The False Moon Cell Holy Grail War had begun, drawing forth a myriad of Masters and Servants from all across the world. Among these participants were the members of the White Faction, including the young Master Oscar Reyes and his Moon-Cancer Class Servant, the Virgin Mary. Having been summoned to 1939 Britain, the two found themselves in the midst of an unfamiliar world.
Upon their arrival, Oscar and Mary found themselves lost in a city neither of them could recognize. To avoid drawing attention, they remained idly inconspicuous, keeping as low a profile as they could.
"Master... I feel a revelation dawning upon me. The Lord thy God's tidings shared in smallest kindly measure. A portent of threat looms in the shadows of this sleepy city..."
Oscar raised a brow to that, trustful of his famous Servant, yet, offput by the peaceful airs around them. The city certainly seemed unthreatening enough, like a dreamy paradise next to New Mexico.
"It couldn't be a problem with the city then. You don't think another pair ended up nearby?"
Oscar felt his nerves tingle at that idea. He was especially wary of crossing paths with any that might be able to sense their presence, like Watcher, or Assassin, or that gloomy looking Caster fellow.
"It will be no issue, Master. God is watching over us. We need only to follow the path He has laid for us, and we will be delivered from all the perils of this war.
"I hope you're right..." Oscar muttered as he followed behind his cheery faced Servant, who walked ahead of him with a brilliant confidence born of her faith. Wherever she was taking him God only knew, but Oscar felt that it it would work out...
...Though he'd still rather know where in the world they were. Just because vague good omens were taking you for a ride didn't mean you had to do it all blind.
"Mary, we should at least try to find a map to know where we are. What region we're in. Maybe figure out where the nearest church is to get a favor or two?"
The Virgin Mary, ever calm and reassuring, smiled gently at her Master
"Worry not Master. The Lord shall steer us from conflict, and provide us safe haven. Have faith, and that faith shall be rewarded a thousand-fold..."
"If you say so. I just want to be sensible is all. I mean, its not like we're going to find a church round the next corner..."
Sure enough, there was, in-fact, a church around the next corner. Baroque, resplendent, and clad in what Oscar swore was a faint holy glow of divine eminence.
"...nevermind. Blind faith it is, Madre de Dios."
Upon reaching the church, Oscar quickly donned a priest's disguise and a silver rosary, while Mary remained at his side, both of them appearing as tourists of the Catholic faith on a passing pilgrimage touring holy sites throughout the country. They entered the church, seeking solace and protection within its walls.
Not that such was truly needed. By all measures of the word, the place was abandoned. Whether this was coincidence, or if God had done them another favor, Oscar could only guess at.
Of course, the confidence of his Servant in just that being the case more than made up for his own skepticism.
Once inside, Mary invoked her Territory Creation skill, establishing a temporary sanctuary for her Master and herself. Oscar, relying on his knowledge of Galvanism, modified a radio transmitter to send out signals that, hopefully, would be picked up by the communications equipment his other teammates had brought with them.
As they worked, Mary glanced at her Master with concern.
"Oscar, are you certain this is the path you wish to take? The Holy Grail War is fraught with danger, and I do not wish to see you come to harm. I know the Lord watches over us, but I know too that you do not share the absoluteness of my faith in God. If you wish to turn back, no one will blame you, and I know The Lord will see the worries that drove you to this conflict put to rest. "
Oscar looked at Mary, a determined expression on his face.
"I can't give up, Mary. I have to prove myself, for my family and for those who've suffered because of Magecraft. Besides, I have you by my side, and I trust you to help me navigate this war. And you trust God, right? So it'll all work out. It has to work out."
Mary's face softened as she placed a reassuring hand on Oscar's shoulder.
"Very well, Oscar. I will strive to have faith enough for the both of us. I swear I shall protect and guide you through this war, offering you all the love and compassion that I can."
As Oscar and Mary continued their preparations, they remained ever vigilant, aware that the other factions in the False Moon Cell Holy Grail War were likely planning their next moves. But despite the dangers and uncertainties that lay ahead, the bond between Master and Servant grew stronger, their resolve to see the conflict through to the end unwavering.
Over the next twelve hours, Oscar and the Virgin Mary worked tirelessly to transform the Church into a functional base of operations for the White Faction. Using their combined skills and ingenuity, they fortified the church against potential threats while maintaining its inconspicuous appearance.
Oscar focused on setting up various defensive measures throughout the church. He used his knowledge of Galvanism and Projection Craft to create a network of small, automated sentries that would patrol the premises and alert them of any intruders. These devices were cleverly disguised as trinkets and knickknacks, blending seamlessly with the church's interior.
Meanwhile, Mary worked on reinforcing the church's spiritual defenses. Using her Territory Creation skill, she established a powerful Bounded Field around the church that would not only provide them a place of refuge and recovery but also conceal their presence from enemies. The field would also enhance her healing abilities, making it easier for her to tend to Oscar and any allies that might join them in the future.
Additionally, Mary utilized her Item Construction skill to create a series of simple, yet potent, holy relics imbued with divine power. These items would be invaluable in supporting Oscar and their allies during the Holy Grail War. She also prepared a small storage room within the church to serve as a workshop for Oscar, providing him with a space to work on his engineering projects and further develop his Magecraft.
As the twelve-hour mark approached, Oscar and Mary took a moment to rest and assess their progress. The church had been transformed into a well-defended stronghold, providing them with a safe haven in the heart of the treacherous Holy Grail War.
"Oscar, I believe we have made considerable progress in securing this church," Mary said, her voice filled with warmth and pride. "With the defenses we have established, we should be able to focus on our next steps without fear of being discovered."
Oscar nodded in agreement, his face showing a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.
"You're right, Mary. We've come a long way in just twelve hours. But we can't let our guard down. We need to keep refining our strategies and be prepared for anything that might go wrong."
Mary placed a comforting hand on Oscar's shoulder. "Of course, Master. I will be by your side, guiding and protecting you. We will face the challenges of this Holy Grail War together and work towards a brighter future."
With the church secured as their base of operations, Oscar and the Virgin Mary were now better equipped to navigate the perils of the False Moon Cell Holy Grail War.
Perils which would rear their faces soon enough...