Fate Apocrypha Volume 3

Chapter 2.1

The Hanging Gardens had already begun its advance. Having taken the Greater Grail into its stomach, the fortress sailed across the dawn sky.

With his sensory abilities as a Ruler, Shirou was able to determine that Avicebron had perished; it would seem he was unable to fulfill his dream. In any case, it meant that the opposing camp now had some leeway to reform and reorganize.

"Considering the time required to go through all of their information, trace our location, not mentioning the actual pursuit... I would say around three days."

"Until they are upon us again, you mean?"

"Yes. Assuming, of course, that Ruler is able to convince the Yggdmillennia magi and bring together the surviving Servants."

It was possible that the Yggdmillennia would lose faith and beg for aid at the door of the Association. This was an emergency even for the Association; after all, they wanted the Greater Grail as well.

"Now... what say we hear your side of the story? Then I will decide whether to take your head."

Achilles said with a grim face, thrusting the blade of his spear into the floor. It was not an exaggeration; if Shirou were to give an unsatisfactory response, Achilles would aim to kill the boy regardless of his chance of success. More problematic was the distance between them, as there would be no time for him to utilize a Command Spell.

Rather, 'distance' was never an issue to begin with – for Achilles, anything within his sight had already entered striking distance. His spear would be able to close in and decapitate him in an instant. And that was without mentioning the other Servant who had an arrow drawn and ready on Tauropolos. Atalanta was similarly prepared to shoot through his skull without reserve. She waited only on Shirou's answer.

Karna did not yet move from his place by the wall, though it was beyond clear that he would not follow any commands just yet. However, Shirou had no choice but to speak the truth in his heart. He did not believe it would be possible to deceive any of them to begin with, least of all Karna.

"I will answer all questions truthfully."

"Good. So what are you planning?"

"The salvation of all mankind, as I have already said to Ruler. That was the purpose for which I required the Greater Grail. I required it, and so I acquired it... just as I required Servants to survive this Great War, so I acquired all of you."

Achilles and Atalanta gave brief glances at Karna, before whom all attempts at falsehoods and blandishments were meaningless. The 'Hero of Charity' nodded lightly at them.

There was surprise, and confusion. Shirou was evidently serious. They could not laugh his words off as some insane drivel. They pressed him further.

"Where are our Masters? What did you do to them?"

"Can you not sense them? All five of them are in a room on this very garden. In fact, they should all be still very much alive and human. The poison we used was made to ensure that."

"So it was you, then..."

All of the Servants rounded on Semiramis, who wore her usual elegant smile as she turned to face and answer them.

"But of course, we could hardly have them moving about as they pleased. However excellent, they are but Magi... ones who consider naught but how to surpass their fellows. They would only hamper us."

"Indeed, you are showing just how different you are to them and their self-centered ways."

Semiramis shot a dirty look at Karna for his quiet remark, and Shirou chuckled awkwardly.