Fate: I Will Eventually Become the Hero of Justice

As they chatted. Shirou suddenly realized something. He looked to Astolfo and asked, "Astolfo, you know Berserker's True Name?"

"Of course! Berserker is the leader of the rebel army that led a slave uprising against Roman slaveowners in ancient Rome!" As Astolfo spoke, he looked at Spartacus with admiring eyes.

"How did you figure out Spartacus' True Name?" Shirou asked. "Does Lancer know about it too?"

"The homunculi kept calling him 'Spartacus, Spartacus', so it was obvious without even having to ask," Astolfo said. "And yeah, everyone on the Black Faction knows Berserker's True Name is Spartacus. It's not exactly a secret."

Shirou glanced at the blank-faced, robotic homunculi from the Yggdmillennia clan, then back at the ever-smiling Spartacus.

I see...

Now it makes sense.

He understood what Lancer was trying to do.

"So that's his plan..." Shirou sighed, at a loss for words.

He looked up at the horizon, taking in the fiery red sunset - unfamiliar yet beautiful in its own way.

...

The free homunculi were eager to choose names for themselves. This was originally a parent's joy and headache, but without parents, they could only experience this headache and joy for themselves.

Shirou and the others provided name formats from various cultures - English, German, Japanese. Especially Mash, who accessed the internet on her terminal. She became a teacher, providing diverse options as the homunculi gathered around excitedly.

First they chose styles they liked. Then found nice sounding names with rhythmic syllables, writing them in the dirt or on their hands. Finally, they asked Mash about the meaning of each character and word.

The scene was lively as they thoughtfully combined names. However, this liveliness was limited to the free homunculi.

The Yggdmillennia clan's homunculi stood apart - an army of emotionless puppets, watching with hollow, confused eyes. Perhaps wondering why the free homunculi put such thought into mere identification codes.

When invited to join, they reacted with hostility. To them, the free ones had betrayed their purpose and duties to the masters who created them.

But Vlad had handed them to Astolfo, their current master. As weapons, they would take no action without orders, regardless of their opinions.

The free homunculi were unsuccessful, but they did not grow angry. Instead, they felt only sympathy and sorrow for their comrades still trapped under oppression.

They returned to brainstorming names within their own camp.

Spartacus watched with a calm smile as the homunculi excitedly fussed over names that would belong solely to themselves.

A-11072 also thought hard about a name he could claim. He told it to the others eagerly, anticipating praise. But instead, he was met with speechless expressions.

"I guess I understand why you picked that name, but still - why?" Shirou asked, somewhat dumbfounded.

"Astolfo is my hero," A-11072 explained. "To commemorate how I felt back then, I thought having a similar name would be fitting, Mr. Assassin."

His reasoning made sense, Shirou had to admit.

However, this choice greatly dissatisfied Astolfo.

"No, no! You can't just steal my name! No way, rejected! Think of something else!"

Astolfo puffed his cheeks in objection as he rejected the name. His long pink braid swayed with the motion. Seeing the braid float by, Shirou gritted his teeth as he had to restrain his urges.

A-11072 scratched his head, racking his brain for a new name.

Spartacus smiled at the scene. But glancing at the Yggdmillennia homunculi, his brows furrowed in thought.

A-11072 came up with many names, but they were all rejected by Astolfo.

A-11072 had an even more special feeling towards Astolfo compared to Shirou, because in that situation, the one who truly stood by his side, protecting him from behind, was Astolfo.

Undoubtedly, to him, Astolfo was his hero.

Someone to look up to, a back to chase after and move forward.

Just like the young Shirou's feelings towards Spartacus.

With each rejection, Astolfo's swaying braid tested Shirou's restraint. He forced down the urge to grab that hair.

No, Shirou admonished himself. You're not a pervert!

Finally, A-11072 picked a meaningful name. "From now on, call me Adam," he announced.

"Oh, that's a great name!" Astolfo replied with a smile, then a puzzled expression crossed his face. "But why does this name sound so familiar?"

"Adam was the first human God created," Mash explained. "Seen as mankind's progenitor in the Church."

"Oh, I see," Astolfo nodded. Then he looked at A-11072 strangely. "But why choose the name Adam?"

"To us, the Yggdmillennia masters are like gods - they created us," Adam explained. "But we're not just tools or weapons. We have our own minds and dreams. We're no different than humans."

He continued resolutely, "I hope one day we can coexist peacefully with our masters under this same blue sky, befriend them, and no longer see the help we give them as an obligation. Perhaps it's naive, but I believe that day will come."

The other homunculi looked shocked by his aspirations. They had only thought of escape, yet he envisioned equality.

Wasn't that too idealistic? But it also voiced their innermost hopes.

Astolfo smiled and patted Adam's shoulder. "Great vision! No wonder Caster's so obsessed with you!"

Adam staggered slightly from the pat. Then he scratched his head bashfully. "Mr. Assassin gave me these ideas. He's the wise one."

All eyes turned to Shirou.

At this time, he was desperately trying to restrain his wandering hands as he watched Astolfo's braid swaying.

Seeing everyone's gazes turn to him, he was startled out of his inappropriate thoughts. He quickly straightened his back and assumed a dignified, upright posture. Though not one for pretense, he couldn't let anyone see his perverted urge to grab that braid.

To the onlookers, his sudden dignified bearing marked him as an upright person. They looked at him with admiration.

"Well, I should get going," Astolfo said, patting his bottom as he got up to leave.

Adam and the homunculi pleaded for him to stay, but Astolfo refused. As he turned, his braid swung like a banners of freedom.

Unable to resist any longer, Shirou's sinful hand shot out to seize that pink cloud.

"Ah---!!" Astolfo cried out in pain, clutching his hair as he turned back with tearful eyes. "What are you doing, Shirou?"

"Uh...I..." Shirou was startled, then dropped the pink braid in his hand like it was something disgusting. He forced a natural-looking smile and said, "No need to rush off. Rest here a bit longer."

Astolfo considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "I guess that works."

Adam and the others cheered as Astolfo agreed to stay. Shirou smiled along, but cursed internally.

He looked at his traitorous hand in despair.

Had he really become such a pervert? Grabbing a woman's hair could be understandable, but a man's? That was too far!

No, this could not stand. He gritted his teeth, deciding he must break this bizarre habit. If he could develop such a fetish, he could rely on his willpower to conquer it.

Yes, Shirou resolved, he would destroy this habit.

Astolfo was persuaded to stay, creating a lively atmosphere. However, this liveliness did not extend to the Yggdmillennia homunculi.

Adam and the others had invited them to join, but received only hollow, numb gazes in response.

In principle, one's own happiness should be enough. But reality was not so simple.

If the Yggdmillennia homunculi were not present, Adam and the others would surely be very happy. Yet it was precisely because the Yggdmillennia homunculi were present that they could not feel happy at all. The existence of these brainwashed homunculi was like evidence, constantly reminding Adam and the others of what they were and what their existence was for.

The awkward, stifled gathering soon ended.

Astolfo departed on Hippogriff, taking the Yggdmillennia homunculi with him. He seemed to have come just to play around, without deeper meaning.

At least, that was Astolfo's understanding. Just a friendly visit, harming no one.

Perhaps he still hadn't realized Vlad's true intentions.

But some people understood.

First was Shirou, and next was the leader of the rebel army, Spartacus.

Even Adam vaguely sensed it.

Perhaps only those involved could truly understand these feelings.

While they enjoyed freedom, while they unrestrainedly released their unfettered hearts, their comrades were still constrained and oppressed at heart.