The Flaw of Being "There"

...?

Hm? Something wrong, Holmes?

No, it's nothing. For a moment, it seemed as though there was something off about the surrounding area... Hopefully, it was nothing more than a momentary sensor malfunction.

Hmm. So you thought to use people's faith to tear Arjuna down from his divine throne, huh.

Unfortunately, it didn't work. I never thought even the false god would be so heartless as to cast away every person who lost their faith in him.

I should have known better than to hope for even so much as that from him...

Honestly, we're kind of stumped right now. I don't suppose you have any good ideas?

...

You're on the right track.

Taking away Arjuna's god status is almost certainly the only way we'll be able to beat him.

？！

I know, dammit. Obviously, we can't count on the people of this world to help with that anymore.

So then, our only choice is to use something else. Assuming we even can, anyway.

IS there something else we can use?

Ugh, dammit, I really didn't want to bring this up since it's a big whole all-or-nothing deal, and that pisses me the hell off.

If we mess it up, we'll all be dead and gone. And even if it works, it'd still only give us a tiny chance of coming out on top.

You still wanna hear it?

？！

Right. Please tell us, Aśvatthāman. Whatever it is, we're ready to hear it.

...The biggest factor in Arjuna remaining a god and in control of this world is that he's the one advancing the yuga cycle.

The obvious idea that anyone capable of destroying and recreating the world would have to be a god, only reinforces his position as one.

So as long as he keeps the yuga cycle going, he's pretty much a perfect god.

Makes sense. I mean, you'd have to be one helluva god to remake the whole damn world...

Oh crap, that sort of thinking's part of the problem, isn't it!? Dammit!

But if we look at it another way, that advantage is also a weakness.

If we can defy that world remaking, even just a tiny bit, then he won't be a perfect god any longer.

Hmm, I see. Since remaking the world is such a massive undertaking, even the tiniest flaw would have a big impact.

Like how a single scratch in a large precious gem makes its value plummet.

But, how would we actually do that?

That's the problem. We can't take the safe or easy way out with something like this.

We'd have to face Arjuna's world destroying Noble Phantasm head-on...

...refuse to disappear, and continue our existence as continuous entities.

Once we've done that, we'll have proven his fallibility, and really messed up the idea of him as some perfect god.

A-are you serious!? You want us to face that terrifying Noble Phantasm head-on!?

I thought you were an actual tactician, not an armchair general, you fool! It doesn't matter how plausible something seems if it can't actually be DONE!

Shut up, dammit! You think I don't know that!? That's why I'm saying IF we could pull it off!

...So that's the plan. An almost suicidal battle of endurance where one wrong move means you're gone for good.

How about it? Anyone here think they can pull that off?

I'll do it. Or at least...I'll try.

...I'll do it too. I'm sure I can.

？！

But...even Karna couldn't withstand that Noble Phantasm for long. Don't you think it's too risky?

Not gonna lie, if we were gaming, this would be like Hardcore Mode on the Nightmare difficulty setting. Not pretty, but it's our only shot.

Besides, I think I've got a decent shot at winning. I mean, we're talking pure endurance, not reflexes, right?

If do a bit of min-maxing, I think I can optimize my build just enough to survive.

Not to mention that I'veGanesha's seen that Noble Phantasm a couple of times now.

Basically, all I've gotta do is sit still and keep camping until it's over, right?

I can do that sort of thing in my sleep. I know 'cause I have before. So I'm sure I'll be fine.

Just you wait. I'm gonna come up with a foolproof strategy before the game starts and show you all what a NEET is truly capable of!

That's the difference between me and Karna...between me, and a true hero who faces adversity head-on.

Of course, speaking as someone who never asked to be entrusted with all this responsibility...

...I figure I need to at least try to live up to it, or I'll never be able to look him in the eye, you know?

As for me...I think my purpose lies in protecting others.

While I've thus far had to use my Noble Phantasm to defeat my enemies, it is meant to be used defensively.

This seems like a perfect opportunity to do just that.

Of course, I will do my best to tamp down my bad luck and prevent any unfortunate accidents...but if you cannot help but worry, I will understand.

I'm sure you would rather remove any uncertain elements when carrying out your

Whoa, whoa, are you kidding me? I'm pretty much counting on your help out there.

Honestly, I was a bit nervous about doing this on my own... But if you're there with me, I think I've got a real shot!

Just to make sure: You guys do have a plan for making this happen, right?

What, you don't believe me? ...Well, I guess I can't blame you. Basically, I'll be using my secondary Noble Phantasm.

As I said before, I'm thinking of applying Alakshmi's power to my true Noble Phantasm...

I see. There are definite risks with that plan, but there is at least a chance it may succeed.

...Tch.

？！

I'll say. How the hell'd you actually come up with a plan to pull this off? Now I've gotta explain the rest, dammit.

Is there something else we need?

Oh for... Were you really planning on withstanding Arjuna's world remaking cataclysm like it was just a bad storm?

'Cause you can't. If Arjuna doesn't realize something's not right at first, the jester next to him will.

Yes, I'm sure he will. That's why he's there, after all.

Then...what can we do?

If you're gonna evade Arjuna's eye when he looks over the entire world, he'll need to think you belong here.

He's gotta take you for granted so much that he'd never even think to question your presence.

In other words...

All right, here's the last part of the plan.

...I'm gonna send you two back in time!

...

Is something wrong?

...It is...a trivial matter...but...

Aśvatthāman...has escaped...his curse.

What?

Mmm... That is more than a little troubling. I expect it won't be long before he rebels against you.

Say, I have an idea. Why not try using your Master authority to just make him destroy himself?

That would be...trivial, but...the Kali Yuga is near... As is...the end of...the Great Kali Yuga...

I see. So you would prefer not to waste your energy on a single Servant then?

Yes, yes, you do have a point. Especially given the current situation!

The world is nearing its limit! The reconstruction it underwent during the last Kali Yuga has brought it to its breaking point!

And that means...!

The world will enI mean, reach perfection, in the very next cycle! Hehe, hehehehehe!

I'm sure you will need every bit of power you have to bring that about, so it makes perfect sense that you wouldn't want to waste any on him.

However...I must remind you that Aśvatthāman is like a demigod, and holds the power of Shiva and Yama within.

While he may be no match for you and your absolute divine power...

...he could still cause trouble for you if you do nothing to stop him from joining up with the observatory survivors.

Surely you don't wish for anything to go wrong during your momentous Great Kali Yuga, do you?

...

Very well... I will send...sacred beasts...after him... Send...every last one that breathes...in this land...

...An excellent idea. I believe that will certainly be for the best...

You ready yet? If not, hurry it up already. We don't have all day here.

I really wish you'd stop getting angry every time you talk to me. It's a little tough for negative types like me to deal with.

The hell you just say!? Sorry 'bout that! This is just how I am!

That doesn't make me feel better at all!

All that's left for us to do now is start concentrating. Although...

？！

I was wondering the same thing. I thought you would want to go somewhere a little more, um, magecraft friendly.

It doesn't matter where we do this.

Not when these two are about to travel through time.

...

I still can't quite believe this is happening.

Though I suppose it isn't all that dissimilar from Rayshifting.

I'm afraid I must disagree. Rayshifting is pure engineering built on Spiritron Theory.

What we are attempting to do here is a once-in-a-lifetime feat that relies on a series of coincidences.

Simply put, a miracle.

A miracle only made possible by the anomalous nature of this Lostbelt, rather than regular Earth...

...and the fact that its inner time and space have grown unstable thanks to Arjuna repeatedly destroying it.

Even then, it still requires us to make full use of the power of Shiva, the ruler of time.

One might say it is the exploit to end all exploits. And needless to say, we can only employ it once.

Which, of course, is why I would like to ensure you are all as thoroughly prepared as possible.

If Arjuna ever realizes you two aren't completely of this world, it's over.

So you've gotta become part of it. Something no one would ever think to question, like the sun or the sky.

And while you're doing that, you'll have to endure his world-ending cataclysms right up to the present day...

...when your efforts to prove his fallibility will finally have meaning.

That's the only kind of poison that'll weaken him enough for us to defeat him. Much as it pisses me off to say this...it's basically a way to curse him.

Okaaay. So, I gotta ask...how long do we have to do this?

From the point when Arjuna first started ruling the world like this all the way to now.

I won't know how long that is until we do it, but I'm guessing it'll be thousands of years, if not longer...

...

Fou...

？！

Geez, what is this, the millionth time you've asked? I keep telling you, I'll be fine.

I can understand how they feel. I still have my doubts as well.

After all, the role you agreed to take on comes with a far greater mental burden than mine.

My task will simply be to provide you with power. You're the one who will be using it to maintain the spell and your Noble Phantasm.

You'll have to stay awake the entire time, without letting your mind rest, or retreating into an inorganic state.

You're going to have to maintain uninterrupted consciousness for thousands of years.

So long a time could drive even a god to madness. Are you absolutely certain you can handle this?

Ha ha ha! Do you even know who you're talking to? I'm a professional shut-in! I am...the queenno, the empress of NEETS!

Plus, you throw in my mysterious divine powers, I summon some video games and other goodies, and this'll be a cakewalk, like a staycation!

Hell, this is the perfect time to one-hundred percent a few thousand-hour games I've had my eye on for a while.

...Senpai.

I know Ganesha is treating this lightly...but she must be more worried than she's letting on.

I'm sure she's trying to be brave, so as not to worry us.

？！

Hey! Don't you know better than to whisper about someone right in front of them!? NEETs are really sensitive, you know!

I'm telling you, I'll be fine. Really.

Besides, Aśvatthāman told us all about some top secret info, so there shouldn't be any problem keeping our prom

That was only if you two make it back here safely, AND if everything else goes well, dammit!

Just FOCUS on what you're about to freakin' do! Ugh!

Gaa! Didn't I just ask you not to get so angry at me!?

Actually, I think I know now why it's especially hard for me to get near you. You reek of Ganesha's old man, Shiva.

It reminds me of the uncle who always scared me... I wish you'd at least learn to use your inside voice.

...This won't be an easy job for you, either. It'll be like swimming against the current.

Heh. Are you worried about me? Don't be. I'm used to enduring strenuous conditions.

Truly, that's the only way we guerrillas know how to fight.

(...I know. That's why you... Why I...)

Look, just hurry up and let me know when you're ready. I'm not gonna rush you, but the sooner we do this, the better.

Arjuna's still my Master right now. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he knew I wasn't cursed anymore.

And the only thing I'm really concerned about is him trying to

I'm afraid your concern was well-founded. There are sacred beasts headed your way from all directions!

Holy hell, there's so many of them! Is... Is this ALL of them!? I've never seen this many before!

(Tch, now what? Should we try again later, or)

We can't be certain that the situation won't worsen further. We should take care of what we need to do before the sacred beasts reach us.

D-do you really think we have enough time? They're headed here awfully quick!

I'll make sure we have enough time. I have nothing left to hide, so I'll tell you what I'm about to do.

I'm going to pour all of my magical energy into my Noble Phantasm.

Now that I've made full use of Alakshmi's power, there should be another unavoidable reaction besides bad luck.

I'm going to bring that reaction about intentionally. At this point, I should be able to control it somewhat.

Now there's a group of kali headed your way too!

There it is. I summoned them.

You did what!?

Aha... Now I get it.

I knew I was forgetting something important. Alakshmi is said to be Kali the Demon's second wife!

I don't know about that, nor can I ask her. But I do sense a connection between the kali and the goddess inside me.

Remember when that giant kali formed in Bichu?

I think that was the consequence of using my goddess power in the fight against William Tell.

That's why the kali were so frenzied back then; I form a connection to them whenever I make full use of Alakshmi's power.

Though I'll admit I didn't realize this myself until after I saw that giant kali.

If I'd only realized it sooner, we may have been able to lessen the damage they did to Bichu...

Does that mean you can control them, or give them instructions?

I doubt it. The best I can do is point them in a given direction.

But I will try and command them to hold back the sacred beasts as best as I can!

Come, Ganesha! Aśvatthāman! We have work to do!

I was hoping for a little more time to, y'know, mentally prepare...but I guess that's not happening! Aw man, I really wanted to do this in a more relaxing environment!

Tch, we'll just have to play the hand we're dealt!

Listen up. This is a big job, even for me. It's gonna take time to focus, and as much as it pisses me off, I won't be able to move while I'm doing it.

Don't worry. A few hundred sacred beasts is nothing for a man of my abiliGhh, nnghh!

？！

H-hahaha! Not to worry! A curse like this just makes for a fairer fight!

...Or so I was hoping. But I'm afraid things may be more dire than I thought.

Ganesha and Lakshmi are preparing for their endurance spell, and Aśvatthāman is getting ready to send them back in time.

The only ones here who can fight are me saddled with this curse, and Mash. Peperoncino, I don't suppose

This should really go without saying, but I'm just a human mage. Don't expect any more from me than that.

The Ortinax's systems are all green. I won't have any issues using it! That said...

We are very, very seriously outnumbered. It'll be difficult to defend against them, let alone drive them awa

Aah! Master, look out!

She stopped the sacred beasts attacking us from above!

？！

Absolutely not. I'm only repaying my debt.

Don't mistake this for anything other than that.

I will never help humans. I will never accept them, or love them, or forgive them.

The only thing I will do is repay them any debt I may owe. That is the only reason I'm doing this.

...Though of course, I trust it goes without saying that I can't possibly take care of all these beasts myself.

We know that!

I'll handle any hostiles that manage to get past Lakshmi's kali and evade your shots!

There's no need to wipe them all out. We just have to buy enough time for... Khh!

Oh for... Stop it, Ramie! You can't push yourself too hard!

Okay, Fujimaru, this is it! Let's try to buy them as much time as we can!

Ghh...!

I guess there's only so much we can do, even if it's just to buy time. We're all doing our best, but there's just not enough of us.

Unfortunately, there's nobody else who can help us now, and there's nothing more we can do on our own!

...

Well, that's not entirely true.

Huh?

Obviously, we can't increase our numbers or anything, but we might still be able to pull this off if we change how we go about it a little.

Um, if you're talking about psyching ourselves up and giving it one-hundred and twenty percent, I don't think that's going to help!

？！

No, I don't mean that. See, there's someone here who's still trying to play it cool, even in this situation.

A real dummy who has yet to put all their cards on the table.

I'm the dummy. It's me.

Fou!?

I wasn't planning to do this in front of you and Mashie, Fujimaru.

Maybe that's because I'm still technically your prisoner, and I thought it'd be better if I didn't do anything that'd make you more suspicious of me.

But now that I think about it, I don't really mind if you know. And if it'll mean we make it out of here alive, I don't see any reason to hesitate.

Um...what are you talking about?

...Killing.

(Step in with Jinsokutsu, use Tashintsu to read how it's going to act, and...)

These things might not be ordinary creatures, but it's not like they keep their brains in their stomachs or have organs made of diamond, right?

As long as their bodies follow mostly the same rules as ours, I can apply the knowledge I already have and probably manage somehow.

From there, all I have to do is destroy their vital organs, and they'll die just like any other creature.

...!!!

That's not to say I like doing this sort of thing. It is just awful on my cuticles, and it's not even any fun.

That said...I can't say I really hate doing it. I guess that's not great either, huh?

I suppose I can't judge Beryl after all. Not when I'm doing the same thing as him.

...

Aww, it hurts to see you look so upset, Mashie.

Oh well, no going back now! Especially not when we're still severely outnumbered.

Come on, guys, let's keep it up! We don't have time to be slacking off!

There isn't a single wasted motion in his combat style. Pepe...he's obviously very proficient in it.

I've seen other styles like it before.

His movements and methodology are straight out of Assassin Emiya and Emiya Alter's playbook...

You've been holding out on us, Peperoncino.

Well of course I was! Beautiful people like myself don't reveal all on the first date!

Beauty!? I'm not sure what beauty has to do with this, but at any rate, I'm glad to see you can fight!

But of course! True beauty is freedom, after all. There's nothing those of us with beautiful bodies can't do.

If I told you you had a beautiful body too, Ramie, would you hold it against me?

I don't know what you mean by that, but whatever it is, I'm quite certain now is not the time for it!

Aww, you're no fun... But, I guess you're right. We do still have more sacred beasts to deal with!

Hang in there, people! Aśvatthāman and the others should be done soon! For now, the dance continues!

Ugh, are we still not done? This is getting REALLY old!

There's no end to them... It's as though every sacred beast in the world is coming after us!

Fou, fooou!

We haven't heard any status reports from the Border for a while now either. I can't tell if we're making progress or going in circles...

...But either way, it doesn't matter! We've just got to keep doing what we can, as best we can!

(First, I've got to awaken Mahākāla...the manifestation of Shiva inside me that can control time itself!)

(Next, I'm gonna need a metric ton of magical energy. And fortunately, I know just where to get it...!)

(Since that bastard Arjuna is still my Master...I'm not gonna be shy about grabbing up some of that endless magical energy for myself!)

(That's part of controlling Servants, "Master." If they need more magical energy, it's your job to fork it over!)

...?

('Course, he'll figure out what I'm up to soon enough. That's why we only get one shot at this. Gotta make sure everything's in place before he can mess it up!)

What's taking you guys so long!? Hurry it up already, dammit!

Very well. Challenge accepted.

I am Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi!

To those kind failures lending me your strength, Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune, and I promise you this:

We will not let one more thing be cruelly and unjustly taken from us! This time, we will protect everything!

Nahi Doongi!!!

Hey, Ganesha? I'm sorry you drew the short straw, getting me as a vessel. But you knew what you were in for, right?

I sure hope so, seeing as you picked the world's biggest NEET and all.

I've always been keenly aware of obstacles. I feel like I've been surrounded by them my whole life.

So for me, treating the entire outside world like one giant obstacle is as easy as pie.

...Ganesha Vighnesvara...

Wait... I can sense their Noble Phantasms!

？！

All right... You guys better hang in there. I'm gonna be mad as shit if you give up before you're done!

But hey, don't worry! Sure you'll be gone a long time, but we'll see you again real soon!

Mahākāla Shakti!!!

？！

Are you sure it worked, Aśvatthāman!?

Hah. What, are you trying to piss me off? Look up, dummy, and see for yourself.

They did it.

All we've gotta do now is pick our heroes up and congratulate 'em on a long-ass job well done!

Khh...!

Are you all right, Aśvatthāman!? I thought I still had your curse!

It's not the curse, dammit. It's 'cause I used too much power to mess with time... But don't worry about that now!

Right! I finally understand now...and I know just where we need to go to pick them up!

There's just one more problem. Now that Lakshmi's not here...

...the kali aren't helping us anymore!

Ugh, this is way more trouble than I expected! All right, fine, I'll just consider everything around us an enemy then!

？！

Right. There are still a huge number of hostiles, but I know we can get past them!

The Ortinax has accumulated some strain...but it still hasn't reached its limit. There should be no issue using it in combat.

Moving forward! Please make sure to stay right behind me, Master!

There's just...too many! Argh, if only I could use my body like normal!

Oh crap. Is that...!?

He must've finally figured out something was up. Guess that's no surprise, since we were messing with time itself!

What's wrong, Aśvatthāman!?

Arjuna's on his way here. Based on how fast Vimana is approaching, we don't have much time!

I'm sure we don't. But these things just keep coming, no matter how many we kill.

Forget going to pick them up. At this rate, we won't even be able to get through all these sacred beasts and kali.

...It looks like your plan won't work after all.

Your idea of making a perfect god fundamentally flawed from the start was so wonderful it made my ears stand on end...

But it seems you were just oneno, two steps short of seeing it through.

We can't break through all these hostiles! And after we've come all this way...!

Damn it! Isn't there anything we can do!? Anything?!

？！

We arrived in time!

The Border!? What... How!?

We can talk later! Hurry up and get in already!

Sorry to worry you! We couldn't even spare the resources to tell you we were on our way at top speed!

Wait... What are you doing in the middle of this Lostbelt anyway? Isn't it dangerous for you to be here!?

Oh believe me, I told them over and over, in no uncertain terms, how bad of an idea this was.

The Zero Sail is our lifeline.

Even a little damage to the Border would make it impossible for us to evade the next cataclysm.

Needless to say, we were risking everything to come here! But...

Gaaah! So many kali and sacred beasts up ahead of us! This is the worst S curve I've ever had to drive through!

Gnnn, I can't believe they're making me drift in a twelve-wheeler!

Well what do you know. I actually did it. Surprised? I am too.

Go on then, all of you hurry up and strap in! This ride isn't gonna get any smoother!

We don't want you getting hurt if we run into anything!

If you die, Fujimaru, that's the end of everything!

There's no point in keeping the Border out of harm's way if there's no one around to drive it!

A pit crew certainly can't compete in a race on their own, after all!

(I think you've finally started talking to yourself, chubby! But who cares! You actually pulled it off!)

(I still can't believe we got there in time! I had my doubts about him driving the Border manually, but I guess machines really do require an analog touch!)

Wait, hang on. Why does it look like he's holding the wheel!?

This isn't normal, believe me. See, we were thinking about what we could do to get to you guys as fast as possible...

...and we decided the best way to do that would be to share the load.

Meunière and I focused on controlling the engine and making sure all the Border's power went to keeping it at top speed...

...and Gordy's job was to focus on the actual driving.

I swear, I don't even know when he installed the extension system that let us split up our jobs like that...

...I didn't have anything better to do, and I thought it'd be useful.

Get this, Fujimaru. It turns out our director is actually a pretty badass driver!

Heh! Well, I couldn't let the detective keep the top score on the simulator's highest difficulty course forever.

In fact, I finally beat his record just the other day! How do you like them apples!? Hahahaha!

...(Quietly applauds while smiling wryly)

While I do prefer on-road, I've driven more than my fair share of off-road as well. And they say the Phoenix shines brightest when things are at their worst!

...Graaahhh! Move, move! Get out of the way!

His concentration is incredible! He's right between sacred beast and the kali alike!

Ha! That's some good anger you've got there, big guy. I like how you let it loose in your driving, too!

？！

You know what? I am, dammit!

And not just because we had to save you to keep our hopes of fixing this mess alive.

I have my own bones to pick with this world!

Huh?

But since I can't give this world a good slug, I'm taking out my resentment towards it with the Border.

Perfectly natural for defects and failures to be erased in this world? How dare they say that in front of me!?

Ever since I, Goredolf Musik, was born, I never did anything well enough to get so much as a single gold star!

Well, now it's time to show off what a disgraced noble is really made of! Whatever you do, don't undo your seat belts! And try not to talk unless you want to bite your tongue!

Well, um, I can't say I saw this coming... But at least now, we should be able to meet back up with Ganesha and Lakshmi!

I just hope...we don't run into more trouble...on the way there... (Huff, huff...)

Indeed. I'm seeing a signal in the distant eastern sky. ...It's Arjuna.

We can't let him catch up to us now! Floor it, Da Vinci!

What do you think I'm doing!? If you really want to help me go faster, then just leave me to it!

Keeping the engine running at full speed without it blowing up in our faces isn't as easy as I make it look, you know!