Hi! Lugal kug-ga here! I am a long time reader but a first time writer.
Imma say this now, I own nothing of the originals portrayed in this fic, I'm merely making an iteration.
And should you see some similarities with other fanfic Authors, it might be because I've…. copied it. Or took some parts of their works and incorporated it in mine. So, credits to them.
Enough of the boring A/N and onwards to the story.
I've committed to finishing this work, should it stop updating for a year, I've probably self deleted. So, sit back, enjoy, and review!
—The World of Unlimited Blades —
Kotomine felt himself awakened by several voices. As his eyelids flutter open, he ends up staring straight at a Reptilian face full of Sharp teeth and red scales.
Immediately rolling over then jumping to gain some distance, he stopped in a crouched position with several black keys on his hands.
As he looked up at the Towering Dragon a voice spoke. "I see you're still lively."
It was Archer, with his arms crossed he stood at the foot of the Red Dragon.
Seeing him, then looking around, it dawned on him that he was now on the World of blades. At that revelation, his tense nerves became relaxed and approached the duo.
" Well, waking up and being face to face with a dragon is bound to startle someone." He said, before stopping a hand's distance from Archer, who gave an amused huff.
Looking up at the Red Dragon, he introduced himself.
" My name is Shirou Kotomine, forgive me for my earlier behavior."
The Dragon answered with an expression akin to a smile. " And Veldaruin is mine. Do not worry, I understand."
"So? Do you have any explanation on what happened to me?" Kotomine asked As he turned to look at Archer.
" It was the counter force." Archer said with a shrug.
"...can you elaborate?" Kotomine voiced.
"It's best you don't dwell on it anymore than that. Just know that you are there for a reason. And I think you already know what it is." Archer answered.
" …the Holy Grail War." Kotomine said after a thoughtful expression.
" Exactly." This time it was Veldaruins voice that answered. " Though I think it may also be related to it. "
Kotomine now furrowed his brows.
" I see…" he murmured.
Veldaruin and Archer merely watched as Kotomine pondered. After a few minutes Kotomine finally spoke.
" So, any suggestions? Considering you're more familiar with this Counter force thing."
"Eliminate And Annihilate any and everything." Archer said with a grin. His words made Kotomine give him a flat stare.
"As much as I have no objections to doing just that, I don't even know if I could take on two Servants on my own." He said with an equal flat tone. " And I would like to avoid doing just what you said if possible. The pope really hasn't given that kind of Authority."
" Hmmm, the burial agency huh?" Veldaruin voiced.
"What of it?" Kotomine wondered why Veldaruin would have an interest in them.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking they really are a monster in their own right." At that, Kotomine gave a wry smile.
" Yeah. Even I sometimes wondered why or how I even became one of them." He answered.
" Well, the universe has its reasons, as for what, it's best not to question it, oppose it or go along with it, but don't question it" Veldaruin Said in cryptic words.
As the three became quiet, another materialized, grabbing the three's Attention.
It was a tall man with long red hair that reached below his chest and Reptilian eyes of molten gold, wearing armor, with his cape draped upon his shoulders.
"Hmmm? I thought you were having fun playing in the water with your followers? What brings you here?" Archer asked. The Man just clicked his tongue as he scowled at the grinning archer, but didn't answer. Instead turning towards Kotomine he spoke.
"Hmm, so there's another? I'm Ardeat Valona, previously I was Shirou Emiya." Introducing himself, he turned to Archer who scoffed.
".. what?" Ardeat asked.
"Valona? Seriously?" Archer said with a mocking grin.
Being riled up by his words, he clenched his fists, but unclenched them a minute later as he forced himself to calm down.
Kotomine, seeing him calmed down, also introduced himself.
"I have a concern." He spoke, turning to Archer.
" There was this force that suddenly appeared trying to suck me earlier, but it disappeared as quickly…it kind of reminded me of how you were summoned by the —."
" You don't have to worry about it anymore, it's already been taken care of. It was just a slight mishap on my end." Archer said, interrupting Ardeat, who merely stared at Archer in Silence in response to his words.
Pointing his chin towards Kotomine, he continued.
" He's the only one and the first who got pulled, and I've taken measures to prevent some of it happening again."
Ardeat then turned towards Kotomine in Curiosity, asking how it happened and was surprised when the boy explained how he died before waking up on the other side of the planet. After several minutes of talking, Ardeat and Kotomine decided to return.
But before they left, Archer spoke.
"Well, Ardeat could take your place if both of you agreed. Considering that Ardeat might have been supposed to be the one sent to your place, if you didn't kick the bucket."
His words made the two have a thoughtful expression, before Kotomine turned to Ardeat.
"... can I ask for your help then?"
Ardeat gave Kotomine a smile as he answered.
"Of course kid, you can count on me. And considering Archer And Veldaruin could see our lives as if watching TV, I'll come check from time to time."
With that the two of them disappeared.
"Hmmm? Does the Kotomine boy know he's in a different timeline?" Veldaruin wondered out loud.
Archer merely gave a Shrug in response.
—Shirou Kotomine POV—
Shirou jolted up from the bed as he finally woke up, his body aching from phantom pains, Shirou's eyes immediately sharpened as he surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Now, where is this?" Shirou wondered to himself as he glanced at the bed he was lying on, the bookshelves at the opposite side of the room, and the ornate lights that hung on the ceiling. memories then of what had happened before he blacked out and appeared in the world of blades came back to him
The entire scene was madness, there were multiple Servants together battling against each other to the death. There was also more than one Servant per Class in this Grail War, an oddity that Shirou has never heard before … not that he has ever heard of such a thing called a Grail War before from the Church's archives, and it seemed even his adopted father participated in one.
Standing up, Shirou's feet suddenly wobbled in place as Shirou was quickly forced to hold on to a nearby shelf to stabilize himself. Shirou furrowed his brows at his body's obviously frail state as he mustered whatever strength he could to continue walking.
"Why am I like this?" Shirou thought absentmindedly to himself when Shirou all of the sudden was swiftly brought back to an unpleasant memory of …
Spears, or more like, huge iron stakes.
Yes, stakes of different sizes and kinds shot out through the insides of his body, skewering him where it was impossible for any man or normal mage to live.
However … Shirou immediately lifted up his new white shirt that replaced his prior torn up school uniform to find his skin completely bandaged on the entirety of his torso. Gingerly peeling off one end of it, Shirou saw that he was completely healed, it seemed like whoever took him had the means to heal, through magecraft he supposed.
Patting back down his shirt, Shirou then tried to stretch as his legs began to decrease in numbness and increase in mobility. Treading lightly over to the wooden white door in front of him, Shirou slowly turned the doorknob as he created a small sliver of opening for him to see what was outside.
Darting his eyes right and left, Shirou decided to find the owner of the mansion. If his guess was correct this might be the castle he saw the night before the encounter. It seemed like it really was a residence of the second owner, or a Magus family.
Walking through the hallways while turning left and right around the curbs, Shirou came to a halt as he swiftly backtracked a couple of steps backward before gazing intensively at the wall decoration beside him.
"That is one really nice sword," Shirou murmured thoughtfully to himself as he continued to eye at the masterpiece that seemed to glint under the chandelier's shining lights above.
Suddenly, a flurry of chattering and a hurrying of footsteps approached Shirou's direction rapidly. Shirou's brow furrowed at the sound and without thinking he immediately grabbed the door closest to him and entered, blinking at his actions he then shook his head, he decided to just observe for a bit before looking for the master of the castle.
As he pressed his ears against the wooden barrier.
"Rider has escaped with the homunculus!" a voice cried out as the hurried steps passed by the room Shirou was in.
"Where are they heading?"
"They are heading down the hill straight for the forest, report to Lord Darnic immediately!"
More scurrying and rushing of footsteps resounded the hallway when finally everything came to a silence after a couple of long seconds.
Shirou tilted his head at the words of what seemed to be guards. A homunculus? Was there a breach of security? And Rider…..
It can't be … Shirou's expression grew serious. It couldn't be, was the master of this castle involved in the Holy Grail war? If so, why did they help and nurse him? It can't be that they are trying to get the Church to give them some favor is it?
"Who are you?" a feminine voice resonated from behind him with a confused yet demanding voice.
It was the presence he sensed earlier when he entered, though now that he was close he could sense that the presence was not alone, turning around Shirou was met with a sight of a girl in a wheelchair looking at him with curiosity as she made her way towards him.
"It's you," the girl stated as if confirming her own thoughts. "You were the one Saber saved."
"So I was right, huh?" Shirou stated confirming his earlier conjecture.
"Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia," the girl named Fiore introduced herself as she extended her hand in front of Shirou, gesturing for him to shake it.
Shirou gracefully took the hand and gave it a firm shake before releasing it. "Shirou Hortensia Kotomine" Shirou introduced himself
"Kotomine?" Fiore asked with a tilt of her head before continuing. " Are you perhaps related to the church?" She asked, now with a cautious tone.
Shirou, puzzled at her tone, answered.
"... yes, is something the matter?"
Fiore, seeing his puzzled expression, instead asked a question.
" Do you not know the current events?"
" What events? Sorry, if it's the Grail war, the church never informed me that there was one taking place. But I know what a Grail War is, if you're asking."
Fiore just continued to give Shirou a stare with her brows Furrowing at his words.
Shirou was about to inquire again when the second presence made itself known. As an odd distorting sensation invaded Shirou's body.
"So you really were a Master?" Shirou stated , now with a serious expression, no longer looking straight at the girl's face who was still seated in her mobile wheelchair.
Like particles dancing in the air, the molts of blue mana in the form of brilliant glistening light manifested a figure to reveal a man in what Shirou presumed as his early thirties with long golden hair that reached to his chest.
"I am surprised you noticed me," the Servant chuckled as he gave a warm smile.
"A Servant," Shirou said evenly with a serious expression. What can get any worse than to be stuck together in a closed space with a servant that may or may not have the intention of harming him.
"He can sense you?" Fiore murmured in thought as she placed her hand on her chin in pensive thought. "How interesting."
"As you may have guessed, boy," the Servant continued. "Fiore here is my Master and I am her Servant, Archer."
Looking straight at the man's calculative gaze, Shirou narrowed his. Those eyes that can stare intensely at their target for hours on end is only a skill an Archer can perform with pinpoint accuracy.
"so, what happens now, the church is a neutral faction, and acts as an Overseer to the Grail War. Are you planning on harming a member of the church?" Shirou tentatively inquired, his nerves now, tensing ready to react to any sudden action against him.
The Master and Servant just stared at him, before Fiore spoke.
"You really have no idea do you?" She said her words, increasing the questions in his head. Before sy sighed and continued, " We are known in the war as the Black Faction."
"Black Faction," Shirou repeated under his breath in thought. This was new. "Why is it a Faction?" Shirou asked.
"I supposed I can explain this to you seeing how you really have no knowledge of the current events and have unwittingly dragged yourself into the Grail War," Fiore smiled before switching to a more calm yet serious expression.
"The Great Holy Grail War began when our patriarch, Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia, declared the Greater Grail is in Yggdmillennia's possession and decreed a secession from the Mage's Association immediately afterward. This separation caused an uproar which paved the way to the Great Holy Grail War created by the Grail itself." twitching his brows at the information that she said, which contradicted his own from what he learned in the Church's archives, but he stayed silent opting to listen.
"The Great Holy Grail War consists of two factions, the Black Faction and the Red Faction. The Black Faction being composed of the magi lineage of Yggdmillennia and the Red Faction being composed of men from the Mage's Association."
Shirou was already disliking where the direction of this conversation was heading.
"Each faction usually has seven Servants from each individual class, totaling fourteen Servants. But it seemed another Servant had been summoned by the grail as a neutral party by the Class name, Ruler."
"Ruler?" Shirou questioned.
Fiore nodded. "Yes, sent by the Grail to oversee the War, and make sure all factions follow the rules. They are Servants who have been summoned because there's no wish that they desire for themselves."
All this Shirou is hearing is very much different from the Usual Grail War that he knew about.
"What happens when a faction comes out victorious?" Shirou inquired.
"Then the winning faction then battle among themselves for the sole victor in order to wish upon the Holy Grail."
Shirou nodded in understanding. At least the basic and foundational principles of this Grail War is largely similar to the one he was familiar with.
Shirou now had a thought full expression, he wondered why Fiore didn't mention what stance the church took in response to this, he can't believe that they would leave this lying down, it's either the church was a Neutral Party which merely acts as Overseer along with the ruler, or they were a part of the red Faction, but his musings were interrupted by the Servants voice.
"Master, Lancer has summoned all Servants to pursue Rider," Archer suddenly spoke.
Fiore nodded, "I've heard it too," Fiore replied before turning her head back to Shirou. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer, but I have some business to attend to."
Shirou nodded in understanding. If Shirou had to guess, it had to be something about the escaped homunculus from what he had heard earlier.
"I'll see you later then," Shirou spoke as he opened the door to allow Fiore easy exit.
Nodding her head in thanks, Fiore and her Servant, Archer, left the door quickly at Lancer's command.
Once the door was closed, Shirou Sighed at the turn of events. Left alone in the room, he can't help his eyes darting around which surveyed the room.
Larger than any room in the church in Kurikami, Shirou found himself admiring the nice spacious chamber despite it not fitting his own personal preferences. Walking over to the window and out to the outdoor balcony, Shirou glanced at the far-out horizon as he surveyed over at the deceivingly quiet green forest.
Shirou had heard it himself earlier.
The men here at the castle are uniting their efforts in an attempt to capture a homunculus and Rider who had escaped alongside him. Shirou knew most mages viewed homunculi, manufactured beings from magecraft, as nothing more than a tool for their own purposes, to be honest even the church does too.
But from what Shirou can gather at Archer and Fiore's short exchanges, why would they go to such great lengths to capture a homunculus that they are even willing to send in all the Servants present out for a manhunt? Isn't that overkill?
And to further complicate things, of all the Servants that escaped with the homunculus, it was the Servant Rider. Shirou knew the Rider he fought against the last time he was conscious was definitely not a part of the Black Faction, or in other words, Yggdmillennia.
The fact that that Rider fought against both Saber and Berserker in whom the man named Darnic commanded to action proved and supported that fact. Therefore, it only left the pink-haired "girl" who is also a Rider Class Servant as the very person who escaped alongside the homunculus.
"But her?" Shirou thought pensively. She didn't seem to be that massive of a threat to warrant these many Servants in the manhunt.
Disregarding the questions running through his jumbled mind, Shirou decided the only way for him to make sure that no innocent lives were involved, Shirou needed to be there to witness the entire spectacle and understand what's going on. And if necessary, clean up after and hide the evidence of what happened. That's what the church does anyway.
Approaching the edge of the outdoor balcony Shirou looked down at the looming castle several stories high.
"Hmm, it's quite a drop." He said before hopping on top of the railings.
Reinforcing himself, he jumped. Using the castle walls in order to dampen his fall as the cold night Wind passed by his face he watched as the ground neared. Positioning himself, he landed in a crouched position, much like how a cat would land. Then, he dashed.
"INTRUDER!"
He could hear shouts from behind, possibly from the guards.
Zigzagging right and left through the dense foliage as Shirou weaved through bushes and feeble branches heeding to make a small amount of noise as possible, Shirou dashed towards the direction of the concentration of several magical energies.
As he arrived he came to a sudden halt, then Shirou blinked a couple of times in wonderment as he looked at the group of people right in front of him. Saber was pointing his sword at the pink-haired Rider in the distance while another man which Shirou had never seen before is slowly approaching a … child?
What's going on?
"Yo." Shirou waved at them with his signature Executor smile after a prolonged silence as he proceeded to approach with slow steps.
"What are you doing here?!" a blonde-haired man dressed in regal white military clothes spoke. His chubby physique indicates to Shirou that he must be a wealthy man, most likely from the castle he just left. Or in other words, an individual working for the Black Faction if he is not a Master himself already.
"Hmmm? " Shirou gave a smile. How was he supposed to answer that? Should he tell him he jumped out of the castle from the outside then tumbled his way in the forest after a group of guards was – and still – chasing him? Even Shirou himself had the common sense to not utter this kind of information.
Glancing to the man's hand, Shirou saw a set of red command seals on the back of it, signifying he was a Master of this war. And if Shirou had to guess, he had to be the Master of Saber who is here accompanying him.
"You're the Master of Saber, I'm guessing," Shirou began the conversation with an indirect question.
"You're the one Saber brought back," the man noted with a scowl. "What do you want?" the man proceeded to ask, urgency clearly laced in his voice for some reason as he continued to glance at the seated kid panting by the tree trunk. The child is clearly fatigued.
Shirou hummed in pensive thought. "Now?" Shirou asked. "I was wondering where the escaping homunculus with Rider is …" Shirou trailed off as he veered his eyes over to Rider then back at the panting kid who looked like he had just witnessed a near-death experience and was running for his life.
Shirou's face lit up in realization. How could he have not noticed it earlier?
"That's him, isn't he?" Shirou asked with a smile as he pointed at the brown-haired child.
The Master nodded his head professionally in answer as he resumed his approach at the child homunculus while the homunculus widened his eyes in fear at the Master.
"Wait," Shirou stopped what was going on with a word as the Master veered his head over at Shirou with a face of disdain.
"Why are you catching the homunculus?" Shirou asked as he squinted his eyes. There's something more to the situation than he knew nothing of.
"It's none of your business!" the Master shouted in anger as he waved his hands to gesture for Shirou to get out of here.
Shirou stepped forward as he closed in the space between the homunculus and the Master, if the homunculus was necessary for some of the black factions' plans, he's not going to let what would be the equivalent of helping the enemy happen.
"What's going to happen to it?" Shirou changed his question as he fixed his eyes at the European Master with a gaze that conveyed he's not going to tolerate any lies, with a smile that gave the man shivers.
"Get out of th—"
"Answer me," Shirou said calmly, never once relenting his eyes away from the man.
The Master eyed Shirou a second longer before indulging him with an answer. "The homunculus is a tool created by the family of Yggdmillennia for the sole sake of being used for the noble phantasm of one of our servants."
Shirou nodded his head in understanding. As he thought, it really was the case, it's fortunate that this Master was confident in his position that he was willing to answer Shirou with confidence, albeit the answer was brief, it was more than enough.
"In that case, I'm afraid I won't let you take it with you," Shirou spoke frankly.
The man spat out with displeasure at Shirou's words before glancing to his left. It was clear that Saber was currently preoccupied with Rider, therefore making him incapable of coming to his aid. Then that left …
"He's here!" a voice resounded through the forest.
Shirou turned his head to the side as he gazed past the dense foliage to see a group of men ranging over twenty people heading his way with bows and arrows, swords, and halberds in their hands. All of them were wearing the same white attire and having the same face according to their gender. They were without a doubt a homunculi squad if you could call it that.
"That was fast," Shirou noted with a frown. At least faster than he expected, it seems like the homunculi didn't bother taking their time finding him.
One by one, the homunculus emerged out of the thick foliage as they stepped into the clearing, the moonlight shining down on them while the clouds drifted through the night sky, periodically blocking the light.
"About time!" the blonde-haired Master spat out. "Get that homunculus!"
The homunculi approached closer while baring their weapons in front of them as they formed a semi-circle around everybody.
"We are here to capture the intruder, Master Gordes Musik Yggdmillennia," a male homunculus spoke monotonously and without a trace of emotions.
"Intruder?" Gordes gave a scowl.
All the homunculi present subtly nodded in answer as they pointed their weapons at Shirou. "Him, Master."
Gordes looked over at Shirou dumbfounded. "What do you mean he's an intruder, you useless tools?!" Gordes shouted with rage as he pointed with boiling fury at the homunculi. "Capture the homunculus now!"
Gordes would have liked the homunculi to capture the weird red-headed boy blocking his path to esteemed pride and honor. However, it was his very own Servant, Saber, who had saved the boy somehow from certain death. Even Gordes, a first-rate magus, is unable to explain to himself how it was possible for the red-headed man to heal from his severely sustained injuries that ran across through the entirety of his body. And because of all these facts, simply eliminating an annoying obstacle became all the more complicated to Gordes.
All twenty-seven of Shirou's Magic Circuits lit up at once as the green neon glow extended from his arms and towards his fingertips as he reinforced his body once more.
Several black keys manifested themselves firmly into his grip as Shirou shifted his legs and weight into a battle ready position.
"You—!" Gordes eyes widened in recognition of seeing the black keys.
His reaction was more than enough for Shirou to determine what Faction the Church is on.
All the homunculi without hesitation advanced forward at their target until the sound of hooves and a group of people walking approached them.
"Stop!" a voice commanded with unwavering authority as all the homunculi soldiers present immediately halted their movement.
Shirou shifted his concentrated gaze from the group of homunculi to what was behind. Now in front of Shirou was a hazy outline of a figure on a stallion as the mane of the horse ruffled in the midnight breeze while the fog settled in on the ground as if flowing and ebbing in the forest lands.
Coming out of the thicket and right before everybody as he sat straight in his saddle with eyes and composure that spoke of a merciless king, the Servant before Shirou gazed down at everybody with cold and calculating eyes.
Following behind and right beside the supreme Servant were the rest of the other Servants and Masters. Shirou was able to identify right on the spot Rider's Master; Caster and his Master; the patriarch of the Yggdmillennia family, Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia; Archer and his Master who introduced herself to Shirou as Fiore; and lastly, there was Berserker and a guy beside the one-horned girl Servant who Shirou assumed as Berserker's Master.
All that's left is … Assassin.
Shirou subtly scanned his surroundings as his senses honed in around him for anything unusual. For all Shirou knew, all this could ultimately be a trap for the Assassin to kill and attack him. Shirou quickly shot down the idea in his mind the moment it popped into his head. He was thinking too much.
The Servants here could much more easily kill him now if they were to all attack him together. He might stand a chance if he was fighting one or two, but, all four? He might not even be able to escape.
"Shirou?!" a surprised gasp could be heard in the deadly silence as Shirou nodded his head in acknowledgment at Fiore.
"Hi, Fiore," Shirou greeted with a warm smile. "It seems like we've met again."
Fiore didn't answer Shirou's comment as she remained silent, probably not knowing how to reply to such a weird greeting in the midst of everybody present.
"Is this the homunculus, Caster?" the ruler on horseback asked in a cool voice.
The man with an odd-looking metal mask turned his head to face the ruler who addressed the question. "Yes, that is him."
"you won't be taking him." Shirou loudly interrupted the exchange of conversation as he stared at the group of Servants and Masters in front of him intensely.
Silence reigned in the forest at the sudden uttered words as the man on horseback eyed Shirou emotionlessly yet with interest and a glare after his eyes landed on the blades on his hands. while the Caster simply turned his head in Shirou's direction, his mask not betraying what he felt.
"Isn't he …?" The boy beside Berserker who had brown hair and blue eyes stared at Shirou with a mixture of surprise and disbelief as he trailed off.
The ruler shifted his unforgiving gaze from Shirou to the person beside Shirou's position off in the distance where Saber is still pointing his sword's end at Rider.
"Saber," the ruler raised his voice in demand. "Explain. What has transpired here?"
Saber dutifully nodded as he lowered his sword while Rider gave a relieved sigh. "He is the one who fought against the Rider of Red and saved Berserker and me from certain death." Saber began, explained stoically.
"Well, I wouldn't go that far. But, you could say, I was not in the know with the situation yet …" Shirou spoke under his breath as he gave his signature smile.
He didn't fend off the Rider Class Servant during the fight, he was completely crushed by the ridiculously powerful Servant whose power is unlike any he has seen before. And in Shirou's defense regarding helping the Black faction, the Berserker of red attacked him first, it can't be helped that he would regard them as the enemy.
The ruler subtly nodded in understanding. "I understand. Then…" "I'm a priest." Shirou said with a grin as the ruler fixed his unnerving emotionless eyes at Shirou as Shirou met his gaze with his own, he didn't mind confessing now despite the threat of being killed by several servants, if what he read on The ruler is true then he would be let free.
"Then Priest. I will allow you two favors in lieu of helping two of our colleagues. One, your trespass to our base shall be forgotten and two you are allowed to leave with your life. However," mana began to form around the ruler, showing an intense killing intent, "if you stand before us once more, then consider your life forfeit!"
Shirou lifted his blades a little higher defensively as he eyed the ruler. "Then, I thank you for your hospitality." Shirou spoke with confidence.
"But, the homunculus goes with me!" Shirou finished as he gave a grin towards the Black Faction audaciously. "Shirou Hostensia Kotomine! An Executor of the Burial Agency, at your Service. I'm duty bound to follow the Church's rules." Shirou" ended coolly.
A tense silence reigned in the forest, several of the Master's eyes widened as recognition of what Shirou spoke sunk in.
But Darnik had an unreadable expression.
" Burial Agency? I've never heard of their members being replaced. and your name. The one I know who bears that name was a member of the eighth Sacrament and does not have red hair." Darnik asked, looking straight at Shirou with his sharp eyes.
" …I'm a reserved Eighth member, no wonder you've never heard of me. And I don't know any other Kotomine other than my deceased adoptive Father, who was a Member of the Eighth Sacrament." Shirou answered, his gaze sharp surveying any movement they made.
The Silence returned once more and the tension rose.
But, As Shirou shifted his legs ever so slightly while the dirt made an agonizingly slow crunching sound in the wake of battle. Mana slowly began to gather threateningly in the forest grounds when …
"Stop!" a voice cried out from their side as everyone whirled their head to the source of noise.
In front of Shirou, was a girl in splendor glory as she placed her hand by a tree trunk as if supporting her balance before making her way towards them. Blinking his eyes a couple times, Shirou's mouth slowly gaped open at the awestriking sight. Gowned in blue, silver armor and fabric, the woman before Shirou had braided blonde hair and blue eyes with a metallic headdress to compliment her looks.
"Ruler?!" Gordes exclaimed in shock.
Ruler? Shirou frowned at the thought. Wasn't the Ruler Class Servant supposed to be the Overseer of this Great Holy Grail War? If so, why is she here involving herself openly like this?
The said woman nodded her head in confirmation as she made her way into the space between the two groups.
"I am Ruler, tasked to be in charge of this Holy Grail War."
"Ruler," the man who stood beside the Servant on horseback named Darnic repeated stoically in thought.
"Why have you come?"
Ruler glanced at Shirou for a second as Shirou met her split-second gaze with a questioning look, not sure what she was looking for as he continuously stood defensively in place.
"Even the Holy Grail Wars have rules," Ruler began with a peaceful expression as she spoke. "This man is not a participant of the Grail War, am I right?"
Ruler asked as she pointed at Shirou.
"Hmm?" Shirou couldn't help but think about the sudden appearance of absolute authority in the battle for the omnipotent Grail.
Shirou simply nodded. "Well, it's true that I don't have any command seals," Shirou muttered under his breath. However, it was his duty and responsibility as an Executor of the Church to deal with those they deemed heresy. Seeing her, his mind lit up a metaphorical light bulb as he came up with a plan, if it succeeded, he could leave with the homunculus, thus killing two birds with one stone.
"What?" Ruler asked as her eyes squinted in suspicion.
Shirou was quick to dismiss the question. "I appreciate your concern," Shirou thanked Ruler as he smiled and gave a subtle yet courteous bow in her direction.
"...However, more importantly, it should be the…child's life behind me you should be concerned about instead."
He said.
Ruler shifted her gaze from Shirou to the figure behind him. Sure enough, lying with fatigue on the tree trunk was a brown-haired and red-eyed child opening his eyes with anxiety which only spoke of his sheer will to live and to survive.
"May I inquire what you are wanting from the child?" Ruler asked with a calculated look as she fixed her eyes at the group of people before her, both the small army of homunculi and the Master and Servant pairs.
"Caster, answer her," Darnic replied after a tensed silent pause.
Caster nodded his head as he faced Ruler.
"We will be using the homunculus for providing us mana from their artificial Magic Circuits," Caster explained with an even voice.
Shirou's expression became thoughtful as he processed what the caster said. What he was saying is that they are using homunculi to be living batteries to power the servants. To be honest, he was impressed. This is just simply a more convenient way of collecting Mana for the Servants other than killing humans to strengthen themselves.
Of course, he needed the help of Ruler if he wished for his plan to succeed, for that, he needed to convince her.
"Is that how you view a homunculus?" Shirou asked coolly before he raised his eyes up to meet the Masters and Servants of Yggdmillennia. "Nothing more than a disposal tool to your liking?!"
"Hand him over, priest" Darnic commanded stoically. "He is the property of Yggdmillennia."
"I refuse," Shirou answered without a trace of uncertainty as he stood in the way of the army of Servants, Masters, and homunculi.
"He is a resource we prepared for this war. With no personality, past, nor family, homunculi are made for the sole purpose to fight," Darnic explained to Shirou as Shirou continued to hold his black keys.
"That may be true," Shirou responded to the comment. "However, he acted by his free will to escape, he wanted to survive and preserve his life, am I not correct?"
Darnic didn't reply to the rebuttal.
"The only way you're taking the homunculus back with you is through me. I will fight with everything I have to give this child freedom," Shirou stated with a tone of conviction.
"Are you crazy?" Darnic asked with a slight hint of being dumbfounded at Shirou's words.
"As long as I stay true to myself, then nothing else matters. Even if I am crazy, I will still save him."
Darnic eyed Shirou dangerously as the seconds prolonged in the tense atmosphere.
"Enough!" Ruler's voice resounded in the forest as the birds perched on the tree branches fluttered away at the sudden sound. "This child will not be dragged into the Grail War."
Hook, line and sinker. Ruler was on board. Now all he has to do is step back and let everything play out. It doesn't no matter even if Darnik is the greatest swindler, all Shirou needed was appeal to Ruler
"But—"
"You may have created the homunculus," Ruler stated, "but if he does not want to join in the Grail War, then you have no right to refuse him."
Darnic was about to say something before the man riding on the gallant horse stopped him.
"Darnic, let it go," the man commanded as Darnic stayed silent. "Rider," the king then addressed, "do you consider your despicable act as treason?"
"Nope!" Rider answered with a smile, it was honestly hard for Shirou to know whether the pink-haired Servant is serious or not at times. "I believe that I did the right thing!"
Rider's Master visibly clenched her fist as her face made a gruesome expression.
"Yet you may not go unpunished," the one Shirou deduced as Lancer stated with eyes closely calmly before reopening them. "Caster," Lancer commanded with a word.
Caster promptly responded to the commands by going into spirit form before briefly appearing right before Rider and Saber as he enveloped Rider's hands with a purple ball of light consisting of pure mana.
In less than a second, earth began to form and wrap about Rider's hands together in the shape of a ball to serve as handcuffs, one that is nigh impossible to break without the intervention of magecraft. To try to break it will be equivalent to trying to break a solid rock.
"Wait, we're not don—" Darnic began.
"We are," Lancer spoke with no room for arguments. This was a decree sentenced by a longstanding king as Darnic proceeded in shutting his mouth.
"Ruler," Lancer addressed as he looked at whom he deduced as none other than the Maid of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc, "as my sister before God, will you join forces with us?"
"No," Ruler swiftly replied. "As long as you fight for the Grail in an honorable fashion, I will not interfere regardless of whatever may happen."
The king's lips tightened as he acknowledged Ruler's final decision. Pulling back the reins on the stallion, the horse kicked up in front legs with a neigh as it turned around and galloped back to the direction of the Yggdmillennia Castle. Everyone turned around as well as they followed the leader of the Black Faction.
"Well then," Rider opened his mouth as he turned around to face the rest of the people behind him which consisted of Ruler, the child homunculus, and Shirou himself. "This is the extent to which I will help you," Rider continued with a playful yet sincere grin. "Goodbye!"
Seeing the hazy yet worried glances the homunculus was making, Rider's caring smile widened as he made a confident pose. "You'll be fine, you can live on your own now! Go to town, see new faces, learn to love and hate people. Live a happy life, got it?" Rider ended with another beaming grin.
Love people. Shirou couldn't really understand, being that all he feels is emptiness. But hate? Does the homunculus really need to learn that? It's one thing to hate an action, Shirou himself hates many of the things However, that does not warrant his hate for the individual himself. He didn't appreciate and hated how his adoptive sister always tried to tease and bully him, yet, never once did he ever hate her as a person.
"That way, we won't all have fought for vain," Rider continued as he gave a reassuring grin at the homunculus.
"I …" the homunculus looked at his own hands, not sure how to respond to Rider's unwavering confidence.
"Live! You're allowed to know, you're allowed to live a life you want to experience," Rider spoke as the child widened his eyes in realization at the implications behind Rider's words. Rider then turned around as he waved his two earth bounded hands in farewell. "See ya! Make sure you take care of him, Ruler, red priest!"
"Red priest?" Shirou grumbled under his breath at the nickname. What's with that nickname, no Originality.
The Master of Rider glared at the trio by the tree the homunculus was still lying on with much disdain as she spat out an inaudible curse before abruptly turning away and following the walking crowd.
"Phew," Shirou gave a sigh once all of the Servants, Masters, and militaristic homunculi were no longer present. "Ha–ah, I'm glad that was over," Shirou gave a satisfied smile before turning his body over to face Ruler.
"Hi, I guess I haven't introduced myself," Shirou began with a soft, enduring smile. "My name is Shirou Kotomine, but you can just call me Shirou," Shirou spoke as he extended his hand out in a gesture to shake Ruler's own hand.
"Shirou," Ruler's tongue rolled out as she pronounced the foreign name with interest when she met Shirou's hands with her own as they gave each other a friendly handshake.
Shirou nodded in confirmation that she managed to get the pronunciation right. Shirou expected nothing less from the Servant Overseer of the Great Holy Grail War.
"Anyway," Shirou continued as he retracted his hand.
"Thanks for helping me out there. " Shirou gestured over to the red-eyed homunculus, "I guess I wouldn't have fared too well if all of the Servants Attacked."
Ruler gave a frown at Shirou's direction. "It sounds like you would have been fine facing a servant if they're alone. You shouldn't be so reckless," Ruler lightly reprimanded.
Shirou chuckled at Ruler's heartfelt concern.
"Okay, okay, I got it." Shirou replied. "But I Guess the Church's teaching became my priority." Was his vague words.
Ruler nodded in understanding , though it seemed she didn't understand what he meant. "You have a kind heart," Ruler responded with a warm smile which made Shirou widen his eyes in surprise. Now, he felt slightly guilty for lying to her. Well, technically he didn't, but still.
"A-Ahh," Shirou stuttered as he averted his sight to the forest beyond them. "I just try to do my best," Shirou said in melancholy.
Ruler continued to smile gently at Shirou's odd behavior as she approached the homunculus boy leaning by the tree. Kneeling down to face the child at eye level, Ruler extended a helping hand out in the boy's direction. The boy eyed Ruler cautiously for a second before gingerly taking her hand as Ruler stood up slowly, helping the boy on his feet.
"There's no need to be afraid anymore," Ruler began as she fixed her gaze into the boy's eyes as if peering into his soul. "You're free now."
The boy slowly nodded at Ruler's words as if trying to comprehend the very thought of freedom.
"Shall we go?" Shirou asked as he gazed up at the moonlit sky. The countless stars glistening under the night sky, further accenting the sheer beauty and splendor of nature's handiwork.
Ruler nodded in tacit agreement at Shirou's words.
"Go … where?" the child asked as he shakily stood in place, his legs still not having the proper strength and coordination in them despite now being much better compared to when he first got out of the "scientific" cylindric capsules.
"A place where you can be free," Ruler replied for Shirou with another warm and gentle smile. "You can trust me,"
Ruler continued with soft eyes. "Come."
The child began walking after Ruler until he stepped across the ornate sword Rider handed to him for self-protection. Crouching down and grabbing the sword's hilt, the homunculus child cuddled the blade in his arm as he had a difficult time lugging the weapon with him.
"That's … a bit heavy, isn't it?" Shirou questioned at the silent homunculus boy as Shirou continued to eye the boy's struggling figure. "Do you need help?"
The boy shook his head. "I'm … fine."
Shirou nodded in understanding. "I can help whenever you get tired," Shirou reminded kindly as he walked a few meters ahead to make sure their path down the forestry hill was safe.
The homunculus child tacitly nodded at Shirou's words as he walked side by side with Ruler while they followed along Shirou's lead.
Shirou glanced as the distant horizon and the far-off city while resisting a tempting urge to sigh. He should have known it was going to take this long to get down from the hill and to the city. It took him three hours last time to get up the high hill by running, but now with a weak child accompanying them, the trip down the hill took them that much longer.
"I can breathe more easily now," the child suddenly said out loud in the still silence as he continued walking.
Ruler turned around to face the child treading behind her. "You ought to remember that feeling," Ruler said seriously.
"Hmm? … Where did this conversation come from?" Shirou absentmindedly thought in his mind. Was right now really the most appropriate time to talk about breathing easier?
"What do you mean?" the child asked as he looked up from his downcast position and at Ruler's face.
"To live is to endure hardships, and occasionally suffer as well," Ruler then softly smiled as she cocked her head slightly sideways.
"But if you remember this sensation, it should give you the courage to keep going."
Shirou now finally understood where the conversation was heading. Fear. Fear comes in many forms and types, most of which Shirou has been subjected to yet has overcome through sheer will alone.
However, Shirou was not a fool to think he overcome these obstacles he had in life by himself. His adoptive Father, Kirie Kotomine, his sister Caren Hortensia, his senpai, Ciel and his mother, Claudia Hortensia, these people just to name a few have all played a critical role in his life which shaped him to be the man he is today. A man who's not simply a machine which hunts demons and heretics. But a man that could feel emotions despite his distortions.
The brown-haired child looked back down in shame as his face made a grimacing expression. "Courage? I have no such thing."
"Did you not refuse to die but chose life instead?" Ruler stated a thought-provoking question.
"You didn't passively accept death, but instead chose a path that required courage," Ruler's expression gentled as she said those words.
"I'm sure that's why Rider and Shirou were protecting you with all their might."
"I don't think I did anything as grand as you have described there," Shirou spoke under his breath with an awkward smile.
The child shifted his gaze away from Ruler as he looked down at the sword he was carrying with him all along the trip.
"Could that be Rider's sword?" Ruler asked.
"He gave it to me, it's for when I need it," the child answered. "Should I have returned it?" the homunculus then asked as he looked back at Ruler's eyes.
Ruler shook her head as her long beautifully braided hair moved along with her motion enchantingly. "If Rider gave it to you, then it's yours to keep."
"I see," the child simply stated as he carried the sword by his side once again before walking down the sloping hill.
Shirou glanced at Ruler to see her for a moment squinting her eyes as if almost in sorrow ... or was it regret? Shirou shook the thought out of his mind, perhaps he was seeing too much into things.
"I just realized," Ruler suddenly began as the child continued walking, "that we have yet properly introduced ourselves."
The child paused in his footsteps. "I don't have a past to introduce. Not even a name."
"Then let's start with that," Ruler smiled as she turned around to face the child who is now ahead of her. "A name is an important piece of one's identity."
The child closed his eyes in pensive thought as the wind breezed through his hair and Western-styled clothing. The grass swayed at the will of the gentle yet strong breeze while the fallen leaves drifted through the air in a hypnotic manner.
"I ... don't know," the child spoke stoically after coming up with nothing to name himself.
"It's alright," Shirou interjected into the conversation. "You can take your time to find a fitting name. But how about we give you a temporary one for now?" Shirou asked.
The child nodded in consent at the idea.
"What about … Seig?" Shirou suggested as he gave a quick thought for a temporary name to give the child.
"Seig?" the child made a questioning expression, even Ruler was confused by the weird choice of name.
"It's from the old German, Sigu, meaning Victory, but Sigu doesn't sound right so it's Seig," Shirou explained. "Perhaps, your name will become a constant reminder that you should never run out of courage and that you should always continue to persevere no matter the trials or hardships along your way in order to pursue your own victory."
The child nodded. "Okay, then I am Seig."
"Seig then," Ruler uttered the name as she smiled in the homunculus's direction. "I think it's a wonderful name. Until you find a better name to define yourself, I believe this will serve to define what you should always be."
"Nice to meet you," Seig said emotionlessly.
"Likewise," Ruler said with a beaming smile.
'That Seig,' Shirou thought inwardly to himself,
'desperately needs to really work on his smile.'
"What should I call you?" Seig asked as he faced Ruler.
"I'm Servant Ruler, so you can just call me by Ruler," Ruler answered.
"Don't you have a name?" Shirou asked with curiosity.
"Or … even the Ruler Class Servants are advised not to reveal their identity?"
Ruler shook her head at the question. "Ruler Class Servants have an overwhelming power and advantage gifted directly from the Grail to go against any other Servants in the war. My true name is Jeanne d'Arc."
"Jeanne d'Arc," Shirou murmured under his breath in surprise. He should have guessed it, with the somewhat weaponized flagpole in her hand as well as her gender and to the way she carried herself so humbly yet with such charisma, Shirou should have known this was none other than the legendary Maid of Orleans recorded in history.
"Is it alright if I call you Jeanne?" Shirou asked with a thoughtful look. " And considering we are both servants of God, I think it sounds much better than 'Ruler'."
Ruler looked at Shirou as she subtly nodded her head. "Yes, you may. However, please call me 'Ruler' when in public."
Shirou hummed in understanding at the request.
Suddenly a growl made itself known as both Jeanne and Shirou whirled their heads to see the sound originating out of Seig's stomach.
A smile made its way up Shirou's lips as Jeanne's face flushed a slight red in mild amusement.
"It seems like someone is hungry," Shirou joked as he chuckled lightly.
Jeanne smiled as well. "Seig" Jeanne addressed. "If you would, allow me to show you a vital part of staying alive."
"Here," Jeanne handed to the homunculus child named Seig a ball of pastry. Seig met the gauntlet hand with his own as he graciously took the food.
"I never thought you'd bring food with you," Shirou noted with interest. After all, aren't Servants spiritual beings who do not need to sleep, drink, and eat like humans do but only need a constant supply of mana to support their existence?
Seig eyed the ball of food with a mixture of confusion and curiosity as he opened his mouth to ask a question. "What is this?"
"That's food. And an army marches on its stomach," Jeanne began explaining.
Seig's stomach made another prolonged disturbing growl of agony at the lack of content within it.
"I see," Seig spoke as he gazed down on his stomach in apprehension. "So that was what this weird discomfort was all about."
"Go ahead," Jeanne gestured as Seig looked at the food in his hands once again before putting it up to his lips and engulfing the pastry.
Chewing for a few seconds, the child's eyes lit up in wonder and awe. "Amazing!"
Jeanne smiled at Seig's antics as she continued watching him eat.
"So …" Shirou broke the serene calming silence, "you didn't know you needed to eat?" Shirou wondered if it's a problem with his programming.
Seig nodded. "But now I understand."
Shirou met the child's nod with his own. "Sure you do. But … do you happen to know your body needs water too?" Shirou inquired.
"Water?"
"You don't know," Shirou stated dryly. Seeing no response from Seig, Shirou sighed as he straightened up his back. "Does your throat feel dry, itchy, or uncomfortable in general?" Shirou asked.
Seig nodded. "Yes, it does feel unpleasant."
Yep, this made it official. This homunculus didn't know of the basic concept of survival called "drinking water".
"This is what we call 'thirsty'," Shirou explained clearly as he pronounced the word "thirsty" to place more emphasis on it.
"How do I get rid of it?"
"By drinking water," Shirou spoke sagely. "Do you also happen to have water around you, Jeanne?" Shirou looked to his right to meet Ruler's eyes.
Jeanne shook her head in reply.
"We have food but no water then," Shirou reconfirmed to which Jeanne nodded as Shirou placed his hand on his chin in a contemplating manner. "In that case, we have no choice but to arrive at the city tonight to get some water."
Jeanne nodded. "The rural parts of Trifas have some wells posted there. We can draw water there without paying anything for it."
"Wells," Shirou murmured in thought. You don't see those lying around anywhere often in this day and age. But for their situation, the set up active wells have come in handy. …Then we better get going. I'm estimating two more hours before we get there."
Jeanne nodded. "Do you feel better now, Seig?" Jeanne kindly asked.
Seig nodded his head. "I can continue. Thank you for the food."
Jeanne beamed a smile at the child. "My pleasure."
"The enemies seem to have taken Spartacus," a man's calming voice resounded in the interior building of the simple church as the moon shone its light through the windows of the building.
"Nothing we could have done," a man with pasture green hair stated in a nonchalant manner. "He just ran in by himself."
"We had no way to save him," another stoic voice came from the opposite side of the warrior. Her feminine features radiate under the moonlight, showing her unique physiques by having a tail extended from her lower back and a pair of furry ears on her head much like an animal would.
"If you say so, then I have no reason to doubt you," the man clothed in a priest-like attire replied.
"By the way," the same man continued from his last sentence, "what had happened on the battlefield? A command seal was issued on you, Archer."
"It was a boy, a teenager." a man on the opposite side of the church answered for Archer. "He had witnessed our battle."
"A magus," the priest looked down at the tile floor before presenting a question. "Has he been eliminated yet?"
The Hero Shook his head. "I do not know. He was stable from having a lancer of Black's stakes pierce his body, but it was not fatal."
"Archer?"
Archer nodded her head in confirmation to the Servant Rider's words. "We have yet to understand what happened. But we are sure he has no affiliation with either the Mage's Association or Yggdmillennia, but, "
"But what?" The white haired priest asked.
" .. the blades, I think he used what resembled the blades of exorcism you have." Archer answered.
The white hair priest became silent, then asked another question.
" Can you describe to me his features?"
Archer nodded. " He has red hair, and a long hair at the back tied in a ponytail reaching behind his back, his features seem to be oriental, he wore some kind of uniform, and lastly he had the same eye color as yours." she said.
The white-haired man with exotic earrings that took the form of blades nodded with closed and contemplative eyes. "I will not ask what command was issued, Archer," he began. "but I suggest you be mindful of your further doings."
Archer chose to speak nothing at the comment but nod her head subtly in acknowledgment as the still night continued to roll by.
"Thank you very much!" Jeanne gave a grateful bow at the elderly man sitting on a rocking chair out on the front porch of his house before Jeanne came running back to where Shirou and Seig were in the distance.
"I never knew she wore a school uniform," Shirou noted with interest. "My uniform, I only got one pair left…" Shirou trailed off in an incoherent mumble.
"What did you say?" Seig asked as he glanced up at Shirou.
"Hmm, no, it's nothing."
Seig turned his attention back to the running Jeanne and disregarded Shirou's strange behavior.
"His name is Serge," Jeanne stopped in front of Seig and Shirou as she spoke. "He's agreed to let us stay for the night and is willing to take care of you both for however long you need."
"Thanks for helping, Jeanne," Shirou Smiled with gratitude. He could have been the one to find lodging, but, Jean's more persuasive.
"I do not deserve the thanks," Jeanne replied. "You should thank Serge for his hospitality."
Shirou tacitly nodded in agreement. "You're right."
Walking together back to the inside of the house as the old man showed them each of their rooms, with a last word of thanks, Shirou, Jeanne, and Seig retired to their individual beds for the night.
Shirou closed the door to his room as walked up to the window side wall while gazing up at the beautiful starry night. Although Kurikami City was beautiful and amazing in its own right, Trifas City made Kurikami's nightly beauty pale in comparison. With the lack of pollution in the air, the glistening stars in the night sky seemed to look all the more vibrant in its glamorous glory.
Shirou stepped a couple paces back until he touched the edge of the bed before he sat on the side of it in pensive thought.
Shirou closed his eyes as he inhaled the cold night breeze before exhaling and promptly opening his eyes after a flashback as saw himself back in the familiar surroundings of his temporary room. " Jeanne huh…" Shirou murmured quietly to himself Gazing at the starlit sky, before retreating and Lying down on the straw made bed, Shirou closed his eyes as he drifted peacefully into his sleep.
….
Jeanne gracefully stood up from her kneeling position after her prayer as she let down her braided hair and swiftly changed into her sleeping gown. She knew the Grail had called her from the Throne of Heroes to act as an Overseer for the Great Holy Grail War. However, something was wrong … fundamentally wrong. Her summons as a Servant failed, forcing her to inhabit an innocent person's body as a vessel for her to exist in this world.
Jeanne then placed away her folded clothes neatly to the side before she sat down on the edge of the bed. The homunculus, Seig, Jeanne could see a grim fate awaiting him. The very laws of fate are going to force that child to fight in the Grail Wars whether or not she approved of it. However, everything changed when she met the man named Shirou Kotomine, another servant of god like her.
Jeanne got a brief vision of the hero, Siegfried, killing himself for the boy. Although she did not know of the reasons, she was sure what should have transpired tonight never did. And it was because of one unprecedented variable, the red-haired priest, Shirou Kotomine.
Jeanne let out a breath of confusion as she proceeded to lie on the bed. Could Fate have accidentally missed him as a factor in the Grail Wars? Jeanne shook away the thought the moment it popped into her head, it was impossible for such a thing to happen. Yet … it's almost as if the man's very existence defies the very laws of fate itself, yet as if fate itself brought him here.
Closing her eyes in tranquil silence as her face relaxed peacefully, Jeanne released the insurmountable unanswered questions in her mind as she drifted into the soothing embrace of slumber.
That night, Ruler, Jeanne d'Arc, dreamt of swords, dragon, and battle.
sup! chapter 15,... from here on out it's where, any who dies would seriously die.
next update might take a while, I have to go and reread everything and rewatch some. so yeah...
truevirtuoso: ...SHHHH! (; • _. •)
midnight49: . . don't worry, they have other concerns, like, for example, the appearance of Chaos and Arc in Tokyo. ;)
Arifureta chapter Next.
that's it, ciao ~.