Advent of Muramasa Shirou

by Ronin2106

Shirou suffered from the Grail's fire greatly, but was saved by Irisviel instead of Kiritsugu, who escaped clutches of Grail. With her help and guidance, Shirou will discover his past and open a path forward for himself, as heir of Muramasa line, holding it's greatest treasures and secrets. Is the World ready for a new Hero, or will it destroy him? Very Strong!Shirou; Alive!Iri!

8. Chapter 8

Two months later. Fuyuki City.

After spending near four months in London and Clock Tower, Shirou and Rin were allowed to return home for the Christmas and New Year celebrations and weekends, with Venelana, Caenis and Arturia naturally tagging along. Though things did start out hectic and surprising, Shirou did manage to make a good impression and clearly establish for all that he was worthy of his family name, as not only did he do quite well in his studies, but also had completed near a dozen of commissions as a Mystic Artisan. By now, the Clock Tower and it's residents were well aware of Muramasa once more being in the business, and Shirou had already managed to get himself a dedicated client base, which was expanding.

News of Shirou's new employment within the Department of Policies almost instantly reached all of the Association and its members, and after his first case with Hishiri Adashino, Shirou had gained recognition as a capable field operative. He before coming home for weekends, he did two more cases with Hishiri Adashino, both of them quite serious and interesting ones, yet they didn't warrant as much attention as the Euralia case, yet in importance and seriousness did not lose to in any way.

His relations with Hishiri Adashino could be described as a mix of professional partners, mentor and trainee, with a touch of Senpai-Kouhai added in. For all her elegance and love of intrigue, Adashino was a highly competent investigator and she took her work as a mentor quite seriously, though in her own manner. They established a good dynamic, where both utilized best sides of one another and achieved positive results, and neither tried to outdo one another: Shirou was well aware that Hishiri was his superior in pure detective skills, while was her better in practical and combat situations. For most Magi, it would be considered beneath them to partake in grunt work and be delegated menial and even trivial tasks would be considered insulting of their pedigree as aristocracy, especially within said faction, but Shirou was the opposite case. Hard and steady work were his forte, and that, along with his realistic and pragmatic approach to work, had endeared Hishiri to him, as well as many of the Enforcers that also worked in the Policies

Speaking of the Enforcers, it soon became a common sight for Shirou to be training with them when he had the time, weather with arms or without those, and the Magi Enforcers were eager to try their hand against the infamous Muramasa. Needless to say, with all the training that Shirou had been getting, he not only was able to hold his ground against much of the Enforcers, but regularly win in the spars, even against opponents that were three times his age and experience. To say that it came as a shock for many would be an understatement, especially considering that Shirou actively had to hold back from causing permanent harm to the people, as even without Strengthening, he could easily break bones with his unaugmented strength and abilities, and that applies to those that are using Reinforcement Magecraft.

Most considered Shirou to be at a pique of human conditions, but this was a lie, as Shirou had already surpassed what was considered to be standards of human pique, and was still growing stronger and faster. The reason being his Origin, specifically Adaptation, which had allowed Shirou to effectively grow stronger to respond to his adversaries, and considering the monsters he was training with, his growth was akin to leaps and bounds instead of simple steady paced movement.

Now it showed in full display before his Kaa-Chan, Venelana, Caenis, Aoko, Arturia and Rin, as there were some distance away from the City proper, on an empty snowy field, with Shirou now facing off against Gilgamesh in an all-out battle. As the King of Heroes promised, he watched closely his vassal's growth, sometimes he decided to test him out, and this was one such occasion. Even though Shirou was away from family for a long while, he knew that he could not simply withdraw or refuse, and so once he got the summons, he answered, and came fully prepared and ready for a fight. Any other Magus or human would have already surrendered and beg for mercy, but Shirou… Shirou was fighting Gilgamesh, and not only fighting, but also holding his own, much to the shock of Venelana, Caenis and especially, though unknown to most, Arturia.

"When I had heard what had happened between him and this Servant, I wanted nothing more than to send Caenis and slaughter him." Venelana whispered, as she watched Shirou, dressed in his battle garments, dodge two incoming swords from the Gate, before Tracing and sending back a barrage of four at Gilgamesh. "Even when he told me about him, even after all that Irisviel told me… But seeing it now…" Venelana's words were failing her, as Gilgamesh, clad in an ancient Samurai battle gear, deflected all four with his own Japanese sword, before the two charged at each other.

"I understand what you are saying, Venelana, and if it's any consolation, my first instinct was to call you back then." Touko stated, as her son and Gilgamesh charged one another, their two swords coming for the strike. "To say that I saw that King as a menace would be an understatement, with Genji even regarding him as the one to win the Grail War no matter what and impossible to defeat under normal circumstances. And now…" Touko didn't finish her sentence, as two finally clashed, the power of their collision enough to clear a plot of land beneath them of the snow, as the two now were in the

"Heh, looks like your time with other Magi hadn't dulled you, blacksmith." Gilgamesh said with pride, as he pressed onto Shirou, yet he held him back. "Consider me surprised, for I half-expected you to return unchanged, and yet as always, you come stronger than before." Gilgamesh said to him with a smile, as he pushed Shirou back, unbalancing him and charging with a thrust, but Shirou used the force of the push to backflip and then counter-charge Gilgamesh.

"As if you would allow me to be idle, Your Majesty!" Shirou shouted, as he swung his sword down on Gilgamesh, with him effortlessly blocking it. "But I must ask, what is with the armor? Mid-Heian period o-yoroi, if I'm not mistaken, but the helmet is made in motif of a dragon…" Just as Shirou conversed with Gilgamesh, he moved his left hand and tried to strike the King with his sheath to throw him off his balance, but Gil simply pushed Shirou's away and then kicked Shirou away from him, the two putting some distance, while Shirou sheathed his blade.

"Consider this as the token of my respect, blacksmith, for you've grown worthy to fight me when I bear my treasured armors." Gilgamesh responded to him with pride, as Shirou regained his balance and looked at Gilgamesh with surprise. "Treasure this sight, blacksmith, for only the most proven and trusted of vassals may gaze at me when I bear one of my armors. This is your new reward and test, to surpass it's defenses!" Gilgamesh proclaimed to Shirou, as six Gates of Babylon opened behind Gilgamesh, with Shirou grinning at the sight and words.

"It is indeed a sight to behold, King of Heroes. And I accept the challenge! Trace on!" Shirou proclaimed, as his own Traced armaments appeared before him, with Venelana, Caenis and Arturia looking as stunned as could be.

"He… He wasn't mocking Shirou, but challenging him?" Venelana asked, as she saw the twelve swords clash in the air and eliminate each other, while Shirou sheathed his sword and traced a spear, before moving against Gilgamesh.

"Contrary to how it may appear at first sight, Gilgamesh does actually care for Shirou, but in his own way." Aoko spoke up, as Gilgamesh fired three more NPs at Shirou, but he used his spear to swipe them all away, continuing his charge. "In his mind, Shirou is now his vassal and subject, and as a King, he is supposed to care for him, and that means pushing him to be better, or at least how I understand it. And yeah, he is an arrogant boastful asshole, but unlike most, he can back up everything he says." Aoko commented, as Shirou thrusted his spear repeatedly at Gilgamesh, with him dodging multiple attacks.

"Caenis… Can you…" Venelana turned to her trusted friend and Servant, clear question in her eyes.

"If you need me, I would do anything, Ven, but this Servant… he scares me more than Arjuna did. He may not look like much, but that Gate of his and what it can contain in it make Tohsaka's last servant look like nothing." Caenis stated her opinion, a she observed the exchange of blows. "Pure stats wise, I've got him beat in most of them, but he doesn't even seem to be trying. If I were to wish to win against this Archer, I would rather have Rider with us back, otherwise I'm uncertain of my victory."

"Archer… Gilgamesh…" Arturia muttered to herself without even noticing, as she observed the fighting intently, her right hand unconsciously shaking a little, while increasing worry for Shirou rose in her heart.

At the same time Gilgamesh stopped dodging and deflected the attack upwards, but Shirou used that deflection to provide acceleration, twirled the spear and thrusted again with much more speed and power, actually striking Gilgamesh square in the torso, much to shock of all, yet not even breaking the paint and mantle. Smirking at Shirou's attempt, he brought down his own tachi and cut the traced spear clean in half, following it up with another barrage of six NPs, with Shirou instantly casting Yata no Kagami Ward. The mirror image Ward took the brunt of the incoming attacks and remained unbroken, though cracked, before Shirou casted reflection at Gilgamesh, the ground exploding from the magical backlash, yet Servant dodged the attack.

Appearing from Shirou's right and thrusting his blade at his vassal, Gilgamesh was pleasantly surprised that Shirou had managed to dodge his attack, before suddenly grabbing Gil's outstretched arm, and then with a roar, he flung him over his body, sending former Archer Servant flying. Using the moment of confusion and weakness, Shirou then casted fifteen swords and spears, before sending them flying at near Mach speed at Gilgamesh, who was yet to touch ground. Not one of the armaments had even seemed to pierce Gil's armor, but they were enough to send Gilgamesh flying far further, straight into the forest some hundred meters away. Just as Gilgamesh crashed through several trees, Shirou traced into existence another spear, before supercharging it through Curses, Alchemy, Strengthening, and then sending it flying at Gilgamesh.

Had Touko and Venelana not put up a bounded field, then the entire western half of Fuyuki city would've heard the explosion, with every house's windows close to the forest having their windows shattered from shockwave. As a participant and winner of Holy Grail War, Venelana had seen what Servants were capable of, and as a Magus, she knew what the practitioner of Thaumaturgy could do… But even she was not prepared to witness her grandson going up against a Servant, and use attacks that could match and defeat Servants. That last spear, a Traced version of his third commission, a spear version of Azoth Dagger, had effectively destroyed every tree in ten meters radius, and leveled every other in twenty meters from explosion's border, and the heat from it raised temperature high enough in the dome to make the snow melt.

"This… This is surreal." Venelana said with shock, as the smoke still poured from the impact. "That attack alone was enough to take out Avenger, Assassin and Caster from past war. Shirou… He is stronger than Hiryu was in that war already." Venelana stated with shock, with Caenis nodding.

"Yeah, you've got that right." Caenis admitted, as she looked at Shirou with shock. "Any one of those attacks would've obliterated Ainuterra… Now I see why he was unafraid to ask me to spar with him, and yet I refused him with a laugh. Gonna have to apologize to him after all. Though I guess I now have my answer as to why he held out so well against you, Arturia… Arturia?" Caenis turned to Arturia, noticing that she was completely shook, and it was not only because of the sight, but it was akin to seeing one's own life flash before their eyes.

"Shirou… Archer…" Was all Arturia had managed to mutter, before Caenis nudged her in the ribs, bringing her out of the trance. "Huh, yes, Lancer?" Arturia immediately asked of Caenis, as she shook off the trance like state.

"You okay there?" Caenis asked of her.

"N-no, I am not…" Arturia admitted without even processing, before answering. "Shirou is out there, and I am here, unable to do a thing, and… SHIROU!" Arturia cried out in fear, as she and all others saw ten portals appear around Shirou.

Just as the swords began to appear, Shirou's eyes saw and analyzed them, and the moment they were about to fly out, their Traced versions appeared and clashed with them, blocking them in the portals without being able to fully fly out, protecting Shirou. In that moment, Gilgamesh charged out of the smoke with his blade, with Shirou Tracing Arturia's Umbra to block him attack, the ground breaking underneath his feet from the power, before his swords exploded and sent the blades of Gilgamesh back. Proud smile adorned Gilgamesh's face as he pushed Shirou down with his weapon, yet Shirou resisted with all his might and the power of his weapon… Unfortunately for Shirou, where his strength had proven enough, Umbra's imitation was not enough and it broke in half, much to the shock of all seeing it.

Though the imitation broke, it did stop Gilgamesh's momentum and allowed Shirou time to Trace another of his spears in his arms, before using the weapon's special ability and casting a beam of red mana out of it, hitting Gilgamesh square in the chest. Again the armor held out, yet it was enough to push King of Uruk back and give Shirou a little breathing room, before he threw the spear at Gilgamesh, which he effortlessly deflected and broken with his tachi. Then the stalemate assumed between the two, and as the spectators watched, Gilgamesh spoke to Shirou with a tone laced with pride and magnanimity.

"I admit that I've misjudged you, blacksmith. I had thought I've already learned the pace of your progress, yet you dared to prove me wrong and shortsighted… Well played." Gilgamesh laughed heartily, as he sheathed his blade, dispelling the armor. "I've not had such entertainment in ages, not even in days of that Grail War anyone had been able to make my blood run like you did today, blacksmith. You have definitely earned a King's boon today."

"And yet I've not pierced that armor of yours." Shirou remarked, as he relaxed his posture, with Gilgamesh laughing at his words.

"Don't get cocky, blacksmith. That armor would have withstood the attacks of that charmed Lancer from Fourth War and his cursed spears. Your Traced armaments have yet to prove themselves quite up to the challenge." Gilgamesh remarked with a smirk. "Consider this a new goal I've set for you, a challenge to reach and overcome. For now, bask in the knowledge of my risen respect for you and your skill in bearing arms."

"Then I've got my work cut out for me, but before we officially end this, there is still one field you've yet to test me at, King of Heroes." Shirou stated to him, with Gil cocking his brow up at his words. "Like you've said, I am your blacksmith, and so far I've only shown you my Traced armaments and previously seen sword. Today though… I wish to challenge Mujo Muramasa against my own masterpiece of today." Shirou declared, with Gilgamesh looking at him with surprise, before smiling and answering.

"You clearly lack for neither gall nor bravery today, blacksmith. I had thought to be magnanimous today, but since you would dare spur at it, then I'll put that gall of yours to test, but with this sword!" At that moment, Gilgamesh produced out of his treasury a different tachi, one that Shirou had yet to see before. "This blade here is the original genuine article from which the tachi that belonged to your famous demons slayers, Minamoto no Raikou and Watanabe no Tsuna, the one you know as Onikiri Yasatsuna. Had that sword met Mujo Muramasa, they would come to stalemate, but against this one it would break. Now then, blacksmith, let us see if you truly are living up to your father's hopes and beliefs, or if you've succumbed to your own pride and grew complacent, and if you had, then I'll gladly punish you." Shirou nodded to him, before unstrapping his blade and then tossing it to Arturia, who understood what he wanted, and quickly produced from the car a wrapped up blade, and sent it to Shirou, who caught it, unwrapping it and readying it for the draw.

"Whenever you are ready, King." Shirou stated to him, with Gilgamesh bringing his sword for the strike, and then the two charged at each other with equal speed.

The very next moment, before all eyes, Shirou and Gilgamesh sent their blades at each other, and then all bore witness to the result of that clash, when two had parted from one another. A moment later, the sound of a metal piece hitting the ground was heard, and all eyes were drawn to the one who had lost their blade… When Gilgamesh brought up his weapon to examine it, he saw that half of his armament was missing, while Shirou's sword remained intact and as sharp as the moment Shirou had grinded it's edge. The two of them had finally slipped out of their combat stances, and Shirou picked up with care the broken piece of the blade, before Gilgamesh gave him the other half, and then restored it fully, again surprising most, handing the tachi back to Gilgamesh, inspecting it, before speaking up.

"You and your father had both done something, for which I would've eradicated your entire bloodline for ten times over, and at the same time, you have not ceased to surprise me." Gilgamesh stated with a serious tone, as he sent the blade back to his treasury. "Twice today you proved me wrong in my assumptions, and only one other had made me admit to so many mistakes in one day, one whom I treasured above all my treasures. The day is rightfully yours, Shirou Muramasa." For the first time, Gilgamesh spoke Shirou's name, and a tone of clear respect was in it, and for all who knew the significance of this move, they looked at Gilgamesh with shock, while Shirou bowed his head in respect.

"I am humbled with your praise, King of Heroes." Shirou stated, before raising his head.

"Few men in my lifetime had earned the right to be called by their name by me, and you've proven to be one of them, but don't let it go to your head, Muramasa. Of those who hold this privilege, I expect only the best, and punish complacency with death." Gilgamesh warned him, but without any threat or animosity in his voice, before letting a smile grace his face. "It seems that this mortal holiday of yours has applied to me as well, for I've been gifted a truly wondrous display of humanity's best. You have earned your triumph today, Muramasa, and I shall let you celebrate it however you wish, but I shan't have you leaving without my own gift." At that moment, fifty portals opened up and from them appeared arms and armors Shirou had yet to see from Gil's treasury.

"You have my thanks, King of Heroes." Shirou did not wait to Analyze and record them all, marveling and growing amazed at their artistry and power, as well as craftsmanship that brought them to life, and once he was done, he brought up his sword to Gilgamesh, presenting it. "Would you do me the honor of your appraisal, Your Majesty?" Gilgamesh chuckled, and took Shirou's sword with care, unsheathing and examining it with care and clearest interest.

"Hm, indeed you have surpassed your father, or at least when him when he crafted Mujo Muramasa. A splendid blade, worthy of the name Muramasa." Gilgamesh stated to Shirou. "What name does this sword bear?"

"Mikazuki Muramasa." Shirou responded, with Gilgamesh examining it some more and sheathing the blade.

"A name this sword had earned, from it's properties, hidden and clear." Gilgamesh stated to Shirou, handing the sword to him, but Shirou then spoke to him.

"It is my gift to you, King of Heroes, for all you have done for me and for pushing me to be whom I am now." Shirou stated, with Gilgamesh looking at him with the closest thing Muramasa saw to a shock on Gilgamesh's face. "It is Christmas' Eve today, and I've figured it be an appropriate time to show my gratitude for all you've done for me, and it is tradition to gift friends and close ones something on this holiday."

"Do you honestly consider me to be your friend?" Gilgamesh asked of Shirou with a mix of surprise and slight insult. "You remember the meaning of that term, Muramasa, do you not?"

"I do, and even if we are not equals, and no matter how hard it can be to approach you… You have become an important person to me, and that is enough reason for me to give you this." Shirou stated to Gilgamesh, who honestly seemed touched. "And besides, is it not vassals' prerogative to pay tribute to their Kings?" Shirou reminded Gilgamesh with a smile, to which Gilgamesh laughed heartily.

"That it is, Muramasa." And with that said, he placed Mikazuki Muramasa in his treasury, before turning to Shirou. "You've surprised me thrice today, Shirou Muramasa. You are free to bask in your triumph today with your friends and family."

"Thank you, and shall we expect your presence today?" Shirou asked Gilgamesh. "It is Christmas' Eve, and we'll be preparing a feast."

"I'll consider it. Now go, I've had enough of your presence, and I've other matters of import to attend to." Gilgamesh said without any irritation, as he himself turned to leave, with Shirou bidding him farewell and going to his family.

"So, are you done showing off?" Rin asked of him in a half-serious manner, before her expression turned serious, just as she saw Gilgamesh walk through his own Gate of Babylon and disappear. "After all this time, I still can't understand that guy. He let my father die to Kirei, yet he seems to treasure you, and he shows it by putting you through a ringer every time he wants. He disparages upon humanity, yet he all but adores you, what's with that?"

"I've been pondering his Mystery for as long as I've known him, and my guess is that Gilgamesh doesn't exactly hate humanity, as much as he despises what humanity has become now." Shirou said. "He is from the time when to get anything of worth, one had to put their back into it and strive for it. Nowadays… Nowadays it's different, I guess it pisses him off, to see humans relax and grow lazy like they did, hence why he respects, even though he ain't showing it, those that actively work and pursue their dreams."

"My father worked hard and pursued the Root, yet he let him die." Rin reminded Shirou with bitter tone, before Touko spoke up.

"Rin, your father wanted to use the Grail to reach the Root, not wanting to take the hard road of working for it like all the rest of us did." Touko told her with a neutral tone, before putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know you still somewhat look up to him as an example of being a Magus, but trust me, Tokiomi was not a good Magus. And even without your talents and skills, you've already surpassed him several times over." Rin was happy to hear those words.

"Let's just get going. I've got a feeling Mom and Illya are gonna kill me for not coming any sooner." Shirou decided to hurry them up, before he saw his grandmother and Arturia look at him with concerned looks. "Grandmother? Arturia? Is something the matter?"

"Is something the matter? Shirou, you had just went up against… I-I know you told me and the Clock Tower is aware about him, but…" Venelana was trying to get her thoughts out in a cohesive manner, but failed to do so, before she took a deep breath and spoke up. "It's just the first time I saw something like that, and I'm still falling to comprehend it all. You matching that Servant, and then those constructs, it is just… These were not mere Projections, they matched Noble Phantasms. Shirou, I know not a single Magus who could do it, not even Hiryu could do something like that. I struggle to call it Magecraft."

"Then what would you call it?" Shirou asked of her, with Venelana looking at him with fully serious eye.

"True Magic." She simply told him, before letting out a tired sigh. "Just… Just promise you'll actually relax and celebrate, without reenacting Grail Wars."

"I will." Shirou promised to her, before Caenis spoke up.

"Yeah, and sorry about earlier. Ya know, when I rebuffed you for your suggestion we spar." Caenis apologized.

"No worries, Caenis." Shirou assured her, before he turned to Arturia, who looked away with what he perceived as a guilt in her eyes. "Arturia?"

"Shirou, I… I apologize, for having casted doubt upon you and your true abilities." Arturia apologized to him, surprising Shirou. "I had regarded myself as your superior in martial prowess, but to see you go up against such an opponent without any fear and fight him like you did… I am humbled and ashamed of my previous assumptions. My presence as your knight, I now feel, is entirely pointless."

"There is nothing to forgive, Arturia, and I owe you a great deal of gratitude, since not only have you kept my skills sharp, but you've actually made me get better with your pure skills. Honestly, I was only able to get as good as I did today because you were so good at sparing with me." Shirou praised her, with Arturia blinking and blushing at his words, warmth filling her heart. "Now then, let's go home." Shirou said, and finally they've departed for Emiya Residence, where he was long expected.

---

Sometime later. Emiya Residence.

"Everyone, I'm…"

"Shirou/Onii-chan!" Before Shirou could even finish his sentence, he was tackled by two white bullets, which he identified as Irisviel and Illyasviel, who didn't waste time and pulled him a bone crushing hug

"…Home." Shirou finally wheezed out of him, before he hugged them.

"Ah, my son is finally home! Finally, he home, safe and sound from all those scheming vultures of the Clock Tower." Irisviel said with clearest relief, as she hugged her adoptive son. "You have no idea how frightened I was when I started hearing stories of you come from the Clock Tower."

"I'm fine, Mom, I promise. Grandmother and Arturia were keeping me out of trouble." Shirou assured her, with Irisviel nodding with a smile and letting him go, with Illya fully taking her place, hugging him even closer. "Illya, I've missed you." Shirou hugged her.

"I've missed you too, Onii-chan." Illya responded with a smile, letting him go. "You should've come with me to the Atlas instead of the Clock Tower. You have no idea how cool that place is, and the subjects, the teachers… Oh, it's a true paradise for learning. And the best part- none of that political nonsense, just working and advancing Magecraft and helping Humanity. You really should come with me next time, you'll fit right in!"

"Heh, I'll think about it, I promise, but I first need to finish my year in Clock Tower." Shirou assured Illya, as he and the rest stepped inside, taking off shoes and warmer clothes. "Speaking of, when did you arrive? Last I heard you were busy on some project with your instructor, and would be late for Christmas."

"We've decided to pull a couple all-nighters and managed to finish up early, and after we've presented it, we've caught the first flight here and so we've arrived some two days ago." Illya said, with Shirou looking at her with surprise, before she pointed at the two pairs of shoes that Shirou didn't notice before. "Yeah, we have guests. C'mon, I'll introduce you." Illya pulled Shirou to the living room, before the door slid and Shirou saw the two guests, one of which was quite familiar with him.

"Sherou! Welcome home, I hope you do not mind, that I have been making friends with your family. They are all as wonderful as you have described him. Lady Irisviel is indeed a truly great lady-mother as you've described her." Luvia told him with a big smile, as she greeted him, surprising Shirou and seriously annoying Rin with her appearance. "Oh, and Miss Tohsaka. Don't you have your own house to spend this wonderful holyday in?"

"This is my home, and last I recall, you weren't really invited in, drill tails." Rin responded with annoyance, with Luvia preparing another barb, before Irisviel stepped inside, and pulled both of the girls' ears. "OW!" Rin and Luvia both yelled at the same time.

"Girls, I know you all are wonderful and are eager to prove yourselves, and it's all great. However, no fights under this roof, especially on Christmas, and or none of you are getting any treats, and that includes Shirou's cooking." Irisviel warned them both, and that threat was enough for Rin and Luvia make peace, at least for now. "See, that wasn't so hard, now was it?"

"Wow, she really is the lady of the house." Shirou heard a new voice, and turned his head to it's source, seeing a young girl about same age as Illya, with long purple hair made into twin tails, wearing glasses and dressed in Atlas' uniform. "Hi, how ya doing? You are Shirou Muramasa, Illya's bestest, most favorite brother/crush/ main object of wet…" Before she could finish that sentence, and Shirou fully comprehend the context of it, Illya darted and shut the girl up literally by closing her mouth with her hands.

"Hehe, please ignore that, Onii-chan." Illya asked of Shirou, and he decided to follow her request, before she pulled her hands off the Atlas girl, composing herself and speaking up. "Shirou, this is Sion Eltnam Sokaris-Atlasia, one of Atlas' finest instructors, foremost experts in Alchemy, Mystic Code Creation and…"

"And so much more, but before all that, I'm Illya's friend, and I'm here to find out if all of that bragging about you being the god of culinary arts are true or not!" Sion proclaimed in an exaggerated manner, before snickering and speaking in a more light-hearted manner. "Just kidding. But really, Illya's practically destroyed the entire Culinary Club with her critiques, saying none of them hold a candle to you."

"Which is an absolute and total truth!" Illya stated proudly, with Shirou chuckling to her antics.

"I too attest to it being absolute truth. After having been spoiled by his cuisines, even the finest cooks at my home appear as mere amateurs." Luvia praised Shirou. "You could honestly teach a course on how to properly prepare dishes of all cultures and nations at a Clock Tower."

"Or Atlas." Sion added up with a smile, before she leaned in as if telling him a secret. "And between you and me, Atlas Institute is really interested in working with you. Heard all about those Mystic Codes of yours so much, we even had to order one just to check if you were the real deal." Shirou blinked at her with surprise.

"Really? Was it the Azoth Spear?" Shirou asked, with Sion nodding eagerly to him.

"Yup! Gotta admit, the higher-ups were real surprised and stunned at the quality. They even took it all apart just to see how it all worked, but now they can't put it all back together." Sion revealed, with Shirou widening his eyes at hearing it.

"They did what?! Are they…" Shirou had to fight an urge to hit his face. "Sorry about that, Miss Sokaris-Atlasia."

"Ah, no worries, and call me Sion like most people do. I only use my last name as my nick in MMO games." Sion admitted to him with a smile. "Anyway, I'm here since Illya offered, and Atlas also wanted to get a read on you, so I'm also here doing that too."

"So, should I do something, or…" Shirou tried to understand what she meant, but she just waved it off.

"Nah, I'm just letting you know, so you don't get surprised. Don't bother doing anything, I just want spend holidays doing nothing but having fun and relaxing." Sion told him. "Being instructor is fun and all, but sometimes a girl needs to unwind, you know."

"I guess. Although I must say that I'm surprised that you are an instructor, not as an offence to you or your abilities, but…" Shirou tried to explain, but Sion interrupted him.

"'Cause of my age? Yeah, that's the downside of being a genius, I've been doing this gig since I was 8, and let me tell you, it is not easy trying to teach people twice your age, when you are still a pint-sized kid and can't even reach for the desk properly." Sion told Shirou. "And as for me and Illya, we met, talked about alchemy, then our favorite stuff, then you, some more about you, and now we are friends. That's the short version."

"Okay, well, I'm glad that Illya has made new friends, and I'm happy to meet you." Shirou told her, as Arturia finished bringing the baggage and entered the living room.

"Master, all of the baggage has been transported to the respected rooms." Shirou nodded to her, before hearing a plate dropping onto the floor in the kitchen, with Liz spitting out her Cola. "Did something happen, Master?" And in that very next moment, both Sella and Liz, who looked positively active, appeared before Shirou.

"Sh-shirou, wh-who is this?" Sella asked of him with a trembling voice, as she pointed at Arturia. "D-did she call you M-Master?"

"Answer, now!" Liz demanded, with Shirou gulping.

"Um, Sella, Liz, this is Arturia, my aide from London, and um…" Shirou struggled to say the right words, before Arturia spoke up in his place.

"I am Master Shirou's personal maid and knight, faithfully serving him and following in every step and command that he makes." Arturia proclaimed with pride, with the Einzbern maids looking at her with wide eyes full of shock and rage, with Arturia looking at them with neutral expression. "And you two are Sella and Leysritt, the two maids who had taken care of my Master before my appointment."

"Yes we are!" Sella proclaimed immediately. "So don't expect to be getting any special privelage or rights to Shirou here!"

"Pecking order: you, Sella, me, Shirou." Liz immediately said, with Arturia, surprising them both, nodding and then bowing before all deeply.

"Naturally, I am prepared to follow the established order. Please take good care of me, and thank you for taking care of Master before." Arturia stated with fully respectable voices, shocking and flooring both Maids, with Irisviel smiling and chuckling.

"What a wonderful maid you now have Shirou." Irisviel commented, before everyone heard a doorbell. "Oh, looks like our guest is here early. Shirou, could you go and greet them?" Shirou nodded

"There is no need, Master, I shall…" Before Arturia could finish, Irisviel immediately put herself between Arturia and Shirou. "Mistress Irisviel, is there a reason why you are stopping me?"

"Please do not take it as an offence, Arturia, but you are not the only one here seeking Shirou's attention, and while I appreciate it, I'd like to take into consideration feelings all of those who too wish that what you want." Irisviel told her with a knowing smile, making Arturia widen her eyes at the realization. "The one at the door not just wanted, but needed to see Shirou again. Please do not spoil this moment for her." And at that moment Shirou opened the door and there was Sakura Matou, who blushed quite a bit at his sight.

"S-Senpai, you are back." She said with a taken breath, with Shirou smiling to her.

"Yeah, only just arrived back. It's great to see you again Sakura." Shirou greeted her, with Sakura smiling back to him. "Please, come on in. It's getting cold out here." He immediately stepped aside and let her in, before helping her with her coat.

"Thank you, Senpai. Iri-san told me you and Tohsaka-san were doing quite well in the Clock Tower." Sakura said, as she put on slippers. "Mitsuzuri-san sends her regards. She wished she could meet you, but she and her family are on vacation. And Taiga-san too, she is on Hawaii right now, after winning a lottery."

"I see, thank you. Is Mitsuzuri and everyone treating you well in the Archery Club?" Shirou asked of her, with Sakura smiling and nodding to him.

"Yes, everyone is so helpful and nice, I am having a great time in there, and both Mitsuzuri-san and Fujimura-sensei are very kind and supportive of me. They are saying that I should be able to participate in the upcoming tournament." Sakura revealed, with Shirou glad for her, as they walked down the hallway. "Are… Are you back for long?"

"Until mid-January, then I'll have to go back, but I'm pretty sure I can get a few days off to come and watch you participate." Shirou told her, with Sakura beaming from happiness. "You are an excellent archer, Sakura, and it's no surprise to me that Mitsuzuri selected you for the competitions."

"Thank you, Senpai." Sakura thanked him, as they entered the living room, with Sakura coming face to face with Rin. "T-Tohsaka-san, welcome back." Sakura greeted her a bit awkwardly.

"Thank you, and it is nice to see you too, Matou-san." Rin was able to handle with a bit more grace, though she did feel just as uncomfortable as Sakura, given their situation.

"Oh my, so you are Miss Matou Sakura." Luvia immediately decided to include herself, as she came and took Sakura's hands in her own with a smile. "Sherou had told me all about you. I am Luviagelita Edelfelt, but you can call me Luvia, Miss Sakura, since we are both are dear friends to our Sherou." Sakura was quite a bit confused and surprised by this greeting.

"U-Um, of course, L-Luvia-san." Sakura said, trying to recover from this initial shock and process what just happened.

"You'll have to forgive Luvia, she can be a bit overly enthusiastic when meeting new people, and since I told her about you, she was all eager to meet you." Shirou explained to Sakura. "She is a Magus from Finland, but she is a very good person, and an even better friend."

"Ah, Sherou, you are making me blush." Luvia said with a bit of a theatrical wave of her hand, before Shirou heard his phone call.

"Sorry, I need to take this." Shirou stepped outside to the courtyard and took the call. "Hello?"

"How was your flight, Muramasa-kun?" Hishiri Adashino spoke on the other end, surprising Shirou. "I hear you are expecting quite a hectic welcoming, with a few notables from both Clock Tower and Atlas included in."

"Yeah, I've already met them, though I do want to ask, how exactly did you know of it?" Shirou asked, only hearing her signature chuckle. "Guess that's a dumb question. Anyway, did something come up and you need me back?"

"No, not at all. I just decided to call and wish you Merry Christmas and New Year, and thank you for your early gift. I must say, my dear kouhai, that you know a way to woman's heart." Hishiri said with slightly suggestive tone. "Oh, I almost forgot. Do you remember our last case?"

"How could I forget, I've actually grown to sympathize with Indiana Jones and his fear of snakes." Shirou commented, recalling the case and how it all turned out in the end. "I only hope Zoology doesn't decide to start making their pseudo-Hydras." The thought honestly scared Shirou, as he still couldn't shake of the sheer fear those creatures put in him.

"Well, if they do decide, we'll just step in and clean up." Hishiri responded. "Anyway, though those weren't real Hydras, I do recall how you praised their scales and venom, so I've arranged for some of it to be transported to you, all official and no problem. Hope you enjoy it."

"I think I will when I get my hands on it. Thank you, Adashino-senpai. Merry Christmas." Shirou wished to her.

"Merry Christmas, Muramasa-kun. See you back in January." She said and hung up, with Shirou soon returning to the living room.

"Okay, looks like everyone's gathered up. I'll be starting up on the celebratory dinner." Shirou immediately set out for the kitchen, with Rin, Luvia, Sakura, Illya and Arturia following him.

"I will help you." All of them said at the same time, before all turned to face each other, nearly igniting a new fight, before Shirou spoke up.

"Thanks! Okay, we'll divide the duties, and here's how we'll do it. Rin, you are on…" Shirou immediately slipped back into his housekeeping role and the rest of the household could only watch with a smile on their face as Shirou was back in his element.

---

Hours later. Evening.

"Phew, all done!" Shirou announced, as he and the others were done with the food, and so the new table was set, enough to contain the veritable feast Shirou and others had prepared.

"Wow! It all looks so yummy!" Sion said, as she almost salivating a waterfall from her mouth. "Goodbye nice figure, hello big round tummy, I'll be eating till I pop up!"

"Gotta say, I wasn't sure we'd make it in time, or the fact that you two could actually cook." Rin noted, as she looked at Sakura and Luvia, with the latter raising her brow up at that one.

"I-I have been taking lessons from Iri-san." Sakura answered, with Irisviel beaming at her with a proud smile.

"And why do you exactly find it so surprising, Miss Tohsaka? Just because I am a noble lady doesn't mean that I'm utterly hopeless in matters of household and chores." Luvia stated with pride. "Any true wife must be able to satisfy every need of her husband, and that includes his hunger. Be it one for food, or for pleasant company." She smirked at Rin, who widened her eyes at the realization of what she was talking about, nearly prepared to stab her.

"Okay, girls, you can kill each other once you are back in London." Touko clapped her hands, as Shirou and others were finishing setting the table. "Right now, we've got Christmas to celebrate." And just about the time when they were all preparing to be seated, the door into living room opened and inside stepped Gilgamesh, surprising many, as he looked around with a curious eye.

"So, is this your celebratory feast, commemorating the birth of that Christian God? Hm, it definitely not quite like the feasts of my times, but I can definitely see the quality of the cuisine is to the royal standard, and ones made by my Blacksmith certainly exceed all others." Gilgamesh stated with his usual pride.

"Sherou is that…" Luvia leaned in and whispered to Shirou, with him nodding immediately.

"Yeah, that is Gilgamesh, my liege, so please, Luvia, act as I've asked you around him." Shirou asked her, and she nodded to him, before Luvia suddenly drew the attention of Gilgamesh.

"Hm, you, blonde witch." Gilgamesh called out to Luvia, making her stand up. "Are you the one whose grandmother was a vermin vampire and whom Muramasa promptly eradicated, for daring to challenge him?"

"Y-yes, I-I am, Your Majesty." Luvia answered, with Gilgamesh looking at her with some intent, seemingly reading her and her soul, before turning to Shirou.

"Are you going to make it into a habit of surprising me, Muramasa? You told me that you've held no reign over this one, yet I see different. She looks positively conquered and subjugated, akin to what I would expect from the King of Conquerors." Gilgamesh told Shirou, with Luvia blushing like a storm, while Shirou merely raised a brow up. "Not that it matters to me, since she is now your subject. However, I shall be tasting and seeing if all of your concubines and wives are able to satisfy the needs your needs in an adequate manner." Gilgamesh stated, as he sat at the head of the table, where the seat was already prepared for him.

"Um, some context?" Sion asked around the table. "I know that guy is supposed to be from way back times of Age of Gods, but what's he meanin' by all that?"

"In short terms, Shirou is his vassal, we are Shirou's subjects- that's how he sees it, and now he wants to see if we can cook well enough for him." Illya explained to Sion. "Basically he is saying he'll be eating our food as well and see if it holds a candle to Shirou's."

"Ha! You presumptions are amusing, Einzbern girl! You would need at least ten years if only to match Muramasa's skill." Gilgamesh proclaimed. "But before that…" And then he snapped his fingers, and before everyone opened portals, and from there dropped a clothed wrapped up Christmas gift box surprising all.

"Wait, did he just…" Rin was stumped at the fact of what had happened, with Gilgamesh speaking up with proud smile and attitude.

"Rejoice, subjects of my Blacksmith, for his King's generosity in this gift giving day reaches you as well." Gilgamesh proclaimed. "Now let none dare say that One True King lacks for treasures and wealth."

"Um, technically I'm a guest here and not really part of this whole family/harem thingy…" Sion decided to note, with Gilgamesh cocking a brow up at her response.

"Tell me, girl, do you know the penalty, for spurring the generosity of the King, one that he had taken time and effort to prepare?" Gilgamesh asked with clearly dangerous edge to his words, with Sion immediately relented and went back on her words.

"Nope, and I do not want to know, thank you! And great many thanks for the gift, I'll be sure to treasure it as if it were my own life!" Sion immediately proclaimed, before Gilgamesh smirked.

"Hm, yes, you did say that you are not one of my Blacksmith's subjects…" Gilgamesh noted, and it took Sion but a second to realize what he meant and she immediately turned to Shirou and bowed her head energetically.

"Shirou, I pledge myself to you this instant! Please be kind to me!" She quickly said, with Shirou blinking at her words, while Gilgamesh laughed heartily.

"Sure…" Shirou simply said, as he turned to Gilgamesh. "You are in an unusually merry and charitable mood, King of Heroes. Should I be preparing my grave or something?"

"Dare to do that, and I'll personally put you in there." Gilgamesh responded in a half-hearted manner. "I've simply decided to listen to one of those advises you offered to me after one of our sessions, and I must admit, that there is something to all this." Shirou nearly spat out his drink.

"You. Listened to. My Advice?!" Shirou stated with absolute shock. "When in the world did that happen?"

"When you became worthy of me caring to consider it, so you best treasure it" Gilgamesh simply responded, as he took a sip of his drink before turning his head and finally seeing Arturia, who was giving him a semi-glare. "So this is the imitation of the Saber you spoke of making. Yes, there is the resemblance, but…" Gilgamesh suddenly stopped, his eyes widening ever so slightly with what Shirou could assume was surprise, before Arturia spoke up.

"Is there a problem, King of Heroes?" She spoke in a cold tone, with Gilgamesh contemplating for a moment, before speaking up.

"No, there isn't, Saber." He simply sated, before he turned to Shirou. "You have a good maid, Muramasa, one worthy of being treasured."

"Should I expect you to now take her as a new addition to your treasury?" Shirou said with a dry tone, while Arturia tensed immediately at his words, with Gilgamesh waved it off.

"Mayhaps in the past, she, or rather a version of her, was of interest to me, but as she is now… She holds no interest or worth to me now." Gilgamesh stated, with Arturia widening her eyes at his words, shock coming to her face. "So you may breathe easy, Saber. You've escaped the grasp of my desires, but I warn you: fail my Blacksmith, and I shall punish you."

"Understood, Archer." She responded to him without even thinking, with most not even noticing it.

And so Shirou's family settled to celebrate the Christmas and the coming new year, with hopes and wishes for the best.

---

Five months later. Modern Magecraft Theory Department. Lord El-Melloi II's office.

Despite the fact that Waver Velvet was one of the Lords of the Clock Tower and arguably one of their best lecturers and teachers, with one of the highest rate of producing top Magi, he wasn't exactly politically strong or a powerful figure in the world of politics. Being only a chair warmer, as some called him, for Reines, he was considered merely as a stand in and disregarded as a player entirely, but what he was and was well regarded for were his detective and deduction skills. Generally, most Magi and Magus families would not rather have the Department of Policies get involved in their matters, so in those cases when there was a mystery needing solution, they turned to Lord El-Melloi II, and the rewards and compensations for completing these cases went to settling the debt incurred by El-Melloi faction. Because of that, Waver was prepared to take on most jobs that other Magi would not even look at, but today, something had happened he didn't ever expect to happen in his life.

Reines had come to him with an information about a case that could potentially put a serious dent to that debt, and demanded him and his student Gray's presence in her office. What he did not expect to see there was not one, but two Lords of the Clock Tower being present, with one of those Lords being Lorelei Barthomeloi herself, accompanied by Venelana Runeas, Hishiri Adashino and Shirou Muramasa, his student and a de-facto investigator and Enforcer of the Policies. Waver quite well aware of Shirou's activities outside of his studies and Mystic Code creation, in which he had become quite famous for, so much so that he is now regarded as one of the better Artisans currently employed in the Clock Tower. The mark of his success as a Magus and Mystic Artisan came in the fact that Atlas Institute was actively observing him and, if rumors were true, actively making proposals for Shirou to transfer to them, which spoke volumes, as Atlas only allowed the top Alchemists and Mystic Artisans under their wing.

Another feat that displayed Shirou's prowess as a Magus was the fact of him achieving the rank of Fes back in December as a mark of recognition of his Mystic Code creation prowess. Though not the highest rank like his parents' Brand and Grand, the fact that he had obtained in just a few months' time spoke volumes, and Waver was already hearing rumors of considering Shirou for the rank of Pride, which could potentially make him the youngest person to achieve it, beating Waver's old professor and predecessor. Although there was some stonewalling of that, mainly coming from the Democratic Faction and their main players, such as McDonnal Trambelio and Inorai Valualeta, facilitated more by pure politics than doubts in Shirou's talents. After last year's reveal of Ainuterra Edelfelt and Democrats' readiness to throw the Edelfelts under the bus, it was safe to say that Shirou's relations with them were not friendly, though he did maintain certain level of courtesy with them and did take commissions from the Democrats.

The reason that drew the ire and irritation of the Democrats towards Shirou was his association with the Aristocratic Faction and his work in the Policies as an assistant-investigator. Being a Mystic Artisan and Magus of such high caliber, he was indeed a prize for all to have, and Inorai Valualeta had attempted to sway him into her camp almost every time he was in her class. It did not end in success, partially due to Shirou's personal views, and partly because he shared his mother's dislike of Inorai, after she had signed Sealing Designation on Touko. Though Shirou acted more like his father and grandfather in regards to politics and factions, by maintaining a mostly apolitical position, his closeness to the Aristocrats of Policies had already marked him as a member of their Faction, specifically as a member of Barthomeloi Faction.

Being an assistant-investigator under Hishiri Adashino, Shirou had gained another reputation as an effective problem solver and a capable investigator, with many in the Clock Tower now comparing Adashino and Muramasa to Waver and Gray. Personally, Waver found it irritating, to hear such comparisons being drawn, but he could not deny that the two made a good team, having a similar type of synergy that he and Gray have. This, however, didn't explain their presence, along with the other Lord's, that one being the only dean of two Departments of Clock Tower, Karmagliph Meluastea Deluc. He currently was seated on the opposite sofa with Lord Barthomeloi across the coffee table from Waver and Reines, while Venelana sat in a chair near the table, with Shirou and Hishiri standing behind Lord Barthomeloi, as Gray served them all tea.

"Thank you for responding so quickly, Lord El-Melloi II. I had been worried you would be unavailable, on the account of your lectures and studies." Karmagliph said with gratitude, as he sipped his tea. "And allow me to apologize for such an… unusual impromptu meeting."

"No need to worry. My dear elder brother is always happy to accommodate such esteemed and honored guests." Reines responded for him with a smile. "Although I must admit that I am a bit surprised that you've also brought along such an interesting company. Policies new star pair of detectives, and the Queen of Destruction herself… To what does our humble little department owes such a presence and attention?"

"They are here in regards to the situation we have to discuss with your elder brother. Your assistance in this meeting is appreciated, Lady Reines, but our business is with Lord El-Melloi II and his apprentice only. You are free to leave." Lord Barthomeloi stated to her, with Waver speaking up.

"Lord Barthomeloi, I would ask that Lady Reines remains, as an observer and so it would serve as part of her education as a future Lady El-Melloi, if it is acceptable." Waver asked, with Lorelei exchanging glances with Karmagliph and Venelana, before responding with a nod. "Thank you. Now then, what can I do for you?"

"Some years past, the Department of Archeology, specifically the Gorlois family, had managed to acquire rights to the archeological sites that had previously belonged to the Einzberns, yet were largely left undeveloped right before the Fourth Holy Grail War. The reason for it, as I suspect, was because they had gained what they were looking, that being the catalyst for the Summoning." Karmagliph stated, before turning to Shirou, expecting a confirmation.

"From what I am aware of, that is true." Shirou responded.

"The Gorlois family are the family that had belonged to the Neutrals and Departments of Archaeology and Lore, pursuing all facts and knowledge of the Arthurian lore and mythos. It is said that their pursuit of all things Arthurian supersedes even the desire to reach the Root." Waver stated, with Gray stilling as she heard it all. "It is my understanding that they are regarded as the best informed and knowledgeable in the matter of King Arthur, Camelot, Merlin and all other subjects that fall under that purview. Some rumors suggest that in their pursuit they had also amassed a substantial collection of Arthurian artifacts, with the wildest rumors suggesting they may even hold in their possession King Arthur's sheath Avalon and dagger, Carnwennan." Venelana let out a little chuckle, as she glanced at her grandson, as she took a sip of her tea.

"That one is not true, I can attest to that, but in matters of Arthurian lore they were some of the best ones around. Only my late husband could rival them in that field." Venelana said, as Reines and Waver noticed her deliberate choice of words.

"Lady Runeas, what exactly do you mean by "were," exactly?" Waver asked of her, with Lord Barthomeloi speaking up.

"Five days ago, all contact with all members of the Gorlois family was lost to Lord Meluastea, and we've launched an investigation upon the request his request. The investigation was headed by Hishiri Adashino and Shirou Muramasa." Lord Barthomeloi responded. "The report that they had provided we found disturbing. Surmise the results of your investigation to Lord El-Melloi." She commanded, and Hishiri spoke up.

"We've investigated the estate of Gorlois family, finding neither signs of invasion, battle or murder having taken place, yet the estate was entirely deserted and it's defenses crumbling." Hishiri spoke up. "Upon entering the mansion and examining it, we've determined that there no signs of any altercation having taken place. The Gorlois family employed golems as their staff, hence we couldn't question them, and all we've found from our examinations was that the all members of the family had left willingly, having left behind all that they had."

"Left? And where do you believe they have gone off too?" Lord El-Melloi II asked of them, with Shirou responding.

"We've found documents and reports on their archaeological sites that they were operating and working on, so we've sent a request for status update from all of them. Four responded back, but one didn't." Shirou stated, as he produced documents on the site and passed them to Lord El-Melloi, who began to examine them. "According to the documents and notes we've found, the Gorlois believed that this site could be the potential mausoleum of either a relative of King Arthur through its mother, maybe even the gravesite of one of the Knights of the Round, specifically one of its nephews."

"Gravesite of one it's nephews? But that would be…" Gray said quietly after realizing what it meant, with Venelana nodding to her.

"Yes, one of children of Morgana Le Fay, with that mausoleum possibly even being dedicated to Mordred, or at least that was their belief." Venelana answered.

"Soon after their investigation was concluded, I have reached out to Lady Venelana Runeas, as the foremost expert in Arthurian Lore outside of Gorlois family, and arranged for the notes and documents to be sent to her." Karmagliph continued on to the story. "The conclusions she drew had left us rather perturbed."

"And exactly what have you discovered, Lady Runeas?" Reines asked of her.

"After examining images of murals and recorded runes on it, I've reached the conclusion that this grave doesn't belong to one of Knights of the Round, Mordred or Morgana." Venelana stated with full confidence. "Based on the provided information and compiling it with my the materials I and my late husband had amassed on the Arthurian lore, the only conclusion I could draw was that this mausoleum was the gravesite of Morgause Le Fay." The declaration caught Waver and Gray unprepared and surprised them.

"Morgause Le Fay?" Gray uttered with a quiet tone. "But, I thought that she was a fictional character, not a real person."

"Her character and her existence have been a topic of debate for decades, with Morgause and Morgana being regarded either completely separate persons, sisters or even one person. However, in 18th century, the conclusion and consensus was reached in regards to Morgause, based on the lack of clear and definitive evidences of her existence, officially declaring her as only a fictional character, with all of her alleged actions and crimes having been performed by Morgana instead." Lord El-Melloi II had explained to all the history. "It was the Gorlois family who had proven it, and this was the status quo for centuries. Yet you are certain that this site indeed belongs to a character of fiction?"

"Not of fiction, Lord El-Melloi II, but of history, flesh and blood." Venelana told him. "I too once was a believer of that conclusion, but my husband was of a different opinion, and he had researched the possibility of Morgause actually being a real person until his death. The materials he gathered, investigations and more had clear evidences in them of him being correct in regards to Morgana and Morgause being two separate entities, based on the strange pattern of actions and acts that Morgana had performed. At one time, she is the mother of Arthur's best Knights and a valued advisor and ally, yet at a different time, she actively acted against him and worked to destroy Camelot, completely ignoring already established relations and connections. To put it simply, the dots were not connecting properly, and so my husband believed that Gorlois' conclusion was an incorrect one, and the murals, runes and photos of mausoleum and more confirm it to be the case. Morgause Le Fay existed, and Gorlois had found her grave."

"That may be the case, but how does one explain that there is no clear definition of her actions?" Waver asked of her. "The records and materials available to the Clock Tower and Association completely evict Morgause's existence."

"In matters of researching history and uncovering lost secrets, it is imperative to not assume common known fact to be an immediate truth. Like with Magecraft, much of the unknown and presumed to be true may indeed turn out to be that which we do not believe possible, until confronted with the fact of its existence." Shirou recited one of Lord El-Melloi II's lecture. "I believe that applies in this particular case as well, Professor." Lord El-Melloi sighed and agreed.

"I've walked into that one myself didn't I?" Waver rhetorically asked, before he once again turned serious. "Returning back to the gravesite. Have you dispatched any Enforcers or other investigators to it?"

"No, since it was decided to keep the whole situation under wraps." Karmagliph responded. "The Gorlois family is one of the key members of the Neutral party, and I am sure you can understand what would happen if their absence was made known to all."

"A new bout of political instability would ensue and the Neutral Party may end up on the back foot from all others. Their disappearance and potential death may even be used against you to claim the Department of Mineralogy, Lord Meluastea." Waver stated his opinion, before turning to Lord Barthomeloi. "Which I find surprising, seeing the Heads of Aristocratic and Neutral Parties readily cooperating in this matter."

"Do not confuse yourself and others, Lord El-Melloi II. In this particular case, my duties as Head of Department of Policies supersede my political ambitions." Lorelei explained herself. "Under normal circumstances, the Policies would oversee the entire investigation, but Lord Meluastea had requested your participation in this case, siting you as a neutral and uninvolved party. We request you to assist this investigation, help identify what had happened to the Gorlois family, and determine the perpetrator."

"I know that compared to all other Departments and Lords, I am not the most wealthy, but I am prepared to offer compensation for your troubles, and have already forwarded part of it as an advance payment to your account." Lord Meluastea stated to Waver. "Lord El-Melloi, I implore you to lend us your services in this case." Waver looked at the man, and after letting out a sigh, he spoke up.

"Very well, I shall assist you in this case." Waver stated, as he looked at the smiling Adashino. "I assume I will be working with you, Miss Adashino?"

"Correct, Lord El-Melloi, since I and my capable kouhai here are the ones handling this case from the Policies. Lady Runeas had also graciously offered her own assistance, though at the moment her companion is unavailable, being away on an extermination mission." Hishiri stated. "Though I hardly think we have anything to worry about. Between your cute apprentice with her robust foul-mouthed Mystic Code, Muramasa-kun's expertise in matters of martial nature, and his reliable aide, I am certain we can handle anything that comes our way."

"You shall be leaving tomorrow at the morning. I have already arranged for all the accommodations and transportation. I shall be expecting adequate results from you, Lord El-Melloi II." Lorelei stated, as she rose up with Karmagliph and Venelana, and after bidding goodbye left with them and Hishiri Adashino.

"Never thought there would come a day when I would be asked by Lord Barthomeloi to participate in a case handled by her own." Waver said with a sigh. "The other Lords are surely going to interpret this as an act of siding with the Aristocratic Faction, once they catch the whiff of it."

"But look on the bright side, dear elder brother: you get to put another dent to that debt, which you oh so graciously took over." Reines reminded to him, with Waver letting out another sigh. "And by completing this case, Lord Meluastea would also owe you a favor, and he happens to have access to the best Tuners in the Association and even a Master of Restoration, if rumors are true. Considering your ongoing task of also restoring our Crest, this could quite well expedite your labors on that front."

"And you've decided to accept that money purely to help me, instead of simply putting me in the spotlight?" Waver stated with a bit of a bite to him, with Reines smiling to him with quite a mischief.

"To be perfectly blunt, dear elder brother, you are starting to lose your reputation and prestige as the Clock Tower's great detective, and that snake with Shirou is steadily overtaking the shine from you and Gray." Reines stated to El-Melloi II her opinion. "You need to go out and show them that the original duo will always be better than all the following pretenders." Once hearing that, both Shirou and Waver, unknown to each other, mentally shuddered a little, recalling a certain golden haired Servant."

"I suppose it's too late to be complaining about it now." Waver said, as he turned to Shirou. "Tell me, Muramasa, is there anything else I should be aware of, before we set off? Knowing Adashino, she most likely has left out something important, which doesn't apply to her own narrative."

"Truth be told, this time she is as stumped as she appeared, and we really would like some help on this one." Shirou admitted, surprising Waver. "I know all about those stories of our rivalry and she finds it all amusing and funny, but right now, Adashino-senpai would much rather solve this case than chase glory."

"Then, it really is as mysterious as you've said it is." Gray said to Shirou, who nodded to her. "Do you… Do you that this has something to do with that gravesite and Morgause, Muramasa-san?" She asked of Shirou, who could only shrug with his shoulders.

"I honestly don't know, but what little we know does point to it. The site itself is hidden from the populace, so it was not uncovered, but contact with it was lost completely. There can be many possibilities as to why: traps, Curses, spells, rival Magus Families, sabotage, even a Dead Apostle attack." Shirou listed down his variants. "What I do know for certain is that if Lady Runeas says that gravesite belongs to Morgause, I believe her."

"You certainly put a great deal of trust in her word and supposed research." Reines noted. "I know she is your patron, but I've always assumed you had your own head on your shoulders, Muramasa. Even for someone so devout to her as you should see how far-fetched it all sounds. A supposed super evil Witch from romance is actually real deal and could be connected to the death of an entire family."

"I dunno. Is the story about a super evil Magus turned Dead Apostle and enslaving her entire family just to take revenge on the family of a man who dumped her sound far-fetched?" Shirou asked of Reines, reminding about Ainuterra, with Reines conceding him that one. "Considering the world we live in, I'd say it's safe to assume that not all we believe is true is true and not all that we see as false is actually false."

"Still, to actually think that Morgause actually existed, and could've actually done all that Morgan Le Fay had done…" Gray said while being deeply in thought. "Muramasa-san, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead, Gray." Shirou told her.

"Why would Lady Runeas and her husband and Gorlois family research Arthurian lore and… And have you come across any mentions of the Blackmore name?" She suddenly asked of him, surprising Waver.

"Gray, are you certain that you want to know it?" He asked of her with care, with Gray nodding to him, with Shirou thinking about it.

"I don't know reasons for Gorlois, but in case of Venelana and her husband, that's pretty simple to answer: she had met King Arthur as a Servant in the Third Holy Grail War, and had fought her and her Master thrice in that War, before forming an alliance with them." Shirou revealed to them all, with Waver widening his eyes at that.

"Wait, but I thought that Saber of the Third War was summoned by Edelfelts and they had a different Heroic Spirit." Waver stated, with Reines perking up at his words. "I know that King Arthur, or rather Arturia is a Saber, and she did participate in the Fourth War, and she didn't look like anything else."

"Yeah, but you have to remember that Servants are more or less aspects of their former live selves, representing part of their legend that fits into the category of a Class. In the Fourth Grail War, King Arturia was summoned as a Saber, but in the Third Holy Grail War, she was summoned as a Rider, arguably the closest version to the original legend, and it's most powerful version." Shirou stated, with Waver widening his eyes at what Shirou just said. "I don't know all the details, but from what Lancer and Venelana told me, she was arguably one the strongest Servants both in pure stats and powers. Caenis went up against her thrice and ended each time in a draw, and Rider beat both Sabers, along with the Caster at the same time."

"And if this Rider were to go up against Saber version, who do you think would win?" Reines suddenly asked, with Shirou thinking for a second.

"Never really thought about it, but based on what I've heard of both versions, I'd put my money on Rider." Shirou said, before turning to Gray. "Back to your original question, Arturia had impressed Venelana and her husband so much that they decided to start also researching her and the lore that surrounded her. As for Blackmore name, that's the first I hear of it, and neither Gorlois, if their documents and notes are to be trusted, nor Venelana know of it, that's for certain."

"You said that Venelana met Arturia in the Third War, but why would her husband be so interested in her lore?" Waver asked, noticing how Shirou also mentioned it.

"Well, that one is also fairly easy to answer: he was Master of Rider in the Third Holy Grail War." Shirou stated to them, with Waver and Reines widening their eyes at his declaration.

"Hold up, but wasn't Hiryu Muramasa Master of Rider in that war, and wasn't he…" Reines said, before it began to catch up with her and Waver, as well as Gray. "Oh blimey… This makes so much sense now! Runeas family are masters of Wards, and you are Ward specialist as well, and then there is Genji Muramasa and his Wards. You are the grandson of Lady Venelana Runeas!" Shirou nodded to that one.

"But, wouldn't that also make you heir of her family, since she is the only member of it alive?" Gray asked of Shirou.

"Yeah, though we don't really like to talk or think about it, given… Well, given what happened to my father." Shirou said with a sigh. "I do have to ask you to keep quiet about it. The last thing I need is to get even more attention than I have got already, and if all of Association finds out the full history of my lineage, I will not see the end of marriage proposals, dates and all the rest of that stuff. I've got enough of those as it is without people finding out that my grandmother is Venelana Runeas."

"Well, you can count on me to keep that one quiet, but what about Lord Barthomeloi. She is not the type to like her people keeping such big secrets, and she is Venelana's grandniece and former ward." Reines remarked to Shirou.

"She knows, and keeps quiet about it, though she is keeping a pretty close eye on me and all of my achievements." Shirou said with a sigh. "If I understand her correctly, she's holding me to the same standards she would hold a member of her family, and expects me to meet and exceed them."

"Considering you having already achieved the same rank as I hold now, I would say you are currently succeeding in it." Waver commented. "Wish I could say I envy you, Muramasa, but I'll be lying. Now then, I do have one more question: did you find anything unusual in the Gorlois' mansion while you were there? Something insignificant, but out of place, possibly pointing out to where they may have gone off to, without directly pointing to it?" Shirou thinking about it all, before speaking up.

"You know, there was something unusual that I did find when we were checking the place. I did a Structural Analysis on the carpet in main study room of Lady Igraine Gorlois, and found that he had assembled all of his family there. Don't know exactly why, but what I did see is that right after that, he and the rest left it, all at the same time." Shirou stated to them, surprising them.

"You can use Structural Analysis to read past events of an object that it had experienced?" Waver asked of Shirou, who nodded to him. "That doesn't sound like any normal Structural Analysis I know. Such Magecraft… I think I now know how is it that Hishiri and you have been solving cases so quickly." Waver remarked, with Shirou chuckling.

"Incredible." Gray noted with amazement. "Muramasa-kun, how precise is your Analysis?" She asked of him.

"Well, if I were to perform it on, say, Add over there, I'd instantly learn every single detail about him, from material composition, proportions and parameters to its entire history of utilization and creation and everything in between." Shirou answered, as he looked at the box in the birdcage. "After that, I would have no problem to recreate it, given enough time and proper materials, down every little detail. Maybe even make him better."

"Hey, you take that back! I'm perfect the way I am, and I'll not let some cheap backwater smith-wannabe to Made-in-China me up!" Add immediately shouted, as Shirou glared at him. "Ah, Gray, protect me! Put a restraint order on this guy! He is a pedophile, a pervert, a…" Then Gray immediately shut her Mystic Code friend up by shaking the birdcage with an annoyed look.

"For the record, he is a lot older than all of us here combined." Gray decided to say, once she was done with him.

"I've figured, though I will admit that I still feel that itch to Structurally Analyze him since I first met both you." Shirou confessed. "Don't worry, I don't plan on doing it, unless you permit it."

"I… I do not mind, if you swear never to reveal anything about it to anyone, not even your family." Gray stated to Shirou, surprising him, Waver and Reines.

"Hey, hey, Gray, what heck are you saying?!" Add shouted.

"Gray, are you certain of this?" Waver asked of her.

"I… I am. Shirou had shared with us the truth of his family, and I trust him." Gray assured him. "And… I want to know more about Add. More than what I had been told of him."

"I protest! This is invasion of privacy! Help! I am being raped!" Add shouted aloud.

"I swear upon my Crest to never reveal anything about Add to anyone." Shirou promised to her, and then turned and looked at Add. "Well then, let's see what makes you tick." And the next moment Shirou casted Structural Analysis with his eyes onto the Mystic Code, and then all that it was opened to Muramasa.

In his mind, with the speed exceeding that of human understanding and realization, Shirou Muramasa saw Traced and witnessed everything that was Add, from his creator to materials and to his purpose. Each and every detail more shocking and amazing than the last one, enough for Shirou to understand why Gray wished him to remain silent about him… or so he thought until he had gotten to past Add and saw it. Shirou had witnessed over a hundred different arms in Gilgamesh's armory, Traced and learned them, and each he revered as if they were divine, but what he saw and Traced now made each and every one of them seem like absolute nothing.

A Divine Construct, creation not of any God or Goddess, but of the planet and World itself, one that surpasses nigh all others in it's power and magnificence. An anchor that bounds all our world into one, the Mystery and nature beyond that of any possible comprehension, with Shirou sensing barely a glimpse of it, and yet it alone was enough to all but blind him. It's forms are many and varied, yet it's nature is one, The Lance of the End of the World, sacred divine armament of King Arturia Pendragon, the power to hold the World and matches that of Excalibur. It's beauty and majesty are too much for any normal mortal to fully comprehend, and Shirou had made a terrible mistake of prying into what no man should've.

Though for the world not even a moment passed, for Shirou it felt like hours and days started to pass by him, as he was seized and bound not through physical world, but through his soul by what he could only assume the very Lance he gazed upon, frozen and unable to move. Fear and panic filled his mind, as he started to feel as he was being seemingly consumed by the Lance, not able to turn away or get out of here, stuck in a completely different plane of existence. Next moment, Muramasa felt as his being was going to be consumed for good and not even a memory would remain.

"It is not yet your time to learn its secrets, young blacksmith." Shirou suddenly heard a regal voice, one that he could only assume belonged to a queen or a goddess, and then an image began to form before his eyes. "Quell your thirst, and be released from the bounds of my sister's Lance." She told him, as the image before Shirou's eyes took shape and certain form.

At first it appeared as shield, but then Shirou realized that it was not that. No, it was a sheath, a golden and blue sheath, fit to hold the greatest of arms ever created by the hands of mortals and Fae. And in it, rested a sword, one so painfully familiar yet so distant that Shirou felt like he knew it, and yet he didn't at the same time. His mind unable to comprehend fully its presence, only his soul telling him of its existence, but the sheath… The sheath he perceived and gazed into its core, and in it he gleamed it's name, nature and truth. The sheath that guards their holder, the pinnacle of all barriers and shields in existence, ultimate expression of Wards given form and shape, it's name shared by the far, far away paradise…

"Avalon…" Shirou muttered, the flash of light engulfed him and his entire being, shielding him from the Lance, then his conscience and soul finally returned into the real world, and he fell flat on his back, sweat pouring out of his every pore, his body paralyzed and eyes diluted.

"Muramasa-san!" Gray, Waver and Reines hurried to him. "H-He is some kind of shock!" Gray said with panic in her voice and eyes.

"Trimmau, put him on the sofa, now!" Reines ordered, and the Mystic Code Maid obeyed, picking Shirou up and putting him on the sofa, where he finally seemed to snap out of his shock, as he breathed in and out. "Oh thank God. I was already preparing to blame my elder brother before Venelana, if she had learned about it."

"Take it easy, Muramasa." Waver asked of him, as Shirou carefully sat himself up, collecting his thoughts and everything. "How are you feeling? What had happened to you? It was as if you were struck by some kind of curse."

"Ha! Serves him right for trying to rape me!" Add added, with Gray shaking cage extremely hard on him.

"I-I'll be fine, I just…" Shirou breathed heavily, regaining composure and strength, before looking Gray straight in the eyes and speaking. "I… I'm sorry for having asked. I… I wasn't ready to see it." Shirou admitted, with Gray shocked to hear him that, with Waver understanding what he meant.

"You saw it?" Waver asked of Shirou, who nodded.

"Yeah, and worse yet, I tried to Analyze it, since it was part of Add, but it's… All I've managed is the tiniest glimpse, but even that was enough to nearly fry my brain out, and then it tried to destroy me." Shirou told them. "Anti- Revealing Ward, most powerful in the existence, created to preserve the very Mysteries of World, Magics and Magecrafts, and it sensed me trying to comprehend it and nearly destroyed me."

"Okay, Gray, just what in the world did you put into that foulmouthed chatterbox of yours?" Reines asked of Gray, who froze up, before turning to Waver. "You know I won't stop asking until I get my answers, and you know how persuasive I can be." Waver had no choice but to nod to Gray, and she answered.

"I-It contains a weapon… Of King Arthur." Gray answered meekly, with Reines cocking a brow at her response.

"Which one? From what I've heard, she was rocking a whole arsenal on herself." She asked, with Gray shaking her head at that.

"The Holy Lance." She answered, with Reines widening her eyes. "R-Rhongomyniad."

"Are you serious?" Reines asked, and Gray nodded to her. "Wh-who and how could've put that thing into this?"

"None of us know. All we know that it was always in the Add, but for what exact purpose it's impossible to tell. Possibly to preserve it from discovery." Waver said, before Shirou finally spoke up.

"That's not the entire truth to it, but you are not too far off." Shirou said, drawing the attention. "Add was created as a variant of Logos React, and his main purpose is to serve as a massive database, processing unit and computer, meant to record and preserve minds of others, specifically that of Arturia Pendragon, which had been sealed in it's inner most corners. In addition to it, it also serves as the container for Rhongomyniad, meant to preserve it from being discovered and therefore weakened. All of it as part of a plan… One that I am sorry you have been forced to be made part of, Gray." Shirou told her with clearest sympathy, with Gray understanding that Shirou knew of what she was destined for, before Waver saved her.

"Replica of Logos React, as in the same one that Atlas Institute designated as one of their Seven Superweapons?" Reines asked, with Shirou nodding to her. "Just what kind of a mad genius could construct something like it?" To that Shirou could only laugh bitterly.

"Believe me, Lady Reines. The one to have created it is not mad or vile as all perceive her to be…" Shirou told them all, as he looked once more at Gray. "Morgan Le Fay, this is the answer to your question, Gray." Shirou simply told her, with Gray and others being floored by this revelation.

---

Next day. Cornwall. Several kilometers northeast of Tintagel.

As was promised, Lord Barthomeloi's arrangements for transportations were quite sufficient for the newly formed team of investigators to reach the archeological site within two hours' time. First they took off from Heathrow on a private jet to Plymouth, and after quickly reaching it, they drove to the site, covering the needed distance in minimal time possible. And now, Waver Velvet, Hishiri Adashino, Venelana Runeas, Shirou Muramasa, Gray and Arturia, stood before what was supposed to be a site of digging and archeological work, yet now appeared as a pure ghost site.

Tents and equipment fully abandoned, wind howling along the shores and the deserted site, which appeared as a gate passage underground. To say that there was no sign of human life in here would be quite accurate, safe for all the abandoned equipment, cars and so on, with the group looking around, before Shirou spoke up.

"The Bounded Field meant for concealment still remains in place, probably supported by the leylines in here and tuned up to them." Shirou said, as he used his sense of magical energy to get a read on it around it. "Hm… The leylines here seemed to have been altered a very long time ago, made into an artificial nexus that converges in there, and used to put some serious spells in there."

"Made into an artificial nexus… Is there anyone who could do it?" Gray asked aloud.

"No, one could do something like that in over a thousand years." Venelana stated, as she herself got a read on the magical energy. "But Shirou is right. This nexus is so old that it had simply evolved into being a natural one. That can only occur centuries' worth of time, and the power drawn in there dwarfs anything even most powerful Magi can create. I can think of only three individuals who would be able to create it."

"Let me guess, you mean Merlin, Morgan Le Fay and Morgause?" Hishiri asked of Venelana and she nodded. "Then could it be that this deserted sight is the consequence of opening this mausoleum?"

"I am not sure this is a mausoleum all that much, Miss Adashino." Lord El-Melloi II spoke up. "Such drastic and powerful measures are not what I would assume warranted for a dead person. It is far more likely that this is not a grave, no."

"Then what do you suppose this is, Lord El-Melloi?" She asked of him, before Shirou answered.

"A prison." Muramasa drew the attention of all. "I once read of a similar site, created way back in Heian Period in Japan, which still stands to this day, only now it has a famous Buddhist Temple over it. It was meant to hold The Three Great Yokai of Japan, and when I visited the place last year, I can tell you, that it could do so. This… This is similar to that place."

"Then could only mean that this was the prison of Morgause, yet what had happened to all that were here?" Hishiri asked aloud. "Let us first check the surrounding area for the signs and clues as to what had happened. Do you sense anything we should be concerned about?" She asked of Shirou, who shook his head.

"Very well. I will inspect the leylines and the entrance with Arturia, while you two look around. Shirou and Gray- check the mobile office over there, try to find anything of use that we can use to learn of this place." Venelana commanded, and all went to their station, with Gray receiving an approving nod from Waver, heading to the office with Shirou, and once they were outside of the earshot of others, she spoke up.

"I… I'm glad you are doing much better." Gray said with a bit of an awkward tone. "I just wanted to say, that I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it, Gray. I'm the one who should be apologizing, since I've allowed my curiosity to get the better of me and nearly got burned for it." Shirou told her, with Gray surprised at his readiness to apologize and admit his mistake. "Thankfully, no permanent damage was done, and I heal pretty fast."

"I see. I'm glad you are alright." Gray told him with a small smile. "Muramasa-san, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, go ahead." Shirou answered to her.

"When you said that you were nearly destroyed by it, did you mean it literally?" She asked of him, and he nodded. "But then… How did you escape from it? The Lance's power… I'm sure you know just how powerful it really is."

"Yeah, painfully so." Shirou admitted, before letting out a sigh and speaking up. "I wasn't able to defend my soul from it, but something that is inside of me shielded me from it, something that has connection to Rhongomyniad."

"Something inside of you and is connected to it?" Gray asked of him, with Shirou nodding to her.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that you are not the only one guarding secrets of the late King of Knights." Shirou told Gray, as they approached the mobile station. "Remember how yesterday Professor said that King Arturia was summoned in the Fourth War as a Saber?"

"Yes, he mentioned it." Gray nodded.

"Well, from what I understand, to summon a certain Servant, one needs to use a catalyst, an item that once belonged to said Heroic Spirit in life, unless they decide to summon someone completely at random." Shirou explained. "To summon Arturia as a Rider, my grandfather used the helmet she wore while riding into battle. The Einzberns, however, used a different catalyst- the sheath of Excalibur, Avalon." Shirou stated, with Gray widening her eyes.

"Avalon… I remember stories about from my village. That sheath was said to grant eternal life and youth, as well as protect from all injuries." Gray responded, before her eyes widened in shock. "It… I-It resides inside of you?" She asked, with Shirou nodding.

"It does, though I didn't exactly know about it until yesterday, when it saved me from Rhongomyniad. Turns out that 8 years ago, in the aftermath of the Fourth Grail War, Irisviel, my adopted mother, had placed it into me to help better heal from the aftermath of the Fuyuki Great Fire." Shirou explained. "Though Avalon is only supposed to work at full capacity when in the presence of King Arturia, it had managed to bond with me without being of her bloodline or having Faery's blessings. The only explanation I've got for it is my Origin, Creation and Adaptation."

"So your body had adapted to having it in you, hence allowing you use it's properties?" Shirou nodded. "But if it allows for immortality and eternal youth, why do you age?"

"Not sure about eternal youth part and immortality, maybe because of a limit to our bond and power afforded to me. But what Avalon does is heal me at far faster rate than any usual man, surpassing even some of my best healing spells." Shirou admitted. "And from what I've learned yesterday, Avalon is also the pinnacle of Wards, meaning it is the only thing that can effectively defend against an attack made by Rhongomyniad or Excalibur. Talk about being lucky." Shirou said, as they've arrived at the automated doors.

"Looks like it works via electricity. Should we look for a generator?" She asked, with Shirou shaking his head, as he unsheathed his shorter sword and then used it as a wrench to pry open doors, letting him and Gray inside.

"Okay, looks like it's a model with two halves. You take that side, I'll look there. Call if you find anything of worth, okay?" Shirou asked, and Gray nodded, and soon they went to their sides, with Muramasa finding what appeared to the office. "Okay, let's see if there's anything interesting in here." Shirou muttered to himself, as he began to go through the documents, notes and other papers.

"Looks like Lady Igraine was practically living in here." Shirou said aloud, as he read the papers left behind. "They were actively observing Einzbern digging sites for years before the War, but this one wasn't one of them. And they've somehow managed to get a hold of… My father's report on the war?" Shirou was surprised to find a copy of the report his father filed as an Observer, reading it.

"They were observing the war as well? And then… They knew about Avalon." Shirou concluded, as he read another note, going through the desk and finding something that drew his attention. "Blackmore Village in Wales… They were after Gray as well all this time as well, but after Professor took her under his wing, they relented. All this… This is more than simply recording history and looking for lore. No, there's something else…" Shirou said, as he continued examining the desk and documents, finding the last ones that drew his interest.

"Igraine was actively observing Arturia, practically stalking every move she made." Shirou noted, as he put the notes down, trying to understand what it all could mean. "Einzberns, Avalon, Gray, Arturia, this place- what did you plan, and… Why leave it all like that?" A sudden thought came to Shirou, before he saw Gray run to the office with something in her hand.

"Shirou, here, take a look at it." She unfurled the large paper, revealing it to Shirou.

"It's the complete map of the underground complex in here." Shirou said, as he examined it, before coming to the place that was specifically marked by hand. "This circular chamber, it looks like the resting place of Morgause."

"Yes, and there are even notes in here indicating it here." Gray said, as she looked at them. "It looks like Lady Gorlois and her family were going to attempt some kind of a ritual in there. Do you think they were trying to call Morgause's spirit?" She asked of Shirou, who had a grim expression on his face.

"I very much hope not, but… I fear they may have done something already." Shirou told her. "Let's get back to the others. There is something you all need to know." And so Shirou and Gray returned to the others and Shirou informed all about his findings in the office, surprising and shocking Gray.

"They… They were going to k-kidnap me?" Gray said with fear in her voice, before Waver placed his hand on her shoulder for comfort and support.

"From what Muramasa-kun found out and told us, it would appear that the Gorlois were chasing a different goal than we originally perceived. If I didn't know any better, I would say they were looking for a way to revive Arturia Pendragon." Hishiri Adashino stated her opinion, with Arturia Drake freezing in her place at her words. "But such an act would require far more than simply gathering artifacts and two copycats of their idol, no offence."

"None taken." Arturia responded, before she turned to Shirou. "Master, what do you think about all this?"

"There is too much information that doesn't seem to fit, so we are missing a key element." Shirou said with a sigh. "Either way, I'd say the only way we'll be able to find anything out is by going into that mausoleum. If anything, I can use Structural Analysis in there to learn of what exactly had been going in there, however, after everything that I've learned, I can't help but feel like we are walking in a trap."

"I've examined the complex's entrance and hallways, and there appears to be no magical traps, bounded fields or anything, but I've not been able to get a read on that mausoleum." Venelana admitted. "Whatever Magecraft was used in there, it completely prevents me from getting a good scan of the area. We've been going in there blind." She admitted, with Shirou taking a moment to think about it all, before speaking up.

"Gray, Arturia and I will go in there, since we are best suited for taking out Magi and supernatural beings." Shirou stated. "If anything happens and we do not return within ten minutes, or send a signal, seal this place up and call for back up." Hishiri nodded to him, while Venelana looked with some worry, but accepted his decision.

"Gray, it is up to you. Do you wish to go there?" Waver asked of her, and she nodded, before transforming Add into a scythe, while Arturia dispelled her projections, donning her armor and helmet with sword.

"I will, Sir. Please remain here." She asked of him, and Waver agreed, and so the trio entered the underground complex, with Shirou leading the way and lighting up a small fireball to illuminate the path ahead. "I can now sense it. The dead… There was a lot of death in here, and it came here recently." Gray said, as she clutched her weapon tighter.

"There is a lot of residual energy, but not usual one from Magi." Arturia reported, as she looked around the dark passageway. "It's energy of humans… How many were there workers?"

"Over three dozen private sector specialists of various profession worked here." Shirou remarked, as he moved forward and could already see some sort of dim light ahead. "I'm not sensing any restless spirits of theirs, but there is something ahead, something very troubling. Be on your guard." Shirou commanded, and the two girls readied themselves.

Soon enough they've reached the mausoleum, which was a massive circular domed chamber, one that neither of the three expected to see. It was in the very center of this place that they saw two massive pillars jutting upwards, and from them chains hanging down, and once all three traveled to what they were holding, they all shuddered. Before their eyes appeared a mummified corpse of a woman, wisps of hair still present on her head, face frozen in the grimace of fury and scream, as the chains completely restricted her entire movement, and from them Shirou could sense powerful magic coming. It did not take them long to realize who it was.

"Morgause…" Gray said what her companions thought, before she looked around. "But where are the Gorlois and…" And in that very moment Gray felt a stabbing pain in her back, crying out in pain and drawing out attention of all.

"Gray!" Shirou rushed to her, just as she let go of Add and fall into his hands, casting Healing Magecraft onto her, blood streaming out her wound onto the stone floor, and in that very moment it glowed with magical energy. "What the…" And in that very next moment, as the doors closed behind them, a piercing howling scream was heard by Shirou, coming from the corpse.

Then, Shirou saw as her chains had disappeared with pillars retracting back into the ground, and then out of the dried up husk came a spirit of such malevolence and power, that it made Shirou nearly shudder. Without wasting any moment, it flew in the form of a formless ethereal mass towards Shirou and Gray seemingly preparing to take the girl over, yet Arturia was faster than the elusive creature, as she put herself between them, swinging her sword. Unfortunately, for all, it did nothing to the spirit… safe providing it the host it needed, as it seeped through the armor and into Arturia, as she screamed in pain and agony.

"Arturia!" Shirou screamed, as he tried casting a spell, only to then immediately put his arm away from the attack that came from nowhere. "Invisibility…" And then without even wasting time, he Projected a long sword and swung it around, before blood poured out seemingly out of the thin air, and then a thud of the dead body was heard by him and he saw a small dagger roll to his feet.

But to Shirou it was all of no important as he rushed towards Arturia at full speed, in hopes of helping her fight off this possession, but the distraction provided by this spirit's ally was enough for it to complete it's work, as the screams ceased… Then a blast from Umbra came towards Shirou, hitting him squarely in the chest and sending him flying. Had he not been in his battle dress, his own weapon would've disintegrated him, as multi-layered wards had saved him while his body had tanked the impact, as he landed on his feet, already feeling Avalon healing him.

"Oh, so you are tougher than all the rest of those pathetic Magi of this era?" He heard a familiar, yet distinct voice that did not belong to Arturia.

When he looked up, he saw his maid move to Gray, before grabbing the wounded girl by her throat and raising her above the ground, before Gray screamed as magic poured out of her into the body of Arturia.

"Let her go!" Shirou charged at that creature, sending his blade in first, yet she deflected it with ease,

As he began close the distance, ten magical circles appeared around him, and out of them shot out black metal spikes, all aiming at his vital organs, but Shirou was able to quickly Trace a copy of Umbra and destroy them all, before and entire wall of form around Gray and her assailant. Summoning mana into his imitation, he blasted the wall clean off, but it was too late, as the next moment, Shirou had to catch the body of Gray, unconscious, weak and near death. He could literally sense her life slipping away and mere moments away from passing away, and so without any options, a crazy thought came to his mind, one that seemed defy common sense even of Magus standard, but Shirou was past that, and so he acted.

"Trace on!" He cried out, and out of the depths of his mind formed image of the golden sheath, all of it's power, ability and nature revealed in fullest to him, and in the next moment, it was in his hand. "Hang on, Gray, just hang on." He begged her, as he placed his Traced Avalon into the poor girl, and it seemed to have saved her life, as color once more returned to her pale face and breathing evened out, and Shirou was able to set her down.

"A Magus capable of crafting a copy of Avalon with it's power? The Gorlois had clearly underestimated you, Shirou Muramasa." He heard the voice again, and once he looked up, he saw Arturia's face, free from confines of helmet, donning an expression of malevolence. "You have my thanks, blacksmith. Had it not been for you and your mother's work, I would not have had such a magnificent new vessel to return to life in. And what is even more impressive, you've somehow even managed to summon the soul of my dear little sister in it. I had only thought of obtaining knowledge of her being and mind, but also soul... Oh you have my truest gratitude, Muramasa." She laughed at him, as she picked up Add, returned back to it's original state, before proceeding to crush him.

"W-wait, n-no, stoooop!" And then the replica of Logos React was destroyed in palm of Arturia's hand.

An ethereal light then immediately engulfed all of the mausoleum, blinding all for a few moments, and then it dissipated revealing to Shirou a fully matured and gorgeous woman, which did nothing to detract from the sheer menace she emitted. Her features were those that he would've expected of Arturia if she were to grow fully into an adult, with her long hair snow white, and her eyes were now of bright aquamarine. Her armor transformed to fit her better, changing completely in nature and form as if by a miracle, now resembling scales of a dragon, with a dark violet skirt fully closing her armored legs. In her right arm Shirou saw a dark greatsword, much akin to that of Umbra, only he knew that this was one of forms of Rhongomyniad, as Shirou could feel it's essence even from here. And then he sensed the power coming from this woman, and he had to check himself if he was hallucinating, for her output made him look like nothing by comparison, as she was breathing mana.

"Ah, this… This is so much better! To think that naïve girl had such power in her arms, thanks to that scheming Wizard of hers, and had decided to dedicate it all to slavery of her dream." She said with disgust, as she examined herself with a smile, before she tossed Shirou Umbra. "An impressive homage, but compared to this, it is not even worth being called an imitation." Shirou picked up the sword in his other hand rising up, but not before placing wards around Gray, before stepping forward, putting himself between Gray and this new enemy.

"What did you do to Arturia?" He asked of her with cold threat, as he gripped both of his swords, with the woman chuckling darkly at him.

"She is still in here, screaming and raving, trying in futile to reclaim control, as I take all that she is for myself." She told Shirou, as he narrowed his eyes at her. "But, if you so desire my naïve little sister, then I may be inclined to grant your heart's desire. All you need to do is lower yourself on your knees, and pledge yourself to your True Queen of Britain, and I'll…"

At that moment, Shirou supercharged his Traced Umbra and sent it flying with all the strength he had, with the woman widening her eyes, before swinging her blade at it, causing a massive explosion right before her. The very next moment two dark swords crossed, as Shirou charged and engaged her with an absolute fury in his eyes, his Magic Circuits running at their fullest and twenty swords Traced into existence, before flying at his opponent, as he pushed his enemy off of him. The woman looked at him with contempt, before summoning her magical circles and destroying all of the swords with magical bursts, before she turned and spoke again.

"You dare to spur the grace of me?!" She screamed at him, as her magic nigh burst from her being. "If you so desire to be with that thieving wench, then I shall unite you in death!" And then she shot twenty beams of magical energy from behind her, with Shirou using Umbra to blast away all of them at full power, surprising his enemy.

"You will release her, Morgause Le Fay!" Shirou stated to her with cold rage, as he readied his sword, pouring all of his magical energy into it, with the eponymous witch merely smirking at him.

"So, you've figured out who I am." Morgause commented. "Indeed, I am the eldest child of Uther and Igraine, the rightful Queen of all of Britain and Albion, Morgause Le Fay, wronged and humiliated by my own blood and kin, robbed of her rightful throne and power. Power and throne that were stolen by my worthless little sister and that scheming Hierophant, all for the sake of "saving" Britain… Look where it had gotten all of them."

"You were imprisoned here, with your soul bound here for all eternity by Merlin, after the death of Arturia and your spawn Mordred." Shirou surmised, but Morgause laughed at him.

"Ha! Wrong on all counts, Muramasa, for it was my own twin who imprisoned me here after I made Arturia break her precious Caliburn, that traitorous whore Morgan that dared to care for that spawn of Merlin!" Morgause proclaimed with fury. "She and all others had dared to betray and forget me, their rightful Queen, but I would not go quietly. Morgan may have been my better in pure skill of Magecraft, but I am the Queen of minds and wills of others, and as a payment for her betrayal, she became my tool against Arturia and her precious Camelot. Though she resisted and tried to break my spell, she still did my bidding, and now… Now it is time for the true Queen to take her rightful Throne!" She stated with glee, as Shirou finished charging Umbra to the point where it's one strike would destroy it, yet deliver it's most powerful blast.

"Over my dead body." Shirou declared, with Morgause laughing at his words, as she gripped Rhongomyniad with both hands and brought it up, charging it with magical energy.

"If you so desire." She stated, as her weapon glowed with sheer power. "Now, witness the power of a true Queen!" And with this she and Shirou swung their blades, unleashing the accumulated power in them in two waves of pure destruction.

The moment those two waves had met, England shook for the first time, and in nearby Tintagel people felt as if the ground quaked, with rattling of windows and furniture, and in the distance some saw how ground exploded akin to that of an erupting volcano. The dome and mausoleum were completely destroyed and blown away, as now it was a crater with dust and smoke settling, yet through it moved Morgause, completely unscathed and soon she reached Shirou, laying on his back and wincing from pain and agony coursing through his body. His Mystic Codes were all destroyed, with naught remaining on him but tatters, as magical burns covered his entire right side where his sword was, arm completely unresponsive and unable to move, yet even now Morgause saw defiance and fury in his eyes, and realized the reason for his survival up until now. Grimacing with annoyance and anger, Morgause picked Shirou up with one arm by his throat, as Rhongomyniad transformed into the dark barbed lance.

"You hold that thrice damned Avalon in you, hence why you created it's copy." She stated as Shirou tried to move his left arm, before forcing Avalon straight out of his body and into hers, as Shirou could only cry out one thing.

"T-Trace…" And in that next moment, he felt as the Holy Lance pierced into his chest, through his heart and went out in the back of his back, before driving out and forcing blood out of his wound and his throat and mouth.

"You should've kneeled, cur." Morgause said, as she saw last of strength and power leave his broken body, as she tossed it onto the ground, his blood pooling around him.

"NO!" And in that moment, dozens of blasts of magical energy struck at Morgause, yet she completely ignored them, before turning and seeing Venelana with absolutely murderous expression. "You wretched witch! I WILL KILL YOU!" She charged all of her Magical Circuits to the maximum, summoning all of her power to try and kill Morgause in a single blast of ethereal power, but the eldest of Pendragons simply slapped away the blast away.

"Do not worry, I shall reunite the two of you." Morgause smiled as she manifested ten magical circles and preparing to unleash hell, until she saw a light come from behind her. "What in the…" Just as she turned, a flash of light blinded all, a wave of pure magical power forcing Morgause to back away, clearing all of the dust and smoke, yet soon it was gone as suddenly it had appeared, and when Morgause looked, her eyes widened in shock.

Shirou Muramasa, or rather his corpse… was gone, and there were absolutely no trace of it. The sheer shock of what had occurred right now was so great, that it had made Morgause ignore the shaking in her arms, as the raging spirit of Arturia Pendragon made itself known.

---

In the field of flowers that could never be found again in the world of Men, in a paradise unreachable for all mortals, a broken bleeding body of Shirou Muramasa rested, his eyes still open, but no life was in his vibrant golden irises. Blood seeped out of his wounds, body emptied of strength and powers he held, and towards him with soft steps moved the one who had saved what remained of him. Kneeling before his broken and lifeless form, her pale hands gently touched his cheeks, as her pale blue eyes looked into his golden ones, her platinum white long hair framing her beautiful face and made into a braid behind her hair. Her dress was one fit for a queen, a black and white dress with blue details, showing her magnificence and power, yet without going overboard. A soft sigh escaped her pale lips, as she spoke.

"It seems I have once again broken your heart, my little sister. Truly, I am your curse, Arturia." She said grief, before her eyes fell upon Shirou's body and looked into his eyes. "I wish our first true meeting was not like this, Shirou, son of Genji Muramasa. As I once implored your father to aid me, I now must implore you, to help me right the wrongs of my long past." With these words, she picked his body and carried it through the fields of Avalon.

Though lifeless and broken by Morgause Le Fay, in the Reverse Side of the World, a utopia known as Avalon, such things as life and death are but toys in the hands of those that hold power. And in this realm, none, not even Merlin and Vivian, held power equal to that of Morgan Le Fay, Queen of Avalon and Faery folk. Morgause may had bound her from ever truly ending her life and had held dominion over her will and mind with her curse, but the middle daughter of Uther Pendragon shall not be idle as her elder sister means to bring chaos and death to both worlds.

As Merlin had forged Arturia Pendragon into the King of Britain, so shall Morgan now forge her own champion to finally save her little sister and end the nightmare of Morgause Le Fay.

---

Well… Bet you did not expect THAT! I mean, can any of you recall any other Fate stories that included such a massive character of Arthurian Lore as Morgause? I certainly can't, and while I do know why she was excluded, I decided that maybe this infamous witch and true villain of Arthurian legends requires to be included, plus it was about time for a proper arc. And now she is powerful and broken as absolute hell, and so you are fully aware, Morgause has:

Complete knowledge and combat experience of Arturia Pendragon from Add's data banks, along with Arturia's soul (yes, it is SABER's actual soul)

Recreated Dragon Reactor Core, essentially an endless Mana Generator, transformed from independent mana generator in Arturia's body, thanks to Rhongomyniad and her own Magecraft.

Magecraft and powers that rival those of Merlin, being able to destroy entire cities with her power alone.

Mind Magecraft, allowing her to enslave and engrain her will and command upon others and make them her slaves, like she did with Gorlois family.

And finally, Rhongomyniad, also known as The Holy Lance that can rival Excalibur and Ea in pure power and destructive potential, with endless possible forms.

In other words, Clock Tower better run and beg Gil for help, 'cause this evil lady is about make Fourth Holy Grail war look like a child's spat.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will be sure to give me a review about it, make suggestions about the future events, possible romance options for Shirou's harem, ask questions about the future or story and so on. Your contributions help make this story better.

Next time: Queen of Avalon; Heart of the White Dragon, Fire of the Unlimited Forge; Final Mystery of Genji Muramasa; Hopeless Battle.