Fate: Livestream in Chaldeas

Chapter 187 — Crisis in the Fog

[Yo, is this really Andersen? Why does he look like a kid?]

[Hahaha, probably malnourished from rushing deadlines too much.]

[Now that Andersen's here, are you planning to pull in Dumas too?]

[Why not call Shakespeare to join the party while you're at it?]

[LOL, trying to form the ultimate deadline-chasing alliance? Livestream poetry writing?!]

[Why does Andersen's voice sound so familiar to me?]

[Me too! It's strangely familiar… and haunting...]

...

In the grand hall, Andersen was sitting in a chair, laughing so hard he clutched his belly.

"The ugly duckling could soar into the sky because it was always a white swan, the emperor's new clothes were actually a test for his subjects, the little mermaid actually found her self-worth through her dance… hahaha!!!"

"Senpai! That way of speaking is too weird! You've completely ruined the original beauty of those fairy tales!!!"

Mash kept protesting, her expression clearly rejecting everything she heard.

"Those fairy tales were obviously beautiful and filled with meaningful morals!!!"

"That's exactly why I wanted to hear what the original author thinks."

Inside the livestream room, viewers were spouting all kinds of comments targeting Andersen, some of which were too over-the-top and were directly ignored by Ethan.

"Don't worry about it, that's how fairy tales are."

Andersen, on the other hand, accepted it all nonchalantly.

"Each era has its own interpretation of fairy tales. I didn't expect the meaning to shift like this in your era. I may hate humans, but I truly enjoy human thinking—like stumbling upon a gem in a sandpit of pebbles."

After saying that, Andersen looked directly at Ethan.

"So, the interview is about to wrap up, isn't it? I don't mind, but tomorrow you all have to head to 'New London' to pass a test before you can execute your plan, right?"

With that, Andersen jumped down from the chair.

"The bedroom's been taken over by books. Just go ahead and use the living room as you wish."

Leaving those words behind, he tucked an old book under his arm and walked off.

"Phew… Senpai, let me tidy this place up a bit first."

Seeing Mash already starting to clean up the grand hall, Ethan opened the communication device and stood by the window.

Outside the window, everything was still shrouded in fog; he could only see his own face reflected in the glass.

"Doctor Romani, have you located Draco and Noah yet?"

"We've retrieved the records. They did indeed appear in this era. Moreover, Noah's rayshift occurred at the exact same time as yours."

Doctor Romani spoke while frowning at the data.

"Draco came chasing after you, so at one point her magical energy signal was briefly detected above your location."

"She was with us? Then why did she suddenly disappear?"

Ethan lightly tapped his finger against the fragile glass pane of the window.

"We're still analyzing that part, but what we can confirm is—they are currently in the area beneath the Clock Tower. That area is now protected by an extremely powerful barrier, making outside observation impossible."

"So no matter what, we'll have to go in."

"Sorry, I haven't been able to offer anything helpful."

Doctor Romani spoke with an apologetic tone.

"No, this isn't something you should be blamed for."

After all, it was like this back in the Third Singularity too. They were already used to it.

"System, check points!!!"

Ethan shouted internally.

[Host's current livestream points: 430,000 points (including 100,000 points converted from gifts).]

[Approximately 430 rolls can be performed.]

[Still 200 rolls away from a guaranteed Heroic Spirit.]

No point hesitating—let's summon a Heroic Spirit first.

[Beep beep... Nearby leyline has been depleted, unable to proceed with Heroic Spirit summoning. Host must travel to the nearest leyline point to perform the summoning.]

What? The leyline's already depleted???

If the Industrial Revolution drained even the leylines, then I'm out of words.

"Where's the nearest leyline point?"

[Beep beep... Querying... Query successful!][The nearest leyline point is currently located near Big Ben. Host, please proceed there yourself.]

"All right, I got it."

Well, it was within expectations anyway.

I'll just sneak in tomorrow and figure out the summoning after that.

...

Roughly three kilometers away from the old building, thick fog blanketed the entire street.

Amidst the heavy mist, a crack suddenly appeared.

The crack resembled a TV screen losing signal—and from within it, a few black hunting dogs leapt out.

They continuously sniffed the ground with their noses, as though searching for something.

"Zzzz..."

Suddenly, a blue electric current shot through the darkness, dispersing the black fog, and from it stepped out Frankenstein in a white wedding dress, clutching a war mace in her hand.

"Grrrrrrrrr——————!!!"

One black hunting dog immediately sensed danger and lunged straight at Frankenstein!

"Pang————!!!"

The war mace she was swinging landed directly on the dog's body, launching it through the air.

"Grrrrrr————————!!!"

The remaining black hounds swiftly moved, their bodies vanishing into the dense fog.

Just a moment later, four black hounds attacked Frankenstein simultaneously from four different directions!!!

Frankenstein quickly used the handle of her mace to knock one aside, then swung it down hard on another that had charged in close.

The remaining two leapt high into the air, jaws open, revealing razor-sharp teeth as they lunged at Frankenstein!

"Uaaaahhhh————!!!"

Frankenstein slammed her war mace straight into the ground, and immediately, green electric currents surged from the weapon like a flood!!!

The two airborne hounds were instantly engulfed in electricity, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Haa... haa..."

Frankenstein panted heavily, gripping her mace, as the four black hound corpses beside her suddenly began to disintegrate like corrupted data—then vanished.

"One... two... three... four..."

Frankenstein carefully counted each one, muttering while ticking them off on her fingers.

The residual electricity in the air was gradually absorbed by the tip of her mace.

Once it finished absorbing, she turned again to look toward the only building in the distance still lit amidst the darkness.

After a long pause, she raised her war mace once more—then vanished into the mist.

...

"Senpai, Senpai, wake up."

Ethan could feel Mash calling out next to his ear.

"Wha… what is it now?"

He tried to open his eyes and realized the room was still dim.

It's not morning yet?

Could it be an enemy attack?!

With that thought, Ethan instantly tensed up, alert.

He jumped up from the sofa, asking Mash anxiously:

"Where's the enemy?!"

"Umm…"

"Sorry, there's no enemy."

Andersen, with his blue hair, stepped out from the shadows.

"It's already past five in the morning. I told her to wake you. You two need to depart."

After confirming there was no enemy, Ethan turned to look at Mash standing nearby.

Mash nodded, confirming that there truly was no enemy.

"Haa~~~ What the hell, it's not even dawn yet…"

Ethan yawned as he flopped back down onto the sofa.

"Let's wait for the sun to rise, let the fog clear a bit, then go."

"Unfortunately, sunlight can't pierce through the thick fog of 'Old London'. No matter what time you set off, it'll be the same."

Andersen immediately crushed Ethan's plan.

"Right… you're not coming with us?"

"Me? Are you seriously planning to bring a Servant with zero combat ability along with you?"

Andersen shot the idea down without hesitation.

"So you're just gonna stay here?"

"Isn't that obvious?!!!"

As Ethan asked, a strange aura suddenly flared up around Andersen.

"A writer must never be parted from his books! This place is my base! I believe only by staying here can I create works of even greater meaning!"

Seeing Andersen's proud expression, Ethan couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.

As expected, a writer's spirit really is something else.

But Andersen was right—he had no combat capabilities, and if they forced him into battle, who knew what he'd scribble into that little notebook of his?

"All right, in that case, I won't insist."

"Umu, wise of you to know your place."

Andersen looked a little surprised that Ethan didn't argue further.

"But at the very least, could you give us some directions?"

Ethan pointed at the chaotic pile of books on the desk.

"Or… maybe lend us a London travel guide?"

"Travel guide? You came to London for sightseeing?"

"If possible, I really do want to tour London in the year 1888 a bit."

Ethan replied with a serious face.

Who knows—maybe he could run into Arthur Conan Doyle, ask for a trinket, and bring it back as a Holy Relic for Sherlock Holmes.

"Heh… Must be tough following a Master like this, huh?"

Andersen turned to Mash as he said this.

"Not at all! Senpai is extremely capable! Just now… he was only joking, right?"

Mash looked toward Ethan, her voice tinged with doubt.

In any case, with Chaldea's location support, there was no need for those outdated paper maps to find their way.

"But don't worry, your 'tour guide' is already waiting outside."

"Waiting outside?!"

Ethan and Mash glanced at each other, puzzled, and followed Andersen down the hallway to the front door.

As soon as they opened it, they saw a figure standing beneath an old streetlamp.

The person was wearing a pure white wedding dress and holding a war mace, as if waiting for something.

"Frankenstein——————?!"

Ethan immediately called out.

"Uh…"

Hearing Ethan's voice, Frankenstein slowly turned her head.

When she saw Ethan and Mash, she promptly raised a hand in greeting.

"Frankenstein-san, thank you so much for yesterday!"

Mash immediately stepped forward, bowing her head in gratitude.

"Thank you for saving us from that mechanical monster!"

"Uh… aa…"

Frankenstein kept waving her hand, seemingly embarrassed by Mash's thanks.

"So this 'tour guide' little Andersen mentioned… it's her?"

"Hmph, I'm only using this form to manifest in the physical world, and you dare call me a little!"

Andersen leaned against the doorframe, voice dripping with displeasure.

"This fog isn't just poisonous—it seems to spawn all sorts of strange magical beasts. Without Frankenstein to guide you, you'd probably wear yourselves out just fighting off those monsters."

Got it. So this is the game's fog of war mechanic.

Also known as trap-walking mode.

"She often leads those who get lost in the fog back out again, so she's basically a professional guide by now. Naturally, she knows the way to 'New London' like the back of her hand. So, shouldn't you all be heading out already?"

"Then we'll be in your care, Frankenstein-san!"

After Mash said that, Frankenstein turned to look at Ethan, then gave a firm nod.

"Zzzzzzzzz…"

The war mace in Frankenstein's hand began emitting green lightning again, instantly parting the fog ahead and revealing a meter of clear visibility.

"Uh…"

Frankenstein seemed to remember something and turned back to look at Andersen, who was still standing at the threshold.

"No need to worry about me."

Andersen's face was calm and composed.

"I'll stay put inside the house. Even though I lack combat ability, I am still a Caster. This place is my Workshop."

Hearing that, Frankenstein turned and continued walking forward.

"Well then, we'll be going ahead."

Ethan waved goodbye to Andersen.

"Go on, go on. Don't think for a second I'll invite you back. For a writer, entertaining guests is a complete waste of time. You have your own business to take care of, right? Then just think of this place as a meaningless intermission on your journey."

Andersen's expression was full of irritation, as though Ethan and Mash had seriously disturbed his peaceful life.

…A truly Andersen-style send-off.

But he was right. Ethan's current goal was still to make his way beneath Big Ben, and find Draco and Noah.

Mash gave Andersen a respectful bow, then followed Ethan out.

The three figures gradually disappeared into the thick fog.

"Now that I've seen them off, I suppose it's time for that matter next?"

The corners of Andersen's mouth curled into a faint smile, as if reciting lines from a play.

"The pale light of dawn has risen—so now, who shall I turn to?"

"Grrrr..."

Not far away, a low growl echoed, growing steadily louder in the mist.

Vague shadows of black hounds began to take shape, sniffing the air, slowly approaching.

"Looks like my time's about up, too."

Andersen turned his head to glance back inside the house—at that moment, a spatial rift opened in the middle of the hallway.

As the rift appeared, everything around it began to slowly collapse.

"Seems that 'that woman' isn't as omnipotent as she claimed. If even a fragile Saint Graph like mine can slip past her detection systems, then there must be other ways…"

He looked down at his own body—it, too, had started to disintegrate like the house around him, being drawn into the rift.

Yet on Andersen's face was a look of serene relief.

Even as his entire body was swallowed up, his gaze never left the direction of the fog where Ethan and Mash had departed.

"Be it love or obsession, these are human flaws—and yet, they're also humanity's most special abilities. If we add to that the unpredictable element called 'dreams'... then when this young man's story intersects with the one already written… what kind of ending will it bring?"