Chapter 7: Royal Thief
Senshu honestly expected it to hurt more. He didn't know the true limits of his inventory, but it seems that it could handle the dozens of legendary weapons launched from the Gate of Babylon. What was giving Senshu trouble was the information overload that the system was giving him.
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
The notifications about his Inventory leveling up flooded Senshu's vision and the sounds threatened to drive him insane.
"Thief!" At Gilgamesh's shout, the notifications stopped.
Clear, Senshu took a deep breath. He had several plans on how to prevent Gilgamesh from killing him, but his ears were still ringing from the compound messages and it was hard to think.
"You dare steal from the king's treasury?!" Gilgamesh shouted. The only reason Senshu hadn't been skewered was because there was a chance that he could just continue to steal his weapons.
"Senshu, are you alright?" Senshu used Saber's voice to ground himself.
"Yeah," Senshu took a deep breath. He then looked up at Gilgamesh.
"To steal from the King's treasury and leave unscathed should be quite the feat, King of Heroes," Senshu forced a smirk.
"To think that these so-called kings don't recognize my glory but a petty thief does," Gilgamesh shook his head. "Very well. I shall allow you to plead for your miserable life. Be grateful."
"Many thanks, my King," Senshu bowed. Senshu had a few plans, but all of them catered to the Golden King's ego.
"You see, I possess an odd form of clairvoyance," Senshu explained. He could feel multiple sets of eyes pierce his body. He cursed himself for doing what he did, but he said what he had to in order to survive. "I foresaw my King's return and set plans in order to entertain him."
"You consider stealing from me entertainment?" Gilgamesh's eyes furrowed.
"As I said, to steal from the King's treasury and leave unscathed is quite the feat," Senshu responded. At this point and time, he was thankful that the Gamer's Mind existed, otherwise he wouldn't be able to hide the fear in his voice. "As heretical as I may be, you must admit I have the potential to bring an interesting variable to this war."
"Tch, I should still have you executed for your crime," Gilgamesh scoffed.
"Even if it takes the rest of my life, I shall work to repay this debt," Senshu bowed. He knew a couple ways to ensure his survival, but he has already revealed enough to the others.
"See to it that you do," Although Gilgamesh seemed agitated, he thankfully nodded, approving of Senshu's continued survival, or at least for now.
Now… If Senshu had more time, he would have pondered why Gilgamesh even let him live, but right now, he had more pressing things to deal with. "Elise, brace yourself."
"Wha—"
"ARTHAAAAAAAAAA!" Berserker's scream was enough to answer Saber's question. The black knight had appeared with gusto, charging for the Servant of the blade.
"Does this filthy mongrel dare?" Gilgamesh's eyes furrowed as the golden gate shimmered behind him one more.
"Be wary, my king!" Senshu called to the Archer. "This Berserker has the ability to turn anything he touches into a Noble Phantasm!"
"Oh?" Gilgamesh turned his head to raise an eyebrow at the Gamer. "Perhaps you may be useful after all. Be grateful that I am in a good mood."
"Many thanks," Senshu bowed. He then focused his attention on Berserker.
Inventory, Senshu commanded, letting the screen appear before him. He sifted through the dozens of new items, looking for a good item to use.
Here! Senshu pulled out a crimson sword and prepped to throw it.
Ding!
Warning! Insufficient level!
Required Level: 53
Figures, Senshu thought as he placed the sword back into his inventory. He then focused his attention back to Berserker, who was currently being bombarded by Gilgamesh's armory. The Berserker roared and grabbed a spear impaled from his back and threw it at his opponent.
"You dare?!" Gilgamesh tilted his head, dodging the weapon completely. "I may have spared the first thief, but even my mercy only goes so far."
Before he could attack more, the Gate suddenly vanished. "Damn you, Tokomi! We will be having words!"
The man then vanished into shimmering golden particles. With the king gone, Lancelot turned his attention back to Saber.
"Elise… I think it would be a good idea to run now," Senshu took a step back.
"ARTHAAAAA!" Berserker shouted. Senshu didn't know if he was agreeing with him, but he assumed so.
"No. It seems that this knight has a grudge with me," Saber stepped in front of Senshu in a protective manner. "Senshu, I don't know who you are, but you protected me. I need you to get Irisviel out of here."
"No," Irisviel spoke for the first time since Lancer appeared. "I will stay by your side."
"Irisviel, now isn't time for—" Saber was cut off when Lancelot grabbed the lamp post that Gilgamesh was standing on and lifted it from the ground. He then charged at the two of them.
"Class Change: Elementalist!" Senshu shouted. In a split second, he felt his circuits flare up. "Earth Wall!"
A wall sprouted from the ground several meters away. It didn't mean anything, because the black knight just barreled straight through it. Before he could swing at the two of them, a blur flashed between them, revealing Lancer.
"I will not allow this intruder to interfere with our honorable duel," Lancer had his eyes focused on Berserker. "If you are to fight him, then I shall join you."
"Many thanks, Lancer," Saber readied Excalibur and charged at the Berserker alongside her new ally.
"Lancer! What is the meaning of this?!" Kayneth's voice rang with irritation. "You are supposed to attack Saber!"
"Will all due respect, Master, to attack my opponent right now would be dishonorable," Diramund replied. The two servants entered a fierce duel with Lancelot, barely keeping the mad servant at bay.
"Lancer, by my command seal—"
"No!" Diramund shouted.
"—I command you to help Berserker defeat Saber!"
"Agh!" Lancer groaned as even the slightest motion against the command seal caused him to recoil. With a deep sigh of regret, he turned to Saber with a deep scowl on his face. "I apologize for this transgression, Saber, but I have received a command from my Master."
Saber took a deep breath as she eyed the two servants and readied her blade. "Irisviel, you must run here. I shall hold them."
"No," Irisviel muttered as she moved her hands close to her chest.
"Irisviel, please!" Saber shouted. Her eyes then flicked over to Senshu. They made brief eye contact and came to a mutual understanding.
"Saber, it will be alright," Irisviel looked up to meet her gaze with a confident look. "Have confidence in your master."
At that moment, Senshu's eyes flicked up to where Kiritsugu and Maiya were before returning to the more pressing issue. He knew how this scene would play out. He turned to see Iskandar's lips purse as he readied his chariot.
"Yeah. Everything will be alright," Senshu muttered as he braced himself. Even knowing where things went, there was always room for things to go wrong.
As the two servants began to charge at Saber, a crackle of lightning danced on the edge of Senshu's eyes as he saw Iskandar charge at Lancer and Berserker. While Lancer managed to get out of the way in time, Berserker was hit head on. The black knight was sent sprawling on the ground as the chariot drove right past him. As he stopped, he struggled to get up, but stopped as he locked eyes with Saber. With one last glare, he astralized, vanishing into thin air.
"As you can see, our black friend will be retiring for the evening," Rider said with a smirk as he closed his eyes to show his satisfaction. The expression didn't stay, however, as his smile faded and he looked upwards. "Master of Lancer, I know not where you are, but hear this. Do not get in the way of a chivalrous duel with your petty tricks. Have Lancer withdraw. If you insist on continuing this humiliation, I will join Saber in this fight."
There was a tense pause in the air. Senshu watched in anticipation as he studied Lancer. He could see his enraged expression as his hands shook with frustration.
"Withdraw, Lancer," Kayneth's voice rang across the port. Senshu let out a breath he did not know he was holding, as did Lancer. "That is enough for one night."
Lancer's form physically relaxed as he smiled at Rider. "Many thanks, King of Conquerors."
Rider regarded Lancer with a look of confusion before smiling. "Think nothing of it. I simply enjoy watching the flowers of battle bloom."
Lancer took a second to ponder his words and nodded with approval before vanishing in a faint, blue light. With Lancer out of the picture, Saber and Rider turned to look at each other.
"What were your original intentions in coming here, Rider?" Saber asked. Her left hand shook from the blow she had received from Lancer as her right hand gripped her sword.
"Hmmm, I don't really think about these things too hard," The King of Conquerors rubbed his chin before his expression hardened. "First… finish your duel with Lancer. When that is resolved, I shall face the victor."
Saber lifted her left hand and examined it, moving the fingers a couple times before looking up to Rider and nodding.
"Then this is farewell for now, King of Knights! I do hope our next meeting is as enjoyable as this one!" Rider let out a boisterous laugh. "Boy, do you have anything you'd want to say to the lady?"
When he got no response, Rider turned to look down before reaching down and picking up an unconscious Waver. "I do wish he'd man up a little…"
His expression didn't stay somber for long as he turned to smile as Saber, who returned the gesture. With a crack of his whip, lightning surrounded Rider once more.
"Farewell!" With one final shout, Rider lifted off the ground and flew away. Senshu watched him ride off and let out a deep sigh as he finally let himself relax.
"Saber! Your arm!" The Gamer was snapped from his stupor as he heard Irisviel's cry. Brought back into the moment, Senshu also went over to Saber.
"Yes, it was a painful blow," Saber let Irisviel grab her hand. "If I fail to defeat Lancer soon and undo this curse, it will hinder my battles with other servants."
"Thank you, Saber," Irisviel locked eyes with the servant as a genuine smile crossed her face. "I survived thanks to you."
"No. The reason I was able to fight without worry is because I had you by my side," Saber shook her head before turning to Senshu, who flinched underneath her gaze. "And you, Senshu. I know not why you are here, but you risked your life for me. You have my thanks."
"I…" Senshu took a deep breath. Throughout his teenage and adult life, he had followed Saber on her journeys. Fate/Zero, Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Extra, and several other forms of media. To be standing here before her and receive praise caused his heart to soar.
Ding!
The Gamer's Mind allows you to think calmly and rationally.
"It really is nothing," Senshu took a deep breath as he put his hand into his pocket and took out the letter Merlin had given him. "Our sensei wanted to give this to you. That's why I'm here."
"Our?" Saber said with a confused look as she took the letter and examined it. "Nevertheless, thank you for bringing this to me."
"It's no problem," Senshu said. "I think I should get going too."
"Thank you for your assistance," Irsiviel dipped her head at Senshu. "I hope we do meet again."
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Senshu waved his hand. "Until next time."
With a wave, Senshu briskly walked out of the port. As soon as he knew he was out of sight, he stopped to catch his breath before slamming a fist on the wall.
"Damn… I wasn't able to change anything," Senshu gritted his teeth. He was lucky to be alive after taunting Gilgamesh like that. Even after getting all those Noble Phantasms in his inventory, he couldn't use them. And even with his intervention, the sequence of events didn't change in the slightest.
Ding!
The Gamer's Mind allows you to think calmly and rationally.
"I… I need to get stronger," Senshu muttered in his conclusion. With his mind set, he tiredly started the long trek home.
I am back after a very long time. Honestly I've been very demotivated to write this story but I really wanted to continue this one. I have so many things I wanted to introduce and so many things I wanted to write, I'm deciding to give this another shot. Please bear with me. With that being said, please do consider leaving a review! I would love to read and reply to your thoughts. Also please join my Discord! I would love to talk to you all and answer all your questions! I talk a lot about my thought process while writing, so if you're interested in that, do consider joining. The url is discord . gg (forego the spaces) followed by a slash and CpVs7R8KXz. Unfortunately you'll have to type the rest of the url in manually because I'm not allowed to post links. If you want to read chapters as soon as they're finished along with a slew of other benefits, check out my Patron at pat reon dot com slash kfpisnotacult. Already working on chapter 2 and it'll be there as soon as it's done. Thank you for reading and I'll catch you on the flipside.