"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Mental link"

"Noble Phantasms"

POV

Chapter 35: Alright gang, lets split up.

Ritsuka Group POV

"We're going into two groups." Ritsuka explained to his servants as they gathered around him "The Director will be going with Sulyvahn, the Emperor and the Berserker outside the city to meet up with Solaire, then they'll travel down to see about this God they've been talking about."

"Is that wise?" Ash asked, crossing his arms "Not that I do not trust Sorceress Olga to be able to handle herself, but allowing her within distance of Sulyvahn is not something I would recommend."

"I concur. I would urge you to listen to reason, my Liege." Verndari nodded his head "He is a renowned oathbreaker, he has admitted it himself. What assurances can he give us that he will not merely betray us when the situation arises?"

"Metal head as a point." Quelaag huffed, looking at her fingernails "But its not my life I'm gambling."

"Well…" Ritsuka scratched the back of his neck "We don't really have any aside from his word."

Ash let out a mirthless scoff "His word? Then we have nothing."

"He did help us out, kind of." Ritsuka pointed out "He's here and not working with Aldrich, if you can't trust him to not betray us, at least trust him to not betray us right now."

Ash stared at him for a few moments, then sighed and rubbed his gauntlet over his helmet "Very well...I only ask that Sorceress Olga and the Emperor remain cautious while dealing with him."

Ritsuka chuckled "I think the Director is already a little paranoid of everything…" he coughed into his hand, "Anyway, we'll be moving back North where we came from, Solaire said they picked up another Servant during their escape from the city, we'll meet up with him and Legate Vespasian before we begin our…" he cringed "Scooby Doo search of the continent."

"...Scooby Doo?" Verndari parroted with a confused tone of voice, Arash looked down at Sif and then looked away, letting out a wheezing laugh and shaking his head.

"Fujimaru…" Romani sighed "I would like you to take this a little more seriously."

"Nonsense Shaggy, I'm taking this perfectly seriously."

"Ha!" Kerry's amused laugh echoed throughout the command room, causing Romani to let out a mirthless chuckle and sent a despairing glance in her direction.

"Senpai." Mash whispered to him, he turned to her and raised an eyebrow "What's Scooby Doo?"

Ritsuka stared at her for a few moments before he rested a hand on her shoulder "New plan...When we get back to Chaldea, you're going to watch some TV."

"Oh…" She blinked "Okay."

"Moving on." Ritsuka cleared his throat, turning back to the group "Quelaag and Cecilia will be coming with us." he paused, staring at Ash "Unless you'd rather leave Cecilia behind."

"Mine wish is to follow Milord." The woman spoke up, looking over to them, a soft smile forming on her face "He has always spoken of his adventures, it would be most pleasing if I were to join him."

"Alright…" Ritsuka paused "But...what can you actually-" he cut himself off when a perfect clone of Ash manifested next to the Caster, the heads of all the servants, including Ash, turned to stare at the duplicate for a few moments. "Well...Nevermind then. Two servants for the price of one...cool."

"I am...confused as to how temperature relates to this…" The woman cocked her head to the side in a rather innocent fashion.

"Ah...um…" Ritsuka coughed into his hand "Type of expression, means nice."

"Ah...I understand now." Cecilia nodded, a pleased smile on her face as the copy of Ash dissipated. Ash was still staring at the spot where it had vanished before he sent a glance towards the Firekeeper.

"Does he...speak?" He asked, somewhat curiously, the Firekeeper shook her head.

"He does not, Milord."

"I see."

"Weren't you going to ask about the Bottomless Box or something like that?" Gareth asked him, the way Ash's body flinched and his release of a pained groan gave her all the answer she needed, she cringed in response "No luck then?"

"Patches." Was all she got in return, Verndari's head turned towards him and cocked to the side.

"The merchant? King Vendrick issued us with an order to detain him on sight." He paused "Something relating to theft and possible murders."

"He apparently stole my Bottomless box." Ash growled out "It means if I ever see him again, I'm going to break his fingers."

"Bad blood, eh?" Arash guessed.

"Yes."

"I see."

"Okay then." Ritsuka brought the groups attention back to him "So, while Director and her team are securing the possible help of a God of some variety, we're going to meet up with the 'Foreigner' servant Lucien, whose apparently here to help us."

"Forei-"

"I have no idea either." Ritsuka sighed, then looked around "We're also going to need horses."

"Figured you'd say that." An amused voice called out from the far end of the hall they were in, the group turned to see Aulus walking towards them with a smile on his face "It seems our time to part is not yet upon us, lad."

"Aulus-san!" Mash waved at him "Are you here to help us?"

"Well…" The man chuckled, scratching the back of his head, then handed a parchment over to Ritsuka. The boy took it from him, opening it up and reading through the contents before he blanched, slowly turning his head back to the Centurion and giving a strained smile.

"O-oh…" Was all he offered, handing the document to Mash, who had a similarly awkward reaction upon reading it.

"Yes." Aulus chuckled "That was my reaction as well." he scratched his forehead, the amused smile never leaving his face "The Fifth Cohort of the fourth Legion stands by you then, Tribunii Ritsuka." he roughly pat the boy on the shoulder "So...ready to head out."

"...Can I...um…" He turned and looked over his servants "Verndari...you've commanded people before, right?"

"I have experience in it, my Liege." The man nodded his head, crossing his arms "I assume you wish to call upon me for advice."

"I was actually going to delegate it to you because I've never commanded anyone before." He paused "Well...not a small army anyway."

"I can see the issue." The Shielder gave another slow nod "However, those were commands from the Emperor herself, I assume. It would be poor form for you to delegate the entirety of the responsibility towards me, I would see this more as an opportunity for learning, my Liege."

"With respect, Tribunii." Aulus stepped forwards "It would do the men some good to meet the individual they have been assigned to." he gestured towards Verndari "As well as his second in command."

"...I thought Ritsuka was the second in command?" Romani mumbled quietly, Mash sent him a small frown, although fortunately the Centurion didn't appear to hear the Doctor.

"It is up to you, Tribunii." The man acquiesced "I do not hold rank to supersede you."

"Won't the soldiers be uncomfortable that Senpai is now in command?" Mash asked, somewhat hesitantly, giving Ritsuka a small bow "No offence Senpai, but...you are a little young."

"No, I'm with you." Ritsuka chuckled "I'm only sixteen, and I probably wouldn't be comfortable following someone younger than me with less experience." the ensemble of servants behind him gave a simultaneous blink at his declaration.

Aulus snorted, shaking his head "With respect, Sir. You'd be hard pressed to find a legion that didn't have one or two brats leading it. Most Tribunes or Prefects haven't even seen the sharp end of a gladius before."

Verndari cocked his head to the side "Is it wise to have so many inexperienced officers in an army?"

"I'm just some piss ant centurion." Aulus grunted, giving a wry smirk "I'm not going to argue with the promotion of a Senators son."

"Fair enough."

"Well…" Ritsuka coughed, then shook his head "I suppose I don't have much of a choice." he gestured to Aulus "Better go meet the men then."

"I'm sure it'll go fine, Sir." Aulus nodded "Too much respect for the Emperor to argue with it." he paused "Although most will think you a tactical genius considering your age."

Ritsuka blinked, sweating "But...I'm not though."

"Oh, I know that, and you know that." He chuckled "But they don't."

Olga Group POV

Olga was followed by her servant, the larger Berserker trailing behind her as they walked through the streets towards the main gate, Nero was moving ahead of both her and Sulyvahn as they made their way through the streets.

The woman was having flowers thrown at her as she advanced through the streets as well as compliments being shouted. Olga, for one, found the entire affair to be rather exaggerated. It was almost like watching a performance it was unreal. She knew that Roman Emperors had wanted to show off their luxurious lifestyles.

But this was just ridiculous.

"This is pathetic." Sulyvahn scoffed he looked over the streets, he'd cast his Chameleon sorcery over his body to avoid a panic, thus giving him the appearance of a rather ordinary person. He was also rather blunt in his comments, once again, although he had been silent for the most part.

"It shall be a few hours ride from here to the docks." Nero called back to the small group "Perhaps longer, although there is one more we must collect."

"The construct." Sulyvahn surmised.

"Umu!" Nero nodded her head, then frowned "Although I am saddened I have not thought of a name for him yet." she sighed "I'm certain I shall think of one for him."

"It."

"Him."

"If there was a personality, it has long since departed. They are an it." Sulyvahn rolled his false eyes "Although if you insist on treating the creation like a sentient form of life. You may."

The large horned helm turned down and stared at them.

Nero grinned and strode forwards "Come guardian!" she thrust her arms wide "We are going on an adventure."

The giant stared at her for a few moments before releasing a low groan, then moving its head to stare at Olga's servant. The two suits of armour stared at eachother for a few moments before the blackened suit let out another groan, turning its body and nodding once at Nero.

"See?" She gave Sulyvahn a smug grin "He wishes to join us too."

"Yes, the golem constructed to follow orders, followed yours." Sulyvahn huffed "Truly, there can be no greater proof of sentience."

The suit of armour in question let out a threatening groan, showcasing its dislike of the comment, Sulyvahn turned his head and looked the armour up and down before he sighed "Distractions aside, I assume we are to depart now?"

"Indeed!" Nero nodded her head, then turned to Olga "You can communicate with your subordinate, pale rose?"

'Please stop calling me that.' Olga silently thought in her head while she said "Yes…" holding up her wrist and pressing the communicator "Romani, open a channel with Fujimaru."

"I...can't actually do that right now." Romani replied back hesitantly, she glared at him, only causing him to sputter and throw up his arms in surrender "N-now, wait a minute! I would if I could, but he's busy right now."

"Doing what?"

"...Giving a speech to his troops." Romani gave a nervous smile, one of Olga's eyes twitched violently before she released a breath of exasperation "I can tell him to call you back?"

"No. Inform him that myself and the Emperor will depart, How close is Saber to our position?"

"Which one?"

"Solaire!"

"Oh, right, that makes more sense." He chuckled "Well, readings are looking like he's running full pelt. Wow...that's really fast, so he'll be there within a few hours."

"Umu!" Nero nodded "Most wonderful timing then. It must be because of the morning sun."

"The what?"

"The morning sun." She elaborated "He spoke of how the Sun grants him strength." Nero beamed "Perhaps he is indeed blessed by Sol."

"Huh." Romani mused "We'll it was said that Sir Gawain of the Roundtable was blessed by the saints and was stronger under the sun." he shrugged "Maybe Solaire is a bit like that."

"It means they attacked during the night to kill him." Olga crossed her arms "It also means that we will need to attack during the day as well for the best chance of victory."

"Aldrich will, no doubt, realise this." Sulyvahn replied "Should we approach, he will attempt to force an outcome during the night." he turned his head away from them "Regardless, we should make haste to our destination, now that you have picked up your stray."

The horned armour growled again, tightening its grip on its sword and glaring at Sulyvahn while the flames in its chest intensified. Olga paled and backed away "L-lets not provoke the Berserker servant."

"I was making observations."

"Please, don't."

Ritsuka Group POV

"R-right...H-hello everyone." The Master of Chaldea gave an awkward wave to the assembled Romans, the Legionnaires were all staring back at him with blank expressions, which somehow made it worse. "G-good morning. I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka…" he introduced himself, then pointed at Mash "This is Mash Kyrielight." the girl gave a small wave of her own "This is Arash, Gareth, Verndari, Beatrice, Cecilia, Ash, Quelaag and the wolf is Sif."

"...Did he just out all our true names?" Arash wondered with a raised eyebrow, Ash looked over at him and shrugged.

"Apparently they'll forget this ever happened in the first place." He whispered back "Although I doubt mine holds much weight."

"I guess." The Archer scratched his chin "Seems a little unprofessional though…" he shrugged "Well, not like that bothers me all that much."

"I have no doubt Sorceress Olga would make her grievances with this vocal." Ash replied "But she is not currently present."

"Fortunate for the kid then." Arash chuckled "She's probably have some choice words."

"Quite so."

"So...I'm your new Tribunii…" Ritsuka continued on "Um...I'm here from Chaldea to help you…" he snapped his fingers "If...er...if you're wondering about Quelaag." he pointed at the Chaos witch "She's here to help us." he turned to her "Aren't you?"

"What are you doing?" She asked in an incredulous tone of voice, then looked down at Mash next to her "What is he doing?"

"Senpai is…" Mash cringed "He's trying his best."

"He looks like an idiot."

"...He's trying his best."

"Tch." She clicked her tongue in annoyance and turned to Verndari "You're a knight, why aren't you up there embarrassing yourself?"

"Speechcraft was never my forte." Was the answer she received, not even looking at her "Besides, my Liege can use this as a learning opportunity."

"To what? Train for his role as court jester?"

"Perhaps you can train for the role of court pet with your constant whining." He growled at her "Hold your tongue unless you can offer some meaningful words."

"Oh? So the lapdog has some bark to his little bite?" Quelaag smirked "I thought your role as beauty mirror to your kingdoms royalty would have dulled that nasty tone of yours. Quite unbecoming of a knight."

"You vile little-"

"And those two are off again." Arash sighed "She's a little to harsh with her words, and he's not got enough patience for them."

"Indeed." Ash replied with a solemn nod "While I have no love for Chaos witches, I can control my responses."

"Milord, Lady Quelaag has done no wrong." Cecilia spoke to him in a soft tone of voice, almost akin to a mother scolding a young child "Her relation to Chaos should not earn thy ire."

"She has not earned my ire." He sighed "I simply do not like her, that does not mean I hate her."

"Milord…" Cecilia smiled at him "Thou does not believe Lady Quelaag born in such a state?"

"No, but that means she has suffered punishment for her families crimes." He replied "I am neutral towards her."

"Some problem back home I take it?" Arash raised his eyebrow at the pair, Ash turned to him and nodded.

"A very old one." He replied, rubbing the brow of his helm "Although, I should let go of my anger, she has been dead to me for millennia regardless."

Arash shrugged "Don't know all that much about it, so I can't comment on it." he turned his head back to the arguing pair "Although someone should probably-ah, the valiant knights of Gareth and Mash to the rescue." he chuckled, the two knight servants had now gotten involved, attempting to disarm the argument between the Chaos witch and Verndari.

Arash looked back to Ritsuka, the boy looking far for awkward as the raised voices of his servants echoed out behind him, attracting the divided attention of the Roman Cohort. Most looking between him and the argument behind him.

"This is getting out of hand." The Archer frowned, standing up "Should probably do something."

"Indeed." Ash nodded, standing up, casting a glance to Cecilia "We'll be back soon." he responded, she gave a nod in response as he and Arash made their way to the volatile gathering.

"Which is why we'll be going out-" Ritsuka flinched as the voices behind him interrupted him again.

"-ot be insulted by some filth-"

"-going out to the Gaulish territory and-"

"-ess time polishing your sword-"

"-We'll be joining up with-"

"-mbarassing Senpai!"

"…" Ritsuka sighed, turning around to finally face the catastrophe happening behind him "Oi!" he shouted at them, the servants paused as one, turning their attention to him "I'm trying to motivate these guys and not come across like some hick and you're making us look like a pack of idiots!"

The Servants untangled themselves, Quelaag scoffing and backing away while Verndari bowed his head in apology and took a step back.

"Thank you." He huffed, turning back around "Anyway." he coughed into his hands "So...best of luck guys...any questions?"

Verndari slammed his palm into his face.

Olga Group POV

"Thats quite the expression you are making, Pale Rose." Nero noted, staring at Olga with a look of confusion "Are you well?"

Olga blinked, the scowl on her face turning into an annoyed frown "I don't know. I had the feeling of indescribable rage a moment ago."

Nero shrugged "I confess, the human mind is a mystery to me." she looked longingly at the sky "To think that there are people out there who do not recognise my beauty."

Olga's head slowly fell into her hands, she felt like crying.

'I'm never coming on another Rayshift again.' She promised herself 'I can't handle this. Its too stupid.'

Ritsuka Group POV

"I think it went well." Ritsuka clapped his hands together, a nervous smile on his face as he approached Mash "Got my point across, right?"

Mash and Beatrice turned to eachother, the latter turned back to him "Master...It could have been worse." she went with, giving him a confident smile "If I had done it, it would have been worse."

"Ah." He chuckled "I'm sure you'd do fine Betty."

"Be-Betty!?" The woman blushed and recoiled, the amused laughter of Arash briefly rang out across the camp.

"Ah…" Ritsuka blinked "Sorry, I might have gotten a little too friendly there." he chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck "I can call you Beatrice if you-"

"N-no." She waved her right hand while her left pulled down her hat to cover her face "I-its f-fine! You can call me Betty if you want…"

"Alright then." Ritsuka shrugged, then looked back at Mash "So, the speech went well?"

"...You tried your best, Senpai." Mash responded with a genuine smile, Ritsuka recognised that kind of smile all too well.

It was the kind his mother gave him whenever he was terrible at something but she wanted to spare his feelings.

"...That bad, huh?" His shoulders slumped, Mash winced.

"I-it wasn't-"

"That was fucking awful." Aulus declared "Even without whatever theatre was happening behind you." he gestured at the servants with his chin "On the plus, the men are quite entertained, which is good."

"Is it?"

"Well, none of us want to die miserable."

"...They think they are going to die?"

"After whatever that was?" He crossed his arms and nodded his head "Oh, yes. Tribunii." he scratched his helmet "Do you have any orders to relay to the troops?"

"Just…" He sighed "Follow whatever Verndari says." he waved the man off, looking crestfallen.

"Aye, Tribunii." Aulus nodded and moved off, shouting out to the troops.

"I should practice making speeches." Ritsuka pinched the bridge of his nose "I was never good at group presentations."

"I'm sure you'll get better, Senpai." Mash offered, patting him on the back, Ritsuka sent her a grateful smile.

"Thanks Mash." He chuckled, then looked around "Well...We'd best get ready to go, shouldn't we? Its a few days ride to meet up with the Legate, so we should probably head out."

"Yes, Senpai."

Olga Group POV (Several Hours Later)

"If the winds are fortunate, we shall be there by tomorrow!" Nero announced "And how could they be anything but fair with me at the helm!"

"...Has she experience sailing?" Solaire asked Sulyvahn, his voice edging on concern.

The Caster looked away from his book and towards the knight "She claimed that 'She was Emperor and nothing was beyond her skill.'" he replied in a dry tone of voice "So I would recommend preparing for the worst." he returned his attention to his book "It is why the constructs have retreated below deck for the time being."

"I see." Solaire nodded his head slowly, and then walked away from the Caster servant, seating himself down next to Olga, she cast him a sideways glance and raised an eyebrow at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting down."

"Why next to me?"

"Because it would be terribly lonely to be sat by oneself with so few around." Solaire replied back evenly "I also find myself in dire need of a conversationalist, Caster Sulyvahn is far too...well...I have met more trustworthy mimics." he chuckled, her blank look told him she had no idea what he was talking about, he awkwardly coughed "And while the Emperor is certainly a personality…"

"She's nothing but personality." Olga huffed, leaning back against the railings of the ship and closing her eyes "And I'm stuck with her trying to make moves on me."

"Well…" Solaire shrugged "There are worse courting partners."

"I'm not looking for a courting partner!" Olga hissed in despair "I'm looking for a reliable subordinate!" her head fell into her hands "...At least Berserker listens to me...but he's a golem...he doesn't count."

"He?"

"...He, it, them, I don't care anymore…" She sighed "He's just 'Berserker' and doesn't even have a name."

"...Well, you could always-"

"No."

"Very well." Solaire acquiesced "Although you seem to be doing rather well despite it, the nobles of Astora would not even grace the frontlines." he shrugged "Then again, they weren't too many trained in the art of the sword."

"...Noble?"

"You are, are you not?" Solaire looked back down at her "You carry yourself similar to one...although…" he chuckled "You're far too caring for that."

"Wha-" She gaped at him, then glared although it was offset by a blush of embarrassment "I am-how dare-"

"If you did not care, your first instinct would not have been to ensure the well-being of your subordinate."

"That is…" She scowled and looked away "He is my responsibility, as Director of Chaldea, it is my duty to ensure the safeguard of my employees, that is all there is to it."

Solaire's quiet chuckle continued, much to her chagrin.

The ship suddenly lurched, Olga and Solaire being sent face first onto the deck, the knight shooting to his feet, gently helping the Director to hers as well "Wh-what's wrong?" she looked around in a fright "Are we under attack!?"

"The Emperor can't steer." Sulyvahn's calm voice informed them, the pair turned to see he had hardly moved from his spot, still indulged in reading his book "I would advise you to brace yourselves, I suspect this shall only get worse."

"Eh!?"

The ship lurched again.

Ritsuka Group POV

"Its merely that the bows I used were much larger." Ash replied with a shrug "They did not rely on aiming specifically, you could point the arrow and they were either too slow to avoid it, or it had an area of effect."

"Area of…" Arash raised an eyebrow at him "How big were the arrows?"

"Depends…" He replied "I used greatbows...sometimes. I wasn't very good at it, but I only ever really aimed it at bridges...or stationary targets."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"No...The arrows were." He frowned "Well...The size of a long sword...no...a bastard sword." he nodded his head "Yes, a bastard sword."

"What the heck kind of arrow is that?" Arash gave him an incredulous look "You may as well just throw spears at them at that point."

"They were designed to hunt dragons." Ash pointed out "They are supposed to be large."

"Yes, but you weren't hunting dragons with them, were you?"

"No...I was trapped in a cavern with one." Ash scratched the top of his helm "I doubt Midir would have given me enough time...The bow had to be implanted in the ground, the string was made of what felt like steel and the arrow was quite heavy. In the time it took me to draw back the bow, Midir would have already cleared the chasm and...well...He was a big dragon."

"And you were a guy in heavy armour." Arash surmised "How often did he kill you then?"

"...Oh...nearly...a few dozen times."

"You seem rather calm about dying so often."

"Once it happens the first ten times you get used to the idea of it."

"Does it hurt?"

"Every time." Ash gave a bitter chuckle "And there are no limits to the creative ways that Lothric can kill you...I've been burnt, stabbed, ripped in half, eaten, fallen to my death numerous times, poisoned-"

"Poison?" Arash blinked "How can you die of poisoning?"

"Most poisons I encountered were the fast acting kind which destroy the muscles." Ash explained "Unkindled and undead are also...well...our bodies are still human at the end of the day. Just because stabbing me through the heart won't immediately kill me does not mean I wouldn't die."

"Sounds rough."

"It's just the way things were." Ash bluntly put "Was the way things were for a long time, complaining about it wouldn't have changed much."

"Any idea how things go so bad?"

"Anyone who did would have gone hollow and died a long time ago…" Ash gave a mirthless huff "The Chaos witch would know...but the only reason I know her was through reputation. The birth of demons was an act which was never truly forgotten."

"Well…" Arash clapped him on the shoulder "At least you're here helping these guys, right?"

"Well…" Ash smiled behind his helmet "There is that...I don't think you can quite grasp the notion I feel now. If I were to die...I would stay dead."

"Seems pretty alien to you." Arash laughed "Then again, we're all technically undead now...well...none of us are really alive, we all died years ago."

"I suppose that is true."

"Because its a big fucking wolf." Aulus grunted, staring at the animal "I just want to know how much of our rations we're gonna have to set aside for it."

"He does not need to consume your rations." Verndari sighed "He can sustain himself in other methods."

"Its the other methods I'm worrying about, Sir." The man explained "We kind of need the horses."

Verndari turned his head and looked at the centurion "We will provide for Sif out of our own rations, the wolf will pose no danger to your horses or the injured."

"Right." Aulus let out a sigh of relief "Thank you, Sir."

"Hmph." Verndari grunted as the man turned away and walked off, Gareth looked at his departing person before turning to look at the knight.

"You know Sif doesn't actually need to eat, right?"

"I am aware." Verndari nodded "I am also aware of yours and the Paladins raid on the pantry." Gareth began to nervously sweat "As such, Sif now has an expectation for food."

The wolf snorted, causing Verndari to deadpan at it behind his helmet before looking back to the Lancer "And I would rather he consume the food we have, as oppose to the animals we need…" he paused "Unless he plans to hunt for deer."

Sif's head tilted to the side as he seemingly thought the process over in his head, giving a slow nod as if he approved of the idea.

"Huh…" Gareth pat the wolf on the head "You like the sound of a hunt, boy?"

"Whether or not we discover game, however, is an entirely different issue." The looking glass knight went on "But that is a concern for later."

"I suppose." Gareth mused "What do you think about the servant Solaire spoke about?"

"This 'Lucien'?" Verndari quizzed "I have no thoughts, I have not yet met the man, so I cannot comment on whether or not he is trustworthy. For now, I shall maintain the view that we should keep a close eye on him after we encounter him, as well as determine his motives."

"That seems to be a bit cautious." Gareth pointed out "He did help Solaire."

"His motives for aiding Solaire remain a mystery." Verndari countered "Thus, we cannot trust his goodwill. I am not demanding an interrogation, merely that we have a basic understanding of where we stand with this potential ally."

"Ah, that makes more sense." She nodded.

"…One more thing." Verndari turned to her "I have been meaning to ask...were there many female knights in your kingdom?"

"Eh?"

"It is simply that Drangleic did not have them, so I assumed your Kingdom had a different approach."

"Oh, no." She shook her head "I disguised myself as a boy."

"...A boy?"

"Yes."

"You?"

"Yep."

"…"

"...What?"

"Were...Was anyone aware?"

"The Knights and the King knew." She replied "Although...the people...less so." she winced "You couldn't really have girl knights, so I had to disguise myself."

"I...see…" He slowly nodded his head "And this disguise…" he gestured at her "...Worked?"

"It never got brought up." She replied "Why?"

"...No reason." Verndari turned away from her, it was probably her youthful visage that made people assume she was just a young boy rather than a girl, and he would have had certain reservations about the intelligence of the Kingdom if they could not tell boy from girl from that appearance.

"And you place a conductor-this coin-into the catalyst and…" She held it up with a grin "There you go. One Catalyst made of sticks."

"Whoa…" Ritsuka gently took the long staff from her hands and held it up "I mean...I can't actually use sorcery...but this feels pretty cool." he giggled "I feel like Gandalf."

"Who?"

"Damn…" Ritsuka cursed "I'm going to have to get people to watch movies, aren't I?" he paused "Wait a second." he flashed up his communicator "Hey, Romani?"

"H-huh?" The man blinked, turning away from his other screen "W-what's up Fujimaru? You need something?" he gave a nervous smile, his eyes flicking to and from something off screen.

"Romani?" Ritsuka asked, raising an eyebrow "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. Just, consulting a friend is all."

"...Are you talking with that Vtuber again?"

"Magi*Mari is more than a Vtuber!" Romani argued back, then cleared his throat "A-anyway, did you need something?"

"Does Chaldea have any films?"

"Any what?"

"Films. You know, moving pictures?"

"I know what films are, I'm not that old." Romani sighed "But yeah...well…" he chuckled "We have a lot of stuff...books, movies, TV shows...I think someone brought a games console." he looked off to the side "Didn't you Kerry?"

"...How did you know about that?"

"We do have security cameras." He gave a strained smile, the sound of someone choking went off "The Director doesn't know, if that's what you're worried about."

"Thank Christ for that…" The woman sighed "But yes...I have a console...why?"

"Fujimaru was asking what entertainment we had...actually." He turned back to Ritsuka "Why were you asking that?"

"I was going to hold a movie night." He explained "Mash is sorely lacking in knowledge and I keep making references that no one gets."

"I get them…"

"Roman...Its not the same."

"I suppose it isn't…" He sighed "Still...We have a few movies I wouldn't recommend showing the servants."

"Really?" He blinked "Like what?"

"How do you think Sir Gareth would react to Monty Python?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, Ritsuka stared at him for several moments before nodding his head.

"That is a good point...By the way, how's the Director doing?"

"She's fine...probably." Romani shrugged "Well...turns out Nero is sailing the boat."

"The Emperor can sail a boat?" Ritsuka blinked "That's pretty impressive."

"She can't."

"What?" He blinked "But...you just said that-"

"I know."

"...Oh…"

"Yeah." Romani gave a constipated expression "I'm...kind of avoiding speaking to the Director right now...you know...In case she, well...yeah."

"I see." Ritsuka coughed into his hand "I'll speak with you later then."

"See you." Romani waved at him as the communicator disappeared, the turned back to Beatrice.

"Anyway, we'll-"

"Moving pictures?" Beatrice tilted her head in a confused manner, Ritsuka realised his mistake in that he would somehow have to explain technology to someone who lived in the woods and was from the equivalent of Medieval times.

Unknown POV

The figure stared at the approaching shape of a boat in the distance, he sighed "Another vessel approaches, tis most unfortunate." he drew back an arrow, taking aim at the boat "Still, their perseverance is to be commended." he prepared to loose when another voice called out.

"Stay thy hand." The figure paused, the bow went slack as he turned his head to stare down at his charge "The presence of a human approaches...and another whom I must have words with."

"Very well." The figure nodded "Although I must confess, tis most unusual thou attends to these matters personally."

"Thou art concerned?"

"No." He shook his head, then gave a low chuckle "I merely wonder if perhaps our other guest has brought out some emotions."

"Can you blame me?" A third voice called out, her own voice was high pitched although not unpleasant "When I sense humans approaching, I can hardly let an opportunity for worship slip past."

The figure chuckled at her words "Thou art most demanding in attention, although tis only natural, I recall Lady Gwyneve-"

"Do. Not." The second figure growled out "Mention her again." the serpents emerging from below his white dress hissed, the first and third figures turned to him for a few moments.

"Oh?" The female one called out in an amused tone of voice "Thats the most emotion I've seen from you, problems with family?"

"Tis none of thy concern." He straightened his posture as the snakes returned to a more passive mood "Ser Gough, I shall conceal thy presence, we shall await our guests."

"A surprise is it? How unexpected, you didn't strike me as a flair for the dramatic."

"Tis prudence, not theatre." He replied "And wholly expected when dealing with our guest."

"Know them do you?"

"Thy believe thou could forget thy betrayers face easily?"

Olga Group POV

Heavy boots slammed into the ground, kicking up sand as Berserker returned to a standing up position. The flaming suit of Armour dropped down behind them before it marched forwards, scanning their environment.

"This is the island?" Olga asked, staring at the barren expanse "You are certain of this?"

"Indeed I am." Solaire nodded, jumping from the ship onto the sand, Sulyvahn followed after him, although he virtually glided back to the ground. "They said it was the island off the coast of Galia. The fisherman who I spoke with claimed it had virtually appeared overnight."

"...What?" Sulyvahn suddenly paused, looking back at him "It manifested itself?"

"Indeed it did." He nodded "Quite surprising too, I had not thought it was…" he paused, looking up "I have just noticed...has the sun changed?"

"What?" Nero frowned at him and looked up "How peculiar, I could have sworn we were approaching night."

"Because we were…" Sulyvahn spoke up, although his voice was far quieter than it had been moments ago, filled with a cold anger with an undercurrent of dread "...I believe I know which God we have found…"

"Oh?" Nero turned to him and smiled "That is good news, no? We know who we are dealing with."

"No, it is-" Before he could finish his comment, the sand around them exploded.

Towering knights, nearly three metres tall, seemed to manifest themselves into existence around them. Clad in thick, brass coloured armour, wielding pointed tower shields in their left hands and halberds in their right. The giants slammed the shields into the ground, levelling their halberds at them like spears.

Olga let out a cry of panic as she hid behind her Berserker, the servant followed a similar strategy to the surrounding knights, the flaming Berserker let out a threatening growl as it stepped forwards.

"Thy presence has been expected." A voice boomed out around them "Thou are welcome to rest here." the form of another figure, taller even than the brass knights seemed to appear from thin air. Standing at least eight metres tall, with dark grey skin covered by steel armour and a large pauldron of bone and feathers on his right arm, a full steel helmet stared back at them.

As well as the large bow, held in the giants hands, with an equally large arrow.

The threat was rather clear.

"However...Thou may find their rest permanent."

"...Gwyndolin." Sulyvahn muttered under his breath.

AN: Big oof for the guys.

Go to meet God. Find God Sulyvahn killed.

Yikes.

Anyway...Gwyndolin and Gough.

I'll include their stats in this chapter, but their dialogue in the next one.

Gwyndolin

Servant: Archer

Strength: D++

Endurance: C++

Agility: D++

Mana: EX

Luck: A

Noble Phantasm: A+

"O' Heretic's swathed in Dark

Thy sins be brought into the light

Repent in thy final moments

An Eternal Curse upon thee-

-Darkmoon Light!"

Darkmoons Light: A (Anti-Army) Max Target: 500, Max Range 0-99

Shoots arrow into the sky which is followed by a rain of arrows.

'False Days and False Nights'

Thou Shalt perish in the Twilight: A+

Using his mastery of illusions, Gwyndolin creates a false Night to empower himself or craft a false day.

Class Skills:

Independent Action: B

Magic Resistance: A

(Does not extend to Dark or Chaos Magic.)

Divine core of a Lord: EX

Personal Skills:

Sorcery: B+

Scaled down from his Caster Version

Dark Sun: EX

Under the moon Gwyndolin recieves a boost to his physical stats by a factor of three

Illusions: A+

Gwyndolin is a master of illusion based magic to trick his opponents, illusions of Sentinels are also physical manifestations,

less effective than if he were a Caster.

Instant Teleportation: A+

Beautiful Figure: C

Hawkeye Gough

Servant: Archer

Strength: A++

Endurance: A+

Agility: D

Mana: C

Luck: B

Noble Phantasm: A

Calamitas Ruinam : A (Anti-Unit) Max Target: 10, Max Range: 999

Fires a charged single arrow. Despite its claim to be Anti-Unit, it could best be described as Anti-Army localised to Anti-Unit.

Class Skills:

Independent Action: D

Magic Resistance: B

Personal Skills:

Hawk Ring: A

Equal skill to clairvoyance

Dragon Slayer: A++

Giant: A++

Natural strength to showcase his size.

Carving: D

Create carvings which make sounds when thrown against hard surfaces

Charisma: C