[color=0072bc]"Then, I'll leave the kid to you while I do so."[/color]

The man who had approached him and asked to prove their ways to the other two — he was a good person. That much was clear even to Saber, and that was enough to deem him "someone that could be trusted", and someone he felt sure to leave his Master with.

[color=0072bc]"I apologize, Master, but—"[/color]

His Father's voice only rose within him as he took a glance at the projection Orpheus had called forth.

[color=0072bc]"...That thing's not just any old Servant, barbarian or otherwise,"[/color] He muttered, sword at the ready and shifting his gaze in the direction where its battle was taking place. [color=0072bc]"That thing is a "disaster". Diminished now, but a disaster all the same, and not something I can ignore or forgive. Sorry."[/color]

That much was certain. The creature that had once laid his Father and the other Olympians low was here, flaunting around the modern world without a care and attacking a peaceful gathering. A beast would always be a beast, and Olympus demanded its head.

To him, who was already angered by the display of barbarism in the face of a "truce", the Gods' indignation and the nature of the beast only further fueled his decision. At the very least, it would be a learning experience for the boy.

And so, he began to take his leave. The Archer that was fighting it hopefully would at least keep it preoccupied for long enough — even that creature should realize that others would be coming for her at this point, and even if she could deal with the Archer, the combined might of several Heroic Spirits bearing down upon her head would be enough to effortlessly crush her without a trace.

And then they could go back to more pleasant things, such as talking about kingship and enjoying the food and drink for what was sure to be one of the rare moments of peace in this War—

Only for yet more revelations to be sprung on them. The appearance of a new Caster was surprising — the nature of the fool calling himself by the name of his friend moreso.

In any other circumstance, Theseus could, would, have acted in order to correct that "mistake" immediately. Something that threatened the very foundations of the Grail War and their existences was doubtlessly more dangerous than petty squabbles.

But at this moment, in this juncture — he could not. 

Was it the fact that he knew of the White Titan? No, if it was just that, he could have simply trusted the Archer and the barbarian with at the very least keeping it busy, then moved to eradicate the threat in front of him before hunting down and killing the beast.

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eL7DUlUB_E]Rather—[/url]

[quote]"To become someone who can make the people smile."[/quote]

To make people smile.

So that nobody would have to cry.

He huffed — how irritating. Of course he had to have precisely that reason. Of course he had to be reminded of a certain time when—

[color=0072bc]"...So that was why? Life certainly dealt you a bad hand, I'll admit."[/color]

Taking another's name because your own was one synonymous with ruin. Discarding your own for such a dream. In a way, he could not say he did not understand. After all, no matter how many people his deeds through Attica saved. No matter how many of Athens' youngsters he protected by putting an end to Minos and that child. No matter how much good he did— 

He cast a glance at the sword in his hand. Yeah, that was right.

The legend called "Theseus" was that of someone who always failed to save what was right in front of him and brought grief to those he cared for the most.

No matter how hard he tried, at the most critical moment, something he loved would slip right through his fingers like sand. 

—But even so.

[color=0072bc]"That's no different than giving up, though, isn't it? Giving up on yourself because you "can't" and turning into someone else that "can" do what you want. If you do that before even starting, isn't that brittle imitation already like accepting defeat from the outset?"[/color]

Even if it was impossible. Even if it was a definition already carved into your Saint Graph. Even if it was an inescapable fate.

To be a hero is to scorn such things. 

If the world says that you cannot save, if the world decrees that you can only ruin, if the world says that you are destined to lose something in order to gain something else. 

[color=0072bc]"Changing yourself? That is a loser's answer. If you want to be a hero for others' sakes that badly, then go ahead at full blast and change the world instead."[/color]

Carve out an even more brilliant legend with your own two hands. And when those hands are tired and you want to stop, when you are hitting the limit, then clench them into fists, remember why you started down that path, and punch right through that limit. 

After all—

[color=0072bc][center][b]"—Being a hero is about laughing and putting your life on the line to do cheesy stuff just like that."[/b][/center][/color]

And so, he took his leave — perhaps, indeed, leaving behind a much grander threat than he was seeking to confront. But even then, he could not bring himself to mind it.

[color=0072bc]"Figure things out and find your answer, I suppose. If you are still alive when I get back, I'll fight you then.

"But until that moment comes — sorry, everyone, but I'll be selfishly siding with my beliefs."[/color]

And then, without hesitating, he took off to the sky and then toward the White Titan, emboldened as he was by Orpheus' music.

[@Over Illusion] [@Yankee] [@Aoko Aozaki]