C230: Meeting the Masters
Alt Title teaser: Lancers Ownership
Date published: 6/17/2025.
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"Sheba, will you accompany me for something fun?"
"Of course Master, I wouldn't dare not participate. I can smell the money already" While Axel's message to her was via telepathy, she had teleported over but still took the time to slam the door open with gusto.
Still dressed in her maid outfit, it had been changed out from the short and sultry french maid outfit for a proper Classical style maid which is an offshoot of victorian era with a shorter dress that begins around the knees as compared to hiding everything in the original victorian.
Her reason for not going shorter is that it perfectly conceals a set of needles hidden on her garterbelt which is easier to access now with hidden slits in the dress.
Sheba has adjusted very well during these past 10 years. Far more than Gilgamesh in the original. She has easily stepped into the top ten richest people in the world. And is technically number 1 amongst women since she has used all her own effort to make this money as compared to all known divorcees.
Sure she might not fall under the category of completely self made since it was Axel's business but all her money is self earned regardless of such semantics. She had used her money to provide herself a paired building next to Axel's home which is primarily made of stone and bricks with some wood walls too for her garden. A strong contrast against the traditional Japanese house that Axel and co live in. Her home follows an ancient Yemen style but redecorated with various north african styles such as egyptian, Israeli (to honor her husband, Solomon) and with a finishing touch of her homeland of Ethiopia.
The final result is a mixed age home of various colors and plentiful pillars for structural support. The contrasting style does make it appear strange but upon closer look at the infrastructure would reveal a breadth of historical knowledge and ancient relics that Sheba had collected from her kingdom as well as Solomons. Though she could not find much about him, likely due to the false believers besmirching Solomon's good name and honor and thus desecrating his legacy until it became a buried ruin.
Axel glances at his provocative maid who retained the upper half of the previously skimpy french maid upper body that emphasizes her breasts and lovely nubian skin tone while mixing it with the formal knee high dress of the casual maid style.
"Then let's head out. I have a destination in mind" Axel states as he offers a new outfit to Sheba who is in shock before teleporting them both over.
The third to be master is wandering the streets, searching for food or change as he lacks the basic societal requirements, being poor and homeless. He had stumbled upon a long ago abandoned mansion and had been sneaking in and out for years. He had read the books and learned that it was a mansion that belonged to someone named Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald.
For the entire first year, he had believed that the houses owner was an insane person as there was entire collections of magical tomes that made Hikari Takehiro firmly believe that this was the house of a madman or satanist. This was further reinforced when he successfully opened a secret door that led to a room covered in cobwebs and magical symbols on the floor.
Yet even with the fear of the unknown faced before him, he, for some reason, moved forward and read the books in this room. He also got to use the early version of magi-tech. The talisman pens which still worked even after not being used for 9 years.
Seeing that miracle alone made him an avid believer as he reread all the books with a different mindset and found out that he actually had magic circuits which automatically dictated him to be a potential magus. Studying for a whole year, he had transformed from a homeless man into a respectable looking gentleman with newfound confidence in his magical abilities. He used Keyneth's tools to learn that the holy grail war might begin in the next few months and thus had used some of the dead mans resources to recreate the solomon seal.
The only thing Takehiro was missing was an item that was linked with a heroic spirit to summon in time. Yet through the various resources he had found and pillaged. He had been able to introduce himself to the clocktower. From there he had learned about Bazett Fraga McRemitz. He learned that this person would carry the item and attempt to become a master.
Yet it was not to be as Hikari Takehiro would stalk mcRemitz for a whole month before sneaking into their home and stealing the item. Unfortunately for him, a tracking spell was placed upon the item. He had barely been able to summon Cu Chulainn in time when Bazett broke into his home in an attempt to kill him but as he was hidden within the secret room. She had no way of accessing it. Takehiro's first order to Lancer was to imprison the woman.
While talkative, the lancer obeyed the order as it was not one to kill. From there, Takehiro began negotiating with Bazett so that they may work together.
"Why should I work with a thief like you? You stole my servant and who knows what else from a dead man"
"I will do what I have to to survive. Have you ever had to live on the streets, fending for your life everyday just to make ends meet? Surviving off pure charity from others who give you disgusted looks or covering their noses because you smell like shit. Because I have, I've lived on the streets my whole life. Thankfully, I learned that I have magic talent, and I'll be damned if I give up now that I can turn my life around for the better."
"Hmmph, then go right ahead and try to win the war." Bazett snorts condescendingly.
"You think I won't, fortunately for you, im a coward. I've read about how the man named Archibald had been betrayed by his wife and his command seals were stolen in an attempt for them to still win the war." he shows off his 3 command seals which comes in the form of a red spear segmented in three. "But that got me thinking, it's possible for the seals to be transferred, so why not ownership of the servant?"
"Huh? What would be the point of that?"
"Quite simple m'lady. You will be the pseudo master of Lancer along with my cooperation and support. You will get the power of the grail to make your wish, while you will follow a contract to help take care of me in return." He states his conditions which leaves Bazett in shock over the absurdity of the situation. At least until Hikari brings up a stool and sets down a magical contract that he was able to get his hands on from the ClockTower.
Bazett eyes the contract but feels very conflicted as she has no reason to cooperate with the thief in front of her with the exception of him now being the master of HER servant.
In the end she could only submit and sign the contract to not betray Takehiro and be the face of their little partnership. He also could not betray her in return especially since he has no reason to. The contract is sealed and thus the two are now linked together by the magic. Takehiro begins his side of the arrangement by using a command seal to have lancer create a token which can represent his ownership.
The lancer naturally complains about his luck at such a thing happening to him, but he still makes a pendent, one which he got from his own teacher and hands it over to Bazett. The two begin their plans on how to win as they have lancer scout out the local potential masters: The tohsakas, Einzbern and Matous. He should return if he is detected or engages in a fight.
The master of Caster was more interesting as he fell under the name of atrium Galliasta, another magus sent by the association of mages to win the grail. As a rival to Bazett, he has his goal clearly in his mind and wouldnt stop for anything to beat him, nothing at least until his own servant stabbed themselves, severing the link between them before being killed by said servant.
The caster then found herself falling for a humble stoic man who was raised as a professional assassin but was able to get away from that life and is now living his life as a teacher in the local high school.
Caster would then go collect the necessary materials to become a master herself and thus Assassin (?) came into being. A swordsman by the name of Sasaki Kojiro who can only curse his luck at being made a guard and likely unable to get his wish fulfilled.
Naturally, Illya claimed Berserker but it's another outlier who claims the Rider class servant.
Bazett and Hikari find a letter appear before them which they cautiously open.
"Greetings to the 'Master' of this household. I am Axel Gram and the Clock Tower has requested I be the moderator for the Fifth holy Grail war. As a small meet and greet, im inviting all masters to the chapel at xxx. Anonymity is guaranteed for all. If you wish to bring your servant to feel safer then I won't decline but there will be no fighting. I also promise to be completely impartial to all contestants.
Sincerely, Axel Gram." Similar letters finds themselves in the hands of Rin, Shirou, Caster and her 'master' as well Illya and the master of Rider.
"UGH, this is the worst, we have no hope now" Bazett groans while Hikari has a confused expression on his face.
"Huh, why?"
"Are you really a member of the ClockTower? How do you not know who that is? He is THE Axel Gram, the creator of new modern magic and magi-tech and above all, the magus guardian of the Tohsaka heir who might be a part of the war too." She explains the situation and hikari is visibly in shock that such an influential figure is now just before them.
"Ill go" Bazett states as she grabs the letter and holding the pendant, she puts it around her neck before heading out.
Others make their choice but the others aren't the only ones in fear of the situation and Axel. Rin is on the brink of a heart attack as she realizes that she can't hide her participation in the war.
Groaning in agony, Archer snorts as some of Rin's habits are at least the same even in this different timeline. He helps her get ready for the meeting as he can tell that the start of the war is delayed by this meeting that didn't happen in his time. He also has to be on the lookout for Kirei Kotomine and Gilgamesh. He doesnt remember why because of the throne of heroes blocking part of his memories but knows enough to be wary of them.
To protect his master, he changes into a hoodie to hide his silver hair and gloves to hide his darker skin tone. Others also make their preparation and all masters begin making their way to the iconic chapel that had been the demise of two servants and their masters, a pivotal turning point in the previous war.
One by one, the masters arrive, some with their servants, others without as if confident in Axel's words that they wouldn't be hurt. They all find masks in their size to help hide their identities from each other before entering the main portion of the church. They originally find no one there but as the last master arrives and takes their seat, do they find Axel there.
As if from nowhere, Axel appears seated in the center of the room, just in front of the altar. Beside him is a promiscuous dressed nun with dark skin, and some jewelry. The first most prominent feature of this nun is her overabundant chest that the top half is visible under the black outfit. The second is how the traditional outfit has been modified to clearly reveal the two juicy sets of thighs that are barely hidden behind the loincloth styled outfit.
A few gulps are heard from the audience as they take in her beauty. Though for the ones in the known, they instead pale in fear, Bazett being amongst them, as the true horror behind Axel Grams notoriety is now standing before them.
Like a fairy tale, the Maid, Sheba, a woman that appeared out of nowhere and took over the entire business aspect for Axel Gram. She had negotiated everyone under the table, making her the only winner in the game of money. Many magician families that wished to go into business with Axel had to hire talented accountants and business folk from the mundane world to just barely not be considered slaves of Axel Gram and that woman. (pic here)
An awkward silence covers the whole chapel as they wait for Axel to make a move, yet it is a member of the audience that moves first. Shirou Emiya is the first to rise up as he takes off his jacket and attempts to give it to Sheba in hopes that she can cover herself a bit more under the excuse that it's been very windy in Fuyuki lately.
Rin physically facepalms while others mentally do so as Saber who is wearing a cloak and mask drags Shirou away to not embarrass himself anymore. Saber is already quite distracted on focusing on Axel to see how he has changed over these past ten years.
"I appreciate your good gesture but my lord requested I dress like this for such a momentous occasion. If you wish for me to change then please give me a million yen and I shall consider it. The alternative is 50 20-ounce gold bars and I would not bother considering and simply change."
"A few gold bars to double cross me like that?" Axel finally speaks as he covers his heart. He too is dressed in formal priest clothing but his are far more normal and formal as he feels as if he was born for the role.
"Incorrect my master, my loyalty is only to money, you bought me and my fealty but never my loyalty." She explains as she leans down, emphasizing her chest as she wags her finger at him. She then stands up properly as the two exchange strong gazes and Axel simply states.
"Ill be sure to give you a proper lesson in hierarchy once this is done. For now thought, I welcome all masters here. As I have stated in the letter, I have been dictated as the mediator for the holy Grail war. I was elected due to the crazy nature that the war had taken last time around which had nearly burned half the city down. There were many painful loses, family and friends, magus and mundane, all suffered as a result of it. I hope to prevent such a thing from happening."
"As such, let us go over the rules of this war to ensure everyone's safety."
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Known masters and Servants:
Lancer-Cu Chulainn = Bazett Fraga McRemitz x Hikari Takehiro
Archer -Emiya (archer) = Rin Tohsaka
Saber - Artoria Pendragon (saber) = Shirou Emiya
Berserker- Heracles= Illyasviel von Einzbern
Caster - "unknown" = Souichirou Kuzuki
Assassin- Sasaki Kojiro = Unknown Caster
Rider = unknown servant = unknown master
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Alt Title: New Management, Early Deals, and Gathering.
Word count: 2667
Drop a comment if you wanna judge my writing or the story. I'll try to respond, especially if you're confused or anything.