The Great Prison Break

A message...?

That damned Archer... I can't believe he put Master in danger just to draw me out.

...No, that's not it. He already had an idea of who I am.

In which case, he's already deduced my True Name, and from that, my identity.

...I don't like taking center stage myself. Even less if he's my opponent.

At any rate... I suppose I'll go alleviate Master's concerns.

Morning, sunshine.

？！

I bet you're wondering where you are right now.

This is the Barrel: the headquarters of the League of Phantom Fiends.

？！

Don't worry. I'm pretty sure you're not hurt.

You'll end up a lot more than hurt if you try to escape, though.

Anyway, the truth is, I just brought you here on a lark! Sorry in advance if the boss kills you!

？！

Yup, our boss. The embodiment of evil itself...the real Archer of Shinjuku.

？！

That is correct. I am evil, and he is good.

Thanks to the Holy Grail's power, weno, Imanaged to tear out all that was good and kind in me.

Such things would only be a hindrance in my battle against my rival.

However, I did not expect that such detritus would gain a consciousness of its own in the process.

Let alone that it would run off and attempt to impede us.

Of course, he was little more than a minor pest scurrying around, until you showed up.

Now the Berserker of Shinjuku has been defeated, and the Rider shows no sign of returning.

Nonetheless...we still have two Servants at our disposal. The plan will proceed without issue.

Well now, I'm surprised he didn't tell you. Or perhaps you haven't come in contact yet?

But you must have heard from Assassin. Or did you dismiss it as nonsense?

So you do know.

？！

It is just as you imagine, Fujimaru. Our goal is nothing less than the complete and total annihilation of this planet.

Do you think it impossible? I assure you, it is well within my capability.

I firmly believe that, and so do those who follow me.

The world will end in the year 1999. What was once fanciful nonsense will become harsh reality.

？！

Ah yes, my motive. Hmm...

I suppose it's because I'm a mathematician. I have calculated the power needed to destroy the planet.

So why wouldn't I want to test my equation to see if it was correct?

I see you're having trouble accepting my reason. I suppose I can't blame you.

But, this is simply what it is to be a mathematician. I am proud to be evil, and despise those who defy me.

But...I would prefer Chaldea not interfere. If I killed you, they'd just send another Master.

So let's make a deal, Fujimaru. I shall send you back to Chaldea.

In return, Chaldea leaves us alone.

Of course you could. Just ask Leonardo da Vinci to explain the situation to you later.

Perhaps you're right.

However...I believe a genius of Leonardo da Vinci's caliber should soon realize just what the destruction of the planet truly signifies.

？！

At any rate, feel free to take your time and think it over. There's no reason to kill you any time soon.

Damn, talk about having the devil's own luck! You're a hell of a guy, you know that?

Anyway, you just sit tight for a while, all right? I know, why don't you keep him company?

He's the kind of guy who goes nuts without someone around anyway. He'll be happy to talk to you!

Why, if it isn't the wonderful Master of Chaldea! It's me, William Shakespeare! It has been quite some time, no?

I'm told they're specifically designed to hold Servants! As a Caster, there's little I can do about them!

Of course not! Surely you can see these accursed chains keeping me here!

Though I suppose I can't blame you for being suspicious, given how I look!

？！

The truth is, when they captured me, they spent the whole day torturing me.

"Sweet are the uses of adversity" my foot!

Ahh, it's horrible.

Oh yeah, Shakespeare's totally telling the truth there!

He only agreed to make King Lears for us recently, after he was tortured!

Hahaha. I'm just glad I could be of service, you piece of dung!

How about I torture you even more painfully next time, and you make a...hmm... How about Macbeth!?

That guy was immortal, right? Great! Can't wait to get started!

...A fine mess, this is. At any rate, I'm surprised to see you here.

？！

Unfortunately, as you can see, I'm not in much of a position to be of any assistance in that regard.

While you may not be similarly restrained, as a human, I'm afraid it would be difficult for you too.

There are many Hornets patrolling the grounds, along with the multitude of King Lears I have been forced to create.

At least I've finally just about run out of sentences praising or decrying the latter.

Ahh, I'm so sorry, Sir Fujimaru! If only I hadn't written so many historical masterpieces...!

Hm?

I must say I'm curious why you are gazing at me so fondly, but I'm glad to see you in good health!

Hahaha. Is that supposed to be a compliment?

If not, I shall take it as one anyway!

？！

Still, from what little I heard, it was quite the foolish escapadeyour being captured and all.

Oh, I'm not being critical of you, Sir Fujimaru. I'm talking about the Archer of Shinjuku.

It would be foolish to believe he didn't have at least some idea of the Assassin of Shinjuku's ability.

But in that case, why wouldn't he be wary of Hassan, after he appeared out of nowhere?

？！

Well then, why don't we look at this from a new angle, yes? As a detective might.

If it makes no sense for him to have believed that Hassan was who he claimed, then perhaps he was aware of his true identity all along?

At first glance, this would appear to be a betrayal on his part.

He must be quite the Servant for you to trust him so implicitly.

True. Nor has he made a move since your abduction.

？！

Hmm... I don't suppose he entrusted anything to you? Say, a letter?

You're doing great, Master! I hope you know that!

？！

Excellent.

Then let us see what he had to say! ...Hmm...

"Don't worry, your life is not in danger." "Help is sure to come."

"When it does, they will explain everything." "My deepest apologies for frightening you."

...That's all it says.

So he may not have betrayed you, but there are still many questions remaining.

...Perhaps I can answer them.

Who goes there!?

My name is Edmond Dantès. Some call me the Count of Monte Cristo.

？！

Keep your voice low, Fujimaru. The Archer of Shinjuku sent me to help you.

Or rather, he set me up so that I would have no choice. At any rate, we need to hurry.

Shakespeare, I wish I could rescue you too, but I'm afraid I'll have to leave you behind.

Ahh, what a tragedy! Though I do understand your position.

？！

No no, it's quite all right.

I may be subjected to more torture, but I doubt they'll kill me for a while yet.

Right now, your safety is of the utmost importance, Sir Fujimaru.

Worry not about me! But, do come rescue me later, when you can.

I know. Good luck, Shakespeare.

And to you!

It seems we've been found out. Hurry, Master. And don't worry.

This security is a mere trifle for me!

Uh oh. Here comes a King Lear.

Shakespeare, why did you have to go and write these things into existence!?

Sorry, Master, but I'm afraid I'm not at my best right now. I hope you can figure a way out of this!

Phew. Looks like our escape was a success.

Oh, but don't try to contact Chaldea just yet. The enemy is likely using the signal to track us.

So I think it's better if I continue to jam it for the time being.

？！

What is it, Master?

？！

...Remarkable!

You are absolutely correct. I am not the proud vengeance-seeker at all.

And believe me, I was well aware of it during that battle.

But how did you figure it out?

？！

Now I see. I knew I couldn't fool you for long, Master!

I went to a bit of effort to change my speech patterns, you see.

I wondered if I might have been giving too much away, but even so, you did well to notice! Good show!

All right, let's dispense with this disguise then, shall we.

I believe this is the first we've met since Camelot, Mr. Fujimaru.

？！

Pity your well-read friend Ms. Kyrielight isn't here to join us, but I suppose there's nothing for it now.

？！

Good question. Let me start from the beginning.

Do you remember when we met at the Atlas Institute? ...Yes, it appears you do.

Well, there is a reason I continued to Rayshift from London, to Camelot, to Shinjuku.

You didn't need my help to restore humanity. I suppose I could have offered advice, but so could others.

But the same was not true for the incident that would happen afterwards.

At the Atlas Institute, I was trying to find out if one thing in particular was possible.

Whether or not a Singularity could occur after humanity had been completely restored.

？！

It turns out that such a thing was very possible indeed.

Tri-Hermes warned that if humanity were to move from being incinerated to being restored...

This distorted history would end up creating enormous remnants.

Specifically, remnants of numerous powers that could have threatened the entire world, but were wiped out by history playing out correctly.

To date, the Counter Force, or perhaps something else, has worked to restrain or dispose of these remnants before they could pose a threat, but...

When humanity moves towards restoration, their power returns from the cracks of history.

They're almost like hidden malware that tries to infect your computer when you go to reboot it.

Anyway, Tri-Hermes calculated that if a new remnant were to occur, it would be here in 1999 Shinjuku.

I still don't know why, but...there is one strong possibility.

？！

...

No, I'd better not say anything until I know for certain. Now now, don't give me that look!

Watson used to give me that exact look. At any rate, that is why I am here.

Now, what say we keep going, Mr. Fujimaru!

Oh yes, I still have to tell you the most important thing of all.

I am not completely confident that I have laid bare all the mysteries Shinjuku hides.

Hahaha! Words fail you, I see.

Indeed, ordinarily I would never divulge a theory that I was still in the middle of formulating.

Doing so could cause you all to make errant predictions, potentially leading to grave mistakes.

However, there is an exception to every rule, and this case is one such exception.

The reason is simple: his fingerprints are all over it.

Threads that should lead to him become tangled and twisted, eventually ensnaring you in a trap.

And before you know it, he has you in his grasp, just where he wants you.

However, there is only so much one can see by observing a spider's nest from above.

And if one takes too long to investigate, the wind could blow away the evidence like so much sand.

Thus, I have chosen to leap into the spider's web headfirst. Perhaps that's what he wanted all along: for me to take the stage.

...I imagine if Ms. Kyrielight were here, she would be screaming right about now.

At any rate! Let me tell you exactly who we are up against.

My nemesis. A demonic mastermind who disappears without a trace of evidence.

He and his subordinates spin threads, each of which leads to the spider lying in wait.

In order to reach him, I had to evade every one of these threads, sometimes disguising myself entirely.

However, I soon learned that even this wasn't enough to find evidence that could convict him.

In time, I began referring to him as "the Napoleon of crime."

But his real name...is James Moriarty.

He and the Archer of Shinjuku who first bonded with you when you arrived here...

...are one and the same.

That is why I hesitated to reveal myself. Moriarty would never side with good and virtue.

It must be some sort of plot... Regardless, I knew my presence would only endanger you.

The moment I arrived in Shinjuku, I could sense that he was here.

As such, there is little doubt that he is similarly aware of me.

Given how weak the good Moriarty's Spirit Origin is...

I didn't think the same would apply to him. However...

It seems that over the course of deducing his True Name, he's managed to sniff out my presence.

That being the case, there is no point in my pretending to be the Count of Monte Cristo.

And now that I have removed my disguise, the game is well and truly afoot. No longer am I a spectator; I am a participant.

Which means that it is now only a matter of time before Moriarty and I face each other.

In truth, I did all I could to remove any mention of him in Watson's writings.

In part, that was because, if possible, I wished to fight him on my own.

But the other part is that I instructed Watson to write about him as little as was possible.

In terms of pure strength, there are surely countless Servants who surpass him.

No doubt there are also many who exceed him in charisma, especially those from the Age of Gods.

But when it comes to evil charismadevising fiendish plans that are carried out without requiring him to lift a fingerhe is in a class of his own.

...Indeed, I feared what effect Moriarty might have on the world. Thus, I asked Watson to depict him as simply and austerely as possible.

Now, here is the real problem: Moriarty claims to have split into good and bad personas.

The bad one took the power and True Name, and expelled the good one from his domain.

However, as I see it, this just doesn't add up.

After all...I had sensed almost no traces of good from him.

And yet, the Archer of Shinjuku who protected you was sincere in his actions.

When he saved you from the fearsome Rider of Shinjuku, he did so with no regard for his own life.

Nor did it seem like he did so because he had some scheme in mind that would guarantee his survival.

Sheer dumb luck was the only reason he survived. ...When I realized that, I was utterly at a loss.

？！

I thought he might be an impostor, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Which leaves us with a problem.

He really is a good Moriarty. It's almost like one of those protagonists suffering from amnesia.

This really is a problem!

I'd never believed such a person could even exist in this world!

Still, while your life may not be in danger, I can't say I approve of the way he let you get abducted.

Well, you would likely have been abducted at some point anyway. And he knew I would rescue you too.

You have every right to be angry. Good or not, that part of him is still very much Moriarty.

If he calculates a gambit will be safe, then he will go through with it, no matter how risky it may actually be.

？！

Now then, I advise you not to try and hide anything from him. Feel free to tell him all about this talk.

I know you're concerned, but don't worry. He already knows everything that's happened.

He knew you would get kidnapped, meet his other self, and that I would rescue you.

He even knew that his True Name would be revealed afterwards, along with the doubts I still harbor.

Naturally, he's never met me in person. But he is certain nonetheless.

Even if he doesn't know his True Name, he will have sufficient information to deduce it.

That is something Moriarty would never fail to do.

In that sense, we are very much alike.

At any rate, once everyone is here, I have something else to tell you.

...Exactly what destroying the world really means.

I say, you there.

？！

Yes, you. What a lovely face you have... I daresay your complexion is marvelous.

You're the very picture of health. You must be highly nutritious.

？！

Now, should I go with rare, or well-done... Ahh, I can never decide.

Heh. Hehe. Hahahaha! Steak! Steeeak!

The wealthy like me are meant to eat fine steaks! Commoners are supposed to eat swine!

One of my stature can't eat swine! That would mean you healthy people are more affluent than me!

Hahaha, I see someone's at the end of their rope.

？！

There have been severe food shortages here ever since Shinjuku fell into this state.

Of course, now there is one source of food that remains in abundance.

After all, most good people here are dead and gone. Those that remain are either spellcasters or killers.

So, on that note, Mr. Fujimaru, I hope I can count on your help.

Fortunately, these should be easier than that King Lear. Of course, there are also a lot more of them!

Hmm, I had better stock up on weapons soon. I believe he should be around here.

Huh? What're you lookin' at, punk?

Ah, there you are. I see you're just as bad at disguising yourself as ever.

...How do you always see through it?

It doesn't matter how much you change your appearance if your gait remains the same.

Ruffians, police officers, yakuza... Each has their own distinct way of walking.

Mr. Fujimaru, allow me to introduce you. This is Mr. Kaburagi.

He runs a general store here in Shinjuku.

He has everything from Demonic Beast corpses to guns that will even work on wraiths.

Mr. Dantès here is one of my best customers. It's always a pleasure to see him.

Hmm. You should try to sound a little more earnest when you lie.

Aha, I see what's going on.

Today I'm here with someone who seems like they'd make a good hostage, so you were hoping to abduct them in order to threaten me! Isn't that right?

？！

Haha, I can't put anything past you! Well, now you've seen through it, I won't give you any trouble!

Good. Now, I'll take twenty of the usual, please.

You got it. By the way, Mr. Dantès, I've got a question for ya.

And what might that be?

Do you think the end is almost here?

Hmm... Yes, it may well be.

But that doesn't change what needs to be done, does it? You still have to collect, sort, and sell your wares.

It may not be a proud profession. At times, you may have to sully your hands.

But so what? What is there to be afraid of?

You should be proud, Mr. Kaburagi. Just do what you need to.

I'll keep that in mind. By the by, I also have some new Demonic Beasts in, if you fancy that?

They could make great pets. They're very friendly, and not a bit picky when it comes to food!

No thanks.

What about you, young man! Interested in a nice Demonic Beast?

Do my ears deceive me!? You say you already have a Demonic Beast for a pet?

What sort of beast? Is it the kind that would kill a dreamy-eyed Caster on sight?

A genetically modified Chimera. I call it a Super Chimera myself.

...What? You don't need one? You had a bad experience with one before?

？！

Thanks for waiting!

？！

Yes. We'll soon be meeting up with the others, after all. ...I believe her hideout was somewhere around here.

Ah, there we go. All right, shall we go get lectured?

？！

But of course, Mr. Fujimaru.

I'm afraid those two will be absolutely livid after spending the evening worrying so much about you.

Hahaha, I see you now understand the situation we're in. Come then, let us be off!