An Archer's Promise Chapter 63 (Patreon)

Partially beta read by Fluffy Slayer.

Still working on some part of chapter 62, need more time to finish it and expand on the last scene unfortunately. But I'll still post the beta read version with improved grammar.

Next update is Broly.

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-Feoh-


"Why did you wake up at this time, sister?" 


Seated in a luxurious living room, two blonde women sat comfortably. One was draped in ribbons of cloth that barely concealed her intimate parts. The golden bracelets on her forearms tinkled as she reached for her cup of tea. 


If her appearance inspired pure adoration and awe in any fortunate onlooker, then the one other sister sitting across exuded an unending wave of pure lust. She wore nothing but delicate golden chains that resembled jewelry more than anything else, with only a few strands of hair strategically covering her modesty. 


A natural allure that made even Celestine question herself. 


Surrounded by high walls adorned with an assortment of paintings depicting Feoh in its humble beginnings as a small village, as well as the previous rulers. Serving as a testament to the Kingdom’s history, the artwork was preserved thanks to Alicia's late family.  Yet, in the midst of this atmosphere adorned with tranquility, the disposition of the sisters was anything but.


“Hmmm~ even after a few centuries, the taste of tea has remained the same. I have tasted some delicacies from beyond the Emerald Oceans, yet it's a shame that this particular kingdom most likely no longer exists.” Serafina spoke gently, her finger rubbing against the rim of the porcelain cup.


Gazing at the Kingdom of Feoh from the window beside her, she couldn't help but release a sigh. “It's been so long, a lot has changed and people move on and the world has other plans.” From her point of view, everything looked peaceful and beautiful, the picturesque scene of green multiple buildings all circling the main castle perfectly and green mountains in the background bringing her joy. The sound of birds chirping and gentle breeze of air ruffling her hair and pushing them away to expose her body. 


“It has,” Celestine answered with a much less lively voice. “Trajanius has had many conflicts happen these last few years, last I heard it has expanded its reach and have taken control of some of the coastal lands under their banner.” 


“The Holy Aurelian Empire…” a concerned look appeared on Serafina’s face at the mention of that nation. “Were it not for the recent happenings in Eostia, then my fate was to be linked to that empire alone and follow a similar path like you did, sister.” 


“You will not go there?” 


“Not yet,” she shook her head after thinking about it for a while. “My awakening was not to happen for another century at the very least. If I were to assume the role of the High Goddess as the prophecy foretold this early on then it could have disastrous repercussions. Who is the current ruler?” 


At that question, Celestine scavenged her memory for information she received from Kaguya many moons ago. “A member of the Lelan family… I think?”


The Holy Aurelian Empire had seven royal families, each holding as much power to take over the throne after the previous king died. She did not miss how their system resembled that of the Seven Knights. Due to how fierce the claim to the throne was, it was common for a single family to be unable to hold control for more than a single generation. 


How they managed to function let alone thrive in such a hostile environment she could no fathom. 


“Then it is too early for me to set foot upon that land. My vision showed the emblem of the Quechaff family to fill the streets upon my original intended awakening. Either way, I had to wake up to aid you, the Holy Aurelian Empire can wait.” 


“Why now of all times?” 


Unfortunately for Seraphina, the Goddess Reborn did not share her sister's sentiment. She initially wanted to remain quiet from the uncertainty, and warriness plaguing her thoughts. Having not touched her tea or even taken a single bite from the food presented before them.


"What do you mean, Celestine?" answered the older of the two, confusion maring her face as she tilted her head slightly. Even at moments like these, her appearance, which many considered to be a mirror image of their Goddess Reborn, held a maturity that the younger sister knew she did not yet possess. 


The smallest voices in her head continued to envy the narrower face, sharper eyes, silky hair that perfectly complemented her image and a more slender build. She was no stranger to how people looked at her, thinking her to be among the pinnacle of beauty — knowing that when compared to her sister, she fell short, and that thought worried her more than anything else when the latter kept insisting to aid him. 


"You have been asleep for centuries as far as I know. Even during the war between me and Olga, you never interfered or tried to contact me. Neither you nor our third sister. Yet, out of the blue, you appear and decide to help Shirou." Unbeknownst to Serafina, Celestine's hands tightened under the table. Though her voice sounded calm, there was an ever-growing presence of discomfort and suspicion within the younger sister's heart at the motives behind the other high elf’s presence.


"Do not get me wrong, I am more than glad to have you here. When I first heard your voice, my shoulders felt lighter, having someone else by my side to help me deal with our kingdom's troubles. But why now, of all times? And why... and why... and why…”


‘And why are you seeking to aid Shirou.’ She wanted to say that, but her words fell short. The young woman did not trust herself to finish the sentence without leaking a bit of her true emotions.


"You don't need to feel uncomfortable asking such questions, sister. I understand perfectly why you might be confused after everything that happened in the past. I will not defend myself for not coming to your aid against the Dark Queen in the past. I was still deep in my slumber and at no point could I have intervened then or for the next few hundred years."


"Yet you are here now."


Having appeared at a moment when Shirou needed help, a role that should have been entrusted to her as she healed him before. Yet the moment the Goddess Reborn got to him, he was sleeping peacefully on Serafina's lap as she focused on completing her task. 


"I had a dream, more accurately, a nightmare that haunted me just before I opened my eyes within the cave. I saw a world filled with darkness, the very soil beneath our feet covered in blood, and all our kingdoms turned to ruin. A red sky engulfed the world in a feeling of pure despair, with the death of millions of humans and other species resonating in the air. It was something I had never witnessed in my life, something that I felt I was tasked to help you prevent."


"The very soil soaked in blood? A red sky and kingdoms in ruins?" That certainly differed quite a bit from her own divination visions of the past. Other than the life of Shirou, the Goddess Reborn only foresaw darkness every time she tried to foresee the outcome of the Kuroinu’s battle against Olga. It was a sensation that made her body feel uncomfortable, cold, and empty of any warmth. Not in any way the hellish vision her sister described but a feeling of overwhelming loneliness and void. Yet these visions stopped the moment he came into the picture.


"It is related to Shirou," she stated, not even bothering to phrase it as a question, knowing what he had revealed to them recently. “You woke up because you needed his help.” 


"I cannot say with any certainty. The origin of Shir… Archer remains a mystery even to me. All I know is that he was sent here for a specific purpose by an unknown entity to fulfill the role as a protector… or guardian. I couldn't pry any deeper due to my promise not to meddle with his mind, so I have to settle with asking such questions myself. But I do recall catching a glimpse by pure chance of a dead wasteland filled with smog in my dreams, though it was very brief and I could not find out where this particular place happened to be or whether it was another vision of Eostia’s future."


The unease surged substantially within Celestine. Her sister saw something that should have been only between her and him. They had shared a moment, a bond at a level impossible for anyone but themselves. She had seen him at his worst and accepted the man happily. For someone else completely unrelated to the matter to even catch a glimpse was not a feeling she liked, and she was certain neither did he.


‘She was right, in the end everyone will go after him, and he will keep helping them again and again without expecting thanks in return. At this rate… history will repeat itself.’ A certain young child-like entity’s words echoed in her mind. 


Having learned more about said origin of Shirou… or rather getting a better understanding of his character and duty bound to him. She could see it clearly as day; how his presence continued to attract more and more attention from individuals seeking not to help him but to be helped instead. People planning to drop the weight of their responsibilities onto him to shoulder without even caring about his well-being.


And she suspected her sister to be just like the rest of them.


"I have everything under control," she said quietly, her tone gaining a sharp edge. Though Celestine was initially happy to see her sister face to face for the first time in many ages, she now feared that her presence could hinder her own plans and act as a roadblock. "The Princess Knights and I have worked together with Archer to handle any problems that come our way."


"So you say, but from what I have heard, a majority of your allies have treated him as a roadblock and an enemy more than anything else. Even now, I can tell that some of them have vastly different impressions of him than you do. It will be easier for us to handle the threats posed by this Beast by joining forces, I believe that is why I was called in the first place."


"But how can you even help in the first place?" Celestine couldn't help but say, her question sounding harsher than she intended. Thankfully, her sister did not react negatively and instead continued to smile.


"I am well aware of my limitations. Despite my nature, I can do very little to confront this danger to our world in any way, shape, or form. I was never suited for combat in the first place, and I don't believe that will change anytime soon, even if I tried. That is why I came with the goal to aid Sir Archer, for I know that he is the key to saving us from this future. I am willing to dedicate my entire being to aid him."


"You can't!" Celestine's response came suddenly, as she got up from her chair and slammed her hand on the table, spilling her tea and snacks onto the ground and staining what little clothes she had. Her eyes widened with a near-hostility directed straight at the woman on the other side of the table. "Shirou first came to me for help! Me! I promised to help him in any way I can, so you don't need to worry about this issue!"


Taken aback by the sudden outburst, Serafina was honestly completely lost on how to react to Celestine's reaction. "Y-You don't seem to understand, sister. I'm only offering my aid without pushing you away."


"I have heard enough," the blonde said, not giving the other a moment to complete her sentence before immediately walking out of the room. This left her twin in a state of shock at her reaction, speechless and unable to say anything as she watched her leave.


“Ce-Celestine?” Calling out her younger sister's name, Serafina wondered whether she had mentioned how sensitive to bring out such a reaction from her sister. 


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Walking through the hallway, Celestine tried her best to calm down her raging heart, with fury and frustration bubbling within every inch of her being. Her conversation with Serafina made one thing quite clear; her sister wasn't planning on returning to her sleep anytime soon and intended to become even more involved with Shirou. She thought that, for whatever reason, Serafina believed she was needed by his side more than herself, despite only possessing powers of restoration and healing.


"He is going to reject her. She will only be wasting his time with all of this," she said to herself, picturing the scene of the white-haired Bowman shaking his head while facing her older sister's proposition. Unlike herself, Serafina hadn't earned his trust from just a single interaction, and she would fail to understand him like Celestine did.


Believing herself to be the key to defeating this beast was a mistake. Once again, Serafina was far too naive for her own good, and this was the only explanation as to why she was so adamant about working alongside Archer. Regardless of all of that, she needed to see him, given how long it had been since their last conversation. The blonde had heard from one of her handmaidens about his last seen location, strangely enough finding out that he was closer than she had imagined and near the woods.


But just before she could make her way there, a number of footsteps rushed near her and her attention was instantly attracted by a group of Knights. “Celestine-sama, it's an emergency!”


“Eh?” 


A number of women and handmaidens rushed inside, supporting another Knight who was in a state where she barely was able to walk. Blood stained her skin with reddened eyes and a pale face, her overall appearance raising many questions in the Goddess Reborn’s eyes. 


“Quickly, bring her over here.” With the throne room nearby, they headed over there. Not asking any question, the elf prioritized healing this Knight first as the latter was carefully placed on the ground. “Give me some space.” 


Heeding her words, the handful of Knights followed the given orders and let the blonde elf place her hand over the barely conscious Knight before her hands started to glow with a faint white light. “What happened?” 


“We have been attacked! Jana found her near the manor assigned to Claudia-sama! She's not the only one in such a state, but so were the other Knights! Many of Grave-sama’s mercenaries were also killed!” One of the Knights spoke hastily, spilling every detail. 


“Claudia’s manor? Is she alright!?” 


They froze for a second at the tone of their Goddess, quickly gathering their wits and shaking their heads collectively. “She wasn't there, we've seen her leave the manor early this morning to meet Kaguya-sama. But… but…” 


“Just say it!” Perhaps it was the conversation she had with Serafina a few minutes ago or the events of the night of the Beast's attack, Celestine felt her emotions becoming more volatile. 


“... Former General Grave Levantine was found dead in the dungeon… we couldn't find the assassin.” 


“...”


The silence that descended upon the room was palpable. The initial chaos had disappeared as they all awaited for the response of their Goddess, having never dealt with such a scenario in their lives. Yet what greeted their ears was the soothing voice that managed to calm their nerves to some extent. 


“Go inform Claudia of this matter, she should know about this as soon as possible. All of you, bring the other girls to the cathedral, they will be treated there. I do not want anyone in this room to disturb me while I'm treating her. I sense a dangerous poisonous spell within, it has no effect on me but it may be deadly to all of you.”


“Yes!” 


At first, many individuals in the group wanted to argue otherwise and remain by her side. The mere idea that an assassin capable of killing one of their generals in their own territory without anyone realizing was bone chilling. But the stare given by their Goddess was not one that they had the will to disobey, so with no other choice they left the room. The golden doors firmly closed, leaving Celestine and semi-conscious Knight who continued to breathe haggardly. 


A few minutes trickling by until the Knight finally managed to regain some semblance of clarity in her foggy eyes, fighting back against the effect forcing her mind into a state of pure drowsiness — threatening to overtake her at any moment. 


“Ce-Ce… Celestine… -sama…” her voice was faint, barely audible even in the quiet room where even a single pin drop would be heard. 


“Be at ease, I have everything under control.”


Celestine showed a smile on her face while her eyes continued to stare at the woman with clarity. Not a ripple of sadness or grieve evident in them when she heard the passing of Grave Levantine, not in the least. 


He was a long time ally of her cause, having fought by her side ever since he was a teenager himself. Granted, they were never as close to how she was with Claudia, only maintaining a level of mutual respect and understanding with one another. 


In a way, she even admired the general for his tenacious effort when battling against Olga's forces in the past. Representing the light she'd seen countless times in the hearts of humanity and the will to never back down even against unfavorable odds. In his prime being the perfect example of a true general and becoming an almost living hero amongst the people in his Kingdom. 


Yet the discovery of his assassination made her feel nothing. 


‘Claudia will be devastated, she already endured a lot with the recent attack against her husband.’ Even at this moment only caring about what Claudia would feel more than anything else. 


‘Should I cry or comfort Claudia when she gets here?’ 


A strange sensation this was, she knew this news to be devastating and terrible for everyone involved but couldn't even muster any sadness for it. Anything she tried to make herself believe became a blank thought… ‘He’s someone who wouldn't have approved of Shirou's presence, he wouldn't have trusted him in the least.’


A hard man to earn his trust but also one who was known to execute criminals with a guillotine. One such event she had come to witness long in the past when he captured and killed a few captured criminals. Barbaric and unfair as they were, she let it happen back then as the population were suffering and she had to endure the scene for the sake of her people.


To help them gain some confidence back when they were forced in a corner. 


If that man learned that Shirou not only killed the Kuroinu, but also brought Olga safely over to Feoh and protected her… then the outcome was obvious. 


“Cele… Celestine-sama… I-I… I saw them…” 


The spell plaguing the Knight's body was no poison — just an enhanced sleep spell. That much was evident as she sensed with her own magic, but rather she felt the familiar feeling of the caster's mana in the spell. “Olga.” 


Only thanks to her own blessing that this Knight was able to somewhat fight back temporarily against it. 


‘Why would Olga kill Grave? She has nothing to gain but more enmity from the rest as they would suspect her.’


The woman's eyes widened, using what little strength she had to nod her head. “Y-Yes, … ut…b-but she —as not al… ne… —er…”


Her voice grew weaker, most likely about to fall unconscious due to the spell taking hold. “I'm listening.” She drew closer, her ears right next to the Knight's mouth and wondering what the latter had mentioned. 


But as a few strings of words left her mouth, Celestine's eyes widened. 


“...”


That same cold sensation greeted her heart, one only serving to fuel her frustration. 


In the end, everything that girl said would turn out to be true. For whatever cause, whether it be selfish or selfless, they all were willing and ready to use him at any given opportunity. 


Celestine's hands came to rest upon the Knight's eyes, her smile gone and so was the worry in her eyes. 


“You can rest now.” 


The haggard breathing grew shallower by the second till no sound was present in the room anymore.


(Break}


“Got something to say to me?” Archer asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he stood in the middle of a small field right outside the Castle. Having just returned with Olga in tow, only to find Chloe waiting for their arrival with a complicated expression on her face. 


Strangely enough, even Brynn was present. Though he wasn't worried, given she learned of what was about to happen to Claudia early on, he found no reason to hide such a matter with her or anyone. And even more curious was her reaction, pure hatred for the Levantine head and even more so when he shared the chance he was associated with Draco or the pig brothers due to possessing Radomira's aphrodisiac. 


“Archer!” 


“Oof!”


Before Chloe could answer, a shadow flew from the treeline and nearly made him fall to the ground. Though he frowned back at Radomira, the latter didn't care and continued to stick to him stubbornly. “You took so long to come back! Where were you!?” 


“Taking care of a future problem.” He said drily, carefully examining the girl’s face as he noticed something he hadn't paid attention to previously. “Are those… bruises? Tell me who did this.”


The girl's tail went stiff, avoiding any eye contact with him; she then hid her face by pressing it against his chest. “I-It was a stupid, mean and stinky brat who punched me! So I punched her back!”


“What? I told you to not wander around the lower part of Feoh! With Draco still on the loose, she is probably still expecting to capture you.” If that creature who shared Saber's face managed to get its hand on her, then Emiya could only dread the kind of chaos it would cause. 


He was certain Draco for some reason was after Radomira for her ability to create a potent wave of aphrodisiac. Where even the regular smoke was enough to make him feel like hell, an enhanced version meddled with the influence of a Beast spelled disaster the entirety of Eostia. 


Worst of all he couldn't think of any conceivable Noble Phantasms in his armory capable of countering such a thing if used in a large area. Worst case scenario, forcing him to destroy the entire Kingdom and put an end to everything in such a way… a method that he disliked to think about and wished to avoid unless absolutely necessary. 


“I can handle myself!” Radomira exclaimed, “If I'm in danger then I can just fly away!” 


“You know that won't work against most enemies, let alone a Beast.” He sighed, even when she'd seen the creature show a fraction of its power she still held such beliefs. “Hah… you're still a child after all.” 


“I'm not! Look!” The girl stood on the tip of her toes, the top of her head barely able to reach his chest. “See? I'm taller and look at my chest, they're bigger!” 


He didn't, only flicking his finger at her forehead. “You’re spending far too much time with Maia. Just don't go to that part of Feoh again, or else no more pizza for you. Now go to bed, something tells me that things will get hectic very soon and I would rather not have you be involved.”


“... Fine. But I fought the brat for your sake!” Was all she said before flying away with a distinct pout to the tower where his room was.


“Someone is getting rebellious,” an amused voice spoke from beside him, Olga with her arms crossed, the pose further emphasizing her chest which seemed like they would pop out from the purple ‘armor’ at any moment. Spectating the entire scene with a slight smirk on her face, one that he grew used to seeing.


“I don't see any reason why you should have that look on your face, Olga. There is a high chance you'll get executed soon or locked inside a cell for good.”


She shrugged, “Oh please, you know as well as I do that it won't happen. Even if it does, it will be well worth it for that bastard's life. Celestine may be naive but she's not stupid enough to have me killed.” Holding a small orb in between her fingers she held an air of confidence. “And I have my own little form of insurance here. Celestine and the Princes Knights should be grateful that I'm actually helping them weed out the snakes. Can't believe I would ever find myself in a position to do such things. How the mighty have fallen.”


Archer rolled his eyes, “Self deprecation aside, tell me what's going on with Radomira. This is not normal.” Once again, he was astounded at the rate of her growth. Now suspecting that it was only a matter of weeks or months at most before whom he protected went from a child Tiefling to a full grown woman. 


“Do you fear that she'll die soon?” 


“...” 


A part of him did have such questions, nothing guaranteed that the rate of her growth would halt or even slow down. 


Seeing his complexion, the Dark Queen got the answer she needed. “Don't. At most it's just her Tiefling physique and magic making her adapt to the environment around her. I doubt she'll become an old woman and die of old age any time soon, perhaps in a thousand years or two. They are magical beings, these Tieflings, stranger than elves, certain demons and even some gods, so don't assume her rate of growth is similar to that of a human. She's also eating much more than anyone here, unlike in the past where she had to survive on crumbs of moldy bread, you can always try that method if you want to slow it down.”


“Absolutely not,” his answer came swiftly, shutting down whatever idea Olga had in mind. Even if she didn't mean it or intended to be taken seriously. “I was only worried of it being harmful to her in the future or a condition that needed to be cured. If it's natural then I have nothing to worry about.”


“She's also taken an interest in her powers, specifically the ability to force lust with her aphrodisiac.” Olga added.


He shrugged, “It’s a part of her I suppose, it's better she learns to control it than to have it escape her control under duress.” 


If she continued to fear it, then it was possible for it to cause more trouble in the future as well. 


“I don't think that's her goal,” she said quietly with a deadpan stare while looking at Archer with intense scrutiny. “Are you certain you aren't exuding some kind of odorless pheromones or aphrodisiac onto those around you… specifically towards women in general?” 


Goosebumps spread across his skin, giving Olga a look of pure confusion. “Pardo—”


“—STOP IGNORING ME, HUMAN!” Finally, unable to stay by the sidelines and continue to be purposefully ignored by Archer, Chloe shouted out loud. “I want you to teach me swordsmanship!” 


“Not again,” he groaned, expecting her to start berating him for some perceived non existing failure. He anticipated various accusations about his negligence in protecting Olga, despite their safe and unharmed return. 


Given Grave's status as an important figure, he had expected tight security, nothing he couldn't handle — even if the elderly man was thrown inside the dungeon. Olga insisted that she join him, even if he didn't require her aid to handle the Knights and mercenaries. Her goal being only to collect information more than anything else.


“What?” Brynn and Olga responded in unison, their reactions contrasting starkly. 


Archer was a bit taken aback to say the least, while Olga hummed with interest, a sense of déjà vu washing over him. Emiya felt a brief moment of nostalgia, reminiscent of when a stubborn and naive former knight had begged him for mentorship. Now, faced with a similar situation, the emotions were different but the goals were no less similar.


“What? Are your ears not functioning properly, human? I asked you to take me under your tutelage and impart all of your knowledge with swords,” Chloe reiterated, her tone harsh and almost growling despite noticing everyone's reactions.


“Who the hell do you think you are to talk to my master like that!” Brynn interjected, unable to tolerate the dark elf’s insolence. “You don’t just ask someone for help and then insult them in the same breath! Not in a million years would he ever take someone like you under his care!”


“What’s that supposed to mean!?” Chloe shot back, her anger rising.


“That you are unworthy and a liability to him. I’m pretty sure you would use everything you learn from him to backstab him at the first opportunity,” Brynn added, her voice unwavering. “In case you have forgotten, both you and the Dark Queen are prisoners! If it weren't for how forgiving Archer was and the fact that we have to deal with a bigger danger — you would have been turned to dust long ago.” 


In the background, Olga chuckled with amusement as Archer watched the scene unfold, taking a seat while massaging his temples. “It is always something new when I'm with you,” she remarked to the white haired man, who seemed tired.


“I should be worried about you corrupting my subordinate,” she continued. “It will only be a matter of time before you two have a romantic relationship with one another. Hopefully I don't catch you under a waterfall with her and copulating like wild animals.”


That came out of nowhere, sounding so different from her usual barbed words. He couldn't help but look at her with a frown. “You make it sound like I am trying to pursue every woman I meet.”


“But that is the case. Most of the Princess Knights have some form of interest in you, bordering on obsession. And don’t get me started on those two degenerates,” Olga replied without hesitation. “It only makes my previous theory of you excreting some kind of pheromone or aphrodisiac that much more valid. Or perhaps, you're just that good at hiding your true personality.”


“You’re still on about that? Grace and Anna, while they have their quirks, are not that kind of people. I should remind you that if it weren’t for them, our journey back would have been much harder. Also, by your own words, you basically admit that you are also one of these women.” That wasn't exactly a moment he preferred to bring up anytime soon, preferring to keep it at the back of his memories.


He should have used a rope to tie Olga and Chloe back then.


Olga did not shy away from his words, her face resting against her hand as she gazed at him. “If that were the case, what would you do?”


“I would end it right here and now,” he replied instantly, wary of Olga’s line of questioning. “Don’t tell me you’re honestly…”


Thankfully, she waved off his worries. “Come on now, who do you take me for exactly? I am neither a blind goddess with the mentality of a child nor a delusional redheaded mercenary thinking she has a chance to keep you here forever. It was just a question out of curiosity. But I’m a tiny bit offended that you answered so directly without hesitation. You certainly aren’t so strict or direct with that red-headed stalker.”


“Maia is a complicated case. I already mentioned to her that other than a purely physical relationship, I don’t plan on holding any long-lasting emotional bonds. It would be far too cruel for her and a disgusting move on my part to allow such a thing to happen.”


Unfortunately for him, she wasn't convinced in the least and even scoffed. “For a human, you have certainly given me a new perspective.”


“Oh? How so?”


“That it doesn’t matter which species you come from, nor whether you have divine origins. All men are idiots.”


“I expected to hear that from Alicia or Chloe rather than you.”


“Then let me rephrase myself: you are blind and surprisingly ignorant with such topics,” she said with a small, smug smile that didn’t sit well with Emiya. He wasn’t planning to pursue this matter or whatever misunderstanding Olga had between him and the other Princess Knights. Before he could utter another word, two presences instantly invaded his personal space.


“Master, do not fall to the temptation of this criminal! She will only betray you in the end!” Brynn hurriedly exclaimed whilst pushing away the other girl next to her.


“Don’t listen to her, human! By teaching me, not only will I be able to protect Olga without needing your presence, but I will also owe you a favor, which is not something you will ever get from me otherwise,” Chloe argued.


“Keep talking and that same dirt will find its way into your mouth!” Brynn shot back, her eyes blazing with anger.


The two women went at each other like fire and water, forcing Archer to look at Olga with what could be described as pleading eyes, hoping she could help him somehow. But she simply watched the spectacle unfold, clearly enjoying the drama. Left with no alternative, the Counter Guardian knew he had to resolve the issue himself… again.


“Alright, both of you need to calm down,” he said, stepping between them and pushing them apart to prevent an all-out brawl. “Leave this matter to me, Brynn. I'll handle it.”


“B-But…” Brynn began to protest, but a stern look from Emiya silenced her.


Turning his attention back to the frowning blonde, Emiya scratched the back of his head with a tired expression. “I'll tell you what I told Brynn in the past: I can't teach you my fighting style. It's just not possible.”


“Why not!?” Chloe demanded, stomping her foot in frustration, her face turning red.


Emiya could see that she wouldn't accept a simple refusal. It would be a waste of time to explain why her request was impossible. Instead, he quickly traced a simple sword in his hand, an exact replica of Chloe's weapon.


“When did you steal it!?” she exclaimed, checking her waist to find her sword still there. “What?”


The dark elf blonde was still vastly ignorant about the extent of his magecraft, as she hadn't seen him in action often enough to understand his abilities fully. Ignoring her confusion, Archer continued, “I know for a fact that no matter what I say, you won't let this matter drop anytime soon until I waver. Since you're so adamant about me taking you in as an apprentice, let me show you why I'm not the best teacher for you.”


He ignored the look of jealousy and betrayal in Brynn’s eyes, her mouth hung open unable to utter a single complaint. A reaction to which Chloe shot a smirk to signal her victory. Brynn seemed speechless at how easily he appeared to accept Chloe’s demand after she had to beg for so long to learn anything from him. Chloe, on the other hand, continued to parade on the brunette through her expression, eager for the challenge. 


“Alright, I’m no longer the same as I was before. Ever since we’ve been here I've sharpened what I already know to prove to you just what I'm truly capable of accomplishing.” She rushed forward the very moment her phrase came to an end, aiming for an overhead strike without hesitation.


‘I should congratulate her for that at least,’ Archer thought. 


Despite having seen him take down the entire Kuroinu along with his battles against Alicia and the Beast, Chloe still charged at him without any hesitation. Some would call it pure arrogance, which in this case, worked in his favor spectacularly.


Unfortunately for her, that was the only thing he was willing to say about her move. With a swift jolt, he advanced past her attack as it glided right past his shoulders without touching him and ended up right behind her, the back of his sword striking her neck gently, enough to indicate he could have done much worse.


“Damn it!” Chloe cursed, spinning around to launch another attack. But her eyes widened in shock as she saw him now wielding a long spear instead of a sword. The change in weapon threw her off, and before she could react, he struck her stomach with the wooden end of the spear, sending her sprawling backward, the air knocked out of her lungs.


“N-Not yet,” she muttered through gritted teeth, clutching her bruised stomach. Anger fueled her as she saw Emiya approaching, this time without any weapon in hand. Letting out a primal scream, “Aargh!” she charged at him once more, her movements wild with desperation.


She noticed how he remained unfazed. 


As she closed in, he deftly caught her wrist in a grip like iron. The strength of his hold was unyielding, and in one fluid motion, he used her own momentum against her. With a swift maneuver, he swept his leg under hers, tripping her and sending her crashing to the ground.


Chloe hit the dirt hard, the impact jarring her senses. She lay there, panting, her mind a whirlwind of frustration and humiliation. How could he defeat her so easily? Yet the very same moment a tingling sensation once again spread across her body, one she hadn't felt for a while. 


It was almost… intoxicating. 


“A-Again!” Reaching for her sword whilst pushing away this confusing pleasure turned out to be a failure as her opponent simply kicked it out of her grasp. “Damn it!” She was supposed to be a skilled swordsman, yet here she was, bested in mere seconds.


“If I were to give you any kind of advice, then listen. You need to control your emotions, that's a basic lesson any swordsman should know,” he said, standing over her, even at her angle she couldn't see a trace of sweat on his face. “Rushing in without a plan will always lead to your defeat. Unless you possess monstrous fighting instincts that alleviate that scenario.”


Chloe glared up at him, her pride stinging more than any bruises. “Why can’t I land a single hit on you?” she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and desperation. “How can I protect my Queen if I can’t even touch you? I can't stay the way I am…”


Emiya sighed, extending a hand to help her up. “Skill isn’t just about strength or speed. It’s about understanding your opponent, adapting to the situation, and keeping a clear head. You have potential, but you need to refine it.”


She hesitated, then grudgingly took his hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet. His words stung, but she knew there was truth in them. She had let her emotions get the better of her, and it had cost her.


“Practice, patience, and discipline,” Emiya continued. “These are the foundations of anyone who wants to get better at anything. It's the same thing I taught Brynn over here and she has polished her skills by just observing, sparing and hopefully dropping a particular style she adopted recently.”


He threw a stink eye at the brunette who had for some reason chosen to adopt a style that exposed her vitals in order to bait her opponent into a trap. The irony of her using such a flawed way of fighting was not lost on him, but even then he only used it once against Lancer and never in this world. How she chose something similar was perhaps the world further tormenting him. 


“...”


A mix of frustration, anger, and disbelief filled Chloe’s mind. She started to question her skills as a swordsman if all he could teach her were those basic things!


“You’re not bad by any means,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. He crouched beside her, looking deep into her eyes. “I’d even say you’re above most of the knights I’ve met. You’d have given Brynn quite a challenge before she met me. Heck, you  definitely are more than capable of beating the girl from back then without any issue.”


“Archer!?” Brynn couldn't believe her ears.


“It will take far too much time, I can't protect Olga-sama like this.” Chloe insisted, making him sigh.


“You can protect Olga. She’s not incapable herself, so don’t treat her like a fragile baby. You can’t expect to become a master within just a few days or even weeks of training. That’s not how it works,” he explained, standing up and crossing his arms. “The reason I can’t teach you everything I know is that it’s not possible. I don’t use a particular sword style; it’s an amalgamation of multiple styles and stances I’ve learned throughout my life. Even then, I don’t strictly adhere to it. Against a more powerful opponent, it’s ideal to adapt and be unpredictable. And I doubt you want me to stay here to teach you to master everything from the sword to the spear, mace, or bow. I just don’t have that time and neither do you.”


Chloe listened, slowly understanding his point. 


He continued, “The most basic method to get better is to keep practicing. Don’t expect to become a perfect swordsman; that’s not possible. There will always be someone better or who knows a style that counters yours. Focus on being better than your current self, and eventually, you’ll reach a point where you’re satisfied.”


His explanation was simple, not intended to be complicated or philosophical in any way. Even if Unlimited Blades Works gave him an advantage when it came to weapons and the movesets employed by its original user, that did not mean he could use all of them perfectly in the beginning. Shirou Emiya had to learn, polish, and be pushed to his limit repeatedly. 


Now, he was confident that, in a battle against even the likes of Artoria, he had a good chance of emerging victorious using pure sword skills alone. Then again, in every other category she surpassed him, as evident by the number of times he was killed by her blade during different summonings. 


For the little hungry lion she tended to be around Emiya Shirou in peaceful moments, she could easily turn into a monster in the battlefield. 


“Now that I think about it, Brynn is in a better position than me to impart what she learned so far.”


“You don’t actually mean that I should…” Chloe began, giving him an incredulous look and pointing at Brynn, who was now grinning widely.


“Yes, you need to train with her,” he confirmed. Brynn was still somewhat dissatisfied but clearly enjoyed seeing Chloe get a taste of her own medicine.


“Hm?” 


Unfortunately, his moment with Chloe had to come to an end as his ears picked up multiple sets of footsteps drawing closer. 


“They are here,” he said, throwing a look towards Olga who nodded, not at all surprised by the presence of the approaching guards.  


“They arrived a bit later than I anticipated.”


Both Brynn and Chloe stopped arguing against one another, the former trying to stand in front of him only to be stopped in her tracks. “You’ll stay with Radomira, it's best you don't get involved with this situation. It will get messy, focus on keeping her safe and not dragged into this mess.” 


“...Got it.”


On the horizon, dozens of Knights appeared led by Maia, the Princess Knight not pleased in the least seeing him together with Olga, hopping down her horse and walking straight up to the Dark Queen. Close enough that their chest pushed against one another, “Aren’t you supposed to be locked inside a dungeon or something?” 


That response earned a light scoff, “You have a moment to give me my space.” 


“Tch, you're lucky that Celestine-sama is so forgiving.” 


Her reaction was… tamer than what Archer was waiting for. Not that Maia wouldn't have been biased with her view upon the matter, regardless it was best to not let these two interact more than necessary. “I believe you didn't just come here to confront Olga did you?” 


“...You're not fucking this bitch aren't you?” 


The urge to facepalm himself grew stronger by the second. “I think you already asked this question before, again, no.” 


“Then it's all good!” Her mood turned chipper, wrapping her arms around his and sticking out her tongue towards both Chloe and Olga — the redhead’s attention soon turning back to Archer. “Anyways, I know this is a bit sudden but everyone is to gather at the throne room, well… I don't know the details but there has been an attack.” 


For a brief moment, he and Olga shared a glance, clear that Maia was not aware of the details nor was she suspicious of their involvement. But the chances of Claudia suspecting his involvement and informing Celestine of it were high and basically guaranteed. So he was most likely going to be questioned again. 


“Let's go then.” 


…


“Hiya, Archer!” Making his way to the main area, the group came across the energetic halfling, Luu-Luu, who revealed a large grin on her face the moment she saw him. “How's my favorite couple doing?” 


Maia instantly blushed and started giggling silly. “Hehehe, Luu-Luu, this is private~! But we're doing fine, big guy and I just need to go on a date soon!”


Her answer earned a confused stare from her fellow Princess Knight who quickly shook her head. “No! I'm not talking about you, Maia. I'm asking how Kanshou and Bakuya are doing obviously! It's been so long since I've seen them, I dream of them till this day.” 


Her hands retrieved a scroll from… somewhere, unrolling to show a perfectly drawn replica of the married blades painted near perfectly accurate to the real things. If that wasn't enough, Archer felt his eyes twitch seeing the girl kiss the painting itself. 


“I agree that Kanshou and Bakuya are beautifully made blades, but even this is a bit too far when it comes to… uh… admiring certain weapons.” 


“Are you saying you don't love swords despite being a magic swordsman!?” Now came a sudden burst of hostility, followed by Luu-Luu quickly stashing the scroll away. “To prove that you're not a faker, I will accept a copy of Kanshou and Bakuya as paym—OUCH!!” 


“This is not the time for that!” 


Unable to hold in her outburst any longer and still pissed at the misunderstanding earlier, Maia grabbed the halfling by the ear with enough strength to lift the poor girl up a couple of inches off the ground before dragging her inside the room. 


“I'll be heading inside as well.” Olga said, walking inside along with Chloe, leaving him outside for a few moments before he crossed gaze with another Princess Knight he hadn't spoken to in a while. 


“Ah… N-Nice to see you, Archer.” Lovely strands of pink hair that reached her waist, a beautiful white dress that complimented her figure. She smiled the same as before, brightly with an innocent aura around her. 


“Prim,” he gave her a curt greeting, noting how even she wasn't aware of Grave's passing most likely, or else she wouldn't have spoken to him too easily. “How are you doing?”


“I’m fine, it has been rather lonely lately, I barely get to speak to anyone outside Alicia onee-sama and Claudia-sama.” Her hands rested on her waist, showing a small pout on her face. “You never bothered to come to visit me as well, Archer. Despite being in the same castle, we've never even had tea together.” 


He was glad to see that even with Alicia being so openly hostile and disliking him, it did not affect how Prim behaved. Though he suspected that to change soon, nothing he could do about it other than to just handle the situation with what he gathered. 


“Hard to visit when you're surrounded by someone after my neck.” 


“Fufufu~ you must be joking, Alicia doesn't hate you.” 


He was having a hard time believing that statement, even if she started to avoid him after that little incident of hers, he knew that at any given opportunity she wouldn't hesitate to throw him inside a dungeon prison or execute him. 


Seeing his expression, the pink haired girl giggled once more. “Ah, how about this, after this, you pay me a visit. Onee-sama has already agreed to have you along and she's willing to have a talk over some tea.” 


Hopefully the tea itself wasn't poisoned.


“Fine, if you still want me to visit after this, or whether I'll be able to, we'll see. I believe it's time for us to head in, the others are waiting.” After that, Archer made his way inside the room. The moment he got inside, immediately the atmosphere changed to one directly opposing the one outside the doors. With everyone now gathered, including Claudia and Kaguya all waiting for him and Prim to make their way inside, the latter taking a seat right next to Alicia while he stood in the middle with his arms crossed. 


Claudia’s face was deadly pale, her eyes staring absentmindedly gazing at the ground while she tried to maintain a composed image but failed to do so. Strange, he expected her to raise a sword against him from the beginning, or at least look at him with rage and pure hate. Even Olga was paying close attention to the Princess Knight, the orb present in her hand ready to be used at any moment.


Kaguya on the other hand had her gaze on him from the moment he set foot inside, a myriad of emotions glossing within them. 


Celestine smiled at him, her reaction being slightly different from what he was waiting to face. Serafina was not present, which he found it to be weird in itself given her prior intentions of being involved with such matters.


Something felt off… really off.


“Thank you for coming, everyone.” Celestine said, capturing everyone's attention with the tone of her voice which differed from her usual chipper and warm self. “I have received terrible news, one that I believe needed to be shared amongst us all.”


‘Here it comes,’ knowing what was to come, Archer closed his eyes and went through every detail of what happened with Grave. Wondering how Claudia would react if he brought up what was about to happen to her if he hadn't intervened at the end. 


“Grave Levantine, several guards and a Knight were found dead early on today. Killed by the same entity that attacked Archer according to my vision and the remnant mana left onto some of the corpses.” 


“What?” 


Everyone, including Archer and Olga, had the same reaction to Celestine's words.



.


.


.



“Are the preparations ready?” 


Deep within the underground tunnels beneath Feoh, a grave voice spoke with urgency as he ordered the hundreds of the men under his rule. Rows and rows of barrels all line up against the walls with an intricate series of wires connected with one another. 


The rusted oil lamps lighting up the hall with enough light to showcase an old man in green clothing, his eyes hollow and almost distant. Strained and tired from countless sleepless nights, the terror of the monstrosity he had seen in the Pantielle mansion along with news of Grave’s death reaching his ears pushed the man to his limits. 


Beardsley hated how everything just kept tumbling down one after the other. 


“I won't go down so easily, my goddess will be by my side.” 


With this, even if those people thought they had him cornered he would have a trump card up his sleeves. 


“I will have you, Alicia, one way or another.”