Chapter 74: The Nightmare

Chapter 74: The Nightmare

Give some love to my original story.

Title - The Soulmancer's Ascension /book/the-soulmancer's-ascension_23938260905532305

***

Gilgamesh was furious to find himself in the Ryuudou Temple. He glared at Angra Mainyu, the only person besides the Grail Manifestation. "You ruined my reunion with Saber."

"You were about to die," Angra Mainyu said in a matter-of-fact voice. "They would have killed you."

She wasn't very fond of the arrogance Gilgamesh displayed, but she owed him too much. Even though she was the incarnation of All World's Evil, there were parts of her that manifested from Irisviel and Illyasviel's hearts.

Angra Mainyu's dull expression fueled Gilgamesh's anger. "I would be killed by those groveling mongrels? I am the King of"

A hail of bullets scratched Gilgamesh's golden breastplate. Oda Nobunaga walked into the cave with a grin, Nagao Kagetora following behind her.

"There were six Servants if your godly eyes didn't notice. You would be a sizzling steak if they came at you together."

Kagetora nodded. "Master was right in teleporting you to safety."

Nobunaga's sarcasm and Nagao's kindness couldn't diffuse Gilgamesh's rage. His Gate of Babylon burst open with a rain of Noble Phantasms. Kagetora's eyes sharpened as her divine armaments manifested right behind her. The Provision of Eight Flowers. She grabbed two katanas and deflected the incoming Noble Phantasms.

"Oh my! You want a fight, then bring it. I will never retreat from a fight!"

Gilgamesh felt the unrestrained fighting spirit and bloodlust in Kagetora's eyes. Even though she had a face identical to Artoria, their demeanor couldn't be any more different. One laughed in the thrill of the battle while the other had a noble, fairy tale-like dream of saving her kingdom.

Despite being 'disrespected' Gilgamesh didn't feel anger. "Fight when your Master commands."

He sent his golden armor to his Gate of Babylon before he tucked his hands in his pocket and walked away from the scene.

"Coward," Nobunaga muttered. "Kenshin, I found a spot for drinking. Wanna come?"

She had found a giant tower when she was keeping an eye on Gilgamesh and the enemy Master, who had six Servants under his banner.

'He is a tricky fellow.'

Kagetora nodded. "I want some sake."

Nobunaga slipped her arm around Kagetora's waist, and the pair left the cave.

"Assassin."

Hassan of Serenity appeared at her master's call and kneeled. "Master, your command?"

"I want you to sneak into his house and bring the girl." Angra Mainyu looked at Assassin with blank eyes. "Are you confident?"

If Assassin could do the task silently, then Angra Mainyu wouldn't need to waste time dealing with the six Servants. Besides, Hassan of Serenity wasn't that useful in a frontal clash. Angra Mainyu could gamble with Hassan of Serenity's life. And she still had the option to summon a Berserker-class Servant.

Hassan of Serenity raised her head. "I shall not fail."

"Try to escape if you fail."

***

As Haruki entered through the door, the entire house shifted in cubic blocks as if the floor was made from Lego blocks. A long spiral of stairs rose from the ground. Haruki's Japanese-style house morphed into a Victorian-era mansion under their very eyes.

"Semi, snap out of it!"

Haruki's voice pulled Semiramis back from the darkness. Opening her eyes, she saw him looking down at her with a worried frown.

"Were you hallucinating?"

Semiramis touched her stinging cheeks and realized Haruki had to hit her to break the illusion with a slap. A hard slap that left her cheeks red.

"A nightmare" She got up with Haruki's help and stared at the throne. "It's cursed."

Her A-Rank Mana should have made her immune to most of the curses in the first place. Despite that, she was sucked into the surreal nightmare like a human. The lack of magical energy in the throne only raised her confusion about its inner workings.

Haruki held back his laughter. His mother truly didn't like Semiramis, going as far as to showing her nightmares.

"Black Empress." Medea didn't miss the opportunity to mock Semiramis. With a wide grin, she slapped Semiramis' back. "The throne isn't cursed. You just aren't the 'rightful owner.'"

"Bull" Semiramis almost cursed but Medea's wide grin stopped her. "Who is the rightful owner then?"

She didn't believe Haruki's mother could create something so complex. Modern magecraft wasn't supposed to be that sophisticated.

At Semiramis' question, Rin looked at Artoria. "Is she?"

Artoria shook her head. "I am not."

She was never going to sit on another throne. One life as a king gave her more regrets than she ever wished for. Any more, and the world will run out of grails to fulfill her wishes.

Rin approached the throne and traced her finger on the armrest. "I don't think it's a Mystic Codex."

Rin plopped down and crossed her arms. "It's notouch!"

She hopped off the church and rubbed her butt. It felt like she was sitting on a bed of sharp pins when the throne seemed to be smooth.

She kicked the throne in rage. The throne moved a bit, making Rin stumble back until she crashed into Haruki.

"Easy there." Haruki chuckled and pushed her shoulders. "Miss Tohsaka."

"Never mind me. This looks like it's possessed by a ghost."

The entire transformation of the house was a supernatural event in Rin's eyes. She'd be creeping out if it was her before the Holy Grail War. She had seen too much to cower before an illusionary being.

"Lancer, you want a go?" Haruki asked, giving a fair chance to others.

With a shake of his head, Cu Chulainn went over to the closest chair and placed Gae Bolg against the table. He had come to hate the crown after falling to the vile schemes of Medb, the Queen of Connacht.

Haruki's gaze went to Medusa and Emiya since they were the only ones left in the room.

"Master, you're the owner of this house. The throne will recognise you."

"I'll try then." Haruki sat down on the throne and crossed his legs. "And I'm fine. Everyone, please sit down. We need to talk about the Ley Line disorder in Fuyuki."

Semiramis sighed when she saw nothing happen to Haruki. It was a reminder that her era was over. Emiya and the rest made themselves comfortable on the seats while Medea quietly sat on Haruki's right side.

Just as Semiramis thought of taking the left seat, the door creaked open, and Sakura walked inside.

Rin turned around and froze.