Part 49: Update XLIV - Invisible Servant

Update XLIV - Invisible Servant





Another week, another speech.



After starting with 999 potential Masters in the preliminaries, the Holy Grail War is now down to just 1% of that.



Music: School I


That was the most powerful opponent I've faced up until now. And being asked who I was shook me a little. However, with the support of my Servant and Rani I have come to realize that I can only go forward. Even if my only reason for doing so is that I fear death... I have a Servant to fight for me and a beautiful, talented girl to help me. For now, I need to forget about my past and just continue forward as a Master—



Sound: Phone ringing






There are three rounds left, and three named Masters still in the fight, so the odds of getting someone new is practically non-existant.



Leo's obviously our final opponent, so that means this week has to be either Rin or...

Music: Duel of Fate




...Julius.

His cold, callous eyes radiate a predatory gaze. None of the other Masters tried to intimidate me quite like this. My skin prickles like thousands of invisible needles have struck the nape of my neck and my chest.

...You're not flinching. You've improved. That's what makes Wizards so special. They can make extreme progress in just a short period of time.



As the man walks toward me, the air grows more oppressive with each step until I can hardly breathe.



He whispers in my ear as he passes, close enough to touch my shoulder.

The world— The Holy Grail will be Leo's. There will be no deviation from this course.



Unable to look, unable to breathe, I wait for his malevolent presence to slowly fade as he walks away.



Caster's annoyance brings me back to reality.



Don't worry about him, Master. You're way stronger and cooler than he is!



Music: Down to Dawn


A small touch, but they actually play the private room theme for this scene instead of the sleep/chapel theme like last week, which goes to show just how much Hakuno trusts Rani.



I wonder how Rani knows so much about Julius. After seeing the apprehensive look on my face, Rani continues her explanation.



He's known to strike from the shadows to protect the scion of his family, Leo Harway. Like a scorpion, his stinger is sharp and his poison brings about almost certain death—

Recalling that foreboding sense of death sends a chill racing down my spine.



Even with extensive preparation, you still may fall short of being able to face him— Therefore, I have decided that I will help you. My health has returned, so... If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask me.

Sound: Phone ringing

An electronic chiming sounds from my terminal.



I find myself recalling Julius's hollow, vacant stare. My opponent...is a real assassin— One mistake, and I might as well cut my own throat and save him the trouble of doing it for me. But I can't worry about that now; I have to go to the Arena and find my first Trigger.

Music: School I


~

Rani is always so polite, isn't she? She's a delight.

For whatever reason, Sakura won't give out her weekly supplies today. We'll just have to wait until tomorrow.



The Matrix page for Julius has also opened up.

Strangely, his Servant is still listed as Unconfirmed, even though we've kinda, you know...


...already seen him.



After this, four will be left, and then two... It'd be good to finally face you in the finals.

Music: School III


Suddenly, we finally learn why these two have stepped in!



As you're here for the Holy Grail War, you can only access specific parts of the Moon Cell. It's a little different for us. We're not here for the Holy Grail, but for the Moon Cell's network. In exchange for access to the network, we agreed to assist the Masters competing for the Grail. But until someone wins the damn thing, we're stuck here the same as the rest of you.

...I see. Although not part of the Holy Grail War, they have been given Master status. But what's so important to them that they willingly chose to be trapped inside of the Moon Cell?



Knowing this game, this will probably become a late game side quest. Item fetching will almost certainly be involved.

All I had to go on was "part of their mind was ensnared in the virtual world,” so here I am.

As for me, I sensed a potential shift in the future and came here to make sure nothing came of it. My detestable elder sister showed up at the same time, so we decided to set up shop here. Now, I'm kind of forced to stay here so that I can keep an eye on her as well. This woman is hateful and evil, and her "research" is more Robert J. White than Marie Curie.

Well, break time is over. I need to keep searching. You two, keep the chitchat to a minimum.

In an obvious attempt to end further conversation Touko Aozaki loudly clears her throat. What's more disturbing than her rudeness is the fact that she never denied Aoko's accusation.

~

Damn it, I can't concentrate. I should probably go grab some more of those horrid e-cigs...

Music: School I


Even if it was only temporary, he was one of us. To think he'll be fighting a friend... I guess the description "conflicted emotions" would be best used here—



There are only eight Masters left. To think you're one of them is truly annoying.



...But even if that's the case, we still must be cautious. The feeling of death that seems to ooze out of the dismal man is almost overwhelming. That sort of conniving, underhanded person is the total opposite of my dear Master.



*Sigh* Your opponent is Kuzuki? You have my sympathy. That one's dangerous. There's... something ominous about him...



May the Holy Grail continue to illuminate your path through the difficult battles ahead.



Keep up the good work! The Holy Grail is within reach! May victory be yours!

Hakuno has killed four people, how the hell is she 'almost' a real Master?



Your next opponent is part of the Harway clan, too. Good luck to us both! We can share tips with each other.

Let us have a pre-emptive moment of silence for this soon-to-be-dead Master.



I assure you that we of the commissary will continue to support your efforts.



The shop this week has a new tier of healing item, as well as finally stocking Master MP items that aren't the single digit restoring lunch foods.



And the latest set of Mystic Codes includes the next tier of healing cast...



...and a field speed buff combined with the largest MP boost we've seen so far.



We're rapidly hitting the point in any RPG where money becomes meaningless, so I buy both right now and slap them on.



Including you, there are eight Masters left. Who knows, we might be facing each other next. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, huh?



A quick cutscene starts up by the Arena.

Whatever. If anything happens, I'll just have to act accordingly. Now let's get going!



Music: Fourth Chimeric Lunar Sea - First Floor


Just think, there's only two more Orb Zones after this week.





The preview goes out of its way to show a Nephilim guarding a red chest, so I bet it holds something good.

Music: Fear


How strange... Keep going, Master, but be careful!





In a change of pace, we can actually see the Trigger as soon as we enter the dungeon! Bizarrely, it has a completely stationary Phobia-type enemy blocking the only entrance.



Not that I'll be able to look for a way around to it, granted, since as soon as we round this corner...



Julius gets to work.



It's none other than Julius. But, even though we're in the Arena, there's no sign of his Servant. What could this—







T-that isn't Julius talking...

Huh...?

Music: Stops




What!?

What just happened—?! In the space of a second, the air grew thick, and then I heard a thud, as if something big hit the floor. But there was nothing there. But there's no mistaking that Caster is collapsed on the floor.



Assassin is using the obvious transparency form of invisibility. To Hakuno and Caster, he can't be seen.

It's over. Let's go.





No, there's no need. I've hit their heart, which is enough, but- Yeah, that's enough. They're as good as dead.

I see. Let's go, then.



That voice must have belonged to Julius's Servant. He said something pretty ominous— "They're as good as dead." Caster...isn't moving.



I can't think of anything but that terrible sight. My strong, capable Servant is lying helpless on the floor...! We just came out the wrong side of a surprise attack. ...I can't believe what I'm seeing. This can't be real. It's a dream, right? No, I can't wake up from this dream...it's real.



An Assassin Servant...? But, the way he erased his presence isn't...normal...

Caster manages to drag herself back up.



That's, uh, one way to get info, I guess.

Caster haltingly gets up. It's clear that she is worse for the wear.

I'm sorry...my dear Master... I've been defeated.



She then immediately falls again.

Caster!? Seeing that I am safe, Caster sighs in relief and collapses again. I have to fix my Servant as soon as possible—



Music: School III


I've been mostly restored, and since it seemed that you've grown as well, I...kind of let my guard down— ...Even if it didn't always seem like it, Master, I thought, in some weird sense of self-righteousness, that I could protect you by being cautious...



I can only imagine how much it hurts Caster to even speak. She must really be worried about me. She must've foreseen Julius's assassination attempt on me. That must why she tried so hard to protect me by herself, so that I would have nothing to worry about. However, the enemy Servant somehow overcame her vigilance. Focused on protecting her Master, Caster never thought that she'd become a target.



...Caster has no reason to apologize for any of this. I should've been paying attention. The responsibility for Julius's successful ambush is mine alone. I have to do something to help Caster recover as quickly as possible. I owe her that much for protecting me.



Aaaaaaaand then the results screen instantly spoils what's wrong with her and how we heal her.



For some extra salt in the wound, the Level 1 Matrix is just an Assassin? tag.

Next time: Tactical Espionage Action.