Chapter  6

"So this is all that's left"

Amidst the ruins of the house, (Y/n) raised a piece of ash on his finger and sniffed it

"Hm...this smells like ash...[Structural Analysis]" Mana filled the delicate structure as the spell was activated, giving me a glimpse of its basic properties and history behind it

"...."

"Zouken, what the fuck man?..."

There are certain things that could be told from my expression, but let's just said I am regretting sniffing the piece of ash now.

Letting the vile thing scattered in the wind and hoping it would end up inside someone's mouth eventually, I walked up to the entrance of the now ruined Matou manor

Burnt woods littered the place, accompanied by the smell of worms and unsanitary substance still leaking on the floor. The building was razed to its foundation in one night. With no trace of physical interference on the Bounded Field's record, it is decided that this incident is one with a magical cause when it was reported to Fuyuki's fake police division

That's when we come in. Investigation team sent by the Mage Association to search for the unknown culprit and recovered whatever Mystic Codes or tomes they could get their hands on as a side mission. I was one of the only two who volunteered and was accepted due to my reputation within the Cock Tower

I walked through the house's door to be greeted with the scene of the Association's crew on the work. Some of them greeted me, while others were too busy casting diagnosis spells on the scene to offer me something more than a nod of acknowledgement

Enforcers are often more efficient on practical job because they're not like traditional Magus in their uses of Magecraft. Instead of striving to reach the Root, those of this profession are more focused on maintaining their job and get a quick buck out of it. A good mindset in a fucked-up society like this

"Ah, sir. Have you found anything yet?"

"So far things stay true to our hypothesis. Holy Grail War shit happens and Zouken Matou was murdered without leaving a heir behind. His home was then burned to the ground to erase evidence of the deed" It's sad that such a big family had been dwindled down to this sorry state after centuries of operation. Regardless, my job here is simply to clean up the mess, not to investigate on the culprit

"We'll just use the normal gas leak excuse then?"

"Aything to feed the media. Add a little hypnosis if you see fit" The Enforcer nodded and returned to his work. I continued on inspecting the area, looking for additional clues that may had eluded them

All around, working with Enforcers aren't that bad. They are not nice people, but tolerable when needed. All-around efficient, completely different when working with magus who simply think their jobs can be done with a simple "Abracadabra" and a wave of their hand.

I glanced to the side, where my "partner Enforcer" were busy gazing at the ruins.

"Vitch!" I called out to her'. The woman turned around, revealing Caster in her disguised form

My Servant wear an ordinary secretary-like outfit, albeit with a white jacket few sizes too small and a miniskirt that is more fitting for fetish play than for actual application on the job

(Don't ask for the fucking sauce)

"Sir" She walked to me, hips unknowingly swaying from the side, earning her some stray glances from nearby male Enforcers. Some murmurs of "lucky bastard" and "SI protagonist" reached my ear, but I simply ignored them

After all, we're accomplices and at best close acquaintances. There's no need to be intimate about such things

"Are you enjoying youself so far?"

"The outside scenery of this city is as beautiful as you say. But I think we could do with a change of location" Under her more humane disguise, Caster smiled brightly as she gestured toward the desolate Matou manor around us. I nodded in agreement

"Let's call it a wrap then"

After announcing the end of the investigation, the team packed up and left the scene with a burnt manor behind them. And then there were just us, a Master and his Servants

"So...what did you manage to find?"

Caster brought her hand out. Pink particles converged into her palm, creating a visage of a complex network with branch-like formation

"The mana resevoir here, while a bit low for my standard, is suitable as a source of energy" She observed "Using Witchcraft I can redirect the flow of mana here back to our hideout, if that is what you want?"

"I don't see a reason not to" I gazed out toward the city "Anything to win the war is of worth to a certain degree of consideration"

"Master. If I may ask you something" Caster's eyes locked on to me. We gazed at each other for a moment "Why is it that you participate in the Grail War?"

The unexpected question made me pause. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for the answer.

This is it. I've read enough Shonen manga to know where this goes

A scene where after the initial meeting, both characters starts to get closer. This looks like one of those moments where they share each other's past. Little tibid of information that will get them closer in the journey. This is the chance for me to earn Caster's trust and learn her name

"No particular reason" I answered, leaning on the grailing of the road "To be honest my life would have been entirely fine if the thing didn't exist. I can live without it"

"But not right now. You won't join if you don't have something you want" Caster leaned to my side "If there's anything I learned, it's that human always desire for more. They desire things that they can't have out of greed, envy, or necessity. You are not that different"

That's a point I have to concede. If people can be satisfied with what they want, things would be better

But better does not mean more interesting

"I used to have a dog" I whispered "I met her during one of my hunt. She was found near-death under the rubble of a ruined castle by my friend. At first, we don't know how she's there considering the place was owned by a bloodthirsty vampire we killed, but eventually we agreed that I would adopt her"

Caster's ears twitched in interest. It's not usual her Master would talk about his past

Ignoring the strangeness in which someone would mention their dog when starting their backstory, she continued listening

"I brought her home and treated the dog. Since she doesn't have a name I decided to name her as Malley" I sighed "She's...special. Not in that she's a rare breeed or in possession of rare magical properties. Malley's an unremarkable dog, and that's what makes her special to me"

The contradiction was not lost on either of them. How can an average creature be treated as a one-of-a-kind?

"I know what you're thinking. But I can actually feel having her around affects me in ways no treasure or power could. I realized a companion is all I ever wanted in my retirement"

"...Where is she now?"

"Six feet under"

The Servant shuddered. As he said this (Y/n)'s face was calm. But something about it...unnerved her

"You want to use the Holy Grail to revive your dog"

Had a Magus heard that, he would be appalled and no doubt disgusted. From a technical point of view, a proper resurrection requires something outside the scope of True Magic since part of the person's soul become one with the World after their death. And even then, to use it to revive a creature with limited lifespan is nothing short of pure idiocy

"Now hold on!' I raised a hand "I never said I wished to have her part. Death is a natural part of our life, and while I'm sad I don't have more time with her I have long since learned to let my dog go. The real reason I want it is to find someone that can fill the gap she left behind"

No-

Could it be, he is the same?

"L-like a lover?"

"A friend" I corrected, before pausing to look toward the evening sky "A partner, a companion that I could spend my unremarkable life with...just like her"

"Would it be too presumptious of me to fill in the role instead?"

I turned to Caster. Instead of her usual pensive attitude, the Servant now sports a slight smile on her face as she walked forward...and hugged me. I stiffened from the unexpected contact

Wait, what? You want to be my dog?

Isn't this the part where she starts sharing her background, motivation and goal of joining the war before telling me something that hints at her identity?

Come on. Give me a name. Noble Phantasm name. Like and dislikes. Breast size. Anything. Just don't leave meh hanging with this unexpected plot development

"I can't promise I will be as good a dog as your old one, but I will try my best to fill in that gap" She grinned "I'll be whatever you want me to, as long as it makes you happy, Mikon~"

It was as though something about Caster changed in that moment. Her smile grew just a little wider. Her ears stands a little bit straighter, and light returned to her eyes. It was...rather pretty

Well, this isn't as bad I suppose.

My eyes softened as I patted her on the head

"Let's go home"

"Yes, Master"

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"You are the imposter"

"No, you are!"

"Bitch!"

"Whore!"

"Dick sucker!"

"Motherfucker!"

"Yes I a- I mean no I'm not!"

Magic spells were sent whizzing across the room in a storm of colorful arcane energy. Air shifted into zephyr, sparks turned into raging fire, magic flowers entwined upon the tip if their fingers as the she called upon her more destructive arsenal

When we came home, we found that something had happened to Merlin

Or Merlin's, I suppose

Because there are now two of them sitting in the half-ruined living room, looking to be in the edge of killing their doppelganger like this is supposed to be a Saturday's crime thriller on HBO

As I walked into the room along with Caster, that drew their attention

Unlike the older Merlin beside her, this Merlin seems younger and have that naive look in her eyes. Wide lilac eyes stared at me, with tears brimming at the edge

"Master, you recognize me don't you!?"

"Merlin?"

"No, that's me" My Servant interrupted, pointing at her younger counterpart "She somehow appeared beside me while I was working on our Territory outside. Said she's your Servant"

"But I AM Merlin. My Master is you, (Y/n) (L/n)" She pouted "How can you not see that?"

"Well, I certainly see the resemblance between the two of you"

"Master..." Older!Merlin scowled as she wrapped a hand underneath her admittedly impressive bust "Does anything about this amazing body resembles that joke of an imitation?"

"Faker! She pads her chest!"

"Hmph, don't be ridiculous" She raised her chin smugly "These tits are 100% Succubus made! Of the freshest, most succulent meat that will challenge men's carnal desire. not even a Dilf can resist this"

I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that

"Okay okay. Things are getting rather out of hand" Before it could further devolve into a shouting match, I held out a hand. The both of them turned around. Their eyes soon widened

"Master, that...your hand"

Curious, I turned my palm around

Nine Command Seals glowed a bright crimson upon my flesh, indicating my ownership of the third Servant

Well...

"So both of you are Merlin. Servant Caster, summoned here in participation of a Grail War" I summarized after a moment of thought

"There'sanother set of three Command Seals on my arm, so that means she is indeed my Servant. For whatever reasons she end up here, this Merlin is now effectively our ally"

"You sound oddly calm about this"

"Eh. It's not like anything change for the worse by her presence. It's still pretty unremarkable, all things considered" I shrugged "For all we know, an Apocrypha that involves 14 Servants that could have happened. I'm still surprised a Ruler Servant hadn't been sent down with the amount of rule-breaking I've just made"

Seriously, it's just double Merlin

What's the worst thing that can possibly happen?

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So that was what happened yesterday

An alternate version of Merlin, to which I will now dub as "Proto Merlin" has somehow been summoned. Aside from appearance, their skills are the same. Hero Creation, Charisma, the likes. It's as though looking at a mirror of your alternate self

I have some sneaking suspicion that Zelretch is responsible for this...

Aside that, Caster also opened up a little for me. It seems like she's been much more cheerful ever since that conversation we had yesterday. This morning I've woken up to the sight of her serving me breakfast in bed

I...

...Well it's not an every day thing for you to get a mythical fox girl cooking for you. I appreciate it

Still miss my dog though

I walked through the early market of Fuyuki in order to buy food. Supplies has been running low lately

Apparently all the higher-quality food in this area has been bought off by some mysterious blonde lady and her white-haired companion for a while. Some rich girls, or just an eating enthusiast? Either way, damn them

"Fuck. Who the hell need that much potatoes?"

"Saber apparently"

"Fuck Saber"

"Yeah. Make her your bitch, boi"

"No. Not in that wa-" I stopped and glance around. Using enhanced [Structural Analysis] I scanned the mana density around the area and spotted a blue miasma standing just behind me

"Is this an enemy Servant?" I pointed at him

"Take out that "enemy" part. Right now I'm just an average guy wandering around the neighborhood market to look for some good food"

I eyed the air in front of me

"You look...nothing like average"

"And you look like a different version of me that never went past his emo state"

That's oddly specific, but fair. I shrugged slightly and walked to the vegetable aisle. The Heroic Spirit following after me in curiosity

"Where are your Servants?

"I can handle myself well" I left out the fact that our apartment is just mere blocks away from here "How about you? I thought Servants are supposed to stay near their Master?"

"Eh. My Master is nearby" The miasma folded itself in a motion that resembles a shrug "There are ways I can protect people without being in a limited distance near them"

I see. Following the normal logic, he would either be Archer, Lancer or Rider. But Tokiomi doesn't look like the type who would wander around in the lower streets unless its for appearance. Rider, while possible, would prefer to stay out in the open as they are individuals of high charisma

The conclusions lead to him being a Lancer. Which again, I do not believe for a second

"You're an Assassin, aren't you?"

A disgruntled grumble from the Servant was his answer. Curious, it seems he already expected me to expect him to expectedly lie to me

"You consider the safest option to be shifting into your spirit form. A highly-used tactics by Archer of the past wars, however to use it in in the open at day while you're away from your Masters proved that you don't seek open confrontations with enemy unless necessary, which reveals the true nature of your class" I gazed at him, as he did I. For a moment we simply studied each other

Naturally, that was a lie

If you haven't realize yet. I was bluffing my ass out with this guy. Obviously Assassin is dead, I made sure of it, but acting as if you've already known would elicit some sort of reaction from him, one that would allow me to gauge his true self by process of elimination

And it seems my hypothesis is true given his sigh. Assassin is not dead, at least not the class itself. I'm pretty sure I took all of them in the lfirst night of the War

Then, could this be an extra-Servant? But to directly interfere with the summoning ritual would require a noticeable amount of Mana even to my standard

"(Y/n) (L/n). What is your dream....?"

The Servant's question broke me out off my thought

"I don't have a particular goal, but if its anything that I prefer, it would be being average"

I like it. But I hate how people perceive it

To not stand out. To be normal. Once you've experienced the things I did, that desire for normalcy will become a part of you

"Right then. Have you ever consider, hypothetically of course, that your dream are stupid?" The Servant materialized next to me. The miasma dispersed, revealing a masked teen with the same height as me leaning on a nearby pillar

There's no discernable features about him aside from those two. [Structural Analysis] and other detection spells bounced off Assassin's form as though he is immune to it. An Information Erasure type of rank A or above, then

Seeing no other available action, I answered

"No dreams are stupid if you truly strive for it"

"Wishful thinking. But I get where you come from" Assassin tilted his head "Perhaps it was your Origin at work, or just a burning desire fueling your existence. Desires like becoming a Hero of Justice, to see hope blossom on the face of those you saved. The journey won't be a smooth one, however"

"What are you getting at?"

"That becoming average is impossible for an existence like you""

"You don't know that"

"Oh, I knew that"

"No. No you don't" I shook my head "Irregardless of who you are, even if Fate wills it, I will refuse the notion with all my might. I will deny the Truth and continue living in a Phantasm of my own if that means I can achieve my dream. That, I will never waver"

For their is no truth greater than yours

The Servant silently judge me. Finally, Assassin let out a chuckle 

"Have you ever heard of the Kaleidoscope? And of the Multiversal facet?"

The question greatly confuses me

"I do" Being Zelretch's long time friend and apprentice means you have many contact with the Kaleidoscope that are simply unavoidable. For that I hold a decent knowledge about how the verse's infrastructure works in conjuntion with dimensional flow

"What if I told you that I've met many of your kind before? They all said the same thing, yet ended up with the same fate" 

"Hm" I snorted "Then they simply have not tried enough"

The Servant merely shrugged before turning around and leave

There is no need to say more

After all, the seed of doubt has been planted. Now all he has to do...is wait for that seed to blossom

And wait...

And wait...

...It's going to be boring, isn't it?

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Route: New Dawn

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Sorry, guys. Been a while since I've updated this, but school and stuffs in general prevented me from having any time in writing this story

Aside from that, I'm planning to take some inspiration from a fellow author  who actually has the gall to make something few Fate writers would do: Make separate routes for the same timeline. 

I mean, bloody hell that takes some dedication to do. Which is why it took me such a long time to figure this out. I'll still need a few more chapters before smoothing out the plot

And then there are the matter of interconnecting choices, which if done right would make this a semi-interactive story

I think I'm turning into Jerome F. Davies...now if only I have a wife to butcher

There was a time when I didn't get this image. But now, having become a fan of the franchise, I regret understanding it