Chapter XVIII

The drive back to Trifas went by with relative ease, though I spent a large proportion of it practicing quality control spells and runes in the back while Atalanta had made herself busy by using my tablet, though she was being oddly secretive about it. Nonetheless, I had forgotten how much of a pain these were and it was a good thing that this car, otherwise I wouldn't think the old man would find it quite amusing that I had almost accidentally sent part of the car into the Gate of Babylon. Also, quick note to self; trap rooms in the Gate are still active. Though I wonder who they were intended for…

When we got to the front gate of the Millennia Citadel, I was surprised to see Fiore, Chiron, and a group of homunculi servants there to greet us.

"Greetings, I hope the threat you dealt with wasn't too challenging," smiled Fiore.

It was then I realized one of her words stood out more than the others, she knew what happened as she gave a pointed look, particular at the white lock of my hair. Maybe she didn't know the whole picture, but she probably knew enough to understand something else had occurred in Romania the same night they were dealing with Jack the Ripper in Trifas. The four of us shared looks before turning our attention back to the young Yggdmillennia clan head.

"More or less," Sisigou shrugged, answering for all four of us. "How did the battle with Assassin of Black go?"

"A success," Fiore maintained her smile, "no casualties on our end. Though the Master of Assassin of Black was killed in the altercation and the Servant was eliminated shortly thereafter. A war council will be held later today to go over the attack on the Hanging Gardens, so please, take the time to do whatever you need to relax."

"That so? Then I'm heading into town for some grub," said Mordred as she turned on her heel and gave a wave over her shoulder as she headed towards Trifas. "Later, people!"

I frowned after her. She had nearly eaten the restaurant last night out of business for the night as well as the place we went to for breakfast before the drive here. "Where does she put it all…?" I muttered aloud. Servant or not, that one was a glutton.

Though it seemed Atalanta was the only one who heard me as she looked at me in amusement and nudged me with her elbow playfully.

"Well, I need some space, got some last-minute work to do," said Sisigou before looking over to Fiore. "You got a room I can set up a temporary workshop in?"

"Of course," Fiore said easily before gesturing to one of the nearby homunculi maids. "Please, follow Ebele here and she'll take you to the room I have arranged for you."

Oh, did they start naming the homunculi now? When I was last in the Citadel and walking through the halls, I overheard Gordes ordering the homunculi to give each other names as it was no doubt tedious to keep saying, "Hey you" to one homunculus but in actuality be speaking to the one next to him or her.

The maid in question gave a curtsy, awaiting the necromancer.

"Uh, right, thanks" Sisigou nodded to Fiore before turning to the homunculus. "Then I'll be in your care."

"Of course, Lord Sisigou," the maid replied. "Please, follow me."

As the old man left with the maid, Fiore turned her eyes on me. "And you?" she asked. It took me a moment for me to realize she was asking what I had intended to do before the war council. Though it was then I realized, I didn't really have much to do.

Wait…

Holy shit, I didn't have much to do!

For once in my life, I actually had little to nothing to do with my time. As an Enforcer, especially one of Barthomeloi's, I had been busy hunting down Sealing Designates or Dead Apostles. Even my vacation with Lin, everything had been scheduled, despite my becoming Atalanta's Master. Of course, I could be doing control exercises to pass the time, but I was starting to get tired of doing them, and being frustrated while doing the exercises wasn't going to help anyone, least of all me.

"Enforcer Ashford?" Fiore prompted, no doubt confused by my silence.

"Ah, sorry," I apologized, breaking from my reverie and idly noted Atalanta looking at me in concern. "Just got lost in thought."

"Of course," Fiore easily replied. "If you'd like to rest, the room that you had previously had has been prepared for you. Please feel free to use it whenever you please, also, although lunch has already passed, feel free to ask one of the homunculi to send a request to the kitchens if you are hungry."

"Thank you," I nodded.

"Though if you are indeed feeling hungry, I'd like to ask you to join me for a meal," Fiore smiled. "I would like to speak with you."

I blinked, I really wanted to ask what for. Still, I really didn't have anything to do. "I'd love to," I replied.

Master? I heard Atalanta, her confusion reflected in her tone as well as something else.

Just curious as to what she wants to talk about, I replied.

Very well…

Following after Fiore and Chiron, the other Master-Archer duo eventually led us to a parlor room where four lunches were awaiting us on a table. Now I was confused, who were the other two lunches for?

"Please, sit," Fiore invited as Chiron wheeled her to one side of the table. "You as well, Archer of Red."

Atalanta frowned, "You are aware that we Servants do not require food, yes?"

"I am aware, yes," Fiore smiled, "but please, indulge me."

I blinked. Huh, a weird sense of deja vu. Atalanta looked to me for permission, but all I did was shrug as I took the seat to Fiore's left as Chiron took the one to his Master's right on the square-shaped table. The two tone-haired Huntress sighed for a moment and took the remaining chair.

"So what was it that you wished to speak to me about?" I asked between bites of my food.

"Baile Herculane, that was you, wasn't it?" Fiore asked, looking down at her glass of water before looking up at me. "Please don't deny it, besides Lancer and Caster of Black, there had not been any other Servants that had been summoned according to our spies, not even the priest had not summoned his Servant until the night of the Baile Herculane incident. Though he had summoned his Assassin in Sighisoara."

I shared a glance with Atalanta. "It was," I nodded.

"Then would you please explain what really had happened there?" Fiore requested. "We had only a couple of spies stationed there given that it was clear the Holy Grail War would take place in territories close to Trifas or Sighișoara. However, they were not able to ascertain what had happened besides confirming that it was magical in nature."

I remained quiet for a moment, as I lowered my fork. "Well," I eventually decided, "I don't see why not." Though I wasn't going to tell them the whole story. "As I'm sure you know, I am not Atalanta's original Master, that honor belonged to Rottweil Berzinsky."

"The Silver Lizard, yes," Fiore nodded.

"Well, what you may not know is that when Berzinsky conducted the summoning, I was actually on vacation," I continued. Glancing up, I could see the surprise on both Master and Servant's faces as they looked at me. "No really," I chuckled.

"You… were on vacation," Chiron said slowly, frowning.

I nodded, "Yes, I'm not lying. Anyway, I decided to keep to my itinerary as the vacation I was on was with my sister as well, who is only a mere four years old." I had to suppress a grimace at the memory of what had occurred. "A duo of lamyros had been hiding in the city and had a Bounded Field around our hotel lying in wait."

"Lamyros, huh," Fiore cupped her chin. "How odd that we of Yggdmillennia had not encountered them before."

"I got the feeling that they were young," I shrugged, "like they were turned to vampirism not too long ago. They didn't even know what a Servant was."

"If they did not even know what a Servant was, then if their vampiric age is young, it would be a good explanation to their ignorance," Chiron replied. "And given Yggdmillennia's focus on the Holy Grail War, then it would be possible for even a low-quality vampire to slip past anyone's gaze."

"Still, I'm surprised that Uncl- er, Darnic did not become concerned with the fact," Fiore maintained her frown, though we all politely ignored her misstep "Regardless of what he did, it was all for the sake of Yggdmillennia, and allowing vampires in our territory would be poor behavior on the clan's behalf."

"Maybe given their age he thought it best to prioritize the Red faction first?" I shrugged. "Or perhaps he wanted to have a full team of Servants beforehand to deal with them. While I'm sure the lamyros wouldn't have been able to hold a candle to Lancer of Black in his vampire form, they were still capable of holding their own against Atalanta and I, though with some handicaps."

"I see," Fiore frowned, before smiling at me. "Though if you are withholding some information, I completely understand. There isn't anything we wouldn't do for family, no?"

I blinked. Had I been transparent? Though I didn't have time to ponder on it for a bump on the table had garnered my attention toward Atalanta, who had averted her gaze, her eyes narrowed to the side.

Upon realizing she had inadvertently gained the attention of the room, Atalanta coughed into an enclosed fist. "Forgive me," she apologized but offered no reason for her behavior.

"Of course," Fiore nodded to her before she turned her gaze back at me. "There is something else I wish to ask of you."

"Go ahead," I nodded.

"The Gate of Babylon, may I see it?" Fiore asked.

I blinked before glancing over at the Archer of Black, though the Servant was drinking from his glass when I had done so. Figures he would've told his Master about it, but I wonder why it took Fiore so long to ask.

Atalanta? I asked for her advice, though I kept my head facing towards Fiore.

There isn't much we can do, sighed Atalanta. Denying it would be moot considering Archer of Black had seen you use it in the Hanging Gardens.

Sighing, I raised my hand to the side and opened a portal to the Gate above it, pulling a random item from the treasury. My weapons cleaning kit was the thing that I had pulled out, the pack of tools landing on my awaiting palm.

"How interesting," Fiore eyed the golden ripple in wondrous curiosity. "To think, a working relic, a Noble Phantasm, from the age of the Gods is still here in this modern age. You are incredibly lucky, Ashford."

"Indeed," Chiron nodded as he alternated his gaze from my cleaning kit to the Gate. "Tell me, how did you attain it? Is it an heirloom in your family?"

"No," I shook my head after taking another bite of my food. "I found it in the ruins of Uruk, in an untouched room. There was hardly anything in there, to be honest, it looked more like a room set aside for regular storage than holding a priceless Noble Phantasm."

"Peculiar," Chiron frowned.

"That's an understatement," I shook my head.

"If you don't mind me asking," the Archer of Black continued, "what were you doing in Uruk?"

"Dunno, to be honest," I shrugged. "Just had a feeling I needed to go there."

"You're sure?" Chiron insisted.

"Pretty sure," I nodded, getting what the Teacher of Heroes was getting at. "Listen, I'd know if someone was trying to influence me, that wasn't it. It wasn't a voice or voices telling me to go there, it was more like a gut instinct telling me I needed to be there."

Chiron regarded me for a long moment, before sighing. "I see, forgive me, Ashford. Of course, a person's instincts should be adhered to. They have saved many a hero from dire fates."

And sometimes led them full steam into said dire fates, but that was better left unsaid.

"Right," I nodded before silence settled between us all as we went back to our meals. "If I may though, Chiron, may I ask what it was like training the heroes of Greece?" I mean, it couldn't have been that bad, right?

Chiron grimaced before he gave a long, suffering sigh.

Oh, or maybe it was.

…

After lunch with Fiore and Chiron, I had eventually found myself standing on one of the remaining towers of the Citadel, watching the scenery that this height afforded me. You know, this place really was a nice place to live in, you know, when it wasn't the location of a conflict between Servants of Heroic Spirits that have long since been dead. It was a shame though, that Lin wasn't here, she would've loved this.

"Oh, sorry, didn't know anyone else was up here."

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Caules scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I'll, uh, come back later."

"No, it's fine," I waved off. "I was just leaving anyway."

"Actually," Caules spoke up, stopping me as I was heading to the door, "I wanted to talk to you for a minute."

"Oh?" I raised a brow. "What about?"

"The night we first met," Caules began. "Why did you really let me go?"

I regarded him for a moment. Was he really so suspicious? "I told you, I have a sister too, albeit she is younger than me, and I would do anything for her. Is there anything you wouldn't do for your sister?"

"Of course," Caules frowned. "Regardless, we are still mages." Yeah, mages, people who are more than willing to allow civilizations die if the secret of magecraft were to be revealed. After all, it was the Mage's Association who were the ones behind the Black Plague when a reckless Noble accidentally practiced magecraft to half a city.

I shrugged, "That makes one of us."

"You don't consider yourself a magus?" Caules frown became one of confusion.

"Well, if you want to be technical about it, I am just a simple Enforcer," I sighed as I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms. "My "research" doesn't go beyond anything practical that would help me in one of my hunts. A goal of achieving the Root is one that is trivial to me, no offense."

"Being able to cast magic, real magic, is trivial to you?" Caules looked at me incredulously, as if speaking to an invalid who said they wanted to fly without wings and wanted to jump off the roof to prove it.

"Yup," I nodded. "My family is rich, I get a decent paycheck from Barthomeloi, my parents and my sister are happy, there's little in this world that I want that I can't either get myself or work towards."

Caules regarded me for a long moment, "Then why are you in the Holy Grail War? Every Master, they join because they have a wish. A wish to be granted by the Holy Grail, even the priest, as crazy as he is, has a wish too."

"Well, see the problem is, I never intended to join the Grail War," I shrugged. "It's true," I chuckled when I saw his expression become even more incredulous. "I was on vacation with my sister when I saw Bersinsky in Bucharest. I went after him when he became too much of a stalker, we talked, he made some not-so-subtle threats intending to make my sister a test subject, and got ugly from there. By the time I killed him, Berzinsky had already completed the summoning ritual. My guess is that the Holy Grail chose the next, closest capable candidate to become a Master."

"Isn't that all too much to be a coincidence?" Caules frowned dubiously.

"Maybe," I shrugged again, "but it is what happened."

"I see," Caules averted his gaze. "May I ask you another question then?"

"Shoot," I replied.

"You haven't used any of your Command Seals, even despite Ruler giving you an extra one as a reward," Caules began. "Tell me, is it because of your experience that you and Archer of Red are able to synergize so well that you haven't used any of your Seals, or is it because the two of you trust each other enough?"

I blinked before I turned my head toward the sky, it was going to get dark soon. "Is this about your Servant, Berserker of Black?" I didn't hear him speak, but I did notice him avert his gaze to the stone floor. "I see. Well, I got a glimpse of her stats when she attacked Atalanta and I back in Sighisoara, but would I be right in guessing that even her Noble Phantasm is weaker compared to the other Servants in the Black faction?"

"Err, yeah," Caules admitted.

"Well then, no offense but I doubt it would've been possible for you and her to have won the Grail War," I spoke calmly, hoping he wouldn't take offense as what I was saying was undoubtedly true. "With your Berserker's stats, complete victory would've only been possible if you were shrewd and cunning enough to cover her weaknesses and use her effectively."

"Oh…"

"And that is why I think it is fitting that she went the way that she did," I continued, bringing my head back down to look at the younger Forvedge sibling. "She may have died in an attempt to take down, who was at the time, an enemy Servant, but I think that death is far nobler than one where she could've been massacred in the secondary Grail War against your own family if your faction won. Is it not?"

Caules looked at me in surprise for a moment before his daze turned downward. "Yeah," he said eventually. "I guess you're right."

"And regardless, even if she is gone, some part of her still lives on in you," I said as I put my hands in my pockets and turned towards the door. "So make sure you live up to the sacrifice she made, because I assure you, doubting yourself is doing the exact opposite."

Leaving Caules to his thoughts on the tower, I walked down the stairs. It was then, I realized that the state Caules was in, a Master without a Servant, was not one I envied. I may not have been the one to have summoned Atalanta, but in the little over a week that had passed with her in my life, she had become a central figure in it. I was not lying when I said Atalanta had become my best friend and to be honest, I didn't know what I was going to do when she was gone.

Pausing on one of the steps, I sighed as I leaned against the wall. Turning my hand over, I opened the Gate of Babylon, allowing a golden ripple to form above my palm. Ever since what had happened at Bran Castle, with Faust and the wolf or rather wolves, I found that I could open the Gate a bit further. I could open two more ripples to the four I could already open and when we were in the car on the drive over to Trifas, I noticed I could keep the ripple open for a lot longer. So without even putting much thought into it, I went over the contents of the Gate of Babylon and took out a random item. However, what had landed in my hand was something I wasn't expecting, not in a million years.

"This is…" I breathed out, my eyes wide open.

…

Deep within the halls of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Achilles was training with his spear. Despite his teacher being his enemy throughout this Holy Grail War, the lessons the centaur taught him still stayed with him. His weapon was primarily a thrusting weapon and he was well trained in that he could've been summoned under the Lancer-class if fate had made a different decision. As he trained with it though, he found himself distracted.

He was being honest when he told Atalanta that he was jealous of who her Master was, even now. That kid, there was something about him that reminded the green-haired Greek of his fellow heroes of times long past. A fire that all heroes have. And had fate weaved a different tale, he was sure that he and the kid would've had a blast.

Still…

"A Hero shouldn't lament his fate," Achilles spoke to himself. "Instead he should do everything he can to enjoy it."

"No wiser words have ever been said!" spoke a jovial voice.

Reacting, quickly, Achilles brought his spear to bear but stopped when he saw who it was. "Oh, it's just you, Caster."

"Good evening, Achilles," Shakespeare bowed. "I see your mind is troubled, I offer my services to lend a kind ear and friendly advice if you so wish it. After all, we are allies as Servants of our Master, Shirou Amakusa."

"No, it's nothing," Achilles dismissed as he lowered his spear.

"Well, the offer stands," Shakespeare shrugged, as he began to walk away, a book and quill in hand.

"Actually…" Achilles couldn't help but speak out.

"Yes?" Shakespeare turned on his heel with a smile.

"The Master of Si- I mean, Atalanta, what do you make of him?" Achilles asked, wincing when he realized his slip-up and hoped the renowned author didn't notice.

"Ah, Faelan Ashford, the one possessed by a Phantasmal Beast, what of him?" Shakespeare raised a brow.

Achilles stared at him, confused. "Wait, what did you just say!?"

"The boy who is possessed by a Phantasmal Beast, what did you wish to know about him?" Shakespeare repeated himself.

"The kid has a Phantasmal Beast in him?!" Achilles exclaimed incredulously.

"Indeed," Shakespeare nodded jovially. "A person like that would be quite suitable as a hero in a legend, does he not? To think that even today in this modern society that such a case is still possible, why it quells this humble author's heart."

"How do you know this is true?" Achilles asked him, being a little skeptical.

"I could tell when he was here in the Hanging Gardens," Shakespeare shrugged carelessly. "For even a lowly Caster such as I, I was able to tell regardless. Albeit it was little muted, especially when it was outshined when he used the Gate of Babylon, but it was still there nonetheless."

"Does Amasuka and Assassin know?" Achilles narrowed his eyes.

"Oh, the priest undoubtedly knows," Shakespeare laughed. "I had seen the notes he made on the research he conducted on the young Ashford and they were quite telling. As for the Queen of Assyria, well, I'm sure she has her suspicions."

"The priest hasn't told her?" Achilles noted, a bit in disbelief. Those two were as thick as thieves, which made sense as they linked to each other first. But why would Amakusa not tell his own Servant about the potential of an enemy?

"Our Master pities the young Ashford," Shakespeare shrugged as he opened his book and wrote several lines with his quill without even looking. "And I must say, I don't blame him, having seen what had been done to the boy… well, despite my joy that he exists, even I am disgusted at what has been done to him."

"Which is?" Achilles asked.

Here, Shakespeare's grin became twisted as he stopped writing. "Do you wish to know, truly? What had happened to him was a fate I would not wish on my worst enemy. Torture itself is leagues better in comparison."

"I…" Achilles hesitated, before resolving himself. "I do."

"Very well," Shakespeare's shoulders shook as he chuckled. "At the age of nine, Faelan Ashford was kidnapped by a cult of first and second-generation mages who called themselves the Eye of Marduk. One of their number was selected to become a Master for a Lesser Holy Grail War, but he lacked the sufficient magical circuits to properly sustain a Servant. So they kidnapped young Faelan when he was on his way back home from school in England and took him all the way to America, New Mexico. At first, the Cult of Marduk had initially wanted to use Faelan as a living battery, to have him sustain a Servant when they could not. Well, that is until one of the members, Alexandria Faust convinced her fellows that instead of using him, they should transfer all of the boy's magic circuits to themselves. Unfortunately, none of the so-called mages in the cult truly understood how the transfer of magic circuits worked. They had thought magical circuits were a physical thing, so they opened young Faelan up and poked around his body like curious children with a new toy day after day for weeks on end."

Achilles' eyes widened. To do that to a child…

"Of course their efforts were in vain," Shakespeare continued, not heeding the mounting horror within his fellow Servant. "But that is how it went. In the morning, young Faelan would awake bound to an operating table where he was opened up and hands would root around for hours on end. And in the evening, they sewed him up and threw him into a vat of liquid mana from a nearby leyline for the night and repeated the process over and over again for four exact weeks."

"How despicable," Achilles ground his teeth. "Even Spartans whose actions with their children were considered harsh, wouldn't have done anything even close to this."

"Indubitably," Shakespeare laughed before his grin became dark. "But that, my dear Achilles is only the beginning."

"There's more?!"

"Of course there's more! His experience under Faust's bumbling operation does not even explain how a Phantasmal Beast was put into him!" Shakespeare took a moment to write in his book again. "After four weeks and with no results, the leadership of the Eye of Marduk decided that given young Faelan's state, he would be better off as a catalyst and sacrifice for their Servant. However, as with their vain attempts to transfer magic circuits, the cult was unable to properly summon a Servant. Instead, they summoned a phantom in their first attempt and a Phantasmal Beast from the Reverse Side of the World on the second."

"What?" Achilles frowned. "How is it that they were able to pierce the plane where all magical beasts had migrated?"

"I have absolutely no idea!" Shakespeare grinned.

Achilles almost tripped over himself. "Wha? Don't joke around with me!" he grabbed the author by the collar of his jacket.

"I assure you, Hero of the Trojan War," Shakespeare raised his hands in surrender, "I do not know how mediocre mages were able to reach a plane they have no access to and pull a Phantasmal Beast from it. I am just as confused about it as you are."

Achilles glared at him for a moment before he roughly let him go.

"However, I do admit I am curious as to how they were able to do it," Shakespeare brushed his clothes off. "Still, the show must go on!"

"There's still more?!"

"Yes, there's more! And I would've finished the story by now if someone wouldn't interrupt me so," Shakespeare chided the Greek hero.

Achilles opened his mouth to say something, but that better of it, and closed his mouth as he crossed his arms.

"Now where was I…? Ah yes, the Cult of Marduk had summoned a phantom and a Phantasmal Beast," Shakespeare nodded to himself. "Anyhow, the two being merged into one Entity and began killing the members of the Eye of Marduk who were in the room just as young Faelan's mother had begun her raid on the cave system the cult used as their base of operations to rescue him. Of the sixty members of the Eye of Marduk, only two had survived. However, after the Entity had finished its rampage it turned its sights on the young Faelan, and well… it merged with him, becoming the young boy's magical core."

"Why would it…?" Achilles pondered.

"I am afraid that I can only offer mere speculation that has the same amount of truth in a modern day's fortune cookie," Shakespeare shrugged. "I have little knowledge as to why beasts do as they do."

Achilles was quiet for a moment, digesting that information until he spoke up once more. "How do you know this? Truly, surely Amauksa's research isn't this thorough on an event where so few of the witnesses survived."

"An author doesn't reveal his sources," Shakespeare grinned as he brought a finger in front of his lips. "Unfortunately, storytime is over as I have work to do. Though I assume I have given you sufficient information to mull over, yes?" With a bow, the author turned on his heel and whistled a jaunty tune as he walked away.

"Work? What work?" Achilles couldn't help but mutter. "You barely do anything here."

But still, the man was right. He did give him a lot of information.

"Faelan Ashford…" Achilles frowned, "even the greatest of heroes wouldn't have been able to last under such conditions that you were put through. But tell me, are you able to rise from it…?"

…

"Now," spoke Fiore as all of us were gathered in the meeting room, "Let us discuss our plans to attack the Hanging Gardens, preparations are already underway to conduct an air raid on it."

"Oooh, oooh, pick me, pick me!" Astolfo raised his hand energetically. "I want to drive an airplane! PICK ME!"

"Uh, I'm sorry, but we already have golems assigned to pilot them," Fiore was taken back by the intensity of the Rider of Black.

"Uuuu," Astolfo slumped down with a pout. "Dammit…"

"A plane is still an easy target for the Hanging Gardens defenses," Jeanne pointed out. "Have you thought of any countermeasures?"

"We thought of a few, but none of them seem to be a definitive solution," Fiore admitted. "Which means…"

"Our success rate is pretty low," Sieg worded everyone's thoughts.

I turned to Atalanta, Can you shoot them down?

I can shoot them, yes, but my arrows would be akin to small arms fire on a carrier ship, she replied. I remember you once making a jest that it was a shame that my Noble Phantasm isn't an anti-fortress type back when we dealt with your uncle. Now, it is indeed a shame that my Phoebus Catastrophe isn't such.

"Ugh, if only I remembered the True Name of my Noble Phantasm," Astolfo sighed, putting his hands on the back of his head as he leaned back in his chair.

All of us nearly had whiplash as we turned our attention to the Rider Servant.

"Excuse me, but what did you just say?" Jeanne asked him.

Astolfo blinked. "Hmm? Yeah, I, uh, kinda forgot my Noble Phantasm's True Name." Here, he knocked his fist against the top of his head, one eye closed as he stuck his tongue out in embarrassment. "My bad."

"HUH?!" nearly everyone exclaimed in shock.

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I released a sigh while beside me, Atalanta palmed her face. Even Sisigou was surprised as his shades fell off his face. Huh, so that's what he looked like.

Atalanta, never before have I been glad that you are my Servant and not him…

So am I…

"Well, despite me not knowing my Noble Phantasm's True Name, it's really super convenient as I can still use it regardless," Astolfo nodded smugly as he placed a red tome on the tabletop. "All I gotta do is just carry it around."

"A spell tome," Chiron frowned. "It can shatter magecraft if I'm not mistaken."

"Then… can we use it to break through the Hanging Gardens' defenses?" Caules proposed.

In theory. But I didn't voice that thought aloud as the mood was down already.

"I can't believe you forgot your own Noble Phantasm's True Name," Gordes groaned, massaging his forehead to undoubtedly alleviate a headache.

"Well, I remember the condition to remember it," Astolfo sighed, crossing his arms.

"Condition?" Sieg frowned.

"Yup!" Astolfo nodded. "It has to be on a moonless night, so if there's no moon I am fully capable of unleashing my Noble Phantasm!"

"And how are we going to accomplish something like that?" Gordes sighed.

Fiore pondered on it for a moment, "Tell me, Rider, will a new moon suffice?"

"Hmm? Oh, yup!" Astolfo nodded.

"Okay, so when's the next one?" asked Mordred.

"Three days from now," Gordes shook his head, crossing his arms.

Three days. That was enough time for the Hanging Gardens to fly out of Romanian airspace and wherever the priest wanted to conduct his wish on the Greater Grail. We could petition the Association for aid, but I doubt Yggdmillennia would approve of that plan. And regardless, doing so would take time, something of which we were running out of.

"Knowing that," Sisigou spoke up, "what are you going to do?"

Fiore hesitated to speak, her gaze turning downward to the tabletop, pensive. After a long moment, I realized no one wanted to speak after that.

"Why don't we all take a break?" I suggested. "We should sleep on this new information and come back again tomorrow with fresh ideas."

"A grand idea, we still have time yet," Jeanne nodded as she smiled at me gratefully.

One I returned, but a hard kick to my chair had me startled before looking at Atalanta incredulously. "What the hell was that?"

"My apologies, a momentary lapse in concentration," she mumbled as she averted her gaze from mine, her arms crossed.

I idly noticed Chiron and Sisigou shaking their heads in quiet amusement while everyone else seemed to be just as confused by the Archer Servant's behavior, but I kept my attention on Atalanta who seemed incredibly miffed with me for some reason. And refused to answer despite me prodding her for her true reasons because there was no way someone like her could lose her cool like that.

Right?

Omake: Imprinting

Deep in the sewers of Bucharest, having killed Rottweil Berzinsky, Faelan looked at the summoning circle that was almost finished summoning the Servant Berzinsky had summoned. He vaguely knew about the Grail War conducted by the Yggdmillennia clan, but given their deal with his boss, he figured he'd be safe, thereby making Linnet safe.

"This had better be worth the headache," Faelan muttered as he glanced at the Command Seals on the back of his hand.

With a flash of bright light, a Servant had been summoned. However, when the light died down and Faelan lowered his arm from protecting his eyes, and raised a brow at the being before him. It was a woman, with pale white hair and swearing black and red clothing with a long red scarf and… were those ridiculously long platform heels? When the Servant raised her eyes up, he was expecting her to introduce herself. Instead, he got a look of quiet wonder.

Uh oh.

He knew that look.

Back when he was in school for the mundane, his class had to take care of some chicken eggs and he was the only one there with the teacher when one of the eggs hatched. And that it gave him the same look as this woman was giving him now.

She just imprinted on him.

"This… is gonna be hell explaining this to Lin…" he groaned.

The fact that it would be even worse trying to explain it to his mother was better left unsaid...

AN:

You know, after I finished my last final I thought I'd have more time on my hands. Life really has this way of throwing a monkey wrench, or rather several, in your plans. Eh, it's still Thursday as I write and post this. More filler but to be honest I enjoyed writing Shakespeare. He has this "I know everything about the situation and it's cute watching you try to keep up" vibe. Though at his core, he really is just an author, not an oracle or mindreader.

In FGO new, I have finally got Gray to NP5 and I just stopped there. The event grind has been real over the last few months. Next is the Investigation in the Dubious Meiho Residence event with Jalter, Salieri, and Tristan as the Servants for the next banner. I already got Jalter from the New Years' banner and I've had a 5-star Salieri for a while now due to him spooking me a bit. I should probably ascend him... Anyway, I want Tristan to complete my Camelot collection, as he and Mordred are the only ones I have left since I got lucky in the Class banner and got Saberlot. But I'm sure we'll get a Camelot banner due to the movie coming out just like we did for Babylonia. If not, we'll have two years I guess to save up for it. I'm not in a rush since I still want Mordred and Atalanta for my Red faction collection. Oh well. Anyway, I wish anyone luck in rolling for Jalter, Salieri, and Tristan if you don't have either of them or wish to rank up their NP.

Since I'm still job hunting, I'll try to post the next chapter sometime next week with Friday being the latest I'll post it up.

Stay safe and healthy and I'll see you all next time!