Completing his work, he let out a deep exhale. His expression shattered, a mad grin splaying across his face as a laugh tore its way out of his throat.

Yes. Yes. Yes. The final piece he'd been missing, he had a chance to obtain it now.

The last step that preceded the creation of a new empire.

It took some minutes before he managed to calm himself down, but when he finally had, it began. Using the tool he had exchanged for with that homunculus, he would reshape the world with his own hands.



"...'Lord Britain', I trust?"

"I am Pride, Envy, and Wrath. I am the Cerberus which guards enlightenment."

"...I...I'll take that a yes?"

Was that how he usually greeted people?

It seemed like the stories about him had been at least partially true, after all.

"You can call me 'Goldmember'. I was given your contact so I could reach out to you about a...business opportunity, I suppose you could say."

"Lord Britain is intrigued. Go on."

Wait, why had he suddenly switched to third-person-

"A few associates and I are in the process of designing a company for the supply and distribution of magical goods. There's been an unmet demand in that sector for centuries, and we're prepared to meet it. I have people working on methods for storage, distribution, the works. I'm sending you the documents and figures we have currently."

The infrastructure was something he'd been working on for the better part of his admittedly brief life, and the collaborators were all skilled in their own right. Magi several times more talented than Evan himself, certainly. However, a talented magus alone would not be a success, not in the way that Evan had envisioned it.

A group of magi in Scandinavia, working on an improved method of broom travel that was founded on tethering locations.

A South American magus family that was in the process of perfecting a limited spatial quarantine.

A partner who was in the final steps of negotiations to obtain a Contract of Atlas, for the aims of designing a database for management.

The list went on.

They were not his allies or his friends. They would not aid him in this war. They were merely his business partners. Their roles were to perfect the systems that could be agglomerated into one. His role was to serve as their 'business sense', and just as importantly, to-

"The only thing we're missing is a starting inventory. I'm prepared to offer you ten percent stake in the company in exchange for three hundred million pounds sterling, which we'll use to obtain that very starting inventory. We're prepared to begin operations at the turn of the century, assuming that's met."

To a mundane businessman, the prospect of investing in a business that did not yet exist, had not obtained profits, and did not plan to begin operations for another decade was absurd. However, for magi it was a different matter, and for this magus in particular...

"Naturally, that stake will be freely exchangeable for items we obtain after we begin operations. Most specifically, ones from 'that' sector of legend."

"So, what'll it be?"

...And so it was, that the world forever changed.

As the two swindlers went to look for others along the way, they would soon come across the ramshackled building that used to be a fine establishment. Unlike the other Masters of the war, they weren’t very hard to find, even if they hadn’t chosen the same spot to hang out at after the disaster that was last night. All one needed to do was find where a bunch of scary Japanese guys in robes were congregating. As they approached, however, they got a mix of looks...


Walking over to greet the two was a slender-looking Japanese man with a rolled cigarette in his mouth. An apparent senior member of the Yakuza, the most notable features of his were his eyepatch as well as the Murata rifle slung over his shoulder. Kage Kurokawa was his name. He served the Yakuza faithfully for twenty years as a kuromaku, or a "fixer", working in the shadows and taking care of issues the Yakuza, themselves, don't want to be associated with. Formerly called the One-Eyed Snake before a couple of foreigners politely informed him of what connotations that name was attached to, Kage had developed a reputation of being cold but honorable with his dealings. After his twenty years of service, however, he has since retired from his role as a kuromaku for the most surprising of reasons; to take care of his wife and newborn son. Nowadays, he spends his time trying to find honest work, although he can't help but say yes when his former associates ask for his help from time to time... Just like last night, when there was word of a foreigner playing tricks at one of their gambling rings.

"After I came down to the ring, the great fire started to spread all across Miyama. My family wasn't in the blaze, but was close enough for me to be worried. When I rushed on over to pick them up, however, I saw another foreigner, just like you, who had his own weird tricks. He was leading my family, along with other citizens near the blaze, away from the fire. I knew I couldn't trust that white-haired rat, though, because the way the citizens were following him just seemed unnatural. I couldn't check on her because the fire grew too intense where I was, so I rushed out of Miyama with my boys before shit turned sour. After all that's said and done, though... I couldn't find my wife or my son where my home used to be."

Kage pulled the cigarette out of his mouth after one last toke, flicking it away before putting a hand out to the two. "Tell ya what... that man seems like a person of interest to you, huh? We help each other look for this bastard and I'll see to it that you're both paid handsomely, with room and board, if you wish. I've got a bit of... influence, you can say, around here. Maybe we can also protect you from that bounty on your heads? Not like we care about what those other foreigners want, anyway... And all I ask for return is that I see my wife and kid safe..."

@Cu Chulainn @Dosthou

"Sure." he chirped out before bringing out his spear. Oddly it was not something materialized, but something he physically carried. If anything there was nothing that was not astralized in a spiritual form with Lancer, nor did he seem to return to a spiritual form himself as he moved to confront Rider. A king against a boy that strove to be a knight. A great hero against a fool who wished to share in the glory of those who he saw.

The one who stood at the top against one who began at zero.

Yet this was no longer the starting point. The lily had grown beyond a zero. The youth confronting Rider was not one who challenged him ignorantly, but could see how the king shone with the glory and power of a true A-class servant and hero. He challenged him despite understanding the gulf between them, his level.

The blade of a commoner, the blood of a dragon, the skill of a hero.

No matter how you dubbed the strengths of Dietrich they were above Percival one by one. The power of his body, the ability at arms, the grade of their weapons. But in terms of their keen senses that went beyond the normal perceptive qualities of a human, Percival was more than Dietrich’s equal.

With growing smile he dashed in, spear thrusting forth. The voices were already speaking of Dietrich’s incoming moves. Percival let himself be lost to the fight, after all there was only his own life on stake for this fight. A wager much lighter than the one of the night of fire.

He was the one being challenged this time. So he may as well set the pace. A simple boy was being challenged by a knight. So the boy would share his strength immediately.

In retrospect perhaps it was not the most intelligent thing to set off fireworks as a challenge. Hamel had expected a foolhardy master to rush in if he was lucky, or perhaps a servant capable of being beaten off. The theory behind his decision was somewhat sound, but so focused was he on creating an advantageous battlefield for his servant that he had failed to ask himself one crucial question.

What if the servant who had accepted his challenge was so beyond his own preparation, so beyond his own servant he could do naught but hope Lancer could survive.

Images of last night replayed through his head, his spine shivering in both awe and fear at the sight of that legendary man. It was fortunate that he had come to an understanding with his own servant, and while the new challenger was not that ridiculous heroic spirit, that paragon of heroism, it was not hard to see the man who had contemptuously stepped forward into his bounded field as anything but another exemplar of humanity.

Sweat broke out upon his brow, cowed by the utter presence of the Servant. The sheer power emanating from him was terrifying, while he had seen servants fight through Lancer’s eyes, it was another experience entirely to stand before an existence that he knew could disembowel him with nary a glancing blow.

The knowledge that death itself stood before him had instilled once more that primal instinct of man that he had thought he had conquered twice fold, once as a magi, and the other as a practitioner of druidism.

There was nothing he could do in this situation but rely on his own servant. Which was why he put all his hopes into this singular spell.

In the deck of cards that was the Throne of Heroes, he had been granted a ‘Joker’. A card of possibilities, a card that grew. It was painful, true, to have been partnered with Lancer in the beginning. The headaches he had endured, the ridiculous sights he had seen.

But no, yesterday, in the midst of a tragedy, there in Hamel’s heart hope was reignited.

This moment, this curse (blessing) he would impart onto Percy was filled with the hopes and memories of that growing boy, who became a splendid knight and achieved that beautiful romance.

This battle would be determined in a single strike, is what he had hoped within all his heart, curse charged to the utmost of his abilities.

In the your time of need, you will find (overcome) only ruin Lancer.

@Sageage@Cu Chulainn

Rider, like his previous battle, had his shield ready. While he wasn’t exactly in a defensive stance at this moment, he had still expected an attack, nonetheless. He was in enemy territory, after all, not knowing exactly what he may be facing. His opponent, Lancer, was at a more advantageous position than Rider could have been at this particular scenario, so it would make perfect sense that Lancer would take advantage of his own knowledge of their surroundings while he still can. It is something that Rider would do when faced with an opponent who may outclass him.

However, it doesn’t seem like Lancer was following the same thought process. What Rider saw wasn’t his opponent capitalizing on the current edge he has, but instead that of a child who had just wanted to go on with things, already. As soon as Rider caught sight of this particular Servant, he knew that his opponent was some sort of kid; from his choice of words to how he conducts himself. Seeing that Lancer will foolishly charge forward, Rider knew this fight would be over rather quickly. It truly was as if he, a seasoned warrior and slayer of beasts, was challenged by just some boy…

… But if that were the case, why was Rider still caught by surprise?

Rider quickly raised his shield, almost clumsily so, as Lancer made his dash. That speed… ! Rider thought as the wooden spear smashed into his shield. While this Lancer wasn’t nearly as fast as the first one he faced, he still appeared to move faster than his appearance would otherwise denote. What had really caught Rider’s attention, however, was the strength behind the blow, as it was nearly to the level of his own. What had caught him off guard wasn’t either of these factors, however, seeing as he’s facing off against a Servant belonging to one of the Knight Classes, but the fact that this boy Lancer’s parameters appeared to be a step down from what they actually are.

So that’s why he’s wearing those robes…

Before he made his own attack, Rider had began to notice that Lancer’s Master had started using his magecraft on his own Servant. While Rider did expect as much, seeing just a glimpse of the nature of what appears to be this Magus’s territory, but still felt the need to issue a warning in advance, as well as some words of reassurement. It looks as if it were the first time this Master has come this close to a Servant that isn’t his own.

”Master of Lancer!” Rider had shouted as he chopped Mimung down on Lancer’s spear with the intent of breaking it, proceeding forward with his shield still raised. ”If you intend to use your magic on me, know now that my Magic Resistance is high enough to protect against any sort of magecraft of this age! If anything, you should continue to focus on supporting your Servant… he surely won’t win without your help!

“... And don’t be so afraid! I don’t intend to kill any Masters if they don’t get in my way!”

The boundary field collapsed under the constant and unremitting assault. There was no defense that could oppose the greatest Noble Phantasm of the war, System Keuranos. The destruction of Ajax and Skuld would be a mere matter of course. The second coming of the God of Thunder eradicated everything it touched lacking any distinction. It was nothing short of a divine judgment on whatever Tesla pointed his hand at. The storm and even World dropped on Fuyuki were nothing compared to it in terms of its capacity for annihilation. Well, at least in terms of 'pin-point eradication'.

The figure of Caster faded away as the lightning contacted it. No, it was better to say it was overwhelmed and completely destroyed. There would be nothing left of them after such an attack.

It was over in a moment.

Tesla had ended the drawing of mana from the Tohsaka leyline and eradicated two servants in one simple stroke. With that, there was nothing left for Archer to do here. No, with the use of SK in his injured state, fighting simply wasn't possible. Receiving support from both his master and the leyline would be required. If he even attempted to fight, there was no doubt that servant Archer would fade away almost immediately. Everything had a cost and of course, the strongest attack would have the greatest fee. Tesla would return to the Church and rest until he could properly fight again.

But.

Just before that.

The impossible happened in a singular instant. A power inherited from the Age of Gods. A mystery beyond modern magecraft. Spatial Transference through multiple dimensions as a form of high speed movement, perhaps? Or it could have been a form of innate time control instead.

It didn't matter either way, the result was certainly the same. In an imitation approaching Magic, the Berserker who had been previously standing near Skuld appeared behind Shuten and Tesla not twenty meters away. Their line of retreat had been completely cut off.

No, not only that. He was far stronger than he had been before this point.

---

An interface with the land, the capacity to calculate(see) an overlooking view, and a blanket of familiars across the entire city. Thanks to that, Tesla's arrival was no surprise to Caster beyond his new friend. An Archer class Servant with long range prowess. By not approaching her directly he was openly showing hostility. The choice going forward for Caster was clear.

The great ritual had already been completed for awhile, so by this point she was just taking mana from the surrounding area.

That was of no particular importance to her.

Skuld did not need to consider if he was betraying her or not, at least for now. The moment he had arrived, she activated the 18 original runes to form a barrier that could stop even a great Noble Phantasm.

Caster supplemented it with shields prepared using the various engraved formula on both the air and ground. Each one was at the level of A rank thaumtaurgy, forming a defense equivalent to a castle wall. It was an insanity that only took a moment with the level of preparation that was already here.

Yes. This was the power of Caster. By preparing in advance and deploying as many defenses as possible in an instant, she constructed a Fortress out of nothing. This was a requirement to fight in the first place. Caster was the weakest class, but they were also Magi. Cheating was the only way to win against other Servants.

They were great Heroes with mysteries that exceeded magecraft. Not only that, many had high level magic resistance after all.

But she had no intent to remain. Activating those defenses was only to cover a retreat. Of course Skuld would not face a man she had a non-aggression pact with. It would be unfortunate for her to sour relations with one of the caretakers for one of Fuyuki's cardinal leylines. It wasn't like he properly knew it was someone he had a non aggression pact with. Caster simply left using instant transportation, taking Ajax and Serafina with her.

A skeleton crew of familiars were left to maintain the field and defenses, while she did not bother to remove her mirror image. It would be interesting to see Tesla's reaction to that afterall. Very interesting.

The party on top of the Tohsaka leyline was already gone by the time he began to actually use his greatest attack.

@Cu Chulainn @Dosthou

His hands let go of the spear as its force bled into Rider’s shield, a rune flashing to life as it began to fly away on its own accord. Lancer then lashed out with a fist towards rider, a blow just as potent as his spear, albeit much more dangerous for the servant. For no matter how strong his attacks were his body would not hold up to the steel of his blade. To assume one could assault someone like Rider with impunity was foolish, yet Lancer attacked in his rush trying to force a momentum against the man with a wall-like defense. But even that had limits, especially with how keen his eyes were.

He knew he could not tarry in a melee with Rider. So Lancer abandoned his push almost as fast as it had begun. His other free hand reached for his spear, grabbing onto the shaft that was flying away so he would be pulled along. At the same time he twisted his body for a kick towards Rider’s face, intending to break away with a gift to the servant, propelling himself away and striking in one fluid move. In flight he flipped to land back on his feet, a great scar carved by his feet in the flowerbeds, his landing cutting through and crushing tree-roots in his body’s path.

The thoughts of Lancer evolved, but it was a question whether he at his peak, the full completed legend could stand up to Rider.

“I am Percival.” he declared to Rider before incanting the name of his wear. Well, it would've been obvious to anyone what his identity was the moment he transformed his wear into that armor but... the slight smile on Lancer's face implied that he was simply sharing it because he felt it. Perhaps he had forgotten about that fact? But it was no matter. What stood before Rider was more than a foolish boy indeed. Once more he transformed into the Red Knight of the Round Table. Once more he took on that man’s armor as that curse was affixed upon him. Once more he became a blessed youth who stood against a hero.

Thieves for Hire

Somewhere down the Native District, A strange deal or rather a sidequest was a proposed for the thieve duo of this holy grail war. It's rather odd that a prestige organization such as the Yakuza would consider contracting a deal with scoundrels and swindlers at their caliber. I guess this unexpected job request must require dirty hands and tactics to resolve the city's dilemma, and there are no better dirty hands than the thief girl Riyu and her infamous saber servant, Jack. Its what they do for a living.

Before getting into the details, The thief girl has taken a glimpse of the guy's colorful tattoo around his body, examining the rugged man from head to toe and wondering what kind of deal they are making. could this guy be one of them? She pondered, knowing this is no ordinary client they are speaking into.

She stood still along with her servant, Jack and listens to the intimidating man with the eyepatch has to offer.

Riyu hears Mr. Kage unfortunate sob story about his wife and son, keeping a straight face as he goes along. To be honest, this kind of story doesn't really surprise her but the way this yakuza dad describe how his family got abducted in an unusual way, its somehow peak the thief girl's curiosity. Perhaps this guy is on to something. She thought to herself.

Her mind starts to drift somewhere else about the possibility of this kidnapping is the work of a magecraft or a magus. But as soon as she heard the bounty this man is offering right in front of her. Her train of thoughts was immediately drowned by her greed. Riyu's ears wiggles with excitement and All Riyu can see now is Yen bills flashing before her eyes.

Gold, protection, perhaps my very own bishounen harem manservants in my very own private mansion! oh boy, this is too good to be true. Riyu thought to herself and continues to drift into her thought...Money, Money, Money! Riyu imagines herself being carried by some gorgeous men into her private hot-spring, setting a nice warm- hot bath underneath the view her luxurious pagoda mansion. This sounds like an opportunity only a fool would pass by.

The greedy thief girl's delusional daydream was cut short as The yakuza man finishes his proposition, snapping her back into reality and clears her throat before speaking.

"I don't usually do a hit on someone, but after the promising compensation you generously proposed, it would be ashamed if you give it to some else," Riyu said, being almost being completely transparent about her true motive."We'll take the job, Riyu and Jack retrieval service is open for business.." She said with confidence, disclosing their real name to the man who they will be partnering with.

"Lemme just say, you'll get your moneys worth with the deal your making, we're trained professionals, My servan... I mean my partner here is a master in the art of the heist and as for me, my eyes are trained to see the impossible no matter how hidden they are." Riyu smirks and offers her lip service to the man.

"We'll find this culprit who is responsible for this, Mr... uhm? I didn't catch your name.." The thief girl said extending her hand.

Negotiations had been successful. Moreso than expected, given how much he expected the Matous to begin a smear campaign against them. Riyu had to stay behind to keep her clear of any tricks a servant could pull, but the gun experience that the local offered made him decently worth bringing.

Dropping his one-eyed companion onto a decently tall building facing the warehouse Jack had managed to track the kidnapping duo to with aid from his Master, the thief hopped onto the ground and began rummaging through his bag. “Nope, nope, ooh right ten tons of gold, nope, right, here we go.” Pulling out Durandal, he takes in a deep breath as he walks closer to the warehouse itself.

There wasn’t exactly the time nor freedom for a proper heist. A proper casing, a successful understanding of the target, nor a solid exit plan. None of them were developed ahead of time. He had left his master farther away from the battlefield in order to keep her from potentially getting caught in the fight, but that wasn’t any sort of promise an outside force wouldn’t target her. Not after last time.

Sighing, Jack twirled the blade and crouched, torso parallel to the ground. Knowledge of the target, knowledge of the dangers ahead, knowledge of the guarantee of escape- none of those had been something Jack had possessed the very first time he’d climbed that beanstalk. Breaking into an unfamiliar place, but this time, with a purpose beyond himself. Maybe even befitting that knighting he’d gotten.

The doors wouldn’t exactly open up for him, though.

“Guess I’ll just let myself in.”



A sprint- the ground he stood upon, shattered. The tiny body of the hero known as Jack became a blur, a speeding bullet crashing into the hideout of the criminal who had abducted people in the confusion of the fire, cutting with the holy blade a flurry in front of him with a strength that was unexpected of his frame. Landing with tremendous force, he cratered the ground beneath him and stretched out his free hand.

A gallant thief could play at a hero if he wanted to. And all Heroes were obligated to make the proper entrance.

“Theft of the Heavens.”

The light blazed.

Strategist nodded when Carly brought up the issue of any blockade. "Under the Articles of War, I wouldn't even dream of doing such a thing. And you're right, Master - this place needs to get back on its feet; we best not make it worse."

She paced the deck for a few moments, running the numbers through her head, before adding, "If your 'scout' could find a way of transmitting information to my ship - maybe the old fashioned Morse could do - I can then have my captain act on any warnings your ... erm, 'companion' forwards. For now, though, I better concentrate on planning the raid on the harbor. If we can secure it for ourselves, that'd arguably be the best option, but even getting a few docked vessels of significant tonnage will be enough."

At Carly's second point, Strategist's expression soured. "If ... that is what you believe best, Master, though I must respectfully disagree. For the moment, I'll ascede to working with that rat-thing's master if it'll keep the peace and us out from underneath the guns of another. But we can't go this war alone, especially not so early to the point where we'd be cut down by others if they also detect our presence out here. We may be the ruling power on the waves for now, but we are just one ship, and I need not remind you that practically any other Servant could easily butcher me in close quarters."

She let out a frustrated breath through her nostrils. "I'll keep your wishes in mind for now, Master. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a firing plan to draft up and a Marine operation to put in place for tonight."

As she strode along the deck, making her way to one of the hatches that led into the superstructure, Strategist yelled up to an Ensign peering over the side of the bridge that surmounted the towering fore tower and wheelhouse. "Ensign, pass order to wheelhouse: proceed to bearing 290, speed at one-quarter!"

"Aye-aye, ma'am!"

"I'm not finished!" Strategist held up a gloved hand to stop the eager junior officer in his tracks. "Pass orders to the ship's Naval Company and officers: they are to meet me in the chartroom in the next twenty minutes!"

The lad saluted and departed. Below Strategist's boots, telegraphs rang, crewmen attended to their orders and the steam turbines powering her ship whined. A slight vertigo passed through Strategist's spine as 'Dreadnought' began to slowly bank and make her way shoreward, as the Servant disappeared through a hatch in the 'citadel' and began to make her way down a deck.

Einzbern Manor

The sound of claps resound behind the former wielder of Durandal, the chief Paladin of the Twelve. Olivier, in her casual wear, approached and raised a brow at the broken down trees next to him. "So he did lie. He was a Rider." The Paladin-ness noticed Roland's sheath, once holding the unbroken sword now replaced by a sword yet unknown to her just gives her thoughts that it stun her betrothed's pride. "I really hope you're alright. I don't think you're in a good state to fight now that you're missing a limb." Shrugging, she sat beside him soon after, knees curled up. "Though, who am I to say whether or not you should. I did fight a giant while I was in a critical condition as well."

She turned to him, icy blue staring at the windows of Roland's soul, a simple smile forming on her lips and her head tilted a bit sideways. "I could help you take Durandal back. Whether it be working together or not, I do not want to fight you unarmed. Err, no pun intended."

Despite her wisdom, she wasn't much of a counselor. That would probably be Astolfo's job. Fidgeting about nervously that she might've offended Roland in more ways than one, she turned to the manor just behind them to see if their Masters were done discussing the plans for the third day of the Holy Grail War.

@Kyoka @Sageage @Reflection @Crusader Lord

---

A wonderful wake-up call this morning for the Mafia magus, walking about with a clipboard, he had basically been wearing the attire for a teacher with the glasses as some sort of formality. Yes, he acted as the school's superintendent, "inspecting" every classroom and hallway for misbehavior and littering. With every step he would grab the attention of "his students", occasionally a greeting and sometimes even a thank you as if he had worked in this academy his whole life.

Well... he did... through whatever Piper stuffed into their heads. For now, it was planning time. If he is going to find the culprit or culprits who started the fire, he'd need to have allies. It was well and good to know that he had already planned to meet whoever was porting over at their old deathtrap of a base and awaited whatever envoy they could send to his base. Opening an unused shed covered by his own Bounded Field and rigged with traps should the envoy of the Strategist Servant attack him during the negotiation. He sat there on his own chair, facing an empty one in between a table with a single candle lit just recently with two body guards on either side just behind him.

"I wonder what's taking so long?" He wondered. Time is a very important factor here, for all he knew this Academy might be next.

@Argonaut @Paradox Witch

Well damn. Tesla collapsed onto one knee, breathing heavily as he observed the scorched land before him. He didn't realize he had been attacking Skuld, if he had known that he probably wouldn't have fired off System Keuranos. Oh well, it couldn't be helped he supposed. She lived regardless, unfortunately she also made sure Ajax lived. He looked over his shoulder, eyes locking with Shuten as he glanced at Ajax. "Apologies my darling, but I'm just about tapped out for the day. Would you mind tearing apart the barbarian behind us?" He knew she would gladly do so, it was just a formality that he ask. He would have to make sure she is well rewarded once she comes back to the Church, perhaps he could invent pizza?

Tesla struggled to stand up, activating Disengage as he plotted a course around Ajax. It was easy really, the battle hadn't even started yet so escaping from the Berserker wouldn't be a problem. Oh, but he should probably leave him a present just in case. With that in mind, several invisible red lines appeared all around Ajax, signalling yet another barrage of mortar fire. "Enjoy your meal darling!" And with that he was off.

---

Vlado was very very mad. No, to say he was mad was an understatement of the highest degree. Vlado was livid, Vlado was furious, Vlado was blinded with rage. First the long dead god Chiron drove his Servant to madness, trying to get him to kll Vlado. Then this new Servant burst in, breaking the ground beneath him and forcing him onto his feet, the absolute nerve of him! But above all else, he stole from his Servant. He fucking stole, from his Servant. The rage in the European's eyes would've killed a mortal man, but this was no mortal man. This was Jack the Giant Slayer, the legendary thief. The top portion of his Command Seal disappeared, he opened his mouth to scream his order.

"Caster! Snap the fuck out of it right now and kill this bastard!" The haze that had come over Frankenstein would disappear immediately as Vlado got to his feet, staring down Jack with venom. "You think you can come into a Caster's Workshop and just steal their magnum opus? Who the fuck do you think you are! I'll tell you who you are Jack! You're a goddamn dead man!" With that being said, Vlado hopped backwards behind Frankenstein, content to let him do the work of crushing this fucking idiot. "Summon everything! Everything!" His hands ran through his hair over and over, a futile attempt to calm himself from his rage as each stroke only reminded him of his now lost Command Seal.

"Olivier..." Roland spoke softly, a rare thing as they sat together in that clearing. "If you can help me retrieve my sword, that would be nice." He said, with a bit of a grumble to his words. "To be honest, Durandal was a gift from my uncle, and until I retrieve that, I am not worthy of his love or respect. How am I to greet him on the throne of heroes after this? Losing my symbol?" In truth, he would like it very much if Olivier found his foe, since the two of them would be victorious despite the odds.

"As for that giant." Roland had to laugh as he remembered the story. How Olivier had killed that man with his own weapon. "At the very least, that is something you have in common with that sword thief. Jack." Roland had been pondering it for a while, and he had it down exactly. Many heroic spirits had taken things, but there are few who not only could do in the way that green boy did, but with a golden glow. "The lights gave it away. It's the golden goose, or the golden harp. You know?" Reaching out, Roland's only good hand rested on Olivier's shoulder.

"I have fought while my brains leaked out my ears. I guess I can fight with a missing arm too." He may be at his lowest, but that meant one thing. When he rose, he would be higher than ever before. "My master will need me soon, but I have something I want to discuss with you first."

Roland fell to his knees before Olivier, weight on one, while the other was bent. As if he was about to propose to her. Like he had many many years ago, on the hills of his homeland, after he had faced her in battle. He thought back on that moment, a golden glow in the air and the sky about ready to burst. The paladins weren't there then. Then it was only Roland and Olivier, and Charlemagne watching from a distance. It had been a perfect moment, and every moment since then was perfection when the two were together.



____________________________________________________________________________


His name, is Damu Baka. And he's very lucky for a man who isn't a mage. And a man without a servant. His seals had washed off already, and he had come to accept that the man who told him this was lying. But still, he had a bottle in his hand, careful not to get a drop of water on himself, collecting this for the voice in his head. That voice that had lied to him earlier, but this wasn't nearly as bad as what could have happened earlier.

And so, the man, having finished his samples, tossed his rubber gloves away, and carried the samples away with him. The voice was very specific about where he should leave this stuff. And then he was gone again. Vanishing into the city again, until the voice needed him again. He still had a use for that man.

____________________________________________________________________________


"Suzaku..." Xerxes was in the main room, holding several vials of water. It was exactly what he expected, but at the very least it offered a great deal of interest. But while doing this, he was speaking to the Master of the man who had turned this church into a factory of sorts. "Tell me, how do you feel about Tesla's latest approval into the church?" He spoke softly, but it might as well have been an accusation. "I mean, we came to you. You can see our faces, and the faces of our servants. But this oni creature? She has expressed interest in hurting your servant, for fun no less. And worse, we know nothing about her or her master. She says she has none, but... I highly doubt a creature like that could be independently manifested."

He was placing the samples away for now, a sigh on his lips. "What if he returns with another? And another? I realize there is no harm in allies, but allies must be able to work, and be honest to each other. Is it possible..." Xerxes looked to Suzaku, as if silently commanding him to cut his contact with Tesla for a moment. "Maybe, your servant plans to betray you."

It was a dire accusation, but not one that hadn't been asked before. Servants and master may be compatible to a degree, but total ability to work together? Xerxes at least knew he had control over his Berserker. And Ludwig's Archer was not the traitorous sort. But this Tesla was a man from the future. A future none of them had experienced yet. They didn't know his legends, not like their servants did. Not even pondering the possibility would be poor judgement for the both of them, especially since Tesla had proven to be such a powerful man, and worse, and archer with the ability to move independently of his master's will.

"I don't mean to judge, but maybe, we should consider the chance that he may kill you, and replace you with another master if he finds one more in line with his beliefs. You don't need him forever, but a man like that. If he could hop from master to master, he may very well seek to keep his operations alive even once the war is over."

This was supposed to be a show of force. A quick and summary execution in a display of blinding power and incandescent fury. The solidification of her new boyfriend's role as the god of thunder in this new age... But that had all gone quite wrong. Quite entirely and terribly wrong. Worse yet, the soft boned fake-Zeus had already ran off, completely spent in just one attack! ...Well, the obvious jokes are in poor taste, but what Shuten thinks of such things should be fairly clear.

Still, they could have their little couple's spat about his quick shooting later, it would be better for their relationship if Berserker calmed down a bit first before talking with her darling about this mess. Teeth clenched and ground audibly and nails dug into that pale white palm, staining it red as she watched him go. Furious eyes trailed away from the retreating Archer towards the interloping Berserker, to Tesla's unknowing savior, the sacrificial lamb that would absolve the Archer of Lightning of Shuten's wrath for his retreat.

But even infuriated her eyes opened wide in shock. No. This thing was not like Archer or that faint memory of a memory of Caster where she could simply pummel her foes into the dirt with brute force. No this thing even put Saber to shame with its raw power, these bones were almost as firm as her most beloved... This was not a fight that could be won by just swinging her sword recklessly. A smile crossed her lips as she raised an open bloody palm towards the Berserker.

"Finally... A chance to dance with all the savage grace befitting of my station... but first, an introduction." A finger with it's bloodied nail curled inward, as if beckoning him forward, and a drop of crimson trailed off towards the dirt. It tumbled through the air in red, and then a very sudden black. The surface of that tiny drop of blood began to shudder and the world itself seemed to shudder with it, as if that falling drop of blood was a swirling microcosm of destruction waiting to be born, waiting to tear the very air around it asunder with untold fury. "...My name is IBUKI DOUJI!" She had not merely uttered her name, she had incanted an unmistakable deceleration of a heroic spirit's identity. This was the Berserker of Mount Ooe's Noble Phantasm.

And of course as befitting of such her words had no chance to fade or reverberate, they were swallowed by a multi faceted roar that echoed through Miyama. Just as that single drop of bitter black blood spattered against the ground it exploded with sound and fury unheard of by any mortal beast. The head of a shadowy writhing serpent many times larger than Shuten herself burst forth from that single drop, flying towards the enemy Berserker with a speed and strength many times that of Shuten's own and venomous fangs barred wide.

It was not alone for that was not the first drop to fall, and the earth shook as six more sprung up from beneath the ground to coil and converge upon Berserker's location. The seven heads assaulted from multiple sides, not just behind but even above and below. With snapping fanged mouths slavering poison and a perfect coordination that could only be possible if they were of one mind they would tear the other Berserker limb from limb in the blink of an eye.

The eighth came from beneath Shuten herself, her feet planted firmly on its head as it carried her forward, sword drawn and face alight with a mix of terrible fury and profound happiness that only an Oni could truly be at peace with. "...SO, WHAT'S YOUR NAME!?" Even if he could have answered, would he live long enough to get the words out?

@vocab@floodtalon

@Cu Chulainn @Reflection





The confrontation was one that was inevitable in one form or another. But the shape it took, in peace yet with pressing business.

An unnatural cause for calamity. Something hidden, something not realized by any other. Well, there was certainly more than just that on his mind quite obviously. Tree after tree was destroyed, the equivalent of a flick from his hooves uprooting them and shattering their base. At times he even rammed straight into them, the armor-like aura and presence of the heroic steed shielding his less legendary rider. Despite the storm of bark, leaves and other such tree matter whipped up in his wake not a single scratch or spec of dust found itself upon the hound.

Despite sounding as though it were a violent enemy’s attack there was no reaction from the Einzberns. After all it was one of them after all.

The two met with the third beast of the forest, and together they spoke. At this point he simply wanted someone, anyone who’d listen and vindicate his warning. The great horse, Falke met the man who wore the face of a horse and spoke of hidden truths.

In a very animated and violent matter at that. Despite the ability to reach a mutual understanding he nevertheless acted out part of it in pantomines. Crushing rocks, quaking the ground with his stomps. It was simply a way to let out stress.

Of course when it came to letting out stress when one was a lifeform of that level…

Well one would be forgiven for thinking that a battalion of tanks had descended upon the Einzbern Forest.

Just as the heroes spoke to each other, so did too the man from the east (west), the dog, and the horse meet. It was not a grand feast, and two of its members were far from legends. In a sense all that bound them together was the simple fact that they could communicate. But was that not enough?

Shinji recognized the man who wore the face of a horse. Falke recognized suitability and, with the annoyance still brimming through him with the disaster of a conversation with his companion and master earlier, dumped this task onto the man who wore the face of a horse. He was the one who took his leave first.

After all, even if he got mad and annoyed, even if he was ignored or was reminded that there were some limits to their bond due to the divide of species…

He was still the one most dearest to him. So he would go to his side.

Falke left the forest, leaving destruction, and a littered picnic-like environment behind.

-





“Ah.” he suddenly realized.

“Saber, we have to go to the bar.”

The bar, the place where their ails and woes could be buried under alcohol. In this case it was more than just escapism. The bar with its certain elements left it as a place more potent than any bed of medicine. There Roland’s arm could be fixed, there Roland’s impurities could be washed away.

But that wasn’t why. “We’re out of snacks.” Tlilpojuan let out a sniff before handing a stick of skewered meat to Shinji.

“After that however…” came the words of Tlilpojuan, his tone as serious as when the man confronted the burning city and the tragedy that had befallen the city the night before. “There’s something amiss at the mountain. I do not believe there is much that we can do to support my pupil at this point. Besides, if we tarry here too long we may actually seem like allies to them.”

This was a war where one walked their own path, following their own wish. To walk with others was not quite proper after all.

“I will be heading to the bar now. Follow after me when you are done, Saber.”

Pied Piper(Caster)

"Master, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the child master has declined to see you eye to eye for personal reason and our proposal seems to be on the tentative side. But fret not, she is keeping her options open and willing to discuss terms with you in the form of her representative" Piper manifested infront of Enzo.

"Uhmm, yeah, so her envoy is a floating mask.... and strangely enough it has a name... it's Ted." Piper sheepishly said, scratching his chin, almost unable to introduce the girl's reluctant envoy.

"It's kinda skittish after seeing Ratface so try not to intimidate it as much" Caster sighed.

"Nevertheless, should I let 'it' in here to discuss negotiation? I mean you could just tell your message through one of my familiars to avoid risk" The well-suited bard said, hoping Enzo would take this compromise deal and waits for his decision.

---

"Just standard procedure Ted, I'm sure you'll understand, don't mind me just sniffing you out for any traps, can't be too careful now would we?" Ratface said, reaching out its hand as it dissolves into multiple pieces of rats, letting some of it crawl and violate frisk Ted's entire body, sniffing with their wet snouts, examining inch by inch, which is not a lot seeing its just a piece of facial cloth.

"Everything checks out, I just need to wait for a confirmation from my master and you're all set" Ratface's arm reassemble itself and casually waits for his master's signal.

@Seirei No Hai@Paradox Witch

Ajax the Great stood just a short distance from were he stood before. It wasn't a surprising event, for he understood that the woman his Master was working with was of the "Caster" Class, ordained as such by the Holy Grail War. Though it meant little to him, still, it was something marginally worth knowing and understanding. They had been transported by her, elsewhere. Though he was prepared to utilise his Noble Phantasm to hold their ground, he didn't get a chance. One second, they were gone. And then he was back, alone, stood upon the decimated grounds of the city before two adversaries.

And energy coursed through his veins. There had been some disorientation during the teleportation procedure, but that had already worn off. That said, he hadn't an idea what had occurred during that time frame. All he knew was that the "Caster" had done something to him. Empowered? Enthused? He cycled through a couple of words, attempting to find the best fit in his mind, as he took a single, hulking step forward, creating a small crater with his might. This was more than just a buff; this was pure, unbridled strength.

Through that black helmet, the mad eyes of the Berserker isolated and observed his foe. Though there were two, the latter seemed too weak to continue the battle, and was already preparing for his escape. Which left the other. A small girl. Ajax's head tilted to the side as he looked upon her. This was to be his opponent? He took another step closer. She was talking, although the words she spoke fell on deaf - or perhaps ignorant - ears.

He watched as she shouted, and spilled her blood across the ground. Did that make her... like him? A "Berserker"? An aura of rage and madness permeated from her, and the blood, and the ground around them, followed by the deafening roar of the creature she had summoned. The massive snake tore from the droplet towards him, its mouth opened wide, stretching long bridges of saliva between its teeth as it approached. And then another was born. And another.



The wall of a man stood watching the beasts be summoned from mere drops of blood. So that was her Noble Phantasm? And a name. "Ibuki Douji". So that was to be his opponent. Despite the steadily encroaching Serpents, Ajax stood his ground, taking in the situation with his Eye of the Mind. No doubt this would take some manoeuvring on his part... This wasn't a battle to be taken lightly.

In a single action, he bent his legs and leapt backwards, demolishing the ground to create a large crater beneath him. The force shook the ground, a small shock-wave rippling across the flattened landscape, along with a tearing sound. No man was meant to wield this much strength. His legs tore with the power, but still, he landed flat, some distance away from the encroaching snakes. He would need the distance.

The next action raised the spear above his head, head facing his adversary. That same, crackling blue energy ran along its alabaster shaft, rippling across its length and into his arm. He wouldn't throw this at his full strength, nowhere near. But it would be near enough. The next second, he threw it, his flesh tearing at the shoulder as he leased the weapon, unleashing his Noble Phantasm with a roar of pure madness, directed straight at the Oni on the Snake. Perhaps it was not the most powerful it could be, but allowing it to connect would be a terrible mistake on her part. If she did, he would activate that.

The moment it was released, he fell to one knee, shield stretched before him. And Ajax said the only words he could say in this form. Words engraved into him from the Throne of Heroes. It wasn't quiet, nor subtle. It was an announcement. A shout. Shuten would no doubt hear it, for it was the announcement of his own Noble Phantasm.



A brilliant, incandescent kaleidoscope of light tore through the shine of the day. From out-within the shield stretched out a brilliant expanse of pure energy, spanning across the battle field entirely. It was less like a shield and more like a wall, comprised of seven layers of radiant and glorious glow, plastered atop the original shield. After all, this was Rho Aias, a shield of absolute defence. Only the most powerful of Noble Phantasms could destroy it - not even Durandal, the spear of Hector, could breach its impregnable form. It would take the Oni everything she had, if not more, to do so. He was more than prepared for these Snakes.

---

Here, on the edge of the ruins, stood a small house.

It wasn't something that could be easily noticed from the outside, but if one stepped into the bounded field, they would see clearly a small, singly-storey version of the Matou home that was destroyed along with so many others the night before.

With that said, one who stepped into the bounded field would find themselves beset by a torrent of worms and runic defences.

Many bugs had been killed in the destruction of this district, but the still prodigious mass that remained felt somehow lighter, more flexible and manageable. This was probably nothing but an illusion of wishful thinking. There was no real benefit to losing so many familiars.

The Matou heir sat at the kitchen table in the sparsely decorated house, a few suitcases partially unpacked beside her. She dealt with bug after bug, infusing a select few with dangerous spells of binding and absorption that would make them individual points of great threat among the swarms.

Below her feet, in "Worm Pit Mk. II," worms who had found some vermin or corpse to feed on put that matter to good use, breeding additional units.

Her mind could not truly be in multiple places at once, for she lacked that special talent of Atlas alchemists. Nonetheless, her familiar manipulation could be compared to an "absolute real-time-strategy game master" who set up "paths" for her units to follow while she focused on other things.

And focus she did.

---

---

Their numbers had been greatly reduced. The pit which housed so many reserve units was gone, and so all that was left was the enormous network blanketing the city.

Tremendous losses of both human and worm life.

Men, women, and children struck down by the recent chaos would not have died in vain. They would factor in to the controller's goal, and that goal would in turn be key to the success of humanity.

The controller was experienced enough not to feel any distaste for such things. Bodies in the streets and in homes were ravenously devoured for the greater good. Normal scavengers, insects and vermin, who had come to feast were consumed as well with no change to the routine.

It was an exceptional amount of flesh, and while recouping the losses of last night was absolutely impossible, this feast would nonetheless produce an exceptional amount of worms.

---

---

They took on the form of the controller, as was often done in the past. The form with the delicate features of a young lady approached the sizeable project with what would be seen by most as stern confidence. An expression it had required extra focus from the controller to properly form.

Fourteen got as close to the unfinished building as possible, and as soon as one of the workmen came into view, it made to grab his attention. Truthfully, though, it was probably worth nothing but a formality to speak to someone who could be seen. There would likely be some sensor around that would alert Benita, wherever she was, of what Fourteen was saying to the construction worker.

"Call Benita. She can come out here, invite me in, or send some messenger, but it's high time we started communicating properly."

---

---

Her eyes were locked onto her target. The Lancer focused on the Avenger from a distance using Clairvoyance. Her body and the spear sticking into the ground just next to her bore many runic markings, some already activated, shimmering with multicoloured light, and some not.

She relied purely on her Master's surveillance to be sure that this woman had added something to yesterday's blaze that had made it noticeably harder to deal with. hile she wasn't the one who had started the fire, nor the one who had added the curses that set it on the path to Miyama's ruin, she would still be worth a handsome reward from Ruler for her part in the crisis.

She was not a member of the Assassin class, and so she could not truly snuff out the massive waves of energy that marked her as a Servant. Nonetheless, she employed a combination of runes and a miscellaneous stealth skill in an effort to minimize the degree her position between two small hills about 300 meters from her target could be detected.

From a satchel, she produced a handful of smooth stones with different runes carved into them, picked out a single one with her right hand. The physical strengthening runes on her right arm sprang to life with an orange glow as she wound up for a throw and hurled the stone at Avenger with functionally rank A power and speed.

In the instant it took the rock to travel through the air, the rune inscribed onto it began to glow a brilliant white. As a keen-eyed magus might have recognized, what was about to come forth from the stone was an explosion of extreme force. Scáthach knew enough about her opponent to not bother with a burst of flame, so this rune would release something closer to thunder or a wave of air.

If Reiki's assessment of her foe's parameters was accurate, then a direct hit would surely spell death for Avenger. On top of that, avoiding a direct hit was a mighty task to begin with due to the speed at which the projectile moved and detonated combined with the A ranked Clairvoyance Lancer way utilizing. The rune was not one that would activate upon impact with something, but rather an attack that would go off at Lancer's own command, the moment it got close enough to its target. No doubt her enemy had some tricks to call on to improve her survival beyond her relatively unimpressive physical abilities, but things got more complex when one considered that her Master also stood in the projected blast radius.

For the opening move of a battle, it was nothing to scoff at.

"Well, this is unfortunate."

Ana had been sitting on a stump with a hand resting on his chin. Of course, the excruciating pain that came with having not only his magical energy, which had otherwise been completely untouched before that point, but also that of his entire workshop -- the veritable furnace nest.

But he did not react as if her were in pain.

"Very unfortunate. Such is the price of summoning such an unwieldy beast of a girl," the Guest echoed Ana's words, image flickering at an ever changing speed. "By my estimation, she will turn your body into a husk within six minutes. Even your mana furnaces are not sufficient to keep her at optimal consumption levels to fuel a creature of that magnitude."

Ana heard the words of the Guest, and his usually vacant-to-whimsical expression, for once, appeared considerate. His brow furrowed, soft features hardening as his eyes shut. He turned inwards, and activated several ingrained routines. Partitioned mind, thought speed simulation. Best possible outcome...

"...Hey, the land just ahead of here. It's Wild Land now, right?"

"Correct. The Light of Civilisation is absent -- it belongs to nature. You have a plan."

Ana's eyes snapped open, a boyish grin spreading across his face, leaning back on the stump and looking over at the mental image before him. "More of an emergency triage!"

"How disheartening. You intend to kill yourself, in order to survive."

"If I work fast, then I won't die!" Ana pointed out, as if it absolved him of all potentially suicidal inclinations. "Also, it means Berserker gets to keep having fun. I'm no party-pooper. Gosh."

"How. Disheartening."

"And that's why everyone remembers you as the Great Shame."

---

"Huuurgh!"

Srrchhh...

"Haaagh!"

Rrrsh.

"C'mooon. c'mooon! Move, rock, move!"

Ana's grip on the rope tightened further, tugging on the taught bindings which coiled around the decorated milestone. Death was coming. He suddenly understood what a drained river felt like. The trees themselves were asking if he was alright, which was a feat.

"I'll live, if I can just..."

With feeble, soft-boy legs, he rooted himself in the ground.

"Pull..."

Arms tensed, teeth ground together.

"This..."

Back arched.

"STONE!"

The boy tugged the milestone with all his might, letting out a guttural yell as his body tapped into the deepest physical reserves of his body, forcing the stone a few more inches.

He fell back, panting. Sweat rolled from his dark hairline, eyes lidded.

"I did it... woo..."

But he wasn't done. The task was not yet complete. He had to ensure Berserker could have her fun. His circuits sparked to life.

O wanderers stone.

"Ehangu gorwel. Y ffigur hwn yw popeth yr ydym ni'n berchen arno, y tiroedd o dan ddaeariau duwiau.

Cerrig o gerddwyr O, o gerrig sy'n diflannu. Rwy'n gwybod nawr, lle ydw i."

Territory expanded. A natural bounded field, incorporated into his Workshop. Ana weakly moved a hand into his jacket pocket, retrieving a single, lone seed. He pressed it into the dirt, a smile ever-present on his face.

"The heart throbs with the pain of life. The fauna thrives and withers with the seasons. The city, mad at five, asleep at ten. Widdershin widdershin, the cycle of life, the heartbeat of existence. Faster, and faster, the apex of the moment. Your hunt is all -- Crimson Cernnunos Circulator!"

A single seed. A second Lucus tree, a lynchpin of Ana's workshop craft. The seed exploded into verdant sprouts, burying itself deeper in the ground, and from within its earthy dwelling, they shot across and deep into the land. The blessed, untamed land, wrought with the wild freedom that existed only in the absence of man, fed the thirsty sprouts beyond what even Ana's magecraft provided.

Green vines turned white as they explored the weight of the land around them. The purity of water, the fertility of the earth, the wind brushing over grass, the desecrated flame scarred land beneath --

“Berserker!” cried the boy. A yell of encouragement, for her to have fun.

Blood of a monster. Blood of a god. Blood of a boy.

It became.

A detonation of life roared over the region once known of Miyama, the groan of alien bark and beautiful energies becoming a dull hum throughout the city. A violent, arboreal eruption protruded from the centre of the land, growing in size on the scale of seconds as opposed to the millennia that would be required for an existence of its size.

It loomed over the city -- no, it towered over the entire region, a fractured reflection of life found within its canopy. Ana stared up at his creation, the thing fueled by the Wild Land that he had extended his bounded field into.

Texture Overwrite Begin.



And in an instant, Ana felt as if he were the Tigris and Euphrates, no longer dry and without a chance of survival, but bursting with life. Even still, he remained on the floor, transfixed. Even around him, other, just as alien, flora began to spring up at a frightening speed. A positive miscalculation.

The Guest flickered into being beside him, its face a collage of curious fractal images.

"What... is this...?" Ana asked, mouth agape, crimson eyes reflecting the glistening lights of the canopy.

"This, child, is life."

---

What should have been a fearsome battle was over instantly, an even match irreversibly tilted in an instant. The King of the Oni and the Strongest Man of All Greece* going head to head with a ferocity that was beyond the full force of such already extraordinary beings... But something was amiss. The climactic impact between two Noble Phantasms that would set the tone for the ensuing fight spelled the end of the confrontation between the Berserker of Greece and the Berserker of Mount Ooe... But that omits all the relevant details.

Normally the great charge of the godly serpent would stall, even if it could break through the mightiest of shields it could not do so before the man standing behind it could mount another defense... But that was before the balance was broken by the actions of Shuten's master. The Tree, tree with a capital T, was something altogether impossible in this day and age. A boundless source of Mana from the age of Gods, capital m mana and capital g gods, that flooded her system with more energy of a higher purity than she could ever dream of having access to. If Ana's own weakness had been holding her back, and it had, this was the inverse of that.

Shuten and Orochi charged forward headless of the flung spear, and the serpent head she perched upon opened it's great jaws and effortlessly swallowed down the weapon. An attack that should be fatal for almost any servant was nullified completely by the great god of Mount Ooe's hungry toothy maw. That same maw that would crash down on Ajax and end his life before he could even come to understand exactly what had just happened.

But even that was not so simple, for that head was only one of eight and lagging behind the rest to boot! Seven more heads proceeded it. One after another in turn each head of the great serpent sank their teeth into the shield with strength no servant could ever dream of, stripping away all seven layers of protection and leaving their prey exposed.

This was something that could be described technically a sequence of separate events that unfolded one after another but only technically. the attacks came so close together with such coordination that even for the purposes of a servant with something like for example Eye of the Mind would only have the barest and most useless notion that these attacks were not in fact simultaneous. The one attack in that nigh-simultaneous sequence that did not target the projected shield was of course that the head Shuten had embarked upon, and by extension Shuten herself.

Orochi tilted it's head just slightly to the side as it moved in through the breach in Ajax's defenses and his maw closed violently over the shield itself, and in the process most of Ajax's body. It was over, he was pinned in its monstrous jaws and his shield-arm, legs, and torso were crushed into bloody paste that in no way resembled human. Before the shock of such an action could even set in the helmeted head that stuck up awkwardly between the phantasmal beast's great teeth was severed instantly by Shuten's sword, swung haph-hazardly and with a frown.

Shuten sat down with a pout, legs and arms both crossed as she began to whine. "Otou-sa~~~n... You ruined the meal for everyone else. It's like you want to starve your poor daughter!" Orochi merely swallowed in response, solidifying his role as a subpar father figure.

---

*Not the strongest hero of Greece, merely the strongest mortal man... but what is Ruler-san up to anyways?

EDITED TO STRIKE THROUGH ALL INVALIDATED DATA AS PER GM RULING,
SECOND POST INCOMING WITH GM APPROVAL TO FIX THE TIMELINE

@vocab@art of fun