Chapter 97: One Family Falls

Chapter 97: One Family Falls

~Third POV~

[Fuyuki City, Ryuudow Temple]

*Shiii*

Returning from the Chinese Restaurant Mash was greeted by Fou barking at him as he smiled at the Beast placing down his takeout, "No worries little buddy I didn't forget you. And I have Medea's meal too."

Fou chirped happily as Mash put down Fou's bigger plate with 3 entrees and drink muttering petting his head, "For the supposed evil of things you are too cute."

Fou merely shrugged at the compliments opening up his package of chopsticks and choosing to ignore Mash enjoying his meal in peace, "Fou!"

Soon Medea emerged from within the temple smiling contently as she giggled seeing her Master being defeated, "Fufufu… it seems like Master got rejected by Saber and Homunculi's offer. You didn't expect them to turn you down did you Master?"

Scratching the back of his head handing Medea her takeout blushing a bit embarrassed, he said in a confused tone, "Ha… kind of? I thought she would agree once I explained though… I don't get why?"

Medea opened her take and took a bite using her Mage craft conjuring a black tendril piercing the orange chicken into her mouth. She answered obviously, "Munch. It's simple dear Master it's because she's a Magus and possibly looking down on you despite your Divine Spirit status or lack thereof…"

Mash blinked tilting his head confused about what she meant as he asked oblivious to her question in a confused tone, "Because she's a Magus? I… I don't quite understand what you mean. Isn't rational to clear out the evil within the Grail or safety of others?"

Medea taking another bite of her food sighed at her Master mindset. She shook her head as she began to explain why negotiations failed as they did in a clear tone, "Sigh… I know Master but it's because you're not familiar with our world or its customs. Heck, I can't believe you managed to trick Gilgamesh with your plan since no sane Magus would have the power to back it up. Only a heretic such as yourself would pull that off."

Munching away on her food Mash was confused by Medea's words as she continued to explain with her arms crossed, "Don't take offense Master but you are simply too naïve for your own good. Your mistake was assuming your mindset was the same as a Magus."

Mash raised an eyebrow at this with Mead explaining to him that he is literally from another world knowing very little of this world except for when it matters in battle. Mash already revealed himself he wasn't from their world and Medea didn't ask too much about his past respecting his privacy as he would hers in return.

After the talks with Irisviel go down and Medea explains Mash soon realizes why he couldn't convince her or anybody for that matter because of one cold hard realization… she was a Magus and did not understand their mindsets.

Once Mash spoke to Medea about the idea, she laughed at the notion of convincing others with his nativity explaining why it would've failed that Magus's morality granting him an explanation that opened his eyes to realizing the difficulty of convincing the others of his plan purifying the Grail.

Magus are prideful and traditionalist. Medea explained in detail what it implies to be a Magus and his position in the Moonlight world.

More than just a name, the term "Magus" defines a whole set of beliefs and lifestyles, the first of which is the desire to reach the "Truth". No matter the cost, they use all their assets and abilities to reach that goal, and any abilities gained in the process are a by-product.

They hold no meaning except to reach the Truth. Most Magi of long lineages do not find convenience in using modern technology, believing that the comparable magical tools they have possessed since long before the technology was invented will never be inferior.

Ideally, a Magus would render himself transparent while still retaining his ego. Medea explained to him, that those who openly deviate from the way of the Magi, such as Mash Bastion himself, are perceived as heretics that do not deserve to be called a Magus.

Once realizing that the Magus would do anything for the 'TRUTH' Mash was disappointed realizing how Irisviel viewed him as a heretic by their world rules. He sighed at this but then turned his head towards Medea as he spoke in a determined tone, "In that case, only Berserk Master would be likely to team up. And I have a way how saving a life in the process but first…"

Seeing his peaceful actions aren't going to work Mash steeled his heart speaking in a serious tone getting Medea's attention with a grin on her face, "We're continuing the mission of purifying the Grail which led us going to Germany next. We're going to pay a quick visit to the Von Eizbern Family Head Jubstacheit von Einzbern."

Medea also sensed something amiss as she was bemused when Mash added on with a serious expression, "And we need a bargaining chip. Medea how do you feel taking care of Illysaviel Von Enzbern after all this war? Everything goes right?"

Medea smiles nodding her head being informed of the little girl but questions his intent not harming her in a curious tone, "Of course Master. After all, while Kiritsugu would sacrifice her the mother is another question. But how do you want to treat her?"

Mash simply grinned as he explained to her in a casual tone in a light-hearted manner, "Like a normal kid? We're not monsters we have standards and morality. And besides it could be fun for you to teach a possible student once you get to know her."

Medea simply raised an eyebrow but shook her head with a sigh grinning lightly at his response. At the very least she found her Master to be someone morally righteous in her eyes not using children for heinous acts to her standards at least.

Medea prepared a teleportation spell soon enough when they were ready to leave…

/////

[Germany, Von Einzbern Mansion]

*Crn*

*Crn*

The crunching of snow was Mash and Medea marching forward with their objective. Having read Irisviel's memories of their encounter using his [Unseen Hands] and [Gluttony] 'sharing' he got the general idea where the Von Einzbern home was located.

The Einzbern family is an independent Magus lineage who lives in a mountainous area near a certain river in Germany the Rhine River seeking the Third Magic. The family was created by the disciples of the Magician of the Third Magic seeking to replicate their master's achievements. Surprisingly for such an old lineage, they have no branch families.

Their Thaumaturgical Attribute is Flow and Transfer of Power which allowed them to specialize in Alchemy, especially in coining Homunculi. The Einzbern Homunculi have their functions determined during the design stages and are born with bodies and minds optimized to perform their purposes.

The failures with somewhat better qualities are reused as maids and the worse ones get dumped into the forest or a lake in the castle. Even discarded Homunculi are far stronger than an average Magus.

The Magecraft of the Einzbern family, which follows the Thaumaturgical School of Alchemy, is based on the creation and refinement of substances and the focus of their studies lies solely in the structural manipulation of precious metals.

They know Healing Magecraft, but as Alchemists this is used not for the sake of recovering the flesh of injured people, but rather to lessen the great burden felt by a subject who received an organ that was tempered with Magical Energy and help his body get used with the newly transplanted organ.

Because their Magecraft Magical Energy becomes easily dispersible, buildings that are sealed off with soil or stone are the ones most desired by them to install a Magical Workshop.

Stopping on their way Medea stopped Mash as she explained to him in a neutral tone detecting their defenses, "Master we reached the edge of their [Bounded Field]. How do you wish to proceed?"

Mash equipped by Medea's items smirked placing his hand over the Mystic Codes used for the defenses asked in a neutral tone, "Medea? Is the [Bounded Field] connected with the land along with their other defenses?"

Tilting her head Medea nodded with a casual educated guess on his words crossing her arms, "… Hmm… possibly. But I don't know for certain till we go inside unless of course Master you wish to demonstrate another Authority in action."

Mash grinned nodding he'll do just that placing his hand on the ground with Medea smiling witnessing an Authority from another world in action as he uttered, "Authority of Lust, [Faker]."

*SHIII*

Black shadow particles soon eclipsed the landscape of the land with Medea's eyes widening in fascination with the miracle of this otherworldly power before her. The entire landscape was heavily altered.

The entire forest surrounding the castle was turned into a barren, empty landscape. The effects of the Authority of Lust, [Faker] reached towards the castle itself reforming the entirety of it and dissolving the Magecraft woven into the fortress effortlessly without resistance.

The castle remained the same except for the main entrance to the center of the castle was now out in the open revealing to Jubstacheit von Einzbern at the center of the broken castle with a small army of homunculi.

Medea seeing this waved her hand summoning soldiers of the undead as she answered her Master's needs, "Worry not Master leave the small fry to me. Go claim your reward, my Master."

Mash nodded appreciating her help, but Jubstacheit von Einzbern demanded coldly towards the approaching group, "Who are you to attack the Einzbern family?!"

Caster grinned in delight at the alteration she witnessed by her Master's side witnessing his Authorities in action. With a swift of her hands, the summoned undead all rushed towards the Homunculi as he Jubstacheit ordered not suited for combat, "What are you doing? Attack them!!"

Before the small army homunculi could react Mash uttered and ordered, "Authority of Envy, [Jealous Possession]. Jubstacheit order your homunculi to let themselves die to Caster's undead."

Much to the homunculi shock, Jubstacheit ordered their halt as Caster forces killed them without hesitation. Medea was fascinated by his Authorities with Jubstacheit struggling glaring down at him, "Who… the hell you think – "

*SMACK*

Smacking the old golem in the face Mash placed his left hand over his mouth licking it devouring everything about Jubstacheit, "Just a nobody. Now begone Jubstacheit Von Einzbern from this world."

*SLURP*

Licking his left hand Jubstacheit lost any life in his eyes as Mash got notified from the system gaining his talent, memories, and skills with a grin. All the so-called pride from the Magus golem is gone with few only to remember him.

Mash merely laughed reading all the memories of the gone Jubstacheit Von Einzbern muttered amused by the old golem, "Hahaha… how funny. So, no humans can recall him thanks to my [Gluttony] but the Homunculi network he created will remember him because of the link. What an intriguing encounter."

Finishing on dealing with the forces Medea and Mash both stride around the mansion reaching towards a room as he knocks on the door.

*Knock*

After a short wait, the door opened to reveal the 8-year-old and she looked up at them in wonder as Mash politely asked, "Mind if we come in?"

Being innocent and fearless she smiled trying to drag the two by the legs excitedly seeing social interaction melting their hearts with her cuteness, "Come in, come in!"

With that Caster and Master entered the room closing the door behind them…