Part 70: Update LXII - Last boy meets girl

Update LXII - Last boy meets girl

Music: None


One final week, one final speech by the mysterious voice.











Music: School II
Sound: Phone ringing


A now all too familiar ringing tone draws my eyes to my terminal. The final week has begun.



Music: Duel of Fate


When I arrive at the bulletin board as prompted by the terminal, there is someone there ahead of me. I'm not surprised to see him. After all, there's no one else who would be there.

Good day.

Leo turns my way, smiling as usual. His Servant Gawain stands one step behind him, straight as a sword thrust into a stone.

...

Unlike Leo, Gawain's eyes are calm. I sense no hostility from him. Just an ironclad loyalty and unwavering confidence in his lord. Gawain's composure wouldn't slip, even in the middle of a battle. That righteous white knight would die without question for his lord. —As I'm looking around, I'm struck by a sense of change. This is the last time I'll see the bulletin board like this. I look, though I already know the names.

There's gonna be a lot of lasts this week, huh?





Once again, I wish you luck.

Leo's trying to speak casually, but something has changed about his voice. It's not that he's apprehensive about the fight. He's excited— almost thrilled.



When I first saw you, you were an industrious, adaptive and rather forgettable individual. Over the brief course of this war, you've grown inmeasurably, as if suited to the soil of battle. Now, the you standing in front of me is a fitting opponent, not just in ability, but in countenance. *Giggle* I'm as enamored with this feeling of competition as a little girl is with a fairy tale.

Leo laughs bashfully. You'd think he'd never enjoyed basic human emotions before.

In all honesty, he probably hasn't.



Now, I feel this fight with you is a necessary step in the process of my ascension to the throne. For showing me a side of the world I had not yet known, you have my deepest gratitude.

Leo isn't being insincere. He's thanking me in his self-centered condescending way. He believes he'll win. He believes he's righteous. His belief in his own victory is greater than any I have ever seen.

This whole time, I've sorta seen Leo as kind of a twisted mirror of Artoria. Born to rule, green eyes, blond hair. Hell, even that one lock of hair dropping down can be seen as a contrast to Artoria's famous ahoge if I want to start grasping straws. He even has one of her strongest knights serving him!



It has been an obstacle. The time to exchange words has passed with this now-worthy opponent. You also require rest. A king must be at his best. Let us but an end to this posturing.



I will take my leave now. I look forward to your next audience with me, on the final battlefield.



Music: Stops


It feels like I have always been looking at Leo's back. My world is too different from his. His sentiments have always been as foreign as his home country. A boy who has progressed by making victory second-nature. A king who will not tolerate any outcome but victory. A person whose entire life has been absolute. I don't believe that he and I are equals. But then again... We're both king of the mountain right now. We came from many places... ...to fight in this Holy Grail War. I will struggle to find my place.

Music: School II






I'm not eager to fight, but I'm not distressed, either. I'm mostly surprised at my own placidity. Whether or not she's picking up on my mental state, Caster gives me her cute smile.





I mean, I can't really argue that kings are better than most people, or that he isn't a born winner.

But, that little prince is wrong to think that he can beat you and me in a battle of abilities!





Thank you.



Master, the only thing I don't like about you is just how little you understand about me.

But, I will always treasure your words of thanks, Hakuno.

You know, it isn't often Tamamo uses Hakuno's actual name.

~

Okay, I'm not better than a god...

What are you saying?! Some people doubt in gods, but I could never doubt in you, Master! That makes you better. ...Well, some gods are better than others. But, you're better than some forgotten old idol!

~~







...





Trying to hide her embarrassment, Caster disappears. Yeah. This is the last time Caster and I will fight side by side. She's stood by me, even through the times where I had no will, no resolve, and no strength. I don't know what the future holds. But, as for the present, I will focus on winning against my strongest foe yet. I'll win. That's how I'll show my appreciation for all she's done.



Now, despite knowing Gawain's name since Week 1...



And the entire point of the Information Matrix is to, you know, learn the enemy's True Name...



All we get for it is a free level.





And they're both generic Saber passives!





I welcome you to the final confrontation, Master. The Holy Grail is almost within your reach. The omnipotent construct that'll grant any wish, any desire... Can you feel how close it is?



It's too soon to think like that.

What a surprise. To be free of avarice... I suppose I should quietly applaud you.

A dismissive smile begins to form on the lips of the black-clad priest—

~

Of course, I dream of it.

That is what it is to be human. I had been a bit concerned, but hearing this I am relieved. One who does not have desires. One who does not have wishes. One who only denies the fight— If a person of that demeanor were to win, I would be sorely disappointed.

With that, his mouth forms into a grimace. I have no clue what is going on in his mind, but—

~~



So, who will claim victory and raise the Holy Grail to their lips? I await with baited breath.



Here in the home stretch, the school side of things will be fairly quick.



With no generic Masters left, all I have to do each day is check in with Tamamo, the handful of NPCs, and Rani before going to the Arena.



Don't even think about coasting, though. And good luck.

The library desk girl has moved back to her original spot.



But, you could still lose it all in the last round. You don't want to let that happen.



However, it looks as if yesterday's battle was emotionally devastating for you. But you cannot allow past fights to weigh you down as the next one has already begun.

Issei's such a bro, even on the moon.



While Rani just... doesn't show up today.

It's clearly the devs wanting to save on money by making the two routes as similar as possible, but it still feels weird to have no conversation with her now that we're facing Leo. Doubly so on the Rin route.

Music: School III


You need to focus on your opponent, not worrying about us. Just think of us as...scenery.

She's right. Touko and I can take care of ourselves. I do appreciate your concern, though. Thanks, Hakuno. This may be the last time we see each other, so I want to say goodbye now. Don't hold back against Leo. And although I was just an observer, I have the feeling you'll win.





...I guess it's something. Being able to relate to other people is a virtue...maybe. You might not understand it, but every memory of your opponent will make your attacks stronger. But by me saying that, you might place more value on this conversation than you should. Oh, screw it. Anyway, I doubt there are any magi still alive as disgustingly avaricious as you.

With that Touko Aozaki shrugs her shoulders and gives me a sardonic smirk. And despite the abuse, I detected a hint of...warmth. Or dare I say...affection, even? Between puffs of smoke, I heard her murmur, "You're quite extraordinary."

~

The finals are almost upon us. Good timing, as I've almost found what I was looking for. Let's see who finishes first, you or me. Hopefully things will work out for both of us.

Nice to see things are working out for her.

Music: School II


Please, take a lunch. This is the last one, so I put extra love into it.



And with this, Sakura now holds zero relevance for the rest of the game.

~

I've already given you the last healing supplies I could provide to you. Do your best, all the way 'til the end.



And it only heals a bit above an Ether Crystal at that! Come on, game, this is the final week! At least make it a full heal!





The final battle is ahead. The commissary's selection has been upgraded accordingly.



There are no new items in the shop this week, but we do have three new Mystic Codes.

Each one gives 90 MP and holds a stronger buff for Strength, Defense, and Magic, respectively.

However, I'm not buying them just yet.



Because I have a much, much stupider use for my money right now.



A quick scene starts on the way to the Arena.





Don't you know that you triggered a flag under those sakura blossoms with me, Master?

Caster doesn't bother to hide her flirtations, even while hiding her mouth behind her kimono sleeve. It's still hard thinking of her as a divine being. But that is the true nature of the smiling, cheerful Caster who has fought beside me. I ought to treasure this carefree moment, just like I treasure her carefree spirit.



But my skin was soft and my ears were perky this morning. What's wrong with my face, Master?

Distraught, Tamamo hides her face. Whoops. I should know by now how sensitive she is and not stare. I like her impulsiveness, though. Tamamo is always reassuring me and pushing me to do better.





I think that she's so flighty that it is hard for her to understand people when they're serious.



It's annoying to have to prepare, but the opponent is quite strong.





These days I've spent with Caster have not been bad. I think I could be with Caster all the time. But still the hour of battle draws ever closer. The final battle. No matter how the Holy Grail War ends, I'll be parted from her.



Music: Fear


Here we are, the final



But something seems...



...off.





The doors are kinda wonky today.









Caster seems really on edge. But they're right; this feeling isn't coming from either Leo or Gawain. In fact, I'm almost sure that I've felt this feeling of hatred before. But, how is it—?

I'm not sure what's happening, but it might be the work of some evil imp. Stay on your toes, Master.



...hey, remember when Julius vanished at the end of our duel?

I think he found us.



As the scene implied, we're pretty much railroaded for today.



Up ahead is another locked door and one of those... fields(?) out in the open.



...wait...



Is that a fucking face?



Let's run at the spooky face barrier, nothing could possibly go wrong!



Oh god everything is going wrong.

Next time: The Harways continue to get worse.