After the Rage

Hmm, I see.

Speaking as an outsider, I would say that, while getting angry is every person's right...

...taking out anger you've held onto from life on third parties who had nothing to do with it seems wrong to me.

If there is a significant difference in combat prowess between when you are angry and when you are not, then that is certainly an issue.

In that case, it would most likely behoove you to remain angry during battle.

That being said, if this anger is having a negative affect on your mind...

...then we cannot simply ignore it. I suspect Master feels the same way.

Anger and rage are necessary emotions for anyone. We Servants are no exception.

Indeed, I'm sure that some heroes were only summoned here due to feats that were driven by righteous anger.

However, anger also requires fuel.

It costs both physical and mental energy to be angry.

So it is surprisingly difficult to remain in a perpetual state of either anger or grief.

Is that not the case for you?

Hmmm. What about the strain it puts on your mind?

You don't know?

So you have no idea whether your anger puts any strain on you whatsoever?

Very good. In that case...

I think we'd better talk to Master.

So now, I need your advice! What should I do? Huh?

Hahaha, I suppose we do.

We may all be Archers, but we come from very different times, regions, and cultures, to say the least.

As in red, green, and blue? ...Yes, I suppose I can see that.

I guess I must be green, Chiron blue, and Aśvatthāman red.

Though it's still hard to say as to whether we complement each other or not.

？！

I see...

It's not healthy for me to always be angry all the time. That makes sense.

But right now, I can't do anything unless I'm angry. At least, I think so.

But, um, aren't we talking normally now, without you being angry?

I can keep it in check for a little bit.

But that's not the same thing as getting rid of it completely, right?

Besides, we wouldn't be here asking for help if this issue could be managed by simply having him keep it in check.

Exactly.

Well, I definitely want to do something about it before I end up making trouble for someone...

I don't think this is a good way to be. It's not natural to be angry all the time.

？！

Maybe you should talk to Pārvatī. She might have a good idea.

Ulp.

...Sorry, Mash, but I'd really rather not do that.

It's like, uh... How can I put this...

Hahaha. That's certainly one apt way to put it.

Basically. Please, I'm begging you here!

？！

Keeping anger in check... What about facilitated relaxation?

You could try forest therapy to calm your mind, get a massage to relieve the tension in your muscles... I've heard things like that can work wonders for relaxing!

I got no idea what the hell forest therapy's supposed to be... But okay, let's give 'em a shot!

？！

I think I will come with you then. What about you, Tristan? Will you be joining us as well?

Forest therapy... I like the sound of that. I was just thinking I could use a good nap.

？！

Yes, Master.

Okay then, I'll go get the simulator ready!

Frick, it's hot here.

I'm sorry. I think I got one of the settings wrong...

So much for taking a nap.

Hehe. Now that I take a closer look, I can see there are all sorts of insects happily buzzing about the air here.

Well, I can't actually see them, since I'm too scared of bugs to open my eyes, but I can still sense them.

？！

Yes. I've always hated bugs. They just look much too much like fairies for my liking. That, and vampiric horses...

Oh? I'll have you know that some insects are actually very nutritious. They're essential eating when it comes to wilderness survival.

What? You mean some people have to eat bugs to survive? I can't even imagine it... So I won't. I'm just going to pretend I never heard that...

I see. Well, you certainly don't HAVE to eat them, especially if you have access to meat, fruit, and veggies.

Never mind that. What do we do about this?

Forget about relaxing! All this heat and humidity's only cranking up my anger energy!

Good, perfect timing! Sorry guy, but like it or not, I'm taking my anger out on you!

Here, let us help.

A-all right! Initiating simulation battle!

Eat this!

Dammit. I thought that might help get my anger under control...

But thanks to how damn hot these things were, I'm more pissed off than before!

I'm sorry to hear that.

In that case, I think it's time we tried some real forest therapy.

I would appreciate that. I don't think I can stand much more of this heat, either.

R-right.

Okay, I'll make sure to set the next environment to a proper forest that you can use for therapy.

That's it. This is just what I had in mind.

It really is peaceful here. Forests are green, and of course, I am synonymous with green.

... ...

No, it's me.

(He really doesn't want to let this go!)

... ...(Zzz).

Stop sleeping!

Oh, I wasn't sleeping. That's just the sound I make when I'm not ready to admit defeat.

Uh...

When it comes to Tristan, I've found it's best to just not think about him too hard.

...Gotcha...

？！

All right, since there don't seem to be any Demonic Beasts nearby, let's try some deep breathing exercises to complement the forest therapy.

Got it.

Okay everyone, line up, please.

Now, let's take some deep breaths. Inhale...

Exhale...

Inhale...

Exhale...

Inhale, then expel all of your breath at once, building up power throughout your entire body...

And stick out your fist...

Ha!

Hra!

...How's that supposed to help us relax?

I'm sorry. Old habits. All right, let's try meditation next.

？！

Hell yeah!

Start by sitting down in a comfortable position, then close your eyes.

Now, look for the source of your anger.

That's not the only reason.

Anger like that would never last the way yours does. There must be something more to it.

？！

I...

That anger isn't right for you.

If it were, you would be able to understand it.

I see it now.

I'm angry at myself.

I'll never be able to atone for what I did in a paradise like this.

...You're wrong.

That's it. That guilt is the indescribable source of your anger.

That rage you feel towards yourself is what you need to fight!

Concentrate. You're a warrior, are you not?

Then you should be used to fighting yourself.

Hahahaha. No need to worry about that.

Did you forget who's there beside you?

So Master, I hate to ask you this...but would you mind giving me a hand fighting my own redemption?

Listen well, my millennia-old anger. I will vanquish you in the name of duty.

I'm here to help save humanity. To help set it right. It's natural to be angry at any and all injustice.

But in your case...you're much too big for a simple archer like me to carry by myself.

... ...

So it's time for us to go our separate ways, even if it should cost me my life!

Here I come!!!

All right! We won!!!

？！

...I see.

As a first-rate warrior, he must be able to simulate a battle where you were there giving him orders, Master.

Well? Is your anger gone now?

... ...

It's not that simple.

Perhaps not, but you can tell your relationship to it has changed, no?

Yeah, I can.

My anger wasn't just directed at other people. It was also directed at me.

And just being aware of that makes a world of difference.

Thanks, Master.

？！

Hahahaha!

And so♪ His Master♪

Birthed a new legend♪ By winning despite doing nothing♪

Ahh, how very jealous I am♪ Strum strum, strum strum♪

I'm sorry. Your bewildered face was just so amusing that I couldn't help myself.

That's enough, Sir Tristan! Zip it!

I see. Insults, is it? Well, that's okay. They don't bother me♪

For a poet is not truly a poet♪ Unless they are also a nuisance♪

You're not even the least bit sorry, are you, Sir Tristan? I never could tell what you're thinking.

？！

How are you, Aśvatthāman?

You know, I'm doing all right.

The time I'm spending here in peace, laughing and having fun with these guys I now call my friends... That's all the atonement I need.

And it's not unpleasant for me, so I'm not gonna ruin the mood.

My suffering'll last as long as I live, but I'll also be able to enjoy the good things in life.

'Cause they're both perfectly valid ways for me to be who I am.

Wonderful. That answer was so good I'm tempted to give you an A+ on your report card.

Thanks, but there's no way I'm going back to school at this age.

...Then again, maybe that wouldn't be so bad...

Well, if you're ever in the mood for a lesson, I'm always accepting new students.

Hm?

...Thank you for everything.

I hope my uncertainty, and my anger, always remain in their proper place...

...and that you will continue to watch over both myself and Master...

...Lady Pārvatī.

...Thank goodness. It seems there was no need for me to get involved.

Seeing them grow, inspire, and motivate themselves like this is the greatest reward I could ask for.

Now then, I think I'd better check in on someone else who could use a little motivation!

You can't just spend every day doing nothing but playing video games, after all!

So tell me, Master: What is it you're angry about right now?

Whatever it is, I know you'll have a good reason to be angry over it. And I'll always be there to help.

After all...isn't that what Servants are for?