Chapter 40: Grand Orleans
"Um… ummm…" Zvezdnyy's confidence deflated like a balloon, the only thing on her mind was to know the names of her allies that her Polkovodets managed to acquire.
So she snapped her fingers as a slip of paper appeared above her, slowly drifting to the floor. Immediately, Zvezdnyy could feel this world trying to reject that paper like a body might try to reject poison. It wasn't enough to overpower her, but it ensured whatever the Witch made would eventually cease to exist without Zvezdnyy's attention on them.
Snatching it out of the air, Zvezdnyy stared down at the paper.
Chaldea.
What is 'Chaldea'? And how does one say that word?
"... How do you say this name?" Wait!
Zvezdnyy then cleared her throat. Taking a more dramatic pose, she declared, "I meant— By the cosmic ethers, reveal unto me the esoteric Smysl that encapsulates this name's existence!"
"Chaldea. That's how you say it." Her Polkovodets said as she walked out of a portal.
"Chal-de-a. Chaldea. Hmm." Zvezdnyy puckered her lips, "I shall call you, Organizatsiya. No, that doesn't seem right. Chaldea it is."
Zvezdnyy nodded to herself.
"Russian?" A woman with white hair and amber eyes said to herself before talking louder, "She's certainly… eccentric. Are you sure this is wise?"
"Dost thou question the sagacity of my esteemed Polkovodets, Direktor?"
"Hey uh, Zvezdnyy, where did you learn such big words like 'sagacity'?"
Zvezdnyy turned to face her Polkovodets. A pleased look was upon her face as she flicked bits of her hair and looked particularly smug, "In what a book of lore, oh yes it was! Forced by Cain's decree to attend schooling, yet the yearning of the Witch who shall rescue humanity can only be confined for so long afore it erupts forth!"
The girl's hand gestures appeared subdued at first before exploding outward as though they couldn't be contained anymore.
Zvezdnyy loves drama and play. To be the center point of the ultimate stage. To be the center of the world.
The Way of Drama. If the Japanese had a Way of the Warrior, then hers shall be the Way of Drama.
"I see." Her Polkovodets faced the Direktor, "Yes, Zvezdnyy here is like a personified holy grail. Any wishes she has she can make them into reality."
"..." The white-haired woman was stunned into silence, "Any wishes?"
"You saw her manifest the slip of paper, didn't you? She didn't have that before she teleported."
The Direktor wet her dry lips. "Alright. I guess we can accommodate another person." She then began to rub her forehead, "A child though… Romani is probably best with children. He's at the medical center checking up on the Master Candidate and Mash, I'll notify him of what happened. Please get yourself and Zvezdnyy checked in and determine your Rayshift compatibility."
Her Polkovodets nodded. The severe expression on her face caused Zvezdnyy to hold her question until they were outside in the hallway.
"Are they akin to the Foundation, perchance?"
Her Polkovodets held onto Zvezdnyy's hands as the former led the latter down the hall towards presumably this 'medical center'. "A bit." After a moment of silence, she finally replied, "They're far less powerful than the Foundation and trend more towards solving anomalies than containing them."
"Solving anomalies, are they?"
Anomalies. Those words were used to describe Zvezdnyy's kind by the Earth Authority. Beings who possess unexplainable powers. Supernatural phenomena.
Her Polkovodets suddenly grew nervous.
"Um. Okay, not like the Global Occult Coalition which neutralizes anomalies, but instead more like… more like a group of people who travels through time to fight against bad guys!"
"Ah, so somewhat like you?"
"Yeah! Kinda like me but on a much smaller scale."
Just then, another kind-looking man with strawberry-orange hair appeared out of the hallway's corner and waved at them, "Hi. We haven't really been introduced, Goddess Kukulkan, but I'm Romani Archaman."
The man motioned for a handshake by reaching forward.
Something felt off about this man like he was somehow at fault for what was happening. There's a thread of something…hmm.
Zvezdnyy narrowed her eyes. Just as her Polkovodets moved to return the handshake, Zvezdnyy smacked her hand out of the way.
"Verily, your presence is anathema to mine and mine Polkovodets' senses, a discordant chord in the symphony of our existences."
'I don't like you'.
Her Polkovodets' eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Immediately, she covered Zvezdnyy's mouth and looked sheepish back at Romani, "Hahaha! Sorry, just little kids saying mean things they don't mean! So anyway, this is Zvezdnyy Rebenok, a girl who possesses extraordinary powers. Please forgive her!"
Romani gave an awkward laugh and rubbed the back of his head with one hand. Using the other to wave her Polkovodets' concern off, "It's alright. Shall we get you checked in?"
"So what does this process of 'checking in' involve?"
"Well, given how you two are actual flesh and blood entities like Mash, we would like to check if you possess any potential bacteria. Beyond that, we would like to know how compatible Rayshifting Zvezdnyy is."
Her Polkovodets nodded and followed the suspicious man into a room full of medical equipment that unnerved Zvezdnyy.
Even after a year, the Witch still has some reservations about entering into a hospital. She doesn't like medical equipment at all since it reminds her of that man. The smell of alcohol as well. Especially since the last thing Zvezdnyy remembered before entering that medically induced coma was smelling pungent alcohol as the special needle pierced her skin.
"Hey hey," Her Polkovodets softly said, patting her head and pushing against her hat as she stood next to the girl, "Don't worry, I'll be here right next to you."
That gave Zvezdnyy the courage to sit on a leather bed without a blanket.
"I'm going to take a blood sample first if you don't mind?"
"Ah… That's going to be a problem." Her Polkovodets said. Placing a hand on Zvezdnyy's head, the girl nudged into it, "Zvezdnyy here has skin that can't be pierced by any material."
The suspicious man looked stumped.
"Alright, we'll just do a basic saliva sample then," Romani said as he took out a wooden popsicle stick.
"No."
Reality answered her wishes and the wooden popsicle stick disappeared. Vanished from existence. There was a sudden collapse of a vacuum as the space the popsicle stick previously occupied was now free to be taken. Air rushed in to fill those empty spaces.
Romani had to stare at his hands for a few seconds trying to comprehend what had just happened.
Zvezdnyy then tugged on her Polkovodet's clothing, "I wanna go back to that manor."
Given how Zvezdnyy didn't even bother playing up the drama, her Polkovodets instantly realized just how serious this was.
"Alright. But can you stay here with me as I finish my own check-up?"
"... Fine."
So sitting on her Polkovodets' lap, Zvezdnyy felt her eyelids close as the girl couldn't understand the back-and-forth between Kuku and Romani. The words they used were too large and the topic too complex.
Eventually, Zvezdnyy leaned on her Polkovodets and fell asleep. Zvezdnyy had no problem sleeping inside the embrace of her Polkovodets.
When she woke up, Zvezdnyy saw an unfamiliar white ceiling on top of her. She instantly got up and looked around the room, her heart pounding as fear crept into her mind.
It was the same kind of fear a child might feel when they found themselves alone in a dark forest.
That fear instantly dissipated when she saw her Polkovodets sitting on a chair next to her bed. In her Polkovodets' hands was a thick book titled 'The World As Will and Representation: the Philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer'. Though the title was in German.
"Oh, you're finally awake."
Her Polkovodets closed the book and gently placed it on the nightstand next to the bed.
"Of course my Polkovodets!" Zvezdnyy raised a hand to the air, her clothing from before remained on her save for boots, "I, the Zvezdnyy Rebenok, the Witch who will save all of humanity, need her rest after all."
"Well. You slept for a while. During your sleep, I was informed through testing one of your hairs that you have excellent compatibility with Rayshifting. About an hour ago, Director Olga came in and told me her team found the next anomaly point. I want you to come with me to experience what life is like for the rest of humanity in the past."
Zvezdnyy smirked, "Naturally, I shall agree! As the Zvezdnyy Rebenok, it is imperative that I unveil my ultimate power to enlighten these individuals if they are to pledge their allegiance to my grand army as you have!"
"No. You won't be doing any of the fighting."
The stumped Zvezdnyy. Not doing any of the fighting? So what was she supposed to do inside this anomaly then? Protect them?
Oh yes, of course, to protect those humans who are weaker than her. She is the Witch who will protect all of humanity, after all.
Bowing her head, Zvezdnyy smirked again and continued, "Ah, indeed! In that case, I must safeguard the humans while endeavoring to restore any found subhumans back to their rightful human form—"
"Not that either."
Now Zvezdnyy doesn't know where her Polkovodets are directing this conversation.
"I want you to observe them. The humans of that era that is. From what I understand based on these anomalies, any changes you bring to those humans are inconsequential. They'll be reverted back to how they once were when I correct the anomaly."
Zvezdnyy frowned.
"For your homework, I want you to write me an essay about what you noticed about those humans."
Homeworks?
"No! Not homework! Homework sucks!" Zvezdnyy smacked the bed.
"Zvezdnyy." Her Polkovodets' tone was stern and it caused the little girl to flinch, "You're a smart girl. Your marks in school are among the highest in your whole grade, your whole school even. Your teachers told me how you grasp concepts with ease. This should be nothing."
Drats! Zvezdnyy cursed internally. Knew being able to gloat about her higher grades to the Igrushka (Angela) was a bad idea!
Bullying Igrushka was a fine art Zvezdnyy had mastered. You must apply a certain degree of pressure, but not so much that the Igrushka breaks down crying and alerting the teachers. Showing off higher grades was the easiest and most effective method.
Zvezdnyy whined, but her Polkovodets weren't budging, "Fine, just for you my Polkovodets."
Just as she finished that, the witch instantly wanted to redo everything but add that flair of drama. However, the opportune moment had passed.
"Anyway, shall we head out? They're waiting for us in the room containing that giant orb."
"Fine fine." Zvezdnyy leaped down from the bed, her boots manifesting directly on her socks as she landed on the ground less than a second later, "Race you there!"
"You can teleport. I'm not racing you." Her Polkovodets retorted with a bemused expression.
Zvezdnyy looked like she had suckled on a lemon. The last time she had done a race with Zvezdnyy was for an impromptu ice cream cone, but now it appeared her Polkovodets had learned her lesson.
"Very well, let us proceed on foot then."
And so they did. With her Polkovodets holding her hand, the woman led Zvezdnyy through this labyrinth of hallways and corridors that really did remind the girl of a Foundation facility.
Entering the same room as before, Zvezdnyy found the originally crimson globe thing was now blue and was emitting a calm bluish glow. Underneath the globe stood five other figures. The Direktor, a colorful woman with a metal hand clenching a staff, a tanned man with a red cloak, a foreign-looking older boy with black hair and blue eyes, and another armored girl wielding a giant shield.
Weirdly enough, the girl had light purple, almost pink hair.
"Pray tell," Zvezdnyy called out as she teleported right next to the girl, "Did you adorn thy hair with that vibrant hue, imbued with a deeper purpose known only to thyself?"
"Um… I'm sorry?" The girl stammered out, before eying the boy out for help, "Senpai?"
"Ah you must be Z… Zvez…Zvezany! The guest of Goddess Kukulkan?"
Zvezdnyy cringed heavily at the butchering of her name. Turning to face the boy, she said, "I am the Zvezdnyy Rebenok! The Witch who will save all of humanity! Remember my name well!"
"Hehe," The boy laughed a little, "I see."
In response, the boy took a dramatic pose befitting an actor playing the role of a protagonist about to go to war. With his arms raised and to the side, the boy declared, "And I am Ritsuka Fujimaru! The Last Master of Chaldea and Mash's Senpai!"
"Senpai!"
Zvezdnyy's eyes sparkled. A grin formed on her face, "Verily I see, Ritsuka Fujimaru. So you know of the Way?"
Ritsuka broke character a bit by looking confused before his grin mirrored Zvezdnyy's own.
"Of course, I know of the Way! The Way that everyone has walked down at least once in their lifetime but pulled back before they could be dragged in too deep. I once walked that path but society forced me to return to the Way of Normalcy. I see now that I have a kindred spirit."
"What the hell is happening?" The Direktor commented as the scene played out.
"Director, please help Senpai."
"Oh goodness, not two of them!"
"Ah, verily, I perceive a kindred soul! A fortuitous encounter, indeed, my fellow voyager. Well met on this cosmic journey!"
Even as Zvezdnyy said, the girl can't help but sense Ritsuka using the Way as a type of 'veil'. He sounded just like Doctor Bright did when he tried to assure the group that her Polkovodets would come and save them.
The woman with the metal hand finally spoke, taking the apparent break between conversations.
"How… eccentric."
Zvezdnyy turned to the woman with the metal-clawed hand. She realized that she didn't know who this individual was. She and the tanned man felt similar to her Polkovodets; someone who's dead. But unlike her Polkovodets, this woman didn't have that paradoxical 'alive-ness' her Polkovodets possessed.
"Pray, reveal unto me the enigmatic being that graces our presence?"
"This is Leonardo Da Vinci." Her Polkovodets introduced, pointing at the tanned man, "And that's Archer."
Archer grumbled out a noise.
"Hiiiii. What a cutie you are."
Zvezdnyy appeared unprepared for that, "... Indeed, cuteness doth reside within me. For I am the illustrious Witch destined to receive all the adoration of humanity."
Da Vinci let out several chuckles that ring of amusement.
"Yes yes. You deserve the adoration of all."
There, Da Vinci moved to pat Zvezdnyy's head gently.
"No."
The girl froze Da Vinci's hand with just a simple word. She teleported right next to her Polkovodets and bound herself around the tall Goddess' right leg like a Koala.
"Only my esteemed Polkovodets hath the privilege to grace my head with a gentle pat, Izobretatel. You may only do so only once if you choose to join mine army."
Zvezdnyy's cheeks pressed against her Polkovodets' thighs, causing the latter to give an awkward smile.
"Alright, I think we've gotten off track. Now, about this new Singularity, Director Olga?"
Archer was so quiet that Zvezdnyy thought him to be mute. Most likely. Going to need confirmation on that. If he is mute then Zvezdnyy will simply fix the subhuman up and turn him back into a human.
The Direktor coughed into her closed fist, "Yes we should. Our next Singularity is located in France. Chronology Analysis done by LAPLACE shows the time when Jeanne d'Arc was burned— I mean, died."
For some reason, the Direktor changed her wording when her gaze passed by Zvezdnyy.
"Your first task is to secure a leyline as a base camp. Then, Goddess? Please be careful as you go and acquire the Holy Grail that was sustaining this Singularity. In the event that the enemy servants become too much, please do not hesitate to retreat to base camp. We can always summon more support."
"Right. Shall we go?"
The Director then raised a hand, "Before we do that, I know that you don't need it Goddess, but your little sister might."
Little sister?
"Right. Zvezdnyy, you're going to have to wear those clothing you see on Ritsuka and Mash."
"For what reason, my Polkovodets?"
"It's to make the journey safer."
"Hmm. Very well." With a snap of her fingers, Zvezdnyy's outfit changed to reflect the skin-tight suit of the other two. It was blue instead of the grey of Ritsuka.
"Fascinating." Da Vinci muttered as she gazed at the scene.
Just then, several structures sprouted out from the ground akin to blades of grass breaking through the soil layers. Those structures then opened, revealing their empty insides.
They were boxes. Human-sized boxes. Coffins maybe. Zvezdnyy saw how her Polkovodets frowned intensely at the box as though displeased at the thing.
"I don't need to enter those boxes right? I'll just piggy-back ride just like last time—"
"Unfortunately, that isn't possible. The last time was an emergency Rayshift that damaged TRISMEGISTUS. If we do that again, I fear we may irreparably damage TRISMEGISTUS."
Her Polkovodets frowned heavily as she stared at the coffin-like boxes.
"Alright. Let's just get this over with."
Her Polkovodets wordlessly entered the coffin. As the lid closed, Zvezdnyy could tell how her Polkovodets had to visibly take several deep breaths to fight the urge to break out.
Everyone entered the coffins until all that was left was one empty one.
So that's for her. Ugh, Zvezdnyy complained inside her mind, guess she really must prepare to write an essay detailing her experience, huh?
How annoying. And it's not like she could just wish an essay into existence since those essays will eventually disappear without Zvezdnyy's constant attention to it.
The slip of paper detailing Chaldea's name already did.
So entering the coffin, Zvezdnyy found the thing filling up with liquid.
Are they trying to drown her? That doesn't make sense.
Just then, an obviously computer-generated voice called out.
"Beginning First Sequence… Unsummon program start… beginning spiritron conversion… pseudo spiritron transfer start… commencing mission: Grand Order."
Right before she was about to wish the liquid to disappear, the girl found herself suddenly in the middle of a well-used road that split a large forest in two.
Huh, trees. Zvezdnyy squatted down and touched the dirt. The feeling was… unlike anything she had ever felt. Large forests were extremely rare as after Daybreak, trees didn't have much time to grow up into those wide trunks the girl saw in picture books.
The Old World before Daybreak was said to have been filled with trees.
"—!"
Her Polkovodets started scratching her limb and body in an almost frantic manner completely unbefitting of someone of her stature.
"Goddess Kukulkan, what's wrong?"
It was Ritsuka who was the first to speak.
"The Goddess doesn't like enclosed spaces it seems," Archer commented.
"...Yeah. I really don't like enclosed spaces."
Just then, a ringing sound emanates from Ritsuka Fujimaru. He raised his arms, and the bracelet wrapped around his wrist talked.
*Beep*
The image of the Direktor appeared, surprising Ritsuka.
"This is a spatial transmission magecraft. Don't be so surprised, Commoner. You're the last master of Humanity, act like it. Anyway, we can confirm that your Time Axis is in 1431 in the village of Domremy in Lorraine. A bit out of the way, I want you to establish a base camp in that village. Mash."
"Ye— yes Director Olga?"
"... Help around the village as a laborer. Your Demi-Servant physiology means you can do the work of a dozen men. After setting up base camp, Goddess?"
Her Polkovodets stepped up.
"Please help us recover the Holy Grail."
_________
AN: Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
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