Bradamante

Dear Ancestor!

Bradamante:
!!!

Bradamante:
(Master, Master!)

Bradamante:
(Look, over there! Can you believe it!?
That's Lord Hektor!)

Bradamante:
(This is amazing!
Lord Hektor is an absolute legend!)

Bradamante:
(He's one of the great heroes of the Trojan War, and one of the Nine Worthies spoken about in hushed tones throughout all of history!)

Bradamante:
(He's also my and Ruggiero's ancestor!
Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh...)

Bradamante:
(All this time I've been here, and I still haven't introduced myself properly... Oh gosh!)


Fujimaru 1:
It's okay. Just try to relax.

Bradamante:
(Exhale)... (Inhale)...

Bradamante:
(Exhaaaleee)...
Okay, I'm feeling a little calmer now!

Bradamante:
Thank you, Master. This is the perfect chance to talk to him. I can't let it go to waste.


Fujimaru 2:
Why not go rectify that now?

Bradamante:
!

Bradamante:
...Okay, Master. If you think that's a good idea,
then that's just what I'll do.


Bradamante:
Here goes nothing!

Bradamante:
U-um, excuse me!

Hektor:
Hm?

Bradamante:
Y-you there, the one with the shining helmet! Are you Lord Hektor, the great hero of the Trojan War!?

Hektor:
Hmm...

Hektor:
I don't know about the “great hero” part, but if you're looking for Hektor of Troy, you've found him.

Hektor:
So what's up, little Bradamante?
What can your old ancestor here do for you?

Bradamante:
Well, you see, um...

Bradamante:
I still haven't introduced myself properly since coming to Chaldea, so, um, I wanted to rectify that.

Bradamante:
It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Lord Hektor!

Hektor:
Hey, thanks. Pleasure's all mine.

Bradamante:
Um, I was also wondering if, maybe...

Hektor:
Yes?

Bradamante:
I-if you wouldn't mind, um, maybe...you'd like to join Master and me...

Bradamante:
...for tea!? Or some other beverage!?

Hektor:
Tea, huh? Hmm...
Well, it's not like I don't have time, but...

Hektor:
(Honestly, I don't think we'd have all that much to
talk about. But I can also see Master standing behind
her with [♂ his /♀️ her] hands clasped together begging me to say
yes, so...)

Hektor:
Sure, why not? Nothing wrong with the occasional cup of tea, especially for happy occasions.

Hektor:
'Course, we didn't have tea back in this old man's time, so drinking was pretty synonymous with alcohol.

Hektor:
Alcohol lasts forever, and it's high in nutrients, too. Plus, not every area has plenty of clean, fresh water to go around, you know?

Bradamante:
Right! That's how the Kingdom of the
Franks used to be! Well, really...


Fujimaru 1:
Didn't that pretty much used to be the case everywhere?

Bradamante:
Yes, that's what I've been told!


Fujimaru 2:
So alcohol wasn't always a luxury good then.

Bradamante:
Not at all. It was once as common and essential to daily life as bread.


Hektor:
So that's how it was back in the Kingdom of the Franks too, huh. So, does that mean you didn't have tea parties back in your time, either?

Bradamante:
That's right! We didn't!

Hektor:
I see.
(So why do you seem so happy about that?)

Bradamante:
I occasionally got to enjoy Chinese tea whenever I'd meet with Lady Angelica of Cathay...

Bradamante:
...but we never had any cultural traditions surrounding tea of our own!

Bradamante:
Back then, tea ceremonies and parties and whatnot were still very limited to the East.

Bradamante:
Tea didn't become a cultural fixture in Europe until...
Hmm, let me think...

Bradamante:
I think Holland was the country that popularized green tea...

Bradamante:
...and the British Empire did the same for black tea relatively recently.

Hektor:
The British Empire, huh?

Hektor:
Hmm... Was that the one that started
in the Isles of Britannia?

Bradamante:
That's right!

Bradamante:
Back when I was alive, it was known far and wide as the prosperous Kingdom of England.

Bradamante:
It's also where Stolfo–I mean, Astolfo, one of the Twelve Paladins, was born.

Hektor:
That Rider with the pink hair, huh?
Well, whaddaya know.

Bradamante:
In fact, he's actually a prince to England's royal family, though most of us tend to forget that, including him.

Hektor:
No kidding! A prince so scatterbrained he even forgets he's a prince, huh? Hahaha, that's priceless!

Hektor:
I know a scatterbrained prince myself, but it sounds like that one handily takes the cake, amazingly.

Hektor:
Something tells me we'd get along nicely.

Paris:
Achoo!

Paris:
(Sniffle) That's weird.
Can Servants even catch colds?

Nightingale:
A cold, is it?
Well that won't do at all, Paris.

Nightingale:
You might need to get a shot.
Come with me so I can take a look at you.

Paris:
Aw maaan...

Hektor:
The Kingdom of England, aka the British Empire from the Isles of Britannia, huh.

Hektor:
Wait. Aren't the Isles of Britannia where–

Bradamante:
...Yes.

Bradamante:
Britain is the island where Prince Aeneas of Troy's descendants ended up settling down.

Bradamante:
And it's where they went on to found the glorious Kingdom of Britain.

Bradamante:
But a few hundred years later...

Bradamante:
...the last king of Britain, Arthur Pendragon,
King of Knights, lost his final battle...

Bradamante:
...and after the Saxons migrated, the Kingdom of Britain–

Hektor:
That was when the last vestiges of Trojan lineage vanished from the face of the Earth. Right?

Bradamante:
...

Hektor:
Well hey, what do they say in the East?
Land outlasts kingdoms?

Hektor:
Just because a nation is gone doesn't mean its people disappear. Not to mention its land, oceans, and rivers all stick around, too.

Hektor:
It's no different with feelings. Losing a war sucks, but it doesn't mean everything's gone forever.


Fujimaru 1:
Like, say...



Fujimaru 1:
Bradamante and Ruggiero.


Bradamante:
...Hey, yeah!

Hektor:
There you go. Troy might've lost spectacularly and faded away, but you're still here.

Hektor:
And just look at how well you and this old man's other descendants turned out.

Hektor:
I'm relieved, really. It feels good to see your blood, sweat, and tears still be around in later generations.

Hektor:
Really, when you think about it, what would it say about us if we let a little war or two eradicate us completely?

Hektor:
That's it.
I can tell you grew up strong, little Bradamante.

Hektor:
...That being said.

Hektor:
All of that goes out the window when we're talking about all of humanity possibly being destroyed.

Hektor:
Man, as if dealing with a single nation going away wasn't enough of a pain in the neck.

Bradamante:
You're right!

Bradamante:
We can't let anyone bleach all of human life away!
We have to restore humanity, no matter what!

Gareth:
...

Gareth:
...Oh gosh, that conversation between Sir Hektor and Lady Bradamante I happened to overhear was so inspiring!

Gareth:
Now what am I going to do?

Mordred:
Jack shit, that's what.

Mordred:
You shoulda just kept on walkin', but instead,
you had to stop and hide like some kinda idiot.

Gareth:
Don't call me an idiot!

Mordred:
I'll call you whatever the hell I want, idiot!

Gareth:
Can't you tell I'm trying to be considerate and not interrupt their conversation!?

Gareth:
Also! Doesn't Lady Bradamante...

Gareth:
...remind you of me?

Mordred:
...You think?

Gareth:
I can just tell she's a really hard worker, you know?

Gareth:
And Sir Lancelot, hehe, has praised me directly for my work ethic! More than once, even!

Gareth:
So we're basically two peas in a pod!

Mordred:
Haaa?
(Special Translation: You really think so?)

Hektor:
Hm? Something wrong?

Bradamante:
I sensed somebody watching us!

Hektor:
Eh, now that you mention it, I can feel a few eyes on us. Ah well, it's probably just some of our Chaldea compatriots, so I don't think it's anything to–

Bradamante:
You! Are you watching us?!

Bradamante:
Yes, you! Don't bother trying to hide!
Come on out where we can see you!

Man in Shadow:
Oh, uh...

Man in Shadow:
I wasn't trying to hide, I promise. I was just kinda...stuck. ('Cause it was too awkward to go out.)

Mandricardo:
But I don't want to give you the wrong impression, so...
I'm sorry.

Bradamante:
I know you!
You're Mandricardo!

Hektor:
Is that so.

Mandricardo:
...!

Hektor:
Hm?

Mandricardo:
I-I... Um...
H-hey.

Mandricardo:
I, uh, I really wasn't trying to eavesdrop, I promise. I just happened to pass by, that's all.

Bradamante:
...

Mandricardo:
...

Mandricardo:
...Uh, yeah, so.

Mandricardo:
I've got, uh, you know, training and stuff, so...
I'll get out of your hair now.

Mandricardo:
...

Mandricardo:
...

Mandricardo:
Um... Can I ask you something?

Bradamante:
Of course!

Mandricardo:
Why're you following me? I was planning on training alone today (read: like always), so...

Bradamante:
...Are you sure?

Mandricardo:
I'm sure.

Hektor:
I'm only here 'cause Bradamante and Master grabbed my hands and dragged me here, by the way.

Bradamante:
(Gasp) I-I-I-I'm so sorry, Lord Hektor!
I wasn't even thinking!

Bradamante:
I was just so anxious, and you're just so f-fatherly that I grabbed your hand without realizing.

Hektor:
Hey, I get it.
That kind of thing just happens sometimes.

Hektor:
So, anxious, huh? I didn't know you cared about Mandricardo that much.

Bradamante:
I... I, uh...

Bradamante:
Ummm...
Well...


Fujimaru 1:
What is it, Bradamante?


Fujimaru 2:
You know, you do seem kind of...fixated on Mandricardo.


Bradamante:
Well, um... How can I put this...
Gnnn!


Fujimaru 1:
Do you two know each other or something?


Fujimaru 2:
Weren't you guys enemies when you were alive?


Bradamante:
Yes, we did.

Bradamante:
King Mandricardo of the Tatars is the son of King Agrican, who was killed by the de facto leader of the Twelve Paladins, Roland!

Bradamante:
He came across Lord Hektor's shield and armor over the course of his travels, and then tried to get his hands on the legendary sword Durendal...

Bradamante:
...so that he could complete one of the Nine Worthies' armor sets and go after Roland, holder of said sword, to avenge his father's death!

Bradamante:
In short, he's the paladins' sworn enemy!
Which is why I...!

Mandricardo:
...

Hektor:
Sworn enemy? Really?

Hektor:
C'mon, that was a long time ago, right? Not to mention it was back when you were both still alive.

Hektor:
Now you're both Servants–shadows of humanity sworn to serve the same Master.

Hektor:
Do you really need to bring old quarrels into Chaldea, especially after they've long been dead and buried?

Bradamante:
(Gasp of realization)

Bradamante:
Y-you're right...
It's just as you say, Lord Hektor!

Bradamante:
I'm so sorry, King Mandricardo. I was way out of line.
I hope you can forgive my foolish behavior.

Mandricardo:
Uh, it's okay. Don't worry about it.

Bradamante:
Of course you're not our sworn enemy.

Bradamante:
Our only sworn enemies are Morgan the Witch, Great King Agramante, and Demogorgon the Demon God!

Bradamante:
What you are, King Mandricardo, is...

Mandricardo:
Yeah...?

Bradamante:
Our rival!

Bradamante:
You were the powerful warrior king who went toe to toe with both Ruggiero and Roland!

Bradamante:
You were a fearsome rival in every sense of the word, and I owe you an apology for ever insinuating otherwise!


Fujimaru 1:
(Heartily nod in assent)


Mandricardo:
I-I, uh... I'm not really sure what you're going on about, but...

Mandricardo:
S-so you consider me your rival, huh?
Well, thanks. That's nice of you.

Bradamante:
Once again, I ask that you please forgive my foolish behavior, King Mandricardo!

Bradamante:
If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, anything at all, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Mandricardo:
...Uh, that's okay.

Mandricardo:
Really, you don't have to worry about it.
It's fine.

Mandricardo:
(At this point, I just wanna hurry up and get back to my room already...)

Mandricardo:
Having you apologize all over the top and formal like this is honestly weirding me out more, so... Let's just let bygones be bygones, all right?

Mandricardo:
...

Mandricardo:
(D-damn, talk about a radiant smile...)

Bradamante:
So you forgive me!!!?

Bradamante:
Oh thank you, King Mandricardo! I had no idea you were such a kind and magnanimous man.

Bradamante:
If only Ruggiero had had a chance to get to know you, I'm sure he would have also–

Energetic Voice:
I see how it is!

Hektor:
Hm? Isn't that–

Bradamante:
Who goes there!?

Energetic Voice:
Yesterday's enemy!

Energetic Voice:
Is today's friend!

Energetic Voice:
That's just what's going on here, right?
What a wonderful expression!


Fujimaru 1:
Gareth!

Gareth:
That's right! It's me, Gareth!


Fujimaru 2:
Uh-oh. If you're here in full armor, does that mean

Gareth:
Hehehehe, your instincts are spot on, Master.


Gareth:
Thanks to a series of increasingly unlikely coincidences, I heard everything while I was passing by! Just sit back and leave this all to me!

Hektor:
Uh, there's really nothing to leave, since we're not arguing anymore...

Gareth:
Lady Bradamante...in the spirit of deepening our
friendship, what would you say to a lancing duel!?

Hektor:
Uh, I really don't think there's any need to go to that kind of trou–

Bradamante:
!!!

Bradamante:
That...

Bradamante:
...sounds like a wonderful idea!
Would you be willing to join us, King Mandricardo!?

Bradamante:
I would love to try sparring with you and Lady Gareth!

Mandricardo:
N-nah, I'm good... (Glance)

Bradamante:
(Glance)

Gareth:
(Glance)

Hektor:
Why're you all looking at me!?

Hektor:
Don't worry about me. You're all young and full of pep, so go ahead and act like it.

Hektor:
I'll just be over here watching from the side–

Bradamante:
(Lord Hektor!?)

Gareth:
(The great hero of Troy!?)

Mandricardo:
(Lord Hektor, one of the Nine Worthies...
is going to watch me!?)

Mandricardo:
I don't have a lance, but will a wooden sword do!?

Gareth:
Of course!

Bradamante:
Certainly!

Bradamante:
Master! I know this is short notice, but would you be so kind as to lend me your aid!?


Fujimaru 1:
You got it!


Fujimaru 2:
Gareth and Mandricardo vs. Bradamante and me, huh? Let's do it!


--BATTLE--:

Bradamante:
Here goes!
Noble Phantasm, True Name release...

Bradamante:
Bouclier d'Atlante!!!!

Narration:
...And, that was how it went.

Narration:
After they finished working up a good sweat in the simulated training battle...

Narration:
...the youngsters all went on to take a tea break together, or so I'm told.

Narration:
As for this old man, just listening in on their conversation is enough for me.

Narration:
Turns out, there's something kind of nice about your descendants laughing and having fun with new friends.

Narration:
Even a twisted, scruffy old man like
me can't help but crack a smile.

Bradamante:
Lord Hektor!

Bradamante:
What are you doing over there in the corner?
Come join us! Everyone's dying to talk to you!

Bradamante:
Come on, over here!


Fujimaru 1:
Go on, Hektor. It'll make their day.


Fujimaru 2:
It's too soon for you to think about retiring just yet, Hektor!


Hektor:
...Well, all right. If you insist, Master.

Hektor:
I guess I can tell you all one of my Aias stories.

Bradamante:
!!!

Bradamante:
J-j-j-just a moment! Y-y-y-you mean you were friends with Aias the Great, Lord Hektor!?

Bradamante:
Oh my gosh! Then we need to get King Iskandar and Alexander down here, too!

Bradamante:
Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh!