Two months later. Modern Magecraft Theory Classroom.
"Now then, as you are all well aware, the Magecraft that we all practice is but a fraction of what it once was. The simple and cruel truth is that in Magecraft from the Age of Gods and that of Age of Men are vastly different in terms of sheer power and quantity of man that was available to the Magi." Lord El-Melloi II read his lecture before the class. "As the result, even some our most powerful and advance Magecrafts can be regarded as attempts of trying to reach the level of Magecraft from the Age of Gods. To that end, the Magi use all means available to them in order to increase their power and strength, and one of the most common ways of increasing and displaying power for a Magus is through the usage of Mystic Codes." El-Melloi continued with his lecture, while Shirou, who sat right between Rin and Luvia, while Gray was next to Rin, drew up sketches for his own Mystic Codes, with Rin giving him a dry look.
"You know, Shirou, I thought you would be paying attention, considering this is a lecture dedicated to your craft." Rin noted with a dry look, as she took notes, yet Shirou merely nodded and continued with his drawing, making her sigh. "Honestly, I sometimes wonder how you always ended up being the top student of our school, when most of the time you don't even take notes."
"Come now, Tohsaka-san, envy does not make you beautiful, and you need every bit of what you have." Luvia smirked at her, getting Rin to look at her with an irate glare. "Just because you can't keep up and have the capacity to multi task, doesn't mean that others don't, such as I, and naturally, Sherou."
"Excuse me?" Rin said with a hiss, with Gray already giving them concerned look. "I'll have you know that I was regarded as one of the true beauties back in our school, and I didn't have to rely on slabs of fake lard and dyed hair." That was one stab Luvia couldn't let go.
"What?! There is nothing fake about my looks or in my body! Every piece of it is pure natural beauty, cultivated and nurtured in Finland, as was my Magecraft." Luvia responded immediately, with Shirou letting out a tired sigh, with Gray noticing it. "And if you wish to speak about fakes, then let's discuss that "prestigious" Tohsaka Jewel Magecraft, which you have plagiarized from my family's work."
"Why you…" Rin was about to explode in anger, before Waver spoke up.
"Shirou Muramasa, can you describe the general characteristics of a Mystic Artisan?" Waver asked of Shirou, and he nodded and rose up, answering without missing a beat.
"Mystic Artisan is a Magus that has dedicated his life to construction and creation of enchanted items and artifacts, known as Mystic Codes. Like with Mystic Codes, Artisans vary depending on the type of Codes they specialize in creation, but was separates an ordinary Magus from a Mystic Artisan is their mindset." Shirou answered, with others listening. "Mystic Artisans dedicate themselves to creation and advancement of their artifacts, while ordinary Magus construct Mystic Codes to supplement their own abilities and that of his family. While for most Magi the end goal is to reach the Root, Mystic Artisans pursue advancement above all else, with most pursuing the goal of creating Mystic Codes that can rival Divine Constructs."
"That is the general consensus and belief of the magi in Mystic Artisans, yes." Waver said, as Shirou sat back, and returned to his work. "As we've covered in our last lecture, Divine Constructs are items that had originated not from humanity, but from beings we can describe as divine, either Gods or Spirits. As examples for comparison of Divine Constructs and Mystic Codes, we can remember Gungnir, the spear of Odin, and Sword of Paracelsus, the container for the Philosopher's Stone, which also serves as the origin of the Azoth Daggers that are frequently in use by Magi families."
"Professor, but what if someone were to make a Mystic Code that surpassed Divine Constructs? What would that make them, an Ultra Construct Code?!" Flat asked excitedly, with Waver letting out a frustrated tone.
"No, Flat, they would still be called a Mystic Code, for it was made by humanity, and not something of divine or inhuman nature." Waver said. "But regarding a possibility of creation of something that can surpass Divine Constructs, it is a possibility, but in our times there is no one who had actually achieved such a success."
"But what about that black sword that Shirou crafted for his maid? I remember hearing that it had received some sort of high rank, in regards to it's power and potency." Svin Glascheit added, with Luvia casting a proud look upon Shirou.
"Unfortunately, I am not allowed to speak on the matters related to it, but it is still a Mystic Code, even if it may give off the impression of being a Divine Construct or something else." El-Melloi answered. "Continuing on…" And so the lecture continue, until it ended, with Shirou, Luvia, Rin and Gray being allowed outside, with Shirou still working on his sketch, which was starting to take a shape of a blueprint, with others looking at how he still seemed at it.
"Um, Muramasa-san?" Gray spoke up, with Shirou looking up at her. "You have been drawing this since even before the lecture. What is it?" She asked of him as none could yet properly see or decipher his words.
"Oh, that? It's a blueprint of a weapon I was commissioned to make." Shirou told them, as he turned the drawing board around and showed it to them, getting surprised looks from them.
"A spear?" Rin asked of him, before looking at it more closely. "Looks fairly ornate. Are those slots for Jewels?"
"Correct, it's designed to incorporate Jewels into it, granting the weapon ability to cast spells stored in them, with the tip acting as an equivalent of a muzzle, while the bone is the barrel." Shirou explained, as he looked at the blueprint again. "It is sort of like Azoth Dagger, only as a spear and more powerful, so I've been trying to determine the right materials and calculate their quantity to make it all morning and only now was able to get the rough blueprint ready for it in this."
"If this is what you call "rough" I'd like to see what a detailed one looks like in your opinion." Luvia said with surprise. "I'm honestly shocked you've been able to draw something so complex yet also keep up with the lecture." Shirou simply shrugged it.
"It's more or less an unconscious instinct of sorts. Developed it around the same time I've started doing Archery back in Fuyuki." Shirou answered, with Gray surprised to hear.
"You also know how to shoot a bow?" She asked, with Shirou nodding.
"Not only shoot, but hit a bullseye no matter what. Rain, wind, cold, snow- no matter what, this guy just never seems to miss." Rin commented, with Luvia and Gray looking at Shirou with surprise. "He always scores a perfect score, it had gotten so bad, that he was banned from competitions on the suspicions of him somehow cheating, which, mind you, never was proven."
"That is just such an unjust thing to do! How dare those envious fools hamper Sherou like that?" Luvia said with indignation, with Shirou sighing. "I swear, when I come to Japan, I'll see to it personally that…"
"Please calm down, Luvia, and it's really not a big deal to me. I didn't go into Archery because I wanted medals, but because I wanted to learn, and stayed because it became as sort of a meditation for me." Shirou responded. "Sort of like forging, when you clear your mind of any distractions, and solely focus on what is it that you need to do. Really helps when you need to clear up your mind, so I'm not losing any sleep over being banned from competitions."
"I see." Luvia said, calming herself, before looking at the spear again. "Say, Sherou, this client of yours, he wouldn't happen to be from Scandinavia? The design awfully reminds me of it."
"Sorry, Luvia, but I can't tell you. Customer's privacy." Shirou responded, as he returned to the sketch. "Hm, gonna need to stabilize the flow, but the presence of opposite elements in it could cause a disruption, so oak is out of the consideration. Ash wood could do, and as for the metal…" Just as Shirou mumbled to himself, Lord El-Melloi II decided to join them, all of a sudden.
"Still hard at work, I see." Waver spoke up, drawing Shirou's eyes.
"Oh, sorry about that, Professor." Shirou apologized.
"So long as you do not forget to memorize my lectures, and keep with the studies, you can do as you please, Muramasa, but that's not why I've come." Lord El-Melloi pulled out an envelope from his coat and gave it to Shirou. "A familiar came with this letter, addressed specifically to you. Judging by the seal on it, it is from the Policies, so I'd advice answering it as soon as possible." His friends looked with surprise at it and then a Shirou.
"Thank you, Professor." Shirou opened the envelope and quickly read the letter. "It's from Lord Barthomeloi, she is requesting my presence, and by requesting, I suspect she means demands as soon as possible." Shirou said, as he packed his backpack.
"You are learning quickly, Muramasa. Best of luck. The Policies can be a rough when dealing for the first time, so try to keep a level head." El-Melloi recommended, as Shirou and others bid him farewell, and Shirou departed for his now scheduled meeting with Lord Barthomeloi.
Sometime later. Clock Tower. Department of Policies. Lord Barthomeloi's office.
After knocking and being granted permission to enter, Shirou and his escort stepped inside the office of Lord Barthomeloi, with Muramasa noting how it looked elegant, pristine and functional, without going overboard in any direction. Bookshelves with various books and documents, a table with a stand for a narrow-bladed long sword of practical, yet elegant design, a well arranged desk with two sofas and a coffee table before it, and a chair at the head of the table, currently occupied by Lorelei Barthomeloi, going through some documents. With a nod she dismissed Shirou's escort and left the two in the office, and while she was still going through her documents, Shirou took note of how surprisingly young Lorelei actually was, being only 20 years old, and yet she was already a Lord, which surprised and amazed him.
From his grandmother, Shirou was also aware of how Barthomeloi had conducted themselves and acted, and he knew that the requirements to rise the position of Head and Lord in this family were extreme. The fact that Lorelei had accomplished it all and did it at a young age of 16 was all the more astounding to Shirou, who could honestly feel just how powerful this young woman was. What he did not expect to note for himself was the fact at how, despite the sternness and aura of coldness she was giving off, Lorelei Barthomeloi looked not just pretty, but actually as beautiful as befits her actual name. At a first glance, there seemed nothing outstanding or eye catching about her, nothing special that would draw gaze of a man, as if she falsely fairly unremarkable in nearly all aspects. However, when looking at Lorelei with more detail and as a metaphorical bigger picture, Shirou saw, that Lorelei a woman of her own kind of great beauty, one of balance in all things, with all her "apperent" average attractiveness was not entirely correct.
True, she did not possess the shapely figure of Luvia, or long legs and toned hips of Rin, seemingly falling in between the two, seemingly lacking what both had, yet still having some of it. If Shirou could draw a comparison, he would say that Lorelei was like a sword, made to perfection, with all of his parts fitting ideally. That was the kind of beauty Lorelei possessed, and Shirou did find himself a bit captivated by it, until he managed compose himself before being called out for seemingly ogling at Lord Barthomeloi. The two maintained silence until now, with Shirou still standing near the door, waiting for Lorelei to speak to him first, as was protocol in such cases, and soon his patience paid off, as Lord Barthomeloi put her final document down and looked at Shirou, speaking up.
"I have heard that you've settled quite well, Shirou Muramasa, even taken and completed three commissions." Lord Barthomeloi stated. "Most other students of your age would only be able to settle in their new duties and obligations, but I've surmised you were not like most."
"I've found that when I work in the forge is when I feel myself most alive." Shirou responded with respect. "My apologies if I had arrived at a wrong time."
"You arrive slightly earlier than I wished to see you, but it is of no matter. It is to our benefit, actually." Lord Barthomeloi stood up from her seat, and Shirou could see her walking to the stand with the sword, while motioning for Shirou to approach her, which he did. "What can you tell me, Muramasa, of this blade?" Barthomeloi picked it up, unsheathed and gave it to Shirou, who took it as it was a holy relic, immediately analyzing it with his eyes, though not through his Magecraft.
"A longsword made specifically for a woman's hand, allowing it better mobility and dexterity in wielding. The weight is about 700 to 850 gram, but the strength of the metal surpasses that of normal steel and is highly receptive to Magecraft." Shirou said, as he looked at its guard and blade. "Amethyst and sunstone ingrained into it, former to amplify Wind Element, with the latter containing in itself collected essence of the Sun, spread through the blade. The alloy is special, made out of tamahagane with iron collected off Mt. Hiei and from Ise Province, so it absorbed in itself power and blessing of Amaterasu. A weapon like that, I would say, be extremely powerful against those that are inhuman, like Dead Apostles. As for the quality- it is a masterpiece of a Mystic Code." Lord Barthomeloi listened to Shirou, and after finding his answer adequate, she took the sword off his hands and spoke up.
"This sword I had commissioned to your father, Genji Muramasa, 10 years ago, with the express demand for this to not merely a weapon that would define me, but serve as an extension of me, of my will and desires. When he presented it to me, it was too big for me and I demanded his explanation, and he told me, that this was the blade he created for the day when I come to my own being." Lorelei revealed to Shirou, as she looked at it fondly. "I had thought that he mocked me, like he dared insult my parents years earlier, and refused to pay for his commission, yet he refused to take the weapon back. Four years later, when I was already Lord and required a Mystic Code, twenty Artisans had presented me their works, and I found them all wanting, below the man I thought to be an undignified scoundrel. But the day I took it to battle… Was the day I realized the meaning behind his words, and learned what manner of a blade he made for me, one that was supreme above all that came to my hands before and after. I had sought to correct my mistake, yet found him to have passed away already, because of the Holy Grail War." Shirou could sense a clear note of regret in Lord Barthomeloi's voice, and decided to speak up.
"If I may say, I doubt my father had felt any offence or held any ill will towards you, Lord Barthomeloi. I imagine he knew what he would receive as a reward, but it mattered not to him." Shirou said, drawing her gaze to him, curiosity clear in her eyes. "An act of creating such a blade for someone truly worthy of it was a reward of its own to him, Lord Barthomeloi. If anything, you've granted him an opportunity to further his mastery, and for an Artisan like him, it was more than worth all the trouble." Shirou couldn't read what Lorelei thought at that moment, but he suspected that she was judging and evaluating him, before she gently placed her sword back into the sheath.
"If you say these words merely honey and pity me, Muramasa, you will learn that such things hold no sway over me." She warned him as she returned the blade back to it's place. "Unlike what most rumors propagate about me, honeyed words and false flattery I regard as insults to me and sign of a weak character."
"I only state what I know, Lord Barthomeloi, nothing more." Shirou told her honestly, and she seemed satisfied with his answer.
"I shall take your word on it, Muramasa, and since you are Genji's son and inheritor of his name, you also inherit my debt, and I am not a woman to tolerate any form of debt." Lorelei stated to Shirou, as she turned to him. "Your father and I had settled on a specific sum. I shall add to it certain materials that, as I was assured, you will find both valuable and useful for your craft, as a compensation for my unfair judgement and insult. It will be delivered to your mansion within the hour, and from then on, I will expect the debt settled in full." Shirou bowed his head in respect to her.
"In full and more, Lord Barthomeloi." Shirou assured her. "Is there anything else I can be of service to you?"
"I have observed your progress so far, and while I find it adequate, at the moment, I have neither need nor reason to employ your skill as a blacksmith, as you are right now. Progress and further your mastery, and I will revise my opinion on that matter." Lord Barthomeloi stated to him as a matter of a fact, without mocking or desire to deflate him, with Shirou bowing his head. "However, I have not summoned you here only to settle the incurred debt. You have stated that should I find need in you, you will lend me your skills and sword. I trust you are prepared to uphold your word to me."
"I am at your disposal, Lord Barthomeloi." Shirou responded without hesitation, and right at that moment, a knock was heard into the office's door, and then it opened, revealing a young bespectacled woman with very long, reaching to her ankles black hair, dressed in an elegant kimono.
"Lord Barthomeloi, you had wished my presence." The woman spoke with an elegant tone, as she strolled in, taking place near Shirou, with him bowing to her in respect. "My apologies, I was unaware you were in the middle of something. Shall I come later?"
"No, our business was already concluded." Lord Barthomeloi stated to her. "You had submitted a request for an assistant some time ago, with specific characteristics attached to them, yet you refused to work with the Enforcers. Elaborate as to your reasons."
"I am of the opinion that the Enforcers are too… rigid for my line of duty, and as you are aware, Lord Barthomeloi, duties which I complete require a flexible and adaptive person, able to… think outside the box." The woman explained herself to Lord Barthomeloi. "And given my combative abilities and hazardous nature of my duties, I believe it to be prudent that my assistant also possess sufficient ability to defend himself."
"Your reasoning is sound, yet I find that it is not a complete truth, Adashino." Lorelei responded, as she narrowed her eyes a little at her, with the woman not losing her small charming smile. "It is well known to me that you have some form of interest in current Head of the Modern Magecraft Department, and his apprentice. I believe I do not need to explain, that I will not allow your personal interests to hamper the productiveness and efficiency of my department in any way."
"Lord Barthomeloi, I would never dare to put my personal fancies and interests above my duties." She responded, with Lorelei nodding to her.
"I expect you to stay true to your word. As for your request, it is granted to you, and this young man shall be your assistant." Lord Barthomeloi pointed at Shirou, with the woman turning to him with a curious gaze. "Hishiri Adashino, this is Shirou Muramasa, current 25th Head of Muramasa family, and a student of Lord El-Melloi II. I find him answering all of your requested qualities, along with possessing an inquisitive and flexible mind. He will serve as your assistant in your investigations."
"My pleasure to make your acquaintance, Muramasa-san. You have made quite an impression upon me and many of my colleagues in the department." Adashino smiled to him an elegant and charming smile, while fixing up her glasses. "Allow me to offer to you my praise in resolving the matter of Ainuterra Edelfelt."
"Thank you, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Adashino-san." Shirou responded in a respectable manner with a bow, to which she chuckled lightly. "I shall endeavor to be of use to you."
"My, such an eager helper you are." Adashino couldn't hold a light chuckle, before a small cough from Lorelei drew their attention to her. "Ah, my apologies, Lord Barthomeloi." Lorelei decided to let it slide, as she turned to Shirou.
"From this point on, Hishiri Adashino will act as your superior officer, Muramasa. Your duties are to provide her all the necessary support and help in her investigations, without hampering them in any form or manner. I expect you to conduct yourself as befits a member of my Department." Lord Barthomeloi stated to him. "Whenever your superior is deployed, you will also be deployed to the case, and your instructors will be notified of it. Naturally, I expect you to not consider this as a privelage, putting you above anyone else. Your primary and direct duties will be directed by Adashino, and you are to act as befits of her assistant."
"Understood, Lord Barthomeloi." Shirou responded curtly.
"You need not worry, Muramasa-san. I am a rather lenient senpai, though I hope my kouhai doesn't mind doing some physical work." Adashino chuckled, with her palm at her lips. "I fear I am not quite suited for… physical labors, as you may have noticed."
"Not at all, Adashino-san." Shirou responded.
"Marvelous, and please, call me Senpai. Given our new status, I believe it is appropriate." She said, with Shirou deciding to comply.
"As you wish, Adashino-senpai." To that Hishiri was clearly very pleased, judging from her chuckle.
"You may settle the matters of personal conduct elsewhere." Lord Barthomeloi stated, as she turned to Hishiri Adashino. "I believe you were briefed on your new case, Adashino?"
"Yes, Lord Barthomeloi, I have been informed of it." Hishiri responded. "The death of Lady Aurora Euralia, I believe it was concluded that it was of the natural causes."
"We have received additional information which facilitated opening an investigation." Lord Barthomeloi responded.
"Then I shall leave for their mansion at the morrow, and in the meantime I shall gather necessary information." Hishiri responded.
"And brief your new assistant. Dismissed." Lord Barthomeloi told them, and the two turned and prepared to leave, before Lorelei called out. "Shirou Muramasa, a moment." Shirou stopped and turned, while Hishiri decided to leave.
"Yes, Lord Barthomeloi?" Shirou asked.
"I expect you to perform exemplary, and I will not tolerate misconduct of any form from you." Lorelei assured him. "You may name of Muramasa, but you also share blood of Barthomeloi and the heir of Runeas. Your responsibility is to uphold the honor and dignity of your bloodlines, Muramasa, and I will not have your misconduct tarnish either of those names." Lorelei's words were harsh, but did not bear ill intent, and Shirou understood her.
"You have my word, Lord Barthomeloi." Shirou promised to her, and she was satisfied with it, allowing him to leave her cabinet.
"Our Lord has taken quite a liking to you, Muramasa-san." Hishiri remarked with a light chuckle, once she saw Shirou close the door. "She is only this hard on those that she fancies, wishing them to truly live up to their potential. Though I can't quite decide whether to envy, or offer my condolences to you." She added with a small mischievous look, while Shirou simply looked to her with a sigh.
"The jury is still out on this one, so I suspect you'll have plenty of time to make your decision, Adashino-senpai." Shirou responded. "Now then, about this case. What should I know about it?"
"I shall brief you while we are on our way to the Euralia mansion, which is some ways out in the countryside. We will be leaving via train tomorrow at 8 AM. from Kings-Cross, and will be away from a few days to a week, so I suggest you pack accordingly." She recommended, with Shirou nodding. "In the meantime, take your time and make whatever necessary preparations you deem needed. Any questions?"
"Two. Should I be expecting to fight?" Shirou asked of her immediately, with Adashino chuckling lightly a little.
"Well, in our line of work, it is always best to come prepared, and a little show of readiness can sometimes serve a good purpose." Adashino responded. "If you consider it necessary, please, go ahead and arm yourself in whichever arms you see fit, my bellicose kouhai." She joked with another chuckle.
"Alright, and one more thing: am I allowed to bring my own aide, if I decide it is necessary?" Shirou asked of Hishiri, who raised a brow from curiosity. "I suspect that the motto: "Better be safe than sorry," is an appropriate one when working for the Policies."
"My, you truly are a fast learner. I am so proud of my little kouhai." Hishiri giggled, before answering. "Naturally, so long as they follow orders and conduct themselves in an appropriate fashion. Do you wish to bring along some of your friends from Lord El-Melloi's class? If so, I would not oppose it, especially if it's his little cute apprentice." Shirou raised a brow at that one.
"Not exactly, but… You could say she is somewhat… close to Gray." Shirou said, with Adashino's interest clearly piqued at his words."
Next day.
The passenger train had left London and now began to make it's way to the Eastern England, with Hishiri Adashino, Shirou Muramasa, and Arturia Drake present and riding in a single compartment, which was thankfully large enough to allow them to get there, and the ride was only for an hour. Through the usage of minor hypnosis, Shirou had managed get on board while being dressed in much the same combat dress he wore against Ainuterra, while Arturia dressed in her civil clothing, yet the experienced eye of Hishiri spied a small talisman placed upon Arturia's clothing. Deciding that he would rather not come be caught unarmed by anything, Shirou also brought along with him a single curved sword sword, with Arturia having her own sword with her, with both conveniently being covered in special shrouds.
"Quite an interesting get-up, if I may say. Are you perhaps feeling nervous, bringing with you weapons, my kouhai?" Hishiri asked with a small chuckle, while Arturia had to restrain herself from developing a tick from Adashino's chuckles and giggles. "And I wasn't aware you had such an impressive aide of your own. Now I understand why you said she was somewhat close to Lord El-Melloi's cute apprentice."
"In my experience when dealing with the Magi, best to be prepared for any eventuality, than later suffer." Shirou responded, as Arturia calmly poured them all tea. "Thank you, Arturia. Now then, Adashino-san, you said you would brief me on the case when we departed." Hishiri took her cup and sipped a little from it.
"All in due time, Muramasa-kun." She said with a small smile. "In the meantime, I would like to know, if you have learned anything about the family we were sent to investigate, or would you like me to provide context first?" Seeing that he was being tested, as Shirou had expected, he spoke up.
"The Euralia family are a Magus family, tracing their origins to the 16th century. Their original specialty was Jewel Magecraft, and were said to be the finest in that line, before the Edelfelts overtook them. In the late 18th century, they had delved into Spiritual Evocation and Necromancy, after a member of the Sophia-Ri family married into them, hence they are now referred to as a branch of the Sophia-Ri." Shirou began explaining, with Hishiri listening to him with interest. "Like the Sophia-Ri, Euralia have traditionally been members of the Aristocratic Party, though some members did support the Neutral Party. Currently there is only one known member alive- Lady Ophelia Euralia, daughter of the recently deceased Lady Aurora Euralia, who is engaged to a member of Codrington family. As is traditional with the families specializing in the Spiritual Evocation, Euralia's lands and Workshop are situated on the barrows, which contain remains of Iceni, Romans, Angles, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, considered to possess some of the densest spiritual pressures in all of Britain."
"Well done. I see Lord Barthomeloi's words in your capabilities were quite correct, as expected." Hishiri praised Shirou, as she sipped her tea. "Indeed, the Euralia family are regarded as some of the best Spiritual experts, on par with that of the Codrington and Sophia-Ri, though considered to be somewhat… extreme in their approach to Magecraft and research. Not to bore you with the details, it is safe to say that this is not the first time the Policies had to get involved with them."
"I see, and because of their troubling past, the Policies have decided to get involved?" Shirou asked of Hishiri.
"Not quite. This time, it was a due to a request from the Codrington family. It has been kept under wraps for now by the Sophia-Ri and Codrington, but young Ophelia's fiancée, Nathan Codrington, had been found dead yesterday, after going missing on the same day as Lady Aurora died." Hishiri revealed to Shirou. "It happened about a week ago, and now Nathan's body was found within one of the barrows on the grounds of Euralia. Sophia-Ri and Ophelia state that it was work of disturbed spirits and that they will take care of it personally, but the Head of Codrington wanted the Policies to investigate, as a neutral and unaffiliated party, in case there was some foul play."
"If it is the work of the spirits, I will be able to detect them, Master." Arturia spoke up with confidence, with Hishiri raisin a brow in curiosity.
"Oh, and in what form, exactly, you are capable of such a feat, my dear?" Hishiri asked of her, with Arturia turning to her with a cold gaze.
"That is not for you to know, miss. I am well aware of your position as my Master's superior, but in my eyes, only my Master is my superior in status and rank." Arturia stated with coldness, with Hishiri chuckling a little again. "I will follow your instructions, but only so long that they are not in contradiction of my Master's priorities and orders, and if I am ordered by him, I will not hesitate to prioritize him over you."
"My, what a loyal cute maid you have, my dear kouhai. Lord El-Melloi doesn't know what a treasure he had lost." Hishiri commented, while Shirou sipped his own tea. "I do have to wonder, what other hidden talents your aide possesses. Mayhaps she also is able to evoke spirits?"
"That is classified." Arturia stated neutrally.
"I'll take that as a no. A shame, in the place like Euralia's Workshop, we could really use a Necromancer or an evocation specialist." Hishiri said with a small sigh. "Sadly, given the nature of the request, we couldn't secure support of the Sophia-Ri or other Magi with this specialization. Communication with spirits of those lands may solve this mystery."
"Perhaps, but there may be something I can do about it." Shirou said, with Hishiri turning to him with a curious eye. "I'm no Necromancer or a Summoner, but I have fundamental knowledge of calling down spirits and communicating with them, and if we will be dealing with them, I'll have no problem in dispatching or capturing and interrogating them, as well as resisting them."
"Oh, how surprising. And I had thought that your family were only involved with demons, like your famous progenitor, Sengo Muramasa." Hishiri joked a little, but she was clearly glad that Shirou did have such an ability.
"Contrary to popular belief, Sengo wasn't the one to start our family, but he was the one to make our name so well-known. We, the Muramasa, actually trace our origin to Goro Masamune, with his youngest son being the founder of our name, since he didn't inherit the name of Masamune." Shirou revealed to Adashino. "And regarding Sengo's affiliation with demons, the jury is still out on this one."
"How intriguing, and what about your hidden talents in spiritual matters?" Hishiri asked of Shirou.
"One of my ancestors married a member of demon hunters' family, who specialized in locating, trapping and hunting down Yokai and various spirits, including Wraiths and their kind. She had passed down all of her knowledge on the matter in both books and through our Crest, and I've studied her teachings last year." Shirou explained. "Not quite there yet in mastering everything, but I've covered at least intermediate level of skills, as described in her manuals, so I should have no problem in communicating and taking down spirits."
"Aren't you just full of surprises, my dear kouhai?" Adashino smiled to him. "Then that should make our work a good bit easier. Speaking of the demon hunters, it is my understanding that members and descendants of such bloodlines are able to exude special abilities."
"If you are asking if I have those abilities, then my answer is no, and to my understanding, her ability was far more subtle than most, but she made it work for her." Shirou simply stated, as he sipped his tea, before a thought crossed his mind. "Returning back to the investigation, why are the Sophia-Ri are so insistent on handling this case themselves? I doubt they are doing it out of the kindness of their heart." Hishiri chuckled at Shirou's words.
"Who knows, but that is what we are going to find out." Hishiri told Shirou. "I do know that there is a member of the Sophi-Ri family with Ophelia right now, so perhaps he will be willing to answer a few of our questions."
"And if he proves unwilling to do so?" Shirou asked of Adashino, who smiled to him and Arturia.
"Oh, I am certain that you and your aide here will be more than capable of changing his mind." Adashino said, as she took a biscuit and bit it, before drinking her tea. "By the way, my compliments to your maid, Muramasa-kun. Her tea and biscuits are quite a devilish treat."
"The praise for them belongs not to me, but to Master, for he had prepared them." Arturia responded, with Hishiri looking at Shirou with surprise.
"Oh my, Muramasa-kun… The more I learn about you, the more I realize how lucky I am, to have such a kouhai, such as you." Hishiri giggled in an elegant and even cute manner, with Arturia unable to contain her scowl any more. "What's wrong, my dear? You look positively peeved. Ah, I see. Do not worry, I'll be sure not to overwork my precious kouhai, though I may steel him from your sight from time to time."
"Master, please be advised, that the prettier a snake appears to be, the more venomous her fangs are." Arturia said, her eyes narrowed at Hishiri, who simply smiled at her, while Shirou simply let out a sigh.
"I'm having a déjà vu here…" Was all he said, before he decided to just relax and enjoy the ride, while also listening to the instructions from his supervisor.
An hour and a half later. Eastern England
Once the trio had reached their stop in a small town not far from Norwich, they found out that they were already expected, as a car was waiting for them, with a driver.
"Miss Adashino, I've been dispatched by Lady Euralia, to bring you and your companions straight to her. Please." The driver spoke in a neutral tone pointed at the car, and the three proceeded to be seated, with Shirou and Arturia sitting in the back, while Hishiri sat in the front, and soon they were on their way. "Please be advised, that young Lady had recently suffered a loss of both her mother and fiancée on the same date." The man said with strangely even tone, with Shirou feeling suddenly uneasy with him
"Of course, we understand. We shall exercise utmost consideration." Hishiri responded. "I must say, your loyalty for your Lady is commendable, Mr…"
"Barrows. Thomas Barrows" He answered, with Shirou and Hishiri exchanging glances at his almost mechanical tone. "Young Lady is a good woman, and she didn't deserve to suffer like she did."
"We will conduct ourselves with full consideration for her, and be out as soon as we've concluded our business." Hishiri responded, just as the automobile turned and was now riding towards the mansion, with Shirou suddenly feeling a pang of pain in his head, making him groan a little, drawing attention from both Hishiri and Arturia "Muramasa-kun, are you alright?" She asked with consideration.
"Yeah, nothing too serious, just a small headache." Shirou responded, but not before noticing that he had some difficulty with breathing, as if his blood pressure was acting up, with Arturia immediately reacting to him.
"Master, shall we stop?" She asked immediately, before Shirou shook his head and then casted Onmyo healing on himself, finally getting better. "Please do not overexert yourself, Master."
"Has something like that happened before, Muramasa-kun?" Hishiri asked of him, with Shirou shaking his head. "This rather odd, I am quite certain you were feeling quite healthy just a minute ago."
"Yes, it just came upon me from nowhere, like we had crossed some sort of border or something." Shirou noted. "Like a feeling of sudden pressure, with air growing stale or even dead."
"We are on the grounds of Euralia." Thomas responded, unbothered by what was going on. "The mansion is up ahead." And soon enough, they were at it's doorsteps, getting out and heading in.
"Please follow me." A maid, who spoke with about the same tone as Edward, told them, and soon they were led into the mansion, with Shirou looking around with caution, gripping his blade tightly, with Arturia noticing it.
"Master, what is wrong?" She quietly asked of him, as she noticed his worry.
"Arturia, can you check with your eyes if this maid and other servants seem off to you?" Shirou asked her, with Arturia understanding his meaning, and the looking around, seemingly out of curiosity, before turning and speaking to Shirou.
"You are correct, Master." She said, with Shirou nodding to her and signaling to continue this later on, as they were led into the study.
There a young woman in her twenties, with blue eyes and brown hair, dressed in a fully enclosed dark red dress and gloves reaching to her shoulders, greeted the trio. Shirou identified her as Ophelia Euralia, the new head of Euralia family, and yet the moment he laid his eyes on her… It was an eerily similar feeling to the one he got from Kirei, when he saw Ophelia, paling in comparison to sheer intensity, but it was definitely that same feeling. And if the previous experience and what he had been feeling so far were any indications, Shirou was starting to feel like they had walked into a trap. Before either of them could speak, the doors of the study opened and in walked a redheaded Magus in his forties, dressed in fine clothing of a noble modern Magus, whom Shirou suspected was a member of the Sophia-Ri family.
"Lady Ophelia Euralia, Sir Cairbre Nuade-Re Sophia-Ri." Hishiri Adashino bowed in respect. "Thank you for arranging the transport. Allow me to introduce ourselves…"
"No need to both, Miss Hishiri Adashino, we are quite well aware of who you are, and of your reputation within the Department of Policies." Cairbre spoke in a proud and dismissive manner, before turning to Shirou. "As for your companion, I doubt there is a single Magus in the Association who wouldn't know of Shirou Muramasa, the heir and scion of the infamous Muramasa family. Although I am curious, why would a Mystic Artisan lower himself to working with such a snake? Surely, the Policies could've arranged an official post for someone of your skill, instead of being a lowly intern at the side of this woman." To those words, Shirou gripped his sword a little tighter.
"My reasons are my own, Sir Cairbre, and I would appreciate you showing more respect to my superior." Shirou said with steel, with the man looking at him as if he was slapped across the face. "I understand that our presence is inconvenient for both you and Lady Ophelia, so if you wish to be rid of us fast and for good, then cooperate and we will be more than happy to see this case resolved." To that Hishiri could only smile and nod.
"As my partner has said, Sir Cairbre, we welcome any and all information related to the case." Hishiri said, as she, Shirou, along with Ophelia and Euralia were seated, with Ophelia speaking.
"I… I honestly do not know what else is there for me to… to tell you." She spoke with a shaken, vulnerable voice. "I've told all I know to Uncle Cairbre and Ser Codrington. My mother had just passed away, all of a sudden, and N-Nathan… He was found d-dead in one of the barrows." As she said it, she nearly teared up, yet Shirou didn't buy it for a second, still sensing the haunting feeling from her.
"Aurora's death was a natural one, of that I can assure you. And as for Nathan, since he was found in the Angles' barrow, it is most likely that he had disturbed the local spirits and they attacked him." Sir Cairbre stated, with Hishiri raising a brow at his words, before speaking up.
"My apologies, but I find it highly unlikely, for Sir Nathan Codrington was also a Necromancer, and it is unlike members of Codrington family to make as simple a mistake as disturb the spirits." Hishiri spoke up, as she fixed up her glasses. "That being said, could you say at what time exactly did he pay you a visit?" She asked of them, with Ophelia answering.
"H-He came a few hours after my mother's passing. I called him and he came." She said, while wiping away a tear. "I-I am sorry, I just…"
"No, Lady Ophelia, we understand and please, take all the time you require." Shirou assured her, before he rose up. "And in the meantime, may I use the men's room?" Shirou suddenly asked, catching Cairbre and Ophelia off guard, while Arturia remained in her place, with Hishiri raising her brow in curiosity.
"O-of course. The maid outside will show you." She assured him, with Shirou nodding and leaving, but not before giving a signal to Arturia to remain.
"Can you show me to the men's room?" Shirou asked of the maid once he was outside, and she curtsied and moved to show it to him, with him moving with her for some time through the mansion.
Then, once he saw that they were alone and none were watching the, and then he slipped out his sleeve a talisman and pushed mana through, before letting go, and in the next moment before Shirou stood his double, who immediately followed the maid. This was a special Projection and Onmyodo spell that Shirou had made, after researching Onmyodo and finding a way to incorporate it with the other types of Magecraft he was using. The idea of creating body doubles came to Shirou after he recalled the tale that Gilgamesh told him about the Dead Apostle who used Projection clones, and so Shirou attempted to use this same principle, only in a more advance form. These Shikigami Clones, as Rin had dubbed them, were still extremely fragile and basically useless in combat situations, but there were cases in which Shirou could make use of them, and this was one of them, having given it a command and buying himself some time for a bit of recon.
Once he was separated from the pair, he casted upon himself a Concealment Ward with sound nullification and obscuration of vision, Shirou quietly and quickly moved through the mansion, looking around and searching for any possible clues. The servants around moved in a somewhat slow pace, as if they were dolls, he noticed, and all were giving him the same feeling as Barrows, and this was quite concerning for him. Though he was on a completely unknown grounds for him, Shirou did have the means to acquire the necessary information on where to start looking, as he knelt, put his hand on the floor and used Structural Analysis on the mansion. Having mastered the Structural Analysis to the point where he could cast it with but a gaze, Shirou was able to regulate and choose the needed information that he needed, and this time he wanted a general layout and knowledge of who was in which rooms the most. The next moment he got his information and he quickly made his way to the second story of the mansion and entered the room of late Aurora Euralia.
The room was squeaky clean and tidy, as he had expected, but Shirou still looked around carefully, starting with the desk, where he noticed some notes, which he took and began to read quietly to himself.
"Hm, this looks like the general concept of a flow and conversion of energy in Jewel Magecraft, if I'm not mistaking it, but it looks somewhat strange…" Shirou, as he read through the notes. "Conservation of spiritual energy… Merging with the Od output… Implantation inside a human body… It almost looks like Aurora was researching a way to merge Jewel Magecraft with the Spiritual Evocation." Shirou commented, as he placed the notes back on their place, before he noticed a photo of her and Ophelia taking it and looking at it, noticing something that ticked him off.
"Huh, now that is odd…" Shirou commented, as he put the photo down and casted with his eyes a Structural Analysis on the desk, and found out its contents, making Shirou open up one of the drawers and take out a letter. "From Cairbre to Aurora… Curious…" Shirou said, as he put the letter inside of his hidden pocket, along with notes, before closing the drawer and leaving, and quickly finding the spot where managed to switch with his double as he and the maid returned, along with dispelling him, soon returning back to the study.
"Ah, Muramasa-san, how are you feeling?" Adashino asked of him, as the attention was turned to him the instant he returned.
"A bit better. I'm just not really used to trains yet." Shirou said as an excuse, as Hishiri rose up. "Where to next, Adashino-san?"
"Lady Euralia has permitted us to check the Angles' barrow where the body of Nathan Codrington was found and provided us access to it. We move there this instant." She told him, with Arturia and Shirou following her, and once they were well outside the mansion and outside the earshot, on their way to the barrow, Hishiri spoke up. "So, how was your tour of the mansion?" She asked of him with a small smile, with Shirou producing the notes and the letter, giving them to Hishiri to examine.
"I know that I've said that I was ready to do anything, but I have to admit that this was… surprising." Shirou admitted, as Hishiri read the materials on their way to the barrow. "I guess, considering how most Magi don't pull any stops in their activities, the Policies has to do the same."
"Does this concern you, to have to break rules and laws to get the job done?" Hishiri asked of him in a serious tone, still reading the material.
"One of my instructors had made sure that I understood, that half-measures and playing by some unspoken rules often gets you killed in the Moonlit World." Shirou responded, as they continued moving through the barrow land, with him looking around. "The only line that should matter is the one you draw for yourself."
"An accurate statement." Hishiri said, as she stopped and turned to Shirou, before handing him the notes and letter. "My specialty lies outside of what is written here, but if I understood it correctly, it would seem our good Sir Cairbre and late Lady Aurora were actively researching forms of possession, and were working on mixing it with the Jewel Magecraft, if I am not mistaken. Anything that can be gained from it?"
"My own knowledge on the Spiritual Evocations is limited at best, but on the matter of Jewel Magecraft, I do have some insight into it." Shirou said, as he wiped the sweat off his brows. "Jewel Magecraft is all about conversion of spells and energy into a container, and then using that container for the Magecraft. Theoretically, it is possible to place one's soul into a gem, or at least I've heard so from my friend Rin Tohsaka, but she dismissed the idea as unreachable."
"And why is that?" Hishiri asked of Shirou.
"Sheer amount of complexity of the Magecraft makes it border on the same level as True Magic, specifically Third Magic, and even the Einzberns haven't been able to fully recreate it…" Shirou said, before a thought hit him, and he took out his phone. "Would you mind giving me a moment? I need to write a message real quick to my sister Illya, she's the expert on the matter." Shirou quickly tapped the message and sent it to her, as the trio continued and finally reached the entrance to the barrow.
"I'm not sensing any Bounded Fields or traps in here, but I can almost taste something coming out of there, and it's a lot of something." Shirou commented, as he looked at the massive earthen crypt.
"I am not seeing any Fields or curses either, but there is an abnormally high amount of Spiritual Energy coming from that direction." Arturia reported to them. "Lady Ophelia and Sir Cairbre had lied to us about it being safe to examine. I recommend we return and apprehend them."
"Not quite yet. We need just a little bit more evidences, and we are still not aware of what had happened to Nathan Codrington." Hishiri said, as she turned to Shirou and Arturia. "Muramasa-kun, would you like to stay outside? I can see that you are not at your top shape, and the Workshop here affects you."
"I've already adjusted to it, Adashino-san, and I may have figured out what is wrong in here." Shirou told her. "I'm actually surprised I haven't thought of it sooner… The leylines in here have been warped, and it had affected the nature and atmosphere in here. Just look at the ground and grass, and notice how it's dried up and dead. And what is worse, it seems that the leylines have been in such a way a long time, and it had disturbed the balance of the world, which in turn…"
"Which in turn led to the spirits' unrest and rampaging in the barrows." Adashino concluded. "But there is more to it than that, isn't there? I've seen your reaction around the servants, and I think we all know what happened to them."
"Possession or rather, replacement." Shirou said, with Arturia nodding. "Looks like Euralia have been dabbling in more dangerous aspects of the Necromancy."
"It would seem so." Hishiri said, as she turned to the entrance. "I fear that inside there I will be of little use to you." Shirou already assumed so, and so he took out of his coat an Onmyo talisman and gave it to Adashino.
"Once we go inside, send mana inside it, and you will be put in a protective ward." Shirou told her, as he and Arturia pulled off their shrouds and walked to the doors, pushing them open and walking inside.
The pair braved the dark and haunted place, threading through the dark corridors and passage, with their path illuminated by a torch that Shirou picked up and lit. After wandering for a while, they reached a large circular dome shaped space, surrounded by graves, and once they reached in there, Shirou's senses went into the overload for a second, disorientating him and forcing him to stumble, before… Shirou unsheathed his sword and stab it seemingly at the air behind Shirou. The very next moment, a warped dark spirit of an Angles warrior materialized, screamed and dissipated completely, but before Shirou could even comprehend what had happened, he sent his sword in a slashing motion, striking down two more ghosts, their essences absorbed into Shirou's sword along with the first one, making it glow a little with red hue.
Arturia did not need to be told what was going on, and without any command, she pulled off the talisman on her, and the next moment her Projected garments were gone, and in their place was her Armor of Twilight, with the segments of her helmet assembling themselves into a single piece on her head. Pulling out of her pocket another talisman, Arturia ran it along her sword's length, and it glowed a dim pure white, as the talisman dissipated. Once it was done, she gathered mana into her blade, and then she sent out a powerful wave, which seemed to burn away all of the spirits were caught in there, but both Shirou and Arturia felt and saw that more were coming, and so Shirou decided it was enough time to play around.
Allowing Arturia to take guard, he knelt down and quickly began to cast Magecraft, first creating a foundation for a bounded field, and then he encoded into it additional Magecraft, and then he pushed mana through it, once he felt that all of the restless Spirits were gathered in one place. The very next moment the Bounded Field came into the affect, the restless Spirits were suddenly dragged out of their immaterial state into a materialized one, and such a sudden and powerful shift was enough to stop their frenzy and freeze in place. Paralyzed and frozen by a curse and pain of being in their unnatural state, Shirou and Arturia made quick work of them, finally putting them all to rest, with Shirou letting out a sigh of relief as he looked around.
"That's about all of them. Good work, Arturia." Shirou said, as he turned to Arturia, who seemed to be out of here in her mind and spirit, seemingly away a thousand miles. "Arturia?" Shirou asked of her again, before gently putting his hand on her shoulder, and she shook suddenly, before relaxing.
"Sh-Shirou?" She suddenly said with a tone of vulnerable surprise, surprising Shirou.
"Yeah, are you… Are you alright, Arturia?" Shirou asked of her, with Arturia nodding to him.
"Yes, of course I am, Shirou." She said, with Shirou cocking a brow up. "Is something the matter, Shirou?"
"Yeah, you calling me Shirou. I know I asked you to do so, yet you refused before…" Shirou noted, with Arturia averting her gaze from his. "I guess I'm not the only one who was affected by this whole place, am I?"
"I… I admit that I have been affected by this place, Sh-Master." Arturia stated. "However, rest assured, that I remain as I was and will be, my own person in all things. None of these seaborne raiders of Jutland would ever take possession of me or my body."
"On that, I have no doubt." Shirou said, as he tapped her armor with a finger. "Ghosts really do not like steel with essence of Faery." Shirou smiled to her, with Arturia chuckling at his words, until the two noticed as another ghost seemed to appear, once the Bounded Field dissipated.
"This one is not attacking us like the rest of them." Arturia noted, as she still kept her weapon up.
"Yeah, I think I know why." Shirou said, as he sheathed his weapon. "Hello there, Sir Nathan Codrington."
Two hours later.
"You are back. I assume you've gotten all of your answers." Cairbre said, once the trio entered the mansion, where he, Ophelia and much of the staff had waited them.
"Yes indeed, we have found all that and more." Hishiri told them with a smile. "Sir Cairbre Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri, you are hereby placed under the arrest as an accomplice in murders of Sir Nathan Codrington and Ophelia Euralia." She said with clear satisfaction her voice, as he and "Ophelia" widened their eyes at that.
"What?! Have you gone mad, you snake whore?!" And in that very moment, a white snake materialized and bounded Cairbre, completely immobilizing him and forcing him to fall. "You bitch! Do you have any idea who I am?!"
"I do- you are a criminal and an accomplice in murder." Hishiri said, as she turned to "Ophelia" with a smile. "And this is our perp."
"Wh-what are you talking about? This is some sort of madness, I-I do not…"
"Please, my dear, drop the act. You hardly make for a convincing actress, Lady Aurora Euralia." Adashino told her, with "Ophelia" grimacing and changing her expression and posture. "I must admit, this is quite an interesting stunt you've pulled, most certainly worthy of Sealing Designation."
"Really? And what do you think I've managed to do?" Aurora Euralia, inside the body of her daughter, asked of them, with Shirou speaking up.
"You used Jewel Magecraft and used it to create a phylactery, in which you and Cairbre had stored your soul, and then you've implanted into the body of your daughter Ophelia." Shirou explained what had happened. "The Euralia family initially pursued Jewel Magecraft, yet suddenly shifted to Spiritual Evocation and Necromancy, a completely unprecedented turn, without any reason to it. Except, of course, it wasn't facilitated by your family accomplishing it's initial goal – creation of a phylactery, one that could store a person's full soul without any deterioration and preserving it, as well as allowing a magus to manipulate the soul inside. After that you've switched to Evocation to put this discovery to good use, by sealing spirits inside the Jewels and then writing up their new personals and programming via Replacement Magecraft. A quick search up in Google reveals that tourists and locals have frequently gone missing over the years in these hills and barrows, which, as per laws of the Association, constitutes the endangerment of the Mystery. It is a wonder that none had yet to raise any significant alarm over all the missing persons."
"That alone is enough bring you in, and but you went further than all of your predecessors. You've decided to use this method to effectively extend your life, only you've pushed it even further, having not only taken over your daughter's body, but also her Circuits and memories." Hishiri continued for Shirou. "But for such a complex operation you needed an accomplice, and Cairbre here long since wished to distinguish himself, and so he helped you. All seemed to go perfectly well, expect for two things – Sir Nathan, and your eyes."
"The eyes are the mirror of the soul, as one famous Russian author once said, and he was correct." Shirou said, as he looked in the eyes of Aurora. "Even with most effective possessions, there is always an inevitable side-effect – change of the eye color of the possessed body. Your daughter had probably inherited her green eyes from her father, as I saw on the photo, and Sir Nathan saw them, hence why knocked him out and put him in the Angles' Crypt. You were well aware of how rattled and furious spirits are in there, since you and your predecessors had been using them as resource, and figured that they would do the dirty job for you. Only problem you did not account for was that Sir Nathan's spirit was able to remain in this world long enough to inform us. You expected the Angles to do your dirty job, and then put the blame on spirits and yourself, since you knew that because of the warping of the leylines, you would not be able to preserve this land for much longer, since the Policy was already onto your scent."
"Very astute of you, but if you think that I'll just come quietly, you are clearly mistaken." Aurora said, as she snapped her fingers, and the servants began to surround the trio. "These minions are fully bound to me and my will, and will obey me even without my need to voice my commands."
"Really? Then let's compare our speeds. Muramasa-kun?" Hishiri smiled, and in the next moment, Shirou already blitzed across the room, his sword thrust into the chest of Aurora, seemingly getting stuck and unable to move forward.
"Ha! Fool, did you really think I would not be ready for it! My phylactery has the hardness of a diamond." She said, with smirking at her, before all heard an audible crack. "N-No…" And then Shirou pushed the blade forward, and it came out of her back, before retrieving it, as Ophelia's body dropped on its knees, and out of its wound came out a broken Jewel, before she dropped, with all the servants doing the same.
"What? B-but how?!" Cairbre asked.
"Diamonds may be the hardest thing on the planet, but not the toughest. Enough force concentrated on a single spot and the right tool will do the job." Shirou said, as he swiped the blade clean off the blood and sheathed it, before looking around, a hard look clear on his face. "To be a Magus is to walk with death, yet what of those that are not part of our world? What gives us the right to use them? Magecraft, pedigree, will…" Shirou simply let out a sigh and shook his head.
"None of that. It is a choice that all Magi make, Shirou." Hishiri told him with sympathy, seeing how he was questioning what was happening. "It is their decision, to choose the path they wish to pursue, and for those who choose Policies, it is either learning politics or upholding the law and preservation of both Magi world, but also protection of the normal one. It is not pretty and in here we must be ruthless, for we deal with those that would threaten our world and others. We are not perfect and can be said to be selfish, but such is the nature of humans and Magi. Regardless, our work here is done. Now then, let us be off. The Enforcers are already here." Hishiri said, as several cars already pulled up to the mansion, and Shirou exited it with Hishiri Adashino and Arturia.
"So, what is your verdict?" Shirou asked of Adashino, making her raise her brow up. "The Policies were going to go after the Euralia, sooner or later, and you just used this as an excuse. But you had a second mission, didn't you, Adashino-senpai."
"As perceptive as ever." She said with a smile. "Lord Barthomeloi wished to access your capabilities in the field, and I must say that you do no disappoint. You can expect praises of you in my report regarding this mission. Still, if you would like, I can put in a good word so you may be dismissed from these missions."
"With all due respect, Adashino-senpai, I'd prefer to remain. I did after all make a commitment to Lord Barthomeloi, and even as biased Policies can get, and underhanded in their approach, you do serve a goal I can get behind." Shirou told her, as they moved to the car. "And besides, I have my own goal to accomplish, and this may well help me achieve it."
"Oh, and what goal is that?" She asked of him.
"To craft the ultimate sword, one that surpasses all made before, be they of Men or Gods." Shirou informed Adashino with a smile, as the trio sat into the car, and drove off.
I will admit, that detective stories are not my forte, since I've never actually done them, so you'll have to forgive me if it was not quite up there in quality. On the other hand, we now have Shirou working with Policies, and, as far as I am aware, this is actually the first fanfic I've read where Hishiri Adashino appears and plays a significant role. Granted, she is not as prominent as Waver, serving as more or less his rival in Case Files, but I decided to expand on her a little bit. And we also have Shirou actually showing that he is guy hitting puberty – checking out Lorelei Barthomeloi…
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will leave a review with your opinion on it, or if you have a question, suggestion about story, events in the future or potential romance options, feel free to tell me. Your contributions help make this story better.
Next time: Back home for weekends; Blacksmith VS Gravekeeper; The Lance, The Sheath, The Witch…
See ya!