Fate/ NEW ERA

ten

The servant caught it and his red gaze drifted back to the body.

"We must cover their tracks," the auburn haired man said, "we need to make sure the authorities don't look into these deaths."

Caster nodded. "What about the other five?"

The man pointed at the bottom row of cadaver units. "They're still here since they've yet to be identified." Then he passed his servant more body bags.

The blue haired servant sighed. "Is there anything you can find out from them, master?"

"Well," the man frowned, "with the amount of damage their bodies sustained and being practically sucked dry of all mana, there might not be much for them to tell." He looked over the body once again. "What's left isn't of use to my magic either."

Caster began to transfer the first body from the cadaver storage to the body bag.

"We need to cremate them once we get to the cemetery." The master spoke as he went to aid his servant in the task.

"Very well, master, may I be the one to do so? I wish to see them off properly."

"Do as you wish, Caster."

——

Artoria's eyes lazily flickered open. When had she fallen asleep? There was a slight stinging in her head, just behind her eyes but it dissipated in a few seconds as she struggled to become fully conscious. She lifted her head from where it was rested as she tried to think about how she'd fallen asleep in the first place. It was only as she tried to move from her scrunched up position that she realized she was still in her servant's arms. She briefly remembered how nauseous she'd felt and how he'd rested her on his lap, but she didn't recall when he'd wrapped her in his cape.

"You're awake, master."

She looked up at his smiling face. She suddenly realized how close they were and embarrassment began to flood her cheeks. She tried to stand but it seemed she wasn't fully recovered so she tumbled back down once her legs gave out. "S-sorry," she mumbled.

"You should take it slow, master, you released a great amount of magic yesterday as you activated your circuits, you still need sometime to recover," Diarmuid explained as he stood from the floor, still keeping her lifted in his arms. "Did you rest well?" He asked.

Artoria cleared her throat. She couldn't dare bring herself to look at him for how embarrassed and weak she felt. She couldn't even stand on her own two feet, how ridiculous. "Yes..." She wanted the earth to swallow her whole. How humiliating ...

Gently, Diarmuid set her down, letting her feet slowly rest on the wooden floor, he still very much held unto her as he knew it was a possibility she could still collapse and he would prefer not to let her get hurt.

Artoria tried to keep herself up as soon as her feet touched the floor. She sighed in relief seeing she could hold herself up, but just barely. She steadied herself with Diarmuid's hand, which was at her waist. "Thank you," she barely had the courage to speak.

"I'm here to aid you, master," Diarmuid said, making sure to not let her go.

If I unlocked my power, why am I in such a sorry state?" She huffed. "Aren't I supposed to be fine?"

Diarmuid replied as he helped her exit the rundown home, "Your body isn't used to such power, it probably isn't able to handle it yet."

Must I be so useless? Artoria closed her eyes.

With one hand, Diarmuid set down his cape on the porch and helped Artoria down to sit. "I'll get you some water."

"There's no need," Artoria sighed. "I'm fine."

"I insist, master. When one is exhausted, one must always keep hydrated." He looked so resolute that Artoria accepted.

She watched as he walked off, back into the house to search for a water bottle. She took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, which was now bright blue. The forest was lit with streaks of sunrays that had penetrated through the tall foliage. The breeze was crisp and only the sound of the whispering leaves was heard as the wind brushed through them. It was still quite cold, but she could feel it warming up. Spring was definitely nearer now. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh air that tickled her face.

"Here, master." Artoria opened her eyes to see a water bottle hovering over her. She reached for it and said thank you before she opened it. Diarmuid sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Better, the fresh air has done me some good," she replied.

"That's good to hear. I'm glad you're feeling better. Now that you've set up quite the strong barrier, we're quite safe here."

Artoria sighed in relief. "I'm glad I was of some use."

Diarmuid turned to her. He looked stern, with his lips pursed and his eyes filled with gravity. "Master, I have no doubt in my mind that you are the best master in this war."

Artoria scoffed. "Of course you'd say something like that." She rolled her eyes and took a gulp of water.

"Master, look how hard you're trying, I don't need to know all of the other masters to know you are the best." The sincerity in his eyes made her sigh.

"Thank you, Diarmuid," she spoke, knowing he would not be told otherwise. Slowly, she stood from the porch, supporting herself on the wooden pillar next to her. Diarmuid had immediately offered his arm but she hadn't taken it.

She was finally able to stand on her own two feet without falling to the floor. "I think we should go get supplies to clean and food to cook, don't you think?" Artoria raised her eyebrow.

Diarmuid smiled and nodded in reply.

——

Gilgamesh sat on the arm chair, his lags were crossed and in his hand was a glass of wine. He looked out the window of the skyscraper. The flight was barely tolerable but it didn't matter now. They were finally in Fuyuki and he already knew Artoria was too. He rubbed his temple and sighed in annoyance. "Artoria and her mongrel will prove to be a nuisance," he groaned. "I should've killed her in England." His red eyes drifted to the woman who sat on the couch to his right in silence.

He had given her normal clothes but it seemed she preferred her own attire. "Rider," he called.

She turned to him, her long magenta hair swinging to the side. "Yes, master?" She was seated so properly, straight, much like an obedient child.

He stared at her for a few seconds. He didn't know if Medusa was as strong as he'd hoped, but she had already proved useful when she'd fought against Saber, she was skilled enough to last a little while longer at the very least. He did wonder if her eyes could indeed turn people to stone as the legend said. "You promised me victory, correct?"

She bowed her head. "Of course, master."

"What will you do if you fail?" He asked, his head tilting slightly. There was an amused smile on his lips, he was curious as to what her reply would be.

"I will not," she deadpanned.

His smile grew and he let out a laugh. "You're quite amusing, Rider. You have a good level of confidence, but don't let it blind you, Saber was only one of the servants, we still have yet to know how strong the others are."

Rider remained silent and still, as if she herself had been cast into stone.

Gilgamesh swirled the red wine in his glass before he took a sip and raised an eyebrow. "I want you to search for her."

"Saber's master?" She clarified, her head was tilted ever so slightly and he would be lying if he said she didn't look funny.

"Yes," he replied dryly, " Once you locate her...tell me."

"Master, I want to assure you that I can defeat saber, there's no need to harm her," Rider explained.

"Oh," Gilgamesh grinned, "you best defeat him, but Artoria is mine to deal with, don't meddle in my business, servant . Now go , find her."

"Yes, master." Rider stood and bowed before her being dissipated into golden dust.