21 Chapter 18 Holy Grail War!

"I ask of you, are you my Master?".

Another voice rings out beside my own and I jump back to avoid a sword slashing me in half. The blade was covered in an Invisible Wind that cut through the mist inhibiting my vision.

I gave the room a once over and knew exactly where I was. A church with a pale blue moonlight coming through the windows. Three figures stand in front of me. One whose outfit matches mine to a tee and two beautiful women that would cause a an entire room to silence in awe of there beauty.

"Ask ask of thee. What is thy name?".

I look at the short blonde woman and become speechless. Shiny blonde hair tied up into a tight bun and forest green eyes that narrowed with a piercing glare. She had pale skin and and androgynous facial features that was leaning towards the feminine side. If she let down her hair, she would appear a lot more like a girl than Astolfo.

It was Artoria Pendragon. King of Britain and King of Knights.

"Ahh!".

The other woman knelt on the ground as a set of command seals appeared on the back of her hand. I felt a connection to the woman appear and I instantly went over to help her.

"Master! Are you-".

*Bang*.

The third and final figure in the room pulled out a gun and shot at me before I could get closer to my Master.

"Master! What is going on here! Are they friend! Or foe?".

Artoria stood with her sword raised, constantly glancing between each person in the room.

"Kiritsugu. It's okay. That one is my Servant. There is no cause for alarm".

She was assisted by Artoria to help stand and hobbled over towards me with a smile on her face.

"I think we should talk to Grandfather about this. He'll know what we should do".

This seemed to placate Artoria and Kiritsugu as we all walked out of the church, my Master holding onto my arm.

"Master, do you need assistance? I Servant... your Servant will be more than happy to assist you".

Their was a little bit of a problem, the Grail hadn't put any information of the current era into my head. I wasn't sure if it was the result of summoning from another universe or because I hadn't technically died yet, however I was sure of one thing...

"This is a serious pain the ass!".

After making our way to the main house an old man was waiting for us and raised an eyebrow when he saw me.

"Oh? I underestimated you Irisviel. You managed to summon a Servant on top of the one we originally expected. I applaud you... Servant! What is your True Name and Class?".

Everyone turned to look at me and I sighed, "... Servant... Caster?".

Old Man Acht narrowed his eyes, "You seem unsure Caster, was their something wrong with the summoning?".

"No it's not that. I'm just surprised is all. I've never been to the past before".

Artoria stepped forward, "Are you saying that your legend hasn't happened yet? I wasn't aware that their were people from this age that could ascend to the Throne".

"Yeah... yeah! That's it. Although I have been summoned as a Caster I possess a Dual Summon Skill and can utilize my skills from my Saber form".

The old man smiled and nodded his head, "This is fantastic! With two Servants fighting for the Grail we've almost assured the Einzbern's victory! We can wash away the stain that was the Third Holy Grail War.

Take Irisviel to her room for her to rest Caster. Come to main hall after that and we'll introduce ourselves properly".

Looking at my Master she pointed in a direction and said, "That way... wait Kiritsugu!".

Irisviel tried to reach out for her husband but was coldly refused and only sighed. I didn't say anything but reassured my Master.

"Don't worry Master. I will make sure that nothing happens to you during this War. I swear on my life".

She gave a grateful smile as I picked her up in a princess carry and she turned a little red before placing her hands around my neck with a smile.

"I'll be placing my trust in you Caster!".

She hums while I carry her the entire way.

'Holy sh*t! Irisviel is so cute! She has an innocent personality and a top-tier MILF body! It's like I was dropped into a snow white heaven! I have decided! I will change history a little and make things sway to my favor'.

I look down and see the beautiful white haired woman smiling despite having the Grail contained inside her.

'I won't let you die'.

After leaving her in her room I notice a baby in the corner and smile before closing the door silently and making my way to the main hall and see a plethora of white haired servants with crimson red eyes.

The only people seated at the table was Old man Acht and Kiritsugu with Saber volunteering to stand by the side. She notices me before anyone else and gives me a curt nod before I sit down on the opposite side of the table.

"Well! You're just in time Caster. Saber, introduce yourself, title and name".

Artoria pulled out her Noble Phantasm and stabbed it into the ground without Invisible Air covering it.

"I am Artoria Pendragon! The one and true King of Britain and King of Knights! I have been summoned under the Saber Class for this Holy Grail War!".

I was shocked by the aura she produced. It made me want to bow down and worship her, but I just kindly smiled.

"I am Kagami Ren. I'm your average Caster Servant, however my 'legend' involves me normally being a Saber which is what allows me to use other Skills. I was known for being a rather decent swordsman. So if you ever want-".

"I will definitely take you up on your offer. Despite not knowing your legend, you must of been a truly famous Hero to ascend to the Throne as such a young age. It would be an honor to fight you".

We both smiled at each other but Kiritsugu interrupted, "How about now? The War has not started yet and it would be an excellent way to gauge both your abilities. What do you think Jubstacheit?"

The old man smirked and stroked his beard, "Yes, that is an good suggestion Kiritsugu. One-on-one, Noble Phantasms allowed, no time limit. Yes! Yes! A battle between Heroes of legend! Surabashii!".

Saber an I meet eyes and we both walked outside waiting for the bounded field to be set up.

"I've never met a King before. You look as strong as they say".

She tilts her head slightly and asks, "Are you not surprised by my true gender?".

I shake my head, "In my time, the disparity between men and women have been greatly reduced. Someone's worth should not be decided whether they were born with a penis. It is decided by talent, merit and the amount of effort one puts in".

"That sounds like a wonder full place to live. What is it- what will it be called?".

I pause for a moment before saying, "Musutafu. Japan".

Artoria looks off into the distance and her gaze falters, "I hope for my Kingdom to be like that when I win the Grail".

"You? Win? Not while I'm around", I give her a wink and walk off getting several dozen meters between us.

I didn't have to turn around to know that her smile had widened considerably.

"Alright! Are you ready Saber!"

She nods.

"And you Caster!".

I nod.

Kiritsugu pulls out several cameras and sets them down around our arena. Although it was just a pile of snow near the Einzbern Castle.

"Begin!".

I include my Saber Class Card and my hair and eyes change causing Artoria to stop her step and eye my warily.

I knew she had higher stats then me all round and even with difference Cards I didn't want to show all my cards instantly. Don't mind the pun.

"If you won't come to me, then!".

I used [Reduced Earth] to appear behind Saber and give a horizontal strike to her waist however she turned around and deflected my attack with a smile.

"That won't work!".

She used a Mana Burst and pushed me back a couple meters before using it again to leap towards me.

Raising Excalibur over her head Saber brings it down with a mighty roar trying to crush me with pure strength.

I smirk and parry the blow and kick her small body away making some room between the two of us.

"You're not a bad swordsman Caster. If I were still alive I would welcome you into my Table".

"Thank's for the offer but-".

I flick the tip of my blade causing the katana to ring out.

"I want to kick this up a notch a little".

I spin the sword in my hands causing a series of afterimages to appear in its trail. Although it appears slow to the eye, Artoria knew that it was just the technique not me doing it.

[Utau - Kyuu Seishin Ken] (Sing - Nine Spirit Sword).

With another [Reduced Earth] I appear directly in front of Artoria whose eyes widened at the swords in front of her.

This technique was inspired by Sasaki Koujirou, however it lacked the Spatial aspect and instead made eight afterimage-like illusions to deceive my opponent. It entrapped them in a cage of sword flashes with only one being the true strike.

Artoria only shouted, "Strike Air!".

My attack was negated and a giant burst of air pushed me back. The tunnel of wind continued until Saber's sword was once again fully exposed.

"I don't like concealing my sword however my legend is too well known and one glance of my Noble Phantasm and my True Name will be revealed".

I wipe my mouth and say, "It's okay. I understand. Someone I know hid his true form in order to hide protect those from his personal life".

The image of a super buff man with rabbit-like hair crossed over with the image of a lanky, weak man with rabbit-like hair.

"But you forget Saber!".

She tightens her grip on Excalibur and I continue, "You forget the Class I was summoned under!".

I raise my left hand, the hand without the katana and write a strange rune in the air. It is shaped like a jagged "S" and Jubstacheit rubs his chin.

"That rune is similar to the Sowilo rune, however it is different somehow... like it's Mystery is far more older...".

From the tip of my finger a giant torrent of flames come out much larger than the Strike Air that Saber swung at me.

She evaded the attack my sidestepping to the right but I moved my finger to the right and the flame followed my fingers direction.

"What!".

Saber tried to avoid the torrent of flames however just looked at me and started to run at me with the flames directly behind her.

I wait until she gets within 20 meters of me and I give her a wink, "Gotcha".

Her eyes widen and move to the ground beneath her noticing that an area of ten meters all around her had been closed off by a series of different runic symbols. She looked back at me and narrowed her eyes,

"I thought this would be a fight using the sword? Why have you used magecraft?".

I rolled my eyes a little and said, "Please, if you had Avalon right now you'd be tanking that inferno like a champ. You'd be practically unbeatable. I would have no problem if you did though. In fact I want you to use it".

Her narrows eyes fixed themselves and she brought out her sheath and placed in in between her and the inferno.

"[Avalon]!".

Her body was covered in a strong yellow light and the spell had been blocked by the shield.

"Not bad for a B Rank spell. Maybe I'll try A Rank next".

I begin to write in the air again before Jubstacheit's voice rings out.

"I think that would be enough! You have both proven your worth's and are Heroes beyond any I've ever seen! Saber, Caster, I would ask that you stop and direct your desire to fight to the other Servants participating in the war".

Saber and I look at each other before her Noble Phantasm's and my katana disappear.

"You are a peculiar man Caster. I chastised you for cheating yet you lecture me for not showing my true strength. I have no doubt that you and 'that' man would have been the best of friends".

"That means a lot coming from the King of Knights herself. And you're not to bad yourself. You're an amazing woman Saber. I think I'm falling for you".

Before I could blink Excalibur had made its way to my throat and her gaze became ice cold.

"Now I'm sure of it, you and Merlin would've been the best of friends. Two perverts in a pod".

"Hold on Saber! You are beautiful however it's purely from a platonic point of view! I mean I wouldn't so no if you offered but-".

I dodged a slash from her sword that was aimed at my neck.

"Don't do that! You could kill me!".

She tisked, "I missed".

"I've you were aiming for somewhere else, why did you try and cut my throat", I retort.

"Silence cur! I will cleanse the world of all Merlin's! Die!".

"Wait! Wait!".

The old man and Kiritsugu only watched on as his Servant attacked his wife's with a self-righteous fury.

'*Sigh*, what a troublesome Servant I have...'.