shapedbyideals | [OOC] Transcriptions (SPOILERS FOR FATE/EXTRA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS: W1D4F, W1D4M, W2D4F, W2D4M, W3D1F, W3D1M,
W4D4S, W4D6, W5D6, W5D7, W6D2, W6D2S, W7D1, W7D3

WEEK 1, DAY 4 [FEMALE PROTAGONIST]
"Seriously, of all the places to wage a war, why choose a twentieth century high school? I can only assume you feel the same, but I have a strange affinity for places like this. With the exception of myself, this place must be a nightmare for most Legendary Souls. It's most likely a coincidence, but the choice of venue could be intentional. As a soldier, I hope it was a fluke."

>You have something against school?

"Not at all. Whether it's an imitation or the real thing, contact between humans makes for forced civility. Also, you're always required to be in class at a specific time. Perfect for those who can't plan for themselves. The academic culture is very logically structured. A society without an educational system is doomed to fail. The ability to learn is what makes one human. Well, that would be the answer you'd find in a textbook, anyway... Honestly, I can't see why you'd care about whether or not I liked school or not. A Servant's abilities won't change just because they're into institutionalized pedagogy."

Archer snaps his mouth shut, almost as if saying out loud: "This conversation is over." Archer's reply is brutally matter of fact and leaves no room whatsoever for argument or rebuttal.

...It's not like I have anything to add, but his attitude irks me to no end. I didn't really care about the answer, per se; I was just hoping to start a meaningful conversation.

>What's with the attitude?
My complaints to Archer are met with silence. As my Servant and ally, I want him to change his attitude.

"Oh, a thousand pardons. So you're actually worried about me, just like a good Master would be. However, sarcasm is an indelible part of my nature. Remember, we Servants are but recreations of past persons. Our abilities may be enhanced to a degree, but our personalities remain as they were, perhaps more so. You might as well resign yourself to the fact that you're saddled with a snide, cynical Servant."

>...Fair enough, silence it is.
...But if I lose my temper with him, the abuse will only get worse. I can imagine Archer saying, "Instead of wasting time talking, shouldn't you be at least trying to get stronger?" I don't think I could take the humiliation. I should take a break and prepare for the fight ahead.

>What do you mean, "intentional"?

Archer mentioned something about the setting being intentional. Could there be a deeper meaning in making the stage for the Holy Grail War resemble a high school?

"No, it's not so much the appearance of the stage itself as the motivations of whatever created it. If the Holy Grail created this place of its own accord, then I'd write it off as coincidence. But if someone's using it for their own purposes then there's more to worry about than just winning the war."

Some unknown person using the Grail— Could it be that priest? He seems uncharacteristically evil and manipulative for a man of the cloth...

"A brilliant bit of deduction, but unfortunately way off the mark. The priest is nothing more than an NPC. This is only a personal opinion, but no one could be using the Holy Grail or manipulating it. That'd mean that the Grail has been claimed by someone. If that was true, the Holy Grail War could not happen."

That's right. I guess my suspicions led me to read too much into Archer's words.

—However. Ignoring everything for the moment, why does Archer suddenly look so smug and self-satisfied?

"Err...what? I find it amusing that you'd call a man devoted to God 'evil and manipulative.' You're lucky you don't know the truth. The real thing is far worse and it seems I'm stuck with him for eternity."

Archer shrugs his shoulders in resignation. It seems that he had met the priest before becoming a Servant. If he knows the priest who is overseeing this Holy Grail War, then maybe he knows about the original war for the Grail.

>By "soldier" you mean yourself...?

By "mere soldier" is Archer referring to himself? After taking out that Effigy in the Arena as well as all of the other enemy programs, he's proven himself to be more than a "mere soldier." His diminished skills are my fault. As my powers as a Master are weak, he can't access his true abilities.

"Sorry to disappoint, but it's the truth. Even if I was at full strength and regardless of past achievements, what you see before you is merely the shell of a common soldier. Most Legendary Souls are figures of renown who are either revered or reviled. I, however, am an exception. ...I don't want to get your hopes up, so I should tell you that I'm not all that powerful of a Servant. So don't set your expectations too high. And anyway, I'm just a weapon by proxy and have no say in battle. Whether we live or die is up to you. A heavy burden for one so young, but there's no turning back now. From now on, you'll have to find your own reason for going on. Never forget that it's all on you."

"You're not responsible for the weak." The words that Archer said to me before come back to me. I have to get stronger. In his own way, Archer was pointing out that his true strength would be meaningless if his Master is weak.

"That's all I have to say. Concentrate on your own future and stop worrying about your Servant's past. Remember that the war has just begun. All that you should be thinking about is how to win the first battle."

...And the conversation ends. By Archer's standards, that must've been the equivalent of idle banter. The look on his face as he silently contemplates the situation is enigmatic at best.

"But— Why a school? Outside of the arena, I don't see the need to have a place for magi to mingle. ...Then again, maybe this place isn't for the Master's benefit, but is something the Holy Grail requires. Master, are you aware of the one obligation that all intelligent beings are required to meet?"

Minimum obligation...? Why didn't he ask about the definition of intelligence...?

Mankind developed their intelligence and bent the world to their will. They created organized societies and mighty civilizations, some of which still exist. But what obligation is humanity required to fulfill...?

"The one obligation of all intelligent beings is to reject stasis and complacency. If humanity just wanted to exist, it would be easy to live like animals and let natural selection run its course. But humans in general don't think like that. The abandonment of rational thought... It'd be like devolving back into man's primate predecessors. No matter the circumstances, humans will always be inventive, progressive living beings. And regardless of how things will go in the future, they can never be satisfied leaving things as they are. In short, progression is the duty of any intelligent being. Their souls demand they learn and evolve. The Holy Grail holds that aspect of humanity in the highest regard. Thinking along those lines, maybe the setting is supposed to remind Masters of what makes them human. *Sigh* I don't sense any evil intent, but that makes me even more suspicious. I don't think it's the fight itself that interests the Holy Grail. Rather, it wants to observe how humans would confront one another in a real life setting."

WEEK 1, DAY 4 [MALE PROTAGONIST]
"Seriously, of all the places to wage a war, why choose a twentieth century high school? I can only assume you feel the same, but I have a strange affinity for places like this. With the exception of myself, this place must be a nightmare for most Legendary Souls. It's most likely a coincidence, but the choice of venue could be intentional. As a soldier, I hope it was a fluke."

>You have something against school?

"Not at all. Whether it's an imitation or the real thing, contact between humans makes for forced civility. Also, you're always required to be in class at a specific time. Perfect for those who can't plan for themselves. The academic culture is very logically structured. A society without an educational system is doomed to fail. The ability to learn is what makes one human. Well, that would be the answer you'd find in a textbook, anyway... Honestly, I can't see why you'd care about whether or not I liked school or not. A Servant's abilities won't change just because they're into institutionalized pedagogy."

Archer snaps his mouth shut, almost as if saying out loud: "This conversation is over." Archer's reply is brutally matter of fact and leaves no room whatsoever for argument or rebuttal.

...It's not like I have anything to add, but his attitude irks me to no end. I didn't really care about the answer, per se; I was just hoping to start a meaningful conversation.

> Nice...thorough...answer...
My complaints to Archer are met with silence. As my Servant and ally, I want him to change his attitude.

"Oh, a thousand pardons. So you're actually worried about me, just like a good Master would be. However, sarcasm is an indelible part of my nature. Remember, we Servants are but recreations of past persons. Our abilities may be enhanced to a degree, but our personalities remain as they were, perhaps more so. You might as well resign yourself to the fact that you're saddled with a snide, cynical Servant."

>...Fair enough, silence it is.
...But if I lose my temper with him, the abuse will only get worse. I can imagine Archer saying, "Instead of wasting time talking, shouldn't you be at least trying to get stronger?" I don't think I could take the humiliation. I should take a break and prepare for the fight ahead.

>What do you mean, "intentional"?

Archer mentioned something about the setting being intentional. Could there be a deeper meaning in making the stage for the Holy Grail War resemble a high school?

"No, it's not so much the appearance of the stage itself as the motivations of whatever created it. If the Holy Grail created this place of its own accord, then I'd write it off as coincidence. But if someone's using it for their own purposes then there's more to worry about than just winning the war."

Some unknown person using the Grail— Could it be that priest? He seems uncharacteristically evil and manipulative for a man of the cloth...

"A brilliant bit of deduction, but unfortunately way off the mark. The priest is nothing more than an NPC. This is only a personal opinion, but no one could be using the Holy Grail or manipulating it. That'd mean that the Grail has been claimed by someone. If that was true, the Holy Grail War could not happen."

That's right. I guess my suspicions led me to read too much into Archer's words.

—However. Ignoring everything for the moment, why does Archer suddenly look so smug and self-satisfied?

"Err...what? I find it amusing that you'd call a man devoted to God 'evil and manipulative.' You're lucky you don't know the truth. The real thing is far worse and it seems I'm stuck with him for eternity."

Archer shrugs his shoulders in resignation. It seems that he had met the priest before becoming a Servant. If he knows the priest who is overseeing this Holy Grail War, then maybe he knows about the original war for the Grail.

>You seem...overly relaxed...

Forgetting everything else for the moment, there is a question that needs an immediate answer.

What's with the condescending attitude? Isn't a Servant supposed to respect and obey their Master?

"Of course. As a Servant, it is my obligation to obey a magus whose abilities allow me to use my full strength...Master. Hmm... I wonder if there is a magus in this room who even comes close to that requirement..."

I...I want to change Servants! I don't think I could endure an endless stream of sarcasm and derision. Seriously, I'd like to request a beautiful, graceful Servant who's respectful and not bitter and jaded!

"Ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha."

Where does this red-caped buffoon get off laughing at me with that smug look on his face?!

"Ah, there's nothing quite like the painful, unvarnished truth of youthful scorn! If it makes you feel any better, I understand exactly how you feel. However, fate hasn't smiled upon you this day. The normal, well-balanced Servants have been out of stock for many moons at this location. Also, this establishment has a strict no-return policy. I guess we're both out of luck, aren't we...Master?"

Archer still views me with contempt and unfortunately for me any further protests will just get me more scorn. I have a number of opinions about his current pose, but I'll just keep them to myself...for now.

WEEK 2, DAY 4 [FEMALE PROTAGONIST]
I'm not sure when it happened, by my feelings about everything have changed since making it to the second round. I've gotten used to the challenges of the Arena and my unease at being in the Holy Grail War is lessening. Only one issue remains—

"Oh, that would be ever-so-helpful. I can't really fight all-out with that long-suffering look on your face."

My "relationship" with my Servant. He fights well enough, but his attitude is like a dagger to my soul. I'm pretty sure a normal Master and Servant relationship doesn't involve this much ridicule and abuse.

"But I do respect your lofty position as a Master. As for my general opinion of you, that will depend on how you grow from here on out. I don't expect miracles. If you can become merely competent, I might change my attitude a little...maybe."

..."A little," he says. I seriously doubt his sincerity. Servants are just reproductions of their mortal identities, so their personalities don't change. I need to go a little further afield to blunt Archer's sarcasm. Maybe I should...

>...perform an Alteration of the Soul?

"An Alteration of the Soul? ...Hm. I doubt they'll be able to change my basic nature, but that can boost one's luck, so who knows? If one's history was erased or if a rewrite was done based on alternative info, their personality might change. For example, you could return sanity to a Berserker. Of course, all this depends on the Servant agreeing to it. I don't really trust those sisters, but they seem competent enough to perform a little spiritual awakening."

This was an unexpected revelation. It seems like Servants have their own problems to deal with and a few Legendary Souls' spirits are actually tormented. I also find it surprising that Archer, of all people, is more than wary of Alterations of the Soul.

...Is it because the process is incredibly painful or something?

>Is it excruciatingly painful?
"Naw, it's mostly painless. And anyway, it's the fault of a certain someone that my abilities are gimped. While the process would make me stronger, I worry about raising my stats beyond their original values. I'm especially worried about boosting my luck. To say I've never been lucky would be an understatement."

>Are you afraid of the process?
"...I think we should end this conversation. I'm starting to freak myself out just thinking about it. It's more about who's doing the deed, as it were. One sister has no ethics; the other has no common sense. ...Well, no use worrying about it. I can only assume that they're competent and no accidents will happen...maybe. Just don't try to force them to work together..."

>If that's so, sorry I mentioned it.
"...Wow. Just...wow. Of all the things I thought you'd say, that certainly wasn't one of them. There's no need for you to apologize. Our training schedule and battle strategy are your responsibility. Me, I'm just the triggerman. I'm used to doing this sort of thing, so don't worry about me. A few more scars won't kill me... I guess that'd be right. This is the perfect opportunity. I kindly accept your obviously heartfelt sympathy...Master."

"...Honestly. I don't really have a problem with an Alteration of the Soul in and of itself. You see, it's not the process as a whole I have a problem with; my problem would be with a Master whose soul is so twisted that they'd order such a thing to be done."

Archer then favors me with an insultingly sarcastic smile. I guess he isn't too happy with my intent to alter his personality using an Alteration of the Soul.

"I'm sure you're on top of things. You seem comfortable enough to burn valuable time on idle chitchat. You looked pretty depressed during the first round, but I guess I shouldn't have worried about you. Considering your current behavior, the second round will be a cakewalk, right...Master?"

So that's the whole of his response. To be perfectly blunt, I'm hoping for a "more obedient Servant" option when I do an Alteration of the Soul...

>...set him up for absolute humiliation?

I'm pretty sure that Archer's arrogance comes from the fact that he's yet to screw up badly. Maybe if he made a colossal mistake he would be a bit easier to deal with afterward.

"Right... Enduring a loss without avenging it, taking dishonor without making amends, then even someone like me would watch what I say. I know that much, at the very least— And also, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be alive to witness and penance on my part. Whatever might happen from here on out, be aware that my mistakes could cost my lord his life. If you're okay with that, then I'm fine with dropping the ball every now and then. I would truly regret it should you leave this mortal coil, as I'd be out of a job, as it were. Thus, in some small and insignificant way, you'd have your revenge against me."

Archer's sarcasm is almost palatable. But he's right; his failures could have dire consequences for me. In addition, my failures become his failures as well. In a sense, I'd be cutting my own throat.

"Welcome to the dichotomy of the Servant relationship. Just accept the fact that your luck's as bad as mine."

...I think I get it. With Archer, I need to be able to dish out an equal amount of scorn and abuse in kind.

>Maybe things are fine as is...?

...No, I need to stay calm. Archer may be a pain in the ass, but all he's doing is making me think about what being a Master truly means. He's not "topping from the bottom."

...I see it now. He may be overly strict and demanding, but he's never casually insulting. In fact, he's been doing his best to protect and nurture an inexperienced Master. His cynicism and sarcasm is just a byproduct of his concern. His personality is just slightly bent compared to most rational people. He's sort of like the somewhat bitter and arrogant sister-in-law.

"Hey, what's with the silent treatment? Changing your approach...wait, what's with that smirk?"

It's not a smirk, it's a smile. Archer's attempt at maintaining his facade is fairly amusing now that I understand why he's doing it. I now see that he isn't being arrogant so much as displaying his strength and subtly telling me to "just rely on your Servant."

And isn't instilling confidence something allies should do for each other?

"Hmph. That smile on your face is...unnerving. But I can live with it if it means you're done complaining. The real Holy Grail War starts now and the challenges that await us will make my chiding seem mostly harmless."

WEEK 2, DAY 4 [MALE PROTAGONIST]
I'm not sure when it happened, by my feelings about everything have changed since making it to the second round. I've gotten used to the challenges of the Arena and my unease at being in the Holy Grail War is lessening. Only one issue remains—

"Oh, that would be ever-so-helpful. I can't really fight all-out with that long-suffering look on your face."

My "relationship" with my Servant. He fights well enough, but his attitude is like a dagger to my soul. I'm pretty sure a normal Master and Servant relationship doesn't involve this much ridicule and abuse.

"But I do respect your lofty position as a Master. As for my general opinion of you, that will depend on how you grow from here on out. I don't expect miracles. If you can become merely competent, I might change my attitude a little...maybe."

..."A little," he says. I seriously doubt his sincerity. Servants are just reproductions of their mortal identities, so their personalities don't change. I need to go a little further afield to blunt Archer's sarcasm. Maybe I should...

>...perform an Alteration of the Soul?

"An Alteration of the Soul? ...Hm. I doubt they'll be able to change my basic nature, but that can boost one's luck, so who knows? If one's history was erased or if a rewrite was done based on alternative info, their personality might change. For example, you could return sanity to a Berserker. Of course, all this depends on the Servant agreeing to it. I don't really trust those sisters, but they seem competent enough to perform a little spiritual awakening."

This was an unexpected revelation. It seems like Servants have their own problems to deal with and a few Legendary Souls' spirits are actually tormented. I also find it surprising that Archer, of all people, is more than wary of Alterations of the Soul.

...Is it because the process is incredibly painful or something?

>Is it excruciatingly painful?
"Naw, it's mostly painless. And anyway, it's the fault of a certain someone that my abilities are gimped. While the process would make me stronger, I worry about raising my stats beyond their original values. I'm especially worried about boosting my luck. To say I've never been lucky would be an understatement."

>Are you afraid of the process?
"...I think we should end this conversation. I'm starting to freak myself out just thinking about it. It's more about who's doing the deed, as it were. One sister has no ethics; the other has no common sense. ...Well, no use worrying about it. I can only assume that they're competent and no accidents will happen...maybe. Just don't try to force them to work together..."

>I'd kill to have an Alteration done!
Whether it hurts or not is irrelevant. I do want to undergo at least one Alteration, just to see if it'll help. Forgetting about secret weapons, just keeping a Servant's true power under wraps can be an advantage in a fight.

"What in the hell? Are you insane?! I do get where you're coming from as a guy and all, though... Think of it this way: Imagine going to the dentist, only to find that the dentist is a smoking hot woman. And there you are, sitting in the chair and having to stare at her boobs. I mean, the sudden urge to—"

What
are you
talking about?

"...My bad. I guess the aftereffects of the poison are messing with my mind. Forget I said anything. I wouldn't be so hasty about inflicting an Alteration on me. Where there's life, there's hope for growth. It might not matter to you, but since my change in lifestyle, as it were, I've grown quite a bit taller. It seemed that excessive training and focus was stunting my growth."

"...Honestly. I don't really have a problem with an Alteration of the Soul in and of itself. You see, it's not the process as a whole I have a problem with; my problem would be with a Master whose soul is so twisted that they'd order such a thing to be done."

Archer then favors me with an insultingly sarcastic smile. I guess he isn't too happy with my intent to alter his personality using an Alteration of the Soul.

"I'm sure you're on top of things. You seem comfortable enough to burn valuable time on idle chitchat. You looked pretty depressed during the first round, but I guess I shouldn't have worried about you. Considering your current behavior, the second round will be a cakewalk, right...Master?"

So that's the whole of his response. To be perfectly blunt, I'm hoping for a "more obedient Servant" option when I do an Alteration of the Soul...

>...set him up for absolute humiliation?

I'm pretty sure that Archer's arrogance comes from the fact that he's yet to screw up badly. Maybe if he made a colossal mistake he would be a bit easier to deal with afterward.

"Right... Enduring a loss without avenging it, taking dishonor without making amends, then even someone like me would watch what I say. I know that much, at the very least— And also, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be alive to witness and penance on my part. Whatever might happen from here on out, be aware that my mistakes could cost my lord his life. If you're okay with that, then I'm fine with dropping the ball every now and then. I would truly regret it should you leave this mortal coil, as I'd be out of a job, as it were. Thus, in some small and insignificant way, you'd have your revenge against me."

Archer's sarcasm is almost palatable. But he's right; his failures could have dire consequences for me. In addition, my failures become his failures as well. In a sense, I'd be cutting my own throat.

"Welcome to the dichotomy of the Servant relationship. Just accept the fact that your luck's as bad as mine."

...I think I get it. With Archer, I need to be able to dish out an equal amount of scorn and abuse in kind.

>...No, I shouldn't sink to his level.

...No, I need to stay calm. Archer may be a pain in the ass, but all he's doing is making me think about what being a Master truly means. He's not "topping from the bottom."

...I see it now. He may be overly strict and demanding, but he's never casually insulting. In fact, he's been doing his best to protect and nurture an inexperienced Master. His cynicism and sarcasm is just a byproduct of his concern. His personality is just slightly bent compared to most rational people. He's sort of like the somewhat bitter and arrogant sister-in-law.

"Hey, what's with the silent treatment? Changing your approach...wait, what's with that smirk?"

It's not a smirk, it's a smile. Archer's attempt at maintaining his facade is fairly amusing now that I understand why he's doing it. I now see that he isn't being arrogant so much as displaying his strength and subtly telling me to "just rely on your Servant."

And isn't instilling confidence something allies should do for each other?

"Hmph. That smile on your face is...unnerving. But I can live with it if it means you're done complaining. The real Holy Grail War starts now and the challenges that await us will make my chiding seem mostly harmless."

WEEK 3, DAY 1 [FEMALE PROTAGONIST]
As I start unwinding in my room, I'm struck by a dizziness that practically bowls me over. It's not exhaustion from fighting. It's something different. I guess the stress over having to kill a little girl in the upcoming battle is really getting to me.

Unlike me, Archer is as stoic as always. Servants are battle-scarred warriors, after all.

...Is killing children something that he's accustomed to?

"No, it's not. You may think I'm a jerk, but I don't make a practice of fighting little girls."

He used "fight" instead of "kill." Fighting and killing are different by definition, but here they are one in the same. Archer modulates his voice to drain any trace of emotion out of it.

"Some humans are innocent creatures. They're powerless, harmless. Gentle people don't stand a chance in a fight. They lose more, and more often, than most in battle. However, lucky us, this time one of the powerless ones have gotten the strength to fight back. Our first opponent was hostile. Our second was honorable and proud. Both motivations suit warfare. You're too green to be fighting against another's affection. You're too decent of a person to understand how unfair that is. My advice is to avoid this opponent. The better you know her, the less able you will be to command me. Leave the fighting to me. You'll do yourself a favor if you train your emotions to stay under control.

"—Well, in spite of what I've just told you... There's a chance this opponent may be far more evil than any you've ever encountered. Children are a lot more devious and calculating than people give them credit for. She's pretty aggressive with her affection—she might just be plain aggressive. She's defeated two Masters already. So, don't let your guard down. That could be exactly what she wants."

Archer stops, awkwardly shrugging. I guess that's his way of being considerate of my feelings. Archer rides me pretty hard, but I've seen him go soft, especially on women. He's probably unaware of how much he cares for women.

...Anyway. I've learned that Archer doesn't fight innocents... Does that mean he kills them without a fight?

>Should I pursue that question?

I can't help asking, even though I know I shouldn't. Has he killed innocent people? He must be able to read the question on my face. Archer nods firmly. So he has.

It's still shocking even though I had my suspicions. Servants are supposed to be heroes. How could a hero kill the innocent?

"...All right. Let me correct your misconceptions, since you seem to have a few. First of all, heroes kill. A lot. Their names are recorded in history in place of all the innocent lives they exploited, directly or not. Rare is the hero without a lamb's blood on their hands. Sorry to ruin your illusions, kid.

"Second, I'm not a respectable hero. Servants fall into several groups; one of them is anti-heroes. Anti-heroes are shadows that make heroes shine all the brighter. They're a necessary evil. Think about it. What mythological hero do you know who doesn't have an equally powerful nemesis? That's how things go. My case is a little different, though. I'm a faceless hero generated by society's sense of justice. I can't say I eradicated evil or was ever worshipped. All I did was play roles that were of benefit to society. Before I knew it, people began treating me like a hero."

Roles that benefited society...?

"Yeah. An ally of justice is what they called me."

Despite the dripping sarcasm in his tone, Archer actually looks kind of happy. An ally of justice. An ally of justice, really? It's so corny I can't keep a straight face, but I don't dare laugh.

"I know what you're thinking. It sounds corny as hell. But what's worse is that it's true. I cared about justice more than being a hero. I was focused on ideals, not real human lives. Even if they kill scores of people, real heroes are doing it to save people. They don't save ideals. I ended a lot of lives in pursuit of justice. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them were innocent. This body is just a personification of blind righteousness. I could slay that girl without remorse. That's all I wanted to say. Thought you might want to know what kind of Servant you made a contract with."

Archer can't help getting a dig in, as if the words he'd just said were about some other schmuck. Archer says that he is an ally of justice, a personification of blind righteousness, and a murderer with hands covered in innocent blood. How can he be all of the above? If he personified justice, then he would have saved many lives. He refuses to acknowledge that he received thanks as a hero, but he had to have gotten it.

...He's a Legendary Soul without a name, huh? How'd he wind up with his current body, then?

>...I probably shouldn't bring it up.

...No, that's not a question I should ask him right now. It's only been two weeks since I met him, but I know he's not an indiscriminate murderer. I trust him, so I just need to think about how to survive the third round.

WEEK 3, DAY 1 [MALE PROTAGONIST]
As I start unwinding in my room, I'm struck by a dizziness that practically bowls me over. It's not exhaustion from fighting. It's something different. I guess the stress over having to kill a little girl in the upcoming battle is really getting to me.

Unlike me, Archer is as stoic as always. Servants are battle-scarred warriors, after all.

...Is killing children something that he's accustomed to?

"No, it's not. You may think I'm a jerk, but I don't make a practice of fighting little girls."

He used "fight" instead of "kill." Fighting and killing are different by definition, but here they are one in the same. Archer modulates his voice to drain any trace of emotion out of it.

"Some humans are innocent creatures. They're powerless, harmless. Gentle people don't stand a chance in a fight. They lose more, and more often, than most in battle. However, lucky us, this time one of the powerless ones have gotten the strength to fight back. Our first opponent was hostile. Our second was honorable and proud. Both motivations suit warfare. You're too green to be fighting against another's affection. You're too decent of a person to understand how unfair that is. My advice is to avoid this opponent. The better you know her, the less able you will be to command me. Leave the fighting to me. You'll do yourself a favor if you train your emotions to stay under control.

"—Well, in spite of what I've just told you... There's a chance this opponent may be far more evil than any you've ever encountered. Children are a lot more devious and calculating than people give them credit for. She's pretty aggressive with her affection—she might just be plain aggressive. She's defeated two Masters already. So, don't let your guard down. That could be exactly what she wants."

Archer stops, awkwardly shrugging. I guess that's his way of being considerate of my feelings.

...Anyway. I've learned that Archer doesn't fight innocents... Does that mean he kills them without a fight?

>Should I pursue that question?

I can't help asking, even though I know I shouldn't. Has he killed innocent people? He must be able to read the question on my face. Archer nods firmly. So he has.

It's still shocking even though I had my suspicions. Servants are supposed to be heroes. How could a hero kill the innocent?

"...All right. Let me correct your misconceptions, since you seem to have a few. First of all, heroes kill. A lot. Their names are recorded in history in place of all the innocent lives they exploited, directly or not. Rare is the hero without a lamb's blood on their hands. Sorry to ruin your illusions, kid.

"Second, I'm not a respectable hero. Servants fall into several groups; one of them is anti-heroes. Anti-heroes are shadows that make heroes shine all the brighter. They're a necessary evil. Think about it. What mythological hero do you know who doesn't have an equally powerful nemesis? That's how things go. My case is a little different, though. I'm a faceless hero generated by society's sense of justice. I can't say I eradicated evil or was ever worshipped. All I did was play roles that were of benefit to society. Before I knew it, people began treating me like a hero."

Roles that benefited society...?

"Yeah. An ally of justice is what they called me."

Despite the dripping sarcasm in his tone, Archer actually looks kind of happy. An ally of justice. An ally of justice, really? It's so corny I can't keep a straight face, but I don't dare laugh.

"I know what you're thinking. It sounds corny as hell. But what's worse is that it's true. I cared about justice more than being a hero. I was focused on ideals, not real human lives. Even if they kill scores of people, real heroes are doing it to save people. They don't save ideals. I ended a lot of lives in pursuit of justice. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them were innocent. This body is just a personification of blind righteousness. I could slay that girl without remorse. That's all I wanted to say. Thought you might want to know what kind of Servant you made a contract with."

Archer can't help getting a dig in, as if the words he'd just said were about some other schmuck. Archer says that he is an ally of justice, a personification of blind righteousness, and a murderer with hands covered in innocent blood. How can he be all of the above? If he personified justice, then he would have saved many lives. He refuses to acknowledge that he received thanks as a hero, but he had to have gotten it.

...He's a Legendary Soul without a name, huh? How'd he wind up with his current body, then?

>...I probably shouldn't bring it up.

...No, that's not a question I should ask him right now. It's only been two weeks since I met him, but I know he's not an indiscriminate murderer. I trust him, so I just need to think about how to survive the third round.

WEEK 4, DAY 4 [SPECIAL]
[NOTE: This conversation occurs only when playing as the female protagonist during the Rin route.]

Compared to the other Masters, my opponent for the fourth round is a little... How do I put this? Unexpected? Bizarre? Not even human? It's kind of hard to take them seriously. Because of that, the atmosphere in my room is more relaxed than usual. I feel like I can actually talk. It's not like I've been waiting for the right moment to bring this up or anything, but...

>What's your relationship with Rin?

The way I phrased it was vague, but at least I brought up that question I've been dying to ask.

By the way, the sound you just heard was Archer falling out of his chair.

"...Just so you know, I fell out of the chair because I lost my balance. NOT because of your question."

Oh, I so called that.

"Anyway, why do you want to know about Rin Tohsaka? Did she lash you with her tongue or something? ...Well, it's not a bad idea to have a friend your age, but given the circumstances... Try not to get too close."

I sense that someone's dodging the issue. This is just my opinion, but Archer seems to act pointedly disinterested toward Rin Tohsaka. That points to him being either wary of her or interested in her.

"Get your facts straight. There's no connection between me and her. Your imagination's running wild. Besides, have you seen Rin Tohsaka respond to me much differently than anyone else?"

...When you put it like that, I guess I ought to drop the subject. I'm sure that Archer is interested in her, but Rin Tohsaka doesn't so much as bat an eyelash when she sees him. What could that mean...?

>So she's your type, huh?
"Objection! On what grounds?!"

Methinks he dost protest too much. Look at him clenching his fist and furrowing his brow like some kind of cheesy manga hero.

"Hrmm... Uh, I apologize. I'm not usually so immature."

Oh, don't worry. You're normally plenty childish.

...Yeah, I'd better not say that. Fortunately, Archer chooses that moment to clear his throat.

"Listen, Master. I have a thing for women who are livewires, but even I have my limits. That girl's got enough ego to fill a concert hall, and that's not exactly a turn-on. I bet she kept her Servant on their feet. If you were a man, we could talk for hours about this, but seeing as how that's not the case... My type would be more..."

Archer gestures with his hands in the shape of a woman's curves.

"More what?"

As I must have looked puzzled, Archer folds his arms behind his head, embarrassed.

"Actually, never mind. I have a feeling that no matter what I say, I'll be digging my own grave."

Pretty much. The air curves he just played on looked awful familiar.

"...We should drop this, Master. Since we have to work together, I recommend we drop this topic."

Archer scoots his chair back into position, scowl on his face. Oh look, now he's giving me the silent treatment. I can't believe I let him worm his way out...

>You like them saucy, huh?
"Objection! On what grounds?!"

Methinks he dost protest too much. Look at him clenching his fist and furrowing his brow like some kind of cheesy manga hero.

"Hrmm... Uh, I apologize. I'm not usually so immature."

Oh, don't worry. You're normally plenty childish.

...Yeah, I'd better not say that. Fortunately, Archer chooses that moment to clear his throat.

"Listen, Master. I have a thing for women who are livewires, but even I have my limits. That girl's got enough ego to fill a concert hall, and that's not exactly a turn-on. I bet she kept her Servant on their feet. If you were a man, we could talk for hours about this, but seeing as how that's not the case... My type would be more..."

Archer gestures with his hands in the shape of a woman's curves.

"More what?"

As I must have looked puzzled, Archer folds his arms behind his head, embarrassed.

"Actually, never mind. I have a feeling that no matter what I say, I'll be digging my own grave."

Pretty much. The air curves he just played on looked awful familiar.

"...We should drop this, Master. Since we have to work together, I recommend we drop this topic."

Archer scoots his chair back into position, scowl on his face. Oh look, now he's giving me the silent treatment. I can't believe I let him worm his way out...

>...Argh, if only I had more proof!
Although I want to keep questioning Archer, he's too much of a prude to want to talk about it. I'll have to wait until I have some solid evidence to interrogate him.

WEEK 4, DAY 6
"Did you know? Vampires were immortalized in the 20th century horror pantheon, but they're relatively new monsters. At least, the modern conception of vampires is new, though similar monsters have always existed. The particular image of vampires as lords of the night comes to us courtesy of Bram Stoker. This conception, of course, is as fictional as the Dracula novel. Bram Stoker's vampires immediately rewrote the public's imagination when it came to 'bloodsuckers.' How ironic that vampires surpassed the popularity of werewolves and witches, which are older. Vampires are based on werewolves— It's a fine example of the successor usurping the predecessor.

"Our opponent this time is the model for the modern vampire. Though I imagine our opponent is more Bram Stoker's Dracula than the historical Vlad III."

Does he just want to rail on our opponent, or is Archer in a good mood? He's unusually chatty.

Bram Stoker is an Irish novelist and short story writer who became popular during the 19th century. His best seller, Dracula, reinvented vampires as blood-sucking aristocrats just in time for the 20th century. But, why did Archer bring up the history of vampires now?

"Well, I'd feel bad if you had some misconceptions about vampires that I could have cleared up. You never know when a little bit of trivia might come in handy."

He was trying to protect me from making a faux pas if I ever end up having small talk about vampires?

"Popular fiction leaves a deeper impression than reality. That's all I'm trying to say. Anything is possible in fiction, even things that aren't possible in the real world. How ignorant you come off to people around you is none of my concern."

After clearing his throat, Archer quiets down. My guess must have been right.

WEEK 5, DAY 6
...I'm ready to fight in the Elimination Battle. We've killed the enemy's trump card. The rest is up to the Master's magic circuits and the Servant's strength.

"..."

...? I look up to see Archer gazing at me kindly. It'd be a stretch to say he looks happy, but his eyes are mirthful as he gives a big sigh.

"What? You probably didn't know you were making it, but I liked that expression you just made. Sure determination. Calm resolve. Eyes that have seen death— You're not half a person anymore.

"—Yeah. That's why I want you to have something. It's time, Master. I want to give my all in the next fight, so I'm done saving my trump card."

Give it his all. In other words, he intends to use his ultimate attack as a Servant—his Noble Phantasm. His Noble Phantasm shouldn't be revealed before we fight our final opponent, though—

But, Archer himself proposed it.

Now, I will truly become his Master.

"I'll leave the timing up to you. In this Elimination Battle, guide me as your sword, not your knight. All the decisions are in your hands. Even with my Noble Phantasm, the enemy is more powerful than us. We may only get one chance to win."

And then, he discloses the name of his Noble Phantasm as well as his true name.

His Noble Phantasm sounds peculiar, and his true name mysterious, but I can't dwell on them at the moment.

My Legendary Soul truly is a blade to defend me. Now that I know, we'll defeat those assassins!

WEEK 5, DAY 7
The fight with Julius is over. We were able to defeat him thanks to Archer's Noble Phantasm. Archer is defined by blades—the ones that fill his abstract world, and the ones he crafted as a magus. But, his true name—

"...Man, you're easy to read. Are you really that curious about my true name?"

Why wouldn't I be curious? Servants are supposed to be famous historical figures. What does Archer mean by saying that he's nameless?

"That's what I mean. I'm not a proper Servant. I am a Legendary Soul, but not a hero. I'm more like a maid. I don't have something fancy like a name. Well, I do have a name from when I was human, but that name has no meaning now. I have no true name, no name at all. I'm just a nameless Legendary Soul."

A true name discloses the nature of a Legendary Soul. It says something that Archer's nameless... I guess.

...Come to think of it, I believe Archer has referred to himself in third person when talking about his life as a human.

...It's as if he wants to detach himself from who he was as a person.

"It's not that complicated. You see, all heroes can be covered under one simple definition— 'One human who saves another.' Heroes are ideal embodiments of human morality. People who walk the path of human righteousness are called heroes. People who have no moral compass are not heroes, but self-serving automatons. ...Well, in this virtual world, we're all automatons, but that's another matter."

Archer's saying a hero can't just save other people, they have to try to save themselves. A person who just mechanically saves others is no better than a machine. No one can relate to that.

Then what about Archer? Wasn't his abstract world used to protect people...?

"You might think that. I can't say what it has protected. These hands of mine just—"

Those who can't be saved end up being ostracized. It's like an amputation. A doctor has to sever the effected area to preserve the life of a patient.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but that's the sort of Servant you called. I'm just a person who tempers iron, not a person who saves people. That's all. Don't feel sorry for me. Now, let's return to our scheduled insult-laden dungeon crawl. Just follow me. I'll never get enough of watching a sorry, talentless Master like you struggle."

Archer gives a mean smirk, throwing around abusive language like usual— No, it's more biting than usual. He's probably asserting that nothing between us changes just because I know his true name.

...But, it's still on my mind. Just like he said, I don't have talent. That's why his predicament feels personal. I should have died in the prelims, but instead was responded to by a "nameless" Servant. When I summoned him, he said...

"I see. It's not like I get a say, but I've been called by yet another odd Master. I should be used to it by now."

I remember Archer grumbling.

...I don't remember what happened after that too well. I feel like he said something very important couched in strict and yet compassionate tones.

...Archer didn't make a contract with me just because he had no other choice. Back then—

I feel like he said that he would fight with this helpless Master, as a human.

WEEK 6, DAY 2
"...And then there were four. Although I knew this is how it'd be eventually, it's still kind of unnerving how empty this place feels. It's a good thing that the NPCs generated for the SE.RA.PH are so advanced. There are limits to what they can do, of course, but their AI is very close to real human intelligence. As they say, a bird in the hand and whatnot... As long as they're around, things shouldn't get too bad."

NPCs... The cadre of AI characters created by the Holy Grail for the purpose of supporting the war. I've been interacting with them as though they were real... I wonder if they're based on real people.

"...Hm. Good question. It would be easier to modify existing data than to create models from scratch. If the Holy Grail is as brutally efficient as I think it is, it most likely based all of the NPCs here on the lives of humans who'd lived sometime in the past.

"But not all of the NPCs are equal. For example, the girl in the commissary is more advanced than the norm. Those tasked with assisting Masters are probably reincarnated for every Holy Grail War. That girl most likely served the same role in an earlier incarnation of the war. All of her previous memories and experiences were purged, but her basic personality remains the same.

"On the other end of the spectrum, the incidental NPCs such as students will have a new data set each time. The data used for them comes from a vast pool of data and includes women and men of all ages. They are mere sketches of life, the original exterior copied and written over time and time again. In the Holy Grail War, they exist solely for the benefit of the participating Masters.

"As a rule, the Holy Grail uses more advanced AI routines for the essential NPCs that keep the war going. At the same time, minor NPCs' personalities are constantly cycled and changed. I assume it's to introduce variations and diversity in each occurrence of the Holy Grail War. And once we all exit the current war, they will be erased from the Moon Cell's records. It'd be pointless if patterns started forming. For those NPCs in the hallway, this war will be their last."

That's something even the NPCs mention sometimes, that they were created just for the Holy Grail War. For Masters, winning guarantees their survival. But for those NPCs, when the war ends, so do they. They are simply data stored within the Moon Cell so they'll eventually be assigned to a new form. Much like the building blocks of a body don't disappear when a person dies, they are simply re-purposed.

I really shouldn't get so despondent over all of this... Even though the human concept doesn't really apply to me, my reluctance to "kill" my opponents might be a reflection of what other Masters feel.

"You disagree? I take it you think the same NPCs should be used ad infinitum for efficiency's sake? That's how those who which for stasis think. For the Moon Cell, efficiency is no more than a means to an end. The Moon Cell's focus is to provide new challenges each time, so it erases the NPC data after each war. The main focus of the Moon Cell is to observe what happens over the course of the Holy Grail War. My guess is that in exchange for organizing the war for magi, it receives new insight and knowledge."

New challenges... The Moon Cell constantly invites new humans into it as there's no use for it to analyze old data. Also, any experiments performed solely by using the Moon Cell's old data would yield useless results. ...And on a cynical aside, it'd be a hell of a lot less entertaining.

"NPCs whose AI routines were close to human intelligence for the duration of the Holy Grail War will have their virtual lives drop away like the leaves from a tree in fall once the war comes to an end. The Moon Cell has no conscience. It simply categorizes NPCs by usefulness to preserve memory space. The Holy Grail is neutral in all respects. Good and evil come from the intentions of participating magi.

"And as advanced as the Moon Cell is, it's obviously not perfect. Or more accurately, its devotion to perfect chance allowed the ultimate anomaly to manifest. Of course, I'm referring to you. Due to its ability to perfectly recreate past existences, a will to survive emerged. Your very existence is far different from regular NPCs, or even dodgy ghosts from the past like me. Even as you stand there, you live now in the present by your own volition. You've been needlessly stressing out as of late, although I can't fathom why you'd do that to yourself. No matter what your origins are, the fact that you're still alive just proves you're on the winning team. You might want to keep that in mind.

"Also, us Legendary Souls are here to help those here in the present. You have no past? Perfect, it's better that way. Just keep charging towards the future like an enraged bull. And anyway, our goal right now is to obtain the Holy Grail, correct? Granted it'll end just like the tale of the Monkey's Paw, but having it couldn't hurt too much, right?"

Although the slightly mocking tone in Archer's voice was apparent, I know exactly what he means. The Holy Grail isn't the end of this. It's just a milestone amongst many as I head into the future—

That's what I believe he really meant.

WEEK 6, DAY 2 [SPECIAL]
[NOTE: This conversation only occurs when playing as the female protagonist during the Rin route. The conversation that otherwise occurs on this day is then pushed back to Week 6, Day 3.]

...There are only two more battles to go. Although I just defeated my most challenging opponent to date, stronger enemies still await me. And I don't know which battle will be my last, either. This may be my last time to truly relax. If that's the case, now's the time to get an answer to a question that's been bugging me for a long time now.

"...What's with the serious look on your face? Is something the matter?"

I nod in confirmation of Archer's statement and then say to him exactly what's on my mind. I would like... No, I demand an answer to the following question...

>Is Rin your ex-girlfriend?

"Wha—?!"

Ah, he was able to keep himself from falling out of his chair this time. Archer somehow managed to stay in his seat while mumbling something about "the floor being slippery." Wait, let me rephrase that. He was actually turning his back to me in the guise of straightening himself up.

"...Aren't you being a tad overly insistent about this? I thought we settled this little issue already."

"Settled" it? Hardly. Last time I was merely curious, but after what happened in the fifth round, what started out as suspicion has turned into a full-blown conviction. As your Master, I cannot allow you to keep hiding the truth about this from me.

"...Well, let me ask you something first. What if I were to answer yes?"

Right off the bat, I'd have to think of a new name for Archer, that's for sure. Don Juan might work, or even Caligula. I mean, he obviously is a playboy of the highest caliber. Maybe Hugh...? I'd also like for him to start addressing me in a more respectful manner befitting my lofty station.

"*Sigh* Sorry to interrupt your twisted fantasizing, but that will never, ever happen. I am not involved with Rin Tohsaka in any way, nor have I ever made a contract with her in the past. To be honest, I have a connection of a kind with someone who looks a lot like her, but— But what that connection is, I can't exactly remember. Since our contract wasn't confirmed in the usual way, it seems that some of my memories are missing."

Why did he have to bring that up again? Now I have no choice but to shut up, but still... Why do I feel like he's manipulating me? His protests always seem...overly polished, almost rehearsed.

...It's even worse when Archer isn't lying. His memories have definitely been clouded over. As a Servant, the memories of his life before he became a Legendary Soul continue to fade away.

"All I can offer is speculation. I don't remember Rin Tohsaka and she obviously doesn't recognize me. If there is a connection between us, it's at a primordial level so odious I don't want to think about it. In fact, she might be intimately involved in my rebirth as a Legendary Soul. It could be that she and I knew each other in the real world. That is, of course, if the person I was before becoming a Legendary Soul actually existed on Earth."

Archer as he was before becoming a Legendary Soul... I wonder if anything of the young man he was survived his transformation into a nameless Servant. Though if Archer the Legendary Soul is nothing like what he was as a human, it'd explain why Rin doesn't acknowledge him as a friend or acquaintance.

"Although I've never seen him before in my life, I can't help but feel nostalgic when he's around."

I can recall seeing Rin tilt her head in bewilderment whenever Archer made an appearance.

"So, that's all I have for you. I hope that answered your question. It's rare that reality is so chaotic. You probably assumed we were lovers at one point, but our relationship goes far beyond the physical. Sorry to disappoint you. If you want a Servant capable of hooking up, there's always the 'child of light.'"

With a huge grin on his face and a dismissive shrug, Archer obviously considers this conversation over.

...His ability to be insulting is beyond compare. I wish I had an infinite number of Command Seals to teach him the meanings of obedience, humility, and respect!

WEEK 7, DAY 1
On a totally random note, Archer claims to be a nameless, nondescript Legendary Soul. I'm not quite sure how that would even work, so I guess I'll just leave the topic alone for the time being. Being a Legendary Soul, he must've done something spectacular in the past, like kill a leviathan.

"So every hero is required to defeat a monster? Your ignorance is astounding, as is your imagination. Sadly, none of my achievements have ever reached such lofty and mythological heights. Most of the things I did were well within my capabilities, but... Actually, I'm kind of overlooking the event that got me recognized as a Legendary Soul after I died. It was one of those situations where it was impossible to go it alone— You'd need someone's help. It also marked the last time I was able to save everyone. There must have been ten thousand people all told—"

Ten thousand...! I can see why he became a Legendary Soul...but what exactly did he do?

"One of the cores of a nuclear power plant melted down. Someone had to go into the core to try to stop it. All I did on my own was get inside the core. Including bypassing security, it was a lot like... Well, picture running through ten levels of the Arena in less than an hour."

He says all of this like it was no big deal. I can't quite imagine how deadly the situation was, but the words "nuclear meltdown" are a pretty good indication that any sensible person would've run away.

...Oh. Well, at least he got one heck of a tan from it!

"Ha. Ha. Ha. I don't think even Rin Tohsaka is capable of saying something so heartless and cruel. I got like this using thaumaturgy, not because I was toasted by radiation. Are you done insulting me?"

He seems genuinely angry. It's times like this that I have to endure Archer's grizzled old man lectures. ...But at least I got an answer out of him. Archer is actually a hero, even if he doesn't think so himself.

WEEK 7, DAY 3
Only a few days remain until the Holy Grail War comes to an end. My upcoming battle with Leo is starting to make me incredibly nervous. Of all the Masters I've faced, he seems to be the one most likely to claim the Holy Grail. He's the only Master I've spoken with consistently since the prelims. I never thought we'd be the last ones standing.

"...Hmm. I have nothing to say, really. Is there something you need to get off your chest, Master?"

I guess my nerves are really showing if Archer notices. My obvious lack of composure has him a little concerned. This is a rare opportunity. I really should take the chance to—

>...talk about my concerns about Leo.

...The war is coming to an end and I can't help but focus on the differences between me and Leo. I'm just an average Joe. And not only am I not a magus, but I didn't even choose to be here. From the Moon Cell's view, my success is probably less interesting than the differences between me and Leo. I assume that the Moon Cell is only interested in special humans like Leo, who have indomitable will. Ah, but—

"Every person is special in their own way. If you think otherwise, you definitely still have a lot to learn. What defines 'special' anyway? If a human who could fly did so, it'd be interesting, but hardly surprising. But if someone who never had the ability willed themselves to learn how, now that'd be impressive. For what it's worth, my definition of a special person is one who pushes the limits of what they are capable of."

...I can't argue with that. And I have no qualms about what is required of me. And my partner, who was once just an average person like me, will be there with me until the end. There's no shame in being unremarkable. Now it's up to me to show Leo and the Moon Cell the power of being the underdog.

>...ask about Archer's true identity.

My upcoming fight with Leo looms large in my mind, but right now I have a question I have to ask. Even more important than if I live or die, there is something I have to ask Archer before I go to meet my fate. Before, he claimed that he wasn't strictly a Legendary Soul. What exactly did he mean by that? How did an ordinary human become a Legendary Soul? And who was the "hero of justice" he was mocking?

"What, you're still hung up on that? ...What a pain in the ass. It was just random idle chitchat. Wasn't the grand proclamation of 'the embodiment of justice' enough for you? I thought it sounded impressive."

That description seemed to refer to "Archer". But what I want to know is what came before. I want to hear what he was like when he was mortal.

"*Sigh* Why did I get stuck with such an inquisitive Master? Oh well, what can you do? I normally hate wallowing in the past, but for some reason I'm feeling nostalgic. ...Just the thought of it makes me chuckle. And now that I think about it, I suppose I wasn't nearly as bad of a person as I thought I was. You must be rubbing off on me. I guess it means...that's it's not so bad to be a sentimental fool from time to time.

"—Yeah. Now is as good a time as any to stop obsessing over what can't be changed."

With that, Archer straightens himself up. His tone of voice is neither gloomy nor cheerful, but is strangely neutral. It's as if he's simply replaying a story of little significance or import.

"In the grand scheme of things, my story probably doesn't matter much. Are you familiar with the term 'survivor's guilt'? I am the embodiment of all that it means."

Survivor's guilt. A condition that those who survive a catastrophe often develop.

Survivor's guilt. A condition where the survivor of a catastrophe believes they did something wrong by surviving when those around them died.

Because they survived, they are special in some way. Or possibly they feel that, since they are still alive, they have to do something exceptional in order to honor those who weren't as fortunate. And if the survivor didn't, it'd be the same as showing disrespect for the memory of the dead.

"Yeah. I was the sole survivor of a major disaster and while my body lived, my soul died that day. As the disaster was unfolding, my only thought was to somehow atone for the fact that I alone survived. That's why— That's why I do not consider my life my own. I swore that I would never allow another tragedy like the one I survived to ever happen to others. If I didn't do that, I wouldn't have been able to survive myself.

"It was then that I gave up my name. I also gave up any claims to my humanity and swore that I'd live for those who had died and not for myself. 'To become a hero of justice whose purpose is to save others.' It was with this warped idea that I grew up. Don't look so worried. And don't point out how childish it all sounds, considering how traumatized I was. But anything it possible if you're determined enough. I somehow made a childish promise come true.

"And during the transition from childhood to adolescence, that man finally realized what he'd become. If someone dared to use their strength in their own self-interest, I'd stop them for the good of others. If a criminal were to attempt further crimes, I'd slay them before they had a chance to victimize another. I was a magus whose specialty was creating weapons and was considered perfect for fighting 'evil.' And on a related note, it's really not all that hard to become a hero of justice. By acting selflessly and staying true to one's ideals, any person can become a personification of justice."

...I seriously doubt it's that easy at all. In fact, there seems to be something desperately wrong with killing your sense of self for the supposed good of others. I can tell he's only sharing his bitterness and leaving other things out.

"You may be right on that score, but at a certain point he no longer cared. He was addicted to the feeling that his devotion to others gave him. In volunteering and in resistance, his self-righteousness allowed him to save the lives of many. While it was for selfish reasons, his desire to help others led to him becoming a legend amongst the people. Under his altruism he was just in truth a mercenary. And he was alone only for a short time. In the midst of all this he had friends, one of which approved of his ideals and took charge of all things."

That is how he was able to immerse himself deeper and deeper into his sense of duty. Archer smiles a bit as he recounts the birth of a selfish, idealistic hero of justice. That smile, as self-depreciating as it may be, is definitely a positive response to his memories. I see in it a flash of the young man who fully devoted himself to upholding a set of ideals. A man with supportive friends. A man with an understanding lover. I can see in Archer's smile that he's thinking... "Ah, the good old days."

"To say they were good old days would be an overstatement. I mean, the guy was a criminal. He may have thought he was on the side of justice, but he was no hero."

...Not this again. I still have yet to find anything objectionable in Archer's story. Didn't he save people? Doesn't that make him a hero?

"You're familiar with the ethical dilemma of whether it's okay to let ten people die to save a hundred? Or the one about stealing a loaf of bread to feed your family? Or possibly—and stop me if you've heard this one before—a deadly virus spreads inside of an airplane, and passengers are dying by the minute. Amidst the terror, they still frantically attempt to reach the airport. Even though they're all miserable, they band together hoping to make an emergency landing at an airport. They act selflessly in order to save their fellow passengers even though their own lives are forfeit. But, when they reach the ground, the virus will have access to the 300,000 lives in the city. The groups are equally blameless, only different in size. Actually, the passengers on the plane are the biggest victims. Even in such hellish circumstances, they hold on to their humanity.

"He applauded them, you know. Those people on the plane who stubbornly clung to human decency. But, he took their dying wish of landing the plane and he crashed it down to the bottom of the sea. His ideals said— 'The good of many outweighs the good of the few.'"

It's an issue of life and death, not deontology. What Archer was talking about is like the Plank of Carneades. It's a thought experiment where one person survives by acting in a way that causes the other to die. If one person didn't take action, both would die. It's a situation with no good options...

"It's always wrong to kill someone, no matter what ideals are at stake. To kill for personal gain is evil. So what if fewer people die one way or the other? No one's life was really saved."

...Ah. That's why he's said that he wasn't a hero so often. He protected the safety of the people in the city from risk. The part where he actively saved someone on the verge of death didn't happen.

...He said that someone who truly upholds justice is selfless. He told me that his spirit died in the disaster that he survived as a child. Both of those things are nonsense. I think that he killed himself by cold-heartedly choosing his ideals over his humanity. Even though his decision to save more lives was correct, it was wrong of him to disregard the inhumanity of his act.

—However. Every life that he threw away was also a life he wanted to save. In the disaster he survived as a child, he must have heard people crying out, "I don't want to die." To save some lives but not others contradicted his core beliefs, founded on the pleas he heard.

...He was not allowed to mourn. Sins that are committed can be atoned for. Lives that are forsaken can be apologized to. But forgiveness can never be given to one who does not sway from a bloodstained path. That's why, no matter who criticized his actions... He could not betray those he had cast away.

...As a result, he became worn down. Trying to be a hero of justice was killing him inside. To someone with his ideals, the idea of protecting the people you love was ridiculously impossible.

"It was inevitable that being a hero of justice became a selfish act, one that would incite a man to kill me. What difference is there between vigilante and criminal, after all?"

Actually, I imagine he was far more feared than any criminal, since he acted outside the law. He must have struck fear into anyone with a guilty conscience, even those "above the law" and officials. No negotiation, persuasion, or even calling upon his humanity would affect him. People probably couldn't comprehend why he did what he did. Explaining wouldn't have helped either. After all, not a single person the world is capable of acting without self-interest, right?

"Could he be up to something awful?"

"Could he be pulling the wool over our eyes with good deeds?"

Doubts became rumors, and rumors became truth. Resulting in the hero of justice being turned over to the justice system by his closest friend. That was how the mysterious man who was feared by even evil people was ultimately defeated. Because he was a hero of justice, he accepted the people's justice without defiance.

Servants are reproductions of Legendary Souls—you could also say they are reborn.

...In other words, his life ended at the hands of a courtroom.

"I screwed up. My friend feared me."

"I thought this man helped me because he cared for me, but... If I have become a detriment to the public, he wouldn't hesitate to strike me down."

It's not that his friend betrayed him... His ideals betrayed him. His friend realized that he was bonded not to a man, but a demon enforcing indiscriminate justice. He wasn't human at all, just a more infallible incarnation of the system.

...And so, his friend concluded that one day the man would meet the same fate as those he'd killed. Therefore— This out of control vigilante had to be tricked into a trap.

"That's exactly right. Back then, and even now, I've never once hated that friend. There was only one thing I thought was unfortunate. When the time came for me to die, I believed I would be done in by righteous hatred, but—"

It wasn't a death brought on by hatred. It was because he wouldn't become someone else's gain.

"The people have a duty to end necessary evils—"

Redemption would not be his. It's karma. He was severed from society, just like the people whose lives he severed. Even if as a human being he realized his path was a mistake...

"—in order to save as many people as possible."

The young man was fated to fall to the righteousness he espoused.

...It's a perfectly drawn up story. Maybe that's why this hero of justice doesn't have a name. A hero without a name. His death showed the public the very sort of embodiment of justice they yearned for.

"Sorry, that was depressing. Just take away from this the lesson that devoting yourself to an ideal won't save anyone. The me back then and the me now are different. Don't get overwhelmed by thinking of us as the same person."

Overwhelming? That my Servant is a hero of justice? —No way. A superhero who's stuck on upholding good and punishing evil would get old pretty fast. I wonder if Archer thinks he's a particularly strong Servant.

"—Yeah. I'm not a very easygoing guy; how did you know? That's right. What's overwhelming about me isn't my 'heroic' past. You probably already know this, but I think my true gift is pointing out my partner's faults."

—He smiles. Archer has smiled at me before, but I get the sense that this is something special. It was as if he had made peace with his past life. That was enough. Maybe we met so that he could give this smile. Captivated, I feel the tension flow out of me. Still, there's one last thing I want to ask. Is Archer happy now, even if his life was unrewarding?

"Well, now. Who wouldn't be happy being a Legendary Soul, and a Servant to boot!"

He talks with a dry, sardonic smile.

...Oh no. I went and ruined it. Now I can't ask if he's found redemption. Poor Archer must barely be able to contain his discontent at having an inexperienced Master like me—

"I think this fight has been a good thing for me overall. It's been meaningful. Redemptive. There have been times when your inexperience was frustrating, but you've been a good Master."

...Wait, what? He's still making fun of me?

"As if. I'm not talking about 'good' in terms of strongest or best magi. That doesn't matter to me. Abilities can be learned and talent can be compensated for. But your spirit— That's something unchangeable. Even if you'd been the weakest, for me to have had a just Master with such a humane heart is—"

Archer cuts himself off there. Maybe he couldn't find the words, or maybe he didn't think they needed saying. ...But, I know what he means. The reason why as a Servant he made his contract with a nameless magus. I know what appealed to him about an average person guided by forces beyond their control. The righteous path he strove to walk when he was alive helped me walk a better path.

"Okay, let's redouble our efforts. We won't be able to compete if we don't focus on the battle. Storytime is over. The Coliseum, the future, and a job that only you can do awaits."

He gets up from his seat. There's no more reason to talk anyway. I think we've shared enough. I feel renewed as the nameless magi and Servant face their final fight.

>...actually, I have nothing to say.

...No, I shouldn't voice my worries. Instead, I need to bury my feelings in preparation to fight Leo.

"I see. It seems you're ready. I guess I didn't need to worry."