With Neither Mass Nor Shape, Yet Real

You are too kind, Master.

While we Servants have no need for sustenance, I would be happy to partake if there is enough to go around.

Oh yes, there's plenty. So much that you'd be doing us a favor by helping us eat it.

Fou fou.

I'm so sorry. I always seem to end up making enough to feed a whole family when it's my turn to cook.

I'm sure it would be great if there were a large number of us camping out, but when it's only a few of us, I always feel like I'm being careless and wasteful.

Oh, well thank you, Master. I'm glad to hear that. We cooks can always use more positive feedback.

Well, that's kind of you to say, Master. ...That WAS a compliment, right?

？！

Hmm, this food is somehow...heartwarming. Is this what home cooking usually tastes like?

I'm not sure. This is usually what meals were like back when I cooked for my own family...

...but I don't know if that alone qualifies it as home cooking.

Still, as long as the food is hot and nutritious, and everyone can relax and be themselves while they eat it, I think that's all you need.

I see, I see.

I ask because, as something of an older hero myself, I tend to forget what home cooking was like.

？！

I do.

You see... (Munch) While my mother did raise me... (Munch, munch)

Stop that! Didn't your mother teach you not to talk with your mouth full? A great hero should be setting a much better example!

...Yes, you're right. My apologies.(Munch, munch)...

？！

...Well, that doesn't mean we need to eat in complete silence, either. I'm happy to talk during meals, as long as we don't do so while chewing.

Good point.

...My father, the great warrior Sigmund, died in battle when I was still a baby.

... ...

I see. I'm sorry for your loss.

Fortunately, I was not yet of fighting age, or he may have given me a baby battle instead of a baby bottle.

Fou!?

Bwa!?

Why would you say such a thing!? It doesn't even make sense!

Gah! Never mind! Let's just forget that last part!

Forgive me. Once I get a joke in my head, I simply cannot stop myself from saying it.

Even my beloved has told me less is more when it comes to my attempts at humor.

At any rate, after my father's death, my mother took a new husband, and a blacksmith friend of the family was entrusted with my care.

And that was

Indeed, I do.

If you are familiar with my legend, that will save us time.

His name was Regin, and he raised me as though I were his own son.

？！

Was he strict?

Of course.

He had to be, to ensure I would grow up to be a hero.

Thus, I was trained to be a hero from a very young age.

...No, on second thought, I suppose I did.

I see... I don't blame you. I can only imagine how hard that must have been.

Though I am surprised to hear you say that, Sigurd. You always seemed like the type to keep those kinds of thoughts to yourself.

True, I suppose I usually am. But in this case...

I thought that with my beloved elsewhere, and only a few comrades in arms I trust with my life here...

...I could permit myself a moment of vulnerability and share how I truly feel.

...

... ...

Ahem! W-well go on, keep eating. The food's certainly not getting any warmer, after all.

？！

What did I just say!? ...Still, can you blame me?

I think anyone would be touched to be trusted so implicitly by someone from such a different time and place.

Hahaha, I do apologize if I embarrassed you.

At any rate, I can scarcely imagine how hard that kind of life must have been for you.

But if nothing else, I can certainly pray for you.

Consider it a sign of respect for the conviction that helped you get through those hard times and become the hero you are today.

You may well be right, Lady Martha.

It was a difficult time in my life, to be sure...

...but since I would not be here today had I not experienced it, I can look back on it fondly.

That being said, if I were to encounter Regin now, I have no doubt I would punch him right in his face again.

Fou fou...

Indeed.

While we are on the subjectI would not normally tell you this next part, but since it is already part of my legend, I see no reason to refrain.

Unfortunately, Regin deceived me. He planned to make off with the evil dragon's treasure after I slew it...

...even if it meant killing me to get me out of his way.

Oh gosh. That's...terrible.

Indeed. But by then, he was no match for me, and I quickly turned the tables on him.

I, uh, I see. You're very proud of that, aren't you?

Of course.

I've never thought of myself as a righteous hero...

...but surely, anyone who could stoop so low as to stab a child he raised in the back must be irredeemably evil.

So I think my killing him in retaliation must therefore have been a righteous act.

Yes, you do have a point. There certainly isn't much good to say about a man who would betray his charge for riches.

...Do you hate Regin for what he did to you, Sigurd?

......

No, I don't think so. I don't have much love for him now, but I wouldn't say I especially hate him either.

If nothing else, I do owe him a debt of gratitude for his work raising me to be the hero I became.

And above all, I would never have met my beloved had he not set me on that path.

I suppose it just goes to show there is a thin line between good fortune and bad.

Don't you think you're being a little overly optimistic?

......Now that you mention it...!

Oh come now! Surely there's no need to be that shocked about it!

It's just that I'm usually so straitlaced that no one has ever called me optimistic before.

I never even realized it until now... I see. So I'm an optimist...

Arguably, one of the best parts of being a Servant is getting to better understand who we are even after we die.

Now that you know you're an optimist, you should work on polishing your optimistic nature.

I see.

From where I stand, it appears you are also an optimist, Lady Martha.

For it is through your heart of iron wrapped in gentle mercy that you bring hope to people everywhere.

Oh?... Now that you mention it, I suppose I probably am an optimist.

But that's okay. I think it's much better to be an incurable optimist than to bemoan the state of the world without doing anything to improve it.

With that attitude, it is little wonder you became a saint. My masker, hat is off to you.

It's a little embarrassing, hearing you praise me like that...

Thank you once again for this meal, O Lord.

At any rate, I'm still wondering if there truly is an evil dragon in this Singularity.

What do you make of it, Sieg?

They're definitely the same species as me... Well, that might not be entirely accurate...

But whatever species they are, I can definitely sense them here. Also, on a completely different subject, the stew is delicious, Martha.

Thank you, Sieg. I made sure to season your bowl extra strong.

I appreciate that.

My tongue isn't as sensitive as humans', so I need strong flavors just to taste anything at all.

...Mmm, this really is delicious.

I'm glad to hear that.

All right, once you're done with dinner, we'll get back to searching. And this time, we're going to find those dragons and take care of them once and for all.

And by take care of, I mean confront them and lay them to rest with mercy and prayer.

How many times do I have to tell you!? I'm a Rider! A Rider devoted solely to healing others!

(Why is she upset? Does she not like being called "Ms."?)

Indeed.

Between two renowned dragon slayers like myself and Lady Martha, I almost feel sorry for our targets.

？！

All right then, shall we get going?

Don't worry, Master. If you liked my stew that much, I'd be happy to make another pot for you after we get back.

Could I partake in this new pot of stew as well?

Well of course. Like I said, I always make too much anyway. When it comes to cooking for large groups, I daresay I could even give Cat a run for her money.

Right.

I like to think I've known for some time now how Siegfried fights...

...so I'm really looking forward to fighting alongside you for the first time, Sigurd.

I see. Well, since one of a hero's duties is to live up to young boys' expectations for them...

...I'll have to do my best to show off what I can do then.

？！

Sigurd!

...!

What happened!? How could a warrior of your caliber become so distracted!?

Were you so nice and full from that delicious meal that you got sleepy or something?

No, nothing like that. Forgive me. I was simply a bit lost in thought.

Oh, thank goodness. I was worried you had been hit with some sort of mental attack.

Though in that case, I'm impressed you can afford to get lost in thought while we face such a fearsome opponent.

I'm sorry.

Rest assured, I will do everything I can to allay your concerns, starting right now.

What are your orders, Master!?

Understood. Then I would ask that you please send some more magical energy my way.

Thank you, Master. All right, beast...have at you!

Leave it to me. I'll make sure to heal every injury sustained, down to the slightest scratch.

I'll cover you with my Noble Phantasm.

Then I'll lead the charge against this beast. Let's go!

？！

There we go. All the creatures have been destroyed, Master.

？！

Thank you.

Don't let your guard down just yet. We still haven't finished repairing this Singularity.

And Sigurd, I think you still owe us an explanation for why you spaced out in the middle of battle.

Yes, I suppose I do.

Letting your mind wander in the heat of battle is inexcusable.

I got careless. I'm sorry.

？！

I'm surprised. I never thought I'd see the day when you of all people slipped up.

I was kind of surprised, too...

...(Sigh) Fortunately, we were able to cover for your mistake this time, but we might not be so lucky next time.

Still, whatever's going on, if you believe you can figure it out on your own, please make sure you do so.

I will. Don't worry. It won't happen again.

...?

Is something wrong?

Oh, no, it's nothing. Just my imagination.

(Though for a moment there, it really did look to me like he was enjoying himself...)

...

I'm sensing more dragonkin a little further ahead.

？！

There are lots of small ones, two medium-sized ones, and one big one.

Based on everything I've sensed so far, I'm guessing the small ones are wyverns, the medium ones are dragons...

...and the big one is a Fafnir.

Then perhaps this Singularity will go away once we take care of them?

I think it probably will, yes. Though of course, that's easier said than done.

These evil Fafnir dragons are always formidable foes I prefer to avoid, no matter how many times I've faced them.

Indeed.

Come to think of it, Siegfried says he doesn't remember anything about his own battle against Fafnir.

He says even a single battle with stakes as high as those, where even one small mistake can lead to your death, is enough to drive a person to insanity...

And since his went on for so long, he no longer has any recollection of how he managed to come out on top.

It's true. That sort of thing is quite common in fiercely fought battles.

While I also remember that I won my battle against Fafnir, I couldn't tell you how I did so.

Much as I wish I could.

Well, I assume you at least used that sword against it.

That much is certain, yes. Still...it's strange.

I'm still remembered as a heroic dragon slayer to this day, even though it's been a staggeringly long time since I accomplished that feat.

...But right now, I think I remember my ordinary life much more than I do that fearsome battle.

I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

Now you really aren't sounding like yourself. Of course it's a good thing, Sigurd. Of that, I have no doubt.

I hope you're right.

Maybe the same will be true for this journey to save humanity as well, and I'll remember the ordinary days far better than I will my battles.

？！

Do you think so, Master?

I see... That's very reassuring.

I might just be imagining things, but I'm sensing there are even more creatures in the cave up ahead now than there were earlier.

Well, that's not good. They must be birthing more to increase their numbers.

That can't be right! How could they possibly grow up so fast!?

Anything is possible in a Singularity.

They may be close to a powerful leyline, or they may have attained the power of a Holy Grail...

Either way, the sooner we eliminate the threat, the better.

？！

Yikes! They're absolutely everywhere!

It's just like what happened in Orleans.

We need to hurry, or they'll start reproducing faster than we can eradicate them!

Master!

Consider it done!

We'll do our best to clear the way for you! Good luck, Sigurd!

Understood!

Indeed. We must do something about the dragonkin first and foremost!

？！

Now!

My demonic sword is complete; my ultimate technique is ready. The time of your demise is at hand!

Bölverkr Gram!!!

You did it! The enemy has completely vanished!

Good.

Booyah!

...Ahem. Wonderful job, everyone.

It shouldn't be long before this Singularity repairs itself now.

FujimaruI mean, Master.

Shall we?

？！

Oh?

Wooo.

？！

What was that?

It's called a high five.

I'm no expert, but apparently, it's some kind of ritual you do once a job is complete.

Hmm. Then I think I'll do the same.

？！

W-wooo.

... ...Hmm. This is nice.

Great work today, everyone. Let's head back now, shall we?

？！

Thank you.

...So please, give it to me straight, Master.

Do you think I've gotten weaker?

It's true.

We would have had a much more difficult time against Fafnir without your help.

There you have it, Lord Sigurd. And I too can vouch that you are still as strong as ever.

Tell us, why would you think otherwise?

Master is right.

You are every bit as strong as you ever were.

Tell us, what in the world made you think otherwise?

？！

Well...

For one, the fact that I let my guard down on the battlefield.

But more significantly, it is the fact that I was once able to defeat Fafnir on my own...

...yet this time, I was unable to do so without assistance from other Servants.

The only explanation I could think of was that...I must have grown weaker.

True, there are definitely cases where we Servants are weaker now than when we were alive.

For example, as a Saber, I can no longer use my Tarnkappe.

In a vacuum, one could indeed conclude that we have grown weaker.

I knew it...

However...

It might sound contradictory, but I'm also certain I don't feel any weaker now than I did when I was alive.

And the reason for that...is our Master.

Well, him and the other companions alongside whom we've fought.

While these kinds of circumstances would never come about during an ordinary Holy Grail War, they allow us to draw on this power.

... ...

...I see. Yes, you're right. Thank you, Lord Siegfried.

How can I repay you for your help?

If you'd like to repay me, you can do so by sparring with a couple of people I know.

Oh?

...Hehehe.

In fact, this sparring session might just help you truly understand what I mean.

...?

Good day. My name is Sigurd, and I'll be your sparring partner today.

Hell yeah! Siegfried told me all aboutcha.

This oughta get me another step closer ta bein' a bona fide swordmaster!

I'm a Caster, not a Saber...but I still tend to get involved in a lot of sword fights.

So I think this sparring session will be extremely educational for me.

... ...Hehe.

Somethin' wrong, Sigurd?

Oh, sorry. Not to worry, everything is fine.

Now, shall we get started?

？！

Understood.

Then let us begin!

You're fast, but your strokes are all over the place!

It's natural to hesitate at times when using multiple weapons...

...so your first step is to make choosing which one to use as natural as breathing!

G-gotcha!

You're mine!

You're still overly reliant on Lord Siegfried's sheer strength.

I can understand why you'd be in a hurry to end the fight, since you can only transform for a moment

But there's no need to rush. You still have plenty of breathing room to use that technique.

R-right!

Hraaaaaah!

Hmm.

You're not hesitating, but that's made your attack patterns too simplistic.

An effective combat strategy relies on a mixture of both truth and lies. I want you to come up with at least three options for attacking your opponent at any given time.

Y-yikes! That sounds way too complicated for me!

If it helps, you could try thinking of these options as conditional reflexes.

Perhaps you could try assigning numbers to each move. For example, four, seven, two, five...

...could be something like that. Easy, right?

... ...

I think we still have a long way to go before I can start thinking like that...

Oh? Hmm... Well, there's nothing wrong with associating them with something else, either.

Yeah? In that case, do ya think I could try to think of 'em as paintins', Sigurd?

I'm just startin' ta get the faintest picture of how it could work here...

But I'm definitely way more familiar with paintins' than I am numbers.

In that case, I'll try thinking of my techniques as Servant classes.

That sounds fine to me.

All right, Sieggy, whaddaya say we do this thing!? I'll go first!

"Sieggy"?

Well, all right. But I'll be going right after you! Come on, let's do it!

That's it! Show me what you've got!

(Huff, huff, huff...)

There you go. Not bad at all.

If you continue training regularly, it will only be a matter of time until you master the sword.

Woohooo! We're finally done!

Aw damn, I'm all outta juice. Don't think I can take another step.

I'd offer to carry you, but I'm afraid I've hit my limit, too... I'm sorry.

？！

All right, I suppose I'll just have to carry you both myself then.

You know...that was a lot of fun.

...Hmm. That's not good.

I shouldn't be thinking about having fun.

？！

...Do you really think so?

？！

...Hmm.

I see. So that's what happened.

What do you think of my weakness, my beloved?

... ...

Oh, my dear Sigurd. You haven't grown weak at all. You're still as heroic as you ever were.

Just as you once learned how to smile kindly around me many years ago...

...you've now learned how to smile around many people.

That's not a sign of weakness.

It's a sign that you've become more human more like the person you were meant to be.

And I think it's wonderful.

I see...

Then I owe it all to you, my beloved Brynhild.

If it had not been for the passion you inspired in me in life, or the loss I once grieved...

...I would surely not be standing here before you now.

Hehe. You never fail to make my heart beat faster.

But that's just what I love about you... Honey.

Urk. That, uh...certainly took me by surprise.

You're always throwing me for a loop, so it's only fair that I return the favor now and then.

Oooi! Oh, wait, that's my name. Hey, Siguuurd! We wanna train some more!

I just came up with a killer ultimate move, an' I was hopin' you'd let me try it out on...Aah!

I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to interrupt your alone time.

See, Oei? I told you we should've waited until morning.

W-w-well how was I s'posed ta know what ya meant!?

S-s-sorry for botherin' ya, Sigurd. I'll come back tomorrow!

Don't be silly, Hokusai. This is a new ultimate move we're talking about, right?

I'd love to see what you came up with.

Beloved, would you mind lending them a hand?

Of course not, Sigurd.

Actually, um... Would you mind if one more person joined us? He's been telling us, quote:

"I still have nooo idea why little old me became a Saber in the first place!"

...So I decided to bring him along, too.

Evening! Sorry to spoil your date! But I can't wait to have fun training with you!

Heh... Of course you're welcome to train with us.

But whether you have fun or not is up to you.

My swordsmanship class is ninety-nine-percent uncompromising, one-percent kind understanding.

Y-y-y-yikes! I-I'll do my best to keep up!

...Yes. Of course I do.

We're waiting for you, Sigurd.

...Right. Then I suppose we'd better get started.