Millennium Trap

Hello, Rider. Hello, Archer. And hello, Assassin.

You should know that the barrier picked up a signal earlier.

It seems that Chaldea has sent a Master here to restore humanity, just as we expected.

I hacked the Rayshift coordinates to make him fall, but I'm afraid it didn't go so well.

So, what's our plan now?

Calm yourself, Rider. Not that I blame you for being enraged.

...Could we go after them?

Hahaha. I just bet he's raring to go. To Rider, everyone's an enemy, including us.

He couldn't be more stoked about having an enemy he can just openly kill!

Besides, didn't you pretty much figure that'd be his response to being told about Chaldea?

Well, more or less.

So what exactly are you planning to do with this whole "league" thing?

If it were me, I'd just kill him before he could see it coming!

Wanna do that? Please? Hell, I'll do it if you like!

What do you think, other Archer?

You already know what I'm going to say, Professor.

Look inside yourself, and you'll know the best course of action. ...Just tell me who to kill.

Yes, you do have a point.

I'm certainly not the type to let another's opinion change my chosen course of action.

At any rate, Chaldea is finally involved. I've been waiting for this for thousands of years.

...No, I shouldn't let my personal feelings show. I'll have to keep them in check.

In any case, I've been expecting this. As such, I have a plan in place. First, Berserker will go on a rampage, then Rider will track him down.

If he manages to survive even that, then it will be your turn, Assassin.

You got it! Let's see, that would mean I go... third!? Aw man, why do I hafta start late?

What about me?

I'd like you to handle the flying squad. After all, you're my biggest miscalculation.

Hmph, miscalculation, eh. Well that's nice.

Now that I've been summoned here, I know what I have to do.

Sow chaos across the world, and rain evil down from the sky. Piece of cake, right?

Piece of cake, eh. You do realize this is very different from your previous position, right?

Hey, you're lucky you got me. Make the most of it.

After all, it didn't take you long to lose your Saber and Lancer. Even darkened, those Heroic Spirits never lost their pride.

Getting two bad Servants right off the bat... You may be a master of calculation, but your luck is awful.

I make it a point not to count on something as unreliable as luck in my calculations.

And from that moment on, you were my miscalculation.

You were the one who killed that Saber and Lancer so quickly, after all. Not that I don't appreciate it.

Don't worry about it. Consider it my sales pitch for my new master.

I had accounted for losing all three of my knights at worst.

Even having one of them survive is a win in my book.

But, that does mean my initial calculations were way off. After all, you still haven't disposed of...it.

So, Phantom Spirits are also brainwashing devices, eh.

Nah, I don't think so! At least, I hope not! Maybe I should, though!

But don't worry, Professor! Even if I am brainwashed, I've still made it my mission to kill you!

I appreciate your honesty.

At any rate, Phantom Spirits are nothing more than ability enhancers, much like a mage's Essences.

Now I see. No wonder you're an Archer. He must never have stood a chance against your magical bullets.

In which case, there is no need to transplant the Phantom Spirit. I have always been Nameless, and a botched transplant could also affect my Spirit Origin.

But it's perfectly safe. I didn't spend 3,000 years developing it for nothing, you know.

3,000 years, eh. How patient of you.

Where are you going?

With Chaldea here, the battle is certain to get more explosive.

I thought I would double-check the sniper spot I picked out earlier before that happens.

Now I see. Good man. One can never be too careful, after all.

I wonder who it was who said that two plus two always equals four.

I'm glad you're on my side, Emiya.

Normally I would thank you for the compliment, except I can't trust a thing you say.

With all your lies and deceit, the only thing I know about you for sure is that you're evil.

Geez, for a guy who looks like a dealer, he's sure got a stick up his butt!

That may be, but he's still much easier to deal with than you, Assassin.

After all, he's always calculating too, and with a fairly complex formula at that.

The answer, however, is simple. Once you figure that out, you understand him, and the formula no longer confuses you.

Not that I've figured it out in its entirety, of course. But in that sense, I find dealing with you to be far more troublesome.

Me? Really?

I mean, I know I'm biased and all, but I feel like there ain't many guys as easy to understand as me!

You meant it when you said you intend to kill me earlier, didn't you?

You bet I did!

...Your formula is fairly simple, but the result is so bizarre I can't understand it.

Is that a compliment?

Absolutely.

I see, I see... In that case, thanks!

I never did get many compliments when I was alive, especially from my master!

...That said, I don't believe your result will affect my final calculation.

I have my magical bullets. I have my Barrel.

Now I just need one yet-to-be-defined element, and my formula will be complete.

Um, excuse me.

Does that mean you're not going to let me out of here until this formula of yours is done?

Of course not, Mr. Shakespeare.

But don't let it get you down. Even compared to other worlds, humanity here is far outside the norm.

Every one of the stories, characters, and monsters you write or have written about actually exists here.

Don't you feel honored that your work has such an impact?

Even if I am half-Alter, I can't say the prospect excites me.

I mean, think about it.

This is like a wondrous world of fantasy, fiction, and dreams somewhat separate from Shinjuku, right?

And you excelled at the theater, as I recall, which is largely the same thing.

The monsters that appear in my plays are only ever human.

Even Caliban from my own "The Tempest" was nothing but a man in makeup.

Monsters are monstrous because they cannot be defined. The terror they elicit lies in being unable to see them.

Having actual monsters escape into reality would be nothing less than a nightmare!

If I were my normal self I would recite some longwinded lines from my own works, but now that I've been inverted, I won't stand for it!

So if all I can do here is wail and repent, that is what I shall do!

That's the only part of you affected by the inversion, eh? You must be quite the good Samaritan.

Not at all! I simply love the patterns that humans produce.

Even if my alignment is now inverted, that writer's instinct remains the same.

As such, Professor, I don't believe you and I will ever reach an understanding!

...I see. Then I'm afraid you'll continue to suffer in there. Fortunately for me, I never expected you to cooperate of your own free will.

If anything, I expect you'll gladly betray me the moment something new strikes your fancy.

...You've got me there.

A little tip from an old criminal: the seeds of deception are best planted well in advance.

Oh, and while you're here, I'd like you to keep mass-producing King Lears. They are quite useful.

Well, this is quite the fix.

No sooner do I answer the summon than I find myself in the middle of purgatory.

I didn't think I had done anything so terrible as to deserve this... But perhaps I have.

"When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools."

...Great. Now I've gone and done something my usual self would do!

Now then, there are of course numerous other life-forms besides ruffians hiding in this Shinjuku.

1999 or not, you'll see all sorts of Demonic Beast-like creatures come out of the woodwork.

There are yakuza who know magecraft... Rich people with Chimeras for pets...

Mannequins that attack you... This city may well have more ghosts than people!

Is that a baby crying?

？！

Oh no! You have to save it!

Huh? Wait a moment!

？！

Master, you should take that baby somewhere safe. ...Master?

？！

What were you thinking, running off on your own like that!?

An explosion!?

Master! Are you okay!?

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Oh, thank goodness.

Do try and be more careful, would you? My back just made a sound that backs should never make.

？！

Yes, well, while I can certainly appreciate the desire to help others...

...you cannot allow that desire to lead you by the nose. You must always be mindful of your surroundings.

Think about it. Why is there no guardian nearby? Why was the baby crying at set intervals?

For that matter, what parent would be so reckless as to bring their baby outside to this Shinjuku?

These are the sort of questions you need to be asking yourself as you examine your surroundings.

Remember, meaning follows us wherever we gonot why we live, but why we are where we are.

Meaning in life can be added after the fact, but as of now, there is absolutely meaning in being here.

You are here to repair the Singularity. I, most likely, am here to help you.

There are others who are here to stop you as well. You will need to consider these meanings, and make a choice.

Got it? Now, stand up!

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Bow!

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Be seated!

？！

Drat, so you didn't fall for it. Very well then, back to the discussion at hand!

Think about that baby again. No matter how you look at it, that was no more than the bait for a trap.

You do understand that, right?

Now, as we know it was a trap, we must ask ourselves who set it. Ah! Here we find the answer!

Master!

Be careful, Master. I'm picking up eleven hostile signals near you!

Is that...a soprano? They're really good!

It's the Coloraturas. Hide, quickly!

？！

They're mannequins controlled by Christine, the Puppet of the Opera. They sing while killing people.

Oh god...Aaaaaah! Please, don't! ...Urk...gah...!

By the time they leave, not even corpses remain. Perhaps they use dead bodies for material?

No... No! Save me!

I say, that's one of the ruffians from earlier.

Please... I don't want to die! Somebody, save meee!

He's injured!

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Well now, you stood your ground! I admire your spirit.

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Yes, and I'm afraid he's all but done for.

No, wait. I've analyzed his wounds, and I don't believe they're fatal!

That's not what I mean. The Coloraturas are trying to lure us in.

There's no way he could escape with those kinds of injuries.

The Coloraturas are far quicker than any Shinjuku rat. He only escaped because they let him.

It's the same tactic employed by modern-day snipers. You needn't always kill your target, but rather neutralize the threat they pose.

Shoot their legs or stomach, and keep them alive.

That's enough on its own, but when their allies then come to help them, you can wound or kill them as well and increase the carnage exponentially.

In other words, if we try to help that ruffian...they'll be all over us.

Please... Somebody... Help me...

Gah!

？！

Well done holding out, young Master. Normally, this is where we would make our retreat.

But I can see that doesn't sit at all well with you.

？！

In that case, we will begin by slowly, silently sneaking around them.

The Coloraturas have frightfully good hearing. We must not make a sound.

Slowly, quietly, make your way around...

... ...

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Um... Mr. Archer...?

You just ruined the whole stealth approach you were advocating not too long ago.

Now now, that was not my fault! I blame all the trash scattered about the street.

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Hahahaha! (Laughing to change the subject)

I guess now that we've been spotted, there's no turning back. Let's be about it then, you overgrown marionettes!

Here come the Coloraturas!

Ninth Coloratura, defeated!

The remaining two are still keeping their distance. They are holding position. What shall we do, Master?

Master, I believe we should get ready to make our retreat.

As such, Mash, I would like you to find the optimal escape route for us.

Huh? Are you saying...

Oh yes, very tough indeed.

Truth be told, they are far out of our league at this moment.

In fact, to extend the analogy, you might say they're playing a different sport altogether.

Simple. A matriarch of sorts, who holds sway over these marionettes, and her loyal slave.

？！

I'm analyzing your surroundings to find your optimal escape route. However, I'm afraid the enemies are closing in quickly. Please try to hold out a little longer!

In that case, perhaps we should try to speak with them to buy some time.

By which I of course mean "make excuses and beg for our lives"!

Are you good at that sort of thing, Master?

Uhh... If by "good" you mean "absolutely terrible," then sure.

He may put his life on the line in everything he does, but he's never once begged for it.

My my, that certainly is brave! Although... Seen in another light, it could be a kind of cowardice.

Begging for one's life is something humans do to forestall their deaths as long as they can.

You mustn't deny that. One should only go gentle into that good night when one is certain it is their time.

Oh, but Fujimaru may be pretty good at buying time if you just let him keep talking!

I'll be sure to keep that in mind. ...Here they come!

Spirit Origin analysis completed. It's the Phantom of the Opera.

Although, something about him seems...off?

And then there's that other Servant... At least, I think it's a Servant? I can't tell for sure.

Ahh, Christine... My shining jewel, my dearest light...

What do you wish for, what do you desire?

I'm sane, I'm not crazy, I'm crazy, I'm miasma. I'm human, I'm humanity, I'm a puppet, I'm a doll.

Yes... I want life, I want vitality, I want blood, I want fresh blood.

I want type A and type AB, I don't need type B, people need transfusions to live, to live as people, they need soapboxes.

If one life is lost, I can move one space forward and become human.

If two lives are lost, I can move one space forward and become human. So one and two are the same.

Yes, please give me life.

Hahaha! We would seem to be out of luck. Christine is in quite a state today.

Ahh... Ahh, aHh, ahH, AHH! Chaldea! Chaldea! You, Chaldea Master, savior of the world!

Please give me your life, so that I may be saved too.

Aha! Now I see, Master. This is your fault!

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Well, you did go and save the world, didn't you?

If you can do that...

...then surely you must also have some mysterious power to save that bit of scrap.

That's insane!

What did you just say? What did you just call my beloved Christine?

How dare you, I hate you. I'll kill you, I'll destroy you.

Oh, Christine, my love! Your fury is even hotter and more beautiful than the sun!

I shall kill them, yes, I shall destroy them! I'll tear them both limb from limb and assemble them anew! That will help them think about what they've done!

Hahaha! Not a day goes by that I don't think about that! My conclusion? I'm complete! I'm perfect! I'm an intellectual!

How intelligent, you ask? Enough to stall for the precise amount of time we need!

Mash!

...I've found your optimal escape route! Follow my instructions and get out of there, Master!

Excellent! Then here's my last bit of stalling!

Why, it's those magical bullets! So your means ARE the same, even if your ends are polar opposites!

Missed, missed, you missed, you missed.

Not at all! Here comes the BOOM!

...Hahaha! I have always wanted to say that!

Th-the gas station just blew up! Quick, now's your chance!

Very well!

That was indeed a perfect getaway.

The Phantom and Christine are right onOh, take a right there, Senpai!

Just a moment, Mash! Isn't this a...what do you call it...a highway?

Uh, yes! It's Japan National Route 20!

I see. I'm afraid that with all that's happened, there are a few things I may have forgotten to mention.

Firstly, I apologize for that oversight.

Secondly, I really should have told you this right away, but...

It seems the many Servants who have turned to evil here have agreed to divide and conquer, as it were.

Which means...?

This highway, as you called it, is now their territory!