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40.62% Fate/Disturbance / Chapter 26: To Save The Many

Chương 26: To Save The Many

Floating in the sky above Ryuudouji Temple, Medea had more than a few thoughts in her mind even with the threat that was this war's Lancer Class servant headed right for her because, as he'd said, she was a vile and depraved witch. He wasn't the first to perceive her as such and he wouldn't be the last.

But looking at it from a different perspective, maybe her own choice in fashion had something to do with it.

Dressed in a hooded purplish-blue robe with golden embroidery that was as intricate as it was eerie, she looked exactly like what the masses would expect a witch to look like.

Medea had been summoned by a magus master who prided himself on being able to convert innocent children to barely adequate amounts of crystallised mana and lashed out when she outdid him. He kept her magical energy levels below his own after that and apparently had only summoned her because of her Argon Coin which could potentially summon a dragon under the right conditions.

So she'd done what she thought was best, severed their contract, destroyed his abominable workshop, freed the children and escaped to run into her current Master who treated someone like her well and not as a tool, her next course of action was easily decided when faced with such a new situation, having never been given such treatment.

He had treated her with genuine kindness, dedication and loyalty unlike all others before him, watching over her recovery and looking after her.

Was it so wrong then that she desired to preserve what she had obtained any means necessary?

Medea shook her head, driving away such thoughts and stared down at the path leading up into the temple grounds, ready to face her newest adversary.

The man had gone toe to toe with the monstrosity that was Heracles, son of Almighty Zeus and she wasn't foolish enough to think she could win against him even if the battle took place in her bounded fields.

It didn't mean that she had no way of combating him though.

Once made aware of his identity and nature, it was rather easy to formulate a plan that would end with her as the victor without there being conflict in the first place. It would also grant her a new card and a reliable weapon against the Berserker servant participating in the war.

Soon enough Aston came into view, his metal armour clanging against the ground as he calmly stepped forward, his jagged spear held out to the left side as he surveyed his surroundings unhindered by his helmet and noticed her presence almost immediately, "Greetings, is it the norm to be dressed as such among witches? I believe the people of this age call it being stereotypical?" The Knight of Atrocity tilted his head, his tone gentle and cordial.

"Your language is as barbaric as I'd heard." Medea shot back, ready to fire off dozens of spells on top of the many she'd already set up should the need for it arise.

If her plan was as feasible as she believed then it definitely wouldn't.

"My, it appears my name has been slandered.." Aston bowed with a hand over his chest, "I assure you I am the most well-spoken person you will ever meet." It was the objective truth, no one was as nice as he was.

The Lancer knew it was a bit of a stretch to not expect an uphill battle in a caster servant's homefield but Bazett, standing behind him, had allowed him to do so. If something went wrong, it would be on the both of them.

"My Master.." He whispered, leaning back a bit, "Was it truly necessary for you to come along?" He'd insisted she return after the conflict with Assassin but she refused to budge for some reason.

Bazett solemnly nodded her head, "Yes." Not after what she'd been shown, she refused to let the man charge headfirst into dangerous situations alone, he'd suffered by himself enough.

She knew it was an irrational decision born of emotion but so what, Bazett would be his companion whether he liked it or not.

That way, at least her frustration would be alleviated even if slightly.

That way, she could at least act on the pity she felt for her servant.

"I've already met someone better spoken than you." Medea smirked, referring to her own Master and floated down to the ground. Once on her own two feet however, the Witch of Colchis was reminded of the sheer height difference between the average man and the servant she faced.

Aston seemed to be genuinely surprised by her declaration, "Is it truly so? Then I must meet this person." Their conversation would be legendary! He was forced to drop his casual attitude when Medea flicked her wrist and a torrent of searing flames swept across the earth even if it didn't amount to much.

The Lancer easily swung his fist at an incredible speed, snuffing out the fire with the shockwaves produced subsequently, "Right to combat it is." Aston nodded his head in understanding, firmly gripping his spear even if he wanted to make small talk before they tried to murder each other.

"Oh no dear, there won't be any combat." Medea smiled and shook her head, denying his words before raising her hand and snapping her fingers, lighting up one side of the temple they were in, "I don't think you'll want that."

Aston pursed his lips, suddenly finding himself terribly annoyed with what the Caster servant had revealed using a simple illumination spell.

Unconscious children lying on the cold hard ground, tied up and gagged. Their bodies suggested they weren't harmed in any physical way but the enemy was a magus, she could do much MUCH worse with great ease.

"You wouldn't." Aston tried to call out to her, hoping that she was only bluffing even if the chances of that being the case were abysmal, "You wouldn't use kids."

Medea giggled at his words before it turned to full-blown laughter, "I happen to be a Caster." Even if it was a bluff, the situation and her own identity made it look like it wasn't, "What now, heroic knight?" She'd observed him long enough, he was a hero was he not? Maybe if they'd been adults he wouldn't hesitate but not for children, humans were strange like that.

Aston's lips twitched in annoyed frustration before he changed directions, intending to make use of as much speed as he could to move them only it seemed Medea had expected as much.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The Witch of Betrayal shook her head, telling him off as if he were a child, "You would end up trapped too." No matter how fast he was, this was her workshop. She had a spell anchoring space deployed over the children and as soon as he entered it's effective area, he would be frozen and put his Master in jeopardy.

Medea knew of Aston now AND of how he was, "A hero through and through!" She mocked openly, he was a hero not naive enough to believe everyone could be saved and therein lay his fault, he would choose the many over the few.

Unfortunately, his own Master happened to be the few.

Knowing Aston, Medea completely believed he wouldn't even consider retreating an option.

And his opponent, was unlike any he'd faced before.

Aston opened and closed his fist several times, he'd been in hostage situations before but his speed had more than sufficed.

Here,

If he went for the children, Bazett would end up attacked.

If he attacked Caster, in a Bounded Field of her making, the hostages would end up dead or worse.

If he tried to run away, that would be the same as abandoning innocent children to their fates.

He was insanely fast yes, but with his true speed inaccessible, the knight didn't believe he could outpace a magus that could potentially freeze space.

The Knight of Atrocity clicked his tongue, relenting after a good sixty seconds spent thinking about a solution to the sudden dilemma, why did his Master have to insist on coming along?! He didn't voice that thought, she wasn't to blame too much.

This was why he was better off just fighting for someone who could properly strategise and scheme.

"What.. do you want?"

Strangely, it wasn't Aston that spoke, it was his Master.

Bazett Fraga McRemitz clenched her fists, realising how she'd messed up. She was not like the traditional heartless magi, she couldn't let so many innocents be put in harm's way, "What do you want?" And so, she asked again.

"My Master, you need not-"

"Hmm~" Medea walked around, relaxed and certain of her victory, selfless people really were too easy weren't they? She never intended to do anything to the children in the first place but they didn't need to know that, "I want.." Running a finger over her lower lip, she pointed at Aston,

"Your servant."

Aston went completely silent, not knowing what he was supposed to do.

Sure the hostages were strangers but he was unwilling to allow their deaths when they could be avoided. He also didn't want to put his Master in danger even if the logical choice was to abandon her, she didn't deserve that.

Bazett resolved herself in the time Aston spent questioning himself, "How?" This was the best way.

She wouldn't do what Artoria did, Bazett wouldn't make Aston go against all he stood for for her own gain. She refused to let him sever parts of himself as he had continued to do 'for the greater good'.

It was emotional, irrational but she didn't care.

Not after all he'd put himself through, this would be his break.

Someone else would lose what they desired instead of him even if that someone else was herself.

*

Welcome to fate, where being a good person just don't work.

Aston's Lancer luck kicking him in the balls?

They're dealing with a servant talented in plotting that happens to be a Caster. i.e: a magus.

Some feedback, please?

*

You can find up to 7 chapters ahead at patre0n.com/Bleap

It might be one or two chapters off but rest assured, that's usually only the case for a day at most. I attribute the slight inconsistency to the nature of the month.


Chương 27: What Is Wrong?

Aston let go of his spear and turned to Bazett, staring at her with a gaze that gave no hint as to his actual emotions, "My Master, you need not do this."

He had a massive problem with changing allegiances but that wasn't what motivated his words, if Caster could take innocent children hostage just to gain an advantage, there was no assurance she wouldn't order him to attack Bazett the moment the contract was exchanged, "Honourless wench." He clicked his tongue, racking his brain for a solution.

"Honour?" Medea smirked maliciously, her eyes hidden under her hood, "Look where that got you." She mocked the Lancer and seemingly, enjoyed it a fair bit.

If he was more like her, he would have no problems letting unrelated strangers die to get the upper hand but then again, maybe that was why he was the hero and she was the witch here.

"It's alright, La-.." Bazett paused for a bit, there was simply no other way out, not one she could think of at least, "Aston." This way if not hers then his life would be prolonged but it was still terribly frustrating. Because of her, he would once again become a tool for war even if she stopped him from sacrificing something temporarily.

Aston took in a deep breath at her words, "My Master, you should retreat. There is no need for you to put yourself in harm's way for someone you've known only for several days." It was the objective truth, "Besides, what sort of knight would I be if my liege were to be harmed in my presence?"

He valued honour and loyalty for he was a knight, that was no secret to any.

His drive and motivations were his feelings and desires, that would never change.

"It's alright, this isn't your fault." Bazett smiled at her servant's estranged way of showing concern and shook her head, Aston was an amazing servant.

"Yes yes.." Medea clapped her hands together a few times, "It is truly a shame to ruin this moment but I've other things to do." The Caster calmly walked up to Aston, drawing a twisted dagger that looked like it was made more for rituals than utilisation as an actual weapon, "I believe I don't need to tell you that one small show of resistance and I WILL cause bodily harm."

Aston's Master accompanying him didn't really matter but it did give her one more card to play and Medea was grateful for it, "Spells can be set to trigger under conditions, do you wish to guess the conditions for that spell?" She gestured to the unconscious children, "..Hero?"

"I will not draw my weapon but know this, if you harm my Master.." Aston spoke uncharacteristically seriously, staring down at the Witch of Betrayal with eyes burning in a rage the servant couldn't realistically experience, "I will make use of my more questionable abilities, magus."

He raised an armoured hand, making Medea falter for a fraction of a second, "I reckon command seals wouldn't do much then."

Medea tilted her head in feigned confusion, "Are you Lancer or Berserker?" She questioned sarcastically, what sort of absurd servant was this?

The Lancer's eyes conveyed clear use of a skill the Caster was familiar with all too well, a form of Madness Enhancement present only in servants from the Berserker Class.

The same as the hulking mass of muscles that was the Demi-God participating in this war, the one foe she couldn't hope to vanquish in a confrontation.

"If they do then one harmless mistake and I will.." Aston pursed his lips, not speaking further but his words did their job.

Medea was well aware of the sheer power Lancer wielded, that was exactly why she wanted him. With Aston, there would be nothing to stop her from obtaining complete victory in this war and so, without hesitation, she swung her dagger, Rule Breaker.

A noble phantasm that allowed her to cancel out any and all forms of magecraft.

In the Fuyuki Holy Grail War, it allowed her to sever the contracts between Masters and Servants, destroying every rule that controlled them. This allowed her to effectively commandeer all command seals, assuming complete control of a servant.

The confirmation of it working was Bazett grunting and grabbing her left arm with gritted teeth as a searing pain akin to being burnt enveloped her hand, or to be precise, the command seals on the back.

Command seals that appeared on Medea's hand later, making her laugh gleefully, "I know you're about to stab me." It was almost insulting that he thought she was naive enough to be too drunk on a small victory and allow him unhindered access to her magical energy, "Do you truly believe me so idiotic? After all you've seen?"

Medea hummed, turning around and grinning at her new servant, "Knight of Atrocity, Aston." It was a shame his previous Master didn't know how to use him. He was feared as a slaughtering monster, to order him to slaughter all enemies would be the greatest employment of his capabilities, how Bazett failed to grasp that was beyond her.

Medea made no effort to hide her victorious smirk, "Just so you don't think I'm unreasonable. You can see off your Ma-.. oh excuse me, former Master." To drive the point home, she even waved the Lancer goodbye, aware that he had no way of realistically escaping her hold anymore.

Faster than she could perceive, Aston disappeared along with Bazett, "A Knight is certainly something to behold, aside from the foolishness that is his honour." Medea muttered to herself, having traced his movements up until he left her bounded field out of caution.

Aston was no doubt going to be her trump card but Medea could never trust him and never allow him enough magical energy to employ his true speed lest she be put down like an insect.

* * *

Artoria grit her teeth and swung Excalibur, barely deflecting a dagger attached to a chain aimed for Shirou standing right behind her.

Around her, the compound surrounding the Emiya Residence was in tatters, littered with tears in the Earth and sizable craters one would expect from a clash between two servants.

The British King summoned as a Saber was finding the battle to be increasingly difficult with her limited supply of magical energy. Servants were cost-efficient, yes but that didn't mean they could work without magical energy and her current Master, even if she didn't want to say it, supplied her with none.

From what she could make of the enemy servant, it was a tall pale skinned, purpled haired woman wearing an eye cover and a small black dress with light purple edges that would cover only her torso and half her knees if not for her black opera gloves and stockings.

She was expertly employing a pair of daggers with chains attached to them and her Master was nowhere in sight.

"Shirou! You must leave!" Artoria insisted mid-swing, as she'd been doing since the battle started but her Master refused to listen. She took a step back, taking the momentary respite she'd attained by throwing off the enemy's dagger and reeled back Excalibur before swing it horizontally, releasing strong bursts of wind that tore apart the storage shed, dissipating all the dust the woman had kicked up with all her jumping around.

This however, gave the enemy servant, who'd dodged her attack, enough time to throw her dagger from the side, jamming it into Artoria's gut as she appeared right next to her, slamming her foot into the Saber's face, sending her crashing into the walls surrounding the compound.

"Saber!" Shirou tried to make a run for Artoria, trying to protect her. He'd just been going about his day and now, all of a sudden, they were under attack by a dagger wielding maniac. Shirou figured this was normal considering they were currently at war.

Before the attacking servant could move any further, she found her head being driven into the cold dirt by an equally, if not colder, metal sabaton, "It appears I'm not the only one having a terrible night." She wasn't familiar with the voice, so her shock was understandable, especially because she was certain there had been no other servants in the vicinity.

Shirou was stopped by Bazett grabbing onto his shoulder, holding him in place, "A battle between servants is not something you can interfere with, even if you want to."

Her stoic voice surprised Shirou, understandable considering he'd mostly seen her flustered when interacting with Lancer but that wasn't important right now, "But, Saber." She was fighting to protect him, he couldn't accept that but found himself slightly relaxing when familiar blue lightning came into view.

"Si-.. Aston."

"My Ki-, Artoria."

With his expression masked by his helmet, Aston stared down at the injured Artoria in silence, "Was it her?" He asked rhetorically, contacting Medea through their newly established connection, "I've come upon a servant, and am entering combat."

"Oh my, how unexpected. Are you perhaps trying to earn my approval?"

"You are far too arrogant." He shot back instantly, turning to face the purple haired servant he'd earlier smashed into the ground and pointed his jagged spear at her as she prepared her own daggers, not interested in exchanging words.

"Very well, slaughter my enemies." Medea ordered confidently, granting him access to more magical energy.

Artoria grit her teeth and forced herself up with renewed vigour.

She couldn't allow him to fight and sacrifice for her any longer, she couldn't bear that.

"You've done enough, Aston." She spoke sternly, scolding herself for the relief she'd felt on his arrival.

Artoria believed herself undeserving of such respite and joy.

"But.." Disregarding her foe for a moment, the Saber looked at her knight, "What is wrong?"

Whenever they conversed, he had an almost obsessive habit of removing his helmet unless upset. Artoria didn't know why she took note of such inconsequential details before but now she did.

Bazett, on the other hand, could only observe the servants in silence, standing near a serious Shirou. The trip here had lasted mere moments and she didn't know why her servant had brought her here.

Did he seek out Artoria because he was troubled?

The Enforcer felt a mix of inexplicable emotions.

* * *

Before ranting about him accepting it, chill out a bit and think.

From what we've seen so far, all knights of the Round Table possess a custom skill related to themselves and of course, Aston does too. With the way he is, his reasonings, and his tale, there's not many functions that come to mind.

He's the Knight of Atrocity who commits slaughter in the name of King Arthur.

There HAD to be at least one skill I needed to give him that corresponds to his beliefs and legend that also works only in a situation where King Arthur is present too.

You think he sought out Shirou?

*

Also this should be the last chapter for a while cause writing while fasting isn't impossible, it's insanely taxing and the quality takes a massive hit. I'll be back right after.

*

You can find up to 7 chapters ahead at patre0n.com/bleap


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