(Cafeteria)
"Wahaha, if I was a fishing Cat, then I could put on a swimsuit and progress to my next phase !" Understandably, Tamamo Cat was in her high spirits when served some fish fingers and fries.
"Hmm, I see, so that's a thing," the meal's cook replied thoughtfully. "Why is that a thing? I wonder what that says about human perception?"
"Summer is frighteningly powerful, woof." Cat ate a fry with a serious expression. "Compared to Halloween and even Santa, it's Summer that is the most successful."
"Why is this a thing?!" Sasaku's brain blanked out momentarily upon realizing how massive the list of variants was that was summoned by a search for the 'summer' tag following Cat's wordage. "Oh hey, even Jeanne and Martha have summer variants."
"Spending time napping in the dazzling sunshine and feasting is transformative in more ways than one," was the Berserker's reply.
(A nearby table)
"It's not the worst idea," Artoria said, her Grail-related discoloration and tired tone at odds with her gentle expression. "Chaldea, or the various Chaldeas I suppose, have the possibility to transfer a lot to the Throne. I should remind you, though, that Rayshifting in and out, or going on Friend List duty, doesn't send one back to the Throne."
"We figured out that bit, since one person Rayshifts out and its the same person who comes back. And as Kiyohime shows, 'resummoning' someone who actually returned to the Throne is starting from square one. What about the bit of having Rulers write up lots of reports?" Gudako asked. "If anything, that's an even more direct method than hoping a Servant who returns to the Throne will remember about all the other ones they've met."
"Well Jeanne still has issues literally writing due to her legend, but that aside, who knows about the Throne's data format? Rulers interact with the Grail though, by the way."
"Surely Heroic Spirit records on the Throne are like bosons so all the versions can all occupy the same space? Uh, wait what?" Gudako's train of thought was abruptly interrupted by an external event.
"Is something up?" Artoria asked as warning klaxons began to sound. "Oh."
The two quickly got to their feet and joined all the other Servants who were heading for the Briefing Room. Similarly, many of the homunculi in the cafeteria started running out to their various stations.
(Briefing Room)
"It's not good," da Vinci informed them from the Control Room. "The interference we were getting is likely due to some sort of particle cloud around the Detection Event. Just a while ago, there was a flare in said cloud that sent a jet of its material headed towards us at high speed."
"Was the Separation Order breached?" Gudao asked immediately. While total failure would lead to Chaldea probably breaking up into Void Space immediately, the underlying Realm's influence was otherwise self-stabilizing and self-repairing. Of course, anyone close to even an otherwise 'small and temporary breach' might be pulled into the nearby Void Space and certain death.
"Initial readings say no, but patrols are checking just in case. I doubt we will have anything like boarders, but foreign particle infiltration is another matter. We need to get to work on that Event ahead of schedule; I mean now, unless we really can't."
"Ok then. Chloe, Saber, Jeanne, Stheno, Kiyohime, Sasaku. You're all here except Kiyohime so we'll go with the previous formation." As Gudao called out the party list, da Vinci nodded to the Rayshift operators, instructing them to begin preparations. The previously assigned Servants received this without any complications. Even, as Gudako noted, Stheno.
"You should go fetch Kiyohime," Jeanne said to her Ruler underclassman. "Just make your way straight to the Rayshift Vault, we'll wait for you of course."
(Rayshift Vault)
"So, how does being a 'perfect idol' work with having a high rank of (Presence Concealment)?" Chloe asked the party's Assassin goddess while the four Servants and two Masters waited for the last pair to join them.
"That's what you want to know?" Stheno wasn't particularly inclined towards small talk, but the Archer clearly wouldn't let her be. "Think of it as more of a 'killing intent concealment' deal. Or at least it makes people only see the sort of helpless idol I was before this."
"Ah, a combination of a charm-type and looking non-threatening," Jeanne commented from nearby. Her (True Name Discernment) didn't simply give her full information on a Servant's details, as useful as that might have been. "I guess your Noble Phantasm doesn't harm people directly... well, except for just causing some males to drop dead. Hmm..."
"Well if you wanted a killer, you should have also summoned Medusa," the Assassin grumbled. "I hear she's now got an amazing set of Noble Phantasms."
"Indeed," Chloe prodded her, though perhaps also remembering the previous War's Medusa who had taken on three different forms by the end of it. "(Bellerophon) the Bridle of Chivalry, the (Pandemonium Cetus) and (Blood Fort Andromeda) and then (Harpe)."
"Well I can't look down on anyone who encountered her in that form and lived," Stheno said more to herself than Chloe, upon hearing the second item on that incomplete list."
"Ah, they're there. Great."
Indeed not long after the Archer had heard them, a Berserker and Ruler came around a corner and could thus be clearly seen running towards everyone else down the straight corridor.
"Alright, so one quick note before we go in," Gudao announced to the group of eight. "We're not sure what exactly to expect; you've heard it is likely Japan during the Warring States period, but don't take it for granted as any Detection Event will have gone wild in one or many ways."
"We have to deploy now because of the risks to Chaldea otherwise, but there are reasons to be concerned about the particle cloud around the Event, so until we've established that it isn't a serious risk, please stay in formation as Jeanne's flag can help counteract many effects." As usual, Gudako and her partner Master were carrying various Mystic Codes prepared for the occasion by da Vinci.
"I highly doubt, though, that we'll be entering a peaceful Warring States period, so you know." Kojirou added.
"How wonderf-" Stheno was interrupted by Chloe before making what would have been a painful mistake.
"Since we covered all the smaller details in the briefing, let's get going and get in."
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(Japan, Warring States period)
"Ah, see? Rider was right on. I knew she'd be able to reach Chaldea with her Noble Phantasm," a swordswoman with hair and matching kimono that reminded one of cherry blossoms said approvingly to her companion who carelessly leaned his rotary matchlock arquebus, the favorite out of many, on a long dark coat edged in gold thread.
"You do know she just wanted out, right? There's no way, mount or not, that a Servant could cross Void Space to reach Chaldea."
"Hmph, say all you want, but in the end they're here aren't they? Can't argue with results," she retorted as the pair walked casually into view of the party. Unfortunately for their hopes of obtaining the expected help from the visiting Security Organization, they were instead greeted by a very hostile group.
"So, it is you, Nobunaga," Chloe announced with satisfaction. "I will have my revenge for you shooting me in the back last time !"
"I seem to remember you cutting into my guts before that happened," the other Archer replied with a growing sense that a battle was about to erupt.
"Okita Souji, I guess it must be fate that we meet again. By the way, your Triple Thrust technique was amazing; I've spent over a decade to practice and attempt to replicate it.
The Shinsengumi captain did not respond.
Realizing that the two opposite her, and Kojirou too, were clearly armed and not wanting to be left out, Chloe projected a pair of her usual swords, provoking everyone to unsheathe and ready weapons.
"Alright, alright, stop right there," Gudako said from behind Jeanne. "We're here to hunt down a stray Holy Grail fragment, not start picking fights with everyone we meet."
"I know where you can find it," Nobunaga volunteered into the tense silence that followed the Master's announcement.
"Well this is convenient," Kiyohime muttered, still happily holding Sasaku's hand which she had latched on to the moment everyone had Rayshifted in. "He's telling the truth."
"That's... interesting," Okita looked at Kiyohime with curiosity but apparently didn't identify her. "Are you one of the judges from Hell?"
"She just burns liars," Jeanne spoke up instead. "Jeanne d'Arc, Ruler. We'd appreciate if you shared the relevant information quickly."
"Fine. There are a few armies nearby, with a couple Rogue Servants each. Unfortunately, each one of them is based off a force I defeated in life; however, I have no such army because I didn't defeat my own army. Perhaps." Nobunaga's explanation was met with some surprise from the Chaldeans.
"A couple Servants each, huh?" Gudao quickly did the number mentally. "Well that shouldn't be too bad, if the rest of the army are standard human-level."
"Ah, well it gets complicated," Okita added reluctantly. "You see... they were separate armies a week or so ago, but they've since all grouped up together. Suffice it to say, some mastermind must have unified them in order to keep the Grail fragment safe.
"Reminds me of having to fight a certain dragon slayer and executioner at once. Whoever thought to convert the boss rush into fighting all of them at once really knows how to rig the game," Chloe grumbled.
"And lots of random chaff enemies," Gudako sounded almost insulted. "So where is this multi-army stacked up?"
"Near Okehazama," Nobunaga shrugged. "Not as bad of an idea as it sounds because only one section of the group was defeated there."
"How many armies are we talking about here, like four?" Gudao asked.
"... yes, how did you know?" Nobunaga looked surprised at the homunulus' guess.
"Well, four and two Servants each is eight. We've got six and you two, that's eight. Of course it would turn out like that," Gudako answered easily, having had the same thoughts.
"There's also four armies worth on their side," Jeanne pointed out, unimpressed by the Masters' odd reasoning for their expectations.
"Yes, we'll need to lure out the enemy Servants, and ideally ambush them as well, right?" Chloe piped out, seeing what her role would be after the similar experience of her previous Grail War.
"Isn't Kiyosu Castle nearby?" Kojirou suggested. "They might be surprised if Chloe shot at them from that location, and it's far away enough that the Servants would be tempted to go on the attack. Unsupported."
"Ah," Kiyohime caught on to the Knights' plan. "So they will think we spent the week fortifying, but then when they come out, we catch them halfway on the march instead?"
"Ho, ho that's quite cunning," Nobunaga sounded on board with the plan. "But it won't be trivial, even for Servants, to intercept an enemy group of Servants if they don't take the most obvious route.
"Don't you have someone who can roughly detect them and then draw their attention, so everyone else can play off that?" Stheno proposed. "Like a certain very flashy flying Servant."
"Well, I guess you got volunteered," Ruby popped out to deliver this line, much to Chloe's amusement.
"I'll go with her," Kiyohime also volunteered, to the surprise of some. "Worst come to worst I can do a lot of damage to the enemies, isn't that right?"
"Can you even fly without your rather short-term transformation Noble Phantasm?" Gudako sounded skeptical about the viability of the suggestion.
"Well... really flying specifically isn't needed, I just have to be able to keep on chasing her, right?" the Berserker pointed out. Jeanne looked slightly uncomfortable at being reminded of how the other Servant had gained her (Stalking) skill.
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(Fortified camp at Okehazama)
"Is that a shooting star?" one of the soldiers commented, seeing something streaking far overhead.
"Hmm? Oh, duck!" the Archer Matsudaira barely had time to shout a brief warning as the attack struck the camp with a powerful explosion that shook the ground. Soldiers were scattering everywhere, though less of in a panic as to their pre-assigned positions in the case of a sudden enemy attack.
"That's not good," the Caster Mouri commented as their leader for the current War made their presence known. "They're bombarding us."
"I could tell," the warlord sounded dismissive. "It's clearly coming from Kiyoso Castle, I suppose this means Okita has found help from somewhere."
"It's Chaldea," the Archer Toyotomi dusted off his gold-decorated armor. "If they're already attacking, that means we can't resolve this peacefully... if that was ever an actual option."
Ever destructive, the Caster Kuroda urged an immediate offensive, "If it's a Castle, surely we can take it down by throwing bombs !" This suggestion was also seconded by Takeda, but he was a Berserker and tended towards the direct approach,
"That Nobunaga really lucked out, being able to get Chaldea to take his side," the Saber Uesugi grumbled. "I thought you had some link to them, Chousokabe?"
"I'm sorry," the Archer replied. "But if they have the particular Archer I think they do, it might be the other way around, and she wouldn't be summoned near to me. These things are complicated."
"You have way too many variants," the Caster Takenaka raised an eyebrow at the pair. "This is a great opportunity for Matsudaira to strut his stuff, surely."
"No," their commander stopped him short. "It could be a clever decoy. Let's not respond from range, but instead move in a group and assault them with stealth and speed."
"By that, I hope you mean the two of us will hang back," Takenaka waved his hands about. "If they spot you, everyone in Chaldea will Target Focus you down. And I'm just here to chronicle."
"Of course. Now, Shimazu, I believe you are quite fleet of foot, and know how to use a spear. How about taking up the front scout position?"
"Nothing like being the tip of the spear," was the Lancer's quick response.
(On the road to Kiyoso Castle)
"That forest looks mighty suspicious," the Lancer mused to himself, just before spotting something moving in the distance. At this distance and angle, they must be a ways above the treetops.
Shizamu took his spear in hand. Mouri had pointed out that stealth and speed and were usually hard to combine, and as a result, the main group was moving down the path relying on him as a scout and, to be honest likely bait. Of course given his general protection from missiles and ability to disengage, this meant he had a decent chance to both survive a potential ambush while outnumbered, but also get away and then rejoin the greater battle once joined. Just drawing out a reaction from their main forces meant the Chaldeans would lose the advantage of surprise.
It wasn't a perfect opportunity, but good enough. Taking aim, he threw his spear with all his strength towards the flying Servant. Shooting out like a massive flying barb, it closed the distance and -
No way that actually downed them, they must have dodged downwards, he thought after the figure disappeared from view. Now things might will get sticky.
It didn't take long for a response to materialize: a number of bright pink projectiles started raining down from a high angle. "Hah, indirect fire. Clever, but..." Thinking quickly, Shimazu ducked into the forest and began making his way towards the last estimated position of the enemy Servant. Overhead the barrage of missiles continued, making it clear that his opponent was likely blind firing as though expecting their target to not have moved away.
To the right, the sound of whistling arrows. Our prearranged sign; the main group has decided to engage? Their target was zig-zagging wildly at a greater height than before. The Lancer couldn't help but think that perhaps they had decided on a better angle to spot him, causing them to reveal themselves to the main group further away.
As he passed a particularly large tree, Shimazu spotted a girl leaning against the side of it who waved at him. The absurdity of the encounter didn't register until after he had slowed down a bit to tell the young woman to leave, as though there was anything else but forest around them.
Flicking open her fan in a single elegant motion, with a faint smile, she blew fire at him.
Instinctively, the Lancer threw himself to the side, Agility kicking in to allow him to regain his footing and continue sideways evasive movement as the girl continued to set the nearby trees on fire while trying to track him.
I'm joining the main group! Shimazu decided. Since, for whatever reason, they had already decided to engage and Chaldea had apparently thought ahead to place a Dragon-type Servant in ambush position, trying to continue solo had terrible odds of getting caught by the rest of them.
The arrows from his side's three Archers started coming out at a shallower angle before stopping. Most likely because like earlier, their target dropped down using the length of the forest as cover.
Looks like our leader was right, Chaldea didn't pick the passive strategy. Of course, in a battle between Servants, standard defenses were more of a hindrance than help if they got one into an inappropriately defensive mindset. Like Kuroda had wanted to do, the use of powerful anti-Army or even worse anti-Fortress Noble Phantasms made taking the first hit a very risky proposition.
Behind him as the Lancer ran, smoke from a large number of burning trees began to rise, blocking out the sky. Whoever that girl was, she didn't seem to care much about the ecological damage of her actions. Even if engagements with Servants on both sides tended to be more like skirmishing actions by light infantry than battle formations clashing, their power could deal more damage to the battlefield than almost any weapon, even counting modern ones.