Reasons to Fight

This is Fuyuki, birthplace of the Holy Grail War...

Horrible. This flame won't disappear for another 10 or 20 years.

The curse seeped into the very land itself. This place is no longer fit for human habitation.

Seems so. Apparently, there's a similar city in America.

There are fires on the surface, and the ground beneath is full of gas. It is expected to burn another 50 years.

Well, that was an accident caused by human urban development. This one is a disaster caused by magecraft.

Disaster by magecraft... What are your thoughts, Master?

You believe it's a Holy Grail... As much as I don't want to admit it, it seems undeniable.

The Holy Grail was not the cause, rather, the very nature of the city was altered by becoming a singularity?

？！

...Excuse me. But it was you who protected this city's Holy Grail, Saber.

Or to be more precise, another aspect of you. Do you have any memories of those events?

...My apologies.

Heroic Spirits who are summoned to be Servants are separated from their original selves in that moment.

When released from our contract, we return to the Throne and all our experiences are stored as integrated memories.

My current self is the "me" from when I conducted myself as the King of Knights, a Saber.

Fujimaru, Mash, please think of that black armored version of me as an entirely different person.

Yes, that is both a plus and minus of the Heroic Spirit summoning system.

A single Heroic Spirit can employ various facets of itself, but combat between the same Heroic Spirit is also possible.

But rest assured, as long as my dark fallen self belongs to another class I will never change, no matter what happens.

My sword serves only you and your goal. It will never attack you even by mistake.

？！

Right. Thank you Master, for the time being I shall answer that trust.

That growl! I sense a hostile presence, Senpai!

This should provide excellent combat experience. Mash, follow me. I shall show you how to fight!

Just as I thought, she has potential. Mash will become a fine warrior, Fujimaru.

...Then again. We still need to work on her fear on the battlefield.

...I'm sorry. Battles are scary, after all.

Aren't you scared, Saber? I mean, you're around the same age as me, and you're a girl too

Yes, I'm curious about that myself.

It was a surprise to learn that the legendary King Arthur was a girlbut what really surprised me was your strength.

I think the quality of Saber's... Altria's Spirit Origin is top-class even among Heroic Spirits.

Altria, King Arthur rather, why are you so free of doubt?

You went so far as to disguise yourself as a man to take the throne, unite a ravaged Britain, and drive off invaders.

What were your reasons to go to such lengths, and what series of events forced you into that position.

...What reasons and events you say? Let me see. I can explain the series of events, if not the reasons.

I was born to eliminate the previous king, a foolish ruler... Rather, I was created for it.

I believe it's a type of magecraft called "conceptual fertilization."

Mother was pregnant with the concept of the Red Dragon, guardian of Britain, and gave birth to me.

The high quality of my Spirit Origin is likely a result of that. Afterwards, I drew the sword that selects kings.

Having been chosen by the sword, I was saved by Merlin, my guardian as well as a weird mage.

I was then entrusted with the sacred sword by the Lady of the Lake, and came to rule Britain.

That is the long and short of my past. Just like the legends.

What may differ slightly from your preconceptions is my gender, I suppose.

I mean. When it comes to ruling a country, being a man made certain things easier.

？！

Of course. It was difficult, and I had many failures. Like anyone, my life had its ups and downs.

Nevertheless, I am satisfied with my life.

I lost my way many times, but in the end, I finally understood.

Although I have hurt many, and failed to recognize many, I protected that which I held most dear to until the very end.

...

Oh dear, this is no place for long chats, is it?

Master, your commands. Let us lift some small part of the curse that infects this land!

Thank you for accepting my wish to see Fuyuki.

Let us return to Chaldea, Master. I'm sure there are other matters we should be attending now.

Just a moment. You haven't finished your story.

One more thing?

？！

Of course, I told you how I became a king, but I haven't told you why.

My aspiration to be king despite being a woman. ...And for what reasons did I fight?

However, it is a simple, trivial matter. I am sure it is the same as you, dear Fujimaru.

I did not fight for ideals. I fought for the future.

One that everyone wishes for, everyone desires for. My hand reached for this sword to protect that.

I am not sure if I did a good job. But I did my best and laid down my life for that dream.

...You have no regrets for how your life ended as King Arthur?

I have some disappointments, but no regrets.

My battle was not the correct salvation for everythingBut I am certain it wasn't a mistake.

From this point forward it is your battle, Master. I swear on my sword, I will be there to assist you.