Fate/Rider: The Forgotten One

Chapter 4: The Problem

After the encounter with EMIYA Assassin in the school, Artoria has lost the ability to reserve mana through contract.

Rin: This is bad, all of Saber magic circuits are messed up.

Shirou: Does that mean she can't use her ability anymore?

Artoria: No I still can cast my armor and noble phantasm but I need a large amount of mana to keep it up, thank to my damage circuits.

She look down with sadness she already didn't get her wish in the last war and now she might have to drop out even quicker.

Shirou: Is there anything I can do?

Rin: She need a large amount of mana to at least let her keep her here and fight. And she can't take mana through contract anymore.

Shirou: There's got to be another way right!?

Rin: There is also mana transfer through blood and... that.

Rin face turn red remembering the other way to transfer mana.

Shirou: Then... Maybe I can-

Rin: That's not possible Emiya, the mana that you have won't be enough to keep her going for long. As best 12 hours.

Shirou: 12 hours!?

Rin: Yes, but that won't be long enough for you to recover.

Shirou: Is there really nothing I can do?

Rin: No. The bullet that was shot at Saber is known as "Origin Bullet" a mystic code use by the Magus Killer. So that mean that assassin is actually the Magus Killer and isn't a servant at all.

Shirou: That's could be it.

Rin: But... the Magus Killer is said to have been dead for 5 years.

Shirou: Perhaps it could all been a rumors for him to go into hiding.

Rin: That's also a possibility but still, servant or not he is still a dangerous foe, so just like what Archer said we shouldn't let our guard down.

In the Ahnenerbe cafe Archer walk inside seeing N there sitting at a table, he take a sip of his coffee before looking at his quest.

N: So you decide to came, Archer.

Archer: I did.

N: And you didn't bring your master with you. That's good.

Archer: Let's get to the chase. What do you want N?

N: As expected from you.

Archer is on high alert watching that second Archer closely.

N: What's the matter? Afraid of me? EMIYA Archer?

Archer eyes widen, he quickly trace his battle gear with both Kanshou and Bakuya in hand aim at N, who is still calmly drinking his coffee.

Archer: Who are you!?

N: I'm just a nobody passing through.

Archer was about to chase in and strike N but stop when he felt a knife place on his neck and a gun on the back of his head.

Archer: Assassin.

EMIYA: Don't be hasty boy, we are here to talk not to fight, stand down before I have to put you don't.

Archer: So this was all a trap.

N: No it's not. If you agree to put your weapon down and sit down to talk, we will do the same.

Archer: How can I know I can trust you?

N: That's up to you to decide, Shirou Emiya, the Counter Guardian.