Lamenting at Night, Crying at Dawn

Mash Kyrielight, returning to base.

Welcome back, you two! Nice to meet you in person, Avicebron!

It's an honor to meet such a distinguished golem master! No matter how bad things may get, the artist in me will never stop appreciating fine art☆

You are too kind, Leonardo da Vinci. I am the one who should be honored to meet you.

Truth be told, I am somewhat embarrassed to be greeted so kindly by such a renowned genius.

Now then...I take it you called us here to do more than merely deliver a report.

Yup, I did. Come on, Mash, you're overdue for a checkup.

Oh... R-right! I'm sorry, I completely forgot...!

I figured as much. Emergency or not, you still transformed again, didn't you?

Normally, I'd want to examine you immediately, but of course, circumstances aren't exactly ideal here.

All right, off to the exam room with you. Take care of Fujimaru for me, will you, Holmes?

Certainly. Very well then, Goredolf.

Now that we have the information Mr. Fujimaru acquired for us, what say we use it to plan our next move?

Uh, y-yes, of course. ...So, what DO we do next?

Well, to begin...

Okay, you're all done☆ Doesn't look like anything major's messed up.

Your Servant Spirit Origin is still too unstable to rely on, but physically, you're totally healthy. BETTER than healthy, even.

Back at Chaldea, your human body and Servant Spirit Origin failed to work together, causing your body to attack itself in the form of autointoxication...

...but it looks like that disappeared during our voyage in Void Space. I really AM a genius, aren't I? Even my medical care is flawless!

... Um, Technical Advisor Da Vinci.

Could I talk to you about something?

Oh? This sounds serious. Lemme just grab myself a seat here.

Right then! What's up? Hopefully it's something I can help you with.

...

...Be honest with me. How many more times can I fight as a Servant?

I know I've reached my limit as a Demi-Servant.

But this is all too big for me to just sit on the sidelines and do nothing. I need to be able to fight beside Master again, even if it's unsafe...

...Da Vinci?

Hmm... Hmmm...

Hmmm, mmm!

Nnn... Oh, forget it! No more cagey answers, and no more keeping secrets!

It's really not a question of "how many" at this point. You're perfectly capable of fighting plenty now.

Remember, you awoke the Spirit Origin that had been dormant in you for the last year.

You might not be quite as strong as you once were, what with the extreme cold and all, but it's not as if fighting is causing you a lot of pain, right?

And THAT is because your body has acclimated to being a Demi-Servant again.

At this point, it's actually all just a mental thing. Of course, that's really the biggest challenge of all!

R-really...? But, I thought...

...I thought Galahad was gone, that he decided I wasn't worthy...

Yup. I bet he did, the jerk. I'm pretty annoyed about that myself.

It's been a year since the battle at the Temple of Time. After handling your medical care during that whole time, there's one thing I can say for sure.

Galahad isn't helping you anymore. That so-called "Holy Knight" abandoned his responsibility to you.

He might as well have written you a Dear John letter to say he wasn't going to help anymore and you'll just have to take care of yourself from now on.

So, yeah...he's bailed on you, and he isn't coming back. Ever.

...B-but then, how was I able to transform...?

Simple. You and Galahad are different people. He only really allowed you to give form to his power... You were borrowing it from him.

And thanks to your experience in battle, you grew into your own as a Knight of the Shield.

The person you were when you fused with that Heroic Spirit and the person you are now are pretty much completely different people at this point.

Galahad may be gone, but YOU are a full-fledged Demi-Servant in your own right, now.

Get it? The harm transforming has been doing to you, and the fact that your Spirit Origin seems weaker...none of that has to do with Galahad.

It's all you. Your body. Your mind.

Your weakness is just the state your body is in, and your inability to transform as completely as you'd like is just a matter of your own mind holding you back.

...C-can you be more specific?

Does that mean if I can resolve those two problems, I can be useful to everyone again...!?

Well, with Galahad gone, your Spirit Origin dropped pretty sharply. You've lost more than half your power.

It's no wonder you're not as strong as you used to be. So that's the plain old physical problem.

It also means you've lost the skills, gifts, and protection that came from his legend.

From here on, you'll need to develop and hone your own way of fighting.

Of course, we can help you with that. We just have to get back to the original plan.

The original plan... You mean, Project Ortinax?

Oh, you know about that? Did Romani tell you?

Oh, um... Actually, I heard about it from Director Marisbury. He said Heroic Spirits would probably reject a Demi-Servant...

...so Project Ortinax would make up for any difficulty I might have in functioning properly as a Servant...

...(Sigh) I can't believe he had that much foresight and still didn't think to stop the Demi-Servant experiments...

Just what did he think Heroic Spirit bodies are, anyway? He should be ashamed of himself, letting them degrade just so he could accomplish his goal.

Well, not that I've been overly picky about my own methods. Me standing here now talking to you is proof enough, I suppose!

Aaanywho, your physical strength issue should take care of itself over time. We can talk more about that later.

So that leaves the mental aspect, Mash.

Right now, you're scared to transform. Your body refuses to make the Servant transformation because you are so riddled with doubts.

Doubts...? I am?

Yes, and I don't mean our last conversation about how being a Servant could harm you.

I... Okay. So...you're saying there's a different problem?

Yup. This time, you don't REALLY want to fight. Of course, that may have been true for all the other times as well.

But when we were fighting to save humanity, it was obvious we were doing the right thing. So, because of that, you were able to fight in spite of your fear.

But that's not true anymore. We aren't facing that kind of threat this time around.

You can sense it. And I'm sure Fujimaru can too.

And that makes this an even bigger problem than Galahad being gone OR the harmful side effects of your transformation into a Servant.

Mash Kyrielight.

Can you fight for what you believe is right, even against your fellow man... Even when that enemy hasn't done anything wrong?

...Well? How was this even helpful!?

All we've learned is that Russia has been overrun by a bunch of beastly barbarians!

Goredolf, they are not beasts. They are Yaga.

Isn't that just what they've DECIDED to call themselves?

Not at all. The Kabbalah and alchemy may both be magecraft, but they are also quite different.

Their magecraft base and their spells may both differ greatly...

...but both are part of a system of knowledge and mechanics that is collectively known as magecraft.

Beastmen and Yaga may appear the same to you, but I assure you they are entirely different.

The creatures you refer to, Goredolf, are werewolves, lycanthropes, and the like.

They are Demonic Beasts who are awakened to their true nature by blood.

However, Yaga are a fusion of Demonic Beast and human.

As such, their closest approximation would be combined Phantasmals, such as Chimeras.

Hmm, I see. So Yaga and Beastmen have different origins, eh...

Correct. However, the fundamental issue lies elsewhere.

Oh?

Listen closely. The Yaga...have formed a country. They have their own culture, their own way of life.

...And is that in some way different from the Singularities you CLAIM to have resolved?

Yes. Very much so.

The Singularities we resolved created hypothetical versions of history at different points in time.

Think of each as something of a diversion from the main track of history.

Chaldea resolved these Singularities by Rayshifting to those points in time and setting history back on its proper course.

This is different, though. The divergent point in history seems to be four hundred and fifty years ago.

Most likely, it occurred at the moment that the Great Cold Wave hit and Ivan the Terrible merged with Demonic Beasts to become a Yaga.

Then this world's Singularity occurred in the past? It's over?

Precisely.

In other words, the hypothetical history this Singularity created has continued into the present.

Take Patxi's scoped bolt-action hunting rifle, for example. It is very similar to a modern-day gun.

But it is still far from cutting-edge technology. I believe it is made with engineering that, from our standpoint, would be half a century out-of-date.

But that sort of firearm WAS cutting edge back when it was introduced in Ivan the Terrible's era.

Furthermore, this one has a major trait that sets it apart even from our own modern-day weaponry.

It is specifically designed to kill Demonic Beasts.

Ah, yes. I noticed that as well. I have a similar magical gun myself, you see.

When he fired his gun, a spell was activated, though it was a primitive one.

I believe that weapon was made with the intention to be used by the Yaga.

Most likely, it uses magical energy instead of additional gunpowder to increase its muzzle velocity, thereby increasing its rounds' penetrative power.

Patxi seemed perfectly comfortable with it, as did the other Yaga.

And from that we can deduce that this world is entirely separate from our own; it followed an entirely different track of history than ours did.

As such, it would be inappropriate to call it a Singularity.

...I don't care WHAT you call it. We have a much more important question that needs answering:

Will overthrowing Ivan the Terrible actually solve the problem here?

...Given the nature of our enemy, I do think defeating him would have SOME effect on this world.

Come now, aren't you the world's greatest detective? Aren't you supposed to have brilliant flashes of insight or something?

I'm afraid there is very little to work with, even in the way of circumstantial evidence. Besides...

？！

...now is not the time!

Ugh! He actually said it!

？！

Hahaha. That said, we may not yet know the full extent of the situation, but the problem isn't especially complex.

After all, we know exactly who our enemy is: a version of Ivan the Terrible who has been ruling Russia for roughly five hundred years.

That is the single largest point of differentiation between our Russia's history and this one. There can be no doubt that he is key to this world.

For the moment, our interests would best be served by continuing to aid the rebel army, as that is sure to lead us to Ivan the Terrible in due time.

...So what you're saying is that we've got a long road ahead, full of twists and turns. Dammit!

？！

Indeed. The human mage serving Ivan the Terrible, and their human-looking Servant.

The latter is most likely the woman we saw at Chaldea. Of course, it could also be Koyanskaya or the priest.

Just thinking about them gives me chills. ...Well, me and my bank account, in Koyanskaya's case.

The most pressing problem is the mage...

Kirschtaria called himself a Crypter.

He also said that there were seven of them...which corresponds to the number of mages from Team A who disappeared from their Coffins.

It follows, then, that one of those seven mages is now serving Ivan the Terrible.

Assuming we wish to take Koyanskaya at her word, the mage is Kadoc Zemlupus...

...Of course, we cannot be certain that is the case at this stage.

But if it is, then we must ask ourselves what measures he is likely to take to deal with us...

You have the most frightful expression on your face, Kadoc. Are you all right?

Huh!?

...Oh. Sorry. Nothing to worry about, I promise.

Why are you always so quick to apologize? Do you still feel inferior?

SorrDammit. Look, I can't really help being a walking inferiority complex.

You still feel that way even though you were able to summon me? Luxury, jewelry, sell-off.

...Sometimes, I have no idea what you're saying.

So...uhh...being able to summon you is a luxury, like jewelry...and if I have a problem with that, you're gonna sell me off? Is that right?

Yes, that is perfect. Well done.

...I guess you're right.

I'm a first-class Master, which is why you're a first-class Servant.

But aren't you worried about how much magical energy you have?

...You know that's a sore spot for me.

It's a good thing that Casters don't need much magical energy from their Masters, but it still takes a hell of a lot to make a workshop and power a Noble Phantasm.

Don't worry about that. My darling Viy will handle it.

...Uh, in Proper Human History, Viy was supposed to be some unimaginably horrific monster.

Oh, he is. Nikolai Gogol came up with him. He's a monster with very heavy eyelids.

But Gogol didn't come up with him out of nowhere. He drew inspiration from the fearsome Balor of Irish myth.

And there were other sources of inspiration, like Solodiviy Bunio, whose fiery gaze could reduce entire towns to ash, and Boniak, who is said to have killed no fewer than forty thousand people.

Viy is the Romanovs' little Easter eggour secret weapon.

Maybe he wandered into Proper Human History from the Lostbelt... Viy's power always was...abnormal, even in his own time.

Well, for my part, I was also surprised to find you were a mage, in the true sense of the word.

...I suppose. Now that I've been redefined as a Heroic Spirit, I've become a mage representing the version of Russia we are in now.

I may have been a pathetic failure in Proper Human History, but in this Lostbelt, I've become a Grand Duchess of Ice.

...And it's all thanks to you, Kadoc Zemlupus.

...I'm sorry for the twisted way I summoned you. It's just, that was the only way I could make sure you'd be a powerful Heroic Spirit.

Ah, was what I said unclear? I was thanking you, in my own way.

I don't mind that I am irregular. Thanks to that, I cannot even remember my family's faces clearly.

I may look like a human on the outside, but inside, I'm much more Yaga.

And because you summoned me to this Lostbelt, where even historical records are muddled...

...all I can remember is that I'm Anastasia, the Grand Duchess...

...and a shaman who made a pact with Viy.

Either way, I have no attachment whatsoever to Proper Human History. I'm happy to be a Lostbelt Servant.

You don't have to worry about anything. You are free to make use of me however you see fit.

I know. Believe me, I have every intention of taking advantage of that power of yours.

It is thanks to this power that I am able to kill.

I will kill Chaldea, so that they no longer get in our way. I will kill the rebel army, who would defy the tsardom even in this Lostbelt Russia.

And then

Whoa there. That's far enough, Grand Duchess. ...Remember, he's only sleeping.

You've gotta keep a lid on that magical energy of yours, too. At least while you're here.

He's gonna keep on sleeping like a baby. That's how it has to be for the time being.

...You're not much fun, are you?

Oh come off it. You think I don't know that?

...But I can't afford to lose again. Not this time. I'm gonna see this through to the end, no matter what.

If I don't, that's it, I'm dead.

I see. Then I hope you'll do your best to keep fighting, my Master.

I will.

Okay, that's enough narrow-mindedness for one day. I'm going to work on my dress.

...Wait, hold up. Why would you even need that!?

Why, for the ball, of course.

There aren't any balls here!

Then I'll throw one myself.

You think anyone here still knows how to dance? You're gonna have to trust me on this: they don't.

Not in this world!

... ...

...Oh crap. You're not planning to dance with ME, are you!?

Of course not. Don't worry, I'm only joking. I would never put on a ball.

And stop looking at me as though I were some sort of monster.

The next time you do that, I'll freeze your feet to the floor and make you sleep in the hallway standing up.

... ...

There. That's exactly what I'm talking about, Master.

You need to handle my charming insistence that I have my own way much better than you have been.

This is exhausting...

Morning, Fujimaru! Did you get a good night's sleep?

I know a four-hour nap isn't much, but I bet it's a lot better than sleeping outside!

Now, here's some coffee and a plate of hard-boiled eggs...or at least, rations that kinda resemble them.

We ran out of eggs WAY back, sadly. Still, doesn't this make it feel like a typical morning inside a cramped submarine?

？！

No problem. Anyway, now that you're awake, there's something important we have to discuss.

Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk about. I've put her back on navigation duty.

Nice to see you're still quick on the uptake! And thanks for worrying about her; that's kind of you.

I've put Mash back in her old role as navigator.

？！

She's on board, naturally.

Your Heroic Spirit summoning went great. Avicebron is proving to be a very dependable Servant.

He's probably the best one we could've hoped for in this frozen wasteland. You can't fight the cold with combat prowess alone now, can you?

Even Napoleon ended up losing to Russia's cold, and that was PROPER Human History, to boot!

But Avicebron's golems can serve as walls AND labor. Hell, they're fixing the Border even as we speak.

And of course, they make great soldiers too.

So since Mash can't fight, there's no reason for her to accompany you, or for you to have to keep her safe.

Great. Glad to hear it.

Oh? Burden, huh? Well, in that regard, you'll just have to wait a little longer.

？！

Master!

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...Good morning.

... ...

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...I'm so sorry, Master. I won't be able to help you on the front line anymore...

... ...I...

But...

I'm fine. Really. There's nothing wrong with me physically. It's just...

？！

...Right...

...Master.

Yes! I will!

I promise I'll do my very best as your navigator.

？！

Good morning, Mr. Fujimaru.

I'm sorry we couldn't let you rest longer. I do hope you made the most of your warm blanket while you had the opportunity.

Now then, back to the task at hand.

Our goal remains the same: find out what has happened here. Thanks to your previous efforts, we now know several things:

There is a new race of people called Yaga. Ivan the Terrible lives, and has ruled for the past five hundred years. An endless storm rages at the fringes of this world. And there is the mysterious tree...

I believe unraveling the mysteries of each of these points will determine our future course of action.

To begin, we need more information on Ivan the Terrible. Fortunately, we have the rebel army's trust.

At present, we plan to continue working with them in an effort to make our way to him.

If at all possible, I would like to help the rebel army with their aims as well.

Helping them to reach a point where they can defeat the Oprichniki would be ideal.

Atalante may be a famous hunter in Greek myth...but I fear she would have a hard time facing Ivan the Terrible.

Can't you summon a more powerful Servant? You know, like the King of Heroes, or the King of Conquerors, or the King of Knights?

I am afraid that, in that particular regard, our prospects are rather dim at the present moment.

Summoning such a powerful Servant here would be sure to spark all manner of rumors.

If the rebel army hasn't heard any such rumors, then it is safe to assume there is no Heroic Spirit in this world who could save it single-handedly.

Of course...there is always the possibility that they HAVE heard such rumors, and simply haven't yet told us.

Grrr... I suppose that WOULD be too much to hope for.

This is not an ideal time for a bold, daring plan. At the moment, we need to focus on laying foundations.

You said it. Okay, Goredolf, time for you to go back to checking tomorrow's weather forecast.

Anyone could tell you what tomorrow's weather will be here! Blizzard, blizzard, and MORE blizzard!

？！

See you soon!

Right! Good luck, Master!