Urobuchi, p.1
Urobuchi, page 1
Fate/Zero
The Fires of Purgatory
By: Urobuchi, Gen; Nasu, Kinoko
Interlude
Sometime, somewhere
"Kerry, you do know where the name of this island comes from, right?"
Shirley asked while leisurely handling the creaking car’s wheel.
The boy called Kerry, sitting in the passenger’s seat, shook his head and squeezed out a "Not really" as if he was scared that the vehicle’s intense shaking would make him bite his tongue.
The pick-up truck they were both driving in was a vehicle so antique it may have come from the time when coaches were just running out of use. Moreover, the road they were driving on now was not a paved bitumen road but a dirt road. Even an ox-cart would have to slow down on these roads. Right now, they almost feel like they are sitting in a small boat floating on the sea during a storm.
Although this vehicle looked like a pile of junk about to go out of service, this is one of the only three or four precious vehicles on Arimago Island – Besides, as a fishing village with only about 300 families, people who need a car are uncommon enough on Arimago Island. The people troubled with living without a vehicle are probably just the family of the boy and Shirley, the maid who did the housework. In the far-removed house of the boy's family, far away from the fishing village, there were truly no other transportation facilities but this worn-out truck.
"Arimago... did it mean giant crab?"
Shirley nodded and answered the boy’s question.
"A long long time ago, this island was a place used to keep the offerings presented to a deity of the sea. However, there was a time when a girl didn't have anything to feed her sick mother, and had to steal the offerings of the deity. Then, that girl was punished with divine retribution, and was changed into the shape of a crab."
"It's a terrible story."
"After that, it was told that if you eat a crab caught on this island, it would cure any disease. The mother of the girl recovered from her long illness as well."
"That’s even worse. It is such an outrageous sea deity."
However, such folktales recorded in media such as tapestries aren't rare. If one were to look carefully, such tales can be found all over the world.
"Um, does the shrine where people sacrificed to this deity still exist?"
"It disappeared a long time ago. Besides, no one knows whether it really did exist.
According to the myth, it seems to have been built right next to where Kerry's mansion is now."
“Then the girl who was turned into a crab actually made her way to the heart of this deep jungle so far away specifically to steal the offerings? It would have been much more convenient to just catch some fish at the beach instead.”
“That myth is the reason why people of the village wouldn't get close to your house.
Legend says that's an ominous place, and you’ll get cursed if you go near it too often.
I’ve been warned of it as well."
"But how!... then, what about me, who's living there?"
"It's because Kerry is a foreigner. But even then, don’t the people at the village see you as my little brother?"
Although the words ‘little brother’ didn’t completely make the boy feel relieved, compared to his father, who never stepped outside the house, Kerry does indeed need to help Shirley with the shopping every time. Therefore, they would basically ride in the truck to go into the village everyday.
It has been almost a year after he moved to this island. Any of the island’s inhabitants would warmly greet the boy when they saw him. Even the other boys of the village, who fought with him whenever they saw him beforehand, are also already making pranks on other people together with him.
Although he was in a strange land very far from his home land, the boy still likes this place called Arimago Island very much.
Although he felt extremely boring everyday during the first few weeks after he moved over, the dazzling southern sun and multi-colored sparkling waves of the southern ocean had gradually captured Kerry’s heart.
However, for his father, who never approached anyone and didn’t step out of the house at all, it would be hard to feel that there is anything delightful at all.
"If father would communicate more with the people at the village, he would surely be a bit different..."
"Mmm, who knows..."
While skilfully handling the steering wheel to dodge large rocks sticking out of the road, Shirley gave a bitter smile.
"Father Simon never liked your father’s actions, and had often lectured me with things like I’d sooner or later be ensnared by the devil if I go work in that house again."
"… I see."
The boy couldn’t help but feel a little down when knew that Father Simon, who always seemed to be so gentle, would judge his father in such a way behind his back. But it can't be helped. Rather, he should feel relieved that those comments were only to such an extent. Father Simon would surely expel both father and son out of this small island if he really knew about everything the boy's father did.
Shirley tapped her lower back, and motioned for Kerry to look at a silver short sword on her belt.
"Look at this knife. Father Simon forced it onto me and wants me never to part with it.
He said it’s a very useful talisman."
"… Isn’t this the knife you always use to peel fruits?"
"Mmm, that's because this knife is very sharp and is easy to use. It must be something very precious."
Shirley continued to speak in a calm tone. Different from the boy, she appeared to not feel anything gloomy with this topic.
"Aren’t you afraid, Shirley? Aren’t you afraid of my father?"
Although the boy was a bit hesitant, he asked this question at the end. Shirley nodded decisively.
"I understand your father isn't a normal person, and based on his behaviors it's not unreasonable for the villagers to be guarded towards him. However, since he’s doing those kinds of researches, it can't be helped that he left the city and came to such a remote island to live a hermit’s life. But this shows your father really is an impressive person."
The boy suddenly noticed that for some reason, Shirley would suddenly become mature and sensible whenever they talked about his father. She was only a girl 4
years his elder; she definitely isn’t as mature as adults.
"If you take any one of his knowledge and discoveries, it would be an immense discovery that can change everything for this world. Of course, anyone would become scared if they knew about such things, and it can't be helped for it to be held in secret... but as for me, I really do believe such powers can help this world greatly.
I’ve always firmly believed in that."
"... Can such things, really be possible?"
"He may have given it up already. But Kerry, if it were you, I believe it would definitely be successful!"
Shirley said so with a serious expression on her face. Instead, the boy said disappointedly.
"What do you mean? Aren't you, Shirley, father's favorite pupil? Wouldn’t it be Shirley who keeps it up if it comes to it?"
Shirley, who went often to his house, didn’t only do domestic chores such as tidying the house; she also helped his father in his work as an assistant. His father once said that this girl named Shirley possesses exceptional intelligence and talents, and is really a waste to leave her on this lone island. It says something about Shirley’s talents if his father, who always obeyed the creed of secrecy, trusts a female stranger to such a degree.
But Shirley herself laughed loudly and shook her head.
"I'm not any kind of a pupil. At the most I'm only an assistant, someone who does the odd jobs and give a hand. Therefore, I don’t know anything about the important parts.
But Kerry, you’re different from me. You will definitely succeed your father’s business. The researches your father is doing now will need to be kept up by you one day. Are you prepared for it? Although it is a bit to early for you to talk about such things."
"..."
Shirley said all that earnestly, like a real big sister worrying about her little brother.
For one moment, the boy was caught with the complicated sentiments in his heart and couldn’t speak.
He didn’t have any memories about his mother, who passed away right after he was born. For the boy, his so-called family only consisted of his father. Although his
father was eccentric and very strict, he was a very gentle and a great father. He was the person the boy respected and loved the most in the entire world.
Therefore, at the beginning, the boy's heart was in upheaval when he discovered that the father, whom he admired the most, favored an assistant more than his own son. There was a time when he even felt enmity for Shirley. But Shirley's cheerful temperament and gentle attitude untied the knot in his heart, and that time didn't last long.
It was almost as if there was a new member in his family. Shirley respected the boy's father as if he was her own father, and looked after the boy like her real little brother. For the boy, who didn’t have female relatives, the words ‘older sister’ far surpassed the meaning the words originally possessed.
No... Maybe it wasn’t so exaggerated at first, but recently such strange feelings had occurred in the boy’s chest.
He knew well Shirley's gentleness, cheerfulness, and virtue. But moreover, even her unconscious gestures – such as her current profile as she handled the steering wheel while humming – also appear to be so beautiful. Why?
"Kerry , what kind of a man would you like to become? And if you succeeded your father's work, how would you like to use it?"
"... eh?"
The absentminded boy was suddenly dragged back into reality by Shirley's question.
"It's the power to change the world. Someday you are gonna obtain it."
"..."
His father's inheritance. If would be a lie to say that he never thought about that. The boy completely understands its value and its significance.
Let alone its use.
But the boy looked rather hesitant to put it in words himself, particularly in front of Shirley. He didn’t want others to tell him that his dream is naive, above all from Shirley.
"... That's, a secret."
"Mmm?"
Shirley laughed knowingly, then kept asking.
"Then, I’ll use my own eyes to confirm what Kerry wants to do when he grows up.
Until I get the answer, I'll always be beside you. How’s that?"
"... Do as you like."
As if feeling somewhat ashamed, the boy turned his eyes away.
But even so, the smile of the girl who is almost like his older sister was still far too dazzling for the boy.
※※※※※※
Skin white as wax.
The blue-black veins that popped up tore her looks into shards.
An expression, full with near-death anguish, filled her face.
She is about to die – that was obvious.
Although she’s about to die, she was still writhing.
If that was the expression of a human, then this human will soon become something inhuman – the boy’s heart understood this clearly.
The night outside. Of course, there are no street lights on this island. Even so, the chilly white light that came from the bright and pure moon outside silently illuminated the scene of this tragedy through the window.
This is a henhouse on the edge of the village. While searching for Shirley, who suddenly disappeared for no reason, the boy walked through every inch of the village during the day. The boy didn’t give up and kept searching till night. Then he came upon here.
The leftover carcasses of the chickens eaten, and the “Dead” that kept shivering and crying deep inside the henhouse.
Kill me –
The “Dead” that had the same face as the woman he liked the most begged him while sobbing.
Then, the silver short sword that was thrown near his feet reflected back a cold and pale light in the moonlight.
Terror –
I can't do it myself –
Therefore, please. Kill me –
While there’s still time –
"Such a thing..."
Shaking his head, the boy drew back.
I cannot do.
No matter what shape you turn into, Shirley is Shirley. We promised to be together forever. She’s a most important family – no, she even more important than family.
Please –
Shirley panted painfully. Gradually her sounds became maddening. Together with sorrowful sobbing, the girl let out a panting like a hungry beast.
It's already – over – before I completely lose control of myself – quick –
Shirley’s body started to tremble uncontrollably as if she got malaria, then she suddenly opened her mouth and bit into her wrist.
Spurt...
Spurt... the sound of blood splashing out entered the boy's eardrums.
Please –
The persistent sound of begging drowned out the boy’s tragic wails. The boy ran out of the henhouse.
What gave the boy more terror than the Shirley in front of him – was the light that the short sword emanated beside his feet.
He doesn’t know what actually happened, and he doesn’t want to understand.
Now, all that the boy prayed for is to have someone to save them.
The boy firmly believed that there must be someone who can release them from this nightmarish terror.
Shirley will surely be saved. Someone surely is going to save them.
The boy kept repeating this to himself.
It takes about 5 minutes to get to Father Simon's church if he runs as fast as he can.
The boy ran for his life as he cried. Be it the pain in his feet or the anguish in his chest, he could no longer feel any of them.
※※※※※※
Natalia Kaminski. The woman said that’s her name.
This woman wore an inky black long coat very inappropriate for a tropical night, but there was no sign of her sweating. Rather than thinking of her pale countenance as cold and cruel, it was better described as expressionless. It would even make others doubt whether there was actually blood flowing within her, and whether she actually has body heat like normal people.
That was the appearance of the savior who saved the boy out of the ravaging pandemonium.
"Alright, kid. It's about time for you to answer a few questions for me."
With his back turned to the woman's cold voice, the boy only stared transfixed at the distant fishing village that was burning to the ground.
The village that was so peaceful till just yesterday, the village that was slumbering beneath the silent moonlight only a few hours ago, was actually burning with endless flames. He still couldn’t believe the scene before his eyes even if he was standing on top of the cliffs opposite the town and witnessed it himself; he only thought all this was a nightmare.
He would never see those familiar, gentle faces in the village again – he couldn’t believe it no matter what.
"… What exactly, happened?"
The boy asked with a dry voice. Natalia snorted.
"I was the one who asked first. Boy, isn't it time to get back to your senses?"
"..."
The boy suddenly turned his head around. Even if he owes her his life, it was really very irritating for her to ignore other’s feelings, not answer his questions, and on the contrary went on and on with her own questions.
After an obstinate silence, Natalia seemed to have grasped his thoughts. Then, she let out a helpless sigh, and gave a brief explanation.
"Now, there are two groups that caused such a tragedy in that village. One group is the Executors for the so-called Holy Church. They are completely different from the nice priests you know. They are cruel guys who believe that all those who betrayed God needs to be killed. Of course, they would naturally mercilessly eliminate something like a vampire if they see it. If they don’t have the time to check one by one who among the people had their blood sucked, they would completely destroy all suspects. In other words, these guys don’t have much time right now.
The other group is called the Association. This is a bit difficult to explain – basically they’re a group who wants to solely possess fantastic thing such as vampires.
Naturally, in order to have sole possession, they would kill anybody else who knew about the relevant details. There’s no point in not do things very thoroughly in order to destroy evidence and hide the truth.
Because of this, boy, you’ve got fine luck. You’re probably the only inhabitant of this island right now who managed to survive through the purge those people delivered."
The boy accepted this fact even easier than Natalia had expected. It was as if the boy had discerned the reason those dangerous men would come to Arimago Island a long time ago.
The boy rushed to Father Simon to seek help, and the priest who received this request contacted some other people. Some people outside the island must have received this intelligence while the priest delivered such information.
Leaving the sequence of events aside, at least the beginning of this tragedy was inextricably linked to himself.
If the boy had listened to Shirley's supplication and took the courage to plunge the silver white short sword into the chest of the girl he loved the most, then this present tragedy would not have happened.
If he had done that, then even if he would become a hollow shell without a soul from now on or even if he could no longer doze off in the night – these many lives won’t have been lost.
For the boy, it was the same as if he had set that memorable place on fire himself.
"... Then, which side are you on?"
"I'm like a salesman for the Association. My job is to seek out secrets they are interested in, protect this secret from being known by anyone else and pass it into their hands. Of course, it needs to be sold to them before such a huge incident happens. It can’t be sold now."
