As Mother and Amelia departed for their meeting with the House of Lords, I turned away from the two, my attention shifting to the task of cleaning up the training field. With a sigh, I picked up my trusty spear and Mother's discarded sword, placing them back on the weapon rack with a practiced ease. A quick scan confirmed there wasn't much else to tidy up, so I grabbed my towel, which had been flung aside earlier, and slung it over my shoulder, heading back to the manor.
Mother's almost fanatical dedication to my training is, in some twisted way, endearing, but mostly it's just exhausting. What kind of mother wakes her child at four in the morning with a bucket of ice-cold water for training? I thought my days of such 'delightful' awakenings were limited to my military past, but no, Mother insists it keeps me on my toes. Simply splendid.
Once inside the manor, I made a beeline for my room, craving a long, soothing shower. Jumping into bed afterward, I winced and grabbed my side where Mother's sword had made a particularly enthusiastic acquaintance earlier. She really doesn't know the meaning of 'holding back'.
Groaning, I reflected on the morning's rigors. Staying in bed was tempting, but I knew all too well the kind of lecture I'd get from Mother if she returned and found me lazing about. With a muffled groan into my pillow, I indulged in a brief moment of self-pity before pushing myself up and getting dressed in some casual clothes.
Calculating the time Mother would need for her parliamentary excursion – an hour to get there, a scant thirty minutes to, in her own unique way, 'tidy up' their mess, and another hour to return – I figured I had a good two and a half hours to myself.
Heading towards the stables, I mulled over Mother's insistence on me performing menial tasks like brushing and grooming her horses. She claims it's a vital part of squire training. I, on the other hand, suspect it's just her way of getting out of doing it herself. Ah well, at least it's peaceful in the stables, and the horses don't try to whack me with swords.
Stepping out of the manor, I made my way to one of the detached stables on the far end of the grounds. The building was a lengthy, white structure with a high, vaulted roof. Approaching the hefty double doors, I pushed them open and headed straight for the first pen. There, I was greeted by Eclipse, a formidable black horse with bulging muscles and dark, piercing eyes that seemed to appraise me. At my arrival, he huffed a sort of equine 'hello.' "Good to see you too, Eclipse. Ready for some pampering?" I asked. His reaction was immediate - trotting around excitedly with an approving neigh.
After opening the gate, I stepped in and grabbed a brush. Eclipse settled down, fixing me with an expectant look. I pulled out a stool, climbed on, and started brushing him. He seemed to bask in the attention, preening under my care. Grooming Eclipse turned out to be surprisingly therapeutic, a welcome change after the morning's chaotic training. The only hitch was his towering height versus my not-so-imposing eight-year-old stature. What should have been a twenty-minute job stretched into forty minutes of awkward reaching and brushing. But, effort well spent - Eclipse looked quite pleased by the end.
Moving on to the adjacent pen, I was met by Biscuit, a smaller horse with a chestnut coat and a penchant for mischief. As soon as I stepped in, she made a go for my arm. I sidestepped her attempted bite, shooting her a disapproving look. "Cut it out, Biscuit. Be good, and we can get this over with quickly." My plea fell on deaf ears, or rather, belligerent ones, as she lunged for a second bite. Dodging again, I glared back. "Okay, no more Mr. Nice Guy."
What followed was a tumultuous fifty minutes of kicks, bites, and screams – a grooming session more akin to a wild brawl. As soon as I was done, I vaulted out of the pen, shooting Biscuit a glare. "You're not getting any carrots today."
At my words, Biscuit lowered her head, giving me a sorrowful look. I pointed a finger at her, unamused. "Don't even try. I'm not Mother; your sad horse eyes won't work on me." She responded by snapping at my finger, which I yanked back just in time. "Cheeky mare," I muttered, turning away from her antics.
I had barely turned around when I was greeted by an unexpected visitor. A curious creature, part dog, part fox? Its appearance was reminiscent of a fennec fox but with an albino twist and striking amethyst eyes. "Fu?" it inquired, tilting its head in a manner that screamed 'adorable.'
I knew bits about this creature from Grand Order – Merlin's former familiar, Cath Palug, with a notorious distaste for its master. I mimicked its head tilt, a mirror image of its curiosity. "Cath Palug?" I ventured, a mix of surprise and bewilderment in my voice.
At the mention of its name, Cath's eyes seemed to widen, almost comically, before it straightened up, its tail swishing animatedly. "FOU!" it exclaimed, as if affirming my guess.
"Guess that's a yes," I remarked, earning an enthusiastic nod from the creature. I approached it cautiously and began to pat its smooth, glossy fur.
Cath appeared to relish the attention, pressing its head into my hand with joyful wiggles. "Well, aren't you a charming one," I commented while continuing my petting spree.
"Fu!" it replied, seemingly in agreement. I scratched under its chin, my lips curving into a smile.
"So, how did you end up here? Last I heard, you were stuck with that weirdo Merlin."
The mere mention of Merlin elicited a low growl from Cath, a sound that sent a chill down my spine. But as quickly as it came, the growling ceased.
Blinking in surprise, I did what seemed most reasonable – continued the chin scratches.
"Nice to know I'm not the only one who isn't a fan of Merlin's antics," I said, thinking it wise to stay on Cath's good side. If bashing Merlin was the ticket to friendship, I was all in.
Cath's reaction was immediate, his attention sharpened and tail wagging. "Kyuu!" he agreed, before leaping onto my shoulder with surprising agility.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, hastily ensuring he didn't topple off. "Careful there, Cath."
"Fou," he proclaimed with a hint of pride, settling comfortably on my shoulder.
Realizing my initial concern was overblown, I let out an amused sigh and continued scratching his head. "So, what brings you here, buddy?" I asked, just as a light, feminine chuckle sounded from behind.
"He's here for you, silly," said an unfamiliar female voice, causing me to stiffen instinctively.
As I slowly turned, my eyes landed on a girl who appeared to be in her early teens, between thirteen and fifteen.
She had flowing black hair partially obscuring her striking wine-red eyes. Her attire was an intricate gothic-style dress, adorned with black and white accents, ruffles, and lace, conveying a sense of aristocratic elegance. An amused, anticipatory smile played on her lips, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
Facing this unfamiliar presence, my mind raced to deduce her identity. The fact that she hadn't triggered any of the bounded fields meant she was, at minimum, recognized by them, thus posing no immediate threat.
But her family origins eluded me.
Her red eyes and striking beauty hinted at homunculus traits, yet she lacked the characteristic white hair of the Einzberns and displayed far too much emotion to fit that mold. Clearly, she knew of me – her keen interest seemed a giveaway. Why else would a girl six years my senior pay me such attention?
With a hand on my chest, I mustered an amused smile. "You gave me quite the fright," I remarked, my tone light, noting her raised eyebrow – perhaps she'd anticipated a different reaction from me.
Realizing she might be expecting an introduction, I extended my hand towards her. "Ah! Where are my manners? My name is Alistair Pendragon. And you are?"
She seemed amused by my formality but graciously took my hand. "I am Altrouge Brunestud, a pleasure to meet you," she replied, her smile broadening to reveal slightly pointed canines.
I tilted my head, racking my brain for any memory of the Brunestud name. It wasn't familiar, but it had a ring of importance, suggesting she hailed from a distinguished family. "Nice to meet you, Altrouge," I responded warmly, releasing her hand.
My words seemed to catch her off guard for a moment before she regained her amused demeanor. "Yes, it's nice to meet you too, Alistair."
Nodding in agreement with Altrouge, I motioned towards the stable's exit. "Let's head to the manor. It's a better spot for a chat, and it'll spare you from Biscuit's less-than-friendly bites," I quipped, nodding towards the chestnut horse who neighed at the mention of her name.
Altrouge's lips curled into an amused smile. "Indeed, losing a finger to a horse would make for quite the embarrassing story."
Leading the way out of the stables, I noticed Altrouge's eyes sweeping over the manor's interior as we headed to the living room. It had probably been ages since she had last set foot here, so her curiosity was understandable.
Settling onto one of the sofas, Cath jumped from my shoulder and nestled into my lap, prompting me to absentmindedly scratch his chin.
Turning to Altrouge, I got straight to the point. "So, Altrouge, what brings you here?" She glanced at Cath, her smile lingering. "I was simply following 'Cath' here," she replied, stressing his name.
I tilted my head, puzzled. "And why did Cath decide to visit?" Cath let out a prompt "Fou!" to which Altrouge nodded. "Apparently, you have a rather appealing or familiar scent. He just followed it right to you."
I couldn't help but deadpan. "You deciphered all that from one 'Fou'? You seem to be pulling my leg." Her reaction to my skepticism was immediate; she huffed, crossed her arms, and Cath began batting at my legs with his paws in protest.
Altrouge raised an eyebrow, adopting a superior air. "I've known Cath for many years. It's only natural I've learned to interpret his unique vocabulary." Realizing she was earnest, I decided not to push further, accepting the oddity of her speaking 'Palug' with a mild suspicion.
I sighed, offering Altrouge a half-smile. "Would you care for a drink? Tea, maybe?" She shook her head, letting out a small huff of amusement. "I'd prefer to do something a bit more entertaining, as I've already had something to drink before I came here."
Curious, I tilted my head. "And what would 'entertaining' entail for you?"
Her smile widened as she leaned in closer. "I'd like to get to know you a bit better," she proposed.
Settling back into the sofa, I made myself comfortable. "Alright, shoot. What do you want to know?"
Her eyes sparkled with interest. "What's your favorite color?"
I paused, mindlessly stroking Cath's silky fur. "I'm torn between purple and red. How about you?"
She nodded approvingly. "I'm fond of red too, and black, rather than purple."
I glanced at her, a smirk forming. "So, your favorite colors match your eyes and hair. How original."
Altrouge huffed, a playful smirk on her lips. "Oh, please. The fact that my hair and eyes are the best colors out there is just a happy coincidence."
She paused, looking thoughtful. "What's your favorite animal?"
Glancing down at Cath, I replied, "Before today, I might have said a lion or a tiger, but now, I think it's whatever Cath is."
She hummed in agreement, watching as Cath purred contentedly. "Well, I'm not sure he counts as a 'mere' animal, but I'll take your answer."
I raised an eyebrow at her. "Anything else on your mind?"
Altrouge tapped her chin, feigning deep thought. "You're making this difficult. Your lack of social skills is killing the conversation."
I couldn't help but respond in kind. "Why thank you for the observation, Altrouge. You're quite the social butterfly yourself," I retorted with narrowed eyes and a sweet tone.
Her smile wavered for a split second. "Oh, I have an idea for something fun..." she said, her tone calm but sending a shiver down my spine. "How about a spar? I'd love to see how the newest Pendragon heir fares in combat."
Gently scooping up Cath, I rose to my feet and faced Altrouge with a slightly shaky smile. "Just so you know, I've only been training for about four months. Don't expect too much," I cautioned her, trying to manage expectations.
Altrouge hummed, a hint of condescension in her tone. "Sounds like someone's making excuses," she teased.
Realizing the futility of arguing, I let out a tired sigh. "If your idea of fun is besting a kid in combat, then I guess I'm at your service," I retorted, leading the way to the training grounds with Altrouge following closely behind. The walk was quiet, save for Cath's content purring.
Reaching the training field, I carefully placed Cath on a nearby table, giving him a front-row seat to the upcoming spar. I then approached the weapon rack and selected my spear. "Choose your weapon," I invited, gesturing broadly to the assortment of arms.
Altrouge hummed thoughtfully, selecting a Bo-staff — effectively a long stick — as her weapon of choice. As we faced each other in the center of the field, I couldn't help but question her attire. "You sure you want to fight in a dress?"
She flashed me a smug smile, twirling the staff with surprising skill, then adopted an aggressive stance. "I'm quite confident it won't hinder me," she assured.
Well, this was going to be a challenge. Her stance, the grip on her staff, everything screamed expertise. Lowering into a defensive position, I nodded in acknowledgment. "It certainly seems that way," I conceded, focusing intently on her every movement, prepared for her attack.
"Fou!" Cath's bark seemed to be the cue, as Altrouge suddenly lunged forward with a swift, direct strike.
I managed to deflect her blow, attempting a counterstrike, but she parried it effortlessly with a fluid twirl of her staff.
Realizing my initial offense was easily countered, I took a step back to regroup and reassess my strategy.
I locked my gaze on Altrouge, scrutinizing her seemingly relaxed stance.
But I wasn't fooled; I sensed the coiled energy behind her casual posture.
In a blink, she vanished, only to reappear inches from me, her staff aimed precisely at my forehead Reacting on pure instinct, I jerked my head aside, the staff whistling past by a hair's breadth.
Retreating, I caught Altrouge's slightly impressed expression.
"Huh, you dodged that," she noted, almost in disbelief. I didn't bother with a response; instead, I seized the moment of her surprise to launch my own attack. Channeling all my strength, I swung my spear in a wide arc.
But Altrouge, with astonishing reflexes, blocked my strike effortlessly with one hand on her staff, leaving me wide-eyed in shock.
Her strength was monstrous! My full-force attack should have at least required a two-handed defense, especially from some teenage girl.
Taking advantage of my now broken guard, she thrust her staff toward my chest. I twisted my torso, narrowly avoiding the jab, and in a split-second decision, I released one hand from my spear to grab her staff.
Gripping it tightly, I yanked hard, hoping to unbalance her.
To my surprise, she remained rooted, not even budging.
A smug smirk played across her face as she executed a swift reversal, yanking me off balance instead.
I found myself hurtling toward her, quickly improvising with a kick off the ground to transform my fall into a headbutt aimed at her stomach.
But just as I was about to connect, I felt the sharp impact of an elbow slamming onto my back, sending me face-first into the dirt.
Before I could react, a firm foot struck my side, skidding me across the field until I collided with the fence, my head knocking against it with a thud.
Gripping the fence for support, I winced as pain shot through my bruised ribs. A warm trickle of blood ran down from my head, adding to the sharp throb of a headache. I felt battered, every inch of my body aching as if pummeled by a relentless storm.
"Fuck..." I muttered under my breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
Opening my eyes, I found Altrouge standing before me, her expression unreadable. Between us, Cath growled protectively, his stance defensive. Confusion mixed with irritation coursed through me.
Was she really considering continuing this beatdown? How utterly ruthless.
I reached out, gently patting Cath's head in gratitude. His loyalty in standing up for me was a small comfort amid the chaos. Looking up at Altrouge, my annoyance was palpable. "I give u—"
"What are you?" she interrupted sharply, her tone serious, almost demanding.
Her question caught me off guard. How much did she know? My strength wasn't typical for a child, but hers was equally abnormal. "I'm a magu—"
"I want a proper answer," she insisted, her voice carrying an air of authority that suggested refusal wasn't an option.
Nervously licking my lips, I weighed my options. Revealing my draconic lineage felt like signing up for a lifetime of being a magus's lab rat. "I think I'll keep quiet. I'm not keen on becoming a science project," I responded firmly.
Altrouge looked at me, a flicker of amusement in her eyes, before rolling them. "How about this? I promise not to turn you into an experiment, and I'll keep your secret. But you have to tell me what you are."
I raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And what assurance do I have that you'll keep your word?"
She scoffed, her posture radiating arrogance. "I always keep my word, just ask Cath." She gestured towards Cath, who, despite his growling, seemed to give a reluctant nod of agreement.
Though I longed for a written geas to secure my secret, it was clear Altrouge wasn't inclined to entertain such formalities. The only sliver of reassurance was Cath's implicit endorsement of her trustworthiness.
But considering Cath's potential long association with her, his judgment might be biased. Resigned, I met her gaze, a heavy internal sigh marking my reluctant acceptance.
This was probably top tier stupid, however, she looks like she'll gut me if I don't cough up what she wants. And seeing as mum just so happens to not be here, I better just spit it out, and hope Cath is right.
"I have the blood of the red dragon."
Altrouge's reaction was immediate and intense; her eyes widened, and a hungry smile crept across her face, sending a wave of unease through me. She crouched down to my level, her expression softening into a more relaxed smile.
"Well, isn't that intriguing… I sense the beginning of a wonderful friendship." Her words, though seemingly benign, carried an ominous undertone.
If not for Cath's apparent calmness, I'd be in full-blown panic mode. Leaning back against the fence post, I shot her a skeptical look. "This 'wonderful friendship' starts on a pretty lousy note. I've been coerced into spilling my biggest secret after being thrashed like a rag doll," I grumbled.
Altrouge stood, a smile still playing on her lips. "At least we have something interesting to talk about now." She tossed me a handkerchief. "Clean up a bit. I'll wait for you over there," she said, gesturing towards the resting corner before walking away.
As I was about to clean my wound, Cath leaped onto my shoulder, his tongue like coarse sandpaper against my wound, eliciting a wince. "Och! Enough of that," I protested, pushing him gently away. His disappointed expression nearly broke my resolve, his purple eyes filled with sadness.
I used the handkerchief to dab away the blood, then pocketed it. Pushing off the ground with the fence for support, I stood unsteadily. Clutching my sore ribs, I hobbled over to where Altrouge was seated, fixing her with an unamused glare as I collapsed into the seat across from her.
She tossed me an amused glance, idly twirling a strand of her black hair around her finger. "Well, I have a few questions," she announced with an air of innocence that made my eyebrow involuntarily twitch. "Of course, you do…" I muttered, not hiding my skepticism.
Taking my response as an invitation, she dove into her interrogation. "Is your blood the only thing that's draconic about you?"
"Yes," I replied, rolling my eyes, attempting to mask my discomfort with disdain. However, my dismissive answer seemed to ignite a spark of annoyance in her. Her eyes narrowed, cutting through my façade. "I have little patience for deceit, Alistair. Be honest," she pressed, her voice sharp enough to send a chill down my spine.
Sighing deeply, I met her gaze. "Fine. Some of my organs—kidneys, heart, lungs—they share draconic traits," I confessed reluctantly.
She arched an eyebrow, clearly expecting more. It seemed she wouldn't be satisfied with half-truths. "And?" she probed further.
Feeling cornered, I let out a small shrug. "My elemental affinity is 'Dragon,' if that counts," I added, hoping that would quell her curiosity, as I'd rather keep my dragon core a secret for now.
A smile of satisfaction spread across her face as she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "And yet you still consider yourself human?" Her tone was laced with intrigue.
Frustrated, I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Why does it matter to you what I call myself?" I retorted, my annoyance peaking.
Her response was a grin that revealed her sharp canines. "Had you been truly human, I would have felt inclined to kill you on sight," she revealed ominously.
Her admission sent another shiver through me, but it also clicked something into place.
Altrouge wasn't human.
Her inherent hostility toward humans painted a clearer picture, though it raised more questions than answers.
With my limited knowledge on other races or phantasmal beasts, pinning down her exact nature was challenging. "Then, what are you?" I inquired, curiosity piqued despite the tension.
She regarded me closely, her gaze calculating. "I am basically whats known as a 'True Ancestor,'" she declared with a touch of pride. "Though, given your reaction to my name, I suspect the significance of that title escapes you."
Pausing, she seemed to weigh her next words. "Perhaps the term 'Vampire' would be more familiar to you?" she offered, the word laced with a hint of disdain as though the label was too pedestrian for her liking.
My eyes widened in disbelief, and my jaw might as well have hit the floor.
A vampire, right in front of me?
The revelation sent my mind spinning. Other than the infamous Vlad the Impaler, I hadn't really considered the existence of vampires within this universe.
And he was a special case, due to his legend twisting him into one, so I thought that he was an outlier. Leaning forward, curiosity replaced my initial shock.
"Wow, that's actually kind of amazing," I marveled, scrutinizing Altrouge as if she were a puzzle to be solved.
"You mentioned you're a 'True Ancestor'—does that make you vampire nobility? What kind of powers do you have? Blood magic, flight... that sort of thing?" My enthusiasm seemed to catch her off guard, her expression flipping to one of bemusement.
She cocked her head slightly, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "Were you dropped on your head as a child?" she inquired, half-joking, clearly puzzled by my positive reception of her vampiric revelation.
Narrowing my eyes, I shot back, "No evading my questions, Altrouge. I answered yours, after all."
With a playful roll of her eyes and a chuckle, she acquiesced. "As the 'Eclipse Princess of Black Blood', yes, I am akin to royalty. And yes, blood-based magecraft is one of my specialties," she confirmed. The title alone was enough to pique my interest further.
"Black blood?" I prompted, intrigued by the concept.
Responding to my curiosity, she conjured a tendril of dark, viscous liquid that danced in the air behind her, forming the words 'Vampire Princess of the Dead Apostles' and a tiara of the same murky substance above her head. I was momentarily speechless, impressed by the display.
Breaking into spontaneous applause, I couldn't help but express my admiration. "That's incredibly cool. What else should I know?"
The black blood vanished as quickly as it appeared, save for the tiara that lingered. "I'm part of a rather exclusive group known as the 'Dead Apostle Ancestor list', where I occupy the ninth seat," she revealed with a hint of pride.
Puzzled, I tilted my head. "Um, shouldn't you be ranked higher, something like first though third, given your status?"
She laughed lightly, a wave of her hand dismissing the thought. "It's not all about aristocracy. Rankings are based more on the threat level to humanity than on bloodline."
Well shit…
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A/N
Welcome back, my reader Overlords, please add this to your library and give me some comments, stones and Reviews, as it would be much appreciated.
Now that the mandatory begging is done, time to ask the hard hitting questions.
What do you think of Alistair's new playmate? She might be a bit old to be considered his playmate, but if you don't call the cops, then neither will I.
Thought it was high time to add some Tsukihime stuff to the plotline, and who better than the less beloved Brunestud 'sibling'. Like, my God, it's a shame that she hasn't properly had an appearance in any Tsukihime works. So show our little blood sucking friend a warm welcome for her first hint of spotlight in 1500 ish years.
Now, onto other things. I plan to release chapters on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as I'll need the weekend to write. No rest for the wicked.
In terms of what I've planned, I plan to have Vol 1. to be before the Grail War, Vol 2. to be the Grail War, and depending on how that ends up, Vol 3. will be about before the 5th Grail war, and 4th will naturally be the 5th Grail war. However Vol. 3-4 are in a state of Limbo, as I've yet to decide on how vol 2 should end properly, so the story might just end at Vol 2.
So, I hope to get some input from you all in the comments, and I hope the wait for the next chapter isnt too long.