Fragments of Silver - “Little Lady Last Act”
Detailed Summary
- It starts off with Ayaka recounting a memory of the last morning that she spent with her sister, Manaka before she went out. The setting is in the foyer of her house. Ayaka is 8 years old at the time.
- She comments that her father isn’t there and that he and her sister have many secrets about the ritual that they are participating in.
- She says that she was different from her sister and she starts commentating that her sister was special and beautiful and about the differences between them. After that she talks about how ordinary she is. She then describes more about Manaka’s talent, like how she had mastered two different kinds of her family’s magics when she was 8 and when she said "I wonder if I could do it too" to her father, he said she couldn’t "because Manaka was special and she should focus on mastering the Sajyou’s black magic." Ayaka got pretty depressed about it. But then she realizes that Manaka is only special and that she can’t possibly be like her.
- She starts looking at her sister and says, “Are you going?” Manaka then turns around and Ayaka comments that she’s like Alice from Alice in Wonderland going to a strange new world beyond the door. Manaka then asks her if she is lonely by herself. Ayaka says she’s not, but then Manaka comments that she’s a terrible liar. Ayaka then contemplates if she really is lonely and what it means to be lonely, acknowledging that she wasn’t when her sister was home and that even if she was she couldn’t say "stay here" to her sister because she had to go out to do an important ritual anyways.
- Manaka pats here on the head saying that she’s glad she’s doing her best and that she’s great. But that she has to go to the Great Grail for that person’s sake (Saber) and that she wonders when the day might come when Ayaka will understand what it means to fall in love. Manaka starts going on a love rant. While Ayaka talks about how her sister is sparking and even if she knows it as a word, she has never felt it before. Manaka is pretty much still ranting about love, “No matter what….even your life, not even caring if you sacrificed it. A partner that you can think of like that.” Manaka starts shining too much that Ayaka can’t stand and starts feeling anxious but she doesn’t know why from the notion of Manaka sacrificing her life for the sake of that person.
- She calls out to Manaka while looking down and Manaka says that she won’t die. Ayaka says that she better come back. It then goes saying that this was the last time Ayaka did not raise her head as she didn’t realize something that she should’ve been aware of. It was Saber’s presence but she could only see him as a clear form.
Note: Prototype Saber is capable of going into spirit form.
- Manaka then says it’s better if they don’t meet for Ayaka’s sake. Ayaka tries to object but gives in. Then Manaka goes into her creepy mode. Manaka hugs her and says, “If you’ve become that attached to me” and then “Then if I feel like it, I’ll even give you a role.” Ayaka can’t see at this point but she’s wondering what sort of face she is making. Then the narration continues saying that she didn’t realize it.
- The next part is an excerpt from a Magus’s notebook talking about the Holy Grail War and the outcomes that can happen. Like how originally there is only one winner, but it changed and that most Magi wouldn’t give up the chance because they all seek the Root. The person notes that it normally ends in a Magi’s death if they are defeated, but they can also waive their Master’s right by proclaiming it to the Overseer from the church. In an event where there is no winner because of a lot of things the outcome is no victor. Then it ends on a “But―――”
- It then goes into another memory of when Ayaka was in the Great Grail Chamber. She’s in a dark chamber and sacrifices of young girls are lined up to fall in the Great Grail. Ayaka is drifting in and out of consciousness at this point. She starts hearing her father's voice screaming and she's thinking "stop it father, I hate it." Ayaka is then being dragged, she’s screaming let me go, it hurts and then the next thing she hears a scream and then sees a bright colour, she notices that something is covering her face and realizes that her face is covered with blood. She looks at her sister standing in front of her and thinks she is protecting her and then she notices the golden sword pierced through her chest with her Master’s mark. Saber is behind Manaka but she can’t see him at this point because he’s behind Manaka. Then she realizes that it’s her sister’s blood and the memory fades out.
Note: It’s the exact scene that was in the collective translation that Lianru and the others did for the Animation material. The scene was called “Nightmare ~ Ayaka’s memories”, I think. Although there are little differences and it is in a bit more detail.
- (Time shift to the Second Holy Grail War, the previous scenes were her dreams) Ayaka wakes up in her bed noting that she can’t remember anything about it and can only see fragments of her memory in her dream. It’s a cold day and then she comments on the changes over the years (e.g. her need to wear glasses.) She then goes through her daily routine, she notices a climbing stand and says “Okay, this time, I won’t throw it away and leave it .” Note: It’s kind of mysterious and you don’t know what she exactly means.
- While she’s going through her routine she’s contemplating on how ordinary and plain her face and personality is. Before she heads to the kitchen.
Note: Ayaka and Saber have this person on duty system for cooking meals, but Ayaka states that she tries to do it as much as she can, because Saber makes and unbelievable amount of food.
- She starts chopping and preparing the meal. Saber comes into the room and he says “Good Morning” startling Ayaka. She talks about Saber always having a smiling face and how kind it is and talks a bit about his aura and accepting personality. She then talks about the meal and then when it comes to the subject of meat. She talks about how she hates any kind of meat except for processed food. She then says she’s a failure as a black mage because of this.
- Saber and Ayaka starts talking while they’re eating and Ayaka made a mistake with the eggs and she says something and then Saber apologises for hearing Ayaka when she was talking about herself in her mind. Ayaka talks about the connection between a Master and their Servants and when Saber said that he was only being perceptive. Saber says that he prefers anything, he’s not picky. Then Ayaka talks her memory of the type of eggs that she and her sister used to eat.
- Ayaka then turns to Saber and questions him about the previous Holy Grail War, asking if he was her sister’s servant and what kind of Master was she. Saber replies saying that she was an excellent Master, had first class talent and was unforgiving to her opponents. Ayaka then talks about Saber about how he’s a first class Servant and that he beat the other Servants, but then cancelled his contract at the last minute. Saber then tells her that he lost his memory of that time when he was summoned this time around. Saber then gets serious and asks Ayaka how she feels about her sister. Ayaka starts contemplating more about her sister and her own feelings to her. Ayaka goes on a tirade for bit to Saber telling him that she thought she was pretty and talented before finally admitting that she loves her sister.
- It then goes into another entry from a Magus’s notebook and he’s realized something about the Holy Grail War and doesn’t want him or his family involved with it again and that it shouldn’t be materialized again. However if it happens he wonders if what the “Inspector” from the church said was true. Note: Maybe the Inspector is Sancraid?
- Ayaka goes into the garden and thinks about the past. Saber comes in, she makes some comments on him and then she goes out somewhere with Saber.
- The last line of the chapter is : ―――The year is 1999. To the second Holy Grail War said to be held in this Tokyo again.
End of Chapter