A Not So Evil God In Fate/Grand Order

[A/N: Thank (Insult?) AbsoluteEvil and Lord_Fate_Master (especially) for guessing Archer's identity. I will try to give you guys the additional chapter this Wednesday. If I can't, it will be next weekend. Also, Happy Independence Day to my readers living in the U.S!]

After what looked to be an eternity of floating in the air, the Chaldeans finally got to land. Artemis, through Orion's powers, helped some of the light ones. Being able to walk on water was something useful in a situation like this.

"That was...terrifying. The readings about that attack were no joke." Even if Romani didn't say anything, it was pretty clear that this was not something the average Servant could do. However, they didn't know who was capable of causing this destruction.

"Whoever is the one behind it, they didn't hold back at all," EMIYA said while observing the landscape. It looked nothing like before. They would have to walk back to the ship by circling the crater so, hopefully, there won't be an attack like that again.

'...That's where you are wrong. He DID hold back. I am sure he has more in store than just that.' Seth decided not to speak those words aloud, though. Unnecessary panic would do no good. Besides, he will come for him and him alone. The Egyptian God was sure the other Chaldeans were of no interest to his little acquaintance.

"That aside, I have to thank you both. If it weren't for you, we would not have lived to tell the tale." Fujimaru thanked EMIYA and Seth from the bottom of his heart. A heart that was still thumping loudly. Although it was something out of the blue, it gave him a lot to think. How a mere moment, a whim of some powerful Servant could end his life without him even knowing.

Before, he used to think that as long as Mash was in front of him, his life would not face any risks. That's how big his trust in her was, how it still is. But now, a realization hit him. There were things that even his Kohai couldn't defend him against, no matter how much she tried.

The thought of dying without even realizing it...it was scary. And to think things like this was what awaited them. That not every enemy was going to face them head-on.

Even if it was a small, unnoticeable change, Fujimaru's mentality changed after this experience. He learned that this mission to "save the world" was not something he should take lightly at all. He shouldn't—He mustn't expect everything to be smooth sailing from now on.

"Save your thanks for the moment we win. That attack came from around the place we fought with Blackbeard. Most likely, his new Servant was the one who did this." Not only was the guy one of the most "special" people he ever met, but he also managed to summon his student as well.

'Still...this is not bad. Our time together was short, so I only got to know about your end long after you died. That is why I want to see how you turned out to be with my own eyes.' That attack was proof enough that the little guy remembered the promise he made with him.

"Even so. Thank you." The Japanese young man didn't want his words to sound like something empty, so he made sure to repeat it. EMIYA, as a fellow Japanese, understood his feelings. In the end, Archer just nodded, telling his Master it was all right since defending him was his duty as a Servant.

Hearing him, Mash couldn't help but feel slightly depressed. If she was stronger, she could have protected her Master even before the others. The same seed of doubt that planted itself inside her heart at that time they fought the Chimera in Rome resurfaced.

Why...? Why did she have to be the one doing nothing? The one who had to protect her Senpai was her and no one else. If she couldn't do that, what was her worth? Was the difference between a Demi-Servant and a full-fledged one that big?

Mash was brought out of her thoughts by Artemis' next words. Hadn't the Goddess done so, a new dark entity might have been born.

"We were lucky. I almost lost my darling. What would I do without him?" The white-haired girl started hugging Orion until almost suffocating him.

"Stop! Stop! You are going to choke me!" The Plushie was able to somehow escape from her death hug. He eventually turned to the others, who had already started their walk to Drake's ship. "I am sorry I can't be of much help being like this, but at least let me give you a piece of advice. Don't let the person who attacked us have a chance to do so again. Worst case scenario, we would have to attack them all together."

Altera frowned, hearing the last part. Nevertheless, she chose not to comment on it. She preferred to use her time to think about how to destroy the person behind it. The Blessing she got from her Master resonated for a brief moment before that attack landed, making her wonder if he knew the one who attacked them.

"I just hope he is a decent warrior worth fighting. I am getting frustrated over not being able to fight at full power." Altera quietly complained. However, the Middle Sister was able to hear her.

"...Considering the Master, I don't expect much from the Servant in terms of personality or looks." Euryale was trying everything on her power to erase that cursed image from her memory to no avail.

"Is that so? I believe they might put up a good show." Stheno said without much care before turning to Seth discreetly and speaking through their Master-Servant link. 'Isn't that right, Dad~? You DO know who the one who attacked us is.'

The purple-haired Goddess was strangely conscious about these kinds of subjects. For some reason, she could always know when something had to do with Seth or not.

'Stop calling me that. You know I don't like it. As for whether I know the one who attacked us or not, it's not your problem. You just have to focus on giving a nice smile for that guy, correct?' His words provoked a small twitch on Stheno's lips. It seemed that curse would never go away.

'Oh, my. I still remember how altered you got the first time I did that. What? Don't tell me something good happened, and you don't care as much for it as you did before? And I will take your answer as you indeed knowing the culprit.' She kept fanning the flames. Otherwise, there wouldn't be any point in making fun of him now and then. She would lose her source of amus.e.m.e.nt.

'...Shut up.' Seth neither confirmed nor denied her words, just telling her to be silent. However, she didn't mind that at all. It was, in fact, the answer she was expecting.

"Let's go back quickly. I'm worried about my ship and the scallywags. Who knows what happened to them after this." She hoped everyone was all right. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to call herself a Captain again. To add to that, the travel they did here would be in vain.

Fortunately for her, her fears didn't come true. Aside from the worried faces of her crew after that "flash of light" nothing changed. That wasn't to say they weren't affected, quite the contrary. Just the shockwave was almost enough to turn the ship upside down. Not only that, but the Golden Hind was also dragged offshore by the waves, and they had to sail back to the island when everything calmed down.

As soon as the group got there, they began their reparation and improvement job on Drake's ship. Everyone who could do it gave a helping hand to speed up the process. That was except for, of course, the two Goddess who couldn't bother with such an "earthly" job.

The sun was beginning to hide over the horizon when the Chaldeans finally finished with their work. As it was too late and not recommendable to try and engage in a night battle, especially considering every human on their team, they decided to sail tomorrow.

Asterios went with Euryale to hunt some beasts for everyone to eat. They had some spices they got from Chaldea in the previous island, so now what was left was the meat.

One thing to note was that the Minotaur was becoming less and less shy around people as time passed. That seemed to recompensate the Minotaur, as the pirates had taken a liking to him and even enabled conversations about whatever topic he wanted. There was still that awkwardness as he was a monster from myth, and they were people from the Age of Pirates, though. Beyond that, they got along pretty well.

Everyone used their free time in whatever way they wanted. Some flirted, some talked, some just ate quietly, while others did whatever came to mind. Seth, in particular, started carving a ship with the help of one of EMIYA's knives projections.

Why he was doing so, even he didn't know. It just popped out on his mind. Maybe it was his memory making him remember the times he spent on that chicken Solar's Barge, who knows...

As he was doing that, Seth was debating if he should visit his student or simply wait until they eventually face each other. Although, thinking about it, he had yet to reciprocate his "greeting."

But even that would have to be put on hold. The Egyptian God was sure that kid would also prefer to meet him on the battlefield and not on a calm, soon-to-be night like this one.

Stopping what he was doing, he looked at the moon that was visible even if it was not entirely night yet. 'Oh, yeah. It was like this when we last saw each other, wasn't it?' Seth couldn't help but remember the time he had to say goodbye.

He had taken a liking to that boy, even if he didn't show it at the time. Despite how much he complained when the was strict with him, the kid never once chose to run away or take the easy route.

'I don't want a loser to train me. I would much rather Lord Horus be the one who did it.' A little kid, no more than five years old, once complained.

'Yes! With this power, I will soon be able to kill my step-mother! More! Wait, no! Go easier on me this time, old man!' A child, no more than twelve years old, once exclaimed.

'As you wanted, I will not prove my worth by murdering that woman. Instead, I will do it on the battlefield. I will not bring shame to your name, Lord Seth!' An adolescent, no more than eighteen years old, once vowed.

'I have become a King now...I owe everything I have to you, but you have to go, right? Even if you never told me of your circ.u.mstances, I could sense what afflicted you the most. That is why I ask you. Is there something you want? Do you want my people to worship you? Do you want those filthy cultists who smear your name to disappear? Do you want me to build monuments in your name? Or perhaps you want me to offer my future conquered lands to you? Whatever you want, I shall accomplish it to the best of my abilities.' A young a.d.u.l.t, no more than twenty-five years old, once offered.

'...'

'...You sure ask for the impossible. That said, no matter what challenges you threw at me, I always overcame them all. So...it is a promise. Maybe not in this life, perhaps not in this era, but someday, I will fulfill it. No matter if this body breaks apart in the process, I will see that your wish comes true. For you, I will do anything, even if you ask me to commit suicide. For the time being, let me say goodbye to you, Teacher. My bow will forever be yours to use, and eventually...'

'...It shall bring down the Gods themselves.'