Fate/Novus Ordo Seclorum

Chapter 20: Detailed For the Record

FATE/NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM

"New Order of the Ages"

Chapter 20: Detailed For the Record

"It's quite remarkable, really."

Li Shuwen said those words while standing in the middle of a forest. He was by himself, but that didn't necessarily mean he was alone. He knew someone was listening as he spoke.

"To be able to survive with 90% of your organs destroyed... It seems like you have truly transcended death itself."

After he made that compliment, the purple-haired Witch of Dun Scaith appeared before him. Scathach still looked terrible, but after she escaped into the Land of Shadows, she spent the entire time healing herself while observing the entire battle. Although she wasn't present for the final battles, she knew everything that had transpired up until now.

"Heh," she chuckled. "Didn't you know? I cannot be killed by normal means. Only the crimson thorn, thrust by a pupil who can inherit my legacy, is able to claim my life. But here and now is not the time for me to perish. Therefore, I had to use all of the skills I acquired over my long life to survive."

"If Cuchulainn was not worthy of that task, couldn't you have left it to your final pupil?"

"No. I refuse to allow Connla to shoulder such a heavy burden. Her role was to snap that fool out of his delusions by seeking love and peace for both him and the world. Besides, she's not physically capable of wielding Gae Bolg's true powers without self-destructing. She already proved that in a completely different Singularity."

"I see. So then, you remained long enough to fulfill your end of the deal," Li reminded her.

"I know. Remiss as I am to say this though, I'm afraid I'm in no condition to engage in a drawn-out duel with you. This world is slowly correcting itself as well. I think we only have time for a single round."

"That's fine. After my fight with Beowulf and the Demon Pillars, I only have enough for a single strike myself."

"How fitting for the man purported to defeat his enemies with just one blow – the warrior called 'No Second Strike'."

"Well then..."

"Let's have..."

"An honest match!" both of them shouted at each other, then rushed at each other while pouring all of their strength into this once-in-a-lifetime duel. Whatever the outcome was didn't matter. The important thing was that two warriors, who lived and died by their weapons and amazing feats of battle, unable to meet each other in life due to living in completely different times, could use this one chance to test their honed skills. The match itself was satisfaction enough for them.

****

March 4, 1797

At the White House, a band of musicians played a patriotic song in celebration. The capital city's grandest structure had long since been rebuilt after the final battle with Cuchulainn devastated the property. Now it was greater and bolder than ever, with the familiar white pillars flanking the entrance, the Star Spangled Banner with 15 stars and 15 stripes fluttering upon the roof, and the lush gardens blooming countless flowers everywhere. A small army of mechanized infantry patrolled the area, though they seemed to be more of a show of power than a necessary security detail.

Now it was 14 years after the Great Mythological North American War, or the Great Myth War for short, and it was the day that America's second President John Adams would be sworn into office. Standing upon the podium were the incumbent president Thomas Edison (who took on the appearance and name 'George Washington' to shield his true identity), the future president Adams, and his choice for vice-present Thomas Jefferson. Lined up behind the politicians were the Servants who survived the Great Myth War and functioned as Edison's officials during his tenure as President.