AN: Enjoy the chapter.
Ch 21 The Appetizer before the Full Course
Harry held onto Red Hare's armor while they galloped back to the Campsite. He looks back from time to time, seeing if Lancelot was following behind him. "Young master, don't worry about Sir Lancelot." Red Hare said, sensing the uneasiness within Harry.
"But Red Hare, we left him to fight those Wyverns by himself." Harry reasons with the Mount of the Flying General. "He's just one Person who-"
"Young master, a single Servant can wipe out an Army without breaking a sweat." The Rider explains to him, "The Knights of the Roundtable are among the elites in Chaldea. You know that Sir Lancelot is one of the strongest knights in the Roundtable, if not then he wouldn't be in the Throne of Heroes."
Harry understood, he heard many stories about his Grandfather. In fact, other than King Arthur/Arturia he's one he admires to be.
Soon more Wyvern roars erupted from behind them. Harry turns his head, seeing at least a small horde of red and green Wyverns. "There's more Wyverns behind us, Red Hare!" The young Wizard exclaims.
"Hehe, don't look back if you're scared young master." The Rider said, wanting Harry to be scared. "We're almost to the Camp!"
A red Wyvern roars, picking up speed and having Red Hare in its sights. It flew down, holding out his talons bare and ready to slash anyone.
"R-Red Hare…a Wyvern's coming-"
"Get down!" Harry did what the Horse said, crouching down as he spun around.
Red Hare materialized his Spear, knocking away the talons from there. "Hehe! Young master, get off of my back and continue to head to the Camp. The others will come to meet you," The Rider said,
Harry shook his head, wanting to stay with the Servant. "No, I can't leave you too! You might-"
"Go!" Red Hare shouted, pushing the Wyvern away before exchanging his Spear for his Bow. He pulls back the string, releasing a flaming arrow at them.
Harry saw that signal arrow manage to kill that Wyvern. Red Hare proceeded to meet with the rest of the horde, giving him time to run. "Ngh," He turns around, starting to run back to the Camp.
Red Hare's eyes look back at Harry, already leaving the area. "Good, he's listening to what I have to say." He leaps in the air, having his Spear out, and proceeded to bring down the Wyverns.
Harry continued to run, seeing the Campsite dead ahead. He still hears the roars of the Wyverns, prompting him to run even faster. "Gotta get back, gotta tell Daddy and Mommy. Gotta-"
"AH!" Harry tripped over his feet, falling on the grass. He felt a small sting on his knee, believed to scrape his knee. Tears pour down his cheek, however, he wipes them away and proceeds to run, not wanting to look weak in front of the Heroes here.
However, the Wyverns were on top of him. Looking up, he could see that some Wyverns broke away from the horde that both Red Hare and Lancelot were dealing with.
They dive down, heading straight for him. "DADDY!" Harry shuts his eyes, looking away from the Wyverns.
A metallic liquid slithers on the ground, circling around Harry. It erupts as it creates a dome over Harry. The Wyverns clawed the metallic dome, but it was futile. The dome then sprouts spikes, impaling those who attack it.
The Wyverns retreated but hovered above the dome. They roar as the metallic liquid retreats, returning to whoever sends it.
Harry looks up, seeing the dome reverts to a stream of metallic liquid. "Son of our Retainer, worry not for we shall aid you." A commanding voice projects throughout the field. "Stay where you are, we shall get you."
A man in a rather revealing outfit with cool-colored hair shaped like a Moth's wings stood before him. The metallic liquid flies over him, almost like a Hagoromo. "Go, take the Child before those Beasts attack!" Qin Shi Huang commanded,
"On it!" Harry saw his Father in white Medieval clothing running for him. He grabs him, taking the young Boy into his arms. "Hold on Kiddo, this will be quick. Don't bite your tongue now," He leaps back to where the Lostbelt Emperor was, placing him on the ground.
Harry looks up, a bit confused about how his Father manage to get here so face. "D-Dad-"
"Harry!" He turns around, seeing his Father running towards him with Fou on his shoulders.
The young Heir's eyes widen, looking both at the Man who shares an appearance with his Father and then back at him. "H-Huh? D-Daddy?"
Charlie chuckles, seeing the confusion on the young Boy's face. "Heh, sorry Kiddo but I'm not your Father, but you can call me good o'l Uncle Charlie." The Saber grins, leaping over his master.
A black Raven flew above them, pushing back the Wyverns further. Looking at the Raven, Harry saw the Bird returns to a woman with blue-black hair, it landed on her Staff, reverting to a wooden deactivate.
"Harry, good you're all right." Ritsuka opens his arms, allowing Charlie to hand him over. He smiles at the King of the Franks, appreciating saving his Son. "Thank you, Charlie."
"Hey, any time, master." Charlie smiles, looking at his master's Son. His eyes lowered, unsure why he felt sad and wanted to hug Harry. Shaking his head, he returns to the current situation. "In any case, we're lucky we got here in time." He said,
"Fou, Fou!" Fou points to the sky,
"Master, Wyverns are still coming." Caster of Germonia informed the master of Chaldea,
They all look up, seeing the Wyverns still hover above them. They all dove down, speeding toward the Chaldeans. "How come they're still coming!?" Harry asked, gripping Ritsuka's hand.
Qin Shi Huang set his Mercury stream at the Wyverns, killing a few. The Ruler steps back, "Charlie, we require your assistance." The Lostbelt Emperor said,
"Hai!" Charlie rushed forward, materializing Joyeuse, and leaped in the air.
"Charlie, here!" Qin Shi Huang held out his hand, sending his Mercury to act as a stepping platform for the King to use.
The Saber steps onto the platform, slashing one Wyvern before stepping on the other and doing the exact thing as before. He slashed and hacked each Wyvern, their bodies fell to the ground, however, more was still coming.
"Tch, these Wyverns something really spook them," Ritsuka commented, holding his Son close to him.
"W-What do you mean, Daddy?" Harry looks up at his Father, curious what he's saying.
Caster turns to the Child, answering his question. "Wyverns tend to keep to themselves in this era." The blue-black-haired Servant answered, explaining to the Heir of Chaldea. "Something must spook them," She said,
'So in this World Ritsuka Fujimaru isn't Harry Potter, rather they're separate People.' Caster ponders, looking at both her master and his Son. 'Seems like he doesn't have Mystic Eyes of Death Perception as his Doppelganger I've met.'
The Wyverns above them all dove down at them. "Daddy!" Harry points to the Wyverns.
Ritsuka held his hand, commanding his Servants to counter their attack. "Go,"
"Very well, our Retainer! Your words are our Command!" Qin Shi Huang smiles, looking at Harry wanting to impress the young master. He moved his hand to the side, the Mercury spun around before they took the form of small projectiles.
The Ruler released them, hurling towards the Wyverns. Each projectile penetrates the Wyvern's hide, they revert back into Mercury and spread throughout the body.
The Wyverns that were hit by the Lostbelt Emperor's projectiles fell to the ground.
"Saber, I'll support you," Caster of Germonia held her Staff at Charlie, almost like she has done it before.
Charlie held his Holy Sword, it glowed. "Hup!" He looks up at the remaining Wyverns and slashes upwards.
The slash sped up, cutting the remaining Wyverns in half. "Alrighty then! That takes care of those Wyverns." Charlie looks at Harry, smiling at him. "So, what'd you think, Little Buddy? Aren't we cool?" The Saber asked the Child, hoping to make an impression on him.
Caster steps forward, looking at the King of the Franks. "Saber, the young master probably has a bit too much excitmen-"
"WOAH!" Harry quickly approaches the Servants, already impressed by the Servants. "Those attacks are so cool!" He said, having an excited expression on his face.
Qin Shi Huang chuckles, looking at the young Boy. "Indeed, you Child has won the favor of us." The Ruler said, taking a solid liking to Harry after he said that. "We shall reward you by making you another of our Retainers." The Lostbelt Servant said.
Harry blinks, not sure what the Emperor was saying. However, he realizes that both Lancelot and Red Hare were still back in the plains.
The black-haired Boy turns to his Father, almost having Fou fall before he caught on his shirt. "Daddy, Grandpa, and Red Hare are still back there! They were a lot of Wyverns-" Harry stopped, seeing both Lancelot and Red Hare walking from where he had last seen them. "Huh?"
"Lancelot and Red Hare capable Servants alone," Ritsuka placed his hand on his Son's shoulders. "Remember, Harry they have many years of experience to be able to defend themselves." The Magus said,
Harry nodded before he noticed Fou growling at something from the back. "Fou? What is it-" The young Boy turns around, seeing a larger Wyvern with really sharp scales.
"A Wyvern Tempest!?" Charlie exclaims, heading to intercept the Enemy.
Both Qin Shi Huang and Caster joined the King of the Franks, trying to prevent the Wyvern Tempest from attacking.
Harry relaxed a bit before still seeing Fou growling. Looking around the sky, he saw another Wyvern Tempest diving towards them.
"Harry!" Ritsuka grabs hold of his Son, shielding him from the Wyvern, breathing flames at the Chaldeans.
Lancelot and Red Hare sped their speed, trying to get to Ritsuka and Harry before the flames.
The Wyvern Tempest breathes flames at the Father and Son, only to have something block the heat. Harry opened his eyes, seeing someone blocking the flames.
The Person wore a black futuristic plating amor, and in front of her was a large Shield. It looks like a cross with wires connecting and dangling on a few sides.
Looking closely at the assumingly Servant, however, he looks closer and saw it was… "Mommy!?" Harry asked, surprised to see her dressed as a Servant.
"Harry, stay with your Father!" Mashu told her Son before using the boosters to propel herself at the Wyverns.
Harry watches as his Mother leaps into the air, smashing the Wyvern Tempest to the ground. His mouth remained hung open at how she could quickly bring down a Wyvern.
Lancelot quickly intercepted the falling Wyvern Tempest, his Arondight glowed a bright light. "Sei!" He slashed through the Wyvern Tempest landing on the ground.
Mashu landed, lifting the visors from her eyes. "Ortinax still functioning at its peak performance," She reported for the first time after many years of not using it.
"Mashu!" Ritsuka waved his hand at his Wife, walking over to her.
Mashu turns around, smiling at her Family coming over to her. Suddenly, she felt a small embrace around her waist, she looks down seeing her Son hugging her. "Harry-kun, what is-"
"Mommy, you were so cool!" Harry smiles brightly, his eyes sparkling with inspiration and awe. "You were whoosh, and bang and, and…" He continues to ramble, clearly, Mashu left a very good impression on him.
Mashu gave a light chuckle, placing her free hand on his head. "Thank you, Harry-kun. Are you okay, you didn't hurt yourself, did you?" The Shielder asked her Son.
The black-haired Boy shook his head, smiling at his Mother. "No, I just scrape my knees." Harry looks down to his knees, seeing it read with a few scratches.
"I see, well let me bandage that for you." Harry watches as Mashu grabs something from her Shield. She took out a Medical kit from a small opening and proceeded to tend to his minor scratches.
Harry was surprised to see a Medical Kit compacted in a small space.
"Surprise that the Medical Kit fits in your Mother's Shield?" Ritsuka asked, standing next to his Son,
"Yeah, how does it work?" Harry asked his Father before he answered,
"Well, Magic," Ritsuka winks at him, causing the young Heir to giggle.
Mashu got up after patching up Harry, "Okay, Harry-kun, you're all patched up." She said, receiving a smile from him.
"Thank you, Mommy," Harry said as Fou climb to his shoulders. He scratches the Beast under his chin, greeting him. "There you are Fou, were you with Daddy the whole time?" He asked,
"Fou, Fou," Fou patted the young Wizard's cheeks,
Ritsuka smiles at his Son before looking at Mashu, "Mashu, how are you feeling? I know it's been a second since you wore the Ortinax." He asked, wanting to know how she was doing.
The violet-haired Woman nodded, answering her Husband. "I'm doing fine, Ritsuka. It feels like I haven't stopped using it." Mashu answered before seeing Caster approach them.
"Master, we better get back to the Campsite. This number of Wyverns here now is rather concerning not to be ignored." The blue-black-haired Servant advises them,
Red Hare then approached his master, "Hehe, I agree with the newcomer master. When the Wyverns appeared this time around, my instincts told me they were not enraged or wild." The Rider informed the Chaldean master, telling him of his discovery. "Rather, they were fleeing."
Ritsuka nodded, agreeing with the Servant. "Let's head back, I'm sure what you're sensing Red Hare is correspond to what Jeanne Alter and Chiyome reported." The Magus said, placing his hand on his chin.
Everyone nodded, returning to the Campsite.
Once back at the Campsite, Ritsuka had Mandricardo and Charlie take care of him while they discussed the Wyverns.
"Based on both Jeanne Alter's and Chiyome's scouting, it seems the cause of the Wyvern's distress was Wizard intervention," Ritsuka informed the Chaldean Staff and Heroic Spirits gathered around him.
"I thought the French Wizarding Community is rather tamed and already integrated with Botany?" A tan man with golden hair fading to black asked his master. He looks at Monsieur for information,
The French director responds to the Rider's question. "Zey are, zee Ministry is rather tame zen zee other two," Monsieur confirms what the Huang Feihu asked. "Zis time, it seems zat zee British Wizards are breaking zee international Wizard Laws and illegally take zee Wyverns from zere nests."
"Oho? So a band of Wizard Criminals is behind this mess?" A stoic elderly small Knight asked, wearing dark grey armor and a large Spear. "Sancho, what is the international punishment for illegal Wyvern trade?" Don Quixote asked the Phantom Spirit.
A pink heard Woman with a Horses tail and ears, wearing a Secretary Uniform answers her Lord. "About five years, Sir." Sancho Panza informed the main Attacker in their Saint Graph. "The same time serves for Mundane Animal Trafficking."
"Proves my point, Wizards are stupid. They don't even realize that they're doing something illegal." Jalter complains, frustrated with how the Wizards operate.
Caster looks over to the Avenger, sharing her frustration. "I completely understand, I share the same feelings as you, Avenger." The Servant said, ashamed of what has come to the Wizards.
Sigurd crosses his arms, looking at his master. "Master, what are we going to do with these Wizard Traffickers?" The Hero who slew Fafnir asked, "If we count the days since we've started operations here in the Nesting Grounds, then they have at least sent a few Wyverns to wherever they sent them." The Saber said.
"Not to mention those who escaped capture," A light grey-haired Saber with a glowing mark on his chest commented, "It's fortunate that none has made it to the Mundane population."
Many Servants agreed, thinking about the mess they found themselves in.
Holmes looks at everyone, speaking for their master. "I know that we have a big mess here, but the right course is to ensure that no other Wyverns are taken from the Nesting Grounds." The Chaldean Advisor said, "Miss Koyanskaya, what can you tell us of the ecosystem if Wyverns are to continue to be taken? Seeing that you are a Nature Spirit on a technicality."
Koyanskaya looks away from her tablet, hearing the Ruler's question. "Very well, I shall enlighten you, Holmes." The Alter Ego placed down her tablet, "If those Wizards continue to take those Wyverns, then the Nesting Grounds will lose its Mana Energy that derives from them." The Beast of Cherishment said,
"Zen we really do have a problem on our hands," Monsieur commented,
Mashu looks over to her Husband, taking note of how quiet he's been during their meeting. "Ritsuka, is something on your mind?" She asked the director of Chaldea.
Everyone has their eyes on Ritsuka, waiting for him to speak. The Magus looks up, seeing everyone waiting for him, "I was just thinking, that if we capture those Wizards then we can use them to track those other Wyverns down."'
Moriarty steps in, seemingly agreeing with the plan. "That's good and all, master but that would cause a bit of a conflict with the Wizarding Community/Government if things don't go as planned." The former Apostle stated, seeing the many negative outcomes of this.
Jeanne turns to Monsieur, having an idea. "Director Delacour is it possible that you could pull some strings in the French Government to portray this as an International issue," She asked the Magus from Botany.
"Well, considering zat zis is an international issue already, I can definitely pull something with zem." Monsieur looks over to the Beast of Cherishment for her aid. "Zat is if Mademoiselle Koyanskaya can assist me with the little details."
"Sure, if anything you came to the right Alter Ego to do that," Koyanskaya said, agreeing to assist the Magus.
"Now, here's the plan everyone," Ritsuka said, explaining what they need to do.
Outside of the tent, Harry smiles as Mandricardo speaks about how he met Ritsuka. "After that ordeal, master and I became close Friends." Mandricardo placed his hand behind his neck, a bit embarrassed that he told the young Child about the Story of Atlantis without going too deep.
"Wow, so every Servant here has a connection with my Daddy?" Harry asked, hearing Charlie chuckles.
The King of the Franks grins, "That's correct, Kiddo. Every Servant here wants to help your Father, he gave them a second chance in life." Charlie explains to the young Wizard. "A chance that they didn't expect but accepted,"
Harry smiles before looking at the tent where everyone is leaving. "So, being master of Chaldea doesn't mean to protect Humanity but…to assist those who failed?" He asked, getting the gist of what a Chaldean master is.
"Yeah, you can say that, Harry," Charlie said, seeing Harry gets the gist of what his Father does.
Soon, Mozart approaches the three with the biggest smile. "Ah, that didn't take long than I initially thought." The Musician commented, walking up to them.
Charlie looks at the Caster, curious about what he's doing here. "Mozart, what are you doing here?" He asked,
Harry looks at the blonde Caster wearing an article of black clothing with flamboyant colors accompanying it. He instantly recognize the Servant from the Day he first came to the British Branch. "I know you; you were that guy who played with the other Musician back in Britain." He said,
"So you do remember me, young master. I fear that you saw me must slip your mind." Mozart said before introducing himself to the next director of Chaldea. "Either way, allow me to introduce myself, I am Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The famous composer of Music in History and aid support to many Teams with my Spells."
"Mozart? Even you are here in Chaldea?" Harry was surprised to see someone such as him would be Summoned, "I thought Warriors are only here,"
Charlie chuckles, ruffling Harry's head. "Hahaha, you still got a lot to learn Harry about Servants." He commented,
"Yeah, not only Warriors are here, young master," Mandricardo added, explaining what he should expect. "There are Authors, Divine Spirits, Inventors, and many more in Chaldea."
Mozart smiles, looking down at the young master. "Indeed, though you know me as a Musician, young master. But I can still cause a bit of trouble for Enemies with my Music." He said before getting to the point of being here. "Anyways, you two are going with the Expedition Team along with me and a few others."
The Caster looks down at Harry, "As for you, young master, you had an appetizer of what we Servants can do." Mozart explains before dramatically continuing. "Now you'll have a full course meal when we enter an Enemy Territory. Plus you can see what I'm capable of when I'm on the Battlefield," He winks at him, leading the three to where Ritsuka was.
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