Almost 50k words in, gib reviews or I crash out. No spam.
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If someone had told me a couple days ago that I would willingly enter Kirei's 'church' again, without the intention to somehow murk him, I might have socked them in the chin for the idea.
But, here I was, in this suffocating and dreary place pretending to be a House of God with a basement full of starved children, where every breath felt so vile and disturbing that I just wanted to break everything in there the moment I was given the chance.
It felt like Kirei Kotomine knew that.
Sighing, I raised my head to stare at the empty-eyed priest. The corners of his lips curved imperceptibly, and he inclined his head my way.
"You look in need of counsel, young man."
"If I were, I wouldn't get it from you." I bit back, clutching my side.
Medusa's blow had indeed done damage. It really did look like I'd been hit by a truck which proceeded to drag my back along the road. Once the adrenaline wore off, even the slightest movement felt like someone was driving nails into me.
"Why is she here?"
I pointed at the dark haired girl sitting on the next pew over.
"This is-"
"It just so happens to be my territory, you know?" Rin Tohsaka cut the priest off with a huff, crossing her arms under a near non-existent chest, "And, you all destroyed an entire block in broad daylight. What were you even doing out there? On top of that, Shinji's just dead."
Her words told me she would not miss him at all.
"As I've told you before, Lady Tohsaka-" Bazett answered from beside me, "-We were attacked during an investigation. The Einzbern master ignored any and all attempts at communication, even after I repeatedly informed her about the breach of rules."
I let out a pained groan. "Shinji's servant attacked me."
"That can't be right-"
Kirei's brows furrowed slightly, "Then, am I right to assume that Rider is dead?"
Bazett glanced at me, then gave the man a slight nod.
"Hm, faster than expected, but it is no business of mine to investigate a servant's death."
I heard the wind rustle the windows.
"But a master's death is a grave breach of rules." The priest said, acting like he wouldn't do the same, "Fortunately, we have two witnesses confirming his death at the hands of the Einzbern. No party here is at fault."
Rin perked up at that, "A quarter of Miyama Town is gone, and who knows how many witnesses there were! If I found out someone else got hurt, I'll-"
Kirei raised a hand to stop her.
"Miss Bazett and young Enji were wise enough to contact me at the beginning of the forced confrontation. I'm willing to vouch for them as well. At any rate, there were surprisingly few witnesses and the incident was easily dealt with."
That seemed to calm her down a moment.
"And, the damages?"
"The Clock Tower and the Holy Church will take responsibility, as per the rules of the Grail War."
Rin glanced at him with one eye closed, "Are you sure?"
...I couldn't blame her honestly. The Clock Tower and the Holy Church were both at each other's throats since inception, even I could put that together. Magic was heresy punishable by death to one, and the lifeblood of the other.
"So that's it then? Shinji's dead and the Einzbern master gets to run free?"
"You will be informed of the decision."
Silence reigned for a quaint few moments before Rin rose to her feet. She let out another huff, then turned on her heel to stomp down the isles.
"Come on, Archer. We're done here."
I spoke up just as she put her hand on the wooden doors, "How's Shirou?"
"He's... fine. You can check in on him if you want."
If I did that, my bravado would crumble apart. Until I could heal him, I refused to wallow in guilt and ruin the chance to pay him back entirely.
Still, I gave her a weak nod.
Rin smiled and then she was gone.
It was better this way. He could still learn magecraft, and he didn't have to put himself through the hell that he suffered during the Holy Grail War. I would go through them in his stead if need be, and accomplish all that he would have.
"Now, young man..." Kirei turned his sights to me, pulling me from my thoughts, "It would be remiss to let you go with nothing."
I listened quietly.
"It is too much to ask you to help me put down the rogue master, so I will not. But, I will promise you one of her command seals, if I can salvage them."
The wind picked up. One of the windows high above was thrown open, and the bell in the tower began to ring.
"Miss Bazett, I would ask for your help in this."
That would... get the two of them alone. I refused to believe that that was not exactly what he wanted, so he could take her servant for his own agenda. The question was, did I really care?
As an opponent, Bazett was much tougher.
If I let him go through with it-... Hm, no.
"I'll help."
"You shouldn't."
It was Bazett who refused me.
She carefully put a hand on my shoulder, "You've already been hurt protecting me. I should at least pay you-"
Why was she against accepting an advantage?
"I'm going."
"But you-"
"No."
"You're already too-"
"I go."
The older woman... pouted. Just slightly, but I could see it. She'd puffed up her cheek ever so faintly at the constant, unreasonable denial.
Kirei smiled. There was amusement in his hollow eyes. He wiped a hand against his long coat, then extended it to me.
"Well, I can understand wanting to look brave at your age. I admire the humanity of it. But, take care not to let it blind you to all that life has to offer."
What the hell did that even mean?
"Are you sure that putting yourself against Heracles again is the wisest option?"
Hell no.
But, I really didn't want Bazett to just die. She was too adorable to abandon, even for me. She was also possibly the first woman in my life who came back after her first conversation with me, or expressed any worry and gratitude for my actions.
I'd almost forgotten what that felt like.
"Very well then. I accept that resolve, however slight it may be. We will convene at another time, and deal with the servant running rampant in the city."
Really... what was actually his angle here?
Not that getting rid of Heracles wasn't a big win for everyone involved in the Grail War but still... Kirei Kotomine couldn't possibly be that simple.
-
Bazett had remained quiet the whole way back to the hotel, and I was watching the numbers on the empty elevator rise when she finally spoke up again.
"You should rest instead of fighting again."
I only spared her a glance, offering no words.
If I told her the real reason, she wouldn't believe me, and even if she did, Kirei still would manage the upper hand somehow. Really, if you wanted something done right, you just had to do it yourself.
"I didn't even thank you for protecting me."
At that, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"At least you didn't go all 'you didn't need to do that'."
"That would mean denying your effort." She said with a sigh. Her hand found mine, and suddenly she was staring into my eyes.
"Thank you, Enji."
This here was why older women were better.
With a loud ding, the elevator came to a halt.
"What about a kiss on the cheek or something as a reward?"
My cheeks burned at my abysmal lack of rizz. I had just said the most embarrassing shit ever, probably destroyed any and all chance I had with her-
The elevator doors slid open.
I felt something soft press against my cheek.
"T...That's all I have courage for right now."
...No way.
Then, she was gone. A suited blur racing past the numerous doors in the corridor.
I stood there gobsmacked as the elevators slid shut.
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Hope you enjoyed.
Please comment what you thought of the chapter so I can know how I did and improve. Also, dopamine.