‘*Sigh* I guess I should have expected this.’

After Caster had accompanied me back to the Einzbern castle, with it now being approximately a few days just before ‘canon’ starts, we had encountered another Master that was foolish enough to attack us openly, especially since his Servant was an Assassin.

Seriously, everyone knows your not supposed to face off against a Berserker directly unless you have a plan beforehand to deal with him, or me in this case.

But this… this… imbecile had the gal to walk right up to the front gates. Not only that but he was mouthing off about how we should ‘surrender now or face the consequences’.

I knew my presence must’ve changed the original timeline, but this was the last thing I had expected to happen. I was preparing for a more cunning Master to deal with as they would try to stick to the shadows. Instead I was left to face the idiot flesh-bag standing before me. Although it is surprising that someone like him had the ability to track us down… on second thought, Assassin probably scouted out the area and reported back to him about us.

He seemed to be a pompous ass who had everything in life handed to him on a silver platter, considering his attire which consisted of some clothing fit for a noble or prince as he constantly held a smug look that showed how he thought the world to be at his bidding.

In short, a typical noble and probably some distant relative to Shinji Matou, who I plan on killing at a later date.

‘Even his Servant looks embarrassed about her Masters foolishness... Ah, is he still rambling?’ I pitied the poor girl, right before gaining a look of annoyance under my mask.

Having enough of this farce I glared down at the boy and demanded, “Keep your mouth shut.” While pouring out my unfiltered bloodlust which I had kept hidden over the past the two months I had spent with Illya.

Falling backwards onto the ground he started sweating bullets as if he ran a marathon, whereas Assassin pulled out her main weapon in a defensive stance ready to engage if need be. Not that she’d have anything to worry about… for now.

I could possibly let the boy go and keep Emiya and Tohsaka occupied for a few days until the original Berserker supposedly shows up, not only that but I’d have to get his Servant to kill Rider to keep the story as close to canon as possible after my interference. Not that I regret it or anything.

“Assassin, take your Master and leave this place. You are not welcome here.” I voiced out to the cautious Servant.

“Oh? A Berserker that chooses diplomacy over combat? And why would you let my foolish Master and I leave after provoking you?” She questioned with a hint of amusement at my course of action.

“My Master is merciful enough to let you live under certain conditions. We want your cooperation as we come to… an agreement.” I replied, as Illya took the hint and added in a comment of her own.

“That’s right, you didn’t think we’d let you go without anything in return did you?” She said with a hint of disappointment towards Assassin for not understanding something so ‘obvious’.

Narrowing her eyes at Illya she thought for a moment before speaking again, “What would you propose?”

Picking up where Illya left off I ordered, “You are to engage Rider in combat within the coming week and kill her.”

Widening her eyes in surprise she quickly regained her composure as I continued, “Rider’s Master is planning to place a type of barrier at Homurahara High School that would prevent anyone from entering or leaving. We will, of course, get you inside so you can ‘clean up’.”

Gaining back some bravado, her Master asked, “And what makes you think you’re able to order us around? Maybe I should kill you and take your little girl back to my family, she may be a bit young but I’m sure she’ll grow up into something worthwhile.” Ending his sentence off with a smirk.

In my anger, caused by his own stupidity and insolence, I swiftly pulled out my shotgun from the dark clouds that appeared near my hand and blew his head off.

*BANG*

With his body dropping lifelessly onto the ground I threw my gun away as it faded back into wisps of darkness. Assassin, clearly taken by surprise at my sudden action wasn’t fast enough in time to react as Caster held Rule Breaker up to her neck from behind as she came out from her illusion.

“Was that really necessary Berserker? I know he was a nuisance but that seems overkill.” Illya with some cheeriness from being freed of the morons’ voice.

“Yes, yes it was. Besides, he wouldn’t be able to handle such a simple task in the first place, and he was getting on my nerves.” He really was.

The main reason I killed him was because of his revolting nature that I saw from his memories as I took the opportunity to test out my Sharingan on hostile targets. ‘Not that I was actually going to let him live, I just killed him earlier than planned is all.’

My genjutsu proved to be very effective as I questioned their motives and plan of action before coming here. All I can say is that it was downright pitiful. The boy actually thought that he could take me on head first without any information or preparation.

I was a bit surprised that my genjutsu worked on Assassin but in the end, it wasn’t very effective as she almost broke out of my control multiple times.

While I was at it I took a quick look at his memories and sure enough, the guy was a scumbag. His family ran a human trafficking business that was kept as a secret from the magus community particularly well, and the way he treated his ‘products’ was disgusting, especially to the female portion of them.

Looking towards Caster I told her, “Change of plans, use Rule Breaker on Assassin and I’ll take the command seals.”

Without a single hesitation in Caster, she plunged Rule Breaker into Assassin’s chest and handed over her command seals to me. Once the process was done, Assassin just stood completely still in shock at the extreme turn of events.

Being forced by her Master to confront and enemy Servant head on in unfamiliar territory with the goal to defeat their enemies, only to be reassigned to serve under the people they provoked in the first place.

Looking at me questioningly I answered her before she could speak, “I took pity on you for having such a revolting Master, plus I could still use your assistance.”

Nodding slowly, she replied, “Though I’m still surprised at the outcome I can’t say that I’m against it. I shall follow you wherever you go Master, but if I may, I would like to ask for your assistance in granting me my wish.” Bowing down on her knees respectfully, I could feel the sincerity emanating from her soul.

Not surprising that she isn’t hung up on her Master’s death since he almost attempted to have sex with her via the command seals at one point.

“What is it you wish for?” I questioned, though I could guess the reason, I wanted to hear it for myself.

“I wish for you to kill me.” She replied in a calm manner. Although her response seems to have caught both Illya and Caster off-guard.

Looking at Assassin I couldn’t help but ask, “And why is that?”

Upholding her calm demeanour she answered, “I seek for death so that I may finally move on. I have spent countless years as an immortal, fighting to no end with no purpose as time in the mortal world continued on flowing. I want death as a person. To finally give my life meaning.”

Taking her words in I stood in silence before replying, “Do you seek death because you have no purpose or do you seek death because you are tired?”

“Both.” She stated.

“Then I refuse.” I said firmly.

Not expecting me to refuse she opens her mouth to speak before I cut her off, “You have yet to truly experience what life may provide for you, yet you wish to end it before giving yourself the opportunity to do so. Listen well, and listen closely, was your time spent as an immortal different from how you lived?”

Widening her eyes at my words she begins to realise the message I’m getting across, “If you wish for death after spending your time as an immortal no different from how you lived, then does that not mean your life was not worth living in the first place? Ending it now would only solidify the fact that your life meant nothing to you, even after death has been granted.”

After all, her life was spent ruling over a kingdom instead of fulfilling her own wishes for happiness, she believed that it was her responsibility "to rule for the sake of the masses" since she wasn’t mediocre or talentless like the rest of the populace.

She lived a life full of fighting and war, so how was that any different from her time as an immortal, fighting against both gods and undead. It wasn’t, it was one and the same as her life on earth, only on a much larger scale and for an extended duration.

“B-b-but i-if what you say is true then does that mean my death won’t mean anything?” She asked fearfully.

“It won’t.” I said coldly. Death, to her, most likely signifies the end of one’s life after living a life that one could be proud of, but she was rejected death and was forced to fight in the Land of Shadows for two thousand years and loathed every bit of it. Added on to this, she was unable to die and thus, she deemed her own life as meaningless as she believes that life is not life without death at its end.

In my opinion, living only has worth if you are able to enjoy life and live it how you wish to do so. As contradictory as it sounded coming from me, I had at least experienced what living by my own rules was like as a child and towards the end stages of my life. She however, lived for the sake of others. Not that its wrong or anything, but she didn’t do it because she wanted to, when given the choice she didn’t choose her own desires.

While I was going through my own personal philosophies of life, Assassin started to look down in despair while her thoughts overwhelmed her.

‘Is it true? Death won’t bring my life meaning? Why? No, I know why now. Have I ever lived for my own sake? Have I ever done anything for my own pleasure? Of my own will? What he says is true then… there is no difference between my life and my cursed immortality.’

Giving her some time to think I interrupted her thoughts after a while, “Even though your life wasn’t one of worth, in your opinion, there is still hope for you yet. To give your life meaning even without death.”

Seemingly desperate for a solution she looked up to me and asked, “How?”

“From here on out, experience life on your own accord.” It was a simple sentence, yet one that held a strong message. Instead of seeking death, seek life.

Such simple words. ‘I feel like I’ve had one too many therapy sessions. I think I’m done trying to be philosophical for a looong time.’ I grumbled.

It was… unexpected really. First it was Illya, then Caster and now Assassin, at this rate I might as well attempt to win the war diplomatically. Others would be forced to listen if 3 of the 7 Servants, not including Gilgamesh, were joined together as allies and it would be possible to convince Tohsaka and Emiya of the corrupt Grail. But where’s the fun in that?

Straightening out her posture, Assassin looked on with a renewed light in her eyes, “If that is the case, then I will give up on death until I have seen for myself what life still has to offer me.”

Grinning at her response I merely grunted in acceptance, “But… I’ll have you take responsibility for this. You were the one to open my eyes, I’ll have you witness the consequences for your actions.” She added, albeit in a slightly weaker tone with a small shade of pink across her cheeks.

“Do as you wish.” I replied, and for some damn reason I feel like ROB is laughing at me again. ‘I’m going to really enjoy it when I meet them in person.’ I thought as I missed the helpless looks on Illya and Caster’s faces when they saw Assassin’s reaction.

(AN: Not that he’d understand the reason for it in the first place)

Stepping forward as I leaned in closer to Assassin I welcomed the new addition to our team, “A pleasure to meet you, Scáthach.”