Advancement Impulse/People and the Girl

...Honestly, I don't think the name on your birth certificate matters that much.

What really matters is what people think of you and what THEY call you.

That says so much more about who you really are than a name in some database ever could.

Just look at all the famous historical figures who aren't known by the names they were given at birth!

You even had some in Chaldea, like Billy the Kid and Blackbeard, right? So there's no reason I can't

？！

Will you listen to me!? This is important, dammit!

...Oh, the hell with it. It's Arou, okay?

My old name is Myourenji Arou.

Myourenji Arou... So that's your real name?

？！

Hm, so you had your suspicions all along, did you, Fujimaru!?

You're surprisingly observant, aren't you? You little devil, you!

I'm impressed you figured that out before I did when I've known Pepe longer, Senpai... I guess I still have a lot to learn about being more observant...

Anyway, it really doesn't mean anything to me, so I'd rather you just keep calling me Sexy Pepe as always.

In fact, don't even bother calling me that other name, 'cause I won't respond.

Fou fooou.

...And don't ask me anything else about where I came from or who I was before Chaldea. Besides, there's nothing there that isn't in my Team A profile.

All you need to know is that after I left Japan for the West and started really enjoying my life, one thing led to another, and I ended up getting to know some people at the Clock Tower.

Eventually, Marisbury invited me to Chaldea, saying my combat experience was just what he needed to make up for the academic bent of all the other mages...

...and now, here we are.

So then, you must've been born to a mage family, right? Shugendou, was it?

I'd looove to learn more about it, since it's the foundation of Far East magecraft and all. Pleeease? (Puppy dog eyes)

Don't try to milk the whole little girl appearance thing. It's demeaning.

I've heard that Shugendou is a mixture of Buddhism and mountain worship unique to Japan.

Did Marisbury bring you on to serve as Team A's guide...or perhaps an overseer of sorts?

Survival is crucial when Rayshifting to an unfamiliar location, after all.

Perhaps it was your job to keep an eye on the others and ensure they could survive even in harsh environments?

Hehe. I'll say it was something like that and leave it there.

I remember you saying something about being able to use Divine Power before.

But then, how come the names of the spells you use in battle don't sound anything like Shugendou?

That's just 'cause I made them up myself. Traditional Japanese names are just lacking a certain je ne sais quoi.

...Anyway, as much as I love me, I'd love a different topic of conversation even more.

Shouldn't we be discussing our next course of action?

He makes a good point. Honestly, I don't care what his name is. We should be trying to figure out how we can possibly take down Arjuna.

Yes... You're absolutely right.

I do think we're on the right track, but I can't help but think we're still missing something crucial...

...All right, enough stalling. You've got something in mind, don't you?

Huh?

Who, me?

Yes, you. It's obvious you know something, just like you did earlier. It's written all over your face.

？！

Hehe, you got me.

Daybit really is something else. I guess this is what you call natural intuition?

"The more godlike a god is, the stronger they are." That's it in a nutshell.

And it's exactly what we needed to be reminded of.

What do you mean...?

It couldn't be more basic. Think about it. What makes a god a god? Here, let me put it another way.

Which kind of god do you think is stronger? One nobody's ever heard of, or one everyone believes in and prays to?

Now I see. Basic, indeed. A fact so elementary that I failed to consider it.

I can't tell if you're serious, or if this is just sour grapes...

There's something similar for Servants too. I think it's called a fame bonus?

Ohhh, yeah. Now that you've pointed it out, it really is a simple problem.

The reason Arjuna is a god here isn't just because he collected every Divinity in this land for himself.

It's also because the people here worship him as a god.

Buuut...what would happen if they didn't consider him a god anymore?

...His divine strength would be reduced.

Precisely, Director.

？！

It means the fewer people who believe Arjuna's a god, the weaker he'll become.

Ganesha's super popular, so I don't have any idea what it feels like to have faith in you fade away. No, really.

I see. So this is like asking where I can be a greater hero: the India that knows me, or this India that doesn't.

By virtue of who I am, I can of course be a great hero in either...but there is still bound to be a difference.

If these two versions of me were to throw their Brahmastras at one another...

...the victor would surely be the one from the India that knows me. And there would definitely be an observable gap between the two.

Now I get it. So then, how can we get people here to stop believing in Arjuna...?

？！

Dival... Then, you're saying my resistance was not for naught after all?

Not at all! If anything, you already did the hardest work of making our first toehold! I'm super grateful!

...To be honest, I have had my doubts about my actions here.

While I never doubted my conviction that this world was wrong, and desperately needed to be fixed...

...I did wonder if my efforts here were meaningful, and whether there was anything to be gained by involving the people of this land in my fight.

...

This war I started...people have gotten hurt.

I may be a queen and a commander, but I am not so saintly as I am made out to be. I still have doubts.

I do believe in what I'm doing, but I'm not so naive that I never thought to question it.

I have never forgotten what one of the locals told me back when this began.

They said what I was doing was meaningless. That I was pointlessly endangering innocents, even getting them hurt.

But...it wasn't meaningless after all, was it?

It sure wasn't. Your village is showing us the way forward. Now we just need to keep spreading the gospel, so to speak.

It might not be easy, but your village has proven that these people can change their minds.

Who's to say the same can't happen somewhere else?

...You're right. Once we get back to Dival, I'll talk to the villagers and ask them to help us spread this movement.

I expect the people of this land will be much more receptive to them than they would be to someone like me.

Sure, but every movement needs a charismatic leader like yourself, y'know?

Oh...

(A movement to get the people here to resist the current state of their world... I know that would help us...but...)

(Oh... I see you've realized the paradox with this plan, Mashie. Figured you might...)

Good, our plan of action is set. Then let's be on our way.

You know, I think I even feel lighter on my feet now.

Guh, speak for yourself. All the bad karma I racked up as an unemployed bum is still weighing me down.

I wish there was a wagon or something here right now. It wouldn't even have to have any seats.

Really, I don't care what I ride on as long as I don't have to walk.

Fou, fooou!

Did you just jump on me like I'M the one who should be giving YOU a ride, you weird cat-thing!? Ganesha is no mere pack mule!

Do you think you're more important than a god!? I mean, you're really cute so I guess you can ride, but still...

Fou, fou. Kyu?

What the... What happened here!?

Lady Lakshmi! You're back! Thank goodness!

I'm glad you're all right. What in the world... No, wait. I know what happened here now. It's them!

Yes, it's the sacred beasts! A number of them suddenly showed up all at once, even though no one had died and the kali weren't attacking us!

We can figure out why later. Right now, there are buildings being destroyed, and people being attacked!

I'm sure you know what it is we need to do, Master!

？！

Dammit...I knew it. Does this mean you won't let me forget after all...?

That takes care of all the sacred beasts. But, I'm afraid...

Ahh... Our village... Why? Why did this happen!?

...

We drove away other sacred beasts and defeated Nezha here only a few days ago. Unfortunately, it is no surprise that this town may have drawn the enemy's notice...

...Forgive me...

I-it's all right, Lady Lakshmi. This wasn't your fault. We just weren't strong enough.

There were more of them than we were expecting, and some were bigger than any sacred beast we'd ever seen before.

Besides, they may have crushed our wall and destroyed our homes, but we still have our lives.

...At least, that's how those of us who survived feel.

But, what're you gonna do now? That wall was there to keep you safe from the kali, right?

Now that it's been destroyed...

Forget fighting back. You can't even live here with your village in ruins like this.

Based on my experience as a king, my suggestion is to abandon the village. I think that is your only choice.

...

I understand how you feel, but there is just no way you can rebuild your defenses before the next Kali Yuga.

As I see it, your only option is to stay in the closest nearby townI think that would be Bichuuntil the Kali Yuga is over.

No! That's... They can't...

...It's all right, Lady Lakshmi. He's right. We know we don't have any other choice.

I hate to leave the village I grew up in...but we can always rebuild. We can't bring people back to life.

...I see. I may not be your king, but I commend your decision nonetheless.

You are strong and brave people, and you should be proud of that.

？！

Yes, Master. Of course we will.

Although...I am a little uneasy about what will happen once we get there.

Hey, no point worrying about that now.

Besides, that mayor guy looked like he'd turned over a new leaf. I'm sure it'll be just fine.

Oh my... What a terrible hardship you've all been through.

Well, I don't see any need to discuss this with the others. Of course you can all stay here.

Thank you. I can't tell you how grateful I am for your kindness and hospitality!

Think nothing of it. This is what neighbors are for. The important thing is that you're all safe and sound.

Make yourselves comfortable in the town hall for now. We can figure out what to do next once you're settled in.

Told ya!

Oh, thank goodness. This is such a relief!

(...)

(Ahh...)

(My sins truly do run deep...)

I... Goddess within me, what do you think?

I know you won't answer me. But I also know that you're listening.

That's why I asked you back then what it was I should do.

...And now, here we are.

I know what I'm doing, and I've made my peace with it.

But, even so, now that things have come to this, I can't help but wonder...

The village is in ruins, lives have been lost, and people are grieving. Who can say this isn't the result of getting caught in that inescapable current?

Is what I...what we're doing here...

...truly worth deceiving the Chaldeans

...

Aha, so this is where you've been hiding. I was just taking a midnight walk. What brings you here?

Oh, it's you... I was doing the same. I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd sit out and watch the moon.

I see, I see. The moon really is lovely tonight. May I join you?

Heh, I think it best you don't. If you mistake me for your wife again and try to, for instance, put your arm around me, we would lose a valuable fighter.

...Forgive me. I meant no offense.

Though I have no romantic feelings for you, I should still have chosen my words more carefully.

My humblest apologies, Lakshmi.

I'm afraid you'll have to enjoy the night sky alone, young king of bygone days. I'm going back to get some sleep.

...Hmm, strange. I don't even know how to describe this feeling...

Whoa, it's such a surprise to wake up and see you here! Good morning, mister!

Huh? Hehe... Nobody's ever called me cute before... You really surprised me...

Uh-huh! It's the one thing I'm good at!

？！

Good morning, Asha. Good morning, um...

Why do you have that axe, Ajai?

...Damn ulloo. It's for my job, of course.

My dad's a great lumberjack! He can cut down a tree thiiis big in no time!

A lumberjack, huh. That's a fine line of work. People can always use more wood.

Shut up. ...So you're the ones who brought the people from Dival here, huh?

This town doesn't have that much to spare either. You'll regret that.

No we won't. Prakash welcomed them with open arms just yesterday.

We were just about to

There you are!

H-hello, Prakash. Is everything all right? Y-you seem upse

I heard why you had to leave your village!

It's because a pack of sacred beasts attacked it! Our god's own holy agents!

The sacred beasts would never destroy a village unless it needed to be destroyed! It must have been irredeemably evil!

No one from that village is welcome here!

Hold it. We told you ourselves what brought us here. We told you what we had done to earn the beasts' ire, and our reasons for doing so.

You had no problem with any of it yesterday. You said that loving your neighbor was the most noble act anyone could

Oh yes, I heard all about what you did! You abandoned your prayers, and turned your backs on our god!

You took up corrupt arms against kali and sacred beast alike, and slaughtered them with your own barbaric hands!

I did feel sorry for you, as I assumed you must have had no other choice...but that has nothing to do with our town!

And yet you still had the gall to come here and shamelessly ask us for help!

The sheer audacity of it all! Your insolence sickens me!

Wait, how are we back to this whole song and dance? Oooh, I know! This is his evil twin, isn't it!?

Do you truly believe I would ever be deceived by such a simple trick?

If a mere evil twin were all it took to fool me, I would shutter my business and retire to Sussex.

Yeah! You're all filthy barbarians! That's why the sacred beasts purified your village!

You brought this on yourselves! You should all be ashamed!

？！

Hmm, they were all fine with this yesterday. What happened? Did they get brainwashed overnight or something?

You might be closer to the mark than you think.

It's said that people's hearts grow cold when a yuga cycle, even a normal one, nears its end.

That lines up with my experiences too, but it's still a shock to see them change so much, so quickly.

Why's everyone so angry now? I don't like this...

...Told you so.

Of course, I expect there is a bit of variance between individuals as far as this change is concerned. What a fascinating metaphysical law.

N-never mind that now! Look!

Shut up! You have no idea what we've been through!

Yeah! I'm sick and tired of forgetting the people I've loved!

Don't you talk to us like that, you heretics! We are good people who keep the god's laws!

That's right! We want nothing to do with your blasphemy!

...I don't like this. The last thing we want is people fighting each other.

I don't suppose it would be any better if they were fighting things that aren't people?

Like, say...a pack of decidedly inhuman things that are headed towards that town as we speak?

Well, it is the Dvāpara Yuga now. This is about the time when they start to pick up the pace!

It's the kali! The kali are here! Okay, everyone...

Get ready to pray/fight!

Ahh...!

I-is this it? Does this mean we were never any match for the kali to begin with...!?

Don't give up! Our greatest strength is our ability to work together! Follow my lead; I'll clear a way forward!

R-right!

I-I can't believe it... They really are fighting back.

Yeah... I don't get it. The ones in the weird outfits aside, they're just regular people, same as us, right? Why would they do that...?

...

Mister...

A-a kali broke through the wall! God protect me! God protect us all!

Ah... Aah...

Dammit. Now I've done it.

It's all their fault. Now that they've shown us we can fight back ourselves...my body just moved on its own...

...Well, there's nothing to be done for it now. Come on, Asha!

F-father...?

Prayers aren't gonna do anything now that the wall's broken. The only thing I can depend on now is my axe.

We're getting out of here Asha. Those people are ulloo, but we've still got better odds sticking with them.

...O-okay!

H-hey! What're you guys doing!?

...H-hold on! I'm coming with you! I'm not gonna let myself get eaten without a fight!

Huh!? ...Wait up! I'm coming too!

Master, look! More people are joining us in the fight!

And not to get away from the kali...but to help the people they're attacking!

？！

Hehe. As I thought, there's nothing more inspiring than the sight of ordinary people valiantly fighting for their lives.

Compared to that, a mere queen can only do so much.

Of course, as I think someone once said, it also matters how brightly the one standing at the forefront shines.

...

...? There it is again. You two have had that sad look on your faces ever since we decided to try and win more people over to the resistance.

Is there something wrong with the people of this land fighting back? If there is, then please, tell me.

Ah, yes. We haven't yet told you precisely what will happen once this Lostbelt's Tree of Emptiness is cut down, have we?

...I'll let you decide whether or not to tell her.

？！

...Hmph. Fujimaru is right. I am commanding this mission, and I have no plans to hide the truth.

But this isn't the sort of thing you just drop on someone in the middle of battle.

So...for the time being, I'd ask that you just focus on winning this fight. The rest can wait until after that.

I haven't heard much about this either. Whatever it is, it sounds very important.

...

...?

Fou!

Lakshmi! We'll explain everything after this battle. I promise.

But there are even more kali headed this way right now. We need to deal with them before we

Huh!?

An arrow just blasted those kali away! Where did it come from!?

I can't believe it... It looked to me like it came from outside the town!

Hehe. Gotta keep things, even our god's judgment, at least sorta fair, seeing as I'm his servant and all.

If the kali unfairly outnumber the sacred beasts, it's my job to thin the herd, even if it is a pain in the ass.

This is not good. I was hoping we could take our time with him after dealing with Asclepius, but now he's shown up on his own...!

The Archer...William Tell must have killed those kali from quite a distance! Be careful, Master!

Whaaat!? You're telling me he nailed them from that far away!? Even a sniper rifle would have trouble at that range!

Remember, he's a Servant, and an Archer at that. We should assume his arrows are infused with magical energy.

Nor can we assume his crossbow is less deadly than a modern assault rifle merely because it appears to be old-fashioned.

Nonetheless, the sheer distance is absurd. Even my sharp eyes can't clearly make out his position!

True, this is too much, even for a first-rate Archer. Maybe the Divinity he was given has something to do with it?

An agent of god and the sacred beasts have come to save us! I knew our prayers would be answered!

We're saved, everyone! We're going to be okay now!

Damn ulloo... I don't know how I know this, but if those arrows end up hitting one of us by mistake...

...I can tell the god wouldn't lift a finger to help us.

...Stay back, Asha. Don't you dare get in front of me. I mean it.

I-I won't. ...Thank you, Father.

This is going to be a difficult fight! Those arrows may be taking out kali right now, but there's no telling when they might come flying toward us.

I'm going to focus first and foremost on keeping you safe, Master. Whatever you do, make sure to stay behind my shield!

That's the last of the kali! But now...

The sniper hasn't stopped! He's going after us now!

This is hardly a surprise. Given how openly you have been opposing their god's rule, it makes sense he would be unwilling to let this chance pass him by.

The good news is, neither Asclepius nor Aśvatthāman are anywhere nearby.

I suspect he just happened to catch sight of you while dealing with the kali, and decided to pick you off as well while he was at it.

Forget the coolheaded analysis, dammit! Make sure you keep a wall between you at all times! Find a shadow to hide in!

We are! But it's not

How the hell is he seeing you guys? And how the hell is he able to still snipe at you!? The only way this makes sense is if the arrows can go around obstacles!

That might be exactly what's happening. I have an idea or two of how that could work.

...(Sigh) I was just told to share some more facts about India, since I don't have anything better to do right now.

The Lōkapāla inside this guy is probably Vāyu, the god of wind. He'd be a great fit for an Archer.

Hanuman's spiritual father, huh. That would explain how he was able to fly so nimbly.

It could also explain how he's able to control his arrows so freely across such vast distances.

Vāyu is also the spiritual father of Arjuna's brother, Bhima, said to possess unparalleled strength. Gods don't come much bigger than him.

...So, how are you going to fight him?

Khh! I'm still barely managing to deflect his arrows, but the longer this goes on...!

Fou, fooou!

The usual way to handle an Archer is to close the distance and negate their range advantage. What do you say, Master? Shall we try that?

Wait! It's not safe to make a move without a plan!

...You're right, Master. It won't.

？！

...!

We can only deal with his arrows right now because keeping our feet planted lets us focus on every direction at once.

She's right. One wrong move, and that delicate balance would be lost.

You're our most vulnerable target here by far, Fujimaru.

If even one arrow makes it past Mash...it's game over.

You see? I KNEW shut-ins were the most powerful class around.

We'll have to make ourselves comfortable and settle in for the long haul here. Step one: break out that kotatsu!

No, by definition, that won't get us anywhere. I'll just have to go out there myself and settle this as quickly as

I guess that won't work either. So, we have a bit of a problem...

...

(At this rate, things aren't looking good either way...)

(I can't afford to be concerned about appearances now. Maybe this is the time to come clean.)

(But, I can't help but wonder...)

(What are they hiding?)

(I know they don't mean me harm, and that they are just as devoted to winning this war as I am.)

(But, why do I sense such grim determination in their efforts...?)

Mister...? A-are you guys okay?

Please stay back, Asha! We're fine, I promise!

Damn ulloo! I told you to stay behind me!

(Right... I should have known. Whatever it is they're not telling me, it doesn't matter. We have more immediate concerns.)

Your father is right. Both of you should stay back. But I do have one favor to ask.

There must be a wagon somewhere in this town, or even just a single horse and cart. Would you bring them here?

Lakshmi?

Is there some reason I should listen to you?

No, there isn't. I am asking a favor. No... Not even that. I'm willing to offer payment in return.

There's nothing wrong with motivating people with money or goods. I learned that back in that rebellion...

To be clear, they are the ones who will be paying, not me. Fujimaru, you must have something in the way of food or valuables, do you not?

You have food? ...All right. As long as it's filling, I don't care how it tastes.

You have jewels? ...All right. I should be able to sell those for money to buy food.

？！

...I'll be back soon. Come on, Asha.

O-okay.

What's all this about?

I have a plan. A plan that will let us take down that Archer even while he continues to snipe at us.

Th-that sounds like just what we need right now. What exactly did you have in mind?

Yeah. I don't see what we could do with a horse and cart except use them to charge straight at him.

And that sounds like it'd be...real hard. What if the Archer shoots the driver, or the horse?

And if we keep them safe, that would leave Fujimaru wide open...

I know that. Unfortunately, it is difficult to explain, but I can say this...

You will all ride the cart, I will ride the horse, and I will see you to him safely. I promise.

You're, um, certain about this?

...Haha. Don't worry.

I'll do this just as I've always done things and work just as hard. No, even harder. That way, we'll be sure to get there.

(She's smiling... Does that mean she really is that confident in her plan...?)

How's this?

That's fine. You can go now. Just leave the horse there.

B-but miss...

That goes for you too. No need to worry about me. Just go and hide before you get hit by a stray arrow.

Good. All right, on my signal, you all get into the cart. I'll get the horse moving once you're all in!

Don't worry about anything except keeping Fujimaru safe until we get there. Got it?

Got it!

Good answer. All right...let's go!

Oh? So, they came out, huh. Looks like they're planning to ride that horse-drawn cart all the way here.

'Course, they must've known I'd pick off the horse first if they tried something like that...

Well, let's see what they had in mind to deal with that.

His first bolt will probably be coming any moment now. Keep your guard up.

I will, but I expect he'll go after the horse first. Or maybe you...

Please make sure you keep your guard up too

...!

？！

...I'm fine! It's just my shoulder! No need to slow down!

The hell? I know I was aiming for the horse. How did I miss!?

...I pride myself on being a good hunter. I shouldn't have any problem taking down a domesticated farm animal.

Let's try that again.

Oh no! Lakshmi! You've been shot again!

I'm fine! All you need to worry about is keeping Master safe!

Whoa, whoa, what the hell? What's going on here?

The horse kicked up a stone that knocked my arrow off course...

...and deflected it into the rider.

...This is freaking me out. I don't need to be hitting anything other than what I was aiming at!

Let's try a different target. I'll use Vāyu's power to aim for the Master five meters off to the side...

Damn, it happened again. It was a bird this time.

How does hitting a bird's feather knock my shot off course and into the rider again!?

What is going on here? Is it a Noble Phantasm? A skill? Some innate trait?

Gah! Khh...!

Lakshmi! Hang on! I can deflect those arrows with my

Stay there! Don't worry, this is just part of who I am. You being here would only muddy it. Or maybe you'd make it clearer? Hehe.

Lakshmi...!

I told you, don't worry. These shots won't kill me; they weren't aimed at me.

Of course, if one of them does come directly for me, then it'll need to be deflected...but that's a job for my sword and my sword alone!

(Weird. It doesn't matter if I aim for the horse, the wheels, or the Master. Everything hits the rider.)

(It's like everything surrounding them is working it make sure I only hit her.)

(But none of them are enough to kill her. Makes sense, since I wasn't trying to.)

Okay, then. New plan. We'll just kill you first.

There! He's started to aim for me directly. I knew he would eventually! That's more like it!

He certainly earned his fame! I can hardly tell where the shots are coming from, and it's all I can do to deflect them and avoid dying!

...!

Don't make me repeat myself again! I'm not slowing down! Just think about what you're going to do when we get there!

Ghh! Aagh...!

You can't...stop...me!

(...I've always fought for my country. How could I not?)

(It was true during the sepoys' rebellion, and it's true now. I wasn't fighting for some greater meaning.)

(I just had to keep moving forward to protect what I held dear.)

(So that's what I did, even before I knew what I was doing. I wavered, I even hesitated, but I never stopped!)

(The meaning can come later. What pushes me forward are the reasons that lie behind me!)

(I know what lies behind me now isn't my own country. I know it's not my homeland, Jhansi. But...)

(...they are still people, just like the people of my country were.)

(What lies behind me, then and now, are people. People with homes...livelihoods...and families!)

(So I'm not stopping for anything, goddess. Whatever happens to me, and no matter how ugly things get, I can't stop until I get where I need to go!)

Dammit!

We're here. To think you never hit your target even once, William Tell. Talk about bad luck.

Heh. All those arrows fired, and I still couldn't bring you down. Guess you were even more slippery quarry than that scumbag of a Vogt, Gessler.

We did it, Master! We made contact with the enemy!

You okay, Lakshmi!?

(Huff, huff...) I'm fine. But, as I said, I'm afraid the rest of you will...have to take it...from here...

I still don't know how you did that, but we could never have made it here without your help...

We won't let your efforts go to waste! Let's do this, Master!

？！

Fooou!

Guh... They're too damn close. I'm in trouble here. Time to get the hell out!

Hey! After all that, you're just gonna run away!? Have you no honoooooor!?

That's right. I know your story too.

You were a brave hero who wanted nothing more than to protect your family!

...

So why are you doing this!?

...

That's right. I know your story too.

You were given an impossible task given by the wicked Vogt that ruled over your town, and you somehow won, all to protect your family!

You were a great hero who fought for justice and freedom.

So why are you doing this!?

？！

...Heh. I don't know what you're on about.

I'm just a hunter Servant, bound by contract to do what his Master orders. That's all there is to it.

It's not my place to decide how this world should be. Woods are woods, as far as I'm concerned.

Get back he Ghh!

Don't bother. You're in no shape to go after him. We got some good hits in; that's enough for now.

Though it does sting knowing we've now let both him and Asclepius get away.

He certainly made a quick getaway. Either he's using the wind god's power, or that was his own innate skill.

That aside... Did you notice how outmatched he was by the end? It seems you did quite a number on him.

Considering how his initial assault had you pinned down to start, I would say this was a victory well-earned.

Indeed. And we owe it all to you, Lakshmi Bai. Your plan was more than a little reckless, but I have to admit that it worked.

Although...I still don't know how all those arrows ended up hitting you.

I was wondering the same thing.

I mean, if any of us were gonna be a human shield, I figured you guys would've made me do it for...obvious reasons.

How'd you do it?

Not that I want to learn how myself! The only thing you'd get from sticking me with arrows is a bunch of lard and hot air leaking out.

That was...

...my inner goddess's power.

I see... I never knew the goddess Lakshmi had any such ability.

...

...

...All right, that's enough. I was curious about that, but not overly so.

Right now, I say we head back to town and rest up, before things get really busy.

Huh? What do you mean by that?

Hey, ulloo. ...Teach me how to fight.

Huh?

And not just me. These guys too.

Now that we know it's possible to fight back, we've got no choice.

You showed us that truth, so now you've gotta help us learn to do it better.

...!

(This is wonderful. They've all chosen to resist the kali of their own accord.)

(But, that also means...)

You stood up bravely against the kali, and exposed yourself to unseen arrows.

You should be proud, Lakshmi. It was not your words that inspired these people to fight back, but your actions.

Oh yeah. You were like a saint or something, the way you charged ahead so recklessly and literally suffered the arrows of misfortune.

I don't blame these guys for being impressed.

(A saint...? As if that was even possible...)

...At any rate, I'm happy to see you all ready and willing to fight.

The fewer people believe Arjuna's a god, the weaker he'll get. Looks like we just took our first step towards that.

？！

You don't sound very excited about this.

...That does it. I think it's time we found somewhere to talk.

...All right, out with it. Would you tell me what's going on already?

What is it you know that I don't?

Does saving these people have some larger implication I'm unaware of?

Master...

That... That can't be true!

It is. Once we defeat this Lostbelt's king and cut down its Tree of Emptiness, this version of India will disappear forever.

Along with all of its people.

Hmph. If you won't explain, then I will.

For a skilled commander like myself to direct his operatives as if they were his own hands, those operatives need to understand the mission.

The fact is, once we defeat this Lostbelt's king and cut down its Tree of Emptiness, this version of India will vanish forever.

Along with all of its people.

What!?

？！

So, I'm afraid that even if their rebellion is successful...there is no future for them.

The only people who will benefit from our winning this war...are us.

I see. I had a feeling something like that was going on here...

Then...even if these people win back their liberty...they are doomed to disappear...?

And you knew this all along!?

？！

Lakshmi!

Oh gosh, oh gosh! You guys really surprised me! Are you fighting? Please don't fight!

...

No... We weren't fighting, exactly.

Really? Oh good! That's a relief!

What is it? Is there something you wanted to see us about?

Well, uh, I just wanted to thank you for saving us. And to give you this!

You looked like you were hurt pretty badly, so I brought you some bandages and medicine.

Are you okay, miss?

...I-I'm fine. Thank you.

Huh, you really do look okay now... Maybe I was just seeing things?

Well anyway, I'm so glad you're okay!

We're the ones who should be thanking you for getting us that horse and stuff. Thanks.

Hehe!

...I'm sorry. I... I need to be alone right now.

...

？！

Master...?

？！

She is also a Heroic Spirit from Proper Human History. In time, I believe she will understand.

But for now, I think it best that we give her some space.

?

？！

？！

？！

There you are. I'm sorry to impose, but I had to talk to you alone.

？！

I want to ask you something. I think you know what it is.

I want to know what you think about the people of this world...

...and about what's going to happen to them.

For the moment, I would like to put aside our various titlesMaster, Servant, queen, mage, and so on...

...and simply ask your opinion, one person to another.

I want to know your honest thoughts, without worrying about what anyone else might think.

？！

？！

...I see.

So, in the end...this is the only path available to you.

Outside of this India, Proper Human History...Earth itself has been almost completely destroyed.

And to save it, you have no choice but to cut down these Trees of Emptiness...

？！

...You remind me of myself, back during the rebellion.

？！

Back then, I never thought about what the future might hold.

There were only things I had to do, and only one path available to me: the path of fighting to protect my homeland. So that's what I did.

I didn't have some larger plan in mind, like driving every last one of the British out of India, or destroying Britain itself...

The truth is, I never stopped to think about what the future might hold...

...though it should have been obvious that, win or lose, there would be more to be done once the war was over.

Then again, I suppose my options were so limited, and the path I had to walk so difficult...

...that I didn't have the luxury of thinking about anything besides what was right in front of me.

Still, regardless of what the future might hold...

...if I know the path I'm taking is the right one, and I know I have to go down it...

...then that's exactly what I'll do. I think, deep down, that's just who I am.

？！

What I'm trying to say is, I'm in no position to judge anyone for the hard choices they have to make under unprecedented circumstances.

At any rate, I'm glad you told me what you really think.

Just knowing that you do feel bad for the people in these Lostbelts is something of a relief.

？！

I...still don't like this.

But, I also have no intention of letting this false god continue to have his way with these people.

We may ultimately only be putting this problem off until later...but right now, the only way to protect them is to keep doing what I've been doing.

So that's what I'm going to do.

？！

...Heh. You're an odd one, aren't you? Not many people could say something like that so readily.

You know, I have to ask. Why did you come here when I asked you to?

Didn't it occur to you that I might decide to kill you in order to keep these people safe?

?

...

Oh, right. There's one more thing I wanted to ask you.

This isn't to judge or condemn you. I just want to make sure I understand.

Is it true that you've erased the people in three other Lostbelts already?

？！

(What an expression.)

(I can tell he's not lying, or gone mad with power. Neither is he ignorant of what he's done, willfully or otherwise.)

(This perfectly ordinary human child simply knows what he has done, and accepted it as best he can.)

All right. That's all I had to say. I'm sorry for keeping you up so late.

I said that you and I have some things in common, and you've shown me that we have no choice but to walk the same path.

So, for the time being, nothing needs to change. I will continue to fight this false god alongside you.

We may disagree on some things, but right now, that shared goal is all that matters.

You may treat me the same as that Peperoncino person. If you think it best to be wary of me, or to get rid of me...then you're free to do so.

？！

(...I wonder... Could you still say that if you knew my ugly secret...?)