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!