Hundred Personas Looking for Something

Excuse me, Master. May I have a word with you?

Why did you call me that?

...No, never mind.

As we are a conglomerate, our existence is unique.

Even though you are contracted with multiple Servants, things involving us are sure to still bewilder you.

And calling us by name is probably one of them. We are fine with whatever name you choose to differentiate us.

？！

Hello, Hundred Personas. What a surprise to see you in Senpai's room.

I just brought over some tea. Would you like to join us?

...

No, if Master is busy, that's fine. Please excuse us.

？！

Yes, please wait. If you leave now, I will not be able to enjoy tea time because I will be so curious.

If you have something on your mind, please do not hesitate to mention it.

Oh. Is it something that you cannot say because I'm around? If so, I can leave

...No, actually we wanted to ask Master a favor.

？！

Yes. We need the assistance of someone familiar with the layout of Chaldea and who knows where people in it can be found.

Which is to say, we will probably need Mash's help, too.

If you don't mind, we would like you to listen, too, Mash.

Of course. If there is anything I can do, I'm happy to help.

So...what is this favor?

Well, to put it simply: we would like you to help us find somebody.

Find...somebody?

If you're looking for a staff member or Servant, we can just use the PA system to ask them to come here.

We considered that approach, but if she could answer such a call, we would have found her a long time ago.

Actually, ever since we were Summoned, we have been looking for her in our spare time.

We did not go as far as make an announcement, but we did shout out her name, peek inside rooms, and check all the hallways.

But since we still haven't come across her...

She either doesn't want to answer the call, or she simply can't.

That was our conclusion. That's why we need to search for her.

I see...this is starting to sound like a case that needs to be solved!

So who is this person you are searching for?

...Um, well...it's quite embarrassing, but...

it's...

Hm? Um, you were kind of mumbling there, so I didn't hear you.

A-anyway! We're all in good hands now that Master and Mash are here to help us!

Now let's get out there and start searching!

Oh, she headed out so eagerly...

There's still so many questions left, but let's just go after Hundred Personas, Senpai!

？！

Well, she is almost certainly inside Chaldea, but other than that, we have no clues.

So you're going into this blind?

To search every nook and cranny somewhere as vast as Chaldea could take a long time!

There is no need for concern. We have full knowledge of her personality, characteristics, and abilities.

We have some limited insight into what might happen around her, or what she might do...

So we ask Master to lead us to places where she might be.

I see...rather than sleuthing, you already have a few places in mind to search.

Exactly. Now, the first place we would like to go is...

This...is where you wanted to go...

Interesting...here...

Then, let's go!

Um, why are you pulling out your dagger and swinging it around before you enter!?

Hundred Personas? Hundred Personas!?

Dufufufu...pretty girl figurines are the BEST. It's like two and three dimensions got together and made the baby of my dreams!

This plump yet oh so flat belly is to DIE for... Ahhh, this sculpt is a work of ART!

That devilish whim called adolescence...the wonderful transition between girlhood and womanhood that lasts only the briefest of moments...

This delicate balance can only be expressed through microscopic adjustments...a technique and craftsmanship that can only be achieved by steady-handed experts.

That soft skin...and the bouncy bits...all to convey that age. It's so...ah, marvelous!

Nugh!? This Blackbeard's eyes can't be deceived! Th-this figure...has cast-off parts?!

Colchis Brand figures...always a high quality brand!

You never disappoint. It's already a superb piece of work...

But to put even more curvaceous elements and incorporate the third-dimensional sense of being able to take off clothes...!

This has gotta be a challenge for the great Blackbeard. Taunting me! To strip it, or not to strip it...

But don't underestimate me! I don't have a problem displaying my figures in my room after they've been stripped!

Even if my parents see them, I would proudly declare: "Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend!"

This is how a REAL man lives!

...And now, if you'll excuse me... I'll take a little taste...

Aaagh!?

...Oh no...the edge of the figure's clothes...

Apologize! Apologize to the expert craftsman (aka Medea) who worked so tirelessly on every frill of the figure's skirt!

Tsk. We missed.

？！

Hmph. You saw what kind of man he is.

He loves cute things to an almost sickening level, and his greed drives to make them his own. And he feels joy from managing and observing them...

If the one we are searching for has been captured, this creep would naturally be the first suspect.

The reason why Hundred Personas cannot find who they are looking for is because they've been captured and imprisoned by Blackbeard!?

Th-that's a bit far-fetched

Totally! I'm being framed! Totally blameless!

There are tons of angels in Chaldea of prime age, like Mary and Jack...

But that's exactly why I always try to interact with such angels at the borderline acceptable level!

After all, if I "accidentally" touch or hug them, I'd get killed!

But that only means that if there were no such risks, you WOULD do that sort of thing.

The one we're seeking is not risky or dangerous at all. They are just small. Just cute.

Eh? What kind of rare angel is that? Are they around? Where? Where's my camera???

We knew it.

There's a possibility that he would trick them with enticing words, or drag them back to his lair.

Fess up. Refuse, and it's just a matter of us annihilating you first, or we can search your room!

Tch... Give me a break.

Blackbeard may be bad, but I'm no low-level scum who can't be proud his own way of life.

If I were to fall in love with a girl, it'd only be because it's mutual. I'd get her parents' permission!

And then head off to a church to get married. That's the route to a True End!

Th-there's no way we're giving her away to scum like you! We will not allow it!

This has taken a turn for the insane, but let's try to calm things down, Senpai!

Fuuuuuu!!!

Here I was in MY OWN room, minding my business, just admiring my lovely figures, and you go all aggro! What did I do to deserve this!?

...Not here. We were wrong.

I told you I didn't know what you were on about as soon as you got here...

My brand new figure...broken...ungh...Blackbeard's gonna cry... (Sniff)...

Ugh. Don't cry while we're here. Disgusting.

SHOCK!

You mustn't, Hundred Personas. Blackbeard may be bad, but he's a pure-hearted dreamer when it comes to his hobbies.

Even if disavowing his hobby is the right thing to do, it'll only result in his mental collapse!

What, it's okay to insult me in front of my face now!? Even you are so cruel today, Miss Mash!

？！

It was all just a misunderstanding. The one we're looking for is not here.

We must apologize.

Apology!? Do you think apologizing will fix my poor, beloved figure!?

This...this girl...an elven-eared craftsman worked her hardest to make this figure by hand. There's no chance of getting another one...

Hm. Will you accept our apology if this thing gets fixed? We'll send Dew Painter over to you later.

WH-WHAT!? You can fix it?

Hah...don't underestimate the Hundred Personas. Our one hundred specializations are not just on the battlefield.

Dew Painter, as that name suggests, can paint anything in any color and is an expert at befuddling the enemy through coloring.

He should be an expert in sculpting, if I remember correctly. He did say that magical reconstruction is one of his favorite tasks.

To further improve this figure to match your greatest desire should be no harder than a snap of the fingers to him.

...!!!

APOLOGY ACCEPTED.

So, first I want these knee-high socks to be gone to show off her healthy thicc legs, and I'll add glasses, a recorder instrument, and a ribbon...and her clothes will be partially off, and her sides...

Um, maybe you hit him a on the head a little too hard... He's fainted, but he's still grinning...

So we were wrong about the first suspect, but we cannot give up yet.

Let's head to the next suspect. Master, Mash. Please lead the way.

Based on what happened with Blackbeard, we're looking for someone small and cute.

Yes. Let's keep that positive attitude.

Someone small and cute... Well, there are a lot of people like that in Chaldea.

If that's all we have to go on...

？！

She's shy, so you've definitely never met her before.

Please let us know if you see someone fitting that description immediately.

By the way, who is looking for this person?

？！

No, this is very important to all of us. I am not the only one looking. The rest of the personas are also on the lookout.

Hn...speak of the devil. Take a look. Gozul the Strong is over there.

Hnnnngh!

Hahaha. Good work! That's the spirit!

...Oh crap. This is no time to laugh. I'll lose my grip if I don't keep my stomach taut.

You're as strong as you look! You're no Grendel, but you still got some potential!

That ain't fair, Wulf. Were you all talk when you said you'd end it in an instant? This ain't a competition of stamina.

I'm a big idiot who enjoys a game of arm wrestling or two. A valiant match is nice and all, but hurry up and switch

...(Makes a "come at me" gesture)

Oh? Don't tell me you want me to get in on this, too!?

...(Grin)

Whooo! This guy's tough! This'll be GOLDEN! This guy's gonna go up against me and Wulf at the same time...one with each arm!

Heh, you're underestimating us! A bastard like you...I love it!

Yeah, so laughable. This guy's got a hothead.

...But we can get irritated after the match's over.

The information you want from us is more valuable than the two of us. We know not to laugh at that!

Hm. Looks like Gozul is trying to get those two to tell him the information we need by beating them in an arm wrestling match.

？！

Overall combat efficiency aside, Gozul is probably the strongest of all of us when it comes to sheer arm power. I do not think he is at a disadvantage.

Hm. And I see Makul the Quick over there by the halls.

Fwoosh...!

Hm. What amazing speed.

But I won't lose sight of someone in a footrace! And you are in my turf!

Hey!!! Who's running in the halls!? WALK QUIETLY. No matter how rushed you are, you do not run!

I will get on Tarasque and chase down rule breakers to the ends of the earth!!!

And Makul's doing some kind of competition of his own. I see...a hunter's eyes may have spotted her.

And...oh, there's Zayed the Base over there.

...

Ungh! Impressive!

As the Roman Emperor, the incarnation of art itself...and obviously versed in dance, too...I am impressed with your graceful, elegant movements!

You are no ordinary person! Surely you must be able to gracefully avoid security sensors like that!

You're right. They possess unique and wonderful rhythm. I'm learning a lot, tee hee.

Wait. We can't just sit here watching, or all we are is an audience. I need to dance my heart out too.

...Wait. Why am I in a dance contest? Dancing is hardly my area of exp

Well, that's...yes, Zayed. I don't think you should worry too much about Zayed. Probably for the best.

Um...so all your personas are putting their skills to practical use to collect information on their own.

That is our strength. Diversity through one hundred specialties.

Someone's weakness may be someone else's strength. As such, we have limitless options for moving through the shadows.

In that area, we believe we are the greatest among the Hassans.

？！

Well, I do have a proper skill I'm versed in...

But for some reason, lately I've been in the role of gathering and coordinating the others.

This is likely because there are just so few of us who can communicate with Master properly.

...

Speaking of communicating, I realize that she also has difficulty doing so...which is why something like this happened in the first place.

Hundred Personas?

No, nothing. I'm just talking to myself.

Now, then.

Even though we have one hundred specialties, we are up against famed Heroic Spirits. None of these competitions will be easy.

Since I have a bit of free time, I'm thinking of helping the others out if I get a chance.

？！

There's no need to worry, Master.

After all, we are us.

All the matches are judged by Hundred Personas. All the matches are witnessed by Hundred Personas.

We are all one. So, even if someone tickles an opponent's arm, or maybe sticks out a foot to trip a runner in a race...

Those are all just methods we might employ to win the competition.

It is neither cheating nor intervention from an outside party. We are, after all, doing these things ourselves.

？！

Then let us go, Master. Help me help myself!

This gets more confusing the more you think about it.

So many Hassans, all part of the same one...this must be what gestaltzerfall is like...

(Pant...pant...)

Ah! We lost! We lost!

The moment he started using both arms, I shoulda realized it was a battle royale, not an arm wrestling match!

Why the hell didn't I watch out for someone creeping up from behind!

Tsk. If only I had one more arm. What, you don't think I could just GROW one from sheer willpower alone?

This wasn't a footrace. It was an obstacle course. I should have paid closer attention to the rules.

Ungh. Those unpredictable, unexpected motions of yours are well beyond ordinary! If you'd lived in my time, I would have hired you as a court dancer!

Yes, indeed. I'm sure you would have been in great demand at every inn.

...

Now, tell us. Tell us everything you know.

If you know anything about her movements...anything that could give us even a clue...tell us.

...We see. If we put everything we have learned together and consider it, we could best summarize it by saying...

Something fishy is going on with the kids lately.

？！

Do you think that's true, Hundred Personas?

It could be possible. It doesn't seem that far-fetched of a reason for this.

Reason...?

Either way, we have some clues now. Let's go see the children!

Here?

？！

Oh, a woodpecker is singing "knock, knock." We have visitors. Visitors!

Yes? Who's there?

？！

Master? Anybody else with you?

Yes. Me and Hundred Personas. May we come in?

...No.

Huh?

No means no!

If it's just Mommy and Mash...no. Nobody can come in.

Yep, yep. Nobody can absolutely come in!

Ah, results at last. Now if I may...

Oh wait, Hundred Personas!

Grr! I told you, you can't come in!

I said so...

That's...?

Ah. So you were here all along.

...

？！

...Yes. We're embarrassed to say so, but that is the me that we were looking for.

That's another of the Hundred Personas. Yes, she is another of our personalities.

B-but she seems a little different than the rest of the Hundred Personas.

Excuse me for saying this, but she doesn't seem much like a Hassan OR an Assassin...

Of course not. The specialty of that persona is not knowing or being able to do anything.

？！

To know nothing can sometimes be very useful for an assassin.

This would be utterly humiliating if it actually happened, but...hypothetically, let's say we failed a mission and the enemy captured us.

If we had a persona that knows nothing, then no matter how much they were interrogated, they could not reveal anything, because they do not KNOW anything.

That's terrible! A personality to use only under interrogation!?

How terrible! Bad! To treat such a cute little girl that way!

We found her wandering the hallway and heard her story. That's why we brought her here.

That's right. You shouldn't have to do something you don't want to! You shouldn't have to be trapped by a boring and painful fate!

That's a book you should just leave closed. That's why we decided to let her stay here.

Here, her only job is to enjoy drinking tea and chatting.

...She doesn't talk much, but she is so cute when she eats snacks! Like a little squirrel!

I'm grateful you took good care of her until now. But...

Are you going to take our friend away?

Even though there's so many of you already?

No one else can fill her role. There is no changing the fact that she is one of our faces.

We cannot have her stay in here forever. Now, come. We're going home.

...

You can't. We're not going to let you take our friend!

Right. We just got to be friends! We don't want to say bye-bye yet.

We haven't even learned her name.

...I see we have no choice. It appears we must first teach these children to heed their elders!

P-please be gentle with them, Hundred Personas! Let's just calm things down so we can talk!

Now that the children have had their spankings...

We're not giving in! We won't just do whatever mean thing the adults tell us we have to!

Don't you hurt our friend!

Hundred Personas...um...

？！

I cannot believe Mash and Master are looking at us like that...

But, it seems there is still some misunderstanding. To restate...

...

Oh...

Allow us to clarify.

You have no job at Chaldea. You are not in charge of being interrogated. You are just a part of us.

...?

Not in charge of getting interrogated?

Of course not.

Matters would be different if we were exclusively assassins as we were in life. But now we are Master's Servant.

There is no situation in which we would be captured.

Then...why were you trying to take them back?

Since we were summoned, this persona never showed her face. Not once.

This one is still an important part of us. Weall of uswere simply worried about her.

Worried?

That's right. Gozul, Makul, Zayed...everyone's looking for you. You should at least put in an appearance so everyone can stop worrying.

And after that...if you want to come back to your new friends and play, you may do as you like.

They're also Master's Servants. Spending time interacting with others is a good thing.

Hm. Perhaps that is your new role here.

After all, I'm too embarrassed to join in tea parties like this one.

...'Kay. Then I'll go back.

Yes, let's go back.

Oh. Why didn't you tell us earlier?

If she isn't going to get harmed, and if the people at home are worried, then obviously she should go home once in a while.

You just need to come here whenever you want to have a tea party!

When you've left all your worries behind, or forgotten them, or just foisted them onto the adults, that's when we have a great, grand tea party!

See you again, tiny little Hassan.

Bye-bye.

...Bye-bye.

？！

Yes, I'm as surprised as you are. She was so tiny and cute.

Surprised? That's actually our line.

？！

While we are a conglomerate, we are individuals. We do not, however, have any sort of connection that would allow us to communicate mentally.

That's why it took all of us, and so much effort, to find her.

And that is why she also didn't know who you are or what your purpose is.

And that's probably why she didn't want to leave the children's room.

...I see.

So this all happened because she didn't know what sort of Master Senpai is.

...

Hehe... As a Servant who has spent a lot of time contracted with Master, I can tell you this much:

As long as we are here, we won't ever let you get hurt. Absolutely not.

And like the other Hundred Personas, you won't have to do the sort of dirty jobs you did in the past.

Sheesh. I'm quite astonished. To be honest, I am appalled.

Even though we are a Servant best suited for that kind of dirty work, Master has never once ordered us to do anything of the sort.

And the fact that we know with certainty that Master would never issue such orders...

Hmph. You are a strange, strange man, Master.

？！

(Even though it's impossible to tell with that mask on...I have a feeling she's smiling as she says that. I can tell from her tone of voice.)

It's like we just found a new friend here in Chaldea.

We should introduce her to the other Hundred Personas, as well as to the other Servants. Oh, and we should give her a tour of Chaldea, too.

Um, Little Hassan. Is there anywhere you would like to go?

... (Nod)

Where? I can take you anywhere. Please do not hesitate to ask!

...

Potty.

!!!

Ah! Okay! That's our first priority! But hold it a little longer, okay?

... (Nod)

？！