Lonely Soldier, Brave As a Lion

...We've got barely any equipment. Be careful, okay?

You need to prepare to go into the forest. You can't just walk in there.

But, well, I guess this isn't a real forest, right?

Yeah, this is a battle simulation. I want combat data for forested areas, you see.

So I thought bringing a veteran Heroic Spirit would be good experience for Fujimaru.

What an honor. My job is keeping Fujimaru from being too reckless, right?

It'll be hard to take it slow, but I am sure you'll get something out of this.

Yeah, leave it to me.

That's right. Let's do this.

？！

...I'll be watching the Command Room this time. Sorry, Senpai.

B-But I'll help in any way I can! I'll watch for any enemies that might show up!

Hmm? Can't you guys make enemies appear and disappear?

Nah, it would be boring doing that every time. This time I had them appear randomly.

So if you tell them where the enemies are, all that programming work I did will be wasted...

No, Doctor. Just think of this as practice for providing support from the Command Room.

But is there any point in you doing that?

We're training to be ready for everything. Isn't that right, Doctor?

Thank you, I'll do my best!

Yes! I'd love to!

Sorry, missy, I'll be borrowing your Master for a little.

I'll get your Master back safe... Wait a second. You don't get hurt in a combat simulator, right?

That's right, but serious injury will result in minor psychological trauma...

That goes for Servants too. Arash, please be careful.

I'll be fine. I'll protect your Master for you.

？！

This is practice for fighting without Mash, too. Though Mash will always be with you during Rayshifts...

...it's quite possible that you two will get separated upon arrival.

It's hard to imagine me leaving Senpai's side, but

But you're right. We can't be sure it won't happen.

Yes. If we ever Rayshift into space, it will take us some time to rendezvous.

Thank you, Senpai. I'll try my best to stay with you always...

？！

Hmm... What was it? It's...

Arash, is something wrong?

I think there's a phrase to describe you two. It's on the tip of my tongue.

Deeply connected? Best friends? No, no, no. Um, let me see.

Deeply in love?

A-Arash!

Not you too!

Y-Yes, um...well...

？！

It's important, right? A Master and Servant are

No, I guess not. It doesn't matter whether you're human or not.

You're comrades, risking your lives together. It's best for you to get along.

Y-Yes. But wait, that doesn't just go for me...

...but for all the Servants who've contracted with Senpai.

You too, Arash. We're all comrades, risking our lives together, right?

Huh? Yeah... you're right.

Come to think of it, you're right. Haha, I tried to act cool, and it failed, huh?

...Arash is a great man. Many know his name.

Many know his deeds as well. Even today he is widely respected in Western Asia.

His name and achievements are carved in legends, and sung in songs.

Yes, song. Did you not know this, Master?

The song survives to the present day. Shall I sing a little?

"He"

"He stood on the top of Mount Damavand, and readied the arrow of fate."

"His name was Arash, and the rising sun was his friend."

"...The generals sing of his victory."

"Strong, pure Arash, with all of his life, fired but a single arrow."

"Two countries were engulfed in the flames of war, and with his arrow he saved them both."

"All eyes were shocked as his deed, and his bravery became a legend."

"His arrow was faster than the fastest comet."

"Afterwards he was never seen, and his name alone became legend."

"The other side of the Oxus River became the new border. By its clear waters both countries built peace."

"He is Arash, the strong and pure. A lonely warrior. Arash, bold like a lion."

I changed a bit, but it was mostly like this...

？！

Yes. Thus it is said.

Arash was the great hero of Western Asia. He lived and fought alone, they say, in the distant past.

...The truth however, is unknown.

A legend is a legend. It does not always represent the truth.

Records are the same way. They are not absolute.

I cannot say for sure... But...

What's wrong, Master? Space out in the forest and you'll walk right into a tree.

Don't drop your guard even in a battle simulation, or else you'll get hurt. Even here, you'll go numb, right?

It's not just trees you'll be running into. There's beasts and monsters about too.

？！

Yeah, a forest is nature's home. So of course, there are monsters here.

The mages would call it... "Mystics," was it? They may be rare, but monsters are a part of nature.

They were common in my day. The king I served was a descendant of a dragon slayer.

That's right, and a strong one, too.

You mean the subspecies of western dragons? No, I think it was worse than that.

？！

Real dragons are rare, but they do exist out there.

They say there aren't many left these days, but the Rayshifts send you to the past, right?

So stay focused in the forest. Mash, the Doctor, and the other Servants can protect you.

You're the core of the battle, Fujimaru. We need your power to summon Heroic Spirits and use Command Spells.

Win or lose, it's up to

Your orders... Whoa!

I've detected random monsters! Wait, some have already been defeated?

Arash's Arrow Construction skill!

He was blessed by the goddess Armaiti, and is a legendary bowyer too!

He can make and fire arrows using magical energy in real time!

There's your explanation. They're coming, Master! Let's do this!

Give me your orders. First we take some out, and then...

We retreat as fast as we can.

？！

They're random monsters. There's probably no need to, but...

If these things are "natural," then a larger pack might be nearby.

It's like seeing an enemy scout. There might be an army nearby.

Always go into training like it's the real deal! Picture the risks you might face on the battlefield!

Haha! Right?

Hahahaha! Come on, don't be like that!

？！

First, we fight! Then we retreat at top speed! Let's go!

...The sun's set.

The forest can be a little rough at night. You'd feel better with some light, right?

？！

Yeah, take some rest. We ran, but that doesn't mean we've escaped from the enemy.

To survive in the forest, you need water, food, and a safe place to rest.

It's different than fighting in battle.

We've got some water and food, yeah? Not a lot, since this is a simulation.

I can keep us safe. There are no enemies around, and even if one randomly appears...

I'll protect us. Until you're ready for combat.

It's fine. I'm your Servant, you know.

Sure can. I've got "good eyes."

？！

Sorry to keep dragging this out. I'm worried about Fujimaru's stamina.

But I want some night combat data too, so I hope you don't mind keeping this up.

Don't push yourself too hard, Senpai.

I have a real dinner prepared. It'll be waiting for you when you're done.

Yes, Senpai. So am I.

You're right. These are called rations, right? They're not bad...

But not good either. I miss beer.

？！

I've started a fire, don't get cold. Lie down and rest if you want.

Rest when you can. Eat when you can. Even outside the forest, keep that in mind in order to fight.

I'm sure you know that by now, yeah?

You've Rayshifted many times already. You've retrieved many Grails from many eras.

Yeah, it's impressive.

Doesn't it? ...No, maybe that's just how it is.

？！

Fujimaru, can I ask you something?

You've fought a long time, right? Trying to save the world.

How are you doing? Are you feeling tired?

...I see.

That's right. It's okay to say how you're feeling.

...I see.

Don't push yourself too hard, Fujimaru.

You may be the only Master who can Rayshift, but well, you know...

？！

There's a limit to how much a single person can do.

You have your Servants. You have Roman and Da Vinci at Chaldea.

And... you have Mash. She's your partner, and she worries about you more than anyone.

So don't try to do everything by yourself. When things get tough, you can say so.

It's not as if you're fighting alone.

Yeah, that's right.

I'm here, too. If you need me, I'll be your strength.

If you're saving the world, I'll be at your side with my bow.

Okay, all set to go! The last attack isn't random, it comes with advance notice!

I've prepared something special to finish off the simulation! Get ready, you two!

It's time, Senpai! The last battle of the day!

...Maybe it is.

When I was still alive on Earth...

I tried to do everything myself. I tried to save everything myself.

The slain, their killers, plunderers, their victims. Everything. Everyone on the earth I could see.

...I tried to save the world.

The world was still so small back then. So I told myself that maybe I could do it.

I was formed from remnants of the Age of Gods. I'm tougher than a human, and I possess some Mystics.

My limbs. My eyes. My knowledge. The Goddess gave me many things.

I fought. I fought alone, under the banner of the dragon-slaying king...

I kept fighting, to end a war that lasted decades.

Both my king's nation and the enemy were exhausted. A mess.

Nobody wanted to fight anymore.

So I ended it. By myself.

The king's people, the enemy's people, everyone wanted to end it, and I...

I created it, their last chance.

...I did it alone.

The king was worried about me, but in the end, I had subordinates but no friends.

There was no one I could call a comrade.

I chose to be alone myself. Being born more than a human, it's only natural.

Why, you ask? It's simple.

To me, humans were people I had to protect. So I kept my distance from them.

...And in the end, I was alone.

I cannot say for certain... However...

"He is Arash, the strong and pure. A lonely warrior. Arash, bold like a lion."

The man I saw seems to be the exact same person who's still celebrated throughout the ages.

I can't be certain, and I have no proof.

But I think... he was so much greater a hero than any mortal man could be...

He was too strong. He was too pure.

Because of that, none could stand at his side.

...My bad. That was a pretty deep conversation.

Hmm? What is it? You've got a strange look on your face.

Okay, all set to go! The last attack isn't random, it comes with advance notice!

I've prepared something special to finish off the simulation! Get ready, you two!

Doctor, d-don't interrupt them now! This is important!

？！

Looks like our break's over, Fujimaru. They gave us fair warning. Now's the time to get on your feet.

I wonder what it'll be, maybe that dragon subspecies?

I'll take on a sphinx or a Demon God Pillar too. No way am I gonna lose to some soulless data!

Now, give me your orders! Let's give it all we've got, Master!

I am not picking up any more enemies. You've won, Senpai!

I can't believe you beat them so quickly... You're amazing, Senpai! Arash, too!

Huh? Did I screw up the data settings? I don't think I did...

Anyway, good work! I still have to analyze it, but I think this is good data!

Whew...I'm glad that's over.

Yeah, you too.

Yeah, if you need me!

？！

...But it's strange, you know.

This is probably the third time I've fought to save the world. No, maybe the fourth?

Who knows how many Holy Grail Wars I've been in? But, well, you know...

There's one thing I do know. It looks like I've got good luck with Masters.

I'm glad to be by your side. If you need my help, I'll always give everything I've got.

More so than when I was alive!

...Let's save the world, Master!