Artoria Pendragon - Lancer

Sacred Lance King of Knights

Altria: I see. So the Holy City you saw was the avatar of my sacred lance.

Altria: It is true there was a possibility that it could cause that. As you can see, I am rather lacking in humanity.

Dr. Roman: Lacking in humanity, huh... Now that you mention it, it's true that you feel a lot closer to the King Arthur we ran into in Fuyuki.

Dr. Roman: So are you saying that if you're displeased with Fujimaru, then you'll also become like the Lion King?

Dr. Roman: That you'll collect pure and noble humans, and use your sacred lance to imprison them?

Altria: That's...


Fujimaru 1: Hi there!


Fujimaru 2: Roman and Altria?


Dr. Roman: Hey there, Fujimaru. Good morning. Need something from the Command Room?

Altria: ...I'll be leaving.

Fou: Foou...

Dr. Roman: Hmm. She left without saying a word to you after she saw you, Fujimaru.

Dr. Roman: Well, after what happened in Camelot, I understand she feels awkward...

Dr. Roman: So I guess it's not going well then, Fujimaru?


Fujimaru 1: She won't really talk to me about it...


Fujimaru 2: She took off her helmet, but...


Dr. Roman: I see. She often comes to me to ask for advice, but she might not want to show her summoner any weakness.

Dr. Roman: Well, time heals all. She may have the same Spirit Origin as the Lion King, but the two of them are separate Heroic Spirits.

Dr. Roman: Given the chance, I think she'll open up to you in an instant.


Fujimaru 1: I hope so...


Fujimaru 2: The chance? The chance, huh?



Fujimaru 1: Anyway, I'm going to lay down for a bit...


Fujimaru 2: The chance... chance...


Merlin: Good night! Welcome to Merlin's dream world!

Merlin: What's this... REM sleep? That's not good! Did you go back to sleep after the alarm went off? Or are you taking a nap?

Merlin: At any rate, I would suggest you get some deeper sleep. I wouldn't be able to bug you until you do!


Fujimaru 1: No doubt... This is a nightmare!


Fujimaru 2: There he is, the root of all evil!


Merlin: I see. You're asleep, but your judgment is still sound. This is why I hate REM sleep, where the brain's half awake.

Merlin: Well, I'm just kind of an observer here, but I'd still like you to welcome me.

Merlin: Why, you ask? Well, you're worried about Altria, aren't you?

Merlin: Well, that's where I come in, you see. Just leave it to me!

Merlin: Altria's always been rather stubborn. But when she has her sacred lance, she can become a handful. Heh.

Merlin: Geez, I wonder who would give anyone something so dangerous... I feel bad for that fool.

Fou: Fou, foooou! (It's you, you nightmarish idiot!)


Fujimaru 1: Fou!?


Fujimaru 2: I can understand what Fou is saying!?


Merlin: Of course you can understand. We're in a dream here.

Merlin: To be honest, I'd never expect Cath Pa... I mean Fou to be this close to you.

Merlin: With Fou here, I can't feed you lies woven into truth. I wanted to tease you a bit more and have some fun, but...

Merlin: Oh well, let's get down to business, then. You want to know what Altria is like when she's holding the sacred lance, right?

Merlin: I'll lend you a hand, then. Fortunately, it seems like a channel is about to open.

Merlin: To be honest, I can enter anyone's sleep.

Merlin: During REM sleep, like yourself right now, the owner of the dream can “notice” I'm there, so I don't want to enter that much.

Fou: Fou. Fou. Fou, fou, fo-fou!

Fou: (That's right. This idiot here gets all powerless when he's being noticed in a dream. You can crush him like the bug he is right now.)

Merlin: Hey, don't just go telling someone the secrets of an incubus! Besides, that's only when someone's in REM sleep!

Merlin: Anyway, I'm going to have you enter non-REM sleep. Take a whiff of my special magical chloroform.

Merlin: Very good. Now your mind will leave your body and soul, and move to the world of a certain Heroic Spirit's mind.

Merlin: A flaxen-haired, green-eyed beauty. A shining lance. An isolated king. This is the Heroic Spirit you will meet.

Merlin: You can talk to them all you want there. Anyway, I'll be leaving now, so don't worry about me.

Merlin: When you wake up, you will be a certified Altria expert!

Fou: Foooou!? (This scumbag here is just gonna do whatever he wants and run again!?)


Fujimaru 1: ...Ouch...


Fujimaru 2: Where am I?


???: So you've finally awoken, my contractor. Such a sinful human for making me wait.

???: But I do understand. You are wondering about the true feelings of your contracted Servants...

???: You wish to touch the shining inner mysteries of my spirit, shrouded in Mystics...

???: It is only natural to wish so... It is inevitable. No, a forbidden act dictated by fate!

???: I shall allow it, you perverse voyeuristic spirit! I shall reveal my ever-so-charming true self here and now!

???: I am none other than the true wielder of the shining lance! The blond, green-eyed king! Yes!

Fionn: Fionn mac Cumhaill is here, now! Now how about we shine!


Fujimaru 1: You're the one shining!

Fionn: Of course. I am Erin's protector; naturally I sparkle. Well, I can dodge but I don't get invincibility.


Fujimaru 2: So bright. I don't want to see any of it!

Fionn: Hahaha, enough with the jokes.

Fionn: I am not a certain beguiling Lancer! You should have no reason to avert your eyes from my beauty!


Fionn: Anyway, let's set the jokes aside. I apologize, I got excited and wanted to have some fun.

Fionn: I am here because I sensed the presence of evil. My pure-hearted Master is about to fall in the trap of an evil incubus!

Fionn: I chased after that presence the moment I felt it. Come, take my hand.

Fionn: This kind of evil... No, perhaps not evil... Actually rather beautiful... I mean, what is this place?

Fionn: It feels quite similar to my homeland... But I have no memories of a city being built with this kind of construction technology...

Fionn: Tír na nÓg? Hahaha. No, it can't be. It's a bit too flashy and showy for the Land of the Young...

Fionn: Look out! Who are you!? Show yourself! You can't stop me from hugging [♂ him /♀️ her}!

Altria: That should be my line. That human is my contractor. Keep your hands off.

Fionn: Well well, if it isn't the wielder of the sacred lance, the King of Knights! I see, so you are the one dwelling in this evil city.

Fionn: Hmm... This isn't good. This is really not good. Can I excuse myself to bite my thumb for a second?

Fionn: I can figure out the layout of this place and explain it to Fujimaru once my wisdom swells.

Altria: ...There's no need for that. When the time comes, I will speak with my own words.

Altria: Now, hold your lance and not your thumb, Fionn mac Cumhaill. The price you pay for trampling into my world is quite high.

Fionn: Hahaha. So that's how it's going to be, after all, huh? I knew that was going to happen without biting!

Fionn: I'd be mad too if someone trampled the memories of my homeland. This fight is unavoidable.

Fionn: But before that, I think I'll confirm just one more thing. Fujimaru, do you want to leave with me?


Fujimaru 1: Well, I just got here...


Fujimaru 2: ...I'll stay here.


Fionn: I can't believe you'd turn me down! What a faithful Master!

Fionn: But that's something to be happy and proud of. I guess any annoyances should take their leave.

Fionn: But it seems I have to pay the price first. Isn't that right, knight of the sacred lance?

Altria: Do not make me say it again. You talk far too much.

Fionn: Or maybe you're just being too uptight? Don't you have anything to say to the Master that you chose?

Altria: Of course my Master is going to choose my lance! There's no need to say that out loud!

Altria: ...Now reroute your magical energy to me, Master! I will show you who is the better Lancer!

Fionn: Very well! Then I shall face you with my full strength!

Fionn: Needless to say, I'm summoning some Celt soldiers, too. That's what the full strength of a king is, okay?

--BATTLE--:

Fionn: Ughhhh!

Altria: Stand down, guardian of Erin! With respect to your exploits, I shall permit your retreat just this once!

Fionn: Oh, how very kind of you! You seem to possess a semblance of sanity after all!

Fionn: It's true that I'm just getting in the way! Farewell then! Goodbye, Fujimaru!

Altria: ...Well then, Master. Why do you come to a place like this?

Altria: This is the world of my memories. Have you too come to expose my identity?


Fujimaru 1: That's not my intent.


Fujimaru 2: It's all Merlin's doing.


Altria: ...Merlin? Oh...I see. So that's how it is...

Altria: But you bear some responsibility as well. You fell prey too easily to Merlin's cajolery.

Altria: If we had not formed a contract, you would already be dead. Exercise more caution in the future.

Altria: I differ from other Servants. It is not necessary for you to understand me.

Altria: You only need to give me orders to fight. Everything else is inconsequential. Especially “mutual understanding.”

Altria: ...Mutual understanding. Surely no such thing could exist between a human and me.


Fujimaru 1: Why is that?


Fujimaru 2: Even though we're talking right now?


Altria: There is no reason. I am not the King Arthur you know.

Altria: By bearing the sacred lance for too long, I became a Heroic Spirit with a Heaven attribute, rather than one of Humans or Earth.

Altria: ...From your perspective, my vantage point is commensurate with a god's.

Altria: So...I myself can no longer understand what is human warmth or laughter.

Altria: What I consider “good” and what you consider “good” are surely different.

Altria: I...am arrogant as I am merciless. You no doubt noticed during the last battle.

Altria: I punish what I cannot forgive. I obtain what is valuable through force.

Altria: I have not a shadow of a doubt that my way is just. I suppose you could say I am a tyrant.

Altria: Thus...

Altria: If I were to enter your circle, I would trample the flowers of your human joy.

Altria: My former self would have been loath to do such a thing.

Altria: Perhaps I no longer understand such feelings, but I do not want to ruin the joy of others.


Fujimaru 1: Aren't you overthinking things?

Altria: No. This is the truth, pure and unvarnished.

Altria: What lies beyond is the Lion King you all have fought.


Fujimaru 2: So I guess we fought a Lion Queen, not a Lion King...

Altria: What? Ah, I suppose a female king is in fact a “queen”...

Altria: I just don't like the sound of it. Am I uneasy because that hits a little too close to home...?


???: ...The vantage point of a god. I see. Such is the anguish of someone with power.

???: God neither saves nor forgives people.

???: God is the law, the nation, the world. Such an order collapses in the presence of human warmth.

Altria: Another trespasser...!? Who are you? Reveal yourself!

Romulus: One who became a divine Heroic Spirit at the end of your path for protection. Do not fear, do not fear...

Romulus: My name is Romulus. Like you, I was worshipped as a god while I continued to walk the earth.

Romulus: The shining emperor. The noble lance. The great tree soaring into the heavens. That is me, this is Rome!


Fujimaru 1: Romulus, the Holy Progenitor!


Fujimaru 2: He's glimmering!?


Romulus: Indeed, good words. Fit for worshipping a god. Thus...

Romulus:—Die!

Romulus: —You blocked Rome's spear. You resist the will of Rome.


Fujimaru 1: Th-That was close...!


Fujimaru 2: Thanks, Altria!


Altria: What are you doing! Is this how they do things in Rome?

Romulus: You're not aware? A rightful person cannot endure the light of the sacred lance.

Romulus: Perhaps you require an evil Master. One day, that person will go blind, heart gone cold, and become a mindless puppet who worships you.

Romulus: You have no need for voices with a heart. Nor do you have need for a heart.

Romulus: Deus Ex Machina. Goddess of the Sacred Lance. Return to your proper form.

Romulus: That is why Rome journeyed forth. To eliminate Fujimaru, your Master.

Altria: Mind your own business, Founder Romulus! I show no mercy to those who try to lay a hand on my Master!

Romulus: What nonsense! The Lance from the Ends of the World stands no chance against the Spear of the Founder!

Romulus: Come, my children, my infinite branches and leaves! Show Rome your heroic selves!

--BATTLE--:

Altria: Ugh... How can Rhongomyniad be inferior? Impossible... Yet the truth is that I cannot break through!

Romulus: Don't you understand, King of the Sacred Lance? You are not drawing out the sacred lance's full potential.

Romulus: Or should I say you were not intoxicated by it. You fought to protect your Master.

Romulus: However, it was not a fight to protect the world. Naturally, your lance would lose its radiance.

Altria: What...! My lance remains! It is as radiant as ever!

Romulus: ...You leave me no choice. I did not want to resort to action that's Un-Roman.

Romulus: However, sometimes violence is necessary. And that is now, Fujimaru.


Fujimaru 1: ...He's coming!


Fujimaru 2: A frontal assault to finish us off...?


Romulus: I ask of you, Fujimaru. Say you love Altria Pendragon!


Fujimaru 1: Whaaaaaat!?


Altria: Wh-What are you saying, you cur! So barbaric, is that how Romans fight!?

Altria: Ignore him, Fujimaru, just keep channeling magical energy to me!

Romulus: All appeals from the peanut gallery are rejected! Fujimaru, say, “I love her!”

Altria: Just how long do you intend to make a fool out of me!


Fujimaru 1: Of course I love herrrrr!


Fujimaru 2: I! LOVE! HER!


Altria: Whaaaaaat! Um... Right... Thank you!

Altria: No! Wait, I mean, wait! I do not require respect from my contractor!

Romulus: Well, what if [♂ he /♀️ she} said the opposite? What if [♂ he /♀️ she} shouted, “I hate you!”?

Altria: I would be extremely sad! Even I can get hurt sometimes!

Romulus: Precisely. So your own words betray you, King of Knights!

Romulus: You not only rejoice in your Master's love, you also hold your Master in esteem.

Altria: ...Um, we just share the standard relationship of trust between Master and Servant...

Romulus: That is fine. That is how it should be.

Romulus: Knight of the Sacred Lance. You are the child of a dragon, yet you are human, and strive to be human.

Romulus: Your soul still burns with passion. You possess a god's vantage point, but fall short of a god's heart.

Romulus: You failed to become a mechanical god. And that, precisely, is—


Fujimaru 1: Rome, right?


Romulus: ...Indeed. Rome is adventure—

Romulus: The symbol for all that is human, graduating from the Age of Gods and gaining the heart to love fellow men as a human.

Altria: ...I still do not possess... the heart...of a god...


Fujimaru 1: You're the same Altria as always.


Fujimaru 2: You're still the King Arthur of legend.


Altria: You think so? It's hard...for me to accept, but...

Altria: ...But, if you, my Master, say so, perhaps it is true.

Altria: Hah hah. Being told something like that in such a loud voice would surprise anyone, of course.

Altria: Allow me to apologize. I said that you could not understand me.

Altria: I will not retract that comment. It is an unshakeable fact that we are different.

Altria: But... I may have been stubborn. There are times we may understand each other despite differing positions.

Altria: With that, will you fear me, or rely on me? I shall see firsthand.


Fujimaru 1: Yeah. I'm counting on you, Altria.

Altria: Yes. I look forward to our future time together, Master.


Fujimaru 2: I admit I'm a little scared.

Altria: Y-Yes, that is true. I do not know...and it is not my fault, but...

Altria: I heard the Lion King stormed through the Holy City, so I will try not to turn out like that...


???: Bwahahahaha! King of Knights, you've finally warmed up a bit!

???: I've been waiting. I've been waiting so long for this moment!

???: This is the perfect chance! A Chance-sseum Tentyris!

???: Prepare yourself! You're not exactly my type, but I've always wanted to make you bow before me!


Fujimaru 1: This voice...!

Altria: ...I see. Not being able to take a hint was something this excruciating...

Altria: I shall be careful myself, and not barge in when no one wants to see me.


Fujimaru 2: Doesn't this dream have too many guests!?

Altria: Yes, I agree. I shall make sure Merlin gets his just punishment someday.


??? & ???: How dare you rub PDA in our faces and ignore us! There are two of us here! Who do you think we are!?

??? & ???: Bear witness to our earth-shattering alliance! We—

Gilgamesh & Ozymandias: We are the first two kings of an ancient, golden age!


Fujimaru 1: Gilgamesh and Ozymandias...!


Fujimaru 2: Yeah, be as heartless as you can and crush them.


--BATTLE--:

Altria: Well then. Is there anything else on your mind?


Fujimaru 1: Not particularly.


Fujimaru 2: Gotta thank Romulus.


Altria: ...I wanted to speak more... about the sacred lance, and myself...

Altria: But it seems we are out of time. Soon you shall awaken.


Fujimaru 1: Well then, next time.


Fujimaru 2: I'll visit you when I wake up.


Altria: Yes, let us go back, Master. Or should I say, “Let us wake up.”

Altria: Until we meet again, my Fujimaru. In the meantime, I shall practice how to smile.