[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uxapvvx.png[/img] [h1]Ryuudou Temple[/h1][/center] [hr] Uva and 'Lancer' had chosen to stand at the gate as sentries. That gate was the integral, singular point of entry possible. And below the soil, wriggling through the earth, Matou Youzai's familiars spread. Being atop one of the key leylines, the energy available to propagate was enormous. One of the worms bit into into the roots of a tree nearby to Uva and Lancer. Transmitting vibration through the rustling branches and leaves, it acted akin to a two-way speaker, though for the moment Youzai did not disturb the Einzbern Master and Servant. More worms spread in the dirt, to act as Youzai's eyes across the mountain. This was simple: multiply into a network across the mountain. Each worm would then act as a thread in a greater web of observation. As the war went on, he would be casting a larger and larger net across Fuyuki. The man himself had already entered the temple proper, climbing its many steps with Caster in spiritual form. His familiars were doing the bulk of the work he had intended, but that wasn't to say he was only focused on that. Several of his worms had remained at the Matou residence proper, to stay in communication with the other members of the family. He'd also brought supplies, including physical necessities, having full intent to stay at the temple as long as necessary to ensure it was fortified sufficiently. Caster would weave together the existing field of the temple with the leyline, Uva's field, and his familiars, but all the same Youzai was bracing for complaint from his Servant. Nothing seemed to satisfy Caster, but that was fine, since Youzai was similarly restless. Assuming that they had acceptable compatibility was, however, not a mistake he would permit of himself. Something as downright alien as Caster would never be understood by a human, and likewise, humans were of a different world than Caster. All the same, one emotion between them was indisputably a common ground: Rage. Deep, bitter, hateful rage, wishing the most terrible maledictions upon their enemies for daring to defile their respective works. Youzai's was of a cold, patient hatred that would ruthlessly and efficiently act while biding time until the proper moment arrived. Caster's, by contrast, was a constant fire, burning hot, filling his body with energy and motivation that his will tempered sharp as any of his blades. While they could respect the other's anger, that did not necessarily mean... [hr] One look at the temple had been enough to set Caster off on a rant even while working, beating his hammer against various boulders in aggravation. Starting from the summit and spiraling his way down the mountain, he secured and claimed the leyline by directly hewing the mountain itself to guide it where he wished. [color=orange]"Contractor! Enunciate in regard of that dwelling. The sanctification perimeter is passable, but that revolting heap of timberscraps! Why?!"[/color] Multiple golden chains gesticulated in agitation as Caster seethed wildly enough to send spittle flying ahead of him. Youzai could only compare it to some kind of enraged squid, but replied mentally, reminding Caster to communicate via their telepathic bond when able. And it made understanding the Caster's bizarre speaking habits a little easier. [i][color=2c4ecb]Do you want me to explain the entire thing? I assume not. Specify.[/color] [color=orange]START WITH THOSE FLIMSY INGRESS-FLATS A SQUEAKY LITTLE MAID COULD BLOW OUT WITH A SNEEZE![/color] [color=2c4ecb]It, and many other buildings of traditional architecture, are built with this country's earthquakes in mind. [/color] [color=orange]BUNCH OF PISSY LITTLE DEFEATISTS THEN, AREN'T THEY? AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GUARD A LOT WHO CAN'T EVEN BOTHER WITH A TRIFLE OF TECTONIC BELLYACHE? JUST BUILD THINGS TO LAST THEN![/color] [color=2c4ecb]The country's metal resources are-[/color] [color=orange]THE MOST PATHETIC PILE OF WORTHLESS TRASH I'VE SEEN SINCE YOUR BASEMENT.[/color] [color=2c4ecb]Will you shut up and focus!?[/color] [color=orange]GOOD, YOU HAVE A SPINE, I WAS WORRIED I'D HAVE TO WASTE TIME MAKING YOU ONE.[/color][/i] Speaking of which, Youzai modulated his worms in his nervous system to forcibly subdue his mounting annoyance at Caster's vulgar whining into his head. As a result of renewed clarity, he noticed that actual progress was quite smooth. The only reason Caster had been chatty at all, it seemed, was because he didn't need to focus particularly hard. [i][color=2c4ecb]Furnace, anvil, bellows... The first priority is Lancer's spear, then you said- [/color] [color=orange]That glassy doll gives me the willies, but yes, her servant needs something better than a broomstick.[/color] [color=2c4ecb]The Einzbern homunculus disturbs you?[/color] [color=orange]Even something like a golem has its creator's spirit and ideals etched into it. That doll is grotesquely pure. No thoughts or dreams went into something that perfect. Even a divine automaton has more than just a purpose. The aesthetics and preferences of their progenitors show through. Hair, eyes, skin color. Posture, proportions and ratios, the pitch of voice, all of that is carefully chosen in exacting, equal-to-loving detail. None of that for the doll. Only circumstances.[/color][/i] The wild fluctuations in Caster's demeanor were still jarring. The Servant was so violently temperamental that it was like speaking to a different person for every mood. Still, efficiency was efficiency, in the end, Caster's vitriolic ranting was entirely tolerable given how the fortification and establishment of the workshop was coming. As they progressed down the mountain, it was being fortified with every strike from Caster's hammer. The soil was compacted and piled into earthen walls, exposing the rock underneath. Trees were still-living, but the earth they were rooted in could be shifted, tilting and tightening them together to form palisade segments while presenting a canopy that looked only slightly disturbed. A trench was carved as they went, the stone and boulders of the mountain shaped into convex obelisks, pointing outwards as their smooth faces began to reflect available light. Within, tiny tunnels for Youzai's worms to navigate and fill opened. Within the trench, intricate carvings so fine they could be mistaken for lace covered every surface. Youzai glanced down at them, the lens of his cornea flexing slightly to adjust his visual range and zoom in. A very slight grin lit his features when he realized just what letters he was seeing. And as they progressed, more and more of the mountain, and its leylines, were bent to Caster's direction. Soon, it would be sufficient to establish the forge at its peak, and then armament could begin.