Capítulo 1440: Discord
After being 'kicked' out of the Ivory Castle, Shirou, Musashi, Caenis, and Altria passed through the literal army of Einzbern Homunculi for the first time. This resulted in Caenis, quite literally, growling at the ruby-eyed women while Shirou, having dealt with Illya in the past, couldn't help but make the comparison between the army of women and his original self's half-sister.
Seeing the complex expression on her companion's face, Musashi lightly elbowed him in the side, asking, "What, having regrets about leaving so many beauties behind? We always have the option of joining the Empire, you know~?"
Now that she didn't have to worry about Vahn crashed down on her like the literal Heavens, Musashi was in a great mood. She didn't mind the resolute stares following her every move, knowing full-well that the horde of women wouldn't attack her unprompted. Even if they did, she was confident in her escape, as, unlike the majority, she could easily flee from the Moon Cell or descend into a completely different world if the situation became really dire.
Understanding Musashi was back to her old self, Shirou just offered a polite smile without explaining the reason for his melancholy. Even without asking, he could guess the previous Holy Grail War had something to do with the Einzberns as they were the central family involved in its operation. This had brought back a few less-than-pleasant memories, including the time his past self had been forced to watch as his sister was murdered by Gilgamesh.
Remembering the arrogant golden demigod caused Shirou's hands to form into fists, an action that hadn't gone unnoticed by his companions. Before they could ask, however, he preempted them by saying, "We should track down Jason. I don't imagine we'll be able to convince him but we should at least try before he ends up getting us all pulled into something. Now that Archimedes is dead, I can't imagine he'll be willing to follow the orders of others..."
With Shirou's reminder, Musashi released an annoyed groan, hand rubbing her temple as she said, "I know, right? I can already imagine that dumbass demanding to be placed in charge, only to end up driving us further apart. Should we just kill him and be rid of his foolishness...?"
Caenis rarely agreed with Musashi, but, hearing her last remark, she readily stated, "I'll do it. I would my left arm to see that man's face contorted in pain and disbelief as the last traces of life drain from that conceited prick."
As both Musashi and Caenis were known for being battle-junkies, Shirou wasn't too surprised by the fervor they displayed. Rather, with few exceptions, most of their allies would readily kill Jason if they believed it wouldn't cause problems. Unfortunately, Jason's Noble Phantasm wasn't something that could be looked down on, and, with his astonishingly high Luck, getting the jump on him with any kind of killing intent was borderline impossible. His Luck was enough to be reality-altering, making it possible to beat and bully him, but exceptionally difficult to plot his death.
Fortunately, if it truly came to that, it was all but guaranteed that Musashi could finish the job. Even if Jason managed to activate his Noble Phantasm, she would be able to overcome it without outside assistance. She was one of, if not the, strongest people on their side. The only two with any hope of victory against her were Raikou and Abigail, two of the original five that had willingly accompanied Archimedes to the past. As for everyone else, there was a good chance the battle would end before their minds even processed what had happened.
After considering their options, Shirou dared to look directly at Caenis, saying, "We shouldn't plot the death of our allies so readily...Jason is a despicable man, but he is still a Hero. If we don't even try to reason with him, we wouldn't even be able to compare ourselves to the Emperor, much less stand in opposition to him. He is willing to engage in diplomacy so we should at least make an effort to do the same..."
Though she was nearly overwhelmed by an urge to punch Shirou in the face, Caenis was ultimately able to restrain herself. Still, she wasn't even remotely satisfied, so, after loudly harumphing, she said, "Yeah, sure, we'll do it your way. I wonder what kind of face you'll make when that man completely ignores your attempts to persuade him? If you get caught in his Noble Phantasm, don't expect me to pull you out."
As he was actually fairly confident in being able to deal with Jason's Noble Phantasm, Shirou decided against arguing, opting to simply smile in response. He might not be able to target Jason that easily, but, if it was just surviving for a short while, he could easily persevere until Musashi managed to deal a knockout, or fatal, blow. Her Empyrean Eyes pretty much ignored causality altering effects, making Jason easier to deal with than some 'normal' human beings...
Seeing Shirou smile before walking away from her, Caenis was no longer able to restrain herself. She quickly covered the distance between them, thrusting with an open palm towards his lower back, an attempt to temporarily disable his legs. Unfortunately, Shirou's body just dissipated into thin air, his figure, scent, and aura dispersing into the surroundings until it was impossible to distinguish it from the ambient 'mana' emulated by the Moon Cell.
Incensed that her attack had missed, Caenis instantly shouted, "Coward!" at the top of her lungs, ignoring the fact she had attempted to sneak attack him. In response to this, Musashi and Altria just gave her deadpan stares, the only sound between them a result of the [Avalon Apple] the latter was ceaselessly devouring with small bites.
---
Seated naked atop a gilded golden throne, Jason had a sneer on his face as he nursed a glass of wine in his left hand. He was amusing himself by having his would-be wife, Medea, painstakingly lick every millimeter of his feet. She, too, was completely naked, the only exception being the large collar he had forced upon her, demoting her from her original status to nothing more than a pet and sex slave.
Though it wasn't the 'real' Medea, Jason couldn't help but treat her poorly as, even now, the trauma she had instilled in him often awoke him deep in the night. He could still remember how she, in her misguided love for him, mechanically slaughtered everyone that barred his path. Because of her, he was treated as a monster, but, due to his weakness at the time, he had little choice but to rely on the 'gift' given to him by Aphrodite.
He would never admit it, but Jason was absolutely terrified of Medea. Even when they first met, she had basically forced herself upon him like a crazed zealot. Though she was an unbelievably beautiful girl, that image was forever tarnished by a multitude of bloodstained memories. He would never be able to forget the sheer madness in her eyes as she looked toward him with a smile, begging for his praise despite blood and gore dripping from her face and hair...
As this thought crossed his mind, Jason saw the ruby-red liquid in his left hand. This caused a shiver to run through his body, followed by an overwhelming amount of nausea that forced him to throw aside his cup and run for a nearby potted plant, discarding the contents of his stomach into the dark brown mulch. Even this wasn't enough to completely rid him of his nausea, however, as the robotic Medea appeared at his side almost instantly, gently stroking his back.
Feeling his disgust well up, Jason lashed backward, striking Medea across the face as he shouted, "I don't want to see your face right now...!!"
Despite having been slapped, Medea continued to stare back at Jason with a smile on her face, even as a trickle of blood ran from her nose. Then, in response to his previous statement, her figure burst into particles of bluish-white light, nowhere to be seen. This allowed Jason to breathe a little easier, as, following his outburst, Change'e dutifully appeared, moving gracefully to his side with a look of concern on her impeccably beautiful face.
Though she knew he didn't like to be asked about it, Change'e lightly caressed Jason's back, asking, "Did you have a flashback? Do you want me to make you some ginger tea? It will help to settle your stomach..."
Knowing how foolish it would be to lash out at Chang'e, Jason did his best to ignore the face she always asked him questions he didn't want to answer. He hated seemed weak, especially in front of women, so he ultimately just remained silent, focusing on his breathing.
It was when Jason was lamenting the fact that he didn't recruit enough women onto the Argo that his intuition kicked into high gear. His nausea faded away in an instant, returning a confident, albeit arrogant, look to his face. This surprised Change'e, though not as much as when he said, "Someone is thinking about killing me...? I feel like that horse bitch has it in for me...damn, this is the thanks I get for taking that bitch's bastard of a son onto my ship?"
Hearing Jason's words, Change'e's face formed a frown, making the world around her seem less vibrant as a result. She knew a lot of the other Heroes didn't like Jason but she didn't imagine any of them would actually try and kill him. She knew better than to even question if his intuition was right, however, as he was remarkably sensitive to anything pertaining to his own safety. He would often complain to her before they went out, claiming that someone was going to beat him up and asking for her protection. All of these 'prophesies' proved true, and, while it could be argued that Jason was the one that set them in motion, the fact he had an A-Rank Skill related to self-preservation couldn't be ignored.
Fortunately, less than a minute after he had started to pace around the room, Jason came to a stop, a confused expression on his face as he muttered, "I guess not...? Someone must have scolded her. Ha! Serves that bitch right!! I can just imagine the sour look on her face, hahahahahaha-!!"
Though it seemed like the crisis had been avoided, Jason was a very paranoid man, so, after he had laughed for a good minute or so, he unsheathed the shortsword at his hip. It was a very ornate item, covered from pommel to guard in pure gold. As for the blade, it was a pure silver that refracted light in much the same way as a gemstone, allowing it to sparkle when viewed from any angle.
Knowing what Jason was about to do, Change'e took a few steps back, her hands neatly folded in her lap as she watched on with a smile. Thus, without any interference, Jason extended his arm, the blade of his sword pointed toward the ground as he released the handle and said, "I am the Master of my life, Captain of my own Destiny. Come, faithful allies, Heroic Spirits of an Era long past; Set sail with me once again! [Astrapste Argo: The Dazzling Ship that Splits the Heavens]!!!"
Despite the fact his chant had multiple verses, Jason was somehow able to finish it before his blade struck against the marbled flooring. When it did make contact, a black field seemed to spread from its point, expanding to cover around twenty meters. At the same time, figures walked out from the shadows, taking on physical form as they came to stand at Jason's side. This included the previously dismissed Medea, now without injury, but, far more noticeable were the two armored swordsmen, a petite archer, a handsome bard, and a behemoth of a man standing at more than 250cm in height...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Memories are echoes from the past, whispering in a person's mind like the sirens who summoned sailors to their demise...','Mama Raikou, is that you!?','Setting course for his own ass whooping...?')
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Capítulo 1441: Prelude to Chaos
Due to the nature of the Photonic Abyss, finding someone else wasn't a difficult feat to achieve. The abyss itself was an endless virtual space, but, unless someone was nearby, it didn't simulate an environment or its Laws, reducing waste and saving processing power. Thus, it was only when people inside that the environment began to change, perfectly adapting to suit the entities within, even allowing fish to swim around in the air as if it were water.
As a result of the phantasmal nature of the Photonic Abyss, it was possible to find other people by simply following the existing paths. Though these paths could be unstable, often as a result of the various Attack Programs that aimlessly wandering about, anyone with the capabilities to clear the path could quickly find other people. Everything was connected, one way or another.
With his unique Skill, [Nameless Hero:EX], derived from the fact his 'original' was never inscribed on the Throne of Heroes, Shirou was able to functionally erase his existence from the perception of others. The only people this Skill didn't work well against were those who knew the original, as, despite Alaya having erased his existence from the world, their Od allowed them to remember he existed. This was the reason he had needed Musashi and Caenis to serve as a distraction during the previous operation, as, the moment he got anywhere near Artoria, she would undoubtedly be able to sense his presence.
Due to the nature of his Skill, Shirou was able to 'walk' right past massive Attack Programs, some the size of blue whales, without drawing any attention. He would only be revealed if he decided to attack, but, knowing Caenis needed something to relieve her stress, he elected to leave them be as he searched for the location of Jason and his other allies. Dealing with him before Caenis could cause a conflict would save them a lot of trouble.
Fortunately, while the Photonic Abyss was functionally infinite, it took less than an hour before he discovered the first landmark, a dirt path that seemed to float atop nothingness. It had several red Torii-style gateways, leading to what appeared to be an ancient Japanese city in the distance. This caused Shirou to manifest, his body forming together in an instant as he considered following the path or taking a detour. He knew full-well that Jason couldn't be found along the left path, but, as he needed to convince everyone, starting with those closest to him wasn't a bad idea.
As he considered his options, Shirou heard the sound of feathers ruffling in the wind, followed by a swift pitter-patter of footsteps. Then, appearing from atop the nearest Torii, a petite young girl, standing at only 130cm in height, jumped down, landing silently on the ground. When she raised her head to stare back at him, Shirou smiled awkwardly before saying, "Benienma...it is good to see you again. How are Raikou and the others?"
In response to Shirou's greeting, the young girl, wearing a modified kimono that seemed to be formed of large feathers, perked up slightly before bowing politely and saying, "Shirou-dono, I am pleased to see you in good health. Have you come to stay the night or were you intending to send a message to Raikou-sama? I just opened an Enma-tei so you can be my first customer, free of charge."
Since Benienma had the ability to see through lies, Shirou knew better than to try and deceive her. She didn't carry around a katana that was longer than she was tall for decorative purposes, so, if you intended to deceive her, you needed to prepare yourself both mentally and physically.
Though Benienma had the appearance of a child, she was actually a yokai, an Oni Spirit that had existed since 1885. She had burgundy hair, cut short to frame her face, with a long ponytail that was impossibly straight and flat, transitioning from burgundy to gold at the end. To prove that she wasn't human, she had a sparrow's beak poking out between her bangs, while, seated in the hat atop her head, a rather creepy 'sparrow', stared unblinkingly at anyone speaking to Benienma. It had a rounded, ball-like, body matching the color of Benienma's hair, and glowing red eyes set in an abyssal black circle that also housed its metallic black beak...
While Benienma's peculiar appearance stood out quite a bit, especially with a long katana at her side, what truly made her stand out were her clothes. She was wearing a smock-like kimono that only reached her waist. Beneath that, she wore a too-short black skirt, but, to protect her dignity, she also had a pair of form-fitting hot pants on underneath. As for the rest of her outfit, she wore a feathered mantle that extended into two large sleeves, much like a pair of wings. To complete the outfit, she also wore an apron made from several layers of white downy feathers, finishing things off with a pair of black geta that artificially increased her height from 130cm to 135cm.
Overall, Benienma was a very adorable 'creature', so long as you ignored her milky-white pupils, how the beak on her head would periodically open, and the persistent gaze of demonic sparrow that nested within her hat. These things made it readily apparent that Benienma wasn't a human, a lesson many had, unfortunately, learned the hard way. If you weren't aware of her true nature and ended up telling a lie, she would either shave off a portion of your skin or, depending on the nature of the lie, attempt to slice off your tongue. This was the manifestation of her legend as the Shitakiri-Suzume, the 'Tongue-Cut Sparrow'.
Though he was confident in being able to escape, Shirou wasn't all that fond of lying in the first place, so, with a wry smile on his face, he explained, "I was actually searching for Jason. I don't mind paying a visit to your Enma-tei, but it will have to wait until I finish my other business."
Hearing Shirou's response, Benienma showed a slightly saddened expression as she muttered, "I see..." in a deflated tone. Immediately afterward, she turned tail, leaping up to the top of the Torii and scampering away with such speed it was nearly impossible to follow her movements. Despite this, her voice still reached his ears without any issues, adding, "I will prepare a room and keep the bath warm in preparation for your visit."
While it wasn't that noticeable when you were talking to her, as she spoke with minimal mouth movements, the most peculiar part of Benienma was that she could speak coherently, despite the lack of a tongue. She had the [Ventriloquism: EX] Skill, allowing her voice to carry vast distances without any interference from things like wind or, in the most extreme cases, physical barriers. She could use this to easily catch opponents by surprise, making use of her A++ Rank Agility to strike them before they realized her true location.
If he were being honest, Shirou was a little perturbed by all the girls that had been summoned using Raikou, herself, as a catalyst. They were all a type of Yokai, giving them a myriad of strange, and often lethal, abilities. One, Shuten-douji, even had the ability to phase her hands through any person that had ingested her alcohol, removing their bones while leaving their organs and blood vessels completely intact. It was a terrifying ability that made anyone think twice about sampling the 'Demonic Dragon's Wine' she was reputed for.
Since the Yokai summoned by Raikou had seemingly all gathered together, Shirou was in no hurry to meet with them, at least on his own. It was never safe to associate with Yokai alone, as, similar to the Faeries common in European Folklore, they could mess with your perception of time. As a result, you could spend weeks drinking a single cup of sake or engaging in a conversation, even if it only seemed like a few minutes from your perspective.
Now that she was gone, Shirou realized he had been too hasty in agreeing to Benienma's offer to stay at her Enma-tei. She had likely influenced him with her 'yokai aura', making it impossible for him to make rational, spur of the moment, decisions. Now, he would have to visit her Enma-tei in the future, as, with the passage of time, her ability would manifest in the form of a grudge, a very powerful curse that could even claim the lives of powerful Onmyouji and Gods.
Realizing his mistake, Shirou released a tired sigh before taking a seat and waiting for the others to arrive. There were only two other paths to take, and, while this gave him a 50% chance to track down Jason, it could be increased to 100% with Caenis' ability. Considering where he might end up if he made the wrong decision, Shirou felt it was best he exercised some patience. He didn't want to encounter someone like Tamamo-no-Mae or Brynhildr on his own, both women who had a very 'dangerous' inclination towards the opposite sex. In fact, due to the conditions used in their summoning, most of the Heroic Spirits summoned by Archimedes had some severe personality flaws...himself included.
---
Unbeknownst to Shirou, one of the more troublesome women in their group had, for reasons only she was aware, stumbled across the Ivory Castle. This was a woman with remarkable beauty, sleek red hair, and a lithe, yet mature, figure. What stood out the most, however, was the chariot upon which she stood, pulled along by a host of immaculate black stallions, each possessing muscular bodies and silken manes. They were perfect equine specimens, their bodies radiating the kind of majesty you would expect from a King, not a horse.
Without losing to her cherished companions, the woman also radiated an aura of confidence as she viewed the Ivory Castle in the distance, her crimson red tongue slowly licking her lips as she considered conquering it. She had been summoned for a very specific purpose, so, after idling around for several months, she had started to lose her patience. Thus, without thinking too hard, the woman's smile grew into a sadistic grin as she mused, "It's been a long time...I wonder how my beloved sister is doing~?"
Following her musings, the woman lifted a peculiar spear, similar in structure to [Gae Bolg], but, rather than a deep scarlet, it possessed a sapphire blue hue. She raised this spear high into the sky, causing a phenomenal amount of mana to surge out from her body as she shouted, "Heed my call to arms! Armorican warriors, answer your Queen's summons! Become a tide of death that lays waste to my enemies! Drown them in my fervent passion! [Tochmarc Emire la Coinculaind]!!"
In response to the woman's outburst, a massive calvary of skeletal riders, each riding crystalline horses made from the same sapphire blue materials as her weapon, formed into existence. They numbered more than six-thousand, each possessing long spears that, on their own, could rival C-Rank Noble Phantasms. Together, their combined might qualified them for the EX Classification, as, so long as the woman provided an adequate amount of mana, they would regenerate without end.
As a result of the large cavalry appearing, a vast plain appeared between her position and the location of the Ivory Castle, providing ample room for maneuvering. This caused the smile on the woman's face to twist into an expression of maddened glee as she pointed her spear towards the majestic fortress and shouted, "Ride forth! Defeat my enemies! Let the Empire quake under the might of my, Queen Aife's, might...!"
Though they didn't have lungs, the skeletal warrior managed to release a phenomenal war cry, spears raised high as they charged down the sloped plain leading to the Ivory Castle. From a distance, they looked like a wave of sapphire blue water pouring into a basin, but, as gaps began to open in their charge, it became very apparent that an enemy army was approaching the Ivory Castle's mighty walls...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'So many broken Skills...','Yokai are terrifying o_o...','Aife descends...!!')
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