Trial Quest - Arjuna
Search for the Song of Gods
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—That moment, I continue to repeat that moment.
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Throughout the continued repetition of human history, that moment in my life... Even if it is insignificant in all that has happened...
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Even if it was just me slaying my enemy.
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The indescribable sadness, anger, happiness, and more than anything—relief, I can still remember it.
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...Relief.
Yes, that can only be called "relief."
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Like when a scab is torn off, it's an odd pleasure. The fear that sent a shiver up my spine, it too has vanished into thin air.
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But I was unable to touch the arrow that I myself had shot. Nor was I able to claim his head.
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I could only stand there, dazed—and accept the glorious victory.
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...
...
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...up.
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Wake up, good fellow.
Fujimaru 1:
???---
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Are you all right?
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Napping during a storm such as this, you must have some nerves of steel.
Fujimaru 1:
Where in the world am I?
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Good question.
...To be perfectly honest, I do not know myself.
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When I awoke, I was on this ship, being tossed about in this storm.
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I have knowledge of how to steer a ship, but I'm afraid all we can do is ride this out.
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As that is the case, I decided that I should speak with you, since you were leisurely napping here. Also, I had nothing better to do, either.
Fujimaru 2:
Who are you?
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...I'm not sure how to answer that.
You see, I am not entirely sure myself.
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I am a nameless man. The only thing that I remember is that I am an Archer Servant.
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...I also have no idea where this ship will take us.
Though I am a Servant, I don't even know who I am.
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It does seem that you are my Master.
If possible, may I accompany you for a while?
Fujimaru 1:
That is fine.
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Thank you. My name... Though I do not know it, I am sure I am an Archer Servant.
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It is nice to meet you, Master.
Fujimaru 2:
Where is Mash?
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Mash? I am not sure...
There may be someone else inside this ship.
Mash:
Master!?
Are you here, Master!?
Mash:
Senpai—!
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Who is that?
Fujimaru 1:
A dependable Servant.
Mash:
Thank goodness, Master.
I'm so glad you're all right.
Mash:
Yes, I am (Your Name) Senpai's Servant.
My name is Mash Kyrielight!
Fujimaru 2:
My charming Kohai.
Mash:
What? Charming Kohai...
Oh, I am hardly that...
Mash:
No, I am still very much your Servant!
You must call me dependable!
Mash:
But...at any rate...
Thank you...
Fou:
Fou!
Mash:
Here is our situation, Master.
Mash:
Apparently, during the Rayshift, we were blown off course by a strange Singularity.
Mash:
Unfortunately, we're unable to contact the Doctor.
Mash:
By the way, who is that person?
He looks like a well-known Servant somehow.
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Unfortunately, I seem to have left my identity behind.
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However, I do know that I am an Archer. As you can see, I carry a bow for a weapon. So quite obviously I am.
Mash:
Well, uhm...Excuse me. I don't mean to seem rude, but that's not a Class that can be determined by one's weapon.
Mash:
In this world where an Archer can wield two swords ([[Emiya]]), or strike with a club ([[Orion]])...
Mash:
...and even hurl valuable treasures at random ([[Gilgamesh]])...
Mash:
It's a bit premature to assume you're an Archer just because you carry a bow.
Archer:
There is quite a variety of heroes in the world, it seems...
Mash:
By the way, Senpai, what were you doing... Were you napping?
Mash:
That is so like you, Senpai. You've been like that since I found you sound asleep in the corridor at Chaldea!
Mash:
There's no way I can even relax. In fact, I feel a little sick...
Mash:
No matter how many times I've been through this, I still can't get used to a ship deck during a storm...
Archer:
Though this ship is quite sturdy, there could still be trouble if the storm continues...
Archer:
What was that?
Mash:
A Ghost-type enemy.
Excuse me, but we could use your help!
(Part 2)
Mash:
We have annihilated them.
Well done, Master.
Archer:
...How humiliating.
I was hardly any help at all. I'm so ashamed.
Mash:
N-No, not at all.
I'm just glad we're all right.
Fujimaru 1:
You seemed like you had doubts.
Archer:
...You have a keen eye.
That's exactly right. I...have doubts about fighting.
Fujimaru 2:
Don't you want to fight?
Archer:
A skilled Master must be able to understand a Servant, even if the Servant is not their own.
Archer:
That's right. For me -- battle carries only melancholy with it.
Mash:
Why is that?
Archer:
I know not my True Name, nor how many Holy Grail Wars I fought, nor how many I emerged from victorious.
Archer:
...But I don't think I have been defeated.
I have the utmost confidence in my abilities.
Archer:
If I suffered a terrible defeat, Master certainly would have ordered me to commit suicide.
Mash:
T-Talk about confidence!
But what he says is not a lie, Senpai!
Archer:
Perhaps I remained undefeated when I was alive as well That is precisely why it is all feels so empty.
Archer:
Whether I am victorious or defeated...
Archer:
It is all just an infinitesimal ship washed away by the enormous waves of time.
Archer:
The joy of victory has no meaning.
The humiliation of defeat has no meaning.
Archer:
Therefore, nothing has any meaning.
Fujimaru 1:
Even your life now?
Archer:
...That's right. It is not easy for me to say, but that is the present condition I am in.
Archer:
If it were not for your presence, Master, I most likely would have abandoned the battle.
Fujimaru 2:
Even death?
Archer:
I am a Servant to begin with... I am sure I belonged to the warrior class long before as well.
Archer:
Therefore, I have no fear of death.
Lancer:
That's not true, Archer.
You are not a warrior unafraid of death.
Archer:
...!?
Mash:
Huh? Who was that!?
Lancer:
The man you are now is not someone unafraid of death.
You merely have not seen death.
Lancer:
You achieved so much glory so easily and with so little challenge that you ended up tired of life.
Lancer:
Your philosophy has led you to nothing more than desperation. You merely have a low opinion of your own existence.
Lancer:
That's not even martyrdom.
I won't allow you to take that path!
Archer:
...Who...are you?
No, wait... Who am I?
Lancer:
...How infuriating! Even though I proclaim the truth, you still do not understand.
Lancer:
The one and only person in this world that I cannot accept. That one person is you, bowman!
Archer:
...ugh!
Lancer:
A wild and crude shot. Is that the best you can do?
Then you had better restring your bow.
Mash:
Archer!?
Mash:
Calm down, please! He's not an ally, but that doesn't make him an enemy!
Archer:
...I know. I know that, but...
That man—I won't stand for him!
Archer:
I cannot stand your presence.
For whatever reason, I cannot stand your presence!
Lancer:
—Now that's a little more like it.
That fury. That unreasonable malevolence.
Lancer:
That arrogance is what makes you who you are. That aura of righteous anger is most fitting for the man who carries that bow.
Lancer:
Fire away without reservation.
Come on, don't hold back.
Lancer:
I won't pull any punches either.
I will run my shadow lance through your throat!
(After Battle)
Archer:
Haa, haa, haa...
Lancer:
A tenacity that ignores the Class affinity...
Our fates are truly intertwined.
Lancer:
...But that is all for now.
We must each again inquire of the Bhagavad-Gita.
Lancer:
We can continue this after that is finished. ...the Master over there, and the one who watched over that Master.
Lancer:
...I know it may be a burden to you, but I want you to guide him. You're the only ones who can do it.
Fujimaru 1:
Do you need guidance as well?
Lancer:
...It‘s unnecessary.
But I do appreciate the offer.
Lancer:
As long as that man is present, I will be your enemy.
Lancer:
The same is true if reversed as well.
Lancer:
A hated enemy is a necessary ingredient of myth.
I am truly used to playing that part.
Fujimaru 2:
But for what purpose?
Lancer:
I have no obligation to answer my enemies.
What I am after is insignificant.
Archer:
Master, a while ago I said that I had tired of living.
Archer:
That is the sincere truth.
My thirst for battle has also faded.
Archer:
However...
even so...
Archer:
I cannot abide that Lancer.
I know this feeling I have is unreasonable...
Archer:
That man is most certainly a righteous person.
Archer:
He is recognized by the people and is a hero who devotes himself to doing virtuous deeds.
Archer:
But still, I truly, for some reason, want to battle him.
Archer:
No, it's not a desire to battle.
I want to deny him. Deny all of him. Everything.
Archer:
...I am certain this is an unforgivable request.
This is an improper desire.
Fujimaru 1:
It is not improper.---
Archer:
Not improper? What do you mean?
Fujimaru 1:
Most certainly he is your mortal enemy.
Archer:
My mortal...enemy.
Archer:
...
...
Archer:
I see.
Those words have hit home.
Fujimaru 2:
Then you should go on a quest for that answer.
Archer:
Go on a...quest?
Archer:
...
...
Archer:
You may be right.
To find out who the man is that boils my blood...
Archer:
...and to find out who I am.
I should search for those answers.
Archer:
...It seems the storm has passed as well, as if waking from a dream.
Archer:
I am ever a wanderer.
Archer:
If we meet again in reality, I would be glad if we could find those answers together.
Archer:
—Farewell, my Master.
I look forward to the day that we may meet again.