Does It Really Matter Anymore?

TYPE-MOON Universe, Earth, Japan, Fuyuki City. 

"Wait… Are you telling me that Lancer and his Master are staying in the same hotel as you?" Saber asked in a tone filled with disbelief. 

Currently, Tatsuo, Elicia, and Saber were on their way back to the Grand Hyatt Hotel after taking Shirou to the church to seek protection after backing out of the Holy Grail War. And although Saber could not take on her astral form, after so long without being able to use it, she preferred to stay in her physical form if the situation did not call for it. 

Tatsuo, on the other hand, was walking alongside Elicia and Saber. But unlike Saber, he preferred to be in his astral form. Because much like his time in his own world, is good looks drew a lot more attention than someone who was trained to be an assassin was comfortable with. 

"That's right~." Elicia replied in a sing-song tone. 

"And they haven't attacked you yet?" Saber asked once again, her tone still filled with disbelief. 

"Uh huh~." Elicia replied. 

{"More than likely, it's because, despite her outward appearance, Bazett Fraga McRemitz is a kind-hearted Magus."} Tatsuo replied over the telepathic link that now extended to Saber, as well. {"An oxymoron, I know. But Lici isn't the only one. Actually, most of the Magi left in this Grail War are like that."} 

"I see…" Saber replied as her disbelieving expression morphed into a contemplative one. 

"Yeah, she's really a nice person." Elicia said with a nod. 

{"But because of her position in the Sealing Designation Enforcement Unit, she often has to squash her feelings while on the job."} Tatsuo continued. {"So, she seems a lot more callous to those who don't know her true nature."} 

"That makes sense." Saber replied with a nod of her own. "But I'm curious to know, Assassin, how do you know so much about her?" 

{"Let's just say, being intangible and invisible makes information gathering a lot easier than you'd think."} Tatsuo replied, more than just a hint of smugness leaking into his tone. 

"Just as long as you don't put those talents to use peaking at women in the bath." Elicia said in a mischievous tone. 

{"Just who do you take me for?"} Tatsuo asked, sounding offended that Elicia would even insinuate that he would do something like that. 

"Well, you never know." Elicia replied, her teasing tone even more pronounced than before. "If I ever see a little orange book on the market, I'll know that my fears became reality." 

Tatsuo, although no one could see it due to his astral form state, rolled his eyes at Elicia's reference. Saber, on the other hand, was curious to know what a little orange book had anything to do with peaking on naked women. 

Still Saber felt that she needed to give this Assassin a warning, as well. 

"Still, as a Heroic Spirit, you should have the heart and morality of a hero." Saber said. "And should you stray from that path, then I shall punish you with the Blade of Promised Victory that I wield." 

While Elicia started giggling at Saber's straightforward personality, Tatsuo once again rolled his eyes, not bothering to dignify her threat with a response. However, just a moment later, Elicia's laughter came to an abrupt stop. 

"Saber, quickly go into your astral form." Elicia ordered sharply, her tone a vivid contrast to her earlier playfulness. 

Taken aback by Elicia's change, Saber froze for a moment. However, as she had sworn herself into Elicia's Service, it did not take long for her to follow the order. 

"Bazett is waiting outside of the hotel." Elicia said, explaining the reason for her order. "And as of now, she has no idea that I've gotten my hands on another Servant. And I'd like to keep it that way. You're a trump card at this point, Saber." 

{"I understand."} Saber replied seriously. Though, she was curious to know exactly how Elicia knew that Bazett was standing outside the hotel when they were at least four streets away. {"Do you think she's waiting for you?"} 

"No doubt." Elicia replied. "If I had to guess, it's probably about the stuff that happened at Mount Enzou a few nights ago." 

{"But how does she know you were there?"} Saber asked, a curious tint to her tone. 

{"She's a Rune Crafter."} Tatsuo said, taking it upon himself to answer Saber's question. {"She probably left some [Runes] behind when she left to keep track of what happened after she left."} 

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing." Elicia said with a nod. "So, there's a good chance she knows we were up there. She should probably know that we killed Caster, as well. Speaking of which, I kinda feel bad for having to do that. *Sigh* Those two were so cute together."} 

{"is that why you didn't kill Kuzuki?"} Tatsuo asked, his tone taking on a sharper tone. {"You know that could come back to bite you in the end, right? Dealing with a problem at the root is the best way to deal with trouble like that."} 

"Nah, it won't." Elicia replied nonchalantly. "I used some needles to hit a few points in his neck that will keep him asleep until the Grail War ends. So, we won't have to worry about that." 

{"I see."} Tatsuo replied with an understanding nod. 

"Besides, I plan on using my wish to bring Caster back so they can be together." Elicia continued. "You know, I'll just make it so that she can't use her Magecraft to hurt people." 

{"That's remarkably kind of you, Elicia."} Saber said with a gentle smile on her face. 

"I try." Elicia said with a shrug. 

The trio continued to chat while they continued making their way to the hotel. However, as they got closer, their conversation got more and more sparce, wanting to be on guard for anything Bazett might throw at them. And even though it was still daytime, they were all trained to keep their guards up when facing a hostile force. 

"You've returned." Bazett said with a cold expression on her face as Elicia approached the main entrance of the hotel. "I've been waiting for you." 

"I noticed." Elicia replied playfully. 

"I need to speak with you." Bazett said in a no-nonsense tone while ignoring Elicia's playful reply. "I need information about what happened at Mount Enzou two nights ago. The Mage's Association requires an explanation." 

"Oh, so they want to know if I, or Caster, did anything to the Greater Grail, huh?" Elicia asked nonchalantly. "Sure, I don't' mind. So, where do you want to talk?" 

Bazett's demeanor faltered for a moment after hearing how easily Elicia agreed to talk. Honestly, she expected that she would have to resort to threats to get her to agree. But this was fine, too. 

"There is a café where I have booked a private room about a block in that direction." Bazett replied while pointing down the street to the left of the hotel's entrance. "We can talk there. I've already set up [bounded Fields] around the room that should ensure our privacy." 

"Sure, lead the way." Elicia replied with a shrug. 

{"Saber, when we get to the private room, don't' come inside with us."} Elicia said over the telepathic link while following Bazett down the street. {"I don't know what kind of features she set up with that [Bounded Field. So, just in case it has the ability to detect Servants, I don't' want her to know about you just yet."} 

{"Understood."} Saber replied, slightly downcast that she would be left out of the loop. 

{"Don't worry, we'll keep you caught up on what's going on while we're in there."} Elicia said after catching Saber's tone. 

{"Besides, if they try anything, you'll be able to burst into the room, and we'll be able to put Lancer down with little issue if the two of us work together."} Tatsuo said pragmatically. 

{"But for someone to intrude on a duel---"} Saber started to say. 

{"This isn't a series of duels."} Tatsuo said sharply, interrupting Saber's words. {"This is a War. And our only objective is victory. If you want a duel, then make sure that you live to the end. I'll give you the duel you're looking forward to."} 

At that moment, Saber understood. Tatsuo lived up to his Class name, Assassin. His only objective was taking down his opponent in the most efficient manner. A trait he shared with Kiritsugu, her Master from the last Holy Grail War. And with at realization, she knew, she and Tatsuo would never see eye to eye. 

Meanwhile, the group reached the café that Bazett mention while the three were chatting. Then, under Bazett's lead, they made their way up to the private room after checking in with the receptionist. And just as Elicia said, Tatsuo was able to detect a function of the [Bounded Field] Bazett set up beforehand that would detect everyone who entered the room. 

More than likely, this was because Bazett did not want the conversation to leak to the other Masters instead of suspecting that Elicia had another Servant. Still, as they previously discussed, Saber stayed outside the room, waiting for the conversation to end. 

Shortly after entering the private room, both Elicia and Bazett took seats at the table. At the same time, both Tatsuo and Lancer shifted into their physical forms. And when Lancer saw Tatsuo, he could not help grinning. 

"Man, every time I see you, I want to start a fight right away." Lancer said as he leaned against the wall next to the door. 

"Looking forward to getting spanked that bad, huh?" Tatsuo asked, a clear taunt in both is words and tone. 

"Ha! That's a good one." Lancer said as he materialized Gáe Bolg in his hands. "Why don't we put that confidence of yours to the test?" 

"Just say the word." Tatsuo said as his modified trench knives appeared in his hands. 

Meanwhile, both Elicia and Bazett could not help sighing at the same time thanks to their battle hungry Servants. 

"That's enough, Lancer." Bazett said in a tired tone. "We didn't come here to fight." 

"Tch! I know." Lancer said as he dismissed his spear. 

"Come on, Assassin." Elicia also said while rolling er eyes. "T.P.O., T.P.O." 

"Yeah, I get it." Tatsuo replied with a shrug as he also dismissed his weapons. "But messing with this guy is so much fun." 

On a side note, just before Lancer dismissed his weapon, Tatsuo silently chanted the incantation for his [Projection Magecraft], adding a copy of Gáe Bolg to his ever growing arsenal of copied weapons. 

'Damn… I wish I had learned this Magecraft before we put down Gilgamesh.' Tatsuo thought to himself. 'All the weapons I would be able to use if I had… *Sigh* Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk.' 

"Anyway, why don't we get down to business." Elicia said, changing the direction of the conversation casually. "I know you wanna know what we were doing on Mount Enzou the other day, right?" 

"Exactly." Bazett replied in a stern tone. "I'm sure every Magus in the city felt it when the leylines were activated. And I would like to know why." 

"Well, let me ask you a question first." Elicia said, still in that casual tone as she picked up the menu of the café. "Do you know about the Great Fuyuki Fire from ten years ago?" 

"I do." Bazett replied. "But what does that have to do with this?" 

"Well, do you know what caused it?" Elicia asked as she turned a page, answering Bazett's question with another question once again. 

"Not really." Bazett replied while shaking her head lightly. 

"Well, let me tell you a story, then." Elicia said while continuing to read the menu. However, before she started, her eyes widened as she pointed at a certain dish and looked back at Tatsuo. "Hey, Assassin, can you make this?" 

Smiling slightly while rolling his eyes, Tatsuo leaned forward to look over Elicia's shoulder at what she was pointing at. 

"White chocolate cheesecake?" Tatsuo asked rhetorically. "Yeah, I probably could. But I don't' touch anything chocolate. So, I wouldn't." 

"Boo~~~!" Elicia groaned whiles sticking out her tongue in protest. "You're just like Fonzie. I don't understand how anyone could dislike chocolate so much." 

"Everyone has things they like and dislike." Tatsuo said as he straightened up. "So, don't talk smack. Otherwise, I'll stop cooking for you altogether. Then, you'll have to wait until you go home to eat the way you have been." 

Immediately, Elicia closed her mouth, stopping the complaint that was on the tip of her tongue. Then, with a pout, she turned back to the menu. 

"Anyway…" Elicia said, her mood clearly not as good as before. "Back during the Third Grail War, the Einzberns did something outside of the rules, and summoned an extra class Servant, an Avenger. And that Avenger was Angra Mainyu." 

Hearing how casually Elicia was revealing secrets from years past, Bazett was taken aback. At the same time, however, she had never heard anything about this from the Mage's Association. So, she was unsure just how true it was. Even so, as Elicia continued her explanation of how Angra Mainyu's defeat led to the corruption of the Grail by all the world's evils, she found herself engrossed in the tale. 

"And I'm sure that you know that no one won the Grail War in the Third iteration or the Fourth." Elicia continued, unconcerned with Bazett's surprise. "Well, in the fourth war, Emiya Kiritsugu was able to interact with the Grail. And because of that interaction, the tainted mana that had been collected spilled out of the Grail and caused that fire." 

After reaching that point, Elicia fell silent, giving Bazett the chance to internalize what she heard. Meanwhile, Elicia pressed a bell on the table to call a server to take her order, causing both Tatsuo and Lancer to be in awe at her my-pace-attitude. 

For the whole time it took for the server to come to the room and take Elicia's order, Bazett remained silent. However, as soon as the server left, she opened her mouth again. 

"So, were you on Mount Enzou to do something about the taint affecting the Greater Grail?" Bazett asked in an apprehensive tone. 

"I knew you were a smart cookie." Elicia said with a smile. "But yeah, Assassin is pretty good at [Purifying] things. You know, most of those who work with poisons are generally pretty good at curing it. Mostly for self-preservation, though. My Assassin just takes that concept and turns it up to twelve or thirteen." 

"And let me guess, the reason Caster caused that landslide…" Bazett continued after another moment of contemplation. 

"To keep anyone from interrupting the ritual." Elicia replied. 

"So, that was what the Einzbern Master was referring to." Bazett said. "But why did she not just tell me her reason for trying to stop me." 

Elicia was unsurprised that Illyasviel knew about the Grail's taint, as Sakura and Rin had told her and Tatsuo about it while they talked at the Tohsaka Residence. So, she just shrugged her shoulders in response to Bazett's question. 

"Because you wouldn't have believed her." Tatsuo said with a scoff. "You're just a dog of the Mage's Association, after all." 

"Hey, watch your tone, Kid." Lancer barked, even if he agreed with what Tatsuo said, that was his Master. 

"Wy don't you make me?" Tatsuo asked while wearing a smile filled with challenge. 

"Nothing would make me happier." Lancer replied. 

"Then, if you believed I would not believe your story, why are you telling me now?" Bazett asked while ignoring the sparks forming between the two Servants. 

"Because it doesn't matter anymore." Elicia replied with a shrug. "The [Purification] is complete. And that's all that matters." 

"I see." Bazett replied. Then, after a moment, she stood up from where she sat. "Lancer, let's go. We've got the information we came for. I need to report this to the Mage's Association and await orders." 

"Fine." Lancer replied while shooting the stink eye at Tatsuo. Then, he shifted into his astral form before following Bazett out of the room. 

"Hey! You didn't order anything!" Elicia called out, but she was thoroughly ignored. 

The room fell into silence after that. 

{"Saber, have they left yet?"} Tatsuo asked over the telepathic link. 

{"They are downstairs now."} Saber replied. {"They should be gone in a few moments."} 

{"Okay, that went almost exactly how I expected."} Elicia said. {"Anyway, wait out there for a little while, Saber. Assassin is disabling the alarm that will alert Bazett and Lancer to who enters the room. When he's done, you can come in and order anything you want. Then, we'll talk about our next moves over tea, coffee, and snacks."}