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“So then, Goldie,†Rider mused, smirk on his face. “How shall we do this? Should we just have one big free for all?â€
Archer smiled as well, blood red eyes looking up at the monster before him in consideration and amusement.
“—No.†He decided after a moment. “I am in a good mood today. I will allow you dogs to try and prove your worth before humiliating you.†He decided, sounding as magnanimous as a king bestowing rewards upon his loyal subject. Even as he said the words, however, space ripped by his side and from the distorted space came…
Waver could only call it a sword, but it didn’t like any he had ever seen. Emerging from an opulent and layered gold hilt and hand guard was a cylinder of some blackened metal, decorated with glowing red markings in the form of strangely drawn lines. As expected of a cylinder, the ‘blade’ of the sword was completely blunt meaning that it should have been fairly useless as a weapon.
Well, he corrected himself. As useless as anything was in the hands of a Servant. Waver was sure that with their tremendous strength and skill, crushing a person to paste with a spatula was probably quite feasible, so in that regard, it was certainly dangerous. But as weapons go, even considering only the weapons he’d seen the Gold Servant deploy, it was an odd choice of a weapon. More than anything, it seemed likely to hinder then assist. Archer would probably have an easier time with a sword or a spear. Or, to be really out there, an actual bow.
—Or, at least, that’s what the logical part of his mind wanted to say. Despite all of this, however, in the presence of that ‘sword’, something felt wrong. Maybe it was his magic curcuits acting up or maybe it was part of being a Master—hell, maybe it was even just the primitive part of his brain reacting. Whatever it was, though, the message was the same.
‘This thing is extremely dangerous. Run and don’t look back.’
Archer looked at it, still as arrogant and amused as ever.
“It’s rather a waste,†He admitted, heaving an exaggerated sigh. “Caster and his trash are hardly worthy of dying on this blade, but…â€
Those eyes shifted to him and Rider, glimmering darkly above his widening smile.
“Well, tiresome as it may be, one must occasionally show commoners their place. If none of you have the strength to deal with this…pest, then I shall show you the power of a true hero.†He gestured dismissively. “Honestly, it would be more fitting to kill all of you if you disappoint me so, but I shall keep to our agreement, however unworthy you may be.â€
“Oh, how kind!†Rider said, smiling as if he’d ignored everything after Archer’s first sentence. Waver knew better; he’d seen the look in Rider’s eyes when that weapon had emerged and knew that for however he acted, this was still the man titled King of Conquerors. “It seems Berserker has decided to go first. Being the last to arrive and the first to fight…â€
Rider shook his head, sighing.
“Well, I’ll go next, I suppose.†He murmured, carefully watching Berserker, causing Waver to focus on him as well. Rider hadn’t said it, but it was obvious that this was a great chance to learn more about the other Servants.
Berserker was certainly living up to his name, attacking seemingly without thought or fear of danger. He seemed to have decided on a frontal assault against something a few thousand times his mass. Waver wasn’t sure if he should qualify that as brave or stupid, but…
“His parameters…†He whispered.
Rider nodded.
“Whatever else you can say about him, those stats of his are flat out ridiculous.†Rider agreed. “If it’s physical abilities alone, he’s probably the strongest of us…but it doesn’t matter. You can see it too, can’t you?â€
Waver nodded absently.
“He’s using a frontal assault not because he wants to, but because he has no choice. If it’s in terms of ‘Anti-Unit’, he’s probably the strongest, but…†Waver turned to Rider. “I don’t think he has an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm.â€
“Not one he can use freely, anyway,†Rider agreed. “He showed he could fight on that scale if he was by a large body of water, but if he has any other Noble Phantasms that can work on that scale, he seems unwilling to use them even in a situation like this. I can’t say for sure he doesn’t have them, but if he does, they either cost too much to use or have other downsides that make him to activate them.â€
Rider scratched his beard with one hand, looking contemplative.
“But I am sure of one thing. If he is forced away from the water, he has to fight like that,†Rider nodded towards the battle. “It’s not something he does because he has a choice. And while he would likely win any battle he could force others to fight on his terms—a purely physical confrontation—he is ill-equipped to fight against foes of truly massive size or against ones who outnumber him hugely. Against Casters monster, he has to use a sword; against an army, he’d have to defeat his enemies one by one. He’s an amazing combatant, to be sure, but…â€
Rider glanced at his Master once again, eyes completely serious.
“How long do you think Berserker could last in a fight, if you were his Master?â€
Waver frowned an nearly asked what he meant—before realizing the answer was obvious and considered the question seriously.
“If it was me…†Waver mused. “I’m not sure. Berserker’s normally cost more to maintain then other Servants, because of Mad Enhancement. He doesn’t seem to have that active, but…I don’t think it matters. With a constantly active Noble Phantasm and one that enhances his parameters at that…even if you removed the amount consumed by his armor, he must take at least twice the prana as a normal Servant normally. If he’s forced to fight seriously, he might consume even more than that. I…can’t say anything for sure, simply because I don’t know all the details about him, but if I was his Master, I think I could maintain him for about fifteen minutes in a serious fight. Maybe less.â€
“I see,†Rider said smiling. “Then I’m sure of it.â€
“…Sure of what?â€
Rider tilted his head to the smile, smile growing.
“Well, maybe it’s a bit arrogant to say, but…oh, who cares? If we were to fight, I can see no way in which Berserker could defeat me.â€
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