Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Maybe you shouldn't try to antagonize her. Make genuine attempts at befriending her even if she tries to rip your head off.

You raised your hands and took a step back. You shouldn't antagonize her more than you already have. Being this close to you and unable to kill you must be torture enough for her. You could see how she was restraining herself just by looking at her eyes. Which was why you decided to take a step back and give her some space as she faced you.

"I won't antagonize you anymore. I've had my fun. I know of the pain you're going through, Minerva," you said as you drew from within and spoke with sincerity, "I felt it too when I was cast out of the family. Being discarded and used, it's only par for the course for that old man. But that's not your fault."

Minerva blinked at you as she parted her lips, "What?"

"The situation you're in, your circumstances and even your fate is not your fault. It's pressed down upon you by things beyond your control or people betraying you," You said as you moved your hand to the side, "If you think about it, your hatred only stems from the words grandfather ordered you with. To kill me doesn't mean you hate me. There's no logic in that, I've done nothing to you personally. The only reason you're after me is to regain grandfather's affection which, if we're being honest, would only happen if I can kick someone like the Wizard Marshall in the balls."

"Spit it out. Stop dancing around with your words," Minerva growled as she tightened her grip on her shoulders.

"Beyond grandfather's orders, there's no reason for you to kill me. I'm a stranger. You're not even a year old. You have no affection for the family, no stake or reason to be loyal. That was only possible because you were programmed that way but given what you are now, you're more than that," you pointed out as you placed your hand in your pocket, "So... Why don't we start from the beginning and get to know one another once more?"

Minerva stared at you, her expression softening. You then held out your hand and offered it to her. Minerva looked to the side and turned to face you, she gave you one last look before turning her back on you and walking off.

You ended up having to watch her leave without another word as you lowered your hand.

That... Wasn't the reaction you were expecting. You were hoping she would tell you to fuck off but she never did. You couldn't help but feel suspicious of that. She had left you alone to observe Assassin and Saber. Somehow this ended up with you being unnerved. You were wondering what was going on in that Doll's head.

.....
....
...

"A scouting mission?" you asked as you sat across the table from Caren. You glanced to the side and noticed Ophelia raise an eyebrow as well as she crossed her arms.

"Yes. I would like Assassin and Rider to conduct scouting missions on the Blackened's fortress. Assassin could infiltrate the Pyramid while Rider tested the security of the structure. It works well with their strengths with one excelling in cover operations and another being one of the faster Servants. We've conducted surveys of the surrounding area the Pyramid is located in the past few days but nothing this deep. Lady Edelfelt is quite the tactician and would need as much information as possible to complete our preparation for tomorrow," Caren explained as she glanced between you and Ophelia, "Which is why I've come to you tonight to borrow your Servants."

Ophelia cleared her throat, "It does put a great risk to our Servants... But the information garnered may very well be worth it. I'm prepared and so is Rider, Hans on the other hand..."

"Nice of you to speak on my behalf but the one at the greatest risk here is my Servant. Going inside enemy territory with no back up? I know she's an Assassin but I'm not sending her there without the proper prep work. Besides this seems sudden," you pointed out as you frowned.

"It may be sudden but at this has been in one of the plans I've outlined with Edelfelt. Assassin is aware of the risks as well since we've briefed her days ago. To be honest, dragging you here is a formality but I still want to respect your wishes. Besides, you do make a fine case," Caren said as she glanced at Ophelia, "Will your faction be able to work with Edelfelt to provide Assassin with the necessary support?"

Ophelia grimaced before glancing at you, "Fine, what do want, Hans?"

"An insurance. If anything happens to Assassin, I can just use a Command Seal to pull her out but I'd like measures to prevent that. I won't give anything specific. As a gesture of goodwill, I'll leave it to you to decide on how to go about it," you replied as you leaned back on your seat, "Failure to do so will force my hand to... Readjust my Servant's role in this venture."

"You do realize that we have our hands just as tied as you are and you're making these sorts of decisions. Are you deliberately trying to... No, of course you are," Ophelia said as she rubbed her forehead.

"Well, I was hoping one of your people will slip up and I can just clean up. At least I tried," you shrugged as you shook your head.

Caren cleared her throat and said, "I admire the effort, Mr. Derrinsmith but perhaps pick a better time for it?"

"I understand. Sorry Ophelia but I'll leave things to you. You're the prodigy here," you pointed out to which the woman could only sigh.

"Honestly... Well, from our preliminary investigation shows us that the Pyramid is at least protected from lesser Magecraft. There's a barrier surrounding it keeping it hidden from plain view as I've mentioned before but it's also generating magical energy towards... Somewhere... It's sitting on top of a leyline which makes things doubly difficult for us. Sabotaging it from the inside could be our best bet but I wouldn't want this to end in a siege in the worst case," Ophelia said with a sigh.

"Sabotaging it would simply put all the work on Assassin's back which is a no go. Besides that, I don't believe we have a capable Caster on our side to disassemble that barrier protecting the Pyramid. The leyline connection does worry me a bit. With that connection, there's the possibility of the Blackened generating more of those Sphinxes on top of the number it could already summon," Caren said as she crossed her arms.

You looked between the two women and asked, "What exactly are you two planning? No, Luvia's planning, right? How exactly do you plan on dealing with this?" you pointed out with a frown, "If it's sitting on top of a leyline and its defenses are too thick, you don't exactly need to go directly to a siege."

Ophelia frowned at you, "What are you saying?"

"Well, just force the bastard to come to us. That way we won't have to break in right in its home base," you shrugged as you managed a small smile.

"Won't it just send its Sphinxes on us infinitely?" Caren asked as she met your gaze.

"With four Servants waiting together? That'll be easy," you replied with a nod, "Four bunched up Servants fighting as one... That would definitely get that bastard's attention."

"Four? There's one missing," Ophelia said before her eye widened, "Wait, you don't mean..."

"Since Assassin will map out the interior tonight, why not go all the way and just grab Miyu out of the pyramid? Hell, I can even use my Command Seal to extract them out," you said as you revealed your Command Seals, "It's better than going on a Siege. Much safer too..."

"But that would put Assassin in even greater danger than just the infiltration tonight. Security will be tightened once they notice her tracks there," Ophelia noted with an uncertain tone.

"I'm trying to make the best moves according to what you people have laid out. I'm simply trying to make things optimal," you replied with a nod. You also wanted to get up close and personal during the night. Manaka will be waking soon and you haven't dealt with the other Servants at all.

You wanted to face her as soon as she shows herself... Her and her little Beast.

Caren observed your expression before relaxing, "I'll convey your suggestion to Miss Edelfelt. But for now, do I have any more objections to our job tonight?"

"None," you answered.

"None here," Ophelia replied.

"Well that settles it then. If that's all, I want you two to get your Servants ready. We don't have time to waste," Caren declared as she stood up.

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...

You decided to head back to your room to find Assassin, however as you were making your way through the church, you met someone along the halls. It was Minerva standing before you in her black uniform and skirt, her amber eyes fixed on you as if she had been waiting for a bit. Your room was just down the corner and you had to pass her to get to it.

You walked forward and stopped as you spoke, "You need something?"

"I've thought a lot about what you said this afternoon, Brother," Minerva said as she looked you in the eye, "In the end, I've decided to put it into consideration. Maybe you're right."

You stared at her as she stood before you, taking a step forward as she looked quite unhappy but otherwise non-hostile. Was... Was she serious? Did she think you were serious?

"I'm willing to start over," Minerva gave you a look before adding, "Brother."

[] "Fuck off."
[] Start laughing. Holy shit she actually... She's serious. Is she? No, of course not. You can tell her to drop the act now.
[] Say nothing. Do nothing other than walk past her. Make sure to reinforce your legs to get to your door before she can stab you in the back.
[] Maybe... Maybe she's serious. You were just joking but maybe this could work out. Maybe she had an actual change of heart. This is a miracle.
[] What does she think you are, stupid? That you actually will fall for it? Admit that you're a little offended than anything.
[] Write in...