My God is with Me II

Seventeen years living in that village. Seventeen years with my family.

Peaceful days spent helping out my parents and praying at the church. A precious time in my life.

...But I threw it all away. I left it all behind for the sake of victory.

Master... Master, please wake up. ...Oh, what a relief. You're awake.

It appears we are on a deserted island. Well, not deserted now that we are here.

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Master. I believe I am to blame for this. I'm very sorry for causing you trouble in such a busy time...

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...Thank you very much, Master.

As for our present situation... It seems there is nothing on this island.

It is small. I do not sense anything demonic... But there are no caves, and nothing man-made either.

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It appears that we are inside a dream, like last time.

And there is one more thing that I have noticed: this time around, we are not in a place from my memory.

...I'm embarrassed to say this, but I'm at my wits' end.

What shall we do...?

Wait a moment. It appears...that there's no need for us to simply sit and wait.

See!? There's a ship. It looks like it is coming towards us...

...I sense very strong magical energy coming from that ship. Something is definitely up.

Based on the situation, it's likely some torment from my past, like last time.

...But the theme this time around is strange.

I may have seen the sea, but I've never been aboard a ship...

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Well, as we are alone on an island in the middle of the ocean, getting passage on that ship would seem to be our only choice.

Um...unless you are saying that you want to enjoy a leisurely vacation on a deserted island, Master...

In which case, I will do my best to make that happen!

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Hehe. I know.

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Our only problem is that it's unclear what kind of people are aboard the ship. If only they were pirates, it would be easy...

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Yes, if I take it on myself to discipline...I mean, persuade them, I'm sure they will listen to us.

...Master. Something's coming.

They've sent over a small boat. It seems they want us to get on it.

There doesn't seem to be anyone on that larger ship, though... Things just keep getting stranger...

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Oh, Master! Please be careful as you board!

It may be a trap!

...I had my suspicions... It really IS a ghost ship...

...Ungh...booze...trea...sure...

Wenches... Good-looking girls... Amazons... Tanned... Abs...

Pink hair... Ditzy...

Braids... Glasses... Intellectual...

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Even in death, they think almost exactly like Blackbeard, don't they...

Either way, I cannot allow them to remain. The dead deserve a peaceful rest.

...Let's go!

L-looks like we got everyone!

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It appears the ship itself possesses magical energy. If we stop it prematurely, we will be stuck in the middle of the ocean.

...It doesn't seem to want to harm us. Let's continue our course.

Master! I see a ship up ahead!

Is it...drifting? Its sails are tattered.

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They're waving at us. The ship is coming closer, so I'm going to talk to them.

What's going on? Did something happen!?

Help! We're about to sink!

Let us aboard!

Looks like everyone's coming aboard regardless of what we have to say about it...

Of course. Hehe. I'm glad we're on the same page, Master.

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You there! We'll extend the plank to your ship, so please hurry!

Thank you... Thank you!

Women and children first! You still have time!

...

Strange... So few people on a ship that size shouldn't be enough to sink it...

Is that everyone!?

No, there's more! There's still two on board!

Hey, you two!

Eh...? No...it can't be... Impossible...!

Wh-why, why are you here!?

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Why are you here!? Mother...!?

Oh come now. You don't even know the half of it yet!

...Hello, hello! Long time no see! It's been, oh, a few days since we last met, I believe?

Everybody stop!

Mephistopheles! What the hell are you...!?

Well, they're just background characters. I wouldn't want them to cause trouble, so just ignore them.

...Now then, Jeanne d'Arc. Excluding me, there are two people left on board this ship.

One is your own mother!

Thank you so much for coming all the way from France!

Just kidding! Keheeheehee!

But wait, there's more! Our last guest of honor needs no introduction...but I'm gonna do it anyway!

He is...the filthy bishop who, under England's orders, led you to your execution at the stake!

A real human dumpster fire... The man who was bribed for his judgment, who consigned your soul to the flames!

The man who laughed and jeered while you were burning. Yes, you should know who it is by now!

Pierre Cauchon!

Eeexaaactly! Now let's untie these two!

This won't hurt one itty-bitty bit, okeydokey?

...P-p-please don't pull... Ouch! Ow! Ow! Ow!

...Oh, Jeanne...

Oh, but that ship of yours? It can only carry one more. Let more than that aboard...and it will surely founder!

Now, Jeanne d'Arc! Make your decision!

Who will you save? Your mother, who has loved you your entire life, or this old geezer who scorned you to the very end?

Well? Well? WELL!? Whatcha gonna do!?

...Oh. The answer is easy.

Huh?

I will simply get off. They can have my place.

...There was not a bit of hesitation there. Shoulda seen that coming!

...Mother. You are probably an illusion...

But I'm glad I could see you once more. Now, please, board our ship.

B-but...

Bishop Cauchon. ...You go too. Hurry.

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I-I am not wrong. You are a witch!

...And that is fine. What a stubborn man you are.

No. This is the right thing to do. I'm very sorry, Master.

...

Wh-what a surprise.

I don't know what to say, Master... I'm happy, but such an attitude will lead to an early death for you!

I'm one to talk? Y-yes, that's true, but...!

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...How could you forgive a man like Pierre Cauchon?

My mother's sadness will fade one day, just as, in time, my distaste for the bishop will disappear too.

It is the sole province of God to judge what is evil. As humans, all we can do is fight against it.

This man may never have my forgiveness, but salvation is a different matter.

If it's possible, I shall save him. However many times I must.

But didn't you hear what his last words were? There was not an ounce of remorse in them.

It is not for me to demand remorse, regret, or repentance. After all, humans cannot be other than what they are.

...Mephistopheles. This ship is going to sink, correct?

You should move over to our ship one as well. You may be a Servant, but I'm sure it would still be a problem for you if you were to be stranded out at sea.

Oh my. You really are an interesting person...to your own detriment!

But to the individual who had summoned me, I'm sure this is such a buzzkill!

I'm sure they are positively apoplectic right now!

So now I shall demonstrate that your choice was a mistake!

Eh...!?

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Wha...!?

I did not want you to take this game so seriously! This is merely an imitation! A sham!

Ah, but then again, these things are imitations that are so very close to being real.

At least, your real mother would probably have reacted the same way. And even Pierre Cauchon would definitely say what he said!

Mephistopheles...!!!

...Ehehehe! Very good! I do so ADORE that look on your face!

Master! That ship is no longer safe! Please jump over here!

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Aha. So Master's come too. Well then... Come, my Shadow Servants!

Shadow Servants...! Just who are you working for!?

Oh, don't you worry your little head about that. It's playtime!!!

Keeheeheehee! I lost again!

You were a strong opponent!

Kahahahahahaha! That's not how it was supposed to be, Jeanne d'Arc!

Our loss was determined the very moment you chose to sacrifice your own life without hesitation!

Why? Don't you get it? I am the great demon, Mephistopheles!

If you don't fall from grace, the only other choice is for us to lose!

Well, looks like I'm still going to get overworked! Thanks for playing!

See you again! Byeee!!!

He disappeared again. It doesn't seem like we defeated him, though...

Still, I'm starting to understand what his intentions are.

Let's do our

Master? Um, are you by chance...mad?

Errr... But at that moment, there were no other options...

Well I, um, thought that would be the best solution...

Um. Th-that line really gets to me...

But in that situation, the only choice I could have made was to do what

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I'm glad you understand!

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...I-I-I'm sorry!

I know! Chaldea! When we get back to Chaldea, I'll treat you to anything!

Whether we go to Boudica or Emiya... It'll be your choice!

My journey will continue. But the end is also on the horizon.

Even if that journey ends, I would like to continue traveling with you, Master. To fight as a Heroic Spirit.

Protecting humanity. Protecting virtue.

That is what I wish for, and nothing more.