One Thing After Another

Phew. All right, are we safe now?

Doctor?

Yes. I'm not detecting them anymore.

While we're at it, I'm picking up leyline readings from that nearby forest.

Very well. Jeanne? And...Marie?

Marie, did you say?

F-Forgive me. Um

You weren't being rude! You made me so happy! The way you addressed me was so adorable!

Please, splendid foreigner! Would you mind calling me that from now on?

Uh, yes... Miss Marie, or Mademoiselle Marie, perhaps?

Nope, that won't work at all. Just Marie! Like the sheep!

？！

Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Nice to meet you! I'm Marie!

I love understanding gentlemen. Let me guess. You're very popular with the opposite sex, right?

...Marie, may I speak?

Oh, my apologies. I got excited for a minute. How rude of me.

So, how may I be of service?

A strong leyline was detected in a nearby forest. I'd like to head there and make camp...

Is that all right, everyone?

Of course, that's fine. Is that all right with you, Amadeus?

There's no point in asking for my opinion. Do what you want, Maria.

All right. It should be fine, I think.

Let's go there and rest, and then we can talk about our next move.

...Looks like some monsters have found the leyline too.

Let's get rid of them!

...Now I will establish a summoning circle.

Hey guys, are you enjoying your trip through 15th century France?

Now then, let's get today's lecture started. Today I'll be talking about Servant categories.

Most of the Servants that can be summoned are divided into seven classes.

Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Berserker, Caster, Assassin.

Each class has various compatibilities.

Saber has the advantage over Lancer, for instance. And Lancer over Archer, and Archer over Saber.

Rider over Caster, Caster over Assassin, and Assassin over Rider.

And Berserker is strong against all classes, but weak when attacked.

It's like a game of rock, paper, scissors. Keep this in mind when fighting the enemy.

Of course, there are some Servants who don't fall into these categories.

I'll explain them another time. Okay, circle's good to go. Have a nice journey!

Now that things have settled down, I'd like to introduce myself again.

My True Name is Marie Antoinette. I'm from the Rider Class.

As for who I am, I'd be happy if you could examine me closely with your eyes and ears.

As for why I was summoned, unfortunately, I have no idea. After all, I have no Master.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. I'm the same as her.

As for why I was summoned, first of all, it just doesn't feel like I'm a hero.

Yes I'm great, but even so, I'm still just one of many artists...

Well, I did apply magecraft in my music, but that was only because I was drawn to the sounds played by demons.

I'm Mash Kyrielight. I'm a Demi-Servant, and I don't know what my True Name is.

This is Fujimaru. My Master.

Pleasure is mine. As fellow non-fighters, let's get along.

Oh my! What an interesting greeting! Wh...Whassup! My homies!

Hmph, it seems different when Fujimaru says it... Perhaps I need to think more like a peasant...

Come on... Don't teach her weird greetings.

Oh, I've got it! I have to be more needy! Come on, Amadeus! Whassup!

Whassup! I like it, Maria. Keep it up! I can feel the love of a century beginning to fade!

...Hmmph.

I'm sorry Fujimaru. Whassup is a very stimulating greeting, but I must reluctantly refrain from it.

If Amadeus likes it, that means it's not appropriate for a lady to use.

Let's not be slanderous here. You're acting like I'm a pervert gentleman who loves dirty jokes.

Don't blame me. You're a child when it comes to everything but music.

？！

And this is

Jeanne. Jeanne d'Arc, yes?

The saint who saved France. One of the people I wished to meet in my life.

...I'm, not a saint.

Yes, everyone knows that's how you saw yourself.

But the way you lead your life was true, and we all know the results.

That's why everyone will always remember and admire the name Jeanne d'Arc, and the miracle of Orleans.

...

Of course, your life ended at the stake and resulted in that witch. It's just like Maria to only look at the good parts.

Am I wrong, Jeanne d'Arc? Your life was a little out of tune.

Jeanne herself is the one who gets hurt when people call her a perfect saint.

Listen, Maria. You always say what you think others want to hear. Sometimes you need to scold or deny others.

I-I don't need to hear that from you, Amadeus! You already tell me that every day!

T-This is what you want, right? You piano-brain! Piece of human garbage!

You're a pervert who can only get it up for musical scales! If you like music so much, you should turn into a piano!

...I don't know if I should say this, but when you insult me like that, I feel something indescribable.

But see? You can do it if you try! Give the same treatment to Jeanne.

Faster. Stronger. More violent! Tell her all of her flaws as you see them!

Non, that's impossible Amadeus.

Human garbage like you has nothing but flaws. But Jeanne herself has none.

Are you serious? I didn't know you had it that bad. You really did love Jeanne d'Arc, didn't you?

I would say "worship" rather than love. And a bit of guilt, as well.

...A tiny "sorry", the size of a teaspoon. The natural guilt we foolish royals feel towards the Saint.

...Marie Antoinette. Your words honor me, but that's why I must confess.

In life, I was no saint.

I held the flag high for what I believed in, and as a result, I stained my hands with blood.

...Of course, I don't regret that. Nor do I regret the InquisitionOr my own death.

But I shed too much blood. I believed in the dreams of a little country girl, but

At the time, I never imagined how high the price of that dream was.

I never regretted it, but never did I feel fear. ...And that is my greatest sin.

Only the outcome of my actions made me a saint. I do not think it's the right word for a country girl like me.

...I see. So you're not a saint, right?

Then, may I call you Jeanne?

...Y-Yes. Of course. It feels like that would bring back old memories.

Wonderful. Call me Marie, then.

If you're simply Jeanne, and not a saint, then I want to be Marie, and not a queen.

Please Jeanne, will you call me Marie?

Y-Yes. All right... Thank you, Marie.

Thank you too. I am happy, Jeanne!

And I'm sorry. I keep pushing my own views on you. You've lost your own answers about yourself, haven't you?

Just like the day I died, not knowing a thing about what was going on. You'll have to find your own answers.

I certainly want to treat you as a saint, but I'll stop myself!

I won't just believe in you, I'll support you! Isn't that what female friends are supposed to do, Amadeus?

I suppose so, yeah? You guys can go eat sweets or something.

We believe in you too. Right, Master?

...Heh, heh, thank you. That makes me feel better.

F-Fake monsters?

Master... Don't say things that are going to confuse her.

I don't know about fake monsters, but I do know about monsters!

？！

Look, it seems like we have invited some unwanted guests.

No, I don't think you invited them. Well, whatever. Let's get rid of them and resume our conversation!

Now I understand. The whole world, never mind France, is in danger.

Although it's in a different form, this too, is a Holy Grail War?

I knew it was dangerous when I learned it was a Master-less summoning, but I didn't expect this.

Now there were five Servants in opposition. Nine total including Mash, but isn't that too much?

The rule of seven Servants is no more. ...Although that doesn't mean infinite.

It's not surprising at all if there are more than seven Servants.

...According to the records, one time a total of fifteen Servants fought.

Oh, I get it! I've figured it out, everyone!

We were summoned so that We could defeat them, like heroes!

Non, non, non! That's not right, Fujimaru.

I love everybody. Just as I did when I was alive.

I wouldn't need these feelings to destroy the world, and they wouldn't summon me anyway!

Yes, yes! I finally feel like I've found my job in life!

？！

It's perfectly fine to be confident, Maria. But we're up against powerful foes.

Jeanne and Mash, as well as Fujimaru, are used to combat. But you and I aren't the fighting type.

The numbers matter less than the fact that they're far stronger.

...Indeed. Vlad III, and Elisabeth Báthory.

One carved their name into history as a hero, and the other, a murderess...

The other that looked like a Saber seemed to know Marie...

...That's right. If she knows who I am, then...

Perhaps she's Chevalier d'Eon? I've no proof, though.

Chevalier d'Eon... A spy with Louis XV's intelligence agency, the Secret du Roi.

She was also a Dragoon, and a plenipotentiary minister... She, no, maybe he?

It matters little, mage from a distant world.

She was summoned from a different time than me, but her splendid face hasn't changed.

I see... It would be wonderful if she would join us...

That might be difficult, I think.

I've lost my Ruler's ability to see True Names, but there is one thing I could see.

All of them have been given "Madness Enhancement," regardless of their alignment or background.

Kyuu...

It's probably the power of the Grail. Even without an episode of madness, it can give them Berserker traits...

Hmph. The goal of a Holy Grail War is to get the Grail, but they already have it.

It's not fair!

But that leaves one mystery. Why were you summoned?

...This is just a theory.

Despite the fact that the Holy Grail War hasn't begun, someone already has the Grail.

This is a reversal of causality. A bug, if you will, and perhaps the Grail is resisting it.

The greater the opponent, the more powerful the Grail's reaction.

...I see. In other words, somewhere else in France

Indeed. There may be other Servants summoned here like Marie.

Oh my! That means I can meet even more people, right?

That's not necessarily a good thing. It may just mean more enemies.

But whichever it is, we should start searching for them as soon as we can.

Before the other Jeanne finds them.

Indeed. I've lost my ability to detect Servants.

So we'll have to depend on Mr. Roman.

Sure thing. I can't match a full-powered Ruler, but I can search farther than a Servant.

Let's take a little break first! You're all tired, right?

Yes Master, rest for a bit. We'll stand watch.

I'm going to patrol the area. Jeanne, please wait here.

Fou, Fou!

...

Is something wrong, Jeanne? You seem defeated... Are you tired?

Marie... No, I'm not tired. I am a Servant, after all.

Perhaps you're saddened by the state France is in... I mean, are you disappointed?

No, I'm not disappointed. Thank you for your concern, Marie.

But... Seeing those familiar towns in flames is a bit hard to bear.

Yes... For you, especially, this era is exactly like it was when you were alive.

It's different than what I feel inside... Memories that are still going on.

Yes! Why don't we take this time to talk? Girls' night out!

...Excuse me?

Oh, is that strange? But both you and I were summoned in the bloom of our youth.

You see? I'm in the middle of puberty, right? So I love talking about love and romance!

Ahaha... I appreciate the offer, but that's hard for me. I know of compassion, but not romance.

But... You're missing out on life! It's not too late to start! Fall in love with someone, Jeanne!

Of course, if I get the chance. Have you fallen in love, Marie?

Heheh, of course.

I fell in love with a boy who proposed to me at age 7. I think it was my first love.

And when I was 14, I fell in love with the king I married.

14! That's kind of amazing.

When I was that age... I was working and playing in the fields with the other children.

That sounds fun, too! I'm jealous. It must be such fun to be able to go wherever you want!

Yes, it was fun. What I lacked in romance, I made up for in friendship.

Did all the boys like you?

Hmm, my hair was short then, so they treated me like one of the guys

Oh, I'm so glad I became a Servant! I can't believe I'm having girl talk with Jeanne d'Arc.

It's good to be a queen!

The honor is mine. Who would've thought that I get to talk to the famous Marie Antoinette.

It's good to be a Servant.

I'm just glad that this isn't a real Holy Grail War. Otherwise, we couldn't chat like this

...Marie.

Yes.

I'm sorry, both of you. It appears to be an enemy attack!

I knew it.

Oh my.

I'll go wake up Master!

Come Jeanne, let us fight like proper Servants.

Bravely, gallantly, whole-heartedly, and yet beautifully, like a maiden in love.

That's what you and I are at our core. Neither saints, nor queens.

...The way I fight has little to do with beauty and elegance, I'm afraid.

Master, your orders!

Come, Fujimaru.

I'll show you the power that I couldn't show you before!

Tomboy princess, coming through! I'll dance brilliantly, like glasswork!

Servants detected! Also, multiple life-forms detected!

...Master!

？！

Yes!

What a drag. I've detected it, too. Having good hearing isn't always a good thing.

In fact, I hate this sound so much it makes me want to scream.

The sound of an enemy's footstep, is worse than a high-pitched trumpet.

You can hear them at this distance?

Of course. I became a Servant because of my music. I can detect any sound wave in the air.

For instance, the sound of you and Maria's sleeping when we were camping. I enjoyed listening to them both.

But, not just the sound of you sleeping. I've recorded all the tiny sounds your body makes in my Wolfgang Recorder!

!!! A-A sexually harassing Servant!

I'm sorry, Mash. As his keeper, I apologize.

But bear with him a little. Without his ears, he's nothing more than a pervert!

What are you saying? Human beings create filth just by living!

Only by realizing that can you create true music. Life is filth, and music cleanses it.

Now then, I hear footsteps, and drawn swords.

Naught but boorish noise. I don't write my music for fools, but

You've come all this way. I shall play my Requiem of Death for you!

All that's left are the Servants!

Is everybody all right? Does anyone need healing?

We're good here. What about you, Mash?

I'm fine. Doctor, are they here yet?

They're coming. Are you ready?

...Hello, everybody. What a lonely night.

Who are you?

Who? Let's see, I wonder who I am.

I forced myself to be a righteous saint, but in this world I'm a slave to a broken one.

A broken saint...

Yes, thanks to her, my reason has left and I've gone mad.

I am doing everything I can to hold myself back. What a mess this is.

So while I appreciate your hopes, I cannot join you.

You don't want a Servant who'll stab you from behind at every single opportunity, do you?

Then why did you come here?

...My task was to observe you, but my waning reason whispers that I should test you.

You face the Dragon Witch. Disaster incarnate, riding on the "ultimate dragon."

If you cannot surpass me, you will never defeat her.

Defeat me. Plunge your blade into my heart without hesitation.

My True Name is Martha. Now come to me, Iron Dragon Tarasque!

Martha... Saint Martha? Watch out, everyone!

She once defeated a dragon with nothing but prayers! If she's a Servant, that means

Let us see if you are capable of slaying me!

She's a dragon rider!

...I see. That's enough.

Martha. Did you

Hold back? Of course not.

This is fine, it's fine this way. Seriously, don't make a saint massacre you!

...Listen, let me tell you one last thing. You'll never beat the dragon controlled by the Dragon Witch.

There's only one way to surpass that type of dragon. Go to Lyon...the city once known as Lyon.

It won't be a saint who defeats the dragon, nor a princess. Ever since ancient times, only a "Dragon Slayer" is capable of killing a dragon.

Tarasque, I'm sorry. ...Next time, I hope I'll be summoned properly.

...Even Saint Martha can't resist her.

She'd undergone Madness Enhancement, in addition to being summoned. Perhaps it can't be helped.

Normally it would be impossible to even talk to her.

The only reason we were able to communicate was because of her incredible self-control.

Yes. She was a peaceful, yet fierce as a person. I could tell.

She is the Iron Saint. She is a woman like adamantite, who solves things with her fists in the end.

They say she defeated the Tarasque with a sermon, but I bet she just beat it up.

Anyway, thanks to her, we know where we're going.

We should hurry, right? Let's get going to Lyon.

...I'm surprised. Amadeus seemed like, um, the type of person who'd hate to travel on foot...

Oh no, Amadeus loves traveling. He's traveled to many places ever since he was a child.

...Well, I suppose it's true that I'm used to traveling.

Hehe, I'm getting excited. I wonder what, and who, waits for us in Lyon!

Come on, Jeanne. Let's get going.

...Right!