No Longer of the Lightning

So THAT'S what's going on here.

This place is a Lostbelt... A different world where the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon is still taking place.

So now, you're after the bad guysCrypters, you called 'em?who ruined the world.

And on top of THAT, the hot gunslinger you've got with you is Billy the Kid!

I hoped that might be the case when I heard you call him Billy, and I was totally right!

This is great. This is so great! (Squee)

... ...

Whoa, how did you know?

Aw, really? And here I was all locked and loaded.

？！

Sorry. Old habits and all that. Besides, a quick-draw battle between a gunslinger and a swordsman?

How could I NOT want to see which of us would win?

Granted, I've already won a number of quick-draw battles with other gunslingers, but Billy the Kid's GOT to be on a whole other level.

Is it true you can fire off three rounds between a man's eyes before he's even had time to blink? You ARE supposed to be faster than lightning, right?

'Course I am. Plenty of folks've come to see if those rumors were true, and they've gotten more'n two or three rounds between the eyes for their trouble!

This ain't really the place, though. Too closed in. You're plannin' to deflect anythin' I fire and rush me for the kill, ain'tcha?

Probably cap the whole thing off by sayin' somethin' 'bout how you was only lookin' to see who's faster, then just mosey along.

Ahaha, saw right through me, huh? Guess you and I are BOTH outlaws through and through!

...So you guys size each other up even when you're joking around? You really are incorrigible.

Seems like a big waste of ammo to me.

Hey, I keep the rules of engagement as much as the next outlaw. Ain't my fault this little lady's a ruthless savage!

I mind my manners too, you know. I just happen to enjoy life-and-death duels as much as I do testing my skills.

That so? 'Cause it sure looks to me like the only thing that you're worried about with your swordplay is stayin' alive, no matter what.

Hahahaha!

I'm glad to see them hitting it off so well, Senpai.

Anyways, I think we'd better put the duelin' off while we're here.

I noticed durin' that last scrap that my gunshots sure make a helluva lotta noise here, so...

Wait. That's it.

Billy...?

Yep. There. We can use the ringin' of my gunshots to help figure out how to get around in here.

I doubt it'll give us a straight shot to the exit, but it oughta at least give us an idea where to go.

Only thing is that I ain't really got the ear to figure out the change in the sound. Keen hearin' ain't really my strong suit.

I bet the musician could pull it off, but 'course, he ain't here right now.

How 'bout you, Ms. Samurai? Think you could do it?

Hm? I don't have to. We've got someone else with excellent hearing right here.

Patxi!

Wait...

You want me to figure out the differences in the acoustics of Billy's gunshots?

...Well, I HAVE done that before. It's a handy trick to figure out how many Demonic Beasts there are in a pack.

But figuring out this labyrinth's layout? I don't know...

You got it.

Patxi, we're bettin' on those Yaga ears of yours. I'm sure they can pull us through this.

What do you say? Will you give it a shot?

...A-all right. Guess that's our only option...!

？！

Don't worry. These ears of ours aren't just for show!

The front path leads to a dead end, and the left side takes us back to where we were. There's a staircase leading up if we go diagonally.

No, this isn't it. Every path here leads to a dead end.

We'll have to go back and try another one.

...Hang on... There's a path that doesn't ricochet at all!

？！

Let's go, Master!

Hold on! There's something there!

Oh no. Is it the Minotaur...!?

...Doesn't look like it. They're just regular beasts here to guard the exit.

Aw, that all? Shouldn't be any kinda trouble for us, then.

In that case, let's wrap this up nice and quick.

I had to save bits and pieces of these creatures to eat so I could keep a minimum of magical energy going when I was on my own, but now that I've got a Master, the sky's the limit.

No more worrying about keeping the tasty bits intact. Time to show these things what I can really do!

Hm, how to wrap this up? Maybe a good, old-fashioned "See you in hell" or somethin'...?

Then again, this place is hellish enough as it is!

That's it. Now it's just a straight shot to get outside.

？！

There! You made it out!

...So I wasn't dreaming after all. I should've known...

C'mon now, you been pissin' in our ears about your regrets awhile now. Save the grievin' for later.

Well done, everyone. Now that you're out of there, all our monitoring functions are back online.

It looks like...the Oprichniki and Metropolitan Macarius are both gone...

Phew. It's about time you got to a point where we can monitor you again!

How could you let your guard down like that, you fools!? What were you thinking, getting lost in a place where we can't track you!?

Whoa there, partner. The point of havin' an ace up your sleeve like that is that the other guy can't see it. So what's your damn problem?

Billy is right, Goredolf. The fact that they made it back alive is a victory in its own right.

Asterios's Noble Phantasm is one of the few man-eater traps ever to exist, even in the Grecian world.

Not only did Fujimaru's team manage to escape it, they even acquired a powerful new ally in Ms. Miyamoto. If that is not a victory, I don'tHm?

Ms. Miyamoto, am I mistaken, or are you floating?

Why yes. Yes I am. Nice to know your eyes are as sharp as your good looks are devastating.

Floating...?

？！

I'm afraid Ms. Miyamoto does not have firm roots in this Lostbelt.

Her existence here is inherently unstable, even after forming a connection with Mr. Fujimaru earlier.

Now I see. So this is the downside to being able to Rayshift on one's own power.

Bluntly, she is not altogether different from a ghost.

She has no place in ANY world, whether Proper Human History or a Lostbelt.

...

Yup, pretty much!

I mean, I AM a female Musashi who doesn't belong anywhere, let alone in Fujimaru's history!

I used to be a drifter with no place to call home, wandering around with no goal beyond improving my swordsmanship...

...but now that I've reached zero, and attained a sword that surpasses my father's, I don't even have that!

Honestly, I don't know why I bother to travel at all anymore!

？！

Aw, don't worry. I'm totally fine with it! I may not be totally corporeal anymore, but I'm still me.

All I need are beautiful people to look at, money to buy udon, and challenging enemies to fight!

Still, it sucks that my presence here is unstable.

After letting loose in that battle, I can tell this place just doesn't quite agree with me!

I guess even my connection to Fujimaru isn't enough to keep me anchored.

So, that means...

I've done this enough that I can tell it probably won't be too long before I tumble off into another world.

I'm sorry to say I won't be able to stick by you to the end here.

...In fact, this might even be the last time I ever...

Nope, not bringing myself down! Whatever happens from here on out, I'm glad I showed up in this world.

After all, I got to save your life just in the nick of time. Not every day I get a chance like that!

I don't really get what's going on, but basically, you're gonna be disappearing soon? ...Doesn't that scare you?

Of course it does. And I hate that I won't be able to stick around. But if I sit around feeling sorry for myself, I'll miss the chance to help out while I can.

Anyway, there you have it, Fujimaru! Time is definitely not on my side!

I might not be able to help you out as much as I'd like, but I'll do my best to clear the way forward for you while I can!

？！

Hmph. Are you finally done talking? People from the East being unafraid of death is nothing special!

It's the same culture that gave us harakiri and wabi-sabi, you know.

At any rate, we've no more use for that Yaga. Get rid of him! Go on, get out of my sight!

...Yeah, that figures.

？！

What?

We can't speak for the rebel army, but for our part, we don't blame you for cooperating with our enemy.

However, we do want as much information as you can give us on Ivan the Terrible.

...What, are you still planning to defeat him? Forget it! It's impossible!

Oho, impossible, you say? And why is that?

Because... I can't tell you.

It's so horrible I can't even put it into words. He's that much of a monster.

...A monster, eh. So then, he must be quite large.

Large doesn't begin to describe it. He's on a whole other level.

It's all right, Patxi.

We've fought and beaten some truly enormous enemies before.

？！

...That said, with the rebel army wiped out, our chances of defeating Ivan the Terrible now are slim verging on nonexistent.

...That's why I keep telling you not to even try going after him.

Hmm, this is going nowhere fast... Any ideas for how to break this stalemate, Holmes?

Not yet. I'm afraid Patxi's remarks alone aren't nearly enough to draw reliable conclusions.

Every single piece of the puzzle must fall into place. Inspection, eyewitness testimony, and evidence...

Only with all of those can I begin to accurately determine our chances for victory.

Lemme save you some time. Here it is right now: zilch. ...But okay, fine.

If you're that determined to fight the Tsar, you should just see him for yourselves and have your spirits broken in the process.

Well, before that, there's the matter of whether we can even get close to him. As matters stand, we cannot.

The frontier may be fairly free of Oprichniki, but the capital area is crawling with them.

...Then I guess it's up to me to do something about that.

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In the flesh.

I came as soon as I could after the Yaga I had watching this place told me what was happening...but I guess I was too late.

...So what do we do about the plan now?

？！

Good! Glad your spirit isn't broken. Long as you can keep your chin up like that, you'll be all right.

...Huh? Hang on. Is this all the Servants we had?

No, I'm afraid Avicebron is still missing...

I see...

Oh, by the by, the little lady over there makin' eyes at you hopin' for a duel is Miyamoto Musashi.

Hmm, Miyamoto Musashi, huh. And here I thought she was just some crazy... Wait. Miyamoto Musashi, as in the great swordmaster from the Far East!?

Oh, I don't know if I'd go THAT far.

But never mind that. Is it true you fought the giant Grendel all on your own?

Aha, I see what your game is now. But unfortunately, I'm not fighting anyone here unless I have to.

Not with circumstances being what they are.

Aw man, foiled again... At least old man Tajima had the decency to take me up on my challenge...

Anyway, is this the plan you told me about earlier? Hmm... You really think it'll work?

Of course not.

Hey, if it isn't Patxi. So why isn't it going to work?

Because

Easy there, partner.

...Gotta admit, I ain't thrilled about Ivan seemin' so much more powerful than even we bargained for.

Still, we learned ourselves a little somethin'. Not sure you're gonna like it. Wanna hear anyways?

Shoot.

Heh. Looks like Ivan the Terrible's gotta be countin' sheep to use that Noble Phantasm of his that summons all those damn Oprichniki.

So all we gotta do is wake him up...and the Oprichniki oughta disappear in a flash.

I see... So that's why he's able to summon as many as he wants and have them stick around...

Don't do it!

Don't do what, Patxi?

You can't wake Ivan the Terrible up! And you shouldn't even be THINKING about fighting him!

Did you see him?

...Yeah. I did. And I... I...!

Settle down, now. That's enough.

The short of it is that Patxi here got a look at Ivan the Terrible in the flesh and it's spooked him somethin' fierce.

...Is that so? And now you say we shouldn't even think about fighting him?

That's right! He's...how do I put this... He's so far beyond us I can't even put it into words.

Even thinking about fighting him or beating him doesn't make sense. He's...he's a god. I mean a GOD!

Pathetic coward...

... ...

Stop it!

...A god, huh. Patxi, let me tell you a little secret.

We heroes? Fighting gods like that is pretty much our whole deal.

That goes for Fujimaru too.

...That's exactly right. Some of our past opponents could best be described as gods.

Even you, Fujimaru?

Oh, quit bein' so damn modest. You were there, weren'tcha? Right in the thick of it?

Just watching, huh...

I don't remember what happened, but I bet you were the first to jump into the fray, weren't you?

That's true. I've watched the record I left for myself several times now, and that's how it went.

？！

...So you're not gonna give up?

Patxi, this guy doesn't even know how to give up.

Anyway, if the Oprichniki are all going to disappear once Ivan the Terrible wakes up...

...maybe I should take the fight to the capital instead. ...Hey, guys.

Y-yes, General?

I hate to ask, but can I trust you guys to handle the diversion near the capital?

But, sir, without you there, we can't possibly

Hey now, don't give me that.

I thought I trained you guys to be able to operate even when I'm not around.

...!

You've got the numbers, and you've got what it takes to fight. If you want, you can always run away, too.

There's no shame in running away from the Oprichniki so you can live to fight another day.

That's what I trained you guys for. You hear me?

...Yes, General.

We've been over this, remember?

You don't get through life by making the world unequal. You do it by spreading equality wherever you go.

You can get where you're going a lot easier with someone at your side than you can on your own.

The joy you get from working together beats the joy you get from kicking others down any day of the week.

I couldn't agree more, General. But, I'm still nervous.

Without you around to guide us, I don't know if we can make it...

Part of being a king is planning for what happens after you're gone.

You guys'll manage okay without me, right?

Now that I've taught you how to hunt, how to hide, and especially how to live together in big groups.

General Beowulf...

So, sorry, but I'm gonna go with these guys. If I don't, you'll never get the real tomorrow you've been working for.

... ...A real tomorrow, huh.

？！

Oh, sorry. I was just thinkin' it might be 'bout time I started takin' all this serious.

'Specially now we know Yaga're capable of learnin' and growin' much as anyone else.

Beo, I got a feelin' that just that diversion ain't gonna do the trick.

We're gonna need one in the capital, too. So, I'll play decoy to draw their attention.

...By yourself? Are you nuts? The Oprichniki in the capital are all freakishly strong.

It'd be like taking on a hundred Servants all on your own.

Aw, don't give it no thought. I'm an Archer, after all. We ain't the sort to go down easy.

I'll keep 'em fightin' as long as I can. Whaddya say?

...I know Fujimaru said you and I never ran into each other in America...

...but if we had, I'm sure I would've remembered.

'Cause there can't be many kick-ass outlaws like you around.

？！

Aw shucks, you're making me blush!

Anyway, this oughta make things a mite easier for those of you 'round the capital. Good luck out there!

...All right, Beowulf, Billy. We'll find a way to make it work on our own!

Thanks for everything! Make sure you two come back safe and sound!

You bet. Once Ivan the Terrible's out of the picture... Well, we'll try to make it back.

No promises, though.

That's okay. I know you hate making promises you're not sure you can keep.

All right, we'll make our way ahead of you then. Once we're all set, we'll make sure we get their attention.

...Are you just gonna abandon them?

I'm not abandoning anyone. But I'm not gonna keep them safe forever, either.

The time for that's long past. This isn't the age of heroes anymore.

I'm not even sure how I arrived at this conclusion myself...

Anyway, the point is, this isn't a time when only heroes or the strong get to survive anymore. Not even in this Yaga world.

And there's no way anyone should still be ruling on high as God's agent for hundreds of years.

Not a time when only the strong get to survive...huh.

So there you have it, Fujimaru. I know it took a while to get here, but now I'm finally joining your team!

And to kick things off, I've got an idea... What do you say we go in and save Atalante and Salieri?

Atalante and Salieri...? Then, they're still alive!?

Sure are. I'm told they were taken captive.

They could've handled themselves just fine, of course, but Atalante gave herself up when the enemy took some kids hostage.

That...does sound like her.

Right?

And Salieri probably followed her lead.

Just a moment.

If they succeeded at capturing a Servant as strong as Ms. Atalante...

...then surely, they must have taken her back to the capital, no?

You'd think so, but it doesn't look that way. I had some Yaga tail them, and they told me they actually bypassed the capital and brought the captives somewhere else:

An old fortress they turned into a prison.

Hmm. Well, fortunately we won't need to infiltrate the capital to rescue them...but why would they avoid the capital to begin with?

(...Perhaps they're concerned about Ivan the Terrible being assassinated? But no, if that were the case, they would have executed them right away.)

(Atalante and Salieri are both Servants powerful enough that they need to be heavily guarded at all times...)

(Why would the enemy go so far as to build a prison just to keep them away from the capital?)

(...Could it be...because of who else is in the capital...?)

Patxi, you were taken to Yaga Moscow after you were captured, correct?

Y-yeah, that's right.

What were things like there? Were the Yaga afraid of Ivan the Terrible?

...No, it didn't look like it. I didn't hear a single one bad-mouthing the Tsar when I was there.

I don't blame them, seeing how they live way better off than we do in the frontier. Not to mention all the Oprichniki everywhere they go.

Then, can you tell me if they appeared to be living in fear of the Oprichniki, or if they seemed to genuinely love and respect the Tsar?

G-genuinely!? I don't know, that's hard to say...

Close your eyes, Patxi. Take a deep breath, and think back to what you saw there.

A-all right.

Goodness, I can't believe he defied the Tsar...

Worthless Yaga. Hell's too good for him.

Did that Yaga do something bad?

The incorrigible runt forgot the debt of gratitude we owe to the Tsar. Now he's suffering the consequences for incurring the Tsar's wrath, and rightly so.

Make sure you don't ever end up like him.

I don't know what he was thinking, defying the strongest being in existence. We all need to stick together if we're going to survive in this world.

...They didn't sound like they were being coerced. They actually sounded like they worshipped him...

They didn't seem to be afraid of the Oprichniki at all, either.

Then, based on what you saw, there were no signs of dissent there?

...Not as far as I can tell, no.

Excellent! You have just provided another key piece of the puzzle to the mystery of Ivan the Terrible.

You have my thanks, Patxi.

Uh, no problem...really.

How can this possibly help us, Holmes?

Of COURSE the citizens of Yaga Moscow are going to sing Ivan the Terrible's praises!

The Yaga may be devoted to their principle of "the strong get to eat," but they are no less possessed of emotions than humans.

As we saw with Patxi earlier, there is no Yaga that does not feel fear.

All the more so if they are confronting the Tsar, a being said to be an agent of God Himself.

So then, if the Yaga in the capital revere the Tsar, rather than fear him...

Yes?

...that, my friends, means the Tsar MUST be revered.

Huh?

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Heh.

(Ohhh, this had better not be going where I think it's going.)

I'm afraid that question will have to wait until... right now!

THEN WHAT THE HELL WAS THE DRAMATIC PAUSE FOR!?

What it means is that Ivan the Terrible is on the verge of waking up.

However, the other authority figures wish to prevent this at all costs.

I cannot imagine the Tsar would be especially pleased by the current circumstances, after all.

As if the rebellion weren't enough, now there are Servants being summoned one after another for the express purpose of defeating him.

The Tsar would surely see this state of affairs as nothing short of a personal attack on him and the reign he has established here.

As such...even the slightest of disturbances in the capital would be all it may take to wake him up.

Fortunately, that means we may only have to contend with the Oprichniki army for a short time.

...Now I see.

But either way, we're not heading to the capital just yet. First, we need to rescue Atalante and Salieri!

...I am so ashamed. I cannot believe they decided to spare us.

Those dirty bastards, threatening to kill those kids if we don't go along... That's no way for the strong to behave!

Be that as it may, it was my fault for not refusing them. I apologize... I just could not abandon those poor children.

You did everything you could, Boss.

I have no right to call myself your boss anymore. Not after so much blood has been spilled.

The rebel army has no hope of rebuilding itself anymore... I will never be able to bare these fangs against the Tsar again.

...Things may not be as bad as you think, Atalante.

Huh!?

You've sure been running around making a mess of things, haven't you?

You... You are the mage who was invited to the palace. The Crypter!

Don't bother. That cage uses Command Spell binding techniques to keep Servants in check.

There's no way you can break through it with your Magic Resistance.

...Hmph. I suppose I must have frightened you more than a bit if you have taken such precautions.

So why are you here? Is it time for my execution?

No. ...I'm here to recruit you.

I want you to form a contract with me, and fight for our side.

...Are you mad? What mush do you have between your ears in place of brains?

No. I'm dead serious.

So long as you side with the Tsar, we are enemies!

...I'm NOT on his side.

What?

I'm not on the Tsar's side at all. Just take a look around. See any Oprichniki here?

...!?

I want to make a deal with you.

A deal...?

That's right.

...I want to take the Tsar down, and I want you to help me.

What do you mean by that?

And the Tsar's not the only one you'll need to defeat.

If you really want to help this abandoned world...

...then you'll need to take down Chaldea too.

...I...

... ...So that's his plan.

Surely you must have realized it yourself.

You may be a Servant from Proper Human History, but your true sympathies lie with this side, don't they?

This Lostbelt is one of the dregs of history. If Chaldea succeeds in their goal, you know what will happen to it.

... ...

Tell me more.

Gladly.

All you Yaga here should listen to this too. I think we could all do great things together.

Especially seeing as we have the same goal.

(...This should give me everything I need.)

(My Caster. The rebel army, and Atalante.)

(Salieri. And most importantly, Avicebron.)

(Chaldea. Mash Kyrielight. ...Fujimaru.)

(...I WILL surpass you. All of you...)

(Heh. I'm finally getting going.)

So since Avicebron isn't here, I guess that means we can't use golems now.

Ah yes, no need to worry about that. We'll take you there in the Shadow Border.

Things being what they are, we cannot afford to simply hide away any longer.

We'll come pick you up right now.

Y-you want us to move TOWARD the fighting!? Have you lost your mind, Holmes!?

The time for confining ourselves to our immediate surroundings has long since passed, Goredolf.

From here on out, we will be assuming the same risks that Mr. Fujimaru has been facing on the front line all this time.

Attention, all hands in the cockpit-slash-Command Room, as well as those of you at your positions throughout the Shadow Border.

We will now be piloting the Border across Russia's vast territory.

We will most likely have to fight off Demonic Beasts and Oprichniki on our way. It will be risky, but it is a risk we must take.

I understand, Holmes! No objections here!

Aw man, so we're finally wading into combat ourselves, huh... Oh well, I guess we can't have the gas pedal rusting over from disuse.

That plan is A-OK with me. I, Jingle Abel Meunière, as well as the rest of the staff are all on board!

Speaking as technical advisor and the Border's in-transit mainframe, I'm on board with this too. But...what's this?

Be still, my heart! Could it be that the only one who ISN'T on board with the plan is the big shot, tough, elite mage sitting in the fancy chair?

Aren't you a prestigious Clock Tower mage? A graduate from the Policies Department at that? You must have SOME experience in military affairs!

But now, you're telling us you're afraid of a little combat action?

I-I'm not afraid! I'm just concerned about the Shadow Border's safety!

It's the last bastion of humanity, after all! It's my duty to protect it!

I'm afraid just keeping the Border safe won't stop the world from ending. We also need to use it to fight back. Am I wrong?

Grrr... Grrrrrr!

You think I don't know that!? Of course I do! But can you guarantee our safety!?

Especially from, say, a cannon shell being fired straight into the Command Room!?

I'm afraid you'll just need to trust my and Mr. Meunière's piloting technique on that.

But if it's any comfort, I can tell you that we have completed the simulator's most difficult course ten times out of a hundred.

Really? The same course I've only ever beaten five times myself!? I'm impressed!

Wait, you mean you tackled that course by yourself...!? That thing's like the Safari Rally!

Hmm... Very well, I'll allow it! Being as I am a master driver myself, I know talent when I see it!

But as the commander, I reserve the right to order an immediate retreat if I sense we might be in the slightest bit of danger!

Understood, Goredolf.

Ms. Kyrielight, would you be so kind as to contact Mr. Fujimaru?

Tell him the Shadow Border is on its way!

There you have it, Master. We'll be heading your way now.

Please hold tight until we get there!

...Say, I just realized something.

That was Mash, right? The girl you told me about before?

If she's a Servant, why isn't she here with you?

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Hmm, hmm, hmm. I see, I see...

Got it! Just leave everything to me!

So that's your ride, huh? I like it already.

Thanks for waiting, everyone!

Please, come on board!

Haha, this is great! It's faster than any horse could ever hope to be!

Damn right. Puts me in a mind to head up to the deck and let loose a good, old-fashioned "Yeehaw!" This thing's practically a boat runnin' on land!

It is, isn't it? There's nothing better than blasting across a barren wasteland at full throttle!

I have to advise against going up on the deck, though. Rushing through this weather at such speeds would freeze anyone to death, even a Servant!

Couldn't they just use their spirit forms? Oh, but then they wouldn't be able to feel the wind on their faces, would they?

Don't you ever shut up? This, this right here is EXACTLY what I hate about your boorish Heroic Spirits. Why couldn't Chaldea find any DIGNIFIED Servants!?

I am sure you will meet some of those later in our journey, Goredolf. Ah, what about the Grand Duchess? She would seem to be nothing if not dignified.

Are you mad, man!? Why would I take an ice demon like her as my familiar!?

Not to mention, just seeing her face makes my groin seize up something fierce!

Talk about a traumatic experience... Still, I'm actually with the old man on this one. That Grand Duchess scares the hell out of me, too.

Nonetheless, we cannot let our fear hold us back forever.

If we are to get through this, we will need to face her sooner or later. Don't you agree, Mr. Fujimaru

Hm? Where IS Mr. Fujimaru?

Welcome back, Senpai, Fou.

Fou!

Hi there!

Hello, Musashi. It's a pleasure to meet you in person.

Same here. Nice to finally meet you, Mash.

Th-thank you...

Aha, mmhmm. Hmmm. Hm? Hmm!?

Um...

Your shoulders and thighs are kind of stiff, aren't they? Have you been doing something?

N-nothing special! Just my usual training regimen...!

I see, I see. Guess we don't have to worry about the physical side. So that just leaves the mental side.

...!

Hey, think you could make some time to talk later?

There are sooo many things I want to ask you!

For example, maybe you could tell me some juicy stories about Fujimaru? Teeheehee!

？！

I-I can't answer any questions that would violate his privacy!

Fou fou.

It's nice to be outside again, Senpai.

Holmes said I could go with you, what with the Border close by and all.

Well, it's nice that we got here in record time... but something seems off.

...You're right. I ain't sensin' any enemies 'round here at all. May as well head inside.

Hmm... I'm not smelling much here. We might've been wrong about where they were.

We scanned this location earlier ourselves and found nothing whatsoever.

They must be masking all the Servants' readings, but it still seems strange that it would be completely deserted.

Hmm. Beowulf, I take it you would prefer to go charging in?

Huh? Well, yeah, pretty much. That's about how a siege oughta work when you're in a hurry.

...Somethin' about that don't make a lick of sense...

Still, I gotta agree that quicker's better at this point.

Very well, go ahead and charge in, though I don't believe you'll find anything worthwhile.

So we got the go-ahead, huh? In that case...HRAH!

He smashed the door to pieces in a single blow...

I'll say.

Talk about bein' quick on the draw...

？！

Looks like you were right. The place is deserted.

I don't sense anyone here either. Definitely deserted.

...I can make out Atalante's scent. And Salieri's, though just barely.

It looks like they were shipped out of here about three days ago. What do you make of it?

？！

Y-you can track scents?

You can't? You all got stuffy noses or something?

Nothin' like that. Regular old humans ain't got the noses you Yaga do.

So your nose AND your ears are basically useless? Well that's gotta suck.

Hey, Master, there's a note here.

...Looks like someone named Kadoc wrote it. You know him?

？！

Right. Beowulf, could I see that note, please?

... ...

Yes, this is definitely Kadoc's handwriting.

I remember it from his magecraft essays.

...It says Atalante and Salieri are to be executed in Yaga Moscow.

It's scheduled for...five days from now.

Damn, so that's their plan.

...So he's callin' us out. We gotta ride to the capital to stop him, huh?

Hmm... S'pose we could make it in time.

'Course, once we do, we'll have a whole passel of Oprichniki to contend with 'fore we can even think about gettin' to the execution site.

Why would you even go at all!? It's obviously a trap!

I'm sure it is... But the fact is, our only hope for success is to distract the enemy and defeat them as quickly as possible.

And to do that, we need as many Servants to help us as we can possibly get.

...Atalante in particular is capable of taking on a large army all on her own.

So if we're going to defeat Ivan the Terrible, or even face him, we're going to need her help.

Ideally, I would like to have Avicebron and his golems around too, but...

Hey, speakin' of Avicebron, that note mention him at all?

After all that happened last we saw him, he must be either dead or captured...

No, I'm afraid there's no mention of him at all. Patxi, can you make out Avicebron's scent too?

Avicebron's tough to make out. His scent's always mixed in with dirt and rocks.

That mask and full-body outfit don't exactly help, either.

Too bad. I was hoping I'd get to meet the legendary golem keeper for myself, but oh well...

Anyway, it looks like we're done here, Master.

Now all we've gotta do is make a choice. Do we go to the capital, or not?

...What do you say?

？！

...So we've got me, Billy, and Miyamoto Musashi.

That means it'll just be the three of us against the entire capital.

Even if we luck out, find Avicebron, and rescue Atalante...

...that still only makes five.

W-well, if things start to look bad, I can fight too. I should at least be able to help keep you all safe while

No. You won't be any use to us in combat, not with the state you're in. If anything, you'd only drag us down.

Listen. In this world, you're either strong enough to survive, or you die.

Just because you can technically fight doesn't mean you'll actually be useful on the battlefield.

I...

...Heh. We're going up against the Oprichniki...the Minotaur...

...that priest and Koyanskaya, two Servants we know almost nothing about...Grand Duchess Anastasia...and Ivan the Terrible himself.

Not to mention

？！

Yes. One of the seven Crypters.

...I have no doubt he's waiting for us.

I'm pretty sure I can beat just about anyone, but I know Ivan the Terrible's a monster who's been ruling this world for four hundred and fifty years straight.

I can't really say for sure that I can beat him until I've seen the bastard for myself.

...You're gonna regret that. I promise.

...If you guys want to go off and get yourselves killed, that's your business. But what about Fujimaru?

Even I can tell he's...well...

...different.

Right? He's a weakling who can't even kill a single Demonic Beast on his own...right?

Well, Fujimaru!? Are you really okay with dying!?

...Well, you're not going anywhere right now.

Your best, huh... I'll tell you how you can do that.

？！

Don't move!

Patxi!?

...

...

Hold it, Billy. You too, Musashi.

I want to talk to him in private. Just us.

Fine with me, Patxi.

Holmes!?

It's quite all right, Ms. Kyrielight. Stand down, Billy, Ms. Miyamoto. Patxi won't hurt him.

He just wants a private talk. Isn't that right?

...All right. We'll go wait outside the prison...

...until you're done with your talk.

And I'll go ahead and end our call.

Wait, are you sure that's a good

Don't worry, it's fine.

There. Now it's just the two of us.

..."Us," huh. I don't know when we all started lumping humans and Yaga together.

Anyway... Now there're no more Servants here to keep you safe.

？！

Killing you would be way easier than killing a Demonic Beast.

I wouldn't even have to use my gun.

All I'd have to do is twist your neck a bit to break it, and you'd be dead. Isn't that right?

？！

You'd die if one of your arteries got cut too, or if you just fell sick with an incurable disease.

You can't handle drowning or fire as well as we can, and...you especially can't handle this cold.

If I ripped that coat off of you right now, you'd be dead in no time, wouldn't you!?

？！

Yaga don't die nearly that easily.

This cold might be deadly for you, but for me, well...I'd call it a bit chilly is all.

If you want to kill a Yaga, you'd have to completely cut off their head. I heard that something called "infectious diseases" used to kill humans all the time. Never heard of a Yaga dying that way.

I'm a lot stronger than you. All Yaga are stronger than humans.

Which is why I don't understand...

How are you able to smile?

？！

Yeah. All the damn time.

Even if you're depressed, or angry, you always look to me like you're smiling deep down inside!

I don't get it. This world is nothing but pain and suffering.

I don't ever...EVER smile. There's never been anything to smile about.

The closest I come is when I've had enough vodka to get drunk... I've never actually smiled deep down, from the heart...

Be straight with me, Fujimaru...

Is your world really that happy?

...Is that so.

But?

？！

？！

So there were other humans who cried and laughed besides you, huh?

？！

...Now I get it.

I finally understand why I decided to go along with you, even if doing it got me killed.

I want you...to be driven to despair.

I want you to curse this brutally cruel world. To curse your body for being weak and fragile.

I want you to curse yourself for being weak...!

？！

You say that now...

...but you'll change your tune quick once you meet Ivan the Terrible.

...I've changed my mind. The rebel army, the Tsar... I don't care about any of it anymore.

I'm not gonna kill you myself.

But what I AM gonna do...is watch you fall into despair. I'm gonna be there when you're reduced to crawling on your hands and knees.

...You don't get to be happy. Not when even the IDEA of happiness is unattainable for us.

？！

...You couldn't stop me if you tried.

It's not like you can kill me, right? Go ahead and tell all the others if you want.

Besides, I'm sure that Holmes guy is eavesdropping on us anyway... He is, isn't he?

？！

Oh come on, sure he is! There's no WAY a guy like that isn't listening in as we speak!

Oh, done already? That went faster than expected.

？！

Hahaha, I'd never do anything of the sort. An English gentleman's word is his bond.

...So, what was all that about anyhow? 'Cause it looked to me like he needed killin'.

？！

...You sure?

Hmm. Well, if you say so, I'll take your word for it.

Of course, all bets are off if he pulls another stunt.

Yeah, I understand. ...Don't worry, it won't happen again.

Holmes's so-called gentlemanliness aside, I can promise you we weren't listening in at all.

For real?

Oh yes. I saw this good-for-nothing detective do nothing but demurely sip his tea the whole time!

It's important to rest when one can. Particularly in our case, given that we are cooped up in the Shadow Border.

The longer this situation continues, the more likely it is to wear on our minds.

I'm quite sure Chaldea's staff will come out the other side just fine...but what about you, Goredolf?

Ha! Don't you mock ME, Servant! Not a day goes by when I don't wish for the sweet embrace of death!

And with the massive losses I've suffered this time around, I'm all but doomed no matter what happens...

Oh, no. Now I want to die all over again.

But that aside, we only have so much tea to go around! I certainly don't see us finding more here!

Talk about bouncing back...

...Heh. Well, it doesn't matter either way. Come on, let's get going.

You ARE going to the capital, aren't you, Fujimaru?

？！

Are you coming along too, Patxi...!?

What, is that a problem? ...I won't get in your way.

And that thing I wanted to discuss with Fujimaru is all settled now. Right, Fujimaru?

...Well, it's okay with me if it's okay with Master.

？！

All right.

But, being one of the people who's been here from the beginning, there's something I want to say.

Patxi, never try anything like that again.

And I don't just mean because I don't like what you did. I'm saying this for your own personal safety, too.

...You...

...Yeah, okay. I got it, don't worry.

Besides, I won't have to do anything like that again, anyway.

...?

It's gonna take at least a few days to get to the capital. So what's your next move?

For the moment, I think we shall take the Shadow Border as close to the capital as is safely possible.

After that, we can ride bicorns the rest of the way.

You mean, the same bicorns the Yaga ride...!?

Those're the ones. Think you can handle that, Fujimaru?

Master, does this mean you've been practicing horseback riding in secret ever since you fell off that horse in Rome?

Huh, that so? Well, then you can get your own mount and saddle up!

Don't worry 'bout it. You can ride with me.

？！

Fine with me, of course. I got around on horseback a lot back when I was crossing America.

Very well then, everyone on board!

It's finally time to begin our assault on Yaga Moscow, the very center of Russia, and the home of that enormous tree!