I took slow, methodical breaths. Eyes closed, I focused on my Aura as it pulsed around me, following the rhythmic rising and falling of my chest. I lost track of time, how long I had been sitting here, cross legged on the ground, but I could feel my Aura reserves refilling at a noticeable rate.
Aura was something that resonated with one's emotions. It's why meditation was a powerful means of increasing the rate that your Aura recharged at. Being calm and serene, not allowing any negativity into your 'self'. It meant that your Aura was not impeded, your Soul could flow back out unabated.
That was the theory anyways, and Jinn had helped me with a few things. Well, I could confidently say this worked, just based on my own practice.
My Aura reserves were relatively high after doing this for a few hours. That and I had gotten about four hours of sleep, which also helped refill them.
I didn't even mean to fall asleep in Raikou's lap…..don't really regret it either.
Taking a deeper breath than usually, I 'let go' of my Aura, allowing it to just flow out naturally.
I opened my eyes to see Raikou sitting silently to the side, eyes never leaving me. She had so much patience, I don't think I could sit here for hours on end if I wasn't doing something. At least with my meditation, I had something to focus on.
Climbing to my feet, I lightly stretched my arms, and felt the side of my stomach. There was no pain, just a tiny bit of tenderness.
"Any issues while I was busy?" I turned to look at my Servant.
Raikou shook her head. "I had not sensed anyone approach." She replied happily.
"Hmm." I pursed my lips. I had thought this place would have been found out by now, or at least be under watch. Closing my eyes again, I search the link I had with Sir Wiggles, and he was standing near a pile of dead doves again.
Ah, that explains it.
Good job, Sir Wiggles.
I was about to look away until I noticed something about my Familiar. About his feet…..what? I had to call him back because I was surprised. The rabbit burst through the door with an astonishing speed, faster than he was the last time I had seen him and he hopped right into my arms.
I lifted him up, to get a better look. "Huh…..I never thought of that." I looked at his feet, they were encased in a sort of lightning armor. In that, the Lightning was so condensed that it looked like a completely solidified form.
My Rabbit is a genius, why am I even surprised anymore? Though it gave me several new ideas for some spells and such. While I've trained with my Lightning Form to get it more or less 'under control', I had yet to push the boundaries with it, to truly see what I could gain from my new ability.
"Hey, Raikou." I called out as she hopped to her feet. I barely had time to blink before she was behind my arms wrapped around my chest and chin on my shoulder.
"Hehe~" She lightly giggled. "Does Master need momma's help?"
"Could you show me your lightning?" I asked, ignoring her draping herself over me. I was sorta used to her doing stuff like this by now.
"Like this?" She asked, holding one of her hands out infront of me, her signature purple lightning invoked, and dancing across her fingers.
I hesitantly reached out, a single finger touching on it. I wasn't harmed, I think Raikou was consciously reeling it back from harming me. "Interesting, I can immediately tell how much 'denser' it is than my lightning." I held my hand out, mimicking her own actions as my lightning also manifested.
"My son takes after his mom." Raikou cooed.
I have many more thoughts about this now, things I can do that I hadn't considered previously.
Sir Wiggles he, well, wiggled out of my grasp, wanting to go out and play some more. I didn't have an immediate need for him, so I allowed him his fun.
Strangely, I think he was becoming more intelligent. Maybe awakening his aura jump started something inside him? I would need to consult Jinn when I got back.
I moved out of Raikou's grasp and took her hand. "Ready to go shopping?"
****
The town was deceptively peaceful.
Technically, this place could be called the territory of the Red Faction, but for the moment, we were pretty much safe. One of the information dumps the Grail gives is a very stringent requirement that the fighting must not take place during the day.
Most people are willing to abide by the rule, even without the threat of a Ruler Servant, because no one wants the Counter Force coming down on their heads.
It may seem like a huge jump to make considering the Counter Force very – very rarely makes any overt action, but the Grail Wars are one of the exceptions. I guess another factor would be the world-lines they preside in. If certain realities are important, the Counter Force has a much firmer grasp on allowances.
The secretive nature of the magical world is often times referred to as the 'Moonlit World', and that was more than just a poetic naming convention. It had actual baring on the operation of 'Mystery' during the night time. Even the Counter Force is more…..asleep, for lack of a better word, during the hours the moon is in the sky. During the night, the greater masses are more susceptible to suggestions, to allow themselves to ignore or believe lies and fabrications. Conceptually, it's when things can be 'hidden' with greater efficiency.
Obviously, there would be no way a mountain getting removed would be ignored on a wide scale, yet there was no one talking about it or kicking up a fuss.
The Grail sat on the Leylines in the area it resided, and a small part of its power went to ensuring the secrecy on a larger scale.
Even the Fuyuki Grail worked similarly, to ensure that people 'believed' that the destruction was caused by something as inane as 'gas leaks'. Or that massive magical phenomenon was just figments of their imagination, that Artoria didn't unleash her Noble Phantasm to slay an Evil God trying to manifest into the world.
That was one of the Old Man's contributions to the Grails creation, and one of the few parts about it I remember vividly.
But I digress.
"What about this one?" I glanced over to Raikou holding up a sweater to herself, asking my opinion.
"I like it, Purple really is your best color." I nodded in approval.
She smiled brightly, hugging the piece of clothing like it was the most precious thing in the world. "So sweet." She began looking through the rack of clothing again.
I didn't rush her, allowing her to inspect it, to experience this 'culture' that she was probably unfamiliar with. "Is there anything else you want to do today?" I asked her. "Since we're not needing to do anything during the day, I wouldn't mind doing anything that took your fancy." I did wish to get to know her better.
"Ufufu, my master is caring about his mother." She giggled to herself. "Though my place is on the battlefield, I enjoy spending my time leisurely, to spend it here with you, just like this. It is refreshing…..to not be a General, but just a woman."
"Raikou…."I let out a sigh. "You said you didn't want a wish from the Grail, but….I'll do what I can to make sure you're happy." It was the least I could do.
"Master~" She looked at my coyly. "Be careful what you say to a Berserker like me, I am a rather possessive woman."
"When you say things like that, it makes it hard to think of you as a Berserker." Like she's completely aware of her own Madness yet is still afflicted by it.
How strange.
She tilted her head cutely at me. "Please do not forget that I am a demon, Master. It may not be wise to keep me by your side."
"Did you forget what I am?" I raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't trade you for any other Servant, Raikou." If She was willing to fight by my side without a second thought, how could I ever betray that kind of loyalty?
"Oh dear." She looked flustered. "It's embarrassing for me to say this…..but I am quite happy to hear that from you."
"Well, I –" I stopped mid sentence, as Raikou looked to the side and I followed her gaze. "This is a surprise." I greeted the newcomer that had come into this store we were patronizing. "Hey there, Frenchie." I greeted Ruler.
Ruler stood there, in what looked like a school uniform, watching both of us intently.
"Master, allow me to deal with the unwanted bug." Raikou's expression turned dark.
"Berserker, no fighting during the day." I called her off. She didn't argue with me, but still gave Ruler the stink eye. "What do you want?" I addressed the Saintess.
She looked a little embarrassed. "I sensed a Servant nearby—"
"And you were checking to make sure we weren't breaking any rules." I finished. "Yeah, I guess I can see that. I can bet the other Servants are holding up and preparing for the battle that will inevitably take place tonight, so we probably seemed really out of place just spending some time in the middle of the town."
"I….apologize for interrupting."
"Hmph" Raikou just huffed in annoyance.
"Quick question….why are you in a school uniform?" I was honestly kind of curious.
"Oh, um….it's nothing." She said awkwardly.
"If it's your fetish, just say so."
"W-what!?" She squeaked out.
"I thought Japanese school uniforms were revealing, but those are practically booty shorts." I admired the view. "They really do display your legs quite well."
"Eeeeh!?" She turned bright red, like she was unsure of how to react to my words.
Don't know why, but I continued to feel like I had to bully her.
I guess it was lucky we hypnotized the store owner into taking a long break while we shopped in peace.
"Master likes legs?" Raikou bit her finger, muttering to herself. "I will find some better clothing."
Well, I wouldn't talk her out of that course of action….
"I-I didn't wear this willingly!" Ruler managed to get out, her face still a bright red.
"Hmm, curious." I took another look at her, a true look as I analyzed her properly. "Were you even properly summoned?"
She stepped back. "How did you know?" Ruler said in shock.
"It was a guess, but you confirmed it." Actually, it was similar to how Artoria was summoned. "How did it happen?"
"You tricked me." She frowned, before letting out a sigh. "I don't know, I wasn't properly summoned by the Grail, so I had to find a vessel." She looked at her hands. "This – person, was the best suited for me." I guess she wanted to keep the name of her 'body' a secret. It made sense, I know plenty of Mages who would want to dissect her after the war. "But!" She quickly added. "Nothing will happen, she'll wake up after the war is over with nothing wrong, and even a little gift when everything is done."
"Huh." I rubbed my chin. "The Grail will be guaranteeing her safety, and probably do the equivalent of giving her some 'good luck' as compensation, neat." Again, there were very few in existence that had more knowledge about the workings of the Grail than I did. "But why a school girl outfit?"
"I....lost my luggage when Lancer attacked." Her shoulders slumped.
...Now I just feel bad. "Fine, pick out some stuff." I sighed, waiving around. "I'll cover the costs, penniless saint."
My Devil ancestors must be rolling in their graves….
"R-really?" She perked up, looking at me strangely. "I can't show you favoritism during the War, even if you help me."
"Do I look like someone who needs your favoritism?" I asked.
"I guess not." She seemed to accept. "I did not think a Master could fight a Servant like you did." She spoke a little quietly. "Even if you used me as a shield."
"If it's any consolation, you make a wonderful meat shield."
"It isn't." There was a small twitch above her eye, I noticed it before. I think it was a visible indication of her hiding her annoyance.
Well, I had plenty of time to verify it~
"Master, how do I look!?" Raikou stepped out of a changing room, I hadn't even noticed she went in. My eyes practically popped out of my head, she was wearing some very short shorts that displayed her magnificent legs for the world to see.
Nice.
Today was turning out to be a good day.
***
I do plan on explaining the link between Raikou and Karna as it came up properly, I wasn't going to just assume everyone knew it.
IF you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my pat.reon.com/astoryforone.
We have a discord, come bother me, asking questions or just hang out. -- JbwkdNDt7F
"Here, order anything you want." I gestured towards a menu sitting infront of Ruler.
We did a little bit of shopping, and she picked out a couple things she found more 'appropriate' for herself to wear. It was probably a bit of a culture shock, to see the variety of things available in this era she could wear.
Fun fact, Romania has its own currency, and this place does not take either American dollars or English Pounds.
May or may not have technically stolen the clothes…..then robbed the store for some loose cash.
I did leave quite a bit of gold behind as an apology though. I think that that lets me off the moral hook.
Honestly, I feel like its one of those things I overlooked because I was focusing on the bigger picture.
I tend to do that a lot.
The restaurant we were in wasn't too large, but I wasn't particularly picky right now. I could easily grab something out of my Ring and tied myself over, but I was curious about this Ruler Servant. How many times in the future will I be able to sit down and calmly talk to a Saint as a Devil?
Raikou was behaving herself…..relatively speaking. She no longer was looking at Ruler like she was about to strangle a puppy. I had somehow convinced her I was just trying to get some information out of the Ruler Servant, and I had no other intentions.
I was not oblivious to the red flags that Raikou had been smacking me in the face with. But there was not much I could do about it for the moment. Once I get the Grail sorted, I should be able to help her with her Mad Enhancement.
"So many strange dishes, Master, help me decide." Raikou pouted, trying to make sure she kept my attention focused solely on her.
"I can't say I'm knowledgeable about the cuisine here." I looked it over. I was not hiding the fact that I was a glutton, so I didn't mind just splurging. "Lets just try all the big stuff."
"I'll feed master." Raikou muttered to herself. "Fufu~"
Well, if it makes her happy.
"What do you want, Ruler?"
"Oh um…" She fidgeted with the menu in front of her. "I'm not really hungry, and I don't need it…"
"You're in an actual body, even if there won't be any physical repercussions if you forgo eating, you'll still feel hunger pains." Based on what Artoria told me. Apparently, that was an eye-opening revelation, because there were points where she and Rin were in particularly bad situations, and she went without eating for days on end.
"No, really. It's okay, you don't have to." She politely declined.
"If you tell me no, I'm not going to push it. But if it comes from some weird place like thinking I'll expect good will in the future or that I might harm you…" I trailed off, not feeling like I needed to finish that sentence.
"It's not that…" She said quietly.
"Something wrong?"
"Erm, I…" She awkwardly held the menu in her hands. "Idontknowhowtoread."
"Pardon?" I blinked at her in confusion.
"I Can't read…." She said quietly.
"But….the Grail should have downloaded the information into your head, not to mention servants have the ability to parse every language in the world due to this. Was it a side effect of you not having a proper vessel?" I rubbed my chin. "Perhaps there are other side effects as well." I was lost in thought for a moment. "Wait, you spoke to someone here not too long ago, how were you able to do that if the Grail didn't give you the knowledge?"
She turned a little red, a bit embarrassed seemingly and it just made me more confused. "I can understand the languages fine."
"Then what are you –" I paused, her meaning finally sinking in. "Pfft." I held back a snort of laughter.
"It's not funny!"
"You're right, you're right." I held my hands up. "...It's hilarious." I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the absurdity of the whole thing. "A Heroic Spirit who ascended after their death from worship through the ages, someone written down in the annals of history…..is illiterate because her Legend depicts her as a peasant girl."
She turned bright red, and her eye was twitching something fierce. "I never had the chance to learn."
"Too busy fighting wars. Big G didn't think it a good idea to give you the ability to read and write with your revelations?"
"B-big G?" She squeaked out. "How could you call the Lord something like that!?"
"What's wrong with Big G?"
"It's blasphemous." She huffed.
"Says who?"
"What do you mean, who?"
"Who says that calling him Big G is blasphemous?"
"Well…" She didn't appear to know the answer.
"We can always consult the Bible, just tell me which passage to seek out." The corners of my lips curled up.
Hah.....couldn't help it.
Her eye twitched again, and for some reason, I couldn't help but enjoy her reaction. I looked over to Raikou, who didn't even want to acknowledge Ruler if she didn't have to.
"I'll just order a bunch of stuff for all of us." I stated, earning a sigh of relief from Ruler
***
"Master~ Say 'ahh' " Raikou held a fork up to me as I took a bite.
"It's good." I happily replied, earning a bright smile from my Servant. "What about you, Frenchie?"
"My name isn't 'Frenchie'" she grumbled taking a bite. "But it is delicious, thank you."
"Well, I can't just start calling your real name in public if you want." I chuckled, only to stop in realization. "Huh, I never did properly introduce myself, did I?"
"I wanted to ask you a question…..but I didn't know what to call you." She said awkwardly.
"Hmm." I hummed to myself for a moment. "I'll obviously keep my family name a secret for the moment, feel free to call me Wilhelm." I introduced.
I did have a bit of pride in my name, but I was fine to keep it hidden for now.
"Wilhelm." She spoke with a small smile. "I cannot reveal my True Name as the administrator of the –"
"Even if you made it rather obvious?"
Her eye twitched again. "It's a secret I must keep."
"Okay, Saintess."
Eye twitch.
"Please call me Ruler."
"Whatever you want, Jeanne."
Ruler let out a long sigh. "I've been curious…." She looked like she wanted to change the subject. "What is your wish for the Grail?" She looked at me intently.
"Curious? Why would you be curious about my wish?" I waived my hand flippantly. "Shouldn't you expect me to say something like 'seeking the Root' as a proper Magus?"
"Maybe." She pursed her lips. "But you don't seem to act like how I would expect." She admitted. "My dealings with both sides so far have been…."
"stressful?" I offered with a chuckle.
"That is one way to say it." She let out a sigh.
"Let me guess. Lancer of Red tries to kill you for some reason, Saber of Black comes to your rescue and his Master tries to recruit you?"
"I am impartial, I will not reveal any information to other participants in this war." She said firmly, not acknowledging what I said as either right or wrong.
But I could read in between the lines here.
She continued. "You have been…. generous in providing me aid and haven't sought anything in return. I was merely curious about what you wished to achieve if you gained the Grail."
"What if I wanted to drown the world in death?" I just thought of the most edgy thing I could think of off the top of my head to see her reaction.
"I have a duty to be impartial, your wish has no bearing on how I will act unless I'm forced to by the World." She said without hesitation. "But my instinct is telling me you do not wish for such a thing."
"Instinct, huh? Is that another way of saying that you're being pinged by Heaven's system – Revelations as they're called?"
"Heaven's System?" She tilted her head in confusion.
"Different vernacular I suppose. The means by which followers of the Church can access the 'power' of the Heavens. There are rules and requirements, what else to call it but a system?"
"Oh." She seemed to understand, but otherwise wasn't offended. "Is that how a Magus understands the Lord's blessings?"
I just shrugged. "I can understand it on a theological level, I'm just...incompatible with the teachings."
"Hmm." She looked at me strangely. "You never answered my question, what is it you wish for?"
"Hah. I didn't think you'd notice." I tapped my finger on the table, and for the first time in this conversation, Raikou started to pay attention. Well, she was paying attention to my answer. "I'm a very selfish man. Someone I cared about is gone and I want to bring her back."
"Someone you cared about?" Ruler's eyes lit up.
"Someone you care about?" Raikou mimicked her words, and her expression turned a bit dark.
"I misjudged you, Wilhelm." Ruler's eyes brightened. "You are fighting for love!" She proudly declared, briefly glancing to the increasingly annoyed Berserker.
"W-what?" I sputtered out.
"How romantic." She exclaimed, reaching over and cupping my hands. "I can't help you, Wilhelm. But I will silently support you." She smiled brightly. "To fight for such a pure reason, to willingly fight against Servants out of love."
There was a crumpling sound next to me where Berserker crushed part of the table in her hand. "Master." Raikou's smile betrayed the killing intent around her.
I turned back to look at Ruler. "You're doing this on purpose."
"I have no idea what you speak of." Ruler gave a very innocent smile. "As you know, us French are very enamored with such beautiful love stories."
Did she just….?
[Are Saints allowed to do that?]
I have no idea.
[I like her.]
"Well played, Ruler, well played." I would give her this one, even if the look Raikou was giving sent made shivers go down my spine.
She must have noticed my Berserker's affliction since she could see Raikou's class and skills.
"Don't mind me, I'm just speaking from my heart."
I couldn't help but laugh. "I wish all Saints were like you." I shook my head at the absurdity of this whole thing. To poke at me using only truthful words, well done. I reached over and pat Raikou on the head, soothing the seething look she was giving me. "Well, you asked me a question, I have one for you too, Ruler."
"I don't mind answering as long as no rules are broken." She said with all honesty.
"Would you despise me if I turned out to be the anti-thesis to your beliefs?" I was honestly curious to know her answer.
Saint Jeanne D'Arc.
She was someone who would not lie.
"Anti-thesis?" She seemed confused.
"Hmm, lets say it turned out I was a Demon, but nothing else changed. Would you think differently of me?"
"If you were a Demon?" She seemed surprised by my question. "I don't see how that would change anything." She looked down at the table. "Humans and Demons are just words, I don't believe there is any need to differentiate between them. I bear no ill will towards such descriptions and I try to be kind to all."
"You are a strange woman." Raikou was the one who spoke up. She glared at Ruler, as if measuring her. "I strangely do not wish to crush this insect for the moment."
Huh.
"I hope we don't become enemies, Ruler." I stood up from my seat, looking out the window. The Sun was starting to get a bit low.
"I pray for your success, Wilhelm." Ruler said with sincerity.
***
"Hey Raikou." I glanced at Berserker who was walking at my side.
"Yes, Master?" She smiled at me.
"Thanks for answering my summons." I wanted her to know I did appreciate her. She seemed upset about earlier, I at least wanted to sooth her annoyance a little bit.
"Master~" Raikou quickly wrapped me up in a tight hug.
Yeah, I was happy it was Raikou who answered my summons. "You ready for what's to come?" I asked her, as the night approached.
"Have you devised a plan?" She asked.
"Yes, we need to find where the Grail is specifically held within the Yggdmillennia Castle. I don't have confidence in infiltrating somewhere so heavily defended without getting discovered." If I simply knew the location, I could pop in and grab it. The only issue that comes after is carefully severing all the little bits that are anchored into the local Leylines. Which would take time, and I doubt I would be left alone while doing so. To not do so would be like pulling an engine out of a car with my bare hands. Things were bound to break in the process.
I really meant it when I said I hope Ruler doesn't become my enemy, but I feared it may be inevitable
"No plan survives contact with the enemy and all that. But, we need to see how both sides move and go from there. If there is a wide-scale battle, that's in our best interest. But we can make do with some small clashes as well."
"Are we going to prepare for the coming battle?" She asked.
"I doubt things will immediately escalate once the sun fully sets, so we probably have a little more time." I shook my head. "There was one thing I wanted to check out. Sir Wiggles found an abundance of Magical Energy at a nearby cemetery. Based on what he transferred through our link, a Servant summoning might have taken place there."
Raikou's lips thinned. "You believe a Servant is still there along with their Master?"
"Worth checking out, may also find a clue or two on any Servants we hadn't seen before. That priest was the only Master of the Red faction we've seen so far, and he doesn't seem like the type to do the summoning in a graveyard. Nor do any of the servants revealed appear to have benefited from such a summons, so I'm guessing we have an unknown here."
"If there is only one Servant, then you will not need to fight, Master." Raikou stated, and the look on her face left no room for argument.
I held my hands up in surrender. "If there's only one servant, I won't throw myself at them and support you from behind."
***
Omake -- The horrors of the Kaleidoscope.
Artoria POV
"There, there, it's okay." I ran my hand through Wilhelm's, hair as he laid his head on my lap. Any other time, I may have enjoyed the intimate exchange, but he was being rather unresponsive.
"I'll never sleep again." He cried out.
I do not know what he saw, but it left him like this and I could do nothing but try and sooth him. He walked out of Zelretch's office and immediately planted his face into my thigh.
"Yo, what's up with Schweinorg?" Rin walked into the room.
"I do not know, he apparently had witnessed something quite severe to be left like this." It was honestly a bit concerning. Mayhaps I would need to take drastic measures to cheer him up, Jinn taught me a few things I felt comfortable doing.
"Oh, stop being a baby." Rin scoffed. "What even happened?"
Wilhelm raised his hand up towards Zelretch's office. "Another Zelretch dropped in to visit."
"Wait, the Old Man has another version of himself from a parallel world, here? How!? I thought that was impossible." She looked utterly baffled.
I did not know much about their Magic, but such a thing sounded impressive to me.
"Hard, not impossible." Wilhelm mumbled into my thigh.....of which he then squeezed, making me shake my head. I guess it wasn't as bad as I assumed if he was still willing to touch me like so.
"Oh, I gotta see this." Rin perked up.
"Don't go!" Wilhelm shot his head up, staring at my Master.
"You're being so dramatic." Rin rolled her eyes. "Seriously, what's so bad about another Zelretch?"
Wilhelm huddled himself into a ball. "The horror." He muttered.
"Yeah, okay." Rin said dryly. "Going to ignore that." She began walking towards his office, and open the door without hesitation. "Hey, Old Man, heard there was another 'you' around, wanted to see." She said plainly.
"Ara Ara~" A VERY feminine voice answered back. "If it isn't Rin-Chan." I couldn't help but pause and stare at Rin's back. The angle meant I couldn't see, but a shudder went down my spine. "You can call me Zelretch-chan while I'm here." Her giggle reaching even my ears.
Rin, very wisely, closed the door and turned around, walking back to us. she didn't speak, but the blank look on her face said everything as she got on my other side and also curled up into a ball, resting her head on my other thigh.
"There there." I pat her head, same as my boyfriends.
"The horror." She whispered.
***
Small omake that popped into my head from chatting in discord.
So, guess which knight makes an appearance! And Jeanne being snarky without being snarky.
Anyways, if you want to read 7 chapters ahead, visit my pat.reon.com/astoryforone
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