Sacred Lance King of Knights

I see. So the Holy City you saw was the avatar of my sacred lance.

It is true there was a possibility that it could cause that. As you can see, I am rather lacking in humanity.

Lacking in humanity, huh... Now that you mention it, it's true that you feel a lot closer to the King Arthur we ran into in Fuyuki.

So are you saying that if you're displeased with Fujimaru, then you'll also become like the Lion King?

That you'll collect pure and noble humans, and use your sacred lance to imprison them?

That's...

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Hey there, Fujimaru. Good morning. Need something from the Command Room?

...I'll be leaving.

Foou...

Hmm. She left without saying a word to you after she saw you, Fujimaru.

Well, after what happened in Camelot, I understand she feels awkward...

So I guess it's not going well then, Fujimaru?

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I see. She often comes to me to ask for advice, but she might not want to show her summoner any weakness.

Well, time heals all. She may have the same Spirit Origin as the Lion King, but the two of them are separate Heroic Spirits.

Given the chance, I think she'll open up to you in an instant.

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Good night! Welcome to Merlin's dream world!

What's this... REM sleep? That's not good! Did you go back to sleep after the alarm went off? Or are you taking a nap?

At any rate, I would suggest you get some deeper sleep. I wouldn't be able to bug you until you do!

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I see. You're asleep, but your judgment is still sound. This is why I hate REM sleep, where the brain's half awake.

Well, I'm just kind of an observer here, but I'd still like you to welcome me.

Why, you ask? Well, you're worried about Altria, aren't you?

Well, that's where I come in, you see. Just leave it to me!

Altria's always been rather stubborn. But when she has her sacred lance, she can become a handful. Heh.

Geez, I wonder who would give anyone something so dangerous... I feel bad for that fool.

Fou, foooou! (It's you, you nightmarish idiot!)

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Of course you can understand. We're in a dream here.

To be honest, I'd never expect Cath Pa... I mean Fou to be this close to you.

With Fou here, I can't feed you lies woven into truth. I wanted to tease you a bit more and have some fun, but...

Oh well, let's get down to business, then. You want to know what Altria is like when she's holding the sacred lance, right?

I'll lend you a hand, then. Fortunately, it seems like a channel is about to open.

To be honest, I can enter anyone's sleep.

During REM sleep, like yourself right now, the owner of the dream can "notice" I'm there, so I don't want to enter that much.

Fou. Fou. Fou, fou, fo-fou!

(That's right. This idiot here gets all powerless when he's being noticed in a dream. You can crush him like the bug he is right now.)

Hey, don't just go telling someone the secrets of an incubus! Besides, that's only when someone's in REM sleep!

Anyway, I'm going to have you enter non-REM sleep. Take a whiff of my special magical chloroform.

Very good. Now your mind will leave your body and soul, and move to the world of a certain Heroic Spirit's mind.

A flaxen-haired, green-eyed beauty. A shining lance. An isolated king. This is the Heroic Spirit you will meet.

You can talk to them all you want there. Anyway, I'll be leaving now, so don't worry about me.

When you wake up, you will be a certified Altria expert!

Foooou!? (This scumbag here is just gonna do whatever he wants and run again!?)

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So you've finally awoken, my contractor. Such a sinful human for making me wait.

But I do understand. You are wondering about the true feelings of your contracted Servants...

You wish to touch the shining inner mysteries of my spirit, shrouded in Mystics...

It is only natural to wish so... It is inevitable. No, a forbidden act dictated by fate!

I shall allow it, you perverse voyeuristic spirit! I shall reveal my ever-so-charming true self here and now!

I am none other than the true wielder of the shining lance! The blond, green-eyed king! Yes!

Fionn mac Cumhaill is here, now! Now how about we shine!

Of course. I am Erin's protector; naturally I sparkle. Well, I can dodge but I don't get invincibility.

Hahaha, enough with the jokes.

I am not a certain beguiling Lancer! You should have no reason to avert your eyes from my beauty!

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Anyway, let's set the jokes aside. I apologize, I got excited and wanted to have some fun.

I am here because I sensed the presence of evil. My pure-hearted Master is about to fall in the trap of an evil incubus!

I chased after that presence the moment I felt it. Come, take my hand.

This kind of evil... No, perhaps not evil... Actually rather beautiful... I mean, what is this place?

It feels quite similar to my homeland... But I have no memories of a city being built with this kind of construction technology...

Tír na nÓg? Hahaha. No, it can't be. It's a bit too flashy and showy for the Land of the Young...

Look out! Who are you!? Show yourself! You can't stop me from hugging him!

That should be my line. That human is my contractor. Keep your hands off.

Well well, if it isn't the wielder of the sacred lance, the King of Knights! I see, so you are the one dwelling in this evil city.

Hmm... This isn't good. This is really not good. Can I excuse myself to bite my thumb for a second?

I can figure out the layout of this place and explain it to Fujimaru once my wisdom swells.

...There's no need for that. When the time comes, I will speak with my own words.

Now, hold your lance and not your thumb, Fionn mac Cumhaill. The price you pay for trampling into my world is quite high.

Hahaha. So that's how it's going to be, after all, huh? I knew that was going to happen without biting!

I'd be mad too if someone trampled the memories of my homeland. This fight is unavoidable.

But before that, I think I'll confirm just one more thing. Fujimaru, do you want to leave with me?

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I can't believe you'd turn me down! What a faithful Master!

But that's something to be happy and proud of. I guess any annoyances should take their leave.

But it seems I have to pay the price first. Isn't that right, knight of the sacred lance?

Do not make me say it again. You talk far too much.

Or maybe you're just being too uptight? Don't you have anything to say to the Master that you chose?

Of course my Master is going to choose my lance! There's no need to say that out loud!

...Now reroute your magical energy to me, Master! I will show you who is the better Lancer!

Very well! Then I shall face you with my full strength!

Needless to say, I'm summoning some Celt soldiers, too. That's what the full strength of a king is, okay?

Ughhhh!

Stand down, guardian of Erin! With respect to your exploits, I shall permit your retreat just this once!

Oh, how very kind of you! You seem to possess a semblance of sanity after all!

It's true that I'm just getting in the way! Farewell then! Goodbye, Fujimaru!

...Well then, Master. Why do you come to a place like this?

This is the world of my memories. Have you too come to expose my identity?

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...Merlin? Oh...I see. So that's how it is...

But you bear some responsibility as well. You fell prey too easily to Merlin's cajolery.

If we had not formed a contract, you would already be dead. Exercise more caution in the future.

I differ from other Servants. It is not necessary for you to understand me.

You only need to give me orders to fight. Everything else is inconsequential. Especially "mutual understanding."

...Mutual understanding. Surely no such thing could exist between a human and me.

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There is no reason. I am not the King Arthur you know.

By bearing the sacred lance for too long, I became a Heroic Spirit with a Heaven attribute, rather than one of Humans or Earth.

...From your perspective, my vantage point is commensurate with a god's.

So...I myself can no longer understand what is human warmth or laughter.

What I consider "good" and what you consider "good" are surely different.

I...am arrogant as I am merciless. You no doubt noticed during the last battle.

I punish what I cannot forgive. I obtain what is valuable through force.

I have not a shadow of a doubt that my way is just. I suppose you could say I am a tyrant.

Thus...

If I were to enter your circle, I would trample the flowers of your human joy.

My former self would have been loath to do such a thing.

Perhaps I no longer understand such feelings, but I do not want to ruin the joy of others.

No. This is the truth, pure and unvarnished.

What lies beyond is the Lion King you all have fought.

What? Ah, I suppose a female king is in fact a "queen"...

I just don't like the sound of it. Am I uneasy because that hits a little too close to home...?

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...The vantage point of a god. I see. Such is the anguish of someone with power.

God neither saves nor forgives people.

God is the law, the nation, the world. Such an order collapses in the presence of human warmth.

Another trespasser...!? Who are you? Reveal yourself!

One who became a divine Heroic Spirit at the end of your path for protection. Do not fear, do not fear...

My name is Romulus. Like you, I was worshipped as a god while I continued to walk the earth.

The shining emperor. The noble lance. The great tree soaring into the heavens. That is me, this is Rome!

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Indeed, good words. Fit for worshipping a god. Thus...

Die!

You blocked Rome's spear. You resist the will of Rome.

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What are you doing! Is this how they do things in Rome?

You're not aware? A rightful person cannot endure the light of the sacred lance.

Perhaps you require an evil Master. One day, that person will go blind, heart gone cold, and become a mindless puppet who worships you.

You have no need for voices with a heart. Nor do you have need for a heart.

Deus Ex Machina. Goddess of the Sacred Lance. Return to your proper form.

That is why Rome journeyed forth. To eliminate Fujimaru, your Master.

Mind your own business, Founder Romulus! I show no mercy to those who try to lay a hand on my Master!

What nonsense! The Lance from the Ends of the World stands no chance against the Spear of the Founder!

Come, my children, my infinite branches and leaves! Show Rome your heroic selves!

Ugh... How can Rhongomyniad be inferior? Impossible... Yet the truth is that I cannot break through!

Don't you understand, King of the Sacred Lance? You are not drawing out the sacred lance's full potential.

Or should I say you were not intoxicated by it. You fought to protect your Master.

However, it was not a fight to protect the world. Naturally, your lance would lose its radiance.

What...! My lance remains! It is as radiant as ever!

...You leave me no choice. I did not want to resort to action that's Un-Roman.

However, sometimes violence is necessary. And that is now, Fujimaru.

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I ask of you, Fujimaru. Say you love Altria Pendragon!

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Wh-What are you saying, you cur! So barbaric, is that how Romans fight!?

Ignore him, Fujimaru, just keep channeling magical energy to me!

All appeals from the peanut gallery are rejected! Fujimaru, say, "I love her!"

Just how long do you intend to make a fool out of me!

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Whaaaaaat! Um... Right... Thank you!

No! Wait, I mean, wait! I do not require respect from my contractor!

Well, what if he said the opposite? What if he shouted, "I hate you!"?

I would be extremely sad! Even I can get hurt sometimes!

Precisely. So your own words betray you, King of Knights!

You not only rejoice in your Master's love, you also hold your Master in esteem.

...Um, we just share the standard relationship of trust between Master and Servant...

That is fine. That is how it should be.

Knight of the Sacred Lance. You are the child of a dragon, yet you are human, and strive to be human.

Your soul still burns with passion. You possess a god's vantage point, but fall short of a god's heart.

You failed to become a mechanical god. And that, precisely, is

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...Indeed. Rome is adventure

The symbol for all that is human, graduating from the Age of Gods and gaining the heart to love fellow men as a human.

...I still do not possess... the heart...of a god...

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You think so? It's hard...for me to accept, but...

...But, if you, my Master, say so, perhaps it is true.

Hah hah. Being told something like that in such a loud voice would surprise anyone, of course.

Allow me to apologize. I said that you could not understand me.

I will not retract that comment. It is an unshakeable fact that we are different.

But... I may have been stubborn. There are times we may understand each other despite differing positions.

With that, will you fear me, or rely on me? I shall see firsthand.

Yes. I look forward to our future time together, Master.

Y-Yes, that is true. I do not know...and it is not my fault, but...

I heard the Lion King stormed through the Holy City, so I will try not to turn out like that...

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Bwahahahaha! King of Knights, you've finally warmed up a bit!

I've been waiting. I've been waiting so long for this moment!

This is the perfect chance! A Chance-sseum Tentyris!

Prepare yourself! You're not exactly my type, but I've always wanted to make you bow before me!

...I see. Not being able to take a hint was something this excruciating...

I shall be careful myself, and not barge in when no one wants to see me.

Yes, I agree. I shall make sure Merlin gets his just punishment someday.

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How dare you rub PDA in our faces and ignore us! There are two of us here! Who do you think we are!?

Bear witness to our earth-shattering alliance! We

We are the first two kings of an ancient, golden age!

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Well then. Is there anything else on your mind?

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...I wanted to speak more... about the sacred lance, and myself...

But it seems we are out of time. Soon you shall awaken.

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Yes, let us go back, Master. Or should I say, "Let us wake up."

Until we meet again, my Fujimaru. In the meantime, I shall practice how to smile.