"First of all, Scáthach is already aware of our situation. The Mad King might not be, though."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because she has reached the realm of Divine Spirits. And those who have ascended to such a height possess a different set of eyes."
The sight of a Divine Spirit. It allows one to see things that are invisible to human eyes.
From spiritual entities like Servants in astral form or ghosts, to the past that has already flowed by, the future... or everything occurring in the present.
Of course, the pinnacle of such vision belongs to Solomon, who possessed a high-level Insight coupled with Clairvoyance that could pierce through both past and future. However, fundamentally, all forms of Divine sight share a similar foundation.
"Wait, then why isn't Scáthach joining us here?"
"It's one of two things. Either she doesn't want to join, or she's in a situation where she simply can't."
"...Is she dead?"
[The possibility is definitely there! The Saint Graph of that Mad King had certainly reached the level of a Divine Spirit!]
"No, that's likely not it," I replied.
"I've confirmed something from the fight earlier. The Mad King steps forward as a King in matters of war, but when it comes to combat, he fights as a warrior."
"...He is a Celt, after all. Isn't that only natural?"
"No, there is a significant distinction. If he steps forward as a warrior, it would be logical for him to fight at the very vanguard. Why? Because he is a warrior."
It's simple logic. It is absurd for one who calls himself the strongest warrior to hide behind warriors 'weaker' than himself.
This logic wouldn't hold in modern warfare, but the opponent is of Ulster... humans for whom modern logic does not apply. Above all, every single one of them is no different from a strategic weapon; what point would there be in hiding at the back? It makes a thousand times more sense for them to run wild, destroying enemy formations and drawing all the aggro.
But the Mad King does not do that.
Why?
"Medb made him that way. An evil King, a violent ruler who commands all warriors at his whim and tramples his enemies. That is the Mad King, Cú Chulainn."
"I see."
"But when dealing with the President King, he personally stepped forward to kill both the President King and Helena. Why? Even if he hadn't personally intervened, the President King and Helena were bound to collapse on their own. Between the Mad King's army and the three Servants in that force, the Americans were clearly the weaker side, destined only to be overrun. Yet, he killed the President King and his tactician himself."
"And he didn't kill Karna personally."
It's an obvious fact when you think about it.
The Mad King's side already has Arjuna, who is clearly Karna's equal, along with Great Heroes like Fionn mac Cumhaill and Diarmuid. Could Karna really have escaped under those conditions? Especially when he was so vastly outnumbered and outmatched?
"If we set up a hypothesis, we can interpret it as the Mad King having only one type of opponent: another 'King.' The Mad King perceives himself as both a warrior and a king. So, what about his opponent?"
"...The opponent's king must also be a warrior?"
"Exactly. If we look at it that way, the act of brutally tearing the President King apart and hanging his head makes sense."
"But that would mean... Ah!"
Yes. To the Mad King, I am the guide who has spearheaded the restoration of the Human Order and navigated the Singularities while reading the future.
From the Mad King's perspective, I am the single King... the one he must personally break to achieve his goal.
"If that's the case, everything aligns. Look at the Servants killed by the Mad King."
Geronimo, Rama, Nero Bride.
"Geronimo was the leader of the shamanistic tribes of this land. A chieftain, and their foremost warrior."
"Rama is the King of Kosala... and Nero was surely the Emperor of Rome...! I see, then it all fits!"
"It might be a bit of a forced interpretation, but the logic holds up regardless."
"...Wait, but then why Scáthach...?"
"She is the Queen of the Land of Shadows."
In other words, she also qualifies as a target for the Mad King to act as a warrior.
Perhaps, even as his greatest rival.
"...If the Mad King is personally watching her, it would explain why she can't join us."
[Hmph, how complicated! Then what should we do? How about we bring the Divine Spirit Scáthach over to our side without anyone knowing?]
"We are at a clear disadvantage in terms of detection. If they track us incorrectly, they'll march upon us with that moving forest they've built in Washington."
Furthermore, the problem is that there's someone else who has drawn the Mad King's aggro, even if not as much as Scáthach.
[Who?]
"Me."
"..."
"The Mad King has marked me as a target as well. So, let me state the most important fact now."
I drew a thick line across the chalkboard I had prepared earlier and spoke.
"Under no circumstances am I to step into battle personally. Never, no matter what happens. The moment I step onto the front lines, the Mad King will detect my magical energy and launch an immediate interception. Last time, I survived thanks to Alcatraz's assistance, but there won't be a second stroke of luck... Hm? What is it?"
"Well, no... it's just, isn't a Master normally supposed to stay off the front lines anyway?"
...Ah, dammit. Now that I think about it, that's true!
*
After reaching the bleak conclusion that we could not join up with Scáthach and that I must stay far from the front lines, the Servants and I moved on to the next topic of discussion.
Since our strongest potential ally was effectively sealed away as a card we couldn't play, what strategy should we adopt instead?
"If killing the Mad King is impossible, how about we defeat his subordinates one by one?"
"It's a valid thought, but the risk is too high."
"If we stay like this, the situation will only deteriorate. We should take the initiative to blunt their vanguard, even if we suffer some losses."
"But even just ten of those Celtic warriors they've summoned would be a force that could challenge an average Servant."
"I am aware. But no matter how powerful they are, they are ultimately puppets; they cannot match the skill of a proper Servant. And if we're up against such foes, wouldn't it be fine even if we move while staying hidden?"
"That's true. However, that land isn't just full of warriors; there are Druids, and judging by the environment, several Phantasmal Species from Celtic mythology must have manifested as well. If we attempt a strike against three Servants who are receiving fame bonuses from the land, we're the ones who will end up being picked off one by one."
The elder Li Shuwen seemingly accepted my point and did not argue further. This time, Karna stepped forward.
"May I ask a question?"
"Go ahead."
"One thing. According to what I have heard, your eloquence is quite superb. Why not grant that talent of yours to Arjuna as well?"
...Well, that was incredibly hard to parse, but he seemed to be asking if I could provoke Arjuna with my words.
It was certain that if it were a Servant like Arjuna—who harbored an immense inferiority complex? Or perhaps a sense of rivalry? Whatever that emotion was—toward Karna, my provocation would definitely work. However...
"The prerequisite itself doesn't hold up here."
"And why is that? Do you not trust yourself? How irresponsible."
...Patience. This is Karna I'm talking to.
Karna is someone with such a terrible communication disability that even the most patient Masters would eventually give up.
"Think about it. They've already turned all of Washington into a forest. To provoke Arjuna, who would be guarding the center of that place, I'd have to send a familiar or something similar. Do you think the Mad King wouldn't notice a familiar or a voice I produced?"
"...I see. I understand."
"This won't work, that won't work. Then what exactly is the plan, Master?"
"The plan..."
...
"...I don't have one."
The Servants, Alcatraz, and even Altera looked at me with expressions of utter disbelief.
I-I mean, I really don't have a plan yet, so what was I supposed to say...?
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