Ruins of Lyon
"So, how does it feel to achieve the goal you've been striving for all this time?"
Kriemhild's flushed expression showed that she still had not recovered from the sudden, passionate kiss her husband had given her a few moments ago.
She turned to face Archer, a wholesome smile spread across her face.
"I feel fantastic. Like the shackles that bound my heart have been shattered."
Then, much like the Avatar, the master of all four elements, her smile vanished.
Archer could see there was more to her feelings than that, "But?"
Her smile returned in full force. She cupped her cheeks and gained a lovesick expression on her face.
"But it wasn't enough. I need more!~"
[This shameless woman. She just killed the man already, and she wants more?!! Despicable!]
[I don't think that murder or vengeance is what she was referring to when she said she wanted "more" chief. ]
A lone sweatdrop fell from Archer's temple, "right. Well, whatever plans you have for your husband in the future, they will have to wait."
Then, a serious expression appeared on Archer's face. He was always serious looking, but this one was harsher and showed no signs of levity. This sudden shift popped the bubble Kriemhild had placed herself in and drew her attention towards him.
"Because now with Siegfried dead, killing Fafnir has become much more difficult."
She opened her mouth to make a retort, but Archer cut her off before she could.
"I know we have a plan to deal with him, and I don't deny you could pull it off. What I am doing is reminding you that your actions have made it harder for our Master to complete his mission to resolve this singularity and save humanity."
Kriemhild's lips pursed, but she didn't argue. With her mind now free of her obsession, she was presently capable of clearly comprehending the gravity of her actions.
Archer wasn't done, however, as he narrowed his eyes, further punctuating his level of disapproval toward her actions.
"Keep this in mind Kriemhild, we may be allies who share similar views on heroes, but don't mistake that as friendship. The only reason you achieved your little revenge arc is because Master trusted you to resolve your affairs and told us not to interfere, and because Siegfried entrusted you to deal with Fafnir and left on his own terms.
If Siegfried hadn't transferred his essence into you at the last moment and had genuinely begged for his life while offering his help, I would have driven an arrow through the back of your skull."
She didn't seem surprised by that fact. She knew that such a thing was a possibility. Yet, she still took the risk anyway. Even though she didn't technically kill him, it was still done using her own body as a way to kill Siegfried.
"So now that you have your affairs settled, it is time for you to repay Master's generosity and my mercy by putting all your focus into taking down the Dragon Witch. Do you understand, Kriemhild?"
The Berserker sighed, "You are right. I have brought trouble towards my Master, no, my Accomplice. He held up his part of our contract, and thus, I shall strive to fulfill my end of the agreement."
Archer seemed satisfied by her words and gave her a curt nod.
"Good. I'll be keeping an eye on you to ensure you do."
Then, the Red Archer coughed into his fist, "But before that, you might want to fix your clothing. You know as well as I do that Master prefers to keep his streams as PG whenever possible."
Kriemhild blinked and looked down at the remnants of her clothes. One wrong move and her nipples would be exposed to thousands, potentially millions of people around the other world.
[I was so pissed off by what happened to Jenny and Siegfried that I completely forgot Kream was on the verge of nude. ]
[Weird that Heart0f6old hasn't said anything again… where'd he go? ]
[Probably to do damage control. The comments he made after what happened to Jenny went viral on Twitter. ]
[Damn, that was quick. ]
[Yeah, it's looking bad, but that's what happens when you share bad takes on the internet. ]
[Gloria2Galar: It wisnae a bad take, he wis juist a dick aboot it. Now he has tae deal wi the consequences. ]
"Oh, you're right, how unladylike of me. Let me rectify that." She put her hand behind her neck, and then, in a graceful and confident move, her long, curvy hair fanned out as she dramatically swept her hand to the side.
The light spread across her body and cut the free peek she was giving Chat short.
The light died down.
Instead of the usual drab funeral dress, she now wore a frilly white dress underneath a layer of armor. The dark colors did not disappear, only receded to highlight the brightness of her new outfit.
Everyone was so used to seeing Kriemhild dressed in all black, so the drastic shift in colors caught everyone by surprise.
"Oh my, how wonderful. You look fabulous, Kriemhild!!" Marie was, as always, the bundle of joy in the group. She was clapping her hands at the display like she was at a fashion show.
[A bit dramatic, but overall it's pretty cool. Still, changing your wardrobe doesn't change what you've done Kream. ]
[She kind of shares a similar color scheme to Siegfried now.Did that kiss really make that much of an impact on her? ]
"You really do intend to replace Siegfried, don't you?"
Mozart was looking at her with a complicated expression on his face. His words were stained with wariness, disbelief, and a bit of awe over Kriemhild's new look.
She turned to address Mozart, "yes, I am. There are no other choices left."
The musician let out a scoff, "well there were several paths we could have taken a lovely stroll through if you hadn't so rudely closed them before we could even have a choice."
"It cannot be helped. I had to do what I had to do. Now with Siegfried gone, that means the dragon will be included in that 'To Do list' as well."
"So what do we do now?" the shy and reserved Mash asked.
[0ffDoodyJoy donated 100 bits ]
["How about an apology for brutally maiming officer Jenny?" ]
"Where is that voice coming from?" Kiyohime asked as she looked around the vicinity.
Marie, seeing the young berserker in her paranoid state, decided to whisper the answer in her ear.
Kriemhild narrowed her eyes at the floating camera and made a counteroffer.
"How about no?"
[0ffDoodyJoy: <( •̀ᴖ•́)> ]
[(๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭] x 124
[（ꐦ𝅒_𝅒）] x 220
"As I stated beforehand, she got in my way when it was unnecessary and wasted my Accomplice's resources. Thus, she was rightly punished. She should be glad I still had enough sanity left to hold back even when the target of my obsession was before my eyes. Any other berserker would have not held back at all and would have used lethal force without mercy."
Ritsuka was about to say something, but Kriemhild put her hand up, stopping him. She wasn't done.
"I might not interact with you Witnesses often, but I am not a fool.
I did take the time to read the conditions of those Pot Shot attacks beforehand to see how they could assist me in my plots for vengeance. So I know full well how much danger you put yourselves in by using them, something that many of you seem to have forgotten and taken lightly.
So take that Investigator's punishment as a warning to never meddle in affairs that don't concern you without proper precautions."
[(III╥_╥) ] x 210
[She's right about that, but it's still not something I can forgive easily. Unless Jenny herself forgave her, but I doubt that will be the case. ]
[Gudao: GudakoBot,disable potshots. ]
[GudakoBot: Potshot Redeems disabled. ]
[What?! Why? ]
[Gudao, why are you siding with her?! ]
[Gudao: Sorry everyone, but I don't want you guys to recklessly put yourselves in danger more than you already are. ]
[It's alright Gudao, I understand. But if you're ever in a pinch, just make sure to enable them again. ]
[Gudao: I'll think about it. ]
"Now with that distraction out of the way, we can finally get down to business. As much as I would like to get some plans started, no matter how many we make, none will be effective so long as we continue to carry around the dead weight with us."
Kriemhild's eyes drifted from her Master and settled on the only normal human in their group.
The Madame shrank a bit under Kriemhild's intense gaze.
"I believe Madame Romee has had enough action for the rest of her lifetime. We've been dragging her with us too long. Once we drop her off, then we can begin modifying our plans and setting them into motion."
"I apologize for being a burden." Isabelle spoke up, looking down at her feet in shame.
This time, Kriemhild actually showed some regret over her words,
"I may have been a tad too harsh in my wording, but that is to be expected. You are a civilian, and you were never meant to be dragged into the moonlit world. Quite frankly, with everything that we have been dealing with, it's a miracle you haven't died yet."
"Alright, that's enough Kriemhild, you made your point."
Hearing Ritsuka's chastising tone caused the Berserker to look away in shame.
Jeanne put a comforting hand on her mother's shoulder, "As harsh as her words are, Lady Kriemhild is right, Mother. We have to take you somewhere safe so that we can fight without holding back, to set things right and undo the damage that has been done to France and her people."
Isabelle let out a self-deprecating scoff, "If only it were that easy, all the towns and cities we've come across have been reduced to ruins. Besides, I've already been banished from Vaucouleurs for looking like the Dragon Witch, what's to say it won't be the same when we arrive at the next place?"
Isabelle's words caused Jeanne to purse her lips, looking unsure of how to respond to that statement.
"Then just dye her hair a different color. France is the country of flowers; it wouldn't be too difficult to forage for some flowers to use as hair dye." Kriemhild said as if pointing out something obvious.
Marie didn't seem to agree, "It would not be a permanent solution. She would have to keep reapplying dye frequently to keep up her disguise."
[Hotheaded_Quiz_Master donated100 bits]
["Bah, you kiddos are thinking too hard about it!! If you really want a more permanent solution for your hair color problem then the answer is simple!! You can just shave it off! "]
Marie let out a gasp of horror, "H-How can you make such a horrible suggestion?!!! Are you a sadist?! How can you sit there and tell us to shave a lady's beautiful, long golden hair?!!" The queen chastised the camera in a tone so loud it rivaled Elizabeth's screeches.
"I agree, doing such a thing would be a cruel punishment," Kriemhild said, then she cupped her chin between her index finger and thumb, as if contemplating the usefulness of the idea.
"Then again, if the alternative is death, then there's some merit to it."
Jeanne and Isabelle snapped their gazes at the Berserker and stared at her like she had just told them God was dead.
"Absolutely not!!" Jeanne squeaked in indignation, "my mother is no criminal!! She does not deserve such humiliation!!"
Sensing that this engagement was about to get heated, Romani decided to throw in some context to clear up the misunderstanding.
"Not so fun fact for those in Chat, shaving a woman's head during the middle ages was usually reserved for when they commit a crime. Case in point, when Jeanne D'Arc was sentenced to death, her executioners forcibly shaved her head before she was burned alive at the stake. " With Romani's fact of the day said, the mood of the group and Chat soured like milk.
[(°△°|||) ] x 234
[Just_N: That is just messed up. ]
[What Gold said was insensitive, but this is just on a whole other level of fucked up. ]
["Um. I apologize Madame, I didn't know. You can ignore my suggestion." ]
The women continued to stare at the camera with narrowed eyes, but they softened when Madame Isabelle spoke up.
"It's alright. I forgive you, you were merely trying to help. But I think I'll stick to hair dyes, I know a few recipes I can make from some local flowers. And I'm sure I could forage some if I run out." she stuttered out, her fair skin still a deathly pallor at the idea of shaving her head.
[Gible_Archeologist: Blaine of the Kanto Elite Four. Just for the mere suggestion alone, I, Champion Cynthia of Sinnoh, challenge you to a pokemon battle. :MadaraSide Eye Emote:]
[Hotheaded_Quiz_Master: But why?! I apologized and she forgave me! ]
[Gible_Archeologist: It does not matter. You should have never brought it up in the first place. So prepare yourself. 🎹 ]
[Hotheaded_Quiz_Master: Cheh, Fine!!Bring it on goldilocks!! I'm not afraid of you or your offkey piano!! ]
[DuchessDiantha: Count me in as well. ]
[Dragon's-Iris: Hey, @ Gible_Archeologist & @ DuchessDiantha Let's make it a triple battle! All three of us against Blaine!! ]
[DuchessDiantha: sounds fun. I accept. ]
[Gible_Archeologist: Seconded. 🎹]
[Hotheaded_Quiz_Master: N-Now hold on a moment ladies, I was merely trying to help! ]
[Dragon's-Iris: you're the one that needs help, Old Man. But don't worry, we'll be sure to give it to you when the time arrives. (⌓‿⌓) ]
Seeing the mood drop, Mash asked a question in an attempt to change the subject, "Are we going to head out then? Can we take a moment to eat something? It's been a while since we had breakfast. "
Her question was quickly rejected by Kriemhild, "you can eat on the way there."
The demiservant looked skeptical. "Um, I don't think it's healthy to eat while walking."
Kriemhild looked at Mash as if she had asked a dumb question, "Who said anything about walking?"
✦✧✦
Napoleon POV
The thunder of war drums rang out across the French countryside.
Thousands of impeccably dressed zombies marched in perfect formation.
Their foot stamps synchronized and caused the earth to tremble before their coordinated march.
Leading this army of death was none other than the greatest emperor that ever lived.
Napoleon Bonaparte.
They had been marching for hours, walking through the lush green landscape of France, cutting down any form of life in their way.
Every man, woman, child, and even their pets were not spared.
Just like his beloved Joanne had demanded of all of them.
He even went above and beyond her expectations and made sure to have his army of undead soldiers kill any and all animals they could find.
An army marched on its stomach, and any resistance movement poised to interfere with Joanne's goals would be too weak from hunger to fight back.
Something deep in his very core detested such an idea. To kill swathes of innocent countrymen for the sake of vengeance, but such things became unimportant when he laid his eyes on Joanne.
It was love at first sight.
He would and has done everything she asked of him without question. While he may have experienced a setback due to that samurai, he knows that he will get a chance to pay him back tenfold!
For he was Napoleon Bonaparte, and he refused to allow the man who brought a knife to a gunfight and won to have the last laugh!!
For now, he just needs to take care of an errand for his Joanne, who has kept herself in Orleans. She was biding her time for when she and the others launched their attack against Theirs, the largest remaining settlement left in France aside from Vaucouleurs. Although the latter might not be around for much longer thanks to those two vampires.
"Uuuaaaaahhgghhgh"
He's heard enough of those wails of pain to know that his soldiers have found another deer. How lucky, it's been a long while since they encountered one.
"Good job men, now dispose of it. I don't want the enemy to have a single scrap of that game meat."
Several dozen of his soldiers moved into action.
"Geeeeeeauhgh!!"
The still-living deer wailed as its insides were ripped out by a horde of ravenous undead soldiers.
Its cries slowly grew weaker as the seconds dragged on.
Pretty soon, the only sounds he could hear were those of his soldiers as they stripped the remaining meat off the bones of the now dead deer.
In just under a minute, the deer had been reduced to a bloodied skeleton.
Which was a good thing since leading an army was a slow process and these disposals took time to do properly. Hunger led people to be more desperate and less picky about what they found lying around.
That was why he ordered his men to ensure they ate everything, leaving nothing to eat for even the hungriest scavengers.
It helped that his men never tired and could walk without needing to stop to rest, but they weren't capable of keeping up with a servant's running speeds.
Thankfully, their destination was just around the corner. The massive explosion that rose in the sky earlier had been his guiding light towards his victory.
Once he arrived at a safe enough distance, he was going to snipe that master's head into paste.
A whinny drew his attention away from his musing.
He looked over the horizon and narrowed his eyes. Enemy forces? That was impossible, the remnants of the French Army were stationed in the last remaining cities.
There shouldn't be any wild horses around here either, his army had devoured all of them.
Another whinny reached his ears and this time, he located its source.
He looked up, and what he saw seemed like it was ripped straight out of a fairy tale.
A floating glass carriage being pulled by a glass horse galloping across the sky.
Based on the reports he had been given on the targets, that was the noble phantasm of Marie Antoinette. The shameless queen who dared to make sexual advances towards his empress-to-be.
Unforgivable.
If she was here, then that meant the rogue master must be one of her passengers.
A grin stretched across his face.
To think he would get the privilege to kill a corrupt royal of his time and the thorn on Joanne's side at the same time. How lucky.
"Wyvern riders-" the words got caught in his throat. He had forgotten.
That purple bâtard slew all his wyvern riders in his last battle.
Gritting his teeth, he glared at the growing visage of his enemy.
"Well, it looks like I am going to have to do this myself."
He made a pointing gesture towards the incoming carriage, and in the blink of an eye, a massive cannon appeared on his arm.
The carriage was moving rather fast.
He needed to make sure he aimed properly.
Luckily for him, he had amazing aim!
"Rainbow, O rainbow." Magical energy filled his muscles, his blood, and the air surrounding his body.
The cannon's seams split open, exposing the white barrel underneath.
The two halves slid outward and closed with a dull clank, extending into the shape of a long artillery gun.
"Now's the time to suspend the bridge of possibilities."
He pointed his comically large cannon in the path just ahead of where the carriage was coming from.
The metal grew warm as the magical energy inside his cannon began to build.
The scent of smoking gunpowder was just a byproduct of his Noble Phantasm, as it required no propellant aside from his own magical reverses to unleash its devastation.
The carriage continued to trot towards them, and a hint of suspicion whispered in his brain, but it was squashed by the confidence in his strength.
"Conquer the skies! Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile!"
A beam of searing white light shot out of his cannon, The recoil of the shot making his bones rattle.
The beam flew at blinding speeds towards its target, an aurora of color flowing out its sides.
The attack grew closer and closer, and just when he thought that his victory was going to hit, fate had decided to take a different path.
An overwhelming light shone from inside the glass carriage. A light so bright that it looked like a second sun.
The light dimmed, and a swallowtail flag peeked out of the side of the carriage.
The flag extended and enveloped the carriage in a protective barrier.
His attack crashed into the barrier, but nothing happened.
His attack had been blocked.
Pretty soon, his noble phantasm gave out and the right vanished, leaving the carriage and its occupants unscathed.
He felt his teeth groan as he grit them with enough force to grind rocks into dust.
This energy… There's no doubt about it.
It's the noble phantasm of the inferior copy of his beloved Joanne.
But how is it possible she was able to block it? Did she make a new contract with that rogue master? Or was she this strong even when she was reduced to a shell of her former self?
Well, whatever.
He'll just keep shooting at them until he hits them.
It's not like his Joanne is lacking in the magical energy department. He can keep doing this all day and night if he has to.
The horse's whinny became deafening as it flew right over his head, then, as if to mock him, it sped up to unbelievable speeds, performing zigzags across the skies.
One of his eyes twitched at the display.
"We'll see how long you can keep up your taunts, you perverted Austrian whore!"
He readied his cannon for another go, but just before he opened his mouth to chant, his eyes caught sight of something red appearing on the roof of the carriage.
Was that a servant? Going by the weapon he wields, an Archer?
Interesting.
Let us see if he can withstand his bombardment!
His ears picked up the sound of a whistle carried by the wind.
"Uweh!!" His head snapped to the guttural sound of one of his men's heads exploding like a grape smashed by a hammer.
And it was only the beginning.
"Arugrhh!"
"Grraghough"
"Gwaagh!!"
He never got a chance to say even a single word of his verse before a barrage of arrows fell from the sky.
Even if he did, he knew that if he stopped using his cannon as a shield, he would be skewered.
The arrows crashed into his cannon with enough force that the echoes sounded like rain.
The arrows continued to pour down on them, like the wrath of God, for what seemed like hours.
Finally, the rain of death let up.
Taking a risk, he peeked out the side of his cannon.
What he saw made his blood boil.
Hundreds, no, over a thousand headless corpses lay on the ground in heaps and piles.
He could hear his heartbeat in his ears. His face burned with shame and anger.
His men, his undead army, had been reduced by half!!
He narrowed his bloodshot eyes at the receding carriage flying into the horizon. His vision focused on the red servant wielding a bow aimed straight at him.
SWISH
Cold air slapped him over the head.
Following the trajectory of the arrow that had been shot at him, he grimaced.
His bicorne, his glorious bicorne, it was ruined!! Unrightfully impaled by a red arrow like one of Dracul's victims!
His target had escaped, his army cut in half, and his favorite bicorne was desecrated!
And worst of all, he failed his precious Joanne… again!!
And it was all that purple swordsman and red archer's fault.
"FILS DE PUTE!!"
He flung his massive cannon in the carriage's direction, but its weight didn't allow it to go far.
The earth beneath his feet shook as the heavy cannon plopped on the ground.
He stormed towards his abused cannon and ripped it out of the imprint it had made on the soft soil and pointed its barrel at the now retreating form of the glass carriage.
Ratatatatatatatata
His cannon fired dozens of shots towards the target, but none of them landed as the carriage was outside his cannon's firing range.
But he didn't care.
He kept shooting. One of them was bound to hit.
swish
"Urk!"
Something punched him.
Looking down at his body, he could see an entry wound right where his liver was.
He fell to his knees, clasping his bleeding wound.
"Merde… he got me." How embarrassing. To think that the great Napoleon would be brought to his knees by a single arrow.
He had no choice now.
He had to contact Joanne.
He held his hand to his ear and sent a direct message to his master.
Unlike the previous times he hailed her, she answered him immediately, likely eager to hear news of his progress.
"Joanne-"
'Did you get him?'
He didn't even get a chance to greet his love before she cut him off. Steeling his heart for the scolding he would receive, he gave his report..
'No. The rogue master has escaped, and they are making their way west.'
The silence from the other end made his shame grow heavier with each passing moment.
Finally, his Joanne spoke to him again, but his heart sank when he felt the sheer disappointment she sent his way, 'you let me down again Napoleon. You do it again, and I'm going to let Gilles handle your punishment next time.'
A shiver ran down his spine at the mention of that monster.
He lowered his head in shame, 'I-I won't fail you again.'
Joanne hummed at his stuttered response, 'Good. Stand down for now, I'm sending you reinforcements."
He could feel Joanne's magical energy surge through her connection.
A bright light shone next to him, distorting the space around it.
The light collapsed into a black hole, ejecting a mass of hatred and madness that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Thankfully, the malicious aura around him vanished, and he could see the servant in his entirety. Before him stood a black knight dressed head to toe in full plate armor.
A long plume of dark horsehair flowed ominously in the wind.
His reinforcements had arrived, and unlike him, this one was a genuine berserker class servant.
The armor clanked as hatred incarnate turned to face him. His body shivered as it felt something stare into his soul through the red visor.
Yes. He will do nicely.
His signature smile returned, and then he pointed his finger to the sky, in the direction the carriage had gone.
"Go after them. Shatter the Queen of Lilies's carriage and bring me Jeanne D'Arc, alive."
The knight in black followed the path his finger was pointing. He couldn't see the man inside the armor, but he could tell when a wild beast had locked onto his prey.
✦✧✦
Archer POV
"Are you sure it was him?" The voice of his Master asked him as he materialized at the center of the cramped glass carriage they were riding.
"Positive. I was able to analyze his hand cannon's history from afar. That servant was Napoleon Bonaparte. Also, his hat and outfit gave it away."
He couldn't stop the amused smirk from crawling up his face as he recalled the exacerbated face the emperor of France made when he shot the hat off his head.
"Huh, never thought we'd encounter him, but I guess I should have." His Master admitted.
His eyebrows touched his forehead in surprise, "You actually know who Napoleon is?"
His master raised an eyebrow at him, "Well yeah, I do."
Then his Master's brows settled into a contemplating frown, likely because he was combing through his brain for more information, "his war tactics were one of the main reasons why the American Civil War was so bloody. And if I recall correctly, he also sold the territories west of the colonies to the American government in a deal that was known as the Louisiana Purchase. I think…"
"Your knowledge of history is quite selective, Master." and he meant it. All of them knew Ritsuka Fujimaru's worst subject was history, and it showed. So for him to know this much was a surprise.
His master gave him a shrug, "Blame the American public education system. But I promise I am getting better at it. World history aside, what were we talking about before the whole scuffle with Napoleon?"
"We were explaining how Twitch works to Kiyohime." the newly contracted Jeanne told their Master. It was honestly quite surprising that Jeanne hadn't gone out of her way to make a contract with them until that attack from Napoleon.
None of them were expecting her to regain her powers as a ruler in such an explosive way either, but it was a nice boon.
"Right, thanks Jeanne." He turned towards Kiyohime, "Do you have any thoughts?"
"So this Twitch is a kind of play where people using fake names can make commentary about a performance live?"
He narrowed his eyes at the petite child as she spoke towards his master with a disdainful tone and a scrunched up face.
Inside his inner world, he found a nameless dragon slaying sword. The sword was weak enough for him to trace it in a split second, yet strong enough to cut through dragon skin.
His Master scratched the back of his neck, "yes. That is the case."
She pulled out her war fan, and he nearly jumped her then and there but stayed his hand when she only opened it to cover her ugly frown.
"Disgusting. Why use fake names when they can just use their real ones?"
What a dumb question. It was obvious why that was the case, but alas, she was a berserker who hated lies, so she would not see value in their applications.
But his Master still tried to explain the concept anyway.
"There are many dishonest people on the internet, Kyohime. If people used their real names, then it would be easier for bad people to use that information to steal more information about their victims and tell even bigger lies, lies that could ruin livelihoods."
"Hm… what about you? Do you have one of these fake names?"
His foot shifted, the dragon-slaying sword in his reality marble ready to deploy at any moment.
A few of his fellow servants noticed his shift in demeanor, but he played it cool. The job will be done before they even have the chance to twitch a finger.
"My username is not really a fake name, it's actually just the nickname my baby cousin gave me. It's what I use for most of my usernames. It's not secure, but having too many different usernames is going to make my life too complicated. "
The berserker servant lowered her fan and narrowed her eyes at his master. Her inhuman eyes roved over his face as if she were searching for a point of weakness.
After a tense silence, she spoke up once more, "Truth… hm, while I can't say I find such actions tasteful, if people revealing their names will lead to bigger lies, then I guess I can tolerate them. And I suppose using a nickname from a loved one as a second name is acceptable, and so far, your words hold no deceit."
She nodded to herself, "very well, I have made up my mind. I will accept you as my master, albeit temporarily."
She stuck out her pinky finger. Then she did the worst thing a person could do, she threatened a master while surrounded by his own servants.
"This is a pinky promise. If you lie to me, I will make you swallow a thousand needles."
[CasCu: See? What'd I tell you? The bitch was crazy! ]
[Um… Gudao, I think you should reconsider before entering that contract my guy. ]
His master looked at it for a moment, not with suspicion like he should, but rather confusion. However, that only lasted a second before he shrugged, then recklessly sealed the contract by wrapping his pinky around the child looking Berserker's pinky.
The change was immediate.
The baby fat melted and then reformed until it gained definition. Her proportions, which were too immature before, gained maturity.
In a few short moments, the small child that they had met was gone, and a petite woman took her place.
Sure enough, when she spoke, the squeakiness of her voice had dulled into that of a mature older woman.
[What the heck?! Did Kiyohime just evolve?!! ]
[Looks more like a form change to me. And I'm here for it. I don't feel comfortable seeing a child fight in a war. ]
"The contract has been sealed! Ah, do not be afraid, my change in appearance is due to my shapeshifting skill! With my mana reserves filled past the brim, I no longer have to keep myself small to save energy!!" She bowed, "I will be in your care, Master."
He let his posture relax, but his suspicion never faltered.
"Welcome aboard, Kiyohime." His master said.
The Berserker lifted her head, and her smile turned dangerous, "and remember, I was being serious. If you lie to me, I WILL make you swallow a thousand needles."
Perhaps he should kill her after all?
[PerfectlySaneHex donated 100 bits]
[I swear by all the legends, if you so much as harm a hair on his head, I will break through my screen and strangle you! ]
Nevermind, it would seem someone else has already called dibs on the dragon girl's head.
Kiyohime's eyes narrowed at the camera. The contract had been sealed, but she was easily able to locate the camera.
He tuned out the ensuing argument when he heard a faint sound coming from outside.
He wasn't the only one who heard it.
Everyone else had stopped whatever they were doing to focus on the sound as it grew louder and louder.
"Is that… a jet engine?" His Master asked, and now that he took a proper listen, it did sound like it.
Without uttering a word, he astralized and climbed onto the roof of the carriage.
His body reformed, and the vast expanse of France lay before his eyes. Chat's camera followed soon after, likely getting a scenic view of the horizon.
But he wasn't there to sightsee.
He ignored the floating orb and instead focused on the black speck in the distance.
His eyes focused, and he could see that the object was indeed a fighter jet, specifically a Mitsubishi F-15J from the JSDF.
The plane tore through the air, its corrupted metal body screeching like it was a wild beast that had set its sights on prey.
Its rider was a knight in all black armor, the long plumage on his helmet flowing behind him like the tail of a wolf.
[Well I'll be damned. It really IS a fighter jet!! ]
[What the fuck? What is a modern aircraft doing in the past?! ∑(; °Д°) ]
[Is that knight riding a jet plane from the outside?!! ]
[Oh Arc, that is So COOL. ]
He used structural analysis on his armor, but he struggled to get anything.
Then an unexpected donor revealed the identity of the rider.
[Frisky1intheFlowers(MOD) donated 100 bits]
["Oh dear. A corrupted Knight of the Lake has appeared. What will you do Archer-kun? "]
His eyes shot open at the information.
The knight of the Lake. There's only one knight he knows that goes by that name.
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!".
The jet had gotten close enough that his ears could hear the guttural screams of its rider.
To think Lancelot du Lac, the strongest knight of the Round, would be here.
What an honor.
[Beaumains: Ser Lancelot… ]
[Ser who?!! ]
[Questions for later! That heroic spirit has a FUCKING MINIGUN!!! ]
He raised a brow at the sudden appearance of a minigun.
It looked heavy, but Lancelot wielded it with no issue.
The barrel spun, and he knew that he had to act quickly.
"Marie, dodge to the left!!"
"On it!!" The carriage made a left turn, and not a moment too soon.
Bullets flew close enough he could hear them whizzing next to his ears.
But they didn't stop coming.
The servant dragged his aim to the left.
But the stream of bullets was too slow.
He drew his next arrow and fired.
His arrows split open like a firework, its fragments fell towards the incoming enemy.
The jet engines roared louder, and the plane erratically made evasive maneuvers.
Lancelot didn't let up, and neither did he.
Dozens of arrows and bullets collided with each other.
The roar of jet engines thrummed in his chest.
The black knight was catching up despite avoiding all the shots he sent his way.
He felt a familiar presence next to him.
"I'll provide support for you, Archer. Just focus on taking down the enemy."
"ARRRRRTHHUUUUURR!!!!" The unbearable screeching from Lancelot increased by several decibels, drawing both his and Jeanne's attention.
The berserker's face was hidden behind a helmet, but the sheer hatred and malice he aimed at Jeanne was obvious.
To be so far gone that he couldn't recognize his own liege, how shameful.
A wild grin split his features, "With pleasure."
[So much anger. Another berserker? ]
[0ffDoodyJoy: I'm getting sick of all these goddamn Berserkers in this goddamn singularity!! ]
[MagnetKing: This doesn't make ANY sense!! How the heck did a knight get access to a jet as his mount?!! Where did he get the minigun?! Knights are supposed to use swords!! Where is his sword!!? ]
[Bunny_Aachan: just turn off your brain and enjoy the show. It's more fun that way. ]
The Berserker's jet shot out missiles in their direction.
But they never made it far.
Hrunting flew towards the missiles and split into multiple arrows.
The airspace between them ignited, followed by a bone-rattling shockwave as the missiles and arrows crashed into each other.
The black jet emerged from the smoke, its rider undeterred by his attacks.
Marie's Carriage was fast, but not as fast as a fighter jet enhanced by a berserker, a knight of the round at that.
So it was inevitable that he would catch up.
But its attempt to slam into the carriage failed as the carriage dove.
The jet flipped upside down, but its rider missed the chance to jump aboard the carriage as it came to an abrupt stop midair.
From above, a red visor glowed angrily at them.
The man behind the metal was so consumed in his own madness that he was no longer human but a beast.
The brief staredown came to an end as the jet overtook them.
The crystal horse whinnied, and the carriage was on the move once more, in a vain attempt to shake off the aggressor.
But he knew better.
He wasn't confident he could take that servant head on, nor could he risk prolonging this dogfight, not with his master this high up in the sky.
"ARTHUUUUURRR"
[Is that the only word he can say? Arthur?! ]
[CasCu: Behold children, this is what a TRUE berserker servant looks like. ]
[PsychicMoostache(MOD): His mind… It's so messed up. I feel sick… ]
He also knew the scumbag barreling towards them was not going to die easy.
He understood this, yet he still needed to get him off their tail.
He might as well pull out a classic.
The corkscrew blade of Fergus mac Róich manifested in his hand.
Condensed, deadly, and explosive.
Caladbolg II.
This was the best he could do for now.
The steel wire groaned as he drew his modified arrow back.
The man didn't seem to care about him at all, his attention purely focused on Jeanne.
"ARTHUUUUUURRRR!!!"
His eyes narrowed into slits.
His fingers loosened, and the arrow flew.
But rather than evade, Lancelot did the most berserker thing imaginable.
He caught the arrow midflight.
But that was not the end, as the noble phantasm began to turn a similar shade of black as the minigun and the jet.
He clicked his tongue.
What an annoying ability.
CRACK
Then a smirk spread across his features.
But convenient.
Lancelot's head snapped towards the now broken phantasm in shock.
Even in his maddened state, Lancelot recognized the danger his arrow possessed.
He tried to throw it away, but it was too late.
The noble phantasm broke, and the sun kissed France.
Jeanne slammed her flagpole into the glass carriage just in time to protect the carriage from being caught in the blast.
In the distance, he could see the descending form of Lancelot, battered, broken, and missing an arm, his voice still cursing King Arthur's name the whole way down.
He narrowed his eyes at the speck.
"Her name is Artoria, you homewrecking bastard."