Nearly three weeks had passed since the room began reconstruction.
Why had it taken so long, despite having the three best inventors known in history on the task? Simple—it was to allow tempers to cool down.
During that time, tensions in Chaldea were so thick that not even Lady Avalon dared crack a joke when Arturia and Morgan were together, as it seemed like they might lash out at her at any moment.
What about FEMIYA and Gilfem, who were still staying in Chaldea? Well, both of them had been sleeping in the rooms of their respective husbands.
Of course, this caused a great deal of frustration for many, especially among the Arturia-faces and Enkidu.
And what about Baobhan Sith? Well... she's in good health, and that says enough.
Mhmp! - a muffled sound came from someone, as if they were choking on something.
EMIYA: "...I still don't understand how I get roped into these things." — he muttered, removing his member from the dragoness's mouth—
[Image]
Melusine: -gulp- "Ahhh~" - she exhaled with satisfaction, feeling the liquid slide down her throat - "Fufufu~ I hope you enjoyed it, my king." - she added with a teasing smile, which made the dark-haired EMIYA only sigh in response.
He might have complained and scolded the fairy dragon, but he knew she would simply ignore him and continue her antics regardless.
Why had Gilfem allowed this? It was simple: 1. She wasn't around at the moment, and 2. When she was, Melusine knew exactly how to provoke her.
EMIYA: "Don't call me that." - If there was one thing he wished, it was that she wouldn't refer to him as "king." He wasn't that, not even close. He was just a mere, tarnished imitation.
Melusine: "Fufufu~ Even if you're not him, your actions mirror his." - she replied playfully, giving him a light kiss on the cheek before turning to leave.
EMIYA: -grr- - he growled in irritation, hearing that remark. He hated being reminded of it—it truly bothered him.
Scene change.
The next moment, EMIYA, now fully dressed, was seen leaving the room, only to be suddenly pushed and pinned against the wall by a pair of arms.
EMIYA: "What the—?!" - he exclaimed, looking up only to find Gilfem had cornered him with a kabedon, staring intensely into his eyes.
The blonde gazed at him with sharp intensity, dressed in a very low-cut beige sweater with matching sleeves. Her expression was serious, but the frustration in her eyes was evident.
EMIYA: "...What is—?" - he started, but she cut him off.
Gilfem: -hmmm- - she frowned and pouted, glaring at the Archer, clearly upset about something.
EMIYA: "Are you... jealous?" - he asked, incredulous that the queen would feel such a thing.
Gilfem: "I leave for just one day... after having a date with your alter version and spending some time with Angra, and when I come back, I find you being unfaithful with that fairy dragon!" - she grumbled, wrapping her arms around the Archer possessively.
EMIYA: "Says the one who sleeps with other men while married." - he shot back, facing the audacious and shameless queen of heroes.
Gilfem: "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Shirou Emiya belongs to me—here, in my world, in this world, or any other. I own all the treasures of the world, and Shirou Emiya will always be my most precious one, no matter which world he's in or which soul occupies his body. The essence of Shirou Emiya is mine, for all time." - she declared confidently, stepping up on her toes to close the height gap and pressing her lips against his in an intense kiss.
EMIYA: -hmph- - he grunted, caught off guard by the blonde's sudden action, unable to resist her hold.
The blonde pressed her well-endowed figure against his muscular chest, making sure he could feel the closeness between them.
The kiss was intense, hungry, and possessive, but beneath the hunger, there was an undeniable depth of affection from the queen toward the Archer. Whatever the Shirou Emiya in her world had done, it had earned her unconditional love for his very existence.
It went on for a while, and the blonde queen could sense EMIYA's futile attempts to break free from her embrace and the kiss.
It was amusing—very amusing.
Suddenly, a sound interrupted them.
?: -cough cough- - the fake cough from someone nearby made the queen reluctantly break the kiss, turning to face the source.
Both turned their heads, and the queen of heroes frowned as she saw who it was.
Gilfem: "Fairy Queen..." - she hissed, clearly annoyed, glaring at Morgan.
Morgan: "Don't you think this is a rather public place for such indecent behavior?" - she crossed her arms, her slight frown directed at them.
The fairy queen wasn't in her usual black dress that exposed parts of her body. This time, she wore a casual, low-cut blue outfit with a diamond-shaped cutout that teased her chest.
As Morgan stood there, arms crossed beneath her chest, subtly accentuating her figure, she seemed to be pouting, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
Gilfem: "And why should I stop when he's my husband?" - she asked, making the Fairy Queen's frown deepen in irritation.
Morgan: "As far as I know, he" - she pointed at EMIYA - "and none of his versions are in a romantic relationship with anyone. The only one who's close to that is the former royalty of Arturia. No one else, as far as we all know." - she challenged the Queen of Heroes, who looked back at her with equal frustration.
Why was Gilfem so angry now?
It's simple... let's take a quick detour.
Earlier, Satán had decided to practice her gymnastic skills, doing exercises like back in school. She practiced under the supervision of EMIYA and his various versions, all of whom helped her perfect her routine.
Of course, the practice was also watched by many others, including Morgan and her three other versions.
Wait... three more Morgans?
Yes, it seemed that Satán had summoned more Servants in the meantime. Among them, she had obtained the Summer Morgan and the Pan-Human History versions—Caster and Ruler classes. And all it took was 700 Saint Quartz for each... quite the bargain.
Gilfem: "Ara... it seems you lack some knowledge. He's been mine since the moment our eyes met. A simple fairy like you wouldn't be worthy of being a part of my husband's life... except maybe for that red-haired fairy in the red clothes." - she mentioned, making Morgan's gaze narrow considerably at the mention of Baobhan Sith - "She's quite similar to him... like father, like daughter, as humans say. Who knows? Maybe since I'm married to him, she'll start calling me mother too..." - she added with a mocking smile, one that Morgan clearly despised with every fiber of her being.
Morgan: "Do you... truly wish for me to kill you, don't you?" - she asked, barely containing her fury, her magical aura flaring in response to the anger surging inside her.
How dare this insolent woman even suggest something like that. She would have to show this arrogant queen her place for such an insult.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the tension.
Announcement: "Attention, all Servants. The room has been repaired, so please return for the continuation of the previous session." - informed Da Vinci through the control room speaker after completing the final checks.
And just like that, the situation was diffused, much to the relief of one particular Archer.
EMIYA: "Thank goodness..." - he sighed in relief, glad he wouldn't have to summon Rho Aias to protect himself from the growing tensions.
Though he seriously doubted even his best shield could withstand the jealousy brewing in the room.
During the past three weeks, much had happened in Chaldea. Aside from the constant reconstruction, some Servants had been forced to live as temporary roommates due to the damage caused by the destruction the Arturias had caused.
Some didn't mind, as full Servants didn't have the same need to sleep as Ritsuka, although even the red-haired Master seemed to manage without much sleep, always grinding for materials... always active.
Scene change.
Chiron: "Achilles, we need to head to the room. It's been repaired." - the centaur informed his student as he knocked on the door.
However, no response came from within. That was odd. Achilles always responded right away. Chiron could sense his presence in the room, so why wasn't he answering?
Chiron: "Achilles?" - he knocked again, still receiving no response - "...Achilles, I'm coming in." - he announced, entering the access code to his student's room.
When the door opened, Chiron stepped inside, searching for his student and eventually finding him... in a rather peculiar situation.
[Image]
Chiron: "...Achilles?" - he asked, watching as Achilles removed his headphones, which he had been using to play video games.
Achilles: "...I can explain." - he said sheepishly, acknowledging the situation he had been caught in.
Why was the world-famous Greek hero saying this? Well, it was quite simple...
Chiron stood, clearly impressed by what he was seeing.
Chiron: "...Satán?" - elsewhere, the red-haired Master felt a bit offended by the mention.
Achilles: "...yeah, Satán." - it didn't take a genius to know that the Rider wasn't being entirely truthful.
Chiron: "...You do know her room was one of the first to be rebuilt, right?" - the centaur raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms.
Achilles: "...I'll exercise my right to remain silent." - the famous hero of Greece admitted, his trainer sighing in response, realizing his student wouldn't say any more.
Chiron: "Wake her up. The room is ready, and they're requesting our attendance." - the Rider nodded as the centaur began to leave. - "Should I expect some grandchildren in a few months?" - Chiron asked casually as he exited, leaving Achilles blushing and coughing slightly at his master's teasing implication.
Time skip.
The repaired room now had several Servants gathered, food and drinks in hand for the occasion.
Kid Gil: -eyeing suspiciously- - he had swiped Secace from Maid Alter and was pointing it at his adult Archer self, irritated to see FEMIYA sitting comfortably on Gilgamesh's lap.
Although, the tyrant king looked more... drained? His face bore a weariness that made him seem more like his Caster version than his usual Archer self.
Gil Caster: "Not yet, Kid... at least secure your aim first."
Merlin: "Alright, is everyone here?" - scanning the room as Servants continued to arrive.
Kotarou: "I think so..." - standing nearby with Danzou at his side.
Merlin: "Good... as long as we avoid destroying the room again, we won't need to spend another three weeks rebuilding it." - his gaze landed directly on the Arturia-faces, all of whom were glaring daggers at Gilfem and Morgan, who were seated beside various versions of Shirou.
Of course, Gilfem was sitting directly on EMIYA's lap, her position making sure her GRAND Enuma was in contact with the "sword" of the Archer.
EMIYA: "Thank goodness for complete control of my body." - silently thanking his meditation training for allowing him to maintain full control, preventing any involuntary reactions.
Merlin: "Alright... let's get started." - activating the machine to resume their viewing of the universe.
However, what appeared on the screen was unexpected.
It showed Achilles casually walking through the hallways of Chaldea, whistling to himself as he strolled.
Everyone in the room looked confused. Weren't they supposed to continue from where they had left off?
Da Vinci: "Merlin?" - she asked, noticing the change.
For some reason, the Greek hero, a queen, and a hunter felt something bad was about to happen.
Chiron: "...What have you done now?" - he asked, sighing tiredly, much to the Rider's offense and the amusement of his fellow students.
Ahead of the Rider, the feline-featured Atalanta, Artemis' huntress, was walking toward him.
Achilles: "Yo, nee-san." - he greeted with his characteristic sincere and cheerful smile.
Without saying a word, the huntress simply nodded in response, and Achilles, pleased with the acknowledgment, continued on his way, passing her.
Orion: "...So cold." - he muttered, earning a swift hit from Artemis for his remark about her protégé.
Henry Jekyll: "...Even Whitechapel isn't as cold as that encounter." - he muttered, sweating slightly after witnessing the exchange.
Jason: "She must have taken Zeus's advice to never say no to a cold one quite literally." - Heracles simply nodded in agreement with his friend's joke.
Achilles: "...I can hear you guys, you know?" - the Rider shot back, annoyed.
Jason: "Am I wrong though?" - Heracles merely shook his head, acknowledging the truth of the statement.
Medea: "Normally, yes, but when it comes to Zeus or Poseidon, I can't help but agree with him." - she added, and the blond nodded. Being Greeks, it was no surprise they had deep knowledge of their pantheons.
Europa would have defended her beloved lord... if it weren't true.
Hector: "My condolences on that one." - he muttered, watching the silent interaction between Achilles and Atalanta.
Atalanta stopped in her tracks as the Rider passed her, sensing something.
Chiron: "What have you done?" - Chiron sighed again, noticing that Atalanta seemed to have picked up on something related to Achilles.
Jason: "Ha, even the teacher knows you're up to something." - Jason chuckled, acknowledging how rare it was for Chiron to doubt anyone.
Heracles: "Grrrr." - he growled in agreement, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Achilles: "Will you two shut up?" - he growled back at them, irritated by the teasing.
Achilles: "" - but his whistling was abruptly cut short as he was pushed to the floor.
Atalanta/Nyalanta/Penthesilea: "Eh?" - all three women seemed equally surprised to see the Rider knocked down.
Francis: "...Wasn't Atalanta just behind him?" - the statement made all the Greeks pause.
Jason: "...Color of flowers?" - he asked the demigod, who remained quiet.
Achilles: "Huh?" - sitting up on the floor, he turned to see who had knocked him over. - "N-nee-san?" - he stammered, slightly surprised and blushing at being so close to the huntress.
Atalanta, on the other hand, said nothing. She had simply approached the Rider with her eyes closed, focused on something.
Achilles: "N-nee-san?" - he still didn't understand what was happening, but he was hopeful that something good was going on... or at least, he hoped.
Orion: "...This is going to end badly." - His instincts, backed by experience, told him something awful was about to happen to the green-haired Rider.
Semiramis: "Well, who would've thought the huntress could be so bold?" - She remarked, watching Atalanta on the screen with amusement.
Franki: grrr - The hulking Servant nodded in agreement, his expression matching the Assyrian Queen's as she observed the huntress, who was now glaring with an intense frown.
Fionn: "In my experience... that means trouble." - He subtly suggested that they should all be prepared to escape, implying that something very dangerous was on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Achilles felt a cold shiver run down his spine, imagining the worst-case scenario unfolding. His face grew pale as he sensed the looming disaster.
Atalanta: "Why...?" - She spoke for the first time, her voice making the nervous Rider glance at the huntress.
The green-haired Rider could feel it—a sense of impending doom settling in. Something bad was definitely coming.
Atalanta: "Why... do you smell like an Amazon?" - She asked, her piercing gaze focused on him, causing the Rider to pale instantly.
Achilles: "Eh?" - It was all he could muster as he felt like he was staring straight into the jaws of a lion, realizing he was in serious trouble.
Pentesilea/Achilles: "Eh?" - Both of them blurted out simultaneously at Atalanta's remark.
Atalanta/Nyalanta: "Eh?" - Both versions of the huntress frowned deeply, confused and displeased by what their counterpart had just said on the screen.
Dobrynya: "Actually..." - Everyone turned to look at her. - "This one here also has the scent of the Amazon Queen all over him." - The Amazon Queen herself blushed furiously, both from anger and embarrassment, as she felt the gazes of everyone in the room directed at her.
This statement was supported by other Servants with heightened senses, particularly the Tama group, while both versions of Atalanta sniffed the air, picking up the distinct scent of the Amazon Queen lingering around the green-haired Rider.
Both Atalantas wore matching deep scowls, feeling like something very important—something serious—had been lost.
Achilles: ... - He stood there, thoroughly embarrassed and nervous, as the two versions of Atalanta stared daggers into him.
Chiron: "...At least four." - The centaur advised, much to his student's chagrin, nodding toward the lioness's behavior on screen.
Achilles immediately understood why his master had mentioned that number, and remembering what had happened earlier today, his face flushed even more with embarrassment.
Pentesilea, on the other hand, was on the verge of rising from her seat, ready to hit whoever was discussing this, but her instincts warned her to stay put—something worse might happen if she acted rashly.
Van Gogh: "I'll take six." - Her cheeky comment caused both the Amazon Queen and the Rider to blush even deeper, embarrassed by what the Great Old One had insinuated.
Merlin: "Just work already, you cursed piece of junk!" - He yelled in frustration, delivering a solid hit to the projector, which finally responded and switched to the correct universe.
Gudako: "Even my dad didn't hit me that hard..." - She muttered with a bead of sweat running down her forehead as she watched the caster vent his frustrations on the machine.
The carriage ride back was more pleasant than the trip there.
Merlin: "What made the ride so much better, huh? Sharing secrets or what?" - He asked, raising an eyebrow, sounding mildly offended that he missed out on something.
Arturia: "MERLIN!" - She glared at her mentor and father figure, clearly annoyed by his teasing while Merlin just shrugged it off casually.
Merlin: "Come on, they already bonded enough. What could you possibly be upset about now? That you weren't invited to the fun?" - He smirked playfully, causing Arturia to blush, flustered by the implication.
Salter: "I would've handled it differently to keep my queen to myself." - She said bluntly, causing the others to nod in agreement, all clearly frustrated with their current situation.
Gilfem: "I hate to agree with the King of Betrayal over here, but she's right. The moment he's involved, things get complicated." - She muttered, recalling why she had fallen for him in the past.
Gudako: "...If only I'd made Senji take charge like that during Lostbelt 6, it would've saved me a lot of trouble..." - She cursed under her breath, reflecting on her missed opportunity.
Morgan (Ruler): "That reality projector is fascinating... second magic, isn't it?" - She mused, intrigued by the machine Merlin used to showcase alternate universes.
Cursed Arm Hassan: "Get your cameras ready, just in case." - He warned, as Saint George prepared his camera with a serious look, ready to capture anything noteworthy.
Habetrot: "No offense, but someone has to record this." - Surrounded by an array of cameras, all aimed at the screen.
Morgan and Tonelico: "HABETROT!" - They both shouted, clearly annoyed at their friend.
Habetrot: "I'll send you a copy of the highlights later, so you can enjoy it when you're alone." - She teased, causing both queens to blush with embarrassment but not deny the request.
Morgan (Ruler): "Interesting indeed..." - She thought quietly to herself, though she wouldn't admit it out loud. She was curious about the young man's abilities, and if he could truly live up to his potential.
If she was to consider him as a partner, she wanted to make sure he was capable in all aspects, not just with empty words.
Whereas before it had been a stilted, uncomfortable silence, the passing of the hours was at least mitigated somewhat by an ability to drift into and out of reverie. The trip to the Tournament's grounds had been stuck with far too much staring at him to feel safe doing so while Morgan was . . . so vexed, in a word.
Abigail: "Why are they looking at him like that?" - She asked, confused by the reactions on the screen.
Percival: "Most likely because of his close association with Lady Morgan. Given her history with the kingdom, they may be being cautious due to that." - He explained, and the girl with the Outer God nodded, paying close attention to the scene.
Tristan: "It could also be due to his actions from the previous day." - He added thoughtfully, which seemed to resonate with the others, who nodded in agreement, seeing this as the most likely reason for the tension. - "How sad..." - He strummed his harp, adding a melancholic tone to the moment.
At least, until Morgan had settled her seemingly bored eyes on him and finally- after what he'd sure would have been the first words out of her lips after he'd come back that morning- asked, "Where did you go in the morn to have come back wreathed in sweat?"
Teach:"Right, she sucked him off after he had fought earlier." - The Rider nonchalantly ignored the piercing stares of the Fairy Queen and Princess.
Merlin: "She's put worse things in her mouth, honestly..." - The Ruler shot a glare at the Grand Caster, making him tense up slightly under the pressure.
Mordred: "Not like he's lying." - The blonde knight chimed in, only to receive the same intense look from the Ruler.
Kiara: "I doubt he minds, as long as it seasons his essence just right." - The room filled with sighs and groans as several people rubbed their temples, clearly exhausted by the inappropriate comment from the former nun.
DEMIYA: "And people still ask me why I want to shoot her..." - He muttered, raising his Unlimited Lost Works pistol, only to be stopped by Tonelico, who calmly lowered his hand.
Gudako: "We need her alive..." - She reminded him with a drop of sweat forming on her brow. The Alter Assassin simply huffed, begrudgingly lowering his weapon.
The redhead- without his helmet to defend his facial expressions, nor the blonde her veil to hide her's- decided that being bald-faced with her was as fair as he could be. "The King called for me."
Morgan rolled her eyes, scoffing, "Of course she did. I'm not an imbecile." Grinning a bit wryly in response, Shirou let his eyes drift to the window as the countryside passed by.
Mordred: "You are, and you were. You entrusted the mission to destroy Arthur to the one who admired him most." - She pointed to herself, while the Ruler chose to ignore her, keeping her eyes on the screen.
Merlin: "For someone supposedly so clever, that was incredibly foolish." - He had to admit, even for someone who had deceived so many, trusting Mordred with the downfall of Camelot was indeed a poor decision.
Despite that event, Merlin was 80% sure that what the mage truly desired wasn't just the destruction of Camelot—it was something deeper, something more significant. After all, by the time they had arrived in this world, it was clear that the fall of Camelot was an inevitable event, regardless of what transpired.
Mordred: "Agravain would've done a better job, maybe..." - She muttered, shifting uncomfortably in her seat, her eyes glued to the screen with mild irritation.
"She wished to duel." That seemed to get Morgan's attention, making her move from a lazy recline in the carriage's bench to a more proper seat as she regarded him more closely. He had a feeling she'd grow interested as soon as the prospect of violence against her sister came up.
Super Orion: "To know how aggressive he is during sex?" - He asked while munching on some popcorn, hoping for more action like in the previous episode.
The different Faces of the magician remained silent—some not knowing what to say, others simply choosing not to respond.
Artemis: "Sorry about that..." - She said sheepishly, as Super Orion was now filled with arrows.
Super Orion: "Ughh... my... my chest... it stings." - He groaned dramatically, his body riddled with arrows, even his bear form hadn't escaped the barrage.
Gilfem/Nero: "Trust us, he's pretty intense..." - Both of them spoke from experience, recalling some challenging moments.
EMIYA: "You should have thought twice before trying to pull one over on me..." - He muttered, only for the blonde in his lap to hear, who merely huffed in response.
"And?"
"I lost." Shirou noted, emphatically. Not wanting to disillusion the Witch- nor go giving her wry ideas. Shirou was stronger than the average human thanks to a myriad of reasons, but Saber and the Knights of the Round were -anything- but average. Class containers were restrictions in the case of most Heroic Spirits, ignoring a Master being able to supply them with mana over their own. He had a feeling Artoria would still only be able to "fire" Excalibur once before being wearied, but he also had no illusions that putting her in that state would be impossible without damn near killing himself in the process. Or succeeding- and then he'd just earn himself a metaphorical sword laser in the face.
Merlin: "Regardless of the outcome, you'd have had a lot less time if you'd started with Excalibur. It would've been worse, trust me." Proto and the other Arturias nodded, knowing that had he shown Excalibur, they'd have swarmed him, demanding to know how he could replicate their weapon.
Gudako: "Wait, you can project a lightsaber from Star Wars?! No way!" - Her eyes sparkled with excitement, always having dreamed of reenacting iconic scenes with the weapon.
EMIYA: "I wish. Since it's an alien construction and doesn't exist in our world, I can't analyze its structure to replicate it." - He quickly shattered her dreams.
Shirou had better things to do.
Angra/Senji/DEMIYA/EMIYA (in unison): "Cooking."
FEMIYA/Gilfem: "Lying down/sleeping with Gil/me." - Both smirked, knowing what their Shirou cherished most.
EMIYA: - Gave an expressionless stare at Gilfem -
Gilgamesh: - Visibly paled -
Enkidu: - Grumbled in the background -
Ishtar: - Barely held back laughter -
Senji: "That's... rather vulgar." - He commented, casting a glance at the blonde.
Gilfem: "Well, you're always staring at my chest when you get the chance." - The blacksmith visibly tensed up, realizing he was caught.
Avalon, Castoria, and Bakastoria: - Their gazes bore into him -
"Not too surprising." Though, Morgan's lips curled downwards somewhat in a display of discontent. Crossing one leg over the other, she let her cheek rest against a cocked fist. "Though, it's a good sign that you have her interest."
Odysseus: "Wait, interested sexually or just normally?" - The Trojan hero's question drew several looks.
Odysseus: "What? You know I'm right." - He crossed his arms, eyes back on the screen.
Salter: "Sexually, personally, and everything in between." - Her other Faces stared at her. - "What? You know I'm right." - None of them argued; unfortunately, she was right.
Gilfem: "If you learn to cook, you'll get his attention." - She pointed out, and EMIYA visibly tensed, feeling the many eyes on him.
Boudica: "Not necessarily." - The blondes glanced her way. - "Seeing someone enjoy his food is enough to make him smile." - Their eyes drifted back to the archer, who was pretending not to notice the intense stares.
Tamamo-no-Mae: "Shirou and cooking are inseparable. Everyone who knows him knows this." - Nero, BB, Boudica, Raikou, Benni, Arturia, Ishtar, Parvati, and others nodded in agreement. The kitsune still nursed her pride after recalling how she'd lost to EMIYA in the kitchen.
How could she call herself the perfect wife if that title was impossible to claim here in Chaldea, let alone in history? It felt unfair... EMIYA was the final boss of cooking, an unbeatable force.
Sadly, Shirou wasn't sure if he agreed with that or not. Even after the discussion they'd had, things had seemed stiff and cautious. But, on the bright side, at least it hadn't ended in outright bloodshed. He would take the small victory.
Mordred: "Honestly, if you can call that a victory, then you're doing well..." - she remarked, sweating slightly, understanding the justified relief that the counterpart of the archer had on the screen.
Merlin: "It's true. With how stubborn Arturia was about Avalon halting her aging, she often acted a bit recklessly despite being over 30." - He could practically feel the blade of death at his neck as he mentioned her age, earning a murderous glare from his blonde pupil.
EMIYA Assassins: "Actually... it's about 1535 years." - Taking into account that they were in the 21st century and that the Arthurian era was around the 6th century, the blonde was closer to two millennia old.
Record scratch
Several Arturias had to be restrained after the Assassin casually revealed their true age.
Irisvild: "You should never throw out a comment about a lady's age so lightly, dear." - She said, her face expressionless as she looked at her "husband," who simply averted his gaze.
He couldn't help it; something in him just knew he had to stay alert around certain dangerous women.
Gilfem: -feels a terrible chill-
Arturias: -sensing an impending danger for some reason-
Frankly, he wasn't sure what he was doing.
Senji: "Do you ever really have it together?" - he asked, glancing at the archer, who simply crossed his arms and looked away.
Angra: "This is worse than when a guy gets the brilliant idea of putting his... you know... in a fan during adolescence." - All the women fell silent at what the world's evil had just said. Several turned to look at their closest male companions, noticing none of them denied the accusation.
Florence: "...Are you serious?" - she asked, glaring at Edmond and several others who wisely chose not to speak. If they did, they were doomed, and if they didn't, they were still doomed. Whether they stayed or ran, the outcome was the same: they were screwed.
Gudako: "It's okay to be dumb, but why take it to the extreme, why the need to break records!"
At what Angra had just mentioned, many of the female Servants, including the Christians among them, nodded in agreement. Was it really true that men cared so little about their safety that they would do something that reckless?
Angra: "I still don't get how you managed to break the fan with your... ahem." - He still couldn't wrap his head around how that wild drinking night with the male Servants had led to the archer breaking a fan with the "sword's bone," so to speak.
Cu Lancer: "Loses to Kiara but not to an object... who would've thought?" - Did it even need to be said?
DEMIYA: "The difference is, Kiara is a walking cocktail of every venereal disease that ever existed, exists, and will exist..." - he responded, prepping his Unlimited Lost Works just in case.
EMIYA: "I think I used reinforcement... maybe? They gave me too much alcohol and way too much Viagra that night." - He answered uncertainly, still unsure about how that bizarre incident had come to pass. There were gaps in his memory of that chaotic event, making it hard to piece everything together.
He hadn't had a plan coming through, which was part of the issue with the fact he'd come into the most egregious of wild happenstances. He had been unconscious when he'd arrived in the days of King Arthur, and he'd awoken in the palm of Morgan Le Faye.
Morgan Ruler: "Did she truly take him to her chambers... and he's still alive?" - she asked, astonished that a version of herself could do something like that, especially one so closely related to her own ruler or caster versions.
Bradamante: "Yes... it sounds more impressive than it seems." - She understood the incredulity of the sister of the king she admired so much. Given the history, it was completely understandable.
Super Orion: "Not only that, but she's already... well, you know." - Artemis gave him a sharp slap on the back for his comment.
Fionn: "It honestly took a while. He must have demonstrated mastery in combat to make her decide to claim him that night." - He noted, causing Morgan Ruler to listen attentively, perhaps considering testing that theory herself.
Diarmuid: "...I think it's best to stay quiet, my lord." - He observed how each Arturia was gripping their weapons so tightly that he was certain a simultaneous Noble Phantasm release was imminent once again.
Gilfem: "Hmph, it's no wonder those pretenders to the throne lack any real power. No wonder they're known as the kings of infidelity, their legend speaks for itself." - She said arrogantly, her red eyes gleaming, while the Arturias clenched their teeth so tightly that everyone could hear the grinding.
Lanturia: "You..." - She looked at Gilfem with deep anger, but the blonde remained calm, smiling smugly. If it weren't for her queen being right next to her, she would have been more than ready to attack, but neither she nor the others wanted to hurt any version of the red Archer.
Enkidu: "Gil... aren't you" - she started but was interrupted.
Gilfem: "Unlike this so-called king of infidelity, I was the one doing the cheating, not the one suffering from it. Besides, why would I continue? My king is perfect in that regard. I'm not even able to withstand his full stamina; I always fall short." - She revealed, making many in their seats shift uncomfortably at her words, while the Archer simply felt a shiver run up his spine.
Kiara: "Fufufu, the pistol-wielding one is no slouch either. Unfortunately for him, he had to face me, but I'll give him credit for having given me more satisfaction than anyone else." - She explained, making a Lancer and a Caster want to tear her apart.
The Beast's laughter didn't last long as she was knocked out by Hans.
Ishtar: "Don't even mention her..." - She pointed at FEMIYA sitting on Gilgamesh's lap. "One more round with her, and she'd leave Goldie here looking like dried-out meat." - She laughed as Gilgamesh paled at the thought of FEMIYA draining his energy.
Meanwhile, an Assassin was loading origin bullets into his weapons, ready to turn a king of heroes into a pincushion.
FEMIYA: "Dad, put the guns down!" - She scolded, aware of her father's intentions.
EMIYA Assassin: "...Fine." - He would leave it for now, though he didn't promise it would be permanent.
Illya and Sitonai watched in amazement as their father actually listened to their "sister." Whenever they tried to reprimand him, it never worked, but with her? It felt unfair...
Irisviel: "...Ahhh!" - She sighed in frustration, watching how her "husband" was preventing her daughter from giving her grandchildren.
Any plans he might have had were promptly thrown completely in the trash after that.
Shirou preferred flying by the seat of his pants most of the time anyway. He'd never claim to be a tactical genius.
Gudako: "With what he told us last time... it's justified, really." - she murmured, recalling when EMIYA had reprimanded Mash the other day.
EMIYA: "As I've said before, the boy is just a fool." - He commented, resting his head on his hand.
Gilfem: "Yes, you're a fool." - She said, leaning against his chest. "But you're my fool." - She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek while resting her head on his shoulder.
The Archer, for his part, felt something strange from that action. How on earth had this queen caused this reaction in him after only almost three weeks of being together? He didn't think something said by a version of Gilgamesh could make him feel embarrassed.
Many watched the interaction with very visible irritation. That blonde queen had just declared war—she had succeeded in making the Archer blush and feel flustered.
Teach: "It's amazing how the ugly ones eat so well..." - he said with palpable envy, seeing how lucky the Archer was with women.
Bartholomeo: "...Okay, even I feel a bit of envy." - He had to admit, even he was feeling that bitter emotion.
That had been Rin's job, back during the War- and even her plans tended to go wildly awry.
Cu Lancer: "The girl isn't bad as a Master, it's just that she's lacking maturity and experience." - He recalled a bit about the young girl as his Master.
Is that necessary? Everyone looked at the Archer, who was now cleaning his weapons. Barely saying anything, the "dog" had sent him to Asclepius.
Ishtar: "...Jealous?" - She asked with an amused smile, watching the Archer's reaction.
EMIYA: "Tch." - He clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had a deep appreciation for Rin, so comments like that from the "dog" bothered him.
Ishtar: "Don't worry, it's not like anyone else would be interested." - The goddess realized what she had just said... Was that really her? Or was it the vessel? Damn... This girl really was strange... but amazing.
The Archer, for his part, looked impressed at the goddess, letting out a slight smile. He was sure now—that clumsy girl the goddess was using as a vessel had said that.
Ereshkigal, meanwhile, noticed the faint expression of annoyance on the pistol-wielding EMIYA. He too wanted to obliterate that cursed dog. She didn't know why, or rather, she did know. She understood why she was happy about that action and had made up her mind about something. It was something she would do later... as long as nothing interfered with the plan.
Settling in a bit more comfortably himself, deciding that indulging her in this was worthwhile. Casual talk with Morgan was, at the very least, enlightening as to what she was truly like when she wasn't- well- on the other end of a rampage. He still hadn't understood her sudden come on to him, either.
Kukulkan: "No way, you barely did it yesterday, and you didn't care he was drenched in sweat—you went for it anyway…" - she remarked, observing the insinuation of the witch.
Morgan Ruler: "…I hope that's not the case, seriously?" - she sighed, hoping at least they had let him shower. Though she had done it before, she still preferred things a bit more hygienic.
Tonelico could only cover her face with her hat, wishing the ground would swallow her whole from the embarrassment. However, part of her heart felt guilty about it. On an emotional level, she felt it was a betrayal to Saber, whom she loved with unwavering passion.
Morgan Ruler: "Fufufu," - she laughed darkly upon hearing that. If there was anything she enjoyed, it was seeing her foolish sister's suffering.
Angra: "…I'm getting excited," - he admitted, enjoying the sound of the witch's laughter, which was like music to his ears.
Senji: "Careful, not sure how much your class advantage will save you from this," - he advised nonchalantly while handling some materials, bored enough to keep himself busy.
Angra: "Relax, I'll just let the body do its thing," - he trusted that he could leave it all up to fate… hope is the last thing to lose.
For some reason, a few Rulers, Avengers, and others felt as if they were losing something valuable.
Gudako: "That's what Senji thought in LB6, and it didn't end well," - a dragon fairy in the crowd laughed, remembering that moment vividly.
Senji: "To be fair, that was my alternate self… this is different now," - he crossed his arms indignantly.
Gudako: "You're still reckless," - she pointed out, making the red-haired man fall silent.
Senji: "It's the body, in life I didn't—" - Musashi interrupted him.
Musashi: "Didn't you say in Shimousa that he's probably your descendant?" - with that, Senji had nothing more to add.
Senji: "…Don't ask me to repair your weapons again," - the samurai's face turned pale, terror etched on her features.
A part of his heart did feel very guilty over it, though. He understood that on an emotional level, it felt like a betrayal to Saber, whom he loved with a single-minded passion- but he also knew that he'd had very little control of the situation.
Salieri: "No wonder you ended up having sex… and probably expecting a child," - the pianist Avenger commented.
This caused Irisviel to light up with excitement at the hypothetical thought of a grandchild. Meanwhile, the Arturias looked horrified and panicked—they should have been the ones expecting, not her.
Morgan Ruler: "I doubt it. Most of the time, she'll just absorb it as mana. I hated getting pregnant, especially after that," - she pointed dismissively at Mordred, who huffed and clicked her tongue at her "mother's" words.
Upon hearing that, Irisviel's expression shifted from joy to one of cold hatred.
Irisviel: "Stay away from my family…" - she declared in a tone that made even Skadi shiver.
The witch simply ignored the threat, continuing on as if a mere Caster could do anything to someone of her power, who stood on par with the likes of Merlin.
Illya: "I've never seen Mom this angry before…" - she hugged Chloe and Miyu, both equally frightened by their mother's icy demeanor.
Irisviel was furious. If Morgan wasn't going to give her grandchildren, then she had no place near her son or any version of him. Irisviel would only accept a woman who would give her grandchildren as someone worthy of being with her son, nothing less.
Iskandar: "…" - quietly excusing himself to avoid the crossfire.
Berserklot: - trembling, and not from rage.
Cursed Arm Hassan: - praying that they wouldn't be sent to calm the situation.
He could ask for forgiveness later. And probably get beaten to hell for it, which was fine in his book
Salter: "One? If you ever tried to be unfaithful, you'd get more than just one talking-to. After that, I'd make sure you understand my point clearly." Her other versions didn't object, most agreeing silently, though Lily was the one who seemed more likely to calmly talk things out, focusing on diplomacy over brute force.
Gilfem: "Even if I can't always keep him completely satisfied, I know he'd never be unfaithful. Honestly, it's more likely that someone would cheat on Shirou than the other way around." Many nodded, understanding Emiya's nature—he was fiercely loyal, so the idea of him being the one to stray seemed laughable.
Amor (Caren): "Or, you know, someone might just take advantage of him." Boudica laughed nervously, while Nero and Gilfem smirked knowingly. Kiara wanted to smile as well but, seeing the numerous swords materializing from portals around her, decided against it.
Sasaki: "Like what happened with Angra." That comment silenced Caren, while the embodiment of the world's evils glanced around nervously, especially under the intense gaze of Bunturia, who clearly wanted answers.
DEMIYA: "Karma is a bitch." He grinned slightly, enjoying the justice of it all.
Jaguar Man: "Hey, watch your language!" she chided, playfully smacking him on the head with her staff.
DEMIYA: "Yeah, yeah, sorry... onee-chan..." He absentmindedly rubbed the spot where he was hit.
Everyone who knew the usually stoic and reserved Archer Alter was taken aback. He rarely spoke, and when he did, it was often in a mechanical, matter-of-fact tone. The casual use of such a familiar term caught them all off guard.
Not even the two albino lolis—Illya and Sitonai—were unaffected. In fact, they were more than a little... unsettled.
Jaguar Man, for her part, was equally shocked. Why did that feel so... familiar? It was as if her heart was stirred by something deep in her past. She quickly dismissed the thought, chalking it up to a coincidence, but couldn't help but feel a lingering curiosity.
Meanwhile, the two albino girls stared off into space, their expressions increasingly grim. Their smiles became more sinister with each passing moment.
Illya: "...Hey, Miyu." She placed a hand on Miyu's shoulder, squeezing just a little too tightly.
Miyu: "Ouch, that hurts, Illya..." she winced, only to freeze when she saw the look on her friend's face.
Illya: "Did he just say 'onee-chan'? Did he?" Her expression, combined with the ominous aura surrounding her, was downright terrifying.
Miyu: "Illya?!" She gasped as she saw a dark, monstrous figure form behind the albino girl, its eyes burning with rage.
Meanwhile, Sitonai stared blankly into the distance, entirely unresponsive to Kuro waving a hand in front of her face. The poor girl had completely shut down in shock.
On the other side of the room, Assassin Emiya smiled faintly at the scene. Since coming to Chaldea, something had changed within him. Usually, he showed no emotions, doubted nothing, and never smiled. But here, things were different. He felt content... he was at peace... and, more importantly, he was happy.
"Might I ask why?" His fingers, clad in his gauntlets, tapped against the arm-rest of the seat. Better to engage in conversation rather than loiter on past misdeeds.
Gudako: "Nonsense, it's better to-" She didn't finish the sentence as she was suddenly silenced by a broccoli and a beetroot being flung into her mouth, causing her to choke.
EMIYA: "That's what happens to people who don't know how to use their time wisely, wasting it on foolish things instead of focusing on their responsibilities." His gaze was stern and critical as he watched the redhead try to spit out the vegetables she was forced to swallow.
Gil Caster: "I would spend it working." He said while helping Kid Gil aim Secace at his Archer counterpart, who was trying to sleep.
Ishtar: "I'd spend it admiring and caring for my jewels." She smiled as she gazed at her precious stones.
Georgios: "Photography," he said, holding up his camera proudly.
Habetrot: "Sewing," she chimed in, pulling out a needle and thread from who knows where.
EMIYA: "Cooking or handling household chores," he remarked casually, inspecting his nails with disinterest.
Nero: "And then you wonder why people call you the perfect housewife." The sound of glass shattering echoed as Tamamo visibly deflated, surrounded by an aura of depression. "You know it's true," Nero added, glancing at the dejected fox spirit.
EMIYA: "You're banned from the kitchen for three weeks." The Roman emperor's vibrant color seemed to drain from her entire body as she realized the severity of the punishment.
Nero: "But pre-?!" She tried to protest, but the Archer cut her off.
EMIYA: "Three weeks and three days?" His calm threat made her go silent, tears welling up as she mourned the cruel, unforgiving punishment.
Everyone around felt a pang of sympathy for Nero, while Boudica, the queen of the Iceni, wore a satisfied smile. It was shaping up to be a pretty good start to the day for her.
"It means she values you." He didn't expect Morgan to be forthright, so he knew there was more to it than that, but- well- at least he knew just how far Morgan trusted him.
Quite a lot more than most, considering.
"Don't you as well?" He asked, feeling a strange sense of vindictiveness in him.
Morgan Ruler: "...You've got some nerve to say that to me, boy," she declared, though her voice barely hinted at the simmering anger she felt.
Gilfem: "He's got the guts to stand up to him," she gestured toward her male counterpart.
Medusa: "And her," she pointed at Salter, who understood the reason behind the gesture.
Arturia: "Or even intervene against his strongest treasure." She indicated Gilgamesh Archer, recalling when the redhead had saved her from the King of Heroes by invoking Avalon.
Setanta: "He's got guts to spare, like you've got lust." He added with a snarky remark.
The witch remained silent, seething with restrained fury. Was he truly as skilled as they claimed? If so, let him prove it. Let him show that he could be the perfect pawn for her to use in finally bringing down her wretched younger sister.
Morgan Ruler: "Tsk, if he's as capable as they say, then let him prove it," she cursed under her breath, her brow furrowing in visible displeasure as she glared at the redhead and his many variants in the room.
Shirou would have been appalled at himself if he hadn't grown up a little since his teenage days.
EMIYA and his alter remained silent when everyone turned to them for confirmation, neither offering any comment on what the screen had shown.
Arturia: "...", visibly indignant at the 1.54-meter reference.
Angra: "We've already seen the outcome." He pointed to Senji, who promptly threw a katana, piercing one of his arms. "The truth hurts," he added, only for another katana to pierce his other arm.
Kotarou: "You're no different," he remarked to the embodiment of evil.
Angra: "The difference is, I represent all the evil in the world." This only confused everyone further.
Abigail: "Why would being short be part of that?" she asked, baffled by his logic.
Angra: "Because evil comes in compact sizes." More than a few choked on their drinks or food as they burst into laughter, not expecting the sudden joke.
Those under 1.70 meters tall felt personally attacked, some placing a hand over their hearts in mock offense.
Despite having regained the physical traits of his younger, "stronger" self, he was still the middle-aged Atlas Alchemist, rather than the boy who had fought by Saber's side.
Gudako: "At least here, you're in your prime." She noted, remembering that Servants are summoned at their peak.
EMIYA: "Thank you for indirectly calling me young," he replied with his usual sarcastic tone.
DEMIYA: "As Counter Guardians, we don't have a fixed sense of time. In life, we died at a certain age, close to 40 for both of us," he gestured to himself and Emiya Archer, "but we remain active, given that Alaya is an atemporal force that sends us out to fulfill our contracts. So, it's likely we're either older than everyone or younger than everyone." He shrugged, uninterested, crossing his arms as he watched the screen, clearly growing bored and considering taking a nap.
His eyes trained on her once again when she didn't answer immediately, and the . . . complex . . . look that was on the Witch's face lasted for the entire rest of the carriage ride.
xxxxxx
The return to the castle had been a welcome change of pace for Shirou. The carriage and its contents put away as if it was nothing more than another thing Morgan could simply summon from thin air- he was sure her magic wasn't that advanced, but Shirou also didn't know the specifics, so it might as well have been True Magic to him.
Medea: "Nothing strange, he's a modern-day mage by my standards. Just a talentless brat," she dismissed, and many from the Age of Gods had to agree. Born in an era almost devoid of mystery and magic, he was, to them, an exceedingly mediocre mage.
Merlin: "A talentless mage... with a Reality Marble," he added, causing the Greek Caster to visibly try and calm herself after hearing her Grand Caster counterpart's remark.
Achilles: "Never thought anyone besides Jason could make her that mad so quickly," he commented, watching Merlin begin to make a hasty retreat from Medea's wrath.
Arturia: "Merlin has a PhD in making people angry," she sighed, watching her mentor with a bead of sweat trickling down her face.
Arthur: "Mine has two PhDs, apparently, if even her male counterpart reprimands her," he added, equally exasperated, with a bead of sweat running down the back of his neck.
The blonde could only sympathize with her male counterpart, while the succubus, Merlin, had a mischievous grin on her face, clearly enjoying the chaos she caused.
The real issue arose when he and the Witch walked quietly back into the greeting hall of the castle and found waiting in it, a child with blonde hair and wreathed in red clothing. Grinning with a full set of teeth that would have looked like a lion's maw if she weren't so . . . cute.
EMIYA: "I swear, I just want to squeeze those cheeks," he muttered, barely holding back from the overwhelming cuteness of tiny Mordred.
These kinds of comments were common from the Servants, and the blonde in question had a deep blush of embarrassment as she gripped Clarent tightly. It couldn't get more humiliating.
Lily: "You're so adorable as a child, Mordred!" she squealed, eyes sparkling with delight, clearly charmed by the image of the small blonde on the screen.
Mordred: (Embarrassed and happy noises at 1.54cm tall.)
The tomboyish blonde blushed harder with every comment made about her younger self.
Arturia: "Tsk," she grumbled, irritated by all the attention her rebellious knight was getting.
Arthur: "In that world, Mordred is really cute. And... no, never mind." He trailed off, watching as his daughter's head practically steamed with embarrassment.
Angra: "Looks like you've really got that motherly vibe going," he teased EMIYA, who sighed heavily in response. This wasn't the first—or the last—time he'd been referred to as "mother." Seriously, he was a man, why did they keep calling him that?
Shirou found it hard to believe that thought filled his head. Mordred. Cute. This was going to be weird, and that was -before- Morgan had quickly gone from a look of side-lined reverie and into what he could only describe as outright fury.
The redhead saw an ugly discussion when it was coming.
Gudako: "Oh boy, a nasty argument's brewing..." she muttered, seeing the tension rising.
Fergus: "This is going to get ugly..." He readied himself behind Cu, just in case.
Cu Alter: "Oi, what the hell, Fergus?!" He didn't get an answer. Several Celts quickly followed Fergus's lead, hiding behind the giant warrior for protection.
EMIYA, DEMIYA, Senji, and Angra all sensed that things were about to go south... especially for them, given their respective vessels.
FEMIYA: "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be really angry soon?" she mumbled, an ominous feeling of rage creeping up on her.
Gilgamesh, for some reason, felt a mix of excitement and fear. Something was coming that would unsettle him... and strangely, he might even like it.
"Mama!" Was the only word the little blonde got out before he felt the air shift.
The blonde in question, Mordred, after recovering, clicked her tongue in frustration. She already knew what was coming, and it annoyed her deeply. In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but think about how foolish she had been when she was alive.
Meanwhile, Morgan Ruler watched the screen indifferently. To her, Mordred was nothing more than a mere pawn, a toy she would discard once it was no longer useful.
"What. Are you doing. Out of your room." Contrary to her evasive playing and casual threats before, Morgan's fury was on full display. Shirou even felt the emanations of magical energy from her, and the way her glare settled on Mordred, Shirou knew before he did he it was about to do something equally stupid.
Mordred: tks – She clicked her tongue, clearly irritated, though deep down, the words cut into her more than she'd like to admit.
Meanwhile, Baobhan Sith had a smug smile on her face, watching her "sister" with mocking delight, convinced that someone like their mother would never waste her time on a defective tool like her.
Of course, this was just her perspective, but the reactions from the mothers in the room were another story entirely.
Raikou: … – Her expression darkened.
Boudica: … – Her hair began to sway, glowing with an ominous energy.
EMIYA: … – Without realizing it, he had started projecting Excalibur.
Tamamo-no-Mae: How can someone be so cruel? – She muttered, furious. Tamamo, who always strived to be the perfect wife, couldn't bear seeing someone treat a child like Mordred this way. The maternal instinct was strong in her, and this was causing a surge of anger.
Morgan Ruler: Hmph. That thing is nothing but a mere pawn, just a means to an end. I invested so much in her, and she ended up being nothing more than a miserable disappointment. A complete waste of time. – She spoke with a cutting tone, glaring disdainfully at the young blonde homunculus.
The room filled with tension as several servants frowned at her words, including Frankenstein, Henry, Sieg, Jeanne, Caenis, and Astolfo.
Raikou: What the hell is wrong with you?! She's your daughter, not some toy to throw away! – Raikou yelled, electricity sparking around her, her rage palpable.
Boudica: Even royalty in my nation wouldn't treat their successors like that. Family is sacred! – Her blood boiled at the sight of Morgan's behavior towards her child, and she was ready to explode.
EMIYA said nothing, but his silence only underscored his anger. He was furious, more than words could express.
FEMIYA: Now I understand why I felt like I'd get this mad. – She stood up from Gilgamesh's lap, her steps firm as she approached Morgan. Her fury was understated, but intense. The last time she had felt this level of rage was when she heard rumors about her daughter being bullied at school while people flirted with her husband and insulted her cooking. The sheer bloodlust that day was enough to terrify the entire school.
Morgan Ruler wasn't exactly worried about the other mothers' wrath. The anger of Raikou and Boudica was nothing she couldn't handle. The real problem was the fear creeping through her body from the white-haired woman—FEMIYA. The sheer amount of maternal fury emanating from her left Morgan's magical circuits screaming for her to retreat. She had never felt such raw fear before.
Irisviel was firmly on the side of her "daughter-in-law" and the others. As obsessed as she was with the idea of having grandchildren, Irisviel would never tolerate someone treating her children or potential grandchildren poorly. She would die before letting that happen.
Even EMIYA Assassin was mentally counting his bullets, preparing to put them into the witch if necessary.
Senji: You still wanna put up with her? – He asked Angra, who, unconsciously, was frowning.
Angra: Shut up, old man. – He growled, feeling a strange anger rise in him at the way Morgan had spoken about Mordred.
Senji: I'm older than you, D.C., remember? – He reminded Angra with a smirk.
Angra: …You ancient bastard. – He snarled at the demonic blacksmith, seething.
While they exchanged insults, the rest of the servants watched as FEMIYA dragged Morgan away, ready to reprimand her for her vile words.
Mash: Senpai! – Gudako, who had been eating popcorn, sighed and stood up, walking over to use her Command Seals.
After three seals...
They all found FEMIYA seated with a fuming expression, burying her face in Gilgamesh's chest as the golden king (not entirely voluntarily) stroked her hair, trying to calm her down.
EMIYA rubbed his temples in frustration, while Gilfem held his hand in quiet support. Boudica sat nearby, still simmering with anger.
Gudako: Great, now I'm out of Command Seals... – She muttered, staring at her empty hand.
Mash: I'm so sorry, Senpai! – She apologized profusely, embarrassed.
Gudako: I want your underwear as compensation! – She demanded, seizing the opportunity.
Mash: S-SENPAI! – She screamed, her face burning red with embarrassment.
That didn't stop him from taking a small, minuscule step to place himself between the homunculus and its- her. Her. He had to fight down the instinctive desire to treat Mordred the way he wanted to- maker.
Mordred: Like a filthy and simple traitor? – She spoke matter-of-factly, that's how she had been branded and remembered. There was no use complaining about it.
EMIYA: Treat you for what you are, and what you'll always be—a person. – The blonde looked at the white-haired man in surprise, still trying to calm himself while the blonde seated beside him nodded in support.
Gilfem: Not surprising, you've always been great with kids... – She recalled the incident with Taiga's child.
EMIYA: Hmp – He crossed his arms, looking away, annoyed by her comment.
Gilfem: Come on, you were the same with Taiga's kid. – The dark-skinned Archer froze when he heard that.
EMIYA: Wait... someone actually tamed the Tiger of Fuyuki!? – He was aware that in DEMIYA's case she had married, but to hear it happened again? That caught him off guard.
Gilfem: Yeah... it was a surprise for me too, honestly. – She'd be lying if she said that when she met her "sister-in-law" she wasn't shocked to know that someone managed to get her to fall in love, marry, and, above all, find someone who could put up with her.
Jaguar Man, overhearing the conversation, pouted a little at the mention of her human counterpart.
MHX Alter: DEMIYA, what are you doing? – She asked, noticing the gunman... reloading his guns?
DEMIYA: Not leaving all the work to God. – For some reason, his tone sounded like a jealous brother, which only made Sitonai and Illya's expressions grow colder and emptier.
The fact that Mordred saw comfort in hiding behind his boot-clad leg said that, even if he was about to ruin all the good will he'd built up with the Witch, he was doing the right thing.
Mordred: What are you doing? – She asked, seeing what the redhead was apparently about to do.
EMIYA: Didn't I just tell you? Regardless of whether the kid knows your story and what you did to Arturia, and regardless of his attempts to win over Morgan, he's going to help you and save you. After all, you're just another victim of all that's happened. – The blonde didn't know how to feel, but for some reason, without fully understanding why, a grateful smile formed on her face.
Clearly, she wasn't going to express her feelings properly.
Mordred: Hmph, don't think for a second I'll thank you for this… Hahaue. – The Archer's eyebrow twitched while he massaged his temples, deciding it was best to let it slide and ignore the comment.
Melusine: Look, Baobhan Sith... now you have— – She couldn't finish her sentence before she was silenced by a VERY hard slap from the red-haired fairy, who was clearly not in the mood.
Angra: Congratulations, you've unlocked the blessing that's not yours. – He couldn't miss the opportunity to poke fun at the Archer in this situation.
Gilfem: Ara. At least I'll have a new child to care for. – She wasn't going to pass up the chance to taunt both the "King of Infidelity" and the Fairy Queen. It was a perfect moment, two dragons with one shot.
Mordred: Over my dead body will you be part of my family. – No way was she going to call him father or anything like that.
Gilfem: Awww... and I was considering your input on the right of succession. – She pretended to look sadly at the floor, hiding a mischievous smile, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
Mordred: ... – She wouldn't admit it, but that offer was tempting.
Arturia: Mordred... – She couldn't believe her "son" was considering it.
Gareth: ... – Sweating nervously, seeing what her sister was contemplating.
Mordred: Of course not! – She quickly clarified, but wouldn't lie; she was still seriously thinking about it.
But the intense stare from her Chichiue was making her uneasy.
Senji: You can't deny how cute the blonde looks when she's scared like that. – He glanced at the Archer, who nodded, making the blonde lower her head in embarrassment as several Servants chimed in, agreeing with the sentiment.
EMIYA: Tell me you don't want to pinch her cheeks? – The blacksmith had to agree. Without a doubt, those cheeks were begging to be pinched as much as possible.
Boudica: Honestly, I do too. No point lying about it. – She said, slightly embarrassed, scratching her own cheek.
Raikou: I feel the same. – She admitted without shame, touching her own cheek with a soft smile and a light blush.
Kintoki, seeing his mother's smile and blush, couldn't help but shiver. He silently prayed for the poor blonde's soul.
Irisviel: I'm her grandmother, so it'll be common for me to do it, fufufu. – Mordred felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing the albino's laughter.
The blonde, hearing all the insinuations, could only bring her hands to her cheeks with a panicked look on her face, looking quite nervous.
Morgan (Ruler), meanwhile, watched from a distance, uninterested. She didn't understand what they all saw in that mere "mistake," but she wasn't going to interfere. What that thing did was no longer her concern, so she wouldn't act.
He wanted to think he had something to say, some great speech- something more than just his silent presence- but that was what happened.
He stood before Morgan Le Faye, a Witch in full grasp of her emotions, and shielded the little homunculus who, by all rights, he should have allowed to be crushed beneath the oppression of her mother.
Salter: You should've just let it hap— -she didn't finish because DEMIYA interrupted her.
DEMIYA: Banned from the kitchen for a month. -The Alter turned deathly pale, her expression quickly shifting to something cold and dangerously threatening.
Salter: What the—?! -She was interrupted again, this time by EMIYA Archer.
EMIYA: Two months. -Her face was almost ghostly white, as if her dress itself had turned pale from the fear of this terrifying punishment.
Salter: I think this is—! -Once more, she was cut off, but this time by both of them.
DEMIYA/EMIYA: Three months, three weeks, three days, three hours, thirty-three minutes, and thirty-three seconds. -They said in perfect synchronization, causing Salter to practically have a little ghost leave her mouth, as she felt herself being dragged back to the Throne.
Senji: Damn... -watching the brutal, one-sided massacre they just witnessed.
Maybe he hadn't grown up that much.
Henry: As Angra said, evil comes in small packages. -He felt the sharp edge of Clarent at his neck. - ...Sorry, forgot you had a short temper. -The blonde gripped the handle of her weapon tighter.
Mordred: COME HERE, YOU DAMN IDIOT! -She shouted, chasing after Henry to beat him into a pulp.
Henry: Your turn! -He quickly switched to Hyde, running as fast as possible to avoid the inevitable beating.
His heart hurt before he even heard the sniffles, the little blonde's fists held tight in his pant-leg. That little body shaking, and- for a minute- Shirou forgot those feelings. Mordred needed a hero- and no one else was going to step up right that moment.
Gil Caster – pausing from helping Kid Gil aim at his Archer version –: I'm feeling a serious déjà vu... -He muttered, watching what unfolded on the screen.
Arturia: Why's that? -She glanced at the wise king, curious about his sense of familiarity.
Gil Caster: Clairvoyance. -He replied, and the blonde knight nodded in understanding.
Suddenly, the image shifted again.
Merlin: Oh, for the love of—! -He grumbled, slamming the machine hard to change the scene.
[Image]
Merlin: Oh, for the love of—! -He gave the machine a hard smack to make it change.
Gil Caster: There's the déjà vu. -He recalled that vision perfectly from a past Christmas.
Of course, this left everyone feeling uncomfortable with what they had just seen. Honestly speaking, even though Mordred, the Knight of Treachery, wasn't a child, the situation was almost identical. It was hard to watch.
Mordred, after finishing her "massacre" of Assassin, dropped her head, her hair casting a shadow over her eyes. Whether as a child or not, she was never able to accomplish anything, and now she felt... maybe it wasn't even worth trying anymore.
EMIYA: ... -He let out a long, heavy sigh of frustration.
Gilfem: I know you well enough to know you're going to do something. -She got up to approach the blonde knight.
EMIYA nodded at the queen's remark and stood up from his seat. His gaze fell upon the various Arturias, who immediately felt a deep chill and a sharp pain from his glare.
EMIYA: Based on what I've seen, and knowing this is perfectly plausible in more than one situation due to her complete incompetence in emotional and parental matters, from now on, no Arturia is allowed in the cafeteria. -He declared firmly, and the room fell into a deep, oppressive silence. It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
Arturias: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
There was a collective wail of despair from every blonde in the room, echoing into the air. None of them could believe what had just happened. They couldn't process it. Each one hoped, prayed, and desperately wished this was nothing but a vile, terrifying nightmare.
Scathach: ...Even I'm not that cruel. -The remaining Celtic warriors nodded; even one of her punishments wasn't as severe or terrifying as what the red archer had just declared.
Arthur: Good thing I know how to cook… -He murmured, relieved to avoid starving, knowing he could fend for himself.
Arturia: Boudica-sama, please say something! -She pleaded desperately with her predecessor, but the Celtic queen turned a deaf ear to her cries.
She wanted to think there was something to say, some grand speech, anything beyond her silent presence, but that's exactly what happened—nothing.
At that moment, Arturia understood... she was alone in this, completely abandoned and helpless in the face of what was to come.
EMIYA remained resolute and firm in his decree, and not even the pleading looks from the various versions of Arturia caused him to waver.
Tamamo-no-Mae: ...I've never seen him this angry before, not even when the squirrel accidentally broke his favorite knife. -She felt her ears and tails fluffing up with fear.
Nero: ...Not even my Imperial Privilege can save me from his wrath, can it? -She asked Tamamo, who shook her head, causing the Roman empress to shudder.
Without another word, EMIYA returned to his seat, only to feel the eyes of Boudica on him.
EMIYA: Something to say, Queen of Iceni? -He asked, addressing her formally, which she knew meant he was dead serious.
Boudica: No, nothing to add or ask. -She raised her hands in a gesture of calm, signaling she wouldn't interfere.
The red archer nodded, turning back to the screen where Merlin had finally managed to fix the machine. Suddenly, a shadow fell over him.
EMIYA: ...Seriously? -He asked Gilfem, who had settled back on his lap. -What the hell did you do now? -He demanded, seeing that she now had Mordred in her arms—though it was a much younger version of Mordred, looking no older than five.
Gilfem: I adopted her. Now we have a daughter. -She beamed brightly, cradling the small blonde in her arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
EMIYA/Boudica: ... -Neither of them could find the words for what they were witnessing.
Arturias: ... -In total shock, not only had their queen been stolen, but now their "bastard" child too… Fine, take the child, but not their queen!
Arthur: ... -He couldn't believe this was actually happening.
Merlin: ... -His student had just lost her partner... again. What a surprise, truly.
Morgans: ... -None of them could believe what they were seeing either.
Irisviel: Well done! Now I just need 10 more, multiplied by 15. -The albino woman nodded approvingly, while EMIYA turned pale as a sheet.
Gilfem: You can count on it, Mother. I'll give you even more than that. -She grinned, her eyes predatory as she glanced at the various versions of Shirou in the room.
Angra/Senji: We're not even part of the kid's family... -They mumbled, hoping to escape this.
Irisviel: You use my son's body, so you're part of the family. -She declared, leaving the two speechless.
Gudako: And you might even be his ancestor, Muramasa. -She pointed at the redhead, who glared at her in response.
Kotarou: I still wonder who would even marry someone like Senji-san. -He mused aloud, earning a light smack from Katou Danzo for the comment, to which he apologized with a sheepish glance at his "mother."
The albino woman, Irisviel, smiled gleefully.
Shirous: ... -They all knew they wouldn't get out of this one unscathed.
Irisviel: And I expect the same from you. -She added, looking at FEMIYA, who nodded dutifully.
Gilgamesh: ... -The color drained from his face.
EMIYA Assassins: ... -He busied himself reloading all his weapons and sharpening his knives.
Arthur: ... -He gripped his sword tighter.
Kid Gil: -He shot Secace, but missed the target.
Gil Caster: Damn it... -He cursed for botching the shot.
The bullet struck one of Gilgamesh's golden earrings, knocking it to the floor with a bullet hole through it.
Why wasn't the golden king throwing a fit? Simple. He didn't have the strength to do so. The woman clearly knew exactly what she was doing.
Morgan (Ruler): "...What am I feeling?" -For some reason, she felt strange.
Even if redirecting those irate green eyes to himself seemed the most unwise thing in the world at that moment. Shirou could only smile somewhat sadly.
Angra: Setting aside the situation... -He shifted uneasily.
Salieri: "They're lighting up the Evil..." -He mentally chuckled, noticing what was happening with Angra.
Shakespeare: Ohhh, the drama, the tragedy, the honor! The lament of a fallen hero seeking to protect his beloved from her tragic fate, now defending the very thing that was the downfall of the one he loved the most, even if it meant his own reunion plan would be ruined! -He dramatized, envisioning what could be the greatest love story he'd ever written, one destined to be the pinnacle of his career.
Hans: Don't forget his luck. -The other Caster nodded, realizing he had indeed forgotten that key detail. Surely, thanks to the hero's terrible luck, this story would transform into something even greater: drama, chaos, comedy, tragedy, mystery. He could already see it; his magnum opus was taking form right here and now.
Why weren't any of the Arturias saying anything? They were all still in shock that their beautiful, perfect, sensual queen had banned them from the kitchen until further notice... not even Lily was spared.
EMIYA: Oh, right… Only Lily is allowed to enter the kitchen whenever she wants. She actually cares about Mordred. -He remembered that among the blondes, Lily was the one who adored the homunculus the most.
Now, all the other Arturias, except for Lily, were indignant, hurt, and offended.
Lily: -sighs in relief, at 1.54m-
More than one person was sweating after EMIYA displayed his favoritism for the smaller, white-garbed version of Saber.
That stare bore into him, and he was sure that if Morgan could kill him with a stare- or at least remembered the ability to do so- he would have flopped over in that moment. But, just like with Berserker before-
He stood stalwart. Right then, if he wasn't going to be a Hero of Justice, he'd at least be the Hero these two needed. Even if Morgan didn't know she needed it, and Mordred would only eventually repay him with pain for the effort.
Morgans: ...Eh? -They blinked, unable to process what had just been said.
Arturia: ...Eh? -Frozen, her face reflected her shock at what had just happened.
Mordred: ...Eh? -The little blonde had no idea what the screen was talking about.
Even if Morgan didn't know she needed it, and Mordred would eventually only repay him with pain for his efforts...
Ushiwakamaru: ...Is he seriously trying to save her despite everything? -She couldn't believe the boy would actually do such a thing.
Medusa: He's a foolish boy… don't expect him not to try. -She calmly watched the screen, already predicting that the boy would do everything in his power to save them, just as he had done with his Master once before, even when it would have been better to kill her instead.
"Move." Finally, she spoke words again, and Shirou- knowing it was foolhardy- shook his head. Those eyes narrowed again, and he knew that he was treading a set of waters that would likely end in his death if he wasn't careful.
"Not when you're angry." His lips formed the words, and he barely had the chance to bring up an arm as she brought up an arm and he was sure she was about to blast him. His ears shut out the child quivering behind him for the moment. They were in close quarters, he could take Morgan without something to guard her-
The small blonde in the arms of the Queen of Heroes gazed up at the redhead with sparkling eyes. He was protecting her from her mother, like a hero, like a knight, like the stories told about King Arthur. She never thought someone like him could shield her from her mother.
Morgan Ruler: You have a lot of courage to say that... -She had to admit it; that boy truly had guts to confront her at that moment, especially while protecting that useless pawn she had.
Angra: With someone incompetent in the realm of motherhood, it's not surprising. -He didn't even know why he said it; it just slipped out.
Hessian Wolf: ...grrrr? -He looked at the other Avengers.
Salieri: Yeah... he said it. -He watched, knowing that the boy was digging his own grave.
Gorgona: ...Where does he get so much courage? -She asked incredulously, witnessing what the Persian had just done.
As the weakest Servant, he usually didn't provoke others, except for lighthearted jokes without the intent of battle. But now, he was openly mocking and ridiculing the witch with all the malice he embodied.
Angra: Go to hell! -He said, annoyed, crossing his arms and grumbling under his breath. This wasn't coming from him willingly; it was his body reacting. Damn kid.
Astarte: Hai hai, whatever you say, Angra. -She didn't believe anything he said.
But that wouldn't change anything. In fact, it'd probably just urge an even uglier path. Shirou hated the fact that he also knew that he didn't want to raise his arm against a woman he was . . .
Growing oddly fond of. Ugh, feelings were difficult.
Setanta: What, does she want to kill you and desecrate, or does she want to kill you and not desecrate? -It was unclear.
Lily: We could have reached an agreement and simply shared it... -she murmured in annoyance, watching as her sister attempted to kill her future queen.
Morgan Ruler, having heard this, turned her head toward her sister's version, who had started training with the selection sword.
Merlin: Just so you know, I have nothing to do with this -he could already see that he was going to be blamed.
Morgan quickly shot a deadly glare at the Grand Caster, who merely sighed, knowing he wasn't going to be believed again.
Draco: Honestly, he's telling the truth. For a while now, he's been saying that, and this time the perverted old man has nothing to do with it -he had to agree with Merlin this time, causing Morgan Ruler to freeze. Was it not Merlin's fault?! That made no sense in her mind.
Merlin: ...what do you mean "old man?!" -he exclaimed, offended; he might have thousands of years under his belt, but he still felt fresh as a lettuce.
However, he received no response from anyone, making his indignation grow even more than it already was.