Chapter 1: Fate/Zero: The least probable player of a Grail war
Called at last minute, huh? Guess that so called "Magus Killer" has doubts... About her...
No use pondering... After all, from the looks, that "event" will be the bloodiest of all so far... Time to ready them i guess... Before meeting so many known faces once more. Live two wars and a whack-a-Commie FrostyBurny cold War and i guess such things become normal... Hope SHE doesn't feel bothered meeting so many known faces so soon...
Germania - Undisclosed Location
In a Facility, an empty room, four figures present.
"So... Magecraft was born out of this so called "Magicraft" stuff and those "Magi" who practice such stuff are about to fight amongst them to death for a Genie in a bottle?"
A woman, uniformed, BND insignia on it, Erya, daughter and successor of Elya as head of BND, unsurprisingly, like mother like daughter, ruthless efficient and running Germania's Intelligence division with ruthless efficiency to maintain the late Chancellor's aims for Germania and OZEV.
"Yes, if put on layman terms, that's more or less it, Ms Erya."
A sharply dressed man, early 20s at best, his features giving away his Albionese origins. A man that presenta himself as "The Brit" for clients, enemies and people in a room in general.
"And that our Late Chacellor has achieved so much in Life that this "Throne of Heroes" decided her soul is worthy of being imprisoned there to be called as a "Servant" for these Fights?"
A man, a formal Uniform for meetings, General Alex Von Zettour, grandson of Hans Zettour, who alongside Degurechaff's career, from Military to Political, helped bring Germania and Most of Europa into a Golden age of stability after two great wars and a stare contest cold war between OZEV, the commies and the collapsing colonial holders of Europa.
"Again, correct."
"Then please help me understand something."
Erya comments, gaze pointing at the last person in the secure room they all are meeting in secret, a formal dressed man, firm build, clearly a Professional at Wetwork jobs from the looks, the empty gaze his eyes show, with a blaze underneath it well hidden.
"Emiya Kiritsugu, a "Killer" for hire, my specialty should he clear by now."
Serious and to the point, a chill crosses both Erya and Alex Spines, truly he's danger they felt.
"Mr. Emiya here is a famous Killer of Magus, of course, he kills either Maguses who cross a line even those immoral stuck-up bastards wouldn't or when hired by one of them to eliminate another."
"This still doesn't explain why he is here."
Erya clearly didn't like the "Speak a lot for two words worth of info" play when receiving it.
"The Grail war is a Magus thing, as to be expected, you need someone developed as a Magus even if minimally to manage to enter it."
"Alright, that is... Understandable... Still, WHAT is so pressing you came to propose an offer to both the BND and the Head of Germania's Army command that relates to that "war" ?"
Alex was skeptical, even if true, whatever those Magus could try wouldn't be such danger to require massive Involvement of governments or their armies, unless... There's something worse behind that.
"Alright, while i am merely a Hardware and Intel broker, that Grail thing has been going for almost 200 years, and the attrocities the participants are committing are growing worse and worse, Intel from Magus contacts estimate the negative energy building up on such bloodsoaked system is getting worrying, chances are high that wish granter is about to cause untold horrors if a wish is to be granted by something filled with all the worst emotions and feelings humanity can muster."
Both of the Germanian's understood the implication, like a Nuclear reactor poorly built or maintaned, that thing was likely building to become a terrible bomb, a Magically enhanced one built entirelly off a type of Magic more powerful yet even more unstable than Magecraft that became such a norm worldwide.
"Then shouldn't we get Akitsushiman authorities to step on it? Why ask OZEV? Specially Germania?"
"Fuyuki city is deeply controlled by the Tohsakas, one of the three founders of the Grail war, also the Church and a decent number of nearby authorities are under their thumbs or reach, nothing will happen contacting the Akitsushiman authorities. Also, there's one way to defuse it entirelly, dirt and quick."
"Take part in the war, win and then take that disaster waiting to explode out of the planet if need be."
Erya understood all, Hire a Magus willing to take part on their behalf, win the whole thing, then find a way to simply either seal or use it without causing a disaster.
"Kiritsugu, while i know you have a grand wish only that Grail may grant, i please ask you to not do so, sometimes, the impossible wishes remain impossible for a reason."
A minute flinch, small, nearly impercetible, but Erya and the Brit are pros at their jobs. The Brit sighs, Kiritsugu will need a big carrot to incentivize him not taking the deal the Grail makes.
"Ms. Erya, would OZEV be willing to use some funds to fund a Bonus payment for Kiritsugu if he wins?"
Being the Successor of her mother and the head of BND, she had a rough grasp of what the Brit was implying.
"Depends on how costly it will be, we can't divert muchbof either our or the Military Budget to a Mystery project."
"A Pseudo grail, a pure one to say, weaker, grant a wish within a certain scope, no caveats or risk of becoming a Nuke made of the worst things Humanity has ever done."
"How costly?"
Alex both understood and feared, a Wish granter, no matter how weak, could put the world at risk.
"For an Estimate... If no problems in material acquisition happens, at worst it will be a 10% of last Year's Budget for the Navy upgrade plans."
"That's a lot... I doubt either me of Erya can manage diverting such amount for any project to fund your idea, the current Chacellor and President are competent enough that even 5% will be hard."
"I see... Then let me put my hand personally in this pie."
Kiritsugu perked up, this meant it would come with restrictions or a request.
"I will use some of my own funds for the extra payment, in exchange, i will be the one to supply the Summon Catalyst, and i request you accept me attaching a person of my trust for your operations in Fuyuki."
A small extra bone it seems, this man will take the brunt of paying for a weaker wish granter be made for him as a reward for succeeding as well get him the Catalyst to summon a Hero, at the cost of Obviously putting one of his men to oversee him. But it's never that sweet obviously.
"What restrictions are you imposing on the Summon?"
At that, the Brit smiles. He knew it.
"Obviously i won't provide something that chances summoning either an Insane, Unrepentant or unwilling to also let go off the Grail servant, one obvious person i am not allowing is Gilles de Rais. Aside such, Berserkers, the Grail being unstable as is means chances are that Class entirely may be suffering from whatever has festered inside that thing."
This limits things, Kiritsugu clearly understands, whoever he wants to summon would likely have to be either a guarantee safe pick or whose tales carry little chance for a Mass murderer.
"I'm not going to restrict you into only Goody good heroes, if you wish, go ahead and summon Gilgamesh as an Archer or Degurechaff herself as an Archer, both are... Powerful but clearly not pleasant picks in terms of their personalities."
That remark gives both Germanians some indignation.
"Degurechaff as an Archer means for sure she will be based off her Devil of the Rhine time."
Before either can start calling for him to be booted and locked away, The Brit explains himself. Both recognize partially what he is saying.
"Before we can continue, give more details about this Grail war and how it works... At least regarding servants."
Erya asks.
"Simply put, Seven Heroic spirits are summoned through the Grail assistance, each is put on one of seven classes and only one can be put on each. Classes determine both the Servant's adjusted abilities as well as which Spirits can enter which classes. The determination for what class a potential Spirit can be put into depends on what they carved as their tales of fame into Humanity's beliefs. Degurechaff for example would enter either as an Archer, Caster or Berserker, albeit Berserker is a lax class that can fit almost any Spirit so long they can accept Madness Enhancement, aka loss of most advanced mental abilities or just massive vulnerability to Mind related attacks, the benefit is all base specs get raised according to how severe the Madness is."
The mention their late Chancellor could enter as a Berserker sends shivers to both Germanians.
"What does that relates to our Kaiserin, her Devil of the Rhine history and the "unpleasant" part?"
"A Class container will build the servant based off the tales or parts of their tales that best suit the class itself, Degurechaff as an Archer would pull strongly on her tales during the Great war, where she built such a great reputstion as a Battle Mage of unparelled might and skill. That means the personality will also draw strongly off that."
Alex and Erya realize, with fear in the back of the mind, how fearsome it would be to be in the presence of her during the prime age of her service as an Aerial Mage, the tales of how she trained the 203rd into the Elite baddass Battalion made anyone to this day shiver in fear, Military Mages in training always got scared of her when she came to watch one of their training exercises, thinking she would try another Artillery deffense drill on them.
"So to summarize: This shitshow will have seven Servants drawn from a Poll of the GREATEST Heroes in Human History of which the Kaiserin is somehow eligible even after only half a year of her passing, each Summoned servant is assigned a Class they are fit for and aligns properly with the summoner? Then after all are summoned, that so called war for the Grail starts, and the last Master Servant duo wins that thing to make a Wish on it?"
"Correct."
"What if we sent some Elite Mages alongside? How much is the disparity between a Servant and Mages?"
Alex grinds his gears, if they could just sent some Elite units to assassinate the Masters, odds would be in their Favour.
"Servant vs Mage? You sure you want to try sending a Mage who can only enhance within the Limits of an Orbs operational capacity against Legends of God Killers to outright users of World Destroying weapons? If you are talking about killing Masters, only the most Inept and idiot ones would expose thenselves to Assassination by Mages, Kiritsugu here can tell you."
"The Brit is right, a Magus will probably prepare a stronghold made of their strongest Magicraft, by that i mean traps that can just disorient to outright cause explosions, fires burning at thousands of degrees Celsius, Lightning blasts or even Laser beams, not to say of Familiars made to kill."
"So unless the Magus is of a weak family, odds are no way to properly kill off them?"
"If the Magus is weak, then they will just remain close to the servant."
Problems, problems. Erya understood the crux, Maguses in the war can either just fortify a Place with their spells that outdo Magecraft in power and variety as well maybe even impede attempts like Poisoning, or if they aren't powerful for that, will just stick with the servants everywhere.
"Mr. Emiya, you're a so Called Magus killer, can we know a bit of your MO?"
He nods, just the basics after all, stuff any Magi would try their damnest to avoid.
"Either find a way to rat them out of their fort, just Blast that thing entirely, or exploit a moment they HAVE to leave their safehavens. Alternatively i just used typical Terrorist and Assassination methods like Mailbombs or Maguskiller Poisons in letters."
"Ain't you a little of a "human" approach guy huh?"
"Maguses are pretty archaic and traditionalist, i am not a full magus so i stand no chance playing their game, Ms. Erya."
"Fair. Only idiots play honourably in such situations."
The meeting goes for sometime...
A person enters the Room, without knocking. A woman, no older than 20, Vibrant red hair, deliciously curvaceous body, an alluring face with eyes sparking mischief. She gets close to the Brit, and speaks to him quiet enough so even eavesdropping spells can't catch it.
"I see... Ok, you may leave the room then."
"News about the war?"
"Yes."
He picks a pack from his pockets, some hardcandy box. After putting one in his mouth, he offers to the people in the room, who politely refuse. Putting it back in the pocket, he sighs.
"News from one of my Albion surveilance groups, some ruffians invaded the property of a certain Avid Collector there, worse of all, torched the place aggressively when the alarms rang, quite a number of antiques got lost."
Everyone realizes the point, someone stole a Catalyst.
"What kind of item they stole?"
"A handful, all of Ancient Albion or Eirish Catalysts. But the most Important was a Scabard of a sword found four centuries ago in Albion."
A sword in Albion that could summon a Hero, no one there felt a surprise about what Hero from there the shitheads wanted to summon.
"They want to summon Arthur? Or a Knight of the Round table?"
"King Arthur is a firm choice, her tales put a solid stat distribution no matter what class it ends in, not to mention the Arsenal Camelot had for such a Legend, Excalibur would firmly set the golden standard for a Saber Class servant, with Rhongonomnyad, a Lancer or Rider of unparelled firepower with Saber levels of Magic resistance not to mention as a Rider, odds are B or higher Divinity. A solid wall against anything lesser in that level would be for a nasty Uphill fight."
"W-who could even go to such lengths JUST to acquite a Catalyst? Burn history and other Catalysts just to get theirs?"
"The Einzberns. Their MO isn't as Brutal but is close to it, just looking at how their Third War went, they may have become desperate and want a Servant of the highest order at any cost."
"What classes should we consider then?"
"Saber is the Strongest Infantry type in general, even the lesser Servants of that class have high innate Magic deffense and a variety of high grade Heroic weapons as their go to; Archers are a Mixed bag, but if you want to put the deck in your favour, a number of the strongest Legends sit there as well, just a matter of an Appropriate Catalyst. If Prana is an Issue, then either Caster or Assassin, low number of those, but it makes for a list with pedigree."
"I would prefer an Infantry class servant, drag everyone's attention while i go finding and picking the Masters one at a time."
"The list of Infantry Servants who match you... Is limited if i say so... The Einzberns just poached your best pick already... An Archer class maybe, but none have high power while being a fit for you."
The debate goes for hours, trying to list potential Candidates that always have something or another to fault, low potential power, not a good partner, mad or something else the Brit forbade... Until the door opens again, a bit flashier this time.
"Hello Hello! Brit! How's it going? Asking for my input and even a Magi hunt contract? At last second even!"
A brazen, redhead with wild hair, a wide smile full of warmth and laughter almost.
"Y-Y-YOU?! Mother said you should be AS OLD as Lergen at least!"
Erya points her trembling fingers at the new guest of the room.
"Sorry, not Sorry! Blame me being part of a certain group of people."
"While he may be of that group, it makes no difference that he IS both a Skilled Mage and a Certified Magus Killer by pedigree and track record. Kiritsugu, you would likely not have much problems aside his personality for this job, that i assure you, for Erya and Alex, he was the one who managed to both track, save Degurechaff and ALMOST kill Lorya who got razor close to commit something i believe would have become an irreparable scar on your late Chancellor. His Mage killcount may have also included an undisclosed number of Maguses."
"While we three find no fault at his list if feats and skills... I doubt anyone would willingly work alongside a person you can't kill, is the Apex of Human capacity and most have the most absolute bonkers number of kills."
"With two people with certified capacity to track and eliminate enemy Masters, the odds would be more in favour of our side than the enemy, only Archers and VERY unique servants in other classes have Independent action that would enable them to survive for a while longer, while Casters would be absolutely limited to their Domain to supply Prana to continue existing once their master is gone."
"If they know there's two Certified baddass Supersoldier level Enemies hunting them, that means all Masters will either go full deffensive or commit to an Unified front against the two. You said yourself, they can Kill Masters, not their Servants."
To this deadlock of opposing opinion seemingly because of a Certain individual, the last person who should break it is the said individual.
"Errm... While sure me carrying Assassins Family blood is a bother... If the opposing Servant isn't a fully developed Demi-God, God or a Top class Saber servant, i wouldn't be troubled at all in either hurting or just delaying them..."
The room falls silent...
"You sure a joke like this is wis-"
"A bet."
"What?"
"A bet, Mr. Emiya. I will be your asigned support by the Brit, want or not, since my people are the ones to craft your Pseudo (corruption free greater) Grail. But if you doubt my talent to make Miracles just as often as Degurechaff or Heroes of the Age of Gods did. Once you summon your servant, i will Spar against them. They win, i will pay for someone to spanner the war for you and Germania, a full fledged Servant class person no less. I win, i bring a servant grade assistant of mine to wreck havick the enemy plans."
"Who?"
Kiritsugu feels his mouth dry, he knows a name that can easily fit that description for his win.
"Who if not the person who first acquired the "curse in perspective or name only" that me and so many are feared for? A man that lived straight from the Arthurian era up to nowadays. He has his own Legends and is likely fit for most Classes, he can just Hickjack a Class for himself and go happy go lucky making everyone have a Seizure inducing Headache if you win."
"And who if you win?"
"My Cousin of course... And my and his... Partners..."
"That's more than one person, Mike."
Even the Brit has to point the absurdity.
"Then please go on and try prying both off our backs... I DARE YOU."
"No thanks, i know better than try to separate a clingy lovestruck assistant and a Brutal machine made of equal parts sex and Killing capacity from their beloved partners."
The same woman who told him of the Albion incident comes again.
"Is it a problem to say loud?"
"No, go on."
The brit allows it.
"Power surge in Fuyuki, Leyline directly bellow Tohsaka mannor, Divinity, power and heavy hints of extremely ancient built power. Tohsaka may have acquired a catalyst for the oldest Hero in that Throne."
The room temperature drops tremendously.
"The king of Uruk, and if he is an Archer... Oh well, let me troll that sucker a bit, alright?"
The brit just looks at the heart of the Parties still smilling, shrugging, he knows there's no use talking him down. Kiritsugu now feels troubled, two powerhouses have been taken already, and by some of the best picks no less. The Germanians are lost and don't know what to say.
"King of Uruk? As in the Epic of Gilgamesh? How bad are we talking?"
Erya finds courage to ask.
"Mike? Can you tell her?"
"Sure."
Mike looks at the two lost lambs in the talks.
"Gilgsmesh, or the King of Heroes for being the very First Hero Etched in that throne, Magicraft usually grows the older the source is. As a Servant his stats in either class he fits are beyond compare. However his Archer class is a nightmare, little skill but enough Brute strength to spare, he can just keep firing Hero class weapons like throwing Candy at an Orphanage overfilled with kids until they die of Diabettes. Simply put, if he feels like it, he can just overwhelm any opposing servant with Hero class weapons fired as ammo."
"Now that's trouble..."
"He's an Arrogant prick however."
Silence once more.
"As an Archer, odds are he is his version at the Start of his Epic, arrogant, self centered, narcisistic. He won't play seriously EVER unless you piss his ass off or he decides you're worthy of being killed by his prickish asshole behaviour."
"Hello?"
The "assistant" of the Brit talks again.
"Yes, Mary?"
Both Mike and Brit give her go ahead.
"Informant at the Executioner side of the Church, that side is their Magus side for you Germanians, Kotomine Risei, the appointed "referee" for this war, is trying to have the church approve summoning not an Assassin for Kotomine Kirei, his son and one chosen by the Grail for the war, instead, his plan is... To summon Degurechaff as a Caster, reasoning her probable skillset will better suit the Church's and Kirei's position in the Grail war."
Erya immediately has a face of incredulous rage, Alex is speechless at the shamelessness.
"They want to WHAT? No way in hell we will allow them summon the Kaiserin for their shitty plans!"
"While securing any potential catalyst may be possible, it is impossible to be sure you will have all of them. All it takes is ONE small scrap of one for them to do so. I don't think even with the full use of BND and my assets it will be possible."
The brit assures he will keep a close watch on anyone trying to scoop even a fragment of something they suspect can be used to summon the Kaiserin, Marie coughs, bringing attention back.
"While the issue of Summoning her is a concern... Kotomine Kirei, the Church's Enforcer picked by the Grail is... A player that should be eliminated of this game at any cost. That's the Psyche evaluation team analysis."
Erya and Alex both feel worried.
"Is he bad news? Too powerful? Competent?"
"He has the talents and skills for so many fields, he could achieve whatever career he so wishes... As an Enforcer of them, his track record is nothing but shining Praiseworthy. His innermost parts however... Are concerning and are like an overpressurized tank with the lid just needing a nudge to expose itself and all the Malicious evil within. A Psycopath unaware of his mental derangement, a Sadistic murderer that glees in killing and suffering. He should NOT summon Degurechaff or anyone for anything, much less WIN that war, this was the team's reports."
Now they realize the risks, Kirei summoning Degurechaff would be summoning the Devil of the Rhine if the Archer position wasn't picked already, a version of the Kaiserin made about that muddy and dark part of her life tales paired with such a Psycho just in need of realizing so is trouble in the making, while her Caster version wouldn't be as Bloodthirsthy, neither wanted the Argent Chancellor legend to be exposed to such horrendous person.
"W-what if we summon her? Kiritsugu still hasn't picked yet, right?"
Erya suggests, believing that having the Chancellor summoned to deny the church her would be preferable.
"Her as a Caster would do little good to me. And the Brit wouldn't be fully onboard with her Archer counterpart, right?"
"While yes, i fear you align more with her as a Caster, and i don't think either of her versions would work well for you. Archer skillset would lack firepower to deal with Caster Gilgamesh and a Knights of the Round Saber and her Noble Phantasm likely still carries risks, and i doubt she as an Archer would feel uninclined for... Brutal actions past what your limits. As a Caster her personality will conflict with yours and the skillset would bog you down."
"How about an Exchange? I get her to poach another seat, and in turn you get a more... Fitting servant or even a Servant grade person to play as one for you!"
Again everyone but the Brit and Marie give a look of 'what the fuck with those ideas?' to Mike. A device in Marie's hand buzz.
"Yes? Okay, alright, keep a keen eye. Also take note of any wannabe master for the war."
She cuts the comms.
"More servants picked?"
"No, only clues sniffed by moles in Albion's Magus Clock tower association, Lord El-Meloi, a reputable Magus and instructor there, has been chosen by the Grail and has seemingly moved to his office three heirlooms of his family, the heirloom part is just lied to hide what he acquired two days ago, Catalysts for a summoning. One, according to the Mole's analysis is a piece of cloth originally from Iskandar's cape, Alexander the Great for the Laymen. Another seems to be tied to a Heroic figure of the Eire, but it isn't tied to Cù Culainn or Skatacth, the former was Cullainn's master and owner of his Spear before him."
"What about the third?"
She shakes her head.
"Impossible to tell, the Prana on it is weaker than any other Catalyst, odds are it's something tied to either a very weak Heroic spirit or has been part of so many Heroes tales it will be just a way to summon something more specific than merely 'a Servant fitting for the summoner'."
"What class are we risking losing?"
Kiritsugu already is getting visibly worried.
"Alexander is probably only a Rider, as Iskandar, he will rely on his Phantasms and trump card to play, if El-Meloi is too weak he may end getting stuck with a younger version of him, a bit more direct combat choices but weaker nonetheless. The other item may summon a Lancer or Saber, quite a number of Eire spirits have been exceptional Lancers or Sabers."
"So we are either without the rider or Lancer?"
"Not quite, one of the Moles indicate a Student there, a second generation Magus with really weakly developed Magus circuits may resort to extreme measures to secure a proper servant, such as Stealing Iskandar's catalyst."
Two masters close to one another, this is bad.
"Hmmmm... Just to be safe, are you two fine if we have at least a Degurechaff Catalyst for insurance? At this rate, Kiritsugu, you will either be forced with an Assassin, caster or even worse, a Berserker."
Erya and Alex talk via Telpathic messages in privacy mode.
"Mr. Mike, we will agree with seeing to keep a Catalyst ready for use, but it will be kept under Germanian security, we would ask the Brit to help covering for potential theft attempt by those Magus ruffians as well "
"I see no problem."
"Me neither, i will see to let you know when i send sentries to help monitor Germania's Magus presence."
"Berserker..."
Mike and Brit look at him worried.
"You get the Kaiserin, can that man play the Berserker?"
Mike smirks.
"Yeah, he can, No deffense whatsoever, but high power output anywhere else, including heavy mastery of Arms, Berserker stat boost paired with both mental sanity to act with capacity to handle almost all class dedicated specialty weapons."
"Fine by me, hope you can draw the master's attention alongside their Servants. While i have him murder whatever enemies he can."
"Alright, don't forget the bet! Since he won't be playing as bet prize, i will just slap some benefits if you win!"
"Keep it. Just boost that Grail instead."
"Hmmm ok... Odd how we get where we all wanted to..."
Brit shruggs, his behaviour tells everyone how useless it is to try calling him out in speaking the salty part so out loud.
"Good luck! We will make the summons within a certain time before the war takes place. See ya!"
Mike and Marie leave the room. Leaving three exhausted people and a Brit finishing his candy.