, the memory of facing Rem. It utterly broke his heart when there was no one to stop them from fighting to the death. After each and every battle, a shadowy figure would loom before him. It was barely audible, but he could here the very same voice as when he arrived in this strange land far away from home
Genichiro would try to talk to her, the shadow. But it was pure madness, the only thing she would say is.
"I love you."
For what purpose did she love him? he didn't know, but he would at least try to understand what his purpose would be to such a being. but first thing he would do when he came back from the resupplying of the kitchen, was consult Beatrice. Surely there was an answer right?
The rest was history as feel into the pits of sleep. only to be awakened by sudden knocks on his door
"I'll be there in a minute!" Genichiro said as he hurried to put on his Regalia, removing the chest piece as it was completely shattered to bits by Rem's enraged attack. He eased himself with the quiet realization that he made it through the night without such threats ending him prematurely.
He walked forward to the door and grabbed it's knob to open it. To be met with his lady.
"Good morning, Emilia." Genichiro said with a thin smile "Hopefully I don't display a lack of grace for you today."
"Well, good morning to you too, I'm sure you'll be graceful today. Puck will be here later, he says he needs time to think about a decision." She said fondling her hair strands a tad bit. "But back on topic, Roswaal has requested for your presence in the dining room. It's well… about last night." Emilia said with a downtrodden look on her entire face. While she was beautiful naturally, she looked utterly lost as if she was a puppy separated from the pack.
Genichiro felt rather awkward and thus turned the conversation in a different direction, getting straight to the point.
"Then let us get going, we wouldn't want to keep Lord Roswaal waiting do we?" He comforted her.
"You're right, we should. Let's get going and get this finished with." With her resolve determined they walked together as lady and retainer.
The hallways were filled with a solemn silence, their decision would complete one's fate in the mansion. For they were her metaphorical judge and jury, knowledge of this came forth soon as they would arrive and heed the lord's words.
They arrived in the dining room, with the doors wide open. A calm yet daring sunlight intrudes from the windows, all of the residents have arrived at this pseudo trial of sorts.
"Good morning, Sir Genichiro. I'm sure you understand why I have requested your presence here, don't you?" Roswaal smilied, his eccentrics bursting forth, but they had a serious edge to them this time around.
"That's right, it's about last night right?" Genichiro said as he propped a seat for himself and Emilia, in order to get comfy, in this otherwise uncomfortable situation.
"Indeed… as it reported to me, by my dearest Ram. You two were in conflict, correct?" The lord said as he went through with the usual eccentrics. as a judge would in order to confirm things for himself. "And thus I would like to get both sides of the story, before any punishment of the sorts will be given."
"That's right, I was awoken by a gut feeling to check outside my room, arming myself in the process. And so I went out, a moment later as I was looking around, Rem through her weapon at me. The two of us got into an exchange of words before we fought. Something on the lines of 'The ideal situation would be to finish this before my sister sees this', thus I will believe that Ram was completely unaware of this." Genichiro finished as he grabbed the cup of steaming tea, and drank its contents down.
"I am quite convinced as well Ram had no such awareness of the situation. But that isn't our main topic is it? Now tell me Sir Genichiro, why did Rem attack you?" Roswaal finished.
"She said it was because, I had a witch's miasma, leading to her accusation of me being a cultist of a witch of some sort." Genichiro spoke with clear honesty.
"Even so, you were an admirable retainer and knight for Lady Emilia. What kind of cultist would go so far to something of this scale to side with Emilia so valiantly and bravely?" Roswaal mused himself.
"Well, if I may ask, can we get to the point?" He asked, getting uncomfortable with this situation, while he had dawdled in the court of law in Ashina before, he never exactly felt right in them.
"Of course, I just wanted to confirm some things before any preconceived notions could be announced. Well the topic of today's conversation is about Rem's punishment, for assaulting a royal candidate's retainer and knight." Roswaal said with a pensive expression on his face. "Since Lady Emilia outranks me, it will be her decision for Rem's sentence."
"You may be right Roswaal, but I feel it would be right to give it to my retainer Genichiro, because he stayed calm, and never had a look of contempt at Rem, I believe it would be for the best." Emilia said
"if that is your wish, then I Roswaal L. Mathers, shall oblige. And for formality's sake, I deeply apologize for my subordinates actions." Roswaal bowed, surprising both Emilia and Genichiro together.
"If it's my choice, then I'll forgive her. She was blinded by her rage of the witch cult, if I were in her shoes I too would be extremely on edge, if one whose scent is that of the witch's miasma arrived at the mansion one day, I may not know the historic importance of the witch cult, but I know they are responsible for the thousands of deaths of these lands. Thus I ask that you relieve her of any punishments you had in store for her." Genichiro finished his statement before he finished his cup of tea.
"Genichiro…." Emilia paused in awe of his speech and statement, his empathy knows no bounds. He may be blunt and boring at times, he was an honest person who could empathize with others.
"I see, then Genichiro I will fulfill your request once more. Rem is waiting in the VIP room." Roswaal smiled quietly as he walked towards the door. "May the fruits of your labor be realized." He quietly muttered so only Genichiro could hear it, confusing the poor retainer.
There was a silent pause between when Roswaal left, leaving the pair alone in the dining room to finish their meals.
"Let's go greet Rem, I believe it's about time for a reintroduction between the two of us." Genichiro grinned gently.
"Yes indeed, let's go."
What went wrong? Why did I attack him? Why did I disobey Lord Roswaal's orders? BUT WAS I WRONG?! I don't know anymore? The death penalty will only be a mercy….. I'm sorry sister for being such a nuisance, I could never be like you. Rem is nothing more but a mere inferior replacement for sister.
A quiet sob cried throughout the room, reflection, contemplation, and grief were all feelings she felt in the moment, her emotions got the better of her. Self wallowing in despair was what filled her mind.
Deprecation, and foolishness were her only barely visible light in her metaphorical dark world at the moment.
"I'm nothing more, but a complete failure…." Rem said to no one in particular but surprisingly received one in the form of a door creaking open.
"A failure huh? Not a very nice thing to call yourself. I believe it's about time for a talk." He stood with Emilia to act as a mediator in case something would happen.
"What?! Rem attacked you with the intent to kill you, how could you so brazenly calm? And my punishment?" Rem said. "My crimes were unfounded! How can you not be angry at me?" She shouted with blaring tears streaming down her otherwise pale cheeks.
"Indeed, they were unfounded, even foolish. But that hatred was directed towards a certain cult, because a witch's miasma right?" He paused, for dramatic effect, but nonetheless continued "In that case, for your suspicions I'll try my best to alleviate them. In exchange we become compatriots, even friends." He offered a second chance to clear her name.
She hesitated. She wanted to run away. But she couldn't.
"Why me?" Genichiro paused, but he had a rebuttal in mind for this.
"Why you indeed. I've asked myself the question before, but it's better that you don't question it. But simply go with it." He held no argument, but a simple reaffirmation that everything will be alright. "I'm sure you have several questions about me. I will answer them all in due time."
"Sir Genichiro… I." She tried to talk but couldn't push her words out at all. As tears of joy and sadness filled her vision.
"If you want to offer me an apology, then assist me by gathering some ingredients and spices from the village tomorrow with me. I'm sure the weather will be clear, so we can have a proper conversation." He said without fail, as he ushered Emilia out of the room for another. But before he left he had some final words for Rem in that moment.
"You sure make a mean soup, it would be a shame if someone of your talent would go away." Genichiro smiled as left the room, leaving Rem in her lonesome state.
After splitting up with Emilia once they got back to their respective posts, Genichiro was roaming around the hallways, tidying up some windows. He heard some footsteps, Genichiro turned to see a familiar face he hadn't seen at all earlier.
"Good afternoon. Do you need something?" He asked.
"No, Sir Genichiro. As much as I disdain a pervert like you, I have to thank you for not sending away or punishing Rem." Ram bowed to him. This was a first for him to see, it was astounding to see Ram actually bow to anyone with sincerity.
"Think nothing of it, I am not a punisher, but a mere retainer. It wasn't my right to punish anyone except those who would hurt Lady Emilia." Genichiro spoke.
"Then I shall take my leave." Ram left abruptly, but it didn't bother him. For he was in the middle of cleaning duties.
A bright outlook of the future enthralled Genichiro, he was rather proud of himself. Even if it didn't fit him, he had earned the right to be.
While he didn't know what fate had in store for him, he should find his life in peril. He will fight back with great vigor.
In the early noon he was getting ready, for the trip Rem would be coming. He looked out to see her ready, thus it was time to go. He grasped the handles on the front doors of the mansion and pushed them,
Author's Note: If you believe that Genichiro is out of character, that's on purpose, because I'm trying to develop his character. I can't guarantee if I'll fully write this out, mostly due to the fact I'm using this story to get better at writing. But that's doesn't matter, and for NA FGO fans may your rolls be blessed for Okitan.