Ryuudou Temple.
The guests stayed silent as they finished watching the broadcast. Their lack of words was what Zero wanted and expected to see, the sudden appearance of Marisbury Animusphere almost spoiled his plans, but even the renowned Clock Tower Lord wasn't able to say anything at the moment.
'Who can blame them? As far as they saw, I'm in possession of several golems that are capable of standing against their servants. Fighting my forces one-on-one is far from what they would want, and they can't be sure if others won't backstab them while they are busy with me.'
The broadcast was showing only the fight between Rider and Knightmares, leaving out the appearance of Nobunaga. That was a card that would be played later, ideally when it was time to prune the number of enemy servants.
"Does anyone have anything they wish to say? Feel free to speak your mind now, when we are gathered here as friends." Zero looked between them. Lelouch wasn't expecting younger masters to say anything, he was focused on two adult magi in the room. "I'm sure the display of my forces should be enough to demonstrate that I do not joke around when it comes to my mission of overseeing this Grail War. Play by the rules, and no unwarranted harm shall befall you. Easy to understand, yes?"
Marisbury was silent for a moment, before bowing slightly and turning towards the exit.
"I thank you for hosting such a unique gathering. Caster and I shall take our leave."
'What a difficult man to deal with.' Lelouch wished to use this meeting further to find out more about Marisbury, as well as downplay whatever plot he might offer for other masters. 'I'm curious how the Britannian nobility felt when dealing with my brother. Whatever, my agents will do their best to trail him and Caster, even if I doubt they will find out their exact base of operation.'
Others watched as the man left, and the remaining Masters looked between each other unsure of what to do next. Illya most likely would leave only after her brother, Lelouch half expected her to corner Shirou Emiya and have a sisterly talk with him. Bazett was the first to speak up after Marisbury's departure.
"Lord Zero, I will be blunt, but what exactly is your game here? A man with your powers and resources, surely you would want something after preparing all of this. You are not a Master of this War, and yet I'm skeptical of your status as mere overseer. What if you want Grail for yourself?"
"Oh, this question is quite expected and natural." Zero nodded. "Of course, from your position, I'm too unpredictable. Here I stand, acting as a referee, when in actuality, I can seize the Grail for myself. But it's actually far simpler than you think. In truth my motives are thus: I survived the previous war and have no desire to participate in another. Only mitigate what disaster could result from it."
None seemed to believe him.
"If you would trust anything you learn tonight, it is that I'm not interested in repeating the same tragedy I experienced ten years ago. As for the Grail, honestly, I would be more than pleased if this war, this ritual itself, ceased to exist. Too much unneeded destruction and waste of human lives for a prize that no one has ever won. Or come close to winning, for that matter." He made to shrug and sigh. "Be mindful that in a technical sense, neither I nor Waver Velvet won the 4th Holy Grail War. We didn't lose, but neither of us won. Fact of the matter stands, however, that win or lose, or neither, an entire city was razed to the ground. Not a single victory yet all that blood spilt... Would you honestly say there is merit in a so-called omnipotent wish-granting device?"
Bazett had no answer. She took a step back, arms crossed and in contemplation.
"I don't have high expectations of any of you winning this conflict either. I'm building a new status quo here in Japan and would prefer to do so without such a dangerous magi ritual turning into a factionalized war backed by outsiders breaking out on my territory. At least, not without my approval and supervision."
"You don't think we can win."
Shirou Emiya quickly asked. Less question and more matter of fact, and while yes, Lelouch didn't expect any of them to win, why deter the competition now when one is still raring to go in spite of all the obvious bullshit it's wrought on the city in years past?
"I do not believe a wish would be granted this time around. But I'm only human. No one knows what the future hold. Who knows. If you all play your cards right, you might surprise me, and each other with a better outcome than 'winner takes all'."
As the old saying goes, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Lelouch and Nobunaga still knew nothing about the Caster of this war and had to be careful around this enemy. The others were easy to predict, in a sense, but it meant little if their enemies would decide to fight together against the Demon couple.
They needed a battleground. If that was the hearts and minds of gullible children or the literal city, it need not matter. Only that he and Nobu be able to discern Marisbury's intentions. And their capability.
"Tonight was a refreshing experience for me, as I'm sure it was for the rest of you. But it is getting late. I am certain I got my point across, and there is little left to be said unless you do want to surrender your command seals and position as a Master in this war. But please, give it a day or two before finalizing your decision. I'm not one to coerce a choice out of the desperate seeking the impossible."
It went without saying none of them offered to surrender on the spot. Hell, one of them was quite keen on staying, judging by how the knight-masked Tohsaka clutched her Command Seals. Ilya wasn't at all perturbed, having finished up one last cup of tea before the show finished.
"In that case, let's call this meeting adjourned. Please, feel free to enjoy the party, outside or here indoors. Staff will cater any questions or needs as you wish. It was my pleasure to meet all of you and goodnight, my dear guests."
***
With the main event of the night being concluded, the charity event that was going on outside was slowly ending, too. Sumeragi's CEO was perhaps the most extroverted girl Shirou ever knew. Despite being younger than him, she had no qualms dealing with the attention of every adult outside the main temple building with ease. In some way, her mannerism was reminding him of how Zero was easily commanding the tone of the Master's gathering, well, at least until Marisbury appeared.
Speaking of the Clock Tower Lord, the man disappeared without a trace. No doubt the same way he even appeared there tonight. His Servant, whom no one could even properly see because of some obfuscating shadows, went with him.
It was probably magecraft. He couldn't question it without looking like an idiot.
As for the rest of the Masters and Servants, they decided it was time to leave this place. Hanging out near the referee that could order around giant war machines that could match a Servant in power, while being without any sort of alliance to call upon, wasn't a good idea for anyone.
Shirou silently watched as the rest of the masters and their servants left the temple grounds. He noticed the silent look Shinji shot his way before departing with Assassin. Goes without saying that they have a lot to talk about but not right now where others could see.
'Masked man with mysterious history who controls both Sumeragi Industries as well as an army of mechas,' Shirou had to force himself from clenching his hands. He was still inside the main hall of the temple, having decided to be the last one to leave. He silently watched as others were exiting the temple grounds. 'I don't need Saber to tell me that I have to control my emotions out in public. Can't show them that I'm afraid of what all this means for us.'
Even someone who had surface-level knowledge of the moonlight world, it wasn't difficult to see how fickle the situation was. Zero and his rules, Marisbury and his offer. Shirou and Saber had a choice to ally with either of them, of course, after making sure Sakura and Shinji were on board. However, choosing one likely meant confronting the other.
Even if Zero was calling himself a neutral arbiter, it was clear the masked man was only going to allow war to go according to his rules. Outsiders interfering be damned, it seems. Meanwhile, Marisbury's offer was good, too good to come from another Master who wanted to win this war no matter what, if he was willing to offer such a deal. Nothing about their exchange screamed 'friendly'. Heck, Shirou's legs were screaming he had to get out of there if he wants to live long enough to make a difference.
Straight up thrown into a world of mystics and magic with now politics and even mechas. Had he not been taught by Kiritsugu, honestly he'd fear for his life suddenly turning into an anime.
'Dad always told me to be suspicious of any deal that sounded too good to be true. I always thought he was too cynical, but right now I can't deny, my old man is correct in situations like this.' Shirou wished he could let out a sigh, but knew better than to annoy Saber and look inept in Zero's territory. Speaking of his Servant. Saber was standing next to him, waiting for him to leave.
"We spent enough time here. Let us depart," Saber spoke with a cold tone before whispering so only he could hear. "This…banquet could have ended worse. Let's not test our luck before… any buffoons attempt something they'll regret."
She had her usual expression, but Shirou noticed how she glanced at statue of white mecha with weird look. Speaking of it, after seeing the actual mechas, even if they were most likely made via magecraft, the redhead boy felt a little nervous being in the same room as this statue. If it was a statue at all. For all he knew, it could be just another war machine, waiting for an order to attack. A weapon to call upon by Zero...
Shirou froze, thankful for the mask. The last thing he needed right now was Saber scolding him for losing composure.
But… as he looked back at the white knight in the hall, a thought occurred.
'… If these mechas are created by Zero, or someone under him with magecraft... They might not be piloted by humans like in anime but be autonomous weapons. A weapon…'
Emiya Shirou, Master of Saber stared at it, gathering his thoughts before focusing on its 'face' as he activated his structural analysis. Part of him hoped it was a mere decoration, an empty dummy to act as an attraction for guests and nothing else, but the short time Shirou spent in the presence of Zero was enough for the boy to realize something about him.
He wore a mask to hide his secrets. And yet, despite all his secrecy, Shirou was inclined to believe the man when he said he wanted to avert another disaster like the fire.
Nothing about Zero was simple, nor could one rely on a surface-level glance to discern his real intentions. Which is why he hoped against hope that what stood before him was just a statue of a stalwart knight. A symbol of those who defend the weak and protect the innocent. A small prayer that begged he was right to believe the man's intention was pure.
***
He saw hell.
Ruins of a ghetto, a destroyed city invaded, corpses of civilians littered the crumbled gravel. Lined-up civilians gunned down against the walls. Elderly, infirm, man, woman, child. Blood everywhere. On the walls. On the ground. On his hands.
A scream rang out up above, raising his hands, he reached out amidst the rubble and caught a mother and child as they fell.
He saw hell.
An army of purple mechs ran circles as they attacked one of their own. Soldiers of the same army, infighting. Their weapons trained, prepared to gun down what they saw as a traitor. He jumped in viciously swinging to protect the one who decried his loyalties first.
A flutter of hair from the corner of his eyes. The crack and pop of an explosive up above. No hesitation, he rushed forth, covering not just the fallen mech behind him but the woman that tried to do as he did, armed not with the safety of a shield but instead the strength of her beliefs. Blood stained those beliefs.
He saw hell.
Innocent people, and even his friends, held hostage just a stone's throw away. The feeling of uselessness crept in as he watched one executed, fear and guilt encroaching his core
The white knight stepped forth, volunteering for a suicide mission against impossible odds. A rain of shells that decimated all that came before. Low chances of survival. Colors flashed and the blood on his hands spread to his wrists.
Fists clenched around the controls of the machine, he pushed forward. Almost seemingly determined to die. But more than anything, determined to die being able to save another. All for a sickly, obsessive need to atone.
He saw hell.
Raising his weapons, he fought through the remnants of a landslide, determined to see through his orders to rescue another. A desperate fight against an enemy he thought dealt with.
Zero?
But there, he met a witch of green with golden eyes who saw through his lies. His hypocrisy. Blood enveloped his elbows.
He saw hell.
Ordered to stand down, he listened to the pleas of surrender. But one after another, his comrade-in-arms shot down those who cried out. Blood and guilt crawled up his shoulders.
And then, the real foe arrived. His name was…
What had started as a fever dream of futuristic machines started being plagued by dark emotions and a reckless desire. And what was worse was… the mask.
His mask. Zero's.
But the worst was yet to come. For he saw… hell.
A stadium larger than any Shirou had ever been in. Applause, cheers, celebration… All of it vanished into a storm of gore, gunfire, and anger.
The cries of freedom overcome by the cries of the murdered. The tears of joy sprayed with the blood of the slain. Hundreds dead, massacred. And in the center of it all, she stood there, reaching out a hand to…
Zero.
A gunshot rings out. Her body fallen to the ground. And then…. hatred. Seething hatred.
His bloodstained arms were heavy, dripping with the red of the innocent and well-meaning, trembling as he carried her body, his charge.
The memories of the pilot to the White Reaper, overwhelming, overflowing. With pain. Guilt. Sorrow.
But underneath all that… there was regret. There was obsession. A desperate resolve.
And all those emotions belonged to…
***
Shirou nearly vomited as the mass of emotions and memories filled his head. Not just that of the weapon, but of the man who sat in its cockpit.
"Boy, what's wrong?" Saber hissed as she helped keep him upright. She was subtle enough about it to help hide his seizure. Her glare was one of suspicion, but also concern. "Are you under attack by something of a magical nature?"
Her cold gaze switched to the statue he'd been facing before moving towards the door. Her grip on his arm was tight, but not painfully so.
"I... I'm fine, Sab—"
"Master of Saber, are you unwell?" His voice sent chills down Shirou's spine. Not one out of fear, just unease. It was a struggle to stay standing. Thankfully, Saber was already moving to shield him with her body while keeping him standing. "Do you perhaps require transport back home? I would make a bad host if I let my dear guest leave in such a state."
There was no animosity in Zero's tone. It was the same professional politeness. But Shirou couldn't help feel like he heard uncertainty even if it lasted for a mere second.
"I-I'm fine. Just a little overwhelmed by today's meeting. It's… this is my first time participating in anything of this scale. I'm not exactly a regular for… magi stuff... Forgive me for worrying you, Zero."
He could feel Saber's eyes looking at him before moving back to the masked host. She was wary, but as it was for his sake, Shirou felt the urge to usher them out. The sooner, the better.
"Very well. I bid you and your Servant a good evening." The true master of the house was silent for a few seconds before giving a small nod. Over his shoulder, he added. "I pray you, as well as your peers will see this ritual to its end... bloodless, at that, Emiya Shirou."
The redhead stared at the man's back before following through with Saber to head out the door. The guy knew his name and his address. Zero knew a lot about the Masters of this war, perhaps everything. Marisbury might have been an unexpected and unwelcome surprise because he wasn't on Zero's radar. Not for the latter's lack of trying, or so Shirou could assume.
'We'll lose.' The same thought once again appeared in his mind as his eyes moved from the masked man to the white mech nearby. One glance was spared before they exited the building. Shirou tried his damnedest to stand on his own, despite still being shaken. 'Zero knows too much about us, we may practically be dancing at the palm of his hand. He could mail us an invite. He could do it with explosives or an ambush, magical or otherwise.'
The man had the weapons, the mechs, for it too.
'We know next to nothing about him... except this.'
Whoever or whatever Lancelot was, who their pilot was… Zero shared a history with them, and it was a deep and dark connection.
'Lancelot… and Kururugi Suzaku…'
The names were unknown to him. But as far as his eyes discerned from the false manikin of a mecha knight—nay, a Knightmare, they were a key to the identity behind the mask.
***
Author's note:
Kaguya did not reincarnate and did not migrate from Code Geass to Fate, we decided that making her the face of the company was the best option. Shriru has seen fragments of Lancelot's memories from the first season of computer graphics, but he does not know the whole story, as the replica of Lancelot in the Demon Temple is made with Lelouch's skill. Marisbury, we talked about him quite a lot in the latest issue of Fgo JP.
Speaking of Fgo, I left it. Yes, I got tired of this hell hole and switched to another one. I'm still following the plot and I know that at this point the Fgo story is over, or at least the second part of it is.
Special thanks to ReavesTheReader as always and until the next.