Fate/Legion

Battle Lines Drawn

"So then, do you accept?"

The blond mage sitting before me echoed his request. No, it was more than a request. It was a threat. Though I wish it weren't the case, everyone is choosing sides in Edelfelt's feud with Yggdmillenia. The two alliances are making their moves. More servants are being summoned on mass, territory in Fuyuki is being divided, and civilians are being gathered up by both sides to clear room for the fight. If I don't pick a side, it's likely that me and my servants will be singled out and killed early on.

"Alright. Before I decide anything, I need to know a few things", I coughed out with all the confidence I could muster.

Edelfelt leaned back in his chair. He bore a casual expression that indicated little interest in my demands.

"Fine. Go ahead and ask what you'd like", he sighed.

My brow furrowed trying to pull out the questions that formed in my mind. With his forceful personality, I doubt I'll be able to get in all my concerns. I'd best ask what's important and I need to do it fast. I could feel Erickson's gaze burn through my head. Whatever I ask first can easily determine my standing with Edelfelt and Erickson knew it.

"Why is Bismarck gathering civilians? What's he planning on doing with them?", I inquired.

Edelfelt responded quickly as to dismiss what he saw as a trivial matter.

"He's trying to keep them from Forrest, of course. If Forrest got his hands on them, he'd undoubtedly feed them to his servants before raising their corpses for his undead", he swiftly flicked away the question,"Was there anything else?"

I was caught off guard by his bluntness. The quick response had set him as the head of the discussion. I need to pick up my momentum if I want to get a possible truce. If I don't, it's not unlikely that I'm going to end up throwing my servants into a death trap.

"Alright, then what would happen after the fight with Yggdmillenia? After five of us are left, what then?", I pressed.

Once more, Edelfelt dismissed my concerns.

"Nothing in particular. Maybe Bismarck will hunt us down one by one. Maybe Matou will feed us to his worms. Or", he leaned forward holding a firm accusatory stare on me,"maybe you'll live up to your family name and destroy the grail. Perhaps this time for good."

His sudden aggressive stance allowed little room for further debate. I would not, however, give in so easily.

"Last question. Let's assume I accept your offer. What would I do? Wouldn't I be just another banner?"

For a moment I saw him wince. After all, he clearly had an edge as it was. Kariya and Fredrick both joined him, making a three to two advantage over Yggdmillenia. Even on his own he could easily win the war. With Gilgamesh and Iskandar as his servants, he has an army of Gate of Babylon equipped heroic spirits. This of course doesn't consider the other already brutally powerful servants such as Gawain. In the long run, he doesn't need me.

"Well", he hesitantly advanced as though carefully picking the words to use,"I guess you could say I want you there for the sake of it."

For the sake of it? I know there are thrill seekers, but he's asking me to risk it all for the sheer fact that I can.

"Now don't misunderstand! I have a role for you during the battle", Edelfelt assured optimistically,"Everything is planned out. There will be accommodations made for your help. And if you do join us, we'll have all the more power to stop Forrest. Surely you'd like that."

I raised my brow interested,"And no other servants will be summoned afterwards?"

His eagerness seemed to vanish at my words. In its place was a distinct curiosity.

"Well... I suppose I won't. I can't promise Matou or Bismarck would", he tilted his head as though studying a rare species,"Why does it matter? Wouldn't you be more concerned with Zachary Forrest's victims?"

I knew what he was implying. With my father's reputation, and I guess my own, Edelfelt is assuming I want to restore Forrest's undead army to it's original humanity. While I will admit I have considered it, I'm not near as idealistic and heroic as my father, my mother made sure of that. No, Forrest's victims are dead. I can't bring them back. No one can. I can, however, at least try to ease the load of mana drainage that innocents are suffering. While I like Artoria, Jeanne, Enkidu, and Hercules, I know that every day they're here, that's another day that someone in Fuyuki will lose. I can't save the dead, but I can protect the living.

"Isn't it obvious? Every time a servant is summoned, the odds of another person dying for it will only increase", I stated,"Anyone who would so casually place lives in danger can be no friend of mine!"

Edelfelt grew a deft grin,"That's good to hear. While I will continue to take precautions for the upcoming battle, it does please me to know another mage on this earth isn't so callous. What excellent news! So is that your condition then?"

"Yes", I answered,"If your alliance promises to keep outsiders safe from the war, then I will join you."

Edelfelt's blossomed into a towering smile. It almost seemed cartoonish. He leaned himself over to the courtyard where our servants were mingling.

"OI! GOOD NEWS! Emiya is with us!", he shouted with exuberance.

Almost on que, Iskandar all but crashed through the walls, arms wrapped around both Artoria and Hercules. His bulging muscles pulling the pair close to his side. While Artoria only sighed in a soft and content fashion, Hercules was not so understanding. Rather, if not for Iskandar's impressive bulk, I imagined Hercules would rip his limbs off.

"WHAT JOYOUS AND MOST WELCOME NEWS! Bring out the ale so we may celebrate in song!", Iskandar announced passionately,"All shall tremble before our great might as we make our mark in history! Isn't that right, Saber?"

Resigned to her predicament, Artoria only quietly reminded him of the flaw in his plan,"Indeed. I believe that would be true, if this was not a secret proxy war that no history book will ever record. Or did you forget that, Rider?"

"HAHAHAHAHA!", Iskandar mightily laughed.

My servants, along with Erickson's and Edelfelt's, began to shuffle about to bring together drinks. They seemed to not have a care in the world. But why should they? Unlike other grail wars, ours had multiple servants to a master. As a result, few servants actually plan or bond with their master, preferring instead to find new ways to kill time. I shouldn't really support such casualty in a battle to the death, but I will admit that Medea and Enkidu make fantastic tea.

Despite the rejoicing and merriment occurring around us, Erickson and I could not help but worry. In the heat of the moment I may have signed a death sentence. The battle lines are now drawn, there is no going back now.

____________________________________________

As a knight of Camelot, I am subject to the standards of nobility. Even if I'm a disgrace to my title and my liege, I'm still a knight. No amount of insanity will change that. To treat a lady kindly and to uphold justice and the honor of my king. I suppose that's why I'm in such a predicament.

Alter Artoria, a dark recreation of my king, is at odds with our new companion, Alter Jeanne. It would seem Jack's obsession with claiming parents of French origin has in no way dwindled. How I wish Alter Jeanne would have rejected Jack. Alas, that is not the case. Alter Jeanne embraced Jack wholeheartedly. My dark King sits with me even now, drenched in depression. She expects me to resolve the issue. Though she continues to rant about Alter Jeanne, I can only wonder to myself where her desire for a child came from. Does my original King hold the same feelings?

"Lancelot."

The firm sound of my liege snaps me from my thoughts.

"Yes my King?", I softly snap to attention.

My militarism is met with a gentle, yet harsh stare.

"I told you not to be so formal", Alter Artoria pouts,"Were you listening at all?"