Disclaimer: These are works of purely speculative fiction. It is not intended to infringe on any rights by any of the companies and/or individuals involved in the production of any series mentioned here. Fate Grand Order and all the franchises and series associated with it, are owned by Kinoko Nasu, Notes Co., Ltd. and their affiliates. Similarly, Fire Emblem Heroes is owned by Nintendo Co., Ltd. and their affiliates.
I DO NOT OWN THESE FRANCHISES.
Sister Fanfic: Serious Side Reels - A Grand Order of Heroes Sidestories
The Order of Heroes castle Library was not the greatest of libraries located in Zenith.
The books that lined its walls did not contain the history of the world in Its entirety, but the same could be said about all libraries. It also paled in comparison to the vast knowledge available on the internet, but to many heroic spirits, scholars, and magi, most of who did not use such a wondrous modern invention, it was still a precious treasure trove of knowledge.
One Hans Christian Andersen was a frequent patron of the library, as reading is one of the many obligations of any successful author such as himself, much like deadlines. Yet, unlike making a deadline, reading was something Hans enjoyed doing, especially when doing so by a window during the afternoon while sipping on a nice, steaming hot cup of joe.
Sadly, Hans was forced to hole up in his room as of late.
After it was discovered that Hero Summons can infuse themselves with the Saint Graphs from their legends, many began to line up to obtain a boost in power so that they could finally cross the gulf between Heroic Spirit and humans and give weight to back up their strength.
Personally, Hans found the act distasteful, not just for ethical reasons but also because that false gun was essentially a deus ex machina for his master to use and abuse. While his master would disagree that the cut into her horde of Saint quartz and orbs was anything but a demerit, the loss was well worth it in Chaldea's eyes. Having a small army of demi servants at her beck and call was considered too valuable of a resource by her higher-ups to let go to waste.
He had to give the people of this world credit, however, as many of them still felt uneasy with the procedure. Sure, the fact that they would be bound by command seals was a major factor, but most Hero Summons he had eavesdropped on were not as worried about that due in part to the fact that many trusted Gudako or Gudao to not abuse their trust.
No, the biggest issue most had was that they felt it was cheating to obtain such an easy power-up, even if it is from their legends both current or future.
Unfortunately for him, that didn't stop Camilla from jumping at the opportunity to become stronger. Since that day, he had been forced to look behind his back every time he walked the halls.
He still felt it was odd that the purple yandere hadn't realized she could hurt him anytime she wanted just by criticizing his work. All it would take on her part would be to walk up to him and say, 'I think your stories are mid' for his curses to act up and cause him pain.
Either she is unaware of this weakness, which is impossible because Hans has made no effort to hide his weakness, or her pride refuses to allow her to exploit an already existing weakness she didn't cause herself.
That or she's matured and let bygones be bygones, but seeing as how that woman was currently distracted by her Japanese counterpart in a 'mother off,' he doubted that was the case.
Truly, his master's perversions are so powerful that they override the catalysts she uses in her summoning sessions and always manage to bring up cow-titted women with motherly tendencies.
In any case, Camilla and Raikou's youth spoiling competition had allowed Hans to exit his room without being bothered and now it was just him and the sweet and beautiful sensation of running his fingers over the few books left on the bookshelf. He could feel the weight of history behind each book he touched.
One of Hans's new hobbies has been to find similarities and differences between the many different literary works from Earth and Zenith. His actions were not unique in that regard, since every single caster had the same idea as him. This was why the library was so sparse as of this moment because every servant and hero summon mage had the same idea.
Hans had not seen single history or war tactics text on these shelves in over a month. Not that he read those kinds of books often as he was a fairytale author, but he still enjoyed losing himself in the occasional rabbit hole once in a while.
If there was one thing he disliked about this library, it was the way it was organized. Quite frankly, it was a mess, but that is to be expected of an isekai medieval society. They somehow manage to create skimpy, modern female swimsuits, yet they can't bother to organize books in alphabetical order or by genre.
Hans rolled his eyes, 'Truly, the humanity of this world has its priorities even straighter than his world.' Even with that said, Hans would give them a break due simply in part to their fake animal ears being of high quality.
A certain title catches his interest, and he picks it up. Only to see another dragon on the cover.
Alice had managed to check out most of the titles that related to princesses and cute girly fairy tales. The remainder she left was all about dragons. Dragons were Phantasmal Beasts that were common, nay overused, in many Fairy Tales. But, none of the stories back home would compare to the massive dragon obsession Zenith has.
Hans wondered where the 'fairy' in fairy tales went when the authors of this world wrote their books. Just look at these titles.
The White Dragon Empress, The Manakete's Millenial Love, The Tail of a Wingless Wyvern, and many other stories were just a few of the titles that he had been lucky enough to obtain before they were snatched up by someone else.
Dragons, dragons, and more dragons. There's little variety outside these blasted fire-breathing lizards!
Hans released a sigh of defeat. There was no helping it, dragons were a focal point in all religions of this world and every adjacent world across the local multiverse.
A book is a book, and he needed more material to get inspiration from, so he really should not be too picky.
His fingers stop over a peculiar title. He pulls out the leather-bonded book and was met with a pristine cover with a cutesy amphibian starting at a dragon dancing above the clouds.
"The Dragon and the Salamander? Well... at least the title is passable." At least it wasn't as bad as those Japanese Light Novel titles.
He refuses to acknowledge a summary used as a book title anything less than lazy writing. Having a short, concise title with a promising premise to lure readers in is the way to go.
This is something the premise of this book managed to do, as its story sounded interesting.
It's the story of a salamander Baron who wants to become a dragon to ascend the throne, and so he does everything in his power to become one, even at the cost of his friends and family.
Hans could get behind that.
Once he placed the book into his pile, his ears picked up sniffling sounds coming from the main room.
"Hmm?" Hans felt his curiosity peaked and decided to take a look, but not before bringing his books with him. He did not want to let others take his hard-earned pile that easily.
He slowly makes his way toward the main room of the library. The sniffling got louder and he made his way closer to the source. He hid behind a shelf that had somehow survived being picked clean and pulled out one of its books to get a better view.
From the small slit he opened, he was met with the gorgeous face of his fellow oriental author, Murasaki Shikibu.
He immediately recognized what he had stumbled upon and inwardly sighed in annoyance.
'Oh great. A book club.' Hans could barely hold back a grumble about the noisy girls violating his safe space with their incessant sobbing. Seeing this as a waste of time, he made his way to leave.
"Alright ladies, who want to give their honest opinions on Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Match Girl' first?"
Hans, after hearing the title of the book being discussed, froze in his tracks. 'I am going to feel pain from their criticisms regardless, so I might as well...'
Hans silently made his way back and leaned in closer to the group to hear what his beloved readers had to say about his works.
"The story is quite tragic and realistic for a fairy tale. I've heard of many incidents like this happening to the common folk during winter, so I was immediately hooked when I saw an opportunity to see through the lenses of the common folks. It was quite the eye-opener, to say the least, but I can't say such a story would be popular back home."
Hearing her criticism caused a burning sensation in his skin to act up, but he could ignore it as he was more surprised to see who the critic of his work was. That voice was of the Adrestian Empress, Ms. Noble Protector herself.
Ah yes, he remembered her. One of the many Hero Summons was coerced into being evaluated by him. It was surprising to see she had the time to read little old me's stories.
Then again, considering it was an author who cracked open her psyche and served it to her on a silver platter for her to reflect on, it's no wonder she would be curious about who he was. What better way is there to understand the mind of another l than to read his silly little fairy tales?
"I... I feel so bad for the little girl." The voice that was the most emotional out of all of them spoke. He could not see who the woman was who said that but hearing the horseness of her voice brought a smile to his face.
"If her sorry excuse for a father wasn't such an abusive scumbag, she wouldn't have had to die in the cold!" The young woman who he couldn't see said with venom in her voice.
Hans's smile fell and was instead replaced with worry.
'Perhaps this one has identified with The Little Match girl a bit too much.'
He didn't need to activate his [Human Observation A] skill to know that this woman identified with the book's character for personal reasons.
Using his superior servant's senses, he heard a hand pat the girl on the shoulder. Curious about what was going on, Hans carefully took out another book from the shelf and saw Edelgarde comforting a purple-haired girl by rubbing her shoulder.
'Ah. It's the abused child,' Bernadetta von Varley, the countryman of the Empress was truly a pitiable creature. A girl who served as the relatable introvert side character that also doubled as the comic relief. At a first glance that is all that the girl is, but in truth, her quirks and behaviors have a much darker backstory.
Parental abuse. The very same that the girl in the story suffered if she refused to return home without having sold anything.
Hans wondered just how messed up the political situation in Fodlan must truly be if it managed to traumatize most of its nobility. So far, nearly everyone he has met from Fodlan is the most rife with depression, anxiety, and trauma with only a few exceptions.
'Which reminds me... I need to pick up some history books from Fodlan. It sounds like quite the pleasant place to live.'
"I usually prefer happy endings to stories, but I still loved this from start to finish. As sad as this story was, the scene with the little girl and her grandmother was beautiful." The princess of the realm, Sharena said as she tried her best to lighten the mood.
Hans smiled at that. Many people never realize this, but wholesome moments shine brightest in a story bathed in the darkest pits of tragedy. There's hope for this princess yet.
"Plus, it's much less depressing than 'The Little Mermaid.'" Hans ignored the prickling sensations stabbing at his feet, as he had grown used to its discomfort. He was too focused on the disappointment he felt toward this girl.
"Ugh. Don't get me started on THAT story. What is up with it!? It's so messed up! And the princess die-" Before the tsundere voice, who most likely sported twin tails, was about to spoil the ending of his over 100-year-old book, she was interrupted by a voice.
A disgustingly familiar voice that made the pit of his stomach turn when she opened her mouth to speak.
"Now, now Severa-san, that's the next story we will read. No spoilers~" The disgusting woman's voice belonged to none other than Kiara Sessyoin, the alternate version of his former master from the Moon Cell Grail War.
She was one of the people in Chaldea he avoided like the plague when he found out she worked there, as a therapist of all things. But much like Europe, he was not able to avoid bumping into her from time to time.
She had tried to get his autograph multiple times, one for each of his stories. While he did indulge her on a blue moon, it was only as a last resort when one of his excuses of being busy didn't work. Of course, such actions did not go unnoticed, and everyone in Chaldea always wondered why he hated being around her.
What a joke. If only those fools knew what kind of perverted BEAST lay dormant underneath that woman. If it was up to Hans, she was the LAST person that he would hire to advise others.
The only people who knew the potential danger of such a woman were himself, the servants who participated in the latter half of the Moon Cell Grail War, and the Fujimaru siblings.
As much as he dislikes Kiara, he wasn't going to make her alternate self miserable by having her watched 24/7 for any sign of turning into a BEAST of Humanity.
That still didn't mean that he was comfortable sharing the same room with her.
'It was fun to hear what my readers thought, oh well.' He turned around and took his leave, not willing to remain anywhere near the sex-fanatic nun.
Hans met with the librarian and checked out his book with no issues. Then, after he got the whole spiel about returning books on time and the penalties for not returning them in the condition he borrowed them, he made his way to the door.
"Oof."
Only to be met by the scandalous semi-transparent veil that barely hid the midriff of the woman standing at the entrance of the library.
He looks up to meet the eyes of the woman he collided with, "excuse me for bumping into you, but I am in quite a hurry. Can you please stand aside?"
As soon as he finished his sentence, he is caught off guard when she threw sand at his face.
Hans did not see the point in attempting to close his eyes, due to his glasses being there to protect him from such attacks.
That decision was a mistake he quickly came to regret, as the sand somehow bypassed his glasses and went directly into his eyes. The particulates stung his eyes and forced them shut.
The unexpected attack caused him to drop the heavy books he was carrying on the floor. The books landed with a loud thud that shook the entire library, eliciting many yelps from the book club ladies that were still inside the room.
"You blasted witch! What was that for?!" Hans needed water to get the dirt off his eyes, as his tears were not nearly enough to remove the gunk this woman assaulted him with.
"How do you feel?"
"The hell do you mean..." Suddenly, the sand in his eyes vanished and he opened his eyes in disbelief. The pain of his burns, the dull aches of his scars… they were gone. For the first time in many years, the pain was truly gone. He looks back at her, and a sudden look of recognition comes to him.
"I see... While the delivery felt much to be desired, I owe you my most sincere thanks for relieving my ailments, even if my suffering was not something you should have concerned yourself with."
Rhajat brushes off the comment, "don't worry about it. I should thank you for the challenge. It's not every day that I get to treat curses that are crystallized from the opinions of the masses, but if you truly want to thank me properly, send me some of those mermaid scales willingly for experimentation, I want to tackle that next."
Hans would have liked to say Rhajat is one of a kind, but he can't, in good conscience, say that considering the morbid hobbies some heroes and servants dabble in and also because of the multiple versions of them walking among them regularly.
"I am curious about where you obtained samples of my curse to experiment with, though based on that smile on your face, I can tell that it would be better if I didn't know."
After hearing his question, Rhajat simply smiled at him and left.
That girl is a weirdo, but a caring one at least.
"Hans, is that you?"
The voice of the perverted devil brought him out of reality. Not wanting to deal with the woman at that moment, he scrambled to pick up the books he dropped from the ground, ignoring the annoyed librarian cursing at him for damaging the royal archive.
"Oh it is you~ Will you sign my copy of the Little Match Girl?"
"I must apologize Miss Sessyoin, but I am far too busy at the moment. Perhaps another time!"
Without letting Kiara get another word in edgewise, he left the library and made a beeline to his room.
Author's Note: The last scene with Hans and Rhajat is inspired by the pocket sand scene from King of the Hill.
I decided I am going to be cutting back on the images I put on this story. I might have the time to make them, but at some point, I will have to get a job. There still will be images, but they will not be as frequent.
I also want to thank everyone who decided to stick around and read my story so far. It's only been a month, but I appreciate all your comments.
Anywho, thanks for reading.