Dream Odyssey

...Good, you're awake.

I see you still have that fierce look in your eyes, Fujimaru.

I wish we could take the time to celebrate our reunion...

...but, we unfortunately face a rather urgent problem.

My deepest apologies for involving you in this.

Yes, that's me.

Except, I'm not the Odysseus you know from Chaldea.

I am the Permanent Great Universe Adventurer and Commander in Chief of the Federation Space Army... Space Odysseus!

It's good to see you again, Fujimaru!

Yes, it is!

I'm Space Odysseus! The Great Space Adventurer you know and admire!

I'm also technically the Commander in Chief of the Federation Space Army, but we needn't concern ourselves with that now.

It's good to see you again, Fujimaru!

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And I'm his second-in-command, Space Xu Fu. Long time no see.

No. Space Xu Fu.

Oh, by the by, how is your Lady Yu doing? She IS here right?

Close enough.

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Let me come right to the point: a hyperdimensional rift has been detected in outer space.

We think that's probably how you wound up here. Sorry about that.

Of course, we'll get you back to Chaldea safe and sound, so no reason to worry there.

However...

Um...

Hmm, how can I put this...?

Come on, Commander in Chief! There's no point hedging now.

I think there's an expression for this sort of thing. Pulling an ultradense monomolecular horse from a hyperdimensional gourd?

There's a space sucker born every minute? A galactic windfall?

I think it would be best if you left the figures of speech to everyone else.

Still, she's right, Fujimaru.

I don't think you ending up here today was a coincidence.

Please, listen to what I have to say.

First, I would like you to look this way. Slowly, please.

Just outside the ship, to your right. Remember, go slowly. No sudden moves, please.

Focus some Od in your core as you gently turn. Steel your mind for what you're about to see.

I cannot emphasize enough: no sudden movements.

Ahh...

This is terrible...

This is just terrible!

How did this happen? Ahh, what am I going to do!?

What's going to happen to me!?

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She'll be fine as long as she's in the ether-rich environment of the Sapphire Galaxy. And as long as she doesn't float into any of the frontier's more dangerous areas, anyway.

At any rate, I knew you would catch on quickly, Fujimaru.

Indeed. You see before you...

Star Princess Europa!

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It's exactly what it sounds like.

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The Star Princess is an important galactic figure. She's regularly kidnapped by villains and such.

Of course, she usually just stays in her big space castle and smiles for the people.

Having her just wandering around is dangerous. Any poor fool lacking the proper resistance could lose their mind at the mere sight of her!

"Calamity Princess" would be a more honest name, really.

Indeed. That is a fair way to describe Lady Europa at the moment.

She's usually a figure much beloved by many of the federation's citizens. She is known for her compassion and kindness!

She wound up in this predicament because of her grandchild...

The son of Space President Minos.

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Yup, that's right. This is about the disgraced Prince Asterios.

Stuff like this is pretty common in the Servantverse, but the short version is...

He's a stud.

Disgraced Prince Asterios, originally born to President Minos.

He was cursed and banished to the space labyrinth, Daedalus, at his own father's command.

Everyone thought Lord Asterios would be living out the rest of his days wandering Daedalus...

...but he was fortunate enough to be saved by Lord Theseus, the galactic hero.

Rumor has it they fought quite a battle, and that Lord Asterios may even have died once.

But all we can say for sure right now is that he's back.

Lady Europa was always firmly against his banishment, so she was extremely pleased with this news...

...and went on to spoil him rotten.

And so, they lived happily ever after...

Except they didn't. Just one season after Lord Asterios returned...

...he was visited by Lady Euryale, a goddess from a nameless planet.

What's more, she's one of the three Gorgon sisters!

One of them is the goddess Lady Stheno, less sister and more part of a sister-based isotope of sorts.

Basically, wherever Lady Euryale goes, Lady Stheno goes, too.

And those times both of them are away, you can bet their sister, Lady Medusa, will have something to say about it.

The short version is that she went out of concern for her sisters, not interest in Lord Asterios.

She's pretty reserved, and tends to just watch these kinds of things from the sidelines...

...but to an outside observer, it just looks like the prince is surrounded by women.

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Oh, we're not even at the worst part yet.

In the last season...or was it the second to last?

Aaanywho, Lady Medusa did a bit of time-traveling and dimension-hopping. She wound up forming some pretty tight bonds with her past self and an alternate version of herself.

So the three Gorgon sisters are now FIVE Gorgon sisters.

And that's how it all happened.

...Well, you can see for yourself how popular he's become.

What am I going to do!?

Asterios! My dear, little Asterios is...is...

...a ladies' man!

Am...am I about to become a great-grandmother!?

Ahh, Star Princess Europa. How my heart breaks for her!

Yup. Sure is heartbreaking all right.

Anyway, you've worked out what's going on here, right?

Lady Europa's so excited about her grandson's newfound popularity that she's a little off her rocker.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Star Princess controls all the ether for designated planets and nearby space sectors.

With her out of control like that, not only will ether-powered machinery no longer operate correctly...

...the very fabric of the galaxyno, of space-time itself, could be in peril.

Most of the Federation Space Army's fleet is already adrift. The situation is critical, and we need to act fast.

... ...

I'm sorry to ask this of you, since the timing of your arrival here is simply coincidence...

...so please think it over before you make a decision.

...Might you be willing to help us bring this crisis to an end

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You have my thanks, Fujimaru!

Now then! Let us be on our way!

Yes, sir. Commencing Operation "Talk Down Star Princess Europa" now!

Not to worry.

I've already activated a special device that will enable a non-Servant like yourself to breathe.

Hmm, interesting. I was told this ship originally belonged to a villainous organization before we requisitioned and remodeled it.

Perhaps you've been on the same model of ship before?

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Every last one of these spaceships is inoperable now! Our only choice is to charge right in!

Dammit, I knew I should've chosen a different career!

I'm counting on support from my second-in-command. Now, Fujimaru...

Let's go!

...Oh? Hello there.

Are you more of Asterios's new friends?

Why, that's absolutely wonderful!

But I'm sorry, I'm afraid Asterios isn't here right now.

And what's more...

...things are a little, well, hectic right now... Though maybe in a good way, I guess...?

Oh gosh, whatever am I going to do!?

My grandson is just too popular!

A space-time tremor! It's huge!

Magical energy signal detected... Aw damn, this one's really bad news, Commander in Chief!

TOO POPULAR.

A Star Guardian!?

That must be the gift the superintelligent ships of the legendary interstellar fleet are said to have given Star Princess Europa...

A planetary-class autonomous fighter! I can't believe they really exist!

Wh-wh-wh-what're we gonna do, Commander in Chief!?

Heh.

What else!? On my honor as Permanent Great Universe Adventurer...

...we're going to defeat the Star Guardian and stop the Star Princess! Come on, Fujimaru!

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The Star Guardian has gone silent. Holy shit. Holy shit!

We did it! We're alive! Thank you, Lady Yu! Thank you!

That just leaves Star Princess Europa...

Oh my... Oh my...

Tálos? What's wrong, Tálos?

Maybe he ran out of batteries. Well, then... Yah!

A-another space-time tremor! And this one's really strong!

Save me, Lady Yuuu!

Reboot complete.

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...!

It's regenerating! This must be the power of the legendary nanomachines they say came here with the interstellar fleet!

This...could be a problem. Heh. But as a space adventurer, I relish the challenge!

Enough relishing already!

Okay, that's enough of that.

Huh?

I don't believe it. You're

This is Starship Aphrodite. I'm ordering all intelligent life-forms in the vicinity to cease fighting at once.

Don't move, okay?

Try, and I'll reduce you all to space dust before you can so much as blink.

Ordering? Who do you think you... ahem. This is Starship Demeter.

We are here to ADVISE that you stop fighting now, please. Good thing I made it in time...

We came here as soon as we detected the Star Guardian's activation.

Well, okay, we aren't actually here. Our bodies are light-years away, so we're transmitting via FTL comms.

You detected the Star Guardian's activation? Then, you must be

Yes. We are the superintelligent ships of the interstellar fleet, spoken of in your galactic legends.

Nice to meet you.

!

Whaaa...!?

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Your eyes are telling you pretty women, but they're actually spaceships!

Your eyes are telling you pretty women, but they're actually spaceships!

No, Starship Demeter and Starship Aphrodite!

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We must be looking at an incredible AI hologram or something! This is way beyond any ordinary Servant!

One of the seven legends recorded in the earliest annals of Federation Space history. An interstellar fleet discovered in the western Frontier Galaxy...

...comprised of superintelligent, self-aware ships!

They are registered in the Federation Space database as the first known instance of interstellar life...

...and are known far and wide as High Servants.

Hahaha, truly, we are blessed today! I've heard any fortunate enough to speak with them can expect good fortune on the horizon!

What? You realize I'm not a goddess of fortune, right? Not that I care what you think of me.

Come on, Demeter. Hurry up and get this over with.

(Blowing smoke)

Oh, yes, I suppose I should. Okay, um, you're all listening, yes? Including Europa over there?

Let's see... Um, how should I put this?

Uh... Well...

Hm?

What's the holdup?

... ...

...

Oh come the hell on!

NOW you're suddenly bashful!? When did you turn into an awkward teenager?

Ugh, fine. Guess I'll just have to tell them myself.

Europa!

Y-yes?

Good, so you CAN hear us. Then listen up.

Our flagship, Zeus...

...made a pass at yet another woman.

He had an affair with some goddess, queen, or whatever from a super ancient interstellar Roman civilization, and now we're on the verge of all-out war.

Things aren't going great. This could get pretty bad.

So we want you to stop him.

Th-that's right! With Lady Hera gone, you're the only one we can ask, Europa.

So, Lord Zeus is in trouble?

Oh my, that's terrible!

Very well then, I'll leave right away!

Come on, Tálos!

Hehe, there's a good boy!

That takes care of that. Well, see you around, Chief.

Maybe I'll see you in the tenth season, if you haven't retired by then.

So sorry for the disturbance, everyone. Well, goodbye!

...(Blowing smoke)

Think we're out of the woods? Hopefully this teaches that hornball Zeus to keep his USB stick to himself.

Oh, Aphrodite. You know you're supposed to call him "Lord Zeus" or "Father."

I'll call him what I want.

And what was with that whole chaste maiden act back there? Are you malfunctioning?

... ...

W-well... You know...

I really don't. What is it?

Come on, Aphrodite, you must have noticed too, right?

It wasn't just Servants there! Apart from the two Servants, there was a...

...a human!

I just know he was human!

Well, yeah, obviously. He didn't have a Servant Spirit Origin.

A human! Can you believe it!? You never see them in the Sapphire Galaxy!

They're so adorable and primitive. Haven't even taken their first baby steps away from their own planet yet.

Just...that one was so cute I couldn't stand it!

But then...

...the thought of that sweet child knowing about our brother ship's indiscretions was so...so embarrassing!

Oh gosh, oh gosh!

(Taking a drag)

Okay, yeah, you're malfunctioning. Time to check yourself in for some maintenance.

Oh man, I really thought we were done for.

First the Star Guardian, then the superintelligent ships... I've definitely earned some worker's compI mean, a bonus, Commander in Chief.

I'll remember that during your next performance review.

As for you, Fujimaru, I must thank you. Without you, I don't know what we would have done against the Star Guardi

Huh!?

N-now what!?

...I fooound yooou.

At last, I finally found you, Space Odysseus! You space adventuring bastard!

I was wondering what was going on with all the space-time tremors! Ahahaha, and now, look at you!

All those ships at your command, and none of them work!

So then, does this mean you've only got your second-in-command from the eastern Frontier Galaxy...

...your Trojan Horse, and your Aegis at your disposal?

... ...

...Actually, now that I think about it, that's still a lot of firepower.

But, no. No, no, no. No, no, no, no, no!

Now that you can't use your army, this is the perfect time to take my revenge!

Prepare to die, you great universe adventuring bastard!

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Doc Kykeon, aka Lady Circe...

No, wait. That's not Doc Kykeon at all.

No, it's not. That's her sister, Girce!

Girce, the Black Kykeon!

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She's a villain! And she wants me dead! I'm sorry, Fujimaru!

It looks like I have one more job to handle before I can take you home!

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... ...

...Space Odysseus, huh. So a Servantverse incident then?

That's...

... ...

No, that can't be right...

Hey now, why the long face?

What are you and Master talking about?

Circe.

Hm?

...Circe.

Wh-what is it?

Would you tell us about your sister?

Pasiphaë? What about her?

Oh, wait. Does this have something to do with Asterios?

No. I am not talking about Pasiphaë, queen to King Minos and mother of Asterios.

Huh?

Then who ARE you talking about?

Girce.

...What?

I'm asking about your younger sister, Girce.

What are you talking about?

Don't you have a secret sister by that name?

Is this some new, creative way of picking a fight? You know what? Fine. I've had enough of you, you... You...

You big jerk!

Metabole Piglets!

!

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... ...

...Nothing's happening.

Ghh! That's right! This Noble Phantasm doesn't work on you!

I should've just used magecraft instead of taking the easy way out! Ugh, that probably wouldn't even work on the Aegis...

Hmph. This is all your fault for picking a fight in such a weird way!

All right, I've made up my mind! I'm not taking your stupid bait!

And I won't be forgiving you unless you apologize! THREE TIMES! Hmph!

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Indeed...

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Hm?

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... ...

...Circe's sister is Pasiphaë. Wife of King Minos, and mother of Asterios.

I know that. I do. But even so...

Even so, this is the story of your adventure.

I know very well that dreams are just another stage on which an adventure may be set.

Our dreams sometimes serve as our guides on an adventure. Other times, they are the very labyrinths in which we lose ourselves.

As for what you saw in your dreams...

...I would never dismiss it as just a dream. Especially in your case.

No matter what you saw, I will take it completely seriously.

Even should what you describe seem to defy possibility!

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Well...

I suppose you're right there!

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I...

...Yes, I suppose I should. It only seems fair to explain myself and offer an apology.

...

...Hmm, no. That... I should have chosen my words better.

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!

Thank you, Master. I'm sorry for the trouble.

But it's all right. I can go by myself.

Apologizing to a queen witch will be quite difficult... You could even say it will be an adventure all its own.

And when it comes to adventure

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Haha, indeed!

And that means it's time for methe great adventurer Odysseus, to shine!