AN: Enjoy the chapter.
Ch 16 Servants of the Northern Territory
A few months before Ritsuka's arrival
After the Bow Hero left, things looked great for the Northern Territory's people. With the Resistance starting to rebuild the damaged buildings and replanting crops, the Future was looking bright for them.
However, many things happened slowly. The reconstruction efforts ceased, and nobody from the Resistance sent food or Medical Supplies,
But the worst of all, emissaries from Melromarc came. The emissaries from Melromarc was a Noble with his personal Army. They presented to the People documents from the King that said,
"Now that the Governor is removed, I shall take over as the new Governor." The Noble announces to the Citizens of the Northern Territory.
There was a lot of outrage over this proclamation, some willing to fight. However, they were overrun by the sheer amount of Knights gathered.
The Knights killed those who tried to fight back, those who even looked at them weird got injured. Soon after the ordeal, the Noble glared down at them while his Knights mocked them.
"Heh, this is what you get for taking up arms against the People who wasted their time helping you, Peasant." The Noble said, kicking one Northerner in the stomach. "People like you should serve Nobles like us." He laughs,
He turns to the People, grinning at them. "Oh and be sure to have the money to pay for the Aid Melromarc sent or else." The Noble left the Village along with the Knights he came with, not even leaving anyone to protect them in these times.
Later that Day, the remaining Villagers gathered in the Village Center. They all gathered the remaining money they had and showed it to the Village Chief, "This is all we have," A Villager informed the Chief,
"It's not even enough to pay the amount that Noble asked for." The Village Chief said, worried for the Future of the Village. "It's not even enough to pay repairs to the Village." He sighs,
"Not enough? This is everything we got." A Female Villager said, shocked by what the Chief said.
"I-I can't believe this, now that we gathered all the money in the Village, it's still not enough." A Male Villager said, feeling despair.
"How much does this Noble expects us to pay?" A Female Villager stated, "When he comes back to collect the payment and sees we cannot pay…"
"Is this our Fate? Is destruction all that waits for us in the end?" Another Villager said, losing faith in them in the Future.
Many of the Villagers were conversing with each other, all discussing the money they now owe the Noble. They all felt hopeless in their predicament, being trampled on by the false hope of a better Future, wishing that they all could do something to end this.
All of a sudden a flash of light appeared, startling the Villagers. Once the light subsided, where they placed the money for the Noble, a Man stood there proudly. The Man has iron-colored hair, ice-blue eyes, and facial hair on his chin. He wore nothing but a black fur coat, leather black jeans, a harness with daggers, and fur boots with dull color armor.
On his back was a case with two handles, he looked up at the Villagers and smirked. "W-Who are you?" The Village Chief asked the Stranger.
The Man places his thumbs on his chest, "The name's Berserker, Berserker of Einherjar! I'm the Servant that couldn't ignore your plea for help!" The Servant introduced himself to the Northern Villagers. "In short, I'm here to help."
"Plea for help?" A Villager asked, looking at his fellow Villagers.
"What is he saying?" Another villager asked, not sure what this Man was saying,
"He just appeared out of nowhere." A Male Villager asked, taking note of how the strange Man appeared before them.
Berserker of Einherjar looks around the area he materialized in. Judging by the shamble state the Village was in, he assumes that they just came out of a War. "So, what happened here? This Village looks like it's been through a lot." The Counter Force Servant said.
The Villagers look at each other before their eyes gaze over to the Chief. The Village Chief approaches the Servant, "E-Excuse me, Berserker of Einherjar…but what do you mean by, we call upon you?" He asked,
"Just as I said, I'm here to help you." The iron-haired Berserker stated, crossing his arms. The Servant heard the Villagers speak to each other once more, gaining an idea of what was going on here. "Now, since you came up to me, I'm betting you're the Village Chief am I right?" He asked,
"That's correct," The Village Chief answered the Servant before them. "But are you really going to help us? As you can see, we can't pay you-"
Berserker of Einherjar smirks, deciding to help these People. "Look, Chief base on what I see, you guys are in deep shit. Very deep shit if you have this amount of Gold for someone." He looks at the Chief, wanting to know the details of their situation.
The Chief of the Village and the Villagers told their new guest about their Situation. About the Resistance a few months back, the new Taxes from the Resistance they aided, Melromarc supplying troops and a Hero to them, and the Noble that demanded them to pay for their aid.
After gaining the information, Berserker decided to help these People. But first, he has to do something about the Noble.
Soon the day has come for the Noble to collect the payment. A small platoon of Knights came to the Village, the Noble had a snarky smirk on his face before noticing that an Adventurer standing at the entrance. "Ha, do these Peasants think hiring an Adventurer would better their situation." The Noble chuckles at this futile attempt to intimidate them.
"What should we do, Sir? Should we eliminate him?" A Knight Captain asked the Noble next to him.
"No, let's see who this Adventurer is." The Noble commanded his Knight Captain. "We can pay this guy to join up with us and punish these Peasants." He said, singling the Captain to move the troops with him.
Berserker of Einherjar stood at the entrance walking over to the Village. "L-Lord Berserker, are you sure about this?" The Village Chief asked, standing with the remaining fighters in the Village. "These Knights came from Melromarc, a powerful Country with powerful Adventurers."
The iron-haired Berserker laughs, finding that notion funny. "You're hilarious, Chief!" He patted the Village Chief on the back, Berserker of Einherjar then looked at the incoming platoon. "Now, stay with your People Chief. This might get messy."
"R-Right," The Village Chief quickly returned inside the Village, leaving Berserker to deal with the Noble and his entourage.
Berserker of Einherjar looks at the Noble, getting down from his Horse. "So, you're the big bad Noble that's terrorizing these People." The iron-haired Servant stated, looking down at the Noble.
The Noble chuckles, looking at the tall Man. "So how did these Peasants get an Adventurer such as you?" He asked, taking a good look at the Servant. "Based on your equipment, they must've paid you handsomely to protect them from us."
"Nope, I'm doing this for free," Berserker said, catching the Noble off guard by what he said.
"W-Wha-no, wait you are protecting these Presents for free!?" The Noble choked on his saliva, not expecting Berserker's answer. He shook his head, knowing exactly to turn an Adventurer who was against him over to his side
The Noble gave a wicked grin, looking up at the Berserker. "Listen, I do not know how much these Peasants are paying you, but I know for a fact that it's not enough." He reasons with the iron-haired Servant. He saw him raising his brow with interest. "However, it seems it's your lucky day."
"As you can see, I'm a Noble. I have enough money to pay a group of Mercenaries." The Noble reasons with the Servant. "As such, I can pay you double from what those Peasants are paying."
The Noble opened his hand towards the Counter Force Servant. "What do you say? How do you like to join a group that can pay well for-"
"Nah," Berserker declined the offer, smirking at the flabbergasted Noble. "I first came here thanks to these People, so I'm sticking with them thank you."
Berserker of Einherjar, "Now, I'm going to say this once. Leave this Village alone or else." The Counter Force Servant warns the Noble and his Platoon.
The Noble gritted his teeth, "You'll regret this choice." He turns to his Platoon, waving his hand at them. "Kill him," He ordered the Knights.
The Knights cried out, raising their Swords and Spears while the archers ready their Bows.
"Heh," Berserker of Einherjar grins, reaching the case on his back. Both his hands grasp the handles sticking out from the case.
He pulled them out, revealing two large black Axes with silver outlining. "Finally, I've been itching for a fight," Berserker said, placing one Axe over his shoulders while the other was hanging above the ground. "Well, come at me with everything you got!"
The Platoon of Knights charged at the Counter Force Servant, not prepared for the power of a Heroic Spirit.
A few minutes passed by; the Villagers and their Chief went out of the Village. "L-Lord Berserker?" The Chief called for their mysterious guest,
Upon looking at the barren land, there were mountains of unconscious or very injured. "Wh-did Lord Berserker did this?" A Villager was in awe of the injured around.
"These Knights, rumor says that the Knights of Melromarc are very strong and powerful." Another Villager asked, seeing and hearing the Knights groaning at the pain inflicted on them.
A Female Villager looks around, searching for Berserker of Einherjar. "W-Where is Lord Berserker?" She asked, looking for him. "I don't see him anywhere."
The Villagers search among the scattered Knights for their Protector. Suddenly, a Child saw two figures pass the injured Knights, "Look, there he is!" The young Child pointed to the edge of the Knights.
Everyone looks at the end of the injured Knights, seeing the iron-haired Berserker standing before the trembling Noble.
"H-How? How were you able to defeat a platoon of Melromarc's elite Knights?" The Noble asked the Berserker from the Counter Force.
Berserker grins, placing one of his Axes on his shoulders. "Cause I'm a Servant, I can go up against any army." The Servant exclaims, looking at the fallen Knights and the Villagers he's protecting. "I must say, your Knights are slightly stronger than any Human I encountered before my Summoning."
"W- What are you going to do?" The Noble asked the Berserker, quivering in his boots. "A-Are you going to kill-"
The iron-haired Berserker chuckles, glaring down at him. "I'm not going to kill you," He stated, "I'm going to let you live; you're going to go back with your platoon to your Kingdom,"
"W-Wha-"
The Berserker leans back, "Tell them, that the North is under my protection!" He said, turning to the Villagers. "Hey, you lot. I ask you, are you satisfied with your situation now?" The Servant asked the first People he met in this World.
"Are you okay with these People who squander all over you? Even after giving everything for your Resistance against the Governor, they still treat you like trash." Berserker said, turning to the villagers.
Many of the Villagers looked at each other before answering the Berserker. "We don't like it like you do, Lord Berserker but what can we do?" A Villager asked the Servant.
"Yeah, most of our Fighters are tired from the previous Resistance," A fighter from the previous Resistance said to the Berserker. "I was there. Almost everyone that fought in that Resistance dies,"
The Noble smirks, seeing the morale of the Villagers was down. "See, these Peasants won't join you, they don't have what it takes to fight anymore-"
Berserker of Einherjar gazes down before bursting into laughter. "Gahahaha! That's because they don't have the proper leadership and hold onto false promises." The iron-haired Servant stated, turning to the Villagers of the Northern Territory.
"Hear me, Villagers of the Northern Territory!" Berserker announces to the People, "If you want a Future where you can live your life to the fullest, then I promise you I will work my ass off for you!" He addresses the Villagers, hearing him speak.
"Forget what the Nobles of this Country say or what you owe them! We'll build a new Resistance, a Resistance where we fight for ourselves and our Future!" He raised his fist, his Charisma bolstering the morale of the Northern People. "Join me, and your wish, your desires will come true!"
Many of the Villagers looked at each other before one of them stood up. He looks at Berserker, being the first to say, "I'll join you, Berserker!" The young Man announced,
Soon another joined in, announcing their allegiance, then another, and then another. Soon enough the entire Village joined in, siding with the Counter Force Servant.
"N-No, y-you can't just declare a Resistance like this!" The Noble stated, seeing the Peasants they were taking advantage of before had risen up against them. "This isn't fair! Melromarc just aided and ended the Resistance! You People can't just rebel against the Country that just helped you all!" He exclaims, face distorted from the many Villagers that rose against the Country.
Berserker of Einherjar looks back at the Noble, seeing a brand new Resistance forming. "You can't stop them, they have decided to rise up against your Kingdom, your Country that stepped over the Villagers here no longer has power here." The Counter Force Servant stated, turning to the Villagers.
"Hear me, I Berserker of Einherjar shall lead you all to a Future you all strive for!" The iron-haired Servant stated, turning back to the Noble. "Go, tell your foolish King that as of right now, we shall be known as the Great Heathen Army! An Army that fights for freedom against the oppressors!" He announces, raising his Axe in the air, calling the Villagers to arms,
They all cried out, stating their decision and showing their resolve.
The Noble's eyes widen at how the Northern People are rising against Melromarc, forgetting the Knights he came with. The Noble quickly turns around and runs back to the rest of the Knights they came with and informs Aultcray of the situation.
"After that first encounter, more and more reports about the Great Heathen Army's numbers are growing," Rishia informed Heroic Knight Tristan about what the report said about the Resistance. "Since then more and more Northern Villagers have joined the Resistance, forming a formidable army that could almost rival Melromarc's Army."
Heroic Knight Aid Gareth scoffs, hearing the green-haired Adventurer read the report. "Do you think these Peasants can rival Melromarc's Army and the Three Heroes Roundtable?" Mald asked Risha, raising his eyebrow at the annoyance of the Party,
Rishia quickly shook her head, denying what Mald thought. "No, no, I don't think these Rebels rival the Three Heroes Roundtable, Heroic Kight Aid Gareth!" She quickly corrected herself, "I'm just reading what the report said."
"Don't believe what you read, nobody can rival the Three Heroes Roundtable," Mald stated, believing in the might of Melromarc and Three Heroes. He was about to continue when Itsuki spoke,
"Risha, exactly where this Resistance is located?" Heroic Knight Tristan asked the green-haired Girl. He doesn't really care if the Resistance could rival Melromarc's Armies or the Heroic Knights, "The faster we know where the Resistance the faster we can get the Weapon that can kill Fairy Knight Tristan…" He growls, eyes darken upon saying the Fairy Princess.
Risha flinched, seeing Itsuki's dark expression. "U-Um, t-the report says they are near a coastal area." She informed the Heroic Knight of the Roundtable.
Itsuki closes his eyes, hearing the waves of the Ocean to the East. He opens his eyes, looking at the Northeast direction of the Northern Territory. "The Ocean is in the Northeast, the Resistance must be there," He said,
Mald nodded, turning to the rest of the Heroic Knight Tristan Party and the Platoon of regular and Dragon Knights. "Prepare yourself, we're heading to the Northeast of the Territory!" Heroic Knight Aid Gareth announces as the Knights and the Party begin to move.
As everyone begins to move, they fail to notice that there is a Scout from the Great Heathen Army spying on them. She hastily climbed down from the boulders and reached for a Bird in a Cage. "Gotta inform Berserker what I saw." The Scout said, writing a little message for the Leader of the Great Heathen Army.
She released the Bird, sending the Bird back to the Base to warn them.
In another part of the Northern Territory, a small Army emerges from an entrance to the Underground Railroad. The entrance was the same entrance the Underground Rebellion used to escape when Ren destroyed their Stronghold.
Ritsuka stood in the Forest, seeing the road that leads to the ruins of the Stronghold. "So, how far is the Northern Territory, Ruler?" The Magus asked the Counter Force Servant, knowing she was familiar with this part of the land.
Harriet turns around after finishing her talk with her Soldiers. She heard what her master was asking. "The Northern Territory is just over the Mountains; the landscape there is a bit harsher than here in Melromarc." The Ruler explains to the master of Chaldea.
"Must be the effect of the Resistance, Sir Naofumi spoke off," Arthur commented, walking up to his master with a Soldier beside him. "In any case, the Scouts returned from their mission, master. They found Heroic Knight Tristan and his Aid; Heroic Knight Gareth are heading to the Northeast of the Territory."
The Soldier nodded, confirming what the King of Knights said. "Based on the direction they are heading, it's most likely it's the Resistance we've heard about." He explains to them what their Scouts reported.
"Then we must hurry and get to the Northern Territory," Harriet said, turning to her Soldiers, singling them to move out right away. She then turns to her master, "You better find another way to meet with the Resistance in the North, Ritsuka. At the pace we're going at, Heroic Knight Tristan will be there." She said before going off to inform the rest.
"Master," Ritsuka turns to Arthur, hearing him speak. "What should we do? By the time we reach them, they would already be at the Resistance's front doors." The King of Knights stated,
Ritsuka nodded, agreeing with Arthur's statement. "Then we have no choice," He looks at Naofumi and his Party, heading straight for them. "Iwatani, I need a favor from you." He asked the Shielder.
Naofumi paused, looking at his Ally. "What is it, Fujimaru?" He asked the master of Chaldea.
"I know it's sudden, but I need you, Raphtalia, Filo, Melty, and Arturia to head before us," Ritsuka stated, wanting him to go ahead of them. "Itsuki is already far ahead of us and…"
"The Resistance may not know that they are coming." Naofumi nodded, understanding the play here.
Raphtalia spoke up, "We'll be happy to help, right Naofumi-sama?" The Pseudo-Servant asked her master.
Naofumi sighs, ultimately agreeing with the idea. "Alright, we'll be going ahead. I don't want to risk having Itsuki kill a potential Alliance between us and this Resistance." He stated, turning to Filo, Melty, and Castoria.
The three saw the Shielder look at them, and they instantly understood what they were doing now. Raphtalia looks at Ritsuka, curious about what he's going to do, "What about you, Ritsuka-dono? Are you going to face Heroic Knight Tristan on your own?" She asked,
"That's the plan, Ruler and the rest of us are going to try and slow down Heroic Knight Tristan's group," Ritsuka explains their plan to the new Pseudo-Servant. "Hopefully, both Saber and Da Vinci can shed some light on these Dragon Knights,"
Naofumi turns back to Ritsuka, seeing that's a plausible plan. "Then we're off, I'll try to negotiate things with the Resistance in the Alliance we're speaking about." The Shielder said, about to go ahead of them. "Good luck in delaying Itsuki, Fujimaru." He said, walking off with his Party,
Castoria looks at her master, smiling at him. "Good luck master, we'll make sure to come back when we succeed with the negotiations." She said, following Naofumi from behind.
Melty and Filo wish them luck before ultimately following Naofumi as well.
When the group got past the Mountain range, broke off into separate teams, one heading to face Heroic Knight Tristan while Naofumi headed towards to warn the Resistance.
Naofumi's group hastily traveled across the Northern Territory with a Second Carriage the Underground Rebellion gave them. They brought three Carriages with them. Two were for the Rebellion, and one of them was for Food and Medical Supplies, however, Naofumi confiscated it, leaving the items in their Carriage.
Filo ran faster than ever, heading straight near the coastal area. "Keep going Filo, we have to get to the Resistance before Itsuki's group," Naofumi said, holding the reigns to Filo.
"Don't worry, master! Filo will go extra faster this time!" The Filoial smiles, picking up speed as they speak.
Melty jumps in her seat, feeling Filo has hit a bump in the road. "Filo, be careful. I know that we're in a hurry, but you still have some passengers on board," The Second Princess stated, wanting the Filoial to be careful.
Castoria agrees, hitting her arm on the bench. "Yes, please do. I just hit my wrist on the wooden bench." The Caster commented, rubbing her wrist. "Redra Bbit's Carriage rides were smoother even when going high speed."
"Redra Bbit? Who's that?" Raphtalia asked the Lostbelt Servant next to her.
"Oh, he's a Fairy from my World that-" Castoria quickly heads to the front,
Naofumi looks at Castoria, surprised to see her at the front. "Artur-What are you doing!? Get back inside you-"
"Onii-san, we entered Demonic Beast Territory!" The Caster spoke, using a light Spell to scare away the hidden Demonic Beasts,
The Demonic Beast appeared, camouflaged with their environment to attack them. They all scurry away once Castoria casts the Spell.
Filo immediately stopped, seeing the Demonic Beast around them. "Woah, there's so many of them," She stated, seeing the Demonic Beasts.
"Everyone, get ready to fight!" Naofumi exclaims, informing both Melty and Raphtalia who are still inside the Carriage.
The two leap out, joining Naofumi in Battle. "Are you ready, everyone?" Naofumi asked, raising his Shield,
Melty nodded, sitting on Filo. "Let's finish them and get back on our way." The Second Princess said,
"Yeah, Filo will kill these Monsters!" Filo exclaims, scratching her talons on the dirt.
Raphtalia closes her eyes, drawing her Blade she received from the Mountains. "I may be new to this Servant thing, but I understand that I can use this Sword to cut these Monsters down." She stated, having yet to test her strength.
"Alright, let's go and take out each-" Suddenly, arrows of fire rain down upon the Demonic Beasts, each arrow burst upon hitting their hides.
Everyone was taken aback by the event, each of the Demonic Beasts was in flames. "What just happened?" Naofumi asked, unsure what was going on.
"I'm not sure, but it seems a bunch of archers with flame-tipped arrows has come and killed the Monsters," Raphtalia said, seeing many fall from the flames. "But these flames are powerful, not like the ones Sabers, Heroic Knight Gawain, or any Fire Spells I've seen."
Melty looks around before seeing a singular Person with a Bow standing on a boulder. "There's the archer!" She pointed to the boulder that everyone gazes over to.
"Heh seems like you needed help and by the looks of it, you guys were heading off somewhere important." The young man said, approaching them in foreign clothes.
Naofumi looked at the Person who assisted them, he wore something foreign like Eastern clothing and armor. A white robe with golden detailing, red wrappings around his waist, and golden metal shoes.
His hair was a steel grey and was tied in a high ponytail being held by a golden ornament. His eyes were golden and his face speaks of Asian descent, "Thanks for that over there, though we could've handled it on our own." Naofumi stated,
"Naofumi-sama, don't be rude," Raphtalia said, scolding her fellow Pseudo-Servant. "I'm sorry, Naofumi-sama speaks his mind out, even though it's rude." She apologizes on his behalf.
The young man shook his head, "Oh, I don't doubt you all can handle these Demonic Beasts on your own." He stated, looking at the People he saved. "And by the looks of it, it seems you guys are Servants. I could tell by your Magical Energy,"
"Wait, Servant? Does that mean-"
"You're a Servant, aren't you?" Castoria stated, sensing the Spirit Origins from where she stood. "And the way you fight, you're an Archer Class Servant."
"Oh, oh, you're that Servant leading the Resistance here!" Filo stated, knowing that Rebellions and Resistances were forming because of Servants. "Rits-chan thought so as much! He's way smart when it comes to Servants!"
The Servant blinks, surprised to hear a familiar name. "Rits-chan? That does sound familiar," He said, hearing something similar before. He shook his head, answering the other question this strange talking Bird Creature said. "No, I'm afraid you are mistaken. I'm not the Servant that's leading a Resistance here, I recently manifested here." He explains to the group,
"So for me to make a Resistance is highly unlikely," The Archer explains to them.
"Then you must be a Free Servant then, Fujimaru told me that you guys pop out of nowhere when the World calls for you." Naofumi crosses his arms, seeing that was the only reason.
"Fujimaru? As is Ritsuka Fujimaru? He's here in this World?" The Archer asked, knowing the name very well.
Melty looks at Archer, seeing he's familiar with the Magus from the Stars. "Yes, he is. Do you know him?" The Second Princess asked the Rogue Servant.
Archer nodded, "Believe it or not, I do. It was during a time when a whole bunch of Servants was Summoned in a Singularity, Traum." He explains, still having memories of the place, "I may not know him personally like the others, but I do see him from time to time during training sessions with Lord Vlad. But I digress, if you really are Allies of Lord Fujimaru then I'll accompany you,"
Naofumi finds this a bit sketchy, finding a Servant who knows about Ritsuka. It's one in a million chances when it comes to People,
"Alright, happy to have you aboard," Naofumi looks at Castoria, who welcomed the Servant into their group. Castoria smiles, indicating that it's for the best before looking back at the grey-haired Archer, "So what do you go by, Archer?" She asked,
"Well, I go by Archer of the Red Cliffs," The Counter Force Servant introduced himself,
AN: How do you like it? A change of plans, I originally planned for at least five Counter Force Servants, but I've seen Samurai Remnant and decided to add one more. Archer is really easy to guess if you play the game. Please leave a comment or review.