Coloratura Disassembled

What's this? You say you cannot trust me!?

Talk about the most reasonable advice in the world. I don't have anything else to add to that.

I hate to admit it, but I agree with you.

The very fact that our enemy has the same Servant is grounds for suspicion.

Has anyone ever told you two that you have trust issues?

Anyway, it doesn't matter. You still trust me, don't you, Master!?

？！

A most practical answer!

Very well then, let us go and defeat the Berserker of Shinjuku, so that you may trust me more.

But first, let me tell you everything I know.

While we do have a better chance of victory now that there are three of us, it's still only a chance.

If we were to attack head-on, we would surely be torn apart.

...Yeah, you're right.

...Indeed.

Is it really that dangerous?

Jeanne and Altria are both extremely powerful Servants.

I don't like the odds of a head-on battle either, but I can't believe you would have no chance at all.

Well, to put it simply, it's all about numbers.

There are about two hundred Coloraturas stationed in Kabukicho, and another hundred that patrol around Shinjuku on a regular basis.

So...three hundred all together.

In other words, if we charge in head-on, we'll be greeted by two hundred Coloraturas all at once!

Hahaha! Needless to say, we wouldn't last long.

Even if we Servants didn't die, Master certainly would, and without him, I'm afraid the game is over.

And that's not all.

While these two hundred Coloraturas are wandering around Kabukicho, they're also listening to a song playing from the loudspeakers.

A song...?

Naturally, a song sung by the Berserker of Shinjuku's beloved. Our heroine, Christine.

Every time she finishes singing, the Coloraturas applaud. This repeats all day, every day.

Yikes, talk about violating labor laws.

As it stands, Kabukicho is presently an impregnable fortress.

And if that weren't enough, the area is a maze of similar-looking buildings, any one of which could contain a number of Coloraturas.

Not to mention that they can see us all clearly from atop the buildings.

If we find ourselves in a situation with puppets coming at us from all sides... then it'll be the end of the line, Master. And I don't like that.

I believe I've fought some of the patrolling puppets before. What else can you tell us about them?

Oh yeah, I've busted a few of them up myself.

I've fought them more than once too, and managed to fend them off before they brought in reinforcements.

But no matter what, within thirty-six hours, they once again number two hundred.

Quite the phenomenon, isn't it!

...

?

And here's another bit of information.

The Coloraturas assigned to patrol don't just keep Kabukicho safe. They also regularly abduct people.

Why is that?

Oh...I think you can imagine.

And that is what I know of Kabukicho.

So, has anyone come up with a strategy that doesn't include attacking head-on?

I'm afraid that with two hundred puppets to contend with, that would be all but impossible.

Hmm... Sadly, I doubt that even my entire long-range arsenal would be enough to take her down.

？！

In that case, I shall cut them all down with my Excalibur Morgan.

Unfortunately, that won't work either.

Even if you obliterated all of Kabukicho, the Coloraturas and the Berserker would survive.

Besides, I'm sure you too have noticed the abnormality that permeates all of Shinjuku.

While it may not be at Age of Gods levels...

For Tokyo in 1999, there is an impossible amount of magical energy swirling about.

That energy has been pouring into concrete buildings, to the point that even they now harbor it.

Thus, I am forced to conclude that your sacred sword can do little to wreak devastation on Kabukicho.

...Yes, I suppose you're right.

Ooh, so you admit you're a weakling? I guess that does take courage of a sort.

And I suppose you could do better with your little matchstick?

It's more than hot enough to melt you, ice bitch queen.

...

？！

You stay out of this!

I think I may have a suggestion.

But first, there is something I'd like you all to do: bring back one Coloratura without harming it.

...And why do you want us to do that?

Kabukicho is dominated by illusions and puppets. So to see it clearly, we need a puppet of our own.

Ugh, what a pain.

Very well then. Come with me, Master.

There are a number of materials I'll need to modify it, so I'll go and find those in the meantime.

That shouldn't be too difficult, since the local merchants have them for sale.

I'm still surprised that the Count of Monte Cristo said that we shouldn't trust him.

Perhaps he knows Archer's true identity?

I mean, that guy's a puzzle in and of himself.

Well, whatever.

If he's gonna betray us, it'll be at a crucial moment. Until then, we can keep using each other.

Shhh. ...Coloraturas.

Eee!

Please, don't! Somebody, help me!

They're...they're taking the people away!

？！

Yeah yeah, that's very kind of you. Just don't blame me if you get caught up in a big mess.

I see you're preparing for battle even as you say that. Perhaps you're kinder than you let on.

All right, it's time to capture a Coloratura. We await your orders, Master!

All right, we've captured a puppet and helped the people escape.

"Endure" sounds like something the Count of Monte Cristo would say.

What? What's going on?

It's nothing.

...Master, I shall carry the Coloratura. Why don't you kill some time in the bookstore?

Huh? What're you talking about? Let's get going already.

Ugh, this is such a pain...

Oh for... Are you capable of anything at all other than sheer ineptitude!?

Wh-where'd that come from!?

Welcome back! I'm all set and ready to go.

Here, a Coloratura.

Hmm... Just as I thought.

So you knew that when you made us carry it? What a depraved little man you are.

I figured it would help us to know just what sort of opponent we're up against.

See for yourself what's beneath its face.

...

The hell? What is that?

That's...!

A human brain. And not only that; its eyes and nerves are all human too.

Master, I encourage you not to look too closely. You won't soon forget the sight.

？！

Now do you understand, Fujimaru? That Berserker is turning people into puppets.

First he strips them of their skin, then he removes their bones, leaving only some muscle and nerves, which he then packs inside an empty mannequin.

When he's done, he has a new autonomous marionetteone that sings, no less. This leaves us with two questions.

First, what is his goal in doing this? And second, is it possible to save these puppets?

For the first question... Ordinarily, one would think that humans move better than puppets.

However, now that I have dismantled this one, I can see that this is not the case.

The more I look at it, the more his artistic sensibilities shine through.

What do you think, Leonardo da Vinci of Chaldea?

Yes, I see what you mean. Much as I hate to admit it, this handiwork shows true artistry.

Da Vinci, what do you mean?

This is most likely based on loathing and fastidiousness.

Loathing of the human form, and fastidiousness in thinking of non-human humans as beautiful.

These two things overlap, and as a result, him creating these things is nothing but a mere hobby.

Yes, a hobby. He doesn't create these things because he needs them to fight for him.

He simply creates them because he finds them beautiful.

There's no sense expecting such a thing from a Berserker. Especially not one quite so mad as him.

？！

Now, as to the second question: is it possible to save these people?

No. Once someone has been turned into a puppet, they'll remain a puppet until their death.

For starters, the process of making them into puppets shatters their minds beyond repair. They're not alive; they are being preserved in an undead state.

What hope of rescue could there be for them once they've seen their very bodies disassembled?

No, they are very much dead and broken. A horrific crime, but since they are already beyond hope...

Master, what would you think of misusing this puppet for our own ends?

？！

Hold it. What exactly do you have in mind?

I mean to plant a bomb inside this puppet.

...Huh.

These puppets return to Kabukicho at regular intervals. Once our armed puppet sneaks in...KABOOM!

It will wreak havoc among the puppets, and give us a chance to assassinate their queen.

This way, we can take out the Berserker of Shinjuku.

...It does make sense.

Wait! That's

Yeah, I guess that'll work. This thing stopped being human a long time ago.

Any semblance of who it used to be is gone. It's nothing more than an empty husk now.

It's even worse than evil spirits and stuff like that; at least those still have their old personalities.

But this thing is completely empty. Nothing we need to concern ourselves about.

...Tell me, Archer of Shinjuku: what is it you would have our Master choose?

Proof of his willingness to get his hands dirty here in Shinjuku.

I assume you've heard the expression "fight fire with fire" yes?

Ah yes, a well-worn classic. To destroy evil, one must use a different form of evil.

There's also a saying in the medical community about how poison in small doses can be a remedy.

It's the same principle that gave us penicillin from blue mold and anticoagulation meds from leeches.

For that matter, vaccines are nothing more than poison administered in small enough doses to trigger the body's defenses, giving it protection against stronger poisons.

You have already proven yourself to be more than worthy of being a Master.

But you have yet to demonstrate your willingness to wade through the muck that is Shinjuku to achieve our goals.

So, can you push the button to detonate such a bomb?

？！

Now then, it will take some time to modify this puppet. Feel free to think it over in the meantime.

？！

Master...

I, um, suppose this won't sound very convincing, since I'm not there with you, but...

You will always be my Master, the one who reached out to me on that day.

No matter what happens there in Shinjuku, that part of you will always shine forth.

I'm still a long way from repaying the debt I owe you, but that much, I know for certain.

...Yes. You'll be okay, Senpai.

Not at all. I wish there was more I could do to help.

？！

All right, the puppet is ready to go, Master. Shall we?

？！

...

Okay, Master. Here's the detonator.

I'll tell you when it's the right time. All you'll need to do is press the button.

Don't worry, you won't be killing any people. ...Though I'm sure you'll find that little solace.

Anyway, it's time. Let's go liberate Kabukicho.