Sanzang Returning from the West (2/2)

The winds are picking up... Heh heh heh. Sandstorms are child's play for us. A good omen indeed.

Ah, sorry if that was difficult to understand. What Hundred Personas means is,

"Soldiers of the Holy City will never find us in a sandstorm. We are in luck. Now's our chance, let's hurry!"

You don't need to translate every little thing I say!

We'd get lost in all this if it weren't for you. What a relief you're here with us.

It looks like we'll quickly reach the fort without encountering any Holy City forces.

...No, wait. Servants detected up ahead! One is heading the same way you are. The magical energy response is enormous!

A Servant!? Is it strong!? An A-ranked Servant?

Oh, no, sorry! Scratch that! Rather, it's an "interesting" one.

How should I describe it... Shiny and fluffy, yet also stocky!

It's a colorful Servant, impossible for the Knights of the Round Table!

？！

Waaaaaaaaaaah!

Heeeeeeeelp! Someone do something!

Did you hear that!? A woman's scream! Master!

？！

Yeah, in which case it may even be an Anti-Hero! It's a Servant battle. Be on your guard!

Fooooooouuu!

Hmm!? That fool rushes off to help, even before determining the opponent's strength!?

No, no. It seems that this time reason outweighed instinct... The reason being that someone requires assistance.

Fujimaru is among the best at sensing danger. If it were a hopeless battle, there'd be more hesitation.

But still, only hesitation!? What a fool indeed!

We've defeated the hostile forces! But the source of the scream in question is still...

Fou, fouuu.

That Servant is close! Be careful!

HEEEEEEEELP! I'm not TAAAAAAAAASTYYYYYY!!

Oh. Stop. Don't breathe fire or anything. It's hot. All right, the whole thing about my meat being tasty is only a RUUUUUUUMOR!

So don't treat me so roughly! Hungry, I am so hungry! Touta is a dummy!

Tch, what a nuisance... But I can't ignore a woman's scream. Curse me for not being cold-blooded Zayd right now!

That way, Fujimaru! We've spotted signs of the enemy!

Yes! Mash Kyrielight, here to attack and rescue!

I wouldn't know...

It must be some sort of mistake! Here I go, Master!

？！

...Whew. We've completely defeated the hostile forces. But there was no sign of any Servants.

Yet there's definitely a Servant response. What this means is

(Sniff, hic) That was scary... So scary...

Why is it... always when you're at your weakest... that they all come at you... Like BAM!?

I didn't do anything at all... Ah, well, I guess I was hogging the watering hole, yes...

But even then, I at least left enough for the wild animals... (Sniff, sniff)

That woman's crying... Who is she? What shall we do, Senpai?

？！

(Sob, sob) Sheesh... Why do I always get into these situations...

I materialize here all alone... I can't hear the Bodhisattva's voice anymore... (Sniff)

Turning into Spirit Form feels kinda gross, so I don't wanna... (hic)

Ugh... And it's all because... Oh! If only I didn't give Wukong and the boys time off!

But what else was I supposed to do!? Those idiot disciples were so unbelievably helpless!

Wujing's still single at that age! Go back to the Heavenly Realm already and find yourself a wife!

Then to think Bajie was actually married once!

That he had a wife and kids... You sure can't judge a pig by its cover! Haha, nice one!

But I can't forgive him for leaving his wife all alone. Hence, he is excommunicated until he apologizes to her!

And that Wukong! Back on Flowers and Fruit Mountain, he can have his pick! What's he doing hanging around me!?

Hurry back to your mountain so that everyone can feel safe! Me? I'm perfectly fine alone!

I'm going to become a Buddha! I can worry about falling in love AFTER that!

...Um. Senpai, this lady... Could it be?

？！

Huh? That's the Servant you've been talking about!?

...Yes, she's definitely a Servant. Considering her aura and her magical energy, there's no doubt about it.

Nonsense... Are you saying that despite her top-level Spirit Origin, she was screaming from an animal attack!?

!

Wh-Wh-What is this!? What is that gigantic monster!? There shouldn't be any monsters like that in this land!

What? No! Could that dragon be...!?

I didn't have any food, so I figured I'd ask the White Dragon Horse for help. But when I tried to summon him I failed.

So I told him, "Sorry, I can't send you home. Just give up." But then he got angry and attacked me!

Maybe a demonic dragon that's making people suffer in France!?

Senpai, I see it now too! This lady is indeed "interesting"!

That's right, I am Xuanzang Sanzang!

With the guidance of the Buddha, I've materialized in this world. My class? Caster, of course!

...

...

Not much of a reaction, huh? Well, no matter, I'll continue.

I was summoned somewhere in this world about half a year ago. Following the Buddha's guidance, I traveled the Silk Road and ended up here.

Of course, I'm here to stop the unprecedented crisis happening here in the Holy Land.

Honestly, this is all nothing but trouble for me. In Heroic Spirit form I'm still technically on my way back from Tianzhu, after all...

However, guidance is guidance... So I must go.

That's why I'm here! In this forsaken land, this land of endless sandstorms, Shambhala!

Yes, I can see that! It means I'm lost!

Wait... really? Huh... That doesn't sound right...

？！

Well, let's not get caught up in the details.

Let your feelings always be composed, as calm as the River Ganges. Know that that is the way to great enlightenment. Okay?

Xuanzang Sanzang... Monk Sanzang, right? You don't seem like a Servant of the Holy City...

You do seem to be quite temperamental though... Um... Monk Sanzang?

Are you aware of this era's circumstances? Do you know of the Lion King's Holy City?

Yes, of course. After all, I lived there for two months as an honored guest.

Y-You lived in the Holy City!?

Yes. It was such a pleasant place. Everyone was so carefree and happy, and there wasn't a wicked person in sight.

But I didn't feel like I belonged there. So I left. I had other places I wanted to see, too.

Um... You there. Fujimaru, was it?

Thank you for saving me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And, um... It's Mash, right?

Y-Yes.

Thanks for helping me just now. And you skeletons, thank you too.

That leaves the mage, Mr. Voice Only. Oh, and that little rabbit there too.

Fou, fou?

...Well, it IS hard to remember a name without a face. Anyway, will you be joining us?

Of course! I always try to return the favors I receive.

And... I'm sure I came here for that purpose.

Monk Sanzang is known as the traveling high priest. So it's only natural for me to join you on your journey.

Y-Yes. Thank you, Sanzang.

Everything's happening so fast that I can barely keep up, but it's certainly nice to have an increase in fighting power!

Thank you, Monk Sanzang! The assistance of a Servant is an unexpected stroke of luck!

Not a stroke of luck. The Lord Buddha's divine protection.

You all have the Lord Buddha's divine protection. That would be... me!

I don't have Wukong, or Bajie, or Wujing, or the White Dragon Horse, nor can I hear the Bodhisattva's voice, but whatever!

I am the high priestess who shall one day become a Buddha, Xuanzang Sanzang!

Just you watch! Like the Buddha's palm, I'll save you all... As in, like, BAM!

...O-Okay. I don't quite understand the situation, but it's good to have more fighting power!

Never a dull moment with Fujimaru, is there?

(Yes, yes. She was crying alone just now, but I'll pretend I didn't see that.)

Doctor! You just said that out loud!

Fou...

!!!

I-I couldn't help it, okay?! I... can't stand being by myself...

It makes me feel lonely... Lonely, scared, and helpless.

Touta won't come for me, either... I've called and called, but he won't come at all...

... (Sniff)

Don't worry, Sanzang. You're not alone anymore.

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...Yeah, you're right. I'm not alone!

Hm. Now that you've calmed down, may I ask a question?

Sure. What is it, Mr. Skeleton?

Did you come here on your own? It seems you came from the direction of the desert.

...That's the thing. I actually had one disciple.

A Servant I met a while ago. He was so hopeless that I took him under my wing.

But that idiot... He got captured in front of the Holy City army's fort.

I'm his mentor, so I tried to go back and save him, but then I lost my way and... Oh, this is beyond hopeless...

？！

Exactly. Our objectives are so well aligned. It just feels like fate!

Huh? ...You mean, you'll come with me to the fort?

Of course. After all, Senpai's headed there as well!

Ohhhhhhh! Thanks, Fujimaru! I just love you! That settles it: you can be my disciple!

Yeah, I'm not really supposed to play favorites, but I'll do everything I can to help you!

？！