Archer took the unconcious boy's pulse and placed a hand over his heart. With his marksman's eyes, he surveyed every part of the homunculus' body.
"It appears he overused his Magic Circuits. He likely used thaumaturgy to destroy the glass tank holding him and the surplus prana ended up tearing through his veins. There is also one other, simpler reason... exhaustion."
"He's tired?"
"I fear that may have been the first time he has ever walked in his life. Today was probably the first time he tried standing up by himself."
"Oh... so, he's like a newborn baby."
Normally, a homunculus is a lifeform that is capable of operating from the moment of its creation. If made to perfection, homunculi will never die from old age. But - likely because his birth was twisted to begin with - this homunculus possessed many physical defects.
He was probably born to be physically weak... because he was not created to be a fighter, but to be a supply source. His Magic Circuits are first-class but his body cannot utilize them.
If he uses thaumaturgy... his Circuits may be able to withstand it, but his frail body will not.
"Is it all right if he doesn't use it then?"
"Yes, I suppose. Yet even so... simply living a normal life may be too trying for him. I am afraid he will last three years at most."
Silence descended upon the room. Three years... these cruel words made even Rider's shoulders sag. After a while - as though to shake off the unpleasantness of it - Rider spoke.
"I've dirtied your bed... sorry."
"It is no matter. But... there is one thing I wish to ask. Why did you save him?"
Rider answered Archer's question without hesitation.
"Because I wanted to."
His words were not a challenge. He saved the boy because he wanted to. It was so simple - so obvious - that it would have been a very difficult act, had it been anyone other than Rider.
"And what about Caster?"
"I dunno! Haha!"
Laughing, Rider threw his hands into the air. Even as he sighed, Archer felt that it was surely the correct decision to make. While winning battles is important, their present situation is not so perilous that they can afford to forget their duties as Heroic Spirits. Saving him - or, at least, overlooking him - is the right thing to do.
"I will take my leave for the time being... I doubt anyone will visit, but please do not answer if you hear a knock."
"Okay, thanks. I'll stay for a while, then."
Just before he left, Archer suddenly asked Rider a question.
"Will you shoulder this responsibility to the end?"
Hearing this question, Rider gazed at the homunculus sleeping on the bed. As he did, he remembered how terribly light the boy's body had been. His arms, wrapped around his head, were thin as withered branches. He was born to be weak... unable to steadily perform such basic actions as walking.
Even were he to break out of this fortress, it was doubtful that he would be able to survive. Archer was asking whether he would take responsibility for the boy's life. But Rider will not be able to stay with him for three years even if he wants to... the Holy Grail War will not last that long. Just how much should he help the boy until he considers his own wish fulfilled?
Rider did not know the answer. Whenever he does not know something, he leaves it to his heart to find a course. Rider will protect him... help him as he will, until he feels it acceptable.
"I'll keep helping him until I stop. I won't abandon him."
---
Chapter 2-7
---
After Archer left the room, Rider placed a hand on the homunculus' cheek and whispered.
"Come on... you're up already, aren't you?"
Hearing those words, the homunculus opened his eyes and, unsteadily raising himself off the bed, looked at Rider while quavering with unease. He's like a small animal that has nowhere to run, thought Rider.
"Hey..."
Rider tried greeting him for a start but got only silence in return.
"Um... so..."
"..."
"Well, how should I put this... uh..."
"..."
Rider tilted his head in doubt. In this situation, what should he do to express the fact that he is a friend? After puzzling over it for a while, he decided to wrap his arms around him and, while resting the boy's head on his own chest, said.
"You know what I mean, don't you? Nobody here is going to hurt you. I'm here, right now, to help you get your wish."
"...?"
He didn't understand. The homunculus could not understand what Rider said - not the literal meaning of his words, but his intent.
"Tell me... what you wish for."
Rider whispered into his ear. The homunculus began to think. Wish, wish, wish... But does he even have the right to put his own wish into words? He has no power whatsoever, owns nothing, possesses no history at all and was made only to be a piece of equipment - an allotment that he himself had already abandoned.
However, even he has one desire unfitting for one of his station. A wish... a dream that he does not deserve. He did not expect it to be granted - but there was no harm in saying it, he decided.
The homunculus opened his mouth and used the vocal organs which he had almost never used before. It was a painful act but he had to put his wish into words.
"Save... me..."
Hearing this, Rider answered lightly.
"All right. I will."
In a literal instant - seemingly without even considering it - he replied. The homunculus looked at him incredulously. Rider simply wore a carefree smile.
"You said 'save me', right? I heard you. I am a Heroic Spirit, after all... so I'll save you, no matter what."
Will you? Will you grant my wish? Can I trust in you?
No, even if he couldn't... the boy wanted to.
Just how much luck was in play that the first to meet this homunculus would be the Rider of Black - the ideal paladin, Astolfo.
Rider swelled with pride and said.
"Now, then... first, we have to put our heads together and think of a way to help you. Oh, I would definitely suggest against leaving it entirely for me to decide. For no man can show as much a lack of restraint as I, Astolfo!"
The homunculus listened to Rider's words with widened eyes. His heart was deeply moved by Rider's innocence - only a fool would ever doubt the loyalty of Astolfo.
On this day... fate took a step forward.
Father Shirou, the overseer sent by the Church, knelt reverently before five of the other Masters chosen by the Clock Tower to suppress the Yggdmillennia.
There was quite some distance between him and them, as though this were some sort of throne room. In addition, there was a thin curtain between the Masters and Shirou, obscuring his view and rendering the five as indistinct shadows.
"...Report."
Shirou eloquently delivered the news to the other side of the curtain.
"The war is completely in our favor. Five of the seven enemy Servants have been defeated while all of ours are in good condition. We have captured the Masters who escaped. What would you have me do?"
After a while, a low chuckle began to echo.
"Kill them, of course. Kill them all. Bring us their heads - they are all the proof we need for the bounty. You can feed the rest of their worthless meat to the dogs."
"Understood... and what of the proposal I brought forth previously? Have you all considered it?"
Abruptly, the other side of the curtain became silent. It seemed that, unlike the resounding denial of the last time, there was some room for consideration here.
"We trust you - but there is no need for that. We are Masters, and we must control the Servants."
"There is no need to worry. I can carry out that role for you."
"You mean that... we no longer need them?"
It did not escape Shirou that the question carried emotions which had not been there before. Timidity, perhaps, or weariness
for the war, or solace found in passing one's responsibilities onto another...
"Yes, of course."
Whispers were exchanged behind the curtain at Shirou's forceful words. Shirou continued to kneel and await the verdict.
"No... that is still too dangerous. Is it not safer to disperse these amongst all of us?"
"Yes, I understand."
'Safer', they said - even though the objects in question were never supposed to be handed over to anyone else in the first place. Yet they could not reject his proposal without reason. Their common sense had mostly collapsed - Shirou estimated that it would take only one more push.
"I shall take my leave. Please, enjoy your talk."
Shirou left with a bow and the five Masters hidden behind the curtain began to take part in idle chatter. They may be veteran magi, but they cannot blend in with society if they do not possess a human side as well. They were enjoying their peace in earnest, sharing silly animal stories and tales of missteps.
"It didn't work... Perhaps it is time to set things into motion."
Assassin stifled her laughter as Shirou casually shrugged.
"Did I not tell you it would go this way? I won the bet."
"I suppose so... You can have the wine. But is that all you really want? I got the bottle from an elder at the Eighth Sacrament. It may be old but there is nothing especially magical about it."
"That is of no importance. I desire it simply for the taste of wealth."
"I see..."
Unexpectedly, Shirou nodded at Assassin as though in understanding.
"And what is it that you see?"
"Well, among the Servants summoned in Holy Grail Wars, there are those who dislike remaining in spirit form and actively eat and sleep - and many of those tend to be spirits of royalty."
"Yes, I do not doubt that. For that is what it means to be king - to be superior to and have more desires than others. That is the fate of those who would rule."
"Hmm... Yet, were there not kings who held to the principle of frugality?"
"Frugality is a sport played only by those who have gained authority - the most important possession of all. One who would rule is one would commit tyranny. One must be a tyrant to be king."
At that point, Assassin abruptly became quiet.
Shirou's expression did not change. After all, her argument was perfectly logical. There was no room for him to object.
"My apologies... There is no point to having you hear all this."
"Oh, no. I am quite used to the musings of regents... heh."
Shirou began to chuckle as though something funny occurred to him.
"What is the matter?"
"The more I consider the situation, the more it amuses me. It would make much sense if it were reversed instead - it would only be natural if I were the Servant and you were the Master. Yet, it is the opposite in reality. The Servant system of the Grail War certainly creates such curious situations at times."
"That is true - I am used to being served, but it is new to me to serve another. But there is still time, you know... Would you like to change places?"
Shirou shook his head.
"No, thank you. It seems you were quite the despot during your time."
With a mischievous glint in her lightly-colored eyes, Assassin murmured.
"Not for naught am I known as the world's oldest poisoner... Are you truly certain that you can wield Queen Semiramis?"
Those were the words that Assassin first said to him when she was summoned.
With a smile, Shirou repeated his answer once more.
"O Queen of Assyria - in this Great Holy Grail War, I aim not for victory or defeat but for another goal. Will you aid me?"
It is a rare thing to hear Assassin roaring with laughter.
"Haha! Yes, that's it! Honestly, I could not even begin to fathom what you were talking about then - I was considering simply searching for another puppet to be my Master instead."
"And now?"
"Do you still feel the need to ask? You are a fascinating one, Master. Your wish is as mine - that is why I will not hesitate to aid you."
As Shirou gave his thanks, a grey dove flew in before him.
Assassin is, at the same time, a Caster. She possesses the incredibly rare ability of being a 'Double Summon' - giving her the skills of both Classes. As such, the familiars she would possess as a Caster are also hers as an Assassin.
According to legend, she was abandoned by her mother shortly after birth and subsequently fed by doves. Even after she was full grown, doves continued to be her friends.
Semiramis is the oldest poisoner in the world - and the one she fed poison to was her husband, King Ninus, the one who seized her from her first husband, General Onnes. For the next several decades, she ruled as the Queen of Assyria.
"A notice... Our Berserker is about to reach Trifas. Archer and Rider stand prepared as the rear guard."
"Oh? Rider, as well?"
Shirou and Assassin knew that Archer had been tracking Berserker, but it seems Rider was also going along.
"He went after Archer, it seems... As expected of our Rider, I suppose. Archer and him hail from the same lands, after all - almost certainly, he is making advances at her even as they pursue him."
Assassin's voice became sharp. There was a fatal lack of compatibility between Rider - broad-minded and audacious and thinking little of kings - and Assassin, who had ruled as a queen. If this had been a standard Holy Grail War, the very first clash would have likely been between them.
Another dove descended. Shirou saw a faint smile appear on Assassin's face as she received the news.
"Shirou... it seems the one whom you are most cautious of has arrived."
Hearing Assassin's words, Shirou's eyes - always seeming to be calmly gazing at far-off places - showed clear animosity for the first time.
He did not hate her. She was simply the one existence in the entire world who Shirou was determined to crush.
"You mean... Ruler."
"Yes. It has been ascertained that she has infiltrated Romania."
Her network of doves covered the entirety of Romania, the state where the battle will be decided. As soon as Ruler took form in the world and passed the border, Assassin's flying vanguard sniffed out the inconcealable surge of prana she possessed as a Servant.
"What shall we do?"
"Kill her - or at the very least, keep her detained."
"In that case, we should send Lancer. Rider could have taken part as well if he had not run off..."
Compared to the other Servants of the Red camp - putting aside Saber, who was operating independently - Lancer and Rider are truly unparalleled. In particular, Rider's fame is comparable to Vlad III, even in Romania - he is a genuine hero of the world.
"I doubt that Rider would accept such a mission and do something he doesn't want to, not even if it is an order from his Master. He really is a hero in that regard."
While Rider is not a hero of rebellion like Berserker, he is far removed from the knights who had served kings. He once openly ignored the orders of a king which he disliked and only took up arms again for the sake of a slain comrade. It is unlikely that such a man would acknowledge the order to kill Ruler alongside Lancer.
"But Lancer would follow the orders of his Master with no particular objections."
On the other hand, Lancer is - to put in the simplest term - a soldier. When commanded, he behaves as though the very concept of defiance does not exist.
"Yes... let us give the order to Lancer."
Shirou commanded Lancer through the Servant's Master.
"I declare, Lancer of the Red - follow the guidance of Assassin and annihilate Ruler. The unveiling of your sacred relics will be left to your own discretion."
'Understood', came Lancer's short reply.
And so, sensing that Ruler has set foot in Romania, both camps immediately sprang into action - 'Black' seeking to secure their dominance and 'Red' moving to destroy its g
reatest enemy.
---
Chapter 3-1
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"Kindness, Humility, Honesty, Purity, Faith - the Maid's heart carried only these things and nothing else."
Fate/Apocrypha - Volume 1 Page 13
