Chapter 3 – Trifas City
The chime of shrilling metals impacting each other with an irregular and fast-paced beat resonated throughout the deserted plains of unending swords.
Jeanne opened her eyes to an entirely new surrounding than that of her bedroom in shock as she gazed at the odd scenery. Where is this place?
Suddenly a girl's enraged yet agonizing yell pierced through the depressing land of regrets. "ARCHERRRRRRR! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
Jeanne immediately whirled around to the source of shout to see above the sloping small hills a girl trapped in a cage of swords.
Shifting her eyes over in the distance beside the shouting girl, Jeanne saw the silhouettes of two figures charging at each other with defiant roars as their swords met with thundering force. Two identical pairs of black and white blades met with a fiery spark as they for a second struggled against each other for dominance before a white-haired man clothed in a red and black attire disengaged the clashing blades and kicked his opponent powerfully in between the ribs.
Jeanne glanced over at the fallen figure as the man stood right back again with unwavering determination and resolve while his red hair fluttered in the desert breeze. Jeanne's eyes widened when she recognized the beaten figure of the person she just met not even a day ago.
"Shirou?" Jeanne murmured aloud in shock. Why is he here?
Looking down at her body, Jeanne saw herself donned in her traditional armor but without her signature flagpole by her side. Jeanne nodded her head in understanding at the implications. This was another revelation given by the Grail itself in the form of the dream. And this time, the Grail chose Shirou as her subject of observation.
Jeanne always assumed that revelations are only able to allow her to peer into the future, but looking again at the intense scene, Jeanne began to doubt the validity behind the thought as the seconds passed by. Regardless, the only way for her to make sure is to ask the man, Shirou, himself. And for some reason, Jeanne knew the noble spirit named Shirou would tell her the truth.
The blades clashed again with an intense shrilling chime as the red-headed Shirou was flung several meters back roughly. Jeanne's frown continued to grow as she further witnessed the ongoing spectacle. Whatever this memory or revelation is, Jeanne was sure the white-haired and tan skinned individual is no normal human. He was simply too powerful for that.
Suddenly, the battle took a new turn in events when the girl in the cage reached out her hands in front of her as she chanted an aria to create a Master and Servant contract.
Jeanne widened her eyes at the familiar words that were uttered out of the girl's lips. It can't be …
But everything came to a sudden halt when a sword materialized out of thin air and shot out with lightning speed right at the girl, giving her a deliberate small cut across her shoulders. The girl immediately sagged in defeat once the white-haired Servant had successfully broken her concentration, consequently making the built-up mana that she had gathered earlier harmlessly dissipate in the air.
Gazing past the girl, Jeanne stared intensely at the fallen figure of a golden-haired girl wearing a white bridal-like dress. Was she the Servant the girl attempted to contract to? Jeanne had numerous questions running through her head, but none of that matter now as she continued to witness the absurd scene.
"This is the end, Emiya Shirou. This is the result behind the failure of the ideals you borrowed that were never yours!" the Servant clothed in red and black roared as half a hundred blades came out of the desert landscape and began floating in the air, forming a straight line above the Servant with all the blades directed at the tattered form of Shirou as the swords vibrated and glowed with energy.
Jeanne couldn't help but widened her eyes in surprise. There was no way Shirou can survive this onslaught! The sheer power displayed right now is on the level of a Noble Phantasm!
Both of the trapped and fallen women gave an agonizing and desperate cry as they began to witness the end of Emiya Shirou. However, Shirou, with unwavering and determined eyes that spoke of the great lengths of his resolve gave a defiant roar as he brought his two projected blades up in front of him, facing the barrage of swords head on without any regrets.
With each sword heading straight for Shirou, Shirou struck it down with pinpoint accuracy that no normal human could achieve. However, despite the sheer skills Shirou possessed, it was clear to anybody seeing the battle that there was a massive gap in skills, experience, and strength between the two combating individuals.
Not even a second had passed when a whizzing sword flew past Shirou's defenses, puncturing his right arm. Shirou's grip on his sword slackened for a split second when in a blink of an eye another sword shot out with lightning speed, severing his left wrist upon contact.
Jeanne resisted the urge to run up the sloping deserted hill of blades and help the severely injured Shirou which the two helpless girls are desperately hoping to save. The Grail is showing her this, and for a reason too.
Looking up with defiance and gritted teeth, Shirou bore through the tormenting pain when a blade pierced through his heart, making him stumble back before kneeling onto the ground in defeat.
Shirou was beyond saving. He was going to die no matter what.
Giving what can be considered as a fleeting smile in the two girl's direction, Shirou coughed up a pool of blood before collapsing on the deserted plains of lamentations.
"A-Archer," Jeanne continued to watch with a grim face as Shirou whispered aloud while blood continued to flow out of his body without rest, "even b-before d-d-death, I know m-my b-borrowed ide-eals are w-worth d-dying for!"
With that ending statement, Jeanne's vision of the dream began to quickly distort and fade away as one lingering image remained constantly in her head – a pair of black and white swords. Blades which carried no pride in them but are only used for the purpose to save and kill. The weapons that defined Emiya Shirou's very identity.
After that, Jeanne woke up with an unsettling and pained expression on her face. Who is … the red-haired magus, Emiya Shirou?
Shirou looked around his pitch black surrounding as his conscience drifted in the infinite expanse of nothingness.
"I'm here again," Shirou mentally noted as the feeling of a looming and vile existence nagged Shirou's senses from all around him.
"You're back," a malicious sounding voice resounded through the unending space.
Shirou "nodded" his head tacitly in reply. "Why am I here?" Shirou immediately asked, this being the second time around he's been around this empty expanse.
Shirou felt what can be equivalent as an uncaring shrug. "You're here cause we made a contract, boy."
Shirou began to feel his "tongue" going dry. A contract with this "thing"? Since when?!
"How?" Shirou asked once more.
"You should know better than anyone," the voice said again. "You were the one who called for me."
What? How was this even possible. Since when did he called for and contracted with this ethereal being?
"Tch, you don't understand, huh?" the voice scoffed aloud as the sound resonated in the empty space. "How about this," the voice paused for a moment before continuing, "what do you know about the Holy Grail?"
Shirou's "eyes" narrowed at the thought. Where is this being getting at?
"The Holy Grail is an omnipotent wish-granting device," Shirou complied in giving an answer as he recollected the countless infamous lectures Tohsaka gave him.
"And how does it go about granting that wish?" the voice questioned once more as a killing and malicious intent could be felt from everywhere.
Shirou made a contemplating "expression" at the thought-provoking question. How was it that Tohsaka went about explaining the mind-boggling concept again?
"It's through the deaths of Heroic Spirits," Shirou began to recite from memory what he knew. "When six Heroic Spirits are killed and its mana stored in the Holy Grail, the sheer power from the magical energy alone is enough to be able to grant virtually any wish."
"Last question," the voice spoke, "how does it go about granting that wish?"
Shirou felt a chill crawling up his spine the moment the spoken sentence ended. What was that all about?
"Uhhh … through mana?" Shirou suggested helplessly as silence met his lackluster answer.
"I … guess that wasn't correct, then," Shirou gave a sheepish rub on the back of his "head" in awkwardness. "Then … do you mean through Third Magic?" Shirou changed his answer after a little more thought, remembering hearing once Tohsaka explaining to him about Illya having access to Third Magic and her being the Lesser Grail and a bunch of other stuff which Shirou couldn't recall properly. Although Tohsaka Rin, all things considered, is a great teacher, this was what happens when she gets carried away with her lectures, Shirou only ends up absorbing less than ten percent of the entire spoken lesson despite his best efforts.
"Tch," the voice spat out, "you don't know anything."
Now that wasn't fair. Yes, Shirou does admit that when it comes to magecraft and the Grail Wars, he knew close to nothing about it. However, that doesn't mean he was completely unknowledgeable about it either. He went through many somewhat painstaking lessons with Tohsaka to ensure that he was at least educated about the complexities behind the Grail Wars … although he never got the chance to fully understand everything especially when his fight with Archer got out of hand which resulted, in the end, him waking up in an entirely new continent in the world.
"The grail always grants its wish through …" the voice spat out evilly as Shirou mentally gulped at the malice-filled presence, "… destruction," the voice hissed out in the end as Shirou widened his eyes.
"Wha—?!" Shirou gave an exclamation of shock as he "backstepped" from the lurking and omnipresent being. What does this all mean?
Suddenly, a flash of memory raced through Shirou's mind as the vivid scene of an inferno of flames encompassing all around him while people desperately reached out their hands and pleaded with agonizing cries to be saved from damnation repeated in Shirou's head. Shirou knew from Kirei that the incident ten years ago was the result of the Grail Wars spinning out of control due to the Masters' ambitions, but does that mean …?
"How?" Shirou croaked out. Why will the Holy Grail only deliver its wishes through the means of destruction? Wasn't pure mana supposed to be multipurpose in having the ability to be able to do anything?
"The corruption of the Grail is because of mankind's collective wish," the voice spoke. "To have a person to carry the burden of all their sins, to become the sacrifice for the coming slaughter, to become their sole salvation. And this is what gave birth to 'All the World's Sin'."
"… Angra Mainyu," Shirou uttered aloud as his eyes widened in realization.
The no-named being called Angra Mainyu gave a deprecate snicker, "Yup, and that will be none other than me."
Shirou couldn't believe it. This was what he was facing against for these past two encounters? The personification of all of humanity's sin throughout history? Then why … why would he be contracted with him? What is the meaning of all this?!
"Then how? How are you contracted to me?" Shirou asked in a low whisper, not sure how to process the mind-boggling and shocking revelation that is unheard of.
Shirou could almost feel a sardonic grin tugging on the Angra Mainyu's lips. "Because … you made a wish," with that looming voice in the distance, Shirou was brought back to the world of reality again as Shirou sat straight up under the moonlit sky.
There was only one thing Shirou could think of at that very moment: Who or what is Angra Mainyu?
"Good morning!" Shirou cheerfully greeted as he glanced over at the walking form of Yuuki who had apparently just woken up while Shirou is drawing water from the well not too far away from the house they were currently living in.
Yuuki rubbed his eyes once before looking straight at Shirou impassively. "Good morning," Yuuki said monotonously.
Shirou resisted the urge to sigh aloud. For now, he had plenty of time to teach Yuuki how a smile could change the world and make a huge difference in a person's life. However, there is one thing that took higher precedence right now.
"Do you mind carrying this one back?" Shirou asked with a warm smile as he gestured over to a small bucket of drawn water to his side while Shirou carried two of the significantly larger ones on both of his hands.
Yuuki slowly nodded as he walked over to the miniature bucket at Shirou's request.
Not bothering to test out the weight of the water, Yuuki without hesitation lifted the bucket as he quickly stabilized his balance before walking ahead of Shirou.
Shirou smiled at the earnest way Yuuki carried himself with. Neglecting Yuuki's lack of knowledge on knowing how to express his emotions, at the very least Yuuki was helpful.
"Is Jeanne awake?" Shirou offhandedly asked as he sped up his pace to get to the boy's side.
Yuuki shook his head in reply. "I don't know. I have not seen her yet."
"Hmmm, is that so," Shirou murmured quietly under his breath. "Well," Shirou began once more, this time speaking with normal speaking volumes, "if she's still in bed, you can help me call her up once I finish cooking up breakfast."
Yuuki looked at Shirou with a confused expression. "Do you mean food?" Yuuki reconfirmed in question.
Shirou nodded. "Food in the morning is called 'breakfast'," Shirou explained clearly. "And in case you never knew, 'cooking' is the one of the processes in making food … or more accurately, redesigning pre-existing food."
Yuuki nodded his head in understanding though Shirou wasn't sure how much of what he had just said actually got into the boy's head. "I see, then I will call Jeanne when you are finished with …" Yuuki paused for a second before continuing, "… breakfast."
Shirou gave a mental thumbs up at Yuuki for remembering the new term.
"In the meantime," Shirou started once again after a brief silence ensued as they approached their lodging place, "I need to pick up some eggs. You can first go ahead and bring the water back."
"Sure," Yuuki said stoically as he subtly nodded his head before going on ahead.
Shirou shook his head in disproval as he smiled in exasperated amusement. Shirou is going to make sure that the child knows what it's truly like to live. And Shirou was going to accomplished that through … the art of cooking.
"Now …" Shirou murmured to himself in thought, "where can I find the eggs …?"
The sound of sizzling oil and the heavenly smell of cheese and butter permeated in the room with a powerful aromatic scent. Putting the last finishing touches on the handmade dish in the pan, Shirou turned off the rusty stove which he painstakingly cleaned off early in the morning with a satisfied grin. Quickly tilting the cast iron pan onto the plates beside it, Shirou scraped the borders of the pan with his spatula to nudge the food in its final destination.
Although the dish before him is considered a relatively simple Western dish he created from the limited supplies he had available, Shirou was nevertheless proud of himself that he is able to swiftly create something with the barest of options. If he were to be placed under the same position as he was under now a couple years ago, Shirou knew he would have been in a bit of a predicament at the lack of ingredients available for him to use.
"Here you go," Shirou announced with a grin as he handed three plates of breakfast over to Jeanne, Yuuki, and the elderly man named Serge respectively.
"What …" Yuuki paused as he gave an involuntary waft at the heavenly aroma, "is this?"
"That," Shirou pointed at what was in Yuuki's plate, "is a rolled up pancake with cheese inside and the yellow and white food by the side of it would be the eggs I collected from Serge's small chicken farm."
"Egg and cheese pancake," Jeanne murmured in wonder. "I've never known they smell this good," Jeanne continued to speak under her own breath as if talking only to herself.
Shirou gave another warm smile. "Eat up," Shirou gestured as he dug into his own meal.
While Shirou was absorbed in his own thoughts as he ate, Shirou was quick to put a pause in what he was doing when absolute silence met his ears instead of the usual flurry of silverwares clinging on the plates or bowls. Glancing up, Shirou saw everybody including even Yuuki were all staring at the food before them as if it were a …
"Are … you guys okay?" Shirou asked slowly with uncertainty. Was something wrong or not to their liking?
"Shirou," Jeanne began as she continued to fix her eyes on the partly bitten cheese pancake, "did you make this?"
"Yeah," Shirou said with a tinge of embarrassment. "I decided to try something new today since I had nothing to make some Japanese food for you guys to try, I hope I did it to your liking …" Shirou trailed off with an awkward smile.
"This?" Jeanne asked incredulously as if shocked Shirou would suggest such a preposterous idea. "Shirou, this … is very good!" Jeanne exclaimed with disbelief. "Since when can you cook?"
"A while ago," Shirou answered with a relieved smile. It was through his old man, Kiritsugu's, lack in both ability and knowledge to cook anything nutritional and decent was Shirou forced early on to learn how to cook for both him and his father … not that he minded having the extra responsibility.
At the very least, the legendary Servant, Jeanne d'Arc, seems to be enjoying her food. Shirou just wondered if she had a similar appetite to his Servant Saber, if so … Shirou could feel a mixture of delight and dread settling in his stomach. It's always good that someone enjoys his food, Shirou obviously had no qualms about that. However … disaster will set loose on this household's meager food supplies if she is anything near like a certain Saber glutton.
"Haha," the elderly man named Serge chuckled, "it seems like I have to thank you, young maiden, to introduce to me such a fine man!" Serge praised aloud while Jeanne tried desperately hard to ignore the unfinished food below her and onto the talking man. "If my daughter were not already wed, I would have asked you to consider marrying her," Serge revealed with a wide grin.
"M-M-MARRY?!" Shirou stuttered out in outrage.
"And cheese pancakes," Serge continued as he shook his head in tacit amusement, "what inspired you to cook this unique dish, young man?"
"You can call me Shirou," Shirou said before answering the question. "I was originally going to follow through with the traditional Western sweet pancakes, but … pancakes without honey or syrup can become a little bland," Shirou explained hoping not to offend the man by indirectly suggesting that he didn't have the necessary cooking supplies for him to work fully with. "So, I decided to settle with cheese since that is something you have a lot of."
Serge gave another soft chuckle. "I'm glad you made good use of the goat cheese I've stored away. There is no way I can finish all that myself!"
"Did you used to raise goats before?" Shirou inquired, having seen the unbelievable amount of cheese stored in the huge back cabinet in the kitchen. Shirou found it unlikely that Serge bought all that cheese simply because he wanted to or on the whim. Serge looked to Shirou as a much more careful and not an easily gullible man.
Serge gave a warm gentle smile at Shirou's question. "Ah, yes. I raised a couple of goats since my early years with my wife. But, my body is no longer able to keep up with the menial effort in taking care of them anymore. So, I had to give it to a distant nephew to raise the new young goats to good health in my place!"
"You have a wife?" Yuuki asked in between bites with innocence as Shirou inwardly winced at the question. For some reason, Shirou was sure the upcoming conversation is headed for no good. Not only does Yuuki need to work on expressing his emotions, more specifically his smile, but also he needs to work on the art of common sense … something Shirou wasn't entirely sure he was qualified in teaching considering how Tohsaka and even occasionally Saber and Sakura scolded him for being reckless, or in other words, his lack of common sense. Perhaps Jeanne will help out if he asked …
Serge looked up to the ceiling as if reminiscing a fond memory. "Yes, I had a wife for the longest time. But …" Serge paused as he gave a melancholy yet peaceful smile, "she is no longer in this world and has moved on to the next."
Everyone has stopped their rapid and frantic eating movements as they stared at Serge while he recounted the distant memory.
"She died," Yuuki stated impassively as he looked down at his own food in contemplation.
Shirou gave a dry look at Yuuki. How dense and unintentionally insensitive could this homunculus kid be? Regardless, Yuuki seems to have an uncanny knack for it.
"What was it like?" Yuuki asked with a troubled expression on his face.
Shirou's eyes bulged out at the unbelievable question as he mentally cursed in his head. Did Yuuki really asked that question earlier?! Even Jeanne who was innocently grabbing another bite from the cheese pancake choked midbite.
"Hmmm," the elderly man hummed as he leaned back on his wooden chair in thought. "It was … peaceful," Serge gave a finalized answer.
Yuuki looked up as his troubled face quickly morphed into a confused one. Even Shirou wasn't quite sure what Serge meant by his unexpected statement.
Serge nodded with a small smile on his face. "Yes, she was terribly ill and was dying in her deathbed. She died singing an old hymn while I held her hand. She left with a soft smile on her face."
"A … smile?" Yuuki uttered as his eyes widened.
Shirou and Jeanne gave a soft smile at where the conversation is heading.
Serge nodded sagely. "Yes, a smile without any regrets left in this world. And because she has no regrets, she can pass on with a peace in mind."
"Does it … not hurt?" Yuuki asked as a pained expression crossed his face.
Serge gave a melancholy yet relaxed smile at the question. "Of course it will. It is because of these feelings that we are humans. However, even the dead will not want us to mourn for them forever. If they can die in peace, then why shouldn't we the living continue to freely live in peace?"
"To live freely?" Yuuki murmured before looking up at Serge. "What does it mean to be free?"
"To be free?" Serge reconfirmed slowly as he looked intently at Yuuki's small figure. "It would be to not follow others' expectations of you but obeying what your heart says."
"But … what if what I want to do tramples someone else's wish?" Yuuki furthered question with slight hesitation.
Shirou gazed at the entire exchange of conversation with a befuddled expression. Where is Yuuki getting at?
Serge closed his eyes calmly before looking straight at Yuuki's once more. "Be it parent-child, people and environment, society and law, and more; everyone has ties to something."
"Bonds," Yuuki murmured to himself in realization while he looked down on the table.
"That's why it's impossible for us to live as we please. Because even if I want to live following my heart, I am still tied to something. So, to be free is to have the freedom of thought. And when the time comes, to accept the responsibility from what you've done." Serge ended with a firm conclusion that left no room for doubt.
Even if the world is one day subjected under an unthrowable tyrant, the people can always remain themselves deep down inside their soul because there, they are free from the shackles of their oppressors. We all are free because we have the freedom of thought and each of us are ourselves.
Shirou unconsciously glanced over to the painting behind Serge as Shirou quickly recognized the masterpiece on site as The Gleaners. If Shirou remembered correctly, the painting was drawn by a non-Japanese man by the name Jean something …
Although it was clear that the famous painting is not the authentic piece, the message it carried was still nevertheless clear. No matter how weak and regardless of what standing you have in society, if one is willing to put in the effort into surviving, they will ultimately live. And even if the world is full of setbacks and disappointments no matter how much effort is exerted by the person, their story and enduring example will be passed on to others, allowing them to glean understanding and perseverance from their predecessors.
Even though the women depicted in the picture seemed to have no free will but are only capable of gleaning the grains after the harvest for food, it spoke of the insurmountable determination all the women held to help themselves and their family to survive, no matter the costs on their behalf.
If one has not given up on life, then they are destined to do great things, but only if they are willing to work for it. Whether the outcome is favorable or not, wise people end up finding out that it was the process towards the goal that was often the most rewarding. The relationships that were built, the trials that were overcome, the failures they learn from, all of these are rewards for an enduring and persevering person.
"I'm sorry …" Yuuki said as he looked at his plate of food in downcast. "But I guess I still don't get it."
How dense can you be?! Shirou wanted to shout that phrase out in disbelief. The elderly man of the house, Serge, had explained everything crystal clear to Yuuki yet he still doesn't get any of it. Shirou calmed his rushing thoughts as he nodded in understanding towards Yuuki's discouraged yet emotionless expression. Yuuki is a homunculus that was just born into this world, having no knowledge of anything human, he was akin to a newborn babe learning everything at once.
To experience emotions he's never had, the homunculus child was bound to be confused at one point or another. All Shirou, Jeanne, and also Serge can do is to guide and lead him, but however, let him walk on his own two feet as he comes to understand what it truly means to be human.
"Think well about it," Serge said calmly as he stood up from his chair. "What you really want, what you really wish for," with that statement, Serge headed over to the kitchen as he ruffled through some of the appliances set up there.
"My true wish …" Yuuki murmured under his own breath as he folded his hands in front of him in pensive thought while Jeanne directed him a worried and concerned look.
"Now then," Serge spoke aloud as he interrupted the short-lived silence, "would you guys like some coffee?" Serge asked with a cheerful smile.
Shirou grinned at the kind consideration. "Sure, I'll help," Shirou offered.
Serge nodded in thanks with a beaming smile of his own.
"Shirou!" Jeanne quickly called out once Shirou rushed over to the kitchen. "Seconds please!"
Shirou staggered in his footsteps at the infamous phrase he hears far too commonly for the past several years in Japan with Taiga and Saber. "Ah, sure, just wait a moment!"
"I am in your debt," Jeanne widely grinned with joy.
Shirou shook his head in amused exasperation. There was no refusing her after she says that with such a big smile. Whether Jeanne knew it or not, that smile can sure be manipulative at times. Or maybe that was her extraordinarily high Charisma rank at work here?
Rolling up his sleeves, Shirou glanced above at the overtop shelves above him. Now then … where are the coffee beans and cheese again?
"Shirou, where are we going?" Yuuki's voice sounded as the trio consisting of Shirou, Yuuki, and Jeanne walked in the sparsely populated classical roads of Trifas.
"Ah, that," Shirou mumbled as he spared a glance at the unaware Jeanne. "I'm planning to find a part-time job to work at so we can buy more food to fill up the now emptied kitchen … leaving out the cheese that we still have plenty of, of course."
Yuuki nodded his head in understanding as he looked straight back at the road ahead.
"Also," Shirou continued where he left off, "Jeanne, you mentioned that you had an errand you needed to run, right?" Shirou asked in confirmation.
Jeanne subtly nodded her head as she suddenly stopped in the middle of a crossroad. Darting her eyes right and left, Jeanne knelt down on the ground as she pressed her hand onto the uneven tiled roads once she confirmed that no one is in the vicinity. Closing her eyes, Jeanne pushed mana through her hands as a shining magic circle appeared from under her palm. The magic circle then shot out a golden shining beam of light across the road at Jeanne's left side as if directing her somewhere.
Opening her eyes back again, Jeanne stood up gracefully as she looked up at the building on top of a small hill to the left side of her.
"There?" Jeanne murmured aloud as she trailed off while she gazed up at the old looking church up the hill.
"Is … something wrong?" Shirou tentatively asked. Although Shirou thought the whole trick with magic circles and guiding lights being pretty cool, Shirou knew magic in general is rarely used as a means for entertainment. It was always only used to obtain a goal.
Jeanne shook her head in reply. "No, but the Grail has been trying to guide me in this direction since my summoning. I am trying to figure out the irregularities behind this Grail War."
"Irregularities?" Shirou murmured in thought. There seemed to be quite a bit of those in the Grail Wars for some special reason.
Jeanne nodded. "The Grail has for unknown reasons failed to summon me, forcing me to possess a willing soul's body as a substitute method. The girl who graciously lent me this body is called Laeticia."
"Wait, what?! Then—"
"She is safe," Jeanne interrupted Shirou's train of thought when he trailed off into an incoherent jumble. "It would be best described as I am a shell around her body. Any injuries inflicted on me will be of no harm to her," Jeanne explained.
"Still sounds dangerous," Shirou said with uncertainty before relenting to the idea. If Laeticia did truly and willingly give her body to Jeanne temporarily, then Shirou had no right to refuse such a sacrificial willingness.
"Is that why you eat?" Yuuki suddenly asked after being silent for most of the conversation.
That … is actually a good question, Shirou thought absently in his mind.
Jeanne nodded seriously at the comment. "Possessing a human's body handicaps a Servant's true potential. Although I can still carry out my duty as a Ruler Class Servant, I am still bound by the daily problems a human will have to deal with on a regular basis. Hunger and thirst are one of them."
"So that's why you need food and water, without it, Laeticia will not be able to survive," Shirou spoke in realization.
"That is correct."
"But, is that it?" Shirou questioned. After all, food and water aren't too much of a hassle for a Heroic Spirit even if it's a necessary for living. In fact, although Shirou's Servant, Saber, is capable of going without food and water, she still nevertheless partakes in the daily necessities of a normal person just because she wants to. Or perhaps more accurately, because he insisted in the beginning for her to partake in their meals since he didn't feel like he was being a great host if he was neglecting Saber by excluding her out of their "family's" dining times.
"Contrary to common understanding," Ruler began to answer Shirou's question, "although I and Laeticia share the same body, we do not have two separate personalities."
"What?!" Shirou yelped out. Ruler didn't mean she literally fused her own individuality into Laeticia, did she?!
"Because of Laeticia's compatibility and her faith in me, Laeticia accepted me into her body completely. While I remain as the main dominant consciousness, Laeticia's self and consciousness still linger."
"Sounds … tough," Shirou commented, having a hard time fathoming how such an arrangement could work.
"It isn't as bad as you think it is," Ruler gave a soft smile. "For example, during my life I grew up as a peasant, making me unable to read and write. However, because of Laeticia's consciousness combined with mine own, I am able to use her knowledge in concerns outside of the Grail Wars."
"Then you can read and write now?" Shirou confirmed as he rubbed his chin in thought. Maybe dual consciousness does have its perks … not that he'll ever want to try it out unless absolutely necessary for some special reason.
Jeanne nodded. "Yes, I am able to read everything here in Romania."
As if on cue to Jeanne's words, Shirou looked up at an overhead sign by the roadside written in Romanian. Although Shirou knew he had no prior knowledge of reading, writing, or speaking the native language here, Shirou is stunned by the fact that he is still able to understand the content behind it.
"That …" Shirou pointed at the overhead sign he was eyeing all along, "means 'bakery', right?" Shirou tentatively asked.
"Huh? You know Romanian?" Jeanne asked with a hint of surprise.
Shirou shook his head in reply. "Not even a bit, but for some reason, I am able to understand it … subconsciously at least."
"Hmmm," Jeanne frowned as she hummed in thought.
"Not only that," Shirou continued. "Every Romanian person I come across is speaking Japanese. And I'm beginning to think it's me that's having the problem here and not the natives."
"So you hear Japanese instead of Romanian?" Jeanne clarified.
Shirou nodded. "If I focus specifically on what they're saying, I can hear them speaking Romanian, however, if I just walk past them not paying too much attention to what they're saying, the words come out as Japanese. Do you think you know any reasons on why is it like this?"
Jeanne shook her head as she glanced at Yuuki, to which Yuuki also shook his head in answer.
"Well," Shirou placed his arms behind his head in a relaxed manner, "other than the odd language problem which I'm thankful of if not for the fact that I don't know its origins, I'm glad that I'm still myself. Does … it feel right to merge your personality with another person?" Shirou asked Jeanne, concern evident on his face.
Jeanne gave a reassuring smile at Shirou's heartfelt concern. "Although Laeticia's and my personality are largely the same which is proven through my possession of her, there are still some differences that can be difficult to overcome."
"Like?" Yuuki asked out of curiosity.
"Well …" Jeanne began thinking as she placed her fingertip on her chin while the trio continued walking up the hill. "An example would be I have this almost unnatural urge to pat your head right now, Yuuki," Jeanne said with a straight face before smiling at Yuuki.
Yuuki widened his eyes in shock as if he just realized his best friend was all along a girl instead of a boy.
"Don't worry, Yuuki," Jeanne reassured, "I won't pat you if you don't like it."
Yuuki gave a sigh of relief before he heard Jeanne murmuring under her breath to herself, "I think," as Yuuki quickly went back on guard.
"A head pat?" Shirou made a confused expression at the revelation. Of all things, it just had to be a head pat. Shirou glanced sympathetically at the confused Yuuki after seeing the rapid transformation in Jeanne's character.
"It's alright, Yuuki-kun," Shirou spoke as he involuntarily added the honorific suffix behind the child's name. "It's a thing for girls, once you aren't like this anymore," Shirou continued while gesturing over at Yuuki's young figure, "you should be safe."
"Oh, is that so," Yuuki stated monotonously in wonder.
"… Maybe," Shirou added with a strained chuckle and an awkward smile.
Although his half-sister Illya is older than he is, Illyasviel, being a homunculus, had her growth stunted, making her forever remain in her childish form despite even having a human father. So, chances are for Yuuki, a pure homunculus, to grow out of his child phase … it slim to none according to Shirou's deductions.
"Well, Jeanne," Shirou began with a warm and sincere grin as he held out his hand in front of her, "if you ever need help dealing with whatever handicaps you have, you can always call me for help. I'll be sure to be there," Shirou said with determination and the conviction to protect.
Jeanne widened her eyes in surprise before smiling, "Oka—" Jeanne suddenly paused before a pink blushed instantly formed on her face.
"You … don't look too well," Shirou tentatively stated. She … didn't all the sudden contracted a cold, did she? Even with the strange oddities surrounding the Grail War between magi and Servants, Shirou doubted that even a unique Servant like Jeanne could contract an instantaneous cold within a split second.
"A-Ah! It's n-nothing!" Jeanne stuttered as she profusely waved her hands in front of her. "Laeticia is not very good at handling men, so it sometimes influences my actions."
"Oh … is that so," Shirou mumbled incoherently. Well, this is awkward. What else could he do in this kind of odd situation? This issue just made helping Jeanne up a notch in difficulty.
Jeanne hurriedly turned around as she prepared to walk up the remaining steps to the front of the church.
"Laeticia," Shirou called out, this time calling the host of the body.
Jeanne immediately turned around as she opened her mouth in surprise.
"I'm not sure can you hear me," Shirou began awkwardly, "but if you will allow me, I'll be sure to always be there when you both ever need help, no matter how big or small. Even in battle if necessary," Shirou gave a confident and unwavering smile. "And this stands for you too, Yuuki," Shirou grinned.
Jeanne softly smiled at Shirou's words before her face slowly turned serious. "I'm sorry, Shirou," Jeanne began, "but I cannot let you further involve yourself in the Grail Wars. I belong on a battlefield, but you a peaceful life."
Shirou thoughtfully gaze in the sky at Jeanne's words of concern. "No one belongs in the battlefield," Shirou refuted, "in the ideal world, everyone deserves a peaceful life than that of war. But in a reality where wars do exist, then is it not all of humanity's responsibility to help out in their own way by solving the conflict?" Shirou questioned.
"I may not be much of a big help in battle," Shirou continued, "but that doesn't mean I can't help. Because, I know helping others is never wrong."
Jeanne made a melancholy expression at Shirou's words as the vivid dream of swords from last night flashed through her head. By helping, did the red-headed magus meant he will go to that kind of extremes and sacrificial length to do so?
"I understand," Jeanne said as she turned around to face the church entrance. "However, I will make sure that eventuality will not happen. Battle is where I belong, and it is in my duty to protect the innocents and not get them involved in the War. And this stands for both you and Yuuki, Shirou," Jeanne ended with a firm conviction.
Shirou grinned. If he were to be in Jeanne's position, he might have done and said the same things she just said here earlier, especially if he didn't want others to be involved in his dangerous affairs to save. However, it was also through experience and this conversation that Shirou realized that helping does not only include mere battles but can also appear in many other forms.
Shirou unconsciously glanced down at his hands. In order for him to begin to truly be able to save others to the fullest of his abilities, he needed to become a Hero of Justice, doing anything he can with his hands to help others in need. And right now, Shirou saw that need most in this Great Holy Grail War.
With a gesture, Jeanne advanced forward as she pushed open the right side of the heavy wooden doors of the church while Shirou and Yuuki followed in after her.
Gazing at the ethereal lights shining in through the colorful glass sheets, Shirou couldn't help but gawk in awe at the serene beauty the church held that is completely unlike a certain Catholic church in Fuyuki City where it looked gloomy to any naked eyes.
Shifting his gaze to the stretching rows of neatly lined up wooden pews and the small tiled lane that ran in the middle of the room, the trio without hesitation stepped forward as they followed Jeanne's lead.
Suddenly, a strong and powerful stench of toxic perfume assaulted Shirou's nose as Shirou stumbled in place at the unexpected smell while he gagged inaudibly.
"Shirou?!"
"Shirou?" both Jeanne and Yuuki gave Shirou a concerned look at his abrupt odd behavior.
"Watch ou—" Shirou knew from Tohsaka's lectures after battling Rider's Blood Fort Andromeda that he had a keen sense of smell towards anything magical, though specifically more often towards any magical oddities. But despite Shirou's attempt of warning, Shirou was a second shy of his shout of caution when a purple glowing magic circle appeared and expanded from under Jeanne's foot when she turned around to see and make sure that Shirou was alright.
Jeanne widened her eyes in surprise by the trap as the magic circle's effect was immediate when powerful interconnecting chains flew out of the circle and began wrapping around Jeanne's figure.
Shirou's pupils shrank and his eyes widened at the surprise attack. Promptly reacting to the trap, Shirou instantly traced out Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands. Rocketing forward at the golden-haired Ruler, Shirou lashed out the dual Chinese blades instinctively as two chains shattered at the overwhelming force of the Noble Phantasm.
But despite Shirou's rapid recovery time and attacks, even he was no match to the chains' sheer speed in encompassing Jeanne's body. Shirou was about to turn around to destroy the other two chains when Jeanne all of the sudden narrowed her eyes before she manifested her armor as the magical chains all shattered at once at the overwhelming force.
"Thank you, Shirou," Jeanne thanked politely as Shirou smiled awkwardly at the thanks.
"Yeah …" Shirou then trailed off. "I'm glad to help but … couldn't you have done that – um, Servant power thing earlier?"
"I was caught off guard," Jeanne swiftly replied.
"Oh …" Shirou trailed off once more. He didn't know the concept of a Servant getting caught off guard actually existed! Was this another flaw behind Jeanne's unique summoning? "Is it Laeticia?" Shirou asked.
Jeanne shook her head at Shirou's words with a small smile. "Although I and Laeticia are two different people," Jeanne began explaining, "we are still in many ways one. Just as Laeticia influences my actions, the same can be said for me, I influence her actions. Even if Laeticia is partially responsible for my late reaction speed, I am still the one who possesses this body, therefore, it can be said that I am the one who is caught off guard," Jeanne finished.
Shirou nodded. "I get it … but I don't get it."
Yuuki subtly nodded in tacit agreement at Shirou's words. Two in one then one to two. Things can wind up becoming pretty confusing just after a couple sentences of explaining this odd thought or concept. The whole premise behind what Jeanne is speaking of is virtually saying, "I am you and you are me … but, we are in one body with two minds that connect to each other."
"I will explain in greater depth when we get back," Jeanne gave an amused grin at Shirou and Yuuki's display of confusion.
"What was that trap earlier?" Yuuki suddenly asked as they continued along the aisle.
"That trap was definitely created by a magus," Shirou noted the obvious observation for no ordinary human could craft a magic circle like that to Shirou's knowledge.
Jeanne shook her head. "I've never seen those runes before nor do I possess much knowledge of it, this magic circle could only be the creation of a Servant that dates back to the Age of Gods."
"Servant?" Shirou murmured in doubt. "That trap didn't look exceptionally powerful to me," Shirou expressed his thoughts.
Jeanne nodded her head in agreement. "That was a trap set up for magi only, not against Servants."
"Hmmm," Shirou hummed as he rubbed his chin. "Wonder why they did that."
Jeanne chose to not comment on Shirou's self-musing as she stepped forward and further down the aisle when suddenly her eyes opened impossibly wide while a vivid vision of a man shot through her mind. Cloaked in red and black with hair white as snow and skin tanned dark brown, Jeanne saw glimpses of him in the church building they were in before the visions swiftly came to an end when her sight returned to her, showing her the neatly lined up pews and the ornately decorated stage of the sanctuary.
"A …" Jeanne gasped from the intense sensation as she calmed her breathing, "… revelation just now," Jeanne trailed off before lifting up her downcast head as she gazed forward with a serious and determined expression that showed her purpose. "I must … meet that man," Jeanne uttered quietly to herself in thought.
"Uh …" Shirou broke the tranquil and almost tense silence. "What man are we talking about here?" Shirou asked, oblivious of what Jeanne had just "seen".
"The man of this church," Jeanne swiftly replied.
"What does he look like?"
"He is clothed in red and black attire. Also, he has a distinctive white hair along with tanned skin," Jeanne described.
Shirou struggled to not twitch his eyes at the detailed descriptions. That sounded exactly like the Archer of the Fifth War who tried to kill him!
"Is he … that important?" Shirou tentatively asked.
Jeanne cocked her head sideways in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, do we really really have to go see this man in your …" Shirou trailed off not knowing the term to use.
"Revelation," Jeanne filled in the missing blank.
"Right, revelation," Shirou repeated. "So, is seeing that man a necessary course of action for us?"
Jeanne shook her head in reply. "Not us but just I," Jeanne replied. "You and Yuuki will be staying under Serge's roof while I solve the oddities behind this Grail War."
Shirou gave a soft smile at Jeanne's straightforward concern. "I will be going," Shirou said adamantly. "I need to see this man for myself as well."
"Shirou?" Yuuki gave a questioning look at the red-headed magus.
"Do you know this man?" Jeanne asked, confused by why Shirou found it necessary to see the person who should be absolutely unrelated to him.
"Know him?" Shirou muttered under his breath. "White hair and tanned skin with red and black clothes, right?" Shirou reconfirmed to which Jeanne quietly nodded her head. "There should be only one person in the world that matches that description in an event like the Grail Wars, though …" Shirou trailed off.
"Shirou?" Jeanne voiced out her concern when she saw the pensive mood Shirou was in.
"Ah, it's nothing," Shirou smiled once he snapped out of his trance. "I hope you don't mind, but I need to see this person for myself and …" Shirou abruptly stopped as he reflected in his mind on how he should continue his sentence.
"And?" Jeanne asked, gesturing for Shirou to continue his midway explanation.
"And … if it's the person I think it is, then I'll give him a piece of my mind," Shirou ended with a firm and unwavering gaze that of a battle experienced warrior.
"You sound like you have a history with him," Jeanne noted with interest.
"A short but very deep one," Shirou cryptically answered. "Jeanne," Shirou suddenly addressed, "do you happen to know the man's name by any chance?"
Jeanne closed her eyes as she shook her head. "No, I unfortunately do not."
"Hmmm, well, let's just hope his name isn't 'Shirou'," Shirou offhandedly commented. If Shirou were to end up truly see his future self, Archer, then things could get really ugly very quick. But there is one thing that Shirou didn't understand from Jeanne's descriptive yet vague revelation. If Archer of the Fifth War was truly here … then why is he here? How does the Great Holy Grail War here in Romania tie to the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki?
Shirou decided to store away his unanswered questions in his brain for another time. Maybe later when he is perhaps alone with either Jeanne or Fione will they be able to shed some light on the matter of the Holy Grail Wars for him. But seeing how Jeanne is the Ruler of this Grail War only, Shirou wasn't sure whether or not will she have any knowledge of the past or other Grail Wars around the world. And if Jeanne is truly unable to answer Shirou's question, Shirou is left with his last resort of asking Fione who resides in the looming Yggdmillennia Castle.
Yep, if Jeanne, his Saber, and Tohsaka were to hear his thoughts right now, Shirou could almost imagine their cries of dismay and eyes of disapproval while they shook their heads from side to side in dissatisfaction. In fact, the more Shirou thought about it, he had a premonition that it would be a lot worse than a simple disapproval. Tohsaka might chain him down to the floor until he "repents" of his mindset … Shirou shuddered inwardly as the image crossed his mind.
"Anyway, let's get going," Shirou announced seeing that there is nothing more to see around the small mountainside church of Trifas.
Jeanne hummed in agreement as she dissipated her armor, leaving behind her school uniform as Shirou barely resisted the urge to sigh at the sight. No matter how many times he sees it, he could never get used to seeing Jeanne in a traditional European school uniform, especially when she carries such a similar face to his Servant, Saber!
"Shirou," Yuuki's barely audible voice addressed Shirou as Yuuki tugged the hem of Shirou's shirt repeatedly, "are we going?" Yuuki asked as he gestured over to Jeanne who is already a few paces ahead. "You seem distracted," Yuuki noted monotonously.
"It's … complicated," Shirou finally sighed at the reminder of his previous thoughts. How is he going to explain to Yuuki about his inner nagging troubles?
"You can tell me everything if you want, Shirou, I am here to listen," a voice suddenly spoke beside him as Shirou's eyes widened in recognition at the feminine sound.
"J-Jeanne!" Shirou stuttered in bewilderment.
"Distractions can prove fatal if a battle occurs," Jeanne began. "If you are to come with me to find the man, I suggest you find ways to rid yourself of any distractions," Jeanne finished sagely.
"Haha," Shirou gave a dry laugh and an awkward, forced smile. "Easier said than done."
"What is distracting you, Shirou?" Jeanne continued to pursue her question.
Shirou felt a tugging sensation in his heart at wanting to tell Jeanne about her … choice of attire. Shirou inwardly lamented at his position, this was why he disliked the skill 'Charisma' of a Servant. They can compel even the most stubborn person into willing submission. A useful skill, but can get awfully annoying once it's used on you.
"It's …" Shirou hesitated while Jeanne stared intently into Shirou's eyes, "… that uniform," Shirou finally said in a voice just slightly above a whisper.
"M-My …" Jeanne face began to rapidly go red, probably mostly because of Laeticia's influence on her, "… uniform?"
Shirou reluctantly nodded. "I knew someone who looked a lot like you," Shirou began explaining, "and seeing you wearing the school uniform kind of reminded me of her and our time together … though, she will never wear a school uniform unless it's practical for battle," Shirou smiled.
Jeanne smiled when she saw Shirou's face brighten at the fond memory. But … battle?
"Which battle have you and her overcome?" Jeanne asked.
"Huh?" Shirou made a questioning look at Jeanne's question, thinking that she should know better as the Ruler of the war. "It's none other than the Holy Grail War. She's my Servant, Saber."
Jeanne's eyes widened at the impossibility and the implications Shirou's words held. A Holy Grail War?! Jeanne was quickly taken back in her mind to the time when she just met Shirou. During that time, she told the Masters and Servants of Black who are cornering Shirou that forcefully making Shirou involved in the Grail Wars will be breaking the guidelines of the war. However, Shirou replied with an odd statement that piqued her curiosity. "Well, I wasn't expecting to get dragged into another one," Shirou had spoken those words verbatim. And right now, Jeanne had officially confirmed what Shirou meant from those words at the time. He, no matter the absurdity his words carried, had been in a Grail War with a Saber Servant.
"We should get going before it gets too late," Shirou suddenly announced, snapping Jeanne out of her train of thoughts. "I still need to get some more groceries and find a part-time job. If you guys want, you can both first go back. I'll be back at Serge's house later once I finish my errands."
"There's still much daylight left," Yuuki pointed out emotionlessly.
Shirou nodded in agreement. "True, but Servants are most active during the night, and we can't risk being under their line of sight this early in the battle," Shirou said. "It will be better if they don't know us so we can help the unaware innocents out."
"I see," Yuuki stated.
"We will go with you," Jeanne answered in Yuuki's stead seeing his intention just by the way he looked at Shirou.
"Thank you," Shirou smiled and gave a light chuckle. "Well then, let's head out!" Shirou said as he marched out of the brightly lit church sanctuary as they headed for the great outdoors.
Shirou turned his head over at the afternoon sun. In just a couple of hours, the battle for the Holy Grail is going to resume for Masters and Servants. And for some reason, Shirou could feel trouble brewing in the city of Trifas.
Suddenly, Shirou senses assaulted him all at once as he barely managed to keep himself from collapsing instantly. The scent of death, loneliness, vengeance was all in the air in a jumbled mess, making Shirou's mind stagger a bit at the overwhelming feeling. Shirou whirled his head to the right at the source of smell to see absolutely nothing there.
Shirou frowned at the sight. He swore there was something there. Having an uneasy crease of worry on his forehead, Shirou narrowed his eyes as Jeanne and Yuuki continued walking forward unknowing of Shirou's inner turmoil.
Looking up to the sky, Shirou could only grimly say to himself one sentence. "A big storm is coming …"
Thank you for reading!
Hey guys, sorry for the one day late update. Things have been pretty hectic recently in real life so my writing had to wait a bit. So … for those that reviewed and are wondering what's taking the author so long to answer your question, it's because I haven't got the time to properly reply a single review due to this week's packed schedule. Anyway, hope you can understand! These next few days, I hope to properly reply all the reviews that have a question in it! Thank you for your patience!
Also, everybody, thank you very much for expressing your opinions about the story plot, parings, characters, etc. I appreciate it and it has gave me a great idea on what you, the readers, are looking for in this story.
Anyway, next update coming out on Saturday is … Blades of Fate!