Ops we're now living legends

by Jokiba

all Harry wanted was to explore the new expansion pack, while all Illya wanted was to have fun with her brother and friends. now they’re all irreversible changed in a whole different world with whole different laws of reality and magic

Ops we're now living legends

dakuness

Summary:

one can only take so much before you have enough. deciding to leave after the fourth year clusterfuck Harry change his name and dived into the world of gaming. but he isn't the only one who taken to gaming that got a magical heritage.

but not all games are mere games, especially not when after years of playing, suddenly several hundreds of thousand players worldwide end up in Theladasia or the real World they previously only saw part of in Elder Tale.

all Harry wanted was to explore the new expansion pack, while all Illya wanted was to have fun with her brother and friends.

now they're all irreversible changed in a whole different world with whole different laws of reality and magic

Chapter 1: apocalypse part 1

Notes:

disclaimer, don't own any serie used for this fic.

side note, is dyslectic so grammar to spelling errors can and will probabyl happen.

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Harry had changed, for the good and out of need. after the grand mess at the end of his 4rth year harry took the chance of being declared adult by said tournament and outright left.

choosing to take refuge with the Japanese enclave who'd been honestly horrified by his treatment at the English enclave when Harry explained what have happened to him. so he accepted the offer to become Japanese citizen and magically changed his name from Harry Potter to Kei Shirogane. even if he hadn't gotten the offer no sane enclave would turn away a Peverell.

they're notorious for traveling about often switching land every other generation, so it was almost a given that he would move. not that Kei found out about that until after when he started his magical and non-magical schooling up again.

still Kei felt free for the first time, and with how japans enclave being more hidden in plain sight due to the culture he didn't need to hide the same way. he wasn't used as a child soldier or scape goat either, nor was he abused and neglected by relatives who shouldn't be relatives at all.

thought it didn't take long after he settled that Kei got into games and mmorpg. one who interested him more then others.

the game's post apocalyptic setting was interesting especially as it wasn't a scifi game but a fantasy one. to the various species, and vast array of subclasses to choose from several classes to pick from as well to the almost stylized stats to skills for the gameplay.

an adventure game in fantasy world, and he fell in love with it.

there was no surprise that Kei had been one of the first for the official release, and done extensive research finding out that there were regional variants of two classes for each sever with each server mirroring a continent or land mass.

it was built to grow, the Half gaia project, to make a map a virtual world half the size of earth. so it wans't so much as a game but also a science project on it's own.

yet, Kei found that the allure of magic never really left him even as he eventually settled on picking enchanter, choosing name and started playing.

two years later he met Luna in game, which was interesting to say the least she had dragged Neville along with her, but apparently the old school's ice queen also started playing. not that Kei knew how or why the pureblood princess started playing a non-magical game of all things.

Luna and Neville he could get, Luna's whimsical enough on a good day so it was almost a given that she'd start playing probabably to reconnect and spend time with Kei, rather then letters and rare visit during winter or summer.

but that was almost a decade ago.

Kei rested his head on the table next to the keyboard before stretching slightly as he noticed he had gotten a message.

Ooshima!: Shiro-saaan are you on today?

Oshima!: guess you're not there?

tapping a response

Shiro: I'm here I plan to log in later

yawning before selecting his character eyes flicking to the clock, there was not long before the new update where going active. he's researched the out given data extensively, from the looks of things it's going to be a major update even a new species is being added, new dungeons and raid locations new monsters and gear.

Adventurers with the wings of spirit, take up that burden!

Drinking some water, as he waited, then wind stuck the window before the curtain flew up as the timer for the update hit 00:00.

Kei didn't get to react at the sudden flare of energy both overpowered him and knocked him out.

The wind dissipated the bottle falling down his body nowhere in sight seeming dissolved into particles who dissipated.

This world inhabited by dragons and giants, sub-humans and beasts,

Theladasia,

Where the pure wind smells fragrant this world both old and new

Like a blank white page etch your existence into this world.

The screen flashed black.

as particles dissipated a curtain cloak wrapped itself around a book before both just vanished as the last particles dissolved.

/

in Minami, Shirou heard leaves rustle as he slowly opened his eyes confused because shouldn't he be inside, awaiting for the update to finish so they can continue playing?

but when he opened his eyes what he saw wasn't what he expected at all. the sun bright daylight and sky a vibrant blue, when it had been closer to midnight just moments earlier.

instead of being in a room, in the Emiya manor he was outside on a tower?

"what?" he asked not expecting any answer, as he got closer to the edge and stared with mute disbelief at the sight before him.

a ruined city long sense destroyed into ruins. building who'd been pristine at one point looked as if some where on verge of collapsing. crystal formations scattered all over the place with moss flourishing and a few giant tree's

'this is?' he thought stunned noticing fitted leather covering his arms and blinked before Shirou looked down at his own body and felt his mind go blank.

that was not his normal shirt, or jeans, and it definitely isn' his sacred shroud at all.

no this was leather and chainmail like metals woven into it, giving a very regal look to. one that was eerily familiar to something he's only seen on screen before. but there's no way this isn't the Hunter of Crescent Plains armor. a phantasmal ranked leather armor he'd gained with some difficulty.

but with the cloths and these surroundings...

"ZELRETCH!!" he screamed prompting some birds to fly away.

Taking a deep breath, was Zelretch playing some prank on him? No... from the chaos below he was not the only one caught in it.

The sensation of something flicking against hair made Shirou take a sharp breath... raising a hand to his head, fingertips felt the longer point of elven ears.

well it's not like others would see him up here "trace on" Shirou decided to try, but nothing happened.

Shirou startled at that, because that's not normal, and he carefully searched his mind and body for the mental on and off switch for his circuits. what he found... was denser stronger magic flowing thru his body, even as Shirou couldn't find that switch.

the Circuits.

they're, they weren't there.

They never existed something within him curled and Shirou grabbed his head in pain for a moment at the pressure of something echoing back at him from within his own mind.

Taking a deep breath, followed by another one as Shirou opened his eyes again.

if his circuits are missing, no longer there, then he had been drastically altered both physically and spiritually because magic circuits rests within ones soul not ones physically body, yet he could feel what almost felt like a Spirit core?

"adventurers got different physiology" he muttered, tapping his own chest wth a palm.

Shirou Emiya could feel his prana, no mana curl deep within him, content and filled to max capacity, which was beyond anything he's ever had of quality and strength that didn't really exist anymore.

but... magic circuits are part of ones soul. its not something that you can just change on a whim, even as he could feel his mana flowing lazily along his blood system and nerve system as if they where his circuits.

that train of thought scaused Shirou to jerk back not really registing how something flared out in surprise, as his eyes went over his body again.

he wasn't Shirou third rate magus anymore.

no he's Emiya, a level 90, elf assassin and former tea party member.

'this smells like one of Zelretch pranks' Emiya thought dryly.

taking a slow breath before jumping back as the ground rumble when pieces of the building fell down from it "perhaps I should get off this building first" Emiya muttered to himself his gaze flicked down to where he was standing.

"how did I get here in the first place?" Emiya wondered jumping backwards as part of the building collapsed wings fanning out behind him rightening his balance in an instant at the broken edge.

Emiya blinked as the sensation of wind hitting feathers entered his mind, before looking over his shoulder where said feeling came from. "how did I miss that?" Emiya asked obvious disbelief in his voice as he stared at the greater crimson wings, a phantasmal ranked cosmetic-item that granted flight, but boosted movement in general.

"wait flight?" Emiya wondered, stretching the wings slightly and was able to feel how they moved. he couold feel the powerful muscles under the feathers shift, before looking around finding a nearby roof that lower then the tower he was currently standing on.

taking a breath before shaking his head and then jumped. wings instinctly fanned out catching the air.

the very motion feeling far, far to familiar, far to natural and way to real to be comforting... as if he's done so, done this thousands of times before.

which Emiya had.

that is

in the game.

"oh shit" Emiya cursed, stumbling slightly as he landed part of the buildings roof collapsing yet he quickly rightened himself, and took off landing on a different roof.

"what was I doing before waking up here?" Emiya wondered trying to remember what he where doing last.

last he remember was playing. or no waiting until the update finished they could start to play. Rin and Sakura having completed the tutorial before the update started, and while it was getting late, they could only really start tomorrow, with Emiya having planned to use the teacher system.

'how did a simply request from my adoptive sister to spend some quality time turn into this?' Emiya wondered. Actually, he had enjoyed the idea especially when Illya said what game she wanted them to play, instead of creating a new character that Illya where planning he had simply decided to stick to the teacher system.

"no" he breath out realizastion stricking hard as Emiya landed on a window still. ears flicking back as he heard the moss and fine crystal crunch under the soles of his shoes, while wings partially folded easily balancing him on the small surface.

Rin, Sakura, Illya they're also here. in this dreadful depressing city.

'well Sakura and Rin should look closer to normal' he thought humming faintly, which was something Emiya couldn't say about himself, before wings stretched out again as he took to the air.

"where are you?" he asked because he knew for sure that he hadn't been on a tower roof before the update.

/

elsewhere in akihabrara...

Ears twitched while eyes flinched slightly at the sudden bright light.

Kei's eyelids shifted adjusting as they slowly opened and he found himself standing up for some reason "I'm outside?" he asked agitation fading to pure confusion.

Last he check he was inside and it was close to midnight.

Tilting his head up. The sky was blue, it was bright a wonderful day even, a perfect day for a flight, something shifted at that.

Shaking his head in confusion, before he started walking seeing a tree stump a few meters tall who was just where he'd expected it to be. Going around it his hand twitched and fingers curled around the form of a wooden staff as if he'd been born to hold one.

Takin a turn at the two-story building, who was right where he remembered it to be.

Green moss spread through the land. The asphalt once ubiquitous appeared infrequently here and there as he moved thru the ruins. Buildings who was eerily familiar sometimes coiled or pierced by giant ancient trees, decorated with moss and flourishing plant-life.

A scenery who he hadn't seen before yet felt so very familiar as if he'd seen it every day.

Kei shifted slightly hand holding the staff harder as he noticed his back felt heavier. As if he'd wearing some form of backpack yet it felt so natural that Kei had problem noticing it was even there. As if it was normal for the weight to exist.

A hand slowly reached up behind his back and before he could reach his shoulder-blades he froze.

Feathers...

'no' he breath that's not possible he's not used any spell for that, and at the moment he couldn't name the spell needed for it on top of his head. Eyes flicked down to what he was wearing and for a moment saw cloths he's only seen on a screen, yet right now is wearing, The white and gold phantasmal-ranked cloak known as sacred robe of the stars.

'Why?' he wondered faintly as dread slowly rose, as he forced himself to move quicker.

'This place is'

Feeling how his hair flicked against his ears as they twitched slightly at the sounds from a gecko that quickly moved along a nearby wall.

'I know this road'

Eyes scanned the area no one else seemed to be there.

'I...'

'I know this place very well'

Walking up the stairs the steady thump of the staff hitting the ground soothing to his ears, and it felt familiar for some reason.

'If I go around there-' he stopped staring eyes widen.

"the Silverleaf Tree" he murmured feeling the feathers, wings, my wings go limp against his back at the shock he felt. The only reason he was even still standing was due to his hand tightening its grip on the staff leaning his weight against it.

"Could this be... akiba?" Kei asked as his mind went blank.

Ears twitched.

Eyes flicked down seeing silhouettes of people curled up in the streets, others were screaming, panic worry, confusion. People most likely in the same situation as himself. at their moans and screams Kei forcible suppressed the fear who'd been gradually rising in his chest and throat.

"What's going on!"

"i-I'm strange what's this?!"

"This can't be happening"

"Why am I dressed like this?"

"What's happening?"

"I was only gaming!"

"s-someone get out here! Hey game master are you listening?!"

If Kei had just been Kei he'd probably curled up in a ball and sobbed from the sheer pressure of something echoing back at him from his own mind, and this whole situation.

But his instincts where flaring telling him to be quite, listen observe then act.

So Kei listened and fingers curling tighter around the wooden staff he was holding he Kei decided he could have a freak out later. Hearing their screams who were so miserable that it brought some composure back into Kei. If only or the sole thought to not scream like that.

'while I can move my body as I like it's uncomfortable, the size of my limbs seems to be slightly different, thankfully not by much' he thought

Eyes turning to the surroundings that spread out before him, the city of Akiba, who looked as if nature had reclaimed a city after a catastrophe centuries back and those living here just adapted to said change. Many abandoned buildings were intertwined with ivy, reaching out vigorously form the asphalt here and there. The vines blended with ancient spirit blessed trees.

Nostalgia washed over him this was the hometown of many players the largest city on the Japanese server of Elder Tales.

the others here everyone was dressed as a citizen of a middle ages fantasy world wearing full length clothing or even armor, and that was perfectly normal.

Elder Tales was a fantasy game of swords and magic, the worlds largest class of mmorpg, and one of the most popular ones to.

Wind brushing onto his cheeks was cold moist and refreshing like being in the middle of a thick forest. it's nothing like the dry and prickly air of Tokyo.

The strange sensation of ears twitching against his hair made Kei take a sharp breath as his wings shuffled unfurling ever so slightly but stayed mostly folded under the cloak.

These surroundings...

the wind twisted with smell of greenery, the sky who felt and looked so far bluer, plant-life greener more vibrantly alive, the and soothing sunlight who was bright yet gentle for his senses. it told Kei that this wasn't the world he was familiar with.

the others around him and his own clothing, from the staff Kei's holding to the fact he has feathers coming out from his back as wings who he had problem registering as anything other than perfectly natural to have.

Feathers who rustled slightly as if to say subconsciously say we're here, we're real. feeling them shift in faint movement.

He wasn't just Kei anymore but also Shiroe a level 90 half alv Enchanter.

Shiroe barely noticed his ears twitch as he jumped down landing softly as wings partially unfurled from under the cloak bracing his fall with well-practiced familiar ease needing nearly a thought.

He momentarily ignored what that reflex meant.

'I've been turned into my elder tales character' Shiroe thought mutely as he moved

And that's strange even for him and his normally bizarre luck who felt as if it's suddenly been tilted on the side and shaken until one got dizzy and it finally got to ask just why.

But other players same situation no one seemed to know what was going on, or how this happened.

then a familiar chime was heard alerting him of an incoming call. focusing slightly as green edged black colored screens flared to life in front of his sight the enchanter symbol large brilliant behind it.

"wait this is" Shiroe said out. "status screen isn't it?" he mused letting go of the panic he felt at first Shiroe quickly selecting a menu who'd appeared, and accepted the call.

Shiroe? is that you Shiroe?* Naotsugu said from the other hand

"Naotsugu" Shiroe said somewhat relived at the familiar voice.

/

just outside of a collapsed building with gigantic tree growing out of or well decimated said building. Henrietta held a hand to her cheek, but she s grateful that they all made it out and down safe and sound so that was something at least.

"Marielle how should I say this" she started sighting looking at her friend who had just recently fallen down from a tree, "your breasts are so heavy but the other parts of you are so light" Henrietta sighted

"Don't bother me! my brain is light anyways!" Mariella snapped out.

she blinked before realizing something "ah!, that's right where is that nii-chan?" Marielle asked

"There seems to be some issues on his side too" Henrietta answered.

"Guardian-san left after receiving treatment. he seems to have finally gotten through to his friend via telepathy" Ashlynn piped up

"Eh! is that it?" Marielle asked,

"Marielle was unconscious at the time. I was still stuck on the tree" Hernietta frowned.

standing up and quickly went to her guildmembers "did anyone get his name and guild?" Marielle asked

"S-sorry" Eisel shook his head.

"it was hectic back then and we didn't notice" Tomari responded.

"this is bad, I didn't see his face clearly I don't remember his voice" Marielle complained

"that's right we were talking to Shoryu through telepathy back then" Henrietta stated.

Mariella looked truly put out, 'he really saved us I should thank him in person' the guildmaster thought pouting.

"Marielle-san!" Shoryu called out just having found a note book "this... this is probably something dropped by guardian-san" Shoryu explained hesitantly.

"Really!" Marielle perked up "great job Shoryu!" she cheered.

"that's great, this is an important clue!" Marielle cheered

"but how do you know it's his?" Henrietta asked.

both saw Shoryu's expression fall at that question "that... well you'll understand if you look" he said simply.

"everyone let's mobilize all members in Crescent moon alliance to locate it's owner...?" Marielle trailed off "search..." both sweatdropped staring at the brown notebook who said simply panties.

"Panties notebook?" Marielle asked sweat dropping at it,

Henrietta felt a bit peeved but the guardian was an interesting character to say the least. "you really want to search for him?" Shoryu asked not sure what to think.

"he did save us" Marielle said simply but stared at the things.

'seriously who has a panties notebook of all things?' Shoryu wondered, before it struck them all that, well why was there such a notebook with that kind of a title in the game?

none of them even knew such an absurd thing even existed here.

/

in Minami, Lancer rubbed his forehead as he stared at the ruins of a city that's also still very much in use.

going by the sun it was probably around lunchtime from his estimate, clouds starting to obscure large parts of the sky but that was normal for minami it tended to be cloudy here but otherwise a fine day for ones.

'of course something like this would happen' he thought dryly.

but, lancer where confused if not outright stunned at one fact. he couldn't feel his master anymore, nor did it feel like he needed one, his presence very much tangible and anchored to reality who while refreshing he didn't know what reality this was anymore.

Crunching down as he touched some of the moss between his fingers, it was real, the scents, the air, the sounds.

Lancer blinked slowly as he felt the sensation of how the earth's veins curled under his soles it wasn't different from normal.

no what was different was how high the charge of magic in the air and ground was, the quantity far higher while strength equal to the era of myths and gods before the decline.

"where am I?" Lancer, Cu asked shifting slightly as his hands gripped a staff, not spear. an eye twitched to that, wanting his spear back.

"The Hell! where Am I!" a familiar voice screamed out sounding thoroughly ticked off.

'is that?' he thought recognizing the voice deciding to check out if he heard right walking around the corner and yes it he didn't miss hear her voice.

Rin was slightly different thought, her black hair still partially made into two twin-tails tied with black ribbons, with the rest hanging lose it was definitely longer, reaching her hips instead of waist. where thought the black wolf like ears. thought she was wearing black shihakusho while over it was samurai-like plating forming partial if low level armor, as if a covering her waist hips, neck and shoulders, but also lower legs and lower arms in the red armor.

"Hello little lass that's you right?" Cu asked startling Rin.

at that Rin instantly turned around before blue eyes blinked repeatedly in surprise. "lancer?!" she shouted startled.

last she saw him the servant were working at a restaurant, or fishing, his cloths thought differed from normal battle suit. "I thought I was the only one here" she muttered in relief, but had no clue when he started playing or why for that matter.

'Well then she's definitely the Thosaka heir if going by that reaction alone.' Cu thought, at least Rin wasn't merely a look alike, yet this why is she here?

"have you seen Sakura?" Rin asked and Chu raised an eyebrow at that.

"she's also here?" he asked confusion growing, one magus raised magus here is odd enough but two?

thought he's here as well and he is or were a servant so perhaps his case was stranger?

"last I remember before waking up here was the midget having us go thru the tutorial while Emiya were moving his... character to the area" Rin answered getting more worried by the second.

"well she should be nearby if the two of you were together when this happened" Cu stated after musing slightly, the mass teleport shouldn't have separated them to far from each other. hopefully.

"then there's no time to waste!" she shouted as ticked off as she was worried before quickly moving past him as Rin called for her sister.

Letting out a sight, before following, 'with what's going on leaving the little lass alone isn't an option' Cu thought noting that his body moved as easily as normal at least.

"Sakura! are you here!" Rin shouted.

"Can you hear me!" Rin called out,

"nee-san?" someone answered making Cu turn around and look into the more open area before promptly blinking at what he saw.

A wolf-fang with foxtail for sister, well wasn't that interesting, and form the looks of those low-quality gear, a mage or possible healer.

Rin spun around "Sakura you're... eh?" Rin stopped short at what she saw the dark purple kimono under a pale white tinted one a purple sash at her waist aside. It was the purple fox tail with white tip, white tipped pointed fox ears sitting perked on top of her head who caused Rin to stop short.

"Sakura, do you feel anything off?" Rin carefully asked eyeing the ears, and Sakura stared at her confused at the mere question "no should I?" she asked seemingly not noticed either the ears or the very obvious tail.

Chulainn stared at the answer. 'do she really not notice?' he honestly wondered intrigued at what that fact meant.

"what are you talking-" Sakura started before promptly freezing at a sensation of a something soft swished.

it was a tail a fluffy fox tail, "Kyaa!"

"Wait! Sakura!" Rin shouted, as she tried to calm or keep her panicking sister from moving.

"what going on! why do I have a tail?!" Sakura shouted,

THUMP

Both sisters jolted as Cu slammed the bottom of his staff in the ground with enough force to cause cracks.

Sakura stared at him, the ears flicked and twitched randomly while the tail flexed and moved with the growing worry.

"you're not the only ones confused, but panicking won't help" Cu stated as Sakura took several deep breaths her hands held close against her chest, but eventually she nodded givng the former servant a grateful look.

"neesan? your ears" Sakura said out sounding very much confused and Rin only sighted.

"yeah, I know of them, it's strange" she said simply not sure what to feel of it, so at the moment ignore it.

Sakura paused "you look like that wolf fang? race Illya spoke about" she trailed off because if that was right, then the game, Elder tale is real, a real living breathing very much existing world.

Cu shifted slightly, having the same suspicion, even as it looked like Rin went into denial.

"what?! that's not, how's that even possible!" Rin snapped, "that was a game! a non-magic game that don't have the power to alter reality like this! it's just a coincidence!" she refused.

"neesan you have the same ears, and armor as your character did in the tutorial" Sakura pointed out.

"Coincidence! Emiya-kun and the midget have the same body as before!" Rin countered not actually knowing if that's true or not.

Chulainn doubted that belief was true, given that both sisters got changed, why shouldn't the other two also be changed?

"where are Illya-san and Shirou-kung?" Sakura asked making Rin still as neither mentioned was there either.

"somewhere in the city I guess?" Rin responded but she didn't have an answer. she didn't know, and had no clue where they where.

/

Cu raised a brow in surprise as something flickered on when he focused drawing his attention away from what the sisters where talking about for a moment. 'the status screen?' Cu thought, mildly surprised that it appeared now of all times or that it still existed.

Sakuya

race: foxtail

Enchanter lv 2

Rin

race: wolf fang

samurai, lv 3

well that confirmed the low-level suspicion at least, and that the game still had some influence in whatever world they're in. But leaving a rookie who had no real power to defend themselves.

and on top of that was a magus who knew next to nothing of the game in the first place isn't an option, especially when he had no knowledge if they could still use her magecraft.

Because if not.

Then they're practically defenseless.

'guess I'm babysitting a little magus again' Cu thought to himself, shifting his grip on the staff.

eyeing the wodden staff for a moment. 'maybe there exist a lancer based subclass' he thought. Cu hoped that one existed, and while he don't mind his character's class, the only real problem right now was the equipment limitation, but he couldn't picture himself as a bard of all things.

no that felt as weong as it sounded ridiculous, but if there exist subclasses like sword saint, or knight then why not spearman?

There was over 100 different subclasses so the-

"my crest!" Cu blinked at the sudden scream, refocusing on what the sisters where talking aout.

Rin was panicking, not just denial but actually panicking.

"where's my crest I can't do magecraft as well without it!" Rin groaned "no, no this is too much, this can't be, Gaia snapped and killed off humanity" waving to the surrounding.

"no, Alaya wouldn't allow that" Sakura interrupted "and the thought of Gaia sending us here is ridiculous" she said Rin paused slightly.

opening her mouth and closed it, because that sounded not only ridiculous but insane. "the buildings looks like they've been ruins for centuries, the midget is missing so is Emiya-kun" she took a gulp of air "this is too much, who what could pull off something like this? did we run afoul a Zeltrech prank but I haven't been contacted by the troll nor known him long enough for this" Rin muttered sinking down as she held her head.

"maybe Blue sent us forward in time?" Sakura suggested.

Cu snorted dismissing that on the spot "could that even explain the species change" he stated as Rin shook her head to Sakura's suggestion.

"no. Blue neither know us well enough to willingly do this, and she doesn't have the ability to add body parts either" Rin paused agitated.

"none of this makes any sense!" she shouted before she startled as Cu pushed her behind him,

"Show yourself!" he called out and watched as said potential threat stumbled thru a bush and promptly fell on their own face. her giant axe dislodged landing on her head as she fell.

"ow"

Cu blinked at the ridiculous sight, relaxing 'not a threat' he mused.

the sisters also blinked dumfounded for a moment... that voice?

"guess the tiny lady isn't so tiny anymore" Cu murmured, as his crimson eyes instantly picked up on her taller height, the hourglass like figure and visible holder appearance who was more akin to late-teens and her true age, then the pre-teen child she always seem to look like.

red eyes and long silvery hair, but she has white tipped silver wolf ears currently folded back as she rubbed her head.

dressed in what seem to be a dark knight. black segmented plate armor who was rather well formed after her body, decorated with carved markings. a pair of gauntlets and armored boots, ending at almost shoulder and mid-thigh respectively, the neck guard thought seem to have a dark purple caplet attached while the armor plates seem to form a mini skirt who have an open long skirt under it ending at her ankles in dark purple color.

"ow, ow, ow" Illya complained rubbing her head.

Illya

species; wolf fang

guardian, lv51

he read easily as Illya stopped short for a moment.

"Midget/Illya?" Rin and Sakura asked at the same time.

Illya stood up only to trip over again. "a little help?" Illya asked and apparently having zero balance at the moment.

Cu rubbed his templets for a moment as Sakura helped Illya up. 'wonderful two helpless rookies a mid level guardian who can't even stand up without help' he thought dryly.

/

in Akihabara

Shiroe was listering to his dear old friend as he made another right turn at a building on verge of collapse.

the scene spreading out before his eyes was something he's seen countless times before as Shiroe sprinted thru the area with his own legs.

you here yet Shiro?* was asked.

"almost there!" Shiroe responded feeling how every step felt too real, he could feel the slipperiness of wet moss crushed by his soles, he felt how his body heated of by the exercise.

He barely noticed how his wings pocked on the cloth before easily slipping thru a slit each unfurling to their full span as if well practiced motion. A single beat moments later and he was off, completely avoiding some larger rocks falling from a collapsing building.

The clear sound of him cutting thru the top of the trees and humid smell were carried by a gentle breeze.

And then there were dazzling light, the brightness was something one couldn't experience unless one witnessed it in early summer, under the cool winds instead of bringing heat, the sun's rays simply burst with white radiance. a pure overwhelming intensity of light.

the city was illuminated by the light of early summer, The ancient giant trees and buildings cast deep black shadows on the main streets covered in black soil and asphalt.

The contrast was beautiful.

however it also came with an overwhelming sense or realism that was impossible for a mere game. even if one went virtual reality, the sense of touch shouldn't be so vivid, even if one managed to do so, it could cause one to lose sense of what was real or not.

wings beat seemingly soundlessly and Shiroe knew he could move his body as he wanted, even the wings who he knew how to utilize, for the flight they granted to the defense they provided.

feathers spread and tilted just the right way as he took a turn at a three story inn-n-bar.

Feeling how his heart pumping strongly blood to every nook and cranny of his body and the sensation of wind flowing over but also caught by the feathers.

This was something he couldn't doubt.

This is was real, and the city is Elder tales Akiba.

Legacies of the old era were sleeping here and there in this world. No Akihabara is a legacy itself. As if clinging on buildings made of logs were extending the giant concrete structures that were on verge of becoming rubble yet still reaching for the skies. And all of that was embraced within the embrace of ancient trees.

The scenery miraculous.

'how?' Shiroe wondered, searching his memories remembering from before waking up here.

Facing his desk at home, simply enjoying the game displayed on his monitor.

today had been the release of the 12th expansion pack, who'd been downloaded beforehand, which would bring new items, new zones new monsters and battles, but also lifting the level cap of the elder tale world.

with that going live, a great number of players would go online, many were looking forward to the expansion pack, like many others.

But had decided to pass time as usual, before seeing a demo of some sort, shining flames on a black screen as words echoed, and then his memory abruptly cut off.

Something changed, to cause this and he didn't know what.

Notes:

Harry is Shiroe, as explained, after 4rth year he went to japan and changed name, having had enough with the English magical world.

a side note about earth magical world. well there's two the residing in none-magical who's magi who uses circuits and the more who knows the same spell the less powerful it gets.

then there's the wizarding world, or the hidden world, these uses core not circuit and it don't matter how many who knows it. for the magi the wizard and other myths moved to the reverse side. this theory isn't all that accurate but they are right in that the magic went into hiding.

as for Illya's armor. apart from figure change it's the same appearance as Galahad's own armor.

Chapter 2: apocalypse part 2

Notes:

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

in Minami, Illya kept glancing at lancer, at Cu somewhat confused as well as curious.

Cu Chulainn

species: half alv

sorcerer, Lv90

he's Lancer that they're familiar with yes. the crimson eyes holding a fierceness and strength in them that could make others cower. with slitted pupils but the irirs while crimson was smaller then before for some reason that Illya couldn't place.

his long blue hair was also lighter closer to pale blue then the deep azure, and let loose instead of kept in a low ponytail like normal. she also noticed that it was longer reaching mid thigh easily and it took a moment but she saw pointed ears.

not like an elfs elongated, but more leaf like point, of a half alv, even as he still had the familiar earrings that he didn't know where or even how he'd gotten them in the game.

the most drastic change to his appearance was the suit.

or rather the lack of suit. instead he was wearing a sleeveless shirt in a black-blue color, over it was a blue skirt or was it a pair of hakama? she wasn't sure, but they ended near his ankles, with another one in dark blue color shorter and left open at the front ending near his knees while being slightly longer at the back. both being patterned with celtic markings in black, along the lower hem, some stretching upward.

both held in place with that seem to be a pale blue sash wrapped at the waist with metal belt resting over it, formed out of metal links, with black center markings. in addition was a pair of black fingerless gloves covering his hands up to almost shoulder, with silvery arm-guards covering his lower arms and part of his wrists having black rune marking scarved into the scale like plates.

shoes if one could call it that as the sole was almost unnoticed and it took a moment to realize that Chulainn wasn't actaually barefoot. black fabric covering part of the feet between his toes and heels, with metal covering said heels there's also metal plates forming armor that was similar to his arm-guards. while over it all was a long blue hooded cloak that rest on his shoulders. one left semi-open while the lower edge seem ragged and torn. thought the hood seem to have furred edge, thick spiky fur in silvery black, while it have a chain attached at the base of the throat from one side to the other keeping it in place.

unknown to Illya thought Cu was aware that this robes was very similar to his own caste rgear, while not the same the similarity was almost eerie.

"lancer's here wait- when did you start playing?" Illya asked, but she remembers seeing him in several different stores over the past year, so perhaps playing a game isn't too far off from possibility, from his level probably for longer then she have.

"while I do like fishing I wanted something exiting to do and found the mmorpg Elder Tale to be both entertaining and interesting" Cu explained with an almost feral grin.

"oh" Illya blinked but understood it perfectly she started playing for the same reason.

"Midget" rin started catching the others attention even as she sounded very baffled.

"what's up with that body?" she asked.

"I made my character look closer to my actual age, but I keep on tripping" she admitted and very evidently remained sitting and not having any intention to move right now.

"When I woke up under a tree in Minami I got worried because if I'm here then you might also be. thought Lancer's a surprise" Illya explained glancing at cu who shrugged.

"we better find somewhere to stay the night, that's more safe then here," Cu cut in before Illya could go of into a different direction.

"damn It!! I just wanted to play a game and now we're stuck here! come on lancer's right we got more important matters to deal with" Illya took a breath.

"and that is?" Rin asked agitated.

"Food, shelter, information we need a shelter first" Illya said.

"wait what about Emiya-kun?!" Rin shouted.

"oniisan will find us eventually. I don't doubt that he's searching for us, but we need a camp even if temporary" Illya countered.

'I don't even know how he looks like here' she thought and groaned. "it's not like we can search for him" she muttered.

"Emiya, is Emiya" Rin snorted pointing out that fact but didn't get an response at all.

neither Illya or Cu decided to respond to that.

with Illya's own current appearance there's no way to tell how her brother's character looked like, it wasn't like she had gotten a chance to ask yet.

and Cu could tell that there was probably more changes then just ones appearance considering it felt like he'd switched from lancer to caster,

which is

jarring.

but the subclass deal was one he definitely needed to look up.

/

in Akihabara.

Naotsugu sat near the silver light tree with a sense of relief.

while helping that Neesan from the collapsing building did distract him for a while, he couldn't help but to feel relieved as the call finally connected.

he'd tried to call a few times earlier after seeing that Shiroe was online but it hadn't connected so the strategist apparently had not woken up yet. Then a half hour later he tried again and this time it finally connected.

The player he wanted to see the most. the one guy he knew he could depend on to keep a level head in any and all kinds of disasters.

Whatever this mess was, their chances of getting out of it had just skyrocketed. or at the very least understand what the hell is going on.

Naotsugu had moved instantly to the chosen meeting spot the moment they decided on one which was why he was waiting, here. apparently Shiroe was further away.

blinked ones as the Enchanter didn't half stumble down the hill to meet him.

no Shiroe came down from above his wintery wrings spread out into a full breathtaking display as he gently glide with a familiarity of having done so for years.

but one thought entered the guardians mind, 'poor Shiroe' it was almost gleeful, 'he's going to be beating girls off with a stick'

'and probably guys to' came as an after thought even as he felt a surge of protectiveness flood him.

If Naotsugu Hasegawa had to describe Kei Shirogana to missing persons, then the words he'd use is handsome and almost average.

Not the athletic or model kind of sense of handsome rather a faint otherworldly beauty that made him rather appealing to the eye yet couldn't place what it was.

Average height, slim build, deep black hair that was in a constant just had a shag mess that Kei could do nothing about even if he tried. And the most startling green eyes he'd ever seen, and yet drop him in a crowd who's not a convention of some sort, people wouldn't even realize Kei was there unless he wanted them to.

thought if in a convention on the other hand. well it was like seeing a crowd just discovered that their idol was there much to hikikomori's annoyance.

How he pulled that off Naotsugu never understood, he'd quickly learned to check the quiet corners or he'd miss where Kei was happened a few times after they first meet in the first place.

the Enchanter Shiroe is not average in the slightest and calling him handsome was possible the understatement of the century.

Shiroe

race: half alv

Enchanter, lv90

'half alv' Naotsugu thought deciding that seeing the avatar on a screen and actually seeing the half alv in person is two completely different things. Thought he could see that Kei was in him somewhere.

fair skin, familiar high cheekbones that spoke of something more noble or regal. dark blue hair instead of black, seeming more feathery and softer, more manageable then the constant windblown just got out of a good shag style Kei never manage to get rid of even the few times he actually tried. But the feathery look fit and with the light round glasses made Shiroe look more like a young scholar.

Eyes was almost identical to Kei's yet also different having a molten silvery color instead of deathly-green, sharp, calculative gaze, small almost slitted iris and almost predator like slitted pupils was new thought. even as the non corporeal sense of undiluted power still shone brightly in the silvery eyes, yet these also held a whisper of hidden knowledge others could only dream of.

Shiroe was tall and possesses a slim slender build that fit his image really well and if Kei held whispers of something otherworldly.

Then Shiroe radiated mystery and otherworldly as easy as breathing. And this was only enhanced with his friends gear... even if there was an almost deception of young scholar look to him.

Combined with his mere presence, cut one hell of a image, and made Shiroe look as if an arch mage came out of some epic myth, possessing all the power skill and knowledge to back it up.

"Oi Shiroe!" Naotsugu shouted hand waving standing up as he greeted the other.

Carefully watching the enchanter as wings beat ones more before folding and Shiroe landed to meet him with light steps. While the feathery forms easily slipped thru some form of slits on the cloak and vanished from sight fully folded against the enchanter's back.

a small relieved smile formed on Shiroe's lips, feeling just as relieved to see his friend who... looked exactly like he'd pictured him.

/

Naotsugu

race: human

Guardian, lv90

not that he focused on the menu at all actually Shiroe ignored it as a thought entered his mind almost caused him to freeze.

Should he look different? No. that's how he always looked

the instinctive response didn't make any sense. especially not as Shiroe knows Nautsugu in the real, no on earth. he definitely didn't have the strength of an experienced warrior flowing thru his build and muscles hidden under that armor aside. but he definitely had it here,

is supposed to have it here.

The guardian looked a little pale but he still laughed heartily in the greeting. Being a little more then 1,8m tall and wearing dull but remarkable strong steel armor over his body. the large shield and sword made him look like an ancient heroic warrior in the get-up.

that for a moment made Shiroe wonder what kind of image himself cast before ignoring the thought.

"Naotsugu, eh good morning" Shiroe greeted, unsure what to feel with that divided reaction.

"what's this situation? did Elder tales evolve to this level while I wasn't playing? this is too real for me. this isn't possible with just improving the level of particle effect and rendering machines right? is this a joke?" Naotsugu pouted as he asked Shiroe, his normally cheerful voice sounded a bit depressed.

"this is nerve wrecking" he stated.

Shiroe vaguely nodded and raised the magic staff in his hand, and practically felt his magic flicker with confusion from where he kept it tightly coiled within him. feeling both pure relief from both himself and other at that sensation, as the familiar sensation of his powerful magic was comforting, the simple fact it's still there even if something if felt almost as if something more was woven into it's composition then he's used to.

but it's always been part of it, that sensation peaked up again and it was causing him headaches.

'the adventurer composition?' he wondered.

Eyes flicking to the staff, made by grinding and bending a long and slender tree branch, reinforcing it with metal and but woven together with magics. you'd only find this in a role-playing store as wizards uses wands or rings so a true magical staff was a rare sight.

Naotsugu noticed Shiroe's silence, and bent his to check himself out. dressed in full plate armor from neck to toe, sword and shield and all, a armor who really should weight several dozen's of kg's no it really did weight that much if the thump from putting his sword and shield down earlier was anything to go by.

yet moving it was weird.

no rather it felt no different than the familiar constriction of his salaryman's suit and tie. as if his body was simply used to it.

he looked like a warrior in a fantasy setting, "eh I look like a role player myself" Naotsugu said, "that's right"

a moment silence as they looked at each other before both burst out laughing, not of joy rather at the ridiculousness of this situation.

"you look just like I pictured you" Shiroe said not sure if referring to earth, or this world, both perhaps?

Naotsugu grinned "but aren't you the same" Naotsugu started folding his arms with a nod, "a scholarly man with glasses and deathly eyes who speaks of hidden mysteries which I should have expected" Naotsugu said.

Shiroe tilted his head at that, ears twitched, "should have expected?" he repeated and Naotsugu blinked as if he just registered he specifically said that and didn't know why.

Shiroe peered into the lake to see his reflection "well my character is supposed to be half-alv" Shiroe mused. ears flicked under his hair, and he ignored the faint whispers of instincts who said that he's always been fay.

which didn't exist on earth so how could he always been one?

the other went silent in confusion at that subconscious response because it was also true which made the pain from this clash almost tangible making him want to groan.

Parting some of his bangs at his forehead for a moment, distinctly missing scar, never had one here, his instincts practically sang out. and Shiroe instantly liked the softer look of his hair better deciding he wasn't going to change hairstyle at all.

noting the more ageless quality who seemed intense that one could almost tangible see it. no it isn't / compared to earth it is, Ignoring the clashing sensation again that tore thru his mind worsing the already forming headache.

The previously Faint otherworldly feel was blatantly obvious here possible species trait enhancing it, but it made him look akin to some form of high elf prince from a fantasy novel.

"I log in for the first time in a year and this happen? tell me if you know anything Black Heart?" Naotsugu asked using one of his lesser nicknames, one of which Shiroe easily dismissed.

Glancing back at the guardian "I don't know either" Shiroe murmured. "but" he started.

"it appears we're in the world of elder Tale" Shiroe spoke.

Naotsugu sat down and Shiroe didn't have any information to explain the current situation, hell his mind is still reeling from it.

"there was supposed to be a new update today" Shiroe asked out

"yeah the novasphere pioneers" Natosugu said sitting down looking at Shiroe.

"up until the second they executed the update I can remember everything, then my memory just cuts off and next thing I knew I was here" Shiroe said looking up at the sky.

"same here" Naotsugu said turning to Shiroe.

"this is definitely Akihabara, I've seen it hundreds of times in the game" Naotsugu spoke

"but" Shiroe stated eyes still locked at that sky.

"the sky stretches so much further" Naotsugu said, as Shiroe crutched down.

"hm" touching some of the moss, it felt real, "and it feels like I'm really touching it" Shiroe said,

"which means?" Naotsugu asked

"this isn't a dream" Shiroe said.

"I see eh, alternate world, an alternate world has sucked us in, fantasy has become reality" Naotsugu said sounding tired at that "I thought this isekai only happened in fantasy novels" looking towards the enchanter, who gazed at the water.

'game' Shiroe thought, no saying in the game might not be as accurate as one might think at first glance, everything simply to real. "or a world who's pretty damn similar to it" Shiroe said out.

"there's no need to take a vacation in the virtual world, and with things like this can we really get home?" Naotsugu asked, somewhat jokingly "I was thinking maybe a new god just took over and had a delusional fantasy"

Expressing that problem in such a joking matter... but Shiroe was touched by his mental tenacity and concern. "it's so cruel to trap us this way. really the whole world just turned upside down is this some type of festival?"

"who knows" Shiroe answered, before standing up "I wonder how did we get here in the first place" Shiroe said out, the air seemed lighter than before to as heavy.

"yeah" Naotsugu agreed to that question.

"I know we might not be able to get back easily, if at all it won't be anytime soon" Shiroe said it was a fact one couldn't really avoid.

"your way of accepting this situation seems ruthless" Naotsugu stated.

Shiroe closed one eye and looked at him "bluntness can be that can't it" Shiroe said.

"which means" he started, and pushed up his glasses for a moment. Naotsugu chuckled.

"we should be ready" Shiroe said

"what do we do?" Naotsugu asked

"let's gather information, we have to know more about this world" Shiroe answered.

"that's true" Naotsugu agreed before standing up

"good to see you as calm and analytic as ever, I'm counting on you Strategist" Naotsugu said picking up his sword and shield.

"calm isn't the word I'd choose" Shiroe sweatdropped.

His mind felt like it's split in two, instincts saying something else then his mind is and mist of confusion is definitely not what he'd call calm. he's just mentally strong enough to pave thru it, Shiroe hoped that it will pass soon, it's exhausting mentally and giving him a headache.

Walking up next to Naotsugu "I know this isn't what you'd been expecting but welcome back Naotsugu" Shiroe said raising his arm Naotsugu met him without even hesitating.

It wasn't a fist bump similar thought a knock on the lower arm as if a mediaeval version of a fist bump, like grabbing the forearm for a handshake instead of the hand. Shiroe mused, it felt like a natural great one you'd done several times and did that version without second though.

/

Shiroe and Naotsugu walked thru the city, the guardian threw a glance at Shiroe who looked to be going thru his status screen.

'half alv was it?' Naotsugu thought, a species also named Fay, and tended to be rather beautiful in general. After all timeless beauty is in their very flavor text. didn't elfs have something similar going on for that matter?

But with his presence almost hidden he cut the image of a young scholar, but even with his presence almost vanishing into the wind and shadows, Shiroe still held a distinct inhuman beauty, eyes still shone with mysteries and knowledge that Naotsugu could not even begin to comprehend.

'Perhaps I should have read up more on that species, well too late now' Naotsugu thought.

Sure he knew some things but that was the mere bare basics.

The half alvs as they're commonly called tended to be tall, slender and full of curiosity, frankly it's a species shrouded in mystery which is why they're referred as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural yet look almost human.

half alvs possesses devastating high affinity for magic and the name might be pure misdirection as they existed when alvs still existed but didn't seem to have a specific name back then, rather just responded with who knows, if asked what their species where.

And to be honest it fit Shiroe's character to a tee.

Naotsugu stopped as he saw Shiroe blank for a moment and mouthed what? that drew Naotsugu's instant attention,

"so what's wrong? aside from not being able to log out" Naotsugu asked,

"ah, well my mp have tripled?" Shiroe answered sounding as if he had trouble believing it.

Naotsugu stopped at that, Shiroe is a enchanter which got the highest mp of the classes to start with, and that's without those secret-skills who boost it further. "tripled?" he asked.

Shiroe nodded looking at the numbers.

hp: 8303

mp: 32996

"yea and I can't understand why" Shiroe said staring at the numbers. while astral presence was a permanent passive skill that boosted ones mp by 20% it would not become that height from it.

It had been 13588 before ending up here.

but it's always been high. The non-words of his instincts stated echoing rather loudly thru his mind.

Rubbing his templets at the incoming headache of that mental clash...

Naotsugu felt a spike of worry when he saw that action "you okay?" Naotsugu asked and Shiroe could practically feel the worry without even seeing or hearing it.

"just a headache" Shiroe responded while Naotsugu looked at his friend with worried expression, but Shiroe didn't say anything else.

looking around it was easy to tell that it was summer here...

the humid wind blowing across the whole city.

the smell of mud was in the air and the grass and leaves swayed with the wind.

the scenery was too natural making the very idea of being in a mere game vaporize.

the presence of this world in his senses was too strong the feeling of being in an alternate world was getting firmer and his mind had already made up that this is not a mere game.

'yet the buildings and roads are just as I remembered.' taking out the gryphon whistle for a moment as Shiroe looked at it.

'looks like I can use my items, as well as my magic and skills' he thought looking at the various screens' Shiroe thought

"it looks like we can't log out" Naotsugu said arriving to a bridge

"I've also checked" Shiroe admitted, stopping as they got to a border to the outside zones.

"want to have a look at the outside zone?" Naotsugu asked hand raised as if he where spying at something or shielding his eyes from the sun.

"no not yet" Shiroe responded before turning elsewhere.

"okay" Naotsugu agreed no hesitation, just trust in Shiroe's decision.

"if you're back then your work must have calmed down?" Shiroe asked

"hm, it is more or less stable what sucks is that there are no cute girls there" Naotsugu said. "who cares" Shiroe said

"what's that? you're just a closet pervert" Naotsugu snapped out

"I'm not a closet anything" Shiroe said offhandedly to the guardian's complaints.

stretching out a hand and held out two fingers "there are two types of men in this world" Naotsugu started "open perverts who admit it. and closet perverts who won't I am the former and I love Panties!!" Naotsugu said acting rather silly, but caused birds to fly away.

pointing at Shiroe who simply stared, "you're the latter And definitely likes panties" Naotsugu said. Shiroe snorted, he wasn't angry and the dirty jokes aside Naotsugu is reliable and often lightens the mood.

"gender never mattered for me you know? and I still have standards" Shiroe pointed out.

"I know personality is important but you can still be attracted by their appearances" Naotsugu nodded.

Shiroe stared for a moment "you may have a point but we don't need to stop that low" Shiroe said and Naotsugu gave a bit exaggerated sight.

turning back to the matter at hand, they couldn't discuss it further as they simply lacked information to talk about it, so no conclusion could be made. which was why they were focusing on gathering information for now.

while playing elder tales that was common sense, but one weren't all too sure if it was applicable right now.

making a turn at the avenue and reaching one of the major roads, reaching a corner there was a large high-tech building or rather the remains of one, then straight along Akiba main road and you'd reach the city square.

it would possible been a sad sight but a beautiful one none the less. as the ruins of the city is decorated with plant life that shows so much life and vitality.

normally the city square would have shops set out to sell things to other players, while others would kill time by waiting for one's comrades to go out for quests or raids.

it tended to a place full of life.

Right now it was anything but. Being full of confusion, chaos, and complicates sense of frustration. it was easily a few hundred players here, including the surrounding ruins and narrow alleys that overlook the plaza.

Shiroe felt his wings ruffle and lock tighter against his back. He didn't like those stares, even those who seem to have faint hope talking with others the volume was too low for such a crowd, the gazes breaking in despair.

Some threw worried glances around others would sob, then there was those who's venting by cursing out loud. they'd possibly realized unconsciously that anything might happen, but the crowd didn't seem to have any intention of doing anything about it. but just wallowing in despair and being crestfallen isn't good for their psychological health after all to wallow in despair? that's not good for anyone especially the one wallowing.

A flash of annoyance burned thru Shiroe as he kept his expression carefully void of emotions. 'do they plan to sit here forever? really?' he thought. for ones Shiroe was really glad he's an instinctual survivor, even if he understood them this shepple behavior where grating on his nerves and making him agitated.

wings ruffled under his cloak at the agitation.

a chime was heard "oh?" Shiroe's attention was drawn elsewhere and away from this sight "something the matter?" Naotsugu asked.

"someone's calling me" Shiroe answered as his status screens appeared a ringing phone seen on it. pushing on said screen to see who, eyes widen slightly at the name.

/

in minami Emiya where getting worried.

seeing the panic, the confusion, the fear and anger, it made him twitch, and to actively push down the dread he felt as he kept searching.

they were online when it happened, Emiya knows that, so Illya, Sakura, Rin they are here, they should be Here.

'please let them be okay' he thought and flicked.

Reappearing on a building as he turned toward the 6th area as he just finished searching the 5th.

the area of Minami he's heading towards now is closer to the city borders, close to the outside zone but still within the safe zone. there where chances of a starting area around that part but as he hadn't been on a roof top before all of this that's no guarantee.

Emiya looked around before giving a sight and kept moving, so far none of the Adventurers here fit the description of either those three, and if he didn't find them soon then he'll be forced to continue tomorrow because he needed to set up somewhere himself.

pausing slightly at a window still as a thought struck him.

perhaps he can continue during the night, it's not like lack of daylight would stop him or even hinder him at all. distance to for that matter, no his subclasses combined with his main one in such manner that day or night didn't matter he could see as easy and clear either way.

Emiya where halfway thru as his eyes sharpened picking something familiar up at the distance.

seeing two girls who looked very, very familiar.

jumping high, wings boosting it further as the powerful wings beat keeping him in the air, letting Emiya get there faster than before.

landing first on a nearby roof, before he jumped down wings spread to catch his descent moments before he hit the ground, landing without any issue, hindrance or damage.

'this body' he thought absently, before picking up a magical scent of trees, of thick moss on a stone and early morning mist rolling through thick ageless trees of an ancestral forest where unknown mysteries lies as the sun shone down on it all.

Cu's magical presence, which told Emiya that this is really Lancer and not a look alike.

'when did he start playing?' he wondered getting close enough to be noticed.

"Archer?!?" Rin sputtered surprised startled, but it came out hesitant with something rather frail, for a good reason to she'd seen Archer die.

Emiya blinked, 'I should have expected that' he deadpanned not sure how he missed it.

but Cu stood up his body tensing for a moment as he went thru shock, disbelief and bafflement, not really sure what to think of the other, before crimson eyes narrowed, 'no way' he thought.

a status screen flicked into visibility as he focused.

Emiya

Race: elf

Assassin, Lv90

The status screen called the other Emiya too at that, but this was most likely the younger Emiya, and not Archer, even if it was as if looking at Archer.

and before he could stop himself Cu was blatantly drinking in Emiya's form even if this most likely is the younger Emiya.

the similarity is downright eerie. having the same imposing character, cutting an intimidating and breathtaking image.

"didn't know Archer survived the war to play elder tales" Emiya deadpanned to that.

the girls froze hearing his voice while Cu did a doubletake 'what the fuck?' he thought blinking and it was a shared sentiment, as Emiya gained a terrifying familiar if rather wry smirk to that reaction.

"Oniisan? what? but? you're?" Illya sputtered while Rin and Sakura stood gaping, and he's perfectly aware as to why, even as he had been ignoring that fact because he couldn't understand how.

but he cut the exact same tall and powerful figure that Archer did. having a slim and lean form, possible slightly slimer due to the elf nature and his eyes no longer the familiar soft amber but they weren't hard steel of silvers and iron either.

while having similar unwavering strength of steels, his eyes was a startling molten gold as if you had melted down gold into the clearest most vibrant and brilliant liquid state. holding a radiance that reminded one of earth and fire as much as it did metals.

his skin held a golden tan, paler then archer, even as he had the samy snowy white hair color. thought unlike the late servant Emiya's wasn't short, no it was long flowing down his back and easily reached mid thigh before stopping. having chin long bangs that seem combed back in almost familiar spikes that looked softer then Archer's had, but it showed the elongated pointed ears of an elf.

something that easily said that Emiya wasn't human.

his cloths thought, only made the doubletake worse.

the similarity was uncanny but it wasn't the same color scheme. or no perhaps Archer's red cloths had been white at some point.

having familiar black pants covered with dark straps, metal plates forming the soles covering part of the sides of his feet, toes and heel while the shoes seemed almost integrated into the pants. yet on the outside of the ankles was a blue lit crystal forming a line like marking that stretch upward.

the coat over it, was similar to the red one Archer tended to use, but it wasn't the same. these was a startling white, with the upper edge being visible layered straps forming after his lower waist covering part of the hips giving a sick-sack pattern on the sides and back before it merged into the rest of the skirt. even as the straps continued forward into what seem to be a loincloth portion not as long as the rest of the skirt but overlapped the edges slightly.

the sleeves fitted against his arms, with similar weaved look as the skirt on the shoulder and back, while wrapping partially around his neck, only broken up by the metal plate one at the front and another at the back.

over It is a white cloak that wrapped around his shoulders with hood currently lowered, it was short, ending near waist with ragged edges even more so then Cu's own cloak, yet this one. it looked to be at home on emiya's form, as if it belonged there.

but the most drastic change was what came out form his back.

grand wings, who even when casually folded easily could be seen rising past his shoulders. possessing a wingspan that's probably twice that of Emiya's height. and Cu's sharp eyes easily picked up on the raw speed and strength beneath those feathers contained.

they where the only read on him. a brilliant crimson, with vibrant radiance flowing thru them almost as if energy, or crystal being more apparent near the edges, their form a bird of prey, falcon, hawk like which was ridiculous fitting.

/

Rin's eyes narrowed even as there was clear pain in them, seeing Shirou look so close to Archer, as if he could pass of as the late servant's twin of all things.

it's jarring

it's painful.

an suspicion, a connection Rin didn't want to think of and one that's been confusing Cu for some time was so blatant obvious then what Rin would liked.

but the markings, tattoos stretching over his form, almost crest like. the white-blue markings looked almost circuit like, from the palm of his hands around the wrists, to up his arms to cover part of the shoulder to the sides of his throat who went unseen due to his sleeves. at the sides of his torso stretching forward to part of his chest, and covering the sides of his back, and she held back a blush as Rin realized that Emiya was currently Shirtless.

Sakura blinked again, for possible the tenth time, as it truly sank in that this is Emiya. this is what he looks like here. "why are you looking like that? shirou-kun?" she asked voicing the question on their minds.

Emiya shook his head, he had no clue why, or well he had, it was the resemblance that didn't make any sense as to how. "one hell of a coincidence" he eventually answered. because Emiya had created his elder tales Character 7 years ago, and that's before the grail war even happened so his characters appearance here was one hell of a coincidence.

seeing his own reflection in one of the windows a building that had windows had left him stunned.

he knew the resemblance would eventually happen, but this wasn't how he expected for it to happen. considering the effects his magecraft had on his appearance.

"you don't say" Cu deadpanned, but there was something he wondered about.

do human Emiya and servant Emiya have a connection past the same magic? 'actually how the hell do the kid have Archer's magic in the first place?' he paused as that train of thought struck him.

something that confirmed a connection of some kind. Emiya's magic well he's a conjurer a creation mage that's only really rivaled by creation to smithing deities. not counting the fact that Archer's been confused as a war god at odd times.

but why did he sound so very similar to Archer?

"oniisan can you use those wings?" Illya asked trying to avoid to think of her brother's current resemblance.

Emiya gave her a baffled look as if the question was silly or stupid to ask. "why wouldn't i?" he countered.

they all blinked.

none of them had expected that the wings could be used. that he could fly with them.

"that means we still have the same capabilities as our game avatars" Illya said out in realization for if that was not the case then those wings would been mere cosmetic.

Emiya nodded to that a single wing unfurling slightly as he moved. "it seems like that, but can't test the combat system in the city" he admitted, or he wouldn't been able to flick like he did while searching.

"those two need to learn how to use it first, before one can fight" Cu pointed out.

"why? can't we just use our magecraft" Rin countered and Emiya instantly grimaced to that.

Rin twitched because he looked way to similar to archer for either of their liking. but...

why is he grimacing?

made the girls wary while Cu's eyes widened as he realized a difference he hadn't considered.

the way his mana curled and flowed thru his body was no real difference. but Servant's bodies aren't the same as a human, their magic, the prana or Mana here changed upon becoming a servant.

the spirit core.

"oh shit" Cu cursed.

a spirit core or something very similar to one, and Emiya had noticed that to. the girls hadn't and he missed it because he was to familiar with having one.

"you can't" Emiya sighted.

"what?" Rin blinked, "what" she repeated before Illya realized what Emiya insinuated.

"no crest, no, no circuits" she whispered and would collapsed if she wasn't already sitting down.

Rin stilled eerily at that, while Sakura lifted a hand to her chest, in mute shock.

both males covered their ears at the following scream.

Notes:

second chapter over

Cu's cloths are similar to his caster self. with some minor changes.

Emiya is wearing something similar to his archer counterpart, just well his is still white and not red. he's also not wearing the armored shirt or any shirt allowing the markings to be seen who's based of on his Muramasa counterpart. in elder tales it's a cosmetic item he worked hard to get and comes with curtain perks.

the wings is an cosmetic item he gained during the same event as Shiroe got his as they did it together.

Chapter 3: apocalypse part 3

Notes:

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

in akihabra guild hall.

"Marielle?" Naotsugu asked as they entered the building.

"hmm. she leads the guild known as Crescent moon alliance" Shiroe explained, as they headed into the hallways.

the guild building was a facility that's available in all cities and they usually housed other facilities forming a multipurpose mega structure.

you could form a guild, to join one or withdraw from a guild by talking to the staff running the guild building. there was also a branch of the bank here, and everyone in the game world had a bank account they could use to deposit cash or valuable items.

another important function was the rental of guild halls, guild halls were independent small to large sized zones that can be used as living space or office and so forth.

seeing the primarily red colored hallways, and blue doors, both decorated with gold, the lower half of the walls dark purple as was the roof for that matter.

Shiroe's eyes trailed the doors for a moment, 'wizarding space tied into the place's wards. each door possible only have a few cm before the wizard-space takes over expanding it way beyond normal space. it's quite impressive actually compared to how the rest of the city's wards is formed' he thought.

"it's weird how the guild building is nothing but doors thought" Naotsugu said.

"each guild hall is its own zone" Shiroe said.

"only the really weird stuff is still like a game" Naotsugu said.

arriving to a door several screens formed as Shiroe grabbed the handle,

guild hall 236

guild master: Marielle

Guild name: crescent moon alliance

entry restrictions: yes

ID: Shiroe no guild

you can decorate the guild hall zone as you rented or bought in any way you wanted, and the Crescent Moon Alliance's guild hall is kept as a comfortable place, the walls were wooden veneer giving it warm familiar feeling.

as they reached the office, entering the room, "this is quite a feminine room" Naotsugu said the obvious.

pink pillows, teddy bears, a princess bed a painting of a noble looking dog and curtains with yellow laces. these decorations it made said office looks more like a child's bedroom, and he felt distraught staying in a place like this.

wings ruffled slightly in discomfort, this felt more like intruding on a private room, even if it was Marielle's office of all things. Thought while girlish-flashy the room was spacious, and they had 5 to 6 rooms for storage and workspace.

"Shiro-bou!" Marielle shouted waving a hand.

Marielle

race: elf

cleric, Lv90

guild master: Crescent moon alliance

She looked just like she did in elder tales, tall and slender with a voluptuous figure. Having long light green in wavy hair, and hazel colored eyes and even with the pointy ears of an elf hidden under her hair. there was hints of nobility the elves always carried. yet mouth stretch wide in smiles, it was easily to tell she's warm and kind.

Because Elder Tale was a game world and dominant portion of all players were hunks and beauties of one sort of another compared to normal humans. after all beautiful 3d models was the demand, and very few players would intentionally chose ugly appearances.

everyone could customize their avatar's appearance it's not a big deal after all.

thought some people just had a charm to it even if hidden behind an avatar, a charm that attract others one way or another.

And with voice-chat as an option that became even more obvious. Marielle has a cheerful voice and helpful nature, a lot of players knew here, and it's not simply being popular with the opposite sex. rather her forthright style and that she liked helping others.

But also the fact she would often holds parties at various places in Akibahara.

poking Shiroe's forehead gently with her fingers "what kind of look is this? hmmph, you're thinking this isn't my style right?" Marielle said.

Shiroe's eyes softened slightly, "no you're exactly as I pictured you" he said voice softer than most would hear and Marielle stilled stunned. Marielle shook her head as that sank in, "Marie-oph" he didn't get to finish as she glomped him happily.

sending Shiroe into the wall behind them, stroking her cheek against him as if a exited cat, hand in his hair, the other thought was way too close to his ear. a shiver went down his spine and wings at the sudden touch, "Calm down Marie-nee" Shiroe manage to say out and she let go shortly after.

finally letting Shiroe breath.

"woo, what a beautiful lady Shiroe, where were you hiding this hot chick? you panties pervert" Naotsugu asked leaning forward as Shiroe stood up.

Shiroe closed his eyes sighting "I wasn't hiding anyone and you're the pervert here remember" Shiroe countered.

"oh? who's this oniisan?" Marielle asked, cheerfully. pointing a thumb at himself "Naotsugu a friend of Shiro's how may I address you?" Naotsugu asked.

"I'm Marielle, but most call me Marie-nee, wow, wow! Naotsugu-nii is handsome too! you two a combo?" she asked laughing gently.

Shiroe tilted his head... even if the question was exactly what she'd asked and no hidden meanings to it. Shiroe wondered if she was serious, he honestly couldn't tell.

Marielle glomped Naotsugu in a hug the wall cracked slightly.

"wh-wha-" Naotsugu said out baffled, before simply standing still stunned as Marielle patted the armor "you're pretty buff. you play sports?" she asked, "I, well this is armor" Naotsugu said, before she glomped him again.

"mhp, hold on..." Naotsugu trailed off.

Shiroe closed one eye in amusement as a small smile graced his lips at the interactions 'that's Marie-nee for you' he thought.

she finally let the guardian go before she pounced on the couch, and gestured for Shiroe and Naotsugu to sit.

"how is your side coping with this Marie-nee?" Shiroe asked.

"there are 19 people online, including me, 18 of us are in Akiba, everyone is afraid and is staying inside the guild hall. ah don't be too concerned they won't hear us if we aren't too noisy" Marielle said

"18 of 19" Shiroe mused, meaning one of them is in another zone.

"why did things turn out this way?" she asked, but didn't get an answer as Shiroe had non to give.

he saw how elf ears poked out thru pale green hair flattened in dismay, and her whole expression fell. Shiroe wished he could answer this question but he simply didn't have the ability to.

not flaring, just upset. his senses came into focus and whispered thru his mind. but the clarity of that sense jarred him.

"Cheer up, Onee-san… Things are serious now, but it could be worse."

"Is that so…?" she asked

"Even though we are trapped in this alternate world, there should be tens of thousand of Japanese here, right? Including the hundreds of thousand of players overseas, we have so many people in the same boat as us, so it's not the worse case scenario, right? We have a common language, some money on hand, and we can still talk in this room after barging into this world, isn't this the best evidence?" Naotsugu started encouraging strongly

"I haven't confirmed it yet, but our stamina seems to have strengthened according to our character's status, we can use swords and magic. In other words, we have been given the basic ability to survive in this world. Compared to classic fantasy novels where the characters travel to an alternate world, we are much more fortunate, you can even say it is a piece of cake." Naotsugu finished with a cheerful grin.

Shiroe felt impressed by Naotsugu, that had made a lot of sense.

Marielle perked up looking at Naotsugu with gratitude and hugged him all of a sudden. "you got it absolutely right! impressive Naotsugu-chan, Oneesan is really moved! I have been saved by you" she said out cheerfully hugging him to her breasts.

"hold on what's with her?" Naotsugu asked, as Shiroe chuckled lightly with one eye closed, as Naotsugu struggled in Marielle's embrace, as she ignored him and hugged him tight.

"Marielle we have guests?" Henrietta asked opening the door to the sight.

Henrietta

race: human

bard, Lv90

crescent moon alliance

"ah, you came at the right time Henrietta-san" Shiroe said out.

"wait!" Naotsugu called out, "Naotsugu-chan is a good boy, you can massage my breasts if you want" she said

"what is this?! what is wrong with her?" Naotsugu complained blushing.

"erm... I can't stop Marie-nee alone" Shiroe pointed out as Henrietta sighted. "sorry for the sudden intrusion, I came to exchange information with Marie-nee" Shiroe said.

"come on, come on, don't be shy massage as much as you want!" Marielle said

"wha!" Naotsugu yelped.

"oh dear, it's okay Shiroe-samma, it is our dumb girl here that is giving you trouble" Henrietta said.

"Marie! don't act in such a shameful manner!" Henrietta snapped out,

"wah? Henrietta? I heard some great opinions, Naotsugu-yan is right he gave such a great speech!" Marielle chimed.

"just let our guest go, this is crucial period consider the situation" Henrietta ordered and pulled Marielle back by her shoulder.

"why is this onee-chan so bold, that was scary" Naotsugu mumbled blushing and exhausted.

'oh my? have I seen him somewhere before?' Henrietta wondered musing before turning her attention back to Shiroe.

"I apologies for this, Shiroe-samma" Henrietta said giving a faint bow "but given what's happening I'd like to exchange information" Henrietta said, and Shiroe nodded.

"hmm. excuse me here's some tea" Shoryu said holding a tray as he opened the door before stopping "ah! AAAHHH" his eyes widen ears perked and tail waved.

"eh?" Henrietta looked at him curiously "what is it Shoryu?" Marielle asked her attention drawn elsewhere.

"oh you're the young man from that time" Naotsugu said recognizing him.

"this man. it, him he is that" Shoryu started.

"the, the Panties festival guardian!" Naotsugu blinked seeing his notebook who was now held out.

there was a moment silence at that as the words registered.

Shiroe wondered if he'd heard right, ears twitched slightly under his hair as he stared.

"ah" Marielle gasped out in realization when the words registered.

And there went any restraint on Shiroe's part, as he burst out laughing. Grabbing his stomach his whole body shook with laughter, no he hadn't heard wrong.

"shut up" Naotsugu complained before Marielle hugged him again.

"you don't need to hold back, massage my breasts to your hearts content" Marielle said again to the guardian,

"forget about the breasts" Naotsugu said as he blushed, "listen to me Oneesan this type of interaction is no good it's too dangerous can you use some common sense!"

"Marie-nee, Naotsugu may act like this but he is weak to direct attacks by girls" Shiroe started, his body still shaking with barely contained laughter, "please show some mercy" he said one eye closed and smiling with heavy amusement.

"Shiroe!" Naotsugu screamed out blushing.

"Is Naotsugu-yan weak against breasts? Want to touch?"

Naotsugu averted his eyes at Maryele's words, although he still took a peek. Breasts held the hopes and desires of a lot of men after all.

the enchanter only laughed as his friend blushed heavier.

Marielle is truly a league of her own.

/

'I needed that' Shiroe thought, feeling something purr in amusement within him, his mind calmer than earlier.

Having calmed down from that incident, they're now seated in the pink sofa. Naotsugu at his side, but Shiroe shifted slightly uncomfortable, the back of the sofa put a rather uncomfortable pressure on his wings. "is something wrong Shiroe-samma?" Henrietta asked noting it.

"just give me a moment" Shiroe responded shifting so that he sat closer to the edge and wings even if folded didn't touch the sofa's spine. the wing-wrists where not against his back anymore rather they kept loose closer to his shoulders and arms allowing the rest of the wings to simply drape making it appear as if the inside of the cloak was feathered.

'much better' Shiroe let out a relieved sight, before shaking his head "we came to exchange information who will be important from now on" Shiroe said drawing their attention elsewhere.

"I'm told that along with Akihabara the other four major cities on the Japanese server, Shibuya, Minami, Susukino, and Nakasu are all in the same shape" Shoryu said looking at the old map.

"and the inter-city transport gates are offline in other words teleporting elsewhere is impossible" Shoryu told them

"the akihabara adventurers are all meeting with their guilds just like we are" Henrietta explained.

"at a time like this the more people on your side the better" Marielle said "but even if this isn't our world we're all very familiar with elder tale" Naotsugu said.

"not necessarily" Shiroe interrupted resting his chin against his clasped hands "remember that the update of the expansion would go online today" Shiroe said.

"I get it" Naotsugu started "that means if they've added the new expansion then monsters, items quests may all be different"

"even if that's not the case this world may very well not be elder tales just one who's eerily similar" Shiroe said.

"h-hey Shiro-bou" Marielle started if somewhat hesitantly after a moment of silence, her elf ears that poked thru her gold hair flattened and flicked slightly in hesitance, while Shiroe let his hands drop.

"I know you aren't a big fan of guilds... but..." she said pausing slightly. "would you like to join ours?" Marielle asked

Shiroe stilled, feeling how his emotions rose uncomfortable

"Marie?" Henrietta asked out stunned

"Debauchery Tea Party is gone right? and right now-" Marielle said

"I'm sorry Marie-nee" Shiroe said out interrupting., ears twitched against his hair.

"I just can't yet" Shiroe said looking down, feeling how his feathers shuffled and wings folded even closer to his body.

/

Marielle stared out the window as Shiroe and Naotsugu left the guild building.

"wasn't Debauchery ta Party a legendary guild that disbanded?" Shoryu asked.

Marielle turned around "no, no" she started "the tea party wasn't a guild" she said. Henrietta pushed up her glasses.

"it was a small group that never formed a guild, but managed to complete several large scale battles called raids. And Shiroe-samma was their strategist" Henrietta explained.

"no one knows why they didn't form a guild" Marielle stated she wasn't sure why.

probably either due to Shiroe or the groups leader? she didn't know.

Shoryu blinked he had been so sure that it had been a guild so that it wasn't surprised him.

/

in Minami

Emiya was currently setting up a tent who Illya wasn't sure why he had, but it was coming in useful. Sakura was happily helping setting up a small fire at the moment.

she was far to cheerful about all of this, but considering the worms in his magic circuit, not having them means the crest-worms wasn't there either, nor the corruption of the grail for that matter. she was free of all of it.

Rin thought wasn't screaming but seemed to have crashed into an depression because this had pretty much destroyed her heritage, the magic she worked so hard to learn and develop. all progress gone.

Illya could understand that, she was feeling conflicted between the two choices herself, to be happy cheerful that she's alive, and won't die in a year or two from now. or despair that she lost all she trained and learned. or well she had the knowledge just no way to actually use it!

"what now?" Illya asked.

"we rest for the night then gather provision" Emiya said apparently having heard the whisper.

"wait why would we need provisions?" Illya asked receiving a blank look to the question.

"you need ask? are you really going to stay here, in Minami" he didn't ask as Illya flinched slightly.

frowning "no minami is dreary place" she answered. "I had planed to have us travel to Akihabara, it would be more fun playing there then here" she continued noticing that Emiya was going thru his menu again.

or at least she thought he were.

"exactly" he hummed finding the name he searched for, and a smirk formed making Illya eye him warily.

"hope this work" he said and started the call.

Emiya? you're here too?* was asked.

"it's nice to hear your voice, my strategist" Emiya replied sounding truly relieved, even as he confused the others.

'strategist?' Cu wondered curiously as he eyed Emiya's reaction, the very way he shifted to relaxed, relieved, even pleased if he would name the sensation.

it's good to hear from you to. are you in akihabara?" Shiroe asked.

Emiya's lips twitched and ears flicked back slightly "no I'm in Minami" he answered,

why in the magics are you in Minami? you hate that place more than either of us do guilds* Shiroe deadpanned baffled.

Emiya gave a short laugh to that. "my sister wanted us to get together with a few friends before they went on vacation. but they got transferred to Minami after the tutorial, so I spent time traveling here to meet up with them before the update" he explained,

newbies eh, you've found them then* he didn't quite ask having faith that Emiya had already found them or he likely wouldn't a have called.

"I'm grateful you worry my lord" Emiya said and Cu blinked stunned at the title. "but yes I found them a little while ago, just finished setting up a temporary camp, here with another player I know from... earth, didn't knew he played" Emiya trailed off slightly ignoring how the others were eyeing him.

only getting half the conversation, "so voice chat still works?" Illya mused not sure how that worked.

Shiroe hummed * their current levels and classes?* he asked, knowing that leaving them in minami is a recipe for disaster. or at least a disaster on Emiya's mood. which is not a good thing Emiya has the same kind of temper as himself.

which means if angered, you better off run and pray that he never finds you.

"my sister is a wolf fang level 51 guardian. the twins Rin also wolf fang level 3 samurai with her sister Sakura fox tail level 2 enchanter" Emiya started counting up "the acquaintance we meet is Chulainn level 90 sorcerer half alv like you my lord" he continued.

he didn't need to hear or see how Shiroe shifted. level 3 and 2 that's a nightmare with the current situation.

"are you with anyone?" Emiya asked a sudden seriousness made the others blink, even ad Cu could almost hear the worry on the voice.

I'm with Naotsugu* Shiroe answered and Emiya let out a relieved sight.

his instincts, the other felt content, sure the irritation remained but that Naotsugu was there, that his lords guardian is there was a relief he didn't knew he needed.

"thank heavens" Emiya murmured not quite sure what to think of it.

I'm guessing you're planning to head to Akiba* Shiroe didn't ask nor did he ask why Emiya reacted that way.

"that's the plan even before all of this" Emiya admitted. "we need to gather provisions and look over the combat system first thought" he continued.

that's a thirty day journey by horse. 10 days if you use a griffin* Shiroe said calculating. *if you use your summon then you can keep on flying for even longer* he continued.

"summon, oh, right that" Emiya trailed off, he had forgotten about that as generally only the first or class is seen unless the subclass is shown to others, the same applied to the secondary.

or the second main class that got unlocked by using a toy ring. the secret classed item was hard to get and was borderline unknown so very few actually had one, not that you could freely choose either as each ring was locked to one of the four types so you could only choose within the type your toy ring had.

"that would cut down on the travel time and avoid several risky areas" Emiya mused but he agreed to the suggestion.

summons an be maintained for far longer then griffins can fly after all.

it's just not widely used or known of? he never quite got why, as mounts are common used for longer travel, yet summons weren't for some untold reason even as they could.

"you're gathering information?" Emiya didn't quite ask, it was more of a statement.

when do I not?' Shiroe said amused,

"at least it's not an unknown dungeon this time due to a hole in the ground" Emiya said teasingly making the others blink. 'hole in the ground?'

that was an event, and I'm not sure why it was under the ground, and the texts was nothing about the raid boss* Shiroe rolled his eyes, as Emiya chuckled.

"true enough, events can get unpredictable" he admitted.

"I'll call if I find something on my end" Emiya continued.

and I'll do the same, good luck with your journey* Shiroe said as they finished the call.

"who where you speaking to?" Illya asked finding it interesting that voice chat worked as if well a telepathic phone if she where comparing it to anything.

"a friend, who just gave me an idea how to get us to Akihabara in five days" Emiya grinned causing the girls to recoil.

the grin was almost fanged, he didn't have fangs thought yet it looked, sharp so, very, very sharp.

"that's a thirty day journey" Cu commented deciding to ignore the resemblance for now.

"only by horse and walk" Emiya countered.

"flying yeah that would cut the travel time, you're not going to actually carry us there are you?" Rin asked incredulous and ERmiya snorted to that dismissing the notion in an instant.

"you're ridiculous. no I'll summon" he said bluntly.

"summon? you're an Assassin!?!" Illya shouted, while Cu looked thoughtful for a moment as he started up the camp fire.

"there do exist several tamer based subclasses to" Cu said giving Illya a look she'd been playing long enough to get halfway to max level before all of this, she should know of tamer subclasses.

"I don't have a tamer subclass" Emiya stated before showing his profile as a second text became vissible for them

Emiya

race: Elf

Assassin / Summon , lv90

"what?" Illya blinked and reread it a few times and it wasn't disappearing.

"so the rumor was true eh" Cu mused with raised brow.

"rumor?" Illya asked looking at the well sorcerer.

"there's rumors of a quest can grant you a main class in addition to your own, not as a subclass but as a full on second main class" Cu explained.

Emiya nodded but made a kind of gesture "it's not a quest. it's a sacred class item. maybe there exist a quest, not sure wouldn't surprise me if there's several ways to get one. it's really rare thought" Emiya started.

"not sure why it's called Toy ring. but it works like a key when equipping it the first time it allows you pick another main class in addition to your own. but there's limits as you can't choose of the same type your class is off, and the ring limits the choices to one of the remaining three types which is seemingly random" Emiya continued.

"so just because we don't have a... mage class now don't mean I can't get one" Rin mused intrigued.

"you could just end up with weapon master or healer typed class if you tried" Sakura interrupted and Rin nodded.

"if there do exist a quest then they're probably also limited in similar manner, or give out the class randomly without choice" Cu mused but had a point

"so we're using a summon to fly to this other city it makes sense" Rin nodded as if it was obvious now when they knew Emiya probably can summon some creature to fly them there.

Illya thought blinked, "you can use summons as mounts" she didn't ask more of stated it in thought as if she's never considered it.

"yeah, it's not commonly used method thought, beats me why" Cu answered that while Emiya nodded in agreement.

/

it's morning now in akihabara, and they're still in elder tales, or theladasia perhaps was better word for it.

it was first in the morning that they began to feel the signs of hunger, causing Naotsugu and Shiroe to walk in the direction of the market place.

"aren't there more people of the land then before?" Naotsugu asked but had a point.

Shiroe didn't answer semeing in thought, 'the npc's that inhabit the world of elder tale call themselves the People of the land, just like we players are officially called adventureres' Shiroe thought eyes flicking to some who looked so utterly depressed.

'are some of them even awake?' he wondered holding back a frown.

"guys? want to buy something?" a female shopkeeper asked,

"you mean we can eat these?" Naotsugu wondered.

"it would be strange if one couldn't" Shiroe responded.

Stomachs growled, "well no time thinking about it" Naotsugu said and bought some food.

Shiroe tilted his head for a moment before picking out more ingredient items then he should have. he wasn't sure how magic laws in this world, game, reality worked, but if they where anything like wizarding magic-

then it was a 50-50 bet that the food either had no nourishment after being cooked.

said cooking system was way to close to conjuration for his liking. and one of the basic things where that you can't conjure food, which not fully true you can conjure food it just won't have any nourishment and be like eating air that taste.

Naotsugu having gone for pizza, mashed potato with bacon, Caesar salad and orange juice. while he himself had chosen roasted chicken with orange and tomato sauce, and black tea.

while it may be a bit extravagant, both of them are level 90 players, thus more then wealthy enough to buy as many of these player made meals in the market as they wished.

"what is this?" Naotsugu asked depressed after a bite looking at the food, it looked right, smell weaker but still.

Shiroe choked ash, burnt ash! Why?!,

'that taste!' Shiroe thought instinct despairing at the taste, as he coughed taking some of his drink to wash out the taste.

well the tea tasted like water, fresh water, while slightly depressing it was way better then eating ash.

but for ones his head didn't hurt as the other felt despair as well, same emotions not striking as hard even as the almost heard words confused him. it should have taste, bland but taste! where did the taste go! why Ash?!

'I'm not eating human food again' Shiroe thought as something curled dangerously in frigid disgust at the taste. he didn't care who cooked this whoever that did failed epically. but there was one possibility he couldn't avoid thinking of.

the chance that it was All food.

"it tase like soggy crackers without salt" Naotsugu complained depressed, and that made Shiroe stare at him even as he picked up one of the fruits he bought.

biting into an apple Shiroe couldn't help but to feel relief, the fruits flesh and juice hitting his tongue tasted like normal. no well was it richer than normal 'is my taste buds different?' he wondered not quite sure what to think.

or rather what that meant. the different reaction, and the thought of it being a class difference was ridiculous which made a race different more likely.

"oh" Shiroe paused seeing Emiya call again and he wasn't sure why as it's only gone a night.

"good morning Emiya, you're calling earlier then I thought" Shiroe greeted.

true enough my strategist* Emiya agreed.

"if you buy food, stick to eating ingredient items" Shiroe said bluntly.

eh?* Emiya blinked at his end *what? why? what's wrong with the food?* he almost sputtered.

"what isn't wrong with it? all drinks taste like water thankfully. the food taste like dry burnt ash or well for me it does. Naotsugu say it taste like soggy crackers would preferred that" Shiroe sighted "ingredient items taste like normal thankfully" he continued throwing a glare at the other food

dry ash? soggy crackers? I don't like either taste choice there* Emiya said holding back anger that made Shiroe's lips quirk at the almost rant. the two often spoke of culinary recipes, even traded recipes at times. so the reaction was a given.

chef instincts despairing.

thanks for the heads up* Emiya sighted refocusing on something else *but that's not why I called, me and Chulainn tested the combat systems this morning* Emiya said.

"morning" Shiroe didn't ask, it was more likely the other couldn't sleep and ended up testing their combat abilities before sunrise.

early* Emiya said simply to that. *but the screens only got in the way, impossible to navigate and made the fight depressingly pathetic and it was even low level opponent, nothing that would be of threat* Emiya sighted.

"right, in person point of view like this makes traditional screen controls tricky or useless" Shiroe mused.

useless is an understatement we can't fight like that* Emiya pointed out, *I ended up simply nocking a arrow and fire it without using the screen. which took it out in one blow* Emiya continued.

"so if you want to battle here then you need to think of the act then trust your body's instincts to use it rather than..." Shiroe trailed off as the meaning of such controls hit him, because didn't that mean that their bodies, these ones are from here?

his train of thoughts and possible theories screeched to a halt as they heard a screech.

"What, but we're in the city! edge sure but Monsters shouldn't get in here!?" Naotsugu sputtered going for his sword.

Shiroe standing up staff in hand before just stopping short at the sight or rather the profile who appeared the moment he focused on the monster.

"I think my pet owl got transported to, and she's not an owl anymore" Shiroe eventually spoke.

Hedwig

race: Ancient griffin,

rank raid, lv 90

master Shiroe

wait pet owl? taken to? what's going on?* Emiya almost demanded, and Shiroe didn't need him to be near to notice the frustration that he wasn't there when whatever is happening.

"wait your snowy? but that's not an OWL!" Noatsugu screamed, and Emiya could hear that.

"not anymore she isn't but that's Hedwig al right" Shiroe said answering both at the same time as the griffin, or Ancient griffin landed.

that she was here as an ancient griffin of all things meant that she got taken to, being his familiar and very much bonded to his magic core and ended up with a fitting body here that suited both Hedwig and Kei or well Shiroe.

because that's who he is here.

griffins where interesting monsters, being half lion and avian creatures with generally two to four meters in length. capable of flying and even carrying passengers. some being trained as mounts but getting a summon whistle for a griffin mount was ridiculous hard or absurdly expensive so it was a rare item. meeting a wild griffin was just as rare if not rarer, with griffins preferring to live solitary in the mountains.

Ancient griffins where similar yet different if a normal griffin was the rivals to iron tailed wyverns then Ancient griffins are the rivals to dragons.

for one they're larger to double the length around 5 to 6 meter long with 3 meter tall and that's not counting the tail. they could carry three to four passengers when not counting the rider, possessing keen eyesight and night vision while having an enhanced physic.

they're known as powerful protectors and guardians with high defenses making them hard to harm thru any means. not counting on that the form differenced, one being that their ears are feathered fins, with the other being that they got two tails one feline tail with the second tail being a bird one at the end of their spine where the tail would start often resting over part of the feline tail, with another very define difference.

Ancient griffins their feline side could vary. as they where just like dragons in elder tale that there existed several different types named after something that said what coloring they had. which each different color having their own feline, a Black ancient griffin wasn't lion based but panther, even spotted actually.

but getting one as a mount even as a summon contract was extremely small, as first you need to find one either a summon whistle or a ancient griffin and somehow beat or convince it to form a contract.

getting one as a familiar thought. well familiars did exist in elder tales, it was when a animal, monster of some kind decide to go benevolent and decide that they like you thus stay with you. it was ridiculous random and you never knew what you'd get or even who that would get one. a sort of joke aspect but could be useful for those who had a familiar. as they could search for hidden areas, treasures, locate traps or material.

Hedwig clearly is a frost griffin, as such her feline side was snow leopard. thus she have longer thicker fur and feathers. the wings coverts seeming almost fluffy, due to the thickness, and tail feathers long almost touching the ground. with due to the length and thickness of the fur-feathers she almost have a mane at the neck, throat and chest.

with from halfway down the legs the fur get longer forming feathering that hides the paws only letting the deep black talons poke out thru the silk like fluff on the front due to the retractable ones at the back. The snow leopard spots that cover the body n wings even decorate the face is pale silvery fading to almost white depending on the light making it hard to see, with even the beak being silvery if darker.

Hedwig landed elegantly with a regality that was perfectly normal for Hedwig, even as she nuzzled her beak against Shiroe. the change in his appearance doing nothing to her ability to tell who he is.

or that he's her mage.

"hello my darling" Shiroe murmured, and it felt like a weight suddenly lifted from his shoulders. not feeling anything from the other either or if he did it was the exact same he felt.

Shiroe-dono?' Emiya asked, reminding Shiroe that he was still on a thele-chat.

"ah, sorry about that" Shiroe chuckled slightly, "getting Hedwig back is a relief, but her form here is rather shocking"

I don't need to guess that it's not a owl. I didn't even know you had a owl* Emiya commented.

"she's been my companion sense I was eleven" Shiroe admitted easily and Naotsugu raised a brow to that.

why do the fact of you having a owl not surprise me?* Emiya asked not for any answer, and Shiroe didn't even know how to answer that either.

what did she end up as? considering we're our elder tale characters" Emiya continued.

"a frost griffin" Shiroe answered and Emiya went silent.

/

in Minami Emiya hadn't merely gone silent but completely blanked stopping mid step.

the call ended easily enough, having delivered his news, but.

"frost griffin, how, no it's no question his owl become a familiar here, but why a frost griffin?" Emiya muttered.

"I'm guessing something happened" Cu stated not asking, as he carried their provisions, while also ignoring how the landers where looking at Emiya.

both with recognition and awe.

"Shiroe-dono had a pet owl who got transported here" Emiya started having no other explanation to why a pet owl would get transported as well with the rest of them.

it's not like the owl had a player character in elder tales after all.

"maybe it was the familiar system acting up" Emiya mused.

"that random thing?" Cu raised a brow because while useful it's ridiculous random and popular belief was that it where added as a joke.

"yeah I'm not sure what's going on, just that he apparently now got a frost griffin as his familiar that apparently got the same name as his pet owl without having named the griffin or even meet it before now" Emiya sighted.

"from sounds of things the frost griffin sought him out" Emiya continued.

"so an animal familiar then" Cu nodded as if that explained everything.

"you know something" Emiya stated glancing at the mage.

"magus familiars now days aren't the same as familiars from before. sometimes an animal with some magic would simply just decide I like this person their mine. and stay. said person might not even know they have any magic true one or otherwise" Cu explained.

"that sounds ridiculous similar to the familiar game system works" Emiya sweatdropped before gaining a thoughtful look about something else. "can a person have clairvoyance without knowing it?" he asked and caused Chulainn to stop and stare at him.

opening his mouth for a moment before pausing "actually, yeah, sometimes they're not even aware of that they said anything, or outright denies it" Cu admitted, he'd encountered such a person, ones it had been an interesting meeting to say the least.

Cu wasn't sure why Emiya would ask that, unless it got something to do with this Shiroe person perhaps. the fact that Emiya unwaveringly been calling this Shiroe for master, lord or odd case my strategist, made him unsure what to think of Emiya.

Notes:

third chapter over...

Hedwig is still here, as her kind of familiar isn't just a transfer of magic, but a bond that with time can run into the wizards magic core, or magi's magic-circuits. as in soul-deep, magis are just unaware of that these form of familiars still exist and most would just consider it a pet as they don't distort, change like typical magus familiar do.

wizard familiars just live as long as their wizard and tend to get ridiculous intelligent.

while Hedwig is still as wintery as ever she's a griffin here. which is an adaptation to better fit who Kei is in Theladasia. as there he isn't Kei the current Peverell lord that avoids magical councils as if a plague, but Shiroe an Archmage (not that he's aware of it yet) and legendary strategist.

because just like all of the adventures ending up with their adventurer body, Hedwig would end up as and in the most likely to become Shiroe's Familiar.

Chapter 4: aftermaths

Notes:

dyslecit reminder, gramar and spelling errors can happen.

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"do we have everything?" Illya frowned wanting to check that they truly had everything they needed, even as they where currently riding.

"yeah we have everything" Emiya hummed seeming on a far better mood the further they got from the city.

"you really don't like that city do you" illya commented.

"true enough" Emiya agreed easily, it was no secret either.

"a month by horseback I don't think I'd handle that much" Rin complained.

Emiya rolled his eyes "you better get used to it, horses apart from carriages are the main mounts for transportation as the city gates shut down"

"you're not even worried oniisan. I can't even help without tripping every step" Illya stated.

Emiya glanced back at her. "why should I be? it's not like we're entering a dungeon not even a raid area either, and any monsters we encounter on the road will avoid us, unless they're aggressive enough to attack anything within range and I'm already prepared to deal with any monster who tries that even with the current rustiness" Emiya commented his expression calm but total faith in his capabilities.

Rin almost grimaced, as she held back a flinch. 'Emiya is way to similar to archer' she thought before letting out a huff.

"what's up with you? the last two days, not only looking similar, but you almost act like Archer to" Rin spoke eyes narrowed.

"what? I'm not" Emiya frowned confused.

"Oniisan isn't as cynical" Illya countered.

"nor anywhere near as bitter, as if a weight was removed if comparing you two" Cu commented, making Emiya raise a brow.

"whatever that made him like that haven't happened to me" Emiya deadpanned but he hasn't been acting different have he... before realizing something, a fact he hadn't even noticed being possible sinking in as it became apparent.

the landers knew him, of him, recognized him, they where more worried of the sudden break down all adventurer had.

this world being real. their player history

"oh" he whispered.

"Oniisan?" Illya asked seeing how Emiya had just frozen on the spot even if his horse kept on walking it seemed nervious to do so, before Illya gave Rin a glare for freezing her brother like that.

Rin thought looked just confused, the question shouldn't have made him react like that.

"Chulainn" Emiya started but the way Emiya kept his voice carefully neutral with sharp serious edge made Cu still slightly

"what?" he asked, the reaction far to similar for his liking, 'younger self, definetly younger self' he thought.

"how much do the different servant classes affect you?" Emiya asked and Cu's eyes widened at the question that wasn't quite spoken.

"the knight classes always ends up somewhat noble or honorable in some form even if mortals are twisted as hell. and it's easy to tell the change on a berserker" Cu answered but Emiya seemed to be ignore the response more keen to look at his own hand.

'he discovered something' was the shared thought.

"the landers, they were confused, frightened at the sudden Breakdown" Emiya started, "but not a single lander found our presence here strange" he continued as if thinking out loud.

Cu's eyebrow shut up in realization.

"because we where already here" Cu said continuing at what Emiya just realized. "this world is real but we're not strangers here rather we're a familiar presence the natives knows, recognize interact with and have for a long time"

"what are you talking about?" Illya asked wary of whatever it was her brother just realized.

"our character existed here to, the class lores, the stores, culture aspects, our entire player history it's all real tangible events that happened, and possible even recorded by the landers" Emiya voiced.

"wh-what?" Rin stammered as the words sank in.

"you say I changed right, Rin?" Emiya asked looking back at her before letting out a chuckle and shook his head.

"how long have you been playing elder tales?" Cu asked more to confirm what he realized himself, as well what Emiya just figured out.

"seven years and some months" Emiya answered.

"seven years aren't that-" Rin started

"no it's more then enough" Cu interrupted "because one earth year is about 110 years in elder tales" Cu stated startling them while Illya's eyes widened she hadn't noticed, not realized the time difference before.

"one year is more then enough to start forming local stories, change that a hundred years" Cu continued which explained some of how the landers reacted to Emiya, 'adventuers are probably this worlds version of heroic spirit, not the same but similar' he thought but didn't voice it.

Illya frowned, "that means this world it's not merely the game turned real, it was real from the start, but that don't explain how any adventure here can be the same as our character" she frowned because that was strange and made no sense.

an important piece missing.

the theory got confusing at that point. "window mirror" Emiya commented absently. "a misty one but a window mirror none the less" he said.

"a what now"?" Illya asked startled at the odd offhanded comment.

"see the game as window, a way for us to interact with this world, everything done in the game would been mirrored into the real Theladasia, each time new update came, the more of this world was seen. with the player and character acting as a single entity on this side" Emiya explained.

"I didn't take you for one to know magical theory, especially not kaleidoscope one" Rin deadpanned to that.

"I've spent around seven hundred years traveling with an enchanter who rather explore the ever changing landscape to find every single little myth or secret that's been lost here rather then battle monsters. it would be odd if I didn't pick something up" Emiya deadpanned before freezing as he realized what word he just said. this time stopping his horse from walking to as he jerked the reins.

"you didn't mean to say that did you" Cu stated stopping his own horse as did the girls as well.

"no, no I did not" Emiya admitted looking at his hand, he had meant to say little more then six years but instead he ended up saying the elder tale, no theladasia years instead and he didn't even realize he had said that until after the fact.

"most players will fall into something similar to how one acted in game because of the resemblance alone. and if memories of our selves here still are with us even if currently suppressed" Illya sighted but if this theory is true then it would explain her brothers seemingly different behavior.

"that explains the sense of other. if our entire player history is something that really happened here, then feelings, reactions, memories, experiences it's all natural here, most probably don't even notice it, due to it being subtle it being natural, or one simply slip into ones in game character because it feels right" Emiya sighted rubbing his templets.

"can do without the headache thought" he admitted.

"it's all theory and we don't have a way to check it, perhaps when we get to Akihabra we can look at an library" Illya suggested.

Emiya thought looked more thoughtful, he got a feeling that he could check it right now, but he wasn't quite able to place the how.

"never mind, lets rest up for now, we need to get something to eat to" Emiya said, jumping off his horse.

/

eating their lunch, which was mostly fruits, ingredient items, as the cooked food.

"why don't cooked food have taste?" Rin asked because that made no sense at all.

"the system used to create it collapsed with the gate transport" Emiya commended idly before taking another bite out of his fruit.

"Can't you cook?" Illya asked, and Emiya just glared.

"no unless you want to eat black sludge" Emiya huffed, now wasn't that irritating.

"what?" came out startled.

"only an chef can cook, just how the laws of reality is in this world. thank heavens that multi subclass was added 5 years ago" Emiya chuckled, sure most don't bother getting more then two or three as it took time and effort to level up a subclass.

but for veteran players they could often have more, especially explorer typed adventures like himself. it wasn't to strange to go on a subclass gathering.

"how do you know that?" Cu asked with raised eyebrow.

"a call with Shiroe-dono. apparently when Naotsugu tried to cook it ended up as black sludge. but it became normal food when Shiroe-dono tried it but he got the chef subclass Naotsugu didn't" Emiya explained.

"and you don't got chef subclass" Illya said realizing that none of them had that.

"I'll get it when we get to akihabara, but I'll still need to level it up" Emiya shrugged. "might be able to make us something to drink thought but that's a big might, and I don't want to waste resources so for now you better get used to fruits and other ingredient items" Emiya continued,

"drink" Cu asked looking at Emiya.

"I got the brewer subclass so possible" Emiya nodded.

"brewer? what, but that's" Illya sputtered with good reason. Emiya brewer that's ridiculous.

"I did only get it for the kick of it" Emiya admitted grinning or was it smirking.

didn't stop it all form feeling like the world turned upside down there for a moment.

"my other crafting rpg or production makes more sense" he admitted

"how many do you have?" Illya asked curious. she only had two herself and they weren't even fully leveled up yet.

"four production classes, three rpg classes and two title classes" Emiya counted easily making Illya gape while Cu looked somewhat startled.

"right seven years, you're an explorer aren't you" Cu stated.

"I am" Emiya agreed, admitting it easily.

"explorer?" Sakura asked curious.

"player exist in a 4 different main types. the first being traditional battler, those who hunt monsters and fight. the second being the merchant being in it to craft and sell items, with the third being the social, casual playing and mostly just having fun with friends" Cu started explaining lifting a finger for each "the fourth are explorer, those who play to explore the ever changing landscape" he finished.

"merchant styled adventures often gather several production subclasses as they need it to be efficient or join guilds based off on the theme. with socials doing something similar just without the buying and selling part and the subclass can be well anything" Emiya explained tilting his head.

"explorer and battler often picks more rpg or goes after title subclasses. to enhances ones playing experience, ones capabilities and so forth" he continued.

"subclasses? as if a mini class added to your main one" Rin mused.

"pretty much, there exist over hundred different subclasses, so the choice option is great. some have level limit, others you need to level up another before you can gain the one you're after. you need alchemist to become a gemsmith as example or have blacksmith to gain weapon smithing" Illya was the one who answered to that.

"gemsmith?" Rin asked focusing on that.

"you still need to level alchemist up level 50 before you can get gemsmith" Emiya pointed out.

"how do one get subclasses?" Sakura asked.

"there's three way, ask a lander with said subclass to learn it. you go thru a basic one time course of said subclass. the other is ask a adventure with said subclass, which is pretty much the same. the third way is getting a book on the subclass, learn to cook for chef as example" Cu answered the fox tail.

"can one only have nine subclasses?" Illya asked almost absently as she was in thought. she's never heard of a upper limit, but generally most only choose one to three subclasses.

both Emiya and Cu shook their heads to that "nah. most only chooses two to three subclasses, but the longer you play the higher chance of having more or wanting to change things up" Cu answered.

"after the beta ended and elder tales was released, they changed it form a single subclass to multi-subclass system. and it's remained sense because it was popular and drew players. to be ablet o choose from such a large range of subclasses. even going thru complex quests to earn title subclasses or even find lore on lost subclasses that..." Emiya trailed of "lost subclasses uh, I wonder if one can rediscover one" Emiya mused, making the others look at him.

"right, explorer you say" Illya said glancing at Cu who looked somewhat surprise at the sudden shift in thoughts.

/

on a completely different server.

Waver rubbed his forehead wondering how he ended up in this situation.

he had been in a party with three others, before the update and now this. while Alice is well insane, eccentric and probably some form of seer, she lived up her name and the armor she wore.

long hair curly pale blond yet purples and blues highlights the tips fading out to pale blond at the shoulders with reds and yellows. large blue eyes and lithe form. what most would call adorable on the spot, looking about 16 but there was no way to tell how old she was or if she was even she on earth.

her gear thought the two most blatant obvious, wonderland's hare a cosmetic item that gives the wearer white rabbit ears and fluffy rabbit tail, so instead of having fox ears and tail she got rabbit, white ones with one ear folding forward.

added the cloths well if they had been blue instead then she would clearly styled her character after alice in wonderland.

the other being her armor, or if you could call it that. she was wearing cloth based armor, consisting of a white dress with kimono styled sleeves, almost appearing coat like due to the broad black ribbon going straight down on the front from neckline to mid thigh, while the rest of the dress ended just past knees.

plate covering her chest and curved at the hips, being the only metal armor on her, an white caplet with furred edge, four broad blue ribbons falling down from it, two at the back and two at the front on either side of the caplet. it's an light armor, cloth based little protection compared to chainmail or plate guardians and paladins uses, but she's a monk so Alice don't use that.

the others in the party thought was far more sane thankfully.

Godric, a dwarf who currently had problems walking due to the height change throwing him off. but he looked adult, having short spiky blood red hair, lean but strong muscles and if not for the race being dwarf he would probably be tall.

waver shook his head for a moment, Godric was a guardian and is way to similar to his rider, well... it's not behavior but rather their appearance being far to similar and Waver wasn't sure if it was coincidence or not when it came to the armor. a bronze colored armor in Greek like style, with red highlights, highlighting his muscles. a red cloth skirt who left open underneath it.

but it's also different, for one he got shoulder guard three layers resting on his shoulder and part of the upper arms with pale furred edge on them. instead of arm-guards he wears full on gauntlets in similar style covering his hands, wrist and arms up to almost shoulders before stopping. his shoes while similar wasn't sandals either armored, plates covering his feet from toes to heels, leg-guards up to his knees.

but it was the shield that was the most obvious. his main weapon being a shield who normally would be odd in it's own if not for Waver knowing of the very blatant sharp edges of the shield. it's odd form was peculiar thought, a large round circle in the center over another even larger circle four points coming out from it, giving the shield a cross like feel. having the same black bronze mixed color with red patterns as his armor, thought if that was it's natural color or if dyed he didn't know.

the final member of their party was Rowena.

she's a sorcerer, the ice queen as she was popularly called and truly breathtaking. even for a game with beautiful avatars she was on a different level, of beautiful, a wintery beauty thought. pale skin almost white, ice-teal eyes and startling long flowing ice blue hair that seem to almost glow.

she's wearing a dress of sort, a see thru one seen thru the front slit of the icy purple dress's skirt. white lines cutting thru the dress with slightly more vibrant layer as if a jacket fitted to the dress covering part of her chest and shoulders before being slitted up to upper arm at the loose sleeves, having white feather edge.

a pair of high heeled shoes, with three metal plates layered at the front and two on the back, making them armored in icy purple with silver-white marking. dark stockings covering the entirety of her legs in darker color.

but as a ritian she have natural tattoos, tribal runic like one her race always have could be seen teased under the sleeves and curling along her neck and throat as if a icy collar due to the white-silvery color of them. Rowena looked much like a queen, an winter queen and with her ice themed sorcerer the title was more then well earned,

a gnarly wooden staff resting in her hands, a wise owl staff, but he wasn't sure which kind. either dyed but Waver doubted that, so it likely wasn't the horned owl, as this one not red-tinted wood but white, silvery frost marking the wooden form.

thought looking at himself he had changed to.

he looked younger here, while still adult there was no stress lines. dark grey eyes, and long black hair, still the familiar slim lean form he was used to and thankfully about the same height, not enough difference to make him stumble.

dressed in a more classic black robe, shoes, and pants not that the pants where visible. over it was another one, this one left open more coat like held in place with a golden sash wrapped around his waist.

over it all thought was an phantasmal item he was proud and pleased to have manage to get. a long red cloak, thick golden fur covering the neckline and portion of the shoulders, circuit-vine like lines stretching up from the lower edge in just as brilliant gold. Relic of the King.

most would think that he's a mage, or possible druid or exorcist, and while the healer guess is right they're wrong of the type. as Waver had originally created his character on the Japanese server he got his cloak on the Chinese one, but that means he had option to pick a regional class, the kanagi a barrier wielding healer and he liked the class.

"how did I end up in this situation?" Waver asked again, Godric snorted but sounded amused.

"it's Alice what did you expect would happen" he didn't ask, there was no point.

Waver raised a brow to it thought, "fairy rings? why is Luna so interested in fairy rings we go no way to tell where we'll even end up if we dare to use one" Waver stated.

"true" Alice grinned. "that would be an adventure but we're heading to Akihabara, in six days or so" she paused slightly before nodding.

"what" Waver said flatly.

'akihabara that's one of the main cities on the Japanese server' he thought, before remembering a fact "right seer, why are we heading there again?" Waver asked trying to get something that he could use to make sense of her insane choice especially as Alice where dragging them along with her.

"Shiro is in Akihabara" Alice said simply, Godric blinked as did Rowena for a moment as her mouth opened in a small gasp.

Godric hummed "well if anyone can figure out what happened, why, how and who did this, then it's Shiroe" he agreed.

Waver blinked not sure who they where talking about.

"I had forgotten that you two had been in debauchery tea party" Rowena stated causing Waver to almost trip on a root as shock went thru his body.

"that would make you two the crimson shield and mad hatter" Waver said after a moment.

Alice gave him a wide look confusion apparent as if it hadn't been obvious. "yes so?" she asked.

Waver didn't answer. the Tea Party was known world wide, a chaotic group but legendary one in elder tales.

a group of only ten adventurers when it started but it grew to be just over twenty before they disbanded. but even being disbanded for a year now they're still known to be one of the most experienced and strongest players in the world.

completing raids with a group that would been far to small but yet won.

/

with the traveling group.

"don't do that" Emiya said causing Illya to stumble forward as she tripped again.

"I'm guessing that's due to your height difference, but we aren't going to ride horses until we camp for the night" Emiya stated, not looking up from the map he was currently going over.

"you aren't going to have us walk the rest of the day" Rin asked warily at that as Illya pulled herself up from the ground.

"now you're just being silly" he commented "no we're going to fly the rest of the way" Emiya easily continued.

"yes the secondary class, but we'll still run into problem near the mountains. we can't fly thru wyvern territory" Chulainn said. pointing out said area on the map.

"true enough if we can't fly there then we'll have to ride by horse thru these parts" he admitted tracing a merchant road.

"what will we fly on?" Illya asked curious as to what kind of contract her brother have manage to get.

Emiya thought grinned, feeling his mana come forth, rising and rising until the area around him started glowing in dark blue colors as the magical power got even height.

'what?' the girls eyes widened.

"awaken my old friend" Emiya started as it started to get hard to even see him.

"blue dragon awaken from thy sapphire slumber and fly through the sky!" he called out his form fully shadowed.

a roar pierced the sky before wings ripped thru the blue light, allowing them to see a dragon.

an azure colored dragon with translucent scales that seemed almost made up out of ice. a silver edged sapphire cross rested on the dragon's forehead, having a crown like headdress resting on the head with four spikes on either side, letting it be layered over both the horns and ears as well as each other. the legs also appeared to be armored, and there was even a thick fur collar tied with a chain resting at the base of their neck allowing the fur to touch the base of the massive wings.

but. "it's to large" Illya gasped.

normal summons, they're only a third of their original power, their size can also be affected, so how. how is this dragon who should be around 15 or 20meter easily 30meters? possible larger?

Emiya tilted his head, feeling similar confusion, yet he couldn't help but to think that his dragon haven't been that small in a long time.

"oh? my friend for you to feel conflicted something happened" the sapphire dragon murmured bowing down their head.

"yes something happened. but we need to get back to akihabara" Emiya said giving a nod.

"yes, being near minami, why you are here of all places I don't understand" Arrtur huffed before bending down so that they could get on.

"my sister wanted to have some fun with a game, but it went sideways" Emiya answered, before practically pulling Illya up on the dragon's back.

Cu thought whistled.

Arrtur

race, Sapphire dragon

rank raid, lv 90

Master Emiya

"that's one legendary contract you got" Cu stated, before helping Sakura up.

"how, how did you, when, why do you have a dragon?" Rin sputtered.

"why wouldn't my friend have my contract? he more then earned it" Arrtur puffed out a icy cloud not found of hearing their bond being dismissed at all.

"don't mind her, Rin knows nothing of elder tales, or theladasia. and well I'll explain on the way" Emiya trailed off.

silver eyes meet golden ones with a clear unspoken words you better in them.

/

in Akihabara the two where walking past a for Naotsugu a familiar building or rather what was left of it.

"hey Shiroe I don't know since I have been away for a year, what is this building used for?" Naotsugu asked looking at a specific building.

"the top floors are abandoned but the first floor seems to be the warehouse for a merchant guild" Shiroe responded.

"eh! for real, if we break it we will need to compensate them a lot of cash" Naotsugu said faintly panicked

"No it should be fine" Shiroe sweatdropped slightly not sure why Naotsugu should compensate anyone for a ruin.

the sight thought.

the streets where truly a depressing sight.

"I wonder how long they will just sit around here" Naotsugu said, "die and you can escape in stories like this that's pretty common" he continued.

"or you stay dead" Shiroe countered because that was just as common for stories like this.

"when it was a game you'd revive at a cathedral" he continued.

"we can't experiment with that" Naotsugu said simply even as his eyes narrowed noticing a pebble falling nearby.

"even if we do revive I can't picture it not taking some form of toll on ones mind" Shiroe commented idly. a phoenix reviving still means they had to regrow even if they do so quickly, so such a immortality it had to have some cost.

eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, before moving backward as a boulder fell down with a loud crack.

"Oi! what are you Doing!?" Naotsugu shouted "that' dangerous!"

Shiroe looked up toward the partially open building and recognized the figure. "you are" he started "Akatsuki-san" Shiroe said mildly surprised.

Akatsuki

race; human

Assassin, lv90

"what you know him?" Naotsugu asked.

"we've been in a few party's together before not much of a talker but a good assassin. shadow blade build seem to be his favorite style" Shiroe explained eyes trained on said assassin.

his ears twitched, Shiroe could tell how Akatsuki's mana coiled wary, flaring in discomfort, and Akatsuki's eyes were also twitching slightly. while the assassin's magic their chi was contained so not exactly flaring it was easy for Shiroe to pick up on the discomfort and was that out of synch?

when they got to the building it was easy to notice that something is wrong. even more so then what he sensed earlier, and Shiroe couldn't help but to shift slightly, at the startling clarity.

'this will take some time getting used to' he thought as the senses was far, far brighter then he expected even as he noted Akatsuki leaning heavily against a large wooden box in a rather unhealthy slump.

the assassin was not on top of their game, even with the high class and quality protective gear.

"so you are also here Akatsuki-san" Shiroe greeted.

"I'm Naotsugu, a guardian, whether you're an open or closet pervert nice to meet you" Naotsugu introduced himself raising a thumb up.

"tich, you say that to somone you just met?" Shiroe asked

"jup" Naotsugu merely grinned.

"Shiroe-dono, I've been looking for you" Akatsuki said their voice breathy under the mask.

"uh?" Shiroe blinked because that sounded almost.

"I want you to sell me a potion, an appearance changing potion" Akatsuki asked pulling down the mask with a faint blush.

"that voice" Naotsugu said looking surprise.

"you're a girl?" Shiroe asked startled wings unfurling partially in surprise.

"no wonder you never spoke much" Shiroe mused folding his wings again but he didn't tuck them under the cloak, as he searched for the potion in question.

giving it to Akatsuki as he finally found it. letting the assassin go behind a wooden curtain.

"Appearance changing potion. those are rare. they only distributed them once" Naotsugu said before trying to sneak forward.

"I remember Shiroe-dono having one" Akatsuki explained, as Shiroe grabbed Naotsugu by the back of his armor.

"le-let me go" Naotsugu said almost falling backward as Shiroe prevented him from getting any closer.

"I thought you wouldn't use the voice chat because you where playing classic assassin" Shiroe admitted as the area behind the curtain lit up in bright light.

they could hear bones break and shift, as well as groans of pain " are you-" he didn't fincih as the groan turned into screams of pain.

wings snapping shut at the sound of breaking bones and flesh got worse, as if they where being ripped apart and pieced back together.

"h-how long will it last?" Naotusgu asked flinching.

after a final scream the light vanished, and Shiroe let out a relieved sight.

Akatsuki stepped out from behind the curtain her cloths looking far to big. "it's all right now" Akatsuki said.

"she's hot the real deal!" Naotsugu cheered.

"you really saved me. I appreciate it" Akatsuki continued ignoring the guardian's comment.

"it's fine" Shiroe said.

/

"retract my earlier statement" Naotsugu started "you can't be either an open pervert or a closet one because you aren't a man!" Naotsugu shouted only to be pretty much ignored.

Shiroe was going thru his status screen, while Akatsuki where stretching having refitted the cloths.

"Shiroe-dono, is there something wrong with him?" Akatsuki asked

"there are many things wrong with him" Shiroe answered

"Why is that?!" Naotsugu shouted.

"in any case, he's messed up" Akatsuki said.

"Akatsuki-san, did you adjust your character to be closer to your real size?" Shiroe asked looking over toward her.

"yes"

"you should have done that in the first place" Naotsugu asked not really getting why she'd choose such a different form for her character.

"Games are fun because you can do things you couldn't in real life, right" Akatsuki stated. "but once I was stuck here it was very inconvenient"

"inconvenient" Naotsugu said crossing his arms. "aha! you mean like the bathroom" Naotsugu said only to fall backward and down from the boulder as Akatsuki kneaded him in the face.

"Shiroe-dono, is it all right if I knee this strange man in the face?" she asked.

"Ask before you do it, Shrimp!" Naotsugu complained holding his nose

"Don't call me Shrimp!" she snapped at him.

"anyway how much do I owe you?" Akatsuki asked turning back to Shiroe.

"oh?" he looked toward her "don't worry about it" Shiroe dismissed the payment, he didn't need it either.

Akatsuki closed her eyes at that. "I don't want anyone saying I wouldn't repay a dept" she said.

"but" Shiroe leaned back.

"if it's that big of a deal you can-" Naotsugu started only to be kneaded in the face again

"Shiroe-dono, is it all right if I knee this strange man in the face?" Akatsuki asked again pointing at Naotsugu.

"I said to ask before you do it!" Naotsugu screamed. "and I didn't even finish" he continued.

"you were going to say something bad" Akatsuki stated.

"I was but" Naotsugu replied sheepishly before refocusing.

"anyhow, why don't you stay with us for a while?" he asked catching both attention. "strategist explain"

"that's true. we can't leave her by herself" Shiroe mused "Akatsuki, didn't you refuse to join a guild" he asked.

"assassin's are lone wolves" she answered to that.

"we aren't in one either. but right now I think it's better to stay in a group then go alone"

"Shiroe-dono are you all right with this?" Akatsuki asked.

"we'd be happy to have you" Shiroe answered with a small smile before he stilled as she kneeled.

"then as a ninja I shall revere you as my lord" Akatsuki said

Shiroe blanked as he heard that.

"wasn't she an assassin?" Naotsugu asked coming up behind Shiroe.

"you have saved me from the dire fate of being transformed into a man. thus I must work to repay you" she continued head bowed.

"that is what requiting a det means. from now on as your ninja I shall protect you" Akatsuki declared.

Shiroe felt himself twitch. 'how do I end up in this situation.

"then we're a team" Naotsugu declared.

/

standing on a nearby bridge as they looked down on the street below.

the fear seem to be lessening but now the number of people where just sitting depressed near the roads.

"how long will they just sit around there?" Naotsugu asked. "die and you can escape, in stories like this that's pretty common" Naotsugu continued.

"and sometimes if you die in the game you die in real life" Shiroe countered to that because that's just as common.

"when it was just a game, you'd revive at the cathedral" Akatsuki said as they started walking.

"but we can't very well experiment" Naotsugu stated "but even if you do revive what about your penalty"

'penalty, well we don't need to die' Shiroe thought stopping, 'that's right, even when it was a game we didn't need to die if one did it right' he thought, focusing on that difference.

it was constant these last three days. no change in it, just there. his magic also different not to drastic but it made Shiroe doubt he could preform wizarding magic like usual, with the difference.

it was stronger here, denser, the weight several times higher then he was used to making it more raw. sure Shiroe could tell that he's honed and refined it to extreme heights, probably because of his mana-controller build.

but for wizarding magic that likely wasn't enough. wizarding magic used control, precision and very little magic for each spell, overpowering a spell result in destruction and potential harm to the wielder, so most wizarding spells where probably out of his reach. his control due to the sudden density and pressure difference ruining his control.

perhaps not as much as other wizards if they got caught in this. but he probably could only cast one wizarding spell efficiently at the moment. that leave him his spells as a mage here as an high level enchanter.

'trust your body, follow your instincts' he thought feeling how his magic curled spells, skills just on the tip of his tongue ready to surge out on moments notice he just needed to call for it.

they don't need to test if the else woven into their mana, their spirit was a phoenix revival system or not. they didn't need to die either, nor test out what the penalty would be. normal penalty being loos of experience, but what is experience? they don't loose a skill after all so what would they loose?

Shiroe had no intention to confirm resurrection being possible, he wasn't even sure and he wasn't going to test it.

Akatuski and Naotsugu both stopped as they noticed Shiroe wasn't walking anymore.

"what's wrong my lord?" Akatsuki asked both looking at him

"let's try it" Shiroe said

"eh?"

/

"the archive tower forests" Naotsugu asked it was dark now.

"we're level 90 that was the game's level cap. normally low level monsters would just ignore us, but in this area the monsters will aggro on sight" Shiroe explained.

"so it's the perfect place to try it my lord" Akatsuki stated with a nod.

"oh? you can't use your mini-map in the outside zones" Naotsugu realized that could be a problem.

'how many systems broke with the transfer?' Shiroe wondered at that. or perhaps it was less broke and destroyed for energy?

turning toward the incoming monsters as three weasel like creatures ran into sight.

"Briar weasels" Akatsuki said out

Briar weasel

rank, normal

"level 28" Shiroe read up

"these guys are nothing" Naotsugu said pulling out his sword and held the shield at front.

"uh, what, no" Naotusgu stumbled as the screens flicked into sight. and definitely in the way.

"ignore the commands!" Shiroe snapped out because controlling the attack commands in the game manner here. no it was easy to see that, that would only cause them problems.

"what do that even mean!" Naotsugu shouted even as he stumbled slightly in the swing his body feeling so very out of synch. and the screens was definitely in the way.

the battle, it wasn't going well. they where having some major problems getting in synch, getting into the flow as Shiroe prepared another spell.

'it doesn't hurt as much as I expected. but unlike when you play the game trying to fight monsters in front of you while keeping an eye on your party and overall situation' Shiroe thought

'to survive in this world we have to adapt. we must hurry ad learn its rules and how to truly fight' Shiroe thought before he sensed a flare of aggression, malice rise far to close to his location.

"damn it this is hard" Naotsugu complained.

'a tiffid? where did it come from?' Shiroe wondered startled, but his control was off. it.

it wasn't out of synch.

it was rusty.

trust ones instincts.

act.

something clicked into place, and Shiroe allowed his magic to fly over the area. his mind coming into focus and movement felt less out of synch then before.

Shiroe twisted in mid air his wings flaring out, catching him as thorn wines surged, but instead of trapping the monster they seem to twist throwing it up into the air.

following his mental command without any restraint, delay or hesitation.

the briar weasels hesitated slightly as the intent flooded the entire area.

both Akatsuki and Naotsugu almost choked at the sudden presence. Shiroe's magic flaring, covering the entire area as if it just been plunged into darkness the faint light looking so far, far sharper s far more dangerous, as the white of his cloths and wings gave out an eerie light.

something had rattled loose on Shiroe.

no Kei seemed to backed away and Shiroe the experienced Enchanter and Warmage stood in his place and what a sight that was to behold. the thorn-bind rose again this time catching the triffid trapping it in air before bullets, no Shiroe's mana bullet's didn't look like mana-bullets.

normally little to no power yet, these, they looked more like small arrow points a circle gathering energy around them before they shot off having a more of point then rounded tip.

"my lord?" Akatsuki said out stunned, as the customized version of the bullets struck hitting the triffid and thorn binned. destroying the monster.

"don't use the commands, feel the motion with your body!" Shiroe screamed out, that was the missing piece.

"what do that even mean?!" Naotsugu snapped back.

"Just do it!"

"I don't get it but fine" Naotsugu said before reading an attack, his shield glowing faint green. "Shield Swing!"

Naotsugu blinked as three briar weasels shattered, instantly destroyed.

"my lord this is" Akatsuki said.

"a martial artist who suffer amnesia can still fight. they just need to trust ones body to know what to do, until ones mind catch up again" Shiroe spoke, because that, that was the situation they where in.

Notes:

forth chapter over

as for the mana-bullet. while one can get items to customize spells, appearance or so forth. his mana-bullet looking more arrow-point like is due to his second main class, one Shiroe unlocked by a toy-ring.

in one of the log horizon games, Shiroe plays as Assassin, using a toy ring to unlock it, because he wanted to understand more. slightly different in this fic, but having assassin the class with highest damage-per second it evened out his attack power further then his subclasses could do.

hence the in story comment of Warmage. a version of the irregular.

for Emiya. Arrtur is a sapphire dragon, but can be considered a counterpart of Arturia, not the same, as Arrtur is a dragon a blue-ice counterpart to the red-fire Garnet dragon.

transcended contracts while not in the elder tale game, it did exist even prior in theladasia. a contract who don't limit the power of the summoner's summon. sort of like in the canon Ga-tan aka Garnet Dragon calls Overskills, skills of giants.

it existed even back then to.

still running on the parallel world. the game is the game and theladasia is theladasia but everything done in the game got mirrored into theladasia.

Chapter 5: battle of Loka

Notes:

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

earlier today a man died while fighting monsters. but instead of staying dead he revived at the cathedral, that confirmed that death isn't the end here.

even as the three kept on fighting, getting more in synch with their abilities.

Shiroe thought where starting to get annoying at the other.

rusty.

slow.

'what do you expect after getting amnesia?' Shiroe snapped back causing the sense of other to go silent on the spot.

'even if our bodies knows how to fight here. it's reflex, it's instinct, we're not conscious or used to how to do so. perhaps whatever controlled these bodies before the catastrophe was used to it' Shiroe sighted.

Emiya had explained his theory. and Shiroe couldn't help but to agree to it.

they existed here to. or their characters did, it was the only real reason to why the landers didn't panic at their sudden appearance. no they seemed more frightened at the sudden wide spread breakdown.

but using a system and mastering it wasn't the same thing, hence why his own instincts complained each time a spell was fired off to slow, the aim slightly off. or taking a while to figure out what to use.

Shiroe couldn't blame it. it the fighting capability his self here was the same as the one of the game. the ones he used in elder tales for his character.

Shiroe is his best, his strongest character, and he worked hard on it, from the subclasses to gear, stats, he created a build rather then styled himself after an existing one.

it was why control came so easy. as Kei controlling ones character in the game. Shiroe who materialized in this world would learned control, efficiency, honed and sharpened the abilities to inhuman levels.

it was getting dark as they walked.

"Shiroe-dono" Akatsuki started making the other two pause and pulled Shiroe from his training thoughts.

Shiroe just sighed, he knew he couldn't stop her from calling him lord or master, that just wouldn't happen. even when they played together in the game she was consistent signing the tittle to his name.

a sign of respect, and constant one to.

but now it well still respect, to a skilled veteran adventurer. but there was something more, reverence? if he had to place it? no 'player history? flavor texts the lore' he blinked before refocusing on Akatsuki.

"my lord. I'll go up ahead to reconnaissance on our way home" she explained.

"why?" was asked.

"practice" Akatsuki replied.

"one of the assassin's skills is dark vision, and I also have sneak and silent move this forest is the perfect place to practice" she explained turning her head backt o them while Naotsugu had his arms crossed.

"I see. well then let's meet at the south gate" Shiroe offered "I'll lit our path with magic light so you can locate us that way"

"understood" Akatsuki said before vanishing In a flicker of pink energy.

"eh? then Akatsuki's subclass is tracker" Naotsugu said holding a hand up as to try and see at a distance.

"I couldn't even hear the leaves rustle" Shiroe commented before calling forth magic light, but instead of his staff's head merely starting to glow, Shiroe blinked mutely and amused as a small ball of light with large eyes formed nestling against the staff's crocked head with a lantern like glow not seeming to have any intention to move.

'alive' he thought mildly amused at the tiny light wisp behavior.

"Assassin and tracker eh? no wonder she calls herself a ninja" Naotsugu commented as they walked.

'player killers, it's been a surge of that sense it become knowledge that one will revive' Shiroe thought eyes flicking to the side.

he could keep track of Akatsuki, his senses allowed such he dind't need his whisp to see either, not with his secondary class.

but as an enchanter and half-alv. his senses was something else all entirely. far more hone,d sharpened, and can't be turned off. unlike ritian who sensed magic of people half-alves was more to magic of the world.

an intricate connection.

but it was easy to tell that there was someone else here, and they weren't approaching them either.

"something the matter?" Naotsugu asked.

"nothing" Shiroe said

"I don't think you need to feel bound by duty all the time" the guardian stated. Shiroe blinked as Naotsugu turned his head toward him "there's no need to hold back" he grinned.

"hold back eh" Shiroe wondered, was he holding back. he didn't know.

/

eyes flicked instantly the other presence as they got to Loka. closer to the city and safe zone.

sword out and staff ready in an instant as they got to battle stance. "I sensed something, is it human?" Naotsugu asked.

"that mean" Naotsugu started before chains formed holding in place before Shiroe dismissed it, canceling the other's spell in an instant.

not even calling out the name of the spell he used himself.

"thanks!" Naotsugu grinned "you're always so quick with support"

focusing on the incoming group. "now strategist, what shall we do"

"Naotsugu straight line formation. our opponent are PK, I have visual contact on four" Shiroe said holding out his staff, "I'll determine their location"

"mind bolt" the lighting like energy didn't hit anyone but it lit up the area for Naotsugu to see even as Shiroe's own eyes glowed faintly.

"enemy sighted. they have guts, turning to PKing" Naotsugu said his expression serious.

"they miss their mommies so much they turned into animals" he huffed.

"one fighting, two thieves, one healer" Shiroe murmured as the enemy group got closer.

"leave everything you're carrying and we won't kill you" was the demand.

"they've read to much manga to be talking like that" Shiroe commented absently. "what to do?" Shiroe said pushing up the glasses.

"Crush them" Naotsugu started sounding angry. "these guys attack people for fun obviously if someone else kills them they can't complain" Naotsugu declared.

"am I willing to give them money thought" Shiroe said bt the words didn't match the tone at all.

making one of them let out a chuckle.

thought Shiroe's expression was almost predatory, eyes sharper as he was slightly shadowed the smirk gracing his lips far to fanged for anyone's liking. "that is. if they can beat us" he continued.

"well said Shiro!" Naotsugu said as the three reading their own weapons.

"you little" was snarled.

"first target, the one in front on the right, draw the others attention too" Shiro said magic gathering at his staffs tip the wisp already dismissed.

"right" Naotsugu answered as he went forward sword in swing blocking an enemy attack, before blocking another.

"leave the fighter to me. you take out the mage!" the enemy warrior shouted as he went toward the attack.

"roger!" the woman in the group answered.

Shiroe thought stood still calm. before flicking his wrist finger glowing faintly as he called the spell

"Astral bind"

light tendrils rose in an instant and Shiroe for a moment wondered if they where stronger then they should be as they wrapped around her ankles as she tried to leap toward him.

"tich, I'll take the mage. you dela with the fighter" the warrior of the group snapped out.

"got it!" she answered not getting any closer to Shiroe.

'not bad order' Shiroe thought idly. 'but they're forgetting that Naotsugu is a guardian' he thought.

"Anchor Howl!" Naotsugu shouted green tinted light surging over the area pulling the three toward him.

"you" the other cursed

'guardians, live up to their name guardian. they're tanks, whose role is to protect their allies by intercepting attacks, Anchor howl prevents any enemy form ignoring them drawing the enemies away from the intended targets' Shiroe thought.

"damn it we'll take care of him first" the leader shouted as all three went to attack him.

"you won't break through my armor" Naotsugu said as he blocked the various attacks while hitting back himself.

'but he won't last thirty seconds' Shiroe thought as his staff lit up for a moment, as h formed several lights, around the group.

"missed? are you even attacking that don't hurt" flew the insult ne Shiroe ignored.

before the purple tinted light thorns rose up trapping one of them on the spot.

"wh-what is this?" the enemy called out, just before Naotsugu struck one of the thorns.

a scream broke out in an instant at that. 'thorn bind hostage. a trap spell that delivers curtain amount of damage for each vine struck' Shiroe thought. it was one of his favorite spells, and one he used the most due to it's usefulness.

a mana bullet formed and took out another wine causing him to scream out again as another chunk of his hp went down.

the other two PK looked scared and a bit freaked out at the sudden move.

"when all thorns are cut you'll lose half your hp" Naotsugu said.

"calm down. we need to heal. healer!" he called out.

the enemy leader thought laughed "we'll win because we have a healer and you don't" he didn't get to finish as Naotsugu took out one of the group members.

Shiroe pushed up his glasses at that causing them to flash brilliant white.

"wha-what are you doing? Healer!?" he shouted.

"i put your healer to sleep" Shiroe stated easily. "of course they've been asleep the entire time"

'astral hypnos such a useful spell. puts the target to sleep, as long as it's not raid class that is' he thought and hummed.

"I'll take you out first after all!" she shouted jumping into the air, and Shiroe merely snorted.

staff spinning, it's not his scythe, but he didn't tend to use that outside of raids or dungeons a bit overkill.

that don't stop him form forming an energy blade when needed.

'blade?' Shiroe wondered, before filing that away for later, even as the blue-white blade formed, curved scythe like and bisected the enemy in an instant causing her to scream out before her body was destroyed.

Shiroe's eyes glanced at the edge. he could tell the magics formed extermination the moment he formed the blade. the feel slightly different from how Akatsuki used assassination.

no different type of mana.

'secondary classes are very useful but mostly unknown apart form rumor due to how hard it's to get one' Shiroe thought but so far, his spell they're different, ever so slightly as if he trained practiced the difference to be as if second nature to him.

"enough" he shouted backing away slightly as that, that wasn't normal, even irregular mages didn't tend to form scythes mid swing.

"Sorcerer, summoner, we'll use everything we have! blast them to ashes" he screamed out before grinning.

Naotsugu merely placed his sword at his shoulder while the energy blade dissolved.

his expression fell the moment Akatsuki walked out of the tree line dragging both mages by the collar of their cloths.

Akatsuki had fought with him before, so she easily picked up on his words, or the unvoiced words.

"insulting my lord's magic isn't wise" Akatsuki said seriously.

"you laughed at those small lights. but those bright lights kept you from seeing in the dark. you never saw that your healer was asleep" Akatsuki said cutting apart the enemy groups failure on the spot.

"your teamwork is full of openings" she continued. "you're to focused on the battle to even watch your own HP. or keep an eye on the rest of the party's status, countering you were easy"

"Shut up! defeating us won't do any good, we'll just revive at the cathedral"

"do you want to try it?" Akatsuki cut him off.

sword going into the ground. "I'm Sorry! I won't do it again. please forgive me!" bowing deeply.

"you actually thought I'd say that, you-" he started jumping up with small dagger in hand toward Shiroe.

not even getting to finish as Akatsuki struck delivering a killing blow.

'perhaps I should experiment slightly' he thought feeling how his magic curled even as Hedwig walked up to them.

/

the dragon was throwing them off.

while Cu found the entire situation intriguing, especially as the very same dragon where whining about the lack of taste.

none of them are quite sure why said dragon instead of dismissing shifted to a human form. yet Emiya didn't bat an eye at it. almost as if he expected it, recognizing the act even.

appearing as if pre-teen, with exposed dragon ears and pale blue hair. wearing what looks to be a white fur-tunic with silvery cloak who got a thick fur collar. while on the arms are a pair of metal arm-guard/bracelets with similar on his ankles to almost knee, even as they walked barefoot.

on their forehead is a small silver cross that's hard to see due to his bangs, while on his head is a circlet, composed of 4 spokes on either side that seem almost layered over each other adding a wild yet regal feel with faint horn effect.

"how long before we get to Akihabara?" Rin asked or demanded while Arrtur was hanging off Emiya's shoulder as he went for a phone or thele-call again.

"two to three more days or so" Cu answered

"who are he even calling all the time?" Illya wondered curiously.

"we can ask after he's done with the current call" Sakura said.

"PKs that's worrying" Emiya stated.

true PKing isn't even good for profit* Shiroe commented.

"aren't there other things they could do?" Emiya snorted.

other things eh* Shiroe mused, *you're right but there's nothing to do, no goal to live for*

taste aside we have food. by defeating low level monsters you can make money with that money you can stay at an inn*

fighting isn't allowed in towns so you don't have to fear for your life there, and if you die you'll come back to life* Shiroe continued.

"surviving without doing anything. that kind of depression will just grow stronger and stronger" Emiya sighted.

and others need something else to do beyond staying alive to occupy their minds*

"but getting it by hurting others?"

it really pathetic* Shiroe agreed.

but it's not getting any worse. sure it's not getting better but it's not worsening at this point* he continued.

"eh?" Emiya blinked.

because everyone still thinks this is the same elder tale they're used to*

"but this isn't that world it's just similar, like an mirror" Emiya pointed out.

mirror, window, that's a good theory on this world and the game, haven't looked it up yet. probably should* Shiroe commented.

have you noticed anything different with your spells?* Shiroe asked.

"different? why are you asking? Shiroe-dono?" Emiya asked surprised at the question.

the last few days with practice. my spells the attack power are on par with assassin none stop, the trap spells far stronger, lasts longer, contain the monsters easier. my mana bullet looks more like a arrow like point with circle before shooting off. my casual attack caused a scythe blade to form if temporary, even layering it with extermination* Shiroe explained as he counted up the difference because if his skills are slightly different then so should Emiya's.

"that's interesting, but now when I think of it. but I've noticed a few differences myself to. got several transcended contracts to, not sure what that is other then it lets my summon keep their full power. and Arrtur, err Sapphire dragon shift to humanoid form, been whining about the lack of taste of my sake for some hours now" Emiya t railed off sheepishly at the end.

Shiroe blinked rapidly for a moment. *and that made the mirror-window theory so much more probable* Shiroe commented highly amused at what the dragon where complaining about.

similar but different, like a mirror reflection everything we done in the game here, but that, won't that mean the landers written about us? there being far more lore we can access as we're here now and not merely the game reflecting into this world* Shiroe mused voicing his thoughts.

"with how adventures travel, explore, fight monsters. I doubt that there isn't stories, even if local ones" Emiya admitted before pausing he wasn't sure what to think of that.

especially when filter in the time divergence* Shiroe agreed. *well I better head toward the library, or maybe* he trailed off.

"maybe what? my strategist what are you planning now?" Emiya asked verily.

Patronus. I'm going to test something, if it works then I might find more information* Shiroe started *lets hear from you tomorrow okay* he continued before ending the call.

"patronus?" Emiya asked looking highly confused. "what's an patronus?" he wondered.

"I'm more curious of who you constantly talking to?" Rin stated pointing at Emiya's chest.

"a dear friend, one I trust to help figure this out, even if we can't return, actually" Emiya grimaced, "I don't think the changes would disappear if we did return, and we don't stay dead now either" he trailed off slightly.

Rin and Illya both grimaced, yeah, apparently they're practically immortal. phoenix typed immortals as they can die just revive after death so they don't stay dead.

but that's just asking for sealing designation.

"you got a master" Cu stated causing Emiya to blink ones then twice at the sudden comment.

"I don-" Emiya stopped short as the feeling of other surged angry at the attempted denial. even if accidental, it made him tap his chest for a moment, as Emiya tried to focus on what having a lord meant.

what it made him feel.

but all he felt was a sense of being whole, of being content.

pleased that he found someone worthy.

"the Daimyo lore" Emiya realized.

"the what now?" Illya frowned not quite sure what flavor text her brother was talking about.

"it's an lore about the assassin class. it speaks of that those walking that path searches for a lord worthy to claim as theirs" Cu explained. "it's one of the most known aspect of the elder tale assassin, that and the lone wolf lore" he continued.

it wasn't merely flavor text either. it was a lore formed by the players. due to how the assassin class culture ended up forming.

dealing with assassins in elder tales was interesting because for one the entire class was almost always hard core role players, so they got a fairly rich or strong lore build. it's not looked down upon either even if players of other classes had problem understanding it.

they where paranoid, sure if they where in the same guild, then it was fine because then they where in a brotherhood but finding an assassin tended to be tricky. other classes being more popular, more flashy, which probably caused a divide.

hence making the lone wolf rumor allot stronger with hard to get loyalty. even if they where sought out for, getting an assassin's loyalty was hard.

"why would an assassin do that?" Rin snorted finding the notion strange even as Emiya's eye twitched at the comment.

"you can't seriously think that an servant assassin and theladasian assassin are the same are you?" Emiya drawled as if it was pure idiocy to even think that making Rin flinch at the sudden or not so sudden insult.

"Elder tales assassin and the servant class are apart from name and stealth capabilities nothing alike, in practice they're closer to a mix of archer and lancer" Cu commented.

"so we shouldn't compare classes at all" Rin sighted getting the insult even if she found it annoying.

"that's suicidal. assassins got the highest dps out of all the classes, possessing ridiculous stealth capabilities not counting when they got hunter or tracker added to it and then the fact that their skill set are littered with instant kill techniques. you don't get a chance to fight back more often then not" Illya was the one who explained that.

"Dps?" Sakura asked, brushing Arrtur's hair,

"it stands for Damage per Second" Emiya answered.

"still is he a good master?" Cu asked curiously, pulling them back to the question or statement he originally asked.

because apparently Emiya's character found him good enough to claim as their lord, which was more then apparent with Emiya's reaction.

the smirk gracing his lips was far too pleased, making Rin flinch back at the resemblance.

"so not only a good lord but a great one" Illya stated with raised brow.

"Shiroe the archmage, he's something else, but a worthy lord, and unparalleled strategist "Arrtur stated.

'archmage?' Emiya glanced at the dragon in human skin, not sure where that title came from.

"but yes, you can count the number of adventures capable of leading legion raids on two hands If not only one hand, and Shiroe-dono is undeniable one of the best ones. I've known him for little more then six years on earth, about 700 here even if we don't always travel together, we did play together more often then not' Emiya explained.

but a thought still lingered, their player history was real here, Arrtur proved that, if partially. the lore seemed also real if slightly dormant, subtle not quite having hit them yet.

most of the player history and other flavor texts probably also not having bene realized yet either.

but it made him wonder just how much would that affect them?

/

in Akihabara.

Naotsugu and Akatuski stared in disbelief at the being in front of them. Shiroe's own expression had turned blank, while Hedwig merely glanced at them for a moment before nodding and went back to their well sleep.

the spell worked, probably due to the sheer power needed made it more similar to mage spell of elder tales, of theladasia then wizarding magic.

but...

"you've changed your form Prongs" Shiroe deadpanned looking at the status screen for a moment and noted it having slight issue with the level as if it took a while for one to be written down.

patronus

race; major light spirit

rank spell,

level-level 90

Prongs used to look like a deer, larger then normal deer yes but deer none the less. right now he's they're anything but a deer.

rather the form Prongs now wore was that of a kirin.

standing at 2meters up to the mere shoulders dwarfing horses easily. possessing a deer-horse like body with reptilian like tail, long agile, with the body dominantly covered in scales. They have an almost lion like mane that mists, majestic pronged horns curls upward and back as they form an almost forest like crown, yet at the near of the tails base comes more fur that almost appear mist-fire like as it flicks flowing from the tails spine before a third way down it get longer more flowing over the rest of the tail. they have similar smoke-mist like fur flowing from the backside of the legs at elbows and at the halfway point where they form an feathering around the hooves.

but Prongs was truly a sight to behold. especially with the white silvery semi-tangible form that one could almost touch. radiating in a literal glowing light that wisped off their form as if drifting mist.

Prongs merely shifted and nuzzled Shiroe for a moment.

almost tangible against his hand, but not solid enough to not push thru if one put a bit more pressure.

"did you just create a new spell?" Naotsugu asked incredulous wile Shiroe shook his head.

"no, magic existed on earth but during the witch hunts-" he didn't need to finish it.

"they went into hiding" Akatsuki stated making Shiroe nod confirming it.

"so you can use earth magic to?" Naotsugu asked curious because he could understand why the witches, or wizards? went into hiding, with how non-magical went after them, hiding and practice in secret was safe.

"no" Shiroe said bluntly surprising them.

"whatever transported us here changed us not only physically but spiritually to. my magic, it's far to dense, the weight of it's pressure larger, and seem norm for this world it destroy any control I have for wizarding magic who need far less mana to cast with far more precision and control, if I want to use wizarding magic then I'll need to rewrite or translate it into this worlds magic first" Shiroe sighted.

"I, I see" Naotsugu said rather startled.

"it's like comparing a savannah and a jungle, earth being the savannah so the use differ" was the more easier explanation to why.

"so this spell is closer to spells here then normal earth magic, but why?" Akatsuki asked.

Shiroe nodded at first. "because the nature of the summon, is rather peculiar. it's easier here actually, I barely needed to use any mana only slightly more then a magic light actually. Prongs can proably remain here for hours if not days without issues. interesting" Shiroe trailed off "normally they take allot of power, and quite draining, most who tries the spell outright fails or just end up with small mist but even the mist is a powerful shield, because that's what a patronus is a living sentient shield of light" Shiroe explained.

"wait" Naotsugu started "if it don't take much power why is your level 90?" he asked very confused because now when he focused, Shiroe's mp didn't seem to be lowering like it should for a continuous spell.

that means the drain isn't enough to be noticed and his regen recovers it before it can become noticed.

"because of how they're created with joy, the purer and stronger the joy, the happiness the stronger the patronus, can probably get prongs even stronger, but I wasn't summoning them for battle so I didn't need to" shiroe shrugged ignoring the stunned looks.

"right fluent level, never heard of that before" the guardian muttered shaking his head.

"and fluent form, what animal they assume depends on the caster" Shiroe stated.

"and changed, what was Prongs before?" Akatsuki asked even as her eyes was wide as the kirin like entity nuzzled her hand for a moment.

the pressure was so light.

"crown deer, but I think that was merely a disguise, because I hated drawing attention in the magical world" Shiroe deadpanned.

prongs to that nodded with a soundless laugh,

"really my lord?" Akatsuki asked eyes narrowed. the kirin fit better then a crown deer but why a deer of all creatures. why not a horse or anything else?

"really" he repeated.

"did you just test if it was possible or did you have something else in mind, strategist?" Naotsugu asked.

"well if it worked, I got an ultimate defense against undead" Shiroe started rather amused which didn't say why he wanted to see if it worked. or what else he could use said spell for.

"mostly to see if it could work, not sure what I would do if I lost Prongs. and if any wizarding spell can work here without being rewritten, then it's the Patronus charm. but I thought we might need the relief and joy their presence brings" Shiroe admitted.

"oh" both blinked at that.

but he was right it was, as if part of the depression lingering in the air, was chased away even if it was only near them.

/

on the European server.

well at least they found out that they couldn't die.

Waver wasn't sure wat to think about that, the other three weren't in much better condition at finding that out.

"what's the price, the penalty for this?" Godric muttered, warily there had to be one, to revive without some kind of penalty. unless the pain and shock, the trauma of being killed was enough to count.

which they all doubted. even if it was a possibility.

"in the game we used to loose part of ones exp every time one died" Waver replied, frowning he was also worried about that.

"and what is experience?" Godric asked with raised brow. because that was the question, what counted as experience loss in this world? not losing a skill that's for sure.

other adventures probably don't even bother thinking of the penalty or the exp loss would mean here.

"do you have everything you wanted from the bank? transferring over servers are tricky after all, now especially" Alice stated returning to their camp from the guild building.

"yes, I'm not the one who do that at the last possible moment" Waver deadpanned causing Alice's ears to fold back slightly.

"mou, don't be like that" Alice complained.

"you are whimsical you know" Rowena sighted, "well how many times are we going to use the fairy ring? or are you counting on us getting right the first time" she continued.

"of course" Alice nodded cheerfully.

"are you sure you're not a seer?" Waver muttered.

Alice at that blinked not sure what he where talking about. she a seer no way.

Godric thought hummed to that "that would explain allot of things. but it's probably a subconscious with an just know and don't question it" Godric stated while Alice frowned at him.

pouting after a moment, Alice decided not to argue with him, knowing that she didn't have any legs to stand on for such a argument, especially not with that she went and gotten the astrologer subclass to so denying that she got some form of divination was stupid.

even if alice didn't consider herself a seer of any form.

she just knew things, that's all.

Godric shared a glance with Rowena for a moment who sighted,

"we got everything, it was you who hadn't prepared for a transfer" Rowena stated.

"oh" Alice blinked for a moment.

"right" she nodded "then lets go!" Alice cheered before taking out the fairy ring,

"wait you-" Waver didn't get to finish before the fairy ring activated and they vanished in a bright flash.

Grodric shook his head as they landed or well crashed was better word for it, there was cracks in the ground.

"at least it didn't feel like being pulled thru a straw" he commented,

"it took out a part of our hp" Rowena stated not much and they'll get it back soon but that was probably the landing. now when she looked at the side they landed in mid air instead of on the bridge, because the bridge clearly had broken apart at some point and the ring didn't change the location or height of said landing.

Alice blinked a few times looking at the surrounding area, before focusing on a city in the distance.

"lets head to the library, Shiro-nii should be there" Alice declared as she started walking.

"Alice! get your mount whistle, we do not need to spend an entire day in a monster infested forest when we can get there in less time" Rowena snapped out as she fished for her horse whistle.

"library? are we even in the right place" Waver wondered while Godric went thru his status screen, but both agreed to the sorcerer.

going by horse was allot safer, even as Godric started going thru the friend list. and noticed that allot who showed online earlier was now grey with several who where grey is now green. "uh, the friend list only register those on the same server as active" Godric commented making Waver pause for a moment.

"so the girl was right then" Waver mused, the comment of that they wouldn't' need to take the fairy ring more then once to get well here.

/

in akihabara.

Mion blinked and rubbed her eyes for a moment, before looking around. she's still in the hidden akiba library, a place landers didn't really know of, even less Adventures.

yet here was not only one Adventurer but three.

one who looked very familiar. 'no way' she thought faintly as brown eyes widened. "Archmage of tea party" Mion said out stunned.

eyes flicking to the kirin? no that's an light spirit.

"archmage?" Shiroe muttered before shaking his head before he turned to prongs.

"are you sure we're in the right place?" he asked bluntly and the patronus nodded before simply settling down lying on the ground not seeming to have any intention to dissipate for any time soon.

"I didn't know there exist another library, then well the library here" Naotsugu commented.

"it's the Hidden Library" Mion stated simply to that, "how did you even find this place? the king probably don't even know it exist" she continued even less civilian landers.

Shiroe turned toward the female elf at that, noting her stunning indigo robe, while simple design and low level was of higher quality then most others would use. fair skin, long hair who due to the thick curls ended at her shoulder then at the waist it would if her bronze hair been straight.

she reminded him of Hermione which was interesting 'can counterparts exist?' he wondered for a moment before filing it away for now.

"I asked Prongs to take us to someone who could help us figure out what happened a few days ago" Shiroe explained.

"the whole adventure breakdown" Mion stated eying the light spirit, but didn't dismiss the notion. if a wisp of a magic light can light one's path when walking then why can't a higher light spirit show, guide you?

"I know what happened and the result. but knowing what happened don't mean you know what Caused it, even less of who, how or why" Shiroe stated causing Mion to nod to that.

"how would I even begin to help you figure out that question, all you adventuers just broke down for no reason" Mion stated and Shiroe shook his head.

silvery eyes gaining a faint blue tint.

"all adventurers where living two lives one here in theladasia the other on earth where we're originally from but wasn't aware of it outside of a game that reflected what happened to our selves here." Shiroe started and Mion stared somewhat stunned.

"not aware, that you where cut off from this other world" Mion whispered, faintly.

"it's not merely akihabara it's the whole Yamamoto server, probably the entire world of theladasia as well" he continued.

"I, that's" Mion looked somewhat faint.

"such magic, such an event, but perhaps" Mion mused trailing off slightly as her mind went into full gear-

she's a magical scholar, she research magic of most forms which was why the light spirit an high class one to that she's never heard of was highly interesting.

it's also something never seen done by the archmage before.

but he came here with two of his allies for help to figure this out.

'the sage Regan probably would know more then what I can help with' Mion thought pausing for a moment.

"I won't be able to help with what the magic that did this is, but I might be able to help with what caused that magic" she mused a hand going over the various book spines before she shook her head.

no she would need to look into something far older. centuries older given what the Archmage was looking at.

"you can read this Shiroe-dono?" Akatsuki asked the texts was unreadable.

"I got translation charms on my glasses comes in useful when encountering obscure writings" was the offhanded comment.

Mion blinked, "of course, using passive magic to understand lost scriptures without needing to translate it" she said out, that. that made so much more sense less chance of things being lost in translation to.

it was such an offhanded thing to have. something most even a scholar like herself wouldn't even thought of getting instead working to learn the old languish or translate it.

Mion chuckled weakly, "I think, perhaps we should look into the origin of adventures, or well this side of things" she suggested. finding what probably where what she was looking for before so very carefully, cradling a positively ancient scroll.

but looking at the runes. it wasn't alv runes.

nor mage runes used today in theladasia.

no these was fae scripture. or on earth Atlantian.

"you don't have a translation do you" Naotsugu commented

"no" Mion said shaking her head.

"don't need one" Shiroe said simply he was very familiar with atlantian runes, why wouldn't he be. the oldest parts of his family grimoire was written in it after all before switching to wizarding runes and various other languishes and writings depending on what land those two to three generation spent time in.

"eh?"

"translation charms remember, I don't need glasses to see, I had my eyes healed form that years ago. no I went and got these for the translation perks, it's very handy when encountering writings with unknown alphabets or lost languish" Shiroe said simply tapping the side of the glasses.

"eh? I thought you used a translation table for that" Naotsugu pouted making Shiroe chuckle as they went toward a table where Mion carefully put down the scroll.

Notes:

Mion the elf is a theladasia counterpart to Hermione not ones avatar, as Mion is a lander.

and yes Prong's aren't gone, it's as descried in chapter one of the strongest wizarding spells around and one of the hardest. thus it was in this case closer to theladasian magic, so unlike most wizarding magic here it didn't destroy his control.

Prong's on the other hand changed form. if he used a disguise before to avoid drawing attention or not, well that's a bit up in the air. still deer like thought.

on another note, about the European party's gear, if you want to compare it. like some of the minami party I've based the elder tale armors on gear from fate-grand order or heroic spirits. another coincidence, like Emiya looking like his archer and saber counterparts.

Waver's no real base other then his cloak, who's similar or same as his late servant had.

Rowena's armor, is based on Scathach-scadi with the stage 2 shoes. her staff is one of the same series as Shiroe's own horned owl staff, Rowena's thought is Snowy owl staff hense color change.

godric' gear, the armor is based on Iskandar's armor, with boots gloves and shoulder guards traits instead of sandals and wrist-guards. his shield thought is based off on Galahad's Lord Camelot shield, if slightly different coloring.

Alice's gear. her armor is based of on the stage 3 Caster Artoria.

Chapter 6: deep end

Notes:

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Alice was pouting she was definitely pouting.

"this is not akihabara" Rowena commented amused, sure they're on the right server.

right city?

no.

"Susukino? why are we in susukino? we don't need to be here right?" Alice muttered more to herself then any other, her hat hiding most of her face as she seemed to curl up displeased.

"Godric? didn't you move to the European server? nya" was asked making Godric turn around to see the tall werecat.

Nyanta

race; werecat

swashbuckler lv90

"chief, nice to meet you again" Godric greeted happily. it's been a while sense they meet,

"you know each other?" Waver asked.

"yes, this is Nyanta, we used to play together allot, he's former beta tester actually" Godric explained making Waver's eyes widen slightly, as a train of thought struck hard.

because as a beta tester, then he's one of the first adventures to ever come here.

Nyanta glanced at the fox tail, or rabbit styled fox tail with slight tilt, "why is little Alice depressed? nya" he asked

'nya?' Waver wondered for a moment before dismissing it, because there was high chance that Nyanta also been in tea party and so far every former member he's encountered seem well insane.

"because she wanted to get to Akihabra where Shiroe is" Godric deadpanned.

"oh Shiro-ichi is here to, nya" Nyanta mused. "that's a pleasant surprise, nya"

looking as Rowena seemed to have had enough and simply lifted Alice up on her shoulder. "you're a mage are you not?" Waver stated simply at that sight.

Alice didn't seem to mind thought as she merely blinked

"I'm also a level 90 adventurer" Rowena commented.

"why don't you eat dinner with me. it was probably difficult getting here, nya" Nyanta offered.

"I'd preferred not to crash" Waver sighted but it answered the difficult part "thank you for the offer, Nyanta-san" he continued even if he wasn't sure of how much taste it would have.

/

in akihabara

Shiroe sighted, they had been switching between researching and practicing the past week,

eyeing his status screen again or specifically his subclass list, and the levels on his arcanist subclass manage to gain five levels, and he's still not found anything of any true use.

"still nothing? you got access to a full hidden library and still can't find anything?" Naotsugu asked incredulous at the mere fact.

"it's not as much as no finding something rather then I keep finding the wrong thing" Shiroe commented dryly, rather annoyed at that fact.

Akatsuki was honing her tracker subclass or getting more familiar with it again as they headed back from the practice.

"what do you think of our shrimp girl Shiro?" Naotsugu asked drawing their attention elsewhere for now.

"very active on the front lines with high focus" was the equally vague response to the equally vague question. as the guardian where asking what Shiroe thought of Akatsuki or her skill.

but he had a good impressive of her sense before this to, "enough about me. what about you Naotsugu? has your burden increased?" he asked.

"no it's decreased. compared to just the two of us, we're clearing the monsters way faster. some minions are dealt with before I can even turn to face them. she may be a shrimp but she's a strong shrimp" Naotsugu answered simply pretty much giving Akatsuki full marks on her ability.

Shiroe hummed for a moment,

"she has complained about the reach being shorter but that's because she's smaller, her speed and agility haven't been affected, I can't block her even if I wanted to. can't see the attack" he continued. "thought about her attack dropping is probably because of the weight. settings wasn't based on gender but weight in the punches, or strength of the mana used depending on the attack" Naotsugu paused slightly

"but if she is weaker, she'll be fine with your support spells backing her up" Naotsugu finished.

Shiroe nodded to that. it was right after all.

sure while he changed and pretty much created a whole new build which isn't so easy as most thinks. Shiroe's still an enchanter, one of the three mage classes and while among the mage classes Enchanter have the largest range of versatility and best support with highest mana reserves.

their attack stats not so much. traditionally their attacks are well rather pathetic for their levels, needing a party thus working teamwork to be of true use, making it rare and not popular at all as it was difficult to use and hard to level up especially on the first levels.

but in a battle with a party then it's invaluable because of their support capabilities. getting a power enchanter to join you on a quest, or raid can make the difference between failure and success

but because of it's rarity and difficulty you can probably count the number of high level enchanters on one hand.

Shiroe didn't mind, he was fully confident in his abilities as an enchanter and it's potential even if picking said class was probably one of the most unexpected things he did. as shiroe had no obligation toward anyone and he often played solo.

easily blending several builds depending fully on what skills he utilized, having spent allot of time training and perfecting it. which made the lingering sense of being rusty at the moment somewhat annoying even if it was quickly fading sense.

"so shall we head back to the hotel" it wasn't a question as Akatsuki instead on that sleeping in a bed was better for comfort and rest.

which might be true. even then they could easily just set up camp somewhere, with furs for beds. among other loot who they needed to trade or sell in the city so they would need to head back there either way.

joining up with Akatsuki as she appeared on the road.

"saw some goblins with skull on them. they're cute" she commented.

"eh?" Naotsugu blinked confused not understanding what was cute about the goblin shamans.

"mot magic type monsters look arrogant but their armor is as thin as paper. and their hp are extremely low. it would be fine if they stayed at the back, but goblin shamans will walk up to the front lines and easily taken down. I just need to use hide shadow to sneak up beside them and slit their throat with my blade. they'll collapse like a puppet without strings"

"when you put it like that won't Shiro be in trouble?" Naotsugu said looking back at Shiroe who sweat dropped more then paled slightly.

shaking his head "not really you need to hit me first. even before getting my secondary I styled my strength in dodging, speed agility, you can't attack what you can't hit, so my average hp isn't an issue. Enchanters also got the highest mana reserves out of the classes with ridiculous amount of stamina, allowing us to battle for long periods of time without rest, it's just rare to learn how to thrive with the class quirks" he explained simply.

"woa? don't that put our mage in risk?" Naotsugu asked more then aware of Shiroe's more peculiar fighting style, especially with the reminder.

"hmm? the armor is paper thin, but that's fine no one will get close, you're strong enough to block those attempt while I take them out" Akatsuki said simply, causing Shiroe to sight slightly.

while Naotsugu felt relieved, she wasn't denying or having his duty stripped from him. that would leave a bitter taste as the duty of a Guardian is to protect their allies,

at least Shiroe relied on Naotsugu, their mage trusted his abilities which is good.

"my wing's aren't that weak you know" Shiroe commented.

"don't they just provide flight?" Akatsuki sounded slightly confused, it was a rarer customize item compared to ears or tails even full head masks of various sorts.

Shiroe shook his head before unfurling his wings allowing one to fold partially rather then having them tucked against his back and under the cloak, which allowed him to move around unseen allot easier.

the other wing curved forward allowing them to see the wings up close, and actually look at them. sure he had them folded rather then tucked in in the library but it appears that his two friends haven't noticed yet.

that while the wings looked almost owl like, as if a blend between falcon and snowy owl, they where anything but. white in color but that wasn't fully true as they shimmered similar to raven feathers, tones of silvers, blues flicked depending on how the light struck them. some points almost seeming crystalline or see thru even.

"that's" Akatsuki started but it was easy to tell that these wings where defensive in origin and nature, the feel of crystal, of metal running thru them was to strong to ignore.

the wings looked armored.

yet it wasn't like they were armored with plating rather then that they Are the armor. even then there was a shadowed markings flowing over the feathers, thin line distorted as if water or spot-stripe like mix forming tribal like markings that they couldn't place yet it. especially not when the markings faded in and out of sight depending on how the light hit them.

"the wings are to strong characteristic trait so tucking them under the cloak makes other think he's just a high level mage rather then anyone famous" Naotsugu commented.

"sort of" Shiroe admitted, "while it do make others harder to locate me, I like the cloak it's comfortable, and have some really nice perks with astral spells" Shiroe grinned making Naotsugu blink for a moment.

"most customize items are generally in the low to middle levels often low ranks to" Akatsuki stated because these wings are clearly anything but low rank and low level.

Shiroe nodded "it's to allow adventures to customize their appearance further early on, but the upper level customize series are very rare and far harder to get but they grant far more even if it makes you easier to be recognized" he stated.

"Emiya got a pair to don't he" Naotsugu mused in thought for a moment because he could swear he's seen a reddish pair on the assassin.

"got them on the same raid, wisdom and dexterity respectively of the same series" Shiroe replied with an nod.

Akatsuki blinked "why is the wisdom wings defensive my lord?" she asked confused.

Shiroe blinked ones then again, "I don't know. a quirk of the original creator perhaps" he hummed before pausing as he heard a call.

"Yes?" Shiroe answered lifting a hand to his ear as he accepted the call.

yo Shiro-bou, can you come over to my guild?* she asked.

/

the guild was panicking. sure they where doing their best to hide it, but Shiroe picked it up, sensing the fear, the worry thru their mana.

and as they got the Marielle's office it was a giant mess, even as Henrietta tried to tidy it all up, normally it was calmer, but right now.

the atmosphere was tense, thick with worry. a wing flicked for a moment. 'I'm getting more used to ignoring these sensations' he thought blandly.

as if it didn't matter.

"Sorry for the mess, Shiroe-samma, hope you don't mind" Henrietta said as Marielle looked into the office coming back from what they didn't know.

glancing at Naotsugu and Akatsuki for a moment before winking at Shiroe who breath a sight of relief at the mischievous demeanor.

"what happened Mari-nee?" he asked bluntly

"mou, don't rush me, its well" Marielle started having problems saying what she wanted and it took a while before Shiroe got an answer.

"you're going on an expedition?" he asked with raised brow.

"yeah" she answered

"to where?" Shiroe asked to that.

"err. should I say?" Mari started shifting slightly "well anyway we are going to Susukino" she eventually answered.

at that Shiroe paused "you're going to Susukino" he stated

"on the day of the catastrophe, one of our members was going to Susukino" Marielle started "a girl name Serara"

"you're going to find her?" Shiroe didn't really ask.

"the transport gates still aren't working right?" Naotsugu asked to that.

"they broke down with several other systems, still not sure how many broke" Shiroe answered tilting a head to the guardian.

"using fairy rings would be the only other way there" Akatsuki stated.

"yes btu" Naotsugu said arms crossed, using that method was risky.

Henrietta nodded, "indeed, since we can't look up any online timetables in a walkthrough using them would be a risk as we can't know where we'd end up" she continued

"there's also the return spell call of home right? you can return to the last of the five great cities you visi- wait ah" Naotsugu stopped himself there.

"the last one she visited was susukino" Henrietta answered.

"right" Naotsugu said rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"the only methods left are walking or by horse" Shiroe said as he thought.

due to the half gaia project the distance between Akihabara and Susukino is about 425km but during that time you will have to fight monsters, but...

"why send help now?" he asked seriously, why not start earlier, it's been several days sense they found out about the resurrection.

Marielle jerked back before bowing her head embarrassed, while Hernietta shifted nervously.

"w-we've bene planning to send a rescue team for a while now" Marielle said.

"mari-nee" Shiroe said dryly eyes narrowed.

"d-don't look at me that way" she shielded away "you look really mean, girls won't like you that way" was the quite mutter as Marielle seem to curl up on herself.

which didn't help Shiroe's own mood, as his mana started to bleed out filling the room in flicking with obvious agitation, and made Marielle bow her head down worried.

"things in susukino are worse than they are here" she admitted.

"marie" Henrietta said.

"some nasty players attacked Serara, she was lucky to be saved by a nice player they're now protecting her" Marielle started "so we were going to take our highest level players to susukino and I wanted to ask if you'd take care of the rest of the guild while we're away" Marielle admitted.

"Please" Henrietta said bowing her head, as Marielle bowed her own head down hands in prayer.

"please I beg of you" Marielle started and Hernietta took over

"you don't even need to spend all your time here, we have a sorcerer Aizel right? the tall boy with blue hair he will lead the rest of the children. while Marie, our battle team leader Shouryu and myself will do what we can for this expedition. it's a willful request and we're anxious about it. but Shirou-boyo, please can you take care of this guild for a short while"

they're both pleading for their assistance, heads lowered, and Shiroe looked at the two bowing ladies in front of him.

his mind was silent but it was still noisy, as his focus called forth light as he started thinking. these conditions where bad. even with the half gaia project it was bad

'a month there and probably just as long if not longer back-' Shiroe's thoughts stopped as he got another call before his eyes widened at the name.

"excuse me for a moment I need to take this" he said before answering the call "Godric? you're, where are you?" Shiroe asked making the others blink slightly. Naotsugu looked highly confused because wasn't that name blacked out before?

Susukino, Alice wanted to get to Akiba but the fairy rings brought us to a collapse bridge near Susukino* Godric answered *it's the right server thought' he continued.

"you're in, actually that's good" Shiroe started.

eh?* Godric blinked.

"Emiya is heading to Akiba should be arriving any day now with his own group, so if you're with Alice, then Rowena is with you two right" Shiroe mused.

yes we have a fourth member to from the European server, a level 90 kanagi so he probably made his character while on the Japanese originally, we also meet Chief-Nyanta and a rookie player when we arrived to Susukino* Godric answered,

"Nyanta and a rookie player? actually" Shiroe paused "it wouldn't happen to be a girl named Serara would they?" he asked and both Marielle and Hernietta's heads flew up staring at him.

yeeess, a level 19 druid, cute behavior. how did you know?* Godric asked starting slowly.

"I were talking to Serara-san's guildmaster when you called" Shiroe admitted.

well that unexpected* Godric stated blankly.

Shiroe chuckled, "true enough, Susukino have less then 2000 players, so it's harder to hide there. pks will attack when one get outside of the city to especially if it's worse then here. but perhaps you only need to get to the edge first" Shiroe started the gears in his head already turning.

"if Nyanta joins you then it's four guarantied griffins, mounts can be summoned inside of a city, you can take off directly they won't be able to follow fast enough and if you rise high enough then they won't be able to attack from the outside either" Shiroe stated.

"well that is if you don't mind taking the girl with you, I doubt Alice will remain in Susukino if she had planned to come here, taking fairy ring from west European server of all places" he continued ignoring how the two where looking at him with wide eyes.

that's true* Godric laughed slightly, *Nyanta!* he called out while still on the tele-call Godric asked if Nyanta would like to come with them before turning to who probably where Serara.

you can tell the girls guildmaster that we'll be heading out when it's dark, more cover that way she won't be harmed if I got anything to say about it* Godric declared.

"thank you, brother" Shiroe said eyes closed. "I had started to consider taking over the journey myself highest success rate but this way the travel there won't be needed" Shiroe said.

"what? we can't possible trouble you to do this Shiro-bou!" Marie shouted and Shiroe ignored her objections easily.

"eh, Godric's taking over the rescue mission, of course the guardian would accept it" Naotsugu said with a grin.

"Marielle, Henrietta I have faith in my brothers skill so leave this to us, your lost guildmember will get back here safe and sound" Shiroe said with conviction.

Naotsugu grinned "don't worry the shielder is one of the very best, and they're not alone either, only Serara in that group is lower then lv90" he said making the girls blink.

but the guardian was pleased, he had for a moment just like Akatsuki expected Shiroe to take over the journey. because if someone's cryin then you'll help, both brothers where like that.

even if Godric was shy of the two. well it's not as bad as when they started playing elder tales. Godric gotten allot braver and more confident over time.

/

on the way to Akihabara.

Rin whined about the taste "why don't it have taste, what do we do wrong?"

Emiya where leaning against a nearby tree, ears twitching slightly as he focused on the various sounds. they couldn't fly over this area the wyverns on the upper cliffs, that mean they had to go thru the ravine ruins before they got the forests surrounding akihabara.

the rusty feeling was lessening, and he didn't get the distinct impression that he was slow anymore, slightly off but not slow.

"are you done, we should start walking" Emiya called out.

"wait walking we're not riding?" Illya paused looking at her brother.

"thru these ruins? I have no clue what condition they are and put extra weight on them when they can possible break, hell no" Emiya snorted

"he's right, and the wyvern up top prevent us form taking off as they'd attack me and risk you falling off, and a fall from that height on your level you'd just be sent back to minami's cathedral" Arrtur admitted.

Rin sighted to that.

"well let's go on ahead" Cu called out as the group headed into the ruins.

it was an incredible place, the gigantic pillars and multiple bridges, ruins carved into either side of the cliff wall.

building layered on top of each other, it was something else, thought, Sakura warily eyed the glowing eyes in the shadows.

"it looks like it's falling apart" Illya commented, not using horses here was a good choice, a whole new bridge system needed to be built or a new road from Minami to akihabara was needed. but with the current situation perhaps that's a good thing.

"it wasn't like this in the game, sure they looked old but breaking apart" Cu commented picking up on something scurrying along the sides.

"HIAA!" Sakura screamed out,

"rat-men?" Illya wondered confused.

"one of the several demi-human races in Theladasia, they're low level monsters but can spread plague" Emiya explained.

"they're not attacking" Rin mused because haven't that been a theme so far.

"of course not, with a middle range adventurer as well as two high level ones and a dragon, the rats won't attack they're not aggressive enough for that" Arrtur said simply.

"monsters can sense level differences, only those who go aggro on sight will attack the others won't, but if they're cornered they're dangerous" Emiya said giving Arrtur a nod.

"we better not push them somewhere they can't escape, if we do they'll probably attack" Cu said holding an eye on the ratmen before he held up a arm stopping the other from going forward.

"thankfully the larger road have several branch paths" Emiya mused, "I'd prefer to avoid plague defuff" he commented, while Arrtur puffed out a puff of cold air.

Illya glanced up to the sky seen between the cliffs not much of it but the sky was being painted in reds. 'it's getting dark soon' she thought, that meant they truly have been walking for the entire day apart form food breaks that is.

"how long before we're out?" Illya asked while Cu glanced at the map.

"ehh shouldn't be much further" Cu answered putting the map away. they where reaching stairs now.

"really?, for real?" Rin stared at the stairs. those was some very, very long stairs.

the sun was almost fully down by the time they almost got to the top of the stairs.

the girls didn't get a chance to react before Cu held his staff forward and Emiya holding a bow in his hand, 'where did he get that from?' Illya thought stunned, because haven't he been carrying tow black swords on his back?

"where did this come from?" Rin asked as a mist started to cover the ground.

"a subspecies of rat-man? it's massive" Emiya frowned as he looked at what seemed to be a gigantic ball of fur.

"I don't recognize it" Cu said.

"level 68, rat maso, I'm guessing it's the cause for the ruins condition" Emiya commented as it uncurled and now staring at them with a single red eye.

"we need to continue on the stairs" Cu said glancing toward Emiya for a moment,

"lets eliminate it" Emiya said simply, before he had to dodge an incoming tail.

while Cu slammed the bottom of his staff into the ground causing several thorned roots to rise up. it looked almost like a thorn bind hostage if not for this being made up out of actual wood.

bow string pulled arrow forming in an instant "I only need to hit ones" Emiya said energy gathering before firing the arrow.

"assassinate" he said out as the arrow struck true causing the giant rat to burst out in light, before shattering.

"that won't look any less odd, what's with this world and the gamer mechanics?" Emiya wondered, because that's ridiculous.

"one hit" Rin said eying the crater and total damage the single tail strike had caused, yet Emiya took it out with one hit.

a servant assassin wouldn't be able to do that.

'it's truly different classes' she thought.

"that was assassinate the one kill skill right oniisan?" Illya asked.

he nodded as they continued upward the stares.

"come on we can set up camp ones we're out of the ruin" Emiya said.

eyes widened as they finally reached the top again. the massive forest, the setting sun, the sight was beautiful.

"woah"

"the wind's warm" Sakura said,

"tomorrow. we'll get there tomorrow" Illya cheered.

words echoed thru Emiya's head as he remembered them. 'the best part of adventuring is experiencing new things!' Kanami always said that, always so giddy and cheerful for a new adventure.

/

Mion continued to work mostly compiling the current theory on the may incident or rather the catastrophe as the adventures called it.

she was going to have it sent to the sage Regan, in mirall lake perhaps he could figure out something else. perhaps the how, or why, the who was probably a deity of some sort who had enough with the twisted shade-wife tale the gods originally made when sent the adventures.

the what happened had been figured out, which was why she understood the breakdown.

thankfully some of the adventures where getting closer to returning to normal or some of the more battle oriented ones where starting to prepare for going deep into hard dungeons.

Shiroe-samma's allies should be arriving tomorrow.

the archmage on the other hand was currently working with a building? she wasn't sure what he where doing, something about testing out his subclasses?

"hey! Mion-san!" Naotsugu called out waving a hand causing Mion to jump startled.

"this, this is the building?" she asked curiously approaching the cheerful if odd guardian.

"yeah, not sure how Shiro bought it, but well, we found out that something he learned on earth was automatically translated here so he didn't need to do the translation and rewriting it to work again" Naotsugu commented.

the building was large, several stories, with a giant tree running thru it's center, it was in truly good condition, but she didn't know of the inside.

"it's better if you look yourself" Naotsugu stated opening the door and Mion blanked.

"did, what, but, how, Shiroe-samma did this? how when" she stammered,

'archmage is well earned' she thought mutely. the grand entrance was truly an grand entrance, the giant tree had stairs carved into it, as if it had been grown like that twisted changed.

wooden beams running thru the walls as a frame work, with balcony showing that it was two stories, soft cream walls, and the darker woods, double doors, on both first and upper floor. even with the furniture the entrance hall looked far larger then the building had seemed.

it took a moment before something else registered "this is a guild zone" she breath out stunned, just like in the guild building but how, this building didn't have anything like that before did it?

he couldn't be can he? she wondered.

in lore wardsmith are said to been the ones who created the ward-circles the barrier for the adventurer cities. the very same barriers who's said to been the last and greatest ward-schemes ever smithed. how it was created is unknown even if the Kuni can maintain the barriers.

the guardian did say Shiroe-samma was playing around with one of his subclasses. but it couldn't be wardsmith can it?

it was then it explained how he could do this so easily. an owner of a guild zone can alter and customize their zone to their liking to some degree, but an Wardsmith would be able to do far more. from altering, to creating or breaking down the ward.

"Shiroe-samma is creating a guild?" she wondered, and Naotsugu snorted.

"doubtful" was the blunt response, because if that happened then it was well rare or unlikely, maybe they could convince Shiroe of it but it's still unlikely.

Notes:

6 chapter over.

wardsmith a fictional subclass, typed as Lost as no known one have it now days in theladasia. Shiroe thought on earth was a wardsmith, and like with the patronus it's a magic style old it's similar enough that it could be easily translated and not needed to be rewritten like with general wizarding magic.

another example is potions skills could easily fall under alchemist subclass. similar and close enough but there's some quirks that causes differences

Shiroe is still figuring out these quirks for the wardsmith subclass, who he due to personal skill and knowledge manage to revive,

Chapter 7: Arriving to Akiba

Notes:

reminder, i am dyslectic, so gramar and spelling errors can happen.

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Serara, you're okay, right? I'm so glad* Marie cheered.

I'm really relieved*

"yes, I'm sorry I worried you" Serara said "goodbye" she said before ending the call.

"I really am safe now aren't I?" she asked turning to the group.

"we went over the Lyport channel" Godric stated.

"they don't have griffins either, nya" Nyanta said "we'll be fine now, nya" he continued.

Serara lifted her hands to her cheeks "now that I'm safe I just feel kind off..." she started before falling to her knees "everyone thank you!"

/

Illya looked at the forest, they hadn't quite manage to arrive there yet, but they where close now, almost there even. just a day or two more and they're there.

"should we create a guild when we get there?" Illya mused because then they could rent a guild zone.

"no" Emiya stated bluntly.

"eh?" Illya stopped for a moment, "what, why?" she asked looking at her brother confused.

"no" he repeated bluntly.

"you have no intention of joining any guild without your lord have you" Cu commented.

Emiya hummed to that "true enough. but that's not fully why" he replied, "a common trend with powerful players especially the more famous ones are that guilds tries to recruit you simply because of your power, it's annoying, my case with it isn't as bad as my strategists thought" Emiya explained slightly annoyed at the fact.

"famous? you're not famous" Rin snorted dismissing that.

Emiya raised a brow "no you're just rookies who's not played long enough to hear about any famous or legendary players yet" he deadpanned.

"eh?" Rin blinked.

"raid class summons, phantasmal rank gear, even high level wings" Cu started sorting out the facts similar to what he would do against another servant.

"veteran player, yet not in a guild, or perhaps not in a guild anymore. but others want you to join and you got a friend even more sought out for. you where in a group before haven't you" he continued.

Emiya merely tilted his head with an amused smirk.

"an winged archer, you're Hawk Eye of Tea Party aren't you" Cu finished

at that Illya blanked while Rin and Sakura looked at each other confused.

"it was called Debauchery tea party" Emiya corrected.

Illya was still to stunned, Hawk eye of tea Party. a legendary player, referred as a knightly bow wielder who never misses his chosen target even if said target is out of range. an sniper of unparalleled skill that several archer styled builds have tried to match but not quite manage to pull it off on the same level.

his skill as an archer us unquestionable, but you better forget any notion of him being weak in close combat. while rarely engages in close combat hawk eye is as if steel, a deadly foe whoc an easily flick between long distance and close quarter tactics at demand.

she just like Cu have heard stories of most of the most famous players in elder tale, while some of the tea party members while famous wasn't as famous as some of the others.

that, that is her brother was somewhat hard to swallow.

it made the resemblance eerily and worrying.

"that's, I've heard about a legendary party that completed many difficult quests and raids you, you where a member?" Illya asked out still rather shocked about this.

"so you are already in a guild but" she frowned, tea party was known to have max level players no lower then that, it's also said to disbanded a year ago.

"what is this group and why do you even respect it" Rin asked out causing Illya to stare at her baffled before she realized that the twins they haven't even gotten a chance to play any further then the tutorial before all of this happened.

of course they wouldn't known of any of the stories or famous players yet.

"Shiroe the enchanter is one of the most renown members of tea party spoken of as their strategist, having lead a small group thru several high difficult raids and succeeded, but Tea Party grew to be around twenty before disbanding" Cu started.

"keep in mind that a small raid party is 24 players normally you'll have more then that, and still likely fail, it's normal to have around fifty or even hundred players. because raids are an insane task to take on and very few can lead one even less be the strategist for such a battle because of the pressure" he continued.

at Rin's blank expression it was easy to tell that she either didn't believe it or had nothing to compare it to.

"have you tried to fight against berserker without a servant?" Emiya commented and Rin blanched at the thought.

"while Tea party wasn't a guild as more of a hangout, a group that was fun to travel with. some of us being solo players others where in guilds and none of us had anything in common, we just enjoyed adventuring together" Emiya chuckled.

Rin let out a relieved breath at that, because that meant that he didn't do it to save others, or because he was being forced.

but that he choose it freely.

"this, this is unexpected" Illya commented running her templets for a moment.

/

in Akihabra, "when looing at them like this, the kids do look really young" Naotsugu commented.

"how old do you suppose they are?" Shiroe wondered, thinking of the crescent moon members, most seemed young, even those with more teen like appearance seemed young to some point.

Naotsugu put his arm behind his head, "in this world you can't tell by looking at them or anyone really. just based on looks you'd say Akatsuki was in element-" he didn't get to finish before getting back-punched by Akatsuki who twitched annoyed.

"middle school and elementary probably, the few older ones probably in high school" Shiroe mused ignoring that for a moment, as he stretched out his wings as he laid on the flooring.

he had a few pillows there, and several furs, allot of furs so it was still soft. they haven't gotten a chance to actually get furniture yet so the rooms was fairly empty one thing messing with the zone settings didn't do. conjure up furniture.

"but that would make them the same age as those twins" Shiroe continued.

"twins?" Naotsugu asked.

"hm. I ran into them when this was a game the girl was a kanagi and the boy a samurai" Shiroe said before telling them of his first encounter with the twins, a small smile gracing his lips.

"eh, have you always been that nicer?" Naotsugu asked to that as it was a bit unusual.

Shiroe sighted "I don't like it when people come to be because they want something" he admitted "but those two were beginners they seemed to be having a great time adventuring, so I showed them the ropes for a while using the teacher system"

"teacher system?" Akatsuki asked confused.

"a system that lets high level player lower their levels to play with lower leveled characters" was the easy explanation.

"hardly anyone uses it" Naotsugu stated "it's such a risk"

"all your stats take a huge hit even if only temporarily" Shiroe continued.

"why would you drop your level?" Akatsuki asked confused for a moment a finger to her mouth "ah I see"

"and where are those two now?" Naotsugu asked.

"they're on my friend list, the sister Minori and brother Touya" Shiroe said looking at said friend list.

"so they where caught in it" Naotsugu said to that.

"I think I was going to meet them before the catastrophe happened but after logging in the next thing I knew I was in akihabara" Shiroe admitted.

"I was also teleported into an abandoned building" Akatsuki admitted

"you should have said something to them. I'm sure they've been having a hard time" Naotsugu said.

"I where running on instinct, quite, keep calm, take a step back and listen, observe then act. I've only just started to calm down and remembered that I had planned to meet them before the catastrophe, and sense it we've had our hands full" Shiroe explained frowning lightly.

"last time I saw them they where level 8, now they might be a bit higher, but if they're in a guild they should be fine" Shiroe said

"by the way Shiro" Naotsugu started making Shiroe jerk back at the utter look of seriousness on the other face "was Minori-chan cute?" he asked.

"how would I know? on earth all I could hear was her voice" Shiroe said to that leaning his head away as he grabbed his cup

"no, no you can tell some things from the voice" Naotsugu said with a blush.

"idiot pervert Naotsugu" Akatsuki said eyes closed as she sat on a pillow.

"Better than being a closet pervert!" Naotsugu snapped out

"Shut up you're making my tea taste bad" Akatsuki countered but the bickering made Shiroe chuckle slightly.

it took a while for the two to stop bickering, meanwhile Shiroe wondered, his thoughts drifting.

"npc's not part of events still have a backstory" Naotsugu started thinking back to the various people when buying food ingredients, to Mion. "the more I talk to them the more human they seem"

"They are human" Shiroe said

Naotsugu turned to Shiroe at that.

"they have names, families, feelings and memories. we adventurers have powerful bodies and phoenix like immortality making dying useless. in this world wouldn't that make us the abnormal ones?" Shiroe said pushing up his glasses

"I guess so" Naotsugu said looking up at the roof.

"they live as one with the land that is how they got their name"

"ever since the catastrophe it seems like I've seen far more of them. maybe we just never noticed when it was a game" Naotsugu said.

"the game updated, got extensions packs, with each one showing more of this world. but if that is the truth then we simply couldn't see how many landers there where before now in elder tales" Shiroe mused.

/

"woa" Sakura's eyes where wide, as she saw the city it was different from Minami more alive, probably due to the flourishing plantlife, twisting with buildings it was something else.

"so that's Akihabra?" Rin asked staring at the massive city who felt far more natural then the stone crystal one of Minami who had a far darker look this one seemed brighter, fresher even.

Emiya merely grinned, he was relieved to be back now they just needed to enter the city borders, as such they kept walking, until reaching it.

Cu's eyes widen in surprise while the girls stumbled as they felt the ward, the city barrier, "woah" Illya breath out it felt so different from minami.

it was stronger more refined and seemed to have a whole second layer not overlapping the first one, yet ran separately from the original wards/bounded field.

it, it had a distinct feel as if it could become far, far stronger and refined if whoever made it choose to do so.

Emiya's eyes narrowed for a moment before he hummed feeling the familiar magic and he decided pointedly not to think of why it where familiar, and started walking in that direction.

"this way" he called out,

"wait what? what way?" Rin snapped out.

"how would, wait do you got tracker subclass?" Illya asked answering her own question.

"hunter and scout" Emiya corrected.

"that's eerily fitting" Sakura was the one to point that out. none of them where quite sure what to think of the similarity between Emiya and Archer.

Emiya paused at that, "why?" he asked not quite sure why they found it eerie in the first place.

"it makes you more like archer" Rin sighted, the similarity was uncanny and it wasn't only appearance. he was acting similar to, but apparently that was only because he fell into his elder tale character to some regard without thinking of it.

at that Emiya's eye twitched because he didn't like being compared to the other. and the two got along about as well as Gil and Gilgamesh which mean they simply don't get along at all, and even tried to kill each other at points.

all attempts having been interrupted thought and Emiya wasn't found of sharing the same faith.

"before this" he started gesturing to the surrounding for a moment "I ran higher risk of ending up as Muramasa then Archer just because he's a possibility an counterpart don't mean he where the Only one" Emiya sighted.

Cu raised a brow at the name of the demon blacksmith.

"that explains so much" he commented.

"eh?" Rin blinked, as did Illya.

"what do you mean?" Sakura asked hesitantly not sure she or any of them wanted to know.

"right you wouldn't know of it. it's a rarer occasion that sometimes happens when the same person in separate worlds can end up so very different from the other that upon ascension they remain split rather then merge into one heroic spirit, like most would. even if they stay split they still look the same and might even use the same magic" Cu explained.

that earned him stunned looks even as Emiya nodded to it

"you knew, wait you saw Archer's swords, but how the akasha can you end up as Muramasa?" Rin asked very confused over that fact because few Japanese didn't know who Muramasa was and Emiya as muramasa how could that even happen?

"a guess? the grails destruction cracked space and would shunted me back" Emiya deadpanned as if it was obvious and perhaps it was when thinking of it. "but that didn't happen and this sort of interrupted the chance of it happening" he continued.

"makes sense, and with Archer's weapons you probably saw a version of Muramasa's to" Illya mused and Emiya nodded confirming it, even if he tried to avoid thinking of why he could understand said knowledge now when he barely could make heads or tails out of it before.

"am I really acting different?" he asked after a moment.

Cu stared at him for a moment while the girls gapes surprised that he even asked. they're voiced it before on more than one occasion, why wouldn't he noticed it? it was almost as if Emiya couldn't see the change himself.

"how could you miss it?!" Rin shouted voicing the fact

"it's to subtle to notice" Emiya sighted ears dropping slightly which confused the girls slightly for a moment. "this isn't elder tales but it's to similar so it's hard to go off character causing a strange mix where ones elder tale character and ones off play self merges because it's still us" he explained while walking, they where almost there.

tilting his head at the sight of the building it felt like a bounded field, far more concentrated then the city's barrier but there was one there.

grabbing the handle of the main door he paused at seeing the familiar screen of being granted access. it was as if entering a guild zone.

'what?' he wondered very confused before opening and entered.

"did we just enter a guild zone based bounded field?" Illya asked very confused as she followed him inside for a moment before dismissing it to the gamer traits of this world.

"Shiroe-dono don't have a guild" Emiya deadpanned.

"he don't" someone agreed. "We guessed you'd arrive sometime today but wasn't sure when." Naotsugu continued he was currently not wearing armor but a white tunic with blue edges and pants, even if he still wore the armored boots.

"I'm Naotsugu, a guardian nice to meet you" he continued cheerfully.

"yo. I'm Cu you already know Emiya" Cu introduced.

"I'm Illya, these two are Rin and Sakura" Illya said introducing herself and the other two.

"right the two newbies, traveling her didn't really raise your level did it" Naotsugu frowned slightly.

"where is Shiroe-dono?" Emiya asked,

" Shiro's at the balcony on sixth floor, and the shrimp is in the training room" Naotsugu answered

'shrimp?' was the shared thought

"that's not their name right?" Sakura asked looking at the other.

"well strange name tags are normal in a game, but that probably just a nickname" Illya answered not sure if said person even liked said nickname either.

she blinked, "wait where. where's oniisan?" Illya asked not seeing her brother anymore.

"probably heading to the sixth floor" Naotsugu said "do you want something to eat? there's still some food left, and it don't need to be heated" he offered.

"if it got taste then yes please" Rin answered.

/

'I don't know what I can do' he thought 'don't even have a guild' at that Shiroe paused,

"I don't have a guild" he repeated out loud.

'it's almost like an excuse to run away' Shiroe thought, "all the old guilds that invited me just wanted to take advantage of my knowledge and veteran status. I hated it." he spoke out loud, but that wasn't the whole truth there had been one or two who he denied because of just how Awkward joining it would ended up, even if he trusted the guildmaster in question.

'it's why I don't like being used. but that's not fully it either. allot of those guilds it changed from asking for advice to demanding knowledge, skill, and advice wasn't enough. I simply wasn't enough for them'

"they didn't want me they wanted someone else and far more then I was comfortable with " Shiroe mused.

'it wasn't all bad, but it turned ill quickly. and that I hate. it reminded me to much of being used and thrown away' he frowned.

'I knew all that was going on, and disappeared the moment it got to much' he thought.

"a guild uh" he mused

"do you still not like guilds, Shiroe-dono?" Emiya asked curiously causing Shiroe to turn around

"Emiya"

"hello" he greeted.

"to be honest I really don't know" Shiroe admitted turning back to the horizon. "the more I think about why I don't like guilds the more conflicted and childish I seem, I guess" Shiroe explained sitting down on the railing.

"maybe, it's true that the system itself can make it easy for guilds to go rotten, which is why you keep your distance from it. but if it never could become twisted, sick or collapse then I don't know I ever could trust it" Emiya stated.

"eh?"

"but just because it can go wrong then it don't mean it will or perhaps simply the wrong person is in control or can't keep it from collapsing or becoming sick" Emiya continued.

"we manage to keep tea Party as a wonderful place, even if it wasn't an official guild everyone worked to keep it happy to keep it pleasant" he continued.

Shiroe looked upward as the sun finally set showing the star filled sky.

"that's right, both tea party, and Crescent moon are wonderful places because of the people working hard to keep it so" Shiroe mused.

"you don't need to hold back you do know that my strategist?" Emiya said.

'don't need to hold' Shiroe's thought stopped short before another thought registered.

"have I kept you waiting?" Shiroe asked making Emiya blink ones then twice.

"yes" Emiya eventually answered as it sank in what Shiroe just asked.

"instead of going elsewhere you stayed" Shiroe continued.

"of course. it would feel wrong to pick someone else" Emiya admitted easily because that was the truth.

/

they where sitting in the dining room at the moment a low table, and pillows to sit on, which worked fine, tea having been readied, Emiya having a kitchen to work in, he easily made them all something to drink.

"so what's been happening in this city?" Cu was the one who asked.

Shiroe frowned at that. "it's better then it was a few days ago, but" he started "while there's far less PKing making it little safer, the depression still runs deep and hard making the air unpleasant" Shiroe continued.

"it's as if everyone have fallen into ranks" Naotsugu was the one who voiced it.

"ranks?" Illya asked to that frowning.

"there's several smaller guilds with players under level 50, but there's some large guilds to like DDD a raid guild that beat Oracle's tower, a legion raid quest that others said no Japanese players could beat" Shiroe explained.

"a legion raid have hundred players at the minimum, often fifty more if not the double in order to fight. and supposedly DDD have 1500 members several being level 90"

"I see, with ranks then it's these guilds" Rin mused understanding that guilds where official registered groups that you could join. probably under varying condition depending on the guilds leaders.

"at the moment it's the bigger guilds who makes the decisions, who get priority on the market or hunting grounds which makes the PK was rarer but it don't make much for the atmosphere either" Shiroe sighted.

"the big guilds taken all of the good hunting spots" Illya stated getting three nods to that.

"with the barrier you can't fight in the cities, but that won't stop one form clashing outside of the barriers" Cu stated.

"and there's no rules, laws, that prohibit people from doing what they want either" Shiroe said.

"wait what about the city guards" Illya interrupted at that.

Shiroe shook his head, sipping some of his tea for a moment, "that's a nature phenomena caused by how the city wards function, it's not a rule it's a fact" he sight.

"but Akihabra is far better then Susukino's state, or Minami's haven't heard of Nakasu. but Shibuya is well emptying, to come here, have been for the last four days" Shiroe continued.

"it's been twelve days sense we ended up here, and perhaps the air is personal preference but I don't like it" Emiya stated.

almost two weeks.

it having taken one week to travel here that reminded him where did Arrtur disappear off to.

"I've heard rumors of level 91" Akatsuki said drawing attention.

"level 91" Illya repeated.

"the level cap in elder tales was level 90. yet here, it's probably far higher if it even exist. I got one subclass at level 200 with two more close to it. but subclasses are easier to level then ones main class, take less effort" Shiroe explained.

"which means the level cap might not even exist even with the novasphere expansion supposedly going to raise the level cap to hundred" Cu commented.

"there's also been no new player or no one who was offline joining in either. those who do come online simply where on a different server thus still in this world" Shiroe stated.

"there's something more isn't it" Emiya didn't ask.

"no" Shiroe admitted, tilting his head to Akatsuki.

"some of the battle guilds have been buying EXP pots to level up to level 91 and above faster. buying it from a guild called Hamelin who's been gathering new players claiming they want to help them but" she paused "something smells wrong about that guild"

"exp what?" Rin asked.

"EXP pots are a potion that given to any player under level 30 so that they can level up faster getting double about of experience from every battle for a duration of time after drinking it" Emiya explained.

"it's to allow new players to enjoy elder tale but here it's probably to allow one to grow stronger faster so that one can do some real traveling quickly" Shiroe continued.

"Mari-nee tried to set up a council between several small guilds but it collapsed before it could start, apparently only bickering amongst themselves, with only two other remaining that was willing to try to little to small" Shiroe continued, while he had a sort of plan forming in his mind he wasn't sure if it would success.

Hamelin was dirtying Akihabara and if given a chance Shiroe would fight them, as would Akatsuki, Naotsugu, Emiya, Godric, Alice, probably those Emiya came with to, because shiroe trust Emiya and his judgement.

but Hamelin wasn't the only at fault.

"not doing anything is only making it all worse" Shiroe commented keeping tight rein on his emotions but that didn't stop Emiya and Cu form eyeing him verily.

while the others couldn't feel it, Sakura to inexperience to pick it up, Cu and Emiya could.

and what a scary feel it was. Shiroe's magic was strong, devastatingly strong, it was dense it's refined, honed and experienced that made him feel closer to an powerful caster, then adventurer. one that was ticked off to even if he where restraining his magic from lashing out it still lingered heavily in the air that reminded Cu of his teacher, while it reminded Emiya of a cursed blade.

danger, pure undenied danger with sense of natural disaster.

but there was a tinge of frustration to. one that even with his power, his skill he still haven't manage to do anything.

"seeing loose nails then you'll hammer it down, if the nails are broken then you'll pull it out" Emiya spoke gaining odd looks from his group, while Naotsugu started grinning.

Silvery eyes blinked as he meet Emiya's golden ones, "you already got a plan don't you" Emiya didn't ask, and Shiroe's lips twitched slightly in a ghost of a smirk told them that yes he had started forming a plan.

"don't know if it will work" Shiroe admitted looking up at the roof.

"you're waiting for my invitation to form a guild" Shiroe said Naotsugu looked not just a little started but he started to grin widely at the comment.

"you" Shiroe started "you wouldn't mind accompany me?" he asked.

"I'm sure Chief Nyanta will want a comfortable poach" Emiya said grinning.

"the wooden deck can easily be turned into a comfortable poach" Shiroe agreed easily, "they won't get here for four to five more days" he chuckled "Alive will be jealous she isn't here right now" Shiroe commented.

Cu eyes Shiroe for a moment, even the other two, who seemed giddy at the prospect, while Akatsuki was discreetly hiding the feeling it was hard to miss the joy in her eyes.

'yes' Cu agreed with Emiya's comment about Shiroe. 'he is a wonderful master'

"you don't mind us joining in to?" Cu asked, making Shiroe blink.

"okay" he agreed even if not knowing the four. he knew that one of them where Emiya's sister, he also knows that they have been traveling with Emiya and the archer have called them his friends.

"as long as you don't mind working with my plan then okay" Shiroe repeated.

/

inside one of the guild zones in the guild building, was a dark and damp room, a call came in.

Minori's eyes widened as she saw the name that appeared.

good evening. can you hear me? it's Shiroe*

the voice wasn't only familiar to her, it reminded her of happy times.

'this is Minori right?* he asked as it took a little while before Minori manage to get out any kind of response.

the one she managed was barely hearable, more breathy then anything else. but she couldn't really answer more then that, not wanting to wake any of the others, or arise suspicion and make it all worse.

nor did she want to loose control of her own emotions. why now, why look for her now echoes thru Minori's mind.

Minori listen to me, cough once for yes, twice for no, and three if you want to say something* Shiroe spoke *is that okay?* he asked and Minori was in shock.

'Shiroe-san, knows what's happening to us now' she thought, he knows of Minori's situation, he knew what kind of place Hamelin is, and even with how numb she started to feel, Shiroe was the one person she didn't want to trouble.

even for players ten level higher then Tohya, as long as you were a beginner in elder tales then you will lack knowledge regarding this alternate world

Knowledge was the strongest weapon in this world and the lack of it was preventing beginners form progressing. the knowledge she had learned from Shiroe had become a strength helping them carrying on. even in such a brutal environment like Hamelin.

they where treated better thanks to the knowledge Shiroe shared, and Minori will always regard him as her benefactor, as she made a tiny cough.

Minori and Tohya are in Hamelin?*

a small cough.

you're giving your exp pots to Hamelin?* it took a moment before she answered.

are you okay?* Shiroe asked and Minori froze.

are you okay?* he repeated, and Minori understood what Shiroe was asking, that he wanted to do something for her, for the other beginners in the guild. even if she didn't have any clues of how or what he would do, especially with this world where beginners like her and Tohya where a burden.

coughing ones. *is that true?* Shiroe asked again his tone gentle, before she coughed ones then again and ones more.

you want to say something?* he asked only getting a faint sound as response to that as Minori shook her head. *I did tell you to cough three times if you had something to say* Shiroe said.

all right, I'll hurry so I can hear it* he decided. *for now I'll trust that you're okay. so believe in me too all right I'll come and rescue you* at that the call ended and MInori curled up tighter.

/

it's only gone a day sense Emiya and his group had arrived yet the Crescent moon alliance could feel that something was different.

Marielle blinked several times wondering if she heard right.

"eh?"

"this time I'd like to ask for your help" Shiroe repeated.

"our help?" Henrietta asked looking at Marie

"Anything you need Shiroe-san" Shouryu said to that fist against his chest.

"that's right the crescent moon alliance owes you much" Henrietta eventually said even if neither wanted to use this situation to repay a dept. but it wasn't merely repaying a dept.

Shiroe is their benefactor, and they should treat him well, as Shiroe-dono have helped them several times before.

yet Shiroe didn't smile when he heard the response.

"there's two I know that's being held no rather forced to stay in a nasty guild I'd like to save them" Shiroe explained.

arms crossed for a moment, "I see, so that's what you want. all we need to do is help them leave the guild correct? do you need us to draw the members away, giving them the chance to perform the process of leaving a guild? is there another issue? to help them after escaping? do you need the crescent moon alliance to take care of them?" Shouryu said musing slightly but if that was all then shouldn't Shiroe already pulled it off?

'with Shiroe-sama's talent if it just rescuing two then he can do it without their help, so what is his true intention?' Henrietta wondered-

"um. this guild you're talking about?" she asked vary over the answer.

"this evil guild gathers beginners and confiscates their exp pots. which is probably sold for money" Shiroe explained.

"Hamelin" Marielle said to that having heard the same thing.

"I think it's time they left" he stated simply.

it took a moment for that to sink in. "hey now, that's a nasty guild but they have support of the big guilds" was said to that, a few larger battle guilds where their costumers, two of which is undeniable among the top five of Akihabra's battle guilds.

'Marie was expecting something like this' Henrietta thought now understanding why Marielle was so tense.

"wait a second do you mean you'll destroy them?" Shouryu stammered and henrietta shared the sentiment. there was only two ways to destroy a guild and one was the guild master request to close it or all the member leave the guild.

you could kill the players by PK but they would ust revive in the catherdral so that wouldn't do anything then hit their pride a bit.

"no" Shiroe said easily "I mean exactly what I said" that caused a startled gasp

"I'm going to have them leave Akihabara" Shiroe said pushing up his glasses that flashed a brilliant white.

'is there even a way?' she wondered stunned. sure she's heard of guilds being pushed to brink of collapse but that's no guarantee it would be destroyed.

but Shiroe's voice was kept carefully neutral and stable and his expression, there was a faint smile but it had nothing to do with joy or happiness. no the slight curve was th smile of a hunter.

one who already decided who where the prey.

Henriette remembered her father having similar expression on her father, when challenging big corporations. he would not be home for days after that.

several in the guild admired him for several reasons, and he is a worthy friend. but some requests are just to out of there yet in face of that determination she couldn't say now. she couldn't manage to voice it

"Shiro-Shiro-bou I understand how you feel but" Marielle started the coming rejection even if it might anger him or damage their friendship and mariele had no intention of leaving this to Henrietta.

"sorry, but please let me finish it's only the first part" he interrupted closing ones eye "Hamelin incident is just a side quest, it's not enough to solve this incident and not enough to reach my goal. this is just a small mission to do on my main objective" Shiroe explained getting several stunned looks at that.

"I don't like the atmosphere in Akihabara, it's ugly, it's shameful, pathetic, cheap, so I want to clean it up" he counted up even as Henrietta and Marielle froze like statues, Shiroe continued.

"when did staying in a small guild become a bad thing? Akihabara is the largest city in the Japanese server, Susukino is small so there it's more understandable if one big guild can take over but here, we're to many for that to work, yet everyone is walking around with their heads down, sad pathetic, as if our only purpose in life where pathetic" he explained.

opening his eyes again "I think everyone's underestimating this world to much"

the speech made little sense, and it wasn't reasonable at all. that he want to destroy a guild mad even less sense beyond common sense. but to change the entire city. How? how could he pull that off?

to do that is insane, they failed with the small guilds, but Shiroe's tone.

that was what shocked them the most. his voice was stable, strong, as if reinforced by steel, sharp enough to cut.

Henrietta realized she was not just a little bit wrong. she filed Shiroe off as kind and gentle but also a bit shy. but in battle he was efficient and merciless, but remained true.

"Guild master" Shouryu started carefully, because if this worked the reward would be.

"can we at least hear him out?" he asked. "for a long time I've been feeling the same way" Shoyryu said.

"how would you do it?" Henrietta asked "it depends on your plan, so tell us and we'll decide if it's something we can help you with"

"i need everyone's hope and goodwill. I believe more people like this town then hate it. the more people who want to save it the more likely it is saved" Shiroe started. "so I'll say it again lend your assistance to me" Shiroe asked again.

"what, what about your companions?" Henrietta injected buying some time for Marielle to think, especially as it was a good question as normally Akatsuki and Naotsugu would be with him.

"they're carrying out investigations and preparations, Naotsugu is also getting furniture for our guild building" he answered and it took a moment before Marielle's eyes widened.

"Shiro-bou did you just say guild?" she asked. "our guild?" she asked the specific wording he used.

Shiroe smiled softly "yes" he answered.

"then you made one?" Marie breath out stunned.

"sorry since you've invited me" Shiroe offered.

"no it's nothing to apologize for" Mari shook her head "I see, congratulations Shiro-bou. so you manage to make a home" Marielle said crying with joy, and relief.

"Shiroe-san? what's it called?" Shouryu asked curiously.

"ah, right, it's name is Log Horizon" Shiroe answered.

Notes:

the guild finally formed,

Chapter 8: determination

Notes:

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

in the forest outside of Akihabara.

"it's pretty though to catch them alive" Shouryu said sword in hand as several monster boars surrounded them.

"if you just kill them they become ingredient items" Naotsugu commented.

"there's no way that huge boar becomes a mere two kg of meat" Hein denied as that made no sense at all.

"but with a good cook and catch them alive you can use the entire thing" Naotsugu said as his grip tightened when the boars started running towards them.

"Right let's do this!" slamming his sword into the shield and drew all of the monsters towards him.

"our quota for today is Sixty"

"if this is for Marie-san then I'll catch as many as you need!" Shouryu declared jumping toward the monsters to strike them down with hein following crossbow in hand.

/

in the crescent moon guild hall, the girls frowned.

"this isn't quite right" Lillian complained looking at the black maid uniform with a frown.

"something easier to move in would be nice" Ashlyn mused looking at the dress with a distinct frown before the third girl Asuka had an idea.

"let's see what cloths we have in the bank" she suggested

"Okay!" Ashlyn cheered.

while in the Kitchen Emiya where helping the chefs, having added the chef subclass when he got the chance after getting to Akihabra. but it proved again that experience from earth did overlap and remain even here.

causing his level to rapidly increase from 1 to 90 before stopping. thought Emiya was sure that if he had the subclass before the catastrophe then it would be over hundred now. shaking his head, at the experience transfer between earth and theladasia was unexpected, but he wasn't the only one who experienced that.

similar cases was being spoken of in the entire city. mostly it being higher then expected for the game, which means that in theladasia the subclass never was limited to a max level or have a far higher roof.

but there's also stories of adventures adding a subclass who's level suddenly jumped form 1 to middle range or even like him high due to they already had experience with said subclass. or the earth counterpart.

Emiya's own chef class only rose to level 90, but Nyanta's apparently where at lv 156, and Shiroe's own where at 200. his own would probably also be on those numbers if he had, had the subclass before the catastrophe.

"taste this!" Girov requested pulling Emiya out form his thoughts, as Girov held out a plate with what look to be soup.

"then lets see" Emiya hummed a pleased smile gracing his lips before he tasted it, "it needs a bit more salt. but adding some coriander would work really well to"

"thank you so much!" Girov responded.

/

"Umeko! Umeko! Umeko!" Marie shouted, as the door opened letting Shiroe see Henrietta bite on a hanky in frustration.

both paused as the door closed, "I brought more Marie-ne" Shiroe said simply putting both stacks down with the contain he used for them.

"Shiro-bou, you're a demon" Marie complained faintly.

Henrietta refocused and pulled out a note-pad. "Shiroe-samma I've compiled a list of everything you requested" she said handing it over letting Shiroe read it thru,

"and the numbers are accurate" he said sounding pleased

Marie thought simply sunk down on her desk. "our treasurer is amazing. give her any number related information and she will take care of it accurately with less then 0,01% error. as long as Henrietta handles the accounts both the demons in hell and angels with their trumpets will piss themselves and beg for forgiveness if they saw her coming with a stack of budgets" Marie spoke.

"no" hernietta denied "my limits are being pushed. what amazes me is Shiroe-samma's natural cold blooded proposal, it's vicious to the point of absurdity, to the point where it shakes the heavens, calling him Shiroe is like a joke. we should refer to him as Pitch black kuroe, if not Akatsuki-chan I would offer myself to him" Henrietta said making Shiroe look at her warily.

'is she serious?' he wondered he couldn't sense any joke and it didn't feel sarcastic either.

Shiroe closed his eyes. "my darkness can't be compared to Marie-nees kind nature and spacyness. even when guild members are exhausted they will still push on or her encouraging smile in order to earn Marie-nees praise" Shiroe said deadly serious about it to.

"so true" Henrietta agreed laughing, before letting out a sight. "anyway there's so much work, having Akatsuki-chan for a day is the only way I can keep going"

Shiroe glanced at her at that, "that you're an lolicon still surprises me, Henrietta-san" Shiroe said startling her slightly. "Akatuski is out on a mission right now and I do believe you are making her rather uncomfortable even if she is a collage student" Shiroe continued.

"Akatuski is a college student?" Marie asked surprised.

he shrugged wings stretching out slightly "you can't rely on physical ages here, we created our characters yes but the aging was fluent and always stopped, if we aged at all, half the time there was no aging" Shiroe commented.

/

later that night, some of the guild members cheerfully showed the new sign.

"it's wonderful" Henrietta said

"it's amazing how nice handmade stuff looks" Ashlyn said eyes wide with a wide smile

"now we're almost done" Lilian stated.

'it's finally time' Henrietta thought thinking back to the meeting a few days ago with Shiroe-samma.

while they would earn a large amount of money due to this, the money wasn't what he was after. no this would serve as a demonstration, but also a start to drag other adventures up from the gloom everyone is in.

but we need to be able to do so and make everyone happy at the same time. a player, adventure that don't fight against being pulled up from the gloom will help them come up from it.

or even pull themselves up, they just need a reason kicked or slammed hard into them.

leaving the room, 'now it's time for the plan's first stage' she thought.

/

Naotsugu carefully knocked on the office door, before opening it, "Marie-san I brought you a snack" he said

"Emiya made these sandwiches himself" Naotsugu continued before noticing that the room was dark for one, as well as Marielle currently lying on the floor with a bunch of papers scarreted about and stacks after stacks around her.

"eh"

"I can't go on!" Marie screamed. "Stupid Umeko, I hate you" she rolled around for a moment.

"oi, oi," Naotsugu tried

"I can't take this room anymore" Marie continued "I want a bath" I want to go outside!"

Naotsugu didn't know what to do at the tantrum, to see a adult woman, or adult elf in this case throw one was even more unexpected. "Okay. okay Marie-san" Naotsugu started before bending down and put the plate with sandwiches down on the floor.

Marie stopped for a moment as she saw them pulling herself up into sitting position as Naotsugu sat down.

taking one of them before biting down "so good!"

"hey" he started.

"?"

"thanks for going along with Shiro's plan" he started with a gentle smile. "I think it made him happy that you agreed thank you" Naotsugu said grateful.

"you're a good boy Naotsugu" marie replied.

crawling forward which made Naotsugu lean back before she rubbed his head. "good boy. I'm glad you're with Shiro-bou. keep being his friend" she said even if she was making Naotsugu very nervous.

"ri-right" was somewhat hesitant as Marie was way to close.

backing away and standing up the guardian calmed down somewhat. "so tomorrow is the start"

/

"now, before we head into the field let's grab something to eat" was suggested.

arms behind her head "it don't matter, everything tastes the same anyway"

their expressions dropped at that "don't say that"

"this area is sure empty. kind of depressing really"

"of course it is"

"well if it all tastes the same the cheapest food is as good as any"

as they walked away from a café or what used to be one.

"hey something smells good" another adventurer commented confused.

"no way" she denied that.

"Hello residents of Akihabara!" Marie called out. "for those o fyou who miss real food we have good news! now you can bring genuine flavor back to your table!"

arms wide toward the small stand, "the Crescent Moon refreshment stand opens today!" as some of the other girls handed out flyers.

"Crescent burger 15gold, one crispy chicken strip 18gold, black rose tea 5gold" his expression turned more and more surprised as he read it.

"that's a steep price" was commented, especially with the lack of taste.

"Mister care to take a leap of faith and try one?" Marie asked with wide smile one eye closed cutely. "you'll be amazed at how good it is" she continued cheerfully.

"ah, th-then I'll a crescent burger" he started before pointing to his friend having problem denying Marie "she will" he corrected.

"me?!"

"thank yoU! one crescent Burger coming right up!" marie called out turning back to the stand.

but as it was opened and brought out the smell was clearly there.

"this smell?"

"no way"

"it either tastes like nothing or only salt" was dismissed.

she warily eyed the burger, Marie handed over.

"come on, eat it" Marie gestured.

taking a bite, she froze "what is this?" swallowing.

"oi?" the other said as she took another bite teas flowing from her eyes.

"it tastes like a hamburger!!"

"WHAT!!!!" was shared scream at that everyone shocked.

it didn't take long before shouts of wanting one to was heard, and orders where quickly coming up, meanwhile Shiroe stood on a thick branch a bit away from the area looking down at the event with an smirk playing his lips.

'it works' he thought pushing up his glasses as Marie turned toward said branch with a thumb up.

/

Soujiro's eyes widened "this is" he said tasting the burger.

"Delicious, who made this?" he asked confused before another question was voiced "how?"

no one managed to make food taste like food yet, here was a guild doing just that. they figured something out but what?

it was being spoken of in the entire city, quickly spreading within a day most had heard of it.

several of the large merchant guilds having same question what would it take to get in on the secret?

and they weren't the only ones either.

/

Illya whistled she was impressed, they where at the second day and the air in the city was already changing. something so simple had such devastating strong results.

"so what are we going to do with all of the money?" she asked,

"knowing Shiroe-dono nothing" Emiya commented offhandedly at that and far to cheerful to be allowed

"what?" was shared question between Illya and Rin.

"because the money isn't the intent or what we're after" Waver said holding a book or a notebook rather

"so what is he planning?" Rin asked frowning, sure getting the crescent moon guild to open a food stand was interesting plan alone but that couldn't be it, as Shiroe wanted to get rid of Hamelin for good reason to.

"Drag the city out of the gloom, and the first move for that is give them a reason to start being adventures again" Emiya explained.

"right where is our guildmaster anyway?" Illya wondered curiously.

"at the Cresent moon guild office working thru paper work, that should take days" Waver answered it was where he had come from before seeing the two girls.

"but only taking a few hours isn't it" Emiya said highly amused.

"wait what?"

"how?!" Illya shouted startled how can one cut down on paper work that takes days into a few hours time?

"speed read glasses and level 200 scribe" Emiya answered bluntly, "one of those game vs Theladasia differences. don't surprise me thought, that notebook have the catastrophe theories right" Emiya said turning to waver who nodded.

"yes-" Waver trailed off as Arrtur appeared from they're not all to sure where from, currently in human form and decided to hang off Emiya's shoulders.

"yes" he repeated after a moment as Emiya didn't seem to be bothered at all at the apparent child. "I'm meeting Miss Mion at the guild in a little while"

"the mirror window theory is fascinating" Arrtur commented.

"true but that's not what we're going over this time" Waver said, as Shiroe had suggested looking into flavor texts, and cursed items.

something Waver fully agreed in needed to be looked into especially with that several systems they where used to in the game and felt like it should be here to wasn't here anymore sense the catastrophe. if something happened to whatever kept curse items in line, or under control...

that's not something he wanted to be caught off guard from.

"can I come along?" Rin asked finding because most of this where interesting. a whole new or at least for her magic system, one that didn't weaken with the more that knew the same spell to.

Waver nodded after a moment of considering it. "do you want to come along as well?" he asked.

Emiya shook his head "I'm heading to meet Cu about non traditional skills in a while" Emiya said.

"you mean skill of giants like your hawkeye or Shiroe-samma's Full control encounter?" Arrtur voiced letting go and landed easily on the ground.

"skill of giants is a ridiculous name" Emiya stated but gotten an intrigued look.

"true" Arrtur agreed nodding to that, "I think it's also been called mystery skills or overskills as well" he continued.

"a what skill?" Rin frowned looking at Illya who shook her head she didn't know either.

"like cooking for example, doing it by your own hands isn't limited to cooking any class main or subclass can be used, if you even use a class for it at all" Waver explained.

Arrtur nodded with a grin.

"before the catastrophe most believed stories of such skills where make belief or flavoring to ones character and not actually real. they're notorious rare but now it will probably become more common" Emiya admitted.

"that makes sense, it's only a matter of time before the secret to how tasty food is made comes out and it's not really limited to cooking" Illya mused.

Emiya smiled before giving a wave and seemingly vanished.

"how? what" Rin sputtered.

"he's way to similar to archer" Rin complained and Illya grimaced slightly.

"he's still my brother" she said pointedly.

/

it was late now around midnight probably, as Shiroe stood waiting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting" Soujiro greeted "shiro-senpai, it's been a long time" he continued, the cloths more casual and traditional dark blue shihakusho with a teal haori over it. not the same as his normally dark red armor.

"hey Soujiro. I heard you've started your own guild" Shiroe greeted with a smile.

"yes, it's called West Wind brigade" Soujiro replied.

"a small guild but a powerful as the larger ones" Shiroe hummed

"not at all" Soujiro denied, "we were just getting things set up when the catastrophe happened, Nazuna is still with me." he explaining smiling.

"she's as relaxed as ever" before Soujiro's expression fell slightly "Saki too but she wasn't logged in during the catastrophe" he explained.

'and now comes the awkward bit' Shiroe thought.

"err, are you still as popular with the girls as you used to be?" Shiroe asked.

"eh?!" Soujiro jolted "no well..." forcing down a blush.

"a-anyway" he started "why did you call me, Shiro-senpai?" Soujiro asked hesitantly.

"well it's I thought you didn't like me" Soujiro admitted causing Shiroe's eyes to widen in surprise.

"what? why?" he asked.

"well, because. when I founded my guild I invited you but you didn't join" was somewhat hesitant explanation.

"it's not like that at all" Shiroe dismissed,

"I just didn't want anything to do with guilds back then. I'm still hesitant about it, but after the catastrophe I realized something. that I had to make a place for myself, that I have to be one of those that protects others. that I had others waiting for me" Shiroe began to explain, his expression softening.

"I made a guild. there aren't many in it yet, and we're just getting started. but I only had a place for myself after I made one for others to" smiling gently "I finally realized that"

Soujiro was blushing faintly with wide eyes, before he snapped out of it and smiled with more confidence "so what did you want from me?" he asked.

"what do you think of Akihabara as it is now?" Shiroe asked.

Soujiro's expression hardened to that, shadowing almost, "I think it's a prison"

"a prison" Shiroe voiced.

"not only Akihabara. depending on your point of view, this whole world is currently a prison" Soujiro explained.

"I havea way to improve it and I need your help" Shiroe started and Soujiro's expression lit up.

"all right" he said simply.

"eh? are you sure?" Shiroe asked startled at the sudden agreement. "don't you want to hear the plan?" he asked.

Soujiro gestured to Shiroe at that "but you're busy aren't you? I can't take up your time" tapping his chest "and I'm a moron whose place is in the front row. even if the tea party's best strategist told me the plan I wouldn't understand half of it" was the cheerful admittance.

"Soujiro" Shiroe said

/

the following day,

"I have more burgers" Isami called out putting down the box.

"Five super crescent burgers!" was the shouted order, meanwhile Soujiro was taking notes on said orders.

"while you wait I'll take your orders" he greeted only to lean back at the group of girls in front of him.

"so cute!"

"please add me to your friend list"

"hey! stay in line and follow the rules!" Kawara shouted to that

Dolce leaned forward to Souiro. "hey, this Shiro-guy wanted you to help with the store?" Dolce wondered

"of course not" Soujiro denied simply "it's far more than just this, there's no end to his plans" Soujiro said confident in his senpai.

/

meanwhile Shiroe was standing in front of the guild hall, pushing up his glasses, Cu was with him as well, mostly he wanted to see just how good this wardsmith truly is.

if magi thought a caster servant in their territory was scary then they have no clue just how much power a wardsmith holds over their wards.

"now then. time for the second part" Shiroe mused pushing up his glasses.

Cu's grin widen as Shiroe stretched out his hand then grabbed the building's wards.

'yeah he's the real deal all right' Cu thought.

there was two solutions with this. one you can buy the guild hall for five hundred thousand gold, which is a ridiculous sum.

the other claim the building's wards, themselves. and as a wardsmith Shiroe was more then capable of doing that, just like cooking, or runes experience transferred over, a family specialty and like patronus it's don't need to rewritten, as there's some transferable base already existing.

Scribe and rune master when combined forms the wardsmith foundation, allowing Shiroe to revive a for Theladasia a lost subclass.

allowing him to make, break down, alter and mess with wards like the Zones of each building and even city wards to some degree. Cu had noticed that Shiroe already had partial ownership of the city. it's His city not officially claimed but could when choosing. another aspect that almost transferred over but hadn't fully transferred until after the catastrophe.

"the city barriers are the greatest ward-schemes ever smithed in this world, the how is unknown isn't it" Cu commented.

"true" Shiroe agreed. "the Kuni only maintain the barriers of each adventure city, but they're rough for better words, allot of power but rather crude compared to the wards I'm used to dealing with" he admitted.

"wouldn't it be easier to buy the building" Cu didn't ask.

"and then pay for the costs of maintaining it? if buying it is such a ridiculous sum then I don't want to know what maintance would cost" Shiroe snorted.

"while I entertained the notion I dismissed it quickly enough. even if we find a way to return to earth our bodies, spirits had been irreversibly changed and magic. there's no need to hide here, keeping the magical world of earth a secret still is pointless because magic here is common knowledge" Shiroe said as he focused on the guild hall.

he didn't need to own the building, no that's not what he was after he was just after the building zone's controls, it's menu to decide who can or can't enter. Shiroe can even let it go later and probably would to when it wasn't needed.

"magical world? is that the true name of the reverse side" Cu asked curiously, glancing out to the main road from where they where almost hidden.

"reverse what now?" Shiroe frowned pausing for a moment before continuing. "the magical world overlaps the normal one, wizarding spaces, or zones similar to here allowing entire cities, fit into a simple alleyway" Shiroe explained.

"ruins, sanctuaries, forests among other are hidden with charms to make non magicals ignore it and avoid the area as if it wasn't there, but it's still all very much precent"

Cu hummed, "the magi will have a breakdown finding that out" he chuckled before laughing.

"magi" Shiroe stopped outright at that. "those pitiful cases? they're still around?" he asked intrigued at the possibility.

"not what they would refer to be called, the magi think magic's dying out, and the only spells they can do is what non-magical world can od with tech" Cu explained.

"dying? what a ridiculous notion. no this world might be a jungle compared to the desert earth is, magic still runs strong have been refined and honed over centuries. the witch hunts just forced magical into hiding, and forming zones while tricky is easy with a skilled charm master" Shiroe snorted at the start

magic dying? what a ridiculous notion.

"got it" Shiroe grinned, fanged sharp, he could feel the controls. the Kuni will probably request a meeting soon as they still owned the building, Shiroe held it's wards.

/

"Hmm, our warehouse is looking pretty bare" Charasin commented frowning lightly "we should buy up whatever we can"

"ever since the apocalypse there are fewer guilds that will leave towns to fight for ingredients" was commented.

"fighting in your own body is pretty scary, that's why lots of people are switching to crafting, so ingredients are becoming harder to find" Charasin admitted. but that do cause problem. before heading toward the market area.

"in the race to buy them, the large guilds have an advantage" Charason continued as the market wasn't much in current condition either.

"the Roderic Merchant guild and the marine Agency have absorbed many smaller guilds"

"we may be the third biggest crafting guild but it doesn't mean we can take it easy" turning around "we must take full advantage of this chance" Charasin said,

"chance?"

/

reaching one of the restaurants for the reserved room for said meeting, both Marie and Henrietta sat waiting quietly.

"Sorry to keep you waiting" Charasin offered as the door opened. "ma you look pretty scary marie-san" he continued

Charasin,

race, Human

summer lv 90

Shopping streat 8

"no, it really has been a while Charasin" Marie denied smiling

"I'm told you two have known one another for a long time" Henrietta said

"when we were just starting out we went hunting together" Charasin answered "but once we founded our own guilds we both became so busy"

"we both started guilds but isn't yours huge, with seven hundred members? far bigger than mine" Marie questioned

Charasin tilted his head with sheepish smile "there's still bigger guilds. like Marine Agency or the Roderic merchant guild" before focusing on her as he closd his fingers together.

"well? what brings you here today? you had something to ask" Charasin asked "I'm told your business is going well" he continued.

'probably about their stand as ones you'd had a taste of real food there's no going back, and they can only get so many ingredients after all' he thought

Marie held back form flinching 'that's a businessman's face' she thought nervous.

"thank you" Marie smiled. "our chefs are pleased everyone enjoy the food so much"

"so you do have a new recipe then" Charasin questioned.

"our chefs are simply that good" Marie almost denied, even as she was mentally shaking. 'this is right, isn't it Shiro?' she thought shivering nervously.

'I don't think I can keep it up'

'remember, no matter what happens just keep smiling' Shiroe had said before this meeting and as long as she does Henrietta will handle the rest.

"I'm sorry Charasin-san" Henrietta said making him blink surprise as she stood up "but it's time"

"time?" he asked.

"yes, our other guests have arrived" Henrietta answered

holding up her hands "I'm sorry, since I knew you already, I slipped you in a bit early" Marie admitted. "but Henrietta says we should really handle this fairly"

"what do that mean?" Charasin said leaning back, 'I didn't even get to ask' he thought.

"the Marine Agency, as well as Roderic merchant guild will be coming too, but on other matters" Henrietta explained.

"what do you mean by other matters?"

"well, investment, or rather specifically selling Crescent Moon" Marie said and Charasin froze as the words registered.

"wait, wait what is the Crescent Moon Alliance thinking? what do you mean by investment?" Charason asked standing up

Henrietta stopped Marie before she can answer. "well you'll staying for the next part, so just wait a little while" she said instead.

Charasin thought let out a shaky laugh as he mentally sighted.

/

"oh what have we here? two beauties and the young master of Shopping street 8" Michitaka said as the two entered the room.

"hello! I'm Marielle of Crescent moon Alliance, this is my head clerk" Marie said gesturing to Henrietta as the other two sat down.

"hey, no one's had a head clerk for years" she denied. "I'm Henrietta pleased to meet you" she continued politely "I'm in charge of our treasury" Henrietta spoke.

Michitaka

race, Human

Monk lv90

marine Agency

"Michitaka master of marine agency. and Roderic Master of roderic merchant guild" she continued.

Roderic

race; ritian

summoner Lv90

Roderic Merchant guild

'I need to negotiate with these three powerful figures. this is my battle and I can't afford to lose it for if I retreat here I won't be able to face the others' Henrietta thought pushing up her glasses.

"first we asked you here for investments and to provide ingredients for us" she started.

"hey wait... does that mean you're already working with Shopping street 8?" Michitaka almost demanded.

"no, then there would be no need to call us" Roderic denied. "you want something else"

'I see' Henrietta thought 'Michitaka is respected leader but subtlety isn't his strength. Roderic appears similar to Shiroe-samma but he lacks his guts' she thought. "yes that's right it's something else" Henrietta agreed.

"we'd like to extend the same offer to both of you" she spoke 'right, Crescent moon is tempting bait' she thought thinking back to Shiroe's explanation. 'as long as they want profit, we can maintain the negotiating initiative' she thought

'we have the right to decide what information we reveal as well as what we keep hidden however we can't lie about it' Shiroe had said. 'if this is to work in the future we can't afford to lie now.' she could almost see a phantom image of Shiroe standing in the room with them.

"the Crescent moon Alliance is embarking on a major operation" she started.

"a major operation?" Michitaka asked.

"you can think of it as a challenge however we lack the power and numbers to do it completely on our own" she explained.

"then you want our help" Michitaka stated.

Roderic nodded to that with a hum, "I understand. a quest is it"

'good they misunderstood me. well it's self-appointed quest so I'm not lying Shiroe-samma' Henrietta thought pleased

"so what kind of support would you need Marie-san?" Charasin asked

"before getting into that. let me explain how we've organized ourselves" Henrietta started

"well I'd like to hear your strategy at least" Michitaka answered.

"indeed" Roderic agreed fully to that

"the man in charge of our major operation is Shiroe-samma" Henrietta said and the three men gaped shocked as the name sank in.

"the villain glasses is doing this?" Michitaka stood up

'I knew it' she thought, the group from Susukino could travel so quickly because of griffons, they who was there was also members f Tea Party and it made sense for them to have it.

"oh, s he's behind this" Roderic stated.

'he's more famous than I expected, just knowing that Shiroe-samma is leading this operation lends weight to my words' Henrietta thought "let's move on to the support we're requesting from each of you"

"to be blunt while money is useful we need the man power more" she continued.

"suspected as much" Michitaka said

"so how much" Roderic asked as Marielle's attention where drawn elsewhere before a few cups where pulled out.

"well that's the issue we don't actually know how high it will end up in the end" she admitted they weren't after the money after all, and the amount depended completely on the quantity to.

"here, try this! it's a new recipe" Marie interrupted cheerfully as the door opened and she took over the plate.

"it's made from roc eggs, it's sweet and delicious" Marie explained as she handed it out

"Pudding" Michitaka seem to almost sparkle.

"it's great!" Charasin said lighting up.

"is this really Roc eggs?" Michitaka asked eating more of his own pudding.

Roderic stared at his "rocs are level 85 and above monsters" he said out aloud.

'to cook these eggs, you need a recipe we don't know of . one that's above level 90' Michitaka thought.

"of course we wouldn't give you nothing in return for the manpower. the whole of Akihabara will change with it after all" Henrietta said. "once the plan is complete we'll give all three of you full details about the plan"

"as well as transcribe copies of all cookbooks we're currently using, as well as the methods we're currently using" Henrietta continued.

"wait do that mean" Michitaka started.

"the recipes Crescent Moon is using" Roderic was stunned.

'I knew it, so there is a special recipe involved' Charasin thought.

"what we are asking for is the manpower and money needed for the mission at hand. we've manage to provide the food portion of it, but asking any single guild to prove the remaining amount is to much and would alter the balance of power to drastically, and we're only just started to scratch the surface" Henrietta explained, and that pulled them in further.

the food was only the surface, they didn't even know how far it could lead yet.

"a few hundred people could easily provide further skill and power to it" Charasin admitted thinking over the numbers, because if a single guild wasn't enough.

then it would probably take a toll on large guilds as well.

"the Roderic merchant guild agrees to your proposal" Roderic agreed, 'it's worth it'

"Shopping street 8 does to" Charasin said out.

"I got it" Michitaka started standing up "the Marine Agency will provide the funds needed. if you prefer we could be your sole sponsor"

and that caused the three to start arguing.

"that's no fair!"

"I won't let you take all the profit for yourself!"

"let's be civil everyone for me okay?" Marie requested.

Notes:

slight difference, as Shiroe being a wardsmith, lets him get control without byung up the building, sot he ridiculous amount of money wasn't needed here.

Chapter 9: Round Table Conference

Notes:

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

reminder i am dyslectic so gramar n spelling errors can likely happen.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"now it's silver sword" someone murmured

"Look another one!"

"Seriously?"

both adventurers and landers where wary as several major or famous guilds where gathering which in it's own is highly unusual.

among various guilds most tended to have their own goal, one of the most famous types being combat guilds whose primary goal is to get stronger, with the major ones in Akihabara being.

D.D.D

player count; 1534

Black Sword Knights

player count; 186

Honesty

player count; 743

West Wind Brigade

player count; 64

Silver sword

player count; 220

but there's also crafting guilds whose time is primarily occupied by amassing items or selling them in town.

Marine Agency

player count; 2547

Roderic Merchant Guild

player count; 1881

Shopping Street 8

player count; 669

Grandeur

player count; 31

Radio Market

player count; 21

and there's the support guild Marielle's Crescent Moon Alliance

Crescent Moon Alliance

player count; 24

but also

Log Horizon

player count; 13

"so all the major guilds Masters are here?"

"what's going on?"

/

'it's a good sign that everyone came, asking Soujirou to handle the invitations was the right move' Shiroe thought before letting out a small breath and stood up.

"Thank you all for taking the time to come today. I am Shiroe of the guild Log Horizon" Shiroe started.

"You can keep the introductions short, Tea Party Shiroe" Isaac interrupted.

Isaac

race; human

guardian, Lv 90

Black sword Knights

"thank you Isaac-san, I'm surprised and honored that you remember me" Shiroe offered.

"How could I forget?" Isaac almost snorted

"well why are we here exactly?" William asked with faint annoyance tinging his voice.

Willian Massachusetts

race, elf

Assassin, Lv90

Silver Sword

"I've brought you here for input and aid concerning Akihabara's present state" Shiroe started "as you know ever since the catastrophe we've been trapped in this world and there's no way to know if we'll be able to return given the circumstances I'd like to keep the situation in Akihabara from getting any worse"

"that's a lot to ask" William commented

"are you thinking of something similar to the failed attempt to form alliances of the smaller guilds?" Crusty asked.

Crysty

race; human

Guardian, lv90

D.D.D

"if that works then probably" Shiroe answered bluntly and simply. "but I heard that plan was a failure"

"that plan had many problems, it was the smaller guilds attempt to unite to compete with the larger ones" Akaneya explained.

Ichimonjinosuke Akaneya

race: human

Sorcerer, Lv90

Radio market

"in other words they wanted to protect their interests, they were only concerned with themselves" Woodstock stated.

Woodstock W

race; dwarf

Assassin, Lv90

Grandeur

"then is your goal today to gather the major powers in Akihabara? to prevent the collision of interests?" Eins wondered.

Eins

Race; human

Kanagi, Lv 90

Honesty

"hm, that won't happen" William snorted.

Shiroe merely tilted his head, it seems they're all assuming this is the same alliance that failed.

"that's not the intent" Shiroe said simply "my goal here is to improve the situation in Akihabara"

"then I'll be on my way" William started standing up. "we are a combat guild we have no interest in the city itself, that's merely where we go to sell out items" he started walking. "in other words the City's condition doesn't matter to us"

completely missing the small smirk gracing Shiroe's lips, and William stopped short at the sight of the ancient griffon who now walked thru the door practically standing in front of it.

"Akihabra's state isn't the only thing this meeting is about. so if you want to find out later from second hand sources then go ahead and leave, you don't need to stay" Shiroe said simply gesturing to the door as Hedwig walked past the elf and table to lay down behind Shiroe, nuzzling him for a moment before laying down. "this is Hedwig she used to be my snowy owl on earth but here's she's anything but" he continued.

"and what kind of information would be so important?" was the blunt question.

"one thing being how Hedwig is even here instead of being an owl still on earth" Emiya was the one who answered holding what looks to be a few books and a tablet of some kind. Shiroe nodded accepting the book as Emiya started setting up the tablet behind them.

"so the information is really that important" William commented because the first thought is the ancient griffin being named after his pet but that's not what being insinuated at all.

"it is, because what we've been able to find out have curtain repercussions for earth as well as here" Shiroe answered.

"fine I'll listen at least" he said returning to the table

"I'll continue then. as I've mentioned I gathered you here both to share information we've discovered but also to help with Akihabara's current situation an council of sort who you don't need to join either" Shiroe started

"the council's main goal will be the city's atmosphere and safety, but also addressing different problems, voicing new discoveries to even trying to find a way back to earth or at least re-establish contact" Shiroe continued.

"before we do that, can you tell us how you chose those you invited today?" Crusty asked

"of course" Shiroe replied. "first Black sword Knights, Honesty, D.D.D, West Wind brigade and Silver Sword were chosen as the largest or most notable of the combat guilds. while Marine Agency, Roderic Merchant Guild and Shopping District 8 were chosen to represent the crafting guilds" he started.

"Crescent Moon Alliance, Grandeur, Radio Market while represent ones own guilds also represent the smaller guilds regardless of what type they are as wellas players who don't belong to one" Shiroe gesturing toward the three

"indeed, around 6000 players in the guilds are represented here" Eins commented.

"which means 9000 players in the city either don't belong to one or are in smaller one" Woodstock said with a nod.

"and you?" Crusty asked.

"I am here as meeting organizer but also here as an exploration guild, most of which where of Tea party just like me and the one thing we do best is Exploring the unknown" Shiroe explained.

"even if we form this council you're talking about how will we keep the peace?" Isaac wondered closing his eye in thought before focusing them on Shiroe "no what do you mean exactly by the city being unsafe?" was not quite a question but serious one none the less.

"you've all aware that certain guilds are locking up new players under the guise of protection yes?" Shiroe answered getting several barely visible nods as the air got far more serious.

glancing behind him as the tablet finally started up causing an holographic shimmer to form in the air over and around them

"you're talking about EXP Pots" Isaac said "but that's not illegal"

painfully true. it wasn't illegal which caused problems.

reaching out for the faint shimmer, forming it into an holographic version of the world with nearly a thought causing several intrigued looks because that wasn't in the game.

"currently in this world there are no Laws" Shiroe stated bluntly.

"of course there are. there's no combat zones" Isaac countered as they all saw the world shrink down into a 3d map showing an area and city covering the entire table.

"that's simply defensive system that activate if adventurer's fight inside of the city. it's apart of the city's wards and simply phenomena not a law" Shiroe corrected simply.

"that's right, Laws are what people create and other recognize" Marie voiced getting a nod "well that's what Henrietta says" she continued drawing some odd looks.

"there are a few has to exist laws, like don't kill landers we need them and they don't revive if killed. but allot of the so called laws we may decide on will probably being common curtesy like any guild member should have the choice to leave the guild if they want to" Shiroe offered but the statement did earn several thoughtful looks. "the kind of laws we already followed, unvoiced laws simply natural to who and what we are here ignoring our own culture in this world is dangerous for ones health as you can see in the Akihabara" he continued.

"what would you do if a group appears that refuses to recognize this round table?" Crusty started "a group that goes against anything we decide?"

Shiroe merely smirked for a moment the question is fully logical, and he expected it even. 2fight them" Shiroe said it so bluntly that several startled.

"Fight them? how?" Crusty asked baffled even if he hid it well.

"banish them from the city, force them to disband both being very easy" Shiroe answered and given the method he could use for it. it truly is easy.

"banish?"

"but you can't kill anyone in this world" Soujirou stated.

Isaac smirked "either way you won't be able to do it without combat guilds like us" he said confident "if the major guilds here say they don't care about the conference or about your laws" tapping the table before slamming his fist down "it's war"

"if the major guilds were to go out of control there'd be no way to stop them" Eins said

"I must say that this doesn't strike me as realistic" Crusty voiced knowing that Shiroe has to have some other plan in play. "I believe this round table conference is worth while, but it would be mostly for show without any real-" he stopped at as Shiroe hit the table making everyone stare at him.

"yesterday evening, I claimed the master control for the Guild Building's zone"

that caused everyone other then the log horizon guild members there to freeze.

"wh-what did you just say?" Isaac almost stammered in shock.

"naturally I have the authority to control the zone's settings like who can enter and who can't, so any who's entered unto the blacklist won't be able to access the guild building at all" Shiroe continued pushing up his glasses at the same time.

/

he waited for a while to allow it to sink in.

"why are you smirking?"

"keeping us from our banks"

"isn't this a bit extreme?"

"perhaps, but it's better then just keep killing them over and over again, who knows what kind of damage that will have on ones mind. and prison is waste of power and resources" Shiroe answered.

"anyone who disobey the major laws will lose access to the guild building if not outright the city as well" Shiroe continued his magic coiled filling the room with almost crushing force.

"that's blackmail" Woodstock said out finding the threat worrying.

"then if we have to we'll start a war? isn't that also blackmail" Shiroe countered.

"Purchasing the guild building's zone should required an astronomical amount of funds" Eins murmured still rather stunned even if Crusty seemed highly amused.

"you didn't buy it" William voiced talking again sense this started. no Shiroe wasn't read up as the zone's owner but as the ward-master.

it still didn't have an owner. "how can you control the building?" he asked.

Shiroe gained an amused look to that "because I'm a Wardsmith, the only one in the entire city if not outright server" he answered.

"wardsmith?" crusty wondered curiously he hasn't heard of that subclass before but now looking at it.

Wardsmith

lost, lv198

the level and was it called lost? is somewhat worrying.

"no matter what you say you're still in a position to blackmail us" Soujirou mused.

"just because being a wardsmith lets me mess, alter, create or break down wards like the cities barrier or zone controls don't mean I can ignore the rules put into them myself. no I'd need to alter or hack the wards to do that" Shiroe said simply openly stating that any law added he would have to follow them as well.

the map changed into Akihabra but it looked dreary, grey, depressing. "do you all really thing that this town no all the world's adventurers are okay as things currently are? he asked.

"I have two goals. first restore life to everyone in this town even if I have to drag you there. and in long term this world" Shiroe started and almost everyone at in the room started smiling, some nodded agreeing to what he's saying.

"the other explore this world and truly thrive, this is theladasia after all" Shiroe continued.

Crusty had his eyes closed.

my lord, the escape was a success* Akatsuki said thru a thele-call making Shiroe smile very pleased but also relieved.

"I told you to stop laughing!" Isaac snapped out standing up as he slammed a gloved hand into the table.

'laughing?' Shiroe wondered for a moment.

"tich, if you're that insistent then I'll make a proposal of my own. why don't you tell us specifically what Log Horizon has in mind?" Isaac voiced crossing his arms.

Shiroe pushed his glasses up. "and I shall but do you want the information on what we've discovered first? it explains why I would go so far for this" Shiroe offered.

"you've spoken for the formation of a council already so tell us what you've discovered and we can make decisions from that" William stated.

Shiroe nodded. "the common belief is that we are inside of Elder tales, that's a lie" Shiroe started shocking almost everyone there, as the map twisted

showing them a world a window then a computer screen and a player on the other side, with a light hitting the window from the player and computer then shining over the entire world. "our mind, our spirit the body and abilities of our character. where bluntly reflected as a Single entity into this world the real world Elder Tales allowed us to explore and peak into. but a screen until the catastrophe still separated the player from the adventurer sides leaving us unaware that everything we did in the game happened for real here"

"the higher amount of landers, that they recognize us, more worried about the sudden breakdown" Charasin mused.

"our bodies knows how to fight, from reflexes, to trained instincts and skills, sensations of something being familiar right, similar the feeling that you're forgotten something or can't quite place what it is" Crusty voiced meeting Shiroe's gaze evenly.

the image shifted from a world to a random adventurer, but still light shining from the other side. "on this side, this world the reflection wasn't a player and the puppet character we controlled but merged the player mind with the character body as a single entity. a shadow of our spirits but the us on this side, but everything we did in the game happened for real here. lander's even recorded the quests, the stories they would formed as legends from local ones to more wide spread epics" Shiroe admitted throwing the book toward Crusty who's eyes widened as he saw the title.

because the title was the very same he's referred to as together with a rather specific surface-raid name.

"the reflection wasn't Complete, as the game only showed us so much, hence why some who's subclass levels should be 90 instead are far higher, adding a chef class afterward suddenly causes your level to jump because you where a chef on earth. the experience going over as well" Shiroe continued explaining giving a extremely blatant example as well.

"emphasis on peak into" was muttered and Shiroe didn't care who it was who said that even as he nodded to that.

"you're leaving something out" Isaac voiced it looking at the image who right now looked frozen.

Shiroe's expression only steeled further at that.

"the shadow self who used to control the bodies here are still part of us, it's why we have feelings of something being forgotten" Crusty explained the fact causing Shiroe to nod, agreeing that he came to same conclusion. "what happened to that window" he continued seeing how the window seem to shatter slowly.

"From what we've figured out this mirror-window got destroyed, with it no longer there it couldn't reflect the game or player into this world thus transported us here upon logging in drastically changing us in the process" Shiroe answered but it felt like he was leaving something out.

"then what happened to us on earth? continue on like nothing happened or us all fell into a com-" Roderic didn't finish it as the image of the player seem to dissolve going thru the shattered window into the character leaving an empty static computer on the other side.

"magic of this level, this scale have a cost, sacrificing ones bodies on earth for the transfer is sadly the most logical and Most probable thing that happened" Shiroe stated.

"Shiroe-bou this what makes you believe this happened?" Marie asked breathlessly as she stared at the image.

Shiroe tilted his head not sure if he should answer.

"because I know the how and why Hedwig would be here this new body aside. my family Grimiore is here as well, it's tied to my magical core and with both Hedwig and the book being here it means that I am not on earth coma or otherwise" Shiroe said.

"Family grimoire?" was questioned Soujirou looking rather confused as did several others there.

"an book of spells, past down form generation to generation in my family line, it's an AI item as magic tend to causes sch items to become sentient over time" Shiroe answered just causing several to blink at him stunned.

"the witch hunts, caused Real magic on earth to go into hiding to survive" Michitaka stated.

"yes, and given we're stuck here, hiding that fact is pointless, thought there's probably few and it don't really give any advantage either due to how we where changed upon ending up here" Shiroe answered.

"changed how?" William demanded.

"our souls where altered. we know this because of the magical organ used to cast magic on earth if magus is magic circuits, if wizard a magic core. but both recede in ones spirit and ours where drastically changed" Emiya voiced from the side while Shiroe took a slow breath.

"there where two main ways to learn magic on earth but Earth's magic is a savanna with Theladasia being a jungle making it difficult to use any earth magic here because of just how different the methods to use it are from this world more Rawer magics" he continued but was easily heard.

"Basically on earth you have far less a Amount of magic available thus only one MP for a strong spell with high control to pull it off. yet here for just as powerful spell you uses ten or even twenty MP. it destroyed ones control for wizarding magic because it uses tiny amounts with precision and control here it's more brute force thru it, causing far less range of spells available as well" Shiroe picked up and continued.

"the only spells that can be used form earth are truly Ancient more wilder magic because they can translate over easier. otherwise any wizard from earth will have to rewrite every single spell into something usable here" Shiroe explained sounding slightly annoyed.

but they could understand why, any wizard caught in the catastrophe pretty much had their magic who they spent possible years learning and developing being replaced with something else.

"I preferred the coma theory, but sacrificing our bodies on earth to send us here, that would generate allot of power wouldn't it" Crusty voiced.

getting nods at that. "Sacrifice magic is one of the strongest, but also one of the least used if not outright avoid. but that we all just logged in for the new update something used as a free will made the sacrifice even stronger. if it was forced then we might have lost our immortality instead we lost the quest system, the taste in food crafting and transport gates. whatever that powered those three systems where probably drained into depletion to make the catastrophe real" Shiroe explained.

yet the casual mention of potentially lost the immortality rather then food taste or quest systems made everyone there blanch. even Shiroe flinched slightly.

"allot of power just not quite enough. I know allot of players suspect that we either don't exist anymore on earth or is in a coma there" Akaneya said because to get a confirmation on the former is rattling to say the least.

yet Shiroe didn't seem didn't feel like he where lying. the information of what happened to them all were spoken with outmost seriousness and such steel that it was almost unnerving.

"that mean if or when we do find a way back to Earth we won't change back to how we used to be" Crusty voiced the fact

Shiroe closed his eyes.

"with that we practically where turned into free spirits. legends made flesh for this world it's not exactly something that can be reverted" Shiroe admitted.

crusty raised a brow. "free spirits? that sounds strangely fitting" he mused.

William rubbed his templet "lets just get the council started" came out blunt.

as the hologram like illusion dissolved leaving a faint holographic shimmer in the air.

/

Shiroe sat down in his own chair as it materialized.

"as my proposal for the council is to restore life to the people here and to protect them as for specifics we'll begin with bringing life back to the area" Shiroe started turning to Marielle.

standing up as she held both hands on the table "as I believe some of you are aware we've been running a restaurant called Crescent Moon, the secret for it's success is how we make food with actual flavor I shall reveal how it's done now" Marie spoke seriously.

"this is the trick. you get normal ingredients and you cook them just like outside of the game. but the cook must have a subclass Chef"

that caused them to startle slightly "and if their cooking skill isn't high enough they'll fail that's all. the trick is that there is no trick" Marie explained.

"so you just cook it yourself instead of using the command menu" Woodstock mused arms crossed

"that's all?"

"this simple discovery has a number of implications. Michitaka" Shiroe said before turning to the crafting guild master.

"right. in Conjunction with Roderic merchant Guild and Shopping Street 8 our guild has successfully created a steam engine" Michitaka told them.

"a prototype to be precise" Roderic said putting his glasses back into place.

"it still has many flaws but it's a proof of concept" Charasin said

"it's amazing you did it in less then 24 hours"

Isaac rubbed his head at that, and he wasn't the only one surprised.

"Oi, what exactly do this mean?" Isaac asked.

"this secret isn't limited to just cooking. or chef subclass any Subclass or main class can be used. in elder tales a Steam engine don't exist yet here it's possible for it to exist because we know how. however a player with sufficient crafting skill can take this worlds materials and without using the command menu and with ones hands instead make and invent things that weren't part of the game or items long sense lost in this world" Shiroe explained.

"there will be limitations or complications because electricity is likely just going to blow up" he trailed off slightly

"so now there'll be a rush to invent things, but why will electricity blow up?" Roderic wondered resting his chin on his hands.

"because this worlds magic is like a jungle in quantity and density, magic tend to either animate objects into sentient on a whim but generally just Blow electronics up. the two energies aren't really compatible in the long run" Shiroe answered with a slight sheepish expression.

"hu, that will be interesting to work around. but this still means a demand for new products" Michitaka said.

"and purchasing them will require earning money. it will get the economy running" Charasin said as all three merchant guild masters nodded.

"in light of this we three major crafting guilds will support the creation of the round table conference" Michitaka declared.

"Part of why the town feels so dead is simple despair. but another is that people have nothing to do. surviving in this world cost too little money" he started "wouldn't it be better to use some money then go earn more so you can spend that?"

"to get money and crafting materials activities such as hunting become necessary. some items will be higher quests so the quests need to be located as well thus we need to interact with the landers to. it will give the combat guilds more work as bodyguards"

"the next problem is safety"

Shiroe paused slightly "the laws don't need to be strict, most being more common curtesy we used to follow before this, unwritten laws with a few carved into stones ones needed" Shiroe continued. "if you consider fights over territory and hunting grounds t be simple another form of competition there isn't any need to ban them outright"

"that's right" Isaac agreed.

"however certain things go too far and wall need banning, PKing or abuse for example" Shiroe continued. "why don't we forbid player killing within the lower level zones around Akihabara?" Shiroe asked.

"certainly there's no point in fighting players who are below level 50" Eins agreed

"our next issue is one of human rights with death being no longer an absolute for us adventurers kidnapping, imprisonment, abuse are far more brutal crimes here then in the old world. so leaving or joining a guild should be up to the individual" Shiroe voiced.

"I agree" Michitaka said out

"my final suggestion is this that these human rights not only apply to the us adventurers but landers as well" that earned several surprised reactions.

"oh?" Crusty wondered.

"this isn't elder tales, it's theladasia. a real living world. landers here are the natives, mortal they born, grow up grow old and die unless being killed. killing them is no different then killing an person on earth they won't revive" Shiroe explained.

"Elder tales may allowed us to see into a part of this world but it's not a full image, and blurry one to, thi is a different world than the one we're used to. we must keep that in mind, and the People of the land are this worlds original Residents"

"we're the outsiders summoned here by some unknown force, a desperate prayer and some god or gods who answered it maybe. but we're still a vast minority even if immortal" Shiroe continued.

"so they're not simple none player characters" Woodstock voiced.

"that's right" Shiroe nodded "each has their own personality, concerns and dreams"

"that's idiocy" Isaac snorted.

"have you spoken to any of them? any summoner with humanoid summon, or one of higher intelligence can tell they're alive sentient real with how they interact and talks to their summoner, the sort of amnesia on this side likely makes them worried. the landers certainly are worried about the breakdown" Shiroe almost deadpanned.

Charasin nodded to that "true my own summon while not voicing it keep looking at me worried" he voiced out.

"may I intervene?" Marie interrupted "it's not only adventurers who comes to Crescent Moon, many People of the land do too" she said hand against her chest. "they desire good food as well, as they where also affected by the lack of taste with the old method"

"many Landers work in the market or guild building some tend to the cathedral, or other important places. we need them just as much as they need us, with the constant monster threat but they'll likely last longer hidden behind walls"

"if we cannot govern ourselves then before to long relations with them will be damaged beyond repair" Shiroe continued.

it was silent for a while "Shiroe-kun are you implying a possible war with the people of the land?" Crusty asked.

"who knows if it do happen it will only bring disaster for both sides" Shiroe responded bluntly.

Crusty was silent for a moment before standing up "D.D.D agrees to the establishment of the Round table Conference and will participate" Crusty declared

a chair pushed back as Soujirou stood up "as does the West wind brigade" hand fisted "it's been a long time since I've seen you in such total control Shiroe-senpai. I just wish you'd joined us" he loosened his muscles slightly.

"we cannot split Akihabara" Isaac started as he stood up. "the Black sword Knights will also participate"

"Honesty agrees as well" Eins said standing up

all three merchant guilds masters also stood up as Woodstock stood up as well "so does Grandeur"

"and radio Market" Akaneya said standing up

"w-we do to, Crescent Moon Alliance agrees with pleasure" Marie said stammering slightly as she stood up with delight.

William snorted softly standing up "of course if anyone can pull together an actual government then it's you tea party Shiroe" he started the statement coming out as blunt but several agreed to it as well, Eins nodding to that assessment because if any could with a group of Adventurers then it's the legendary strategist

"Silver swords agrees as well, now this better work" he said simply.

Notes:

conference chapter is over. some rather heavy information where dropped on them to.

Chapter 10: Grab it in your hands

Notes:

"talking"

'thinking'

telepathic chats*

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"This world is not the Elder tale we knew we must accept this fact. Regarding security and human rights" Krusty started the group standing at a stage making the announcement.

A very large crowd listening, and it would likely spread quickly to.

That didn't stop Illya from rubbing her eyes not sure if she's seeing right. Glancing at her side where Sakura and Rin both stood the latter looking equally stunned as herself.

Rin openly gaping. "did, did he create a freaking government?" she asked.

"not really" Waver interrupted starting the three who didn't know he was there.

"what do you mean?" Sakura asked to that.

"this is a elder council for better words, an alliance between several clans that together have allot of power literally and figural but others don't need to listen to them or obey unless one choose to. they can't give true orders" Waver started. "this isn't a government it's not chosen by the people nor acknowledged as such either but a group of power that one will listen to and at least consider what they're saying" Waver mused as he explained.

"it's the power structure in elder tales pulled visible and made tangible for all landers and adventurers to see" Illya realized.

Waver tilted his head "adventurers don't work the same as magi. Where thinned veiled malice in civility is normal and generally after each others research. Adventurers are more why should I care about that, it don't interest me so I won't do it. it's just as frustrating but in completely different manner" Waver nodded.

"so and a alliance council would be listened to as it's several known and powerful groups in the city. It follows the adventurer culture" Rin stated.

Illya rubbed her templets. "how did he pull it off?" she asked.

"you mean the council?" Emiya asked tilting his head. they startled again not noticed when the two approached. Cu looked very amused even if it was still odd thinking of Lancer as Cu regardless of the fact that it's technically was his true name, they where used to calling him Lancer.

Cu laughed, clearly the little lady had problem wrapping her mind around Shiroe pulling this off. The mage in this world as well as the game was openly called Legendary Strategist, and seeing him in action for the past week it showed, it didn't surprise him at all.

Shock, awe, inspiration. Shiroe is charismatic and if he wanted to create a government Cu had no doubt in his mind that he could do it, and the entire city would likely accept it. Shiroe just wasn't after a government, and if it became needed then he would deal with it at that point.

"our guildmaster got A ranked charisma" Cu said grinning amused "he is truly a wonderful master, it's easy to tell why you chose him" he looking at Emiya who merely smiled to the comment. He wasn't denying it and Shiroe is their guildmaster to as well.

Illya shook her head, of course her brother wouldn't bat an eye they've traveled and adventurers together for years, centuries in Theladasia even. He knows Shiroe, and apparently Cu knew him to or Understood him enough that this didn't surprise him. no the former lancer probably expected something like this.

Everything went smoothly, and now they just needed to wait and see if it played out just as smoothly, but there's no denying that the former tea party members had power. not just literally sheer power she's still not sure is level 90 adventure more of something else.

"lets celebrate the round table council's formation with a big feast!" was heard announced the sun going down but nearby food had been set up.

/

Rin shook her head, this, this is incredible, one week that's all the time that's taken, but the market was thriving again, people talking, no longer lingering depressed at random.

"hamelin is gone now, every single one have left town" Illya mused. 'all the kids who was trapped joined Crescent moon, well all apart from two' she mentally corrected.

"he do live up to his legends don't he" she continued.

"legends?" Rin asked sure she's heard something of Emiya and apparently their guildmaster being legendary players but she didn't really know anything, other then apparently been in the same group.

Illya blinked ones then again. "you don't know" she muttered stunned "no of course you wouldn't know, you hadn't played elder tale long enough to hear of them"

"right both Oniisan and Shiroe-samma, Godric, Alice, Nyanta even the panty idiot Naotsugu where all part of Debauchery Tea Party a legendry pseudo guild. They weren't official but journeyed together thru several of the hardest quests world wide" Illya started as they walked toward their own guildbuilding.

"and that made them known?" Rin wondered not really getting it, why would this group become legendary in the game or well here to when others haven't or at least not in the same way.

"part of it. another part is that they where the first to win against some of the quests, from some of the hardest raids around to even event raids and one or two legion raids. some battle puzzles like the One Sin events, who's considered unbeatable, yet Shiroe with Oniisan won earning their wings in the process" Illya started "you don't get just how hard these raids and legion raids are. A normal raid takes four party's for a 40% chance of victory, a legion raids takes four Raid party's for barely 25% chance o victory, and then these adventures are full level fully capable of utilizing their skills and capabilities to the fullest"

Rin hummed "are these quests really so hard?" she wondered, not really getting it.

"it is. that they where the first to complete the raids of Hades breath, Rhadamanthys throne, Nine great Prisons of Helios among others with barely ten adventurers where you'd normally have twenty four at a minimum and still Won spread like wild fires. That they supposedly did so simply to see the sights or explore the area only made it more known, as not a battle group but an Exploration one instead and Shiroe was their Strategist the reason why they could do it, even at their peak Tea Party where never more then around twenty adventures in total and went and did legion raids where you normally have ninety to hundred adventures for a chance"

Rin stared eyes wide as Illya opened the door.

"honestly they're right, most adventurers who's famous would be legends here in this world but there's those even we call Legendary. Shiroe the Legendary Strategist, Rowena the ice queen, Godric the Crimson Shield, Alice the Mad hatter, Emiya Hawkeye, most of our senior guildmembers all apart of Tea Party and for this world" she left it in the air.

"major legends on par with my own, to other heroic spirits" Cu said, lifting up his bottle and both girls noticed him sitting in the sofa, several stacks of books at the table "talking about tea party?" he questioned.

Illya nodded "where is our guildmaster by the way?" she wondered.

"the training room sparring" Cu said with a sweatdrop. "your sister is currently out with Alice and Godric under the teaching system to level up a little" he continued making Rin blink.

"the what system?" she asked confused.

"teaching system, it allow as high level adventure to temporary decrease ones level to similar to ones party members, it balances the party and draws less attention to the high level adventurer" Cu explained.

"wait did you say training room?" Illya startled blinking rapidly, 'they have a training room?'

Cu raised a brow. "I would join them if not that I need to get thru these subclass scrolls" Cu shrugged, he likes battles but he really wanted his spear back, sure Emiya were going to forge it but if he couldn't use it due to class restrains then there was no point in forging it.

"subclasses are really that tricky huh" Rin mused looking at the stacks.

"yeah, right now I'm thinking a title subclass is the most similar to what I'm after but I'm still looking" Cu nodded before pointing to a door at the stairs, "the training room is the basement, Shiroe-samma made it the other day or so"

'he made' Rin shook her head before trading a glance with Illya.

Illya where already heading toward the door, she wanted to see Shiroe in action, even if it was only a spar. An adventurer spar against another adventurer is less of a spar per say and more of a outright battle you just stopped before killing the opponent.

She was curious.

Opening the door thought for one the room was gigantic making her blink surprised at that alone before seeing the battle.

She froze.

Clashes echoed with each strike. Swords facing a scythe?

'I thought he carried a staff' Illya thought surprised realizing that the blade wasn't solid it's energy, tribal-wing like even shifted with each motion.

Arrows flew toward Shiroe only to break as the energy scythe twirled striking each one in rapid succession not letting a single arrow get thru.

"it's like watching two servants fighting" Rin murmured eyes wide.

"adventurers are this worlds version of servants" Illya eventually spoke not moving form the door, she knew that they'd take her out in an instant given the sheer force of each of those strikes the ground where even shaking due to the pressure.

weren't adventurers originally summoned to this world due to the monsters?

"they're strong, stronger then I expected" Illya murmured, noticing that they where sparring not battling. Not even using spells or skills either, nothing other then possible the passive ones.

"what?" Rin glanced at Illya who looked focused on the spar.

"you can adapt and customize ones stats, gear, even class depending on how you rank up ones skills. Most prefer to use various scrolls to level up skills and stat-points from leveling on ones stats but you can do classic training to for stats and this is before adding in various subclasses adding skills and gear adaptations" Illya explained.

"they're enjoying themselves" Rin said out noting that both their guildmaster and Emiya where grinning.

Cu whistled, looking at the battle from over the twos shoulders. 'that proves that theory' he thought, as the two slowed down.

Shiroe tilting his head toward the door. And Emiya nodded with a hum.

Both rested their weapons, the scythe dissolving into motes of light leaving the familiar staff behind.

/

"How? You're a mage, they don't fight in melee so how?" Rin asked the scythe made no sense to her but it was a good question.

Shiroe shrugged.

"actually I'm also curious about that" Cu commented.

"Toy ring. Weapon master typed" Shiroe answered, "but I also got the title subclass Flick reaper" he continued.

"right secondary main classes. wait flick reaper?" Illya looked confused as they sat down.

"sword saint and dragon slayer are the two most renown title subclasses. But there do exist more then that some may not even be known yet as the quests to get one is both tricky and difficult. Flick reaper is one of the rarer ones" Emiya was the one who answered.

"the lore speaks of flick reapers as powerful warriors, who thru countless hours of practice, meditation honing their abilities until ones staffed weapon becomes an extension of themselves. Wielding it without loss of skill even in the most dire situation. Not faltering even if the enemy mages to harm them. using such large weapons without faltering, without any loss of balance or speed, striking multiple enemies with unparalleled speed and agility with single attacks" Shiroe recited before shrugging.

"well that's the lore of it. and one of my builds is irregular so" he continued.

"build what?" Rin looked confused even as Illya nodded.

'flick reaper eh' Cu thought, the little he saw of the spar, told him that it was similar at least melee part to lancer class.

It didn't stop everyone from staring at her, completely unaware that Sakura where getting similar explanation as she would.

"right you're complete newbies, Build with another word is bluntly battle style. Even if you chooses the same main class as someone else the fighting style one uses can differ allot, due to stats distribution, gear even subclasses influence it, to get as much as possible out of the build you uses" Shiroe started.

"Irregular is a mage build, typically sorcerers uses it, it's also called combat rage, because they get right up and personal with ones enemies. unleashing magic attacks within melee range of course this typically comes with allot of risk if you don't have the right backup to said build" Cu explained, earning a nod from Shiroe. "it's the build I prefer to use myself but I'm to fully equipped for it, not like our guildmaster at least" he continued.

"so that's what you're searching for" Emiya mused.

Cu nodded. "yeah, I want to find a subclass that allows for spear and melee fighting to compliment and complete my own irregular build" Cu answer, which means either a weapon master or warrior secondary class.

Or find a title subclass that fits the mold.

Shiroe hummed.

"secondary class and flick reaper made my irregular build truly thrive and rise far above norm" he admitted. "removed allot more of the build's weakness then maxing agility and speed stats could, but being fast enough to dodge any incoming attacks is vital for an irregular mage" Shiroe continued.

Cu nodding fully agreeing to that, he himself had brought both those two stats as high as possible. Likely not as high as Shiroe have gotten his own, he's only had barely a year to do it after all and raising base stats tend to take longer.

as leveling up granted you stat-points to use.

The points given that way isn't enough, so then you needed normal stat-training to which could take far longer then some long time quests could.

He gotten both rather high, but he's not maxed it. or what could be considered as maxing the stats, he doubted there truly where a max limit now.

"so if I add a magic based subclass I could form a mage knight like build?" Rin mused.

Illya opened her mouth then closed it before opening it again "I have no clue what kind of build you're after" she eventually said.

"hey guildmaster" Cu started. "how did you get flick reaper?" he asked.

Shiroe opened his mouth before closing it frowning.

"didn't you stumble on it during the one sin event?" Emiya said musing, he wasn't all to sure himself.

"more of stumbled on the hidden temple while trying to find info on the one sin raid boss. But the area and a large section around it got changed several times over during the event alone. Relocated the temple. I have no clue where it is now" Shiroe admitted.

Cu barely kept the whine in at that.

"temple?" Illya had a strange look on her face.

"allot title subclasses are unlocked by exploring and finding the teachings in the designated temple. Downside these temples are hidden and the quests to even locate one well" Cu grimaced.

"it's beyond difficult, especially as they're solo quests for the most, and due to events or raids the locations can change, meaning only a limited few can get a title class" Emiya continued.

Shiroe snorted "didn't stop you from getting two" he stated.

Everyone blinked at that and Emiya looked sheepish.

"more of sent crashing into one because of a raid boss sent me thru the air" Emiya corrected.

"in other words the locations are found either by several hard to find quests or by complete and utter accident" Rin deadpanned.

"pretty much" both agreed.

"can't you grant the subclass or something?" Illya wondered everyone paused at that.

"do that even work for title subclasses?" Shiroe wondered he didn't know. he's never heard of anyone even trying.

"grant?" Rin wondered.

"subclasses, role play or production can be granted either by a class-scroll teaching said subclass or by finding a person with it to teach you said class" Emiya explained.

"but it's never been done with a title subclass, it might not do anything as much as give said class. or perhaps grant the rpg version of it instead as you would not gone thru the conditions for the title portion" Shiroe shrugged.

Cu raised a brow but considered the possibilities. "I'm willing to try" he said simple.

"I'm curious myself. Lets see, how was it done? Ah right" Shiroe nodded locating the information mentally. "I Shiroe, flick reaper offer you the chance to learn the arts of my class" Shiroe started.

Rin and Illya blinked surprised as a screen appeared.

Cu's brows shot up in surprise. That didn't read flick reaper.

Do you accept to learn the melee arts perfected by a flick reaper, as a lancer?

He blinked ones. "okay the rpg non title version" he said, but something did happen. but accepted it.

Then saw how the exp bar on the new subclass seme to rise, until it stopped at 90, almost breaching to 91.

"prior experience" Shiroe didn't ask.

"Cu is an master spearman" Emiya was the one who answered.

/

The sun was setting.

They hadn't expected to get visitors, but both Karasin, had come by earlier. As did Marie and Henrietta, as well as Soujiro and Nazuna

"See you soon Akatsuki-chan" Henrietta said "when we can take our time!"

'and she's still a loli pervert' Shiroe sighted glancing at Akatsuki who where now wearing a pink priestess kimono shaking her head, truly uncomfortable even.

"Shiro-bou, you've build a lovely home" Marie said looking at the building.

"see ya later" Nazuna greeted as the two left after giving a wave.

"we'll be going too" marie said.

"wait, are Tohya and Minori doing well?" Shiroe asked causing them to stop for a moment.

"eh? haven't they told you yet?" Marie asked confused.

Just to earn several confused expressions in return.

"Nothing" Marie said after sharing a look with Henrietta. Waving "see you later Shiro-bou"

/

Shiroe where chuckling as he listened to Naotsugu and Akatsuki arguing.

Honestly the argument is absolutely silly, but it's amusing listening to.

"I'm back nya" Nyanta said out as the door opened.

"you're back already?" Akatsuki asked confused seeing the bag still empty.

"is the curry party off?" Naotsugu asked worried.

Emiya where already preparing some of the ingredients they had here after all.

Nyanta looked at the two kids he had with him. "I found them wandering around the building so I brought them up" Nyanta explained a hand resting on either shoulder.

"Tohya! Minori!" Shiroe stood up quickly.

"I heard that Crescent moon alliance was moving today" Shiroe continued but relieved that two looked well.

"well niisan" Thoya started both shy.

"well"

Gathering some courage. "we've come to join your guild"

"we'd like you to teach us" Minori started "this past week the crescent moon alliance was very good to us but we haven't joined them" she continued

All of them looked surprised "we made it this fat thanks to what you taught us Niisan" Tohya continued.

"if you've made a guild we want to be in it!" he declared. "I may be weak now, but I'll get strong"

"me too. I may slow you down but... but I decided not to use that as an excuse anymore!" Minori declared equally passionate about it.

"Please let us join you!"

Shiroe was stunned not saying anything as it slowly sank in.

"Shiro-ichi, don't just stand there nya. You're the guild master nya" Nyanta said snapping Shiroe out of it.

'a guildmaster. The leader of a guild' he thought pushing up his glasses.

"okay. Log horizon welcomes you" Shiroe said spreading his arm welcomingly.

Thought folding his arms "your first mission apart of a guild is to eat curry with the other members got it?" he questioned.

"Nissan" Tohya said.

"yes!" Minori agreed.

By the time the food was finaly done, the sun had already gone down.

Everyone sitting on the roof eating the curry happily.