Pioneering Pirate Queen

Looks like this is Pirate Island...

Woo-hoo! Women! Prey! Hunting! Looks like fun!

...Looks like pirates are just as enthusiastic on land. I'm taking them out!

...All right, next please.

Hey, gimme a break. I didn't mean any harm...

It was my instinct as a pirate...

Wh-What a poor excuse for a pirate!

Does anyone on this island have a grasp of the situation?

Oh... That would be Boss, I guess.

Who's Boss?

Heh heh heh, listen and be amazed... Francis Drake, the greatest, most glorious pirate on the high seas!

Why this swagger all of a sudden?

Hmm. Perhaps it's a desperate attempt to seem more "pirate" like. That's what I think.

After we get through the forest, you'll find the Great Pirate Francis Drake's secret hideout.

Heh heh heh... You guys are done for. When Boss gets a hold of you, you'll be...

Why does this person keep talking like a grunt?

Setting up one's character is important in any era. It's even normal to recreate your body into a beautiful idol.

Sorry Da Vinci, but can you just go back to your workshop?

What's with all the ruckus? Is it magic? Magic or something!?

Fou.

Oh my, what is this adorable little creature. It looks delicious.

Fou!?

？！

Yes, sorry!

Master, we need to press onward.

Francis Drake. One of the great heroes that pioneered this world.

We are in the midst of the Age of Exploration If he's the real Drake, he's probably a living being.

He's the first voyager in history to sail around the globe and live to tell the tale.

England received great fortune from his actions. They bested Spain, who had been dominating the world seas.

Spain was once touted as The Sun That Never Sets. But even Spaniards feared him, the "El Draque"...

Truly the "Hero Who Brought Down the Sun." The prosperity of the British Empire wouldn't be possible without Captain Drake.

Though Drake was officially sanctioned by the state as a corsair... A pirate is still a pirate.

Judging from the behavior of pirates we've met so far, odds are high that he's a good-for-nothing thug.

？！

Yes, that is correct.

Most likely a gluttonous giant, a nefarious character able to grab a barrel in one hand and chug its contents.

...It is quite disturbing, but there is no doubt he is a key person of this era.

We must somehow get the help of Francis Drake.

Boss! BOSS! We've got enem... err, guests, I mean!

They said they wish to speak with you, Boss!

The hell? Geez, right when I'm in a good mood from this good rum

Guests? Are they pirates?

Umm, I don't think so! They seem a bit classier than us, and a bit more violent!

...A bit?

The hell is that? Well then, government? Or army?

Uhh, I don't think they're any of those.

So you don't know... Fine, bring them in!

If you'll excuse me.

...Well now, you certainly brought me some strange ones, Bombe.

Yeah. But they've got their good points.

Not only did they save our lives, but they're excited to meet their idol captain.

Idol. I'm their idol? Really?

Yeah. They've been saying how great you are, how Drake can blast away the Spanish Armada in an instant!

That Drake's a giant over 3 meters tall who downs rum by the barrel. They're really excited!

Whaaat? What's up with that? I haven't committed such sins yet!

...Um, Senpai. I'm so stunned I can't speak. (whispering)

Me too. Who knew that THE Francis Drake was (whispering)

？！

Stand aside, Bombe. I'll do the talking.

So? Who on earth are you? Looks like you took good care of my boys.

？！

You must be Francis Drake.

My name is Mash Kyrielite. I'm part of the Chaldea Security Organization.

This is my Master Fujimaru.

Chaldea? What do the "stargazers" want with us? Are they here to sell us some new maps of constellations?

Wha-? This drunk actually knows her stuff! Even the origins of Chaldea!

...Something feels really shallow about you, sir.

Cowardly, gutless, pessimistic... A good man, but a chicken. I hate people like you the most.

...Perfect. Senpai, her analysis... I mean instinct, is perfect!

Shucks...

Well, spare me the details. They're just a pain in the ass. So, what does Chaldea want with me anyway?

...Right, we were sent to fix all the anomalies in this era.

...Okay.

Captain Francis Drake. Since you're so great, you've probably already noticed.

Something is wrong with this era, with this world.

The ocean you've spent your days in, and the ocean we see before us, are not the same.

...Heh, all this talk about the world, the era, they were things I decided to completely ignore...

...But I can't ignore talk about the ocean. You're right, something did feel strange.

...I thought so! We can explain why

But when I say "strange," I don't mean it as a bad thing. There's no other world that's as fun as this one!

Isn't that right, you scumbags?

Woo-hoo! You bet! You're the best, Boss! Hear, hear, to never-ending rum!

Whaaaaaaaat?

You see? We pirates long for freedom, even if it entails evil deeds!

If you insist on speaking with me... You must pass some tests first.

Try to defeat me, THE Francis Drake. Then we can talk!

I'm as drunk as they come right now! Let's see if you have what it takes to sober me up!

I guess too much freedom is sometimes a bad thing. Like in France, please use the back of the blade!

O-Of course! I shall respond to Captain Drake's request. Master!

？！

S-So powerful... This person is flesh and blood, right?

W-Well, she should be. Thing is, I'm getting a magical energy reading from her.

So she's either a mageor a hero from birth?

Ahhhh! That hits the spot. Rum's got nothing on this, I'm telling you.

Hey Boss! You all right?

Hahaha! What are you talking about? Of course I'm all right!

That aside though... Seems that I lost.

You can boil me, fry me, sleep with me, anything you want!

？！

Master, I don't think you need to reply every time...

Oh? I see, I see. In that case, I guess it can't be helped.

Anyway, a loss is a loss, I'll hear you guys out.

But, you know what? From the looks of it, you want a ride, don't you?

You're looking for something, but are unfamiliar with these seas. That's why you need to rely on me, pirate or not.

？！

I see. ...Hmm, hah, so that's it.

So? What exactly do you want from us? We lost, so we'll give you anything other than our lives.

...First, we must understand the situation. "Where" exactly are we?

England? Or closer to Spain, perhaps? Or are we in the Caribbean?

Uhh, sorry. Come to think of it, we don't know either.

So all that revelry and you don't even know!?

Right, because there's no shortage of food or booze.

All right. Now that we've surrendered to you, we're officially part of your crew!

How about we start off with a toast!

H-Hey, wait a sec...

C'mooon, it's fine, it's all good.

It's NOT good! Hey, what are you... No, wait! Master, save me!

...Hm? What are these readings...

？！

Nah, must be an error. I'll make some adjustments.

All right, men! To our two new comrades, Fujimaru and Mash.

Huh? That's backwards. To their new comrades, us

Cheers!

Cheers!

Oh, but we really don't have time for this...

？！

Please don't give in so easily! We have to set sail and check out these waters immediately...

What's with the gloomy look? You'll never find treasure with an attitude like that!

That's not what I mean. If you're going to help, please consider our situation

Huh? Oh, I get it, more or less. These waters are abnormal, right?

I mean, I've seen superhumans walking around who won't even budge from cannon fire.

Servants!

Being a pirate myself, see, I've been through my share of chaos.

I can usually tell when it's something bad and unavoidable.

These waters are abnormal. One moment we're in a jungle, the next we're in a temperate Mediterranean climate

The currents and winds are a mess, too. I mean, even sailing straight out into the sea is tricky.

...Moreover, there's no "continent" in this ocean. Nor is there an "England."

So, you already knew that much...

Hence why we were already planning on a new journey as soon as tomorrow.

Doesn't make sense for pirates to settle down on land. Gotta find a town to call our home base.

Tonight was supposed to be the pre-party. But, you guys showed up out of nowhere.

I see...

？！

Don't sweat it. You guys are a good omen!

From what I can tell, you know how to handle a cannon or two. Right?

I've never tried, but probably. ...Um, so if you already knew this much, why did you attack us?

Ahahaha! Well, isn't that obvious? Because it seemed like fun!

Such a trivial reason...

So, Fujimaru you say? You thecaptain or something?

Something similar, I would say.

Heh heh heh. In that case Drink up!

Let's be friends. From one captain to another, eh?

Fou!? Fofou? FOOOOOOOOOU!

...Huh?

Now, someone knows how to hold their liquor.

U-Umm... Senpai?

？！

The H-Holy Grail...

Fou!

？！

Senpai, the Holy Grail!

？！

No, that's not what I mean. The Holy Grail...

？！

Um, okay. ...That's not what I mean, Senpai!

？！

Senpai, how many fingers am I holding up?

？！

Get ahold of yourself! Senpai! Right in front of you! The Holy Grail! It's here!

Why're you staring at me all of a sudden? You see someone you recognize?

That's not it at all! That thing! What the captain has in her hands!

Ah-ha! You got a fine pair of eyes there. Gold tankards are usually so tasteless, but not this one.

It's not just the never-ending booze from it, either.

Place it on the table, and behold! It produces endless meat and fish!

I just happened to pick it up, but I doubt you'll find anything like this anywhere.

What're you talking about, Boss? This wasn't coincidence. It was an adventure for several lifetimes!

Seven endless nights! Giant destructive whirlpools in one ocean after another!

And from within the maelstrom, the legendary lost city of Atlantis!

"The time is upon us. By the 12 gods of Olympus, I shall create another flood and destroy all civilization!"

That's what the big thing said right before Boss kicked its ass and seized the treasure!

And with that, as crazy as it sounds, she became a hero! She saved the world!

Huh? Was it really that epic? It got on my nerves, so I gave it a piece of my mind.

That big lug called itself Poseidon. Can't really have that as a sailor.

That's why I put it in check and took its treasure, see? I even sank the entire city into the whirlpool. It was great!

Bwaaaahahaha! Way to go, Boss! Both fortune and misfortune smiled upon you!

You're gonna be single till the day you die! Or maybe you're actually a dude or something, eh Boss?

Now this is fun! We've got a new crew, and the booze is tasty! But we're takin' Bombe in a barrel later, and sinkin' him!

Now we sing, you idiots! Golden Hind, sing the crew's theme song!

♪Reap our treasure!♪ ♪Down our ale!♪

Fou... FOOOOOOOU!

Ahhh... Aahhh... I don't believe it... They're not lying!

Senpai, the Foundation of Humanity was on the verge of destruction in this era before we arrived!

And... Captain Drake, without even knowing, resolved it on a whim.

And the result

Whoa, it's sinking into my body. I never get used to this, really.

With this treasure, I can even deal damage to those invincible guys.

But it goes in and out of my body. Makes my chest so tight, I can't stand it.

That Holy Grail! Captain Drake is the owner of this era's Holy Grail

No, by saving this era, the Holy Grail chose her. She is truly the rightful owner of the Grail!

Doctor! Doctor!

Yes, yes, yes, what is it? Can you get back to me later?

The search program is acting up a bit. For some reason, it says the Holy Grail is right in front of you.

That's right! The Holy Grail is here! In front of us!

WHAT!?

Fou!

？！

And, Fujimaru seems to be in an awfully good mood?

Ow! Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing.

Huuuh? Shut up and mind your own business.

Huh?

Huuh?

And, now they're fighting. Looks like we have to stop them!

This is insane...

So... What? You guys came for this magical tankard...

I mean the Holy Grail? You can go back to your country if you have this?

...Yes. Well, that's it, more or less.

Hmm. Well, I can't deny that I lost to you, and I even said I'd give you anything but my life.

Here, take it. You came here from a distant era, right? Thanks for making the trip.

Th-Thank you very much. Since we've retrieved the Holy Grail, we've resolved the Singularity of this era...

？！

...You're right.

Doctor, the Holy Grail has been secured. Have there been any changes?

Not that I can tell. The Bolt of this era is still left unsecured.

The Holy Grail is indeed functioning to a certain extent. But, it's not as strong a force as before.

...Maybe it's the real Holy Grail. The one that was in this era to begin with.

...In other words, it's different from the Grails we've seen?

Yeah. The Grails that Lev Lainur supposedly placed disrupt the seven Foundations of Humanity.

But, there was another Holy Grail in these seas. Captain Drake is the one chosen by that Grail.

The reason behind the turbulent seas is that the opposing forces, the two Holy Grails, are in contention.

"The rightful Grail held by the savior Captain Drake," and "Lev's Holy Grail brought in from the outside to disturb the world."

As long as Captain Drake is around, this era won't fall. However, it won't return to normal, either.

In order to restore the seasI fear we must retrieve Lev's Holy Grail after all.

...I see. So it's not as urgent as previous eras, but the final objective is the same.

Fou...

There's that odd voice again... Say, who are you talking to, Mash?

You got a pet gnome or something?

No, it's not quite that cute. The Doctor is, how shall I say...

Think of it as a mysterious fairy, talking to us from a town really far away.

Sure. So, he's making you guys fight, while he gets to cozy up in his home?

In the end, what's this all about? You get what you came for?

...No. It seems there's another Holy Grail, Captain Drake, one that shouldn't exist in this era.

Unless we retrieve it, the ocean will be like this forever.

Whoa, whoa, that sounds real dangerous. ...Are you serious?

？！

Which is why I'll give this back to you. ...You were meant to have it, Captain.

O-Okay. I appreciate your courtesy.

...Boy. I've never given up a treasure so easily, or had it returned so easily either...

Doctor, can I get some advice?

H-Hey, just hang on a second. I'm thinking. This is way beyond what I imagined...

Then, may I ask a few questions?

It's a pleasure to meet you, Francis Drake. I know this may seem very sudden, but do you have a wish?

Wish?

For example, you're a pirate. You wish to gather all the treasures in the world, do you not?

Yeah, I suppose I do. So, do I just wish on this Grail to have it come true?

Most likely. Are you going to?

Of course not. You know I'm a pirate, right?

A pirate that gets treasure by praying That's a bad joke if I ever heard one.

Treasure should be won through power, wisdom, and courage.

Hmm, that would mean your immediate wish is simply to secure enough water, food, and safety.

In other words, you already had that wish granted.

...I suppose that's true.

The Holy Grail you hold has the power to create this world. Howeverthis ocean is not what you desire.

Which means, "something" is causing this world to exist. Someone is disrupting your ocean, and your era.

There's only one thing to be done, right? You need to reclaim your own world.

The people next to you, Mash Kyrielight and Fujimaru, exist to resolve issues of this nature.

They're professionals who have defeated what you call "invincible guys" many times.

I see... I think I understand now. Thanks.

So, who does that make you?

Leonardo Da Vinci. I died about 20 years before you were born. I'm a genius.

Oh. Never heard of you.

W-What...did you say?

So, this world is broken after all. Which means that there's no treasure to begin with.

You could be right. I don't think there is...

Nothere is! I believe there is!

？！

In this world and era, "pirates" are a common thing.

For better or worse, the Age of Exploration was an unavoidable event that expanded the world.

The planet's pioneers entrusted their dreams to the unknown seas and the other side of the horizon.

...And with all those "thoughts" and "desires" gathered, I wouldn't be surprised if a treasure really did exist here.

So, it does exist? Enough gold and silver and spices to sink this ship?

Yes. I, Dr. Roman, will guarantee that. There is a treasurefor sure!

...I can't take it. I'm fired up, I'm fired up as hell! All right scumbags, let's drink up a storm first!

Our voyage tomorrow is going to be one unlike any other! No guarantee we'll return alive, so drink your hearts out!

Treasures! Riches! Spices! Tasty booze and uncharted adventures await us!

CHEERS!

Wait, we're drinking again!?

After all, we're pirates!♪ Both you and I are pirates!♪

Ah, please! No more singing!