🎉Fate Q&A: Chapter 229: First Appearance

Special thanks to Sarabjeet Seehra for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

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["If the Virgin allows, the magus shall offer a prayer."]

[El-Melloi II, who held no objections to such customs, made the sign of the cross. Reines followed suit.]

[Bersac then led them out through the back door of the church.]

[Behind it, near the mountaintop, a swamp could be seen, enclosed by a metal fence. Several stone cairns dotted the area, marking it as a cemetery.]

[Bersac continued ahead, leading them to a shabby house near the church, his residence.]

[The house was modest, equipped with the essentials, but its state of hygiene left much to be desired.]

[A brass cup of coffee sat on a dusty table. Its contents resembled muddy water in both appearance and taste.]

[Reines took a small sip, fighting the urge to spit it out immediately.]

Tohsaka Rin: "I feel like I might throw up just imagining it."

Waver: "For a place this remote, it's actually quite clean."

[Bersac's home, though cleaner than expected, was filled with worn-out furniture and thick layers of dust. The overall mess exceeded what most people could imagine.]

[After ensuring everyone had at least sipped the coffee, Bersac moved to the main topic.]

["So, what do you want from me?"]

["I'm here to make a request."]

[El-Melloi II rose from his seat. "I've heard much about the renown of Blackmore Cemetery. I realize my request may come across as selfish, but I would like to ask for the assistance of a gravekeeper. Of course, I am prepared to offer appropriate compensation."]

["Ha?"]

[Bersac stroked his beard, letting out a laugh. "The Clock Tower is seeking help from us? And it's one of their monarchs, no less?"]

[El-Melloi II's expression remained calm. "This is not an official mission from the Clock Tower—it is a personal request. I sincerely ask for your assistance."]

[Seeing his sincerity, Bersac's tone shifted to a more serious one. "A personal request, huh? I thought most of the Clock Tower's members were too busy squabbling over their factions to worry about anything else."]

["You're not wrong, but that doesn't encompass the entirety of the Clock Tower," El-Melloi II responded.]

[Bersac: "I see. So, is this about seeking the Root?"]

[This response revealed how well-versed Bersac was in the workings of the Clock Tower.]

[El-Melloi II shook his head. "This matter isn't directly related to the Root. While it's true that the Root is the source of all things, this particular issue has only an indirect connection at best."]

Sisigou: "It seems even in a remote place like this, the Clock Tower's reputation precedes it—and not in a good way."

Waver: "Bad news always travels faster than good news."

Kayneth: "Hmph." He wanted to argue, but found himself unable to refute it.

["..."]

[Bersac tapped his fingers on the edge of the table, a habitual gesture that hinted at deep thought.]

["So, you want me to lend you a gravekeeper?"]

[The room fell silent for a moment, only for the stillness to be broken by a knock on the door, followed by it slowly creaking open.]

[A petite girl entered. Her hood was pulled low, and her soft, hesitant voice conveyed a sense of shyness.]

Waver: "It's Gray, just as I expected."

Irisviel: "She seems so timid here, nothing like the confident Gray we know later."

Artoria: "A king must never show weakness before others, but… her appearance at this moment is undeniably endearing."

Mordred: "Tch, just a cheap imitation."

Mordred's tone was dismissive, yet imagining Gray's timid expression on Artoria softened her for a moment.

Sisigou sighed as she caught Mordred suddenly rolling on the ground. Her displeasure was evident.

[Gray: "...Mr. Bersac."]

[Bersac: "Ah, you're here."]

[Gray: "I thought we had training scheduled for today…"]

[Bersac: "That's right, but with guests here, we'll cancel for now. In exchange, could you fetch a blanket for me?"]

[Gray: "...I understand."]

[The girl turned and quietly left the house. Her slender figure radiated an air of melancholy and hesitation, almost as if she wanted to disappear from sight.]

[Bersac shifted his focus back to El-Melloi II. "I understand that you're serious. However, due to our current circumstances, we cannot immediately grant your request. Both of us will need some time."]

["There's a hunting cabin at the village's edge. You can stay there for now," he continued.]

[El-Melloi II: "Thank you very much."]

[Bersac: "Also, if you're staying in this village, there are a few rules you must follow."]

["First, worship the statue of the Virgin Mary upon entering the village—this has already been done."]

["Second, do not wander outside at night."]

["Third, never approach the cemetery alone."]

["Fourth, even if you are with a group, never go near the swamp."]

["Please strictly follow these rules."]

Tohsaka Rin: "Why does such a small village have so many rules?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "It's clear this village has a deeper mystery."

Kayneth: "Mystery? It's obvious there's something wrong here. How could a village hiding King Arthur's Holy Lance and cultivating a duplicate of Artoria not have issues?"

[Later that night, they settled into the hunting cabin. Its state of disrepair surpassed that of Bersac's house, yet El-Melloi II used this time to explain the purpose of their journey.]

[Though Heroic Spirits can materialize, their core remains a spiritual body. Gravekeepers, known for their power and expertise in dealing with spirits, could be critical assets.]

[El-Melloi II hoped that Bersac, likely the strongest gravekeeper in the area, would accept his request.]

[As they talked, a silver liquid suddenly seeped in under the door—it was Trimmau.]

["You bastards! I'm back!"]

[The usually composed maid now resembled a drunkard picking a fight.]

[Reines muttered through clenched teeth, "I swear I'm going to strangle Flat. What on earth did he teach her?"]

Waver: "...Flat will never meet Trimmau in this timeline. I'll make sure of it."

[El-Melloi II: "So you really brought her along."]

[Reines: "An autonomous function is far too useful to leave behind."]

["Trimmau, what's the situation in the village?" El-Melloi II asked.]

[Trimmau: "Mr. Bersac is still in his cabin. Father Fernando and the nun are at the church. Everyone else in the village has stayed indoors."]

[Reines: "It seems everyone is following the rules for now."]

[El-Melloi II: "I'll investigate further tomorrow. For now, let's rest. I'm exhausted."]

[The lights were turned off, and El-Melloi II retreated to his room, falling asleep almost instantly. He could hear Reines's light snores shortly afterward, indicating she had fallen asleep quickly as well.]

[The night passed uneventfully, and morning came.]

[Feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep, El-Melloi II and Reines ate a simple breakfast prepared by Trimmau before deciding to head to the cemetery to meet Bersac.]

[While villagers were prohibited from going alone, two visitors were allowed to go together.]

[Just as they prepared to leave, a knock came at the door.]

["Um… Good morning."]

[The door creaked open slightly, but the person outside held it politely, waiting to be invited in.]

[Reines: "It's fine. You can come in."]

["Alright…"]

[The door opened fully to reveal the same hooded girl—Gray.]

["Um, Mr. Bersac asked me to guide you… We met yesterday at his house…"]

[Reines: "Of course. I remember."]

[Hearing this, the girl exhaled in visible relief. Whether due to her shyness or unease around strangers, it was clear she found the encounter nerve-wracking.]

Irisviel: "Oh! The more I see her, the cuter she looks!"

Artoria: "…"

It was surprising to see Gray's timid demeanor. She seemed nothing like the steadfast fighter she would later become. Perhaps it was El-Melloi II's mentorship that brought about her change.

[After packing up, the two stepped outside to find Gray standing awkwardly under the darkening sky. The previously clear weather had turned overcast, casting a gloomy atmosphere.]

[Yet, as she stood there, her figure blended seamlessly into the dreary scenery, like a fairy from a winter landscape.]

[Reines: "Sorry to keep you waiting."]

[Gray: "...No, it's alright."]

[A gust of wind blew past, lifting Gray's hood. The sight beneath made El-Melloi II cry out in shock.]

Tohsaka Rin: "I'd be startled too."

Waver: "Anyone would be, seeing that face. It's like looking at a mirror of Artoria."