The Demonic Fog Laughs

...Oh boy, Saber. You always reveal your True Name to strangers right away.

We talked about this. If you're introducing yourself, just state your class.

Do you understand? Disclosing your True Name is like revealing your abilities.

That's the reason we conceal our True Names during normal Holy Grail Wars.

And yet you give out your True Name at the drop of a hat...

Oh, what's the difference? This is no longer the "Holy Grail War" that you spoke of.

It's not the one with 7 Heroic Spirits, nor the one with 14. On top of that, no Masters. Anyway, do you have any ciders? I am thirsty.

Wait, that's my favorite sofa... Ah well. Yes, I already got your ciders chilled and ready.

Right, we do have a refrigerator before it became widely used. Being a scholar sure is useful.

Though I have chemicals that need to be stored at low temperatures. It's necessary for scholars.

Sure, sure.

(...Gulp, gulp gulp) Whew! That's the stuff. It really hits the spot coming out of that demonic fog!

Mmm

What are you two doing? Don't just stand there. Find a place to sit.

My home is your home. This is my temporary base.

Ah, right... Senpai, what should we do? Is it all right to sit?

？！

...Haha. Well, all right, I don't mind. If Saber trusts you, I'm sure we're on the same side.

I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Henry Jekyll.

I work in London as a scholar A scientist. Though not officially a mage, I am familiar with elixirs.

One day, all of a sudden, London was blanketed by this fog. It was a nightmare.

I was able to figure out that the fog contained magical energy, but was at a loss about what to do.

That's when we met and started working together.

He isn't very reliable as a mage, but comes in handy in his own way.

I provide the muscle. He investigates and analyzes.

Exactly.

Um Excuse me. Mr. Henry Jekyll?

That name, um...

It's the same name as a character in a novel. Coincidence? Or perhaps he was the model for that character?

Mash, can you detect the presence of a Servant? I can't. You're inside, but you might as well be outside.

I can't either, Doctor. I can't tell if this presence is human or not.

I assure you, I am a genuine human. If it's a Servant you want, they're outside, investigating.

And what were you talking about? A novel?

...Yes. A book that was published a little before this era. The main character shares your name.

I don't recall that. Strange, as I do read my share of novels...

The same name as the main character? Really? Hmm, I don't think I could forget that.

Well, let's set that aside. It is a very common name, after all.

As I was saying, I am Henry Jekyll. All I want to do is stop this blight on my hometown.

But the more important matter at hand is you folks. You're slightly different from us, aren't you?

Hmm... Singularity, huh?

One of seven bolts that were driven into the world. And...the London of this era is that bolt.

Yes. We're searching for the Holy Grail, which we believe causes the Singularity.

I understand your situation now, more or less. Now, let me tell you of the city's circumstances that we're aware of.

Each night for the past three nights, a lethal fog has descended upon London.

If you wear a mask in an area where the fog is thin, you probably won't die from it.

But it's no good where it's thick. Normal creatures will be corrupted by the magical energy just by breathing it.

It probably depends on one's predisposition, but in the worst cases, death comes within an hour.

I don't have the exact numbers, but according to my calculations, several hundred thousand have died.

There are areas that have become ghost towns already. The East End is just about wiped out.

It's only a matter of time before the entire city is nothing but ruins.

It's all because of that fog. An extraordinary dense fog laced with potent magical energy

For now, we're calling it Demonic Fog.

London, covered by a deadly fog... It's slightly similar to an incident that will occur in the 20th century.

Is it off by a century? That's probably what the Singularity is... But...

I'll look at the 20th century case, too. I had thought this was a one city deal, but it's getting pretty complicated.

It's not just the Demonic Fog. You two should've engaged in combat as well.

These past three dayson top of the Demonic Fog, London has been plagued with other types of threats.

Those committing atrocities under cover of the fog. Automatas made of magecraft, killer homunculi...

Helter Skelter

And there's a serial killer. The newspapers call them "Jack the Ripper."

The newspapers?

Yes, the newspapers were still being printed on the first day of the Demonic Fog... Though no longer.

Understandably, it seems neither Scotland Yard nor the government has a handle on the situation.

Government functions are already starting to freeze up. External support is hindered by the fog, isolating London.

It's already been three days. A cooped-up populace won't last long.

The Demonic Fog doesn't go indoors, but once food and water runs out, London will perish.

...That's horrifying. The situation requires quick response. All right then, Mr. Jekyll and Mordred.

I have a proposal. We'd like you to help us search for the Holy Grail, the likely origin of this situation.

Nothing would suit us better. Right, Saber?

Fine with me. It seems like the best thing to do.

Good, this will truly help us! In more ways than one!

So Mash and Fujimaru, lucky for us, this apartment is over a Leyline!

？！

Fouuu!

Right, Senpai and Fou. It's possible to set up a Summoning Circle in this room.

Maybe Mr. Jekyll knew about the Leyline and intentionally built his apartment over it?

Oh, no, I'm not a legitimate mage, so this isn't a magecraft workshop. It's just a regular room.

At any rate, feel free to use it as you please. What are you going to do?

We'll put the Servant summoning circle over the Leyline to boost Fujimaru and Mash's combat abilities.

Servants summoned by the circle aren't always active, but they're a huge help during battles!

All right! Let's start setting it up!

Roger. Creating Terminal Point

While they make the circle, I'll help you pass the time.

Previously, I spoke about Servant class affinity, so I think I'll expand on that.

Just as each Heroic Spirit has a story to tell, they have classifications that explain how they were born.

There are three attributes: Heaven, Earth, and Human. Most Servants fall under one of these categories.

Heaven includes Divine Spirits demoted to Heroic Spirits, children of gods, and embodiments of legends.

Earth includes legendary heroes that took hold in the land, fairies, and Demonic Beasts.

Human is for heroes and great people who actually existed. I'm included in this group, as a great artist who actually existed.

Heaven wins over Earth, but loses to Human. Earth wins over Human, but loses to Heaven.

And Human wins over Heaven, but loses to Earth.

...Humans believe in gods. However, gods that they stop believing in become "nonexistent."

Native heroes and fairies have nothing to do with faith. However, they are no match for the gods that created them.

...And there are rare, special Heroic Spirits that do not belong in any of the three attributes.

They are an exception of exceptions. The Heroic Spirits of the Star.

They do not belong to Heaven, Earth, or Human. Yet they exist on earth under heaven, and are born of humans.

Servants of the Star have nothing to do with Heaven, Earth, or Humans. After all, they're an exception.

That said, these are nothing more than categories.

The effects aren't as pronounced as Class affinity, so it's not worth integrating into a strategy.

...And that wraps up this session. Summoning circle setup complete. Good luck in this era, too!

Thank you, Da Vinci, thank you! Thank you yet again!

Who was that just now? She was beautiful, but... She wasn't actually here, was she?

Fou, fouuu!

???

...Mmm. I remember seeing him somewhere before. Phantasmal?

F-Fouuuu...

Fou?

Perhaps a rare animal from around Africa? Anyway, Saber, and this concerns Mash and Fujimaru, too.

This is abrupt but I would like to ask you three to do something.

We just got back and we have to go out into the Demonic Fog again? Good grief.

I apologize for asking you to lead the way. It's just that we're not used to London yet.

Oh, it's fine. Don't worry. If you guys hadn't come here, this work would've had to be all mine.

If anything, I should be thanking you. Sorry for making you come along based on vague information.

Oh, no, Mordred. Not at all...

Protecting one of Mr. Jekyll's other collaborators, the Swiss scholar Mr. Frankenstein, huh?

Seems he's been unreachable since this morning. Do you normally communicate with each other via radio?

Jekyll does. He calls it his information network. I don't really understand it.

He has collaborators all over the city and chats with them on the radio every day.

Old man Victor was safe until yesterday at least.

Victor Frankenstein, huh... Just when we thought it's another character from a novel, it turns out to be his "relative."

The grandchild of the mage that became the model character in the novel, was what Mr. Jekyll mentioned.

Unexpected, indeed. In Mary Shelly's novel...

Dr. Frankenstein was a scientist. But the person he was modeled after was a real-life mage.

It brings to mind that idiom about how "truth is stranger than fiction".

？！

Yes. Strictly speaking, magecraft and science are contrary to each other.

Chaldea's existence is an extreme exception, and if you think about it, both globally and historically

Oh yes, but everything has an exception. In a certain era, science and magecraft virtually meant the same thing.

For example, even if you set aside ancient times, some will say alchemy is the origin of chemistry.

There are numerous examples of mages who are known as renowned scientists, chemists, and scholars.

You know, Da Vinci is one such example.

Ah

Mmm. You called?

Oh, you're talking about science and magecraft. I'm no help there. After all...

I'm almighty. You can't compare me to anyone. Too bad. Bye.

Ah! We lost the connection.

？！

I know...

We're near Soho. Keep your guard up now. They'll be here soon.

The edge of the City Area where Jekyll's apartment is seems relatively peaceful in comparison.

This area is no good. We're in their territory.

So it appears. I'm picking up multiple motion signals. It'll be a fight, so watch out!

Right. Master, your orders!

...Damn. They're coming again. I wish I could unleash my Noble Phantasm at will.

We're inside the city. I'm sorry, but you must get your temper under control.

I know that, Shieldy. Ugh, somehow I feel weird when you tell me that.

Hold on. "Shieldy?" Are you referring to me?

Huh? You have a shield, don't you? You use it to defend and bash people in the face.

Or, does "Ms. Shieldy" sound better? I don't care which one you pick.

...That's okay. Just call me "Shieldy," please...

The enemy is trying to flank us from both sides. Can you take care of the right side, Saber Mordred?

Leave it to me. I usually deal with everything by myself.

Are you ready over there, Fujimaru?

？！

Roger. Entering battle with hostiles!

...Excuse me. Can I talk to you for a second?

I, um...

What? Speak up. If you have something to say, just say it.

All right, then.

I have a question for you. Why are you fighting here?

Mr. Jekyll is fighting to protect his hometown. But what about you

I already told you, didn't I? I'm here to face the perils of Father's beloved Londinium.

Well, sure... I mean...

Yes, I did hear that when we first met. I understand that, really, but...

I hope you won't get upset, but for some reason, I... I feel like...it's for a different reason.

...Jeez.

All right. I didn't even tell Jekyll about this, you know?

I just

Yes, that's right. I just can't allow the land of Britain to be violated by someone other than me.

I'm the only one allowed to violate the land King Arthur loved. I can't let anyone else do that.

？！

Hm? Did you say something?

？！

If you want to say something, say it. Well, anyway...

Don't worry. I will give you the Holy Grail once we find it.

I won't say "I want it after all" or anything. And even if I did, it wouldn't serve any purpose.

I'm Mordred, the Treacherous Knight. But this time it's special, and I'll be on the defender's side.

Honestly, I was hesitating a bit. Meeting you guys cleared up my mind.

What do you mean?

I mean, someone worthy of being the owner finally showed up. You can have the Holy Grail.

???

Enough chitchat. Don't bring up this topic ever again.

We're almost at the mansion, but enemies are here again. Well then, shall we rip them apart?

Mordred's detection is amazing. Is it an Intuition skill? We detected hostile reactions too. There'll be three waves!

Roger. Master, orders please!

All right, we're here. This big building is Victor's mansion.

Unlike Jekyll who's half-assed, he is a genuine mage, so be careful.

Traps like barriers and such are set up all over, so even Servants get hurt if they touch things without knowing.

When I first visited to check things out, I had an absolutely terrible experience here.

Oh, okay. I'll be careful, then.

A death trap workshop in an urban area... Sounds like a cautious old guy with pretty strong nerves.

The first challenge is the entrance door. See, look at that big door

Damn, we're too late.

Someone is at the entrance... A tall silhouette... A clown?

Hey, you! Scarecrow! Or are you a living statue? Whatever! Anyway...

...you stink like hell. It's like blood, guts, and fire.

And the catalyst for the old man's favorite elemental spell? I can smell it from here!

You killed him, didn't you. You murdered Victor Frankenstein.

Yes, I did Well, no, let me see. Just a moment, please.

Indeed, indeed. That elderly man will not open his mouth, brush his teeth, eat food, or breathe ever again.

Yes, yes. Frankly speaking, I'm certain he is dead.

It's a shame. He refused to join our cause. Right till the very end.

But, and yet, however. Who killed Victor Frankenstein?

That might be quite a difficult question to answer. Because he "blew himself up."

!!!

Oh, my. Did I scare the beautiful young lady?

My apologies. As you can see, I am a demon after all

That was a joke, and I'm sorry for letting you down, but I'm actually a Heroic Spirit.

I'm a Servant just like you. The class is Caster.

...Oh? Well, folks, you don't get it?

That's enough. Shut up.

No, I'm sure you got that. You wonder why I revealed my class so easily?

It is reasonable during a Holy Grail War unlike any other. At least that lady over there knows why!

An encounter instantly becomes an all-out battle! As we are Servants without Masters

We can be called the most powerful forces on the earth. However...

Sadly, it seems that you have a Master. Best you protect yourself well. Otherwise, in no time...

Enough small talk. And wipe that grin off your face right now.

Pardon?

That smirk of a smile! So annoying! Was it really that fun to kill that old man?

Well, sure

Once he rejected our cause, it was like a job to me, so to speak.

Cause?

When you are obligated to do something, it's usually quite a nuisance, indeed.

But still, it feels good to do your best. You will work hard for a job you enjoy.

His expression in the moment he died. The face of a human who understood the transition from life to death!

Despair! Sorrow! Ah! That is exactly it!

Well, anyway, something like that

It killed my boredom? At least, I guess?

...I see.

Immigrant or not, that old man was a citizen of Britain. Listen, you took him...

You put your hand on "my stuff" without my permission. You know what will happen?

What?

I'm saying, I'm going to kill you, dumb-ass clown!

Well, well, well! You? Killing me? Can you, really?

You seem to be a hot-blooded person! Good, that's fine. I'll try not to disappoint you then!

You might as well watch out for the explosions! My Noble Phantasm has already been set up!

By my True Name, Mephistopheles! I shall relish striking you all down into despair!

You've set up what!? Dammit! I don't know if it's because of the fog or his skill, but it's undetectable!

Master, hostile Servant approaching! Orders, please

？！

...Roger!

This is quite...regretful! This materialization was one I couldn't enjoy much of...

I suppose Servants need Masters after all... Yes, the power of the bond between Master and Servant...

Something of it... Not. Yes, definitely not.

Once a Master decides to fulfill an earnest wish, I must make at least one child must die by the Master's hand.

Otherwise you can't enjoy the best part of a Holy Grail War. Oh, I envy you, Shield Servant...

You will have countless chances from here onwards... to betray and throw your Master into despair!

I am so...jealous of you!

Shut up.

...Did you find anything?

Yes. I found the note the doctor left. Apparently, he was writing this when he was attacked.

I see. I must say, he was a lax old guy until the end.

...I'll read it out loud.

"I learned of a certain plot. Its name is 'Project Demonic Fog.' Though its present state is still unknown,"

"The three leaders of the project are 'P', 'B' and 'M', who can cast spells beyond human wisdom. Probably Heroic Spirits."

Is "M" the guy from earlier? Well, let's take this back and have Jekyll read it, too.

And now... I've found something interesting, too.

Hey, come over here.

...Uh.

...A girl?

Yes, she does have a horn...

Who knows? It would be the best if we ask her.

？！

Are you a human? Or are you a Servant just like us?

...Uhh.

?

Hmm, I can't determine what she is... All I can read is that there are vital and physical reactions.

It seems the detection issues caused by the Demonic Fog can reach indoors, too. How about you, Mash?

I can't figure it out, either. How about you, Mordred?

I can't tell for sure by just her presence. I think the Demonic Fog outside is interrupting.

But, you're asking what she is? Of course she's a Servant

At least I wish I could say that. ...In my memory, that's how it was supposed to be...

Anyway, yes. She is an artificial human. Apparently.

An artificial humanis she?

I found her in the coffin in the backroom, and a note was attached. Let me see...

First artificial human created by Grandfather Victor Frankenstein, or something like that.

So it is Frankenstein's monster. But didn't it burn up in the end according to the novel?

I wonder if she can hear my voice. Let's see... Are you Frankenstein's monster?

...Uhh, ah... uuuh...

Hm?

It seems like she doesn't have a speech function. But I can somehow understand her.

... ...

Name, I guess. Monsteris certainly a name you don't like, right?

...Uhh.

？！

...Uh...

Ah, she seems to be happy with the name. Okay then, Ms. Fran.

...Uh...

You are an artificial human... Is that correct?

...Uh, uh...

You're not a Servant, huh. Oh, I get it. You mean, "you're still alive."

I finally understand. No wonder I couldn't figure it out just by looking at you.

?

Oh, never mind.

We can't just leave her here, so let's take her back to Jekyll.

...Uh, uh...

Your master is no longer here. You can go anywhere you want.

I'll let you stay with Jekyll for now. Let's go. The fog shouldn't impact you if you're an artificial human.

Is she...really? I'm not so sure about that. That's a dangerous action.

She's going to be fine! She's not breathing. Right, Fran?

...Uh.

See. She's nodding.