Even So, the Wolf Girl...

Ah!

Sir Lancelot!

Oh. Hello, Gareth.

Hello!

I'm sorry, Master, but would it be okay if I go say hi to Sir Lancelot?

Thank you, Master!

Right! Okay then, I'll be right back!

？！

Yeah, I guess.

Oh, she's the sun guy's sister? Now that you mention it, she does look just like him when she smiles.

But...

...I can't see how she and Lancelot are anything like siblings.

Still, if that's how they seem to you, Master, then that's totally fine.

？！

Oh, hello.

If it isn't Sir Lancelot and Gareth: the former mentor and squire pair.

I never thought I'd get another chance to see them together like this. How wonderful.

There are many reasons I'm glad I was summoned to Chaldea...

...but this sight is easily at the top of the list.

I really mean that.

My, my. That much?

Yes, milady. That much.

Okay! Sorry to keep you waiting!

To make up for it, I'm going to give a hundred and twenty percent in combat training today!

That's great to hear. I look forward to seeing what you can do, She-Wolf.

My, my. You've very, very strong for one so small, aren't you, Gareth?

You're the smallest cutie of the whole Round Table, yet you still keep up with all the other monsters there just fine.

Huh? You think I'm cute?

Ehehe... Thank you very much.

(That's her only takeaway?)

But I still have a long, long way to go when it comes to beauty regimens!

I don't think I'll ever have anything like your naturally bewitching charms, Lady Shuten-Douji.

I'd really love any pointers you can offer in that department!

Really now? Is that so?

Because I could've sworn I once heard someone say that there's not much point in a knight getting all dolled up.

Hmmm.

I suppose you could say that.

But in my case...I died while I was still young and immature.

I never really figured out my own form of chivalry.

So now that I have a second chance, I'd like to see what I'm really capable of.

At least, that's what I'm thinking now.

For example...

I think I'd really like to try and be a knight like Lady Bradamante. She's strong AND beautiful!

...Um, assuming you're okay with that, of course, Master!

Thank you, Master!

As in, changing my whole Spirit Origin? Hmm.

？！

Fufufufufufufufufu.

Good point. Even empty shadows like us can change shape depending on the sun's position in the sky.

So then, why not enjoy yourself however you can? I'm totally in your camp, sweetie.

...(Deeply moved)

Percival.

O-oh, right. I was just so impressed by Gareth's positive attitude that I couldn't help it.

Naturally, I'll be glad to assist in any way I can as well! We can even get started right after our combat training, if you like!

Thank you, Sir Percival.

But I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself! Let's start with combat training and then

!

...!

...

(My, my.)

？！

I-I-I'm okay. It's nothing...

Hello, Sir Lancelot. Are you looking for your Saber self?

He was here just a moment ago. If you hurry, you should find him heading to the Command Room right now.

... ...

... ...

？！

？！

... ...

I-I usually don't get like that, you know?

He may look different, but he's still the same Sir Lancelot I admire; he's the one who taught me how to be a knight.

Still...

When he's a Berserker, he just has this...ominous aura.

...and he's so intimidating.

It makes him seem like nothing more than an agent of death going around looking for enemies to slaughter without so much as a word...

... ...

...Master, I have to be honest with you.

I can't help but freeze up around him.

I don't bear him any ill will. I don't even carry any anger toward him.

But, even so, I still just...freeze up.

It's like I'm just suddenly paralyzed with fear that it'll be a repeat of...that day all over again...

... ...

...I'm sorry, Master.

I know it's pathetic for the proud seventh seat of the Round Table...

...to behave like this around one of her trusted allies.

I hope you can forgive me.

？！

Yes.

I don't...want to be this way anymore.

...No, I don't.

No matter what he looks like or what he does, I will never stop caring about Sir Lancelot.

Which is exactly why I hate that I get like this around him.

？！

I want to get to a point where I can at least say hello to him...

...even if I happen to run into him in a dimly lit hallway!

I'm here for you, Gareth!

Thank you, Sir Percival!

I understand the pain of wanting to overcome your own weaknesses.

So rest assured, I will gladly join Master in doing all I can to aid you.

Thank you again, Sir Percival!

And thank you too, Lady Douji. I appreciate you being here to help me as well.

Hmm. Are you sure you want us for the job?

I am!

Sir Percival's airtight defense is legendary even among the members of the Round Table.

And I hear about your graceful and broad-minded way of living all the time, Lady Shuten-Douji!

So I'm sure I can learn a great deal from both of you!

The next time I see Sir Lancelot, I want to be able to either face him directly...

...or just gracefully let him pass me by without it affecting me!

Hmm, I see. So that's how it is, huh?

Mordred's, um... Well...

As the older sister, uh...I think it's better if I avoid sharing this with them...

Gawain? Well...

The truth is...I'd rather he didn't find out about this...

？！

So, all that said, I'm more convinced than ever that you two are the way to go.

After all, you're both so grown-up... (*Gareth's belief, no reflection on reality.)

And above all, you're so dependable! (*Gareth's belief, no reflection on reality.)

Yes, you two are definitely the best choice. (*Again, Gareth's belief, no reflection on reality.)

You think?

Fufu. Fair point.

You really think so? Well, if you're sure, Master, I'll take your word for it.

？！

All right then... Shall we begin, Percival?

Yes, let's! Okay, Lady Gareth! Let's start by having you experience the different approaches yourself!

This way, you'll learn firsthand what it means to hold your ground, and what it means to let things pass you by!

Yes, sir!

...!

Mmm, you are one tough cookie when it comes to head-on attacks, aren't you? But...

I think you might be that much more vulnerable to surprise attacks.

Ah!

Lady Douji makes a good point. All right, I think we're as ready as we're going to be.

Huh?

But, I can still keep going! I could do this kind of training all day!

I don't want to end up like...THAT again!

I want to get used to nerves, fear...to defense, evasion... Everything!

That way, I'm sure I...

Fufu. I see.

But you know, there's not much point if you can still keep going.

I don't know how emotionally ready you are for this, but I think it's time we moved to the next phase.

Agreed. Gareth, we're going to try something a little more direct now! You're up, sir knight!

？！

Something's flying this way...!

!!!

...!!!

This training will help you face your fears!

？！

Go on, Gareth.

You can run, if you like. Or, you can stand your ground and face him. But whatever you do, remember this:

You may never have another chance to get accustomed to Sir Lancelot in his Berserker Spirit Origin!

We won't be doing this again! Opportunities this perfect don't come along twice!

So, while you are free to do as you wish...

...it is my wish that you conquer your fears here and now!

!!!

!!!

Ah

Aaaaaahhh!

...!

(Gasp... Gasp...!)

I know... I get it.

Whatever regrets I may have...

...there's no point in...

...!

Ah

Aaaaaaaaahhh!

(Huff, huff, huff...!)

Tch!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Aaaaaaaaah!

Aah...!

...!!!

？！

？！

Mas...ter...

... ...

...Right.

...I'm sorry, Master.

I'm so sorry you had to see that.

？！

Huh!?

What's that? A giant oni or something?

No, milady. I don't believe it's a creature of great stature at all. I think that's

From the look of things...

I take it Sir Lancelot there is the one who made Gareth cry?

You could say that.

？！

It's all right. You needn't explain, just as I will not be explaining what I am about to do.

Today, I am not a lord, but a man! Not a knight, but a brother!

May night retreat from this brilliance! Its enduring protection shall shine upon this earth!

Excalibur Galati

Brother! Gawain, stop!

It's all right! Please, don't use Galatine during the day!

Sir Lancelot came here to help me!

Gareth...

That's...right... That Sir Lancelot there...

He...

He didn't do...anything wrong, so...

...please, stop this.

I'm not looking for anything from him.

I don't even have any questions I'd like him to answer.

We're more like shadows than people now. Our stories have long since ended.

But even though we're shadows... No. Maybe it's actually because we're shadows now.

Maybe the fact that I'm not the same Gareth I was in life is exactly why I could so unashamedly scream, and cry...

...and throw myself at him with everything I had...

It's strange, isn't it? I said I didn't have any regrets, and I really meant it.

But...once I was given the chance...

...I simply had to take it.

I mean, it's just so frustrating, you know!?

He didn't say anything to me that day. Not...not a word.

He didn't call me a fool, or tell me to stay out of his way, or say he was disappointed, or that he regretted anything...

Nothing. Not even a glance.

Still, all the same...I feel a lot better now!

Sir Lancelot materialized as an unspeaking Berserker.

I still didn't get to hear him say anything...but I was finally able to scream...to yell my own feelings at him.

So, I'm good now. I'm satisfied.

If I were a ghost, this is the part where I'd finally put my past behind me and ascend to heaven without regret!

But, I'm not a ghost. I'm a Heroic Spirit, and a Servant.

So I'm going to keep serving the Master who gave me this incredible opportunity as best I can. Better, even!

Yes?

I am! I really, really am!

...But thank you for asking, Master. You're so kind.

I only hope that your wish comes true one day.

？！

？！

Me too!

Don't worry, Master! I'll be right there with you till the very end of your journey!