Chapter 3

I saw her again.

Kneeling on the ground she looks up to a familiar face I've always seen in Chaldea, her Identity is that of Nero Claudius, Saber Class Servant, I first met her in the second singularity when she was still alive in her Era.

So she answered the girl's summon huh.

After a few introductions, I finally learn the girl's name.

Hakuno Kishinami.

That was the girl's name

After that, the doll-like toy suddenly moved and began to attack.

Hakuno sees this frightened, but Nero encourages her to stand up as she is her Praetor.

Suddenly someone called out to her with encouragement, she stand up and began to command Nero.

She is an amateur that's for sure but even the

she is still able to make some good commands on Nero.

She... kinda reminded me of myself when I just become a master on a whim.

After a few moments, they finally defeated the doll, and there Hakuno finally let out a sigh of relief, Nero praises her direction in combat and how she handles herself since it's her first time.

Then suddenly a voice began to talk who sounds awfully like Rasputin.

The voice congratulates her and welcomes her as a Master of the Mooncell Holy Grail war.

I was engulfed in light, then the last time I see is Hakuno's face full of confusion.

Chapter 3: Journey in the Digital Forest, and the Green Robed Anti-Hero.

10/24/030

6:30

I open my eyes to see a ceiling in my view, I suddenly feel a sense of Deja-vu, I begin to get up on my bed and see my clothes in the corner neatly folded.

Taking a shower in the bathroom in my room in the cheap hotel I was sleeping for the night.

It's been a week since I embarked on my journey to meeting the ruler of this world, and found out my purpose in falling in here.

I found a small town on my journey and decided to sleep here it's like a small town and decided to live here for a few days.

I mean I'm used to sleeping in the forest, but the feeling of softness of a warm bed and a good shower is what makes my decision.

Though of course, there is the currency here, and surprisingly the currency here is QP, like back in Chaldea, but I only have a few QP left so I decided I'm gonna stay here for three days before continuing my Journey to Sharpton.

The Old man said that to get to the capital I need to reach the decks first and sail to Sharpton, after that it's either a walk there or a carriage to get to the Capital which is a city from what I hear is like an ancient Rome.

Thinking about that, I suddenly remember my dream.

It's about that girl again.

now I finally know her name.

Hakuno Kishinami

A very simple Japanese name, but for some reason, it feels so nostalgic.

Wait...

Now that I think about it, there is a girl named like that back in my high school.

She has the same name and same face, but what's different is that the girl I saw in my dreams had brown hair and eyes while the girl I knew back then has black hair and red eyes.

But in the latter half of the school year, she stop coming to school, from what I heard she had a problem with her brain which made her forget things and it become a hindrance in her school and personal life.

We were never become close but I remember always taking a glance at her occasionally while my friends jokingly said they caught Hakuno(Classmate) taking a glance at me.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Wait why did I forget about that?

Now that I think about it it seems like I was forgetting almost everything in my past life after I come to Chaldea.

I still remember the face of my parents and home but aside from that, it's all so foggy.

But back from the topic, I remember seeing Nero and Hakuno, in my dream after I get this ring.

These past few days I always randomly have dreams about Hakuno.

Is Hakuno the Sovereign I was looking for?

If so, then I guess that makes it easy, because from what I see in my dreams she is I think a reasonable person or my dream was nothing but just dreams.

I get out of the bathroom, dry my hair with the towel and wear my clothes as I look in the mirror to check myself out.

Damn, I look good, I said that to myself for no reason.

I pack my things and the metal the Old Man gave me and began to go down the stairs.

It's my third day in this hotel so I'm leaving, after talking to the lady NPC, and paying I go outside of the hotel and what greeted me is a medieval-style town.

I'm ac despite being a world of digital, it seems like they don't have an advanced town, flying cars, and the such, like what I thought.

My plan for the day is to have some breakfast and then continue my journey to Sharpton.

...

After getting a delicious sandwich from a nearby store I am walking into town to go to the nearest gate to continue my goal.

after walking some time I saw something in the alley, a scene if you prefer.

I eavesdrop to see what's going on.

"This is it?!" Said the bigger guy angrily to what seemed like a plain guy.

"yes this is it, this is all that I can show to you, as this is the only amount I got this past week."

Said the plain guy, straightforwardly, he is neither scared nor worried facing the more scary man in front of him, it's like he doesn't care if he ever got hurt.

"Tch, you have a whole week to get some QP and it's not even half of it?! Well what can I expect from an NPC itself"

I see so that explains it, no wonder the guy looks so plain, his an NPC then huh.

"Then why did you even expect anything then, if you know you're just gonna be let down by an NPC myself, why did you even pick me in the first place? Oh, I see it's because I am an NPC, you are a weak person so you're using me as an NPC to do your dirty work for you, right?"

Said the NPC, his not saying that to ridicule the Big Guy, he is saying that as a fact, and it seems like it's the truth, judging by the big guy's reaction. He is raising his fist to the NPC

"You Lowly NPC, WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME?!"

Ok time to intervene.

"Hey what's going on here?!" I yell at the two people, seeing me it seems like the big guy's attention shifted to me.

"HA? Who the hell even are you kid?" Said the Big guy.

"Just passing by Wonderer, and I can't help by overhearing things, using an NPC to get some money? I do hear that is illegal to do that here."

That's right, one of the things I learn is that you can't take advantage of the NPC here in this world, it's because the NPC isn't still a person of their own, it's easy to use them for your benefit. They can only use them when they have the permission of an id card that shows their rightful ownership to the said NPCs.

"And the way you're acting towards that NPCs is questionable, so will you please stop it," I ask politely, really I don't want to cause a scene here.

"Yeah? what then, what are you even gonna do about it?" The guy as smugly.

"I called the guards"

Of course, I didn't, I just woke up and had breakfast.

But those words alone seem to sken him up.

"Tch, you over there, this isn't over yet."

He said and pointed that at the NPC that is looking at him blankly without a care in the world.

He left the alley bumping into my shoulder. E didn't even make sure that I did call the guards, what a simpleton, but I'm lucky that he is a simpleton because if he's not, then this would be an even bigger scene.

I walk up to the NPC and help him get up to his feet.

"Are you ok?"

I ask, while he only just nods.

"umm, can you help me find the gate?"

I ask embarrassingly, and the NPC only looks at me with a blank look.

Man, this is so embarrassing.

...

"Why didn't you fight back?"

That's a stupid question really why did I ask that?

Right now I am walking alongside the NPC I save earlier since he agreed to show me the way to the gate is the town, so feeling awkward asking him a question.

"I can't because I am programmed to take care of the wizards that reside in SE.RA.PH."

He said that with no hesitation, while I can only look at him.

"sigh, come now it's dangerous to stay here, the next time that guy corners you again, don't be afraid to call the guards."

I gave some advice while I am walking alongside him

"I'm not afraid, I can't be"

He stated.

Oh yeah right, his an NPC.

"well no matter, you should still call the guards next time, so that guy can be at the very least warned"

"Why though"

"Hmm?"

"Why do I have to do that?"

He asks me.

"Because you have a choice."

I answered genuinely that all people I believe have a choice in their life, whether that choice leads you to a good future or a bad future, as long as people are alive or at least in their eyes are living, they will and always have a choice.

"...Eh?"

He stops at his walking his face is fu of confusion.

ah, I see.

He is built and programmed to do one job his entire life.

He doesn't have a childhood or a past.

What he looks like now is the same as he is born, and maybe his appearance will probably be the same for the next hundred or thousand years to come.

Because he is an NPC, he doesn't have a choice,e to begin with.

"Hey what's your name?"

"Dane"

"I see"

After that talk, we continue our walk in silence.

...

After a, while we finally arrive at the gate and I finally say goodbye to Dane.

"Well we are here thanks for the guide Dane"

"It's no problem"

, "Well Dane I'm gonna go now. See ya"

"Wait, may I ask where you're going?"

"I'm heading to the Capital. Why?"

"Which Capital?"

,

"Umm, I am going to where the Sovereign lives..."

"Uhh I see, you mean the Mare Carcer then"

"Y-Yeah"

There Here are a nearby town about 100 meters from here, there you can sail to Sharpton after that go East from Sharpton if you want to go to Mare Carcer."

I already know the first two he said but I guess I know where I'm going when I reach Sheraton.

"Thanks for the Info."

I began to walk away, as I get ready to continue my journey.

As I once again take my first step into the unknown.

3rd Person POV

'You have a choice'

that's what Dane is thinking standing in the same place she watches the back of Ritsuka's back leaving the gate of the town.

"I..have a choice..?"

Dane said to himself and keeps thinking the same thing over and over in his head.

And At that moment, something changed within Dane.

Savior's POV

10/26/2030

12:05

Huff Huff

AghhhHHHHHHHHHHHH

It's so damn hot!

Now I get what Anya Felt.

Dammit, it feels like we're in the real world rather than a digital one.

It's been two days since I left town and continue my journey to go to the Capital, or I guess ONE of the Capitals.

And after the first night in the wilderness, I already wish I am back in town.

The night is so cold and the ground is hard, compared to the warm soft bed.

I know I'm used to sleeping in the wild, but even I want to sleep in a bed too you know!

As I keep walking down a straight path I was suddenly ambushed by attack programs, this time they are like small faces with a mouth on them, they are small but they were really fast, but luckily I avoided it, as my survival instinct kicked in.

One jumped on me but I kick it while the other also jump but I punch it, it didn't do a whole lot but it gave me some time.

Time to use the power of my ring.

I've been wondering about that ever since my last encounter with attack programs.

I remember a surging of mana in my surroundings into my fingertips so I'm gonna do the same.

Let the mana around me flow in one place, in this case, my fingertips. like back then.

And then let it explode.

"Gandr!"

I fired off my Gandr...

only for it to not reach my target and fall to the ground like throwing a stone and not reaching it.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

inhale

Ahhhhhhh.

I'm so dead right now.

I have a mile on my face to not think about how a failure I am in magecraft.

Can I even still be clarified as a third-rate mage, hell can I even be classified as a mage.

That I don't know

I look at the attack programs to see them also confuse. But they still attacked me.

man, I'm so embarrassed that the only thing I can do is smile.

When suddenly...

FWISH

a green arrow was suddenly shot by the Attack Programs making them disintegrate.

"Phew, I thought I was a late, good thing I arrive just in time."

Said in a somewhat laidback voice. there is a male figure with green clothing and a green cloak, while a crossbow is attached to his right hand.

I know this person, I met him back in the 5th Singularity, the person who steals from the rich to provide for the poor.

Seeing him I can only say his name out loud.

"Robin!"

"Huh?"

"Hmm?"

I raised my eyebrow looking at him in confusion, while he also looked at me in confusion.

"How do you know my name kid?"

He ask, hearing that I finally realized.

He's not the same person that I know. Agh I'm stupid, I need to think of a comeback, knowing Robin he would get very suspicious of me.

"Ummm of course I know you, you being in a green forest wearing a green-robed to blend with the environment. There's no other hero more similar to that other than Robin Hood"

I said straightforwardly, that's a good explanation, right?

"I...see,"

We only look at each other, for a few moments, he looks at me stoically, while I have an awkward smile on my face.

"well see ya around kid"

"Huh? Wait where are you going?"

"Anywhere."

"Huh? Wait!"

He begins to walk away while I follow him, a good 10 minutes of walking he stops and turns around to me with an annoyed face.

"Why are you following me, kid?"

"Haha, well you see, I'm a...Kinda lost."

"Huh?"

Yeah, that's right I don't know how but despite me walking in a straight line I somehow got lost in the forest.

"sigh, well it's not surprising

"Well Kid I am hunting for food obviously"

"Food?"

"Yeah that is called something you eat"

Wow such a jackass

"N-No I mean how can you find a boar or any animal to hunt? Isn't this world made of Data, you know a digital world?"

"Well lookie here, I never thought I would see the day where I would find a kid as clueless as her when it comes to this world."

"Huh?"

"I can't believe I'm gonna explain this.."

He mumbles, man I know I'm an amateur at this but please give me a break.

He began to walk again and I follow him again and listen.

"To give you a rundown kid, this world isn't your usual Digital world. It's a What's called a Serial Phantasm, But I take you already know that?"

"Yeah"

"Good, then you already know some basics of it, but what's different about this from what you see in science fiction is that the Moon Cell is an observing the history of the earth."

"Mooncell.."

"Wait don't tell me you don' even know what the mooncell is?"

He said that to me with a combination of Surprise but also irritation,

"I know about it, just... not so much."

"sigh, the Mooncell s an alien artifact that was founded by mages in the 1970s and after the fall out of Humanity in recent years and its stagnation, many mages, I guess wizards now become a hacker, to hack the moon itself."

When he said the word stagnation, I pause for a minute, is it possible that this is one of the dead-end histories I fall myself into?

"Um,m then why do the wizards want to to go the moon then?"

"Simple because they want to take it themselves."

A simple reason but I can see that, from what I know, the mooncell is the equivalent of attaining a holy grail or true magic."

"wait what do you mean that the mooncell is only observing?"

"It's what I told you, it simply observes human history while also calculating the possible future of this world. But the mooncell thinks it's not enough and proposes another solution, a Holy Grail War."

Holy Grail War.

I hear that's times now, but still baffles me, maybe because I never experience it myself, sure we have some grail fronts here and there, but that can't be possibly measured to the real one right?

"The moon called upon 128 wizards and lets them summon spirits from Earths Human history, and let them compete in a tournament-style one-on-one battle royal, with last remaining pair of master and servant standing, claiming their wish on the Mooncell core or you can in this case being the Holy Grail itself. But to do that tournament the moonset created a digital world based on the data it acquired from observing earth's history and making a perfect replica of it, What foods taste like in the environment, what sounds like, and more, in which you are standing right now, hat's how this world is made, the Serial Phantasm or better know as Se.Ra.Ph."

So that's the story of the Moon's Grail war huh. But I have a question.

"there doesn't seem to be a Grail war happening, and from what I gathered, this world is created solely to become the grail war's battleground right? so arent there any Grail War?"

I ask him, right if this world is created by the moon so that the war has ground to battle.

"Because of a threat coming."

"Threat?"

"A few months ago after the last Grail War the master that won didn't wish for anything but something happened, a threat that killed all population in the world and it will be coming for the next 14,000 years, the Master Manage to hold back the threat for another 14,000 years, and right now that same master reign in this world as it's Sovereign, along with her generals that are a bunch of high tier heroic spirits along her side, she prepares for the day that threat comes again."

I see I'm beginning to see the picture here, so this world was protected by its ruler to face the incoming threat.

"Where is this Ruler right now..?"

"She is currently living in the Mare Carcer, but once in a while, she lives in the Millenium Capital. And the same Artifact that was used to defeat that threat is called the Regalia, which is a rin, kinda looks like the one you are wearing right now."

After hearing that I stop in my place, he looks at me from behind and looks at me suspiciously while I'm beginning to tremble.

Ahh, I see I remember now.

After the silliness that was going on, on Chaldea, I always forgot.

Those same silly people are still a Heroic Spirit, a being that far surpasses that of a normal human being, a being that can kill me easily without me even noticing.

"Well, whatever, why do you even ask where the Sovereign is?"

After the whole tension, I feel like air suddenly came back to me allowing me to breathe more easily.

"Ummm, I have some business with her that's all"

"Hmmm, and you think they would let you, a nobody?'

I once again Paused, that's right I'm a nobody but even still.

"Even still, there is nothing with at least trying it out right?"

I said that when suddenly Robin stop walking.

"Robin?"

I called out to him, wondering if something is wrong.

"Man, you are like her."

"Huh?"

He said that with a small smile.

"Come on, you help me hunt some food."

"Huh?! I mean I can buy why should I!?"

"I gave you info about this world right? so you help me hunt some foods as repayment."

"HUH?!"

13:05

10/26/2030

Right now I'm hiding in a bush as I see a boar in my sight, his tie it's like a normal boar instead of the attack programs I fought Earlier.

"HA!"

I jump out and hit it with a weak ball of energy surprising it, making it run away I keep hitting on it to the ground controlling its movement until I finally get it to where I want the boar to run off.

"Now! Robin!"

"Alright!"

A green arrow was shot from above hitting the boar in the head. After confirming if i's dead, I sigh. after about 5 seconds Robin jumps down from a tree branch above.

"phew, man this is so easy when you have someone to help you."

"You don't have someone to help you?"

"None, Now Come and let's eat this."

"umm yeah"

I hurriedly began to walk alongside him as we continue our chat.

"Well, that is easy. glad I'm not doing the shooting this time."

"You bad at aiming kid?"

It's not that I'm bad, I'm just average in almost everything, I remember last time I didn't get to eat because none of my ma-I mean Code-Cast to hit the boar I was aiming at, so I need to endure my hunger before I can get to the nearby town."

"Sheesh that's Harsh, I've been in that similar situation before"

That's right after going on my journey I keep missing anything I hunt, It's either my blast is too weak to even reach the target o too powerful that it disintegrates it into nothing.

"Well how about I teach you a thing or two about aiming with a bow."

"You have a bow, I always figured that the only weapon you have is that crossbow you have in your hand."

"I always carried a second bow case my main one got destroyed or unable to use, just to be ready."

"Ohhh"

Ok, that made much more sense, I wonder if Robin from Chaldea also has a spare weapon he could use.

A few minutes later, we finally arrive at our destination. It's a small green tent, and what looks like a bunch of woods, presumably to make a fire to cook the meat we just acquired.

After setting and letting the fire we began to cook the boar meat and wait in silence before the meal is ready. Afterward, we eat it together in silence, compare to Chaldea where chaos always ensues for dumb reasons, especially in the cafeteria, it's nice to have some moments of silence when I eat my food.

Chaldea, I wonder what happened there when I'm gone, if I was right, then this was all those times where my mind or soul or whatever got sent out somewhere, and there's always a reason for it.

Whether the reason is silly or not, there is always a reason. I wonder what my reason for being here is...

And... I'm worried about Mash and the rest back in Chaldea, after all, we just destroyed the British lostbelt.

That's right, we just destroyed another world.

I just destroyed another world.

The others said that I shouldn't carry the burden, but I can't help but feels responsible for all of it. After all, I am the one carrying out the orders to Mash, Director Goredolf, is just there to give out official orders to explore and investigate, but I'm the center of it.

Without me, My world's future will be gone, but is that a justified reason for me to selfishly take other people's future?

They are fighting for the right to exist, and so do our world.

They are acting selfishly by taking our world's future, but in the end, I also act selfishly because I also destroy the future they selfishly took from us.

It doesn't matter whether who did it first.

In the end, all beings that exist in the world are selfish, to begin with.

But...

10/28/2030

15:56

I am hiding in the grass, as I keep my eyes on the target: a wild boar for dinner.

I am right now crouching in a tree brack from above.

In my hands is a simple bow, while a bag of arrows is on my back.

taking a single arrow from my back and silently knocking it into the bow I was holding. Taking a deep breath I aim it at the boar.

Clear mind, at this moment, visualize yourself to be the only thing in the world aside from the boar, taking another deep breath and aiming carefully then.

NOW

I let go of the string of my bow as the arrow fly through the air hitting the boar from the side.

Shit!

I missed, I was aiming for the head, taking another arrow from my back I knock it out and shoot now instinctively hitting the ground near the boar, making a run away in their direction.

Shit, I'm losing it!

Before even taking out another arrow another arrow was hot from nearby hitting the boar's head killed ling it instantly.

I sigh and put the arrow away from my back and jump from the branch into the ground, it's not that high so I manage to land without breaking my knee.

After landing, Robin revealed himself from his hiding spot with a smug face.

"Man you suck at this."

He smugly said that to me, I just scoff.

"Well sorry for sucking at this thing, I barely knew how to use a bow you know."

"Eh doesn't sweat it, kid, I was bad at using arrows too when I was just learning."

He encourages me, and I just smile at him.

"But you're gonna need another 1000 years before you can catch up to me"

And he just ruined it.

I roll eye sees before heading back to the camp to eat it

It's been a few days since I met that world's Robin, and in those days he teach me how some basics on how to use ta bow and arrow.

I know some of it due to Chiron and the other Bow wielding archers back in Chaldea but didn't continue it because of the state of the world we lived in.

After getting back to the camp, He and I began to cook the boar and eat it after it was cooked.

Nothing happened big today as he just thought about how to use a bow. before I know it it's now nighttime.

I began to sleep on the ground as I kept looking at the stars that is covered with ones and zeros.

I still can't believe that this world is a world inside the moon.

Now I remember back then when I was a kid I said that I'm going to the moon. Can I consider this that then?

Cause if so the Mom, I finally made it, I reach the moon just like I said back then I guess.

After looking at the stars, I remember something.

Back in the 6th Lostbelt, I was called the Child of the Stars.

I wonder if that was just on the British Lostbelt.

Man when I think about it, I've gone through many hells huh.

But still despite that, even though I walk into countless hell, I'm glad I met many wonderful people in that hell.

I said that before falling asleep.

10/29/2030

10:55

The next day Robin said that we are close to the decks and the town.

After some walking we finally reach it.

Bredon Port, you can see some houses and many bars actually, I saw some pirates and the people here are dressed just like that of the 1730s, I saw so larger ships in the port, and then I saw a familiar red ship.

"Wait is that..?"

"You see something, familiar kid?"

Robin ask me.

"Yeah, you can say that."

Even if I say that I doubt she would remember me.

"Well that's good I guess, so from here on out you're on your "

"yeah thanks"

"We only knew each other but it feels like I've known you for a long time now, weird right?"

"Haha, yeah"

"Also kid, the bow"

"Wait isn't this supposed to be you giving me this for a keepsake?"

"That's just fantasy kid plus that's the only bow I have aside from my main one, plus probably the reason your bad at using mine is because you don't have a bow of your own."

"Ok, I guess?"

I said that, but I have a question I always want to ask him.

"Hey, Robin m why did you help me?"

Robin only looks at me with his eyebrow raised but he answered nonetheless.

"Well you are a kid, and I'm not gonna let a kid wander to a forest where he could probably get killed you know."

"Well I guess you're right, so See y Robin."

"See ya kid."

He said that before leaving and disappearing into the forest.

I look now towards Bredon, continuing my journey ahead.

3rd Person's POV

Deep in the forest, Robin is walking.

"That kid is something else, he reminds me of her haha"

He said that to himself while laughing.

"But still I guess I can see your point now huh, old man.."

In his mind an image of the elderly with a good physique with a noble and stoic look on his face wearing a green and black suit.

After seeing that image, Robin smiles he looks at the sky and said.

"I hope you finally see your wife and have a good life on the other side, Master."

?/?/?

"The time is nearing then, Send out that troops, we can't let him get in contact with her."

"I wonder, why couldn't you have done that yourself?"

"After the last battle against her, and constant timeline jumping, I lose too much energy, Velber simply said that I should rest for now."

"Haha, I can see that, but isn't t frustrating? After all, Velber took your the power to jump from timelines"

"Even so, and that it gave me a small portion of his power but my body isn't used to it right now, that's why I'm resting."

"I see, I see, then what about the knight?"

"I want you to take care of him. That's an order."

"as you wish"

"Only five more years, and he will arrive, I can't wait for the day of arrival."