"You are—"
"Yo. Long time no see, you golden bastard."
The vessel's memories awaken.
The true name of the Heroic Spirit before me is Cú Chulainn.
The child of light from Ireland. A great hero of Celtic myth, wielder of Gáe Bolg, famous for countless feats.
—Long ago, in a Holy Grail War in another place, another world, this hero and Gilgamesh crossed blades. That memory is recorded, not just in this vessel, but in the Throne of Heroes itself.
A Servant is only one aspect of a Heroic Spirit, cut out and summoned under a Class. A shadow of the true hero.
Even if summoned again in another world after finishing a role elsewhere, it is not truly the same person. It is either someone very close to the same person, or someone very close to a different one.
The experiences of past summons are returned to the Throne as records. When summoned again, the hero merely "reads" them.
Like watching a movie or reading a novel where you are the main character. You may feel familiar with it, but you were not truly there.
So being acquainted makes sense—but continuing a life-and-death fight here and now should not.
…And yet—
"—Heh."
Why is it?
The moment I see the Celtic hero before me, my whole body trembles. Emotions I cannot hold back rise up.
Why…?
Before I can even think it through, the words spill out.
"Fu—hahahahaha!! What is that outfit!? Is this some kind of joke, hound!? Where's your precious spear!? What are you planning to pierce with that wooden stick!?"
"Ah, that," Cú Chulainn scratches his head with the staff, looking unbothered. "Class compatibility. This time I got summoned as a Caster, that's all."
"Wait—stop! My stomach hurts! I'll die laughing! Your hidden talents really are something!" I double over, clutching my sides as laughter tears through me. "To think you'd become a Caster just because you're good at reading and writing! I failed you—should've taught you some party tricks back then! I knew you were oddly skilled, but this far!?Hahahahahahahaha!!"
My body shakes uncontrollably. I am slapping my knees in pure delight.
"Tch. You're still an unbearable bastard," the Caster grumbles, though he doesn't seem truly angry. "Don't get too comfortable. One day you'll be summoned in some ridiculous outfit, in some awful class yourself."
"Idiot! As if I'd ever pretend to be a mage! Unless Uruk itself were in danger and I had to unite the people, that would never happen! Hahahahahaha!!"
…It seems the King of Heroes laughs easily.
Until he calms down, it looks like I—the conscious mind inside—have nothing to do. I simply wait for the fit to pass.
...
...
"Team up, you say?"
When the conversation finally settles and resumes, the Caster suddenly speaks up. I can't help but ask again.
"Don't get it wrong. I'm not talking about teaming up with you," Cú points the staff at me. "I mean with your boss—the Master."
According to him, this Caster was summoned into this Singularity as a proper hero. For some reason, only he avoided corruption and did not lose his sanity.
To restore this Singularity, he has been fighting the Shadow Servants alone, moving from place to place.
"I've been putting down Servants that went crazy, running all over the place. Just when I finally took out the Assassin, I sensed some weird magical energy wiping out a Lancer, an Archer, and a Berserker. I wondered who it was—and of course, it had to be a face I didn't want to see. My luck's awful."
"You're quite diligent. Just like a dog."
"Shut it. And what about you? What kind of whim is this—going around crushing Servants one by one? That bored already?"
"Bored, hm." I cross my arms, considering his words. "I suppose it looks that way to you."
"Huh?"
"…Never mind. Forget it."
"Yeah, sure. Still, I didn't expect you to learn restraint. I respect you just a little more now."
I blink. "Restraint?"
"Huh? That's your usual style," Cú says, mimicking a throwing motion. "You normally just fire Noble Phantasms nonstop like a machine gun. That's why you're an Archer, right?"
...
......
............
"THAT'S why I'm an Archer—!?"
My mind goes blank. This is the biggest shock I've had so far.
So that's what an Archer is? You just shoot treasures, and that counts? Fire things from your vault and you're an Archer? Is that really okay? What even is an Archer? An Archer is… an Archer is…
I thought I had to hold a bow! I went out of my way to find a literal bow!
"What are you shocked about now?" Cú looks at me suspiciously. "Standing there with your arms crossed and spamming Noble Phantasms—that's your golden routine."
"So… that's how it was… that's how it's supposed to be…" I mutter, staring at the ground.
"…Did you hit your head? Was there a problem with the summoning? How is the Master even still alive?"
My shoulders slump.
What was all that careful weapon choice and tactical thinking I was doing?
Was the King of Heroes' fighting style really that rough…? I didn't know… I was playing on Hard Mode for no reason!
"…I'll thank you, dog."
"Huh? …Huh?"
"Thanks to you, I remembered something important. Playing the sage isn't just for show, I see. As expected."
"——Hey. What's wrong with you? Are you really Gilgamesh? You're thanking people now?"
This time it's the Caster who freezes. The words are so unexpected that he's left speechless.
The King of Heroes thanking someone—like that could even happen.
"Well, I am the King of Heroes, am I not? I would never tolerate a fake."
—Though, whether this is truly the 'real' King of Heroes is debatable. Still, having been reborn, I decide to define myself as such.
"—Very well. I acknowledge your knowledge. I'll accept your proposal for an alliance. Be grateful."
"You haven't even heard the details yet… whatever. I'll explain everything to your Master."
"Fine. I allow it. Hah, she'll be surprised. What a lucky find!"
Whether the vessel is in a good mood or not, I find myself enjoying this too.
The Caster shrugs in disbelief, while I chuckle quietly, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie.
…I wonder if everyone managed to get some rest.
Thinking that, I turn my back on the blue-haired mage and start walking back to rejoin them.