To the East (2/2)

Okay, we're going to cross the sand dune! Everyone, brace for landing after the jump!

Going full throttle! Let's fly, Senpai!

This is the 13th century Middle East?

Air temperature 48 degrees Celsius, relative humidity 0 percent, atmospheric mana density 0.3 milligrams...

...This is awful. This isn't an environment for humans to live in.

The desert sandstorm was rough, but this is just as harsh... It's exactly as I expected, too.

？！

This is the King of Mages' work. He created a Singularity by disturbing the Foundation of Humanity.

As a result, human history has become unstable. Everything up to where the King of Mages crosses history is incinerated.

Conversely, it meant Singularities themselves were safe from the waves of humanity incineration...

But if the Foundation of Humanity is this disturbed, even Singularities would be no exception.

My conclusion is that this land will be incinerated in time. That's the reason why King Ozymandias doesn't use the Holy Grail.

It makes sense, right? In the end, this land would fall to ruin even without using the Grail.

That's terrible... What exactly happened in this era?

Oh no! We're surrounded! They're...

Food... They have food.

And water... And appetizing women.

Heh heh... They must have come running from the Sun King's man-eating beasts... Heh heh, hahahaha!

Thank you... Thank you... Thank you for surviving, for me!

Kill, kill, kill! Meat, meat, meat!

No way... These people are human! They aren't Servants, or illusions!

...Mash, Fujimaru. Hit them with nonlethal blows, but only if you can safely do so.

...They've partially turned into ghouls. At this point, they're finished as human beings.

They can only live through hate, envy, and harming others now. They likely won't survive for long, either.

That's the kind of place this era has become. We've come here to fix that, to reject such an era.

To do that, you must wield your sword, Master. The time has come to discard your innocence.

Ow... That hurts! Damn it, damn you

I thought I finally found some good meat... Damn it, you scum...

Why don't you just die, dammit!

？！

...The battle's over. I tried my best to use non-lethal force...

Most of them ran off from the pain, but about 10% of them continued attacking.

This is what happens when they still have a brain to think, but the only way to stop themselves becomes "death."

Facing opponents like that has the effect of turning one heartless, as well

I'm impressed, Fujimaru. You didn't kill a single one.

Although they all fainted in agony.

？！

Well, you've still kept it together, that's pretty significant too. I have nothing to scold you about.

But we need to get moving. There could be more of them lurking about.

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Hm! Did you hear that? What do you think, Mash? I personally oppose it, but what about you?

Yes, I vote in favor! That's two votes against one, Da Vinci!

Very well. It'll only provide temporary peace of mind, but one sip of water can shine light back into one's life!

Take it, heartless ladies and gentlemen!

You'll likely have forgotten by tomorrow, but consider this half a day of relief!

Ahh... Yeah! Water, water!

Move, that's mine, that's mine! I worked the hardest! You all come after me!

Okay, time to withdraw! Everyone, get in the Sphinx-mobile while we have the chance!

Fooou!

...Hold on.

Are you going east? ...Don't tell me, to the Holy City?

Yes, to the Holy City. Is there a problem? It's the only city around here, right?

...Yeah. The Holy City is the only city. A land of dreams, where they have everything.

The city where the great Lion King, who massacred every Crusader trying to burn this world down, resides...

(...So the Crusaders really have been eradicated... But the Saracens have also been driven out?)

(And "Lion King" again... I thought it was merely a rash remark from the Sun King, but apparently he really exists...)

(But someone called the Lion King... Hmm, this is getting even more complicated.)

...Be careful. Beauty makes things all the more dreadful...

...Don't go near the walls. If you don't want to die, go back to the desert!

Okay... Thank you for the advice!

Fou, fooou!

Thank goodness, I finally got you on the line!

Are you all okay!? Did any unexpected accidents happen again this time!?

Yes. This is the kind of entertainment we expect from him.

Oh... You seem really calm, Fujimaru...

I guess a little accident or two isn't enough to surprise you anymore.

？！

Anyway, this isn't the time for a casual chat. I'm glad you're safe.

We were constantly able to see Fujimaru's signal, but we couldn't establish a connection at all.

Sorry we couldn't provide any support for two days. What's the situation over there?

Right, I'll report the details about what happened so far. After the Rayshift, we

...So that's what happened. Egypt from the BC era is in 13th-century Middle East?

No wonder the transmissions failed. We don't have time to recalibrate, so Egypt will be our weak point moving forward.

Still, King Ozymandias, huh... Again with the troublemakers showing up.

But we should have reliable allies this time. Ozymandias mentioned a Lion King, right?

There's no mistake that he's Richard I. If King Lionheart is there, we should be able to deal with the Sun King.

You should meet up with the Crusaders, and try to convince Richard to... What's with that face?

Why does it look like you're trying to hold back laughter, Fujimaru?

Did I say something funny?

Hahaha. It's time for Da Vinci to step in.

Roman, you wanted to hear about unexpected accidents, yes? Then be happy. The Crusaders have already been wiped out!

What!?

Hold on, I need to say that again. What!?

Of course it's shocking! Because

King Richard I of England. Known as Richard the Lionheart for his deeds in the Third Crusade.

The name Lionheart came from his bravery. Even enemy leaders praised him as the greatest knight of all...

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Argh, anyway, I'll send the data from Chaldea!

A picture's worth a thousand words! You'll know once you look at the Singularity map!

See? There's a big city in this Singularity! There's no mistake that the Crusaders have occupied it!

Since that's there, it must mean that the Crusaders have taken the Holy Land!

This isn't historically correct, but that's how it is now!

Yet you're saying that the Crusaders were wiped out!? Then who exactly could be

Wait, I've picked up traces of life! There's a powerful Servant signature very close to you!

Understood. Stopping the Sphinx-mobile. What should we do, Master?

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...This is it. Escaping with this many of our brethren is impossible...

...How humiliating and regrettable. It all ends here.

...I'm sad. I'm so very sad, Old Man of the Mountain.

If you were alone, escaping this dilemma would be easy... However, you have accepted this fate.

The frightened people of the Holy Land follow you. And you remain behind to protect them.

If you do not protect the worthless, you suffer the loss of what is worthy... I find that far too sad...

That's... an Assassin-class Servant and an Archer-class Servant, perhaps?

They seem to be hostile to each other. Behind the Assassin are about 40 civilians.

The Archer, on the other hand... is alone. Um, Master?

I can't stop trembling when I look at that Archer... It hurts my heart

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No. You mustn't move a single step. They'll notice.

If they notice, it's over. We'd be killed by that Archer.

...That's a "Gift."

...Worthy? You say I have more worth than them?

Indeed. Even with my bow, capturing you would be troublesome.

...Then we'll make a deal. If your sense of chivalry is true

I offer you my life. In exchange, allow the people to go free.

How noble of you. ...But what exactly do you mean by allowing them to go free?

I am not permitted to withdraw... My most sincere apologies...

I cannot leave this place until I capture all of you...

...Then I will accept your right arm and legs in exchange for my head.

For one day, your legs will not move and your right arm will be held in check.

My head may be pitiful, but it should be a good match as compensation.

Wh-What? Wait, I cannot allow that. If I do, you will...

I take that as acceptance If so, your pardon!

Run, my brethren! Cursed Arm in the east will accept you!

Ah... Thank you, thank you so very much!

...To sever one's own head... it would be unbecoming of me to do anything but fulfill my side of the agreement.

Well done. Very impressive. However.

Huh? Why have I... When did I fall?

Wait, what... My head... It... aaaAAA NOOO!?

Oh, how sad I am... I did say I cannot allow it...

And to force me not to move a single step. Such conceit.

Arrows don't suit Failnaught's bewitched string. Plucking its string creates a blade of sound that severs my enemies.

I can cut these bags of flesh with a single breath... Without taking a single step, without even aiming.

Aaaahhh! No! Help, help!

Foolish Old Man of the Mountain. You should have said instead: "Do not move a single finger."

How terrible!

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Endure it. He'll kill us too if we go out there now.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that Archer is more powerful than the Servants we've come across so far.

We must hide until he leaves... Even you can tell he's no friend, right?

...Yes. That's exactly right, I'm sure...

...I see no survivors. Everyone... had their heads cut off...

...I've got a grasp of the situation. That Archer... How merciless can you get!?

They seemed to be from opposing sides, but still, to cut down civilians like that...

What reason was there for it? Or was he just a homicidal maniac?

...

We can speculate later. Fujimaru, our turn's come up.

...Curse you... Curse you... This resentment, I cannot die, even in death!

Such inexperience To misread the cruelty of the enemy!

I cannot forgive themI cannot! This regret, who can dispel such regret!?

The Assassin's body Is this a vengeful ghost!?

No, it's a Shadow Servant!

Perhaps due to some affinity for this land, its powerful grudge has remained and animated itself!

If left alone, it'll turn into a monster that attacks people indiscriminately! Before that happens, Fujimaru!

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...Yes. As a knight, I pray this soul finds peace!

...Spirit Origin Core destroyed. This should do it...

Aaargh... Aaaaaargh... Such a shameful display, all the way to the very end...

...I thank you for putting me to rest, unnamed Servant.

...If you still have kindness to offer...please bury my brethren...

...It seems fighting really was the only choice... Laugh at my inexperience, Cursed Arm

That ends this situation... Master, um...

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...Yes. We might not be able to do it well, but we can try to give it some sort of meaning.

Ah, thank you so much. You've saved us.

Not only did you drive away those bandits, but you've escorted us as well...

No need to thank us. In fact, thank you for telling us the way to go.

You all live around here, right? Where are you going with such a large group?

Why, the Holy City, of course! That's the only safe place now.

Invaders came, burned the land, and took the Holy Land...

But the great Lion King drove out the unjust Crusaders, and opened the Holy Land to us.

We don't know where the king and his knights came from, but we're thankful that they slaughtered those Crusaders.

Still, there are some who lament over such a shameless city being built on the Holy Land...

However, the teachings of God are eternal. Regardless of what form the city takes, our prayers will never change.

(...The Crusaders were destroyed by the Lion King? It sounds less and less like he's Richard I...)

Does that mean you're refugees heading to the Holy City? Do they allow people of different races to enter?

Yes, of course. I hear that the Lion King rejects none.

Once a month, the Holy City has a ceremony called the Ritual of Holy Selection in which they accept refugees.

If you can reach the Holy City by that day, you won't have anything else to worry about.

We were wondering about going ourselves, but then our village was burned down...

I see... I'm sorry to hear that. Is this everyone from the village?

No, only about half... There were some in the village who think ill about the knights residing in the Holy City...

They headed to the mountainous region. There's a village there.

But... that region is a desolate land.

If one wishes to survive in this land, the Holy City is the only real option...

Thanks for collecting information. It looks like the refugees went on ahead.

Yes. If we stay together, we'll stand out too much.

We still don't understand the full situation, so it's better to act in secret for a while longer.

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...That's right. And we still can't tell who's friend or foe in this situation.

King Ozymandias of Egypt... The Holy City and the Lion King residing there...

And finally, Servants in skull masks... Ones we've already crossed paths with twice. They all seem to be Assassins...

Considering the era, those wearing skull masks would naturally be from the "Old Man of the Mountain" assassination group.

This is their home territory. In fact, the term "assassin" is derived from their group.

The Sun King, the Lion King, and a group of Assassins... Does this mean it's a three-way deadlock?

And Sun beats Assassin? Hmm, I don't really think so.

Exactly! Nitocris and Lucius mentioned something strange, after all!

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This is just speculation, but it all fits: the Sun King and the Lion King have formed a non-aggression pact.

Remember, Lucius said that the Holy City knights would have no reason to abduct Nitocris.

The one who rules this land is most likely the Lion King. The Egyptian territory is an independent, separate nation.

Hence we can assume that the kings have formed that pact.

Though they oppose each other, they don't fight... It's a cold war.

Perhaps the mountain people, the group of Assassins, can't tolerate that and carry out resistance activities.

...I see. I'm getting a general grasp of the situation.

First, like the refugees, you should head to the Holy City. There are some things we need to ascertain.

First, who are these knights who destroyed the Crusaders? And second, how are things there now?

Yes. King Ozymandias said that the Holy City is the source of the Singularity.

We need to go and see if that's the truth!