Eternal Empire

Qin Shi Huang...the Emperor of Qin...

Hahaha. Qin Shi Huang, you say? Don't you think that's a little far-fetched?

Qin Shi Huang is from the B.C. era. How could he possibly still be alive in 2020?

Well, normally you'd be right. But are you forgetting the tsar we just recently fought who had been living for around five hundred years?

So is it REALLY such a stretch that a Chinese emperor might have managed to survive over two thousand years?

The Qin empire had a legal system, standardized units of measurement, paper money... It was very much ahead of its time in many ways.

China would go on to see the rise and fall of many other dynasties...

...but when it comes to making progress as a civilization, such instability is...unhelpful.

If Qin had remained as the sole power in China, no doubt it would have reached a point where it would easily swallow up neighboring countries...

...which could, in turn, have sped up humanity's overall progress considerably.

Yup. I could easily see that happening if someone like Qin Shi Huang had been able to keep on ruling.

In fact, he actually spent a lot of his later years searching for a way to achieve immortality.

Qin collapsed due to political instability after Qin Shi Huang's death...right?

In which case, if Qin Shi Huang somehow succeeded at becoming immortal in this history, much like how Ivan the Terrible did so by becoming a Yaga...

...it would theoretically be possible for China to skip all of its years of instability and civil war and go straight to modernization.

That could definitely explain how they were able to build something so huge along a satellite orbit path.

Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the sort of thing Qin Shi Huang wanted to build all along.

One thing we do know is that this nation has not seen the kind of societal change that typically accompanies scientific progress.

The advancement of science inevitably makes authoritarian regimes obsolete past a certain point, but just look at that village.

Yeah. They might as well still be stuck in the B.C. era.

Regardless of who this "Most Glorious and Majestic Heavenly Emperor" residing in Xianyang may be, it seems clear that he has no intention of sharing the benefits of all this progress with his citizens.

Hm? Hang on!

Some sort of projectile was just fired from the capital. It's headed in this direction.

In fact...it looks like it's going to land right in this village.

I can see it from here. It looks like...a rocket?

I certainly hope it's not some sort of intercontinental ballistic missile.

Oh, that? That's a Benefaction.

？！

Yeah, the Most Glorious and Majestic Heavenly Emperor uses those to grant gifts whenever there's a celebration.

We know exactly where it lands, so it's perfectly safe as long as you keep your distance.

Why would there be one now, though? Is today some sort of holiday?

I don't think so...

Then, it's not an attack after all? That's a relief, but it still seems like a rough way to send a package...

I'm afraid we're not so lucky. I'm seeing vital signs inside that thing, along with a magical energy signal we're all too familiar with.

That's a Master and their Servant. No mistake.

Ah!

If they. Mean to. Attack us. We will. Respond with. Due force.

Fou, fooou!

Oh come on, you're telling me they're making their way here in that?

That does seem like a...somewhat less than ideal conveyance. It will no doubt be a rough landing.

No problem there. Since it's a Master traveling with their Servant

？！

Exactly, Fujimaru. I knew you'd know how to make effective use of a Servant.

Here it comes! Everyone, brace for impact!

...

As we expected. So that is this Lostbelt's Crypter...

That's Akuta Hinako. I see. So China's her territory.

Akuta...

Hmph. Looks like you're taking this seriously, Mash. And here I thought I'd find you smirking.

...I'd never do that. I take no joy whatsoever in fighting you.

Then you're even more hopeless than I thought. You're no better than animals who lack a concept of shame.

I feel no more animosity toward you than I do a cockroach nest before I exterminate it. Even that is more emotion than you deserve.

That's terrible...

Yikes... Are you really Akuta Hinako? You're nothing like you were back in Chaldea.

...Da Vinci. So it's true. You really were killed.

You might not believe me...but that body of yours is perfect.

You have achieved the realm that humans cannot reach with their meager insight. The true new form that the intelligent aim for.

...I'm surprised you would make something like that, Leonardo. Humans really are just...

No. As long as you're part of Chaldea, that makes you my enemy. You'll have no sympathy from me.

Saber, eliminate them. Remove these eyesores from my sight.

As you wish, Master.

...! Here they come, Senpai!

We're about to face Akuta Hinako and her Saber!

Commencing battle!

Ghh... Now I see. No wonder Ophelia and Kadoc lost.

You're obviously used to fighting with Servants. That experience has given you quite an edge.

Master, it would be foolish to continue this battle any longer. I suggest we make a temporary retreat!

Damn, I really underestimated them! Let's go, Saber!

Yes, Master!

...Akuta...

...The enemy has retreated, Master. The battle is over.

Fou, fooou!

I'm surprised they gave up so easily. Then again, Akuta always was pretty decisive...

No. I am afraid that we neither dealt her a decisive blow, nor were we able to make her show her hand.

If anything. Now she. Knows how. Strong we. Truly are. But she. Is a. Lot stronger. Than she. Lets on.

Yeah, she's a tough opponent. Looks like she wasn't kidding about exterminating us like cockroaches.

She only took the direct approach this time because she thought she could wipe us out.

This just wasn't the sort of fight she wanted. She'd rather retreat and figure out a strategy that will let her win without putting in any real effort...

Looks like that profile of her saying she was a neat freak was right on the money.

...

So, you went and made a great fool of yourself. We will not laugh at you. Your little show with the Chaldeans was interesting.

I blame no one but myself for my disgraceful performance. Still, perhaps now you at least understand the threat these invaders pose, Your Imperial Majesty?

Threat? A threat, you say? Why should we feel threatened just because you retreated?

...

Well, since your little display amused us, you may continue it.

In fact, you may bring ten of our puppets with you for the second act.

With all due respect, Your Imperial Majesty, if you treat this latest disaster as mere entertainment

We might say the same of you, Akuta. Given the reluctance with which you engage in combat, we can only conclude that this is some sort of game to you.

If you are going to fight, then fight to win. There is nothing to be gained by running away before you suffer so much as a single loss.

...

Understood, Your Imperial Majesty. I won't fail again.

Good. We look forward to a future showing with a bit more...substance to it.

Oh Your Imperial Majesty, you're so bad. Is this your way of punishing poor little Akuta?

Is that how it seemed to you, Kominsky?

Ko-yan-ska-ya!

We see no sense in punishing her when we do not yet even think of these Chaldeans as our enemy.

They may have come here from another world, but that is also true of you and Akuta.

Huh...? Uh, yes, I suppose that's true...

If these Chaldeans are here to mount an attack, we would have to suspect you two as their advance guard.

Akuta and I came here to pay our respects and offer our services as soon as we arrived, Your Imperial Majesty.

But the only thing Chaldea has done since they arrived is cause trouble and mayhem in your territory.

Don't you think that sets us apart kind of a lot?

Indeed, you have a point. But is that not why Akuta went after them? To scold them for their poor manners?

Hahaha, you outsiders certainly do care a great deal about etiquette.

...

Well, the last version of me wasn't too involved with Team A, so I can't speak from experience...

...but her record said she was extremely careful in every aspect of her relationships to others.

That reminds me.

Kadoc used to say she had a personal connection to Director Marisbury.

Really? That's news to me. Then again, I could see her allowing Kadoc to believe that.

But, why would she do that?

Probably to keep the kid at arm's length, I'd guess.

I wouldn't be shocked to hear she had similar strategies for everyone.

My guess is that she was trying to cultivate a very specific image for herself among Team A.

Namely to leave the faintest impression among them, to seem neither too hostile nor too friendly.

In other words...a stalwart misanthrope?

Well, yeah, basically, but you don't have to be quite so blunt about it, Holmes.

...True, she did like to keep to herself. She did her best to avoid interacting with anyone.

The main thing I remember about her is how quiet she was. I never saw her get upset, or even smile.

If she wasn't curled up in a corner of her room reading, it was because she was getting new books from the library. I always felt bad about interrupting her.

Honestly, I'm pretty sure she wasn't cut out for combat at all, no matter how much aptitude she may have had for being a Master.

Based strictly on her profile, out of all the Crypters...

...I thought she might be the only one we could maybe resolve things with peacefully.

Well you couldn't have been more wrong! I am still getting chills from those icy glares of hers!

I've never seen such naked contempt in my life!

The only thing that comes close is Koyanskaya's glare whenever I'd make a move on her after having too much to drink!

True, the Akuta Hinako we just fought was nothing like the quiet girl her profile described. Her sheer hostility was...

No, not hostility. It was more like...disgust. Either way, I never expected that from her.

...There is one thing I can remember that might help explain it.

Hmm. Well that's kind of unnerving.

Akuta wasn't disinterested in her teammates at all.

If anything, I think she was so suspicious about something that she never let her guard down.

...Unfortunately, I was never able to ask her why she was so afraid of her team...

It seemed like a subject I should avoid at all costs.

Sounds to me like she was more guarded about people in general than her teammates specifically.

Maybe there was something she was trying to keep secret.

Hmm. We still have her background file, along with the results from her selection exam. Maybe we should take another look at it...

Wanna handle that, Holmes? This sort of thing is what you detective types are all about, right? That and investigating cheating spouses, of course.

Unfaithful spouses aside, this sort of thing is indeed where a true detective shines. By all means, send the data to my workshop.

...Hm? Um, your attention, please. I have a Da Vinci Warning to make.

Xianyang just fired another projectile. It doesn't look like this one's aimed at the village...

...but after calculating its landing point, I found it's coming from the same direction in which Akuta Hinako retreated.

And I'm pretty sure that means

？！

I think so too.

Of course, it'd be suicide to send normal soldiers via rocket, so it's probably carrying weaponry.

Akuta's almost certainly going to try and attack us again, so we need to be ready to fight back.

Da Vinci. What about summoning more Servants?

I believe enough time has passed that it should be more than possible to do so?

Yup, we're all set there! In fact, I just finished the summoning right now!

Since we're going up against an empire that has stood for thousands of years and its emperor...

...I decided to bring along three musketeer rebels.

Musketeer rebels?

Mordred, the rebel of the Round Table.

'Sup, guys!

Spartacus, the liberator of the slave gladiators.

Death to all oppressors!

And Jing Ke, the world's foremost expert in assassinating Qin Shi Huang.

...Wait, what. That's why you brought me here?

？！

You're trying to take down the Qin empire, right? And Qin Shi Huang with it, right? You're giving me another chance to kill him, right?

Oh that is great, really. Definitely couldn't have picked anyone better for the job. But what's with the three musketeers thing?

You know my Spirit Origin, hell, even my Noble Phantasm has got to be stronger than ever thanks to the fame and tradition boost, so how come I'm getting treated like I'm second string?

I mean, I don't have any objection to you choosing to summon me, of course! It's just...

...Pitiful.

Now, now, we all hate oppressors here. I would be honored to fight by your side in toppling this one, Heroic Spirit Assassin Jing Ke!

Hell yeah! My old man's fought Chaldea a bunch of times too, you know.

You said this guy's an emperor? No sweat then!

I dunno what backassward Roman province he rules, but I'm sure we'll have plenty of chances to off him.

Is it just me, or is Spartacus's inability to make sense rubbing off on Mordred?

I don't think so... I mean, true, she didn't always make the most sense in Camelot, but she was a huge help to us in London...

...Well, whatever. I'm just glad that I'll have allies I can count on to help me out this time.

Since I finally have another chance to end Qin Shi Huang's life with my own hands, nothing else matters.

Exactly! Let us bring this oppressor to justice together!

Nobody plays king around me and lives to do it again!

(...Well, at least they should still be more help than Qin Wuyang was...)

So I hate to impose on you guys so soon, but the enemy's wasting no time coming after us.

There's a Servant headed our way at high speed, along with

Hm? Hang on, there's more of them now. This is weird. I'm seeing magical energy signals, but no vital signs!

Foot soldiers? ...No, I can see they aren't human. Are those...puppets? Perhaps some sort of automata?

Correct. They may be silent, but they are soldiers nonetheless. Thanks to them, I am finally able to make use of my true skills, as a general.

Those movements... I did. Not want. To believe. It was...

Be careful, Saber. It seems they've added to their ranks as well.

Hell yeah they have. I dunno what this Lostbelt shit's about, but this is MY battlefield now! Whatever you're tryin' to pull, you better believe I'm gonna smash it!

Well said! From now on, you will need to contend with we three musketee

No. None of that. Shame on you.

...

(I guess Sparty really liked that name.)

Hmph. Heroic Spirits who delight in battle and bloodshed, huh. You make me sick.

Make sure to finish them this time, Saber. Don't hold anything back.

Very well, Master. Then I shall end this with my secret attack!

Curses! I cannot believe that even my leadership is not enough to defeat them!

Wearing a mask to boost his leadership capabilities... A level of influence over his forces that borders on a curse...

That Saber's True Name is the Prince of Lan Ling, also known as Gao Changgong of the Northern Qi!

Saber, stand down! We're going to regroup!

But

We cannot win this battle after your Noble Phantasm failed. We need a wholly new strategy.

As you wish, Master.

The enemy Servant and Master have retreated. ...Looks like we managed to survive again.

Fou, fooou!

Are you all right, Fujimaru? It must be difficult for you to be in combat given your condition...

That's our Master for you! I applaud your mental mettle in not succumbing to this disease!

You need to take care of yourself, Master. Most of these Servants have no concept of restraint when it comes to using magical energy.

？！

Meh. Those soldier robot things turned out to be pretty freakin' pathetic, huh?

Can't believe this king uses them to fight his wars. I've seen scarier dolls.

？！

Yeah, I figured they'd never send reinforcements by rocket like that. Obviously, I was wrong.

No normal flesh-and-blood soldiers could've survived the impact, but it's no issue for these things.

Would it be possible to collect their remains? I'd like to study them further.

At a glance, they look a lot like the same kinds of automata we've fought dozens of times before.

I'm interested in their energy source. I think it may shed some light on this world's inner workings.

...

What is it, Nezha? Something on your mind?

...Yes. Possibly.

I would like to. Take a. Look. At the remains. As well.

We saw your battle from here as well.

You need not bother with a third attempt. Your Servant alone is clearly no match for them.

I'm afraid not, Your Imperial Majesty...

Then we shall provide you with further assistance. Although...these Servants are indeed formidable foes.

Another one or two hundred foot soldiers are unlikely to make much difference... Ah, what of your Xiang Yu?

L-Lord Xiang Yu!? But, he's

Indeed, even now he remains one of our most helpful retainers.

But it is when facing an unknown enemy that he shines brightest.

It would be a waste to keep him confined to Xianyang under these circumstances, so we shall lend him to you. Make good use of him.

I-I will, Your Imperial Majesty! Such unexpected delight... You are far too kind.

Still, sending Xiang Yu out to the front line will require some time to prepare.

In the meantime, keep a close eye on Chaldea, and continue to ensure they do not attempt to take any action against our empire.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!

Well, well, I've never seen Akuta get flustered before. Who knew she had a girlish side to her?

That said...I'm surprised you're bringing out Xiang Yu now, Your Imperial Majesty. Don't you think it's time you stopped playing around?

What a strange question. Do we appear to be treating this as a game to you, Konanskya?

It's. Koyanskaya.

If you truly see Chaldea as a threat now, the sensible thing to do would be to wipe them out in a single overwhelming strike.

And in your case, Your Imperial Majesty, you could accomplish that merely by lifting your little finger.

Yes, we could if we so desired.

And yet, you still sent Akuta Hinako out instead.

This latest decision may have seemed like you taking things a bit more seriously, but you actually have no reason to believe it will be a decisive blow.

Be honest, Your Imperial Majesty. You aren't testing Chaldea... You're testing Akuta Hinako, aren't you?

Indeed. We can see quite clearly that the threat the Chaldeans pose stems from being backed into a corner, so to speak.

What we have yet to see is how Akuta will behave when she believes she has found a means to defeat them.

(Still doesn't trust Akuta or me one bit, huh.)

(Well, I guess the king of this Lostbelt wouldn't be a fool, but I can't tell how seriously this whole thing is being taken.)

(It's so much harder to read someone when you can't see their face.)

That aside, we underestimated these Servants. We thought they would be little more than ghosts, but it seems they are quite skilled.

Yes, they are. The magecraft they use is very different from the sage arts your empire has cultivated.

So there's more to using Servants than summoning the souls of decorated heroes and commanding them?

The difference between mere necromancy and Heroic Spirit summoning is that Heroic Spirits make contracts to serve their Masters of their own free will.

So, these dead souls lend their strength in response to the existential threat faced by their world...

Would you say that is correct, Koryanchihuahua?

Yes, exactly, Your Imperial Majesty. And, once again, my name is Koyanskaya.

Hmm, what a horrific proposition.

To think your world was so perilous it could not even let the dead rest in peace.

We would never permit such things to exist in our domain. Those who meet glorious ends would never think to threaten the peace of our world.

I'm sure. I doubt something like the Counter Force would ever even take root here.

We dislike the idea of these guests traipsing about with their ghosts, doing whatever they please.

Fortunately, we have heroes sleeping here who are far more ferocious than these mere ghosts. Is that not correct, Captain of the Guard?

Indeed, Your Imperial Majesty. Given this potential threat to our nation, I suggest we summon the ones sleeping in Mt. Li.

Yes, perhaps you are right. Some basic precautionary measures should suffice. We command that the frozen heroes be awakened.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!

Ooh, does this mean you're finally taking this seriously?