A/N:

Now that I'm done with this portion, I can get back into moving the story ahead now. Maybe I can get more excitement in the next chapters? I know a lot of people like these slices of life portions. I mean, I do too, but I really like reading them more than writing them. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy.

Also, I'd like to thank my first and currently only patron right now. I don't think I can mention his name since it's real life info, so I still just want to say thanks. Really happy to have one now. If anyone else wants to send their appreciation, you can find me at P a treon . com (slash) tricknzwei

The night sky was bright with the full moon hanging high above the ground. The air was crisp and cold. Down below, the light of civilization dotted the landscape, pushing back the darkness of night.

"This place…?"

Ruler observed all of this from the edge of a high-rise. It was a beautiful city. A modern age wonder that could not be compared to any city of her time.

It was an unfamiliar place to her, but the sound of combat from nearby was something she was quite familiar with.

Rising up from the side of the building where she stood, two figures defied gravity, clashing as they made their way upwards towards her.

"I see," said Ruler. "I must be experiencing what Masters share with their Servants. A dream of their past experiences."

The two Servants reached the top.

"So it's Saber and Rider," said Ruler.

Though she thought highly of both Servants, she thought something seemed off with the two.

"They're both weaker than they should be," she said. "Both of them aren't at their full strength. Their Masters may not have had the capability to summon them at their peak. Strange that the two of them would share such a disadvantage."

The two continued their battle and Ruler continued to watch in silence. And as she had expected, it culminated in the two releasing each of their Noble Phantasms against one another.

The light of their Noble Phantasms pit against each other was blinding, yet Ruler watched without looking away. Saber proved the stronger of the two and her Excalibur engulfed Rider fully. As the bright golden light took over, Rider's mask shattered and turned to dust.

It was the first time Ruler had seen her without it. She was beautiful. Her eyes were beautiful.

But a small tear fell from them.

"Sakura…" A name she somehow heard her whisper.

Ruler could see her face up close. Somehow, she wished she could wipe away that tear and that last bit of regret before her death.

Her hand reached out, and gently caressed the Servant's soft cheeks.

"Uhm, Ruler?"

"Huh?"

The shining light was gone. And Ruler found herself sitting upright in her room.

"Are you still unwell?"

Leaning down beside her bed, Rider watched her uneasily through her mask, with Ruler's hand still holding on to her cheek.

"Ah!"

Ruler turned blushed from embarrassment. She had been half-awake it seemed and acted out her dream's desire. She realized now that it had been Rider's experience.

"It is good that you've woken," said Rider.

"I'm so sorry, Rider."

"Don't be," said her Servant. "It was… comforting."

Ruler pulled up her sheets, covering the now deeper shade of red on her face.

Rider smiled at her.

"If you are well enough, we should meet with the others."

The atmosphere in the dining room was tense. A lot more tense than last time Kairi had been there.

When you put together so many people with such strong personalities into one room, it was understandable. It's like a powder keg. One spark is all it takes to set it off, and then, boom. And he would be dead center of that boom.

Quite literally.

The necromancer knew the events that had led to his current predicament, recalled it one by one to be sure, and yet, he still had a hard time seeing how on earth someone like him had ended up getting a seat at a table together with some of the greatest heroes of history.

Normally, people would be ecstatic for such a chance. He, however, thought very differently.

"I feel like the food is going to spoil in this company."

Though the dead silence had been hard to bear, Kairi really wished his Servant had kept her mouth shut.

"Must be nice for a freeloader to be able to complain so easily like that."

"What was that?!" said Mordred.

Kairi groaned. He knew there would definitely would be some animosity between them, but he underestimated just how much trouble Mordred had caused with the Servants of the Blue Faction in such a short time.

She had practically fought or picked a fight with almost every single one of them. Hell, she had killed her father before and, early on, had been aiming to kill some of them—still planning on killing at least one, in fact. It's not even funny that the only other Red Servant there was also someone his Saber had threatened with death as well.

"Step outside and say that to me!"

And now she was picking a fight again with someone else.

Lancer of Blue egged her on.

"Oh, I didn't think you'd even want to step outside. It seems the little lady has at least some manners."

The two of heroes stood up at the same time and glared death at one another. Meanwhile Kairi tried to bury his head into the solid oak table. Now was not really the best time for this. Again.

The double doors to the dining hall creaked open. Ruler had appeared, with Rider and Saber by her side. She appeared still slightly weakened, though she seemed well enough to Kairi if she was able to stand alone.

Surprisingly, Mordred had returned to her seat without further hostility, slumping silently with her arms crossed. Well, likely her long time as a knight demanded that she behave in front of her king. Though, Kairi wisely decided not to mention that to her.

Ruler took her place at the head of the table.

"It appears I've worried you all greatly," she said. "I should have known better."

"Well, we all had a feeling that priest was going be bad news," said Lancer. "I was debating whether I should have skewered him back when we first met. Don't mind it so much."

That was true. Kairi had felt something off when he had met the priest. If Mordred hadn't warned him, he might've ended up as those other Masters, drugged up and stuck in a small room in the ground. Who knows what might have happened to him?

"I agree," he nodded. "What's done is done. We should be moving forward. With all that's happened, it's safe to say that the priest and Yggdmillenia have joined forces. Even by themselves they would have been a considerable force to begin with. We'll have to work together if we want to stand a chance at beating them."

At the very least, he wanted to make sure that they didn't see him and Mordred as enemies that needed to be dealt with.

"Yes." Rule agreed. "I was informed of your actions. Thank you for choosing to side with us." She gave a nod to Atalanta as well. "All of you."

Kairi was somewhat relieved. With the current state of the war, Ruler's Faction couldn't afford to turn away their cooperation. In turn, they'd have a greater chance of surviving this war, and perhaps, should the conditions prove favorable, still win the Holy Grail.

"Not like we had much of a choice," Kairi admitted. "Still, better than if we went at it alone. There's not much the Mage Association and the Church can do now that things have turned out the way it is. While I don't think it will help our situation much, they've agreed to back our side for the duration of the war. Or at least until the Yggdmillenia clan and the renegade priest are dealt with."

"Good to know." Archer of Blue materialized next to the table. "We're running low on funds. And I just used up the last of our food supplies. Maybe I'll be able to thoroughly stock up next time we visit the town again."

The double doors leading to the room opened wide, letting in a wide variety of mouthwatering aroma pervade inside. A roasted pheasant, twice-baked potatoes, grilled steaks, and a variety of other delectable dishes came flying through the doors. The dished stopped to a hover above them, then carefully landed onto the table before them, occupying every single space in it.

"I thought a feast to celebrate your recovery and to welcome our new allies would be in order," he said to Ruler's questioning gaze.

Kairi wouldn't say no to that. Not with the kind of spread in front of him. And he was already familiar with the kind of cuisine served here.

Plates and utensils came the same way as the food and placed themselves in front of those who were seated. Strangely, Archer had to snatch his from the air as they turned more ballistic than the others.

"Don't forget your knife."

Archer narrowly dodged and caught the utensil that had come flying in from behind his head.

Caster of Blue came through the doors with a smirk. "Oh my. You should be more alert, Archer. Magic can be quite tricky. You wouldn't want to get stabbed in the back like that."

"Thanks for helping carry everything," said Archer.

"Anything for our dear Master."

Kairi could hear the undercurrent of friction between the two. Well, at least his Servant wasn't the only one who had problems getting along. They were going to have to face a lot of troubles ahead.

Kairi decided it would be better to take things one at a time.

"Is that pork cutlets?"

And he would start with that plate.

The food, as usual, was absolutely wonderful. However, Medusa wasn't as focused on it as she'd normally be. Her mind was slightly preoccupied by the lingering warmth on her cheek.

Her covered gaze wandered over to her Master.

Ruler ate meekly, lightly blushing in her seat at Assassins attempts of flirting with her. Caster, of course, put a stop to that by magically pushing the rogue and his seat away and placing herself in between the two, giving him a frosty glare for good measure. Ruler appeared thankful, though that quickly changed when Caster began feeding her with the excuse that she was still weakened by the poison and curse before and must be cared for by someone competent. That someone being her, of course.

Ruler had lived a proud life till the very end. As Jeanne d'Arc she had roused a nation and led an army of soldiers at her back. No one can deny the strength, bravery, and leadership she had displayed.

Yet for all that, Medusa couldn't help but see similarities between her and Sakura. She was glad for this second chance.

She was also glad to be able to eat at such a delicious feast. Her sisters, while only thought of the best for her, had been overly protective. They had refused even the rarest occasions she'd been invited to a party somewhere.

Medusa spotted a delectable set of lamb rack at the center of the table. It would be hard for her to reach, but—

"Ha! I really gotta try this one!"

Lancer had taken the dish, using his Gáe Bolg of all things to pick it up and bring it to his side.

Medusa would glare at his offense for taking what was hers, but she knew her mask would make it futile effort. She still remembered her brief run in with him. With her status back then he could have easily defeated her, but he hadn't. Likely due to the orders of his Master.

Out of all the Servants here, he was someone she easily understood the most. A straightforward man that strikes at the heart of things. A simple but true hero.

Lancer's eye caught the sight of a deep fried pork chop. With a rattle, Medusa's chains snaked it away into her waiting hands.

"Hey!"

A little too simple, thought Medusa as she bit into the savory moist pork.

Then there was the man who made this exquisite meal. Archer quietly and respectfully ate his meal in a corner of the table, keeping to himself as he did often. Unlike Lancer, he was the hardest one to read. A man of many mysteries. He had proved to be very skilled.

She wondered how he made could be so crunchy yet so juicy and moist at the same time. Truly mysterious.

Though Ruler had put it behind them, the other Servants still didn't trust him very much. She had caught Caster whispering unintelligible things as she watched him from afar in the shadows. She wondered if the witch was trying to curse him, but she found no evidence or trace of such. Well, aside from that time she had magically altered the size of a pantry shelf lower so he'd smack his head on it in confusion. Oftentimes, she simply glared absolute death at him.

Actually, she just noticed that someone else in the room had been doing that as well.

Next to the necromancer, his blond Servant ate some particularly crunchy fried chicken as she glared at Archer. It almost seemed as if she was thinking it was his bones she was eating. Still, she had an impressive amount of empty plates besides her, so it was unlikely that she found the food unappetizing.

"Try to eat quietly, at least," her Master admonished her.

"Show some manners," sighed the only other Servant of Red next to them. "Really, are we sure you're not a Berserker?"

As Servants of a different faction, Medusa knew very little of them. She only knew that they now sided with them. For now. That and Caster hated Archer of Red enough that she had wanted her dead. She noticed the green-haired Archer momentarily glance at Caster. There was a cacophony of emotions in that moment that it was hard to distinguish any of it. But it was clear to Medusa's sealed eyes that hate was not part of it.

"Now come, Ruler, say 'aah,'" said Caster with a smile.

Oh, there's quite a bit of jealousy on her face now. A complicated relationship.

After some time, there were only a few plates left on the table. It seemed that being a Heroic Spirit also meant having a heroic appetite. As Servants, with the exception of Ruler's unusual circumstance, they didn't require nourishment such as food. It only raised their mana slightly and wasn't the most efficient way of doing so. Still, Medusa wouldn't be the first one to bring it up. She didn't want to admit it, but she quite enjoyed their meal times.

A lot of the others also enjoyed it more than they let on as well.

Saber always kept a dignified expression on her face as she ate, even as the emptied plates stacked up high next to her. Not that the other Servants ate any less than she did.

Medusa had thought she'd feel some complication with working with her. After all, she was the one that had killed her before. But she was surprisingly the easiest one for her to get along with. Quiet and well-mannered, for royalty, she was quite affable.

She'd also noticed that the Red Saber glancing at her from time to time. Very quick and short glances, but something that did not escape Medusa's keen eyes, again, hidden as they were. It was quite obvious that the two were related somehow. Blond, green eyes, similar build and stature—It was doubtful that she had been the only one to notice. Though, no one made mention of it for the time being.

Arthur Pendragon.

Or better known as King Arthur the legendary hero of Britain. Medusa knew the story, just like most other Servants knew of other Heroic Spirit's story. But just as stories go, truths and myths often intermix. Saber's gender was evidence enough of this.

King Arthur was said to have had parents and a sister, but it was hard to tell if that was true as well. Medusa wondered what their relation could be?

"You appear to be enjoying yourself."

Assassin had appeared next to her. He was the only Servant that had what you would call a modest appetite among the Servants, therefore had finished first among them.

"The food is satisfactory," she nodded in response.

"Yes, our Archer has quite the culinary skills," said Assassin. He leaned down and whispered, "But I was referring to your particular attention at watching your fellow Servants. Appreciating a curious view may be well to pass the time, though you best be careful should others begin to mind."

As he dematerialized and left, Medusa had felt slightly embarrassed that the man had caught her people watching. She had relied too much on her mask to hide her wandering eyes and was blind to the possibility that others could find out. It was a little rude of her to do such a thing.

She'll have to be more careful not to get caught next time.

Two days had passed since that ill-fated ambush. Since then, there had been no large actions between the factions. Ruler's health had recovered somewhat, but her faction dared not leave her side for the time being. And the Yggdmillenia clan and the Red faction remained quiet. They could not afford to be careless after they had lost one of their Servants.

That didn't mean that they made no moves behind the scenes.

A short flash appeared in the sky. In the next moment, the golem observer shattered and fell to the ground.

"That makes the fourth one today."

Atalanta exhaled. She'd been working hard on taking down every attempt at surveillance by the other side. Caster was able to setup a bounded field with a wide radius for detection, but she was unable to take care of these observers herself.

No. She actually just thought it a tedious job.

And so, she'd relegated it to Atalanta.

Atalanta didn't complain. She was actually glad for it. She wanted to be useful.

Medea had very little to say to her while she was in her presence, ignoring her as much as possible as if she wasn't there. It hurt her to have her friend treat her like that. Ruler tried to alleviate it somehow by joining them when they were together alone. But if she had wanted that, then she could have easily just went with the other Servants or her own fellow Red Servant.

She stayed with Medea, because that's what she wanted.

Atalanta deserved the animosity directed at her. And she would continue to make up for it until the end. This time, for sure, she would stay by Medea's side no matter what.

Kairi sighed after hanging up the phone.

"I knew I was going to regret taking this job."

He hadn't been looking forward to explaining the situation to the Mage Association. He'd sent a brief note to them of what had happened on their way to Ruler's place just in case they didn't make it, so he hadn't put much details into it. Only the basic gist of how the priest had betrayed them and joined up with Yggdmillenia. So, of course they'd expect him to explain all of it in full once they got a hold of him.

Still, he hadn't expected it would take a few hours.

He lit one of his smokes up as he exited the phone booth.

"Your superiors did not take the situation too well, I suppose?"

Assassin sat at a table nearby, peacefully drinking tea.

"Well enough," he answered. "Since I'm basically the only one they have left, they can't really do much about it. They're more concerned with going after the Church since it was their priest who'd caused all this commotion. Not sure if that will help us at all with this."

Kairi took the seat across from him. A cup of coffee was placed in front of him by a server.

"I took the liberty of ordering you one when you were close to finishing your call," said Assassin.

The necromancer nodded his thanks and breathed in the rich aroma. He really needed it.

"The other two aren't done yet?" he queried, looking around for them.

"They'll likely be here soon."

Archer and Lancer were both up picking up groceries. Kairi had tagged along with the Servants on their way to the town to make his report.

"It appears they've taken more leisure in getting supplies with our newly acquired funds."

Kairi saw the two Servants coming down the short cobbled path, both carrying various bags of groceries. He could hear Lancer bickering at Archer, no doubt complaining of his treatment as a pack mule. Archer seemed to have packed his fellow Servant to the max of a beast of burden, at least, the maximum that wouldn't be too out of place for a human.

Not that it should matter to a Servant. It probably didn't even weigh much at all to him.

"This doesn't seem fair however you look at it!"

Kairi could take a good guess at what he meant by that. Unlike Lancer, Archer carried only a small pack at his back and two smaller bags in his hands.

They'd stayed in town a lot longer than he'd thought. Hopefully, everything at the mansion was all well and good.

Not everything was, in fact, all well and good at the mansion.

Mordred, left alone by her Master, continually paced back and forth in one of the corridors. She'd been this way since Kairi had left earlier. He'd noticed that she hadn't had much opportunity to approach her father ever since they've arrived, with always some matter or excuse popping up that prevented them from directly speaking with one another.

She'd been using him as an excuse not to see her father—going on about being unable to leave his side. Though allies, it was best they remained wary of the other Servants. After all, seeing as how they've been betrayed before, it wasn't unthinkable for it to happen again.

Kairi had argued with her about it, though. Given the circumstances, it would be best to put a little bit of trust with their new companions.

With nothing really to do, Mordred had been unable to lie still in their room. She stood, she sat, she laid down in bed, but she couldn't keep her wandering mind calm. Mordred had never been the most patient knight among the round table.

The only difference she had made in that past hour was move outside her room.

"Dammit!"

Mordred slammed her fist on the wall.

"What the hell am I doing?!"

When she'd been first summoned to this war, she'd been confident. Maybe a little worried at first about the kind of Master she ended up with, but Kairi was a better Master than she could have hoped for. Well, aside from his choice of sleeping arrangements. Together, she was sure as hell that they would win the Great Holy Grail War.

She was ready for anything.

Anything except the sudden appearance of her father.

Morded gave a long tired sigh.

"I need to clear my head."

And what better way to do so than to feed her stomach. A knight's appetite was closely linked to their well-being, therefore, a sated knight is a happy knight.

And since Archer went off with her Master, that meant there would be no chance that she'd meet the sly fox in the kitchen.

That didn't mean there wouldn't be someone else there, though.

"Oh? It's nice to see you, Saber of Red."

The Master of the Blue Servants greeted her with a smile.

"I was just about to brew some tea," she said. "Would you care to join me?"

Ruler had wanted to do something by herself for the first time since she had recovered. Though she had understood the reason for it, Ruler had still found Caster's constant attention to be smothering.

It wasn't bad, the tea.

Mordred wasn't much of a tea drinker, but it did somewhat soothe her. Probably just needed a warm drink, she thought.

"Got any beer?"

Still, she preferred the taste of alcohol.

"Not at the moment," answered Ruler. "But I believe Lancer should be bringing some back when they return."

"Figures," she grumbled, though she still drank her tea.

"Would you care for some snacks instead?"

Well, she wouldn't say no to that.

Ruler had pulled out biscuits from the pantry. They varied in sizes, shapes, and flavors, but all of them matched very well with the tea.

"These are pretty good," said Mordred.

"I believe Archer made them this morning before he left."

And now they left a bitter after taste.

Mordred still continued to eat them, though. She didn't want to be wasteful. And she did so begrudgingly.

The same way she had every meal time.

Dammit! Why are these so good?!

A few minutes ticked by quietly before Ruler spoke again.

"I've been meaning to speak with you." She smiled peaceably. "But I wasn't quiet sure how to. It is fortunate that we we're able to meet up like this. It may be a small blessing from God."

"Really?" Mordred said skeptically. "I'm not so sure I'd look at it the same way."

Mordred stood from her seat and materialized her armor. She walked over to Ruler, who continued to stay where she was.

"You show a lot of trust for someone that's gotten betrayed once already," she said. Mordred held her hand up and her sword appeared. "What's to say I won't do the same to you? You already know who I am, right? You know what they call me?"

"The Knight of Treachery."

Mordred grinned wickedly. "That's right. I can cut you down right down."

"That's true," admitted Ruler. "But you won't, will you?"

Mordred's grin turned to a frown. Looking down at Ruler, she could see into her clear amethyst eyes. There was not a single trace of doubt in her mind.

Mordred clicked her tongue in annoyance, putting away her blade and returning back to her seat in her casual clothing.

"You're no fun," said Mordred. She really couldn't handle her type. "So? What do you want?"

"Nothing. I simply wanted to talk, that is all."

"Talk about what?" Mordred narrowed her eyes at her.

"Is it wrong that I simply wanted to get to know you better?"

"That's it?"

Mordred sighed. Her Master wanted her to get along with the other Servants, but she really wasn't up for it.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but we weren't summoned here to make friends. I have better things to do than just waste my time here talking."

"Such as?"

Mordred was silent.

"N-None of your business!" she stammered.

"I see." Ruler seemed slightly dejected, though her smile returned quickly. "I suppose if you're too busy, then it can't be helped."

Well, at least she can take a hint, thought Mordred.

"I'll try asking Saber."

"Wait a second!"

Mordred stopped her as she tried to leave her seat.

"I, uh…. Maybe I can talk for just a little bit."

Mordred had thought she'd try and do something stupid, like trying to get her to mend her ways or something like that, but Ruler just asked simple questions. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just little things like what type of food she liked or places she had visited in her life.

In turn, Ruler told her about herself as well.

"I hope we can do this again some other time."

Mordred blinked blankly. She noticed the sun had gone considerably down outside through the windows. They had spoken for about two hours.

"Uh, yeah." Time had passed quickly. "Sure, I guess."

"I look forward to it."

Mordred had gone straight back to her room after they parted. The mattress felt soft underneath her back as she laid down on it.

"What the hell am I doing?" she once again asked herself.