Part 88: Idylls of the King - Artoria - Part 3

Artoria 3



So Artoria has an interesting production history herself, that's not tied to her in-series resume or alternate versions. As I've mentioned before, the prototype of the Fate series was the first thing Nasu ever worked on as a writer, even if it didn't really evolve much beyond a general concept for how the setting would work. Among the very first characters he thought of were Arthur, Gilgamesh, Cu, and I think Heracles. Now, Nasu's original Arthur was about as vanilla a take on the character of King Arthur as you could ask for. Arthur Pendragon in this series is basically what you'd imagine as King Arthur to be: good-natured, handsome, well-mannered, etc. etc. In the earliest version of the story, the main character of Proto Fate was a girl, who had Arthur as a Servant.

Many years later, in 2002-ish, after Type-Moon's first commercial release, Tsukihime, was a huge success, Nasu decided to revisit Fate and turn it into an actual story. HIs high school pal Takeuchi, who was working with him at the time, looked at Fate and thought it would be more palatable as an actual retail product if Arthur and the MC's sexes were reversed, leaving a male lead and a female Servant (Takeuchi has always been the marketing and business guy, as opposed to Nasu's creative side of their partnership). One of Nasu's things is that he really likes writing for characters who skirt the line between the sexes, a trend he started in Kara no Kyoukai, the first project he ever actually finished and released. And so was born a female King Arthur, someone who doesn't really think of herself as a woman nor can really be a man.

As it turned out, making a female King Arthur was really one of those inspired choices, since it not only gives Takeuchi a chance to draw more cute girls (and that's a man who really likes drawing cute girls), but it added a cool and unique twist on a very old story and gave Nasu the chance to explore a new angle to the character, as a king who acts aloof from her own nature and never really let anyone get close to her, for fear of finding out her secret. I think it's the gap between her appearance as a small girl and the unwavering respect she commanded in her life of 13 great knights in life that's so appealing to me, and why she's always been my favorite Fate character. Her's is a quiet charisma (as opposed to Gilgamesh's, for instance), a charisma built upon an unwaveringly strong heart that inspires others to believe in and fight for her ideals, and sees the light in everyone even if they can't see it themselves. At the same time, it's a heart that always puts others before herself, and who believes in the strength of those around her. In her earliest appearances in FSN and FZ, she blames herself more than anyone would, and resents herself much more than anyone close to her would.

But, it's thanks to meeting people who liked her as she was and her meeting with her lieutenants as a Heroic Spirit and realizing that none of them blame her for what happened in life, that she regained the spirit and charisma that made her life a legend, as a Heroic Spirit rather than still clinging onto a notion that her reign was a mistake.



From Grand Order. A strong, confident, bright face. The kind of person who is a fixed point in a changing age. Someone who's not just king because of birth, but because of the strength of their will. One thing that I think really sells Artoria's character is how good her voice actress, Ayako Kawasumi, is at playing the character. When Saber was originally given a voice back in 2006, Nasu personally sat in on the casting, since he really needed someone who could project the clash between quiet femininity and the aloof dignity of a proud king, and he thought Kawasumi was perfect for the role. 12 years later, with her happily voicing no fewer than 10 different iterations on the same character, I'd say he chose well. For her part, Kawasumi absolutely loves the character to the point where she can make gameplay decisions for the Grand Order staff. Apparently she wants an Artoria in every summonable class (which is how Mysterious Heroine X Alter was a Berserker even if she's not very Berserker-like at all), and given her prominence within a major franchise, when it comes to Artorias, she makes the last call. So far the only class Artoria hasn't appeared as is a Caster, but I'd go to Vegas with the odds that'll change in the next few years.

But speaking of Casters, among many other anecdotes about her Artoria Experience, one time, before attempting summoning in Grand Order, she ordered, in her Artoria voice, for Merlin to come. Unable to resist such an order, on her very next summoning she got her troublesome pseudo-foster father. She tells the story here. No subtitles, unfortunately, but that is what she's talking about. It's hard to believe, with how youthful Artoria sounds, like her VA is in her 40s.





One last point before we begin are these are some of the max bond level Mystic Codes, and Archimedes' Trade Letters I should allows you to play as him before actually unlocking him as a character. The Dragon Heart you get from defeating Artoria in all four main storyline stages she can be found in.






Artoria stage 3

I wonder where you might be. Though I have journeyed to the far corners of SE.RA.PH, still you have yet to appear. And so...I wonder if perhaps there may be more to your tale. My intuition warns me of your power, but not with fear or revulsion. In fact, one would almost be inclined to respect your purity of purpose. At the same time, so my intuition tells me, there is something far greater, something horrible, close beside you. If I could describe it... It hates the world, It envies the world, and mocks all human progress. What is this force behind the aberrations...? I must continue to search, with eyes and mind both open.



However, the words she spoke... Loathe as I am to admit it, she came close to the mark. Her intuition makes her a threat. Still, her theories do fall short. I do not simply "mock" humanity. I despise it to the core. No matter. She could never understand me, nor I her. Not so long as that holy sword comes between us. You, the last bastion of the old mystics. Do you have some sort of connection with the White Titan, having fought against it so many years ago? ...Whatever the truth may be, you will die here, warrior. I will rend you to nothing! I'll cast a time lock and ensure your death will not be avoided! I call on two Top Servants! I will crush your spirit core, your soul, and even your holy sword!



Is that a Servant...? They don't seem to belong to any of the areas.... Let me ask.

Oh? So there are other lone knights that have been called by the Moon Cell. This is truly a skilled one. Which Heroic Spirit are you? If you have any honor, you'll give me your name.

Fool. Don't bother, King of Conquerors. That Heroic Spirit is not like us. Especially you, who enjoys battles.

...Your manner of speaking shows you are not a Saber or Caster. You're a Servant like Altera...! *draws sword* How outrageous to side with the planet after being summoned by the Moon Cell. You two must be disciplined.

Remember that characters in this game will occasionally use the word "planet" to refer to the Umbral Star. The Japanese word for "planet" and "star" are the same, which can lead to confusion in cases like this.

Your looks do not betray how passionate you are. Excellent! Your determination is superb! I'll honor your request for battle!

...Well, that was predictable. Jokes are lost on the King of Knights. Unsavory company shouldn't ruin good morals, yes?





Damn you, Altera for hiding the good drinks and good enemies!



The best way to handle this bunch is to separate them, as Iskandar can provide front-line attack while Gilgamesh fires projectiles from the back. You'll also have to compensate for the fact that Iskandar is quite slow, and that can throw off your ability to do damage to both of them at the same time.



Keeping them apart is the key. Well, I'm sure Gilgamesh and Artoria will meet on another battlefield. Perhaps as soon as next month. The first unique dialogue...

That Rider is planning to use his Noble Phantasm... He's shameless...! *stops him* That scorching presence is gone now. I won't allow it to be used.

Oh, Gilgamesh must have lowered your guard! Surely one as proud knows better!

I'm pretty sure he meant "lowered his guard". In case the reverse happens...

Damn that Iskandar. Having his fun and then leaving... At least that nuisance has gone!

Archer's Noble Phantasm...! I have to hurry and stop it!

In my first run of this stage, Gilgamesh got KO'd after I stopped his Noble Phantasm. Again, something you can discover for yourself what Artoria says after you stop his NP.



I wanted a really cool ending where I charged up an Excaliblast with a Attack Up Code Cast (a la Mana Burst), but...



He blocked it. Dude's got no sense for drama, I swear.









Artoria ending

...But I suppose that's not the whole story. Technically, the Saber of Roses was the one to face Altera, who'd caused the aberrations and dangers, and nullified her. It's more like that Top Servant was quietly watching over her from afar. Still, indirect as she might have been, she certainly played a role. By preventing the escalation of the war between Saber and Caster, she kept Saber's armies from wearing themselves out too soon. So you could see it that way. Or you could say that she simply didn't make it in time. Or that someone in the shadows held her back. However you see it, she did weaken the forces of the Umbral Star. In any case, the disturbances of SE.RA.PH are now over. Both the red and blue armies are at peace. The Forces of Destruction have disappeared. While the threat of the Umbral Star remains, everything is calm for now. The SE.RA.PH that was reborn after the Holy Grail War has regained its peace. And as for that Top Servant, Blue Saber...well, nobody knows where she went. Rumors say she still travels the roads of SE.RA.PH, heroically fighting off any new threats, but... I can't say that's reliable. If I had to speculate myself... I like to think she hangs around some new restaurant, vivaciously enjoying the gourmand lifestyle.



...Naturally. Artoria is an absolutely notorious glutton, partly because the food of her own time was terrible (and apparently Gawain, while peerless on the battlefield, is a disaster in the kitchen), and partly because she just really likes the taste of modern food, especially Japanese cuisine. The lore reason initially was because Shirou couldn't supply her mana effectively, so he had to make up some of her operating costs by cooking her delicious food, but nowadays it's just a well-known character quirk of hers.

So ends my tale, Lady Master. The mastermind Archimedes has been defeated, but such blackguards always have other tricks up their sleeves.

"Blackguard" is a fun word. It means "a low, contemptible person; scoundrel."

Such fiends often return when they are least expected. So please be careful never to lower your guard. Also, having spoken with Altera, I believe she is a pure and simple woman. Stubborn, but one must admire the purity of her intentions. Perchance you may cross paths again in the future. If so, please treat her with an open mind. More than a war god's sword, she needs a companion she can confide in. ...Ah, my second portion has arrived! Oh...this is... Your culinary skills grow even greater by the day, noble shopkeep. This crispy outer layer! This juicy pork, overflowing with flavor in every bite! This perfectly fried morsel, so perfect with rice! And the all-one-can-eat cabbage! The fresh shrimp from the new ocean territories! Yes, this deep-fried shrimp is so crispy and tender. And again, so perfect with rice! And the fried chicken! Exquisitely delicious, hot or cold! And of course, each bite I take goes so amazingly with rice! Ah... This is true happiness... How blessed I am to have come to SE.RA.PH. At first, I worried so deeply about every step of this journey, but all of that is in the far-off past. Shopkeep! I wish to order more food! The fried mix set with extra rice, and the grilled mix set with extra rice. ...Oh, and the lunch special as well! With extra rice!

Yes, it's just as I planned. I believe that one day, her appetite will save SE.RA.PH again...