Except defecting is what caused this war in the first place. Deciding that other actors are inscrutable, presumed hostile, and that a guaranteed minimal personal benefit is better than a possible maximal collective benefit is why the Magi of Europe decided to prosecute this war.
The Prisoner's Dilemma, eh? I liked this section. It established the stakes and Mad's reasoning in a neat way, laying everything out clearly.
"I…" Ruler says, and his expression softens, an odd wistfulness coming over his face, "I did not expect this."
This is a really interesting reaction. He didn't expect to be trusted, or accepted in his role?
A pause. Then, an almost-imperceptible nod of acknowledgement.
I just wish you didn't start with a potential enemy.
I feel like, in a Grail War, everyone worth trusting would be a
potential enemy
. Ruler at least is upfront about it. And he showed off his identity, which is - a very nice reward for taking a leap of faith.
It doesn't mean he
isn't a future enemy, just one with a sense of honour and dignity.
It comes to you unbidden, an intrusive thought - someone needs to go back to Swords and Saber wants out of the constant interplay of trust and secrecy, Ruler needs to leave, Lola wants a coffee. Send both Servants on their way and offer to have this coffee with her.
You let that thought pass through you, and go away. Sometimes when something is taken out of life's attic it leaves torn cobwebs in the shape of its outline. The cobwebs are not the thing. Best to let it go.
This is a really nice section. Got an excellent sense of regret and past memories.
The last passerby you saw was a couple minutes ago. You're alone. You've been alone for a couple minutes, as you walked in the wrong direction.
Saber is there already, looking at you, waiting for your assessment.
"We're several hundred meters from where we should actually be," you say. "I don't actually know where. This is a physical place inside the station network, but…"
Impressively subtle illusion magic. Very talented indeed.
Laughter like a cavalry charge across a frozen lake, rushing across the tunnels and shaking the lamps from their ceilings. Loud and high-pitched, deliberate in a way only achievable by those refined enough that their laughter itself is a weapon.
"Ooooooh-hohohoho!"
I-it can't be... An ojou-sama?!
"Ladies and gentlemen!" says a loud, booming voice, smooth and unaccented. "Please, take a seat!"
An ojou-sama and a theatrical pretty boy?!
Oh no . Now I have to stan...
"The sterling star of the Department of Summoning, without whom half the division would crumble!"
Bam. A neckpiece like a cascade of silver chains and gems over her bosom, and within each stone, a shadow stirring.
Well, that's presumably where she keeps some summonable bullshit.
"And Yours Truly, a most devillish rogue."
I am sure this has nothing to do with weird split chapter thing, or how both Mads and Lola reference feeling a bit off.
Nothing at all.
"Oh, hi there, Dolores," Sophia says, her tone polite, her voice with only the slightest edge of the poshest English accent.
"Hi, Sophia," Lola answers, slightly guarded. "Studies going well?"
"Couldn't be better," Sophia says with a smile - then her eyes go back and forth between you and Lola.
"Wait, are you two still dating? Is this a team-up scenario?"
Ah, aristos. Who probably went to school together. Gotta love it.
"I have nothing," she says. "Just noise. I'm not even sure that's a Servant."
Hm. Thats odd. Could be a very weak Servant, could be a weird familiar... Could be a Skill. Fights close up, and doesn't seem to have the ranged capability of Assassin.
Caster, Berserker - probably not Archer - Rider...
Very curious. Not enough detail to be sure, but whichever he is, it's a very weird kind of class.
[ ] Fontenoy. As an army bolstered by the direct presence of its King and Crown Prince withstood English assaults time and again until the enemy overreached and exposed its forces, rely on Saber's resilience. Withdraw into the tunnels, where her spear and shield work best, and avoid falling into a trap by studying the enemy's moves.
This seems to be a prepared area, so falling back and baiting an action seems like it makes sense.
Actually, scratch that.
[X] Patay. As the flower of French chivalry inspired by Joan of Arc used speed, maneuverability and strength to lay waste to English archers, strike with overwhelming speed and power. Take the fight to the mall area above, where you can deploy your full force and agility. Tricks and illusions require time to set up, and are uniquely vulnerable to brute force properly applied.
An excellent point was made.
And in any case, the proper tactic when ambushed is to attack into it.
