A single soul gazed upon the world.
Under the absolute perspective, the soul beheld the expanse of creation.
The piercing sky, the robust earth. The tapestry of life unfolding.
The endeavors of creatures, of humans, in the first step of an endless journey—the soul saw the world.
It saw love. It saw dignity. It saw resolve. It saw pride. It saw determination. It saw honor.
—It saw the absolute, primordial majesty of a king.
The soul found the world beautiful.
The heavens, the earth, the world—they warmly welcomed the innocent soul.
Under the aegis of the king who faced the world, a single soul touched the essence of existence.
I want to see more.
The soul etched that desire namelessly. To touch this world, it yearned.
To see more—the sky, the sea, the earth. To behold the sprawling world.
To one day challenge it. To witness the lives of those who strive, it wished.
With the king.
Not as a friend, not as a pawn, nor as an ally.
Simply existing alongside the king who permitted its presence.
The soul wished to see the world.
There was a king.
A king who witnessed every tragedy, bore every sorrow, and merely laughed.
Killing parents, killed by parents, ignorant of love, abandoned by love, bleeding pride, slain by pride, seeking solitude, forsaken by solitude—gazing upon every tragedy, he simply laughed.
For a mere mortal, that might suffice. But this king was different.
He had the power to resolve. The authority to act.
With eyes that saw past and future, a cruel king who only smiled faintly.
We kept witnessing tragedies. Our eyes were gouged by them.
Enough. We're sick of it. Spare us—don't show us this anymore.
Tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy.
Do something, if you can. Save this sorrow. Spare us these sights.
We're fed up. Why must we endure this?
Tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy.
It was unbearable, unendurable, intolerable.
All of us pleaded. All of us begged.
"Don't you intend to do anything!?"
"Don't you want to save these tragedies!?"
To our cries, the king replied:
"Well, not really?"
This injustice cannot be forgiven.
This king cannot be forgiven.
All of us—so we concluded.
I opened my eyes.
My consciousness stirred. The vessel still slept, likely exhausted. I rose.
What was that?
I didn't understand. One perspective was mine.
A simple thought—a vague wish to see the world.
A naive sentiment, born from witnessing the struggles of heroes and humans in Orleans.
The other was pity.
Pity for tragedies, for laments, for incompetence, for inaction.
A perspective of someone who rose with indignation and resolve.
Did this vessel glimpse something distant again?
(You look rough. Morning.)
I glanced over to see Fou perched nearby.
(He's still asleep, huh? You're the only one awake.)
"Beast…"
(It's easier to talk to you when he's out. Just listen comfortably.)
A voice, reminiscent of Arthur's, echoed in my mind.
(First journey done—well done. Your efforts defused their bomb.)
Orleans?
(You shattered several sad tragedies, coloring the journey with joy.)
(I'm grateful. I got to join a radiant path.)
It wasn't just me.
Chaldea's efforts, the heroes' aid, the king's majesty.
I merely… made decisions in the face of it all.
(…)
No, Fou. You're wrong.
Even nameless as I am, I can say this.
That step in the journey, that footprint—it was won by all the good people together.
I saw it. I can say that with certainty.
(—Right. That guy alone wouldn't bring smiles.)
Fou hopped onto my shoulder.
(This might be a pointless question, but for formality's sake…)
It whispered in my ear.
(If it's too painful, you can stop, you know?)
That question again.
A sweet proposal, resonating in my soul.
(You've had everything taken from you. But one thing is still permitted.)
What is it?
(I won't say yet. You'll know when you seek it.)
(Your struggle can stop anytime—I'll say it again.)
It whispered, in a sweet, soothing voice.
(If it's too painful, you can stop.)
A kind voice. But—
"Fool. Do you think I'd abandon the work I started?"
I rejected it outright. No matter how sweet the offer, I had no use for it.
My wish remains unchanged. To achieve something, to accomplish.
I'm still nameless. Stopping here—what would I have achieved?
I'll move forward. Toward the future.
I'll protect. The path of those fighting now.
I'll decide—my journey's end.
I'll choose my own destination.
That's the obvious decision for a nameless soul.
(—I see. Then your story continues.)
Fou hopped toward the exit.
(Your decision is yours alone. Good luck, Nameless Soul.)
I turned back.
(I pray you don't meet a new ⬛⬛⬛. You're a favorite of mine.)
Slowly, Fou left the room.
"…What is that beast?"
A beautiful creature, speaking to me.
Who is he, really…?
(Oh, forgot to mention. I left my Chaldea Great Adventure Diary. It's got the beauty of those you met in Orleans, with my commentary. Full color, cup sizes, measurements, elasticity, and firmness—all covered. A seven-part masterpiece. Let me know what you think.)
Fou scampered off.
Seriously, what is he?
Next Chapter Preview
"Hahaha! Governor, eh? Quite the promotion, Master!"
"You're stealing my vibe!"
"Fool, I'm the original!"
"No way, it wasn't supposed to be like this…!"
"We're half-baked too! Let's do this together!"
"Tyrant—I've found you! Golden Tyrant!!"
—Huh!?
"Bring out Medusa. I'll pamper her."
"No way…"
"Sparta, huh? Bring it on—let's go, you lot!"
"Under the oath of sincerity—come, Shinsengumi!"
"All units, draw blades!! Slaughter them all!!"
"You're a fool! Utterly wasteful! Giving a miracle-working Grail to that girl? Worthless, meaningless! Making her bear such trash is the height of futility—!"
—Shut up!! Don't you dare judge Olgamally's worth—!!!
"Pawn of the Velber, remnant of giants… Fine. Let's repay some of the old gods' humiliation!"
"—I'll destroy. Everything, the world—"
The true power of this Sword of Rupture—to carve a future for all!
"The War God's—"
"Heavens and Earth Divide—"
The star's brilliance, illuminating all—!
"Inherent Barrier, wide projection! Gil—finish it—!!"
"Sword—!!"
"Star of Genesis—!!"
Second Trial: Chaldea's Great Advance! The Rome Conquest Saga
"Righteousness doesn't endure. Those I deem worthy endure."
"Heroic King…"
"You, Nero Claudius—what say you?"
Coming soon.
----------------------------------
Support me on Patreon - Advanced Chapters There!
patreon.com/Greyhounds