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So that's what the other me you all know is like? I can't believe it...

A brave and earnest man best described as "simple-minded" and "chaotic"?

And on top of that, he's both a warrior who fights like a demon and a relentless womanizer?

...Do you think so, Master? I can kind of see the resemblance...

I-I confess, I had the same thought. The change in his physique is even more drastic than mine...

？！

Hahaha. I understand how you feel, but our data doesn't lie.

He is, without a doubt, Fergus mac Róich, one of the other Servants who went missing from Chaldea.

That said, we still have no idea how he ended up like that.

I'm not surprised: I don't know either. Still, I'm glad to know that I really did meet you all before, even if it wasn't the same me.

That said, I don't understand why I was summoned. I mean, I'm still just in training...

Of course. I train to become a great warrior every day!

That has nothing to do with me being royalty. Any Celtic man would do the same.

Never mind what a long way to go I still have...

How 'bout girls? Like 'em?

Wh-where did that come from? Well, um, I certainly don't DISlike them.

It's just... I never know what to do around them. Personally, I'd rather train than talk to girls.

Training is nice. It helps me turn off my brain and forget about all the trouble my brothers cause.

I really like that it's so straightforward. What's more, I can see its results for myself.

Wh-where did that come from? Well, um, I certainly don't DISlike them.

It's just... I never know what to do around them. Personally, I'd rather train than talk to girls.

Training is nice. It helps me turn off my brain and forget about all the trouble my brothers cause.

I really like that it's so straightforward. What's more, I can see its results for myself.

...Do you enjoy training?

Of course. I train to become a great warrior every day!

That has nothing to do with me being royalty. Any Celtic man would do the same.

Never mind what a long way to go I still have...

？！

Hey, hear that? Fergus, not knowing what to do around girls?

Indeed... It's quite shocking. I would never have expected him to be this way.

At least they both share their fondness for training.

I knew he couldn't have become the skilled swordsman he is on natural talent alone. He must have put in a lot of hard work during his youth as well.

？！

Parts of him are similar to the Fergus we know, but a fair amount is entirely different...

It's such a strange feeling. To be honest, I'm still not sure how to feel...

I'm not even sure if it's okay for me to be surprised or not.

It's a bit like running into an old friend who's changed so much you barely recognize them.

It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's so different from what you were expecting that you don't know how to react.

That's rich, coming from you.

That does sound more like a reaction you'd provoke than one you'd experience yourself, Da Vinci.

？！

I feel like I've heard those names before, but I can't picture them. It feels like my memories are all hazy.

There must be some things that the Fergus you're all familiar with knows that I don't.

...I'm sorry to be such a disappointment.

For what it's worth, I can promise I'll do my best to improve and learn everything I can.

(So, spurred on by his indignation at his own immaturity, he trains to overcome his own weakness. Yep. Sounds like Fergus.)

So it seems this is essentially Fergus's past, younger self. Both physically, and in terms of his memories.

But, much as his appearance, personality, and stats may be different, he is still the same Fergus mac Róich we know.

So don't worry, it's safe to trust him. That said...

I do wonder why he's manifested like this...

Whoever it was must have gone out of their way to summon him from Chaldea before reverting him to his younger self.

Da Vinci, you do the brain stuff! We'll keep adventuring!

Um...yes. That's...a good idea.

I do wonder what's going on with Fergus, but our main goal is to explore Agartha.

Our exploration may lead us to some explanations about what has happened to him, after all.

Exploring this world, huh? That sounds great to me.

I also think my being here probably has something to do with the abnormality that Fujimaru is looking into.

In which case, I believe it's my duty to help resolve it.

I can see that the two of you are both beautiful and brilliant warriors.

I'm afraid I won't be any help in combat at all, compared to you two.

But I do have confidence in my stamina. I can run anywhere you need me to!

Ah, this must be the super stamina I've heard about. I guess that Fergus must have had this going for him even as a kid.

Our Fergus always says he uses that stamina to keep goin' all night long...

Keep going all night? I thought nighttime was for sleeping. Is that a riddle of some kind?

If there's a better way to use my stamina at night, I'd love for you to teach it to me!

Uwaa, don't look at me like that! I can't pay off this awesome setup when you're so innocent like that!

At ANY rate, we may be on an expedition of sorts, but we still have yet to find a clue of any kind.

Astolfo's instincts worked in our favor, as it was thanks to him that we found Fergus the hero.

Fergus...the hero...

I-I don't deserve such an honor, especially from one so beautiful as you. May I ask your name?

Please call me d'Eon. Delighted to have you with us.

At any rate, we know now that an adventurer's intuition is not to be discounted when exploring dangerous new territory.

So let's not run around wasting our time. For the moment, I suggest we follow Astolfo

Hm? What's that?

Fou fou!

See!? I knew we'd find something here!

It's a town...or rather, a campsite.

？！

J-just like that!?

There's no telling what you might find here. Please be careful, Senpai!

...

Hey, it's a person. Hiya!

...!

A-are you insane!? Mash JUST told us to be careful!

With all my experience as a spy, there is never a case where running up to someone you've never met to say hello would be wise!

...?

Aw, come on. Being friendly never hurt anyone!

Y'know...she is kiiinda staring pretty hard at us, huh?

...Yes. Yes she is.

I can't really see much from here... I wonder why she's wearing such revealing clothing...

...!? A man!?

What? Did you say a man?

...! There's more of them coming out of the tents!

A man! A man!

A stray man!

？！

Look out! They're arming themselves and preparing to attack!

Damn... It seems we have no choice but to fight! Fergus, take care of Master!

I should be able to hold my own against these opponents, but...I'm afraid I can't use my sword against women.

But don't worry. I can still make certain to keep Fujimaru safe!

Can't use your sword against women? Is that a Celtic geis!?

Not at all. It's my own, very personal problem. I'm worried about inadvertently harming them...

Still, I should be able to deflect their attacks, so I can at least protect Fujimaru.

Oooh! So, you don't know how to handle them, right? No problem! d'Eon and I got this!

No sign of hostile reinforcements. The battle is over.

Given those women's fighting style, clothing, equipment, and determination to fight to the last...

They must be Amazons.

You might have seen them before, in other places.

Are you all right, Senpai!? Did you remember something distressing?

I think I must've used a buncha those...or maybe I could get them for myself...

What a coincidence, I believe I did as well. Such is to be expected for a noble knight like myself, I suppose...

At any rate...

？！

If these women really are Amazons, then we've fought them many times before.

Alone, they aren't much of a threat, but in a group, well...

Maaan, why didn't they just surrender? I wanted to hear what they had to say.

...That was incredible. You completely dominated your opponents through sheer skill rather than brute force.

Winning like that takes a lot of patience. I'm especially impressed that you were able to do so against female warriors.

Personally, I couldn't contain my surprise at seeing women fight with such ferocity.

...? I don't understand. Don't the Celts have female warriors as well? I seem to recall one in particular who was especially terrifying.

Well, I have heard that there are lots of strong female warriors in the area surrounding Ulster.

But I've never even met one, let alone fought one.

？！

Fooou.

That's why I'm still not used to wielding my sword against women.

I guess it's hard for me to see them as enemies. Whenever I try, it's like my arms freeze up.

Hmm. Ah well, maybe that's just something that happens when you're young.

Anywho, since you don't have any trouble on defense, I think we'll make you Master's full-time protector.

As for attacking female enemies... Eh, you just gotta get used to it! Don't worry, it'll work out!

Thank you... I'm sorry for the trouble.

Now then, we may not have been able to get any information out of the Amazons themselves, but we do know more after investigating this camp.

For one thing, it appears that this was a hunting outpost.

And those beasts we encountered on the plain earlier must have been running away from them.

Ohh, now I see. I guess they must've been hunting them for food?

Definitely, yes. We have yet to see anything like a farm so far, so they must primarily hunt for food.

(Wow. I could barely defeat just one of those boars, but they were going out to hunt them. They really are fearsome warriors.)

Furthermore, it seems they have been taking their game somewhere else after making the kill.

You can tell from the wagon tracks heading away, down that road. And where do you think that road leads?

Indeed. But even if it isn't a town, it is still very likely that we find another populated area.

？！

Yeah, I don't see much point in just going on a nature walk. Heading where there are people will be a better way to get answers.

We need more information on this world, and on the Demon God Pillar. What's more...

...if there are other Servants like Fergus here who disappeared from Chaldea, we might be able to get information on them too.

Fou, fou!

Wooow, that's some pretty snazzy footwork for such a little guy! It's not over yet though! Check this out!

(Sigh) I suppose we had best think of them as an advance reconnaissance team. In the meantime, Master, let's stay alert and continue on our way.

I agree. It's good to have Astolfo taking the initiative, but I'm also glad that someone as cautious as you is there too, d'Eon.

Anyway, please be careful, Senpai. We still don't know why the Amazons attacked you without warning.

Likewise, we don't know if you'll find other kinds of people up ahead, or simply more Amazons.

After all, we still know almost nothing about Agartha.

？！

(For that matter...I'm still wondering what that one Amazon meant...

...when she called Fergus a "stray man"...)