Fate/Laoch Gan Finsceal

Chapter 17: Divergence of History

FATE/LAOCH GAN FINSCEAL

"Hero Without Legend"

Chapter 17: Divergence of History

Moriarty sat upon one of the high-rise ice spikes jutting from the ground, observing the scenery while sipping on a glass of wine. His mood wasn't any different from when he was planning his next scheme for underworld domination – elegant, yet dark-spirited. Yet, he wasn't planning anything in this moment. He was merely waiting. The wine served to keep his impatience in check, but there was only so much alcohol left to sate him.

After another sip, he looked down and noticed movement in the corner of his eye. His eyes were fixated upon the four heroes as they walked gallantly towards Area 51. He couldn't resist thinking of how artistic the scene looked. Two Lancers, an Assassin, and a Berserker were the world's only bastions against the end of humanity as they knew it. However radically different their origins were, here they stood as one unit, prepared to risk their lives for everyone else's futures. They saw Moriarty from his perch and stopped before the glacial structure.

"You've kept me waiting," the gentleman told them, then leapt off the ice and fell upon the ground with style. "I was beginning to think you had lost your nerve after witnessing our friend's Anti-Continental Noble Phantasm."

"Anti-Continental?" Connla murmured in a low tone. "I thought it was Anti-Army..."

"The one he used against you was certainly Anti-Army, but he has had four whole days to build enough power to wipe out this entire Western Hemisphere. Hoh hoh! I can hardly wait!"

"So that was the oppressive energy I felt brewing within that icy prison!" Spartacus exclaimed. "Then there is no time for words! If you intend to stand in our way, then we shall gladly force you aside!"

"But of course," Moriarty adjusted his glasses. "I have every intention of being an obstacle... That is, except against the young lady."

"Me?" Connla asked. "What are you talking about?"

"Behold."

He gestured toward the ice and snapped his fingers. It shattered into pieces upon his mental command to reveal a set of doors leading to Area 51's lower bunkers. He explained, "Your father waits for you in the lowest level, where this country's most secret research was being done. I have express orders only to allow you inside."

She wasn't so sure about what he was saying. It could be a trick to get her to lower her guard. Sanson uttered, "Do you seriously think she'd fall for such a blatant ploy?"

"I seriously do, my dear executioner. Our dear Avenger is not in the mood to have his family reunion interrupted again, so he is granting this privilege only to the child. Area 51 is the arena where they shall settle their differences once and for all. If any of us rabble were to barge in on him, he will not hesitate to unleash his Noble Phantasm. Once he does that, this entire hemisphere will be trapped within an eternal Ice Age. Do you want to risk that in favor of satisfying your fleeting doubts?"

"Astounding," Leonidas gasped beneath his breath. Normally they would not listen to a consummate liar such as Moriarty, but in this moment, all of them could take his threat at face value. Even the hardheaded Spartacus couldn't fight back the chill of realizing just how insignificant he was against such a god-like force. The men had no choice but to rely on their young friend to defeat Curruid alone.

"You guys..." she murmured.

"It's okay. I still have some unfinished business with this man," Sanson said with a light smile, wielding his crescent-bladed sword. "I am glad we were allies in this endeavor. Go ahead and do what you need to do."