Dark, empty, and gloomy, there were no signs of life, nor any signs that there ever had been. All that existed in this vast abyss were dunes of white sand that covered everything as far as the eye could see.
In the middle of these vast plains that combined black and white lay a translucent figure that resembled a human figure but without any distinguishable characteristics that could serve to give a detailed description of its appearance or even its gender.
It was just a figure that resembled a human figure
Where am I?
The figure uttered these words in a halting manner, as if it had just woken up.
Despite not having a face, the contours of its figure moved as if forming a tired grimace, the kind you'd have if you worked 16 hours straight, then collapsed, and woke up to realize you'd only slept 2 hours.
"This is a personal anecdote, believe me, it feels horrible."
The figure rose from the sandy ground as if carrying 3 tons on its back and looked in all directions searching for something recognizable that would help it discover where it was.
"What is this place? Wasn't I at a construction site? I was moving bricks up to the second floor of a house under construction when suddenly I couldn't feel the ground beneath my feet and then... Darkness."
The figure uttered the last words with an air of heaviness enveloping him, looking around once more.
"Am I...dead?"
When these words came out of the nonexistent mouth of the figure, a cold current crossed its entire soul, followed by the sound of words coming from behind its back.
"Well, the scaffolding supporting the ground you were standing on finally collapsed, sending you tumbling into a pit along with half a ton of concrete and iron. So, if you're more dead than dead, congratulations on becoming a pillar! Literally, after all, they buried you under the concrete and construction continued. They reported you missing."
The moment the figure turned around to see who it was, it discovered a large woman in black clothing with twisted white horns, a scar on one of her heterochromatic eyes, and a mocking laugh that promised malice and division.
"....I see"
The figure responded curtly as it sat on the sand, doing nothing more.
"You're taking it very calmly, but seeing how you've lived your life, I understand why you're not so worried about whether you live or die."
"hahaha"
In response to the woman's comment, the figure only let out a dry, self critical laugh.
He was not mistaken; in life, the figure was just a man without dreams or aspirations who worked carrying debts that were not his own.
His parents abandoned him when he was just 14 years old to focus on his younger sister, and he was raised by his grandfather who taught him everything he needed to know to survive in this world.
She persevered with only a high school diploma, which, given her circumstances, was an absolute achievement. Going to university was not possible since her parents never paid for any of her needs, and of course, they wouldn't pay for her studies either.
The figure lived off low paying jobs and part time work that only allowed him to invest in the care of his 75 year old grandfather and some food so he wouldn't starve; the only good thing about his daily life was that he wouldn't have to sleep on the street
The figure lived like this until the age of 30, experiencing constant lows, without anyone's support, thinking that this would only continue until his death, and so it was.
"The grandfather who finished raising you passed away a long time ago, the sister you barely knew went into debt, and your parents, who barely remembered your name, used you as a scapegoat, leaving you to your fate to pay for everything. The only stable legacy in your life is your grandfather's house, which he left in your name when he died. You didn't have a terrible life, but it wasn't a good one either. For any adult today, owning a house is a great achievement, but who knows if you'll be able to keep it in the future? The debt they left you isn't small."
"Well...it's not like it matters now."
I comment on the translucent figure without giving importance to the fact that the woman in front of him would write her life story as if she were reading a police report.
"So...what am I doing here? I'm dead, aren't I? Is this hell?"
I asked the figure, looking at the emptiness that enveloped everything around it. It didn't resemble what one would understand as hell or heaven according to the Catholic Church; it seemed more like a limbo where nothing and nobody exists, a fucking intermediate place between hell and heaven.
"Well, you're not really in the place you're thinking, limbo, my divine kingdom."
The woman answered listlessly, as if what she was saying had no value.
"Limbo...divine realm? Then"
I vocalize the figure, only to be interrupted by the woman in front of me.
"This is my divine realm, which makes me the goddess of this realm, the goddess of death and vengeance, and I have brought you here."
The woman simply revealed her identity, finally creating some tension in the figure with the words that signified her presence in that gloomy place.
"So...why did you bring me here, goddess?"
I question the figure with fear and anticipation
He wasn't unfamiliar with this type of plot; he didn't browse the internet much, he barely had any time, but even so, every human needed some entertainment, and for him, it was anime and fanfiction. Something that doesn't cost anything to read or watch, in most fanfics the plot of a god reincarnating the main character in another world with great powers was common; there's no one who doesn't know this type of ending. But this type of plot has both its good and bad sides; it's up to chance which one you'll get.
The figure tried to maintain a calm demeanor on the surface, but inside, panic was brewing. Whatever the goddess said in front of him would be either the beginning of a long ordeal or an exciting adventure.
"Well, lately I've been bored, I have almost nothing to do, and I've been waiting for the author of my story to update chapters, but he hasn't, so I plan to start another one while the lazy bum does something."
The goddess commented with a gesture.
"...another story?"
The figure murmured in a dazed state, repeating the goddess's nonsensical words. She had doubts, but the other seemed unconcerned and continued speaking.
"So I plan to reincarnate you as a combination of all the existing versions of Artoria Pendragon in Type Moon's world in the Marvel Universe."
".......Hey"
The figure listened attentively to the goddess's speech until she reached the last part
".....artoria"
The figure spoke in shock, without making a scene or raising his voice. In life, he was a quiet person who always kept his worries to himself, so he almost never got overly upset. He also knew who Artoria Pendragon was; after all, Fate is one of his favorite franchises, as is the Type Moon universe. He has played the visual novel, watched the anime, and already plays FGO, and Artoria is one of his favorite characters.
He knew all this, he just didn't believe that something like transforming into his favorite character would happen
Don't wait, that's not the problem
"Wait, wait, Artoria is a girl, right? I'm a man. I know I died a virgin at 30, but I'm still a man. It wouldn't make any sense to transform into Arthur."
"No"
Faced with the figure's protest, the goddess mercilessly refused, causing the figure to visibly tense up.
"....but"
"Look, I know this doesn't sit well with you, believe me, I've been there, but the title of this fanfic has already been decided and the author doesn't plan on changing it. The fact is, there aren't many fanfics where Artoria is the protagonist, so the author wants to create his own story with her as the main character, of course adding her weird fetishes."
"....Hey?"
The figure was visibly confused; there were many irrational things in the goddess's discourse, so she preferred not to think about it too much and still resisted the fact of transforming into a woman.
"Leaving that aside, the Marvel universe is a very dangerous place, so I have to give you powers to help you survive. This isn't the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you know; it's a combination of the comics, the animations, and the movies—in short, a crazy universe."
The goddess explained carefully, without giving the figure time to express her dissatisfaction with being reincarnated as a woman.
"I plan to adapt Artoria's concepts and powers within that universe, which means you'll be one of the most destructive forces of nature in that world. Even just considering Ruler and Lancer, who are considered godlike versions of Artoria, already puts you in the same position as Odin at his peak, and that's saying something. I'll also modify your appearance; essentially, you'll have the appearance of Artoria Lancer, but taller. And that's about it. I really can't think of anything else to change. Any questions?"
"I can"
"You have no other options, I'm not asking for your permission. Do you seriously want to argue with a goddess? Are you worried about not getting her high? The caster and berserker versions of Artoria are in your hands. If you figure out how to grow a penis, you'll be in a better situation than me. And you're still complaining? I'm doing you a favor now by raising your charm ratings with women so you won't have trouble finding a partner, even the ability to summon other heroic spirits. Since Lancer and Ruler have the Holy Grail, this is a second chance for you. Take it or leave it."
"...."
The figure fell silent not because he agreed, but because he had no choice. He had no attachment to his previous life; he hadn't had the chance to make friends, as he was always busy. The only relative he cared about had died long ago. He had nothing but a house inherited from his grandfather and years of hard work that only served to keep him alive. He wouldn't refuse a second chance if it allowed him to do things right, but the fact that they would have to turn him into a woman and put him in a world where the smallest threat is a crazy person with a degree and the biggest is the entire fucking universe makes the proposal less appealing.
At least the advantage is there, and it's not like I can refuse it.
"sigh Okay, when do I leave?"
I reluctantly ask the translucent but determined figure
"That's the spirit! If you want, we can start now. Once you get there, you'll have two identities. One is like that of a normal human who was born and raised in that world, something that will help you settle in without too many complications. The second identity will be like the reincarnation of King Arthur, the former king of Camelot. This will justify your powers, and your existence will have meaning for some entities that can see beyond the physical. The legend of King Arthur will also be modified to be the same as the one presented in Fate, with some modifications. Also, because you are reincarnated as a combination of Artorias, your personality will be visibly altered, but without changing who you are."
The goddess explained, preparing a... baseball bat? hidden to one side of her throne.
"Personality changes?...How significant?"
This was something that worried the figure quite a bit; she didn't want to reach that point and have a mental breakdown due to a dual personality that was destroying itself.
"It's not so disastrous, I know what I'm doing. The changes will be that your sense of justice and morality will grow stronger, and your indifference towards life will also increase, making it much easier for you to kill. Your need to protect the weak and such things will become second nature to you, and your way of speaking will also become quite refined and formal, among other things. Nothing will change much. Any last questions?"
The goddess explained as she approached, rising from her throne with a bat resting on her shoulder. The figure didn't know what it was for or why she had it, but decided not to ask. Something in her head told her it was better not to know, and she still had one more question.
"I still have one more question: the Ruler and Lancer versions have their humanity restricted. Will that affect me too?"
Hera, that's a valid question. This could be a big problem if my point of view becomes as distorted and inhuman as Artoria's in the Camlot singularity. That's not what the character would want to become; I'd be a full fledged villain in that world, and being a villain in a world of heroes doesn't give me much of an advantage.
"Don't worry about that, divinity won't corrupt you. This is a configuration I set up. Don't underestimate my strength. I can practically do anything I want with my power, including changing what's already established, whether it's you or that world. Well, that would be all. Are you ready?"
"I ask," the goddess said, standing to one side of the figure for some reason.
"Ready... how?" "BOOOON"
Before the figure could ask how he would be reincarnated, a shadow enveloped his vision, followed by a thunderous roar and the sensation of being hit by a bullet train, then nothing.
"Well, that's 50 points."
The goddess commented, throwing the murder weapon aside and watching the shooting star, which is the soul that has just reincarnated, disappear into the darkness.
"It was necessary to send her like that....Lucia-sama"
Appearing seemingly out of nowhere, a woman dressed as a maiden with armor plates appeared from behind the goddess, now identified as Lucia, while casting an accusing glance that was not discernible on her expressionless face.
"Don't look at me like that, Maria. I didn't want to be basic and just send it like that. You have to be original."
Lucia defended herself while still displaying her usual sanctimonious smile
"..." sigh I hope this doesn't become a problem. If you're finished with your game, I suggest you go home for dinner. Miss Gabriela isn't happy unless you sit on her lap."
I advise the maiden now known as Maria to turn around and disappear again
"Well... let's keep waiting."
Leaving those words behind, Lucia abandoned this desolate kingdom, returning it to its eternal silence.
......
England 1938 city of London
In the city of London there was a palpable tension in the air and a depressing atmosphere surrounding the inhabitants, not only because of the cloudy weather that covered the morning sun but also because of the beginning of a possible war that threatened to knock on their doors.
There was no news that this was the case or that it would happen soon, but the not so subtle attention of Nazi Germany was as obvious as the point of a gun aimed at your head where you can pray they don't pull the trigger.
"Hmm... this isn't a very polite way to send someone away."
In a room with rustic decorations typical of the period, the sheets of the large bed moved, revealing the owner of the bed.
A tall woman, 1.93 meters tall, with a well proportioned body and large breasts, slowly got up and sat in a corner of the bed, looking a little dazed.
The woman was beautiful, with long golden hair that flowed down her back like strands of shimmering golden silk. Her delicate white skin reflected the soft morning light, resembling polished porcelain with a light pink tint around its contours. Her eyes were like the gaze of a fierce lion, always vigilant, ready to attack at the slightest provocation. The blue green of her eyes radiated majesty and heroism, and her bearing had the coldness of a strong, decisive, and majestic ruler.
Era Artoria Pendragon, ancient king of Great Britain, had arrived in the Marvel Universe
"The arrival wasn't ideal, but it served its purpose; now I find myself here."
Getting out of bed wearing nothing but a nightgown, the reincarnated soul, now Artoria, explored her surroundings, getting her bearings in the place.
"The goddess told me I have an identity in this world, so I suppose I should know my position in this society."
With that said, Artoria explored her memories, learning about her identity in this world, her past in it, and her social status.
"...I see it's not a completely normal identity, but it's useful. My story isn't very complicated, and I can live day to day without much difficulty."
Artoria commented, moving around the room in search of her clothes for the day.
Artoria's identity in this world is that of a member of the royal family who abandoned her royal rights and decided to live as an ordinary citizen of noble birth. Her name is the same: Artoria Pendragon. The only known survivor of the long lost surname within the royal family, Pendragon, she is 25 years old this year and has just finished her studies at the military academy, being recommended for service almost immediately upon graduation. She was also the only exception within the army to occupy a position in the regular army and not in the rear guard like other enlisted women.
"The results of the field tests, which far surpassed those of the other applicants, and the recommendation of the royal family paved the way above tradition. This may also be the result of the interference of the goddess Miss Goddess; otherwise...it wouldn't be possible in any way...at least not in the normal way."
Dispersing her thoughts, a mixture of those of this world and what she knew in her former life, Artoria opened the large wardrobe of luxurious polished wood and gilded decorations to see the row of formal suits of different colors, coats, and other garments that made one think the clothes belonged to a man and not a woman; there was not a single dress in the vast sea of black, gray, and white
"This makes things easier for me, at least in this era it wasn't so strange for a woman to dress as a man; it was a kind of individual fashion... but that was only in the United States. In England it was no less common, but it seems this is attributed to the fact that, according to my identity in this world, I was raised as a man because I was the only descendant of the Pendragon line... this part of history ultimately repeated itself."
Ending her dialogue, Artoria took one of the suits and headed to the bathroom to take a shower before changing, but before continuing on her way she stopped halfway out of the room
"......now I am a woman... I am Artoria"
Upon saying that, an internal struggle began to manifest within Artoria's heart. The part that was male insisted on exploring the forbidden content of her body, which he felt he had to become thoroughly familiar with. Another part, the gentleman, rebuked him for his unethical thoughts and lack of tact towards the woman. It was her body, but it was molded in the image and will of another, and he should proceed with respect and rectitude. The other part, logic, told him to take a quick bath and get on with the day, that there was much to do, and that he could deal with his moral dilemmas later.
".....come on"
As if she were about to wage a great battle, Artoria took a decisive step further into the pool hall she was in, heading straight for the changing room and bathroom.
1 hour later
With slightly flushed cheeks, Artoria skillfully and expertly tied his tie in front of the mirror. In his previous life, he rarely wore a tie, only doing so when he had a job interview and wanted to make a good impression, but now putting on a suit was as fluid as river water.
"I've become more meticulous now"
Artoria commented, adjusting the sleeves of her suit. Her gaze in the mirror was analytical, checking for any imperfections. Her body was large, and the suit didn't completely cover the size of her breasts, creating two very visible mounds. There was nothing she could do about it; Artoria's body was very voluminous, although her temperament, worthy of a king, was easily recognizable, leaving no room for underestimation or any hint of disdain.
"Okay, let's try this"
Saying that, Artoria extended her hand into the air and instantly a silver light began to envelop it, from which emerged a giant cavalry lance that seemed to be formed by several white strands resembling a swirling pattern that was sawed at the tip
Er the spear Rhongomyniad the spear of the end that connects the earth and the end the sacred spear of Artoria
His mere presence causes space to bend and distort, bringing with it an indescribable heaviness.
"...it seems that it could be used in its entirety if desired."
There was no trace of the seals that restricted the power of the sacred spear; it could be used at its full power if Artoria so desired.
"Will it be the same with Excalibur?"
The next moment the spear disappeared, replaced by a brilliant longsword decorated in gold and silver with the engraving in the fairy language printed on the blade
"...Excalibur also lacks its seals; the power of the star hidden within it can also be unleashed...this feature could be very useful to me in the future; there will be many times when the anti foreign attribute will be needed."
Artoria hasn't forgotten that this is the Marvel universe, and alien invasions are a daily occurrence. Excalibur was created to kill aliens, an advantage for future conflicts.
Although the aliens in Type Moon and Marvel are two different creatures, while their birth is alien to Earth, Excalibur will damage them, and that's an advantage that cannot be underestimated; after all, there are many treacherous beings in the universe.
".....okay, now let's look at the others"
In the next hour, Artoria analyzed the powers and weapons she possessed and tested their limits.
As it turns out, Artoria discovered that she possessed all the passive and active abilities of all the Artorias known until now: the Mystic Code of Caster and Berserker, the corrupted lance and sword of her Alter versions useful against other types of enemies, the motorcycle of the Alter Saber servant, the Excalibur Vivian (which is a water pistol with Excalibur), the ninja techniques of the mysterious heroine X, and even the "Add" belonging to Grey, whose function should be to seal Artoria's sacred lance and preserve its mystery. Grey could be considered a version of Artoria; after all, he was born as the vessel of her reincarnation. It's also not certain that the "Add" has a sacred lance sealed within it, but it still functions to generate it. Everything corresponding to the existing versions of Artoria and the abilities that each one has is also included, as well as useless things like the accessories of her Christmas versions, swimsuits, wedding dresses, costumes, and much more.
"It's good to have come into this world with all the weaponry possible, not to be over prepared, especially in this world where there is danger around every corner."
After finishing her tests, Artoria straightened her suit and prepared to leave. It was lucky that the room was very spacious; it gave her enough room to test everything she needed to test, at least the least destructive and uncontrollable ones.
"Grrrrrrrrrr!"
Before he could move to leave, a noise that sounded like the roar of a hungry lion echoed throughout the room, making the walls tremble.
"I almost forgot...the king's stomach"
Such was the sound of a hungry beast; it was the rumbling of Artoria's stomach demanding blood, flesh, and the whole world.
"Before continuing with the day, I'd better have lunch; hunger is the enemy, and I don't want to turn my back on it."
With that said, Artoria is marching steadily towards the kitchen to provoke world famine