Return of Nero Fest - Autumn 2019 (Second Half)

I can't stop this anymore...can't stop this feeling.

I am a warrior of the Valkyries, created by the great god Odin.

I once served the gods...was no more than an automaton. Soon I met my love, Sigurd, and perished as a woman.

I am the Heroic Spirit Brynhild. I sit in the Throne, but have lost all my Authority as a god.

My sealed powers...many functions equivalent to Authority are awakening. I want them to. They're beginning to work. I want them to work.

Because...tonight, all the conditions will be met.

Many Heroes and great men participating in battle. So many warriors I am compelled to love.

But...yes, yes... I must choose. Watching all these heroes do battle...

The time has come to select the most valiant of all heroes.

...Though not much blood will be spilled...

It will be all right. I will claim no souls. Valhalla, built for my father, the great god, is far from here.

Even with much of my power and functions sealed, such things are nothing if I use a Primordial Rune.

If I make even the slightest error in my calculations, I may lose my Spirit Origin...

...But I don't mind.

Before I disappear, I will fulfill my purpose...all that is asked of me.

For you, I shall train the selected Servant and construct them anew.

Yes.

I shall do it without Nótt, the goddess of night, detecting me.

It is fine. It will be fine.

There is nothing to worry about. Please leave everything to me, Senpai, my Master.

So please don't give me that sad look.

？！

...Altering Heroic Spirits. A pseudo-Palingenesis without a Holy Grail.

So that's what she meant. Now I understand.

The single most valiant Servant in Chaldea is selected, and a perpetual enhancement is applied by using the Primordial Rune...

That is likely her intent...

This is exactly what Scáthach and El-Melloi mentioned!

Senpai, my Master.

No, that's Brynhild!

I'm the real Mash Kyrielight. You are a true Heroic Spirit...a Valkyrie from Norse mythology!

Senpai, my Master.

No, that's Brynhild!

I'm the real Mash Kyrielight. You are a true Heroic Spirit...a Valkyrie from Norse mythology!

And yet Senpai is confusing the two of us. It must be because of the Runes. Am I correct, Brynhild?

？！

...

We can avoid disaster if you just stop now. Well...the only thing that's really gone wrong so far is...

Nero, who figured something was going on, started to pout because her tournament was essentially used as a tool...

But if you stop now, I'm sure she'll just laugh and forgive you. After all, nothing has happened yet.

Please, Brynhild.

...

...You really are a gentle child, Mash.

Yes. You are indeed fit to be alongside Master. While you may not be overflowing with courage, you are full of determination.

You certainly could be a Valkyrie of this modern era.

But I'm sorry. Truly sorry.

I've already begun to fulfill my purpose! Hero selection! Spirit Origin strengthening! Pseudo-Palingenesis!

Brynhild!

I can't stop it! It won't stop!

From here on, Chaldea's mightiest Heroic Spirit must be found to defeat me! My purpose is to modify, build, and strive for divine creation!

But such a feat is impossible to fulfill as a Heroic Spirit! Scáthach and El-Melloi said so!

Surely you understand this, too! So that's why you kept saying you may disappear...

Words will not reach her. She's quite stubborn, you know.

What...!?

That voice!

I am afraid you need to beat it into her. I recall a similar situation in the past.

Put a swift end to it and resume the tournament. After all, stadium food is good civilization.

Altera!

I was wondering why I couldn't hear the incessant voice longing for Sigurd during the tournament.

I never imagined you were so consumed by this, Brynhild.

I apologize. I didn't realize your dilemma. But I will not neglect your cries anymore.

Siegfried!

It is, of course, not only those two who have gotten involved, Mash.

As I was the one who put some of these ideas in your head, it would be wrong of me to sit back and watch.

I knew something was strange! I thought Mash was less shield-y than usual.

Rather, I suspected she was more lance-y...and it turned out to be true!

Because a shield + lance = me, Leonidas! Which means, according to my calculations, you are not Miss Mash!

Leonidas! Scáthach!

And it's not just us! All the Servants who sensed Miss Brynhild's unusual behavior have come!

We have assembled here!

Well, it's a bit embarrassing to be introduced like that. The truth is that we just sensed something hinky.

Um...I believe you sensed it better than that. You looked really worried... You looked almost like a pervert looking at prey.

I'm no pervert. Stalker at WORST! Besides, how would you know what I was thinking?

Eh...? Well the moment you looked at Mash, you were oddly irritated and grumpy...

You already have shifty eyes to begin with, but then you got even more awkward...and I was like "ack."

(Irritated) Listen, you: I do not have shifty eyes.

Chaldea is kind of like a campsite. It's only natural to monitor the health and wellness of everyone here.

Who's not feeling good...who's acting strange...who's talking weird. Stuff like that.

I'm well versed in scouting. I'd never miss any signs of anything or anyone about to go off an betray us.

I see... But the fact remains that you look creepy when you're staring at everyone around the cafeteria.

That's not the point. Were you even listening!? I think all the blood that should be in your brain ended up going to your breasts!

I-it did not! And please stop scolding and punishing me like a know-it-all!

Oh, man, that is just, like, MEGA cringe. How 'bout you downvote that creeper style. For real.

So this is the real Greenie? Super skeevy? Is he, like, out for the shrine maiden fox's number one spot?

Like hell! I'm a hunter! That fox and I are rivals when it comes to who hunts and who gets hunted.

Now, now, Lady Suzuka. The punishment in this case would be about muscle. There's no doubt he's talking about training one's muscles.

There is no difference in the muscles of men and women! Therefore, there is nothing to cringe about!

Seriously? Is that what Chaldea's like? Chaldea's all about that dudebro life, then?

No, we are a group of intellectuals who prize careful calculation!

But I can see that Lady Passionlip, Lady Suzuka, and Sir Robin get along well. Did you all fight alongside each other at some point?

Anyway, Lady Mash and Fujimaru! The French contingent has come as well!

If the holy maiden commands me, then I shall not waver. I had no idea that a Valkyrie of Northern Europe had concealed herself within this festival.

I'd like for this to end peacefully. If you stop now, it will be as if nothing happened.

Let us have some tea instead. This message I bring from the queen herself, Brynhild.

...

There are still more warriors here to support you! Behold!

Hey! We're here too! Come on, teacher! Don't lag behind! Come to the front!

...Why would you put a Caster on the front line?

Ah, now I see. Brynhild of Northern Europe. Even if you do really possess a true Primordial Rune...

It would be best not to use its full strength here. Those runes hold the power of the great god of the Norse, Odin.

Worst case scenario, not only will your Spirit Origin be destroyed, you may create an anomaly that spreads through all of Chaldea.

Should that happen, even Master would not survive. For example, there may be a flux in magical energy through magical circuits...

And phenomena that are otherwise impossible may occur within the space taken over by a Primordial Rune.

But...why?

You do not appear to be quite so mad...

Teacher, you're talking too much!

I do not recall accepting you as my pupil. What a peculiar twist of fate, considering who you become.

Oh don't be so mean, teacher. Gil came by because he is genuinely concerned.

Gil... Unbelievable...

Ah, this display is almost like a teacher with his students on a school trip. It certainly lightens the mood here!

So there you have it, Lady Brynhild! You may be a demigod...

But you must see that you are outnumbered! Out of respect for Lady Mash's shield and everyone's concern, why don't you put down your lance?

...

The king gifted with brilliance is correct, Valkyrie.

According to legend, you are seen as my younger sister in a way.

As I am now, I have no memory of that...but the fact remains that we are somehow related.

I cannot have you destroyed here. I have yet to properly speak with you.

...My sister.

...

...Lord AttilAltera...

The man so like my Sigurd... No, I am restraining my desire for Sigurd...

I will do what must be done... It is as simple as that.

...I also wanted to speak with you. But...

Why can't you? We're at a festival. There's no point in holding back.

Use this place to air out dirty laundry or get on good terms with each other.

I don't think it's a bad idea. This old man thinks you should just talk when you have the chance.

Well, if you can't, that's fine too.

Argh! Dammit! That's annoying! Doesn't matter what is...you just gotta solve it with your fist!

That's just shortsighted, Bear-Wolf Guy!

Getting' rough with girls ain't golden. After all, Riders are heroes!

Women and children got nothing to do with it if we're up against Heroic Spirits! And sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm a Berserker!

Hmph. At least someone gets it...

If there's no choice but to push through, all you have to do is to stick to your values until the very end!

He's right. It's not about being a woman or child.

Such a rule will always apply in places where lives are at stake. Be it Heroic Spirit or human, there's no difference.

Indeed. Though that does not mean it is futile to try to communicate.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha! Ah, my sides hurt from all this laughing!

That woman was crazy enough to point her lance at a God King's grand temple, MY temple! Words won't stop her!

I suppose. I agree with you there.

...Oh hey. You're here too, Master. If you're back to your old self, you'd better get serious quick!

Yes, I agree.

Her lance hasn't grown yet, so she doesn't have the power to wipe us all out in one swing.

If the plan is to restrain her, we must be quick. And then the rest is up to you, Master.

Hm?

You're a new face, aren't you? Wait. Wait a moment. That armor...that voice...that bearing... Could you be...?

Yeah, yeah. Right now we need to focus on the Valkyrie! If we don't stop her soon, we'll be goners!

...

？！

...How troubling.

I do not know what to say. Master, are you saying this has all been unnecessary?

When you look at me like that, it is clear that there is no need for me to continue down this egotistical path I have taken.

Yes...behavior so selfish must be stopped immediately, I

...I want to stop...at least I think I want to stop. But at the same time...

...I feel I must create the strongest possible Heroic Spirit...

No, Brynhild!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I...I cannot hold myself back. I truly am an unstable Heroic Spirit.

It...it will happen automatically. I will begin to love automatically.

Magical energy surge! Master, her Primordial Rune is activating!

I leave the commands to you, Master. It seems we have no choice but to settle this with our swords.

？！

Understood, Master!

...Give me a blade. Show me all your power! The one who ends my life will be given the protection and blessing of Palingenesis!!!

Warriors! Be chosen! Heroes! Stop me!

Me me me... Me me me me me me me me meee!

？！

Master...!!!

...And that's how it went.

Chaldea's Master and his Servants managed to stop the out-of-control Valkyrie.

Oh, and the Valkyrie is quite safe. Her Spirit Core, too. In the end, she did not use a Primordial Rune.

Though this is indeed an interesting case study...

It all, luckily, ended well. As to what caused her to go berserk in the first place...

El-Melloi had some idea, but unfortunately he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

The important bit is that Chaldea is safe and sound.

None of its systems, Sheba included, went out of control.

It turned out not to be possible to locate another Holy Grail.

At any rate, sorry to get your hopes up.

...What are you talking about?

If I recall, you mentioned something might happen before this tournament started.

I had absolutely nothing to do with this. I am just relieved everyone is safe.

Let's just leave it at that.

I was interested in what you were going to do if you obtained a Holy Grail, but... Hahaha. You're a more cunning man than I expected.

Then I shall take my leave. You should at least enjoy this festival until its end.

It's being held so everyone can relax. After all, everyone deserves a breather once in a while.

On the other hand...

Perhaps a minor bit of wickedness like that is more relaxing to you than anything else.

Hahahaha! I believe I'll have to duck that particular question, young man!

...Farewell.

He really is a cunning man. Intriguing.

Now then. I suppose it's punishment time. I know you're skulking about, O Great Detective.

Not running away or hiding is unlike you. Have your habits changed now that you've become a Servant?

Either way, you are the culprit. You were the one who caused Brynhild to go berserk.

Have you any proof?

No physical evidence, obviously. I would not expect you to be so careless.

But of course, I did come across the truth. Besides, Lord El-Melloi was the detective today.

The reasoning via magecraft techniques approach is certainly interesting. But either way...

Even if there is no clear-cut evidence, there are always ways to find the culprit.

While such a thing may be impossible for an ordinary man, it is surely not so for the Great Detective. I trust I needn't elaborate?

Heh. So what you're trying to say is...

I'm busted.

(Nod)

The only thing that remains unclear is whether you knew her rampage could be stopped at the last minute.

Hope for tomorrow! (Runs away)

Baritsu!!! (Gentlemanly kick!)

Ow...it looked like you didn't put your whole weight on it, yet it still stings...! Are you sure that move's not against the rules!?

Helena was right. I'm glad I participated in the festival. It was good to move about a bit.

Master...I wish to formally apologize.

I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I am a terribly unstable Servant...

But Master. Please know that I will do my utmost not to make trouble for you anymore.

Leonardo da Vinci gave me a gift.

She used a portion of Chaldea's resources to create a device that will make sure my operational status remains normal.

It may not be completely flawless, but I feel more secure than I did before.

Should I...act strange...again...

...

...Please do not hesitate to break me. Until that time comes, I will be your strength.

？！

...Yes, Master.