Epilogue: The Sound of Quivers

I just got a faint signal from Senpai's group! It looks like...they're coming back to Chaldea!

Without Rayshifting!? What about the enemy's signal!?

I... I can't make it out!

Stations, everyone! Make sure they land in the blast chamber! Medical teams, stand by!

...Pops...

... ...

？！

Hey, Kurazou. No... Bakin.

There're a buncha Heroic Spirits here at Chaldea who don't give a rat's ass about Holy Grails.

Know why? 'Cause they're all here for the greater good of securin' and protectin' humanity.

Hell, all I care about's perfectin' my craft. It's pretty much all I ever do.

But even I can help Chaldea out now an' then, 'cause I know it'd suck if I never had any new subjects ta paint.

Can't rightly paint no merchants or townsfolk if there ain't none left on this endless, bleached earth! Haha!

...Damn you, Tetsuzou.

You think that offers any consolation after my defeat, as I stand on the verse of my Spirit Origin disappearing?

You've always painted everything under the sun, and I've always shone a light on what lurked in the shadows.

We're nothing alike. Tell me I'm wrong.

Ya ain't. We couldn't be more different. And you've always hated people tellin' ya what to do.

Even so, we used ta stay up all night, talkin' 'bout all kindsa things. Remember?

The heroes who raised all kinds of hell in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"... Your beloved "Water Margin" and "Investiture of the Gods"...

The heroes who raised all kinds of hell in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"... Your beloved "Water Margin" and "Investiture of the Gods"...

Woodblock-printed illustrated literature like "Tongue-Cut Sparrow" and "Kintarou"... Izumo-no-Okuni's legendary kabuki dances...

The Noh and joururi productions of "Momijigari"... Konparu Zenchiku's play about Yang Guifei... Hell, even the legend of Tametomo.

Those were the sparks that fed the flame that consumed you after you gave up on your life as a warrior.

...

...Yes. I suppose...you're right.

That WAS how I spent my days writing.

...Yes, you are right.

It was conceited of me to ever think I could realize a wish big enough to entrust to a Holy Grail on my own.

I... I was wrong. I knew that, but I didn't want to admit it.

Even when Omichi and Sousuke left me for Chaldea...

...it was in part because of what I wanted.

I wanted to embrace my anger and sadness. I was too cowardly to move on.

I didn't want to admit that, even while the Chaldeans remembered and honored the past...

...they never stopped working to ensure a future for the people alive today.

That doesn't mean they forgot the past, their mistakes...their pain...

...or the precious stories of lost loved ones.

I... I was wrong.

Woof!

Sousuke...

Woof...woof...

Senpai! Everyone!

You're all here! Thank goodness you made it back safely.

Heh, I'm here, too.

'Course, I didn't have to go nearly as far as some of the others.

It amounted to a brief hunt while I was out on a stroll.

？！

Good question. How's it looking, Mash?

Let me see... Yes, I just got confirmation.

The Spirit Origin pods for the other Archers who went out to intercept the attack are returning! They're all okay!

？！

This is the last arrow; the one I destroyed. I decided to collect it.

Not as tasty as some of the other things I've shot...but I had a feeling it had a story to tell.

？！

I asked Lord Tell to do this.

Tametomo!? ...Don't tell me there's still some spiritual energy left in that broken arrow!

I may have only been following Kyokutei Bakin's protocol, or perhaps, story, while he controlled me...

But the fact remains that I, Minamoto-no-Tametomo...

...nearly brought disaster upon you.

I wished to apologize for that.

...Hmm, got it. Well, at the risk of overstepping, I think I speak for the others when I say...

...don't sweat it. Right, Master?

？！

Seriously? You ALL look like you've just aced a challenging but satisfying test of skill!

Well I, for one, refuse to sponsor any more archery contests like this! They're murder on my poor heart!

Do NOT start thinking all's well that ends well just because you had fun!

Haha, you said it, Gordy.

...

...Do you resent me, Tametomo?

I imagine you must, after I manipulated you into using your bow for evil.

... ...

...I may only be a machine now, but for a time, I was dreaming.

A not unpleasant dream in which I was both father and son.

In it, you told me that there were loyal wolves who opened their hearts to me.

You said their names were Yamao, and Nokaze. Good, strong names.

And you went on to tell me even more.

All manner of exciting, pulse-pounding stories.

So, no. I harbor neither resentment nor pity for you.

I feel only pride. Pride that you showed me there is still a place for me to fight even in this modern world.

...I see.

...Thank you, Tametomo.

Oh, it looks like this is the end for me.

Lord Hokusai. Oeithough I know she's not out among us just now.

Lady Barghest. Lord Hessian Lobo.

Lady Mash. Lord Fujimaru.

I don't know how to thank you all for accompanying me on this incredible journey that was somehow over all too quickly.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

Michi... I never did need to keep an eye on you, or guard Master or Chaldea from you.

Even in the very worst of circumstances...

...I was, on several occasions, very nearly floored by the beauty of your spirit, your dignity, and your composure.

I was said to be unrivaled in this regard in Faerie Britain, so trust me when I say that you are truly strong.

...

？！

...Thank you. Thank you all. You are all far too kind.

Oh, and Lord Okada Izo?

Thank you too for taking such good care of Sousuke.

At first, I mistook you for an aloof, cynical sort, like Aboshisa Mojirou...

...but I see now that I couldn't have been more wrong.

You're just as faithful and devoted as Inuyama Dousetsu, the Dog Warrior with the Chu bead of loyalty.

...Huh? What're you talking about?

If this is supposed to be a compliment, just give it to me straight, dammit.

Hehe... All right. You're a good man, Lord Izo.

Ha! 'Course I am!

It seems I too will be moving on soon.

Fujimaru, once again, I am so sorry for the trouble I caused you.

I only hope that one day, you can smile and put this behind you. Just another fateful encounter.

Farewell.

If, by chance, the day comes when you summon us once again...

...then this time, we will faithfully serve you, and all of Chaldea.

？！

...Phew.

You're an odd one, ain'tcha, Master? Or are you just some kinda bottomless well of generosity?

If I were in your shoes, I'd kick 'em right out and bar the door behind 'em!

...Um...

Each Servant remembers different things whenever they're summoned from the Throne of Heroes, so...

(If Kyokutei Bakin really is summoned again, I have a feeling we're going to see a lot more heated arguments...)

Ahhh... (Hic)

(I see she's having Proper Human History wine rather than the fruit infused water we had in Faerie Britain.)

You've been drinking quite a lot, Baobhan Sith. What's "pissing you off" this time?

Huh? Since when do you care?

I can see right through you, you know. You just want to show off what a good girl you are, don't you?

Teacher's pets like you have it so easy.

You just go around being all straitlaced and you get a spot on the roster for it, even if you don't have anything new going on!

... (Expression that says "This is going nowhere fast")

(Hic) Ugh, this whole business pisses me off. What's that stone-slinging Archer's name again? David?

Why's HE the one throwing this victory party? He didn't do a damn thing to help out. Me either.

He didn't fight on the front line, he didn't intercept any of the arrows... I don't know how the hell he keeps up with the conversation.

Ugh. This freakin' sucks. I can't even smile and nod along because I've got no interest in any of this.

The only thing I can do now is drink. Guess this is how wallflowers feel all the time, dammit... (Hic)

If you know you're being a wallflower, then stop sulking and do something about it. ...(Sigh) I guess I have no other choice.

Huh? What do you want, you big, bulky bitch? You here to lecture me or something?

You want to know more about what happened, don't you? Then I'll tell you.

Here. Let's start with another toast.

To those lovable, adorable, dependable dogs.

...

... ...

...What? You got something you want to say to me? Don't worry, I'll find my own booze later.

Just don't feel like it right now. Can this wait till later?

...I wouldn't feel right making an ass of myself in front of Ushiwakamaru right now.

I mean, neither of us were even planning on joining the special ops team this time around, right?

...(Snub)

I thought it was weird, too.

Hokusai? ...Oh, it's the daughter. I see you got no problem with a celebratory drink.

Ahaha.

...You wanna know why Kyokutei Bakin's familiarSousuke, the Dog Warrior of justice, brought you and Lord Lobo along ta help?

Well, if ya wanna hear Lady Barghest's take...

...it's that you were a wolf too. Said that with a straight face and everythin'.

That giantess of a faerie said that!?

Me, I think I've got a pretty good idea... But it's prolly better if I keep it ta myself.

Cut the crap. If you got something to say, spit it out.

Ahaha.

Let's just say if ya crack open the "Eight Dog Chronicles" and check out what kind of retainer the Satomi clan's Yatsufusa was, I think you might just be able ta figure it out yourself.

Oh, that reminds me! I've gotta apologize ta you too, Lord Lobo.

To Lobo? Why?

Remember how he was mad the whole time we were on the Nansou islands?

I figured he was pissed off at the poor treatment the Dog Warriors were sufferin'.

I also remember how it seemed like Lord Hessian was keepin' him restrained every time his anger flared up.

...Is that true, Lobo?

I had no idea. I'm sorry.

...

I guess ya could say it was no big deal since they're just familiars, but we're still Servants here.

We got names, desires, emotions... Sometimes, we even want things we know we can never have.

...Man, you're scary. Whatever it is you're really thinking, I hope I never have to find out.

Ahahahaha!

There you are! I was wondering where you were hiding yourselves.

So, Fujimaru is getting quite a lot of attention, as I'm sure you can imagine.

But I can't let it go on for too long, or he'll be too tired for work tomorrow. I think it goes without saying that our staff's health is one of Chaldea's top priorities.

So would you be so kind as to wrap things up here and come help him out?

Oh, by the way, Lobo, there's wolf-friendly cake too. Why not give it a try? Who knows when you'll get another chance.

Got it. Thanks, Boss.

We were just havin' a little talk about pets. What do you think about 'em, Director?

Pets, hmm.

...Good question.

I may not have any business saying this, given the huge mistake I've already made, but...

...the way I see it, keeping a pet really means being tied down. You think it's serving you, but it's really the opposite.

As long as their language and ways of living are different, pet owners and pets will never feel the same way about each other.

The very idea of treating an animal like a loved one comes from the same human arrogance that brought about civilization.

These animals didn't ask to be pets. We MADE them pets to suit our own selfish purposes. We should never forget that.

Having said that, I don't believe pet ownership is entirely a bad thing.

However it may have begun, now that genuine bonds have been formed, we should do our best to understand them better.

Above all, as fellow living things, we must be responsible in how we treat them.

They are no mere objects for our affection; they are living creatures trying to enjoy their best lives.

...That's right. It's such an obvious thing that it barely warrants mentioning.

They are our friends, and our family.

...Hm? What is it? Why are you grinning at me like that?

Ah, it's nothin'.

Hmph. You really should know better than to get me rambling.

Even I'm not so boorish as to intentionally rain on everyone's parade, you know.

Now go on, stand up.

...Yeah, okay. But I'm gonna need a drink to get through this.

And what's that supposed to mean?

Me, maybe I'll try some of this wine stuff Lady Barghest's always recommendin'.

...