"Understood. I know." Instead of sleeping restfully blissfully like everyone else, instead, from night to dawn with baggy eyes, Risei finished speaking to the other person at the end of his line. "Worry not, I have this covered." On the other end, whoever Risei spoke to seemed to argue. Years of service though alongside prior experience allowed Risei to handle the situation with ease.
"No, the pillar didn't last long, so we're alright. The secrecy of magecraft is far from being exposed." Risei listened. "Mhmm. Yes. Thank you very much. I'm glad we have this handled."
Risei then cut off the line and yawned a little. While he could stay up late, old age was already hitting him. Still, he managed to handle the situation rather well, if he said so himself. Still, that doesn't mean things were alright.
"Well then," Without turning to Tokiomi's direction, too busy filling out paperwork to provide the cover-up, Risei asked, "What exactly happened?"
It's been over nine hours since the sighting of a blue pillar of light and the destruction of Tokiomi's own home. To say Tokiomi was displeased would be an understatement. After all, one mistake and the apparent disproportionate actions of his own Servant caused his home, with almost everything in it, to be reduced to atoms. Only his workshop had been spared, which still suffered from the shockwaves from the blast.
Which wasn't even mentioning that many people saw a massive blue pillar of light. Those close to Tokiomi's home, his normal neighbors, panicked at the Tohsaka household being wiped out.
Naturally, they were the first to have their memories altered. But even then that didn't change the fact that Tokiomi's house was little more but a smoldering wreck. Something the owner of the house didn't like.
Sighing, Tokiomi spoke. "It would seem that the Servant I have attained is rather… volatile."
"Meaning?" Risei sounded worried, thus wanting more clarification
"All I can say is that somehow, I ended with a Servant that isn't the King of Heroes." Instead, attaining a woman who appeared normal with nothing special about her. Up until the release of whatever it is she unleashed. It was hard to tell due to the bright light.
"That sounds…troublesome."
"Very so." Tokiomi grabbed his forehead, frustratingly at that. While silent, Risei could tell this was eating up Tokiomi, and nobody would blame him.
His home, his workshop, gone. Just like that.
All the supplies, books, gems, materials, anything in his household destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Caused by the release of the immense mana Tokiomi's Servant unleashed. While Tokiomi did have some hidden supplies here and there, as contingencies, most of the stuff had been in his workshop. Since attacking a magus' workshop, especially Tokiomi, wasn't something that could easily be done.
For a Servant, it wouldn't even take a minute.
Or ten seconds in Archer's case.
"For the time being," Tokiomi spoke softly, but sternly. "I'll be staying elsewhere. I already have a back-up workshop. Not as…developed as the one back home, but I always felt it would be needed to have a spare, just in case."
Not that Tokiomi ever expected to use it, as Risei guessed. The only reason Tokiomi even had a back-up workshop was both due to having enough resources, but mainly because as Risei thought, because it was 'elegant' to have another. To make it seem that Tokiomi was prepared for anything. That even if he lost his primary workshop, he could just state he had another ready.
But Risei had seen Tokiomi's spare workshop before. Which had sparse materials, only basic boundary fields, not even a familiar to protect it. At best, to watch for intruders but no more than that. With Tokiomi, if ever, actually visiting the workshop.
"I would offer you a place here if I could, old friend, but I imagine that would be detrimental to our plan." Trying to lift up the mood a little, Risei tried changing the topic while Tokiomi only grunted in response. Seems the loss of his house was taking a bigger toll than expected. "Anyway, where is your Servant?"
"In the Church's main hall," said Tokiomi. "It seems she has calmed herself. Or her…other self."
"Other self?"
"I haven't checked her status properly, but I overheard her mentioning her 'other' to calm down." Normally, Tokiomi would be more apt at ensuring he had every detail properly to observe. Though after last night, the toll clearly caused Tokiomi to temporarily put aside his Servant's capabilities to simply leave his former home while endeavoring to erase the memories of those who actually saw his house explode up front.
Whether it'll actually do much is unknown, considering people will still ask questions about the blown up house and how it happened. But Risei was willing to give his friend a pass as he doubted anybody's home being so abruptly destroyed would make someone act with a level-head. Even Tokiomi, as composed as he usually kept himself, would falter at such an unexpected action.
This wasn't even mentioning the changes that will now occur from here out, with Tokiomi noting soon after. "In any case, it seems the plan will now change." Utterly. "For the time being, I suppose having Kirei 'attacking' me will no longer work."
"Not that he could have in the first place." Risei commented, confusing Tokiomi this time around.
"I'm sorry?"
"It seems you weren't the only one to receive an unusual Servant." Clasping his hands together, the Overseer explained further. "Just before you summoned your Servant, my son already did his. Yet what he summoned wasn't one of the Hassans. Why, he summoned someone else entirely." Risei smirked. "An apostle of Solomon."
"Solomon!" Now this was a surprise to Tokiomi. "The father of magecraft itself?"
Risei chuckled. "Yes, the very same. And I admit, she might have just been a follower instead of an apostle. Sorry, I may have gotten ahead of myself." Not that it wiped that smile off his lips, as Tokiomi noticed. "Still, I was just as surprised to see this woman."
"And you know she's a follower of Solomon how?" While not believing Risei was lying, trusting him in that regard, Tokiomi felt a skeptic of this Servant, whom he hasn't even seen, just claims to be a follower of the father of magecraft.
"I understand your doubt." Risei expected this though, not too surprised by it. Why, if someone told them the Son of the Father was right next to his church, he'd feel the same skepticism as well. "However, any doubt I had was disapproved when…well, why not I show you."
Standing up and moving in spite of overnight work, Tokiomi actually had to keep pace with his excitable friend as they left the office. Entering the hall, the two passed by a few statues and as Tokiomi noticed, some minor bounded fields or two. Nothing special really. But from the glance he caught, they were fields that passively told the owner who was here, the number, basic stuff which wasn't all bad in general.
The two kept on going until they reached the main hall. In front of the open hallway is none other than Kirei who respectfully greeted Tokiomi.
"Hello." Kirei spoke in the usual dispassionate tone he had. Then giving his condolences to Tokiomi. "I apologize for your home. I'd offer you to stay here, but that would likely cause others to be suspicious."
"And allow others to realize our plans. But thank you for the offer anyway." Responding back politely, Tokiomi then couldn't help himself but see if he could find this follower of Solomon. Instead, he saw his own simply sitting silently with an emotionless look on her face.
"..." Tokiomi, admittingly, had to try and not show his grimace. After what happened last night, with so much loss, Tokiomi couldn't deny he was far from being in a good mood. Taking much to not grab something and break it with his own two hands. But he couldn't, as it was far from 'elegant' of a proper magus. He had an image to uphold.
'Tough a little indulgence shouldn't be too bad.' Tokiomi thought while grunting looking away from Archer. He still had some old supplies in his second workshop and crates that were unimportant. 'A little burning wouldn't hurt anybody.' Just as burning an enemy Master wasn't bad either.
"So," Wanting to change his thoughts, Tokiomi glanced around. "Your Servant is…"
"Over here." Tokiomi and the Kotomine family turned their heads. Right by them, with a soft smile, a young woman gazed at them. "Though, while I accept serving Master Kotomine, I am a Servant to our Father and only him."
"Hmmm." While Risei chuckled, Tokiomi just mused a little. A look at the woman showed pale white skin, brown hair, and blue eyes that were crystal clear. A small ornament by the side of her hair while wearing a simple white outfit.
Stepping forward, Tokiomi then asked, "I heard you were a…follower of Solomon."
"One of his handmaidens." The woman bowed politely. "He was quite busy ruling, so individuals like myself aided him when needed. A truly wise ruler of his time." The woman then giggled. "And my was he quite the lady's man."
Ah, right. Tokiomi recalled how the father of magecraft had quite the number of women as his wives. Likely this woman may have been a concubine. And if not, it was still likely that she knew certain things that history forgot. Why, who knows, maybe she saw Solomon utilizing unique magecraft that didn't survive present-day.
'And perhaps I can see if I can gain such knowledge.' Granted, best not to put too much stock that the woman, who admitted was a handmaiden, knew such secrets. But you never know. "Just to confirm again, you are a follower of Solomon?"
"Tokiomi." Risei frowned a little, while Kirei remained blank faced. But for the woman, she didn't seem to mind the question. Instead, looking quite understanding.
"I see. You wish to know I am not making false claims." While Tokiomi didn't say anything, it was clear that was the question he was wondering. Especially as he noticed her outfit seemed rather Greek than Christianity. "Very well. Perhaps this will change your mind."
Then, from the woman's hands, appeared a rather old but well-conditioned book.
Risei nearly squealed while Kirei raised a brow. Tokiomi, now interested, stepped forward. "...that is?"
"The scripture." The young woman held the book. "The original scripture of the Bible." She then opened it, just to one page. "Perhaps this will prove my legitimacy." It was then Tokiomi, and no doubt the other two felt it. A type of pressure that wasn't magecraft, while the lines on the scripture glew for just a bit.
Tokiomi then saw some of the written words. Which included not just words you'd see in the bible, but formulas of magecraft itself. Just looking at this single page and somehow, in some way, Tokiomi just knew that this scripture was the real deal. No, more than that. It was…
"The original scripture." Risei commented in awe, the woman smiling as she then shut the book. The strange pressure all three felt vanished, with Kirei know looking a bit more interested.
"There were others who wrote their own bibles, of course. Such as Moses." The woman commented as the scripture vanished. "But Solomon had written down Mishlei, Kohelet, and Shir ha-Shirim. With, might I add, many formulas of his magecraft in some of the pages." The woman smiled. "Hidden by ordinary eyes, unless allowed to be seen."
Now Tokiomi was more interested than ever. Original formulas, which could advance any magus' work alongside whatever else Solomon wrote down. A priceless artifact for any magus and even the Church itself. Tokiomi could already feel his bad mood from earlier slip away. Having to contain himself from just reaching out to grab and look at the pages.
"But before any of you ask, I cannot give the scripture away." Then said good mood was already starting to slip when the woman spoke. Disappointment settling in.
"Oh. May we ask why?" Not as distraught, Risei asked with Kirei also looking interested. Tokiomi the most.
"Simple. Holding the scripture without proper authorization causes consequences." The woman replied to them in earnest. Hands clasped together. "The same goes with my, what were they called again, right. Other Noble Phantasms."
"You have more than one?" Kirei didn't know this.
"I do, Master." The woman told him. "But each one, while capable of a strong effect, causes a type of demerit to anybody who wasn't given permission when held." The woman then smiled. "Still, I believe even with such costs, I can be of service to you all."
"..." Meanwhile, the mysterious woman known as Archer watched the four. It didn't escape her how Tokiomi seemed much more at ease speaking to someone else who likely wasn't going to tear their head off.
'Guragh!' In contrast to the one within her.
It's been a while since the maiden knew what was going on. The information that made herself known was quite the shock to her, especially with how she forcefully gained it. All while knowing that she and her other half were just tools to fight for this wish-making device against other heroes.
It was rather strange, especially since she was chosen. The maiden never saw herself a hero. Not even to her other half, who while derived as a part of her soul, had its own individual thoughts which the two could share.
In any case, while her other half, the great white dragon, protected her home and the people, by no means did that make them a hero. Though the maiden supposed the garnered worship of those who lived in the city that was defended said otherwise. The people who praised the legendary white dragon for always protecting them from the threats that came.
Yet here she is, considered a hero when she was simply the one who contained her other half and spoke on its behalf. Now summoned by this Throne of Heroes by a man that called himself a Master.
And now the maiden had no idea what to do at this point.
By no means was she just going to fight on behalf of this man, as it not only went against her nature, but also because her other half would outright retaliate against such commands. Even if the man had asked politely, the very rules and beliefs the maiden followed was that no man will ever tame or command the white dragon. It was heretical to consider such a thing.
'But I can't just kill myself either.' With the only other method to be released back was to cut off this flow of mana in her. In other words, either break the contract the man had her in, or kill him.
'Grrr.' Obviously, her other half desired the obliteration of the human.
"My, my. Someone looks tense." The young maiden then flinched slightly. Right near her, having walked to her quietly, was the other Servant. A woman who gave a soft smile to her, sitting down two seats away. "I assume you have a problem?"
"..." Hands resting on her lap, the maiden pondered briefly what to say. She never really talked to other people aside from those who hailed in the church back home. Not to mention she didn't get many foreign visitors either, which this woman clearly was. After a brief while, the maiden decided that there was no harm in speaking.
"I…am simply surprised by this turn of events." The maiden spoke calmly.
"That seems true." The other woman giggled. "I heard you destroyed your Master's own home."
"That man is not my Master." The maiden then corrected firmly, eyes narrowing just the tiniest bit.
"Hm. I see." The woman then leaned a bit closer, as if trying to gaze into her soul. Her other half offered the option to slap her away, which the maiden kindly refused. "Let me guess," The woman then resumed. "You were forcibly called on without any prior knowledge."
The maiden tilted her head. Wondering just how this woman knew. She would get her answer soon enough, as the woman stated, "I know how you feel, as I am in the same position." A hand on her chest, the woman said, "The man over there, Kirei, called upon me when I hadn't the foggiest of why. All while I am designated as 'Lancer' because of a weapon I just happen to have."
"...Did this…Holy Grail tell you-"
"What we do, yes." The woman finished the maiden's words, nodding.
"Then why?" Why did the woman not mind at all, being summoned in a death game?
As if reading her mind, the woman turned away and sighed. Fingers tapping on her arm. "I won't deny it was a surprise being called upon. Especially from the actions of this supposed 'Holy Grail'. A farce of one anyway. As for why I'm not too bothered, well," The woman leaned her head back. "Let's just say I found an opportunity in all of this."
The woman then stood up, and once more smiled. "As for what you decide, you best think fast." She then walked back to where the humans were. "After all, it's only a matter of time before these other Servants come and decide to come for us both."
"..." Like so the maiden was left alone again. Made to ponder the woman's words which were both truth and fact. Because as this Holy Grail attested, the Holy Grail War was a fight to the death. Meaning she must either find a way to avoid all this…
…or risk dying from failure alone.
'And yet, it seems like I have no choice.' At the very least, it seems she might be partners with that woman for the time being seeing as apparently her so-called Master and the other man who's also a Master are working together. Yet for some reason the maiden couldn't help but feel on guard near that woman. Strange.
"?" The maiden then saw the statue of some woman with hands clasped together nearby. It was on the same path the woman took to reach her Master and the other two. Yet for some reason a part of it looked cracked. How strange.
While Tokiomi wasn't in the best position at this moment in the Holy Grail War, especially from recent events, he was still a top-tier magus. Meaning that in spite of how he had to hurry and the rush job he did, the new bounded field surrounding his old home was up and active. Revealing a fine house with not a scratch on it.
In reality, there was still a ruined house with burnt wood and the smell of smoke coming out from it. But the illusionary field Tokiomi set up did well with its optical illusion on anybody who walked past the ruined house. Instead seeing the usual Tphsaka household without thinking anything was wrong.
"Hehe..hehehe…" Except for one individual. Or two as from nowhere, exiting out of their spiritual form, another figure appeared. Standing next to the hooded stranger, who limped his way past the bounded field, was a tall woman in scaled armor with pale skin, red eyes, and long white hair while holding a massive sword that reeked of blood itself.
As for why the two were here, it was both to confirm suspicions from earlier and to see if what before their eyes was true.
"Hehe-hahaha. I can't believe it…How amusing this is." Kneeling down a little, the hooded strange grasped his somewhat damaged face while his one good eye saw the ruined wreck of the house before him. His lips turned into a smile.
"Tohsaka. The great and mighty Tohsaka…His own base and workshop…Ruined! Hahaha!" Oh how he wished he could have been here to see Tokiomi's face when this happened.
It's been hours since the pillar of light was released. Hours that it took for Kariya to learn where the source originated…Which surprised him to learn that it originated from Tokiomi's own home.
Now, that surprise was converted to amusing joy.
To think Mr. 'Perfect' was attacked already just as the Holy Grail War started. Guess someone wanted to really kill him. Shame he survived, as the bugs that spied at the church relayed that Tokiomi went there.
Probably to whine that his elegant house was destroyed, Kariya bet.
'Serves you right!' Kariya then thought wildly. 'Now you'll know what it's like to be dragged from riches to rags.' On the other side of this news, this meant that with the Tohsaka Household gone, then likely Aoi and her children, Rin and Sakura, might need a new home.
Something Kariya could provide when he won. But for now, he had a job to do. "Berserker." Kariya called out to his Servant. Someone that wasn't Lancelot, but a powerful Servant all the same. "You catch a whiff yet?"
"...yes…I…have." Berserker spoke slowly, eyes focused on the destruction. Kariya noticed her hands clenching around the hilt more tighter. "Smell…Dragon…Drag..on…was…here." The woman's lips thinned and turned into a frown. "Will…kill…dragon…Kill…Kill!"
For a moment Kariya swore the woman's eyes glowed red briefly. His body felt a chill for just a bit. As Zouken said, a Berserker really was dangerous. Especially since they were mana-hogs in general.
'But in order to beat Tokiomi and the others, power is what I need.' The power to kill that child-sending bastard and all the other Masters. And while he was wondering why a dragon was supposedly here or whatever, it didn't change Kariya's goal. "Come on Berserker." Kariya began to wobble away. "Let's do one more patrol before we head home. But I promise you, you'll get your fight." Kariya then thought to Tokiomi, smirking. "Just as Tokiomi will get his just-dues."
Tokiomi gets a beautiful woman who can call upon a mystical dragon.
Kariya gets the perfect but unstable counter.
That should make things interesting.