Geronimo In London

Hm. A paved road. A faint foul odor.

No grass or earth. An ominous place covered with cold stones. I suppose even the fog that's been dirtied by science conceals magecraft.

So this is 19th century London. Truly distasteful. But not bad, either.

Hm, Geronimo? Which is it?

I'm just saying it's not bad. By the way, Master, sorry to trouble you.

I'm sorry I was so selfish in asking you to come here.

？！

It's the home of modern magecraft, correct? I never had a chance to cross the sea in my lifetime.

Our magecraft and their magecraft split apart completely in history.

On the other hand, there are many similarities as well. And let us set aside discussion of which is the original for the time being.

I've always wanted to take a look. Now, are there any rituals worthy of study...?

Hm. But first, spirits.

We often borrow the powers of spirits...but this is a low-class one.

It never occurred to me that we would encounter such a spirit the instant we set foot here, though.

I see London and death are quite...intimate in this time.

U-um, if you would kindly help us fight...

Fight? There is no reason not to just ignore something so weak...

Weak. Fragile. Fleeting.

It doesn't possess the strong emotions, grudges, or regrets normally so important to ghosts.

It likely died in a freak accident and something tied it to this place.

And then I expect it was awoken by the demonic fog that blanketed the city.

Besides, take a look at that insubstantial figure. It is practically advertising its weakness.

Honestly, it's not worth involving ourselves. It may be a ghost, but it is hardly important.

Oh. I see, I see. My apologies. I may have provoked them a bit.

They've all combined themselves to attack us. They must really be angry.

You're right. They're pretty angry. To say it as Blackbeard might, they're triggered!

Well, yes. I suppose.

To be honest, it'd be disingenuous of me to say I wasn't hoping for something like this.

I wanted to see what an English ghost would do if they got serious.

？！

Either way, my apologies. I'd like you to accompany me in some, shall we say, ghost busting.

Understood. Master, your command, please!

I see, I see. There are exponentially more spirits here than in the land where I lived.

...And I wonder what else is here? Let's keep looking around.

(Wow, Geronimo seems like he's having a good time. Is he the sort who's taken in by new and different things?)

Ah. This bounded field technique is impressive! It's so intricately constructed, appropriate for a small island nation like this.

It's like a fine Persian rug...such wonderful detail.

The fields that we created were quite crude. However, even if one is intricately constructed...

Ah, yes. Unfortunately, the mage who constructed this seems to have been somewhat lacking in terms of power.

If this is the best they could do, my field would still have been better.

Wh-what are you doing!?

Someone erected a field here, so I destroyed it.

Now then. Who or what will show up...

Wh-who are you!? This is my territory! You just destroyed the concealment rite I worked so hard on!

We are merely travelers. I see no sense in you putting a bounded field in a place like this.

Wh-who the hell are you!? You're a foreigner!

In addition to that, I am not human. At least not anymore. Either way, you are also a budding mage.

Am I correct in pointing out that you have already abandoned being human as well?

Answer MY question! Who the hell are you!?

By the way, would you mind telling me why it is you put a field here?

Hm, for example...

Was your intention to conduct a sacrificial ritual using those children standing behind you?

...!!!

Sacrifices!?

Hnh, unfortunate... I didn't want to involve tourists, but I cannot let you leave alive now.

Oh, on the contrary. This will have been your ill fortune.

Had it been some other mage, they might have tried to steal the fruits of your efforts, but not likely impeded your progress.

Or rather, if this was truly your territory, they might have avoided this area all together.

Wherever you may go, most people prefer to avoid conflict with people with whom they have no connection.

However, unfortunately for you, the ones who happened by were myself and my Master.

I am afraid we are not good enough mages to allow such egregious behavior to go ignored.

That, in turn, means that you have no opportunity to explain yourself or negotiate.

You must die right here.

The hell I will!!!

He transformed!?

I see, I see. How fitting in a city like London. He's a werewolf.

However, this is merely a superficial transformation using newer magecraft techniques.

His kind is nothing compared to the Phantasmals who are said to have lived since the Age of Gods.

The coyote from my nation would be a better adversary. Well, if he intends to fight, I have no choice.

Let's muzzle this beast, shall we? Here, boy.

And that's that.

Gargh... Im...possible...I worked...so hard...

My clan's oldest wish... The recreation of a Divine Beast... To be hindered...at the first step...

I warned you. The structure of your rite was composed poorly. Now, let's release the children.

No...they would be terrified by the sight of me. I believe you are best fit for the job. If you would, Master. I leave it to you.

？！

Why...you...! Then I have no choice but to offer my own life...!

A summoning circle! Take care, Master! Something's coming forth!

Devour my own life and answer my call!

I see. This is due to the disorder in the ages.

Even in a modern time like this one, the instability in the world is enough to allow for the summoning of ancient beasts!

I am...not a fool...! I am the smartest in my village...a genius bursting with knowledge...!

And this is proof! Now my clan's wishes will be fulfilled!

No...I was trying to...call forth...something more divine...!

Fool. An attempt to summon a Divine Beast in a London where the foundations of humanity are so unstable is doomed to failure!

The only possible result would be monsters drenched in blood, full of rage...

How embarrassing... I want to go back to my village... You...mage...I have a favor to ask...

Please...get rid of...that... We never meant...to plunge the world...into chaos...

I have no arguments there. You just rest in peace now.

...

Hmph. What a selfish mage. But now that he summoned that thing, we need to deal with it.

It certainly doesn't appear that we'll be able to reason with it and convince it to return whence it came. That being the case, Master...

We shall shine the dazzling brightness of the sun into London's night and incinerate all that is evil.

I'm going to use my Noble Phantasm! Master, I'm leaving the moment to unleash it up to you!

...Let's go!

It's finally over. I was sadly unable to complete my tour of London.

We should lightly hypnotize the children and send them home with no memory of this.

We wouldn't want them to draw a mage's attention by mentioning anything strange, would we?

The bigger issue is...

Whenever I hypnotize someone, I must use cigarettes to do so...

But you say that underage children mustn't smoke, yes?

？！

That is quite the conundrum. I suppose I should consult with Miss Da Vinci on this.