The Third Lostbelt

...You say you thought you had a dream? That it might have been some kind of sign?

...And that absurd reasoning has you drinking poison from a chalice?

So you think it's foolish too, huh. My wife said the same thing.

His Imperial Majesty himself gave me this poison. All I need do is drain it in a single gulp, and I will displease him no more.

I have slain too many for one in my position. You might say I've outlived my usefulness.

I don't understand. None of this would have happened if not for how petty the emperor is. How can you be willing to lay down your life for a man like that?

You may not see any sense in it, but this is simply what it means to be a warrior.

...Once I heard you were going to die, I had to come and ask.

Say the word, and I will see everyone who toyed with your destiny...who forced this hollow loyalty upon you...drown in a sea of their own blood.

Haha... I'm honored you are so angry on my behalf.

It's more than I deserve... And I will admit that I do have my share of regrets.

But at this point...I've truly come to believe this is a fitting end to the life of Gao Changgong.

...I don't understand. The way you talk of life and death makes no sense whatsoever.

But then, I suppose I could never understand, as death is a concept that's never had meaning to me.

Ah yes, that's true, isn't it. Perhaps, if anything, I should be the one begging you for forgiveness.

After all...the peace I will attain in death will be forever beyond your reach.

Perhaps I'm jealous. Jealous of your death, and of the brilliance of your life leading up to it.

You are too kind. I assure you, I know no more of death's secrets than you do.

Even should I learn them now, they will soon be lost to darkness.

...Do you have any last wishes?

...Good question. If I could wish for something beyond my own death...it would be to someday see you again.

...Haha, I suppose such a wish must sound completely absurd.

Not necessarily. I have seen the likes of you shatter more daunting barriers.

I have seen them tame lightning, cure plagues, and even change the course of rivers.

...I cannot say how long it will take, but...

...eventually, the day may come when those bound by mortal lives learn to reach beyond even death.

Should such a day come to pass, and if I am lucky enough to be there to see it...then I shall recall your final wish.

Ahh, you don't know how happy I am to hear that. In all my thirty-three years of life, there is nothing I've treasured more than your presence.

...

Reality Space anchor attached. Reality verification complete.

Proper Human History Resemblance: A Lostbelt Depth: E

Establishing Shadow Border's existence within Lostbelt. Zero Sail return successful.

I'm glad we had another emergence that went so smoothly. How are you feeling, Senpai?

I know the poison isn't causing you any pain right now, but I also heard you're not feeling entirely yourself...

？！

Hmph, so cold symptoms are the worst of it for you, are they? Must be nice! I'll have you know I used to have asthma when I was a young lad!

But after I read the memoirs of a great bodybuilder, actor, and politician who once suffered from the same disease...

...I followed his example and overcame it with rigorous training! Though sadly, I don't have his muscle to show for it.

My point, young man, is that all you need is gumption! This is no time to let your fears get the better of you!

Heh. I must say... It's almost encouraging to see our commander so energetic despite his poisoning.

Yup. We've still got plenty of time to find a cure, and Gordy's a mage so he's pretty well accustomed to dire threats like this.

Now, let's see what things look like outside...

Fou?

Eighteen degrees Celsius... Thirty percent humidity... Gentle breeze...no unusual magical energy readings...

I'm looking out the window right now, and...it looks like a field.

I gotta say, I'm almost creeped out by how normal it seems here compared to the other two Lostbelts. I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

Are there any hostiles outside?

Hmm, not according to our instruments. Since it looks like it's safe, why don't we all go see for ourselves?

？！

Fooou...

Latitude and longitude don't lie. We're standing right at 32°40'N, 110°50'E.

In Proper Human History, this would be Shiyan, a major city with a population of 3.4 million people.

Well, this is certainly not a city, but it doesn't look like untamed wilderness either.

Perhaps it is a wheat field or the like? Admittedly it would be an extraordinarily large one...

I recognize. The smell. In the. Air here. This is. My homeland.

...And yet. I have. No memory. Of this. Strange landscape. How confusing. And depressing.

It seems. I am. Useless as. A guide. For you. After all.

Hey, don't worry about it. All bets are off when it comes to Lostbelts. Besides, we have a much bigger role for you to play than just a guide.

For the moment, I've picked up a leyline only a kilometer or so away from here.

Between that, and how surprisingly safe this area looks to be, I'd say we're off to a pretty good start.

Now, what do you say we take the Shadow Border over to the leyline and set up a summoning circle?

Got it. I'll go warm up the engine then. You can never be too prepared for combat in these Lostbelts.

Okay, the leyline's right around that well. Go ahead and park it here.

It certainly doesn't look like a dangerous area. But, something feels off...

True. If anything, it's too peaceful.

And considering how expansive this farmland is, it's weird that we haven't seen a single piece of agricultural machinery.

The buildings here seem a little crude, too.

Yeah, I've never seen anything quite like them before. Though I guess you could say they kind of look like collective housing.

？！

That's right. Although, I'm not sure "building" is the right word for that...um, structure.

All that ground they leveled, and they're still living in holes? It's like something out of the Stone Age.

Maybe civilization never really developed in this world?

...Oh, there's some people headed this way. Shall we try talking to them?

Yes, but do be careful. I doubt they pose any threat to us, but we cannot afford being seen as a threat either.

What the? Who the hell are these people, and what are they doing in our field?

Look at their weird clothes. Do you think they might be foreigners?

F-foreigners!? Here!? Does that mean they came from that strange storm then?

H-hurry up and call the supervisor! Maybe he'll know what to do!

Fhew... Fou.

At least the translators seem to be working fine...

According to our linguistic analysis, they're speaking Middle Chinese, a language that predates the Song dynasty.

Conversation. Is a good. Starting point. However. We have frightened them. This pattern. Is not. Good.

Hey! Did you really see foreigners!?

Yeah, they're right over here! See for yourself, Supervisor. They just popped up in my field out of nowhere!

They were riding around in that weird box, they wear really strange clothes...and I think they've got weapons, too.

Aw crap, I don't like where this is going! Fujimaru, help us out here before things turn violent!

Tell them this is all just a big misunderstanding! If Holmes tries to explain, he'll just make things worse!

Hm? And what's wrong with my explanations?

？！

Aah! He talked!

If you don't mean any harm, then why'd you show up in the middle of the field dressed like that!?

Go on, Supervisor, get rid of 'em for us before they ruin any more wheat!

You got it!

Th-they've all taken up weapons! Now what do we do...?

Fou, fou, fooou. Fooou.

Hmm, it seems their rather bare-bones lifestyle has not lent itself to open minds. I'm afraid we'll need to pacify them before we can begin negotiations.

Is now really the time for detached analysis, Holmes!? Can't you use Charm on them or something!?

Gordy's the only one of us who can use Charm spells... Well, he says he can, anyway.

And even if he's telling the truth, he's still comfortably holed up inside the Border right now.

It'd be best to summon a Servant who with a powerful innate Charm skill, but that would require access to the leyline, which we don't yet have.

It would seem we cannot avoid this battle. Fortunately, our opponents should be willing to listen once they get this out of their system.

While this would be an ideal situation for my baritsu, I'm afraid I will have to sit this one out.

Oh, right, you still haven't fully recovered yet. Guess we've got no choice then.

Mash, Nezha, go ahead and fight them if that's what they want! Just make sure not to harm any of them!

Understood. I also. Would like. To avoid. Excessive force. I will. Be careful.

Yes! We'll do as great gentlemen do, in the true spirit of baritsu!

I see. So you got into a fight almost the instant you left the Border?

Yes. I'm afraid we ended up in a standoff with the locals... At least we got them to back down for now...

All thanks to your and Nezha's efforts not to harm them. They do appear to understand that our intentions are not violent now.

They're currently monitoring us from what I suppose they consider a safe distance. It seems they have their own responsibilities to tend to.

Correct. No signs. Of reinforcements. We are. Safe. For the moment.

H-hmm, I see. So you managed to avoid provoking them.

I'm relieved to hear they're sharp enough to realize we're only lost travelers trying to get our bearings.

Although...what about the Servants? You said we can summon more once we're able to use the leyline, right?

Da Vinci's outside preparing a summoning circle right now. I think she's run into some kind of trouble though...

Hey guys! I'm setting everything up right now! Just give me a minute to work out the kinks!

Sure, I ran into a little trouble, but don't worry! It's the kind I'm used to!

Hey, Da Vinci, are you sure it's okay to hook this weird machine up to Mash's shield!?

It looks supershady. In fact, it doesn't even look like it was made on Earth!

Oh, right. That's the booster Sion lent me.

Get this: a single one lets you manifest a Spirit Origin equivalent to three Servants! She called it, uh, a whatchamacallit cell.

Unfortunately, they burn out after a single use, but we're not gonna be stingy with Fujimaru and Gordy's lives at stake.

All right, now we just stand by in base state.

As soon as we get a response from the Servant side, I'll kick it to its excited state so we can start the summoning.

There we go. Now it's just a matter of time.

As long as the Servant has some connection to you, Fujimaru, I'm sure they'll answer the summon, Lostbelt or not.

Hmm, I see. Well done, Technical Advisor. In that case...

...you can start by summoning a skilled Caster capable of brainwashing these barbarians en masse!

This is an emergency, and an urgent one at that! We need to start making progress posthaste!

Fou, fooou...

Are you all right with that course of action, Mr. Fujimaru?

I agree. Since we have working translators, I think it would be best if we tried for more positive relations.

Calm down? How can I calm down when I will be dead in a matter of days!? And have you forgotten this concerns you too!?

？！

Regardless, the summoning will take time. It would be in our best interests to negotiate while that proceeds.

Sometimes, Mr. Goredolf, there is something to be said for not letting sleeping dogs lie.

...All right then, who's going to lead these amicable negotiations!?

Fujimaru already tried and failed, remember!?

Where are we going to find an angel with a smile cherubic enough to win over those barbari...

...?

That's right. We're just poor, hapless travelers who lost our way.

Oh, you poor thing. That must have been so hard.

We didn't mean to ruin your field, I promise. Do you think you could forgive us?

Oh, don't worry about that. We can always till it again.

Hell, just getting to talk to such a pretty girl as you kind of makes me... Makes me...

Makes me wanna till the field again more than ever!

Fooou...

Da Vinci really is a force to be reckoned with, isn't she... She's not technically lying, but she's not exactly being truthful, either...

？！

Hmph, just look at those men falling all over themselves! That outsider's got them twisted around her little finger!

How can they possibly trust any of those foreigners after the beating they gave the poor supervisors!?

Aha! (Sensing an opportunity)

I do beg your pardon about that, madam. Please, allow me to apologize for trampling on your fields as well.

I only hope you can believe me when I say that we truly do want nothing more than to resolve this matter peacefully.

Unfortunately, the truth is that we have lost our way, and are uncertain as to where we are.

I am so terribly sorry to impose, but could you please tell us about this place? You are our only hope.

W-we are? Teehee, well then, I suppose we...um, ought to step up...

True, true. I mean, if a man this handsome needs our help...

...the least we can do is hear him out, right?

Fooou...

？！

Agreed. I do. Not know. Why we. Fought earlier.

W-well, uh... The important thing is that we've reached a peaceful resolution...

It looks like they were all just scared more than malicious. They seem to be good people at heart.

By the way, Da Vinci, what was the trouble you ran into with the Spirit Origin graph earlier?

An excellent question, Holmes! Glad to see you're paying attention to the important bits!

What? I thought you'd already resolved the issue with summoning Servants?

Ehh, less resolved and more worked around. I still don't know what the problem really was.

This Lostbelt's nothing like either Russia or Scandinavia.

I tried using the leyline here to connect to this Lostbelt's Throne of Heroes...

...but I didn't get any response.

...None whatsoever?

There was nothing wrong with the equipment, so whatever the problem is, it has something to do with this world.

Granted, the odds were always low that a Heroic Spirit from this Lostbelt was going to be eager to help us, so I wasn't counting on that...

...but it's still odd that there'd be no answer at all. Right, Holmes?

...Indeed.

So I just dropped that idea and switched back to trying to summon from Chaldea's Spirit Origin graph.

Now, we're just waiting for a Heroic Spirit to respond to our call.

In fishing terms, we've baited our hook and cast our line. All there is for us to do now is be patient.

What could be going on, Senpai...?

？！

Honestly, even though my genius once again carried the day, I really don't know what happened there.

Fou, fooou...

What I do know is that the connection to the Throne of Heroes is just that, a connection, and it doesn't exist in this Lostbelt's leyline.

It could also be that our definition of what a Heroic Spirit is doesn't match this Lostbelt's.

Definition of. Heroic Spirit?

And what exactly do you mean by that!?

...This is a fascinating phenomenon. One that no doubt gets to the heart of this Lostbelt's true nature.

But right now, we have nothing more than speculation. We'll need to collect more evidence before we can begin drawing any conclusions.

Oh? That sounds to me like you already have a pretty good idea what's going on, Holmes.

I do have a hypothesis, but a good detective only shares their deductions once they are supported by clear and undeniable evidence.

It is, isn't it. It feels like forever since I was last able to breathe this easily...

...since in the other Lostbelts, the Border was the only safe place we could go...

Oh, I almost forgot we have the Chaldea Base now, too!

Anyway, being surrounded by a natural landscape like this really feels like

...Huh? What's that up in the sky above us, Senpai...?

？！

I didn't notice it during the night, but that's definitely strange, right?

I guess it must be normal here, since none of the locals seem to be taking any notice of it...

Da Vinci still has them all practically enthralled.

So hey, what's the name of this era?

Era? What's that?

Oh, uh, I was mostly just wondering what year it was...

Hmm, well, I'm turning twenty-two this year.

We all start working when we turn five, and I've planted these fields seventeen times now, so that adds up, right?

Erm...thanks. I was thinking more along the lines of a calendar though...?

It's time to plant the seeds and harvest the last crops, of course. You can tell by the moon, y'see.

Hmm... Let's try this then: Who's the foremost leader in the world right now.

Why, that'd be Most Glorious and Majestic Heavenly Emperor, of course.

And what is this emperor's name?

Name? Why, Most Glorious and Majestic Heavenly Emperor, of course. You might as well ask me what the sun and moon are called; the name's right there!

Well, uh, where might we find this emperor then?

In the capital. Where else?

And where's that?

They say it's way, waaay off in that direction.

Have you ever been there?

Me? Why would I ever go there?

We only worship from afar with gratitude. None of us would exist without Most Glorious and Majestic Heavenly Emperor's blessing, after all.

...Huh?

？！

Um, Senpai... Do you smell that?

Hm? Are you talking about my eau de cologne?

I did switch to my more wild American brand after we got here...

No, I don't mean that... It's less of a human scent and more...beastly?

This presence... No mistake. Bloodthirsty creatures. Are headed. This way!

Eep! Wh-what is that thing!?

Aah! There's another one over there!

Wh-what the? Those are Krichat', like we saw in Russia! What are they doing here!?

We can figure that out later, Da Vinci. Right now, we need to evacuate the villagers!

Hostiles eliminated. That said...

？！

I can't believe we're seeing creatures from an entirely different Lostbelt here... This is too bizarre to be coincidence.

You there. Have you ever seen creatures like this before?

No way! I've never seen a monster like that in my life!

Me neither. The worst things we've seen until now were the wild boars the supervisor used to chase off.

If we'd ever run into these things before, we'd probably be dead now.

Don't worry. We'll help you for as long as we're here.

It's the least we can do to make up for ruining your field. Right, Master?

？！

Wh-what are you two saying!? We didn't come here to serve as this village's bodyguards!

No, Ms. Kyrielight is correct. Those Krichat' should not be present here.

If they have made a sudden appearance, we should investigate it.

How're you feeling, Fujimaru?

？！

Great. Your vital signs are all looking good, too, so your condition's definitely not too serious just yet.

We've still gotta keep a close eye on it, of course, but I don't think we need to worry too much just now.

I must say, you're looking a tad pale, Commander. Are you sure you won't lie down in the Command Room?

Oh, be quiet! I just have a little heartburn from eating too much cake, that's all!

I'm in perfectly good health, I'll have you know! If a third-rate mage can handle this poison without a problem, then of course I can too!

That aside, we're still no closer to getting our bearings here, even with the locals sharing.

Our first order of business is gathering as much information as possible. Otherwise, we have no way of knowing where to even begin.

Where to begin? How about we begin with finding Koyanskaya, like we originally planned!?

A fair point. I sincerely doubt she came here on a lark.

Very well then, how do we track her down?

We'll never find her if we merely walk around without a plan, after all.

Given that this is a Lostbelt, we know there must be a Crypter guarding its Tree of Emptiness somewhere.

And just like in Scandinavia, this Lostbelt's tree doesn't seem to be visible.

Yes, that concerns me too. The Russian tree was so large as to be visible from hundreds of kilometers away.

The fact that we cannot see it here means that it must be disguised, as it was in Scandinavia.

And that, in turn, means this Lostbelt's king understands that it is something best kept hidden.

Of course. If they. So wished. A fairy or sage. Could make. A mountain. Disappear. With relative ease.

I really don't want to imagine going up against someone like that, but given everything so far...

Indeed. Even if we were to capture Koyanskaya today, we cannot simply leave this Lostbelt behind.

As long as it exists, it remains a threat to Proper Human History. Sooner or later, we will need to face the Crypter responsible for it.

All the more reason for us to hurry along with our investigation!

You're all being far too generous, agreeing to be this village's bodyguards.

I mean...I can understand how scared those villagers would be if the Krichat' were to suddenly attack again, but...

I assure you, Mr. Goredolf, this is all part of our investigation.

What was that?

It's safe to assume that those hostile creatures are the same type of Demonic Beast we fought in Russia.

Think back to when we first learned about them.

The Krichat' are Demonic Beasts that originated in the Russian Lostbelt, and possess numerous characteristics that let them survive in its frigid environment.

But this Lostbelt is far too warm for such creatures.

Oh, now I get it. So that's why Mash and Fujimaru agreed to help.

...Right. This has everything to do with us.

The fact that those creatures showed up in a different Lostbelt can only mean that someone brought them here.

Indeed. Someone who can come and go between Lostbelts as they please.

Since we can of course eliminate ourselves as suspects, that only leaves one possibility...

？！

Precisely. A most astute interjection, Mr. Fujimaru. Watson would have been proud.

Grr...

Finding Koyanskaya remains our priority. But at the moment, we have far too little information to act on.

If anything, the Krichat's appearance is our only real lead so far. We cannot afford to overlook it.

Hmm... Hey, can I just say something?

I sent out a surveillance drone toward the capital, and I discovered something...interesting.

Oh? Was there actually a city out that way?

I tried zooming in and cleaning up the long-range footage as best I could, and... Well, it's easier if you just take a look.

？！

For once, I am genuinely at a loss for words.

So much for civilization never developing here.

If they've got the science and engineering know-how to build a metropolis like this, then they've come way farther technologically than we thought.

I mean, there's not a single support column holding this thing up, so they obviously figured out how to make it float.

And since it's clearly no giant air bladders or the like, I've got to wonder just how the hell they are making something that heavy float!

Perhaps magecraft is used openly here. Either that, or they really have advanced scientifically to the point where they can control gravity.

In the latter case, they would be well ahead of Proper Human History, at least in terms of technology.

Oh, and while I was at it, I grabbed some footage of that weird perfectly straight line in the sky, too. Here it is at max magnification.

？！

Well, for starters it's about two thousand kilometers above us, so it's just barely in low orbit. By my estimates, it's more than five kilometers wide.

That's not even the best part. It stretches along the entire observable sky of the Lostbelt.

Wow...

Then how come we couldn't see it before entering this Lostbelt? If it's two thousand kilometers up, that's gotta put it above the storm clouds, right?

That must mean that the Lostbelt's borders prevent anything within from being seen, storm or no.

Anything built during their history, no matter how big it might be, is impossible to observe from the outside.

Forget measuring size and mass. From the outside, there's no way to even know it exists at all!

Even now that we can observe it, I have no idea what it is or what it's for. If the people of this world built it themselves...that raises even more questions.

I'll say. How can something like that exist when life in this farming village is so primitive?

I kept flying the drone around in every direction, but I didn't see any other buildings or structures even remotely close to the scope of the capital.

East, west, north, south... It was nothing but fields everywhere I looked.

Seriously? Man, I can't tell if this place is way ahead of Proper Human History or way behind it.

Whatever is taking place here, it no doubt stems from this world's deviation from Proper Human History...

Da Vinci, I trust you can determine the capital's latitude and longitude from here? What happens when you map it to the China we know?

Is there a record of a capital city dating back to a well-known dynasty there?

Aww, you already figured that out? I wanted to keep you all in suspense a little longer.

I can certainly understand the desire for a dramatic reveal of your information.

Under the present circumstances, however, I am afraid we are reliant on you for all such inquiries, so please give us your information now.

Yeah, yeah, you made your point.

Based on its distance from our present location, it corresponds to Proper Human History's Xianyang prefecture.

Xianyang? Isn't that

Indeed. It dates back to the Qin dynasty.

Qin? That was before the Three Kingdoms era wasn't it? Does that mean it even predates Xiang Yu and Liu Bang?

That's right. The Qin dynasty was a major empire around 200 B.C. It's known for being the dynasty of China's first emperor.

It was the country ruled by the great Qin Shi Huang.

Hmm... So that is Chaldea. Your enemy.

Yes, but not only are they my sworn enemy. They also command a threat to the safety of your empire.

Namely, Heroic Spirits.

We see. Indeed, we were quite surprised when you first told us of them. You said this Master can summon an army of great heroes from the past, correct?

We find this difficult to credit indeed...

We are certain you would not lie to us, but how could a few mere soldiers ever hope to overturn our eternal reign? We cannot even imagine the possibility.

You underestimate Heroic Spirits at your peril.

Those whose souls are offered to the Counter Force are given tremendous power to ensure the continuation of humanity.

Trust me when I say that a single Servant is easily the equivalent of a thousand ordinary soldiers.

Hmm... So this...Alaya you spoke of? You said it is the sum total of human consciousness?

This sounds like pure nonsense to us. Is this the manner of thing you simply accept in your own world?

You make an excellent point, Your Imperial Majesty. My world was more chaotic and less complete than yours.

It must have been, if something so preposterous as resurrecting dead Heroic Spirits to fight in one's place is considered normal.

We cannot help but wonder how a world where such things were necessary to maintain order could have lasted.

I must warn you too, Your Imperial Majesty. The Master of Chaldea is an enemy you can't afford to ignore.

Ah, right. We had forgotten that you are from the same world as Akuta, Kominskya.

My name is Koyanskaya, Your Imperial Majesty. Do you think you could try to remember this time?

Watch your tongue when speaking to the Emperor, wretch.

No matter. These visitors come from a world beyond our domain. Of course our customs elude them.

Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty. I do understand that you may find it rude and presumptuous of me to warn one so omnipotent as you.

But the fact is, Chaldea has already brought strange creatures with them that threaten your people's safety.

This poses quite a problem for your quarantine as well. Surely you don't want them to get away with this?

...

Please, Your Imperial Majesty, if we merely wait for them to reveal their true barbaric nature, it will be too late.

Hmm. If it is so important to you, then why have you not done something about it yourself?

You command these Servant puppets as well, do you not?

I... Yes, I do. If you would forgive me for disturbing your eternal paradise, I can summon one right now.

Very well. Show us exactly what these warriors from another world are capable of.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!

Hmm, this emperor's much more laid back than I thought. I expected a bit more eagerness to take down the threats to their empire.

I had hoped for the same. Nothing ever seems to go as planned with the emperor. But...oh well. That isn't going to change.

Well, sorry you ended up having to do all the work in consequence.

I do hope it won't take you too long to finish them off.

...Is that all you have to say for yourself, after all the trouble you've caused?

Eeek! Please don't glare at me like that, Akuta. You're gonna make me cry☆

We're on the same side in all of this!

Besides, isn't the Master of Chaldea every Crypter's sworn enemy?

Of course. You could have lured him to any of the others' territories, and any of them would've made sure to finish him off.

I would go so far as to say any one of them would be a better pick for this kind of work than me.

So why did you have to bring them to China? They're only here because they were following you, right? Thank you so much for that.

Aww, don't be so hard on yourself, Akuta. I really thought you would be the best fit for the job, seeing how you're so good at defense and all.

You see, I actually tried to assassinate him as a favor to Beryl...

...but I'm afraid things didn't exactly go as planned☆

See, the poison I used is called Xiān Shuāi Míng Mài, and...

Well, I don't suppose you already know what it is, do you?

...You are unbelievable.

Eee, so you DO know about it! You're one smart cookie, aren't you?

In that case, you can see where this is going, right? Including what they'll try to do to find an antidote.

...Koyanskaya. Did you do this on pur

No, I didn't. This time, I only had about ten percent of a plan.

That's why I wasted no time coming to warn you, Akuta. I wanted to take responsibility, see!

I mean, Chaldea's got the world's greatest inventor and greatest detective on their side now, right?

I knew it wouldn't take them long at all to figure out where the poison came from.

So I thought, instead of wasting time trying to sweep this under the rug, it would be much better to fortify our defenses now.

So here I am, warning you about the danger and taking responsibility!

It's not like you and I are complete strangers, right? So I thought I could help you out with getting rid of Chaldea.

Besides, we're both misanthropic outcasts. It only makes sense for us to join forces, don't you think?

...True. That much I know we have in common.

But that still doesn't explain why you brought those dangerous pets of yours along.

Pets? Perish the thought.

They have their dignity, at least as far as wild animals go.

So you didn't order them to go around killing people?

Of course not. Why would I rob myself of the pleasure of torturing and killing humans?

No, they're just doing their best to survive and find food in an environment they're not used to.

Don't you find that far more endearing than a bunch of defanged livestock, like this nation's people?

That's not the problem, and you know it. How could you set Demonic Beasts from another Lostbelt loose here?

If the emperor finds out you're the one responsible for them, you will find yourself in real trouble.

Oh, that? You might say that's just part of a lifelong project for me. Don't worry, I promise I won't make any trouble for you.

You have your own life's work you've devoted yourself to, don't you, Akuta? So I think we'll both be happier if we just stay out of each other's way.

...Fine. What's done is done, after all.

There's no way I'm letting Chaldea mess up my nice, stable Lostbelt. Don't you dare go easy on them, Saber.

As you wish, Master. I promise, I won't let you down.

Huh!? When did you summon him!? I can tell he's got a beautiful face underneath that mask, too!

No fair, Akuta! How come you're the only one who gets a certified hottie working for her!?

That's not why he's here! Ugh, just shut up already, you damned fox!