Ch. 107 - Lessons
"Seven. Eight. Nine."
"Damnit, damnit, damnit!"
Ritsuka looked around her in a panic. The forest, normally a calm and serene environment to her, was nothing more than an obstruction. Arrows darted through the branches and leaves on all sides, finding marks in the soldiers around her as they fell one by one. They shouted at her for orders as they frantically looked through the woods, trying in vain to find the archers. One broke rank and began dashing through the woods, screaming – then was hoisted into the air by the ankle as he was caught by a rope trap. Seconds later, he was riddled with arrows.
"Ten."
A baby's loud cry pierced through the air, forcing the mother to cradle her child tighter, whispering desperate reassurances while holding back her own tears. The civilians were ducking down, taking cover near whatever trees there were, as they screamed and cried in panic. Ritsuka looked back at them in panic and worry as she racked her brain to figure out an answer. Several arrows found their mark among the civilians – and the baby's cry went silent.
"Eleven. Twelve."
She remembered Artoria's advice. Think of the best solution. And if it wasn't viable, then go for the next best option. But what 'good' options were there?! The entire forest was seeded with traps, enemy archers were all around them, and they were escorting civilians! The only reason they were in this death trap in the first place was because there was an enemy army pursuing them! There had to be some way to get out of here with the least casualties, but she didn't even have time to think – her ruminations interrupted as more soldiers fell to the arrows.
"Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen."
The Master felt her throat tighten up. Her lungs felt like they were shrinking. Her vision swam. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears, loud as a drum. But none of that mattered. She needed to find some way to get all of them out of this, and fast. There had to be some way, some method, some strategy she could think of. There had to be something-
Then something struck her in the chest, causing her to stumble slightly. She slowly looked down and stared in horror at the arrow that stuck out of her chest.
"End simulation."
Her surroundings flickered and blurred around her, then dissolved back to the usual training grounds. She stared back down at her chest where the arrow vanished, leaving absolutely no mark of what she had gone through. Heaving deep breaths, she looked around her as she clutched at her chest. The gurgling stream in the distance. The dirt that comprised the training ground, lined with dummies. The nearby forest, unoccupied save for a few simulated animals.
Footsteps came up behind her, calm and measured. She didn't even have to turn to know who it was. She forced a small laugh out of herself. "Th-throwing me right into the deep end, huh, Archer?" she panted out.
The red-mantled hero's expression didn't change. "I merely wanted to give you a small sample of what you would have to go through," he explained. "You can be taught as much as possible, but real battles rarely allow you the luxury of thought. Take a few breaths. Once you have done so, consider what you could've done."
Ritsuka gulped and took Archer's advice, focusing on her breathing. Her mind started clearing up as she did so, becoming easier to think. "Right, um," she stammered as she thought back to the situation. "There's, um. Hm… I should've called the soldiers to form up in a defensive shell around the citizens. Use the trees and their shields to provide extra cover. But we're still kind of stuck in the middle of all this. We could charge ahead to get out, um, but… th-there are traps…"
Finally, she sighed. "I give up," she admitted, throwing up her hands. "What's the answer, Archer? What should I have done?"
Archer stared down at Ritsuka, seeing the impatient gleam in her eyes and the fiery determination to improve. "It would have been better to simply move ahead," he responded bluntly. "Perhaps even set fire to the forest as you did so. I believe the people you had escorted had some materials to start a fire, did they not? It would've been a good way to flush out your ambushers and slow down the advancing army."
The Master's mouth dropped slightly. "B-but… what about th-the traps…?" she stuttered.
"What about them?" Archer stated. The flatness of his tone made it clear that it wasn't a question – it was a statement.
Ritsuka blanched at that. "B-but…" she stammered, trying to reconcile the thought. "That would m-mean that there would be people who would get caught, and-"
"And the casualties would be far lower than if you take your time picking your way through," the red-mantled hero interjected. "The realities of war rarely allows for more 'palatable' choices – many times it means sacrificing a few here to save the many there. And at times, vice versa."
The redhead could only give a horrified stare up at her Servant, who met her gaze with a dispassionate one of his own. "If you abhor the thought of it, then it is best to make sure such situations don't happen in the first place," he stated. "But your enemies won't give you that kind of luxury nor can you factor every variable or scenario. It is best to get used to it so you can make the call when you need to."
Taking a shaky breath, she slowly stood up, distracting herself by brushing the dirt off her legs. "I'm guessing that scenario came from… personal experience?" she murmured.
"Something like that happened, yes," Archer admitted. "As well as other scenarios that aren't as generous. I won't run you through those ones yet – not until I believe you're ready for them."
"But you will run me through them," Ritsuka prodded.
The red-mantled hero nodded. "When I believe it necessary, yes," he confirmed.
The redhead was quiet for a moment. "Have… have you done similar training or exercises with Ren or Morgana?" she asked softly.
Archer scoffed lightly. "There wouldn't be a point for them," he answered flatly.
That caught the girl off guard. "Wh-what do you mean?" she questioned. "Is it because they already have experience, or…?"
The Servant was silent for a moment, staring at the stream flowing in the distance. "Because it is unnecessary," he bluntly stated. "As you have said, they have experience in this kind of situation and therefore know the most important aspect of it: They would be decisive. Their solution may not be the one I presented, nor would it be the best one, but they would at least make a decision and make it work along the way."
Ritsuka gulped. The image of Ren racing off on his Cerberus to confront Leonidas by himself was still clear in her mind. "And… and what about me?" she asked faintly.
Archer looked back down at her. "I have seen and heard how you have acted throughout that Roman singularity," he replied. "Your plans, your weakness, and your resulting strength. You wish for a 'perfect' victory with your plans where we would risk minimum casualties yet achieve our objectives. However, you are now more than aware that it isn't always possible – and more importantly, that hesitation may cost you more than perfection. I am teaching you how to prepare for that as necessary."
She looked down and clenched her fists. "So… what did you think about Astolfo, then…?" she whispered.
"A good soldier with his own quirks," he immediately replied. "And who understood the cost of the battlefield – even if it was his own life. Especially with his own life."
Ritsuka looked up at him in shock. The red-mantled hero met her eyes with cold stoicism. "We are Servants," he stated. "Our existences are ephemeral at best. Our time is long over. Each and every one of us are willing to die without hesitation for humanity's sake. It is your duty then, Master, to make sure that if we must sacrifice ourselves, that it wasn't in vain."
The redhead looked down again, processing his words. Everything he said made sense – when it came to war, she couldn't afford to hesitate. At least that much was clear. And despite all her planning, people would die, either by necessity or by some factor they couldn't expect or control. She could minimize that, but it would still happen. Especially if she hesitated…
"I think we're done here for now."
The Servant's words caught Ritsuka off-guard. "What?" she stammered.
"Trying to drill further lessons in your head right now would be unproductive," Archer elaborated. "We'll return to similar scenarios tomorrow.
The Master's mouth dropped as she furiously thought of an argument. On one hand, he was right and needed time to collect herself properly, to think about what she needed to properly learn. The fact he had been generous enough to do so shouldn't be discounted. But on the other, she felt… defeated. That tiny voice within her that whispered she had failed yet again - a feeling that caused no end of frustration.
The red-mantled hero glanced over, noticing the anguish that burned within his Master. It was an expression he had seen many, many times – particularly whenever he looked into a mirror. He shoved back his distaste. Ritsuka wasn't him, nor would she become like him. It was an understandable frustration for anybody. For now, she had asked him to tutor her in becoming a better Master, and he would follow through.
"In the meantime, there is one thing you can do," he remarked.
Ritsuka looked up, then immediately asked, "What can I do?"
The exercise room of Chaldea had been one of the locations that had been thankfully spared from the initial bombing. Lev had seen no reason to destroy such an unimportant structure and focused his resources elsewhere. The room and equipment saw frequent usage from the staff exercising both to keep fit and to take their minds off their situation, if only momentarily. Roman and Da Vinci had debated making exercise mandatory to ensure the health of the staff, but it had ultimately turned out unnecessary.
At the moment, most of the staff were busy with their duties or in the lunchroom. A robot rolled around, taking the opportunity to quietly clean and disinfect the various equipment while it was mostly empty.
Ritsuka panted as she jogged on the treadmill. The machine was set at a fairly brisk pace, forcing her to maintain her speed. Her calves and thighs burned underneath the sweatpants she wore, her body only mildly cooled off from the exposure of wearing a workout tank top. The exercise gear was also Chaldean standard issue as well – a quick trip to the exercise room's stock closet was all that was needed.
The Master hadn't expected Archer's suggestion to be exercise, especially since she hadn't visited the gym almost at all ever since her arrival at Chaldea. 'Better physical condition often leads to better mental acuity,' he advised. 'And given the singularities we have entered so far, increasing and maintaining your stamina is paramount for longer marches and battles. I would suggest an exercise regimen at the very least.'
Before she knew it, she found herself carried by her own feet here and jogging. Ritsuka couldn't argue that Archer had a point: The long marches in the Roman singularity often wore her out more than she liked, and it was by pure, dumb luck they hadn't been attacked when she was exhausted. Still, that wasn't something she could always count on. Having more stamina would be crucial, and she would certainly be a lot less tired out if they had to go on a march like that again.
Besides, she was a squishy regular person without any special powers, unlike Ren or Morgana – she would need every advantage possible in case an enemy decided to target her. Sure, it might give her maybe a split second longer at most, but for Servants, that split second could mean everything.
Ritsuka checked the built-in timer of the treadmill. She had been running for about twenty minutes – a good enough time for a break as any. Reaching over, she slowed down the treadmill's speed until she was at a walking pace as she panted for breath. As she relaxed, she could feel the pounding of her heart against her chest and the numb soreness of her legs. She was definitely going to feel all of it tomorrow, if not the next few hours.
Snagging her bottle of water sitting in a holder nearby, she took a drink as she wiped some sweat from her forehead. How much exercise would she need to do before she saw the effects? Working out undoubtedly had a lot of benefits, sure, but that took time – the one thing they probably wouldn't have. A new singularity could come at any moment, maybe even the next hour if they were unlucky. If she was an ounce slower, if she ran out of energy at the wrong moment, if she was too muddled by exhaustion, then what kind of decisions would she make-
Ritsuka immediately slapped herself on the cheeks. "Stop that," she muttered to herself. "Don't focus on that. Just get back to training – results will come soon enough. You know this. You've done this before. Don't rush it and don't crash. That's not gonna help anyone, least of all Ren."
"A good reminder for yourself, though maybe with a bit less admonishment?"
The redhead jumped slightly and almost tripped over the still-moving treadmill – and looked over at a concerned Jeanne d'Arc, who had her hands outstretched ready to catch her if she actually did fall. "O-oh, hey Jeanne," she greeted in surprise as she tried to recover her composure. "How long have you been there?"
The saint smiled apologetically and shook her head. "I only just arrived," she admitted. "I noticed the exercise room was in use and hadn't expected you, Master. I hope I'm not intruding?"
"No, no, not at all," Ritsuka quickly denied. Turning off the treadmill, she hopped off the machine while ignoring her shaky legs and grinned at the saint. "Just trying to get some exercise in. More stamina never hurt anybody. And it might be a good way to have a nice figure, you know? Have you seen Ren? With all the exercises he does, it's no wonder he's always a treat for the eyes."
The Ruler smiled while she shook her head. "I'm afraid I haven't noticed," she earnestly replied. "Is it preparation for future missions and sorties as well?"
The Master, who had been reaching over for the dumbbells, froze for a moment before sighing. "Well, yes, that too," she confessed as she picked them up. "Considering how tired I was from all that marching we did back in the Roman singularity, I thought it'd be something to work on, just in case."
She picked up the larger dumbbells, weighing them in her hands before putting them down and going for lighter ones. "Hopefully it'll do some good," she murmured before looking over at Jeanne and grinned. "I might be a Master and very squishy but hey, every tiny bit helps, right?"
The Ruler nodded in agreement. She observed quietly as Ritsuka finally decided on some weights she wanted, sat down on a bench, and began lifting them. "Is there something that troubles you?" Jeanne asked.
The sudden question caught the Master off guard. "Er, no more than usual," she answered. "Why do you ask?"
Jeanne shook her head slightly. "I've seen similar expressions on my men during my campaign," she elaborated softly. "Many of them have come to me or another member of the clergy, seeking to confess. I don't believe I have the authority to pardon sins in His name, but I could at the very least hear them out. Perhaps I can do so here as well."
The suggestion had Ritsuka gaping slightly as an argument broke out in her mind whether she wanted to tell her or not. On one hand, she shouldn't tell her – these were her own problems and hers alone. She shouldn't bother anyone else about them. Not Ren, not Mash, not Morgana, and not the semi-living legends that were Servants. They all had their own burdens and own troubles. She had no right adding onto them.
But she could see the sincerity in Jeanne's eyes. They didn't demand answers, merely requested them from her. If the Master said no, the saint would simply accept it and leave it at that. But would she herself be satisfied with that? A Servant was much longer lived and far more accustomed to such situations she was dealing with. Her experience would undoubtedly be invaluable.
In the end, she chuckled, the sound both hollow and bitter. "Am I really that obvious?" she asked rhetorically as she set down the dumbbells and ran a hand through her sweaty hair. "I've been taking lessons from Archer."
"Oh?" the Ruler asked, moving to sit down beside the redhead.
The Master nodded. "Yeah, thought it'd be a good idea," she explained. "I'm pretty behind Ren and Morgana in terms of being a Master. Like I said, I'm just a squishy person. I don't even have the awesome powers they have to make myself useful, so I might as well do other stuff – like strategizing and planning. Seemed to work well back in the Roman singularity."
She grabbed her water and took a sip while the saint listened silently. "But maybe it was just beginner's luck," she continued with another half-hearted chuckle. "Or maybe I'm just greedy. I dunno."
"Why do you say that?" Jeanne asked. "Can you elaborate what these lessons from Archer are?"
"Nothing too complicated," Ritsuka answered. "He was teaching me before from things like Art of War or Thirty-Six Strategies to prep. Then he used the simulator to toss me into a combat scenario. That last part didn't go well."
"Oh?" The saint's curiosity was piqued. "What was the scenario?"
The redhead explained it: The forest loaded with traps, escorting civilians, the ambushing archers, her own soldiers, and how they were being pursued – essentially her time limit. "It's pretty panic inducing, not gonna lie," she admitted. "I just kinda froze up like a deer in headlights as Archer just counted all the people getting killed because I couldn't make a decision."
She rubbed her ice-cold hands together. "It… wasn't fun," she finished, her tone quiet.
"I can imagine," Jeanne replied softly. "What did Archer say at the end of it all?"
Ritsuka gulped. "He…" she hesitantly answered. "He said that I should've charged forward anyway, setting the forest on fire. As for the traps… well, a few would get caught and killed while the rest escaped. Just… it's a heavy call." She looked up at the Ruler. "What do you think?" she asked plaintively.
The saint was silent for a moment as she pondered. "I agree with him," she finally answered,
That wasn't what the Master expected to hear. "What?" she whispered.
"If it was necessary to secure victory or to preserve the lives of as many as possible," the Ruler elaborated. "Then I would do so without hesitation. It is… uncommon that battles can be won without bloodshed or with mere niceties, even less so without risking any of your own. All too often, blood must be washed with blood before any sort of defining victory can be achieved."
Jeanne looked over at Ritsuka, her normally kind purple eyes surprisingly expressionless. "Does that idea trouble you, Master?" she asked.
The redhead gaped for a moment in sheer shock. She hadn't expected a saint of all people to be so… brutal and pragmatic. But then, she was speaking to the legendary Jeanne d'Arc – she who carried the French banner and led soldiers into battles against the English for her homeland. She would have seen and gotten used to horrific bloodshed on both sides. In a sense, saint or not, she was no less a warrior than Artoria or Cu Chulainn were.
"I mean…" Ritsuka stammered, trying to find the words to describe her thoughts. "I… I know you and Archer are right and achieving victory is what we're supposed to do. We're supposed to save the world and bring back humanity. Nothing should be more important than that."
"… but?" the saint prodded.
The Master stared up at the ceiling. "I don't know," she muttered. "I feel like if I just barrel along like this, sacrificing things just to reach victory, we might end up losing a lot more than we expect. I know making sacrifices and losing things are inevitable in war, but it shouldn't be like that. Not that easily, anyway." She sighed deeply in irritation. "I'm sorry, I'm not making much sense, am I?" she asked ruefully.
Jeanne didn't answer the question. "You don't believe it is worth a few human lives for a hundred? Or a thousand?" she pressed.
"Yes? No?" Ritsuka stammered before throwing her hands up in frustration. "I don't know! I just don't believe it's right, just… trading a couple of lives for the greater like it's just some sort of numbers game! Every life is different and its own thing! Just treating them like statistics – where a few die here so more can live and possibly die over there – is way too cold! I don't want to come out of this entire thing as some cold-hearted monster who can do something like that without blinking!"
Then she realized who she was rambling to. "Er, not that I'm calling you some sort of cold-hearted monster or anything-" the girl stammered, trying to backtrack.
The saint shook her head with a sad smile. "No, you are quite correct," she gently silenced her. "I am a cold-hearted monster. One that was perhaps necessary to win back my country for my people but one, nevertheless. Is that what you believe, Ritsuka? That every life has worth and shouldn't be so easily discarded despite the cruel reality of war?"
Ritsuka sighed. "It's a naïve thought, isn't it?" she asked resignedly.
"Perhaps," Jeanne admitted. "But I am truly glad my Master is one who remembers that burden." She smiled gently as the redhead looked up at her in surprise. "Whatever you may decide, whatever you choose to sacrifice, please know that I shall gladly fly my banner and stand beside you. And I do not doubt the Servants here would share a similar opinion as well."
The girl was silent for a moment, considering the Ruler's words. "… thanks, Jeanne," she murmured.
The saint nodded, accepting her gratitude. The mood lightened and the Master contemplative now, she glanced over at the dumbbells. Ever since she came here, she had been curious about them. Did they have Servant level ones she could use? And she could practice a bit more with Martha's pugilist teachings. But then, what she was currently wearing wasn't quite fitting. It was time she posed another question to her Master.
"By the way, where did you come by such clothes?"
Ritsuka slouched against the shower wall in her room. The hot water was absolutely heavenly against her aching muscles. Her bones felt like water and any motivation to even move was drifting from her like the steam. She always did enjoy a hot shower – especially after coming back from the Roman singularity where she didn't even get a bath – but now it was truly appreciated. It helped wash off all the grime and sweat off her too, so that was a plus.
She had worked out for a good while. Running, lifting dumbbells, even utilizing the exercise machines (which conveniently all had electronic guides on how to properly use them) – it was far more exercise than she ever did outside of a gym class. Looking down, she poked at her soft thigh and couldn't help but imagine the muscles on herself. She'd probably be one hell of a bombshell if she kept this up.
The redhead sighed aridly. No, that wasn't why she was exercising to begin with. How much did Ren exercise to keep up his own physical activity? It was probably a lot, all things considered. She had a long way to go if she wanted to match him at the very least. She considered Mash or Morgana for a moment, then just as quickly dismissed the idea. Mash was a demi-Servant whose physical capabilities far exceeded anything a regular person could ever reach. Trying to match her was utterly impossible. And Morgana was… well, a cat. Trying to match a cat's agility and speed was almost as futile.
Reluctantly, she reached for the shampoo and began to wash herself. Staying here wasn't going to help anybody, even if she was utterly tired. There was still a lot she could do. The library would be a good place to visit next. Maybe there was something she could read or research to prepare herself. Would history books be any good, or should she focus on mythology? Maybe she should read more of the Art of War or Thirty-Six Strategies. She wasn't normally the type to study ahead but a bit of review never hurt anyone.
"Ooh, a shower in the middle of the day? Très décadent!"
Ritsuka almost jumped straight into the ceiling from sheer surprise before whirling about in the stall to see Marie standing right behind her, wearing nothing as she soaked in the hot water and steam with a contented smile. "What the heck is with French women and scaring the bejeezus out of me today?!" she grumbled breathlessly as she placed a hand over her rapidly pounding heart.
"Ah, pardon," Marie murmured with an apologetic smile. "I had not had the delightful experience of showering with others and became a touch overeager. I can excuse myself, if you wish…?"
The redhead's mouth worked up and down for a moment before sighing. "You're already in here anyway, so it's fine," she muttered, waving off her apology. "It's gonna be a bit cramped though – this shower isn't exactly meant for two people, after all."
"Oui," Marie easily agreed. "But it is no problem. More opportunities for skinship, after all~"
"Er, right," Ritsuka stammered. Now that she was regaining her composure, it was hard to ignore the presence of Marie in the shower with her, especially in such close confines. Lithe and elegant, with pale skin and hair that almost glowed in the lights of Chaldea, she was someone that easily drew the gaze of anybody who had even the slightest notion of beauty. Her calm grace as she contentedly soaked in the hot water splashing down on her only highlighted that even further.
"Are you well?"
The question from Marie caught Ritsuka off guard. "Er, sorry?" she asked, embarrassed out of her ogling.
The queen glanced over, her expression serene though filled with subtle amusement. "You seemed remarkably somber when I first noticed you here," she pointed out. "And believed a bit of company would perhaps cheer you up." She giggled slightly. "I had not expected my presence to be quite so effective, however," she commented.
The Master blinked, then grinned. "Well of course," she easily replied, reaching for the soap. "One of the most beautiful queens of France showering with me without any reservation? I think I'm the luckiest girl that ever existed!"
Marie laughed airily. "My, such praise," she cooed. "So long as it cheers you up, my Master, then I shall happily join as you wish. In the meantime, shall I wash your back?"
"If you could," Ritsuka quickly accepted. "I can never reach properly back there. But is it any trouble for you?"
"Of what trouble would it be?" the Rider retorted. "Non, it is no trouble whatsoever. Please, allow me – I wish to try my hand at this at least once."
The redhead could only smile at Marie's cheerful eagerness. "Then all yours," she replied.
The queen grinned happily. Reaching past her Master, who leaned out of the way for better access, she took a handful of soap and slathered it over her hands. With that, she gently began applying it to Ritsuka's back, her hands easily gliding across the smooth skin of the redhead who sighed in comfort. "How is it?" she asked gently.
"This is nice," Ritsuka replied, her eyes closing as she enjoyed the warm, affectionate touch of Marie. "Keep this up and I might end up dozing off in here."
Marie laughed quietly. "Go right ahead," she reassured her. "It shall be a badge of honor for me, and more beauty rest never truly hurt anyone."
"And come out looking like a prune?" Ritsuka retorted, grinning widely. "Thanks, but no thanks. Nice try."
"Ah, there goes my prank," Marie lamented, then both of them broke down into laughter.
It was a rather soothing time. The Master hadn't been exaggerating – if she hadn't been standing, she would've very quickly nodded off. The queen's touch was soft and gentle against her back. It was the kind of comfort that she honestly hadn't had in… well, ever. Right, didn't Medusa offer massages to Ren? Maybe she could ask for one herself. Getting it from someone like her must feel amazing.
She discounted the thought. Nah, that was a privilege reserved for the hardworking Ren. Maybe when she deserved it, she'll ask. In the meantime, however, it wasn't her place to demand such a thing. She would simply just enjoy Marie's company for a bit longer. One tiny indulgence wouldn't hurt, right?
After a bit, Ritsuka turned to the Rider with a grin. "Alright, your turn!" she stated.
"Oh?" Marie asked with a wry smile. "You are that eager to wash a queen's back?"
"As the saying goes, 'you scratch my back, I scratch yours,'" the Master declared. "In this case, replace 'scratch' with 'wash'. So turn around, Marie! I'm not taking no for an answer!"
The queen laughed, happy to accept the reasoning. "Very well," she accepted. "I shall be in your care." Turning around, she pulled her long, silvery-blonde hair in front of her to allow Ritsuka easy access to her back.
As Ritsuka began, she had the perfect opportunity to look over Marie and feel her. Her skin was smooth and unblemished, soft and warm to the touch from the shower. There wasn't a lot of muscle definition on her, nor did she have a lot of curves, but her lithe, slim figure was nothing less than an absolute delight to just look at, let alone touch. She had to restrain herself from going any further down her back or moving toward her front – a greater test of will she didn't think she would experience for some time yet.
Marie's smile widened as she felt her Master's eager hands applying the soap. She was right – this was incredibly comfortable. "It has been a while since I have heard you laugh," the Rider remarked.
"Huh. Is that right?" Ritsuka murmured in surprise as she began digging through her memory. When was the last time she had really laughed out of genuine amusement or happiness? It probably wasn't that long ago, but she couldn't remember at all.
Why did that very thought send cold chills through her limbs despite the hot water running over her?
"Is something troubling you, Master?" Marie asked softly.
Ritsuka's mouth opened, closed, then opened again. "Why do you think I'm troubled?" she asked in turn.
The queen smiled. Unlike before, it was filled with sorrow and sympathy rather than mirth and amusement. "It is merely a hunch of mine," she answered truthfully. "Do you wish to speak about it?"
She considered. Again, a similar situation with Jeanne. It was a simple question, without any prodding or force, just concern. What was her luck with French women today? "It's… it's about military affairs," Ritsuka admitted. "I'm not sure if you'd be too interested, to be honest."
"And why would I not be?" Marie countered without bothering to turn around. "Everyone has a tale of their own, many of them fascinating. And while it is not usually my specialty, I have some knowledge of such matters both from listening to generals and officers speak and conferring at times with my husband. At the very least, do enlighten me as to your predicament."
The Master's eyes widened, then gave a rueful chuckle. "I really keep forgetting you guys are ridiculously awesome and knowledgeable," she admitted.
The queen smiled at that remark. "Do you wish to tell me about it?" she asked again.
Ritsuka hesitated, then sighed. For the second time, she reported Archer's simulation to her, from the forest to the ambush to her own people. She also talked about how the red-mantled hero advocated sacrificing a few of her own to save the majority, reaching a decisive win as necessary. The story flowed out of her smoother this time, allowing her to calmly go over each detail. That was an effect she hadn't expected.
Marie's eyes, meanwhile, grew wider and wider in shock as her Master described the whole situation. She wasn't unused to the affairs of war in the slightest: While she might have been rather sheltered in life, the Throne provided plenty of knowledge about combat, and she had seen her fair share of battle while in the France singularity. Still, as the picture formed itself in her mind, she could easily visualize the harrowing scenario Ritsuka had been put through.
While normally the Rider had much to say, she found herself trying to decide her words carefully. Half-hearted reassurances and encouragement wouldn't do anything here, not for such a serious matter. She needed more information. "And what do you think about that?" she asked quietly.
The Master blew out a tired breath. "I hate it," she stated bluntly. "I hate the idea of having to sacrifice anyone for a victory, no matter how naïve that sounds. I hate the idea of getting to the point where a sacrifice is even necessary in the first place. And I hate how Archer is able to treat this kind of thing like a numbers game: a few die here so more can survive over there. I mean, Archer has a point and it may be what it takes, but…"
Ritsuka sighed again. "I talked about it to Jeanne too," she grumbled to Marie's surprise. "She agrees with Archer. Again, kinda forgot she's also used to that kind of thing."
"'Heavy is the head that bears the crown,'" the queen intoned quietly. "Or in dear Jeanne's case, the banner of France." She turned to look at the redhead over her shoulder. "If you do not mind me asking, why does that bother you so much? You are aware our existences are ephemeral, yes?"
"Archer said the same thing, but that's not the point," Ritsuka grumbled.
"Oh?" Marie questioned.
"Yeah," the Master confirmed as she finished washing Marie's back. She couldn't exactly focus on it right now anyway. "It's just… I don't want to think about it as a numbers game, you know? Just reducing lives to be numbers or weights on a scale and deciding with that who should be sacrificed and who should be saved based on that. Every life is different, filled with their own experiences and knowledge. All of them are unique. Human or Servant, it doesn't matter."
She moved out of the way as Marie squeezed past her to get into the main flow of the shower. "It's a stupid mindset to keep, I know," she grumbled exasperatedly. "Especially when there's so much on the line. I just can't help it though. And I keep feeling like I'd lose something important if I do end up forgetting that fact."
Ritsuka chuckled halfheartedly. "Dumb, right?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"Hm," Marie hummed, her eyes closed as hot water washed over her. "Why would it be?"
The question caught the Master off guard again. "Er…" she stuttered. "Well, because we need to win so we can possibly get all of humanity back…?"
"You are correct," the queen agreed. "But what how does it relate to believing human lives are unique and should be preserved?"
Ritsuka could only blink multiple times. "Because… it might cause me to hesitate when we can't afford to…?" she slowly replied.
"That may be true," Marie replied as she ran her fingers through her long hair to wash it. "And yet is it worth discarding in the end?" She glanced over her shoulder at her Master, who was staring at her in confusion, and smiled. "Are you aware of my legend, Ritsuka?" she inquired.
The Master's eyes widened. "I've… heard a few things about it," she haltingly answered, unable to look her in the eye. The legend of Marie Antoinette was something many knew about – from her infamous 'let them eat cake' line to her execution by guillotine in the French Revolution. She did a bit more looking out of curiosity, and it seemed Marie was more a victim of propaganda from the Revolution than the cruel monster her classes seemed to depict her as.
The Rider chuckled slightly. "Come now, my Master," she gently admonished. "There is no need to… what was the phrase? 'Beat around the bush.' My fate was rather ignominious, if I may be frank. I accepted it, but it still does not change the reality of my end."
"What… what do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the shower.
Marie looked down at her bare, wet arms. Even now she could feel the cold, hard iron of the shackles that wrapped around her wrists. "I can still hear them clear as day," she murmured. "The jeers and insults from the crowd, all saying such harsh and cruel things. Their cheers for my husband's head as it rolled. My sickly son, who was torn from me and died after from neglect. And soon, it would be my turn."
The queen smiled wistfully. "I remember the face of my executioner, my dear Sanson," she continued. "He was the only one distraught among the crowd. I had to reassure him that it would be alright – and even apologized for accidently treading on his foot. A bit ironic, non?" She giggled in slight amusement and warmth. "He was always a kind man. And in the end, he did his duty and just like that, my life was gone – and France was free."
Ritsuka's mouth hung open in horror. "I… I'm so sorry that happened, Marie-" she began saying – and was immediately forestalled by a finger on her lips.
"Non, non," Marie corrected calmly as she moved aside for her Master's turn in the shower. "Your pity or sympathy is not what I am asking for, Ritsuka. I ask instead for your consideration for this one question: Do you believe I hated them?"
The question was an odd one. The redhead considered as she slid by Marie into the shower, automatically going through the process of washing. She tried to put herself in Marie's shoes. Her own husband and child were killed. Yet the Marie she saw here was smiling and happy, eager to learn about the world and people around her. Not to mention she did comment that France was free afterward.
"Er… no, you didn't?" the Master answered uncertainly. "It's absolutely horrible what they did to you but… uh… you made your peace with it? After all, you did say the people of France were free now and you seem pretty cheerful and eager to learn about everything around you. At least, that's what it appears to me."
Marie blinked a few times, then broke out laughing, startling Ritsuka. "Ah, forgive me," she said, trying to hold back her laughter. "Your answer merely surprised me! I hadn't expected you to see me in such a kind light! It warms my heart, and I am grateful for your appreciation."
Her giggles settled down as her smile became sadder. "That being said," she murmured. "You are only partially correct."
Ritsuka paused mid-motion at the answer. "Partially?" she echoed in surprise.
The queen nodded solemnly. "I had said before, non?" she quietly responded. "It was perhaps expected that they should kill my husband, for he was a king. It was his mantle to bear. And the people were free – they received the freedom so dearly wanted and loved. Oui, I am glad for that, and that the people could take charge of the country as they wished."
"But it does not change the fact they took my son from me," Marie continued, her voice barely audible above the shower. "He was beautiful and kind, and I loved him dearly. But they forced him to say heinous words he would otherwise never utter, then threw him into a cell where, like a flower cast onto the street, he withered and perished. I could not even be there with him as he passed, nor could I even pray for him as I had long passed by then."
The Master could only slowly turn around in horror. Marie was still standing there, but something had changed. Her normally warm, bright eyes had become cold and sharp. Her gentle smile, almost as eternally present as Da Vinci's, had vanished. There were lines of rage on her face that caused the redhead to inadvertently take a step back.
"What mother could ever forgive such a grievance?" she whispered, grief and rage echoing in every single word.
Ritsuka's mouth hung open. "Th-that's-" she began saying before suddenly yelping in shock. She had backed up into the temperature control and now the water was icy cold. She quickly scurried away from the cold water – and right into Marie, who reflexively embraced her in mutual surprise. The Master could only flush from embarrassment – and at the contact. "Er, um-!" she intelligently stated as her brain melted down trying to find an excuse.
Marie just burst out in laughter once more. Her cold rage passed by like a summer storm, revealing – or rather simply shifting – to the warm, lively Rider they had always known her by. She simply reached over and turned the hot water back on. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," she apologized. "But my, I hadn't expected this form of skinship so soon. It is rather pleasing though, non?" The queen's eyes glinted mischievously as she held her a bit tighter.
"Er… s-sure?" the redhead stuttered as she fought to keep the blush down. Under more normal circumstances this would've been an incredibly pleasant surprise, but what caught her attention more was just how quickly Marie's mood had shifted. Just a moment ago, the sheer anger and hatred that emanated from her was something to behold. But now, it was gone. No, that wasn't the right word for it – she simply stopped focusing on it. "Wh-what about you?" Ritsuka asked, both to distract herself and to maybe get an answer. "We, uh, talked about some pretty heavy stuff there."
The Rider's smile was gentle. "Oui, it certainly was," she murmured. "But I wasn't merely sharing my pain. As you can tell, I have every right to despise the world and the people for what they had done to my son. I could spread that hatred until everything that deserved to break breaks. It would be very easy for me."
"… but you didn't?" Ritsuka ventured.
"I didn't," Marie confirmed, her smile widening. "There is cruelty and ugliness in the world and in people, yes. But so is there beauty, kindness, joy, and wonder. There is so much more to the world than pain and death, even in the smallest of things. I may hold that anger in my heart, but it is no reason for me not to love the world and everything it offers regardless."
She released Ritsuka from her embrace to gently cup her face, her clear blue eyes staring into the Master's own. "Even when a situation feels impossible, even when it feels like you must discard your heart," she urged. "I only ask that you remember what you hold true to yourself, and what you hold as beautiful to you. I know I'm asking much, but I believe you will be able to do so."
Ritsuka gulped, unable to tear her eyes away from Marie's gaze. "I'll… I'll do my best," she could only weakly answer.
The queen nodded. "That is all I ask," she replied. She lowered her hands - and pulled the redhead into her embrace again.
The Master's eyes widened in surprise. "Er, Marie?" she asked, unsure.
"Kisses are a bit much for the moment," the queen elaborated. "But I find a hug to be suitable for almost any situation." She rested her head on Ritsuka's shoulder, not caring about the wetness, and smiled. "Besides, this is rather comfortable."
The redhead blinked several times, then chuckled before finally wrapping her own arms around the Rider. "Can't argue there," she agreed, resting on Marie's shoulder in turn. There was much she had to do and much she had to think about. But for now, she could just enjoy this moment. Hugging the queen of France, who was beautiful both within and without, under a shower?
She could get used to this.
Ritsuka stretched as she walked through the halls of Chaldea. As always, it was rather quiet – the hiss of the air conditioners, the distant drone of people chatting becoming audible then fading as they passed by, and the occasional whir of a robot as it rolled on through. She stepped aside for one as it wheeled by, arms laden with various tools and items such as nuts, bolts, and screws. It was probably on its way to assist with the facility's ongoing repairs.
She reflected as she ran a hand through her damp hair. She spent longer in the shower than she expected, enough for her fingers to prune up. Considering Marie's little joke about her prank, she couldn't help but laugh a bit. The queen got what she wanted in the end, didn't she? Their time together had been rather pleasant overall, and she didn't feel quite as down in the dumps as she had been earlier in the day.
Still, she had a lot to think about. Jeanne's and Marie's words bounced around in her head. The saint believed that while making sacrifices in war was necessary, she was happy the Master would remember the burden. And while Marie did admit that there was ugliness and darkness both in her and the world, that was still no reason to stop seeing the aspects that were good. There was a common thread here and she was just missing a piece… but what?
The Master shook her head. This wasn't the time to think about it. Not when she was hungry. She would grab some food first, and then think some more later.
As she stepped into the cafeteria, she sniffed almost reflexively and slumped in disappointment: No alluring scent of spices or coffee. Ren wasn't here making his usual heavenly combo. Well, that was probably to be expected – she was still early and he was probably busy with other stuff like always. It would be unreasonable to ask him to cook all the time. At least Jeeves could whip something up.
Turning her attention more fully to her surroundings, she noticed that the cafeteria was mostly empty. The only person was a familiar man in blue spandex, sitting at the counter. Her curiosity piqued, she stepped forward. "Hey Cu," she called over cheerfully. "Didn't think I'd expect you here until dinner time."
The Lancer glanced over and grinned. "Yeah, well, sometimes certain appetites can't wait," he replied casually. As he said that, Jeeves rolled up and deposited a beer bottle on the counter. His grin widening, the Irish hero snatched the bottle, popped the cap off with his thumb, caught it, then tossed it over to the trash collector chute that opened on the robot's body. "Thanks, Jeeves!" he stated.
"Anytime, Sir Cu Chulainn," Jeeves intoned in a pleasant voice before rolling away.
"'Sir' Cu Chulainn?" Ritsuka remarked as she sat down beside the Lancer with a grin. "That's a first."
The Irish hero chuckled. "Not what I'm typically called, but I'll admit it's got a nice ring to it," he replied before taking a long draft, draining half the bottle in one go. "Ah, that's some good stuff," he sighed.
The Master chuckled. "Surprised Jing Ke isn't with you," she commented, looking around.
Cu shook his head. "Nah," he answered. "She's at the observation deck. Said something about drinks and snow being a good combination. I'd have joined her but I think she wants to be alone at the moment. I don't blame her – while drinking with buddies is always a grand time, there's times where you just wanna sit back, relax, and just enjoy at your own pace, y'know?"
"And that's what you're doing?" Ritsuka pointed out with a wry smile.
"Hey, I just said there's times like that, yeah?" the Lancer retorted with a broad grin. "A cold brew by myself doesn't hurt every once in a blue moon." He nodded toward Jeeves. "You want one of your own?" he asked.
The redhead shuddered. "Pass," she replied flatly. "I once got a taste of beer before. How people drink that stuff is beyond me. Blech."
Cu barked with laughter. "Ha! You're definitely not Irish then!" he cried in amusement.
"As far as I know," Ritsuka chuckled back. "Never actually got an ancestry test. I'm part Japanese but that's about all I got." She glanced up as Jeeves rolled up.
"What would like, Master Fujimaru?" it asked.
Ritsuka couldn't help but smirk a bit. While Master was her official title, she couldn't help but feel she was being addressed to by a butler. It certainly made the name 'Jeeves' all the more fitting. "I just worked out," she replied. "Something light so I don't ruin my appetite for dinner in a bit would be good."
A few of the display lights flashed on Jeeves. "Very well," the robot chef acknowledged. "Would a small Caesar salad be suitable?"
The Master couldn't help but chuckle as she remembered the large, stout figure of the Roman emperor. "That works for me," she replied cheerfully.
"At once, Master Fujimaru," Jeeves intoned before rolling off.
"Working out, huh?" Cu commented with a raised eyebrow. "What's with the sudden interest?"
The redhead grinned. "Well, I thought it was time for a killer bod, y'know?" she replied casually. "Something like what you and Ren got. Both of you look fine as heck, and so do a lot of the other women here. Thought I might as well try to match up as well."
"Uh huh," the Lancer replied, taking another chug of his bottle as he eyed his Master skeptically. "And what's the real reason?"
Ritsuka's mouth dropped slightly, then she groaned in frustration. "Okay, seriously, am I that easy to read?!" she spouted in irritation as her head dropped into her hands.
"Eh, it's not about being easy to read," Cu replied with a shrug as he turned back to looking forward while taking another draft of his beer. "It's just something I see a lot in new blood after they come back from their first battles. Most compensate by drinking their brains away, but some take to training or studying until they're halfway to the grave. Nothing a good smack on the head usually doesn't fix though." He placed his empty bottle back on the counter. "Another, Jeeves!" he called out.
"Of course, Sir Cu Chulainn," Jeeves acquiesced, mixing the salad in several of its arms while a free one took the beer before rolling off once more.
"It's just something that happens," the Lancer finished. Turning around, he leaned his back on the counter. "So, what's eatin' ya?" he asked.
Ritsuka sighed. For the third time, she recited the whole scenario Archer ran her through. By the time she finished, Jeeves had placed the salad in front of her. "Thanks Jeeves," she distractedly told the robot chef before turning back to the current topic. "Jeanne said she agrees with Archer about sacrificing some of the men though she's happy I remember the value of human life. Marie asked me to keep in mind the good stuff while thinking about the darker things I might have to decide."
Her fork punctured a few leaves and chicken before popping them into her mouth. "I dunno, it feels difficult to balance this," she muttered through a semi-full mouth. "I just feel like I'm missing something, though hell if I know what." She glanced over at Cu, who had received another bottle of beer and was staring up contemplatively. "What's your take?" she asked.
Cu frowned deeply. "Leave it to that bastard to be a pain in the ass is my take," he grumbled, taking another draft. "Of course he'd be the type to put lives on a scale and watch everything carefully before choosing the 'most amount of lives'. Makes sense since he's a pragmatic asshole, but he's still an annoying prick."
The Master couldn't help but chuckle at his grumbling. "So what would you do, then?" she asked, curious.
The Lancer shrugged. "Honestly?" he answered. "Barrel right through each and everyone one of them as fast as possible while yelling at the others to get their asses moving. If I see the traps myself, I'll deal with them. If not, well, shit happens."
That… was an answer she expected, admittedly, but it still caught her off guard. "So you're not gonna worry about the others?" she inquired. "I-I mean, no offense but there are still a lot of lives counting on you, right?"
"Yep," Cu agreed easily as he placed down another empty bottle. "Had that happen plenty of times. But sitting around isn't gonna help much or do anything, so I just charge in and deal with it as I go. Only way I do things, really. One more, Jeeves!" As the robot chef moved to replace the bottle, he leaned against the counter again. "So why don't you?" he asked.
The redhead looked up quizzically from a mouthful of salad. She swallowed first, then asked, "Why don't I… what?" she asked.
"Just screw trying to do something and instead do what you gotta do?" he asked, keeping his eyes on Ritsuka as he opened up a fresh bottle and took another swig. "It's not like you're incapable of that, so why not just do it?"
Ritsuka just stared at Cu as she tried to process the utter absurdness of what he just said. Was… was he just that much of a meathead? No, no way he could be. The legendary light of Ireland couldn't be a meathead like that. "I mean," she said slowly. "There's a lot of things I have to think about, Cu. Like I said, trying to figure out whether I have to sacrifice people or thinking about the lives I'm either saving or sacrificing-"
"And?" the Lancer interrupted with a raised eyebrow. "Why can't you just go ahead anyway?"
That left the Master just blinking. "Er… you're gonna have to walk me through that," she stammered.
"What I'm saying is," Cu elaborated. "If you gotta take time to think, then make that damn time. You're the one calling the shots, right? Then just as it's your responsibility to make sure we win and save as many damn people as possible, then it's your men's responsibility – our responsibility – to make sure you have that. So in that case, give the orders to buy you some time. That way, we do what we do best, you plan, and we can all get out."
"… you make it sound so easy," Ritsuka muttered as she tried to process Cu Chulainn's words. Was it really that simple? That all she had to do was make time for herself and everyone else so she could find the way out? Reality can't be that simple, especially not in a warzone, but-
Her train of thought was interrupted by a chop on the head. "OW!" she yelled before glaring at Cu. "What the heck was that for?!"
"You're doing it again," he stated, frowning. "The thing is that you're not supposed to think too hard about it. Do what you believe is the right thing to do at the time. The first thing that comes to mind. Even if it's just 'hide' or 'take cover' or even 'fight', just freaking do it. Standing or sitting there like you're a scarecrow ain't gonna help you – well, except in times where it will but that's not my point."
"And… what if the right thing to do for me is the wrong one?" she asked softly, staring down at her half-eaten salad. She wasn't feeling hungry anymore. Damnit.
"Ain't that why you're doing this training to begin with?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "At this point, worrying about 'what-ifs' and future stuff is only gonna bog you down. Learn what you can now so you don't have to worry about that. And if something does happen… it'll be at the point where we can pick you right back up so you can run alongside us."
"… Or I could ask you to carry me," Ritsuka commented with a wry smile up at Cu.
The Lancer barked out in laughter. "Hey, if it floats your boat then I'll be happy to carry you once in a while," he answered with a grin before finishing off his bottle. "Welp, I'm outta here. You better finish your salad. It doesn't get cold but looks to me the leaves are wilting from where I'm seeing it.
The Master chuckled. "Alright," she agreed. "And… thanks, Cu."
Cu Chulainn simply waved goodbye with a smirk before getting up and walking toward the door, vanishing into golden particles and leaving Ritsuka alone.
Jeeves slowly rolled up to take away the third empty bottle, then turned to the redhead. "Would you like a second helping?" he asked.
Shaking her head, Ritsuka tore back into her salad. "No thanks, Jeeves," she replied as she ate a breakneck speed. "I got an appointment after this." Right. This wasn't the time to stop and mope about things. Cu was right – sometimes, it was simply about doing what she believed she had to, one way or another. She couldn't hesitate, not anymore.
"Master Fujimaru, I recommend slowing down the pace of your consumption. You are at risk of choking."
Okay, perhaps she could hesitate a little bit.
Archer surveyed the training area with his arms crossed. It was empty at the moment, even from the normal battle maniacs like Leonidas or Cu Chulainn. At this time, most would be making their way to the cafeteria. He would be too, cooking and helping out in the kitchen, had he not been asked to wait here. At least Boudica was understanding when he notified her.
As he waited, his keen eyesight casually caught even the smallest of details: A leaf slowly drifting down from a tree in the distant forest before being wafted away by the breeze, giving him an indicator of wind speed. A small shift in the current of the nearby brook alerted him to the presence of fish as well as its travel path. A virtual deer grazed peacefully past that, indicating the lack of any hostile presences in its immediate area.
All in all, it was a serene locale as always. It was always refreshing not spotting any threats or ambushes, even if it was a controlled environment.
The sound of quicker, lighter footsteps behind him caught his attention. He smirked. "You realize that it's almost dinner time, right?" he asked rhetorically without bothering to turn around. "If I recall, Ren is cooking tonight, albeit a bit later than usual for him. Are you sure you want to do this now?"
Ritsuka chuckled. "Don't have to," she admitted. "But I wanted to get on with it." She stood up straighter and took a deep breath. "I want to run that simulation again."
The red-mantled hero looked over, raising his eyebrows. "Oh?" he inquired. "I thought we would be resuming that tomorrow."
"So did I," the Master agreed. "But I wanted to try again, at least just one more time tonight. Hope there isn't a problem with that?"
Archer was surprised by the request. When he had first left Ritsuka earlier that day, she looked despondent, almost broken. That was within his expectations: The scenario he had tossed her in, while not the harshest, was still rather cruel for her first exercise. He had thought to get her used to it first - The harsh conditions as well as fragility of life – so that they could proceed onward with her lessons as a strategist.
What he saw now instead was the gleaming light of determination in her eyes. What did she do? Who did she talk to? The Master that was facing him was almost an entirely different being from the one he parted ways with. If anything, that burning determination he saw felt familiar. Far too familiar for his liking.
Nevertheless, he was curious as to what Ritsuka had in mind. "Very well, Master," he acquiesced. Turning away and looking up, he called out, "Begin simulation S-614." As he walked away and faded from view, the forest, soldiers, and civilians appeared once again. Screaming, arrows, and soldiers screaming desperately for orders as they looked around for their attackers.
The Master quickly observed her surroundings. It was just as chaotic as before, but for her mind felt a lot clearer this time around. Technically she was cheating here as this was her second try, but to hell with the rules, to hell with reasonable compromises, and to absolute hell with this damned scenario. "Soldiers, form up!" she roared. "Raise shields and encircle the civilians! Guard them with your lives! The rest of you, keep your heads down! We'll get out of this, don't worry!"
Everyone quickly moved to follow orders. "Use the trees to make up for any gaps!" the Master barked out as she crouched down among the civilians. Meanwhile, she continued looking around her, thinking. There were ways out of this scenario, ones where they would be able to get out. They were on a time limit, sure, but that didn't mean they had to be careless.
Keeping her breathing measured and slow, she kept thinking. Right. Like Artoria had said, if the best option wasn't available, move to the next one. Archer had said something about starting a fire, using it to slow down the pursuing army while dealing with the ambushers. If they did something like that, though, it would simply be setting their tails on fire, forcing them out of cover-
Ritsuka's eyes widened, and she almost smacked herself in the head. Why the hell didn't she think of this before? "Who here is a good thrower?" she called out. A young man raised his hand and she nodded. "Bottles, oil, cloth, and tinder! Hurry!" she quickly added. The civilians quickly retrieved what the redhead demanded and handed them over. Working quickly, she quickly made impromptu Molotov cocktails.
Once she was done, she handed two of them over to the young man. "Light up the cloth, then throw these two a good distance behind us," she ordered. "Once you're done, I want you to keep throwing in the directions the arrows are coming from." She looked up at the soldiers. "All of you, report where the soldiers are coming from. Your intel will be crucial to getting us out of here!"
"Yes ma'am!" the soldiers chorused.
The redhead nodded. "Scouts!" she called out. Two soldiers holding up shields looked up. "I want you to survey ahead for traps! Not too far – close enough to retreat back to the formation if necessary! Everyone else, get up but keep your heads down! We're advancing!"
There was an outcry of confusion and panic at what Ritsuka was demanding. "Just keep your heads down!" she yelled over them. "And we'll make it through! But I'm gonna need everyone's help and cooperation to see us all through! I'm putting all my trust in you guys, so trust in me too!" Everyone looked at one another, then shouted their assent.
With that, they all got to work. They moved at a steady pace as the scouts under cover quickly disabled the traps. The young man tossed the molotovs as directed, starting fires that quickly flushed the ambushers out of hiding and forcing them to either retreat or run straight into the waiting swords of the soldiers. The other civilians worked together to create more molotovs, some even volunteering their own throwing arm to supplement the young man. Ritsuka meanwhile kept a sharp eye out, barking out more orders and encouragement to adjust as necessary to the situation.
Unfortunately, things couldn't go nearly so well. The sound of hooves alerted everyone. Did the enemy cavalry catch up to them already?! As everyone around her began panicking, she listened. Not as thunderous as she expected – probably an advance unit that barely got through the burning forest. This was still manageable.
"Everyone, keep calm!" she roared over the group. "They can't have gotten too many people through the burning forest! And horses can't maneuver well through the trees! Keep advancing!" Her mind was moving a million miles a minute as she considered all her options. Despite saying that, a good, collected charge would be enough to break formation and morale. And if they got through the forest, the resulting open terrain would favor the horsemen.
"How are the enemy archers?" she barked at one of the soldiers. "We still under attack?"
"Sporadic, ma'am!" he replied, grunting as another arrow struck his shield. "Definitely slowed down a lot since we've been lobbing fire at them but they're still taking potshots!"
Ritsuka nodded before turning to the civilians. "New plan!" she commanded. "Keep making those things but don't light or toss them! Anyone who's able, pick up a shield and keep them up, facing outward! I want three more soldiers going ahead and dealing with traps! We're moving double time! Go go go!"
Everyone quickly rushed to fulfill her orders as several soldiers raced on ahead to join the scouts. Ritsuka marched at the front of the contingent, still keeping herself in cover while keeping a wary eye around her. An arrow grazed her forehead, causing her to curse as she lowered her head further and continued moving onward, trying to slow her heart as it drummed violently in her ears. She couldn't falter. Not now!
"Cavalry! Left side!" one soldier roared.
The Master glanced over and as reported, there was a horseman riding through the trees on their left. He bore a spear that was far too long to be thrown – it was most likely for charging. The trees were slowing his progress, but he was managing to pick out a path through them and turning to face them. They didn't have much time before he would run them down.
She didn't hesitate – running over, she grabbed one of the impromptu molotovs and with a flint, quickly lit it. She looked back up and quickly ascertained the direction of the horseman. As he began charging, she threw the molotov with a wild scream. It fell short, crashing down in front of the enemy, but it did the trick: The sudden burst of flames immediately terrified the horse, bucking off its rider off before galloping away.
"Forget him!" Ritsuka barked out as a few soldiers began advancing to dispatch him, freezing them in place. "He's not important – we need to get the heck out of here first! Everyone, move it!" The soldiers hesitated, then reluctantly fell back into place as they continued marching. The rider meanwhile slowly got up, looked around him, then scurried off, to the redhead's relief.
"Another on the right!" another soldier cried out.
"Toss two more in his direction!" Ritsuka responded.
They continued marching through the forest which was quickly being engulfed in flames. Every time a new rider appeared, the flames of the Molotovs was more than enough to deter them. Once or twice, the rider tried attacking the group despite being dismounted – and they were swiftly overwhelmed and cut down by Ritsuka's own men.
Before long, they broke through the forest into a clearing. "Watch our backs!" Ritsuka ordered. "Last thing we want is for them to fall on our rears when we just got out!"
The soldiers quickly moved to provide a rearguard as the Master quickly took stock of the situation. A few civilians and soldiers were wounded with arrows, and more had been burned by the fires. They would need to be treated when they managed to get to a more secure area. At least, that was the hope. No one had died though, and everyone could still move at a decent pace. That, she could live with for now.
"End simulation."
Once more, everything flickered out, revealing the training ground again. Ritsuka blinked in surprise as Archer stepped forward with a raised eyebrow. "Not bad, Master," he commented. "That was a genuinely clever method to get out without casualties. However, I hope you're aware reality isn't quite so generous as to give you second chances like this?"
Ritsuka chuckled. "Well, that's why we're using simulations, isn't it?" she asked. "The point of practice like this is to make sure I get it right and get me used to the scenarios so I don't need a redo to make sure things work."
Her green eyes were calm as they met Archer's steel-grey ones. "And while you're right that sacrifices may be necessary in the future, like hell I'm not gonna exhaust every other idea first," she declared. "At the very least, I wanna have a victory with the least amount of regrets possible."
Archer's frown deepened. "That's hell you're walking into," he warned gravely. "The path you choose will grant you little more than hardship, and it may not be worth it in the end. It is the path of a 'hero', so to speak – one that has nothing for you at the end but pain and regret."
The Master stared up at Archer and for a moment, neither of them said anything. Finally, Ritsuka smiled. "Yep, you're probably right," she fully admitted. "I definitely chose the harder way to do things. But regret? That, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on. Every life is unique and worth saving. I'm aware that saving everyone is impossible, but that doesn't mean I won't do everything in my power to try anyway. At the very least, I'll be able to look at myself in the mirror and keep my head held high."
The red-mantled hero said nothing as he stared down at the smiling Ritsuka. "You are truly foolish," he stated flatly.
"Yep," Ritsuka admitted again. "I've still got a lot to learn before I stop being a fool, so I hope you'll keep teaching me." She grinned broadly. "Now, let's go get some food – like hell I'm gonna miss Ren's divine curry and coffee!" With that, she dashed off for the door.
Once she exited the simulation room, she heaved out a gigantic breath she didn't even realize she had been holding. The scenario had been far more harrowing than she expected, enough that her newly found resolve almost broke and shattered again then and there. She wasn't sure she would've been able to save everyone. If anything, it was more sheer luck than her tactics and strategies.
Still, luck or not, it was a success. Somehow. All she needed to do was to keep up her lessons, learn what she could, and hopefully she would become helpful to everyone in Chaldea. Nice, easy, straightforward. Theoretically. That was the plan, anyway.
"Small steps, Ritsu," she muttered to herself as she made her way to the cafeteria. "Small steps…"
Meanwhile, Archer watched as his Master left. Many emotions boiled within him: Pride, grief, anger, frustration, resignation. Everything she said, everything she planned, sounded much like he was when he was younger: to save everyone he could see. A naïve dream borne by the greatest of fools. And now he could see similar ones in both Ren and Ritsuka. Similar, yet different. And most importantly, paths they didn't walk alone.
EMIYA simply sighed as he turned his gaze upwards. For a moment, the sky had become ashen and murky, blotting out the evening sun as gigantic gears turned in the background. An image he was intimately familiar with and would always see, for better and worse. Then he blinked and it vanished, leaving it a cloudless blue like before. A smile, both nostalgic and bitter, creased his lips. "It seems there are idiots in every age," he murmured.
The only reply was the cool evening breeze.
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