London, The City of Demonic Fog

Rayshift successful. ...It seems we can't see very well in our current conditions.

Fog? No, could it be smoke? It's extremely dense...

In the sky... I can see the same "Circle of Light" as before. But...

...with all this fog and pollution, it's obscured

Fog and smoke engulfing the sky? That's fairly common for the Industrial Revolution...

...but this doesn't look like your typical fog or smoke. I'm picking up an abnormal amount of magical energy readings.

It's dense. Very dense. Really dense. No, this may be a little too dense!

It's like the atmosphere is saturated with magical energy!

It's poisonous to life-forms, this fog... Mash, Fujimaru, how are you feeling?

There's nothing wrong with me. Probably because I'm a Demi-Servant.

How about you, Senpai? You don't seem...any different than usual.

？！

Good to hear. But try not to enter that dense fog if you can.

Fujimaru is okay... Huh. Indeed, there are no significant vital sign changes.

I'm a bit surprised. I have the analysis result of that fog...

I'm positive it's harmful to organisms. It would threaten a normal human's life if they breathed it.

Mages, monsters, Servants, and Phantasmals have innate magic resistance, so for them it's a different story...

So of course Mash is fine. But how is Fujimaru all right...

Hmm... I wonder. Maybe it's a poison-resistance skill?

Really?

It could be part of Mash's benefits, or rather, the benefits of the Heroic Spirit Mash fused with.

Maybe the Servant that fused with Mash has high poison resistance, or a strong blessing skill...

...and its protection extends to the Master. That could be why Fujimaru is safe.

...I'm happy to be of use to Senpai, but it seems strange to call it a "skill."

Well, Fujimaru is human, after all. We'll call it "Poison Resistance Skill (Temporary)," then.

I-I see... "Temporary," is it...

For now. London, has turned into a city of death enveloped by a magical fog.

How does it look around there? Do you see any victims?

No, Doctor. It's completely deserted.

It's currently 2:00 p.m., but there's not a single carriage or even a pedestrian in sight.

I don't see any victims. There's just nobody here.

It's like an abandoned city...

Also, as far as we can see from the street, all the doors and windows of the buildings are shut tight.

After people started falling victim to the fog, the survivors must have taken refuge indoors...

I've also detected multiple life readings in the surrounding buildings.

They're likely survivors. No doubt they're in trouble being trapped indoors.

？！

...Yes. You're right, Senpai.

If we obtain and destroy the Holy Grail, the existence of this abnormal London will be corrected too.

I'm sure that applies to all the residents who lost their lives because of this fog...

...and those who are indoors, taking shelter from the fog. Everyone, basically.

If Senpai and I can bring things under control here, all phenomena related to the magical fog should disappear.

It'll be as if there were no damage or harm at all. So, um... You see, what I'm trying to say is...

Mash is trying to say: "Senpai is a nice person." Right?

... ...

Huh? Um, should I have not said that? Wait, did I say something wrong?

Wait a minute. Vital reaction detected.

...Who the hell are you guys?

Ah... Umm, w-we're, uh

You're breathing in a place with that dense fog without croaking. You obviously aren't ordinary humans.

So, which is it? Friend, or foe?

(I could ask the same question... Doctor, is she human? Or maybe...)

(I see, I'm also wondering the same! There's too much magical energy in the area. I can't get a clear reading.)

(But look at that armor. She's definitely not a typical London citizen.)

(I thought things would be easier since we're limited to a city.)

(This has gotten quite troublesome! We have no clue who or what she is!)

(An ordinary person who happens to have magical resistance? A mage? Or, maybe a Servant)

I can't tell at all! What do I do!? Argh, I'm so disorientated here!

(I've never seen this kind of fog before... Ah, help me, Magi☆Mari!

"London's fog is worse than rumored. What am I supposed to do?"...There.)

(Calm down, Doctor. The situation won't improve by consulting internet idols!)

What are you sneaking around for? If you're not going to attack, well, whatever.

I have nothing to do here. Sorry to bother you.

The fog is dense around here. You'd better move if you value your life.

？！

Hmm? Yeah. Well, see you.

Oh

She's gone... The alley to the north... Right into the dense fog, all alone, confident.

Wait, she left during our huddle? She's so impatient. I wonder if she's a London girl.

That was a "huddle?"

It sounded like she knew what was going on. She probably knows more than us about the current situation in London.

？！

Yes, Senpai. Let's go after her.

I was just about to say that. But then she just had to go and disappear on me.

Doctor... Doctor Roman.

Yes, sorry. All right, time to get moving. I'll keep careful watch!

...What is that? I can hear something.

No vital reactions, but I detect multiple moving bodies! The fog still obscures magical readings, so I can't get any!

The sound is approaching. It's close. Master!

Multiple targets closing in at high speed. Assume they're hostile. Break through before you're surrounded!

Good judgment will be even more important here Fujimaru, be careful!

Preparing for battle. Master, your orders!

We made it through. Somehow we were able to move without being surrounded.

Who knew something like that would be lurking in the fog? No wonder nobody's emerged from any buildings.

Since no doors or windows seem to be kicked in, that must mean they don't break into houses, right?

Strange. They're really quite strange.

Yes. What bizarre enemies... No, I don't think they were living creatures.

We'll call them enemy bodies for now. They're likely automata animated by magecraft.

The structure of their remains seems familiar. Some parts are machinery from this era, too.

I-I see...

I'm sorry. I won't be able to give you any advance warning. All of my magical detection readings are in a state of chaos.

I only have motion detection at best. Hmm, this is quite concerning.

I feel the same. It's just like the city itself...

Fog, smoke. It's like there's a layer of mist around everything...

At any rate, we have to act more cautiously than before. All right, let's go after that girl.

Yes... Senpai, let's go.