Part 89: Update LXXV - Saber's circumstances

Update LXXV - Saber's circumstances

This update covers the events of Updates X-XII.





Hi Leo.





Shinji hides the books.

Music: Down to Dawn


And we have a chat with Saber.



My questions about the Holy Grail War have only increased since that moment I made a contract with Saber. ...And the war aside, I still want to know just who she is.



Speak, if something concerns you. This is a time for rest, so such distraction is permitted.

Now would be a good opportunity to ask— All right-



What's your true name?

I'm surprised. So, it seems not knowing my true name has been troubling you. However... Hmmmmm. What troubles ME is that you do not worry over the battle to come as I do.

...Though she's admonishing me, Saber exudes pleasure. She must be happy that I asked about her name. She continues speaking.

It is the pleasure of those with regal natures to dignify the queries of those around them with answers. Speaking of the past is awkward, but as we have sworn an oath of fidelity, I will tell you.



Bu?



It holds on this for a few seconds.





I told you I would conceal my true name for a time. Falling for such a trick shall not happen! You will learn of my true name once you have become successful as a magus. For now, restrain yourself!

Embarrassed at nearly being had, Saber snubs her nose at me and falls silent. ...Apparently it was too soon to try to learn her real name.

~

Are you a girl, Saber?

Are you inquiring about my physical form? Or my spirit, my soul? My answer varies depending on which.

That was unexpected. I asked because she has a masculine bearing and tone of voice, so I thought perhaps she had been raised a boy.

My physical form is that of a woman. A short woman, but height matters not in determining superiority. I do not mind it, and you should not either. Therefore, refrain from making comments about my height.

All right, I've learned one thing. From now on, I'll be sure not to use "petite" or "short" to describe Saber, since I DO value my life.

Next, my spirit. It is about half and half, I suppose. Although I do not allow gender to sway my preferences, I believe my core is a maiden, as I adore beauty.

...Oh. From her brusque attitude and gallant actions, I figured she would value "valor" above all. "My core is a maiden." That sentiment seems incongruous with her warrior spirit, but... Knowing that gentleness resides somewhere in her form makes me less nervous about the battles to come.

And last is the orientation of my soul, an entity different from the body or spirit. Indeed. I think it admirable that I could go either way, though I am firmly rooted in the middle.

—Wait, what?



And here's why Saber has no gender-locked conversations, unlike Archer or Tamamo: she honestly couldn't give less of a shit.

In other words, ”I'm not going to shut up now that I can brag!" That's too rich for my blood, no matter how you figure it. ...It seems it would be better if I were not to inquire any further...

~

Why are you so imperious?

There is no more appropriate way for me to speak than with the air of an emperor. We speak according to our parents' expectations of us in childhood, and how we were raised. I have not been permitted to speak plainly since leaving childhood. And now, were I to revert to that manner of speaking, I would deny what I have become. It would be like throwing away all that I have devoted myself to, even if I would regain my humanity—

The young female knight speaks with certainty that such a day had never —and will never—come. She seems to boast that she devoted her life to something.

All three end the scene.



Hmm? Do you not understand? Your commands allowed me the flawless victory I deserve. I feel on top of the world after that perfection in swordplay! I have underestimated your skills.

We also have a few optional chats. This one is for getting one perfect fight.



Whether with entertainment or food, it is delightful to consume! Perhaps that is why you called me forth?

If so, then I urge you to be more indulgent. Bloat your corpus with excess. You only live once!

And this one is for using 30 items. Despite the fact that we'll hit 100 items fairly soon, that chat holds Saber's Skill upgrade. So naturally it won't unlock until we, you know, have the Skill it upgrades.

Music: School IV


Day 4 means the chapel unlocks, bitches!



You fucking bet!



Saber's build?



Tamamo got a blend of Strength, Defense, and Magic. With Saber, I'm going for a much simpler build.

All Strength, all the time.

Sure, it means she'll be taking a lot of damage from everyone, but her own natural bulk will let me ignore the hits and kill any enemy before they can wear her down.









Fitting Saber's role as the beginner Servant, her first Skill just damages things. No added bonus effects like with Tamamo.



Shinji is an asshole on our way out.



And off we go.

Music: First Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor




It'd be a catastrophe if they attack us from behind while we return to campus. We should face head-on now. Master, we should locate the book that lowly extra hid here before they suspect what we're up to.



Oh look, our first victim!

Music: Battle - First Chimeric Lunar Sea


Now, I intended for this to be a demonstration of Saber's shiny new skill...



But this Inspire happened to block one too many times, so consider it an example of her new damage output instead.



There's always next time.



Oh look, next time!



I try out a Veil with and without the Strength buff from the final set of shop gear, just to see how much it gives.



Veil starts off dealing decent damage, and as all Saber's Skills key off of Strength, it'll keep getting stronger alongside my normal attacks.



How much is the buff?



About a 25% increase, not bad!

Music: First Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor


Back on track.



We gain a level exploring the place.



Find out that a box can phase into Hakuno if you stand in the right spot.



And get the book.





Praetor. I highly recomnend you open that box immediately.



There it is. The book that Shinji was so desperate to keep hidden appears to be some sort of diary written on sheaves of parchment. It is so old that the ink has begun to fade, but I am able to read the name of a ship, the Golden Hind, the names of several islands, and the partial manifests of hijacked ships. This must be the ship's log of a pirate that sailed the high seas. It must've been constructed with a fairly powerful program since Shinji was obviously unable to delete this folder and had to hide it here.



It's a pity her true name isn't legible, but this book should prove a useful clue as to her identity.



And I went through all of the trouble of bringing it down here... Oh well, I'll just have to take it back now.



Remember when I mentioned how you had no way to stun Drake out of Culverin Cannons during this fight?



Time to ruin a scene.





Anyway, too bad for you. You came all this way just for me to take that book away from you.



As to what obtaining information in the Holy Grail War truly means!

Music: Duel - Unauthorized Battle






Wow, it's like I never left endgame!



And Drake is never able to fire off her Cannon.



You know how these go.

Music: First Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor


D-Don't start getting cocky now! And anyway, the SE.RA.PH is watching. I'll be victorious in the end!





First of all, that item relating to our enemy's Servant is definitely a ship's log. Secondly, based on the ship's battery she had just revealed— If her prowess with vehicles is so advanced, then it means that without a doubt she is a Rider.

Worth it.



Now that we've obtained the book that frail man-child tried to hide, we can leave this place without any problem. If you wish, we can go on and obtain the Trigger today or return and rest for the day. Do what you think best.



I gain a level on the way to the Trigger.



So this must be the second required cipher key, or Trigger if you insist on using the common vernacular. If we want to find the Triggers, we need to thoroughly explore the Arena. We must make this a priority, Master.



Gain one more level for good measure.



And leave.



Music: School III


However, we can't win against them with information alone. Be diligent in your training.





Music: School IV


Hit the barrier.

The moment I tried to enter the Arena, it felt like I ran into a wall and I was flung backwards. It seems someone put up a barrier.





I was bored, so I decided to set up a few little surprises here and there. My bad. I'm actually doing bottom feeding Masters like Hakuno a favor. The Arena is a dangerous place. But if you must enter the Arena, you'll need to track down the two magic sigils I set. However, once you make it into the Arena, I'll crush you like a cockroach. Show up if you dare.





It looks like the door is sealed, but it's actually an anomaly in the area's programming code. The sigils are like tributaries feeding a river. Unless we block the flow, the seal will remain. Praetor, arduous though it may be, we must find the two locations where he placed those sigils.



Hit the nurse's office.



That's one down. We need to find the other magic sigil. Let's check where he's been skulking.



Pressing it will bring up a list of places you can instantly travel to. I'm sure you'll find this information useful. I think you owe me a word of thanks.

Fun fact: fast travel is also locked out until now.



Stop off to spend my SP.



Look at it! Two Ranks in Strength! In the very first week!







Compared to Tamamo, Nero's move buff comes in much earlier.



One of the sigils used to make the barrier has been deleted.

We've found the second one. Enough of these stupid games, let's hurry to the Arena. I will make our foe suffer for the unforgivable sin of annoying me!

And finally hit Shinji's desk.

Next time: We kill Shinji. We kill Shinji again.