Decisive Battle in El Dorado

...!

Your Majesty!? Are you all right? Are you feeling ill!?

That smell. The smell of Achilles...

But...something's not right. It's TOO potent. Where is it coming from...?

Okeydokey, this is our stop! Up we go!

Perfect positioning! Now take us ashore! We'll charge in, fast as we can, just as soon as we disembark!

Look, the golden heart of El Dorado is right in front of us! Haha, we've got 'em by the throat now!

...ster? Master!?

Can you hear me, Master!? Please come in!

This IS your trusty kouhai, Master! It's me, Mash Kyrielight! Oh, thank goodness!

I-it does? W-well, it's nice to hear that... But anyway...

？！

Fou!

I'm so glad you're all right, Master! You too, Fou!

I've been trying to reach you all this time, and it looks like our connection's finally fixed.

It's just as I told you, Ms. Kyrielight. Those technical difficulties were merely temporary. There was no cause for concern.

？！

Yes, well, I WAS planning on relaxing with my pipe in my quarters.

But when one is told that Master is in danger, that all of Chaldea's resources must be mustered to resolve the situation posthaste...

...and that one would be a heartless beast if one were to refuse to offer assistance in this time of crisis...one tends to feel obligated to comply.

Though I WAS adamant from the start that they were making a big to-do of nothing, as there was never any issue with your vital signs.

At this moment, my only conclusion is that she cares for you a great deal.

...

We have been down in the Dragon Palace all this time. Our connection must have been reestablished once we emerged from the water.

The Dragon Palace?

I-I have so many questions, but for now...

Yes, let's start with that big fellow who appears to have joined your side.

I'm impressed. How did you pull that off?

!!!

？！

The Dragon Palace and Tamatebako... So that's what you discovered while we were out of contact.

...And this was all Columbus's idea, eh.

...

？！

...Yes, Master, it's fine. There's nothing we can do about it at this point.

An entire world miles beneath the ground, eh. It sounds like something out of a Jules Verne novel.

As something of an explorer myself, the idea certainly piques my interest.

And it would hardly be sporting of me to haggle over my fee if I were to leave after merely confirming that communications were back online.

So I think I shall continue to listen to this tale of an underground world for the time being.

Worry not. I won't do anything out of turn to help bring about this tale's conclusion. Though I may venture an opinion if I start to feel bored.

Okay, enough talk! We need to hurry if we're going to take out the Amazon queen once and for all!

Come on! Let's get inside and put the plan into motion before the other Amazons get here!

...All right. Then please tell us the plan on the way. We'll help you out as much as we can!

...Indeed. I'd better tell you what I can while we have the chance...

Hey there, queenie. We're back.

...

...

Achilles! You dare show yourself before me once again...!?

I've not forgotten what you did to me. Only your death will set right the humiliation I suffered at your hands in Troy!

So I will kill you myself...as I was before I ever joined that accursed war!

Hm...? How odd. I've never seen her keep her cool in front of Megalos like this.

Maybe it's got something to do with the contract keeping his bloodlust in check.

Well, she's still not making a whole lotta sense!

？！

We must remain vigilant. She may appear as a young girl, but she is in fact a highly skilled warrior.

Appear as a young girl? Hehe, hahahaha. Well said, Achilles.

That...THAT is why I, now, will be the one to kill you!

It sounds like...she thinks everyone is Achilles now. She doesn't even find it strange that she's seeing more than one of him.

If I'm right about that, then she's completely lost her mind!

...Achilles. I know why you're here. You mean to kill my subordinates again, don't you.

You shall not have that chance. This time, victory shall be ours.

Listen once more to this fearsome war cry.

The war cry that caused the Achaeans to throw down their swords and beg for their lives in terror!

RAAAHHH!!! !

!

!

These voices... I can hear still them even from this distance!

It is just like before... The war cry that causes ordinary Amazons to go berserk!

Yes... Rage, my children. Let that rage pour out of you. That is the key to awakening our divine bloodthe blood of our father Ares.

You cannot win this time, Achilles! You will die by my hand...but that is not all...

During the battle of Troy, I had but twelve warriors at my side.

But now, my warriors of El Dorado number no less than one hundred times that! You are hopelessly outmatched in every way!

...!

(I knew it. The sort of nation they're trying to create...

...is like a single organism, where the mightiest stand on top, and all others follow their leader unquestioningly! What a formidable opponent!)

Hey! Don't stop now! We expected this to happen!

We've got no choice but to stick with the plan!

Oh, right. Sorry! Didn't mean to stand around getting all googly-eyed over this!

I do have some concerns about leaving the rest of you here...but I suppose there's nothing to be done.

...Fergus, Scheherazade, Master.

We shall return as soon as we have concluded our business, so...do be careful.

Aw, come on, Master. Don't say stuff like that.

Agreed. It sounds like you are trying to come up with stoic last words, believing you won't see us again.

？！

'Kay! Bye for now!

...Not a care in the world between them, huh. Ah well, that's just like them. One of them, at least.

I was amazed when I heard they volunteered for this...

...but I can practically hear the determination behind that happy front, even just over this transmission.

I have no doubt they'll see their task through to the end.

So let's trust them, and do our best to do what we need to get done here, Master.

(...I can't believe it. I could never do such a thing. I'd be far too scared of dying.)

(Do those two truly mean...)

(...to hold back so many Amazons all on their own!?)

!

That's a lotta yelling. Yep.

This's gonna suuuck...

Be that as it may... Somebody has to hold the Amazons at bay, or the others will have no chance to defeat Penthesilea.

Even with Megalos on their side, they'd be overwhelmed in terms of sheer numbers.

Yeah, I know. But...

Are you sure you're good with this, Knight of the White Lily...?

Usually when people ask me to do stuff it's little, lighthearted stuff. Y'know, "Pleeease, I'm in trouble and I need your help..."

Not so much the super-serious, head-to-head, life-or-death battle things. So, really, I'm fine with this.

But this kinda isn't your thing. You're all about using your sword to protect Master, right?

Indeed. But at this moment, I happen to be the right person in the right place. And besides...

Huh?

...I may never get another good chance to say this, so I will say it now.

Astolfo. You are one of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne, a hero to the kingdom of the Franks. Tales of your exploits lulled me to sleep as a child.

If not for you and the other paladins, the kingdom of France might not have existed, and none of us would ever have been born.

You Paladins paved the way for the other knights of France who followed in your footsteps. In a way, you were the exemplar for all we wished to be.

You...really think so?

Haha. And now that I stand by your side, facing down an army of hundreds...

...it truly feels as though I have become a part of one of those stories myself.

It may be immodest of me to say so under these circumstances, but if I might be frank...I am positively overflowing with excitement.

Haha, immodest, huh. Sounds great to me!

Well, speaking as your great exemplar who maaay not be the sharpest bulb in the toolbox, I'll say that it's fine to enjoy yourself whenever you can!

So, how 'bout we get goin'!?

It's just the two of us and one biiig audience, so let's give 'em one helluva show!

Indeed... Now is the time to open the Tamatebako! Our wish: to make use of our secret Noble Phantasms!

! ...!?

Ugh, so much shouting. It's too bad they don't use a battle song, especially one on par with the red Saber or the dragon maiden.

If they had a song as destructive as that, I might've been able to play along with my horn-flute thing!

I got this magical instrument from Logistilla, a witch I know! Normally I can't use it, but with this much magical energy, I can get in at least one good shot!

I hope you all enjoy it as much as those food-stealing harpies did.

All right then...time to go big, or go home! La Black Luna!!!

S-so incredibly loud! If I hadn't prepared myself, I shudder to think of what might have happened to me.

(Gasp) Good, that blew a lotta them away! Now let's see...

Ah...... Huh?

What...?

What happened to our war cry!?

Aw shoot! I was hoping that'd be enough to scare 'em all off!

Well, it may not have set them to running, but it does seem to have neutralized the war cry.

Their berserk state seems to have faltered in consequence. Well done.

...Now, it seems that I am up next.

N-never mind the war cry! We're only up against two opponents. Let us show them our fury!

You, show us? I'm afraid you're mistaken. You're the ones who will be enjoying the show.

You are about to witness the bloom of a great lily on this very battlefield.

This white lily is the knighthood to which I have dedicated my life. Its petals are truth and radiance.

The tip of my dancing blade shall accompany it. Tear your eyes from this duet if you can.

Ordinarily, I would not perform this for an audience of more than fifty, but today is special. Today, blade and flower shall dance as long as you wish.

Today, this flower will steal the hearts of no less than a thousand spectators!

This, my ultimate technique, would normally require all of my magical energy, but for now I have something to provide me with all I will need.

Thus, I have no compunction about allowing it to bloom.

Long live the Order of the White Lily... Fleur de Lis!

Hu...h...? Pretty...flower...

Ngh... This is...ridiculous. We...we will not be

...The stage is set. I believe it's time for our finale, Astolfo.

Yup. All that's left to do now...

...is take down a thousand Amazons!

What is this? Why do my soldiers not come to my side!?

？！

Fou!

...This is it, Penthesilea. It all ends now.

...Indeed, Achilles.

Soon, you will die by my hand. This will not be like our last battle. I will not permit you to speak to me as you did back then.

I am not without mercy, though. I will allow you to meet your death in whatever manner you see fit.

Will you face me, overcome with fear? You may do so, for I am generous. Will you cry to your allies for aid? You may do so, for I am generous.

Will you soil yourself and throw down your spear? You may do so, for I am generous. Will you beg pitifully for your life? You may do so, for I am generous.

Whatever you choose, I shall kill you here and now. That much will not change.

Heh... You hear that? She means to kill us.

And who do you think she's going to start with? My guess is that she'll go straight for you!

Megalos! You're up! Your enemy is the queen of the Amazons before you!

!

Aah, ah... That voice. Achilles. That's the voice I will never permit to speak such tripe again.

I still remember it all too clearly. I fought with all I had in our duel, only to have you slay me.

And then, as I lay dying...you called me "beautiful!" HOW DARE YOU!?

Rrr...RAAAAAAHHH!!! !

Penthesilea has gone berserk again! She appears to be responding to Megalos as he gears up for battle!

...We knew this was coming!

All of her stats are skyrocketing! She's getting far more dangerous!

Fortunately, you at least won't have to worry about her having support from the other Amazons.

It's time to put an end to this, Master!

Khh... Curse...you...!

...

Once again, you would tear off my helmet after my defeat and call me beautiful?

You DARE speak those words to a vanquished opponent? A warrior who fought with all her might?

...

I do not mind dying. I do not even mind losing. It means nothing more than that I was not strong enough to claim victory.

But if you too had risked your life in our battle...that is not what you say of your opponent.

If you had truly fought desperately, you would have been relieved to be alive. Flushed with the thrill of victory... Elated with the joy of piercing a powerful foe with your spear...!

At the very least, that is what I would have felt in your place. But you...you were different, Achilles!

That you thought to say such a thing to my facethe one that moments ago might have been the very face of your doom...

...That rather than relief at your survival, or elation with your victory, such nonsense was the first thought to cross your mind...

...means you never even saw me as a warrior! The very opponent you had been fighting mere moments before!

Rrrggghhh! You will pay... You will pay for that humiliation with your life!

I even took the form of my younger self so that, even should I lose, you would never think to speak such drivel to me again!

...Now I see. So this is what she meant the first time we met her.

She chose this immature form from her childhood to avoid hearing the same thing again.

...

I can...still fight... I can...still stand. Just you wait...Achilles!

...Ghh...

？！

(Cough, hack) ...Hm...?

...

...

...You're...Heracles. What's...the meaning of this?

It... It looks like she's seeing things clearly now!

Indeed. ...But this changes nothing.

Like Achilles, you Greek heroes are our sworn enemy.

Heracles. You stole my older sister Hippolyta's girdle, threw our nation into chaos, and killed her. I shall kill you one day as well.

Then there is Theseus, who abducted my younger sister and made her his wife. You cowards... I swear, I shall kill you all one day!

And yet... It seems that once again, I can do nothing but curse your names!

...Very well then, if that is all I can do, then I curse you. I curse all Greek heroes! The Amazons and the goddess of fate will avenge me! I curse you!

Penthesilea's disappearance, confirmed! But...the Demon God Pillar isn't there either!

So our battle is not yet over then.

No it won't. Did you think I would drop my guard just because our battle was over?

I would never do that. Young though I may be, I'd never betray the trust they placed in me.

On the subject of trust, I should mention: I mistrusted you from the very start!

Well I'll be damned. I never detected a hint of suspicion from you, but you went and deflected that shot like it was nothing.

Pity. If I could have blown Master's head off there, this would have all been wrapped up nice and neat.

What a shame. And here I thought we were all in the same boat together.

You were. But I still told them to keep an eye on you before you entered the temple.

Christopher Columbus. A world-famous voyager, but also a slave trader and a mass murderer.

As one of the conquistadors, there was no way your Alignment could be anything but Evil!

That said, nobody there suspected anything until I told them about you.

Fergus, of course, accepted it right away, but it didn't take much to convince d'Eon or Astolfo!

You must be joking. I got feelings too, you know?

Guess the joke's on me for thinking you goody-goodies wouldn't figure me out long as I kept quiet.

Still...a mass murderer, huh.

Is that really how history came to see me?

All I ever did was try to make my dream come true! Hahahaha!