------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Town of Fuyuki.
3rd POV*
Lawrence patted his hand in satisfaction watching the fire devour Matou Residence. He doesn't care whether Shinji was there or not, he was a worm too so it would be better if he die early. Sakura is already unconscious so he just handed her to Kariya who was still in dazed by the events. Earlier he was puzzled when he suddenly appeared on Matou Residence without any clue but when Lawrence released his skill, Kariya's memories also returned.
Now Kariya is beginning to wonder to what identity this man in front of him holds. His spell is out of this world and is not something a magus could do. Kariya's gamble has paid off, and the result? He won. That was such a huge relief to Kariya that he could not help but crouch on the spot. He mindlessly stare at the burning mansion having the same feeling as Sakura.
This fire has become their source of salvation, it was the thing that saved them from their cruel fate. Kariya turned his attention to the person who created the fire, it was unbelievable that someone so young could do something like this yet Kariya was proven otherwise. "You… who really are you?" Kariya asked smiling bitterly.
Lawrence smiled hearing Kariya's question, "Just a random master. Call me Lawrence" he said before turning back. He already usurped the Command Seals on Kariya's hand so his business here was done. He could care less what Kariya wanted to do next and how he will raise Sakura, it is not within his priority anymore.
"Wait!" Kariya stopped Lawrence giving him an embittered smile. Lawrence raised his eyebrow waiting for Kariya to say what he wanted. "I know this is too much but… please take care of this girl. As you can see, I don't have long time left so I would rather leave her to you who has some morals than to return her to her family" Kariya shook his head in dismay remembering how Tokiomi casually sold Sakura to the Matou.
This made Lawrence realized that Kariya was still in the verge of death, the worms that was connected to Zouken also died further lessening his lifespan. Lawrence thought about the request of Kariya and finally coming to a decision. "No, take care of her yourself. She needs someone she trust by her side" Lawrence said throwing a healing salve at Kariya. Kariya could not react as the bottle shattered on his head, but before he could question what it was his body began healing.
Kariya widened his eyes at the miracle being played in front of him. "W-What is this?" he muttered in question, he turned towards Lawrence looking for an answer but the man was already missing. Kariya took a last look at where Lawrence was before sighing, "Thank you man… I mean it" Kariya lowered his head greatly showing his immense gratitude.
.
.
Lawrence returned home happily smiling at the newly brought servant. Although Lancelot was not useful to him, it was still an achievement that he could get two in a single war. Fortunately, Berserker was more docile compared when he was with Kariya. Lawrence had to spend a small amount of time training this knight.
"Master" Bea lowered his head welcoming Lawrence who just arrived at their house. "I'm back Bea, what's the matter? You have a difficult look on your face" Lawrence asked even though there was no visible change on her expression. Lawrence is already expert when it comes to reading Bea. Among the girls, Bea was the first one to be at Lawrence's side after all.
Bea nodded her head at Lawrence secretly delighted that her master could distinguish her mood, "It would be better if you take a look at yourself master" Bea said opening the door for him. Lawrence tilted his head but nonetheless still entered, he didn't even reach the living room when someone appeared infront of him and sneered.
"Hohoho~ To think that the peasant has finally arrived. Hurry up and brew me a tea! I only want the most fragrant!" There standing was a little girl with the same features as Anastashia, they have the same blond rolls and sarcastic face. It is not hard to tell that both of them are sisters. Lawrence massaged his head seeing this person.
"How come you are here already?" Lawrence asked sighing. He don't really want to deal with this girl, he even prefer Sakura more than her despite being Anastashia's sister. "Hmph! If you think that your cheap tricks will work on me then I could only mock your foolishness!" Luviagelita scoffed at Lawrence. She thought that Lawrence does not want her here because he wanted Anastashia's attention all to himself.
"Do I need to repeat myself? Brew me a tea you cripple" Luvia pointed at Lawrence with condescending look on her face. She seemed to loathe the mere fact that both of them are staying in the same room. "Alright, I am in no mood to accompany a child on her whims. Bea handle her" Lawrence said ignoring Luvia.
That action made Luvia froze, her dumbfounded gaze was focused on Lawrence. He never has this audacity before! "You became impudent! Just because you could smooch at my sister's reputation, you already acting arrogant?! Don't test my patience you cripple!" Luvia held a gem on her hand before casting Gandr. She throw the gem hitting Lawrence in the process.
Luvia snorted thinking that Lawrence was already finished, she began walking back to the living room disdaining Lawrence's presence. Once the girl left, Lawrence immediately stood up. He feigned unconscious because he knows that the little girl won't stop provoking unless she already showed how amazing she was.
"Sigh, she never changed huh? I wonder when she will open her eyes to the reality." Lawrence muttered sighing, Bea beside him chose this time to give her opinion. "Master, in my opinion that child has already seen the truth. The way she is acting is just a defense mechanism as a human being, this is her way of coping because she doesn't want to accept the harsh reality. She deliberately looked down on you because seeing you fall for it enhanced her ego making her trust of the fake reality firm" Bea said.
Lawrence stared at her in surprise before sighing again, "Bea there is this thing called consideration, though I appreciate that you told me your honest thoughts" he patted her head pleased by her answer. "Consideration you say master? I do understand some of that word's meaning but isn't there also a limit to consideration? Always adjusting yourself to her childish whims will make you no different from a pushover"
After saying that Bea walked to the direction where Luvia went to. Lawrence was left dazed by what his maid mentioned. He scratched the back of his head feeling complicated about it. Bea's words were right, but sometimes right thing doesn't mean they are correct. In this matter, if Lawrence choose to confront Luvia about it then the little girl will directly break down because her own little world was rejected by him.
Lawrence does not want to see that happen no matter how haughty that child acts, she was still Anastashia's sister. He decided not to think about it and just entered the house avoiding Luvia in sight. "Oh, you're back" Shiki then appeared greeting him, she probably heard their conversation yet chose not to talk about. This is the literal meaning of consideration.
He could not help but chuckle about his thoughts. "Yeah, I just had a great encounter. Look who I have here" he smiled gesturing at his side. Shiki opened her mystic eyes revealing many death lines beside Lawrence, this made her stare in surprise because this person's lines of death are rather vague meaning he/she is hard to kill. "Servant…?" Shiki asked making Lawrence grin.
BOOOMM!!!
Explosions can be heard as two figures swiftly moved in the place. There was a guy in black armor emitting dark presence and a beautiful woman pressuring that knight with her extraordinary skills. She was using great techniques leaving no room for the knight to fight back despite his experiences in martial arts.
If anyone with knowledge see this, they would be without a doubt be baffled. A person in modern society could keep up or even surpass a person from the legends, it is a rare occurrence. Nonetheless to Shiki, all of that does not matter. She is just enjoying this fight right now, Berserker's ability to make anything he touches into Noble Phantasm also helped because in this way, he could somehow keep up with her.
SSCREEEEEEECHHHH!!!
Berserker screamed grabbing a whole tree and turned it into a Noble Phantasm, he hurled the tree at Shiki with exceptional strength making it move faster than the speed of sound. The tree collided with Shiki who escaped the explosion visibly unharmed. Things like those don't even scratch her anymore, someone needs to bring an actual Noble Phantasm here to even cause her harm, fakes like this won't do anything!
Shiki tighten her hold to the Blink Dagger as her figure danced in the air. Her appearance was so graceful that it won't be a surprise if she is mistaken as a heroic spirit known for elegance. Each steps she did concise of refine and calculated movements that helped her navigate through the battle. Shiki used her dagger to stop the surprise swing of Berserker.
That hit was heavy yet nothing to Shiki. Shiki then raised her foot and punched it through Berserker's armor causing the knight to scream in pain. Berserker was blasted away from that simple kick but it immediately stood up again. "Use your sword fool! Show me how you use it!" Shiki taunted Berserker as the knight screeched in anger.
The provocation that should impossible to affect a knight's mind somehow took effect, this is probably because of Madness Enhancement lowering Berserker's rationality. Berserker grabbed his sword and disregarded the orders of his master which is to hold back against the girl. He just wanted to cut this woman into two pieces right now!
GRRRAAAAAAKKCH!!
Berserker's weird battle cry was heard as he dashed towards Shiki, he did not hold back this time and fully used his brute strength. The two's clash caused their surroundings to slowly break, the peaceful green hills were shattered from the shockwaves while the trees were uprooted mercilessly. The two did not care about the environment anymore, they had goals in their mind and they want to execute it!
As the battle goes on, Berserker was becoming more surprised, its sophisticated techniques were being absorbed left and right! The woman was tanking his attacks as if they were nothing and is even observing his techniques! Even his trusted sword could not fully pierce the woman's skin, it only leave some blemishes that healed instantly.
Berserker put more force on his hands throwing an overhead slash at Shiki, Shiki just deflected the slash in return. Shiki gripped her dagger tightly before staring at Berserker. "I saw everything about you. This is the end" Shiki said giving Berserker a direct slash in the body. Blood gushed out strongly before the body of Berserker fell to the ground. There was a huge wound on his body revealing his defeat in this battle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------