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Ch 11 Ally Under the Stars
Capital of Melromarc
"Let me get this straight, not only did you three fail in subduing the Devil of the Shield. You three allowed him to take my daughter as a hostage!" Aultcray scolded the Roundtable members around a black roundtable for their lack of performance,
Motoyasu clutched his fist, looking at the person who supported his Party. "Well, it's all that Naofumi's fault!" He exclaims, angry at the mere thought of that guy. "He managed to manipulate the person from my home world! My little brother!" He explains angrily.
'How dare Naofumi use Ritsuka to his advantage like that.' Motoyasu gritted his teeth, the mere thought of his brother figure; the person who looks up to him working for that bastard boils his blood.
Aultcray raises his eyebrows, hearing about a sibling of the Spear Hero firsthand. "A brother? You didn't tell me you have a brother, Heroic Knight Lancelot." The corrupted King was intrigued, if he's anything like Motoyasu then it's best to get in his good graces.
"It's a shock to all of us too. He even has some adventurers working for him." Itsuki crosses his arms, leaning against his chair.
Aultcray raised an eyebrow, "They were like really overpowered with their weapons." The Archer sighs, wanting some payback for their humiliation against them.
"How so? What are these weapons they possess, Heroic Knight Tristan?" The King looks at the green-haired teen, curious about these people.
Itsuki scoffs, "To be frank, their weaponry is similar to ours. They're more in tune like they're on with them." The Heroic Knight explains from what the battle taught him, which was…
"They used cheap tricks to copy our own weapons." Itsuki's eyes grew dark, hating imitations of people. Especially those who copy him.
Aultcray grew concerned, hearing that these people could copy their very own Three Heroes Roundtable. A troubling thought to even think about, his eyes drew over to Ren oddly quiet throughout the meeting. "Heroic Knight Gawain, you seem awfully quiet for a defeat."
Ren looks at the King, "Sorry, I was just thinking what that woman said when she dealt a devastating blow."
"Yes, the report said that black fire engulfed the entire Search Party." Aultcray nodded, remembering the report. "Unfortunate that those who got caught in the Devil's fire, but a necessary sacrifice to get to know our enemy."
Motoyasu slams his fist on the table, "Aren't you all forgetting that Naofumi got my brother in his trawl!?" He exclaims, being irrational with his outburst. "Ritsuka has been through a lot, his parents abandoned him, his relatives abused him! I'm the only one left that is considered family!"
"Interesting, this Ritsuka person what's his full name?" Everyone turns their heads to the back, seeing the masked black Saber entering the meeting with Yukimura behind.
"Ah, Saber glad you can attend." Aultcray's face brightens, seeing his most trusted adviser is here.
The pale blonde-haired man smiles at the King before him. "Apologies for being late, I had something I need to do with the Church." The Saber smiles. "In any case, your brother's name is Sir Motoyasu. May I, have it?" He asked, having a feeling who this is.
"It's Ritsuka Fujimaru, why?" Motoyasu questions the Saber before them.
Itsuki looks over to Saber, also curious on why he's so curious. "Is there something you're not telling us, Saber?" His mind clicked when he noticed the same name as the others have. "Another thing, those people we've encountered. They have the same name as you, why is that?"
Saber looks at the Lancer next to him before answering. "I'm sure you're aware that these fakers are powerful." He stated, "However there's more to them than meets the eye. These people called themselves Chaldeans."
Motoyasu's eyes widen, hearing the same name that Ritsuka works for. "What does Chaldea have to do with this?"
"Oh, plenty Sir Motoyasu. The Chaldeans are a group of heretics who go and destroy worlds." Saber lied, painting over the Chaldeans' good name. "They're a group who destroys civilizations in their so call order."
"W-What?"
Saber sighs, looking sadly at the Heroic Knight Lancelot. "Sadly, Sir Motoyasu they manipulated your brother to be their master. Your brother has already fallen into darkness, there-"
Motoyasu stood up from his chair, "DON'T YOU SAY THAT! I WILL SAVE RITSUKA NO MATTER WHAT!" The Lancer proclaims, determined to help his brother. "I would do anything for him, even if it cost me my life!"
"H-Heroic Knight Lancelot, please don't be rash about this." Aultcray held out his hand to him, "I-If you're this determined to save your brother then I will order the Knights and Lords to capture him alive and deliver him here to the castle." He smiles, wanting him to stay loyal to him.
Motoyasu smiles at the King of Melromarc. "Your kindness is well deserved, your Majesty."
Yukimura cleared his throat, gaining their attention. "If I could interrupt, then I suggest if you were to rescue your brother. Then I suggest we should lift the limiters on your weapons."
"Limiters?" Itsuki blinks, hearing what the Last Hero of the Sengoku Period suggested.
Saber agreed with what the Four Guardian Servants of their maser said. "Oh yes, the Noble Phantasm. You indeed need them to combat with the Chaldeans." He smiles.
Ren ponders before speaking out. "Noble Phantasm? That's what Ritsuka said to that woman-Barghest to use." He explains to the Saber Servant. "Does releasing the limiters on our weapons truly give us an advantage, Saber?" the black-haired teen asked.
"Of course, Heroic Knight Gawain. After all, these are ancient weapons you wield." The pale blonde Saber explains, "With age, comes power." He held out his hand, signifying to lend him their weapons.
Forest (After the Escape)
Ritsuka huffs, feeling like he ran a marathon against Achillies and Atalante. He turns to look at the Party he escapes with. "Is everyone here?"
Arthur looks around, seeing Gawain, Baobhan Sith, Galahad, and Saber. He then took a look at Naofumi's Party, seeing that everyone is present. "Everyone's here, but Barghest is still up on the clif-."
Barghest drops down from the trees, causing both Naofumi and Ritsuka to turn to her. "Master, any Knights that tries to follow us will meet some trouble." The Saber informed Humanity's last hope. "I made it impossible for any trackers to trace our scent or tracks we left behind." She walks over to join with Sith.
"Good, I don't want Aniki or his allies to follow us," Ritsuka stated, he looks to Naofumi checking with his Party and Castoria.
Arthur steps next to his master, "We'll leave the talking to you, master. I'll send Gawain and Galahad to spot out a campsite for tonight." He told him about the plan.
"Yes, go do that Arthur." Ritsuka walks over to Naofumi and his Party while Arthur went to inform the others of the plan.
"Is anyone injured?" Naofumi asked his Party, unsure if they contracted any injuries.
Filo shook her head, jumping to her feet. "Nope! Filo is just fine, master!" She replied joyfully.
Melty nodded, dusting off the leaves and brambles she caught when jumping through the fauna. "Yeah, just next time when we jump a little warning would be appreciated." The Second Princess chuckles before sighing,
Raphtalia smiles, "It seems everyone is alright Naofumi-sama, but where do we go from here?" the Demi-Human asked, looking around the surrounding area. "I believe we strayed off the path to the border quite a bit." She said.
"Quite a bit is putting it mildly, Raphtalia," Melty commented, "I believe we're in the Seayette Territory. A lord I know is here, but I can't tell if we're close to his manor or not"
Castoria shook her head, "I took a good look at the map I made, it's still a far-off distance for the Lord you speak of Princess." The Caster Servant explains, showing their position on the map. "We're near a Village called Brightwell-"
"That's the Village we're taking residence in for the time being." Ritsuka walks up to the Shield Party with a welcoming smile.
Naofumi looks at the person that Motoyasu called his little brother. He took a closer look at him, a bit older than him. "So, your Motoyasu's brother." He said, seeing their appearance drastically differs from that Spear idiot.
To be perfectly honest with himself, he could pass as his own relative. "You don't look like brothers unless he dyed his hair blonde like some phase." Naofumi waved his hand, imagining Motoyasu with black hair. Cringe the thought.
"Uh…we're not really siblings." Ritsuka scratches the back of his head, "It's like a role model thing between us. To be short, he was the first person I've met in Japan and helped me a lot while I lived there." He smiles, still appreciating Motoyasu's kindness.
"Ha, well I guess that his personal preference of his is common to you." Naofumi points out the Spear Hero's obsession with the two young girls behind them.
Ritsuka groans, not wanting to find out that his brother figure has a Loli complex. "I take it that you didn't know then," Naofumi asked, basing on his reaction.
"Yep,"
"If I could intrude," Raphtalia steps forward, asking politely. "I don't think this place is a good area to have a conversation." She suggested,
Ritsuka nodded, seeing Galahad and Gawain already returned from their scouting. "It seems that we found the ideal campsite." He smiles.
After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at a clearing surrounded by trees. (Insert Familiar Melody (Orchestra Version)
Raphtalia, Galahad, and Saber helped set up some sleeping bags for the Party and the master.
Baobhan Sith, Gawain, and Barghest prep the center to build a fire while Melty and Filo collect some dry twigs.
Ritsuka saw Naofumi sitting on a boulder, looking at the stars in the night sky with three stars in a round formation.
"Like looking at the stars?" Ritsuka sat on the boulder next to him.
"Mmm? Oh, it's you." Naofumi turns his head, facing the Magus from the stars. "It's Fujimaru, right?"
The black-haired man nodded, "That's right, I don't believe we properly met." Ritsuka said, causing Naofumi to chuckle.
Naofumi sighs after the small joke. "You're sure kind for someone you just met." He smiles.
"I get that a lot sometimes," Ritsuka added to the Shield Hero's statement. "Anyways, my name is Fujimaru Ritsuka, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Iwatani Naofumi," Naofumi introduces himself, a bit acquainted with the foreign Magus.
An awkward silence fell between the two, unsure what to discuss next. "So, why were you running from Aniki? I only got his side of the story," Ritsuka looks at the man who his brother was after.
Naofumi blinks, surprised that someone would be considered listening to his side of the story. "I never had anyone ask me about my side of the story." He raised his eyebrows, having a suspicious thought, "Just to be clear, you're not going to betray me later right?"
"Not my style, besides I'm a wanted criminal now since I aided you and your Party escape." Ritsuka shrugs, letting Naofumi explains what lead up to their predicament.
After hearing the full story of Naofumi, and the events that lead to the confrontation on the mountain; it's all became clear. "I see, a set up by the King and his Firstborn daughter to place all their problems the Kingdom on you," Ritsuka stated, getting the gist of the entire predicament.
Ritsuka then looks at Melty with Filo bringing sticks to Gawain and Barghest to start the fire. "From what the little encounter on the mountains, it seems that Myne was trying to claim the throne for herself from her sister." He observes the interactions between the siblings.
"How do you know that?" Naofumi asked, placing his arm on his kneecap.
"When dealing with politicians and officials, you need to be observant," Ritsuka explains from his own experience. "You'll never know what they're going to do."
Naofumi nodded, agreeing with that notion. "I can't agree with you more." He said before asking his own questions. "Now that I answered your questions about me, I want you to answer a few of my own."
Ritsuka smirks, anticipating that this might happen. "Well, ask away Iwatani." He motions his hands to him.
A lot of questions pop out in Naofumi's mind; however, he chose the important ones. "My first is how you know Arturia? I heard that he called you master, any reason on why?" Naofumi looks at Ritsuka, hoping he didn't pick up any of Motoyasu's traits.
"If you're asking me if I'm like Aniki, then no." Ritsuka smiles, looking at the sky. "Both me and Arturia first met on the coast of Cornwall-eh, it's a bit complicated how we met but over time we became respectable comrades against a Queen." He shortens the quest of their adventures in the British Lostbelt.
"Cornwall…isn't that Britain?" Naofumi asked, confused about where the heck Castoria's origins are. "So, Arturia is from your world I presume right?"
Ritsuka gave a nervous smile. "I-In away, but I don't think it's a right time for that." He chuckles, "So, any more questions?"
Naofumi wanted to know her background with her. He can't shake that feeling that needs to protect her, however, he seems to get what he means, Castoria looked relieved when she saw him. Casting that matter aside for now, something else was bothering him. "Why are you here? I know that the Mage from the castle summoned us here from our respected worlds."
Ritsuka nodded, hearing the lore of how he and the others came here. "But for them to summon another person to be a Hero doesn't sound like them at all." Naofumi finished, waiting for him to answer.
The Magus sighs, wanting to discuss this later, but there's no way to explain it in another way. Ritsuka looks at the stars, closing his eyes. "I'll be blunt, I didn't come here intentionally to this world. It happens that I was fighting another battle when things went to an unexpected turn." He stated.
"Another battle? The hell you're talking about?" Naofumi was even more confused with this man's explanation.
"If you want the truth, can you have an open mind, Iwatani?" Ritsuka looks back at the black-haired man, waiting for his response.
The Shield Hero sighs, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, yeah, just tell me already." He said, wanting an explanation.
Ritsuka smiles, figuring out where to begin. "For starters, in my world-Aniki's and mine; Magic exists, well we call it Magecraft." He corrected himself.
Naofumi was surprised, Magic was available in that idiot and Ritsuka's home world. "To be honest, after seeing Magic here I'm not that surprised that it exists." He confessed, "But it's a different world than mine is, so kinda figure there are some differences between them."
"Well, when it comes to Magecraft, things would be complicated with certain people." Ritsuka chuckles, can't remember how many threats almost caused Humanity's downfall. "To make it short, our world is in constant danger, and Chaldea is the only place that can rectify them."
"Alright, constant danger. Got it." Naofumi seems to get the gist of his world's layout. "So what kind of danger we're talking about? The Calamities or something worst?" He asked,
Ritsuka laughs, before continuing. "In a way, but to make it simple. My world has been through some shit that it's a miracle it survived. To start, how well versed you are in History or Mythology?" He asked, not wanting to explain this again.
"A bit, some basic stuff. Other than that it's a whole new world." Naofumi knows some history and mythology back when he attended school, but mostly he just want to get home to his otaku life before this happened.
Ritsuka nodded, "Good, well you see…the World is pretty much alive-well consciousness. This goes for Humanity as a whole. Gaia and Alaya" He explains, seeing Naofumi absorb the information.
"With those in mind, these forces record everything that happened in our History," Ritsuka explains, getting to the good stuff. "With those records, they recorded epic Heroes, Historical figures, and other elements that created our world. This is called the Counter Force."
Naofumi couldn't help but chuckle at this. "Sorry, it's just-just that whole Force or something records History. Sorry but it sounds like some story background there." The Shielder Hero confesses, finding both intriguing and ridiculous.
Ritsuka understand, it took him a while to understand the lore himself. "I know, but bear with me." He said, waiting for him to allow to continue. "To sum it up, with Humanity in danger the Counter Force sent agents to correct the danger. To do this, they sent people from History to fight against the threats."
"Wait, so this Counter Force sent Historical figure to fight against the threat?" Naofumi blinks, surprised that the World was able to do that,
"Yeah, shocking right?" Ritsuka chuckles, having the same reactions from the people he met.
"So what's your role in this?" Naofumi asked, trying to figure out that part for himself.
Ritsuka looks at his Command Seals, the third one slowly returning. "My role…my role is to be their master, their anchor to the world." He explains, "I'm known as Humanity's final, basically I boost these agents' power. In short, they're my Servants."
"Servants?" Naofumi turns to the Roundtable Servants behind them, finishing up with the campsite. "So your Servants are…"
"Historical figures, but I can't tell you their names. A policy that I made in Chaldea." Ritsuka informed the Hero.
Naofumi continues looking at the Servants, cooking their meal. "Chaldea…what is it?" He asked.
Ritsuka looks at his Servants, answering the Hero of this World. "The Chaldea Security Organization, a place where we monitor Humanity's future and correct the anomaly within Human History."
"The reason you're here, it means that Humanity-"
"Yep, danger." Ritsuka continues after Naofumi. "Even if we lost connection to Chaldea, my mission still comes first." He stated, determined to see this Anomaly through.
"So you're like a secret agent for Humanity," Naofumi chuckles at the thought. "I guess seeing firsthand that this world is fucked up." He scoffs at his own joke.
Ritsuka shook his head, "I don't think that; true that this world has its downers but the bright side shines the brightest." He smiles, remembering the village that took him and his Servants in when arriving at this world.
"So, what are you going to do now?" Naofumi asked, curious what the Magus plan is.
"For now, I need to find my missing villagers. While I was gone, I received a message that a neighboring village took the people." Ritsuka grips his hands, feeling responsible and careless that he let that happen. "I'm determined to get them back, no matter the cost."
Naofumi could tell Ritsuka is a far-off cry than Motoyasu. In comparison to the people he met so far, this person is more saint than anything, not that he's implying. "My Party is heading to Faubrey to meet up with the rebellion against the Kingdom."
'A rebellion? Maybe they have Servants among them.' Ritsuka ponders, seeing that every place he goes there's some kind of rebellion happening.
Ritsuka closes his eyes, "I can give you some supplies for your journey Iwatani from my village." He stated, "I was planning on traveling the country in search of a better place for the villagers. I heard some chatter that down south it's better for Demi-Humans."
The Magus gave a mischievous smirk at the Hero of the Shield. "Consider this as something to pay you back for your help."
Naofumi blinks, looking back at the Magus. "Pay me back? What do you mean?" He asked, having a feeling he wants something in return.
"I have this feeling we were meant to work together." Ritsuka stood up from the boulder, facing Naofumi. "So, let's make a small alliance between our Parties."
"Why? I don't get why I need to ally myself with you." Naofumi looks up at the Magus, seeing no reason to be allied with him. "If anything, you guys are perfectly powerful enough to go against Motoyasu, Ren, and Itsuki. Hell, you could go against the entire kingdom if you wanted to." He stated the obvious.
Ritsuka understood where he's coming from, but he believes more than that. "Sure, my Servants are powerful, and we have the information we need about this world." He smiles, "But that's just two pieces of an entire pie. Isn't an alliance supposed to be different people with different information works better together?" He asked.
Naofumi ponders a bit, Ritsuka does have a good point. Information and people he could rely on would be beneficial for both parties. "You have a point there,"
Ritsuka looks down at Naofumi, and Naofumi looks up at Ritsuka. "So, I'll ask again. Will you lend me your help to save Humanity?" He held out his hand to the Framed Hero.
Naofumi reaches out, taking his hand signifying they're in an agreement. "Yes, as repayment for my cooperation you'll lend your help to when I need it." He stated his terms.
"Agreed,"
Castoria smiles, looking up at the two on the boulder. She was glad that these two met, something that he wanted to happen. "So, you're my Lostbelt counterpart. Well, female counterpart.
" The Lostbelt Servant jumps, turning to Arthur walking up to her.
"A pleasure to meet you, my Lostbelt female counterpart, I'm Arthur Pendragon. Saber under my master's service." Arthur introduces himself.
"O-oh, It's nice to meet you, Arthur! I'm Arturia Avalon, student of Merlin and wielder of the Staff of Selection." Castoria inclines her head to the Saber Servant. "I kinda expect that either you or my other selves would accompany Fujimaru to this Anomaly."
Arthur chuckles, "Considering that my counterpart had a major role in Hogwarts, I figured that I should step my game up." He explains to the Lostbelt Servant. "But, that's just my personal view. In any case, what's your goal for these two meeting. Was it intentional?" The King asks out of curiosity.
"Well…I was meant to find Fujimaru after I get Onii-san to Fabray." Castoria looks at her male counterpart. "It so happens that we met at the right time in the wrong place." She giggles.
"Onii-san?" Arthur looks up, seeing Naofumi with his master. "Onii-san…"
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