Chapter 40

"A Divine Construct." Artoria spoke with a bit of reverence in her voice.

A Divine Construct, it was a bit of a misnomer, there were divine weapons not considered Divine Constructs and even weapons crafted by non-deities that are Divine constructs. Frankly, it's a catch-all term for something not producible by mortal hands.

For example, Excalibur. It was crafted by the Fae in the heart of the planet, yet it is a Divine Weapon due to the nature of its conception. My Dawnbreaker is a weapon forged by a divine entity, but it couldn't be considered a Divine Construct as it hadn't transcended a certain level. This was to be expected since Meridia made it for mortals to wield.

It wasn't surprising that Artoria could recognize its origins since she herself wielded several in her life. My staff, without even being used, radiated a power that was hard to diminish, impossible to ignore, and demanded attention.

"I picked it up in my travels in the world I stumbled upon." I said plainly.

Rin let out a snort, crossing her arms. "Is this the power of the Kaleidoscope then? Being able to pick up things like this as if they're vegetables? When I get good enough can I just go around and take Divine Constructions like they're nothing?"

It's not too surprising, her attitude that is. I casually strode in and acquired a Noble Phantasm, now I randomly picked up a Divine Construct. Ascalon, Staff of Magnus, some vague mention of a dragon in my soul, that was quite the lineup that happened upon for one reason or another, all basically coming back to my Kaleidoscope, and if I did nothing else, they could carry me through many difficult situations.

Yeah, my current power level didn't match the degree of my equipment. In hindsight, it wasn't wrong to say that my weapons are currently holding me back and if I didn't recognize this my potential would have been heavily lowered as a result. Luckily I have plans to rectify my current short comings.

"No." Zelretch replied, his voice stern. "If it were so easy, do you think I wouldn't have dozens at my disposal?" He eyed his apprentice, lightly chastising her. "With every Magic, with every Magician, there are….rules, things that must not be done. Do you think The Blue can just meddle with the Time-Line however she wants? Do you think that the past master of the Heaven's Feel could just resurrect souls on a whim?"

Rin frowned, mulling it over. "What's the big deal about taking something like that then? I can understand messing up Time or bringing the dead back to life, but who cares if—"

"Because it's stealing the potential of other worlds." Zelretch cut her off, I wasn't interjecting yet because he was clearly in teaching mode, and I didn't want to ruin the lesson. "What would have happened if he never took that staff? Would someone else have stumbled upon it, used it and became a pillar of support, a virtuous mage that left their mark on history? Or would they become a demon; someone feared across the eons. That world will now never know, that potential was taken away from it."

There was a new silence that permeated the room. Rin looked deep in thought, casting a few glances at me.

He never does miss a learning opportunity, even at my expense. Then again, he would often use his own failures to point out the correct paths.

"How different do you think the world would be if I had decided to take Caliburn before Saber had pulled it from the stone?" He swept his gaze around the room. "I can guarantee you that the magics that held it would have been unraveled by me with some effort." His eyes landed on me. "I do not need to tell you of the debt now owed to the worlds you have taken these items from."

"Karma that has been sowed must be reaped." I knew this, maybe my greed had gotten the better of me at certain points, but it didn't mean I was unaware of what I was doing.

Every action has an opposite and equal reaction. Equivalent exchange. Karma. It was practically a cosmic rule that permeated every corner of existence. If I just ignored everything and continued to be greedy then I would probably meet a bad end.

Zelretch nodded. "I won't lecture you on the morality that comes with your Magic. You know what you should do and what you shouldn't do, what debts need to be paid back."

I could only sigh, slumping my shoulders. "I get it." I waived him off. "I already had plans on going back and making sure everything was fine."

"Good." He acknowledged my intent. He turned back towards Rin. "Don't mistake this for not being able to gather your own resources. There is a difference between taking a Divine Construct and acquiring treasures." He gave a small smirk.

"That's true, I have gathered quite a few spell tomes, treasure, and magical reagents just from the last world I visited." I had a similar look on my face, one we both knew all too well.

How much alchemy materials did I have in my ring right now? Potions, metals, gold, jewels, so many things of value that I could take without a second thought.

"Now you're just rubbing it in." Rin grumbled. "But why can he do it and you can't?"

"Zelretch operates on a slightly different set of rules....he has a certain 'authority' but at the same time he can't leave in any meaningful way, and his actions ripple across reality." I explained, choosing my words carefully. Yeah, he couldn't step off of 'Earth' or 'Gaia' as it were.

"Which set of 'rules' will I be under then?" Rin asked. It was a fair question on her part.

"You will be more like me, Zelretch is simply different. You can attribute it to him basically blazing this trail."

"Alright, alright, no need to delve into those topics yet, that's too far ahead for her." Zelretch put his hands up, turning to Rin. "I'll give you a few pointers, you've been doing well by yourself so far." He picked up the staff. "With this….I think we would be able to manage, let me gather everything I have on my end and then we can see about putting together a gate." The staff practically became docile in his hands.

Show off.

Well, I do get my flair for the theatric from somewhere.

"No rush, go help Rin we can do this later."

I was truly in no rush here, better to let Rin get some more stuff to work on. It was already going to take a few days to properly set everything up anyways.

Rin didn't waste any time chasing after Zelretch as he walked towards the workshop in the back, obviously excited to make some progress in her Magic. I didn't begrudge her, I could recall the early days of delving into the mysteries of the Kaleidoscope myself.

Well, now there was only two.

I glanced over at Artoria who didn't seem to have anything to do as well. So far, all I've seen her do is just accompany Rin everywhere. I know she's a Servant and takes this duty seriously, but is this all she does, day in and day out?

"I have nothing particularly planned for today and it looks like Rin will be busy for the foreseeable future, would you accompany me for a stroll? I would love to have a conversation with you." I asked towards the Saber servant.

There were actually quite a few things I wanted to speak with her about. The stories she could tell only made it that much more appealing.

Artoria looked at me a little surprised it appeared. "I would like that." She gave me a smile that I could get lost in.

***

"How have you liked the modern era so far?" I asked my companion as we traveled around the courtyards surrounding the association.

She should have been here for a few years, no doubt Grandfather had done something to ease the burden for her to sustain herself here. Probably using some pieces of the grail? That's a curious thought, I wonder about the exact mechanisms, I'll need to make a note and ask him about it later.

"There are many things foreign to me that the Grail had not seen fit to provide information on beyond the very basics." She frowned. "Learning the applications of the technology here has been trying."

Ah, and it's a bit behind what I'm used to. "Speaking as someone from a couple decades ahead, it's only going to get worse, you may as well get started now." Yeah, just wait until things like smart phones start popping up.

"Joy." She deadpanned. "Though there are many marvels that people here take for granted that I would have traded much of my treasury for in the past."

"Let me guess, hot water?" I laughed, remembering my time in Skyrim.

"Indeed, the accessibility of hot water, and even running water in general is something I still find most pleasing every day." She gave a small smile.

"What about hobbies, anything you like doing in your free time?"

"I spend most of my time guarding Rin." She shook her head. "It is my duty to make sure she is safe."

I guess it was unneeded to say how dangerous it was here for her to believe such a thing. But….. "Does she need your protection every moment of the day. Are you not out here right now without here?"

"She is with the Wizard-Marshall, it is unlikely I would be able to do anything he would not so she is safe."

"So, what would you have done if I didn't invite you out?"

"….I would have waited for when next she required me."

"You would have just sat there all day waiting for her, maybe even a few days?" Gods know we mages can get lost in our own research for long periods of time.

"It is my duty….." She said quietly.

"You're allowed to enjoy your life in addition to your duties."

She evened her expression. "I am a servant, my only duties are to my master."

"The Holy Grail War is over." I countered.

"The Dead should not lead the living."

"You would not be leading the living; you would merely be living your own life. Caster is getting married, and she apparently started her own clothing designs and sells them." I pointed out.

Artoria furrowed her brow, looking deep in thought before letting out a sigh. "Rin as said similar words in the past."

"Oh, what has she said?" I'm curious now.

"Merely….that I should find something to occupy my time." Her face turned a little red. "Mayhaps…. the mention of me finding a romantic partner was spoken by her on a few occasions."

Huh, Rin is indeed observant. "How has that worked out for you so far?"

She shook her head. "It would be difficult to ever find someone romantically interested in me."

"Wait, what?" I couldn't help but come abruptly to a stop. "Why would it be difficult for you?"

She just blinked for a moment in confusion. "You need not spare me my feelings; I am aware of my own appeal."

…..what? "I'm sorry, what? Do you think you are…. unattractive?"

She looked unamused but continued. "If you wish me to be blunt about it, I'm –"

"No." I cut her off. "I'm going to stop you right there because I know where this is going." Wow, why hasn't Rin nipped this in the bud? "You are a very attractive woman. I am attracted to you, and I would be overjoyed to invite you out to a romantic evening, a date, if you were so inclined."

This is not how I thought this evening would go...but I did have a bit of a liking on her. I would love to get to know her better. Well, strike while the iron is hot, they say.

Who knows if we would ever amount to anything, but I would rather try and fail than have a small regret.

"I do not require pity." There seemed to be a small bit of….anger in her voice.

Did she think I was actually pitying her? I rubbed my temples, trying to think this through, my memories on Saber's life weren't super detailed…. but I could piece some stuff together. She lived her life as a man, did that skew her own self-perception? Did she think she was undesirable as a woman because of that?

It seems drastic measures must be taken. "A wager." I stated.

"Pardon?"

"A spar with a wager. If I win, then I'm taking you out on a date with romantic intentions and you will have to acknowledge that I find you attractive and want to get to know you better." It seems like I would need to be as subtle as a wrecking ball here.

I saw her eyes widen slightly and her cheeks flush a bit. "Y-you cannot be serious."

"Does the King of Knights dare accept?" I challenged her pride, which did illicit a reaction. If nothing else comes from this, I would hope she might rethink this weird sense of self loathing.

"I am a servant, even if you are a Magician, you are not on Zelretch's level yet. Not to mention those ridiculous terms!" She turned a bit redder. "Why would you desire such a thing?"

"I though it was obvious, I like you." I smiled sincerely.

Was just kind of simple really, there are things about her that I found attractive and wished to pursue and see if something buds.

"I…..Fine." She resolved herself. "We shall deal with this nonsense through battle." She let out an adorable huff, crossing her arms. I think it was the most emotion I've seen out of her since.

So cute.