Alternate.
That's what they call the reversed aspect of a heroic spirit, one with the complete opposite nature, shortened to Alter. It's distinctly different from corruption or degradation, and an Alter isn't necessarily bad. An evil person could also Alter (reverse) into a good version. It's just that there haven't been many such precedents so far.
Generally, such cases happen when summoned with that aspect or due to Grail intervention, but...
"Hmm~ I like this outfit. It's more stylish than plain, drab school uniforms, isn't it?"
"It seems more fitting for a country girl."
"Artoria is also from the countryside."
"Sh, shut up!"
I can't believe this happened. I did it, but it was a really foolish act. I had no idea the ahoge was really Artorium. I expected Artoria to become an Alter, but I didn't know Jeanne would become an Alter just by sticking it in.
"Black Dad is cool too..."
"That heart that loves your father is very good, Mordred."
"... For now, I'm not acknowledging you as my mother yet. Remember that."
"Yes, I understand."
"Hmph!"
It seems it will still be a while before Mordred accepts me. Well, she has a mother named Nimue, so it would be hard for her to accept me. I understand.
For now, I send a telepathic message to them.
[How is it over there?]
[We have acquired Red Berserker. However...]
[However?]
[He's so stubborn he wants to go on his own two legs. Teleportation would be easier... At this rate, it will take a day. Is that okay, Lord Fergus?]
[Can't be helped. He's a proud hero. Humor his quirks for a while, please, Medea. Besides, everyone is in the modern world after a long time, so they can enjoy themselves a little, right?]
[That's true, but everyone would prefer to be with you, Lord Fergus?]
[Haha... Just humor them for a while. Understood?]
[Yes, leave it to me.]
I cut the telepathic link and contact Medb.
[How is it over there?]
[Just as you said, Assassin and her Master have arrived here. I don't know how many they killed on the way...]
[I see... Well, it's fine. They only killed Magus Association mages. It's more a part of war than civilian slaughter; they also came to war risking their lives, so I have no intention of mourning them. Avoid contact with Assassin. Those girls are your ultimate weakness; even you, Medb, could be killed in one hit.]
[Got it. And, it seems another Servant is heading this way, perhaps having noticed Assassin's presence.]
[We'll handle that side. If they attack first over there, summon her immediately.]
[Okay, understood.]
For now, things seem to be going smoothly. Among them, the ones I need to recruit are Spartacus and Jack, those who are adrift from their factions. They are practically certain to become allies.
"Hey, Ruler. It seems we have guests. Are they yours? Or mine."
"Hmm... It seems both."
Archer from the Black Faction and his Master Fiore, along with a few homunculus soldiers and golems, are entering the village. Also, several hundred Dragon Tooth Warriors sent by Red Assassin are approaching. What numbers... It's a problem because it's a village, but since they plan to use the Third Magic anyway, I guess the concealment of mystery doesn't matter?
They didn't just send Dragon Tooth Warriors but also flying Dragon Wing Warriors.
"I'll leave the Black ones to you two. You're confident, right?"
"Ah, if it's a fight between Masters, I'm confident. Saber, time to work."
"Ha! I thought I'd die waiting!!!"
Mordred immediately uses Mana Burst, intuitively locates Chiron positioned high up, and charges. She cuts down the golems and homunculus soldiers in her path as she runs. Soon, the fight between Sisigou and Fiore also begins. Did they come to prevent the traitorous Jack from joining the enemy?
"Hey, Ice Queen. What are those?"
"They're called Dragon Tooth Warriors, you impulsive girl. Scared?"
"Me? No way. If the original me is a saint, then of course I'm a witch. Would a witch be scared of that much?"
"My sister is a cowardly witch who's even scared of bugs."
"Ehh... That's a bit of a letdown. Whatever. Those things are coming to kill us, right?"
"Hmm... My my, should we hurry a little?"
It's unlikely no Servant came from the Red side. Probably... the target is Jack, hiding on the outskirts of this village, not us.
Maybe they plan to cause a mental breakdown using Shakespeare. Another Servant would be better... Well, let's go see.
"Artoria, Jeanne. I'll leave this place to you two. I'm going to Black Assassin."
"What, you're running away here? Really... Well, I guess it's because you have someone as reliable as me."
"It's not you, it's me."
"Hah~? Want to bet? Who kills more?"
"If it weren't for the village, I would have wiped them all out in one go already."
"That's why you can't, right? Really... you were better as your original self."
"You saying that looks more interesting as a saint too."
As expected, the two are bickering. Soon, the two finish their battle preparations by donning their armor.
"Go quickly."
"I alone am enough for this place. My specialty is firepower, not defense."
"Then I leave it to you."
I leave the Dragon Tooth Warriors to the two and quickly head towards Medb.
[Medb, how is it?]
[Somehow, I think it'll be difficult alone... so I ended up calling her.]
[The opponent?]
[Red Rider.]
[Then you had to call her. Don't worry about it.]
So she called her after all. No wonder I felt a bit tired. She's the type whose mana consumption is severe, making it harder to summon as a heroic spirit...
BOOOOOOM!!!!
Upon arriving at the location, I see countless swords falling on the street.
"What's wrong? Have you reached your limit already?"
"Ha! Who says it's my limit!?"
A green meteor is seen dashing while swinging a spear and deflecting numerous swords. The great Greek hero Achilles. The one facing him is...
The goddess of war.
"Then show me more of the hero's spirit. I, The Morrígan, shall witness it myself."
The goddess of war, The Morrígan. She, summoned at the level of a Divine Spirit, was facing Achilles. I land next to Medb, who was watching from the rooftop.
"You came?"
"Yes, still evenly matched, I see."
"If she were in her Divine Spirit era, her output would be stronger... I can't even wound him..."
"Your attacks don't work, but you can still block them, right? Then I'll go and come back quickly."
"Okay, but are we getting a daughter?"
"If you mean Jack, no? Those girls want her as their mother, so materializing them is the best option. Her wish originally requires bringing someone connected to the Root. It's impossible for me. Well then, I'll be back."
I quickly track Jack's location. But, that's strange. Didn't they use The Mist? There's no fog. It would be hard to escape even using that... why? I tried to use Clairvoyance to find them quickly, but I found the location before that.
"Hmm..."
This is really not easy.
I quickly descend to the ground and find Rikudou Reika and Jack collapsed on the street. They look unconscious, but... this is closer to being knocked out by a mental attack. Especially Jack... her mind has already collapsed. It will take quite a while to care for her again. No, perhaps it's natural since their mental state is the weakest in specific situations.
"I see, so with two Rulers, they act more aggressively. Her magecraft must have played a part too. Isn't that right?"
I call out to him hiding in the alley, and he slowly walks out of the alley, bowing to me in greeting.
"Pleased to meet you, Ruler. I am Red Caster, William Shakespeare."
"... If you're thinking of using your Noble Phantasm on me, give up. I have overcome my only trauma. If you still try to unfold a false story to show me... I'll eliminate the Red Faction right now. I've been quietly watching out of consideration for the other Ruler's wishes, but I guess I was looked down upon?"
"Ooh, that's not it. Of course, I received such an order, but the moment I saw you, I felt it! It would be meaningless against this person... I only came because I'm interested in you, Ruler. True Name, Fergus mac Róich. You seem completely different from the Fergus I know, which is interesting, you see?"
"I see. But do you know something?"
"What might you be referring to?"
BAM!!!!
"Whatever."
I immediately blast a hole through his abdomen with a mana bullet. It's just a wooden puppet, a fake. The real one, who has no combat ability, wouldn't show himself.
Still, talking to him itself is unpleasant. He's the type who latches onto people's weaknesses and vulnerable parts. Well, I chased him away, so that's that.
"This is really... troublesome."
Now, what to do with this person and the children...