A Dimensional Journey Begins with the Dragon Clan

Chapter 1236 1229. The So-called Heroic Spirit

“──────”

...I see.

Having said that, it is indeed impossible for such a powerful group of heroes to listen to humans.

They also have a purpose, and only serve the Master in exchange.

…If that’s the case, Saber also has a wish that should be fulfilled.

That’s why Saber wasn’t confused.

But, that.

"...Wait a moment, Saber. You just mentioned all possible means. Does that mean you will do whatever it takes to win? For example────"

Just like what the priest said.

  If innocent people who are not the Master are dragged into this, causing a tragedy like the one ten years ago────

"Shirou, that is not a possible means. I will only do what I can allow. Things that go against myself are impossible for me. Hurting a defenseless person is a violation of the knight's oath."

"However, if it is the Master's order, I will have no choice but to obey. At that time, I will take one of your seals in exchange for trampling on me."

Saber’s angry voice was overwhelming.

“──────”

Even so, Emiya Shirou breathed a sigh of relief happily.

Although it has an overly strong and mechanical impression without any confusion,

But he knew Saber was not a cold-blooded killer.

"────Well, I will never let you do that. As you said, Saber, we can only do our best within our capabilities... I'm really sorry. I insulted you without knowing it."

"Ah... No, I was also self-righteous without understanding the Master's intention. It's not Shirou's fault, so can you please raise your head...?"

"Eh? Ah, I apologized subconsciously."

Emiya Shirou raised his head.

“──────”

Is there something strange about this? Saber smiled slightly.

"?"

However, he was very happy that she was willing to laugh, so let's not pursue it.

"Then can I ask one more thing? The so-called Master refers to the magician who summons Servants. That's fine, but I don't know much about you guys, Saber. For example, Saber or Lancer, I know that it doesn't sound like a real name no matter how hard I think about it."

"Yes, our names are just the titles of the positions we are assigned to... Let me think about it, I'll just give a brief explanation at this time."

"We Servants are Heroic Spirits. Each of us is famous in the era in which we were born, or we are some people who have accomplished glorious deeds that are difficult to achieve with flesh and blood. Regardless of the means, they are beings who have climbed to the realm of God through their own strength."

This goes without saying.

The so-called heroic spirits are heroes who possessed outstanding abilities during their lifetime and were worshipped after their death. Instead of becoming ghosts, they were elevated to the realm of elves.

"But, that's also a weakness. Since we're Heroic Spirits, our weaknesses are recorded. Revealing our true names────revealing our true identities will also expose our weaknesses. If the enemy is a lower-ranking spirit, it won't be a problem, but we're Heroic Spirits who both have the power to kill. If our weaknesses are known, they'll most likely attack from there first, leading to our defeat."

“…I see. Most heroes have difficult opponents to deal with, right? So you use the name Saber to hide your real name?”

“Yes. However, I am not called Saber just for this. There are seven Servants recruited by the Holy Grail, but they were selected for their respective positions.”

"Position...? Like, a Saber or an Archer?"

"Yes. Originally, summoning all the Heroic Spirits was close to a miracle. And this required seven people, which was too much for the Holy Grail. To solve this problem, the Holy Grail prepared seven containers in advance, and only summoned Heroic Spirits that were suitable for each container. In other words, it prepared the host that allows us to exist in this world. Those are the seven positions, Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker."

"The Holy Grail pulls in Heroic Spirits from every era who possess abilities that match their positions. Things like these, covered in the guise of positions, are called Servants."

“…I see. So Saber is a Heroic Spirit who is good at using swords, so she is called Saber?”

"Yes. Of course there are Heroic Spirits with multiple attributes, but when it comes to swords, I believe that no one can surpass me."

"But that is also Saber's shortcoming. Since I am not a magus, I can only be the Master's sword to defeat the enemy."

"You mean you're not good at political tactics, right? No, I don't think that's a shortcoming. Since Saber is so strong, that's enough, right?"

"Shirou, you can't win this war just by being strong in combat. For example, if the enemy is better at hand-to-hand combat than you are, what would you do?"

"Ah? Well, let me think... Since we know we can't win by attacking head-on, then we can only avoid fighting and think about other things────"

At this point, Emiya Shirou finally understood.

Since the opponent is very strong, we can't fight an ordinary battle.

Battles aren't all decided with swords.

Since the sword cannot defeat the opponent, why not use something other than the sword to defeat the opponent?

"That's exactly what's going on. If the opponent knows that you are good at hand-to-hand combat, then the opponent won't start with hand-to-hand combat... In other words, the Servant who is at a disadvantage in terms of ability will use all means possible."

"Assassin's ability is not high, but he has a special ability to hide his aura, and Caster is proficient in magic that does not exist in this era. The difference in combat power is not optimistic. In addition, we have a Noble Phantasm. No matter what kind of Servant it is, as long as it is a Heroic Spirit, there is a chance to kill it."

"Noble Phantasm─────?"

That was also an unfamiliar word.

But based on the literal meaning, you can probably guess what it means.

"Noble Phantasms refer to the special weapons that a Servant possesses. Lancer's gun, Archer's bow, and my sword are the corresponding weapons. So-called heroes are not heroes in their own right. They possess weapons that become symbols, which allows them to be special as heroes."

"Heroes and weapons are one. Therefore, those who become Heroic Spirits all carry powerful weapons. These are Noble Phantasms - they are the trump cards of Servants, and they are also what we should be most wary of."

“──────”

  ...Noble Phantasms refer to the weapons that the Heroic Spirit possessed during his lifetime.

Saber said so.

Emiya Shirou thought of the blue knight.

It absorbed the magic power in the atmosphere and pierced the gun on Saber's chest at an impossible trajectory.

It was definitely not something made by human hands.

Although the gun itself carries a strong curse, the words Lancer spoke at the time could also sense the huge difference in magical power.

If that's the case, could it be that.

"Saber. Is the Noble Phantasm you're talking about magic? Lancer's gun is indeed an unusual-looking gun, but it doesn't go beyond the realm of a so-called gun, right? But his words made the gun transcend the realm of weapons. Doesn't that belong to the category of magic?"

"Yes, a Noble Phantasm is indeed very similar to magic. Take Lancer's spear for example. Although his spear itself is a Noble Phantasm, its true value can only be exerted when he infuses it with magic power and speaks its true name."

"Because the so-called Noble Phantasm is, in a sense, a kind of shaped mystery. Just as the discovery of magic requires chanting, the activation of the Noble Phantasm also requires chanting - it requires a true name to awaken. However, this also comes with danger. Once the true name of the Noble Phantasm is spoken, the identity of the Servant will also be known."

“…I see. Because heroes and weapons are a set. As long as you know the name of the weapon, you can naturally know the identity of the owner.” Saber nodded silently.

That's why the Noble Phantasm is the trump card.

If your identity is exposed, you will also receive a fatal blow that cannot be avoided.

But if that fails────the Servant will also expose his own weaknesses.

"Then Saber. Is your Noble Phantasm that invisible sword?"

"...Yes. However, that has not yet revealed its true identity. In the current state, there is no Servant who knows my real name, right?"

Having said that, for just a moment, Saber lowered her gaze as if embarrassed.

"Shirou. I have a request regarding this matter."

"Huh? Request? What request?"

"About my real name. Normally, a Servant would only reveal his real name to his Master and think about future countermeasures. But Shirou is not yet a great magus. Any good magus would be able to read Shirou's thoughts. So────"

“Well, so you can’t reveal your name… That’s right, it’s just like what you said. I don’t think it’s hypnosis or suggestion, but if other masters have mystical eyes, they might reveal all the secrets—Okay, that’s it. The timing of using Saber’s “Noble Phantasm” will be left to Saber’s own judgment.”

"Ah - that's really so easy?"

"It's not easy. I thought about it carefully before agreeing. This is the conclusion I came to after thinking about it, so don't worry about it."

“──────”

……alright.

Even if I understand most of the things, I still don't have a grasp of the situation.

It’s really strange when you think about it.

I decided to fight, but I knew my opponent was only Toosaka.

But Shirou Emiya didn't want to fight her at all.

...Ah~ No, the other party is very motivated, so I guess I can't say that.

"Let me ask you, Saber. Aren't there any signs for Masters and Followers? This is always confusing."

"No. Unfortunately, there is no clear way to tell. However, a Servant can sense the presence of a Servant if they are close. If the Servant is in a materialized state, the feeling will be even stronger. This is because the Servant itself is a powerful magical power. Shirou also sensed the presence of Berserker, didn't he?"

"Well, that's true. But it's not good to find out when you're being attacked. At least you should find out before being approached, otherwise you won't be able to deal with it."

"Then how about we track down the Master? The Master is also a magician. As long as one uses magic as a profession, magic power will inevitably leak out. If we go looking for him, we can lock on to the Master who is staying in this city, right?"

"…Sorry. Unfortunately, I don't have the technical skills."

Besides, he didn't even realize the true identity of Toosaka who was in the same school as him.

We've been living in the same building for two years and have met each other many times.

“──────This is troublesome. No wonder people look down on you with a smile. The only proof of your status as a Master is the Command Seal. Should we say that your future is doomed to fail?”

Emiya Shirou sighed.

─────At this time.

"Shirou. Could you please close your eyes for a moment?"

Saber said this to me with a serious look on her face.

"...? Close your eyes? Why?"

"To prove that you are the Master. Don't worry about it, just close your eyes and adjust your breathing."

"……………………"

…He closed his eyes.

Also, there is a slight touch of the forehead.

  ─────Wait, why do I feel a tingling sensation? Could this be the tip of the blade──────!?

"──────Saber? Wait, are you doing something weird?"

"...Master, please stop talking and focus your attention on my fingertips. If you are also a magician, you should be able to feel my magic power by doing this, right?"

“──────Yeah.”

It turned out that it was Saber's finger that was touched.

He pulled himself together and calmed himself down.

─────At this time.

What is this?

"Saber, what was that just now?"

"It's nothing. You and I are connected because of the contract, so it's natural for you to know my status."

“──────Understand? What happened just now?”

"I don't know how you know it. The ability of a Servant is measured based on what Shirou sees. There are Masters who identify Servant simply by color, and there are also Masters who distinguish like wild animals."

"That is to say, although there are individual differences, it is easiest to judge the person himself. This is basic skill for the Master, please check it frequently in the future. Just like me, as long as I have seen the opponent once, I should be able to understand the detailed information of the opponent, right?"

...I see.

Although it was a bit surprising that this happened so suddenly, maybe he could behave a little more like a Master this way.

"Master, although it is a little brief, this is all I can explain."

"Yeah. It's a little fast, but I understand. Thank you for your help, Saber."

"…What? Thank you for your help. Now that you know the situation, shouldn't you decide what to do next?"

Saber took a step forward and asked.

...I see.

Saber is the same as Tousaka, both of them are the type who strike first, right?

"There's nothing to do. It's no different than usual. I don't have the intention of proactively attacking other Masters like Tousaka did."

"──────Shirou, this is different from what we said. You don't plan to obtain the Holy Grail as a Master, right?"

…Saber stared at him.

Those were the swordsman's sharp eyes that could not be denied.