Fate/Grand Order story · Part 2: Cosmos in the Lostbelt, Realm of the Thanatos Impulse, Traum
The King and His Brave Knights
Realm of the Thanatos Impulse, Traum. Sirmium
4 scenes, 415 lines
1. Before the battle
117 lines...We want to live.
We want to fill our lungs with air. We want to feel our heart pumping. We want to inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.
It's not wrong to want these things. Not at all.
But then, what will we do to get them? Is it wrong to betray for them? Is it wrong to flee for them?
I'm sorry! I'm sorry, but I just can't do it!
I can't win. I can't retaliate. I can't even do anything to help.
Forgive me. Forgive me! Forgive me! Forgive me for running away!
So we ran.
We ran from Atlantis all the way to this Singularity.
...That's right. We ran away.
No, that's not right. I ran. And I took him with me.
All he could do is tremble in fright, unsure of what to do, or even what the right thing might be.
He could only question. And of course, he did.
We faced gods, heroes with the strength of demons...
Some Servants said there was no hope of victory, and elected simply to disappear.
They said they saw no point in wasting their time and magical energy on a hopeless endeavor.
Some chose to remain, without running away. Some chose not to run away, but they still withdrew from the world.
We were one of the Servants who ran.
Using our second Noble Phantasm, we slipped right out of Atlantis.
My only miscalculation was that we ended up lost in this Singularity immediately afterward.
We were one of very few Servants who came to this Singularity while retaining knowledge of the Lostbelt.
We didn't regret our choice to run. We knew we couldn't possibly have made a difference, even if we had stayed.
We told ourselves that standing our ground here wouldn't change anything.
...But then, Chaldea did it. They actually pulled it off.
Every one of those heroes fought with honor and pride.
And we were nowhere to be seen.
I never thought anything of it, myself.
I was sure our presence or absence wouldn't have affected the outcome at all.
But my sir... He was shocked.
...I was wrong.
Of course you weren't, sir.
Please don't say that. Please.
I turned tail and ran.
I challenged the windmill giants, but I couldn't do the same when it came to Atlantis.
Where did my courage go? Why am I just a gutless old man now?
Servants are summoned in their prime.
But for some reason, my sir was summoned as an aged knight.
And to make things worse...
...he's also developed the devout belief so common among those near death.
In his final moments, he eschewed the path of chivalry, withdrew from nonsensical stories, and sought nothing more than a peaceful, ordinary life.
I'm sure different people interpret this choice differently. But if nothing else, he tried to be a good man right up to the end.
However, the goodness he sought was that of the average, ordinary people. What we need right now is daring and intrepidity.
I want him to live. I want him to enjoy a fulfilling, human life.
...Maybe that's an impossible wish, now that we've been summoned as a Servant.
But, I like to think that's why I'm here.
So, I'll betray our allies, even if it's not what he wants.
...But, there was one thing I didn't account for.
I thought that my sir was a good, but cowardly manthat he had lost whatever bravery he had in Atlantis.
His cowardice or bravery weren't what mattered. What mattered was his goodness.
Which is why, even as he wordlessly accompanied myself and Count Vlad, he attempted something nobody expected.
All units, retreat! Retreeeat!
Damn, so we lost... Oh well, at least we did everything we could.
Diarmuid, would you round up the others and get them out of here?
No, I will st
Astolfo and I still have some things we need to do, you see.
We sure do!
And we want you to lead the troops while we're gone.
Thanks, buddy! We're counting on you!
...Understood. Then, farewell!
Hmm. I guess our chickens really are coming home to roost.
You mean that chicken wool we pulled over everyone's eyes with our deceit?
Sure do!
Yeah... Oh well, at least we won't go down without a fight!
Charles the Great and the others should be able to get clear as long as we can buy them enough time here.
After that, well...we'll just have to see what happens.
...Huh? Hey, over there. Is that...
Who goes there!?
I would like to request an audience with Kōnstantînos XI, the emperor of the Reinstatement Realm.
My name is Sancho. As you can see, I have captured Vlad III.
I am here to make a deal, and this is what I have to offer.
Vlad III...! W-wait here!
... ...There sure are a lot of them...
Fifteen hundred soldiers surrounded Don Quixote along Sancho and Vlad III.
He was scared. He was terrified. He had no wish to die. But, despite all of that...
Sir?
No...
...he'd found something else he valued more.
...Thank you for waiting.
I am Kōnstantînos. And you are the one wishing to strike a deal?
I am.
I would like to offer you Vlad III in exchange for my and Don Quixote's safet
That was all he needed to hear.
Kōnstantînos was perfectly willing to negotiate.
Of course, he could have decided to take both Sancho and Don Quixote captive as well.
But any such thoughts fled his mind the moment he heard the latter's name.
Yes, Don Quixote was famous. He may well be the best-known knight in all the world.
But he was far from strong. He was nothing more than a tired old man, a pathetic country bumpkin.
Anyone familiar with his story knew that.
But just as Kōnstantînos was about to agreesomething fluttered to his feet.
...Hm?
...I...
Sir?
The name's Don Quixote de la Mancha, famed knight-errant of Spain!
I claimed to be Charles the Great of the Righteous Realm. I am the heir to his will!
I...I am a Servant of Proper Human History! I have been summoned here to...to defeat you all!
Kōnstantînos XI! Great emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire!
I challenge you to a duel!
... ...
...Do you, now?
So cold was his voice that it sent shivers down Sancho's spine.
Negotiations had not merely broken down. This was tantamount to a declaration of war.
Sir, what are you
... ...
You will not lay a finger on my princess, my squire, nor my friend.
Not while I still stand.
Very well. A duel it is.
You have declared you are a knight, so you should expect no mercy from me.
...Prepare to die, Proper Human History. All of you, stay out of this!
This is my battle alone!
It is you who should prepare to meet your maker, traitorous emperor!
Sir, stop! You mustn't!
Stop, Sancho! I know what I'm doing!
I know that I'm throwing away everything you've done to keep me alive!
But even so...this is a battle I can't run from!
Now...have at you!
2. Before the battle
29 linesG-guess we'll just have to hide... Hm? What's up?
Hold on a moment...
？！
Good, there you are!
The situation is dire. Sancho has taken Count Vlad captive.
Sancho captured him!?
？！
...I knew it was dangerous to trust her.
She is Don Quixote's squire first and foremost. Our interests have been aligned in this. Until now.
I knew she wouldn't hesitate to betray us if doing so would prolong her lord's life.
But...I'm afraid I completely mishandled the timing.
Very soon, the entire Righteous Realm will cease to function as a collective.
...Huh?
Ms. Xu Fu, I suggest you fall back to the Righteous Realm as wel
No... At this point, I think we owe Xu-Xu the truth.
Wait, Holmes. Maybe it's time we tell Xu-Xu the whole story.
？！
Hey, didn't I tell you to address me as "Ms. Xu Fu" too? Anyway, what's this all about?
Perhaps you're right, but this isn't the place. It's too dangerous. I'll explain while we retreat to safer ground.
...I trust you're willing to risk her turning against us, Mr. Fujimaru?
Huh? Well, now I feel like maybe I should just plug my ears!
Sorry!
Emergency! You're about to run right into an enemy brigade!
Take them out as fast as you can, then get out of there! Fast!
Huh? Where's this transmission coming from? What is this? What is going on!?
I'll explain while we deal with these enemy troops.
Is this really the time for a briefing!?
3. After the battle
25 linesYou guys are from Proper Human History!? ...I mean, okay, strictly speaking, I am too, but still!
Yes, we are.
I'm really sorry for keeping it from you.
？！
... ...
Nnn... ...Gnn.
...Fine, I forgive you! But you're gonna let me pop you right in the mouth later, got it?
Aren't you also angry at Proper Human History?
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.
But I got that from my Master.
I don't think it influenced me all that much...not that I was gonna tell the other Servants, though.
They probably wouldn't have taken it well.
Anyway, not all Servants are gonna be as forgiving as me, so you should definitely keep that to yourselves as much as you can.
... ...
Well, I'm afraid I've got bad news and more bad news. Which would you like first?
The bad news, I guess!?
？！
Don Quixote has revealed that he was pretending to be Charles the Great.
...I see.
And that he's a Servant from Proper Human History.
Uh-huh...
...Aaand he just challenged Kōnstantînos to a duel.
He what? But...why?
？！
Hell if I know!
4. Before the battle
244 linesGwaah!
... ...
Sir!
Stay back!
... ...
Guh...!
...How strange.
That shiny golden armor of yours is little more than ruined scrap now. But you can still stand?
What is it that fuels your tenacity? Your fame, perhaps?
However, Don Quixote, you foolish old man of a knight, reduced to no more than a feeble jester...
...the world you see around you now is reality.
In this moment, your chivalry and your story serve neither point nor purpose.
To make matters worse, you've revealed yourself as a Servant of Proper Human History.
Would failing to do so have violated your vaunted chivalric code?
...I don't understand.
Why would you do this to yourself?
If you had simply handed Vlad III over, you could have lived out the rest of your days in peace.
You've ruined any chance of that now, and for nothing.
Now that I know you and your squire are Servants of Proper Human History, I'm going to kill you both.
...I do feel bad about doing this to Sancho...
...but even so, there are some points I just can't compromise on. Noshouldn't compromise on.
...I see.
Sir!
Please, Your Imperial Majesty! No more!
I admit defeat! I'll do anything you say! I'll even give up my own life!
Please... Just spar
That's enough, Sancho! Not another word!
Remember, you are not only Sancho!
You are also my beloved princess, Dulcinea!
...!
Your Imperial Majesty.
I know you are a great man who carries the weight of an empire on his shoulders.
I'm nothing compared to that. I'm not even a real knight.
This body can't be real.
I must be here because a nameless old man stole Don Quixote's framework for himself.
Or maybe...I'm no more than a phantasm built atop a delusion.
No. No, no, that can't be right.
If I'm not real...then where did that pain and terror come from?
Why did I turn tail and run away?
To Olympus!
Some of history's greatest heroes, each stronger than a thousand ordinary soldiers, were gathered there.
Some were a little different than how I'd imagined them...
...but each was so legendary, I was queasy just being near them.
Some of them were knightsthe sort I'd always dreamed of being.
Just being there among them was like a dream come truelike a chapter out of a grand adventure book!
Ahh, now this is lifethe life I always wanted to live! The life of a knight!
But...
...not even they could match the gods of Atlantis.
Seeing some of the greatest heroes in all the world just...vaporized right before my eyes broke me.
I can't do this. I can't do anything to help.
Then, let's run for it, sir. Don't worry. I'll take care of everything.
Her words had me crying tears of joy.
Afterwards, I stopped thinking about anything. I turned my back on my chivalric ideals.
The next thing I knew, I was here in this Singularity.
I ran. I ran from a world of dreams.
And all this time, I've been running from reality too. No more.
...You
But if I run...I'll lose something irreplaceable.
Something Don Quixote never lost, no matter how foolish he was.
Something precious, that can pop like a bubble if you don't hold on to it.
...It's so obvious.
I need to help people. I need to strive to be a good person.
Everyone should strive to do so. Not only knights.
So as long as I'm able to stand my ground and fight, that's exactly what I need to do!
Even if I'm up against an emperor!
...Hmph.
Raaaaaah!
...I suppose I should commend you for your determination. But...
Gnn...
...I'm afraid I have my own just cause to fight for.
Forgive me, Don Quixote. You were a foolish knight, but a good, ordinary man!
Sir!
Dodge, Don Quixote! That strike will
Everyone was certain he was about to die.
Sancho and Vlad III watching from the sidelines... And of course, Don Quixote himself.
Kōnstantînos was certain this strike would bring him victory.
...And then, out of nowhere, it was as if night had become day.
The brilliance of the holy light blinded every one of the assembled fifteen hundred soldiers of the Reinstatement Realm.
...Now, that's awesome.
Facing reality, refusing to run from it.
Knight or just plain, regular person, that's about the most awesome thing anyone can do.
If you can do that, I've got no problem with you calling yourself Charles the Great.
I'll allow it! And if I'm okay with it, nobody else has any right to complain!
What is your name!?
I am Charlemagne!
I am also known as Charles the Great, the father of Europe!
...What?
I'm the real deal!
Don Quixote! Fearsome hero, both stout of heart and fleet of foot, the equal of my paladins in every way!
Your valiant battle has moved me!
And so I am giving you a new mission! Leave this battlefield at once and keep that princess of yours safe!
I refuse!
... ...Whaaa...?
I... I...!
I must see for myself whether you are truly Charlemagne, and if you are truly on our side!
Sancho, get out of he
No way. Forget it. I'm staying right here, or I'm going to cry.
Oh. Uh, okay.
Ahahahaha, I see! You are truly the sort of princess and squire a kindhearted knight needs!
Then behold my sacred sword! My light! My Noble Phantasm!
Noble Phantasm!?
Take this, Kōnstantînos! Behold my sacred sword's shining light!
This...light... It really...is...!
Joyeuse, the indomitable sacred sword.
It's said to change color thirty times a day...
...and was given to Charles the Great by a Byzantine emperor!
Th-then...!
It's him... It's really him...
Charles the Great, aka Charlemagne!
You know it!
... ...
Kōnstantînos. It's time we made our retreat.
Johanna!
Victory is ours.
We've eliminated most of the Righteous Realm Servants who were guarding the north gate.
We can't afford to lose you now.
But, they're Servants of Proper Human History!
Sorry we're late!
？！
...!
I'm relieved to see you still alive, Don Quixote. And you, Ms. Sancho.
From what I can ascertain...it seems the tables have turned.
Lord Fujimaru... Lord Holmes...
Your Imperial Majesty.
...All right. We'll retreat.
Emperor Kōnstantînos.
...?
I won't say anything more. I hope you will accept that as a token of our sincerity.
...You have my thanks. All units, retreat!
...My emperor...
Follow your heart, Bradamante. That's the sort of star we were meant to fight under.
...Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty! Then, I shall take my leave!
YOU'RE Seton(?)!?
That's me! Seton-slash-Charlemagne!
I can't believe this!
？！
Well, believe it. I'm Charlemagne.
And I came to this Singularity on behalf of Rex Magnus Karl.
...Huh?
You're here on behalf of...yourself?
Then, that would make you an imposter. But, your imperial aura is genuine...
Well, to majorly simplify things, I am very much Charles the Great.
But, I have basically none of my "father of Europe" aspect in me.
I'm the Charlemagne who left behind a whole bunch of entertaining legends in Europe.
I guess you could say I'm his young adventurer side.
I see.
Charlemagne's greatest legends are those of his exploits alongside his Twelve Paladins and those of the empire he founded as the father of Europe.
At times, a Servant's given Spirit Origin reflects certain aspects more strongly than others.
We often see this in versions of the same Servant who reflect their good and bad sides, respectively.
It seems that in your case, you have manifested with an aspect reflecting legends of your youthful adventures.
That's right! I should've expected a great detective like Holmes to get it pretty quick.
So.
The truth is, I got into a pretty bad argument with my emperor aspect. Even tried to kill each other over it.
We had a lot of reasons for our differences, but eventually, we managed to reconcile...
...and he ended up entrusting me with this mission.
"Thou art the one chosen to bring light unto this Singularity. Worry not. I shall bestow upon thee a fraction of my power."
End quote.
Anyway, I finally managed to manifest here, but I'm anything but a normal Servant.
I only got summoned as part of a chain based on the other Twelve Paladins here. Not even the Holy Grail called on me.
So that means no Master plus a shoddy summon. What's that get you? A Spirit Origin in shambles!
I finally managed to manifest after spending all my time in safe mode...
...but I'd say I only have...oh, maybe two more times I can use my real power, and only if I really try hard!
On top of that, there's a time limit on it all too. Even if I don't do anything, I'll be fading away in about forty-eight hours.
Huh?
What did you say!?
My emperooor! What're you doing here!?
Helping you guys...and also Chaldea when it really counts! What else?
Huh?
What? Did you think I was the kind of coldhearted bastard who'd abandon his cherished friends and subordinates in their hour of need?
Well, no, I never thought that... But, still, did you come all this way just to help us?
Hell yeah, I did!
Doesn't get any more awesome than helping people as cool as all of you!
I gotta say, though... Don Quixote's display of sheer, unbridled awesome there kinda put us all to shame.
It moved me to use my power!
He did, sir. Emperor Charlemagne most definitely said...
...that Don Quixote is the greatest knight to ever live.
What!? N-no! He absolutely did not!
Yes he did. I heard him myself. Right?
...Sure!
Now you're just putting words in his mouth!
...It's true, though. To me, you really are the greatest knight ever.
...Everyone, I apologize. I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused.
Sancho.
...Yes?
I may not always be successful, but when I can, I do try to "read the room" as they say.
...Okay?
So, let us forget this ever happened.
I believe that is the best solution to this problem. What do you think?
Huh? But...that's so much more generous than I deserve...
It was my failure to plan that led to this crisis.
Frankly speaking, if I let things stand as they are, this ordeal could become a blemish on my honor.
So, I say we let bygones be bygones.
Is that all right with you, Your Imperial Majesty?
Like I said earlier, I don't have even a little of that Charles the Great aura going for me... But sure. Works for me.
Besides, it's not like this is all wrapping up happily ever after.
The Righteous Realm's forces are in shambles.
There's bound to be plenty of soldiers who won't believe who I am or who'll oppose us 'cause we're on Proper Human History's side.
When all's said and done...we'd be lucky if we had five hundred soldiers still on our side.
...Even knowing all that. Sancho Panza.
Don Quixote.
Will you stay with me? With us?
And by us, I mainly mean this guy over here!
Huh? Me?
...We are still Servants on Proper Human History's side. We don't have any other choice.
That is, assuming Lord Fujimaru is okay with it.
Um... If you can find it in your heart to forgive Sancho, I'll do anything you want. You can even turn me into a bomb if you like.
I have no problem as long as Count Vlad doesn't.
Thank you, my Master!
Thank you, Lord Fujimaru. No...Master.
Fine with me. I'd be glad to have you fight with us.
Of course we will!
...Yes. We will.
Very good, but I must ask, Ms. Sancho: What if Don Quixote's life is threatened again?
...Of course I wouldn't betray you...again...
C'mon, at least look us in the eye when you say that!
Hahaha. I'm sorry, that was mean of me. It's all right, Ms. Sancho. Your priorities should lie with him.
If such a time should come again, I shall simply have to ensure you don't slip past us.
...I really am no match for you.
Or for you two, with your incredible magnanimity.
Thank you so much.
Thank you for taking us in. Especially my sir.
？！
All right, let's go talk to the surviving Servants.
Just be careful, 'cause they might be mad enough to attack us!
But don't worry, it'll be fine. Just tell them they'll disappear if Proper Human History goes away.
It's kinda obvious, but fact is, too many Servants here have been ignoring the obvious.
Frankly, I still have yet to understand a key factor myself. Why are these Servants rebelling, anyway?
Do you know?
Hm? Why does anyone rebel, ever?
Unbearable rage. That's why.
Overwhelming emotion that tells them they don't need to spare their enemy.
Hmm, in that sense, the Reinstatement Realm is managing their emotions in a healthy way.
The realm that's been summoning the most Servants that fully buy into their Master's will has gotta be...
...the Revenge Realm.