Lightning and Goddess

(Pant, pant, pant...)

Ugh, no good. So tired, can't move, can't run.

I've never run so much in my life. Why am I a Servant in the first place?

I don't see "myself" here Nor my "loser sister" either...

...No, even if that girl isn't here, I'm fine. I'm so fine in all sorts of ways...

Sigh... I wonder who I'm talking to.

In the first place, this maze is "that" labyrinth, right? There's no way...out of here... and no string.

...Wait, that means HE is here. As long as this labyrinth exists, HE is sure to be here.

!!! I knew it...

Something's coming from behind, too... ARGH! What am I supposed to do?

Auuuuuggggghhhh!

Hmm?

Something the matter?

Yes, the air tastes different here.

Tastes...different?

In different countries and lands, the air changes flavor.

The distance between England and France aside, when you travel to a new continent, the air really tastes differently.

Hmm. Perhaps Miss Drake can detect changes in the wind due to differences in temperature and currents?

What's this "Miss Drake" business? You sound creepy when you put it that way, Mister Scholar!

S-Sorry. Please excuse me, Drake.

Mash, Fujimaru. What Drake says may be correct.

Your current location has obvious different temperatures and currents than the previous island.

With a little more time, I'm sure we can determine exactly where you are.

Boss! There's a ship to the northwest!

All right, what flag?

A pirate's flag I've never seen!

So, an enemy! Mash, Fujimaru, get ready! Time to get to work!

Aye, aye, Captain Drake! Here we go, Master!

All right, this side's taken care of.

This side as well. They were below average in combat power.

Boss, here's their Jolly Roger.

Hmm, it doesn't look familiar. Mash, do you have any ideas?

If it's a famous flag, it might be in our records. Doctor, can you look into this?

Okay. You'll have the results right away.

All right, then I'm advancing this ship. If this chart is right, the island should be in sight soon!

Yes. This island is way bigger than the other one. That's why we were able to locate a Leyline.

I'm sending you the coordinates, just follow them for now. But be careful... I'm detecting multiple life-forms.

Roger that. Drake, we'd like to head this way. Would that be all right with you?

It's fine. I was thinking of going in the same direction as well.

Then we'll depart. Let's go, Senpai.

This place is huge... Hard to imagine it's an island. This wind is amazing.

...All true. Master, doesn't this feel like the time we were in

Yes. I think it's a bit like when we were in Rome.

I believe it's closer to Rome than France.

？！

Master, we're almost at the designated coordinates.

...What the heck is that?

Thatappears to be a skeleton, but something is slightly off.

Dragon Tooth Warriors. Soldiers forged from dragon fangs. Fujimaru, dispose of them.

The battle has ended, Master. Creating terminal point.

...Huh? Something just...

What's wrong?

No, just my imagination. You can start setting up as usual.

Very well. Now, then

All right, everyone. Time for a little history lesson, courtesy of yours truly.

Right now, you're in the middle of the Age of Exploration.

Many things were imported from the East, and Europe started advancing into the new land, fighting to gain a foothold.

One of many things imported from the East were spices. Nutmeg, cloves, and peppercorns...or pepper.

Pepper was necessary to help eat decomposing meat. In this era, it was more precious than gold.

Case in point. I just transferred a pepper shaker to you. What do you think would happen when you hand that to Captain Drake.

Try it.

Seeeeeeeeriously?

？！

Amusing, right? Oh, and be sure to retrieve it. We shouldn't aimlessly disrupt their economy.

In the meanwhile, the summoning circle is up. Use it to your heart's content.

Summoning circle confirmed. Terminal point established.

Oh, and yes... I got a hit on that pirate flag from earlier

That's the flag of the legendary ■ate, ■■ of the "■■." In other words, those pirates are ■■■ called ■■■■■.

Doctor? Doctor, the communications are acting up Doctor!?

We've lost contact. What on earth could have...

Eek! An earthquake?

Get down. It's a big one!

...It settled down. Master, are you all right?

？！

Seems that way. Thank goodness. How about you, Drake?

That was a breeze compared to a raging ocean. But I'm worried about my ship and crew. Can we go back for a bit?

Let's do that.

The summoning circle has been established, but communications are still cut off.

We should move away from here, perhaps.

Huh? Hey, what's wrong? Something up?

Boss... The ship won't move.

Huh?

The ship, Boss! The ship won't budge, not an inch!

...Sorry, but could you guys wait a second?

No good, it won't move. But I don't think there's anything wrong with the ship itself.

It's stuck like something's anchoring it real tight.

What on earth is happening? Fujimaru, this is your specialty, right?

？！

Yes, I believe that is correct. It looks like a Bounded Field has been drawn all around.

Its rank is low enough for Demi-Servants like me to escape... But I can't say the same for the ship.

Unless we take down whoever is creating this field, I'm afraid we'll be stuck here forever.

What are we gonna do?

Search and destroy. There is no other means of escape.

All right, if you say so then it must be true. Men! Stand your ground!

Behave and stay put. The real fight's gonna be above sea. Don't be wasting stuff!

Aye, aye, Boss!

This is rather dull. That fortress earlier was completely empty, too.

To begin with, it's mysterious that artificial structures are on this island.

But that pattern... Could it be?

...Hmmm? Is there a hole in that mountain?

？！

This is...

Is this what you call a dungeon? Oh boy, the pirate blood in me is heating up!

Wait! We have no idea what the scope of this place is. I suggest we retreat at once and

The way I see it, retreating's not gonna change a thing. That's what it means to stay on my ship.

Leave behind that goodie-goodie old self, Mash! Now, onwards! Treasure awaits!

I think we're rushing it too much...

See, they're here. Let's clean this up quickly!

I mean... Seriously!

Right or left... My gut says left!

I don't think so... But Captain Drake is a first-rate pirate.

She must also have keen intuition. ...P-Probably.

Don't worry, I've recorded everything just in case. Not that I'd ever forget...

It's just a matter of going back the way we came. Getting separated along the way would be a bigger problem.

？！

...Oh I know. Master, let's hold hands.

It'd be a disaster if we got separated here. Holding hands would prevent that from happening.

？！

Umm... I understand how you feel, but this is no time to be embarrassed, Master.

If we get separated, we might be wandering in this maze until we die.

It may be a bit awkward at first, but better safe than sorry...

...N-No comment.

Th-That's fine. I feel... Slightly embarrassed... I think.

？！

At any rate, we have now just proven that holding hands is necessary.

If you'll excuse me.

...That reminds me, back then You held my hand like this, too.

Now, it feels nostalgic. Even though not much time has passed.

Fou. Fou, Fou!

Hmmm? Hang on a moment. ...I smell something.

What is it?

Blood.

...Well, with my job I'm used to smelling stuff like this.

Look, the drops form a trail.

Looks like the wound itself wasn't that bad. A flesh wound.

It's our only clue. We should follow it!

The blood trail stops here. I guess we'll have to give up tracking it further?

Not necessarily. Master, please stand back.

This is great. I was getting bored of dungeon-crawling anyway.

Let's take a break and light our guns up! All right, bring it on!

Well, fighting these non-humans, including the bones back there, means I now got some more great tales to tell.

Anyway, even these things die when you shoot a lead bullet through them. I learned something!

No, normally that wouldn't have any effect. It's because you possess the Holy Grail...

I think it continuously grants your wish of, "Whatever it is, gunfire is effective."

Oh, is that what it is? So, I guess I shouldn't wonder about when the Wild Hunt is happening then.

Hey, it looks like they're here again. I thought you wiped them out...

Oh dear, isn't this just troublesome. What do you wanna do?

...Hmmm. If you want to rampage, then be my guest?

Let me warn you... I don't like breaking a sweat. So, I'm not helping you.

Hmmm... It's not like we're lost in here, but I'm still getting all kinds of bad vibes.

Bad vibes? What about you, Master?

I see. If both you and the captain say so, perhaps we should be careful.

...Encounter?

Hmm... What on earth could we encounter inside this dungeon, Master?

Don't tell me you're expecting to run into a cute girl...

？！

!!! Stop right there!

!!!

Seems my hunch was right. Something's headed our way!

This is... a Servant!

...Die.

I-It's huge! What on earth is this thing?

Me... Asterios... Kill... All... You!

Another Berserker, like Eric the Bloodaxe King! Guess there's no use arguing!

Master, please be careful. Asterios is his lesser-known, original name

People more commonly know him as the "Minotaur." He's one of the monsters from Greek mythology!

This labyrinth is his territory. Retreat is not an option.

...Let's go, Master!

Th-That was close! Wait... No way!

Ugh...gi! Uh...uhh!

You're still alive after eating all those bullets? Talk about gluttony!

Pro...tect!

Then it's time to bring out the culverin cannons! If we blow his head off, he's sure to go down!

Nowgive Davy Jones my regards!

Ugh!

...Hold up!

Oh no... Two Servants?

All right! All right! I guess I just have to go with you.

Do whatever you want with me! Just hurry up!

Asterios is near death. He wouldn't be much use to you.

Besides, if we take too long, he'll die and then the labyrinth will collapse on you.

We should hurry back. Leave the navigation to me.

...Uh...

U-Umm, I'm sorry. Do you have a moment?

What is it, Miss Lame-Shield? Let's hurry up and go where "he" is.

L-Lame!?

Hey brat, don't talk to us like that. You're the one getting rescued.

Huh? I don't think that's a way to talk to a grown woman.

Some nerve. Wanna sub in for the goddess statue at the ship's bow?

Goddess statue? ...I'm not really sure what you mean, but I AM the goddess, Euryale.

Wait, you chased after me not even knowing that?

Obviously, you wouldn't have anything like me, a full super idol, on board your ship.

You should at least remember my name, sheesh. Where are you from anyway, third-rate pirate?

Y-You little brat!

？！

Huh? What? Wait... Why, you're a human.

Hm? Hmmm? Are you the Master of "that thing?" What brings you here?

No, before all else, if you're the Master you must discipline your Servants!

What's with that perverted Servant anyway? You can't find something that disgusting, even in Greece!

U-Umm, excuse me It's not like we were chasing you!

...Huh? Then what on earth were you doing?

We are

Are. You. Serious! You guys are so misleading!

Look who's talking!

You trapped us inside a Bounded Field. Wouldn't it be natural for us to assume you're our enemy?

Guh...

Ahh, Asterios! You don't have to move.

You're tough. If you just stay still, you won't die. ...You won't die, right?

...Urm.

There's no need to worry. These guys aren't associated with "him."

...Pardon me. We were a bit shaken up as well. Asterios over there is the one who put up the Bounded Field?

That's right. But it wasn't to trap you guys in. It was to prevent the enemies outside from entering.

I see. But, unless you remove this field, we'll be stuck in here...

...Mmm, fine.

Well, that didn't take a lot of convincing.

It's a simple numbers game.

There are only two ways out of here. Either Asterios dies, or we remove the field.

In that case, I'd rather remove the field. ...It's much better than being alone.

...I see. Yes, I like you.

But, you're so cornered that you had to put up this "Bounded Field" thing, right?

It has nothing to do with you.

It does! See, I love interesting things.

...Huh?

A trip around the world. Adventure. Dungeons. Monsters. This world has so many interesting things to offer!

Interesting things tend to be more valuable. That's how this world works. That's why I became a pirate. But that's that.

Anyway, you smell like money. That's why I'm bringing you aboard my ship.

H-Hey! You can't just decide that on your own! Board your ship? You must be insane!

I already decided! I'm not leaving Asterios behind!

Who said anything like that? Asterios over there is coming with us, too.

...

...Huh?

So much guts and power... And, quite a hunk if you look at him long enough!

I'd be the laughingstock of pirates if I let this talent slip by! Hey, would you like to be a bodyguard on my ship?

If you refuse, there's nothing I can do. Hey you, will you die unless you're cooped up inside a labyrinth?

Th-That's not really the case. ...Are you sure?

Of course I am. I'll pay you well, too. Oh, but don't expect any benefits from us.

That's not the issue. I mean... As long as you are okay with it.

...Asterios. What do you want to do?

Go.

...Are you sure?

If...you...go...me...follow. Alone...lonely.

I see. Very well, then... We'll board your ship.

Ah! But I'll need you to prepare my own room. I have no intent of showing my face to common pirates.

Of course, your ship has a bath, right? Oh, and also

Senpai, Senpai! ...It seems things went quite well without us interjecting.

？！

...Good point.

Still, a Minotaur was supposedly a monster. One that devoured children offered up as sacrifice, but

Put me on your shoulders, Asterios. Oh my, you're even taller than my "loser sister."

Uh... Uh... Uh...

Ouch! Crouch down a little more! My head's gonna hit the ceiling!

Uuu...

Ahahaha! Goddesses sure have lots of demands!

Fou!