Arash
Lonely Soldier, Brave As a Lion
Arash: ...We've got barely any equipment. Be careful, okay?
Arash: You need to prepare to go into the forest. You can't just walk in there.
Arash: But, well, I guess this isn't a real forest, right?
Dr. Roman: Yeah, this is a battle simulation. I want combat data for forested areas, you see.
Dr. Roman: So I thought bringing a veteran Heroic Spirit would be good experience for Fujimaru.
Arash: What an honor. My job is keeping Fujimaru from being too reckless, right?
Arash: It'll be hard to take it slow, but I am sure you'll get something out of this.
Fujimaru 1: Thanks!
Arash: Yeah, leave it to me.
Fujimaru 2: It's just you and me this time.
Arash: That's right. Let's do this.
Mash: ...I'll be watching the Command Room this time. Sorry, Senpai.
Mash: B-But I'll help in any way I can! I'll watch for any enemies that might show up!
Arash: Hmm? Can't you guys make enemies appear and disappear?
Dr. Roman: Nah, it would be boring doing that every time. This time I had them appear randomly.
Dr. Roman: So if you tell them where the enemies are, all that programming work I did will be wasted...
Mash: No, Doctor. Just think of this as practice for providing support from the Command Room.
Dr. Roman: But is there any point in you doing that?
Mash: We're training to be ready for everything. Isn't that right, Doctor?
Fujimaru 1: I'm counting on you.
Mash: Thank you, I'll do my best!
Fujimaru 2: Next time, you will come too.
Mash: Yes! I'd love to!
Arash: Sorry, missy, I'll be borrowing your Master for a little.
Arash: I'll get your Master back safe... Wait a second. You don't get hurt in a combat simulator, right?
Mash: That's right, but serious injury will result in minor psychological trauma...
Mash: That goes for Servants too. Arash, please be careful.
Arash: I'll be fine. I'll protect your Master for you.
Dr. Roman: This is practice for fighting without Mash, too. Though Mash will always be with you during Rayshifts...
Dr. Roman: ...it's quite possible that you two will get separated upon arrival.
Mash: It's hard to imagine me leaving Senpai's side, but—
Mash: But you're right. We can't be sure it won't happen.
Fujimaru 1: That's true.
Mash: Yes. If we ever Rayshift into space, it will take us some time to rendezvous.
Fujimaru 2: I'll never leave you, Mash.
Mash: Thank you, Senpai. I'll try my best to stay with you always...
Arash: Hmm... What was it? It's...
Mash: Arash, is something wrong?
Arash: I think there's a phrase to describe you two. It's on the tip of my tongue.
Arash: Deeply connected? Best friends? No, no, no. Um, let me see.
Arash: Deeply in love?
Mash: A-Arash!
Fujimaru 1: Maybe...he's right?
Mash: Not you too!
Fujimaru 2: Y-You're making me blush!
Mash: Y-Yes, um...well...
Arash: It's important, right? A Master and Servant are—
Arash: No, I guess not. It doesn't matter whether you're human or not.
Arash: You're comrades, risking your lives together. It's best for you to get along.
Mash: Y-Yes. But wait, that doesn't just go for me...
Mash: ...but for all the Servants who've contracted with Senpai.
Mash: You too, Arash. We're all comrades, risking our lives together, right?
Arash: Huh? Yeah... you're right.
Arash: Come to think of it, you're right. Haha, I tried to act cool, and it failed, huh?
Serenity: ...Arash is a great man. Many know his name.
Serenity: Many know his deeds as well. Even today he is widely respected in Western Asia.
Serenity: His name and achievements are carved in legends, and sung in songs.
Serenity: Yes, song. Did you not know this, Master?
Serenity: The song survives to the present day. Shall I sing a little?
Serenity: “He—”
Serenity: “He stood on the top of Mount Damavand, and readied the arrow of fate.”
Serenity: “His name was Arash, and the rising sun was his friend.”
Serenity: “...The generals sing of his victory.”
Serenity: “Strong, pure Arash, with all of his life, fired but a single arrow.”
Serenity: “Two countries were engulfed in the flames of war, and with his arrow he saved them both.”
Serenity: “All eyes were shocked as his deed, and his bravery became a legend.”
Serenity: “His arrow was faster than the fastest comet.”
Serenity: “Afterwards he was never seen, and his name alone became legend.”
Serenity: “The other side of the Oxus River became the new border. By its clear waters both countries built peace.”
Serenity: “He is Arash, the strong and pure. A lonely warrior. Arash, bold like a lion.”
Serenity: I changed a bit, but it was mostly like this...
Fujimaru 1: ...A lonely warrior?
Serenity: Yes. Thus it is said.
Serenity: Arash was the great hero of Western Asia. He lived and fought alone, they say, in the distant past.
Serenity: ...The truth however, is unknown.
Serenity: A legend is a legend. It does not always represent the truth.
Serenity: Records are the same way. They are not absolute.
Serenity: I cannot say for sure... But...
Arash: What's wrong, Master? Space out in the forest and you'll walk right into a tree.
Arash: Don't drop your guard even in a battle simulation, or else you'll get hurt. Even here, you'll go numb, right?
Arash: It's not just trees you'll be running into. There's beasts and monsters about too.
Fujimaru 1: Monsters?
Fujimaru 2: Like chimeras and stuff?
Arash: Yeah, a forest is nature's home. So of course, there are monsters here.
Arash: The mages would call it... “Mystics,” was it? They may be rare, but monsters are a part of nature.
Arash: They were common in my day. The king I served was a descendant of a dragon slayer.
Fujimaru 1: A dragon?
Arash: That's right, and a strong one, too.
Fujimaru 2: ...A wyvern, or something?
Arash: You mean the subspecies of western dragons? No, I think it was worse than that.
Arash: Real dragons are rare, but they do exist out there.
Arash: They say there aren't many left these days, but the Rayshifts send you to the past, right?
Arash: So stay focused in the forest. Mash, the Doctor, and the other Servants can protect you.
Arash: You're the core of the battle, Fujimaru. We need your power to summon Heroic Spirits and use Command Spells.
Arash: Win or lose, it's up to—
Arash: Your orders... Whoa!
Mash: I've detected random monsters! Wait, some have already been defeated?
Dr. Roman: Arash's Arrow Construction skill!
Dr. Roman: He was blessed by the goddess Armaiti, and is a legendary bowyer too!
Dr. Roman: He can make and fire arrows using magical energy in real time!
Arash: There's your explanation. They're coming, Master! Let's do this!
Arash: Give me your orders. First we take some out, and then...
Arash: We retreat as fast as we can.
Fujimaru 1: Retreat?
Fujimaru 2: Couldn't we just wipe them out?
Arash: They're random monsters. There's probably no need to, but...
Arash: If these things are “natural,” then a larger pack might be nearby.
Arash: It's like seeing an enemy scout. There might be an army nearby.
Arash: Always go into training like it's the real deal! Picture the risks you might face on the battlefield!
Fujimaru 1: You may be right!
Arash: Haha! Right?
Fujimaru 2: Aren't we just tiring ourselves out for nothing?
Arash: Hahahaha! Come on, don't be like that!
Arash: First, we fight! Then we retreat at top speed! Let's go!
--BATTLE--:
Arash: ...The sun's set.
Arash: The forest can be a little rough at night. You'd feel better with some light, right?
Fujimaru 1: Hold on a second.
Fujimaru 2: I ran so fast I'm out of breath.
Arash: Yeah, take some rest. We ran, but that doesn't mean we've escaped from the enemy.
Arash: To survive in the forest, you need water, food, and a safe place to rest.
Arash: It's different than fighting in battle.
Arash: We've got some water and food, yeah? Not a lot, since this is a simulation.
Arash: I can keep us safe. There are no enemies around, and even if one randomly appears...
Arash: I'll protect us. Until you're ready for combat.
Fujimaru 1: Thanks.
Arash: It's fine. I'm your Servant, you know.
Fujimaru 2: Can you see what's around us?
Arash: Sure can. I've got “good eyes.”
Dr. Roman: Sorry to keep dragging this out. I'm worried about Fujimaru's stamina.
Dr. Roman: But I want some night combat data too, so I hope you don't mind keeping this up.
Mash: Don't push yourself too hard, Senpai.
Mash: I have a real dinner prepared. It'll be waiting for you when you're done.
Fujimaru 1: Looking forward to it.
Mash: Yes, Senpai. So am I.
Fujimaru 2: Simulator food is flavorless.
Arash: You're right. These are called rations, right? They're not bad...
Arash: But not good either. I miss beer.
Arash: I've started a fire, don't get cold. Lie down and rest if you want.
Arash: Rest when you can. Eat when you can. Even outside the forest, keep that in mind in order to fight.
Arash: I'm sure you know that by now, yeah?
Arash: You've Rayshifted many times already. You've retrieved many Grails from many eras.
Fujimaru 1: I guess I have a lot of experience.
Arash: Yeah, it's impressive.
Fujimaru 2: It doesn't seem real to me.
Arash: Doesn't it? ...No, maybe that's just how it is.
Arash: Fujimaru, can I ask you something?
Arash: You've fought a long time, right? Trying to save the world.
Arash: How are you doing? Are you feeling tired?
Fujimaru 1: It's kind of rough.
Arash: ...I see.
Arash: That's right. It's okay to say how you're feeling.
Fujimaru 2: I can still keep going!
Arash: ...I see.
Arash: Don't push yourself too hard, Fujimaru.
Arash: You may be the only Master who can Rayshift, but well, you know...
Arash: There's a limit to how much a single person can do.
Arash: You have your Servants. You have Roman and Da Vinci at Chaldea.
Arash: And... you have Mash. She's your partner, and she worries about you more than anyone.
Arash: So don't try to do everything by yourself. When things get tough, you can say so.
Arash: It's not as if you're fighting alone.
Fujimaru 1: I've got you, too.
Arash: Yeah, that's right.
Arash: I'm here, too. If you need me, I'll be your strength.
Arash: If you're saving the world, I'll be at your side with my bow.
Dr. Roman: Okay, all set to go! The last attack isn't random, it comes with advance notice!
Dr. Roman: I've prepared something special to finish off the simulation! Get ready, you two!
Mash: It's time, Senpai! The last battle of the day!
Fujimaru 2: ...Is this coming from your experience?
Arash: ...Maybe it is.
Arash: When I was still alive on Earth...
Arash: I tried to do everything myself. I tried to save everything myself.
Arash: The slain, their killers, plunderers, their victims. Everything. Everyone on the earth I could see.
Arash: ...I tried to save the world.
Arash: The world was still so small back then. So I told myself that maybe I could do it.
Arash: I was formed from remnants of the Age of Gods. I'm tougher than a human, and I possess some Mystics.
Arash: My limbs. My eyes. My knowledge. The Goddess gave me many things.
Arash: I fought. I fought alone, under the banner of the dragon-slaying king...
Arash: I kept fighting, to end a war that lasted decades.
Arash: Both my king's nation and the enemy were exhausted. A mess.
Arash: Nobody wanted to fight anymore.
Arash: So I ended it. By myself.
Arash: The king's people, the enemy's people, everyone wanted to end it, and I...
Arash: I created it, their last chance.
Arash: ...I did it alone.
Arash: The king was worried about me, but in the end, I had subordinates but no friends.
Arash: There was no one I could call a comrade.
Arash: I chose to be alone myself. Being born more than a human, it's only natural.
Arash: Why, you ask? It's simple.
Arash: To me, humans were people I had to protect. So I kept my distance from them.
Arash: ...And in the end, I was alone.
Serenity: I cannot say for certain... However...
Serenity: “He is Arash, the strong and pure. A lonely warrior. Arash, bold like a lion.”
Serenity: The man I saw seems to be the exact same person who's still celebrated throughout the ages.
Serenity: I can't be certain, and I have no proof.
Serenity: But I think... he was so much greater a hero than any mortal man could be...
Serenity: He was too strong. He was too pure.
Serenity: Because of that, none could stand at his side.
Arash: ...My bad. That was a pretty deep conversation.
Arash: Hmm? What is it? You've got a strange look on your face.
Dr. Roman: Okay, all set to go! The last attack isn't random, it comes with advance notice!
Dr. Roman: I've prepared something special to finish off the simulation! Get ready, you two!
Mash: Doctor, d-don't interrupt them now! This is important!
Arash: Looks like our break's over, Fujimaru. They gave us fair warning. Now's the time to get on your feet.
Arash: I wonder what it'll be, maybe that dragon subspecies?
Arash: I'll take on a sphinx or a Demon God Pillar too. No way am I gonna lose to some soulless data!
Arash: Now, give me your orders! Let's give it all we've got, Master!
--BATTLE--:
Mash: I am not picking up any more enemies. You've won, Senpai!
Mash: I can't believe you beat them so quickly... You're amazing, Senpai! Arash, too!
Dr. Roman: Huh? Did I screw up the data settings? I don't think I did...
Dr. Roman: Anyway, good work! I still have to analyze it, but I think this is good data!
Arash: Whew...I'm glad that's over.
Fujimaru 1: Good work, Arash.
Arash: Yeah, you too.
Fujimaru 2: Next time, let's fight together for real.
Arash: Yeah, if you need me!
Arash: ...But it's strange, you know.
Arash: This is probably the third time I've fought to save the world. No, maybe the fourth?
Arash: Who knows how many Holy Grail Wars I've been in? But, well, you know...
Arash: There's one thing I do know. It looks like I've got good luck with Masters.
Arash: I'm glad to be by your side. If you need my help, I'll always give everything I've got.
Arash: More so than when I was alive!
Arash: ...Let's save the world, Master!