"Gilles de Rais and Jeanne D'Arc, you say?" Asked Kayneth while three of them were making their way inside the sewer.
Sola-Ui was left outside to protect the entrance from regular people. After becoming allies Lelouch decided to share information immediately. There wasn't any need to hide something that could be crucial to defeating Caster and Saber. Right now both masters were chatting while their servants were walking in front of them.
It was the first time Lelouch could see Lancer up close. After some quick greetings, the male servant was silent. His Avenger was walking next to him, her katana in her hands just in case.
"Indeed. I was surprised to learn this too. It would explain why Caster is fixed on searching for Saber."
Kayneth narrowed his eyes. "I remember stories about how Gilles de Rais used magecraft in his late-life but usually, it was nothing but rumours to tarnish his name. To think that he would be summoned as Caster. Hmm, he isn't a heroic spirit from the Age of Gods so he shouldn't be too dangerous."
"Do not underestimate him. Such thinking will cost you your life. Ugly bastard isn't easy prey," commented Avenger. "If left unchecked he will become a serious threat. He is too dangerous to be kept alive."
Kayneth was annoyed but didn't say anything. Lelouch stayed silent observing it. 'He isn't used to being called out but can't do anything since she is my servant...or just too scared by her.'
Suddenly both Lancer and Avenger stopped. The black-haired servant raised his red spear and pointed forward. His master was puzzled.
"What is it, Lancer?"
"Enemy approaching us, my lord." Soon enough, a few familiar tentacle monsters were seen. Little beasts were running at them. "Seven."
Both Lelouch and Kayneth made few steps back while their servants rushed ahead. When one of the little creatures jumped at them, Lancer pierced it with his red spear. Not wasting a moment he pulled out his spear and moved to the next one. At the same time, Avenger cut two of them before raising her leg and crushing one before her with a heel. Lancer was using the bottom of his spear to threw back two familiars before stabbing them. The last one tried to bypass them and attack their masters. Both servants immediately moved after it. Both went for a quick strike. Avenger cut the creature in two while Lancer pierced upper half.
Behind them, both masters watched how their servants dealt with the threat. Lelouch eyes never left two warriors.
'Fascinating. I was lucky to have the explosion to take down one but servants don't have any problems.'
"These familiars..." started Kayneth as he moved to the corpse of a monster while his servant tried to warn him.
"My lord, be careful this creature might still be dangerous." worriedly spoke Lancer. His master just waved away.
"Nonsense! You two already killed it. Not to mention." as Kayneth spoke monster corpse before him dissolved."As I thought. These familiars were made poorly in a short time...but they are still impressive nonetheless."
"Care to explain?" Lelouch asked with a raised eyebrow. Archibald let out a tired sigh before speaking.
"Quick lesson, Lamperouge. Human flesh isn't the best foundation for familiar creation. Usually, you will try to use animals or basic materials like stone or wood. To create something like this, modern magi would need the body of an adult human or even two. However, Caster made them with nothing but children and in big numbers. It is impressive." Kayneth sounded genuinely curious while Lelouch and Lancer narrowed their eyes.
"This is atrocious," Lancer said as he clenched his spear."To use a human body like that."
"Quit your whining, Lancer. This magecraft we talking about. Who cares that some regular kids died." Behind Kayneth, Lelouch sent him a glare but stayed silent.' I hope we can get rid of our targets soon otherwise working with this man longer than needed will end badly...for him.' His servant silently stared at her master, observing his expression.
"Do you think there are more of these creatures?" Kayneth shook his head.
"Not likely. These familiars are dangerous for regular magi but not for servants. Creating them in huge numbers will be a waste. Instead, Caster most likely uses children as battery and transforms them when he needs it. A transformed child cannot supply him with prana anymore and he will need an army to take down servant with just these things." concluded Kayneth.
"During our fight Caster used them as a distraction or for self-defence. They shouldn't be a danger for an experienced warrior unless you cornered down."
Her master sighed."Anyway, we can not leave Caster or his master alone. The attention he attracts is enough of reason to terminate them."
"Indeed. It might become even worse if the magecraft world will interfere. Church executioners or Mage's Association enforcers won't stay at the side if it War becomes public knowledge. And if Sealing Designation will be issued..." hissed master of Lancer. Lelouch didn't know what exactly he meant but could guess that it was serious.
"You magi and your overcomplicated rules, eh." sighed Avenger."Right now we need to focus on Caster, your worries come after that."
Kayneth wanted to remind servant her place but after remembering last night he stopped himself."..Of course. If we take out Caster none of it will happen. On our way, I sensed a few boundary fields. Surprisingly nothing too serious. You will think that servant who proficient in magecraft would do something better."
"Maybe he didn't bother because he didn't think anyone will show up here." suggested Lelouch."Normal people rarely enter sewers if there no technical problems and I doubt boundary field will stop servants."
"Sir Lamperouge is maybe right, my lord. Even someone like me wouldn't have problems trespassing this tunnel."
"So." Avenger looked around."Caster is either too incompetent. Or it is a trap."
Lelouch thought about it."Gilles was the leader of the army and should know how to set up an ambush. It will be better if we send someone ahead." he looked at the blonde man."To check if everything is ok."
Kayneth narrowed his eyes."You don't suggest me to send Lancer. Do you Lamperouge?" servant in question raised his eyebrow, not desiring to leave his lord with Avenger again.
Raven haired master quickly waved away with a smile."Of course no, Lord Archibald. It will be better if we sent some kind of familiar. However, I'm unable to create one so-"
"I'm curious what kind of education your family gave you if you can't even do the basic spell, Lamperouge," Kayneth said in a disapproving tone."I had a higher opinion of USA magus society but once again I'm proven wrong-"
"Just create familiar and be done with it." hissed Avenger.
Archibald said nothing but started preparing a spell. He pulled a small bottle with silver liquid and poured it on the floor. The liquid quickly took a shape of bubble before moving forward down the tunnel. Kayneth turned to Lelouch.
"Be thankful to witness my best creation. It cannot see but will be able to sense any move and presence of servant if Caster there. We just need to wait a little bit."
Lelouch was impressed."Interesting, so it is your spell?" While they were waiting he could use the moment to dig some information out of experienced magus.
"This is my creation indeed. Of course, my family was also helping but compared to what I did their help is rather minuscule." Kayneth smirked proudly. This was his life biggest achievement after all and he won't allow anyone to steal his fame, especially his sister."It is based on alchemy and I managed to improve formula to perfection."
"Yet your little creation wasn't been able to deal with Saber's master, now did it?" laughed Avenger while Kayneth bit his lower lip.
"W-well, Einzbern family aren't some weaklings after all. They are one of the oldest families in this war after all."
"That reminds me, Lord Archibald. Can you tell us anything about Saber's master? White-haired woman if I remember correctly." Avenger nodded too. There was something about that woman that made former warlord interested in her.
"Hmm, nothing too special. She only used standard spells during out fight. While I can't say without accurate research but it is easy to see that she has a lot of mana. Then again it shouldn't be surprising. It is Einzbern homunculus after all-"
"Homunculus?" Lelouch asked with a surprised tone. Kayneth stared at him for a moment.
"Don't tell me you don't know what homunculus means, Lamperouge."
Former Demon emperor quickly shocked his head."Of course, I know what it means." even without knowledge of magecraft Lelouch heard about such thing."I was surprised that one of the masters was one."
"Well, Einzbern were using homunculus since the first war. Many people speculate that their entire family is made of the high-class homunculus but no one can prove that. Even among other magi family, Einzbern is known for being one of the most secretive. Only two things are known about them at the moment. The fact that their main house located somewhere in Germany and that they were working with infamous Magus Killer for a long time now."
"Magus Killer? Some kind of assassin?" Avenger asked with a raised eyebrow.
The blonde man nodded."Indeed. An obnoxious magus who uses weapons of peasants to kill magi and magus alike. He has a reputation of the ruthless killer who will do anything for the right price."
"Ah, mercenaries. They're either your best ally or worst foe. Some things never change. Don't you agree, Lancer?" Avenger asked another servant who was silently observing her and her master. He nodded.
"They are warriors without honour. I'm not surprised that in time when chivalry is believed to be dead, they still exist." he then proudly smirked."Well, they aren't a match for a proper knight like me or a noble lord like mine." for the first time since his summoning Kayneth could agree with his servant.
"Lancer is right, Even someone like Magus Killer can't hope to compete with me." he smiled proudly while Lelouch and Avenger quickly exchanged a glance.
'Overconfidence will be your undoing, Kayneth' Lelouch thought to himself before asking."By the way, do you know anything else about other masters?"
"Wha-Oh, yes! There masters from Tohsaka and Matou families, like in all wars. But there also a master of Rider who is-" before he could finish, a familiar he sent returned. Kayneth stopped talking and turned to his creature. Silver bubble rolled up to its master who carefully picked it up and examined."Interesting."
"My lord?"
Kayneth glanced at Lancer before turning to Lelouch."It would appear that Caster is currently somewhere else. My familiar didn't sense any monsters up ahead nor traps. We are safe to go."
"Good." Lelouch nodded before turning to Avenger."Let's go. While Caster isn't at home we will prepare our ambush."