Well, it's the usual time for Fate Soul Bound! And this time I'm actually on time! Thank god for that. I should note that this is one of the shorter chapters that I've have written.(Around 4k words, if you consider 4k words to be short.) So if the chapters feel a bit short, I'm sorry about that!
Aside from that, nothing has really been going on in my life, so I'm going right to the replies.
VGBlackwing: Yes, technically we are currently in the 'pre-war season' As this holy grail war doesn't start untill all the Servants are summoned. And they're still a few missing.
Semi-Immortal Cat Akumu: I don't quite understand what you're asking... You mean like is Archer's projection and Reality Marble are stronger here? If so then in a way yes, they are. The DxD world lacks Gaia's and Alaya's influence, so Archer could easily spam his projections for much less mana and he can them keep them up for much longer as well. Like I think he would be able to actually spam things like Caladbolg 2 and Hrunting if Ai could handle those, and she will be able too with time. Though I don't think they would be any more powerful they are normally.
UA1991: Thanks! I'm glad that my Riser comes off as a guy with actual good points. Its something I wish more writers would do really. Though I suppose they take more form the Anime version than the LN.
Guest: I don't normally reply to guests, but your question brings up something I feel needs answering. So I will actually answer that... in the A/Ns. Remember I don't want to Spoil people who want to figure out how her power works by themselves. But seriously, use a name I can refer to you next time. Makes me feels bad that I have to refer to you as 'Guest'.
Evowizard25: That exactly what I'm going for. A less Jerkass-y Riser who is still a jerk, you know, like the LN version. As for Ai reaction... well I already answered that in PM. And Yes Rias inner weeb did show a bit there.
angelvan105: Sofia and Mordred will not be here for the Riser arc. And sorry to say but Lucinda does not have any Servants. I mean, why would she bother risking herself getting hunted by some Masters for the slim chance at some dumb wish? She still does play an important part in the overarching story, however.
Well, now to the chapter it's self! And as always. I appreciate any errors that are pointed out!
"Speaking."
"Thinking."
"Servant Speaking."
"Alright, so I'm going to recap everything you've told me so far, just to make sure we've got everything down," Keiichi said. I just nod at him.
Keiichi-kun's place... is... Well, there nothing really special about it over any other house around it. Even in the inside is kinda... bland.
Which isn't bad mind you, It's just strange since I'm so used to Ai or my place. Granted my place isn't very special either...
At least Keiichi-kun parents are nice. But there currently working so there not here.
"Uh, alright. Go for it." I told him.
"Ok... So firstly, me, you and Ai all have these things call Servants in us. Which happen to be the Spirits of all dead Heros from the past, and we're supposed to use their power to win some holy whatever the heck it is." He starts.
"Holy Grail." I correct him.
"Right, but this 'Holy Grail war' or whatever is not really a war, but a huge Battle Royal in which there can only be one winner." He told me. "And you want us three to team up. Do you not see the problem that lies in that?"
"Well, duh. I just don't want to fight you or Ai" I told him. "I'm sure you're feeling the same."
"Well yea, rather not want to fight my future girlfriend and her best friend-" Keiichi was saying.
"No." I flat out told him, eyeing him.
"Regardless, fighting each other is something that none of us want to do." He told me before pausing for a moment to think. I just nod in agreement.
"..Well" He finally said. "Trying to team up with the people you supposed to fight against sounds very you-like. But don't try to make it a habit, you'll only get yourself killed. It only worked for Ai and I because we're all already close friends."
"Yes yes, I already know that," I said to him. "Still not sure if I'm willing to kill though."
"Don't think any of us are, especially Ai," Keiichi said. "That girl will refuse to kill no matter what. We're not going to be able to convince her otherwise."
I pause for a moment and think, Yes. I haven't thought of that. I going to have a hard time once I eventually do it. But Ai not going to kill anyone, at least not willingly.
"We can only hope that her Archer will pick up on that slack," I said. It's funny that I'm the one saying that... It really pains me to say that. I really don't want to kill anyone but...
"Archer...? Oh right, Servant classes and such... Anyways. we'll keep talking about that once the three of us are together. For now, let's get back on track." He said, with me nodding in agreement.
"Ok, where was I...? Right! Not only that, but you managed to befriend a bunch of Devils of all things, and these Devils just happened to be some of the most popular Students that go to our school, Like Rias, Akeno, and Yuuto. Issei also part of this." He said. "So far so good right?"
"Don't see anything wrong," I state.
"AND they're all apart of the Occult Club, which you and Ai are members of." He continues.
"Ai and I are the only human members yes," I said. "But you'll be our third human member once you join too!"
"I never said I would." He counters. "Plus I'm pretty sure you can't just make me a member without Rias's Approval."
"If I get her approval will you join?" I ask.
"What your usual answer when I ask you out?" He said...
Ah...
"I thought so." He simply told me.
...
...
No, I think I can get him to join. I tightly grip my school bag... I knew this might happened. I bought my secret weapon just in case...
"Master, I know what you are thinking." I can hear Saber's voice echo in my head. "Are you not trying to keep up this 'cute' Image...?"
Hmm...
"But think about it. If we're all members it'll be so much easier to actually talk about it and plan, we can even get their help at times maybe!" I argue.
"Sure, but there Devils. And I don't know about you. But when I hear the term Devil. Usually, nothing good comes out of it." He said. Eh, I mean, from the viewpoint of a normal human. I can't really say he's wrong...
"But their nice people! Far from the devils we usually picture!" I say.
"Look, it's not that I don't want to." He says, but I'm sure he doesn't. "But I just don't feel comfortable with the idea of being around Devils for most of my free time."
...
I sigh inwardly... I think I have to resort to it.
But... my cute image may be ruined...
God... this is so hard...
"Ok then..." I said as I reach into my bag. "If you join the Occult Club with Ai and I and give them a chance..."
I suddenly pull out the very same Cheerleader out and Rias had made for me yesterday from my bag and show it to him.
"I'll wear this whenever you want me too!" I shout as I feel it was the only way I could actually get those words out of my mouth...
God my face must look like a tomato right now...
"But I'll only wear it once..." I told him.
Keiichi stares at it for a second.
"...You've got a deal." He said without a beat. "But only if Rias will let me join."
... A part of me wished that he would have declined.
But... I must endure! I only have to wear it once after all...!
"Not how I would have approached this. But your idea did indeed work" Saber told me.
"Thought I would have to be a time where Ai isn't around." He said to himself. "But we can talk about that later."
"Alright, we next up is building trust I suppose," Keiichi-kun said. "Lancer says he's fine with the idea. But he does want to fight your Saber eventually."
... Oh, so his Servant is someone who loves to fight huh?
"I mean, I guess a spar wouldn't be bad, but not anytime soon," I mention. "You can't even summon your Noble Phantasm yet, I can't even properly summon mine."
"You mean the red spear thing?" He asks before summoning it. "I mean, I can't really feel anything too special about it. But maybe that's just me."
. . .
What...?
"He must have some really high affinity with his Servant to be able to bring out their Noble Phastasm right at the start." I could hear Saber say.
But... But...! He's supposed to be at my level right?! I can't even properly summon mine!
"... What's our Affinity Saber?" I ask my Servant. The answer I got wasn't a good one.
"At first, Very low." Saber honestly said, and I know she didn't mean it, but those words stung. "But it has increased quite a bit since you've summoned me. Right now, I would say it is below average when compared to normal."
You know, it sounded good until the second part. And then she just brought me down.
"However, the way he sounded makes it seem like he does not know invoke it just yet. So I do not think he's too far ahead of you. Plus he still needs to learn on how to properly use a spear." Saber assures me.
Right... he still needs to learn!
"... Uh, good for you then right? I only brought mine out on accident..." I mumble the last part a bit. "Still, I'm happy for you mostly!"
"What do you mean by mostly?" He asks as the spear disappears.
"Nothing really." I lie. "Mines still at home, so I can't really show it yet."
"Huh... a bit weird, but Ok." He casually said. I could tell that he wanted to ask why I couldn't just summon it here. But I think he noticed that I didn't really want to explain it.
"So what no-"
At that moment, Both of us heard the door knock at the door. Form the look on Keiichi's face, his Servant probably also told him it was another Servant. Saber also expresses the same feeling.
The only Servant I could think that would actually knock on the door would be...
"Ruler." I said.
"Eh?" Keiichi-kun let out, Snapping out of it.
"It's just Ruler, and Rulers usually just oversee the war." I explain to him. "She properly here to confirm your Servant."
"Oh, alright. And for a second I thought we would have gotten into a fight already." He laughs it off. "Not sure I would be of much help though. I don't even know how to use a spear."
Well, I haven't seen Ruler fight herself, but considering she doesn't have a host like me, Ai-chan or Keiichi-kun to hold her down. I'm pretty sure she could wipe the floor with us if she really wants too.
Plus I'm not much better with a sword.
Makes me glad that she isn't our enemy.
"We shouldn't keep her waiting," I said. With Keiichi-kun nodding. "She really nice too! I'm sure you'll like her."
"I mean, I tend to get along with a lot of people so," Keiichi-kun said.
"Riiight," I said, rolling my eye a bit. "Then per tell, why aren't you so popular?"
"Well, I can if I want to." He said... I can't tell if he's bluffing or not... I'm just going to assume he is. "I mean, their others I often talk to. But honestly, I already have two awesome friends I hang out with all of the time. So why bother?"
That's... kind of sweet really.
"... But you really should try to make more friends" I argue.
"Says the one who until recently had only two." He counters.
...Dam, he's got me there.
We both head to the front door and Keiichi-kun opens it.
And as expected it was Ruler. Donned in her Armor, though lacking her weapon. She petty much looked to be the same as when she met me.
Guess it just a thing for her? Maybe she just wants to be careful or something. Yea, I can see, Ruler wouldn't appear as threating without her weapon, yet she doesn't look defenseless either while wearing her armor.
"Yo." Keiichi-kun causally said to Ruler. "You're the Ruler Servant? Here to confirm Lancer right? Isai just told me about you."
He said as he nods my head towards me. Ruler... wasn't expecting such a casual greeting.
"U-uh... Yes. I am here to confirm your lancer. I see that Isaiviel is here as well." She finally said, nodding.
"You took a bit longer then I expected. Honestly, I thought you would have been here way before me." I said. I mean she can sense a Servant's summon right?
"I was held up by one of the chores that Ai has given me, and it was something I couldn't really ignore to pause mid-way." Ruler said.
"Wait." Keiichi-kun suddenly said. "Chores? Did... Did Ai finally hire someone?!"
He sounds so shock and unsure. Though I can't really blame him. This is Ai after all. Before she was actively avoiding hiring anyone.
"Uh, yes. I do work for her." Ruler confirmed.
"Well dam, color me surprised." He couldn't help but say. "Ai actually grew up a bit."
"She actually has another Maid as well, but from what I understand she there for very different reasons then I." Ruler said.
"Really? What reasons?" He asks. Ruler just shakes her head.
"I don't know, she tends to keep to herself mostly. Only really interacting with Ai." She answers.
"Huh... I wonder why..." Keiichi quietly said.
Oh, I can easily guess why...
"Well, either way, I've been bored just stuck here all day playing video games," Keiichi-kun said. Before looking at me. "How about we go hang out at Ai's place? We can meet up with Ai later and properly discuss things with her around."
"I wouldn't mind, But wouldn't we need Ai's permission first?" I said.
"Way ahead of you." He said, in fact, she already has her phone out, no doubt texting Ai.
"So Ruler huh?" Keiichi-kun said as he texts to Ai. "Overlooking a war sounds like a tough job, especially when it's worldwide."
"Ah, yes, it is. But as long as things go as intended I'm fine with it," She told him. "Besides, there's another Ruler as well, though admittingly I am unsure of what he's doing currently."
"What? Don't trust the other Ruler or something?" Keiichi-kun asks.
"I mean, no not really. But something about him makes me feel uneasy." She admits. "But that is neither here nor there."
"Well, how's working for Ai been?" I ask her. moving to the side to let her in, though she doesn't come in.
"Well, the pay could be better. But a lot of the work she gives me isn't really hard, just time-consuming." Ruler said. "I think the other maid get most of the hard stuff. It's to the point where I think Ai has something against her."
Ah... A part of me feels bad for Raynare, but another part feels it's more than justified...
Maybe I should talk to Ai about that still.
"Ai said she fine with it, I also told her what we talked about... She then said to stop texting her during class, and that I'm an idiot. I then actually stop when she threatened me." He said as he puts his phone away. I could feel as if a sweatdrop appeared on his head just then.
"That's Ai-chan for you..." I said. "Get on her nerves and she'll retaliate, usually in a painful fashion."
"Yea, though Isai seems to be an exception." He points out.
"Nah, she once drew on my face as payback. It was awful." I said... That was a fun moment.
"... Yea, you seem to be an exception." He insists.
Guess he doesn't know about the many fights we had in the past. Granted I will admit they happen far less these days.
"Regardless, my job is done, so I shall return back to Ai's estate." She said.
"We'll join you. Ai already knows we're going to be there after all." Keiichi said.
"If that's what you wish then alright." Ruler said with a nod.
We then head toward Ai's place.
Not much really happened during the walk, I mean we talked and such, but nothing really important.
And when I mean we talked. I mean only me and Keiichi-kun did. Ruler did add her own opinions every now and then too, but she was mostly silent threw out it.
But now were at Ai's place, and Ruler went off to do whatever she had to do. Keiichi-kun put his stuff in one of the guest room, no doubt intending to sleep over. Then he and I went exploring, as he believes there are places in Ai's place that we haven't seen yet. And I mean, I can't blame him for thinking that. Even to this day, I can find out new things about this place. Like that Ai has a basement that connects to all of the buildings on her property, You can go into the basement through the main building and end up in the Bath House.
With that said, Keiichi and I kind of got Separated. And now I'm kind of just aimlessly roaming around.
Thought the quick glance of someone in a maid outfit caught my interest... Not the maid outfit. I mean the person in the maid outfit.
She probably saw me first and quickly retreated.
"Are you sure she is safe to approach now Master?" I can hear Saber ask.
"Well doesn't she have that Geis thing on her? Shouldn't she be safe to talk to then?" I ask.
"Yes, but remember, she tried to kill you and almost succeeded. I would not be surprised if she still held a grudge for failing to do so." Saber reminds me.
Yea, she definitely did that...
"... I need to get over it anyways. No better way than to face her head on right?" I reason.
"If you feel that is the best course of action, then so be it." Saber replies.
I don't really think it is, in fact, I don't even know what's the best course of action for these kinds of things. I've sort of been winging it for the most part. I guess I've just been getting lucky. Or unlucky, depending on how you see it.
Still, I follow her. When she noticed that I was following her. She started moving faster. I guess she doesn't really want to interact with me at all.
I kept on following her. A part of me felt that she might try to lose me inside the building, but I'm sure she knows that I know the place better than her.
That said, she does work here. So maybe Ai told her about some areas even I don't know about.
You know, now that I think about it. Why did Ai make the place as big as it is? Ai-chan is just one person, and certainly, one person doesn't need this much space... Maybe she actually wants others to live with her...? Eh, I can just ask about that later.
"Hey, I just want to talk to you," I shout those the Fallen angel, who actually stops... But she doesn't say anything. I could feel my hand shakes a bit as I look at her...
Deep breaths Isai... Deep breaths...
She turns around to look at me, and... well, she isn't very happy.
She looks unreasonably good in the maid outfit though, I actually had to make myself stop staring to make sure things don't get awkward.
"What?" I could hear that harsh and annoyed tone in her voice... I guess she wasn't happy with her new job. "Here to mock me? Flaunt how you 'overcame' the terrible Fallen Angel? Make me feel even worse than I already feel?"
"U-Uhh, no. I just want to talk." I told her. "Besides, if I really want to do that. I would have already, don't you think?"
Raynare seems unconvinced, as she crosses her arms and looks at me suspiciously. But I don't think she can actually disprove it.
"I'm busy, things to do. I can't bother to waste time talking to some Hu- I mean you." She quickly said, quickly correcting herself. I can't really say that's not true, consider what Ruler said earlier.
"Eh, I'm sure she won't mind if I tell her I'm the one who wanted to talk to you." I reason.
That said, if anything, I'm sure Ai would get even madder. More at me than her for making such a 'dumb' decision.
"As if." He snaps back, not believing what I said. "For what reason would you even want to talk to me if you're not here to mock me? I doubt you even forgave me for what I've done."
... Yea, I haven't forgiven her yet. But that's not the point of this.
"... Well, because I'm still kind of scared of you. And I want to overcome that fear." I told her.
Raynare eyes widen a bit. She really didn't think that I would say such a thing.
"Scared of me...? How? You've already bested me before, you've proved that you're stronger than me. And if you already stronger then before. I doubt it would take much effort to take me out again if needed." She argues.
"Well, you're not wrong." I hesitantly admit. "But you still almost killed me, and that feeling of fear doesn't just go away. sure it may lay low for a bit. But it always there, lingering in the back of my mind. Just waiting to pop up again... I just want to confront it."
Raynare just stares at me for a second... only to smirk a bit.
"That's... both hilarious and sad." She said, laughing slightly, mostly at my expend. "You have no damn reason to be scared of someone weaker than you. What are you an idiot or something?"
"Maybe," I said, shrugging. "A lot of my decisions aren't really the smartest ones. But I can't really help it."
"God, this is why I hate humans so much." She said as she turns and starts to walk away. "How about go be a dumbass somewhere else then? I don't get time for this shit."
"Hey! I'm not done with you yet!" I yell at her. "How else am I going to confront my fears?!"
"Well, that isn't my problem now is it?" She said as she kept walking. "I'm sure you can solve it without my help anyway."
"...This isn't that last time we're going to speak you hear me?!" I yell at her again. But if she did say anything. I wouldn't have been able to hear it at this point...
Well, that went rather poorly.
"Well, that is to be expected, Master." Saber said. "She does not like you, and people do not just magically change their personality. So I do not suggest going after her for now."
"... Well, I still hoped that things could have gone better." I express to her.
"You should not expect things to constantly go the way you want them too." Saber said. And... yes she is right. "That said, she is clearly not going anywhere any time soon. So if you really intend to keep trying this. You can take your time and think things out."
... Yea, Saber's right. I pretty much have all of the time in the world. So what if it didn't work this time? That just means I have to take a different approach next time.
"Well, for the time being, let's go look for Keiichi-kun," I said. "He's probably hanging out in the garden or raiding the fringe. He did bring some of his video games too. So we can waste a bit of time before Ai-chan comes home."
"Video games?" Saber asks, not really knowing the subject.
Oh, well this should be quite the introduction for her then.
"These video games seem... interesting, to say the least." Saber comments as Keiichi-kun and I are playing a game together.
"They are, I don't really play them much, but when I do it's so fun," I say. "Games can also be very different from each other. Like for example, The game I'm currently playing is sort of a fighting game. The goal is to knock the other opponent off the stage! it's quite fast and thrilling!"
"I can see a lot of skill and effort to play this game," Saber says. "You have to be able to judge and predict what the opponent will do and react accordingly with the skill set you are given, much like an actual battle."
"Yea, but unlike actual fighting, I'm good at this. Though I'm nowhere near the level of pros" I say.
Just as I say that I do knock Keiichi-kun character off the stage and win.
"Shit!" Keiichi curses out. "Damn, you react far to fast for me to respond, sometimes it just unfair."
"Well, you knew this was going to happened that second you challenged me!" I proudly told him, poking him a bit. "Frankly I don't why you bother anymore."
"No other way to get better.." Keiichi-kun quietly said. "How about we actually play a game I can actually win for once? A guy can only take getting floored so much."
"Did you even bring any other games?" I ask, in which Keiichi-kun only lets out an 'uhh...'
Then, both of us then hear someone shouting 'We're here!'
But this wasn't Ai-chan voice... It was Issei? What's he doing here?
...And if Issei is here, that means the others are too.
"... Did that sounds like who I think it sounds like?" Keiichi shockingly said. "I swear that sounds like Issei. But that should be impossible..."
Right... I haven't really told him about that yet.
...Eh, I'll let them explain it.
A/Ns: Well that's really it for chapter 20. Keiichi and Isai talk a bit, and we see Raynare again! Though it doesn't go as well as Isai hoped it would.
Isai, also a bit jealous of Keiichi there. It really just shows how behind Isai's is when compared to her friends. Hopefully she won't let that bring her down.
Now, I think it's time to update Isai's Servant Sheet! As she did get a bit closer to Saber since the last time her sheet was shown.
Master: Isaiviel von Einzbern
Servant: Saber - Artoria Pendragon. (AKA King Arthur)
Stats
Strength: D
Endurance: D
Agility: C
Magical Power: A+
Luck: A+
Noble Phantasm: C
Class Skills
Magic Resistance: -
Riding: B
Personal Skills
Charisma: C-
Instinct: -
Mana Burst: C
Master's Skill
?
Noble Phantasms
Invisible Air(C), Anti-Unit
Excalibur(-), Anti-Fortress
Isai now has Saber's Charisma, though it's rank is C- when compared to Saber's B. But her Mana Burst is now just C instead of C-. So good for her! It's not much of an improvement, however. Her endurance also ranked up, being D instead of E now... not much better. But hey, at least her mana and luck are insane as always.
Now for the Guest's question.
Technically you are right in how Lucinda's powers work. Though, it does get... a bit weird if she when uses her power on Future Events, like your book example is technically a Future event, even if it's supposed to happen right after she says that.
Like for example, if she were to be like "X will die in exactly three days time in a car crash on the highway." When that person isn't even near a highway... Lucinda's power ensures that she is always telling the truth, it's undeniable, so by that logic, it should come true right...? But how would she know that? She would need some sort of clairvoyant power to know such things... She can't make random guesses with her power after all. That said, maybe she does have an ability such as that. We know very little about her after all.