Part 77: Update LXVIII.V - Rin strikes back!

Update LXVIII.V - Rin strikes back!



The Rin route doesn't have nearly enough content to warrant a full update, so I'll rush through it here.



Rin doesn't show up on day 1.



Music: Down to Dawn


The joyous expression on the girl's face is totally at odds with the sarcasm in her voice. However, I have to be honest with myself. Without her help I would be dead by now. While thinking about just how much she's helped me, my true feelings inadvertently slip out. Thank you for everything. It's only because of Rin's help that I managed to make it this far.

Idio— Wh-What in the hell are you talking about? I was only looking out for myself, same as you. That's it... I wasn't doing anything for you...! —Okay, maybe I helped you out a little...

But all of your victories were a result of your hard work. I had very little to do with them. Remember, the final battle still remains.

Although Rin was blushing for a moment, it quickly faded as her mood turned serious again. She's right. The finals await, and a deadly obstacle stands between me and the Holy Grail.



Leo and his Servant are the trump card the Western plutocrats hope will get them the Holy Grail. Their strength is such that even Lancer and I could not face them unaided. However—



It's odd for me to say such a thing. Even odder is that although you're strong, I can't say how. Remember you're just as powerful as Leo; when the time comes to face him, do not hold back.

Me, powerful? I can't believe that Rin Tohsaka, of all people, would say that about me. Even more surprising is that she's sincere, considering how lost and clueless I've been at times. ...Her words mean everything to me. For the first time, I've received praise from a fellow Master.



Now, go. You should head to the Arena. You no longer have time to relax!

She then hits me violently in the back, a solid *thud* followed by incredible pain. While trying to hide my smile at her embarrassment, I turn and leave the rooftop behind me.





Yeah, failing the requirements for your Servant's Level E Matrix just locks out the yellow chat for the week, no hints for what you did wrong or anything.

Good luck knowing about the Week 4 survey without using a guide!

Music: None






A voice comes from overhead. It's Rin Tohsaka, looking at the sky from the top of the entryway. Accepting her invitation, I go to the indicated spot where Rin plops down beside me.

Music: Down to Dawn


From out of the blue, she starts into a fairly serious topic.

Hey, how come Rani doesn't get any fancy spots like this?



For the past 20 years, the world has been in stasis. Things have neither gotten better or worse. I agree with Leo about one thing. Change ignites conflict, so maybe stasis isn't such a bad thing... That's what I thought at first. Then I realized just how joyless life has become for everyone.

For most people, simple joy is something trivial that's easily overlooked or even dismissed. However, for Rin, the lack of joy or even simple happiness was enough to spur her into action. It seems that in reality, the world is being warped for some unknown purpose.

Without change, there will be no chance for things to improve no matter how much time passes. The only thing that can happen in such a world is that people stop living, and merely exist.



My goal was to overthrow those who have traded progress for stability and give humanity a real future. I fought alongside others for many years, but our foe's power was too much to overcome. But the Holy Grail contains enough power to topple the mightiest of foes. That's why I'm here.

After her last statement, she takes a deep breath. She then turns and looks at me with an anxious, almost worried, expression on her face.



After all, only the winning Master has the right to make a wish, not a drop-out like me. But...I just wanted you to know why I entered and how I felt. ...That I am basically a rash and impetuous person who'd choose chaos over complacency. That's all I wanted to say to you. Sorry about making you sit here and listen for so long.

With that, she cuts off any further conversation and stares up at the fabricated sky. ...Right now, all I can do is gaze at her profile. But I wonder why so much of Rin's speech was in the past tense. I can see resignation cloud her expression as she continues to look up into the sky. She has entrusted a great many secrets to me right now. Only the Master who claims the Holy Grail can leave the SE.RA.PH. For Rin, the days before the final battle will be her—



Don't worry, I'll find a loophole. Now stop thinking about me and start focusing on Leo.

Her sudden smile was enough to lighten my mood and make all of my angst go away. ...I doubt there's anything under the sun that would be a match for this girl. Of all the people I've known throughout all of this, she's definitely the most important to me.



Music: Duel of Fate


I tell Rin about my encounter with Gawain, who I fought against the previous day. His name which bears no shame, the blade that shines like the sun, his apparent invincibility-



They're probably counting on the divine protection of the morning sun that Gawain supposedly has. As long as the sun shines, Gawain might be the mightiest Heroic Spirit, even greater than Arthur.

The power of legend— Gawain's exploits are described in detail in the "Knights of the Round Table" mythos. It's said that he was a hero who was blessed with great powers by the sun. Now that I think about it, his abilities seem to be taken straight from the legends.

But every hero has a weakness and Gawain is no exception. No matter how powerful his abilities, he cannot escape the shackles of his legacy. And according to legend, overcoming his greatest strength will leave him vulnerable.

The stories say Gawain died by the hand of Sir Lancelot, who waited until the sun set to strike what became a fatal blow. But in the SE.RA.PH, the Arena days are control led by the system. I couldn't imagine the sun setting while inside there.



Um... Even with my power, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep it up—

While Rin's power as a Wizard is without question, to use such an advanced technique— I wonder if there is something I can do to help?



At first I couldn't think of a place on campus that a Wizard could work without bother... Maybe the multimedia room that Julius was using before... But the secret to gaining access to it probably died with its original occupant. For now, I'll poke around the multimedia room. Maybe I'll find a clue about how to get in—



The gap between cutscenes at least makes more sense on this side, although checking out the multimedia room is the same.



Music: School II




This might work! We should be able to fool the multimedia room's security with this. The multimedia room will be the perfect base. Swing by tonight; I should have something by then. We'll work more on our plan of attack once you show up.

I hope everything goes well... I hope everything goes well... No, I need to focus on chipping away at Gawain's ability for now.



Music: School III


I present Julius's article as Rin has requested. Next, Rin mumbles something and the lock clicks open.



This place will make a great base. I should be able to hack into the Arena's lighting from here. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but while I'm hacking, you'll have to stall for time, Hakuno.

Of course. While Rin is hacking here, I'll distract Leo. If correctly timed with the fall of the light, just one strike against Gawain is all that is needed.





After I nod in agreement, Rin goes into the Multimedia Room. I better go find Leo right away, because if I miss him going into the Arena and mess up the timing, the plan will amount to nothing.



Music: Fourth Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor


Leo is near you. See if you can draw him out and stall for time!





k







Music: Down to Dawn


Rin is waiting for me in her usual spot. Her pale skin gleams white in the gentle, beaming light. Yesterday we struck a strong blow against Gawain, so it's possible to be positive about the finals. Tomorrow is the seventh and final Elimination Battle. I never thought I'd be standing on equal ground with Leo and Gawain, but thanks to Rin, it's a reality. Those words of thanks are on my mind as I look at Rin-



Rin frantically wipes a hand over her face. It looks so funny that I burst out laughing. And when I do, Rin-



And to think, I figured you'd be seriously concerned here about what Leo said...

I spent time wondering if Leo's philosophy had merit. However, just as Rin said before, it is not as if what he says must absolutely be true. I realized after fighting him that as strong as Leo is, he's missing something critical. That's why I can surely win against Leo.

Hmph, I'm glad you think so, but talk is cheap. You better make good on your words.

Rin says this and smiles. Seeing that smile reinvigorates me to win and return to her, no matter what.



The odds are fifty-fifty as to if that will happen or not. And that's only if things go well... Once the Holy Grail War is over, promise me that you'll contact me. I don't care how or from where. This is the address I'm using for the war. I won't change it for three days.

Embarrassment colors Rin's face as she sends her e-mail address to my terminal. But...why? Ignoring the fact that I still have to defeat Leo, I'm still nothing but random bits of data. Isn't it kind of...well, ridiculous...to treat something like me as a real human being?



You are you, regardless of where you came from or how you came to be. You're softhearted and sentimental and— It's a reminder of how people really should be. No, it's not ridiculous. You are alive, so start thinking about life after the Holy Grail War. Defeating Leo will bring the wrath of the Harway family down on you. Doesn't that scare you at all?

...Oh. I-I never thought about that! If the Western plutocrats target someone, they'd be as good as dead outside of the Holy Grail War!

Right? Don't worry, I'll watch over you. After all, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. Don't be afraid to depend on me once all of this is over. I'll protect you no matter what.

I tilt my head in puzzlement. Not only is she sure I'll beat Leo, she's making plans for afterward. I think she's getting way too ahead of herself—



Helping another person is a big deal, right?! And of course you had to go and do just that! To help another person is to take a certain amount of responsibility for their life! Remember that it's much harder to try and keep one alive than to stand by and watch them die!

...I see. Such an act couldn't be done without compassion. And to save a life is to share in it. —All right. All I can do now is prepare and face what comes. I only get this one chance at life. Though saving a life is a great responsibility— It's far better to save a life than take one.



Rin then turns away while continuing to mumble to herself. ...That's right. I may not have anywhere to go after this, but I swear I will return to this spot, and—



Music: School II


Will Rin get a longer conversation than Rani, considering she's talking to her mortal enemy?



In this school where there are so few people left, I can only believe the owner of that voice to be Rin. And the other voice can only belong to Leo.



On the contrary, I'm relieved that you somehow managed to survive.



Whoever wins the Holy Grail and gets to return home is the sole survivor. That's the rule. But, my life doesn't matter. You're the one who still has something to lose. If you lose in the final match, the Harway family will lose their heir. Pretty big blow, hmm?



It's not bravado, or a lie. Leo believes he's speaking the truth. And it is definitely not in blind faith. He has judged himself, and doesn't find himself lacking.



"Choking into oblivion"? Tohsaka, your complaint is...creative. Still... ...No. You look tired. Now is not the time for an extended conversation, I'm afraid. With that said, I bid you a good day.

Hahaha fuck no, this is Fate/Extra! What else would you expect?

For being Rin's mortal enemy and all, I think the last time they've had any form of interaction was, what, just after we killed Alice?



Kishinami. You'd better win and then come back to— Anyway, just win, got it?!

And that's it for the final Rin week. Did it add a lot more to my workload? Yes, but I don't regret doing things like this. Showing the Rani and Rin routes side by side like this really make it clear just how much had to be recycled between routes, and how much it hurt the game as a whole.

Next time: The final Elimination Battle.