Ryuudou Temple.
The temple's new air was… the furthest from religious piety, an observation made as Shirou arrived at the party with Saber accompanying him.
Like all the other guests, he had a suit on. Or rather, he poorly tried to match his dad's usual outdoors clothes and managed to find some well-fitting dress pants and polished shoes. The tie had been a size too large, but thankfully he knew how to adjust it. The same could not be said for his dad's button-up or coat, the former of which he had to fold near his shoulder lest the sleeves extend past his fingers and the latter being so big, the shoulders hung loosely. Save for wearing probably one of Kiritsugu's older trench coats, he couldn't hide the amateur-trying-to-seem-professional look he got going on.
Still, the mask hid his identity well, even covering all the way to the back of his redhaired head, so he didn't need to worry about all this biting him back if he came across someone who knew him.
He sure as hell didn't recognize anyone as all the other formally-dressed partygoers had on their own mundane masks.
If Shirou could be perfectly honest, he didn't know what he was looking at. The building that had replaced the temple looked almost like a dated Sengoku-era castle modernized with traditional-esque graffiti, but the people entertaining themselves could be typed as the upper-business class elites that lived and worked in Miyama Town.
A hundred or so rich and important-looking guests milled about, chatting and drinking through flute glasses. Expensive wine and cigarettes carried around by waiters here and there, several tables dotting the once-tranquil yard of the shrine-turned-modern gathering hall?
Heck, the place seemed to have been expanded a bit. What used to be a natural forest on one side and a garden near the topmost torii gate had been paved and decorated to serve as the stage to a live formally-dressed group of musicians playing classical tunes. Opposite that, a large area had been deforested and similarly paved to serve as a parking lot and driveway with several expensive vehicles lined up on display.
That a new path for vehicles had been paved circling behind the mountain shrine just to lead up to the garage made it very clear that, no joke, the place of prayer had been transformed into someone's vacation home.
Shirou couldn't help grit his teeth as he sympathized more with Issei now. The boy's quiet home had been upturned into someone's party hall just like that.
"You're stalling, Master. Is this view bothering you that much?" Artoria's voice next to him snapped Shirou out of it. She'd forgone wearing armor or her dark-as-night under-armor dress when Shirou begged her to try and not stand out.
She settled, albeit frustratingly, on using a formal suit Shirou used to wear in the past. He didn't say he used it when he was in middle school. He was too scared to offend her with a comment on her size and stature, but then again, she made it look good. From a glance, she looked like a beautiful young man in a suit with the most aloof scowl around. The bun behind her head would give away the gender, but the air about her was so intimidating yet beautiful that one would find it difficult to mistake her for a child pretending to be an adult.
It still didn't change the fact that she looked like a small bodyguard standing next to her sloppy charge when he stood beside her, but with just a single look ala those piercing eyes, any bystander would be looking away from them entirely.
"I… I'd been to the shrine before… But it hardly looked like this. Rather… I don't feel like a shred of the shrine remains after looking at all of this…" Artoria didn't say anything back at first. She looked like she'd spit on the floor if asked for an opinion about it. Then again, her general hostile air was as subdued as best as Shirou could have her.
"Your instinct is correct. If this used to be a place of worship, it is now one of decadence." Artoria took one sweeping glance around, not once stopping to stare at the businessmen networking with their peers or the occasional eagle-eyed solo bystander giving them looks. She then took the lead into the devil's den, forcing Shirou to keep up two paces after her. "You'd best keep your wits about you, Master. The stench of snakes is rich atop this mountain."
"I don't think Ryuudou temple had that bad of an infestation before," Shirou whispered under his mask, though he doubted that actual reptiles were what Saber meant as he tried to keep a straight posture upon matching her speed. Awkward as it was to now be in the center of a formal party, the teen tried his best not to stand out.
Too many others were already doing that for him. He swore he walked past someone high-ranked from the police department earlier. The commemorative badges on his officer uniform were a dead giveaway. That and Shirou keenly recognized the mayor's voice as he drunkenly chatted with said officer.
'The masks were a courtesy,' The boy understood that much now. Those who were at this charity banquet were only here as a formality. He prayed he was only overthinking.
"I see you've arrived, milord's guests…" Sudden as a breeze, a very young girl slid into view before them.
Hands behind her back as she leaned in to inspect his mask from below, the first thing Shirou noted was the lack of a mask. The first and only person aside from Saber to not wear one. Thanks to that, Shirou could clearly see this person was hardly older than a high schooler. He couldn't tell if she was naturally about as tall as Saber given her choice of footwear was obscured by her long skirt, but the youthful glint in her eyes betrayed her age.
Secondly, she wore a very formal attire. Not the type you'd see on the average teen. It certainly would look particularly regal on someone at least twice her age, what with the detached sleeves over her expensive blouse and silky skirt. All of it tied up by an obi around her small waist made her seem like the youngest daughter of an influential traditional Japanese family.
Lastly, her face. Shirou didn't recognize it, but her face carried the same air a local celebrity would. Not in that she looked gorgeous. She did, but it was more the confident and polite camera-smile the green-eyed girl offered his way. The professional bow added to it when she greeted them once again in a low voice.
"I'm glad you could both make it to our charity, Sir Master and Lady Servant. But seeing as this isn't the place for pleasantries, please, follow me. The other pairs are this way." That she addressed Shirou and Saber a nod each as she identified their roles had the boy on edge. Looking over her shoulder, she added. "And as apologies for the late introduction, let me, Sumeragi Kaguya, CEO of Sumeragi Industries, answer to any of your needs, dear special guests."
Now that really had Shirou on edge.
'Sumeragi? As in… that Sumeragi? She… she's the CEO? This kid?'
His eyes were now frantically darting left and right under the mask. He still hadn't found Shinji, his friend having not arrived at the same time with him. Meaning he was alone with someone important, someone likely involved with the arbiter who extended the invitation. Or maybe that was just a cover and she was the arbiter herself.
Thinking it best not to say too much so as not to give anything away, Shirou tried to respond.
"N-no apologies necessary. I actually feel sorry to have arrived so late… We aren't late, are we?"
He could feel Saber's eye roll without looking, but Kaguya's disarming giggle had his full attention.
"Not at all, Sir Master. You are but the fourth pair to arrive, rest assured. Your colleagues are also waiting within the main building. Let me, the humble lady of this manor, be your guide."
She led them right into said main building without a moment's hesitation, merely standing in front of the double-glass doors flanked by sunglass-wearing guards in black suits. For a second, Shirou expected there to be something like an ID check or a review of their invites before the double-glass doors just automatically slid open for Kaguya.
This place was super high-tech. He'd seen high-tech doors in the mall. Those didn't compare to the ones he walked through with Saber as they opened and closed with a hiss in less than a second and without a hint of mechanical cranking in the walls. Inside the main hall, as soon as the doors shut behind them, the sounds of the party outside were cut off.
The cold silence accompanied by the echo of footsteps had Shirou swallowing hard.
The building felt larger from the inside, but maybe it was due to being more spacious. It wasn't empty, per se. A cursory glance around had Shirou catching sight of various art pieces and relic-looking objects. He wondered if the curator of the place was a collector of sorts. Off to one side, he saw small art pieces, paintings and historical-looking objects marked with various symbols and runes. Some markings were even etched on dried parchments-looking material pressed into framed glass displays.
To another, they looked to be sculptures made of metal and clay. Some of people, others of animals. There were even miniatures of some high-rises Shirou recognized as the newly built skyscrapers in Miyama town with a few more prospective displays of other buildings with a nameplate labelled 'future projects — Fuyuki town'. That was somewhat unsettling to look at.
Eyes moving to the next, he spotted one that looked relatively humanoid and made out of solid metal. However, it was cut in angular polygonal shapes and posed crouched, perhaps kneeling, that Shirou almost didn't see it as such. He only managed to when Saber paused to look up at the piece, her reflection bouncing off the surface of a gallant gigantic sword three times her height.
"…" What really caught Shirou's attention aside from the blade's reflection of his Servant's beautiful face was the scowl she wore as she stared at the piece's nameplate.
"Something wrong?"
"… Not at all, Master." The scowl vanished, the platinum blonde striding on after their guide who awaited before a large door. "We'd best hurry along."
Shirou took a glance at what seemingly bothered her before following after, one more look spared at the giant art block statue's title.
'A Knight Among Knights — Lancelot'
Despite not ever meeting the original owner of that myth's name, Shirou sensed there may be some truth to the history between them and Saber. Though, he highly doubted he'd get an answer from her right now.
Reconvening with their guide, the unfading cheer in Kaguya's smile persisted as she spoke.
"In this room, I ask your Servant to stand by with her fellows. Worry not, while my master and lord may ask for you to temporarily part with her, he promises no harm shall befall either of you. He has impressed this ruling upon the others as well in their invitations and trust that their participation is a confirmation of the truce being upheld."
"That won't be a problem, Miss—I mean, Lady Kaguya." Shirou tried not to stutter before the girl, however she actually giggled, politely and demurely hiding her mouth behind her sleeve.
"You need not be so formal with me, Sir Master. I am but a humble girl merely doing this under orders of my lord and love."
"And who, pray tell, is this 'lord' of yours?" Saber stated from the side, arms crossed and unamused. "To invite us to a den of Servants, fully trusting we don't raze the place to the ground and without even stating their name, your master is quite the cunning snake."
If she took offense to that veiled insult, Kaguya didn't show it. In fact, she seemed… amused at Saber's retort. Shirou didn't know if he could relax or panic at his companion's attitude, but the little girl beat him to it.
"Worry not, Madam Servant. My master and husband shall introduce himself soon. While he does prefer quite the level of secrecy, know that it is primarily for the sake of keeping the peace that he chooses to don a mask."
"Hmph, typical of those who would claim as much as they unashamedly skulk in the dark…"
"S-Saber, could you please… not now?" He was met with a very annoyed side-eye, but he could sense it was more frustration for not being on her side and trying to be polite to someone she openly suspects of malicious intent… But then again, this was neither the time nor the place, especially if there were other Servants nearby. "We can talk about it later and… Er… … Eh—? Wait… 'Husband'—?"
Before the boy could turn around and question the girl, she merrily opened the door and walked in… right into that den of Servants for there was no other word to describe the intimidating aura that permeated the room.
Four Servants. Four, aside from Saber. The anxiety that hit Shirou was not quite like anything he'd ever felt before.
For one, he didn't think the giant that attacked his school gates would be there, sparing him a glance before returning to eating his meal. In just two seconds, what seemed to be a whole roasted chicken was suddenly scarfed down his throat like the bones weren't of any concern.
Another man, a familiar one with his eye-catching blue spandex-body-armor, kept his eyes forward. Absent was the red spear Shirou came deathly close to getting killed by, the guy didn't even look his way as he sat opposite Berserker on the long table. Arms crossed, the man lazily watched the bigger guy munch on his food.
Then there was Assassin. He knew who she was. He tried to pretend he didn't know who she was, but he let out somewhat of an audible sigh when he saw she was snacking on sweets like she wasn't sitting next to his would-be killer AND a giant statue that was scarfing down rotisserie fowl like they were Tic-Tacs. She acknowledged their presence with a glance, Saber got a mocking smirk, but went back to eating candy like a schoolgirl as if she wasn't one of the deadliest individuals in the room.
And lastly, there was the source of the actual tension. A silver-haired man. Wearing a red coat and donning black for his pants and what seemed to be body armor underneath, the dark-skinned handsome individual kept his arms crossed as he stood, leaning against the wall furthest in the room as he studied them on entry. And yet, despite them supposedly being someone Shirou wasn't aware of until today, the man's eyes seemed to convey… something else. Something… more… when he looked at Shirou and Saber.
Shirou could tell he received the brunt of the animosity. Maybe it's because with the mask on, the Servant could tell he was the one to be targeted during a fight… Yet the gaze the man turned to Saber was not quite as hostile. And while Shirou wouldn't be the first to say he was dense, he was self-aware enough to know something was… weird about that Servant.
"Mister Master!" Kaguya's voice drew Shirou's gaze to a side room door. "You shall be waiting here. As we discussed earlier, I request your Servant make herself comfortable here for the time being."
"I… erm…" He tried not to look Saber's way for confirmation, but she wasted no time in sitting down at the table along with the other two currently-eating Servants before looking to his guide. "Alright…" He spared a glance to Saber. "I'll be back."
"You need not concern yourself with me, Master. Hold your head high." She said that last part quietly just for him. Was it to instill confidence? Perhaps reassurance?
Shirou didn't know. It was difficult given her perpetual scowl hardly conveyed much emotion apart from disdain, but he appreciated it very much. A few paces behind Kaguya, he found himself entering a study or lounge of sorts.
Expensive carpets and expensive curtains decorated the room colored in red. Classical modern was the theme for there was a fireplace with a mantle with a giant flatscreen TV mounted above it. Across from that was a bookshelf that reached the ceiling and a desk before it. Between either side were a few couches surrounding a tea table.
The walls were adorned with frames of more runic artifact-looking pieces. Parchment-like material dried and framed in glass while the indecipherable markings drew his eyes as to their intricacy as much as the comfy room had in its grandness.
"Please wait here, Sir Master. I and my husband shall meet with you shortly." The girl was swift to retreat to another adjacent room. And only when she vanished behind the automatic sliding door next to the bookshelf did he realize they hadn't been alone. Turning away from Kaguya's fleeting figure, he was met with three other individuals all quietly milling about. All of them were masked like him, though theirs differed slightly.
"Ara, a new arrival. Please, have a seat."
The one sitting at the center of a three-seater couch quietly spoke, gesturing to the other three-seater across them. The voice's gender was hard to distinguish due to the mask's obfuscation enchantments as well as that not a single lock of her hair was visible, but giving their pale skin a fleeting glance, it wasn't hard to tell they were a woman. Or a girl. A frail-looking one at that given how smaller her frame was compared to his.
'Don't be fooled, dummy! They're likely fully-fledged mages. And you aren't.' He could've sworn those would be Saber's words for him, but he couldn't make a fool of himself. He sat across from the young lady in a dress and what seemed to be a… rook-chess-piece mask?
The crown-like structure atop her head had four raised points. It could be mistaken for a queen's crown on a chessboard, but given the raised points flattened out and were only propped up in the four cardinal directions, front-back and left-right, he had some confidence he was right to call her the rook.
To his right, he tried not to relax as a young man as young as he sat back relaxed in a single-seater armchair. The miter-looking top of his mask reminiscent of a catholic bishop's headpiece was the same one his best friend brought to his home so he was sure of it. Nursing a glass of gin on the rocks, Shirou spied the lower-face of Shinji's mask part to reveal his lips. The impromptu auto-open mouthpiece allowed the boy to take a sip before closing back. The Matou boy shuddered a bit, but Shirou could tell…
His friend was trying his darndest not to cough and wheeze after taking too large a swig of the unfamiliar drink.
'I don't think alcohol would take the edge off, buddy.' Shirou kept his thoughts, and chuckles, to himself knowing full well he can't expose anything.
A snort had him glancing to the left. Spotting another Master in red, he heard a faint throat clearing before she went back to staying quiet in her own armchair. And he was sure this was a woman this time. A young lady older than the one sat across from him at least.
Dark hair slipped out from the back of her mask, the layered back of which was shaped like a helmet The resulting single ponytail made it clear she was the designated knight piece. Setting aside the mask, her dress was fuller and more frilled at the chest and waist, neither of which hid her curves. Heck, they accentuated it in a teasing manner. Her exposed shoulders befitting a formal gown was made to draw eyes, but Shirou couldn't help his gaze slipping down to her legs which she had one crossed over the other. Her posture hid the provocative slit that ran down her left side, but the spot of visible flesh where the thigh-high stockings met the… was that a garter belt keeping it in place?
CLACK
Shirou's attention snapped back to his front as the young lady in a rook mask placed a cup that clattered against a saucer. Loudly, at that.
"Tea." She spoke curtly.
"N-no thanks, I'm—" he tried to refuse.
"Please. I insist." She pushed the saucer closer to his edge of the table. Her voice was distorted, clouded by magecraft, but he could sense she wouldn't back down.
Being pressed to accept a drink by another Master who he wasn't sure was as murderous as was expected, he could see Shinji lean back in his seat. Knowing what he did about the plan, the guy was as nervous as he but unable to interfere lest they give the alliance away.
To drink or to offend the one who offered… The boy was uncertain and sweating buckets under his mask.
What exactly were his options here?
"It's not poisoned, if that's what you're worried about, kid."
A voice behind him had Shirou almost snapping his neck to whirl towards the fifth Master stood by the doorway. Due to having stayed silent and still this entire time, Shirou was certain he didn't notice her when he first entered the room.
Disguised like the rest of them, he couldn't see the unique features of her mask as she leaned against the wall. Arms confidently crossed under her breast, the confident tone of an adult chuckled as she added.
"The little lady was the first to arrive before the rest of us. She decided to prepare it while waiting. Not really my type of tea, but it doesn't taste bad at all."
"My own blend. It's a bit different every time, so I cannot guarantee the taste."
It came off as a weak defense, perhaps even a bit miffed, but the girl who made it took a cursory sip from her cup, letting her mouthpiece stay open as she waited on him, on Shirou to accept her gift.
The ball was in his park. But seeing no obvious threat, the boy took the plunge. Forgetting he was even wearing a mask, the mechanism seemed to detect a cup approaching his lips and automatically parted for his convenience. A split down the lower jaw hissed quietly before pulling back to his cheeks like they were mandibles. Oddly high tech, but there was no whirring so it was likely just more magecraft built into it. But he couldn't stay distracted.
Taking in the scent wafting from the cup, he sipped…
Then he very-nearly forgot to breathe upon tasting it and practically inhaled the drink down in one go. Coughing from the sudden warmth going down his throat, he managed to compose himself after a few seconds to give his thoughts.
"It's…. Ahem… It's good! Very delicious."
"Hmm… The polite flattery is appreciated."
"N-no, really… It's… great. Thanks."
"… You're very much welcome, young man."
He nodded to the girl, feeling a bit more… relaxed. And just before her mouthpiece resealed itself, he swore he caught a faint smile.
A tingle ran down his spine. He wasn't sure if it was the tea, but it was… comforting. It was as though he could relax a bit now. And while he wasn't sure she didn't mix any sedatives or some other magic-related things in it, her momentary smile… made it seem like… she wouldn't mean him any harm…
It was… strange.
The oddly accurate choice of words didn't fly over his head, though. To call him young when neither could see each other's faces… Then again, he couldn't judge her by her frailty or short stature.
"It seems like everyone is here."
He didn't allow such to distract him. Not when the hissing sounds of an automatic door drew all eyes to Lady Kaguya as she reentered the lounge from the adjacent room. Behind her strode in a new domineering figure. One whose voice was as similarly distorted as the rest of theirs behind his own enchanted mask.
The key distinction however was that the newcomer was dressed as black as the night sky compared to the porcelain-like cream that was their masks. But Shirou sensed there was also something… more.
The air about him was… commanding. Not stifling, but almost…. Regal. Shirou couldn't accurately place it, but it reminded him of his Servant's own presence.
And then, they spoke again with a bow.
"Greetings, Masters of the Fifth Holy Grail War. Serving as the Arbiter for this grand ritual, I welcome you all to my humble abode."
The stranger's cape billowed behind him as gesticulated a welcoming flourish of his hands. His tone was noble but also held a theatrical flair.
"And who, pray tell, might you be?" the Knight-mask lady in red asked flatly. "I was under the impression that we were invited by the CEO of Sumeragi Industries, Lady Kaguya herself."
"That is indeed correct, however, the one to arrange for my hosting you all was my dear husband." The CEO-girl in question giggled, amused and seemingly giddy. "Let me introduce you. This is my soon-to-be husband and lord of my home—"
"You may refer to me as Zero." The masked man cut her off, sparing them each a glance as he surveyed the room. "A delight to make your acquaintances, dear Masters. I see five of you were able to attend. Berserker, Assassin, Lancer, Archer, and… Saber."
Zero's mask turned to survey them. Shirou could feel a tingle, or maybe a hostile chill surge up his neck, as it took great restraint to not flinch when the man faced him. And it seems like he wasn't the only one.
Shinji sat up a little straighter. The knight girl in red had shifted her legs so that she had both hands on her knees, as though ready to jump out of her seat. Though the girl with a rook-like mask seemed to take it easy with another sip from her teacup, the older lady behind Shirou had seemingly pushed away from the wall to stand closer behind the couch. Behind Shirou.
The air was heavy, tense. Nothing at all like he expected.
'Is this what it's like to face a magus for real?' he couldn't say out loud but the boy took a deep breath as he looked to the black mask whose owner's gaze seemingly bore into his own through the facades.
"Please, let us all have a seat." And then, Zero sat behind the desk. Like a window being opened, all the heavy air and tension was suddenly dispersed, allowing Shirou's fingers to relax from digging into his palms. Zero continued. "As your Arbiter, I have a lot to go over with you all before the night is done. A simple overview of the established rules as well as… a few notable things."
"Am I to assume the other two are not attending, then?" said the woman behind Shirou.
"I could neither contact one of our missing guests. As for the others, I believe they're a little preoccupied at the moment. Now please, take a seat. Though, I wouldn't require you to sit down. I'd like to keep our conversation brief, and I'm sure you would as well, Master of Lancer."
Zero waited until the lady behind Shirou took a seat adjacent to him, allowing the boy to actually note the shape adorning the top of her mask: that of a crown almost similar to the smaller lady's rook-like one.
"Now then. Let us begin the first dialogue of the Fifth Holy Grail War."
Everything about this war was… wrong.
Archer stood by the corner of their waiting room, calm as can be with his arms crossed and eyes closed.
Or rather, he was trying to stay calm but it was very, very difficult to keep a straight face when out of the corner of his eye, Berserker was gorging himself a whole roast pig. Quite well-behaved despite the forever-angry look chisled into his face. Not a single sliver of food spilled on the floor or table as he ate, a sharp contrast to the indiscriminate destruction he was capable of dishing out on the battlefield as his every step cratered the ground beneath him. Though, right now, that lumbering behemoth was very quietly kneeling on the floor which has surprisingly held his weight, having already eaten ten men's worth of food.
'When did Illya teach this brute etiquette? And why does he need to eat so much?'
Had they been running low on mana hence his need to restock with actual meals? Unlikely. That they'd even venture all the way out here and relaxedly mingle with other Servants to do just that was… to put it lightly, unsettling for EMIYA.
And that wasn't the most appalling part.
Artoria, her current state, as well as her doppelganger. Assassin, Okita Souji.
He'd almost flinched when she and her Master entered the room beforehand. He recognized Shinji's frame almost immediately, some protective padding in his clothes couldn't fully disguise the way the boy slouched, a hand in his pocket, as he entered with a nervous gait. But why did he come with Assassin instead of Rider, what's more the very same Assassin that he crossed swords with at school?
He wanted to leave and scout out what happened to the Matou camp. But due to his duties as Rin's Servant, he couldn't very well take independent action just yet. All he could do was wait and watch while Okita enjoyed some sweets, not partaking of any meals aside from satiating herself with some snacks instead.
As for Saber…
The woman was eating too. Generously so, if not more than Berserker. She was sat across Okita, neither of them dropping an intense stare they were shooting each other, but it didn't seem like they'd come to blows. For now.
Even though her armor and presence was tinged by an unfamiliar dark air, she still seemed like her usual regal self.
"How long will you keep staring, knave?"
"Oh, come now, savage. Is the gaze of a man who is wary of the stench of blood on your hands bothering you so?"
"Keep mouthing off and I'll make it spout a fountain of blood, face stealer."
Okay, maybe he was being a bit too optimistic in not being prepared for the snappy attitude coming from someone who was usually soft spoken and polite even to her foes. All politeness had evaporated from her person, likely something to do with her summoning that he had no idea could go awry in such a drastic manner.
Meeting her baleful gaze once more, he put his hands up and shrugged to convey non-aggression.
"Apologies, but I was just making sure I wasn't seeing double. You two wouldn't happen to be sisters, however, would you?"
"Perish the thought! Being a sibling to a boor like this?! Uegh…" / "Don't you dare insult me again like that, cretin! Else your head will be the first I take."
He quailed under the eyes of both Assassin and Saber, more for the latter as she had her sword manifest around her waist, ready to be drawn. The room fell silent once again.
'Well, at least I can be sure to report that these two might not be working together.' Archer sighed. Meanwhile across from Heracles, the man brooding all this time from the sidelines suddenly chuckled. "And what could be so funny, Lancer?"
"Huh? Sensed you couldn't win a fight with the little ladies that you wanna pick one with me?" the spearman didn't bother to stand after mocking back but he did spare Archer a glance. "Got a problem with me, Red?"
"Not at all, Blue. But for someone who looks like a whipped dog, never did I expect you to chuckle like a hyena without good reason. That is, unless you find the exchange of lookalikes endearing."
That took the brunt of Artoria's menacing side-eye from Archer onto Cu himself. And while the hound of Chulainn might've been confident he could take her, no doubt in Archer's mind the man was itching just for that, for now, the man showed impressive restraint and merely shrugging in the face of pure animosity.
"Hey, don't look at me. A guy's gotta have some fun somehow. It's not like we can drop everything and start fighting right here and now, can we?"
The silence of the room was the answer, broken only by Berserker still eating, seemingly unbothered by the conversation. Nor any want to actually go berserk, as was his namesake. Saber relented her weapon and sat straight, unmoving as a statue. Assassin continued to enjoy her treats. Lancer sat back and feigned falling asleep in his chair.
And Archer… Well, he didn't know what to make of this situation. Brooding in his corner, he relaxed, knowing full well he needed a moment and, if there was ever a time to collect himself, ironically it would be right here in the same room as his future opponents.
In another life, half of this room would be killing the other and, had the Masters not been in some form of alliances by then, would be doing the same in the other room. Surreal as it was to find a moment of peace in a War he expected to go topsy turvy at the drop of a hat, he took his blessings in stride.
He could only count so much, especially after he glanced at Artoria's weapon and took in the history of this timeline's Saber.
For the first time since being summoned, he was able to stay quiet. Not because he grasped something helpful for his side nor was he able to relinquish all sources of tension in his bones, no.
It was because he had to solemnly come to terms that the stranger of a Saber before him was one he knew all too well but wished he didn't. Whereby gleaning this Excalibur's history, he found the cause to her drastically altered effects.
While he now stood alone atop a hill of blades of his own making, she too had been made a witness to a slaughter that spanned across time and embedded itself at her core. Alone on the hill of Camlann and bathed in the blood of her former comrades.
But unlike the ideal he strived for, in contrast to the woman he'd been inspired by on that night so many years ago… The King of Knights, stood atop her hill of blood and corpses, did not hold Excalibur Morgan with a grieving expression.
In his vision of its history, what stood there holding the darkened blade was not a hero. It was a weapon. One of justice's wrath, indiscriminate yet fair. In the sword's history, though it and its master were bathed in blood, remnants of what she used to be, or could have stayed as, surfaced from time to time.
But right now, all of that was absent. Replaced by the harsh façade of a cruel knight in black.
He wanted to talk to her. Something inside him yearned to ask so many questions. 'Why?' 'What happened to change her so?' 'And how can it be reversed?' Trying was impractical, but the want was there. The part of him who fell in love with that girl years ago cried out.
He dared glance at her dashing figure once more. But her own caught him like a deer in the headlights.
Dull grey met the dangerous glint of gold. Gone were her steely and gentle green.
And as quickly as it came, the threatening stare rescinded. Like sheathing a bloodstained sword, Artoria turned her gaze from him and went back to staring at the wall, occasionally bickering with Assassin. Archer could do naught but sigh. And yet, despite the lack of words, he could tell from that look alone.
Unless that boy could reign her in while he tried making friends, this might be the last time they would meet on non-aggressive terms.
However, as much as he wanted to be there for her, to relieve her of whatever burdens made her turn out so, he still had a role to play.
It was not impossible to try an alliance. But that ran against his own goals. Rin and Luvia's too. The man in red steeled himself, knowing well that, with Saber and this very timeline altered beyond his expectations, he couldn't take it easy.
'This War is gonna be one hell of a shit storm.'
As the Servants waited, eyeing each other up with the sole exception of the gluttonous Berserker, the volatile peace of the room held.
That said, a sixth brooding in their own corner couldn't help but wonder… Having held their silence all this time, their presence remained imperceptible to the others, allowing them a chance to be lost in thought as they studied the surroundings. And listened to their Master's voice.
'How fares the guest room? Seems too quiet for a place swarming with Servants.'
'The leylines flow seamlessly yet systematically throughout the mountain, not just the mansion.' Ignoring the jest, they gave a report. 'I'd sensed no trap lying in wait. Beyond protective barriers and boundary fields, not much can be said about the amateur wards. And yet… Master, you seem very interested to attend this gathering.'
Said Master laughed through their connection, having chosen to not join the meeting just yet and opting to instead wander the grounds for a bit longer. Not that the host would notice, given he was blessed with the best protection that could be conjured up by a magus.
'Call it… a sneaking suspicion…' That was all he said before he cut off the connection. Likely due to having found something that required his full attention.
As that man's Servant, there was plenty that could be said of him. But 'careless' was not one of those things.
'An Arbiter that rouses his suspicion… Hmm… Something going on here is more… clandestine than the mana in the air lets on…'
Eyes empowered by the strongest magecraft in the War glanced up at the corner of the rooms where security cameras monitored the Servant guests. The lines of mana flowing to and from them were thin, almost imperceptible and bland from normal boundary fields.
But what was eye-catching about them was the intricacy involved in the weaving. Quite unlike those used by the Clock Tower a certain Master used to belong to. And yet, the traces left were very familiar.
The corpse of a redhaired man in a morgue came to mind.
'Are you paying more attention to this Arbiter… specifically because of Heartless' demise…? Or perhaps… you're merely taking precautions to the one true obstacle to your goal…?'
The Master had no reply through their bond.
Everything about the man felt… wrong.
Tohsaka Rin couldn't tell what was wrong or how she sensed it. She just knew something was… off. Hiding behind a mask didn't help her relax either.
"—and that covers the general rules that have been set and applied in the previous Grail Wars. Are there any questions about them or clarifications needed?"
The 'arbiter', and she used that term loosely as she didn't think for a second the outsider was completely neutral, fell into a momentary quiet. When none offered their inquiries, he then nodded along, satisfied with their understanding. Naturally, Rin, didn't need elaboration. She knew the rules by heart after having gone sifting through what of her father's notes Luvia and herself could procure from the former Tohsaka estate.
Seven Masters; Seven Servants. One Grail; One wish. One winner; seven… Not necessarily losers, she'd gladly take the win of living past this, thank you very much… But it still stands to reason she'd fight tooth and nail when it comes down to it.
'Even if…' sparing a quick glance at who she could guess was Sakura's adopted sibling. 'Even if I have to fight him… and her…'
She hope she could.
Sharply exhaling, Rin immediately cut off the sigh of hesitation. This was what she signed up for. There was no backtracking. Not when she'd resolved herself.
'This is for mom… and for Sakura as well! What am I doubting for? I can take this! I know the war's rules like the back of my hand. Worst comes to worst, I suck it up to that gorilla's dad for a few more years and then align ourselves under the gorilla herself. As bad as she is, normally, at least she won't treat mom as disposable. All we need to do then is take Sakura and leave. And as long as nothing else unforeseen happens, then we're right as rain—!'
"Now then. Onto some… addendums we need to discuss. Uniquely for this war."
"Apologies for springing this surprise on you, honored guests." The short CEO girl chimed in merrily, not at all playing along with the arbiter's mysterious flair for dramatics. "You see, Master Zero wishes to convey the necessity of some new rules and the like. Now more than ever as—"
"What do you mean by 'new rules' ?" Rin wasn't the only one confused given the one sat next to her shifted slightly before she even voiced the question. Though the adult had her arms crossed so callously, the older woman seemed just as on edge as Rin, if not more. Not wanting to be caught giving a side glance, she pressed the pair. "For what reason would you impose such a change, if I may ask?"
"You may, and it is not as drastic a shift as you suspect. Just as previous rules had been instated due to… let's call it 'issues' of previous wars, I have deemed it proper that a couple more be added to avert any major damage that would befall this city." The man waited with a pregnant pause before continuing. "Most of you are aware about the Second War, one which ended inconclusive with a massacre of all the Masters and their supporters, resulted in the rule to allow a Master who had lost their Servant the right to protection at the condition of forfeiting their Command Seals and their right to fight on. It was for the sake of reducing the risk of exposure to the general public, mitigating the damage to the common citizens caught in the crossfire, and finally to actually assure there would be a winner."
No one argued that point. Rin had heard about the extent of the damage before she and her mother had been taken out of the country as well as read the news of the aftermath. She'd tried to find clues as to her sister's whereabouts as well, during and after the war. She'd only been able to breathe a sigh of relief when one of those under the Edelfelt's employ were ordered by Luvia herself to find her sister.
Though she was only permitted the knowledge but not the right to contact her, that much was enough.
"The presence of the Church had been instated then to also serve as the neutral party to oversee coverup and to enforce the rules. As with then, so it will be now. However…" Zero paused. "In light of the disaster that befell the city of Fuyuki in the previous war as well, as the incidental destruction of the Church in the city, we have deemed it necessary to step things up a notch. From henceforth, all fights with your competitors will now be limited to zones owned and managed by Sumeragi Industries."
The man took out a remote from under his desk and clicked it. Behind him, a digital screen lowered just above his head before turning on. Though Rin would never admit to being befuddled by new-fangled technology, she could at least recognize the depiction of a map.
"As you can see here, marked in the red are registered sectors from residential to commercial zones not yet under the company's hold. We would like to discourage any conflict be brought to them. As for the areas we do hold—" another press of a button and huge tracts of squares and zones flicked green. "—you are all free to face-off in these areas. Worry not about using magecraft or Servants as the residents and/or businesses previously located in these zones have either been relocated or has long since abandoned their property. Furthermore, such abandoned lots and certain areas of the industrial sector are… more prone to accidents, especially during the off hours of evening to early mornings. As such, any incidents that may or may not happen in these places would pose little to no issue when wrangling the public eye."
'Easier to be swept under the rug', he was being very clear in that regard. As a magus, Rin knew that such callousness for him to just write off such areas was expected. Wars were costly, but at least these people went out of their way to reduce the cost to just property value without impacting the city's daily life much.
She did think it prude he didn't at all acknowledge the potential living casualties. Those areas were not at all unpopulated, given that night shift workers and guards could still be present if not the homeless or just the late-night wanderer. But… perhaps the expression 'such is war' would fit here…
Her father certainly would say so.
"And what if our… encounters happen to be a little too destructive?" one of the boys, because even she could tell they weren't that much older than her, asked. "Is there any guarantee we wouldn't be penalized for going… overboard?"
The girl behind Zero chimed in again.
"Worry not. Most of these tracts of land are either under construction or scheduled to have demolitions in the coming weeks. It would be of little to no concern if any such conflict were to occur within them even if you go so far as to blow up an entire high-rise."
That… was that meant to be a joke? By the CEO girl's unwavering smile, it certainly sounded like one.
"Are… is this for real?" the other boy, the one closest to Rin, sounded aghast through his mask's magical obfuscation.
"So long as the fight is limited to inside the zones, of course. The excuse of a gas leak can only be used so often before people start getting suspicious. And none would pay much heed to a demolition gone wrong given a big enough scapegoat."
To that, some relief was spared. But also, some apprehension. The arbiter and the company backing him hadn't yet given her cause to be overly hostile, but to go this far suggests they had as much if not a better grasp than the Church in wars past. Luvia's research on the conglomerate had her pegging them as would-be altruists to the public. Though she heard some deals were a bit heavy handed when it came to acquiring various locations all over the city, the generous company made sure to compensate handsomely. So much so that even Luvia was licking her lips at the potential secrets hidden behind their suspicious wealth. Ever the hyena, Rin supposed.
But with the safety of the citizens as a priority, she could at least believe they meant well on the surface when it came to this. Looking over it, Rin could see that, not only was there room to maneuver all over the map, some areas weren't lit up green but shaded in green stripes. Among them were familiar locations like her old neighborhood, the Tohsaka residence, a sizable chunk of the residential district around it as well as the school.
"What of green-striped locations like Homurahara Academy?" Rin said. "Are you saying we are permitted to fight in areas shaded like it?"
"You already have, no?" Zero seemed to chuckle. "Indeed, you may. Within reason especially for those areas. The Sumeragi conglomerate can offer the barest of minimum support for those areas as they are indirectly indebted to us one way or another, you see. The school, for example, has recently received a sizable donation under the table. And given that the board of directors themselves have pocketed it, we have come to a tacit agreement that, should it be necessary, they can dismiss class." The Arbiter continued before shrugging. "While we essentially cover for the damages caused by the war's participants out of the goodness of our hearts, we will not strictly impose you base yourselves in areas our company controls nor interfere in your everyday lives and actions in the war to the point of redlining everything you do. We respect that you will honor the sanctity of life of those uninvolved."
"Sounds too good to be true." The girl to the right of Rin that she definitely suspected to be an Einzbern chuckled to her teacup, seemingly unbothered. "I had my apprehensions that a company, a non-magi-affiliated one of all things, would attempt to adjudicate a long-standing ritual. And yet you say you do not wish for much in exchange?"
"The lives of those in the city are worth going this far."
"Trite reasoning, sorely mundane. And even more… what's the word… unimpressive as an excuse, don't you think?" the Einzbern's teacup clattered empty on the table.
The girl held a pinky up as she downed her tea, not at all concerned by the looks everyone in the room gave her.
"Feel free to see it as such. But would you rather we took it upon ourselves to hold the ritual hostage entirely?"
The air suddenly grew heavy. Neither the man in the mask nor the child standing next to him seemed fazed they were facing magi with ridiculously powerful familiars just in the adjacent room. Nor did Zero flinch when confronted with one of the Three Families that wanted to win no matter what.
"And you believe a mere man like yourself capable of such?"
"Of course. Plans within plans have been made to ensure the stability of this city. And, with your compliance to concede this much, I see no harm in letting you all have your damnable ritual for a so-called omnipotent wish."
"Interesting…" The Einzbern leaned back in her seat, the haughty attitude plus the crown of her rook-themed mask seemingly giving her the air of a queen. "So long as you stay out of my way, I won't have a problem with you and yours."
The confrontation seemed to have come to a head. In the next second, all tension faded as Zero nodded, sounding more and more like an indifferent referee than a showman.
"I and mine will strive to keep our interference to a minimum. As the neutral party of non-magi, we have no power to prevent your ritual. But we will not stand idly should you dare repeat the disaster that befell the city like the previous war."
"Big words from a mere man."
"Our role is to merely recommend which parts of the city you should avoid. Feel free to fight as intensely as you wish. Feel free to murder one another for whatever reason. Sumeragi Industries will not care who reigns as the victor. So long as they keep to themselves." The man then leaned back in his seat, quite relaxed despite facing a child who likely could eviscerate him limb from limb with but a word to the giant waiting outside the room. "But if you take away the sole reason we act as an arbiter, then be prepared to find not just yourself but your entire family in ruin, Master of Berserker. I did not take over a company with a powerful global reach to cower from mere threats."
That was… fair, Rin supposed. If he was a resident and he had been present for the disaster that claimed her father's life… Then she supposed he had resolve standing up against them, the would-be harbingers of another disaster. And the Einzbern girl seemed inclined to agree.
"Hm. Vindictive and unwavering. You would make for a perfect magus, Sir Zero."
The man seemed to huff as he took the compliment. "And you'd pass for a haughty child despite your homunculi nature, Master of Berserker."
The girl stilled before composing herself. Snarling, she took a sip of her teacup with a vicious grin.
"Oh, I am quite the selfish one. That, I will not deny."
Rin rolled her eyes at the grandstanding before returning her gaze to the map. Huge chunks of the striped areas covered external boundaries of the city as well. The forest Luvia and herself suspected to be owned by the Einzberns was also part of that. Even the site of the old Church…
Some part of her wanted to believe they didn't really plan on interfering, but her honed instincts told her not to entertain the idea. A large non-magi-related company had assumed control of a majority of the city and were now arbitrating for a ritual. Without mages of their own in the running? If it was due to the previous war, then it was a great cover story for their participation like this. But they did it in preparation for the next one without an actual horse in the race?
The threat of retaliation should the city come to harm was not unbelievable. Yet Rin doubted that was the whole story.
Had they been openly led or masterminded by a known magi clan, it would be blatant proof enough. Luvia herself would have asserted this was a power grab for the city's rich leylines from under her father's nose. But as it stood, nothing of the aforementioned resource had been tampered with. As far as the Edelfelt's people could tell anyway.
"And we are to believe that you don't plan on interfering with our war whatsoever?" The woman next to Rin spoke up.
"You need not be concerned. Unlike the previous war, we as the new neutral party in charge of keeping the war in check do not wish to interfere at all. Like the Church, there is nothing for us to gain in a ritual we know not the deeper intricacies of. But unlike the Church, we actually seek to protect the lives of those under our charge."
That… that sounded like a loaded threat if Rin ever heard one. Her eyes narrowed under the mask as she took note of the nod Zero was sending to her, to the woman now nodding back. It was like they were having a stare-down without eye contact. 'Was he implying…—?'
"Respectfully, I find that hard to believe." She, the older woman, replied. "An omnipotent wish-granting device and you as an all-powerful 8th party have no wish to claim it as your own?"
The challenge caused everyone in the room to stiffen again. Suddenly, trying to blend in the background became more and more difficult now that the woman sat to her left gained the sharp stare of the Arbiter himself. Or rather, the bubbly attention of the young CEO of the company backing him.
"Is something to your dissatisfaction, Lady Master of Lancer?" Sumeragi Kaguya giggled.
"Indeed, I do." The woman confidently admitted.
"You do not yet trust my word," Zero drew a finger before Kaguya, seemingly cutting off the girl's response veiled by an innocent-looking smile. "Despite my fairly laid out restrictions."
"Correct."
"That is understandable. While this ritual has been entrusted to the Church for generations, we came in out of nowhere. But fear not. Or rather, fear not us, but what we are trying to combat the corruption the Church and Mage's Association had wrought through bringing my own version of order to this battle royale."
"What did you say—?"
"Do not play me for a fool, Master of Lancer." His hand slapped the desk. "You see, I did not simply bring you all together due to taking over the role of a referee. I was there ten years ago when the last Grail War ended in disaster. It is within my knowledge that even besting other Servants and their Masters might not be enough to ensure a quiet victory. Especially when the referee's support then was rigged in the favor of one Master."
That brought a quiet to the room. It was one thing to accuse previous Masters of reckless endangerment. But it was quite egregious to point out the previous rules had been rigged.
That wasn't to say it wasn't rigged against them now, but the tone of his voice, even behind the mask, felt genuine.
"For the sake of not repeating the tragedy, of keeping this city free from the fires that turned half of Fuyuki to ash, I am here. The true mechanisms of this ritual are known only to a few individuals, of whom only four are still alive and breathing. I, a survivor of the incident, am one of them. Not only that, I am also the most willing to lend what manpower and resources I can to avert disaster. Of course, I would've tried to prevent the war entirely, but circumstances deem that… impossible. All of this is for the sake of ensuring innocents won't suffer the same fate as those who fell victim to the previous war. That is… unless you wish to usurp me and mine and take it for yourself? In which case, I have to warn you."
Zero tilted his head, lowered tone unsettling them all.
"Do you wish to know what happened the last time someone tried to dislodge the Grail from this city?"
Under his mask, Lelouch couldn't help but feel pleased with how things were progressing. So far, everything was going according to the plan and on schedule. The Masters were frightened, confusion prevented them from openly challenging him. Master of Lancer, enforcer Bazett Fraga McRemitz was crucial for this part.
She had come here under orders of her masters in the Association and the Church to observe and investigate their missing personnel. As part of the war, she is to act as their representative as well. A person of authority, even as a participant. If Zero could put her into a bad position, one where she could do little but listen to his rules, the rest would fall in line.
'Illya was instructed to stay disengaged, not to take off her mask or easily accept my proposition for a way out. She wants to take care of Shirou Emiya, I shall let her do so. With her hiding our alliance, she won't have issues forming teams with others. Since Assassin and Saber's masters are already working together, Illya becoming the third wheel of their group will be beneficial.'
The German princess wanted to get away from her family, be free and now take her 'little brother' with her. Lelouch didn't care about her ambitions as long as she followed his instructions. Their drones already confirmed that Matou was in cahoots with Emiya. The fact that the brother of Sakura Matou went inside Emiya's residence today only confirmed it.
'The fact Sakura decided her brother would make a better attendant was unexpected but played into my hands. The boy isn't an idiot, but too eager to show off. I'm curious if he can command Assassin or not. Still, the lack of knowledge of new servants' names is problematic. Intelligence was able to close the era gap to the Edo period for Assassin, Ancient Greece or Rome for Berserker and potentially Scandinavia for Lancer. Archer is still the most confusing, his gear doesn't match with what they thought should be China or Central Asia based on his blades.'
An issue that shall resolve itself once Lelouch manages to put said servants on the path of hunting down Caster. Eventually, they will reveal their true names. Caster and the unknown master were a mystery, one that neither Nobu nor Lelouch could allow to ignore. Checking all foreigners who come into Japan in the last few months was a waste of time, if it was an experienced magi then they could easily sneak into the nation.
'Three of the masters here are teenagers, inexperienced and most likely still on high alert about everything. Bazett Fraga is a different matter, but being an enforcer with an impressive history made her predictable in a way. She will think and act like the enforcer, taking into account all risks and realizing she has no time to check proof of all of them. She might not trust everything I said, but she cannot afford to underestimate me. Others will look up to her, waiting for her reaction. With so many masters still alive and in one place, no one wants to be the one who instigated a fight and went against the rules of the war. Especially if other masters might be coaxed into going after the troublemaker first.'
With Nobunaga playing her part in the plan, and a certain old face walking right into the trap Demons prepared for an overworked professor, the night was going smoothly. A few more words from Zero and those masters will serve their roles in the Grail War.
"Now, onto the matters of missing masters-"
"Wait-! You can't go in there yet!" Kaguya's shout was clearly heard by everyone.
As Zero was about to begin talking, the loud sounds of someone shouting and walking were heard from outside. Moments later the door was wide open as a new, unfamiliar face stared down at the masted masters inside. Poor Kaguya quickly appeared behind the newcomer, distressed
"Lord Zero, please forgive me. This stranger appeared out of nowhere and started walking towards your office. I tried to stop him without alerting K-"
"You have done a good job." Zero raised his palm to stop her. "It isn't the fault of the host that their guest is lacking manners in the first place."
Lelouch claimed down his assistant, his focus never leaving a new person. Adult man, with grey hair, and a cold and distant look despite having a smile on his face. Of course, the Demon Emperor had seen this face before in photos taken by his spies and people in Europe.
The fact that the newcomer wasn't wearing a mask was already promising to be a hassle.
"With all due respect to our friend in the dark mask, I did not have a lot of time to understand what was going on. My servant sensed the presence of multiple servants at one place and I had to act quickly. After all, as Lord of Clock Tower, I still view it as my responsibility to ensure younger magi won't get into trouble and make the wrong decision."
"Wait." the mask that was supposed to be Rin Tohsaka's looked between Zero and the newcomer. "You're Lord?!"
"Oh, I almost forgot to properly present myself. Ladies and gentlemen, let me formally introduce your visitor." the man bowed his head low enough to be respectable. "Marisbury Animusphere, the head of the Animusphere family and Lord of the Department of Astromancy within the Clock Tower. Master of Caster."
The way the man presented himself, an absolute lack of care for his own anonymity, it was clear what he wanted to achieve.
The way the masks of Fraga, Tohsaka and Matou looked at each other was enough to see their surprise was strong. However was it enough to break the atmosphere of sheer disparity in power between them and Zero?
'Trying to intimidate them to your bidding, is it? A Clock Tower Lord isn't someone you can easily challenge, let alone attempt to kill, at least in the case of a young magi and an enforcer. Is he aiming to undermine my plan to set up authority as overseer?'
Rin Tohsaka and Bazett Fraga were more closely tied to the magus organization than the others. If they got into their idea of hiding behind the name of Animusphere, it would be three masters and three servants who might attempt to go against the design of the overseer. Lelouch only needed that role to serve a limited time before discarding it, once either enough servants were slain or all true identities were revealed. Having three masters team up against his goals will be dangerous, make it four if certain the professor will decide to team up with another Lord. Still, Zero couldn't allow this man still his show, the night was meant to belong to Demons, not Lords.
"I did not expect for someone of your status to be a part of this war. Please take a seat, Lord Animusphere." Zero pointed towards the new chair staff brought inside the room. "Your visit is quite unexpected, considering your location is one that remains unknown to me, the overseer of this war. Although, it is not unwelcome. In fact, a man of your status might need to ensure this war will stay hidden from the mundane world."
"How so?" Marisbury asked simply as he sat down before picking the refreshments placed nearby. "Your inability to find me is thanks to the efforts of my Servant. After all, it is nothing but strategy and skill to stay out of other people's eyes when you don't want to be spotted. Can I try it? My lips are parched."
"Please, enjoy yourself, Lord Animusphere." Lelouch grimaced.
"Thank you very much, good sir." Marisbury smiled before drinking. At this point, the rest of the masters were simply watching two men. "Oh? Is it Appleton Estate? Hmm, you have great taste, dear host."
"Hearing such praise from the Clock Tower's elite is a rare compliment. But please, call me Zero."
Marisbury thought about it for a second, still sipping the drink.
"Zero...Hmm, forgive me but I can do no such thing. Over the years I learned that the best way to do business is to address other people directly. You will have to pardon me, but it isn't within my nature to indulge the fantasies of others. Nothing against this event of yours, this masquerade isn't something that sits well with me."
"Then I suppose I should feel less guilty being unable to send you a mask. A shame for a tool to simply be left in the box." Zero politely laughed.
"Perhaps. Or mayhap I would have taken it with me, as a souvenir at least, if you were able to deduce my location." Marisbury's small smile was starting to irritate Lelouch. "I might not enjoy being a part of someone else's game, but I do appreciate it when others like yourself indulge me in my own. Thankfully, the timing of this little soiree of yours is impeccable. Would you mind a borrow a moment of your time as I wish to make an announcement of my own."
Lelouch knew he couldn't just decline it. For others, it would have looked too defensive. And so, Zero nodded.
"Splendid! In that case, dear masters of Fifth Grail War, I have a proposition to all of you." Marisbury paused, making sure they got interested and were anticipating his next words. "I will not try to forcibly dissuade all participants partaking in this conflict, but I will present you with a guarantee. Shall you surrender to me after losing your Servant, I will spare you and take you under my wing. An offer under my tutelage, so to speak. I will guarantee you protection against any threats post-surrender and maybe even ask you to join my Department. Surely magi who managed to become Masters and join the war of this caliber are worthy to attend the Clock Tower."
Some of them looked at each other, while Emiya dared to ask.
"But why? Aren't we a competition here? I know I don't want to kill anyone in this room, but that still begs the question. Why offer to recruit us, your enemy and rivals?"
'A very suspicious offer, one veiled with an opportunity for betrayal.' Lelouch narrowed his gaze at the young man across him. The thought that he may be sharper than he seems in the report coming to mind.
"Good question, young man!" Marisbury clapped before blinking. "Sorry, the force of habit from my time of teaching, but you do remind me of my students a little bit. Regardless, just like you, I do not wish to kill people without absolute necessity. This war, the Grail you see, it's merely the easiest path for me to achieve my goals of doing something good for our kind. If it was possible, I would have liked to avoid fighting entirely and would simply make a deal with other masters. Surely, there must be quite a lot a Clock Tower Lord can offer in exchange for letting me win the Grail. Besides, with how many promising magi were lost in the past decade, I must also think of this as an investment into our kind's future.'
'You are a fucking bastard, Marisbury Animusphere.' Lelouch bit his tongue. 'Trying to use my platform to set yourself up? You aren't even inviting them to a form team, merely surrender to you. He might as well scream: Go on, little masters. Fight to your heart's content and don't worry, I, Marisbury Animusphere, am more than willing to give you a free pass. Shoot your shot and see if you can win, if you can't that's fine. Unlike this scary person in a black mask, I offer safety for free since you might be promising students for me.'
The man was ruining his plan, taking his role of center actor in tonight's show. Lelouch had to analyze the situation and see how he could undermine whatever authority Marisbury managed to gain. Killing these masters was always an option, but if the Demons revealed their hand too early and were careless, they would force half of the masters into forming a team, one led by Marisbury. Matou and Emiya were fighting together, Illya might be able to show herself in there but that left Archer, Lancer and Caster working as a group. Expecting the worst, Lelouch had to count Waver and his Rider into it as well. Four servants, two lords and one enforcer shall not be underestimated under any condition. Not to mention-
'Lord Marisbury Animusphere was reported to be a careful man, one who didn't have too many enemies inside Clock Tower because he never stepped out of line unless he was assured of his victory. He isn't someone who will blindly charge into the enemy's territory without a plan, a backup and more...And he is master of Caster, the class that is worst for direct confrontation… Either his unmatched confidence is not without merit or this is a gambit.' That he couldn't tell at a glance worried Lelouch every passing second. 'Shall I decide to cut to the chase and simply have him killed, his Caster shouldn't be able to stop me if they're within my Territory... Unless this Heroic Spirit is someone too powerful…'
Memories of Caster Gilles de Rais from the previous war returned to Lelouch. The fallen-from-grace French hero wasn't someone one would call a powerful servant, and yet his Noble Phantasm was as destructive as it was grotesque. What if the Caster of this war is even more powerful?
'He and I are both in blind waters and yet Marisbury is confident enough of his success. Blind naiveite… No, it can't be it someone of his peerage, it must mean he is confident in his Servant's abilities. Nobunaga isn't here right now, she must be at the port for the next scene of this play. Still, he is unlikely to attack me. If he wanted to fight, he would have his Caster do so instead of coming here. Is this attempt to seize the attention away from me merely a ploy to undermine what he thinks might be my end goal? Or does he truly hope to win over some masters tonight?'
Still, Lelouch and Nobunaga had a special show for these masters. One that was meant to show them that the new overseer is not merely a rich person with an army of informants.
"It is always admirable to see that not all of magi kind is full of psychopaths who only care about themselves. Sadly, even despite being a Lord of the Clock Tower, such a respectable person as yourself cannot ensure the rest of your ilk will have some kindness for their fellow men."
"Hmmm…" Marisbury didn't look too pleased nor did he seem offended. "Oh, so you have promised the same protection for them, have you, dear altruistic arbiter."
"That's why I wish to use my power and resources to hide this war from the masses, after all. The sorcerous Isles of Britain is already full of hawks just in London alone." Zero looked between Masters, making sure to pause on boys from Emiya and Matou households. They were locals and surely understood the danger of Fuyuki becoming the focus of the moonlit world's attention. "Then again, little stopped me from taking care of magi who were already too dangerous and threatening my own. Even former members of the Clock Tower could do little but attempt to flee from me, so much good that it did them." Lelouch shrugged, though to his audience, it may have come off as a scoff. "Kurou Adashino was truly a unique, but equally dangerous person all on his own… The Clock Tower agrees, I see."
Perhaps he'd spent enough time around Nobu to inherit her more sadistic characteristics. Or maybe it was his own nature flourishing without any barriers being there to hold it. Either way, he did find joy in seeing the perfectly false smile drop from Marisbury's face for a moment, a cold expression slipping through the faps of politeness. The mask came back on immediately, but Lelouch knew he got under man's skin just a bit.
And it was a nice feeling.
"Speaking so brazenly of taking the lives of our affiliates while in the presence of a Clock Tower Lord is quite a bold move. Dear host, please do not forget that I'm still an authority figure that is meant to ensure peace back home."
"Indeed. 'Back home'. Not here. Not in Fuyuki. The city that is run by and is flourishing thanks to me. While I appreciate your kind words of warning, Lord Marisbury Animusphere, let us not forget who is the guest to my city." He didn't revel in asserting his position. It was just a statement of fact. "But while you're here, do indulge my curiosity on how things fare amongst Lords. Say, how would one react should they learn their fellow had come all this way, participating in a foreign ritual, seeking a powerful artifact. Would they feel threatened by that Lord, I wonder? Surely the balance of power isn't so skewed at the moment that the established peace would be tipped over should it come to light a euro-centric magus attempted to steal one of Japan's own sacred treasures? Another round of colonialism in this modern age is in poor taste, after all. Especially when only you get to walk away with a win."
"..." Marisbury didn't stop smiling, barely blinking. "You are absolutely correct, forgive me for saying something so out of place. This war is indeed quite special, let's ensure it won't get ruined by parties outside of it. That would only complicate everything for simple people."
The last part wasn't addressed to Zero, but to Bazett who was still silent.
'On that matter, we can agree, Marisbury.' Lelouch was getting exhausted, the rum was looking more inviting the more he had to hear Marisbury. "I can see why you might feel uneasy with me wearing my mask. After all, I wouldn't trust someone to guarantee rules and safe zones if I couldn't see their face. I wouldn't trust a person who hides their face, period. Human nature, and all."
"But aren't you the one who made us wear—"
"Hush, idiot!"
Lelouch smiled at the antics of Emiya and Matou boys. He could see that even with the mask on, Tohsaka was face-palming. He could see from the side glance that Illya was fighting the urge to giggle. The two adults in the room weren't amused.
Bazett was the one who asked him. "Then why won't you take it off? Wouldn't that make it easier for us to trust your words?"
Others stayed silent but were surely agreeing with her. Lelouch was sure even Illya was curious about how he looked under his mask.
"You aren't wrong. I have little reason to hide my face from you. In reality, only a few living souls know my identity and none of them can do anything dangerous with it." Zero placed his hand against the back side of his helmet. "I was planning to eventually take it off and reveal myself before participants of the war. But..."
"But?" Rin Tohsaka nervously muttered.
"But I love my theatrics and there is someone I wish to… Let's say 'impress'. To watch their reaction as I take off my mask and unveil the drama held together by this lone referee." He kept a finger pressed to his mask where his lip would be, some not seeing it but seemingly able to tell he was smiling. "Call it an act disguised as a 'love letter', if you will."
The children seemed confused, appalled even. The expression on Bazzett's face reflected as much. But Marisbury smiled. Oh, did he smile. Unhinged and amused, but also knowing and curious