A/N: Ah, I really miss those days back when my life is not so much cluttered as it is.

Back to my research. Caster's alignment is Neutral Evil. (half expected it to be Neutral Good, but then again, Servants have different alignments. Even though they are summoned by a protagonist, their alignment still remains as such, except in the case of Matou Sakura that is. –evillaugh mode-)

Italics for emphasis or thoughts

CAPITALS for when someone is inserting a word in English or for emphasis

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not even the Michelin star restaurant ratings. Credits go to Hiroshi Shiibashi for Nurarihyon no Mago and Gen Urobuchi and Type – Moon for Fate/Zero

Chapter 12: The Alignment Tenses

The onmyouji have now found the location of Kejoro and Caster's house. All they have to do now is to knock at their door and let themselves in after they introduce themselves.

At least that's the plan in the first place. It seems that they are greeted by an annoyed and pouting Caster outside the gate. Her attire right now is of the modern era. They cannot hide their astonishment for the longest seconds that they are staring at her. She has human features as of now, but her power exudes that of a familiar.

"Yura – chan, she is a familiar. We can call her Servant as of now." Hidemoto is the first to jostle up Yura's thoughts after his analysis. He can't directly say the term in front of her for reasons that it might degrade her reputation. Who in Susanoo's deep depths of Yomi can someone bravely say the term to a powerful legend? For Izanagi's sake, they are legends meant to be respected even in their afterlife. Summoning them alone can mean disrespect for their achievements and aspirations in life. That also applies to every legend summoned from every part of the world.

Meanwhile the 28th Heir has her thoughts in a salad, enabling her to not think of the situation clearly. She is not like the others that they see everyday. Although they have their fair share of seeing youkai, this is the first time that they come face to face with one of the deities of Shinto Legends.

Frustrated at their staring, Caster jeered the onmyouji in a monotonous voice. "Are we here to stare at me all day or will all of you come inside?"

Snapped out of their flying thoughts, they hurriedly came inside. Looks like an amicable conversation will not happen at all considering their disbelief at first at what they see. Kejoro made it just in time to prepare lunch for them.

"I really do not like this one bit." Caster complained as she fries the tempura. "They are the descendants of that black – hearted man that I am talking to you about all this time. I can bear the presence of Hagoromo Gitsune. But this is… Just by looking at them makes me want to go seclude myself in a room for the duration of the war."

On Kejoro's side, her vegetables has been sizzling up, creating an odor that can almost rival amateur restaurants thanks to her Third Master's mother Wakana teaching her all about housework. She flips the vegetables on a pan before setting them on a plate in a five – star hotel fashion.

Kejoro removed her apron and tried to reassure her Servant. "Please bear with it for a little longer, Caster. Undeniably, they are the former followers of Abe no Seimei due to his feats. But like I told you, they helped us defeat their ancestor, so naturally, they are our allies. Besides, Hagoromo Gitsune is the mother of Abe no Seimei, so let's just say that your suspicions are right about him, and that the onmyouji are just misguided in their zeal."

Caster has no smart comebacks on that argument, so she just let it slide. Besides, they are here to forge a weapon that is best suited for a Servant like her. Although she'll aid them by laying down basic talismans to make the weapon stronger than ever, it is ultimately in the hands of the onmyouji on how they will make it durable for the goddess's use of it.

Even though the food that is laid out before them is really as sumptuous as a Michelin five – star restaurant, the air that belied the household is as stale as a fish. Kejoro doesn't know where to begin her field of vision as she only sees sparks in Caster's demeanor and the humbled eyes of the onmyouji.

She now tried to break the tension through what she thought is a measly action. "Ah, Yura – chan, Akifusa – san, this is Caster."

"I'm really pleased to meet you, onmyouji – tachi." She acquiesced with a smile, although the dreaded feeling that she exudes says otherwise. Akifusa's hands are the first to stretch out to attempt a handshake from the goddess, although his hands are really shaking cold from fear. It is understood, as he is shaking hands with a legend who hates the onmyouji wholeheartedly.

"Now straight to the point." Caster announced in a cold tone. "I'll let you make me a weapon, but I will help you too. In return, I will let you investigate the leylines in Fuyuki and report back to me all of the things that you see there, including the appropriate interventions that you will do. You also understand that Kejoro – san and I will never be held responsible if you get killed or caught."

"We understand, Tamamo – no – mae – sama." Yura and his brother bowed down in deep reverence.

"And while we are here…" She bought out a paper fan from nowhere and smacked Yura's head with it. "you are to call me Caster. OR any other name for that matter, just not that name."

Yura is now thankful that she did not burn in front of her presence…yet. She never imagined that a goddess like her will have such hatred towards onmyouji like them, when they supposed that the gods and goddesses will praise them for such a service that is rendered for them. But then again, Nue or Abe no Seimei disclosed her identity, bringing her to such despair that she ran away for the sake that she wants the emperor's love.

"Ano…aren't you a bit harsh?" Kejoro asked, to which Caster huffed.

"I still don't trust them. What do you expect?" In fact Kejoro should have expected that, as her Servant's alignment is Neutral Evil. She is thankful that her Servant's alignment is NOT Chaotic Evil, or else, Izanami herself will ascend from the deepest depths of Yomi and contend with the goddess.

At that point, Kejoro now realized the importance of Alignment. At first, she dismissed it as though it will not affect their chances, but with the Servants' personalities and ideals conflicting with their Masters', it is time for her to dig deeper in that subject in order to understand her Servant more. She will also do this in order not to push on her buttons even more than what she already did. Ironically, the ones who had a happy time and have a real bond are the more psychopathic ones, more specifically the serial killer Ryuunosuke Uryuu and his other Caster.

In an empty large sewer, copious amounts of red liquid are littered all over the place. His failed "artworks" are placed in trash cans, while his more notable ones are hung up like an umbrella. A true artist does not stay on one design after all. He must encompass the different types of artworks in order for him to become a true artist of life. He does not see the Assassins lurking at every corner of his dark room in his pure bliss.

As per usual, he tested his design on one of his live subjects of art, all the while her screams serve as opera music to his ears. His knife fully crafted the musical instrument with such skill that can rival most of the Renaissance era stone sculpture experts.

He is now about to finish his art when Caster came in. He does not look pleased in any way. Caster now holds one of his artworks with one hand and smashed it to a pillar like throwing away a soft cake that has gone wrong with the baking time.

"Danna, what's wrong?" The artist, Ryuunosuke Uryuu asked, as he despaired over one of his arts being destroyed. Caster looked at him with hazed eyes, and he now proclaimed his request.

"We need more. We need to pile up more! Until Jeanne will come back to her senses and recognize me, we shall pile up abomination after abomination!" Caster desperately screamed.

He now scratched his head, trying to understand what he is trying to do. "So you say that quantity is better over quality then?"

Caster now came back to his senses and his eyes held a gleam of hope as he faced his Master, like a child has been rewarded with an ice cream from a prestigious ice cream store.

"Yes, we shall pile up more, until this one can't hold it in anymore!"

The clock is ticking noisily at the Einzbern Mansion. Saber tried to control her anger at her Master for ignoring her suggestions, but it seems that it will be of no use as her Master continued to converse with his assistant instead of having a conversation with her.

On Kiritsugu's side, he thinks conversation with her is futile, as he is someone whose profession involves a process of backstabbing, unlike his Servant who likes confrontations head – on. That is the main reason why he paired her off with Irisviel, since his wife's surname indicated that she came from a noble family line, making her a princess of sorts, and in conclusion, making Saber her knight. Saber is supposed to channel her chivalric exploits on Irisviel, not on him. But she fails to see his point yet again, as she still calls him Master and asks him about his plans. Also, she suggests very risky plans befitting for a Knight of the Round Table, not minding of her own injury.

As expected of the King of Knights indeed.

"Kiritsugu, we must capture Caster as soon as possible." Saber tried to initiate a conversation with Kiritsugu as he assembles his guns.

No time for mulling over some thoughts after all, huh? He mentions it sarcastically in his mind, as his Servant is really an expert in jumbling his thoughts. He is about to form a brilliant plan on how to confront the wildcards and finish them off as soon as possible.

He resisted really hard on the urge to berate his Servant for her folly. It seems that her chivalry has gotten in the way of her thinking. Did she not know that this whole mission is specifically a set – up for Tohsaka Tokiomi to regain his Command Seal?

"Just now, we met Caster." Irisviel supplied what Saber has been trying to say to her Master, acting as the bridge for the conversation of the two. "He thinks Saber is Jeanne d' Arc."

Kiritsugu is now finished in assembling his custom made handguns and opened his laptop. He activated all of their miniature CCTV cameras installed all around the Einzbern Mansion. After all, a Bounded Field, even if it is set up by the most proficient Magus, is not enough. He now closed his laptop after activating it.

"Then this situation will make things easier." Kiritsugu replied dismissively, infuriating Saber even more. "He thinks Saber is Jeanne d' Arc. Let's keep it that way. Maybe until the end of the war people will actually believe it." He now packed his laptop and left the hall. Irisviel soon followed her husband. Meanwhile Maiya is cleaning his handguns in order to retain its best shape when used. Saber is now left alone simmering in her own emotions.

Saber clenched her leather – gloved left fist so hard that blood will be shed if she clenched it even more. Thankfully, her left hand is rendered useless by Gae Buidhe, therefore mitigating the strength of the tightening, but nothing is as more infuriating as her Master's ignorance of her presence.

Kiritsugu dropped and crushed the cigarette underneath his foot when he is now satisfied with the benefits that the cigarette gave him. It enabled him to relax at such moments like this. It also enables him to escape from the twisted world that is the Grail War, even if it is just for a fleeting moment.

"Kiritsugu…" Irisviel's calm voice is another reason why he feels calm. But sadly, he will not hear her voice for long. The mere act of sacrificing his wife in order to attain his wish sickens him to the bone. He objected to it numerous times, even to the point that he will tear away Illya from her grandfather, and just live with his family in peace.

In a rasped voice containing all his regret, he now inquired her. "If…if I have the chance to escape, will you come with me?"

Irisviel tilted her head, as if the answer should be obvious to him. "What are you talking about? We are still here in a war. What about Illya?"

At this point, he can no longer contain his emotions. "I will take Illya back by force. We will settle in Fuyuki and will live a normal life, away from Magi. I…" His plans of escape are now stopped by Irisviel. She hugged him tightly to let him feel the warmth of her encouragement. Kiritsugu can't believe himself that he broke down once again. HE is supposed to be a cold – blooded killer, not a cowardly dog.

"I believe that you can do this, Kiritsugu. After all, you are your own worst enemy." Irisviel mumbled as she hugged him from his back. Her warmth now seeped in through his suit, and that warmth kept him from breaking down. "Only you can defeat yourself."

She is now cut off when she felt a strange feeling. Kiritsugu also stopped his thoughts when he felt that Caster has now made his presence known, along with Lancer and Kayneth El – Melloi Archibald.

"Kiritsugu…" Irisviel now tugged at her husband's coat. He nodded briefly without even facing his wife. It is now time for the battle to commence once again. Kiritsugu walked away from the veranda to assess the situation on the second floor of their mansion.

Meanwhile Saber grasped her invisible blade, as she now sensed three beings inside the Bounded Field, one of them being Caster. Maiya reloaded her guns and prepared Irisviel's seer's ball to see what is happening outside the mansion. She now also prepared the two Calico sub – machine guns and the rosewood case that contains Kiritsugu's weapon that made him the infamous Magus Killer.

Kiritsugu and Irisviel arrived just in time to prepare for the worse. Irisviel now concentrated her prana on the ball, and she saw Caster there. Caster looked up and smiled, as though he knows that he is being watched.

"Now, my children, shall we play a game of hide and seek? The first one that I will catch will lose the game." Caster blissfully announced as the children now ran away as far from that location as possible. One unfortunate child is caught immediately by Caster and he now turned him into mush.

Iri tried to look away at that sight, while Saber clenched her invisible blade even harder at that sight. Her pride as a knight won't take it, as it only shows that she is really helpless in this situation, even though she is one of the strongest classes in this war. "Irisviel!"

She snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at Kiritsugu. He merely nodded in response, therefore permitting Saber to finish off her foe. Saber now changed her clothes in her default attire as a Servant and left the premises of the Einzbern mansion quickly, being careful not to mess the bomb traps set up earlier courtesy of Kiritsugu.

He will really get his revenge, but he prefers it if the Magus will confront him head on for a glorious duel. This is the Holy Grail War, after all.

Kayneth El – Melloi Archibald is really not pleased at the outcome. Making him use his Mystic Code to something as trivial as to protect his fiancé and his Servant from that cowardly tactic as the explosion of a building, will leave a shameful mark upon his title of El – Melloi and will bear the shame of his family's name, Archibald. He has a reputation to take care of after all. In order to redeem himself from that shame, he must defeat that Magus soundly so that he can announce to the whole Magi world that he had overcome what no one ever did.

To kill the infamous Magus Killer.

He now indulged himself at his pride in infiltrating a Bounded Field of the Einzberns without them even noticing it, before he released his Mystic Code.

Fervor, Mei Sanguis. He now chanted. The mercury liquid came alive, and it is called Volumen Hydragyrum. The pride of the Archibalds now rest in that Mystic Code. Little did he know that the Magus Killer has some other plans.

Magi have pride after all when it comes with their craft, and they will kill anybody who will know of their secrets.

She now saw endless streams of bodies that are strewn in front of her like a messed up flower bouquet from a deranged lover. It seems that she is too late to save the children. The memories of her conquering innocent villages have jumped up from the recesses of her unconsciousness as she witnessed that scene.

"Ah, Jeanne, it is good to see you again." Caster beamed with joy when he found his virgin once again. Saber clenched her jaw in anger at what she sees right now.

"Now, my child, she had come here to save you." Caster now gave his permission to the boy with pure innocence on his face. "Go on now. You are now free."

The child now cried and rushed to Saber. Her maternal instincts kicked in and she reassured the boy.

"No need to worry now, my child." Saber hugged the crying child with her one arm. "You can go home now to your…"

She should have known that this is only a trick. Saber is now cut off as she sensed something wrong with this child. Bluebeard is now smiling as he chanted one line that can guarantee the betrayal of that child's life. Giving the child a small sliver of hope before he dishonourably dies is a much worse kind of death than facing actual death in a chivalric battle.

Volumen Hydragyrum – Mystic Code of Kayneth El – Melloi Archibald. Went into possession by the Second El – Melloi after the Fourth Grail War.

Fervor, mei sanguis – a chant used to activate the Volumen Hydragyrum.

A/N: Yay, another chapter finished. Was planning it to put all of the events into one chapter, but it broke up for some reason.

Caster's official stats has been posted on Type – Moon Wiki, and I am relieved to see that I get one stat of her correctly, which is Agility. The others? Well, who knows.

Also, I now know of the function of Alignments and how it affects the relationship of one Master to the Servant and vice versa. I just hope that I get the characterizations, personalities and alignments correctly.

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