Part 72: Update LXIV - That which cannot be surrendered

Update LXIV - That which cannot be surrendered

Music: None




Farewell, Li Shuwen.

You deserved a better end.

With a ground-shaking roar of bestial rage, the once ferocious martial artist disappeared into the sky. Li Shuwen. Considered by many to be one of the greatest masters in the history of Bajiquan. Though he dedicated his life to martial arts, he was undone by the karma his acts of violence demanded.



Julius's normally refined features contort as the Command Seal on the back of his hand glows deep red.

...!

Unable to withstand the pain that's surging through his body, Julius hunches over. I can barely watch as he writhes in pain. ...It's too late to help. Julius's Command Seals disappear one by one and his body collapses upon itself. I cannot bring myself to strike the finishing blow. Despite the fact he tried to kill me many times over, I can't kill him as he is now. The person from who this body of mine is copied from might have lived their life much like he did. His eyes slowly open.

Music: Goodbye


Julius breathes in deep. There's no longer the madness of bloodlust tinging his eyes.

The serenity in your eyes... Though I cannot understand why, you actually have some pity for me.

As his shoulders move in time with his labored breathing, Julius looks up into the sky of this empty world, covered by the waters of a virtual sea.



...You were right, you know. It's exactly what you guessed. ...The Holy Grail, the Harways... None of that ever really mattered. ...When I was young, only one person ever showed me love. Me, who had never been loved before. No one can live without love. Not even someone like me, whose life had no value otherwise. There was a woman who taught me that my life had value.



To really drive home how bad the Harways are: They had Leo and Julius's own mother killed.



And they had Julius do the deed.

...I can no longer clearly remember the exact events. Looking back on it, the whole incident seems so surreal. ...I liken it to a badly-made movie: poorly made, laughably acted, and generally done in poor taste.

...Julius isn't looking my way. He is now deep in his memories.

But since then, my purpose was clear. I would work to grant her final wish, and then...join her in death. People began to despise me like I was an evil spirit whose hands were forever tainted with blood. But I could accept that. Because in trying to grant her wish, I had a motivation in life. But you— While destroying my cause, you didn't finish me off. ...Why?



It seemed like you wanted to be saved.

I've been more awed by Julius than by any other opponent. -But inside his ferocity lay a deep melancholy. Behind his frozen gaze, I sensed a man crying out for rescue like a helpless infant.



Julius casts his eyes down.



Never considering that there might be hope, or another path. My whole life I've been an insect, desperately drawn to a single light far ahead of me. But... Maybe my life wasn't all that bad. ...It's bright here. If I could be born one more time, I may live the same way again. Even if my dark journey ends in pain, it means everything to see light at the end of the path.

A yellow light can be seen reflected off the eyes in Julius's raised head. Maybe he's seeing the only person who can truly save him. I can only hope that's the case. I'm sad that I'm powerless to do anything for him myself—



You are...crying...for me... —I had forgotten the beauty that such a gesture can hold. No— Don't shed tears for me—

Before his finger reaches my cheek to wipe away the tears, it melts away into thin air.

~

I wanted to understand you.



Julius's words are quiet as his eyes flicker open. His eyes have always had a lonely, lifeless cast to them. His face never shows expression. But after watching him reach his limit of pain several times over— Somewhere deep within that fervor, I uncovered my enchantment with this steely killer.



Those who come near me either hold me in contempt while using me like a chained dog, or they cower. But you... Yes, you look at me straight on. Unflinchingly. No matter the depths of darkness and despair surrounding you, your eyes flash with determination. I wish I had such strong will. I envy that about you.

He raises his right hand toward me.



To pity myself for a contemptible life that's been lived without a single companion.

Julius glances away, as if in embarrassment, when I take his hand in mine.

~~



...I'm sorry for making you stay through these moments with a man such as me.



Farewell, Julius Berkisk Harway.





Goodbye overrides the normal dungeon music for the rest of the day, but the hate gates are still up, so the Trigger is still out of reach.



Way to kill the mood, Tamamo.



Music: School III


However, don't you think it's really suspicious that we haven't seen the little king around?! He talks all big about being a king, but mark my words he's off plotting something sneaky right this minute!





Music: School II




I'm almost positive that guy wanted everything about him to remain inscrutable, even his death. He may have been a dastardly villain, but at the very least he had a sense of shame. And he was an assassin; it's not like he wanted anyone's approval. He chose strength above all else. If you must remember anything at all about him, remember that even in the end, he still had his pride.

...That may be true. Just like Caster says, Julius's life was his own. I can't take responsibility for how he led it.



I nod in acknowledgment of Caster's words. Now that I think about it, I haven't told Rani about Julius. I wonder if she's around today-? I think I'll go see her later.

Music: Down to Dawn


At some point I must have hit 100 perfect fights, but something feels screwy about it. Like, the first chat was at 10 perfects, and I got that halfway through Week 1. There's no way it should have taken me this long to hit 100, especially once I got enough MP recovery to sling spells freely. Doubly so considering I spent all of yesterday getting my ass kicked for the damage milestones. I'm sorta wondering if there's a specific lock on it to stop it from popping before now.

Wha—?! You maxed out the counter?! M-Master, you are a king of fighters! You've actually exceeded the number of perfect battles tracked!

I'm truly impressed. Forgive the Go reference, but you're almost good enough for the title of Honinbo. Here is a little memento to mark this special occasion. It's a little something I knitted in my spare time.

Honinbo is the oldest Go competition in Japan, starting in 1941!



I gratefully take the item Tamamo had, for some mysterious reason, tucked into her bosom. ...I've been wondering about this for a while now, but where does Tamamo keep all of her stuff? Could her sash actually be a gateway to another dimension? It's even blue...

Is that a Doraemon reference?

What an interesting observation! But some things are better left unsaid, so let a girl have her secrets, okay?

...What I don't get is why you don't apply your intelligence to starting a romantic relationship with— When it comes to affairs of the heart...and body...you are my most formidable adversary.

What is the Nine Tails?

Music: School II


A key item.



It does absolutely nothing.

Congratulations on 100 perfect fights with the hardest Servant in the game!



Unfortunately, I don't think your primitive brain is capable of comprehending the truth.



The Arena got hacked AGAIN. This is so embarrassing... Enough! I'm going to raise the firewall so high even the Great Wall of China will be jealous!



Be sure the connection you share with your Servant doesn't overwhelm your good judgment.





Rani smiles, seemingly unaware that she's the reason I've made it this far. I have to win one more time to be worthy of that smile. I have to reach the Holy Grail.



Rani's beaming expression gives way to one muddied by anxiety, though still steadfast.

I have a request, Hakuno.

A request— If she wants me to get the Holy Grail, I've already committed. Her burdens and my resolve... Both drive us to accomplish our task of attaining the Holy Grail.



As Julius was the cunning scorpion, Leonardo is the lion—the pride and strength of the Harways. He is the true representative of those Western European plutocrats. The Holy Grail is his to lose.

I'm surprised to hear Rani lecture so, but her earnestness is really quite endearing. I don't plan on giving Leo any quarter. He's my better, so I have to go all out. That said, I'm different from what I was in the first round. I have my Servant and Rani, both of whom have seen me through some tough patches.

I knew I could have faith in you, Hakuno. If there's anything at all you wish me to do, just ask.

It's in my power to make sure that smile never diminishes, and that we go to the Grail hand-in-hand.

Despite what she said earlier, Hakuno never really gets around to telling anyone about Julius coming back.



Quick stop to cash in my SP...



You wouldn't want to run the risk of getting trapped in the Arena, would you?



And a quick scene by the Arena.

Caster's subdued manner and twitching ears immediately tells me something is wrong with her.



Caster seems to have returned to her normal exuberant self, but it feels...really forced. I want to help her in any way I can. She is my partner in all of this, so I ask...



Is something troubling you?

With a small gasp, Caster becomes almost immediately wide-eyed and flustered at my question.



~

Do your ears itch or something?

Master! No bad touch on my ears! I know how appealing Tamamo's fluffy ears are, but doing that makes my no-no bits all tingly!

Also, doing...that...where we can be seen makes it worse! Can't you wait until we're alone?!

The T Regulations, Tamamo, the T Regulations...

Caster tries to brush me off in her normal flirty way, but I can see the effort behind her smile.

~~

This is more serious than I thought. Tamamo is usually all smiles, but it seems that right now she's anything but happy. I'm finally able to read the subtle changes in her mood. She can talk to me about anything. When I tell her this, Caster responds with a sigh.



I'm pretty good at fooling the Moon Cell's surveillance, but I may have messed up this time... But this time, Tamamo really screwed up! I won't be able to hide my mistake... More or less.

...Tamamo, what have you gotten yourself into when the Moon Cell is keeping an eye on you?

With that said, Caster frowns, folds her arms across her chest, and begins muttering to herself. To anyone else it'd look like she was just kidding, but to me it's obvious she's really worried. What did she mean by the Moon Cell's surveillance?



Servants generated by the Moon Cell are obligated to protect "this one thing" at any cost. For example, if a Master tried to destroy the system, we Servants would be required to stop them. That's the gist of it, anyway. And if a Servant puts their Master over the system—

...wait, Rani tried to destroy the Moon Cell in her fight with Rin, why didn't Lu Bu stop her? If Blind Rage lets a Servant ignore it, then why would the Moon Cell leave in such a gaping loophole for something designed to keep it safe?



And that's a hell of a thing to drop in the 11th hour!

Hold up a second. This means Tamamo, who's been my number one supporter since the beginning, has been violating this edict?



Yeah, let's continue with this train of thought, shall we?

Um...I'm sorry to have dumped this on you, Master. Tamamo will figure this out on her own.





With a final fetching victory pose, Caster disappears, a sad smile still on her face. ...Now she's just being stupid. There's no way I'm going to be able to forget anything she just said to me.



Music: Fourth Chimeric Lunar Sea - First Floor


The hate gates have turned back into normal doors.







And we get a quick montage of all of them opening as soon as we come in.







First off, we have the door by the entrance.



It has some loot.



While the other door near the entrance...



Has absolutely nothing of value!



Third gate.



More loot.





The fourth gate.



Which does nothing but lead to the fifth gate.



And before we get to the end, a cutscene starts up by the fountain.

Music: None




Music: School III


As those words leave my lips, Caster's expression turns decidedly gloomy, and—



But, really, I'm fine! It may not seem like it, but Tamamo-no-Mae is actually a very patient woman! And I'm pretty sure I can overcome any torture that the Moon Cell could possibly devise!

...Pretending to not notice what she's going through isn't going to work anymore. She means more to me than anyone else. How can I possibly ignore the fact that she's suffering?



My fundamental role will always be to help my Master make it to the Holy Grail. That should be my only goal. So, I can't allow you to put yourself in danger on my account. So forget about my petty problems and focus on the Holy Grail. Our next opponent is really strong, you know.

As she says this, she turns her back to me again. The shiver of emotion that ran from the tip of her tail and up through her ears was impossible to miss.



You have to trust me, Caster!



~

Be true to your feelings, like always.

But I always have! Gah! I didn't know you had a sadistic streak, Master! And I AM honest about my feelings!

~~

Anyway, I don't want her to struggle with her problems by herself. We're more than Master and Servant now. Haven't we always helped and supported each other throughout the war?

Uh....um... I don't deserve such kindness... That's why...I can't...ask for...

Caster's voice starts to crack with emotion before she can finish her sentence. ...The agreement with the Moon Cell. Any Servant who puts their Master before the Moon Cell will be punished. And as her Master, I'd be punished as well. Even if unintentional, any Master who raised such a troublesome Servant would be eliminated. ...That's why Caster is insisting that she should handle it by herself. Her rationale is that if I don't know anything about what's going on, the Moon Cell would leave me alone.

Seriously, this is such a strange thing to drop on us with zero warning or foreshadowing prior. And I'll give you a quick spoiler: this whole 'Moon Cell kills Servants that prioritize their Masters' thing is only mentioned today only. It is never a factor before or after this scene. It feels like the writers had no ideas for how to fill this day, so they whipped up a one-off plot beat to kill time.



When I first met her, I found her exuberance overwhelming. Having faced death together numerous times, there is no one else in this place that I trust more. I cannot-



I cannot let her struggle alone.

Both choices here give the same result.

I can't let her face this alone. If the Moon Cell is going to punish her, I will be by her side when it comes. We've been together for a long time now. My feelings for her aren't forced. Though I don't really exist except as data and she's not human, our feelings for each other are real. As someone who once had nothing, the bond between us means everything to me. It's a treasure that both Tamamo and I share.





A genuine smile lights up Caster's face as she repeats the word to herself again and again. The worry that was coloring her expression is gone, replaced with something akin to hope, or even joy. —But before there's any time to enjoy the moment...

Music: Stops


Welp.



The Moon Cell officially wants us dead.



...it summoned one dude for this?



It doesn't even attempt to slap Hakuno with a soul deletion?

—What in the hell is that? An ominous figure approaches us. It feels as if its only purpose is to eliminate us both.



It looks like the hidden stats that govern my affection towards you have been maxed out!

Technically speaking, you can skip this. There's nothing stopping you from leaving the Arena early before you hit this scene, but fighting this guy is the final requirement for your Servant's Level E Matrix regardless of which one you have.

...Or something like that. Caster has obviously been hiding this from the Moon Cell for a while. But her feelings that screamed "My Master means everything!" couldn't be hidden from the Moon Cell forever.



B-But—! If this is the worst punishment the Moon Cell can think of, this'll be a cinch to deal with! Isn't that right, my dear Master?!

Music: Duel - Friend Turned Foe




Now, just sing out a command, Master! I'll show how brave I can be! I'm getting SO EXCITED!



As a direct creation of the Moon Cell sent to take us out, this must be our strongest* opponent to date!

Next time: A Tamamo tell-all!**

_{*May not actually be the strongest.
**May not actually tell all.}