Although you do briefly consider simply going along with Kōrakuhime down to the dining room, the thought of waiting around while she cooks for a half-hour or an hour doesn't particularly appeal, and you do feel there are more profitable ways to spend your morning. What, then, to do, though? What would be the most useful way to use the time until breakfast, you consider. You could, of course, go and wake up your guest, but what you might discuss with Liliesviel is uncertain. You can hardly explain your position regarding Yumigawa to her, after all, and although you would like the opinion of another magus on how best to derive some use from your capture of Saber, Liliesviel seems more likely to demand that you promptly execute the captured Servant than to help you bring about the kind of poetic revenge you desire.

There's an idea, though. You can while away the time with Arturia. The knowledge that Harris has deserted her completely and found a new Servant is certain to plunge the woman into new and delicious depth of despair. Perhaps, in the absence of her last hope of escape, she may even become cooperative. Surely, if you are to learn the method behind the mysterious magical technique which Harris used to match your speed and escape, there can be no better source than his former Servant.

In this way, your mind happily filling with anticipation of Arturia's crushed expression upon the discovery of her Master's abandonment, you descend into the basement workshop, pass by Kōrakuhime's paper-strewn worktable, and continue on to the stone cell housing your prisoner. As you turn the corner into the room you take in a surprising detail. Although most things in the room, the luxurious couch, the circle of bobbing talismans, and the carven barrier, are just as you found them the last time you paid a call to your prisoner, one detail is different. This time, she's awake and vigilantly watching the door. Although she remains straightfaced, you can detect a hint of dismay in her eyes when she recognizes you as the person entering.

"Hoping for a visit from someone else?" You smile at her as you walk around the couch to drop down into a lounging seat, crossing one leg lazily over the other.

"Why should I hope for anything here?" Arturia's voice is cold and hard, her will broken by neither her energy-starvation nor her stiff, solitary conditions of confinement. "Everyone in this house is an enemy to me. Demonstrating that was the reason for your visit last night, I am sure. What sort of torment is it to be today, then? Not pain, I suppose, as you have not brought your 'sister' with you."

"Oh, Arturia," you sigh in mock hurt. "You hold such a low opinion of me. It is a painful thing for a man, you know: to be hated by a beautiful woman. Why don't you smile, and behave in a more friendly manner? Perhaps by appealing to my softer nature, you might arouse compassion in me, and make good your escape."

Arturia clicks her tongue at this in evident frustration. "So it's to be mockery today, then," she concludes. "Do you have nothing better to do with your time than to goad me?"

"No," you reply, "I haven't come only to make small talk with you, much as I enjoy it. I've come to give you a rather significant piece of news, which I think you'll be grateful to have heard."

"Speak, then," she answers wearily. "If you have come only to gloat over some victory you have won, then do it quickly and begone."

"Not at all." You restrain a chuckle at Saber's misinterpretation of the nature of your news. "What I have to tell you is intimately important to you, Arturia. You see, we have watched over your Master since you were captured, to ensure that if he attempted to recapture you he would be unsuccessful. What I discovered last night; just a short time after our previous conversation, in fact; was that he has made a new contract. Your Master, Arturia, has found a new Servant."

For a few moments, Arturia doesn't reply. Her lips go white as she presses them together in a tight, flat line, and she looks down, not meeting your eyes. Finally, though, anger overcomes restraint and she looks at you with rage in her eyes, snapping, "Why should I believe that from you, liar? You have me here only to torment me, as a balm for the wound I dealt your pride when we first did battle! This is no more than a ruse, calculated to enable you to savor my reaction! You contemptible wretch!"

Now it's your turn to hold back anger. Only the knowledge of her powerlessness enables you to blunt the edge of the anger that surges up at her accusation with mirth. Nevertheless, your voice and eyes go hard as you reply, "You are fortunate Kōrakuhime is not here; she would already be sending agony through you for that sort of language." You shrug your shoulders then, and allow a gentle, almost friendly smile to rise to your face. "I, however, am more restrained. As I told you before, it is my hope that you will eventually become an ally of ours. As to your points, I do not ask you to trust me; only that you not allow indignation to blind you to natural reason."

"And what do you mean by that?" Arturia spits.

"Consider the barrier that surrounds you," you begin in a reasonable tone, like a teacher leading a student towards the truth. "You have felt that you are cut off from your Master since your arrival here, haven't you?"

"I have," she concedes, still guarded.

"Well then, the conclusion is plain to see," you say, turning a hand palm-up as if to hand her the notion. "Your Master will have felt the same sensation that you have. In his case, however, the one 'cut off' is his Servant, last seen battling an enemy who lived through the altercation. It would be only natural for him to assume that the reason for your severed connection is not capture, but death. Hence, he has found a new Servant."

As Arturia takes in your words, the despair you've been waiting to see at last washes over her features. Losing control, she slumps in her bonds, hanging her head in defeat.

"You believe me now, then?" You can't resist the urge to gloat a bit.

"I don't believe you," Arturia sighs, "but I cannot deny the logic of what you say. If Harris has not found a new Servant already, that man surely will do so soon."

"Ah, well," you remark,. "I suppose I shall have to earn your trust in time. Since you understand, however, that Harris is no longer your Master, I wonder if you might humor me by telling me about him. It has been difficult to gather concrete information on the man's abilities, and I believe you can help me in that regard."

"I have no reason to aid you," Arturia retorts, the steely resolve already coming back into her voice. "If there is no alternative but death, I implore you to kill me."

"You would go so far for a man who has abandoned you?" you ask in disbelief. "Don't you wish to live on, when all you need do is something that cannot harm you? Don't you care for self-preservation at all?"

Arturia scoffs at your incredulity. "From the way you speak," she says, "I am tempted to believe your words about being a living Servant. Death in this time holds no meaning for those of us with our own lives and legends. To have failed to attain the Grail, and been captured, is already the same as death; hastening my demise now will only hasten my opportunity to return and seize the Holy Grail in the next War."

You give Arturia a long look, but she doesn't seem to be bluffing. Once you're certain, you nod, commenting, "What heroic stoicism. Very well then, Arturia; you give me no choice. Although it is a shame to lose you, I will give you the death you desire if you answer my questions about your former Master."

She returns your calculation, staring into your face and probing for lies. Evidently what she sees there satisfies her, however, because she eventually acquiesces in a drained, defeated voice. "If what you say is true, and that man is no longer my Master, then I no longer owe him my loyalty. I accept your proposal, Alberich. What is it that you wish to know?"

"Excellent," you exclaim. "To begin with, then, I would like to hear what you know about the details of his magic. You must have seen it, that strange ability to move at speeds beyond human limits and slow his enemies. How does he accomplish it? Is there a way to overcome it?"

"I know very little about magic," Arturia says, "so I cannot tell you the method behind it, but I am familiar with the power you refer to. He was even able to defeat me with it for a time, in our sparring. It is a strange magical technique that creates an area around him in which anything which moves faster than he is slowed, and his own speed and power are enhanced to exceed the slowed enemy. However powerful you may be, within the effect of his magic that man has the advantage."

"And yet you say he defeated you only 'for a time'," you interject. "How did you overcome the magic?"

"Simple," Arturia replies. "He can only use it for a short time. I believe it is more taxing on him to slow a faster enemy, but in any case, if you can remain close to him until he is forced to break the spell, he will be as helpless as any other human faced with a Servant."

"So that's what it is," you muse. "It must require an enormous amount of magical energy to sustain the magic." Returning your attention to Arturia, you continue, "Is there anything else I should be aware of regarding his techniques?"

"Only that he is a master of personal combat, and capable of imbuing his strikes with a property that destroys other mages' techniques," Arturia says, "but if you have already seen his power over force, I doubt you are unaware of these details."

"Excellent," you say. "Thank you, Arturia. Good morning to you." With that, you get up and walk out, heedless of her protestations. As you make the assent to the living room, it strikes you that there is no tantalizing smell of breakfast reaching your nose. Odd, as Kōrakuhime should have been cooking by now. Wondering idly about the unusual detail, you walk to the kitchen to check in on her. Within, you perceive a scene of carnage. Two women stand on opposite sides of the kitchen, facing one another with masks of politeness that do nothing to hide the burning resentment motivating their dialogue.

"I insist," Stengel is saying as you look in, icy tone complimenting her strained smile. "Lady Liliesviel has ordered me to treat Lord Alberich as her equal, and this means that I really must prepare the morning meal for the two of them. You must simply rest, and allow yourself to compromise your sense of hospitality on this occasion."

"You really mustn't... put yourself to the trouble," Kōrakuhime replies, plainly every bit as determined not to give in, if somewhat less visually expressive. "You are just as much our... guest as Einzbern-san is, and should not feel... compelled to do any sort of work in our home. I will prepare breakfast for everyone." While speaking she must have seen you out of her peripheral vision, for just then she looks over to see you, smiles in triumph, and says, "Ah, Saber-san, I see you're up and... about. Perhaps you can help me convince Einzbern-san's maid that she need not... attend her normal duties while a guest here."

Kōrakuhime isn't the only one relying on your appearance, though. Stengel, too, in a reversal of her usual attitude towards you, looks at you as if seeing her deliverer. Upon your entrance into the room, she curtsies deferentially and, keeping her eyes lowered so as not to meet your gaze directly, says, "Lord Alberich, I apologize for troubling you, but I would be immensely grateful if you might do me the kindness of explaining the requirements of my position to Miss Shijou."

>[ ] Take Kōrakuhime's side and have her prepare breakfast. Familiar flavors are best, after all.

>[ ] Take Stengel's side and have her prepare breakfast. You'd like to taste the sort of breakfast Liliesviel is accustomed to.

>[ ] Intervene directly and make breakfast yourself. You're sure it'll go better now that you have two hands.

>[ ] Do something else (Write in)

>>3903385
>>[ ] Intervene directly and make breakfast yourself. You're sure it'll go better now that you have two hands.
Yes, this is
sure to go
-fantastically-

>>3903385
>[ ] Intervene directly and make breakfast yourself. You're sure it'll go better now that you have two hands.
What could go wrong?

>>3903385
>Why don't we all cook together?

>>3903422
Hahaha, you know what.
Even better.
>>3903385
>>3903399
Switching from this

>>3903428
I think that "two hands" bit means we'll be cooking together.

>>3903385
>>3903422
FUN TIMES AHEAD

>>3903433
No, it means last time we tried to cook, we were an amputee.

>>3903436
Yeah Circe had just removed our hand to use to make Kenotis.

Maybe we can actually learn how to cook from these two!

>>3903422
This. We have a lot of people to cook for now. I'd like to bring some down for Saber as well

File: 1548301337442.gif (149 KB, 461x346)

149 KB GIF

>voting to cook together
Guys, your not seeing the big picture here. Imagine the expression of absolute devastation, the soul-crushing depression we would undergo, our Pride points melting away as Lily asks who the hell made the mediocre schlock that we called a breakfast that morning.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3903385
Let's roll for >>3903422

>>3903523
THE RETURN OF THE DICE
alternatively, we just read a cookbook
alternatively, we just follow instructions.
>>3903521
Alberich isn't stupid, he can follow instructions for cooking.

>>3903521
>>3903529
I'm talking about if we opted to do it ourselves.

>>3903521
imagine the look on her face when she sees the look on alberich's face

>>3903532
Oh well, that's something we really don't want.
>>3903533
Looks like Ayaka route is raised from the ashes like a Phoenix.

>>3903534
But anon, it would be funny. Maybe not so much now, that I probably guessed how it would go down, but still.

>>3903385
>[ ] Intervene directly and make breakfast yourself. You're sure it'll go better now that you have two hands.

>>3903422
>>3903385
Lets do this

Also, Arturia..... You deserve everything you get.

>>3903385
This>>3903422

>>3903422
Well now! That's one way to try and settle a rivalry.

>>3903582
Pretty harsh of you.

>>3903385
>>3903422

>Why don't we all cook together?

Kitchen warrrrrrr

>>3903381
>[ ] Intervene directly and make breakfast yourself. You're sure it'll go better now that you have two hands.

File: Shijou Tsubaki.jpg (130 KB, 465x795)

130 KB JPG

Looks like you're suggesting everyone work together, then, This will be a very strange breakfast...

By the way, I've realized that I neglected to describe Tsubaki's appearance now that she's no longer hanging around in bed and leaving her horns on. Today she's wearing a red and white dress and put her hair up in a ponytail. Of course she's done away again with the red layer of hair and horns. Very much like the attached image, sans ahoge and cheerful demeanor.

>>3903523

So if we're that decent at cooking, how good would Titania be?

She'd probably have magic servants to do it for her, I'd imagine. Unless she's cooking for her special man. In which case, she'd do it all by herself and do embarrassingly cute things like drawing a ketchup heart on an omelette.

>>3904244
>Unless she's cooking for her special man
Who unfortunately for her, doesn't exist because of his own shortsightedness.
Isn't it sad, Titania?

>>3904244
Oh man, the "peons must do everything for me" loli queen venturing into the kitchen to do her own cooking for Oberon and adding cutesy flourishes. That's just so adorable it hurts. She'd insist on feeding him, too.
Naturally, she'd summon up some kind of culinary fairy from the Reverse Side to tutor her in preparing food, since only the best is worthy of the royal palate. I love it.

>>3904260
She can't be that bad of a cook without a tutor, right?

>>3904352
>she manages to somehow burn cereal

>>3904260
Just wait until she makes Valentine's Day chocolate for her beloved to see her at peak cuteness.

Odds that they bully us over our relative ineptitude?

>>3904919
Not if they know whats good for them.

>>3904932
See, this is why I wanted Lily to bully us.

>>3904260
>>3904244

Cue her doing cutesy lovey-dovey magic with plenty of magic hearts, sparkles, and stars while she prepares and cooks.

>>3905479
A homunculus startles her by interrupting to bring her news of the rebels, which ruins her cooking. As punishment it is chopped up by the wings she projects behind her, which are actually portals.

What do you guys actually want to do with Saber? It seems like she won't be a reliable ally unless she's altered.

>>3906439
Bully her.

>>3906439
I want Tsubaki to figure out how to make Command Spells so we can control her; after that we can work on breaking down her personality and building her up again as a fanatic.
>>3906443
also based

>>3906439
I say if she wants to die then have her die going out with a bang. Send her loose on Odin, if she dies she gets what she wants and in honorable combat AND Odin will be a bit weaker for us to finish him off. If she lives then she is beyond lucky and quite skilled. Maybe we can talk about her joining up after that.

>>3906476
Command spells only go so far against Saber considering her magic resistance. Altering her seems like a far more reliable choice to me.

File: 68747470733a2f2f73332e616(...).jpg (86 KB, 509x720)

86 KB JPG

If only Ayaka's elder sister existed in this timeline.
She'd have far more luck winning Alberich's heart than Ayaka does.

>>3906507
Also, because of Roothax, she'd almost certainly be better at Magic than even Circe or Odin.

File: Not even a contest, really.png (1.15 MB, 820x1851)

1.15 MB PNG

>>3904938
That'd be quite a shift, there. She'd be more likely to get flustered over accidentally insulting your cooking and try to reverse her meaning somehow.

>>3906443
Now that's roleplaying.

>>3906507
For real. She's so cute, I had to cut her from the story because none of the other heroines would have a chance.

>>3906505
Altering her is a blatant trap.
>saber was enslaved by satan and we can trigger that state again
>so it will definitely work exactly as intended and not cause an immediate dead end (or worse, an unrestrained alter servant on the loose and the return of angra mainyu)

>>3906533
To me it's more of just hijacking the same method that Angra Mainyu used to control her, which was obviously effective. There's nothing to suggest that it would bring him back or give him control over her.

File: Is that...jpg (169 KB, 707x1000)

169 KB JPG

You'll just have to make do with the shadowy traces of dead family members you've got, I suppose.

>>3906537
>there are traces in her spirit of another method of subjugation, some sort of... transformative magical enslavement. If I could induce that state once again, it is... possible that we might be able to control her without the aid of... her Command Spell
Hime says that she can recreate that state, which means Altering Saber. Now, how is she going to Alter someone when she isn't AM? Most likely by awakening the dormant influence inside her. And what will that do? Put her under AM's control, obviously.

>>3906526
>That'd be quite a shift, there.
I was only speaking of her blind first impression.

File: 19636E73-D651-43B6-A529-8(...).jpg (61 KB, 500x856)

61 KB JPG

I honestly don’t see why Alberich would really be keeping her alive. He KNOWS that the Grail War is fucky due to Akeldama shenanigans, so Manjew is not obviously involved in what’s going on. We’ve already got enough information regarding Harris that she really really has nothing left to tell us, excluding explaining what went down in the previous Wars.

So, She utterly despises us, wants to die, and should give us BIG STATS when we absorb her essence. With big players like Odin and powered up Circe, I think now would be the best time for it. Unless we can figure out a way to get her on out side very soon.

>>3906633
Indeed

>>3906633
>I honestly don’t see why Alberich would really be keeping her alive.
>She wants to die
Hey hey, you've answered your own question.

>>3906652
Point, but at this stretch she has no further purpose to serve. Alberich has already ridiculed her to the point where his own wounded pride should be satisfied, and we have pretty much all the information she can offer.

Not killing her is just dragging things out, as we’ve toyed around with her on plenty of occasions already and it’s getting kind of stale going to the dungeon for us to mock hurt when she says something mean about us. This is really the only time we’ve gotten anything of value out of her anyway, and even then it wasn’t particularly game-changing.

I’m ready for snack time already.

That is why I am saying give her some mana and have her go attack Odin. Whoever loses we absorb and the winner is weakened enough for us to finish off.

>>3906633
>>3906668
If we eat her the corruption inside her goes into us.
Also, I suspect we can't get Excalibur or Invisible Air from eating her because they aren't properties of her soul, just weapons she carries that the Grail registers as her NP. It's the same case as Avalon, which normally isn't listed as an NP because she doesn't have it on her.

So, as you know I've had a lot of trouble finding time to sit down and write lately. Since I tend to do long updates, this has led to long delays. Well, for the time being I'm giving up. After having had no time at all to write yesterday and only a little time today, I'm posting a short update. In order to eliminate the constant hiatuses I've been having lately, this will probably be how I do things for a while until my schedule clears up again.

This, you think, could be troublesome. The argument playing out in front of you is all too reminiscent of the spats that broke out between Circe, Adelheid, Kikuko, and Truvietianne during your last few days in the Akeldama. While you took no action in those cases, you don't think it wise to remain so passive now. What seemed amusing at the time could easily have grown into a serious problem for your War effort. Now you have enough reason to worry over the divide between Ayaka and Liliesviel, without adding a conflict between Kōrakuhime and Stengel to the mix. If possible you'd like to resolve this quarrel peacefully, but you're sure that choosing either's cooking over the other's will exacerbate matters. That being the case, perhaps the best way to settle things would be for the two to collaborate on breakfast.

"Why don't we all cook together?" you suggest, smiling as openly at the two rival cooks as if you've been taken in by their own strained facades of pleasantry and believe they have no resentment for one another. Unfortunately, your suggestion does not have quite the mollifying effect you'd hoped it might. Kōrakuhime breaks off eye contact at your words, her gaze wavering towards a point somewhere in the space near your right elbow, while Stengel appears taken aback at the suggestion.

"Lord Alberich, please, you really mustn't do such a thing," the maid insists, sounding affronted by the notion. "You were present when Lady Liliesviel expressly ordered me to treat you as her equal; I cannot have you taking a hand in menial work."

"That's right, Saber-san," Kōrakuhime interjects, agreeing with Stengel for the first time. "Cooking really... isn't something you need to involve yourself with. If you'll just... wait for breakfast to be ready, we can have this discussion... sorted out soon enough."

"Nonsense!" You heartily overrule the pair's objections, taking some satisfaction in seeing their discomfort no longer focused on one another. "Stengel, if your mistress has ordered you to treat me with as much respect as you owe her, you'll obey my orders as well and let me help you prepare breakfast if I please. As for you, Miss Tsubaki, there's no need to worry on my behalf. Now, what shall we cook?"

The two exchange an uneasy glance before seeming to come to a silent agreement and acquiescing to your forcible interjection into the kitchen. After deliberating for a few moments over the dish, Kōrakuhime speaks up first.

"A... traditional breakfast would be best," she declares. "Grilled mackerel, rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables; there is... no need for anything else in the morning."

"Absurd!" Stengel promptly flares up at this suggestion. "Lady Liliesviel always requires sweet foods at breakfast. Today she will have pancakes topped with a persimmon compote, served with black tea."

"Really. That is... no sort of meal to live on," Kōrakuhime pronounces derisively. "What... nutritional value is there in beginning one's day with... dessert? We must have a traditional, balanced meal for... breakfast."

"Any amount of nutrition is meaningless if the meal is so unsuitable for its recipient's palate that it goes uneaten," Stengel counters. "Whatever your views on the matter may be, Lady Liliesviel always has a sweet breakfast."

As it is, it seems there will be no resolution in the near future. The pair has come to yet another deadlock, and there's nothing for it but for you to step in and resolve their quarrel once again if you want to see breakfast completed.

>[ ] Argue in favor of a savory Japanese breakfast.

>[ ] Argue in favor of a sweet Western breakfast.

>[ ] Suggest something else (Write in)

Quickly, find some Japanese sweets!
We need to make something nutritious that Lily will swallow.

>>3906771
>[ ] Argue in favor of a savory Japanese breakfast.
>[ ] Suggest something else (Write in)
"I think Liliesviel might appreciate the change from Continental cuisine; it must be boring to eat much of the same every morning. We can make some pudding or mochi for dessert, or perhaps the lady might enjoy baumkuchen?"
you can see i know nothing about japanese cuisine

>>3906771
>>[ ] Argue in favor of a sweet Western breakfast.

It's a shame Sweets doesn't like the idea of Ruler.
Being able to gank Jeanne and steal EX rank Magic Resistance would be lovely.

>>3906771
>[ ] Argue in favor of a sweet Western breakfast.
They're the guests here.

>>3906816
>MR comes from protection of god
>therefore alberich has to become a christian
judas approves but odin is disappoint

>>3906841
It might just switch from God to gods in general.

>>3906842
Bit of a moot point anyway, since we can't recreate the circumstance of being protected by any god.
Actually, now that I'm looking at her sheet she's hardly worth eating.
>class skills don't match Saber container
>MR comes from being protected by God, therefore unreplicable
>Saint is also unreplicable because Alberich isn't a saint
>Charisma is only one rank higher
>Revelation is unreplicable because we have nobody to reveal things to us
>La Pucelle is an inferior suicide attack to Kosmos Ouroboros
Lumiose Eternelle is the only thing worth copying, and it has no synergy with our NPs. Also, it's explicitly stated that only French heroes who saw Jeanne in life can use it, which makes it unusable to Alberich.

>>3906771
>[ ] Argue in favor of a savory Japanese breakfast.

File: Sajyou.Manaka.600.1086925.jpg (43 KB, 600x546)

43 KB JPG

>>3906526
I wonder how a side story where Vaisset was replaced with Manaka would go.

>>3906894
We'd probably hate Harris a lot more

File: 1572923730592.jpg (97 KB, 599x849)

97 KB JPG

>>3906897
>implying Harris would beat her

>>3906898
She'll underestimate him and die like the rest.

>>3906899
You really shouldn't underestimate her yourself.
Manaka is one of the most powerful characters in the Fate universe.
She planned to summon a Beast just to boost her own power.

>>3906905
you don't understand that Harris has weaponized his jobbing aura
circe will job
odin will job
the beasts will also job
gilgamesh will job so hard he dies offscreen

>>3906909
Anon she blocked an attack from a top tier Lancer (Byrnhildr) with a single finger.

>>3906915
A scene which could be recreated if this were to occur in the same alternate route in which you summoned Lancer at the beginning of Fate/City Akeldama...

>>3906915
That was because Bryn had no love for her. Brynhildr Romantia's attack damage depends on how much love she has for her enemy, not how much force she exerts. I'm shitposting

>>3906919
I forget which thread you mentioned all the other Servant options.

>>3906919
The scene where Lily bullied Ayaka would turn out way differently if Manaka was our Master instead.

>>3906924
I'm not sure if I ever went down a list, but I've mentioned the other ideas I had at the beginning a few times. Caster Circe, Lancer Brynhildr, Pseudo-Servant Archer Odysseus, Caster Orpheus if summoned by another Master...

>>3906940
For Rushorou's Archer, I think the queen of the Amazons would have been a good choice. She could be a tsundere, very proud and disrespectful of a weak modern man like you at the beginning, but with the potential to form a grudging respect for you.
Not sure about where I might have gone with Rider. Maybe Brynhildr again, in her secondary class? Possibly Queen Medb, bringing some Celtic mythology into the mix? I don't know.

>>3906999
>Not sure about where I might have gone with Rider.
https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/Rider_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_Ushiwakamaru)
https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/True_Rider

>>3906999
>queen of the Amazons
Strange Fake already has Hippolyta though, as Rider. She's comparable in strength to Archer Heracles/Alcides too, according to Enkidu's presence detection.
https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/True_Rider

>Medb
Please God no.

>>3907000
It bugs me that Hippolyta is a Rider in Strange Fake. The Hellenic Amazons were best known for their renowned prowess as archers, so why is she a fistfighter? I might have reworked her for Archer, or more likely have used a non-berserk Penthesilea.
Ushiwakamaru would be a good pick for Rushorou's Rider. Her personality is great, although her costume definitely needs some work.

>>3907004
>Medb
>Please God no.
It would've definitely been a power struggle of a relationship.

>>3907011
If you wanted to make Odin sweat, there was one other option.
https://typemoon.fandom.com/wiki/Rider_(Fate/Extra_Last_Encore)

>>3907015
>and then when Akeldama ends, Fenrir is just dumped into Tokyo at full power with absolutely nothing controlling him, just going around eating the population and any servant that tries to stop him.
BAD END.

>>3907017
Oh and that's not even mentioning that with Soul Eater, the entire point of Akeldama will be ruined because Fenrir would just power up on every single servant it kills instead of it going to Akeldama.
You would have an uncontrollable Fenrir that has been boosted by the souls of 7/8(?) Servants set loose in a city, where it would only get more and more powerful and the strongest Servant in the war is conceptually weak to it, and it would have enough divinity to easily kill Achilles too.

It's a super bad end on the level of Kosmos Ouroborous.

>>3907015
I don't care what anyone says, that thing is a monster; not any sort of heroic or antiheroic spirit.

>>3907043
I mean, it's on the Moon Cell where all sorts of dumb shit happens and the throne isn't used for summoning, so it's fine in that regard.

I don't believe it could possibly exist on the Throne though.

We're tied with only 4 votes. Would anyone who hasn't voted yet like to step in and resolve matters?
I was hoping this choice would have resolve over night and I could start writing the update this morning.

>>3906771
>>3907078
I would've suggested making a sweet and savory dish bit of we really need to break this tie...

>[ ] Argue in favor of a sweet Western breakfast.
I always all my guests what they'd like to eat.

>>3907088
I don't know, a compromise suggestion could be interesting, and you only need two anons on your side to get the majority vote. If you have a dish in mind, throw it out there.

>>3907088
If you can think of a compromise, I'll switch to supporting it.

>>3907091
Well, a breakfast has got to have a protein, a starch and fruit. You can probably make crepes with the persimmons and whatever pancake mix. I'm stumped on the proteins (the most important part).

>>3907119
Hazelnuts?
Walnuts?

>>3907128
This a thing, Sweets? We can put those with the crepes as well for texture.

>>3907132
>This a thing, Sweets?
Hazelnuts do exist and contain protein, yes. I'm quite fond of them myself. If you're asking if I'm taking it as a write-in vote, sure. I'll count >>3907107 and >>3907119 as votes for making hazelnut and persimmon crepes.

>>3907135
I’ll vote for the crepes too if there isn’t a majority yet.

>>3907135
As will I, just to get over the voting

>>3907302
I was >>3906863 by the way

File: S253Stage1.png (362 KB, 512x724)

362 KB PNG

>>3907135
+1 for the crepes.

Also for Rush Rider, how bout...

>>3907394
How about no.

>>3907394
>Leonardo da Vinci is a woman
Huh? Why?
>He modified his spirit into his concept of human perfection, the Mona Lisa
Wait, but the Mona Lisa is a realist portrait, shouldn't he have made himself into the Vitruvian Man?
>Nope! It's Mona Lisa Da Vinci, shut up!
Well, alright, if you insist.
>Now Da Vinci-chan died, but don't worry, she came back as a loli!
Alright, Delight Works, what the fuck is wrong with you?

...What I'm trying to say with this dialogue is that I don't get the point of Lolinci.

>>3907404
They needed another servant in order to give exposition on things at the same time they realised Mash is as bland as a sack of potatoes.
So therefore they turned Da Vinci into a woman.

The entire main cast of FGO is so horribly unlikable.

>>3907404
I mean, don't get me wrong, The character design is great on its own. She's cute as a button, and I like magical girls as much as the next guy, but the backstory seriously makes no sense.

>>3907414
Yes, they did that. I get that. They turn lots of historical characters into women, and they at least put a little effort into explaining Da Vinci. What I don't get is why they killed Da Vinci off at the beginning of Part 2, and then revived her as a loli. Regular adult woman Da Vinci is already barely explained, and now you're supposed to accept that she's a little girl for some reason? This person whose whole appearance is based on a painting of an adult?
I stopped playing FGO in the middle of Epic of Remnant, though, so my understanding of Cosmos in the Lostbelt lore is and will remain fragmentary.

File: Space.Ishtar.full.2739150.png (461 KB, 512x724)

461 KB PNG

>>3907420
Oh as for the loli thing.
Yeah I have no idea.
Money, if I had to guess.
It's always money.

Pseudo-Servant spam on already popular characters is proof enough that gacha money overrides any sense of integrity the series had left.

Check out this new Rin.

>>3907430
Rin 4: now wearing Asuka's plug suit for compound tsundere!

>>3906999
>the queen of the Amazons would have been a good choice. She could be a tsundere, very proud and disrespectful of a weak modern man like you at the beginning, but with the potential to form a grudging respect for you.
Literally my relationship goals. Sadly they will always be disappointed as they're laughably unrealistic.

>>3907430
Is that a Darth Maul pseudoservant?

"Why don't we make something sweet, with a bit more variety in ingredients," you suggest, interposing yourself between the debating parties. "If we could prepare a nutritionally balanced meal that would suit Liliesviel's taste, everyone would be satisfied, no?"

"I suppose that would... be acceptable," Kōrakuhime concedes, nodding. "I suppose you have... something in mind?"

"If that is what you deem best," Stengel chimes in with a gleam in her eye, "I will be certain to inform Lady Liliesviel that you planned her breakfast, Lord Alberich. What do you suggest we prepare?"

On the spot, you consider the breakfast items you're familiar with. Growing up, Yumigawa always had traditional Japanese meals at home, so a sweet breakfast from his memories is unlikely. When you think of what you've had, though... there's Circe's kykeon when you were in the Akeldama, and since leaving you've had only fried eggs or more traditional meals from Ayaka, supplemented by french toast from Café Palmerston. Nothing that suits the requirements of the present moment. Then an idea does strike, though, something you remember Yumigawa's female schoolmates often talking about eating.

"Why don't we have crêpes?" you suggest. "We could fill them with a mild cheese like ricotta, and hazelnuts, in addition to the persimmon compote you had mentioned, Stengel. I think Liliesviel would enjoy that, don't you?"

"Yes, that should-"

Before Stengel can go on, Kōrakuhime cuts in, retorting, "That is... still a dessert, no more suitable than... her first suggestion for breakfast," in a cold tone.

"Come now, Miss Tsubaki," you chide gently. "There may not be any meat, but hazelnuts are a good source of energy. Why don't you let our guests enjoy the type of cuisine they're used to?"

At your insistence, the girl finally gives you a defeated look and mutters, "Very well."

So the three of you set about your collaborative meal, mostly taking instruction from Stengel as Kōrakuhime specializes in Japanese cooking and you're an amateur. With Stengel preparing the compote, Kōrakuhime the crêpes themselves, and you splitting the hazelnuts and whipping air into the cheese to render it appropriately fluffy for the dish, though, things progress fairly quickly. In what seems like no time at all, you and Kōrakuhime are left to stand back as Stengel puts the finishing touches on six servings of persimmon and hazelnut crêpes. Once the crêpes are prepared, Kōrakuhime sets the table as Stengel goes back upstairs to awaken her mistress and collect the rest of the Einzbern party, and five of you are soon seated at the long table in the dining room that has hitherto gone unused during your stay here. Odin, apparently, declined to join you for the meal.

All in all, you think as you begin to eat, the meal turned out quite well. The crêpe holds together well while remaining pleasingly soft, and the flavors of the sweet and autumnally spiced persimmon compote, hazelnuts, and ricotta all combine perfectly in a rich, warm flavor. Your guests, too, seem appreciative. Liliesviel wears a rapturous expression as she eats, taking obvious pleasure in the meal. Stachel eats with zest, devouring her breakfast faster than anyone else at the table. Stengel takes clear satisfaction in her work, eating happily, though with far more restraint than her fellow maid. Only Kōrakuhime seems put off by the breakfast, looking pensive and dissatisfied as she eats.

"Delicious as always, Stengel," Liliesviel remarks cheerily after she's finished eating, "but you haven't made me crêpes in a long time. What made you want to cook them again now?"

"Thank you for your generous praise, Lady Liliesviel," the maid replies, "but the credit is not mine. This meal was Lord Alberich's suggestion. He insisted on helping to prepare the food, as well."

"Really?" Liliesviel gives you a wide-eyed, confused look. "Why did you do that, Onii-chan? Servants are supposed to deal with things like cooking, not us."

"Ah, but I am a Servant," you say with a wry smile. "It was only a whim. I have no doubt Stengel could have prepared us all a lovely meal on her own, but I thought I might enjoy taking a hand in the cooking."

"Is that so?" Liliesviel seems nonplussed by your explanation, looking at you blankly, but her lapse into silence lasts only a few moments. Then she seems to remember herself, and says, "Well, anyway, Onii-chan, I wanted to talk to you about that thing we discussed at my tower before, but," for a moment her eyes dart in Kōrakuhime's direction, "do you mind if we talk in German? It would be easier to explaining that way."

"By all means, if it makes you more comfortable," you reply, in that language. Her meaning is obvious, and there's no harm in humoring her; you can always tell Kōrakuhime what you spoke of later if the need arises.

"Thank you, Alberich," Liliesviel says, smiling. "When you suggested using the Heaven's Feel for two people to me, before, I wasn't certain it could be done, remember?"

"Of course," you nod. "Have you made a discovery in that direction?"

"I think so," Liliesviel says hesitantly. "It should be possible to use the Heaven's Feel to materialize your soul at the same time as mine, before the Holy Grail collapses, but in order to do so, you need to be connected to the Greater Grail more firmly, the way I am."

"To connect to the Grail in the same way you have," you echo, thinking. "Do you have a method of imparting the qualities of the Lesser Grail on another, Liliesviel? I would have thought such a thing almost impossible."

"No," she shakes her head. "I can't make you into a Lesser Grail. Only Grandfather knows how to prepare one, and even if I could we might end up splitting the Servants' energy and ruining the whole War!" She looks horrified by the prospect; an emotion you share, considering it would mean the end of your hopes for survival. "It should be possible to for me to link you to it if we visit the Greater Grail together at the right point in the Heaven's Feel, though," she concludes.

"Why, that's wonderful!" you exclaim. "If that's so, then matters are practically resolved!"

Raising a finger as if to reprimand your jubilation, Liliesviel reminds you in a sterner tone, "It has to be at the right time, though, just like summoning a Servant! We can't just go and do this whenever we want, and if we don't do it at the right we could lose our chance to link you to the Greater Grail!"

"I see. In that case, I suppose it would mean the end for my chances of surviving via the Third Sorcery," you concur, excitement rapidly drained from your tone. Of course, it isn't as if you've already lost your chance, but even so; it isn't a pleasant prospect to imagine.

"Actually, there is one other ritual, if the first one fails," Liliesviel says hesitantly. "If we can't link you to the Greater Grail, linking you to the Lesser Grail would also make it possible." At this, she seems embarrassed for some reason; her blushing cheeks are died in rosy hue, and she lapses into an awkward silence, no longer meeting your eyes. One finger taps the table in an unconscious nervous tic. "B-but there's no reason to discuss that other method now," she says, speaking up again as if coming to a sudden decision and rushing her words. "We still have the first method open now, and you probably wouldn't want to perform that other ritual with me, anyway."

"I see," you reply in a neutral tone. For a moment you're tempted to probe further after information about the secondary ritual, but there's obviously some mysterious detail about it that makes it a sensitive topic for her, so you leave it be. "When should we visit the Greater Grail, then; and where is it?" you ask instead.

"Well, I realize I'm not giving you much notice, Alberich, but you don't do any fighting during the day anyway, right?" Liliesviel seems much more at ease again now, with the subject of the second ritual left behind. "We've got to go this afternoon, right after breakfast if you don't mind leaving right away. The Greater Grail is in a catacomb constructed below our Tower; Otto made sure it would be protected from that Caster who attacked us, but we'd still need to go there to reach it."

That's one more piece of the puzzle of Circe's behavior filled in, then, her motivation for attacking Liliesviel. Odysseus already told you that she was trying to take the Grail for herself, rather than Yumigawa, and presumably whatever she intends to do with it requires that she perform some sort of magic on the Greater Grail. Hence, after discovering its location and that it was housed below a Servant's abode, she set about trying to destroy Liliesviel and Odin. As for the time, you had hoped to address the Yumigawa situation at some point today, while he would be unsuspecting of an attack. It's difficult to deny the importance of Liliesviel's proposed errand, however.

>[ ] Go to the Greater Grail with Lily immediately. (Self-Preservation/Compassion)

>[ ] Decline. You should be able to work out some other way to survive, and she did mention that second ritual. Right now, dealing with Yumigawa is all-important. (Pride)

>[ ] Answer in some other way (Write in)

Alright, missed the chance to write this morning because of the tie we had earlier, but here's this that I got done in the afternoon. A rather more significant decision than the choice of breakfast items!

>>3907715
>[ ] Go to the Greater Grail with Lily immediately. (Self-Preservation/Compassion)

>>3907715
>>[ ] Go to the Greater Grail with Lily immediately. (Self-Preservation/Compassion)
Damn it, there goes the sneak attack option.

>>3907715
>>[ ] Go to the Greater Grail with Lily immediately. (Self-Preservation/Compassion)
This is actually nice, if Circe tries to run interference she won't have the home-field advantage. Odin's coming too, right? We do need all the battlefield control we can afford so Circe can't ruin our day with some cheap-shot hex.
After we check out the Greater Grail we should go shopping for walkie-talkies and encryption equipment for future use.

>>3907803
Oh shoot we need to bring Ayaka the leftovers so she doesn't get too engrossed in studying and starve!

>>3907712
>"B-but there's no reason to discuss that other method now,"
It's...
It's one of *those* rituals, isn't it.
God damn it.

Also, linking ourselves to the greater grail huh?
A near unlimited energy-supply...
Where all of our best abilities are limited by our somewhat lacking mana reserves...

Oh dear.

>>3907860
Of course it's one of those rituals! And Lily thinks we aren't lolicon enough to do it. We better clear up that worry.

>>3907715
>[ ] Go to the Greater Grail with Lily immediately. (Self-Preservation/Compassion)

>>3907715
>[ ] Go to the Greater Grail with Lily immediately. (Self-Preservation/Compassion)
Unlimited power, or illegal activitoes and killing ourself? Ez choise

Threadly reminder that there's a non-zero chance of the Grail having AIDS.

>>3908080
it's a different grail

>>3908099
Yeah but you heard what the "hero" group said about that.

>>3908200
>you heard what the "hero" group said about that
Did we ever get their house's phone number? Should we maybe check back with them sometime? May as well let them say their piece on why they think the Grail is still bad juju if possible.

>>3907860
>A near unlimited energy-supply
I should probably clarify that it's only a source of nigh-limitless power after the Grail War is completed. Right now that power is all either being used to run the War (sustaining the Servants and whatnot) or being processed by the Lesser Grail, in the case of the power gained from the spirits of defeated Servants.

>>3908516
Then what about Saber Alter in Heavens Feel?

>>3908562
She was getting her energy from Sakura, who was able to provide her Servants with a ridiculous quantity of energy due to being a Lesser Grail and having eaten Gilgamesh along with half the town.

Guys. I think choosing to go with Lily now might have locked us out of being able to save both Lily and Circe.

>>3908590
Why?

>>3908590
You don't say? Wow, what a surprising turn of events.

>>3908590
You know what, fuck it. This will be the day Alberich gives up on women forever

>>3908590
So if we bump off Circe that means now we can have the Adelheid+Odin Oji-san route.

>>3908595
>>3908598
Attacking Caster's temple during the day is just going to go poorly for us anyway.
Our best bet lies in her trying to ambush us when we go check on the grail, I feel.

Then we have the biggest problem imaginable.
Trying to convince Circe but being unable to because Lily is right next to us.

>>3908607
What if we didn't try to convince her immediately, but instead sent her a hidden message? Operation Nothingness Paper is a go

>>3908612
Do you want to throw a nothingness paper airplane at her or something?
How do you intend to give her a message?

>>3908590
Want to explain that?

>>3908591
>>3908621
Idunno, it's just a feeling. The last time she attacked Lily was under the pretense that we had amnesia. Talking with Rushurou now kind of gets eid of that.

>>3908625
>implying Rushorou is going to tell her.

You know, in retrospect I really missed an opportunity here to run two simultaneous Fate/Awakening Mirror quests, one in which you play as Rushorou, and the other in which you play as Saber of Imaginary Numbers, telling each group of players that they were the real continuation of the Akeldama protagonist and giving conflicting lore information and whatnot. That could've been pretty cool. Pity I didn't have the idea at the time.

>>3908631
We would probably be in the middle of the first Kōrakuhime encounter if you did that.

>>3908607
>Trying to convince Circe but being unable to because Lily is right next to us.
"Listen, Caster, I'm not, er, what you and Yumigawa believe I am. The truth is that I still have complete memories of that thing, you know you what I mean. I'm the real one, you see."
Yeah, I can see how that might not go over so well.

>>3908648
It would require about double the amount of writing, that's true. Guess it isn't really a feasible concept.

Should we preemptively spill the Akeldama beans to Lily? She’s bound to find out eventually. May as well have her know because we decided to talk rather than it being a surprise from team RushBOI

>>3908662
>It would require about double the amount of writing, that's true. Guess it isn't really a feasible concept.
I could see it as a POV shift within thread, keeping a continuous timeline and just having us control whichever PC is more active at the moment.

>>3908676
>"Hey you know that whole brother thing? I was lying the entire time in order to grow close to you in order to guarantee my survival."
Now, this might appease Circe, but Lily will take it poorly.

>>3908764
We all KNOW she’s going to find out one way or the other eventually. The damage will be done, just how bad it is depends on how the information gets to her. I personally think coming clean in private of our own free will without anyone pushing us to do it is the safest way.

>>3908782
Maybe, maybe.
God damn it, we really have gone the full retard route, huh?

>>3909369
I have confidence that everything can be worked out. Already I can see the path to working things out.
First, we need to get connected to the Grail. I doubt Circe will ambush us in the catacombs because the place would favor us and Odin in a fight: her primary method of getting around high MR in a battle is to summon hordes of familiars, and a cramped place doesn't give her a lot of space to do that.

>>3909400
Thank you, your optimism refreshes me.

If you won't kill Circe for Lily...

>>3909971
What?

>>3909971
...you have shit taste and don't properly appreciate the chubby thighs of a loli ojou?

>>3910006
The one with shit taste is you.
Circe still best girl.
Even if the current circumstances have led to a major misunderstanding.
It'll all be fine as long as it ends with Rushorou choking to death on his own blood.

>>3910015
>Traitor witch still best girl
Unbelievable. If you still think that, you deserve whatever horrible shit she's gonna do to try and give Rushorou our power.
Lily's the obvious best girl, and we need to get started on that 2nd ritual ASAP.

>>3910015
We are so fucked if we go for Circe. Remember how she got when we even talked to a female in Akeldama? If she's been paying attention to us at all this war than she'd probably still go for the Grail even if she knew the truth.

>>3910024
>traitor witch
When did we start talking about Medea?
Is it really a betrayal if you're being tricked into it?
We should reserve our judgement until we actually fucking interact with her again.
Meanwhile, we betray Lily every single moment we interact with her intentionally in order to keep her as an ally.
>>3910028
I mean, we can play it off as all a part of our plan which she is RUINING SPECTACULARLY. Also, Alberich might not have acted like this if she wasn't busy playing pretend with some irrelevant human.

>>3910040
You're really bending over backward to accommodate her. She's actively working against us.
As for betraying Lily, we're giving her the only real affection she's ever had and we're trying to get her the third magic. Maybe we did start with a lie, but if we come clean now we can still become her family in another way.

>>3910072
>You're really bending over backward to accommodate her. She's actively working against us.
Anon, we don't really know how much she knows about what's going on but it's almost certainly not much more than Rushorou.

How is "let's not kill her immediately" bending over backwards for her? She can be given a single opportunity to fix her mistake.
She can be the one who kills Rushorou.

It's almost certain that she's been working under the impression that we're the superhuman power that was seperated from Yumigawa. Especially after our little Amnesia ploy she likely scryed.

I really want to ask Lily if (instead of leaving IMMEDIATELY) it’s ok if we get about half an hour to “make preparations” to check up on the other factions to be forewarned of possible encounters, then after that try to break the news about being less than forthcoming to Lily in private before leaving.
She might be pissed enough to cancel going and tell us to die but she might also get over it. I don’t have time to write an apology script right now but maybe if the update is a ways off time-wise I could make something this evening.

>>3910076
>Prove you love me by killing this guy you've known just as long as you've known me, who has my personality and all my memories of you.
Speaking of Medea, you sound like Jason! Also psychotic. Sounds like a plan to drive the obsessive bitch even crazier than she already is to me.

>>3910095
>kill this fake who's impersonating me and stole my memories
Not nearly as heartless as you're making it sound.
But fine, there's another way to 'kill' Yumigawa Rushorou that is far crueller to the fake.
Merely have the last 20 or so days be erased from his memory by Circe.

>>3910117
>fake who's impersonating me and stole my memories
Right, cause Rushorou definitely set out to take our memories and knows he isn't really us.
Oh wait.

>>3910190
Then there's no issue erasing them, is there?

Although you consider the two alternatives for a few moments, between hurrying along the resolution of your imitator and addressing what is possibly your only opportunity to secure your existence after the Holy Grail War, you have to conclude that visiting the Greater Grail with Liliesviel is the more important.

"That certainly is short notice," you agree with a smile, "but not problematically so. I don't mind leaving directly, if time is of the essence with regards to this ritual. I do have one question, though; you say this is similar to the summoning of a Servant, but all of the War's Masters certainly didn't do that at the same time. Are there really no other chances to create this link between myself and the Grail?"

"Hmmm..." Liliesviel deliberates for a few moments, putting a fingertip to her cheek as she considers. "You're right about the Grail working in cycles," she finally says, "but it isn't like the timing is all the same, you know. The Grail War can only last for a few weeks every 85 years, and even though the cycle of it being accessible for a connection with a living soul is much shorter, it's still not really convenient. The next day when we could harmonize your spirit with the Greater Grail would be about three months from now."

"But the Holy Grail War will be long over by then." You finish Liliesviel's point for her. "I see what you mean, then. Haste is certainly a necessity. I assume that the other ritual you mentioned is similarly tied to a cycle of availability. What sort of timing does it depend on?" In case something does go wrong with today's ritual at the Greater Grail, you want to make certain you're aware of what will be required by its alternative.

"There's not really any specific timing for that one," Liliesviel replies hesitantly, reddening again at the subject. Then, in a still smaller voice, she bashfully mutters, "If we did that ritual, I would want it to be nighttime though."

More and more intriguing, you think. Perhaps this secondary ritual needs to occur outdoors, and Liliesviel is referring to the ever-present magus' need for secrecy in her preference to conduct it under the moonlight. Your curiosity piqued, you're about to ask further details when she perks up again and continues, "Anyway! That doesn't matter if we complete today's plan. Come, Stachel. Let's go, Alberich." With that, she gets up from the table, hurrying to leave for the site of her former home.

"Just a moment," you interject, spreading one hand in a gesture of restraint. "Shouldn't you inform Lancer of this errand? You can hardly leave without your Servant, even if we aren't expecting an attack in daylight. I must inform my Master where we'll be going, as well."

"Certainly not!" Liliesviel shows surprising vehemence in her willful rejection of bringing Odin along. "I don't know what it is, but Otto has some plan of his own for the Holy Grail. I haven't let him see the Greater Grail so far, and I'm not having him come with us now. He can just stay here and guard this place," she concludes with a flippant wave of a limp hand.

>[ ] Liliesviel knows her own Servant best, you suppose. Your presence will be quite sufficient to keep her safe, in any case. Leave Odin behind.(Pride)

>[ ] Insist on bringing Odin along. Whatever nefarious intentions he may have towards the Greater Grail, you doubt they can be worse than the consequences of finding yourself unequal to the task of defending Liliesviel from a hostile Servant. (Self-Preservation)

>[ ] Make another suggestion (Write in)

In light of my own limited time to write and the desire to let you folks do as much planning as conceivably possible, here's another short update. I'll be back around 11:00pm PST to count the votes and start in on writing the next one, though, so we won't have another 24-hour dead period.

We need to figure out a way to have Tsubaki follow us or get Lily to allow her to come along.

>>3910260
>[ ] Liliesviel knows her own Servant best, you suppose. Your presence will be quite sufficient to keep her safe, in any case. Leave Odin behind.(Pride)
Should we roll gacha again for a little extra backup?

>>3910260
>[ ] Insist on bringing Odin along. Whatever nefarious intentions he may have towards the Greater Grail, you doubt they can be worse than the consequences of finding yourself unequal to the task of defending Liliesviel from a hostile Servant. (Self-Preservation)

Guys, Sweets gave us time to plan for a reason.
We should try actually planning.
I feel our best bet is having Tsubaki come with us to act as support in case we're attacked, and we can have her put Lily to sleep if the need arises and we have to talk about sensitive matters.

>>3910671
Agreed. We should her scry our enemies before we head out.

>>3910260
>[ ] Liliesviel knows her own Servant best, you suppose. With Tsubaki at your side, Liliesviel should be well cared for. Leave Odin behind. (Duty)

>>3910787
I'll support this.
If we need an excuse, Tsubaki is *technically* supposed to be Ayaka's sister, so checking on the status of the Holy Grail and how it's affecting the locals is sort of partially her responsibility. Especially with this magical epidemic going around, something like that could easily have been caused by some fault in the leylines.

>>3910803
We can also just say she's a bounded fields expert, another hedge against any possible attacks on Lily while we're preoccupied killing some servant.

>>3910260
>[ ] Insist on bringing Odin along. Whatever nefarious intentions he may have towards the Greater Grail, you doubt they can be worse than the consequences of finding yourself unequal to the task of defending Liliesviel from a hostile Servant. (Self-Preservation)
While I wouldn't normally let him in, we already know what his plan is and there could be an ambush.

>>3910938
>we already know what his plan is
I mean, we've only got speculation, anon.
We could just bring Tsubaki instead and not have Odin snooping around the Greater Grail.

>>3910949
>I mean, we've only got speculation, anon.
Naw, we know he wants to fight us.
But if you insist...
>>3910260
Switching from >>3910938 to
>[ ] Liliesviel knows her own Servant best, you suppose. With Tsubaki at your side, Liliesviel should be well cared for. Leave Odin behind. (Duty)

>>3910974
>we know he wants to fight us
Perhaps, but what about wanting to fight us has to do with the Greater Grail?
We're likely just a side activity for his true goal.
Interesting enough that he put aside his intention to be an unknown spearman for the war (Alberich is the strongest of the three modern heroes who named himself after somebody Odin knows, and Odin is a God, he was always bound to have some sort of interest.), but it's unlikely to have shifted his goal from why he allowed himself to be summoned in the first place.

It's either a return to the Age of Gods or Ragnarok he's after.

Speaking of Gods, I'm still thinking we should grab Andreias next, honestly.
Either put it on our armour to have anti-everything (except divinity, which only Odin has in a decent amount) armour, or straight up apply it to ourselves in order to replicate Achilles' immortal body and divinity.

It might turn us (or our armour) pure gold though. Though Golden Armour would have the added effect of making our Saber bullying more effective, so this is preferable.
As far as Noble Phantasms go, for pure survivability, it lets us beat everyone easily except Odin.
Medusa can only do scratch damage, Shirou is useless if his swords can't pierce our armour, Sakura can't get us with imaginary numbers because we're a natural counter, Rin loses out to MR: A anyway, Circe lost her divinity and would have to get around A rank MR in addition to the invulnerability of Andreias. Matsuda is FUCKED. Harris is also fucked. Adelheid can't touch us through it.
Assassin won't be able to backstab us through our armour.
Am I forgetting anyone?

It also might give us Divinity: C no matter what we apply it to, which might be nice.

>>3910997
That's a potent argument anon.

>>3910260
>(Write in)
We shouldn't have Lily make a judgement on whether or not to bring Odin when she doesn't know Circe's capabilities.

First ask Lily to excuse us for 15 or 20 minutes, then call K-hime to have a private meetup with Ayaka to "make the appropriate preparations".
In that meeting explain the ritual and declare that we intend to explain the nature of our existence to Lily, then ask K-hime if she'd give us permission to explain hers as well and try to use that ritual to take the first step to stabilize K-hime's manifestation too. If she wants to keep her privacy then we respect it in the next conversation, if she assents to us spilling the beans another topic opens up later.

Next we ask her to scry Teams Emiya, Harris, Antaglio, and RushBOI if possible. Mainly to get a feel for who might be strolling by the building when we roll through and be forewarned.

Next, the moment of truth: time to CONFESS
First ask Lily if she could speak with us in private for a few minutes as we have some really important information she should be aware of. For the conversation:
Start off by asking her if she's aware that there are more than 7 Servants in this Grail war, and not just including the Rider on Team Emiya. In fact you believe there could be as many as 4 more, excluding Medusa. Then ask if (with such a glut of heroic spirits) whether or not theoretically more than one Servant could connect to the Grail with the ritual she has planned (if yes then we can explain K-hime's situation later if she gave her assent).

Then tell Lily that the person responsible for so many extra Servants' appearance is the original Caster of this war, the late Judas Iscariot. His Noble Phantasm created a simulation of a Holy Grail war, but when he died the survivors were dispersed throughout the city.

One of the survivors was the Caster who attacked her last night, Circe.
>How do you know this Onii-chan?

(1/2)

>>3910997
>Am I forgetting anyone?
Only Antaglio and his cronies, who are similarly useless.

File: confess, surprised.png (60 KB, 1229x1160)

60 KB PNG

>Liliesviel, the reason I'm telling you all this is because you're about to offer me a great kindness and it would be vile for me to accept it if you were offering it under mistaken pretenses. The fact of the matter is at this point I am certain that I am not a homunculus constructed by the Einzberns. My exact nature has been vague to even myself until recently and nearly everyone I've met has mistaken me as one of your kinsmen. But I'm now certain that the identity I held in the simulated Grail war was in fact the origin of my being.
>I want there to be no more secrecy between us. I held off on telling you this because I was too cautious of your reaction. I sincerely apologize, I should have been open with you about this sooner. Keeping this from you has been like leaving a wound to fester in my soul.
>If you're angry, I understand. If you don't want to help me with the ritual and break off our alliance, I understand as well. But thinking ahead, I don't think I'd want to live on using the Third Magic if I'd never be able to live with myself because I took advantage of you
>If you can find in it yourself to forgive me, I'll explain anything I can to you. The only information I will withhold is if someone else entrusted it me and expects me to keep their confidence.

Then play it by ear depending on her response
Definitely give her an idea of Circe's capabilities at the very least
If K-hime gave her assent we can ask if she can hook her up to the Grail too (and omit that final clause about withholding info).

>>3911066
>>3911080
How about we don't do that?

>>3911085
If you want the problem to keep festering and bite us harder later, ok. I personally want to just bite the bullet now and get it over with. If we get Gungnir'd we can try something else.

>>3911080
>>3911085
We really should do this, especially before being linked to the grail.

>>3911097
The problem can fester for now, we're way too dependant on her right now to potentially jeopardize our relationship.
We'll get it sorted when we don't have so much to do.


>>3911102
Why before we're linked to the grail?
It just fucks the entire plot up.
We'll get a more suitable opportunity to tell her, but I don't think now is the time for such a revelation out of nowhere.


Unrelated but God DAMN it I want Andreias Armour now.
Being able to No-sell everyone would be hilarious.
Unless the only parts of the armour that get the defence are the actual metal parts. In which case it's basically worthless.

>>3911111
>It just fucks the entire plot up
Then fuck the plot. If we tell her this out of nowhere now she'll be pissed off, maybe storm out of the house without another word. If she finds out herself after she linked us to the Grail she'll feel so fuckin' betrayed she'd have no issue spamming all of her Command Seals to give Odin a power-up just so he turns us into a smear on the wall.

If we tell her the truth when we've gotten what we wanted out of her we'll have just toyed with her emotions and used her far more cruelly than the Einzberns ever did.
If we have a lot to lose when we tell her we're signalling that we respect her as a person and aren't just moving her around like a chess-piece.

>>3911129
Basically this

>>3911129
Then we should wait to do it at a suitably dramatic moment, like at the grail.
Doing it just out of the blue right here is fucking boring and anti-climactic.

>>3911066
>>3911080
No, please.
>>3911129
There is no reason in either situation for her to not feel betrayed and have Odin spread us out on the wall. Just don't tell her the truth, and let her live with a happy lie.

>>3911129
>Then fuck the plot.
Oh, and would you like a Volkesgemeinschaft and a Kosmos Ouroborous to go with that plot fucking?

>>3911136
>wait to do it at a suitably dramatic moment
>I know you need to concentrate on this elaborate ritual, but here's a mind-blowing plot-twist for you!
>>3911141
>There is no reason in either situation for her to not feel betrayed
Technically true but when the offense is an order of magnitude different I'd take my chances on the smaller one. There's no way she's going to stay ignorant forever so if we keep stringing her along she's going to 100% want us dead at the end of the day.

Up to the voting anons though.

>>3911151
>Alberich trying to be a decent person to one of his highest-affection love-interests with the potential to damage his short-term strategic interest is the narrative equivalent to him turning into a loli
I'll give you that one.

>>3911219
Hey, you're the one who said "fuck the plot."

I just think we should wait until a better time to suddenly spring this shit.

>>3911259
The better time to tell her was yesterday, I've been clear from the start that this is damage-control. It's a calculation in long-term social-capital.

>>3911219
>There's no way she's going to stay ignorant forever
If we kill Yumigawa and set Circe straight we'll only need to keep her ignorant until we can brainwash her.
Getting Circe back will be easy enough: just talk to her and explain the facts in full. All of this probably happened because of a tragic misunderstanding.

There's also the method of killing Odin (we have to do this anyway) and stealing his runes, which will enable us to do that without Circe.

>>3911290
I totally forgot that "brainwash everyone" is still an option on the table.

>>3911290
>Just brainwash the main love interest, lol
Yeah no. Fuck that.

>>3911404
Why are we going to brainwash Circe and Adelheid?

>>3911080
It's a shame to put our a really in-depth write in like this only to have nobody vote for it. I appreciate the effort anyway, anon.

>>3911309
I suggest you make sure you've got Circe working for you before considering anything that involves her powers to be "on the table". Counting chickens, and all that

>>3911404
Liliesviel may be the front runner in Alberich's heart, but there is no "main love interest" in this quest, anon.

>>3911506
I was talking more about stealing Primordial Runes. Not so much about Circe.

>odin sees us for the first time
>harris kills vaisset and forces us to work with ayaka, who can conveniently give us powerups from dead servants
>we tell odin we want to get stronger before we fight him
>harris conveniently leaves saber for us
>odin moves into our house
>lily conveniently offers to hook us up to the grail
Everything has been going according to plan.

>>3911661
I want off of Odin's keikaku.

>>3911669
Now, if only they had summoned Thor it would've been so much simpler. He would just kidnap us and get to training.

>>3911506
Alberich's main love interest is himself. All other waifus come second.

>>3911791
We're on the Yumigawa route now boys.

>>3911802
threesome with titania when

>>3911791
So really you were meant to be pseudo-Servant Narcissus all along. Fascinating.

>>3911506
>I appreciate the effort anyway, anon.
Thanks. Maybe after an update or two you'll be at liberty to say what would have happened if it passed?
I estimated 55-60% chance Lily would storm out in a quiet rage but leave the possibility to reconcile later, 35-40% chance she'd hear us out/grill us, ~5% chance she'd go for the kill or do something completely different.

I know she'll never forgive Alberich if this goes on much further though. Muramasa ain't gonna sever this karma.

>>3912028
Honestly though. For anon saying that it's not "dramatic" enough, this is the best moment to break this to her. We haven't used her all that egregiously up to now, but if she links us to the grail and the we tell her that's be awful. Brainwashing, naturally, is complete bullshit and is the worst idea to put your faith in.

>>3912607
Yeah it seems to me that many anons are underselling the importance of stable social-capital. Right now Ayaka is the closest person to being on the same page with and loyal to Alberich for who he is, and no one else is even close. If we could get Ayaka, K-hime, and Lily all on the same page we'd be well on our way to ensuring long-term loyalty from our teammates (potential future retainers).
Rather than acting the part of a scummy, Machiavellian politician I was hoping we could move the character toward the path of a ruler who leads his people by example, inspiring honor, trust, and loyalty unseen since the time of the true divine-right kings. Scheming and deception is no way to ensure longevity in your regime. We probably remind Odin of Loki more than anyone else right now.
Maybe I'm idealistic but literally everyone we meet projects an ideal onto us. Meeting those expectations could go a long way.

File: 1550774659005.jpg (21 KB, 272x334)

21 KB JPG

>>3912954
>Rather than acting the part of a scummy, Machiavellian politician I was hoping we could move the character toward the path of a ruler who leads his people by example, inspiring honor, trust, and loyalty unseen since the time of the true divine-right kings.
All that Pride, relative to Duty and Compassion, begs to differ.

>>3912028
>I estimated 55-60% chance Lily would storm out in a quiet rage but leave the possibility to reconcile later, 35-40% chance she'd hear us out/grill us, ~5% chance she'd go for the kill or do something completely different.
75% chance she'd go for the kill
5% chance she'd hear us out
20% chance she'd storm out and kick our cat on the way

>>3912954
We can't risk souring our relationship before she incarnates us. We have to keep up the charade.

>>3912997
The stats are important but you *do* realize that Alberich doesn't have to be a completely conniving bastard, right?

>>3913006
I think you understimate the attachment beyond the Einzbern identity.

>>3913008
Exactly the attitude that will get Alberich fucked when one of the many parties that knows the truth about him, knowingly or not, outs him.

>>3913017
>I think you understimate the attachment beyond the Einzbern identity.
I think you underestimate how vindictive she might be anyway, if she's anything like her elder sister.
*insert Illya turning Shirou into a doll here*

>>3912997
Compassion and Duty options do still pop up as default choices periodically though. We're not a slave to our former actions. Hence (write-in) being an option every single time.
What we seem to be going for right now is Self-Preservation at the expense of everything else. Deception and manipulation of Lily in this circumstance is not prideful, it's the basest form of self-interest. And it's begging to cause problems long-term that will most definitely be far worse than the damage confessing our deception would cause.
>>3913008
But we'd literally be proving that we're 100% a lying fake! The reason Lily likes us is that we gave her the impression that we associate with her because of actual affection and not just because of strategic calculations like everyone else has. Once she finds out we're no different from the rest and pretended to care just to use her for our own ends she's 100% going to be an irreconcilable enemy.

File: Oh no stop.jpg (169 KB, 800x600)

169 KB JPG

>>3913033
You know, re-reading that scene.
I suddenly have a really bad feeling about all this.
A really REALLY bad feeling.
>"It's you yourself that did it. You feel sick because you lied to me. You're so kind that you hurt yourself."

>>3913041
Look, I'm all for telling Lily, I just want to do it at the greater grail.
It's a grander scene for these sorts of things.

>>3913046
>I just want to do it at the greater grail.
Doing it from the safety of home has far fewer points of failure than doing it in a position where we could be attacked. Or have Circe do the classic *teleports behind u*, nab Lily, then give her the Skylla treatment with her wand NP at RushBOI's place.

>>3913064
>*teleports behind u*
Impossible, Circe can't get into the Greater Grail thanks to Odin. We were just told that.
If she's attacking, she's going to have to attack like a normal person.
You may as well say that Circe is going to teleport behind everyone at every single opportunity with this mindset.
Also, the safety of our home isn't really that safe considering we've got a hostile servant locked in the basement and Odin is just around now.

It's a good thing that despite not being an Einzbern Homonculi, Alberich is close enough.
An artificial soul given a set of memories that don't belong to him that happens to have a body that is clearly based off of the Einzbern methods thanks to how Judas modified our body.

>>3913017
>Exactly the attitude that will get Alberich fucked when one of the many parties that knows the truth about him, knowingly or not, outs him.
She has a history of ignoring or rationalizing red flags in favor of having a big brother. What makes you think she'll listen to an enemy?

Did discussion just die?
What happened?
Personally, I blame the NTR twist.

>>3914812
Guess everyone's said their piece. Can't really do much until the next update.

>>3914816
Yeah, but it felt like we used to be able to discuss more stuff going on.
Now it's just silence.

>>3914827
We've just exhausted most conversational topics. Nothing to bitch about anymore, the waifu war lines are not moving at all, our next action is essentially determined (as much as I don't like it), and upgrade discussion is particularily washed. Also, worst Saber a shit.

>>3914857
The waifu war is basically dead.
I haven't seen Circefag for a while.
I hope the NTR didn't scare him off.

>>3914869
Given that there is a fair proportion of anons who refuse to abandon the idea of getting Circe back, I would disagree.

>>3914888
Where are they though?

>>3914899
I mentioned our current course of action possibly locking us out of saving Circe; I personally want to reasonably end up with her but the events that are going to unfold have a chance to prohibit that.

>>3914938
I'm glad there's at least another one of us left.
We live in dark times, anon.

File: Spoiler Image (209 KB, 728x365)

209 KB PNG

>>3914944
Hello.

>>3914812
It's sweets lack of presence in the thread with no updates or even conversation with the players

>>3915036
We need to stop going anywhere with Lily ever because every time we try to we get these long ass dry spells.
Clearly, she's worst girl because of this.

>>3915036
Sorry for that, then. I'd like to be more present, but work just keeps dialing up IRL. Every time I try to economize time or find another way to get back to a regular update schedule, I end up getting even more saddled with other things I'm obligated to do.

>>3915069
It really has nothing to do with the plot. I'm just getting the curse, finally.

>>3915097
You heard it here first, folks.
Lily is a *cursed* waifu.

>>3915106
You'll take every opportunity to snipe at her you can get, huh?

>>3915122
Not at all!
I imagine that if she was introduced earlier, I probably would've liked her the most.
But it wasn't to be, unfortunately.

But yeah, it does seem like thread population has taken a hit recently. The last few threads have been shrinking, but even within this one there was a drop in voting after the first vote. I can only hope it's my schedule that's lost people, since that's something that can bounce back. If there's been a general trend towards losing interest because of my writing or plot developments, I don't know that there's any way to get those people back into the quest. Dark times.

>>3914869
Is it really NTR, when she believes he's you? It's not as if she passed you up for Odysseus, after all. She still loves the victor of the Akeldama Grail War.

>>3915176
>Is it really NTR
Yes.

>>3915176
>Is it really NTR
Yes.

>>3915176
>Is it really NTR
Maybe, maybe not.
It's probably certainly possible.

I just want this NTR nightmare to end, yet it feels like we're just going to get fucked by the plot the moment we even attempt anything to resolve things.
Anon keeps kicking the can down the road, though I can't really say I blame them.

I feel like a big factor in how everything in Akeldama has developed is that we feel so limited for spare time, in conjunction to our somewhat frequent jobbing, anons don't actually feel like they have the time to focus on loose plot threads (ie. Resonance or Matsuda.) and instead just want to get stronger in order to stop flailing around so embarrassingly in fights.

See us sending our cat after Yumigawa instead of just following him as an example of how the jobbing fucked everything up because we just wanted to train.

>>3915176
>Is it really NTR
Certainly

>>3915317
I just want to kill them already. The permanence of death solves all of Alberich's problems

>>3915337
But I really don't want to kill Circe.
Personally, I've been waiting through all of Awakening to reunite with her so this whole situation just feels like a kick in the teeth.
Killing her is something I just can't abide.

Just posting to let you know that I'm still online, and have been writing for the last couple of hours. Will have the update out tonight.

Liliesviel knows her own Servant best, you suppose. If she believes he can work some mischief with access to the Greater Grail, it's doubtless unwise to give him the chance. Your presence will be quite sufficient to keep her safe, in any case. Although you do feel a slight twinge of concern at the thought of leaving such a powerful Servant here with your Master and Kōrakuhime, you brush it aside, reminding yourself that that he's shown no outright hostility toward you so far. Rather, he seems almost passive in his attitude towards the Holy Grail War, a view that, given his excitement at the prospect of your growing strength, can only be motivated by the thought that his competitors are utterly beneath him. You're confident he shall remain content to wait for you to be worthy of a battle, rather than making any move against you or Ayaka now.

"Very well, Liliesviel," you say. "If you would prefer that Odin remain here, so he shall. I'll be ready to depart in a moment, after I've explained my departure to my Master. Would you mind waiting here a moment?"

"Thank you for understanding," she replies with a bright smile. "Of course I don't mind waiting a bit!"

At that, you get to your feet, curtly nodding, "Excuse me, Miss Tsubaki," in Japanese. You've gone a few steps towards the door when you hear her chair scrape back, and her voice raised in a remarkably ordinary tone of indignant confusion, considering her usual inhuman posturing.

"Hey- Wait up, Saber-san!" she demands at your retreating back. "What was all that about?"

Heedless of Kōrakuhime's protestations, you continue hurrying towards the hallway and the ascending stairs to the second floor, so she's compelled to follow you. This, of course, is the point of the exercise. You don't want to depart without the benefit of a divination regarding the disposition of your enemies, but can hardly have Kōrakuhime perform such in Liliesviel's presence. At the same time, composing a truncated explanation worthy of a semi-outsider such as "my Master's younger sister" which conveys that intent would be tiresome. The simplest thing, then, is just to have her follow you while playing her role, and Kōrakuhime has fulfilled your expectations there admirably.

"So?" Once you've stopped outside the library door, you hear Kōrakuhime's voice from behind you, back in its normal impassive tone. "What was it that... our guest didn't want me to hear, and you couldn't explain in her presence to Shijou Tsubaki?"

"A ritual at the Greater Grail, necessary for enabling me to take hold of the Third Sorcery when this War comes to an end," you explain briefly. "If Miss Ayaka asks after me while I'm out, you may tell her the same. That isn't the primary matter I wanted to discuss with you, however. Given that I'll be going out, I'd like to know what our enemies are doing."

"I... see." Kōrakuhime's face remains blank as she takes this in. "William Harris, Emiya Shirou, and Yumigawa Rushorou, then, as the Master of Assassin remains... shrouded in mystery. Let us... have a look."

Unlike her usual outfit, the red and white dress Kōrakuhime is now wearing is sleeveless, so you're able to observe with amusement as she makes a strange motion of her right hand as if to subtly draw something from her sleeve only to realize her error and color with embarrassment. At the sight of her habitual manner of prestidigitation failing her here you smirk, and prod her ego with a raised eyebrow.

"E-excuse me," she says, poorly maintaining a pretense of composure. "I had... forgotten this disguise. My talismans are in my... ordinary clothing." No sooner are the words out of her mouth than she's encompassed by a moment of shimmering light, and when it fades Kōrakuhime has returned to her ordinary clothing and inhuman appearance. This time she makes no mistake as she produces the white flower, which soon begins to emanate its revelatory smoke.

The first image which appears in the cloud is unmistakably that of William Harris, though his surroundings are not so easily recognized. He's sitting, both eyes shut and stripped to the waist, in an ornate and high-backed chair of what appears to be solid silver, platinum, or some very bright metal. The chair hangs suspended in the center of a large, spherical concrete chamber by innumerable strands of the same metal, each as thin as a hair and all reaching out at even intervals to connect with every angle of the chamber walls, spaced from one another on that outer surface at even intervals of perhaps a fifth of a meter. Only the area directly in front of Harris is spared, as wires there would have to travel through his body, so that there exists a narrow corridor between the shining strands. The whole room, you note, is lit only by an odd blue-white light which shines from an ornate crest of unidentifiable shape, etched in the skin over Harris' heart and clearly visible due to his state of undress. This, you conclude, must be the magic crest of the Harris family, demonstrating that your enemy is engaged in some unknown arcane ritual.

Leaning against the lone bare section of the concrete wall is the room's other occupant, and a stark contrast in visible emotion despite the pair's mutual inaction. Where Harris appears serene, Matsuda Ryuuta radiates impatience and boredom. You find yourself sympathizing as you watch the Master and Servant doing precisely nothing, and taking a long time about it.

"What do you suppose Harris is doing?" you finally ask, unable any longer to wait in silence for some action to develop.

"Aside... from the fact that it is a kind of ritual... magic, and that the metal object is a mystic code... I really can't say," comes the disappointing answer. "My understanding of... Western magic is extremely... limited, due to the nature of the skills I was... endowed with, upon my transformation."

"That's a shame," you sigh, looking on without understanding as Harris continues with... whatever it is he's doing. "If we can't gather any information from Harris, however, then we may as well move on."

As you're speaking, however, some motion does occur within the image. Matsuda heaves an audible sigh, stands away from the wall, and turns on his heel. Apparently he's as disappointed in Harris' opaque ritual as you are. As you watch, the Servant presses a subtly inlaid panel into the wall and the concrete before him splits open like the doors of an elevator. Where Matsuda goes when he passes through the doorway remains hidden from you due to the perspective from which you view the chamber, though.

"Can you follow him?" you hurriedly ask. Matsuda, at least, may be about to do something enlightening.

"Yes... just a moment," Kōrakuhime answers, and traces a sign in the smoke with her fingertip, muttering an incantation under her breath as she does so. As her words come to an end, the image in the smoke shifts as if transmitted by a camera now in motion. The point of view glides down from its lofty perch near the chamber's ceiling and follows Matsuda through the exit, matching his pace once firmly settled on its new subject. The hall Matsuda walks down now appears to be the corridor of a bunker. The walls and floor, are all of concrete, while the numerous doors Matsuda passes on either side of the hall are steel. Above each door is a small plaque, though you can't read them from your viewpoint. The whole place is lit by white banks of LEDs set into rectangular steel and glass fixtures in the ceiling.

After passing four pairs of doors, Matsuda turns right and enters a room of immediately apparent purpose. It's a gym, you realize with mounting disappointment. The floor is covered in some kind of rubber or silicone padding, one half of the room is dominated by weights, sandbags, and exercise machines, and it's the place Matsuda chose to go when he had nothing else to do. Of course it's a gym. As you watch, Matsuda takes the spear off of his shoulder and drops into a combat stance; then promptly begins a blisteringly fast, tightly controlled routine of thrusts, sweeps, and esoteric acrobatic maneuvers.

"I do not believe... the two of them will be likely to bother you on your... outing," Kōrakuhime says dryly. "Shall we... continue to Emiya's observation?"

"Yes, I think that would be for the best," you say with a nod.

Again, Kōrakuhime reaches out a hand to interact with the cloud of smoke briefly and the image changes, this time fading to its natural white before taking on the colors of a new scene. This time, Emiya Shirou and his Servant, Rider, sit side-by-side in a small room full of disordered bookshelves, each one reading their own book. At first you worry that this, too, will yield no useful information, but Rider is clearly dissatisfied with something. Her eyes dart to Emiya and back to her book several times, though, before she finally speaks up.

"Shirou," she says in a soft, silky voice containing only a hint of emotion, "should you be doing this now? With matters as they are, do you have the time for leisure?"

"We've got time." Emiya gives the Servant a guileless, open smile, reassuring her in the that strangely heartening voice of his. "If Saber were going to come after me, he'd have done it right after our last fight. Since he didn't, I think he's content to live and let live. Whatever Tohsaka's theories about that shadow might be, I don't think he was really a bad person."

"Only you and Sakura could say such things about that sort of man," Rider says in soft rebuke. "Even if you do not intend to pursue him, what of putting an end the the lack of magical energy that plagues the city?"

Shirou's bright expression falls at this subject, and he answers in a more resigned tone, "Much as I'd like to, there's nothing I can do now. We still aren't sure where the heaviest drain on the leylines is coming from. Until Tohsaka's finished figuring out where the Greater Grail or the magus who's behind this 'fatigue' is, all I can do is sit around."

"If that is how you feel," Rider says, trailing off, and the conversation fades back into silence as she returns to her book.

"So that's the reason for Emiya's indolence: he's waiting to learn where the Greater Grail lies," you mutter, more thinking aloud than speaking to Kōrakuhime, "or where Circe makes her abode, perhaps; and that woman, the Second Sorcerer's apprentice, can find them for him. From the sound of things, though, there's no need to worry about interference from them today." You raise your voice to a more normal speaking volume, continuing, "Very well then, let's move on to Yumigawa."

"Yes, the double," Kōrakuhime murmurs with an unpleasant smile.. "Let us see what sort of... intriguing daily life your... counterpart leads." For the third time, she shifts the cloud of smoke according to her will, and the image reforms to show a sight thoroughly familiar from your stolen memories: Yumigawa's classroom. He's actually attending class normally in the midst of all this, even after learning of your memories! A staggering number of seats are indeed empty, testifying to the "mounting absences" he told Ayaka of yesterday; the fact that classes are being conducted at all is odd, however, in light of the fact that they were apparently canceled yesterday. Surely the effect of Tokyo's drained leylines cannot have diminished, so why would classes be canceled one day and return to schedule the next? The image before you offers no explanation to this trivial conundrum, though, and you rapidly put it aside as being of little importance.

"That is everyone, then," you conclude. "Unless you've found a way to focus directly on Circe after all, I ought to be going."

"No, her protection against divination remains... constant," Kōrakuhime says with a shake of her head.

"I expected as much." Turning to go, you leave as parting comment, "Thank you for your help this morning, Kōrakuhime. I'll return in a few hours."

After showing Liliesviel and Stachel to the garage and pulling out to the street, you begin making the rather long drive to what must now be the ruins of the Einzbern Tower. It is a strikingly beautiful morning, you think as you go, with that sharp, stark clarity of light and air peculiar to cold, clear days in winter and late autumn. Though the sun is bright enough to give brilliant color to the autumn foliage, it seems to illuminate without warming, and you don't doubt that in a month or so there will be snow. The chill even seeps through the car, and it's with obvious relief that Liliesviel enjoys the warmth produced by the heating vents and seats now that you're driving.

"This car isn't warm enough, Alberich," the girl says with a pout. "We should've taken my limousine. It heats up much faster, and then you wouldn't have to drive."

"I enjoy driving," you reply, "I don't see it as a burden. Besides, you didn't ask Stengel to come with us." You doubt the temperature difference is very great between the two cars, anyway. Thinking of the limousine, the mental image of Liliesviel clinging to you for warmth the way she's stretching out to the heater now flickers across your mind. This, though, you leave unmentioned, turning instead to a question. "Do you hate the cold, Liliesviel?"

"Not exactly," the girl answers with some hesitation. After thinking for a moment, she continues, "It depends on the circumstances. Outside, on a snowy day, with thick clouds overhead, I love the cold. That's the way it's meant to be, after all. When it's cold indoors or in a car, though, that's because something's gone wrong; and I hate days like today, when it's sunny and cold. It's a contradiction!"

"I see." Rather than directly finding the cold unpleasant, you suppose Liliesviel is angry with the car for going against her sense of how things ought to be. You're thinking about how to respond to this as you pull up to an intersection downtown, where there are still some taxis circulating in search of fares and trucks laden down with goods to be transported. At least, pulling up is what you should be doing. The brake, out of nowhere, is having no effect! It was working just a moment ago, but suddenly seems to be completely disconnected as you barrel unrestrained through a red light into an intersection. The thing couldn't have failed at a worse time; you're heading directly for a collision with a large truck coming from the right. You might survive, but the thing would mean death for Liliesviel!

The situation isn't insoluble, though. There isn't enough space between you and the massive bumper bearing down to pull ahead out of the way, but you do have the time to react. Moving almost before you think, you set about escaping by turning left and coming down hard on the gas. For a moment, it seems you hear the sound of metal and fiberglass raising a horrible shattering cacophony, feel the impact of the car's destruction, but it's no more than the product of your nerves. The truck is so close in your rear view mirror that it seems about to drive over you at any moment, but after the turn it falls back quickly. It really wasn't moving very fast, you think. You've made it away from that deadly moment in one piece.

Unfortunately you're now moving even faster than before and still unable to break; you're far over the speed limit and the cars ahead of you come on as if they were standing still. You're forced to weave back and forth on the road, dodging past the slower vehicles by little more than a hair's breadth. Finally, though, you see what you're looking for: a blind alley coming up on your left. Still unable to slow into the turn, you accelerate still further, making a mad drifting turn into the dark hole between two towering office buildings. As soon as you're hidden from public view, you take action to put a stop to the mad dash by materializing heavy tendrils of Nothingness and holding the car in place with as much magical strength as you can muster. Finally, you're brought to a halt.

Only the brake is malfunctioning, it seems. The accelerator you tested on the road, and once you have the car stopped, you have no further problems getting it into park and shut down. Still, what could have gone wrong with the perfectly functional brakes in the space of a moment while driving? Could they be only intermittently failing, and capable of function again if you start the car anew? Not being a mechanic, you really don't have a clue how such things work. All things considered, your situation has certainly taken a frustrating turn. You find yourself now lost, in an unknown part of the city after a blind drive at top speed, and unsure of how to progress.

>[ ] Try starting the car again and making your way to the Greater Grail by driving, as planned. You're confident you can drive without brakes if the lack doesn't come as a surprise, and there's always magic if the need arises. (Pride)

>[ ] You can't risk Liliesviel in an unsafe vehicle. Go on foot from here, carrying her over the rooftops. Hopefully the population is subdued enough by the 'epidemic' for such things to go unnoticed in daylight. (Compassion)

>[ ] Do something else (Write in)

>>3915795
>>[ ] You can't risk Liliesviel in an unsafe vehicle. Go on foot from here, carrying her over the rooftops. Hopefully the population is subdued enough by the 'epidemic' for such things to go unnoticed in daylight. (Compassion)

At least we don't have to make "car noises" for her.

I believe this is the single longest update I've yet written. Hopefully that's some consolation for the wait.

>>3915795
>[ ] Try starting the car again and making your way to the Greater Grail by driving, as planned. You're confident you can drive without brakes if the lack doesn't come as a surprise, and there's always magic if the need arises. (Pride)
Assassin probably fucked with the brakes to make us travel on foot. Playing his game is the last thing we should do.

>>3915795
>Try starting the car again and making your way to the Greater Grail by driving, as planned. You're confident you can drive without brakes if the lack doesn't come as a surprise, and there's always magic if the need arises. (Pride)

>>3915795
>[ ] Try starting the car again and making your way to the Greater Grail by driving, as planned. You're confident you can drive without brakes if the lack doesn't come as a surprise, and there's always magic if the need arises. (Pride)

>>3915795
>[ ] You can't risk Liliesviel in an unsafe vehicle. Go on foot from here, carrying her over the rooftops. Hopefully the population is subdued enough by the 'epidemic' for such things to go unnoticed in daylight. (Compassion)

>>3915788
>"If Saber were going to come after me, he'd have done it right after our last fight. Since he didn't, I think he's content to live and let live. Whatever Tohsaka's theories about that shadow might be, I don't think he was really a bad person."
Emiya stop making it so hard to want to kill you.

>>3915795
It really seems that we were or still are under the effects of an illusion. Voice this concern to Lily.

Hold on a second.
>what could have gone wrong with the perfectly functional brakes in the space of a moment while driving?
Team Shirou hasn't made any moves against us, Harris and Matsuda are laying low and preparing, Yumigawa is going to school (probably to bait us into a trap), and Circe is in her temple; in any case none of them could damage or disable the brakes without being noticed. That leaves Assassin as the culprit, but we would've noticed already if the brake was disabled before we started driving. Does that mean he got onto the car (or under it) and did it, and if so does that mean he's hiding under the car and waiting to shank us and Lily right now?

>>3916055
It could also be an illusion, but wouldn't Lily have said anything if that was true? Furthermore, if Assassin could put us under an illusion why wouldn't he take the chance to kill us immediately?

Whoever is trying to kill us seems to actually be aiming at killing Lily and not us.
After all, a car crash couldn't kill a Servant, and she's not our Master.

Circe is the only one left unaccounted for, along with Assassin, I guess.

>>3915795
>[ ] Try starting the car again and making your way to the Greater Grail by driving, as planned. You're confident you can drive without brakes if the lack doesn't come as a surprise, and there's always magic if the need arises. (Pride)

>>3916063
>Circe is in her temple
We know from being able to scry Archer in the temple that the majority of Circe's anti scrying countermeasures are limited to her.
She could be anywhere.

>>3916067
Circe needs Lily to get at the Greater Grail, so she wouldn't do anything risky. This stunt, however, was aimed at Lily.

>>3916083
She doesn't need Lily alive though.
She could probably just tear out her heart to use instead if she wanted.
Or use Sakura.
Considering that Circe probably saw the date and is aware that we're (as far as she knows) half of the person she fell in love with, you can understand why she might want to kill Lily, who from Circe's perspective seems to have tricked us into believing we're her brother by taking advantage of our lost memories.

>>3916087
>She doesn't need Lily alive though.
>She could probably just tear out her heart to use instead if she wanted.
>Or use Sakura.
Not in that way, I mean to get past Odin's defences. Which one's easier, breaking through barriers set up by a god of magic or killing two birds with one stone by getting the key to bypassing those barriers and also your lover/the power that was stolen from him?
It could be Circe, but it's more likely Assassin.

>>3916095
I doubt that even a barrier made by Odin could keep Circe out forever.
Circe could also be functioning under the assumption that Lily dying means Odin dying too, or at least being weakened.
We shouldn't discount the possibility it's Circe.
It does feel more likely to be Assassin though.

This is easily the least defended Lily has been outside of her tower though, so Circe could be plotting something.

Honestly, I hope confronting Yumigawa and Circe goes well, at the end of the day, Yumigawa is only a fake half of the man Circe fell for, while Alberich is the true winner of the grail war.

>>3916098
>I doubt that even a barrier made by Odin could keep Circe out forever.
Odin himself seemed pretty confident that it would hold out for now, or he went back at night and reinforced it.
>Circe could also be functioning under the assumption that Lily dying means Odin dying too, or at least being weakened.
That's possible, although she should know better given her own experiences as a goddess. She's more likely to try using 30 Command Spells at once to make Odin kill himself.

>>3915788
>I don't think he was really a bad person
WRONG
>Until Tohsaka's finished figuring out where the Greater Grail or the magus who's behind this 'fatigue' is
Probably should have checked up on her and Luvia too, oh well.

>>3915795
>what could have gone wrong with the perfectly functional brakes in the space of a moment while driving?
THIS MUST BE THE WORK OF AN ENEMY STANDU

>[X] Try starting the car again and making your way to the Greater Grail by driving, as planned. You're confident you can drive without brakes if the lack doesn't come as a surprise, and there's always magic if the need arises. (Pride)
As another anon said, we don't want to play into the saboteur's hands.
Maybe before we leave we can try to form makeshift brakes out of Nothingness and attach them to the bottom of the car where they'd be hard to see. Like retractable stakes that shoot out and scrape the ground when we want to brake? If we flip to neutral when we want to slow down as well it should fix up most of the difficulties. Hopefully the enemy stand can't make more of the car break down.
Incidentally, is the car a stick-shift or automatic?

>>3916144
It's an automatic. I don't think they've made a stick shift Mercedes S-Class in quite some tine.

There's a large majority for keeping on in the car. That's a surprise; I'd thought you'd be all for the safer-sounding option.

>>3916107
Now where would Circe get so many command spells? Are you thinking she'd pull the full-body reusable one that Illyasviel had out of Liliesviel?

>>3916144
>Probably should have checked up on her and Luvia too, oh well.
Then it could've been a 20,000-character update instead of a 17,000-character one! I see where you're coming from, but at a certain point it does get a bit impractical to try and keep an eye on everyone. You have an idea what Rin's up to from Shirou's conversation with Rider, anyway.

>form makeshift brakes out of Nothingness and attach them to the bottom of the car
Good idea, anon. I'm using this in the update.