Chapter 92: Uproar (1)
Chapter 92: Uproar (1)
~Third POV~
[World Wills Domain]
A threat had invaded the world. Left to observe they finally concluded. An anomaly that could result in absolute annihilation had descended from another world, forcing the world's mechanism to respond to threats such as this one.
The Counter Force comprises Gaia, the will of the planet, and Alaya, the will of humankind. Gaia deemed this… invading abomination too much of a threat, and it saw Alaya, whose agents were Heroic Spirits, as the main culprit.
Knowing that the incoming threat was within the planet, Alaya acted using its agents. Agents that the Counter Force summons to deal with such threats to prevent the extinction of mankind by the Beasts.
Beast is an Extra Class that manifests as calamities that threaten human history. The Grand Servants are fail-safes summoned forth to counteract them. Beasts are typically a larger class of Saint Graph beyond the scope of Servant Saint Graphs, but they do share the characteristics of Parameters, Skills, and Noble Phantasms.
The Beasts of the Counter Force are comprised of Evils of Humanity. They are evils born from the karma produced by humanity's progress. There are two categories: beings oppressed/persecuted by humanity, and beings used by humanity for oppression/persecution.
Grand Servants, also referred to as Grand Class, are existences summoned by the Counter Force to prevent the extinction of mankind by the Beasts. Grand Servants are summoned by the World itself through Ritual: Heroic Spirit Summon to save humanity.
Its purpose is to pit seven Grand Servants against one powerful enemy, rather than fight each other like Servants in the Holy Grail War ritual, which was adapted by humans for their purposes. In other words, they must face a threat endangering all of humanity or the world, the Beasts.
Preparing to send the Grand Servants both Alaya and Gaia froze upon hearing a command halting their actions as a conceptional commanded voice echoed into them, "Authority of Vainglory, [Overwrite]."
*Zzzzz*
Alaya and Gaia both froze as the Authority of Vainglory, [Overwrite] the skill to interfere with reality interfere with the planet and will of mankind writing off their worries declaring the anomaly as nothing to be worried returning to their respectful duties ignoring any actions the anomaly would cause.
It's what Authority does the antithesis of Life in general including the will of a simple planet like Gaia and the will of humankind Alaya. Authorities grant oneself the right to interfere with the world.
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[Fuyuki Church]
Within the lone chapel residing on a hill of Fuyuki, another force in the war was at play. A middle-aged man was sipping wine as he struck a conversation with his colleague in a respectful tone, "Kirei, how are the preparations doing?"
The man who spoke was Tokiomi Tohsaka the Master of Archer at his said college was a man in his mid-20s who had an almost lifeless look in his eyes wearing a church uniform answering the question in a stoic tone, "Yes. Everything is in place. Assassin is ready."
Tokiomi smiled lightly taking a sip of his wine pleased by the news as he explained in a neutral tone eyeing his glass cup, "Excellent. The only problem left is Archer. His pride is so untamed I am not certain he'll agree to this little act. Then again, he is the most powerful Servant in this war, so that pride is well earned. Your thoughts, Kirei?"
Kirei replied in a stoic tone remaining standing with his lifeless expression, "As long as he is of use, then I do not have anything to offer."
Tokiomi meanwhile twirled his glass of wine cup answering Kirei's question said, "So you think that as well? Where is Father Risei by the way?"
Kirei replied answering Tokiomi's question in a stoic tone of recent news relating to Caster Master, "Father is currently signaling the summoning of all Servants in the war. News of a teen owning Mount Enzo with Caster at Ryuudou Temple. The Master of Caster according to Father Reisei's words."
Tokiomi nodded his head understanding with a bit of surprise on his face as he began to speak complementing Kirie's Servant Assassin in a neutral tone, "Hassan of The Hundred Faces. I don't believe there is a Servant best suited for the Assassin Class. Perfect for collecting information as well."
Kirei didn't respond, but Tokiomi took a sip of his cup of wine. They soon perked up as a shadowy smoke manifested in the middle of the church revealing a female figure. She has long purple hair and charcoal skin, and her frame while lithe boasted muscles spoke, "Master."
Kirei spoke to one of his Servant Hassan identities and appeared, "Assassin."
Tokiomi smiled seeing Assassin providing information spoke to her with a light smile on her face, "Ah, speak of the devil. Has your search been successful?"
However, what Assassin spoke made Tokiomi's expression falter into a frown, "Yes, but there were… complications."
Tokiomi paused asking confused by Assassins' words, "Beg pardon?"
Assassin kneeled explaining strangely enough equally as confused as they are what one of their members, "We have indeed confirmed the culprit owning Ryuudou Temple to be a Servant and Master at their location on Mount Enzo. One of us was dispatched for surveillance checking Master of Caster Workshop but was stopped by a [Bounded Field] preventing us from further entry."
Tokiomi and Kirei stared not knowing how to make sense of what just occurred. Tokiomi frowned as did Kirei showing emotion for perhaps the first time sending in Assassin to find out more about Caster.
Yet Tokiomi smiled at the news confirming the location of where Caster Workshop is located but reframed for the time being focused on his goal.
/////
[Fuyuki Hyatt Hotel, 32nd Floor]
Inside a luxurious penthouse suite in the hotel was a man dressed finely with Mystic Codes enchanting his suit. He was calmly sipping a cup of fine wine as he stared out of a window and into the city illuminated at night proclaiming arrogantly, "I presume the Servants have been summoned. Thus, the Holy Grail War can truly begin."
The person is the Master of Lancer Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald inspecting the city for a few more moments before his eyes flickered to the man kneeling beside his seat speaking to his Lancer in a respectful tone, "You seem thoughtful, Lancer."
He was an astonishingly handsome man who held two spears, one red and one yellow as his designated weapons. His Lancer Servant Diarmuid Ua Duibhne said thoughtfully, "It's nothing of importance, milord. I was simply pondering on which Servant we must face. Caster most likely. In their home turf or attack when Caster's Master leaves from the Temple."
Kayneth nodded his head agreeing to ponder the idea to attack rubbing his chin at the thought in a carefree tone, "Ah, yes. Sola-Ui is recalling her familiars from the Ryuudou Temple because of the [Bounded Field]. Seems like Caster Workshop is at the temple. The Master of said Servant must not be an experienced tactician to choose a place that would draw the most attention."
Kayneth shook his head as Lancer pondered his opinion out loud getting his Master's attention to his idea, "Perhaps they are openly challenging the other Servants by making themselves known in such an obvious fashion. A declaration of war, I suppose."
Kayneth thought of Lancer's proposal considering the idea of voicing his thoughts out loud gazing at the city, "Hmm… a good point. But it was still an outrageously reckless move. However, we can't cross out the possibility of that being the case."
He sighed. His plan for the war was already radically altered by the theft of his original catalyst for his desired Servant, Lancer's relic was the only other available to him.
However, he smiled thinking to himself that perhaps fate was offering him a chance to attack Caster knowing their location in a confident tone, 'With Lancer [Gae Dearg] Caster would be no match. The Caster Class has the weakest endurance while Lancer Strength, Endurance, and Agility will take a short moment to end Caster.'
*Tmp*
*Thud*
Soon entering through the door Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri the fiancée of Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald who acts as a secondary Magical Energy supply reports her founding in a neutral tone towards her husband, "Hello Sir Kayneth. I have brought some reports about the other Masters that we must be wary of and news of the Master of Caster."
Kayneth smiled seeing his wife assisting him in the Holy War. Despite the setbacks, he can't afford to be careless as he thought in a serious tone, 'This War isn't going to be a simple one that's for sure.'
/////
~Mash B. POV~
[Other Side of Fuyuki City, Park]
Finishing assisting in setting up the [Bounded Field] by Medea we took the chance to view Fuyuki City in the past 2 days. Medea in her casual clothes controlled the Magical Energy in the air to hide her appearance.
I already made an early connection with the Fujimura Group will help my stay in this world since I'm gonna need time to chart my course here. Considering that magic girl-loving old man I might have to do this by hand.
After purifying the Holy Grail of All The World's Evils, it will likely hibernate, whether for the standard 60 years or a much shorter 10 years, I have no idea. But I'm leaning towards the 10 years because it's anime so goes figure right?
That and I am not taking the risk of All the World's Evils somehow following me if that's even possible back to my world. I don't know much of Fate Lore to figure this stuff out nor do I want to test my luck either on what-ifs.
During the past 2 days after I summoned Caster, I spent my time gathering information to get an idea of when all the servants were going to be here for the war. Considering Rin Tohsaka is still going to school that means I have a while before things get started for the murder-death-kill-royale.
Heh. Fate Abridged was so funny for its time.
Still though in this war my priority is to get the Magecraft knowledge of the Tohsaka, Matou, and Einzbern families if I want to purify the Holy Grail. And while this makes me a scumbag this is war after all everything is fair game.
There were plenty of ways to go about this. But I suppose it wouldn't matter much in the end considering what I need to do to win but the matter how I win it. At the very least I'm learning a lot about Magecraft from Medea.
Skill List.
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<Magecraft Mastery> (Passive) Lv.2/100 Exp: 69%
Description: [Magecraft] is the artificial reenactment of Mystery, which is ordinarily possible only by inhuman beings. [Magecraft] is the ability to bring about what is possible through science with supernatural means; although the process is considered a miracle, the result is not.
The limits of [Magecraft] have changed with time, as science evolved and Magic from the past became possible through science. There exists no impossibility for modern [Magecraft] within the rules of the world and limits of human intellect; there are limitations, however, where it only appears that something is possible.
Because [Magecraft] acts as the reenactment of preexisting phenomena, it is impossible to use it to create new Mysteries; even with an infinite amount of research, there exists a "wall" preventing human wisdom from doing so in the current era. The realm past this "wall" is known as Magic.
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I have much to learn about Magecraft but it's a step in the right direction. That and I have Fou on my shoulder observing the outside world being evil and cute that's gotta be a sin I wonder.
*Tmp*
Sitting on a nearby bench I saw my Demon Beast acting as my eyes and ears smirk finally seeing some news about the Holy Grail War. And what timeline of events to expect what a good show.
I wonder if the Masters bought that I was a rookie taking the bait coming to Medea's home turf and if not… we have plenty of time to create some powerful items to even the playing field.
Grinning widely, I rubbed Fou's head as I spoke in a confident tone preparing myself, "Time to show these folks to not underestimate the underdogs. Ain't that right Fou?"
He cutely responded causing my face to flinch at his foul language, "Fou, kyu!"
… Well fuck you too buddy. Fuck you too.
Sighing at this it was time to enact my plan. Connecting the link to Medea I told her the operation to take down Archer was a go. I was quickly informed she prepared the item I needed to clean the Grail as I smirked.
Now… I just must hope I can last long enough against the King of Heroes when the time does come. I want to see how I match against Gilgamesh the strongest Servant in recorded history. I can't wait to cause an uproar of epic proportions.
… but… my eyes look over my Skill List over the [Beyond Sin Mode] frowning. With I could win but… no. I won't humor the idea. I won't use it under any circumstance… I won't fall to 'THEIR' level. I can win without it.