A Fight Against the Self (Literally)

Hmm, hmm, hmm. I see, I see.

So he is somehow me, but also not me...

...Lancer of Purgatorio.

I understand. I am very sorry about this, Fujimaru.

Not at all. This is more than enough. Hmm, I see he was quite the monster.

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Can I ask what brought this up, Inshun? What made you want to see the information on Shimousa now...?

A fair question.

As I see it, one could make a compelling case for Lancer of Purgatorio's sins being my own.

Despite being summoned as a Heroic Spirit...

...it was my own strength that made me a targeta catalyst to facilitate my fall to Lancer of Purgatorio.

That will never do. It is a far more miserable fate than I could have ever imagined.

Indeed not.

I am a monk first, you know. Even before I am a hero.

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Of course, I have no memory whatsoever of the time I spent as Lancer of Purgatorio.

So, from my perspective...

...it is no different than having a doppelgänger going around causing destruction in my name.

However, Master, there is one aspect of this in particular that I absolutely cannot abide.

This evil doppelgänger of mine cannotmust not be stronger than me.

For if giving myself over to evil made my spear techniques that much sharper, I would have no choice but to do so.

Of course, I would see it as a failure, as I would have given up my humanity.

But had I learned of it while I was alive...I cannot say for certain that I could have resisted the temptation that would have offered.

Indeed, I cannot be certain at all. And that worries me!

Lady Musashi was kind enough to assure me that I was definitely stronger than Purgatorio...

...but that is not enough!

No, I believe the only choice left to me now is to prove it in the simulator.

It is possible to do that, yes? If I can converse with him there too, so much the better.

This way, I can find out which of us is stronger...me, or my evil doppelgänger.

Indeed, I have. Thank you for indulging me, Master!

Wonderful! No evil version of me will ever get the better of my true self!

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...Now I see. Fighting Lancer of Purgatorio really is something you need to do for yourself.

Understood. I'll boot up the simulator right now!

Too easy!

In fact...they all seemed strangely weak.

I thought as much.

Thank you, Master, but I know that the Purgatorio I saw in Chaldea's database was capable of more than this.

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Lady Mash, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but there is no need to hold anything back.

Please, give me something closer to the true Purgatorio.

R-right!

Okay, let's see... I know, I'll try raising the difficulty!

I'll also increase his base stats, unlock his Noble Phantasm, and give him more subordinates to command...

There, that should do it. Commencing second battle now!

Hmm. That was certainly a more challenging foe... but still a far cry from what I was hoping for.

His spear technique was lacking in both refinement and bloodlust.

I see... I'm sorry. I'm afraid this might be as close as the simulator can get.

What a shame. Then I suppose it will not be possible to compare our skills in this manner.

I apologize for wasting your time with this, Master!

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Hahahaha. Spoken like a true leader.

Very well then, let us call it a day. Thank you again, Master!

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Fooou...

Hahahahahaha! Hee... Heeheeheeheehee!

What a delightful discovery! I can feel my skills sharpening with every life my spear takes!

Thinking back on it now... my life could not have been more dull!

Behold, behold, behold, Fujimaru!

The more bodies pile up, the keener my spear grows!

Now, you will bear witness as I kill hundreds, thousands, all to propel my spear into the realm of the gods!

Ahem... I apologize for interrupting your speech, but I take it you are Lord Lancer of Purgatorio?

...So, you've come... Houzouin Inshun...!

Of course. Now that I have heard your third-rate villainy for myself, I cannot simply stand by and do nothing about it.

My name is Houzouin Inshun. Now, let us have a good, fair fight.

Hahaha! You, Inshun? At best, you are a pale imitation.

You live in a dreamworld, whereas I live in reality. Refusing to take life? The Buddha's mercy?

Foolishness! Complete and utter foolishness!

You reached your limit the moment you allowed such pointless notions to hold you back!

There will be no fight! Only a slaughter!

If killing truly made one stronger, the Warring States period would have overflowed with masters of the blade.

Hmm... Be honest with me, Master.

Between him and me, who do you think is stronger?

Hahahaha! You have a good eye indeed, Master!

O-oh, right. It is a bit embarrassing to have it pointed out so bluntly, but I cannot deny it!

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That aside, if anyone here should be laughing, it is me!

Purgatorio, you have been going on and on about making your spear sharper, which leaves me a bit confused.

Which is it? Do you wish for your spear to grow sharper, or do you wish to grow stronger?

What was that...?

The best mouse-catching cat in the world would be no good to anyone if it also went around eating people.

After all, a cat's most important duty is to be cute. Would you not agree?

Exactly. All a cat need do to be cute is meow.

Unfortunately, it seems Purgatorio here has gotten his priorities mixed up.

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What are you even talking about!?

It's simple.

If all you want is a sharper spear, there is a better way to obtain it than by slaughtering people.

What...!?

All you need do is let someone stronger handle it. What could be easier?

Ridiculous, Inshun! You're not making the least bit of sense!

And what sense is there in causing others unnecessary pain and suffering?

Is your desire merely to brag about all the lives you have taken?

If so, I can think of no more hollow or foolish endeavor than the one you undertake.

I imagine the corruption makes it impossible for you to know any better, but I cannot help but laugh when I think how you truly believed that was all you needed to grow stronger.

All right. I've learned all I wanted to know. Now the only thing left to us is a duel.

Indeed, I consider this an act of mercy, for I have never in my life met a more pitiable opponent!

Enough of your foolish prattling, Inshun!

You will see for yourself how sharp my spear has become...as it slices you to ribbons!

Come then, Master.

Let us bring this to a speedy end and be on our way back to Chaldea!

Mwahahaha! Is that all you've got!? None can match this body and its sheer techni

It's over.

Wha...!? Ah... Ahhh!?

Impossible! This can't be right! Your strike had all the strength of a house cat swatting at a reed! How could I not parry it...!?

You have wasted so much power; power that already exceeded your limits. Of course it would leave you vulnerable.

You completely failed to understand your own body, Purgatorio.

No... No! This cannot be true!

I haven't even avenged my defeat at the hands of that Musashi woman!

My miraculous resurrection was meant to be my chance to exact my reven

Hmm, I suppose you may fare a bit better against an opponent with swords since that has been your focus...

...but the rest is quite sloppy. You may have gained in one area, but you have lost much in others.

Wha...

Whether they reach the level of the Buddha or become an oni, everyone eventually hits their limit.

Speaking for myself, I find it an incredible waste.

Your spear may have grown sharper, but as a Lancer, you have grown weaker.

How... How dare yoooooou!? You'll pay for this, Inshun!

Farewell, Purgatorio.

...What a disappointment. To think I would be no more than a common highwayman if I fell from grace...

Urk... Ghh...

Phew, there we go. Now that was a good simulation.

Lady Mash, would you be so kind as to turn the simulator off now? ...Lady Mash?

...Are you sure?

They called me here so suddenly that I simply assumed this was some sort of emergency training...

I see. Just another dream sequence, huh. ...Wait. A dream!?

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Ahh...

I never thought this would only turn out to be a dream I shared with you, Master!

Hmm... Well, I suppose that is all right.

If the only life I took was my own, surely no one could be upset about that!

Indeed, I believe they refer to this as a win-win-win!

...No?

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Right!

Now then, I think I will have to try dueling Lady Musashi as soon as I wake up...

Otherwise, all the effort Purgatorio put into his anti-Musashi techniques will go to waste.

Still, there is one thing this incident has assured me of, Master.

I am now certain that I truly am the best version of myself!