Royal Authority of Despair, Chaotic Mechanism

It's time.

If you mean to continue this journey... If you wish to see tomorrow...

...then overcome the seven trials. Shatter the seven vengeances.

Whether the seventh and final trumpet sounds in triumph or not...

...is up to you, Fujimaru.

...I am fire. ...I am a blade.

...I am fire. ...I am a vortex.

I am the scorn that remains after my dreams and revolution were thwarted at every turn.

I am the bloody, severed head whose love and respect was shattered at every turn.

May the pain and suffering that tormented my loved ones stain this world. With my blade and petals, I shall sever head after head with neither love nor mercy.

You, who still bear a heart, listen well. I am the freshly spilled blood that will end your life.

The fourth trial, the Royal Authority of Despair, and the third trial, the Chaotic Mechanism, shall now put you to the test.

I'm sorry to pile on again today after what I did yesterday. But, I'm afraid it's time.

If you mean to resist, then do so however you like. Fight if you must. Kill if you must.

Let the fire raging within you grow. Unleash your fury on us.

Or, perhaps...

...No, fire is enough. You needn't seek tomorrow any longer.

...My queen.

Oh, hey. Look at that. Nice of you to show yourself and save us the trouble of looking.

Both of you, stay on your guard. Master, you too.

This woman may appear to know nothing of battle, but to underestimate her would be a grave mistake.

Her hatred is incredible! It even puts me to shame, and I carry the hatred of the entire Taira clan!

Heh. You're quite the monster, aren't you!?

Yes, I am! I'm one of the most terrifying monsters you'll ever see!

So please, be careful!

If you even think about holding back against me, my black lily petals will send your heads tumbling!

I'm serious.

Yes?

Really?

You're still calling me that? What a strange boy.

？！

Yes, that's right.

I'm not a pure human. Sorry if I misled you about that.

Oh really?

... ...

...But then, you're not much for lying, are you? I can tell that much about you.

Sorry if I misled you. But yes, that's right.

？！

I'm Marie Antoinette Alter, a Heroic Spirit. A true Servant.

I don't actually live in this Tokyo, and I'm not possessing anyone, either.

Student Council President Marie never actually existed.

And yet, nobody ever doubted me for a second.

You can thank the third trial, Count Cagliostro, for that. He's got a skill that makes that sort of deceit easy.

He was a master of trickery in life, so now that he's a Heroic Spirit, his power in that regard is incredible.

He does amazing work. He can make horrific beasts baring their fangs look like beautiful, pedigreed lapdogs.

He can make heat seem soothing and cool, and make dangerously sharp weapons seem like fluffy cotton.

Take me, for example.

He completely hid my Servant aura, my magical energy, and my Spirit Origin that's been on the brink of a vengeful, murderous rampage since I was summoned.

That's why you couldn't sense anything, right?

... ...

(Count Cagliostro...)

(He is the first enemy Servant we've encountered here about whom we have no information back in Chaldea.)

(Everyone else we've met has been a familiar face, or a Servant we already knew.)

(So, this is the only new hostile Heroic Spirit we've seen thus far.)

(If we consider this place a variant of Shimousa, I suppose it makes sense.)

(However, I still can't help but wonder...)

A count, huh? Been hearing that title a lot lately.

Oh? Is that right?

Yup. Gotta say, though. I really hate hearing it from you.

There's probably no point in telling you this, but the other Marie in Chaldea and I had a good talk about Cagliostro.

And I have to admit, I never expected to see you fighting alongside that scumbag.

Oh my, you don't say. Well then, I'm

Oh, don't bother apologizing.

We're about to murder each other. Why bother? Am I wrong?

...Hehe. No, you're not. You're very right.

Fujimaru.

To tell you the truth, I was hoping to play with you a little more, but...

...I'm sorry. They say it's time for me to kill you now.

So...that's what I'm going to do. Please don't hold it against me, okay?

？！

As a matter of fact...

...I wish you and I could have gone on another date.

Did you know there's a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty right near the mall we went to?

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？！

What is it?

？！

Oh, so it's like that, is it?

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Sure.

... ...

？！

...No, I didn't.

I wish I could tell you who did, but I can't.

So...

Get back, Master! The time for talk is over!

Oh great. More of the icky guts brigade. Things kinda freaked me out at first, but you better believe I've had time to get used to them by now!

Heh...

Hehe, ahahahahahahahaha! I knew I liked you for a reason, Oruta!

This is my anger! These are my flames!

These are the fragments of my bitter bloodblood that will never be satisfied no matter how much is spilled!

My entrails of fury!

They will forever despise this world and everything in it. They will forever cry out in love and hate.

And just as my own loved ones were once taken from me...

...they will slither towards those you love, strangle them, torment them, and rob them of all their tomorrows!

Oh, fan-freakin'-tastic. Now we've got armored guys and those fire things too! Also, maybe I'm imagining this, but

Our blades are sharper than ever.

Yeah. I think it's 'cause Master's giving us way more magical energy now.

But, in exchange...

Yes. We're not receiving nearly as much magical energy from the shadow.

Is it because he is exhausted? Well, no matter. Overall, this is still quite a boost!

Hey, Dantès! You're still in Master's shadow, right? Get a hold of yourself!

Now I see.

I understand you all now. It looks like you can handle anything I might throw at you.

But, uh... What was that Japanese saying that means "look before you leap" again?

"Be sure to knock on a stone bridge before crossing it"?

You know, I really like this country's sayings. The vice-principalCagliostro taught me that one.

Anyway, why don't you all come join me at the stage in the school gym? We can put on a little nighttime homecoming, just for us!

You're not going anywhere!

Oh my, you startled me! You can be such a brute sometimes, Kagekiyo!

Damn! An illusion!

It's probably a skill or a Noble Phantasm, like the kind they used to hide their auras and magical energy.

Aww. I suppose Cagliostro's trickery isn't enough to surprise you anymore.

Tch. Well, that's okay.

As I was saying, we'll be waiting for you in the gym. Just so you know, we've been preparing for this night for days and days now.

You can't possibly win. You'll almost certainly wind up dead if you try.

So if you want to run, I'll understand.

Oh?

Oh please. What good would that do?

We can't afford to turn back. Not with Master like...this.

You certainly can't.

If you give up on the trials, Fujimaru's mind and soul will be stuck here forever...

...and Chaldea will never make it to the Antarctic.

Your journey will be over.

Humanity's path will be closed off for good, erased as though it had never been.

But, as long as you're okay with that, you can just stay here and keep living your life until you're old and gray.

？！

I see.

All right, once again, Cagliostro and I will be waiting for you at the stage in the gym.

If you say you still want to seek tomorrow, then come and find us.

And good luck. We worked very hard on this wicked gauntlet we've created for you.

... ...

...

Hm?

Hang on. Does something seem off about this to you guys, too?

She said, "Come and find us." And I know I heard the trumpet this time, so this has got to be a real trial, right?

Now I see. Yes, you are right.

During the previous trials...

...the quiet shadow that appears by Master's feet somehow took us to the trial Servant's location.

No response, then? I see.

(He still has yet to show himself even after the trumpet sounded and his magical energy amplification effects are greatly reduced.)

(Perhaps his magical energy is finally running out.)

(That is the assumption we should operate on.)

Haha. I suppose this means we will have to get there on our own power instead of taking the easy way.

Is that so?

Fine by me. Bring it on.

We'll get there on our own, come hell or high water!

Let's go!

The gym is on the other side of the grounds. This is the shortest route through the school building, but

Of course, it's not that simple.

Yeah, we knew we were gonna run into more of these things. We'll just have to cut our way through!

Shut up!

There's just no end to them!

Why do the trial Servants always need a damn entourage!? Fight your own battles, you assholes!

(I don't sense any people nearby. And I haven't heard any screaming or shouting, either.)

(Under the circumstances, I didn't notice earlier, but now that the trial has begun, it seems the people have once more disappeared.)

(I'm glad we can concentrate on the battle at hand with one less concern, but still...)

This is getting us nowhere.

All right, I'm gonna use my Noble Phantasm to just blow up this whole damn hallway. Don't worry, I'll deal with the consequences.

Ahem. As a teacher at this school, I feel compelled to insist that this be reserved for a last resort.

Hmm. What a hassle.

All right, we will just have to take another route.

Route? What other route is there? I don't see any way besides this hallway.

This way.

You broke the window? Wait. You couldn't just open it?

Come on. Take my hand, Master!

Are you all right, Master?

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Good.

Phew. I gotta say, it does feel a lot less cramped outside.

Indeed. However...

...it seems our enemy had the same thought. Here they come.

That sounds heavy. I wonder if it's one of the giant organ things, or an armored guy.

Sounds like the organ.

Definitely the organ.

Guess we're all on the same page. Not gonna be much to bet on then.

Nah, I'm putting my money on the organ!

？！

How good of you to join us, members of Chaldea.

It may have been something of a stretch to present myself as the school's vice-principal...

...but if my deceptions, pretenses, and schemes brought you some measure of enjoyment...why, nothing could make me happier.

It is a pleasure to properly make your acquaintance. I am the Altered version of Cagliostro!

I am the third trial you must overcome to proceed; I have come to bar your way as an Avenger.

And I believe you've met my "niece"...

Hello again. It hasn't been all that long, has it? I'm impressed you all made it here alive.

I guess my nasty tricks didn't work on you. Too bad.

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Hehe, right, of course. You and I are full-blown enemies now, aren't we!?

Then I'll give you exactly what you're looking for! In fact, I've got something really nasty all ready for you!

Cagliostro!

As you wish.

You, who still bears a heart, listen well. I am the freshly spilled blood that will end your life.

My rage will sever you in twain. My entrails will ensnare and bind you.

If you would resist, then take up your blade.

Fight me. Kill me. Transform your inner fury into flame.

Yes... Fight me.

Yes... Kill me.

Yes... Here, now more than ever before, transform your inner fury into flame.

You hate whoever did this, right? You can't rest until you've made them pay, right?

Oh, oh yes. I know exactly how you feel. I know it so painfully well.

It's okay. You don't have to hold back.

After what's been done to youno, us...

...we have every right to exact our vengeance however we see fit!

...Really now?

Cagliostro!

Oui, Votre Majesté.

Hehehehehahahahahahahahaha! My illusory fire will drive you mad!

What is this fire!? It won't go out!

Are you serious!? You're using fire? Against ME!?

Alter! Kagekiyo!

Stay back! I've got a bad feeling about this stuff!

Something tells me this fire'll spread to you if you touch it!

My illusory fire targets the mind, so it works especially well against intelligent foes like yourselves!

Now then, since you two Servants are both fully stocked with magical energy, I think I keep you busy for a while.

As for you, Sir Salieri, well... Your little rampage has already cost you a great deal of your magical energy, no?

I don't believe he will be any threat to you, Queen Marie Antoinette.

(Sigh) I really don't care for your lack of follow-through when it comes to things like this, Cagliostro.

But, no matter. In this case, I already knew from the start...

...that I would be bringing the curtain down on all of this myself.

？！

This is who I am.

This is the fire I became after the love and hatred I've known.

I am the lone black lily remaining after my queenhood, my womanhood, my motherhoodafter everything about me was brutally, mercilessly destroyed.

？！

Ahh, how I hate them.

I despise them, loathe them, abhor them. I hate them with every fiber of my being.

My curse will never fade. My grudge will never disappear.

I will have my revenge on the world that trampled on my royal authority. May the world that took my beloved Charles from me burn for all eternity!

Yes, a curse upon everything! Death and destruction for all!

My fire will never be sated until the last living being gasps its final breath and all is silent as the lonesome night...

...And you. You have a fire within you as well, no?

I thought it would burn quickly, since the embers were already there...

Ah, but no such luck, it seems.

You'll never come to this side. You'll never be one of us.

That's what you've decided, yes?

You could have walked the path of blood. You could have crawled along the path of flame.

You could have been this world's last avenger...but you chose another path.

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I see.

You're honest and direct. I genuinely like that about you.

Very well then. Prove it. Or, if you cannot...

...then give up on everything, and sleep here for all eternity! Fujimaru!

...!

(Master only has one Command Spell left, but there are still several trials ahead of us.)

(We cannot use it up for another pseudo-summon now.)

(Even if it were to help us overcome these two trials now...)

(...we would never be able to survive the last three without magical energy reserves. Which means...)

We must defeat them on our own, no matter what it takes!

OOOH!

What!?

Hell yeah! Nice one, Salieri! Now follow my lead!

La Grondement Du Haine!

Dio Santissimo Misericordia de Mi!

Hrn...!

UU...OOOOOOOOOH!!!

Nice, you got her Spirit Core! One down, one to

Afraid not.

You disguised one of the organ things as her!? Shit, that's the same trick you used earlier!

So it is, fair lady.

Khh, this stuff again! Get out of here, dammit!

This fire... It's not actual flame. It's an illusion that attacks our Spirit Origins and Cores directly, through our minds!

Those fires may not reach the same temperatures achieved by modern science, but they are still effective against spiritual beings!

As Servants, we are, at heart, transient guestssouls that have come from the Throne to visit reality.

Thus, even if I cannot kill you with a single strike...

...my illusory flames will cling endlessly to your Spirit Origins, robbing you of your freedom!

Rrgh, dammit! ...Master!

... ...

...You all did the best you could. I commend you for that.

But this is the end.

Had you overcome the seven trials of your soul and mind, all would have been well.

Now that you've failed, though...

...you know what comes next, right, Fujimaru?

Nice try.

...But you're too late.

Huh...?

I don't...understand... Why is...your blade...

...protruding from...my chest?

...Cagliostro?

Yes?

What is...the meaning of...

It is precisely what it appears to be, my eternally beautiful Queen Marie Antoinette.

Allow me to introduce myself properly once again. My True Name is Alessandro di Cagliostro.

I am also known as simply Count Cagliostro. My Spirit Origin is no Avenger.

Me, the third trial? No, no. I am nothing of the sort!

What I am...

...is a peerless master of deceit! Cagliostro, the Pretender!

Pre...tender...?

Then...you were...deceiving me...from...the beginning...?

Oh yes.

This was my plan all along, Votre Majesté.

My manifestation as an Avenger was merely a pretense. In truth, I am a Pretender!

My only loyalty is to betrayal!

Everything I do is a betrayal! Even my stint as a Foreign Disciple was no more than an act!

？！

？！

Oh? Not the reaction I was expecting.

Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I did disguise my voice in the Olympus ruins, and as I said, I am a master of deceit.

Still, I expected Chaldea's supercomputer would have found me out by now.

At any rate, yes, that's right.

I am the Foreign Disciple code-named "the Count." Or at least, I was.

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Having successfully bleached away humanity, the Foreign God went on to gather a great many Disciples.

I pretended to be one of them for a time, but now...

...I can reveal my true identity as a Servant of humanity sent here to be a beacon of hope!

I employed my skills as a Pretender in no small capacity to put on a show of being a Disciple...

...but in fact, I have been biding my time waiting for the opportunity for the greatest betrayal possible...

...to step in and help Chaldea as its final ally!

...You did very well, holding out until now.

Worry not. Humanity still blesses your journey, now and before.

For proof, look no further than me!

You... You... Bastard!

You mean you tricked me not just once, but

Guilty as charged.

Marie...

... ...

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...She was obviously an enemy, and I was going to kill her myself...

...but I still don't like the way you went about it.

I'm very sorry if I've offended you. But please understand.

I am not the sort of Heroic Spirit who fights bravely on the front line, like the three of you. My heroism shines only in matters of scheming and betrayal.

Hmph.

If you mean for us to believe you are our ally, your first step should be dispelling this accursed flame.

Until then, nothing you say means anything.

Ah, yes. My apologies.

Much better. Now don't move a goddamn muscle.

Try anything and I'll burn your Spirit Origin to cinders before you can even think about trapping us again.

I've seen you pull it off twice now. I know what to look for.

Indeed. There is a tell to your technique.

Right. That.

Haha, hahahahahahaha. Of course, I would never trap my allies. Not more than once!

...Allies, huh.

That's right! From now until my very soul comes apart, I am your ally!

I'm of the same opinion as Alter and Kagekiyo. There's something about you that

...makes you feel you can't trust me?

Yes. That.

Not to worry! I'm accustomed to such suspicion.

At any rate, now that I've revealed my true identity...

...it will not be long before the architect of this world, the mastermind of this whole plot, reveals himself.

So I'll make this quick.

To begin...I owe you the greatest of apologies.

I'm especially sorry about that business with the Elements.

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However!

There was no other way for me to fool so massive an organization!

So, allow me to reiterate: I am on your side.

Please, let me do what I can to save you.

Let me rescue you from the clutches of my archenemy...

That evil man means to thwart humanity's revival by grinding down your mind and soul in these seven trials!

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Indeed.

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That would be

Me.

...He means me.

Bwa?

!

Oho.

Huh? The hell?

You're kidding me.

But...aren't you...?

And, why are you dressed like that?

I thought you were staying in Master's shadow...

...'cause you hadn't been able to properly materialize...

And, hang on.

Did I hear you right?

... ...

I must've heard wrong, 'cause it really sounds like you...

...Like you...

...killed those people...

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Yes. It's me.

It's been a very long time...

...since we last met this way, Fujimaru.