Prologue

Scotland - Edinburgh Castle

The Edinburgh castle stood silently under the dark, starless night. The castle's outer walls were bathed in golden light, basking itself in a glorious like glow. The palace was closed and there are no souls on sight.

The silence was broken by a pair of footsteps that echoed softly across the empty courtyard. A man in a black hood jacket was walking at a quick pace. He slightly turned his head to his right, looking at an empty corner, and then he stopped his walk, abruptly.

He was now standing in front of a large double doors. The man then made three knocks, in a repetitive pattern, the doors made a loud, heavy, groan as it opened. A bald man in his mid-thirties, clad in black coat and pants with a white shirt underneath, had greeted him.

"Milord, everything is prepared inside." the man said to the hooded figure as he walked inside. The doors closed behind him and he was enveloped in dim, gold, light.

"Did you make a final check? Are the ley lines truly intersects underneath the great hall of this place?" the man hood's voice was soft yet authoritative. He removed his hood as he reached a wide hallway, showing his teenage stripped face and fair golden brown hair. Tall walls, made of stone and marble, lined on each of his sides, adorned by paintings of famous english artists or past rulers of England.

"Yes sir. I also made sure that the Magus association had received your 'message'." the man's green eyes landed on him. His white skin face showed nothing but affirmation. "Then there's no going back. Good work Oswald." the other man, named Oswald, bowed to him.

"Milord, there are five relics here that are potential to be a catalyst for summoning." Oswald pointed at a large table, standing on the other side of the Great hallway. The man moved and looked down at the five objects lay before him.

From the left, the first object, was a tip of some sort of spear, the second object was a tiny thorn that might have come from a plant. The third object was a shiny large blue diamond and the fourth object was a piece of wood.

It all look normal to me. The man's brow crossed in a frustrating manner. "Oswald, surely my one billion pound 'donation' to the Magus association didn't go to waste?" he asked in an irate tone.

"The first object, was a part of the spear axe of Harald I Fairhair, the first King of Norway and of the Vikings. He could be a good 'Berserker' class." Oswald suggested but it was met with an irate grunt.

"The second object, allegedly, came from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ. He will be in the Savior class if you choose him." Those classes are unknown and unstable in some way the man thought hard and sighed.

Oswald continued. "The third object was a so called 'Hope Diamond-'

"Which is cursed, not unless you want me to be one of its victims or to have a spoiled, difficult servant." he cut and smiled at Oswald. "That was a joke. So what's the fourth one?" he pointed at the piece of wood.

"That would be a part of the cross where Saint Peter, the first Pope, was crucified." Which would mean a Ruler-class the man sighed and turned around to talk to Oswald but stopped after his eyes cast upon the last item. A closed black metal box.

"Oswald what's that?" Oswald turned to the metal box. "That one, Milord, is the reason why you have to donate a large sum to the Magus Association, it's one of their 'prized possession'." The man tilted his head in curiosity. Oswald moved towards the metal box and touched its rough surface.

"And at the last minute, the Magus Association had decided to change their mind. They don't want to give this to you, Milord." he looked down to the box and sighed heavily. "The negotiation ended in a gunfight. My fixer was killed by a certain 'El-Melloi' fellow." The man darted to Oswald, nervously.

"You should've told me this sooner," he simply said and looked down again at the items. "What's inside this box anyway?" he quickly pulled the box towards him and opened its lid. His eyes met a red medium sized diamond-like rock.

A diamond-no, The man picked the stone. It was heavy and he felt an ominous energy crawling on his right hand. "It came from a meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs and reshaped our world, as we know it." Oswald said. He then quickly took out a brown-colored passport from his coat pocket and put it down at the table in front.

"Milord, Lord Ardrice F. Defensor, I'm afraid it's time for you to leave." The man, now named Ardrice F. Defensor, quietly took the passport. "I've already contacted the overseer of the Holy Grail War, it seems it will take place in Fuyuki City, in Japan." the two of them began to walk, preparing to exit the hallway.

"By the way, Milord, how's your japanese?"

"Better than the negotiation for the relics that you've planned." Ardrice turned again and smiled at him. "Sorry it's a joke. I'm the one who's at fault here, I shouldn't have pushed my luck with the Magus Association."

Oswald smiled as he sensed the undeterred spirit of his master. "Very well, everything is already prepared for you, in Japan, Milord." the two had reached the doors of the Great hall which creaked again as it opened.

Ardrice felt silent as the cold wind brushed his face. "Thank you, Oswald my loyal butler, for all of your service." He looked away from his butler's eyes which were beginning to produce tears of sad farewell.

"M-Master, please come home safely," he stammered the words which made Ardrice looked at him.

"I'll try, but this…" he showed the stone to him again, "this is for my family. I have to win this." he looked up to the dark sky and made a smile of determination. "I will win the Holy Grail war, even if it kills me."

Unknown place

The wind howls like there's no tomorrow across a barren wasteland. The sky was colored blood red as the sun slowly set on the west, bathing the land in a crimson glow. The earth below the sky was riddled with swords, spears and long barrel guns that jutted out of the ground, as if a war had taken place in there.

On a top of a hill, a lone figure was kneeling down. He was cloaked in a deep blue cape, his head was down and seemed to be lost in thought.

"I'm so sorry. I have to do this." His voice echoed, in a sad tone. His words were directed to another figure lying on his lap which was obscured by a black hood.

"Evil can be stopped...but it cannot end." he slowly looked towards the sky, disturbing the hood of his cloak, which exposed his red spiky hair. His blue green teal eyes locked on a certain object, hovering high above him. A golden cup, radiating in a blinding white light.

NEW TOKYO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Ardrice woke up after the plane made a thud. He looked around, groggily, as his sleep was disturbed. A dream...what a strange dream. He thought heavily as he yawned and scratched his eyes lightly.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, WELCOME TO NEW TOKYO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. WE WILL BEGIN OUR DESCENT SHORTLY-" the PA above spoke loudly but he just ignored it and opened the window beside him.

The calm city of Tokyo greeted him together with the sun that was slowly rising from the horizon. "I should better call Oswald." I hoped the Magus Association didn't submit any complaint to the Royal Palace. He thought hard as he picked up the phone in front of him. The last thing that Ardrice wanted to avoid was an international incident...or a scandal that could jeopardize the Royal Family's status.

"Hello, this is the Defensor Royal household."

"It's me Oswald." he heard a sharp surprise gasped from Oswald, making him smile in remembrance. "Young master. How are you? Where are you now-?"

"Slow down old man, we're about to land in Tokyo. How 's in there?"

"Terrible sir." Ardrice gulped down, the Magus Association had already complained. "The main Royal Household is in uproar. The 'Queen' demands to know your whereabouts." Ardrice clicked his tongue and calmly spoke.

"Tell her this. This is for my family, I need to participate in this war so I could establish my family's dignity again." And to fulfill my wish, Ardrice looked again outside after he felt the plane rumbled as it began its descent.

"I wish you goodluck on that sir. And also with the press and the Japanese Government." Ardrice darted his eyes to his left, confused. "What do you mean by that Oswald?"

"It seems in retaliation...the Magus Association might've leaked your location...to the world." Ardrice facepalmed his self. Now they've done it! He planned to participate in the war, discreetly, but now the whole world would be curious on the purpose of his sudden visit to this country, and to a normal, tiny, city of Fuyuki.

"Don't worry...Oswald. The accommodation you prepared for me is still good right?"

"Yes, Milord." Oswald gravely responded. Ardrice then glanced to the window. "It's fine. Everything would be fine. All I need is a month to finish the war." He said with determination in his eyes.

After the arrival of his plane. Ardrice quickly got up to his seat and took all of his baggage. He was surprised however that he was greeted by an entourage of men wearing the national police guards uniform of Japan. But he didn't complain, he doesn't want to cause a scandal here, now.

In the terminal it was more chaotic. Lines of camera's flashing and taking pictures of him as he walked along the walkalator, swallowed up both of his sides. News reporters, squeezing themselves while pointing their microphones at him, were barraging him with questions.

"What is your purpose of your visit here, Your highness?"

"How's your flight, Your Highness?"

"Is it true that Brexit is still possible?"

Hundreds of hundreds of questions were thrown at him but he only did what every Royal Family members would do whenever the press were on them. Just smile and wave, Ardrice waved his right hand gracefully and smiled at the cameras as his entourage escorted him towards the immigration booth.

Outside, a black limousine was waiting for him and man dressed in a sharp business attire suite. "Good morning, your Highness. I do hope you've enjoyed your flight. My name is Aroku, I am representative of the UK's ambassador stationed here in Japan. Do you wish for me to continue speaking in English sir?"

Ardrice smiled and politely bowed at him. "No Japanese is fine. Though I must apologize for my sudden visit here." The two of them greeted more before they entered the limousine and sped off quickly away from the buzzling circus media and the airport.

Fuyuki City - The Emerald Skyhomes

After a lengthy meeting at the embassy of UK in Tokyo, and a mandatory visitation and greeting at the Royal Imperial Family of Japan, Ardrice smiled to himself as his limousine drive by a large, glistening, forty-five story high tower.

The Emerald Sky Homes was a high-end condominium built in the busy district part of Fuyuki City. It was brand new and one of the highest building in the city, but for now it also has another purpose. This will be Ardrice's Headquarters, or if he call with his own terms, Warbunker.

"Home sweet home...temporarily I guess." he sighed heavily and closed his eyes as his limo entered an underground parking lot.

Ardrice's unit was located at the very top floor. It was a huge place and the most extravagant unit in the entire building. On his left was a living room with a huge Television and a marble coffee table, on his right was a huge dining room with a table that is made of high quality wood and hallway that leads to three bedrooms.

"Hmm, Oswald shouldn't prepare this much but…" he laughed lightly at the service of his butler. He put down his back pack on the white sofa and opened it. He took out a satellite phone and dialed a number.

"Oswald it's me. I'm here at the penthouse...you really, kinda, overdo it this time." Ardrice said politely as he walked towards a sliding door and opened it. An infinity pool on his right greeted his sight and together with it was the astounding view of Fuyuki City.

"Milord, I made sure everything is prepared for you. In this war, we don't know what would happen, so I made sure that every necessity that could aid you would be available." Ardrice laughed lightly, clearly his butler was a worrywart.

"Yes, I thank you for that." he looked to the sky. It was already colored orange as the sun sets on the horizon. "The war will begin tonight." Ardrice said, monotonously, as he took out the red stone on his right waist coat and held it high on the sky.

Night has already come as Ardrice found himself walking along an animal trail beside a mountain. After disguising himself in green pants and combat boots, white shirt and dark green cloak with a brown hat, he quietly exited his condominium and took a bus to Mt. Fuyuki.

The mountain was small and easily climbable. "Now don't fail me now, mercury lamp." Ardrice held a gold lamp emitting a bright red color with his left hand. He clung to his huge, heavy backpack on his back, which made him grunt to its heavy weight as he climbed.

"According to the ley line map, there should be a couple of ley lines intersecting here." he glanced around and looked down on a map on his right hand.

"Ley lines, ley lines...oh!" he stopped after his lamp's light suddenly turn blue. He had detected an intersecting ley lines. "Good!" he looked in front and saw a wide clearing which he immediately ran to.

Ok… a bit of this...and then that...and then- Ardrice, using a wooden stick, was crouched down on the ground and was carving a circle. The circle was huge and possessed eight pointed star, a sun and a moon and lots of words in old, dead language. It was a ritual circle.

"Ok I think I'm ready." Ardrice huffed his breath and looked down. The ritual circle was complete. The moon above him shone brightly, basking his ritual circle in a holy-like white light. He gulped down.

"Once I summon my servant...there's no going back." he said to himself as his wrist watch suddenly let out an alarm. "My proximity alarm?!" It only activates if there's someone near me, but who-!? His question was answered after he felt something wheeze passed his left cheek.

A burning sensation build up on his left cheek. "What?!" he looked down and saw a knife with gold colored handle which then burst into golden dust.

"Eh?!"

"I'm sorry, I clearly think that all of the potential master's for this Grail war had already been chosen." a voice cut through the dark depth of the forest in front of Ardrice. The man quickly took out a small 9mm Kel-Tec PF-9 form his left pocket.

"You however...are an unwanted extra." Ardrice's face frowned as a figure slowly walked towards him and showed himself to the moonlight. It was a man, clothed in black jacket over a white shirt and elegant black pants. His hair was unnaturally golden, together with his deep, blood, red eyes that match the sharp features of his handsome face.

"Who are you?" the man asked and then his eyes widened in shock after he felt a large amount of mana coming from him...and it dawned on him that the man wasn't human after all.

"Are you a Heroic servant?"

"Good answer." the unnamed servant tilted his head, smiled widely in amusement. "Now let me reward you with death," a golden portal suddenly appeared above his head and ejected a bright golden spark.

Ardrice quickly fired his pistol, blocking an incoming knife pointed at him. "Shit!" he cursed as the servant then flicked his left finger. Ten golden portals appeared above him and all were aimed at him.

"Zashu! Now please die, the unwanted 8th master of the Holy Grail war!" The golden portals spark sharply before it ejected dozens of swords.

"Alchemy form no ten. Times ten, times ten, times ten, golem dolls!" Ardrice, in a flash, took out a palm sized rock with a shape of a golem. He threw it in the air, glowed in red, and burst into thirty gigantic ten feet golems. The swords continued to rain upon them as the golem began to encircle him.

Ardrice quickly took off to the ritual circle and kneeled. "Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archdukes of contracts in the cornerstone. The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg."

"The alighted wind becomes a wall, the gates from the four direction closes, coming from the crown, the three forked road that leads to the kingdom." One of Ardrice's giants suddenly exploded and tumbled down beside him, missing him by an inch.

"Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill, repeat five times and destroy each time, when time is filled destroy it, set the time-ah!" a sharp pain erupted on his shoulder but he didn't glanced down. He knew a sword is sticking out of his right arm.

"H-heed my words...my will creates your body, your sword creates my destiny, your stone set the course of my fate. If you heed the Grail's call and my will and desperate plea-ah!" Ardrice screamed in pain as a battle axe lodge itself on his left thigh.

"As if I would let you summon a servant, Mongrel!" Ardrice glanced behind him and saw the man walking towards him. All of his giants are already dead.

Ardrice wince as he crawled away, but pain had hindered his movements. "I swear that I will be the source of all Good in the world and beyond, that I shall defeat all evil in this world and beyond-agh!" a sharp kick on stomach had pushed him off the circle, he laid on the ground and his face was contorted in anguish.

The servant then stepped over his chest and pressed him hard. Ardrice screamed in pain. "Now stop your useless struggle. I'm just gonna end you nicely ok?" the servant smiled, a golden portal appeared above Ardrice and a sword slowly came out.

Shit I can't die here! Ardrice protested mentally and with a last of his strength he shouted. "So from the binding circle and the Everlasting throne of Heroes, come forth my Servant thee!"

The circle behind the servant suddenly exploded in bright golden light. "Zashu! At least I'll kill the master-!" the servant suddenly jumped away as Ardrice his his gun to his left thigh.

The servant and Ardrice then glanced at the circle as a form began to materialize. And the light suddenly snuffed out. "Wha-what did I summon-?" Ardrice limply tried to sit straight up and bore his green eyes at the being standing in the middle of the circle.

It was an average built man, with cream colored fur, red spiky and waist length hair. His stripped face was that of a cat-a lion- and he possesses sharp pointed ears. He was clothed with a long elegant royal blue cape and a pale royal blue armor on torso, shoulders and hips, and dark blue pants that was attached through a large belt with a red jewel on its buckle.

"Good evening...little kid." the man began and opened his eyes to Ardrice revealing its blue green teal color to him. He smiled down to Ardrice who couldn't speak in awe. "Tell me are you my master?"

He asked in a gentle voice. "Yes, but sadly both of you will die here right now." the golden haired boy appeared behind the larger servant together with a pair of golden portals above his shoulders.

"Enkindu, kill the servant!" a pair of chains with a dagger on its end, burst from it.

"Look out-!" Ardrice didn't finish his sentence as his servant suddenly turn around and raised his left hand, revealing a golden gauntlet with four jewels on its surface. A bright green flash occured and the chains suddenly disappeared.

"What the…" the golden servant was utterly confused. "You blocked the chains of Enkidu...I'm impressed." he said four more portals appeared above him. Ardrice's servant muttered hard under his breath. "Whiskers."

Four daggers attached to the chains slowly came out. "Say would you care to dance for me, servant mongrel?" he said.

"My name is not Mongrel!" Ardrice's servant growled like a lion as his right hand held a hilt from his golden gauntlet and slowly pulled it. It was a sword, and one of the jewel on his gauntlet, a bright red one, was a part of its hilt.

"And you better start praying, you noisy, useless, no good servant." A vein must've popped inside the golden haired servant's head as his face contorted into a ugly frown. "You lower rat-" and then he suddenly turned to his right.

"Oh." he muttered, disapprovingly, his four portals suddenly disappeared as fast as it appeared. "It appears my Master is calling me. Let's call it quits shall we?" The boy turned away from him.

"Come back here you coward-!"

The servant suddenly turned to him and bear his red eyes at the servant. "I am no coward, my master summoned me, because I failed to prevent you from being summoned and besides...aren't you gonna take care of your master?" the lion servant looked to Ardrice. The boy looks like he was closer to death.

He then turned back again but the servant was no longer in sight.

"Whiskers!" he cursed and then turned back to Ardice. "I'm sorry, master I will take care of you now." he quickly scooped him up by his arms, earning him a scream from Ardrice. "Ouch-!"

"I should get you to the nearest hospital." the words made Ardrice's eyes open in shock. "No! My workshop will do-"

"Where is it then?" The servant asked him. "Near Fuyuki city...center. It's a tall fancy tower-"

"Say no more Master, we will fly." the servant added hopefully. Ardrice was about to ask but then suddenly he felt a force pushing them both up. He let out a scream as he and his servant lifted off to the ground and towards the night sky.