[center] [img] https://i.imgur.com/K9dXELV.png [/img] [/center] 

[h3][center] Construction Project: ‘Tarantasio’ “Temporary room”, Foreigner’s Lowlands [/center][/h3]

[@Paradox Witch] [@Breo]

“Of course I didn’t just plan on letting anyone who comes here not fall. Whether they be Master or Servant, I am sure they are nothing to our power. I’ll leave the heavy lifting to you though.” 

It was likely not too much of a boast by either party. Achilles was the greatest hero of the Trojan wars, and Benita was designed to claim victory in a Holy Grail War. 

“Good plan, Lancer. I shall inform you when I need you once more,“ Benita said, honestly believing for that moment that her Servant did not have an ulterior motive of simply goofing off. Perhaps it didn’t truly matter. The project would continue onward regardless of her Servant, and it was not as if she was worried for the moment of any actions against her. Even if her opponents managed to beat past her defenses, her’s were not the only thing someone should worry about …

“I expect an account of your findings after you return.”

It was very unlikely that Achilles would have any sort of detailed report he would share with his Master, but even something as simple as “I saw a Servant here” was still information she could use to better plan in the upcoming Grail War. 

For whatever reason, this calm felt like the beginning before a giant storm. There had been no casualties Benita had found in this war. Perhaps they were merely playing some sort of game, as her own Servant was, but considering the record of engrained upon herself, aside from the civilian population, this war seemed to divulge from previous bloody conflicts. If it were her own assertion, it would be that the total number of participants might have caused pacivity in the general magi within this war. After all, the daughter of her own master had formed an alliance with several others prior to the loss of contact with her. Therefore, one could assert solely based on this there were other factions vying for supremacy in this war. 

Maybe Benita should have sent a familiar to check for Reiki’s whereabouts? 

If she was truly the offspring of her Master, she was likely fine. Though the house was flattened, Benita had to weigh the consequences of her actions to the  potential damage of such a catastrophe that could have wiped an entire city and its population from the face of the earth, maybe even spreading beyond that, all because a bunch of people couldn’t figure out how to work a fire extinguisher. In her drunken state, her intentions might have been diluted, but she was still someone who was born to “save the world”, and as such pragmatic, instantaneous choices must always be enacted before something becomes worse. She was not a “savior” in this case, but losing a leg is always better than allowing the leg to infect the body. 

It was not a choice she would have gladly made if she was not under the influence of drunkenness, but it would have been one she made nonetheless.  

That was when Benita heard the knock at the door. And with that knock came a presence, both pleasant and placid in demeanor, seemed to convey a sort of familial bond of sorts; as if he believed Benita to be some sort of equal in his eyes. 

And perhaps it was impotent of his actions to equate himself to Benita in this regard. If Benita was the foreman, this “man” was the coordinator. He was the arms and legs to ensure that the project was going to plan and that Benita was not in the way of the construction project, as she had previously. A hefty job for such a soothing “individual”. 

“I currently have the time to look over those plans, though I will presume your input would be notable in forwarding the project to its natural conclusion. For that, you have my gratitude; for both you and your master.”

If anything, even if at times she would solely act upon impulsive behavior, Benita was not the sort to disregard the assistance of another. 

If it came down to it, and “that man” and she had their differences, Benita would take it upon herself to deal with him to the best of her ability, but so long as they were partners if only for the venture of this project, she would honor her dealings. As she hoped a merchant would honor his own. 

“As for that which both your master and I had discussed prior, you may call upon him now if you wish. I am willing to make this transaction any time he is availabl-” 

That was when there was a huge explosion outside.

“Can’t I get a moment’s break?” Benita aloud, though it was clear it was not directed at Strauss’ management consultant. After all, this city was destroyed once over. It was likely that it would continue to be destroyed if the first two days were any indication of the level of destruction a Greater Holy Grail War, unsupervised by either the Mages’ Association nor the Holy Church, could reach in a short period of time. It appeared that within viewing distance, a Noble Phantasm had been activated. 

… Well, viewing distance might as well be considered the entire flatlands, as, besides her construction project, there were no buildings left in the area. At least she could gain some information using clairvoyance. 

Of course, with this level of destruction, perhaps they would eventually show up to supervise this war. 

Until then, the participants were dogs without horses.