Flames of Progress

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Fou...

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So...this is all that made it?

？！

...I'm so sorry...

This wasn't your fault.

In the end, we're the ones who agreed to your plan. It's like I told you before.

We went along with it because we thought it would work. Our enemy just happened to be one step ahead.

So don't waste your breath apologizing.

...All right...

The important thing is figuring out our next move. I'm not done yet. I'm not giving up.

I...I don't know. I think everyone here's still in shock.

Dammit... I can't stop shaking...

I can't believe he's dead... One moment, he's right there next to me, and the next he's just...gone!

I kept hacking at them, and hacking at them, but they just kept getting back up... If I close my eyes, I can still see them coming for us!

D-do you really think we have a chance?

Hell if I know! I just don't wanna die... That's all I want!

Same here. Same for all of us. Maybe we should've stayed slaves if we're just gonna end up dead.

...

...All right, I say it's time for some vittles!

Today, you guys can eat as much as you want! Go ahead and stuff yourselves silly!

There's nothing else you can do today, so don't worry about a thing. We've got the worrying covered.

Yeah...now that you mention it, I AM pretty hungry.

Let's get something to eat. I'm exhausted.

Hang on a minute.

Have you seen that boy anywhere? The one who's always hanging around me?

...

I...I don't think he made it back...

...I see. Guess his luck ran ouNo. There wasn't anything he could have done.

？！

...

I told him to run away when he knew he couldn't win.

He was just a kid. Nobody would've blamed him for turning tail at the first sign of trouble.

What a waste...

Rider...

Why're you looking at me like that? I'm just a dull old man. Nothing special to see here.

Anyway, you guys should get some rest too. To be honest, we'd all be dead right now if you hadn't been around. I'm grateful to you.

...Thank you. It WAS a rather intense battle. We could all do with some rest to recover our strength.

I think you should take Rider up on his suggestion and turn in for the day, Master.

Good plan! We can save thinking about tomorrow for tomorrow!

Yes...I agree you should all get some rest. But...I'm going to keep thinking about our next plan.

Do you still feel responsible for what happened today?

That is part of it...but the truth is, I just want to do whatever I can to ensure I survive.

I see. In that case, you can also think about it while having a drink.

...?

I may be young and inexperienced...

But as the latest in a long line of kings, I know what to do in times like this.

You should go to where the men are drinking, and join them in drowning their sorrows.

I'm...not sure that's a good idea. My plan was what failed us all so spectacularly.

Yes, I'm sure there will be some there who will have their grievances with you. But in my opinion...

...you should take what they say to heart. That is part of a tactician's role after a plan fails, and your opportunity to calm their resentment.

...

There's no need to overthink it. Just think of it as giving them an opportunity to vent.

Don't worry. If anyone crosses the line, I'll be there to back you.

...Very well. In that case, I shall take you up on your advice.

I'll join you in drink as well. Besides, I may be able to help take the men's minds off their sorrows by entertaining them with my sword dance.

I think I'll stay here and fall asleep with Master. They'd run outta liquor if we all went!

Guess that leaves me and Fou for Master's guard and body pillow duty! See you all tomorrow!

Fou!

I could have sworn I just heard something fairly improper...

Well, I'll be monitoring you from here regardless, so if anything happens, I'll know who to blame.

Anyway... Good night, Senpai.

...(Sigh).

...?

I'm sorry. I noticed you leaving, and thought you might have had too much to drink.

I have some water for you if you'd like it.

No, thank you... I just felt like getting some night air. Besides, we Servants do not easily become intoxicated, after all.

Oh, right. I'm sorry. I guess there really is something off about me.

At times, it feels as though I'm still alive. Maybe it's because I'm so immature, since I have yet to grow into my own as a warrior.

Still alive...you say? But, you're a Servant as well, aren't you?

Oh, yes, that much is certain. I just mean that I'm still immature, mentally and physically.

...I see. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate as well.

...Could I trouble you for that water now? I think it would go well with this cool night air.

Of course. Oh, and would you mind if I sat next to you? I think I'd like some fresh air myself.

No, not at all.

Thank you. ...The night sky is quite beautiful tonight. It's hard to believe it's actually just moss.

You know, this place really is mysterious. We have stars even though there's no sky, and cool night air even though we're miles underground...

...

...May I ask you something, just to pass the time?

...By all means.

This is purely hypothetical, so please feel free to answer it any way you like.

...What sort of nation would you like to live in?

...Why do you ask me?

Well, to be blunt... Because you seem the most normal out of anyone here.

After all, you're scared of both combat and dying, as most people would be.

All of the other women here seem a bit...extreme, for lack of a better word.

So I wanted to hear from one with more down-to-earth sensibilities.

Of course, I'm well aware that there's no point to this question.

This is purely to satisfy my own curiosity.

Even if we do arrive at the truth here, it wouldn't change anything, since Ulster is already gone.

...Hehe. I can see you're quite earnest, unlike the king that I once knew.

Oh...does that mean you once served a king when you were alive? As I recall, you

I'd prefer not to talk about that. I would rather not dwell on those memories...

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. So, about my question...

...Oh, yes, my apologies. I'm afraid I don't have an especially interesting answer, but...

...I would like to live in a nation without any danger. After all, in a place fraught with danger, it is possible I may lose my life.

You really are afraid of dying, aren't you.

...Isn't everyone...?

Yes... I suppose they are. Regardless, a Celtic warrior does not fear death. You see

...

Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make small of your opinion. Maybe we should not talk about our views on the matter of life and death.

It's not that we WANT to die, after all. I can certainly understand your position in that sense.

Still...a nation without danger is easy to talk about, but probably very hard to create. The closest example I can think of is

...The Land of the Young?

That's impressive. I should have expected as much from you. The Land of the Young, or Tír na nÓg, is a Celtic myth.

It is a land of eternity, where gods and fairies walk. It is a peaceful and joyous utopia, where there is always enough delicious fruit for everyone to eat.

Yet both there and here, the threat of death is still present.

Not gods who dwell underground, nor the humans in their peach-filled paradise, can escape it.

True. That's why we've been drinking to our fallen comrades tonight.

(Sigh) I had no idea just how difficult creating an ideal nation would be...

...

...Oh, sorry to talk your ear off. I didn't mean to have you join me in my little mental exercise.

By way of apology, how about this?

I may not be able to help you live in a nation without the threat of death, but I can offer a replacement.

...?

From now on, I won't just use my sword to protect Fujimaru.

I'll also use it to keep you safe from the threat of death. On that, you have my word.

I am young, inexperienced, and cannot draw my sword against a woman, but I should be better than nothing.

...Haha. That is...quite reassuring. Very well then, I will be counting on you.

...We should probably head back inside. d'Eon's sword dance has most likely lost its appeal by now.

I'd love to hear another one of your stories sometime.

You're a great storyteller. You make it all seem so real. Not just for me, either. You had the entire Resistance hanging on your every word too.

I think that can be arranged. What sort of story would you like to hear next time?

...Do you happen to know any about, say, princes who grow up to become great kings?

Master, wake up! We've got serious trouble!

Fou fou?

Master this is not the time to get all cuddly with Fou!!!

？！

Astolfo, Master's safety comes first! Please get him out of there!

Yes! On it! Hup!

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I've been trying to tell you that, sleepyhead! The whole grove's gone up like a match!

Dammit! Put it out! Put it out!

We can't! The fire's spread too much!

How did this happen?

The Amazons set it on fire! Everything's going up in flames!

Keep it together!

First, make sure nobody's trapped in the flames. Things can be replaced. People can't!

And make sure we're keeping an eye on our perimeter. The enemy may take this chance to attack!

Alternatively, whoever set the fire might still be close by. If you see them, don't let them escape!

Once all that's done, gather our resources! Get everything that's still intact to a safe place!

Now get moving, or we really will lose everything to the fire!

I'm so ashamed. I didn't even notice until it was too late.

I was careless... I never thought they would attack our home base.

No time for regret. Servants have less to fear from the flames, so we should all help tend to the injured.

？！

Okay Master, let's get you somewhere safe!

It's... It's all gone...

They finally found our hideout.

Yesterday...we were all so focused on just getting away. Maybe we didn't cover our tracks well enough.

And...that may have let them follow us all the way here...

Th-then they could all show up here at any time! Wh-what're we gonna do!?

Don't ask me!

You know what we're going to do.

Rider...

I've been telling you the same thing every day. I'm not about to change my tune now.

Never give up. Keep moving forward. That's all we can do.

But...Rider...

I know. Everything's gone now. It's all burned down.

The peach trees we depended on for food. The houses we worked tirelessly to build.

The resources we collected a bit at a time from our enemies. ...Even the graves of our dead comrades.

All of that is ash now. This peach tree grove was an ideal hideout, but it's gone.

And I have only one thing to say to you now, something we should all be saying:

"So what?"

We're still here. We're still alive. Our legs can still take us wherever we want to go.

We are NOT done for yet. There is still plenty we can do.

This may be laughingly obvious, but I'll say it again. I'll say it as many times as it takes.

It's not over till it's over. As long as you don't give up, dreams DO come true.

I know that deep in my soul, better than anyone.

...

What about you? You have all been brave enough to fight alongside me all this time!

Are you just going to give up and let it end here!? Or are you going to keep facing forward with me!?

Yeah...that's true. We ARE still alive.

If we gave up now...we'd never be able to show our faces to the men who died.

I thought I was gonna die a slave when I first fell down here, and now look how far we've come.

It'd be wrong for us not to see it through to the end!

I'm in, Rider! I'm with you all the way!

Me too!

Remarkable. It's as though he brought them back from the dead.

According to all logic and good sense, this was a hopeless situation. So perhaps it is fitting that such logic isn't what they needed to hear.

Indeed. No amount of gentle cajoling or reasoning can move a soldier with a broken spirit.

And yet, amazingly, a leader with the right qualities merely commanding them to get moving can be enough to motivate them all to do so.

Rider looks to have those qualities in spades. I only wish they lent themselves to slightly less self-destructive tendencies.

I think the word you're looking for is charisma!

...

Well, yes, I suppose so.

Still, while kings, queens, generals, and noble warriors may all possess charisma...

...I think each has a very different KIND of charisma. In my estimation, Rider's is more like...

...

There you are. We're going to need your help again, tactician.

I might've talked a good game, but to be honest, I can't see where we go from here.

Do you have any ideas about how we can turn this situation around?

...I do. In fact, I just now thought of one.

？！

Simply put...we launch another sneak attack.

Although, with our current numbers...I'm afraid it may be more of a suicide attack...

That'd be fine with me...as long as it doesn't turn out like it did yesterday. How do we know it won't?

I could see trying the same thing twice giving us an edge in terms of surprise, but there's no guarantee our enemy won't see through it again.

It won't be the same as yesterday. There will be major differences in both our means and our method.

...This is something we can only do now that things have changed. It's a shame, though, that the changes have not been for the better.

Firstly, the Resistance is smaller now. Secondly, we no longer have to worry about returning home, since we no longer have a home.

...

And there is one last reason why I believe this attack will succeed: you, Rider.

...Me?

I already had some idea based on your outfit and fighting style...but after seeing how you inspired your men just now, I'm all but certain.

I believe that everyone else will agree with me.

You treat everyone under your command, along with yourself, as part of a single whole.

You have the ability to bring them all together and lead them toward achieving a common goal.

That is neither the aloof rule of a king, nor the hierarchical inspiration of a general. It is the charisma of one who is inextricably tied to those they lead.

In other words... You are the captain of a ship.

...

And in that case, there is a role that you are best suited to fill.

It is a role that only you can play, precisely because of who you are.

And it is the key to this operation...

...Hah! This feels right! So incredibly right!

The feeling of plotting a course from the bow as the ship sways back and forth! The chilling splash of the water, the creaks and groans of the hull...

I still can't remember anything, but damn if this doesn't feel like coming home to an old friend!

Ah...we've got boulders up ahead! Hard aport!

Steady as she goes!

？！

Fooou!?

Um... Astolfo, what are you doing?

Hm? I'm a Rider, remember? I've got the skill and everything! Steering a big old boat like this should be a piece of cake for

No. I mean...why are you wearing that outfit?

Weeell, it's a sailor outfit, right? I just happened to hang on to it, so I thought it'd be perfect for a voyage like this!

You gotta set the tone with stuff like this, y'know? Besides, I wanna get everyone all fired up!

And it's working like a charm! Don'tcha think?

True... The Resistance does seem to be looking at you like you're some sort of sea goddess.

In fact, Master may be looking at you a little TOO much... Um, at any rate, please watch your skirt.

？！

N-no, Master, I'm not going to dress up as Maid Knight again!

That was just a one-time thing!

At any rate, this plan appears to be going well so far.

I'll admit I was taken aback when I first heard about it, but...

There is only one advantage that the Resistance holds over El Dorado.

The fact that you were the ones to topple Ys.

The city itself may now be flooded, but there is still something you have gained from it...

...Their ships.

Correct. Every river here in Agartha flows back to the great eastern lake where Ys once stood.

The piratesDahut's underlingswould sail ships upstream along these rivers to attack and plunder at a moment's notice.

Yup! I think we covered that earlier. But it sounds like a ton of work to paddle a big boat upstream! Did they have motors or something?

No... While I was serving Dahut, I had a number of chances to ride their ships myself.

They were enchanted with some form of magecraft that propelled them forward just by unfurling their sails, whether they had wind or not.

Oho, that would certainly make life easier! And that I thought such a thing at all shows I probably DO have some experience with ships. I imagine it'll all come back to me once I'm aboard one.

As I said before, Rider, one of the keys to this plan is the fact that we now know you can sail.

It has nothing to do with your Riding, and everything to do with your knowledge of commanding a ship, which is in its own way, a kind of living thing.

And...unfortunately, it is only possible now that the Resistance is small enough to fit aboard one ship.

Granted, it might be more accurate to say that they no longer have any choice but to do so, as their home has been burned down.

I agree. With our current numbers, there won't be much point in leaving anyone behind. If we're going to attack, we should all do so together.

All of this means that, with things as they are now, we can use a single Ys ship, and a river that leads into the heart of the jungle...

...to launch an attack on the enemy's base in El Dorado with the entire remaining Resistance.

This will be a surgical strike, concentrating all of our power on the enemy's most vulnerable point. I believe that is our only chance at victory.

...Of course, if this plan fails...then we will all...end up...dead...

Now don't go worrying about that. You can't move forward if you keep turning around to look behind.

Besides...remember what we're about to ride.

Ships only move in one direction, and it isn't backwards.

That's it. Full speed ahead! Haha, I must say, it feels wonderful to sail upstream at top speed!

This must be a first for me, whether in life or as a Servant! ...Hm!?

Heeey! There's a bridgeerr...some kinda barrier ahead! What do we do now!?

I thought we might run into something like this. Not to worry! We do the same thing we did with the bridges: go right through them!

What about the Amazons on it!?

No matter! It'll just be a little more work than usual!

Just take out the ones that get in our way. The important thing is securing a route forward!

Understood. We'll deal with the enemies while the Resistance focuses on destroying the barrier!

What should I do...? I want to hide in the cabin so I don't die from a wayward arrow...

But if I do that, I won't be able to help prevent the ship from sinking... What a dilemma.

Your pessimism truly is every bit as potent and enduring as Rider's optimism.

Don't worry. I'll devote myself to keeping Fujimaru, you, and the entire rear guard safe. I promise.

...

At any rate, now is not the time to hold back! We must fight with all our strength! If this ship sinks, it will truly be over for us!

Right... Very well then, I shall do my best. At least enough to ensure that I don't die.

All right, we made it through!

That is all well and good, but what about the Amazons that escaped? Won't they raise an alarm?

They might've already done that after catching sight of us from the shore. There's no point worrying about that sort of thing now.

We just have to get to El Dorado before anyone brings word of our attack!

So, I know we're supposed to defeat that Berserker if she's there...but what if she isn't?

Then it'll be that much easier to take out their base.

Based on our recon, El Dorado's where the Amazons are keeping most of their men. What's more, they're all strong and healthy men, just the way they like.

Once we free them, they'll join our side and stop the enemy from multiplying. Two birds, one stone.

We'll also be able to load up on supplies, which will make our next move that much easier.

So right now, we keep moving full speed ahead!

Steady as she goes! Wait, I see another barrier up ahead!

No surprise there. The Amazons probably built a few of them to ward off the Ys pirates.

But I bet they didn't count on guys like us charging in at full steam! Now: RAMMING SPEED!

...! Master, look! There, beyond those trees!

Indeed. That templewhich certainly looks like it leapt straight out of Kintoki's dreamsseems to be the heart of El Dorado!

？！

There it is! We've finally made it to El Dorado! Lay anchor on the shore nearest the temple! We'll take the shortest possible route to

...What's going on?

The ship's...shaking. Is something going on with the river? ...No, wait. There's something IN the river.

...Oh no. I recognize this sensation!

Astolfo, you need to stop the ship immediately! Hold on to me, Master... He's about to emerge!

No...! Why now...of all times!?

!!

!!

？！

Shit! Is this just bad luck, or did someone put him here on purpose!?

Could the Amazons have placed him here as a last line of defense? That would be tremendously unfortunate for us if that were the case.

Hey, wait, didn't they fight in the Nightless City? Doesn't seem like they'd suddenly be friends now!

Regardless of why he's here...he is far too dangerous. We must avoid fighting him!

I'm afraid it doesn't look like we have a choice. He seems dead set on fighting us.

!!

This is our last chance to reach El Dorado! We can't fall back, and we can't give up!

Up till now, we've had no choice but to run from him...but that was back when I didn't have a ship.

Especially one with so many Servants aboard!

Get ready! We're about to fight our way through the biggest storm of our lives!

!!

？！

Just what I'd expect from one of the greatest Greek heroes! I couldn't ask for a worthier opponent!

Uwaa... You're EXCITED about this? He's so tough I had to stop playing Sailor Paladin and change back into my real outfit again!

Even before his Berserker enhancement, his power as a Heroic Spirit was incredible...

...but when we consider the sheer magnitude of strength added to his usual with this giant form...

...Indeed. On top of all that, Megalos seems to be in an endlessly rampaging state, and shows no signs of slowing down at all.

In essence, he appears to have gone ultra-berserk. That would explain why he's acting like a monster.

It's actually kind of impressive, in a scary, monstrous sort of way.

You've done a fair amount of damage to him, but he's still incredibly dangerous. Keep your guard up.

This is terrible... Just one strike from that monster would easily be enough to kill us.

Indeed... He's like a living storm.

His roar is like a thunderclap, shaking the entire ship. His arms are like the wind, raging tirelessly to break the mast.

He throws wave after wave at us. He stands dark and unyielding, blocking our way as far as we can see...

Rider...?

...Oh yes. I know my storms.

And you're the worst kind there is: one that shows up just when the voyage is going well and does everything it can to sink us.

...

Hah, I'm actually grateful to you. Thanks to you tossing us around so much I almost threw up...

...I finally remembered that I've gotten through storms like you countless times!

？！

I'm picking up a unique magical energy pattern! This is...Rider's Noble Phantasm!?

Fou!?

!

I don't care what sort of hero you used to be. As long as you stand in my way, you're no more than just another storm to me.

So stay out of my way! The New World I've been dreaming of is finally within my reach!

I'm putting my anchor down right here. I will show this storm that I'm already at my destination!

This marks the first step to the end of my long voyage!

Santa María Drop Anchor!

Whoa. There's another ship here and it's coming right up to us! It just sent our anchor flying!

That must be Rider's Noble Phantasm! It's holding Megalos in place!

, , !

"Santa María Drop Anchor"? I knew it. So that's who he is...

？！

Sure have. I think you'll recognize the name, too. La Santa María was the ship he's most famous for...

He sailed it across the Atlantic Ocean, and "discovered" the New Worldat least as far as Europe was concernedin the 15th century.

...You're Christopher Columbus, aren't you?

That's right. I finally remembered my name. I'm Columbus.

Um, it's great that Rider has his memories back...but I think we have more urgent matters to attend to!

？！

I do have reservations about cutting down an opponent bound in chains... But I suppose I should think of this more as slaying a monster than as a duel!

(Now that I know Rider is Columbus, I have some concerns... But like Mash said, we definitely have more urgent matters to attend to right now!)

Be careful, everyone! Just because he's tied up doesn't mean he's not still a threat!

, !

Dammit. I can't believe he's still this strong even tied up!

Hurry and finish him off! I can't keep this anchor out forever!

We should have wounded him quite grievously by now! Just a little more andoh no!

Aw crap, Amazons on the shore! And

？！

...The hell!? It's way too soon for her to be showing up!

...That's right. I should have realized it sooner. Of course she would come here.

？！

Based on previous observations, the Berserker of El Dorado seems concerned with expanding her territory.

But we have also seen her behave in a manner counter to that simple explanation.

...Wherever Megalos appears, she rushes in to battle him.

She does so regardless of where she currently is, or what her current situation may be...as though there is nothing that matters to her more.

Wait. Something appears off about her.

Ah...

Ah, aah, aaahhh.

Raaaaaahhh!

The Berserker of El Dorado just started raging...and she's charging right at us!

No, wait! She's not going for us! I think she's going for Megalos!

I know your scent! It's you! I'll kill you! That's why I... Raaahhh!

I'll kill you! I'LL KILL YOU!!! I swear I'LL KILL YOU...ACHILLES!!!

Huh!? Dunno why, but I'm pretty sure she's got the wrong guy...

She certainly doesn't seem to think so, judging from how fiercely she's attacking him. She's behaving more like a wild beast than a person.

Achilles...as in the Greek hero? But, isn't that...

...His Spirit Origin pattern may be much, much larger, but he is still definitely Heracles.

His Noble Phantasm and fighting style all bear that out.

So then, why should she think otherwise?

I can only surmise that she's mistaken him for Achilles.

If so, it's no great shock. Look at her. She's as berserk as Berserkers come.

The mere fact that they are both Greek heroeshis scent aloneis enough to get her to mistake him for the object of her hatred.

That is how much she hates Achilles. Even a vaguely similar scent is enough to drive her utterly berserk.

Indeed, her raging hatred of Achilles is the very foundation of her existence as a Heroic Spirit.

？！

Yup. Actually, this was one of the possibilities I considered at the start. But her actions recently made me certain of who she is.

After that war cry, I'd say it's safe to assume she was queen of the Amazons in life.

Her true name is...

Nailed it. I see you know your history, Fujimaru.

Close, but no cigar. That's the name of her older sister. This is another of the Amazons' queens.

？！

That's right... Her name is Penthesilea.

The queen of the Amazons, known far and wide for her strength and beauty.

She came to Troy's aid in the Trojan War after Hektor was killed and the Achaeans seemed about to win. Later, she died in a duel against Achilles.

A...Achilles... Achilles, you say?

Aah! S-stay back!

Don't rile her up! Shit...looks like I was too late...

So...you who would stop me from killing Achilles are also Achilles. Then I shall kill ALL OF YOU!

Aah...aaahhh! !

, !

Oh no! I can't hold him any longer!

Anyone else getting giant monster movie flashbacks!?

Two Berserkers, one large, one small, each flailing about and attacking anything that gets too close... This really does feel like a quest to slay a monster.

I was hoping they would each take the other out...but it seems they mean to come after us!

Focus on survival first and foremost! Be careful, Master. This is going to be a dangerous battle!

I couldn't agree more. Ah, I wish I could run away... I don't think dogeza will work on them...

Dammit! I'm spent!

Uh oh. Captain, the ship can't take any more of this!

...! They're coming from above! Master, this way!

!

!

Master... Master! Please, hang in there, Master...!