"Ugh… I hit the jackpot. Just tried my luck, and I actually won… Man, a place crawling with heroes? Don't even wanna think about it. I was curious about this resort, but nope, I'm out! I'll just play dumb, hide under my cloak, and slip away—"
"Get to work."
"My cloak—!! Alright, alright, I'm going, I'm going!"
"A winner! Let me through! I'll protect the kids!"
"Pass through."
"I won, huh. Sorry, old man, mind if I cut in?"
"Pass through."
"Ugh… I really don't wanna go…"
"Get to work."
"Fine, I got it! I got it!"
"Archers! No need to extol the grandeur of this class! The strongest, the noblest, the most radiant—it's the pinnacle, the class I once claimed as my own!"
The Heroic King waxed poetic. Archers, huh? Brings back memories. I still recall the shock of learning why the Heroic King was an Archer—hurling treasures left and right, what a vague way to define a class.
"You bet I know! But now you're all Gorgeous, right, Gil?"
"Indeed! To become Gorgeous, one must first be an Archer! Only those worthy of Archer status can claim the title of Gorgeous! Which means only I can be Gorgeous! The world's unfair, isn't it? Hahaha!"
"Gorgeous… Is that really gonna be an official class? Feels like it'd be retired forever…"
"So cool, Gorgeous! You're awesome!"
"As expected, as expected! What's with that fiery gaze, Marie?"
"Nothing. I just… love Archers."
"Of course you do! Hahaha! Let's do this—summoning time!"
The summoning circle spun, filling with radiant light.
Now, what kind of Archer (definitely not bow-and-arrow) will show up? I'm convinced—Archers who actually use bows are the odd ones out.
"Strong Archers? We've got Gil, and he's Gorgeous… I kinda want a simple, down-to-earth Archer."
As the murmur faded, the light dimmed.
There stood—
"Hey, hey, called to work, so here I am."
A young man in a green cloak, an Archer hiding his form.
"Green Archer! Green tea!?"
"No green tea here, kid… Robin Hood. Nice to meet ya. Just a humble Archer, but let's get along… Wait, what!?"
Robin Hood's eyes widened in shock. Robin Hood, huh? The righteous thief who stood against oppression, right?
"What's this, a rat scurrying in? To think a rat would infiltrate Chaldea… Calling a lowlife like you an Archer is almost offensive."
The vessel sighed, hand on cheek.
"Man, you were actually a king? Shouldn't have answered this summons on a whim…"
"Fine, I'll allow it. Your sharp tongue's still intact, good. No need to strut or posture here. Wield your mundane bow as the King of May and fulfill the wish buried deep in your gut."
"—I'll do my best, alright? So, mind if I check out this rumored resort?"
"Do as you please. The summoning continues—scurry off quickly."
"Hey, nice to meet ya, righteous thief! I'm your Master now!"
"Sure, sure, nice to meet you too. Catch ya later."
Robin Hood waved lazily and sauntered off.
"Storm clouds are gathering… Is this the gacha's way of balancing me out?"
"Maybe you just got a bad pull?"
"No matter. I'll set some rat traps later. Next! Summon!"
The summoning continued. Light swelled, sparked, and settled.
"This time, I'd like someone with a bit of class. Compared to me, they're all rabble, but at least they should look the part. It's basic manners."
"Meeting your standards must be tough. You only have eyes for the rarest flowers, huh?"
"Naturally. Wildflowers might've charmed my younger self, but no more."
And there appeared—
"Are you my Master? Pleased to meet you."
An elegant Archer in green, ears sprouting, bow in hand—strikingly beautiful.
"Hoh. Same green, yet worlds apart. As expected from Greece, with its keen eye for beauty. Not bad to look at."
"Oh! The one who got pummeled by Cat!"
"What—! My head…! Beasts, dogs, cats… Good morning—argh!"
"You okay!?"
"Feeling under the weather. Let Cat tend to her."
"You called, Gorgeous?"
"No! Stop! Keep that beast away from me!"
"Oh, lovely Atalanta, Cat's thrilled to stand shoulder-to-shoulder. Let's go—Cat and Cloak's hospitality bash is kicking off in the cafeteria!"
"Take her away."
"Stop iiiit—!!"
Atalanta was dragged off by the beast, yowling.
"Atalanta…"
"She's fond of childcare, isn't she? Let her watch over books and grudges. Passable, but not spectacular. Last one."
With a snap, the summoning circle spun again.
"I'd like at least one Archer with some dignity…"
The vessel propped their cheek, exasperated.
Ordinary heroes… Doesn't that contradict the idea of a hero? If they're a hero, they're extraordinary by default, right? The standards for heroism are tricky.
"I love any Archer, no matter who."
"Marie's so open-minded!"
"I've decided to forget about common sense."
The light swelled and faded.
There stood—
"I'm Arash, the great hero of the East! Nice to meet ya."
A lively man with a red bow and tanned skin—Arash, he called himself.
"You're the Heroic King? Sorry for being a third-rate Servant, but let me join the fight."
"No matter, you're permitted, hero. But your Noble Phantasm is forbidden—for now, until we secure your Spirit Origin."
Forbid his Noble Phantasm? How do you settle a fight then?
Arash… Never heard that name…
"Got it. Sorry for the hassle. Now, where's my Master…?"
"H-Hi!"
"No need to be so stiff. I've got your back. Your soul's got my approval—I'll protect you proper."
"—So cool… I don't know much about you, but…"
"Rikka!"
"Haha, no rush. Take your time learning about me."
"—Arash Kamangir… Wow, an amazing hero showed up…!"
"Alright, I'll scout out Chaldea. Call me if you need me. Later, King and crew."
Arash flashed a grin and left the room.
"—Heroic King."
Olgamally looked up.
"Hm— the stage is set!"
The Heroic King leapt from the throne with gusto.
"The battle for the Saber summoning—this is the decisive clash!!"
His resolve shook the room.
"Lend me your strength, Marie! Mobilize your Command Seals too!"
"Understood! Use them as you need!"
He reached into golden ripples, pulling out two rainbow-hued seals.
"Here we go—the final summoning battle! Class Saber! I declare it open!!"
The war to claim the King's bride (without her consent) begins!
"Where's my turn!? No Sixth Demon King in Chaldea!? You serious!? No way, that's gotta be a lie! What, event-locked so it's impossible? At this pace, when the hell are we hitting the GudaGuda event, you jerks—!!!"
"'Ishtar is forever barred from entry'… That golden jerk—!! I'll show up someday, just you wait!!"
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