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Chapter 244: Heroic Spirit Summoning, Dual Summoning (3.9k words)
🕑 Added 2024-12-31 17:09:32 +0000 UTCThe Rider-class Servant of the False Holy Grail War, the Pale Rider, had been a dark horse among Servants—a being so formidable that even beings like Enkidu and Gilgamesh found it troublesome to deal with. And yet, it had fallen on the very first night of the Holy Grail War.
Its demise came in a manner no one could have anticipated.
The only witness to this event was Enkidu.
While the moment of the Pale Rider's dispersal caused a faint ripple that was detected by Gilgamesh and other Masters and Servants, their reactions were limited to mild astonishment.
As the Pale Rider vanished, the three Command Spells originally held by its Master, Kuruoka Tsubaki, were transferred to Promise.
By all rights, these Command Spells should have disappeared as a symbol of the Master’s withdrawal from the war.
However, the fact that they did not, made it obvious that special nature of this Holy Grail War and the unique presence of Promise himself had clearly drawn the attention of Alaya, the Counter Force.
Thus, the transfer of the Command Spells to Promise and his subsequent involvement in the Holy Grail War seemed inevitable—unless, of course, Promise chose to reject it outright.
But coming here had been his own decision.
And so, as the morning light streamed through the hospital window, Promise stood in Tsubaki’s room, examining the Command Spells now etched onto his hand.
Though his lips curled in mild annoyance at the unexpected development, he accepted the situation with a quiet sigh.
“Hmm... so, who will my Servant be?”
“And who will deliver that iconic line to me?”
After thinking about it, Promise couldn't help but feel some anticipation in his heart, and what he subconsciously recalled in his mind was an image of a green-clad huntress with emerald eyes.
After all, when it comes to the bond between heroes, her bond with Promise is undoubtedly the deepest.
However, the vision soon flickered, replaced by the goddess of wisdom and then the delicate yet lovely goddess of fate.
Finally, his thoughts lingered on the moon goddess, Artemis as he instinctively touched his neck.
'Hmm... maybe I should just pretend this never happened and skip the summoning?'
Just as Promise was having an extremely intense battle over the Command Spell in his mind, a soft rustling sound came from the bed beside him.
Startled, he turned his head and saw Tsubaki stirring awake, her long lashes fluttering slightly before her eyes opened.
Thanks to the golden apple and the healing light, her frail, battered body now seemed fully restored as she sat up effortlessly, her once-ruined form now radiant with health.
Her pure, innocent eyes blinked in confusion as she scanned her surroundings before finally settling on Promise, who stood by the window, bathed in the morning sunlight and smiling at her.
Looking at the young man, who seemed to be favored by the light, the little girl blinked and subconsciously said in a surprised tone:
"Hey, it's the angel brother from my dream...”
As she spoke, her gaze accidently drifted to the Command Spells on Promise’s hand.
Seeing them, her body froze as realization struck.
Panic filled her eyes as she turned to look at her own right hand.
Seeing that there was nothing on it, the color drained from her face, leaving it pale as snow.
Though Tsubaki was only ten years old, her innocence and charm did not equate to ignorance.
In fact, for much of her short life, she had believed her parents loved her deeply.
However, Tsubaki did not realize that the love shown by her parents was not love for her as a daughter, but love for the potential of a mage in her.
This understanding, painful as it was, had given her insight into the world of magic and the cruel realities of the Holy Grail War.
She also knew of the Rider she had summoned—the knight who had saved her in her darkest moments.
"...So it’s true, after all,"
Tsubaki choked back a sob, her voice trembling as tears clouded her vision. “So it’s true, Angel Big Brother... you came to banish the demon, didn’t you?”
As the words escaped her lips, tears streamed down her face.
Promise, however, offered no immediate explanation for her words.
Instead, he waited patiently as the girl cried, her small hands wiping away the tears after a brief moment, forcing a façade of strength.
Once she had quieted, Promise moved towards her, and kneeled beside her bed.
Under Tsubaki’s confused gaze, he gently reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Tsubaki… may I call you ‘Tsubaki’?"
He asked softly, with a warm smile. “
"In your dream, I told you already, didn’t I? I’m not an angel—I’m just a magician.”
"So don’t worry.
I didn’t banish him, and he wasn’t a demon. He was your knight, wasn’t he?"
Hearing his words, Tsubaki blinked at him, her confusion evident in her wide eyes.
"That knight may have left, yes, but before he did, he made one final request of me: a magic that would let you wake from your nightmare, a magic to free you from loneliness and pain."
As Promise spoke, a bright yellow lily appeared in his hand—a flower that symbolized happiness, warmth, and hope.
Under Tsubaki’s gaze, the lily slowly bloomed in his palm, its petals unfurling in a display that felt both magical and miraculous.
“He wished to fulfill your desires, Tsubaki. But to do so, he had to entrust everything to me. And I promised him—I swore an oath to help you find the happiness you deserve."
He had made the promise, so, his words were true.
The Pale Rider had been summoned through Tsubaki’s wish and the unique mechanics of the Holy Grail War.
It had existed solely to realize her heartfelt desires.
But as the embodiment of calamity and death, the Rider could in fact, never truly grant her the happiness she longed for because its very essence—its inability to understand humanity—was its limit.
For example, when Tsubaki wished for the love of her parents, the Rider, unable to comprehend love, killed them with disease.
It then manipulated their corpses to fulfill her dream of an ideal family.
But in fact, even though she suffered inhuman torture, Tsubaki Kuruoka never really hated her parents, let alone wanting to kill them.
The Rider’s actions had only deepened her pain.
It was a disaster, a force akin to a blooming flower incapable of offering life.
It could never be given to this little girl.
In fact, Tsubaki had no idea about all of this, even what Promised said, which she could not fully understand as she was too young
It's just that...when she gazed at the vibrant flower, representing life, beauty and miracles, in his hand, her attention flickered between its beauty and the boy illuminated by the morning light, his emerald eyes clear and bright as the stars.
After a brief hesitation, driven by an inner longing, she reached out and took the flower. Clutching it tightly in her small hands as she held it close to her heart.
At this moment, the originally destined tragic fate was changed.
And the lovely goddess of fate was severely "humiliated" once again.
Promise smiled as he watched Tsubaki cradle the flower. Then, as if sensing something, he turned his head and gazed skyward, toward the distant heavens.
Far above, roughly 20 kilometers above the earth, a 200-meter-long flying ship hovered silently.
This vessel was not merely a ship—it was a magi’s workshop.
And its owner? François Prelati, one of the masterminds behind this Holy Grail War.
She appeared as a delicate girl, dressed in an ornate and adorable gown.
Her doll-like appearance was no coincidence—she was a doll, crafted with exquisite precision.
And yet, from her vantage point, she observed everything, a silent orchestrator of chaos waiting for her moment to strike.
Having observed multiple Holy Grail Wars and masterminded the plans for this False Holy Grail War, François Prelati had orchestrated this grand stage of deception.
She had ensured the absence of the mediator, Ruler, and continuously monitored the movements of every participant.
“Ah, how terrifying! It seems I’ve been discovered,"
In a luxurious penthouse high above the city, Prelati ceased her scrying magecraft and sat upright on her lavish bed,
Feigning fear, she wrapped her arms around herself, shivering dramatically.
Yet her face contorted into a sickly, euphoric expression.
"Amazing, incredible! To think someone like him exists—someone who could resolve that calamity in such a short time!"
Her voice trembled with ecstatic excitement as she laughed maniacally.
"And him... oh, I could feel your presence through him, Jeanne... Jeanne d’Arc... Ahahahaha! Jeanne, you must come, won’t you? Oh, how I long to see you again! And this time, I’ll relish every moment of tormenting you."
“Oh, my beautiful, saintly Jeanne, how I wish to see you again,"
With those words, her entire body trembled as she hugged herself tighter, her eyes glinting with madness.
"Back then, it was my failure not to utterly crush your faith... But this time... This time, I’ll make sure you’re reduced to nothing but ashes, so vile that even pigs wouldn’t touch them!”
Her words, filled with malicious glee, echoed eerily through the quiet room.
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Back at the central hospital, in Tsubaki’s room, Promise, sensing the disappearance of the the magecraft, lowered his gaze, then tilted his head slightly, showing a thoughtful expression.
“François Prelati...”
He murmured the name as a spark of realization flickering in his mind.
Yes, he remembered her now—the Master of Caster in a true Holy Grail War to come.
And her summoned Servant?
None other than herself—François Prelati, a magus from Jeanne d’Arc’s era and one of the masterminds behind Jeanne’s tragic demise.
That’s right, Françoise Prelati, her true identity was actually a mage, who lived in the same period as Jeanne d’Arc...however that wasn't all.
She also one of the real masterminds behind her tragic experience.
She had reveled in Jeanne’s suffering, finding ultimate pleasure in humiliating and tormenting the saint.
It was Prelati who had given the forbidden knowledge of the Prelati Grimoire, containing the wisdom of ancient eldritch gods, to Gilles de Rais, forever binding his fate to darkness.
During the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, when Prelati secretly observed Gilles de Rais, and knew that he came here to participate in the Holy Grail War with the wish to resurrect and obtain Joan of Arc, she was indescribably delighted in her heart.
The thought of her once-cohort longing to revive Jeanne, only to fail miserably, was the ultimate mockery.
This time, she had gone further.
Prelati had carefully ensured Jeanne’s exclusion from this Holy Grail War.
Her motives?
Twofold.
First, to create a Holy Grail War spiraling into uncontrollable chaos, free from Jeanne’s righteous intervention.
Second, as an act of humiliation aimed at Jeanne herself.
Prelati was very well aware that, when that saintly girl finds out that she is powerless to intervene, and unable to fulfill her duty as a mediator, what kind of pain she would feel.
The pain of witnessing the destruction and despair she had wrought would surely cut Jeanne to her core.
“Ah, it’s all so... perfect!"
Prelati exclaimed, cradling her face in her hands.
Her exaggerated expression, somewhere between euphoria and insanity, seemed almost cartoony as her body quivered with excitement.
Her voice, filled with wicked glee, echoed one final time through the dimly lit room.
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"Hmm..."
At that moment, as Promise "gazed" into the strands of fate and reflected on all he knew about François Prelati, the expression on his face couldn't help but become a little subtle..
"To be honest, I really don’t like her… And she’s not only a cross-dressing woman but also a flamboyant pervert. Maybe I should just go deal with her now and force her out of the war,” Promise muttered, tilting his head as he seriously considered the idea.
“Um, Angel Big Brother?”
When a soft, timid voice interrupted his thoughts.
Turning, Promise saw Tsubaki sitting on the hospital bed, looking at him with a mix of curiosity and hesitation as her words brought him out of his reverie.
Smiling gently, he spoke.
"What’s the matter, Tsubaki? And I’ve already told you—My name is Promise, not an angel."
“Really?” Tsubaki asked, her face showing an expression of doubt.
She clutched the blooming lily flower in her hands, her tear-streaked eyes blinking as her gaze shifted mischievously.
Then, with a bright smile, she exclaimed, "Got it, Brother Promise!"
As soon as these words came out, Promise was stunned for a moment.
As he looked at the ten-year-old girl in front of him, the figure of another girl suddenly emerged in his mind—a girl from a different time, whose fate he had once glimpsed during his research at the Clock Tower.
The memory of her story lingered—the life she led, the future recorded in history, and that arrow she never released, even until her death.
For a moment, Promise fell silent, lost in thought.
He pulled himself back to the present, however, and looking at the confused Tsubaki in front of him, he controlled his emotions, smiled warmly and gave her a small nod.
By late morning, Promise had completed Tsubaki’s discharge paperwork.
Before they left, a rather beautiful female doctor followed them closely.
She was attentive to Tsubaki, asking about her health and well-being while casting wary glances at Promise.
Promise recognized this woman, though he didn’t know her name.
When Tsubaki’s parents had abandoned her, it was this doctor’s kindness that led her to care for the girl, refusing to give up on her despite her condition.
Yet, in the original course of events, this doctor had met her end because of the Pale Rider’s presence.
The beautiful female doctor seemed reluctant to let go of Tsubaki, though she also radiated genuine joy seeing her able to walk and move freely again.
Before leaving, the doctor repeatedly verified Promise’s contact information agains and again, sternly warning him not to mistreat Tsubaki and promising to visit the girl when her schedule allowed.
Only after her concerns were somewhat alleviated did she finally depart.
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So, in the afternoon, Promise brought Tsubaki to the apartment he had rented in the city.
He didn’t take her back to her original home, and along the way, Tsubaki didn’t ask him about her parents.
Some truths, it seemed, she had already grasped upon waking.
"Tsubaki is very well behaved, so taking her in isn't a big problem. Besides, this is the agreement between me and the Pale Knight.
But… should I inform Tohsaka Rin about this?"
In the room, after settling Tsubaki down, Promise began to think about this problem seriously.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that if Tohsaka Rin found out about Tsubaki, she would develop a particularly strong attachment to her.
But after pondering for a while, he shook his head and decided to let things take their course.
Then, his gaze shifted to the Command Spells etched on his hand.
As if struck by a sudden idea, a mischievous smile began to creep onto his face.
"Hm... If the Professor finds out about this… no, there’s no way I can keep it hidden.
The disappearance of Tsubaki’s Command Spells and their appearance on my hand will undoubtedly be noticed by the organizations monitoring this war. Eventually, word will reach the Professor."
"And when that happens, the Professor is going to lose his mind. Heck, even Tohsaka Rin, who wasn’t supposed to get involved until later, might rush over here because of me. And if she comes, maybe even Emiya will join in..."
Promise chuckled to himself, his grin growing wider.
After all, his “character” hadn’t been exposed yet.
Just as in ancient Greece, where he had been considered the weakest hero under Chiron’s tutelage, in the modern era, Promise was still seen as the weakest magus among all of Lord El-Melloi II’s students.
Why?
Because Promise lacked magic circuits and couldn’t perform any spells.
Yet, that perception—along with many of the events to come, would eventually lead to a cascade of chaos.
In fact, after some time, Tohsaka Rin and an entourage of thirty-plus participants, dubbed a “band of black-hearted elites” would arrive at the Holy Grail War and even Lord El-Melloi II himself would become indirectly involved, remotely orchestrating events behind the scenes.
One of the reasons for this escalation was the death, or rather, temporary death—of Flat Escardos, another of El-Melloi II’s students.
Flat had been “killed” during the Holy Grail War, but his death released a powerful entity sealed within his body.
This being’s emergence not only altered the war’s trajectory but also led to an unexpected clash with Enkidu.
Their battle was monumental, with the two combatants soaring into the sky as they exchanged devastating blows.
In the process, they uncovered one of the most terrifying forces in this Holy Grail War—the Bull of Heaven, Gugalanna.
Gugalanna’s Legend
This massive entity, capable of effortlessly leveling cities and claiming millions of lives, could summon a catastrophic typhoon spanning 800 kilometers in diameter.
Its presence alone was a threat of apocalyptic proportions.
Even in the sprawling parallel worlds of the Nasuverse, Gugalanna’s uniqueness was unparalleled.
Its power needed no embellishment; as King Gilgamesh himself once remarked in the Seventh Singularity: Babylonia that Gugalanna possessed the might to challenge even the Primordial Mother Goddess, Tiamat.
Ironically, the one responsible for summoning Gugalanna to this war wasn’t some ancient sorcerer or vengeful entity.
It was none other than Ishtar, the Goddess of Venus herself.
Why?
Because, in her typically impulsive fashion, Ishtar had accidentally lost Gugalanna and summoned it to this Holy Grail War.
Her failure to reclaim it later led to a moment of abject humiliation: Ishtar, in tears, was forced to raise the infamous "I’m a useless goddess" tablet.
Well...forget about it.
The thing was Gugulanna was here and he was summoned by none other than Ishtar herself.
However, Unlike the Ishtar of the Seventh Singularity, the Ishtar who had arrived at this Holy Grail War was far removed from human influence.
Here, she was the purest form of the Sumerian goddess—the proud deity of harvest and war.
The goddess, loved and spoiled by the gods themselves.
In simple terms, while the Ishtar of Babylonia had her divine nature tempered by humanity, this Ishtar’s divinity far outweighed her humanity.
Well, in this case, Ishtar actually got herself into trouble.
After all..
(We have a goddess killer here)..
Time passed, and as evening fell, the day had been relatively quiet.
It seemed that those pulling the strings behind the scenes were still observing Promise, uncertain and cautious, choosing not to approach him directly.
Tsubaki slept peacefully, her mind at ease because Promise remained nearby.
In the room, Promise sat by the bed, a book of ancient mythology in his hands.
Despite his calm demeanor, the events of the day involving the Pale Rider and Enkidu had left him somewhat drained.
So, before long, he leaned back in his chair, letting the moonlight bathe him as his eyes slowly closed.
Promise slipped into a light slumber.
However...
Suddenly, the Command Spells on his right hand began to glow, emitting a radiant crimson light.
On the floor, a summoning circle inscribed itself into existence, its lines forming with eerie precision.
Within his dream, Promise opened his eyes.
The world before him was somber—a sky shrouded in gray clouds that seemed to weep silently, and an endless field of golden wheat swaying gently in the breeze.
At the field’s edge stood a grand cathedral, its majestic form consumed by roaring flames.
Within those crimson infernos, Promise caught sight of a young woman’s silhouette.
The flames licked hungrily at her body, engulfing her entirely.
Yet amidst the danger and destruction, her presence exuded a sacred aura, pure and unyielding.
As Promise’s gaze instinctively turned toward her, the woman within the flames seemed to notice him as she slowly turned her head, her golden eyes locking onto his from across the inferno.
Promise was stunned for a moment, looking at the girl in his dream, standing in the red lotus flames with her head held high.
Even as the flames consumed her, even as her body bore the marks of unspeakable suffering, there was no trace of hatred in her eyes.
She stood tall, her dignity unshaken, radiating holiness and beauty.
Behind her, rising from the ruins, was a white flag—a symbol of unwavering resolve.
As he watched the scene unfold, Promise felt as though he had realized something, though the thought was fleeting.
But then..
The dream ended.
Promise’s eyes opened.
The crimson glow in the room faded, leaving only the gentle moonlight illuminating the space.
In the soft light stood a young woman—her golden eyes bright and clear, her presence exuding warmth and divinity.
She raised the flag in her hand, then lifted her gaze to meet the young man, who was still seated by the window.
Their eyes locked, the two regarding each other in silence.
Finally, the girl smiled, her lips parting to speak.
Her voice was soft and melodic, filled with kindness.
"Ruler, Jeanne d’Arc... May I ask, are you my Master?"
Hearing this, Promise did not respond, but looked at her thoughtfully.
"Did you sneak your way into this war, or did she bring you here?”
The “she” in his question was, of course, Alaya, the Counter Force.
Jeanne maintained her gentle smile but chose not to answer his query, her silence confirming his suspicions.
At that moment, the Command Spells on Promise’s hand began glowing red once again making the latter frown as his eyes narrowed and he looked down at the glowing sigils.
Jeanne, however, showed no surprise.
Her presence here was not entirely her own doing.
Jeanne had borrowed Promise’s unique connection—the thread of fate tied to the goddess Themis—to manifest in this Holy Grail War, a battlefield she could not normally reach.
So, Promise’s guess was correct: Jeanne had indeed “snuck in.”
This Holy Grail War, despite its false nature, did not lack a Ruler-class Servant. Rather, the missing spot had been that of Rider, the one eliminated by Promise.
Si,
A Second Heroic Spirit Summoning?
The thought barely crossed Promise’s mind when he suddenly froze.
His head lifted as the sound of crashing waves echoed in his ears.
Before his eyes, he saw a ship forged by the hands of the gods—a vessel symbolic of ultimate glory and grand adventure.
Standing at the bow of this majestic ship was a lone figure.
The figure was not imposing; compared to his companions, he appeared almost frail.
And yet, there was an unyielding determination in his stance.
In that moment, memories of the man’s final legend surfaced in Promise’s mind.
It was said that after their great adventure had concluded, the man returned to his homeland, bearing the glory and triumph he had rightfully earned.
He reclaimed everything that was his and dedicated years of his life to rebuilding and organizing his nation with the help of many.
Decades later, after restoring his family and returning the honor he had earned to his freed parents, he did something unexpected.
One quiet morning, he set out alone, once again boarding his ship—the Argo.
Despite the protests and pleas of those who admired and loved him, his decision remained firm.
When asked why he chose to leave, he offered only a single sentence:
"I must take the Argo on one last voyage... and bring him back."
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Comments
Alter
Just like at the beginning. Jason was the one to start promise legend and now he appears before promise again in the holy grail. It's nice how original this story is going
