Don Quixote de la Mancha's Departure

That concludes my report, sir.

...Hmm.

Sir?

Can you find out whether there are any other such towers near the Righteous Realm?

The capital is too well-protected to infiltrate, but yes, we can still survey its periphery.

Then, do so at once. I'm curious to know more...

Caster, can you investigate this tower more thoroughly?

You can have more personnel if you need them.

It will be done.

Is there something important in this tower?

At the moment, all three realms are more or less evenly matched.

The Revenge Realm consistently goes on the offensive, our Reinstatement Realm fends them off...

...and the Righteous Realm watches from the sidelines, keeping both sides in check.

Now, both I and my military advisors believe the Revenge Realm is about to undertake a large-scale invasion very soon.

If they're going to succeed, they'll need some way of ensuring their victory.

They can't take their time to wage war because the Righteous Realm is bound to interfere.

Which brings us to this tower. It only makes sense to assume there's something more to it.

Then, if there do turn out to be other such towers

Investigating one is enough. If you find any other such towers, feel free to destroy them.

Understood.

All right, that concludes today's war council. Now, Pope Johanna will perform a memorial for those we've lost.

While I regrettably won't have time to do so myself, I urge those of you who do have the time to attend.

Of course, my liege.

Thank you.

...And may everyone we lost rest in peace.

That's it for today's prayer. Thank you all for coming.

Come on, Bradamante, let's go.

Yes, Your Holiness! I'd be honored to accompany you!

I really liked the service today.

Oh? Any particular reason?

It just made it feel like there weren't too many casualties.

That's true.

But as no lives are more valuable than others, neither are fewer lives lost more acceptable than many.

Y-yes, Your Holiness! I'm sorry!

To die is a sad thing. Though that may be cold comfort from me, since they're dying on my behalf.

You're right. Death is a sad thing. But that doesn't mean we regret our choices.

We're proud to die if it helps our rebellion against Proper Human History...strange as that may sound.

Are you certain of that?

About what?

I'm told Charles the Great leads the Righteous Realm.

Was he not your king when you were alive?

...Yes, he was. But I made my choice to support the Reinstatement Realm over the Righteous Realm.

I really felt like yours was the right cause, Your Holiness.

Of course, I know some Servants here still mistrust me because of my past associations, but...

Hehe, it's all right. I believe that you speak with conviction.

Thank you, Your Holiness!

Say, would you like to have a meal with me?

A meal?

That's right.

I know Servants don't need to eat, of course, but a good meal still does wonders to lift morale.

So I've been asking His Imperial Majesty to have Servants that feel at home in the kitchen start making meals.

I see...

Even if you don't feel hunger, I'm sure you still like good food, don't you?

Oh yes, of course I do! Although, may I ask which kind of cuisine it is?

That, I don't know.

But I've never heard anyone complain, so I'm sure it'll be fine!

Now come on! Let's go eat!

Okay! Let's go eat!

It's a shame about Salome. It hurts to lose her.

You think? I will say I was surprised that she never did cut off the Chaldean's head...

...but I always thought it was only a matter of time until she did something like that. Didn't you feel the same?

I did, but she still chose a very inconvenient time to go rogue.

Yes, that's true. But it's still nothing compared to you-know-what.

Hmm. Well, looking at the bright side of this turn of events...

...Chaldea has drawn the gaze of the Reinstatement Realm.

Even if they know about the towers now, they still have no way of determining their true purpose.

That still leaves the final adjustments, though. We still can't use him as a Servant, right?

I'm afraid his social withdrawal protections are just too strong.

Maybe there was some kind of error in his summoning...or maybe that's just how he's always been.

It hardly matters. If anything, this works to our advantage.

Indeed, indeed. Although, why the sudden change of heart?

We now know that Chaldea's here, right? And, we know they've taken shelter in the Righteous Realm.

Now that all the players are here, the only thing left to do with this war is to win and put an end to it.

So you're saying we're headed towards total annihilation.

Fine with me. It doesn't matter if you or I meet our ends here.

This is what it means to rebel against Proper Human History. Am I wrong?

Hoho, you certainly aren't. But are you truly sure about this, my queen?

About what?

The way I see it, if we keep going down this route, your true wish will never be granted, no?

...Say that again, and I'll kill you.

Hohoho. My apologies.

I certainly don't need any more bloodlust like that directed at me. An old man like myself can only take so much.

Hmph...

All right, I'm off to work on the final adjustments. I'm afraid I may not be able to speak to you again for a while.

Oh really? That's the best news I've heard all day.

Ah, you wound me, my queen.

My wish, hm?

I have to say, though, I'm really not the type to fight hard for a Master.

Good day, Queen of Revenge.

Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?

I'm here only to deliver some encouragement. Nothing more, nothing less.

My goal is to see one of the three realms obtain all the Holy Grails.

I don't care which one it is. I just want you all to give it your best effort.

...There's one thing I want to ask you.

And what's that?

Is that what Master wants, too?

...That's a difficult question.

This is our responsibility coming to bear. There's a reason all of you are fighting and destroying one another.

There is one being here who must not win, but that's of no concern to you.

...I see.

Would you like to know who it is?

No need.

I just couldn't think of anything else to say to an intruder who appeared unbidden in my stronghold.

Your answer doesn't matter to me.

Hmm. It seems I'm not very welcome here.

Have you any information on either the Righteous or Reinstatement Realm for me?

I'm afraid sharing such things wouldn't be fair.

Then you are, if possible, even more useless.

If you insist on following me around any further, I'll see to it that all three realms know you for a stalker.

...Well, I certainly would prefer to avoid that.

Still, are you sure there isn't a question you want to ask me? Say, about the absence of a certain Servant...

Can't bring yourself to ask about him, huh? Pity.

... ...

Very well then, I shall take my leave.

Farewell, good-for-nothing.

...Hmph.

If he just wants to toy with his pieces, then he's no more than an idiot.

If he wants to maneuver himself around the board, then he's no more than a participant.

So, he's chosen to come down to the board, even though he's qualified to run the whole game.

In one sense, I suppose there's a certain kind of integrity to that...

...but in another, it makes me think he's the most dim-witted mathematician to ever live.

I see... So you want to save your companion, Vlad III.

Oho. Count Vlad, the great hero of Romania!

Don't forget that he's also known as Vlad the Impaler.

Maybe he can be reasoned with!

Oho. A very calm king, you say?

(His moves still remind me a hell of a lot of the Dead Apostles, though...)

？！

... ...

No, sir, you can't trade places now. They'd notice the difference in your auras immediately.

Yeah... I guess you're right...

At any rate, we certainly can't leave him like that.

...The fact is, the Righteous Realm needs all the strength it can get right now. All the more so with wisdom and intelligence.

I see. So you require someone with a great deal of military expertise.

We do.

I am educated in many fields. So far I've been able to keep us locked in a stalemate...

...but I can take us no further. I can't see a path to victory for us.

So then, the best course of action we have is to save Vlad III, and if possible, to treat him.

...Would you mind letting us handle this?

...So, what you're saying...

...is that you have a healing and/or restorative Noble Phantasm strong enough to return Vlad III to fighting form.

Am I correct?

I can't promise it will work flawlessly. To be perfectly honest, it will be a gamble.

A gamble? You know gambling is bad, Sancho.

I have to agree.

There are any number of mages who have ruined themselves by taking major risks.

Really? There are?

Oh, right.

I suppose you wouldn't know since you grew up sheltered in Chaldea.

As a rule, my girl, mages are arrogant creatures who think they can bend all of creation to their will.

The majority think that way. It gets worse the more talented they are.

I see...

I suppose that makes sense since magecraft can do what would otherwise be impossible...

And since they think there's nothing they can't do...

...they get carried away and think they'll come out ahead every time they take a chance.

Their magecraft lets them see others cheating and helps them notice patterns and trends.

So they figure they can use that advantage to cheat and win at just about anything.

"Basically, there's no scenario in which I DON'T come out on top here."

That tends to be how they start thinking.

But...it's called a gamble for a reason, right?

That's right.

In a fair and impartial game of chance, a mage has the same chance of winning as they do of losing.

And yes, that means about half of such mages will win those gambles. But, when a mage wins big, what do you think they'll do next?

... ...Bet the farm, as they say?

Exactly. Strangely enough, they believe they've already won the next round as well.

You really know what you're talking about here, chubs. Makes sense since you gambled and lost...

Oh, no I didn't! I absolutely won! That's why I'm still alive, even under these circumstances!

Fo fou.

Fou is saying, "Way to look on the bright side!"

Hahaha, thank you, fur ball. Hahaha. (Wry laughter)

Ahem. Returning to the point after your leaderah, he IS your leader, right?

Anyway, as diverting as his remarks were, I'm afraid they've also gotten us a bit sidetracked.

Oh no, not at all.

I see. So he gambled everything he had and lost...

That poor, poor man...

？！

...At any rate, yes, this will be a gamble.

Let's see... I'd say there's a thirty percent chance of the Noble Phantasm working as we hope...

...a fifty percent chance that it will fail and have no effect...

...and a twenty percent chance that it will go disastrously wrong and damage his Spirit Origin.

What do you say, Lord Fujimaru, Master of Chaldea?

The choice is yours. Are you willing to risk it?

？！

...You sure about this?

I mean, I know Vlad can't make the call himself right now, but...

...I see.

I see you understand your Servant very well. I commend your decision, Lord Fujimaru.

I...I see...

Honestly, hats off to you. I actually mean that.

？！

All right, sir.

Mmm...hm?

Were you not listening, sir? We're heading out.

Out...?

Yes, out.

We're going to destroy the restraints Vlad III placed on himself...

...by using our Noble Phantasm.

Oh... Oh! You mean...

Valiente Asalto Dedicado a la Princesa?

No. Not that one.

Oh.

There's no way our weak Noble Phantasm could destroy Count Vlad's stakes.

Th-then...do I really have to go?

That, sir...

Yes!?

...is a secret♪

Sanchooo!

？！

... ...

Are you all right, Kadoc? Do you have a headache?

Oh, no... I'm fine.

(Ugh, I hate myself sometimes. Dammit, Kadoc, stop wasting your mental energy on things you can't change already.)

(You've gotta stay cool, calm, and collected. Just think about what you can actually do.)

(That's the best possible thing you can do for yourself right now.)

(That aside... Holmes isn't any different...is he?)

(I thought I was doing a good job of acting normal and not looking at him unless I had to. But...)

(Dammit, it's no use. I've gotta save the thinking for when he's not around, like usual.)

(The risks are just too great. I shouldn't even think about trying to figure out what the world's greatest detective might be)

Yeow! Cold!

Kadoc.

Sorry, I just suddenly got...chills? It felt like someone was pouring ice down my back.

Hmm. Ice, you say?

Maybe it's a Caster's curse or something...

Yeooow! Ow, ow, ow!

What's wrong, Lord Kadoc?

You okay? You eat something funny?

You know, when I was still alive, I once ate a lizard and told everyone it was dragon meat.

Oh yes, that was a good one. A shame it didn't make it into the story.

I guess Cervantes didn't want to include any weird food stories.

N-no, it's not that. I'm good with food.

？！

Just let it go, okay!? It's nothing! I'm fine!

Hahahaha. Perhaps we'd better leave well enough alone then. Wouldn't want our teasing to come back to bite us.

Now then. Mr. Fujimaru.

I take it you've made up your mind?

Then we should leave right away.

But, what will you do about your throne?

We can't exactly declare that Charles the Great is going on an expedition and leaving his castle undefended.

I'll take over while you're gone.

We'll be fine.

I mean, it's not that I'm not worried, but Roland will probably do a better job than me, at least!

Hehehe. There's something lovely about improvising when you're low on personnel.

Feels like we're sticking a finger in a dike, here...

(Sneak, sneak... Sneak, sneak...)

Okay, we made it out.

I gotta say, I don't love how easy it was for us to get past our own realm's security!

I'm getting nervous about this, too. Are we sure nobody else knows the truth?

Don't worry. If and when they find out, we'll just have to end the charade.

How very stouthearted of you.

Hehe. Oh, believe me, it takes the very stoutest of hearts to accompany my sir on his adventures.

Can't have the great story of Don Quixote without Don Quixote and of course the trusty Sancho, you know!

Okay then, let's get going, sir♪

I'm exhausted...

I guess I didn't realize just how much I'd let myself go until now...

Here, sir. Have some fruit-infused water.

Thank you, Sancho...

？！

I'm sorry to interrupt your break, but I'm detecting hostiles nearby.

Did you hear that, sir!? We have enemies here!

Oho! Enemies, huh!

Good thing that water put me right as rain, then! Okay, Master of Chaldea!

Time for you to see just how I became the legendary Don Quixote de la Mancha!

Come, Sancho!

Yes, sir. Let's give this a good go, shall we♪

Victory is ours!

Well now. I am genuinely surprised at how strong you have proven yourself to be.

Hey, depending on who you ask, Don Quixote's more famous than King Arthur.

True, but that alone can't explain this strength.

The story of Don Quixote is replete with tales of his exploits...

...but each focuses upon his very human limitations.

For example, when he charged at those windmills he believed to be giants...

...both he and Rocinante found themselves sent flying for their troubles.

Hey now, I won some of the time!

My apologies. As they say, you did indeed win some and lose some.

But regardless...

...the story never once depicts him surpassing his human limits.

So then, does that mean this strength comes from being a king of a realm?

That's exactly it, yes.

You might be thinking that, at long last, my sir's true power as a knight has been awakened!

But no, he's just enjoying the benefits that come with being a king.

More specifically, the Holy Grail's support.

That's one hell of a benefits package!

Man, this is a lot stronger than I was expecting.

I guess this means the other realms' kings must be really damn strong, too, especially with a Holy Grail backing them up.

They are indeed.

This power can transform an ordinary soldier into a warrior worthy of being sent to Valhalla...or a true warrior into a hero.

So if an existing hero were to obtain this power...there's no telling what might happen.

And the other realms' kings are

Kriemhild and Kōnstantînos XI.

Kriemhild is legendary for her vengeful nature. We can assume her combat prowess is unrivalled.

Kōnstantînos is famed for protecting his city from a prolonged siege while outmatched and outnumbered.

He will make for a formidable opponent as well.

And I'm

An old farmer from the sticks who's dangerously close to the age of retirement.

...And a seasoned knight-errant! Can we at least agree on that!?

Of course, sir. I think it's wonderful that you never stop dreaming♪

Right? Right!? Wait. Does that mean this is a dream, after all?

No, sir. This is all very real.

We'll be there soon... Are you sure you can do this?

？！

Can I do this?

Yes, sir. You absolutely can.

She says I can.

？！

I heard! You don't have to tell me again!

？！

Are you sure we can count on this guy, Holmes!?

Oh, yes. Tell me, Ms... Er, Mr...

Forgive me, how should I address you?

"Ms." is fine, Lord Holmes.

Very well, then. Tell me, Ms. Sancho, is this Noble Phantasm meant for support?

It is.

Hmm. A Noble Phantasm belonging to Don Quixote that can neutralize Vlad III's current condition...

... ...

I take it this is one of the things better left unsaid?

I knew an English gentleman would understand. Of course, it won't stay secret for very long, though.

Both the Reinstatement and Revenge Realms used to do battle here, right?

So how come neither of them have taken him?

Take a closer look.

？！

The moment he detects something moving nearby, he activates his Noble Phantasm automatically.

He must have...programmed, for want of a better word, his mind when he staked himself.

Damn. He really is a monster.

？！

I don't mean it like that.

I mean I can't even begin to imagine the strength of his mind.

Remember how powerless we were in that chaotic mess?

I'm pretty sure we couldn't think about anything except running away.

The same goes for me as well.

While I do think I would have come up with the same idea to seal myself away...

...I am not nearly so experienced in battle that I would also plan ahead to include a means of self-defense.

Still, we have to do something to shut that system down, or we won't be able to help him.

Then I suppose we shall just have to keep him occupied in combat.

In the meantime, I would like you two to use your Noble Phantasm on Master's signal.

Can you do this, Mr. Fujimaru?

？！

Watch out.

It'd be ridiculous to make it this far only to have your own Servant kill you.

All right.

Let us help Count Vlad settle down.

Understood!

Okay, sir, close your eyes just like I told you!

R-right!

...Go back, go back, go back.

Books end. Dreams conclude with the cold splash of reality.

All fades into the past like a passing fever.

We must abandon our dreams, that we might more fully live our lives.

Activating Noble Phantasm. Return to reality.

Triste Gentil Alonso Quixano!

All magical energy in the vicinity is decaying rapidly!

Vlad won't be able to maintain his existence if this keeps up!

Correct. That is this Noble Phantasm's power.

Wha

As I suspected. The words she used were "return to reality."

What she has done here...is return Count Vlad to seventeenth-century Spain.

No Singularity, no magecraft, no mysteries. Just peaceful, ordinary Spanish countryside.

The land where Don Quixote spent his life.

Wait, wait. Slow down.

Mystics should have been stronger in the seventeenth century than they are today, not weaker.

Both eras are well within the margin of error compared to the Age of Gods, but yes, you may well be right.

But remember, Goredolf, those Mystics were only measured on a worldwide scale.

This Noble Phantasm is much more limited in scope.

It forces a Servant to return to a remote part of the world where no magecraft or Mystics have ever been observed.

This weakens the Servant's contract with their Master and cuts off the magical energy they need to maintain their very being.

It even neutralizes skills such as Independent Action.

You see, Vlad III simply did not exist in seventeenth-century Spain.

And of course, this also means whatever ability Moriarty used to brainwash him...

...will fade away like a dream.

...All of that said, I'm afraid this is as much as we can do. You see, this Noble Phantasm has one major flaw.

？！

Yes. If we use it for too long, we will disappear ourselves.

I see... So that's why I feel so at peace right now...

And you're okay with that!? Cut it the hell out!

Okay, that's enough! No more Noble Phantasm! Abort! Abort!

(Good, none of them vanished. So the Noble Phantasm's effects are still somewhat present...)

(Then Count Vlad's desire to rebel should be gone now, just as Ms. Sancho planned.)

(Though the state of his combat abilities remains unclear.)

... ...

？！

...Heh. I never thought I would see my Master ask after my health.

I suppose it just goes to show how far I let myself go, so to speak.

I'm relieved to see you've returned to your senses, Count Vlad.

What about your inclination to rebel?

...It has subsided considerably.

The seeds are still planted in my mind, but they are sufficiently weakened that I can control them.

Still, how did you do this?

I wasn't expecting to be rescued until after this Singularity had been repaired, if at all.

？！

I would love to tell you all about it, but we are still in enemy territory.

Why don't we vacate these premises first?

Good idea. ...Phew, this whole ordeal actually got me sweating.

All's well that ends well!

Sure is!

Hang on. You guys do realize you almost vanished, right?

What if you had? Wouldn't that have brought the Righteous Realm to the brink of collapse?

Don't worry, Lord Kadoc. That would have been a grand adventure in its own right!

Yay for adventure!

Yay for adventure!

...Come on, Fujimaru. Say something.

That's not what I meant, dammit!

(Affectionate gaze)

Not at all. You're quite welcome.

Knowing that people like us could help a famous hero like Count Vlad, well...

If that's not a dream come true, nothing is!

？！