Well, I almost didn't make it for a second update this month. Just barely scraped by. This month had not been good for a muse and my attention been somewhat elsewhere. Anyway, you're not here for my lamenting or maybe you are. Eitherway on with the show.
Disclaimer: Yeah, I do not own like anything of this Franchise. Obvious fact is obvious.
Kirei sat within the small restaurant as he awaited both Luvia and Rin to come by and have their talk on what had happened. Who would have thought that the two candidates for the Twenty-sixth position would wander into Fuyuki? Despite the issue having been dealt with Kirei's mind wandered towards what had actually been the target and to how his report had gone over with the Church. While the knowledge that the Norse Lightning was dead and that they knew that his rival was real he knew that a small panic was likely with the rest. Given how long it took to just get confirmation that she existed there was a real panic the spot might actually be filled. Given the existence of the opened vacancies was used by the Church to find and kill any potential candidate. That number had decreased with the revelation that the Twenty-second wasn't dead and had an unknown Successor already lined up.
His thoughts about the whole thing were put on pause as both Luvia and Rin walked into the little restaurant and found Kirei eating mapo tofu which Rin knew was probably too hot and or spicy for normal humans. Something her technical guardian seemed to enjoy and the reason why she had grown far more used to eating meals by the Emiya's, and also cooked by herself. "Rin, Luvia, it's good you both made it."
Luvia had to wonder why it was that the priest had wanted them to meet here of all places. She had expected them to be at the Fuyuki Church or either of their estates. "So, Rin only told me you wanted to speak to us both?"
"Yes, it concerns what happened while I was away," Kirei looked over to Rin who had an uncomfortable look about her. One that Rin wasn't fully aware of as she tried to block out the scents edging at her nose. "Is something the matter Rin?"
Rin's attention came out from trying to block the scents that were assaulting her nose. Just having these enhanced senses had both benefits and drawbacks. Trying to get them under control was an issue. So much so that she had debated revealing it to Shirou for advice. "Its nothing," She was just going to have to deal with it later but right now she could try yo force this over as soon as possible. "Lets just get this over with."
Kirei didn't push the issue much more as Rin was clearly going to try to force them to go through with it. While he found her look of discomfort a bit amusing, he had a task to do while they were here. "Very, well Rin already gave a brief description of the event." Kirei's attention turned away from Rin as she had tried to mask the discomfort to the best of her ability. "I was hoping Luviagelita that you could give me anything else about it."
There were quite a few that she could go on about. For one she had got a look at the ritual that Erikson had done to Rin and again when she had the ruined mansion torn down. "I suspect that the reason he was after Rin was that he needed someone related to him for a ritual."
Luvia had already told Rin about this. That Erikson was probably related to the both of them in some complicity. why he had picked Rin as the target Luvia could only speculate. She had wanted to remark about it possibly being because Rin was weaker but after everything Rin had been through already she decided to hold her tongue. "The Church did suspect that the Norse Lightning had a sibling and was looking for records on him."
Mage family haveing a Dead Apostle in them wasn't something any family would talk about with any other. Talking about the Holy Church about it was even more of a sore spot given the Church was very adamant about knowing of any Dead Apostle. For Kirei this either meant that the Edelfelts had been made unaware of the relationship they had to one, or more likely whatever relative the Norse Lightning had might have married into them without telling them. Hoping for the knowledge to fade away with their death. As Kirei was going to write a follow up it was prudent he add this in but knowing that the Norse Lightning was dead there was little in the way of fallout about such a relation being known.
"You didn't happen to have a better description of Erikson's rival?" Kirei had to move on to something else as the vague description that had been given was not enough to narrow down suspects. His duty as a Church Executor demanded it of him.
An issue that was to come up that they both knew they had to answer. While Rin could get by with the excuse of not knowing her, which wasn't even that far off as Luvia had only revealed little about her, Luvia was a different story. Angelica's quick exit after helping Rin and the death of Erikson was understandable given that the Church was probably soon to respond and having both her and Shirou around might raise more suspicion. Nevermind, Zouken Matou who was likely still alive by that point, and probably known as a Dead Apostle by her. It seemed wrong to just tell on her completely after helping them. "I didn't get a good look but I was able to know that her abilities seem to be something to do with portals."
A vague description of her abilities was really all that was needed. The Ainsworths Flash Air was unique on its own and her new variation with her developing Reality Marble would be picked up by anyone who saw it with this. Kirei gave a nod in understanding as he mentally put that down. At least this would satisfy his superiors enough. "Before I let you both go did anything else happen while I was away?"
Rin and Luvia turned to each other silently knowing what had to be done. Kirei was still technically reporting any happenings to both the Mages Association and the Church for the time being. "The Matous are no longer a mage family," That got a surprise out of him as Rin continued. "Zouken Matou is dead and his heir Sakura Matou has shown no interest in continuing as both a member of the Mages Association or as an official mage family."
Now that was something that Kirei had thought was highly unlikely to happen. Yes, he did indeed know that Zouken Matou was a Dead Apostle, a Dead Apostle Superior if his estimation was to be believed, thanks to Gilgamesh who had confirmed it. His own father had suspected as much but he had lacked enough evidence to persuade the Tohsaka family, the Church, or the Association. While hearing he was dead wasn't a lost as far as he was concerned, Kirei was certain that he and Gilgamesh would have to deal with him at some point in the next Grail War, the issue remained that the Matous were a known veritable. The Fuyuki Grail reserved a spot for the three families either to hand to the member of the family who was taking part or given to a representative. The dissolution of the Matous didn't technically remove that but now meant the spot was open to anyone.
"Well, the Association would probably not seem all that phased given how their family has been in decline and disconnected from Mage society," Silently, Kirei withheld the fact that he was probably going to pay them a visit. As much as he did trust them, and as much as they had reason to believe from him, there was something they had to be covering up.
Gilgamesh turned his head to the side to catch a brief glimpse on who was walking into the church. Kirei walked in seeing the blonde haired incarnated servant staying in the same spot in the pews. "I see you're back early," Usually his missions for his religion took a lot longer especially given the details he would skim through. "You heard about the commotion that happened not long after you left?"
"Yes, in fact that was the reason I had to call in help in order to speed the mission along," Calling up help wasn't something he had done but to get his mission over he had decided to. The circumstances about it would probably be overshadowed by the fact that Fuyuki had been the site of a fight between two candidates as far as the Church was concerned.
That wasn't important to him right now nor did he care much for his reputation. Already he had a few things to do now that he was back. For one report what little he was able to learn about the rival and potentially now the future Twenty-sixth Dead Apostle Ancestor. Then afterwards to pay the Matou residence a visit to get confirmation about Luvia and Rin's story. Once all that is done he'll get back into opening the Church and return to his usual duties. "Oh, by the way someone wants to talk with you concerning your role as overseer of the Grail War."
The only people who would bother him about that were within the Holy Church and Zelretch himself. Kirei immediately knew that the former did not intend to replace him but the later was something that was possible. Very slim but it wasn't completely outside the realm of possibility. However, if it was him then why was Gilgamesh still here? Granted Kirei didn't think the Fourth Seat of the Twenty-seven would care at all when it came to an incarnated Servant but he never really met the guy. That is assuming it was him "Who is it?"
Tendrils of shadow appeared in front of the alter before a figure materialized. For a moment Kirei almost mistaken her for the Einzbern that had been with Kiritsugu. Except this was not her as she had died and become the Lesser Grail in the last war. No, this was someone of the Justeaze model of Einzbern Homunculi. Furthermore, she appeared much like how a Servant would. "My name is Ruler, a Servant summoned by the Greater Grail," Ruler introduced herself to Kirei with a slight bow. "I am told that you serve the role as the overseer to the Heavens Feel ritual."
He was at a complete loss for words at this development. A Servant was summoned by the Fuyuki Grail. One that wasn't of the seven classes that a Servant would normally be summoned. A second passed before the shock and surprise gave away as he realized that there was a Servant before him that was apparently not under the control of anyone. "I am and if I might ask why did the Greater Grail summon you?"
"An anomaly of the Lesser Grail existing in two places was the initial reason, however, after I was summoned I was able to find that there was a second incomplete Lesser Grail," Now Kirei knew that the Einzberns had the means to make or ready the Lesser Grail so hearing this seemed out of place for their Grail to be in two places. As for the second second incomplete Lesser Grail Kirei had an idea of who it was that may have had a hand in creating that. Assuming anything survived of the previous Lesser Grail. "Seeing how no one had been able to win the Grail I have elected to create a new Lesser Grail to take priority over all others."
Gilgamesh had already heard all about this but Kirei was having his own thoughts about this. True the Grail had been an actual cup that the Einzbern gave to the overseer in all but the last war. However, each time the Grail was destroyed preventing anyone from being able to use it. "You do know that this would run the risk of the Grail being destroyed like previous wars, correct?"
Ruler was aware of that. One of the things she did was read up on the many failures of the Heavens Feel. Each one having the Lesser Grail be destroyed before it could acquire a significant amount of Servants followed by the ritual continuing until the Masters or Servants were destroyed. The last one was likely the closest it ever got to completion. "I know which is why I hope to keep it a secret while the other Lesser Grail does not know."
Now that Kirei had heard about it, that might actually work. At least until the Lesser Grail that the Einzberns complete starts noticing the suspicious lack of defeated Servants within themselves. An issue that could be dealt with by the nature of the Holy Grail War itself. However, there had to be more to this than the Greater Grail simply summoning a Servant to create a Lesser Grail. "There is something else about your summoning isn't there?"
"Yes, my summoning is to maintain that the ritual comes to completion as well," Something that would mean that she had to be overseer for the Holy Grail War. A task that already had one chosen by the Holy Church after Zelretch had given his role over. There was only one course of action for her. "As, we both have the same role in the upcoming Fifth Heaven's Feel I ask for us to form a contract in order to maintain no conflict of interest."
"Wait, you're having trouble with controlling your sense of smell?" Shirou had to be sure he heard that correctly. Sure, side effects was supposed to happen given how close Rin was, so Shirou wasn't surprised to hear that she had enhanced senses. The issue was that she came to him for help.
Rin let out a sigh as coming clean about the enhanced senses didn't look like a shock to really anyone. Luvia's note had been rather vague on the details of what was used to save her from becoming a Dead Apostle but whatever it was had side effects they all knew about. Apparently, without telling her beforehand. as much as she was annoyed it made some sense. "Yes, that is what I said now I don't want to ask again," Rin was getting rather annoyed, and slightly embarrassed by all of this. "Can you help me with it?"
Her reasoning of coming to a Dead Apostle to control the senses that came with the new existence was a sound idea on paper. However, that was where the issue existed. "Rin," Shirou didn't know how to tell her this without her probably snapping at him. "I have no idea how to control my senses."
Both Rin and Luvia turned to him shocked while Illya wasn't exactly stunned. The homunculus girl decided to chim in having learned all about this already. "All Dead Apostles have an instinctive understanding of how to control their senses."
"Wait, so you mean no one can help me?!" Rin couldn't believe her luck. Here she was stuck with no one that could help her control her newly acquired senses. In other words she was going to have to figure this out on her own. It was almost like some force had it for her all week! "Can anything go right for me lately!"
First, she comes back in hope of getting the boy she had a crush on, well that was complicated now, only to get captured by some Dead Apostle for a means to become a Dead Apostle Ancestor. Nearly turned into one and learned that her friends hadn't really told her the full truth. Then she learned the horrible truth of what Sakura had lived for and the arguable death of what made her, well her sister. Now, to top it all off she'll have to learn how to control senses that she had gained on her own. 'Could this get any worse?!'
Shirou felt bad at seeing her acting like this and did generally feel bad he couldn't help at all. Truth was only rarely did Shirou have to consciously ignore something he picked up with them. Even then it was like something within his brain would filter it out. Regardless, there was still one thing else to ask. "Is having the senses of a Dead Apostle the only side effect you have?"
Her frustrations briefly ignored Rin and looked at Shirou as she started to recall anything she noticed. Physically, she didn't show enhanced strength, she hadn't been injured enough to see if she had the healing ability of a Dead Apostle. There was no desire to drink blood either. Really, everything seemed ok with her except for one thing. Her Magic Circuits had been off but Rin had at first thought it was a side effect of what she had been put through. "Something is off with my Magic Circuits."
Everyone in the room stared at her as those words left her mouth. Something was off with her Magic Circuits could mean literally anything, most of it not being good. In fact, a lot of it could be said to be not good given what they are. At the back of his mind Shirou knew what it might be. "That could be the result of the Ideal Blood."
"Ideal Blood?" Rin mind wondered for a second on what that was before it had hit her. Erikson had talked about a power that was given to some Dead Apostle Ancestors from True Ancestors. The blood of a True Ancestor had been injected into her. "Is that an issue?"
Rin's question was an understatement. Shirou knew from his study into his kind growing up that Ideal Bloods was a gift of the True Ancestors to his kind. Some of the Dead Apostle Ancestors held an Ideal Blood as a symbol for why they have the position that they do. However, this didn't come without issues. Shirou had hoped that this newly made Ideal Blood had faded away with Erikson's death and Rin being spared from turning into a Dead Apostle. "Rin, you should be dead."
There was no way around it. Rin didn't have anything that could have realistically allowed her to contain, let alone use, the Ideal Blood. Nevermind that each one was also cursed when passed down to another Dead Apostle. Thinking for a moment, Shirou realized that might actually be the reason Rin wasn't dead. The Ideal Blood had yet to be cursed as it had let to pass on from the person it was given too. Rin didn't need to overcome some curse as there was none. She did need to overpower the echo of herself imprinted on it. The only answer was if Rin could actually use the power it offered her. Actually, that was a question on what exactly would happen if she had tried to do so.
Sakura walked into the basement of the Matou residence with some food in hand. This place had only memories of suffering, of torment, and was where Sakura Tohsaka's nightmare had begun. Now, all those memories had no real weight nor did they seem to matter anymore. Zouken Matou was dead, as were almost all the Crest Worms that made him up. The only ones that seemed to exist was within the individual sitting in the now cleaned basement floor as he went over everything he could get his hands on that talked about the Crest Worms.
Shinji winced in pain as he continued reading, looking between books to help him translate what was written. Turns out it was rather difficult to get something to translate Ukrainian into Japanese. So far he was making some headway and was already beginning to notice how the design of the Crest Worms had come about. Yet, something started to seem off the more and more he had looked over them. "I don't believe it."
One little misstep existed within the whole thing. The Crest Worms from what Shinji could make out are supposed to temporarily become a part of his body, to synchronize with his soul, and if all goes well his soul would have existed not within each Crest Worm but between each one. Shinji didn't completely understand it but if he had to guess his grandfather had messed something up in the process and ended up as he had become. If Shinji could correct it , perhaps he could complete what Zouken had failed to do!
He was soon pulled out of his thoughts as he saw the plate of food be placed down in front of him. Immediately, as he saw it in front of him and Sakura who had placed it there he realized that he had almost got to ahead of himself. While he could complete what his grandfather was trying, succeeding where he had failed, that had the caveat of becoming something nonhuman. Sure, he might not become like Zouken in terms of personality or need to eat humans. 'The fact I am even considering this.'
No, he had to get control of them and if possible destroy the Crest Worms within his body. The last legacy of that monster had to die. "Sakura, you know you don't have to stay here anymore."
"What do you mean?" The now blonde haired girl gave him a look of confusion at this.
"I mean you were only here because your father was tricked into handing you only to be the Matou heir," It disgusted Shinji a bit to know that this was the sole reason that Sakura was even adopted. All because her father had given her up probably because he was thinking about her future as a mage. Sure, he hadn't forgiven her for taking his place, though that felt rather hollow given everything about the Matous, but she really didn't have to stay anymore. "You can go back to your sister and be a Tohsaka again."
Shinji figured that would be something she would enjoy hearing. Technically, it was within her power as the new Matou head, something he didn't hate as much to admit as he would have not long ago, to decide the agreement between their families concerning her was null and void. "Oh, that is not necessary," Sure, she understood what he was getting at and maybe once she would have jumped at the opportunity. "Rin came by not that long ago and I think we both just accepted that we aren't sisters anymore."
Merely hearing Sakura say those words with not a hint of hurt and almost casual acceptance felt wrong to Shinji. There was just something about her saying that which made it seem wrong. "What Rin was here?"
"Yeah, a few days ago she came by," Sakura didn't know what sparked it as whatever reason Rin had was probably derailed at some point by the realization of what she had become and that Zouken was dead. "She wanted to talk to Zouken about something though I told her that he was dead, then I told her about what his Crest Worms are."
Rin had to have come over about himself. Why else was Rin looking to talk to the now deceased head of their family? A strange mixture of being relieved that she hadn't pressed the issue along with annoyance that he had been forgotten. The latter was crushed almost instantly as Shinji really didn't want to talk to her right now. "You told her everything he had done to you?" That was moved out of his mind as he realized what that actually meant. "Wait, if you told her that why did you and her decide to not be sisters when you can?"
Such a thing seemed outlandish to him. Why would Sakura not go with her sister after telling about what she had been through? Fortunately, he didn't need to think about it long as Sakura gave her answer. "Because I feel nothing about our relationship and to be perfectly honest she hadn't ever shown anything for years to make me think otherwise."
It made sense in a way. Sakura did spend years being effectively tortured by Zouken while Rin was the head of the Tohsaka's. A position that would have allowed her the right to see Sakura. However, Shinji knew that something about this was wrong. Still, her mind looked made up. "So, you're going to remain as Sakura Matou?"
"I guess though I don't know if I would be the head of the Matou family."
An offer was just made and Shinji knew it. He could be the head of the Matou family if he so desired. In essence having everything that she had wanted. He almost took up the offer on the spot. Almost, as something nagged in the back of his mind. Zouken's words about him not being his heir, the fact he was effectively terrible at magecraft, and what was worse the fact on some level he knew that Sakura deserved the position more then him. Oh, how much his ego hurt to even think about that and yet just thinking about his grandfather's legacy hampered all of it.
At first Rin had to admit when Shirou told her that she should be dead she had so many questions. The answers were pretty much straight forward. For one, Ideal Bloods are apparently cursed. Even if a Successor was able to kill and take the Ideal Blood of their predecessor there was a chance that it would kill them. Because of this and the threat of Ideal Blood not many remained amongst the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors. As for a mere human using them that had issues in of itself. Death was the most likely outcome as the Ideal Blood simply destroys their body. As for why that was not what she was facing Shirou had a theory. "Wait you think because its got something to do with crystals?"
Shirou's theory hinged on the fact that Rin was used to using Jewel Magecraft. Most gems are simply just crystals themselves which meant that she had a compatibility with it. Rin and Luvia felt that was a bit of a stretch when they heard it. It wasn't an impossibility, using a particular form of magecraft for years tended to have some effect of a mages Magic Circuits according to research done on it, but this couldn't be the primary reason. "Well, yeah it might be why it hasn't seemed to negatively impact you."
Rin rolled her eyes at this. The fears about the Ideal Blood that was now within her were gone though a new question was raised. If it was compatible with her magecraft could she be able to use it? Sure, there might be a problem if she wasn't careful but if she could use it maybe she wouldn't need to buy gems in order to practice her magecraft. "So, how do I use it?"
"I have no idea," This was something neither Shirou, nor his mother, had any idea about. The Twenty-second seat never really had an Ideal Blood to begin with and it didn't really matter to them. Only one person amongst Altrouge's faction had an Ideal Blood. "The only person I knew that had one was Rizo-Weel Strout and well he was very good at describing it."
That memory was almost completely gone but Shirou at least knew that he wasn't much help in describing it. Of course, being versed in using magecraft wasn't something a Dead Apostle theortically needed though it was something one would tend to pick up at least in understanding. Rizo-Waal Strout was one of the few Dead Apostle Ancestors that was honestly unable to use magecraft. Age, skill in combat, True Demon Neardark, and his Ideal Blood being what made him so formidable. Even without much in the way of means to use magecraft he at least was knowledgeable enough it didn't matter. Still, that didn't help at all with Rin's current issue and Shirou knew that.
"Well, Rin could always see if it can be used with her magecraft as is," Illya decided to chime in on the conversation. This seemed to be getting little too nowhere so maybe they could go for the far more likely outcome. "Outside of someone having the ability to use an Ideal Blood that's pretty much the only option Rin has."
Illya did have a point. Without any teacher, or really anyone to help her, Rin was going to have to fall back on the usual methods of trail and error. Being a mage such a mindset was drilled into her when stidying and experimenting with her craft. However, rarely did mages have to deal with something as powerful as an Ideal Blood. If she screwed up then best case scenario her humanity was forfeit. Worse case she ended up dead. Though if she did succeeding in controlling it she would probably have the ability to rival a Dead Apostle Ancestor. As she thought about that though Rin realized that there was one issue.
The Mages Association would almost immediately give her a Sealing Designation the moment they learned about her having an Ideal Blood. Even if it was accidental on her part the Association would be keen to study something they are technically forbidden too thanks to an old agreement with the Holy Church about anything that had to deal with Dead Apostle Ancestors. Rin was almost certain that she would fall under that agreement. 'Great, just what I needed.' Instead of focusing on the negatives of having this power Rin decided to refocus on the positives. "Well, if I am going to practice I want you both to be there to help me at least until I can get some control over it."
"So, to recap, Yuuka managed to somehow pull a fast one on the old Kaleidoscope," Calling him old was technically a bit hypocritical given that he was older then the Fourth Seat amongst their kind by a wide margin. Even so the sentiment still stood as far as Rizo-Waal Strout was concerned.
The sixth seat amongst the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors looked over the list that had been faxed to him by Altrouge with interest. On it was a list of names that the Holy Church had recorded from the Servants, of the Heroic Spirits that rested in the Throne of Heroes, that had been summoned. As far as he knew Zelretch's little bloodsport project hadn't had a single victor despite four tries for someone to get their hands on the Grail. "The Fourth Wars list is missing the Saber, Archer, and Berserkers names."
Those three were labeled as unknown. The only other Servant with that was from the Third Holy Grail War whose identity was listed as unknown but with something that stood out amongst the others listed. That unknown was listed as an Avenger. "Unfortunately, it seemed the Church's Overseer was killed before he could report the identities of those three."
Altrouge had asked Yuuka about it and she admitted that neither she nor Shirou was able to catch the whole thing. A giant monster staying at the mouth of the river was the one notable exception. Yuuka had almost decided to intervene as she had some idea whatever that was couldn't be allowed to make landfall. There was only one other bit about that that she had seen. "One of the Servants had what Yuuka could best described as something of a golden ancient jet plane."
"Vimana," He heard about it before during his long life. Which meant that the possibility of one of the missing names being someone from India.
Placing the list down he looked at the mirror that was given for quick communication. He did have a few personal items from some of the Servants listed. Which if he suspected the Black Princess didn't want as options. "Have you talked to Svelten about this?"
Altrouge rolled her eyes at this. Svelten had questioned about the fax given to him but despite his loyalty to her he turned down helping at all. "Yes, and you know how that went down the moment I talked about Yuuka."
Oh, how he knew about how well they both got along. Let it be known that just because two Dead Apostle Ancestors were on the same side that did not mean that they were beyond disagreeing with or nearly hating each other. "I guess he decided to consider her taking part in Zelretch's little project as not worth the effort of helping her?"
"He won't help with getting her a Catalyst," Aid in other ways was not off the table but Svelten was not going to help with the most important part of it. While she did want to yell at him for deciding not to, Altrouge knew that Strout would. After all, he was the one who had sent a few of the lesser Dead Apostles in their faction to go looking for Yuuka's son. "I trust that you have no such issue?"
A redundant question as he was already onboard. Only one issue existed and that was the Catalyst that was needed to use. Rizo-Waal Strout had never been good at magecraft but he had kept himself well informed about the subject. From what he remembered about the little ritual, getting a Catalyst was a means to decide on the hero they wanted to summon. Easy enough for them to accomplish. "What class is she looking for?"
"Yuuka has decided that Lancer would fit her best."
In two years time the Fifth Holy Grail will begin. Her role as the Lesser Grail was finally complete and now the Einzbern family was off looking for a Catalyst that would bring them victory. She didn't think much of it as the family started to list figures whose acclaim they could use. Illyasviel just looked on ignoring each as she knew her grandfather would probably try something to give them an edge. "Perhaps, we should try to see about getting Avalon back?"
Jubstacheit almost wanted to entertain that idea. With Kiritsugu dead, getting back Avalon to be used was very tempting. However, they had no idea where he had hid it and furthermore Jubstacheit had no desire to go chasing after it. Besides finding would probably mean finding Illya, the girl who very much he took and would under no circumstances help them. Given how quiet Kiritsugu had been and how there was no peep about an Einzbern running around it was safe to assume she wasn't an issue. Most likely Avalon was kept by her. "No, Avalon and King Arthur are both failures."
Illyasviel didn't want to have King Arthur or any member of the Knights of the Round Table anyway. If she failed then everything the Einzberns had done for centuries would be for nothing. That was what she had been told from some of the maids that wandered about the castle. A castle that did seem less inhabited then before but that was because of something had happened. Illyasviel was not allowed to know what but whatever it was didn't matter to her. What mattered as much as she cared was her own future. Unless she won there wouldn't be anything more for her beyond a year at most. Despite everything she at least wanted to live.
"Berserker would be a good choice," Hearing this, Illyasviel had to scoff. The Berserker class was strong yes but in most of the Holy Grail Wars it hadn't succeeded. With nothing else for her to do or hope for she had read up the accounts of each Holy Grail War and which class came closest to victory. Berserker was usually taken out midway through the whole affair though admittedly the Fourth Grail Wars was probably the one taken out in the later part before the whole thing ended in fire.
No, she didn't need a mindless attack dog. What she needed was someone who could think and react if she wanted to live. "No, Berserker is not the class I want for any Servant," Everyone there turned their heads over her as Illyasviel looked at her grandfather straight in the eyes. "If I am going to win I do not need a mindless attack dog."
Jubstacheit thought her words over and could see the reasoning. Berserker was strong but Madness Enchantment was as much a blessing as a handicap. Few Heroic Spirits likely had the ability to overcome the negative effects it had and a cunning foe could use that against them. As much as he wanted to refute her wish, Jubstacheit understood her reasoning. As well as why she had spoken up about this. "Very well, though I must ask, do you have an idea of which Heroic Spirit you wish to summon?"
"Hercules."
I just had to given Rin something if a win after all the shit I put her through. Which I am shocked no one noticed that in like what three days she been through a lot of crap. Plus lets be honest the whole power balance has ahot up greatly after everything I set up so she will really need it. Of course, Hercules will be in the Fifth Grail War. As much as Illyasviel (what I will refer to for the Clone Illya) without him has been done I figured I just couldn't separate it. The class though can be changed because why am I going to make anything easy for anyone?
Anyway, I will see you all next time and hopefully this time it won't take so long.
