Prima Cantica: Purgatorio (Beginning)

Thanks for filling me in. I think I've got the lay of the land now.

So basically, you don't know where you are, or how you got here.

Usually you've got a thing that lets you talk to your comrades, but for some reason, you can't do that now.

And to top it all off, you can't be totally sure that this isn't all a dream. That about it?

？！

Oh, back on Onigashima. I've actually crossed a few more worlds since then, but never mind that now.

Did you get over your dizzy spells? Okay. I can trust your story, then.

The last thing you remember, you were still in your own worlback in Chaldeaand bam! Next thing you know, you're waking up here.

I can't say for sure whether you're dreaming or not...

But I have heard stories about people's spirits leaving their bodies while they dream.

Some puppeteer with glasses once told me that while it was extremely rare to travel to other worlds while dreaming, it does happen occasionally...

？！

...At any rate, even I'm surprised by how far off the beaten path your life takes you.

？！

Sure! It makes me feel closer to you than ever before! It's great to finally have someone to talk to who really gets me!

And since we have so much in common, I'll be glad to help make sure you wake up from this dream safely.

My best guess, you probably ARE dreaming. But at the same time, this world also really exists. At least, I think it does.

So if you end up dying here before you wake up, you'll probably end up dead for real.

I've seen people die to...curses? Seen stuff like that more than a few times.

So as Musashi-no-Kami, I hereby offer to serve as your guard until this thing blows over!

Haha, it's been so long since I've said something like that! Makes me feel kinda silly!

Somebody even trusted a ruffian like me to look after a plot of land once, if you can believe that!

Don't worry, I've protected a fair few over the years, so just relax and let me handle everything!

In fact, to be honest, I just came here a day ago myself, so I've been a little nervous about exploring this place on my own.

？！

Yup! Though I'm not nearly as out of place as you are. The air's kinda different here, but this is still the Japan I know.

That said, I'm afraid I don't know anything more about what's going on than you do! Sorry about that.

I've bounced around all kindsa worlds, but it seems I can't go back to worlds I've been to before.

I'm always getting called "stranger" and "world drifter" and other stuff like that wherever I go, so I'm pretty much always starting from scratch.

A lotta the time, I get rough types getting in my face and picking fights and stuff. Sometimes it gets me so riled up I can't control myself.

But with you here with me, I'm sure you'll talk me down from doing anything foolish. Lady Kannon must have had a hand in this!

I mean, you ended up here just after you were talking about me, right? It must be fate!

Anyway, I'm glad you're here with me. Let's find out what's up with this place together.

We'll look for a way to get you back to your own world, and a way for me to keep going with my journey.

Ehhh... That's weird coming from you. Don't talk like that.

We've already shared a rice ball before! There's no need for flattery!

？！

...Okay, now that we're all caught up, what say we get moving?

From the look of things around here, I can say for sure we're in Japan. I'd guess somewhere in the center of the country?

Let's start by seeing what's over in that direction. If we're lucky, we'll find a village. If we're unlucky...well, we should still find a river!

...Well, we've been walking for an hour, and so far the only thing we've found is a buncha Jizou statues.

Still, I bet it won't be much longer now until we find a village. Trust me, that's usually how it goes.

Oh, are you okay, Fujimaru? Did you want to take a break? I must have been walking pretty quickly...

Huh? You mean you've crossed that whole continent!? That's amazing! Even I got tired just crossing the western part of it!

Still...you know what America is like, huh. That country is really huge.

Although... Neeheehee. If you can handle that much land, that means you can also handle me dragging you around a kinda rough, right?

Well, yeah, compared to a giant mountain like that, a nice flat rice field like this is no big deal!

I mean, there were real oni there! To be honest, I was scared out of my wits the first time I saw one!

？！

...Aaanyway, I guess I should save my energy and just hush a bit, huh?

So let's take it nice and easy while we walk. Luckily, the sky is a beautiful blue today.

I'm still hungry since I lost my rice ball, but I can make do as long as the sky is nice and blue like this!

I do. America's sky was beautiful too, but there's just something about it here that I really love.

Like it has a kind of depth to it? No, that's not right. If anything, this sky seems more pliable.

America's sky was so pretty you could feel your thoughts emptying out as you looked at it, but not this sky.

It feels like it could pull you into it, to a point where it's actually kind of scary. That's one of the things I love about it.

I guess part of that has to do with my memories of watching it as a child, though. Ahaha.

Come to think of it, it was. I still enjoyed my time on that island, but that part was unfortunate.

？！

...Hey, I can sense someone. Looks like we got lucky, and someone's coming this way.

I wonder if they're from around here? This should work out well; we can ask them everything we want to know.

Hi there. What are you two doing in the rice fields?

I can tell you're not from around here. Are you travelers? Where did you come from?

That's right! I'm a traveling swordsman! Uh, swordswoman! (And the fact that we understand each other just goes to show that this really is Japan!)

I can't easily explain where I came from, but I was born in a town called Ohara in the Mimasaka Province.

Have you heard of it? It's home to Kenmitsu Temple... Uh, I mean, never mind; I guess that doesn't matter.

I'm Musashi. Miyamoto Musashi.

My real name is a bit longer than that, but that'll do for now. What about you, miss? What's your name?

It's so nice of you to help out by watching that baby. Is he your little brother? Are you his big sister?

...Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh!

You're a woman samurai! And you're so pretty!

Oh gosh, oh gosh! Your costume is really pretty too! Are you from Edo!?

Huh?

M-me, pretty!?

Did you hear that, Fujimaru? She called me pretty!

Heeheehee. I knew it! It feels so strange, but a good kinda strange.

...Yeah, I know. I knew what she meant. I like this kimono a lot myself, after all...

...You're right, I should have known a wild woman going around swinging two katana like me would never be pretty to anyone.

？！

Anyway, thank you for the compliment, uh...

Oh, uh, my name's Onui! And this is my little brother, Tasuke!

Goo goo ga.

？！

Wow, Fujimaru, I didn't know you were so good with babies. I'm impressed. I like babies, oh and kids too...

...but I'm just no good at looking after them. Whenever they cry, I end up wanting to cry with them.

...Anyway, that's neither here nor there.

Onui, you mentioned Edo, right? It sounds like it's a major city.

That would put us in the same time period I was in before: during the Tokugawa Shogunate's reign.

Is that what you call it in your time? Huh, interesting.

...Wait, the Tokugawa Shogunate lasts for THAT long? Aw, man... Now I really wish I'd enlisted...

？！

Are you going to Edo, Miss Samurai? Or to Toke Castle?

Toke Castle?

Uh huh. If that's where you're headed, it's just a half day's walk along the highway.

...That would mean this is Kazusa Province. So we must be in the eastern part of the country.

No, this is the Shimousa Province.

Is that so... Hm?

There's a really big town all around the castle. It's much bigger than our village!

Wait. Huh? Hold on.

I could have sworn that Toke Castle was in Kazusa, and that it was abandoned during the Toyotomi reign.

I don't remember it being big enough to have its own town either.

This is all very different than I remember...

Say, Onui, Lord Tokugawa is the ruler of Edo, right?

That's right. His name is Tokugawa Ie... Ie-something... Oh, Iemitsu! His name is Tokugawa Iemitsu!

Ga, ga!

So this is Iemitsu's reign... Even so, Toke Castle should still be in Kazusa, and still be abandoned to boot... Hmm, maybe this is part of that.

？！

Sometimes, the history of worlds I wander into differs slightly from the history of my own world. That's probably what's going on here.

How about in your time? Is Toke Castle part of Kazusa? Was it a proper castle even during the Tokugawa reign?

...Right, of course. Sorry, I should have known better than to ask!

...Honestly, I should have known better than to ask that, but I'm impressed you answered it so quickly. You really know your history, don't you.

？！

At any rate, this is good. We now know that this is the Tokugawa reign under Tokugawa Iemitsu, and that we're somewhere in the Shimousa Province.

This girl was pretty quick and confident in her answers, so there's no reason to doubt her.

I think we've made a lot of progress. Things are going so well it almost seems wrong!

Usually I end up having to fend off burglars before I meet a single decent person. Hell, most of the time I have to cross mountains before I even learn the name of whatever place I happened across!

？！

I know, right? More often than not, the only people who'll talk to me are bandits! Good thing for me that you're here this time, Fujimaru!

Oh, that was just my stomach growling! I guess that's what happens when you haven't eaten anything for two days straight!

Say, Onui, is there a teahouse anywhere around here?

There's a teahouse on the other side of the village... Oh, but my grandpa's hermitage is a lot closer!

That's where Tasuke and I came from.

Goo ga, ga.

...Say, pretty samurai lady? Weird kimono guy?

？！

Would you two like to come to my grandpa's hermitage? I could make you tea.

You know how to make tea, Onui? So you know how to do housework as well as watch your brother, huh.

What a responsible young girl you are. I'm proud of you.

... Um, anyway, please follow me and

...Hm? I know this feeling.

？！

...! There are monsters nearby!

Onui! Get away from the cute guy in the weird kimoI mean, get away from Fujimaru!

Oh gosh, oh gosh. The sky went all dark... Is this...

Waah, waah!

There there... It's okay, Tasuke. Nothing to be afraid of. W-well, maybe a little, but it'll be okay.

？！

Aaah!

That voice...

That's not the kind of voice any child should have to hear. Onui, I want you to close your eyes and plug your ears.

Children might see ghosts sometimes, but they should never have to see a real monster.

Especially not during Iemitsu's reign. Widespread war should be gone by this period.

Children shouldn't have to see people dying...to hear bodies being torn apart...

For that matter, they shouldn't have to see me using my swords either.

...Looks like my luck is just as terrible as ever. Running into this in the mountains at night is one thing, but if they're showing up in broad daylight, things must be really bad in this time period.

You there, evil spirit. I won't ask who or what you are, or why you lost your way in the first place.

I'm no monk, and I have no desire to hear your grudge or chant a prayer for you. If you disappear here and now, I won't even raise my katana against you.

But if you turn those rotting eyes of yours to the living, all bets are off.

...I especially won't have you looking at Onui or Tasuke.

？！

Of course. This evil spirit is made of pure bloodlust. If I don't take care of it, the children's lives could be endangered. Or, for that matter...

...your life.

？！

That's great to hear! You haven't changed a bit, Fujimaru!

I knew I could trust you. No, more than that; you truly deserve respect. After all...

(He moved to protect the children before I even said anything. Whereas my first move...was to take up my katana.)

(...Oh well, that IS who I am. No sense feeling bad about it. I'm a swordsman, so I may as well act like one!)

I'm perfectly fine facing down evil spirits! Since the sun isn't keeping you at bay, I'll just have to do it myself!

The Path of the Void demands that souls devoid of flesh be cut away from this world! With my two katana, I shall do just that!

...It looks like the spirits are all gone now.

Whoa, I can't believe it! That was amazing! You're so strong, Miss Samurai!

At first I thought those were ghosts, but since you were able to get rid of them and you're not a monk...

I wonder if they were actually bandits or burglars or something.

Ga ga!

Oh, yeah, they did say that. I remember! Back when Mom and Dad were still alive...

(...I see. So they're orphans.)

They always said to be careful at night 'cause lots of bad things show up then!

I don't remember if Mom and Dad said anything about shadowy things showing up when it gets really cloudy.

But I know they told us that's what happens at night. Grandpa said so too!

(Grandpa... Now I see. So they still have a grandfather. He sounds very kind, too.)

Hmm... Although, I still don't know why bandits showed up here, and when it's not even night!

They didn't look like bandits to me. What about you?

...Really?

Right?

？！

Either way, now we know they show up so often that they get mistaken for bandits.

So there's a castle that's not supposed to be here, and evil spirits stalking fields like wild animals.

I've wandered into time periods like that before, but this one seems especially dangerous.

It looks to be as bad as Onigashima, where we first met, or maybe even worse...

Anyway, for now, let's go pay Onui's house a visit.

I'm still hungry, and we have to get her and Tasuke back home safely!

Those dark things don't show up in Grandpa's hermitage or the village, not even at night!

I'd never even seen one before... You hadn't either, right, Tasuke?

Goo ga!

See?

That may be what Onui told us...

But things might be different from what she's used to now.

First it got dark again, and there are definitely more monsters nearby too.

？！

Seriously! What's going on here, anyway!?

The nerve of these things, making me look bad by showing up right after I say they've all been taken care of.

And if that wasn't bad enough...

There's even more of them now!

？！

Hm? Oh, I THOUGHT it was strange that no one else had showed up yet. Is that technique of yours not working right or something?

Well, if not, that's fine. It keeps things nice and simple!

I may be so hungry I'm about to collapse, but I still have an example to set!

This time, I'll make sure to cut them down to such a small size that they'll never come back agai

Fujimaru! Get down!

Let's see, let's see.

It looks as though I've materialized in this world for reasons unknown. Now I find myself in Shimousa.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw monsters just appearing and attacking people left and right whenever the sky grew dark.

So whenever I found one, I would rip them to shreds with my spear. And now, after traveling the land and destroying numberless scores of them...

I find myself in the presence of a beautiful swordsman accompanied by a child, a baby, and a young man dressed in strange clothing.

...Pray tell, how did this come to be?

(Whoa, who is this guy!? He obliterated those spirits with just a single thrust of his spear!)

(The way he holds his spear, his gait, his torso, his build, his breathing...! Compared to him, those spirits might as well have been kittens!)

？！

Oh well, guess I'd better say something.

I can tell you're a skilled fighter from the way you mowed down those spirits with a single spear strike. Are you the powerful warrior I've been hearing about?

Well now, well now.

I wasn't expecting you to answer my question with a question of your own.

"A powerful warrior," hmm? It seems I'm one of the Heroic Spirits that have left their mark on humanity, but I still find that hard to believe.

I find quite a bit of knowledge has been stuffed into this head of mine.

But none of it answers any truly important questions! For what purpose was I summoned here!?

Where is the one who summoned me!? I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing!

For the moment, I shall tell you my name! I am Houzouin Inshun!

I have studied both Buddhism and the spear directly under Master In'ei, the founder of Houzouin-style Soujutsu!

？！

Right you are! Thank you for saying so, young one! I am indeed Houzouin Inshun, and merely passing by!

So you're a monk? Wow, you're even stronger than those dark bandits!

Goo goo ga!

Bandits? ...Were those bandits just now? As near as I could tell, they were nothing more than evil spirits.

I think so too. If those are bandits, then all of Japan would be overrun by

W-wait a sec. Did I hear you right?

Are you really Inshun? As in THE Houzouin Inshun!?

The strongest jumonji spear-wielder who ever lived? The man who reinstated the Houzouin-style Soujutsu after Lord In'ei passed on...?

The same Houzouin Inshun whose skill with a spear even allowed him to step into the realm of the gods and the Buddha himself!?

Ah, yes, I believe I'm that Inshun. I have certainly never gone by any other name.

What about you? It is rare to see a woman carrying katana, and they do not appear to be mere decoration.

This feeling you impart... You do not possess the unique air of a Heroic Spirit, but I cannot help but sense something...familiar about you.

I see. You are a swordsman.

...Familiar, huh? I...

(I never managed to meet him before. In all my travels across different timelines of Japan, I never once came across Lord Inshun while he was still alive.)

(He's an unparalleled genius with the spear, so much so that other warrior monks, who ordinarily have no interest in who the strongest of them is, talked about him in hushed, even reverent tones.)

(...I never imagined I would finally end up meeting him in a place like this.)

(Still...)

...Yeah. Right now, Fujimaru and the other two come first. My own interests can wait until later.

Let me thank you once again for your help earlier. I was incredibly impressed by your skill with the spear.

There can be no doubt that you are THE Houzouin Inshun...

The star pupil of the Houzouin school of Soujutsu, a warrior monk said to be invincible once he takes up his jumonji spear.

...Although, I WAS under the impression that you would be quite a bit older in this time period.

Hm? Ah, is that why you weren't sure about me? I apologize for that.

There's a very good reason why I'm younger than you expected. It's because I'm a Servant.

Servant...?

Oh! You mean the kind of Servant Fujimaru talks about sometimes!

I believe he described them as the shadows of figures from fiction and history that materialize in this world to aid him in battle.

Hmm, I see. So you're one of those then.

Indeed. Thus, I can see why you may be on your guard, as we Servants are not exactly everyday occurrences. But you are hardly without blame either.

I heard you rattling your sword, attempting to provoke my ire. I cannot commend your actions!

Had those children not been present, I would already have answered such provocation!

Sorry about that. It's a habit of mine. Whenever I meet an opponent who seems formidable, I end up goading them into a duel.

But I guess I missed my chance thanks to you. Seems like now's not the best time to compare skills.

I see. That is at once fortunate and very much the opposite. I too have no wish to kill a swordsman who can be reasoned with.

All the more so if she is as beautiful as you are. I may be sworn to celibacy, but that would still be a terrible shame.

I agree. After seeing that smile, I'd really like it if we could be friends.

I'm sorry for not properly introducing myself earlier. I'm Miyamoto Musashi. As you can see, I am indeed a traveling swordsman.

...I'm sorry? Did you say Musashi?

That's right. Musashi.

Musashi!

Goo ga!

...Haha, Miyamoto Musashi, eh. As in Shinmen Musashi-no-Kami Fujiwara-no-Harunobu?

Yep, that's me.

Ha ha ha.

Ahaha.

Hahahahaha. Now I see, hahahaha! I had no idea that the famed Musashi was a woman!

Forgive me for laughing like that; it was very rude of me. I was just really surprised. What a strange twist of history!

I have spent my life walking both the paths of the Buddha and the spear...

...but nothing prepared me for the surprises that this new hollow life would have in store!

What a great pleasure this has been to have my expectations upturned like

...Wait, wait, this is wrong! You're a far cry from the Musashi that I know!

You there, young man! You know who Musashi is supposed to be, right!?

？！

Hmm, this is just like what happened when I first met you, Fujimaru... What's with the me from other worlds?

Anyway, I'm afraid I don't have any other way to explain it. I just happen to be a Musashi who's a little different from the one you're familiar with.

I see... Indeed, I do have some familiarity with Shinmen Musashi. At the very least, I can say with confidence that he was not a woman.

Could it be that you inherited his name? I...doubt he had a daughter, but might you perhaps have been his disciple at one point?

My father was Shinmen Munisai. Come to think of it...I guess he was technically my master too.

I see.

Yup.

Then, you say you truly are Shinmen Musashi.

Thought I'd already said so. Um, I didn't want to explain because I thought it might be confusing...

But I think I'm actually from a different historyreally, a different world than the one you all know. Do you get what I mean?

...A different history. If you had told me that while I was alive, I probably would have said you were speaking nonsense, but now... Hmm.

Very well then, Lady Musashi, let me ask you this: are you familiar with one Takada Matabei?

You mean Matabei the spearman?

How do YOU know aboutOh, right. Come to think of it...he studied Houzouin-style Soujutsu, didn't he?

I think that when we fought, he had already opened his own school. Anyway, what about him?

Takada Matabei and I studied under the same master, and Matabei claimed he had crossed swords with Shinmen Musashi. In which case...hm?

？！

...Looks like your instincts were right on the mark, Fujimaru. Way to go!

Tsk tsk. Whatever happened to the rule of law in this land? Nonetheless...this is a good opportunity.

Musashi, we could merely talk about this all we want to no avail. But as warriors, we have other, far clearer ways to communicate than words alone.

Indeed. I'd hate to be taken lightly just because I've got thin arms. You're more hardheaded than you seem, aren't you, Lord Inshun?

I suppose now's as good a time as any to prove who I am with my swords!

We can only proceed so far with doubts fogging our minds. As such, there is only one path left to us!

All right Lord Inshun, why don't you take the right side? Shall we say whoever slaughters the most spirits is the winner?

I heartily agree! That quick thinking is indeed the Shinmen Musashi I know!

？！

Huh? What's going on?

Onui, I want you to stick close to Fujimaru again. Make sure you don't move from his side.

Okay.

Goo goo, ga?

You're such a good little boy, Tasuke. Don't cry now. This will all be over soon.

There you are, evil spirits! Just this once, I'm glad you don't know when to give up!

Heh. Such ferocity. Most men would soil their pants at the sight of such creatures, yet you yearn to fight.

At this point, I am already willing to believe you are who you say you are, but I'll be damned if I miss this chance to compare our skills firsthand.

You there, young man! Make sure you keep careful track of which of us defeats more spirits!

...This is it!

...Not yet, it isn't!

...Phew.

...(Sigh). I guess you really can't put any stock in rumors.

"Unparalleled with the spear" doesn't come close to doing your skill justice. It would even be an insult to call you "the greatest of all time."

Every thrust of your spearevery sweep, every strike, every slashwould be ultimate finishing blows for any other fighter.

...To be honest, watching you fight up close gave me chills. It was so beautiful I could hardly believe it.

No one, at any point in Japan's history, has ever wielded a spear with such absolute perfection.

The depth of your mindfulness and technique... The way your spear cut through the air with only the bare minimum distance required... The sheer mastery of your form, with not a single movement wasted... I still have a long way to go in comparison.

Incredible. You win, no doubt about it. It has been an honor to witness your skill up close, Lord Inshun.

Seriously, that was awesome! The heir to the Houzouin school was even greater than I had imagined!

I see. So that is how I seemed to you, eh. In that case, I think I can finally accept this.

Oh, I don't mean your identity. I mean myself as a so-called Servant.

To be honest, even after I learned about Heroic Spirits and Servants...

...I was unsure whether I was fit to be one myself.

But if a swordsman of your caliber has admitted defeat, I can accept that I am worthy to be a Heroic Spirit.

I am the one who should be thanking you, Shinmen Musashi. You have proven beyond all doubt how capable women warriors can be.

(Hey, he called you Musashi!)

(So he did. He even thanked me, even though I don't deserve it. Lord Inshun is truly as great as the spear he wields.)

I appreciate that, but can I set the record straight about one thing? Just because I've declared you the victor doesn't mean I lost.

Isn't that right, Fujimaru? I never said I had lost, did I?

？！

I see. Yes, now that you mention it, you're right! The Musashi I know would never readily admit defeat!

Indeed, you are without a doubt Shinmen Musashi! Both your skills and your speech prove it!

And that's the second time.

It seems our contest to see whether I truly am Musashi has been settled as well.

...

Yup, that was twice! You said "Shinmen Musashi" twice!

？！

Hahahaha, I see, I see. So I've called you that twice, have I!?

Well done. I may have won our contest of skill, but it seems I've lost in what truly mattered!

I don't recall ever refusing to acknowledge you for who you are, but let me make it official.

Magnificently played, Lady Musashi. ...Now, at last, I know what kind of situation I've found myself in.

I am a Servant who has been summoned to this place, and that young man there is one of few in this time who knows what Servants are.

If this is not fate, then nothing is. Please, will you tell me everything you can about yourselves?

I may be Houzouin Inshun...but I have no idea as to who summoned me here.

...Hmm, I see. Chaldea, is it?

I'm afraid I understood perhaps half of what you told me at best, Lady Musashi, but I understand what Fujimaru had to say well enough.

I have no connection to this Chaldea place whatsoever.

Therefore, I must be an inhuman being who has appeared here for some other reason.

You're...not human?

They are?

Amazing people... Then, they're samurai!? But, Mr. Inshun is a monk, isn't he?

Ha ha ha, that I am. No matter what else I may be, I shall always be a monk.

？！

Okay, I understand that you're the same kind of person as the people Fujimaru summoned the last time we met...

But is there someone controlling you? Or did you just pop right out of the grave all on your own?

I am not undead! Although, I suppose the art that summoned me is as black as those that create undead, so perhaps we are more similar than I would like...

...At any rate.

As far as I can remember, I materialized here as a Lancer about two days ago.

I have no idea whether or not I have a Master. All I know is that when I came to, I was standing alone at the edge of the Katori Shrine grounds.

I was given very little knowledge during my summoning.

I know only that this is the 16th year of Kan'ei, in which Tokugawa Iemitsu reigns, and that we are in the Shimousa Province.

That would be 1639 A.D., right?

Hm? What is it? ...Oh, I see. You're surprised I know about the Western calendar?

Hehehe, it's just one of the many, many things I've picked up in my travels!

Chiba Prefecture?

Chiba Prefecture???

？！

Indeed. I know where we are and when we are, but nothing more. Again, I have no idea whatsoever as to why I was summoned to begin with.

Nonetheless, when I came to, I had an ominous premonition. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, warning me not to remain a moment longer.

So I left Katori Shrine and wandered around, slaying the spirits that appeared at night and when the sky grew dark...

And that's when you met us, eh. Glad you made it here safe and sound, Lord Inshun.

I mean, you've been walking around these mountains and fields for a whole two days without anything to eat or drink, right? I've done that myself at times, so I know how hard it is...

Especially since that's the exact same situation I'm in right now myself. I really need to eat something before my stomach turns itself inside out.

Y-you do?

All I have is some water in my bamboo flask... I'm sorry I don't have anything else, Mr. Monk.

Goo goo.

But if you come to my grandpa's hermitage, we can treat you to rice balls!

That is most kind of you. But worry not. This form of mine is fleeting, transient.

I have no need of food or drink. Feel free to drink the water yourselves.

...(Teary eyes)

(Uh oh. Is she going to cry?)

On second thought, it appears I spoke too soon. There is no creature on earth that does not get thirsty, after all!

In fact, I just realized how thirsty I am. Very well, Onui, I gladly accept your kind offer.

Okay!

There we go.

...But man, that's unbelievable. I can't imagine being able to fight after going an entire day without a drop of water.

That is merely what it means to be a Heroic Spirit, or a Servant. For that matter, you seem fully capable of much the same feat yourself.

Yeah, I guess so. I just think it's amazing how you never get hungry.

？！

Holy Grail?

It is a goblet associated with Western saints, an object said to be derived from the great cauldrons used by ancient, foreign gods.

They possess immense power, and are capable of granting wishes and performing miraculous feats with ease.

In essence, they are omnipotent wish-granters.

...

With all these wicked creatures running rampant, it is indeed possible that there is a Holy Grail here.

Someone may have obtained it, and may be using its power to bring those creatures into this world.

？！

Hmm... You have to do something, huh. That would mean going home a lot later. Are you okay with that?

？！

So the needs of the many and all that, huh? You're so young, yet you're already separating your own problems from the ones of those around you...

I guess I've got no choice but to stick around and help you out then!

I can't very well be the only one not bothering because it sounds like too much trouble after you've gone and said something like that, after all.

As they say, "We don't meet people by accident. They're meant to cross out path for a reason." Er, or maybe "We've come too far to turn back now" is better here?

This thing presumably causing trouble is called a Holy Grail, right?

So if there's someone here up to no good with it, you just need to teach them a lesson before heading back to Chaldea, right?

Got it. I'll keep that in mind then.

I usually try to avoid fighting when there's nothing in it for me, but I'm not so heartless as to leave you to fend for yourself.

Of course I will! Besides, I love helping out cuties like you!

If anything, I've been waiting for you to ask. If you're okay with my help, I'll gladly stick with you to the end.

？！

...You truly are different from the Musashi I know in many ways. He would never help anyone for free...

Oh, my apologies. I did not mean to imply that you were either a man or an imposter.

You are your own Miyamoto Musashi, with your own inimitable Niten Ichiryu swordsmanship.

That aside, young Fujimaru: your fortitude is most impressive, especially given your age.

？！

I see. You are a good person, and a hardy one at that. I can see why you and Lady Musashi get along so well! It is wonderful to see!

Wonderful! ...Hey, what are you all talking about?

Oh, just boring grown-up talk. No need to worry about it if you didn't understand.

Oh, okay.

...At any rate, it's terrible that someone has seen fit to summon monsters here, especially after the Tokugawa reign only just brought Japan's period of war to an end.

I don't know what it is they're after, but they must have a lot of time on their hands.

It's still too soon to say anything for certain, but I wouldn't rule it out.

Regardless, transient form or not, the fact remains that I have come back to life! As such, I must use my spear to help those suffering from these circumstances beyond their control!

I believe that to be nothing less than the reason why I was given new life!

...But, if I am being fully truthful, there is another, more selfish reason...

I now have another chance to wield my spear, and there is no better target to use it on than these creatures plaguing innocent people!

...Is that so.

Hahaha, I get that a lot.

...Am I?

？！

At any rate, there are matters we must discuss. Musashi, Fujimaru.

We do not know if you two have some connection to these creatures plaguing Shimousa...

...or if your presence here is mere coincidence. However...

After speaking with you, and fighting by your side, I have made up my mind. I see that you are worthy of my trust. As such...

I won't insist that you accompany me, but I would suggest that we begin by getting Onui and Tasuke back to this hermitage place safely.

We can plan our next move after that. Is that acceptable?

？！

I was already planning to continue walking with Fujimaru, and to take Onui and Tasuke home.

Okay, Lord Inshun. It may only be for a short while, but I'm glad to have you accompanying us all the same!

Likewise!