Fate/Apocrypha translation, chapter 2, pg. 122-129

"...what a despicable woman," Mordred whispered. Shishigou mentally agreed.

"Assassin, Shishigou-san is uncomfortable."

Laughing, Assassin left Shishigou's side.

"Now then, I'll give you our current status. The Yggdmillennia Clan has now gathered six servants: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Berserker, and Caster... and one more, Assassin, who has yet to join them."

"Do you know any of their true names?"

"Presently, I regret that we haven't discerned even one. Well, as we've yet to fight them directly, that's only natural. We've already confirmed what we can about the six servants' stats."

Shirou pulled a document from his breast pocket. Shishigou muttered a thanks, taking the papers and scanning them. It contained only the parameters of the six servants; the most vital intelligence, such as personal skills and Noble Phantasms, had yet to be recorded, but with this information, they could make judgements.

Naturally the three knight classes, Saber, Archer, and Lancer, could become formidable opponents. Their stats stood out as excellent. As expected, the Berserker class was applied to compensate for a weaker Servant. Nevertheless, their parameters placed them in the lower ranks, an opponent that wouldn't be a particular threat. As for Rider and Caster, more than their specs, their Noble Phantasms and magic would become a problem, so presently judgement was withheld.

"Shishigou-san, do you have any guesses as to our opponents' true names?"

"Not even one, but it looks like you have a prediction."

Giving a wry laugh, Shirou nodded. "Ah, well, considering we're in Romania, they would have no reason to not call upon one of this country's great heroes, correct?"

It was true. If the rules of Fuyuki's Grail War held true, here in Romania, there was no reason to not summon a hero well beloved in this country.

"Vlad III, Prince of Wallchia. If he is not one of ours, he's a Servant of the Yggdmillennia Clan."

The great hero Vlad Tepes bitterly fought the Turkish invasion with his use of guerrilla tactics. He became famous as the model for Count Dracula, but in Romania he's ultimately revered as a hero. The compensation his power receives from his fame would be of the highest level. Now the problem is what Servant class was he summoned as?

"Most likely Lancer. There are almost no stories of Vlad that deal with swords or bows. Berserker and Assassin are out of the question, and the likelihood of Vlad being Caster is close to zero. When it comes down to it, it's between Rider and Lancer, but Rider's stats are too low for Vlad's boost from fame. With that, Lancer, with his stupidly high stats, is most likely Vlad III."

Shirou nodded in agreement. "Lancer is Vlad III. That information has merit alone. It's much preferable to not knowing any of them."

"And how about our Servants?"

"They're not bad. Your Saber appears to be excellent, and both Rider and Lancer have strength that rivals Vlad III's."

"Eh?"

So the Mage's Association had uncovered powerful Servants of their own. Now that Shirou had given his opinion, the question is: Do these Servants hold great fame, or are they powerful outside of their renown?

<i>"It can't be... My father?"</i> Saber gasped in a small voice that others could not hear.

<i>"Calm down... It isn't. Probably."</i>

...Shishigou wanted to think as much. If that possibility came to pass, before the fight, their whole operation would disintegrate.

"With Shishigou-san's summoning of Saber, all seven Servants have assembled. Now then, will you tell me Saber's true name?"

Hearing Shirou's words, Assassin let a laugh slip out. As she did, Saber's animosity flared up. More than Shirou's request, Assassin's laughter was grating.

"Ah... do I have to?"

"...hm. I'd like to know your reason why. Right now, we're comrades. If we're to trust one another with our lives, it would be best to tell me your Servant's name."

"That's... well, trusting our lives, huh? ...and their true names."

A Servant's true name is precious information. One must not carelessly expose it. Once a servant's true name is discovered, it's inevitable that their Noble Phantasm and their weak points, as well as their strengths and triumphs will be revealed.

"Furthermore, if we're to form a united front, you'd have to tell me your Servant's Noble Phantasm. By doing that, there's a high chance I'd discover their true name, too. It's all the same."

Shirou's proposal was reasonable. Even so, from the beginning Shishigou couldn't help but feel that forming a united front with Shirou... and with Assassin would be something dreadful.

It was strange, but somewhere he felt a chill, the stench of a scheme that doesn't exist in the heat of the battlefield. Shishigou turned his back to them and, face to face with Saber, spoke to her telepathically. If it's between a Master and a Servant, without speaking, it's possible to understand one another to that degree.

"Master, what do you intend to do? I'm opposed."

"I agree. But your reasoning?"

"It's just a hunch."

"I can trust your hunch. So it's decided."

Shishigo rolled up the documents and, back still turned to them, walked down the aisle.

"Oh? And where are you going?"

"Ah, we're going to do things on our own. Luckily my Servant is Saber. We can fight independently, no problem."

Among the 7 Servant classes, Saber was the favored as the most valuable. With their high stats and high offensive capabilities, no matter what Servant a Saber faced, the likelihood of defeat was low.

"Hm... then you don't intend on joining our united front?"

"You've gathered six Servants, haven't you? And if Rider and Lancer are as formidable as you've said, you won't have any problems."

"You have a point. ...certainly it's as you say." Shirou frowned and scratched his head.

Assassin lifted her eyes, displeasure seeping into her expression. "Then you say our support is unnecessary? Together, we could gather all the necessary information on Trifas."

"You don't say? If it's information you need, you can buy it somewhere."

Assassin's expression grew harsher, and Shirou gently restrained her.

"We'll give information periodically. It's a shame, I had wanted to fight by your side," Shirou whispered regretfully.

Shishigou left the church with Saber in spirit form. Then, without looking back, he headed for the stairs and hurried down them.

"Saber, there's no one following us?"

"...no one. But Assassin could pursue in spirit form, so do not be careless. The moment she picks a fight, I'll cut her down."

"It's the middle of the day, so the chance is slim. ...I can't shake this weird feeling, so let's hurry and leave."

"Can I add something?"

"Go for it."

"Assassin of Red had the same scent as my mother. If we're backstabbed, that's fine, but if we continue on trusting them, I have a feeling we'll see death on the battlefield."

Mordred's mother... it goes without saying she was King Arthur's sister, Morgan le Fay. She was a woman who whispered to Mordred of usurping the crown and overthrowing King Arthur and a magician who stood shoulder to shoulder with Merlin.

"Having the same scent as Morgan" was an apt description of a schemer.

"...So it would be wise not to get close to Assassin."

Shishigou reached the bottom of the stairs and breathed a sigh of relief. Saber had confirmed it, but there were no signs of Servants in the area.

"Furthermore, Master."

"What is it?"

"...it's. I'm... a little relieved knowing my Master is no cunning flatterer. Just a little bit." Mordred frowned in hesitation while praising him.

"Well thanks. Let's head for Trifas - worst case, every other Servant turns against us. No problem, right?"

Mordred responded in a loud voice: "Leave it to me, Master, for my name is Mordred, the sole knight who surpassed my father!"

"I see," Shishigou thought to himself. When summoning a Servant, it seems that a hero resembling the summoner's own nature is chosen, but they were truly alike.

...in their overconfidence, especially.