Fate/Star Rail

Continuing where we left off...

Narrator's perspective.

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After the introductions, Artoria explains how she was summoned to this Holy Grail War, as well as how different it is for a Heroic Spirit to function without Mana on the planet or in the atmosphere.

With this in mind, Artoria needs a way to restore this lost energy, and a solution quickly arises: food.

Seeing this opportunity, Ritsuka and Stelle decide to take Artoria to a restaurant so she can eat to her heart's content.

On the way, Ritsuka tells Artoria everything that has happened since his arrival in this parallel universe and the changes that have occurred there.

"So the reason there's a Holy Grail War here is because of your influence on this world, Ritsuka?"

Saber glance at Ritsuka, who is still wearing his paladin armor, which isn't attracting the attention of the people passing by.

"I theorize that's one of the reasons why this world doesn't have the Counter Force or Gaia to facilitate access to the Throne of Heroes. However, what happened during my battle against Azathoth ended up opening a breach for Penacony to access the Throne of Heroes."

Ritsuka's expression is one of internal conflict as he recalls his encounter with the Outer God and the connection they both share, even though the vessel itself rejects it.

"This explains why the 'Foreign'-class Servants in Chaldea were acting strangely when the incident was happening. To think that this world and our world were so close to being consumed by this dream entity."

Artoria's expression is apprehensive as she recalls the moment everyone in Chaldea was affected by the ritual of binding and unbinding Azathoth.

"I still can't believe I missed this entire epic event. You could have invited me."

Stelle looks at Ritsuka, upset that she missed all the action in the battle against Azathoth. Ritsuka smiles sheepishly at Stelle's reaction.

"Even if I wanted to bring you along, it wouldn't work since you were about to fight Sunday, and Abigail was very clear when she said your presence would only complicate things."

"But isn't she your Servant? Besides, she's crazy about you. Emphasis on the 'crazy' part."

"No comment on that."

Stelle stares at Ritsuka sideways, making Ritsuka not argue with her after mentioning the way Abigail expresses her love for Ritsuka.

"Okay, enough about that. Let's find something to eat. Listening to Saber's stomach growl is making me hungry too."

"Uh... Servants don't bring money when they materialize in the world. Is your wallet safe to go?"

"Don't worry about it, Saber. We Astral Express members have our own walking wallet right here."

Stelle said this with a playful smile, holding Ritsuka's left arm, indicating that he was the walking wallet.

Ritsuka's expression is dry, as if he's already accustomed to this situation, while Artoria smiles with a twinkle in her eyes.

Ritsuka immediately understands what's going on in the King of Knights' mind. The look Artoria is giving Ritsuka means only one thing: he's about to be sucked alive.

"Good thing I used Gilgamesh and Dantes' 'Golden Rule' ability to acquire easy money."

With a sigh, Ritsuka mentally prepares himself for having to feed a Pendragon's bottomless stomach.

It wasn't long before the trio arrived at a fast food restaurant to satisfy Artoria and Stelle.

At the restaurant, the three are immediately recognized as master and servant of this Holy Grail War. Artoria decides to order one hundred Halovian Winged Burgers.

The restaurant's hostess is shocked upon hearing the order, and Ritsuka's expression is nostalgic, as this isn't the first time he's seen someone surprised by the amount Artoria can eat.

"Don't worry about the quantity. If she orders more, I'll pay for it all, no problem. Although she's probably just holding back to avoid draining the restaurant's entire supply."

"Did you say something rude, Paladin?"

"Nothing! I didn't say anything, my dear Saber. Hehe..."

Ritsuka lets out a forced laugh, avoiding the suspicious look Artoria is giving him. The hostess told them to wait, as it will take a while for the food to be ready.

"I'm curious about something. What wish would you two make for the Holy Grail?"

Ritsuka and Artoria are surprised to hear Stella's question. Artoria's expression is calm, while Ritsuka's is thoughtful.

"I have my own thoughts about Holy Grails, but those are in the past. Now, if this Holy Grail is corrupt, then it's up to me to correct this path."

"Hmm... Interesting. And what about you, Paladin? You surely have a wish to make to the Grail?"

"A wish... What a difficult question to answer. Hmm? Saber. It seems we have guests approaching."

"You're right. And it seems her Master is here too."

Ritsuka and Artoria immediately detect the presence of a possible enemy Servant, but after Ritsuka sees who the Master of the Heroic Spirit is, he smiles slightly.

"Two Halovian Winged Burgers, two bottles of Sousa Juice. Miss Note, is that okay?"

Robin enters the restaurant, drawing the attention of the diners who weren't expecting Robin.

"Of course...but I know this isn't exactly a quiet spot for diner. It seems we have... two powerful Servants in front of us."

The unknown Heroic Spirit, whom Ritsuka immediately identifies as Caster, stands in front of Robin to protect her. Artoria has the same reaction, and she immediately summons Excalibur (in disguise), ready for a possible battle.

However, Artoria notices that Ritsuka hasn't summoned his shield and Stelle isn't alert. Seeing this, she makes Excalibur disappear.

"Good to see you again, Ritsuka, Stelle. Miss Note, these are the trustworthy friends I mentioned earlier."

"Are they friends of yours?"

"Yes, Saber. This is Robin. Robin, this is the Saber-class Servant Stella summoned. It looks like you summoned a Caster-class Servant."

Ritsuka stares at Caster, who, apparently, is a Halovian like Robin, who is certainly a Heroic Spirit unique to this world.

"You're right, Ritsuka. This is my Servant; I call her Miss Note. By the way, where is your Servant? You're participating in this War, aren't you?"

"BB is busy at the moment, so you won't see her present. Besides, in this Holy Grail War, I'm the Servant of March 7th."

Robin and Caster were surprised to hear Ritsuka's revelation about his unique circumstances. Unfortunately, Robin's Servant wasn't too happy with the news.

"Impossible! How can a Heroic Spirit simultaneously become a Master?! That's against the rules of the Holy Grail War."

Hearing this, Ritsuka grins from ear to ear, finding this completely ironic conversation coming from Caster.

"So far, no Ruler has come after me, wanting to pass judgment on me. Besides, I know a certain Greek witch who managed the same feat in a Holy Grail War in my world in the past. Knowing this, it's entirely possible for a Servant to become a Master; you just have to know how to play the right cards."

Caster is confused by Ritsuka's words, further deepening the mysterious information she has about him, since at first glance, Ritsuka doesn't fit into any of the seven classes.

"Miss Note. Ritsuka can technically be considered the first Servant to be summoned outside of a Holy Grail War. Furthermore, Ritsuka holds the title of the strongest Master in human history."

Caster is shocked to hear Robin's praise for Ritsuka, and at the same time, she begins to wonder how a man with that title can be a Heroic Spirit, given that she's also a Servant with little accomplishment or popularity.

Eventually, Robin and Artoria's orders arrive, and Robin is surprised by the number of Halovian Winged Burgers.

"Ritsuka, were you the one who ordered all those burgers?"

"Uhhh, yes... Even though I technically don't need to eat anything, it's always nice to enjoy a little good food."

Ritsuka decides not to correct Robin's assumption about who ordered the Halovian Winged Burgers to save Artoria some of her dignity.

After everyone has finished eating, the atmosphere within the group no longer holds any air of potential conflict.

"Thank you very much for paying for our food, Mr. Wallet."

"Do you want me to throw you in a trash can, Stelle?"

"Don't threaten me with a good time, Paladin."

Robin lets out a soft laugh when he sees Ritsuka and Stelle nudging each other, and Caster looks at Artoria and Ritsuka with a curious look.

"Miss Saber, I don't remember anyone like you in the Penacony stories."

"That's because I don't come from Penacony history... In fact, I don't come from your world's history at all."

"Both Saber and Ritsuka don't belong to any history that exists in this world Caster. That's why, when I first met Ritsuka, I was very curious to know about him, and eventually, after softening him up a bit, I got the information I wanted."

"I was interrogated under voluntary pressure. Who would have thought Miss Robin was stubborn as a rock."

"Don't give me that. You've grown to enjoy my constant presence."

Ritsuka looks at Robin with a look that suggests he wants to talk more about it, but seeing that Artoria and Stelle are present, he wisely remains silent.

Artoria takes the opportunity to bring coexistence back to the main topic.

"Seeing as you, Miss Note, are a Caster, you should have a better idea of what's going on than we do."

"In life, I wasn't anyone special. So I'm quite surprised to be summoned as a Heroic Spirit. I don't have Miss Saber's sense of security, nor do I have the special circumstances of Mr. Paladin, much less do I possess a True Name. I honestly don't know what a weak Servant like me can do to my Master."

Ritsuka raises an eyebrow after hearing Caster's words, fully understanding her situation and having yet another piece of evidence regarding this Holy Grail War, since Miss Note's mannerisms are very similar to the nameless Servants Ritsuka encountered in the abnormal Singularity, Traum.

"A nameless Servant... This Old Oti, he really is managing to manipulate the system in whatever way he can..."

Ritsuka mutters to himself as he listens to the girls' conversation. (A/N: Yes. I skipped most of the yap section of this event. I won't apologize for that.)

"The people of Penacony aren't so weak that they need Ena's Dream to save them. I shouldn't use the Holy Grail for anything. What worries me most is... what exactly does Old Oti want to use the Holy Grail for?"

"Given my extensive experience with various types of Holy Grail Wars, I'm pretty sure this War, Oti is waging is dangerous. I don't recommend you have too much faith that Oti's Holy Grail can actually grant wishes."

Ritsuka said this as a warning to Robin and Caster specifically, as he knows Artoria has no reason to use the Grail.

"I suggest we unite everyone, temporarily putting aside any fighting."

Artoria is a little surprised by Robin's idea, unlike Stelle and Ritsuka, who had already expected it from her.

"From what I know of Old Oti, he won't stop this game no matter what."

"It's just too bad for that old man that he has a veteran master like me. Now, regarding Robin's idea, I agree with it. Although I can't guarantee that the other Servants and Masters will listen to us."

"And can you guarantee that you won't betray us when every last victor of the war is chosen? After all, you're acting independently without your Master's presence."

Caster expresses distrust toward Ritsuka, who doesn't seem the least bit affected by her accusation. Robin, on the other hand, is a little uncomfortable seeing her Servant distrusting Ritsuka's words.

"I'd say the same to you, Caster. How can you guarantee you won't betray your Master's trust? Robin knows me very well, and she knows I'm not the type to betray another's trust. I, on the other hand, am very good at spotting the signs of possible betrayal, so I hope you prove me wrong, Miss Note."

Ritsuka's words were calm, showing no change in his voice, but Caster senses a certain pressure coming from Ritsuka's gaze, which immediately tells her he's keeping an eye on her.

"Huh? Boothill just sent me a long text message."

Stelle's words caught the attention of Ritsuka and Robin, who immediately opened their phones to read Boothill's long message.

Boothill's message is very long and very 'polite' compared to the space cowboy's direct and quite aggressive attitude, and because of this, Ritsuka immediately finds the message suspicious.

Furthermore, the real message is a request for them to appear at Clock Studios Theme Park to participate in a banquet.

"Is this message really from Boothill? I highly doubt he's capable of speaking in a manner a snobbish nobleman would."

"For the love of Akivili, he's cursing up a storm!"

"Hahaha... That's one way to interpret that message, Stelle."

Ritsuka and Stelle laugh amusedly, imagining that since Boothill is incapable of cursing, his 'noble and polite' words are meant to imply that he's furious.

"It's pretty obvious that this isn't a message Boothill would write."

"Then that means the battle is already underway."

"I don't doubt that, Saber. As much as I'd like to imagine the message is from Boothill screaming in rage, someone must have taken his phone and is using it as bait to lure us to Clock Studios Theme Park. This is obviously a trap."

Ritsuka begins to wonder what kind of person would write such a message. A suspect appears in his mind, Skott, but Ritsuka doesn't rule out the possibility of someone else.

"So. Are you all willing to take the bait?"

"As much as I agree this is a possible trap, I want to help Boothill, who is certainly in trouble."

Robin delivers her answer, with Caster following her decision.

"I'm sure Boothill is fine, but it doesn't hurt to lend a hand."

"A good choice, Master. Even if we can avoid this trap, we may lose allies who can help us in our investigation."

With everyone in agreement, the group leaves the restaurant and heads toward Clock Studios Theme Park to find out who's responsible for the invitation.

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A few minutes later...

Ritsuka's perspective...

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On the way to the meeting point, I immediately feel a strong sense that something has subtly changed in the world, or more specifically, in the entire area.

💭Hmm? That's strange. Why can't I feel the presence of the people around me? Could it be...

By the time we arrive at the meeting point, we see no sign of Boothill or the person who invited us.

"It's strangely quiet. No sign of Mr. Boothill or the enemy we lured here."

💭What?! Why can't I hear Robin's voice? Wait a minute... Why am I seeing text words when I look at her?

"What is it, Ritsuka? Why are you looking at me with such surprise?"

Robin notices the way I'm looking at her, but it seems the girls haven't yet realized that something is wrong with this theme park.

💭I can't hear her voice; I sense something changing in the park area, and text words are appearing when I look at her. I just need one more clue.

Right now, I'm trying to use my contract connection with March 7th to try to speak to her mentally, but confirming my suspicions, I can't reach her.

💭 My communication with March 7th is inaccessible, which only means one thing. We're inside a Reality Marble.

"It seems we're trapped in a Reality Marble. I admit this is rare; if I'm not mistaken, the last time I was trapped in a Reality Marble was the day I met Illya, Chloe, and Miyu for the first time."

💭 And it was on that day that Doctor Romani introduced me to the rabbit hole of Magical Girls, even though my true passion is Kamen Rider and Power Rangers.

"A Reality Marble?! Then this is surely the work of an enemy Noble Phantom Servant."

Artoria immediately goes on alert, while Stelle and Robin are confused. But before they could say anything, we heard a loud voice echoing throughout the area.

"As expected of an Emanator of Equilibrium like you, Ritsuka Fujimaru! But don't get all cocky, no matter how powerful you are, you can't do anything in a world where I make the rules!"

💭 So I was definitely right that the suspect was Skott. I'm honestly disappointed that I was right.

"Why does that sound like a Chihuahua barking?"

"You took the words right out of my mouth, Stelle."

While Stelle and I are sharing the same brain cell, Robin is a little surprised to hear Skott's voice.

"Skott? The IPC specialist who makes this bionic voice printer?"

"Wow... Skott must be jumping for joy that he received recognition from the beautiful and acclaimed Robin. For an insignificant person like him, this is the greatest victory of his life."

Obviously, I'm being sarcastic, and Stella decides to join in the fun.

"Okay, I'm the one who told her. Can't a gal tell a few wild travel stories with her friends every now and then?"

While Robin is surprised to see us openly mocking Skott, he himself isn't responding, but Stella and I know full well that Skott is furious inside.

"Okay. As much as it's fun to tease, Skott, I think it's time to take this amateur out of the game."

I say this, extending my right arm and making my command seal glow subtly. I feel a certain resistance coming from the Reality Sphere, but this attempt at resistance is futile.

💭Wow, there are so many ways to destroy this world: summon Shadow Gilgamesh to use Enuma Elish, use Destruction to erase everything, my second or third Noble Phantasm... There are so many options, but I'd better go with the least destructive one. Besides, this will serve as a great experiment.

"No matter what you do, Fujimaru, you won't be able to break the rules of my world!"

"Really? What if I 'kill' these rules? Will you be able to keep this world going?"

A blue aura covers my body, and I decide to summon a Shadow Servant I rarely summon, but she's the perfect person to end Skott's joy.

"Come to me and kill this world! Void Shiki!"

The moment I say this, a beautiful woman with short black hair and an unnaturally serene expression, dressed in a beautiful white kimono with some petal details, appears at my side.

She's a Heroic Spirit who rarely engages in battle, but possesses a highly dangerous power. It's Ryougi Shiki's personality that has the connection to the 'Root,' Void Shiki.

Immediately, Void Shiki obeys my orders, activating her Mystic Eyes and beginning to search for the point of death to kill Assassin's Noble Phantasm.

It doesn't take long for Shiki to find it, and she immediately plunges her katana into the ground, immediately killing Skott's entire world with the Mystic Eyes of Death's Perception.

Like a glass wall hitting the ground, Assassin's Noble Phantasm begins to shatter, returning us to the real world.

To my surprise, I see Lancer, Boothill, Aventurine, and Emiya standing beside us.

💭Emiya?! Were you dragged here too? All that's left is for Gilgamesh and Hercules to show their faces, and the Servants of Fuyuki will be reunited.

However, as happy as I am to see another familiar face, I have to deal with Skott and his servant.

"How? How?! How did you manage to destroy Assassin's Noble Phantasm?! You cheated! It has to be true!"

"You were simply unlucky to have me as your opponent, Skott. Besides, you surely know how powerful I am if I decide to use my authority as a HooH Agent, and yet you insisted on facing me. I don't know if you're stupidly brave or truly lack the common sense to see the danger in front of you."

Skott is now gritting his teeth in pure rage at having lost so badly, while Assassin remains silent with an expression of utter defeat.

"So this is how I lost? Without even having started my show... Tell me, Ritsuka Fujimaru, what kind of Heroic Spirit are you?"

"That's a loaded question. The short answer is that I'm just a Heroic Spirit whose primary weapon is the bonds of the Heroic Spirits I've created during my journey. This is the power of the person who is the Last Master of Humanity."

"Using the bonds of other Heroic Spirits as a weapon... Hehe, something so unbelievable, yet so fascinating. Okay. I admit my defeat. And as promised, I'll tell the victor the invitation Mr. Oti told me to send if I were defeated. Mr. Oti and the Holy Grail are waiting for you in the Grand Theater. Inside, you'll find the answers you're looking for."

💭 That was fast. We already have the location of the Holy Grail... This is possibly the fastest Holy Grail War I've ever participated in my entire life.

With these words, Assasin disappears, leaving only Skott alone without any Servants to command.

"Well, with Assassin out of the game, we know where the Holy Grail is. By the way, how are you, Archer? I hope you're not missing Chaldea's kitchen."

I say this with a smile on my face, looking at Emiya, who stands with his arms crossed, his usual dry expression.

"Oh? You know Archer personally, my dear friend?"

"Of course I know him, Aventurine. Archer and Lancer are my servants in my world."

The moment I say this, Aventurine and Boothill are surprised to hear it, and I let out a sigh, knowing it's going to be a long conversation to explain everything that happened.

To be continued...

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Next chapter: The Authority and Test of the King of Heroes!

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A/N: Me at the beginning of Olga Marie's last quest: This is where the fun begins.

Me after reading the entire quest: What?! How?! Why?! I have so many questions!!!

Seriously, how is Ritsuka going to kill Olga's father (because he deserves it) and survive a man who can apparently manipulate the fabric of space in the entire universe?!

Honestly, the scale FGO is climbing is getting close to Honkai Impact and GGZ levels of BS. (I may be exaggerating a bit.)

Here I am thinking Genshin Impact's situation is bad, but damn, Ritsuka is in something worse because his outer space is fake!

Also, poor Ritsuka for trying to talk to Olga Marie only to receive one of the worst rejections of his life. It must have hurt like hell to receive the equivalent of a 'don't talk to me!' message from his tsundere alien girlfriend in the form of electrical waves that nearly fried his brain.

Kudos to Olga's VA for delivering one of the best voice lines of the character's death. Hearing Olga cry and then laugh in utter despair hurt a lot.