Chapter II

Once the last of the hybrids lay dead at our feet, I took in a deep breath before exhaling it in a loud sigh. Holstering my 5.7 sidearm, which probably only had four or five rounds left in the last clip I had injected it with, I felt at my belt that currently had empty mag pouches. Thank the Root I had my emergency gear smuggled in. If I had to deal with only pockets carrying my ammo, I would've run out a while ago.

"Is something the matter, Master?"

Turning, I looked at the inquisitive gaze of my new Servant. Rubbing my head, I released another sigh, "Yeah, I just wasn't expecting any of this to happen when I woke up this morning," I confessed. Summoning a Servant and being a participant in a Holy Grail War was the last thing I wanted to do, period. But there's no point in crying over spilled milk.

"Oh? And how did you expect your day to go, if you don't mind me asking, Master?" asked Archer, raising a finely thin brow.

Deciding to inform her of the situation, I pointed out Berzinsky's dead body. "Actually, he is supposed to be your Master as technically, he was the one who summoned you, not me."

Archer blinked, confused before she looked at the body before looking at me again. "I don't understand, if he summoned me, then why are you here? With his supposed Command Seals no less."

"He made it quite clear he had the intention of using my sister as a subject for his experiments," I shrugged, not seeing the point in lying. "Obviously, I took exception to that and I think my reaction to that is well-founded." Neither of us batted an eye when Berzinsky's body fell onto its side. Additionally, neither of us still batted an eye when I had drawn a knife and thrown it at the body's head out of reflex.

"I see," frowned Archer, "I understand your reasons for killing him then. If your sister is as precious to you as it seems to be, then I cannot fault you for your actions against my previous Master, even if the duration he was my Master was rather short." She then eyed the Command Seals on my right hand. "However, it seems it does not matter in any case, seeing as you have become my Master instead."

Raising my left hand to stare at my Command Seals, I nodded. "Yeah," replied before looking around at the scene of destruction and corpses around us. "How about we continue this conversation somewhere else?"

"That is fine with me," Archer nodded before looking at the hybrids in distaste. "I will say this though, I am glad you are my Master if these abominations are the work of the one who summoned me."

"I don't blame you," I shared her disgust before I went to the center of the room and kneeled down to draw a rune for fire on the floor. As the corpses caught fire, I stood up before drawing more fire runes as I made my way back out of the workshop. Archer did not say a word as she followed me. Once I drew enough fire runes to burn the workshop and everything in it, I gave it one last glance before turning to leave.

…

When I stepped into the hotel room, I breathed a sigh of relief. Closing and locking the door behind me, I then went to the weapons case I left beneath the bed and started stashing my weapons into it.

"So this is the sister you sought to protect," Archer spoke softly, no doubt having materialized in the room. Before we left the sewers I had asked her to go into spirit form as her appearance would raise interest and questions from the local populace and the Archer Servant was kind enough to allow my request. Glancing up, I saw that she was kneeling beside the bed with a tender gaze on Linnet. "Yes, I can see why you wished to shield her from my summoner. Children like her do not deserve to be exposed to such horrors."

Closing my weapons case, I slid it back under the bed before looking at Linnet. "She's my baby sister," I said fondly, walking over to tug the blanket over Linnet's shoulder. "I would do anything to protect her." Turning my gaze to Archer, I waited until she met my gaze. "But I think it's time we finish that talk."

Sighing, Archer rose to her full height. "Very well then."

I gestured to the table at the wall that had the leftover pizza on it, realizing I was hungry I grabbed two pieces and put it on a plate before walking over to the microwave and heating both pieces up as Archer took a seat. Once the microwave was done, I took the plate to the table and took the seat across from her. I took one slice for myself and took a bite as I slid the plate over to Archer.

She raised a delicate brow, a dubious expression on her fair features. "Master, you are aware we Servants do not require food, correct?" she asked.

"Humor me," I rolled my eyes before taking another bite of my own slice.

Sighing, Archer dematerialized her gloves before she glanced my way, no doubt to see what way I was holding my own slice. Grabbing the slice of pizza by the crust, she raised it to her face and after taking a few sniffs of the food, she took a bite. Her eyes immediately brightened as her cat ears twitched. "Oh!" was all she said, watching the volume of her voice as she was mindful that Linnet still slumbered nearby. Still despite the soft volume of her voice, I still heard the tone of surprised delight when she spoke.

"Good, huh?" I smirked.

"We did not have this in Greece," Archer nodded to my question. "What is it?"

"It's called pizza," I answered. "Though if you like pizza after it was just microwaved, you'd probably love it when it's fresh out of the oven. Lin definitely does."

"Hmm," Archer merely hummed as she took another bite. "Something to look forward to, then."

"I'll put it on the list," I chuckled, "Anyway, I know it's overdue, but we should get the proper introductions out of the way. My name's Faelan Ashford, it's nice to formally meet you."

"Likewise, I am Atalanta," Archer returned, giving me a respectful nod in reply.

I felt my eyes widen. "Atalanta? The Atalanta? The Argonaut who killed the Calydonian Boar?" Say what you will of Berzinsky, the man did manage to pull a powerful Servant. Of course, as an archer famous as her, she would be able to see any incoming attack and just as able to strike down any obvious insertion strategies.

Archer raised a brow, "You know of me?"

"I like to read history," I shrugged in answer. "When I read the tales of the Argonaut, I was surprised to read about you, considering you were one of the few women in the band. Especially considering the times."

Her cat ears twitched as a prideful look lifted her expression, I noted. I mean, despite everything, she was and still is a Greek hero and all heroes loved getting their egos stroked. "I see, then you are no doubt familiar with my legend," she coughed into a fist, do doubt trying to mask her pride. "That should make it easy for both of us in determining strategies against the Black faction."

"Yes," I nodded. Indeed it would, as someone such as myself who excels in close combat, Archer covered my weaknesses just as I cover hers. "However, there is something we do need to talk about. As you can infer from my behavior earlier tonight, I did not intend to be your Master, much less participate in this Holy Grail War ritual." She nodded, her mouth full of pizza at the moment. At least she has manners. "That said, I do not see the point in despairing over not getting what I want."

Archer frowned, "So you will fight?"

"Yes," I nodded. "While I do not put much value in getting whatever wish I desire, I can see the value of the possibilities such a wish can give me."

Even despite being a magus myself, a wish granter sounded a lot like bullshit to me. Especially given that no one has ever won any of the previous Holy Grail Wars. The first war was a colossal failure, the second war turned into nothing more than a slaughterhouse for everyone involved, and the third, well, that was the Nazi's fault. Apparently, the Nazis had a representative perform in the Holy Grail War on their behalf, and that representative not only was the only survivor and had won the Grail but had managed to take it from its ritual grounds. Though shortly thereafter, the Grail disappeared. And that opened a can of worms given that the Einzbern family threw a hissy fit of epic proportions.

"You have no wish?" Archer raised a brow.

"At present, no," I shook my head. "My family is decently wealthy, we are mostly isolated from the politics of the Association, I haven't dabbled much in my family's research in quite a while as I am an Enforcer of the Clocktower. On that note, I would be the first to confess that I am married to my work, so I have no aspirations of love or companionship. My sister wants for nothing, she is loved and is going to get a reliable education, both magical and otherwise. My loving parents not only approved my career choice but advocated it and they themselves are doing quite well in their own respective research and interests. So no, there isn't anything in this world I want that I cannot obtain on my own or work diligently towards in obtaining it."

Archer blinked. "That is a rather mature way of looking at things," she commented, "if not a little boastful. You are not a typical magus, I will grant you that, but if you do not desire anything for yourself or your family, then surely there are things you want for the world."

"Absolutely," I snorted. "I want world peace, I want enough resources to go around so that hungry can go to sleep with full bellies, I want a world where justice prevails and guilty are rightly punished. But humanity is both not ready for that or even capable of it. Or rather, they aren't capable of it as they are now."

Archer frowned, "Now that seems a little cynical."

"Perhaps," I shrugged, "but it is the truth." And it was. You couldn't make the world a better place, you could make it better than it was yesterday. While such idealism is certainly appreciated, it doesn't mean it's realistic. "Speaking of wishes, what's yours?"

She stared at me for a long moment, her green eyes guarded. "If it's all the same to you, Master, I'd rather keep it to myself for the time being."

"That's fine," I shrugged, finishing the last of my pizza. And it was, despite our new relationship, it was a new one and I wasn't expecting her to completely trust me in a few hours. That would be ridiculous. However, it was then a thought occurred. "Archer, I just realized something."

"Oh?" she raised a brow. "What is it, Master?"

"Do you know where the Holy Grail War is specifically taking place?"

She blinked before she grew uncomfortably sheepish, "I'm sorry, Master I do not."

"Eh, it's fine. I'll just ask the Association tomorrow," I said before glancing over at the clock, I saw that the time was almost one in the morning, which meant it was almost eleven at night back home. Mom and Dad would no doubt be asleep now. That was fine, I could use some rest myself.

"Keep an eye on things, will you? I'm going to get some sleep" I covered a yawn as I stood up and stretched. "Feel free to eat the rest of the pizza. You saw me use the microwave, right? Just put the pizza on a plate, put it in the microwave, and just hit the thirty second button."

"Thank you, Master," Archer nodded.

"Have a good night, Archer," I waved over my shoulder before lying on the other side of Linnet and pulled the covers over myself.

…

Given that Faelan didn't look Archer's way as he wished her good night, he missed the fact that her eyes widened in surprise. When she was summoned, the Grail imprinted knowledge of everything that happened to the world since her death. Everything. Including the fact that most, if not all, magi behaved like psychopaths. Uncaring for nothing more than their own research. And she could tell that her Master's wish goodnight to her was genuine. Looking down at her unfinished pizza, then to her Master's younger sibling, then to him, she came to the conclusion that her Master was an interesting person.

…

When I woke up I found a certain someone repeatedly poking my face.

"Faaaaaeeeeee, waaaaaake uuuup, I'm huuuungryyyyy!"

Opening one eye, I looked up to see Linnet with an adorable pout as she continued poking my cheek. "Ugh, Lin," I groaned as I buried my face into my pillow and tried to pull the blanket over my head. "Five more minutes…"

"Faaaeee! I'm hungry now!" Linnet complained as she shook my shoulder in an effort to get me up quicker.

"I'd wake up if I were you, Faelan, she's been waiting patiently enough as it is."

I heard Archer comment. Ugh, they teamed up together. Wonderful. Sighing, I sat up and saw that Linnet was freshly showered and dressed while Archer was sitting patiently at the table. At first, my first thought was to admonish Archer for revealing herself to Linnet while I was asleep. But Linnet was part of the Ashford family and one day neither I or our parents would be able to shield her from the machinations of the world, both regular and Moonlit, forever. At least my Servant seemed to like little kids.

"I assume the two of you introduced yourselves to each other?" I said as I stretched my arms up, already knowing the answer.

"Atalanta's really, really nice!" Linnet nodded eagerly, before tilting her head at me. "How come you didn't tell me your friend was coming with us on our vacation?"

Wait, what?

I blinked at Linnet before looking up at Archer. Uh, what exactly did you tell her? I asked through the Master-Servant bond. It was then I realized that Archer's cat features were missing as well as her clawed gloves. Now she just looked like someone who was cosplaying in a pretty costume.

I told her that I was a friend of yours joining you on this trip to Romania, Archer replied. To be honest, I didn't know how your family dynamics worked and gave that excuse to gauge to see how much of the Moonlit world your sister knew of. Given that she seems ignorant of a large majority of it, I thought it was best if I kept it that way. Forgive me if I was overstepping my bounds…

No, it's fine! I instantly replied. The world of magecraft and magic is a harsh one and to be honest, I'd like Lin to be away from that as much as possible. Thank you, Atalanta.

… You are welcome…

I raised a brow when I saw Archer's face turn pensive, but had to dismiss it when Linnet stood up on the bed and began to pull at my face. "Faaaeeee, huuungryyyy…!" she complained.

"All right, all right," I chuckled, pulling her little hands from my face. "Let me take a shower and we can go down to the restaurant downstairs for some breakfast."

"Hurry!" Linnet hastened me as she pushed me out of bed.

"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying," I chuckled as I went over to the dresser to grab some clothes to wear for the day. "Why don't you and Atalanta watch some TV while I'm in the shower."

"Fine, but hurry!" said Linnet petulantly as she went over to Atalanta and took her hand.

Before I headed into the bathroom, I saw Archer give Linnet a serene smile, letting her lead her to the couch where they could watch TV. Thank god, Linnet wasn't going to be one of the magi that couldn't even operate a flatscreen TV. I know some magi who could barely operate an old tube TV, much less a Blu-ray player or hell, a basic computer. Or how computer viruses worked…

Taking off my clothes, I went into the shower and turned it on, the brief period of cold water didn't even phase me as my thoughts began to center around the upcoming Grail war. Now I know it's going to be in Romania, but I doubt it would be exactly in Bucharest. Too many chances for the secret of magecraft to be discovered. No, me finding Berzinsky was nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence. No doubt the freelancer arrived here in Bucharest by plane and the workshop looked relatively old, so most likely he was here to rest and resupply for the coming war before leaving for the real location where the Association's faction was supposed to meet up at. I'd have to call Mom and Dad and let them know what's going on. Our family may not have a lot of clout given our near isolation from the Association, but we did know enough important players to cash in or ask a favor.

As I finished my shower, I started getting dressed in a new set of clothes. Once dressed, I finished the rest of my hygiene rituals; brushing my teeth, flossing, washing my face, etc. Once done, I opened the door and was immediately ambushed by Linnet.

"Finally!" she cried, grabbing my hand. "Come on, come on, breakfast!"

"Let me put on my boots, Speedy," I laughed as I reached for my boots and laced them on. "Okay, let's go." I reached for the door handle when it hit me. Even though Archer altered her appearance so that her cat features wouldn't cause untoward attention towards us. Her clothes didn't really fit current fashion trends. "Before I forget, we should probably go to the store for your clothes after breakfast, Atalanta."

Archer raised a brow, My clothes?

What you're wearing isn't exactly "normal" by today's standards, I replied.

"What happened to your clothes?" Linnet turned her head towards the green-eyed woman, head tilted and bright eyes inquisitive.

"Uh…"

"She lost them," I immediately covered for her. "You know when Mom and Dad told you to keep track of the backpack so you don't lose your stuff?"

"Ohhh," Linnet nodded before sorrowfully looking back at Atalanta. "I'm sorry your clothes got lost."

"Don't fret, little one, they're nothing but clothes," Atalanta smiled, running a hand through Linnet's hair. "They can be replaced." She turned her head to me, continuing the charade. "However, I must thank you for being willing to purchase some replacements."

"You're welcome," I smiled at her before looking back at Linnet as I opened the door. "But before that, we definitely have to eat breakfast first."

"Yes!" Linnet cheered before taking Atalanta's hand and dragged the Servant out of the hotel room and down the hall towards the elevators. Leaving me to shake my head in amusement as I closed the room door and followed them at my own leisurely pace.

By the time we got down to the hotel's restaurant and given a table for three, I did know one thing with absolute certainty. I could trust Archer. Linnet, despite her loving and easy nature, was very shy and wary of strangers. And I know Archer didn't just simply win her over, Linnet didn't trust anyone unless our parents or I were there to assure her. No, whatever Archer had, it was her herself that won Linnet over. And that was enough for me.

As the two were eating, I remembered that I needed to call Dad and inform him of the situation. "Atalanta, can you watch over Lin for a sec?" I asked, I raised from my seat. Though me asking aloud more for Linnet's sake rather than the act itself.

Atalanta immediately nodded but Linnet tilted her head. "Where are you going, Fae?"

"Just going to the restroom, Lin," I smiled, reaching over to ruffle her hair. "I'll be back, then when we're done here, we'll go get clothes for Atalanta, and then we can go to the Herastrau park." Her eyes lit up at the prospect as I left.

Turning around the corner, out of Linnet's vision, I reached into my pocket and fished out my smartphone, and immediately dialed Dad.

"Faelan, how's Bucharest? Are you and Lin enjoying yourselves out there?"

"Dad, we have a problem…" Over a matter of a few moments, I told him everything, Berzinsky, his workshop, Archer, everything. And even on the other side of the phone, I could tell my Dad was frustrated. The last thing he wanted was one of the family being involved with the Holy Grail War. My great grandfather was chosen to participate in one of the Grail Wars, the Second one, back when it was conducted only in Japan. And ol' Pop-Pop gained notoriety in the Association and given our magecraft in Noble Phantasms, he'd thought it would be an easy win. Though given how messy that war turned out to be, it would've been better if he stayed at home.

"I would be wrong in assuming that you would find someone else to take your Command Seals and forget about all this whole Holy Grail War business and enjoy Bucharest for the rest of the week, yes?" Dad asked.

"Unfortunately," I gave a mirthless chuckle. I had found a nice secluded spot where there weren't any other people where I could speak freely, though I did draw several runes to ward off any mundane people from eavesdropping. "Even if I did want to get out, the Association no doubt already knows of Berzinsky's death without me informing them. Especially given it's a Holy Grail War. Even if we called in every favor we have, the Association would strong-arm us somehow."

Dad sighed, "True. You know, your mother isn't going to like this when she finds out."

"Thankfully Mom can only yell at me over the phone," I joked, fishing the corded necklace I had around my neck, fiddling with it.

"Lucky you," Dad chuckled before turning serious. "Is Lin safe? She hasn't been talking to any boys over there, has she?"

My face deadpanned, not that he could see it. "Dad, she's four years old. I'm pretty sure other boys her age still think she has cooties."

"You never know, Faelan!" Dad protested heatedly. Honestly, it was embarrassing. "Boys are horny good-for-nothings that can change their mind at the flip of a coin! All they do is lead one girl on while having another without either of them knowing!"

"Isn't that how you and Mom met?" I tilted my head in thought.

"Not the point!"

I rolled my eyes, thankful he couldn't see the action. "Anyway, yeah, Lin's fine," I replied as I leaned back against the wall. "Archer's watching over as they eat breakfast. You should see her with Archer, she's been dragging her everywhere. I'm sure she'll have Archer wrapped around her finger in no time at all if she hasn't already."

"Well, if Lin of all people trusts your Servant, then I'm glad that the Servant you have is trustworthy," Dad sighed, calming down.

"Yeah," I said. "Listen, Dad, can you get as much information you can from the Association about the War and where the Red Faction's supposed to meet?"

"Of course," Dad replied. "I'll give you a call when I get the details. Stay safe, son."

"I will, bye Dad."

"Bye, Son."

Ending the call, I put my phone back into my pocket before walking back to the restaurant. Heading over to my table, I see Linnet in the midst of telling Archer a story as the duo were finishing eating some danish pastries. Well, we're probably going to have to deal with a hyper Linnet later today. As well as tired Linnet when the sugar rush faded.

"The two of you almost done?" I asked when I reached the table.

"We pretty much are," Atalanta answered him before looking back at Linnet. "Aren't we, little one?"

"Mmhmm!" Linnet nodded as she moved to jump down from her chair.

"Not so fast, Lin," I grabbed her by her midsection and placed her on my lap while grabbing a napkin with my free hand. "You got jelly on your face," I said as I began wiping her face, her resisting the whole way.

"Nn, no Fae, no more!" she protested.

"Hold still," I chuckled, "I'm almost done." Once I got the rest of the leftovers off her face, I released her, who looked back at me with a pout. "Enough with the sad face," I poked her cheek, causing her to giggle. I looked over at Archer, who I just realized was watching me and Lin with a smile, "You good to go?"

She blinked as she realized I was talking to her, "Ah, yes, of course."

Going up to the room, we finished getting ready as I grabbed my coat and the backpack. Yesterday we emptied it of the electronics Linnet used to entertain herself on the plane ride and used it to carry water and some snacks while wandering Bucharest. Leaving the hotel, we head to Bucharest's Mega Mall in order to get Atalanta some clothes. Though I will say that the taxi driver who took us there barely blinked an eye upon seeing Atalanta's dress. Unfortunately, Linnet and I weren't much help for Atalanta when it came to clothes shopping. I normally dressed in dark clothing and Lin preferred clothes that were comfortable, mainly t-shirts, shorts, that sort. When we took her to those types of stores, Atalanta raised a brow at the clothing but didn't comment. Guess the clothes weren't up to Atalanta's tastes. Maybe it was because they were flashy and more often than not had some celebrity's face on the shirt or it bedazzled like a chandelier. Well, at least we could only go up from there.

Going to a few shops that had clothes that were less mainstream, I saw Atalanta's eyes light up as she perused through the clothes racks. Eventually, she found several clothes that had caught her eye. Apparently, she knew her own clothes sizes because she went after specific sizes, most likely part of the knowledge gifted by the Grail, and thank the Root for that. It would have been uncomfortable if she asked me how to determine her clothes sizes. Paying for the clothes, we headed back to the hotel to leave the clothes at, as well as allow Atalanta to get dressed in some of the clothes she just got.

Once the bathroom door opened, I had to pause as I took her in. She had decided to wear a white dress shirt, a black vest, a red tie, a black miniskirt, and a dress like material with ruffles from beneath the vest and the hem. Covering her feet was a pair of black boots. Upon seeing my intense stare, she grew uncomfortable as her cheeks began to redden.

"Uh, do I look bad?" she asked with uncertainty.

"Wow, Atalanta, you look so pretty!" Linnet exclaimed as she rushed over to the Servant's side, beaming a grin at her.

That comment deepened Atalanta's blush as she smiled down at Linnet. "Oh, do I really?"

"Uh-huh," Linnet nodded emphatically. "Right, Fae? Atalanta looks really pretty!"

"Uh, yeah," I responded, before clearing my throat. "Right, well, we should probably get going if we want to go sightseeing before we go for lunch."

…

"It's all so pretty!" Linnet giggled as she skipped merrily through the park, with some people making way for the cheery child.

Behind her, Atalanta and I were trailing behind her, content in knowing Linnet was having a good time as I gave nods in thanks to the people making way for her.

After Archer got dressed at the hotel, Linnet begged me if we could go to the Herastrau Park, here in Bucharest. Knowing it was on the top of her list, if not the only place, to visit in Bucharest, I didn't mind. And knowing Archer's legend where she was a huntress of Artemis, it wasn't surprising that she didn't mind either. Trailing after the currently excitable girl, Archer and I were walking side by side.

"Such a happy child," Atalanta smiled wistfully before commenting, "Though I am surprised she is fond of nature."

"Yeah, Lin, hates it when we go to London," I chuckled. "Too much pollution and smog, and she hates the crowded feeling she gets when walking around with all the buildings and whatnot about. But not parks, take her to a park, a real park, if she's having a tantrum and she'll be happy as a clam within minutes. She really loves going camping too. We went to the United States for a camping trip once, a real tent in the woods and everything, and she couldn't get any happier. Though nowadays, that's becoming rarer and rarer with other people."

"Ah, yes, people and their technology," Archer looked around at some of the other people in the park who had their faces looking down at a device screen. "I find it quite disappointing that as humanity advances technology, the more stagnant they become."

"Unfortunate," I agreed. "But don't get me wrong, technology can be quite convenient in some cases, but using it as a need is no less than it becoming a crutch."

"Indeed, though it seems you aren't the same," Archer praised. "On an unrelated note, your combat skills that you displayed in that workshop were quite fearsome. Although I am not quite familiar with firearms, even other heroes that do use guns on the Throne would be quite impressed with your skill."

I turned my head to her, a brow raised, as an easy smile pulled at my lips, "Coming from a Hero, that is indeed high praise." And it was, humanity back during Archer's time made modern humanity's definition of peak human ability look tame. Archer herself merely had a D rank in strength, however, she was able to punch through a man's torso or even metal with nary a thought. Yet, today only those of the Moonlit world still had the ability to do so, much less the potential of doing it.

"I am merely giving credit where credit is due," Archer shrugged. "If your actions are worthy of praise, then I will praise them. If they are not, and require chastisement, then I will belittle you to ensure that you do not repeat them."

"You sound like a teacher," I commented.

"I may not have been taught by the greatest teachers of Heroes," Atalanta admitted before grimacing, "however, Lady Artemis was a strict instructor in some regards."

"Hmm, being trained by a deity, in today's world it is typically the beginning of a story," I mused, "that or a bad manga…"

"Man-ga?" Atalanta raised a brow.

"Japanese books that use pictures to help tell the story," I replied, remembering a certain instructor at the Clocktower who perused said literature in his spare time. "Anyway, since you're the "guest" per se, what do you want for lunch?"

Atalanta frowned but before she could protest, I spoke up again.

"And before you say anything, Lin will more than likely insist on the same thing. So you might as well pick something."

She sighed, "Oh very well."

Giving her some time to think, I turned my focus back to keeping an eye on Linnet, who stopped periodically to admire certain flowers and plants before something else caught her attention or lost interest.

"Mm, I would like to partake in a freshly made pizza if it is not too much trouble," Atalanta said thoughtfully.

I snorted in amusement, "Well, Linnet would definitely appro-"

"Is something the matter?" Atalanta raised a brow when I stopped in my tracks.

Unknown to her, one of my familiars started sharing their vision with me.

"Faelan?" Atalanta prompted me.

Looking to the concern on her fair features, I then looked over at Lin admiring a red tulip. "Something has come up," I replied, resuming my pace as Atalanta frowned after me.

"A threat?" she asked.

"Definitely," I replied, my mind going several kilometers per hour. "But right now, it's not a direct one. We'll keep to the day's plan, but when Linnet goes to sleep, we'll make a move."

"Understood," Atalanta nodded. "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of threat is it?"

"One I thought long dead," I growled under my breath.

AN: Initially, I was going to post this chapter 24 hours from now, but something awesome happened to me, so you guys are lucky! 2021 is here and so far I don't hate it, so fingers crossed, right? Wednesdays are when I am are going to be updated for this story unless I'm otherwise distracted. I'm currently a senior in college on his graduating semester, so expect things to go slowly towards the end of April and beginning of May.

As for the awesome thing that happened, the gacha has seen fit to grace me with its blessings. After 500 SQ and 210 summoning tickets, my summoned Servants in FGO are as follows:

Saber Diarmuid

Lancer Medusa

Caster Gil

Qin Liangyu

My 2nd Berserker Atalanta

2nd Tomoe

Assassin Emiya

Hercules

Martha x3 on top of the one I already have

My 2nd Chiron

Karna

Ereshkigal (from the guaranteed 5 star)

and...

Jeanne Alter!

I finally have the crown jewel in my female Alter trio; Saber Alter, Atalanta Alter, and Jeanne Alter. I hope 2021 will be better for all of us and I wish the best of luck for my fellow FGO players. Oh, and if you want to friend me on said mobile game, my ID is 341,372,074 and my name is the same as my name here, Currumpaw.