Disclaimer: Persona series and Fate series belong to their respectful and awesome owner. I do not own anything.
"Just being born, living your life…and before you know it, you've already special to someone."
- Yosuke Hanamura (Persona 4)
Three weeks have passed, things on Seraph are slowly calming down. The people from the ruined city of Rome has finally found a place they could stay in and away from the tent city they've built for temporary shelters. Mare Luxuria, also known as the Tamamo Land, a nation rich with blooming sakura trees and grand pagodas, a city ruled by none other than, Tamamo-no-Mae, herself. The evacuees from Rome move here due to the order of their emperor, Nero Claudius, and the Sovereign, Hakuno Kishinami.
As painful as it is to leave their home, the two leaders decided that their people should be the priority above all. Tamamo agrees and welcomed everyone with open arms. Everything has been planned out and their decision isn't rushed, every evacuee got what they wanted, a place, food, clothes, a comfortable bed, and a roof above their heads.
"I wish you two could see this."
Said by the king of the paladins as he sitting on a bench under the shade of the sakura tree. This city looks so beautiful, different from the historical design in Rome, this place has…way more modern style according to what Archer had described this place. Saint George will be delighted to have a tour in this city while taking pictures, Meanwhile, Ren will definitely going to enjoy his stay here.
However…They aren't here anymore. No, the better phrase for it is that they cannot find the two anywhere. When they arrive, they saw Jeanne d'Arc fueled with anger while burning the motionless body of the skull masked servant, they saw how Saint Martha forces her to stop by putting the saint into an embrace. Then after that, they heard the sounds of Jeanne sobbing onto the Saint Martha's shoulder.
Just from the scene, the realization hit him. But he refuses to accept that, no they refuse to accept it. They search every corner of the forest, every cave that they might use to hide, every river that may lead them to where the two are. But they found nothing, they tried to call Ren through his talisman but they receive no answer, they tried to use the regalia to find the two but the result is too painful for them to accept.
But after days and nights of restless search. Hakuno announces to stop the search. He didn't want to stop, he wanted to find where his friends are, he doesn't even know why of all people it is Hakuno made the decision to stop. But after seeing the look of her eyes, he saw pain and anger not from everyone in particular but to herself.
In a sense, she is the same as him, she wanted to find where the two are, but the only difference is that she is the sovereign of Seraph. The girl needed to act fast, the threat of Karl is still there, if they didn't stop searching for the two, then by the time Karl made his move, she might lose everyone dear to her.
As much as she hates herself from saying this. But, perhaps they needed to move on and face reality. That statement alone made everyone think about it before silently leave the room, except Jeanne d'Arc who angrily lashes out at the sovereign.
"Did you purposely missed the meeting for today?"
He heard a familiar soft feminine voice behind him. Looking back, Charlemagne saw the queen of France smiling at him as she walks toward the bench and sits beside him. "I just have a lot of things in mind. Thought perhaps the view could help." The paladin replied.
"Is it working?" Marie asks while gazing at the view before her and savoring the gentle breeze that touching her body.
"I guess it does…I mean I've finally understood both sides. About Hakuno's decision and Jeanne's anger. Hakuno didn't want to stop either, but as a ruler and a master, she just doesn't want to lose someone anymore. As for Jeanne, not only a dear friend of her is missing, but also Saint George. I get it why she lashed out at Hakuno, but I didn't imagine for her to be that mad and full of hatred, it is like she is a different person back there."
Marie forces a soft smile as she remembers the night of that announcement. As a friend of Ren, and one that owes him a huge favor, hearing that announcement leave her in dissatisfaction. But as a ruler of a country, she knows that sometimes you need to set aside your personal feelings for the greater good of the nation.
"Even though I didn't like her decision. I admire Hakuno as a ruler, if I'm in her position, I would not stop until I find where they are." The queen said before letting out a lovely giggle. "However, she decided to stop and move on. Not by forcing herself, but to be the one that will take a step forward and to face hardship so that everyone will follow. She's a strong girl, perhaps it is due from her experience in that bloody holy grail war. There are things that I should learn from her."
Taking a deep breath, Marie happily releases it out before standing to her feet. "I've already said my goodbye mostly with everyone except you." She said and giggled after seeing the surprised look of the paladin. "I'm going back to my duty in France. I want to keep my mind busy, my tears will eventually going to run out if I didn't." She then let out a beaming smile as she said that.
"I see…" Charlemagne reply. He didn't expect her to leave so suddenly, but then again perhaps it's for the best and her own way of moving on. Standing up, he let out his hand at the queen before returning a smile to her. "It's an honor to meet and have a friend like you, Marie. Just don't exhaust yourself too much, alright?"
Marie shakes his hand gratefully. "Oh before I forget, part of the meeting is about Jeanne and Saint Martha returning to Lundy."
"They are?!"
The queen nodded her head. Jeanne is still angry at Hakuno for stopping the search, which leads Saint Martha for the decision for them to return in Lundy or somewhere else that can help to calm their minds. After all, they lose a friend and also a member of the family.
"Yes, but they will return when everything is okay." She said and saw the paladin become crestfallen. "We aren't falling apart, everyone just needed some time, especially those who are close to the two." The queen tried to cheer up Charlemagne with a smile and a pat on his shoulder.
"Your highness!"
The queen of France looks past behind him. "Oh, time for me to go." She said to the paladin. "Well then, Charles. Stay strong, alright! I'm sure that is what Ren and George going to say to us." Waving her hand for goodbye, Charlemagne returned the gesture and watch the queen of France entered the stagecoach. Soon his only companion is the calming wind and the petals falling on his head.
"Wherever you're right now, Ren. I promise, I'm going to do my best and protect everyone. Just like what you did to us." He said while looking at the blue sky above. This is his promise to him, to a friend, and a paladin at heart. Promptly turning around, he faces the world with a smile. "I'm ready to take a step forward."
Charlemagne found himself getting dragged through his hand by Osakabehime, the princess he meets back in Rome. Once they took a sharp right, the two hide in the corner. The female servant quickly let go of his hand and took a deep breath before she speaks.
"Gomenasorry! F-for dragging you here."
The girl said while feeling embarrassed and avoiding facing the paladin. Truth to be told, she's waiting for the paladin to come, she remembers what he said to her on their last meeting. And after some painstakingly way of gathering her courage, Osakabehime is ready to ask him out. Shaking her head, that is not what she prepared for! She wants to ask for his help, to get her home back to that self-proclaimed idol with a strange tail.
"O' great and handsome paladin! Help this beautiful princess in distress, help me to take my castle back, onegaishimasu!"
Hearing the girl plead, Charlemagne felt embarrassed by getting called handsome. Usually, it was Astolfo who receives those compliments from the female admirer, but still, it feels good to experience receiving one, especially if it came from a beautiful girl. But before he completely went into la-la land, he snaps himself and focuses on her cry for help.
"That's right… can't Tamamo help you to get your home back?" He asks the Japanese princess.
Osakabehime made a bashful pout on her face as she replies. "W-well, I'm a bit shy to asks for her help…It's not like she going to listen to me, that fox is busy flirting with the sovereign." She then accusingly pointed her finger at Charlemagne. "Y-you said you're going to help me right!? don't tell me you've forgotten about it…"
"If you did…then…I-I'm going to cry!"
Shaking his head immediately, Charlemagne almost ended up panicking when the girl said that. Seeing her smile softly, the paladin let out a sigh of relief. "Lead the way to your home. I think I can deal with the servant that took your home." He said.
"Aren't you going to asks for help?"
"No, everyone is sleeping by now. I mean, you dragged me here this late at night." Seeing the girl lowered her head from guilt, the paladin taps her shoulder and smiles at her. "It's fine don't worry about it. Before the sunrise, you'll get your home back!"
Nodding her head bashfully, the girl avoided looking to his smile, she felt it is melting her whenever she stared to his genuine smile. Even her heart is throbbing, she doesn't even know why! Maybe it's because she's a shut-in that any fluttering moment with a male made her like this. This is completely different from staring on a poster and her body pillow collections.
"We should go now before we wake someone's up."
As the two about to take their first step and leave Tamamo's castle, they stop when the sovereign appeared in front of them. The girl doesn't look like she wakes up from her sleep, there is no sign of sleepy eyes or lazy posture, she probably didn't even go to sleep.
Getting caught already, Charlemagne tried to make an excuse, but Hakuno beat him as she speaks first. "Are you going after Elizabeth?" She asks at the two servants. "If yes, then let me go too." Truth to be told, she wanted to save Elizabeth from the infection on her body. That girl, even though she threatened her and her servants so many times, even though everyone thinks she's evil and an anti-hero.
Elizabeth helped Hakuno in her own way. Now its time for her to help that idol back, she felt that if things went different on their first meeting in this new Seraph. Then perhaps, Velber influences won't reach her.
Surprise by her request. Charlemagne quickly turns her down. "You can't, it's far too dangerous."
Osakabehime nodded her head in agreement. Tamamo will tear her ear out if something happened to the sovereign.
"If it is dangerous, then why it's only you two are going after her?"
Hakuno's valid argument struck deeply at the two that they didn't able to counter it back. "Our past contract might be temporary, but she still becomes a servant of mine. As her former master, I want to help her or at least set her path on the right tracks."
"Let me try to talk to her, If things didn't work out, then we're going to retreat immediately and asks for the other to help." She said while giving a hopeful look at the two servants.
After a moment of staring at one another, Charlemagne let out a sigh of defeat and made Hakuno giggle on her victory. "Remember what you just said, alright? I will drag you out if you've acted stubbornly." The paladin said at the sovereign. When tomorrow comes, he's going to expect both Tamamo and Nero sermons once they knew about this.
Nodding her head, the group went their way toward Osakabehime's home. The Himeji Castle.
Sneaking inside the castle went so easy, but navigating through the dark corridor isn't. The inside of the Himeji castle is so dark that the three cannot tell if they still have each other. "Gosh, even though this is my home, I can't tell what part of the castle we're in right now," Osakabehime said as she tried to feel her surroundings from the darkness.
After feeling that she reach a wall, the princess came closer to it and hug the wall. "Do we have any lights to use?" She asks not knowing if Charlemagne and Hakuno are still with her. Thankfully a blue dim light came through the sword that the paladin is using. Osakabehime slowly made her way toward him and hold onto his arms.
"Y-you d-don't mind, right?"
Charlemagne shakes his head after feeling the princess hold into his arm. He felt like his face is burning, the warmness that is coming from the princess's hands, it making the atmosphere less scary. "Hakuno do you see me?" He called out the girl, but not too loud so the servant named Elizabeth inside this castle won't be alarmed.
"I'm here."
Said the girl as she appeared beside the paladin. As the light showed her face, it doesn't look like she's bothered about the darkness, in fact, she looks very cautious about her surroundings. This place is too quiet, it felt like it's leading them to a trap. However, this is Elizabeth, the self-proclaimed idol and singing rival of Nero. Making traps and seals isn't her best point, as the matter of fact she hates those two so much that she'll rather die than falling or getting entrap into one.
But then, this place reeks with the smell of blood.
"Hakuno," called by the king of the paladins. "I-if you l-like, you could hold onto me. Y-you know, just to make sure we all won't get separated." He said while stuttering his words.
"Okay."
His body startled after feeling her hand on his shoulder while the other is on his arm. "Is something wrong?" Charlemagne heard from Hakuno. This is probably the closest thing happened between him and her, the paladin felt his face is burning even more from thinking about it. Not only there is a princess is clinging on his other arm, but also Hakuno Kishinami on the other!
Calming himself, he took a deep breath before replying to the sovereign. "Nothings wrong. But make sure you two won't get separated with me, alright?" He said, seeing the two nodded their heads, the paladin lead the way through the dark corridors.
As they make their way to the highest floor of the castle. They heard a sound of rustle near them. "What was that?!" Osakabehime cried out after hearing the sound. She's going to be so mad and terrified if that self-proclaim idol lets mouses inside her home!
The paladin stopped after hearing it again, this time he can feel it's closer to them. "H-hey! Something is over there!" Charlemagne heard from the princess as she pointing at the hall. Following the direction she's pointing at, he saw an eye glowing in bright color in the distance. Readying his sword, he waited in anticipation, its seem this Elizabeth person finally showed herself.
"Ah!"
Charlemagne felt something fast tackled his body, but that isn't his concern. That shout, it came from Hakuno! When he checks the two behind him, he only saw Osakabehime, the sovereign, on the other hand, isn't with them. "Charles look out!" He heard the princess panicking voice, at the end of his vision, he saw a crimson light from the distance. The paladin instinct kicks in and he swiftly used his sword to block the pool of crimson blood thrown at them.
"Don't get into my way!"
He heard from a haughty feminine voice as another pool of crimson blood splash at them. The paladin grit his teeth as he felt like a giant whip hit his body, seeing a follow-up attack, he swings his sword horizontally and cut down the deadly spikes made from blood flying at him.
"Hmm, you look familiar." Came from the mysterious haughty feminine voice. "Let me take a closer look." She said before the dark corridor filled with the sounds of bats flocking their wings. The paladin covered his face while protecting the princess behind him as the bats pass through them. "I see, your that paladin in France."
Charlemagne saw a masked woman with a beautiful long white hair in front of him, then he felt a hand that slaps his face so hard he almost lost his footing. The inside of his mouth is bleeding because of it when he looks at the one who did it. The masked woman is condescendingly smiling at him, seeing that smile, the paladin remembers who this woman is. It's the servant with Vlad III back in France.
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask the same to you."
Her name is Carmilla, the beautiful maiden that escapes gracefully after the event on the lord's impaler castle. An independent servant that is roaming around Seraph, after the event in France, she picks up a scent that turned her stomach upside down, it's the scent of that foolish girl. That scent leads her here, on this castle that has a poor taste of design for her opinion. Regardless, as she explores the place and following that scent while wondering what is that girl doing here.
She got stunned by what she had seen. That scent indeed is coming to that foolish girl, but something is different from her. That girl is surrounded by a menacing aura of evil, those tattoos on her body, she recognizes it but why did this girl have it. Carmilla knows that this girl hates her for being evil, but what the girl had become is much worse than being evil. She cannot stand it, this needs to stop.
"Where is Hakuno?!" She heard from the paladin. But her attention was elsewhere, seeing the girl behind the saber. Licking her own lips, Carmilla sent a smile that frightened the poor girl. "After all of this, you don't mind if I take that girl behind you for my blood bath, right?"
"Answer my question!" Charlemagne shouts as he swings the sword and made the blood countless back away to avoid getting cut. But the paladin didn't let her get away, dashing quickly toward her, he sends non-stop consecutive attacks at Carmilla.
Losing badly in close combat against the paladin, the blood countless struggles to block each strike and cannot find any chance to retaliate. Using her staff to shield herself from the down-cut slash, she almost lost her grip onto it due to its strength. "Is that how a paladin treat a beautiful woman?" She asks while eyeing intensely her opponent.
"Where is Hakuno?"
"Hakuno? I don't even know her." Carmilla replied before her eyes glow in bright yellow. The staff she is using glow in crimson red before exploding into a number of spikes that surround her. Unfortunately, the paladin avoided getting caught into that surprise attack due to having a strong sense of intuition.
Seeing that attack failed to hit its target, the blood countless summoned a row of crimson spikes on the floor that is coming straight to where the paladin is standing. Charlemagne changes the sword Joyeuse into a halberd that belongs to his paladin peers. He swings it into a wide arc that resulted in the weapon to summon razor-sharp wind that cut and destroyed the blood spikes completely.
"I didn't expect it. But you're stronger than you look."
Changing the halberd back into the Joyeuse. Charlemagne stared at his opponent who'd just compliment him. "Oh, then you're gonna love this. I'm just getting started." He said before six red and six blue, javelin-like weapons floating behind him. "Osakabehime, I'm sorry but collateral damages are unavoidable."
"I-it's fine…Just beat her, okay?"
Hearing that, Charlemagne smile at the girl behind him before letting a thumb up shown at her. "I will! Then we're going to find Hakuno and take back your home at her."
Carmilla watches their exchange of words. It seems she needs to beat this paladin before going after that girl. Hopefully, she still has enough strength to end Elizabeth. Holding tightly to her staff, the blood countless eyes glow in yellow and a pool of blood begun to surround herself.
Her name is Carmilla the blood countless. The maiden that murdered a number of women for the sake of their blood that retained her captivating beauty. The foolish girl hates her because of it, saying its not the way of idols and denied that she is her. But then, she felt pity for her, Elizabeth becomes what she hated the most or more worse than that. As a token of sympathy, she's going to end that girl, both of her dream and the monster that she slowly becomes.
When Hakuno opened her eyes, she found herself inside a messy room. There are books scattered around the floor, pillows with the body of a character imprinted on it that are placed all around the room, and a lot more stuff that aren't properly organized. Base on the bed and air-conditioned room, she wonders whos room is this.
"Where should I hide this…" She heard a voice coming from the sliding door that opened in front of her. There she saw a young fair girl with mid-back length pink hair tied with purple ribbons and ice-blue eyes. She has a slender figure that has a strange marking that branded onto her body, she mostly let her body exposed except for the chest and left arm that is covered with black silk clothing and she war a skirt. She has long pink claws instead of fingers. Her most prominent features are the immoral devil horns, and the protruding fangs of a little devil, along with a long draconic tail.
The girl drops the garbage bag she is carrying in shock after seeing the female sovereign staring at her in disbelief. "Y-you're a-awake…" Elizabeth fluffs her lines and could not follow up with another. Seeing she's embarrassing herself, she cleared her throat and quickly recover the idol composure. Letting a sadistic smile on her face, she looks at the poor girl.
"Ara, are you afraid little squirrel?" She said before puffing her hand to her chest. "Because you should be, after all, you're in the presence of the most powerful and the beautifully cutest among everyone!" The girl then pointed her claw on her front. "That is right I'm am dark Eli-!" Before she could announce her name, Hakuno put her on a hug.
Elizabeth's face burns bright and lost all the threatening pose she had a mere second ago. "D-do y-you wanna die stupid little squirrel!?" She's about to push the girl away but then felt a tear falling on her shoulder. "H-hey are you…?" After hearing the sobbing sound, Elizabeth didn't ask anymore, instead, she just let the girl cry on her shoulder.
A tender moment that Elizabeth didn't expect or asks for. Her original purpose is to scare the girl so bad that she'll submit in fear and her power before paying Nero and that old hag fox a visit. Then she will make the two have a show of their lifetime, the fate of their master that becomes her slave before showering them of her blood. That was her plan and imagine her surprise when the little squirrel was the one who came for her. She even ignored that other old hag inside this castle just to get her.
And yet, instead of cowering in fear, this little squirrel is crying on her shoulder. This isn't how Elizabeth should react about this situation, but she can't even do anything about it, she just let things happened.
"I'm happy to see you're alright," Hakuno said before wiping the tears on her eyes and let the lancer go. After the event of Velber, she didn't see Elizabeth nor hear any troubles that she causing for Nero and Tamamo. The last time she heard something about her is when Osakabehime arrived in Rome and told them about a servant that perfectly match this girl from her description. Now that she's seeing her face to face, her happiness of seeing Elizabeth is genuine, however, the marks all around the idol's body are saddening.
It seems Velber influence is still in her. Without any servants to protect her, she knows that she should be afraid of her. Yet, she could not help herself, even though Elizabeth always get unappreciated by the people around her, Hakuno thinks that they're friends, Nero thinks of her as a singing rival, and Tamamo thinks of her as Elizabeth. They all could become friends. Sadly, Elizabeth went into a different path.
"Did you cry because of the happiness of seeing me?"
"Yes, I did cry because of it."
Elizabeth crossed her arms and let out a pout appear on her face. "Interrupting my introduction because you're happy to see me, that is very stupid and idiotic, don't you know who I am? I'm Dark Eliza, call me by another name and I'm going to cut your throat."
"You're still Elizabeth to me. The one that helped me in her own way." Seeing the girl smile softly at her as she said that in an innocent manner. Elizabeth averted her eyes on Hakuno, she can't stand the look on her face. All those threats are for nothing if this girl isn't scared of her, she tried to frighten the girl with her claws and evil looking eyes, but the female master attention is somewhere else.
"What happened to your tail? I like the normal one better."
"Why are you more concerned about the look on my tail than to your own safety!? Are you making fun of me, you little stupid squirrel!"
Hakuno just sheepishly smile at her, Elizabeth let out a sigh of defeat. Her original plan isn't working, this girl is either really stupid or plainly brave. Regardless, similar to an idol that is not ready for an encore, she will find a way to improvise!
She can hold Nero and Tamamo's master as a hostage and asks for a huge amount of ransom! She then will kill those two as they hand over the money, after that she's going to use that money for a worldwide concert tour. Her name will be known for an idol that blows the whole place with her performance literally!
Yes, a solo performance with no collaboration, now that is a plan. Impress about her outmatch intellect, Elizabeth could not help but giggle on herself. Which Hakuno notice and sent a weirded look at her.
"I think my friends are looking for me, they're inside so perhaps we could search for them?" Hakuno asks the lancer servant who probably going to continue giggling if she didn't hear her. Elizabeth looked at her in puzzlement for a second before remembering about the servants inside this castle.
Covering her mouth, she let out a lively laugh. "Don't worry about them little squirrel, they will eventually be going to give up searching for you." She replied and continue her laughing pit and didn't notice the troubled expression of Hakuno.
"Give up searching…"
Elizabeth stopped laughing after hearing the regretful low-voice of the girl. "Is your stomach acting weird little squirrel? You look upset." She asks and leaned closer at Hakuno to check her up.
"Elizabeth…what will you do if your friend went missing and possibly…dead. Then the friends of this friend of yours went to search for him, after weeks of searching they still haven't found him. Are you going to asks for them to stop or let them continue this search."
The female lancer stared at the girl while listening to what she said. She doesn't know why, but seeing the little squirrel look so guilty and miserable. It really triggered her, instead of feeling pity for whatever that might have happened to her, she felt angry.
Being guilty and miserable. Those two don't mix well with the little squirrel she knows, and not what those servants loved about Hakuno as their master. Nero's master is brave, Tamamo's master is loving, and Altera's master is caring. They might have a temporary contract in the past, but the master she knows is one that has an accepting heart.
Out of nowhere, Hakuno saw Elizabeth summoned the microphone stand that is also a spear and pointed it to her bare neck. Out of all the threats she said this one is different, it's the first time she actually felt threatened by the lancer. She can see how the servant's body is shaking from anger and judging from her sharp gaze, the idol is really mad at her.
"Don't you ever...ever! use that tone on your voice." Báthory angrily said and the hand that is holding the spear is shaking due to the emotion she's stopping to flooded out. "If you care about your life, don't let me hear that sorry tone of yours." She then put the spear away from the girl's neck and rest it to her side. "Now then, stop talking hypothetically and tell me what happened."
"It's exactly what I've just said. However, I decided to end the search, which made a friend of mine angry and hate the decision I made." Hakuno explained at the female lancer.
"Who's this friend that hates you?"
"Jeanne d'Arc…"
Elizabeth's eyes were gone surprised for a second after hearing that saint's name. She has no actual interaction with the girl beside joining her on some skirmishes battles that happened back then. Being a saint and all, that girl is the personification of goodwill, she can imagine that any conversation she has with her will ended up making her head dizzy. Even so, making a person like that mad.
The lancer could not help but let out a snicker. "How I wish that I was there to witness that." She said while keeping the smirk on her face. A saint ended up hating the little squirrel!? how entertaining that show could become. "You must have really hit those screws of her, that made Jeanne d'Arc hate you."
"She's like a different person, I can see through her eyes that she is angry at me. If it wasn't for the servants nearby, things could end up hostile."
Leaning on the microphone-looking-spear, the lancer servant looked at Hakuno in mild amusement. "Poor little squirrel, didn't any of those servants of yours teach you about reality?" She let out a short scornful laugh before continuing. "Even though you're the ruler or sovereign of this world, not everyone is going to agree with you, that is how the world works. You think the concept of heroes and villains exist if the former agrees on what the latter wanted?"
"Whatever you do, even if you show generosity, kindness, or love. Those pigs will find a way to antagonize you…Just a coupon of advice coming from the greatest idol of all, control is what you needed to become a great ruler, that issues of disagreement won't ever find a way to you if you have the control over those ignorant pigs."
Elizabeth smiled after seeing the little squirrel troubled expression after hearing those words of her. "Which is why I'd choose to become an idol than a ruler. It's much easier and I enjoyed seeing those pigs watching my performance and listening to my lovely voice with excitement and glee to their eyes. Added to that, it is much easier to control them. Those who made it to my concert will live and those who didn't will die. That way I can separate my fans away from those haters. You should try it."
"I won't…" Hakuno answered dejectedly.
"Of course, killing somebody is too much for a squirrel-like you. But then you can just ask one of your servants to kill those who oppose you." Elizabeth suggested before leaning closer to Hakuno's face. "Or you could pay me for a reasonable amount of money that already has a discount because you'd amuse me."
Seeing the girl shakes her head to answer, the lancer back away without any signs of being disappointed. "Then just completely ignore her, block her even, she might be a top servant but what can she do against you? Not that I'm praising you okay…I'm just saying." Elizabeth said.
Before Hakuno could reply and tease the servant a little, a loud explosion destroyed the right side of the room they're using and created dust of smoke. "Who did that?! don't you have any manners like knocking? Or are you just excited to get my autograph?" She heard Elizabeth voice and the sound of her draconic wings flopping to remove the smoke.
"Hakuno?!" This time it was Charlemagne's voice she just heard. Standing on her feet, she looks at where the explosion came and saw the paladin and Osakabehime who look like been into a fight. "How troublesome, I have another pest to deal with." Another voice came in before crimson-colored spikes appeared on the ground.
Elizabeth swings her spear like a baseball bat and destroyed the spikes that are coming toward them. Charlemagne, on the other hand, quickly grab the princess's hand and pulled her to somewhere safe. "Carmilla…" The female lancer said with disgust after the beautiful masked woman showed inside the room.
"What a surprise, you remember my name? I thought whoever the demon you make a deal with already took over your mind."
"Shut up old hag," Elizabeth replied with venom on her tone. "I was about to spare you, but after some thinking, I've decided to end your life. You wanna know why? Because you disgust me!"
The woman named Carmilla let out a short laugh from the lancer's statement. "The feeling is mutual, oh the irony on that one." She said before drops of blood coming from the orb of her staff float around her body.
Holding the Joyeuse in both hands, Charlemagne gets into his fighting stance. "Let Hakuno go." He said while eyeing the female lancer that is in the front of the sovereign. If his guess is right, then this is the servant that took Osakabehime's castle.
"The little squirrel will stay on my side."
Seeing the tension between the servants are growing, Hakuno tried to defuse the situation, but it was too late because of the masked woman attacked Elizabeth and Charlemagne, by summoning a pillar of crimson spikes below them. The two servants evaded the spikes, but Elizabeth is the first one who charges at Carmilla. Using her draconic wings, she flies toward her with a jet-blast speed and slammed her on the nearest wall.
The lancer then shifted her attention at the paladin and dashed at him with her spear on hand. Charlemagne blocks the first thrust with his sword, before deflecting the follow-up swing, then he tried to counter it with a cut down strike. However, he didn't expect that the heart-shape sparkles that coming out from her spear are actually floating bombs.
Getting caught in the blast, the paladin falls to another floor. When Elizabeth turned around to find Osakabehime, she got hit by a sphere of violent magic that brings her to her knees. "You old hag!" She shouted as Carmilla walked in front of her. The masked woman then slaps her on both sides of her face using the staff she's carrying.
"This is the end foolish girl." Carmilla murmured before a summoning circle appeared on the ground below the lancer. "Goodbye?!" Her instinct suddenly kicks in after sensing the javelin-like weapon behind her. The masked woman releases a pool of blood on her staff and uses it as a shield. Managing to stop six of the same weapon thrown at her, but the timing for her when she drops the blood shield is too perfect for the paladin.
Closing the distance between him and his unsuspecting target, he gathers all the elements inside the Joyeuse. "Lumiere du Soleil!" he then releases it with a wide swing toward Carmilla and Elizabeth. Creating a loud explosion that crumbles the foundation of the Himeji Castle.
"Hakuno! Osakabehime! Are you two alright?" He shouted and called out the two girls. "We're fine!" The paladin heard the princess's voice, following where her voice came, he meet up with the sovereign and the owner of this castle. "Thank goodness," Charlemagne said in relief and let out a smile on his face for a second before looking serious at Hakuno.
"I might have a chance to beat those two since they're not working together. But if you want to retreat, then this is our chance to go." The paladin informed the girl.
The best thing to do is to retreat and get the others to help. But there is a chance when they get back, Elizabeth or Carmilla are already gone from this castle. Hakuno can teleport Nero and Tamamo here in an instant by the use of command seals, but the appearance of the two will only anger the lancer servant. If she wants to help Elizabeth, then she needs to make her go with them.
"I want to take Elizabeth with us so I could turn her back to normal."
Charlemagne smile at Hakuno after hearing her decision. Summoning a blazing sword on his other hand, he waited in anticipation after hearing sounds of snapping woods. "If that is your decision then fine, I have a promise with Osakabehime that I'm going to take her home back. I'm not going to back down now."
"Charlemagne…" murmured by Osakabehime. If this promise is going to get him into danger, then she would not mind if he breaks it. But when she looks into his eyes, she saw confidence and strength behind it. The paladin right now looks like a cool protagonist from mangas she's reading.
"Just cheer for me, alright!" Charlemagne requested before running toward Elizabeth who was the first to come back to her feet. With two swords on his hands, he uses the sword on his right, Joyeuse, and horizontally swing it from left to right. The female lancer struggles to keep her pace in blocking the paladin strikes.
"Go, go! Charlemagne!" Osakabehime shouted at the top of her lungs.
Elizabeth's eyes are gone wide after she got hit by an uppercut with the paladin's other swords. Gritting her teeth, she tried to swing her draconic tail strongly at the paladin, but she missed when the paladin jumped. "Go, Charlemagne!" She heard their voice cheering for him and saw the smile on his face while in air. Báthory uses her spear to shield herself after the male saber throw slashes with both swords.
That slash shattered her spear like broken glass. "How…?" She murmured in disbelief on what just happened. "How did you…?" To her surprise, the paladin response is by grabbing her hand before pulling her behind him. Charlemagne using two swords in hand, he cut the bullet of blood from left to right before spinning twice deflecting the last rounds of bullets.
"Let me kill that girl behind you and I'll let you all go." Carmilla offered at the paladin.
Elizabeth returned to her feet and stared dagger at the masked woman. "I'm the one who is going to kill you…! You're a murderer and a monster, I will never become you!"
"Of course..." Carmilla replied and lowered her staff in dejection. "I'm everything you've hate to become. But have a look at a mirror, you'll see that you become much worse than me. You're not only just a monster but also corrupted, that mark on your body is the sign of you becoming more than a monster."
"If you hate me for becoming a murderer and a monster that obsess with forever beauty. Then I hate you more for becoming much worse than what I've become!" The entire castle began to shake as the orb in Carmilla's staff begun to gather a large amount of magical energy.
Elizabeth summoned her spear and spread out the draconic wings on her back. "You think I'd choose to become like this?!" Her voice is shaking from anger as she said that. "You think I like it having these marks!? I'm was crying for help as that scholar came to me!" She said before looking at Hakuno with tears on her eyes that she's stopping to fall. "I was crying for help…but no one came…not even the person I'm calling for…"
She then threw her spear on the wall resulting in an explosion that created a huge hole inside the Himeji castle. "I hate you all!" She then immediately flew outside the castle.
"You're not going anywhere!" Carmilla said before releasing the magical energy she gathered. Releasing a raging sphere of crimson blood at Elizabeth. The female lancer immediately turns around and summon two speakers on her side and used the microphone on her spear to release devastating and deafening sonic waves at the sphere and evaporated on contact.
"Get out of my sight!" Elizabeth roared with immense anger. The ground began to shake as something big begun to materialize. "Báthory Erzsébet!" She said its name and soon a castle summoned from the existence. The Castle of Čachtice, a demonic castle where hundreds of young girls were tortured to death.
Putting her hands on the microphone. The castle has begun to light up with pink and violet colors. "This is bad, she's going to release her noble phantasm. We need to get out!" Hakuno shouted after feeling an immense gathering of energy at the castle behind Elizabeth.
"There is no way out," Carmilla commented while gazing at the familiar castle, her home. Hundreds of young girls died on that over and their blood is used for a bathtub of blood to maintain power and beauty. "And no place to hide." She said before smiling softly to herself. What a turn of event, she's going to die through the use of that castle.
Sadly she's going to hear her terrible voice first before dying.
"Dammit, I don't think my noble phantasm is going to make it." said the king of the paladins in frustration. Osakabehime felt her knees is shaking as she's waiting for their death. This is all her fault, everyone is going to die because of her selfish request.
What kind of a person she is by putting her friends in danger. Putting the kind paladin to his death. Is she's just going to watch everything unfold? Or will she stop being lazy and do something for once? Taking a deep breath, she places herself in front of the group.
"Stay behind me," She said with a voice of newfound confidence building inside her. "Charlemagne get ready…We're going to take my home back." Thousands of fireflies then begun to surround the castle with their lights. "The Castle of White Egret, this Young Maiden's barrier protects the Cardinal Directions." Osakabehime began to chant.
"This is the Realm of the Dead, where the bird from the far-harbor rises."
"I am Hachitendo, Osakabehime of the Hyakki Yakou, one who twinkles forever and ever!"
Elizabeth took a deep breath before releasing the final touch on her noble phantasm. "Haa!" She shouted into the mic and then its sound got amplified by the castle and send hell in Seraph.
"Protect us from harm, Lord Hachitendo of the White Egret Castle's Hundred Demons…!" Osakabehime released her noble phantasm and created a barrier around the Himeji castle just in time before the sonic wave destroyed everything in its path.
Cracks have begun to appear on the barrier, that made Osakabehime show a mild panic on her face, but she stays on the front and protects everyone from Elizabeth's noble phantasm. As long as she is determined to protect everyone inside her home, then the barrier around the castle will be just as strong as her determination.
Feeling a tap on her shoulder, she saw the paladin smiling at her and look proud at her. "My Himeji castle will be the stronghold, the stronghold for smiles that are worth protecting!" She said before the cracks on the barrier disappear and left no trace of damage.
"What the…" Elizabeth let out in disbelief. Her noble phantasm didn't do anything against that castle. How is that possible? So far nothing had ever managed to survive her noble phantasm. And yet this castle is still standing strong.
Due to her shock, she didn't saw what is coming next. As the barrier has begun to fade away and leave the castle, Charlemagne pointed Joyeuse at the female lancer. A wing made from the weapon of the twelve paladins appears behind him.
"The holy light that shall never fade, the glowing colors of infinite changing form."
"Carve your legends into this blade to prove my Kingly heroics!"
Raising his sword, the weapons lined up and pointed at Elizabeth.
"Joyeuse Ordre!" He shouted and unleashed the power of Joyeuse and the weapons of the twelve paladins, firing simultaneous beams from all of the weapons against Elizabeth.
Finding herself awake in the middle of the night. Jeanne d'Arc gets up to her bed and gives up after her tenth attempt of trying to fall asleep. Her mind just can't get any rest from thinking about Ren and Saint George. She wanted to know where they are, there is no way what that sovereign is suggesting is true, the two didn't die.
Saint George took Ren somewhere safe and away from that assassin. He's just good at hiding and that is why they cannot find them. Yes, that must be it. She just needs to find where the two are and tell them that Ren is safe from that servant.
That servant isn't moving anymore, there is no way it could after she burned it to the ground. Ren is safe now, the Moon Cell failed from killing him, she just needs to tell the news to them. Maybe Saint George leaves a clue on where they're at that place where the Ascalon stabbed on the ground.
Changing her clothes, the saint of Orleans made up her mind to sneak outside the church in Lundy in the middle of the night and ride through the forest where the Ascalon is. She's about to open the door but the sound of the windows suddenly opened stopped her.
"Good evening, saints of Orleans. Hopefully, you don't mind us entering your room without permission."
When she turned around, she saw seven hooded figures standing in her room and one who faces is revealed and sitting on her bed. "Oh before I forget, don't disturb our sleeping residence okay?" said the young pleasant boy with shaggy, chin-length brown hair. He looks at the person beside him and gives it a slight nod.
This person then summoned an elongated staff that has flatten gold in both ends and two flatten black metal around the middle. Jeanne doesn't know why, but she can feel something or someone is inside the weapon. Whatever it was, it's giving off a powerful aura.
"What do you want?" She asks with venom at the man sitting on her bed.
The man let out a chuckle before he speaks. "I'm just here for small talk. I can see that you're stress about something. I thought I might able to help, so don't be stiff and relax while having a chat with me. Jeanne d'Arc. I guarantee you, after this chat. You'll be able to find where the boy you love is."
Jeanne doesn't trust this person one bit. Her mind is telling her not to listen to any of his words. But she's cornered right now, the only thing she can do is to listen to him. Who knows maybe she gets something on his mouth that will serve useful to her. "Go ahead…Talk."
"Now that I look closely, that golden color in your eyes and the pale skin on your face blend well to that fierceness in you." The man softly smiles before cross his leg. "Satan did a great job. The seeds are already planted, all that left to do is to watch it grow."
"What are you talking about these seeds?"
"You'll see soon." He said before getting into his feet and walk toward the window. The young man gazes at the beautiful virtual moon above. "Say, do your prayers had been answered? Did your lord save Ren Amamiya?"
The way he said it tickled the saint in the wrong way. She pulled out the sword on her waist and pointed it at the young man. But he keeps his attention on the moon above and didn't feel any threat at the saint, not even the people that came with him remain composed and did not draw their weapons out.
"Who are you to question the lord?"
"I'm nothing but a faithful follower as well." He said before bursting into a peal of laughter, wiping the joyful tears on his eyes, he looks at the saint with a smirk on his face. "Isn't it stupid that after you sacrifice your normal life to serve the Lord, and even help him with his problems. A single prayer to save the boy you loved has been left unanswered. Let's face it, you sacrifice your life for this voice inside your head that pretty much use you."
"Your naive loyalty amused me. I'm sure it's going to break you if the lord you're serving is just a foreign entity all along." The man let out a sigh of contentment.
"Imagine how broken you will be if that is the truth."
"That's not true…the lord isn't…"
The young man walks toward where the saint is. "Of course not…" He said with a smirk on his face. "How about the Moon Cell? Did you answer its call to deal with the threat inside Seraph? But what happened? Why did it killed not only the man you love but also a fellow saint, Saint George?"
"No, they aren't dead…" Jeanne answered with a shaky voice.
"Are you sure? Then what about the sovereign, why did she decided to stop the search? Is it because there is nothing to find anymore?"
"No, she's just-!" She cried out and drop the sword on the floor.
"None of this will ever happen if Ren didn't save France, don't you agree? If he didn't overdo himself from summoning the angels then he would not end up with that condition. If only France can save themselves during that time then maybe he's still here. They take a huge part in why Ren died and why the Moon Cell wanted to kill him."
"They did…?" The saint of Orleans murmured in disbelief while staring on the floor.
"The sovereign said she's going to help in on his condition. But she failed and as the day pass by, Ren's condition become is slowly killing him. If she only did her best then perhaps his still here with you. She as well has a huge part of why Ren died."
"She does…?"
The young man leans closer to the saint and begun to whisper on her ear. "But you also take a huge part in why he died. He joined the sovereign's faction to help you on your mission against Karl, but you didn't do a great job on that. He also saves you many times and what happened in Rome is the last one since it'd killed him."
"No that is not true!" Jeanne replied and covered her ears with her hands. What he said is not true, none of what he said is true!
Chuckling from the slowly breaking image of the saint from denial. The young man index finger touches the girl's forehead. "Everyone is to blame for what happened to Ren. The Moon Cell, Seraph, everyone, they all need to pay for killing the man you love. Serve vengeance for those who blame, that way you can let go of the guilt from being one of the reasons why he died." He murmured before releasing his finger on her forehead.
"Vengeance…?" Jeanne lowly murmured as the pale skin on her face slowly spread. "Serve…vengeance…everyone…" Her eyes then blackout and collapse on the young man's shoulder.
"For real?... What are we going to do to her?" The person carrying the staff asks behind the pleasant young man.
"Before we watch the chaos these servants could bring. We need to pay a visit those top servants that receives that demon's gift." He said before giving the saint's fallen body at the man. "Let's see, that male servant with the cursed spear, we'll visit him next."
"Praetor, can you tell us why is she here?" Nero asks while pointing her finger at the infamous idol and her singing rival, Elizabeth. Early morning she's gone panic after seeing that her praetor isn't with her when she wakes up, and imagine how her worried disappear when she heard that her praetor bring a girl home.
What worse is that she bring Elizabeth home!
"It breaks my heart to know that you cheated on me with that airhead and a flat lizard!" Tamamo cried out. Yes, her husband has a handsome soul for a girl, she isn't surprised if there are many females going to get attracted to her. But her dedication to becoming the number one best wife to get cheated on someone like Elizabeth! Her husband needs some explaining to say…
"Master, please explain…" Altera said while staring seriously at Hakuno. That markings on her body are what make her a worse civilization.
"Hmph!" Elizabeth pouted and crossed her arms. Seeing the three servants of Hakuno irritates her, what gives them the position to point their fingers at her. In fact, they should be paying for seeing her, she's an idol for crying out loud! It's pay-per-view.
Regardless, she is mildly curious why the little squirrel brings her here.
Carmilla could only release a sigh of relief. Thankfully those girls' attention is at the foolish girl. What headache it's going to be if they also accused her about something. Anyway, there is something that she notices. That saint she fought in France, wonder why she isn't here.
"Well…" Hakuno tried to think a good way to start her explanation. "Is to help Elizabeth to get rid of Velber's influence." She said before looking at the female lancer. "I'm sorry…you called for my name, but I didn't come. I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
"But I promise, I'll help you this time. I'll turn you back to normal and then…we can plan your collaboration concert with Nero!"
Elizabeth averted her eyes on the girl. This little squirrel could be stupid some times, she thinks she can erase these markings on her body? What a joke…But then again, the determination on her voice, she isn't joking when she said that. In fact, she is rather serious about that promise.
She isn't expecting much on her, but perhaps those attempts will keep her amused.
"I don't think saber is capable to match my superior performance in stage."
"Umu, such a funny declaration. But you see, Elizabeth, people will rather watch me singing for twelve seconds than your three minutes song." Nero said before puffing to her chest. "It was you who cannot match my marvelous performance!"
"Hey little squirrel, tell this servant of yours that my voice is better than hers."
Hakuno could only let a sheepish smile as a way of replying to Elizabeth. "Are you serious about what you've just said? This foolish girl will only give you a headache." She heard Carmilla's voice asking. "I am. I really mean it when I said it." She answered.
"Eh? Who's this girl?" Tamamo stated in surprise after just noticing the masked woman behind her.
"I see, then good luck to you," Carmilla said before starting to walk away. "Take good care of her. She might not look like it, but there is a kindness on her heart even though it's really small like her chest." She then turned into bats and fly through the opened window.
"What did you say, old hag!" Elizabeth shouted at the Carmilla who leave the group while laughing wholeheartedly.
Tamamo let out a sigh. Guess her husband already decided to help this lizard. She's just gonna accept that she going to live with her in this castle she made. But if she lay a hand on her husband, she cannot promise that lizard won't be fried.
Meanwhile, Bradamante saw the sketches of what Osakabehime's drawing on her notepad or whatever she called on that thing. "Wait is that Charlemagne?" She said so loud that the nearby paladins heard her.
"It's not!" The princess servant replied and hide the thing away from the female paladin. "It just kinda look…like him." She murmured.
Bradamante let out a grin on her face while looking teasingly at the girl. "I see…?" She said and begun to laugh when Osakabehime started to blush and walk away.
She should be more careful about the people around her. Times like this, someone might be behind her and peeking on the sketches she's making for her own published manga. Maybe she needs to get back on the room that Tamamo gives at her and tried to reminisce on the look of the cool protagonist she saw last night.
As she leaves, the door toward the throne room opened, revealing the knight, Gawain, and an unfamiliar person wearing green. The two walked toward the throne on where the sovereign is currently sitting. Gawain lowered his head and bow after reaching the bottom stair of the throne. "My sovereign, this man said he has a piece of important news to tell." He said before sending the man in green a look.
The man took a quick bow, before smiling softly when the sovereign recognizes his face. "Robin!?" He heard from the surprise voice of the girl. How their position suddenly changes, last time they saw each other, he is fighting for his and the old man's life, now that girl is the sole victor of the grail war and now the sovereign of the Moon. "Yo, it's been a while does it, little miss." He said and send a friendly wave at the girl.
"It does!" Hakuno replied in delight at seeing the servant, Robin Hood. "What brings you here?" She said before stepping down to the stairs on the throne and stand face to face on the green archer.
"As that knight said, I have important news to tell." He said before digging into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "This is an invitation from the king of Conqueror, Iskandar. He wants you and your servants to join them at a party, he has a piece of very critical news you might want to hear. He knows where that king Karl der Große is."
Authors Note: Oh by the way, King Hassan didn't die. Anyway instead of being just a filler chapter, I added more stuff to make it more than a filler chapter and also a look on what is happening outside the land of shadows, hopefully, you all like it! It really knocks my brains out on how I will bring first of the Alters out, well one down and onto the others!
We'll slowly be heading to another arc and getting ready for the upcoming wars of divine beings. Really excited about it! And how Ren's new role is going to play out after his intense training.
Also, I think I give another huge hint on who's the villain in this story is.
Sadly me updating this story will become random, I'm really going to be busy and I might not have the time to write and update a week. But that will also give me a lot of time to think about what is going to happen in the following chapters.
With that, I'm going to answer some of the guest questions from the last chapter.
From: Actually Impress (Question: Seeing how creative you're on your work. It make me wonder if your going to make stories that involve Minato/Makoto & Yu Narukami?)
Answer: I do have an idea of stories that involve them. Funny enough if only I'm not focusing on this story, I will write those ideas down (For fun). Like the one with Minato which is called 'The Hero is overpowered but extremely lazy (Or cannot reject a confession) a Persona 3 x Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious (LOL)
Meanwhile for Yu Narukami is a BOFURI: I Don't Want to fight, so I'll Max Out My attack. A Persona 4 x BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense. Where Yu Narukami pretty much one-shot everyone.
They are still ideas, anyone who's is interested to write any of them is free to do so!
From: Sera (Question: Friendship of Thighs?)
Answer: Base on the web, Scáthach rewarded those finest students some 'Friendship with their thighs' those kinds of intercourse. To be honest, I thought it just a meme or something, but a conversation in FGO between her and Fergus, where she said to him that She does not go after everything that moves, and said she only invited finest warriors to her bedchamber. Well yeah, guess FGO is aware of it.
From: Garrick (Question: I hope we get to see more of Ren stealing the hearts of others and reforming them. I'm curious would that be a skill or something? He managed to reform Gilles, I wonder if he would do so for all the other servants Oraclized by Karl? Heck I wonder if he would steal the heart of Scathach?)
Answer: I'm still thinking whether or not give that change of heart skill on Ren (I know it's part of him being a phantom thief, but I'm thinking of something more interesting.) and yeah, we'll see more of his 'steal your heart thievery' once he gets back.
From: Yevon (Question: Man I really want to see the tor - training that Ren would go through. The idea of Scathach training Ren to be like that of a God-slayer like her is an awesome idea, but it would be really gruelling for Ren especially with two Scathach. I think Cu Chulainn should praise him for surviving and pity him having to deal with two versions of his teacher. Out of curiosity will there be Skadi appearing too, what with the whole Scathach-Skadi being a thing?)
Answer: I still haven't thought about Skadi at this part of the story, but I will say possibly since she's still Scathach. (Guaranteed if I get her on my FGO N/A account XD, just like what happened to Merlin.)
Also if it's just about skills and persona in P5 Royal, I will use them here once I get my hand on that game.
Well, that is all for now! Favorite and Follow the story if you like it and leave a review! Until then bye-bye!