The first time Ritsuka fell into light, he awoke in a city of hell, burning with the ire of the devil's heart.

Now, he opened his eyes to reeds swaying in the wind, and the chirping of birds out of eye sight.

He rose slowly, more predacious than sore, looking around himself. His hands gripped soft soil, lifting some of the long grasses about himself. The wind tickled his hair, making his eyes squint as it quickly dried them. And before he could twist his head too far further, the sun blinded him, like the lights to a bullet train were shined down a dark cast tunnel.

It forced him to stand, brushing off dirt from his pants and hearing the crunch of vegetation. His mind was wary as he looked about himself, but it quickly rose to awe as he truly saw beyond that.

The fields that stretched out before him, miles further and to the horizons he thought belonged solely to oceans or mountain summits. He watched waves wash over the grassy knolls, making an ocean out of land and restoring his fragile breath. The songs of the birds above him earned a scant amount of his attention, letting him watch the cast fly over him and to the forest yonder the fields. A forest that stretched about the hills, so much like a blanket over the plains.

It was more than he could put to words, but words needed, he knew what it all was.

"Beautiful," Ritsuka almost mumbled. "This is… gorgeous."

"The Fields of Orleans, in the peak of the empire as well." He twisted his head, watching particles of light coalesced, and the robed figure of King Solomon appeared. "A different kind of beauty from the lands I ruled, but a view that shows the bounty of the land. Truly something to admire."

"It is. I think… I don't know how long it would take me to run all across it." The idea of even reaching the end of the field he stared at seemed daunting. "And all of France is like this. Fields and fields, like its meant to be rolled around in."

"Not all of France is like this." He looked up again, only to see the former doctor smiling, before tapping on his wrist. Ritsuka looked down, twisting on the bracelet provided to him by Da Vinci. A blue screen flashed above him with the action, and the steel blue holographic image of the Director took its place, looking down at him. "I see that you can hear me without visuals. Good to know that's working."

"I told you it would~. And it isn't like a genius to get something so simple wrong, especially when I make such a heartfelt promise~."

"Heartfelt?"

"Ignore her," Olga ordered. "Right now, you need to focus on finding Kadoc. Him or whatever is causing the singularity to occur around this era."

"Right, of course," Ritsuka agreed with a long drag of the air. "Then… where should we start looking? Should it be obvious?" His eyes scanned the fields again, and saw nothing. No war on the outskirts of his vision, no burning fields or ruined villages. Nothing that would make him think the peace of this land was being threatened. Even in the air, he only saw an endless blue sky, littered with puffs of white that seemed heavy enough to grab, but far from reach.

"It will be obvious once you see it, but that's all I can say for certain. We don't know exactly what is occurring, only that the Order of Humanity is being threatened by this change." She worked on something out of sight on the screen. "It could be something innocuous as a leader that has been imprisoned early and needs to be released, or it could be as drastic as a kingdom being overrun by demonic beasts."

"Demonic… beasts?" Like the bone warriors in the city of hell, screaming and scratching at stone as the rest of the land burned and burned and burned and-

"How about we focus on the first step?" The King beside him dragged his attention back. "We're not going to say a war is odd in the land of the hundred year's war. Let's try and find Kadoc first, then we can think about what comes next."

"Okay, we can do that." Ritsuka straightened himself, even as Olga sighed through the holographic display. "Then… where should we look for him?" He heard laughter. "He's a prisoner so… maybe a jail?"

"You really-"

"Jail's a good guess, seeing as he's captured. Captured is good, well not for him, but for us." Ritsuka could only look dumbly up at the king. "Because if he's captured, he's stationary, meaning that we aren't looking for a transport throughout a kingdom, but a single location. And whoever has him is not going to be staying in a hovel."

"Because he was captured by a Servant, most likely, and they're too proud to want to stay in a barren location." Olga agreed. "That means it won't be a jail, however."

"Maybe something that has been altered or converted. It doesn't take a true genius to turn a mansion with a cellar into a prison with a suite~."

"Actually… probably on the right track with that." The King pointed up at the screen. "Not that it's a good thing, realizing that some home around here has been altered like that. But then again, I believe we'll take a converted house over the entire city being burned down." Ritsuka saw his chance.

"Yeah, that's much better. We can at least find and talk to them then." The king's golden eyes looked down at him, while laughter and exasperation echoed beyond the wrist-mounted device. "What?"

"Nothing just… just let Romani do the talking. Thankfully with those rings of his, he appears to have gotten his foot out of his mouth."

"Hey, I didn't speak poorly before."

"You once attempted to eat sweets in my room and claimed you were trying to clean the plate when I caught you."

"You did, now I know it's better to have someone else nearby if that happens." Ritsuka stared at him now. "Or, at least, that would be if I don't want to get caught. But that's not important now, right?"

"I'm sure there's an important lesson to be learned here~. Why don't you tell us about this new found wisdom for sweets, treats, and tricks, Romani~?" Da Vinci sang her question.

"I'd love to, really I would, love to talk all day about that kind of stuff, but… but we really need to find Kadoc, and before anything happens to him!" A strong hand clasped Ritsuka's shoulder. "Can't have any Rogue Servants proceeding with their plans, and we can't think of how to stop them if we don't even know them."

"Then let's talk as you walk~. Are you capable of doing both? I know you may be no genius, but you are a wise king~. Perhaps we don't need to talk about sweat treats, but your former sweat companions." He could see a bit of sweat on the man's tan face. "Fox have your tongue?"

"Fox?"

"Nothing to worry about," the former doctor pushed on, hand on Ritsuka's shoulder. "The first thing we need to do is find someone to talk to, then we can look for Kadoc. And for that, we have to start walking, no talking required."

"But not to be had~? Wouldn't our Master have something to ask?"

"I do have questions."

"I can answer them!" The king almost yelled. "But we'll answer them as you think of them, not now. Let's not think about people from the past and instead start trying to talk to people of the past."

"Doesn't that mean… we're going to be talking to the same people then?"

"He means the distant past. His past." Ritsuka made a noise of understanding for Olga's point. "But I agree that we have to focus on the task at hand, not about the whims of Servants from their original times." He heard the sigh of relief. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to forget what you said when you get back home Romani. Just be a wise king and remember that."

"Ohohohoh~. It appears our dear Director has a bone to pick with a king of old~. I wonder if I can use my genius to predict how that conversation will go."

"You don't need your genius to state the obvious, Da Vinci." The laughter of the proud inventor was the first answer. "And Ritsuka… l-let's focus, right?"

"Focus, right," he repeated. "Finding Kadoc, so we can find what's wrong with this land, so we can correct it, to return to God's way." He took another deep breath of the rich air, feeling the wind blowing over him. "In his name and for his greatness."

"Yes, Jesus, let's focus on him." The man began to walk through the field of tall grass. "He knew enough to return the rings to me, and to have us go forward to solve what is before us. Its makes sense that this is his plan, which then is a wonder if we are still in God's plan, or if we are in his correction. And then what must we do to adhere to what is needed for God in a time that isn't ours, either of ours. What do you think?" His smile was genuine, but it only left Ritsuka blinking.

"I… don't know about that. I just know that God saved me to help save this land, and I want to do what I can to help." He picked himself up straighter. "If that means saving this Kadoc person, then we'll do that. It shouldn't be hard, not when we have God on our side."

"You have the King of Magic on your side. That's more important." He ignored the Director's words, as best he could. "What? Jesus saved us, but he isn't here now." Not enough to not look at her, obviously.

"He is here, as he's always here. You only need to ask."

"Then ask him to show you the way. France is a large country, and I'd rather not have you two walks up and down the lengths of it looking for a hint of where to go." The mockery was evident, but the desire was genuine for them. Even as he and King Solomon began to walk forward, he folded his hands and bowed his head.

Reeds of grass combed his legs as he spoke to Jesus in his mind, the wind whispering to him as he muttered a prayer in return. The sun was bright upon on his head, as he looked towards the light of life within his soul. He reached out and spoke to Jesus, to the immaculate figure who saved him and the Director, and brought an innocent soul to heaven in his own arms. He asked for a sign, for direction in where to go.

"Ritsuka, stop." The boy looked up at the Servant, surprised and a little insulted. "Look." The man's robbed arm extended out, and he followed the limb. He ended looking at a man walking across the field ahead of them, a wagon in front of him, bearing stacks of wood chopped to logs. He whistled a tune too far away for the boy to hear, but gave clear joy to the man indulging in it. "I take it the Lord works in mysterious ways, but I suppose that doesn't always mean inconvenient."

"Th-This is just coincidence!" Ritsuka smiled at Olga's protest. "But never mind if you had prayers for this happening or not. Talk to the man! He can at least give us information about what we should expect. In this land!" The screen vanished as the woman hit a button out of view. The King chuckled at the display.

"Fiery as any woman a man could love. Be kind to her," the former doctor asked as he continued on ahead. "Hello! Sir!" The man ahead of them turned, adjusting a straw hat on his head. "Hey there! How's it going?"

The man looked around them at first, cautiously, before raising a hand to wave back. It seemed odd, but Ritsuka didn't mind. Many people did that when he approached them for the church. Always on their back foot.

"Hello." Solomon spoke when they were close enough. "How are you today? Cutting wood as opposed to sawing them?" Ritsuka didn't understand the comment. Neither did the man.

"Cutting… I chopped wood. The forest is a bit of distance, but the nights are getting colder. I haven't a saw for them." He pulled back his hat to wipe his brow. "Who are you two meant to be? You aren't dressed as if you're from town."

"Town? On no, we were actually on our way there." They were? Ritsuka didn't have time to question his Servant. "We are actually a pair of travelers. We were looking for our friend, who we got separated from, and didn't have a clue where to start looking."

"Travelers? That's odd nowadays." It was? Oh!

"You mean because of the war, right?"

"No no, if it was because that, you'd be in the best time to travel. Last fight we heard about was months ago. Haven't seen armies marching for a bit now." That was great news! "The issue is the dragons. Makes the roads real dangerous."

Ritsuka knew he misheard the man.

"Dragons…" he repeated. The man, rather than correcting himself, nodded again.

"Dragons. Nasty things lighting up the night with dark fire and charring the earth in the bright day. Turns the forest to dry kindling and scours the fields like rocks to water. Damnable things, monsters through and through." He shook his head. "Hoping for the armies to handle it, but they've had luck taking them down like rats to dogs."

"Dragons…"

"It's what I said lad, though you haven't seen them. Makes me wonder how long you've been traveling for. Every countryman from here to the coast knows to be wary of them. Can't believe you haven't seen them, seeing as they can block out the sun when they're high enough, and I've heard thunderstorms quieter than the beasts."

"Real dragons…"

"You wouldn't happen to have seen these beasts recently, have you?" The king followed. "You describe them as we think of wyverns, and I suppose this is just the difference of our cultures playing against us. We do know what you've described, and it's why we are looking for our companion."

"Then what do you call them? Rabbits?"

"Of course not! We call them wyverns."

"Dragons are… dragons are demons." Ritsuka looked at the man as he talked. "Recounted as the drakes, demons that burn the soul. They are the devil, or at least creatures bound to him as we are allied to God. And you're saying… dragons are here."

"As you can see my other companion has a different view for what's a dragon." There was a comforting tap on his shoulder. Comforting as a rod to his shoulder. "We thought the beasts wyverns because of their number, and you are saying there are plenty of them. If dragons were here, then I'm not sure we would be."

The man regarded them both for a moment, eyes shifting from one to the other, his hand drumming on his cart handle.

"You have a pious tongue talking about dragons" he eventually commented in return. "And knowing as we are alive still, I suppose I can understand the hesitancy to call them that. Wyverns for you then, but still great flying black beasts that roar with fire and rip the clouds of the sky." The man sighed. "Apologies, but at this moment everyone is on edge."

"Understandable, it's late, few have eaten, and there are dangers on the road now." The sun was still high and he had eaten only a two or three hours ago, courtesy of the very Servant's prank against him. "But you're at least caring enough to speak to us, and I thank you for that sir."

"And you speak honestly, while you speak quickly." His hand shifted from Ritsuka to Solomon. "It would be best to speak elsewhere, namely back at my home."

"I would agree if you are inviting us."

"You are invited. I'm sure my Margaret will have food you can have." Solomon clapped in response.

"That's wonderful to hear! I assume Margaret is your beloved?"

"My wife indeed. But call me Juan." His hand reached out. "And the two of you?"

"Dear! We have guests!" Juan called out as he stepped into his home. The wagon discarded by the side of the door, carrying in a set of chopped wood himself. "They're from afar, but are ready to eat!"

"I'll have food in a moment!" A woman called from another room. Ritsuka heard her, voice of cheer, but rush. "Did you bring wood from the forest?"

"Enough for a few days, so long as there isn't any chill tonight." He walked forward, with Ritsuka and Romani following. "Thank you both for helping me carry it in."

"It's no issue." The boy responded, all smiles. "I've done work like this before. I only wish I could have helped you cut more before."

"If you had met me in the woods, perhaps I would have taken you up on that offer." Juan was all smiles as Ritsuka bent his knees and discarded his own set of wood next to the man. A log shorter, but still enough to feel the relief of the burden. "You can set it down the same, young man."

"Th-Th-Thank you!" Ritsuka watched with a small grin as the Wise King struggled with half the wood he had, arms shaking like his knees as he dropped it. "A-Apologies. Just not… was wood normally this dense!?"

"I'd call it a bit heavier, seeing as we are in the middle of the summer season. Makes it thirsty for more water to beat the heat. Already bark carved though." The king sighed. "But thank you again for the help."

"We are the ones who are thankful," Ritsuka responded. "You invited us into your home and offered us food. There are few people who would do that for us, and I thank you for it." He made to bow, but a cough from Solomon stopped him. Why?

"Few would? That's trouble. I wouldn't have thought the other men of the country would turn away travelers in need of food or shelter." Oh, that was why.

"It's not here, but where we are from." The King picked himself up, cracking his back with hands to robe. "There's a lot of superstition and fear around us, and the people naturally are harder to offer kindness when a vile man may easily take what is not needed. We don't insult them, but are more appreciative to those who still continue to offer that charity."

"And I'm happy to give it." Juan was all smiles again. "Clear to see you have your brains whereas Ritsuka here has the brawn." The clap on his back was strong, but he smiled at the attention. "Come sit down and I'll pour us a drink. The food will be ready soon."

"That sounds wonderful~." Ritsuka will admit, hearing the King Solomon, who crested 72 demons and was given wisdom by God, nearly sing for a drink, was something else. "Do you have any wine? I would love a glass of it."

"A heavier drink? Well we made it home without sight of the dragons, so I that's worth a bottle." The man hummed as he approached a lower cupboard. He pulled out an oblong bottle, putting fingers to the cork at the top and spinning it. The boy was impressed, watching the man loosen it by his own strength. And here he thought tools were necessary for it. "I suppose you have wine back home?"

"No, not a lot, but we do have good food." Solomon was quick to accept the glass as it was poured. "Ah, it does have a great aroma to it. I didn't drink a lot, preferring a sweet tooth to a tongue, but I can appreciate a fine glass."

"Sounds like you have a very sweet tongue." Ritsuka laughed with him. "And you?"

"Me?" He sounded surprised by the question. "I'll have water, if that's available." He only realized after he asked there was no faucet. Old times, no power, right. And King Solomon knew that. A wise king indeed. But he also didn't tell him. A playful king indeed. "O-Or some more wine."

"Wine it is." The man poured him a glass, blessedly half as full as the former doctor's. "And I thank you both for the help and company home."

"We both thank you for the roof over your home," Solomon returned. "And thank you again for the food to come."

"Food that's here!" All three turned towards a door, pushed open by a woman walking in reverse. A conservatively dressed woman, blonde hair rich as straw, came in with a plate. She spun it around, showing the heat rising from it, and the lines of meat laid out. To Ritsuka, used to platters of dishes and servings from a line, it looked like a banquet about to be prepared. It was placed on the table as if it was one.

The admiration must have been showing on his face, as the woman smiled down at him with a baleful look of effort. Her chest puffed out, showing the stains on the apron she wore.

"It looks like I've done my job properly."

"You always do, dear." The man gave his thanks as he pushed a fork into the meat. The liquid was still spilling out as he put the slab in his mouth, cheeks reddening from the heat. "HMM! Some of your best!"

"Then don't mind if I pick in as well~." The wise king again sang as he reached forward, scrapping a half-a-chunk of meat. "Oh! Did you broil this? Falling right apart in my hands~."

"You've got a good eye, and with those robes, I bet you have a lot of fine food. Glad to hear I meet the requirements for you."

"Hee hee, meat them alright." The man's joke was left alone. Ritsuka, however, lifted his own utensils to start eating, before realizing a critical element he had neglected. His fork and knife went down, noticed by Solomon's glowing eyes. "Something wrong, Ritsuka?"

"No, just forgot to pray." His hands clasped together a moment later. "Oh father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy time. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen." His hand crossed the crucifix over his head, before looking up to see Juan and his wife watching him. "Apologies, but I don't wish to eat before blessing the food."

"And a great man you are for doing it," his wife responded. "Figures my husband brought back the only pair of travelers with manners to them."

"You know I've always had a good pair of eyes. Found me the greatest woman in all of France." They watched one another, and Ritsuka could recall young couples sharing in the Lord looking at one another the same. Their look shared warmth with him, reminding him that love truly was a time immemorial thing. "Course, helps that there've been some helpful people on the road before. Lucky is what we are for finding the pair who say their graces."

"Oh? Other travelers then? I suppose in times like these that isn't a hard thing to find."

"No, it is not. Only fortunate that those we've come across tend to be fighters or runners."

"Fighters? You say it as if they are mercenaries." Ritsuka was more concerned over the runners.

"Oh I'm sure one of them had to have been, but they never asked us for anything. Us or any of our neighbors." The woman motioned out the door, doubtlessly towards the other houses nearby. "We thought they took the meals and shelter as payment enough, though we did offer them some coin as well."

"Coin for what? With the talk of dragons, you speak as those these travelers were able to handle the beasts themselves." Ritsuka stared at King Solomon. Why was he speaking so casually about this? "They would have to be considerable warriors to ward of those beasts."

"And they were considerable, dressed oddly at that. No members of the French Army, or those English Loyalists." The scowl across Juan's face was evident. "Those damn Burgundians…"

"Dear."

"I'll damn them twice over for what they did." Juan pushed back. "You'll have to forgive me for souring the mood." The man took a long drink of his glass with his word, but it did nothing to brighten himself.

"It's alright, I understand." Ritsuka truly did. "If I were among those who killed a saint for her loyalty, I would understand being angry with them." The pair of locals raised their brows at him. "She is famous to us even, Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans."

"… Knew her name would spread, didn't think it would be faster than the wind." The man muttered in return. "I'd bet the fires from her pyre aren't even cool yet."

"Maybe not! But considering how famous she was, it only makes sense!" Solomon was loud. Why again? "Hearing her capture, we hoped to find her before the trial, but we did arrive too late. Late enough that we apparently missed the onset of beasts as well."

"That you did, though knowing what you were coming here for, I understand now." The man shook his head. "Hard to listen for dragons in the air when you're half expecting God's Wrath to reign at any moment."

"It's something the wise fear," Ritsuka agreed. "And I wish… I wish I could have seen her, before she died."

"You and every French Man who carries the pride of the fields with them. Triply so for those who bear the Fleur De Lis and adore the Cross." Juan's wife spoke. "But I am sorry to have to confirm the news of her death to you, and the monsters that have followed after her."

"Yes, those dragons, wyverns to us, but monsters all the same."

"Yes, them, but I also mean those who took over the castle."

The what?

"Dear, not that again."

"They are up there, Juan. You and I know it." The couple began to speak to one another. "They killed Pierre Cauchon and spread his ashes, before taking over the whole of the land."

"Anyone who followed the Maid of Orleans could have killed him. Monsters didn't do it."

"Excuse me, but I think we may be lacking in something." The former doctor intervened. "What do you mean Pierre Cauchon is dead?"

"Dead as in murdered," the Juan spoke back. "Someone put him to the pyre like Jeanne, and now they rule in the castle with their men."

"Monsters."

"Men that have the strength of armies. Monstrous, no doubt, but that's all we've seen of them. The dragons circle the castle and don't dare attack, but I can't tell if it's the monsters feeling fear for what lays within, or cautionary that there's already been enough fires there."

"I doubt the beasts of hell would be wary of more fire," Ritsuka added. The wife of the French pair nodded approvingly towards him.

"Told you! Those men in there rule the dragons. They have done a favor for killing Pierre, but now they intend to be new tyrants over the land."

"And if they are, then none can stop them." His wine glass hit the table. "Those dragons have routed the armies and even the mercenaries we've seen have to be creative to deal with the few, let alone the thousands that circle above us." That number….

"Thousands?" Ritsuka shook his head. "Truly… that many?"

"Maybe or maybe not, but I've cut a hundred logs before, and I can tell you it's far beyond that number," Juan added with a short shrug. "They come down from there and attack towns, razing them. The fires… it's not…" He pinched his nose.

"It's nothing comfortable to talk about, and we won't." The Wise king intervened. He stood, showing the majesty of his robes, and appearing taller without growing an inch. "It was inappropriate to spoil this good food and drink with a harsh question, and for that you have our apologies."

"No, no… I brought it up, and I didn't because you didn't know." The French man waved him down. "You don't know that we're safer out here… just because of how far we are from the capital. We get travelers from the direction of the woods and southern border, but never from the capital or English Channel. You don't know the number of scorched homes between us and the castle. You don't… because anyone who goes that way is burned for it."

Ritsuka knew what he meant. Burned. Burning and burning and burning and burning and-

"Juan." The wife touched her husband, and he calmed slowly. "Take a rest. You've worked hard and I can speak to them."

"No, I can-"

"Rest. I can talk. And you don't need to remember." Remember?

"Please recover yourself, honored Master of this house." King Solomon replied. "My companion and I have nothing more to offer you, and it would be unjust for us to ask more of you." The words convinced him, and the man gave a short nod. A soft one, before pushing his way through a set of doors and out of sight. His wife sighed as he left.

"I apologize, but it's hard what he's seen. A few short weeks ago he went to visit his brother north of here, a few hours trip, and came across only ruins." Her hands made knots out of her apron. "He didn't return to the next day, and fearfully with those dragons at his back."

"He outran them?" Ritsuka was more focused on the man spending a day in a ruined town… a burning town, and finding nothing.

He had found God. What had Juan returned with but winged demons?

"No, but the companion he spoke of saved him. He carried a long sword and cut down the beast, two, before he was able to help Juan escape. They lost them in the fields, or the dragons returned towards the castle. He is right that we are too far for them, or at least it seems that way." Her eyes were solemn and heavy. "Strangers, I don't know if you still wish to travel, but I only ask you do not go north of here. We could not bear to see a faithful pair go north and be confounded by the destruction."

"Your words are kind Madam, and we thank you for them." King Solomon bowed his head, but nothing more. It seemed… foreign. Oh, that was why. "However, as we said to your husband, we lost track of our companion."

The horror could not have risen on the woman's face any faster.

"Oh no… and y-you don't think."

"We were traveling to find the Maid, and separated as we are, it only follows that travelers continue to where they are promised to meet. If he has gone north, and has not had the luxury or fortune to meet with people such as you, then he may continue on."

"Then traveler, I am sorry to say he may be gone then." Ritsuka knew he was not only because of where he had come from and what they were promised. This woman… she couldn't have known.

"He's not," Ritsuka responded honestly. "We know he isn't."

"You… know it?"

"H-He means he's tenacious, as well as wise. He will have found someone north to stay with or at least keep quiet. Reckless isn't in his nature. Hahaha." The laughter was empty from the Wise King. "But I understand your plight for us. If it's at all possible, could we be introduced to one of those mercenaries you mentioned before? Are they still here?"

"I… I believe so. The man was odd, but he enjoyed the drink of our neighbor. He collected wine, you see." The woman looked about herself. "But… I-I just don't feel safe sending you to him if you want to go north. Won't you go back? France is not a land graced by God at this time."

Those words stirred in Ritsuka.

"What of this land is not graced by God?" Both the Wise King and the woman looked at him.

"What?"

"You said the land isn't graced by God. But I disagree. To say that it isn't in his graces would mean he has left it. But God, merciful and kind, forgave even those who took his son from this world. He knew what would happen and he knows of tragedies, but he created us with love, and would not leave us in a world that is as cruel as you are saying." He ignored the smile on the former doctor's face.

"You say that… but I don't think you've seen-"

"Not here, but I've seen horrible things before." Burning, burning, burning. "But faith in God carried me through. Right now, it may seem dark, but I know God is still watching over us, and now is the times when we are tested. Believe that we are going to help our friend, and you will show God is still gracing this land with his presence." He spread his arms. "How else does God move through us then through the charity we show one another?"

The woman stared at him, hands to her mouth and trembling. He wasn't sure if he had gone too far or if he had insulted her instead. The tick of her lip and slow breath she took, he didn't know how to read them. He didn't know what he was like.

"My companion speaks honestly, and he speaks for me," Solomon intervened. "We do have to go, and would appreciate meeting this mercenary. Will you not help us?" She looked at them both for a moment, appearing smaller by the second and not at all sure of who they were. He watched her take a breath to respond.

"Now that's a fine speech." Only to be interrupted by someone from outside. "Reminds me of the wandering masters, wise to the world and fearless of trials before them."

By the time Ritsuka turned around, the King Solomon standing beside him, hand adorned with rings raised and placed before them. The glow from them was faint, but hummed with a warmth that beckoned him to stay nearby. The golden eyes of the former doctor watched the wooden door as it swung open, revealing the man beyond. Despite some of the details about him, he was a man.

Despite having a face lithe and thin, despite having hair long enough to reach the small of his back and pulled in a tail. Despite wearing a robe tied like a gown, and despite the warmth in his gaze, the man was doubtlessly a man. Feminine traits aside. It was evident by a singular and difficult to ignore aspect.

The sword, the sword that was long as Ritsuka was sure he was tall. Carrying that with a single hand over his shoulder, angling it as if it were a twig and not a long strut of steel.

"I hope I am not intruding unnecessarily. I heard you speaking from outside, and assumed you were speaking about me." They were?

"I take it you are the mercenary we have heard about?" The Wise King asked. His eyes drifted from the man standing at the door to the god wife. Her head nodded hurriedly. "It would make sense you would intrude when you are the topic of a conversation."

"Doesn't it? It would be odd not joining something in which you are spoken of. Just as it would be odd for the sparrow to not ride a breeze that has been lifted for its travels." He smiles wide, and yet small beneath the depth of his gaze. A warm expression, and yet with features sharp as his blade. And the blade was sharp and well cared for, still glistening with the sun as he walked in with its length. "Though I have heard of your wisdom as well, and a bit of your introduction. I was expecting to learn a bit more about you, but those words gave me more than I needed."

"A man's character is in his words, and his heart bore through his actions." Solomon spoke what sounded to Ritsuka like a psalm, but not one he'd heard before. "You are a cautious man."

"I am a wanderer looking for fights to challenge me. A challenge is only fun if you have a chance for victory. So I must be cautious, or else I'd be throwing myself against an army without the chance for victory. There is no challenge in that." The man shrugged his shoulder and smiled, even shutting his eyes with a passive note.

"Then allow me to ask where you wandered from. We're familiar with the nearby lands and you are not dressed as if you are from there."

"Neither are you."

"We both came from further away. Chaldea is a distance from here." Ritsuka looked up at the man. Was that okay to say? Probably, or probably not. He didn't know, but at least the Wise King would know before him. "So how about you? Did you travel from far?"

"Very far indeed, though it would be fair to say it was the allure of battle that called me here. I can't pretend I would have arrived if there were not the fires of a war brewing." He made a noise that Ritsuka couldn't translate as a laugh or sigh. "Though I admit I thought a war of a hundred years would be more… volatile. At least there's a war at all."

Ritsuka, for his part, couldn't help but see Cu in this man. Another cheerful man who spoke of battle casually, but also with deliberate joy. Cu had defended them… but this man.

"You say you were called to war then?" Ritsuka wrapped his mind about what that meant, and what Olga had forced into him. A reminder to lift his hand, showing the back of his hand, letting the Command Seals bare themselves. The tall man with the long sword quirked his brow at the display. "Are you looking for a Master then?"

One corner of his lips rose to match.

"I suppose I may be. As a Ronin is less favored in history than one who has a Lord." The man let his arm fall, and the blade fell with it. He was a distance away from Ritsuka, but Solomon held himself before him still, one of his rings brighter than the others.

It was unneeded, as the robed man took to a knee after the display, bowing his head and staring at the ground.

"My name is Sasaki Kojiro, and I ask if I may call you Master."

"Sasaki Kojiro?" Olga asked from her display above him. "The ronin who challenged Miyamoto Musashi to combat, and lost. He's famous from the feudal period."

"Is that a good thing?"

"It's not a bad thing. I told you that the more famous a Servant is, the stronger they are."

"Then he is a Servant then." He could see the Director sigh, but he heard her hands bang something. He hoped it wasn't to catch herself.

"Yes, Sasaki Kojiro is doubtlessly a Servant. I'm not sure why he was called here seeing as there must be precious few people in France who are aware of him at this time, but it may be a force of Ae or the Counter Force deeming him necessary." God or Jesus. "Regardless for why he is here, he is looking to make you his Master. I'm sure Romani is handling the procedure now"

"Procedure, right…" Ritsuka commented as he looked back towards the room he had vacated.

Juan was up again, sitting at the table with King Solomon and Sasaki Kojiro. All three men were speaking animatedly with one another, raising hands, smashing fists against the table, laughing loudly, and swishing glasses of wine. Wine glasses that Ritsuka had lost track of the refill count. All he could see was the blush admiring the faces of Juan and Solomon, staining his tanned face.

"He's… handling them better than I can."

"I believe that, seeing as he is aware of all the legends from the Throne." Having the knowledge gifted by an angel was something Ritsuka would be jealous of, if he didn't have the literal Word of God ringing in his head. "But I take it that Kojiro already swearing loyalty to you is a good thing. If he was a Ronin against us, he wouldn't have waited."

"Not necessarily, Director~. Don't forget that our dear king was there protecting our precious Master~. It's not hard to imagine a cautious ronin would be watchful. I'm sure he recognizes the former doctor as a servant."

"That's true," Ritsuka admitted. "But even if he is odd, I do trust him."

"Of course, you do. Why?"

"He listened to us and said the words were wise. He listened to the Lord's prayer and didn't speak against it." Ritsuka shrugged. "If nothing else, he's aware and relaxed around God's words."

"And if he's an assassin class, he could be more than easily be lying to get closer to you. I would hope he is of the Saber class, but he called himself a ronin, and other heroes like that are commonly summoned as assassin classes." Ritsuka racked his mind to see if he could recall that separation between the two. He couldn't.

"Your trust is a fine thing, Ritsuka, but let Romani continue to speak to Kojiro for now. With his wisdom, he'll know how much of a threat this rogue Servant is~."

"I can do that," Ritsuka promised up towards the screen. "But what about the other threats."

"Yes, the dragons." Olga grabbed her mouth and rubbed chin with her palm. "Dragons are one of the fiercest demonic beasts, and they're being used to accost travelers in Orleans. The strongest of them has the power to raise kingdoms, but they're just flying about in groups?"

"I think Juan said they were around the castle, or capital."

"His lovely wife said that~," Da Vinci corrected him. "But she also made notice of the destruction in other towns. Perhaps not to the scale as Fuyuki, but with dragons as the beasts, I wouldn't be surprised to hear of the total destruction."

"And that's not even considering they have been likely dispatched from whoever killed Pierre. I verified the records and this is far before his supposed death."

"Meaning that whomever took his life is not a part of the normal Human Order, or at the very least is influenced by them~. There are many servants with a talent to… incite rebellion~."

"But the dragons…"

"Yes, yes, that's something that has to be addressed for sure." Olga waved him off. "You don't have to have serious concern, as Solomon was famed for enslaving the evils about him, and he has half the rings to prove it. If nothing else, he will have a magic craft to at least keep you safe. It is why he is there."

"Or why Jesus returned the rings to him," Ritsuka spoke again. He nodded. "To keep us safe from monsters and demons that would threaten us. Yes, that sounds like him."

"Very good! Then we can focus on what you must do next, or at least once dear Romani has had his fill~." They looked back into the room, to see the red robed king leaning heavily on his arm. Across from him, Kojiro smiled patiently, swishing the glass with slow motions before sipping on it. "Such a patient and wise king, isn't he~?" Ritsuka wondered for a moment of Da Vinci had enough sarcasm in her voice to translate to her paintings.

"Regardless of his inebriation, we have to trust him." Ritsuka thought they already did. He'd seen several drunks before, but rather a kind one than one who wished to destroy for enjoyment. "Though we can at least assume that if there is one rogue servant on your end, there are others, and you'll need to find them."

"Absolutely~! Kojiro is a phenomenal servant, but who knows what kind of force is working in the capital at this time. Sure as the strength of Solomon, if we want to ensure the full restoration of Human Order, that means acquiring as many of the servants summoned as possible."

"Because we also need them to find Kadoc. Because he's further north."

"And likely under the enslavement of whatever Servant is up there." He was? "Don't look at me like that! It's a common-sense conclusion given what we know! He's been forced into this portion of history to be an empowering force, and the Servant who has hands on him has to be using him as a syphon to empower themselves!"

"Because any Servant is stronger when they have a Master empowering them~." Ritsuka remembered that. He learned it with Cu. "So now we need to deduce who it is who has him, and how to save him~. Oh there are epics with less draw than this~."

"Right, we need to save him." Ritsuka shut his eye and thought on it. "Tyranny ruling over those who are free, with the fear of death carried on the devil's wings. Then like St. George, we need to slay these monsters to free them."

"A true epic indeed~." Da Vinci hummed with joy at his words.

"It's not just an epic. Jesus Christ saved me, us, and gave us a chance to correct the errors being created." He looked at the back of his hand, and the red cross stamped as if in blood A single note different from the stigmata… right there. "We can save them in his name, and ensure the love of God is in this land."

"Whatever works, as long as Human Order is restored," Olga pushed. "But that likely means you'll have to hurry now."

"Wait, what?"

"Hurry, because you'll likely be attached by those dragons." Olga said with unacceptable ease. "Even if they are far now, dragons are still beasts, and if all the towns north of you are attacked, it won't take long for them to go further out."

"Searching for food, Ritsuka~." And Da Vinci was singing about it. "You have to hurry to ensure this little town and home is preserved. If you stay there too long, then the dragons may-" Her voice cut out.

RAAAAAAAAAGH! Because outside a monster roared.

"Oh, well that's poor timing~." Ritsuka whirled his head to look for the King and Kojiro.

He only saw Juan alone at the table, stumbling to stand and calling out for his wife. The roar shook the house again, the cabinet doors shaking loose and bolts undoing themselves. A floorboard might have cracked under Ritsuka, but he couldn't tell. His feet were already pounding at the door, clearing the room and pushing it open in a few wide strides. He broke outside.

RAAAAAAAGH! RAAAAGH! And beheld no fewer than six dragons, stained like mud and poison, flying above the small town. His legs locked on the sight of them.

Wings lager than some buildings were tall, mouths long as a car's length, sharpened with each tooth like a dagger, and the sun breaking against their scales. The site of them was enough to remind him of the horrors of the world. Dragons, drakes, the beasts of Satan himself. And they were flying above him.

"Ritsuka!" Olga's voice rang like a bell from his wrist. "Stop gawking and find Solomon or Kojiro! Find them and get behind them!" Because they were Servants, and he wasn't. Right.

Just like in the room before, he held out his hand, focusing on his Servant. Focusing on the Wise King Solomon and where he was. Reaching out with his circuits to find him. Focus, find, connect, and-

"Jump you fool!" The screech from Olga stopped him, and opened his eyes.

Just in time to see a dragon swooping towards him with mouth agape and hunger in its crimson eyes. He raised his arms, jumping back, stumbling.

SHINK! Only to see the dragon crash into the stone road before him, rolling over its own body like a crashed car. Its head rolled to a stop in front of Ritsuka, the size of his entire body, and staring up at him with a tongue lolled out.

Its body followed a second later, blood already pooling beneath it. Ritsuka pushed himself up, looking at it in shock.

"Apologies Master," Ritsuka turned to see Kojiro stepping around the head, swishing the blood from his long blade. "But for all of my skill, it is rather difficult to cut down a foe that clings to the skies."

"But… you did kill it."

"I did, and there's no difficulty to them. Not once they have a target. They are great and terrible beasts, of that there is no doubt." He raised his blade above his head, swinging it down with a speed that Ritsuka missed, as if assuring himself he blinked in the course of the swing.

A wing from the dragon fell off, hitting the ground like a restaurant's discarded meals.

"But to me, it's just a larger swallow." He turned away from Ritsuka, raising his blade again. "But prepare yourself, Master. There are few more of the beasts to fell. My eyes are already on them." He followed the man's gaze.

Another beast, sideways and showing off its profile in the air, roared the sky. Clouds billowed against the roar, and made the ground shake again. Cries came from the homes around them, and Ritsuka realized the horror that these people must have. That, and the desperation of those who were watching Sasaki. The man had killed one of the beasts, and now Juan and all the others were watching him from beyond wooden doors.

The Director's words and commands rippled in his head.

"Th-Then I support you!" He raised his hand and focused his Mana through it. "Slay any beasts that near the ground!"

No command seals burned from his hand, but his breath was knocked down a peg. It came in time with a lavender glow wisping around the famed ronin, watching him with a grin harp as the long blade he carried.

"It will be done, Master." He took position. "Stay safe for now." Ritsuka blinked.

When he opened his eyes, the flap of the man's robe was seen atop another building, wind following him. Or he was following the wind. He couldn't tell.

He could only see the man watch and follow the wyvern's path as it fell towards the ground again, wings beating as if carrying sulfur and ash with each beat of its wings. Though Ritsuka knew they could not be dragons, not drakes of Satan's thralls, he could understand the fear and confusion. Nothing else in the Lord's creation could be seen as demonic as them, not without the forces of hell to compare.

The one barreling down at them again, or at Sasaki atop the tower, roared in reminder.

But the ronin only smiled.

"A wanderer in myth, and I return to slay legends." His words were loud in Ritsuka's mind. "Perhaps my legend my grow beyond my death once more." The wind picked up, making him shield his eyes. Not enough to hide what he saw.

Not enough to keep him from seeing Sasaki leap to the wing of the wyvern as it lifted up, jumping from its tip to its back. The beast whirled like a cat, the air ripping with its wings and tearing into the tower next to it. Ritsuka knew the stone would not hold, and had no surprise as the side of the building caved in. But he still watched as the Servant ran around the beast as it tumbled in the air, dragging his sword with him.

When he was on the stomach of the monster, he jumped again, up and back towards Ritsuka. His blade led him, and he cleaved a path for himself. Straight through the head of the scaled monster, bisecting it from jaw to cranium.

The ronin landed gracefully before Ritsuka, blade bloodied and smile present. The monster crashed atop his brethren, blood spraying out as if from smashing a red pumpkin. Ritsuka managed to catch his breath as Ritsuka stood.

"It's marvelous, the strength one possesses when there is a Lord to his back and purpose in his eyes." Sasaki's words were calm as the grass in an unblemished field. "I thank you already for your assistance Master, though I will accept praise for when this duty is done."

"R-Right!" He forced himself to say. "How many more… monsters?"

"Four more, though I have eyes on but one." Ritsuka followed him, seeing the monster trudging through the streets. "I will be a moment." The beasts opened its jaw to roar.

"STAY BACK!" And through it, Ritsuka could make out the terrified wail of Juan.

"Faster then." Sasaki was gone before he could give an order. The beast's maw was coming down for the couple, and the Master lifted his hand to give command for their safety!

"The Time of Birth has Come."

The air was knocked out of him before he could. Hard enough to send him to his knees. That was likely a blessing, or the requirement for it.

Because light overtook his vision, and burned the air above him. Without sound or boom, it shredded through the monster stalking the couple who had welcomed him, letting nothing rebound and turning its dark scales an alabaster white. For a moment it was all Ritsuka could see.

Then it was gone, and the beasts with it. The pain did not so quickly subside.

The breath lurched in him, feeling like fire was being lit in his lungs, coal and all. He thought he saw the blackness of smoke leave his breath for a moment, only to see it was the darkness of some rank blood. He swallowed, tasting copper, and desperately trying to keep the bile that mixed with it down. Knees shook on the stone and he tried to rise, but felt all of his limbs begin to fail.

"Hold your breath, calm your mind." A strong hand caught him with gentle words. Ritsuka recognized neither of them.

Shaking eyes looked up, seeing the silhouette of a man in armor. A helm he thought he could recognize, and a chest plate that wrapped around his shoulders, failing to fall beyond his waist. His arm was strong, and it held Ritsuka well. His eyes were glassy, almost gray… but they were warm, like tempered steel.

"You there, Servant. Watch over him." The man called behind him, and Ritsuka could see Sasaki appear. "I believe your compatriot's power is beyond him, and the toll is being taken now."

"When my compatriot strikes with light and I barley manage to bend the air, I may believe it." Sasaki did not lower his blade. "But I do not believe that gives you permission to lay hands on my Master."

"No, it doesn't, but it does leave you the most qualified to watch him." The man returned, slowly moving Ritsuka towards Sasaki. "And I do not wish to see the other servant strike again and take this Master's breath away."

The roar from the remaining beasts sounded so far away, the dull thrum in the air between eh two men keeping Ritsuka awake. His vision blurred for a moment, refocusing as he felt thinner arms, but still far stronger than his own, take him.

"Are you a traveler yourself?"

"No, only a man called to serve." Ritsuka was moved to his back, resting against Sasaki's chest as the man angled his blade. He watched the armored individual walk forward, down the ruined street. "And to serve is to be honored."

"Of that we agree." The man's helm bobbed with his head, and then he was walking forward, carrying his weapon. It blurred in Ritsuka's vision. He could feel the ground shake with the roar of monsters more than he could see the outline of the man's blade… shield? Bow? He couldn't tell. It was a blob.

"Keep your eyes open, Master," Kojiro spoke to him. "You must rest in a bed, not upon my chest. I will not give you the comfort like a well-padded cot." That sounded nice, lying down in a bed. He wasn't sure he'd make it with his own strength. "Though I am not a mage and have witnessed few of them, I may see what you are suffering now as being the same as a samurai whose blade is stronger than his arms."

"W-What?"

"You fell when that attack burned the beast to cinders." Ritsuka wasn't sure if the light burned the wyvern or just removed it from existence. "I know you cast no spell, but I know as well the Servant with you is far stronger than I. It appears that he is stronger than you as well." So that was what he meant.

"He is… and I…" He coughed again. His lungs stoked the cinders for the effort. It burned.

"Ritsuka!" The shout carried through his mind, and then his ears. He looked to the side to see the Wise King Solomon running towards him, hand dissipating bands of light and robe jumping with his lunges.

And he looked panicked, the bad kind of panicked.

"Ritsuka! I'm so sorry!" King Solomon replied next to him, almost sliding to a stop. His hands were over him, checking as per his previous occupation. "I saw the wyverns attempting to attack Juan and his wife, so I used one of my rings. I'm so foolish that I forgot to warn you of the power it would take."

"I-I thought… Chaldea…"

"Chaldea is the source that allows me to be here, but you are the conduit. It relieves some burden, but it's still a bottleneck, and the pressure of the mana I was using was far too much for you to handle." His nerves burned in recognition. "You handled Cu just fine back in Fuyuki, but with respect to the man, he has nothing on the gifts of God."

"Yes… I-I agree." His lungs felt as if they were crisps in his chest.

"Don't talk. Oh may the Lord damn me," the king sighed. His hands glowed as they washed over him. "I see you, as this is a time for rest. You will be okay, but not fit for travel, not until tomorrow at least."

"So soon?" He could recall one time he helped a father in a church light fire on Yule Logs. He had breathed in too much of the smoke and it him lying in bed for a day, taken care of by a sister. "That's… good…"

"It's only because I'll be here to help your recovery." His hand followed down his chest. "A wise king I sure am. Using a Noble Phantasm like that. Here I was thinking about the people and the ruin of their land for their lives would still ruin their lives, and I didn't think about you in the middle of it."

Ritsuka didn't have the strength to pretend he knew what Solomon was referring to. He defended the people who protected him, and that was good. If he was saying he should have used less, but would have destroyed more, he didn't understand. He was hurt, but no one was dead, and that was a fair price for him.

"This is why we need more Servants on our side, so we don't have to rely upon me ruining your body with each attack." His words were more self-detrimental than Ritsuka expected. "So little of my power but each motion of magic for me is still no different than raising the army of Israel against a few brigands."

"Many Lords I know would consider that a fine show of power." Sasaki's voice, however, was far calmer behind him. "Though I am joyed to see our Master has a strong servant at his side, so I may not be wary when he is to my back."

"You're going to be there a lot, seeing as you are the only one who can fight the wyverns without ruining his body like this." His rings glowed beneath Ritsuka's vision, and his breathing evened out. The taste of copper was slowly dissipating. "Dammit, and here I thought that practice I did would help."

What practice was he referring to?

"This isn't the greatest of circumstance, but it does feel as though our Master has earned the respect of another fighter." Ritsuka watched Solomon's golden eyes rise, staring over his head to Kojiro. He must have been pointing, because the king's head turned. He blinked at the sight.

"That's good to see." The words gave energy to Ritsuka, forcing himself to turn to see.

The first thing he saw was another wyvern, as dark as the others and bearing down upon the village. It was perched on the side of a building, maw down as if ready to breath the flames of hell down. He could hear the shouts of a few other villagers, doubtlessly running from the sight. He focused on that for only a moment. Because the more impressive sight was what was beneath it.

The same armored man who had caught him, standing beneath the beast, and with a lance raised above his head. Raised, and pierced through the dragon's skull. Through and through, with the bloody tip jutting out of the top of the beast. Its eyes already rolling back as the man pulled the lance down.

The wyvern fell so much like trash that Ritsuka could only compare it to that, being thrown into a back alley. The warrior's back was already turned as he walked away, eyes forward and on them.

"That's five then."

"Six," the approaching man corrected Kojiro. "I chased the beasts here and slew one while you handled the swifter of the others. You have my thanks for protecting the people." He nodded, and Kojiro made another noise. "How is the young man?"

The former doctor didn't answer, not immediately. His eyes were up on the man, and Ritsuka breathed slowly, trying to control his body so he could listen. He was in the arms of a ronin, being healed by a King chosen by God, and talking to a man armed with a lance still bloody with monster's blood. He was both in the most precarious and safest space he could ask for. Second at least.

"He is recovering, though it is difficult to do more at this time. I would risk more of my core to help him, but without my other rings, it would be difficult to use the Wisdom of God without burning through him." Ritsuka was sure there was truth to that, but he wasn't aware where or how much.

"You don't care to risk yourself?"

"I don't care to risk him. He is our Master, and I'd rather risk my back than his neck. A wise man does not seek to hurry another's healing for comfort."

"Wise enough to place your Master above yourself." The mysterious man replied. Ritsuka looked up at him, as did King Solomon. From behind, the Chaldea Master could see Sasaki holding his blade over his shoulder, both hands on the hilt. "Though you must be curious now about who I am."

"And why would we be?"

"Who would not be curious about a dragon slayer?"

Ritsuka wanted to correct him. He didn't kill dragons, he killed wyverns. Monster slayer, but dragon slayer was more reserved for those such as St. George, or other famed killers of Satan's influence. He didn't know the man… though he didn't feel fearful of him.

"A fair point," Solomon relented. "Will you tell us who you are?"

"Only if you tell me who you serve." The man's lance came down, and Ritsuka could hear Kojiro ready something. "For I have seen others who are strong as you walking these lands and laughing upon the pain of others."

"Did you not see us save them?"

"I saw you save this man first, and I cannot be sure if it was a chance, you saved others at the same moment." The situation was tense. "I'll believe your words, but I only need to know who you serve."

Very tense. Tense enough that he remembered Olga's lessons again. How he was not meant to be a fighter, and not much of a leader. He was meant to be the Master, the guide, the one who was going to correct the wrongs of the world while they saved the souls lost in the Order of Humanity. To do that, he had to be confident, and in control.

And honest.

"We serve God Almighty, creator of heaven and Earth."

King Solomon almost hit Ritsuka with his hair his eyes head turned so quickly, and he could hear Kojiro's sword make a sound as he adjusted it. He let them work, though he kept his eyes on the warrior standing near them. His helm was heavy and made of copper, but it didn't hide his eyes. It didn't conceal the admiration in them, or the smile beneath it.

That, or the glassy look behind them, reflective as if at one moment before they could not see.

"Then I am one who wishes to join at your side, as a fellow to you." He reached up and pulled his helm off, a single hand grasping the solid strut of metal. It gave a better view of his face.

Calloused like a man who wandered the streets of Tokyo, but with eyes hard as those who scorned the church in passing. His smile bellied his strength, much like the arms that were shown off in the light. His lance was tall next to him, still carrying the blood of the dragon, but wearing red lines through it. It was only then Ritsuka truly paid attention to him. Maybe it was Solomon's magic helping him, or maybe it was a mere act of focus.

But the man's armor was that of Roman Legionnaires, and his lance was too thin to be called for battle. He knew it, because he had read about it once before. The sight of it gave him energy from excitement, and it made his lungs burn.

"I-I know you." It was as far as he got before he coughed.

"Ritsuka! Master, please temper yourself." The former doctor spoke to him. He pushed himself up regardless, feeling Kojiro support him. "You may know of him, but there is no need to force yourself."

"Th-There is," Ritsuka responded adamantly. "He's… He's the soldier… who gave proof of Christ."

What warrior's eyes widened, blinking at the man. It quickly fell, eyes down and smile somber.

"You truly do know me. You know of my sin."

"I know… it was necessary. Jesus could not be loved today… without you."

"He could not be without my sin. A sin I must carry, a heavier burden than any could imagine but him."

The man fell to one knee before Ritsuka, letting Solomon move his hand up just in case. There was no need. Ritsuka knew the man was as likely to kill him, harm him, or even speak poorly of him, as he was to speak poorly of the Lord.

And he was incapable of doing that.

"My name for the Roman Empire has been left behind, for it is no longer who I am or who I am called. You may call me as the world remembers me, for my sin and action."

His lance raised from the ground, and shone in the sky.

"I am Longinus, the Killer of Jesus Christ."

Author's Note: Some people called that this guy would show up.

Congrats, you called it. Let's hope I didn't miss anything about him in the Fate Lore. Got that his weapon is more famous than he is, but I don't see a lot of mention OF him. But I do know him from Catholicism!