Diarmuid Ua Duibhne (Saber)
Arrival of Twin Swords
Kiyohime: A killer...you say?
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: Indeed.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: I know little about the workings of the “simulator,” but I do know that a mysterious killer has been appearing there as of late.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: It is fortunate that this began during Master's absence, as they were quite a formidable foe...
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: At any rate, we must remain on the alert. Would you be so kind as to inform Master?
Kiyohime: Y-yes, of course.
Kiyohime: Although, um, why did you choose to approach me about this, Lord Tajima?
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: Now then, if you will excuse me.
Kiyohime: W-w-wait! Just a moment, Lord Tajima!
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: Is there a problem?
Kiyohime: Well, um...
Kiyohime: I just wanted to make sure...
Kiyohime: You say this killer appearing in the simulator is not what they call an “NPC”?
Kiyohime: Do I have that right?
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: That is correct.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: This person possessed the aura of a true swordsman...to an extraordinary degree...
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: It was just yesterday that I encountered them.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: I was taking a walk in the simulator when...
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: ...Who goes there?
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: Show yourself. I can tell you are no mere enn-pee-see.
Mysterious Swordsman: ...
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: So, you are bereft of speech. Or perhaps, you were born without a mouth.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: I am trained in Otomeryu. Ordinarily, it is not meant to be seen by the eyes of commoners...
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: ...but now that the Tokugawa shogunate no longer holds sway, and I am a mere shadow of the true Tajima...
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: ...I see little point in letting such concerns stay my blade.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: So be warned. Draw nearer, and I will cut you down.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: ...!
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: Impressive.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: I must say...
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: ...your swordsmanship is a sight to behold. No human could make use of such a technique.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: You must be some manner of monster.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: Or perhaps...a curse that has gained consciousness.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: ...Regrettably, I was unable to settle our duel before they left.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: It appeared they were dissatisfied with my swordsmanship.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: Yes... I had the distinct impression that one blade is not enough for them.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: It was as though they were searching for an opponent who wields two blades instead.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: I imagine they were taking the form of a dead man's essence, much like we Heroic Spirits.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: But now, they must have lost sight of who they are, and so have turned on those of us who carry blades of our own. What a pity.
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami: ...And so they have devolved into some mindless killer wandering the simulator.
Kiyohime: ...So it is basically rogue data that is similar to a Heroic Spirit. Understood!
Kiyohime: I'll go tell Master right now! And I'll let Da Vinci and Mash know, too!
Kiyohime: ...And that's everything Lord Tajima told me!
Fujimaru 1: I see. Thanks, Kiyohime.
Kiyohime: You're welcome, Master!
Fujimaru 2: He could've just told me himself...
Kiyohime: He said it's because he doesn't know much about the simulator...
Mash: So...does this mean there's a bug in the simulator...?
Da Vinci: Our scans haven't picked up anything, but the main point of the simulator is to project Heroic Spirits' Spirit Origins.
Da Vinci: With all that intricate data in the registry, it's entirely possible that a bit could have gotten scrambled somewhere and caused a problem.
Da Vinci: Besides, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's one of the best swordsmen who ever lived, right?
Da Vinci: If he felt like this thing wasn't just a normal NPC, I'm inclined to take him at his word. Something must be wrong.
Da Vinci: Hmm. Welp! Guess we'll just have to run some comprehensive emergency system diagnostics!
Diarmuid: ...Master.
Kiyohime: Oh, hello, Lord Diarmuid. What brings you here?
Diarmuid: If I may, I would ask that you please take me to the simulator.
Diarmuid: I think I might have an idea as to who this miscreant may be.
Mash: Okay, Senpai, Diarmuid. The simulator is up and running with no trouble so far.
Mash: I'll be monitoring the entire system from here in real time, but please let me know if you see anything amiss.
Mash: There aren't currently any NPCs in that area, so there shouldn't be anything unusual happening.
Fujimaru 1: Got it.
Fujimaru 2: Thanks, Mash.
Diarmuid: If my instincts are correct...
Diarmuid: ...we should encounter our target soon, even if this place is meant to be deserted.
Mash: Are you sure, Diarmuid? I've confirmed that your area is cut off from all external access...
Diarmuid: Yes, I'm sure.
Diarmuid: Whoever this is, they won't pass up their chance to find what they're searching for.
Fujimaru 1: ...Can you tell me?
Fujimaru 2: What are they searching for?
Diarmuid: ...Me.
Mash: What do you mean?
Diarmuid: You were wondering why Lord Tajima didn't tell you about this yourself, right, Master?
Diarmuid: I can answer that.
Mash: ...
Diarmuid: It's because our miscreant must be some kind of curse. Or rather, feelings that have degenerated into one.
Diarmuid: I just never thought it would look for me in the simulator, tracking me through the bonds we share.
Diarmuid: ...Lady Kiyohime.
Kiyohime: Yes! I'm here!
Diarmuid: There is the faintest trace of this curse still lingering on your shoulder.
Diarmuid: It is from when you spoke to Lord Tajima, after he encountered it here.
Diarmuid: That is almost certainly why he tried to distance himself from Master. To keep the curse away from [♂ him /♀️ her].
Mash: Really!?
Mash: But, our sensors didn't pick up anything when she entered the Command Room!
Kiyohime: Now that you mention it...I do think my shoulders feel a little heavy...
Kiyohime: I'd better burn that curse away later, just to be safe.
Diarmuid: Impressive.
Diarmuid: Lord Tajima must have come to you because he knew you would have been able to handle it without difficulty.
Fujimaru 1: That...makes a lot of sense.
Kiyohime: ?
Fujimaru 2: Kiyohime and curses do kind of, uh, go together...
Kiyohime: Master?
Diarmuid: That curse...
Diarmuid: No... Those feelings are directed at me.
Diarmuid: I can still detect the scent of Danaan on them. I have no doubt that it is searching for me.
Diarmuid: I considered trying to quietly handle this myself, so as not to trouble the rest of you...
Diarmuid: ...but that is not a decision I can make on my own.
Diarmuid: I am sworn to serve you now, Master, and cannot take up my spear without your permission. That is why...
Fujimaru 1: That's why you came and told me.
Fujimaru 2: Thanks, Diarmuid.
Diarmuid: You are too kind, Master.
Diarmuid: Please be careful. This scent... The curse is drawing near!
Mash: I can't see anything on our monitors...
Mash: No, wait! I'm picking up a hostile headed your way!
Mysterious Swordsman: ...
Kiyohime: Oh my, he just radiates animosity!
Mash: There is no way this is NPC data! These numbers shouldn't even be possible! Senpai!
Fujimaru 1: I'm going to give it a shot.
Fujimaru 2: I'll do my best to be careful!
Diarmuid: Worry not, Master! Virtual space or not, I will make sure no harm comes to you!
Diarmuid: I, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, shall be your opponent!
--BATTLE--
Diarmuid: Damn! I can't finish him off with this Spirit Origin!
Mash: Senpai! Diarmuid!
Kiyohime: Master!
Mash: The hostile shows no signs of disappearing! It's going to be fiendishly difficult to defeat them in battle!
Mash: I think you should–
Fujimaru 1: Hold on.
Fujimaru 2: They're trying to say something...
Mash: !?
Mysterious Swordsman: ...You are not the one.
Mysterious Swordsman: You are not the one.
Mysterious Swordsman: Your spear is not enough.
Mysterious Swordsman: Show me your true power. Show me the power of a knight raised by the sea-god Manannán.
Mysterious Swordsman: Show me the sword of Manannán!
Diarmuid: Master, stand back!
Diarmuid: Hraaaaaahhh...!
Diarmuid: Gáe Buidhe!
Mysterious Swordsman: ...You are not the one.
Diarmuid: (My demonic spear didn't work?)
Diarmuid: (No, that's not it...!)
D：Voice: ...That's right. He wishes to duel with swords alone.
D：Voice: No other weapon will lay him to rest.
Diarmuid: !!!
Mash: I'm picking up a powerful magical energy reading! It doesn't appear to be hostile, but...
Diarmuid: Are they here to fight too? No, wait. This feeling...
Voice From The Shadows: ...I'm sorry for the trouble. He is indeed looking for you, but he is also looking for me.
Diarmuid: You're...
Diarmuid: Now I see...
Mash: Diarmuid!?
Kiyohime: You're lowering your spear...? Isn't that dangerous to do in the face of an enemy?
Diarmuid: It's fine. This shadow is different.
Diarmuid: If anything...I would say he's here to back us up.
Voice From The Shadows: Indeed I am.
Voice From The Shadows: However, I currently lack a corporeal Spirit Origin, and thus would like to make use of yours.
Voice From The Shadows: If that is acceptable to you, Master.
Diarmuid: ...Master, I would ask you to grant his request. We must do this if we are to defeat this opponent.
Fujimaru 1: I trust you, Diarmuid.
Fujimaru 2: (Nod)
Voice From The Shadows: Understood!
Mash: They're resonating with each other...!? It looks like Diarmuid's Spirit Origin is changing!
Diarmuid: ...Servant, Saber. My True Name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, of the Knights of Fianna...
Diarmuid: ...and my two demonic blades are at your service!
Diarmuid: Now! Curse who has taken form in our simulator!
Diarmuid: No... You are a pure, honest giant–a Giolla Deacair! But I also know you as the Fairy King Ábartach of the Danann!
Diarmuid: Why have you come to Chaldea!?
Mash: Fairy King Ábartach of the Danann!?
Kiyohime: Wh-who's that!?
Mash: He's a king who ruled over one of the fairy kingdoms in Erin!
Mash: In the Fenian Cycle of Celtic legend, he was said to have formed an alliance with the Knights of Fianna...
Mash: ...and in the process of forming that alliance, Diarmuid ended up fighting one of his knights...
Mash: Although some accounts of that legend say that Diarmuid actually fought the Fairy King himself!
Mysterious Swordsman: Yes... Yesss...
Mysterious Swordsman: That is the knight of Fianna I have been searching for. At last, you have shown yourself before me.
Mysterious Swordsman: I saw your swordsmanship in my dreams. I saw your swords shining brightly atop the earth once again.
Mysterious Swordsman: Thus did my consciousness cross time and space to arrive in this digital domain...
Mysterious Swordsman: ...At last, I have found you again, Diarmuid!
Mysterious Swordsman: Not the invincible knight Fionn, with his demonic sword Móralltach and demonic spear Gáe Dearg!
Mysterious Swordsman: Nor the figure of the Lancer with two demonic spears! No, at last, you have become a Saber wielding two demonic swords!
Mysterious Swordsman: A far cry indeed from the Diarmuid I saw at the spring on that fateful day...
Mysterious Swordsman: ...who was the only one able to leap beyond that precipitous cliff!
Mysterious Swordsman: Ahh, I want nothing more than to defeat you and your two swords, Diarmuid!
Diarmuid: ...What a self-centered king you are.
Diarmuid: Nonetheless, I understand how you feel, and I accept your challenge!
Diarmuid: I am Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, First Spear of the Knights of Fianna! But now I stand before you armed with two swords, not spears!
Diarmuid: Now, you shall know defeat!
--BATTLE--
Holmes: Fascinating.
Holmes: So two different versions of the same Heroic Spirit now coexist in one Spirit Origin? Hmm...
Holmes: I suppose it is not totally dissimilar from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde's case, though for you it seems to be a more temporary phenomenon.
Holmes: Especially given how the Saber version seems to have made his way here via the connection he made to Ms. Miyamoto in a parallel world.
Holmes: That particular Spirit Origin has, of course, been registered in our database by now...
Holmes: ...but I'm afraid that your current self can only maintain its manifestation for so long.
Holmes: Therefore–
Da Vinci: You might as well enjoy yourself while you're here. This should be fun!
Da Vinci: So, I'll put a little more in the way of resources into the simulator while you're here.
Da Vinci: After all, we're Chaldea, the Security Organization for the Preservation of Humanity. You won't find this many Servants anywhere else! Ever!
Da Vinci: There ought to be plenty of badass heroes here for you to cross swords with!
Diarmuid: I, um... Are you sure about this? I never belonged to this world, after all.
Diarmuid: Are you certain it will not be a problem to keep me here, even temporarily?
Fujimaru 1: It's fine! Don't worry about it!
Fujimaru 2: What's Lancer Diarmuid think?
Diarmuid: ...Oh. Well...
Kiyohime: Go on. What's he saying?
Diarmuid: ...The Lancer within me says we should accept Master's generosity.
Kiyohime: Then listen to him! Please, enjoy yourself.
Diarmuid: ...
Diarmuid: You are all very kind. Very well then, I shall do my utmost to enjoy what time I have here!
Fujimaru 1: Great! Then let's get started!
Fujimaru 2: Four consecutive battles coming right up!
Mash: Go!
--BATTLE--
Diarmuid: ...I almost feel as though I am dreaming.
Diarmuid: Yet I doubt even the gods or the Fairy King could ever have conceived of something so wondrous as this.
Diarmuid: Truly, I could ask for no better parting gift.
Diarmuid: You have my deepest thanks, Master of Chaldea.
Mash: Senpai... Diarmuid's Spirit Origin is forcefully reverting to its Lancer form!
Fujimaru 1: ...Did you enjoy yourself?
Diarmuid: Of course, Master.
Fujimaru 2: I wish you could've stayed longer.
Diarmuid: It would seem this is it. It won't be much longer now until I disappear.
Diarmuid: But please, do not worry about me. My Lancer Spirit Origin is perfectly capable.
Diarmuid: I am still me, whether I carry sword or spear, and I will continue to wield them for your sake.
Diarmuid: Now then, I–
Diarmuid: ...!
Diarmuid: That golden sword! Are you...the King of Knights?
Altria: Forgive me. It would seem you no longer have time to spare for a duel.
Altria: Perhaps we can remedy that some other day, Sir Diarmuid.
Altria: As I see it, it may be best simply to summon your new Spirit Origin here...
Altria: ...but it is only through fate that we may have another chance to duel.
Altria: And so, while I cannot give you my word, I can at least say this much:
Altria: I hope we will meet again some day, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne of the Knights of Fianna.
Diarmuid: ...Yes. I'd like that very much.
Diarmuid: Should that day ever come, King of Knights...we will have a battle for the ages!