Fate/Incursio

Ch.3 || Kill The First Battle

Tatsumi and Atalanta strolled through the bustling town, blending in with the crowd as they finished their errands, they'd successfully sold the Homunculus gear for some much-needed cash. The streets were lively with merchants calling out to passersby, the chatter of common folk, and the scent of food wafting from nearby stalls. For a brief moment, it felt almost normal.

Tatsumi had let his guard down just enough to enjoy the calm, but then something caused him to pause mid-step. He stiffened slightly, his keen senses alerting him to a mental link being established. Atalanta, ever perceptive, glanced at him but didn't comment, understanding the nature of their shared war. Tatsumi resumed walking, though his mind was now elsewhere, tuning into the voice of his Master that echoed within his head.

"Berserker, you're going to assist Lancer in murdering the Ruler," his Master's abrupt declaration snapped Tatsumi from his thoughts, nearly causing him to stumble.

His brow furrowed in confusion. "I'm sorry, what...?" Tatsumi responded, blinking in disbelief at what he'd just heard.

"You're going to help Lancer murder Ruler. And your primary objective is to make sure no one interferes," his Master's tone carried an edge of irritation, as if this was a matter already decided and not up for discussion.

Tatsumi stopped in his tracks, processing the command. Killing Ruler? The one servant whose sole purpose was to ensure the war remained fair and balanced? Tatsumi couldn't hide the confusion in his voice as he tried to understand the reasoning. "But... Ruler isn't even a threat at this stage. They're just there to oversee the war and make sure it doesn't spiral out of control."

His Master's voice sharpened. "Making decisions isn't in your wheelhouse right now, Berserker. Either you go out there and kill Ruler, or I cut off your mana privileges for a week. Do not test me."

Tatsumi paused in his tracks a look of surprise crossed his face "Understood," he finally responded, though the frustration was clear in his voice. "I'll go kill Ruler... since I do like existing... kinda," he muttered under his breath, though he could practically hear his Master's satisfied smirk through the mental connection.

"Good. Now get moving," his Master said before severing the link, leaving Tatsumi standing there with his thoughts racing. Atalanta had remained silent, though her sharp eyes darted toward him, sensing the shift in his mood.

He let out a long sigh, his frustration barely concealed as he turned to her. "I suppose it's time to meet up with Lancer... and kill Ruler," he muttered, as though saying it aloud would make the order less absurd.

Atalanta raised a brow, though she kept her tone measured. "Ruler is supposed to be impartial. You know this order is reckless."

Tatsumi shrugged, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "I don't make the calls, remember? And apparently, my Master's decided that murder is the most effective strategy, and if i dont i lose mana access." He shook his head, glancing toward the direction of the church where Ruler was rumored to be staying. "But maybe it's not the best idea to go searching for her just yet."

As they began walking again, Tatsumi couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Time to eliminate Ruler... Let's hope she doesn't use her authority to stop me. Not sure how much I can push back against that." He cast a sideways glance at Atalanta, whose expression remained stoic, though her sharp eyes glimmered with thought.

"Maybe there's a way to break this contract," he murmured under his breath as that could be helpful for his survival

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