Fuyuki Church
It was sunrise when the eighth master made his way towards the only church in the city. The holy building itself was impressive, occupying a large piece of land. Lelouch wondered if it was because of the church being part of Holy Grail war or just generally the attitude towards Christianity in this world. As he went thought church entry gates, the raven-haired master felt something strange. He looked around but couldn't find anything unusual.
"This must be a bounded field. This is most likely a defensive type and must be covering the entire area." explained to him Avenger who was in spiritual form." A useful trick, but sadly neither of us knows how to create one."
Lelouch looked around himself and was intrigued by the possibility of an invisible shield. Something like this would have been an excellent protection system.' She said it is a defensive type, so there must be others as well, interesting.' shame he didn't know how to make one but maybe he will be able to learn soon.
The former emperor stopped wondering about magic technique and went towards churchэы main doors. Opening them, the first thing Lelouch noticed was an old man with grey hair, standing before the altar, smiling at him. The Master of Avenger noticed what he was wearing, a priest's clothing.
"Good morning, father." Lelouch slightly bowed his head and made a few steps inside.
"Good morning to you as well, eighth master." The old priest started speaking as he eyed him. Lelouch noticed his accent sounded Italian. " I must say, I didn't expect for someone to hide their identity in such a manner," he said and looked at Lelouch's choice of clothing.
Lelouch couldn't help but chuckle. Well, he and Avenger maybe didn't know any magic or trick to change his appearance so it just meant that he had to do it the old way. Currently, the former emperor was wearing a cap with sunglasses and a paper face mask.
"Sometimes most simple solutions are the most effective, father." the priest couldn't help but laugh."I see you find it funny, father."
The old priest chuckled a few times before calming down."Indeed, after dealing with magi for decades you start to forget how normal some things might be. However, you need to show me your face, young man." he said with a warm tone and went closer to Lelouch and gave a hand to shake."I'm Risei Kotomine, supervisor of this Grail war."
The young master took away his mask and sunglasses before shaking his hand. 'He is strong.' thought the former revolutionary as he felt pressure from the shake. "Lelouch Lamperouge, the master of Avenger."
"Hm, so you are foreign," The older man, Risei studied his face before speaking. "Lamperouge. Never heard of such a family. Are you perhaps from France?"
Lelouch shook his head. "Close. I'm British though my mother's family is French." at least in this world, it didn't sound so awful like his own.
"Oh, I thought since you called a Japanese heroic spirit you were from Japan. By the way, where is your servant, Avenger?" Lelouch turned to the side and spoke.
"Avenger, please show yourself."
As he commanded, the female servant materialized from out of thin air and stood on his left side. Father Risei was silent for a moment, observing his servant who also didn't say a word, she most likely was doing the same.
"So you are Avenger." he said finally after some time."You put on quite a show the previous night."
"You were watching it, father?"
Risei glanced at him and nodded."Of course, I have seen the entire event. As a supervisor of this war, my job is to make sure that regular people don't come in contact with servants and the fight itself. This also means that I must cover any collateral damage that servants caused." his gaze returned to Avenger. "That crane you destroyed wasn't easy to repair."
"It is your job so don't complain, priest," she said coldly but Lelouch coughed. She looked at her master before rolling her eyes."I thought it was necessary to protect myself and my master from possible danger."
Risei smiled again."I'm glad to see that you care about your master, Avenger." he said and gestured towards the seats."Please, Mr Lamperouge. Take a seat."
He followed the priest's offer. As two of them sat at opposite sides while Avenger decided to remain standing."Now, I'm sure you might have some questions but before that, you must answer some of my questions. As a supervisor, I must register all masters of this war. Don't worry everything I will hear won't leave this building." the former emperor highly doubted it but decided to play along for now.
Lelouch understood equal exchange. He wasn't afraid speaking about his identity since it didn't exist in this world in the first place."Very well, father. What you would like to know?" Risei smiled before starting to ask.
"You said you are British, does that mean you are from Britain?"
"No, I was born in the United States." That wasn't a complete lie since Lelouch was born in a place that is part of the USA in this world.
"The States? Haven't been there for a long time. I know there were some magus families but I never heard about Lamperouge house." the old priest looked closely at Lelouch's face."Not to mention such a rare colour of eyes. Is your family a young magi house?"
Lelouch thought about this question. He didn't know how this magic family system worked in this world but he knew that the Britannian Royal family was a very old one. 'Perhaps aristocracy works the same way as in the empire.'
"My family is pretty old, however, I'm the only one who has any potential in magecraft in my family." This isn't a complete lie either since the rest of his family was either dead or useless in almost all fields, except maybe four members but they were the indifferent world.
"Okay, how did you manage to take part in this war? I never heard about there being an eighth master." Lelouch was waiting for such a question. Saying that he was from another world and was tasked to participate in this war was not an option. However, he did some preparations to protect his fake identity.
A cruel smile appeared on Lelouch's face as he opened his mouth and started to speak. "It is thanks to my parents and uncle." Both Avenger and Risei looked at him with surprise.
"How exactly are they related to this?" asked the old priest.
"Directly." smirked Lelouch before speaking."You see, my parents and my uncle spend their entire lives worshipping our God." he noticed how a priest's raised an eyebrow.
"They were believers?"
"Not just any believers but most dedicated to their faith." answered proudly Lelouch as he closed his eyes."Always following the teaching of the Bible, never committing sins and encouraged others to adopt Christianity. They believed that there was nothing greater and more justified than God." Lelouch didn't know how he was able to hold back laughter, this was too great.
"I'm pleased to hear that at least some people believe in our Lord."
"Yes, indeed. They spend their lives worshipping his greatness, especially my father." If there was a hell, Lelouch hoped his parents and his goblin uncle were hearing this. It might be a different world but he was going to trample their name in the mud even here. "They believed that there was nothing greater than our Lord and tasked me with winning Holy Grail, for they saw it as a rightful artefact that belongs to the Church. Neither my parents nor I wished for such artefact, instead, we all believe that this way it will be safer if Grail was handed in capable hands of the Church so they can use its power to help the weak and those in need."
Lelouch couldn't help but imagine what kind of face Charles, Marriane or V.V would make upon hearing these words. God, his bastard of the father probably was red with fury, good. He didn't see that his servant was giving him a funny look from the side.
Risei smiled, believing at this lie."This is such a rarity to find people who don't have a wish for themselves and just want to help others." Lelouch happily nodded, an old man was completely wrong about this."However, I don't know about any magecraft that would allow summoning of the eighth servant. Care to explain this, Mr Lamperouge?"
"Of course, I would say it was prayers to Lord but it wasn't just it. I must my admit that no one in the family can use magecraft, myself including." Risei looked at him with a queryable look." I might be able to use magecraft in the future but I wasn't trained by anyone and therefore have zero knowledge about this craft. No, my parents spend their entire lives preparing for such an event, learning anything that could allow myself to take part in this war in order to protect Grail from unworthy."
Lelouch didn't know many things about magic except what he was told or managed to learn from observation during a fight in port. However, he could understand that regular people didn't know anything about magecraft and very few of them could use it, so the probability of someone without knowledge about magic summoning new servant was small."My parents believed that if they lived lives as proper Christians, praying to Lord to grant anyone from their family to protect the sacred artefact such as this from unbelievers and trying any ritual that didn't require magecraft, then they will be granted their only wish. I was chosen to carry this mission."
"Does your family connect to the Vatican?" Lelouch looked at him with an intrigued gaze. So the Vatican was behind the church in this world as well? Not so surprising but since the church deals with magic Lelouch wondered if their headquarters were somewhere else.
"Sadly no. My family lived in the USA and didn't try to contact the church without the Grail as an offering." Risei looked confused but he elaborated. "They thought that without the Grail or any potential use for the church, my family will be useless."
The older man frowned. "My, there's no need to think like this. The church welcomes all believers no matter where they have come from or what they are capable of...Well, I think I understand your situation. So your wish is to secure Grail and hand it over to the Vatican?" After Lelouch nodded, Risei was silent for a second. "That's a noble wish, but you must understand that even if I'm supporting your desire I cannot help you in this war."
"I wasn't even hoping for such a thing. I understand that all of the masters in this war have their own wishes, no matter how insignificant they are to the will of God, and I'm ready to fight for the wish of my parents." okay, that left a bad taste in Lelouch's mouth."Well, almost ready."
"Hm, is there any kind of issue?" wondered Risei and the new master nodded.
"Yes, you see while my parents tried to make sure I'm part of this war they were unable to provide me with information about all the rules or more complex information about the war itself. And I was wondering if I could learn some of it from you, father."
"...Well, considering how busy they must have been with taking part in this war in the first place, I can understand why they might have been lacking some knowledge about the Holy Grail war." Risei scratched his chin."Well, I suppose there won't be harm If I answered some questions. However, I will only tell you things that are already known to other masters in this war."
"Fair enough." nodded Lelouch before glancing at Avenger. Redhead woman was standing silently, listening to their conversation. Red eyes noticed purple ones, Lelouch didn't know why he felt as if she was staring in his soul. He returned his attention to the priest before speaking."First, I would like to learn more about the war itself, namely its history."
Risei thought about this request then spoke."Very well. I will tell you a short version in order to save time for both of us." After the young man next to him nodded, the priest continued." Holy Grail war first was held around 1800 but it wasn't meant to be a war at the start. Three magic families Einzbern, Tohsaka, and Makiri aimed to achieve their goals using Grail. However, these three founding families that organized the event and created a system in the first place couldn't agree on some things and hence there is war. The first 'war' can be called a small quarrel of sorts. Since then the three founding families continued to fight in the next wars."
'So it was just another magic ritual or something like that but main families couldn't agree on something? Hm, considering that the main prize of this war is a wish-granting artefact no wonder they started a fight.' Lelouch was surprised to learn something so curious. Not to mention that name of three founding families.
"The Second Holy Grail War, good Lord, it was a messy event. During that war, all participants were still coming up with rules for the war but were unable to enforce all of them. The second war was an absolute horror and ended with all masters dying before leaving no winner." Lelouch's eyes went wide for a moment. "After that, the Church couldn't just stay at the side and do nothing."
"The Grail War can end without a winner?" Risei nodded. "Interesting, so the Church wasn't part of the war from the start."
"Yes, until then we thought it was just another experiment by magi and couldn't imagine how terrible it can get." Clear regret could be seen on the priest's face. "So many people died for nothing...The third Grail war was even worse in my opinion, now it wasn't just magi and magus fighting but Japanese Imperial Army and the Nazi Party participating as well."
'Regular armies fought as well? Taking into account the strength of servants it must have been a bloodbath.' Upon arriving at this world Lelouch made sure to learn about its history as much as he could before the war started. For the most part, he just needed to start from the war of independence of America. There never was a Holy Britannian Empire but there were empires just as bad as his old county.
"I was a supervisor at that time as well, again there was no winner at the end. However, at that time more masters managed to survive than the second time."
"So many Grail wars and no one ever won it? Makes you think it is impossible to win." Risei sighed at his comment.
"I can understand why you think so, Mr Lamperouge. I wish there wasn't a war in the first place since it takes so many lives but magi aren't known for their compassion and kindness. At the very least, the Church can make sure to minimize casualties among the mundane people. Also, if one master lost his servant he can ask for refuge in this Church."
Lelouch blinked at that. "So the Church is some sort of sanctuary?"
"Yes, so if during the war you lose your servant don't be afraid and immediately come here. I will welcome all the masters...well almost all." Risei added at the end while clenching his fist. Lelouch noticed it and wanted to ask if something was troubling the old man but before he could say anything his companion said first.
"Tell us the names of the other masters."
Her master winced, usually, Avenger had more tact but when speaking with the priest she didn't care to show him any sort of respect. Then again, remembering what Lelouch has seen in his dream he could at least understand where this dislike for a man of God was coming from. 'Taking into the account who she really is...'
However, it would seem that Risei didn't care about how Avenger spoke to him. The old man shook his head before speaking. "I'm sorry but I cannot give such information. The identities of the other masters is to be secret unless you find it yourself." Avenger wasn't happy but Lelouch was okay with it. Risei unknowingly or knowingly told them the name of three main families. Priest's face darkened as he continued. "However, I can tell you about one master."
"Sorry, father but you just said-" Before Lelouch could finish Risei raised his arm to stop him.
"I know, Mr Lamperouge. However, it would seem that one of the masters is unstable to be kept in the war." He looked at both Lelouch and his servant who raised an eyebrow at this statement. "Ryuunosuke Uryuu is a wanted serial killer and the master of Caster. Both of them are deranged murderers who don't intend to follow the rules of this war..."
"A serial killer as a master?" That didn't sound good. A highly unstable person with access to the powers of a servant is a dangerous combination. A sudden image of a certain Chinese mind reader popped up in Lelouch's mind. "This Ryuunosuke a magi too?"
Risei shook his head. "Thankfully no. We do not know how he managed to summon a servant let alone Caster in this war but it would appear that both of them are similar. Ryuunosuke Uryuu was already wanted for killing but he was always on the run from the police. However, with Caster who shares his views both of them started to kill without care of local authorities. So far all they were doing was kidnapping children. I fear these children are being used as batteries either for Caster or as a plaything for Ryuunosuke."
The immediate realization has come to Lelouch with growing dread. A serial killer as a master and like-minded insane servant who likes to murder regular people as well. Death of the innocent wasn't new to Lelouch, he committed acts that would make anyone pale. However, none of them was a mindless slaughter for the sake of violence, there was an idea and final goal in mind behind every death, be it enemy or friend. 'I killed many people but for a better world.'
Lelouch didn't bother to hide his vexation before the priest. The old man himself was angry about it as well. However, neither of them noticed how Avenger stared at her master with a thoughtful gaze. Risei stood from his seat and bared his right hand, showing what was on it. Lelouch focused on red signs on it.
"Today early in the morning before you have come I declared that no fight is allowed between other masters until Ryuunosuke and his servant are eliminated. The one who will bring judgement to these pair of lunatics will be rewarded with one additional command spell. Lelouch Lamperouge as supervisor of Holy Grail war I ask you to find and stop the master of Caster and his servant before they kill more innocent people."
Lelouch was silent for a moment, thinking about this. A new command spell would be better in his hand than with someone else, not to mention leaving Caster and his master alone was something Lelouch couldn't do. Glancing at Avenger he saw how she was annoyed by something but stayed silent as her red eyes noticed him and she nodded. Lelouch turned to Risei and stood.
"Very well! Father Risei, as the eighth master I will accept your request. If anything I cannot allow someone like this Ryuunosuke stay unpunished." he couldn't help but go back to his old Zero persona, the charismatic leader of the Black Knights. Lelouch slightly bowed and placed his right hand on the chest while the left one was raised at the side. Both Risei and Avenger looked at him with surprise, Avenger more with amusement and smirk.
"I'm glad to hear it. I will pray for the Lord to guide you and others in this mission."
"However, father, if it is possible could you direct us in the direction where we can start the search of Caster and his master?" Risei opened his mouth but before he managed to utter a word, a new voice said:
"Head into Fuyuki forest. Caster might appear there."
Lelouch turned to the newcomer while Risei sighed.
"Kirei, I told you to stay in the office. What are you doing here son?"
The man in question was a tall individual with black-brown hair and brown eyes, however, what caught Lelouch's attention was the look in his eyes. He had dead eyes, similar to some people Lelouch saw in the past. 'Suzaku had similar eyes during Zero Requiem.' He was wearing priest clothing as well. The man now known as Kirei came closer to them, slightly bowed greeting them. Avenger spared him a side glance and nothing more.
"My apologies, father. I couldn't help but hear your conversation and decided if the new master is heading after the serial killer then at very least I could help as well." his eyes turned to Lelouch."Kirei Kotomine, I'm helping my father with supervising this war." Kotomine as well? So father and son were working together. For some reason, Risei stared at his son with a little dumbstruck expression before speaking.
"Kirei, how did you learn such information?"
"I used familiars to scan the place where Caster and Saber met last night. I believe Caster will be hunting Saber in the forest."
"...Kirei." his father sounded a little annoyed by something but Lelouch immediately realized something.
'Saber's base is located in the forest. This Kirei, unlike his father, is more open to sharing information. He gives information as a means to find Caster but wants for us to encounter Saber as well...but why?' While Lelouch was busy trying to understand his logic Avenger spoke.
"So they had another fight while I was away and it was Saber again. It would seem a foolish knight cannot learn her lesson."
Risei turned to both of them and said, "Mr Lamperouge, I'm sorry but I'm afraid that we must end our meeting. I hope I managed to answer what you wanted or at least some part of it." he didn't but Lelouch doubted Risei would say any more useful information. At least his son gave to start with.
"I understand it, father. Thank you and thanks to your son for helping in search of the killer and his servant." he smiled towards both Kotomine men, while Risei grimaced. His son didn't show any emotion and just nodded. "Well, in that case, I and Avenger will leave you. I hope next time I will come here for the command spell."
Risei laughed. "You are confident in your skills, Mr Lamperouge."
"But of course. After all, I have Avenger with me." he smiled at her while his servant sighed but he could see how the corners of her mouth were slightly raised. "Until next time."
After saying goodbye to both men, Lelouch put on his mask and glasses before leaving the church and heading in direction of the city. Avenger always in spirit form. It was silent walking until Lelouch went far away from a holy place. After he was sure they weren't followed Lelouch asked.
"What do you think?"
"The priest and his son cannot be trusted," Avenger said coldly in spirit form. "His son was listening from the beginning and I'm sure his father knew it but then his son decided to help us."
"I noticed how Risei was surprised by his son's action; he didn't expect this." Lelouch thought about it. Risei and his son most likely were testing him, however, for some reasons Kirei decided to come out and help them in search of Caster and his master. "It would seem that this Kirei has his motives helping us."
"Or it could all be an act. Are we going to follow this lead?" asked Avenger. "It was obvious that the old man isn't happy with the serial murderer being one of the masters, but it doesn't mean we can trust him or his son."
It was possible as well. Both Kotomine might have decided to trick Lelouch, older Kotomine wouldn't give crucial information while the younger one was more than eager to help them. This way Lelouch and Avenger would rely on Kirei in the future as well. However, if it was true then Lelouch had no problem following Kirei's advice this time. "Risei is truly angered by this Ryuunosuke Uryuu, it is easy to see. It would seem that he knew where Ryuunosuke and Caster might appear but couldn't reveal the location of another master and servant...At very least it might be worth checking. We cannot allow this maniac to continue killing children."
"Master, are you perhaps angered by Caster's master's actions?" she asked with a curious tone.
"Of course, their actions will attract the attention of local police, making things complicated for us...Not to mention I'm disgusted by these killings. Avenger, everything must have meaning behind it, murders as well. Killing for the sake of killing isn't something I can approve." A purpose was needed behind everything. Lelouch killed and even died for it.
"I see. Still, we didn't learn too much from this old man beside the identity of Caster master but not of Caster himself."
"I will argue that learning the history of the Holy Grail war and these three families that started this all, is useful knowledge. Einzbern, Tohsaka, and Makiri." Lelouch said the name of their enemies in this war. Risei said that they were in every war and most likely in this as well. He and Avenger already met two of them back in the docks but couldn't learn their identities. "Hm. Kirei talked about the forest, you will head there and see if what the young priest said is true."
"Head there? Alone and leaving you behind?" If Lelouch could see Avenger he would see her rising eyebrows in confusion. "Master, isn't it too dangerous?"
"Not necessarily, I will go and try to find some information about this Ryuunosuke. Before heading to the forest, you and I should check the local police department and see if they have anything that might help us."
"Very well, master...By the way, I wanted to ask you. When you spoke with the old man about your parents and the reason why you are fighting, was it true?" her master laughed.
"Of course not. My parents and uncle acknowledged the existence of God. But worshipping him?" Lelouch stopped walking before a devilish smile appeared on his face. "Let's say that I wouldn't mind seeing their reaction."
His parents and uncle might be dead but it didn't mean Lelouch couldn't spit at their memory now and then.
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That's another chapter done with 4,549 words yet the journey still continues. I know that the story progress slowly and that's make it interesting and another pawn enters the Chess board is it a friend or maybe a backstabber, stay tuned and find out as Lelouch goes even deeper to the realm of mage and magecraft.