One Book, One Pen

This girlyes, Fran is an artificial human. Her physical composition was not of a spirit. She's not a Heroic Spirit.

She is a human living in this era. Wait, I guess artificial human.

Maybe the description in the novel was wrong... Though I can't be that positive about it.

...Uh... Uh...

Hmm?

Um, well... She's just... I mean... How can I say this...

You touched around her body insisting it was an inspection, and it made her unhappy. Apologize to her, Jekyll.

Oh. I'm very sorry. How shameful of me. That was unacceptable from an English gentleman.

...Uh.

?

It's fine, as long as you understand... That was the nuance in her voice... I think.

Most likely.

？！

How do you guys know what she thinks? Is it because you're the "same gender"... Oh, no, nothing!

Next time, I will kill you.

Yes. Yup. Sorry. I'll never say it again. Anyway another case showed up in my info network.

Something strange appeared in the Soho area. Apparently it even slips indoors to assault civilians.

Let me confirm. The homunculi, automata, and Helter Skelters until now

Have zero cases of entering buildings. At least not according to my information network and Saber's patrols.

What is entering buildings and attacking civilians appears to be a book as big as a human.

I decided to tentatively call them Magical Tomes. I want you to deal with this.

Whether this is related to "Project Demonic Fog" is uncertain, but at the very least, there have been victims in Soho.

I need your help. Will you do it?

？！

I agree, Master. We're some of the few able to go outdoors.

I will try my best to be of help to you, Senpai. Rather, it would make me happy...

What are you talking about? Doesn't matter if you're a Demi or whatever, you're still a Servant.

Y-Yes.

...Oh, I mean... Well, just forget it.

Huh

Master-Servant relationships are case-by-case. It's not something I should interfere with.

Now, shall we? I don't know if Fran can be useful, so she'll stay here.

...Uh, uh... ...Uh...

What, are you lonely? Just be a good girl and wait. We'll be right back.

It's dangerous outside. Let's talk again when we come back.

...Uh, uh.

Huge book... A Magical Tome, huh? A kind of monster that didn't exist in Britain back in my day.

The Britain when you were alive... Did monsters exist back in the times of the Arthurian legends?

Of course. The Knights of the Round Table even fought dragons and giants.

Deep woods, steep mountains, bluffs with unceasing winds. Realms humans never cross are prime dens for Phantasmals.

They come down to human dwellings every so often. And well, ordinary humans usually end up as their food.

Food, you say.

Average soldiers are no match for demonic beasts, dragons, or Phantasmals. Even in your era, most weapons are useless.

But there are exceptions. For Britainit was the Knights of the Round Table.

We fought well, and killed a reasonable number, you know? Battling a Phantasmal is pretty rough

Oh, and them. Them... The Picts.

In our time, they're seen as a very mysterious people. A tribe that once flourished mainly in Scotland, so we've heard.

Well, rather than people, they were... Um...

They weren't like any tribes or barbarians... They went far beyond any of them.

Describing it in terms of your era, they were like something that would be in a sci-fi movie, you know?

Aliens? Or, something like that. Yes, that's a close one.

？！

Yes, Senpai. I heard it as a joke, too. ...Oh.

Mordred, I... I'm sorry. I completely missed the timing to laugh.

Hmm, that was an Arthurian joke? So you're supposed to miss the timing... Hm, I see.

Fou...

Joke? No, I wasn't joking at all

Wait, I sense enemies. Most of them are automatas.

...It's a battle. Master, your orders please!

Fou...

Crushed the dolls. There.

But What is this sort of thing even called?

In Asia they have a term for it, don't they? "En" or something. It's like fate?

Gathering all sorts of Heroic Spirits and making them your alliesThat's not something you can achieve easily.

But well, if that's the way you're using the summons I guess it's possible.

This method should indeed make Heroic Spirit summons easier. I can imagine who it was that suggested it.

To be honest, it feels strange to me... ...But that, I suppose, is also fate.

?

？！

Yes... It seems so, anyways. Are you talking about the Heroic Spirit Summoning System?

Um... Mordred, do you know much about Heroic Spirit summons? Like you're a Saber with magecraft knowledge?

What did you just say, Shieldy? Do I have magecraft knowledge? Are you being sarcastic or...

...Wait, that's not what you meant, huh. Argh, you're such a pain in the ass, Mash!

Y-Yes...! I don't know why I just got scolded, but in any case I'm very sorry!

I'm not scolding, it's just a complaint! That's another thing you two have in common!

...Forget it. That was a slip of the tongue. Don't probe any further, Fujimaru.

Of course, I am. Being cranky is my default mode. It's 'cause I'm a mass killer, as far from a saint as one can be.

You guys are the ones that are getting too close in the first place. People are normally scared of me, being the Treacherous Knight and all.

？！

...

...Tch! Look, you guys aren't the problem here, okay? It's my own nature that's the problem.

So don't misunderstand me. It's not that I hate either Mash or Fujimaru. I don't hate you, that's not it, but

I can't help myself. Come on, let's fight. Get that shield up. I'll batter it to pieces.

？！

Yeah, insult me all you want. I'm used to it. Feels better than awkward compliments.

？！

Oh, so you CAN act like a Master. Though it would've looked a lot cooler if your knees weren't shaking, you know?

The weak should act like one and stay back. Because they meddle in things like that, they're the first to die, yeah?

! Master, get back! Mordred is serious!

You parried my first attack! How cheeky! You're finally learning how to use that thing the way you should!

That's good. Here goes, Shieldy! You must always be one step ahead of your own limit to protect your allies!

If you're gonna use that Noble Phantasm, put some spirit in it! As an experienced Servant, I will train you thoroughly!

Hah... Ah... Ugh...

Sen...pai Thank goodness. Were you watching?

Battle...is overI...was able to parry...Mordred's attacks

Oof... Don't glare at me like that. I regret that I went a little overboard. You seriously look scary right now.

Don't worry, that was a mock fight. Mash was fully aware of that too.

？！

So, how was it, Mash? Figured out how to use that Noble Phantasm at least a little bit?

Yes... Thank you... Very much... Somehow, it feels

...like a shackle on my heart was removed... That was the toughest I've felt since Cú Chulainn's spells...

？！

...Well, drastic times call for drastic measures.

She was holding herself back by calling herself a Demi-Servant.

I pulled a stunt here to hammer into her what her role was. She'll be a bit more decent from now on.

Mordred...

？！

Shut up. You guys drop your guard way too much and it was pissing me off, that's all.

It's not like me to teach swordsmanship to others. In fact, this was my first time. Damn you!

Listen. Not a word of this to Jekyll. He'll interrogate me again.

And sorry, Fujimaru. I apologize for disrespecting you. You are indeed weak, but it's a practical kind of weak.

You're no coward nor scoundrel. You're an idiot worth carrying, in your own way. Right, Mash?

Yes, definitely! After all, Senpai is the best Master in Chaldea!

？！

Okay, okay, enough already. This is so sweet I'm getting indigestion.

All right, time to hurry onward, Fujimaru, Mash. Keep that shield at the ready and follow me.

Okay! Thank you very much, kind Sir Mordred!

D-Don't suddenly start calling me "Sir Mordred," dummy! You're gonna make me trip!

All hostile units eliminated... Complete silence confirmed. Good work, Senpai.

Good work. I received a transmission from Jekyll, so I'll connect you.

Can you hear me? I have supplemental information to pass on.

OhI see. They took the radio transmission from Jekyll and patched it through via Dr. Roman's channel.

Right. Chaldea's technology is marvelous. But let me cut to the chase. It's about the Magical Tome running amok in Soho.

Unlike killer homunculi or automatas, the Magical Tome can get past closed doors and into buildings. That we know.

We have specifics on the damage now. They say it puts people into an unending slumber.

Through magecraft? Or a drug?

We don't know yet. If it's just a drug, it shouldn't pose any issue for you...

Yes, I don't think that would affect us. Senpai has Poison Resistance Skill (Temporary), too.

I see, that's good. But well, nothing beats good, old-fashioned vigilance.

If it is magecraft, in my case, my Magic Resistance Skill nullifies most effects on me

But I can't block a direct hit of, say, a drug made by a Servant's skill or Noble Phantasm at high magecraft levels.

？！

Well, yeah. Just act carefully.

Once you've arrived in the Soho area, stop by the antique bookshop I specified first.

There should be an informant there. That is, if they haven't been attacked by Magical Tomes yet.

Understood.

Then let's get going. Soho's not far off now.

...So you've finally come. I was getting pretty sick of waiting, you idiots.

Thanks to you, I've ended up reading an entire novel series, roughly 20 volumes, that I didn't even want to read.

？！

Fou?

You're the rescue team Mr. Henry Jekyll said was coming? Then, let me quickly fill you in on the situation here.

Huh? Wait, so the informant he mentioned is this brat?

This boy, as it were. He must have some relation to this antique bookshop.

Maybe he's the shopkeeper's son or relative... or grandson. Is that correct?

You're the one who contacted Mr. Jekyll, and are seeking help from us, right?

Yes, that's right. The situation being what it is, a rough understanding is fine for now.

You kind of...have a really nice voice. Is your voice changing right now?

Yeah, I've always wanted to be in theaters.

So embarrassing. Nothing more embarrassing than a life where you couldn't achieve what you want!

Well, we'll put talk of my beautiful voice aside. I'll be talking your ears off from here, anyway.

For now, let's talk about "this place." The Magical Tome already assaulted the elderly shopkeeper here.

Nearly half of Soho's people met the same fate. They've fallen into unending slumber, and now dream merrily together.

Do you know where the Magical Tome is now? Also, how did you manage to escape its attack?

Huh? Are you stupid? Is your brain, not just your voice, in la-la land? Obviously, I ran away from it!

Huh? ...Oh! Um, s-sorry... Of course... That makes perfect sense... Ha, ha, sorry... I apologize...

Ha, ha... Ha, ha, ha...

Doctor, please don't get hurt by a child's words. Kids that age tend to speak very bluntly.

So, you asked where the Magical Tome is. Right here.

What?

Huh?

It's on the 2nd floor residence of the bookshop... In other words, still on this floor, in the study next door.

Haha! Well, well! So it's right there?

!!!

Senpai, indoor combat is dangerous. We should avoid combat in narrow, enclosed spaces if we can.

There is a chance that you and the boy would get caught up in the fight.

？！

...All right. Mordred, if you will.

Okay, let's get this over with!

Foou!?

Dammit, I know the attacks are hitting, but they're not getting through! What's with this book?

I don't get it either. Our attacks are landing, but it's not going down!

Hmmm are you sure it's not an illusion? And are you sure your attacks are hitting?

Yes, Doctor. We have no status anomalies.

... ...

Tch, floating around like that! So cheeky for a book, are you missing pages or something!?

More like a banned book. If the contents are true, then even as a book it can kill people... Or so the story goes.

The boy from earlier... You shouldn't come out! It's dangerous! Go back!

Keep watching the Magical Tome, miss. Don't worry about me, I'll take off as soon as I say what needs to be said.

You... I thought you had a good voice, but I never thought.

Are you by chance a Servant? Damn, this fog is clouding my intuition!

You finally noticed. Yes, I'm a Heroic Spirit like you. Or rather

Did you think a kid reading rare books so calmly in a time like this is normal?

The ability to detect magical energy aside, your intuition as a reader is abysmal, Saber. You should read more.

I recommend the series in shelf E on the 1st floor. They're full of dreams, adventures, and bad endings you might like.

Heywho the hell are you! You sure know how to jok

Andersen. Hans Christian Andersen.

My class is Caster. If you want to know the details, read one of my books.

What? What? Whaaat!?

Hans Christian Andersen, the author Amazing... He's one of the top three fairy tale authors in the world, Senpai!

？！

Oh, no... Well... I wouldn't say I love them, but I have read quite a few of them.

Oh. You don't have to hide it, it's obvious! You're an avid reader! I have an avid reader among Servants!

First characters from fictional novels, now an actual author! And, our enemy is a book!

Okay, it's turning into another confusing situation, Fujimaru!

So how's Mr. Andersen? Is he amazing as a Servant!?

Huh? What does that bonehead expect? I'm an author. Of course I'm absolutely powerless.

It's neat to encounter a Magical Tome that attacks people, but it's literally impossible for me to defeat it alone.

So, here I am, waiting for Servants fit for physical labor to show up!

Now go fight, Saber and Ms. Avid Reader! I'll keep detailed notes of the entire affair!

Mmm, kyuu! Kyaau!

Shut up, please shut up! I feel like killing you before the Magical Tome!

What? Not only do you lack intelligence to study the Magical Tome, you can't make distinctions between friend and foe?

Amazing. An extreme barbarian! You know, your head must be filled with mashed potatoes!

Move aside, Shieldy! I'm going to beat the crap out of that punk first!

I know how you feel but calm down! Mr. Andersen, please say something to her, too!

Say something? Oh, something beneficial. Hmm. Well then, here's a lecture.

You have experienced the nature of the Magical Tome, yes? Attacks are ineffective. Of course they are.

It's because you think it's a book. It's not. It's a type of Reality Marble.

Reality Marble!?

？！

Yes. It's a type of powerful magecraft that rewrites how the world exists. They say it's almost equivalent to True Magic.

Rarely, there are cases when a Servant materialized uses it as their Noble Phantasm

Right, maybe a Reality Marble affects the space it's in. But that's different. Its existence itself is a Reality Marble.

That's why it has endurance near invincibility. It effectively utilizes the fact it is a Reality Marble.

Then, why is that possible? Good. That's a natural question.

But figure out that much on your own! There's plenty of food for thought, anyone can make sense of it in minutes!

But we don't have those few minutes! State the conclusion! The conclusion!

It's floating right now, but we don't know when it will attack again!

How hasty... Do you start books at the ending? Oh, fine. Out of respect for the avid reader, I'll tell you.

My reason by analogy is that it originally was a Servant that projects the psyche of its Master.

It's easy if you elicit from dramaturgy. Though, I needed to ponder for about an hour.

You took your sweet time! Enough! State the conclusion! The conclusion!

The conclusion, or rather, the problem is before you. This is a "stray." There is no Master.

That's why it attacked the people in Soho. It put them to sleep and made them dream.

In short, it's searching for a Master. To manifest the dream, it's "trying to materialize" as a Pseudo-Servant.

What?

...I see! So the guise of this Magical Tome has no substance!

Good answer! It's not even a Servant. It's a clump of magical energy that wants to be a Servant.

It will materialize eventually if left alone. In return, every citizen of Soho will fall asleep.

Compared to the fog of magical energy drifting outside, the damage may not be as vicious.

However.

Some may become emaciated and die while asleep, but perhaps nobody will die.

To begin with, if sleep takes so much of one's time, we writers would go out of business!

So, it will be defeated. Soho has many bookstores, both new and used.

You contradict yourself, Mr. Andersen! You just said it has no substance so we can't defeat

I mean, you can't look for a book without a title. It's easy to give substance to a story.

Can you hear me? I'll give you a name, Magical Tome, no

A Tale for Someone, Nursery Rhyme!

!!!

You can do things when you actually try, punk! But why didn't you do anything until now!?

Idiot, if I gave it substance, it would attack me, too. Just saying, I'm very weak in fistfights.

I told you I had no choice but to hold my breath and read books until you guys, the physical labor, showed up.

...Nursery... Rhyme...

No, it's not. That's not "my" name, "my" name is Alice.

Mmm? Huh?

Something...is a bit off from Mr. Andersen's predictions... But, Senpai, this is...

？！

Yes, the enemy is materializing! Now I can clearly discern its form!

All right. Let's do it! Afterwards, I'm gonna choke that punk!

Alice, where are you? Alice isn't...here...

Hey, big sisters. Where is the lonely "me?"

...You don't have a Master. No, to be exact, she probably is not in this era.

...I can't believe there was a Master who loved a book without a title this much.

This is what you call painful to watch. I'm sorry, but please defeat it quickly.

...All bark and no bite. I was expecting at least a reproduction of Wonderland.

I guess that was expecting too much. It didn't help that we were too powerful.

...Hey. What was that about us being too powerful, punk?

Not only did you stand there like a damn statue, I think all you ever did was run your mouth and insult us!

P-Please, let's stop it, Mordred.

He has a sharp tongue for sure, but we were able to defeat the Magical TomeNursery Rhyme thanks to him!

Fou! Foou!

Tch... You're right. I know. It's my loss if I meddle with people of this sort.

What, contrary to your looks... Wait, maybe you do have that look... Wait, maybe not after all. Your soul is like a Morning Star!

Morning Star, like a flail? So I'm thorny, huh? Dammit! I hate to admit it but you make a good point!

...Good reaction... With training, you might be easy prey... Excuse me, a good reader. What a waste.

But to think I'd be defended from a hater by an avid reader. Humans never change regardless of era.

Both Mash and I are Servants.

Yes. But I was originally a human...

More like, most Servants were originally humans.

...Tch. Oh well. That thing didn't seem like it used to be human, though.

...Fou...

Right, most of Heroic Spirits were humans, but sometimes there are cases like Nursery Rhyme.

Cases where a human creation gains its own will, or gathers visions from people to become a "Conceptual Heroic Spirit."

Those are rare, though. Someday, there might even be Heroic Spirits of machines as well as books.

Anyway, thank you for all your work. Go back to Jekyll's apartment for now.

Andersen, can you come, too? It's most reassuring to have more Servants as allies.

What?! We're taking this punk with us?

He's super weak. I'm sure he'll be useless! He's so boring, too! I'm sure he won't write any decent books!

I see. Okay, I'm happy to go with you.

I had no intention of helping you, but that last statement changed my mind.

My pleasure, Saber. No, Sir Mordred. By the way, if you are to be a protagonist, what's your favorite genre?

A tragedy? A farce? Or a comedy? Splendid. I'll polish it into the best trashy tale ever.

I see. Why don't you go write some unpopular books and cry in a corner, fairy tale author.

(Um, excuse me, that's rude, he can hear that)

I wanted him to hear it. Only a coward talks behind one's back.

... ...

Well, let's move. Let's leave before the antique bookshop's owner wakes up.

Because I'm also a thief. Actually, I snuck in from the back door.

It'd be awkward if he woke up and called the cops. Getting arrested despite helping is going too far for a trashy book!

Huh!?

You entered without permission, and still acted that confidently!?