Standing up, I rolled my shoulders back and walked outside. I had some work to do before I met with Iskander. The main one was getting some high-quality drinks.
I had some Dust and chronomancy, so this shouldn't take much time. I knew how wine was made, so a baker's dozen unlabeled glass bottles appeared with a flick of my wrist.
Sticking a finger down the entrance to the bottles, I slowly filled them with conjured wine.
Dust only cared about complexity and size; a computer chip could be just as costly as a table. Wine was reasonably simple, so even high-quality wine was cheap to make.
The last step was gaining it. I knew the process had to be done carefully, or you could get vinegar.
Twisting the timeline of the first bottle, I decided to go big. I knew some wines could be aged to 200, and that bottle was reportedly fantastic.
As the wine aged, I sat back and waited; before long, the wine had aged 200 years and was ready to open.
Cracking open the bottle, I took a sip. I was no wine connoisseur, and this was my first time drinking, but it tasted fairly good.
Rebottling it, I set it aside and got to work aging the other bottles. Soon enough, I had a dozen aged wines.
I still had around fourteen hours until I met with Iskander. My next step would be getting command seals for Komainu.
I couldn't get her real ones, so an illusion would have to do. It could also serve as a lovely gift.
Walking to the forge, I grabbed the silver scraps left over from the Wayfinder. It was enough to make a slim ring.
Heating the forge, I got to work. It didn't take much time, but I soon had a small band of silver ready to be enchanted.
The next step was enchanting it. I could have it be a simple illusion that showed command seals, but that could cause issues later.
The better option would be to make it able to be a changing illusion. Nothing big as that would take too much time, but simple Komainu-sized illusions.
Placing it down on the nearby table that was a part of the forge, I started to work. It was much like my other enhancements.
Not very hard but time-consuming and mentally tiring. As I worked, Komainu sat next to me and chased 5.0 off when he came over to talk.
Chuckling at their antics, I finished. Rolling my shoulders, I saw that Komainu had fallen asleep next to me. I had been awake for nearly two days at this point, so some sleep would be nice.
Dropping the wine bottles inside a bag, I set it by the door for when we left in the morning.
Picking her up, I walked inside and slid her under the covers before shucking off my shirt. As I went down to remove my shoes, I frowned; it seemed I had taken to the habit of not wearing them.
It didn't affect me much as I was a skeleton and far too tough to be harmed by walking on concrete, but it was still strange I didn't notice it.
Climbing next to Komainu, I pulled the covers up and swiftly fell asleep.
I was awoken to the sight of 5.0 shaking me with a worried look on his skeletal face. "It's twelve, your late!"
Stumbling out of bed, I tripped over the covers as Komainu looked over, rubbing her eyes.
Frantically pulling my shirt on, I started to swear under my breath. I slowed to a stop as I heard 5.0 burst into laughter.
"You should have seen your face! Holy shit, that's funny" He gasped as my face twitched, and I walked towards him.
I knew that if I were in his shoes, I wouldn't have been able to resist, so I settled for flicking his forehead and went back to getting myself cleaned up.
As I was rummaging through my underwear drawer, I decided to change how I was hiding my soul gem.
While keeping it in my house was good, if something leaked through, it could break the gem, so I decided to place them across from each other.
I needed to be around a room length from the gem to move my body, so I set the pen on the nightstand around half the room away from the ring.
Leaving the house, I could walk around just fine, which meant the plan worked. That would prevent things like a stray fireball from leaking through and killing me.
I checked my mental clock, and the time was 9:34 am. I had two and a half hours before I was meeting Iskander.
I needed to leave around forty-five minutes earlier to ensure I had ample time to arrive; it would not be late for a meeting.
I did need to square away the backstory with Komainu before we set off. Walking back inside, I saw she was still waking up, so I decided to make some breakfast.
Walking into the kitchen, I saw two small sacks that, when opened, spilled out Dust. 6.0 and 7.0 had been busy, it seemed.
I tucked the Dust away and pulled out some of the ingredients the house had come stocked with. I would need to buy some groceries if we planned to live here long-term.
In addition, this house was old and did not contain anything like a fridge or electric stove.
As I was forced to cook with a wood stove and ice box, I resolved to get some quality-of-life enchantments set up.
As I was cooking, my Grimoire grew again. This time new information flooded my brain.
Humming under my breath a simple diddy about waking up, I saw Komainu perk up slightly as I brought the food over.
As I absently mindedly poked at the breakfast of rice, fish, and soup prepared perfectly by Mother Knows Best. I decided together what the new power did.
Pulling the Grimoire to my side, I flipped it open and paged to the newest power. It was called Rainbow Notes and allowed me to compose music with ease and allowed it to gain magical powers.
It also specified that this power covered things such as prayers and magic chants. I stifled a giggle as I realized that this gave my spells more power if I gave them stupid chants.
I could test that in a bit but talking with Komainu came first. As we carried our clean plates to the sink, I started to scrub them clean.
"We need to have a quick backstory to give Iskander and the like when we talk with them, ok?"
Nodding, Komainu took the cutlery I had cleaned and started to put it away. Seeing she had no questions, I counted.
"Our backstory would be that you were traveling with family to see some extended family, and they were killed when the serial killer came. He spared you to offer as a sacrifice for what he summoned; I was summoned, killed him, and contracted with you."
As she put the plates away, she replied. "Ok, that makes sense; you said that people do this for wishes. What should mine be?"
As we put the last dishes away and sat down, I answered. "You have none; if they ask, tell them I'm a seer and know that the Grail is corrupted."
Checking the time, I saw that it was 10:49 am. Standing up started to walk out while speaking to Komainu, making sure to grab the bag of wine.
"We should leave now; there is no harm in being early." Nodding, Komainu grabbed my hand and started to skip ahead.
Walking through the streets of Fyuuki, I enjoyed the crisp air. This city contrasted with Brockton Bay in that despite the death war; the city was clean and friendly.
The walk took nearly thirty-five minutes, leaving us around thirty minutes until Iskander arrived. I had nothing better to do, so I played along when Komainu pulled me into the sand.
As I pulled out another handful of sand, I heard two people walking. Standing up, I saw Iskander and Waver, both in casual clothes walking towards the beach.
Brushing myself off, I pulled Komainu out of the pit we had dug and brushed her off as best I could. Raising a hand, I waved to catch the duo's attention.
"How are you doing on this fine morning?" I asked while pulling out a bottle of wine and offering it to Iskander.
"This is a wonderful morning." Iskander boomed as he walked up. "I do believe that just us drinking would be a shame."
Clapping Waver on the back, he continued to speak. "My Master here found Saber's location, and I thought we should invite another king to this meeting."
This was slightly disconcerting; the banquet of kings was not supposed to happen for another few days. However, if it was early, I could get Artoria and Iskander without Gilgamesh and try to talk them into an alliance.
As we talked on the beach towards Castle Einzbern, I replied, acting thoughtful. "Well, I am technically a prince, so I suppose I could join this meeting of royalty."
Ignoring Waver's curious look, Iskander grinned before stretching his hands in front of him and conjuring the Grodius Wheel.
Scooping Waver in, he gestured for me to join him. Following his lead, I grabbed Komainu and sat down.
Snapping the reigns, we were off. I was forced to clutch tightly to Komainu and the wine bag to prevent either from blowing off.
As the weather boomed and we approached Castle Enizbern, I grinned. This had been a hope of mine at one point, soaring through the sky.
I could fly, but it was much slower than this; the accompanying lightning made it feel all that much better.
As we approached Castle Einzbern's front gate, my eyes widened. I had forgotten how Iskander made his approach.
Just before we slammed into the front gate, I grabbed the back of Waver and Komainu's clothes and pulled them down while I ducked.
Throwing up a wall of swords around us, I heard explosions and sounds of metal bouncing off metal. I was forced to replace the blades a few times, but soon enough, we were in the courtyard.
Dismissing the swords, I pulled Komainu up and hopped out of the Gordius Wheel. Raising the bag of wine, I grinned and spoke while enjoying Artoria's shocked face.
"We brought wine!"
Iskander laughed as he pulled Waver up and spoke as well. "It would be a shame if we were to drink alone. A gathering of royalty would not go amiss."
Gripping her blade tightly, she grits her teeth before stopping and dismissing it. Speaking through a clenched throat, she responded. "It would be an honor to drink with you."
Iskander grinned as he dismissed the Gordius Wheel. Pulled into this fun, I flicked my wrist and conjured a small table we could place the drinks.
Sitting down, I patted next to me for Komainu to join me; as she did, I pulled out the twelve bottles of wine and set them on the table.
Soon after, Iskander and Waver sat down while Saber joined us. I took a sip of the first bottle before offering it to the rest of the gathered people.
As Iskander took a long pull, an arrogant voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "You dare start a gathering of kings without me?"
Iskander simply laughed and gestured to the last open spot while speaking. "Of course not, but it would be rude to refuse an offered drink."
Sitting down at the offered spot, Gilgamesh took the offered bottle and took a sip. Looking offended, he set it down. "Barely passable. If we are to have a true talk, we must have a proper drink."
As he said that, he brushed aside my offred wine and pulled out four cups and a bottle of liquid from a golden portal. I blinked and finished my mental reboot.
I did not know how he knew about this gathering, but all I could do was go with the flow. As Gilgamesh passed the cups, the Grimoire grew again without any gain.
A full cup was slid to me, and as I picked it up, I saw that Gilgamesh was looking at me. Taking a sip, I could tell the drink was impeccable.
This was my second time drinking alcohol, but it still tasted amazing. Stranger was the fact that I didn't have to imbue it with magic so I could drink it.
Catching my surprised look, Gilgamesh smirked before turning back to face the rest of the table. As they started to talk, I let myself fade into the background and listen.
It was silent for a few minutes as the gathered people drank the wine and enjoyed the night. As Gilgamesh finished taking a sip, he looked at Iskander deadly serious and asked.
"King of Conquerers, what is your wish? Why should I allow you access to my Holy Grail."
Raising an eyebrow, Iskander finished his drink and set the bottle down before speaking.
"I wish to become incarnate and walk the earth again."
Ignoring Iskander's charismatic demeanor, at the end of the day, he was still a warlord and could cause massive wars if he won.
Humming slightly, Gilgamesh then looked at Artoria and asked once again. "King of Knights, what is your wish, and why should I see fit to grant it?"
Gritting her teeth at Gilgamesh's arrogant tone, Artoria slowly replied. "I wish to go back and fix my failures, Camalot's failures."
Iskander looked at her incredulously and laughed, slapping a hand on his knee. "You wish to fix your mistakes! Did you not live your life to the fullest and accept what happened for good and ill?"
"Camalot still fell; it was through my error that father slew son and brother slew brother!" Artoria snapped back.
Gilgamesh shook his head as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. "You feel at fault? That your kingdom fell despite your efforts to the contrary?"
Hands flexing, Artoria nodded, causing Gilgamesh to sigh and take a long pull of wine before speaking his voice, regaining that imperial tone he held at the beach.
"You should not feel ashamed or wish to fix it. You were king and ruled! That is not something to change; your kingdom failed you if they couldn't handle turmoil!"
Artoria did not seem convinced, but Iskander was nodding alone while both Waver and Komainu looked slightly confused.
Finally turning to face me, Gilgamesh questioned again. "You, mongrel, why should I see fit to grant your wish for the Grail?"
A nervous grin spread across my face as I replied. "To be honest, I'm here for a good time and to save the world. The drinks and fights have been great already."
"You claimed to be a prince; what are you a prince of?" Iskander asked, tilting his head slightly.
"I'm the prince of the Moon," I boasted; it was technically the truth, but I omitted that I was third in line. Arcueid was first as she was the original one created by the Crimson Moon.
Second in line was Altrogge, a mix between True Ancestors and Dead Apostles; I was third as I only held a fragment of the Crimson Moon in my soul, but it is enough for me to qualify.
"So you are." Was all that Gilgamesh said in reply. As he returned to his drink, I approached the question we were all asking.
"It seems only fair given you have asked us, what is your wish?"
Shooting a glaring at me, he spoke. "I do not have a wish; I have come here to claim what is rightfully mine."
Humming, I tapped my fingers on the table as silence returned. I could tell the banquet was coming to a close soon.
"You have a book, not of this world, mongrel. Allow me to see it and I will allow you to go free. " Gilgamesh said as he stretched out a hand towards me.
Blinking in surprise, my hand twitched towards where my Grimoire was kept while carrying it. I didn't know how he knew this but I couldn't let him get his hands on it.
"Do you mean the Grimoire?" I asked, my voice low and tense. Nodding, Gilgamesh replied. "Yes, it is not of my Garden and I will not have outside forces polluting it. No matter how decrpit it has become in my absence."
Readying myself, I replied. "That's gonna be a no from me. It's mine now, and I kinda need it."
Clenching his teeth, Gilgamesh spoke. "I will give you one more chance, mongrel"
"Once again, no, it's mine now finder's keepers," I replied, my voice wavering as I tensed up.
Suddenly a dozen golden portals opened up behind Gilgamesh, and powerful weapons from myth and legend sprung out.
Pushing myself back, I scraped a hand across Komainu's shoulder and sent her to Castle Brunestud. The weapons slammed into the table we were just at and exploded.
Iskander had pulled himself and Waver back as Artoria had darted back. As we all stood looking at each other, upwards of thirty skull-masked assassin's appeared from the shadows and attacked.
Transforming, I teleported out of the way of Gilgamesh's next assault. As I reappeared across from him, I would have been hyperventilating if I still could
He was furious with his golden hair and red eyes cast in shadow as he glared at me. That Charmsia skill was putting its work in as I prepared to leave.
However, as I attempted to teleport out, I felt like I had run face first into a brick wall and reappeared in the same place I had teleported from.
Flanked by glowing portals, Gilgamesh spoke, his voice far from the relatively casual tone he used moments prior.
"Did you think I wouldn't have planned for your tricks, mongrel? You have one choice, fight me or die."
Pulling on the new power as the Grimoire grew, I grinned, full of nervous energy. Two massive dragon skull-shaped weapons made from bone appeared next to me, mouths glowing with restrained power.
"Well then, let's dance."
Powers Gained
Rainbow Notes
While mermaids are superior singers, humans invented the art of song to begin with. You are now gifted in the art of music composition, and can creatively piece together the notes and lyrics for new songs effortlessly. In fact, your songs are good enough such that, when sung or played by a magical being such as a mermaid, or someone with magical music like a fantasy bard, they have magical powers of their own. And the greatest thing about music is that it is a treasure that can be shared with anyone. You can teach your songs, even magical ones, to companions and other pupils willing to learn. Please also note that the perk also applies to other musical forms outside of singing, such as the piano, as well as other things such as dancing, prayers, and spell chants.
Gaster Blaster
This device, run on the user's own magical power, is a semi-autonomous magical weapon. Resembling a floating dragon's skull with glowing eyes, the Gaster Blaster is an extremely powerful magic device capable of shooting very powerful magical lasers of variable width. While it's very draining to use and are only effective at close range, being unable to operate beyond 10 meters of the user, the versatility and maneuverability of this weapon is unmatched in the Underground.
