Afterword
So, hi. Narita here.
This work is not an original creation of mine; it's a spinoff novel based on the Fate works created by Nasu Kinoko-san and everyone at TYPE-MOON. I'll leave out the particulars of how I came to write this spinoff, but it started as the prologue to a nonexistent game called Fake written for April Fool's. At the time, the story ended with the protagonist — the "player character" — arriving in the city once Lancer's prologue was over, to be continued in the game itself. I have now been given the — nerve-racking — opportunity to continue it as a novel.
The Fate series was created by TYPE-MOON, lead by Nasu Kinoko-san and Takeuchi Takashi-san. This work, Strange Fake, was sparked by the tremendous energy of its setting. I could try to explain what makes the original work's "Holy Grail War" system so engaging, but I wouldn't do it justice. Instead, I recommend you try the original Fate — currently available to rave reviews on the PS2, PS Vita, and smart phones — and then Hollow Ataraxia — just released on the PS Vita — for yourselves. Also the works by other authors — Zero, Apocrypha, Prototype, Himuro no tenchi, The Lord El-Melloi II Case Files — the Extra series of games, and the comic spinoff Prisma Illya, as well as the various animated versions... Sorry. I'll stop.
Anyway, as one tributary of this great stream, I'll be happy if readers unfamiliar with Fate gain an interest in the original, while Fate fans think, "What is this idiot doing with the setting?" and read with popcorn in one hand, like they're watching a B-grade shark movie! I'll do my best to make sure that both types of readers have a good time!
Dear TYPE-MOON fans,
Concerning the character who appears at the end of the book, she's not the same person as the one in Fate/Prototype. They're from different universes, for a start. In answer to the question, "Well, what about the one in Himuro no Tenchi, then?" all I have to say is: "...I can't categorically deny any connection." Confusing you by making you wonder, "The one from Himuro no Tenchi can't have gone bad, can she?" or, "Did she come from another universe?" was always an option, but a different spinoff already took that route, so I abstained. Instead, I'd like to leave you asking, "Well, what is she, then?" I look forward to unraveling that mystery in subsequent volumes.
I suspect many Fate fans are wondering, "This is set after the original Fate, but which route's future is it?" I hate to say this, but, "It's a fake, so it follows a mystery route." I'll leave the rest to your imaginations. In the extra chapter, the two "Observers" leaf through a lot of pages. You can assume that the "world's route" changes with each of those pages.
Nasu-san has already written quite a bit about Gil and Enkidu in CCC. I've done my best to tell this story from a slightly different "starting point," so that even people who have already had their fill of the pair can enjoy it. (The biggest difference is already in this first volume.)
It really does feel, as Nasu-san writes in his commentary, like I "was supposed to follow the rails, but went airborne while no one was looking." Still, I trust that Nasu-san himself will write the "Dismantling War" that those rails — the proper future of the original Fate — lead to within the next few decades, so I'll keep flying and do my best to put on a spectacle in the skies! ...Although it's also possible that I'll fall to my death a few seconds later.
Or so I say, but Nasu-san still keeps a watchful editorial eye on the world of Fate.
Nasu: "I once said that all of El-Melloi's disciples achieved the rank of Grand, didn't I? That was a lie."
Narita: "Gyaaaaaaah (Read: Character Materials)!"
Nasu: "Come, Narita! Throw away the old setting and come at me!"
Narita: "Setting inconsistencies don't scare me! I'll crush you!"
...That aside, Nasu-san explained the latest setting details about the Mages' Association and the Holy Church and provided me with editorial oversight on the evolving world of Fate. He gave particular attention to points like the words used by a certain great master of sorcery in the extra chapter!
Now, the Saber who appears at the end of this book is not the same person as the male Saber from Prototype. As for who he is and where he comes from, there are already several hints in this book. Try to guess while you wait for the next volume.
My editor, Anan-san and my Dura editor, Wada-san, who I caused more trouble for than usual because Durarara!! SH and this book went on sale at the same time; all the concerned parties who I am indebted to through their Fate spinoffs, beginning with Urobuchi Gen-san, Higashide Yūichirō-san, Sakurai Hikaru-san, Mashin Eiichirō-san, and Sanda Makoto-san; Team Barrel Roll, who did part of the Servant background research for me; Morii Shizuki-san, who has produced wonderful illustrations for this book in addition to drawing the nearly-simultaneous comic version of Fate/Strange Fake; and, most importantly, Nasu Kinoko-san, who created Fate and wrote a wonderful commentary for this volume; everyone at TYPE-MOON... and all the readers who picked up this book and made it this far:
Thank you very much!
Now then, I suspect it will be a long haul, but I would appreciate it if you would bear with me as a palate cleanser between other TYPE-MOON works.
November 2014, while wondering if the Koha Ace Heroic Spirits are canon.
Narita Ryōgo
Originally Posted by FSF 5, Chapter 14: Gold and Lions I
Though abandoned, forgotten, and scorned as out-of-date dolls, they continue to carry out their mission, unchanged from the time they were designed.
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