Transforming Vagabond

So, the Berserker of Shinjuku is gone.

At the risk of sounding a bit clichéd, it seems we've finally reached the beginning of the end.

I've checked my calculations countless times. They appear correct. Time continues to flow, pooling at a single point.

...Now then, I believe Assassin was next.

The Berserker of Shinjuku is gone. Or rather, I killed him.

I know. I also know how you ran away with your tail between your legs.

Wow, word travels fast. Then you also know why I did that.

Of course. Assassin told you to.

I don't get it. Why risk the danger of getting close to them?

Assassin may be chivalrous, but he is also very much a Phantom Spirit.

A man like that who always pretends to be someone he's not will never become a Heroic Spirit.

So, he cannot resist the temptation to observe heroes up close and personal, in order to determine if they are worth his transforming into them or not.

It's too risky. If you ask me, it's like handing your head over to the enemy.

It is indeed risky. It's also glorious, and arrogant.

He takes everything from his targets and tramples it, as if to relieve the gloom he felt while alive.

However, his process is entirely too unclear. Assassin has decided to kill the Chaldean Master.

But when? How? Even I don't know.

With his innate chivalry and doppelgänger nature mixed together...

Perhaps not even he understands his own thoughts.

A man like him who could, and would, kill someone he's talking to at any possible moment is a monster.

He has become an irredeemable psychotic killer.

So he's like an evil, sentient time bomb that could go off at any moment, eh.

He would hate to be interrupted. Let's wait and see how this plays out.

I have my own things I must look into.

Wow. I'm surprised you haven't already turned over every stone there is.

There is a new variable to consider: one that steadfastly defies quantification and predictability.

Emiya, why don't you go take a walk around Shinjuku and see how Shakespeare's craft is coming along?

According to my calculations, the King Lear monster should soon be complete.

King Lear, huh. What an interesting choice.

I wonder what sort of monster a crazed old man like him will turn into here in Shinjuku.

All right, I'll go take a look.

Now, it should be about time to make your entrance. You can hide, but traces of your presence remain.

You could have erased them if you'd put your mind to it, but since you let them be, you're clearly choosing to make yourself known.

My rival, my sworn enemy, my bane. I've waited for this moment for what feels like eternity.

The League of Phantom Fiends, the Barrel, me, the Phantom Spirits, all of it...

...was to set the stage for your entrance, Sherlock Holmes.

Aha, so this is the roost you mentioned. It rather reeks of hamburgers, doesn't it.

Hmm, I see I'm not very welcome here. I suppose I can't blame you, given what I look like.

If you don't like it, Assassin, you're free to leave, or to return to your spirit form.

Jeanne, you should leave regardless. And return to spirit form while you're at it.

Hahaha, now now. The important thing is that we managed to defeat the Berserker of Shinjuku.

I think this calls for a celebratory toast!

No thanks. I'm beat. I just want to rest.

I need to take care of my Cuirassier Alter. The rest of you can figure out what to do for yourselves.

I see... Well, we certainly wouldn't want to break the law, would we.

I see... Well, it wouldn't be right to coax someone who can't drink into drinking, would it.

？！

If you like, I would be glad to join you for a drink.

Aha! I knew you'd come through, Hassan! Would you like a beer? Low-malt beer? Whiskey?

Whiskey would be grand.

In that case, I believe I shall have a beer! Or rather, a cheap low-malt beer from a no-name brewery.

Hahaha! I can't say it's delicious, but it's not terrible either. It's perfectly middle-of-the-road.

What an odd thing to focus on.

All right, Hassan! Bottoms up!

Haha, you are too kind.

Ahh, that hits the spot! I love being fiftyish!

You're doing great, Master! I hope you know that!

？！

You know, you shouldn't take your youth for granted.

Before you know it, your back'll hurt all the time, your eyes'll be tired, you'll have no energy...

...Sho y'know what I shaid then?

"Thaaa'sh right, shociety's the real criminal here!" I shaid! "Tha'sh what made thish broken system in the first place..." I shaid!

Sho I swept it all under the rug and made off with more than half his estate! I really pulled a fast one on him! HA!

I'm the besht!

Mmh... I'm feelin' shleepy.

...Zzz.

...I did not know that Servants could get drunk.

If we want to, yes. How strange; he seems like just a harmless old man when intoxicated.

Do you all know what sort of man this Archer of Shinjuku is?

You're gonna tell us he's our enemy, right? We already know that.

He claims to have amnesia.

You don't actually believe something so absurd, do you?

I see.

Perhaps it is not my place to say, but don't you think you may be too trusting, Master?

I see.

...How gracious of you.

？！

I must say, Master, you are a most admirable man.

You not only prevented the Incineration of Humanity, you even came here to resolve this small Singularity.

？！

Oh, but it is. For that matter, Shinjuku itself is not even worthy of being saved.

Shinjuku in 1999 was a perfectly ordinary city full of squalor and fever...just like any other city.

If humanity had been completely incinerated, then this distortion would also have some meaning.

But you have already taken care of that. As such, this distortion will disappear on its own one day.

Even if the Holy Grail were used, this hell wouldn't last a month.

That may be, but the incineration was only just averted. Everything could still fall apart, starting here.

Especially when we still don't know who we're up against or what they want.

The destruction of this planet...

Huh?

Hassan?

I heard about it before. What the League of Phantom Fiends wants is utter devastation.

To smash apart this entire planet...

Come now, you're just making up nonsense. There's no way that could actually happen.

I agree. But the fact remains, that is their objective.

？！

That seeker of vengeance said the same thing? Hmm... No, it's still nonsense.

Even at full power, a top Servant's Noble Phantasm almost certainly couldn't break an entire planet apart.

And even if an Anti-Planet Noble Phantasm existed, on paper, it wouldn't be enough to destroy this one.

Shhh. Please be quiet.

Hassan?

...It seems that someone is skulking around this building.

Would you mind investigating it, Lady Mash?

O-okay. ...I'm sorry, but I can't seem to find anything.

Mash checks the perimeter at regular intervals. If there were anything suspicious out there, we'd know.

So they have concealed their presence. This may be an Assassin at work. Let's go take a look, Master.

？！

Oh, the rest of you, please stay put. The two of us shall go out first.

How strange. There's no one here.

Whew, I thought as much. Thank goodness.

Nonetheless... This accomplishes what I set out to do.

Hmm, how should I explain it...?

Nothing to say, hmm? Perhaps you already understand what's going on?

？！

...Hold it. Who are you?

Hassan...?

...Trust is something accumulated over time.

Anyone who would trust a stranger unconditionally is nothing but a fool.

First, they must observe the other person carefully, and overcome numerous hardships together.

Then, and only then can two people be bonded as true friends and comrades.

Now, Master, let me ask you: am I one such person?

Oh no. His Spirit Origin values...!

Master, get out of there! That's not Hassan!

Nope, sorry.

Haha, what's your deal? You're hilarious!

I was going to kill you, but I changed my mind! This'll be a lot more fun with a hostage!

Who're you!?

Did you just transform!? ...No, it was nothing like that!

You WERE Hassan! You had his voice, his demeanor...even Shaytan's arm!

There's only so far shape-shifting can go. You were more like...

Hm? More like what, Da Vinci!?

More like his shadow, you say?

A doppelgänger!

Hey, you got it! I might look chivalrous. I might even BE chivalrous. But on the inside...!

Nah, I can't go around telling you! Anyway, I'm gonna hold on to Master here for a while!

No!

...Interesting.

Yeah, real interesting.

Ah, the beautiful duo! So you did figure out it was me!

You know, I figured you had my number all along, but I just couldn't resist the surprise reveal!

Sorry 'bout that!

If you don't get your nasty-ass breath out of Master's face, I'm gonna burn you alive!

Ooh, very nice! That is truly beautiful murderous intent in your eyes!

As a thrill-seeking gentleman, this is just the kind of excitement I crave!

But, also speaking as a gentleman, it would be rude and stuff to fight here.

So, on that note, I'll be waiting with your dear Master for you to join us elsewhere!

You're not going anywhere!

Hahaha! You might not believe it, but I'm faster than I look!

Go ahead; try and catch me if you can!

Come on, ice bitch queen, do something!

Silence, mad dog! I'll take Cuirassier Alter. Try to keep up with us!

Don't gotta tell me twice! So what about the drunk old fart?

Who cares!?

That cheeky bitch...!

Whuh oh, looks like Altria Alter's catching up quick! Guess I'll have to buy some time!

!

Hornets!

You know what, this looks like it'll be a pretty good show!

？！

What!?

？！

...Very well. Then give me your orders, Master!

Knowing you, I'm certain you can assess the situation calmly no matter the circumstances!

Here come the Hornets!

This ends now!

Ha ha ha! I can't believe you were able to give orders under these circumstances!

You're really something! My hat's off to you, no joke!

In fact, this is too much fun to stop here! And look, here come Shakespeare's monsters, ready at last!

Go on, show these guys what you've got!

Shakespeare's...monsters?

I'm detecting magical energy approaching you at high speeds. It appears to be...a spriggan!

Just what we needed... Hm? Hang on, that's not a spriggan!

It's clearly based on one, but the design is different. That's...

Aha! It looks like the first one out is King Lear!

Huh? King Lear? As in Shakespeare's play?

The very same! All right, Your Majesty, why don't you go and sock that sad old lunatic a good one!

？！

...Excalibur Morgan!

...Got him!

Well yes, but you pushed yourself too hard to take him down quickly. Now you're exhausted.

So? You're a fool if you think I would lose to a miserable outlaw like

Man, that was an even better show than I'd hoped! But, I think it's time for the curtain call now.

Master...!

？！

Hahaha! Adios, amigos!

And bye-bye, everyone at Chaldea.

The signal is being jammed! Master! Please! ...ase be... safe

？！