Chapter 45 - Chapter 41: Ball part 1

Beta read by Shigiya, Paragon of Awesomeness and Gamercrusher55.

.

.

.

-Kuoh-

Getting ready to head to Romania turned out to be a bigger hassle than Archer ever imagined, far more troublesome than their trip to the Underworld had been. Unlike that journey, the group was actually looking forward to this visit and had been making preparation after preparation with what felt like excessive enthusiasm. 

On his Master's part especially. 

'A bit too much,' Archer thought while staring at his Master, who was currently knee-deep in a pile of clothes bigger than she was and comparing one outfit after another with a level of concentration that made it seem like she was searching for a needle in a haystack — which felt appropriate in this case…

"This one is too big, this one is tacky, oh! This one is cute, why did I stop wearing it? Oh right, it's too small for me, especially around the chest. Hmm, this one still looks cute, but it might not be suitable for the climate in Romania. Then again, that's nothing a simple temperature spell won't solve. Oh, this one would go perfectly with your clothes, Archer. We will look amazing with matching colors!"

For the last few hours, or rather days depending on how one measured torment, this had been the situation the Servant of the Bow found himself stuck in. He stood behind his Master while she examined each piece of clothing one by one, deciding whether she should bring it or discard it. Under normal circumstances he would not have minded assisting someone with preparing for a trip. It was not the first time in his life that he had been dragged along for a lengthy selection of outfits. 

The issue with Rias, however, was the overwhelming size of her wardrobe. 

This room alone was larger than an average Japanese house, and contained thousands of neatly arranged outfits, accessories, and items packed into shelves that seemed to stretch on endlessly. 

'I'm pretty sure even the Edelfelt heiress did not have anything like this.' 

Time was not an issue for an entity like him, but he truly dreaded going through this entire wardrobe. 

"Forgive me for interrupting your moment, Master, but I feel that by the time you are done, we might well end up missing the summit itself, as well as the ball," he said with a dry tone while gesturing around them. They had only managed to go through a fraction of the wardrobe, barely ten percent after almost five hours of effort, and nothing suggested the pace would improve. "Not to mention I'm the one who will have to clean and rearrange all of these piles on the floor." 

"Well it's not my fault that my brother forbade us from going there several days earlier, at least until they manage to make sure the place is truly safe. I prepared so much for this trip and now I have to downsize." She looked at him with a confused face, "Also, what do you mean? This is an important event and I should be absolutely prepared, wearing the best that I have and looking even better for our date."

Archer raised an eyebrow at the mention of that. "You're still adamant about the date I see. I can't help but find your priorities rather curious, considering we are attending a rather important peace summit. While I too am interested as to what this place has to offer, the last thing on our mind should be a date. Especially since I'm not sure you will be able to fully enjoy all that much given you've been stressed about the summit these past few days, Master."

"And what better way to clear up that stress than going on at least a small date with you? Plus, this is Romania we are going to. Think about all the opportunities we can get from properly enjoying the local wonders! Yes, there will be a meeting, but it is not as if we will be locked inside a room all day without any free time to ourselves."

Despite the setback of not being able to go there several days earlier, she still remained excited. Her voice was bright and her movements energetic, but Archer had spent enough time around her to read the subtle worry she tried to hide. She was definitely worried, and was distracting herself with this routine to settle her nerves. Her smile was a little too forced around the edges, her gestures were prone to clumsiness, and her eagerness was a layer meant to cover the unease that had been growing the closer their departure came.

Of course, telling her that would not change anything. "In any case, it would be best if you don't get too distracted with this. We still need to actually arrive there in time to go on this date, let alone make it to the ball and summit."

"What?" Rias jumped on the spot, her head snapping toward him with pure alarm. "What's the time?"

Unprepared by the sudden change in demeanor, Archer blinked before answering. "Well, we just had a late lunch, so about a quarter to three?" He wondered what was going through her mind.

"…"

He could practically see Rias' blood drain from her face, a look of horror befalling upon the girl who froze in place and remained unmoving for a few seconds. Worried about what was going on, he waved his hand near her face a couple of times to snap her back to reality. 

"W-wasn't there supposed to be a reception around this time…?" 

"Around four. At least that's what Azazel mentioned." 

"Then… we're going to be late!" 

It quickly dawned on him what was going on and the misunderstanding going through her mind. Before he could even correct that little mistake, a pile of clothes hit him square in the face along with a black laced bra and panties falling next to his feet. "Fine, I will just take whatever fits me! We can buy more clothes there!"

So much for the hours of his life spent acting as a human coat hanger. Archer brushed the fabric away and exhaled slowly. But then again, seeing the swiftness of Rias' movement and how she did not want to spend another hour trying out different clothes… best to just not tell her. 

"Can you help me tie my back?" Rias asked while slipping into a floor-length gown made of a silken fabric colored a deep, matte crimson that matched the color of her hair. The surface shimmered with a light glimmer, and she turned her back to him while lifting her hair to reveal the open section that needed fastening.

He stepped forward and helped her with the strings, humming lightly. "Before you ask, yes, you look beautiful, and yes, I do think you could stand to wear this more often, even if I'm the only one to see you in it."

She gave a small laugh. "I was not planning to ask that, but I appreciate the compliment. I really am glad you like it, and I look forward to seeing you dressed for a party as well. Alright then, I should call the others and have everyone gather in the clubroom."

She turned toward the doorway, gathering her things in quick, flustered motions that showed the nerves she still refused to acknowledge. 

"I have already taken care of that. They should be there waiting for us, Issei even promised to help Gasper find proper clothes fit for a social event rather than another dress."

She shot him a grateful smile. "You really should consider becoming a secretary with how much you handle without me even knowing." 

While his preparations were far more thorough than she might have expected. In truth, Archer had already accounted for Rias growing more stressed the closer the event approached, and he predicted she might end up running late. Granted this was not the case currently and rather it was the girl herself not reading the time well, but it worked in his favor. The event was meant to begin in the afternoon, but while it was the afternoon in Japan, it was still early morning in Romania. 

In her hurried state she had forgotten about the time difference, something which he figured would be better for her to find out firsthand. 

"It does seem like it would be an interesting occupation, but I would rather keep the one I currently have as both a teacher and a literal servant. I'll be sure to keep it in mind as a backup if I get fired," he said jokingly while watching the redhead as she lightly slapped his shoulder.

"Sorry, but your contract is not set to expire until civilization collapses and I die of old age."

"What a ruthless Master I have who won't even grant me eternal rest. But don't Devils have lifespans measured in thousands of years?" he asked with a curious tone. "Your brother, from what I understand, is at least well over a century old, yet he looks like he is still in his twenties. To say nothing of your parents." 

"Says you. The concept of a Heroic Spirit is far more absurd than Devils who can live that long. To answer your question though, truthfully no one actually knows how long our lifespan actually is, given that no Devil has ever died of old age. All deaths occurred in battle or they were poisoned and so on — our past wars have claimed the lives of so many we were at risk of extinction, since our long lives also come with very low birth rates. I can't think of a single Devil who died of natural causes. For all we know, my species could live forever," she said with a proud tone, a statement that might have given that Devils were only human in terms of appearance, and in fact were essentially desire given form through magic. 

Immortality itself was not unusual to a Heroic Spirit summoned as a Servant. He himself technically embodied a form of it, but for an entire living race to potentially be immortal was something he found unexpectedly interesting, especially since they themselves lacked a definitive answer to their own lifespan.

"I guess I will be content until you all eventually get bored of me. Eternity is a lot of time for someone to change." 

"Hey, no more moody comments. Now, let's go. I do not want Sona to rub it in my face about being late." Rias then activated a spell that formed a teleportation circle beneath her feet, while Archer shifted into spiritual form just before the magical light engulfed the redhead. They reappeared inside the clubroom where everyone was already waiting for her. Once the teleport settled he rematerialized beside her, giving the other members of the group a brief approving nod.

Both Yuuto and Issei wore plain black suits, although the latter looked painfully uncomfortable in clothes so fitted and formal. He kept tugging at his collar like he expected it to strangle him at any moment. The girls wore dresses that each varied in style, with Akeno wearing a dress rather than a kimono as was often her preference. She was adorned in a black sleeveless number that formed a collar around her neck and left her upper back bare, all while doing little to hide her generous figure while also being modest enough for a social gathering. 

"Not going for the kimono?" he couldn't help but ask. 

"I wanted to try out something new today," she said while crossing her arms beneath her large breasts to push them up further. "Do you like it?" 

"It looks adorable," he said with a light smirk, which only widened after a small frown came to her face. Clearly she'd been hoping for a different kind of compliment. 

"I'm just messing with you. You look beautiful." 

"Better~!" 

As for the others, their general aesthetic still matched. Each outfit seemed paired intentionally with their natural hair color, Asia wore a yellow dress with many frills, Kiyome a dark brown satin one, and finally Koneko was garbed in a white dress with an especially poofy skirt.

"You're going to a ball with that on?" Kiyome approached him while holding a folding fan that covered the lower half of her face. She snapped it shut and tapped the edge of his armour. "I like your aesthetic, and black and red suits you well, but do you not think something more formal would fit this occasion, even for a Servant? We're not going into battle and I'm pretty sure Rider will also be wearing something nice, since I saw Tsukabi and Momo dragging her around several clothing stores at the mall yesterday."

"Hmph, you should have been with me earlier. I kept telling him we should go shopping too so I could buy him a suit, but he insisted on being stubborn and that he did not need one," Rias muttered while Akeno stood behind her, carefully arranging the redhead's hair; giving her a more elegant appearance than usual.

"Alright, alright. I suppose it would be rude of me to stay dressed like this when all of you already put in the effort. So I might as well change." With a simple mental command Archer dissolved into his spiritual form before reappearing again in different clothing. His black armour and red shroud were gone and he was now wearing a fitted outfit consisting of a black shirt, black vest and black tie. A second piece appeared in his hand, materialising into a long coat of matching color that he draped over his shoulders. "There. This should be appropriate." 

He glanced around. "…What?"

Every single person in the room had stopped what they were doing to stare at him with different reactions. His Master looked stunned. Akeno and Asia had wide eyes. Yuuto paused mid-motion while adjusting his tie. Issei let out a confused grunt that almost sounded like a growl. Koneko blinked several times before giving him a confident thumbs up. 

"Nii-sama looks good." 

As for the brunette beast tamer, she even stepped forward to tap his shoulder with a faint smile.

"You have fine taste, Archer. Here I thought I would need to bring you to an emergency tailor or draw you out a perfect outfit for the occasion for you to create… which honestly I still hope you'll help me with one day."

"Why thank you. Glad you noticed it."

"You now look like a proper yakuza boss, just like the ones from the movies. All that is missing is a cigar, an accent, and a concealed gun."

"And suddenly I take back what I said." 

The girl let out a laugh as he brushed her hand aside, the gesture light. He turned back toward his Master with the same steady look that always anchored the room. 

"We should be leaving now. You do not want to be late." She clearly had more to say, her thoughts practically hovering behind her eyes, but his reminder pulled her back to the moment. 

"Right, gather up everyone. Akeno will be in charge of teleporting us to Bran Castle. Now, I know that for many of you this will be the first time attending a ball, especially you two, Issei and Asia, but do not feel overwhelmed or stressed. Stay with the main group if you feel uneasy or step aside somewhere quieter if you need a break. Balls are meant for socialising with other people. They do not have to be stressful and can be fairly enjoyable. I am sure you will not regret this and will find something fun to fondly remember this evening." 

As she looked over her peerage, she blinked and turned her head to look around the room. "Hold on, where is Gasper?"

She only then realised the absence of her first Bishop. As if summoned by her words, the door creaked open and a small head slowly peeked inside. It was none other than the dhampir boy himself. 

"A-Are we going al-already? I-I am not sure if I'm ready."

"Are you afraid of seeing familiar faces?" Akeno asked gently. The effeminate boy shook his head.

"I… I don't know. I'm not sure what I am supposed to feel. I have no idea how I'm going to face my father. It's been… so long since I've seen him, much less talked to him," Gasper said while fiddling with the edge of his vest. "He probably saw the Rating Game too." 

From what Archer was told about vampires in general, they were an extremely proud race and heavily discriminated against other species. But Gasper's father, Lord Vladi was evidently an interesting case since Gasper's existence as a dhampir proved he'd had a child with a human, and according to Gasper himself his father had made some effort to raise him as a member of his household. Though by that same token, he'd also done nothing to shield his son from rampant discrimination from the rest of his kin for being… impure, and eventually the abuse had driven Gasper to run away from his home, leading him to be slain by vampire hunters only for Rias to find him by mere chance and resurrect him.

"Would either the Tepes or the Carmilla faction cause trouble?" Kiyome asked, the girl having taken the time to read up on vampiric society. "I still find it hard to believe they would accept organizing such an event in their own territory. They've often kept mostly to themselves, being busy with their internal feuds and seeing mingling with other races as beneath them." 

"I am pretty sure they don't have a choice in this matter. Remember, their own leader is a dhampir despite them famously being blood purists to the extreme, and she's unified both factions under her rule despite them hating one another for centuries. But if she has Lancer by her side, their hierarchical structure has changed drastically. Against that kind of power, there's not much they could do if they disagreed," Rias explained, making Gasper look down at the floor. 

"Valerie being the queen of all vampires… never thought that would ever happen," he murmured quietly before taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. 

"You can stand behind me if you do not feel safe," Archer offered. "I understand there is history between you two, but remember why you wanted to come in the first place, which is to be reunited with this friend of yours. Do you feel more excited to see her than you fear your father?" He earned another quiet nod. "Then do not let that discourage you. I am certain Valerie is looking forward to seeing you again as well. For her sake, leave whatever your father will think or say at the back of your mind."

"Okay, I will try," Gasper murmured before stepping fully into the room. 

He raised an eyebrow, seeing the petite boy wearing a similar suit to what Issei and Yuuto had… and he admittedly wore it well. It seemed Issei's efforts had been effective, and perhaps he wanted to impress his father. The cut was neat, the fabric dark and slightly stiff, and the style made him look like an actual boy for once, though still with some feminine traits.

"Alright then, everyone get ready," Akeno said as a large magic circle began forming beneath their feet. Its glow spread across the floor, brightening with each second while the group gathered close. Gasper moved to Archer's side and nervously clutched the edge of his coat. The man offered him a brief, calm smile meant to reassure him. 

Before any of them could comment further, the world flared white and the ground vanished beneath their feet. When the light faded, they found themselves standing before a massive castle.

The different environment and the drop in temperature said all that he needed to know about where they were.

Bran Castle rose out of the landscape like a stone crown set upon a steep hill. Thick walls stretched upward toward sharp rooftops of dark red tiles. Narrow windows dotted the structure, and the tall central tower cast a long shadow across the courtyard below. The surrounding forest framed the fortress with deep green, and the wind carried the faint scent of pine and old stone. Lanterns along the entrance flickered in the cool air, giving the castle a more welcoming glow in contrast to its imposing form. Despite its age, the structure looked recently renovated with not even a trace of vines or moss upon its walls.

"Looks like we arrived exactly where we're supposed to, and without incident." 

On top of that, they were not alone. 

Archer's eyes immediately locked onto the middle aged man approaching them. At the same moment, he felt Gasper stiffen beside him, the boy's breathing turning unsteady. The man shared a similar face to the dhamphir next to him — but far more mature appearance-wise — glanced briefly at Gasper only to dismiss him just as fast, offering no acknowledgement. Instead, he walked toward Rias and gave her a polite bow.

"It has been a while since I last saw you, Lady Rias." He spoke politely, not a trace of arrogance or contempt in his tone.

"Likewise, Lord Vladi. I believe our last meeting was during my sixteenth birthday. I must confess, it feels longer. A lot has changed for both of us since then."

The head of the Vladi household nodded. "The passage of time is ever unrelenting. Please, allow me to welcome you to Bran Castle. Unfortunately, until the event later tonight, Lord Dracula is occupied and will not be able to meet with your group personally just yet, but he may stop by to offer some words of greeting. Regardless, you are a guest in this land, and are free to settle into the accommodations prepared for you and spend this afternoon enjoying the hospitality that our great castle has to offer until the ball begins."

Archer could not help giving the man a puzzled look. While he had never met Vlad the Impaler personally, he knew enough about his legend via the Throne of Heroes to understand that the King of Wallachia had never genuinely been a vampire. He also knew that Dracula had originally meant 'son of the dragon,' but the famous tale written by Bram Stoker had given it a very different meaning over the centuries, to put it lightly. If anything, Vlad Tepes III would definitely view the association as a grave insult. So either the locals used that title without Lancer's own knowledge, or something else entirely was happening here. 

'Perhaps I should inform Rias to not accidentally ask Lancer questions about him being a vampire or anything of that sort.'

"Eh? Wasn't the ball supposed to start around… hold on…" Rias' voice started to trail down to a whisper, a confused expression filling her face until her eyes widened and her neck snapped towards her Servant who just looked at her with his arm crossed and a nonchalant expression on his face. 

"You knew."

The way she said that made it feel like he intentionally lied to her, which was not the case. 

"I said nothing that could be considered a lie. You asked me the time and I gave you the answer. You can fault yourself for forgetting about timezones." 

{Break}

When they were led inside, the first thing Archer and the group noticed was how large and ancient the entire structure felt. The air carried a faint chill that seemed to seep out of the stone walls themselves, and each corridor, rather than looking as if it had been standing since the earliest chapters of this country's history, were instead spotless with dozens of chandeliers illuminating the surroundings.

Some were used to the display of wealth, especially Rias and Akeno, even Yuuto, Koneko and Kiyome to a lesser extent. But Issei and Asia were completely captured by the castle's majesty. The brown-haired boy glanced around with wide eyes before muttering, quietly enough to sound unsure of his own joke, "Wow, it feels like we really are inside a vampire's lair."

"That is more or less the case, Issei," Yuuto reminded him, and the sudden seriousness in his tone made the boy stop mid-step and laugh in a nervous sputter. 

"Okay, maybe I'm feeling a bit scared right now."

"You are literally a Devil with a Heavenly Dragon living inside you and the ability to constantly multiply your own strength and even give it to others. I can be counted as a living ghost. Shouldn't we be the scariest one here?" Archer's comment immediately made Issei pause and genuinely consider it for a moment. 

The remark lingered in his mind long enough that he fell quiet and contemplative, and the group continued their march deeper into the castle while Lord Vladi guided them forward. Gasper walked silently at the back, never once lifting his attention from the floor. 

There was an unmistakable awkwardness between father and son, and Archer felt it would be wiser to say nothing than risk making the moment worse. Rias and the other members of the peerage seemed to share the same opinion.

"This will be your accommodation, Lady Rias. We have prepared the finest space for our most important guests, so I hope you enjoy what hospitality Bran Castle has to offer and appreciate the beauty of Romania," Lord Vladi said as he opened the grand doors. They were led into what looked close to a private mansion attached to the castle. A wide salon stretched across the entrance, furnished with deep chairs and sofas arranged in a warm circle. A long table in the middle beheld plates of hors d'oeuvres, fresh fruit, and a scattering of local desserts, all surrounded by several hallways leading to the individual rooms.

"We were told by Sirzechs that you would not mind keeping company with the Sitri group," the old vampire continued. "They have yet to arrive, but we will make sure to inform you of their presence immediately once they do. Will that be an issue?" 

Rias shook her head. "Not at all, Sona always likes to keep an eye on me like I'm about to create trouble — now it is my turn to keep an eye on her. I do not want her to decide to summon another Servant the moment I blink, hahaha…" she said with a small smile. The comment was delivered lightly enough to pass as a joke, though Archer wondered if a trace of old irritation still lingered in her voice; this girl evidently still held a grudge against her friend for the incident Rider's summoning had caused. 

As everyone began to drift toward their rooms, Archer and Rias stayed behind with Lord Vladi. Gasper also remained, hiding behind Archer as though he hoped to disappear between his shadow and the wall.

The old vampire's gaze shifted back to his son. It was difficult to tell whether the look carried disappointment, relief, or something more complicated than either. Gasper clutched Archer's sleeve tightly enough that the latter felt the faint tremble in his fingers. Rias silently asked if they should intervene, but he gave a slight shake of his head. It was best to give Gasper a moment to gather whatever courage he could.

After a long pause, the platinum-blond boy finally stepped out from behind Archer with legs that looked unsteady and awkwardly stiff. He did not lift his head, but he stood far enough from his two companions that the attempt alone felt significant. 

Surprisingly, the silence was broken not by the boy but by his father.

"You seem to be doing well for yourself," Lord Vladi said. His voice was quiet, yet the tone filled the living area clearly enough that none of them missed the words. Gasper flinched and lifted his head with a startled expression.

"I-I have… um, I mean, yes, I have," he answered, unsure of how loudly he was supposed to speak and stuttering over his words.

"You did not make a fool of yourself during the Rating Game," his father added.

"Eh?" 

Gasper clearly did not expect praise. He opened his mouth, trying to shape an answer, but Lord Vladi turned away before he could speak. The man walked out of the room with steady steps, his cape trailing softly behind him. Gasper watched his father's back grow smaller in the distance, a shade of disappointment crossing his eyes as the figure vanished beyond the corridor.

"…"

Archer and Rias exchanged a glance. The Servant, this time, gave her a reassuring nod, and Rias stepped beside her Bishop, gently placing her hands on his shoulders reassuringly.

"He's disappointed in me," Gasper whispered. "Just like always."

"To me, it looked like he was proud of you," Rias replied. "I think he simply does not know how to express it. He did not say anything negative, and even praised your performance during the Rating Game, that alone is worth something… even though he could have used a better way to phrase that. Give him some time. I get the distinct feeling that things will change, and if they do not, I will be here to make sure he behaves."

"Thank you, Buchou. I feel a bit tired, I guess I will go to my ro—"

"We have more company." Archer interrupted their conversation while his eyes shifted toward the hallway where Lord Vladi had disappeared, only to notice another figure emerging. 

"—!" 

Both Rias' and Gasper's eyes immediately focused on the newcomer, a tall man whose presence felt entirely different from Gasper's father. Something which the dhampir immediately picked up on, and genuine fear appeared within his eyes, 

He walked with an unhurried stride that carried a faint echo across the hall. His clothes were similar to that of Lord Vladi, a dark robe covering his entire body with gold embroidered on its edges. The end of his sleeves lined with light brown fur, and beneath the fitted outer coat hung a thin beige crimson tunic secured by ornate silver clasps that glinted faintly with the torchlight. His long, wavy pale blond hair brushed past his shoulders, catching the light in a way that made individual strands shimmer like they were brushed with frost.

He approached them with a calm smile, though his presence alone made Rias tense. Archer noticed it at once. 

'Calm down, he is not going to attack us,' he reminded her silently, already aware of the way she had grown more guarded lately. Whether that change had come from concern for her peerage, or worry for his own safety after the Berserker incident, he still could not determine. It had lingered ever since his injury. 

He did not need to guess who this man was. The immense, condensed energy present inside his body told Archer everything he needed.

"I see that you have made yourselves comfortable, dear guests," the Servant declared with a loud yet controlled voice that matched the posture of an old noble. "I hope Lord Vladi has made a good first impression in welcoming you to Bran Castle. Please forgive him if he seemed at all rushed, he has been busy helping me with settling several matters around the estate. The work we do for our queen keeps us busy."

He looked at Rias for a moment before turning to Archer, offering a small nod with the same polished smile. "It is an honor to meet a fellow Heroic Spirit. I have heard of your achievements and even witnessed records of your battles. Truly a master of the bow, and a credit to your class. Welcome to Bran Castle, Archer. I pray that your visit here goes smoothly and that the invited parties reach a conclusion benefiting all sides."

Archer had to admit the politeness was refreshing. The man's manner lined up neatly with the second-hand descriptions he had heard from those who had fought alongside or against him in various timelines. Some legends had painted him far more cruelly, though he knew firsthand how often such tales were exaggerated or simply wrong. 

"Thank you for having us, Lancer. It is not often I meet another Servant without feeling the need to raise my weapon immediately."

"Hahaha!" Lancer's laughter filled the room. "That is the unfortunate fate of many who answer the Holy Grail's call. But since this is not our world and truthfully, I do not believe there should be any reason for us to become enemies in the future, you are free to simply call me Vlad. We are not savages; as fellow heroes, we also have the duty to preserve peace if at all possible rather than rush toward bloodshed."

Archer noted the irony but held his tongue. A casual conversation did not need to turn into a dispute. 

"I share your opinion," he replied with a short nod. "But unfortunately, I will not return the courtesy of revealing my true name."

"Rest assured, no offense is taken. It is natural that a Heroic Spirit might have secrets. I merely wished to make my stance about this peace summit as clear as possible to all my guests, especially fellow Servants and their Masters." Vlad's attention drifted back to Rias, who had stepped closer to Archer, positioning herself between the two Servants as if she could offer even the slightest barrier. The gesture almost made Archer laugh, and the Servant of the Spear's expression softened into clear amusement. "You must be the heiress of the Gremory family. It is an honor and a rare privilege to meet a beauty like you."

He offered her a courteous bow, taking her hand gently before placing a soft kiss on the back of it.

"As a devout follower of the Lord, it admittedly goes against my faith to welcome a Devil into my home. But this is a different world and for the sake of my Master, rest assured I will be treating you no differently to any other guest under my protection. Besides, I can see for myself that you are not the demons that tormented humanity I am familiar with, and your conduct as a Master to your Servant puts most human mages to shame." 

"That's… um, thank you for the kind words and hospitality, Lancer," Rias said, trying to maintain her composure. She was clearly unaccustomed to being addressed this way by a Servant, or perhaps she had simply expected something entirely different. Gasper, meanwhile, stood frozen, staring at the tall man with wide eyes and trembling legs. There was something deep inside him that recoiled in fear, something instinctive and old that urged him to flee.

That crushing sensation vanished almost immediately when a figure rushed forward from behind Vlad. Before Gasper even registered the motion, two arms wrapped tightly around his neck, strands of familiar blonde hair falling into his sight.

"Gasper, you really are okay!" The feminine voice rang out with a burst of energy and bright relief that seemed almost too strong for the young dhampir to handle right away. His breathing stalled as the familiar tone washed over him. 

"V-Valerie?" he whispered in disbelief. The boy could barely believe what he was seeing. His eyes widened as he stared at the person who had stepped out from behind Lancer, her expression overflowing with joy as she cried his name again and again. She looked exactly as he remembered yet somehow different. She was the person he least expected to meet so soon, the one who had pushed him to come here despite every fear he held. "It really is you!"

"Of course it's me! You have changed so much. I saw you fight in the Rating Game. You were amazing!" The girl beamed at him with so much genuine pride that Gasper did not know where to look for a moment.

"R-Really? B-But… but I don't think I did that much " A faint red crept across his cheeks as he tried to process the compliment. It only grew harder as Valerie continued rambling about rumors she heard about him, half of them sounding exaggerated to a ridiculous degree. Even so, he could not stop the small smile forming at the corners of his mouth. 

"W-Wait, is it true that you are the q-queen of all vampires? How?" Gasper stuttered. His voice trembled lightly, as if he still needed confirmation that this was not just another strange rumor blown out of proportion.

"Um, kind of? It is a little complicated." Valerie's turn came to look embarrassed. She scratched her cheek while responding, while Lancer let out a soft laugh behind her.

"There is no need to be modest, Master. You have earned the right to speak the truth. These people look to you to guide them toward the correct path as the Queen of both the Carmilla and Tepes factions. You must show our guests what it truly means to carry such a title."

So he said, but from what Archer had witnessed earlier, especially after interacting with Gasper's father, he suspected that most people here were far more intimidated by Lancer than Valerie herself. It would not have surprised him if many of them believed the Servant was their true leader instead of the girl, even if they wouldn't dare to say it out loud. 

"Forget about all of that. Do you want to come with me, Gasper? I can show you the places we used to play before. Everything looks so different now. Oh, and I can show you the gardens and all the areas around the castle that we were never allowed to visit back then. Can he come with me, Grandfather? Please?"

"Master…"

"Ah! I meant Lancer!" 

"…Regardless, we still have other guests to attend to, Queen Valerie," Lancer replied with a complicated expression. Before he could say more, Valerie stepped closer and tugged lightly on his coat. She looked up at him with a pleading stare so direct and innocent that even Archer paused.

"Please? I have not seen Gasper in years, and he'll probably have to leave again soon. It will only be for a little while. I promise I'll be back, just five minutes."

Vlad's expression shifted several times as if he were wrestling with conflicting duties. His shoulders eventually sagged, and the battle ended with a quiet surrender. "Fine. Only for a short while. I need you back before lunchtime at the very least. You have been skipping meals again. It is not healthy. You will lose more weight if you continue like this, and a young woman your age needs to have a bit more meat on her bon—"

"Aaaaah! You do not have to say that in front of everyone!" She quickly jumped and tried to cover his mouth but found herself a bit too short for that. "I promise I will be back! Thank you, Grandfather!" Valerie immediately grabbed Gasper's hand and pulled him along with unexpected strength, guiding him out of the room before anyone else could object.

The doors closed behind them, leaving the remaining group in a brief silence. 

Lancer was the first to break it. "She has been looking forward to this moment. Ever since I told her about the guests who would be visiting today, she kept asking about the boy who was once her only friend."

"Yes, I understand those two have a powerful history together. For much of their lives, each was the other's only true source of joy in this place, and she even helped Gasper run away when the abuse became too much," Rias added, to which the Servant of the Spear gave a quiet hum of acknowledgement.

"It is a disgrace how the previous rulers treated them, their own blood… Vampires or not, that alone marked them as true monsters. One of several errors I've worked to correct since my Master summoned me; rest assured that by the time I am finished, the House of Tepes and all its vassals will judge people by their deeds rather than the circumstances of their birth. Valerie will grow into a far more capable monarch than those who preceded her."

Archer crossed his arms. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in everything he had seen. "Then you have a great deal of work ahead of you. From what I have observed, the people in this castle seem to view you as their ruler instead of her. That will not be easy to change."

"I am well aware," Lancer replied without missing a beat, his voice sounding frustrated even. "And believe me when I say it is something I am all too familiar with. These are the kind of people who respect only strength and will not hesitate to backstab you the moment they sense weakness. Changing the walls of this castle is something that can be done in a matter of days, but changing the hearts of the people living inside it will prove a far more laborious undertaking. I recognize that, and I fully intend to dedicate as much time as needed to make it happen. Valerie has the potential to be a great ruler, but… she is too kind for her own good. Though considering what she has endured prior to summoning me, I find that speaks well as to the strength of her heart, if nothing else."

"And what about the ones who simply refuse to change? Pardon my saying so, but your plans for the future sound oddly optimistic," Archer asked curiously, although the question earned a faint chuckle from the other Servant, who gave him a side-eyed glance.

"The answer should be obvious, don't you think? People such as those you describe have nothing to offer, and naturally will have to be discarded if they are adamant on only hampering or even threatening my Master's reign. That is the truth of it." For a moment the tension in his Master rose. "But rest assured, that is a means of last resort. Eventually, they will understand just how much they rely on Valerie. In the future, even without me standing beside her, she will have the strength to protect herself. In any case, I have other matters to attend to for now. Please excuse me, and enjoy your stay. We will see each other again at the ball." 

With a curt bow, he turned around and departed, his presence fading from the room at a steady pace, and only once he was gone did his Master let out a breath she did not know she had been holding.

"So that is Lancer. He is very different from what I expected," the redhead mentioned while leaning against the soft sofa in the room. She looked drained before the main event had even started.

"What exactly were you expecting?"

"I don't know. Maybe I have grown too used to you getting into a fight every time we meet another Servant — even Rider, despite how things turned out between the two of you. And since Saber and Berserker alone were already terrifying…"

"Are you afraid of that comment I made awhile back about Archer class Servants generally being a bad match against Lancers?" That was all Archer needed to say to make her flinch, a reaction that confirmed his suspicion completely. "Well that's not always the case, I was just thinking about one Lancer in particular that had Protection from Arrows, which as you can probably guess made him especially troublesome for me to fight. As for other cases, I suppose it's just bad luck." 

Rias did not look any better after he explained that further. "I also… checked his parameters as soon as he came into view. And I saw his skills."

"Oh?" Archer looked at her, genuinely curious to hear what she had to say.

Rias began listing them off one by one. "Magic Resistance of course, but he also has Battle Continuation and Protection of the Faith. All those together make him incredibly resilient in just about any circumstance. Then there's Tactics, which if I'm understanding things right will boost the effectiveness of any anti-army Noble Phantasm he has and even assist in countering others. The last one though… Archer, I… I-I'm starting to worry this whole thing might be a trap," she explained. Her hands tightened around her dress, her breathing turning heavier as she tried to steady herself. "Demonic Defender of the State. Rank EX."

Unlike many Servants who hid their true names to gain an edge through secrecy and keep their skills, combat style, and Noble Phantasms unknown, Vlad made no effort to conceal any of it. Announcing his identity in front of their group was a clear statement that he did not fear them and did not consider them a threat, and he'd even stated. It was a deliberate show of confidence, almost a kind of challenge. He had no need for a veil of anonymity to feel secure. It was a simple display of strength.

"An ability similar to Mad Enhancement, except he remains completely in control of himself. As long as he stays within his domain, his parameters skyrocket to a ridiculous degree. It is practically the same as facing a clear-headed Berserker," Rias said while rubbing her forehead. Archer wanted to tease her about how troubled she looked, but he refrained. He knew pushing her further would only make things worse. 

"Even so, while I agree that staying cautious is important, it does not automatically mean we will become enemies. Besides, we're his guests, and breaking rules of hospitality is an egregious mark against one's honor, something that Lancer seems to value a great deal."

Rias stayed quiet for a few more seconds before looking at him. "With Rider here, how do you think you would manage against him if there ever was a battle between you? Surely even in the worst case scenario, a two against one fight would give us a fair chance, even with a skill like that and whatever his Noble Phantasm is."

"Our chances of winning would definitely improve if we fought together, and I could even cut him off from his home field advantage if he were within range of my Noble Phantasm. Even so, the outcome still wouldn't be guaranteed. And you are forgetting another important point, Rias."

"What?" Her voice carried a quiet fear, but she forced herself to ask.

"Assassin will most likely also be attending this summit, and there is no saying she would not side with Lancer in order to eliminate Rider and myself if things fall apart to that degree."

"Oh."

He could tell instantly that he had ruined her appetite for the rest of the day.

"Not that excited anymore about going on a date with me, are you?"

"Quite the opposite. Being literally anywhere outside of this castle feels safer now." She drew in a small breath before getting back to her feet. 

Archer raised an eyebrow. "Have you considered the possibility that his skill would still work if he sees all the surrounding lands, including the neighbouring town, as his territory? Maybe even the entirety of Romania?"

"Please stop talking, Archer. I feel like I am about to faint."

To that the Servant just chuckled lightly as he gently took her hand.

{Break)

(An hour later)

In the end, they still went out to at least spend a little time together. Even with everything they had learned, running off and returning to Japan immediately would have looked extremely rude, and as Archer had already mentioned to Rias, they were not enemies with anyone here. There was no reason to behave as if the other group were some overwhelmingly dangerous force either. They were simply guests, and acting like frightened intruders would only cause unnecessary trouble.

"For such an old castle that has survived the test of time for so many centuries, this place is surprisingly well kept." 

He spoke while they walked through the outer courtyard, the path opening to the wide view beyond the walls. From the stone ledge they could see the surrounding world clearly. The forest stretched out in a deep green carpet and the terrain fell away into a steep cliff that made the entire structure feel suspended over untouched nature. Most of the natural landscape looked as though it had been left alone since the time of its construction. Even on the inside, aside from a few modern appliances and light bulbs, almost everything had been preserved. Walking through these halls felt like stepping into the sixteenth century, a place that had refused to let go of its original identity.

"Well they are vampires. While their overinflated pride, ego and arrogance can be incredibly irritating, it does help motivate them to maintain their heritage with rather extreme dedication. I doubt you will find a single speck of dust anywhere in these halls."

"Issei must be disappointed then. He was looking forward to the horror element and finding vampires sleeping in coffins."

Rias giggled lightly, the sound echoing faintly between the old stone pillars. 

"I am sure he will survive the disappointment."

Leaning against one of the courtyard walls, she watched the early rays of the sun rise across the distant horizon. She let out a long breath that carried her frustration. "What a waste. I made all these plans to arrive a day or two early so that we could explore the town together properly. I wanted to try the local dishes, walk around without worrying about ceremonies or politics and enjoy some of the entertainment here. My brother really threw everything straight into the fire with that sudden change of schedule."

"You cannot blame him. With leaders of all three biblical factions and at least four Servants being present, he has every reason to be cautious. Working with Lancer to iron out the details of the events themselves and coordinating security is sure to have been a lengthy process. And tonight, all these powerful figures will be coming together for a party before meeting for a summit to arrange a genuine peace treaty when they've been at war for millenia. That means several of the highest profile figures in the supernatural world will be gathered in a single location. It is a perfect opportunity for any enemy to strike. If I had beliefs that at all resembled Kokabiel's, I would not be able to ignore such a rare opportunity either, no matter how powerful the opposition."

Rias made a face that was somewhere between annoyance and discomfort. "I cannot imagine having you as an enemy. It feels wrong just thinking about it. And even if it happened, your Master would have needed to be particularly cruel to force you into killing so many people again, considering your past."

"Who knows. Maybe I could have been summoned by a kind Master who would have just asked me to make her tea, clean up the house, or just protect her while she went out at night."

"Hmph, that sounded particularly specific." Instead of answering him directly, she pushed her cheek out in a small pout. "You already have a kind and caring Master who gave you her body and love. I do not see anyone else offering the same thing for you. So by default, that should make me the most caring of all Masters."

"Perhaps there is another Master out there somewhere. Someone who may or may not have summoned me in the past and might have held such feelings for me; thus leading to a similar outcome," he said with a grin. "I don't remember every summoning from my past, after all."

"This is about us, now. Do not talk about other Masters! I am your one and only Master in this world," she whined in a way that sounded half playful and half possessive. "And even if there was another Master who loved you in the past, then I will just have to love you twice as much."

"Oh my. Did this suddenly turn into some sort of competition where each group must express how much they love me just to prove they are worthy of me?"

"Exactly, and you better believe I'm going for the gold. So tell me honestly, just how many of your Masters did you sleep with?" She leaned forward so close that their noses nearly brushed. Her stare was unblinking and completely determined. 

He knew perfectly well that this was a trap, that she was simply digging for information about his previous summonings, but Archer was not bothered by the question and just told her everything.

"To tell you the truth, it is not as many as you think."

"So you did sleep with other Masters!" She looked almost aghast, as if he had committed some deep betrayal that she had never prepared herself to hear. The flicker of exaggerated hurt in her eyes lingered for a few seconds before curiosity took over once more.

"Well, I am not a monk sworn to live a celibate life. It is a bit embarrassing to admit, but I had my moments even before I ever became a Servant."

"How many? Tell me, I promise I will not get mad."

"You can get mad. I do not mind." He reached over and lightly cupped her cheek, the gesture soft enough to melt the sharp look she had moments ago. Her glare faded into an embarrassed stare, and a soft red climbed her cheeks while she leaned a little closer, tempted by the small comfort of his touch. 

"If we are just counting other Masters I've had, then… two, maybe three at most; but that second number feels very unlikely. I cannot say I remember everything."

"That's it?" 

Her disbelief was so plain that he almost felt insulted, and he raised an eyebrow at the way her entire expression twisted in confusion. "I was not exactly going around sleeping with every single Master, you know?"

"It's still kind of hard to believe the number would be that low."

How was that hard to believe? Now he wanted to know just what part of him gave her such an impression of him.

"What number did you have in mind exactly?"

"Maybe about a dozen?" Rias answered, her tone so casual that it nearly made him choke on air. 

Archer's breath caught in this throat, and he coughed out his response. "A d-dozen!? I was not some sort of gigolo." 

That kind of number would make sense for someone like Diarmuid.

"Well, considering how you tend to take on the role of an ideal house husband by becoming the perfect cook, taking care of the home, and even serving your Master in your own way, you would think more people would be into you. Girls love that sort of thing."

"Having a crush on me and actually having a sexual relationship with me are two very different things. Also, maybe you forgot, but in most cases the Holy Grail Wars in my world barely last a couple weeks in most instances. That is not exactly enough time to form deep connections. Most of the time my Masters were more concerned with trying to stay alive. Imagine my battle against Berserker happening twice or three times in a week, if not more."

"Urgh, now I pity your Masters more than I feel jealous of whoever they were."

As they continued speaking, the sound of laughter reached their ears. They both looked down at the garden to see two figures running across the grass; a familiar young blonde pulling along a helpless boy who had no choice but to be dragged in circles. Despite that, the boy wore a bright expression that showed how much fun he was having. 

Seeing him like that made Rias smile. "I have not seen Gasper smile like that more than a handful of times in all the time he's been my Bishop. I wish I could get him to make that kind of expression myself more often, but I am glad to see him being happy."

Archer had to agree. From the look of things, the boy had forgotten everything about his fears in returning to his place of birth. Not a trace of his nervousness showed. Instead, he behaved exactly like a boy his age should behave when running in the sun with a friend.

His amusement shifted into a puzzled look when the girl ran over to the side and opened the box she had evidently brought along. Inside was an assortment of dresses, and she began pressing each one against Gasper's cheek to see which looked cutest. 

"Now I can make a very accurate guess about how his tendency to wear that sort of clothing started."

"What? He looks cute in them."

"That's not exactly my point." Archer commented dryly. If that boy truly wanted to achieve his stated dream of becoming 'manly', then this was far from what he would call the optimal path.

Below, Gasper hesitated at first, the uncertainty easy to spot in the stiffness of his shoulders, but he allowed her to slip the dress over his suit. Bit by bit he began to enjoy the process, checking every outfit she held up with more excitement than before, eager to see each new piece she pulled from the box. 

'Well, so long as the hobby brings a smile to both their faces, I have no real reason to discourage it,' Archer silently admitted. "I just hope his father is not watching, lest he lose whatever respect he's managed to gain from the man."

"Even if he was, it is not like he could interfere. You have seen how Lancer treats that girl. It's almost as if she were his daughter."

"Granddaughter would be more accurate." Archer voiced, recalling the scene from earlier with how she'd addressed her Servant, though there was understanding beneath it. Valerie came from the Tepes line, and even if the Heroic Spirit Vlad III hailed from another world entirely, these people were the genuine descendants of his vampiric counterpart. Seeing a helpless girl like her, ostracized for having a human mother, as his own blood must have come easily. Especially since she clearly held him in that same light already. Such a thing would pull at anyone's heartstrings.

The sun was sinking toward the horizon, casting long streaks of gold across the manor grounds while the first hints of evening softened the air. The main event was scheduled to begin soon, and the quiet air around the guest quarters suggested that the others were already gathering in the ballroom. Rias stretched her arms with a small sigh that carried both relief and lingering anticipation. After a moment she looked toward Archer.

"You know… even if this short break before the ball wasn't the date I wanted with you, it was still nice. Being able to spend some time just wandering these halls with you. We should take more of these small breaks together. And by the way, I'm still serious about our date. Even if we couldn't go through with it right now, I assure you we will make time for it once everything involving this whole peace summit is wrapped up. It is not as if we have to return to Japan the moment this all ends."

Archer gave her a light smile. "As you wish, Rias."

.

.

.

A few minutes later they were heading down the corridor, the muffled sounds of conversation drifting from the direction of the main hall. The change in atmosphere made it clear that things had already begun to pick up before the official opening of the ballroom. 

It did not take long for the pair to encounter the rest of their group. Gasper returned to them at around the same time, once again properly dressed in the formal suit Issei had convinced him to wear rather than the outfit Valerie had insisted he try on earlier. He looked noticeably more composed than before. The shaky nerves that had clung to him at the start of the evening had calmed and overall he actually looked confident for once.

With everyone finally together, they began walking toward the main hall where a large number of guests had already gathered. Voices blended together in scattered pockets, conversations sparking all around as people greeted one another.

"The ball has not officially started yet," Akeno said while observing the crowd. "But with how many guests are expected, it's no wonder that many have already begun to mingle."

They moved deeper into the hall, passing familiar faces and exchanging brief nods. The first person to approach them was one other than Azazel, who raised a hand in greeting with his usual carefree grin. The man had initially been hanging around a table stocked with different kinds of wines and aged whiskeys, taking a few bottles of some of the oldest wines that not even money could buy before hiding them inside his vest.

"Well if it isn't the Gremory group, welcome! Glad to see you all made it! Hahaha." 

He was not alone. Standing beside him was a young man with light silver hair whose presence immediately made several members of the group stiffen, especially Issei. The bearer of the Boosted Gear first had his eyes widened with surprise before frowning and looking at the man with a heavy amount of suspicion. 

"Ah that's right, most of you guys have technically already met, though I doubt he was polite enough to give you his name back then," Spoke Azazel. "In that case I'll handle introductions myself; this is Vali, who you may recognize as this generation's White Dragon Emperor," the Governor General said, patting the boy's back. "I am his guardian, and he is like my unruly student of sorts. Do not mind him if you see this brat acting broody all night long. He is always frowning and looking like he is about to bite someone… which is not exactly far off from the truth. Do ignore any attempts he makes at goading you into a battle."

"Would you shut up for once? Stop saying the same thing to everyone we meet," Vali replied, stepping past him. "It's not like any of them are even worth goading into a fight in the first place, aside from one exception." 

He halted abruptly in front of Archer, eyes narrowing with direct curiosity. "You are the Servant called Archer. You are quite strong."

"Thank you, I guess," Archer answered, cautious around this person since the sensation he gave felt oddly similar to Mordred, yet even more focused in the worst way — someone who was deliberately searching for trouble. And the way he looked at him was clear that indulging his whims would end up in a battle between them. Not exactly a desirable outcome, much less here of all places.

"I heard about your fight in the Underworld against two other Servants and even a Dragon King. Yet rather than dying, you actually defeated them. It is a shame I was not able to join the fun."

"Considering you might have been affected by Berserker's Noble Phantasm, probably for the best. Besides, as you already pointed out I managed to deal with the issue just fine. Though I wouldn't say it was that decisive of a victory, I just managed to survive till the end."

Vali's expression shifted into a grin that carried a sharp, competitive spark. "Same thing, and who said I would have gone there to help you? I would have taken care of that trio of nuisances and then had a fight with you."

At that the Heroic Spirit raised an eyebrow, wondering if he heard wrong. "Heh, calling two Servants and a Dragon King nuisances makes me wonder whether I should call you delusional, reckless, or simply out of your mind. Or perhaps this is just the arrogance of youth, as you've clearly let the power of your own Sacred Gear go to your head."

"There is only one way to find out," Vali said, his tone carrying a thin edge that hinted he was seconds away from just launching a punch at him.

"Okay now!" 

Before anything could escalate, Azazel placed his hand firmly on top of Vali's head and pushed it down, forcing him into a shallow bow. "Hey, you idiot, this is not the time or place to start trouble! Normally I'm fine with letting you do basically whatever you want, but not tonight when I have access to five hundred year old bottles of wines that Marius fellow was too much of a cheapskate to sell. Oh, also the peace summit. Point is, don't ruin this for me! And if you try then the only thing that will keep me from beating your ass black and blue is if the host of this event gets to you first, and I don't think he'll stop at just a beating. Besides, do you seriously want to pick a fight with a Servant after how last time went?" Azazel blinked and shook his head. "…Stupid question, of course you do. Still, time and place!"

Despite having been warned, the White Dragon Emperor glared back at the Governor General. "I can handle anything they try to dish out. I've gotten stronger since my encounter with Saber."

"You mean when she sent you limping back to me with most of your ribs shattered? Yeah, sure, I totally believe that you'll win the rematch no problem, brat." With a quick tug, he pulled the boy away and offered the gathered group an apologetic smile that barely softened the sudden tension in the air. 

There were several powerful figures present for this ball, and it was clear that Vali was enough of a battle maniac that he wanted to fight at least a few of them right here and now, consequences be damned.

As the boy was dragged away, Issei approached and leaned closer, lowering his voice until it was little more than a grumble pressed between his teeth. "Ddraig mentioned that he is the White Dragon Emperor. That bastard already annoys me. Why did he have to be a handsome guy? Why couldn't it have been a cute girl? No wait, maybe it's a good thing he's a handsome ikemen. That way punching him will be even more satisfying."

"Sounds like he already had a run-in with Saber, and it went badly for him," Archer noted. 

The brief exchange was enough for him to form a surface impression of the boy's personality. Someone who enjoyed fighting strong opponents for its own sake, and to test his power. A battle-hungry type, vaguely similar to Saber in attitude, though he could not yet pin down just how far that resemblance reached. As for the boast about taking on two Servants, he dismissed that completely. He was willing to be proven wrong, but Servants were not the kind of enemies that could be compared to ordinary threats. Even Azazel's reaction to Vali's words and the comment he made about Vlad possibly quietly watching over the room had revealed enough about what the old man truly thought of that idea.

"Not even five steps into the room or two minutes into an introduction before problems already start to rear their heads. We might already have someone to deal with in the future. This night is doing just great." Akeno commented with a light nod from her King.

"Well, as long as Azazel can keep him under control then things should be fine. Just be careful around him, especially you, Issei. He may try to taunt you into throwing the first punch, so do not fall for it."

"You got it, Buchou."

The group continued their slow walk through the hall, passing familiar faces and strangers alike. Several individuals greeted Rias with clear recognition, some admiring her status as the heir to the Gremory household and others recalling her performance during her rating game. Most of the attendees were vampires and a handful of Fallen Angels. 

The Angels and the majority of the Devils had not arrived yet. The assumption of their group being the only Devils present quickly changed when Archer spotted Sona across the room, speaking to another cluster of guests before noticing their presence.

"Well, look who arrived late."

Rias wasted no time teasing the other girl, especially since Sona's group had reached the event far later than hers.

"Do not start, Rias. I had to deal with some issues involving my sister and her insistence on accompanying me. There was no way I would allow that so I had to shake her off first. You would have done the same if your brother had the same idea. And for the record, it's perfectly acceptable to arrive 'fashionably late' to a ball such as this."

"Excuses, excuses. But I will let you off for now."

Sona scoffed and turned her attention toward Archer. Her eyes widened slightly as she examined him from head to toe before speaking in a noticeably softer tone. "You should wear clothing like this more often."

"I prefer my usual combat gear, or the clothes I wear while teaching. But I'll keep that in mind. You look quite stunning yourself, Sona."

"Thank you." The appreciation in her voice was genuine. "If I may ask, have you two met Lancer? We've only met members of the Carmilla faction so far; a young woman named Elmenhilde Karnstein welcomed us when we arrived at the castle."

"We were welcomed by Gasper's father, Lord Vladi, but yes, we have." Rias answered with a tone that immediately turned somber and was something Sona picked up on.

"So? How bad would it be if our Servants had to fight him?"

The redhead's expression shifted several times from uncertainty to worry. With Sona being part of her circle of allies, and the only other Master she felt she could trust, there was no reason to hide anything, least of all when discussing the threat levels of other Servants. 

"It's very bad. His skills make him extremely hard to kill, but one in particular allows him to draw strength from his established territory. With this increase in power, his parameters are roughly on par with Saber's… but it's more than that, Sona. This entire castle gives him a home field advantage, and it may also tie into his Noble Phantasm. Even Archer does not think his chances would be good against him. Protection of the Faith, Tactics, Battle Continuation, Magic Resistance… all of them ranked A or B. But the skill I'm most concerned about is ranked EX: Demonic Defender of the State."

"Are you serious?" Sona's face drained of color as she began tapping her fingers lightly against the rim of her wine glass. "I remember Rider telling me that Lancers are also supposed to be Servants with a very high Agility parameter, so he may even be as fast as she is. Archer and Rider could work together to raise our chances, but Assassin's presence throws a wrench into that calculus. Even if she is working with the Fallen Angels now, I do not trust her, because I do not trust them."

"Agreed." As the two girls grew increasingly wary of Lancer's presence and the threat he posed should he turn hostile, Archer noticed that someone was missing. 

"Is Rider not with you?" It would have been reasonable to expect Sona to keep her nearby, especially during an event where so many powerful figures were gathered, and Sona herself could easily feel exposed.

Hearing the question, a complicated look crossed Sona's face. Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she took an extra second before answering.

"She was."

"Was?"

Rather than give him a full answer, the girl simply pointed her finger toward another spot in the massive room. Archer followed the direction of her gesture and immediately noticed two packed clusters of bodies, a mass of at least half a hundred men on one side and as many women on the other, pressed so tightly together that each one kept shoving the others aside in their attempts to reach the center of the two commotions. Both groups moved like a restless tide, elbows rising and shoulders bumping as they all competed for the same thing. 

It did not take Archer long to understand what was going on, and he turned toward Sona for confirmation, only to watch her look away with a slight downward tilt of her head that betrayed her embarrassment.

"It is my fault, I suppose," she said quietly. "She wanted to remain in her spiritual form the entire evening, but I thought it would seem rude since every other Servant would be showing themselves as well. To avoid looking disrespectful, I asked Tsubaki and the others to help her choose a dress. I did not expect the kind of attention she would receive while wearing it."

"And let me guess, the crowd of men is for Rider, while the opposing crowd with all the women is because of Assassin." 

"…Yes." 

"Assassin I can understand not minding the attention, given that in life she was a queen and thus is accustomed to such social gatherings. But Rider does not have that kind of experience to lean on. I am honestly surprised she has not turned that entire crowd to stone by now."

"Believe me when I say she is very close to doing exactly that. Her patience is running thin, and she is genuinely considering it. Could you please help her? Even a small distraction from you might calm her down."

Seeing no reason to refuse, the man made his way toward the crowded corner, catching fleeting glimpses of purple hair buried deep in the middle of the shifting mass of male Tepes faction nobles. He did catch a glimpse of Assassin within the other group where she was swarmed by high ranking ladies of the Carmilla faction. He could see why this happened, for the woman was wearing a beautiful red dress similar to Rias', but this one split into two at the front around her knees. Wearing matching gloves and a pair of golden ornaments at the ends of her long hair, the woman truly gave off the impression of a queen. 

The fact that Kalawarna was also at her side, following along while carrying a tray of hors d'oeuvres and wines just for her only enhanced the image. 

As for Rider's side, dozens of overlapping voices crashed against each other as every man tried to be louder than the rest. Compliments piled over more compliments until the entire thing sounded like a single chaotic roar, all trying to gain her attention. 

Archer scratched the back of his head as he tried to think of a solution that did not involve knocking all of them unconscious with precise strikes to the neck.

'What if I just throw garlic at them?' he thought dryly. The idea was ridiculous, yet not entirely without merit. Every time he managed to pull one person away, someone else immediately stepped in to fill the spot, as if the line was infinite. His eye gave a slight twitch of irritation as he realized this would not resolve itself naturally, or through gentle means.

'Archer, don't pull out a holy sword… please.' Rias said through their connection, looking at him from afar with pleading eyes. 

'I am not Saber, Master. I won't be doing anything that extreme.'

He said that, but the truth was that Rias' pleading had inspired something only marginally less worse. 

Projecting a certain red shroud, he altered the shape of his shroud until it extended into a long scarf that hung loosely around his neck but still fit with the theme of his attire. 

"Ah!" 

The effect was immediate. 

Vampires possessed weaknesses similar to Devils, and upon sensing the holy energy woven into the modified garment, several people in front of him flinched and hastily stepped back. A handful even displayed genuine fear in their eyes when they recognized the shroud's properties. One by one, they cleared a narrow path, and the deeper he walked, the wider that passage became.

Eventually he reached Rider, who stood in the center of the crowd. She seemed detached from the commotion surrounding her, lightly swirling the wine in her glass while humming in polite acknowledgment of whatever flirtatious nonsense was being spouted in her direction. She was not truly listening to any of them, and Archer doubted she could have made sense of their overlapping chatter even if she tried. 

Her dress certainly contributed to the attention she was getting. She wore a flowing, white off-the-shoulder gown that grazed the floor. The dress featured a unique bodice crisscrossed with thin black straps, complemented by a decorative gem-studded belt resting on her hips. The long skirt had a slight ruffle at the hem and was paired with high white ankle boots.

As he approached, the remaining voices quickly died down, the influence of the shroud doing its work in giving them some space. Rider lifted her gaze the moment she sensed him, and her lips curved into a warm, knowing smile.

"Took you long enough."

"Forgive me, for I was caught up spending time with my Master in a manner that resembled a small date," he said while allowing himself a moment to study her attire. "I see you chose the glasses. I half expected you to wear another kind of blindfold to match the dress."

"I considered it, but it did not seem worth the trouble. The glasses work just as well."

As he was about to say something, a hand clap suddenly grabbed everyone's attention. At the center of the large staircase leading to the main castle, stood the unmistakable tall figure of Vlad with Valerie standing right next to him. The girl, clearly uncomfortable from the attention, remained quiet while her Servant cleared his throat to have everyone pay attention to what he was about to say. 

"What a fine evening we find ourselves part of, to see so many people from different walks filling this room enjoying one another's company over the delicacies and fine music on the eve of talks for peace the likes of which have not occurred for centuries." 

He started off politely, raising a glass of wine, to which many mimicked his gesture. Even though what many had was not wine but blood served from another table specifically for vampires. Hard to not notice something like that with the faint stench of iron in the air. No amount of incense or perfume from various individuals could hide that.

"This evening sets a precedent that shall decide the future of the Moonlit World. By Queen Valerie Tepes' invitation, three powerful factions have elected to join us in the Tepes' ancestral home to shape a more prosperous future together, entrusting us to act as mediators. On her behalf, I, Vlad Tepes III, thank the Devils, the Angels and the Fallen Angels for allowing us to take part in this momentous achievement." At that moment, Lancer raised his hand to gesture to the other side of the room where the leaders of the aforementioned factions had finally gathered. 

Azazel raised a glass of brandy in response, with Semiramis at some point having managed to get out of the group that had been surrounding her and joined his side along with Kalawarna, who was trying to make herself look as small as possible. 

Close by, Sirzechs was accompanied by Grayfia, Serafall, and Ajuka. Archer was glad to see the diminutive Satan was wearing an actual dress rather than her bright pink magical girl outfit. As for Grayfia, the silver-haired maid was still wearing her typical uniform, headpiece and all while remaining completely stonefaced. 

Finally, Michael was also present, though Gabriel was no longer accompanying him; instead he was joined by Irina and Xenovia. Archer wondered if she'd returned to Heaven for good, or if Michael simply did not want to have her face shown to so many male strangers during the ball and she would make an appearance later on during the summit itself.

"By the wisdom and grace of my Master, Queen Valerie, the vampires of House Tepes, House Carmilla, House Vladi, House Karnstein, House Manthar, and House Vordenburg are at last unified under one cause. And I speak for all of us when I say we are honored to host this event while entrusted with the protection of the coming summit. Rest assured it is an obligation that our queen and all her subjects are devoted to upholding so that the peace summit proves fruitful for all. Should anyone attempt to disrupt it, know that they will be met with the full wrath of my Master and those loyal to her, and their blood will be used to pave the path to peace they sought to bring to ruin."

The temperature in the room seemed to noticeably dip as Lancer's narrowed eyes swept upon not the guests, but rather the vampires themselves. Those from the Tepes and Carmilla factions either averted their eyes or bowed their heads in submission. Evidently, any lingering ideas of opposing Vlad or his Master had been thoroughly crushed by his words alone. No doubt the speech had stirred up memories of whatever he'd already done to have them all bow before his dhampir Master. 

He may not sit the throne or wear the crown, but none in the room doubted that this man was a king worthy of the title. 

"But let not your minds linger on such matters, dear guests. Let us indulge ourselves in this moment of joy and harmony by enjoying this feast and the entertainment it offers." With a snap of his fingers, several platters were brought in by dozens of chefs with the fragrance rapidly filling the air. "Let us celebrate! Let us eat! Let us drink! Let us dance! Let us burn this night into our memories, for it will usher in a new beginning for the entire Moonlit World." He held out his glass. "To a new tomorrow!" 

At once, the crowd echoed his sentiment with cheers of their own. This was soon followed by music playing in the background by an orchestra.

Watching this from his corner, Archer had to admit that Lancer certainly knew how to direct the crowd and establish himself as a figure of authority. He made his intentions known and cast them in a benevolent light, but also made it clear that if anyone caused trouble, he would live up to his title as the Impaler. All while cementing Valerie's position and giving credit to her.. Calling her the Queen on top of that just cemented her importance. 

Despite Lancer not having any version of the Charisma skill, his presence alone spoke volumes.

"Impressive." Rider commented, to which he couldn't help but agree. "Think he's expecting trouble?" 

"I want to say no, but the world often seems to enjoy proving me wrong about such things. I think the leaders are all here in good faith, but their factions have hated each other for thousands of years, and I'd be surprised if Kokabiel was alone in his beliefs. Best to remain cautious, especially once we make it to the summit," he replied while looking at the Wallachian king, before feeling a tap on his shoulder and turning to see Rider looking at him intensely. He felt confused for a moment, but then realized that the group of men around Rider had not left and were just waiting for him to leave Rider. His eyes drifted over to the center of the room where a few dozen figures had gathered and were now dancing. 

He got the distinct impression that these men would fight each other for the chance to dance with Rider, were they not terrified of invoking Lancer's ire.. 

And given how she was swarmed early on, it would still be a troublesome thing for her. 

"I'm not exactly experienced with this kind of scene…" he said with uncertainty in his tone, to which she smiled. 

"But you are a fast learner." 

Honestly, he would have preferred to just stay in the background and try out the local cuisine while doing his best to avoid attention. Then again, he doubted Rias and Akeno would have let him remain secluded like that. And as much as he liked to tease Rider, he didn't want her to be uncomfortable all evening, surrounded by throngs of men she didn't care for. 

Taking a breath, Archer extended his hand towards Rider. "Would a lady allow me the kindness of leading her for this next song?"

Rider gave him a truly breathtaking smile, and accepted his hand.

----------------

The next 5 chapters of Snafu, and my other Fate fics (Fate Coiling Sword with 3 chapters, A Fake Familiar Reborn with 3 chapters, Steel Eyed Faker soon to be 3 chapters, Hound having 3 and To love a sword having 4 chapters) are already available on my P@treon. With 4 more Broly chapters at /NimtheWriter. Also, I post commissioned arts on each story, already posted a few on an Archer's Promise, Broly and Snafu.