Curtain Call

Hm...Master, can I have a minute? This town lacks something. What do you think it is?

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Exactly! The world is a stage, and the men and women coming and going on it are performers.

Regardless, there is no smile in this town. No happiness. Why is that?

It's because there is no drama! If so, shall we put up an improv for people to see?

An improv? ...And you said "we."... By "we", you mean...

Why, of course I mean myself, Mash Kyrielight, and Master Fujimaru.

I-Impossible! I've never seen or performed a play!

Oh, you haven't?

Y-Yes. I'm sorry for my inexperience... But there was never any need for me to...

Hahaha, what are you talking about? That need is more apparent than ever for you!

What you need right now is love, words and poetry! A kindled passion is exactly what you need!

Ohhhh, but...

Oh, and a shield and weapon, too. It's kind of sudden, I know

Monsters! Monsters are coming!

But monsters are coming all of a sudden, you see!

W-Why is that?

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Oh, what a courageous line! But I wish you'd made your delivery a bit more complex.

"Hear your death bell ringing! Are you going to heaven, or to hell!" ...How about that?

Uh, excuse me. Please join the battle!

Oh, how valorous you were. You are majestic even when standing behind me, Master.

Well, the Holy Grail War is a fine thing. It's a war that contains elements common to historical plays, tragedy and comedy!

I'm...glad to hear that.

See, hear the thunderous applause.

You were so cool, kid!

I love you, let's make a baby!

Who's giving out the orders behind that girl... A king, emperor, or a general...?

Wh-Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa...

L-Let's get going, Master!

I wish I could work out the lines a little more there...

Give me a break...!

Well, it's important to select words with care. I hope you'll work harder next time.

Wh-What? Did you sayNext time?

Yes. Listen, Mash, Master.

You two are the protagonists of this play. A girl and her master rise up to save this town.

The girl is a steel knight with a fragile heart. The master is a vulnerable human with a steel heart.

By going hand in hand, the two characters begin to transform from craven to courageous.

And standing in their way

Are diabolical beasts beyond human understanding. Unable to communicate, they are incompatible.

Their sad existence is fated to be hostile to humans. By delivering the final blow, the two heroes are able to move on.

It is a treacherous path denying them even sleep, the one balm for their wounded bodies and souls.

Regardless, they have no regret, despair, or resignation.

Even if what they fight against is the great existence constituting the framework of the universe

You two shall march onward!

...Excuse me, but I have one question.

Sure, what is it?

Sorry if I'm wrong, but are you summoning those enemies?

...Well! It's time to fight, Master!

Answer my question!

(panting...)

And now it's time for the climax!

Uh, are you sure you didn't summon them? With the power a Caster might use, maybe?

Sorry, but I'm not skilled in magecraft at all. I'm a writer, after all.

Right. You do have a point there

Anyway, there's a villain who's feeling frustrated. Let's say, his initial is 'S.'

S? Um, Mr. Shakespeare? So it is you

The villain named S grows impatient with the town's neverending peace, curses the people, and to top it all off, he comes up with a plot!

It was to use the townspeople! To incite the townspeople, and turn them into daemons so he can make them attack our heroes.

What!? Shakespeare, is that!?

No way...!?

They have no people to protect, no friends to share laughter with. All they do now is shiver with loneliness

"You can give in." The demon whispers. "You can rest now." The nightmare murmurs.

Well, well, well, what are you going to do, Mash Kyrielight? Indeed, what are you going to do, FujimaruMy Master!?

Ugh... Master!

Ha! I didn't expect that answer!

It essentially means transience, that everything you struggle for in life is merely what happens in your dream.

But, howeveryou are different. You've perceived a different meaning in it.

A dream is hope. Hope is what is laid with courage and determination.

Then, your battle speaks for itself. For you are the dream!

Heheheh, I knew you'd say that! What you just said is absolutely true, Master!

A demon's whisper, reasonable conclusion, and compelling valid argument. All those kinds of things

You're welcome to get over them simply by saying, "I don't care!"

Because it is evil in the name of a valid argument. It is a cowardly trick trying to camouflage the evil with a facade called theory.

Just go ahead and do it!

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You are great, Master. You are fantastic and invincible!

...Yes. He's absolutely right, Master.

I have no doubts. If there's no way to turn them back, we just need to defeat them.

I'm coming with you, Master!

We defeated them...!

Oh, we must hail your victory! ...Now that they won the battle, the end of their dream comes.

Huh?

O-Oh? The town...is gone!?

Excellent job, Master. And you, Mash Kyrielight...the shield and sword.

The dream is now over. You gathered the beautiful threads of your story.

Now, let's walk toward the rest of the story. I am certain the transient dream and illusion shall satiate your mind.

...And of course, for me, too.

From...where to where was it a dream...?

Heheheh. Of course, that's a secret. Playwrights never reveal their methods so easily.