Fifth Game: Togakushi Souryuden (8/8)

Grr... Grrrrrr... Hnn... Gnnn...

You poor thing. You must be in so much pain. What's the matter? Is it an old wound?

...I can endure any pain from wounds inflicted by blades and arrows.

Even my death came and went in mere moments, after which there was nothing but pure darkness.

No, what truly frightens me is what came after I came to my senses in the underworld.

My injuries should no longer sting now that my body has returned to the earth, yet my heart still aches as though its wounds were fresh.

Yes... I know what you mean. As long as we retain our souls, the wounds in our hearts never stop hurting.

You know, you and I have a lot in common. We both ruled over peaceful countries, adored and beloved by our people, but then

All of a sudden, our people betrayed us. Despised us. Tore us from our loved ones.

I see. You had a son, didn't you?

G-g-ghhh... Grrrrrr...!

GRAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!

It's okay. You cry all you need. It won't help you forget...but it will help you feel better.

Fortunately, we're surrounded by darkness right now, so you don't have to worry about anyone seeing you, or laughing at you, or mocking you.

Hnn... Hnn...

...It's cold here. So cold I can barely move. If only this cold would come for my heart as well, and let me fall back into eternal sleep.

Instead, the empty darkness only serves to remind me of my fondest memories of days gone by, in all too vivid color.

You know, if you're cold...I could help keep you warm.

What did you say?

If you like, I'd be happy to sit next to you. It should be at least a little better than being all on your own.

...Heh. Hahaha. Ahhh ha ha ha!

You truly do not fear me, do you? How interesting.

Would you rather be by yourself?

Not at all. I would welcome your company. Come, sit.

Oh wow, you really are freezing cold. You poor thing.

And you are indeed warm to the touch. This takes me back to my most blissful days, when I would fall asleep with my beloved child in my arms...

Oh yes, I know what you mean. The time I had with my little Charles was the happiest time of my life!

But now, it's just you and me here. The least we can do is console each other.

Yes... Indeed. Ahh, you are so nice and warm.

Perhaps it would not be so bad for both of us to remain here in darkness, and return to our eternal slumber...

That does sound nice. To forget everything that happened...and finally be at peace.

But...I'm afraid it'd only be a matter of time until we'd have to wake up again.

Why would we wake up? The outside world is cruel and unforgiving.

That's why we'll eventually be discovered here, and our peaceful retreat ruined.

You and I are both just scapegoats for our people. Once they found us, they would blame us for all their woes and take their frustrations out on us.

Who knows? Someone might be headed up the mountain even as we speak.

Heh... Interesting. If you are right about that...

...then those seeking this darkness will never see this place's true nature.

They may think they are making their way to a shrine on the summit of a well-known spiritual mountain...

...but in fact, their pilgrimage leads them directly into the very depths of the underworld, from which there can be no return.

And they will be none the wiser. Hehehe... They will have not the slightest idea! Grrraaah...!

...Is this the goal?

I think so. And according to the rumors I heard...

...this is where I'll find my friend.

？！

Back when I heard Queen Marie declare her intent to become a player...

...I heard her say it.

Me? What did I say?

You counted five games sleeping here in Monde du Jeu.

One was Culdpoly. One was Werewolves in the Haunted House.

One was Pioneer Heroes. One was Orbat Clash.

And the last one was the one we've been playing here, Dragon Search.

Oh, yes... I suppose I might have said something along those lines. But I forgot all about it.

After all, those were just rumors I heard from the Meeple, so I didn't know if I could trust them.

Well, so far, everything has turned out just like you said.

And that must mean there's a dragon in hereone wearing bridal wear.

I remember you said the dragon was trapped in the darkness of a shrine that lies at the top of this sacred mountain...

...waiting for a player to come find her, as though you were calling on us to act.

Many Servants answered your call, and set off on an adventure to find her.

I was too scared to say anything at the time...

...but I swore to myself that I would do whatever it took to save her.

You'd do the same, right, Voyager?

Are you talking about Koyo?

You know this personum, dragon?

She's one of my best friends. I'm sure of it. I mean, how many dragons in bridal wear can there be!?

？！

You'll see when you meet her. She's one of the best people you'll ever meet. She's kind, and considerate, and she's always got your back no matter what!

Well, I can't wait to meet her♪

Go on, Erice. Open the door.

Yes, Your Majesty. Without further ado...

I'll break this seal right now!

I must not wake from this dream. Do not wake from this dream...

Huh? Who're you?

That is what I would like to know of you. Whoever you are, you will pay dearly for wresting me from my dream.

I don't have time for this. I know Koyo's in that shrine. Now tell me exactly where I can find her.

Oh? Koyo, you say? Now where did you hear that name?

Not that it's any of your business, but...

I got to know her in Akihabara, where I work.

I have no recollection of that.

Why would you? I don't know who you are, and I don't care. Now tell me where Koyo is already!

？！

Right, Senpai. I noticed it too, but I wasn't sure if I should point it out or not...

It looks like a dragon's tail, or at least some kind of reptile.

Huh? Did you say a tail?

It's so dark I can barely make it out, but...it looks kind of familiar...

That's Koyo. Her Spirit Origin's the same.

Her Spirit Origin? You mean, you can tell?

？！

Huh!? Wh-what's going on? You don't look anything like the Koyo I

You there. You say you recognize me, young man?

Uh-huh. I never forget people.

Oh! An unforgettable Heroic Spirit... I think I finally got what you meant, Voyager.

Voyager? I don't recall hearing that name before...

Because...here, we haven't met yet.

The war hasn't happened yet, right?

War? Do you mean the last Holy Grail War you mentioned earlier?

I think you said it takes place

A little after your time, yes.

But it also happens in a different world than yours...

Both Erice, and I

？！

Uh-huh. That's why you don't know us yet, Koyo.

So...you are saying we meet in the future? That sounds like something out of a storybook.

Is your purpose here to trick me? To entrap me?

Of course not. You're one of our closest friends. We'd never do anything like that to you.

Oh?

I know you have no reason to trust us, seeing as we're still complete strangers to you, but

Wait. Hold on. I was planning to rescue you and bring you back to our original time...

But since you're actually from this time, it wouldn't be right to bring you back with us, would it? It would be like time travel for you, or being spirited away to a strange, unknown world.

Does this mean I have friends in your time, girl?

Yup. Uh, I mean, yes. And you have a Master, too.

A Master?

Oh, but that doesn't mean you're her slave or anything. You and Karin are friends, too. Though between the two of you, you'd think she was your Servant rather than the other way around.

I see. So my future Master's name is Karin.

That's right. She's the same age as me, and... Well, she's not a bad kid, but she can be a little...complicated?

Let's just say she reeeally appreciates her freedom.

So, she is a girl. She must be cute.

You'll see! I'll introduce you myself!

Hehe. That does sound like something to look forward to.

Just...be certain you do not betray me, all right, girl?

I won't! I promise!

Liar.

Wha...?

Hm? What are you doing ther

I am here to accuse Erice Utsumi of betrayal. J'accuse!

I will see her crimes laid bare, and her just punishment meted out!

？！

If that's really what you believe, then take a good look at her.

See how pale she is? The way she can't stop trembling? Her uneven breathing? Isn't it obvious she feels guilty?

Your Majesty? I don't understand. What in the world did I

Don't play dumb, murderer. No, you're not just a murderer.

You took the life of royalty my own, precious son, Louis Charles.

...!

Erice killed your son!? That... That can't be

...So you knew about Louis.

Of course I did. I'm his mother.

Then...you don't deny it, Erice? Does that mean you really

It's true. I... I killed

GrrrRRRAAAH...!

Eek!

Is this true, Marie? Was your son

You heard her. She just confessed plain as day.

I didn't know what I was doing!

Louis's Master had fallen into a self-destructive spiral, and he...began destroying other people's lives as well...

He ambushed me, but...I fought back... and managed to turn the tables on him...

But, because of that... Louis became unable to maintain his Spirit Origin...

Any more excuses you'd like to make?

Please, listen to me! This has been eating me up inside. I really wanted to apologize to you, but...

But I was so scared... I couldn't bring myself to say anything...

Too little, too late, "Grim Reaper."

You've always been a Servant hunter. That's the job you chose for yourself, isn't it?

Sanson may have been a killer, but he also had a deep appreciation for the arts. Even the Phantom of the Opera genuinely loved beautiful things.

What do you have besides your talent for murder? Anything? Anything at all?

Your Majesty

Silence! You have no right to speak my title, let alone my name!

You may say you admire methat you respect the royal family and are happy to submit to our authoritybut when push comes to shove, you're the first to betray us.

Stupid, insufferable common rabble like you is responsible for Charles's and my death.

In Charles's case, not even becoming a Heroic Spirit was enough to stop people like you from killing him. How many lives will you take before you're satisfied!?

？！

...Fine. If you insist.

But...

GrrRRRRRR...!

She just transformed into something more like a dinosaur than a dragon!

You may have a hard time stopping Kijyo Koyo there.

Especially now that she's fully given in to her rage!

GRAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!

It looks like we're going to have to fight. Awaiting your orders!

You too, Erice.

Huh?

We can't lose now. We have to help Koyo.

...Right!

Stop this at once!

Well now...

Huh? There are two Maries?

What's going on?

Their Spirit Origins look alike... But the two of them are so different...

That's right. She's another version of me. My own personal Dragon Witch.

Then...does that mean she's your Alter?

I don't know what an Alter is, but I can assure you, I am Queen Marie.

So YOU'RE the one who trapped Koyo and me in the darkness of that shrine.

Well, we don't need two queens here, do we?

You can vouch for that, right, Koyo? Having too many women around is how trouble starts, how people first lose their way...

Grrr...!

Then tell me this, my other self: Did you ever try to conduct yourself like a queen?

What a ridiculous question. Everything I do is queenly, by definition.

But, if you're asking if I ever dedicated myself to bettering the lives of my subjects...

Then, no. I never considered such a thing to be among my responsibilities.

How could you be so callous!?

This whole world of Monde du Jeu is like a giant festival. Anything at all could happen here.

It's a place where everyone has their own Holy Grail and a bond with a Servant, but no one can live life like an ordinary human.

You saw those humans who had turned into Meeple, didn't you?

Those idiotic walking tributes to mediocrity don't even have the decency to be ashamed of losing their individuality.

I could never sully my beautiful, shining soul just to help the likes of them!

That's why I gave up on my subjectmy player.

But that pitiful fool still worships me. Even now, I'm taking advantage of him to maintain my Spirit Origin.

You heard my call for Servants to throw off their shackles and become players too, didn't you, Erice?

...Yes, I did. I thought it was amazing. I really admired how free and full of confidence you seemed to be.

Was it all just a lie to lure me here? So you could punish me for my transgressions?

You conceited little twit! Do you think this is all about you!? ...Just kidding.

You're right. It was all to bring you here.

You...really hate me that much?

If that's what you want me to say, then I will. Maybe it'll even help you feel like you matter.

I... I can't...

...Heh. Hehehe. Good, Erice. Very good. That's the pain I want you to feel.

Now all you need is a single tear of regret to really bring it all home.

That's the sort of drama that should thrill the pathetic commoners who support me.

What do you mean? Who would be thrilled by tormenting Erice?

Don't be silly. The kind of ordinary commoners you find anywhere and everywhere can't get enough of this stuff.

I'm only giving them what they want. In fact, I'm the embodiment of it.

I am a ruthless, cruel, greedy, and unspeakably beautiful queen.

And you, Ericeyou're an offering. A sacrifice to be drawn and quartered for the amusement of the masses.

...!

？！

...Huh?

What, you want me to dredge up painful memories again? It was hard enough discussing my son's death the first

？！

Right... That's a good point.

A few notable exceptions aside...

...a Servant's memories acquired during a materialization are lost when they return to the Throne of Heroes.

So there shouldn't be any way for you to know the circumstances of Louis Charles's death in Erice's world.

...Do you remember who dealt Louis the killing blow?

If you remember what happened in her world that clearly, there's only one explanation that makes sense.

Grrrrrrrrr!

You must be from the same time and place, and saw everything that happened yourself.

？！

Why...I'm you, Erice.

Wha...!?

I'm you. I'm the dark, cursed blood coursing through your veins.

I'm an amalgam of what you call evil spirits that has taken the form of the queen you hold in the highest regard.

I am the Erlkönig who rules over you!

You thought I was an alternative version of Marie Antoinette? Hehehe, what a truly insipid joke.

Did you really think an immature whelp like yourself had a firm grasp on Marie Antoinette's true nature, Erice?

No, your dark and twisted emotions were the perfect seedbed in which to grow a portrait of Marie as the commoners see her.

Ghh... Khh...

Of course on the odd chance that the real Marie was actually summoned, she would be nothing like me.

Teeheehee... Is that what you think?

...Marie.

You of all people should be looking down on me. No...you should be completely disgusted by me! Shouldn't you!?

Goodness, that brings back memories. I remember wearing that mourning dress myself.

Whose soul are you mourning, other Marie?

Are you grieving over the blood shed by the Bourbon family? Or maybe France's lost past?

Queen...Marie...

I don't blame you for anything, Erice.

When you get right down to it, we Heroic Spirits are no more than somebody else's dream.

Other Marie, even if you are no more than a mass of evil spirits given direction and form by Erice's regrets...

...you're still a dream somebody else once had. It's a great honor; you should be proud.

After all, you exist because so many people you ought to love remember you.

...Ahh, Marie. Heroic Spirit Marie. Your purity of heart never fails to surprise me... Nor your sheer idiocy.

Don't you even think about defending Erice. She knows she deserves to be punished for this! She wants to be punished!

She wants to wallow in the sludge of her sins until it stains her down to her very soul!

You're wrong.

Erice is stronger than you think.

That's why you'll never beat her.

Voyager...

Hehehe... It doesn't matter how many allies you have, Erice. You'll still always be the same pitiful wretch!

There's no escape for you now. I will see every last bit of you sullied!

What a shame, Erice. I was so close to sullying you for good!

But this isn't over yet! I challenge you to another game!

And this time, I'm going to sully the entirety of Monde du Jeu itself!

W-wait! Come back!

The tram that Dark Marie got on is going up to the night sky!

That's okay. Here comes another one.

She wants us to go after her.