TYPE-MOON Universe, Earth, Japan, Fuyuki city.
*Rumble!*
While Tatsuo was getting closer to completing the [Purification] of the Greater Grail, he and Elicia felt the entire mountain shake. Luckily, Elicia had been monitoring the situation outside the cave. So, Tatsuo was not interrupted by the abrupt shaking.
"I guess things are getting heated up out there." Tatsuo said with a smirk on his face while he continued the [Purification].
"Yeah, Caster went on the attack." Elicia said while a smile spread across her face. "I guess she's trying to keep us from being interrupted by the battle."
"Isn't that cute." Tatsuo said with his smirk widening.
"Isn't it?" Elicia replied. "But it's appreciated, nevertheless."
"If you say so." Tatsuo replied with a shrug. "Anyway, I'm almost done. So, we'll be able to join the party, too."
Nodding in response, Elicia went back to focusing most of her attention on keeping her magic power output stable while Tatsuo finished [Purifying] the Grail.
Meanwhile, back on the stairs leading up the mountain, the explosion from Caster's Magecraft bombardment brought the battle between Berserker and Lancer to a temporary pause. Now, instead of worrying about killing each other, they were more concerned with not being buried alive by all the rubble that was rolling down the mountain.
On top of that, they both had to worry about getting their Masters to safety, as well.
Luckily for Berserker, he did not have to put too much effort into that endeavor. Because as soon as the spells hit the side of the mountain, Illyasviel commanded one of her flying alchemical birds to grab her and fly her away from the mountain.
So, after making sure that Illyasviel was safe, Berserker only concerned himself with getting down the mountain and out of the range of the landslide.
Things were much more difficult for Lancer, though. As Bazett had no way to fly, he had to rush down the mountain, all the while avoiding falling rubble. Then, when he reached Bazett, he swept her up into his arms, slung her over his shoulder, and continued to run at his top speed. Luckily,, he was one of the faster Servants to be summoned during the Holy Grail War. Otherwise, he would have never even made it halfway to safety before both he and Bazett were buried alive.
Another thing that made the escape more difficult for Lancer was the fact that he was higher up on the mountain than the giant of a man. So, not only did he have to worry about getting too close to Berserker in fear of the Greek Hero stopping to attack. But he also was closer to all the falling debris. And this situation made keeping Bazett safe even harder than it would have been to begin with.
*Swish!*
"Damn that crazy witch." Lancer grumbled as he split a bolder in half with a swing of his spear. "Who the hell brings down a whole mountain on people?"
"Now is not the time, Lancer." Bazett said sternly as she used the superhuman strength afforded to her by er [Runes] to catch a large stone that was flying towards the back of Lancer's head from where she was slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "And just where do you think you're touching? Watch those hands!"
Unsure whether it was an accident or on purpose, Bazett could not help scolding Lancer when one of his hands slipped up her thighs and got a good long feel on her butt.
"Sorry, sorry, it wasn't on purpose." Lancer replied as he side stepped some rubble that came flying from the front when Berserker swept his axe-sword at the stairs and sent the debris flying up the mountain. "I've got a little more to worry about than copping a feel right now."
Though she acknowledged the truth in Lancer's words, Bazett still could not shake off the feeling that her Servant was taking advantage of the situation.
Even so, that did not slow down lancer in his attempt to outrun the landslide that was hot on his heels.
"Oh, man…" Lancer muttered as he saw the devastation that had befallen the city at the bottom of the stairs. "The Mage's Association is gonna have a lot to cover up after all of this is over."
Curious to know exactly what Lancer was talking about while she was being jostled around, Bazett turned her head to look over her shoulder. And what she saw made her sigh in exasperation.
At the bottom of the stairs, all the buildings on the other side of the street from the temple's steps were destroyed, buried in rubble. Unfortunately, she had no idea if any of those buildings were occupied. The only thing she could do is pray that they were vacated before everything started. She had already put up a [Bounded Field] that would make regular people avoid the area. But still, there was no telling if it worked one hundred percent.
Eventually, the two made it to the foot of the mountain. And when they did, Lancer made a sharp right turn, trying to get out of the range of the rest of the falling debris. And when they were finally at a safe distance, he put Bazett down. Then, the two turned to look at the devastation Caster's actions brought upon the neighborhood.
"Damn… This sure is a mess." Lancer said while surveying the area.
Bazett did not respond. Instead, she pulled out a communications device and began reporting the happenings to the Mage's Association.
*Roar~~~~~~~~~~!*
Unfortunately, Bazett's report was interrupted when Berserker, who had gone in the opposite direction upon reaching the foot of the mountain, leapt over the debris with his axe-sword raised high over his head.
"Move!" Lancer shouted as he shoved Bazett to the side before leaping in the opposite direction.
*Boom~~~!*
A moment later, the blade of Berserker's weapon slammed into the ground, creating a crater several feet deep. Then, before the dust from the impact could settle, he pulled his axe-sword out of the ground and flung himself at Lancer, who had once again raised his spear to continue the fight.
*Clang!* *Clang!* *Clang!* *Clang!* *Clang!*
The sound of the two's battle rang out all over the neighborhood. However, thanks to Bazett's [Bounded Field], no one came to see what was causing all the noise. Though, it would not be too long before emergency personnel arrived on the scene because of the landslide.
Meanwhile, Caster returned to Souichirou's side after seeing the damage her spells caused to the side of the mountain. However, it was clear that she was completely unconcerned about the fates of the people down below.
"That should buy them enough time." Caster said while continuing to look downhill. "Even if they decide to start climbing the mountain again, we shouldn't have anything to worry about."
"I hope so." Souichirou muttered while glancing between the destruction below and the eerily silent Ryuudou Temple. "I wonder how they'll react when they see all of this in the morning."
"It will probably be quite the shock for them." Caster replied. "But don't' worry, they will never think that this could be your fault, Souichirou. They are ignorant of the ways of mysticism."
"I'm aware." Souichirou replied while shaking his head.
"Anyway, let's go back." Caster said as she took Souichirou's hand into her own. "We're still the last line of defense should someone make it up here. Besides, I'd like to hear the results of the ritual as soon as possible."
Allowing Caster to pull him along, Souichirou remained stoic as they returned to the tree where they had been sitting and took a meditative posture once again while Caster nestled into his side.
A few minutes later, neither Lancer, Bazett, Berserker, nor Illyasviel had returned to the foot of the mountain. Though, Tatsuo and Elicia did emerge from the cave. On top of that, the evil that Caster had always been able to feel was no longer in the cave, either.
"Aww~, everyone's gone already?" Elicia asked in a playfully pouty tone. "I thought we were gonnna get to stretch our legs after standing around for so long."
Despite Elicia's tone, it was clear to both Caster and Souichirou that she and Tatsuo were exhausted from using so much mana to [Purify] the Grail's taint. The fact that both of them were covered in sweat with their clothing sticking to their bodies was quite the indicator, as well.
"No, we managed to drive them away." Caster replied. "By the way, would the two of you like to get freshened up? Our contract is still in affect until you're both safely at the foot of the mountain again, after all."
"A shower does sound nice right---" Elicia began to say.
*Growl~~~~~~~~~!*
However, before Elicia could finish her sentence her stomach made its presence known in quite the unlady-like display, causing Elicia to blush in embarrassment as she covered her stomach with both of er hands. She then, with a blush still present on her face, turned a tearful, puppy dog expression in Tatsuo's direction with an unspoken plea in her eyes.
"*Sigh* You know I'm just as tired as you are, right?" Tatsuo asked while shaking his head. "But you still ask me to cook you something right after we finish the job."
Elicia did not respond. Instead, she only intensified her stare, her puppy dog eyes growing even more pitiful as she did so.
"*Sighh* Fine." Tatsuo grumbled as he turned away from Elicia's unfair amount of cuteness for a woman her age.
As soon as Tatsuo agreed to er unspoken demand, Elicia's pouty face disappeared, quickly replaced by a smile. She then turned to Caster and Souichirou.
"Like I was saying, a shower sounds great right now." Elicia said happily. "And while I get cleaned up, would you mind showing Assassin to the kitchen? I promise, you won't regret it."
Smiling at the interaction between the two, Caster stood up from where she was leaning on Souichirou. She then took a step towards Elicia.
"Of course." Caster replied with a smile that both Tatsuo and Elicia could tell was hiding a scheme. "And if you didn't bring a change of clothing, I have some clothes of my own design that should probably fit you. Though, they may be a little tight. And perhaps a little short. Unfortunately, I'm not nearly as tall or well-endowed as you are."
That was quite the understatement. Caster stood at 5'4" with measurements of B32B-W22"-H33" while Elicia stood at 5'8" with measurements of B36D-W26"-H41". So, there was no way that any of Medea's clothing that she created for herself would fit Elicia.
And Elicia seemed to notice that, as well, as she looked Caster up and down, seeming to be able to see past the loose cloak the ancient Magus wore to obscure her features.
"I appreciate the thought." Elicia said while smiling wryly. "but I brought a change of clothes. So, you don't have to worry about it."
"I see." Caster replied in an understanding tone. "anyway, allow me to show you to the baths. Meanwhile, Souichirou, would you mind showing Assassin to the kitchen? If what the lady said is true, then we will truly be in for a treat tonight."
Souichirou nodded to Caster's request. Then, he stepped forward, gesturing for Tatsuo to follow him. Meanwhile, Caster led Elicia in another direction, towards the Temple's bathing area. And because she had used her Magecraft to put all the temple's residents to sleep as soon as she felt Lancer and Berserker's clash at the foot of the mountain, she knew there would be no one to disturb Elicia while she got herself cleaned up.
By the time Elicia and Caster returned to Souichirou's room, Tatsuo had just finished cooking dinner. Though, thanks to the scarce number of ingredients in Souichirou's refrigerator, the meal was rather simple. Still, Elicia eyed it like someone who had not eaten for days.
"Okay, just sit down." Tatsuo said when he saw the look on Elicia's face. "We all know you're hungry. So, we won't keep you waiting."
Elicia, with excitement etched onto her face, all but teleported into an open seat, her speed making both Caster and Souichirou raise an eyebrow. Even so, neither of them said anything as they both took their seats as well. Then, after a quick, "Itadakimasu," the group of four started to eat.
"Ahn~~~~~~~~~~~~~!" Caster, after taking her first bite, let out a positively lewd sounding moan.
Souichirou, on the other hand, although he was surprised by the sound that left his Servant's mouth, was too caught up in the taste of the food to comment, as for the first time in a long time, he smiled… genuinely smiled… because of the taste.
Meanwhile, Tatsuo and Elicia exchanged knowing glances with Elicia smiling happily while Tatsuo sported a victorious smirk on his face.
After that, dinner went by peacefully, neither pair bringing up anything about the Holy Grail War, Magecraft, or anything that could tie back to the current Holy Grail War in anyway. Instead, Elicia and Caster did all the talking, enjoying a conversation about their shared passion for fashion and making clothes.
As for Tatsuo and Souichirou, they ate in silence, both unable and unwilling to add anything to the conversation the women were having.
However, the comfortable dinner eventually came to an end. And when it did, all the parties involved knew that it was time for Tatsuo and Elicia to leave. And with a hint of regret on Elicia's part, that was exactly what they did, with Caster and Souichirou seeing them down the mountain.
However, when they reached the foot of the mountain, both Tatsuo and Elicia wore slightly gloomy expressions when they saw the devastation that was brought thanks to the earlier conflict.
"*Sigh* It's a shame that it had to come to this." Tatsuo said in a somber tone.
"It is." Elicia replied. "I can only imagine how this will affect the livelihoods of the people who depended on the destroyed buildings for work."
["You should be used to things like this."} Scylla said from Elicia's inner world. ["Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Cana leaves scenes like this in their wake by the end of every quest they take."]
'Yeah, I know.' Elicia replied internally. 'Still, that doesn't mean I have to like it.'
["That's true."] Scylla said. ["Oh, it looks like they're about to make their move."]
"You two are quite compassionate." Caster said as she stepped forward, drawing closer to both Elicia's and Tatsuo's back. "it's a rare trait for assassins and Magi. But I can't say I dislike it."
*Ting!*
*Thunk!*
*Bang!*
"And I can't say I dislike your opportunistic nature." Tatsuo, with [Rule Breaker] caught between the index and middle finger of his left hand while his right hand drove one of his modified trench knives into Caster's throat, said calmly. "But if you really thought that we would let our guards down just because we shared a nice evening with you, then you're looking down on us too much. And that, I can say, is something I dislike. [Trace On]."
As he spoke, his voice practically a growl by the end, Tatsuo's irises expanded to cover the entirety of each of his eyes. Meanwhile, his pupils elongated into slits, his eyes now looking like those of a reptile, a dragon to be more precise.
On top of that, Tatsuo used [Projection Magic] to copy [Rule Breaker] for good measure.
At the same time, Elicia spun on her heels, slapping away a punch Souichirou aimed at the base of her skull to incapacitate her, before throwing a high kick that landed on the assassin's temple, sending him flying in an unconscious state.
"*Sigh* If you had just left well enough alone, things wouldn't have had to end like this." Elicia said while looking over the unconscious Souichirou and the Caster who could only girgle unintelligibly at Tatsuo's changes as life draining away quickly from her body. She ten shook her head and turned to Tatsuo as she continued. "let's go, Assassin. I'm really tired. I wanna go to sleep."
Nodding in response, Tatsuo pulled his blade from Caster's throat, causing blood to spout from the wound like a broken faucet. Then, while avoiding the spraying blood, he turned towards the road leading back to the Grand Hyatt hotel before shifting into his astral form while Elicia started running, casting her [Hiding in Plain Sight] spell so that her superhuman speed would not draw any attention along the way.