Chapter 8: Conflicting Perspectives

The world around us was red, as the insatiable flames scorched the city. No matter how much the buildings and houses burned, they didn't fall out, as if they were condemned to burn for eternity.

"Let's take a rest." I proposed as I sit on the debris.

I was tired; it was difficult to continue walking as it was to breathe. My chest hurt, I feared I had inhaled too much of that ascending smoke, the same that darkened the skies.

"No, we should keep going." Olga Marie Animusphere, the director of Chaldea, said. She didn't seem to be bearing the effects of the fire like I was. "We don't know when we may be attacked again."

"Sorry, I need…" I coughed. "I need a rest."

"Senpai." Mashu put a hand on my back. "Are you alright? I can lend you my shoulder if you need it."

"That would be irresponsible." Olga answered for me."Who will protect us if you are busy helping him walk?"

"But…."

"She is right, Mashu. You are the only one who can fight, we need you to stay alert in case more of those shadows appear."

Another cough left my mouth.

"You." Olga Marie approached me; her eyes were judging me for some reason. "Why do you look so bad? Is your protection spell not working?"

"Protection…spell?"

"Yes, the one you used to…." A confused expression appeared on her face. "Wait, don't tell me you didn't protect your respiratory system with magecraft?"

"Huh…sorry. I am new to this entire magecraft thing, so I don't know how."

Olga gave a disappointed look, as she sighed. Then, without saying another word, she put her hand on my chest.

"Eh…Director?"

"Shhh." She shut me up, as she started to incanted something in a language I didn't recognize. Her hand began to glow in a greenish light, and before I realized, I felt a lot of better. The pain in my throat gradually disappeared, alongside the difficulty to breath.

Amazed, I tried to thank her.

However, my words disappeared in my mouth, as I feel a sudden pain burning my check.

It was so sudden that I didn't have time to react; only when I noticed Olga's raised hand, I realized I was slapped.

"Director, that's…!" Mashu tried to say something.

"You would have died." Olgamarie's voice was fierce. "If you had spent more time like that, you would have surely died.

"I…didn't know…"

"If you had died, the contract between the Servant inside Mashu's body would have ended." She didn't break eye contact. "Unable to defend ourselves, we would have died too."

"…" I lowered my head, ashamed.

"Look at me!" She took me by my uniform and forced me to look at her. "You are a Master now! Our lives are in your hands, so you can't die! That's your responsibility! If it were me, I…!"

She stopped, as if a sudden realization had hit her, and released me.

"But it's not me…" Olgamarie's voice now sounded broken, her eyes were moist. "It's you; you are the Master and not me."

"…."

I wanted to say something to apologize even though I had no control over my capability of being a Master or not, but I couldn't find the words. I didn't know anything about the director; we were basically strangers.

So I did the next best thing I could think of.

I hugged her.

"W-what? What are you doing!? Who gave you permission to-?" She tried to part herself from me, but I hug her with force.

Whatever I could say won't help her, apologizing will just put salt on her wounds, pretending that I understood her problem wouldn't help her either. So I stayed silent in the hope she would understand my intention.

Why was I, the nobody, the random guy who can be found anywhere, the guy who had no idea about magecraft or spells…why was I the Master instead of her?

I didn't know.

What I knew was that if she needed to cry, then I could lend her my shoulder. Otherwise, I was ready to accept another slap.

However, Olga's struggle slowly stopped until she timidly hugged me back.

She didn't say anything, so I didn't know if she actually cried at that time.

Nor I would ever know.

"A Master….a Master." I keep repeating those words as I collapsed on one of the chairs in the living room, my eyes quickly went to the back of my hand, where my command seals used to be.

The command seals weren't there, they had disappeared a long time ago.

That was the proof; I lost my contract with Chaldea's Servants, and I was no longer a Master. So why? Why are they asking me to be one again? Why does it have to be me again?

Olga…Why does it have to be me?

"Ritsuka Fujimaru?" A voice called for me, and I remembered I wasn't alone.

They were still here, the maids.

As I raised my head, I could notice the confusion on both of their faces. Belfast was looking at me weirdly, probably bewildered by my reaction. Meanwhile, Sheffield stared at me as if any sudden movement could make her take her guns out, I must have been looking like a crazy person.

I just didn't know how to react. To be called a "Master" again felt like a complete joke, an abysmal joke.

I felt everything suddenly coming back to me, the memories that laid dormant in my subconscious resurged all at once. I could hear their voices again, all those times I was called "Master" by my Servants…by Mashu.

And it hurt, it hurt knowing that I will never see them again.

"…"

I furiously rubbed my face as I released a series of deep breaths.

"I need a drink."I quickly stood up and walked towards the kitchen, completely ignoring the two maids.

"Fujima-?"

"Do you drink?" I interrupted Belfast. "I think I have a couple of beer cans. Nothing stronger sadly, things like whiskey are usually a bit too expensive for my taste."

"No, we don't -"

"It's too bad, really." I interrupted her again, as I opened the fridge to see some cans lying around. "I would really like some of that now. Maybe you could have told me this at the grocery store, that way I could have bought some cheap wine at least."

"That's…"

"Just answer the question." Sheffield finally interceded, apparently tired of my evasive attitude. "Will you accept her Majesty's proposal or not?"

I closed the fridge door with force.

"Answers? You want answers, really? You turn my life upside down, and you are the one that demands answers?" I opened a can and took a big sip, hoping that the alcohol would ease the chaos that was my mind. "I won't answer a single thing until you tell me exactly what's going on."

A Master…to be a Master again…

"I am sorry, I guess this is too much to process." Belfast apologized; she had been a lot of more submissive since we met again, I wondered if that was her real personality. "Regrettably, I don't have much time to spare, but I will answer your questions to the best of my ability."

"No." I said, drily.

"Eh?"

"You fooled me once." I pointed at her. "I don't trust you one bit."

"…" Belfast lowered her head, looking a bit dejected. I realized I was being especially mean to her, but I frankly couldn't care at the moment.

"Sheffield." I addressed the other maid. "What exactly does your Queen want me to do?"

"So you are asking me?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I am. Will you answer?"

She gave me a dead stare as if studying my intentions. After a few seconds, however, she answered.

"Her Majesty is under the impression that you can help us combat the Sirens, as well as be our link to the rest of human society, as our current human jailers are less than desirables."

"Jailers?"

"Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue, I mean allies."

I didn't have to be a genius to understand that she didn't like humans at all. Maybe that was the reason for her aversion to me.

"So, she basically wants me to be your leader?"

"Not a leader, a Commander." She corrected me.

"A Commander, you say…." I took another sip of beer. "But isn't your kind already working with the military? I don't think you need a middle-school teacher to give you orders."

I doubt they even need them, Sheffield appeared to be quite capable of fighting without someone giving her order behind her back.

"We indeed have people capable of supporting us for the backline, both administratively and strategically." Belfast joined the conversation. "However, her majesty is especially interested in your ability to fight Sirens, that's something none of our current human companions are capable of."

I didn't answer her; instead, I looked at Sheffield, looking for confirmation.

Her immediate reaction was to sigh.

"She is telling the truth. Also, don't involve me in your quarrel, pest."

"Your Queen would be disappointed then since that wasn't a fight." I finally answered Belfast, while I drink some more. "Sheffield was there, she can attest that Purifier wasn't fighting me; rather, she was playing with me as if I were a toy. The only reason I am still alive is that she wasn't serious."

I have no doubts that she could have bypassed Lord Camelot easily, even if she couldn't destroy it. A single attack to my back would have been enough; she had the speed to do that.

"Purifier…" Sheffield muttered, staring at me with her now-classic look of distrust.

"I was told that you also managed to hurt her." Belfast either didn't notice or didn't care that I had used the Siren's name, and continued. "I don't think that it was just a matter of luck."

"You couldn't know, you weren't there."

"Even if we disregard that, the fact that you came in contact with a Siren and survive is already admirable, your experience could be invaluable in future battles. That's why I can't think of a better person to fill the role of Commander, Fujimaru Ritsuka." She said, with conviction.

"…"

I release a deep sigh once again; they really wanted me to be their "Commander". Or at least Belfast and the Queen wanted.

I was still not satisfied, though. Before I gave them my answer, I wanted to know a certain thing.

"You also mentioned…" The words felt heavy in my throat; it was difficult to pronounce them. "Something about a "Master".

They suddenly went quiet, as if I had just said a bad word. Sheffield sighed and sit on a nearby chair, looking tired for some reason. Belfast didn't move, but she looked a bit unnerved.

"The Master is…different." she said, but didn't elaborate.

"How different?"

"Well…"The previously determined and fierce-looking Belfast now looked a bit different, as if she wasn't entirely comfortable with the topic. "The Royal Navy also aware the "Master" title to the Commander, as long as the Queen and the Head Maid agreed with it." She finally continued, but her uneasiness didn't disappear.

"So they are the same thing?"

"Not necessary, the Commander is the one leading the Royal Navy fleet against the Sirens, it's as I said before, a strategic figure. On the other hand, the Master is the person that we, the maids, serve personally."

"You…serve him?" It was my turn to be confused. "And why would you need such a figure? Don't you serve the Queen already?"

"Our loyalty to her will remain no matter what. But the Master is…"

At that moment, Belfast seemed to regress to that person I meet in the grocery store, a woman who appears to be full of doubts, her seriousness mask been lost.

"…?" I turned to Sheffield for an answer.

Her regular deadpanned face didn't change one bit as she said the following sentence.

"The Master is basically a sexual partner."

"Wha-?" I shouted, and the can in my hand inadvertently fell on the ground, staining the floor with beer. "Ah, shit. Do you think it's time for jokes now!?"

"I told you already. I never joke about matters such as this."

Startled, I turned to Belfast, waiting for a proper explanation.

She conveniently avoided my gaze.

And silence invaded the room.

"…"

"…"

"…"

None of us spoke for about two minutes, two long minutes.

Blinking, I took the fallen beer can, and I inspected it, looking at the small letter for the amount of alcohol in it.

"I know I am not much of a drinker, but I never thought I would get drunk with just one can." I said to myself, trying to find a logical explanation for the bizarre situation.

"She is…technically correct." Belfast said, still refusing to look at me.

"…."

Did I just let a bunch of perverts in my house?

"But it's not only that." She quickly corrected it. "The Maid Corps will assist the Master in everything they may need, like cleaning, cooking, acting as secretary, helping with work. We would devote ourselves to serve them as we serve her Majesty, with all our body and souls."

"And that includes intercourse?"

"…if the Master desires it, then it should be done."

My head suddenly started hurting a lot.

Okay, Ritsuka, focus. These superhuman beings are just asking you to be their boss, nothing strange there, you have done that before already, right? Also, the sex is nothing surprising really, you were instructed that in case of emergency, mana transfer via sex was the most efficient method of supplying a Servant mana versus giving other fluids like blood or saliva, the fact that these maids are willing to "serve" you in that way is basically the same thing.

Except it is not.

"Alright, I am done with this. My brain can't keep up with this conversation anymore." I stood up and walked towards the bedroom.

"Where are you going?"

"To bed." I realized the implication of those words. "To sleep, just to sleep. Don't get any weird ideas."

"But your answer...?"

"I really can't give you an answer when you suddenly say you are willing to go to that extent in your…service. Just give me some time, okay? Okay."

I didn't wait for her answer, and quickly entered my bedroom and slammed the door behind me.

Belfast looked as the door was closed on her face and sighed.

"Thanks for that." She said to the other maid.

"He would have eventually found out if he really became the Commander. It's better to let him know now." Sheffield shrugged, as she toyed with one of her guns. "In fact, it could help to recruit him; I am sure you have noticed how he looks at you, Belfast."

"It wasn't sarcasm." A small smile appeared in Belfast's face. "You truly helped."

"…? What do you mean?"

"You eased the situation by bringing up that topic, his hostility towards me could have increased if we continued talking. The fact that he didn't refuse altogether might be because of you, Sheffield."

"..." A conflicted expression appeared on the serious maid face.

Belfast noticed that.

"Even if you aren't entirely convinced yet, you helped to fulfill Her Majesty's wish at least a bit, you can be happy for that, Sheffield."

"I am. But Belfast, are you sure about making him the Commander?"

"That's what the Queen decided."

"What about the current Commander?"

Belfast's eyes twitched.

"I thought you didn't care about her."

Sheffield's eyes narrowed, she was evading the question.

"I am asking about you how I feel about her is irrelevant. "

"…"

Belfast didn't answer, and walked towards the window.

"My time is running out, I have to return to Marcia's side now." She once again tried to change the topic. "They are still searching for you, so you will have to remain here for the time being."

"So it's "Marcia" and not "Commander" now?"

Belfast lowered her head for a bit, and finally answered.

"…I will do everything for Her Majesty, Sheffield." Her silver eyes once again were filled with that fierce determination. "No matter what she asks, it will be done. That's my duty as the Head Maid."

And after saying that, she climbed the window and exited the building.

"…"

Sheffield didn't know how to feel about that.

On the one hand, she felt the same way, she would even throw her life away if it meant helping her Queen; serving her gave her a purpose, meaning to her life. However, Belfast's loyalty seemed different from hers. She couldn't put into words exactly how different, but It was as if it didn't come naturally from her.

As if she was trying her best to suppress herself.

"How did it go, Belfast?" A voice resounded in the maid's head. She was a few blocks of Ritsuka's apartment, hiding in a shadowy alley while waiting for Marcia.

"We didn't reach an agreement, Lady Warspite. And I am afraid it may be partially my fault."

"How so? Explain."

"It's because of our first meeting, he didn't take lightly that I acted like I didn't know anything."

"…I see. Does he look like a person who holds grudges?"

"He didn't when I first meet him, but maybe I failed to judge his character."

Fujimaru Ritsuka, the person chosen by the Queen to be the Commander.

The first thing Belfast thought upon seeing him from a distance was "unremarkable." He didn't seem like a person who could fight a Siren head-on or one who could command a fleet of shipgirls against the forces of the Siren.

After meeting him, she thought that he was a kind man, if only a bit nostalgic. That feeling was quickly changed as they talked a second time, when he showed a more hostile side. That frankly reassured her a bit, a Commander who was only kind had no place in the battles that are to come. It was good to know that he had a bit of backbone, even if that meant having more difficulty recruiting him.

"However, he didn't actually refuse, so I think we can try again later." Belfast assured. "In fact, Sheffield may be able to convince him."

"Huh, Belfast? Did you say that Sheffield will convince him?"

"Yes. It appears that they are getting along well."

Warspite chuckle.

"I see. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one".

It was a surprise for the head maid too. She couldn't remember seeing Sheffield talking that openly with a human before.

"So even if we didn't get an answer, the possibility is still there. I will say that to her Majesty, good work Bel- eh?" Warspite suddenly cut out. "Your Majesty? I am speaking to…wait, your Majesty…?"

Warspite voice was replaced by another.

"Belfast."

The maid immediately recognized that voice.

"Your Majesty."

She bowed, even though there was no one beside her in the alley.

"Good work today, you have brought us one step closer to securing a proper Commander."

"I did nothing special. It is Sheffield, the one that deserves Your Majesty's praise."

"Regardless, both of you are important to the Royal Navy, as our ears and eyes outside this prison."

"I was told that the humans have lessened the restriction though."

"Indeed, we can move more freely now that they are busy looking for Sheffield, but a prison is still a prison." Elizabeth sighed. "My patience is about to run low, It's time for us to make our move, Belfast"

"What should I do, Your Majesty?"

"Naturally, it's time to strike." The Queen declared determined. "We still can't directly intervene, not until we know for sure where they have the cubes, but that doesn't mean he can't act."

"He? Fujimaru Ritsuka?"

"Indeed, we will need his service now."

"But he hasn't agreed with us yet…"

"Sooner or later he will, it's only natural to follow the Queen of one's country."

"But…"

"You heard me, Belfast. We will put the plan on motion."

"…Yes, Your Majesty."

As she said that, she noticed that she was no longer alone. A woman in black uniform, with short crimson hair and look of relief, walked in the alley.

"Belfast. I was starting to doubt I would find you here."

"Commander…." The maid immediately recognized the woman; it was her Commander, the person that was her friend.

"Oh? Has she finally showed up? Good." The Queen still whispered on her mind. "Take a good look Belfast. Both of them, the Admiral and the Commander, they will pay for insulting us...for insulting the Royal Navy!"

"…"

"Belfast? Is something wrong?" Marcia asked, unaware of the voice inside Belfast's head.

Belfast clenched her fist with force.

"No, Commander, I have successfully accomplished my mission. I have met with the man of the shield."

"…"

I turned my head to the side, the digital clock in the nightstand marked 11:07 PM

I didn't remember the exact time I went to bed, but it felt like I have been staring at the ceiling for hours.

Yeah, I couldn't sleep, no after what just happened. Now my mind kept associating the word "Master" to sex and that bothered me, a lot. What a way to ruin an important part of my memories in Chaldea.

Also, I was hungry.

"Ahh…" with a groan, I got up. If I wasn't going to sleep, then I might as well prepare something to quench my hunger.

As soon as I left my room, I found that one of the maids, the serious one, was still in my apartment. In fact, she had a broom on her hands, and it appeared she was sweeping the floor.

"What are you doing?" I asked, as I rubbed my eyes.

"Cleaning."

"I see that, I am asking why you are cleaning."

And why you haven't left yet, this is my apartment, you know?

"I couldn't bear watching the floor so dirty any longer." She made a small reverence. "I apologize if that's how you prefer it, pest."

"…"

I sighed, It was clear she didn't plan on leaving.

Also, not a single comment about the sex thing, even when you were then one that brought it up? Sure, let's pretend that never happened and that my memories aren't forever ruined.

I walked toward the kitchen to serve me a glass of water. There, I drank in silence while watching how Sheffield kept sweeping around the place.

"…"

How did this happen, I wondered.

Two nights ago, I was right here, with no other company but myself, working on my student's papers and wondering how I would approach the next subject in the schedule.

And now, this woman was sweeping my floor dressed in a maid uniform, while another one was asking me to enter a war as some kind of military Commander. And everything happened in what? 48 hours? A bit more? It felt like entire months has passed since my only source of surprise was grading an exam with a perfect one hundred.

I sighed again.

Well, it's no use thinking about that now. Things are about to change, but this time, I am prepared for it.

This time I will take the bull by the horns.

"Sheffield."

"What do you want?"

"Do you like mashed potatoes?"

"Well, aren't you two cute together?"

Unknown to Ritsuka and Sheffield, there was someone observing the scene with sinister interest.

The pale woman was surrounded by hundreds of small floating screens that covered her like a small dome, each of them showing different images. The one she was directing her golden gaze at the moment had a clear image of Fujimaru Ritsuka's apartment. The man in question was currently in the kitchen accompanied by the shipgirl.

"To think that the pawn that disliked humans the most would be the first one to establish a "friendship" with one of them…interesting, very interesting."

She licked her own lips, as if savoring the moment.

"Could it be because of you?" She extended her finger towards the picture of Ritsuka, and caressed it. "Purifier did say you were somewhat special, was she talking about this?"

Although it was normal that most Commanders would feel more affinity with some pawns in particular, it was rare that they would get along with Sheffield so early, especially taking into account the parameters of the current simulation.

"I was sure the military woman would be the one chosen, but I can't deny you have potential, fufufu, I'll be sure to remember your face, little anomaly.."

Things in the Royal Navy were about to change. At last, the final big faction in the board will find their own Commander. Whenever it was the military woman or the strange man, she didn't doubt it would something worth observing.

"Now, speaking of potential…." She moved her eyes to a different screen.

This one showed a tall, demonic-looking woman in the center of an amphitheater of some sort. She was surrounded by a large group of men and women, they were dressed formally and most of them appeared to be of advanced age.

While the group of people showed various degrees of nervousness, like agitated breathing, shivering or sweating, the woman in the center just smiled.

"I thank all of you who decided to remain here in these hard times." The horned woman spoke, her voice was powerful enough to resound in the enormous building. "As a token of appreciation, I want all of you to hear my song." She extended her right hand, and from thin air, a conducting baton appeared. "I guarantee that it will bring peace to your hearts, my children."

She closed her eyes and raised the baton.

The moment she started moving it, and a melody came out of nowhere, as if an entire orchestra was behind her. The hypnotic song began to be heard in the whole amphitheater, following the baton's swift movements.

It was a beautiful song.

From the very first note, the people in the amphitheater couldn't help but to cry. They cried and cried. Even if they didn't find it emotional, they would cry either way; tears would be forced on their checks until they didn't have any water left in their bodies, as that was the woman's wish.

And they couldn't oppose her wishes, the same way a small child can't oppose her mother's authority.

The observing Siren smiled with satisfaction, as she hummed following the song.

It was a song of anguish and despair.

"I was thinking….don't you have anywhere to go?"

The fork in her hand stopped, as she directed me a look that said "Explain."

The food on the table consisted of the aforementioned mashed potatoes as a side dish, while the main course consisted of a couple of seared chicken breasts. It was a simple meal, appropriate for the average cook I was.

Not that I had anyone else to cook for besides myself, so it wasn't rare that I hadn't developed my culinary skills that much. As long as it didn't taste like shit, it was okay in my book.

"I mean, I thought you were created for protecting humanity from the Sirens and such." I explained.

"There's currently no Siren threat."

"Well, but what would happen if they attacked now, for example. Would you need to leave running to fight them?"

"Sirens attacks are rare, and for most of them, Belfast would be enough. However…" She inspected the portion of chicken in her fork, as if she had never seen one before. "If that "Purifier" attacked again, then I would have to go…no, probably all ships in the Royal Navy would need to be deployed."

She then brought the fork to her mouth and started chewing slowly, as if tasting every single bite.

If she liked it or not, she made no comment.

"So that was a special Siren?"

"Normally, the ones we fight are similar to robots, they don't show emotions, and they barely speak. That one was a complete deviant."

I had the feeling that was the case. However, that didn't mean I wasn't a bit relieved to know that there aren't hundreds of Purifiers out there. One is already enough.

"Though, I suspect you know all that already." She said nonchalantly.

"Huh?"

"As far as I am aware, you know more than you say, pest."

"You still don't trust me? Even after I cooked for you? How ungrateful." I said, half-joking as, I bring to my mouth some of the mashed potatoes. "Yeah, this turned out quite good."

"You don't trust us either."

"I don't trust Belfast." I corrected her.

A somewhat expression of confusion appeared on her face, it was a subtly change. But I was starting to recognize her change in humor; however small they were.

"Are you saying you trust me?"

"Trust is a big word, let's just say I am more prone to believe in what you say than anything that comes out of the other maid's mouth." I drank some beer.

Silence, I could almost see the question marks appearing above her head.

"Why?" She finally asked. "Have I not made it clear that I consider you a plague to be exterminated? Or could it be that you are a masochist?"

Please don't talk about kinks while wearing a maid uniform.

"Well, in my experience, there are a couple of things you can't fake. Hate is one of them."I didn't intend to, but I found myself speaking seriously. "You can fake love, friendship, or affection, and quite efficiently if you are use to it."

To my mind came back the smile of Kingu, so peaceful and friendly while he guided us towards our dead.

"But you can't fake hate, or at least it's a lot more difficult." I took another sip. "It's funny, but if you think about it, the fact that you tried to kill me is probably a lot more "honest" that what Belfast did with that little act."

"…"

She didn't say anything, and I resumed eating.

"Hmm, really, the chicken is nothing special, but this mashes potatoes…." I brought some more to my mouth. "I really outdid myself this time, maybe adding the milk did the trick?"

"Who are you?"

"…I am me."I said, simply. "Don't start with existentialisms; your food is going to get cold, and you really should try the mashed potatoes."

"I have met dozens of humans since I was created, and you are the weirdest of them."

I guess you don't meet trash magus who saved another world that often.

"I will take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't."

"I know." I continued eating.

"…."

More silence.

She stared at me for a couple of minutes, until she realized she wasn't getting a reaction.

Her eyes then moved to the plate where the mashed potatoes were, and with the same low movements as before, she took some with a spoon and brought it to her mouth.

"…It's decent." She said.

I smiled.

"I am glad you like it."

She didn't answer but continued eating regardless.

And so, the rest of the meal was enjoyed in silence, with the only the sound of the night in the background.

"I guess it's a bit late to ask but…you won't go anywhere, right?"

I was doing the dishes, and Sheffield was actually helping me this time. Apparently, making me do everything after she did eat some of the food would be a shameful display worthy of one of those "vermins", so she was by my side drying the plates with a towel.

"I was instructed to remain here by the Queen."

"I thought so. You don't want me to suddenly disappear if you leave me alone, right?"

"Not everything is about you, pest."

"Why then?" I passed her a saucepan.

"You don't need to know." She skillfully received it without even turning.

"Fair enough." I intended to drop the topic, but a sudden thought invaded my head. "Would you be obliged to tell me if I become the Commander?"

Her hands stopped.

She turned to me with a deadpanned stare, which said "don't try to use that logic."

"Don't worry, it's a joke." I chuckled. "I am still not sure if I want to take that responsibility."

Although it was entirely possible that I didn't have a choice.

"Even if you reject us, her Majesty won't take a no for an answer. Once she decides something, she will do everything to attain it."

"What about you, though? I take you won't be too happy having me as your boss."

"What I want is irrelevant." She said, drily.

"Even if you say that, a leader that no one truly follows or trusts is doomed to failure."

I was lucky at my time in Chaldea, I had time to learn how to lead people while I was getting to know my Servants. Even though I was the one giving the orders, they were the ones that taught me how.

Not that I believe that I am on par with Zhuge Liang now, I am just a bit aware of how leading people and morale works.

"I would hate every second of it, but if you truly become the Commander, then I would follow your orders."

"…" I gave her a surprised look. Even if she said that, I didn't feel any hostility in those words. Was her devotion to the Queen strong enough to force her to put up with her repulsion?

"Really? Any order?"

"If you are asking if I would sleep with you, then yes."

The plate in my hands slipped, making a loud sound as it crashed against the sink. It was a miracle that it didn't broke.

"I wasn't asking that!" I quickly retorted, feeling a bit ashamed. "I just wanted to know the extent of your loyalty…"

"The Master can't contradict her Majesty, that's the only restriction. You would be free to submit us in any kind of perverse play that you have in mind."

"…Hey, I am not that type of guy, you know?"

"You can't fool me pest, don't think I didn't notice how you look at Belfast."

"…why are we talking about this again? I don't think I am comfortable talking about this with you."

She released what I could only describe as the world's quietest chucked.

Wait, was she mocking me?

"You vermins give too much importance to intercourse."

"…"

Well, sorry for having been taught morals.

"Maybe you give it too little importance."

"We aren't like you, weapons like us don't care about such things. All I need to care about is how to serve her Majesty properly."

"…."

Again, she was contradicting herself.

She said she was a weapon, but a weapon shouldn't feel any emotion, nor even hate. It should move only to kill, disregarding anything else. But she does care about the Queen, or at least I think she does, and she clearly dislikes me. In my opinion, she failed as one already.

However, I didn't consider that something bad.

"That would change, though."

"Huh?"

"If I became the Commander, Master, or whatever you want to call it, I won't treat you as weapon."

"And how would you treat me?"

"As a comrade."

I passed another plate to her, as I have been doing since we started, but she didn't take it this time. Instead, she looked at me, directly to my eyes, as if trying to discern if I was lying or not.

I wasn't, so I looked back at her, showing how serious I was.

We didn't say anything, as we looked at each other.

"…"

"…"

It was almost like a competition, neither of us wanted to be the first one to look away.

"I mean it." I was the first one to break the silence, as it seemed that neither of us would back away.

"I don't believe you." Her gaze adopted a defiant look. "No human would call someone they hate their comrade, much less someone like me."

"…I don't hate you though."

"What…?"

"Do you think I would be talking with you like this if I did?"

"…."

The idea that I didn't hate her seemed to hit her hard, as she took the plate and continued drying the dishes without another word.

The conversation died down after that. Thankfully, there were only a few dishes left to wash.

"Done." I finished with the last plate. "I am not sure how late it is, but I am a bit sleepy." I rubbed my eyes a bit. "I am going to sleep, what are you going to do?"

I don't feel comfortable knowing she would be to be prowling around my house all night.

"Sleep." She said, but didn't look at me.

"I see…well, it's not much but you can use the sofa. I can bring you some mattresses if you want…."

"That won't be necessary."She didn't let me finish and sat on the sofa, still not looking at me.

She was acting strange, maybe I say something that I shouldn't.

"Alright."

Better leave her alone for now.

I walked towards my bedroom, but stopped before entering.

"Good night, Sheffield."

She waited a bit before answering.

"Good night."

She felt strange.

Being around him made her feel strange.

Up until to that point, the humans around her either treated her like she wasn't a conscious being or avoided her altogether.

And she honestly preferred that, interacting with the humans would bring the worst of her; and as much as she disliked them, going against them would only hurt Her Majesty's plan.

So when she found that man, someone who she considered a traitor, she actually felt relieved. Finally, she would put down one of those accursed humans, the ones that had insulted the Queen, forcing her to be their slave.

But that man, the man that she was going to kill….he…

She walked towards his bedroom; it was easy for her to unlock the door.

There, the man that survived her, the same one who showed a strange ability to heal her and the one who had hurt a Siren, was sleeping defenseless.

It was so easy to kill him that it felt like a joke.

A gun appeared on her hand.

She realized that she was disobeying Her Majesty's orders, and she hated herself for that. But she didn't know him, none of them actually know him. He was actually a powerful, unknown threat to the Royal Navy, not only because he had fought a Siren, but also for that strange power he possessed, the one that had been messing with her head since they started talking.

Why else was disobeying her Queen? Why else did she always find herself at a loss of words when they interact?

Why else did she feel, only for a couple of seconds, a little relieved when she heard he didn't hate her?

It must have a trick, yes. He was messing with her head, and he should be stopped.

She pointed her gun at his sleeping body, her finger on the trigger; she only needed to press it to end his life once for all.

"…"

Her hand trembled as she desperately tried to pull the trigger.

But she couldn't.

It was so easy before, so why she couldn't do it now?

"What….what have you done to me…?" She asked the sleeping man.

"Sheffield."

A voice resounded in her head, and her gun disappeared in the air.

"Belfast…?"

"Prepare yourself, Sheffield, Her Majesty's plan is already in motion."

The alarm ringed at 10:08 PM, even though I didn't remember programming it to sound at such a particular time.

It worked for me either way, sleeping until 12 could evolve into a bad habit, even if it was Sunday.

"Good morning." I exited my room, still half-asleep. and walked towards the bathroom. "How did you sleep, Shef-?"

I stopped, noticing that the maid was nowhere to be found.

"Sheffield?"

I looked around the living room, but she wasn't there; the bathroom was also empty, so she definitely wasn't in the house.

Did she leave? I thought she had been ordered to stay here, maybe something important came up.

Not that I don't appreciate some time alone, it should give me some time to work at peace. After all, I had neglected reviewing the lesson for Monday due to all this mess, so I could finally start working on that.

Or that's what I thought because I heard someone knocking the door.

Was that Sheffield? No, she wouldn't knock; it would be far easier for her to just enter using the window.

"Yes?" I approached the door, and asked.

"Fujimaru Ritsuka? It's the police; we need to talk about something related to the vandalism.

Oh, fuck me.

"Just a second."

I quickly went to the bathroom and washed my face.

I couldn't lie, I actually hoped they would forget about the broken things incident. Turns out, the police were actually competent this time, and they were investigating the case.

Maybe I would need to pay for the things I broke in the end….

While I thought that, I dressed in more proper clothes than a pair of pajamas, and finally went to open the door.

Behind the door was the officer that had come yesterday, this time accompanied by two other policemen.

"Hello, how can I help you?"

"Good morning, Mr. Fujimaru." The office spoke. "We have a suspect in custody for the vandalism case."

"…what? A suspect?"

"Some witnesses claimed to have seen him running away from here yesterday night. We need you to come to the station to identify him."

What is going on? There can't be a suspect…since it was me, after all. Did they arrest someone innocent? I take that thought of the police being competent back, they got the wrong guy.

"Eh…well…I am not sure if I can be of any help." I tried to wash my hands of the matter. "As I said yesterday, I slept the entire night, so I couldn't see anyone."

"I see…but it's part of the protocol that we ask everyone in the building."

They sure were being persistent.

"It would be a waste of time, though. I don't…"

As I spoke, I noticed that one of the policemen that haven't talked yet had his hand close to his gun holster, too close really.

A quick look to his face revealed a serious, but nervous expression. As our eyes met, I noticed how he avoided my gaze.

"It's protocol." Reiterated the officer, this time more seriously."We really need you to come to the station."

"I see." I realized the severity of the situation. "I will go with you then."

"...Thanks for your cooperation." The man's tone suddenly changed to a more relaxed one, as if a heavyweight had been lifted off his shoulders.

I picked my keys and took a last look at my apartment. Lord Camelot wasn't hanged in the wall like normally. Instead, it lay on the floor, where I had left it after my encounter with Purifier.

I looked at it for a couple of seconds until I finally accompanied the policemen.

I was sitting in a small cold room, with only a metal table and one chair in front of me.

Apart from the lack of the typical fake mirror that occupied half the wall, it was a classical interrogation room.

My hands weren't handcuffed, maybe because they thought it wasn't necessary or perhaps to maintain the illusion that they weren't arresting me.

I noticed from the start, though. They didn't want me to identify a suspect, this wasn't about the vandalism case at all. No policemen would be ready to shoot at someone if they only believed they broke a window.

This is something more, they knew something about me.

The question was: what did they know? I wasn't proud of it, but I had done some illegal things in these seven years.

Maybe they somehow found out that my documents are fake? That the person known as Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't exist until six years ago?

This was a dangerous situation for me, and especially for them. I would hate to have to resort to methods that I frankly don't like.

"…."

They have kept me waiting for about an hour now, and my mind was starting to get weird ideas... I was really no good being locked up.

I should be calm; everything is going to be okay. There's no need for anyone to get hurt.

Before my mind could develop more weird ideas, I heard the door being open. A woman with short red hair walked in, she was wearing a black uniform, which was closer to a military one than a normal police one.

She sat in front of me, and threw a brown binder in the metal table.

It had my name on it.

"…what am I being accused of?" I asked.

The woman didn't answer at first and just looked at me with a serious expression.

"You don't look like someone who could fight a Siren."

"…!? Who are you?"

"My name is Marcia Haydes, Commander of the Prototype Fleet." She put her hands on the table and moved closer to me. "We finally meet, man of the shield."

END OF CHAPTER 8

AN: Another month absent, another longer chapter than usual. This may become the norm as my classes are still going strong.

About the chapter, I know it may feel a bit on the slow side, but things need to be set and relationships have to start from somewhere. I personally enjoy these conversation oriented chapters more than action ones, but don't worry, I will write those too when the situation calls for them.

Anyway, thanks for reading, see you on the next one.

EDIT: Someone in the comments got the prequels reference, my proofreader can die in peace now.