Capítulo 25: Little Date and Little Hunt
Fuyuki City. Church.
Fuyuki had only one Church and, like many things in this city, it was related to the moonlight world. This place was supposed to be a safe shelter for the masters should they lose their Servants. But it hardly could be called safe anymore. After the event of the previous night, the young priest brought back his teacher here, hoping his father would lend them a hand once again.
The last night fight left two masters in terrible condition. The master of Berserker and master of Archer. were badly wounded but one of them suffered a fate worse than death for magi. As Tokiomi slowly opened his eyes he looked around and found himself inside the Church's basement, lying on the bed. He was here a few times before and recognized it quickly. The magus tried to stand up but couldn't move an inch. Fear and panic started to overwhelm him. Tokiomi couldn't feel the lower part of his body, he tried to activate his circuits but nothing worked.
What was going one?! Why couldn't he feel his magic circuits?
"Wha—! What is this—?!" he shouted with a fearful voice. His usual calmness was long gone. "Ngh! What happened?!"
"I see you are awake, teacher." Kirei's monotone voice caught Tokiomi's attention.
"Kirei! What is going on?! My body— my circuits— what happened?!" The last question was most important to him. Kirei's look was neutral and yet he looked at his teacher with pity.
"Gone." Tokiomi froze when he heard this single word." Kiritsugu Emiya destroyed all of them with one shot. I tried everything I knew, but it appears that they ruined themselves… somehow. I don't know what Emiya did, but by the time I'd realized it, I couldn't fix anything... My condolences."
Kirei silently stared at his teacher, watching as Tokiomi's face slowly became pale. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He had an expression of anguish yet said nothing, silently screaming as tears started to fall from his face. His student wondered why he was enjoying this scene for some reason. After a few minutes, with a defeated voice, Tokiomi asked.
"W-where is Risei?" Maybe he still had a chance? Perhaps his old friend knew a way to fix it. However, his hopes died the moment Kirei answered.
"My father is dead. Killed, most likely by Lancer."
Young Kotomine said it with an indifferent tone. Truth be told he was upset by the death of the man who birthed him at first, but because he needed to help Tokiomi before anything, Kirei had little time to mourn. Besides, the sadness in his heart was soon replaced by the feeling of regret. Kirei regretted that he wasn't there when his father died.
Not to intervene, no. But not being able to see it with his own eyes.
The head of the Tohsaka clan showed a more sorrowful expression. He lost not only his magic circuits but his best ally as well. The situation was getting worse with every moment. Tokiomi was afraid to ask about Gilgamesh, fearing what the arrogant King of Uruk had done while he was unconscious.
"Wait, what about command seals? Do we still have them?"
The ones he had were already too valuable, being less than the most of the other masters at that. In order to get more of them, Tokiomi had plotted the hunt for Caster in the first place.
"No. My father's arm was cut off and all seals were taken."
Even that hope was dashed. The wounded magus clenched his teeth. He needed these seals, especially now that he had less control over Archer. Speaking about the King,
"What of Archer?"
"His highness is outside, drinking whatever is left of my wine collection. Despite what happened with your circuits, your contract with him persists." Kirei said with a tired tone. "His Independent Action allowed him to remain in this world without mana, at least for now."
Tokiomi let out a sigh. At least his servant didn't do anything dangerous, but he was scared by Kirei's next words.
"After some discussion, I and his highness agreed that we can't leave a situation like this. You are in no condition to continue fighting, teacher. His highness has no intention to back down and will start searching for a new master if nothing will be done. And so," Kirei slowly walked to Tokiomi. "Teacher, with all due respect, your strategy has failed. The end result, your current state." The man wasn't rubbing the fact to his face. He was merely stating it. It didn't stop Tokiomi's already soured expression to sour further. "We need to act quickly if we want to end this war. Break the contract with Archer and let me make a new one. Together we will end this war."
Tokiomi said nothing but stared at his student with widened eyes. Kirei was asking impossible from him. He couldn't do it! It wasn't just about his pride as the magus. Tokiomi didn't trust Kirei with Archer. Gilgamesh was acting rebellious and the younger Kotomine likely had no intentions of stopping him if needed. He was too callous, too indifferent, to be charged with such a responsibility!
The current master of Archer started to notice that his student was a little bit too willing to work with Gilgamesh. Something happened between them. However, before he could say anything, Kirei said with a cold tone.
"I'm sure you will make the right choice. After all in such conditions, you have no other options left, teacher."
His own student was threatening him… And yet, Tokiomi couldn't say anything back. Aside from his damaged circuits, uncertainty, maybe even fear, paralyzed his body as he stared at the cold eyes of the man before him.
Tokiomi didn't want to admit it but he had no choice but to obey.
_____________________
Unknown location.
Kariya slowly opened his eyes…—Wait! Eyes? The master of Berserker quickly blinked, his damaged eye was working again. However, his short moment of happiness ended when he looked around his surroundings and froze.
He failed to recognize anything.
Everything around him was red. He couldn't see the ground but Kariya was able to walk around. Around where, he didn't know. It was otherworldly, almost… ethereal.
He then noticed that his body was working fine as well. No pain. No limping of his leg. Hell, he felt as if he'd awoken from a terrible nightmare.
What happened to his crest worms?! He didn't understand. Where was he? What was this place?
Was he… was he dead? Was this place afterlife?!
'No! No! No! I can't die yet! Sakura is still in Zouken's hands! I must save her!'
He panicked and started to look around, trying to find anything that could have helped him to get out of this place. However, it was all for nought. Trapped in a world of red and nothing else, there was little he could do but run into the endless crimson that resembled blood yet not.
Kariya couldn't come up with an idea of escape. If he was under an illusion, more so. He wasn't a talented magus and didn't know any magecraft that might have helped him at the moment. The despair started to slowly fill him as he struggled to find a way out.
But soon, he saw something. He saw him.
Far away from him stood an armoured figure. Its back was to him. Clad in black, eerily still and unmoving, Kariya quickly recognized the figure. It was his Berserker.
But before he could even say anything, the mad servant turned to him. Armour seemingly creaking as a glance was shot over his shoulder. Kariya froze. The black knight turned to face him… but just as quickly started walking towards him. Thud after thud, clanking footfalls after clanking footfalls, the maddened knight came ever closer. Crimson vision slits trained on the whimpering man.
Kariya didn't move. The fear wouldn't let him run or escape. And even if he could, where was he to hide in this bloody world?
Soon Berserker was standing before him, looking down at the man who was supposed to be his master. The black knight said nothing and only stared at the false magus before him. Both Servant and master stared at each other for a minute, neither making any noise.
Kariya felt anxious. 'What's going on? Why is Berserker in this place?' However, these thoughts were soon replaced by an important question. 'How do I get out of here?!'
He couldn't stay here, wherever 'here' was. Kariya needed to save Sakura no matter what. He didn't want to think about what Zouken would do to her. He had only one option. With a clenched fist, the Matou magus shouted.
"Berserker, get us out of here! I—We… must save Sakura!" Kariya stated. Demanded. Begged. "Please, we—I… need to save her!"
The black knight stared at his master. He didn't move or let out any sound. But deep down within him, the old knight felt something he didn't feel in years. His Mad Enhancement was hindering his mind but even despite it, something awakened inside him. Something from the days when he was a proud warrior who helped those around him. Before, he committed atrocities, before he went against his king.
Before the Knight of the Lake lost himself and his chivalry to the void that was insanity and guilt.
His body started to tremble. The black knight slowly looked down at his hands, searching through his memories in an attempt to remember the last time he did something worthy of being called a knight. He was a monster, someone who killed his own friends. His brothers-in-arms. His family.
And yet, maybe even like this, could he save someone?
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Berserker howled before silencing himself. In quick motion, his gaze was directed back at his master. Like a doll hanging on the tensest of strings, the black knight nodded. Armor creaked in the place of a voice.
Kariya couldn't believe it. It was the first time the mad Servant responded to a command or request that didn't involve killing someone. Granted, he didn't order Berserker anything else besides killing until now, but still.
Kariya didn't notice how a smile formed on his face. However, before he could do anything, the crimson world around them started to disappear. Cracks formed like black webs, eroding the walls, the sky, then finally the ground beneath them both. The last thing he saw was his Servant who kept staring at him from where he floated off in this endlessly blackening void.
Despite the helmet that was in the way, Kariya felt as if he'd received something akin to a reassuring look through the less glowing vision slit.
_____________________
When Kariya opened his eyes again… only to find himself lying on a medical bed.
He looked around and found himself inside some kind of abandoned building if the broken windows and shattered walls were any evidence. The next thing he noticed was the fact that he felt rested, actually rested.
Usually, his crest worms wouldn't leave him alone, constantly moving under his skin, tearing away at his organs and attempting to worm their way through his arteries, but right now Kariya couldn't feel any movement from them. It was… a pleasing change.
Still, unlike the red world he'd woken up in earlier, his eye was still damaged. Worse still, despite the respite he felt, he had trouble moving parts of his body. It would seem that his physical condition had only partially improved.
"I see you are awake, Matou." Kariya turned towards the voice and saw a blonde man. He tried to remember where he had seen this man before but couldn't remember anything. "What's with that look? Don't tell me you don't know who I am?"
"...You were one of the masters from the previous night." The choice of past tense must've offended him as the blue-clad nobleman's eye twitched, as did his sneer. "You were the one… to face Tokiomi. You… just about bested him…" that was said with a pleasant tone. "That bastard… was in pain… Heh…"
It was something Kariya remembered very well and would likely relish in dreams to come. Not that it was important to note how twisted his way of thinking had become. Kayneth recomposed before he spoke again.
"A weird detail to remember, but you are correct. Right now you're enjoying the hospitality of our little base of operations." He coughed into his balled fist before continuing. "Since you seem less like a magus and more of another plebian dragged into this war, allow me to introduce myself. I am Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, one of the masters of this Holy Grail War... or rather, was a master until last night. I'm no longer in possession of Lancer and, at the moment, without a Servant."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Kariya said, slowly understanding where Kayneth was leading.
If he thought he was going to give up Berserker, he was wrong. Kariya still had his reason to keep moving and wouldn't back down only because this man saved him. The blonde magus noticed but waved his concern away.
"Worry not, Matou. I have no intentions of taking away your Servant. Unless you want to get rid of him of course, in that case, I'd be more than happy to relieve you of Berserker." The smirked was done out of jest, but Kariya was well aware of the workings of a magi's mind. He wordlessly declined with a glare.
"Leave him be, Kayneth." A cold female voice intervened. Both men turned towards the new person before Kayneth let out a sigh.
"I'm in the middle of negotiating, Sola. Do not interrupt."
Sola-Ui said nothing and only glared at her fiancé. Kariya easily noticed that she was pissed by something but didn't know what for exactly. Before he could ask anything, she turned around and walked away, only reminding Kayneth about something.
"Don't forget what Lelouch told you, Kayneth. He wanted to be informed when the master of Berserker would wake up." Kayneth simply glared as his future wife left them alone. But the parting words didn't so much bother him as it did annoy him. "Don't you dare mess up again."
Kariya watched with confusion. She didn't bother to hide the venom in her tone. And though the blonde magus waved it away, the man on the hospital bed could sense real toxicity in their relationship.
"Don't mind my fiancé. She just can't accept the truth that my Servant died," he muttered but didn't elaborate. "Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri. She's the one who healed you and calmed down whatever it is that was inside your body."
Well, wasn't that convenient. To have not felt Zouken's worms squirm even slightly was no easy feat. The elder would-be vampire would likely proclaim as much, prideful genius as he took himself as. Yet, they likely didn't do so for free.
"Your fiancé, Sola-Ui… She mentioned someone."
"Oh yes. Lelouch Lamperouge, master of Avenger and my ally." Kariya thought he noticed a slightly irked twinge in his tone at the mention of 'ally' but thought nothing of it. "He decided it would be better you lived when we found you unconscious in the rubble. After what happened last night, we came to the conclusion that working together would benefit us all. Excuse me while I call him, but before that," Kayneth leaned forward. "I would like to have a little chat with you. You have… interesting familiars, Matou. Never have I seen anything like them before. And I'm curious to learn even more."
Kayneth's unnerving interest made Kariya freeze if not shudder in his cot. The master of Berserker touched his eye that could no longer see. This was a curse that Zouken damned him with, monstrous worms that created living batteries by eating away at the living. The old parasite likely planned to do the same with Sakura for the next war should Kariya fail.
Just the thought of letting anyone else study and replicate such a thing… it abhorred Kariya. Mages spreading their horrendous experiments with other mages… it was out of the question if the end result was more people suffering like those he cared about.
Kariya knew what kind of people magi were. They couldn't be trusted with something like this. No one deserved to suffer the fate of being a lab experiment. No one except for Tokiomi!
"There's no good that comes out of working with Crest worms. Only suffering. You will gain nothing good from them, only pain and misery." He'd shot back with an adamant and warning voice.
"Nothing new in our business, won't you agree? After all, to be a magus is to walk with death. And though you seem to be inexperienced in our ways, you seem just as comfortable to walk towards it, if your body's state is anything to be concerned." Kayneth heartily chuckled like he'd been told a funny joke. "Well, it was merely a suggestion. Do as you please."
Despite the carefree nature of his taking Kariya's rejection, there was still the sickening air that he sensed in all who dabbled in magecraft. A gross aura that resembled the bile flowing through Zouken's veins.
He would never agree to work with a magus like Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald. He was the stereotype of a magus that Kariya abhorred. Yet, there was something to be pondered on.
'Lelouch...I remember there was some kid on that roof. Was that him?'
For a child to be pulled into the war… he barely looked past his teens. But then again, the master of Rider, the Servant that intervened in Berserker's attacks on Tokiomi's Archer, looked just as young, didn't he? Ignoring the age, the fact remained that this Lelouch person was yet another master in the Holy Grail War.
Another magus.
'Can I trust these guys? No. Of course, not. They're magi. All of them are alike. Ruthless, disgusting. This Archibald, he's without a Servant. I can just order Berserker to kill them and leave...but,' The mention of having a 'common foe' was not lost on Kariya. 'It must be Tokiomi. I tried to kill him but almost died because his Servant saved him. Maybe working with another Servant isn't a bad idea after all. If only to take down that bastard at least!'
Kariya wasn't a fool, these people helped him only because they wanted something in exchange. Still, he might need help to take down Archer and the aforementioned bastard next time they meet. And should things turn sour, well. He was confident Berserker could take care of Avenger if needed.
He coldly stared at the Servant-less magus giving him an expectant look before asking.
"You want help to take down Archer?" When Kayneth didn't make to refuse but smile instead, he added. "If your aim is Tokiomi, I don't mind negotiating. But not right now. Give me some time to rest."
Kariya needed some leeway, an opportunity to think about himself especially. Now that the crest worms were asleep, his mind was clear for the first time in a long while. He could close his eyes and take a deep breath. For the first time since the beginning of the war, he was able to honestly relax, in the company of potential enemy masters be damned.
____________________
Fuyuki City. Shinto.
Shinto was the newest district in the city. It was the beginning of a large-scale redevelopment project funded by the local government to build a modern business district. The locals wanted to give their city a new look, make it modern. So far it wasn't fully completed but already had features like a park and shopping center in front of the train station. While all of them weren't finished, people were already milling about these places en masse.
And of course, Nobunaga wanted to visit them too.
Lelouch sighed as he followed his Servant inside the shopping centre known as Verde. Personally, he didn't want to be there, but after last night, the redhead woman deserved some rest. Not to mention, at the moment, their new friend was still unconscious. There was also a chance the mad knight would attack Servants if they came too close to his master.
Lelouch didn't want to risk having Berserker attack Nobunaga. He needed to gain new allies, not lose his only reliable one in this war. And since Lancer was dead, Kayneth was the optimal choice to leave Kariya with.
'No doubt, Kayneth will try to make a deal with the man once he wakes up. And only after that, he will call us.' Such was atypical for any schemer still aiming to win this war, regardless of the fact he had a Servant or not. Kayneth still had his command seals as well as they spares they exploited from the priest as well. Lelouch didn't expect it to happen, he was counting on it. 'Still, I know that this Kariya wants to kill Tokiomi badly. Something to do with this Sakura kid who was sold off. Even if Kayneth will try anything funny, I can counter it.'
Without Lancer, Kayneth wasn't as useful to him as before. They both knew it. The Demon Emperor was sure the British magus would try to make a deal behind his back to get one over him, but Lelouch didn't worry about it too much. After all, Kayneth's own fiancé was still furious at the magus.
'Hmph. I'm sure Sola-Ui won't forget our little chat.'
"What are you smirking about, Lelouch?" he schooled his features before turning towards his own Servant. Nobunaga was in her casual clothes, ice cream in her hand. After testing it once, the Demon King quickly fell in love with the cold dessert. "Not war-related business, I hope. I'd rather you didn't ruin our outing with such thoughts."
"What else can I think about?" He said with a light sigh, knowing where she was coming from but pointedly going at it at his own pace despite it. "We must use this time to come up with a plan to deal with other Servants. Now that Caster and Lancer are dead, our biggest obstacle is—"
"I get that it's important and all," her interruption had him blinking. "But, Lelouch, you need a little break too."
Leave it to the Servant to be able to gauge the obvious. Replying, he shrugged back, "I thought we're only here because you need to rest up after using your noble phantasm."
Her noble phantasm, Pāpīyas Metamorphosis, was a highly unstable Reality Marble. Her words, not his as he wasn't even aware of the true extents of what Reality Marbles were capable of.
It was a type of attack akin to powerful bursts of strength and mystical energy, not a fairly sustainable assault. Although powerful in its own right, Avenger could only reveal it for a short period of time, hence Nobunaga having a hard time using it too often. However, it wasn't an issue of mana according to her.
Nobunaga never felt like she was running out of magical energy with Lelouch. She was a little confused on why Lelouch never felt drained from her mana consumption, especially after Avenger used her most powerful trick. Yet Lelouch didn't know either. Being an outlier of this world, it was natural he'd be lacking in knowledge about the nature of his relation to magic.
Asking Kayneth about it might be risky. If the magus learned that her Lelouch had enough mana to fully supply Avenger yet not know how to fully comprehend such inadequacy, he might try something dangerous. Going behind their backs was a given. They were rivals as well as allies in this war. But to allow it to happen because of a slip of tongue wouldn't be permitted.
Then again, perhaps Avenger's master had secrets that even he wasn't aware of. He had been plopped here from another world after all. Such intricacies like the difference between his current body and the former he died in were still unanswered questions even to himself.
However, it didn't change the fact that she, and by extension, Lelouch as well, deserved a little rest.
"Come on, Lelouch. Relax a little, will you?"
"You're the one who did all the hard work yesterday, Nobunaga. Compared to yourself, I haven't done much to warrant lazing about—"
"Nope." Avenger simply said while her master stared at her with blunt confusion.
"What—?"
"We both need a day off, so don't try to convince me otherwise." Her persistence prevented him from asking anything else. Avenger smirked before taking his hand and walking ahead of him. Lelouch tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen. "Caster, Assassins and Lancer are already gone. Neither Saber nor Rider will bother us in the middle of the day. And that gold bastard would most likely still be pissed off and looking out for Berserker. No one will care about us unless we provoke them or until nightfall. Take this moment to relax, why don't you? I want to enjoy it with you as well."
"But why?" was the only question he had.
Nobunaga stopped and glanced at him. Lelouch was taken aback when her stare was less the smirk of the foolish Daimyo and something warmer… a worried gaze, so to speak.
"Because I saw what happened the last time you pushed yourself too far, Lelouch." Tapping her head, he realized what she meant. "Say what you want, but I don't want my master to do something so risky."
Lelouch's expression stiffened before letting out a sigh.
"You're talking about Zero Requiem again." No matter what he said to her, his Servant wouldn't be convinced. She nodded.
"You need to stop and enjoy yourselves while you can. I know what fatigue does to a man during war. Taking what rest you can is important especially during conflict."
Wise words of advice came from one who was just as, if not more, experienced in leading as he. During her life, Avenger made sure her armies were in top condition during her campaigns. Of course, it wasn't always the case. Either circumstances prevented it or her temper would force soldiers to fight without end, but right now Nobunaga had a moment and desire to relax.
She would very well make sure Lelouch did too.
Her master wanted to complain, but he suspected his Servant wouldn't take refusal for an answer. Lelouch let out yet another sigh before silently following after her.
Both of them made their way deeper inside the shopping centre. It was still a day and this place was full of people. Many stopped to look at them. In the eyes of simple folk, both Lelouch and Nobunaga not only appeared to be foreign tourists, but they also looked like a couple of models.
Neither demons paid them any mind, continuing to walk on.
Soon they found themselves in front of a record store. Lelouch didn't find anything unique about this place, but Nobunaga couldn't help but stare with amazement at everything on display. He had little choice when she dragged him here, and even less when she eagerly brought them inside.
He had to admit, it was a funny sight. The famous Japanese Daimyo was looking around this place with sparkles in her eyes. However, what caught her attention was the music that was playing inside the store. She asked the nearest staff member.
"What is the name of this song?"
"Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana." answered the bald man in sunglasses with a beard." It might be three years old but still a rock'n'roll classic. You like it?"
"Rock'n'roll," Nobunaga said slowly. The Grail never provided her with this knowledge since it wasn't important, but she would disagree. Avenger didn't know why but she was loving it. "I love it! What about you, Lelouch?"
"Hm. I rarely listen to this genre. I prefer classical music." Lelouch was a prince and was raised according to royal standards. Something like rock'n'roll seemed too barbaric for royalty, at least, in the eyes of his tutors at the time. While he stopped caring about his lineage after being sent to die in Japan, Lelouch continued to prefer classical music above others. The soothing nature of it was ingrained into his senses. The store owner snorted.
"I see that both you and your boyfriend aren't very familiar with rock'n'roll. If you want to experience the best, I recommend section B," the owner said, pointing behind them.
"Oh, we aren't a coup—Oy!" Lelouch tried to clear up a misunderstanding but Avenger didn't let him. The female Servant quickly grabbed his hand and dragged her master towards the directed section.
"Thanks!" she said enthusiastically as Nobunaga and Lelouch walked away. Once they were near it, her crimson eyes started to wander around, darting to and fro various disc records in quick succession. She carefully picked each of them, memorizing the titles before moving to the next one. She glanced at her partner. "Can we buy them?"
"All of them?" Lelouch asked with a perplexed expression. It turned even more perplexed when she nodded. Glancing at the cost of one and mentally calculating the total had the boy biting his tongue. "They aren't cheap, you know? Not to mention we don't have a gramophone for them."
"Oh," Nobunaga looked down before quickly adding with a mumble. "We can steal them." She was a ruler of Japan and everything belonged to her so there was nothing wrong with taking it. However, Lelouch gave her a pointed look. The Daimyo sighed dejectedly at the upright moral he wordlessly upheld. "Fine. I won't steal them."
As she started putting them back on the shelf one by one, she heard a tired exhalation from the boy.
"Haaah, they should have something else. Wait here." Lelouch said before walking back to the owner. Nobunaga watched as they talked about something. The older man nodded and left. Not a minute later, he'd come back with something in his hands. Her master smiled and paid for something before walking back to her. As he approached her, Lelouch gave her a strange black device. "Here."
"What is it?" Avenger asked as she eagerly yet carefully studied the little device.
"A portable CD player, Discman. It's still the 20th century for this world and people haven't developed smartphones or mp3 players yet, but this thing should suffice for now." Lelouch noticed that his companion still didn't understand the purpose of the little thing in her hands. With a smirk, he added. "You can use it to play music like the one you heard earlier."
The childish eagerness in Avenger's eyes sparkled as she glanced from the CD player to him. There was something amusing about seeing the normally deadly and ruthless Nobunaga act like the unassuming young woman that she was.
Before she could ask for the obvious, Lelouch handed over a few compact discs, a selection of her new favourite genre of music. Nobunaga didn't waste a moment and immediately put on the headphones and started to listen. She closed her eyes and silently enjoyed this new music, going so far as to dance in place with the balls of her feet.
Back in Avenger's day, she had to order servants to play tunes for her. But comparing what was actually played and what she was listening to now, the music of the past couldn't compare to this.
There was something majestic about it, she felt like her heart was on fire. It had always burned with the flames of vengeance, as her class implied. But the passion sparked by the tunes were something far, far different. As she listened to the rock'n'roll, it reminded her of her many battles, but not in the same sense as mere reminiscing.
Nobunaga remembered her first charge into the violent fray. The adrenaline, the drive to survive hell, the battle high she'd get drunk on as the conflict raged. How she would destroy her foes as they came after her, one after the other or in droves. All for them to die at her feet as she marched on ahead, a survivor. In those moments, she never felt more alive.
And despite not being in the midst of a battle at this very moment, she was able to relive the same tension, the same high she'd only ever found in combat.
"... Humanity has indeed come a long way." A small smile formed on her face. "This is… far more breathtaking than I expected. Thank you, Lelouch."
'She's genuinely happy? Interesting.' But unlike Nobunaga who was lost in sentimental reminiscing, the boy's logical and analytical mindset was yet to relax anytime soon as he studied the Servant's odd reaction. 'Then again I suspect many famous historical figures would be amazed by modern technological achievements.'
He wondered how Thomas Edison would view the world now. Hell, he wondered how both Edison and Tesla would react should they see the world applying not just one but both their ideas. His lessons in Ashford academy certainly impressed upon him and his fellow students that the grand innovations of the present would no doubt shock those of the past.
That Oda Nobunaga, a simple warrior-turned-conqueror, would be impressed by the vast cultural changes her once-feudal homeland underwent through participating in the globalized economy should come as no surprise.
"You're welcome. You can enjoy yourself as much as you want. You deserve it after winning for us last night anyways." Lelouch smiled before his eyes caught something. "Say, are you hungry?"
Nobunaga blinked but nodded. Besides breakfast and the delicious yet unfulfilling trap that was ice cream, she hadn't had anything else to eat. Her master smiled, this time taking her hand and leading her towards a special place.
Avenger didn't protest but followed her master with curious eyes, intrigued at the sudden initiative he took to lead for a change. Nobunaga wouldn't hesitate to admit. This day was pleasing enough as it was. She discovered something new and amazing, plus it seemed her master was enjoying himself as well.
"Here we are."
"A… pizzeria?"
"Yeah. I feel like it was forever since I had one. So why not grab a bite to eat here while we take a break on our day off."
"Hmm, I saw another pizzeria when we were buying me clothes and was curious to taste one." She hummed with hardly restrained interest. Even after getting her a tasty frozen treat, there was no hiding her curiosity for this world's cuisine. "Very well! Let us see how good this delicacy from abroad really is."
That a foreigner-looking woman would loudly proclaim that about a product that had grown into a cultural staple of her homeland after decades of western influence was… quite odd, to say the least. Still, Lelouch followed the eager woman.
The pair soon found themselves sitting inside and waiting for their order. Mere minutes of waiting passed until their food was delivered. Nobunaga could hardly contain her curious stare brimming with interest. She carefully examined a slice of pizza, cautioned by Lelouch to mind the dripping of the still-warm and melted cheese. Slowly taking a sniff, she finally took a bite.
Her eyes went wide as she immediately started to finish that one slice with gusto. It didn't stop there as she quickly grabbed another and scarfed it down. It was only by her seventh slice that Avenger stopped and looked back at him to ask.
"You want some?"
A bit too late for her to offer when there was only one slice left. Regardless, Lelouch decided to taste and see how good this world pizza was compared to his own. The Demon King made it a point to not be totally greedy and ask after all. The Demon Emperor wouldn't criticize her awkward sense of generosity as he took a bite.
A melancholic smile formed on his face. Lelouch couldn't remember the last time he had pizza, his green-headed pizza-lover friend hardly ever left any for him when she ordered one. And even though he'd ordered his own on occasion, should she ever intercept the usual delivery guy, there was no way he'd ever get his money's worth.
It took him eating halfway through his pizza slice to suddenly freeze in his thoughts.
'I never took C.C to a pizzeria or on a real date at all, haven't I...?'
Forget hanging out to eat, just being seen together was a set of red flags he never wanted to trip. Not in the beginning, and certainly not after she restored his memory. Even 'til the end, when it was just him, her, and Suzaku working together to bring the grand conclusion to his plan, there hadn't been any time to relax. Not like he was doing now, anyways. A wry sigh and smile escaped him.
'Well, just another regret to add to my list.'
Neither the warlock nor the witch ever needed to do such things. But despite not being an item at all, Lelouch felt like it would have been a good way to express his appreciation to the enigma that was C.C. It wouldn't have been worth much, compared to all pizza she ate in her long life, but it might've done well enough as a parting farewell… Not that he'd been sentimental enough to say goodbye to her.
'Although, C.C wouldn't dare eat here a second time.' As he finished his slice of pizza he silently mused. 'Hm. No doubt she would complain about the taste and demand I take her to a better place. Regrettable as that may be, I wouldn't be able to hear her anymore. Can't believe I miss that woman's snarky retorts.'
One only realizes the value of what they have when they lose it. While C.C. herself was someone he undoubtedly cherished, both as a person and an accomplice, her snappy attitude was one of the few things he thought he never get enough of.
"Are you ok?" Nobunaga suddenly asked with concern in tone. Lelouch blinked before she continued. "You look… gloomy. Remembered something about your past?"
Lelouch paused before looking at the side.
"I think I'm starting to understand why people tell kids to enjoy their youth while they can. Hmph. So many missed opportunities. So many things I could have done but never did." Lelouch smiled as he said so quietly, still looking at her. The Demon Emperor didn't want Nobunaga to see him in such a state. "Sorry, for the moment of weakness."
However, Nobunaga said nothing. When she carefully placed her hand on his face, however, that had Lelouch frozen stiff for a moment. He only relaxed soon after noting the warmth of her expression as well as that on his skin. She slowly and gently turned his head to fully face hers. A small smile formed on Avenger's face as she spoke.
"Look at me, Lelouch. You miss those times, the people who were with you, I can tell it. That means they mean a lot to you."
He frowned at her choice to bring this up again. "We spoke about it before. We agreed that I wouldn't allow my past to slow me down."
Despite saying so, she could still see the sadness in his eyes. Didn't matter how hard he tried to feign indifference, the boy sat before her could hardly cover for his sentimentality.
"No, we have agreed that we will win this war as partners, Lelouch. I saw your former life. You wanted to create the future the way you saw it, and that's beautiful. But know this, master. That doesn't mean you can't look back at your past with fond memories." Avenger smiled. Despite what happened between her and the Oda clan, the redheaded woman will always remember her childhood with a fond smile. She was indeed the Fool of Owari after all. "The people you made connections with, the time you spent with them, the bonds you shared. No matter how they ended, these happy moments will always stay with you. You can't change the future without acknowledging the past."
"I no longer desire to change the world or its fate," he argued back. "I just want to end this conflict I've been dragged into."
"And what will you do after that?" Nobunaga asked. "What does Lelouch Lamperouge seek at the end of this conflict? What is your new goal in life, master?"
He stayed silent. He had no answer to give.
'I was called to this world to participate in the Grail War. But… I wasn't told what would happen afterwards. Will be I killed? Should I fail, that's almost certainly a 'yes'. But if I succeed… would that mean 'no'? If so… then what? There's nothing for me here… No one. Not C.C., not Kallen or the Black Knights. Not Ashford Academy. Not even Suzaku or Nunnally.'
Lelouch thought with a worried expression as a simple question was asked of him.
'What was there in this world for Lelouch vi Britannia? What am I to live for, here and now?'
This wasn't a topic to think about during a war. It was distracting him, but Lelouch knew that sooner or later, he would need to think about it and find a new purpose in life. Uncertainty was his enemy, but doubt and wavering resolve, more so.
"I don't know." Lelouch looked down. Nobunaga sighed but added.
"Well, in that case, we just need to find you one." He raised his eyebrow and blinked.
"We?" The redhead servant nodded.
"Umu, together. We have sworn to fight alongside each other, have we not? I have my dream to reconquer my homeland and spread my new empire across all of Asia. While I would like to repay my master in assisting him to find a new purpose in life, I would dislike having to share the same goal as you." She smirked." You have experience taking over the world once over already, so I will be at a disadvantage, no?"
Lelouch couldn't help but snort at that.
"I highly doubt I would want to repeat such an arduous task, you know?" he reigned in his mirth with a sigh. "Last time, I did it out of necessity, not because I wanted it... Yet, I suppose… if I were given no other choice but to stay, world domination does sound tempting. As you say, I do have experience in it. One could call it my speciality, ruling over others, that is."
Nobunaga laughed mockingly as she looked to the side with feigned panic.
"Oh no, what have I done? Have I stoked the ambitions of my would-be rival?" she said in an amused yet exaggerated tone. Lelouch rolled his eyes at her performance. His partner needed to improve her acting skills. "Oh, dear. As much as it pains me, we have no choice but to fight each other. My master, while I appreciate and do so enjoy our current partnership, I will not allow anyone else to rule this world but me."
"Ho? I see no reason for negotiations to break down. Should I actually decide to take over the world, I would actually prefer to rule over it with you." Lelouch didn't notice how Avenger froze when she heard these words. "World conquest isn't an easy thing to do and I will need competent allies. Especially since this world technology is too outdated compared to what I used to work with. I—"
"You will conquer this world with me?" Nobunaga interrupted Lelouch and stared at him. He felt a little bit uneasy under her intense stare but nodded to further entertain her.
"Theoretically speaking, of course! If I will actually think about doing it again, you'll be first I ask to help, Nobunaga." Lelouch theatrically stated, not noticing how her smile seemed to grow with every word he said. It was at the point where he could see her teeth. Avenger's smile became feral as she listened to him. "After all, from one demon to another, would it not be better to each leave half of the world in the other's capable hands? We're partners, after all, Nobunaga. Accomplices."
That word… it made her heart beat faster than usual. Avenger had friends, allies, followers but never partners. She'd never had an equal to work alongside with, someone she could entrust her back to, through thick and thin. Even her oldest and most trusted friend Ieyasu was just that, a friend. But he was still a loyal retainer, fearful of her wrath.
But Lelouch claimed they were accomplices. In his eyes, they were equals. Because of those words, she was feeling the fire in her heart. One burning far more passionately than her battle high or her newfound love of music.
And she was definitely going to make Lelouch took responsibility for it. With a low and heated tone, she asked.
"So, is this a proposal?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Her red eyes never left his purple orbs. Studying his every move, waiting on his bated breath, she eyed him like a hawk.
But distracted by his reminiscing, Lelouch was none the wiser. He hardly registered the difference in her tone.
Yet, considering his words, as well as his current predicament, he felt his response more than appropriate. The Demon Emperor remained oblivious to the hidden meaning behind his fellow Demon's words and nodded.
"Sure. Why not."
Working with Oda Nobunaga herself will be the best course of action. In his mind, now and in the future, they were already partners. A forced partnership initially, it may have been, but a mutual one, it was today.
Lelouch didn't really care how she wanted to call it. For him, fundamentally, it was all the same. Partners, accomplices, they were in this together, for better or worse. Allies, both in the middle of a battlefield and off of it.
And yet, despite meaning well, the former Emperor of Britannia didn't understand the gravity of his words.
Unbeknownst to him, Nobunaga felt ecstatic. Her face momentarily flushed a furious crimson as red as her eyes and hair. She was hardly able to prevent herself from staring at him with a hungry smile. But the poor fool of a boy took it as a simple embarrassment for having her would-be joke called out.
It mattered little for he would soon find out the true meaning of what she had in mind. Their 'partnership' would be made clearer in the future. For now, though, Lelouch was silent while she didn't stop intensely staring at him. Soon, he let out a fake cough.
"Well, since we've finished here, why not go somewhere else? I highly doubt just shopping for music and food would hardly count as a break for you, no?"
"Of course." Avenger happily hopped to her feet. The fact of why she was still gleefully smiling like a fool remained elusive to him.
Once they left the pizzeria, she took his hand with a tight grip. Confused, Lelouch made to stare at her inquisitively, but she merely gave him another smile. Not knowing what to make of it aside from Avenger just enjoying herself, he decided to ignore it. He was aware that his Servant liked to be a tease sometimes. Unlike a certain pizza-addict, she was more forward about it too.
But as they had a day off, he let it go. Nobunaga could have fun as much as she liked. Though he wouldn't say it aloud, Lelouch thought his Servant could use some time to herself acting as a regular human would.
Despite how she normally was, being free from fighting a war seemed to suit her far better than he could've assumed possible. Or, at least that's the conclusion he came to with her currently carefree smile.
The two of them left the shopping centre and made their way towards the bridge. With more people came more staring. However, Avenger didn't seem to care. Smiling like a proud child as she held onto Lelouch by the hand, she continued to lead him on their merry way.
As they walked aimlessly, a thought came to Lelouch.
It was a bit late to be bringing up now, but he had realized it might be a little inconvenient to call his Servant by her name or even her class out in public. She'd rarely referred to him as 'master' since they started going out in public, only doing so when they were speaking quietly to themselves. Though he didn't think about it before, perhaps having some sort of alias wouldn't be such a bad idea.
"What are you thinking about, Lelouch?" Avenger noted his silence and called him out.
"Well… I was actually thinking about what to call you." That piqued her interest, though Nobunaga feigned disinterest and waited for him to continue. "Saying your real name is dangerous. Either other masters or their familiars might hear us. 'Avenger' is also inconvenient. It draws too much attention even in a normal conversation."
She could only giggle at the thought of him feeling embarrassed about that. "Don't you think it's a bit too late to worry about something like this? The only Servants who could have spied on us was the one-turned-many Assassin. Not to mention, they're all dead. And besides, you've already called me 'Avenger' out in public. Sure, it's drawn some eyes, but the thoughts of the unimportant masses matter little to me." Nobunaga smiled. "Still, if you want to give me a nickname I won't mind as long as it is something cool."
'Hmm, Oda Nobunaga, what can work?...Nobunaga... Nobuna? No—… Hm.' Lelouch thought about it before coming with an idea. 'This might work.'
"Nobu."
"What? 'Nobu'?" Avenger asked with a raised eyebrow. "Doesn't it sound too similar to my actual name?"
"Maybe, but I think it is better than calling your full name. Also, I think it sounds cute." Lelouch wanted to pay back and tease her as well. But Nobunaga didn't look dazed, in fact, she carefully mouthed the name over and over. Like a goldfish learning to breathe.
"Nobu, Nobu, Nobu. You're right, it does sound cute." Nobunaga happily said. "I love how it sounds!"
Lelouch didn't expect this reaction but played along. "Oh? Then, you're very welcome."
"What? Did you think I would be embarrassed, Lelouch? I do have a side that likes cute things." Avenger leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "Adorable boys like you are included in that."
He momentarily froze and stared down her predatory eyes. Nobu laughed at the sight. The former emperor who cruelly took over the entirety of his world was taken aback by mere words. There was no way he wasn't as adorably cute as she admitted him to be in her eyes.
However, now that she thought about it, Lelouch had a nickname as well. A wicked smile formed on her face as she stared at the theatrical man who hardly cringed at the thought of creating the masked character called 'Zero'.
"You know, Lelouch. Now that I think about it, calling you my 'master' out in public isn't normal either. People might get the wrong idea. You might need a nickname too. How about I will think about something for you?"
Honestly, she didn't care what others thought about them, only his opinion was important to Nobu. Her spine tingled ever-so satisfyingly just thinking of her nickname. Still, she knew something else would feel better, especially since it reciprocated the favour whilst also teasing her adorable master.
"Well," Lelouch knew she had a point there. While it wasn't as inconvenient, calling him by his name alone made him far more distinct than 'Avenger' or 'Nobunaga' would be to the common folk. After all, how common was a 'Lamperouge' in this world anyway? "I see no problem. And, I guess it is only fair."
"I'm glad that you think so too..." Nobu's smirk widened as she leaned closer, hands hidden behind her back. "Lulu~~~!"
Lelouch stopped moving. His eyes went wide with fear.
"Wha—?!"
"Hahaha! Your expression is priceless!" Nobu laughed. "Come now! You haven't forgotten, surely? You dream of my past as frequently as I do yours. That includes memories during your rebellion as well as before it, Lulu~~~!"
Her master didn't like it. She could guess by the sight of his little pout. It earned more of her giggles. She knew it was a little childish, but Nobunaga couldn't remember the last time she had such fun. Maybe when she and her little brother were still children.
And though he seemed to act affronted, he wasn't as sensitive as he appeared. Case and point, the fact he didn't stop her from using it. Even though the nickname itself was given to him by someone dearly important, someone forever lost to him long before the Zero Requiem, he didn't try to stop her from speaking it.
"Just… don't call me like that in front of other masters... please?"
Nobu waved his concern away with a smirk.
"Don't worry, my dear Lulu. I wouldn't dare let others insult the honour of my master as a simple jest. Calling you by that name, only I shall have that privilege in this world."
For, even if there was no one to affectionately call out to him like that anymore, she wouldn't allow Lelouch Lamperouge, the only one she saw as her equal, to ever be left alone.
Lelouch could only hide the lower half of his face behind his palm as he looked away from her smug grin. It was her victory, but she could tell by the light in his eyes. He will get back at her, eventually.
She welcomed the challenge for there would only be one she would allow such honour.
The pair of Demons, Nobu and Lulu, continued enjoying their day off, carefree banter and teases of the past notwithstanding. As they were still waiting for the call from Kayneth, they could enjoy themselves as much as they wanted.
For now, at least.
____________________
Outside the city. Einzbern Forest
One man walked inside the magically protected forest, not caring about the danger such recklessness might earn him. He was too drunk to care about anything anymore, apart from his grief, that is.
Ryuunosuke took another sip from the beer can before tossing it away. The former master of Caster was already intoxicated but he didn't stop and continued to walk. Soon, he found his destination. The former battlefield. the same one where his best friend did the coolest thing Ryuunosuke ever saw. The trees around the area were smashed and burned. Branches, trunk, root, and even the soil, all were overturned, carved away, annihilated in the face of the mayhem that occurred not a few hours ago.
The serial killer let out an inebriated chuckle. His short-term, yet bestest friend really knew how to party.
He decided to stop and sat down on one of the collapsed trees. Ryuunosuke pulled out another can and raised it towards the sky.
"If God truly exists, I hope he was amazed by the show you put up, Boss… Or, what was cut short of it anyway…" A single tear fell from his face as Ryuunosuke continued. "Farewell, Boss Bluebeard. You really were… the coolest person I ever knew…"
Ryuunosuke started to drink and didn't stop until the can was empty. Once there was nothing left he chucked it away. With nothing left of his pal, not even a body to bury or even anything to do at this time, he just looked around. All of this was damage, this destruction, this chaos… was done by his best friend.
The saying went that the greatest of man, the best of the best, almost always went out with a bang… But why…? Why did they have to leave so early? Ryuunosuke couldn't understand.
'We're people who don't lie to ourselves and do as we please. We're more honest than these zombies who live every single day the same boring way. Eh, whatever, I should find some family and have fun with them. Maybe pay a little tribute and try out what he taught me this time. Boss would have liked it that way.'
A small smile formed on Ryuunosuke's face. Today he would kill some kids in memory of his best friend. Caster would have done the same for him no doubt. However, as Ryuunosuke stood up and was about to leave, something stopped him.
BANG
One shot rang out and had him falling to a knee.
BANG
The second seemed to have struck his leg harder than the first as it had him falling forward on his face.
He'd heard it all before feeling the pain in his legs. So drunk was he that, when he saw two small holes that were now bleeding through each of his knees, one of which looked partially disconnected with the rest of his lower leg, Ryuunosuke stilled in silence. All before a wide smile formed on his face.
"Ha...ahahaha! This feeling again! Amazing!"
Ryuunosuke, so lost was his mind to the alcohol and pain, didn't notice two figures closely approaching him from either side. One of them knocked the hearty sniggering air out of him as she kicked him to his side. Gun, locked and loaded, Maiya Hisau readied to fire. But just as her finger rested on the trigger, her partner stopped her.
"Wait," Kiritsugu said with a cold voice. "Not yet. He might know something."
His partner nodded and backed down. The true master of Saber stepped closer and grabbed Ryuunosuke by the collar. The wounded maniac didn't even seem to mind the rude treatment. Ryuunosuke Uryuu couldn't help but giggle even more erratically. It was all too cool and fun! That or the alcohol had gotten way over his head.
"Your servant fought against Avenger here. Tell me everything you know about her and I will let you leave." It wasn't a lie. He would be free to go. But Maiya would be ready to put a bullet in him regardless of whether he'd make it out of the forest's boundary or not. But despite the looming threat of death, the deceased Caster's master continued to laugh. Kiritsugu kept his calm. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, sorry, but you look like those hired killers from the movies. So cool! Also, I was shot the second time this week, neat." Kiritsugu raised his eyebrow.
"What do you mean the second time?"
Ryuunosuke drunkenly waved his hand with a shrug, about to answer but momentarily gagging at puke he swallowed back. Kiritsugu gave the man time to collect himself.
"Ah, my bad. It's just… some foreign guy tricked me the last time and shot me in the back. Ah… shit, I lost so many kids because of him. Boss said it was most likely the master of that redheaded bitch who fought him. Ah… how boring of him…"
Kiritsugu carefully listened to the madman. Taking the words of a drunk seriously, but it was the information of the only unaccounted for master. He didn't know if this Lelouch Lamperouge was capable of magecraft, but from what the child murderer said, it would appear the master of Avenger was using regular weapons.
To surmise, Avenger's master tried to kill Ryuunosuke. He failed, of course, but Kiritsugu now knew a little more than he had yesterday. After seeing what the boy's Servant could do against a fully-independent and out-of-control Caster, getting rid of Avenger and her master's priority as a target were both raised.
However, before that, he grabbed Ryuunosuke's hand and tried to find the command seals, but there was nothing.
"Your command seals, what did you do with them?"
"Oh, these tattoos? Boss asked me to use them on him. Said something about getting even more power."
"All three?" Ryuunosuke simply nodded with a smile.
"Yup. Tattoos aren't my thing honestly, plus they were itching anyways—Mm!" another gag, another vomit held back. The stench of the former master was getting stronger, as well as his wooziness.
Kiritsugu clenched his fist. He didn't expect to gain much from someone like him. He had some information, but he'd hoped that at least one command seal was saved.
"Hey, mister killer, can I ask you a question? Do you kill people because of money or you do it because you're loving it?" Ryuunosuke asked innocently while Kiritsugu narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Weeeell, not to brag, but I've killed tons of children, so you might call me a professional killer too. And I do it because it's fun for me! But you're a real killer, something like those hitman-types in the movie, right? I mean, I didn't even notice you until you and your partner shot my legs out from under me! Which is super cool! Killing people for money is sort of a dream job I once had, and I was kinda curious if you like it the same way I like my hobby!"
Kiritsugu's brow furrowed as he eyed the smiling drunkard with disgust. For him, it was a means to the end. For Ryuunosuke it was some kind of twisted pleasure. The master of Saber met people like him before. Psychos. The criminally insane who couldn't be reasoned with.
Basically, the people he placed at the other end of his gun's barrel.
"I'm nothing like you. I kill only because I need to, not because I like it." Ryuunosuke let out a short snicker before turning into a cackling laugh. "What are you laughing at?"
"Ahahahahah! Ah, my bad… It's just… Snrk! Hahahah…" Realizing he was getting to the end of his listener's patience, the drunk stated. "Then, why do you have the same eyes like me? he smirked. "You… you have that lost, dead look in your eyes. Like you've seen it all but are just bored as hell. You look just like me when I look at myself in the mirror every day!"
"You're wrong," was the flat reply. "We're nothing alike. I kill because it is the only way to fix the problem. People like you cannot be treated and are too dangerous to be left alive. I'm only doing my best to improve this world. You're nothing but a deranged child-killer."
But soon this world would be free from the likes of him. Until Kiritsugu learned about the existence of the Grail, his only method to deal with such people was simple, culling them. However, now that he aimed for the Holy Grail, it need not be the same anymore.
He need not kill a single person after this war was over. The master of Saber was sure the artefact would grant him his wish of a peaceful world. So long as he paid the price of winning it, then…
"EH? Are you going out killing the bad guys then?! Come on, mister killer, don't be silly. That's impossible." Ryuunosuke smirked. "Only kids and weekend cartoon heroes think like that anymore, ya know?"
"What makes you think so?"
"Because there are dozens of people like me who just want to express themselves in various ways. Some of us are born like this, others, like the Boss who suffered because of crappy people like the ones who executed his Saint friend, are made. We're like this because society let us become like this. You call us freaks, but we're simply doing what we love!"
How a drunkard could drone on about philosophy was beyond Kiritsugu right now. Even if the words made sense, the creature pretending to be human didn't move the stone-cold killer who murdered for justice.
"Aaah, you look like you don't get it. Neither of you does! Boss understood me. For a moment, I thought you might. But eh… whatever." For a moment, Kiritsugu though the madman's rant over. Then, he spoke again. "Ya know, even if you want to get rid of us, all you can do is try, yeah? I mean, even if it's someone as cool and cold-hearted as you, you can't get rid of all of us bad apples."
"I don't need to. The Holy Grail will grant me my wish."
It was his and Iri's dream. A world without war and violence. A world where the likes of his father would have never done their terrible experiments. A world where Shirley would have lived in happiness, nit suffer until her untimely end.
Kiritsugu was going to win this war and make that dream into reality, no matter what it would cost. He knew that he would lose his wife no matter what, but they're both willing to do it for the sake of his dream. For the sake of Illya, and a future their daughter could live in without a care in the world.
The Grail will do it. Kiritsugu was sure of it.
"Jeez, mister killer. I didn't know someone like you could be such an idealist. To believe something like that so easily… Wish granting thing? Pffft, nothing but a scam. You can't just hope for something to give you everything you want. That sounds too good to be true. Then again, it seemed the same could be said for the Boss… Had he not been distracted by that blondie girl, that bitch and her boring master would've been dead and Boss would be alive to agree with me again… Hah… Hahahah… Ah… Life's such a bitch, eh? It always takes and takes. The one moment you try and enjoy yourself for once, it ends up crashing down on ya from high heaven. All to say that you can't have what you want… I guess that's why you keep clinging to an impossible dream, eh? You haven't failed as spectacularly as the rest of us freaks of society yet! Is that so, mister killer?"
Ryuunosuke started to drone on while laughing his intoxicated mirth away. Kiritsugu only glared at him. He was done with this conversation. The master of Caster had nothing left to offer. Not to him nor the world.
"Maiya," Kiritsugu called her and silently walked away. His loyal assistant walked towards wounded Ryuunosuke and aimed her gun against his head. The man on the ground didn't look scared at all, in fact, Ryuunosuke became enthusiastic.
"Ara, did I hit the nerve, mister killer? Heh." Ryuunosuke, tired and all out of laughter, stared at the barrel of the gun. Kiritsugu didn't bother with the man as he smiled one last time. "Guess I'll see the Boss sooner than I expected. See ya later, mister killer! You too, miss quiet scary eyes."
BANG THUD
Kiritsugu ignored the sound of grating dirt as he continued his walk towards the castle. Maiya would take care of the corpse as well as any evidence that remained while he focused all his attention on the remaining masters.
Yet, despite designating most of his rant as the ravings of a lunatic, something about Ryuunosuke's words didn't sit well with Kiritsugu. He knew why he was doing it and nothing would stop him. Impossible as it would seem in reality, the fact he was seeking out the Grail should've been enough to annul that impossibility.
He wouldn't back down now. He sacrificed too much to get to this point. So many were killed so Kiritsugu had a chance to achieve his dream. Reality wouldn't fail him anymore for the Holy Grail will do it.
He would make sure it did.
"This isn't a blind hope, I will make this world peaceful no matter what," he repeated to himself in particular. As if stating it would reassure him in his path of blood.
They say the path to hell was littered with good intentions. Coinciding with that, the road to heaven was paved with sacrifices and blood. If he was to go to hell for the sake of world peace, then so be it.
'Once this war is over and my wish is granted, I will pay for my crimes. But until then, I shall go on.'
He stamped down on the earth. The soles of his shoes were stained with the dried blood of the late Caster's minions. The same ones that were born from the bodies of the kidnapped children. Merely a few of the many he intended to save.
'Avenger's master is but a child playing a dangerous game. But he wields one of the most deadly and unknown of Servants. Lelouch Lamperouge. I'm sorry if you were dragged into this mess by the Grail.' Calm, collected, and focused on his last job that was the Holy Grail War, Kiritsugu Emiya vanished into the still-shattered doorway of the Einzbern mansion. 'But for the sake of the world, you will die like the rest of them.'
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
Imperators_Slave
Imperators_Slave Tokiomi is a vegetable now, instead of Kayneth. Kirei is Gil's new master and didn't kill his old teacher yet, but don't worry. I have something in mind for them. Kariya and Zerkelot had their moment of understanding, as much as they can understand each other. Since I decided to change the fates of almost every character, these two will have different ending too. Also, Ryuunosuke is dead. Yeah, I said I have something in mind for him but that's it. I only wanted Kiritsugu and him to have a little chant before Magus Killer killed him.
Also, about Lelouch and Nobunaga's little date. I hope you liked it. Now Nobunaga finally learned the magic of Rock'n'roll. If you think I used the most obvious choice, sorry but I couldn't think of anything else but Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. It is classic for a reason after all. Plus, Nobunaga finally got get her Nobu nickname. :D
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