I still remember when I was a little girl when Dad used to train me Magecraft and teach me how the Holy Grail could let you wish whatever you want. But also, a wish could fall into the wrong hands of the magi who managed to win the Holy Grail War.
At the time, I didn't understand why. How could the Holy Grail fall into the wrong hands, and why would that magi do something evil? But as I grew older and learned more about just how powerful Magecraft is, I began to understand my father's words. There are all kinds of people in the world, but something grand and powerful is offered to a human, that human can use it as they see fit – for good or evil. The problem is that there's no way to know the mindset of each magi and what they will do.
Dad also told me that although Portugal is a "peaceful" and forgotten country, it actually hides several mysteries dating back to the Age of Discoveries and ever beyond, since Viriato's days. Apparently, Portugal has a reputation of the Land of the Navigating Magis. As far as I know and I heard, during the Age of Discovery, families of mages (the Nautical Houses) ventured out to sea to find maritime Laylines, mythical creatures, and lost Reliquaries. Almost all great journeys are said to have hidden magical motives. And from what my dad told me, Portugal has a leyline called - Atlantic Leyline Rift. Which is believed that Portuguese cost have one of the strongest oceanic rift zones in the world. And aparently, but still without any explanation, Guimarães has a high magical density.
I also heard that Portugal is a factory that produces the most Rider and Caster class Servants. There are some exceptions, yes, but I've been obsessed with Riders since I was little because was told me Rider class is cool! Dad always told me to practice magecraft, for so who knows, maybe I could summon some of the greatest Portuguese navigators of all time:
- Vasco da Gama: The greatest of all time
- Fernão de Magalhães/Ferdinand Magellan: The man who sailed around the globle
- Afonso de Albuquerque: The portuguese Julius Caesar of the Pacific.
Or even the one who initiated the Maritime Expansion - Infante D. Henrique.
Even others like Gil Eanes and Bartolomeu Dias who had the courage to overcome the "End of the World".
But now, after years, finally I can put my skills to the test.
(Jump to the present)
Diana
— "Right, Gabriela and the others must have already left. I think it's a good time for us to leave too."
I said confidently, even knowing that the risk is great.
Rider (raising an eyebrown)
— "Did you hit your head or what? It's a bit suicidal to do that. For me, it's fine, an adventure is an adventure. But you? As Master, you shouldn't go out on the street. Spatially, in a fog filled with big magical density."
Diana (with a silly smile)
— "Don't be rude, Rider. I know what I'm doing. Besides, a Servant's role is to protect the Master, right."
Rider gets up from the sofa she was on and approaches me. My body tenses up a little, and I have no idea what she's going to do.
She stands in front of me and I feel her hand on my ear and then... a firm squeeze.
Rider (pinching Diana's ear)
— "For someone who seems like a silly girl, you're smartass too, huh."
Diana
— "Ow-! OW OW STOP IT- I WAS JOKING- STOP!"
Rogue Rider (serious)
— "Master has a point."
Rider
— "You too?!"
Rogue Rider
— "But you have a point too. Letting Master go out with this chaos is not safe. Even though our role is to protect, we cannot control the outside world."
The Rider, dressed in sailor, crosses her arms with a small, victorious smile, knowing she's right. It's dangerous for me to go out at night in this fog.
But I also can't just stand by and stay home like a coward while my Servants go out into the street without me having "control" over them.
Diana
— "Hmph. But I want to go. Imagine you get hit and there's no one to heal you."
Rider
— "We can heal ourselfs-"
Diana
— "Well, I don't care. I'll go with you and period."
Rider
— "Uughhhh so stubborn you are. Let's go anyway."
Diana
— "Hehehehe~"
A small giggle echoes the room. The other Rider did not counter-argue me so I guess he agrees with me.
We left the house. A light breeze hit my skin, making me shiver all over, but it's just a light breeze.
Diana
— "It's so cold. I should have brought a coat. Brrrr~"
Rider
— "Take mine."
Diana
— "Oh! Thanks, Rider."
Rider
— "..." (slighty blushes)"Tch."
I gently grab her coat and I dress it around me. For some reason it's really warm. It also has her natural scent... which is a good thing I didn't say out loud.
Diana
— "Bwaa~ So warm. I feel like a university student. Now... Are we going on foot or..."
Rogue Rider
— "...On horse."
Diana & Rider
— "...Horse...?"
Rider brings his fingers to his mouth and lets out a loud whistle, loud enough to make anyone wonder who would be whistling at this hour of the night.
Then a galloping sound begins to echo through the fog. Sailor Rider and I look in the direction of the sound. A figure, let's say a large one, begins to walk. No, galloping, that's the term, towards us.
It really was a horse, but... a ghost horse, or more specifically, an equine horse. It was the first time I had seen it and it's a beautiful one.
Diana
— "...WoW... Is that also your Noble Phantasm too?"
Rogue Rider
— "No, but it's part of who I am."
Rider
— "It's part of who you are?...So profound. Do you think your horse can handle two beautiful maidens like us~?"
Rogue Rider
— "..." (totally ignoring Sailor Rider comment and to get on the horse)
Rider
— "Ah-!" (Successfully ignored)
Diana
— "You'll get it next time, don't worry." (giving pats behind Rider's back)
Rider and I got on the horse too. Despite the horse's strange appearance, its skin felt like that of a normal horse. In a light movement, Rogue Rider commands the horse to start walking and in an instant, we begin riding in the middle of the foggy night.