Salem

(Sigh)...

Robin, Mash, Nezha...

Thank you for helping me bury Lavinia.

Of course. We wanted to mourn her as well.

You bet. She helped us out a whole lot.

I think...she'll be really happy here...

I think so too.

Do we not need. To light incense?

No, we just pray for her. Here, put your hands together like this...

The boundary around Salem is shrinking, slowly but surely.

The Bounded Field enclosing the whole area should be disabled pretty soon.

Then you'll all be able to go back to Chaldea! I'm so happy for you.

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That's true.

I'm sure Räum played a significant part in creating this fake Salem.

But most of it actually depended on Abigail.

No wonder Räum chose her.

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They're all pretty weak, but I don't think they're in any danger. I expect they'll all be back to normal once they return from the other side.

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Yes, well, after everything, I don't really see any of them getting a sound night's sleep in the near future...

But then again, maybe that'll serve as inspiration for some authors and artists who live here.

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Hehe. Well, I couldn't have done it alone. And I really was too reckless when I first got here.

Still, I wonder if...

...His Majesty would be pleased with me?

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...

...Then that's all the reward I need.

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...I've got a pretty good idea what you're thinking.

In this particular case, Sheba and I were summoned under pretty much the same conditions.

Since we checked in together, we'll also be checking out together.

Nah, nothing too special. Just tell her you're sorry for me.

Um, no? Not even a little? I never did manage to entice you to come along with me, after all.

Plus, you seem like the kind of guy who really gets around. That sort of thing really isn't for me.

Th-that said, if Hecate and fortune smiled on us and brought us together, I could give it some thought...

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You just can't say the words, can you, Circe?

You'll never earn big money that way. Or is this actually some of that wisdom that comes with age?

Sh-sh-shut up!

...(Sigh) So hey, by the way.

Me and Sheba here are both Servants, right? I hope you understand at least that much.

But in Abigail's case... She wasn't summoned from the Throne.

She's a Pseudo-Servant created entirely within this fake Salem.

The moment it disappears, she's going to vanish along with it.

Pretty different from a standard summoning.

You can say that again.

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...Phew, thank goodness...

It seems I really have come to Salem this time. ...Albeit one on the brink of its destruction.

Huh...?

What the!? Räum, the freaking Demon God Pillar!? Does this mean we never finished him off!?

Why are. You back here. Demon God Pillar!?

...Uncle?

Wait, please. I bear you no ill will, I swear!

My name is... Ah. I'm afraid I do not have a name I can give you just now...

But perhaps you would be so kind as to address me as ChandrapI mean, the "Cosmic-Traveling Gentleman."

I'm guessing the man you know is the being who made off with my body?

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On one of my missions...

...I needed to fall into a deep, very lengthy sleep, to catch a horror that threatened the world itself.

Let us say only that the most relevant words pertaining to it were "ocean" and "cephalopod."

But unfortunately, while I was sleeping, my body was stolen from me.

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That's right.

Much as it pains me to admit, I'm afraid I possess a temperament that makes me, ah, easy to possess.

What's more, Salem was home to my ancestors, so I have a deep connection to it.

No doubt Räum wanted to ensure there was no one around who could easily infiltrate this land.

I imagine that's why he set his sights on me. I am terribly sorry for the trouble my ineptitude in this matter has caused you.

Aha, now I get it. But don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault.

U-um, excuse me, but...

...I thought Räum's human body was destroyed after he died...

Oh no, that wasn't a problem. As you can see, I'm still fit as a fiddle.

For a demon...or perhaps I should say, as befitting a demon...this Pillar was quite conscientious.

Even in my spirit form, I was able to maintain the connection with my body, and so learn some of what this Demon God Pillar knew.

...And that is why I already know about you, Abigail Williams.

In fact, you are why I've come all this way to Salem.

...Me...?

That's right. I'm sorry I took so long to get here.

...I see that is the grave of someone about whom you cared very deeply.

Uh-oh. That rumbling...

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...Let's head for the center of town. We should have a little more time there.

...Okay.

Goodbye... Lavinia...

...Abigail. You are a living Silver Key.

As such, you are able to open all manner of gates across time and space, and travel between them freely.

Me? I-I can't do anything like that. I can't even leave this place...

W-well...um...m-maybe I did open some gates once, for a moment...

But r-really, that may as well have been a whole o-other person...

Don't worry, you'll learn. There's a trick to it.

You possess a crucial ability that humans need in order to remain safe when facing off against gods.

Even if it is a parting gift from a dead Demon God, it would be a shame to lose it.

So, I would like to offer you a choice. Whatever your decision, I will support it.

If you want, I can completely seal away your Silver Key power right now, erase some of your memories, and take you to whichever time period you like.

Or, you can leave Salem, come with me, and travel across all of time and space.

...!

Th-that's amazing... Are you...

You are like Maitreya... Though you do not. Look it.

For that matter... Your universe. Is not ours.

You're right. Traveling across all of time and space may sound nice, but it is tantamount to jumping off of a ship at full sail.

Even so, I don't think it's a bad proposition. It certainly beats disappearing along with this land.

I'm afraid we don't have a lot of time for you to mull it over, but I do believe it's worth considering.

Well, Abby? What do you say?

...Oh my.

That's the first time you've ever called me "Abby," Uncle.

Oh, I'm sorry. I suppose that was far too familiar of me. This is, in truth, our first meeting, I suppose.

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Oh, hello. There, there...

Hmm, you don't say. That must have been very difficult. So, you still have a great deal of living you wish to do, do you?

He's...talking with the cats...

...Okay, you've got a deal. I'll take you all with me.

I'm sure we can find a place for you on the dark side of the moon, or perhaps somewhere farther away.

...

This is so strange.

You're nothing like my last uncle. And yet, you're still him...

...Abby.

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Mash... Mr. Ringmaster...

Even though it's falling apart...

...everything I care about is still here in Salem.

I know that Lavinia is gone...and all the other villagers have returned to dust...

But this is still my home. Even if it is a cursed land where witches were hunted unjustly, I still love it.

...

I'm sure you already know this, Mr. Ringmaster, but I committed a terrible sin a long, long time ago...

Then I went and did the same thing again, here in this false Salem...

I was trapped by my conscience, and by my wicked impulses, and I just couldn't get away from them...

The Demon God may have tempted me, but I still accepted his offer.

...

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But...

...even with all that, Mr. Ringmaster...

...I can still hear him.

I can still hear what Sanson said to me at the gallows... It rings in my ears, plain as day...!

Is...is it okay for me to die?

Is it okay for me to abandon Salem, and wish to become somebody else?

God would never forgive me for what I've done! And yet, I...

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...

...Mash...?

...He's right, Abby. Nobody can pass judgment on another person's heart.

...But, they can still extend a helping hand.

I may be younger and more inexperienced than anyone else here... But I do know this much.

Life has any number of opportunities to step off the stage, and just as many to perform on a new one.

(Sniff... Sob...)

...

...

...Okay, I've made up my mind. I'll come along and travel with you, Uncle.

My dream has always been to go on a trip somewhere...anywhere...that isn't here.

That is a good dream. Trips are. Good things.

Thank you, Nezha.

...I'm glad to hear that.

I should warn you though: my journeys tend to be more than slightly unpredictable.

...That's okay with me.

Maybe someday, in some other, distant world, I'll even get to see Lavinia again.

Besides...you never know...

If God wills it...

...I might even become a new Servant in Chaldea, at Fujimaru's observatory. Right?

If I disappeared here and now, that would be the end of it, but if, someday...

...by some fantastic stroke of luck, I manage to become truly free in a far-off, distant world...

...even if I'm not really me anymore, I'm sure whoever I am will still want to keep journeying.

Right, Mash?

...Yes. That's right, Abby. As long as we're bound by fate and fortune, I'm sure we'll meet again someday.

Hehe... That sounds wonderful. I can't wait.

Oh, and Uncle...I hope you don't mind if I call you Uncle...

If I really do have that kind of ability...

...do you think I could promise something to Mr. Ringmaster and his companions?

You know how you said your mind and body each existed independently of each other?

Well, I was wondering if I might be able to return Sanson's memories to the Sanson in Chaldea... The ones from before his execution, I mean...

Hmm... That all depends on how much work you put in. It would be a difficult thing to do, though. Even for me.

But, I can't say it's impossible. Though it certainly couldn't be done anytime soon.

Hehe... In that case, I have even more reason to travel with you, and to learn as much as I can.

Well then, I suppose we should get going. Are you ready, Abby?

Let's see... Good. You've got your two friends, and I've got mine.

Yes, Uncle. They are a bit heavy, but I can manage.

Well then, people of Chaldea, I suppose this is farewell.

I do hope this body of mine doesn't make any more trouble for you from now on.

Oh, and just in case that false god On second thought, never mind.

In the first place, my work is not yet complete, so the strange tales I've heard and my own summoning tomes don't line up quite yet...

...Farewell.

Please take care, everyone! It was wonderful to meet all of you!

Mash, you are so lovely! Mata Hari, you are so kind!

Robin, you are so thoughtful! Nezha, I love everything about you!

And, Mr. Ringmaster... Thank you for showing me a play I'll always remember!

If you ever meet another me, I do hope you'll be kind to her.

And, I know I can be naughty sometimes... So if I am, I hope you'll scold me...

Then, when I'm being a good girl the rest of the time...will you let me get away with lots of things?

Um...that depends on what they are.

Hehe.

Oh my...! I don't envy poor Mash, having to keep her eye on you...

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Oh, and of course... Thank you for all your help, Circe!

Don't worry about the formalities.

Besides, you weren't really a witch after all, so you don't need to look up to me or anything.

Oh, wow! You really can't just say how you feel, can you? Hehe. Did I sound like her?

Huh?

And last, but not least...Tituba...

...Oh. I'm sorry. It just kind of slipped out...

That's okay, Miss Abby. I hope you have a wonderful journey.

I will... Thank you! Goodbye...!

...(Sniff)

...So even you cry from time to time, huh, Prince Nezha?

Do you have. A problem. With that!?

Nope. Not even a little. In fact, I'm kind of jealous...

Senpai... Chaldea's about to bring us back too, and I don't think they're going to wait much longer.

...Well, there's my wind. Guess this means it's time for me to set sail.

You know, I actually kind of enjoyed putting on plays with you guys.

Oho, so you DO know how to pay a compliment.

The next time I see you, I'll make a special pigpen just for you.

Nope. Don't like it.

Don't get the wrong idea. The next time we meet, it'll be YOU coming to see ME.

'Course, you'd better not expect me to just sit around waiting forever, so I miiight just show my beautiful face in Chaldea sometime!

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Okay then, I have one last thing to say myself. I swore I wouldn't bring this up earlier, but now...

There's always an oasis to be found, even beyond the desert.

So chin up, don't lose sight of the stars, and keep putting one foot in front of the other, like any good Chaldean should do.

...? I-I'm sorry?

Now where would the fun be if I told you that? Some things are better left unsaid.

If you want me to predict that, I'm afraid it'll cost you extra.

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Circe! Sheba! It was great meeting you both!

I hope that someday we can

Welp... Looks like it's our turn to leave.

...Senpai, it's happening over here too!

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Senpai...!

Senpaaai! ...Give me your hand!

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Thank you, Senpai...! There's nothing I'd like more!

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...Master...

...Hm? Wait... Something doesn't feel right...

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...

...Are you sure you don't want to go back?

...Go back?

Oh yes. You can go back home, back to the Throne...

...or even back to the very beginning...a clean slate, if you're so inclined.

I'll open the gate for you either way, Charles-Henri Sanson.

...I...

I don't need to go back anywhere. I believe I've done what I set out to do.

...I see.

In that case, you already have the key to the gate you need to open.

Key...?

No, I don't have anything like... Wait...

Where did my sword go...?

Would you by chance know what happened to

Aah!

Oh, excusez moi, I didn't mean to step on your foot.

Please, forgive me.

Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm just glad your shoes didn't get dirty.

...I see. So it was you all along.

Now, come on, Charles.

Can you hear that music? Are you a good dancer?

Haha, you certainly don't look like you are.

It's true. I am a terrible dancer. I never did have anyone who would dance with me.

So, if you don't mind... I would be grateful if you would teach me.

Of course. I'd be happy to...