After a few moments of weightlessness, I felt the earth under my feet and opened my eyes to see the blue sky. I looked around only to see that I was alone in a ruin of an old church. But what was before me made me stop and take a breath of the cold morning air. A simple grave covered with flowers, on which a simple wooden sign serves as a tombstone.
'Site of King Arthur's tomb.'
I quickly understood that this place became my summoning spot due to its strong connection to me, but I still couldn't think about it as anything but a cruel joke. I slowly knelt before the grave and created a blue crystal flower, leaving it here to honor the king's tomb, but also to remember this place, so that it always serves as a reminder of what I fight to prevent.
A minute later, I used night sorcery to disappear from this place, moving toward the city a little further away. As I walked, I tried to understand what my task here was. From the information that I was given during my summoning, I had two tasks here: first, make sure that the Holy Grail War continued as it should; second, find and eliminate, if possible, a threat that lurks in the shadows.
The vagueness of the second task troubled me. What kind of threat? How great? What if there is no threat, only some traces left by who knows what? But thinking about it now would be no help, so I decided to focus on something more practical for now.
I had to wait for the connection with Morgan and the rest to be completed, so for now, I decided to look for some more information about this timeline. Gaia graciously provided me with some common knowledge, but as they were ignorant of human culture or social structures, I still had a lot of gaps to fill. So my first stop was a library in the town.
I knew that the Grail War would occur a week or so later, so I had a lot of time to look around. In the library, I read through historical and cultural books, gaining an understanding of how the Pan-Human History differs from my timeline. After that was done, I focused on knowledge that would prove useful when brought back.
Despite having no money, I quickly gathered some funds from a few shady folks I saw nearby, using them to buy books about medicine, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and finances. I especially brought not only advanced books but also those intended for learning. With those secured in Arion's bags, this trip wouldn't be a waste of time.
My next stop will be a source of the magic energy I could feel, kilometers away from here. I flew there directly, ensuring that I wouldn't be noticed. During my flight, I noticed the lack of mystery everywhere around; only technology filled the views. While I expected such a state of being, it pained me somewhat; my connection to the planet felt the scars inflicted by decades of exploitation.
I finally landed in the city of London, where I started walking through the concrete jungle. I watched how people around me were starting their daily routines. I felt their feelings and tried to understand their intentions. And, when the end of my hour-long walk came, I couldn't help but be numb.
I expected the entitlement of people who never knew war nor suffering, I expected the greed of those who never clawed from the bottom, I expected the intrigue of large societies, but I wasn't ready for the numbing ignorance and thoughtlessness of everyone around me. It was as if I were walking through a waxworks museum.
There was almost no one who had strong feelings about something; they all just accepted the reality and acted along with the expectations of this society. None tried to better themselves, they only did something to gain something material. And the lies, all the lies. I counted at least a hundred 'I love you' that were obvious lies. Even simple conversations always carry lies in them.
This was the world that was 'best'? The Pan-Human History for which endless other worldlines were sacrificed? I sighed, wondering if Counterforce, like the gods of Lands between, wanted all people under their rule to be a flock of sheep with no will of their own. I feel truly lucky that it was Gaia with whom I had my contract.
With such thoughts rolling around in my mind, I arrived in front of a gate that no normal person should be able to see. From time to time, a young person would enter, most carrying books like normal students, but the magical energy emanating from them proved that they were far from normal. I entered carefully, not wanting to alert anyone, seeking someone who would be easy to talk to while giving me access to a world hidden from the outside.
I observed people and rooms around me while passing through the corridors filled with old décor. I passed many students, some filled with pride, some with expectations, but what I felt hidden under that façade was nothing more than helplessness and the pressure they were under. If I were to sum up everything I felt into one word, it would be rot, or maybe a decline.
At some point, I noticed a strange magic, very similar to a contract between a master and a servant, but also somewhat different, lacking a part of it. Interested, I entered a room that had just been opened, and inside I found six, no, it was five people and one strange object in the form of one.
-"Brother, stop looking at the artefact, it's not like you'll have a chance to use it."-A Young girl with blond hair sat on the sofa, behaving like she owned that room.
-"Reines..."-A man who looked older than I gauged his actual age to be spoke with a sigh.
-"I don't want to hear it."-She interrupted him.-"I brought a few of my 'friends' to talk about the War that is about to happen."-She accented the word friend in a way that made it quite awkward.-"As someone who researched it in depth, you should be able to reveal some elements so that the Tohsaka sisters can understand the past of their lineage."
-"Tohsaka?"-The man looked at the three girls standing next to Reines.
-"Ehem. Allow me to introduce myself so as not to be lumped with that name."-A blond girl full of extravagance showed a somewhat disdainful smile.-"I'm Luviagelita Edelfelt, pleasure to make an acquaintance, Lord El-Melloi II."
-"Lady Edelfelt."-The man nodded.
-"So, can you tell us something about that whole Holy Grail?"-The girl with black hair spoke somewhat rudely.
-"Sigh. I can tell you some details, but don't expect me to know everything."
-"Please."-Last girl, one with purple hair, bowed politely.
I stayed silent and listened to the explanation about the Holy Grail War from the side. Most of the information was something I was aware of before, but the details about three families who started the ritual and what occurred during the Second World War were new to me. I also understood that the man before me was a master from the previous war, one who survived despite failure.
His story was quite interesting, but somewhat skewed. While he didn't make himself the hero, some details were presented from his perspective, making them unreliable. The four girls listened and asked a question from time to time, though they approached it as a fantastical story, not a historical account. It was caused by their inexperience, but it annoyed me when they couldn't ask for more important details.
-"That would be all."-The man ended his over-hour-long speech.
-"So you failed."-Reines summed everything up.
-"Ugh."-The man clutched his heart as if in pain.
-"So those thieves stole what should be ours!"
-"Rin, be realistic. Not only do they gain it fair and square, but you also don't have the ability to recover that Grail."-Luvia rolled her eyes.
-"You!"
-"Sister, she..."
-"Sakura! You should be on my side!"
Rin and Luvia started to argue, with Sakura trying to calm them down and Reines watching with relish. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to learn anything more from here, I prepared to leave, but before I could step out, another person appeared in the room.
-"I hope you don't mind me showing up unannounced."-An old man spoke as he stepped from a kaleidoscope-like portal.-"How are you, my little disciples?"
-"Teacher? What brings you here?"-Luvia asked, surprised.
-"Well, I'm here to greet a somewhat special guest. I hope my three students didn't embarrass themselves, Sir."-He spoke to where I stood hidden, his attitude was relaxed, but I could feel danger emanating from him.
Knowing that I was discovered, I showed myself, keeping wings and halo hidden so as not to make a scene.
-"There is no embarrassment, to be carefree like that is a blessing they should enjoy."-I spoke, my face hidden by my hood.-"I suppose you are the person I'm looking for."
-"Most likely. I'm Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the Wizard Marshall. And you, Sir?"
-"Eno. I'm here due to a contract with Gaia. As you can imagine, it has something to do with the Holy Grail War."
-"Ah? I understand, but this shouldn't be all, right?"-He sat behind the desk, where the Lord El-Melloi sat previously.
-"Indeed, I have another matter, one concerning some issues from the timeline I came from."
-"Interesting. But before that, you seem to be quite sure of yourself, to even dare enter a mage's workshop like that, one housing hundreds of mages at that."-He spoke, atmosphere turning sharp.
-"I should apologize for showing like that, but due to my identity, using official channels was impossible, as for being sure of myself, while I can't defeat you, you should also feel that you won't be able to emerge victorious against me either. Mutual destruction, in the heart of your magical society, is not what you wish to see."
-"True, I always prefer making friends, not enemies. Especially that I feel a few familiar auras on you, touching you would make me their target. So what do you want from me?"
-"Make a deal. I wish to gather data from this timeline and for you from mine one to contact us. In exchange..."
-"In exchange, I want you to do something for my students and those two present here."-He interrupted me.
-"What will that be?"
-"Looking at the fact that Gaia sent someone to this world, I'm afraid that something will happen catastrophically wrong in the near future. I want you to protect them and ensure their safety, in whatever way possible."
-"I see."-I looked at the people standing nearby, silently listening to our conversation.-"I can do so, but if something beyond my capabilities occurs, I will need your assistance to keep my promise."
-"Of course, if something like that happens, I will be there."-Zelretch nodded.
-"Then the contract is made. Would you mind helping me with the data gathering?"
-"I'm a little bored anyway, so why not?"-He nodded.-" I will give information to them, and you can instruct them how to use your tools."
-"I will do so then."-I turned to the people who were basically sold to me by the Wizard Marshall.-"Do you have anything to ask?"
-"Eno. I have no recollection of a hero with that name."-Lord El-Melloi spoke carefully.-"Would you mind sharing your story with us, Sir?"
-"You know no such hero as I'm not a one. Not only am I not part of Pan-Human History, but I'm still alive in my timeline, not inscribed upon that throne. I'm from outside, so no isotopes of myself exist in other timelines. But in my timeline, I serve under King Arthur and Princess Morgan."
-"Eh? Arthur and Morgan shouldn't be enemies?"-Sakura asked softly, surprised by my words.
-"Royal relationships are complicated, especially during the transition from one era to another. But no, Morgan cares for her sister as much if not more than she cares for Britain, while Arthur is a knight who upholds virtues, not someone guided by hatred or greed."
-"Indeed, the past is often more complicated the what was recorded."-Zelretch confirmed my words.
-"You are a knight, right? Then are you part of the Round Table?"-Rin asked me, remembering Arthurian Legends.
-"My king is about to be coronated, so there are no such knights yet."
We talked like that for some time before Zelretch had to excuse himself. After that, the subject slowly turned to the upcoming Holy Grail War.
-"So what will you do, and what should we do?"-Lord El-Melloi, who introduced himself to me as Waver, asked.
-"My job is to make sure the War continues as it should, so I don't want to get directly involved if I can. I feel that there should be a Ruler present due to abnormality, so I plan to seek them and stay by their side. As for you, either you follow me, or manage some matters from me."
-"I want to follow!"-Rin was first to speak up.
-"I hope Sir Knight won't mind this Lady joining you."-Luvia also decided to follow
Sakura looked at me with a silent plea, evidently wanting to follow but being too shy to speak.
-"I wouldn't miss something so interesting."-Raines also joined.
-"Sigh, what matters are there for me to handle?"-Waver asked, knowing that all of them would fall on him either way.
-"I will leave instructions to someone else, but you'll have to run around the world for a few days."
-"Sure, I can do that, but I hope you don't mind me bringing one more person with me."
-"One more person doesn't change anything."-I agreed.-"Before everything else, I would ask you to introduce me to the situation of the magical world, along with some basics about modern magic."
Waver nodded and started to describe the magical world. The factions and institutions, the basics of magecraft, and an understanding of magic and mystery. This was truly eye-opening, of how much something can decline due to a few hoarding resources and knowledge. In that moment, I made a decision to establish a magic school when the war in Britain settles, not one controlled by nobles or lords, but one that will guide talented children of all standing.
But all that needed to wait for later, as now, I was sitting in a comfortable seat in a plane, flying toward Central Europe to fulfil my contract. The five girls were continuously talking about a myriad of subjects, including me from time to time. I sipped a tea prepared for me by Sakura, in my hands a folder with information about the masters and the place where the war will happen.
The more I read, the more I felt that something was fundamentally wrong with this War; this feeling was the reason why I asked for secrecy, not even contacting the allies from the Magic Association fighting in the War. After finishing my reading, I looked out the window; the castle that was the stronghold of the black faction of this War stood there, a solemn reminder of what's to come.