Saying such a thing with those crimson cheeks, and her previous comment about wanting it to be conducted at night... Liliesviel's visiting you alone, in your be, to 'become one'... The pieces fall into place in your mind, and heat rises to your cheeks as you find yourself suddenly sharing a portion of Liliesviel's embarrassment. Does she mean what you believe she does? Could an act of such a nature truly be a magical ritual? Yet, there is what you know of the transmission of magical energy through bodily fluids, and the significance of blood and death in magic of the soul. If that sort of intimacy should be so potent, it seems sensible for the other variety to have an equal, if not greater, capacity to affect the soul, when properly ritualized.

At the thought, thus rationalized and made believable, immodest passion ignites within you and quickens your pulse. Almost unconsciously you sit up straighter, rising from the headboard to lean forward and bring yourself closer to Liliesviel. The detached, ever-observant portion of your mind notes as you do so that the sheets fall from your torso and your visitor's eyes are momentarily drawn to your nudity, her flush deepening. The majority of your attention, however, is given over to drinking in her modest, nervous beauty with the renewed sensitivity of desire. Trembling lips pressed together in apprehension, now of a shade with her flushed cheeks; ruby eyes, so lately glossy with tears of a despair now happily behind you; pearlescent hair, cascading over her garment in broad waves unrestrained by her ordinary ribbons; flawless skin, glimpsed so tantalizingly through her bizarre costume. The whole portrait before you is of such astonishing purity and sweetness that you are almost overcome, and seize her, drawing her into a rough embrace and devouring kiss without another word.

But no. With a masterful effort of will, you rein in your desire and, in a tone not ravenous but gentle and tender, answer, "I'd like that a great deal, Liliesviel. I've told you already that I love you, haven't I?" Smiling, you add, "Even if there weren't any ritual involved, I'd accept your proposition with joy as a confirmation that you return my feelings. If," you amend, "I understand you correctly."

"...you do," Liliesviel murmurs almost inaudibly, staring into her lap and looking, if possible, even more embarrassed than before. You're not too blind to observe, though, that her expression includes joy as well as modesty. "I've made all of the preparations already, so... even if I am, ah... distracted, the heavenly garment will make sure the ritual is completed. Once I... give myself to you, our souls will be linked, and you really will become an Einzbern; to receive as I do the complete miracle of the Heaven's Feel." Explaining the purely magical side of the ritual seems to have a calming effect on Liliesviel, for her voice steadies and she's able to look you in the eye again as she does so.

"Wonderful," you say. "In that case, how shall we begin?" With Liliesviel before you this way, and your own desire so great, you feel as if you might pounce on her at any moment; but after the anguish she's already suffered as a result of your selfishness, you don't want even to frighten her momentarily, and so continue to hold yourself back, making absolutely certain that she is as prepared as possible. It isn't an easy task, and the moment between your question and your Liliesviel's reply seems to stretch into an eternity as you listen to the pounding of your own heart, longing against your better self to push her down and slake your passion without restraint.

Seemingly unaware of your internal war between desire and affection, Liliesviel takes a deep breath, one hand pressed over her heart, to steady herself and achieve some mastery over her nerves. Then, at last, looking at you with that nervous, maidenly expression that so inflames your desire, stretches her arms out, and says, "Just hold me for a while, until I've calmed down. Please?"

You don't speak in reply, but only reach out and pull her to you, embracing the girl as chastely as you can manage despite the fresh waves of lust prompted by the sensation of her body, the heat of her cheek against yours, and even the feeling of her rapid heartbeat. For a long moment the two of you cling together in silence this way, as you comfort her, stroking her hair and wordlessly reassuring the wounded girl once more of the solidity of your presence and feelings for her. Gradually you begin to feel the rapid pounding of her heart slow, until finally she breathes a heated sigh into your ear before pulling away just enough to face you, and whisper slowly, "Thank you, Alberich. I think I'm ready now. You can kiss me, and after that... I've learned from Stachel and Stengel what to do, in case a moment like this came."

"Gladly," comes your murmured reply, and so saying you press your lips to hers. This time, however, you do not stop at her lips, but plunge into her mouth and, in time, give full expression to your love and satisfaction to your lust. Thus, as the night stretches on, the two artificial souls cast aside the purity with which they were endowed upon their creation and forge between them a new link, forever cementing their two spirits as one.

Status Updated

Shijou Manor, Tokyo - November 22, 2019, Friday

Out of a sleep both short and dreamless you rise suddenly to consciousness. Your eyes open to take in the now-familiar sight of your bed's canopy, richly festooned with embroidered silk, velvet, and lace. Your ears discover only a few notes of birdsong, and as you sit up and examine the minimal light your initial guess is confirmed. It's dawn, and you've had only a few hours sleep. Despite this, after last night's ecstatic events you feel energized enough to slaughter every remaining foe in the War without resting another moment.

No, no, you tell yourself. Calm down. However reasonable a certain degree of good cheer may be on the morning after such a night of military and romantic triumph, this hyperbole is too much. All the same, you don't feel any desire to go back to sleep. Beside you, Liliesviel lies unconscious against your pillow, a picture of tranquil rest as she makes no more motion than to softly breathe. Most likely the rest of the manor is similarly asleep, for you hear no sounds of action from below the floor or outside the walls of your bedroom, and in a house as old as this every action is typically accompanied by some subtle creak, groan, or other sundry protestation of the aging wood.

>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss a matter from last night. (Which topic? Her 'getting to know' Circe? The results of your ritual? Something else?)

>[ ] Go and take a shower, then visit some other part of the mansion. (Write in where you want to go and what for. Talk to one of your other companions? Study in the library? Summon a new beast from the Reverse Side in the basement?)

>[ ] Meditate on your bodily condition. Try to determine whether you can feel any change due to the ritual.

>[ ] Do something else. (Write in)

>predatory charisma
YOU MADMAN
YOU ACTUALLY DID IT.

>>4038164
You know I always come through!

>Predatory Charisma: C
That should help us explain it to Circe.

>>4038161
>[ ] Meditate on your bodily condition. Try to determine whether you can feel any change due to the ritual.
>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss a matter from last night. (Results of the ritual, her discussion with Circe)

>>4038161
>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss a matter from last night. (Which topic? Her 'getting to know' Circe? The results of your ritual? Something else?)
I'd like to to know both the results of the ritual and how her talk with Circe was.

God damn though, Predatory Charisma.

And here we all thought it was a meme.

At least dealing with everyone should be much easier now.

Alright. This is the moment, anons. Who's gonna write that H-scene?

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>>4038178
Hopefully somebody with a penchant for ridiculous similes.
And molluscs.

Also
>embrace the Liliesviel route
>get skill that potentially opens up the harem route
Where are you now, naysayers?

>>4038182
>Where are you now, naysayers?
You got me.

>>4038161
>[ ] Meditate on your bodily condition. Try to determine whether you can feel any change due to the ritual.

>finally got the charisma upgrade
A surprise to be sure
But a welcome one.

I can't wait to put it to the test on...
Well just about everyone.

>>4038297
>starts off as Charisma: C
>jumps to probably B against females
Alberich can effectively rule over a kingdom IF it's an amazon wonderland.

>>4038313
He'd be the best ruler ever if it was instead a loli wonderland.

Grail wish: discovered.

>>4038463
The wish of Pride, REGNUM IUSTUS, has been abandoned.
The wish of Lust has been discovered through copulation:
BOOGIE WONDERLAND: Lolis obtained through charisma, pelvic pressure without upper bound

We must determine our limits.
What's the limit on age?
Logic would dictate Arturia/Ayaka
Thankfully, those two look the oldest of all our companions except the maids.

Truvi is unlikely to apply, but things would be funny if she did.

I should probably vote, while I'm at it.
>>4038168
I'll support this if we can do both.

>>4038485
>What's the limit on age?
It's a limit on appearance. For now I assume it only exerts its greatest power on anyone in A-Tier and S-Tier.

>>4038488
I'd argue that B-tier would be the limit.
It should definitely apply to Ayaka at least.

>>4038313
It's funny, our next interaction with Adelheid should be very fun
Especially if it ranks up to an A equivalent when we speak with her.
It would make us her equal in Charisma.

I must wonder how well it will work on Circe too, maybe we can start getting our relationship back to a good place.
...or how it will work on Arturia.

I kind of want to get the chance to bully her original personality still in a dream or something.
Especially if Alter learns to like us.

Wait shit, we have a Servant link with her now. She's going to be viewing our history from the dream cycle.
I wonder if both of the Arturia get to watch them.

I sort of want to see how it works on Arturia first.
I gotta be honest.

File: Fate Awakening Mirror.pdf (3.07 MB, PDF)

3.07 MB PDF

Big news, folks!
Now that we've reached another milestone in terms of time passed in quest, I've completed the next version of the Fate/Awakening Mirror PDF! Now with better formatting, minor edits to a number of scenes, and a table of contents! Take a look.

>>4038597
Minor edits like Liliesviel not asking us for Circe like a little girl asking a child?

>>4038602
Yes. Like that.
If you see any more mistakes of that kind that made it into the PDF, or have any other suggetions at all, please let me know. I really need an editor, but in lieu of getting one I'm relying on you, my beloved readers, to look this thing over as I produce it.

>>4038161
>predatory charisma became a thing
I regret voting against this with every fiber of my body
>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss a matter from last night. (Circe)

>>4038607
As you should.
Now Alberich can actually hope to deal with this insane harem.

Oh! There's something else that I meant to post with last night's update, but by the time I got it finished, it had gotten so late that I quite forgot about it. Here's a new piece of Fate/Awakening Mirror BGM for you all:
Love theme of Alberich and Liliesviel
https://youtu.be/n89hqZywVgk

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>>4038161
>we fucked the loli
Horribly-written h-scene when?

>>4038678
As I recall there were a number of volunteers to write one the last time the topic came up in the thread, so I'm sure our Takeuchi will appear at some point.
For my part, I tried to handle the subject as tastefully as possible while still communicating the essential details of Alberich's lecherous thoughts.

Ravioli Ravioli do not lewd the magi loli

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>>4038759
Little late for that.

Somewhere out there in a parallel universe, Yumigawa summoned Brynhildr.

>>4038496
Probably more like a range, where it's still D with men, C with women, and more effective the younger they look.

>>4038686
>a number of volunteers
Shame we don't have ID-Lock anymore. He wanted to do one I think. Overgrowth was lucky getting an H-scene so quick after it happened in the quest.

>>4038759
Where were you last thread?

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>>4038789
If it were still D with men, would it not be ranked D+ or D++?

Oh god.
How does it interact with traps? Quick let's test it out on Tsubaki.

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>>4038666
You should have stopped with Akeldama.

>>4038828
You seem upset, plebian.

>>4038828
>>4038832
A fun thought.
What if this is the guy who screeched back in the times of Gulag come to haunt us?

>>4038828
Great! I always love getting this kind of supportive fanmail. Thanks!

>>4038843
I mean, sub-50IQ iPhone posters like him don't get to have opinions anyway.

We're better off without dregs like him.

>>4038832
Couldn't be. It's already been more than ten minutes since your reply and he hasn't come back to argue further.

>>4038858
Ah! Meant to reply to >>4038838.

>>4038828
Why should he?
Obviously you're not mad about the loli thing, the 2 main waifus in Akeldama were lolis as well.
What's your beef?

>>4038858
I wonder why they felt the need to pop in and whinge like a child when it's pretty faithful to how the source material of the quest worked (minus the ftb) and there are plenty quests with explicit smut and degeneracy he could scream into the wind at.

Like Fuck Quest or whatever.

There's always one paint drinking retard who complains whenever a sex scene occurs.
Without fail.

>>4038863
Anon, it's obviously because you can write descriptive and visceral depictions of violence, torture, death, child murder and suffering.

But sex is icky.

>>4038867
Sorry to be an idiot, but... ftb?
Also, Fuck Quest apparently ended recently so it could be that there's an overflow of people angry about lechery who are looking for new targets.
Oh, wait. Fade-to-black.

>>4038867
>source material
I'm willing to bet that anon's either ignorant of Fate or is an FGO secondary newfag. The fuck is that /co/ reaction image?

>>4038872
I don't quite understand how you can get mad about implications. There's no smut content in scenes like this.

These are probably the same people who sing the praises of George R R Martin who is happy vividly depicting a 13 year old girl getting raped by a not!mongol.
Or going into great detail about how bad her diarrhoea is.
GRRM is a hack and his setting is garbage.

But I'm getting distracted.

Maybe he's just the last remaining Circefag trying to win a war that is already ended.

>>4038889
Well, you know. People get mad and/or uncomfortable about Lolita too, and in terms of prose Nabokov is my idol. If I can evoke even a shadow of the kind of emotion his work produces, I really do take that as a compliment.
Although, of course, I do still want every one of my readers to be happy and enjoy the quest.

So, how awkward is the group date going to be now?

I wonder how much Circe despises Lily.

Also, we should probably decide what to do with Yumigawa.
We could have Lily transfer his soul into a stuffed toy, now I am thinking about things.

I'd like to do an update tonight, but we're currently tied. Do we have any of you folks who catch up with the thread in the PST evening coming in with new votes, or will someone have to change theirs?

>>4039307
Can't you just do both? If not, just roll for a tiebreaker. Don't let it slow the updates if you can avoid it. To me they're not mutually exclusive.

>>4039338
One of the tied votes is for doing both.
That said, the order you do things in really is significant.
I don't know. I guess if we go another hour with no more votes I'll count your vote together with the two votes for both as three votes for "meditate on your condition, then wake up Liliesviel to discuss the ritual."

>>4038161
>[ ] Meditate on your bodily condition. Try to determine whether you can feel any change due to the ritual.

>>4038897
>in terms of prose Nabokov is my idol
Well that explains a lot. It seems our tastes diverge greatly, unfortunately.

For context, looking back I would have preferred it if we played as Matsuda and had adult Penthesilea as our servant/autistic training partner.

>>4039360
>It seems our tastes diverge greatly, unfortunately.
You don't like florid language, I take it?

>>4039364
Setting aside my preferences in female body-types, I'm more of a Dostoevsky guy personally.

>>4039370
>female body-types
I mean, Nabokov isn't necessarily Humbert Humbert.
For the record, when I say that Nabokov is my literary idol, I'm referring to his phenomenal ability to create imagery and portray emotional depth. I've honestly never read anyone who uses the english language as artfully.

>>4039360
>looking back I would have preferred it if we played as Matsuda and had adult Penthesilea as our servant/autistic training partner
we should have picked keiseki and summoned ushiwakamaru as our servant

>>4039407
I think Moriarty would have gotten along splendidly with Keiseki, although using him without the Shinjuku phantom-fusion shenanigans might have been too big a hurdle to clear sadly.

>>4039360
>our tastes diverge greatly
Also, I believe I've said this before, but just to make things clear one more time, I'm not a hardcore lolicon myself.
Although this quest has developed in a rather loli-focused direction, that's the result of the choices you've made along the way. There were alternative routes available and Alberich's aesthetics definitely could've developed differently.

>>4039407
Oh, man. Writing Keiseki as the protagonist would've been a ton of fun. I'm glad at least one of you likes him even though he got no love during the initial vote and had a pretty short appearance in the quest.

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>>4039436

>>4039415
Who else...
What about Chen Gong?
>>4039439
Childhood is picking Yumigawa so you can stand above everyone else.
Adulthood is picking Keiseki so society can get what it fucking deserves.

>>4039452
>What about Chen Gong?
Rider Lu Bu would be far more interesting.
Lu Bu would be pretty top tier if he wasn't stuck as Berserker.

He'd also betray everyone.

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>>4039445
What? What are you trying to say with that expression, huh? If you've got something to say, say it! Don't just stand there and smirk at me!

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>>4039457

>>4039452
>so society can get what it fucking deserves.
That tagline's gonna be floating around for a while huh?
But I agree. Keiseki would be a great protagonist. Probably 2nd choice after Yumi/Alberich.
For his servant someone with a JK feeling or a heavy tsun girl would be good. Suzuka Gozen? Mordred? What ideas do you all have for a servant to bicker with as a middle aged guy?

>>4039749
>You woke up at the office after being forced to sleep there by the ridiculously late overtime, worked all day, and wound up going to sleep in a sleeping bag under your desk again. You took four breaks today: one for each meal, and one to go to a public bath and wash off the grime. None of these was over 45 minutes. You haven't seen your apartment in 3 weeks, and dream of the day you can have a weekend off. It wouldn't surprising if you'd died in your sleep of overwork...
What he needs is Caster Gilgamesh, a man who can appreciate the soul-crushing drudgery of managerial positions.

>[Deleted]
Second thoughts, huh?

>>4039919
Huh?

>>4039921
A 1-post-by-this-ID anon posted something along the lines of "Don't worry, we all know this quest is an elaborate scheme in which we pretend to be attracted to lolis to spite some guy from a year ago" and then deleted it.
Since an hour went by and no edited version was reposted, I thought I'd poke fun.

>>4039749
>Mordred?
Interesting. Not one of the Servant's I'd originally considered for the protagonist to summon, but she actually would've had a dynamic similar enough to a more heroine-type version of that between Keiseki and Rider that it could totally have worked.

Well, since we're still tied (now 2-2-2) and it's quite late on a day when I had a lot of work, I'm going to bed. In the mean time, I'd like it if you folks could work out a general day plan for what you'd like to accomplish on the 22nd. I'd usually have a choice like this while Alberich is in the shower or something along those lines, but since the next update will presumably be either a conversation with Liliesviel or a meditation trance sequence I'm posting this as a freeform prompt.

>[ ] What do you want to do today? (Write in your goals for the day and how you hope to pursue them, now that you have a morning with no immediately pressing future events weighing on your mind).

>>4038161
>[ ] Meditate on your bodily condition. Try to determine whether you can feel any change due to the ritual.

I don't trust myself to write out a coherent plan this late.

>>4039931
First things first, we have to talk to Adelheid and see what she got from the diaries. Spend some quality time with Circe and make our magic better, maybe get some ideas from her about the applications of Vaisset's work; also, I personally want to bring up this line with her:
>There is a disagreement among magi whether this conceptual nature gave them greater facility with magic and power over the world, or their great facility with magic enabled them to maintain a conceptual nature.
Also, ask her about new fighting gloves. And flex Predatory Charisma.

After that take a break, and then spar with Adelheid after lunch if the gloves are done by then. If they aren't, talk to Tsubaki and find out what her NPs do.

Later, send a message to Shirou telling him Saber was "dealt with". Let him imagine what that could mean.

After that, talk to Lily about the Yumigawa Question.

>>4039967
>we have to talk to Adelheid
Fair enough. Seeing how Predatory Charisma works on somebody with A Rank Charisma is something I want to see as well.
>Circe
Well she's probably a decent person to ask. We still have to introduce her to Tsubaki though, so for the fighting gloves, why not have the two collaborate?
Also lets us flex on two girls at once and find out what Tsubaki's NPs do at the same time.
Or neck snaps ensue.

>spar with Adelheid
Why only Adelheid? We could do group combat with Arturia too.

>send a message to Shirou
Like an actual physical message?
Do you want to teleport mail to him with Circe?
>"Don't worry about the Excalibur bro, I got things under control. Saber is dealt with, still not a mango btw."

>the Yumigawa question
Now now, I'm sure that's something we can let Tsubaki, Ayaka and Circe help decide on too.

>>4039984
>We could do group combat with Arturia too.
Against someone with Mind's Eye (False): B and someone else with Instinct: B I don't feel confident.
>Do you want to teleport mail to him with Circe?
It's an ostentatious enough use of Tροψα that I approve completely.

>>4040004
I think having Circe do such menial tasks is hilarious.
Bonus points if we scry and drop the letter right in front of Shirou.

Also, should we tell him about Assassin?

Also we should probably deal with Harris soon.
I just want him dead already.
He's annoying on multiple levels.

>>4040025
>Also, should we tell him about Assassin?
Would it really make a difference if we did? Circe and Odin can't get a lock on him, so Shirou definitely won't.

>>4040064
>Circe and Odin can't
>but Harris can
God I loathe his character.

>>4040065
I'm telling you, Harris was Odin the whole time. It explains everything.

>>4038161
>[ ] Meditate on your bodily condition. Try to determine whether you can feel any change due to the ritual.
>>4039931
Speak with Circe and Adelheid, work on Vaissets notes, experiment more with summoning and HGS as a whole.
>>4039967
>sending a message to shirou
But why?

>>4040076
>But why?
Because I want to watch him squirm.

>>4040077
I'm looking forward to the shock of him seeing saber alter in person. Let's not ruin that.

>>4040082
We could always show up in person to say hello.

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>>4040082
But squirm!

>>4040065
Anon. What are you talking about? Harris didn't get any more information than Circe did, and only after you heard it from her. As for Odin, do you really trust him that much? I confess I'm surprised.

>>4040077
>>4040082
A debate for the ages. Two worthy opinions, both wanting to mess around with Shirou, yet fundamentally incompatible.

>>4039967
+1 would like to try and fit meditation somewhere between gloves and spar though
>>4040206
>As for Odin, do you really trust him that much? I confess I'm surprised.
yes, he seems like a cool dude, and I think we could be making use of his abilities more than we do
>>4040082
I'm pretty sure he kinda already knows about alter because of the deadly death beam of death from the previous night

>>4040219
>I think we could be making use of his abilities more than he does
ftfy

>>4040089
To me it just seems weird.

Dear Shirou and co.,
We have altered Saber.
Regards,
Alberich and co.
P.S. we put in her a maid outfit

>>4040250
Lean into the weird.
Have Futodoki polymorph into a bipedal cat footman in a waistcoat and deliver the message formally.
Like that one ghibli movie.

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>>4040256
Have Futodoki morph into pic related but male and deliver the message.

>>4040237
that as well

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>>4040259
I was more thinking this, but in his color scheme.
And cat-sized, not human-sized.

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This idea sounds stupid.

>>4040259
>>4040271
Fie on both of you! If Futodoki ever takes on a bipedal form, it'll be in classic anime "human with cat ears and tail" style. Beyond that, I won't spoil it.

>>4040277
Hmm. I wonder. Could Futodoki be empowered by magical items made by Circe or Tsubaki?

>>4040250
To the desk of Emiya Shirou, survivor of the Fifth Holy Grail War.

My dear Emiya Shirou,
I hope that this letter finds you in the pink of health, although a bookmaker would give you rather poor odds in the coming days.

I think I have at least given you a better chance by defeating that elfin Saber who was summoned before myself. When last we spoke of her, you mentioned that she had no weak point to exploit; my investigations into the matter have disproved that particular statement. Suffice it to say that Saber has been dealt with -- you would be aware of that if you noticed the fireworks two days ago.

Your more immediate concern should be Assassin, whose presence I noticed near your house. I suspect that he may involve you in his designs to foil the objective of the Holy Grail War, so I advise you: "venienti occurrite morbo".

I remain,
Alberich.

>>4040290
If by "be empowered by" you mean "use" then sure. Item creation creates mystic codes, after all, and some of those can be used even without magic circuits; most can be used by anyone with a little bit of magical aptitude, see Shirou's use of the Azoth Sword in the Fate route. Futodoki definitely has magical aptitude, he's proven that much; even if yokai magic does differ quite a bit from the human kind.

Perhaps, then, the better thing to do with your excess energy so early in the morning is direct your attention back to last night's events. You were largely concentrated on your romantic passions during the act, and as such didn't observe the magical effects of the ritual taking place, aside from a certain fluctuation of the light of Liliesviel's crown in time with the pace of her breathing. Now, in the tranquil atmosphere of dawn, you'll no doubt find it easier to detect what change the second ritual has wrought within you. So deciding, you lean back against the headboard, close your eyes, and turn your focus inward. You observe the flow of the magic in your circuits, and the form that Ayaka's energy takes to create your imitation Od, but in neither detect a change. The link, then, is perhaps deeper within you, some property applied to the soul directly.

You plunge further within yourself and, as you do so, begin to experience a repetition of the sensory diminution you felt during your meditation of the eighteenth. The birdsong outside becomes faint and hazy, then vanishes wholly from your ears; the smell, and sensation, of the bed below you and sheets around your lap fades and vanishes; even the hard surface of the wood behind your head seems to disappear, until you're left floating in a meditative void, a self-made sensory deprivation of consciousness cut off from the outer nerves. At this point, things begin to grow more clear. You begin to see the link, a connection to another identity indelibly placed upon your soul. You draw closer still, seeking to scrutinize this foreign mind, and-

Sense returns. Once more, you find yourself in a place shaped of your inner void: the grey stone chapel, with its austere furnishings, cyclopean masonry, and four stained-glass windows high above, all depicting scenes of the messiah's prophesied triumph over earthly powers, seated upon a throne of bare wood with kings and wild beasts alike bowing before the heavenly Son. Your attention doesn't remain on the windows for long, however, for you're called away from this observation of your surroundings by a voice not wholly unexpected, emanating from the pulpit: Judas, again in the priestly garb he wore as "Cid Ajisartous".

"Ah, Alberich!" he calls jovially, smiling with an almost fatherly warmth. "Foremost of my 'children'. How wonderful it is to see you, my son. I must confess that it is a surprise, as well; I'd not expected to meet you again, once you were satisfied of your identity and origins. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

>[ ] Tell him you came by mistake, and were attempting to meditate on another aspect of yourself when you found yourself here.

>[ ] Return the question. You didn't come here intentionally, so it must have been him who drew you to his chamber in your spirit.

>[ ] Tell him that you're investigating the effects of a certain ritual on your soul, and thought that as a resident he might be of help.

>[ ] Say something else. (Write in)

Super short morning update, since I had a bit of spare time this morning and didn't get you folks anything last night.
I intend to update tonight as well, though, don't think this is all I'm writing for the day.

>>4040352
>[ ] Tell him you came by mistake, and were attempting to meditate on another aspect of yourself when you found yourself here.
>[ ] Explain that you were investigating the results of a certain ritual on your soul, and ask him if, being a resident, he might be of help.

>>4040364
>results
effects
Goddamnit.

>>4040352
>[ ] Tell him that you're investigating the effects of a certain ritual on your soul, and thought that as a resident he might be of help.

>>4040364
Support.

>>4040364
This works.

>>4040352
>[ ] Return the question. You didn't come here intentionally, so it must have been him who drew you to his chamber in your spirit.
Got pulled back into the Judas room huh? Wonder what he wants.

>>4040640
Probably to scold us about premarital sex.

>>4040352
>[ ] Tell him that you're investigating the effects of a certain ritual on your soul, and thought that as a resident he might be of help.
Nice to see you again dad!

>>4040640
>>4041060
Remember, he put in a hypnotic trigger to pull us into the room whenever we sought him out. That other mind we felt was probably Judas, not Lily.

"My apologies for the disappointment, 'father', but I seem to have arrived here by mistake," you explain. "I was meditating on the state of my soul, investigating the effects of a certain ritual, when I found myself here. The effects of your hypnotic trigger, I suppose, but I wonder why it activated..." You trail off, considering the subject. Perhaps the separate identity you saw, which you had thought to be a connection to Liliesviel, was actually the fragment of Judas that dwells within you, and your attempt at investigating it was taken as an attempt to reach him. Still, now that you are here, you suppose that you might be able to glean some useful information from Judas. "Tell me," you say contemplatively, "as one with an internal perspective regarding my soul, have you been able to observe such magical effects as they're triggered?"

The priest smiles, giving you an infuriating look of restrained mirth only worsened by the tone of his reply. "Tut tut," he says in mock disapproval. "Do you find your beloved so untrustworthy, that you must investigate what sort of magic she performed now, while she remains asleep? After all your romantic posturing, I would have expected greater faith in your love from you."

"Faith, hah!" you scoff, striding irritably up to the pulpit to address Judas more directly. "You know perfectly well that isn't my reason; or if you don't, you're more of an idiot than you've any right to be!" You take a deep breath, steadying yourself, and take a half step back from the uncomfortable closeness to which you've approached your 'father'. Calming, you continue in a more conversational tone, "I'm certain of Liliesviel's feelings and mine, and they've nothing to do with my point of concern here; after an attempt at a ritual of this magnitude, and particularly one so similar to a ritual already failed, it's only sensible to make an effort to verify its success."

"I wonder why that could be," Judas muses, half to himself with hands folded and eyes looking past you, as if he ponders the subject alone. "Just why are you so concerned with obtaining the Third Sorcery?"

"Why shouldn't I be concerned over something necessary to extend my life past a few weeks?" You shoot back, growing irritable once again. "The matter certainly seems clear enough to me."

"Indeed," he replies, seemingly unmoved by your statements. "Yet I return to my question. Why, then, are you so attached to survival? Have you not just this night come into possession of that for which the longing drove you forward? Have you not accomplished your sole tangible goal in this world, by consummating your love for that girl? Perhaps you ought to savor this moment to the full and die happy in the completion of your aspirations, lest the future sour the happiness you've found."

"You think to suggest that I die? I can hardly believe it," you reply, as stunned as you claim. "You, who went to such pains to bring me into this world, and spoke so highly of the potential I have to change it? You know suggest I die over the accomplishment of love? Are you entirely mad?"

"My wits are all about me, Alberich," the priest replies calmly. "You may find my statements bizarre, but please do not take them for the ravings of a lunatic. When we last spoke, I did indeed tell you of the hopes I had for you, and of the freedom I gave you to choose your own path in life. Since then, however, you have shown no signs of choosing any sort of path; the whole of your energies are devoted either to the women around you or to survival. If it is romance alone that spurs you on, then, I tell you to die while in the height of your romantic joy, for you will not find another moment to equal this." Upon the conclusion of this statement, Judas pauses for a few moments, noting your rage-filled expression with cheer before appending, "Unless, of course, you have found some greater cause to pursue after the Holy Grail War, giving meaning to your existence."

>[ ] Brush the question off. Four days isn't enough time to find a purpose in life, and until the War is over you'll be focused on surviving long enough to find that purpose.

>[ ] Turn the question around, and ask Judas what he'd do in your position. Apropos, considering the fact that so long as you remain living he does as well, after a fashion.

>[ ] You haven't found a purpose yet, but now that Judas raises the subject, it does occur to you that you have the ideal context in which to consider the matter here. Contemplate what it is you want to do after the Holy Grail War until you have an answer for Judas.

>[ ] Tell Judas that to live with those you care for is something of a purpose in itself, and although you'll seek higher goals in the future, you're content for the moment to protect your safety and that of those around you.

>[ ] Say something else. (Write in)

Here's another short update with a conversation choice for you folks. I'm hoping that if I keep breaking these up into smaller chunks like this I'll be able to get the update frequency back up higher than it's been. Let's see how it goes.

>>4041710
>[ ] Say something else.
"Indeed, I have an ambition: to stand above humanity and to lead properly from that elevated station. My purpose is clear, then -- to take the world in my palm, to conquer all of mankind."

>>4041735
Support
It's very much about time we realigned with our goal of world conquest.
Fuck off, dad.

>>4041710
Excuse me if the second war you birthed me into has been occupying too much of my free time for your liking, father.
>>4041735
Also this

>>4041798
I can't believe he's telling us to go die just because we had premarital sex.
Judas is obviously a salty Kikukofag.
What a jerk.

>>4041803
>Kikuko
Speaking of whom, we're going to track her down to be Tsubaki's friend right?
Worst girls stick together.

>>4041844
Operation Ogawara Waifu 3: Magic Mokkori ONEET

>>4041856
We are never going to stop trying to pair these two together.

>>4041876
In the distant future... Operation Ogawara Waifu 363950183: Ara! Ara! Ara!

>>4041754
>>4041798
>>4041803
Judas is just being real with us.

If Ally is just in it for the loligagging it's not going to get better than this.

>>4041942
>it's not going to get better than this
We'll see what the holy grail has to say about that!

>>4041948
"You're on your own man, I just give you all the energy and you figure out how to use it"

>>4041948
Well, of course he could devote his life to greater and greater heights of sexual pleasure but that's a completely different goal than romantic fulfillment. Judas is saying that if Alberich's primary goal is selfish romantic fulfillment he's never going to do better than fucking his first love for the first time, so he might as well off himself.

>>4041958
Don't make me throw Sakura into you, grail.

>>4041959
He's still an asshole and I don't appreciate him living in our soul rent free like this.

>>4041963
>He's still an asshole and I don't appreciate him living in our soul rent free like this.
Then why don't you get Matsuda on our side and have Circe take the pieces out? We can put his soul back together, chop the pieces up and organize a scavenger hunt to pick Masters for our next Grail War.

>>4041965
We do still need to beat the shit out of Matsuda, true.

>>4041963
What a terrible thing to say about your father.

>>4041975
He's an asshole that keeps making his kids fight because he was too lazy to.
He fully intended to kill three of his kids too, it was only our mercy that saved two less interesting children.
No wonder Tsubaki wants to be a NEET, she's following father's example.
Lazy fake priest.

>>4041948
>We'll see what the holy grail has to say about that!
What, Lily? Probably a corrupted honeymoon reference.

Just to let you folks know, there'll be no morning update today and I haven't had time yet to read what you posted last night (just got up, headed to work now) but I'll be back this afternoon to see what you're thinking about in terms of your response to Judas.
Next arc: finding your purpose.

>>4041959
Worth remembering that this is coming from a guy who killed himself right after achieving his big goal.

>>4042077
He has a pretty dim outlook on life after the greatest high.

>>4041982
Victory in the Grail War was never his concern, and if it was he wouldn't be giving Alberich advice about personal fulfillment that contradicts that aim. His goal has always been the realization of the legends that create and define heroic spirits and the stories of their existence. The legend of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ does not exist without the betrayal he suffered and the subsequent execution, just as the hypothetical legend of two fleeting magical constructs finding love with eachother in the midst of a war doesn't have the same impact without Alberich and Lilly fading away with the conclusion of their respective purposes. Otherwise it's not a tragic legend to enrapture the hearts of Man, but a series of events without any proper resolution of themes.

Alberich doesn't think in the same terms Judas does, and sees himself as an individual and not a character in a story, as I would imagine most heros do. As a result, he's not thinking about his life in terms of what will bring the greatest emotional catharsis, and instead he's focused on his dreams of reaching that position of ultimate superiority he believes he is worthy of be means of world domination through conquest of the Moonlit World. The thing is, Judas doesn't really care about the specifics of what Alberich does, just that it's meaningful to Alberich.

Honestly, I think my favorite thing about this quest will always be the way it elevates the character of Judas Iscariot, even beyond the Gnostic interpretation of the legend. This version ascribes to him a much more interesting reasoning than mere greed or obedience to God, and makes him into a cultivator of something integral to the human experience.

>>4042077
What is there left to do after you've fulfilled your greatest purpose and earned the ire of all?

>>4041710
>[ ] Brush the question off. Four days isn't enough time to find a purpose in life, and until the War is over you'll be focused on surviving long enough to find that purpose.
I think it's just too soon to really know what we want.
Other than Lily's chubby thighs anyway.
And a smutbin for that h scene. Is nobody gonna write one?

>>4042141
Why don't you write one? Don't tell me you can't write or aren't interested in doing it because that would just add to the authenticity.

>>4041710
>>4041735
+1

>>4041754
>>4041735
>>4041798
>>4042200
Looks like a solid majority for this write-in. What a surprise!
After all you'd said about his issue being directionless, I was prepared to write a story arc (or at least a few updates) around Alberich finding his goal.

>>4042115
Thanks, anon. I love seeing that you've read so much into Judas' thoughts and motivations, and I'm glad you've enjoyed my take on the character so well.

>>4042618
To be fair
We had a purpose
We just lost sight of it and couldn't pursue it properly.
Even so, we've spent a lot of time gathering allies.

Shame Matsuda was such a bitch crybaby that ran away.

>>4042618
Alberich has almost always had a goal, it's just that he's had to postpone it for Grail emergencies. It hasn't even been that long from his perspective. Really, taking a week off to deal with life or death calamities is hardly being directionless. I think the issue people had wasn't about not having goals but rather that our enemies and circumstances forced us into a reactive position.

>>4042724
Yeah, I don't appreciate this shit from Judas at all.
It's kind of uncalled for.
"You haven't conquered the planet in 7 days so die.
Fuck off Judas.

>>4042760
You know that's not what he was saying.

>>4042760
It's a good thing that Judas wants Al to remember his goals beyond his present circumstances. I wish my dad had that kind of interest in where I was going.

>>4042870
I know but we do have a goal and he knows it.
We just couldn't focus on it on account of being attached to a weakling mage while surrounded by enemies that he ducked out of fighting.

>>4042886
Judas actually made a 500iq play and realized that family was the real prize of the Grail War all along. This allowed him to get the true ending at an unprecedented 1:11 time absolutely shattering the previous record in the category. Actually trying to win the grail war is an absolute braindead play and is no longer considered a viable strategy in the speedrunning community.

>>4043118
It's worth playing Judas even with the risk of softlock when Vaisset doesn't allow you to use the Akeldama. Fucking RNG.

>>4043481
Just buy Charisma: B at the start of the game if you're so worried about it. It's pretty good in Akeldama, though the speech check can be done right at the start of the game so you could just restart the game until you pass.

>>4042115
I've gotta say anon, I kind of liked Judas after the reveal, but you make an excellent point for his character by putting it all so concisely.

From his point of view, he's not berating us so much as lighting a fire under us to ensure that we have a valuable existence. He doesn't care at all for the fact that Alberich hates him for what he's done and what he's said despite what Judas has given him, he's been completely devoted to our success from the moment of his summoning to the point of dying for us and sticking around to obi-wan us from beyond the grave as he can.

I don't care. Judas Is a good dad, If...unconventional In his methods. Alberich will never see It, but I quite like him.

"Of course I have a cause to pursue," you reply, anger turning your voice into a contemptuous scoff. "My ambition! Have you already forgotten what I told Adelheid upon our first meeting, Judas, or was your omniscience in that Akeldama of yours more limited than I've been led to believe?" Not giving the apostle a chance to reply, you continue, "No matter. I'll repeat it for you. My desire is to seize that authority which is justified by superiority; to stand above all others in the Moonlit World of magi, and by establishing myself in that position to lead the leaderless, give order in place of chaos, and take all the world in hand to reverse the decline of humanity that led to my counterpart's lifeless existence. In short, to conquer all mankind!"

With this final dramatic proclamation, you allow yourself to be carried away somewhat, and sweep your right arm out in dramatic gesture which Judas' reaction gives you immediate cause to regret. Far from being moved by your speech, his expression seems to grow only more condescending and amused. Indeed, he lets out a low chuckle as he replies, "So, that desire to stand above all others remains, and forms your purpose beyond the War, does it? How curious, that you should retain the ambition after its cause has been removed. Were you not driven to pursue the ultimate growth of your power by a belief in your origin as a mundane human, and desire to escape that existence?"

"What of it if I was?" you answer curtly. "The sources of zeal can come and go, and not have its cause change with them. True enough that you've identified my initial motivation, but do you think I've less reason to pursue my ambition now? That one conscious of a superiority with which he was endowed at the moment of his creation should not seek to utilize that superiority and enhance it? I'd have expected you to know me better, living as you do within my spirit. You've said yourself that I was born to be a modern hero; or words to that effect, at least; and the greatest heroes have always been monarchs. What I'm looking for is only the fullest expression of my birthright."

"Marvelous!" Judas exclaims, his thin smile breaking at last into a white grin, and he claps thrice with folded hands in emphasis. "Bravo, Alberich! To think you could so utterly reverse your premises, and still arrive at the same end! I am delighted." Then, in a voice that booms, rolls, and echoes through the chapel as if he addresses a congregation that fills the pews and standing room besides, Judas continues, "Simply think of it: a modern hero, waiting to step forth and unite mankind; to lead humanity out of the darkness, chaos, and waning magic of the Age of Man, and into a new golden age, an era unprecedented in history! You shall not be the tragically love-doomed hero I so recently took you for, but a legend on a far larger scale. I wonder: will Alberich be revered as a founding lord, first monarch of a new nation of all humanity, or reviled as a villain who sought to place all the free people of the world under his bootheel? Fate shall weave her skein, and in time we shall discover, but for the moment all remains shrouded in mystery."

"If you're finished with the theatrics, I've had all the condescension I care to hear from you, 'father'," you say, glaring at the man who seems determined to make a mockery of the life he gave you. "You may see my life as some ridiculous show drawn up for your amusement, but I'll thank you to do so privately. Now answer me, Judas, for there is some worth in my being here with you. Can you help me to discover the precise effects of last night's ritual, or should I find another means of investigating them?"

"Ah, yes," Judas says, unflappable as ever. "The ritual to bind you together with your lady love. Such a romantic gesture. Yes, I can see what it's done to you, and you needn't worry; the effect has been that which you desired. Though the Einzberns' stone construct turned you away at the moment of greatest intimacy, it seems that of flesh and blood is appropriately more yielding." Seeing the mounting impatience on your face, he prudently decides to put aside digressive language and address the central points at hand. "Your two souls have been linked together as one," he explains. "While one lives, so shall the other. When one dies, so shall the other. You shall experience good fortune and ill as one soul, with but a single fate; and yes, certain magics which do their work on the soul shall affect the two of you equally."

"Excellent," you say.

>[ ] "In that case, I have nothing more to say here. Goodbye." You've satisfied your concern, and don't care to spend any more time with this detestable creature. Return to consciousness.

>[ ] "Now that we've resolved that question, there was another matter I thought worth discussing with you." (Write in any questions you'd like to ask or topics you'd like to discuss with Judas.)

>[ ] Say something else (Write in)

It's another short update this evening, but hey; at least it's earlier than I've been updating lately, right?
I'd like to write another (similarly short) update at around midnight once you folks have voted here, so I hope you're online!

>>4043545
>[ ] "Now that we've resolved that question, there was another matter I thought worth discussing with you." (Write in any questions you'd like to ask or topics you'd like to discuss with Judas.)
"One more thing. If our souls are so closely connected, would my nature not 'spill over' into hers as it did into Yumigawa Rushorou?"

>>4043545
>>4043564
This. Does this also mean that if we absorb another servant's skills that it would be transferred to Lily as well?

>>4043564
Actually I'm more concerned about the Resonance granting Rushorou the same link that we share wit Lily.

>>4043640
Pseudo-Servant Odysseus may yet come to be true...

>absorbing excess energy of a servant while linked to the lesser Grail
Fate novice here, what repercussions could this have?

>>4043545
>"While one lives, so shall the other. When one dies, so shall the other.
This is somewhat worrying, but it just means that we have to protect Lily with our lives. Obvious weakpoint against Assassin, and Odin if he doesn't actually require her energy as a servant in a specially created living body.

>>4043545
Thank him for granting us existence and ask for his advice in the times to come.

>>4043661
Can't say. I wouldn't expect it to be too bad, though, since we were were never stealing enough to foil Heaven's Feel.
>>4043671
>if he doesn't actually require her energy
Lily's already told us that she doesn't use any energy unless she uses a Command Spell, so we're pretty well fucked.

>>4043682
I wouldn't expect Odin to attack Lily to harm us since he wants a straight fight, but it's still a slight concern if he gets desperate.

>>4043683
i believe in odin. he wouldn't do us dirty like that

>>4043545
I absolutely love this scene, it's one of a few cute moments that don't have a sinister undercurrent of manipulation or psychosis. Pretty ironic that it's coming from the chessmaster of Akeldama.

All this Judas is reminding me of something else I've always loved about this quest, how it characterizes the Servants. Seeing well made and interesting interpretations of characters like Blackbeard and Odysseus is a breath of fresh air from the chaotic mess of shotas and warframes you see in fgo nowadays.

>>4043564
+1 Fair question to ask, though, I believe you need to have a physical resemblance for resonance shenanigans, but it's Fate so I could be pulling that out of my ass.

>>4043690
I don't think our memories stopped being transferred to Yumigawa when we stopped looking like him, which was pretty early in Akeldama.

One thing I find interesting about Alberich, has he ever thought about how the average person would consider him a monster? His unnatural creation, his lack of regard for life beyond those e care about, etc.
I suppose that morality is formed by those you surround yourself by, and he isn't exactly surrounded by the most traditionally moral characters, but I still find it interesting.
>Judas: amoral
>Circe: self-centered villainess
>Adelhied: figuratively Hitler
>Ayaka: sacrifices life for power
>Korakuhime: eats humans
>Liliesveil: down to torture enemies for fun
Not a lot of positive influences there, to be sure. From a human perspective at least.
One thing I would've really enjoyed is an actual role model for Alberich, although I do enjoy his self-directed search for purpose as well.

>>4043709
>Adelheid: figuratively Hitler
I see what you did there.
But yeah not a lot of role models to be seen in that list

>>4043690
>cute moments that don't have a[n] undercurrent of psychosis
That's an oxymoron, anon.
I kid. Glad you enjoyed the scene, although I am a little confused. Is cute the word here? I was thinking of it as more 'father'-'son' bickering, but I guess that's cute from a certain point of view.
>>4043709
>has he ever thought about how the average person would consider him a monster?
To be honest, original Yumigawa had every chance of turning out like Patrick Bateman, so right from the beginning Alberich is looking at things with a pretty amoral view. At this point I'd say his thinking is probably along the lines of being above humanity, and thus impervious to their judgements.

>>4043733
>being above humanity, and thus impervious to their judgements.
That's actually really what I was hoping for all along, although that's traditionally difficult for players to roleplay while voting. Understandably so.

"Thought we've resolved that matter," you continue, "it begs a further question which I hope you'll be able to answer. If my soul and Liliesviel's are so closely connected, will my memories not spread into her mind, as in Yumigawa's case?" It's a sobering thought. Although this ritual may have been essential for the preservation of your life, the notion that suddenly occurs to you almost makes you reconsider. To see Liliesviel's mind overwritten by your own would be a heavy burden to bear indeed, however tantalizing the reward that prompted it.

"What an intriguing question," Judas muses. "No, I don't believe there is any chance of the occurrence you describe. You see, in a prerequisite of the function of memory resonance is a shared common memory base," he explains, taking on the tone of an educator. "Yumigawa Rushorou took on your memories for this reason, as well as the connection between your souls: you and he shared precisely the same identity and memories up until the onset of my Holy Grail War. As such, it was simplicity itself for his mind to integrate these memories into his life and create the delusional behavior you've observed. Liliesviel, however, shares none of your memories. Consequently, her mind is wholly unable to process foreign memories. By a similar token, she will remain unable to receive the powers you've gathered from Servants. Her existence would be simply unable to tolerate the incompatible power and attempted reshaping, leading to her death."

"Fascinating," you say. "I suppose that resolves two significant concerns, then." The effects of Liliesviel taking on your memories are obvious, but the thought of her gaining the ability of a Servant, and stepping out overconfidently into the middle of a battlefield, sends a shiver down your spine. Better to make sure that no such event could happen than to try to keep her safe when it does. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I have all the information I could need from you regarding last night's ritual. Good morning."

So saying, you close your eyes to the world around you. When you open them once again, you're in bed, and all is just as you left it. Birds sing outside the window; the first rays of sun peek through to give the room wan illumination; beside you, Liliesviel remains undisturbed, deep in the land of dreams. Only one change informs you that time has passed during your meditation: you can now hear the sound of two people moving moving about the floors below. At a guess, considering the pattern of movement, you imagine that the early-rising duo is in fact Liliesviel's pair of maids, attempting to go about morning cleaning without making a sound. To their credit, they do a fairly good job, but of course it is quite difficult to escape the hearing of a Servant.

>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss last night's events.

>[ ] Go looking for Adelheid, to ensure she continues working to break the code in Vaisset's workshop.

>[ ] Track down Kōrakuhime. It's time you interrogated her about her Noble Phantasms once again.

>[ ] Go down to the basement and summon a second familiar with Heiligöffnungschwert.

>[ ] Do something else. (Write in)

>>4043842
>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss last night's events.

>>4043842
>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss last night's events
WAKE UP.

>if one dies the other dies
Gee Alberich, how come Sweets lets you have two Masters?
Also Circe can't kill Lily now without killing us.
Hahaha.

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>>4043893
>Also Circe can't kill Lily now without killing us.
Yeah, but she doesn't know that yet.

>>4043900
We clearly need to give Arturia a contingency to Excalibur anyone that causes our death regardless of who it is.

>>4043842
>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss last night's events.

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Ok.
I'm not gonna lie, I was keeping my distance from the quest after everything that's happened regarding the romance bullshit and stuff.
My autistic ass couldn't help write in something with the dinner speech but otherwise, I was pretty checked out.
I still think Circelhied was robbed and I still hate Harem routes.
But!
>Predatory Charisma
This shit right here.
This is that premo supremo level shit and all the writing to go with it was fucking beautifully done!
I fucking can't stay mad at Sweets, the fucking absolute madlad!

>>4044067
Circe + Adelheid IS A HAREM DAMN IT.

And besides, it never would've worked.
Lily is a common enemy now though.
A common enemy Circe can't just dispose of thanks to the soul link.

I'm glad things went this way and I used to be a supreme Circefag.

>>4044067
Glad to have you back on board!
Out of curiosity, when you say "all the writing to go with it" do you mean Liliesviel's visit, or just the skill description?

>>4044080
>2 Girls is a harem
A MAN HAS TWO HANDS ANON!
TWO HANDS FOR TWO WOMEN!
LOVED EQUALLY!
ANYTHING MORE IS A HAREM!

>And besides, it never would've worked.
That's cowards talk.
>Lily is a common enemy now though.
That's not how a healthy harem should work!
A proper harem isn't built on fear and loathing! It's about mutual respect and a desire to satisfy! It's not a competition for attention (One that in this cause Circe and Adelheid have thoroughly lost!) but a sisterhood!
Has no one here ever read Mecha Space Pirate Quest?

>>4044098
Both.
Maybe I'm just happy my son finally got his dick wet and the skill that comes with it is based as hell, but the whole thing has made me happy.
I haven't stopped smiling!

>>4044112
>That's not how a healthy harem should work!
This is the opposite of healthy. Next time we talk to Judas I'm telling him our purpose is to conquer the world so we can build palaces in different countries and finally separate this dysfunctional clusterfuck of a family.

>>4044112
>Has no one here ever read Mecha Space Pirate Quest?
Well, I haven't. You think these girls are going to wind up in a sisterhood?
>I haven't stopped smiling!
Glad to hear it, anon. I enjoyed writing the section quite a bit, and thought it came out pretty well, but to be honest I was worried there'd be some of you folks still getting too angry about Alberich's feelings for Liliesviel to enjoy it.

>>4044080
You have to think about it in terms of geometry.

With a man and two women, you have a triangle where love and respect can flow from any point to any other point. When you add even one extra point to the shape, this equilibrium becomes immensely more difficult to maintain.

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>>4044145
just draw diagonals bro

>>4044152
That isn't architecturally sound.

>>4044167
It's fine as long as you build a dome around it, put up some support beams and keep the points at right angles.

>>4044127
>>4044128
>This is the opposite of healthy.
>You think these girls are going to wind up in a sisterhood?
That's kinda my point.
This isn't the setting for harem route.
These aren't the characters for it and this isn't the protagonist for it.

>But Circe and Adelheid wouldn't have been a "sisterhood" either.
They wouldn't need to be, they aren't a harem. It would help sure, but as we've seen at the end of the false war, while they would probably always be catty towards each other they were more than capable of splitting Alberich down the middle and be content to bully the other girls that would topple their already precarious position rather than threaten it by causing problems for Alberich by trying to bully each other.
With the emergence of Liliesviel that balance of power has not only been toppled but has been trampled on, overthrown and invalidated completely.
No matter how you look at it.
No matter what you say.
Liliesviel is THE GIRL!
She is the Queen that sits beside Alberich on the throne of love, and so there is no harem to be had!
It's not a King and his Queens, just a King and Queen, and some concubines.
I don't want to disrespect Circe and Adelheid by making them Albritech's side sluts, while queen Lily laughs on her throne, and that is the only real option at this point. On top of that, I honestly don't want to disrespect Lily by making him go after other girls when he's successfully smashed his dream waifu.
I'm happy that Alberich finally got his girl, way more than I thought I'd be thanks to Sweets writing ability and memes, but as a Circelheidfag and a man of good taste, I won't watch any of these waifus be disrespected like that.
Well, I will watch it, it's too spicy not to. But I'll be grumpy about it!

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>>4044184
>Liliesviel is THE GIRL!
>as a Circelheidfag

>>4044191
What can I say? Alberich has inferior taste, and there isn't much we can do about that this far in the game.

>>4044191
Maybe we'll get another chance when Sweets sweeps the board in S3.

>>4044184
>way more than I thought I'd be thanks to Sweets writing ability and memes
I know I'm repeating myself, but you really have no idea how happy I am to read this after all the anger and negativity about Alberich's love situation. I can't wipe the grin off my face. Thanks, anon. I'm really so glad that I was able to write it well enough for you to enjoy things in spite of them turning against your intentions.

>>4044206
predicting all the waifus in part 3:
lorelei
altrouge
satsuki
len
francesca
wu zetian
otoko

So, I can't help noticing how several of you folks haven't voted. Not interested in how Alberich begins his morning?

>>4044291
Barring the invasion of a dozen rabid gacha addicts, I don't think the vote is going to change.

>>4043842
>[ ] Go down to the basement and summon a second familiar with Heiligöffnungschwert.
Something fluffy.

>>4044297
There's always hope. It's fun when you folks roll the sword gacha!

>>4044301
...speak of the devil! Hell of a coincidence, there!

>>4044301
>something fluffy
>ID: owo
...huh.

>>4043842
>[ ] Go down to the basement and summon a second familiar with Heiligöffnungschwert.

>>4044184
>These aren't the characters for it
Fair.
>this isn't the protagonist for it.
That just ain't so. Dude's got major roving eyes, and concubines are right up his PRIDE alley.
>Liliesviel is THE GIRL
You can say that again. Now where's that new portrait we're waiting for?

>>4044217
>lorelei
TOO OLD
>satsuki
>len
Don't exist in this timeline
>Francesca
NOW we're talking
>otoko
...Shirou's old boss?

>>4044511
>That just ain't so. Dude's got major roving eyes, and concubines are right up his PRIDE alley
Concubines do not a good harem make famo.
If you want a bunch of side sluts on your dick to stroke your ego then that's one thing. That's easy, any protag with enough disregard for the women in his life could have that.
But when it comes to running and maintaining a proper harem Alberich has proven himself too autistic to for the job.
Too much Pride.
Not enough Compassion.
Too prone to pick favorites.

>>4044584
>when it comes to running and maintaining a proper harem Alberich has proven himself too autistic to for the job.
But like. I've read your description of a proper harem. That's not what Alberich is about.
I think we kinda agree actually. King, queen, and concubines is totally the dynamic he'd go for. It's just, isn't that what a harem is? Like, traditionally?
I guess your problem with the situation is just the semantics?

>>4044610
I just don't think managing multiple romances is a good use of Alberichs time IC, or for my time as a player. Not interesting to me at all.

>>4044721
I think it would be interesting though, so whatever.

>>4043842
>[ ] Rouse Liliesviel, to discuss last night's events.
>>4044773
Fair enough.

>>4044610
>That's not what Alberich is about.
YES!
THAT'S MY POINT!
A harem route in this quest would be bad because in truth Alberich himself has no interest in having or maintaining a fucking harem!
He's simply not that type of guy and the girls in his life are too headstrong in one way or another to push him to make it work!
If we push him in that direction the best people would get is him offering crumbs to the other girls while Lilesviel feasts.

>I guess your problem with the situation is just the semantics?
In a way, I guess you can say that.
Maybe if I'd stop saying "proper" like an autist and say "satisfying" that would be better.
For me, it's about meeting an ideal about what a personally satisfying harem would be.
Look at it like this.
A harem, by definition, is two or more women being associated (normally romantically or sexually) with a man.
Alberich and Liliesviel being in love, with Alberich fucking chicks on the side would absolutely be a harem.
Hell, by definition, Circelheid would also be a "harem".
But if you were to present me with either of these endings as the harem route of your story or game or whathaveyou, I'd fucking smack you in the face for wasting my time.

Neither of these, to me, would be a satisfying harem because the point- isn't just having a bunch of girls at your beck and call like fucking dogs. It's about the complex interpersonal relationships between the characters involved. It's about the management and maintenance of the characters in question, about dealing with the inherent problems of having multiple, usually very different women be romantically involved with a man, and watching everyone involved grow into better stronger people for it.

If you are reading this description and scratching your head in confusion wondering what the fuck I'm talking about, thinking to yourself "This guy is crazy, most harem anime and shit aren't like that at all..." Then you know exactly why I hate most harems.

>>4044721
>I just don't think managing multiple romances is a good use of Alberichs time IC
And I'm sure Alberich would 100% agree.
This quest isn't the one harembros.
Unless of course, you are one of those plebs that are just greedy and want to collect women.

>>4044812
Fuck off, mongrel dog.
We're having a harem.
This was already decided upon when it was only two girls.
Now stop typing in such an insufferable manner.

>>4044812
A harem, traditionally, is a group of women that an eastern monarch keeps at his beck and call, in his palace. It's all about greed and pride.
I don't know what kind of mutually satisfying weird poly thing it is you're after (okay I do know because you just explained it, but I still don't know what it should be called), but that ain't a harem.
Now our guy Alberich just declared he wants to take over the world. So the way I see it this has one ending. Lily as queen, and every other heroine as a concubine. In the harem.

>>4044845
To go on for a bit on the topic, there's generally 2 kinds of harems that I know of. The Turkish kind and the Chinese kind.
In a Turkish style harem the concubines are basically sex slaves. Kept totally out of the world and with no power. Here they tend to get sympathy for each other and develop some common feeling. Not too likely to see the sultan as anything but an oppressor. Obviously that's way out for Alberich.
In the Chinese imperial harem you get some fun though. There the concubines have more contact with the world and a healthy amount of power at court depending on the emperor's favor. So you get backbiting, competition, and all that good stuff between concubines. They tend to see the emperor in a better light too, cause he's where they get power from. I'm for this style of things. It's perfect for Alberich.

>>4044845
>A harem, traditionally, is a group of women that an eastern monarch keeps at his beck and call, in his palace. It's all about greed and pride.
>I don't know what kind of mutually satisfying weird poly thing it is you're after, but that ain't a harem.
You know what. That's fair. Given that both the traditional and more modern definitions of harem misalign with what my ideal "harem" would be, I guess I can't really call it a harem at all.

>So the way I see it this has one ending. Lily as queen, and every other heroine as a concubine. In the harem.
I both agree and never expected anything else and have said so multiple times.
And that's why I hate it.

>>4044878
>In the Chinese imperial harem you get some fun though. There the concubines have more contact with the world and a healthy amount of power at court depending on the emperor's favor. So you get backbiting, competition, and all that good stuff between concubines. They tend to see the emperor in a better light too, cause he's where they get power from. I'm for this style of things. It's perfect for Alberich.
If you say so.
Again, I find no pleasure in watching my girls squabble while Liliesviel sits on her throne as queen, above it all.
But you guys do you.

>>4044898
>I find no pleasure in watching my girls squabble while Liliesviel sits on her throne as queen
Sorry, anon. I'm glad you've at least enjoyed Alberich and Liliesviel's love on its own. I hope you won't end up being as unsatisfied with future developments as it seems you expect to.

>>4044915
You're making it seem like the harem is set in stone, is it?

>>4045216
God I hope so.
Alberich doesn't understand monogamy anyway.

>>4045225
I'm not sure what makes you think that with such certainty. I haven't seen any indication of that in the quest itself.

>>4045216
If so, that was a serious mistake on my part.
Nothing is set in stone. I just hope all of you folks enjoy the quest in the future, whatever ends up happening. It saddens me to read that anon expects events to go in a way he's sure he won't enjoy.

>>4045295
I'd still enjoy the quest, I'd just avoid the IRL week-long segment of harem management if it came to that.

Are we still planning to defeat Shirou before facing Odin, like we mentioned to Odin after he almost killed us?

>>4045486
Yeah, it'd be a bad idea not to. We need a lot more power before we face Odin.

>>4045486
Yeah we need to kidnap Rider.

Tempting though it may be to let Liliesviel enjoy her slumber uninhibited, at the moment you'd rather discuss last night's events with her now that you've the clearer thinking that comes of rest and morning light. When she left you, as best you recall, Liliesviel was speaking of getting to know Circe; a few hours later, she'd suddenly decided to suggest to you the confirmation of your love in the most intimate way possible, spiritually as well as physically. What could she have discussed with Circe that might have led her to such a degree of resolution, when she had been so uncertain of your feelins following your confession? Or are you underestimating the willful volatility of Liliesviel's mind? Had she chosen to bind her soul to yours already in that moment last night when she breathed out her sorrow, resolving to smile and believe you? You'd like to know, and your curiosity this morning outweighs your consideration for Liliesviel's rest.

Thus resolved to awaken her, you look over at the sleeping girl and consider how best to do so. You know from experience with Kōrakuhime, after all, that to put an indelicate end to a maiden's sleep is an excellent way of attracting fury, and although Kōrakuhime's feelings on such trivialities can largely be dismissed, you'd rather not spoil your morning with Liliesviel over such a minor subject. Your beloved lies on motionless on her pillow, waves of ivory hair that hide the cushion completely fanning out below her. Below the chin, she's entirely hidden from view by blankets, but her face alone is beautiful enough that before last night you could have considered yourself happy never to see more of her than that. As you're beginning to lose yourself in sentimental admiration, however, you realize with some shock that the crown which remained firmly atop Liliesviel's head throughout your lovemaking is now absent. Is the heavenly garment able to be materialized and dismissed at will, then, like your own clothing? Perhaps she did away with the uncomfortable headwear after the ritual came to an end last night, though you seem to recall her falling asleep still wearing it.

No matter. After taking a few moments to determine your approach, you reach over and gently caress the cheek of the sleeping girl, reasoning that this ought to be intimate enough to awaken her while remaining gentle enough not to be unpleasant. To your surprise, though, it has quite the opposite effect. Your touch seems only to increase her comfort, for without waking she rolls over onto her side, to face you and rest her cheek on your hand. As she does so, Liliesviel lets out a soft sigh, and unintelligibly murmurs, "Alb'ri...op th... n'...ore..."

Clearly, Liliesviel requires something a bit more stimulating to awaken. Seized with an impish affection aroused by her adorable reaction, you take her cheeks between your hands to lift her face up, bend down and, like the fairy-tale prince, seal her sleeping lips with a kiss. Breath cut off, her eyes fly open and she briefly struggles, startled and confused. After recognizing you and recalling her location, however, her demeanor changes entirely. You feel her small arms wrap around your back, and the two of you enjoy tasting one another for a long, languid moment.

Finally you part, and at that point realize, the sheets having fallen from Liliesviel's svelte body to expose the almost porcelain artistry of her form, that the whole of the heavenly garment, and not merely her crown, has vanished. Liliesviel realizes almost at the same moment, observing the lustful quality of your gaze, and lets out an embarrassed squeak, crossing her arms over her chest and blushing furiously! The rubies, you note, are gone from her midriff; not part of her anatomy after all, then.

"My," you say, raising an eyebrow as you address your lover in a tone of gentle humor, "you seem embarrassed, for someone who decided to sleep beside me without a stitch on."

"Decided?" she squeals, not yet over the shock. Her eyes, wandering around the room in search of her vanished clothing, finally alight on the blankets piled on her lap, and the embarrassed girl quickly draws them up to her shoulders before continuing to speak. "I fell asleep still wearing that dress, I'm certain! You'd tired me out too much to move a muscle by then, anyway," she adds with a pout.

"Well, I didn't take it off of you," you reply with a shrug. "How's it to have disappeared, then?"

At this Liliesviel seems to collect her thoughts, the blush fading from her cheeks, and then sighs in evident realization. "Stachel must have wanted to help Stengel with the morning work," she declares matter-of-factly. "This is why I don't like to wear that thing."

You regard Liliesviel and her incomprehensible statement for a few moments, contemplating whether or not it's worth investigating. Eventually, you decide against it. You recall, now, that Liliesviel had mentioned requiring Stachel's presence to wear the garment before. Presumably the mysterious connection goes both ways, and Stachel had to collect it before being able to attend to her own duties. Indeed, though the thought is embarrassing, it's possible that the maid was present with your and Liliesviel all through the night, hidden in a dark corner, her presence easily going unnoticed in your distracted state.

"I see," you reply at length. "That resolves the mystery of your disappearing clothing, then. It suited you beautifully, by the way. I can't imagine why you told my you didn't like its looks."

"But it's so... revealing!" Liliesviel protests, cheeks coloring again at the memory of last night's events. "A young lady shouldn't show so much of her body; especially not in a ceremonial dress."

"I suppose you have a point," you concede, pretending an expression of deep contemplation. "Certainly I wouldn't want any other man to see you that way. In that case..." before finishing the sentence you reach out to wrap your arms around Liliesviel and pull her over onto your lap, so you can whisper in her ear, "just wear it for me, then."

"Al~be~rich!" Liliesviel protests, pushing against your chest in a futile attempt to escape your embrace. "Too close! You're too close!"

"Come now," you say, still holding her in your arms despite the girl's squirming. "Where's all this embarrassment coming from, after last night?"

"What I said last night took all my courage," she explains, quieting down as it becomes obvious that you intend to hold her until she explains. "You can't simply expect a maiden's modesty to disappear just because... she... ceases... to be one." These last words are delivered almost inaudibly, as it seems only Liliesviel's pride forces her to overcome the monumental embarrassment she feels at her own joke and finish the sentence. Eager to move on, she hastily continues, "Besides, at least then I was wearing something; and I haven't bathed since we slept! Oh Alberich, please let me clean myself and get dress before you look at me for another second!"

"Very well," you reply. "Go as you please." With that, you open your arms to allow Liliesviel to slide off of your lap and depart from the bed, although you relish the feeling of her skin against yours as she does so. When she gets to her feet, Liliesviel takes her concealing sheet with you, wrapping it around herself as an impromptu nightgown as she flees to the attached bathroom. A few moments after that you hear the shower come on, and you're left alone once more to contemplate what best to say to Liliesviel once she returns.

>[ ] As you'd originally intended, ask her first about how she's getting along with Circe.

>[ ] Change your mind, and ask Liliesviel about the effects of last night's ritual; a comparison of her answer with Judas' will tell you whether it worked wholly as intended.

>[ ] Say something else when she returns. (Write in)

>[ ] While Liliesviel showers, get up, dress, and head to another part of the manor for some other purpose. (Studying? Summoning? Discussing something with another housemate? Write in.)

>>4044511
>Now where's that new portrait we're waiting for?
Good question.

>>4045500
Editanon? Still planning on getting it finished, or am I correct in thinking after your post about lost free time that you're putting the idea on indefinite hiatus?

>>4045550
>[ ] While Liliesviel showers, get up, dress, and head to another part of the manor for some other purpose. (Studying? Summoning? Discussing something with another housemate? Write in.)
Get on with the day. Go to Adelheid and check in on her progress with the diaries.

>>4045552
I'll have to see if I can make time for it
Hopefully I'll get it done before Coronavirus ends civilization as we know it.
>>4045550
>[ ] As you'd originally intended, ask her first about how she's getting along with Circe.

>>4045550
>>4045558
This

Ah, it's so nice to be able to write romantic scenes again without the whole 'manipulative liar' thing hanging over your head.

>>4045560
>Coronavirus ends civilization as we know it
Eh. It's the next Swine Flu, or Bird Flu, or MRSA, or SARS. We got all freaked out about those being world-destroying epidemics, then surprise surprise, we got them under control and nobody thinks about them any more. At this point I'm pretty confident in the WHO.

>>4038666
Seeing how little anyone cares about your shitty loli romance theme is laughable. Nobody fucking wanted this and your players fought against it until you bitched and moaned about how you intended this quest to go this way and that until the PLAYERS are fucking railroaded into shitty scenarios the players don’t enjoy, and then you do all over again.

>>4046094
You're really reaching on that one. This has already been discussed exhaustively, and further horsebeating is pointless. You're going to have to find another cudgel to beat Sweets with if you want to harvest more shitstorms.

>>4045550
>[ ] As you'd originally intended, ask her first about how she's getting along with Circe.

>>4046094
>you bitched and moaned about how you intended this quest to go this way and that
Laughably false.
Sorry you didn't get what you wanted out of the quest, anon. Better luck next time.

>>4038666
Wonder why it's this post that both these dickheads picked to take offense at. They hate sinatra or what?
>>4046094
Dickhead. Read the thread and tell me if you see a single motherfucker who's actually a player and isn't happy about how things went with Lily. You got nobody on your side.

>>4046094
As a master baiter.
I gotta say
You suck at rabble rousing.
You just look bad.

Where is everybody?

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>>4046644

So nobody's got an idea why the loli haters both replied to the song post? You'd think they'd complain about the actual posts.

>>4045550
>[ ] As you'd originally intended, ask her first about how she's getting along with Circe.

>>4046679
>So nobody's got an idea why the loli haters both replied to the song post?
How would I know what other people are thinking, anon? How does anyone really know?
Our understanding of others must necessarily be incomplete and imperfect, for perfect knowledge would require us to think like them. In that case, would our opinions not be mere guesses? A limited deduction formed with the scant information 4chan affords us. The revelations which arise from two posts are so insubstantial that we cannot even determine if they were made by different anons or the same anon with a dynamic IP, let alone their grudges or lack thereof against Frank Sinatra and pedophilia.

Our only recourse is in the unholy trips of Satan, which reveal the hidden truth: the anons are both dyed-in-the-wool Christians who hold the prince of darkness in disdain. In one fell swoop we have explained their hatred of Satan, Sinatra and loli.

>>4046702
Well damn. When it comes to speculation I know I ain't gonna outdo that.
So here's another topic. Anybody who knows more about the Fate lore than I do have any guesses who that Third Marshall guy was? The way his name stayed hidden sticks out. I'm thinking he's an important character in S3.

Good morning, folks.
Just wanted to let you all know that I've finally got a whole day off work today, so I plan on spending the day writing. I should have the next update done in a few hours, and I'd like to get at least three finished over the course of the day.
So, stay online and keep what you'd like to do today in mind so you can vote quickly, and hopefully we can have a nice, fast-moving session!

>>4045550
>[ ] As you'd originally intended, ask her first about how she's getting along with Circe.
Might as well

>>4047236
Thank you for not lurking.

As you lie there, listening absently to the mingled sounds of birdsong and Liliesviel's shower, basking in the relaxation of a peaceful dawn, you hear the strains of a melody filter through bathroom door. You don't recognize it, and the words are unintelligible, so you can't say what it is that Liliesviel is singing; only that it's high, sweet, and joyful: a song to tell you beyond any doubt that she, just as much as you, has had a great burden of sorrow and apprehension lifted from her spirit by the events of last night. Your smile, already resting on your lips, widens at the realization.

From these thoughts of grand and sweeping emotion, however, your mind turns inexorably to minutia. In this case, you can't help wondering just how it is that Liliesviel intends to dress herself. This isn't her bedroom, after all, and she surely didn't bring a change of clothing with her when she arrived at your door last night. Your idle imagination, pondering on the topic, begins to spin a pleasing image of a flustered Liliesviel, having neglected to consider her clothing in her flight to the restroom, rushing out into the hall clad in only a towel, with face flushed, hair damp and steaming, and tiny droplets of water still adorning her slender calves... You're snapped out of this reverie by a knock at the door. To judge from the magical presence outside, greater than a human's yet inferior to a Servant's, it's one of Liliesviel's maids.

"Enter," you call, not troubling yourself to rise.

Sure enough, the door swings open to reveal Stengel, holding a bundle of clothing in one hand. That resolves the question of Liliesviel'd dressing herself, then; the girl must have summoned her maid to bring her a dress by some magical signal inaudible to those not its target. Never one to ignore the appropriate protocols, Stengel gives you a respectful, if lopsided, curtsy using her empty hand before stepping over the threshold. If she's surprised by either Liliesviel's presence in your bedroom nor your own state of undress, she does an excellent job of not showing it. But then, considering what Liliesviel told you last night about learning how to make love from her maid, she was probably aware beforehand of Liliesviel's intent to visit you.

"Good morning, Stengel," you say, you words stopping her as she walks toward the restroom door. "You're up early, aren't you? That's admirable dedication to your duties, in a house where you're one of our guests."

"A maid's duties begin early," Stengel replies primly. "If all things around the house are to be kept appropriately we must rise well before our masters do, to ensure nothing is out of place when you lay eyes on it. As for my being a guest, Stachel and I will attend to our proper duties in any home where you and Lady Liliesviel reside; the identity of its owner makes no difference." With a smile, she adds, "but I could say the same to you, couldn't I, Lord Alberich? You've risen quite early, when one considers what a late night you had; but for we four, not another in this house is awake. Did you not rest well?"

"No," you shake your head with a chuckle. "There was nothing to complain of about my sleep; but a Servant requires little of it, and I do enjoy the dawn." As you're saying this, the flow of water in Liliesviel's shower is shut off, and you cut short your discussion to motion Stengel to the door. "It seems your mistress has finished bathing," you say. "Don't keep her waiting for her clothing."

With a respectful nod, Stengel knocks, enters the restroom, and returns a few minutes later with her delivery completed. From the time she spent within, you wonder whether Liliesviel follows the old aristocratic habit of having her servants help her dress. Considering the complexity of her dresses, it would hardly be surprising. Far more rapidly than she entered, Stengel excuses herself from your presence as you consider this matter, giving another curtsy before retreating into the corridor and shutting the door behind her. Once more, you and Liliesviel are alone.

No sooner has Stengel exited than Liliesviel emerges cheerfully from the restroom, looking much rejuvenated for her ablutions. There's no trace of the disheveled state in which the pair of you fell asleep: not a hair is out of place, not a fold of her exquisite skirts imperfect, and this renewal of her appearance seems to have entirely dispelled the girl's embarrassment. With an energy quite unexpected after her manner on awakening, she exclaims, "Since you waited so nicely, Alberich, now you can get as close to me as you like!" and so saying, throws herself bodily onto you in a startling flying embrace that leaves her half-sitting on your lap, half lying atop you, resting her head on your shoulder and her arms around your neck while her feet dangle off the side of the bed.

"Well!" you remark with a wry grin, "I'm glad to see your ardor has been restored. After your eagerness to get away from me this morning, I was worried there was something in my conduct last night to offend."

"Oh, no," Liliesviel sighs. "Everything was just the way I'd imagined it, and now we'll be together forever! I couldn't be happier."

"Wonderful," you reply, "then our feelings are indeed the same; but you know, I'm not the only one whose relationship with you changed last night. I wonder, how are you getting along with the Servant I gave you?"

"Hmm?" At this change of subject, Liliesviel pulls back, rising into a sitting position on your lap so she can look you in the eye. "With Circe? Everything was fine, of course. She's not the kind of troublesome Servant who can resist me, like Otto, you know. We had a nice, long, talk and worked everything out!" she declares, smiling brightly.

"Really?" You can't help being rather surprised at this development. "You didn't find her pride troublesome? It seemed to me that Circe was rather reluctant to become your Servant."

"Oh, that," Liliesviel says, pursing her lips at the recollection. "Well, yes, she wasn't happy about it at the beginning, but I took care of all that with my command spell. You must've seen how different it is from the other Masters' when I made the contract, yes?"

"I did indeed," you answer, nodding. "And this enabled you to secure Circe's loyalty beyond any doubt?"

"Of course!" Liliesviel wears an expression that, although affectionate, seems to imply this should be completely obvious as she answers. "I ordered her 'be loyal to me.' Since it's such a broad order, I had to repeat it five or six times before it really worked its way into her mind, but after a while I could tell it had brought her in line. After that, I had her tell me the whole story of the Holy Grail War you two fought, and everything she thought about it, as well as what she did afterwards, all from the beginning. So now I know everything you went through in order to get to me! The way you fought so valiantly, even though you weren't a Servant, was really wonderful."

"Thank you," you say somewhat absently, your mind focused on Liliesviel's explanation of her alteration of Circe's mind. Her command spell, it would seem, can be used without limit to enforce obedience; and Circe told her everything about the Akeldama without exception? The thought unnerves you for a moment. Of course you have intended to have no more secrets between you and Liliesviel, but even so, to have the story of your experience told in such detail outside of your presence... You suppose you're lucky that there was nothing in the tail to sour Liliesviel's opinion of you. Then there's the subject of Circe's exploits after the end of Judas' War, something you yourself had hoped to learn more about from either the Servant or Yumigawa.

>[ ] Bring up a detail about the Akeldama War. There's something you're curious about Circe's opinion of, or Liliesviel's reaction to. (What, exactly?)

>[ ] Ask Liliesviel about what Circe did in Tokyo (What do you want to know?)

>[ ] Now that you know Liliesviel's secured Circe's loyalty, you're satisfied. Extricate yourself from the girl's arms and conversation as politely as possible, then head for a different part of the manor. (Summoning? Studying magic? Speaking to another housemate? About what?)

>[ ] Say something else. (Write in)

>>4047497
>>[ ] Now that you know Liliesviel's secured Circe's loyalty, you're satisfied. Extricate yourself from the girl's arms and conversation as politely as possible, then head for a different part of the manor. (Summoning? Studying magic? Speaking to another housemate? About what?)
Summoning.
All I wanted to know from you, Lily.
Disappointing.
...
As one of the original Circefags, now I just feel bad.
About...
Lots of things, actually.
Lily a shit.

Where's that Rule Breaker at Emiya.

>>4047504
I am baffled.
I think you may possibly have misinterpreted something.

>>4047510
Command spells are for losers who can't keep their servants under control.

>>4047513
Guess you're definitely not a fan of Rin.
Because of this you feel bad about how the plot's developed, and switch to insulting Liliesviel? Did you expect someone with an unlimited-use command spell not to use it on a Servant who can keep herself alive independently and previously tried to kill her? Did you not want Liliesviel to hear the full story of the Akeldama War? Are you afraid that Circe will have lost some of her personality when you next meet her?
I don't understand what it is about this that's disheartening to you.

>>4047497
>[ ] Now that you know Liliesviel's secured Circe's loyalty, you're satisfied. Extricate yourself from the girl's arms and conversation as politely as possible, then head for a different part of the manor.
Get Futodoki to hang out with us while we summon our next familiar.

>>4047497
>[ ] Now that you know Liliesviel's secured Circe's loyalty, you're satisfied. Extricate yourself from the girl's arms and conversation as politely as possible, then head for a different part of the manor. (Summoning? Studying magic? Speaking to another housemate? About what?)
Who would be best for training our absorption magic to become an effective counter to Odin's runes?

>>4047518
I could've just dealt without the plot shitting on Circe.
...
Again.

While I may already have accepted that the Circe route was brutally murdered, I don't like having salt rubbed in an open wound like this.
Especially because as far as pretty much everyone could tell we were effectively cornered by the story into giving Lily exactly what she wanted.
...
Again.

I don't resent the idea of the Lily route, but that doesn't mean I have to like all the aspects of it's execution.

People voted for fucking Saber Alter to not act *completely* loyal to us, so why oh why would you think having Circe, who despite everything, is still in the running for most popular girl being forced into loyalty would be good?
I mean, I know that it makes some sense in the context of the story, but I don't think anyone wanted this for the dynamic between Circe and Lily.
At all.
In fact, if I realized this was going to happen, then I would've just preferred Circe to straight up die.
Instead of having something that just feels like wasted potential.

And yes, Rin a shit too.

>>4047560
Oh, man.
Sometimes it's the smallest edits that make the biggest difference in reaction. I can see you've blown this out of proportion in your head due to phrasing.
I had thought about having Liliesviel say something along the lines of "until she was just as friendly as your new Saber" or something, but since I couldn't settle on a wording for the line that I liked, I dropped it.
So here, anon. Have a small-scale spoiler to make you feel better. Circe's personality, goals, manner etc haven't changed; she just can't disobey or try to harm Liliesviel.
Now if that still makes you angry, I really don't know what you expected from giving her to Liliesviel as a Servant.

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>>4047578
Well, carry on then.

Phrasing is important.

>>4047586
It... really is.

>>4047650
I could even make a phrasing joke here about for my image of how this wasn't quite what Bazett expected when she was told her "Husbando was going to impale her."

Speaking of which, I cannot even begin to imagine the level of rage Bazett would have caused in this quest as an enemy.
Played right, you could basically have the players fear ever using their Noble Phantasm in any circumstance.

It's a shame that she's dead, because she really would've put the fear of magi into the players in a way that Harris seems unable to.

>>4047497
>[ ] Ask Liliesviel about what Circe did in Tokyo (What do you want to know?)
We are still a bit in the dark on that topic

>>4046711
Couldn't say. The third Marshall is a complete mystery in canon, so anything we see here is fanfiction.
>>4047497
>[ ] Now that you know Liliesviel's secured Circe's loyalty, you're satisfied. Extricate yourself from the girl's arms and conversation as politely as possible, then head for a different part of the manor. (Summoning? Studying magic? Speaking to another housemate? About what?)
Adelheid. Go to Adelheid
>>4047578
That seems like an important detail to include.
>Since it's such a broad order, I had to repeat it five or six times before she was as friendly as your own Saber"

>>4047887
We can just ask her that, you know.

Although I do still wonder how Circe path would've gone; Lily is cute and so long as the quality stays up i'm easy to please.

>>4047497
>[ ] (Studying magic)
Either Absorption or check on Adelheid.
Unless we pull Fenrir or we can eat the rejects for upgrades, I don't feel summoning would give us a game changer against Odin. Considering our team composition vs the rest of the competition's current threat levels, I doubt anything we pull would really contribute much unless team Shirou, Harris, and assassin band together.

>>4047664
For a while I had a similar 'fear' Sweets would throw us for a loop by having us deal with someone like assassin Casanova considering we've surrounded ourselves with a harem and would have to deal with skipping an upgrade or find a way to avoid a command seal suicide dead end, although it would be 'entertaining' to see how such a hypothetical upgrade would mesh with predatory charisma.

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>>4047497
>[ ] Now that you know Liliesviel's secured Circe's loyalty, you're satisfied. Extricate yourself from the girl's arms and conversation as politely as possible, then head for a different part of the manor. (Summoning)
gacha time

>>4048006
>Assassin Casanova
Oh man, that is a great idea! I wish I'd thought of that.

>>4048055
He would've been the source of Predatory Charisma

>>4048006
>I doubt anything we pull would really contribute much unless team Shirou, Harris, and assassin band together.
Although I love rolling dice, I'll have to agree with you on that one
besides, didn't Futodoki say he had some sort of magical sight that could see hidden things?
>>4048041
>>4047497
changing my vote to Studying Absorption magic

>>4048080
Ah. For a second I though we had a vote decided.

>>4048080
Studying magic?
Alone?
Why though?

>>4047497

>[ ] Now that you know Liliesviel's secured Circe's loyalty, you're satisfied. Extricate yourself from the girl's arms and conversation as politely as possible, then head for a different part of the manor. (Summoning? Studying magic? Speaking to another housemate? About what?)

Solo Absorption. It's better to wait on Adelheid in case she hasn't finished yet.

>>4048136
Because that is how magecraft is meant to be done.

>Absorption
>not Rejection
For the love of god
We already have Absorption.
What are you doing.

>>4048136
as much as I like rolling, I just can't really see how summoning could help us now, besides Odin, the other enemies can be countered already
>Assassin
Futotdoki has mentioned he had some magical sight that allowed him to see hidden things when we summoned him
>Emiya
PTSD induced Excaliblasts and Kenótis for any sword he throws at us
>Medusa
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
>Sakura
this would be the only threat I could see us getting to worry about in case she decides to go full Man Juice if we accidentally kill Shirou
>Harris
We can probably try attacking him from afar after scrying for him
>Matsuda
Throw our maid at him
>Odin
Can only be beaten in a 1v1, so summoning is kind of out of question, strengthening Absorbiton might enable us to counter his runes even if a little

So, unless we could get some pretty high rolls and summon a Divine Beast or something able to easily deal with Sakura, which would pretty much be 2% chance, I don't think summoning could really be worthy
>Alone?
well, I guess we could ask Circe or Odin if they can help us out, or check on Adelheid if she finished decrypting the damn book

>>4048192
>I don't think summoning could really be worthy
Worthy of what? What's the cost here? It's just a fun thing to do while we wait for the rest of the house to wake up. It doesn't cost anything or take nearly as long as a study session would.