Fate Apocrypha Volume 3

Chapter 1.2

A cold silence surrounded the Hanging Gardens of Babylon – the Noble Phantasm created by the Assassin of Red, the likes of which had never been seen before, that had managed to secure the Greater Grail.

A young man with brownish skin and silver hair steadily watched his opponent, wearing a gentle smile at odds with the air of deceit that surrounded him. Opposite him stood a girl, white as snow and with golden hair, her mouth forming a thin hard line and her eye delivering a scorching glare.

There should not be more than one of them – they both knew that well. After all, they were both Servants of the Ruler class – a Servant who never suffers the presence of another. Where there were supposed to be one singular overseer passing judgment on this conflict, here now stood two. What was more, one of them was participating as a Master of the Red camp.

"What are you plotting at, Amakusa Shirou? Would you truly go so far in your desire for the Holy Grail?"

"I am sure you can empathize. After all, you believe in Him just as I do."

"You do not fool me... we both know that the Greater Grail of Fuyuki is not the Holy Grail we know most well."

The Servant of the Ruler class – Jeanne d'Arc – pressed Shirou, rejecting his lies.

"Then there is hardly a need to be so protective of it, now is there?"

It was then, with a scornful laugh, that Shirou's Servant decided to take form.

"Assassin... was this your doing?"

The Assassin of Red – Semiramis – chuckled at Ruler's blunt interrogation.

"I see... so you suggest it was I who had deceived and misled my pure and innocent Master, leading him down this path of evil? Unfortunately, I am but a Servant, and Servants follow their Masters..."

"And what have you done to our Masters?"

The Archer clad in verdant green – Atalanta – approached Assassin, her sharp gaze entirely that of a predator ready to tear at the throat of her prey.

"Surely you mean your former Masters?"

Semiramis answered calmly. Achilles – the Rider of Red – managed to hold Atalanta in check, but he himself surveyed the pair with bloodcurdling animosity.

"There is no need to worry; they are alive and well. As I have said, they surrendered their rights as Masters peacefully. They now dream of a world where they have won the Holy Grail War. It would be most... prudent not to disturb them."

The two Servants of Red moved at nearly the same time – Atalanta drawing and releasing an arrow, and Achilles thrusting his spear directly at Shirou's neck. However, at the same time, another two of the Red camp came to Shirou's defense. The Lancer of Red snatched Atalanta's arrow out of the air, and Semiramis warded off the spear with her left hand. Of course, she did not do so unarmed; a set of black, fish-like scales spread from her hand. Although the armor was blown apart by Achilles' spear, it managed to stop the thrust.

"Hmph... to think you would be able to pierce the scales of the sacred fish with such ease. As to be expected, I suppose... more and more, you prove yourself to be a true offspring of the Gods."

Semiramis frowned and rubbed her bloodied hand.

"Heh... I could have put my spear through your scales, your arm and his head, if I'd really wanted to."

"Yes, I suppose you could have – but that would be tantamount to suicide, Rider. I am your Master right now."

Achilles shrugged.