Baptism Rite

Mash!

Oh, thank goodness! And who is

My name is Georgios.

...Where's Maria?

Marie is...

I see. That's what she said when she stayed behind? Oh well, it can't be helped.

You don't have to feel bad. Even if we were there, she would've done the same thing.

Maria is an eternal philanthropist. That's how she lives and dies.

But never mind that, why don't you reverse Siegfried's curse?

R-Right!

Amadeus...

It's all right, I knew this was going to happen. Remember how Maria was talking about the piano?

See, that was her way of saying goodbye. It never happened when we were alive.

If she'd said to me "Let me hear your piano," I couldn't have stopped her.

But, the second farewell hits hard. Worse than the first. All the more as we'll never meet again.

Eh... Um, if you are Heroic Spirits, wouldn't there be a chance to see each other again?

Like now, you may be called to the same battlefield...

Mm, that won't happen, I think? There are as many Heroic Spirits as the stars.

How I came across her this time was already a miracle. Though, a whimsical Master might change things a bit.

Anyway, I'm a bit tired. I'm going to excuse myself, call for me when you're ready to leave.

Wait...

？！

Master, but

It's fine. Everyone has moments where they want to be alone.

That's right, Mash, you don't understand a man's heart quite yet.

You're right. Now that aside...

...Why are YOU here?

It's fine, isn't it?

You don't approve of us being here? We're willing to assist you in combat.

Well, that is something to be thankful for, but...

By the way, Master.

？！

Of course you. Though temporary, can you enter a contract with me?

Yes, sticking out your pinky is enough.

This is a pinky promise, if you lie, I'll make you swallow a thousand needles...

This completes the contract! Just so you know... I really will make you swallow a thousand needles if you lie.

Is that clear? Please take care of me from now on.

Master, Jeanne's group seems to have succeeded in lifting Siegfried's curse!

Okay, you will be fine from now on. This would probably have been impossible by myself.

...It's all thanks to Marie. We were able to survive because of her.

What she risked her life protecting is something I want to protect too.

This era, this world, this countryTo do so, let's defeat the "Dragon Witch" and, the dragon.

All right, I can move now. I apologize for all your efforts, Fujimaru.

No, Master... The more correct way to put it is, I appreciate all your efforts from the bottom of my heart.

I shall entrust my sword to you. This body will be my Master's sword and shield.

My True Name is Siegfried. I have no other skill than slaying dragons, but I'd be honored to be put to use.

That sound... It's the wyverns!

...It looks like it's my turn already. Please command me.

？！

Yeah. My name is Siegfried, here I go!

All right, now we have ourselves a team.

That's right Master.

？！

Yes! Understood Master!

...Hmph. I wouldn't mind helping you out with that, little Puppy.

My, my, Elisabeth, calling my Love a Puppy is an insult.

...Did you just make a ridiculous word change? Well, I don't care.

I'm not a cheap dragon. I will meet an extra-special Master someday!

Oh, so the horn on your head isn't the only thing twisted. Seeking an impossible dream... Is your head okay?

It's not an impossible dream! It's conviction! I'm convinced of it!

I'll someday meet a Master that is to my liking and will love me!

Yes, yes, in your head it's another cloudless day.

...Our team sure is a lively one. Of course, I will be in your service.

Oh, heading out already? Then I'll tag along. I've come this far, might as well see the end.

Fujimaru. No, Master.

Right now, I am merely a powerless Servant.

But I wish to protect this world. Please, fight with me.

？！

Thank you so much!

Let's make camp here tonight to prepare for tomorrow's showdown...

First, we'll have to secure the area. Everyone prepare for battle, we're surrounded.

Don't draw too much attention, and refrain from any flash attacks so we can end this soon... Wait.

Fujimaru, I don't see Mash or Amadeus anywhere...

Well crap, I just came to get a bit of water. How unlucky of me to be assaulted by enemies.

Amadeus, over here! I'll go up to the front line, so please hide behind me!

I'd take up your offer... but I can't. This time the situation is different.

I can't run away if the front line is just you, Mash. Let me fight with you.

Amadeus? Will you be all right? You'll get hurt, you know!

Oh, it's a rehearsal to prepare for tomorrow's battle. A few wounds? No worries.

Whew! We made it through in one piece, but we accidentally left the forest during the battle.

Fujimaru and Jeanne must be worried. Let's rest awhile, then return to camp.

...Um. It seems a bit crazy to ask questions at a time like this, but do you mind?

Of course not. Be it important or trivial, ask away.

Tomorrow is the final battle. You should wrap up any unfinished business.

...Right. I hate to bring this back up...

But it's about when we heard that Marie had died. This is what you said, Amadeus.

"Humans choose what they love." I don't understand what that meant.

Rather, I understand the meaning of the words, it's the "choose" part that I don't understand.

I mean, things we should view favorably are morally just, and things we should reject are socially bad.

That's what I was taught. I feel deep down that it's right.

Hmm. What do you consider right then?

Well... Something that saves many lives, and sees value in many lives, I suppose.

That's rather ill-defined. Let's assume for a moment that Fujimaru were not such a person. What then?

But that's...

Forgive me, that was a mean assumption. However, keep that hesitation and discomfort in mind.

Mash, I suspect that you are a person who has only recently gained her freedom.

As such, you freeze in the face of hard choices and have doubts about the person you are becoming.

...Yes, I think you might be right. I, uh...didn't know much about the outside world.

...No. Maybe I never had the right to care for anything in the first place.

I mean, I

Oh, dear. You truly are pure, aren't you? You're like a music sheet without a single note on it.

But heed my words, Mash. Even if you are a doll created for the sole purpose of fighting...

...You have the obligation to care for something. You may not have freedom, but you have obligations.

Obligations? Not rights or privileges?

No, obligations. Or duties, if you like.

Humans have that responsibility, for they possess the intelligence to think.

What to care for, what to dislike, what is considered precious, what is considered evil.

Those are the things you must choose for your self. Not by the words of others, nor by conforming to your environment.

Every human is unique. So too is each one's values.

We learn and see as much as we can. By doing so, your life will be enriched.

Listen, the world is not what you make of it. You are what the world makes of you.

Then when you have become you, become more than this world.

You must leave proof that you existed, whatever it is. I have. All the music I left behind is proof.

Even though that itself is insignificant.

???

After all, I am a man who couldn't even bear witness to the death of his one and only first love.

My legacy may have been loved by many, but my actual life was nothing special.

Still, I am content with that. Human beings are filthy and unpleasant. My conclusion stands.

There are sinners who shine brilliantly and saints that make one retch. So there is no need for you to fear your own future.

You are created by the world, and you expand and improve the world.

That is what "being a human" is all about.

Begin by absorbing all you can from the world and then return those favors to the world as you see fit later.

Worrying over what results that will have is a matter for another day.

Amadeus...

However, most things in this world have a fair value, and a result fit for such value.

As was the case with my music and my life.

As long as humans are human, evil will not prevail. After all, humanity will be unable to flourish otherwise.

It is said that "evil" is the hindrance to the prosperity of life.The species cannot survive with it there.

If humanity cannot purge itself of that "evil," that is the day of humanity's extinction. It's that simple.

...I see that you are now breathing more calmly. Our break is over Mash, let's return to the others.

Most likely this is the last time we shall chat. For some reason, it turned into a bit of a lecture.

Still, I'm happy that we were alone for this final talk. From start to finish, you're a charming young lady.

In this battle, I would have proposed to you had Maria not been there.

...I see. Thank you great composer Amadeus, I won't forget what you said.

Indeed. You pass, Mademoiselle.

I want you to remember one last thing. There's nothing more beautiful than a parting smile.

The supplies have arrived, but apparently there's been a shift in topological space.

Our rations are being devoured by monsters. Senpai, are you okay with being hungry?

...I suppose not. Let's go!

Hey, I had my eye on that! Don't eat it!

You are so annoying!

Hey, that looks good.

Then allow me to feed you, say "ahhh."

...What's gotten into you?

...

Hello, is this seat taken?

Oh, no! Be my guest.

I'm sorry to be a bother while you're relaxing, but those dragons over there are too noisy.

... ...Amadeus. Marie was very kind to me.

But of course. She was kind to everyone, but her affection for you was unique.

Why do you suppose that was? Because I'm a fellow Frenchwoman?

I'm not sure. I don't think it had anything to do with you being French.

Whether one is from England, Spain, or the Far East, that is of no importance to Maria.

The reason she was fond of you, that she held you in high esteem, was because you were a young woman who took a stand all on her own.

In a sense, Maria is the same. She became a queen at 14 and was forced into battle all alone in Versailles.

...Of course, I'm sure that her battles paled in comparison to yours.

Battlefields with cannonballs and conspiracies are in truth, fundamentally different.

Nevertheless, it was indeed a life or death struggle for her. That is why she empathized with you.

Because she was living through a lonely battle of her own?

And one other reason. This is the important one.

For Maria, standing up for a loved one is a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

Be it family, another person, a Servant or even the nation itself.

True, she was a sheltered girl who knew no hardship, so her way of standing up for someone was rather off-key.

...Oh, is that so? In that case, I wanted to stand up for her as a friend.

Given the situation, nothing could've been done, but I wishI could've been by her side.

...I like to believe so.

A friend, eh? Yes, you thinking of her that way would be the ultimate reward for her.

Maria and I have one thing in common. We were not blessed with friends.

But, her wish was fulfilled in this second life. I get the feeling she was able to move on with a light heart.

Um... Actually, I think of you as a comrade. Fujimaru feels the same too.

No, no, that won't do. After all, I don't think that of you. Maria said it, remember? I'm fundamentally trash.

I only love music. That is how I lived my life, and I am proud of that fact.

That is why I cannot make friends. Instead, I left behind many pieces of music.

If I had any desire for human happiness, I would vanish in a cloud of self-hatred.

Still, thank you Jeanne d'Arc. I'm sure that Maria had no regrets.

I shall avenge her. ...No, vengeance isn't important, is it?

I will make her wish come true. I will save this France.

Gilles, are you here?

Yes, right here!

Marie Antoinette has perished, but what about Sanson?

I am treating him right now. His mind perished with her.

All we can do is to keep his Spiritron Shell intact, and use him as a foot soldier.

...I see. Georgios escaped from that town.

Had Marie not sacrificed herself to buy time, our plan would have worked

Ah, I see. The enemy ranks lost one, but also gained one.

We're not at a disadvantage here, but it is a nuisance. Continue searching for them

It doesn't look like that will be necessary.

Saber? I thought I ordered you to search the southeastern region.

There's no longer any need, Master. They're heading straight for Orleans.

Looks like it's a final showdown they want. Don't you want the same thing?

...So, they've stopped running around have they? Which means they think they have a shot at winning.

I suppose they do. They have many Servants as well.

We might have dragons on our side, but this should still be a glorious fight.

You're enjoying yourself?

Of course. As you know, I'm not right in the head. I'll be just as happy with wiping them out as being wiped out by them.

Go on, order meMaster.

Prepare for the final battle. Gilles, summon them, not just the Servants.

Understood. I shall gather all the dragons who were slain in France.

...If we win, the world will be destroyed. Even if we lose, it will make no difference.

The world is long gone. Even if they correct this place, an endless journey lies ahead.

And yet... And yet, they have faith in the world Those people, and "me."

In that case, I shall smite them. I won't let them reconnect this world.

That is my wish, and Gilles' wish. ...Yes, that should be my wish

I seem to be the only one here with experience leading an army.

Of course, it's not as if I have a glorious military record where I led an army to invade a worthwhile country.

In any event, our numbers are few while the enemy's are large.

...But, most of the enemy's forces are weaker than us. In situations like this, there are two options.

A frontal assault, or an ambush from the rear. However, our location was given away long ago.

Stealth is out of the question. The enemy knows where we are... There's only one option.

A frontal assault.

...Exactly.

Master and I will see to Fafnir.

I want the others to protect us from Servants and wyverns.

Whether we slay Fafnir or not, the outcome of this war hinges on that question.

...Understood. I'm inexperienced, but I'll fight with everything I have.

Oh Puppy, there is someone I must fight.

Would it be all right if I focus on her.

Oh? Thanks.

Oh, a Servant I share a certain fate with.

？！

If I can do that, I'll be quite satisfied. ...I'll lend you a hand if I can spare the time.

I, without a doubt, will be facing the "Dragon Witch" in battle.

Can you defeat her?

...Yes, I shall be victorious.

Even if she turns out to be the real Jeanne d'Arc, I will still prevail in battle.

Hm, I don't have an issue with anybody. I guess I will just try to get wyverns' attention.

In that case... I shall be at our Master's side and breathe fire as needed.

As they say, like moths to the flame, and scoundrels of dubious origin who stand in the way of romance.

Leave scouting the area to me.

This is do-or-die time. I've got lots of energy drinks and buckets ready!

Doctor, those have the opposite effect. They cause stomachaches, so maybe you shouldn't drink them...

I am sure it will freshen me up if I dunk my face in it. Anyway, leave everything to me!

So, if no one has any questions... Masterplease issue your orders.

？！

Right! Now, on to Orleans!