Digressions: A Single Blade Blooming in Illusion

...

...It really is sad, seeing Edo so empty.

You said it.

Edo's supposed to be full of life. It's not right for it to be so quiet.

How do I put this... I don't like it! I really, really don't like it!

Especially since there aren't any food stands now? Hoho.

Exactly. There are so many things that should be here, but aren't! This is no fun at all.

Cats and dogs are the only solace I have left.

Nngh...

Does that mean you went around having fun during the last Ritual?

Yeah!

I-I mean, no. I followed your lead in terms of how to behave.

Instead of staying cooped up in the workshop, we found jobs to work on every day.

You're the one who said we needed money to buy rice and miso soup.

I just went along with you as you traveled around Edo earning it.

Y-you think so? Hmm, I don't know.

Iori was always racing around doing this and that, so it wasn't easy keeping up with him.

Sorry. I wish I remembered, but I don't.

...Hmph.

Listening to you now...

...I can imagine how you cherished your daily life even while you were fighting a difficult battle.

I think it's really lovely.

...Yeah. Life in Edo was a precious thing.

At least, that's how it seemed to me.

I never saw any peaceful days like that back when I was alive.

...Yes, I suppose I do.

How could I not love seeing ordinary people live out their lives in peace?

It may be a different time and place now, but that kind of peace will always be precious.

It seems downright dazzling to me.

Hmm.

(If Saber's that sensitive to people going about their lives in peace...then they must not be from a very peaceful time.)

？！

Interesting. You must have grown up in a difficult time, Saber.

Though maybe that also explains why you're so strong. The way you defeated that big ghost was very impressive.

Maybe you're the powerful ally Trismegistus II predicted we'd find.

Would you mind telling us your True Name?

... ...

Of course, we understand it's smart to keep your True Name under wraps during a Holy Grail War.

And while we may be working together, we are technically outsiders, so I won't insist, but

It's Takeru.

Huh?

My True Name is Yamato Takeru. But you can just call me Takeru.

Yui and Chiemon already know my True Name, anyway.

What would be the point in trying to keep it hidden?

I am.

Especially since I'm a Rogue now, not a participant in the Ritual.

Now, I'm a Heroic Spirit of humanity that's been summoned here to stop it.

Hehe, our goals are the same. So why shouldn't we work together!?

？！

Thank you! This'll be a big help!

Yamato Takeru, huh? Talk about a big name.

Then, that sword must be... Yeah. No wonder you're a Saber.

I see. So you're a real legendary hero.

...

(Snub)

(Man... They're really upset at me, for some reason.)

(What in the world did I do during the Waxing Moon Ritual?)

？！

Same to you, Master of Chaldea.

Yeah. I'm glad you're on our side too, Take

Not you, Iori.

...Why?

...I just don't want you to.

Keep calling me Saber, like you have been. Got it?

O-okay. Got it...Saber.

... ...(Snub)

...

(Seriously, Iori... What the hell did you do?)