Watcher?
Watcher? -(This one written in English)
What's that?
From what Shinji knew, the Type-Moon universe indeed had a concept of a Watcher, originating from Fate/strange fake. It was a special class summoned by Sigma, the son of Maiya Hisau, during a unique Holy Grail War in Snowfield, USA. The abilities and true name of this class were temporarily unknown, but it didn't seem related to the Counter Force's employees.
So, what's the deal with Artoria being a Watcher? Is Alaya just making up new job roles?
To Shinji's surprise, his casual remark turned out to be true. The Watcher was indeed a new role created by Alaya.
Unlike the enforcers who eliminate threats to humanity's survival, Watcher's work wasn't as bloody and granted much higher autonomy. Their duty, as the name suggests, was to observe and make judgments.
There are countless uncertainties in the world. Even Gaia and Alaya, spanning past and future, are far from omniscient. For threats certain to destroy Earth or humanity, the Counter Forces can decisively send enforcers to eliminate them, like the so-called "Apex Predator" white dog or the close-combat Archer in red.
However, for uncertain matters, the Counter Force can't make immediate decisions. Generally, they would remain watchful, ready to eliminate threats at the first sign of danger.
Recently, though, the Counter Force faced a highly unique situation where they couldn't just dispatch enforcers nor could they wait and react. To handle such cases, the new role of "Watcher" was created.
Watchers are special agents of the Counter Force, sent to the site of unusual events as its eyes, to observe and make judgments: to remain passive, to intervene, or to eliminate.
The selection criteria for Watchers are much stricter than for enforcers. Enforcers only need to be strong and obedient, whereas Watchers must be capable of bearing the heavy responsibilities of the Counter Force.
Strength and experience are a given, but they must also have a pure character, steadfast in their principles, and unaffected by external influences. Additionally, they need discernment, wisdom, or intuition to judge the situation's developments. According to Artoria, she was chosen due to her skill in partially predicting the future—"Instinct." This was also why she was dispatched this time.
Given the strict selection criteria, the benefits for Watcher are naturally much better than for enforcers.
On Alaya's side, if "Guardians" are akin to indentured slaves with no rights and subject to exploitation, then "Watchers" are like high-level employees with favorable contracts. No indentured servitude, no endless overtime, the freedom to select tasks, and they receive compensation upon completion.
More importantly, Artoria mentioned this was her first mission after signing a 1,500-year contract. She had only taken one mission… suddenly, Shinji felt sorry for a certain red Archer.
Understanding the nature of the Watcher, Shinji's first reaction was this, and his second reaction was—under such conditions, working for the Counter Force didn't seem so bad.
Next, he asked his last question:
"By the way, what kind of existence are you now? Are you like a Heroic Spirit residing in the Throne of Heroes?"
"No, I haven't become a Heroic Spirit. Before you summoned me, I was in Avalon."
"I see, you haven't become a Heroic Spirit… Wait, what did you just say? Say it again."
Artoria's answer made Shinji doubt his hearing.
"I said, I haven't become a Heroic Spirit. Before you summoned me, I was in Avalon. Is there something wrong with that?"
"No, nothing wrong at all, it's perfect, couldn't be better."
Confirming that he hadn't misheard, Shinji laughed excitedly, almost maniacally, nearly losing his senses. His wild laughter echoed through the villa from the enclosed room.
The "mother and daughter" playing hide-and-seek in the living room raised their heads upon hearing the laughter.
Jack said, "Daddy's laugh sounds terrible."
Reika responded, "It does sound terrible, but he seems very happy."
"Is Mommy happy?"
"Of course, Mommy is happy because she has Jack."
"Jack is also happy because Jack has Mommy. We wonder why Daddy is so happy."
Why was Shinji so happy?
It's simple. Because his efforts hadn't been in vain, Artoria had successfully descended from the hill of swords and entered Avalon, finding peace. Although he didn't know why she hadn't severed her contract with the Counter Force, the role of Watcher seemed quite good, as it allowed him to see her again—the poster girl of the Fate series, the unburdened, genuine, and adorable her.
Artoria looked at her Master, who was laughing madly in front of her, wanting to say something but remaining silent. It wasn't just Shinji who felt she was familiar; she also felt she had seen Shinji somewhere before. As time passed and their conversation deepened, this sense of familiarity grew stronger.
Moreover, she could tell that his laughter, his joy, was for her. So she waited, waited until he had laughed enough before voicing her doubt: "Master, have we met somewhere before?"
"Yes, we have. We attended a banquet together and talked about the ways of kings. You weren't like this back then, and neither was I."
"A banquet, the way of kings, you, you are—" Artoria suddenly felt a bit dazed.
"This appearance might be more familiar to you."
The cloak of Hades covered Shinji's body, changing the color of his hair and eyes. In the Fourth Holy Grail War, Shinji's disguised form was his past life's appearance. This time as Assassin, it was the same, except his hair and eyes had been adjusted to the Matou family's deep blue by Justeaze.
"Allow me to introduce myself: Shinji Matou At Your Service, Master of Assassin Scáthach, your former opponent. Long time no see, King of Knights. I'm truly happy that you were able to let go of your obsessions."
Artoria's green eyes froze as memories long buried deep in her mind resurfaced, flickering like a revolving lantern before her eyes.
For Shinji, only four years had passed since that Holy Grail War. But for Artoria, it had been over fifteen hundred years.
That was a dream on the hill of swords, a dream that made her frozen time flow once more; a memory as precious as her battles and past with the Knights of the Round Table.
Though times change and the world evolves, some things remain undiminished and unforgettable.
In that dream, she encountered the golden tyrant, the King of Heroes; the flamboyant conqueror, the King of Conquerors; the Queen ruling a non-human realm; the Celtic predecessor, Diarmuid of the Love Spot; and her first knight, with whom she resolved mutual heartaches.
Among these historic heroes, one person left an exceptionally deep impression on her. He was the most mysterious and peculiar among all the Masters.
An Assassin, yet not engaging in assassination.
An enemy, yet repeatedly saving her from peril.
He affirmed her way of kingship but denied her wish, planting a seed of clarity in her heart.
She distinctly remembered that before the final battle, his Servant, the legendary queen, had told her he had done many things for her in secret. She had wanted to ask him clearly, but there was no time, and could only remember his uniqueness in her heart.
Now she finally met him again.
"Long time no see. This time, we are not opponents, but companions."
He extended his hand to her, and she took it.
PS: Although a bit sentimental, this writing moved even the author. Ah, Artoria, a big hearted Artoria!