Soon, Ophelia Phamrsolone would go to Chaldea. There was only one thing left to take care off.
It was back in Hamburg, Germany.
It would be a quick trip. She could summon spirit decoys; and also knew charm spells like any other decent magus. Getting transport was never a problem.
The Phamrsolone Estate was located away from the city centre in a secluded residential area, of the few that remained. It was obscure, no bigger than it needed to be, but large enough to hold back the city trying to swallow it.
A bounded field surrounded it. It would evoke minor spirits to defer any intruders. If they did not leave, vengeful spirits would suck their souls away. A fair warning, that if ignored, led to a fatal result. Such was the way her parents operated. One chance and nothing more.
She had no problems piercing the bounded field around the estate.
The mansion was large and empty now. Any human servants had left for the day, and the familiars were all short on intelligence.
Ophelia stalked the halls, making sure no familiar would detect her.
After fifteen mintues, she made it there. The door looked exactly like she remembered it, old and scratched on both sides.
Her room itself was dark, with a lot of papers, glass tubes and summoning circles scrawled on the walls and floors. They hadn't even bothered to have a servant clean it up. That was how much they cared.
She lit a night-lamp, and checked below her bed. She had hidden something there, in a lock box under the floorboards. A sealing spell prevented anyone from opening it.
Ophelia retrieved the thing, heavy and noisy as it was. She nearly bumped her head against the bed frame. When she finally got it out, she briefly opened the lid and peered inside.
A small brach rested at the centre of the box. A piece of the tree that once held Gram, the legendary weapon of many Norse heroes, including Sigmund and his son, Sigurd.
With that, she would finally summon her knight. A knight she admired, that would fight for her, protect her, keep her away from those awful futures she saw every so often.
Her right eye throbbed slightly. She suppressed the images of alternatives that invaded her field of vision like a kaleidoscope.
She scooted the box inside her bag, and turned to leave.
Ophelia froze as she did so, for someone else blocked her path to the exit.
"So… you've returned," he said. A man in his sixties, face clean and grey hair trimmed.
"F-father," she whispered, taking one step back.
"You must have known this was coming," He stated. He didn't look at her, could not, as his eyes were covered by a black band.
"I–"
"You didn't, didn't you?" He asked, stepping into the room. As he did, Ophelia retreated even more, towards the lone window that led to the outside world.
"T-there was no need..." She hadn't used her eye, not really. Once she made sure her future path would be clear, she didn't want to see anymore.
He scowled at her. "Whatever. I guess you did not come back to stay," even through his eye covering, she could see him frowning.
"No, father. I'm… going to Chaldea," she told him, words struggling to come out of her mouth. She knew what he could do, she could counteract it but… something inside her was frozen. Cold. And that something prevented her from moving.
"You're going to follow that fool Marisbilly and his dream? Preposterous, a waste of your talents," he said, voice hoarse.
"Ite already. You cannot stop this," she replied, trying her best to still her voice as she circled around him.
Her father advanced opposite of her, and touched her bed.
"You really think you that you can follow through this grave betrayal?" He asked, turning his head in her direction.
"It's not a betrayal!" she replied.
"It is," he faced her fully, voice loud and clear.
"I'm carving my own path, I'm not betraying you!" She shouted. Maybe it was her insecurity, or her need for approval, but she felt the need to defend herself.
"You are. After everything we did for you, after everything we gave you, you run away and out of our reach. With all of our secrets too."
"I…" She had to answer to that. She did want to run away from them, to break free. But more importantly, she needed to see a future.
"I wonder… once you are there, what will you do when an obstacle comes your way that you cannot avoid? That you cannot see?" He asked. He didn't really look her way, he was blind after all. Although sometimes, it was hard to tell.
"How are you so sure of that? You never–"
"–Why did you come here then? At night, when your mother is far away from here? What if she were your obstacle? Would you be able to… remove her, like a proper magus would?"
Ophelia said nothing, shaking in her spot. No, she could never remove her mother. She loved her, and feared her, and loathed her. All at the same time. She was too strong, she was just too strong.
After a few moments of silence, her father sighed. "You better follow through, girl. I expect you to accomplish your goal, and return accomplished. You must honour the eye of our family."
Without looking at him she left her room.
In a matter of days she was in Chaldea. She was assigned to Wodime, a renowned and caring magus. She was safe. And her mother never came looking for her.
She tried her best. She really did. In the end, she died uselessly, without being able to see a future.
The two groups faced each other. On one side, Akuta Hinako stared at her with a stare more piercing than a lance, flanked by her two fighters.
On the other, Valkyrie Ortlinde and Mash stood in front of Emiya and Ophelia herself.
However, most of the tension could be traced back to Ophelia and Akuta.
She did her best to look into her former teammate's eyes.
"Akuta," she muttered.
"Ophelia," Akuta replied, with the barest tilt of her head. "Really… how disgusting, how pathetic. Going after this peaceful Lostbelt. My Lostbelt."
Akuta glared at them. And something in her sight froze Ophelia's spine cold, making her go stiff. Ophelia had to be the cold one. She had the cool head. She had to remain steadfast in front of Mash and the Valkyries. Yet here she was, quacking in her boots once again, just like in the Scandinavian Lostbelt.
"We have no choice Akuta. Please, stop–"
"–Shut up," Ophelia stopped cold at Akuta's simple words.
"What?"
"I said to shut your mouth, Ophelia," Akuta closed her eyes. She was making a simple statement. There was no hurt, no betrayal, no anger. Simply disgust, as if talking to an insect. When she opened her eyes again, they were cold and unfeeling. "You will die here. Saber, Lancer."
"Yes, Master," answered the masked man, brandishing his sword. It was clear he was a Saber class.
"I'd rather use my proper name, Lady Akuta," the woman replied, readying her spear, eyes fixed on the enemy.
"It is crucial we keep it secret, Lancer. Now, eliminate them. Don't leave anything behind," Ophelia tensed, as did her companions. Mash raised her shield, positioning it to quickly move and block any incoming attacks towards the masters.
"Akuta, please. We worked together a long time. It doesn't have to end in bloodshed. We just want to survive, to save someone close to us," Mash argued. Akuta stared at her for a long while with an impassive expression, not moving one bit.
"Long time? Kyrielight," for a second, mash lowered her shield. "You were just a speck of dust during my life. You were nothing noteworthy, other than a sacrifice for Chaldea's mission. Now… go and fulfill the thing you were made for. Attack!"
The Saber bent his knees, and he flew through the air like a wind cutting through the field and the light yellow grass. He headed straight for Ophelia herself. Normally, she'd try to see possibilities, but now she saw nothing, not even her own death. It scared her. It was also strangely liberating.
She moved to cast a spell.
She was not able to do it in time. She would die right there.
Saber's attack was blocked by Ortlinde. The clash of sword against shield resonated through the valley.
Ortlinde did not move an inch, no matter how much Saber pushed. So she moved his sword aside and thrusted with her spear, which forced the enemy to retreat.
At the same time, Lancer moved to strike at the Valkyrie from the side. Mash intercepted her with her shield, and then activated her thrusters to rotate and strike at her.
Ophelia stood behind them, staring at the duel alongside Shirou. She wanted to do something, but at the same time did not want to draw attention to herself. Such a cowardly thought made her clench her teeth.
No, she had to be strong. More importantly…
Akuta stood unmoving, observing Ophelia directly. A gaze that judged her every inaction.
"Emiya…" Ophelia muttered at her partner.
"What is it?" Shirou asked, keeping his eye on the battle. "Thinking of helping?"
"Yes. Let's take care of their Master," she stated, although the prospect of hurting Akuta… she didn't like it. But… they weren't friends. Back at the Clocktower, just existing in the same vicinity would have made them competitors. This situation was no different.
"They'll see my noble phantasms coming," Shirou stated.
Ophelia nodded. The battle was at a standstill. Mash blocked Lancer's attacks excellently, although she was visibly getting strained.
Ortlinde had Saber on the defensive, but he retreated every time the Valkyrie would break his defence. If she could fly, it would be another story. But they could not risk triggering the barrier in the sky.
Ophelia felt around the area. The spirits around them were roused, uneasy. She could use that.
"Use arrows, I'll bring forth a spirit to take her down," she said. Shirou looked at her, and nodded.
Shirou traced his bow. Akuta's eye widened.
Ophelia closed her eye, activated her circuits, and her family's crest flared to life.
"Die beingstigendsten Stürme sind diejenige…" she called to them, the violent and agitated fingers of the earth.
Shirou took a bowman's stance, drew projected arrows on his bow, and shot them towards Akuta. Saber reacted, leaving his fight with Ortlinde and stepping in front of her to deflect the projectiles.
The knight glared at Emiya, and instantly focused on him. Orltlinde stood in his way, and he now fought her ferociously to reach him, while Lancer pushed Mash back and focused on defending Akuta as well.
"Coward!" Lancer shouted as she used her Lance to deflect more projectiles
Their Master still did not move. Her only change was a more pronounced.
"Mash! Don't let up!" Shirou shouted, Mash nodded, heading straight for the Lancer. Saber was being held back by Ortlinde.
"…die nicht von der Hand der Natur rühren wurden." a red summoning circle appeared, and was quickly surrounded by lightning. A small creature made of pure energy manifested, a small head with fangs with no body except a small ball. It violently struck at it's cage, raring to be set free, it's agitation made worse by being evoked. Ophelia's magic was strained trying to contain it.
With a mental command, Ophelia managed to direct it's attention to Akuta.
"Kugelblitz!" With that incantation, it was set free. It zig zaged through the area with a crimson glow, burning the grass on it's path with electricity. It headed straight for Akuta. The woman's eyes widened at the incoming attack.
Lancer would not be able to kill it. She'd have to take it's attack head on.
A shot rang out.
A bolt of pink energy struck her summoned spirit. As soon as it existed, it faded away into nothing.
Another shot rang out, and this time it struck Mash, sending her flying and rolling on the ground.
Shirou barely had time to turn his head and block with his shield.
"An Archer!?" He exclaimed. Ophelia tried casting her sight spell to spot it as another shot struck Shirou's Divine Iron Shield. It came from a nearby forest on the hills.
"Ophelia! Emiya! Take cover!" Ortlinde shouted, holding back Saber. Another shot forced Shirou on his knees, followed by another one that struck Ortlinde through her left shoulder, and allowed Saber to gain the upper hand and slash at her chest, painting the fields red and leaving the Valkyrie clutching her wound with her good arm.
Saber pushed her aside and rushed the two Masters.
They were stuck there, between an unknown attacker and an incoming Servant.
Ophelia was at a loss. She could lie and wait for death.
But she didn't want to die there. She could not afford to. Napoleon would have wanted her to look towards the horizon, towards a better future.
She had her command spells. A desperate measure, a summoning spell that was sure to bring forth something… someone… If only she had more time.
The ground shook. A shadow loomed over them.
Ophelia turned her eye to see a mass of grey muscle run towards them. Saber saw it too, but it was too late. It smashed against him, and he was sent back, only holding his balance by stabbing his sword on the ground.
It was… a man. Or so Ophelia guessed. Gigantic, clad in nothing but restraining gear, holding a Gladius sword.
"And so… the oppressor is pushed back! As he should be for attacking those that are under a rain of fire!" He screamed to no one in particular. Another shot rang out, striking him on the back, blood splattering.
He didn't flinch one bit, instead turning towards Shirou.
"Master! Servant Berserker, Spartacus, has come to liberate you!" Another shot struck him, and he smiled with wickedness. Even so, the strain on his face betrayed annoyance. "How oppressive. Take this then!"
His body lit up, and a blast of energy left his open mouth, headed towards the forest and disappearing among the trees. An explosion rang out, and then no more shots came out.
Akuta glared at them, clicking her tongue.
"Another Servant?!" She asked. "You multiply like insects. Lancer!" The other Servant stood at attention, and readied her spear.
"Understood!" She rushed at top speed at Spartacus. The man simply opened his arms, exposing his chest and welcoming the attack.
Lancer thrusted, but once again, things did not go to plan.
Her strike was blocked by am emerald sword, who held the spear by the flat end of the blade. That sword belonged to a silver haired knight, who know stood in front of Spartacus.
"You shouldn't be taking hits head on, Berserker," he said seriously, and then pushed Lancer back with inhuman strength. The woman jumped back to stand at Akuta's side, as did Saber.
The tide had turned. They had four Servants now, against Akuta's two. And their mysterious sniper was gone.
They could easily overwhelm them.
"Master…" The masked Saber muttered, turning towards Akuta. "… Let's retreat for now."
The Crypter's eyes widened. "What?"
"We're outnumbered. Revealing all of our strength here would be pointless," Lancer stated, nodding at Saber.
Akuta grit her teeth, closing her eyes as if trying to hold something back.
"Very well. Let's go," Akuta said. With a nod, Saber put an arm around her, and the enemies jumped away with impossible speed.
The new Servants did not give chase, instead opting to guard their Masters.
"Mash!" Ophelia shouted, going to the Shielder's side. She breathed heavily, leaning on her shield as she tried to stand up. The ex-Crpyter reached for her back and left arm and attempted to help her stand up.
She was extremely heavy, but another pair of hands helped stand her up. Ophelia found herself staring into kind eyes behind glasses. They glowed emerald like his blade. It was a familiar visage, one she had hoped to see when she summoned her Servant in the Scandinavian Lostbelt.
"Let me help you," he said, staring at her intently. Ophelia nodded, and let him do the heavy lifting as she treated Mash's back wound.
As she got to work with her healing magic, she saw Shirou out of the corner of her vision, rushing towards Ortlinde while Spartacus looked around for any more attackers.
"Are you okay, Ortlinde? Let me..." She heard him ask. His eyes had some bags under them, and he looked pale. However, the Valkyrie simply floated off the ground, still bleeding.
"No need. I'll use runes and fix myself," Ortlinde said, as her good hand made some motions, and green-coloured runes spun around her, closing her wounds and cleaning her blood. Shirou was left standing there, useless.
"O-Ophelia-san…" she heard Mash mutter, now standing at full height. "I'm fine now."
She removed the hand from the Shielder's back, it's glow fading. "Oh! Right! Erm… Can you move?" She asked, cheeks extremely hot.
"Yes. Although the Ortinax took heavy damage, enough to penetrate it. That should not be possible," Mash said. Ophelia nodded, and turned to look at the Servant with Silver hair, who seemed content to be ignored.
"Forgive me, you are..." she said with a reverence. She knew him, but she wanted to hear him say it, just in case.
The Servant's eyes widened, and then he smiled. A good magus would not care, but… she wasn't a good magus. Maybe never had been. Thus, she felt bad at ignoring him.
"...Servant, Saber. True name–"
"Sigurd!" Mash exclaimed, jumping over him and giving him a tight hug. He was tall, much taller than her. He went stiff as a plank.
"Ah, the Shielder from the Lostbelt. It's good to see you again. Shame it's not on the best of circumstances," he lamented. Once Mash noticed how uncomfortable he seemed, she stepped away sheepishly.
"No, no!" Mash said, stepping away. "There's no one else I'd rather have by my side, Sigurd."
Ophelia had never seen Mash so happy before. It made her feel warm, and… disgusted. Disgusted at herself. She couldn't be a friend to make her smile.
"That is good to hear. While I'd like to keep chatting..." he turned to Ophelia once again, and kneeled like a proper knight. "...I've answered you summons once again, Master. My class is Saber, true name Sigurd. Allow me to serve you in the coming battles and to apologize for my previous failure."
She had expected such behaviour from Sigurd before knowing he was, in reality, Surtr. Still, seeing such a display for her nearly made her blush. She almost felt the need to bite her fist.
"O-o-of course, Saber. It's an honour. I just hope we'll be able to fight well together," she said, extending a hand for him. He looked at it with a smile, and shook it. His hand was cold. Just then, something popped up in her mind. "Do you… remember?"
All pleasantness seemed to fade from the dragonslayer's expression.
"I do. That is why…" he grimaced. Ophelia did not want him to apologize. He had done nothing wrong. It had all been her. She reached for her hero, but… "...that's for another time. Let's go meet with the others," Sigurd said. Ophelia hugged herself, her attempt to reach out vanishing.
"This way," and so, the three of them strode towards the other three of their group.
Once Shirou noticed their approached, he quickly rushed to mash's side, inspecting her. "Are you hurt badly?" He asked, genuine worry in her voice. Mash was almost taken aback.
"Y-yes, I'm alright, even if it was quite painful," she said. Shirou breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ortlinde's alright as well," he said, looking back at the Valkyrie, who was staring at Sigurd in turn.
"Of course it would be painful," Sigurd stated plainly. "That sniper was using anti materiel weaponry. It seems they intended to harm the Servants. But it seems they are gone for now."
"So they wanted us alive?" Shirou asked.
Ophelia ran her mind at the possibilities. Akuta knew she had switched over, so did Koyanskaya. Which meant that… it was very possible Wodime knew as well.
Ophelia found it hard to breathe. Did he…?
"So we've all gathered!" the ground rumbled as Sspartacus strode towards them, the Valkyrie being pushed little by little by his outstretched right arm. "Master and his companions! We have the advantage, we must press on and destroy the oppressors! Now!" he said, smiling like a madman.
It was expected of a Berserker. Still, Ophelia had to avoid scowling at his mad smile.
"While that would be a good course of action," Sigurd interrupted. "As soon as we were summoned, Da Vinci instructed us to bring you back safely to the Shadow Border. I think if would be smarter to do that."
"Did she tell you why?" Ophelia asked.
"Yes, but she wanted to give you the details in person. Or rather, it seemed like the Ruler Servant would not give out answers unless everyone was there," he said. At this, Mash sighed.
"Of course. We should get going then," she said.
"Can you walk?" Shirou asked the Shielder.
"Perfectly. I will not fall behind," Mash answered. Shirou nodded, and just then a giant hand patted him in the back, nearly making him fall face first into the ground.
"How caring! Truly a protector of the weak! What a wonderful Master!" Spartacus said, baring his teeth.
"Yeah," Shirou said, groaning. "Can't believe you are my Servant. Are you really most compatible with me?"
"As long as we challenge those stronger than us, we'll remain companions forever. So… what shall I do?" Shirou looked unsure for a moment.
"Bring up the front, if you please," he said. Spartacus nodded, and trotted over ahead of the group. Mash followed him along with Sigurd. Both of them looked towards the treeline, on the lookout for the sniper.
That left Ophelia, Shirou and the Valkyries to bring up the rear.
Ophelia noticed something as they walked back towards their landing point. Ortlinde stared at Sigurd's back. Wether he was aware or not, even she could feel how she bore into him.
"Is everything okay, Ortlinde?" She asked, breaking the silence. Shirou, who walked between them, looked at Ophelia and then at the Valkyrie.
Ophelia's relationship with the Valkyries was a strange one. She had met them in her Lostbelt, they had formed a bond of some sort. She found herself caring for them, and they returned that care, if agreeing to save her was a way of returning it.
But these Valkyries remembered none of that. They hadn't even lived the same lives. Still, she could not forget them.
"Why did it have to be him…?" Ortlinde asked. Her voice was strained, as if containing something. She continued to look ahead. "… Sigurd… that man who made our sister…" she didn't really seem to be talking to them.
But she realized now, why Ortlinde seemed to be acting that way. In wishing to summon her perfect knight, she had disturbed what little cohesion their group maintained.
"I-I'm sorry," she said, before steeling herself. This had been the correct call, the correct summon. She needed not to apologize for that. "B-but we need him."
Ortlinde looked at her surprised and… hurt?
Before the Valkyrie could say anything else, Shirou cut in. "Ophelia is right. We need strong heroic spirits to take down the Lostbelt, and save your Master."
Ortlinde looked away, eyes strained. "I know," she whispered. "I guess… we're not enough."
"What?!" Shirou asked. "No… you are more than enough…"
"Then why bring Sigurd here?" She asked. "We are Valkyries. We are warrior maidens of the gods. Yet, it seems Sigurd is a better choice than us. Even you defend him."
Shirou and Ophelia looked at each other for a moment. Shirou did not look good. He turned back to the Valkyrie.
"I'm not defending him… we need you, I–"
"–Of course you do. But even then, we could not defeat those Servants. It will not happen again, not while we still have our pride. Hildr and Thrud agree with me."
When they returned to the village, the sun was beginning to set.
They quickly greeted some of the villagers, and went inside the Shadow Border. Ortlinde had remained silent throughout the trip, while Sigurd, Mash, Shirou and Ophelia made small talk. Spartacus was happy to ramble on.
Due to his size, he was left outside the vehicle.
The Chaldeans stood in the control room, surrounding the Paper Moon. Da Vinci, Holmes and Méuniere were there as well.
"Where's the Director?" Mash asked, breaking the silence.
"He's not feeling well, he's very tired, and lost most of his appetite. But no other symptoms have appeared so far. But I do fear he'll get worse soon," Da Vinci answered, eyes strained.
"So we're dealing with a powerful poison," Sigurd stated.
"Yes. Both the Director and Fujimaru are in danger," Mash said.
"I see. I still owe her, so if it would be alright with you, Master…" Sigurd said, turning to Ophelia. "… I'd like to do my utmost to make sure she is cured."
"Of course Saber. That is why we are here," Ophelia said, and Sigurd nodded with his head in thanks.
"So what's our next step?" Shirou asked. "We have to face Akuta to get to the city, on top of that mysterious sniper. Do you think the poison is in there?"
At this, Holmes hummed, as if remembering something. "That would be the most direct course of action. However, that Akuta is very mysterious."
"What do you mean?" Shirou asked. Holmes fixed his eyes on him, face impassive.
"I've been looking into Chaldea's database regarding Akuta Hinako. Her record is perfect and ordinary," he said.
"Why would that be strange?" Shirou asked.
"Chaldea wanted only the best, with the recruitment of regulars being a last minute effort to bolster numbers. For Akuta to be ordinary… it's just too strange, now that I think about it," Ophelia said, remembering how Akuta had been introduced. Any doubts or complaints about her were to be directed to Marisbilly. Still, Ophelia could not figure out why that was.
"Exactly," Holmes replied. "It's just too ordinary. In fact… her record is so perfect it reeks of tampering."
"Tampering?" Shirou asked.
"Yes. And the only one with access to those records directly was… well… the acting Director of course," a cold wave washed over Ophelia. She knew Marisbilly was a ruthless magus when it came to the pursuit of protecting the human order. Enough to mark her daughter as useless.
"So he's protecting something. Her true nature?" Ophelia mused.
"Probably. But for now, we have no way of knowing why," Holmes said, pacing around the room. "But I say this because I believe you must handle her with utmost care. She may be hiding a trump card," Holmes stated, looking at the two acting Masters
"We'll have to cross her eventually," Shirou said, crossing his arms. Just then, Ortlinde, who had been floating still and observing the occupants of the room, turned to Sigurd.
"Dragonslayer," she said. He looked back at her, and it seemed the Valkyrie had to resist the urge to look away. "You have the crystallized wisdom of the gods. Haven't you deciphered her true nature?"
Everyone turned to Sigurd, who simply closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm afraid not. Something was blocking my sight."
"Something?" Ophelia asked, her eye darting on the ground as she tried to decipher the causes. "To tamper with magecraft from your era, it must be equally ancient."
"Indeed," he replied. Shirou seemed to close his eyes in annoyance, while Ortlinde turned away.
"Tch," she heard her mutter. She had never heard such a sound come from the normally shy Valkyrie. Perhaps summoning Sigurd was a mistake.
"I'll figure it out, given time. If I could see her more closely, I might just unearth the last piece to this puzzle," Holmes said with a smile, finally stopping his pacing.
"Alright. What about our shooter? Could you… umm… analyse them, Sigurd-san?" Mash asked, fidgeting.
"Not who the shots belonged to. But they were high caliber anti-materiel rounds, infused with divine energy," Sigurd said, now apparently satisfied at giving an accurate answer.
"Divine energy?" Ophelia asked, turning to look at her Servant. He looked at her seriously.
"Yes."
"I–" Everyone turned to Mash, who seemed to look at the Paper Moon with a haunted expression.
"– I remember that sound. I think," she turned to look at the group, and directly at Ophelia. "It sounded like the weapon Koyanskaya used to try and shoot us down during our escape from the Antartica base."
At the mention of that name, Ophelia nearly clutched her chest, to check if her heart was still there.
"You're kidding…" Shirou said, moving a little from his position, fists balled. "What is she doing here? Coming for the Director?"
"I doubt that. She would have used a different weapon, attacked at a different time. Her objective must be another," Holmes stated. Da Vinci looked at him, and nodded with a frown.
Ophelia calmed down, retracting her hand from her chest. Still, a thought began forming on the back of her mind.
"Then she wants us alive?" He asked.
"She wants me…" Ophelia whispered. Everyone turned to her with wide eyes.
"You?" Holmes asked, recovering his neutral expression.
"Yes. She doesn't leave jobs half finished, she said so herself," Ophelia said.
"But then she would want to eliminate you. Is that not why she invaded the Novum Chaldea?" Ortlinde asked.
"But… maybe…" Ophelia mused. She looked at the ground. Kirschtaria would not let her die. She was sure of it, he cared about her. Didn't he? "Kadoc survived as well, no?" She asked, looking at mash directly.
"But it was Macarius who took him," she countered.
"But he didn't kill him. It's likely he took him to the Atlantean Lostbelt. So… Wodime doesn't want him dead, despite the possible information leak. So… he must not want me dead either," she explained. Everyone looked at her, which made her want to cower. However, of all stares, Ortlinde's was the hardest.
"Are you sure you are that important?" The Valkyrie asked. Ophelia closed her eye.
"I… want to believe that," she replied.
"Interesting. So assuming that is true, which I certainly think it is, then Koyanskaya is the huntress, and you the prey," Holmes said, earning glares from Da Vinci, Mash and Shirou.
"What are you getting to?" Shirou asked, stepping near Ophelia, as if to protect her.
"Well… we have an incentive for her to come at us. Thus, we have the advantage, and we would be able to capture and demand from her an antidote," Holmes said with a smile. This seemed to cause Shirou to stir.
"We're not using Ophelia as bait," he said in a tone laced with steel. He sounded so… protective.
Mash silently gasped, and then turned to the detective. "Holmes!"
"Now, now," he said, raising his hands in defence. "We would be doing our utmost to protect her–"
"It's out of the question!" Shirou exclaimed, waving his arm as if to cut the suggestion in half.
Ophelia felt touched, but also… somewhat angered.
"I'm here, you know. It's up to me," she declared. Shirou turned back, his face impassive.
"But still…" he muttered as his expression turned sourer by the second.
"I… think it would be… for the best," she said. She would not cower, not from this.
"Master," Sigurd said, serious as ever. "May I give my input?"
"Y-yes," Ophelia said with a nod.
"I think that would be foolish," he said. The way his emerald eyes pierced her blue one made her weak for a moment.
"I disagree," said another voice from where ortlinde was. The Saber Servant turned to see that Thrud had taken Ortlinde's place. She stared at the warrior with a serious expression. "She would be valiant, risking her life to assure victory."
"Hmmm," Sigurd hummed, stepping back. "It's up to you, Master. But I wouldn't be so quick to throw my life away," he seemed to stare at shirou as he said that. Ophelia looked at him, but he still looked at her as if asking Ophelia to not do it.
"Excuse me…" their discussion was interrupted by Ménuiere, who called their attention with a wave. "… we may have a problem."
"What problem?" Da Vinci asked, running to his side and seeing the console he was operating.
"The village is under attack by demonic beasts!" he announced. The group tensed.
"We have to go then," Shirou said. The rest of them agreed.
The shadow Border's ramp lowered, and a creature Ophelia had seen only in archeologic reports regarding the Age of the Gods fell in front of it, belly up and mutilated.
"Master!" Spartacus shouted, landing in front of them as another one of them clung to his back, stabbing him with it's stinger. "Violent animals are suppressing the populace!"
"Then let's go help them Spartacus!" Shirou said, rushing to his side.
Ophelia looked at Sigurd, who simply nodded and drew his sword.
Thrud did not take long to take after them, as did Mash.
"What a failure," Akuta said, gritting her teeth. Her and her Servants were resting in one of the villages. Their garments demanded the fear and respect of the humans there.
Still, the stench of the house they had taken residence in made her feel all that worse.
"It was an unexpected attack master. It won't happen again," Saber said. Lancer, who stood opposite of him on the room, spear thrust into the floor, seemed to eye both of them with suspicion.
"An Archer attacked us, were they one of you interlopers as well?" She asked. Akuta did not bother looking at her. She did not want to deal with humans, no matter which side they were on.
"We'll have to see," she replied. Just then, her communicator rose to life. Unlike the things made by modern humans, this one was a clunky semi circle like on of those short-range radios, except a little more unwieldy and mechanical. But it had range to compensate.
"Akuta Hinako," addressed a light, robotic voice. She cursed internally.
"Yes your majesty," she said, doing her best to pay him respect. He was fickle after all.
"Did you deal with our interlopers? Were they really attacking our villages?" He asked. Akuta raised an eyebrow, but was ready to lie to him. The Lancer, Qin Liangyu, interrupted her however.
"No, your heavenly Majesty," she said, vowing to the air.
"I see. So your assistance was pointless," he stated. Akuta's chest tightened.
"Y-your mistaken, your Majesty! They are a danger! They are here to destroy your empire!" She said.
"Regardless, they are not a threat. However, we do have another issue on our hands. Qin Liangyu, please take care of it of whomever is attacking us," the woman stood at attention, spear at the ready.
"Yes, your majesty!" She said, before bowing to Akuta. "Excuse me."
With that, she left their cottage.
"But what about Chaldea?" She asked the emperor.
"They seem to be a personal issue to you, and of no concern to us. But since you swore to be of service, then I would like for you to assist Qin Liangyu. Of course, you are free to do what you want… as long as it helps us."
The transmission cut off, leaving Akuta and her Saber in silence.
She had to avoid breaking the thing in her hands as she stored it in her pocket again.
"What now, master?" Saber asked, sitting on a chair.
Akuta closed her eyes, trying her best to remain calm. "Let's follow her for now."
It was night time. The battle had ended. Dozens of Krichat corpses now laid in the open field, torn appart by the Servants. Jotuns she recognized from the Scandinavian Lostbelt had also wandered in, but they took them appart all the same.
Ophelia's felt fine, if tired. Sigurd's dragon reactor core kept him sustained without strain. Shirou did not look good however. His breathing was shallow.
"Are you feeling fine, Shirou?" She asked, using his given name without being able to stop herself.
"I…" he said, as he took a deep breath. "… can keep going."
He had been sniping the beasts as they came, while the Valkyries and Spartacus battled on the front.
"I think it would be best if you rest," Sigurd said, stepping up to them. He was covered in blood and guts.
"No… no…" Shirou replied. "… we're running out of time," as he leaned on his knees, Thrud came up to him.
"We have six days, three hours remaining. A rest will do you good, since you fought well," she stated.
"thanks… you too…" he replied. Thrud looked away a little, as if embarrassed, but soon recovered and nodded.
"So take a rest. You too, lady Ophelia. We'll take care of the corpses," Thrud said.
"very well," Ophelia said. Then she looked at Sigurd. "Make sure the villagers are all safe."
"As you command," he replied as he took off towards the village.
"Do you require assistance, Emiya?" Thrud asked, seeing him in poor condition.
"... I'll be fine…" he replied. Just then, she slung one his arms over her shoulders.
"You are not. Let us help," she said as she began floating off the ground with him tow. He looked at Ophelia with a red face.
"A-Alright. But I don't need it," he said as he was taken inside the Shadow Border.
Ophelia sighed. He was too stubborn at times.
She turned towards the battlefield, where Mash and Spartacus where already seeing if any of the creatures survived.
"Mash," she said, strolling towards her friend. She turned to her, raising her visor.
"Ophelia-san, are you alright?" She asked. Ophelia smiled.
"Perfectly. Me and Emiya are going to take a rest for the night. You should as well," she said. Mash looked away, fidgeting once again.
"I don't–"
"Nonsense. Please rest Mash. We… I need you at full strength," Ophelia said, toying with the idea of placing a hand on her shoulder, but discarding it in the end.
"O-okay, once I'm finished with Spartacus here," Mash said, looking at the giant, who simply smiled at her.
"No need. Warriors need rest as well. Go. We'll continue our liberation tomorrow," with that, he want to stomp on corpses to confirm their deaths.
"Very well," Mash said with a sigh. She then turned to Ophelia. "Thank you… for worrying I mean. Without Senpai here..."
Her smile made her chest feel warm.
"Isn't that what friends are for?" She asked, returning the smile.
With that, both friends made their way towards the Shadow Border, their first day on the Chinese Lostbelt concluded.
A/N: A fairly light chapter, wanted to try focusing on Ophelia. Man, Gilfest left me really burned out on F/GO. Doing oniland rerun is hard now.
Anyway, next chapter, our Chaldeans will go after Koyanskaya, in hopes she has an antidote.
When it comes to the Servants summoned, Spartacus was an obvious choice for Shirou. For Ophelia, not so much. I was stuck deciding between Jing Ke, Bedivere, or Sigurd. In the end, I settled for Sigurd since I love him a lot and also… well… friction with the Valkyries.
That is all for now. See you next chapter!