Fate/Grand Order story · Events, CBC 2026 Charlemagne's Chivalrous Montjoie!
Section 3: Don't Get Discouraged, Look Ahead
CBC 2026 Charlemagne's Chivalrous Montjoie!. Chaldea Gate
2 scenes, 366 lines
1. Before the battle
356 lines
Great job, everyone!
Way to go, guys!
Nice work!
Well done, everyone. Now, I think it's time for a little postmortem.
Sir Cyrano.
... ...I'm sorry.
Are you seeing anything on your end, Mash?
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I'm afraid not.
There has been no change in the Singularity to indicate the Holy Grail's appearance. I'm seeing no magical energy activity either.
Which would mean...the plan was a failure.
So, the Holy Grail didn't materialize after all.
Is it because our performance wasn't good enough?
I thought the audience absolutely loved it! At least, for whatever that's worth...
No, you're right. Tonight's performance garnered a much better reaction than any previous performance thus far, no question.
"Any previous performance thus far"? Okay, I didn't think I had to ask this, but...
...did you put this play on before we got here?
It would seem you owe us an explanation, Cyrano.
Our performance was quite clearly a success. Yes, you forgot one of your lines at the end...
...but I believe Grandpa Don made up for it at the last second.
You were great out there, sir!
Th-thanks. I'm glad I memorized my lines just in case.
So the Holy Grail was on the verge of materializing, but it ultimately never succeeded.
Did we do something wrong? Was it the flubbed line at the end?
Uh, yes, that's right.
Okay, so it does seem like you weren't completely wrong.
But it also seems like you weren't completely right, either.
So tell us: What should we have done differently?
That's a good question. But the truth is, I don't know, either.
Hmm, I thought as much.
You mean, you knew? And you went along with this plan anyway?
I'm sorry about this, Chuck.
... ...
I really thought it was going to work this time. I did.
Remind me, Cyrano: How many times have we performed this play now?
Thirty, my fair lady. Well, tonight makes thirty-one.
That's one hell of a run.
That said, those early performances never got so much as a round of polite applause. That's no surprise, though, since it was only me doing a solo reading of the entire play!
When this Singularity began, there was no sign of the Holy Grail anywhere. There was only a theater and an audience consisting partly of ghosts.
Then, I, Cyrano de Bergerac, was summoned as well, albeit in this very incomplete form.
As a kind of Shadow Servant, I was literally a shadow of my former self.
Still, I was curiously certain the Holy Grail existed somewhere in this theater. I thought, perhaps, it wanted to see a show.
So I began with a one-man show. ...Though it was admittedly not a tremendous success.
Nothing I could do about that, though. Especially after all my repeat performances.
Even so, there were clear signs I was on the right track to making the Holy Grail manifest.
So then, I decided to add some newly summoned Rogue Servants to the play as both actors and crew members.
You want me to play Roxane? Sounds like fun! I'll do it!
That meant I finally had a real actress to play off of, although I was still my same shadowy self.
As we continued to perform, I noticed our audience was becoming more and more satisfied.
I even remember distinctly feeling that the Holy Grail was just about to appear, though I was ultimately wrong.
I see. And then, we were summoned...
Which gave us a perfect cast right down to the supporting roles, so I really believed it would work this time!
Hmm. I have to agree with Cyrano. I do think we're on the right track here.
Maybe so, Chuck, but...
...no matter how much we rehearse, or how much we improve our acting...
Yeah, I know. There's probably something else we're missing.
Something not even Cyrano knows about.
... ...
Well, in the meantime, I can think of at least one thing we definitely need to do.
Oh? What's that?
You can't tell?
Come on, tell us.
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So none of you can figure it out, huh? Okay, right now, what we need to do is...
...throw a wrap party, of course! Woohooo!
Hey, yeah! Way to go, guys!
A wrap party? Um...aren't there other things we should be discussing first?
Now, now, Ms. Maid. I think the wrap party should come first as well.
...I see.
We just put on a great performance.
So right now, we should celebrate our accomplishment and all the hard work that went to it.
And as for what comes next, there'll be plenty of time to think about that tomorrow!
...Okay, I'm in!
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That's more like it! Okay, everyone to the lobby! You too, crew!
Here's to our victory! Montjoie!
Montjoie!
"How could I leave an innocent young girl to fend for herself in her hour of need!?"
Yeah! Nice one, Rola!
My time...has arrived!
Yup, yup, sure has. Okay, cheers!
I hope me saying that line back there wasn't a problem.
Of course not, sir. If you hadn't, the whole play would have fallen apart.
Tell me, Sir Cyrano. Why didn't you say your line back then?
Uh... I...forgot.
...I see.
(What do you make of that, Sancho?)
(There certainly seems to be more to it than that. Let's keep an eye on him until we make our report.)
Phew. Great work, everyone! I had so much fun making your props!
Oh, there you are, Mante. Could I talk to you for a moment?
Ahaha, no, I'm fine, thank you. And you've done so much for the show already!
Not at all! So then, what did you want to talk about?
Uh... Well...
... ...
You see, you and your group are the first other Servants I've seen here with high Spirit Origin values, so...
Hm?
Well, I was wondering if you might like to chat about...romance.
Oh great! Nobody else here has been up for that kind of talk!
And it's not really the kind of thing I can talk about with my colleagues, either...
Come on then, Mante. Let's go somewhere more private so we can really dish!
Okay!
Alas... Our star is gone...
What else can we do?
Can't. Talk. Love.
Perhaps it's because it was such a trifling thing to me, but I don't recall any of it.
...Guess we might as well drink.
Hey, Cyrano. When're we putting on the next show?
We'll need to rework the script and hold some more rehearsals, so...
Well, I do think it'll take some time, but I'm planning to put it on as soon as possible.
Got it. Am I going to be playing Christian again?
You were perfect as him this time, so that was my intention, but... Hmm.
I suppose you could also manage Count de Guiche.
Go for it!
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Now that everyone's nice and relaxed...I want to get down to business and discuss the mission.
Got it!
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I know I said this could wait until tomorrow, but I actually want to get started today. Care to guess why?
Because Cyrano still hasn't told us everything?
Hmm.
So, Cyrano de Bergerac still has yet to reveal all he knows, hm?
Yep, which is why I wanted to bring this up now.
I especially want your read on the situation, Master. I know there's not a lot to go on, but still.
Hmm...
What do you think, Fujimaru? Can we trust Cyrano?
He's definitely hiding something, but...yeah, I think so.
I know he's got secrets, but...I don't think he's a bad person.
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Got it. That's all well and good then.
That said, we should be cautious. There's still a lot we don't know about how this Singularity works.
Yeah, that's the real problem here.
The actual play wasn't half bad. In fact, I was really into it myself.
And while I'm just guessing here, I think what he said about a play manifesting the Holy Grail is probably true.
So if this didn't work, we'll just have to put on a different play.
That all seems right to me.
But now, we need to see what kind of play Cyrano says we need to put on when we talk about this tomorrow.
That's the key point to be aware of.
What do you mean?
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It's entirely possible that the Cyrano de Bergerac we've met here...
...wants to keep this Singularity around so he can keep playing the lead part in his own play forever.
Right?
Anyway, we should head back before he suspects something, but while I'm at it, I think I'm going to ask around.
Ask around?
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Yeah.
My read is, this Singularity adventure is all about info gathering.
So I'm going to try talking to the other Servants besides Cyrano, like Yang Guifei and the crew.
Totally incognito, of course!
That's fine...but you just played Christian. Don't you think you'll stand out a bit?
So how do you plan to manage an incognito investigation?
I thought something like this might happen, so...
Ta-da! What do you think, Master? I can totally blend in like this, right?
Wh-where'd you get that outfit!?
Definitely!
Are you sure!? 'Cause I don't know if that's gonna cut it as a disguise!
Don't worry, it'll be fine! Okay, I'm gonna get going!
Yeah, but I'm not sure you're hiding as well as you think!
Not hiding what? My kingly aura or something?
Yeah, that could be a problem... No? It's not that?
Nope. How can I put this... You still look too...good?
D-do I? Man, that's nice of you to say! But if that's all, I'll just add another layer to the disguise: making weird faces!
As the artist in the room, I simply refuse to accept that. No weird faces!
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Man, this performance was pretty rough. But at least it was better than last time.
Hm? What was different last time?
Oh, did you guys just join the crew for this show? Well, last time, Cyrano really went off the rails.
How so?
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Oh, he's done things like setting the play in modern times, made major changes to the characters...
Oh? Like what?
Like, he was going to have Count de Guiche kill Christian, then have Cyrano kill de Guiche in revenge.
Whoa!
But then he changed his mind and went with the original story as written. Said he couldn't go through with it.
Couldn't go through with it, huh...
Honestly, I thought it was a novel interpretation.
But I guess you can't make big, sweeping changes like that without upsetting your audience.
Oh, your glass is empty. Let me top you off.
Hey, thanks! Ahhh!
I think I'll join you, too. Ahhh! Anyway, you were saying?
Oh, yeah. Get a load of this...
(Yaaawn...) I'm beat. Think I'm gonna call it a night.
Whoa, he just zonked out right there.
Oh well, I think you got pretty much everything you could out of him.
How about the staff members over there?
How about that Servant over there?
Great work, team!
Same to you! What'd you think of this one?
This was definitely the toughest so far!
It had way more cast and crew than we've ever worked with!
Not to mention all those weird ghosts! Seriously, what are ghosts even doing here? I can't be the only one who's scared of them, right?
Hahaha, well hey, as long as they're not hurting anybody. Live and let liuh, die, I guess?
Oh, but I did like the script for this one. It was actually pretty close to the original.
I guess Cyrano gave up on the idea of major rewrites.
Major rewrites?
Oh yeah, for the last-last show. They were really something, too.
Count de Guiche died in the war... Christian and Ragueneau died, too...
And of course, Cyrano and Roxane both died at the end.
That's a lot of death.
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And how'd that one go?
I think the audience liked it. But Cyrano didn't seem too pleased.
Thanks. You too. Hm? Have we met before?
I'm Charl. I only just joined the crew this show. Nice to meet you!
I see. Nice to meet you, uh...Charl.
Seriously, you guys were crushing it out there. I'm guessing this wasn't your first show, like it was for me?
Nah, it was my fourth. I'm pretty much an old hand at this by now.
Whoa, your fourth!
So like, were there any big differences between this show and the other three you were on?
Oh yeah, tons. The scale in particular was way grander this time.
The performances were bigger, the props were more detailed... Everything was better than it's ever been before.
Even the script was really different. Okay, maybe not "different" so much as "back to the way it used to be."
The script, huh... How was it different before?
Well, for example, in the last-last show before this one...
Aaargh! To think my life would be snuffed out like thiiis!
Roxaaane! I loved yooou!
Sir Cyrano... I adored you!
Ahh, cruel world! Is there no salvation!?
...everybody died...
What a novel interpretation!
All that remains now is death and destruction... I see... Yes... Yes, I can buy that...
At least the audience seemed to like it well enough.
Not that I've heard. But hey, I'm just part of the crew.
Cyrano always comes up with the script, so that's usually just something he and the actors worry about.
I think I've got it now. Thanks, pal!
All right, that just leaves Roxane. Let's go see what she has to say.
And then...
Ooh, that's great! That kind of thing is just so exciting!
It's not just what the other person's thinking.
Sometimes, you can't even tell how you're feeling abou
Hi! Got a minute?
Huh? Wh-why are you dressed like that!?
Did Stolfo steal your clothes!? Or try to get you to trade outfits with him!?
What? No. How did you even come up with that, Mante? For that matter, does any part of you think I'd wear his outfit?
No, I couldn't. And that's not even getting to the fact that it doesn't fit me!
G-good point. I'm sorry.
So what's up, Chuck? Did you want to talk romance, too?
Umm, not exactly. I actually wanted to ask you about the previous shows.
You mean, the other "Cyrano de Bergerac" performances?
Exactly. Is it true that everyone died in the show before this one?
Yes, it is. That was a very bold change, for sure.
I didn't think he was even going to kill me off, but he did♪
Say, on that subject, how many times have you played Roxane since you were summoned?
Hmm... Maybe eight?
That many!? No wonder you're such a good actress!
Hehehe.
But it's never exactly the same. Usually it's just slight differences in the lines, but sometimes, there have been performances with really big changes, like the one before this.
I'm so glad you brought that up. I actually wanted to ask you about any script changes you recall.
Hmm. Well, there was the "everyone dies" ending in the show before this one...
Oh, and there were some subtle differences from the original script for my second show, too.
In that one, Count de Guiche wasn't a rival for my love, but more of a stereotypical bad guy trying to kill Cyrano.
There were also times when Christian and Cyrano himself turned out to be surprise bad guys.
Hmm, interesting...
Thanks! Yeah, it did. Probably!
Great!
Oh, but I have to ask that you not grill Cyrano about this kind of thing.
He's much more sensitive, even fragile, than you might think!
So that's how he seems to you, huh... You don't think he's a bad person then?
Hm?
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Well, he is an artist.
So while he might not be a bad person, there could be more than what he's telling us.
I've enjoyed some artistic pursuits of my own, so that's how I can tell!
I-I see. Good point. That IS what artists tend to be like, isn't it?
Phew.
So, now that I've talked to a bunch of people, what do you make of all this, Chaldea?
Hmm...
I think our first question should be, "Is our hypothesis that performing a show will make the Holy Grail appear, correct?"
At first, I thought it was. There were even signs at the show's conclusion that the Grail was about to manifest.
But apparently, Cyrano's been making all kinds of changes every time he performs the play...
...and none of them have worked.
Of course, if they had, then he'd already have the Holy Grail, which would be a different problem.
Hmm...
I think our first question should be, "Is our hypothesis that performing a show will make the Holy Grail appear, correct?"
At first, I thought it was. There were even signs at the show's conclusion that the Grail was about to manifest.
But apparently, Cyrano's been making all kinds of changes every time he performs the play...
...and none of them have worked.
Of course, if they had, then he'd already have the Holy Grail, which would be a different problem.
Yeah. So I guess that makes this a kind of Holy Grail War, then.
If the play isn't doing the trick, what about trying something else?
If the play isn't doing the trick, maybe we need to try a different idea.
The problem is, there are only so many things we can try here.
If we wanted to, we could raze this whole theater to the ground in no time.
But what if that didn't work either?
Then the Holy Grail would stay hidden, and we'd be completely out of options.
Game over, man! Game over!
Either way, we're in this for the long haul.
Well, since Cyrano's many shows have failed to make the Holy Grail manifest...
...maybe performing "Cyrano de Bergerac" isn't the answer after all?
I see. So we might have to try putting on a different play altogether.
As many shows as Cyrano has put on, the Holy Grail still has yet to manifest.
That would seem to indicate performing "Cyrano de Bergerac" isn't the answer.
Which in turn means we might have to try putting on a different play altogether.
Yeah, pretty much.
Maybe something from Shakespeare? No shortage of material to choose from there.
You rang!?
Aah! Don't surprise me like that!
Oh, but now that I think about it, that probably won't work, either. You can't Rayshift here, can you, Shakespeare?
Alas, I cannot! One would think a Singularity focused entirely on the theater would be made for me!
Yet, I have no place there, it seems!
Why!? Why must I be Rayshift-incompatible now, of all times!?
Well, at any rate, I already have a fair idea of the situation! Sir Cyrano has been there all along, yes?
Then I am certain "Cyrano de Bergerac" is the play to perform!
For my part, Charlemagne, I urge you to stay the course!
G-got it. But, how can you be so sure?
Oh, I have my reasons. Hooowever, when it comes to sharing them...
The time! Is not yet right!
...Ooh, I might have to make that my new catchphrase.
Please don't!
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Well, that's all Shakespeare had to say. He's gone now.
What was the point of all that!?
...Then again, if a playwright of Shakespeare's caliber is so certain, we can probably take him at his word.
Well, that's all Shakespeare had to say. He's gone now.
At any rate, if a playwright of Shakespeare's caliber is so certain, we can probably take him at his word.
All right, then we'll stick with "Cyrano de Bergerac" for the next show as well.
But I'm sure that alone won't be enough to prevent things from ending like they did today.
So we'll need to come up with a script Cyrano hasn't done yet that we can all be satisfied with.
...Man, talk about a tall order!
Maybe so, but...
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Yeah. We've just gotta do it! And hey, at least things are getting interesting now!
Okay, let's start by talking to all the ghosts roaming the theater!
Hi there! Nice to meet you! Could we ask you a few questions!?
I don't think they're in a very talkative mood...
2. After the battle
10 linesSo that was...my impression...
Got it! Thanks!
No problem...
I guess everything worked out in the end.
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Okay, so we got some info from the ghosts, too.
Looks like they've seen so many shows they forget a lot, but they at least remember some parts, even if kinda hazily.
If we keep this up, we should learn something useful. Let's have the others help out, too!
Got it!