A War of Only Two

Bluntly, an Alter is another side of us...just another possibility.

For example: heroes, no matter what kind of life they lived, almost always end up with blood on their hands.

Even heroes who like to think of themselves as good remain aware that they have a merciless side to them.

What would happen if their other side was brought to the forefront? Pretty obvious, don't you think?

It goes without saying that we are conscious that our living selves and ourselves as we are now are more or less the same.

However, even I cannot make any claim to sainthood.

A virtuous king can turn cold-blooded. A cold-blooded king becomes virtuous.

A mad dog of a knight had a time to shine bright. And the opposite rings true.

And there are those who fell from grace, those who fell into darkness, or were driven into it by events beyond their control.

...Lamentably, I cannot argue that point.

That is the man I ultimately become. An Anti-Hero, a mass-murderer, a truly evil man.

As painful as it may be, it is not something I can simply avoid...

I must acknowledge that he is another side of me... I mustn't avert my gaze from that truth...

The real issue is that they're not exactly just another side of us. They've mutated somehow.

The other me fused with Medb's far-fetched idea of me as a king.

Guess it happened since humanity is so unstable. Otherwise, I'd have been less of a jerk.

What? You scared, Fujimaru?

Don't act so tough.

We lost communication, we're low on food and water, and I'm the only Servant you've got.

Standing there, saying you're not scared? Liar.

I knew it.

We lost communication, we're low on food and water, and I'm the only Servant you've got.

Even your trusty Shielder isn't here.

？！

Anyone would be scared out of their wits. Right?

Don't give me that look.

We did try to kill each other the last time we were here. Am I wrong?

No, I'm not. You and I fought to the death. You, Fujimaru.

If you're a Master, you are responsible for your Servants in battle. No matter the opponent, the ultimate decision to fight is on you.

That's why I fought against you and lost. Isn't that right?

But now it's just a faint memory. Look at that. While we were chit-chatting, enemies surrounded us.

So what'll it be, Master? Retreat or meet the attack head-on? You better choose.

？！

Got it. Good, a quick decision. You didn't even hesitate. I like it.

Now it's time for a massacre. This lot isn't even hardy enough to be a good meal.

Still, no harm in an appetizer here and there!

Normally, if I were summoned as a Berserker, I would turn out pretty different.

But from what I remember, the raged-out me is probably the world's biggest good-for-nothing.

So maybe HE is at least the lesser of two evils.

Hey! We're connected! All right!

？！

Oh. Hey. Glad you're doing okay.

We were monitoring your vitals this whole time on our end, but I couldn't relax until I saw your face in person!

Hey. You aren't looking in person. You're yammering from a safe, cushy office. Who the hell do you think you are?

Ugh, well... I can't really argue that.

...I was only speaking on your behalf.

He's completely right, Fujimaru.

When you come back, I'll treat you to my favorite sesame buns by way of apology.

Is that the best you can do?

Eh? Uh...um...my favorite bean buns? Hngh...this is gonna cost me...!

Master, I am not certain your boss is a good or worthwhile human being.

Oh come on.

Just...consider all that an attempt to lighten the mood with a silly joke!

？！

...Aaanywho, that's enough chitchat.

You're in a bit of a dangerous situation right now... We have two choices about how to retrieve you.

Our first option would be to conduct a forced Rayshift. It's dangerous, but it's probably the best way to deal with the current situation.

...Let me emphasize that this will be dangerous.

It will be a great deal harder on you than a normal Rayshift.

Second option: I've already pinpointed your coordinates. You should be able to make your way to Mash on foot.

If you do that, we can Rayshift you back normally.

However, Mash is a little far. It will take you at least forty-eight hours to reach her.

？！

Ha. Well, well. You've gotten yourself into quite the mess, Master.

Is he saying there's a chance he might betray Master?

Who knows? Tough question.

No matter how levelheaded Berserkers may seem, they're all pretty unhinged.

However, if they're completely lost to madness, there is a possibility that they could make a mad dash without thinking twice... Maybe.

Either way, I can't imagine even the other side of me would do something like that.

Honestly, the opposite is more likely, I think.

...I don't sense any enemies nearby.

？！

Just doing my job as a Servant. Quit thanking me every time.

？！

Irritating.

That's just the natural relationship between Master and their Servants.

I may be born from malice and bizarre circumstance, but I am still Cú Chulainn.

Kill my enemies. Protect my allies.

That is how it goes for all Celtic folk: we kill whether they be enemies or allies.

And I'm not so squeamish as to let others do my dirty work.

？！

Good. Rest up. I'll keep watch.

Oh. Before you go to sleep, there's one thing I want to ask you.

...Why did you choose to do it this way?

...Figured as much.

Had you chosen the forceful Rayshift option in an attempt to get away from it all, and some kind of accident happened...the world would be over.

...Hmph.

？！

But now, you're stuck with me for another thirty-six hours.

You have no other allies here, and nobody else can help you. This time we have together will be like torture... Are you sure you can make it out alive?

Oh really?

...I see.

？！

Time to head out, boy. Get a move on.

And one more thing: hydrate yourself from the tree roots before we leave the forest. We won't have another chance to get any water for a while.

...I've got some bad news.

I doubt you could tell us much that would make matters worse.

We've detected a large group of enemies up ahead.

They're spread out all over the place. Trying to go around would add about two hundred hours to your trip.

Considering your food and water supplies, your psychological state, and your current vitals, I recommend you Rayshift immediately.

It shouldn't be so much of a cause for concern now. Our chances of success have gone up. It should be fine...probably...

Enemies? Then I'll kill them.

There's just too many of them.

Plus, our analysis of enemy activity shows they're in constant communication with each other.

Once they're engaged, they'll just keep calling for reinforcements until they've killed their target.

Matters might have been different if Mash were there, but there's just no way you can protect Fujimaru alone.

...Huh. Nice pep talk.

Well then. Master, we're going to find a place for you to hide.

Then I'll go slaughter them all.

Come on, don't be absurd!

First and foremost, I can't let you just leave Fujimaru alone!

As it is, there's no choice.

If I fail, then you can just Rayshift or whatever you want to do.

Let's review.

You'll stay here and find some food and water.

I'll go swing my lance around a bit, even throw out my Noble Phantasm. Once I've swept all the enemies away, I'll call for you.

Got it?

What, are you going to tag along?

You out of your damn mind?

？！

If you pull something like that, the whole plan's a waste. The enemy's after you.

You wanna be dead weight slowing me down? And you call yourself a Master...

...I want to say that I understand what you're saying.

"I don't want you to die and I don't want to die."

But the whole Master-Servant relationship isn't that simple.

I don't think betrayal is a concern, but I'd say death is imminent.

In a normal Grail War, a Master only thinks of their Servants as familiars, which causes some trouble.

Most Masters are good-for-nothing mages. It's no wonder they don't get along with Heroic Spirits.

Well, some Servants tolerate them, but some Servants cross the line.

But that guy is the opposite. He understands that he's just a familiar, and acts accordingly.

So that's why if Master's life's in danger...I think he'd throw his life away to protect him without hesitating.

It's not something he'd do out of affection so much as just the sort of service he feels is appropriate.

Goring Spear of Slaughter...Gáe Bolg!!!

I don't believe it. I knew his NP is Anti-Army, but he wiped out a third of the enemies.

Quit mocking me. It's ONLY a third. Until I've massacred the rest of them, this isn't a victory.

If only you weren't alone, and if only there wasn't such an endless tide of enemies...

Heh. I'm used to this.

No matter how I look at this, you'll only be able to get through half of them at best. I recommend you give up and make a temporary retreat.

And what would happen if we retreat?

Well...you'll just have to start all over again.

Screw that.

Backup from Chaldea has its limits. If we turn back and start all over again, this boy definitely won't last.

I don't know... I think you underestimate Fujimaru.

Let me say this again: at best you can take out half. They may not be individually strong, but their sheer numbers are overwhelming.

That's nothing new for a lone Servant out in the battlefield.

Oh, right.

I forgot that Cú Chulainn fought through an army of Medb's soldiers all by himself.

But still, you're a Servant now. We don't have sufficient magical energy for you to keep exerting your true power like that.

...Figured as much.

You think that's why you have a Master, huh.

A supplier of magical energy for manifestation... A link to maintain your existence.

That, and that alone, is what you believe a Master's purpose to be.

What else would it be?

Unfortunately for you, there's a good deal more to it.

Now that you've taken out a third of the enemies, we can ensure his safety from our end.

Huh? What the hell are you talking about...? You're not saying...

Fujimaru! It's your turn! Support him as a Master!

？！

Damn.

It'll be okay. Your Master overcame the catastrophe that was the demonic fog in London, so you'll be fine!

I've sent you all the data we have on the enemies. Now, fight alongside Cú Chulainn Alter!

We've managed to get rid of a good number. Okay, we're going to dash through.

？！

...

I don't agree, but I'm not mad.

...But now I know you're that kind of Master. From here on, I just have to handle you differently.

Come on, we're going to walk a bit more. Master, what about food and water?

？！

...You wanna starve? We can't go back.

Chew on tree roots and lick the stones. Don't you dare complain. This is your own doing!