Some of the readers asked what happened to the popularity buff. All I have to say is, you severely underestimate the power of Sanguine. What do I mean?
Sanguine's final curse＞＞＞＞＞＞＞＞＞＞＞The power gained from the astronomical popularity buff
Yes. Sanguine was so powerful in the legend, even in death, his influence alone was more than enough to overwrite the buff. The only reason why Halmeus' status is not all E⁻ is actually because of the buff.
On to the story!
"I see…so, if I'm not mistaken, Lord Halmeus...you have no skills and no noble phantasm..."
"At least, not in this current state. I don't know why you can't see my status though...oh, and you don't have to use honorifics. Our relationship now is that of Master and Servant."
"No, no, that's...how could I possibly address one such as you so casually...!?"
I went to bed and woke up to find that the Kariya was suddenly behaving like a stranger, even though I was trying my best to get close. It just feels so strange to see Kariya of all people calling me 'Lord'...just no.
...well, that's the way it's supposed to be, isn't it? I mean, hey, he thinks I am THE HERO. The greatest ultra-invincible absolute LEGEND humanity has got to offer. ...NOT.
I made Halmeus as overpowered as I could, so I guess it's a huge irony to find me in this decimated state, especially since what caused this is most likely my hidden setting of the grand finale.
No, this was not the time to be thinking about that.
"I used to be a wanderer, traveling from land to land. Except for the friends who followed me, I had very few opportunities to be in contact with the same people for a long time. That's why I try to be as close to people as I can, just like you. I humbly ask you to do the same."
"I see... Okay, I'll do that, Lord...I mean, Halmeus."
"Thank you, Kariya."
Yeah, this is more like it. It's not as stiff as the Kayneth camp, and not as humble as the Tohsaka camp. ...Kiritsugu? It's out of the question. I don't hate him, but...
"Well...the advantages of being a Heroic Spirit are almost gone, right? It is...could it be my incompetence that caused this kind of error?"
Kariya shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, though I laughed and denied the creeping suspicion in his head. No matter what kind of master calls them, heroic spirits always shall be summoned into the world with skills and noble phantasms.
I'm not sure why I don't have them, but I guess the Grail decided that they were so grossly overpowered that they were akin to foul play, or maybe because I'm just not the 'true' Halmeus. Both are quite possible.
"At least let me assure you that it is not your fault. In any case, anything that could be a noble phantasm is too dangerous to be used on Earth without any precautions."
"Oh, I see. ...If you use, for example, 'Sink into the Dark, O' Rotten Sun; Auriel Gwyndolin' in the present day, you will..."
"...Oh, that's right. There used to be a way to 'get the sun back', but it's a lost technology now. I don't know how long the earth of the present day will last without sunlight, though I'm certain that it'll be destroyed in a few years or so."
Oh, yes, there was such a thing as that sun-killing bow! My black history! NOOOOOOO!
...Ahem. To put it bluntly, this is plagiarism from not one, but two world-famous masterpieces. It's plagiarism that transcends time. Of course, in this world, I'm the original. I think I should be ashamed of myself.
"Well, there's no need to be too pessimistic. This is not a noble phantasm, but it flew back too!"
I affectionately tapped my sword fastened to my hip.
Earlier, on my way to wake up Kariya, this little boi shattered the window in front of me and flew through the walls.
I was so scared. I thought that it was an enemy attack! I was also quite frightened of what cursed things it might do, but the sword stopped once it impaled itself into the table in front of me. Then, after close inspection, I found out that it was very similar to the sword that Halmeus had once acquired in the Far East.
Of course, it is obvious that there was no such thing as a 'Japanese sword' aka Katana in those old days. So, this katana I have now was a re-creation of the legend of Halmeus.
A sword that Halmeus acquired in the Far East, or more specifically the Japanese archipelago, was described in 'The Record of Halmeus'. When the primordial demon god 'Gyuki' tried to kill him, the sword flew out from the void and pierced the space between the monster's eyes, saving him.
Muramasa, a master swordsman of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603), forged a sword based on this incredibly famous legend from the south, and etched his name into the blade. Thus, the infamous Muramasa was born.
In modern times, the Muramasa was supposed to be housed in the Izumo Taisha Shrine in Shimane prefecture, along with another famous sword, the Masamune.
However, perhaps due to the influence of the 'Record of Halmaeus' spreading around the world, or perhaps this 'Muramasa' misunderstood him as its master's return, it has cheerfully flown all the way across the border of the prefecture.
It seems that Muramasa woke up right after I was summoned, smashing the showcase and flying off into the blue sky. When I turned on the TV just now, there was already quite a commotion.
Specifically, there was news that the 'Muramasa' on display at Izumo Taisha Shrine had been stolen by someone, and at the same time, there were reports of sightings of a 'flying object resembling a sword' in the skies of Shimane Prefecture.
It was like a festival.
...Fuck.
I really don't know what I should do. I wonder what I can do about the secrecy of magic. I have a feeling that if I so much as exist in this world, trouble will find me everywhere.
Well, anyways. Regardless of how it ends, this thing will have to be returned to its original place after the Holy Grail War is over. I'm sure Izumo Taisha is in an uproar right now.
"Kariya. I'd like to ask you for a favor. I'm sure it won't be a problem, but if this thing doesn't budge after I returned to the throne of heroes, I want you to go and take this to the Izumo Shrine. Just leave it nearby. It will return on its own."
"Oh, and preferably at night when it won't be seen by anyone.", I added. While saying this, I grasped the hilt and pulled it out of its sheath. The slightly old, but beautifully forged blade shone in the sunlight.
In Japan, it's called a 'demon sword' and doesn't have a very good image, but here it was, flying in to save me once again. I'm sure you'll agree that it's cute, like a loyal puppy.
"That is, if I am still alive.", Kariya answered dryly.
"Don't worry, my master. I'm here."
I don't think my presence will help you, but I'll tell you this. That's what a hero should be. Especially if it's a fake. For a fake must put much more effort for it to become 'true'.
With a wry smile on my face, I slid my finger across the blade. The iron was cold. If the Grim Reaper's scythe is a form of reaping life, then this is a form that specializes in cutting people.
While I was thinking about it, I looked at Kariya who was scrutinizing the sword with great interest. He's a boy, after all. I understand. I know what he was thinking. Cool, right?
"Isn't that a noble phantasm...? No, it's modern...so..."
"You're right when you say it's an actual noble phantasm that still exists in the modern age, but technically, this isn't the actual sword I wield. However, In a time when mysteries had almost faded, I'm sure that the man known as 'Muramasa' was truly exceptional."
Strictly speaking, there was no such thing as an actual weapon that I have acquired. And to be honest, I put Muramasa in the story with the idea that an edge-lord should have a katana, so I really don't have much attachment to this weapon.
I'm sorry, gramps.
Nevertheless, Muramasa must have been a man of exceptional talent, since the sword flew as the legend goes.
"Anyway, now I have the minimum armament. It's true that with my current status, it would be preferable to win without fighting, but I can't do anything if I keep running away. That's what fighting is all about. Also, Kariya. You need to get some rest."
"Ah, all right. Thanks, Halmeus."
"Sleep well. It's also for that girl's own good."
Kariya is a human, for better or worse. He's not a perfect guy, but he still seems very decent. In any case, in this Holy Grail War, crazy masters run rampant all over the place.
Waver is the best, followed by Kariya. To be honest, even Kariya and Dr. Kayneth are quite questionable, but the rest of them are residents of the Shura Kingdom, aka psycho city. That makes them look relatively better.
"Well, I'll take your word for it and stay in my room."
"Good. I'm going to observe the city. Call me as soon as you hear anything."
Normally, it would be dangerous for a servant to be away from his master, but Assassin would only be monitoring anyway. We also have a command seal if things get ugly, though I wouldn't be able to sense an assassin with presence concealment in the first place.
If they strike, we're dead.
If that's the case, there's no need for me to stay by his side. As Zouken had said, he couldn't feel any power from me that was typical of a Servant, and according to Kariya, he couldn't even see my status.
That meant that there was no way they would find out that I, as a Servant, has left Kariya in the first place. I didn't think I'd have to thank my own weakness, but this is fortunate.
Well, in terms of status, that luck is also an E-. Unlucky things may happen. Let's be careful.
"Meow!"
Oh, there's a black cat ... right in front of me.
"My king. At last, only Caster remains to be summoned. In a few days, there will be a battle where Servants will clash with each other."
"Hmm ... Tokiomi. Is there any hero who can give me even the slightest pleasure? Now that you have summoned me, it is your duty as my vassal to entertain me."
"I'm most certain you'll be pleased..."
"Ha, so be it."
Gilgamesh leaned back while pouring the wine down his throat. He gushed down the exquisite wine held in a golden cup, savoring the heavenly luxury, but his expression was anything but flattered.
As a matter of fact, Gilgamesh was bored. The man in front of him was more respectful than most people, but that's the kind of respect that Gilgamesh deserves, and he doesn't think anything of it.
As a vassal, Tokiomi was decent, but as a person, this man has no value to be seen. This is the conclusion of the King of Heroes who has been measuring human beings since the dawn of humanity, and for that reason, he was just plain bored.
"..."
'Nothing else is better than that when I'm bored. It's much better than sitting here drinking and watching Tokiomi's serious face.', the king thought.
Gilgamesh motioned Tokiomi to step back and opened the door to the Gates of Babylon.
Magic surged through the mansion and dazzling light leaked out of the house, but Gilgamesh didn't care about such trivial matters.
With an almost loving gesture, he carefully took out a withered book from the treasury that contained countless treasures. It was an ancient book, entirely black, with strange patterns on the cover. It was woven with advanced magic, and the space between the front and back covers has become a kind of dimensional gap.
It is a special magic tool that can hold a thousand or ten thousand pages in this one book, and it is because of this that the friend of the hero was able to record Halmeus' activities in full.
The title of the book is 'The Record of Halmeus'. This book has become more popular than the Bible, and has been read by many heroes and people, which is why it has become a part of Gilgamesh's treasure trove.
For Gilgamesh, this is a treasure that has the same value as the Primordial Sword Ea and the Heavenly Chain Enkidu.
The effect of raising the ranks of all skills and the boost to name recognition is extremely powerful, but the real value of this treasure it is not. No, it was far greater.
The real value is that this is the 'original'. This is the purest depiction of Halmeus, written by a close friend of the hero Halmeus. That is the true value of this timeless treasure.
Gilgamesh, who possesses the highest intelligence of mankind, can memorize the entirety of this book, which is an enormous record by itself. This was a book that he had read every day since he was young.
He could remember precisely how many pages and how many times the word 'Halmeus' appeared in the book, and if you specify eight letters, he could even remember what page and what episode it appears on.
In other words, Gilgamesh can follow the words from the first page to the last in his memory alone without actually needing to pick up the book and read it.
Even so, Gilgamesh takes the book out of his treasury with his very own hands each time he wants to read it, and puts it back into his treasury when he is finished. It was a form of love and dedication to this book, and a way of paying homage to the great hero he had admired from the time he first picked it up as a young man until the day he died of old age.
"Halmeus ...you who deserve my fate. Where are you now? Why didn't you show yourself in front of my eyes?"
Gilgamesh did not think it was a coincidence that the book was found during his reign, when he was king. This is evident in the last sentence of the book, 'This record shall be sealed until the proper time comes'.
In other words, he was the king who was chosen at the 'proper time', and he is the one who was bound by fate to the great hero Halmeus.
Gilgamesh was sure of this. He was the chosen one, and not anyone else in the future.
In a world where gods, demons, and humans had all forgotten the name of Halmeus, he was the king who had started the record that Halmeus' friend had entrusted to him.
This is why Gilgamesh's deepest regret was that he had never seen him in his life, not even in his dreams.
"I'm tired of waiting. I think it would be a good idea for me to call him out myself now that I have arrived in this world."
Saying this, he tipped his cup a little more cheerfully than before.
Gilgamesh was not interested in the Holy Grail, but only in punishing the impudence of the mongrels that dare take his treasure.
'If I should use the chalice myself...yes, it is the legitimate right of the rightful owner to exercise it. The laws I have laid down will be upheld, and I will be able to have a chance encounter with Halmeus, which I had craved for a lifetime. It's like killing two birds with one stone.'
Unaware of the fact that his Hero has already been summoned, Gilgamesh smiled, turning another page of 'The Record of Halmeus'.
True Name: 'Halmeus Muramasa 覇琉芽有珠村正'
・This sword is housed in Izumo Taisha Shrine in Shimane Prefecture. It was made by Sengo Muramasa, a swordsmith, based on the legend of Halmeus of the Far East. It is a rare example of the MC's imagination taken shape.
・It's a convenient item that can automatically attack and defend itself with divine skill. But even so, its durability is comparable to that of an E-rank noble phantasm, so it will break or bend if it is used poorly.
・The auto-attack and auto-defense functions are only available when it is in the possession of Halmeus. It is a "normal katana" for an amateur, an "exquisite katana" for an expert, but nothing more. This is exclusive equipment made only for Halmeus.
・It is both a sword and a dog. It goes straight to its master. Enemies are killed by its stabbing them between the eyes. The stabbing is said to transcend the ultimate technique of a certain Shinsengumi warrior with pinkish hair. It can also slash. It loves Halmeus.
...Phew. You thought Artoria-chan is the heroin, but it is I, Gil-chan! ...BTW, anyone wanna see TS Gil having an Ahegao?
Pls review! I love to hear from you readers!
X-kalibuuuur, over and out!