"I'm sorry for coughing up blood and fainting the moment I saw your face."
Those were the first words out of my mouth as I opened my eyes and looked at Charlotte's face.
Even if it wasn't what I had expected, I felt that my behavior had been extremely rude to her.
Whether she wanted to be here or not, she was the one who had answered my summons. I felt I had been too self-centered. But usually, when you summon without a catalyst, doesn't someone similar to yourself appear?
Whether it's in essence or appearance, shouldn't it be someone who resembles you in some way? No matter how hard I looked, I couldn't see any part of this village girl that resembled me.
If I had to say, was it our 'ordinary citizen' vibe?
But if you asked me if that was something the Holy Grail would recognize as a similarity, I could only tilt my head in doubt.
Well, trying to read the thoughts of a non-human will only give me a headache. What mattered now was that Charlotte Corday, an Assassin, had been added to our forces.
I had to humbly accept that fact and move forward.
"No, after hearing about the situation, I understand your reaction. It might sound strange for me to say this, but I won't be very helpful in this matter. After all, the most important thing right now is 'direct combat power.'"
...She was a good person.
Despite my rude attitude, she was telling me it was okay. She didn't have much pride, and unlike other Heroic Spirits, she didn't give off that sharp, oppressive aura.
I couldn't even feel the same sensation I got from Caster, who was on my side. She felt comfortable and friendly—a sense of intimacy as if we had met somewhere before, even though this was our first encounter.
Come to think of it, from what I remembered, Charlotte's Noble Phantasm was a 'frontal-stab' type. It forcibly induced the opponent's carelessness, locking them into the thought of 'there's no way such a weakling would stab me' until the blade actually pierced them.
Of course, whether that Noble Phantasm would work on that monster rampaging with high Magic Resistance was another story.
Charlotte Corday.
The woman who assassinated Jean-Paul Marat, a key figure of the Jacobins during the French Revolution. In the game, she was just an illustration, but seeing her in person, the words 'fragile beauty' truly suited her.
It was hard to believe she was a woman who had planned an assassination alone. Regardless, though her plan wasn't meticulous, she succeeded through a stroke of heavenly luck.
However, survival was not part of her plan. She was captured and executed the moment the assassination succeeded.
She was a person of such fortitude that she never showed anger or fear until the moment of her death.
"First, can I check your status?"
"It's fine. I'm a Servant, so there's no need to ask for permission for something like that..."
[That's right. It's basically a Master's fundamental right.]
"No, but still, shouldn't I respect her privacy?"
[Wait, didn't you spy on my room and steal my cake?]
"Privacy between a man and a woman has different values!"
[In this day and age, that's a problematic statement!]
"The value of privacy between a man and a Doctor is also different!!"
[I've reached the point where I don't even fit into the 'man' category anymore!?]
If anything, the Doctor fell into the 'useless coward' category.
I took a breath and checked Charlotte's status. Servants have basic parameters, generally divided into six categories.
Strength, Endurance, Agility, Mana, Luck, and Noble Phantasm. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that all of a Servant's abilities were determined by these and their skills.
Strength: E, Endurance: E, Agility: D, Mana: E, Luck: B+, Noble Phantasm: D
...I checked the status for a moment and then looked at Charlotte. As soon as our eyes met, she looked away.
I mean, even if she's not a combat-oriented Servant, isn't this a bit much? At least her high Luck stood out. Thinking about it, Luck might be the most important thing on a battlefield.
Unexplained luck, heavenly favor, good fortune, miracles—most of these stem from luck. In other words, if you're lucky, anything is possible.
I wasn't sure if the path leading there would be lucky, but if the result was good, then it had to be called 'Luck.' I looked at Charlotte, who seemed to be waiting for a court verdict.
...She didn't need to be that discouraged. She probably knew she was weak better than I did, having just checked her stats.
That's why I forced a smile and spoke.
"You're stronger than me! You pass!"
"Pardon!?"
"I'm really sorry about earlier. Our opponent is Artoria Pendragon, the King of Knights, and she's even corrupted, so she won't listen to reason. She's greedily sucking mana from the Greater Grail, making her a monster who can spam a Noble Phantasm that wipes out everything in its path whenever she feels like it. I'll welcome anyone willing to fight a monster like that."
"...Wow, that sounds terrifying."
Huh? I was taken aback as I saw Charlotte literally trembling.
"Wait! What's a Servant getting scared for!?"
"Even Servants get scared! I heard the stories, but why are beams coming out of a sword? It makes no sense!"
"...That's!!! I want to know too!! It's scary! It's terrifying! Why does it fire beams?! If you get hit by that, you turn into du~~st!!"
"For the record, my Endurance is E."
"My Endurance is Z."
Even if she was weak for a Servant, Charlotte still had the power to kill me. Just because I had bought some time against a Shadow Servant didn't mean I had suddenly become strong.
I could only see a future where I failed to dodge Charlotte's dagger and got my throat slit.
That aside... I took Charlotte's hand. She seemed surprised by the sudden action, letting out a small "Eh?", but I spoke with a touch of genuine emotion.
"Exactly, it's normal to be scared, right? Everyone else here acts so calm, as if they have no fear, that I thought I was the abnormal one. A beam comes out of a sword and turns you to dust—if you're not scared of that, are you even human?"
"Hey kid, then what does that make me?"
"I'm already doubting if you're the same species as me, Caster! And are you sure about this?! You're becoming the same species as someone like me! In my eyes, 'Heroic Spirits' and 'Humans' are different species! Even our relief pitcher here, who's currently trembling, has the power to kill me even when I'm at 100% best condition. Servants are just a different species. A different species entirely."
I sat down on the remains of a collapsed building.
Anyway, our forces were replenished. It seemed a bit lacking, but I had to use what I had. And as the weakest one here, I had no right to complain.
I checked Charlotte's skills as well. I had played FGO quite a bit, but I couldn't memorize every single skill name and effect. Besides, even with my memories returned, they were over 20 years old.
Who could remember every detail like that?
...As I looked through her skills, a thought occurred to me. Her skill set was the epitome of 'honey in the mouth, a sword in the heart.' A Noble Phantasm specialized in deceptive frontal attacks, supported by skills and luck to make it land?
The problem was whether this would work on Saber. If it didn't, getting close meant saying goodbye to life after being hit by a regular attack, let alone Excalibur.
I had to use it only after distracting Saber's attention somehow.
Saber was currently in a corrupted state, so her reason was frayed, even if not as much as a Shadow Servant. Because of that, her Instinct skill rank should be lowered.
There was no guarantee it wouldn't work, but there was also no guarantee it would. ...Think. I have to think. The only thing someone as powerless as me can do is think.
I am the last Master of humanity. I must not stop thinking.
It wasn't just about thinking; it was about remembering. It wasn't about just trying hard. It was about desperately clinging to the best I could do.
"...Instant death. If it succeeds, Saber will disappear no matter how much mana the Greater Grail supplies. Right?"
[Correct. No matter how much mana one has, if they receive damage that confirms their dismissal, receiving mana is meaningless. If Saber had learned Caster-type techniques and turned that place into a Caster's workshop, she might have had some device to sustain herself. But right now, while Saber's direct combat power is at the absolute peak... fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately... she has no petty tricks.]
I looked at the Greater Grail, then at the Command Spells on my hand, and finally at Caster and Charlotte. What were the odds of winning? Probably lower than pulling a 5-star from a gacha. This was a battle with the probability of pulling two 5-stars in a row, and both of them being exactly the ones I wanted.
...But I had decided to do it. Honestly, I didn't care much about the Human Order, and I wasn't a good enough person to come this far out of a desire to save someone.
In fact, at first, I intended to just be a bystander no matter what happened to anyone. When I was at Chaldea, Fou wouldn't even come near me. That alone was proof I wasn't a 'good' person.
...But there were people who had entrusted their lives to me. People who said they would believe in me. People who said they would trust me. There were people desperately holding onto my back so I wouldn't fall when I was about to collapse.
...They made me try a little harder. While I thought that was cruel, it was the first time I had felt that way, and it made my heart feel just a little bit warmer.
"Assassin, or your True Name—which would you prefer I call you?"
"Please call me whatever Master prefers. ...But are you really going to be okay? Excuse me for saying this, but your physical condition is abnormal. It might not be persuasive coming from someone like me who lacks medical knowledge, but..."
"I know. I know it better than anyone. I might never see light out of one eye again. I might have to live with permanent disabilities in both arms. My insides are a mess, and it might painfully shave away my lifespan. ...Even so, someone has to do this. And unfortunately, that someone is only me. A third-rate novice magus who wasn't even a Master candidate—that's all I am."
"And yet, you're still going."
"Yeah... because this is the 'right thing' to do. ...That's why you moved, too, isn't it?"
"...."
Charlotte was silent for a moment.
A reckless plan that shouldn't have succeeded. But coincidence and luck smiled upon her repeatedly, and everything flowed in her favor.
In the end, she succeeded in an assassination that was nearly impossible. While there were surely various emotions and circumstances behind her motivation, she ultimately jumped into the fires of hell for the sake of the people.
Even if the result wasn't salvation, and even if nothing changed after the assassination, her footsteps were clearly engraved into the Human Order.
As a shadow of humanity, an ordinary person like her was registered as a Heroic Spirit.
"I'm not doing this for some grand meaning. I'm doing it because I want to. I'm doing it because I want to move forward believing this is the right thing. Right?"
Charlotte looked at me with a surprised expression for a moment. Then, she gave a hollow laugh.
"You're right. It's exactly as you say. ...You're a mean Master, throwing me in front of a beast the moment I'm summoned."
"What, it's a simple task. We're just going to make a 'miracle' happen once more. ...I have a plan, but the success rate is extremely low. Therefore, if we succeed, I'll call you the Goddess of Luck from now on!"
"Please stop, that's embarrassing."
"Oh, really? Then I'll make sure to call you that!"
"Please don't!!"
There was no need to be embarrassed.
It was an event in a world that had already ended, known to no one. But even when Caster and I had attacked with maximum firepower, Saber had overturned the entire board with that Holy Sword, as if our efforts were worthless.
Charlotte's direct combat power was better than mine since she was a Servant, but it was only at that level. Even for an Assassin who doesn't usually engage in direct combat, she was weak.
She was likely in the lower ranks even among Assassins. It would be hard to find a Servant weaker than her.
Nevertheless, if we could grasp victory in this challenge, it would be because her Luck had shone through.
It was more than enough to call her a Goddess of Luck.
[.........]
"...Heh."
[What's with that look?]
"No, no, it's nothing. Listen well, missy. Our kid here is certainly weak, foolish, and a coward, but he's got guts when it counts. He has this quirk where his courage swells when he's backed into a corner. If he had been born in our era, he would've been quite popular as a fine warrior."
[So, what does that mean?]
"Well, think about it yourself."
Behind me, Caster and the Director were chatting as if they were gossiping.
...They aren't talking behind my back, are they?
To be sure, I had shown them more than just a pathetic side; I had even shown them a state of total despair where I gave up on everything. They might think I'm unreliable.
"Master... I feel an ominous presence the further we walk."
"That's just the magical energy Saber is releasing because she's bored. Yes, it's just a passive effect. She's shrouded in it. She's a crazy woman, seriously."
"We're fighting that?"
"Yes."
Charlotte trembled. I mean, history says she didn't lose her composure even on the way to the execution block, so why is the Charlotte next to me shaking like a leaf?
Is she a different person, or is history distorted? Which is it? No, wait. A person doesn't necessarily have only one side.
Both sides must be her.
First, I have to believe in her. That aside... I shouted to Caster behind me as we walked toward where Saber was.
"Caster! You walk in front! The mana is getting so thick that I feel like I'll faint while standing if I don't have someone to lean on!!"
"He's right! I don't know much about magecraft or mana, but I can feel a terrible stinging on my skin. This is poison! It's definitely poison!"
"Got it, you Chicken Duo."
"Chicken Duo?! That's harsh!"
"He's right! He's right!"
To say such a thing to people trying to fight for the Human Order!
Then Caster spoke in a mocking tone.
"Then why don't you walk in front?"
"It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it's a cute name. Right, Master?"
It wasn't because I couldn't think of a single word to deny being part of a 'Chicken Duo.' If someone among an Assassin, a Master, and a Caster had to lead the way, shouldn't it be the Caster?
Besides, Caster was a Lancer in a Caster's class, so it made even more sense. It's definitely not because I'm scared of Saber.
...Actually, I'm terrified. I mean, I got hit by Excalibur!
**
We walked down a path I had traveled before.
Ah, I'm scared. So scared.
Facing that Saber again is terrifying.
...I barely managed to steady my trembling hands as I walked. We arrived at the same place as last time. In front of the Greater Grail, Saber stood in the same posture as before.
That pure-looking appearance hadn't changed, even if she was corrupted. With that seemingly weak and small body, she had slaughtered countless enemies on the battlefield and displayed overwhelming charisma to both friend and foe.
Because of that, she was called the 'King of Knights,' and despite being a woman, she had protected that mess of a Britain. In the end, due to countless instances of trolling, even she couldn't prevent its fall, but I personally didn't think it was her fault.
If I had to say whose fault it was... well, you all know, right?
Her eyes, which looked like they would never open, snapped open and stared at us. Do you really have to release mana just by opening your eyes? Why is the air around us getting heavier?
Just like last time, she first recognized the presence of Caster and Assassin with her eyes, and finally, she looked at me. Then, her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
As if she had been struck by lightning, she immediately regained her composure and spoke quietly.
Like the low growl of a beast, the words themselves weren't threatening, yet they seemed to seep deep into the heart through the ears.
"I see. So there was such a future."
"What?"
"No, it was nothing."
I feel like we had this conversation last time, too.
Does she know something? 'Such a future'? Did she mean the future where I am here? Does she somehow know the original story? No, that's going too far. What does she mean?
...No, now is not the time to think about that. I have to defeat her.
I'll kill her, crush her, and correct this Singularity. With that, the Prologue will finally end. A prologue that's too long is just boring. This time, I will definitely clear her.
...The weak version of me inside keeps asking if it's really possible. The version of me that despaired whispered that it was impossible. But since I've stood up on these legs again, shouldn't I at least try?
Here, I test myself. I test my courage. I prayed that I wouldn't fail.
"Have you summoned more Servants, Master of Chaldea? ...In an extreme situation, you have defeated the Shadow Servants I prepared and even the Berserker who went out of control, and now you stand before me. Impressive."
It wasn't me; Caster-emon did everything. But I decided to keep my mouth shut.
"Now then, it is the final trial. I have no intention of stepping down from this spot. Are you read—"
Ssssh. Before Saber could even finish her sentence, something surged up from beneath the ground. I didn't even recognize what it was.
BOOM!!! An explosion occurred, and the ground Saber was standing on collapsed. Don't look down on me!! You damn woman!! I'll defeat you by any means necessary! Fair and square?!
What's that?! There's no way such manners, like a villain waiting for a transformation, exist in reality!
I will win! I will definitely win!!
For the record, the bombs were leftovers from Archer. Anything can be useful depending on how you use it.
"The fight has already begun!! King of Knights!!"
"What a magnificent heretic!! Kid!!"
"Don't call me a heretic!! You make me sound like trash!"
"...."
"Don't be silent! It makes it sound true!! Hey, do you think this is some sports match?! The winner is a saint, and the loser is trash!!"
I once lost, so maybe I am trash, but no! In this world, I haven't lost! I've reached this point without dying even once!!
If this is going to be a painful regression, I might as well use it for some mental gymnastics! I'm here on my first coin!
In this world, I have reached this place bravely without dying once!!
Saber, whose footing had collapsed, immediately moved by stepping on the falling debris. If you think, 'There's no way she'd do something that crazy,' this Saber does it. Crazy woman.
But if you anticipate it, you have to prepare a response.
The plan was only one. If it failed, there was no next time—no joke. This was a haphazard plan that relied on Caster's toughness, Charlotte's luck, and finally, my own damn survival instincts.
In Caster's terms, it was the Ulster way! In the Director's terms, it was the 'bragging about being insane' way!!
Either way is fine! I!! Will definitely!! Defeat that Saber!!! Erase the fear, and nurture the desire for revenge. That's how I'll maintain my sanity. There's no other way to win.
I immediately took a syringe from my pocket and jammed it into my thigh. According to the Doctor, three is the limit.
Any more than that, and my body won't be able to handle it. Even with doping, I can't beat that Saber, but it will raise my survival rate just a little bit.
Whish. Threads moved and tied around Saber's feet.
The Mana Burst constantly active around Saber would tear my threads apart. But the Rune of Fortification strengthens even magecraft. I'll take some damage, but they won't be torn apart instantly.
I pulled Saber as she was. Since she was in mid-air, she had no leverage, only weight, so she had no choice but to be pulled in the direction I yanked.
Saber clicked her tongue and, while being pulled, Slaaaash!! she cut the threads.
However, changing direction while moving quickly in mid-air is very difficult, so she continued flying in her original trajectory.
"Kenaz!!"
Whoosh!! The moment she was about to land, flames engulfed Saber.
Boom!! Black magical energy erupted as Saber charged toward Caster. Even after I pulled such a grand stunt to draw your attention, you're not even going to look at me?
She seemed to be calmly trying to eliminate Caster, the most significant threat.
"Charlotte!!"
"Angel-san!"
I don't know why that egg is an 'Angel,' but I'm counting on you! Something like a laser fired from Angel-san's mouth.
Seriously, why does someone who lived in an ordinary convent have something like that? Even if I ask her, she says she doesn't know. Oh, whatever.
Those minor details don't matter. What mattered was the fact that I could use it right now.
Thump!! Saber swatted away Angel-san's laser with one hand and continued her charge without stopping.
Geez, seriously!! At least make a face like it hurts a little!!
I placed my hand on the ground. It's a bit trashy, but I have no choice.
Ssssh. A puppet I had prepared in advance using Transmutation Magecraft appeared next to Caster. When that puppet appeared, Saber's brow furrowed.
It was a reproduction of a Knight of the Round Table, the red-haired archer. The details might have been a bit off, but it was fine.
As long as it was enough to remind her of him.
Indeed, with her brow furrowed, Saber seemed to have recalled that red-haired archer, Tristan.
Haaaaa. I took a deep breath and shouted.
"THE KING DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE HEARTS OF MENNNNN!!!!"
"...!!"
Saber, who had been lunging forward, turned her gaze away from Caster and glared at me. I froze on the spot. ...I—I thought my heart was going to stop.
...Thinking about it, it's a simple logic. If I know something, I should use it. She's already under the influence of a reason frayed by corruption. That means she's less composed than usual. I had to exploit that.
Along with coldness and cruelty, she also possessed impulsiveness. Therefore, I must not let her remain 'calm.' I'll say anything for that. Even personal insults!!
...I admit, just a little bit, that I'm trash. But so what!! I have to win by any means necessary!!
The Human Order will be destroyed!!! I'll get hit by Excalibur and die again!!!
"Where are you looking, Saber!!"
Thud!! Caster accurately thrust his staff into her abdomen as if it were a spear.
"Urgh!" With a pained expression, Saber retreated.
Finally, it seemed a proper blow had landed. Saber, having backed away, steadied her sword and looked at me, Assassin, and Caster in turn. Even if a blow landed, she would just regenerate while greedily consuming that overwhelming pool of mana.
Stop eating so much.
"You..."
Saber glared at me, her face contorted. What should I say at a time like this?
I thought for a moment and then forced a smirk. Actually, just the fact that she was glaring at me gave me the chills. Fear still occupied my heart, making me want to turn around and run away immediately. I barely suppressed that fear.
But cold sweat was pouring down, and my face had turned pale. Anyone could see I was terrified.
Nevertheless, I spoke to Saber as if mocking her.
"You couldn't even protect me... I wonder if you can protect the Greater Grail. ...Want to find out?"
"........."
...She's releasing a ton of mana, isn't she? Uh, I did want this, but... did I pull too much aggro? It's too good... but wait, this much?
Caster and Charlotte, who were on either side of me, were looking at me with expressions that said, 'Wow...', as if impressed by my lack of character. N-No!
I didn't mean it sincerely! It's just that saying it this way would make her fight without her composure...
Ah, I don't know anymore!!
"I'll defeat you here!! King of Knights!!!"
This is bad!! She has a face that says she's going to beat me to death with her fists, not Excalibur!!
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register