19 Archer Arrives

(A/N: Extra chapter cause, why not?)

Fuyuki, Japan,

Riverside Park,

Roman stared at Kiritsugu and the latter did the same.

Silence ensued, neither of the two speaking for a good few moments, even as the other three people questioned and wondered their intentions with doing so.

"You bluffed." Kiritsugu Emiya spoke first, he couldn't notice any residual magic energy, for a spell set to activate upon a certain condition, that seemed strange if not downright impossible.

"Did I now?" Roman tilted his head, "Maybe my skill is greater than yours?"

"... I'm not oblivious to the matters of the Clock Tower."

"Old cunts wanting to use everything." Roman mused with a small smile, he did know of their 'interests' in him so to speak, and what they sought too. There were those he couldn't make guesses about yet but still, he was certain he could make them regret those thoughts with the next few moves.

"I agree on that much." Kiritsugu gave a small nod, magi were the worst people on the planet,.... Not to say he was exempt from that category.

"I've wasted enough time." Roman lightly huffed, putting his hand on the one, extremely out of place, glove he was wearing and slowly pulling it off, "So long as we ally, you'll have my aid in the Grail War."

Kiritsugu's eyes widened slightly, "That isn't allowed is it?" He observed the four command seals on the back of Roman's hand with an apprehensive gaze, four seals would change quite a bit. They could potentially empower Caster to insane levels, if Rider and Lancer were aiding this man... then, winning the War by himself would become extremely hard if not impossible....

"Look who's talking."

On top of that, if the other two were indeed allied as he claimed then Kiritsugu didn't have the slightest of chances. Saber was indeed powerful but not enough to win against multiple servants coming at once, not without paying dearly..

"Might I add something?" Roman smiled with a closed eye, he'd learnt to notice the smallest of changes in people's expressions, it was important considering the sheer number of people that even now had plans upon plans to use him.

The Magus Killer raised a questioning brow, there was something more? The situation was already quite bad..

"I can swear on my name that I've no interest in the wish, it sounds shady as shit. Of course, this just seems to fly over your head. In the first place, how can magus make something that actually grants wishes?" Roman raised a hand, sneering, "They're selfish and unfeeling."

Kiritsugu only remained silent even as Saber scowled, the man spoke truth. Irisviel averted her gaze, not many would know better than her how true those last words were.

"I doubt some retard would wish for world peace or something but you never know." A mocking smile formed on Roman's face, "It's a bloody pipe dream if I've ever heard one. That'd probably mean wiping us the fuck out or... nevermind, that's probably the only way. Efficient, cold and all that, this Grail would probably do that."

Kiritsugu slightly lowered his gaze, that too seemed plausible.... but he couldn't help but wonder, was the man in front of him saying this on purpose cause it did feel like it,

"Can you get to the point?"

Irked, Kiritsugu cut the smiling Roman off.

"Sure big guy, what I want, is confirmation… and a bit more. I went to the Matou but they were.... uncooperative and got murked."

"Surely you don't mean..." Irisviel slightly gasped, how did that even happen? She knew Roman was a talented individual but wiping out the Matou was nigh impossible, they were extremely powerful from what she'd studied.

"I mean what I mean, I've prepared enough." Roman scowled for a moment before returning to his usual calm self, connections had been made, influence had been gained, alliances were ensured and monetary necessities too were something he'd already taken care of. It was enough, he'd be an idiot if he'd just wasted his life prancing about like a decorated cripple. However, being like this meant that certain of his movements went under the radar.

"That is impossible, you don't have th-..."

Kiritsugu was cut off by Roman hitting him on the shoulder with his cane, "That stuff is still a week or something off. Anyway, you can count on the support of the Trambelio in your endeavours if you're willing to ally momentarily, long enough for me to do what I need." He spoke a bit seriously, of course it was half lie half truth, he needed them to be his allies but not for the reason they'd think it.

His plans would be barely hindered even if he hadn't come here, the Grail War was just him making a bang.

"You'll require allies after winning this war, no? I doubt you'll do what the Einzbern want you to." Roman slightly shrugged, sitting back down on the bench. Tamamo no Mae's ears twitched, she knew she was right.... Her Master didn't seem the type to want the wish.... Was he just here for fun or something?.... She doubted that too... Not the smartest sure, but her Master was shrewd.

The Magus Killer contemplated the words of the Trambelio.... He hadn't really thoug-

"Oya?" Roman smiled in an annoying manner, placing a hand near his mouth, "Don't tell me the cold and calculating Magus Killer didn't think of what he'd do after the war? Couldn't be right?" The one eyed magus snickered at Kiritsugu's inability to respond.

Irisviel understood that it wasn't her place to speak, she too knew her husband didn't plan on doing what her 'father' had ordered him to and she supported him in this.... Still, she was pleasantly surprised by Roman's strange disposition, "I never would have expected you to grow up so finely." The homunculus smiled brightly.

Saber had her hands behind her back, the blonde servant was quite displeased, getting caught up in the schemes of magus was never a good thing... These people had no honour.

Though, it seemed that they wouldn't get to talk in complete peace.

Warned by her instincts, Saber donned her armour in a flash and swung an invisible sword just in time to avert the course of a sword headed straight for Kiritsugu.

"Oh? It seems that the fools have some fight in them."

Roman turned his head in alarm, "Motherfucker....."

This was completely not in the plan.... The wildcard of the Grail War had arrived.

"You have some courage ignoring me while I stand here, mongrels." The same voice as before, haughty, arrogant, confident and royal in nature.

"Master." Tamamo stood in front of Roman protectively, eying the servant standing one of the lampposts with her hand raised, the Caster was ready to fight to the death... The sense of danger she felt from the servant told her that he was far tougher than any others they'd faced till now. Even stronger than the Berserker who'd made a complete mess of her.

"Stop." Roman looked at Kiritsugu sharply, "If you try to run, he might kill you for turning your back to him."

"This is no place for magus." Kiritsugu replied in a hushed manner, Irisviel stood behind him, alarmed by the loud clang of metal from earlier.

"That, that is what we're facing." Roman gestured to the enemy servant, "You think you stand a chance alone?"

Donning golden armour, wearing golden locks in his ears, spiky hair slicked to the back and piercing red eyes, it was hard to not recognise him.

Well, not that any got a chance to truly utter his name once golden portals opened up behind him, "Boring." They reacted like most, instantly afraid..... but then, his gaze landed on the man standing up with the help of a cane, "You, mongrel. You're the one Tokiomi talks of?"

"I'm the one missing an eye." Roman replied with a smile, making Tamamo freeze up, did he have a death wish or something?!

The Archer Class servant narrowed his gaze for a moment, slightly curious before he reared his head in laughter, "Hahahaha! This is interesting, you're the one he calls a cripple!" He folded his arms with a small grin, "It appears that he's the one mentally crippled!"

"Well I'm glad I managed to entertain 'the' Gilgamesh." Roman's words were sarcastic, even Saber looked back for a moment, confused about what he was doing. Still, Roman knew that now that this guy was here, there was no way to actually hide anything.

"Magu- no, that would be wrong. Why are you here, Magician?" Gilgamesh smiled, clearly entertained by how his outing had turned out... Initially he'd just thought to see the mongrels scurrying about in this joke of a war but he was pleasantly surprised.

Irisiviel's eyes opened wide in complete shock, even the usually stoic Kiritsugu's head shot to Roman, his eyes wider than before..... Had they heard it wrong?

"Do you really need me to tell you?"

"I suppose not..... Still, the rest of you, who permitted you to gaze upon me in such a manner?" Ignoring Roman, he turned to the others there, the rain picked up once more as lightning arched across the grey sky.

"How unreasonable." Tamamo huffed, donning her battle attire and pulling out numerous ofuda, "What will it be?" This question she directed towards Kiritsugu, if they were allies then this situation could turn out well...

"....I accept your proposition." Kiritsugu realised that he didn't quite have any other choice... If the enemy servant was right then..... His gaze lingered on the sighing Roman.

===========

Share thoughts.

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