Part 92: Update LXXVIII - Shooting

Update LXXVIII - Shooting

This update covers the events of Update XVII to Update XX.



Music: None


Robin prepares his ambush.





Nero gets a rank in Strength.



For the excellence in your comnands, I commend you. I will train harder to keep apace of you!

We get a room chat for hitting 30 perfect fights.



And we go set off the ambush.





I don't need Saber's warning to know that I am being watched. There's no doubt that I am being stalked by a Servant.

...Breath slowly and quietly. Do nothing that will draw attention to yourself.

Music: Fear


I try to calm down and prepare for action as Saber and I make eye contact. One, two, three?





Funnily enough, Nero uses her normal running animation here, but she doesn't have her sword out. This leaves her holding empty air with both hands.









I enjoy the hunt, but not being hunted. We must find a position to retaliate from...!



Done.







Saber blocked the arrow that had been aimed at us the moment we entered the Arena— Or so I thought.

Music: Stops


It makes me nauseous-more nauseous than seeing a small wound like that would warrant. Saber stopped the surprise attack, but while I was focused on running away, there was a second arrow.



I struggle to stay conscious as the poison starts to course through my system. Whoever that Servant is, they landed a really good shot. There's no doubt that the enemy is an Archer. What good is knowing that going to do me if I die? Before the poison spreads, I have to retreat to a safer place...

Music: Fear




Despite being poisoned, I still go and kill all the Fishbites to gain a quick level while I'm here.



Better luck next time!





Music: School III


That gray-haired knight is not as venerable as I imagined! He has been corrupted by the Holy Grail. ...Now is not the time to speak ill of the enemy. Not when you are the one in trouble here. A Master's pact with the Moon Cell limits their experience of physical functions on school grounds. The pain should disappear if you are in the school, but you must seek treatment tomorrow morning.







Dan gets mad.





He proved his honor by apologizing with a Command Seal, and revealing the name of his Noble Phantasm. I am impressed by his warrior's spirit, though he is naive to be so honorable! Fortunately for the knight, we too desire an honorable fight!





And we go get our next Skill.





I guess Fount of the Healer is meant to be some kind of parallel to Tamamo's Spirit Theft, but the issue is that HP is kinda easy to top up?

Who knows, maybe it'll leech like 50% of damage dealt or something and be actually worthwhile.



Let's go test it out!

Music: First Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor




As a reminder, there's no plot in the Arena today.



I've looked forward to this! Let us go, Praetor! Many amusements await us!

So I'll just get the Arena chats.



I suppose it cannot be helped. I can indulge myself at a later time.



So is Nero's new buff good?





Well, it heals for around 1/3 of the damage dealt. That's only 12 hits to fully heal Nero!

Yeah no, Fount of the Healer is a bad skill. On a new game, Hakuno has so little to do early on that they can easily toss an item to keep her healthy, and by end game can just toss an Elixer to also fill up MP. On NG+, the combination of keeping enemy data and having MP restoration means that Nero shouldn't be getting hit in the first place.



On a more positive note, Nero's next level pushes her over 1K HP! It took Tamamo until, what, Week 4 to hit that?



Good, we've obtained the cipher key. Now we can proceed through the rest of training at our leisure.

Get the Trigger.



And done.







Music: School III




Sir Knight, I care nothing about your Servant, but I am impressed by your behavior. However, it concerns me greatly that you chose to use a Command Seal to assist us.



To use one of the three Command Seals given to me to help my enemy, of all things...

Command Seals... Three irrefutable commands given to all the Masters in the Holy Grail War. If it's within the rules, they will guarantee that an action is performed, whatever the cost.

But it was the right thing to do. Also, I'm here on behalf of her Majesty, the Queen... It has been a long time since... No, this is the first time a fight has been for personal reasons. As a mere soldier, I'd have praised Archer's actions. As a knight, I must condemn them. And as I did, I could almost feel as if the spirit of my wife approved, and was proud of me.



Then Dan chats some more.



Music: School IV


Now that we have her cooperation, we should definitely speak with her on a regular basis.

Music: Duel of Fate


Quick stop to chat with Rani.



Astrology, is it? I can see various stars in the sky, but they only confuse and rankle me. However, I am curious about her "professor." As for this girl's motives, I wish to know more... For today only, I shall feign ignorance on this matter of the stars.

Boy are you in for a treat after Week 3, Nero!





...I think I understand now. Our foe could only play the role of hero, but never be one himself.



See you next week for the Vorpal Blade!



Spend my SP.



But now is not the time for sentimentality. Let us go to the Arena; there is still much to do.

And back to the Arena.

Music: First Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor




Now that they've been given a penalty, this may be a good opportunity to attack them.







With a hand on their weapon, my Servant squints their eyes upon hearing Dan's and Archer's words.



If you choose not to cower in the shadows, you will not be able to escape my blade, you know.



But no worries, feel free to hide wherever you wish.





Saber's words seem to take Archer totally by surprise, as if her words touch on his very core. For a moment, his normally calm demeanor became incredibly flustered.



But you're fine with that, aren't you Archer? In this battle, there is nothing for you to protect. How about you try for a certain amount of gravity and decorum now? I will gladly hear you out.



But you really seem to enjoy talking down to others, you pompous queen.

Archer's eyes shine with evil intent. As he reaches under his cape, I fear he may unleash his Noble Phantasm.





Yeah, yeah, I know. ...Sir Bossman, your request is kind of a pain in the ass, you know? You do realize who I am, don't you? Asking me to fight toe-to-toe... Are you drunk or something? Hahaha. I really don't get it. If you take away the element of surprise, what else is there left for me? My looks, maybe? My sweet, handsome face! Alas, its powers only work on simple village lasses!

You wish to complain? Is your prowess as a hunter so dependent upon the power of the Faceless King?

Ah...no...well, I mean... Even I get nervous around that, okay? I do have pride in my archery skills, though.

Then fight with that in mind. A sniper such as myself would know more than anyone else about your skills. And what I know would send chills through most people. I have confidence in you, Archer.

...It's not like I have a choice. I disapprove of all of this, but I will obey. He is my Master, after all. Fortunately for me, my opponent is a mere chick. I rarely attack directly, but it shouldn't matter in this case.



It is all right; I will not complain of the excitement added to this droll fight with a frail man... You will recant your haughtiness when I have your liver on my blade.



When it comes to regrets, I've already been down that road. Don't care anymore. Besides, are you telling me to regret winning? What kind of reverse psychology are you playing at?



But, I am benevolent. I will grant your worthless life some glory by personally defeating you.

Damn, kid. This pampered king of yours is less a gaudy lapdog and more a feral pooch... Aha! I think I understand you now. Let me guess, you're big on athletic competitions and such, right?

Indeed, I adore them. So much that I would be participating in them right now, if I were not disposed.

Yup, as I thought. You're completely immune to sarcasm. Well, since you're an aristocrat, after I tear you a new hole, I'll make sure to line it with lace.

Music: Duel - Unauthorized Battle






In case you were wondering if I could go for a repeat of last week and kill Robin early:



The answer is no. His fondness for Guards, combined with random damage variance, will leave me a good bit short.



So he makes it out at critical HP.

Rhyme never fights you before the Elimination Battle, and everyone after her has 5 digit HP, so Drake is the only Servant you can get an early kill on.

Music: First Chimeric Lunar Sea - Second Floor




Once we're sure that Dan and Archer have left, Saber relaxes a little. A small smile forms on her lips.

He spoke of his home. —Sherwood Forest. *Chuckle* It was a bit vague, but the astrology reading from that Rani person did come in handy.

Also, Dan mentioned a fairly important keyword, the Faceless King. With this new info, I think I'm closing in on Archer's true name. I should look into this more when I return to campus.









Next time: Robin fails to use his Noble Phantasm. Again.