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.