Bab 16: Chapter 16
At the break of dawn, when the nocturnal creatures stalking the dark forest had started to settle down. The group resumed their journey.
After what happened last with Adam coming out with one of his secrets. The rest of the group decided not to mention the sensitive topic anymore. At least not for now, especially not when Adam himself shows open dislike to his own Immortality.
Thus, during their journey. They discussed the information they obtained. The main one is definitely the topic of Fafnir, a true dragon unlike the Wyverns.
In the previous universe, there is little difference between species of dragons. At most, it's just the question of how much more ammunition to waste before they die.
But in this universe, 'real dragon' is apparently a very big deal. It ranges from how they are a flying magical fortress that can lay down untold devastation and how it has a core which can be compared to nigh infinite power source. A flying fortress but also a flying treasure trove of alchemical ingredients and priceless materials.
"—that's why we would require a Servant with Dragon Slayer traits."
Romani ended his crash course about dragons and basically the guide to counter Fafnir which will be their main obstacle in defeating the Dark Jeanne.
"Can't Archer just make a copy of Noble Phantasm with said trait to defeat Fafnir?" Ritsuko raises that question which earns her a few nods from everyone since she is catching up fast to what is expected from her.
Adam thinks of the same thing too and he turns his attention to the telepathic communication between him and Archer to hear his opinion.
Archer conveniently appeared on a tree branch above the group and replied.
"While I appreciate the faith Master and Ritsuko shows to me. I am afraid it isn't that simple." He says before he explains in greater detail.
"In the current situation, Fafnir is summoned by the Dark Jeanne as her personal mount. I am afraid that it is guaranteed to share the wellspring of Mana from the Grail as Dark Jeanne. So, unless I could kill Fafnir in a single strike. It would actually not be feasible to kill Fafnir. That is, if I even have the opportunity to land a clear hit on Fafnir because on their side, they also have a Rider which we identified to be Saint Martha that also has the Dragon Tarasque that she can summon."
After hearing Archer's reply, the group fell into a brief silence before Ritsuko backpedaled the entire conversation back to the very start.
"I see, so that's why we are looking for the infamous Dragon Slayer, Siegfried. But how are we even sure that this… Siegfried would be summoned?" Adam wondered since Romani sounded very sure.
"That's because of the existence of the Counter Force, Master." Archer interjected and explained. "The Counter Force will definitely seek to stop the irregular historical error such as the Singularity. With Fafnir summoned on the opponent's side, Siegfried is bound to be summoned to counter Fafnir." He said and continued to explain a little bit more about the existence of the Counter Force and the existence of Servant that is related to it.
"I see…" Adam mutters as he takes in the explanation with curiosity while trying to understand the information given to him.
So, basically. While Archer could simply copy dragonslaying weapons, he himself couldn't possibly kill it in one strike. At most it could only critically injure Fafnir, not enough to kill it. Normally, that's fine. But because Fafnir is summoned by Dark Jeanne who owns the Grail. Fafnir can recover from any critical damages. Unless the attack kills Fafnir immediately, it might as well be useless.
Adam would like to argue that perhaps he could fight against Fafnir given how his Warp Sorcery doesn't really follow the conventional rule of the Moonlit World. But he decided not because even if he could defeat Fafnir together with Archer. That would also mean taking away a significant bulk of their capable fighting forces that need to deal with the other Berserk Servants and Wyverns. So, the best course of action is to find Siegfried that can guarantee to kill Fafnir while also recruiting more Servants to even out the odds against the Dragon Witch and her forces.
He once fought against impossible odds and a great terrible army of Chaos and won because he can afford sacrifices. He could afford to use his Immortality to his advantage. However in the Singularity. He could afford some sacrifices with the Servants. Since they can be resummoned. But Ritsuko and Mash couldn't. Once they die, they are dead for good.
From a purely logical standpoint devoid of emotions. Ritsuko Fujimaru's importance as an asset to Chaldea is secondary. Her capability as a Magus aside, which is terrible according to Director Olga back in the Fuyuki Singularity. Her capability as Master needs time and nurturing to properly blossom and both is what Chaldea has none of.
If push comes to shove, Adam would consider sacrificing Ritsuko to fulfill his objectives to complete a Singularity. However, doing so will bring great trouble with how tight-knit the members of Chaldean and the Servants are to Ritsuko
As such, in Adam's mind he would rather have Ritsuko stay in Chaldea instead of out here fighting a fight totally unsuitable for her and beyond his own capability. He would shoulder the responsibility of resolving the Singularity himself. But he himself doubts Ritsuko is the kind that will understand his points and agree to stay put inside Chaldea.
Also, one last thing. Adam has the ability to view souls because his mind is connected to the Sea of Soul, the Warp. Ritsuko's soul feels different from the normal people. He has encountered such souls many times before. Those souls belong to people with great significance to the world around them. Basically, the protagonist of their own story.
After Adam snaps out of his own thoughts, he can feel everyone had their eyes on him. The reason is because he wanted to try to do a divination to locate Siegfried. He is indeed summoned and he has been channeling his mind into the warp to scour it like a satellite to locate all nearby souls. Souls that belong to a Servant are obviously easy to spot because they glow bigger, brighter and more brilliantly than those of normal mortals. Not to mention they are quite unique depending on the individual Servant like for example Jeanne's soul that glow white and golden, exuding holy radiance which encapsulated her identity as a Saint and a devout follower of her God.
Releasing a Psychic pulse that is powerful enough to sweep through an entire continent, numerous souls become visible to his mind.
A wide congregation of those souls tainted with evil up north in the direction of Orleans is definitely Dark Jeanne and he forces. Meanwhile half a dozen of the souls scattered across the land are Servants summoned by the Counter Force.
Among those souls, there are two with Dragonslaying traits and two more seem to wander into the direction of the group but didn't seem hostile and rather weak for a Servant. so, Adam ignored them.
The farther one is weaker while the closer one is stronger. However, it seems that the one with the stronger Dragonslaying trait is in trouble with how the soul is flickering and dimming which indicates the owner of the soul is dying. Add that three of Dark Jeanne's Servants is close by, he can't be anymore sure about his conjecture.
Returning his consciousness back into his body, Adam woke up from his mental trance and gathered everyone's attention effortlessly since the moment he moved a slight muscle, he already caught everyone's attention.
"I have both good news and bad news." Adam announced which caused a mixed reaction on everyone's face. "The good news is I may have found Siegfried. He is close by but the bad news is he might be in danger. If anything, I would bet that the Dark Jeanne is trying to eliminate him since he is a counter to her trump card, Fafnir."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go." Cu already dismissed his spear and went into a sprinting crouch.
Everyone else agreed too and followed suit. But Adam told the slower Servant like Mash and Archer to join Ritsuko and Alina riding on Sif as they made haste to Siegfried.
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As Adam expected, Siegfried who is trying to defend the town of Lyon was trapped by the Servants Dark Jeanne sent to deal with him.
The Servants didn't attack him yet, only observing from afar while they send in wyverns to keep harassing Siegfried who despite being Dragonslayer and have unfair advantage against the Wyverns, has no Master to supply him Mana and is at the brink of disappearing due to the exhaustion of Mana that anchor his existence as Servant into the world.
Siegfried knew this was a set up. He knew the Servants of the Dragon Witch are trying to tire him out before effortlessly killing him but even so, Siegfried is too kind to let the town behind him to be devoured by the Wyverns.
So, even knowing his imminent demise. Siegfried continued to swing his sword and cut down another wyvern while standing defiantly before the encroaching Wyverns.
Just as he cut down the last Wyvern. Another dozen popped up in the sky. Siegfried can feel his strength already starting to drop which is the sign of Mana deprivation. However his will remains unflinching as he grip his sword tighter, intending to fight until his last breath.
But then, something miraculous happened.
*Rumble!*
Under the clear sky, he suddenly heard the rumbling of thunder and then the incoming Wyverns were suddenly smited by strange white lightning. No doubt not natural and his immediate thoughts is the doing of another Servant.
To reinforce his assumption, a sudden devastating explosion happened on the location where he sensed the Servant of the Dragon Witch was squatting at which was followed by a loud rage filled howl.
"Aaarrrttthhhuurrr!"
Then everything went crazy as he could sense the presence of a Dragon, a real dragon, summoned into battle inside the forest before a few more colorful explosions of energy turning the forest upside down.
While Siegfried collapsed to the ground in relief that the town was saved, a redhead girl in white uniform, a girl with a cross-shaped shield and another female warrior in silver armor arrived on a giant gray wolf.
The redhead girl dismounted from the wolf in a hurry and almost fell and face planted on the grass, saved by the Servant with the shield who caught the redhead by her collar and dropped her gently on the ground.
"Fiuh… we made it in one piece." The redhead girl sighed and wiped her nonexistent sweat while the wolf huffed, feeling offended by her remark.
The girl then turns to look at Siegfried. "You, you are the Dragonslayer Siegfried, right?" She asked.
Siegfried tried standing up straight and dust himself before he bowed gratefully to the girl.
"Indeed, you have my thanks for coming to my aid. I would do everything in my power to repay this favor, Lady…?"
"Ritsuko Fujimaru. But you can call me Ritsuko and there is a way for you to help us. Please form a contract with me and aid us to defeat Fafnir."
"Ah… Fafnir, my old foe. So he is the reason why I was summoned here." Siegfried became enlightened by his purpose in the Singularity and bowed once more. "Of course, I wouldn't deny such a request even without the favor." Siegfried accepted.
Then, Siegfried accepted the contract with Ritsuko and immediately felt Mana flowing back into his body and started to repair his injury. But then Siegfried noticed the lack of urgency on his new Master to go and aid her allies fighting in the forest.
"Are we not going to help them, Master?" Siegfried asked with confusion on his face.
"Hmn?" Ritsuko turns his sight from the forest to Siegfried next to her.
"Oh, no need. Adam senpai got it covered. Besides, we still have two more Servants to wait for." Ritsuko hummed while turning her attention back at the forest which had almost been destroyed with all the trees obliterated or turned into charred coal by Archer's Haxx Tracing of Broken Phantasm and Adam's Warp Fire and Lightning.
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AN: Should I make Alina as MC's love interest?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
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