Author Note
Hello there and welcome to another chapter of Avalon Bond.
Here we are...upon the beginning of the first singularity, Orleans. The chapter took some time to be written, mainly because I am basing it on the singularity summaries and dialogues from youtube. Unfortunately, the game is still not available in my country and probably never will be, so I have to search for the history from other sources. That being said, I don't plan on following the story 100%. Also, there are some servants that I won't focus on.
One last comment is that I have decided to add Solomon Singularity as well.
Now, on to the chapter.
Just a warning…there is a quick lemon scene in the beginning, so for those who does not wish to read, you can simply skip it.
(Chapter now beta-revised).
Avalon Bond
Part II – Fate Grand Order
Chapter 16 – Orleans Part I
Beta: Axel Emiya
After leaving Da Vinci, everyone was free to pretty much do whatever they wanted, since they would jump towards the first singularity at the break of dawn.
Olga did free everyone to do whatever they wished, however it was only after Shirou presented himself to the so-called training room in Chaldea so that Romani and Da Vinci could catalogue his skills.
Ritsuka and Mash were also present as both of them looked up to the new resident servants.
The redhead did not have a problem with showing his skills as a magus in projection, reinforcement, runecraft and healing mage craft. He had also displayed some of the skills provided to him from Muramasa, hence his forge skills and even the demonic blades that were the swordsman's legacy. Shirou did not use his deadliest noble phantasm as per Muramasa's warning when they merged. Despite being a servant, activating Tsumugari Muramasa would only result in his death. Aside from that, Shirou showed them the repertoire of weapons he could trace, surprising Olga that he could even project other servant's noble phantasms, only requiring him to look at the weapon being used.
Both Ritsuka and Mash had star in their eyes at the display.
Shirou was already preparing himself for when Olga asked him about his realty marble.
But surprisingly so, the woman in the wheelchair simply thanked him and released everyone with the condition that they had to report first thing tomorrow for the first singularity. Romani then pushed her away from the room, leaving only a surprised Arturia and Shirou with Da Vinci. Ritsuka and Mash left together with Romani and Olga towards the cafeteria.
"You didn't tell her?" Da Vinci smiled at the question, already knowing what the redhead meant.
"In my office, you showed hesitation when I mentioned it. So, I concluded that this is something you do not wish to be made public."
Da Vinci showed a cute smile at him and Arturia and even winked at them.
The King of Knights, for her part, was still at a loss about the servant in front of them. Da Vinci was a male and only manifested as a female.
However, the behavior was also of a woman, which unnerved her to see it happening so naturally.
"Oh…yes, I appreciate it, Da Vinci. Where we come from, being able to manifest a reality marble would warranting a sealing designation from the Magus Association. I could only imagine that it would be the same in this timeline."
"It is…though your secret is safe with me. Chaldea is mostly linked to the United Nations, but is also subject somewhat to the Magus Association. I still maintain my curiosity about seeing it, though."
The magus nodded at that.
"For that to happen, I would be counting on your genius to keep the cameras in this place from seeing". To that, Da Vinci had shown a gleam in in her eyes.
"Consider that a challenge, Emiya Shirou…now, off you go. There are some rooms you two can use if you wish. I will be returning to my office."
Shirou and Arturia then opted to take possession of one of the rooms available in Chaldea for some alone time. It did not take long for them to find a suitable room, before clothes and armor were quickly thrown on the ground. Neither much bothered to realize that their bed was actually not big enough for the two of them.
===Lemon Start===
"...ah...ah...Shirou!"
The redhead was lying down on their bed while Arturia was on top of him with both her hands on his chest and doing her own movements in her own sweet pace according to her own desires.
The white sheet was only covering their legs and if one would look from above, the sheet was barely covering her behind.
Shirou's hands were busy simply massaging her back and her butt as their waists moved in perfect coordination. In this position, Arturia always enjoyed setting her own pace, going slowly so as to feel Shirou inside her. Her movements were at times random and she moaned while feeling his member filling her insides completely. Of course, Shirou was not simply lying there, doing nothing. He would slightly move his waist, not enough to assume the main role, but to better aid in his fiancé's pleasure. As soon as she hid his entire member inside of her, Shirou would give in the extra effort and make it reach her inner walls.
The result...
Arturia simply lost her mind and her toes curled in excitement, moaning his name. Her hands were simply marveling at the feeling of Shirou's well defined chest while at the same time keeping up with her desired pace.
Her hands then squeezed his chest, picking up the pace slightly.
"Ah...ah...god, that's so good, Shirou!"
Arturia was surprised when Shirou then inclined his body and hugged her while landing a fierce kiss on her lips. This time, he was the one making the movement while his hands massaged her neck and the back of her hair.
Arturia then stopped the kissing in a dire need of air. Her breath haggard as she looked at her consort with lust, slightly put off that he decided to change positions.
"...ah...you promised it Shirou!" Though, by the tone of her voice and her relaxed position, it was obvious that she did not mind his forwardness at all.
"Sorry, I couldn't hold myself…" Arturia simply hummed with a smile as their eyes met.
Shirou quite enjoyed seeing her forwardness in deciding how she wanted to do it. Usually, Arturia Pendragon, King of Knights, was a composed woman. In a poker game, she would be the ultimate bluffer. However, when it came to sex with her soon to be husband, she just could not maintain a composed visage. She obviously blamed Rin for showing her some interesting material about what men in this era enjoyed doing. However, that was just the first push…Arturia then purchased some erotica novels to read and in no time pictured her Shirou doing all sort of things to her. Hence why Shirou enjoyed leaving the planning to her. Her mind would easily betray her facial expression when it came to sex with him and he would simply bask in watching her thinking about it with him.
Tonight, however, as he saw how entranced she was in enjoying herself, he observed her lewd expression and forgot all forms of cohesion.
As he leaned in close to her, all he wanted was to kiss her forever and hold her close to him.
Arturia then pulled his hair backwards for his actions and sucked his neck. She heard his moans at that and felt her insides getting moist. While she wanted to punish him for his actions, seeing how passionate he was for her, made her tremble. Their heated pace soon increased. If someone were to pass through the halls, they would hear both servants' passionate induced voices quite clearly, followed by the noise of bed and the noise of their bodies rubbing together. The redhead then placed her on the bed and this time took the initiative getting on top, while using his tongue to assault her breasts. Arturia did not waste time and quickly brought his body close to her, holding him in a lock with both her arms and legs.
They kept this up for some time, basking in the contact.
When Shirou stopped kissing her and went for the neck, she had lost it. That added by the continued thrust, made her mind go blank. Her head went backwards and her mouth open, just completely content in allowing her man to possess her body. The sound of his moans in her ears only served to spice things up, while Arturia felt her walls tightening on his member. Arturia's hands would simply feel his back muscles, while Shirou's sword filled her up even more, this time with a faster pace. Sure, they had taken a shower before this, but both their bodies were draped in sweat, grinding in each other.
"Arturia…I…can't hold any longer!"
"Ah yes Shirou, me neither! Give it to me, please."
This time, for sure, anyone who passed by would blush furiously, as the couple reached their respective climax.
===Lemon end===
No sooner had they finished, they went to take another shower to clean the sweat and other substances as well.
After a good and long shower, during which Shirou wanted to make out some more, the couple simply lay in their bed together with Arturia's head on Shirou's chest. It has been almost a week since they were sent here by Zelretch and their mission was already clear in their minds. After fixing Fuyuki, seven other singularities appeared. Branches of time in history that for some reason did not occur as it should. So far, neither Shirou nor Arturia knew much about what or who they would face in these so-called singularities. Heroic spirits were a given at this point, but just who and how many were the mystery. The couple then exchanged some late-night chatting, before both closed their eyes, feeling the comfort of their shared embrace.
===Next day===
The next day, Arturia and Shirou as well as Ritsuka and Mash reported to the newly assembled control room.
All systems were fully operational as all the technicians were in their respective desks, finishing the data necessary for the team composed of one master and three servants to rayshift towards their first singularity. The Chaldea system was still bathed in red, however. It would only resume its natural blue color, once the singularities were dealt with. Still, compared to the destruction due to Lev's actions, their lab structure was as good as new. It was a testament to the technicians' drive towards saving human history. Ritsuka and Mash were now the A-team and were risking their lives. It was the least the staff could do in order to better aid them with the necessary data.
Olga, Romani and Da Vinci were together as Romani addressed the team.
Romani was the one holding a tablet and activated the sigil on the floor, before many screens of data emerged and were slowly circling around them.
Shirou was somewhat accustomed to technology and was not that affected, but Arturia could not help but marvel at the display.
Despite being in modern times for quite a while, this was the first time the king of knights witnessed technology like this.
Olga, being the one in charge, began with the introductions.
"Ok Mash and Fujimaru…today we begin with the first singularity. Today we mark the first mission of the Grand Order. Are you two ready?" Olga's tone was professional and therefore both teens stood at military attention. Shirou noticed with a smile that Olga was treating them better than the last day as both Ritsuka and Mash acquiesced to the director's questioning.
"Excellent. Romani, please begin with the briefing of the singularity!"
Dr. Romani nodded with a smile as he operated the tablet and turned to the team.
They had already understood the general aspects of the assignment. Their mission in each singularity was two-fold. First, investigate the occurrences of the singularity and then correct it. The second part pertained to the Holy Grail system, which could grant wishes and thus change the past, causing the disturbances in history. As such, it was not enough to simply correct the singularity. They needed to also either collect the Grail or destroy it. Arturia could not help but see the humor in their situation. Her quest for the grail started when she was still king of Camelot. It resumed once she was summoned as Emiya Kiritsugu's servant and Arturia let go of her wish when she destroyed for the second time, choosing afterward to be Rin's familiar and then Shirou's consort.
Now, once again, she is a part of a quest for the Holy Grail, or rather seven of them, one in each of the singularities.
"Right…well, the first singularity is located in Orleans, France, in the year of 1431 AD. To those unfamiliar with history, the date is shortly after French warrior and holy maiden Jeanne D'Arc was burned at the stake by England."
Arturia flinched at that while Romani continued. Shirou could hear his soon to be wife's thoughts clear as day and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"During the Hundred Year War between England and France, Jeanne D'Arc was captured by England, jailed and then sentenced to die based on accusations of heresy, witchcraft and divine law violation. It's possible that the singularity focuses on her legend, but we cannot be sure until you investigate. As stated before, as soon as you rayshift, you are to locate a leyline for Mash to establish its link to Chaldea as well as summon Shirou and Arturia to the singularity. This is imperative and must be done before everything else. Understood?"
Ritsuka and Mash both nodded and the team went to the Ray shift area. Olga, Romani and Da Vinci remained in the control room.
Shirou and Arturia simply stood as Ritsuka and Mash each got inside their respective coffin to be rayshifted, before the liquid inside filled their bodies.
The servants needed to wait until the pair found a suitable leyline for them to be summoned.
Rayshift preparations complete
Destiny – Orleans, France, AD 1431
Initiate Unsummon protocol
Spiritron Conversion Start
Ristuka Fujimaru…Mash Kyrielight…all stages of rayshift free to begin…
Rayshift beginning in 3...2…1
===Orleans, France, 1431 AD===
Gilles Di Reis was a broken man in all sense of the word.
Beforehand, he had everything anyone could ever dream of. A French nobleman ranked as a baron and a proud member of the military. He had a vast fortune, buying up many works of art and it seemed to many that it would never deplete. His fame and wealth aside, Gilles Di Rais had an experience he never thought possible. And it all happened once he met her. Jeanne D`Arc soon became the light of his life. His sole salvation and proof that God truly existed. Together, they helped France reclaim Orleans from England. She became his everything…and not even counting anything romantic.
However, that light in his life soon extinguished when she was judged as a heretic and burned alive because of it.
Ever since then, Gilles De Rais had lost it. Jeanne was the light of his life.
Without her…without her, Gilles had soon found that without her in his life, he had found a corruption inside of him.
He had sold everything he had in his life and became a practitioner of black magic and even started a life of crime. He later realized he was like this since the beginning. It was her presence in his life that managed to quell such impulses in him. It was her light…her divinity that made him a better person. And he missed her dearly for this. His life of crime and practice of black magic had led on a quest to ultimately acquire an artifact that would finally bring her back to him. Without her, his life had simply no meaning. Inside one of France's high castles, Gilles orchestrated his big plan.
Not only to bring her back, but also to assert vengeance on everyone responsible for what happened to her.
Where once he wore a shiny silver knight armor, he now wore a black garment with a black and red collar. His arms filled with strains of black.
With the Holy Grail in hands, Gilles opened up his book containing black magic and started the enchantment to bring her back. Not only for him, but for France as well.
Placing the artifact in the middle of a summoning sigil, as he said his enchantment, Gilles thought about the light that was Jeanne D'Arc in his life. However, where once her presence alone would keep his dark impulses from resurfacing, this time his memories and experiences failed him. Memories of his atrocities committed after the brutal crime committed to his beloved Jeanne. Then, thoughts of anger and betrayal began to cloud his judgement. Also, he began to feel elation at the memories of the people he tortured and killed, all throughout the enchantment. When he finished, the sigil beneath the Holy Grail erupted to life, in a blackish hue.
Gilles's smile threatened to rip his face off at the sight of the person that emerged from the summoning sigil.
He could see the blonde hair braided in a long ponytail. He could see the crown on her head and her armor. However, when she took a step forward, Gilles could see that this was not his Jeanne. Her armor and clothes was a dark blue, but this person's clothes were jet black. Her skin complexion was quite pale and her facial expression…Gilles could not see loving eyes looking back at him. He could not feel warmth looking back at him. But then again, the woman in front of him was Jeanne D'Arc.
"Jeanne…" The girl in question looked at her partner in war and smirked, seeing the blackness that exuded from his visage.
"Oh Gilles…it is you who summoned me here… it's time I begin my vengeance for what it was done to Jeanne D'Arc!" Jeanne Alter screamed, showing enough anger that fire began to radiate from her body. Gilles saw it and became in awe with the light caused by the fire. He was wrong…this was indeed his Jeanne. The one who would finally give him what he craved the most ever since her passing…meaning...a purpose...atonement. She was his everything and in his deluded visage, she was back with him once more.
"Yes, Jeanne…together we shall bring ruin for those who wronged you! And here I bring in a reward."
Jeanne Alter looked back at her partner to see him use black magic and show her someone else.
Upon seeing who this person was, Jeanne Alter laughed cruelly at the look of total shock displayed by the one responsible for the judgement of Jeanne D'Arc.
"W…what is going on? Where am I…and who are you people?"
"Oh, Pierre! Bishop Pierre Cauchon. How I have missed you. A day has not gone by when your face has not crossed the mind of Jeanne D'Arc." Bishop Pierre Cauchon was an old priest wearing clothes of the clergy, red and white. He was the one who exercised God's judgment on the holy maiden. The old member of the clergy looked at the woman in front of him and recognized her instantly. He was in denial about her existence before him as God had deemed her guilty of her crimes.
Jeanne Alter, for her part, simply stood there looking at the man responsible for the death of Jeanne D'Arc.
So many thoughts passed through her mind…ways to exert her vengeance. Memories of her torture in the hands of the church…how she was tortured…abused…hurt…all for the sake of God! Gilles saw her apparent indecision and quickly attacked the Bishop, punching him and kicking him. The old man released sounds of pain, while Jeanne simply looked at him suffering on the ground.
"What is the matter Jeanne…do you require suggestions on what to do with him?"
Jeanne Alter merely smirked at that, before unleashing such criminal intent that surprised Gilles.
"Oh, you have noticed my distress in your concern, Gilles. Don't be absurd! If you continue this foolishness, I'll kill you Gilles. Now, I have the perfect method to exert my vengeance!"
Bishop by this time began to tremble, fearing for his death.
"No…spare me, please! I'll do anything, please spare me!"
He began to scream and cry, pleading for mercy and Jeanne felt both anger and elation at seeing the man in such a state.
"Ha ha ha! Listen to this, Gilles! Listen to such despair, I love it. He wishes us to spare him. This bishop who tied me up, mocked me and burned me alive! You wished for mercy from me, a witch. You should know better! Now, you burned me alive…henceforth, there is no better punishment to you than me doing the same to you, right!" Bishop took a step back and even begged for his life once more as torrents of fire emerged from her feet. The fire then travelled towards the bishop in a straight beam. The man screamed in pain as the fire consumed him whole.
"Yes, priest…feel what Jeanne D'Arc felt that day! Feel the heavenly fire exert His judgement on you for your actions!"
Jeanne Alter and Caster looked on as the priest's body fell on the floor in pain, until his body was turned to dust.
Jeanne Alter's devious smirk was no longer there as she looked around where Gilles summoned her.
"That was divine punishment, indeed Jeanne. What do you wish done to the rest of the clergy?" She hummed and turned to once knight of France.
"Huh, they will meet the same fate as the poor Bishop, but it's not I who shall kill them."
Gilles nodded in acceptance as Jeanne turned back to the sigil that Gilles had used to summon her.
She felt the power of the Holy Grail inside of her and realized that she needed to have an army for herself.
Heed my words
My will creates your body and your sword creates my destiny.
If you heed the grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me.
I hereby swear that I shall defeat evil in the world. But let thine eyes be clouded with the fog of turmoil and chaos.
Thou art trapped in a cage of madness and I the summoner who holds thy chains.,
Seventh Heaven in the great words of power!
Come forth from the circle of binding, Guardian of Scales
As soon as Jeanne Alter finished the enchantment, Gilles himself felt the power-up from the Grail, as he received the dark and corrupted energy from the Grail.
Aside from him, five other servants emerged from the summoning sigil.
Berserker Saber…Le Chevalier d'Eon – the Knight of the White Lily. Said to be a woman who was a man or a man who was a woman. Despite being a man, D`Eon could seriously pass as a beautiful young girl wearing a blue hat and a light green coat courtesy of French aristocracy. His sword strapped on his waist, hidden inside a blue scabbard. D`Eon had the looks that stood out in a ballroom, but with the Berserker mad enhancement, his facial expression showed nothing but anger and contempt.
Berserker Archer…Atalanta – A Greek legend and a huntress. Born as the daughter of King Iasus of Arcadia, but was abandoned due to the man preferring a son. She survived however by the blessing of the goddess Artemis. Her berserker class servant wore jet black clothing and white long hair with pointy animal ears. Her long-elongated canines and a long tail.
Berserker Lancer…Vlad III – More commonly known as Impaling Prince when he defended his home country from the Turks invasion. Managing to stop multiple invasions to his country, Vlad ascended to the throne of heroes. Vlad dressed in a royal fashion, appearing as black as a shadow in the night, contrasted with his pale face and long white hair. The berserker attributes did only to show elongated canines and black hue around both his eyes. The look on his face also betrayed nothing but desire to harm.
Berserker Assassin…Carmila – Better known in history as Elizabeth Báthory, she could not be considered a heroic spirit. The number of atrocities she committed while alive, the number of female killings and even the rumors of her vampirism made her legend as the Blood Countess. Long curly white hair, her dress was complex and consisted of black provocative undergarments barely covering her body. She wore a red dress of sorts that only covered her from the waist down. She carried a staff with her to battle.
Berserker Rider…Saint Martha – A saint of the 1st century who managed to suppress the evil dragon Tarasque. A holy maiden who made a terrible and grotesque monster fall madly in love. A perfect person endowed with beauty and overflowing with charm. Blue eyes and long purple hair, reaching below her waist. She wore a short, blue cloak draped over her shoulders and connected to a red collar. Her main piece of clothing is an unnatural one-piece, white dress with red trimmings, with wide sleeves, revealing its interior gray colors and rose-vine pattern. From the looks of her, however, it seemed that the mad enhancement did little to change her overall demeanor, even if she was being controlled by the summoner.
Berserker Caster…Gilles de Rais.
"Now, my dear servants, I'm Jeanne D'Arc, your master! My order shall be the following. Not only will you kill the clergy that defied me, in whatever method you wish, you shall wipe this country, this mistake that is France! We shall return this land to a bare wasteland. Age, gender, religion means nothing…everyone shall be killed equally! For that I have given you all attributes of a berserker. You may be a hero or a saint, but with me, you will provide nothing but destruction and killing!"
The servants looked at their master laughing like a hienna, neither of them showing any discomfort at the orders given.
===With Ritsuka===
As soon as Ritsuka and Mash opened their eyes, they were met with a plain field and clear skies. Contrary to their first experience, where everywhere they saw fire and destruction, this time they saw nothing but beauty and peace. Mash could not resist marveling at the sight as she looked towards the blue sky. However, her wonderings soon turned to the gigantic white ring in the sky. The noise on Ritsuka's bracelet told them that Romani had established connection with them.
"Well, we established the connection so far, Mash, Fujimaru…but it's not perfect, so you will need to find a suitable leyline."
To this, they stopped looking up to the sky as they listened to the Dr.
"There is a suitable leyline a couple hundred meters to your right…go there and start the summoning circle, Mash…"
They received the location of the leyline and quickly went there. As soon as they arrived, they saw what appeared to be a two-story house and no one was around. The pair quickly got inside and took a quick look. The architecture inside looked quite simple as per the era requirements. The kitchen was ancient and there was a single table in the living room with a couple of chairs. Upstairs, two rooms were found and one place that vaguely resembled a bathroom facility. Mash then placed her shield relic on the ground and focused her own mana on it, to activate the relic. Taking advantage of the leyline in the region, the shield released a sigil from Chaldea until beams of blue light erupted from the shield.
When it was finished, Mash and Ritsuka saw the insides of the control room in Chaldea, especially Romani, Da Vinci and Olga.
"Connection established, Mash, Fujimaru, great job. Sending servants Shirou Emiya and Arturia Pendragon to your location right now!"
The technicians in Chaldea had quickly activated the FATE system and bonded Shirou and Arturia to the beacon that Mash's shield represented. Shirou and Arturia were immediately teleported to where Mash and Fujimura were, earning a smile from the two teens as they saw the two servants there with them. Shirou and Arturia then looked around. Arturia actually found the inner construction to be similar to her own house in Britannia. She could see old cabinets filled with clay pots and plants. Images of Sir Ector seating at the table while she and Kay would be tending to the stables, brought a sense of peace and longing to the King of Knights. They were in 15th century France, but it was not that different from her time period.
Shirou, for his part, took a look at the kitchen. If this place was to become their hideout, then he could provide everyone food.
They were some pans and the 'oven' required wood to light it up. Well, he could work something out, not doubt. Shirou had enough experience in camping, plus in his time with Arturia, there were times when they did not have the luxury of a hotel room or even a city for that manner. Only thing they needed now was to hunt some wild animals and gather some spices that could be found outside. Being in 15th century meant that this land must be filled with natural ingredients for him to use.
"Fujimaru, you have established a contract with not only Mash, but them as well. You can supply them with your command seals. Now, that that's done with, it's time for you to scout for information in this singularity. Bests of luck to you all." Ritsuka acknowledged to the intercom and then turned to his team. Mash and Arturia were busy looking around, while Shirou was inspecting the kitchen. That brought a smile to the Chaldea master. He remembered how the staff in Chaldea praised the servant`s cooking yesterday. He then walked towards the kitchen and gathered Shirou's attention. Shirou, for his part, looked at the teen next to him, and could very well see that there was something on his mind. Though, Shirou returned to inspecting the clay pans that he would use to make the meals to everyone, should the need arise.
"Ah…Shirou, can I ask you something?" The redhead servant placed the clay pan on the wood stove and turned to their master.
"Sure, what's up?"
Ritsuka sighed as he now felt the weight of the responsibilities that rested upon his shoulder.
Being the last master, it was up to him to pass through the seven singularities and fix them.
"I was wondering if you could tell me about your experience as a master in your grail war?"
Shirou looked at Ritsuka from the corner of his eyes, pondering about what Ritsuka wanted to know.
Arturia and Mash were nowhere to be seen, so both must be outside to scout.
"Of course, but what do you wish to know exactly, Ritsuka…" The teen did not think he really had a specific topic in mind.
He was just fishing for something that could give him the confidence enough to venture into this still alien world that he now found himself in.
"Well, aside from being a pseudo-servant with Muramasa and thus proficient in fighting, you are also a competent magus unlike myself. I just wish to understand about this mess that I find myself in, wondering if I can really do this." Ah, the look of self-doubt. It was bound to occur eventually. Ritsuka may have accepted the mission, but he was a teenager.
Shirou could not help but smile at the kid next to him…that alone brought fond memories of the past…of his past that is.
While these singularities represented a different aspect of a grail war, it was not that much different.
After all, they still needed to fight against servants in order to acquire the Holy Grail.
"Actually Ritsuka, if you were to see me when I became a master, calling me a competent magus would be completely wrong."
The teen looked surprised at that. Shirou was so strong and skilled that he could not believe that.
"At the time, my knowledge about well everything barely reached the basics. I only became more proficient as a magus after my grail war."
"Really?"
Somehow, hearing about this made his shoulders relax as Mash and Arturia appeared behind them.
"Yeah, you can ask Arturia behind you. I was quite hopeless as her master back then…" Ritsuka and Mash looked at the king of knights whose expression was a mix between scolding Shirou for thinking like this and reminiscing about their time together back then. "When the war came…or rather when I was involved, I had to quickly adapt to many of the events. It was not easy, though, I can tell you. There were many occasions in which I could be killed and I certainly would be if it wasn't for Arturia being there. My skills throughout the war were evolving slowly, but still I only managed to survive because of Arturia's help and from a dear friend of ours. Together, the three of us managed to finish the war in one piece."
Fujimaru and Mash were listening intently to the tale as Shirou explained it.
"Now, Ritsuka that you may be feeling overwhelmed right now. Indeed, the responsibilities are on your shoulders as the last remaining master. However, you are not alone. You have both me and Arturia to support you…you have the entire staff of Chaldea behind you as well and most importantly, you have Mash." The lilac girl, in question, blushed at the immediate attention, but she smiled at her master. "You can trust that she will have your back throughout the singularities." Ritsuka looked from Shirou to Mash and nodded at her shield user.
Arturia could see the pep-talk from her fiancée working. They would be facing powerful opposition soon and the master cannot cower in the middle of a fight.
"Also, Ritsuka, Mash needs you to be by her side, providing support. Your command seals will allow her to finally realize her potential as a servant."
Ritsuka nodded at the King of Knights and then turned to Mash.
"Senpai, you can count on me…" The teen nodded and everyone could see that he was more at ease after their talk.
"Thank you everyone…I am counting on you then. Please assist me in this mission!" Ritsuka bowed in respect to the three servants, earning nods from them.
Also, who knows, maybe throughout their adventures, they encounter other heroic spirits willing to help them as well.
With everything settled, the team composed of a master and three servants left the house towards the city of Orleans to scout.
Author Note
Ok, that is about it for now. Not much to comment as the action will happen next chapter. As I said before, I will exclude some servants from the singularity. The reason being that Ritsuka's party of servants has enough fire power and skill to deal with most threats.
Well, this shall be the last update of 2020, so for everyone, a happy new year!
Next update: Fate Shadow Spear
