Beta read by Shigiya, Paragon of Awesomeness and Gamercrusher55
Lemon warning!
Had to cut the chapter into two posts cause of the 20k words limit restriction on webnovel.
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-Bran Castle, Romania-
Dancing was not exactly his strong suit.
Archer had seen others do it often enough, and he might have even done it himself long ago when he was still alive. But memory and practice were two very different things. Standing there now in the middle of the dancefloor, he was not confident in his skill at all. That doubt only grew when his partner was Rider, someone he suspected would be naturally good at this after what he had witnessed a few days earlier at the school with Serafall. Still, as the music hummed through the hall and the orchestra carried the melody forward, the room gradually grew livelier. More couples stepped onto the floor, and before Archer realized it, he and the beautiful purple-haired woman beside him were moving along with the rest.
Their hands were clasped together, his other arm resting around her waist while she placed a hand on his shoulder with easy familiarity. Archer kept his attention split between the rhythm, the placement of his feet, and the people around them. He had no intention of colliding with someone important or stepping on anyone's foot by accident, least of all his dancing partner.
"Your posture is a bit stiff," Rider said calmly.
"I am trying to compensate," Archer replied. "This is surprisingly hard, I must say."
"You learn and adapt," she said, her tone patient. "Do it a couple of times, and it becomes second nature."
He did not fully agree with that. Given his lack of experience, he doubted that dancing with several partners in a single night would suddenly make him proficient at it. Still, he tried to keep in step with Rider.
"You watch your surroundings far too much," Rider continued with a faint smile.
"Just being mindful of the people around us," he replied. "I am fairly certain this is your first time dancing like this with a partner. Or am I mistaken?"
"I used to dance with my sisters long ago," Rider said after a brief pause. "But my old home didn't exactly have many reasons to do so beyond my sisters' whims."
He chuckled. "Yes, I would be surprised if the Shapeless Isle had ever hosted any social events, least of all ones as grand and elaborate as this."
"Plenty of brave and strong heroes did come to try and spend time with my sisters and me, but our time together was… always cut short," she murmured slyly. "But those were nothing like this. I had to observe what the others were doing and did my best to copy what I saw. I assume you did the same."
"I can easily replicate swords and the skills and stances involved in wielding them," he admitted. "Everything else requires effort, the same as any normal person. Cooking included."
Rider let out a soft chuckle, her voice carrying a pleasant tone that reached his ears without effort. "I know. It helps that you are stubborn."
"I aim to please," Archer replied.
As the music continued, something shifted. He stopped trying to track every single movement and instead allowed himself to follow the flow. The steps no longer felt like a list of rules he had to remember. Little by little, it became easier to move with her, to adjust without thinking too hard about it.
"For an important meeting that decides the future of three powerful factions that have warred for millennia, and likely lesser ones associated with them as well," Rider softly whispered into Archer's ear. "this evening feels strangely peaceful."
"Please do not jinx it," he responded with a quiet sigh. "Then again, something is bound to happen at a gathering like this. It's too important for something not to, and with millennia of bad blood, there is undoubtedly no shortage of people who would see peace between these factions fail, even if it means facing Lancer's wrath."
"Speaking of other Servants, I have a feeling we might see Saber again," Rider said. "Given how things went the last time you saw her, I imagine she holds a grudge of her own."
"It would be nice if she showed some gratitude," Archer replied. "I did not actually kill her, and when you think about it, I actually ended up saving her."
Though not for a lack of effort, if he were being honest. The final attack he unleashed by Breaking Aestus Estus had swallowed the space around him, Berserker, and Saber alike. He had poured everything into that fire, enough that it should have ended even her. Yet her armor was there for more than its appearance alone, and she herself was durable enough to survive even that. There was also the chance her Master had used a Command Seal to pull her out of his Reality Marble, but that was only a guess.
"Until that happens," Rider said quietly, "let us enjoy this moment."
Her tone shifted slightly, lower than before. Archer froze when her lips pressed softly against his. It lasted only a couple of seconds before she leaned back as if nothing unusual had happened.
"You have been doing that more often lately," he said.
"I'm trying to get you accustomed to the experience, and ideally other things down the line," she replied. "I would also appreciate it if you initiated it on your own sometimes. So too would a few others. Women prefer to be chased, not the other way around."
"…Not a bad idea," Archer admitted. "And you're right about that second point as well. But perhaps not now. I feel like I'd pay for being the one to initiate a kiss with you, especially before giving one to someone else."
Rider glanced to the side, her eyes settling on a certain busty red-haired Master standing nearby with her arms crossed, watching them closely.
"Fair enough," Rider sighed. "Did you tell her about us?"
Archer didn't bother asking how she knew. He simply nodded. "I did. It was only a matter of time, and I do not like the idea of keeping things like that secret. Especially since she and I are now intimate."
"I could tell, and I'm glad for her. What was her reaction?" Rider asked.
"Complicated," Archer replied. "I suppose that is ironic, coming from me."
Rider smirked in conformation, but said nothing as they continued to dance with the music carrying on, the second song stretching close to six full minutes while several pairs of eyes occasionally glanced in their direction. It made sense, considering what they were. Servants stood out no matter how carefully they tried to blend in, and curiosity followed them like a quiet shadow.
From the corner of his vision, Archer caught sight of other figures on the dancefloor. Gasper and Valerie stood out the most, though it was clearly the latter who had dragged her partner of choice there. The boy had protested at first, flustered and stiff, but he ultimately caved and simply went along with it, as the opposite would only draw even more attention.
Clumsy and nervous beyond reason, Gasper still tried his best to keep up with Valerie's practiced steps. His movements were awkward, his timing off by just enough to be noticeable, yet there was earnest effort in every move he made. The awkwardness in his movement did not go unnoticed by many of the other attendees—for he was dancing with the Queen of the faction at the end of the day. A few of the vampires sneered quietly in his direction but avoided doing so openly or even raising their voices at all. They kept their smiles carefully measured, throwing polite remarks whenever both damphirs were close enough and shallow praise whenever they thought Lancer might be listening. None of them wanted ire from the one that had singlehandedly overthrown the entire power structure of House Tepes and all their followers in a single day.
Azazel himself eventually joined the festivities. His attempt to invite a certain venomous queen to dance ended poorly, instead resulting in a glass of wine being splashed directly over his face. But rather than reacting with anger, he simply laughed, brushing it off with casual ease. With a single wave of his hand, the wine vanished from his shirt and face as if it had never been there. He then calmly took Assassin's Master by the arm and led her onto the floor, as though nothing unusual had happened at all.
At the very least, Kalawarna looked both mortified and ecstatic at the same time, her expression caught somewhere between embarrassment and excitement.
Of course, a few women from the Carmilla faction tried their luck with both Michael and Sirzechs. Both men politely declined each offer, remaining in their corner of the hall while continuing their conversation as if nothing had interrupted them.
Though not a single soul had the courage to even go near Lancer to ask something similar. Archer could only imagine the kind of thing that man must have done to terrify the vampires of both factions to this extent. The only exception was Assassin, though rather than asking for a dance, the Assyrian queen approached the Wallachian king with a fresh wineglass in hand, and the two struck up a conversation, each of their bearing fully reflecting their respective stations.
"I take it this is the part where we switch partners?" the woman in his arms asked quietly as the music began to grow gentle.
"You are going to continue?" he replied, receiving a nod in response.
"It is a good opportunity," she said. "I need to get some important information out of these people for Sona. And I have a feeling they will talk rather easily. To me, at least."
"Well, look at you, showing initiative for your Master's benefit," he replied flatly.
The cue came, and those on the dancefloor began to slow to a stop. Archer noticed most of them switching partners with those standing close by. He and Rider turned just in time to face Valerie and Gasper.
"Hold on, I was not planning on continuing this with—" he started, but before he could finish, he felt a small nudge at his back. Rider pushed him toward the young woman without hesitation.
She took hold of the thoroughly mortified Gasper instead, the boy more scared about dancing with someone that wasn't Valerie then being near a beautiful woman like Medusa. The moment Valerie squeezed his hand before releasing him, the color drained from the boy's face completely. He looked toward Archer with open pleading in his eyes, but his King's Servant ignored him, wishing him the best in silence. Valerie, for her part, seemed far too pleased.
Stepping forward, the Servant of the Bow found Valerie facing him. She looked nervous but composed herself quickly. After offering a polite curtsy while holding the side of her dress out ever so slightly, she extended her hand. "May I have this dance with you, Sir Archer?"
"You are too kind for offering, Queen Valerie," he replied after a brief pause. Walking away now would draw attention, and she was supposed to be the leader of her faction; publicly embarrassing her would only complicate matters. With Lancer nearby, it was better to play along. He accepted her hand, matching the same steps and rhythm he had followed earlier with Rider as a new song filled the hall.
"You're not usually one for dancing, are you?" she asked.
"Is it that noticeable?" The corner of his mouth twitched, having genuinely tried his best to learn from his prior experience to perform better.
"Most might not notice, but your footwork needs refining since they move around a little too quickly rather than taking their time. Your back is too stiff, and you keep looking around. It disrupts the flow, even if only for a moment," she said with calm analysis.
It was even more of a detailed explanation than the one Rider gave, and he found himself unable to argue. The man accepted the criticism with a small, honest smile. "Apologies. I will make sure to improve in the future. You yourself are quite skilled."
"Thank you. And yes, Grandfather insisted I learn properly. One of many things he's made sure I learn since he elevated me to the throne. We spent hours practicing together in preparation for this evening," she explained. "You have a similar build to him, so it is easy for me to adjust."
Archer raised an eyebrow. The image of a middle-aged man patiently teaching ballroom dance steps during spare hours to this young maiden felt strangely out of place compared to what he knew of the man's legend. For someone with such a violent history, it suggested a softer side to the man he had not expected.
More curiously, though… "If you do not mind me asking, Queen Valerie, why do you refer to your Servant as grandfather?" Archer asked, his tone polite and measured.
"Eh? Well, because he kind of is my grandfather." Valerie reacted by looking at him with some confusion, answering as if it were the most obvious answer in the world with a tilt of her head. Seeing his complicated expression, the girl just chuckled. "I'm kidding. I was just messing with you, Sir Archer. Forgive me."
Was he that easy of a target today for the women around him? Just shaking his head at getting teased by this young girl, he continued with a tired tone. "Of course you were. Seems that everyone's been doing it lately."
Valerie looked towards her Servant, who was now in the middle of having a conversation with Vali of all people. The battle-hungry boy had tried to get Assassin's attention as well, but kept getting ignored. The White Dragon Emperor looked like he was barely restraining himself from just starting a fight, while Lancer, fully confident, just patted his shoulders and let out a heartfelt laugh, though Archer saw the way Lancer's hand was slightly tense and ready to clench down if it came to it.
"I guess, it's because he treated me like family that I decided to call him grandfather."
"I see."
"Things before his arrival were… difficult," she continued after a brief pause, her expression darkening from the memories of the past. "I did not have many people around me, and because of my… nature, I was not really very well-liked in this castle. Most kept their distance out of contempt, and those who did not usually only did so out of obligation rather than any sense of care."
"I heard a bit about that from Gasper," Archer replied calmly. "If the treatment he received was anything like what you experienced, then I am truly sorry for the kind of environment you grew up in."
She shook her head slowly. "It is fine. They gave me enough food and water so I could keep using my powers regularly. If I were ever in any danger of dying or bodily harm, they would genuinely try to keep me alive and in good health. So it was not all bad."
Archer did not comment right away. Treating basic necessities like food and water that were seemingly only prioritized because this girl was in some way useful to her abusive family as a form of kindness was something he could not agree with, no matter how nicely she phrased it. From what he understood of vampires, blood purity and lineage were matters of extreme importance. He could easily imagine what sort of cold, controlled upbringing she must have endured, one where survival was valued more than comfort or warmth, and even that was only because she was useful.
"But when I summoned Lancer with my blood acting as the catalyst, since I'm a direct descendant of this world's Vlad III," she continued, her voice softening. "He treated me differently. I know he looks scary quite a bit, and I understand that he's… killed people, but he always did it to protect me. And he was kind to me at every point. He never insulted me, never hit me, always made sure I was well fed, made sure I slept properly, and even did my hair when I struggled with it. He made sure I received new clothes when he saw how worn out my old wardrobe was, told me stories, and taught me so many things. One time, he even knitted me a pair of mittens by hand because I told him I felt cold, hehehe!"
The way she smiled so brightly at those memories made it clear how she viewed the man.
Also, Lancer knitting was not an image Archer had ever expected to form in his mind. A being spoken of as a fearsome warrior, calmly sitting somewhere with yarn and needles, was so far removed from the usual legends of the King of Wallachia that it almost felt unreal. Still, he found himself oddly accepting it, having been told more than once how strange it was that he enjoyed cooking and handling household chores without complaint. Preferences were personal things, and even the most terrifying figures were allowed to enjoy something mundane.
"It is a good thing you got a Servant like him. And using your own blood as a catalyst, given your ancestry… that's quite a stroke of genius, even if done unintentionally." Archer said honestly.
He felt her hand squeeze his a little tighter and looked down to see her glaring at him in a way that was more cute than threatening. "Please do not call him my Servant. I do not like that title… even if he keeps insisting on it. B-But I am technically his… M-Master, so by that logic, my word should be more important."
Understanding dawned quickly, and Archer let out a quiet chuckle. She did not see Lancer as a tool or subordinate. To her, he was genuinely family, perhaps the first she had ever truly known, where that link was not merely a word used by her abusers to keep her in line. "My mistake," he said. "It will not happen again, Queen Valerie. How about, hm, Heroic Spirit or just Lancer, then?"
"Thank you, that does sound better. Lord Vlad or even just Vlad is also perfectly acceptable," she replied, the brightness returning to her expression.
They continued to dance slowly across the floor, their steps unhurried. Every so often, he glanced over to check on Gasper and Rider.
It was as bad as he expected.
The boy was completely drenched in sweat, his breathing uneven as if he had been pushed far beyond his limits. Rider, on the other hand, looked perfectly content. She carried herself as though she was not even aware of his distress, enjoying herself far too much while her chosen partner struggled with his own confidence issues to keep up.
Though in a way, it was impressive that the timid boy had managed to keep on his feet for this long without badly stumbling, fleeing, or crying, even with Rider holding him up.
"Thank you for taking care of Gasper," Valerie said suddenly.
"Hm?" Archer responded, turning his attention back to her.
"He told me a lot about you," she explained. "Everything you did for him, and everything Lady Rias has done as well. When he escaped the castle all those years ago, I was afraid. I thought he might've gotten killed or met other bad people that would use him like his father. But things turned out well with him meeting Lady Rias, and for that I am grateful."
"What a world we live in, where meeting the Devil in the woods is something to be grateful about." Archer joked, which got him another laugh from Valerie. "Despite his lack of confidence, he has a good heart. The brat possesses considerable power, even if he does not yet know how to use it to its fullest potential."
"Please treat him well," she said quietly. "I do not want him to get hurt."
He offered her an awkward smile, one that carried no mockery. "Sorry, but that is the one request I cannot fulfill. My training methods for the peerage often involve painful sparring, which comes with a great many bruises and even some broken bones. I understand it sounds harsh, but combat is a harsh and unforgiving discipline. Better for them to pay for their mistakes in an environment where they have the chance to learn. And have ample access to healing magic. Even if I do get quite a few comments about me being a tyrant or the like at how painful the experience generally is, it has worked to keep them alive longer."
Her lips puffed out into a small pout as she looked up at him. "You sound a lot like Grandfather," she complained. "Is there not a gentler method you could use?"
"Well, given Lancer's legend, he is rather qualified in his own right to teach someone these sorts of things, yes? And if you think my methods resemble his, does that not mean I should keep using them? If I don't, I have a strong suspicion that the next thing I'll see is him locking himself inside his room again, playing games all day, and dressing as a girl."
"But he looks so cute in those clothes! You can't blame him for that."
"No, but I can blame you for ingraining such a habit in him to begin with."
"You don't have to worry about that, it's just a hobby."
At least she had the decency to look away, a bit embarrassed. In the end, both chuckled with the mood easing up. The song came to an end along with the dance, and he did not have any plan to continue doing this. Valerie was most likely going to go catch the boy before he fainted on the ground.
"You…" He stopped as Valerie spoke suddenly, her voice hesitant. "You will not become our enemy, right?" The question came out of nowhere, carrying a fragile note of uncertainty that stood out against her earlier composure.
It reminded him of the similar concerns his own Master held.
Archer met her gaze. "I cannot speak for the others," he replied honestly, "but my Master has no wish to start a war unless it means protecting those precious to her, especially not with the vampires. The last thing she would ever want is to place her peerage in genuine danger. That, of course, includes Gasper, and her heart would break if he had to fight a childhood friend of his."
Valerie released a quiet sigh of relief, the tension visibly leaving her shoulders. She let go of his hand, and both of them took a step back before bowing at the same time.
"Thank you," she said, her voice steady despite the emotion beneath it. "Thank you again for keeping him safe."
"And thank you as well," Archer replied, returning the bow, "for sacrificing so much to grant him another chance at life."
She trembled ever so slightly, her eyes glistening as if tears threatened to spill, but she held them back through sheer force of will. "It was nothing," she said quietly. "I would do it again in a heartbeat. Everything worked out in the end. And with you and Grandfather here, I can only see things getting better."
Archer nodded in both acknowledgement and gratitude. He then turned and walked away, lifting one hand in a brief wave as he offered his goodbye.
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"Well, look who is finally back," came a familiar voice. Archer had been half expecting this reaction from a certain red-haired Master the moment he returned to her side. Her expression was filled with clear jealousy, even though she tried her best to hide it. The effort was admirable, but ultimately fruitless. Sona, who was next to her, just shrugged her shoulders when he looked at her.
"The night is still young," he replied evenly. "I would be more than willing to accompany you for a dance."
That seemed to ease her sour mood to some extent, though she still huffed softly, crossing her arms. "I am supposed to be your Master," Rias said, trying to sound composed. "So technically, should it not be me dancing with you first? You even had a turn with Valerie of all people before me. Now I am starting to hear some of these other guests speculate that you might be more impressed with her as a Master than with me."
It was to be expected. Not even an hour had passed, and rumors were already beginning to form, spreading from one conversation to the next like casual gossip. Even among vampires, some things about the people attending these types of gatherings simply never changed.
"Let them talk," Archer said calmly. "You have always told me that you were never bothered by such things."
She sighed, clearly not interested in arguing for long. "It would still make things easier if those rumors did not exist in the first place."
"Archer's right, Rias," Sona added. "You of all people should know how common such things tend to be. In the Underworld, we have had to deal with similar kinds of rumormongering on a regular basis; this is nothing new to you."
"In any case," Archer continued, shifting his attention, "it looks like we will have to continue this conversation another time."
Both Rias and Sona looked confused at first, but that expression quickly shifted into understanding as they noticed a certain Servant approaching them, accompanied by Michael, Sirzechs, and Azazel.
"I trust that you have had a wonderful time acting as my Master's dance partner, Archer," the King of Wallacia said smoothly, raising his glass of wine.
"Indeed. She is very talented and wiser than I expected. At least from the short conversation I had with her."
"Thank you," Lancer replied with a polite nod. "She will be pleased to hear that."
Azazel, the Fallen Angel Governor General, leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eye. "The Tepes men were practically salivating when you danced with Rider," he said, voice carrying deliberately. "Like scavengers circling a kill, just waiting for their chance once the apex predator—that would be you—moved on." Several vampires within earshot stiffened and found sudden interest in their wine glasses, shuffling away with poorly concealed indignation as Azazel's booming laugh followed them.
Looking back on it, perhaps this was the very reason Rider had chosen to continue dancing with Gasper afterward, doing this while both avoiding getting surrounded in the same way Semiramis once had been and also listening to the conversations going on between the vampires around her. After her dance with Gasper came to an end, she returned to Sona's side, but that had only caused those same people to gather around that area instead. Truly, there had been no escaping them tonight.
"It is a lively gathering, I must say," Michael added calmly. Rather than drinking wine or any form of alcohol like most of those in attendance who did not drink blood, Archer saw the man holding a simple glass of water. Were even high-ranking Angels not allowed to consume alcohol, or was it merely personal preference? "This was truly well prepared, Sir Lancer."
"I only followed the commands of Queen Valeri," Lancer replied. "All of this was possible thanks to her efforts and vision. That said, I must admit I am surprised that you came alone, accompanied only by those two exorcists, and not with your sister or your own faction's Master and Servant."
The blond Seraph let out a light chuckle. "It would be a bit troublesome for Gabriel to be present," he answered. "Do not take it as an offense, but we prefer not to cause a commotion." Despite his casual tone, all attention remained fixed on him, waiting for his response to the latter part of the question. "Our faction seeks to keep the peace, just like everyone here today. It would be unwise for us to go behind people's backs and call for a hero of the past."
"Unwise, yes," Sirzechs added smoothly. "But some might see it as a necessity in order to maintain a balance of power between our factions."
"It seems everyone holds a strong belief that someone in our faction has their own Servant," the Seraph muttered with a complicated expression. "I wonder where people are getting such ideas."
"Come now, Michael," Sirzechs replied. "You are not Gabriel. As the one carrying the title of the Prince of Lies, I can recognise them even with Angels. And it is not the first time you have been more than willing to take risks that made little sense from a logical standpoint."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Michael said without hesitation.
"Tch, you have gotten better at lying at least," Azazel remarked. No one around them believed a single word of that denial from the Seraph, ironically enough. Still, it did not seem to bother the Angel in the slightest, as he simply smiled and took another sip of his water.
"Speaking of Heroic Spirits, though, I believe there should have been another one present today, right?"
That comment caught Archer's attention immediately. Even Rias, who had been feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the conversation unfolding among these figures, remained quietly at Archer's side, listening closely. "Oh, I was wondering about that as well," Azazel added, suddenly slapping his forehead before turning toward Lancer. "I was fairly certain there were rumors about the Youkai faction appearing today as a surprise guest, or at least sending some form of representative. Am I mistaken?"
Lancer let out a tired sigh. "You are not. I sent them an invitation out of courtesy, given their mutual partnership with the Devils and how it would be interesting to meet the nine-tails fox ruler I've been hearing so much about of late. I believed it would not hurt for them to attend, especially since many of the recent conflicts have taken place within their territory. Unfortunately, the invitation was declined by the lady in charge."
"Yasaka clearly has her hands full lately," Sirzechs commented. "They have practically gone silent on us these past few days, especially after the confrontation with Kokabiel at Kuoh, then against Berserker in the Underworld. Not an unusual act since they were our messes to clean up, but the timing sure does raise some eyebrows. Perhaps it would be ideal if we were to check up on them soon. Ah, weren't you two mentioning something about a school trip to Kyoto in the near future?"
Sona cleared her throat first. "That is the case. But… uh, I'm not sure if that is a good idea any longer. We made those plans very early on, before we considered the possibility of there being a Servant over there." It was rare to see her so visibly nervous.
"I am sure Serafall can make the proper arrangements ahead of your arrival," the redheaded Satan smiled. "Speaking of which, where is she? I remember seeing her following…"
The Sitri heiress blushed. "I-I had Tsubaki and the others bring her on a tour around the castle to see the sights."
"So you sacrificed your peerage to get away from your sister, how devilish." Azazel's comment did not help diminish her embarrassment.
Several glances were exchanged among the gathered leaders, including Lancer himself. The mood shifted slightly, becoming more reserved. "I would have preferred to refrain from discussing this until the actual summit," Lancer said at last. "However, I suppose sharing it now would be more prudent, since most will become aware of it soon enough regardless." His gaze turned toward Archer. "Tell me, Archer, how many Servants have been summoned so far, to your knowledge?"
Archer met the eyes of his fellow knight-class Servant and gave the same answer he'd reached weeks ago. "Speaking from personal experience, I can account for each of the seven standard Servant classes being summoned, save one."
Judging by the way several expressions shifted, others had already come to the same conclusion on their own.
Noticing the sudden shift of the atmosphere through the gathered group, Rias turned toward her Servant, her brows knitting slightly as she searched his face for clarity.
"Master, do you remember when I first mentioned the different classes among Servants that can be summoned during a Holy Grail War?"
She nodded after a brief pause. "I do. The first time you explained it was right after I summoned you. There's Archer, Rider, Berserker, Lancer, Assassin, Saber, and…" Her eyes widened slightly as the thought finished forming. "Caster. Hold on. Are you saying the Youkai are the ones that summoned Caster? But doesn't Assassin already count as a Caster too because of her double summoning?"
"It does not work like that," the woman in question replied, finally joining the conversation. "While the Double Summon skill does indeed grant me the capabilities of a Caster in addition to my Assassin skillset, the system itself shouldn't recognise me as a Servant who occupies anything beyond the Assassin category among those that have been summoned."
"She's right, though that is only half the truth," Archer replied calmly.
What he did not voice was his outright refusal to accept Michael's earlier claim of his faction not having a Servant of their own at face value. With the information available to them, the odds of a faction choosing not to summon a Servant at all if they had the means were practically nonexistent. Archer folded his arms, gaze steady as he continued. "It would seem, Master, that we may be dealing with more than just seven Servants in total that have been summoned so far."
Both Sitri and Gremory heiresses froze, then slowly looked up at him, unease clear in their eyes.
Sona was the first to ask. "Are there other classes?"
"Yes, a handful of them. They are referred to as 'extra' classes, seeing as they are not part of the standard seven." Archer inclined his head slightly. "That said, it is unlikely for even one to make an appearance during a Holy Grail War. There are strict requirements involved for them to be present. In the end, it depends on the nature of this summoning system. Who created it, and what rules were set in place? It could be a Servant class we have not yet encountered, or a case of there being multiples of the same class."
Rias swallowed. "So there is a chance that there could be two Archers?"
"I do not know," Archer answered honestly. "It is also possible that the Youkai faction did not summon a Servant at all, and that Caster belongs to an entirely different group. We may be overthinking the situation." As he said this, he cast a brief, suspicious glance toward the Seraph in their midst who simply smiled back, his expression unreadable and betraying nothing.
The twelve-winged Angel lowered his voice. "Perhaps this is not the best place to discuss such matters. There are many ears listening, and misunderstandings tend to spread quickly."
"I agree," Lancer said smoothly, stepping in before the mood could sink further. "The matter has been brought to your attention, but let us not forget that this is a night of festivity, and anything else of import can wait until the actual summit. We came here to enjoy ourselves, not to stress over every possible problem. Come now. Lord Azazel, and you as well, Lord Michael. My queen has permitted me to share an exquisite example of wine that is over a millennium old."
"Hold on a minute." Azazel's eyes widened as he fully processed what he'd just heard. "Wine that old should've crumbled to nothing by now. The only thousand-year-old liquid I've encountered lately was that hellish concoction Assassin slipped into Vali's drink last month. Poor little shit couldn't leave the bathroom for the entire day."
"You would think so," Lancer replied with a light laugh. "But I have already sampled a similar bottle myself. The flavor goes far beyond anything I remember, even from when I was alive. I assure you, it is an exemplary vintage."
"You had me hooked as soon as you mentioned the age. That it's still consumable makes it worth drinking rather than collecting," Azazel said eagerly. "Let's go. What are we waiting for?"
"Hahaha."
Michael hesitated, lifting a hand. "I am not exactly much of a drinker."
He did not get the chance to retreat. Azazel wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him along with surprising ease. "Stop being such a slouch. I know you can hold your liquor better than Gabriel can get drunk on soda. I remember you tasting wine before and liking it."
"That was almost three thousand years ago," Michael protested as he was dragged along.
Azazel grinned. "See? Practically yesterday."
As Sirzechs moved to follow them, he barely made it two steps before a sharp tug brought him to a halt. Grayfia had him by the ear, her glare sharp enough to cut straight through his confidence.
"We did not come to this party to get drunk," she said flatly. "Remember that we have an important meeting immediately after this."
"Come now, Grayfia-chan," Sirzechs replied, wincing slightly but still smiling. "I am just going to have a taste. You know I can hold my liquor."
"You're only trying to run away from your duties. We still have plenty of important people to speak with. Didn't Lord Mephisto request that you speak with some of his connections here? Look at Lord Ajuka, despite his recent worries, he is still trying his best to socialise while you are thinking about walking away."
The man turned his gaze toward Archer, his expression almost pleading, as if silently asking to be rescued from the situation. His shoulders were stiff, posture caught between embarrassment and quiet desperation. Unfortunately for him, Archer only responded with a flat look that made his stance clear. I am not your Servant. Without a word, Archer turned away, already stepping back into the crowd.
Rias tried to follow him, moving a step too late before a firm hand closed around her wrist. The maid stood there with an equally stern glare, her grip as unwavering as the one on her husband's ear and posture straight as a steel support beam.
"You have been moping here ever since the party started without socializing at all," the maid said, her tone sharp but controlled. "Lady Sona has made plenty of connections already, and I have been tasked by your mother and father to make sure you do not embarrass yourself in front of everyone present. You have a great deal of work ahead of you tonight, young lady."
"What?" Caught completely off guard, Rias tried to pull free, half turning as if to call out to Archer. Before she could speak, Grayfia saw straight through her intent.
"Do not try to ask Lord Archer for help," the maid said calmly. "I already spoke with him in advance and told him to ignore you."
"Th-That's not fair," Rias protested, frustration slipping into her voice. "He is my Servant, not yours. We were just going to find the others! I have not even seen Akeno since the party began. Shouldn't she be accompanying me as my Queen?"
"Indeed, she should," Grayfia replied without hesitation. "Which is why I asked him to locate her and bring her here. The matter is settled. Now come along."
With that, brother and sister were guided back into the crowd, their expressions clearly unhappy with the outcome. Archer watched the scene unfold from a distance, a quiet chuckle escaping him once the tension passed.
It also confirmed what he already suspected: the person he was searching for was no longer in the main hall.
Turning away from the noise and music, Archer made his way toward the balcony. The area was nearly empty, bathed in soft moonlight and the distant glow of stars. The air was cooler here, calmer, untouched by the constant movement inside.
Leaning against the guardrail was the raven-haired woman he had been tasked with finding.
"I didn't take you for a drinker," Archer said as he approached, stopping beside her. His eyes briefly flicked down to the bottle near her feet, along with another already empty.
"I was curious how it tasted. Azazel basically stole dozens of bottles already by stashing what he could under his coat, and Assassin has been drinking this stuff like it's water."
"Be careful not to get hooked on that," Archer advised, his voice steady. He had not touched a single drop himself, nor did he feel tempted to. "So what's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Akeno asked, tilting her head slightly. The gesture looked innocent, but the hint of sarcasm was obvious. "I'm enjoying the evening like everyone else. Drinking wine, watching people mingle, listening to conversations between vampires, Devils, and Angels. Why wouldn't everything be fine for me?"
"I wouldn't know," Archer replied. "It would help if someone actually gave me a straight answer."
"That would ruin the fun, wouldn't it?" she said lightly.
"You're drunk," Archer stated.
She looked at him and smiled faintly. "Just a tiny bit. Want to accompany me for a walk?"
"Now?"
"No, tomorrow morning," Akeno replied dryly. "You irksome man, that's why I asked you while using the present tense."
Rather than being offended, he simply raised an eyebrow, a trace of amusement crossing his eyes. "Alright, that was a good one."
"I learned from the best," she smirked.
Leaning against the guardrail as well, Archer shifted his gaze toward the forest beyond the estate grounds. The dark trees swayed gently under the night breeze. Akeno, meanwhile, kept her attention on the ballroom behind them. "Oh, would you look at that? Irina actually took Issei for a dance; they both look cute."
Gazing back at the scene, he saw that those two were indeed in the middle of the dancefloor, moving around awkwardly with neither knowing what to do. But Irina still took the lead while Issei tried to keep up.
Despite their awkwardness, both were smiling and having the time of their lives.
Even Yuuto was out on the floor, leading Koneko by the hand. It was funny to see the height difference between them, but they seemed familiar enough with the dance to blend in, unlike the other two.
After that, both Akeno and Archer silently walked away to somewhere calmer. The silence between them was not exactly uncomfortable. In fact, compared to the chatter inside, it felt peaceful.
"Did something happen there?" the girl asked at last after they went far enough away from the main area. "I saw you all gathering together and Rias going completely pale."
"If I answer that," drawled the Servant while giving her a side glance, "will you answer my previous question?"
"Deal," she said without missing a beat.
"Basically, we have a reasonable suspicion that either the Angel faction or the Youkai faction has summoned Caster."
"Caster," she repeated. "The one that is basically the magic-focused Servant, right?"
"Yes. Just like the name implies. They are individuals who mainly specialize in spellcasting instead of close-quarters combat, like, say, a Saber or a Lancer. You can put them in a similar category as me. Typically, a Heroic Spirit with a focus on long-ranged combat with a much larger Magical Energy pool and the ability to set up their own territory."
"I do not see what is so special about setting up a bounded field. That is one of the first things an apprentice mage would learn here."
"Territory Creation is different from what you are thinking of," Archer replied calmly. "The space they create becomes the most optimal environment for them. It is an area where they can exceed their own limits and gain such an overwhelming advantage that even fighting several Servants at once would not be out of the question. Inside that space, they effectively rule the very laws of nature, and physics itself bends in their favor."
She frowned slightly before nodding. "That sounds unsettling. Wait, isn't Assassin also like a Caster too? Can she…"
"She can, and you saw a trace of it before. Back when she had an army of familiars attack the school."
"Oh… now it really does sound unsettling."
"It can be," he continued. "Of course, not every Caster will have the same level of ability. Still, you approach them the same way you would a Saber. You always assume they are holding a powerful blade. Or with an Archer like me, you expect ranged pressure. Apply that same logic to Caster. Always assume the worst, because they can easily become the most troublesome opponent in a Holy Grail War, especially if given the chance to prepare."
"I cannot imagine it being worse than Berserker."
"Trust me, it can be," Archer said. "Even if they lack enhanced physical parameters, the moment you underestimate them is the moment you have already lost. In the same vein, I am pretty sure Assassin was not giving it her all during our confrontation with Kokabiel. She never even used her Noble Phantasm."
At first, he had been worried that familiar faces might emerge in this Holy Grail War. The thought of encountering the same Caster he fought in Fuyuki had weighed on him more than he cared to admit. That concern had faded over time, but the possibility still lingered in the back of his mind, quiet but persistent.
"I am pretty sure Rias must be extremely tense right now," she added.
"She does not need to worry too much. It is not like every Servant that appears will immediately try to hunt you down," he said. "Just look at Lancer."
Archer almost added Rider to that list, but he stopped himself. The memory of their first encounter in this world rose uninvited, along with how quickly things had escalated. He let it go and shifted the topic instead.
"Now it is your turn to answer my question," he said. "What is going on with you? It is obvious you are not in a good mood."
The girl lowered her gaze. Several emotions passed over her face before she let out a quiet sigh and looked back at him.
"Hey, Archer," she said softly. "…What do I actually mean to you?"
"Where did that come from?"
"It just popped into my head. It's probably the alcohol talking," she replied.
Despite her words, aside from a faint blush on her cheeks and the sweet scent of wine on her breath, she looked perfectly fine. Her steps were steady, her posture relaxed. There was no real sign of intoxication yet, though that might change considering she had somehow obtained two entire bottles from somewhere within the castle and consumed one.
"I think I already answered that question before," he said.
"I just want to know if the answer is still the same."
"Why would it have changed?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
She puffed her cheeks in a small pout, clearly dissatisfied. "Because the way things have been between us lately makes me doubt it."
His steps slowed for a brief moment. "You are making it sound like we are in a relationship that has started to fall apart."
"You slept with Rias," she said plainly. The words made the air between them noticeably heavier. "You are also involved with Rider. You went all the way with both of them, even though I was the first one who made a move. And whenever I tried again, something always got in the way. It is frustrating."
"I suppose I am not the only one with bad luck, then," he acknowledged.
"Hmph. Sure seems like it."
They continued walking, their path more aimless than before. There was no destination in mind, only turns made on impulse. With how vast the castle grounds were, it was easy to lose track of where they were if they were not careful. Even after having done something similar with Rias earlier that morning, Archer slowly came to realize he had underestimated just how large the area truly was.
As they reached a more open section, the space widened into a vast garden that stretched farther than he had expected. It might have even rivaled Kuoh Academy itself in sheer size. The carefully maintained greenery and stone pathways gave the place a quiet, almost peaceful atmosphere.
Akeno moved ahead of him and took a seat on a stone bench overlooking the garden as she stared out at the scenery. Taking the last swig of her bottle before putting it down as he came to take a seat next to her. "I'm scared, you know."
"Why?"
"This whole event," she gestured towards the castle at the back. "Had it been in the Devil's territory or even Kuoh itself, then I would have felt some form of safety. But I can't say the same right now. For all the hospitality, everything here makes me feel tense. Even Koneko feels the same way."
"You don't need to worry about anything. Even if you take me out of the picture, there is still Rider around to keep you all safe, and Lancer is a man of his word. I would mention Assassin, too, but I don't trust that woman much." As he finished talking, the man felt the ravenette woman's head rest against his shoulder. The fragrance of lavender wafted into his nose while she enjoyed the sensation.
"No, I would much rather not take you out of the picture. In fact, I wouldn't feel safe anywhere without you, even if there were dozens of Riders around."
He smirked and placed a hand on her back. "Thanks for the compliment. It warms my heart to see that someone holds such a high opinion of my skills. Even more than myself." With her hand grabbing onto his own arm gently, the girl kept leaning more and more into his space until the next thing he knew was seeing her violet eyes. They almost looked like they were shining brightly with the night sky in the background.
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(Lemon + rest of part 2 Next chapter)
-------------The next 5 chapters of Snafu, and my other Fate fics (Fate Coiling Sword with 3 chapters, A Fake Familiar Reborn with 3 chapters, Steel Eyed Faker soon to be 3 chapters, Hound having 3 and To love a sword having 4 chapters) are already available on my P@treon. With 4 more Broly chapters at /NimtheWriter. Also, I post commissioned arts on each story, already posted a few on an Archer's Promise, Broly and Snafu.