This World of Ours (Part 3)

Noble Phantasm.

They are the embodiment of the ultimate mysteries of a hero that symbolizes one's existence through historical facts and anecdotes.

They can be physical weapons, such as swords, lances, and bows, or support items, such as rings and crowns. They can also be abstract concepts, like unique abilities, unique means of attacks, curses, and changes to the environment and its physical properties.

It is impossible for myths and legends to start from nothing, so they all have common points acting as the foundations that became the model for the legend. Those like demonic swords and holy swords were granted names and abilities once such legends begin to flourish in their lands of origination.

Noble Phantasms make up part of the existence of Heroic Spirits, the anecdotes about their prowess and weaponry all becoming part of the very symbol of their existence. As the ultimate mysteries and embodiment of the heroes, they are trump cards carried by each to be used at an appropriate time.

Most Noble Phantasms will belong only to a single hero, activated only by them, their true owners, by channeling magical energy into them and releasing their True Names. They each possess a great amount of magical energy that show them being things 'outside of normality', miracles exceeding both humanity and Magecraft.

Most Noble Phantasms are simply regarded as lost legends in modern times, but there are some that have remained throughout the millennia. A few numbers of those legendary objects existed in the present era of the Second World War, hidden at somewhere of this vast world.

Even if I were to try my best, it's still impossible for me to locate one of them. Instead of describing it as finding a needle in a haystack, it's more like finding a barely different yet unique needle in a haystack littered with similar-looking needles.

However, I do remember five of those Noble Phantasms being mentioned in the source materials I've once read.

Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia

Rhongomyniad: The Lance that Shines to the Ends of the World

Fragarach: Gouging Sword of the War God

Maria the Ripper: The Holy Mother of Dismemberment

Lastly, the nameless catalyst of Qin Shi Huang owned by the Kuruoka family from Fate/strange fake.

I do not have the Sorcery Trait Traditional Carriers – God's Holders, so I can't utilize Fragarach. I could not find the location of Jack the Ripper's knives even though I invested a large amount of money searching for it.

I have no idea how Hyouma Sagara, a second-rate Magus from a lineage of Magi that was commonly looked down upon as 'rats' managed to gain possession of the Whitechapel Murderer's knives.

I have confirmed the existence of the Kuruoka family, but they will only acquire the First Emperor of Qin's catalyst during the Fate/strange fake timeline that happened in the 2000s.

The same thing goes with Hyouma Sagara, who came across Jack the Ripper's knives only during Fate/Apocrypha. It's 1941, and the guy isn't even born yet, so there's no point wasting more resources seeking for the obscure artifacts.

...But this is when things get interesting.

Rhongomyniad, the Holy Lance of King Arthur, the anchor of storm that fastens the planet together, the light of destruction coming down from the heavens, the Divine Construct that is regarded as the 'spear of the end', the lance which is seen in the same light as the Holy Lance Longinus that pierced the Messiah around the 1st Century AD actually-

Exists.

At the same time, Avalon, the hallowed scabbard of Excalibur, the absolute defense that completely shields its user in the domain of the fairies, the unreachable utopia that King Arthur dreamt of and was said to have gone to after her death-

Also exists.

And I know of their locations.

Additionally, one of them is already in my hands.

[Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia]

Rank: EX

Type: Barrier

Classification: Noble Phantasm

Effect: Unequaled regeneration, eternal youth, world isolation

Prerequisite: Fenric von Leiqritus, Artoria Pendragon

Description: The hallowed scabbard of Excalibur, the embodiment of the utopia King Arthur seeks, originally stolen from her shortly before the Battle of Camlann due to the machinations of Morgan le Fay. It is a luxurious piece of equipment made of gold and decorated with blue enamel that seems more like a treasure to show dignity and nobility like a crown or staff than a weapon. No one knows what kind of Divine Mystery it is made from, but it was created by fairies along with Excalibur, an inscription written in Fairy Letters engraved on its center to show that it is not the work of man. It bequeaths limited immortality through constant regeneration, as well as preventing physical deterioration caused by aging. It is the greatest protection in the world that goes beyond defending or reflecting, completely isolating its user in a world completely separate from the regular world. The scabbard dissipates into countless tiny particles in the air and engulfs the user to become a "portable fortress" that shuts out all interference. It is the Bounded Field of the tranquil domain of fairies that keeps out all filth from the outside world, and allows nothing to harm the tranquil King that stands in the land of Avalon. The individual is shielded from all destructive interference in the physical realm, transliners from parallel worlds, and multidimensional communication as far as the sixth dimension. It is on the level of true magic, an actual true magic in itself, that transcends all magecraft, and not even the Five Magics can overcome the barrier.

Do you know what message popped up when I excavated Avalon from Cornwall?

For discovering a hidden artifact with no owner, you have gained the Noble Phantasm: [Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia EX]

System... Oh System. Have I ever confessed my love to you? Why do you always shed light on me during my darkest times? Are you trying to make me fall hopelessly in love with you? You sexy robotic non-existing unemotional goddess.

I am now forever 22 years old. Thanks to my massive, or should I say, unlimited magical energy, the tremendous cost of Avalon is therefore nullified, and I can regenerate lost limbs and even hearts within seconds.

Of course, my brain is still vulnerable, but does it really matter when I am the Third Magician? I can simply astral projection out of the warzone and takeover some poor soul's body while manufacturing myself a new and better body.

What did I say? Physical immortality get!

As you can see, I am quite paranoid about dying. Fortunately, lady luck has blessed me with the two greatest gifts I can ever hope for. It's especially bone-chilling if you think about it.

A Mage who was born with ordinary talents, never valued by his family, or expected to achieve great heights, have managed to attain both Heaven's Feel and Avalon, and consequently, soul and physical immortality... in merely 22 years.

I am not done. I will not give up until I reach my dream. Yes, my dream is true immortality, in other words, absolute safety because even if you are the most powerful being in the entire multiverse, you can still not be safe.

I know my dream seems impossible, but that's what makes it beautiful. It is worthy to chase after, and it is one that is worth to die for. Live free, and die hard. Live life, with no regrets.

I am not satisfied with Avalon alone. Why? Why would I be satisfied, when I know that Rhongomyniad is in the hands of the distant descendants of King Arthur herself? Gray isn't born yet, but I know the appearance of Artoria Pendragon.

How can anyone miss it? European, blonde, and green eyes... The hair color might differ, nevertheless, it's not hard to find them when you are spending money as if you are flushing them down the drain.

No, actually, Saberface and Ahoge are just too hard to miss. Haha.

Yes, I found them- No. I found her. Dressed in that familiar blue, knee-length skirt with tights and a pair of brown-colored boots that is common in the 1940s. The white shirt with long sleeves that reaches up to her hand, and a blue string tie.

That moving Ahoge that seemed to have a life of its own, and the piercing green eyes that stares into your soul. The only difference between her, and the real her, is the long flowing soft blonde hair that reaches down to her hip.

Hello Artori- ...No. Hello,

Canary.

Canary Pendragon, Royal Descendant

Strength: 1.2

Endurance: 1.8

Agility: 1.3

And Hello,

Rhongomyniad.

Why, oh why, are you not in Britain? Do you know the amount of efforts I spent looking for you in that cold country? The hometown of the Clock Tower is my playing field, yet I couldn't find you after two years of searching.

So this is where you are hiding.

Nonetheless, I am seriously bewildered. Why are you in Southern Europe? Why are you in Yugoslavia? Why are you in a Nazi-filled Smederevo? And why in the world... are you working as a waitress in the inn filled with rogue Magi and a Dead Apostle?

I have long since detected them seeing that I have carved surveillance runes all over the city the moment I arrived here, and It's all thanks to my family's Sorcery Trait that no one noticed the leaking magical energy during my spells' evocations.

Thus, the city of Smederevo is under my complete surveillance.

The Mages should be the bloodsucker's subordinates... or are they? I cannot be sure until I tap into their conversations. The Dead Apostle has also been holed up in his room with a Bounded Field so I can't eavesdrop on him unless I fully penetrate through its defenses... But that'll just warn the vampire of a potential spy.

Additionaly, there's a group of nine plus one Church's Executors and inquisitors laying low at the Smederevo fortress. From the short briefing, they seemed to be after the group of fifteen plus one. I have also heard that they have no qualms at killing the innocent innkeeper and his 'daughter', who is actually Canary.

Why oh why will you be here.

Unfortunately, she didn't inherit King Arthur's A+ Luck considering her ignorant attitude in such a precarious situation. She's not ready for this.

I have believed that she's got everything under control in at the beginning... Yes, I did believed that, until I saw her careless smile and the wooden bird cage that is sitting on the counter beside her.

Did she not know? -that Add, the unique Mystic Code that has its own ego and is capable of speaking, is stored in a bird cage, and its the true function is to seal Rhongomyniad from losing it's Mystery.

If she does know that... Then why is such a thing acting as a display and collecting dust on the shelves? Furthermore, I could not identify even the tiniest bits of Prana coming from the 16-year-old girl.

As a descendant of the King of Knights who has dragon blood flowing in her veins, why isn't she showing signs of magical energy? Are her Magic Circuits no open? Where are her family members? What about the previous holder of the Holy Lance?

This is... getting troublesome- No, this is an utter chaos. A Dead Apostle, a group of fifteen rogue Mages, a squad of ten Executors, a clueless young girl who descended from King Arthur, and a Mage's Association's Enforcer.

Soon, someone will make the first move, and then, the whole city may fall to bloodshed. If the vampire were to run rampant, he can simply suck the blood out of every passerby and turn them into his minions, creating countless Deads, ghouls, and lesser vampires.

The rogue Magi may not equal the elite Executors, but they can certainly cause massive damage to the Church's side and buy enough time for the bloodsucker. Lastly, if Rhongomyniad is accidently revealed... or even used.

This entire city will disappear off the face of earth.

Truly, what a dilemma I am in. Should I take sides? Rescue the damsel in distress? Nah, I'm here to steal her precious weapon after all. Side with the 'villains'? No, that'll only put me in a conflict with the Holy Church, which I am trying to actively avoid.

That's it! I'll help the priests when they are about to be defeated. Meanwhile, let's just observe the situation and jump in during the best possible conditions so that I can gain the most benefits.

...I am speechless. You're such scoundrel, Fenric.

Yes, yes I am.

-x-X-x-

The moon faintly whispers, and thousands of petals flew to the sky as the soft wind blew them towards the faraway western sea.

The brilliance of lunar shined down on the cozy inn, and many cloaked figures stormed into the tiny building. The exhausted and drunken Magi widened their eyes. They have not expect the attack, and they paid the price of carelessness.

Their heads and hearts were pierced by the hurled Black Keys. Their yells were silenced by a stab to the back. In merely ten seconds, eight of the fifteen Mages were killed in the sudden assault performed by the inquisitors.

Then, the Bounded Field finally took action. Curses and fire bolts rained down on the Executors, turning the entire floor into a ruined wreckage. After half of minute, the Mana collected by the spontaneously established Formalcraft circle ran dry and the spells stopped firing.

Before the dust could settle, two rapier-like swords became visible as they beheaded two Magi who had their guards down. Led by the blonde woman and her muscular partner, the Executors leaped out of the smoke unharmed and engaged the five Mages in close quarters combat once more.

All of a sudden, a hole was created above them and the second level's flooring collapsed. A white-haired man bearing an irritated expression appeared and three priests were instantly cut into two halves.

Galkmer Mazeik, Unforgivable Green

Strength: 6.7

Endurance: 11.4

Agility: 7.2

"The Holy Church's Executors?" The Dead Apostle frowned at the mess caused by the inquisitors and swung his arm at the nearest cloaked figure.

"Irina!" Klenn screamed out in surprise... since the individual who was closest to the vampire was his partner.

The blond woman noticed the attack thanks to the muscular man's warning and hopped backwards. She raised the six Black Keys in her hands and used them as a makeshift shield while her mouth has already started chanting the incantations of a Holy Sacrament.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I- Argh!"

The moment the bloodsucker's claws connected with the Black Keys... the blades broke. Irina was knocked back several feet. She coughed out blood and her deep blue eyes glared at the Dead Apostle with unequaled hatred.

Seeing that their leader has came to join to fight, the Magi's morale spiked and they started throwing spells at the inquisitors with more fervent. One of the Mages gave out a war cry while his robust body shook, and his height increased by a meter.

He ran towards the Executor next to him, and his powerful body destroyed the priest as the man was smash into a pulp. However, at the next second, 20 Black Keys were flung and they all lodged into the giant man's body. The 3 meters tall man fell down in a pool of his own blood and the carnage continued.

Klenn rushed to his partner's side and hurled a set of Black Keys at the Dead Apostle. He quickly checked on Irina's conditions and sighed in relief. The blonde woman was wounded, but she didn't suffer a fatal injury.

Irina LaFontaine, Devout Daylily

Strength: 2.3

Endurance: 2.1

Agility: 2.8

'Damn it' The vampire hunt wouldn't have been this hard if not for the fifteen Magi. Although the differences between human and Dead Apostle is extremely huge, they were Executors. The elites of the Holy Church who were trained to hunt heretics such as the bloodsucker who was standing in front of him.

Additionally, they have access to Holy Sacraments, the power with the highest Thaumaturgical Foundation that is terrifyingly effective against the vampiric race thanks to the beliefs of billions of Christians.

Unfortunately, things tend to not go your way. Three of their comrades have died to the white-haired vampire's surprise attack and another one was taken out by the robust Magus earlier.

On the bright side, excluding Irina, five of them were combat ready while only four Mages were left standing. The other Executors should dispatch the Dead Apostle's subordinates soon because those Magi were simply not on the level of an Enforcer from the Mage's Association.

"Ugh." The fainted woman came out of her stupor and glared at the vampire. She coughed and wiped the blood with her sleeves as she stood up with the support of the muscular man. "...Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

"Irina, leave it to me, you should res-" Klenn was about to tell his partner to fall back when he remembered her history.

'I guess telling her to rest won't work...' The blonde woman was born in a happy family in the suburbs of France. However, the happiness only lasted for seven years when the entire village was devoured by a passing Dead Apostle.

"Alright. Prepare the Sacrament, I'll cover you." He grinned at his partner and shielded her from the approaching vampire while a pair of crimson eyes observed them maliciously as if they were ants that are supposed to be struggling beneath him.

"You have my gratitude, Klenn." Irina nodded and clasped her hands together in prayer. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows."

"A Sacrament? You whore!" Galkmer's face contorted when he heard the incantation. He yelled out a command and the atmosphere froze while the last surviving Magus and the four other Executors turned their head to the enraged bloodsucker.

"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!" Irina cried out the last of the chant and a blinding brightness descended on the room. "Begone, creatures of darkness. Shepherd's Hymn!"

"Know pain, know mercy, know charity!" At the same time, the Dead Apostle flared his Magic Circuits and shouted out his spell. "May everything return to the Mother Earth, Sea of Debauchery!"

And then, deep green was all that they see.