We're not really Doctors. (Shirou x Harem) Arknights x Fate

Chapter 21 - 2

Shirou silently watched from the rear while Talulah gave the Reunion officers a speech. He wasn't one for speeches, but watching her raise cheers from them made him frown. Patriot and FrostNova lined up behind her, which Shirou assumed was to show support.

It was all a cover to keep the officers unaware of the true schism between the leaders.

Everyone split once the gathering was over. Their spirits high except for the trio of commanders.

"Meet us in an hour near our camp." FrostNova quietly whispered to Shirou before she and Patriot left. Shirou glanced at Talulah. The Draco was looking at their group, certainly aware of what their next move would be. Shirou stuck around as Talulah watched Patriot and FrostNova leave.

"Consider your next options carefully. It is unwise for the Reunion to be fragmented at this critical time." Talulah glanced at Shirou.

He stayed silent as the grey-haired leader walked off, leaving him as the only person remaining.

...

An hour later, Shirou entered a nondescript room Patriot and FrostNova were waiting in. The hulking figure of the Wendigo general and the small figure of the Cautus stood inside, waiting for Shirou to arrive.

"We don't have...time." Patriot grunted when he arrived.

"The core city will finish disconnecting with the other plates in a day. It will take another day for us to reach Lungmen." FrostNova explained. "We...don't have many options left with such a small window."

"How do you plan to move forwards?" Shirou asked. Patriot's plan to take over Talulah's influence would take weeks- if not months. He didn't expect the Reunion to attack another city after Chernobog. Usually, weeks were needed to recover for such a large force before they were prepared to move again. "Taking over Talulah would take time."

"We stationed Shieldguards and Yetis to guard the captured Chernobog engineers." FrostNova explained. "We didn't receive news from them when the city engines started. Talulah must've had them killed." That way they wouldn't have known until it was too late. It was clear that Talulah was done caring about keeping up appearances.

"She's...close." Patriot's low voice reached them. "Talulah is...near her goal." It was a reasonable assumption. The Reunion was easily the most important resource for her. If she was willing to sabotage relations with Patriot and his people, then it must've been worth it in her eyes.

"What should we do now?" FrostNova asked.

"We...fight." Patriot coughed. His outburst at Talulah harmed his throat. Shirou's medicine had been taken over two weeks before the invasion of Chernobog. The severity of his Oripathy remained the same, but the antidote helped alleviate the pain. A short heavenly relief for the Wendigo Commander who suffered years of body-aching pain. "Stop her...here."

Shirou could see that the former Ursus general was struggling to speak. He was tempted to pull out one of his so-called "Oripathy potions" , actually just some elixirs prepared to help cool his overused circuits- mana pathways- when he overheated during missions.

...screw it.

Shirou sighed and opened his reality marble. Unlike using Unlimited Blade Works into reality, pulling out an object was significantly easier. Patriot and FrostNova zeroed in on his action and froze when a bottle appeared.

"I'll give you this medicine so you can speak properly." Shirou placed the container on the table. "Explain everything properly and I'll give you more." He didn't specify how much, but it should motivate the commander.