"Geocles…" Takiya Shin, having just downed a few bottles of beer and currently feeling quite drunk, casually patted Fafnir on the shoulder. "Fafnir, do you still remember this guy?"

"...So noisy."

Fafnir didn't even raise his head, his red pupils fixed dead on the flashing "YOU DIED" text on the screen as his fingers continuously rubbed across the game controller.

"He's the hero Mydei mentioned before, the person who drove the Mountain People out of the 'cave'."

"Oh... Then I still have some impression of him."

Kobayashi still remembered the story Mydei told Phainon back then. In the story, Geocles was a man of absolute action, but she never expected that a character who only appeared in myths and legends could actually be met in person within this reincarnation.

"However, Kobayashi, although they plan to use Dan Heng as a sacrifice, I feel that... Geocles himself is not a bad person." Tohr's gaze locked tightly onto the giant in the Celestial Screen. "Is Desolate Flute dead? Listening to Hysilens, he also made a huge sacrifice."

"But sacrifice is sacrifice, and understanding is understanding; that doesn't mean he can just treat Dan Heng as a sacrifice to offer to the 'Earth'. If he wanted to save Desolate Flute, he should have sat down and had a proper talk with Dan Heng, instead of resorting to such forcible acquisition. For this point alone... he deserves a thorough beating from Dan Heng."

——

【Geocles was simply no match for Dan Heng, suffering defeat at Dan Heng's hands after just a few moves.】

【"It's time to end the struggle, Geocles. You ought to meet your Death with dignity," Hysilens advised.】

【Dan Heng: "Before that, tell me: What deal did you make with Evernight, and why has the great 'The Mountain Opener' fallen to this state?"】

【"…"】

【Geocles fell silent, and then answering in his place was a sorrowful roar echoing from the distance.】

【Dan Heng looked in the direction of the sound: "This is…"】

【"Leave it to me. To elaborate on the deepest past of the 'Earth'…"】

【Along with that hoarse and muffled voice, Geocles's figure disappeared. At the same time, Dan Heng suddenly felt rumbling beneath his feet, loose stones rustling down from the rock walls and stirring up swirling dust—a colossal entity was walking slowly toward them.】

【Amidst the dust, a behemoth gradually revealed its form.】

【That was... an Earthbeast? But it was completely different from any Dan Heng had ever seen before. Desolate Flute's whole body seemed draped in uncooled lava, with rock-like protruding bone plates growing jaggedly across its surface, looking practically like a moving hill.】

【"...Cut off its deepest deluded obsession."】

【"Desolate Flute... is it you?" Hysilens was also extremely surprised upon seeing this, "Your body... has actually become so emaciated."】

【"Even mountains will age, and eventually die."】

【"But I can hear that surging sounds still echo within your bloodline…" Dan Heng looked up, gazing at this "emaciated" Earth demigod. "Presumably, you are the true Earth demigod."】

——

Fate / Emiya Household Today's Menu.

"For Anaxa... the most perfect demigod has appeared!!"

Rin Tohsaka gazed at Desolate Flute in the Celestial Screen. Not only was this Earthbeast different in appearance from other Earthbeasts, but its size was also much taller. Furthermore, it was actually in an "emaciated" state according to Hysilens? She couldn't imagine just how colossal it was in its prime... That must have been a real hill, right?

"Desolate Flute and Hysilens are both dependents of the Nautiluss, but their respective fates are completely different." Saber sat down holding a steaming bowl of rice, her gaze sinking as she looked toward the Celestial Screen. "But it's strange... Just now, Hysilens's attitude when mentioning Desolate Flute was very gentle, believing he made the right choice for Amphoreus's tomorrow, yet Caesar and Lord Broken Blade bluntly call him a traitor. This is somewhat contradictory."

"So, Saber, are you curious whether he has defected from the Flame-Chasing Path?" Rin Tohsaka keenly perceived the perplexity between Saber's brows and turned her head slightly to look at her.

"Yes." Saber put down her chopsticks, her expression quite earnest. "I believe both reputation and honor are very important. If Lord Desolate Flute did not deviate from Flame-Chasing, he must never be viewed as a traitor. No traitor can be condoned, nor can any demigod carrying heavy burdens forward be wrongfully blamed."

"Then does Saber think it is the former or the latter?"

"Hmm... Based on my personal experience, I think Desolate Flute is the latter." Saber lowered her head and pondered. "Previously, Lygus also mentioned that this lifetime's calculation is the most outstanding model. If Desolate Flute were a perfidious Chrysos Heirs, he would simply be unable to pass the trial of the Earth and become a demigod."

——

【"I am already in my twilight Time, and the moniker of a demigod is meaningless. Standing here is merely 'The Mountain Opener's former comrade-in-arms... and the traitor who abandoned him."】

【"A traitor?"】

【Hysilens explained: "'Desolate Flute', that name once belonged to Geocles's dragon rider corps. This troop was famous for its skilled riders and their brave Earthbeasts. And it was the giant dragon, the King of Earthbeasts, that lived and died together with 'The Mountain Opener'."】

【"In the Battle of Jioria, facing this impassable high mountain, Caesar could only disintegrate it from within. Desolate Flute's defection became the key to victory for the Flame-Chasing army."】

【"The era of gods has already drawn to a close." Desolate Flute's voice was hoarse. "Living beings adapted to change amidst the earth-splitting chasms and must also learn to survive in the cracks of epics. Someone needs to keep watch over the 'Earth'. Therefore, I accepted the deal. Taking up the Nautilus divine authority, I sank into the rock abyss, bridging the continent with flesh cast of stone. But... there is only one 'betrayal' that I cannot let go of."】

【"'The Mountain Opener'... until his Death, he refused to believe that was my choice. Faced with Caesar's persuasion to surrender, he used Death to make his resolve clear."】

【Dan Feng gradually understood: "So, this is the reason why you colluded with Evernight."】

【Desolate Flute continued: "A stranger of 'Time' descended before me. The outer-worldly great power named 'Remembrance'... incredible. As a 'Memoria Spirit', Geocles was able to be reborn. He muttered in his mouth about the times we fought side by side, just like all the living beings (memories) carried by this body."】

【"The price offered by 'Evernight' was not high; as long as I exercised the 'Earth' divine authority to shield her tracks."】