"Since the last time I spoke with you, not only did you run yourself into a new town, finding it destroyed and abandoned, but you also found another enemy Servant that could raise the dead, repelled his advances, and then watched Jesus Christ incinerate him as the dawn rose."
"I don't believe my Lord incinerated the Servant… but he isn't of this Earth anymore."
"Then he banished him from reality?"
"That… sounds more correct?" Ritsuka was hesitant to say yes. Olga's grit teeth and clenched gaze showed she was less than happy to hear it. "Isn't that a good thing?"
"The conclusion is great. I'm truthfully and honestly happy to hear you were able to do it. Even if Jesus did the work, that literal dead-raising Servant is gone." Olga's eyes opened, and even through a blue luminescent screen, the fury was impossible to miss. "But would it have been so hard to call me and let me know what was happening!" The screen shook as she slammed her fists down. "Now I'm going to be stuck thinking every time we close this connection you're going to be facing off against some new threat without me being aware of what!"
"I thought that was why we were here. Aren't the threats a problem for all of the human Order? That involved me, doesn't it?"
"Of course it does!" She hollered. "But you aren't fighting them at every waking moment!" She vanished from view, head slamming downwards. Ritsuka could make out Da Vinci behind her, covering her lips and laughing softly.
"To be fair… we only thought they were going to be more wyverns. No one has had issue with them." He made sure he whispered to keep Sasaki's cheerful chuckles from being heard. "And the man who told us about it was going on about how the village was being attached. No one knew it was false, not even Jesus."
"… not even the Son of God?" It was only after she said that when Ritsuka realized the implication. "Did he not know, really?"
"He… didn't warn us," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean anything. Jesus must have known that we would survive, or else he wouldn't have sent us."
"Are you sure it wasn't to prepare something else?"
"I don't know what else it could be, aside from helping everyone else." His looked away from Olga, to look at the crowd in the broken city.
The people that weren't lifting up broken stalls or trying to reassemble toppled walls were handing out food and wine, talking to one another with smiles on their face. None were injured, none even looked frightened, and the Servants moved about the crowd. Some of them at least. Longinus stood by Jesus, who was seated at the forefront of the people, with many kneeling before him.
"It's obvious he traveled with them. And its just as clear they would be in danger without him."
"How is that clear?"
"Jesus was able to destroy one of the Servants with a touch and command. And banish a Wyvern all the same. I don't believe anyone here is left with fear if God is near them." The Director sighed across the screen.
"I have to keep reminding myself what happened in Fuyuki." She spoke quietly, before her volume grew. "Just like how in Fuyuki, he was unable to destroy any of the Servants like that. What's changed that he can suddenly just command them to be no more?"
"I'm wise of my Lord's deeds, but I'm sorry to say I cannot tell you his methods or powers." Ritsuka answered honesty. "The story of Job tells of how the workings of God are too wound and related to one another for us to predict or ask for convenience."
"Est-cu Que, isn't the tale of Job about a man who suffered greatly under God despite fealty to him?" Ritsuka saw the Rider Princess ask. "His was a tragic story I had to eat a large serving of cake to recover from." Comfort food?
"That's it, but the point is God's methods are beyond man's understanding." He looked back at the screen, unsurprised to see a thoroughly unconvinced Director staring back at him. "It's why I cannot tell you of the Lord's thoughts, aside from his love for us."
"I've seen hundreds of Magus fathers give up children and loved ones for a bit of power and more control. You'll have to forgive me if I need more than just a word for it."
"It isn't my word, it's god's. For his offers us the Word." She sighed. "What?"
"Nothing, nothing," she dismissed with a wave of her hand. "Before I lose you and you end up storming the castle, why don't we at least talk about what to do next. Maybe then I can at least have some kind of comfort you're not going to be in active mortal danger."
"What's inactive mortal danger?"
"At this moment, if you were standing next to me." He heard Sasaki laugh, and saw Da Vinci do the same. "All we can say for now is that the enemy is down another Servant, but one that wasn't even described to us before. Correct, Rider?"
"Oi, this fiend was nothing like I saw before. I am terribly sorry to say it must mean there are more Servants than those I mentioned."
"No matter how many you missed, there's at least one less." She pointed out. "And if they possess the Grail of this time, then they'll be aware he's gone. That does mean additionally that they'll likely become more active in trying to counter you. As in sending teams of Servants after you."
Ritsuka recalled the darkly dressed man, coated in lightning and darkness. Him and the woman who swam with blood as she walked across the fields. He swallowed on nothing.
"However, they must also be aware they unable to send everyone after you. I'm saying this because I recognize you don't have the sense for it, but if they lose the Grail, or you gather it, then they'll be in a precarious situation."
"The they're going to send more Servants for us… but not all of them."
"Right, and the issue is we don't know which ones. However, even if they don't know Jesus is with you, they know you have a Servant capable of defeating that Rider. I don't know the other Servants, but raising the dead is not a skill a weak Servant would have, even if it was their sole ability. They'll be wary of you."
"Really?"
"She's right, Master." Solomon spoke as he approached, swirling a glass of wine. He blinked like it was his fourth cup, but spoke as if he was dry. "No General would see a great unit be wiped out and think of it as a distraction. They may be ignorant of our number, but they are fearful now of our power."
"And that means, what was before a survey of the land has now become and active game of chess. They'll be trying to take out more of our Servants, while preserving their own."
"Wasn't that happening before?"
"Not when the last display of just two of their Servants was the summation of you nearly being killed." She had a point. "They'll recognize something has changed."
"Is this where you say we are meant to rush the castle?"
"I'd say you start focusing on how to take it, so that we can end this singularity," she affirmed. "But being honest, I'd like there to be more Servants with you if you do. I'm not putting down Jesus, but you all but spelled out you can't control him and he'll do what he wants, not what you say."
"Oi!"
"He may protect you, but then that leaves only a pair of capable servants for attacking, Sasaki and Longinus. I mean no disrespect to Marie or Mozart, but they've shown themselves better in roles of support than attack. Against Servants that were likely summoned for the purpose of killing you, that doesn't mean a great deal."
"Ah, you're suggesting that we find or summon another Servant capable of fighting with us." Solomon took another long sip of his wine. His body wavered. "A sound move, but wise as it may sound, it is only wise if it is possible. I'm unaware of any other Servants that may help us, and I believe it may be too late in this war to try and encourage any of our enemies to join us."
"Couldn't Jesus?"
"Of course," the wise king easily followed, just as easily as he finished his glass of wine… and then replaced it with another from a passing man. "But you answer me, Master. You saw Servants who denied God, and grew in a time where his law was not known nor loved. Do you think he'll easily be able to convince those to join him that deny him?"
Ritsuka didn't answer for a moment. Not out of hesitancy, but thought. Remembering what occurred in Fuyuki, past the burning burning BURNING BURNING BURNING-he saw how Jesus was denied, and the Archer wouldn't respond to him, and Saber denied him.
Here… if the enemy Servants were summoned to bring down the Order of Humanity, God's Law, then it made little sense they'd join the Son of God.
"Leave it to the King of Israel to convince a Catholic," Olga spoke from the other side. "But that leaves us again with the worry of more Servants. The only other solution would be somehow gathering your Servants into one location and then simultaneously getting the others to separate. With how they are literally housed in a castle, that will be difficult."
"It would make little sense for them to put themselves in danger, when they are well supported," Solomon confirmed. "At best, they may send them in dedicated pairs, to ensure that this cannot happen again. Allowing their leader to be protected. However, they are also protecting something else."
"Kadoc," Ritsuka confirmed. "If we were able to rescue him, that would be a hamper on them, right?"
"It would, but not as much as you might think. He is likely being used as their Master to ensure greater Prana and control, but he may be able to use Command Seals for only one wish, maybe two, before that swift Servant is able to kill him. It will be a loss for them, but then it would be likely they'll bring down their entire force on you."
"Dragons, Servants, and any other monstrosities they have ruining this land." The princess huffed in annoyance. "This is why other rulers before me spoke about how important it was to maintain connections with others, non?"
"Oh, doubtlessly~." Da Vinci finally spoke up. "Afterall, the more allies you have, the greater your odds of success. It's the unknown variables of our enemy that makes making a plan so difficult. All the intelligence in the world can't tell you how to solve something you can't recognize~."
"And if we were able to recognize them?"
"Easier, but then the risk is run of them recognizing and assaulting you." Olga followed. "Risks are necessary in a war, and I'm honestly glad your suggesting them, but they have to have a benefit that outweighs the risk. If you were going to spy on them, then it would be with someone who isn't too important to keep alive." Ritsuka shook his head, sure that he misheard her. "Like a familiar or homunculus." He did not.
"Or if we had an ability to separate them and our Servants, without assurance of which Servant would pursue who." Solomon added. "We could be sure to pair our Servants well, such as having Mozart follow Sasaki to keep his opponents on uneven footing, therefore vulnerable, just as we would let Marie turn Longinus into a jousting professional." She grinned up at him. "But if they send a pair of faster Servants, one possessing flight, or even another army, then we would surely lose them."
"But another Servant would help us." Ritsuka confirmed. "I can only pray to God that we find someone who may be able to help us. Though so long as Jesus remains with us, then we will be safe."
"I know first hand that he may be there to help us, but I also saw one of our Servants die in front of him in Fuyuki!" Cu, she was talking about Cu. How he was destroyed even as Mash put up a wall. And the burning burning burning burning BURNING! "RITSUKA!" he almost screamed.
"W-What?"
"Focus. Focus," the director repeated herself. "You were thinking about something else." Was he? He was… was thinking about the fire. He shook his head. "Good, stay focused. And remember that I'm not in fear of Jesus, but in you dying or the other Servants finishing whatever their end goal is."
"We know what that goal is."
"I mean the prerequisite for it." She emphasized. "Just… focus on how we're going to either summon or find another Servant."
"We can summon another one?" He looked up at Solomon, but the man shook his head.
"We don't have the connection that was possible before. Before we had… we had Mash's shield to allow us connection to the SHEBA system and allow for the Throne of Heroes to move through the Order of Humanity. We don't have that anymore."
"Without that, you can only summon Servants here~." Da Vinci followed. "So our dear Director just had a minor slip of the tongue. At least her lips aren't loose~." The alabaster haired woman turned as if to bat at the famous inventor. Ritsuka's mind was elsewhere.
He knew little, almost nothing, about the workings of magic or summoning. He understood that it wasn't possible to summon more servants, but that was it. After that, all he could think of was that there had to be another Servant out there to assist them. Maybe not necessary, maybe only to ensure they would be able to correct the Order, but something that would offer them peace of mind.
If they were necessary, the necessary to ensure Humanity's Salvation. With that in mind, Ritsuka folded his hands and began to pray.
"God in Heaven, Lord of Hosts, please help us to find this Servant. Help us to find the one whom you have helped place in this time. Please guide us to him, or him to us, so that we may ensure the prosperity of a land who hails you."
"Not to criticize your faith more than it deserves, but can't you just walk over and ask Jesus that?" Olga asked from beyond the pale screen. "He is literally walking among you."
"But I am speaking to his father, our Lord. Jesus may walk with me, but I will still praise and beseech him as I always have."
"You have never asked God for something like this."
"I've asked for help before. Didn't you?" Solomon and Marie chuckled behind him. He saw Da Vinci doing the same. Olga did not.
"Yes, but I didn't make a show of it. And you shouldn't either when its unnecessary." He frowned up at her. "It isn't! He's right there!" She pointed past him. "If he is able to assist you, just talk to him! I at least believe he'll help you with something, especially after he banished this dead-summoning king. Talk to him about how it mocks his miracles."
"I'm rather sure Jesus is already aware of the mockery, Director~." Olga looked down at the gentle teasing from Olga. "You will have to talk to him though, Master. He will have to travel with you soon, and I am rather doubtful all the people behind you may follow. Jesus only had twelve disciples before~."
"It's something we'll talk to him about." Solomon confirmed. "Either way, we'll look into what we can do for the Servant. If you can, can you please try and research who the other Servants are? If we know their names, we may be able to plan around them."
"Of course~. Leave it to a genius such as myself~." Olga's head was rolling on the desk in front of her. "Keep us informed of what you do. We wouldn't any more surprises, would we~?" Ritsuka nodded. "Good, then take care."
"Au Revoir!" Marie spoke back, waving emphatically as the blue translucent screen flickered in the air. "Then it is up to us to find a new Servant. I don't suppose you know where to look."
"We should start to look at villages not destroyed," Solomon spoke. "If there is a Servant out there, we can assume they must be doing their job to defend Humanity." That made sense. "The question is where to begin, as I am aware there are more villages than can be reasonably searched, especially once we include our time frame."
"Time frame?"
"Yes, how long before the enemy starts to launch more attacks against the people, as a means to draw us out." Right, what Olga mentioned… but in more comforting words. "It means we can't carelessly search, nor split up."
"Because if we do that, then we run the risk of being attacked individually." He knew it was how the Yakuza used to operate. Never a group, but the lone individuals who worked through the nearby allies. Ritsuka had seen the reports and prayed for those lonely souls. These Servants were so much the same. Powerful cowards.
"Excuse me?" Ritsuka turned to see a native French woman approaching, raising a hand daintily, her other holding a plate of food. Sasaki was beside her, smiling simply but sharply. "I was speaking with your mercenary, and he told me how you were all planning to destroy the… the monsters. I-Is that true?"
"We are." The Wise King answered. "We aim to approach the castle and retake it, by ridding the land of the ones inside who have laid this curse upon your land." He reached down and gently took her hand, pulling it until it was just beneath his head. Then he tilted and kissed it. Sasaki snickered behind the woman as she blushed, and Ritsuka just sighed. "To preserve your land for you is our greatest purpose, and all we ask in return is your thanks."
"Y-Y-You'll have it. I-I mean you… you do have it." She shook as she looked at her hand, caught in the tanned fingers of the Wise King. The man who had many loves, Ritsuka had to remind himself. "But I… I don't know how I'll offer you thanks w-when you… if you…" she was looking around for escape.
"We are going to stop the Wyverns." Ritsuka spoke up. "You saw the Lord Jesus Christ turn the monsters that roamed the night back to the earth. With his grace, we will do the same for all that is plaguing this land." She blinked as she stared at him. "I promise you, and all you need to offer in thanks is prayers for the Lord." Solomon made a noise of disappointment as he released the young maiden's hand. She released a breath as she did, making the samurai behind her snicker some more.
"M-My thanks then. Sir…"
"Ritsuka, and I'm not a sir," he held up his hands against the title. "I'm just a Servant of the Lord."
"Ritsuka, and I thank you as well." She smiled at him. "I actually… I came to speak with you because of what I heard. You are fighting the monsters, but you need someone to aid you?"
"Oi, someone specific." Princess Marie popped in. "A dashing knight if possible, someone capable of rending the beasts from the sky above so that we may march upon the turned castle and return it to its glory as a French Monument. Viva La France!"
"Y-Yes, but… but I think I know where someone like that may be." The other Servants paid more attention to her then. "I heard of him, someone who was defending the nearby town from these monsters. I never saw him, but a pair of travelers said that he was strong enough to keep them away."
"When was this?"
"Last I heard… a-a week's time ago. Seven suns." She admitted. "I thought it was one of you, o-or the Lord when I saw him, but Jesus Christ, our Lord, is traveling to save all men, not only village, and the rest of you have been doing the same, correct?"
"We have, or I have." Sasaki confirmed. "Longinus as well, and our dear Master here and his Servant only arrive a spare few days ago, not the week's time." The held his hand towards Ritsuka. "That would naturally mean there is another Servant out there. One who is a samurai to a village, than a ronin to the land's people."
Ritsuka couldn't help but smile.
"Where is this village? Do you have a direction?"
"I have a name, as my family traded often with those from there."
"Grand! Then with this, we have a chance!" Marie all but jumped at the young woman, making her step back in surprise. "Tell me where it is, of all the landmarks about it, so then I can take us there. You may very well have saved Humanity with your wisdom. Viva La France!"
Ritsuka could see the woman's throat move as she swallowed, likely entrapped by the movement of the large-hatted princess. Still, she was able to start relaying things that he couldn't put to mind, the description of plains, mountains, and a few trees he hadn't seen. Marie nodded along, clearly more versed than he.
He looked from her to the Lod who had led her hear, who was speaking to a young boy standing before he mother. He knelt down, putting a hand to his head, earning the admiration from the child with a brimming smile. Longinus was behind him, smiling bright enough to shine brightly from behind his helm.
It only occurred to Ritsuka then how this woman was here because of his Lord, and the thought made him chuckle.
"Master, what's funny?"
"I was just thinking on what Olga said, how she was curious if Jesus had an ulterior motive." The sharp eyes of the samurai watched him. "She was worried that if he knew all, and he didn't come with us initially, it was because he was planning something."
"You're point?"
"If Jesus came with us and banished the Rider, we wouldn't have the people here to confirm a town that is likely to have another Servant." He washed his hand over the people. "Jesus asked us to be patient, and our patience was rewarded." The swordsman let out a hum in thought.
"I can see your point. And that does show more the strength of mind your king possesses." His smile was as sharp as his eyes. "Your Lord continues to impress me, and I will admit that were it not for his lack of land or warriors beneath him, I may have already bent a knee to his name."
"Is that all you need? Doesn't heaven count?"
"It does not. Why would I, a warrior, swear my life to a kingdom that does not need my blade?" He simple answered as he turned. "I suggest you eat well Master. If we are to leave soon, you wouldn't wish to leave famished." Sasaki produced a plate Ritsuka wasn't aware he was carrying, he took it with a nod of thanks.
It was only after he did so that he realized what he said.
"Leave soon?"
"Of course, we must. We know where we must go, and delaying that would mean risking the Servant going to another village or the enemy trying to attack him as well. There is no benefit in waiting," Solomon pointed out. "We must hurry if we wish to ensure to meet this other Servant."
"I don't know if we'll be able to leave like that." He looked to his lord again. "They are still wish to see Jesus, and I'm not about to request him to leave others behind. It is against all that is his word."
"Did he wish to travel with us before?" The question put him back. "From what I recall, he sent us to save another village while waiting for the people. I don't believe he's about to change his opinion of actions so quickly. Especially not when the circumstances seem better for him to stay."
"Why better?"
"This isn't a town for others to hide in, and is closer to the castle than the village we are heading to, likely at least." That was true. "And if the Lord remains here, I have doubt that there will be any who can harm him." That was also true. "But I believe there will be another who will stay here as well."
It took only a glance to realize who he was referring to. The Roman Lancer who stood next to their Lord, passing out food and smiling whenever Jesus spread the gospel through holy lips. Now was not a time for him to march to war, and he doubted as well he would get the man to leave the Lord's side short of an order.
If it weren't for the promise that he would help save Humanity, and his Lord all but told him to do so, he'd be staying here as well. But if God was going to watch over his Son, and his Son was caring for those in need, than Ritsuka had to work fast to return to his side. And to be fast meant to be efficient, just as the sisters had taught him.
A fast job is a rushed job that isn't good, but an efficient job is a rushed job that is.
"Then let's go." He looked to Marie, the princess tilting a large head as she stood next to the Maiden. "You'll have to carry me, and… and be as fast as you can."
"That face? Mi amore, that can't be. I would hate to be responsible for taking your life." The simple acceptance of how fast she was did make him swallow. "But I will move with the speed of France's love, and we will reach this town and find the Servant! With him, we will be able to save this beautiful land. Viva La France!" She smiled at the woman next to her, who only smiled weakly in return.
"I'll make sure Mozart is ready, just in case we need to announce ourselves when we arrive," Solomon followed. "Take a breath before you mount Princess Marie's steed. I'd hate to have to tell Olga you passed on due suffocation." Ritsuka didn't know what the Wise King meant
He wasn't worried, however. They would find this other Servant, quickly, and then they would return, before the sun set and before his Lord could be placed in any danger.
They'd return quick as could be, and all would be well.
Ritsuka realized, perhaps a bit too late to voice, that there was merit in saying one moved 'too' quickly.
Such as when he found himself gripping the back of Marie as her steed raced across the French plains with a speed that had him deaf. If not deaf, then in serious consideration of his skin being removed. He couldn't even dare to open his eyes for fear that the wind would pull them off. He could already feel his hair close to falling out already.
If there was anyone trying to talk to him right now, he wouldn't be able to tell. The wind was screaming at him louder than anything he'd heard before. Bullet trains passing by, the concerts held in open streets, and the march of celebrations for even Christmas were incomparable. That was not a good thing.
What was only worse was that despite the speed the glass horse trampled the ground with, it was still not a short period of time. He counted the seconds, even as they turned into minutes, and he feared he would truly begin to shed his skin before the horse stopped. His fingers had to be white wrapped around Marie's torso, and God bless her for being able to endure this wind where he could not.
Ritsuka blessed the Lord again when the horse did finally stop.
Before he could hear any of the Servants' words, he released his grip on the Rider Servant. His jelly-like legs slipped from the glass horse's back, letting him slowly tip then topple off of the steed. Strong arms caught him and righted him to stand up, though it did little good. His legs still gave, sending him to his knees. Now he heard laughter, just over the ring that was slowly leaving his ears.
"There, there Master. We made it to the town, it's alright." He felt Marie pat his back, soothing him as he stayed on his hands and knees. The grass was the grandest comfort he'd felt all day. "Pardon. I was so ready to move quickly that I did not remember how harsh of a trip it would be for you."
"I did remind you." Solomon spoke from above him.
"Oi, that is why I did not move as fast as I could." The idea of her moving faster had Ritsuka shivering, even as his hands pulled the grass from the ground. "But we are meant to be quick. We cannot delay before we return to the lord, no?"
"Oh no, we made excellent time thanks to you!" Mozart was all but singing. "What's more, I believe your speed produced for a us a new gift, one we weren't even waiting for."
"It has?"
"Of course! All we have to do is check our Master's drawers to see if he has made us any chocolate."
Sasaki howled with laughter at the joke, and Ritsuka buried his face into the dirt, rubbing his head.
He knew, on some level, that to compare these Servants with the modern technologies was not fair. He knew they were faster than those trains and more powerful than any Yakuza member could pretend to be. He knew that, and yet still, the idea of stepping on anything comparable to the speed that Rider had him endure had his stomach flipping.
How would he ever be able to walk onto a train again?
"Thinking of rooting yourself to the ground, Master?" Solomon asked, likely on one knee. "It isn't a bad idea, not when you want to right yourself. Alas we have to move first, if we are to return to Jesus and Longinus with speed."
Ritsuka managed to twist his head up and stare at the wise king, who held a guilty expression beneath his alabaster hair. Sasaki, holding his jaw behind him, had the opposite of guilt on his face.
"Well… maybe not so much speed as haste. Better?"
"It… It'll be okay. I'll be okay." No, it wasn't better. But he had to be better. He felt awful and knew this would last, but… but that wasn't important. "Y-You're right we have to hurry. We do because… the Lord asked this of us." He pused himself to his feet, the gentle, but firm, hands of the princess helping him stand. "We have to find the Servant who is here and… and convince them to help us."
"Convincing is the simple part," Solomon spoke. "They were summoned here by the Order of Humanity to protect it. When we talk of how we aim to end the threat, it will be a short conversation."
"You hope it will be a short conversation," Mozart added. "You assume all men are as wise as you, and though we Servants may be geniuses of different arts, there's nothing to say this Servant is of sound mind."
"No, but I do have faith we'll be able to recruit him to our cause."
"May I ask why?"
"Because the Lord told us to return with him." Ritsuka stared. "And I cannot find it within God's wisdom to request of us an impossible task."
Just like that, his strength was returned. The Master took a long breath, focusing his gaze, and looking forward. He had yet to observe the town.
A town that as far more comparable to the first, homed to Juan and his wife, then any of the other ruins they had seen before. Thatched roofs mixed with tiling, the high towers for both a bell and church, sitting amidst the stretching fields of the French plains, but colored with rich lavenders, golds, and even blue petals around them. With the sun hanging over it, reflecting off the marbled exterior, it was a sight worth waiting and appreciating.
Were they here for any other time, he would do just that. That was not this time.
They walked into town, Solomon leading them and Ritsuka following. The town was alive with people, cheers and rich conversation with assembled stalls bartering goods and carts towing their supplies to and fro the cobblestone streets. The rich smell of bread coming out of the ovens filled Ritsuka's lungs, and had him appreciating it as much as the open fields from before.
"This place feels alive." He said the words before he put thought into them.
"A village in France has its own life, non?" Marie questioned next to him, smiling at his expression. "All French work together, living as one. Form the fields of yeast to the bread maker, we all work as one. It is why France is truly a magical place. Viva la France!"
"Viva la France!" Several members of the town cheered with her. The way the princess blinked and spun around, as if in shock, had Ritsuka smiling. Sasaki was chuckling.
"They certainly aren't living as if there are monsters in the sky," Solomon added. "They are wise to live life the same, though that requires as much bravery as intelligence. It is easy to lose the first with the second."
"You forget that there is a Servant in their number," Sasaski stepped forward, face still pulled in a smile. "If he is here, then it would follow they are brave. Having one such as us defending them would give any man reason to be cheerful. The feudal lords were often the peak of contentment for the Samurai that defended them."
"Were they under the same constant threat as these people are? And better or worse still, they lack the walls your castles had. For them to have such bravery when even strangers can venture into their town shows a great level more trust."
"Ah, but you forget that more than merely lords living among a Japanese castle. The people often live around and within the walls, and are among the first to be defended. Would such not be the same there as here?"
The two spoke continued on for a conversation that Ritsuka didn't follow. He turned to Marie and Mozart, thinking they would be doing the same. They were, but only in that the large-hatted princess had found herself speaking to her native people, cheerfully letting her native tongue flow. Mozart was following behind her, eager to enjoy the goods of the nearby stalls, smelling those that were presented and leaning into windows that were opened, baring pastries and fresh goods.
He looked around, realizing how similar it was to the few market streets of Japan. Those he had not been down frequently, for lack of Yen to pay with, but had seen plenty of. Stores close together, packed with simple carts over cars, and the amicable cheer as strangers met and spoke. It was inviting, warm… everything he was sure the world was meant to be filled with.
"Humans were made for love, for love is what created them."
"And God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son." Ritsuka looked up to see a man standing next to him.
Taller than himself, though not unexpected given his age and nationality, but still enough to have him crane his neck. Long dark hair flowed from him, reaching the small of his back and yet showing his hardened face. Hard from work and labor, but soft with a smile resting on his lips. It was a face of a man, but the clothes were that of a warrior.
The rich darkly colored metal, pauldrons that stuck from his shoulders and met at thick gauntlets. Greaves clasped about his legs, and mostly held back by a simple white cloak, tied at his neck and flowing to just above his calves. The sun illuminated it like a banner, one bearing a crimson cross upon it. Ritsuka's eyes were on it for a solid moment, before looking back upon the man. He followed the words from before.
"For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned." The man held up his hand. It was hidden behind metal, but Ritsuka could feel the weight beneath it. "Already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only son."
"Everyone who does evil hates light." He smiled up at the figure. He was smiled upon in return.
"But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light." He looked up for a moment, letting the sun paint his features. "So that it may be seen plainly tha what they have done has been in the sight of God."
For a brief moment, the people around them were louder. Not to the level of a mob or swarm, but enough for Ritsuka to hear them. Truly hear them. Not the words of barter or conversation, but the laughter and cheer. To hear not the gossip and questions, but the curiosity and innocence. Hearing the people live, under the light of God.
"You know the words of John well."
"Chapter 3," he answered. "It is written in many places, because it is the truth."
"Many may know where it begins, but you followed it to the end. It leads me to question where else you may follow. Or whom you follow."
"Is it not obvious I follow God?" Ritsuka was genuinely curious. "When you know the truth of his words, who else is there to follow or ask to guide you?" The man's smile grew.
"None, though men will often convince themselves there are his equals on this earth. Kings they wish to worship or judges to pass judgement. They realize not who the true judge of our souls is, or even the inability to compare the laws of man to those of God."
"His commandments are easy to understand."
"But not easy to follow. Not for many men who see pleasure where he prohibits it." His gauntlet waved outwards over the crowd. "Those here were near much the same when I arrived." Ritsuka could hardly believe it. And their fears took them when the dragons came."
"Dragons? You mean the wyverns?"
"The beasts that fly and scratch the air to tear the earth, dragging demons with them. Monstrous enough to be like them. And enough for the men and women to cry to God for aid, even as they celebrated debauchery and discord."
Ritsuka could hardly imagine it. He could see children playing behind the stalls their parents worked at, even a few of their numbers being picked up and thrown to their innocent delight. The bartering even was done with cheer, no threats or shows of violence. They were friendly and jovial, and they were debauch.
"When I came, I told them that they may find protection if they followed God. They asked of me to prove the strength of him by slaying the beasts. So I did."
"Just like that?"
"They were dragons. Therefore, by God's command, they must be destroyed. Thus I ended them." He breathed softly. "God wishes for his children to follow him, and so he delivered me to spread his Word."
Ritsuka listened to the tale, short as it was, and recalled the story before. It was one he had heard from another time, but Olga was adamant that there were no other heroes in this time by Jeanne, and she was already dead. It wasn't a thought that lasted long, as it was only a reminder that this man was a Servant, a legend, spoken of to be in this town.
And he knew who he was.
"You're Saint George. The Dragon Slayer." The man bowed his head.
"And you must the Master to whom the other Servants pledge themselves." He raised his head. "I am joyed to see that you who I am to ask for aid worships our Lord's truth."
"I'm glad you're a Servant to him as well. This… this will make it easier. A-And better. I can talk to you, well, ask you about how you slew the dragon before! It was Achalon… Askaka?" The name was eluding him, to his embarrassment.
"My blade's name may be difficult to speak, but it is called Ascalon." In the same moment, he drew the blade from his belt, holding it high.
Compared to the other weapons he had seen, it was unremarkable. A simple blade length, double-edged, hilt color to match his armor, and no other jewels or engraving upon it. But for simple as it was, the deeds behind it were far greater.
"As one of the Saber class, this blade is gifted to me, so that I may slay the beasts who mock God's words. I am here to rid this land of the dragons that scourge it, and if to follow you means to end the threat, then you have not only my name behind you, but my blade."
His other hand extended, Ritsuka took it, feeling the strength of the man behind it.
"It will be an honor to fight with you, St. George." He started to laugh. "I can't believe it. Two Saints, a-and with Jesus Christ as well."
"Jesus?" The man replied confused. "You… You don't mean…?" Naked shock took his gaze. "The Son of God follows you?"
"Oh no, I'm following him. But he is waiting for us." He pointed past the merriment of the crowd. "He's waiting for us, with Longinus." George blinked at him.
"He's with… his killer?"
"The man who had his vision cleaned by the blood of Christ, and abandoned the post of the Roman Army to follow his word. One of the first Saints to follow him. Do you want to meet him?"
"I do, Master." St. George shook his head. "I wish to see all the company our Lord wishes to keep."
He sneered at what he saw.
The villagers of a ruined land, a kingdom being ravaged by monsters, smiling and speaking pleasantly to one another as they scoured the destroyed town for supplies. Gentle chatter as they performed great works of construction, and slowly turned mauled buildings into havens and homes once more. Others came from outside the town still, carting supplies of food, beds of hay, and livestock for them to doubtlessly slaughter. All of this while women cared for children, and they listened to another man speak.
A man who looked so much like them, but still stood above them all. Not on a podium or other effort to raise him up, but with voice and spread arms. His voice carried promises of love and blessings on their work, never changing or scorning them. No criticism, no blemishes, only love and peace.
He continued to sneer, grinding his teeth, clenching and unclenching his fists. He loathed everything that was before him, and he didn't have the power to do more than make it shake.
He wanted it toppled.
But for that… he had to wait.
Wait as the man spoke to those who approached, smiled as they bowed and thanked him, carried on their own food and drink with words with their friends, all ignorant of the injustices occurring around them. So happy were all of they to clean up after the mess around them that they didn't even think to pass the blame to the obviously guilty party.
No, he just had to wait, as the Son of God was celebrated for his father's blessings, all the while ignoring his damnation. Even the cursed soldier next to him, smiling beneath a Roman helm, handing out food to those who asked for it, was all to eager to listen to the human God's words of peace and wisdom, ignoring how it was that same man that cost him his life.
He knew well who the man was, the soldier carrying a spear that had done the one good act a weapon was capable of. He knew of him well.
How could he not when the chained Master had told them exactly who they were. All thanks to his observations and descriptions.
He had those because he'd been watching them for so long. It was why he couldn't help but sneer now. He'd been watching them too long, disgusted for just as long, that he could no longer hide his discontent for the hypocrisy and vile behaviors.
Especially not as he was ordered to continue to watch.
His hand scratched at the stone wall he his behind, watching through a cut groove for a window without the glass. He stared down at the people, watching the two Servants among them, and the praise and blessings the most unworthy of them all was being showered with. He watched, sneered, and moment after moment asked for his chance to come sooner and sooner.
"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up and get here." He whispered to himself, feeling the words drip like a curse. He damned himself for knowing they weren't poisonous enough. "Let me shoot him. Let me kill him. Let me make him suffer." How grand it would be to have been summoned as a Caster, and then lay the curses with the crests of the Beast.
But he was not, and he had the crossbow to prove it. The weapon that was housed in the unknown space that all the other Servants kept their weapons. Letting it sit there as he waited for his chance. He couldn't' die too early, or else he would just be what he was before, another forgotten part of history to be ridiculed when pointed at.
That wasn't going to happen. Not this time. This time, he'd be glad for who he killed, and he wouldn't ask for their forgiveness.
"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up."
"You best hope you are speaking to me, or else I'll have to wonder who your are asking for." He didn't jump or shriek at the voice. He only turned with the same sneering gaze. "Even more so if those loathsome eyes are meant for me."
"I don't even know you," he threw back. "Not before this. I only care about him. I care about him and ending this. He's the one who I'm staring at, but you are the one who was supposed to hurry."
"Now I'm here. So you had best tell me why I should make haste for you." The man approached. "Do so with that same haste you request, or else my lances will rip out from within you."
"I've had them shoved into me before," the scowling man dismissed. "And there is no pain you can give me that I wouldn't have felt. You're only meant to hurry because I cannot stand looking at that!" He almost pointed out the broken shell of a window. "Every second you wasted getting here is a second I had to stay and watch them!"
"You only had to because you thought it prudent or wise to follow the Horned King at night." He scoffed at the silver-haired man. "You had to remain here because the king was killed and you had no knowledge to how."
"I didn't say that! I didn't say that!" He shouted back. "I said he was banished I told that worthless chained shell of a Master what happened and he was too broken in the head to repeat it!"
"He said what you did word for word."
"How do you know that?!"
"Because he would know better than to test me. And if you repeated words different than he, then I will return to the castle and remove a leg. We've already taken a pair of his fingers." The man reached up with his index and middle finger, combing his long silver hair. They stopped at the point of his beard, scratching at it. "But if you wish to test, what else did you say?"
"I said that the Son of God is banishing the Horned King and the rest of the Servants were running around trying to cull the dead like grains of wheat!" He pointed up at a tower, higher than they were and just as broken. "Their damned Master was hiding high with another of the Servants, the Wise King that the Avenger spoke of, and some samurai was cutting down the rest through the town. The same place where they are now feasting well!"
The man made a noise between a humorless chuckle and contemplative hum. He walked to the window as well, towering over the raging man and looked down. His form was hidden behind more of a cracked wall, the shadows from the raised son failing to illuminate him. Sharp eyes still stared as if glowing, and fangs from beneath snarling lips.
"You'll be either pleased or disgusted to know the Master did repeat what you said, though I understand your hatred for the sight." He stepped away. "A man who is meant to be king of all, sharing what he has so easily. Even when I struggled to feed my people."
"You fed them what you had, the children of others." His glare did nothing to the shorter man. "He has his father's will, and can make the bread and meat they find multiply by his touch! They brought so little, those scavengers from the other town, and yet they eat better than the men of the fort I served in! I struggled to feed them day to day, being beaten for serving so little when little was all there was. But he is glorified for having no difficulties, and sharing them only with who needs them! No blessings for us who struggle, only for the man who doesn't."
"I have no retorts." He pushed back. "But you had best have more to say than complaints of what you see."
"It's what I wasn't able to do, and then kept from doing." The cross-bow wearing man pointed at the tall silver-haired ruler. "To wait for you to come, as if to judge me, before I shoot an unworthy man? Saying that I needed permission to kill a king, when I did not before?"
"That is because you refused to shoot their Master. Do not dare to say he did not point out who it was. Even for you it would be obvious."
"I pointed him out first!" He raged. "And I didn't kill him because I couldn't! I didn't say I wouldn't, but can't! No more than you can't turn the day to night or raise a castle from mud! I can't kill their Master!"
"You talk about killing the Son of God, but you say a boy who is a pale imitation of even a basic Master is too grand for you?" The man's eyes screwed, and his own sneer pulled, showing the sharp canines. "You see now why I was sent? Your excuse rings hollow."
"I can't because of what they are! Not who they are!" He slammed his foot into the ground. The cheer of the crowd, and construction of those finished, kept him mute. "If by some divine comedy their roles were reversed, I'd still be unable to kill the Master, even if he was the unnecessarily over-confident hypocrite that the Son of God truly is!"
"You will explain yourself, clearly." The man held up his hand and let darkness pull from his palm.
He was silent as the darkness dripped like blood from a wound, running in parallel up and down his palm, extending until it was a sharp point at one end, twin-pronged, and then a blunt mass at the other. Thin, but clearly study enough for him to push into the floor and lean upon. Blue eyes stare down.
"Again, explain."
"I can't because of what they are!" His gaze didn't shift. "Because that boy was just a weak subservient child that couldn't rule over his own life without God telling him what to do!" He shouted back. "He kept talking to his other Servants, someone across a blue misted veil, and then to God in prayer for what he should do, over and over again! I can only kill the Kings, and because I chose to! Not because God gave me the power, because I took it!"
"I hold nothing against your strength, and your means of obtaining it not for me to judge, but I deplore hypocrisy." The Lancer sneered down at him. "How do you declare yourself capable without God and then blame him for not blessing you? For all those who I damn, I never accused them of that I was guilty of."
"Because the very man I killed forgave me! Him!" He pointed at the sky. "If that lion-hearted king could forgive me, why not God!? Why was I meant to be damned and scorned by the people who served under him if he forgave me! And then why did God let it pass! If he were just, he would have heard the words of the King and let me pass. But no! instead, a man who slew thousands across the countries of Europe is called a Harold, but I am reduced to nothing but scorn, mocked for what I did."
His eyes looked back at the Son of God and the very man who killed him.
"Even more so when his stands by the man who killed him." His hand pointed between them. "If God is the father of the blessed man, then how can he forgive the man who slew his own son, but I am damned for killing a king celebrated for the blood he drew. It is not just unfair, it is unjust."
"I'll take fault for not stopping you, but I only inquired as to why you were unable to slay the Master of these Servants. I care not for your hatred. Yours anyone else's."
"And I don't care for your apathy or sympathy, whichever you offer. I care only about retaking what was taken from me. I can't retake my life or honor, so instead, I'll take what is equal to it." He pointed at Jesus Christ. "I can only kill Kings. I can only slay those leaders to whom the many serve and swear their allegiance to."
Lancer looked down at the man, blessed by the Lord on High, and caring the radiance of the sun. He felt no love for the man, who let his own name and country be shrouded in darkness.
"You asked why I could not kill the Master? Because a boy who serves another is no king. Jesus Christ is not that boy. He professes his lordship."
The Archer raised his crossbow, a bolt materializing in the pulled string. It was simple, no more impressive than any other tool a common archer would bear in the fields of battle. But it was this such weapon that ended the reign of one of the most famous of British Kings.
The same arrow head aimed towards the King of all Men.
"And so, once more, a simple French cook will kill the greatest of men."
His finger rested on the trigger.
Lancer's hand held the bolt.
"Not yet you will."
"Why not?" The Archer looked up snarling. "Do you want me to kill you instead. You're a king to match, you could be killed by me."
"Perhaps I would, and then my niece would torture you to a degree that would sow further doubt into your already barren soul." The man's grimace was wicked as his gaze. "And you will not kill the king until the others return, and until the remaining members for this are here."
"Then tell them to hurry! I can't be asked to let a prime opportunity for killing a false savior pass!"
"You will if killing him will only incite those who follow him." He folded his arms and stood before the broken window. "You know I am one for war tactics, and I know that killing him now is a bad idea."
"Isn't the objective of almost any king to divide the enemy? How is this suddenly different?"
"When the enemy will be filled with despair at the sight of a fallen king, and then beholding our own rising above them. Did you forgot my tale? How I placed men on pikes and had their armies turn?" He pointed towards the robed man. "We may kill all the Servants in this war that oppose us, but if you kill that man before they are here, they will be filled with a fury, not overcome with shock and desperation. The two are not the same, and one will abide by the strength of our companions."
"Are they all coming down to help?" Archer asked. "That damned Master doesn't tell me jack."
"Something that can be remedied when next you see him. I won't stop you." He didn't move. "But we will have the swiftest and then the strongest here, so that none may be able to hold against us, and the few wise who try to run will be swept away. And before you ask, don't forget that they already escaped the Avenger once before, and that was without that man's blessing."
The same man who passed a bowl of crumbled breads to a nearby child, who looked up and spoke something. Something that had the apparent Lord of Men smiling, petting her head, as she ran back to her parents. The Roman next to him smiling in a way that no military man should. Archer moved to aim again, ready to spear the man who stood so easily above all.
Lancer's hand held him again, earning a noise of discomfort.
"You will be the one to kill him, but when we know we are ready to kill all the others."
"Tell them to hurry. I'm no soldier. I will not listen to wise commands, not when I have the chance to kill them."
"You don't have to be a soldier to be wise. You only need to remember what you want. Remember that in the depths of despair and desperation, and you will find yourself capable of enduring the harshest of words and punishments." He smiled, sharp teeth baring on him. "Forget it, and you find yourself swallowed by the Lord below."
"And if I'd prefer that?"
"Then I'll be sure to send you to him."
Archer made another noise, all but throwing his arms as he marched away. The broken home was too small to go any great distance, settling for running up against another partially broken structure opposite Lancer. It let the man sink to his haunches, staring forward and doubtlessly imagining the man who stood above the crowd.
A man Lancer could hear proclaiming the Word of God, and so deeply that it was impossible to not think of him as a Prophet. The warrior behind him nodding, helm rising and falling, as he leant on the very weapon that took the man from the world once before. He was fearless next to it, perhaps out of trust for the man who swore himself to his father, or perhaps careless of his own life. Lancer could not tell which.
Not until the Son of God looked up, and their eyes met.
For that one moment, Lancer believed he had ruined all the made plans with a single moment of observation. The gaze was held too long for it to be a glance about the crowd. He lips were still for too long for it to be a pause for breath. He stared, and Lancer did back, believing for a quick moment he'd make himself a hypocrite.
But then Jesus began to preach again, looking away from him, and forcing Lancer to let out a breath of air. He shook his head in wonder.
"Did he not recognize me?" He mused in a whisper. "Is he waiting for me?" He looked at the other Lancer in this war, leaning on a spear more terrifying than his own. "Will he alert his guard." But the man never did. He didn't pause and brush the man's arm nor point with his hand.
The Roman Soldier continued to listen, nod, and assist with the people as they came for blessings and food. The Son of God continued to make promises, offer nourishment, and give hope in a broken village. Nothing changed.
"What are you thinking?" Lancer mused. "What are you going to do?"
Author's Note: An excellent question. One would have to wonder what Jesus was thinking when he knew the Romans were coming to kill him the first time. Sweating blood while Satan tempted him.
Does he look nervous now?