Yaga

...There are a lot more people...I mean, Yaga here than I thought there'd be.

Huh? ...What was that sound?

Understood. Let's try to keep out of sight.

Hold it! What do you think you're doing!? There is no possible way anything good can come of this...!

Holmes! Da Vinci! Are you completely oblivious to the concept of risk management!?

What's the matter? According to the memories I possess, this is how they always do things. Like they say, knowing what the right thing to do and actually doing it are two different things☆

True, we probably should, but...

...what if we just got close enough to see what's going on, while making sure to stay out of sight?

Great. Then let's keep our heads low and sneak over.

？！

It looks like...someone's handing out food? They're certainly all lining up for SOMETHING...

Hello again, my little Yaga! Congratulations on making it through another day in your miserable lives♡

It's so sad, isn't it? No matter how hard you work, you can never save enough to live on, or hope to move up in the world.

But don't worry! Your cute little guardian angel is here to help you all survive this horribly dark, dreadful blizzard☆

Don't be shy! Come on up and take a gander at my goods.

There's nothing NFF Services can't provide, whether it's food, medical equipment, or even prohibited goods like alcohol♡

That's...!

Hm!?

That voice...! The one positively dripping with honey atop ice cream atop even more honey...!

Both of you, HIDE! Watch from as far away as possible!

Do NOT approach under any circumstances! Not unless you want to get ensnared in a honey trap like I was!

？！

Welcome to T.V. Koyanskaya's Honey Kitchen, now open for business!

Hello and good day, all you lovely customers. I do appreciate your knowingly patronizing my cruel little establishment.

Oh yes, I know all about how hard it is being a Yaga. You have very hardy bodies! So hardy, in fact, that you're practically immortal!

But the trade-off is that you burn through calories at a tremendous rate. Really, you all die so comically quickly if you aren't eating about ten times the food a good, old-fashioned human would!

You might say that Yaga traded the ability to survive extreme cold for truly shoddy energy efficiency!

At any rate, if you don't get enough calories here in Russia, you'll soon end up a Yaga-sicle...

But fortunately, I've come aaall the way from Yaga Moscow to help you survive.

Now come on, don't be shy. Empty your wallets and prostrate yourselves before your savior goddess♡

...So the human's back again, huh... Dammit... How dare she mock us like that...

Hey, shut your damn mouth...! Do you want her to start making us jump through impossible hoops again!? At least pretend like you're grateful to her...!

...Yeah. Her methods aside, at least she's helping us...

...H-hi, Ms. Koyanskaya. I'd like to buy some food, please...

...

I, um... Is everything okay, Ms. Koyanskaya?

...How sad. How truly, truly sad. You Yaga must have piroshki for brains.

How could you possibly forget the proper way to address your owner? It's "Mistress Koyanskaya," peons!

I swear, your minds are as frail as your bodies are ugly. You're completely lacking in tact, and have not a shred of decorum...

What an achingly dull world you ended up with.

I don't know what your leader was thinking, combining humans with animals. Now you've lost the innocence of the latter AND the brains of the former.

All you've managed to do is cancel out the good bits of either half of you! And you have the gall to call yourselves a new species just because you can barely eke out an existence here? What a joke.

What was that...?

Hey, you. I don't care if you're one of the Tsar's personal guard. Nobody talks about us like that and gets away with it.

The Tsar himself came up with our Demonic Beast Transformation policy. The only ones who would criticize it are traitorous rebelGah!

Huh...? No...way...

Wha...!?

See what happens when you oppose me? Teehee♡

So sorry about that, my little Yaga. My Oprichniki are special, you see.

They're a type that reacts instantly if I get just the teeensiest bit upset, so be sure you watch your language!

B-but, Ms. Koyanskaya...just now, you were the one who was

Oh? Do my ears deceive me, or are you the second brave moron with a death wish of the day?

N-no, I'm not! Forgive me, Mistress Koyanskaya...!

Theeere we go. I knew you could do it♡ Now, let's get down to business!

Since your food shortage problem keeps getting worse, I made sure to bring twice as much as last time.

Go ahead and load up on anything you like. There's plenty to go around♡

...A-all right. As long as we can get more foo...foo... Huh!? What's with these prices!?

Ah yes, one cut of Krichat' shoulder meat? That'll be five hundred thousand rubles, please♡

That's three times more expensive than last time! And we couldn't even afford the prices back THEN!

This isn't helping us at all! It used to be as long as we obeyed the Tsar's laws, he'd provide us with the minimum amount of food we needed to get by.

But now we have to trade everything we've got, down to our furniture! And if that wasn't bad enough, the prices keep going up every damn time!

You're bleeding us dry for everything we've got! Why're you torturing us like this!?

Oh my, I don't like the sound of that. Teehee, is that an incipient riot I smell?

Well, as the Tsar's personal guard, I guess I'd better do something about that, hadn't I? Perhaps we can try another way of resolving the food shortages, then!

W-wait, please! We're not looking for trouble! It's just, with prices like these, you might as well be telling us to die.

Could you at least put them back to what they were last time? That way, we should just be able to pay... Please, Mistress Koyanskaya, I'm begging you.

Hmm... I wish I could help you, now that you're finally wising up a bit...

...buuut I can't. Sorry♡ What you see is what you get♡

Prices may go up, but they never go down. That's NFF Services' most sacred rule.

Besides...you aren't REALLY incapable of paying, right? I know you've still got room to fall back on.

Room to...? I-I promise you, we don't. This is all we

Don't be silly. You've still got pleeenty to work with.

You've stamina to waste arguing with me. You've got plenty of nerve, letting the rebels remain at large.

And you've got a friend right there next to you. One with just as much money to spare.

Isn't it the Yaga way to take from the weak? Besides, I said it myself earlier.

There's more than one way to resolve a food shortage.

Huh?

...

...So that's the way it is, huh. Since you're telling us this, and you're one of the Tsar's personal guard, if I go along with this, I won't get in trouble?

Nope! I couldn't care less about silly ethical concerns you pathetic little things might have☆

Huh? Hey, don't tell me you're just giving up? Come on, give her a piece of your

Don't worry, I'm not. Let's go get us some food together. You, me...and your money.

？！

...At least we've avoided being spotted. Koyanskaya just left with the wagon.

Along with the Yaga who collapsed when their friends struck them in the head...

Mash, Fujimaru, neither of you looks or sounds particularly happy about that.

Tell me what happened, as briefly as possible. Broad strokes will suffice.

...Koyanskaya... The woman who attacked Chaldea...

...was distributing food to the townspeople.

But it looked like she was charging them prices high enough that she was really just extorting them.

Eventually, the Yaga started arguing with her about the prices...and then...

...a fight broke out among them...and only half of the Yaga there ended up receiving food.

I think the other half were probably...

Killed? By their friends? Do you mean the ones who acquired food did so by stealing their friends' money?

...

...Hmm. Even if she was attempting to reduce their numbers, that is a needlessly cruel way to do so.

I suppose culling half their population will help the remaining Yaga as there are fewer mouths to feed, but...

Hey! Spare me your cold-blooded analysis! The point is that Koyanskaya is a demon dressed as a woman!

Fujimaru, as of right now, you have no means of fighting back. Had Koyanskaya seen you just now, you would be dead, just like I would be.

Of course, in my case, I turned a few of the Oprichniki into goo with my Gof Punch magecraft...

...but a third-rateno, a pale imitation of a mage like yourself would have no chance. Lucky for you, you had some shadows to cower in. That suited you far better than a mage's outfit.

In that sense, you did well. I understand how you must feel, so you did well to stay out of sight regardless.

Director Goredolf...

Still... What a wretched stroke of luck to learn that Koyanskaya is here in Russia as well...

I'll say. And on top of that, she's a Servant. These magical energy readings don't lie.

She must have been concealing that in Chaldea, but she obviously isn't bothering to here.

She must be working for Kirschtariafor the Crypters.

So that priest is most likely a Servant as well, since he was clearly there as Koyanskaya's equal.

Nonetheless...

What is it, Mr. Holmes?

Are you concerned by the astounding lack of judgment that Mr. Goredolf showed by unwittingly bringing both Koyanskaya and Father Kotomine to Chaldea?

I-I'll have you know I'M the greatest victim in all this! Have you not a shred of consideration!?

Fujimaru, what have you been teaching your charge that makes her think it's okay to back talk to her superiors!?

That she said it with such a straight face only makes it all the more painful.

Hmm. In Koyanskaya's case, you're quite right, Ms. Kyrielight.

Goredolf was undoubtedly lax in his vetting, but so too was Koyanskaya's disguise immaculate.

But the same cannot be said for Father Kotomine. He was a genuine clergyman, sent in official capacity by the Holy Church.

As such, Goredolf had no advance contact with him, and thus cannot be held liable.

I believe Father Kotomine and Koyanskaya must have first met in person, on the boat to Chaldea in the Antarctic. Isn't that right, Director?

Y-yes, that's right. I'm quite certain he was absent for most of my meetings.

...In which case, they must have executed their plan via a network we had no means of learning about.

We shall need to investigate that soon... Now then.

Da Vinci, Mr. Fujimaru, although untimely, there is something else I must tell you. There is no man by the name of Kotomine Kirei employed by the Holy Church.

Or at least, there was no one by that name on the 2019 list of the Church's clergy.

Really...? Then, does that mean the name Kotomine Kirei is made up?

...No. Someone by that name did in fact exist at one time.

However, according to Chaldea's records, Kotomine Kirei died in Japan in 2004.

Hm? So basically, he's a zombie? Has that sucker punching backstabber actually been a Pseudo-Servant all this time?

Or maybe he's a Servant that's basically a Heroic Spirit possessing a dead body? Err...well, is that sort of thing even possible?

...I wish I could say for certain that there is no Heroic Spirit who can be summoned using a dead body as its host.

But it is very possible that there are certain Heroic Spirits who may ONLY be summonable as Pseudo-Servants using a dead body for a host.

However, this information can at least lay that theory to rest. The Holy Church's report says the following:

Kotomine Kirei's body was completely incinerated at the time of his death, making recovery impossible.

In other words, Father Kotomine's body no longer exists. At least, not in our world.

？！

...That is a possibility, but at this point, that is all it is. We still have far too little information to theorize any further.

Well, well, I THOUGHT I smelled something delicious. Do I detect some adooorable little rats hiding out in this back alley?

I DO wish I could let you get away, but now that I've found you, I certainly can't do that, now can I?

Espeeecially not after Kotomine just told me to squash any repulsive insects I happened to find.

Hellooo, my little Chaldeans. Congratulations on making it back alive♡ I must applaud your luck and sheer tenacity.

？！

Master, get back...!

Aww, look at you, bravely trying to keep your Master safe. But you really should know better, Mash.

If you're going to act like you can fight, you'd better be ready for your enemy to call your bluff!

Consider your current situation, your abilities, your position. You may be okay with dying yourself, but what about the boy behind you?

At times like this, the best thing you can do is throw away your pride and roll over like the dog you are.

？！

...Hehe. Hehehe. Hehehehehehehe!

Juuust kidding! Ahahaha, it's hilarious seeing you flailing about so desperately, Fujimaru♡

Luckily for you, I'm still not done with my work for today. And I like to do one job at a time.

So I won't come looking for you until tomorrow. Killing you now would go against my principles.

So for today, I'll be generous and let you go off on your merry way. Besides, I expect that'll make things more interesting down the road.

After all, it's not fair for Kadoc to have all the advantage. We should give you at least SOMETHING of a fighting chance.

...First you destroy Chaldea...and now you want to pit Senpai against Kadoc and the others!?

？！

But...!

(Fou, fooou!)

That's right. I'm going to have you and the Crypters kill each other, Fujimaru.

That's what we've been working towards all this time. It would be a huuuge disappointment if all that buildup were to fizzle out at the very first Crypter.

...Good grief. I trust you're listening in, Sherlock Holmes?

How could you let them go out without any protection whatsoever? Shouldn't you be way more cautious?

If any other Servants had been assigned to Russia instead of me, your little journey would be over now.

I never thought I would see an enemy Servant concerned for her opposition. Although... The other Servants, you say?

Would you mind giving us any more hints while you're at it? What is your True Name? Who is your Master? How many of you are there? And furthermore...

...what is this Singularity really called?

Hmph. That's more like it. It's not worth crushing you unless you put up a decent fight.

You did put one over on me back at Chaldea, after all. Next time I see you, I'll have to pay you back double.

Oh, and unfortunately for you, I won't be offering up any more hints♡ I've been working my fingers to the bone over the past year to get everything ready.

You'll just have to figure out whatever you don't yet know for yourselves.

Our leader, , has come from far, far away, and is intentionally staying out of the spotlight right now.

？！

Oh, that? You mean you can't tell?

Just because I'm your enemy doesn't mean I'm an ally to Russiato Kadoc Zemlupus.

In the end, the Yaga are another branch of human evolution. That makes them very much an object of hatred for me.

So I exploit them as brutally and thoroughly as I can. It's my life's work. I enjoy it AND take it seriously.

Besides, the whole notion of a societal structure that exploits the poor was something you humans came up with, wasn't it?

Oh, but violence is bad. We don't want that now, do we?

I may have made use of military force back at Chaldea, but only because I had no other choice. Normally, I wouldn't resort to such barbarism.

If I'd had a year or so to carry all this out, I would have made sure you all ended up killing each other MUCH more peacefully.

Resorting to something as brutish as violence to destroy what you detest is the HEIGHT of human folly.

Your kind brought destruction down upon your own heads. I have no plans to stoop to your level.

...So, there you have it. I won't lay a finger on you.

I've already fulfilled His Imperial Majesty, Ivan the Terrible's request to eliminate the biggest threat, Chaldeas.

Controlling the Oprichniki now is just a bit of after-sales service.

If you're going to fight this Crypter, I'll let him command the Oprichniki instead.

...So, you're saying you have no intention of fighting us here...because we're completely powerless?

That you're going to let us go, because we're not worth your time...!?

That's right. Nice to see you finally understand, Mash. I'm impressed you were able to face the facts you really, reeeally didn't want to♡

So I'll tell you what. In honor of that show of earnestness and loyalty, I really WILL let you off the hook this time.

Hehehe. Truth be told, I was planning to gobble you both up right after you'd let your guard down.

Wai ...Khh...!

Thaaat's it. That's the way, Mash, Fujimaru.

Don't fight an opponent you can't beat. That's the first law of the jungle.

Since you're such smart boys and girls, I'll go ahead and make you a promise.

If you manage to survive Russia, I'll be sure to come see you again. When I do, we can hash things out, mano a mano.

Keep on scurrying around like the little rats you are until then, okay?

I'm an advisor to the Crypters, you see. As long as you keep on your little journey, we WILL meet again.

...Enemy Servant... Is this really the energy signature of a Servant?

Regardless, I've lost that wicked magical energy signature. I'm sorry, Master.

I wanted to do something about her, but...I couldn't...

？！

...I know. But, well...

Now that I've calmed down, I have so many questions. Why did she reveal herself to us?

？！

!

What was that scream...?

...This is very bad.

I understand how angry you both must be on seeing Chaldea's destructor, but I need you both calm.

It seems things have taken a turn for the worse in that town. Make your way back to Patxi's house immediately, and mind your surroundings.

...Understood. Okay, Master, let's keep out of sight.

Please forgive me! Please forgive me! O light of the Tsar!

Everyone in this town is a good, upstanding Yaga who loves and worships the Tsar. Nobody here would ever think of defying him!

...I admit that my brother tried to join the rebel army, and you Oprichniki executed him for that!

But that has nothing to do with me! And I don't know anything about any mage!

Glory to the Tsar. Glory to the Tsar.

As his servants, it is our job to crush the seeds of rebellion quickly, before they can take root.

Therefore, we have confiscated your belongings and burned down your house. This is the fate for all who would oppose the Emergency Prerogative.

You... You can't be serious...?

We will ask the questions. Where is the mage?

I told you, I don't know any mage...!

...Then that is proof you do not fully understand the glory of the Tsar.

Break him. Kill him.

Ah... Ahh... No... Please! I'm begging yo

(Master...!)

Wait! I know someone!

I know someone who defies the Tsar!

His name is...Patxi!

!

？！

Come to think of it, they did seem to be treating him a bit strangely.

There's something shady about him! And his father was killed for defying you guys!

He's been real flush lately, too... He must be selling information to the rebel army!

HE'S the one with the traitorous rebel army!

Hey! Are you kidding me with this shit!?

(Patxi...!)

？！

Who're you calling a traitor!?

You! Everyone knows you're with the rebel army! Right, guys!?

You bastard...!

Then how do you explain that haul!?

!

All the town's hunting grounds are sealed off, but you managed to pay your taxes and STILL had food to spare!

That's all the proof we need!

I...

... ...

A-all right, I did my part! So long, Patxi!

...You are a member of the rebel army.

You stand in defiance of the Tsar. You lack respect for the Tsar.

Those who turn their backs on the Tsar's glory will be tortured until they have confessed their sins, then executed.

Do not resist.

... ...

Oh yeah? Watch me...!

He shot him... Patxi just openly defied the Tsar!

Aw shit...!

Treasonous action confirmed. Normally you would be eliminated...

Hmph. See that? That is what happens when you go flying off the handle without thinking ahead.

Still, I must commend him for his timing! This will be an excellent distraction!

Now then, Fujimaru, I trust you know what to do next?

Head to the leyline while the Oprichniki are preoccupied with that beast!

I'm ready, Master!

？！

Right!

Huh? Why would you do that?

I understand your confusion, Goredolf, but this is simply how Chaldea...ah, rolls, as they say. I do hope you will learn to accept it.

Rest assured that endeavors like this are far from fruitless. They may be fraught with risk, but their returns more than make up for it.

That's right. This is the ship we're all on. Besides, this'll also help save his life.

All right, Fujimaru, grab Patxi and get out of there!

If you don't do something, he's gonna keep fighting the Oprichniki until they kill him!

I think so too...! If it comes down to it, then I'll!

？！

Treasonous action confirmed. Normally you would be eliminated...

At the moment, Captain Koyanskaya is handling our actions, our protocol, and our pay.

We cannot carry out any executions without her approval. So instead, we will crush your limbs to neutralize you.

？！

Huh!? What're you guys doing here...!?

We'll explain later...!

Please, follow us! We know a surefire escape route!

Wh-what's with her!? She doesn't have any fur, just like Mistress Koyanskaya!

Is that the Koldun everyone's been talking about...!?

What are you

Rebels have no right to speak. Hold your tongue.

Damn it all...!

？！

You think I don't knowWait. You guys've fought the Oprichniki before, haven't you...!?

Yes, we have! So we know full well how quickly they move! Don't worry, I know we can get away!

Indeed. However, know that if you follow our suggestion, you will no longer be able to return to this town.

If that is acceptable to you, you will have our full support in making your escape. How about it?

Why would that matter to him!? You saw how the other creatures ratted on him!

You there, you've been on the outs with this town for some time now, haven't you? Surely you can't possibly have any lingering attachments!

I... Even still, I

Colluders spotted. The captain must hear of this at once. Requesting authorization for execution.

Dammit...! All right, all right, I'll come with you!

Now hurry up and lead the way, Fujimaru! You don't wanna get shot in the back, do you!?

Fou fou!

Good, you managed to escape the town. I'm glad to see no one was hurt.

？！

Yes. Senpai's plan to knock things over in the alley to slow their pursuit worked wonders.

Yeah, it was like something out of an old Japanese samurai movie.

The kind where the hero escapes by periodically stopping to cut down one of the bad guys. Though of course, you see that kind of thing in the London slums all the time, too!

Good thing the Oprichniki never tried to shoot you. You probably wouldn't have made it out otherwise.

I don't know what happened, but I guess there must've been some sort of mistake in the chain of command.

Indeed. We should all be grateful for this stroke of good luck. For now, I'm afraid you must keep moving.

I've put up a beacon at your destination. Ms. Kyrielight, would you mind showing Patxi?

Of course. Here, Patxi.

I-I see. ...So it's a top-down map of a mountain?

It's tough to tell what's what with all these bumps... Oh, I get it. It's showing the mountain's elevation changes. That's pretty nice...

That red light is your destination. Once you arrive at the mountain path, I would like you to lead the way.

A map can only tell you so much, after all. As you are a local, we will have to place our trust in your knowledge of the region.

Naturally, I would like you to avoid any areas where Demonic Beasts are known to appear. And do remember that we are under pursuit.

Yeah, I got it. Come on, Fujimaru, Mash, let's get going!

Although, now that I think about it, I get the feeling you guys've been pulling my strings this whole time!

A lot of people really hate your guts, don't they!?

Hahaha, that they do! Especially good, honest people like yourself!

...I don't feel anyone staring daggers into my back anymore...

Looks like we finally lost the Oprichniki... ...Dammit, why'd this have to happen to me...?

...I'm so sorry.

This is all our fault. We didn't know anything about this place, but we still had you take us to your house...

...Knock it off. Just forget about that. I wasn't thinking straight either.

This is what I get for jumping at a chance to strike it rich without thinking it through. It's my fault as much as yours, so that makes us even.

...There's one thing I still don't get. Why didn't you use me as a decoy and run off when you had the chance?

...Are all humans as stupid as you guys?

No, we couldn't.

Both Master and I wanted to help you.

？！

...Times like that, you're supposed to let the other guy take the fall.

But you guys just couldn't keep your noses out of it, huh?

I mean, it's not like me dying's gonna make any difference to YOUR survival.

Indeed, the Beastman is exactly right!

You're nothing but a defective Demi-Servant and a useless, third-rate Master. That's why I told you to stay out of sight instead of getting into fights you can't win.

You're a weird one, aren't you. Or is that just how all mages are?

...I don't get it. Why would you do that? There was nothing in it for you.

I only saved you people because I had something to gain from doing it.

？！

The Yaga way of life is simple: only the strong get to eat.

Oh? But surely the weak serve a purpose as well, by providing meat for the strong to consume? That IS typically the law of the jungle, after all.

Not for us. For us, the weak aren't even worth eating.

Every Yaga knows that. ...Man, you mages really throw me off my game.

I assure you, most mages would make the same choice you would under those circumstances. The one there with you now is the odd man out.

He is motivated primarily by his emotions, rather than what he stands to gain or lose.

... Ugh, goddammit.

Guess I'll just have to lay low in some other town until the Oprichniki forget about me...

Hell, at this point, maybe I really WILL join the rebel army.

The rebel army, hm? I remember hearing them mentioned before. I presume they are a group who takes issue with Ivan the Terrible's reign?

That's right. Word has it they've been around in some form or another for the last four hundred and fifty years.

Sometimes it was nobles fighting, sometimes it was normal folk who'd run out of food.

But whoever it is, it almost always ends with the Oprichniki slaughtering them. Though nowadays it sounds like they're still putting up a good fight.

I also heard a strange rumor about them... Yeah, I remember now.

They say their leader's a lady archer who still looks like one of the old humans, before Ivan's reign began.

...!

Servant...? Who'd she be serving if she's the leader?

I don't much care for bows myself. Though I guess they CAN work decently against some of the larger Demonic Beasts.

？！

If she really is a Servant, we definitely need to meet her and see if she can help us.

At the very least, she's already fighting Ivan the Terrible, so it's safe to assume that our goals are already closely aligned.

And if she's a Rogue Servant, so much the better.

Servants can't reach their full potential without a Master, after all. If you tempt her with a contract, she might even offer to join us of her own accord.

(So, there's been a Servant summoned here...but it would not seem to be a counterreaction on the part of a Holy Grail.)

(Perhaps this Servant was summoned in consequence of our arrival with the Proper Human History Spirit Origin graph. Or perhaps...)

(...she is the last bit of resistance this landno, human history itselfhad to offer?)

Holmes? Something on your mind?

Of course. There is never a moment when my mind is not occupied.

And in order for us to truly be able to act here, we must ensure the Servant summoning is successful.

You should be seeing an area well-suited to summoning about now. A cave, to be precise.

I see it. It's hard to see in this blizzard, but I think I can make out the cave now.

I also hear thunder overhead.

...I understand it's statistically very unlikely, but I AM a bit concerned about us getting struck by lightning.

Sorry about that. But I'm glad you made it there in time. That thunder is the mark of some extremely precious energy, after all.

Okay, Fujimaru, it's time to fly that kite! Go on, help him, Mash.

A-all right...! Leave the flying to me, Master...!

By the way, Da Vinci, it IS safe to fly a kite in a storm like this, right? You're sure I'm not going to be electrocuted or anything, right?

...Oh.

...That is not a reassuring respo

Hmm, this is why you really shouldn't work on such short notice. It's way too easy to forget about little details like that☆

But never mind that now! Come on, get that kite up in the air! Chop-chop!

？！

Look, Benjamin Franklin did an experiment veeery similar to this, and he came out of it juuust fiiine!

Weeell, some of the people who tried to replicate his results weren't so lucky. But, you can't do science without breaking a few scientiser, eggs...?

What sort of monstrous Servants are you!? I've never SEEN such a hostile working environment!

Wait, that's it! I've just had a flash of inspiration! Fujimaru, use your head!

If there's a dangerous job to be done, delegate it to someone else! Say, that Yaga there with you! Perhaps his kind don't mind being zapped with lightning!

Are you nuts!? I wouldn't last two seconds!

Lightning's one of the Tsar's most powerful weapons! It'd fry me like a piece of Krichat' bacon!

Grr, how dare you question my intelligence, Beastman! Think! You've already revolted against that Tsar of yours, haven't you!?

There's no turning tail and running away now! You need to face reality!

Reality? That's rich, coming from a furless bunch of pink-skinned humans from some fairy-tale paradise!

It would seem that the lightning here is strong enough to discourage even young Patxi. Alas, we have no alternative.

Ms. Kyrielight, please connect the wire to the Spirit Origin briefcase. Once that is done, I want you to run as fast as you can while holding the kite horizontally.

Understood! I'll make sure the kite gets airborne!

Here goooes!

The kite has reached the center of the thunderclouds! Activating conversion spell...NOW! Way to go, Mash!

Good. Continue to keep an eye on the kite, Ms. Kyrielight.

Mr. Fujimaru, remain on standby near the Spirit Origin briefcase.

It is crucial for the summon that you be there.

This is a forced summon. Once one of the Heroic Spirits you have bonded with has been summoned, they will convert the lightning into magical energy and use it to form a Spirit Origin.

But that alone will not keep them here for very long.

If a Servant summoned via human magecraft is to remain in this world, they will need an attractor... A Master that can serve as their anchor.

Your job is to converse with the Servant that appears, and form a contract with them immediately.

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What's all this about? ...Man, that thing's really up there...

I swear, I have no idea what these humans are thinking...!

Hold it, Holmes. Just because this isn't the Russia we know doesn't mean we can let some commoner witness magecraft being performed.

Can't you get that wolfman to go off somewhere else? Surely you don't want to ruin his life by showing him things he's better off not knowing?

Hmm. I suppose you do have a point...

Very well then. I will speak with him.

Patxi, I'm terribly sorry to ask this of you, but we are about to perform a highly secret ritual here.

Would you mind waiting outside the cave until it is complete? Again, I do apologize.

Wait...what!?

...

...

...So I'm not good enough to see their secret little ritual, huh?

Dammit, they wouldn't even BE here now if I hadn't shown them the way! What do I care about rituals!?

...I can smell them. So they're over here, huh.

...What...IS that...?

Everything's in place, Master.

The Spirit Origin briefcase now has enough charge for a single summon!

Wha...!?

My name is Avicebron. I am a Caster.

I come in response to your summon... It would seem, though, that the circumstances are somewhat...unusual.

And you, over there. Are you an enemy?

Aah!

Patxi!

Hm. I thought this might happen.

You saw the secret summoning ritual!? Cursed fool of a beast! How dare you trample all over my kindness!?

Fujimaru! Order that Servant of yours to dispose of the witness!

Hahaha, now, now, calm yourself, Goredolf. Surely there is no need in a world with no Mage's Association.

For that matter, even if someone were to see the summoning ritual, I doubt there is anyone in this Russia who could decipher it.

Besides, I believe Patxi understanding our power would, in fact, be to our benefit.

Th-that guy just...appeared...out of nowhere...

H-hey, you... Are you...human...?

I am not.

I am a Servant. One who long ago made his mark on history.

Thanks to my accomplishments, I ascended to the Throne as a Heroic Spirit. Now, I serve this man, for he is my Master.

Heroic Spirit...

Then, does that mean...you're like Ivan the Terrible...?

Oho, so our enemy is Ivan the Terrible, eh? That's going to be difficult.

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As a result of my summoning, I know all the information my Master possesses.

That said, it seems there are still many things we have yet to learn about this strange land.

Now then, where to begin... Before we discuss matters further, why don't I show you what I am capable of?

...Demonic Beasts! Dammit, I didn't even notice them following me here...!

A word of warning before I fight: my body is frail and weak.

I may be the least useful out of all the classes, in the sense that I cannot do anything by myself.

But, I am also a miracle worker. So to begin, I would like to show you what manner of miracles I am capable of performing.

...Now, let us do battle.

Th-that was incredible...

Those stones...they just...flattened those Krichat' like it was nothing...

These are my golems. I'm too weak to fight myself, so my only option is to have them do so on my behalf.

Now, Master, we can talk more later. First, I'm going to make this cave into my workshop.

That should strengthen our ability to summon, which will in turn allow you to make use of your Spirit Origin graph.

That way, you may call upon the shadows of the Servants registered within that briefcase whenever you like.

You will, of course, only be able to do so in combat, as this power is sadly quite limited in its scope.

Now then...I think I shall rest until the workshop is complete.

Master Fujimaru. Mash Kyrielight.

And...Patxi the Yaga, was it?

Allow me to introduce myself again. My True Name is Avicebron.

As you can see, I am a Caster. Just a humble maker of golems.

But, given the circumstances, it would nonetheless seem that I am just the Servant for the job.

So, you weren't part of the Spirit Origin graph? Mr. Fujimaru has never met you before, eh?

Then it must have been the land itself crying out for help that brought you here, rather than a bond with him.

It would seem that the existing Heroic Spirits cannot easily materialize in this world.

Nope. Just one more thing that sets this place apart from a Singularity.

...I guess this is what that magecraft theory was talking about...

But that can wait. For now, I'm just glad we have a new ally! And one who seems likely to be very helpful at that!

Avicebron, given your particular expertise, do you think you might be able to repair the Shadow Border's armor?

Let me see the data.

By all means. Go on, give it to me straight.

Hmm. ...We'll first need to find the right materials.

I should be able to craft a suitable armor plate as long as we have quality ore imbued with magical energy.

Ordinarily, such ore is only traded among mages...

...but I believe we should be able to find some here.

Good answer. Just what I'd expect to hear from the forefather of all golems. Mind if I leave him in charge of fixing the Shadow Border's armor, Holmes?

Not at all. That would certainly be a great help.

Now then. Mr. Fujimaru, Ms. Kyrielight, Patxi.

I believe we should decide on our next course of action. Assuming that's all right with you, Goredolf?

O-of course. I WILL have the final say, yes?

Naturally.

Da Vinci, I would ask you to continue learning everything you can regarding the materials.

For the other matter we discussed, that is.

Okay, I'm on it.

Right... In brief, I believe our next move should be to rendezvous with this rebel army.

We now know that its leader is a Servant.

Moreover, there is a strong chance they will elect to join us, given that they oppose Ivan the Terrible.

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I believe Patxi can be of assistance there.

You do know where they are, don't you?

Not exactly...but I do know of a few villages that're rumored to have ties to them.

Word has it they provide them with food, hide them from the Oprichniki... That sort of thing.

Then that is where we will go. I trust that's all right with you, Director?

Hmm... A village where rebels gather? I don't much care for the notion, but then again, I won't have to be the one going there anyway.

Very well then, be off with you, Fujimaru. I await good news and a much overdue supply of food.

The Shadow Border's reserves are nearly empty, and the state of one's belly has a direct effect on morale.

I'm sure you are well aware of this, but the Border's staff are mentally exhausted as well.

They have been battling hunger, the cold, and cabin fever for some time now. At least YOU'VE been able to walk around outside.

Oh, right, I almost forgot about that little problem. But, are we sure we can even eat Krichat' meat?

We had better be able to eat it! Forget the roast beef now. I'd be happy with a side of bacon!

The Musik family has been practicing alchemy for generations. Even if the meat DOES contain toxins, rest assured that I can make it edible!

I've been stranded and alone in snowy mountains countless times before, so I've invented my own spells to turn bad meat good!

I can even transform spoiled meat into sirloin! Why else do you think I'm known as Musik the Phoenix!?

Wow, what a uselesser, totally useful spell! It's definitely a narrow niche, but it's just the one we need right now!

Good. Once the Shadow Border is working again, we should be able to support you in a much more active capacity.

I don't want your best! I want results! My future is resting on your shoulders, after all!

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NOW you're buckling under the pressure!?