Fate/Grand Order story · Part 1.5: Epic of Remnant, Pseudo-Parallel World: The Stage of Carnage, Shimousa
See You Again Someday, Flower at the Apex of Heaven
Pseudo-Parallel World: The Stage of Carnage, Shimousa. Castle Town
2 scenes, 248 lines
1. Before the battle
162 linesI...
I'm looking up at the sky, even though I no longer have eyes to look, or a head to think...
I wonder how this is possible.
...I can feel it. The kind of big blue sky I love is right there above me.
There, I see it.
It's beautiful! So nice! Oh, wait, is it beautiful, or just nice?
Whatever. It doesn't matter.
I'm feeling really good right now, so I'm just going to go with beautiful.
The sunlight, the breeze... It's all perfect! It makes me want to spill everything I've been keeping to myself.
Like... Yeah... Like what happened when I first came here to Shimousa...
...when those creatures first showed up after I met Onui and Tasuke.
If I'd been all alone...if Onui, Tasuke, and you hadn't been there...I probably would've just run away.
Heck, I might not even have stopped until I'd reached Edo or Echigo.
That's me! I'm Miyamoto Musashi, a woman always wandering from place to place!
I'm nothing like the good guys in fairy tales who always do what's right. If anything, I'm closer to being a miscreant or a villain.
Sure, if I see something unfair happening right in front of me, or a bunch of people about to get slaughtered, then I'm compelled to do something about it.
But then, scrambling to deal with the fallout after you get caught up in trouble, well...
It's a lot different from fighting over and over like this. I've never done that before.
I love my life. Going wherever the wind takes me, with nothing but Lady Kannon's protection...
But you know, Fujimaru.
I didn't dislike the constant fighting I did with you in Shimousa. If anything, I really liked it.
After all...
You say we do this to survive. That it isn't that big of a deal.
But when I fought alongside you, I think...I was a swordsman who really fought for what's right. Someone who stood up to those with power, and helped those too weak to fight for themselves.
I think it was your bravery that showed me the way. Without you, I'd never have made it through Shimousa.
Ahh...it was wonderful. I had so much fun.
It was way better than lying down watching the sky go by!
I never imagined I'd ever get to experience so many wonderful things all at once!
Hehe. Not to mention that in the end, I got to face off with my fated rival!
A one-on-one duel with an incredible samurai. A fighter whose Origin is the opposite of mine, and whose sword contained infinite possibilities!
... ...
...I can't thank you enough, Fujimaru. I finally encountered my destiny.
It was here that I reached the void...and obtained my zero sword.
It's more than I could ever have hoped for.
I only have two regrets. Yes, just two.
First: I regret that I never got to eat lunch at Grandpa Muramasa's hermitage.
Second: udon. Udon! In the end, I never got to try Shimousa's udon. Not even once.
But, those things aside...everything else was perfect.
I made it to the end. I gave it everything I had.
I really pulled it off, Fujimaru!
I wish I could tell you how grateful I am, just one more time.
From the bottom of my heart...
...I'm so glad I met you.
Thank you so much, Lord Fujimaru. I'm sorry I can't repay your kindness in the way you deserve.
Since the castle was destroyed, I'm afraid this is the only kind of place we can meet...
On behalf of my father and the townspeople, you have our utmost gratitude.
Huh? Um, yes, that's right.
We will rebuild the castle later, after we've taken care of the town.
It may never be quite like it was before, but I still want to bring the Toke castle town back to a point where it can be considered a second Edo. Yes...
I don't know if it will make a good offering to those who lost their lives, but I hope to do my best all the same!
I'll make sure it's done, even if I have to open all my coffers to do it!
...I WAS originally planning on returning to Edo myself.
I know how to clean up after a fire, so I should be able to help out.
Of course, now that my establishment is ruined, I don't know where I can ply my trade. Aaah...
Then what about an emergency meal station!? This area managed to escape relatively unscathed...
...but it's a disaster zone near the castle. What do you say? I'm sure the laborers and builders would be thrilled!
Whaaat? I only just finished babysitting.
Don't you think it would be better to ask someone with a little more muscle to help out with things like that...?
Say, come to think of it, where is Musashi anyway? I haven't seen Muramasa since that night either.
Do you know where they are now?
...I'm afraid not, Master.
I'm the only one here with a sure connection to Chaldea. I doubt Lord Muramasa's Spirit Origin will be registered.
To borrow Lord Holmes's expression, this is the rift between dreams and reality.
This world may indeed exist, but it also lies on the border between fantasy and illusion...
I doubt the events that took place here will have any effect on human history whatsoever.
I suppose you could say that none of this WILL affect our world, but I still think it's better to say none of this CAN affect our world.
So, that means...
...You're saying we can never return here...
？！
Right. We will never be able to set foot in this Shimousa again...
...
？！
H-huh! You mean you're leaving, mister!? I thought you were going to come back to Grandpa's hermitage with us?
I'm sorry.
I don't think we can.
？！
Really...? No, I... What will we do then...? ...Don't go...
Grandpa's gone away...and now you and Kotarou are leaving too?
I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do about it, so... I'm afraid I don't know what to say.
...I don't blame you for being surprised. I know it this is all very sudden. But...
Think about it like this: from now on, you two can choose where you want to go for yourselves.
If you like, you can stay here in town and ask the princess or Lady Otama for help whenever you need it. We've already talked to them, and they agreed.
Or, you can go back to the hermitage. I have no doubt that Lord Muramasa left you a nice nest egg.
For my part...I would recommend the former first. Connections are important, after all.
I know you'll miss everyone...
But I'm sure Lord Muramasa wouldn't want to see you so dispirited like this. So please, hold your head high.
...Okay.
You're right.
Grandpa always said he was going to go away someday. But...
I still miss him... I hope I can go to the lavatory by myself at night...
... ...
Onui...
？！
...But I'll deal with it. I have to.
Because when I grow up, I want to be a samurai...just like Musashi!
I'm gonna be big, and strong, and beautiful, just like her!
Ga ga ga goo♪
That sounds great, and Lord Tasuke certainly seems to approve.
Plus, Lord Muramasa did say that traveling like Lady Musashi wasn't a bad idea.
That's true. He did.
？！
Yup!
The blue sky spread out above me...I looked up at the burned-out remains of Toke Castle.
Onriedo Castle collapsed, and now only the wreckage of the old Toke Castle remains.
Neither the castle walls with the creepy heartbeat, nor the pillars, were anywhere to be found. All the monster outbreaks were gone for good.
Work on the castle's reconstruction had already begun. In fact, this area had been filled with people coming and going just a few moments ago.
I helped out a little, but I don't think I'll be able to stick around to the end.
In Chaldea's last transmission, they said the Rayshift should start in less than an hour.
So...this is the last time...I'll ever come here.
I haven't heard anything about any victims being found in the wreckage.
There were no survivors, nor were there any casualties. Everyone who was in the castle after the abnormality broke out has been deemed missing.
Along with everyone who went into the castle after it transformed...
...There was a breeze.
A light, gentle breeze that seemed to leave as quickly as it arrived.
"...!"
Thinking I'd just heard something, I turn around. I see something glinting off in the distance.
I desperately pore through the wreckage until all of a sudden, there it is.
A katana tsuba. The blade guard.
No, wait... This is what she had on her when...
...Musashi.
？！
Mmm...
Mmm. Mmmmmm...
Mmmrrrghhh, curse you, curse you, curse yooouuu!
They're dead. Dead. Dead...! Every blade I assembled here in Shimousa, all dead and gone!
The Seven Heroic Spirit Swordmasters are finished! Shinmen Musashi and the Master of Chaldea finished us all off!
After all those screaming, anguished souls! After five knights, one human, and one puppet gave their lives and killed countless others...
The world remains unchanged!
Life's struggle, its thirst... It's so bright I can barely stand it! ...Heh. Hehe. Hehehe...
...(Heavy sigh). So this is what a fate worse than death feels like.
Curse you. I won't be satisfied with just my entrails on a plate. I shall burn off all traces of reason, and rob myself of my sanity.
Curse you... Who could laugh off an overwhelming loss like that!?
...No. Wait.
Hehe, hehe, hehehehe HEHEHEHEHE! Well done on your victory, humanity!
His figure was that of a carnivorous beast. His voice like the ghost of an evil king.
But, the Caster of Limbo was supposed to be dead... Wrong. Wrong!
Such a creature could never be the hollow vessel of a Spirit Origin, one of the seven knights destined to save the world!
No, this creature has consumed gods. Its purpose is to tear gods asunder, to make their flesh his own.
He has taken in the dark god as his own personal sun, and transformed the wicked god into his own magical energy.
An Ego that sprung forth driven by a powerful being, this demon's core brims with evil and malice!
...Indeed, his True Name is not Abe-no-Seimei at all. It is Ashiya Douman!
A monk turned onmyouji said to be Abe-no-Seimei's greatest enemy who tried to overthrow the city government together with Fujiwara-no-Akimitsu!
An unabashed flower of evil! A voracious, carnivorous beast!
Ahh, people. Poor, scared people, who have continually fended off dreadful things. You must not drop your guard.
Fear the curtain of night. Tremble before the dark sun.
...The world is laden with the roots of evil.
Ahh, I am truly mortified. But...
I may have failed to materialize in Chaldea, but I believe I left behind some good sample data.
And above all, I finally, finally found lost history: a Missing Belt!
...This Shimousa was always twisted.
A Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon... A destroyed world in an alternate timeline that managed to survive...?
...No, that is not right. A parallel world? Close, but not quite.
This is something else. This Shimousa is part of human history, without being part of human history.
It is another world observed by the god of a distant star...a world resembling a Singularity, yet not one!
What do you think, Lord Satan!? Don't you find this fascinating!?
Hehehe, hahahahahaha, no, no! That was only supposed to be a temporary name, but it was just so ridiculous!
I mean, Satan, of all things! Haha. It was only supposed to be a joke.
But then, the Lord Sorcerer seemed to take quite a liking to it. Nevertheless, I admit, I took the joke too far.
Please accept my heartfelt apology, my beloved...
...Lord .
No one must hear that name. So, for the moment, I will not permit these terrible sounds reach anyone's ears.
For that name... That name is a great curse upon the entire world.
2. Before the battle
86 linesWelcome back, Senpai!
...I'm so glad you're safe and sound. You must be exhausted.
It's good to be back, Mash.
It feels like it's been ages since I've been here.
？！
It's good to have you back too, Senpai.
Kotarou got here ahead of you, and he filled us in on all the details we couldn't discuss during our transmission.
Now we know that, even though you've been asleep this whole time...you were still fighting to help others.
And...to help us.
Thank you, Senpai. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures.
Chaldea's library probably doesn't have any record of those events, but I'll be sure to make one myself!
We still don't know the real identity of this "Satan" the Heroic Spirit Swordmasters mentioned, whether it was actually Satan or something else entirely...
...and above all, the things you experienced in your dreamland adventure are very valuable.
Even a normal Rayshift is a great feat in and of itself, but projecting your consciousness into a pseudo-body through a dream...?
And then encountering a world-crosser on top of that? It was one mindblower after another.
I'm going to thoroughly debrief you later, so make sure you're ready for that.
...But first, you should go get plenty of rest.
Your body may have technically been asleep, but your mind was fully active the entire time.
So please, take your time and rest up. There's no rush...
I think I'll do that.
I AM kind of tired.
？！
What's all the fuss about in here? ...Oh! You finally woke up!?
My, that's wonderful to hear. But, Master, I'm a little worried... Don't you think you've slept a bit too much?
Didn't you hear? Master up and wandered off somewhere while he was dreaming.
Oh my, it seems there's an irritating little fly buzzing around in here. How dreadfully unpleasant.
...I heard Master finally woke up! Hey, move aside! Don't you know better than to stand around blocking doorways!?
Oh, my apologies. I simply didn't notice. Teehee.
I'm just poking my head in, since my tails are too big to fit. Oh hey, you're finally awake, Master?
I'm not quite sure what's going on, but welcome back all the same, Anchin! I have really been looking forward to hear what you've been up to!
I think we'd all like to hear that. Oooh, I know, since we're all here, why don't we throw a little banquet to welcome Master back?
Lots of alcohol... Stuff happens and you can't take it back... Yes, that sounds like a great idea!
I-I'm sorry, everyone, but Senpai really needs his rest...
...It's good to be back, everyone.
？！
I see you've returned.
I have nothing more to say. You fought a difficult battle in the rift, and came home to Chaldea.
I see you made it back ahead of me.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Hi, Mr. Missionary.
I don't know who that is.
？！
Didn't that girl tell you numerous times? You need rest.
...Oh, yes. Before you go to sleep, check your desk.
(...Let's see...)
？！
It's...
...a Chaldea comms Mystic Code.
I wonder if someone forgot it. Or maybe Monte Cristo put it here on purpose.
My head is so foggy I can't think of who it could be. I'm not sleepy at all, but my head still feels sluggish.
How exactly am I supposed to rest up, anyway? It feels like it would be weird to go back to sleep...
Just as I was thinking that, the Mystic Code sprang to life.
It gave off a quiet beep, then...
Huh!?
M-Musashi!?
？！
What's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost.
...Just kidding. Sorry if that was in poor taste.
Lemme see...I think he called this a "video recording?" Remember that missionary we met in Toke castle town?
Well, someone who looks just like him told me to record this before I left on my journey.
I, uh... Well, to put it bluntly, I died.
At least, I thought I did. But the next time I woke up, there was this blue sky...
And from there, I crossed over to some new worlds and kept going on my journey.
After several crossings, I arrived at Chaldea. Well, actually, just outside Chaldea. It was frrreeeeeezing!
Anyway, I ran into the missionary look-alike after that, and...here we are.
I'd tell you not to worry about me, but I guess that's kind of impossible, huh?
Okay, remember that guy we talked to on your comms device thingy a while back? Holmes, the detective?
He said I'm a Heroic Spirit who materialized here thanks to a Chaldea summoning spell.
Basically, now that we've made a connection, my Spirit Origin got added as a Heroic Spirit after I died...
So he said it's no surprise I can be summoned at Chaldea now.
Um... I think he also said that now that I'm a Servant, I've automatically forged a contract with you as my Master?
Oh, and he also said he found it strange...
...that a "what-if" Heroic Spirit who ordinarily shouldn't exist could be summoned with a Chaldea summoning spell.
To be honest, I don't really understand any of this very well myself, but...
I think...
I'm...probably not the same Musashi you fought alongside in Shimousa.
I'm more like a shadow of that Musashi. Sooo, I may not be the person you know...
But I'm still me! You know, a woman who loves to travel wherever the wind takes her!
Anyway...I wish I could see you again.
But by the time you watch this, I most likely won't be in Chaldea anymore.
After all, it's a whole new world here, and I want to explore.
Plus, I HAVE to try 21st century udon!
But, I promise you this: if you ever need my help again...I'll move heaven and earth to find you.
...Especially since it looks like we've made a pretty strong bond now.
Well, anyway, there you have it.
...See you again someday, Master!