Chapter 5: A Throne of Oil and Steel

"A game?" Purifier repeated, doubtful. "You want to play a game with me?"

If I understood her correctly, she is someone who likes challenges. There is no way she would reject something that makes the fight more interesting.

"Yes."

Or at least I was counting on that.

"Heh." Her mouth contorted into a smile as she chuckles. "What do you have in mind?"

As expected, she took the bait.

"It's simple, really; I'll grant you one hit." I put my other hand on top of Lord Camelot. "Hit me as hard as you can, I'll block it."

"Oh? So a game of strength, pretty straightforward, but are you sure about it?" She began to look at her surroundings. "If I use my strongest attack, this city may disappear."

...that would be disastrous.

I don't doubt that she is capable of that, but I should keep pushing. If she really wanted to destroy the city, she would have done it already.

"Doesn't matter." I did my best to sound relaxed. "Whatever you throw at me, this shield will block it."

"Is that so?" She was amused. "Weren't you saying before that you consider yourself just a normal human? Where is that sudden confidence coming from?"

Now it was my turn to smile.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Eh?"

"This is shield isn't just a piece of equipment; it's much more than that. This shield is the crystallization of Mashu Kirielight's feelings. It's her wish to protect her friends and loved ones. It's her desire to protect everyone before anything…even before her own life."

Initially, Lord Camelot belonged to Galahad, the Servant that fused with Mashu's body, and one of the Knights of the Round Table. When spoken its true name, it recreates those fabled white walls that shielded castle Camelot. That's how it was originally used by Mashu.

In my hands, however, it should have been nothing more than a sturdy shield, a Noble Phantasm that lost its user, a useless weapon.

Despite that, this shield followed me to this world after the last battle, and never abandoned me since then. It became a symbol of her to me, a reminder of her sacrifice.

I am sorry, Galahad, but I can't just see you as the owner of this shield anymore. The only one I will recognize is Mashu Kyrielight.

"That's why I know, no matter what you do, this shield will never break."

"You really trust that shield a lot, don't you? I wonder if that trust is properly placed."

"I would bet my life on that."

"You are certainly doing that, asking me to use my strongest attack….fufufu." She happily laughed, apparently finding the situation very funny. "Alright, let's do it then, but I can't guarantee I won't kill you by accident."

"Wait, since I am betting my life, it would be only natural that you bet something too."

"You want something of me, Fujimaru Ritsuka? Maybe you still want that ticket to the other world where your girlfriend is alive?"

"My girlf-…you…!"

Stop. Control yourself, Ritsuka. She is trying to provoke you, don't lose your temper.

"No, I don't. In fact, I don't want anything to do with you." I managed to stay focused. "If I block your attack, then you will leave me alone forever."

Obviously, I didn't actually believe that she would fulfill that kind of bet, but I had to pretend that the outcome of this game was vital to me.

"Ehhhh!? But I would lose you either way!"

".L-lose me? What are you talking about?"

"I will lose my precious friend."

"That again?" I was a bit taken aback. "We aren't friends, you said it, we are on opposites side now! What's wrong with you?"

"That doesn't mean we can get along, though."

Silence.

Words couldn't express my disbelievement.

"Just...what is this for you? Are you actually fighting for something, or is everything just a game for you?"

"Well, I think I cared at some point about the Creator's plan, but you see…once you do the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, you began to stop caring." Her smile lost its usual cheerfulness, and only an indifferent expression remained. "I think I stopped caring around the 5.785.147th time? Maybe one million more give or take?

"You…How long have you been doing this….? No. How old are you?"

She smiled again.

" Why count at all? Age is irrelevant; it doesn't mean anything to us."

"…"

These Sirens …just what are they? Their nature is not magical, but they seemed to defile any kind of common sense, more than any mystery I had come across.

Will science surpass magecraft by such a large margin in the future? Or are their abilities born from something other than science and mystery?

"What? You expected me to be younger than you?" She gave me a smug smile. "Are you disappointed, Fujimaru Ritsuka? You only like them young?

"…"

I feel how a headache was starting to assault my mind. No matter the topic, I always found myself completely lost for words when talking to this being.

Ah, I am so tired of this.

"Do you accept the bet or not?" I tried to get us back to the matter at hand.

"Yeah sure, but let's change the rules a bit. If I manage to break that shield without killing you, then I will take you with me to the winning side."

"Winning side? I thought you said you didn't care which side I was."

"Nothing is set in stone yet. You are still free to join us if you want, Fujimaru Ritsuka."

"Will you ask me to kill again?"

"It wouldn't be fun if I didn't."

"Then, my answer is still the same, I refuse."

"Well." She began to crack her fist. "Then, I only have to force you."

She is focused on me now, this should give the maid an opening to attack.

As I prepared to take the blow, I looked at Lord Camelot.

All I said about Mashu's feelings was true; I did believe that this shield was her symbol. However, I am not so idealistic to think that feelings alone would be enough to stop an attack that would typically kill me.

My confidence laid in facts, Lord Camelot resisted an attack that could incinerate humanity, and nothing that Purifier throws me could compete with that.

Or that's what I believed before knowing that she is apparently older than Goetia.

Just what kind of life could a creature that lives so long lead? Could it even be called life?

"Alright!" Purifier was pumped up as always. "Are you ready?"

"Come." I took my shield with force and planted my feet firmly on the land. "Hit me with all you got!"

"Don't mind if I do!"

She dashed towards me, her fist raised to punch the shield.

In less than a second, she was practically in front of me. I could see how her fist quickly connected to Lord Camelot.

A strident metallic sound was born from that clash, one that left me deaf for a couple of seconds. It was immediately followed by an expansive wave, similar to that of an explosion, that raised a curtain of dust, agitated the grass around us, and forced me back a few steps, even with my reinforcement.

No, it was thanks to that magic that I hadn't been thrown back a couple of kilometers.

She was strong, but not enough to surpass Lord Camelot, as I expected. However, it wasn't time to celebrate yet, as this was nothing more than a distraction.

"Maid! " I turned back as I shouted. "Do it n-"

My words died in my mouth, as I saw a disheartening sight. My eyes couldn't find the maid anywhere, she wasn't there.

"You…you ran away…?" Those idiotic words left my mouth. The maid has disappeared, leaving me alone to face inevitable death.

I was betrayed.

I could have run! I could have left you there to be killed, and you do this to me!? Rage invaded my body as I regretted my decision to trust her.

However, I couldn't let myself be consumed in rage, so I redirected that anger to the Siren in front of me, who hadn't moved since she hit the shield. I had to move quickly and punch her with my other reinforced hand. Even if it wasn't enough to defeat her, I should be able to delay her a little before I try my escape.

But as I turned around to hit her, I noticed something.

Purifier, the ever so crazy Siren, wore an expression of complete surprise. Her golden eyes were opened as plates, and her mouth was hanging a bit open.

It was so strange seeing her so shocked that I couldn't help but look at what she was watching with such awe.

And then I saw it, her hand, the one that was still touching the shield, was completely drenched in red blood. The black glove that previously covered it was destroyed and small drops of blood were quickly dripping off her closed fist, dirtying the shield as her entire right arm was trembling.

Even if I knew her attack would be ineffective, I never thought that the backlash would do some much damage to her arm. She must have used a lot of force.

"You…." Her voice, like a whisper, made me look back at her face. "…hurt me."

Her eyes meet mine, her gaze was one of disbelief as if everything she thought she knew was a lie.

"You…hurt me." She repeated. "A human…hurt me."

She lowered her face.

"Ah…ah….ah…" Her breath was agitated, she really didn't seem okay.

Did I just…break her spirit? Was being hurt by a human too much for her?"

"Ah…ah…ah…aha…ahaha…ahahahaha."

It started with a quiet laugh, almost a chuckle.

"Ahahaha…ahahah…ahahaahaha."

But it quickly escalated to a mad laugh.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Her laugh was so loud that I swear it could be heard from kilometers around. "A human hurt me! He destroyed my arm all by himself! I have never had so much fun in my life! HAHAHA HAHAHA!

Was she…happy? Happy that her arm ended up like that because of me…?

"Purifier…"

I thought that I understood her a bit, but I was wrong. How her mind worked was still a mystery to me.

"Hahahahahahah." After almost a minute, her laugh finally began to die down. "Hahahaha…you...haha...you…." She finally stopped laughing as she slowly began to raise her head. "You."

As I meet her eyes again, I could see the deep madness on them, the aura they gave off was impossible to describe, not even comparing with the Berserker Servants I had met I could find an equal.

Yes, the light on the eyes of Caligula was crazy, and there was never really a moment where I one hundred percent understand Spartacus. But that was different; there was something deep inside them, a desire or a passion that made them what they were.

I found nothing like that on those eyes, they were devoid of any reason or desire.

And the worst of it was that I couldn't stop staring at them. The more I looked into them, the more I felt like losing myself, as if I was being swallowed by the insanity in them.

A golden spiral of insanity.

The platform slowly descended towards the base. The crystal windows allowed me to appreciate the aquatic flora in all its glory for most of the travel. It's been a couple of minutes since all light has disappeared.

We must be finally reaching the depths.

"Will I finally meet him?" I asked my companion.

"Yeah, he has been waiting for a long time. Are you nervous?"

"A bit. It's a like meeting my father-in-law now that I think about it."

She laughed.

"I am sure he will like you. Especially if you gift him something like this."

Purifier toyed with the golden cup in her hands, inspecting it from top to bottom.

"Oi, don't play with that."

"Can it really grant wishes?"

"Yeah."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

"What about a more handsome boyfriend?

I chuckled.

"Sadly, that's not possible."

"I'll have to settle with you then."

Her lips met mine in a light kiss, which I responded with another, more passionate one.

"I love you." I said as I embraced her.

"And I love you too."

"And I hate both of you." A new voice joined the conversation, it seems like the elevator has finally reached its destination while we were talking.

Much like Purifier, the person who talked had golden eyes and long silver hair. Her attire was also a bit similar, apart from the black metallic boots and shorts of the same color she was wearing a black cut-out dress and in her head rested two black horn-like protuberances.

"You are just envious that I won, Beta." Purifier hugged my arm happily.

"Ah, Beta, good day." I made a small nod. "How were things going in our absence?"

Beta was clearly annoyed.

"Same as usual, we have already crushed most of the resistance, the ones who are left are not worth spending resource on."

"Still, underestimating them may be unwise. You should take Alpha with you and destroy them once for all, just in case."

"If you say so." The hostility in Beta's words couldn't be hidden. "Commander."

Without another word, she walked towards the elevator and disappeared as the door closed before her.

"I think she really hates me."

"She hates all humans, just give her time." Purifier tried to reassure me. "She can't ignore what we have accomplished with your help."

"Well, maybe her opinion will change after I meet him." I said, looking at the gigantic mechanical door in front of us.

"It's time, right?"

"Yeah, let's meet him." Purifier took my hand on hers. "Let's meet the Creator."

The door slowly began to rise, as a bright light illuminated the room.

"…!"

Suddenly, I felt like I was in control of my body again and immediately understood why, Purifier closed her eyes, that freed me from that...vision. I don't know how much time had passed since I lost myself in her eyes, but I felt like I spent more than a couple of minutes.

What I saw back then could wait, because what awaited me the moment I recover my consciousness was something I wasn't prepared for.

A cold but ultimately pleasant sensation touched my lips, followed by the soft feeling of lips meeting mines.

Her skin was like touching ice, it was so cold that it burned. It hurt at first, but as the seconds passed, my body somewhat got used to it, to the cold caress of the Siren.

It didn't last long, though; as soon as it started, it had already ended. It wasn't a furious or passionate kiss like one would expect of a being like Purifier. It was just a peck, almost too pure for someone like her.

Purifier separated her lips from mine, as she opened her eyes to look at me.

"You are the one. I found you."

I was once again speechless.

What was that? How did you do it? Why did you do it? Why did you show me that? Was that just an illusion or…?

I wanted to ask all that, but before I could even try, I saw the maid, a couple of meters behind Purifier. She was pointing at us not only with her regular guns but with a series of cannons that seems to grow from her back

"Move if you don't want to die."

"…!"

I hit the ground with force, and manage to put a reasonable distance between me and Purifier, who remained there even though she should have heard the maid. Instead, she turned back to see her.

"So that's where you we-"

Her words were silenced as the maid shot her multiple cannons.

Purifier rapidly disappeared under the bombardment that quickly filled the area with black smoke and dust and made the earth tremble.

I wasn't close enough to be affected by the explosions, but I hide behind Lord Camelot just in case the debris managed to reach me.

"Damn you maid, when I said "attack her," I didn't mean destroy one-quarter of the football field…."

Not that I argued about the results, Purifier was pretty much caught off guard, and if the bullets the maid used earlier were enough to hurt her, then even her shouldn't be able to remain unscratched after such bombardment.

"Pest." While I thought that a voice suddenly could be heard from behind me.

"Maid." I didn't need to turn back to know who it was. "I thought you had run away."

"I am not in the habit of running away from my problems." As she said that, I could feel something cylindrical being pushed into the back of my head. "And you won't be running either."

"…I thought I said I had nothing to do with that, Siren."

"Do you kiss people you have nothing to do with?"

"…"

I really wanted to explain the situation, but saying something like "I was hypnotized by her eyes so I didn't notice she was kissing me." sounded so lame in my head that I chose not to say anything.

"I am not sure what you are, but it's clear that something is going on with you and the Sirens. That's why you are coming with me."

"To where?"

"The Royal Navy headquarters, for interrogation."

"Are you going to shoot if I say no?"

"Without hesitation."

"Really?" I slowly turn back to see her. "Are you really going to shoot?"

She was a bit taken aback with my sudden bravado but didn't stop pointing her gun at me.

Now that I had a closer look at her, I noticed that her cannons were connected to something I could only describe as ship parts. I could distinguish something resembling a prow split in half, and the barrels themselves were similar to naval artillery.

"What makes you think that I can't exterminate you right now?

"The fact that you are talking to me. You didn't need a reason to shoot me before, so something must have changed."

"…"

"Besides, if you didn't care if I died or not, then you wouldn't have shouted such obvious warning before shooting at the Siren." I continued. "You need me alive, don't you?"

"…"

If looks could kill, then her stare would have killed me at least several times now.

"You are coming with me." She ordered again. "We need you to be alive, yes, but I still could-" Her words died on her mouth as the gun on her hand suddenly lost its form and disappeared."What? What's going- arrggh."

An expression of pain appeared on her face as she brought her hand to her head.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Shut…up, I am…"

"You can't even talk, you are not alright."

"I'll bring you….to our…" She couldn't continue, the ship parts and cannons suddenly disappear from her body as she began to fall.

But before she could fall entirely, I manage to catch her.

"I told you that it was just basic healing, this was bound to happen if you fought seriously, you're exhausted."

While I held her, I noticed how small she felt. I had failed to see that she was indeed a bit shorter than me, probably because in all our interactions, I thought about her as superhuman being capable of kicking my ass in seconds if I let my guard down.

"Don't…touch…."

"Sorry, it was a reflex. Should have I let you dive face-first to the ground?"

"…ugh."

"Seems like you pushed yourself too hard using those cannons." She didn't even have the energy to retort. "Well, it works for me, now I don't have to deal with you."

"Pest…" She wanted to continue, but lost the last of her strength and passed out.

"I am afraid I am going nowhere with you, but you should be happy." I said as I gently lowered her body on the ground. "Your wish will come true, you'll never have to see my face again."

Now that the Siren was beaten and the maid is out of commission, it's my perfect chance to get away from this mess. Sadly, I didn't find a way to see Mashu again, but nothing good will come if I continue getting involved in this fight.

"Yeah, nothing good…"

That vision…could that be...

"You were right, Ritsuka."

A voice I knew too well stopped my thoughts and made my blood froze.

"I did underestimate you." The voice was coming from the black smoke that was rising from where the maid had shot her artillery.

Suddenly, the smoke was forcefully repelled by a strong current of air, revealing what was behind.

Between the scorched earth and the burning grass stood Purifier. Her ponytail got undone, and now her long silver hair fell untamed on her whole body. Most of her clothes were in tatters revealing how her entire body was covered in red burn wounds. Aside from that, one of her arms, the right one, hanged motionless from her shoulder.

But her state wasn't what took my breath away, it was the giant machine-like shark hovering behind her. It had a similar look to the drones she had used, with black color and futuristic yellow lines, but this one was a lot of bigger, even bigger than Purifier herself.

"It won't happen again." She smiled. "My friend."

"You…survived."

"It takes a lot more than this to take me out." She began to walk towards me. "I am not going anywhere now that I found you."

"Found me…?" I instinctively moved back.

Had she grown tired of playing around? Was that shark her actual power? I didn't want to find out.

I was determined to run away, but then I remembered the maid. She was still lying unconscious there.

If I left her there, she was going to get killed.

"You are still thinking about her even now?" Purifier noticed. "Why do you care so much about someone who tried to kill you?"

"…It's not about caring or not. I just don't like seeing people die in front of me."

"Is that so? Then what about me? Would you save me if I were about to die?"

"…"

I am not that naïve, I know that you can't just spare everyone.

In a war, refusing to kill the enemy only means letting your allies get hurt. If we had allowed Goetia to do as he wanted, then all humanity would have been wiped out.

Pacifism is just a fool's dream.

If didn't do what I did in the first singularity, then I wouldn't be here right now, I wouldn't be asking myself if it's okay to kill or not, in that regard, Purifier is no different from that French soldier.

And even knowing all that, there isn't a moment that his death doesn't weigh on me.

"Even if you have caused me troubles, I don't desire your death, Purifier."

Far from being content, she looked furious.

"That's the same mentality that led the others to their demise."

"The others…?"

"The other Commanders, they were the same as you, heroic, considerate, always thinking about their ship girls' welfare before their own." She frowned. "That's boring, so utterly boring. Imagine always facing the same kind idiot in charge." Her eyes went to the motionless body of the maid. "They were never capable of pulling the trigger when they should!"

The metallic shark dashed toward the maid, but stopped as I shielded her with Lord Camelot. It didn't have eyes, but I could fell how it stared at me, like a predator staring at its prey.

"And if you follow their steps, you will end up like them." Purifier made a sign with her hand, and the shark went back beside her."However, you aren't beyond saving yet." Her usual smile returned to her face. "I still can see that desire in your eyes, that dissatisfaction inside you, that feeling of uselessness when she died, the guilt still eats you up inside, right?."

"…!"

A series of images flashed through my mind.

A cheerful girl, a golden cup, a kiss.

"You wanted to go to another world to see Mashu again, but with our help, that won't even be necessary. You can just avoid her death altogether. "She extended her still functional hands towards me. "Come with us, Ritsuka. You only need to abandon that naïve idea of refusing to kill, only then, will be able to overcome that guilt and find true peace."

A mechanical door being open, a blinding light.

"No…that's…"

A red sky, piles of bodies, a throne made of machines and oil.

"You saw it too, right? That's the future."

Me, sitting on that very same throne.

"Your future."

"NO!"

I took the unconscious body of maid and ran from there, from that horrible image that seemed to have come from hell itself.

That can't possibly be the future, I am not like that.

That's not me.

Purifier observed how Ritsuka abandoned the place; his expression was one of tremendous fright.

She couldn't lie to herself, she was a bit unhappy seeing the only friend she had rejecting her like that. However, she also knew that this was a necessary step.

"Even if your time with them may be short, I sincerely hope you make them happy, Ritsuka. Just how you are going to do with me."

END OF CHAPTER 5

AN: One chapter left to end this arc.