章節 12: A sudden meeting.
8:30
As we had departed nothing interesting happened.
No matter how Alatriste was showing off, for him to give away his name in such manner…
I don't even know what to compare with. Like, for a state to give away all its nuclear rocket launcher and submarines.
Of course, we could say that the result remained as 50/50 because we found out the enemy's identity too. But still it was unpleasant.
If only that Katrine added here a date as a symbol of our unity…
By the way, why did she keep silence like that?
Filled with all kind of thoughts we came to the hotel. Once again I set a point in my mind to find an alternative base. Porters started looking at me as if I might have been that vampire from the news. Though crap them. Better follow Russian traditions and deal with things when they occur.
This time I had a good sleep. With the organism having restored more or less, there were no problems in the morning.
As I woke up early there was a lot of time which was decided to be spent in the city. Because, you know, we have war here, and I know Fuyuki by Google Maps only. That won't do it!
This day was dedicated to Miyama.
I can't say that there are a lot of sightseeings, the eye of a tourist can always find a good spot.
It was the first day when the hilly landscape of the town didn't seem to be a nuisance but rather turned into an advantage. On high grounds there were amazing lookout points. Of course, in this part of summer it was too late for something to bloom but still I made a lot of beautiful photos. If only Diego served as a cameraman in some places ot get me on the picture…
First we moved to the north towards the stream and then made a "hook" towards the south to get to the city market at about noon.
It was the place which represented the whole city: quiet, cozy, though, a bit unremarkable. At least, there were no those crowd of tourists.
Just as I expected, there were not only shops of all sizes but also cafes and restaurants. Of course, they were not as big and imposing like in the other city-half but my experience of a lone tourist had proved that places for locals are always better than any big restaurant, as there always were a cook that always knew "How to do it better" (and does it, in a good meaning), sometimes giving points to some well-known profies.
As it was time for lunch, and from my childhood I inherited stupid cliché that dinner must consist of soup, it was decided to taste true Japanese ramen. Ignoring the stomach that already called me to the nearest place, I took my time studying the surroundings until I chose one. Rather simple looking, but if only I could describe the smell.
A sudden baka-gaijin stunned the owner and the waiter in one, an old lady in her 50-es (maybe), but as I talked to her in decent (I hope) Japanese, she calmed down a bit and took me to an unoccupied table. She asked me where I came from, and I answered honestly.
The menu was not a big one, though I came for ramen only. Took the one where was more meat and cold tea.
The cooking took time but the first thing to come except for free napkins was not food at all.
"Sorry, what is this?"
"Sake. It's free."
Sweet mother of Kuzma... Every. Freaking. Time. I think I should stop saying where I come from in such eateries 'cause same happens every freaking time! Do I look like a man in his forties with golden chain necklace and beer stomach (which always seemed for me to be the type of my folk who gladly take free alcohol in any situation)? No, I know about reputation of my country in the sphere of alcohol but we are moving to a better side, I swear!
What is worse, in any other place I can simply put it away, but here I have pity on the owner, there she is, coming with my ramen and looking in waiting. Thanks for meal ma'am, but for now I won't drink it.
Suddenly, she ran to the entrance to greet a new guest. Maybe I should use the time and handle the sake to the old man a table away from me?
But I was not given the time to think. As my hand with chopsticks started to move I saw a person who almost made me drop it.
"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" – two voices sounded in unison.
Whom we have here! Elisabetta Einzbern!
Such people and without guard behind them!
And in rather strange dressing. During our last meeting she was in an old-fashioned dress which gave her some doll-like look, now she was in yellow like a just hatched out of its egg chicken T-shirt with long sleeves, in spite of the hot weather outside and jeans shorts. The princess was crowned with white cloth cap which almost melted with her hair.
But what is she doing in such a place? She is one of those who circle around on limos or get what they want with a snap of fingers. Is there something I don't catch?
Our genial hostess misunderstood our situation and kindly pushed Elisabetta to my table. She was so confused that willingly sat in front of me. She regained her composure only when she got a menu card in her hands. As she wanted to say something, the hostess went to the kitchen for my order. When she came back she had to go to the exit to greet new customers and returned to us only for Elisabetta's order, when the girl had lost her hope.
But she didn't change her place on her own and didn't run away.
For some time we were sitting silently until we asked each other the same question in unison. I decided to play a gentleman and answered first.
"But let's speak in English, if you don't mind."
"Why so?" she didn't understand.
"Why "why"? How do you think yourself, what theme we will surely touch and that shouldn't be heard by the audience?" I made a thin hint.
She thought for a couple of seconds and nodded.
"Just keep in mind, my English is even worse than Japanese."
Yes, she had quite a typical accent of a German-speaking person, but nothing that terrible.
"We didn't have a chance to get introduced. Sergey Sheremetyev, for short Sergey or Sher, but that's for close friends… or girls (on that words she snorted). Came here for lunch."
"Why exactly here?"
"Just walked nearby. Liked the look and the smell. And you, fräulein?"
"The same." she pretended not to notice my addressing her.
"Really? You decided to go to a mere ramen stall?"
"And what is strange here? I am not that smug as you can think, besides, good food is good food."
"Yeah, right. But still, name Einzbern, with all respect, doesn't correlate with a place like that."
And look like that.
For a couple of seconds Elisabetta gave it a deep thought.
"Let's put it like that, life is short and one should everything they want." she said cagily.
And then her ramen was brought and we dedicated ourselves to food. Tasty food, I should notice. As my dish cooled down to a proper for me temperature, I did it slowly, enjoying the taste. Elisabetta had hot ramen but even with it she managed to do everything with an elegance of an aristocrat.
"Not bad. I was expecting a bit worse from a place like that."
"Tourist's rule No. 1: if possible, go to eateries "for locals". Here you win both in quality and in price."
"Sound like a pro."
"Yeah, traveled a lot."
"Work?"
"A bit but mostly vacations."
"What do you do?"
"I am a monster hunter."
"Wow! And how is it?"
"Dangerous but profitable if you stay alive."
"I could never believe that nowadays such work can be profitable."
"Ohh, you'd better believe. Of course, we are far from one Polish book, but there are a lot of magi who "I am a great magus, I can/call/create/domesticate a magic beast" and then "Oh, I can't handle it, it is running wild! I need help!"
Then there again was silence. In spite of our courteous talk there was some uneasiness. I could feel the presence of Assassin and Caster, ready to start a fight by first signs of tricks from the other side. Both I and Elisabetta looked at each other suspiciously from time to time. I was trying to look as casual as I could but without a mirror I couldn't say how good I was.
"What kind of story you've got with Emiya Shirou?" I finally asked the question that had been gnawing me all the time.
"Me? I have no stories with him. Just 8 years ago he won the previous war, killed the Servant of our girl who turned out to be some kind of his relative. But as she was a homunculus she died some years later."
"A homunculus? You sent a homunculus?"
"Yes."
"And you…"
"No" she laughed. "I am normal. Keepeng in mind the rest of the clan. Just albinism. We've got a gene."
"Got it."
"And by the way where are you from? Your Japanese is pretty bad (look who's talking here), but your English is better."
"Russia."
"Really? That explains a lot."
"What?"
She pointed with her slender finger. Oh, crap, I've forgotten about the sake already.
"That's from the hostess. First of all, I don't drink strong alcohol at all, even if I would have, walking around with such hot weather after some of that stuff is not a thing I dream about."
"So, you won't drink it?"
When I said "No", she grasped the shot (or how it is called here) and gulped it all. Though, after that she coughed just like anyone who is far from that habit. But still, quite an enthusiasm! I even froze with my spoon in the middle of its way to my mouth.
"Jeeze, what a shit!"
"Want some more?"
"Crap you… Yuck…"
"That is called "alcohol". And here it is forbidden for people under 21."
"I know what alcohol is. Just haven't got use to something stronger than wine."
I went back to ramen slightly grinning. Thank God, at least one problem was out.
Though originally I had no such intention, I decided to eat a bit slower, partially to make Einzbern girl a bit angrier, and partially to study her.
Using chopsticks was rather bothersome for her. But the absence of skill Elisabetta compensated with elegance. In fact, she would look better in a black dress which would underline her B-size chest and pale skin…
Khem, my thoughts has gone to some strange direction.
As a result, we finished our dishes and left at the same time.
"Where are you going to go?" suddenly asked Elisabetta.
"Does fräulein have something to offer? I am completely free till night!"
Her face twisted as if I suggested going straight to love hotel.
"Sorry, I am not interested in bumpkin. Just wanted to say one thing: stay away from the port today."
"Something interesting is going to happen there?"
"Maybe interesting. But not something you may survive." she said, graciously turned and went away.
Even so, huh?
"Whaddaya think, Assassin?"
"Sound dangerous… and interesting."
"You think, she got something booked with Emiya?"
"Or there is something bigger."
"Wanna check?"
"There is no choice, I suppose?"
"Nope."
…
22:35
The further trip to Ryudo temple went without accidents except for a sudden barrier around it that prevented Servants from going in through anywhere but the official way in.
The sight was great. Both architecture and the location were beautiful. Anyway, the day went good enough to forgive aching legs, hellish heat outside and ears aching from whole-day-long music marathon.
With that the study of Fuyuki is officially complete. What to do the remaining days? Don't even know.
I had already decided to neglect the Elisabetta's warning and stealthily go to the port. As the lady hadn't told us what was to happen the best way to find out was to learn ourselves. Originally me and Assassin wanted to look only. If there would be a fight, we could also take down the winner.
As we knew where to go, we reached the place quickly. First, there was nothing strange, but as the gates of the administrative side got in our visual we heard a clang. It clanged once. Again. The loud clanging turned rhythmical. It sounded like…
Hmm, the fight seemed to have started.
Very carefully we hid in the shadow of the remaining living buildings and looked out to the place where the sound was coming from.
Two swordsmen were fighting there. The first one was our acquainted Saber. The second one was an unknown Servant. I could easily say that he was a Servant because a normal man could not move in full plate so quickly and… BLOCK SABER'S HITS?!
As long as he was fighting on foot and there were no vehicles around, I could say that it was the Berserker.
I took binoculars from my bag and took a closer look.
The supposedly Berserker was, judging by his enemy, meter and 80 cm or so, with claymore-looking two-handed sword. Though it looked like a thin reed against Saber's rail, it didn't prevent them from fighting face to face.
Berserker was obviously more agile then his enemy, not only blocking but also dodging. His moves might have been perfect. His sword was making all kinds of figures, dancing from position to position, painting silver patterns of deadly steel.
But the influence of his class was obvious. Many moves stopped far from perfect position for strike, falling moments before the blade was at a good angle for a precise hit. As if he didn't have enough patience to see the enemy's blood. But such weakness was compensated with speed, strength and unpredictability.
But at least Saber got in his league. Though clumsy, he was quick enough to block hits ant counterattack.
"Yeah, I should have taken popcorn." said I handling the binoculars to Assassin for him to study his enemy. He waited for a bit, as if trying to remember what popcorn is, and nodded.
"Yes, it would have been good…"
Two Servants had obviously fighting for some time and were not going to stop soon. Things were going to the usage of Phantasms but there were no signs of it. Either afraid of provoking the opposing force or waited a good opportunity. But it was a matter of seconds.
At that time I decided to study the surroundings and took the binoculars back.
Elisabetta hinted that the night was not going to be easy. That might mean that either she wanted to face Emiya Shirou but was beforehanded or had planned everything in advance. The latter meant that she had forged an alliance with the Master of Berserker. But what was the price?
But what are we here for? Maybe she really didn't expect us to come?
Hmm, that's interesting. Here is Archer on a crane looking on the fight through the sight of his gun. He either didn't see us or pretended not to.
There was neither Caster nor Einzbern girl in the vicinity.
And where are two Masters? Emiya is not a person to stand aside during a fight. Somewhere behind those containers?
At that time the duel was going on without a winner. By some moment though, Saber put more strength and started to press on Berserker. He tried to counter but got o fearsome hit and was forced to stand a step away from a container.
He had only two ways out: to spit on this and launch an insane attack like a true berserker to make a deadly blow or, at least, jump out to free space. Or use the Phantasm.
If it is first, it would be interesting to look. If the second, Saber would have to counter and reveal himself.
"Yeah, we came not in vane…"
"Master, we'd better change position" suddenly said Assassin.
"Why so?"
"A Servant is approaching."
I didn't even ask who. If Diego knew, he would say immediately.
Hardly we hid behind a building a strange rustling was heard.
With surprise we saw a… chariot riding through the street.
Is it the thing Elisabetta warned us about?
Wait a minute, why is it turning to us?
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