[X] You need to find out more about Miyu and her involvement in the war. You suppose it's high time you paid a visit to the church. If there's anyone who has answers, it's them.
 
Admin
[] You need to find out more about Miyu and her involvement in the war. You suppose it's high time you paid a visit to the church. If there's anyone who has answers, it's them.

The following morning came without trouble. Your hideout was still secure and you had Manaka watching over Miyu. Berserker was with them so you could at least be relaxed to that they would be fine. You did make sure to speak with Manaka on possibly kidnapping Miyu right beneath your nose but she simply laughed with her bell-like voice.

You were just being cautious.

Manaka simply told you that it wouldn't benefit her defending Miyu by herself for extended periods of time. You were her friend after all so she still had some uses for you. While that reassured you, you didn't miss out on her implications. You supposed that was just how she was.

Today it was just you and Assassin making your way through the city. The hideout was secured with your employees doing guard duty and Manaka being the final line of defense. You had some freedom to do as you pleased today and you were going to make the most of it.

Namely visiting the church since participating in this war.

However what you found there was a little bit more intimidating than you expected. You had a cursory glance at the Church a few days ago before you were unceremoniously kicked out but now that you were here, the feel was a little more different.

You walked in with Assassin in her Spirit form, taking care not to gather much attention from the nearby churchgoers. You limped forward and stood before the aisle leading to the altar. Even with the holidays, there were few people present in the church.

"It would seem that you have been late in your visit to this sacred place. But do not suffer guilt for I'm sure God forgives your tardiness," a woman's voice spoke from your side.

You turned with a raised eyebrow and found a nun looking back at you. She was dressed in what could be described as a normal attire for church women, black and white dresses minus the headdress.

Her snow white hair was familiar to you while her golden eyes eyed you with a sharp look.

"Glory be to the Lord then," you replied with an unsure tone but the nun didn't seem too bothered by that, "Welcome to the Lord's home. His home will be yours too should misfortune befall you. In trying times, our doors will be open to the fallen."

"Right. Sorry for not introducing myself. I'm Hans Derrinsmith and I have a few questions... I hope you're willing to humor me... In private?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.

The nun stared at you before gesturing to the side, "The confession booth is free. Please step inside."

You did as you were told and stepped inside the booth. The nun did the same and you were now inside a cramped room all by yours-

Assassin's presence never left you. She wasn't outside of the booth but she was inside it with you. No wonder it felt more cramped. You frowned at her general direction as a voice entered your mind.

"It's for your own protection," Assassin said.

You were thankful she was in spirit form or you wouldn't be able to breathe.

"Now. You're late in introducing yourself. Not even an envoy or messenger, do you think us as a joke, Magus?" The Nun said on the other side of the partition, "Did you enjoy making us think there were only six Masters and seven Servants? If this war falls inside a ditch, we would need names to land the proper blame."

You blinked before frowning, her tone sure changed.

"Apologies, Sister. I was preoccupied with the war," you told her with a grimace, "Risking exposure wouldn't do me favors."

"Excuses... In any case, you're here now. I don't suppose you wish to be briefed with the rules of this War four days into the conflict?" The nun asked with a bored tone, "Or perhaps we could skip that entirely and make better use of our time."

"I would be honoured to know your name first, Sister. It is only basic courtesy," you told her with a small smile.

"Caren. Caren Hortensia... I will be the Administrator for this War in the absence of the Priest that had abandoned his post," Caren introduced herself, "Because no doubt, this conflict will be so bad as to need my immediate presence rather than leaving it to you Magi."

"You sound like you hate your job," you noted with a raised eyebrow.

"Hate it? Far from it, Magus. I love my job so much that I would be sitting in this box wasting time with you," Caren replied with a dry tone.

You raised your eyebrows before sighing, "Right. To the point then. Who's the architect of this mess?"

"If you're looking for the ones responsible for conducting this ritual, you would look no further than the Luctworth Doll acting as that Magus Family's representative and the Sakatsuki household providing a substitute for the Grail," Caren answered easily enough as she looked at her fingernails, "The two Families have come together and requested the assistance of the Church for this Holy Grail War. It was approved and here we are. Next question."

You blinked before you glanced up at Assassin where she could be standing in her Spirit form. You were both having the same looks at how easy this was.

"Right... Next question," you murmured with an uncertain tone.

Admin
[] Ask about the Sakatsuki household... What led them to joining this war?
[] Ask about the Luctworth Family, what are their end goals in this War?
[] Ask for any more hidden rules that you still don't know of in this War.
 
[X] Ask about the Sakatsuki household... What led them to joining this war?

Curious about why the family with 'Child of God' line would join a holy grail war.
 
[X] Ask about the Sakatsuki household... What led them to joining this war?

We came to ask about Miyu.
 
[X] Ask about the Sakatsuki household... What led them to joining this war?
 
[X] Ask for any more hidden rules that you still don't know of in this War.

Let's not accidentally become Gilles de Rais cause we didn't know all the rules.
 
Votes closed
Adhoc vote count started by AnonymousRabbit on Aug 8, 2020 at 11:56 PM, finished with 11 posts and 10 votes.
 
Rejoice
[] Ask about the Sakatsuki household... What led them to joining this war?

"Tell me about the Sakatsuki household. What led them to joining this War?" You asked as you leaned back in your seat.

"Oh that? I thought you would be asking more pointed questions. In any case, what the Church knows is that they've struck a deal with the Luctworth and a third party in making this war. Most probably for protection purposes given the capabilities of their bloodline," Caren explained from the other side of the booth, "Can you imagine? A vessel capable of granting miracles in this day and age. No doubt Magi would be all over a family like that. The elders saw this threat and moved to gain the favor of a Noble Family."

"So they're doing it to protect themselves? By offering up their children as sacrifices?" You murmured with a frown.

"I suppose you could look at it that way. The Luctworth representative, that Doll, she's tasked to winning the War for them. Who knows, maybe she's given the mission to perform a wish to benefit that household," Caren offered with a shrug. She then cleared her throat and said, "Their reasons seem to one of desperation instead of malice and the Luctworth have taken the role of Samaritans to help them."

Bullshit. You knew what that family was like. There's no way they wouldn't capitalize on this tool. You fought them enough times and you lived with them at a young age.

You weren't stupid enough to accept that they did this out of goodwill. Given the tone of her voice, it would seem like Caren had the same idea too.

"I don't know why you're looking for these answers, but you'd best be careful. You may just end up losing sight of your goal," Caren said with a bored tone.

"I just needed answers and this should be enough," you replied as you looked down with a grim look, "Still, you said there was a third party in the creation of this war. Can you tell me anything about that?"

"Oh," Caren murmured as she tapped her cheek, "Unfortunately I don't. But it seemed that person was the one who provided the means of turning the Grail into what it is now."

"Someone who could have stolen the Einzbern's secret?" You blinked in surprise.

"There's a rumor going on that all these Petty Wars... These Subcategory Wars were created by one person. If you have the connections and means, that person will show up to provide you a Grail. The church is investigating this at length but we're observing for now," Caren replied as she crossed her arms, "Some undying pests are in need for exorcisms, I'd say."

You don't know how to take that but it seems that the church has its hands full as well. Still, the Sakatsuki family have it rough relying on your family for protection, going as far to use the Holy Grail Ritual for their end.

Whatever the Luctworths did, they managed to convince the Sakatsuki that this was a viable path to ensure their protection. It does make sense though, if the Luctworth represent wishes for the protection of the Sakatsuki family, it would be a tempting thing for them to gamble on. What better protection to have than one granted by a miracle?

"Thank you for your time," you told her as the door opened courtesy of Assassin leaving first, "I'll be keeping your words in mind."

"Try not to trip and fall," Caren said as she too stood up. She stepped out of the booth and shut it behind her as you did the same, "One thing however, Mr. Derrinsmith."

"What is it?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.

Caren stared at you with the same stony look on her face before she raised her arm, "Rejoice, good sir. You'll be able to grasp your wish at the end of this tedious path. Should you become weary, the Church's doors are always open to provide you with respite."

You had a bad feeling about that.

"I'll pass. Thank you again, Sister," you said with a nod before you turned away. The nun stared at you for a second before she walked off.

You got what you needed. You wondered if Miyu was aware of this arrangement. If this war goes well for the family, then they would only have to give up Miyu herself and acquiring protection from the wish. It sounds like a reason they could convince a child with but that depends on whether the Luctworth will go along with it.

You were deep in thought but you were quickly taken out of them as you stepped out of the church. Your Command Seals stung and you felt Assassin stir nearby.

"Derrinsmith?" A voice called out nearby, making you look up. Oh boy...

You were greeted by the sight of a woman with long brown hair dressed in a sharp suit. An eyepatch covered her eye as she gave you a smile before stopping before you.

Your command seals stung.

"Fancy meeting you here. I never took you for being a religious person, Miss Phamrsolone," you replied with a polite nod.

The woman shook her head and said, "I had business with the staff inside. What about you?"

"How strange. I was on business too for a moment," you replied as you smiled right back, "It's nice to see a familiar face though. Are you on leave from the Clocktower?"

"Yes. I believe that a vacation is needed once in awhile," Miss Phamrsolone replied as she crossed her arms.

"Funny. I never took you to be the type," you noted with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, we were only classmates for one class after all. Would you like to have some coffee? My treat if you're willing to wait," The woman said with a friendly nod.

Rejoice

[] Accept
[] Decline
[] Order Assassin to kill her.
 
[X] Accept

Another Master, and an acquaintance at that. Both aware of each other being Masters because stinging Command Seals. Leaning towards accept due to past history and hopefully not outright ganking each other because of that.
 
Last edited:
[X] Decline

Not worth the risk, we both have other business to attend to, and this could very easily be setting us up to get ambushed, since you know, other master.

Other Masters are the enemy.
 
Back
Top