"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Mental link"

"Noble Phantasms"

POV

Chapter 32: When in Rome…

Ritsuka Group POV

"How far from Rome are we now?"

"Couple hours." Aulus answered, he'd volunteered to act as their escort towards the Roman capital, primarily because he knew them and also he'd let slip that he'd rather not have to fight giant monsters for the rest of the week.

Ritsuka nodded his head, turning to face Ash, the saber servant having returned to his helmeted feature. Likely to hide his expression. He hadn't said much during their journey, despite Gareth's insistence.

Although when Ritsuka had asked the Lancer about it, she said that he was likely sulking and that Gawain had a habit of also going through long silences whenever he heard something he didn't like but couldn't do anything about it. Ritsuka, for one, found it exceedingly amusing that the undead knight who killed Gods was basically brooding.

When Ritsuka had tried to tease the servant about his Firekeeper, Ash had quickly asked him what he would do if someone acted in a similar manner towards Mash.

He hadn't tried to tease him again.

"Fujimaru?" Romani called him again "How close are you to Rome...The director keeps calling me." he sighed "I like to be informed but she's really going for it...its making me feel a little bad for her now."

"We're only a couple hours from Rome Doctor." Ritsuka replied with a smile "You can let the Director know we'll be with her soon."

"Okay." Romani nodded his head, visibly slumping in his chair "That's a relief...then she'll be your problem."

"Doctor." Mash frowned at him "The Director is just a little anxious right now."

"So am I!" He whined "I've been up here eating cake I was so worried about you!"

"Motherfucker!" Maxwells voice cried out "Is that why my workspace was covered in crumbs this morning!?"

"I didn't want to spill any on the Rayshift equipment." Romani raised his hands "And if I ate it in my room I'd get it on my blankets and its really hard to sweep all that up."

"You…" Maxwell growled off screen, then the sound of something slamming into metal was heard as Romani flinched.

"Sorry."

"Tch."

"Doctor." Mash sighed "I thought that Director told you not to eat in the command room?"

"Well...this is the observation deck." Romani explained "Its technically not the command room."

"...Doctor."

"Fine…" He slumped "I can always eat my sweets, they don't leave crumbs."

Ritsuka chuckled, shaking his head "Honestly, I think you might be eating too many sugary things. Don't we have an on-site Gym?"

"Eh?" Romani blinked "Well we do but…" he paled "F-Fujiamru...Y-you wouldn't make me go there….right?"

"I can't actually make you do anything." Ritsuka stared at him, Romani let out a sigh of relief and nodded his head "The Director on the other hand…" he trailed off as Romani squeaked.

"Senpai, please don't bully the Doctor."

"Yes! Listen to Mash!" Romani nodded his head "She's such a good girl!"

"...Although he does look a little flabby…"

"...Mash!? Why!?"

"Because its a great shield." Verndari countered "Its not supposed to be mobile."

"So why not give her a spear then?"

"I don't have a spear on hand." He argued "And even if I did, I am not trained in it and the only spearman we have is trained in a completely different style of combat."

"What about Ash?" Gareth asked, looking over "Ash, can you use a spear and a great shield?"

"I can use a spear, yes." He shrugged "I am proficient enough with most weapons, although I prefer swords." he sighed, looking over his shoulder at his great sword "This is my preferred weapon however."

"Is it?" Gareth blinked "What's it called?"

"The Onyx Blade." Ash explained "Although it was not mine to begin with and I can use other swords."

"So you have different swords?" Gareth tilted her head, eyes wide in awe "I thought servants could only have one Noble Phantasm."

"From my understanding, they would all count as the same Noble Phantasm, due to the Bottomless box containing all the weapons from my travels." He sighed "Although I do not have it in my possession."

"Perhaps your Firekeeper does." Verndari shrugged "Still...to see a Bottomless box for myself…"

"Why are they called bottomless boxes?" Gareth inquired, Beatrice took this as her opportunity to speak up.

"Because they are, literally, bottomless. Although where they came from is actually a little debated." She shrugged "They are pretty rare though, I only ever encountered one person with the box. Where'd you get one?"

"...I was gifted it upon my entrance to Firelink Shrine." He explained with a shrug "The Maiden already had one. I never inquired as to where she got one."

"Oh." Beatrice nodded.

"What else did you have in it?" Arash asked "Big adventure, you must have gotten a lot of souvenirs."

"Armour, poisons, throwing knives, bombs, spears, pikes, halberds, axes-" Ash began to list off things before Arash cut him off.

"I get it...how many were special weapons?"

"Very few." Ash admitted "Most were just whatever I had scavenged off the floors or in caves."

"Could anyone use them?"

"Well...I believe so." Ash shrugged "They were not bound to me, most weapons with magical qualities were designed to be issued to soldiers." he titled his head "Although...The weapons I crafted from transposed souls would be different, I suspect only myself could employ their skills."

"Ah." Arash nodded "Sounds handy." he shook his head "Anyway, if you can fight with a spear, how come you didn't teach Mash?"

"I never fought with a shield like that." He explained "Most of my shields were smaller than hers...It was also a case of rarely using one with a spear as well."

"How come you didn't fight with a shield?"

"I would have had to sacrifice my use of the Pyromancy glove." Ash explained "Or use of my sword. I decided to rely on speed to fight rather than endurance, I did use shields which increased my stamina however. Although they were not what one would describe as suited for fighting dragons...or giant knights...or Gods."

"...Makes sense."

"...So what's the biggest spear you have?" Gareth asked, Ash turned to her, tilting his head to the side "For jousting, the only other spearman we have is the Hound of Ulster...and he isn't really a jouster…" she paused "Astolfo might count though…" she muttered to herself.

"...I did possess a greatlance." Ash gave his answer "Never used it much as for size...it was larger than I was. Perhaps the same size as your own lance."

"Oooohhh!" Gareth nodded her head "Any experience in jousting?"

"No."

"Shame...I could teach you."

"...Perhaps another time." He muttered non-committally, looking away from her and back ahead.

"Your Firekeeper still concerns you then." Verndari stated "Understandable, she is a person of import in the hands of one of dubious loyalty and another who is...impulsive with their desires."

"Of course I am." He sighed "I have greater faith in the Chaos witch to be around my Firekeeper than the likes of Sulyvahn and this Emperor."

"Still…" Gareth muttered excitedly "I'm going to see Rome! Ancient Rome! Well...not ancient right now because we're in it but its still Rome!" she turned to Arash "Aren't you excited!?"

"Well, its a little intriguing." Arash chuckled "Most summoning are in the modern era and with less at stake." he shook his head "Its my first fight for the fate of the world, that and I get to meet all sorts of interesting people-"

"Woof!"

"-And other comrades." He added on hastily, Sif turned his snout up in seemingly a prideful way before letting out an amused snort.

"I still have trouble believing this is the Greatwolf of Artorias." Beatrice mumbled "He's so...so…"

"They are a wolf. A prideful one admittedly, but a wolf all the same." Verndari surmised "I would be more concerned if he did not act like a wolf."

"Still...You're not going to, you know...do anything stupid when we get into Rome, are you?" Gareth asked Ash "Because Gawain used to be a little...blunt when it came to dealing with stuff he didn't like."

Ash gave her a sideways glance through his helmet before he looked away "I shall do nothing violent when we arrive."

Ritsuka Group POV (Several Hours Later)

The Second they arrived in Rome, Ash walked through the gates, barely sparing the large, somewhat menacing, servant guarding it a glance before he strode through the city with purpose, virtually stomping his way into the market.

"Ash!" Ritsuka called out after him "Don't rush off!" jogging after his servant "You don't even know where you're going!"

The gave the servant pause, turning around and facing the Centurion guide "Which direction are we going?"

"Well, the Legate told me the Emperor placed your group in a special wing in the palace." he threw a thumb over his shoulder "Not sure if she'll fit though…"

Ritsuka and Ash looked in the direction to see Quelaag in the market, several citizens took one look at her and would have run off were it not for the small Roman entourage around her.

Instead, they assumed her a prisoner.

And elected to throw fruits, vegetables and anything else they could get their hands on. Through all of the pelting of objects, Quelaag maintained an expressionless gaze, her eyes not even moving in the direction of the throwers, not that anything they threw could have harmed her to begin with. Peaches splattered against her carapace and sizzled, apples were obliterated upon contact.

Then a clang of metal interrupted the throwing's, everyone paused.

Mash glared at the man who had thrown a large rock at Quelaags head, the woman had turned and for the briefest of moments showed genuine surprise before her expression shifted into a frown, clicking her tongue and looking away from the shielder.

Mash maintained her glare at the man, everyone else in the market had paused in their throwing to watch the staring contest between the two of them.

"Enough!" Aulus shouted out, making his way through the market and getting between Mash and the offending citizen "The next man or woman who throws anything shall answer to me! Go about your business." he turned away from the man and looked down at Mash for a few seconds "Good reflexes."

"A-ah." Mash blinked, seemingly realising herself and then scratched the back of her neck "Sorry for causing a commotion."

"Feh." Aulus waved her off "They're scared and need someone to blame." he looked over at Quelaag "Sorry to say that you're a perfect target for them."

"Hmph." She grunted "As if I care."

"Right…" Aulus nodded, then turned back to is men "What are you waiting for, the start of winter? Get a fucking move on!" that jogged them into action, quickly picking up the pace and continuing to escort the servants.

Mash walked alongside Quelaag, a pensive expression on her face before she looked up at the Rider "Are you alright, Quelaag-san?"

"You're an idiot." The woman coldly declared "You should have just ignored it." she looked down at Mash "Or did you believe that a mere pebble could hurt me?"

Mash shook her head "No...but it didn't feel right to watch them throw stuff at you." she frowned "You haven't done anything to deserve that from them."

"Deserve has little to do with it." Quelaag grunted "A lot of people deserve a lot of things, doesn't mean they always get them." she shrugged "Life is unfair. Deal with it."

"Still, that doesn't mean someone should sit back and watch." Mash argued "Besides, I don't think you're a bad person, Quelaag-san."

"Your kind words are wasted Kyrielight." Verndari grunted as he walked past the pair "She has not the heart to accept them, nor the right to them."

"Hmph." Rider scoffed "I think that's the first thing he's said you should listen to." she sneered at Mash "You shouldn't make such careless remarks."

"Glad that worked out." Aulus grumbled as he rejoined Ash and Ritsuka "I thought she was going to freak out and kill someone eventually."

"She has more control than that." Ash replied "Demons do not usually speak with humans. If they do, it means they have something worth saying." he turned around "Whether or not it is worth listening to is something entirely different."

Ritsuka frowned at that, trailing after Ash as the Saber servant went on ahead "I get the feeling you don't like Rider."

"I don't." Ash replied immediately "It has nothing to do with her being a Demon, before you ask." he shook his head "Although perhaps that is part of it."

"Then why?"

"She is a witch of Izalith." He grumbled "Her and her siblings once sought to prolong the age of Fire. It failed, miserably. She and her siblings were killed or corrupted and from then on Demons would spew forth from the city of Izalith."

"You hate her because she made demons?" Ritsuka asked, then looked back at her, slightly cringing at her body in fear before his head darted back "I think she might have paid for it though."

"She paid for her arrogance." He replied "The payment of her sins does not detract from them, and her punishment does not absolve her of her actions. It was only because what the witches attempted failed that I do not hate her."

Ritsuka furrowed his brows "I thought you did hate her."

"I don't like her." Ash reiterated "That does not mean I hate her."

"So...you don't hate Quelaag, but you do hate Sulyvahn?"

"Yes."

"Oh…" Ritsuka nodded his head "...Why?"

Ash's head snapped to him for a few moments before it turned back "There are many reasons that I hate Sulyvahn. What he did, his betrayal of his sworn Lord. His coup of Irithyll, his servitude to Aldrich and his cruelty. But...there is a reason I hate him that stands above all others…"

"...What is it?"

"…" Ash remained silent for a few moments "An answer for another time." he eventually replied, Ritsuka frowned at him but nodded his head. If Ash didn't want to share right now then he wouldn't force him to.

Then again, he noticed that a lot of the Servants from the other world had strong feelings, either being remarkably friendly towards eachother. Or outright vitriol in their emotions. Ash could go from speaking cordially with one person and then threatening death upon another.

It was jarring for Ritsuka that someone could be so flippant in their personality. Perhaps it was a different world, but he felt as though that had little bearing on it. Cu was similar, the man was friendly enough with them, laughing and joking but when it came to fighting, he would put his all into a fight just to kill you.

It was…

He turned around, focusing in on Mash. Would she turn out like that? He had trouble picturing Mash acting like Cu or Ash, where she would joke one moment and then kill people the next.

And he didn't want to picture it either, imagining the girl who smiled at him and called him 'Senpai' covered in blood with a scowl on her face was something he found left a sick feeling in his gut.

Worse...could he turn out like Ash, or any of the other servants for that matter. As smily and happy as they all were, Ritsuka realised they had all killed people in their lives.

"You seem troubled." Aulus suddenly called out to him "I know the streets of Rome are fascinating, but trust me kid. When you've seen one, you've seen them all."

"A-ah." Ritsuka blinked "Sorry."

"What's on your mind?"

"Nothing, its just…" He paused "You've killed people...right?"

"...Yeah." Aulus replied slowly "Killed quite a few people. I am a centurion, you don't really get to my rank unless you're good at killing people and telling others how to kill people. Well…" he grunted "Unless your father is friends with some pompous ass senator."

"Right…" Ritsuka nodded "So, how do you just…" he bit his lip "How do you just ignore it?"

"Well, if I didn't kill them, they would have probably killed me." Aulus shrugged "That's how it tends to work in armies. You gotta gut the fuckers or they're gonna gut you. If you're gonna start asking me how I smile and all that stuff, I'll just tell you this." he looked Ritsuka in the eyes "You just...don't think about it. Or you do, depends on how you are I guess."

"You guess?"

"Oh, yeah." Aulus nodded "I know a few legionnaires who'll boast about splitting some Barbarian skull in the tavern and some who'll go all quiet. You get all kind of folks in the legions. My advice to you is this, if you haven't killed anyone. Don't worry about it, let those of what sort that out."

"Oh." Ritsuka nodded.

"Let me guess." Aulus grunted "You were worried about the little girl, she ain't killed anyone yet and you're afraid of how she'll react when she does."

He cringed "Am I that obvious?"

"Yeah." The Centurion nodded "But it ain't worth worrying about right now. Want to know what I think? She doesn't exactly look like some Celt warrior maiden to me, and I'm a little thankful for knowing she isn't going to rip my throat out with her teeth and use my skull as a cup."

"What the-"

"Anyway, she'll probably freak out." He shrugged "Seen that with some of the other recruits. They want to try their best and all that, second their face is splattered with blood they freeze up and get dead. Or they don't and they wise up. Want my advice, make sure she's got someone around her after she kills her first, make sure she doesn't end up dead."

"O-okay." Ritsuka nodded, then turned away.

"Well, aside from that." Aulus cleared his throat "Emperors palace is just up ahead, they'll probably be expecting you."

Olga POV

Olga repeatedly tapped her foot on the ground, debating whether or not to call Romani again, she looked to her right to see Nero in a similar state of impatience.

"You said they would be here soon?" Nero asked, frowning with her hands on her hips, Olga sighed and nodded her head "Umu! It it most rude to be kept waiting when I have already been patient for so long."

"I beg thee patience, Emperor." Cecilia spoke in a calming tone "Milord and his quarry will arrive with haste."

"...Umu!" Nero nodded with a strained expression "I know they shall arrive soon, but it is irritating all the same! Perhaps my perception of time has slowed?"

"Mine has…" Olga muttered under her breath, then looked across to her servant. The Berserker was stood in the corner, having moved there while they waited and not moved since, while some part of Olga was pleased she had a servant that would obey her every command.

It was quite the blow to her pride that she had to summon a literal golem in order to actually qualify as a Master. Still, there were some slivers of independent thought from the Berserker, so that was at least something.

The doors at the side of the room opened up, the white robes of the Caster servant passed through, tilting his head when he saw the small group waiting "So, they have yet to arrive I see."

"Indeed." Nero griped "It is most annoying."

"I'm sure." Olga got the feeling that Sulyvahn was rolling his non-existent eyes "Given your apparent frustration, I assume that they are within the city already?"

"They are." The Firekeeper replied to him "I can sense Milord approaching."

"How touching." Sulyvahn huffed "Then again, I have noticed that those of a similar disposition are drawn to eachother. Perhaps it is your nature as slaves which links you."

"Do not insult Cecilia, Sulyvahn." Nero frowned at him "If she is a slave to anything, it is to my beauty!"

Olga pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes and letting out a slow breath of exasperation at the tone. The antics of the Emperor had gotten on her nerves for the past week and she was grateful that Fujimaru Ritsuka and his servants were going to arrive soon.

If only to get the Emperors attention away from her.

There was a knock at the door, the group turned and saw the armoured helm of a Praetorian push itself inside and face them "My Emperor, the Chaldean Entourage has arrived. Shall I bring them in?"

"Umu!" Nero exclaimed "Yes! Right away! Quickly!"

"At once my Emperor." The man's head bowed and he ducked out, Nero was virtually giddy with excitement, her whole body vibrating and a grin threatening to split her face.

The doors opened again, fully, as another group walked in. At the helm was a Roman Centurion walking alongside Ritsuka and Mash, behind him were the servants he had brought with him.

Then there was Ash, was wearing his helmet which hid his expression from the group. Although Gareth was hanging around him with a rather pensive expression on her face, none of which boded well.

"Ah!" Nero threw her arms wide "Welcome, Chaldean Allies, To Rome!" her eyes narrowed as she scanned the group then fell on the armour of Ash, her mind putting two and two together "Ah! You are Cecilia's Lord? Excellent! We have much to discuss!"

"...Indeed." Came Ash's reply.

"Yes...there is much to discuss." Sulyvahn spoke up, drawing Ash's attention to him and causing the Saber's whole body to tense up, his fists clenching and looking like he was barely restraining himself from lashing out at the Caster "Is there not...Unkindled?"

"Soooo…" Ritsuka clapped his hands together, giving a strained grin "How are you Director?"

"...Fine. Why, were you expecting something to be wrong?" Olga fired back, eye twitching.

"N-no, Director." Mash interjected with a reassuring expression "We were just...surprised and worried that you were here. What with your...um...condition with Servants, we were afraid that you would be in danger."

Olga looked at Mash and then sighed "While that would usually be true, I seem to have found an exception to the problem of affinity."

"Oh?" Ritsuka blinked "So you were able to summon a Servant too, Director?" he smiled at her "Congratulations."

"I don't need your congratulations!" Olga huffed, although there was a slight tinge of red to her cheeks "Besides, Berserker is over there." she pointed off into the corner of the room. Ritsuka and Mash followed her hand...and then looked up.

"A-Ash-san…" Mash called out, slightly shaky "Um...Behind you…"

"What?" Ash blinked, tilting his helm and then turning around. Only to find himself staring at the metallic chest armour of Olga's berserker. His head trailed up until he was staring into the helm of the Dragon Slayer Armour. The larger Berserker glaring down at him. "...Oh."

"Oh…" Arash blinked, noticing the servant had somehow snuck up on the group "He's...um...big."

"I think he's the same size as the one at the gates." Gareth followed up "I've never heard of anything like this though."

"Thy eyes gaze upon the Armour of a Dragon Slayer." Cecilia called out "Although the owner is long departed."

"A suit of Armour then." Verndari surmised "King Vendrick performed similar feats in Drangleic." he crossed his arms, nodding his head approvingly "Although they were less...physically intimidating."

"I-I'll say…" Beatrice muttered, stepping away from the giant servant.

"Bah, this is too formal!" Nero whined "Come! I shall lead you to your embassy!"

"Embassy?" Ritsuka asked dumbly, completely ignorant to Olga's growing look of horror and embarrassment "We have an Embassy, Emperor?"

"Umu!" Nero beamed "I have called your group the Pale Rose Delegation! As such you shall receive an Embassy worthy of this title!"

"...Pale Rose Delegation?" Mash blinked at the title, Olga was now bright red and holding her hands up to cover her face.

"Umu! I have named it after your Leader! She is a Pale flower, is she not?"

Ritsuka looked like he wanted to say something, then Olga's head snapped up and her eyes met his. Her face was awash with anger, embarrassment and the promise of pain if he made a comment on it. He bit his lip and looked like he was struggling to contain his laughter.

Solaire POV

"I suspect that the Chaldeans will be in Rome by now." Solaire muttered, casting a glance at the moon and then frowning. It was unusually bright tonight, something about that felt off about him.

"Prefect." Magnus called out to him as he approached the knight, moving along the walls "The Legate has requested to know how many men you will require to shore up the defences, as well as if you will require anyone for scouting parties."

Solaire nodded his head, a minor gripe he had with his position was the paperwork, it never seemed to end.

"Very well." Solaire replied, then looked back over the wall "You should probably get some rest Centurion, I believe we might need it."

"I'll take you up on that Prefect." The man chuckled, rubbing his eyes "It looks like the monsters won't bother us tonight, they'd have usually attacked by now."

"Perhaps…" Solaire murmured "Although I would almost prefer they did. They were predictable...this lull in the violence." he crossed his arms, then jerked his head suddenly, staring off into the distance at something "Centurion...Put the city on high alert. Now." he ordered, hand going to his sword.

The man blinked "Pref-?"

"Quickly!" Solaire shouted, ripping his sword free from its scabbard and manifesting his shield "Move!"

"Aye, Prefect!" Magnus nodded, then sprinted off, his shouts of alarm echoing across the city wall. They were quickly followed by horn blasts, signalling the Roman soldiers to prepare for combat.

Solaire narrowed his eyes in the distance, he could feel it approaching, but he couldn't see it. It was below him, but how much below could it…

His eyes widened as his vision trailed to the ground, the grass abruptly split open as hundreds of spiders came pouring out. Solaire prepared himself to throw Miracles at them when the hole they had emerged from widened.

A glowing blade pushed its way out of the ground, swiftly followed by its owner. The horrific abomination of a cruel mix between man and horse made even the accursed he had fought earlier look tame.

The creature, standing nearly twenty feet tall, threw its head back and let loose a wailing scream before it raised its sword above its head, grasping it with two hands as the blade began to glow an eerily brighter blue.

Solaire widened his eyes in realisation as he saw where it was aiming "Get off the Walls!" he shouted "Go! Prepare to retreat!" he throw himself off the wall and to the ground.

Moments before a pillar of light shot from the blade and into the air, the creature screamed out a word before it brought the blade down, the blue beam of light shattering the outer wall and several buildings, sending charged debris and causalities in all directions and leaving a gaping burning hole where the gate had been.

Solaire raised his head just in time to see the creature come barrelling into the city, an army of spiders trailing behind it.

AN: As you have no doubt guessed, the Foreginer Servant is Ludwig.

I'll include his stats below.

Ludwig, The Holy Blade

Servant: Foreigner

Strength: B (A+)

Endurance: C (A)

Agility: C (D)

Mana: D

Luck: C

Noble Phantasm: A+

Mondlicht: A+ (Anti-Army) Max Target: 400-500, Max Range: 0-50

Release a wave of moonlight energy towards foes. Is significantly more powerful under the moon.

Ludwig, the Accursed: A+ (Anti-unit-Self)

'An unsightly beast, a great terror looms. Ludwig the Accursed is coming...'

Strength and Endurance are boosted while Agility is degraded as his body becomes that of a beast

Class Skills:

Mad Enhancement: (A)

Existence outside the Domain: B

Divinity: E-

Traces from use of the Old Blood.

Personal Skills:

True Mentor: B

Moonlight Greatsword grants similar skill to minds eye (Fake)

Thread of Light: C

Can see connections, or causes of mental interference. Is also difficult to mentally corrupt his mind.

First Hunter of the Church: A

Grants insight into dealing with non-human foes, or individuals with the mark of a beast upon them