Across the beast-ravaged plains of Mesopotamia, a group of oddly dressed outsiders moved steadily forward.
"So heavy, Roy. Why's a Caster like me stuck with manual labor? Couldn't you just..."
Carrying Enkidu's body—brought back by Tezcatlipoca—Merlin hadn't trudged far before he started griping.
It wasn't the task's difficulty; he just hated being left behind while the others chatted and laughed up ahead, relegating the team's brains and beauty to baggage duty.
As the group's resident clown, Merlin felt compelled to voice some protest.
"Useless Merlin! Even as a Servant, you're still so pathetic—whining about being tired like that," Dr. Roman, who'd clashed with Merlin since their first meeting, jeered instantly.
"Useless Roman!! You've got no room to talk! Aren't you just a shut-in obsessed with magical girl virtual streamers? As worthless as that old geezer Zelretch!!" Merlin shot back.
"You know nothing! You can't grasp the beauty of Magi☆Mari!!"
"Hmph, how could I not? Watch yourself, Roman—that virtual idol might just be some burly guy on the other end."
"No way, absolutely not! Stop slandering Mari, you waste!!"
Panicked by the horrifying thought, Roman shook his head in a frantic triple denial.
"Heh heh heh, actually..."
"So embarrassing, Doctor."
Watching Merlin—lugging Enkidu—and Roman's hologram bicker across the airwaves, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash covered their eyes, barely able to look. This wasn't the composed Dr. Roman they knew from Chaldea.
"Idiot..."
Trailing Merlin, Ana gazed at him with the pity one might spare a fool. The figure on the comms device was just as bad.
Still, the antics of these two clowns injected some levity into the otherwise tedious trek.
Unlike the others, Roy smiled warmly at Merlin and Roman's squabble.
He'd known Merlin—this fool—for a while now, long enough to call him a friend and understand him well.
As for Romani Archaman...
Unlike Ritsuka and Mash, who didn't know him deeply, Roy—having cleared FGO's first arc—knew Roman's truth.
Roman's first impression was a slacker who hogged rooms, loved slacking off, virtual idols, and strawberry cake—a textbook shut-in. But his true identity was far from simple.
Only after conquering the Grand Temple of Time did Roy uncover this staggering revelation.
Dr. Roman was the King of Magecraft Solomon. Becoming human was Solomon's wish to the Grail after aiding Marisbury in winning the Holy Grail War.
Marisbury gained untold wealth to build Chaldea; Solomon became Dr. Roman.
It was the first wish Solomon ever made from his heart.
It was the most vital choice of his life.
Compared to the anguished existence as King Solomon, these years as Roman let him feel truly alive.
From birth, Solomon existed as a king by default—listening to the Lord's voice, ruling as a wise saint-king, all as if preordained.
Most heroes grew into greatness through human struggles, ascending beyond mortality.
Not Solomon. His life flowed smoothly, calmly, naturally.
His achievements, power, and miracles were countless; he earned the adoration of endless subjects.
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Fate/Magus Path
FanfictionIn Fuyuki City, as an average man, Roy lives a calm and stable life every day that even Kira Yoshikage would envy. Adhering to the principle of staying a step ahead of disaster and running fast enough to avoid trouble, he leads a safe life in this d...
