Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 281: The First Mission of the New Year

"The family sent a mission?" Shinji's voice was filled with confusion. "What mission? When was it sent? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Reporting to Captain, it came yesterday afternoon. The specific intelligence was only delivered this morning, and since you returned today—"

The most reliable person in the Brigade was Judgment, followed by the vice-captain, Chariot. Since Chariot explained it that way, Shinji had no intention of pursuing it further.

"What is the content of the mission?"

"To exterminate a certain affiliated group under Ortenrosse's command."

"Affiliated group... Is it the White Wing Lord?"

Shinji remembered his encounter with Lorelei last autumn when she appeared alone at the Gertler Family. That night, she sought intelligence on a second-generation member under the command of the Ortenrosse and this member's codename was The White Wing Lord.

"Yes," nodded Chariot, "The family has been keeping an eye on this apostle since last year and finally obtained credible information not long ago. White Wing Lord is expected to leave Ortenrosse's territory in the coming days and head to the Po River Plain in northern Italy, possibly related to Night of Wallachia.'"

"The Night of Wallachia, the thirteenth seat of the '27 Dead Apostle Ancestors,' known as the 'King of Ruin,' the magus of nightmares.

This was a controversial ancestor. There was no more information about the Night of Wallachia circulating in the Mage Association, the Holy Church, or even among the Dead Apostles themselves. His true identity, or even whether he was truly a Dead Apostle, was uncertain.

All that was known was that he appeared in a village in Valzia in the form of "Vlad the Impaler" on a full moon night. When the knights of the Church arrived, the village was covered in patches of human skin scattered on the road. This nightmarish evening came to be known as the Night of Wallachia.

Of course, as a seasoned Type-Moon fan, Shinji was well aware of the details of the Night of Wallachia. After all, in the Type-Moon fandom, especially in the Tsukihime fandom, this character was quite popular, with nicknames like "Uncle Val," "Master of Facial Expressions," "The Man Who Can Make the Impossible Possible," and a series of other affectionate terms.

Name: Zepia Eltnam Oberon(Night of Wallachia)

Origin: Atlas Institute, one of the three major departments of the Mage's Association

Title: A skilled alchemist known as "Atlas"

Zepia Eltnam Oberon predicted a future where humanity faces extinction and began using every possible method to find a way to avoid it. As an alchemist bearing the name "Atlas," he was determined to accomplish the impossible.

However, no matter how hard Zepia tried, he couldn't find a way to avert the future and eventually went mad. He formed a contract with Altrouge Brunestud, also known as the "Vampire Princess of the Dead Apostles" and the "Eclipse Princess of Black Blood," the ninth seat of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, and became a Dead Apostle. His goal became the pursuit of the Sixth True Magic.

There are five confirmed types of magic in the mysterious world, but many magus believe that there are other types beyond the five known ones, and Zepia is one of them.

Unfortunately, this challenge failed. After he fails to challenge the Sixth True Magic, his powerful spiritual particles (soul design) scatter, liberating themselves from his physical body and will, spreading and remaining in the world.

Normally, the scattered spiritual particles should fall into the "Void" and await the next transformation. However, before the dispersion, Zepia completed the equation called TATARI. Under certain conditions, TATARI will occur.

TATARI is a "phenomenon" that materializes in specific places according to a certain cycle and under certain conditions. It amplifies and converges the "malicious information" that circulates within a small area, playing on people's fears and rumors, until it manifests as a clear image, giving it physical form based on the appearance and abilities described in the rumors.

If the Reality Marble erodes the real world with one's mental landscape, then TATARI is an alternative Reality Marble that "materializes the forms in the hearts of those around into reality." That's why he is a man who can make the impossible possible, and why it is said, "Even a god can be pulled into battle if you desire."

When TATARI occurs, the scattered spiritual particles can gather within the "rumors" that arise, resurrecting in the real world and continuing the challenge against the Sixth True Magic.

Zepia calculated the regions where TATARI would occur until the extinction of humanity and created a navigational map that spans thousands of years, serving as a program for the movement of his "dispersed self" after his will disappears.

The most recent Night of Wallachia took place last winter in a small town in the Po River Plain, northern Italy. None of the town's residents survived, and even the Church's expeditionary forces were completely wiped out.

According to the setting in "Melty Blood," the Vestel Shield Knights led by Riesbyfe Stridberg were annihilated in this battle, with only Riesbyfe herself surviving by relying on a special shield within Zepia Eltnam Oberon's body.

However, this time, Riesbyfe remained as the headmistress of Reien Girls' Academy and has never left the city of Mifune. She narrowly escaped the disaster.

It is worth mentioning that Riesbyfe's fate differs in different worldlines. In the sixth chapter, "Oblivion Recording," of "The Garden of Sinners," it is mentioned that the headmistress of Reien Girls' Academy is also named Riesbyfe, and in her office, there is a shield that is often mistaken for a small (or large) violin.

The worldline where Shinji resides follows the latter outcome.

Regardless of which worldline they follow, the danger of the Night of Wallachia remains unchanged. Although several months have passed since the occurrence of TATARI, it cannot be determined if anything unclean remains in the area. Moreover, with the intervention of the White Wing Lord faction, there is added pressure on the Brigade, which is still in its growth phase. It's not that they fear the strength of the enemy, but rather that the enemy's abilities are too mysterious, and casualties may occur inexplicably.

However, for the Brigade to grow, they will inevitably encounter unexpected situations sooner or later. This is a good opportunity for them to test themselves, considering they will be facing remnants and their followers, not the Ancestors themselves. Furthermore, retreating at this point would have some impact on the morale of the team and their reputation among others.

So, should they fight or not?

After careful consideration, Shiki decided to pose the question:

"Chariot, Judgment, Pope, King, Hermit, Justice. Tell me, should we fight or not?"

His gaze scanned each of the six executives and then turned to all members of the team.

"After you've given your opinions, if anyone else wishes to express their views, feel free to speak up. Let's have an open discussion about our first mission of the year."