A/N: Here we are, everyone, the newest chapter of "Fate/Rule Zero" for you all to enjoy. I'm hoping I get to update this fic once a month like I promised in the previous chapter. This chapter will be a bit expository like the last couple, but do not fret, for exciting things will start happening in the next one and the couple of chapters that are ahead. I only require your patience as we all close out 2018 together with this update. Meanwhile, enjoy some more character development!
Alright, on with the long-awaited chapter! ENJOY! And I would like to wish all you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
P.S.: Also, I want to announce that my family and I will be going going on a trip to Southeast Asia for the new year. We'll be visiting my parents' home country, the Philippines, among others. I will take that opportunity to draft a myriad of new chapters for this fic and others! Hopefully the mosquitoes aren't in the mood for some of that exotic American blood... :P
P.P.S.: Just like the last chapter, a portion of this chapter will take place at the same time as Chapter 12, specifically the first scene. Don't worry, that part will be brief, and then the rest begins where Chapter 12 left off. Just a small disclaimer.
Shinto
Devastation...
Death...
Misery...
Jeanne opened her amethyst eyes and saw the cobblestone pathway again. The scene of destruction all around her was no longer there, apparently just some sort of sinister and foreboding whisper about what transpired in Miyama Town last night. Around her, all of the streets and neighborhoods of Shinto were undamaged, while the lush, green forest located just beyond the city's boundary was still untouched. She didn't know why she had such a dark and unsightly vision, but it reminded her of what happened last night...
Saber of Black raised her sword, Clarent, as it continued to crackle. "Clarent..."
Jeanne watched as the distant Olesya raised her fist and screamed, over the strange and furious cacophony, "By the power of my Command Seal! Lancer, immediately withdraw from the battlefield and find safety in distance!"
"Blood..."
"Master?!" Jeanne could hear Lancer of White cried in shock. But the Command Seal already took effect: the body of the King of Knights fled the area as fast as it possibly could, not from her own accord, but from that of an unseen, godlike force.
"ARTHUR!"
With that mighty invocation, Clarent released a straight line of crimson lightning from its tip. Jeanne stared with shock as it barreled out of the pool area of Homurahara Academy, across its front courtyard, and into the street outside. From her commanding position, Jeanne watched as the energy traveled for several yards across the streets and neighborhoods of Miyama, dissipating all in its path, before finally reaching the end of its life and fading out like a flame overwhelmed by a blast of wind. She could see its aftermath, an afterglow reminiscent of blood...
Jeanne glanced upwards at the evening sky, once as blue as the battle dress worn by Lancer of White, but now as red as the aftermath of Saber of Black's Noble Phantasm. She exhaled softly, regrettably, wondering if she had made the right choice allowing Saber of Black's Master to hire a proxy to serve in his place. Any other Ruler Servant would have made a much wiser decision about this regard...
"Hey, Delacroix!" a voice called, breaking Jeanne's train of thought.
The blonde looked over her shoulder and saw a teenage boy wearing the Homurahara Academy uniform running towards her as fast as he could. At first, she did not recognize him, but then, she realized there was no mistaking that black hair, those brown eyes, and that aura of normalcy.
"Kitano-kun?" she asked, surprised. At that moment, Tatsumi Kitano caught up with her and slumped downward, panting intensely. Jeanne blinked with surprise and concern. "A-Are you alright? D-Do you require medical assistance?"
"No, I'm fine," Tatsumi replied between pants. Then, once he spent a full minute physically recuperating, the boy finally straightened himself out and explained, "I just saw you walking by in the neighborhood and thought I could catch up."
"You saw me walking by?" Jeanne arched an eyebrow before examining the suburban Shinto neighborhood. "Do you live here, Kitano-kun?"
"On the other side of Fuyuki, away from the school? Hell, no!" He ignored the disapproving look that had just appeared on Jeanne's face. "My family's actually here, helping some friends out. They're moving to this new residential area east of the city center."
"So is that why you're out here in the streets, all alone?"
Tatsumi blinked. "No... I was actually going to a bookstore nearby to get their son a new shounen manga that just came out. He's been very cranky about the move and I thought I'd take his mind off things by surprising him with it." He then chuckled fondly. "That Shirou's really into shounen stuff."
He looked into Jeanne's amethyst eyes and saw slight impatience in them. Realizing he was wasting her time, he rubbed the back of his head as he continued, "B-By the way, Tiger- I mean, Fujimura invited a bunch of us over to a karaoke box at Verde for Sunday, and I convinced her to allow you to come."
Jeanne's eyes widened with surprise. "You-You did?!" she exclaimed.
"Of course! And the moment I saw you today, I knew it was my chance to ask you out!" Then, both Jeanne and Tatsumi realized what he said, and the latter started waving his hands with embarrassment. "I-I didn't mean it that way, I swear! L-Look, d-don't get the wrong idea or anything-"
"I already am..." Jeanne deadpanned.
"I wasn't-!" Tatsumi paused and then cleared his throat. "Look, I know you're not really into socializing and all that stuff, but it wouldn't hurt to try spending a night out with your peers at least once."
Jeanne blinked slowly. "I thank you for your kindness, Kitano-kun, but I must respectfully decline your offer. I have work to do."
"Now I know that's not true." Jeanne blushed with embarrassment at that proclamation, but allowed Tatsumi to continue. "School's been canceled indefinitely, remember?"
"It doesn't concern academics." She looked over her shoulder warily. "It has to do with the church I'm staying at."
"Church? What kind of work at a church is more important than socializing with friends?"
Jeanne glared at Tatsumi disapprovingly. "Charity..."
The boy's eyes widened with realization. "Oooooh... I see..."
"So once again, I respectfully decline your offer, Kitano-kun. And I must take my leave." With a flutter of her hair, Jeanne turned around and started walking away. "My hosts are waiting for me-"
"W-Wait a minute!" Kitano interrupted. "Delacroix, just keep that offer on the table! You never know what could change in your schedule!"
"You have no idea, Kitano-kun..." Jeanne thought. Then, she replied ambivalently, "Very well, Kitano-kun. I will take your offer under consideration."
"You will?!" Tatsumi smiled from ear to ear. "That's cool! Alright, I'll see you then, Delacroix! Remember, the event's this weekend! On Sunday! At Verde!"
"Verde...?" Jeanne repeated.
"The local shopping mall! I'll be waiting for you over at the west entrance! There's a maid café there; you can't miss it!" Tatsumi continued to smile, and he was chuckling with excitement. "Trust me, Delacroix, this'll be fun! And you will find being in the company of friends is not necessarily a bad thing! You'll have the greatest of memories of Japan when all is said and done!" He gave the Ruler Servant one last wave before turning around and running off. "See ya!"
Jeanne didn't reply, but she meekly waved back at him, still trying to register with his words of enthusiasm.
"The greatest of memories of Japan, huh...?" she repeated in her mind. Then, she exhaled heavily, turned around, and resumed her trek towards the church. Her train of thought became entirely focused on the night ahead.
"The second and third clashes between Servants commenced last night," she thought with resolve."That means this Grail War is speeding up in pace already. Both the Black and White Factions will not spend the coming night in repose. There will be another battle tonight, and I doubt either Faction will wish to fight with reservation. This is their best opportunity to show off all the cards in their decks...and when that happens, the magnitude of the ensuing destruction will be beyond that of Saber of Black's Noble Phantasm."
A glimmer of gold caught Jeanne's attention, and she looked up again at its source: the church, sitting atop a lonely hill, cast in shadow by the setting Sun behind it. She could see two silhouettes milling about next to one of its front windows, most likely Kirei and Risei.
Jeanne's expression hardened as she advanced towards the church.
"As the Ruler Servant of this Impossible Holy Grail War, I must see to it that chances of the destruction are minimized as much as possible. To accomplish that, I must visit the source of my greatest concern for this War: the one who leads the Black Faction. The Master of Saber of Black."
A moment of silence passed before Jeanne's thoughts settled back onto Tatsumi's words.
"Trust me, Delacroix, this'll be fun! And you will find being in the company of friends is not necessarily a bad thing!"
"Not necessarily a bad thing, huh? ...Sunday's in just two days..." Then, she shook her head. "Wait, why'd I think that?!"
Kotomine Church
"So that is your plan for tonight, Ruler?" Risei asked.
Jeanne nodded. "Yes," she replied. "It is imperative that I question this Master about his strategies. He leaves too much to chance, leaving his unruly Servant under the watch of someone who has no evident stake in this War. I must evaluate whether intervention is necessary or not."
"I see..." Risei's brow furrowed as he considered Jeanne's announced course of action. "Very well, Ruler, you may do as you please. The Church does have some reservations in the wake of last night's incident at the local high school. Perhaps your questioning will help alleviate our concerns."
Jeanne bowed humbly. "I thank you, Father Risei, for your understanding."
"To that end, may I suggest allowing Kirei to accompany you?"
"Kirei?" The Maid of Orléans glanced towards Kirei, who was idly leaning against a pillar, observing the conversation with apparent disinterest. "Why, of course. He is my Master, and his presence is most welcome."
"Very well." Risei looked at Kirei next. "You know what to do, Kirei."
"Of course, Father," Kirei replied quietly but loyally. "I will relay these proceedings to the Church in their entirety."
At that moment, Jeanne noticed a strange glimmer passing through Kirei's eyes. It was something she never saw before in her usually stoic and distant Master. She did not know what it was, but in that brief, seemingly infinitesimal moment, she sensed a trace of...liveliness within the young priest.
Risei stood alone at the altar, looking upon the phonograph-like communication device Tokiomi provided him. There was a smile of gratification gracing the elderly priest's facial features.
"My son and Ruler have just left, Tokiomi," he announced.
"Perfect," Tokiomi's voice replied. "I thank you for the vital information, Father. This is exactly what we needed to track down the Black Faction's base of operations."
"Indeed. But caution your fellow Masters to keep a good distance between them and Ruler. And do not have them attack the location immediately after arrival. We can't risk letting Ruler know the Church is secretly in an alliance with the White Faction. It goes against the role of impartiality assigned to the Overseer. Everything you do tonight must look like it was the result of an independent investigation."
"Agreed. I will have them reconnoiter the area first before striking. We must hold an advantage for the entire battle, and we must make the first strike. If we fail to do either task, the chances of the Black Faction triumphing over us, however unlikely, will increase exponentially."
"And we must not take any chances of that happening." Risei raised his head slightly. "Tokiomi, one last request."
"I'm listening, Father," Tokiomi replied loyally.
"The gravest threat at hand is the Master of Saber of Black. Ruler is extremely concerned about his conduct, as am I."
"Very well. I will have Kayneth dispatch him tonight. He possesses a Mystic Code that is best suited to handle the Magus Killer."
Risei's smile widened, and he chuckled with satisfaction.
"That is a great plan, Tokiomi," he replied. "See to it that the Black Faction's ranks crumble tonight."
Outskirts of Fuyuki
– Several hours later –
"You say all of that, and yet you also say humans are inherently selfish and think only for themselves. I can attest to the latter statement...and I can also attest my doubt that you are an exception."
"The odds are already in my favor, though, for the Holy Grail is mine. The real question is whether anyone is worthy enough to claim it as a plaything for a short time. And I must say, you, Kirei Kotomine, are shaping up to be a very suitable candidate. After all, I find myself interested in you..."
"...Kirei Kotomine...the one who is in the most need, and yet is also the one who is in the most denial about what he needs... How very sad and ironic."
"Kirei, are you alright?"
Kirei found himself back in reality, pulled out of his preoccupied stupor by the gentle voice of his Servant. Blinking once, he looked beside him, at Ruler, who was looking at him with concern. She was no longer wearing her school uniform, but ordinary civilian clothing that belonged to Laeticia Delacroix. Night had already fallen upon Fuyuki City, and there was an uneasy, ghostly feeling in the atmosphere.
For the quickest moment, Kirei became confused on how in the world Ruler, a saint, a faithful servant of God, could stand wearing such revealing attire. They had chosen to walk the entire distance from the church to the Einzbern Castle, where the Spirit Board detected Saber and Assassin of Black to be at, which meant literally trekking from one side of Fuyuki to the other. Though he didn't pay attention, Kirei was sure Ruler's attire caught the unwanted attention of more than a few lustful men. For Ruler to not notice this the entire time, it was a thought that was both disturbing and amusing...
"Yes, Ruler," he replied blankly. "I'm fine."
"Yet you look so troubled," Ruler said sympathetically. "Remember, Kirei, I am your confidant. Share your concerns with me, no matter how personal, and I promise you, I will not judge."
Kirei sighed regretfully before responding, "It is about Archer of White."
Ruler's amethyst eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the King of Heroes.
"That man's soul has been completely taken over by narcissism and arrogance. Even if he is a Heroic Spirit, he thinks of himself as above everyone else. Do not let his words bother you, Kirei. He has no inkling of his true place in this War."
A dim light of interest appeared in Kirei's eyes, but he said, "Of course. You're right, Ruler."
But Ruler continued to look at her Master with concern. Around the same time, the pair had exited the last of Miyama's homely neighborhoods and reached the forest surrounding Fuyuki City, where the Einzbern Castle was supposed to be at.
"Kirei..." She stopped and grabbed his arm, stopping the young priest in his tracks. "What were you really talking about with Archer of White last night?"
"I do not understand, Ruler-"
"I thought you were being truthful when you said he unsuccessfully attempted to sway your impartiality. But now that I am looking into your eyes, my instinct tells me it was more than that." Ruler gently released Kirei's arm, just as sadness suddenly took over her angelic face; Kirei felt his insides ambiguously squirm a little. "You are my Master, and I am your Servant. Even if your role as my Master is minimal, all Masters and Servants in the Grail Wars are supposed to maintain a bond of trust, with no exception. And I trust you with my life. No matter what happens, that will not change."
Kirei blinked idly and continued to listen, but inside, he could feel his insides recoil with disgust.
"But if you cannot trust me, then..." Ruler pursed her lips as she stared at her Master helplessly. "Then..."
Her voice trailed off, prompting Kirei to say reluctantly, "I do trust you, Ruler."
"Then prove it. Be forthcoming with me." She stared into his eyes determinedly. "What did you talk about with Archer of White."
Kirei knew he had underestimated his Servant's aptitude for deduction and discernment. He sighed again before replying with reluctance, "He...saw something in me. Something that indicated...a desire for the Holy Grail..."
"A desire for the Holy Grail?" Ruler repeated, flabbergasted by this revelation. "But you have none, Kirei. The Grail would not have selected you as my Master otherwise. This is just more of Archer of White's manipulations-"
"Even so," Kirei interrupted stoically, as he gazed longingly into the forest, "the prospect of the Holy Grail, an omnipotent wish-granting device, waiting to appear before a victor...has enticed me more than once..."
"Kirei...do you mean to tell me you do have a wish for the Holy Grail...?"
"Not a wish, but a desire...a desire to know what that wish is. Perhaps that doesn't fall within the Grail's comprehension, hence why someone like me was still chosen to be your Master." Kirei watched with slight interest as a misty fog started to set into the forest, bringing out a deathly nature from the wilderness. "I have told you before that I hold a very flawed perception of things, Ruler. I could never find meaning in anything. Joy, love, happiness... They all escape me..."
"And I told you before that God has a plan laid out for you. As long as you have faith, and you follow the path He has set out for you, then-"
"Then why make me a participant in this Grail War, yet still deprive me of the opportunity to discern what I comprehend as happiness?! Must He be so cruel to taunt me with this?!"
"God is not cruel!" Ruler protested. "This is perhaps another sign from Him! A sign...that you mustn't fall to temptation!"
Kirei looked at Ruler with intrigue. "Temptation...?"
The Standard-Bearer nodded. "God is telling you your quest to find happiness is something that cannot be achieved with the help of something as omnipotent as the Holy Grail. This is something you must find by yourself, unaided."
"But how can I comprehend that which I cannot truly comprehend...?"
Ruler smiled gently at him in response, just as the deluge of fog started to seep into the area on which both Master and Servant were standing. As they were enveloped by the chilly mist, Kirei couldn't help but feel as if he was having some sort of otherworldly experience...
"You will, Kirei. Happiness escapes no one in this world. When you find true happiness, experience it in all of its heavenly qualities, trust me...you will know."
Einzbern Castle, outskirts of Fuyuki
– Four hours later –
"The only future that's ahead of us now...is more beautiful than you could ever imagine. It's a world where you and Illya can share your happiness with others, with those who'll no longer cry, who'll fully appreciate the purity of their lives and of this world. Even if I'm no longer here, it is the future that we deserve."
"But...But I-" began Kiritsugu, his voice filled with worry, apprehension...
Irisviel interrupted with a fond kiss to the lips. It was brief, but they both wanted it to last forever.
"No matter how difficult this War will become, know that I will be there to protect you."
"You?"
"Yes." Irisviel smiled softly. "I now understand that what I will experience will haunt me to the end of my days. But now I think I can overcome it, because I know it is the first sacrifice I must make to ensure your future. So please, Kiritsugu, do no lose hope...for I will be with you till the end. And so will Saber...and Maiya..."
Irisviel's voice seemed to change in tone when she mentioned Maiya's name, which left Kiritsugu extremely worried. Was she starting to catch on...?
His concerns were assuaged, just for one moment, when Irisviel kissed him again. It was a kiss more wonderful than the last, reminiscent of the white snow that fell during their first bonding moment-
Their fond moment was interrupted by a sudden pulse of magical energy that rang in the air. Kiritsugu instinctively broke away from Irisviel and stared out from the balcony.
"Kiritsugu...?" Irisviel asked fearfully.
"An attack," Kiritsugu concluded, his voice monotone again. "We're lucky I hadn't sent Maiya out yet. We can mount an all-out defense." He looked at her, his dark eyes narrowed. "Iri, find us a remote-viewing crystal ball."
"It's not the White Faction, or Caster of Black."
Irisviel's announcement surprised Kiritsugu, Kairi, and Maiya, who had already placed their bags of weapons on the table and were about to arm themselves in preparation. Kiritsugu and Kairi approached Irisviel, Mordred, and Waver, who were all congregated around the magical sphere. Indeed, the two mercenaries saw the familiar blonde hair and elegant white battle dress of...
"Ruler," Kiritsugu said, his voice laced with a tint of surprise. He then noticed movement beside the Standard-Bearer and recognized, to his immense surprise, Kirei Kotomine, his blank expression still and unchanging.
"And her Master as well," remarked Kairi. "They broke through the lady's defensive magical barrier with ease. That's very impressive. ...Impressive, indeed..."
"Ruler's Magic Resistance Skill is supposed to be so high it cannot be given a rank," Irisviel explained. "In order to assert herself as above all the other Servants in any Grail War, Ruler Servants must be able to negate nearly any kind of magic at one's disposal." The silver-haired woman blinked with concern. "The real question is why they're here. We didn't break any rules of the Holy Grail War system." She looked at Kiritsugu hopefully. "Did we?"
"Perhaps unknowingly so," Kiritsugu replied, his dark, blank eyes narrowed. "Or perhaps we did something that provoked Ruler's concern about our future conduct. Either way, I can't imagine any other reason why she would visit the Einzbern Castle unannounced..." He suddenly looked at Maiya assertively. "Maiya, stand down, but keep the weapons on standby."
"Of course, Kiritsugu, but why?" Maiya responded, confused. "You know these will be ineffective against Ruler."
"I know. But..." Kiritsugu turned away from the others, his voice now low. "It's not for Ruler."
Ruler and Kirei approached the front doors of the Einzbern Castle, and the former knocked on it thrice. Though the doors were massive compared to her and her Master, the sound of those knocks resonated mightily throughout their metal. The two then stood still for a moment, and after several seconds of silence, the doors automatically opened, revealing a pair of female Einzbern homunculi, their blood-red eyes vacant and robotic in their stares.
"We welcome you to the domain of the Einzberns, Ruler, Overseer," one of the homunculi said, her voice just as devoid of emotion as her stare. Kirei instinctively blinked with surprise at the sight.
"I wish to speak with your master," Ruler said in a gentle but imperative voice. "At once."
"I sincerely apologize, Ruler," the other homunculus replied, "but Master Kiritsugu is unavailable at the moment-"
Ruler's voice cut across the homunculus's like a newly sharpened sword. "Then make him available."
The homunculus immediately strode towards the nearby staircase, her stoic expression unchanging. As for the other one, she closed the doors behind Ruler and Kirei with the aid of a third homunculus who had been on standby. The mechanical creaks of the doors echoed throughout the front hallway, eventually climaxing with a loud and mighty boom that shut out any cold and mist that seeped in from the outside. The Servant and her Master took this time to examine the interior of the Black Faction's base of operations, which were illuminated in gold light from the enormous trio of chandeliers hanging above them, arranged in a single row.
All the while, Kirei recalled the homunculus's reference to the Magus Killer, who she apparently called "Kiritsugu". Did he just learn the name of the mysterious Magus Killer that caught his undying interest...?
Kiritsugu... It was a very interesting name-
"Shall I treat you to tea while you wait, Ruler, Overseer?" the second homunculus asked, interrupting Kirei's thoughts.
"No, thank you," Ruler replied politely. "I suspect our visit will not be for long."
"As do I," Kirei added stoically.
The homunculus bowed her head. "As you wish." Then, she heard a shuffling upstairs and looked up at the staircase with an almost nonexistent curiosity. She then said, "Ruler, Overseer, allow me to introduce you both to the Master of Saber of Black. The Einzbern representative, and the leader of the Black Faction, Kiritsugu Emiya."
Kirei and Ruler both followed the homunculus's gaze and immediately saw them.
Kirei may have met Kiritsugu Emiya before in the church, but the room was poorly lit, and he had to divide his attention evenly between the entire Black Faction roster. But now that he was able to focus the whole of his attention on him, the man who caught his attention the most in this Grail War, Kirei realized that the two were strikingly similar in appearance.
The infamous Magus Killer, Kiritsugu, was a man who appeared to be around Kirei's age. He sported unkempt black hair, vacant dark eyes that seemed sunken and totally exhausted, and an expression that was as cold as the fog outside. He was also wearing a trench-coat with a suit underneath, both colored in the darkest shades of black and gray, which was an effective contrast from the woman who was walking beside him.
She was an astonishingly beautiful woman (if Kirei could comprehend beauty, that was) with long, snow-white hair that flowed down her shoulders, eyes as red as blood, and an eternally youthful face that was wearing an unreserved look of concern at the moment. On a first glance, she resembled all of the other Einzbern homunculi, but there was something in her expression that indicated to Kirei she was anything but.
Then, Kirei and Ruler noticed the person walking behind Kiritsugu and this woman: Saber of Black. Her silver-and-scarlet armor clinked and clanged softly as she trekked down the staircase, and her sword Clarent was out. Her rigid, menacing posture indicated she was half-expecting an attack to occur within a few seconds, but Ruler found this behavior to be an understandable expectation.
"Good evening, Ruler, Overseer," the woman greeted kindly. "I am Irisviel von Einzbern." She gestured towards Kiritsugu. "This is Kiritsugu, of course. Allow us to show you a place to sit down."
With that, Kiritsugu, Irisviel, and Saber escorted Ruler and Kirei into a living room containing, among other furniture, two sofas facing each other, separated by a circular glass table holding a vial of white roses, some of them wilting. Kiritsugu and Irisviel sat down on the sofa to the right, Ruler and Kirei sat down on the one to the left, and Saber stood beside the former sofa. Standing beside the doorway were two additional Einzbern homunculi, observing with shiftless faces.
"What brings you to the Einzbern Castle at such a late time, Standard-Bearer?" Irisviel asked.
"This is about last night's clash between Saber of Black and Lancer of White at the local school," Ruler replied, glancing at the Black Servant as she slightly stuck out her breastplate with pride.
"Oh, what about it?" Irisviel asked, trying her best to suppress her shock.
Ruler glared at Kiritsugu and addressed him. "You assigned a proxy Master to supervise your Servant, yet you chose not to provide him with your Command Seals, is that correct?"
"Yes, that is correct," Irisviel replied, eliciting a suspicious glance from the Maid of Orléans. "Kiritsugu was hoping to use this proxy as a distraction for the White Faction. By diverting their attention, he ideally could have more opportunities to produce a myriad of effective counter-strategies against them. But he had every intention of directly participating in the War, when he felt the time was right."
Ruler looked back at Kiritsugu and asked, "Is that true, Kiritsugu Emiya?"
"But it is true-!"
"I'm speaking to your host, not you." Ruler's amethyst eyes bore into Irisviel's red ones, and Saber looked between both women with interest. "I need to hear those words of affirmation from him."
"It is true," Kiritsugu finally replied, and both Ruler and Kirei looked at him, Ruler with seriousness, Kirei with interest. "I relegated most of my responsibilities as Saber's Master to a proxy Master as a diversion tactic. The only people who are aware of my true name are in this house, as well as the Einzbern family at large. The outside world still knows me only as the Magus Killer. I would prefer to keep it that way for the time being." He narrowed his eyes. "Surely...that is not a cause of concern for the Standard-Bearer?"
Ruler's eyes narrowed at Kiritsugu's seemingly condescending attitude. "There are few limitations on what Masters can and cannot do to supervise their Servants," she responded. "Bringing in a third party to act as a proxy Master is certainly not out of the question, as long as they're well-versed in the rules of the Grail Wars. But surely you remember why the Three Founding Families implemented the Ruler class in the first place."
"We are well aware of the mad atrocities committed during the Second War," Irisviel interjected, drawing another glare of ire and suspicion from Ruler. "R-Rest assured, Ruler, the Black Faction is putting in a lot of effort in avoiding unnecessary casualties."
"Apparently you are stumbling in your efforts." Ignoring Irisviel's flustered reaction, Ruler looked back at Kiritsugu. "This brings us back to last night's duel. Normally, the Church and I would be reluctantly willing to allow your proxy's operation to continue. But I have some serious concerns reserved for your proxy's conduct during the aforementioned clash."
"If so, then your judgment is horribly skewed, Servant Ruler," Saber suddenly snarled. "I find that man to be particularly bearable, competent, and compatible as a substitute Master." She gave a triumphant, mocking glare towards Kiritsugu, who didn't seem to notice. "At the very least, he satiates me in more ways than one..."
Ruler shot Saber a deadly glare. "That is exactly the problem. Your bloodthirstiness and his overbearing self-confidence, when combined, are a volatile mixture. That much was proven to me when he allowed you to run rampant through that high school. When he allowed you to use that Noble Phantasm of yours out in the open." The saint looked at Clarent and noticed Saber's grip was tightening around its hilt. "You destroyed over twenty houses within eight seconds, all because you had a petty, unresolved grudge against your father-"
"YOU WOULD DARE CALL MY FEELINGS TOWARDS MY FATHER A PETTY GRUDGE?!" Saber interrupted with a howl as she aimed Clarent's blade at Ruler's chest. "I WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR YOUR WORDS-!"
She fell silent the moment Ruler narrowed her eyes and warned, "You forget that I have two Command Seals that'll stop you, unconditionally, from going out of line. Every Command Seal that I use on you will also serve as a penalty, a signal indicating my intent of watching your movements closely from then on out. Should you be too unwieldy for too long, I'll be left with no other choice but to kill you right where you stand."
Saber gritted her teeth at Ruler's words, being unable to stand being talked down to in that manner. But she knew Ruler was right. If she acted out too much or for too long, she would lose her chance to acquire the Holy Grail and prove to her father her worth, her right to the throne of Britain...
She ambivalently lowered Clarent, and Ruler nodded approvingly, though her amethyst eyes were still narrowed.
"I hope you'll keep that in mind and advise your proxy more efficiently from now on," she said, turning back to Kiritsugu. "It was a miracle no one died, but twelve people were still injured."
"W-We apologize for the misfortune, Ruler," Irisviel replied. "I assure you, it won't-"
"Twelve people or twelve hundred people injured or dead, it makes no difference," the Magus Killer interrupted, his voice hollow, casual. "No battle is without collateral damage."
Ruler narrowed her amethyst eyes some more, as she mentally suppressed her horrified shock at Kiritsugu's passivity.
"You mean to tell me you condone this violent, bestial behavior from your own Servant?"
Kiritsugu scoffed dismissively. "Of course not. My goal is to win the Holy Grail and see that my deepest, sincerest wish is fulfilled. I will not allow anything to jeopardize the path to that goal. Not even the loud and violent outbursts of a child. I cannot allow such things to happen."
"Don't you dare think such insults would fly over my head, Master," Saber snarled. Though her face was concealed within her horned helmet, everyone knew her expression was of unspeakable outrage. "You call me a child without reservation or regret?! Well, I had just bested my own father in combat! What child would be capable of that unless they have grown to the finest level of adulthood?! I would love to hear your response to that, Master!"
"And that, Ruler, Overseer, is exactly why I entrusted my Servant to the watch of another. He has no stake or concern for this War, and he is willing to shoulder Saber's violence and immature impulsiveness."
"That still makes you culpable for the lives you nearly destroyed," warned Ruler. "Grail Wars were meant to be conducted in secret. By leaving your Servant to her own devices, under the watch of a lesser-informed proxy, you are endangering countless more lives. There are fine limits to what the Church can do to cover up your messes." She narrowed her eyes. "You say you wish to attain the Holy Grail and achieve your greatest desire, Kiritsugu Emiya? Well, I can say this much: avoiding as much threats towards your chances as possible does not immediately equate to victory."
"I am not blind to that, Ruler," Kiritsugu replied. "And I am not blind to the lives who were nearly lost that night, nor all those that are in the path of destruction. But we are in an unconventional Grail War. And if I am to win the Holy Grail, I will wage that unconventional Grail War with every weapon and tactic I have at my disposal." He suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. "Unconventionality is what defines me, after all."
Ignoring Ruler's stunned look, Kiritsugu stuck one end of the cigarette into his mouth, pulling out a lighter from another pocket at the same time. He casually lit the other end of the cigarette, sucked in some smoke, pulled the cigarette away from his mouth, and exhaled. The foul-smelling smoke lingered in the air in front of Kiritsugu's face, partially obscuring it for a couple of seconds.
"The lives of bystanders are just obstacles standing in my path, no matter what their numbers are."
Ruler, Saber, and even Irisviel stared at the Magus Killer in shock. After allowing the mercenary's words to sink in, Ruler took a deep breath in her mind, making sure her lips never puckered with irritation or outrage.
"So you wouldn't mind if people died at your Servant's hands?" she asked, the calmness in her voice shaky. "If death and destruction rained down upon the innocent because you allowed it to be so?"
"If it meant immediately defeating an enemy, then yes." Kiritsugu blinked idly as his mind recalled Ruler's last sentence. "Innocent, you say, Ruler?"
"Yes! You are playing with the lives of people who have no idea a war between mages and Servants is happening in their very backyard! People who are simply living their lives, day by day! People who strive to make some sort of good out of their lives! That is the very definition of innocent!"
Kiritsugu scoffed again, mockingly. "No one is truly innocent in this world." He closed his dark eyes and sighed. "Even the brightest and most wide-eyed of children hold dark illusions."
Ruler stared at the Magus Killer with disbelief. She remembered going over every Master with Risei in preparation for the War, and the perturbation was clear in his voice whenever he spoke about the Black Faction leader. She never questioned his concerns in order to maintain her impartiality towards all parties that were involved, but now, she could see why Risei would be so troubled every time he talked about him.
This man, Kiritsugu Emiya, had a horrible view of humanity, one that was made infamous...
Kiritsugu opened his eyes and continued, "I know my tactics are not immediately actionable, Ruler. You could have saved the precious time of everyone in this room by having a familiar send a message of warning." He stared unflinchingly into Ruler's eyes, which exhibited ambiguity. Knowing he was nevertheless right, the mercenary stood up and started to leave the room, followed by a startled Irisviel and an irritated Saber. "We're done here-"
"We're not done," Ruler interrupted harshly. She glared up at the Magus Killer, her stern eyes meeting his back. "I swore an oath to protect the sanctity of the Holy Grail Wars. And I swore, as a servant of God...that I would protect humanity from the throes of suffering and sin, with no exception.
"Kiritsugu Emiya, you are a despicable person, but I do not resent you for that. I simply cannot. I do not know what set you down this path of misanthropy, or what has caused you to lose all hope. But I know your heart holds a great deal of unresolved sorrow, which can only lead to a wish that'll only bring unforeseen suffering upon the innocent. I cannot stop you, but I will keep a watchful eye on you. And I will pray that your quest for the Grail is marked by self-discovery. In the end, I hope, from the deep of my heart, you will find salvation, and your true self will emerge once again."
Her words seemed to have provoked something within Kiritsugu, for he quietly shot her a glare filled with rage. But that expression disappeared as quickly as it came, and he turned away again.
"Salvation is a silly, childish ideal, paid for only by suffering and decided by those who inflict suffering," he replied. "You believe in a malleable process disguised as a miracle, all the while blind to its true nature because of your past actions, the ones that interpreted salvation for you. How ironic of you...Jeanne d'Arc..."
He left the room, followed by Saber. Irisviel gave Ruler and Kirei one last glance of ambivalence before following him as well. As soon as she felt Kiritsugu's depressing presence subside in the air, Ruler somberly looked down at her knees.
"I thought I was dealing with a sadistic, psychopathic coward who thrives on bloodshed," she thought. "Instead...I met a soul whose tribulations knew no bounds. I pity that man..."
At the corner of her eye, Ruler noticed Kirei staring at the doorway. The young priest's normally stoic nature had abruptly vanished from his form, being replaced with a slight aura of interest. This greatly surprised Ruler.
"Kirei," she said, catching his attention. "You hadn't spoken at all during the meeting. Did you not have any concerns you wished to share with the Black Faction's leader?"
"Not at all," Kirei replied, his voice indifferent and quick.
Near Einzbern Castle
Shirou Kotomine stood quietly on a hill, his white hair and crimson vestment fluttering with the cool breeze. He could see the Einzbern Castle about a half-mile away, its medieval-style structure peering uncannily over the treeline. He could also sense the defensive barrier of magical energy just a few feet away from his position.
Just hours ago, Shirou had received explicit orders from Tokiomi to secretly trail Ruler and Kirei to the castle, with Risei's blessing, of course. The fact that the Holy Church and the White Faction were willing to use the Standard-Bearer and her code of conduct as tools to win the War was almost amusing to the white-haired priest. If Jeanne d'Arc, the faithful Maid of Orléans, were to find out she was being used in such a grossly unethical way by her peers...
His smile disappeared as he recalled the information given to him by Sigma. The young mercenary he hired had a run-in with the Magus Killer earlier today, and it was one that yielded unexpected fruit, in the boy's own words.
Just as Shirou had been suspecting for a while, the Magus Killer and the man Olesya said she met over at Homurahara Academy were not the same person. Their behaviors were in total disconnect with one another, if Tokiomi's reports were to be believed. Obviously, the Magus Killer hired his own mercenary for his own nefarious ends.
And yet...
"He had an opportunity to shoot the hostages I had taken in order to kill me. But he didn't. He saw to it that their deaths would be avoided."
"I was wrong about him..." Shirou thought, Sigma's words repeating themselves over and over again in his mind. "I...I thought I was dealing with a callous man who would not blink at the sight of unnecessary carnage." His eyes narrowed. "But still...his past behavior is a source of great concern. Not to mention his use of a proxy Master. He understands his chances of winning the Holy Grail, so he has a sacrificial lamb who would take the brunt of this War for him."
Einzbern Castle
"Do you two require coats for your journey back to the Church?" an Einzbern homunculus asked at the front doorway.
"It is deathly cold outside," another homunculus added stoically.
"No, we're fine," Ruler replied. "Thank you."
Kirei didn't respond in kind. Instead, he was absorbed in his own thoughts.
"I am not blind to that, Ruler. And I am not blind to the lives who were nearly lost that night, nor all those that are in the path of destruction. But we are in an unconventional Grail War. And if I am to win the Holy Grail, I will wage that unconventional Grail War with every weapon and tactic I have at my disposal."
"I was wrong about him..." he mused. "I thought I was dealing with a man who has no concept of self-interest. And yet, he is wholly dedicated to winning the Grail for himself." He recalled the first conversation he had with Shirou about the Magus Killer, the time he developed an interest in what lurked within that man's soul. "His campaign of assassinations stopped by the time he crossed paths with the Einzberns. That had to have been when he found his answer, realized what he desired. But apparently, it was a desire that could only be achieved in full through the acquisition of the Holy Grail..."
Near Einzbern Castle
"His views on collateral damage clash with his actions in battle," Shirou continued to think. "He is willing to use another human being as a decoy for the White Faction, but at the risk of that man's life. Yet, he never seized the opportunity to kill bystanders. It's as if...he doesn't want direct responsibility for the lives he would take during this War."
"I did not see Assassin of Black or their Master in the castle," Ruler remarked. "But the Spirit Board says they are here. I suggest keeping a watchful eye when we're outside, Master. They may wish to conduct an ambush."
"Of course," Kirei replied, though he barely heard Ruler's warning, for he was still deep in thought.
"A desire that could only be achieved in full through the acquisition of the Holy Grail," he continued to think, as the two homunculi pulled the front doors open. "A wish like that would only require the bending of reality itself." He narrowed his brown eyes. "He knows his answer... He wishes to see it come to fruition, but he is bound by the shackles of the natural world. And because of that one limitation...he is suffering. He is suffering greatly.
"Just like me."
"That doesn't explain his actions before he was hired by the Einzberns. Before that time, he thrived on bloodshed. Death, destruction, suffering, all of that meant nothing to him then. It was all just a means to an end. So...why have a sudden change of heart?"
Shirou focused his sights on the Einzbern Castle. He could imagine, somewhere within that building, the Magus Killer, in all of his glory, talking with his dear brother and Ruler.
"His long, bloody trail of assassinations came to an end when he was hired by the Einzberns. He had gone quiet for many years. A mercenary like him would never have resisted the urge to kill as long as he did. Something must have changed him during that time, something extremely profound..."
Just then, a thought dawned on him, accompanied by certain painful memories.
"Could it be...he found some sort of salvation with the Einzbern family? Just like I did...?"
"Kiritsugu Emiya."
Kirei stared ahead vacantly as he and Ruler left the premises of the Einzbern Castle. The mist had fully set in, giving the surrounding forest a chilly, unsettling atmosphere. The lifeless tree trunks, with their spidery branches and horrific holes, did nothing to brighten the otherwise gloomy setting. And yet, Kirei didn't care the slightest.
"We are alike, him and I. But what separates us on this spectrum of ours is the fact that he knows what he desires, while I do not..." Kirei unknowingly clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails threatened to draw blood. "Kiritsugu Emiya understands his path, and what lies at the end of it. He only has the Holy Grail as an obstacle..."
"God is telling you your quest to find happiness is something that cannot be achieved with the help of something as omnipotent as the Holy Grail. This is something you must find by yourself, unaided."
Ruler's words inspired a spark within Kirei's mind. His fingers relaxed, and he looked down at his right palm. Indeed, he had drawn some blood from his fingernails digging deep into his skin.
Suddenly, through the soft whisper of the wind and the gentle rustling of dead leaves, Shirou heard a faint but unusual sound at his left. He glared across his shoulder and saw a shadowy form making its way through the forest. At first, he thought it was Assassin of White. However, upon taking a closer look, he recognized the classic Yggdmillennia attire, and then that mop of brown hair.
Then, he watched as the boy abruptly changed his course, walking to his right in a straight line. He tried his best not to stray over to his left, as if he was hugging some sort of invisible perimeter. A bright glint flashed across his face, near his eyes, for just a split-second.
Suddenly, the boy seemed to trip on something, and collapsed to his left. Shirou immediately felt a quick surge of mana.
"Well, well, well...isn't this interesting...?"
Kirei watched as scarlet blood trickled from the cuts in his palm.
"He has the permission of God to use the Grail as a means to fulfill his deepest and darkest desires, while I do not. That is also what separates us... Could that be your message to me, God? Do you wish for me to see what would happen if a man like me knew what he wanted and achieved what he wanted through the Grail? Is that how you expect me to attain meaning in life...? By learning what I desire through his victory?
"But...that can only happen...if the greatest threats to Kiritsugu Emiya and his pursuit were eliminated. That includes the White Faction...including my brother and my teacher... My impartiality, and my cooperation with Ruler, are what keeps this Impossible Holy Grail War in check, but...if I selfishly become partial towards him in order to seek my own desires, that means..."
He glanced at Ruler, who was staring at the path ahead, deep in her own thoughts.
"I will have ruthlessly betrayed everyone that I call family and comrades..."
He looked down at his palm and clenched it again, allowing blood to be squeezed out from between his fingers.
"And yet...I must know what it is..."
Kirei's thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a high-pitched scream pierced through the air, which was then followed by a loud, mighty, metallic clang. He looked at Ruler, who had tensed up and had her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Ruler-" he began.
"I know," the Standard-Bearer interrupted, her expression hardened. "A battle between Servants..."
Near Einzbern Castle
"And that, Ruler, Overseer, is exactly why I entrusted my Servant to the watch of another. He has no stake or concern for this War, and he is willing to shoulder Saber's violence and immature impulsiveness."
"My Master," Mordred thought, "you have no faith in me, and yet you expect me to fight in your stead..."
The Knight of Treachery gritted her teeth as she smashed through row after row of lifeless trees. Only mere seconds ago, Irisviel detected a breach in the defensive barrier she set up around the castle. Kiritsugu didn't say anything to her, and Irisviel had to give her the order to respond.
"You view me as a dispensable tool, usable only when you need it?! You would laugh at my title, my mark of honor?! And you don't recognize what kind of stake I have in the Grail War?! You would only use me and be rid of me once you have achieved your desires, even if my honor as a knight, and the heir to Britain, is dragged through the mud?! IS THAT IT?!"
With a bestial roar, Mordred blasted through another row of trees and raised Clarent, having seen the glint of armor just up ahead.
"TO WHAT DEPTHS DO YOU INTEND TO SINK IN YOUR PURSUIT?!"
She swung her sword downward, using all of the force she could muster, only for the blade to be met with another blade. The collision of the two swords was so powerful that it triggered a small shock-wave, which literally cut through a dozen tree trunks, bifurcating them. In spite of the force Mordred used with her killing blow, Clarent was unable to cut through the enemy's sword, for it held steady, protectively.
"You remind me of my dear Father..."
"Dear comrade!" a voice cried with surprise.
Recognizing the voice, Mordred immediately jumped away from her opponent and growled aggressively with confusion.
"Rider of Black...?" she asked.
Saint George lowered his sword and raised his other arm in a gesture of friendliness.
"Fellow Servant!" he exclaimed gently. "I did not mean to provoke misunderstanding on your part through this excursion! Please, lower your weapon! You are disturbing my Master!"
Tiny movements caught Mordred's attention, and she looked down at Saint George's armor-plated feet. Writhing on the ground behind the saint, almost pathetically, was Caules Forvedge Yggdmillennia. Upon noticing Mordred's deadly stare, the adolescent raised a trembling hand.
"Pl-Pl-Please, I come in peace!" he cried shakily. "Oh God, pl-please don't hurt me!"
Mordred blinked thrice with puzzlement, but she nevertheless lowered Clarent, its gleaming tip digging into the dry, leaf-covered ground.
"What are you doing here, Rider of Black?" she asked, her voice laced with unbridled irritation. "I do not recall my Master requesting the presence of you and your Master."
Saint George looked down at Caules and said, "Well, my Master? From here on out, it is all up to you."
Caules looked back up at his Servant with terrified shock, but he could only manage out incomprehensible babbling as a response. Upon seeing that look, Mordred could tell that the boy really wanted the saint to answer her question for him. It annoyed her greatly, realizing the cowardice and callousness of her Master also applied to all the other Black Masters...
At that moment, she heard the roar of an engine. Mordred turned around to see Kairi's convertible racing onto the scene, with Irisviel, Kairi, Maiya, and Waver inside. The Knight of Treachery tightened her grip on Clarent with rage.
"Saber!" Irisviel cried as she got out of the car. "Don't attack! It's-"
"I know who it is," snarled Mordred. "I would like to know what they are doing here unannounced."
"Well?" Irisviel gave Caules and Saint George an angry glare that surprised them both. "Care to explain yourselves?" She looked at Caules, who had begun sweating profusely. "Yggdmillennia? What is the meaning of this?"
"I, uh, I-I was hoping I'd just, uh, s-st-stop by and say hello!" exclaimed Caules. Saint George simply blinked.
"You're a terrible liar, kid," Kairi snarled. "You would never wander out here all alone, not unless you were given an order. And since the boss never anticipated your arrival, I suspect that order came from someone else." Caules began to sweat even more, confirming Kairi's suspicions. "Tell me, kid, did the White Faction buy your allegiance? I recall your dear sister being a member of the opposite team."
Hearing the mercenary's words, Mordred aimed Clarent at Caules's chest, her eyes twitching with anticipation. Realizing what was about to happen, Saint George was motivated to go into a defensive pose. At the corner of the Rider Servant's eye, he saw Maiya aiming her Calico at his side. Meanwhile, the Yggdmillennia Master yelped with terror and waved his hands frantically.
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" he shrieked. "I-I DIDN'T BETRAY YOU TO THE WHITE FACTION! I...I...I-"
"I, I, I, I, I," interrupted Kairi mockingly. "Do you have a death wish, boy?"
"Yeah, kid," Mordred added, grinning madly. "You sure don't seem worried about the prospect of my blade digging deep in your flesh, piercing your heart-"
"He certainly does," Saint George said, all gentleness gone from his voice as he raised his blade in preparation. "But you will not bring any harm to my Master. I swear to it as a servant of God. Friend or foe, I will stand my ground against you if it means defending him."
"No, don't!" Irisviel cried suddenly. "Saber, please don't attack Rider! We can't afford to lose any teammates like this!"
"Then he needs to answer my question," Kairi replied, his eyes still trained on Caules's trembling form. "The only thing at stake here is whether or not he gets to keep his head." Caules gasped at this. "Well, kid? Do you wanna be more honest to your allies this time?"
Caules still did not respond appropriately. His eyes were completely focused on the tip of Clarent's blade, and for a quick moment, he imagined the horrific pain he would feel the moment the sword penetrated his chest, with such ease that it was like a kitchen knife cutting fruit...
Suddenly, Mordred sensed something at a distance, and she looked to her left to see Ruler and Kirei standing between a pair of looming trees. Everyone else came to realize their presence too, seconds later.
"Saber of Black," Ruler said sternly, "where is your Master?"
"He has chosen to stay behind," Mordred replied through clenched teeth. She pointed at Caules with Clarent. "D'you have anything you wish to say about this, pretty lady?"
"Indeed I do." Ruler crossed her arms. "Infighting indicates the possibility of a Master and Servant who have gone rogue, and that possibility is always a cause for concern. I demand that both parties explain themselves."
"We found them trespassing," Kairi announced, eliciting a suspicious glare from the Standard-Bearer.
"We never got a chance to meet," she said. "Identify yourself at once, proxy Master."
"Kairi Sisigou, ma'am," the mercenary replied. "And I assume you are the Ruler Servant of this Holy Grail War?"
"That I am." The Standard-Bearer's amethyst eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Let one thing be clear, Kairi Sisigou: I will not deal with a Master who views these proceedings as a game."
"Point taken."
Ruler pursed her lips with disapproval, and it looked like she wanted to reprimand him. But after a couple of seconds, she seemed to ignore Kairi's presence for the time being, and instead looked towards Caules and Saint George next.
"And what of you, Dragon-slaying Saint?" she asked. "Do you or your Master have an explanation for your behaviors?"
"Dear Maid of Orléans, my fellow saint..." Saint George replied, bowing his head with the utmost humility, "I can only be righteous with my answer, and my heart does not wish to maliciously deceive you. But I can also sense reluctance on my Master's part, and I cannot force him to go against what he believes is necessary."
"You are a man of honesty, Rider of Black. I don't wish to forcibly compel you to answer. But you must also understand that you have a responsibility in this Grail War."
"I understand completely, Ruler." Saint George then looked down at Caules, grabbed the back of his shirt, and lifted him to his feet with one powerful pull. "I shall repeat myself, my young Master: from here on out, it is all up to you. I cannot bring myself to force you into an answer you're uncomfortable with. I can only defend you as you forge your own path."
Caules looked up at Saint George with terrified confusion. Then, he stared at Ruler and Kirei as the former stared back at him with an expectant expression. Finally, he glanced at his fellow teammates as they stared back with distrust. He was hoping that the responsibility of answering her question wouldn't fall on his hands and his hands alone, but now, he had to give a response quickly, before Ruler decided any appropriate action should be taken.
"I need you and Rider to go to the outskirts of the city. That's where the Einzberns' villa is at, if my research is accurate. When you find it, review the lay of the land and report back to me once you're finished. ...While you're there, under absolutely no circumstances are you to make contact with Emiya, his wife, Saber, or anyone else who comes in and out of that house."
Feend vor Sembren's instructions rang in one part of Caules's brain. And in the other...
"By the heavens, this Black Faction is falling apart faster than any disorganized army I've ever encountered."
Caules looked up at Saint George again, but his Servant was merely staring at Mordred with an expression of kindness.
"I can't just sell out vor Sembren like this," the boy thought. "He does have a point when he says there's something very fishy about Emiya and his strategy. But if I tell the truth, the Black Faction's ranks will be further shaken, and then I will be in an even worse position! What the hell should I do?!"
Then, he remembered the dream he had of Saint George's life and legend. The boy's twisted childhood... The teenager's tragic loss... The man's journey to becoming a hero, one who swore to defend those in need, no matter what the cost...
"What would Rider do...?"
Caules opened his mouth on instinct and prepared to respond to Ruler's query. However, he could only manage a simple soundbite when Irisviel interrupted him with a sudden, loud gasp. Mordred looked at her with concern.
"Irisviel, milady!" she cried. "What's happened?!"
Irisviel opened her blood-red eyes, and the fear on her face was unmistakable.
"The barrier has been breached again," the white-haired woman replied. "There are multiple intruders."
"The White Faction," Kairi concluded, his teeth gritted.
Unbeknownst to anyone else, Kirei looked towards the direction of the Einzbern villa, his vacant brown eyes now boasting a small light within. The blood was semi-dry on his palm, but a single liquid drop managed to fall to the forest floor.
"If I can learn about him," he thought, "will I also be able to learn...what it is I seek as well...?"
Einzbern Castle
Kiritsugu stared absentmindedly at a shelf full of wine bottles, the smoke still emanating from his fresh new cigarette. He withdrew his cigarette and stared out of the window suspiciously. The freelancer knew he heard unnatural rustling within the dark forest.
"Kiritsugu...Emiya..."
Chapter 10:
A Visit from the Saint
Jeanne: Let the clash of Factions begin.
Caules: I entrust my life to you, Rider!
Lancer of White: It is my lance and my lance alone that will end this!
Tokiomi: Do not despair, for you are the one who will bring victory to the White Faction.
Saber of Black: You dare hide behind others?!
Waver: This isn't good, Assassin...
Archer of White: ...Nothing will remain of your corpse!
Next Time:
Heroic Collision
A/N: And thus concludes this chapter! This is the second-shortest chapter I've written for this story, the shortest chapter being the first one. All of the other chapters are over 12,000 words.
This chapter was a whole lot shorter than the others because not a lot happened, though we did get substantial character development for Jeanne and Kirei, and possibly Shirou and Kiritsugu. I originally planned to include a sequence of events depicting the White Faction as they prepared for the battle that would be in the next chapter. I decided to remove those scenes eventually because they seemed to interrupt the flow I had going for this chapter. I've since become rather happy with the final product I achieved.
And yes, I understand this chapter was expository filler like the last couple. But I will reiterate: the next chapters will be a whole load of excitement for everyone to enjoy! So I ask of you all to remain patient for a little while longer. I'll try all I can to make those chapters extremely enthralling and quite a marvelous sight for the eyes.
Well, I'd like to thank the following for reviewing:
-Dcraus: Uhhhhh...were you going to include a .GIF or something...? Because it definitely won't work here. If not, could you be a lot more specific in your review?
-miguelgiuliano . co:
1) Once again, I'm using Google Translate. I hope I address all of your points and concerns.
2) I assume you're talking about Iskandar's new Lightning Conqueror Personal Skill. As awesome as that would sound, I already made my choice regarding the abilities each White Servant would have (see the chart at the end of Chapter 6 for more info). I don't want to make the White Faction even more OP than they already are. As the saying goes, I only want to hurt the Black Faction, not kill them. So, in other words, no. Sorry.
3) Yes, the White Faction is definitely one-sided in terms of power. But do not forget that Itsuki, Sola-Ui, and Medea are conspiring against the others. The White Faction may be more tight-knit, but in reality, their alliance is just as fragile as the Black Faction's. Perhaps there'll be no need for EMIYA...
4) Once again, making Gilgamesh a Caster instead of an Archer would've made the White Faction TOO OP for my liking. For the intents and purposes of this story, he's better suited as an Archer.
5) Hmmmmm...interesting...
-metacllica:
1) Now that's a whole new side of Tokiomi that we've never seen: one who's constantly under duress but cannot show it to the others. And it'll only get worse for him from there.
2) Arturia and Olesya's feud over the matter of Mordred may be on the backburner for now, but it'll definitely come back with a vengeance.
3) All the more stakes for the Black Faction to have in this Grail War.
4) Yes, as this chapter confirms, Kiritsugu's attacker was Sigma, acting under Shirou's orders.
5) It's supposed to be even more ironic for the White Faction because they are not even being completely honest about their conflicting self-interests. They have to maintain a facade of mutual trust and cooperation in order to uphold some sort of honor and glory in the battlefield. Meanwhile, the Black Faction is well aware, off the bat, that they cannot truly trust each other. Will this be what allows the Black Faction to triumph over their enemies? We'll see...
6) It's almost come full circle with Kiritsugu, actually. ;)
7) I hope this chapter met your expectations, and more!
-superpierce: She could...but that's not part of the plan, is it? ;)
-Dante 101:
1) I was planning to have 30 chapters for this, but that could become longer depending on certain circumstances.
2) Well, you can't have a full-fledged "Fate" fic without a dark and serious tone. And trust me, it'll get darker and more serious from here.
3) They're all magi in some form or another. They gotta be stuck-up. As for the Servants, they come from bygone eras. Of course their personalities and mannerisms would seem overly formal and outdated.
Not a lot of people reviewed the last chapter compared to the others, but that's okay. I attributed that to the lateness of that chapter.
Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter! TheCartoonFanatic01 is out. PEACE!