Lost Ark of the Covenant

No sign of any approaching ships.

...I see.

...

...Master. What do you think we should do from now on?

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So what exactly is this "Ark?"

Doctor, please explain.

...The "Ark" contains the Ten Commandments that Moses, leader of ancient Israel, received from God.

From a historical standpoint, it's a relic equivalent to that of the true Holy Grail.

...Hmm. So it has no worth as treasure, then? What a pity.

That's what Jason and the Argonauts are searching for. I'm certain that that's what he said.

Even with Mistah Blackbeard gone, the Singularity still stands.

Which means we should assume that Jason, captain of the Argonauts, is the Singularity.

...So should we steal the Ark first?

The Ark, huh... How are they planning to use it?

...I don't know. I have no idea whatsoever.

Come on. You're not fighting on the front lines, at least make yourself useful.

...Oh, sorry, that's not what I meant.

What I found incomprehensible was the actual concept of using the Ark.

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They say the Ten Commandments are sealed inside. Whoever opens it will be punished...

Basically it's one of those "don't open it" fables. Just like Pandora's Box in Greece.

Which is why I can't even begin to imagine why they'd want to find it and use it. It's just stupid.

...I see. Doctor, you're afraid of imagining the worst-case scenario.

You're too cautious. Either that, or you're too smart.

Mm... I admit that I'm too cautious... But you're all so carefree because you don't know about the legend of the Ark.

Okay, okay, no more fighting. In any case, it's better to find this Ark thing for sure, right?

Let's hurry up and get it. If it comes to it, we can smash it out of spite.

Captain, have you been listening? "The Ark" activates when it's broken or opened.

And the effect is... well, it is divine punishment. At worst, the surrounding area will be reduced to nothingness.

What the hell? Why did ancient kings possess something so dangerous!? Were they all idiots or what?

Don't look at me, I got nothing to do with it.

...I'm for going after the "the Ark."

Um... I'm just not sure how to fight the Argonauts. More specifically, how do we fight Heracles?

Heracles... Even as a Berserker, his powers as a great hero weren't diminished.

It was only because Asterios held him down that we were able to flee to safety.

...Seems like he died.

...Yes, most likely.

How foolish. We just called his name. That's all it took for him

With just that, he felt he could die for us. Just because we called him "Asterios," not "Minotaur."

That's the reason he risked his life to protect us... It was just that pure and simple.

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...Perhaps. But it might have been better if we were cleanly wiped out then and there.

Asterios died, and Heracles still lives. With just that, it makes it all seem so hopeless.

Sigh. Geez, this had to be the one time where my "loser sister" wasn't summoned.

That Heracles... He has to die like ten more times?

It's eleven times. But perhaps he died once when he got pierced by the spear at the end.

In that case, it's still ten... Not much difference.

Boss, sorry to bug you when you're thinking. But a ghost ship has appeared!

Huh? Oh fine, let's take our frustrations out and crush them!

All right. We'll get going soon!

Huh? But we have no strategy yet...

Oh please, we can just play it by ear! They say you can't deal with trouble till you run into it.

Besides, if we waste more time here, they are just gonna come after Euryale again after they grab that "Ark."

Anyway, lay forward!

If what Jason said was correct, neither of us has any leads.

Though, we have a better chance because I'm here instead of their incompetent captain!

...Well, it's true that Jason's worthless. At least, you're probably a better captain.

He's not a bad guy.

He's just utterly worthless with a horrible personality, and now he's getting cocky because he's gained some power.

Senpai, I don't understand which part of him is "not a bad guy."

Just because you say someone's not a bad guy, that doesn't excuse everything they've done.

Right. Okay, I take it back. He's not a good guy.

He's a scumbag with a terrible personality, but has power.

There's nothing good about him whatsoever...

See, that's what I meant. In that case, I win.

Treasure always ends up in the pocket of the decisive one. That's how this world works!

If Heracles is unstoppable, then bring it on. Only humans can challenge the impossible.

We're greedy and shameless. We live by dreaming of achieving the impossible!

Isn't that right, Fujimaru?

Since you've come all the way to this era, that makes you just as big a fool as me, right?

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Damn right you are! I'm a merchant. I only go after the best goods!

...That's right. Both in France and in Rome, that's how it was for us.

Let's go, Senpai. With you as my Master, I feel I can take on any opponent!

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Full speed ahead then! Get to it, men! Sound the bell!

The "Ark" will be ours! Let's go!

Land ho, Boss!

All right, get us closer! ...So, what's your take, scholar man?

...This island's no good, either.

No magical energy detected. We have several weak responses, but based on recorded data it's probably just monsters.

It's a bust. On to the next.

You heard her! To starboard! Avoid that island!

Aye, aye!

...This island's also no good. That's three in a row.

I'm happy the charts are filling up, but nothing looks like a clue.

No Servants around, either.

...Even if there were, we probably wouldn't find someone who could put up a fight against Heracles...

All right, to the next island!

...You know, something still bugs me... About that Medea, I mean.

Medea... You mean the young girl standing next to Jason, right?

She looked too sweet to be called the Witch of Colchis...

Yeah. If Medea transformed into a Servant, she'd definitely be her grown up self, right?

Medea was betrayed terribly by Jason, so she massacred his wife and children for revenge.

...No matter how you look at it, they should've started killing each other the moment she was summoned!

That's awful!

At least Orion only flirts and randomly messes around with goddesses and other people's wives, right?

Yeah, it's better to break those off clean... Pugyuru!?

Dammit, that was a loaded question!

Hmm. It could be that she's the young Medea.

Servants are summoned at the height of their powers, but this is before she became a witch...

In other words, when she was first learning Magecraft at Colchis Temple... Before she became "Jason's wife."

That explains the way she looked and acted. She hasn't experienced Jason abandoning her yet.

I wonder if we should pity her...

Impossible. Once you become a Heroic Spirit, a slight difference in age won't alter your memories.

...I'm sure she knows the outcome of her story with Jason. So why does she act like that...

It's obvious she's "acting oblivious." It's a pity, but also horrifying.

Unlike you, she's not someone who can look a person in the eye and pick a fight.

What does that mean? I ignore humans because they don't matter to me, okay?

...I know this! What they call that cold attitude of hers...

That explains Blackbeard's obsession... She's obviously a tsun

Boss! A new island!

All right! We're sure to hit the jackpot this time!

Hey, Fujimaru. Which side you betting on?

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I see. Well, I'm for

...Eek!?

An arrow in your head, Darling? Jackpot!

Master, we're under attack!

Oh, an arrow, you should duck.

Darling, hey, hey, does it hurt? Does it actually hurt?

It hurts a ton, idiot! G-Gotta pull it out!

D-Damn...Hey, I just realized... I can't touch the top of my head!?

A shocking fact has just been discovered, Master!

Pull it out! Come on, hurry up!

A-All right. Artemis will do her best! Ready, set, twirl...twirl!

Ouch ouch ouch! Just hurry up and pull it out! You're ridiculous!

Oh, this makes me so happy! It's not every day people think I'm useful like this!

Ugh... You're making me cry... What an admirable maiden's soul. (Tears)

Wish you'd make expressions like that under different circumstances!

Oh...oh. I thought I was a goner...

...Huh? There's something on it.

What?

Oh, it's a message. Let me see...

...Somebody open it, please.

All right. Let's see... Oh!

Artemis?

Hehehe, it's from someone I know. So stiff, as usual!

Perhaps because she's a pure girl who's never known love?

Someone you know... Um, who would that be?

Uh... This girl is

All right, it's delivered.

...Whew. They're sure to notice the letter on that arrow. It's not like they have any clues right now.

Now they've got to come to this island... They should. But there is an off chance... Or not?

Oh no, I'm getting anxious. If they don't figure out that arrow, we'll never get another chance!

It's about time the Argonauts found us as well. ...And if things don't play out, it's checkmate.

...This is bad. It's super bad. I'm getting horribly anxious. I need some medicine.

Shut up.

They have no will to fight? Impossible. We've already confirmedThey're determined to fight.

We're sure they're seeking the "Ark," right? Otherwise, they wouldn't be going island-hopping.

They'll surely come. The world will be destroyed if they don't.

Of course my calculations are correct. Oh, but... No, I just can't.

I can't stand the anxiety, the feeling that everything is futile!

I know, my love... May I hold your hand?

I'd like your soft hand to guide me to tranquility. Desperately.

May you? You may not. So no.

...I'd like an explanation as to why I may not, but...

They're here!

Hey, hey, are you really going to meet HER?

Huh? Of course. She's a hunter who worships me.

I have to give her my blessing.

Hmm, well, okay.

Orion, is there a problem?

I mean, well, Mash. Artemis is the goddess of virginity.

Oh, Darling. Virginity? You're embarrassing me.

Oh, but I do run simulations every day of the day I lose my virginity, you see?

What's that now?

Um, um. Orion first slams his hand against the wall. Like, SLAM.

And then he whispers in my ear, "Am I not good enough?" In a husky voice! And then, and then

Foou...

I don't know why, but Fou's gaze makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I could just cry!

Her head is just way too romantic... If "she" saw that, I think she'd faint from shock.

...Huh?

Um, Artemis?

And then, and then? ...Wait, what's with that look?

Enemies are here and I'd like you to defeat them...

Oh, dear me! I'm so clumsy! Tee-hee☆

Okay, we'll defeat them quickly!

Combat complete. Let's keep going, Master.

Wait!

!!!

Are you the one who sent that arrow?

That's right!

...Are you foes of the Argonauts? Or have you already given up and submitted?

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...Very well! Then I shall show myself!

...Forgive my questioning. I already knew the answer, but I still had to ask.

We are, after all, the last hope in these seas.

...Atalante, I presume?

Indeed. My True Name is Atalante. A hunter in service to the goddess Artemis.

...Oh, come to think of it, we ran into each other a bit in France, didn't we?

I was affected by Madness Enhancement back then... But this time I've been summoned as a normal Archer.

For now, I perceive to be on your side.

Thank you very much. My name is Mash Kyrielight.

This is my Master, Fujimaru.

And the ship's captain, Francis Drake, and this is Euryale.

Yes, good to meet you.

This harmless-looking plush toy is Orion, and the animal is Fou.

Fooou.

A pleasure... By the way, Mash, why did you introduce me with Fou? Are we in the same category?

Also, this is Artemis.

Francis Drake, Euryale, Orion the plush toy, and Artemis, huh?

...Artemis?

Yeees♪

... ...

Mash, was it? You can stop joking.

Lady Artemis is the goddess of hunting and virginity. There's no way she could be summoned as a Servant.

Hey, Darling? Atalante doesn't believe me.

What's wrong with the goddess of virginity living for love? Right?

Hah-hah-hah. No comment! No comment!

...Huh? Really?

It's true, Atalante. The hunter goddess who lives for love, that's me

Artemis! Hehe!

...(Staggers)

A-Are you okay!?

I-I'm fine. The Holy Grail War on the great seas has strengthened my mind a bit...

E-Even finding out the goddess I worship is hopelessly romantic won't be enough to break me!

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You don't sound like you mean it! ...Anyway, I would like to introduce you to another Servant.

The Servant in possession of the "Ark." In other words, the man the Argonauts seek.

The "Ark" is a Noble Phantasm!?

Indeed. He was the first Servant summoned to these seas. His True Name is

Hey, I've been waiting a long time for you guys.

David.

Foou...