>>2182710

"He.. .Rescued me ten years ago. In what I found out was the aftermath of the last Holy Grail War." I continue. Whatever pain she must have felt when her father disappeared must surely eclipse these old wounds, so I press on. "All the dead... The fires... The spikes... And he was looking for anyone, in that hell."

"...Mister..." The girl seems to be confused by what I've said, tilting her head slightly for a moment. "...Alright. I believe it. But why didn't he come back?"

"...As far as I know, he couldn't." I manage to say. "He had a family photo that he always kept by his bed. Of you, and him, and a woman that looked like you. And he took trips overseas, always coming back depressed, or sick."

"...Oh."

After Illyasviel's reply, the only sound on the street is the clash of steel as our Servants fight, until the two stop. Both are obviously feeling the wear of battle, but still ready to continue.

"Oh, good, you stopped talking. I can kill him now, then?" The red Servant says, not waiting for a response before he lunges for me with that strange, deadly sword.

Lancer's response is immediate, darting between us and-

>Let her block it. She is the Servant here, after all
>You have to keep that sword from cutting her. Shove her out of the way.
>Write in

>>2182727
>You have to keep that sword from cutting her. Shove her out of the way.

>>2182727
>You have to keep that sword from cutting her. Shove her out of the way.

Wouldn’t be fate without us being reckless and somehow getting rewarded for it. I just hope we have a tiger dojo.

>>2182727

>Let her block it. She is the Servant here, after all

IT IS THE FATE OF SLAVES TO DIE FOR THEIR MASTERS.

>>2182727
>You have to keep that sword from cutting her. Shove her out of the way.

>Shirou not doing something stupid and life threatening
Nice try Caster, next you'll have Shirou telling Lancer that it's fine for women to fight.

>>2182727
>>You have to keep that sword from cutting her. Shove her out of the way.


You do realize that no matter how crazy this version of Fate is, we will always be Hero McGingerswordman. Not to mention metaknowledge of Avalon and proximity to Artoria Pendragon

>>2182754
>Caster is expecting us to expect Avalon
>Pulls some bullshitery about Shirou having a fragment of Rhongomyniad inside him instead as a curveball

>>2182727
>You have to keep that sword from cutting her. Shove her out of the way.
Taiga dojo incoming

>>2182763
From what I've seen so far yeah, bullshittery of that caliber is a high possibility. What did that lance even do again? I know it tore apart Sir Daddyissues though I like her hair more, but did it have anything really special about it?

>>2182767
It's a physical manifestation of the force that separates the Age of God and Man, so if anything happens to it reality is literally torn a new asshole and every creature from the Age of Gods will come and fuck shit up.

>Since the decision is to Shirou...

>Writing

>>2182779
Holy fuck, and I though Excalibur had a crazy description. Now I almost don't want her to use that things true power, it might kill everything on this side of the freaking planet if it get's out of hand

>You have to keep that sword from cutting her. Shove her out of the way.

It doesn't even take me a moment to decide.

"Asca-" The red Servant starts to yell, and I see Illyasviel start to open her mouth to shout.

I reinforce my body to the limit, jumping forwards to meet the blade, and pushing a surprised Lancer to the side.

"-lon!"

The Noble Phantasm is released, just as it slashes into my flesh, and everything is pain as I fall.

"Master!" Lancer's voice echoes through the clouds that are forming in my mind, worry clear in it.

And then everything goes dark.

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>>2182850

"SUDDEN DEATH!" Taiga's voice echoes through my ears, and I open my eyes. "TRAGEDY!"

The room is very much like my dojo at home, but something feels... Off about it. Like it's a very strange dream.

Standing before me, in full kendo attire, I see my teacher and caretaker, Taiga Fujimura, resting her hands on the bokken in front of her.

"So you finally made it here, then! All of your rash heroism has led you to this point!" She says, pointing at me dramatically. "...Not!"

Wha-

"Everyone makes mistakes sometime, Shirou!" She continues, shrugging. "You did the right thing there, saving the girl, BUT!

"You should have remembered about affinity! Not even █▄█▄▄██▄▄or ███▄▄▄▄█ can keep saving your bacon if you keep doing that!"

The words she says are impossible to understand. What even-

"But don't worry! You'll be back on your feet in no time, just like-"

The dreamlike dojo seems to creak throughout, and the apparition of Taiga stops speaking. Her appearance flickers for a few moments, and a cocky, teasing smirk unlike any she has ever had comes across her face.

"Well, you'll find that out on your own! Next time, go out with a blaze of glory!" Her normal appearance resumes, and with that everything goes black.

****

The Second Day- Monday, 4/18

I groan as I sit up in my futon.

Lancer is there, watching me with some inscruitable expression on her face.

"Master. I see you survived..." She says, tone cold. "The Einzbern girl said she was preforming what healing she could on you, after she sent her Servant away. I am glad to see that it worked."

I feel my chest, where that sword cut into me. A scar, now. The first one I've gotten since I started using reinforcement casually.

>Get up and make breakfast
>Ask what happened after you were knocked out
>Apologize to Lancer

>>2182850
Oh shit we did the right thing. I also doubt Saint George would go on about Shirou being a thief, or act like like a big brother to Ilya, we have someone who can make, copy, or recreate other Noble Phantasms. And that narrows the playing field by quite a bit. Not to mention I doubt a certain shiny asshole would act like this, no matter his class

>>2182855
>>Apologize to Lancer
Seems fair to me

>>2182855
>Apologize to Lancer

>>2182855
>Apologize to Lancer
inb4 women belong in the kitchen not the battlefield

>Illya's Servant can use multiple Noble Phantasms
Holy shit if she has EMIYA then we're fucked, his hatred of Shirou and refusal to hurt Illya means he's actually going to take this seriously, murder us and then try to win this thing to save her.

>>2182855
>>Apologize to Lancer

>>2182855
>apologize to Lancer

Emiya, bur is he still Archer. Servants and masters share dreams so that might explain why Ilya calls him Onii-Chan.

>Apologize

"...I'm sorry." I say, looking at Lancer's expression. Without a doubt, she's furious about this. "It was what sprang to mind. That sword... I think it would have killed you."

There's a few moments of silence, and she sighs.

"Indeed. That noble phantasm was more dangerous to me than it would have been for a normal human." She says, placing a hand over her heart. "It struck with both a conceptual effect, and an anti-dragon property.

"I know not how you grasped that so quickly, but... Your actions were still reckless, Master."

"I know. I feel like someone set fire to my everything." I wince. and rub at the new scar on my chest. Whatever it did, I can still feel a burn throughout my whole body, even after being healed. "But... We survived, didn't we?"

The two of us are silent for a few moments, before Lancer sighs.

"That we did." She says, shaking her head with a small smile. "Furthermore, it seems your words turned your step-sister's mind. After her Servant assaulted you, she used a Command Seal and forced him to withdraw instead of finishing you off.

"You're just full of surprises, are you not, Master?"

>"I'm surprised, too."
>"I'm just doing what's right."
>Write in

>>2182978
>>"I'm surprised, too."


The Shirou shall continue to Shirou, that's a Concept intrinsic to the multiverse at this point

>>2182978
>>"I'm surprised, too."

>>2182978
>"I'm surprised, too."
So from the sounds of things, Shirou's Avalon-less, so what (if anything) did Kiritsugu shove into us?

>>2182978
>"I'm just doing what's right."

>I'm surprised too.

"...Would you believe me if I said this was a shock to me as well?" I say, giving a weak shrug. "How powerful of a healing spell was she able to do, if I'm recovered from being cut across the chest in a night?"

Lancer gives me a confused look.

"That... Was not your own magic, Master?" She asks. "What she performed was potent for this age, certainly, but I would have expected that wound to take at least a few days to heal without further magic..."

I blink.

"News to me. I've always recovered somewhat quickly, if I even got hurt." I finally stand up, flexing my arm. Fire pours through my body as I stretch. "I suppose I should go make breakfast."

"Oh, you do not need to worry, Master. Your caretaker said she would handle it." Lancer smiles, and I nod. If Taiga is taking care of it, then- Wait, no, wha- "We can go to the dojo, and practice. If that showing last night was your best, then you have quite a way to improve."

"...Lancer. Did you just say that Taiga is making breakfast?" I manage to ask, and I get a confused nod.

>Leave it be. She can manage... Right?
>You have to save breakfast.

And with that update, I must bid goodnight. I'll continue tomorrow evening.

>>2183137
>You have to save breakfast.
Training is just a matter of life and death. This has to come first.

>>2183137
>You have to save breakfast.
ALL HANDS ON DECK

>>2183137
>You have to save breakfast.

>>2183137
>not saving breakfast
>implying this would still be Shirou if he lets food get destroyed by shit like that.
>Illya's servant is St. George being a bullshit asshat a as saber class since otherwise hes a rider and thats simply impossible.
>which means both St. George and Nero are Sabers.
>Odds are likely Nero probably bullshitted into Saber as a class because her NP is full on bullshit and lets her do whatever the actual crap she pleases, she could even potentially be a full blown Beast because of the prototype shit going on so this grail is straight up fucked to shit and the fact nero actually has the potential to actually be a beast
>so we know theres 2 sabers, a lancer, and a rider for sure, also whatever brand of retardation kotomine is up to, so between him and his minions he probably has his hands on a servant or 2, may or may not have gilgamesh too, since Zero's end seemed to have happened essentially the same way as far as we know
>Bazett is for some reason not dead in this timeline
>Taiga dojos are canon to the quest and apparently don't rewind time and you just jump to the next day slightly fucked up.
>we probably survived due to avalon shenanigans, so thats also still a thing

>>2183277
I think Ilya got Archer. That pathological hatred of Shirou, and the different Noble Phantasms would make sense.

Anyway, real talk.

Who are we going to waifu?

We've got Lancer, Rin, Sakura, this HGW's Rider, Caren, possibly Bazett, the girls Shinji mentioned, and maybe others. We need to decide what route or routes we'll be attacking.

Caren or Rin works for me.

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>>2183328
Lancer. Those bountiful fields need to be plowed.

>>2183277
>Illya's servant is St. George being a bullshit asshat a as saber class since otherwise hes a rider and thats simply impossible
>implying
It's been said pretty clearly that Illya's servant switches Noble Phantasms. I doubt it's EMIYA because of weird personality, but it might be EMIYA Alter because that man's mind kind of went
Nero is as likely to be a Caster as she is a Saber
Also is Bazett alive? I don't remember that
All in all you shouldn't jump to conclusions that fast

>>2183328
>Who are we going to waifu?
Isn't it a bit too early for that?

>>2183462
I could see Nero lying about being a Saber just to satisfy her ego.

I suspect EMIYA of being the Caster though. He was a damn good mage, even with such a narrow focus, and it would explain the power of his Noble Phantasm.

>>2183462
>Also is Bazett alive? I don't remember that
There was a throwaway line about a red haired foreigner working an ice cream stand.

>>2183415
Speaking of that ...

We didn't get the goddess, and her reaction to such tracts of land was shock. What's with that?

>>2183562
>I could see Nero lying about being a Saber just to satisfy her ego.
That's the idea. Also Rin REALLY wanted a Saber, and Nero REALLY wants to be praised
>I suspect EMIYA of being the Caster though
EMIYA doesn't know magecraft, let alone to the level that classifies him as caster. Archer is the way to go for him
>>2183579
>There was a throwaway line about a red haired foreigner working an ice cream stand.
Wasn't it also said that foreigner looked high-schooler age?

>>2183615
>EMIYA doesn't know magecraft, let alone to the level that classifies him as caster. Archer is the way to go for him

I guess I'm a little mixed up. EMIYA never studied at the Clocktower and his projection and reinforcement magics aren't magecraft?

>>2183621
His reinforcement and projection are just extensions of UBW, which isn't conventional magecraft. He doesn't have a lot of potential as a mage because is magic circuits are poor quality, although he has a lot of them. Also in the end of UBW route Shirou is in the Clocktower as Rin's assistant, it's likely that if he would learn anything, that would be from Rin, not to mention nobody learns much of anything beyond basics in Clocktower because mages are secretive assholes

>>2183639
.... Shirou canonically has a surprisingly good magic circuit count, though, of average quality.

With all the shit like Shakespeare and Dumas as Casters, I'd say a "magic user specializing in swords" is as likely as anything.

>>2183639
Isn't UBW still reliant on his mana? If his abilities stem from mana he shapes himself it should qualify him for caster given the nature of some of the other casters, some of which aren't mage like at all.

>>2183137
>You have to save breakfast.
WE'RE FATE ROUTE SHIROU, WE SAVE EVERYONE.

>>2183466
It's never too early to waifu Lancer or Illya.

>>2183699
Fate's a bit weird when it comes to class requirements, so despite the fact that Shirou's Origin and Element are SWORD and his magecraft focuses solely on SWORDS and if he gets damaged he literally heals with SWORDS he can't become a Saber Servant (without F/GO bullshitery) because he didn't meet the rest of the class requirements in life.

So even though he's a mage and can perform magic he's actually pretty shit at it so he can't meet one of the requirements to be a Caster (ie be good at magic).

>>2183767
Yeah, but Shakespeare and Dumas aren't good at magic, and they're Casters.

Besides, wasn't there a side material thing that said his alternative Classes were something like Caster and Assassin?

...Then again, if this is Caster EMIYA being powered by Ilya, we're fucked if she decides to kill us.

>>2183767
>he can't become a Saber Servant (without F/GO bullshitery)

It actually says that somewhere?


>>2183137
Also, forgot to vote.
>You have to save breakfast.
I doubt we're in shape for practice right now. Later today would be good though.

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>>2183328
Mitsuzuri.
Ayako.
Look at this smile.
PROTECT this smile.

>>2183328
Sakura, now that we can stay a Ally of Justice and get literal wife tier waifu at the same time.

>>2184162
Yeah, sakura!

>Alright. Breakfast saving time it is.

>Please give me 1d20. DC 14, Best of first three.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>2185522

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>2185522
SATAN GUIDE MY DICE

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2185522
UNLIMITED DISH WORKS

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>>2185548

>You have to save breakfast, 14

"Lancer," I manage to keep my tone calm as I look her straight in the eyes. "Taiga has never cooked a meal successfully in her life."

Emotions flicker across her face, eventually settling into shock and horror.

I stand up, pulling a clean shirt on before I head to the kitchen.

The smell of smoke fills the dining room, and I hear Taiga panicking and the sound of a pan catching fire.

It takes me a few minutes, but I manage to dislodge her, forcing her into the dining room as I salvage what I can.

Eventually, a simple, traditional, breakfast is on the table as I move on to making lunch. How Taiga was able to set fire to that pot of water, I'll never know.

While my teacher and Lancer- who managed to recover from the shock, and is watching me cook over the brim of her tea cup- finish their breakfast, I manage to produce three boxed lunches, and take my own seat.

From what the Matous had said last night, they're not attending school until their uncle recovers, which will hopefully be at the end of the Holy Grail War. Shinji might show up to get homework and notes, but...

"Ma- Shirou." Lancer says, snapping me from my thoughts. "I believe that with what happened last night, you should stay home today and rest."

Taiga's attention is immediately grabbed, and she looks betwen me and Lancer quizzically.
"He wound up injuring himself last night." The blonde says, smoothly deflecting. "We were walking home from the Matous' home, and there was a car and a kitten. Thankfully, he was able to save it, but.."

Taiga's expression moves between outrage and blubbering joy as she looks to me. She always did like cats, other than tigers.

I give Lancer a pleading glance, and she smirks. I'm not quite in the clear regarding saving her last night, am I?

"Shirouuuuuuuu!" Taiga's voice breaks my thoughts this time, and her eyes are big and watery. "What have I told you about taking care of yourself!? I know you want to save everyone you come across, but you need to be careful too!"

"I know, Taiga. But... It was just.." I pause, hoping for a chance to deflect. "Well, I need to get ready for school. I did promise Issei I'd take a look at something for him today. Something about broken heaters in the-"

"No! If you need to rest, that's fine! I'll tell them something and they'll have to deal with it!" Taiga's voice is firm, and she slams her hands down on the table. "You just stay home and rest. I'll bring you your homework tonight."

Lancer sips her tea, smiling as this goes on.

>Go. School is important, and you can scout for any other potential Masters.
>Stay home, at least for the morning. Lancer is right, you should rest.Maybe you can take her up on that offer, too.

>>2185968
>Stay home, at least for the morning. Lancer is right, you should rest.Maybe you can take her up on that offer, too.

>>2185968
>Go. School is important, and you can scout for any other potential Masters.
A true hero never breaks a promise to a comrade, especially if it results in said comrade becoming slightly chilly.

>>2185968
>Go. School is important, and you can scout for any other potential Masters.
We almost lost our kitchen to not keeping our normal routine. Everything else pales in comparison.

>>2185968
>>Stay home, at least for the morning. Lancer is right, you should rest.Maybe you can take her up on that offer, too.

>>2185968
>Go. School is important, and you can scout for any other potential Masters.

>Writing

I don't get it, there's no Medusa, ergo no Bloodfort Andromeda. Why push ourselves when we need to recover?

>>2186072
Something more focused, yet worse comes our way. I'm sure of it.

>>2186081
And we'll be without Lancer, thus wasting a command seal to bring her to us, yea...

>Go. School is important.

"No, I really should go." I say as firmly as I can.

Taiga stares me in the eyes for a few moments, then sighs.

"Alright. Well, there's no point arguing with you when you've got that look." She shrugs apologetically at Lancer. "There's no stopping him."

"In the short time I've known him, I've come to realize that." Lancer rubs her forehead, but nods.

After a few minutes of silence as I clean up from breakfast, Taiga excuses herself to head on to school.

"Master. I do believe this is unwise." She says, within moments of the door closing. "Your allies will be absent, and I will not be able to follow you and protect you, should anyone attack you again."

I nod absently, setting the lunch I prepared for her in the refrigerator.

"I know. But I should be able to hold them off long enough you can reach me." I say, raising my hand to show the command seals emblasioned on it. "Even if I need to use one of these."

"...Master. You've used one already?" Confusion is clear in her voice, and I blink.

Looking at the back of my hand, there certainly are still the three crimson seals, burned into my skin. But 'over' and around the center one, I see a black outline, ornate, and faded.

"...That's new." I say, rubbing at it. "I don't know what it is, but my three seals are still there."

"...Strange." She replies.

Little more is said as I finish cleaning the kitchen.

"I've left lunch for you in the refrigerator." I say, starting towards the hall to my room. I still need to get dressed. "I'll be careful, and make sure to summon you if I need help."

There's silence for the rest of the time I'm at home, and the road is quiet on my way to my high school.

****

Issei is waiting at the gate as I pass by, greeting other students alone.Odd. Usually, he's got at least someone with him.

"Oh, Shirou." He says as he catches sight of me. "I'm glad you made it early. The heaters are in a spare classroom on the 2nd floor right now, instead of in the council room."

"Oh, that's not a problem. I'll just need to get my tools for that." I say, shaking my head. "I can take care of it after classes."

His expression is one of relief.

"Thank you. I don't kno what wed'd do without you, Shirou." Issei smiles. "I'd have moved them myself, but Ichigi is out today. It seems like he hurt his shoulder, or something."

"Oh... That's a shame." The vice president is out, too? Odd. "Well, I'll be seeing you later, then. I'll just get my tools moved so I can get that taken care of."

He nods happily, turning to greet another student. "Sure thing, Shirou. Take care."

With that, we wave our goodbyes, and I head to the student council room. Issei is kind enough to let me keep my bag of tools there, and it takes me only a few moments to move them to the classroom where the broken heaters rest.

From a preliminary tracing, they only seem to have a few easily repaired or replaced components, so that's something at least.

(1/2)

>>2186190
(2/2)

The rest of the morning goes as usual, with Taiga bursting into her classroom exuberantly, and lecturing begins...

****

As the lunch bell buzzes, I step out into the hall. A flash of black hair catches my eye, and I see Rin Tohsaka heading to the roof, lunch in hand.

Without a doubt, the presence I sense by her is her Servant.

"Shirou," Issei breaks my thoughts, tapping my shoulder. "Ready for lunch?"

>Eat lunch with Issei, like usual.
>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.
>Scout for other Masters. You're starting to get a feel for where Servants are, so you might find someone.

>>2186192
>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.

>>2186192
>>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.

>>2186192
>>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.
Tell her about all the other servants and masters we've seen, she might know who assassin's master is. She might try to fight us for being dumb as well but oh well.

>>2186192
>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.

>>2186192
>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.

>>2186192
>Eat lunch with Issei, like usual.

>>2186192
>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.

>>2186190
>Ichigi
Julian is in this timeline? And he "hurt his shoulder"?

Sounds like he's our fake Lancelot, and CoG is introducing another level of bullshit. What's next? Extra timeline stuff?

>>2187033
>Extra timeline stuff?
Nero's already here, Anon.

>>2186192
>>Go talk to Rin. She probably needs to know about that black knight.

>>2187292
How long before she beg to suck our dick because Rin won't let her go out and get any?

>>2187292
I think he's talking more along the lines of Moon Cell-related stuff. Which I don't think will be a thing, since Magic isn't basically dead in most timelines save for the Fate/Extra timeline.

>Go talk to Rin.

"I'm sorry, Issei. Something came up." I say, shaking my head. "Probably tomorrow, though."

"Oh... Alright, then." Issei seems sad, but nods. "I'll see you around."

With that, we wave our goodbyes, and I head up to the rooftop.

"Emiya." Rin's tone is... surprised, and catches my ear as I step onto the empty roof. "What are you here for?"

I pause. I can feel Saber's presence to my side, but turn to face Rin directly, ensuring the door is closed.

"Well, I was going to say hello, and share some information about the Holy Grail War." I say, then hold up my lunch. "And I was thinking I'd just eat up here, if that's alright."

"Eh? But-" The confusion is clear in her tone, and I see her face shift from the cold mask she had put on. "You're an enemy Master! Why are you telling me what you found out?"

"Because I fought two and a half Servants yesterday, and I don't think you'll have a chance if I didn't tell you." I take a seat, watching the air where Saber is doubtlessly standing smugly. "How would I be keeping people from dying if I didn't let you know something this vital, Tohsaka?"

The bewilderment is still obvious in Rin's expression, but she joins me.

"Two and a half...?" She asks, and I nod.

"Yeah. There was the one who attacked me the night I summoned Lancer, Assassin and their Master, and...Someone who acted like a Servant, but I'm sure he wasn't." I glance to where Saber is standing. "That one is what I wanted to talk to you about."

"...A Servant that wasn't one? That's..." Rin follows my eyes, then gives the space a meaningful look. "That should be impossible. There are only seven Servants and seven Masters in a Holy Grail War. The system just doesn't allow any more Servants than that."

"I don't know." I shake my head. "Everything he laid a hand on seemed like a Noble Phantasm when he was trying to kill me."

"... He wasn't using any real weapons?"

"None that I could see. After he got cut by Assassin, I saw modern clothes, too." I shrug. "But I don't think he's an actual Master, or a Servant. Do you know anything that could, well.. Fake it?"

Rin seems to be in thought for a few moments, before shaking her head. "I don't. Maybe there's something in one of my family's books, but as far as I know, the only way for a Heroic Spirit to materialize is by being fully summoned in the world."

Huh. That's... Very odd.

>Eat lunch quietly. Discussing the war is bad for digestion.
>Ask for any information she may have. Maybe she fought another Servant?
>Write in

>>2189173
>Ask for any information she may have. Maybe she fought another Servant?

Also inb4 !NotLancelot is actually just a guy using the Holy Grail War cards from Prisma Illya

>>2189173
>>Ask for any information she may have. Maybe she fought another Servant?
>>2189199
Going by the other anons that seems to be exactly what's going on.Lewd Illya alter when?

>>2189173
>Speaking of the whole "enemy Master" attitude, is there a chance we could parlay about at least a temporary truce, given that we're a missing what seems like very important piece of the puzzle, and, hopefully, you can count on my word, just like I can count on yours.

>>2189173
>Write in
>Establish a truce
This war's definitely not normal, even by Grail War standards. Tons of conflicting information, the possibility of more than 7 servants, humans gaining access to powers comparable to Heroic Spirits...

Something is seriously wrong, and it may be even more important to figure that out before anyone can think of actually winning the war.

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>>2189386
Maybe we should ask Saber if there's anything in place to handle a Grail War gone wrong. Servants are supposed to know the rules right?

>Ainsworth are in this timeline so class cards are a potential thing
>so servants can theoretically incarnate without a master midwar due to the fucktons of ambient mana used.
Hey OP, does shirou know the story of pandora's box?

>>2189533
Yes, he does.

>>2189537
Cool, thanks OP.

>>2189173
>Ask for any information she may have. Maybe she fought another Servant?

>inb4 we manage to get every master to work together then the Grail summons Ruler Shirou to save us all

>Ask for information
>Parley for ceasefire

"...Could we just drop the whole 'enemy Master' thing?" I ask, breaking the silence. "At least for now, I mean."

Rin gives me an odd look, but I continue.

"I don't want anyone to get hurt in this War. I'm guessing you don't, either, or we would have fought that night." I pause, giving her a moment to confirm my statement. "It just seems like we're missing something big here. And I don't think we should be fighting each other until we know what it is that's wrong."

She seems to be considering it, when Saber materializes, outfit as outrageous as ever.

"Praetor, what this poor, deprived soul says strikes true. I've been beset with a feeling of unease this whole time." The Servant starts, gesturing dramatically. "The ambience here lacks beauty- it is an unfitting canvas for my artistry!"

Rin sighs. I would too, if I had this Saber as my Servant. "Alright, then. Emiya, consider us on a ceasefire for now. I suppose I should tell you what we found, too.

"I think we fought Berserker. And he wasn't under the effects of Mad Enhancement, either."

Saber nods.

"Indeed! He was a most ferocious sort, but my blade struck true, and he retreated!" She chimes in, rubbing her chin smugly. "Truly, the Gaels are a dangerous lot. But not as much as I, of course!"

"Huh. Well, I know Rider was summoned by the Matous, and Assassin was the Servant of some scary looking guy with a shotgun." I say between bites. "So if you fought Berserker, that means that only Archer and Caster are left, right?"

"She wha- I mean, yes." Rin's speech is hasty. Perhaps too much so. "I suppose that the Servant who attacked you could be either of those, but... I've never heard of a Caster or an Archer who fought using swords. Maybe he was using an illusion to disguise his spells?"

I blink. That's... Not it. I don't know how, but I'm sure that he was using those swords- those Noble Phantasms. The scar on my chest speaks for that. "I don't think so. Last night, that sword he was using was too real."

"Huh. Then I don't know." Rin sighs, shaking her head.

>Any other questions or topics?

>>2190801
>Archers fighting in close quarters, now Berserkers without Mad Enhancement. What next, are we going to see an eighth servant class pop up? ... Has there been precedence for that in past wars?

>>2190847
H/A has avenger and the scrapped Shielder route of FSN might have.

>Archer in close quarters, Berserkers who aren't mad... Are we going to see more classes pop up? Has that happened?

"...If there's already those abnormalities, is it possible for more things to be different?" I ask, looking to Rin and Saber. "Like, an eighth Servant class showing up, or something?"

Rin's expression is a mix of emotions, and I can tell there's something underneath. Saber, however, cuts in.

"Though there are but seven 'Standard' Servant classes, I suppose it is possible for one of the extras to appear," She rubs her chin. "I recall reading in my Praetor's grand library of a certain 'Caster' summoned in the Second Holy Grail War that was able to split herself into no fewer than nine beings by changing herself to an abberant class. Fortunately, the Master of that witch vanished, and his family's magical capacity died out as well."

She flourishes again.

"Of course, there was also an abberant summoning in the last Holy Grail War, where one man, driven by his anger and righteous fury-"

"Saber." Rin's voice is soft, but stops her Servant's speech all the way. "I'll tell him what he needs to know."

Saber's expression changes to one of slight... pity? and she nods. "But of course, Praetor. My apologies."

"What she was saying is that an 'Extra class' Servant was summoned in the last Holy Grail War." The brunette continues, looking me in the eye. Her face is a perfect mask. "A spirit of vengeance, a monster given human form. I know that it was killed at the end of the War by the combined might of the surviving Masters and Servants. And that the incantation used to summon it has been destroyed.

"No one should be able to summon another spirit like that." She finishes, shaking her head and looking out off of the roof. "So we should only have to worry about the normal Classes."

I let out a breath I hadn't known I had been holding. "That's a relief."

"That's all that my family kept records of, at least." Rin says after a few moments. "Maybe the Einzbern or the Matous would know more. We only provided the land. They set up the majority of the system."

"..Maybe I will." I say, glancing to my watch. Lunch is almost over.

Even as the bell rings, I'm already packing up my lunchbox. Tohsaka is off the roof, heading back indoors in seconds, but Saber remains, giving me a curious look.

"Master of Lancer, might I ask why you did not materialize your Servant?" She says, tilting her head slightly. "The roof was secure, so she could have spoken with us as well."

(1/2)

>>2190985

(2/2)

"Lancer stayed home. If I need her, I'll summon her with a Command Seal." I say, finally standing up. "Is there a problem?"

"...Oh, so that's how it is. Interesting..." I hear her mutter, and she curtsies. "Then I must bid you farewell!"

With that, the red Saber is gone in a flutter of rose petals that slowly evaporate into mana. I can stil sense her as she heads down the stairwell to follow her Master.

****

Finally, the bells ring to signal the end of the school day. Standing near the front door, I'm faced with a choice.

>Go do Issei that favor.
>Head home
>Go hunting for Masters
>Write in

>>2190987
>Go do Issei that favor.
>call the matou. Gotta check in. Maybe share info.

>>2191001
Seconding

>>2190987
>Go do Issei that favor.

>an abberant summoning in the last Holy Grail War, where one man, driven by his anger and righteous fury-
Kerry? Is that you? What the actual fuck did you DO?

>>2191066
Apparently, someone managed to summon Angra Mainyu as one last fuck you, only for Angra Mainyu to get slapped the fuck down. I mean, it kinda makes sense; while he would be stronger, he wouldn't reach the level of power needed to actually become the apotheosized embodiment of All The World's Evils.

I sincerely doubt Kerry would do it. Did you mean Kirei and not Kiritsugu

>>2191001
Seconding this as well. We're not explicitly on good terms with Iliya as of yet, so our best bet to learn anything of value regarding abberant summonings and deviations from the norm Grail War-wise would be to talk to the Matous.

I think that since Zouken may actually be dead, the Matous would not be at odds with the Tohsakas, so in the case of preventing a worst case scenario, we'll have a lot more people in our corner to begin with.

>>2190987
>Go do Issei that favor.

>Kerry decides to actual become All the World's Evil and summons Angra Mainyu
The absolute fucking madman. You know you fucked up when fucking Gilles is asked to stop you.

>Go do Issei that favor
>Contact the Matous

I suppose I should finish what I promised to do. Heading to the classroom, I pick up where I left off, but not before sending an email to Shinji asking if he can look into 'alternative' Servant classes, or odd summonings.

Sitting down once again, I begin to trace the heaters, pinpointing their problems before going in with tools and tape to repair what I can.

Nearly an hour passes before my phone beeps, and I glance to it. Shinji.

The text is... While informative, doesn't seem to be much more help than what Rin had told me.

Though evidently after the disaster that was the 2nd Holy Grail War, an additional Servant class had been added by one of the Matous. That, along with a 'backup' resivoir, would allow a Servant to independently manifest to 'preserve the concept of the Holy Grail War' when events went awry.

I send Shinji my thanks, and ask him to look for anything else he might find. With that taken care of, I turn back to my work. Only a few more heaters remain, after all.

By the time I'm done, the sun is low in the sky. I stand up and stretch. I supposes it's time to-

There's something outside the door. Footsteps echo away as I near the door.

Even as the presence fades down the hall, I slide open the door. Down the hall, I see a somewhat familiar figure turning, and heading down the stairs.

It's... I can't place her name. Aya=something. But she's the girl that Shinji and Ayako tried to 'set me up with'. And that presence surrounding her is without a doubt a Servant, and a powerful one.

>Let her go. More information on her would make it easier to negotiate.
>Pursue the enemy Master. You can't let her get away.
>Write in

>>2191353
>>Pursue the enemy Master. You can't let her get away.

>>2191353
>Pursue the enemy Master. You can't let her get away.
Wait
Aya-something...
Ayaka Sajyou?!
This world is officially insane, and I love it.

>>2191353
>Pursue the enemy Master. You can't let her get away.
Caster please have Nero be lying about her class, I need Richard and Shirou to have a chuuni off to see who can Excalibur harder.

>>2191353

>Let her go. More information on her would make it easier to negotiate.

>>2191353
>>Pursue the enemy Master. You can't let her get away.

>>2191357
We haven't met anyone with MEDP or Dead Apostles either.

>>2191353
Ayaka?
Well shit, if dats her and richard, the whole EMIYA archer and Nero being full of shit thing might be true, if anything i'd put stock in Nero being caster normally then used her NP to switch to saber on her own since it can do shit like that.
Just spit balling ideas but we should probably figure out stuff...

>>2191353
>>Let her go. More information on her would make it easier to negotiate.

We don't have our servant with us and following meeting with another master would be pushing our luck, would rather not use a command seal right now. Would Shingi or Ayako still be in the kendo club? If so go meet them and ask about Ayaka.

If not then head home and send Shinji a text asking about her.

>>2191353
>>>Let her go. More information on her would make it easier to negotiate.

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Looks like the current vote is

>Pursue
>>2191355
>>2191357
>>2191361
>>2191408

>Let her go
>>2191363
>>2191449
>>2191544

>I'll give it until half past the hour, in case anyone else wants to vote,then start writing.


>>2191415
I'll say that at this juncture, the owner of only set of Mystic Eyes of Death Perception that exist is on vacation with her family, a few provinces over. As for DA, I don't intend for any to show up unless you really, really fuck up.

Yes, "Her" family.

>>2191692
On second thoughts I'll switch to:

>Let her go. More information on her would make it easier to negotiate.

Since it is probably smarter doing a bit of recon and saving a CS.

>That spoiler
New goal is to find 「 」 and convince it to unfuck Illya.

>>2191692
>hr
Wait.
We share a universe with Best Nasu Girl?
Abandon all other plans, we must waifu the Shiki!

>>2191725
She already has a family anon, Shinji isn't a homewrecker.

>>2191692
>Pursue
Always persue. There are no lu bus in sight, so it is the only choice

>>2191692
>>Let her go

>>2191729
>Shinji isn't a homewrecker.
>Shinji
Anon we can't have best TM girl and best TM boy meet, the universe would collapse.

>>2191740
This universe is fucked enough without trying to get between Shiki and her man.

>>2191760
>This universe is fucked enough
>fucked enough
We can always get even more fucked, we'll have Altrouge show up walking Primate Murder and see ORT raiding a bin in an alley.

>>2191353
>Let her go. More information on her would make it easier to negotiate.
Why the fuck would we pursue her as an enemy Master when Lancer isn't with us?

>>2191778
And kanata. And manaka.

>>2191788
Velber shows up for something to eat.

>>2191778
I didn't say we couldn't get more fucked, I'm just saying that we have enough on our plate without trying to break up the home of a sociopaths god killer.

>>2191792
Nero and Nrvnqsr slapstick whenever their names are called.

>>2191795
And then along comes Neko-Arc...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMz-2f10iA

>>2191816
Wielding devil saber, here to kill all things fate related

>>2191832

And all the fighting wakes up Tiamat and literally Cthulhu who are having tea in the bay.

>>2191842
Nasu himself makes a cameo.

>>2191857
The Grail's actually fucked because Takeuchi is using his NP to create more Seibaface's than the Grail can handle.

>>2191872
This is the only answer

>>2191872
Urobuchi got his dick stuck in the Root.

>Let her go
>Check with Ayako

I shake my head. Even if it's the first thought on my mind, I don't have Lancer with me. Pursuing an enemy Master without a Servant of my own would be practically suicide.

What I need now is to know more about her. That's the only way I can move forwards and even... Negotiate with her, if that can even work.

With that in mind, I know exactly who to ask. Ayako should still be at the archery club's dojo right now. Since she had been trying to do whatever that was, maybe she'll know more.

As luck would have it, she is still there, cleaning and putting away equipment, with the other club members gone.

"Oh, Shirou. Have you finally decided to come back to us from kendo?" She says, looking up to me as I step through the door.

"Sorry, but no. I'm still feeling like the sword is my way." I rub the back of my head. "But Shinji and Sakura should both be good enought to make up for the lack of me, right?"

She frowns, but...

"I guess. You were our star, though." Ayako sighs. "So why did you come by, then?"

"...Well, remember that girl you and Shinji tried to 'set me up with'?" I ask.

The moment I do so, I know I've said something wrong. Her eyes sparkle, and I see a sinister gleam.

"Yesssss? Ayaka Sayjou? The third 'Queen of Homurahara'?" She says, suddenly completely interested..

"Ah! That was her name, that's right." I nod. Good. Maybe her inner gossip will give me some useful information. "I saw her in the hall, and she was acting funny. Is there anything you know about her?"

"Well... From what I know, she's got a bunch of boys in our school smitten with her, and has rejected everyone who's tried so far." Ayako gives me another odd look, but nods. "I heard she lives alone in a haunted apartment complex, too.

"As for family... I think she's said something about them being caught up in that disaster years ago. It's sad, when you think about it."

...That's right. The 'Fuyuki Calamity'. Almost everyone who survived it, myself incuded, has a different story about just what it was. The 'public' one is that it was a huge fire, that killed over a thousand people, and destroyed a good portion of Shinto.

But my memories, the first ones I had... There was fire, yes. But so many dead. Those spikes everywhere, and all of the blood. That was hell, and a nightmare that comes back to haunt me far too often...

Ayako obviously notices my grimace.

"Ah, but she's also in the horticulture club, and I hear she's their pride and joy!" The distraction is welcome, and I nod.

"Huh. That's interesting." I manage, still processing what information I'm gathering.

>Question further
>Say goodbye and ask Shinji next
>Write in

>>2191929
>haunted apartment complex?
>Say goodbye and ask Shinji next

>>2191929
>spikes everywhere, and all of the blood
Vlad?

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>>2191929
>>Question further
Haunted apartment complex? What are you talking about?

>>2191929
>Question further

>"I heard she lives alone in a haunted apartment complex, too.
>We have to deal with Little Red as well
This is going to be an absolute clusterfuck.

I can't wait.

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>>2191939

If it's fire and stakes and Avenger, then maybe Gilles got a hold of a grail.

>>2191974
Maybe Diarmuid going nuclear got a hold of it.
If anyone had some righteous fury going on it was him.

>Question further
>Say goodbye and ask Shinji next
>Write in

>Explain further

"...A haunted apartment complex, though?" I ask, getting a nod.

"Yeah. Rumor has it that a few years ago, there was a family murder-suicide there." Ayako seems morbidly excited at the subject. She always did like ghost stories. "And there's still a ghost of the little girl hanging around, haunting the complex."

"That's..." I pause. "Interesting...?"

There's a few moments of silence, and Ayako seems to realize that the conversation turned awkward.

"Ah, well! I guess I'd better finish cleaning up." She says, nodding. "Good luck, Shirou~!"

The teasing tone at the end is a bit confusing, but I nod.

"Thanks. I'll see you around." I say, heading back out of the archery dojo.

As soon as I'm clear, I start texting Shinji again. Asking him for what information he may have on Ayaka Sayjou. Hopefully, he'll respond before I get home.

The setting sun spreads a warm orange light over the streets, and I glance at my watch. Not too late, then...

>Head straight home. It's not a good plan to be out and about without Lancer.
>Take your time. Maybe check in on Copenhagen?
>Get some ingredients for dinner. The groceries you managed to make it home with yesterday were minimal, after all.
>Write in.

>>2192361
>Get some ingredients for dinner. The groceries you managed to make it home with yesterday were minimal, after all.
If Shirou had a dual Origin like Kerry then it'd definitely be Swords and Cooking.

>>2192361
>Head straight home. It's not a good plan to be out and about without Lancer.

>>2192361
>Get some ingredients for dinner. The groceries you managed to make it home with yesterday were minimal, after all.

>>2192361
>>Get some ingredients for dinner. The groceries you managed to make it home with yesterday were minimal, after all.

>>2192361
>Get some ingredients for dinner. The groceries you managed to make it home with yesterday were minimal, after all.
We might meet up with an Ilya who doesn’t want to kill us. This might help sort out shit.

>>2192361
>Get some ingredients for dinner. The groceries you managed to make it home with yesterday were minimal, after all.

It's risky being out and about without Lancer at our side, but we wouldn't be Shirou Emiya if we didn't cut things close on a constant basis. We'll just have to hurry before night falls.

>>2192361
>Get some ingredients for dinner. The groceries you managed to make it home with yesterday were minimal, after all.

>>2191760
Shinji not being a total shithead means that this universe is beyond fucked anyways.

>Get some ingredients

...It's reckless, but I do need something for dinner. The sun shouldn't be down completely for another hour or so, and no Master would be stupid enough to start a fight in daylight.

I start towards the usual shopping district I go to in Miyama Town. I suppose I should see what's on a good sale first, then make my decision.

The walk is relatively quick, and I find myself at the vegetable stand I usually stop by first.

Looking over what's around, I settle on a stir fry tonight. It shouldn't be too hard to gather up ingredients, and if my guess on Lancer's tastes are right, she'll have no problem devouring it like with every other meal we've shared.

The next question, though, is what to go with for the meat. I know a local butcher has a good selection most of the time, but fish can probably be purchased for lesss, and be just as good....

I suppose I'll head to the-

>Butcher
>Fishmonger

>>2192821
>Fishmonger
Hopefully Caster's Cu's still a fan of fishing.

>>2192821
>Butcher

>>2192821
>Butcher

>>2192821
>Butcher
Gotta give Lancer that meat.

>>2192821
>Butcher

Something Western for dinner, methinks.

>Butcher

That should be good. We'll need to keep our strength up for this fight, I'm sure of it.

I head into the butcher, quickly inspecting what cuts are available.

It takes me a few minutes, but I eventually do settle on what to use tonight, and exchange pleasantries as my purchase is packaged.

However, when I step out of the butcher, I'm met with an odd sight.

A pale woman in an black and white dress is standing there, looking seriously at the butcher I just departed.

She's definitely not human, I realize, looking at her red eyes, but... She's no Servant. From how I can't feel an overwhelming bloodlust, that would leave one option. A homunculus.

"Excuse me, miss?" I say, catching her attention. "Are you with the Einzbern, by any chance?"

The look she gives me is peircing and analytical.

"...Are you Shirou Emiya?" She asks, tilting her head slightly. "You do not appear as much a villain as Lady Illyasviel's Servant has been saying."

...Just what does he have against me? I sigh. "He hates me, for some reason.

"What were you here for, though?"

The homunculus gives me a strange look.

"I was instructed to collect ingredients for dinner. I was advised me to shop here instead of the market on the other side of town, for some reason."

I nod. "This is a smaller market. You get fresher food here, and a better tasting selection. "

"That is exactly what he said." She gives me a odd look. She obviously means Ilya's Servant.

"...I guess he knows some things, then." I mutter. "Anyway, what were you looking for in particular? I can at least tell you which stands should have your list, miss...?"

"My name is Sella." The homunculus responds, handing me a sheet of paper.

It takes me a few minutes, but I eventually manage to point her to where she needs to go. All of the ingredients are for a meal I'm quite familiar with, funnily enough.

A glance to the sky shows that night is about to set in. I have maybe a fifteen more minutes of daylight to work with.

>Head home. It is getting late, and you do need to make dinner.
>Scout for Masters. As good a time as any.
>Write in

>>2193616
>Scout for Masters. As good a time as any.
>without lancer
>or dinner
>And also providing another opportunity for taiga to screw things up
Yeah, no.
So, how about the reasonable choice of
>Head home. It is getting late, and you do need to make dinner.
I can't really think of anything else to write in

>>2193616
>>Head home. It is getting late, and you do need to make dinner.

>>2193616
>Head home. It is getting late, and you do need to make dinner.

>"That is exactly what he said."
>Illya has EMIYA
Yeah we're fucked, better hope we make one hell of a last meal tonight.

>>2193616
>Head home. It is getting late, and you do need to make dinner.

Goddammit, EMIYA just had to get saddled with the one Master who would gleefully go along with the idea of killing Shirou at the earliest opportunity. He's probably not even ashamed over his blatant emotional manipulation of Ilya, the bastard. I hope she tells him to tell him to kill himself... in such a way that EMIYA can't just interpret that to mean "kill my past self and die".

>>2193616
>Head home. It is getting late, and you do need to make dinner.

>>2193616
>Head home. It is getting late, and you do need to make dinner.
We do not want to get jumped after dark without Lancer here.

>>2193616
>asshole EMIYA with illya
Shit, he's probs our archer too.
Why the fuck did they end up together?

>>2193777
Because Rin lucked out and actually summoned Saber. Maybe.

Or the universe hates us. Whichever.

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>>2193839

>Head home

No. That's enough rash action for the day, or even the week, I think.

I take my packages and start towards home.

By the time I reach my kitchen, night is fully setting in.

Taiga and Lancer are both seated at the dinner table, discussing... Something or another, as I start to cook.

There's a ring on my phone when I have a second, and I glance at it.

It's Shinji. He's got information about Ayaka, and it's...

....Numbers? Why would he send three numbers like that?

Following them, at least, is more useful information. Her family participated in the last Holy Grail War, with her two year older sister serving as the Master. Otherwise, she has a normal school life, with a few prizes for her gardening skills.

In short, not much to go on for how to deal with her. I sigh, going back to my cooking and pushing the thoughts of the Holy Grail War out of my mind.

****

The stir fry is completed in short order, and devoured by my guests in even shorter. Taiga excuses herself again, heading out to go drinking.

Lancer and I sit at the table in silence, her expression stony as she looks at me.

>What are you doing tonight?

>>2193849
>two year older sister serving as the Master
Ah FUCK NO. NOT HER.
Although, this might lead to the interesting meeting of her and shiki...
>Talk to her. Tell her what we've learned today. Ask her if she wishes to go out and partol (maybe see if tohsaka is available. Or one of the matous. The later of the two is... doubtful, due to their situation)

>>2193849
>>2193855
Supporting.

>>2193855
Supporting. And if the matou are unavailable, we can at least drop by before heading out.
Also, let's see if we can get a meeting between our three factions going. Might be a long shot, but we can try.

>>2193867
>>2193849
There.
Also,
>three numbers
How did shinji get his hands on those?

>>2193849
>Patrol. In particular, look for any leads regarding the remaining Servants, and maybe track down the mysterious not-quite-Servant.

>>2193869
My guess is that this Shinji was raised to not be a colossal twat by Kariya, so my best guess is that this Shinji may actually be somewhat charming.

Either that, or he's just a sneaky motherfucker that lucked into those numbers somehow.

>>2193849
>Manaka is a thing in this universe
Yup, this grail confirmed for completely and utterly fucked. Best thing shirou can do is at one point get his major self vs self fight in and learn UBW, and then hope a reality marble is enough to deal with that shit, because Rhongo wielding Saibah sure as hell is not.

>>2194300

Rhon is actually orders of magnitude greater than Excalibur, at full power it has a yield akin to a nuclear weapon. It is the Spear of Endings. It metaphysically holds the World and the Reverse Side apart, because it isn't a spear, it's a pillar of light.

Though I think we'd need a small orgy to actually scrape up enough mana to use it like that, and Lancer would have to start undoing seals.

>>2194364
>implying manaka's current goal isn't to break that shit in half to restart the age of gods.

>>2194364
>we'd need a small orgy to actually scrape up enough mana to use it like that

Sounds like a plan to me

>>2194400

Well, some assholes from the future will come to fix that then.

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>>2194469
>mfw Kiritsugu is the counterforce agent sent to fix this shit

>>2194469
>Shirou wonders why he's being saved by a bunch of people in swimsuits.

>>2194838

>Lancer is mortified that somehow there are two Merlins with them

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So Mats IV is out, and we can all now get sweet turn around views of what Lancer looks like.

>Talk with Lancer- information, ask about patrol, contact Tohsaka or a Matou

"Lancer," I start, finally breaking the silence. "I think I found out who another of the Masters is, and got Tohsaka to agree to a ceasefire."

She blinks, giving me an odd look.

"You were quite busy at school, I see. Might I ask why and how you managed to arrange a ceasefire?" I sense a quiet approval in her tone.

"Everything just... Doesn't seem right." I shake my head. "That not-quite Servant is something that set me off, but I don't think he's the whole of our worries. I'd rather have an agreement to not start stabbing each other until we've figured things out than be blindsided."

"...A wise choice, if a bit daring." Lancer voiec is quite approving. "Were you able to draw the new Master into it as well?"

"No. I'm not sure if I'd want to, anyway." I say, shaking my head. "What I'm thinking now is that we should try and find out about the last Master, and see if there's anything else odd in town.

"Maybe we should meet up with Tohsaka, or one of the Matous, too. Or get a meeting set up between us."

She rubs her chin, in thought.

"Admittedly, it would be best if we were able to cement an alliance to secure the 'Master' wish for one of the three of us, but there still lies a problem in the wish of the Servants. I do not doubt that Rider and Saber will fight to the death for thier own, much like myself." She says, looking me straight in the eye with her unwavering emerald gaze. "I trust that we will be able to best them, once other matters are resolved?"
I nod.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, but I have no intention of losing, if only to pay you back for saving my life." I say, and Lancer smiles.

"Excellent. Now, though you have mentioned scouting, I must say that I feel you are lacking in the martial arts. Admittedly, what I have seen of you is impressive with the weapon you were using, but I would like to help you become more skilled, at the least so that you can survive long enough for me to reach you if another Servant attacks directly.

"Perhaps we can spend the night sparring, instead? That way, I can appraise your skills directly, and correct whatever may be erroneous."

Her smile is possibly the sweetest one I've seen, but doesn't quite match the expression the rest of her face has, for some reason.

>Spar with Lancer
>Go patrol, contact [Tohsaka or Matou]
>Write in

>>2195513
>>Spar with Lancer

>>2195513
>>Spar with Lancer

>>2195476
That lancer is looking fine as hell.

>>2195513
>Go patrol, contact Matou

>>2195513
>Spar with Lancer

>>2195513
>Spar with Lancer

>>2195476
Any chance we could get some sauce Anon? Tried looking for some scans and came up with nothing.

>>2195539

https://imgur.com/a/76Ohv

Here's the incomplete album I got it from.

WARNING, SPOILER AS HELL FOR FGO IF YOU'RE ONLY AN NA PLAYER

>>2195513
>Spar with Lancer
We really do need to set up that meeting some time though

File: 1514782639956.gif (983 KB, 500x364)

983 KB GIF

>>2195542

>>2195513
>Spar with Lancer

We may actually be better off than canon Shirou, in terms of sword skills, at least. We're an active member of the Kendo Club in this timeline, which means in all likelihood, we decided to stick with the hellish training that Taiga puts the Kendo Club through.

Of course that could also mean that her bad habits might've rubbed off on us... Except maybe for the whole "charm on our shinai" thing that would often get her disqualified.

>Please give me 2d20. Best of first three. No DC, this is just to see how well things go.

Rolled 16, 12 = 28 (2d20)

>>2195628
here goes nothin

Rolled 3, 5 = 8 (2d20)

>>2195628

Rolled 1, 5 = 6 (2d20)

>>2195628

>Writing

>Spar with Lancer, 16, 12

I nod, giving her a warm smile.

"Sure. The property has a dojo on it. We can go practice there." I say, beckoning her on as I head to the side room.

Sure enough, when I arrive, it's much as I've left it since I joined the kendo club in my school. Underused, but clean. A number of bokken hang from the wall, and I glance around, tryingt o find something suitable for a spear user.

"Ah, excellent. Those will be perfect." Lancer says, walking to the rack and taking one.

She gives it a few swings, and feels the tip of the blade, before tossing it to me and taking a new one for herself. I take a kendo stance, and make a few swings myself to refamiliarize myself with the weight and balance,

"Now, Master. I'll say this first." She smiles. Again, the most beautiful smile I've ever seen, but... It doesn't fit the rest of her expression. "Defend yourself to the best of your ability, or this will be quite painful."

Wha-

She's on me in an flash, her prana bursting behind her as she rushes me. I barely have time to raise my own sword to block- even though I do, I can still feel he blow rattle through my body.

"Hm. Perhaps I'm not as in control of this body as I would have hoped." Lancer says, and I stumble backwards. "I did not mean to strike you with nearly that much force."

"What was that?" I ask in wonder. "Some kind of reinforcement? A technique?"

"Nothing more than a skill of mine. Now, ready yourself for real, Master. Muster every ounce of strength you may bear."

I manage to say my incantation before she darts forwards again, reinforcement strengthening both my weapon and my body as I desperately block, parry, and dodge her srikes.

Each one is at lightning speed, and even the glancing ones send pain through my body where they strike.

But somehow, I manage, always making my way through the onslaught at the best I can muster. It feels like hours as we duel, and I take more than enough strikes

Eventually we stop, her expression and posture without a single hint of exertion.

"...Master, would I be correct to assume you've only ever used a Japanese sword style before?" She asks. "And only ever fought those using the same?"

I nod. Taiga may be laid back and relaxed to the point of laziness, but her form in kendo is flawless, to the point I can't even keep up with her without using Reinforcement.

"Interesting. Then that attack you tried, before I struck your elbow the first time. Was that stance from a Japanese style?" Her question is strange, but-

...It wasn't. I think back to it, and stroke for stroke, it's one that I saw used with that 'Ascalon'. The one that the red Servant used when Lancer had-

(1/2)

>>2195764

My expression all but confirms the answer to her question, and she nods again.

"And in the last few minutes, your style began to imitate mine." Lancer says, rubbing her chin. "You're quite a natural at swordplay, then. Not nearly as versatile, or at the same level as La- as one of my knights, but you show great promise, especially for a human of this age."

I blink as I process the compliment.

>Response?

>>2195766
>Thanks? I've never thought myself any good...
The natural shirou response

>>2195766
>You're pretty good for someone who fights with a lance, how'd you manage to get that good with a sword?

>>2195766
Wait a sec.... Doesn't gray have the lance? And considering how Avalon had to be given over... does that mean there's two of them right now, gray doesn't exist here, or what she's using isn't actually the spear? Or does it not work like Avalon?

>>2195842
Grey has the Lance yes, there's currently 2 of them. It's as paradoxal as when we will inevitably have to get around to slapping our futures selves physical shit to learn his swords so we can sword those swords and learn UBW.

>>2195857
His situation and the lance situation are different things. I don't know why you are comparing them.

>>2195890
Paradoxes be Paradoxes no matter how you spin it. Nasuverse is lax fortunately on that regard.

>>2195890
Think of it this way, Rhongomyniad is the physical manifestation of the pillar of light that holds the World and the Reverse Side of the World apart, it's more of a relic that draws power from the pillar rather than a relic with it's own self contained power, like Excalibur.

It's even stated that Gray's family has Add shield Rhongomyniad so it's Mystery isn't slowly reduced to nothing, that doesn't mean that reality will rip apart, it just means less power can be drawn from the pillar.

So that probably means that there can be more than one Rhongomyniad since it's more of a "concept" than an actual physical object, kind of like the Internet, can't use it without a device that links to it, but if you broke the device the Internet would still exist and you can make more that can link to it.

>Reply like Shirou, question weapons

"Thank you." I say, shaking my head. "I never thought I was that good at it."

Lancer smiles back, and I continue.

"But you're amazing for someone who fights with a lance. How are you that good with a sword, too?"

"Ah... In my legend, I wielded a host of weapons that most certainly would be qualified as 'Noble Phantasms', the most well known of which is doubtlessly my sword." She says, as though remembring something. "I would say with some certanity that the only Servant classes I would not qualify for are Caster and Berserker. My... Errant knight's use of my dagger certainly means I would qualify for Assassin with it.

"Unfortunately." Her distaste for the implications of that class is obvious.

"That's... A lot of weapons." I manage to say, stretching my sword arm. "So are we still going to do this?"

"We've been at this for almost two hours, Master." Lancer gives me a strange look, raising an eyebrow. "I can't imagine you have that much magical energy left, with the amount I've been receiving."

A beat.

An hour...? But my reserves are...

I close my eyes,and focus.

Yes. I still have about half of my usual reserve left. As Lancer says, with the amount I can feel going to her, and the amount I've expended on my reinforcement, I should be just about running dry by now.

"...I still have plenty of power left, Lancer." I say, opening my eyes and looking at her. "I don't know why."

"That's- Impossible." Her expression is of pure shock.

****

Another thirty minutes pass, and Lancer has put me through my paces.

Whatever's causing this upswing in magical energy for me would certainly be welcome, if not for the bizarre nature of it.

With our testing, we've determined that my prana is steadily replenishing itself. Not at a tremendous rate by any means, but far faster than it was even yesterday. It's certainly enough to maintain the negligible upkeep on her easily, as well as keep a reinforcement of my body going past a few minutes, without noticeable drain.

But after all of our testing, our possible explanations for this come up short.

"...It is at times like these that I wish I was able to consult with Mer- my old court magus. He would certainly have a better idea of what exactly is going on." Lancer shakes her head as I release the reinforcment on the sword. "More the pity what had happened to him."

"...A magus. That's it." I say, nodding. "I know I'm not that knowledgeable, but maybe the Matous or Tohsaka know something about this."

Lancer gives me a skeptical look, but nods.

"Perhaps. If we are to seek one out tonight, it would need to be soon, unless you are planning on not attending your schooling tomorrow. " She says, glancing over to the clock.

>Puzzle this out ourselves
>Contact the Matou
>Try to contact Rin
>Write in

>>2195842

Most Noble Phantasms used by servants are a "crystallization" of their legend. The mystique, history and ability they possessed in their story given a solid form. The embodied "concept" of that item. So when summoned, a servant doesn't possess the real "thing", they possess the platonic ideal of their thing which they wielded. Artoria loses Avalon in her legend, so it's not physically on her when she fights on Camlann Hill and makes her pact with the World. (Rhon and Excalibur are though). It is able to eventually be recovered and used as a catalyst without it's Mystery depleted (for some reason). This is why it's a "phantasm".

For instance, Herc should have his Bow of Hydra normally, a legendary item he possessed, but because he's a Berserker with Madness Enhancement he can't think to use or release it, so he doesn't have the NP on him in that form of a Servant.

>>2195975
Oh, fuck. Are WE the black grail this time?

>>2195975
>Write in

Can we write in to MagiMali?

But seriously
>Try to contact Rin

No offense to the Matous but they seem like their handle on magecraft is a little wobbly. Lots of talk of going back into their library for stuff. Rin's managed a Saber though, she probably knows something.

>>2195975
On people we trust, I'd go ask thr matou. We've established some sort of contact with rin, but questioning her on this sort of thing... well, doing thay would be a very shiro thing to do. I'd say go to the matou first, then get a second opinion from rin.

>>2195975
>Puzzle this out ourselves

>>2195986
>Caster's made the Taiga Dojo's show up in in Shirou's dreams instead of in bad ends
>They're all actually Angra Mainyu giving us advice on how to survive long enough to be born

>>2195991
>>2195993
I know. We could see about Ilya. She doesn't seem to be actively wanting us dead at this point, and she is from a major magus family.

The only issue is her Servant.

>>2195991
>Can we write in to MagiMali?
Sure, but her streams don't actually start up for another couple of years. You'll have to wait for a reply.

>>2195975
>attempt to puzzle it out
>realize we know NOTHING
>call up the matou, they have a shaky grasp of magecraft, but if we're allies, best to let them know (plus their library seems helpful). If they ask us over, go over, if not,
>Go out and partol, with the purpose of meeting tohsaka

>>2196005
Oh, yeah! Ilya's actually a decent choice too.... yeah, we could probably go ahead and search for Ilya instead of tohsaka after calling the matou. Nothing against tohsaka, but Ilya could work out better, in this case.

>>2196016
>>2195975

Seems solid. CoG, this is my vote.

>>2196007
Oh, right... Ilya. That actually might be interesting. alright. Changing that last bullet of sealing out tohsaka for the einzbern

>Rin
>>2195991

>Matou first, then someone else
>>2195993 (Ilya)
>>2196007 (Rin)
>>2196032 (Ilya)

>Puzzle it out ourselves
>>2195996

I presume >>2196036 is >>2196007, changing their vote?

>>2196042
Yeah. Postin from my phone because I'm buying soup.

>>2196048
In that case,

>Writing- Matou, then try to reach Ilya

I just noticed Shirou doesn't know who Lancer is right now and she doesn't seem to want to tell us, what's up with that?

>>2196459
She's probably insecure cause Fucking assassin mordred.

>>2196512
Also because she's convinced she was a shite King.
We definitel need to set her straight on that once we "find out" about her identity.

>>2196459

She doesn't like to talk about it. It sounds like her wish is still for someone else to pull the sword of selection.

Which is gonna be REAL interesting since this timeline is still incompatible with Apocrypha so originally Mordred's wish should also be to have the chance to pull the sword.

>>2196567
Her reaction to her tits seemed to imply that something changed for her but she never expected inheriting vast tracts of land.

Her goal may have been met but there's nothing to say it did so I wonder what went differently for our Arturia and why she isn't default Saber Arturia.

>>2196852

I mean theoretically, part of the reason why the Lancer is taller is because Rhon is like, a freakish source of mana which empowers her body, not just because she's not relying on Excalibur/Avalon which normally render her ageless.

Saber is 154cm/42kg
Lancer is 171cm/57kg?

That's like 6-7 inches of growth which is not necessarily typical in a girl even if she stopped growing at like 13-14. So if she's summoned as a Lancer at all it may be that her physical form takes on a different quality.

>>2196871
Huh, guess I misinterpreted her surprise.

As Lancer Arturia, wouldn't one of her abilities, or rather, one of her Noble Phantasms be to summon her steed, Llamrei Or Dun Stallion according to F/GO, I guess, even though the historical name of King Arthur's steed was in fact Llamrei, in addition to Rhongomyniad, since proper use of an actual lance requires the user to be on horseback? Given that there's precedence in Servants having more than one Noble Phantasm, as is the case with Rider having both Bellerophon and Bloodfort Andromeda, and Gilgamesh having Enuma Elish/Ea and the Gates of Babylon.

>>2197591

Llamrei is her horse as Lancer Alter.

Most Servants have multiple NPs, though not always in useful ways. Technically she should be able to summon Dun Stallion/Lamrei just as part of being Lancer and maybe she can for like, full power - but at least for Lancer Alter (she appeared earlier in FGO so materials for her has been out a while) her horse is not counted as a "Noble Phantasm", it's just part of her being summoned.

Since our Lancer is like Saber in FSN and can't go incorporeal maybe she can't summon the horse. She doesn't need it to wield Rhon though, pretty sure she stabbed Vortigern with it while on foot. Alter Lancer still has access to Invisible Air though, so normal ver should too.

>>2197737
god damn i can't wait to do camelot in the english version of F/GO.

>>2197737
Is there a version with Virgin Lancer and Chad Lancer Alter? Because we all know Lancer Alter continues the proud tradition of Arturia's Alter forms being overall better than her regular counterparts, both from a writing and mechanical standpoint.

>>2198024

I mean, she didn't come home so we'll have to debate who is better when Camelot comes out. Aesthetically I fucking love how Lalter has this draconic look to her armor and she's not an asshole, but story-wise she's not really impressive. Her origin is kind of confusing and she does absolutely nothing in the London chapter she appears in.

But I rolled Mordred and 2 Teslas so I really shouldn't complain

Is it wrong that, even though I know it could never work, I want to try and patch things up between Arturia and Mordred?

>>2198267
Saving people doesn't necessarily mean keeping them out of danger. Mordred and arturia are people that need saving despite all their power, so it's out our duty to save them. It's that simple.

>>2198295
I just...
I want to save both of them, but I don't see how we can.

>>2198314
Don't think about how we can or whatever. Just shirou on forward and do! Ilya will be saved! And kariya, and lancer, and assassin, and everyone that we can see!
That's how shirou do! Even if it costs him everything!

Know what a big problem is with Shirou's dream? He lives in an age where people don't believe in Heroes anymore. They can't wrap their head around the idea of someone doing good for the sake of doing good, and nothing more. It's an utterly alien concept to modern man.

For Shirou to successfully become a Hero with as few consequences as possible, we need to jumpstart a new age. An age where people believe in doing the right thing again. Where people act in the best interest of their fellow man with no ulterior motives.

We need to wish for a new Age of Heroes.

>>2198359
>wish for a new Age of Heroes
Nigga do you KNOW how Grail-Kun thinks?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9vhM6yvdrc
You wish for a new Age of Heroes and it'll make damn sure that includes the insanely murderous monsters and shit are running around, too.

>>2198359
In an age where everyone is a hero, no one can be a hero.

>>2198359
Given what we know about the grail, that wish has the potential to be twisted in such a way that the grail would create a situation where a new age of heroes would be required.

Something that wouuld require a new age of heroes would fuck the world up inmensely

>>2198267

It's theoretically possible. Mordred's just CN (aka morally tsundere) so there's that to keep in mind but mostly their problem is that Morgan and Artoria are shitty people for different reasons and Mordred is like a reverse Illya. She looks about as adult as anybody in Fate but she's basically a brat inside. Shirou might not be the best to sit down and explain to them how to people skills, but he can try, anyway.

We're lucky she doesn't have Clarent it looks like. So conceptually we hold advantage over her.

Also Clarent isn't a Divine Construct like Excalibur, Rhon or Aroundight so everybody watch their butts with a rogue EMIYA running around

>>2198359

Commencing Grand Order. Singularity: City of Flames - Fuyuki, AD 2004. Humanity Foundation Value: ???

That's good reason to say there's smarter ways to wish for basically that, though.

>>2198425
I wonder if we can get good enough in this quest with UBW to do that thing muramashirou did?

>>2198461
You mean use the swords in UBW to forge a Kusanagi no Tsurugi copy comparable to the real deal? It's entirely possible... maybe. Though since we wouldn't necessarily be possessed by Sengo Muramasa himself, it'll either be a powerful, yet mundane blade, or could end up being a divine construct, since we're focusing on making a copy of the Kusanagi.

>>2198537
>>2198461

Shirou himself might not have the knowledge to do this intrinsically since he's still limited to stuff he's observed or otherwise can invision, even if Emiya Shirou is an existence which is said to be like Muramasa. He can, in his own words, only give form to what's in his mind.

If we actually get around to properly tapping into Projection we maybe could push for a few tricks though.

>Call the Matou
>If that don't work try to find Illyasviel

"I'm going to call Shinji. See what he can dig up for me." I say, shaking my head. This has already been a strange week. The mana situation is stranger still.

His phone rings once. Twice.

"Hey, Shirou.." Shinji's voice comes over, obviously low and a bit worried. "It's not the best time, but what do you need?"

"Nothing much. If you have a minute, could you see what you can find about, uh... Mages spontaneously producing mana? At a high rate?" I keep my tone as level as possible. From the background, it sounds like Sakura is trying to calm someone down.

..Is Rider-

"Yeah, sure. I'll talk with you later. Rider had a major freak out earlier for some reason, and we're still trying to figure out why." He says. A sigh soon follows. "Yeah, Sakura, I'll get water boiling. Again.

"Well, I'll let you know when I look into it, Shirou. Good night."

"Goodnight, Shinji." I say, and hang up.

There's one lead gone.

Lancer and I share a look of disappointment at the development, but a thought occurs.

"...Lancer, we need a magus who we can trust to look into this, right?" I start. She nods. "Someone who isn't likely to try and kill me for the secret?"

"Yes. However, if your friends are not an option, then who do we have to turn to?" Lancer pauses, giving me an odd look as the realization dawns.

"Surely, you don't mean to say we should try and talk to the Tohsaka, do you?"

"The thought passed my mind, but no." I watch as her expression relaxes.

"I think we should get in touch with Illyasviel."

"What."

****

It takes me a few minutes to convince Lancer that the plan is the best we have. With our combined lack of magical knowledge, anything we puzzle out will be inaccurate at best and horrible at worst.

But Illyasviel has, by Lancer's own admission, saved my life, and used a Command Seal on her own Servant to prevent him from killing me.

"...Then she is the best option we do have." The admission is awkward, but we move on to the problem with that plan.

Where, exactly, she is.

We resolve to check one area first, then move to another if it doesn't work out.

With that in mind, I-

>Search around Shinto, and the newer part of the city.
>Search through Miyama Town.
>Ask the mediator if he can put us in contact with her.

>>2198583
>>Search around Shinto, and the newer part of the city.

>>2198583
>Search through Miyama Town.

>>2198583
>Search through Miyama Town.

>>2198583
>Ask the mediator if he can put us in contact with her.
Mediators neutral ground, right? We can do that first, then search if they cant.

>>2198627
But that means we'd have to talk to Kotomine again.

>>2198656
Kotomine will, at the very least, play by the rules. So going to see him for something like this is basically a freebie.
We just have to deal with his insufferable presence.

>Current vote looks to be 1 for Shinto, 2 for Miyama, 1 for the church

>Any further votes?

>>2198705
I want to go church, but the church seems a little easy...
Well, I can't see a downside other than being near kotomine. Oh, and the familiar spies, probably... Well, anyone want to convince me otherwise? Becuase if anyone can, I'll vote for the church, else miyama

>>2198580
so, say we were to compress the entirety of UWB into a single sword to swing with...

>>2198705
>Search around Shinto, and the newer part of the city.

>Since the vote is a three way tie now, I'll roll 1d3 at half past, then start writing. If the tie is broken by then, I'll write on that instead.

Rolled 2 (1d3)

1- Shinto
2- Miyama
3- The church

>Writing

>Miyama

"Miyama town. That's where we met the first time, right? And I bumped into one of her maids there earlier today." I nod. Lancer gives me another look. "She was trying to make dinner?"

There's a few moments as my Servant just stares at me.

"Very well. Miyama town it is." She sighs.

It takes us a few minutes to get going, and we spend at least an hour walking, with a question nagging at me.

"...Lancer, you said you think Assassin is your 'son', right?" I say, as we fall into a routine step, looking for anything possibly out of the ordinary.

"Yes, though I only found out about the relation near the end of he- our lives." Another slip up. She's been making those and correcting her words mid-sentence quite a bit today.

"Why do you ask?"

"I'm just wondering," A glance back confirms nothing is going to do what Illyasviel did last night, and surprise us. "Why did you fight one another? What happened?"

Lancer's expression is grim, and we walk another block in silence.

"She... Betrayed me. Turned her back on her oaths, and rallied a coup while I was out of the country taking care of another... matter." Her speech is halting, as though she's considering each word. "By the time I had returned, she was acting as king without authority, and had turned a number of my lesser knights to her side.

"It was an arduous process, retaking my own country after the debacle I had just dealt with, and it ended with us striking fatal blows to one-another on that fateful hill..."

Anothr few minutes of silence pass, as that sinks in. We cross another empty intersection, and a familiar park to me is nearby, I realize.

"...Do you know why the betrayal, though?" The question comes out before I think about it.

"...No. Perhaps it was lust for power, or the machinations of her mother that led to it." Lancer shakes her head. "Regardless of what it was, my 'son' and I were at war until our deaths."

"Maybe you could ask, the next time we fight her? It might at least give you some closure."I sigh, and we step past the gate.

"Good grief. It sucks to have to kill your own kid, doesn't it, missy?"

A relaxed man's voice echoes across the empty street, and Lancer and I turn quickly, looking for the source.

In the park, leaned against a statue is where we finally spot him.

He stands a bit shorter than the priest, wearing an obnoxious, modern shirt and black pants. Wild and long blue hair, a feral grin, and red eyes look back at us, and he stands, clapping a mocking clap as he walks towards us.

"From that look, I ain't who you were expecting to find." He says, and as he draws near, I can see the crimson tattoos he has stretching up his arms.

Despite the casual clothes, I can tell-

(1/2)