Original Novel: Fate/emblem

<March 28, 1875 03:02:00>

It felt cold... It's not the tip of the gun that touches my temple right now but the stare coming from those eyes. I felt several chills running through my spine as I realize that those eyes are not from a human, but from a heartless monster that can kill anyone. That presence was definitely not coming from a "Heroic Spirit" but from a vengeful one. He's a whole different entity compared to my grandfather, Tohsaka Nagato. His cold stare makes me feel that he’ll pull the trigger any second if I avert my gaze from him.

I'm scared.

My mind's going blank.

My hand is soaked with sweat.

My knees are trembling like it’s going to break off in an instant.

If looking at his eyes can drain my energy to this degree then I may not survive the upcoming war.

After a minute, he suddenly closes his eyes. It was just a minute but it feels that I've been looking at his eye for hours. Opening his eyes, he removes the gun from my forehead. He put his gun in its hilt and then he sighed. After that, he resumes his gaze to me and asks:

"You...are you my master?"

“I…”

In order to win, I need a servant…but…

“……”

I’m full of doubts right now. I’m so confused that I can’t even reply to a simple question that he asked.

“I will ask again... Are you my master?”

“…Y―Yes..I…I’m Tohsaka Yuu…*bows head*…”

“…Servant Archer. I, hereby, answer to your summon.”


********

<February 11, 1874 05:21:34>

A year ago, I was awakened by an excruciating pain in my right hand. I was sleeping peacefully that time that when it started hurting. I even remembered that I’m still hugging my usual teddy bear comfortably that day. I didn’t even recognize that several weird lines began to appear on the back of it. Its appearance was accompanied with a jolting pain...So painful as if as the word painful can’t even define it properly.

That’s how painful it was.

“――――――“

The extreme pain only lasted a few seconds but that short span of time felt like forever. It feels like a joke that I experienced that kind of pain as if I’m experienced hell itself.

“―――“

I looked at the weird lines... It seems like a sign or something like that. I do not know it myself but I hope that the pain was not accompanied by any curse or something dreadful.

"Argh...It―it hur―rts. Damn."

It's still hurting but I can tolerate it to some degree now so I decided to got up of my bed and head to the sitting room downstairs.

I walked idly at the largest spiral stairs of the house in order to go to the room downstairs.

I sit on the sofa wondering about what happened earlier on my room.

"I think that the servants are still asleep because of the funeral yesterday..."

Well, of course they would still be asleep. The funeral of my mother happened yesterday so they worked so hard to clean and organize the mansion after the ceremony.

"Mom..."

While contemplating on what happened on my mother, a familiar figure suddenly appeared to my left side without my knowing.

"Ummm, Yuu-sama...are you feeling well?"

"Ehhh--!?! Ahh... It’s just you, Eva-chan. Y―Yeah...I'm feeling alright. "

"But...why are you g-gripping your hand like that? Are you sure that it is alright?"

"Yeah...I'm fine, really. So don't worry about it. My hand is just a little cold."

"I-Is that so...Thank God that you're not hurt."

I'm not surprised that she is worried since she is a well-mannered girl. She's one of this household's servants, Evangeline. Well, she is a foreigner, but because of some reasons, she is staying at our house and works as a servant to pay for the gratitude my grandfather had given her.

"Well t―then, I'll go to the kitchen and cook for your breakfast. Ummm...Yuu-sama, what would you like to eat?"

"Anything's fine. As long as you cooked and prepared it, I wouldn't mind it even if it was just a simple porridge."

"E―Ehh?"

“Also, haven’t I already told you that you should not call me ‘Yuu-sama’ but ‘Yuu-chan’, right? It feels so awkward if you keep calling me right that even though were in the same age, you know?”

“A―Ahh, that’s t-true but you are the M-Master’s granddaughter so-“

“So you should obey me, right?”

“…………”

In order for her to obey me, maybe I need to threaten her a little with a forced smile.

“Hmmmm?”

“Y―Yes!”

That’s quick!

“As well as you understand.”

“W―Well then, I’ll take my leave, Yuu-sama”

She didn’t it understand at all.

After our conversation, she went to the kitchen immediately to prepare my breakfast.

Well, thanks to her, the pain on my right hand disappeared a while ago when we’re talking, so I'll probably go outside for now to check my condition.

I close my eyes and inhale, and then I focus my magical energy on the blue gem that I’m currently holding now. I’ll now try bending it to my preferred shape.

Cube.

Pyramid.

Sphere.

A book.

A cup.

A lamp.

Then, a pine tree.

A horse.

And I’ll turn it again to its original form.

“………….”

It seems that my condition for now is the same as always.

After I checked on my condition, my grandfather, Tohsaka Nagato, approached me with a smile on his face. I didn’t sense him coming but I know that he’s watching me for a while now.

"Yuu-kun...How's your condition?"

An expected question coming from him.

"I'm fine."

"Really? But your face doesn't seem to agree with your words, eh?"

"Like what I've said, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

I don't know why but my grandfather sure knows how to run his mouth of all days.What a great timing. He didn't even say a word when my mother died. I don't know what stimulated his brain but I'll ignore him for now.

"Hmmmmnnn, it seems that you had been chosen."

"Chosen?"

I can tell that he is looking at my right hand now.

"Yes. By the Holy Grail."

"What? The Holy Grail? What did you mean?"

"What I mean is what I mean. You, Tohsaka Yuu, had been chosen by the Holy Grail to participate on the second Heaven's Feel."

His face seems serious yet delighted. It's been a long time since I saw my grandfather smile like that. A smile that is full of delight yet agony and sorrow. It is a face that I have never been able to gaze upon. A face full of emotions. A face that I didn't saw when he kicked my father out of the house. A face I didn't saw when my mother died several days ago.

"――――"

"Haven't you read one of my books? I recorded the events and what happened on the previous Heaven's Feel. You should know more than anyone else the meaning of my words."

I gritted my teeth.

That's right. I know what he's talking about. A war where my grandfather once participated sixty years ago. A war between seven Magi who wishes to obtain the Holy Grail. Anyone who attains it can have his/her wish granted.

But...

In order to obtain it, the participating Magus must meet these two requirements: To have a Command Spell and to summon a Servant.

In order to summon a servant, one must need to perform the magic of summoning in a form of a Magic Circle. With the Command Spell, the Master and the Summoned Servant will make a contract and the Command Spell is the proof of their contract. The Command Spell can be used as an absolute order by the master to his/her servant. For example, he/she can use the Command Spell in order to not to kill the other servants or to acquire additional Prana by sacrificing humans' life force, in other words, to attack humans.

Also, what I worry is about the Servant thing.

My grandfather said that Servants are Heroic Spirits summoned by the Holy Grail. Once summoned, they can be classified as familiars as long as they are bound to a Master. Servants are legends from the past, present, or future. Because summoning even one heroic spirit is a miraculous occurrence, summoning seven in their pure forms would be beyond the Holy Grail's power. Thus, to facilitate the process, Servants are summoned into one of seven vessels prepared beforehand. These vessels are classified based on their primary roles. Heroic Spirits can be summoned into any "class" that reflects the abilities they had in life.

Saber,

Archer,

Lancer,

Rider,

Caster,

Berserker,

Assassin.

"―――――"

I think that my Grandfather participated on the last war. Though he never says it himself, my mother said that he used to be accompanied by a blonde girl. An entity different from humans, so majestic that her beauty is beyond compare. She also said that that blonde girl always wears a metal mask and a shining silver armor yet that clothing cannot hide her supreme and charismatic existence. And then... *BOOM!*

"―Kyaaa!"

While I was so busy about recollecting the contents of my grandfather's book,

*BOOOOM!!*

I heard several explosions coming from behind.

I instinctively looked back and saw my grandfather standing in front of me.

"What a moron... Attacking us from behind. You really are energetic, eh?"

I was surprised... My grandfather, almost 90 years of age, suddenly appeared behind me when he was almost 3 meters in from of me several seconds ago. He was just standing there, nothing more, nothing less. He didn't even flinch after seeing that explosion. Then he suddenly looked back at me with a smile on his face and then looked in front of him.

I can sense his agitated aura...

"Show yourself! Coward! ... How dare you attack us like that!"

"It looks that you are mistaken, old man."

In the smoke where the explosion happened, a shadow of a man appears.

"I'm not here for your life. I'm just here for your granddaughter's."

"What a brat. Do you know who you're opposing, eh?"

"Of course... You are the head of the Tohsaka Household and a pupil of Zelretch of the Jewels, the one of the few sorcerers. Also, you're pretty famous yourself as a Magus."

"Ha! Correct, yet you still insist on assassinating her?"

"――"

The man was still standing there...

I cannot properly see his appearance but I can feel the weight of his gaze.

I'm scared.

I kept on thinking why he is trying on killing me but that is not the issue right now. What's important now is that he is only here just to kill me.

"Don't get in the way, old man. Like what I’ve said, I'm not here for you."

"Don't joke with me! She is the next heir of the Tohsaka Household!"

"Then, you made me no choice."

"Hmmm, then let us see if you're worth opposing..."

Then my grandfather quickly raises his left hand and begins enchanting a short spell.

"―me!"

And then fires a unusual, corporeal form from his right hand's forefinger.

Gandr.

A spell that looks like a hazy black orb subsequently fired like a bullet towards the enemy...

"Amazing."

I was practicing that spell for many months now but with my current skill, I must enchant it which takes at least 5 seconds to fire it while my grandfather can instantly cast it without reciting any words at all...

But...

In my surprise,

The man evaded it like he knows the nature of the spell and dashed towards my grandfather.

My grandfather anticipated this and immediately clenched his raised left hand and smashed it into his right palm. His hands glow and then he disappeared...

No. That's impossible. He didn't disappear. He's just too fast for my eyes to see.

I can't believe it.

He also dashed toward the man who's holding a weird shaped knife he's previously hiding up until now.

In a blink of an eye, my grandfather strikes his temple and abdomen with both of his fists. The man parried his blow and attempted to attack with a round house kick from his right foot but grandfather already made a contact with his right fist into the man's chest.

Crack.

The sound of the bone cracking.

The man was pushed back and tries to recover from the impact... but my grandfather already appears behind his back and kicked his right leg with his left foot, resulting for him to fall sideways.

In that instant, my grandfather punched his back with his left fist and rotated counter-clockwise to throw a black colored jewel which purpose is to explode at any given contact when thrown.

*BOOM!*

The jewel explodes when it touches several centimeters above his chest, probably his clavicle.

A direct hit. Black smoke envelops his staggering body as he tries to stand up but ended up falling to the ground again.

What a horrible view.

No one can definitely survive that kind of attack.

"...*gasp*..I―Is he a―already d―d-ead?"

"Ha! No. He's just unconscious. He barely made it, though."

"W―what do you mean?"

"Before he falls down, he immediately jumped forward to reduce the impact of my punch. He also enchants himself with Prana before the explosion occurs so that he can also reduce the impact. He is an experienced fighter. Strengthening his body before my punches hit him. Well, even if I'm old, he's still no match for me."

“I’m amazed.”

I really am amazed at the person who’s standing in front of me right now.

For years, I’ve been practicing magic for the whole time.

And yet, this is the first time I actually saw a true…no, a real fight.

Fight. Fight. Fight. Fight. Fight?

FIGhT. FighT. fIGht. FigHT. FIIIGHT. FigHt. FIGHT!!!?

The word ‘fight’ is still resonating inside my head.

…Am I going to fight like this in the near future?

I cover my ears with my hands yet it still doesn’t stop. Worse is that that the sound was now louder than before.

“……………..”

I…am I really capable of doing such things?

“― …Yuu-kun.”

Ah.

“Y―Yes?”

“Can you stand?”

“Yes, I ca―”

I try to move my legs but I cannot. I did not realize when but I’m now sitting of the ground. It seems that I fell down on my butt as I watch them fighting.

“…hhhnnn.”

I…I’m numb. I’m numb that I can’t even feel the trembling of my knees.

And also, scared.

Not from the fact that there was an assassin that tried to kill me just a minute earlier but from the idea of ‘I’, will fight and may kill or be killed someday in this similar situation.

“Don’t worry, it’s okay now.”

―No, it’s not.

―No, I’m not okay.

―No, I will be never be okay with this.

“Yuu-kun, do not hold back.”

“Eh?”

“Cry as much as you want.”

Wha―

What are you saying?

Hahaha.

Impossible. I won’t cry from just this.

I―

I―

I―

I won’t cry, right?

Hahaha.

As I fake my laugh, droplets of tears run down to my cheecks.

“Hahaha. Impossible. I’m not crying, right?”

“…………..”

My grandfather watches me with a displeased look on his face as I silently burst into tears.



**************


I am a human and not a human at the same time.

No. To be precise, I used to be a human but I've ceased to exist as a human.

Just because of that wish that I cannot become a human anymore.

A wish.

But if I can fulfill that wish... then...

being called as a 「＿」 doesn't matter to me.

Because...

I'm...

not a hero.

I'm not really a hero.

If anyone knew me right now, they'll despise me.

Since I fought the world once and failed.

Since I killed millions of people. Men. Women. Children. Old. Sick. Rich. Poor. Anyone. Everyone.

Since I destroyed other's nation.

Since it's just a rotating trophy for the victor's anyway... I destroyed it... I destroyed what the others called "nation"...

...And tried to make a new world with my own two hands.

I've taken away other people's entertainment.

I've taken away other people's happiness.

I've taken away other people's peace.

I've taken away other people's lives.

Just in order to fulfill that dream.

I just did what I think is right.

And followed the principles of what I believed in.

And yet, I was seen as the main antagonist of the world.

But it didn't matter to me now.

Even if I'm hated.

Even if I'm despised.

Even if I'm cursed.

The most important thing right now is...





...to make the whole world realize...



...that I was right.

<Prologue/Fin>

001



<March 26, 1875 05:53:02>



"......Yaaawwwn~~..."

I put down the barrel that I'm carrying.

"Hey! Don't slack off, will ya!?"

"Yeeeesss~..."

I'm Moritaka Naoto. 18 years old. Living in a town called Fuyuki and working as a laborer in our bar.

"Get a hold of yourself. You’re not a child anymore. You should seriously work now if you want to eat."

And that is my elder brother, Ichirou. He's kind of a nag but the truth is, he is a really hard working man. He even supported us when our parents got killed 10 years ago.

"Where are you staring at!? Keep moving! "

"Ahhhh!"

I immediately lift the barrel that I'm currently holding and started walking. We are now resupplying our bar with some imported wine from who-knows country. Since I'm not really good at listening and speaking with others, I decided to take a stroll while my big brother was negotiating with some weird-bearded men in order for us to sell a different kind of wine. Nihonshu is quite popular but my brother wants to attract more customers so he decides to sell different kinds of o-sake.

"Hey! Stop daydreaming!"

"I'm not daydreaming. I'm just thinking of something."

"Thinking of what?"

"....."

"It's okay even if you think on something... just don't stop walking or else I'll leave you."

"........sigh..."

After several minutes, we finally arrive at the bar. I immediately put the barrel in the storehouse and start cleaning the bar. I bring down the chairs, wipe the tables and sweep the floor inside. Before I finish sweeping the floor, a tall man with a weird scar on his face enters our premises.

"......."

Ehhh?

He's just..... standing there?

I silently approach him and I smile while saying: "Ummm, excuse me but the bar is yet to open. Could you please wait for a moment?"

".........."

Why is he not responding?

Now that I think about it, he's a little creepy... His western clothes give me an eerie feeling.

Gulp.

I muster up my courage and try to speak to him again.

"U-ummmm, e-excu-cu-cuse me bu-but the b-b-bar is yet t-to o-open."

I'm stuttering! I'm stuttering but I need to finish what I need to say.

"C-Coul-d you-"

"Not here."

"Eh?"

Not here?

Is he looking for someone?

Or something?

Then the man immediately turns around and walks away without looking back. Then suddenly-

"Weird."

"HIIIYYYYAAAAAH!!"

He suddenly appears behind me.

"Hehe, did I scare you?"

"Kii-chan! What the hell are you-"

"So, I scare you, right?"

".......Yes, you did. But don't you ever repeat that again. I may die because of a heart attack."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

This brat is my little brother, Kichirou. He's kind of a witty and loves to play pranks.

"OOOOYYY~~ Stop playing with Kichirou and finish your work."

"........"

Damn that first idiot. I am working, you know?

"Ne, who's that guy?"

"I don't know either. Maybe a drifter or an assassin. Maybe he stopped here to check and pick up naughty kids like you! Hahaha!"

"Ehhhhh~~ But he's gone now, right? Does that mean that I'm not naughty, right? Right? Right?"

"..Errr...Well, that is..."

"If he's looking for a naughty kid and he did not pick me up, then it means that I'm not naughty."

"......."

Sharp! This brat's mind is sharp! Maybe he's even smarter than me now!

"OY! Stop your comedic acts there and continue working! For goddamn sake!"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Ichi-onichan, Is breakfast is done already!?"

"Yes, let's go now and eat, Kichirou."

Kichirou swiftly run towards aniki.

"Ahhh, I'm also goi-"

"No. Finish your work first."

"Ehhhh?"

"Like what I've said. No work, no food. Got it?"

"....tsk.......jerk...."

"What did you say?"

"...Aaahh...YES!..."

"Good. Also, make it quick will ya? Food tastes better when you're not alone, right?"

"Don't copy Kii-chan's way of talking!"

"Yeah, yeah."

"And don't copy me!"

"Hahaha."

And so, my two brothers go to a clean table (the table I've just wiped) and started eating. I'm definitely hungry right now but I need to finish this first if I want to eat. Everyday seems like a normal day to us and I'm starting to feel that I'm in bliss. Experiencing the bliss called "everyday", I'm quite sure that this will go on forever..........



....until I've experienced that fateful day. A day that erased the existence of what I've called "everyday."





<March 28, 1875 17:24:37>



I’m currently walking at the market since I run away from the bar. It’s not like that I loathed my work but I occasionally take a break from time to time just for me to relax and enjoy a little. The bar will be packed at six so I’m relieving myself from fatigue and readying myself for it……but I can’t. I do not know why but I just can’t enjoy nor relax. I’ve been walking here for several minutes but I can’t get off this feeling of anxiety that’s overwhelming me. I walk faster. There’s an unknown feeling inside that’s telling me that I should run away from here. I started to run. I just run aimlessly as I pass by every passenger that I encountered. And then, I stop running and started panting heavily. I feel sick. I wanted to puke. I wonder what’s happening to me. It feels so weird.

*Gaaaasp* *gaaasp* *gaasp* *gasp*

“…sigh….Maybe, I’ll go back for now.”

I think I calmed down a bit…probably. I started walking back to our bar. I feel light and my body isn’t sweating now. Ever since I went too far from the red light that surrounding the market, I don’t feel sick anymo-

-Eh?

Why did I just realize it now? Red... Light. I don’t really hate that color. It’s just...red makes me feel uneasy.

And now that I mention it, this the first time that I encountered such a wide and vivid light. Occasionally, “lights” like this just surrounds an entire house and its color is opaque white, not red. In other words, these “lights” are called barrier or something… since it’s been 3 years, I can’t really remember anything that the doctor had said. I may be an idiot when it comes to this things but thanks to these eyes, I can eventually understand magic and many complicated stuffs that even Serene can’t explain.

I immediately stare at the barrier.

"I need to analyze this."

I close my eyes and open it slowly...

"The barrier’s color is deep as blood. The miasma that’s surrounding it is black. It can be an anti-human barrier or an energy seeping mechanism that sucks off human vitality. Its range is almost 250 meters radius. There are approximately 127 magic circles that are supporting the barrier. No, 119, since 8 of it are still incomplete. Magic type: Curse Boundary Layer. Weakness: Reinforced Runes, Anti-Magic artifacts and high-leveled Thaumaturgy. Ways of Dispelling: Death of the Caster, Manual Cancellation and Destruction of the Mother Seal."

"...Heeeh... His eyes are just too amazing, right, Nao-kun?"

I immediately look back and saw a familiar face.

"Oh. It's just you, Serene....Sigh."

Making a angry face, she walk towards me slowly.

"Hey, what's with that 'Sigh'? Are you saying that you're not happy to see me at all?"

"Not at all. What you always bring me are troubles."

"That's not tr-"

"Vampire Hunting. Are you saying that that is not troublesome?"

"No! It isn't troublesome for me. We, the Barthomeloi Family, are specialized of Vampire Exorcism. It is our duty to exorcise evil vampires anywhere, anytime, at anyplace since I am a secret agent from the Clock Tower of the Magus Association."

She said it while smiling and crossing her arms.

"It is troublesome to me. And you're not really an agent, right? You're just a run-away girl who hates being tied by her own family."

This girl really is so short-tempered. That's Barthemeloi Serene for you. Apparently, she's 17 years old but I heard that her skills as a magus is incomparable. She has a brown-colored eyes and a light-brown silky hair. Her body is slender, her skin is white and her face is beautiful too, as if she was a fairy. But...

"Aahhh! Enough of this! Shut up! Shut up! Beeehhh!"

....Her personality is rotten. But her sticking tongue right now is pretty cute. I can't really take off my eyes from it. What a sight.

"Anyway, Nao-kun. Did you see that barrier? If you do, then I'll inform you that that is a work of a vampire. A Dead Apostle, by the way. It seems that he is using the barrier to weaken his prey and then hunt them one by one silently without anyone knowing. I barely felt it just a while ago. It is really hard for me to detect it this time because that is a new barrier-type spell that vampires use and I don't have an eye similar to you. I'm not really confident this time so can you company me to investigate it?"

"Ah, umm, yeah."

I responded without thinking since I was mesmerized by her appearance.

"Hey, Is there something wrong?"

I immediately look away.

"Ah, no. Not really."

"But it seems that you're spacing out. Are you not feeling well?"

She bring her face close to mine. When she do that, I can always take a full look on her face. I cannot do a thing and be embarrassed at the same time so I purposely look away, trying to hide my face to her.

"Nao-kun, your face is flushed. Maybe you have a fever. You should go home for now and rest. I'll just go to your home later to pick you up."

"Eh?"

"You agree, right?"

"Agree on what?"

"On accompanying me."

"Accompany? I don't really remember agreeing with you. And you just concluded that I'm sick, right? So don't make a sick person accompany you on Vampire Exorcism."

"Eeeeeeehhhh.... Not. Fair. You just agreed on what I requested and then you'll just take it back? ...the....wo..rst...."

"Wha-?"

"I said that you're the worst! I don't care anymore. I don't care. I'll go to your house at 11 tonight! Make sure that you're ready!"

And then she just jumped on the branch of the tree that is almost 3 meters high, making an escape.

"11, huh. Magic sure is a convenient thing. I wish I can cast a spell or two someday."

And then I leisurely walk back to our bar, avoiding the barrier.



**********************



<March 28, 1875 22:56:21>

I decided to stop working since Serene will be here any minute now. My older brother realizes my intention and swiftly follows me outside the door.

"OY! Where are you going?! There are still customers left!!"

"Ah, sorry, I'll be back later so don't worry."

"That's not what I mean!"

I run and immediately circled our bar. Hopefully, I wish that aniki will give me some slack sometimes. I'm really getting tired, you know? Running for errands and carrying those large boxes and stuff. I'm completely unfortunate. Well, not completely if it was just that, but if you include that troublesome woman, just thinking about it makes me depressed.

"....sigh... what a troublesome woman...really."

"Troublesome, huh?"

I'm getting depressed even more as I realized that she was already here. I know that she will be earlier than the expected time what I didn't expect is that she heard what I just said. Anyway, I'll just greet her as usual.

"Ah, so you're here."

"What do you mean that 'you're here'? Do you know how long I've been waiting!? It's been forever, you know!?"

"But you said that you'll be here at 11!"

"Hmmmmppff."

She pouted.

"Ahhhh!! Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I'll make up for it. So... How long did you wait?"

"Ummmm, about... 5 hours or something like that. Hehehe"

"5 hours!? Are you an Idiot!? Isn't that was the time when we’re talking outside of the city? You've waited that much!?"

"Ahhhh... Yes, I was."

"Geeezzz. Sigh... Okay, I'll accompany you. But make sure that this will be quick, okay?"

"Okay."

"Alright. So... Where should we start investigating?"

"I think that we should start first at finding the seal of the barrier that is why I really need your help. You're eyes are not of a human. I need that to complete my plan. Also, if we weaken the barrier, the Dead Apostle will probably make his move and will try to gather as many servants as he can to ensure his safety and raise his power."

"Isn't that idea disadvantageous for us? If we weaken the barrier, then he will realize that there is someone who is trying to hunt him. Will it make him more cautious than that, right?" I asked.

"You are correct. But how about the people whose living inside that barrier? They will become weak if the barrier was left untouched. I can't really stand the thought of it."

She's...amazing.

"If he is provoked then he will try to stop us for weakening his barrier further. If we consider that possibility, we can just make a decoy and trap him. Even if he doesn't appear, I'm sure that one of his servants will take the bait. I can just use tracing magic to find his real body with the use of his servant because a vampire servant is connected to their master by blood."

"I see."

"If the plan fails, I'll just think of something right away so just follow me for now."

"Okay."

Then we look and nod at each other.

"By the way..."

I'm really curious about it but for a while now but what's with that hand? I mean, what are these weird lines engraved on the back of her left hand?

Realizing where I'm looking, she immediately hides her hands behind her back.

"I...It-It's nothing!"

"Well. If you say so. Suspicious."

"........."

She's silent. This is the first time that I've seen her not being angry at all if I question her like that. If she's in her usual mood, she'll probably say "Don't look, idiot! It doesn't concern you so piss off!" This might be a little awkward since she's this silent. If she's always this quiet, I may fall for her for a hundred times now. I'll take the initiative for now and will break this deafening silence for now.

"Let's go, Serene."

"......Uu....Y-yes..."


****************

We've been walking for at least an hour now but we still haven't found any magic circle or runes of the barrier. I just walk behind her, I don't really have a reason but it seems that I'm comfortable in here that walking side by side with her or in front of her.

"....Uuuu...Uurk!... This atmosphere.... is making me sick." I complained.

"Yes, since Vampires are stronger at night, the barriers that they create seem too much stronger at night as well."

Several minutes had passed but we still haven't found any of them. Maybe we're just too unlucky tonight.

"Tsk....He's good."

"......."

I can simply watch her from the back as she's getting more and more irritated. I can stand the uncomfortable air that's seeping inside my nose but I can't stand is the fact that I'm wasting my time walking here while my brothers are comfortably sleeping in their own tatami beds. Unfair! That's totally unfair. And I think that I am unfair to the other guys as well....Walking with a girl at midnight. I think many boys at my age will find this really envious. A cute girl in her adolescent. Ahhhh. Her hair is so silky. Now I know why I am so contented in here because I can smell her hair like this. Ahhhhhh, so sweet and so good. I can smell it forever if I will be given the chance to to it.

"Hey, what are you doing with my hair?"

Ack. I messed up. Without me knowing, I instinctively touched her hair and smelled it. Even now, I'm still holding unto it.

"........."

She doesn't look back at me. She was just standing there. Without looking back, she is standing still. It looks like she's trembling. Maybe she's angry? Is she angry? No. She is angry. I'm sure that she is angry so I need to apologize now in order for her to forgive me. I don't know what punishment she will give me for holding and smelling her hair but I must prepare for the worst-case scenario. Girl's hair are said to be one of their most valuable asset.

"I....I'm so sorry for what I've done!" I said while bowing my head earnestly.

"Eh?"

"I'm really sorry for touching your precious hair. I didn't mean it. My hand just suddenly touches it. Please don't kill me, Serene-sama!"

"......."

She's silent. I can see that she's not looking back to me but I still need to bow my head.

"R-Raise your h-head, Naoto."

"No. I refuse. As a man, I must bow my head and sincerely apologize to you."

Eh? Did she call me by my name without honorifics?

"Then, I also refuse on forgiving you."

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

"Eh? Why? Is bowing my head like this isn't enough? Okay, then I'll be on my knees right away!"

"Don't bother."

"......."

'Why?' With this question on mind, I put down my left knee on the ground and my right knee will follow but before I finish what I'm doing, she instantly says this:

"Please rise up and look at me right now!"

I stopped and look at her. She's still not looking here but she's trembling even more than the last time.

"I....won't forgive you....be-because...th..there's n-nothing to....forgive to." She said in a soft and trembling manner.

Ehh?

"And....I...I really don't mind... you touching my...hair..."

Ehhh?

"A-A--Anyway, le-let's call it a day. I'll me--meet you again..at the back of your house at 11 tomorrow so....wait...for...me."

And then she jump to the roof and started running. Strengthening Magic. A very useful spell. I wish I can use that spell too. Sigh. She just left me alone again. Alone, dumbfounded by her words. Hey, can anyone give me a proof that I'm not dreaming? Because this is so good to be true. I mean, a beautiful bishoujo just said that she doesn't mind her hair being touched by me can exist, right? Oh well. I'll go home for now because my mind can't take it anymore because of so many happenings that happened in just a single day. While I'm currently mentally exhausted, a person I never imagine to appear appeared to me and greeted me with a smile.

"Good Morning, Moritaka-kun."

That encounter surprises me the most because the granddaughter of the most influential person in town is in front of me right now.

"T--Tohsaka-san?"

"Oh, I'm surprised that you know who I am. I'm glad that you still remember me."

Huh? I don't really remember meeting her but why did she know me?

"I'll get straight to the point, Moritaka-kun. Please join forces with me. I need you in the upcoming war."



***************
End of Chapter 001

002




<March 29, 1875 13:01:04>


“Oy! Naoto, are you okay?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

My elder brother asked. He probably noticed that I didn’t get any sleep at all. Damn that oujo! If I just hadn’t met her after Serene left me….

“Hmmn… Your eyes tell me otherwise.”

Says my elder brother with a suspicious look on his face. Well, I can’t deny him for suspecting but please trust your little brother a little more. I not a criminal, you know? At least for now. And who would want to oppose you? I don’t want to be slashed by my own brother!

“By the way, where did you go last night? I just barely keep up with the customers because of your absence. Good thing that Aikawa-san came last night for checking up and helping us.”

“Aikawa-san? Oh? Your girlfriend?”

“Th- That’s none of your concern! Either way, just thank her the next time you meet her, okay!?”

I nod. Sigh. I can’t believe this brother of mine. He still calls her with her last name even though they’re going out for years. I don’t know if he is afraid or embarrassed. Probably the latter, but I think that her girlfriend is somewhat sad because he still act as if she was just a friend. Oh well, it’s not like I care since it’s their own problem. An ex-shinsengumi like him should be more courageous when it comes to romance since fighting with swords is already over.

Ahhhh… I can’t see properly. Damn. I’m pretty exhausted but I should get back to work or else Nii-san will be mad again. With that in mind, I resume to position the chairs in their usual place and wipe the tables one by one.

Working at our bar is not really enjoyable. If you’ll ask me, I’ll even say that it’s peaceful but boring. All I need to do is to clean the glasses, wash the dishes, wipe the floor, and carrying of the goods and stuff. It’s just a simple bar where drifters, rounins, samurais, loan sharks, warlords and all types of people that you’ll see everywhere. It’s not really worth describing since it looks plain compared to the other bars in this city but my brothers’ look and attitude compensates for it so we’re quite popular in the neighborhood.

My Nii-san, Ichirou (一郎) is popular because of his looks, especially for the girls. He’s quite handsome if you try to compare him from his peers. He has a bright smile that shines brightly like the morning sun and has a freezing gaze that can capture the hearts of maidens in this city. His girlfriend is Aikawa Usami (愛河宇佐美), the daughter of a sushi shop owner in the street adjacent to ours. She’s also beautiful and her attitude is great, her skin is white as pearl, her eyes are big and wide and her long silky hair in pony tail is a sight to behold. A Yamato Nadeshiko indeed. We have known her since forever and she can be called as Nii-san’s childhood friend.

Second is our youngest brother, Katsuo (勝雄). 11 years old. Witty and loves to play pranks on others but he is sociable and reliable when it comes to business and other complicated stuff. Many people say that he is a child prodigy but I think that he’s just a brat who’s too mature for his own age. He’s friendly so he can make the customer busy and entertain them with his tricks or two.

I certainly think that they can operate the bar without me but they just keep on insisting that I’m needed there. Well, I don’t really have talents or special skills….no, I have. But that’s not really helpful in business. My eyes can’t help my family when we need money so what’s the difference? These eyes can only understand difficult and mysterious types of magic and alchemy but it can never feed my family. Also, magic always harm people like us and many will never understand what is magic so it will only cause a commotion. Therefore, I cannot let them know that I have an ability like this. I had to make this a secret. For their sake. Just for us to live peacefully. I’ll never tell them about this ridiculous stuff.

“Nao-nii, are you sure you’re okay? Your face is pale.”

Says my little brother with a concerned face.

“I’m fine. Really. R-Really, I’m f- fine. Don’t worry.”

Hey, Nii-san, learn from Kii-chan, will you? Treat your little brother carefully since this one is so fragile. Ahhh— My sight’s getting blurry— Ehh? When did I face the the ceiling? Weird…?

And then the next thing I knew I was on my bed.

It looks like that I lost consciousness while at work. I instinctively look outside of the window and the bright lights of the bulb what was installed on the street illuminated my sight.

Hmmmm ~ This town sure is improving faster than I expected. Light bulbs sure are handy when it’s so dark outside. That can help the guards to patrol more effectively at this time at ni—

And then, I suddenly remember a really important thing… My whole body froze. It almost took me a minute just to recover to my senses… and then I immediately got up of the bed and I start to dress up my hakama and run downstairs.

“I hope that I can still make it.”

I run as fast as I can and I finally reach my destination point… [The dining room]…That’s where the wall clock was placed. I carefully look at the time and then an unknown feeling overwhelmed my body.

“It’s 11:30 PM. Tsk. I’m late.”

The truth is, I can just go to our meeting place casually because the ‘meeting place’ is just several meters away but since our last encounter last night was too….err—embarrassing so I’m having my doubts here and also… I’m late.

Wait. I can’t be indecisive now! I promised that I’ll accompany her so I need to meet her there.

I go outside of the house from the back door. Our meeting place is our backyard so I don’t really need the effort to travel that far.

I finally arrive on the said meeting place but I can’t see her anywhere. Sigh. There’s no going back now that I’m already here so I’ll wait for her. While I’m thinking on what will I say to her, an unexpected sweet voice suddenly surrounds the whole place.

“Hey kiddo, you sure are late.”

“Huh? W- Wait. Who’re you?”

A strange looking white-haired girl suddenly appears in front of me. Her eyes are gray. She wears a light metal armor on her chest, exposing her petite shoulders and is cloaked with a semi-transparent silver colored robe. I can tell that she’s foreigner but I think this is the first time that I’ve seen a dress like that.

“It doesn’t concern you, pig. “

Eh? Pig? Did I hear it wrong? And why is she glaring at me?

“Ummm…”

“Heh. An animal like you is not allowed to know my name, nor speak of it. I’m just here to deliver a message that Mas-…no, Serene-chan will not come to see you tonight for various reasons, scum .”

Hiiiii! This girl’s mouth is foul!

“Now that I’ve finished my task, I’ll take my leave now. Please take care.”

“Ah… Okay.”

She immediately disappears before I know it. That girl is absolutely beautiful, but she’s quite intimidating. I don’t know why she suddenly called me a pig and a scum but thinking about it right now won’t give me the answer. It’s just that…who is that girl? What is she to Serene? Is she a friend of hers?

Thinking about it won’t give me a proper conclusion so I dropped all of my worries about that white-haired girl and started walking back to the house. Serene was really eager to hunt that vampire yesterday but now it seems that she’s disinterested with it. Really, that girl.

Still, I need some rest so I’ll get some sleep somehow. Thanks to these eyes of mine, my body tends to give in to fatigue so it’s impossible for me to work for a long period of time than any average man.

I hastily changed my clothes and went to sleep.

**************

“Lancer, did you deliver the message?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

I was wondering where I can get most of the details of this Holy Grail War. The book that my mother gave me says that there is a person involved in the Holy Grail War who stands in between those seven masters to regulate them and makes sure that they will perform the War in secret. The Regulator of this War. It is said that he can explain all of the details concerning the Holy Grail War.

I’m at the river bank right now. I’m currently contemplating on how to tell Naoto-kun since I was chosen by the Holy Grail to become a master and I’m planning on not getting him involved further with me.

I came to this town 3 years ago in search for this particular True Ancestors, Buch der Weisheit, after I escaped from the cages of my home. He is known for his knowledge when it comes to Magic; Alchemy, Evocation, Summoning, Divination and Healing. His talent for making strategies against his enemy is second to none. The Genius Vampire. Powerful Mages don’t even try to confront him, yet I, a failure of the House Barthomeloi, insist on finding him.

“I just….wanted to meet him yet I…”

Before I even finish my thoughts, my servant suddenly announce a warning.

“Master, an enemy. Do I need to wake her or not?”

“No…. Just you will suffice, Lancer.”

“I understand. Then I, Heroic Spirit [ ____________ ], will fight for you ‘till the day our wish is granted.”

“Thank you.”

Then she moves her position in front of me and raises her left hand. At that exact moment, a blue spear materializes on her both hands, wielding it directly in front of her, the blade pointing upwards.

“They’re close! Master, please get ready!”

“Oka-”

“Hmph. What do we have here?”

A deep voice of a man creeps to our auditory senses. The silhouette of the man is slowly getting nearer as he approaches us uninterestedly.

We were expecting a surprise attack but this man betrayed our expectations.

Silence filled up the place. Then after a few seconds, a high-pitched voice immediately breaks it.

“Archer, what are you doing?”

The master of Archer, it seems. So she a girl, like me… She’s wearing almost the same western clothes as me, meaning that she’s from a well-renowned family around here. Her face is very feminine and she has a mole at the center of her chin. Her hair is short, since it only touches her shoulders. Her breast is….Er- it’s somewhat rude to describe it. Her height is several centimeters below mine, meaning that her stature is below average.

“I told you that our plan is to attack them from all sides, right?”

“….”

“Hey! Listen to me! Do I need to use one of my Command Spells in order for you to obey me!?”

“………..”

“Sigh. Now that it comes to this….”

Then the short haired girl directed her gaze to me.

“You... You’re a master, right? My name is Tohsaka Yuu, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

….Is she serious?

“Now that the surprise attack has failed, I do not wish to fight anymore. Let’s have a truce. Moreover, a little chat won’t hurt, right? Is that okay with you?”

“……”

I’m astonished. This girl suddenly declared that she planned on attacking us even though she’s not sure whether we’re an enemy or not and then she’s proposing for a truce?

“Master, I do not sense hostility on her but the servant next to her…. is…”

“Yes, I can feel it too, Lancer.”

“Don’t worry. My Archer won’t attack you if I don’t order him. Well, I can’t really say that you can relax for now.”

“Tsk. What a troublesome Master. Remember, Yuu. If you aren’t capable of being an excellent Master, I’ll kill you myself.”

After his complaint, he dematerializes himself.

“Okay, now! Shall we have a little chat?”

“….Lancer.”

“Yes?”

“Can you?”

“Of course. If you may.”

And she also disappears without a trace.

“Tohsaka-san, mind if I say you question first?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind but could you please tell me your name first?”

Ah. She’s right I have yet to introduce myself to her.

“My name is Serene Lia Barthomeloi. I am a Magi from the Association.”

“Hmmm… Association, huh? So did they send you here just to participate in the Holy Grail War?”

“That’s….none of your concern anymore. My reason for going in this country isn’t necessary for you to know.”

“Is that so? Okay. I won’t talk about those things anymore. So, what did you want to ask?”

“….I would like you to explain it all to me the details of this Holy Grail War.”

After I asked her that, her face becomes serious. The face of the cheerful girl is now replaced by a face full of hatred.


**********
<End of Chapter 002 part 1>