As Fu Hua had warned, the battle was not easy. While the henchmen (who were dressed as pirates for reasons beyond their understanding) were easy to take down, the lieutenant was another story. Perhaps it's due to underestimating their opponent but Mordred was sent flying halfway across the warehouse. She was fine though— her armour absorbed most of the blow —but it still took them off-guard.
"What the hell is that?!" Mordred cursed as she got back to her feet.
"I already said, it's a Key of Domination," Fu Hua muttered in mild annoyance. Granted, she didn't explain too much beyond it being a weapon of great power, but that should have been enough of a warning. "But she's wielding it poorly; it's obvious she doesn't know the first thing about using that sword."
"I can hear you!" The lieutenant cried in anger at being so directly insulted. Her grip on the golden sword, the elements crackling together along its sharp edges. "And you must be the damned witch that took down the boss. You'll pay for your—" She was not given the chance to finish as Mash and Fu Hua rushed her. Despite the latter's claim that she did not know how to use the so-called Key of Domination, the lieutenant was barely able to keep the two off mainly thanks to the power discharging from her sword.
All three were quick on their feet, dancing around each other and avoiding their opponent's attacks. That changed when Mordred rejoined, yelling wildly as she charged at the lieutenant. The reckless attack took the lieutenant by surprise.
Naturally, the criminal responded by just unleashing everything she could. Lightning, flames, and ice shards filled the air around her, forcing the others back. "What was that about not knowing the first thing about that sword?" Mordred complained as they regrouped.
"If she did know how to properly use it, she wouldn't just be a simple lieutenant," replied Fu Hua.
"We need to separate her from that sword." That was stating the obvious, but Ritsuka felt the need to get back on track. "She couldn't possibly keep that up, can she?" She was going to burn herself out at this rate— probably literally! Either that or freeze or electrocute herself to death. While that would technically complete their objective, Ritsuka's conscience refused to let her die. "Mash, think you can cover the others and get in close?"
"Leave it to me, Master!" The Shielder nodded at him then the others. "Stay behind me." With the plan set, the only thing to do was to carry it out.
The others took position behind Mash as she charged forward; the lieutenant forced through her pain and tried focusing her attacks at them only to be blocked by Mash's shield. She held it up with resolve until they got close enough for her to bash the lieutenant— which was quickly followed up by Fu Hua and Mordred deal their own respective blows. The latter let out a roar as she put all her power into her swing and successfully disarm their foe.
The lieutenant watched as the Key of Domination was sent clattering out of her reach. She snapped her head back forward to face them… only to be sent flying into the wall from Fu Hua's kick. Pain ached through her whole body, her vision blurry from the punishment; she couldn't put up any more resistance as Mash walked up and rendered her unconscious with a restrained bash to the head. "Mission… complete…" Mash huffed out.
The cleanup was rather simple; Fu Hua tied up the defeated criminals and told them to return to Baker Street while she waited for the police to come. Ritsuka had to question if the cops could even go through the fog, but Fu Hua told him not to worry about it and leave it to her. "Here, take this with you," she said as she handed them the Key of Domination. "Just show Holmes the sword and he'll consider this favour completed."
Though Ritsuka continued to worry over her, he did as asked and made their way back to the detective's residence with his Servants.
"I have to admit, I would like to take a crack at that sword myself," Da Vinci hummed as they journeyed through the fog. "It has all the signs of being a divine or mythical weapon, but our readings detect nothing of the sort from it."
"Fu Hua called it the Key of Domination. I don't recall any weapon with that name from what I've read," Mash shared which Doctor Roman concurred.
"To be more specific, she called it one of the lost Keys of Domination so there are more of it," he added. "She clearly knows a lot more than she lets on. Though I'm sure she'd be willing to tell us, especially if Ritsuka asks."
"Okay, it's low-hanging fruit at this point," Ritsuka grumbled as he held the sword tightly.
"Setting aside Master's crush on her—" "Hey!" "—it still bothers me she trusts us so much," Mordred huffed. "She just gave us that sword like it's nothing special and told us to pass it to the detective."
"Well, her mutual crush on Fujimaru may be the reason."
"Can you all give it a rest already…?" His complaints continued being ignored. 'So this is how Dr Roman feels.' He probably deserves it for some of jokes they made at his expense. "Again, she's married. And her husband is here in London."
…Technically.
"Really unfortunate timing on his part, isn't it? He finally reunited with his wife and she's busy investigating cases while making goo-goo eyes at someone she just met."
"Alright, I'm just going to be tuning out everything you guys are saying."
"No need for that, Fujimaru. We've just arrived on Baker Street."
It took them a moment to find 221B, but Holmes quickly let them in. "I see that you were successful in your task. Quite impressive," he complimented as they gathered in his sitting room. "I take Fu Hua is making sure the police takes the culprits under custody?"
"Yes," Ritsuka nodded as he held out the sword for Holmes to take only for him to quickly declined.
"Oh, I have no use for that. I think Fu Hua would agree with me when I say Chaldea could hang on to the spoils." A small chuckle escaped him at Ritsuka's shocked face. "Take it as an additional reward on top of our agreement."
"Re-really? Are you sure, Mr Holmes?" Mash stuttered out, just as stunned as Ritsuka was. He likely knew what the sword was capable of but still saw it fine for them to keep it?
"As I've stated, I have no use for it. It would just go to waste with me," the detective continued. "If what I know about Chaldea is correct, it would do more good in your hands than here in London."
"That brings us to our next question then—" Da Vinci suddenly appeared before them. "How did you and Fu Hua learn about Chaldea?"
Though Holmes did flinch at her interruption, he quickly calmed down and answered her. "Fu Hua had relayed tales of your organization for some time now. To be frank, I thought she might have been letting her imagination run wild with some of the details but when you all came knocking on my door… Well, I have no choice but to believe her now, haven't I?"
"So it all leads back to her…" muttered Da Vinci. "...Oh, where are my manners? I am Leonardo Da Vinci. Perhaps you've heard of me before?"
Her image quickly flickered before being replaced by the Doctor. "A—and I am Chaldea's Acting Director, Romani Archaman. It's an honour to be meeting you, Sherlock Holmes."
"It's a pleasure as well," Holmes answered calmly with a small smile.
"Now that we've been acquaintanced… May I have a autograph?" Romani's straightforwardness couldn't help but elicit a chuckle from Ritsuka, which was only elongated by Mash's follow-up
"The doctor means he'd like your signature. Two should suffice for him." The excitement in Mash's eyes betrayed the neutral look on her face.
"Yes, I do know what an autograph is, Lady Kyrielight," Holmes also let out a small chuckle. "But I believe that is something that needs to be earned."
In other words, another task.
"How?!"
"Hmm… Chaldea has proven their strength in reacquiring the Key of Domination so now you will need to prove your deduction skills." That was logical, especially from a detective like Holmes. However, the grin that spread across his face gave Ritsuka a sinking feeling in his stomach. "In this case, there's a mystery you need to solve; do so and I'll happily give you my autographs."
"And what is this mystery?"
Before Mash even finished asking, Ritsuka already knew. It couldn't be the case of the demon fog as they would be working together on that. That left only one other mystery.
"A simple one really: what is the name of Fu Hua's husband?"
…Ritsuka hated it here.
A/N: Think I'm going too far with the "Ritsuka is cucking himself without the others realizing" joke? I think I hit that nice balance plus it'll only make the reveal all the more hilarious for Chaldea. Either way, I am bad at fight scenes so just gonna breeze past it to get to the RitsuHua moments. See you all next time!