Feast, West Village (2/2)

Hey, great work! You did it! Heard the good news, Fujimaru!

Sir Bedivere, you should come out from behind the house too. We need to give a proper welcome to those who fought hard, right?

...I know, but... I just... I am so pathetic, to be out at such a crucial time...

Y-Yes! Welcome back, Fujimaru.

...I'm glad you're back safely.

When I heard that you ran into Sir Agravain, I was extremely worried...

But you chased off that Agravain of Iron. What marvelous work. I wish I was there to see it.

...Thank you.

I know I shouldn't be depressed. I know I should look forward to the chance to make it up to you. But...

No, this is bad, I get pessimistic way too easily. I should be more optimistic like you.

And you did a wonderful job, Fujimaru. I am overjoyed as if it were my own victory.

？！

So, those two are the new additions? ...What a unique look they have...

Yes, my name's Xuanzang Sanzang! I'm here to bring forth the divine protection of the Buddha!

I am Tawara Touta. As you can see, I'm just a passerby who somehow got caught up in this. ...I see, so this is the western village...

I heard all about the village on the way here. Well then... Mwahaha...

Save the greetings and long stories for later! First, get a load of this!

Traveling on Mt. Mikami, exterminating some evil bugs... You can keep scooping from it, but its fortunes never run dry...

Seven rounds at the mountain ain't enough. Eight rounds at the mountain ain't enough.

If you're about to eat, make many rounds. The Dragon King's mighty generous, so off with the lid and out with the goods!

Here we go! Anti-Feast Noble Phantasm... Shower of Tasty Rice! Let it rain, let it rain!

Wha-

Wha-

Wha-

?

？！

Wh-What is this downpour!? Grains!? Food!? Could this be food!?

Yes... There's no doubt, this is rice! Enough to make Hundred Personas take off her mask!

Wow, what an amazing Archer! We have the greatest helper here!

Yes, this is part of the Buddha's divine protection, you see? This is why Touta and I met!

AH-TATATATATATATATA! HYA!!

Whoaaaaaa. Whoaaaaaaaaa!

This is just the start! Hundred Palms Buddha Rice Balls, we'll keep them coming!

Wooooooo! You are awesome!

It sounds really lively over there!? What happened, Fujimaru!?

？！

Look at how you can drink! Lord Arash, you finished that huge bottle in a second!

Well, look at how you can eat, Lord Touta! I'm impressed you finished that huge fish in a flash!

...These two are completely drunk. They even talk like each other... For goodness' sake...

Hmph. This tastes a bit strange, but once you get used to it, it's not too bad. Alcohol from fermented rice... Huh, not bad.

Okay, next the stuffing! I can't eat meat, but it'll surely be a feast for the kids!

Take out the guts and stuff it with rice! I taught this recipe to Bajie before!

Oh, that reminds me. I would like one more disciple if possible.

Touta is Wukong, Arash is Bajie... Now I just need someone to be Wujing!

Wait a minute, that guy is totally wrong for me! Lord Touta is the one gobbling everything up!

The pig!? I don't like it! Switch me with Lord Touta!

Oh no, as long as it's delicious, I'll eat everything, including meat and fish. I'm far from being Bajie.

In that sense, Lord Arash is the virtuous one! All he's been eating is beans!

No, I eat meat, too! It's just that these split peas are so damn good!

？！

Looks like it. I'd scold them for letting their guard down too much in a situation like this, but...

For the past six months, ever since the land was burned down and the Holy Land was taken, we have been living under heavy restrictions.

All these villagers... they deserve to enjoy this moment. Well, we owe all of this to Lord Tawara.

...Yes. Looks like everyone in the village is having a good time.

But what about you? You still haven't had anything to eat or drink.

I'm fine. It's not that I can't hold my alcohol, it's just

You see, it's this body. I cannot ingest human food as much anymore.

What does that mean?

Hahaha. This is going to be an embarrassing story. You see, out of all of the Old Men of the Mountain, I was the most ordinary.

I was pretty good at everything, but I didn't have any exceptional talent.

We Old Men of the Mountain are the greatest assassins of our generation. We each need to have one special skill that nobody else can replicate.

Hundred Personas can take on a hundred personalities. Serenity's entire body is poisonous, and can also neutralize any poison.

I never had anything like that. Nevertheless, I still desired to become an Old Man of the Mountain.

...I guess I was desperate because I was young, or actually, because I was alive.

I wanted the title of Old Man of the Mountain, no matter the cost. I wanted to earn my place in history as a great, remarkable man.

And in order to achieve that, I chose to sacrifice my own body.

...My right arm is not a man's arm. This is the arm of the demon Shaytan.

Though I myself lacked talent, I could at least take something that did and make it my own... That was my logic.

This body, Cursed Arm, is the result.

My face, my people, my love... I left them all behind and became an Old Man of the Mountain.

...All without understanding that I would become a nonperson, indistinguishable from the others in history and memory.

...

Well, I'm sorry you had to hear this boring story. But it looks like we are the only ones who are not drunk.

Fujimaru, I have one favor to ask of you.

The smell of this feast has attracted uninvited guests. They now gather outside the village.

While we're both destined to be sober, would you keep my company a little longer?

？！

Haha, well then, let's duck out quietly. Tonight is a pleasant dream. The people here need not wake from it.

Indeed... I'll stay with you, Hassan!

Ha, it took longer than I thought. I suspect the feast must be over by now.

Fujimaru, Lady Mash. You should rest here tonight.

...Because tomorrow morning we will be discussing our next move. See you then.

...It seems like Cursed Arm is going to rest for the night. The square is still a mess, but we can't do much about it.

That was an amazing sight earlier. A shower of rice from Touta's bags...

Sanzang and Touta then used that rice and made a lot of stir-fried dishes.

An endless supply of rice... Enough for every single villager to eat and then some!

Did you know? I understand that's Touta's Noble Phantasm.

？！

...Right.

A Servant's Special Arts. An EX-ranked Noble Phantasm, yet it serves no purpose in battle.

A cure for people's hunger achieved without conflict. I never knew such a Noble Phantasm existed.

It's just amazing.

It reminds me of something Nero said, something like, "How can there be a nation without laughter?"

Those were her words to you during her fight with Romulus.

？！

Yes. I was there at the time. I just couldn't come out.

The faces of the villagers earlier today... They were all smiling. Everyone was happy.

So that's the kind of Noble Phantasm his rice bag is... I never would've imagined it.

Of course, defeating an enemy of the innocent... is the same as saving the innocent...

But...

No, never mind. I can't put it into words.

But I do understand. I understand that every event in a Singularity is, by nature, a distortion that never should have been.

Everything gets corrected upon retrieving the Holy Grail: phenomena, memories, everything.

For Chaldea, for Senpai, restoring the Foundation of Humanity is the only action that means anything.

Forging friendships with those who suffer in a Singularity is therefore meaningless.

I know that, but... somehow...

...I, I suppose you're right.

Episodes, interactions, emotions... The joy, the sorrow... It's all real, regardless of whether it ends up being erased or not.

Even if there are no records of our actions... the meaning will remain?

Do I have it backwards?

...Even if no one remembers it, even if it doesn't exist in Chaldea's records,

the fact that such a life definitely existed is, in itself, an essential element of human history...

...Hmm. It might be a little too difficult for me to understand, but...

But what a beautiful expression. "Its meaning will remain, even if it gets erased."

...Even if nobody remembers anymore, the feelings that existed at that time are what make up this exact moment.

？！

...My apologies. I've rambled on. Like Hassan said, we're going to be busy in the morning.

Good night, Master. I hope you rest up, and wake up feeling good tomorrow as you always do.

Attention, men! Sir Tristan of the Knights of the Round Table is here!

...Thank you for your welcome, but I am not in the mood.

I would like to see where it happened. Please, lead the way.

Yes, sir! This way!

That's what happened last night. The insurgents' ambush has reduced our military force by 70 percent.

Right now, this fort has lost its functionality.

...Tragic. For a knight of the Holy City to die of poison-induced suffocation...

I wonder how the king will mourn over this cruelty...

...Yes, sir. The casualties include more than 30 soldiers stationed at this fort, and 26 knights brought here by Sir Agravain.

All the surviving soldiers are working around the clock so we may hold a funeral for our lost comrades.

"As soon as you have held their funeral, avenge their deaths with all your might." That's what His Majesty the Lion King would say.

...How sad. Yes, I am very sad indeed.

...That I have left this fort in the care of weak-minded fools like you.

...Huh?

N-No! Sir Tristan, what are you doing!?

Who gave you permission to mourn the dead? Oh... I am saddened by your incompetence.

Sir Tristan... Please... Please forgive us!

We will organize a search party to go after them! I swear on my honor, we will eradicate those mountain tribes!

Hurry. They left on horses.

Then the only way to track them down is with my bow. It should not pose a problem if the tracks are only a day old.

This kind of job is normally for the Raider Knights, but I am sure this is also the will of His Majesty the Lion King.

Even if they are just insects, I cannot stand them still roaming around.

Ah, how sad. It seems I will have to... pluck them from the soil with these fingers once again.

Good morning. It looks like everyone had a good rest last night and is fully recharged.

So. I will get straight to the point. Fujimaru, we would like a word with you. Come on, Hundred Personas.

I know, no need to remind me. ...Fujimaru, Mash, and Bedivere.

We will believe that you do not serve the Lion King and that you wish to oppose his tyranny.

Furthermore, it was only with your help that we were able to save Serenity.

Because of all of this, our plan to stage an uprising against the Holy City was kept secret.

All of you have contributed to the wellbeing of every citizen of this land. Great job.

...

...

？！

Ugh... No, I can't put it in words! Not even I can believe I would be this stubborn!

All right, I'll let my fists do the talking! Fujimaru! This is our last battle!

If you want words out of me, you'll have to win them from me fair and square! ...In battle, of course!

You come too, Serenity! It's a good opportunity to show Fujimaru your skills!

Uh... Okay. I'm not perfectly sure, but if you say so...

(Hmm... Should I tell Hundred Personas that assassins shouldn't fight "fair and square"?)

Oh, stop being such a baby! You should learn how to be open-minded like Serenity!

I just haven't forgotten my pride as an Old Man of the Mountain! I just can't accept heathens that easily!

...However, it ends now. It's true I was being petty, especially in front of the children.

Fujimaru. Our mission is to defeat the Lion King. Your mission is to face him.

I'd say they are practically the same. The Lion King would never leave the Holy City.

To get inside, we'll need to defeat their knights and get past that front gate.

We will soon launch a full-scale attack on the city with a united force consisting of those that have lost their families and their stake in the Holy Land.

When we do, we want your help. Please lend us a hand.

Well, that's what I thought. You can't possibly get through the gate of the Holy City on your own.

...Absolutely. It was never a question of whether I could handle it myself.

？！

...So the situation has developed into an all-out assault, huh?

You've fought in a war in America, but it might be your first time trying to capture a city that size.

I wonder if it will go our way.

How many troops can you gather to attack the Holy City? If you simply go and attack, you're asking to get defeated.

Fou, Foooou...

How true. You are right in that our forces are not that formidable.

Right now, half of the villages have agreed to join the attack. We have about 7,000 soldiers who can fight at the front.

The Holy City soldiers are also less than 10,000 in number, but their training is what makes the difference. All the soldiers there are really tough.

We need three of our soldiers to match one of theirs.

And if the Knights of the Round Table join the fray, normal soldiers wouldn't even stand a chance.

...Even so, we can't wait any longer. Our resources are being exhausted day by day.

...I see. I apologize for ruining the mood. I understand our differences in military strength now.

Hm... We should have more Servants than they do though. There are five Knights of the Round Table who survived the fight with the Crusaders.

Lancelot, Gawain, Tristan, Mordred, and Agravain.

On our end, we have eight.

Mash, Bedivere, Arash, Hassan, Hassan, Hassan, me, and Sanzang.

Wait, Sanzang is practically useless on the battlefield, so seven. Even so, our Servants can still match with theirs.

In that case, why don't we launch the assault by ourselves?

It's not that, Lord Touta. Our fight is to take back the Holy Land.

Simply defeating the Knights of the Round Table wouldn't suffice. I mean, that whole 3-on-1 thing...

The same applies to us too. I witnessed the fight with Mordred...

The Knights of the Round Table all seem to be protected by some kind of strange power. I'm not even sure if three of us would be able to defeat one of them.

...Hm. If Lord Arash puts it that way. I guess now is not the time to rejoice over a worthy opponent.

...

...Of course, we will continue to recruit more troops. As for the Knights of the Round Table, we just need to take them down one by one.

The problem is Gawain. As long as he is at the front gate, there's no way we can win.

Sir Gawain is invincible in broad daylight. Logically, the only chance we have is to attack at night...

Oh, but he doesn't have that weak point. Thanks to the Lion King's Gift, the sun will never set as long as he's on the battlefield.

...Right. It's been said time and again, but Gawain is the most powerful Knight of the Round Table under daylight.

Unless we have a Noble Phantasm that shares the same attribute as, say, Lancelot's Arondight, we can't even defend against him.

...Arondight... The treasured sword that never dulls.

Using a sword to defend against attack... Does that mean its attribute is similar to my shield?

No, Lady Mash. Your Noble Phantasm's attribute is one of a kind.

Also, Sir Lancelot's sword is an Anti-Personnel Noble Phantasm.

I can't explain it well, but in terms of fighting with Sir Gawain, Sir Lancelot is the best match.

Oh, I have an idea! Why don't we draw Lancelot to our side, and have him fight Gawain!?

You fool, how could we turn them against each other!? We can't win them over with a rice ball! That works only for you!

Ouch! ...Hmm. I thought Lancelot was someone we could try to talk to...

Well, the way things are, I have to say that I'm against the attack on the Holy City. We have no way to defeat Sir Gawain.

On top of that, our purpose is to face the Lion King, but there's also another "enemy"...

That's right... The one holding the Holy Grail in this time period is not the Lion King...

...True. And that man is a dangerous enemy for us too...

？！

Yes, Ozymandias in the territory of Egypt. It's impossible to tell what he's plotting.

There are still too many concerns. As commander of Chaldea, I cannot allow Fujimaru to join the battle.

Please wait a moment. In order to have Master Fujimaru join our cause, we just need a force strong enough, right?

If that's the case... we do have one ultimate secret hidden away. It was also one of the reasons why I was captured and interrogated.

Serenity! Don't tell me!

...Please forgive me, Hundred Personas. But isn't this the time for us to break our taboo?

If our strength alone is not enough, then we must borrow his great strength.

...

...

Huh? What is it? These skeletons just got gloomy all of a sudden...

？！

...The Shrine of Azrael.

The one who lies dormant in the shrine of the Assassin's sect, the "First Hassan."

What!? You know of him? You, a Knight of the Round Table?

Before I came here, I was told by a certain mage.

"If you are to rise against King Arthur, pay a visit to the Old Man of the Mountain. Not the ones of later generations, but he who is their first, and their last."

...I see. So you knew, Sir Bedivere.

...Indeed, Gawain would pose no threat to the First One.

However, if we were to wake him up, that could only mean...

...I didn't tell you, Serenity, but Cursed Arm is an assassin of this era.

You are an Old Man of the Mountain... Surely you know the implications of that.

Oh my... I am so sorry, I didn't know

That's fine. It's nothing for you to worry about. I was too hung up on a rule, too.

Fujimaru, Doctor Roman... All we need is the means to defeat Sir Gawain, correct?

Then come to my village again. We will show you our secrets there.