I found myself thoroughly enjoying my conversation with Rider and Christopher. I suppose that was to be expected though; I had so many questions I had wanted to ask the both of them. For Saladin, well… everything about how he actually lived. What was it really like, ruling such a vast swath of land? How was it, fighting the Templars, Kingdom of Jerusalem and Richard the Lionheart and his crusaders?
"History as we know it is so flawed" I concluded, shaking my head with slight laughter. "But still, knowing that there was truly respect between you and Richard is heartening to hear. So much debate over that detail…"
"He was a civil man, and I have no issue with those of any and all faiths residing within the holy lands. However, it is our land to govern, and I will have that acknowledged. So long as that is understood, I gladly guarantee safety to all with open arms."
"And Baldwin IV? What was he really like? …From what you know of him, I mean?"
"An irritating thorn in my side, to say the least" Rider sighed. "But his devotion to his kingdom and people was, and still very much is, commendable, if nothing else. Despite the setbacks he caused me, I learned a fair bit from my… exchanges… with the man. I admit, I had far less interaction with him personally than I had with Richard, though; to attempt to judge him on his civility would be… disingenuous."
We had abandoned the question for question stipulation a while ago now. Conversation flowed freely, though the objectives were clearly different. I just wanted my curiosity satiated; wanted to learn about all the beauty that had been hidden from me for so long. Rider and Christopher, on the other hand, remained more on track with learning as much about the other participants in the war that I could give them.
"Do you know the identities of Saber or Lancer?"
"Sadly, no" I sighed. "Well, granted, I have some ideas forming about Lancer. The issue is… well, I was never much of a medieval historian. Like, I knew the crusades and stuff, but that was only because they were, like, the epitome of the failures of the Catholic Church for the time, and Christendom as a whole, really. …No offence, Christopher."
"Only some taken…"
"But yeah, I was always more of a 'This land is Roman!' kind of guy" I continued. "Ancient Greece and Egypt as well. Any of those three and I could figure them out fairly easily, I'm sure; I know the entirety of the history of those eras by heart, as well as the myths and legends. But medieval Europe? Not really, y'know. Sure, Lancer's most likely a knight, but that's obvious from a cursory glance, and not helpful on its own; history has so many knights."
"But what of Saber" Rider asked again. "His way of fighting, his armor, and his weaponry… all are foreign to me."
"Yeah, makes since, seeing as he's from the East" I nodded. "China is my working theory; the two swords Saber uses are called Jian swords, and were used in China for a good number of centuries. But I know next to nothing about anything from Asia. Like, for China, I know of Journey to the West, and the Three Kingdoms era; historic and romanticized. But that's not saying much; Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms are considered to be two of the four great written works of China: what kind of book collector would I be if I didn't own them?! Similar story for Japan: I know the Sengoku Jidai era of Japan, but only the Oda, Tokugawa and Takeda, really. I can name a few other generals and people and the like from that time period; Uesugi Kenshin, for example. It's not very helpful though, limiting myself to such a narrow list for my analysis: most likely, it'll just draw a blank."
"You do realize all of that means very little to me, yes?"
"Ah, right… Well, basically, they're still anomalies to me as well. It's not like with you, where your master is such a dichotomy from yourself, or with Shak-… Berserker, where his weapon is so distinctly unique that seeing that thing being used narrows down the possibilities so greatly it leaves so few realistic possibilities. Given more time, I'm sure I can sus them out; slips of the tongue in conversations, fighting styles, weapons, armor, daily life habits, whatever. Possibly, I could also poke at the masters, see if I can get a view of their catalysts; would be very useful of narrowing down the list of possibilities."
"But they would understand that too, seeing as you've taken it upon yourself to teach them your methodology, them being your allies at the moment."
"Indeed, and even if they didn't Saber and Lancer are not stupid enough to just let their masters be manipulated to such a degree. Especially Saber; Lancer may be slightly suspicious of me, but I think Saber is quickly regretting his master forming this alliance with me. Doesn't seem to trust the schemer types."
"Seems like a decent clue in of itself."
"It would be, if I knew more about China" I admitted, laughing. "But even if I assume Saber if from what I know best from China, the Three Kingdoms era, then what? Everyone was a damn schemer back then, at least historically, and everyone disliked everyone else not from their own kingdom, for the most part. It's nowhere near solid enough to base game plans around, you know?"
As for Christopher and the Catholic Church though… my questions centered more around the hypocrisy of the Church, and what he made of them.
"So, Chris, I-"
"Do not call me that" he snapped.
"Right, my bad then. Christopher, I was thinking… Does the Catholic Church know about this reverse side of the world thing?"
"Of course we do."
"Meaning not everyone, but those like you, and the very high ups?"
"Yes."
"So then, the Church knows that these other gods existed? At least in some capacity or another?"
"Acutely."
"So then… does the Church just not see the hypocrisy in trying to claim there is only one, true God?"
"That is where you are mistaken, child. These 'gods' you refer to are merely Divine Spirits. Consider them above the existence of Heroic Spirits, but by no means perfect, or omnipotent."
"So, they're not actually gods, in the eyes of the Church?"
"Exactly."
"Yet, there's proof that they existed, and still none that your God exist, or ever existed."
"The Lord's son blessed us with his presence on Earth, child. What more proof could you need?"
"Actual proof" I chuckled. "I can claim to be God's son; it means nothing. By the teachings, we're all children of God. It all means nothing though; words are just air and vibrations at the end of the day. There's no concrete proof for your god: only the words of man."
"The words of men who have listened to the Lord Father; heard his voice, and spread his love unto the rest of his children."
"…Beyond the fact that still doesn't prove anything… Other things just poke holes in your God. Take… well, take being gay, for example. According to the Bible, it is a sin to lay with a man as one would a woman, is that not true?"
"Indeed, it is."
"But is it also not true that God is all powerful, and that all is as he planned, and that we were all created in his image and that he is a merciful being?"
"…Your point, child?"
"Just consider it for a moment. The biggest argument against homosexuality is that it is a choice, not a natural state of being. But if it is a choice, then does that not make God not all powerful, with everything not going to his plan? Or say he made us in his image to be homosexual in some cases. If that was in his image, how is it a sin to be as God intended? Unless God creates flawed works, in which case how is he all powerful? Unless that was intentional, in which case how is that merciful; to be created only to be damned? If all is as God plans, then doesn't that mean that the hate one receives from being homosexual by others is as God planned? How is that merciful? Or, if God is merciful and did not create us in his image with hatred in our hearts, then have his creations gone against his plans? Or-"
"Your point, child" Christopher growled.
"… My point, priest, is that your so-called God is a mess of contradictions, on just this one topic alone" I pointed out. "By your own admission. Thus, either God is not perfect, and thus not actually a god, but a Divine Spirit, just like the ones you dismissed as not being actual gods, or… God is not merciful, and therefore has no reason as to why he should be worshipped outside of fear as a motivator. Either way, your God is not worth following, so why should anyone follow?"
"…"
Rider as well remained silent. He had a cold stare in his eyes, but I couldn't tell if he was angry, or just… curious? Was this considered uncivil to him, or not? I was questioning his master's faith, but not mocking it.
A grey zone, perhaps…? Or maybe… Rider actually was ok with this…?
"Ah, well, I'm afraid I have other things I must also attend to today" I sighed, pulling out my phone from my pocket, pretending to check the time but actually turning off the recording.
Yes! Oh, thank the heavens I got that right! This was a gold min of information I wanted to keep!
"Hold on, master of Caster" Rider raised a hand as I went to stand up.
Instinctively, I sat back down.
Damn… he really does have a commanding aura of authority. Suppose I should expect no less from the likes of Saladin though.
"Your analytical mind… it intrigues me" Rider continued. "You also have clearly showed yourself able to be civil. I wonder… would you perhaps consider a change in allegiances?"
"…What" both Christopher and I basically blurted out in unison.
"You yourself surely recognize that the alliance you have currently only results in your removal from the war come the final three, yes?"
"Is that what you think" I tried a sly smile. "Do you think so lowly of me, Rider, that I would be the one out of the three to fall first?"
"I recognize the probability of that outcome being the greatest" Rider countered. "Surely you do as well."
"…Fair enough, I suppose" I shrugged. "Numerically speaking, I am at the disadvantage."
"A mind like yours is wasted, pushing your enemies furthest towards the goal. Why not work alongside me, and guarantee a spot in the final two?"
"You offer only because you think you can beat me" I laughed.
"Naturally, as I'm sure the other two masters did as well" Rider again countered with the logical answer. "Considering how willing you were to share their secrets with me though, it does not seem like much of an alliance exist between you three to begin with; between them and you, at least."
"Because there isn't really. I'm sure they'd kill me to get the grail, or heck, soon as I'm not useful to them anymore. They are magi, after all. Alas, they are also far less dangerous than you, even with a numbers advantage on their side."
"Oh?"
"They are children, Rider" I smiled. "Children are easily manipulated. Your master may call me child here, but I am twenty-six years old; not much of a child at all; your web cannot entangle me. When it comes to you though… No matter how I spin my web, you will dismantle it, for you yourself have spun the exact same webs, have you not?"
"…I see…"
"Besides, you are, at least with your master, far and above the most competent opponent I have in this war. Why would I want to make things dull for myself?"
"You seek amusement form this, of all things?"
"Amusement, and beauty" I grinned, standing up again. "All I care for in life, really: being entertained and seeing all the beauty of humanity that I can see."
"Still not an inkling of a desire for the Holy Grail?"
"…No" I admitted. "Talking with your master there, about his religion and all, I have a fun idea for a wish now. Just the beginning of one, but it is a start."
"Dare I ask what it is?"
"Perhaps you do, but it would unwise for me to speak of it here. I have the feeling it would be quite… uncivil of me; my wish, that is. To honor my agreement, allow me to reveal it, with greater detail, next we meet on the battlefield. Knowing my allies, that will only be a few days away, I'd wager."
"…Heh" Rider actually revealed a slight grin. "Then I see I have merely wasted both our time with such a question. You play civil well, I grant you that. But we were always fated to be foes in this war, it seems."
"I would have it no other way" I nodded. "Sure your master there agrees."
"I'm sure he does…" Rider closed his eyes, seemingly in contemplation. "…Very well then, consider this exchange of information over, and the agreement upheld. Master, let him go."
Much to Christopher's annoyance, he did remove the, what I now knew, was called a black key from the door. As he did so, the green webbing of light that had ran across the room did so again, this time in reverse, back to the tip of the black key. Silently, he moved aside, opening the door for me to pass.
Author's Notes/Thoughts o.O
Not really sure how this really works, or even if this is the best place to put such a thing. However, I have realized that it has now been over one month since I started my posting (time really flies under lockdown, I swear xD) and as such I just sort of want to say... well, thanks.
Thanks to everyone who is reading all the way to this point. When I started this thing, I expected maybe 60 views total after a month (not even joking), this being my first attempt at posting my writing and all. Reading through what I have thus far, yeah... some of it is rough (including in this very part...) The fact I have had so many people read, and hell, even post reviews/comments has me overwhelmed with a sense of satisfaction I didn't think I'd find in... this.
That said, if anyone has any feedback on anything (from my writing itself, to the length/consistency of my posts/updates, or whatever else I could be missing) I would love to hear it. Not sure I can really improve from this point unless I hear otherwise hahaha...
To the people who have made comments/review posts, seeing a new one pop up always leaves me on edge with adrenalin to see how my story is being received. I love reading each one (even if I can't understand some of them 100%, sorry!) Know that I am actively reading each one, so if you have anything to say, positive or in criticism, please do post it; I would love to hear it all.
As for the story itself... I do plan on finishing this thing, regardless of how many people read it or not. That was the promise I made to myself going in, as I always find it depressing to see things get dropped and never finished (more so than if I find it goes downhill in quality). Hopefully, I can stick to my 2-3 day per post schedule (unless people want longer, less frequent posts) and get this done somewhere between August and December (wide range, I know, forgive me for not knowing how I want to do this; I write by the seat of my pants and have no idea how long this story will be, chapter wise xD). I do know how I want things to end, as well as all the major points I want to play out, so don't worry about that; it's just getting to all those point I'm kinda a derp here ;).
As for after this story... For now, idk. I don't think I want this to be a one time thing anymore, now that I see just how many people do seem to actually like my... well, my mess O.O I don't know much about this site (if you can post your pure, own, original stories here or not). I have two of my own that I would like to do at some point, here if possible, or somewhere else if not. That said, I am also thinking about branching out into Fire Emblem, as I've always found their stories to have massive potential, but ultimately blunder it (Awakening onward is what I'm speaking of; know nothing of older Fire Emblem O.o).
...Or, and this may be really crazy of me, but if this FATE story does turn out ok... I might do my own take on some kind of massive war, to the scale of the Lostbelts in FGO. Having played FGO and hearing the Lostbelts be hyped up on JP in terms of storyline... Idk, I'm just not feeling it. Taking them all on 1v1, rather than them actually doing their war for the world and we're just the interfering fly, just feels so lame compared to what it COULD have been. If I do something along that scale, it would be a 7 teams of 7 masters type thing (49 servants and 49 masters total, a MASSIVE undertaking; one I'm likely never going to be truly ready for, considering no ACTUAL AUTHOR has done it yet either, to my knowledge) ...But I think it could be hella fun, and I already have tons of rivalries and situations between servants I would love to have play out in that kind of a scenario!
...A mess of thoughts, just like my writing and my writing habits lol
But seriously, thanks to everyone reading; I genuinely appreciate that you consider my work worthy of your valuable time.