Morning Star of Rebellion

Emergency. Emergency. Spartacus is. No longer. With us.

What!?

Fo!?

That's not all. A number of villagers have gone missing as well.

The ones who remained said they saw Spartacus leading villagers toward the capital.

Buh-wha!?

If the emperor sees that, he'll think we're leading a rebellion!

What is wrong with that muscle-bound moron!? How could he do this!?

Hey, Berserkers ain't exactly much for thinking or planning! Sparty's just bein' true to himself.

Hell, he couldn't change who he is even if he wanted to.

Grr, do something, Fujimaru!

Didn't your records mention him obeying that Roman!? If he can listen to her, he can listen to you!

？！

Grr, what's with that knowing look!?

Are those Command Spells of yours just fancy tattoos!? Go on and use one already, you fool!

...This may be the moment of truth, Mr. Fujimaru.

Forming a contract with an unruly Berserker inevitably means using Command Spells to keep them in check.

You may not care for that idea, but it is something you will need to come to terms with sooner or later.

...

It is frankly miraculous that you've come so far without ever having to force your Servants to obey.

I would like nothing more than to respect your wishes, but I'm afraid that

Hold up.

Mordred...

You're not gonna make Sparty toe the line just by forcin' him to stop with a Command Spell. All that'll do is just root him in place.

So please, Master, whatever you do, don't use a Command Spell on him.

If you do...he might end up forgetting his whole reason for leaving the Throne to come here and help.

Fou, fooou...

Can you let me handle him, Master?

I'm sure I can convince him to stop.

How might that be?

How d'you think? By beatin' the everlivin' shit outta him!

Y'see, it's his legs and stuff that's keepin' him going! Long as those're tellin' him to fight, he's not gonna stop for anything!

So, if we just hit him sooo hard that his knees give out...

...then he'll get through his thick skullerr, knees, that the battle's over!

Er...are you quite certain that would be better than a Command Spell?

Positive. I give ya the Mordred guarantee.

I confess that even I cannot see the logic here.

What do you think, Mr. Fujimaru? This is ultimately your decision to make.

Hell yeah! I knew you'd understand, Master!

Hell yeah! Don't worry, I've GOT this!

？！

Fou, fooou!

I'll go with you. I think I may be partly to blame for the villagers' decision to join him.

Are you sure, Ms. Jing Ke? Wouldn't you rather be there leading the way with him?

Truthfully, yes. I honestly kind of envy him getting to materialize as a Berserker.

Because he can throw caution to the wind and do whatever he feels like in a given moment?

Nope. Because even though he's a Berserker, he's got such a good Master.

As a Heroic Spirit myself, I can't help but feel a little jealous at that.

Nezha, hold down the fort. The Border's our lifeline here, so make sure you don't let anything happen to it.

Leave it. To me. I await. Your return.

Okay, everyone! Let's go bring Spartacus and the villagers back!

Hey, Spartacus, are you sure about this? I thought we weren't supposed to leave our village's fields...

Yes, I am sure. No system, no ethics, no laws, can ever stop one from walking about freely.

One's path always lies ahead of wherever your own two feet take you!

I don't know... We were taught that Heavenly Emperor gave us those fields as a gift of love...

If the authorities wish to call their oppression "love," then it is only right you return their love in the form of rebellion!

I don't think I understand...

No matter. You will come to understand as we continue our walk. Now, to the oppressors' capital!

The capital where Heavenly Emperor lives, huh. Come to think of it, I heard it's got something called "art."

"Art"... Is that anything like those "poems" Jing Ke's been sharing with us?

I wanna hear lots more poems! And I wanna see what the capital looks like, too!

Well said. Then let us be on our way, singing songs of liberation all the while!

Hold it, hold it! Did you really think we were gonna let you do this, ya freakin' dumbass?

Don't you think it was a touch rude to just wander off without so much as a goodbye?

If it is the antidote for Fujimaru that concerns you, rest assured I will bring it back after seeing those responsible brought to justice.

If you doubt that I am doing the right thing, then merely sit and await my return.

I must give this Qin Shi Huang oppressor the firm embrace he deserves! I already know the emperor is at Xianyang. All that remains now is to continue onward until I reach this great oppressor!

？！

I can understand why you have doubts, Master Fujimaru.

After all, you have yet to attain real strength for yourself.

All the more reason why I must goto show by example what true justice is!

As such, I will not hesitate to crush anything that stands in my way with true, rebellious love!

Yup, I knew it. He ain't gonna listen to a word we say. Yup, time for my genius plan.

If he won't listen to reason, we'll just have to beat it into him. C'mon, Spartacus, let's you and me hash things out!

Mordred! I thought you said you were going to make his knees give out or some such!

Yeah. What of it?

His knees aren't giving out at all! If anything, hitting him's only getting him more fired up! Honestly, it's kind of creeping me out! Now what!?

I know, this is so much fun, right!? He's got will to fight out the wazoo!

Ugh... I knew it. You're actually a Berserker too, aren't you?

Aah, what a thrill! This adversity...this pain! I can feel indomitable strength welling up within me!

You can do it, Spartacus!

Um... Why are Spartacus and the others arguing again?

Beats me...

If this keeps up, you won't last much longer, Master.

It's no use. They don't even remember they're draining Master's magical energy.

The way they're going, Fujimaru's going to end up collapsing before either of them... Dammit!

Please be careful, Master! You've already got a thirty-eight degree Celsius fever!

？！

Stop! Stooop!

This is! No time! For fighting! We have! An emergency!

Fou, fou, fooou!

Nezha!?

And Fou!? What are you two doing here?

What's goin' on? You're supposed to be keeping watch.

Qin Liangyu. Betrayed us. She stole. The Border. Holmes told. Me to. Keep this. Thing safe...

The Spirit Origin graph!? Then, they really did take the Border...

What the hell!? You just let them waltz in and steal our home base!? How could you let this happen!?

...

Stop it, Mordred. Nezha wanted to stay and fight just as much as you would have.

But Holmes decided it was more important to make sure the Spirit Origin graph stayed with Fujimaru.

Indeed. I imagine the enemy must have used the Shadow Border itself as a shield.

A common tactic of oppressors to respond to rebellion is destroying what the rebels wish to protect.

The hell're you being so calm for!? I thought you were all worked up!

Fooou, fou...

Unfortunately, we can't use the Spirit Origin graph by itself in this Lostbelt.

Without the land's leylines responding, there just isn't enough electricity to power it...

I'm afraid not. Losing the Border really is a tremendous blow.

Even Da Vinci's tricks had to be performed inside it to work.

？！

We can. This entire land is our garden. No noise or tumult within escapes our notice.

？！

Indeed, we did. And were we a god, our word would be absolute.

However, we are not a god, but human, and the ruler of this land. It is only natural that we would value our nation over a bargain.

Thus, now that we know you are a threat to our people, we have no compunctions about taking your Shadow Border and wiping all of you out.

A threat? What do you mean? Did we do something to the villagers?

We see. So you are either oblivious or unconstrained. Then you lot truly are disciples of Confucius.

...Ah, now I get it.

Twenty-two hundred years later, and you haven't changed a bit. No, if anything, you've gotten worse.

What do you mean, Jing Ke?

Qin Shi Huang's mad that I went around teaching people to read and write. That's why we're getting slapped with the Confucian label.

Confucians...

Confucianism is all about five virtues: justice, courtesy, wisdom, knowledge, and benevolence. It extols poetry, manners, and entertainment.

...And Qin Shi Huang, tyrant that the emperor is, hates everything about it.

Our people live their lives in blissful ignorance. You and your Confucianism have led them astray.

Confucianism is a malignant disease, and you its epicenter. We must cut you out like a tumor, lest you spread further.

Are you truly so terrified of your citizens gaining knowledge, tyrant?

Knowledge leads to doubt. Once people are trapped by such delusions, they inevitably begin comparing themselves to others, and resent the world itself.

Without such wicked individual egotism, this world can be paradise everlasting.

It is through ignorance that our people live their lives in peace and health.

And you arrogant Confucians would knowingly go about ruining that!

So what, you wanna keep your people from learning anything so it's easier to rule them? Why should we give two shits about that?

Confucians run rampant in your world. How long has it ever remained peaceful?

Humans who gain knowledge inevitably come to believe they are better than everyone else, which leads only to war, and all that creates is grief and sorrow!

That is why such worlds cry out in such agony as to create a Counter Force in the form of Heroic Spirits. We shiver just imagining such a hell.

Do you disagree? Go on then. Tell us how your world is so wonderful in the way people from all walks of life can share in the mutual bonds of misery.

I...

We suppose we could have tricked you out of your Shadow Border through more cunning means, but our disgust got the better of us.

We must obliterate you, and ensure that no trace is left behind.

？！

Kuaiji Zero, we have new orders for you: destroy every last one of the Confucians.

As you wish.

...Hey, Fujimaru?

Should I apologize to you for taking pity on these people?

？！

...Right! That's exactly the path we've made for ourselves!

We own up to our mistakes, and do our best to make them right! That means we can compromise and even forgive each other!

And that...is the one thing this world will never, ever have!

Man, this thing's seriously tough! Our attacks aren't even phasing him!

How strange. This strength. Is not. Due to. Hardware differences...

...Aha, now I see what's going on. He's reading our moves before we make them.

The hell? Not even my old man's Intuition is this much of a pain in the ass!

I'm sure. This is no ordinary skill of reading one's opponents; it's closer to precognition.

I calculate that your destruction is inevitable. Resign yourselves, barbarians.

Bullshit. If you could really see the future...

...you'd know there's no way in hell that we'd ever give up without a fight!

Indeed. That is why I predict you will soon face further hardships...

Whoa! What now!?

Allow me to assist you, Lord Xiang Yu.

Prince of Lan Ling... Akuta!? You're here too!?

This time, Mash and Fujimaru, I WILL kill you both!

Oh? Here we thought you would be sulking, yet it seems you have come to serve us once again, Akuta Hinako.

Now that you understand the threat Chaldea poses, Your Imperial Majesty, I am happy to follow your wishes.

Ah, now we see. You are determined not to let Xiang Yu fight alone. How inconsiderate of us.

Very well, have at it. But be warned, there is little time left.

Do not bother killing them. All you need do is hobble them.

...Yes, good point. Understood.

Aw shit. These guys workin' together again is the last thing we needed!

And we can't afford to take our time with them, or we'll never catch up to the Shadow Border!

Hurry! Get as far away as you can while Kuaiji Zero keeps the enemy busy!

Yes, ma'am!

(I must say, it's humiliating to find our hands so firmly tied.)

(Well, what can we do? Advanced as it might be, the Shadow Border's still basically a car with a buncha tires. We can't stop them from towing it.)

(I suppose we should be content with the fact that Nezha was able to escape.)

(It's fortunate for us that they are apparently completely ignorant of the Spirit Origin graph's importance.)

...Whatever you might be up to, don't bother. Try anything funny, and I'll cut you down where you stand.

And here I thought you were a proud warrior. I'm disappointed to see you resorting to underhanded deception and skullduggery.

Hmph, say what you want, Confucian. Your words are no more than wind to me.

Now that I know you're Confucians, I also know better than to trust anything that comes out of your mouths.

Uh...we're not Confucians.

I don't know what you call it in your world, but here, anyone who tries to "enlighten" our people is a Confucian.

Oh, come on...

What good could there possibly be in giving people knowledge?

Making them read books that only confuse, deceive, and delude, causing them to lose sight of what they're meant to be... You do the devil's own work!

You rebels should be ashamed of yourselves. Spouting ideals you don't really believe, agitating people merely to further your own ambitions... I can't stand people like you!

We don't actually have any ambitions like that, though? We just shared some things we knew while we were making conversation.

Then you did it on a lark? That's even worse!

You have no idea what will happen to the people you've tainted with your Confucianism!

...What was that?

Enough. It is time. All of you, leave at once.

But, we still have yet to kill the Chaldeans.

We will not punish you for your incompetence in failing to kill them. You need merely wait for your next opportunity. Now go, or you will be caught up in it.

Let's go, Prince of Lan Ling. You too, Lord Xiang Yu.

Very well.

...As you wish.

Fou, fooou?

Wh-what the hell? Why'd they all run off like that?

...I don't like this. The oppressor is up to something.

Reviewing communications. "There is little time left." I wonder...

There's only one reason for the emperor to order retreat now: Qin Shi Huang is about to unleash an indiscriminate attack. I bet it'll wipe out the entire area.

Very good. Since you have figured out this much, we shall tell you what is about to happen.

We have just released a payload from our Great Wall and altered its trajectory.

It will strike your location in approximately three minutes.

Are you freakin' nuts, you overgrown tin can!? You'd really kill your own people just to get to us!?

Do not think so much of yourselves. You have it quite backward.

We only ordered our soldiers to cripple you in order that you might also be caught in the blast radius as an added bonus of sorts.

Th-then, you did this explicitly to destroy this village...?

It is what must be done to rid our land of Confucianism. Now that enlightenment has begun to spread among the people here, we are left with no choice but to nip it in the bud.

Accursed tyrant! Have you so little regard for the lives of your own citizens!?

Silence! This land is our flesh! Its people are our blood! You could never understand the pain such an action causes us!

But, now that it has been infected with Confucianism, we have no choice but to carve out this piece of our flesh before the poison spreads.

...

So this is...Qin Shi Huang...

Flee if you wish. But it is too late for the people of this village.

Once you have turned tail and fled, be our guest to turn back and witness the destruction your Confucianism has wrought.

Dammit, this bastard's crazier than I thought. I never expected murdering the empire's own citizens to be more important than killing us!

There it is now... It's so massive... When it hits, I don't think anything will be left of this area...

What is that?

Aah, an evil star! Most Glorious and Majestic Heavenly Emperor must be furious!

So the rumors about stars falling on villages that reject the emperor's blessings were true!?

This can't be happening! Why would Heavenly Emperor be so furious!?

Was it wrong of us to recite poems? Was it wrong for us to try to go to the capital?

No, none of you did anything wrong. You followed your dreams in search of freedom, as anyone would.

...I see. Now I understand. So this is why I was summoned to this land.

It was all so that I could strike back against this great oppression!

Spartacus?

Fujimaru, you have yet to become an oppressor.

Now is the time for you to demonstrate your authority.

？！

Use a Command Spell on me.

Use it and say only one word: "Jump."

Now I get it. Crying Warmonger...

What'd you just say?

We'd normally have no way to defend against or destroy something as utterly destructive as a meteor strike.

But Spartacus's Noble Phantasm changes to match what he's up against. The more powerful the attack, the stronger his resulting counterattack will be.

If he can do that in the air, before the meteor has a chance to strike...he might just be able to destroy it before it hits the ground...

Whoa! Wait a damn minute! Are you suggesting he fly up there and let that thing HIT him!?

Not to worry. Such tremendous adversity is perfect for showing off the strength of my rebellion.

You can't! That will completely annihilate your Spirit Origin!

Hahaha! We won't know until I've tried!

Regardless, there's no time to debate the matter. We don't have long before that wicked star arrives.

...Senpai!

？！

？！

Hraaaaaahhh!!!

I feel it! I can feel the power of our bond flowing within me!

He really jumped!?

Fooou!?

That's no ordinary leap. He's being propelled by a truly massive eruption of magical energy!

Now is the time for my legs to rebel against gravity!

Humans! Open your eyes, and turn your gaze upwards! This leap is the very pinnacle of liberation! It is the irrational act that will triumph over this adversity! The wings of freedom!

If this star means to oppress the sky itself, then I too shall become a stara rebellious morning star that lights the world below!

Graaaaaahhh!

He really did take it head on!? No!

Dammit, why'd he crash right into it!? He could've deflected it or somethin' so he wouldn't get so hurt...

No... He was prepared for this.

For his Noble Phantasm to be at its most powerful...he would need to be at his most gravely injured...

Hahahahaha! Wonderful! This pain is honor! This pain is life! I can feel my love about to explode!

Warcry Overload!!!

Th-th-this can't be right! Where did these people get a surface-to-air weapon...!?

No, they have no such weapon. This must be the work of one of their Heroic Spirits.

Remember this sight well, Han Xin. This is the true face of our army's new enemy.

Aaah!

Incredible... The entire mass is completely evaporating!

He really did it... But where is he now?

There! I can see him falling back down!

Tch, that big dumbass!

...Oh, hello, rebellious knight... Did you catch me in those twiggy arms of yours?

Cut the crap! All the people you stirred up like a jackass were watching you, you know!

Can't just smash face-first into the ground, lunkhead. You're supposed to at least land on your feet!

Hell, you shouldn't be fallin' at all. You're supposed to land properly, no matter what!

That's...that's just what you gotta do, all right?

These wounds are...

...Yes. I'm afraid Spartacus's Spirit Origin isn't going to last much longer...

Haha, your words cut deep, Knight of Camelot. I should expect as much from the manliest man of the Knights of the Round Table.

Who're you calling a man!? Ain't freakin' fair, saying shit like that at a time like this!

You're all beat to hell... Nowhere left for me to even punch you!

Go ahead. I'm sure your punch... would feel most pleasant...

Are you gonna die, Spartacus?

Hahaha, of course not. Spartacus will never truly die.

Not as long as you keep the light of rebellion alive within your heart...

That is all I ask...my friends...

(Sniff)...

Spartacus... I can't believe he did all that to save us...

...I'm not gonna cry. I mustn't.

Spartacus...he never stopped smiling, no matter how much he hurt.

...

Kid...

I'm gonna get strong enough that I can smile through anything too...so I can be somebody else's Spartacus one day.

So as long as I, and whoever comes after me, keep smiling...Spartacus will always live on...

Now I get it. So this is his real rebellion...

...? Something is. Wrong with. The Spirit. Origin graph. It's hot. Very hot.

What? Don't tell me it's broken!?

No, it's not that... It's reacting to the leyline.

What!? But, I thought that didn't work in this Lostbelt...

...That's it. There's prayer here now. Hope has finally blossomed in these people's hearts, connecting this world to the Throne of Heroes.

Yes. This land. Is no. Longer cut. Off from. The Throne of Heroes.

Heroic Spirits have heard the wishes of people lacking their own voice, and are about to pay them a visit...

Hmm, this air smells familiar...and I think I recognize those far-off mountains as well.

It would seem we've been invited to our homeland...although, something seems off...

I don't see a single sign of war anywhere, nor do I see anyone resembling a Master.

I suppose this means we've gone Rogue, so to speak.

Pity. I was kind of looking forward to that whole spiel you get to do when you first meet your Master.

...Well now, where do I even begin. Why do you look like that?

What do you mean? How else would Lu Bu Fengxian look!

...What?

What other Heroic Spirit could possibly be fit to be summoned alongside the great Chen Gong than Lu Bu, the Flying General?

But...you're obviously Red Hare.

Lu Bu is a man among men, and Red Hare a horse among horses! Everyone knows we were inseparable during our adventures!

I'm what they call an Innocent Monster.

Oh look, a carrot.

Neiiigh! A yummy carrot!? Where!?

Hmm, I knew it. You ARE Red Hare.

Nonsense. I'm Lu Bu.