Search for the Song of the Gods

That moment, I continue to repeat that moment.

Throughout the continued repetition of human history, that moment in my life... Even if it is insignificant in all that has happened...

Even if it was just me slaying my enemy.

The indescribable sadness, anger, happiness, and more than anythingrelief, I can still remember it.

...Relief. Yes, that can only be called "relief."

Like when a scab is torn off, it's an odd pleasure. The fear that sent a shiver up my spine, it too has vanished into thin air.

But I was unable to touch the arrow that I myself had shot. Nor was I able to claim his head.

I could only stand there, dazedand accept the glorious victory.

... ...

...up.

Wake up, good fellow.

？！

Are you all right?

Napping during a storm such as this, you must have some nerves of steel.

Good question. ...To be perfectly honest, I do not know myself.

When I awoke, I was on this ship, being tossed about in this storm.

I have knowledge of how to steer a ship, but I'm afraid all we can do is ride this out.

As that is the case, I decided that I should speak with you, since you were leisurely napping here. Also, I had nothing better to do, either.

...I'm not sure how to answer that. You see, I am not entirely sure myself.

I am a nameless man. The only thing that I remember is that I am an Archer Servant.

？！

...I also have no idea where this ship will take us. Though I am a Servant, I don't even know who I am.

It does seem that you are my Master. If possible, may I accompany you for a while?

Thank you. My name... Though I do not know it, I am sure I am an Archer Servant.

It is nice to meet you, Master.

Mash? I am not sure... There may be someone else inside this ship.

？！

Master!? Are you here, Master!?

Senpai!

Who is that?

Thank goodness, Master. I'm so glad you're all right.

Yes, I am Fujimaru Senpai's Servant. My name is Mash Kyrielight!

What? Charming Kohai... Oh, I am hardly that...

No, I am still very much your Servant! You must call me dependable!

But...at any rate... Thank you...

Fou!

？！

Here is our situation, Master.

Apparently, during the Rayshift, we were blown off course by a strange Singularity.

Unfortunately, we're unable to contact the Doctor.

By the way, who is that person? He looks like a well-known Servant somehow.

Unfortunately, I seem to have left my identity behind.

However, I do know that I am an Archer. As you can see, I carry a bow for a weapon. So quite obviously I am.

Well, uhm...Excuse me. I don't mean to seem rude, but that's not a Class that can be determined by one's weapon.

In this world where an Archer can wield two swords, or strike with a club...

...and even hurl valuable treasures at random...

It's a bit premature to assume you're an Archer just because you carry a bow.

... There is quite a variety of heroes in the world, it seems...

By the way, Senpai, what were you doing... Were you napping?

That is so like you, Senpai. You've been like that since I found you sound asleep in the corridor at Chaldea!

There's no way I can even relax. In fact, I feel a little sick...

No matter how many times I've been through this, I still can't get used to a ship deck during a storm...

Though this ship is quite sturdy, there could still be trouble if the storm continues...

What was that?

A Ghost-type enemy. Excuse me, but we could use your help!

We have annihilated them. Well done, Master.

...How humiliating. I was hardly any help at all. I'm so ashamed.

N-No, not at all. I'm just glad we're all right.

...You have a keen eye. That's exactly right. I...have doubts about fighting.

A skilled Master must be able to understand a Servant, even if the Servant is not their own.

That's right. For mebattle carries only melancholy with it.

？！

Why is that?

I know not my True Name, nor how many Holy Grail Wars I fought, nor how many I emerged from victorious.

...But I don't think I have been defeated. I have the utmost confidence in my abilities.

If I suffered a terrible defeat, Master certainly would have ordered me to commit suicide.

T-Talk about confidence! But what he says is not a lie, Senpai!

Perhaps I remained undefeated when I was alive as well. That is precisely why it is all feels so empty.

Whether I am victorious or defeated...

It is all just an infinitesimal ship washed away by the enormous waves of time.

The joy of victory has no meaning. The humiliation of defeat has no meaning.

Therefore, nothing has any meaning.

...That's right. It is not easy for me to say, but that is the present condition I am in.

If it were not for your presence, Master, I most likely would have abandoned the battle.

I am a Servant to begin with... I am sure I belonged to the warrior class long before as well.

Therefore, I have no fear of death.

？！

That's not true, Archer. You are not a warrior unafraid of death.

...!?

Huh? Who was that!?

The man you are now is not someone unafraid of death. You merely have not seen death.

You achieved so much glory so easily and with so little challenge that you ended up tired of life.

Your philosophy has led you to nothing more than desperation. You merely have a low opinion of your own existence.

That's not even martyrdom. I won't allow you to take that path!

...Who...are you? No, wait... Who am I?

...How infuriating! Even though I proclaim the truth, you still do not understand.

The one and only person in this world that I cannot accept. That one person is you, bowman!

...ugh!

A wild and crude shot. Is that the best you can do? Then you had better restring your bow.

Archer!?

Calm down, please! He's not an ally, but that doesn't make him an enemy!

...I know. I know that, but... That manI won't stand for him!

I cannot stand your presence. For whatever reason, I cannot stand your presence!

Now that's a little more like it. That fury. That unreasonable malevolence.

That arrogance is what makes you who you are. That aura of righteous anger is most fitting for the man who carries that bow.

Fire away without reservation. Come on, don't hold back.

I won't pull any punches either. I will run my shadow lance through your throat!

Haa, haa, haa...

A tenacity that ignores the Class affinity... Our fates are truly intertwined.

...But that is all for now. We must each again inquire of the Bhagavad-Gita.

We can continue this after that is finished. ...the Master over there, and the one who watched over that Master.

...I know it may be a burden to you, but I want you to guide him. You're the only ones who can do it.

...It's unnecessary. But I do appreciate the offer.

As long as that man is present, I will be your enemy.

The same is true if reversed as well.

A hated enemy is a necessary ingredient of myth. I am truly used to playing that part.

I have no obligation to answer my enemies. What I am after is insignificant.

？！

Master, a while ago I said that I had tired of living.

That is the sincere truth. My thirst for battle has also faded.

However... even so...

I cannot abide that Lancer. I know this feeling I have is unreasonable...

That man is most certainly a righteous person.

He is recognized by the people and is a hero who devotes himself to doing virtuous deeds.

But still, I truly, for some reason, want to battle him.

No, it's not a desire to battle. I want to deny him. Deny all of him. Everything.

...I am certain this is an unforgivable request. This is an improper desire.

？！

Not improper? What do you mean?

My mortal...enemy.

... ...

I see. Those words have hit home.

Go on a...quest?

... ...

You may be right. To find out who the man is that boils my blood...

...and to find out who I am. I should search for those answers.

？！

...It seems the storm has passed as well, as if waking from a dream.

I am ever a wanderer.

If we meet again in reality, I would be glad if we could find those answers together.

Farewell, my Master. I look forward to the day that we may meet again.