The Final Dark God

I'm sorry it took me so long to return, Master.

Hm...? What did I just say?

I feel as though I said something I couldn't possibly know...

Eh, happens to everyone now and then. Don't sweat it!

Besides, we've got much bigger things to worry about. Like bringing you up to speed on what's going on right now.

Fortunately, I already have a fairly good idea of that.

My memories are...a little muddled, but they remain unbroken.

Aśvatthāman's Spirit Core has given me the gist of everything that transpired while I was gone.

...It would seem the time has come to settle things.

...Kar...na...!

I'm afraid I'm not gonna be much help. As you can see, I'm all tuckered out.

That won't be a problem. Aśvatthāman lent me more than just his Spirit Core.

For the time being...I can also use Shiva's power, at least to a certain extent.

I see... So you inherited Aśvatthāman's traits when you took over his Spirit Core!

Of course, this power won't last forever.

But I should be sufficiently familiar with it by now to hold onto it for a while, after all those duels we had.

Well this is all great news, for sure. But we've still got a long way to go, given who we're up against.

...Speak of the devil.

...

Arjuna. We can do this down here, or up there. The choice is yours.

...

He came down!

...Karna... I know you. You're...Karna...

Yes, I am. And now, I'm going to defeat you.

...Why? Why do you...oppose me...?

You were there...too... You witnessed...that foolish war...just as I did...

I'm purging evil...from the world. Everything that is defective...and unnecessary...

That is...the blade of justice...I use...to guide this world...

My world...is proper and right...in every way...

？！

This is...the proof. The end...of the final yuga...when justice...reaches its apex.

A perfect world...of peace and harmony...is now...close at hand...

I have not seen for myself whether this world is what you say, so I will not speak to that.

I will instead let those whom I trust speak for me.

Short and to the point. I like it.

Hehe, well there's an interesting viewpoint. Maybe you could even say the same about people.

After all, someone who only knows what's right inevitably ends up doing the wrong thing.

？！

Allow me to refute your premise by substituting "the world" for "civilization."

Civilizations roots must logically lie in humanity, not gods.

This world may be refined as a result of you whittling away the people you deemed defective, but its civilization has not advanced one iota.

Any philosophy that would lead to what we see here has its priorities completely backwards.

I can't...understand... You speak...nonsense. You are defective, unnecessary...and therefore, evil...

Mmm... Indeed, indeed!

The time has clearly come for you to pass judgment on these wicked fools yourself.

Well, well, look who just couldn't resist putting in an appearance. I guess that was inevitable though, this god being your last bastion and all.

？！

Master...? Do you recognize him?

I'm quite certain he does.

That Servant matches the description of a hostile entity Mr. Fujimaru encountered in the parallel world of Shimousa.

Though looking back on it now, it would seem that Shimousa was actually a small Lostbelt in its own right.

At any rate, although that Servant went by Caster of Limbo...the one we see here now is an Alter Ego.

You there. I trust you are also a Disciple of the Foreign God, just like Rasputin?

I believe you said your name was Abe-no-Seimei, one of Japan's greatest onmyouji?

Mm. Mmm. Mmmmmm! What a dreadful thing to say!

No righteous Chaldean Servant should be quite so devious! You really should know better, Lord Detective.

It's one thing to joke, but quite another to merely play along with my using an alias just to put the screws to me.

Dreadful, simply dreadful. What was it again? Abe-no-Seimei?

True, that cowardly schemer is certainly an acquaintance of mine, so I'm not completely unfamiliar with his name...

But my name is simply Limbo, Lord Sherlock Holmes, and I would ask you address me thusly.

And yes, as you surmised, I am indeed one of the three Alter Egos who serve the Foreign God!

I am the one who made the first move to prepare for the coming of the Trees of Emptiness...

...and turned Shimousa into hell to test a pet theory of mine!

Then... That's the Servant who's been leading Arjuna down this path...?

Koyanskaya, can you tell us anything more about... Huh?

"Sorry, we've closed for the day☆ We look forward to your business in the future♡"

Koyanskaya's gone! The only trace she left behind is this note!

Indeed, indeed! I'm certain she had no other choice but to make her escape!

It is absolutely unforgivable to side with Chaldea, no matter the circumstances!

That said, I am not entirely heartless. I see no need to go out of my way to report her misdeeds to the Foreign God.

Now that she is nowhere to be seen, there is no proof that she helped you.

Mmm, I think we can leave it at that.

(I suppose it was inevitable her injuries would heal now that she's had time to rest... Oh well.)

(I'll have to think of a way to capture her for good some other time...)

Very well then: Limbo, you must be the Servant who has been serving as Arjuna's military advisor of sorts.

Now that you're showing yourself after hiding away all this time...

...does that mean you no longer had any other choice?

Hardly. My appearance here is merely a matter of courtesy.

It is not yet time for me to get my own hands dirty.

Although...

If you absolutely insist, I think I can manage a few tricks of my own!

Humbled as I am to be the opening act to this world's god, if I must, I must! Hahahahaha!

Looks to me like you want to keep clear of danger as much as possible.

Oh no, no! All I want is to see what's about to happen up close and personal!

Hehe, hehehehehehe!

(This world's sudden drastic change must be due to its situation making significant forward progress...)

(Either that, or it's starting to come apart at the seams now that the end is near!)

(If Limbo's goal is to see what happens after that, he may even have been pulling Arjuna's strings up to this point...)

...No, never mind that. Right now, all I can say for sure is that we have no time to waste.

We need to eliminate Arjuna and Limbo as quickly as possible.

Should we fail to do so, this world will play host to a dreadful, fatal event.

And it is clear from Limbo's barely restrained delight that there will be no coming back from whatever it is.

I believe we can leave Arjuna to Karna. The rest of you, please focus on Limbo!

I can use the...kali...to keep the nearby...sacred beasts away.

？！

Of course. Now that I've come this far, I finally understand...

The kali are both a part of this world, and its last form of resistance.

They are creatures apart from god, born to fight against order.

Perhaps that is the reason why I...why Alakshmi was summoned here.

So that I could help them.

Heh... Some queen I turned out to be. Once a rebel leader, always a rebel leader!

We'll handle the sacred beasts. The only enemies the rest of you need to worry about are those two.

I'm counting on you, Fujimaru!

Arjuna is no longer a god we can only look up at from afar.

He's now destruction incarnate, and we have to stop him no matter what! Let's go get him, Master!

What incredible power. Even with Shiva's godly strength, I still can't manage to harm you.

Godly... Yes. For I am...god.

I have consumed all other Divinities, and brought them together to become a single, perfect god.

Karna... Son of Surya, wielder of Shiva's strength...

If you wish to stand in my way...that is fine.

As a truly perfect god, it will be simple for me to trample over you...

...You claim to be perfect? Then let me ask you this.

Why did you consume the gods in the first place? What did you want with so much power?

I am sure you sought to create a just world, but I know that Arjuna would never choose such an inhumane path towards it.

Someone else must have done so instead. Who?

...!

You need not answer. I know that, too.

The king of the Yadavas, Vāsudeva, was not the same man as the Krishna who was an avatar of Vishnu...yet they shared a name nonetheless.

On that day, it was not Arjuna, but the dark Krishna inside him who aimed that arrow at me.

The same is now true for you, isn't it? Deep down, you are not Arjuna, but that dark Krishna, aren't you?

...

I don't know why it happened, but I can see that your inner qualities were somehow inverted...

...and what you are now is the result of that avarice taking control and greedily consuming all the other Divinities.

When I look at you, I do not see a perfect god. Far from it.

You have been irrevocably altered into a man who is both Arjuna, and not Arjuna. Nothing more.

Ghh...I'm...?

That got to him. Could this be the last push we need?

I don't know. It doesn't look like he's gonna make it that easy for us!

Oh, no, no, this won't do at all. Calm yourself. To be a perfect god, one must have power above all else.

You became what you are by following your greed. It is only right that you continue to do so.

If you have concerns about your godhood, then allow me, your humble servant...

...to present you with new power from the truly right and proper god.

Now then...shall we begin?

...

Arjuna's run off!

There is no question of where he is heading. There's only one thing left that he could rely on for help.

Get in the Border, guys! We're going after him full speed ahead!

It's the Indian Tree of Emptiness! But what's that strangely colored lake surrounding it!?

What's going on? That lake wasn't there when I first got here!

These readings... Now I see. I knew this was no ordinary water, but I would never have guessed that it could be...this...

You figured out what it is? Then why aren't you JUST TELLING US ALREADY!?

I was just getting to that. Don't worry, I have no intention of falling back on bad habits now.

I understand you have no need for a detailed analysis at this point, so in lieu of that, I will simply say this:

I believe that is the ocean of milk.

The ocean of milk...? You mean, the one from the Samudra Manthana in the Hindu creation myth?

The very same.

That's the one where Vishnu, the other gods, and even the Asuras all worked together to create a nectar of immortality.

The ocean of milk is also said to be where the sun and moon come from...though I doubt that's what Arjuna wants to do with it now.

Well, if it's only an ocean of milk, we should be able to cross it, no?

I'm afraid that would be rather difficult.

？！

It's highly poisonous. I've only done a quick scan so far, but I can already tell it's strong enough to easily melt through steel, a human body, or even a spiritual body.

While the Border is sealed tightly enough that we could theoretically attempt to barrel through it...

...we would be unlikely to get far before the Border started to dissolve.

I see. So this is Halāhala...the poison Vāsuki the serpent king vomited forth from the pain of being used like a rope to churn the milk. And Arjuna apparently chose to leave it mixed in.

In the myth, Shiva becomes known as the Nilakanta of the blue throat because he gets rid of the poison by drinking it, but...

I'm only borrowing Shiva's power; I don't know if I can do the same. Though I could jump over it and get to the tree by myself.

I don't recommend that. Given what happened earlier, it's likely Arjuna came here to receive some form of support from the Tree of Emptiness.

Our only hope now is to hit him with everything we've got. Letting him pick us off individually now would be the height of folly.

Th-then what can we do?

Well

Whatever it is, do you think you can hurry and figure it out before all those sacred beasts catch up with us!?

...All right. I'll figure something out.

？！

I doubt I can erase the Halāhala...

...but both Lakshmi and Alakshmi were born when the ocean of milk was churned. I am sure I can do something.

If I concentrate my misfortune around me, like I did when I drew all of William Tell's arrows...

...I might be able to limit the poison's effects to myself.

But, that would mean...!

There is no other wa

This is ridiculous. Just ridiculous.

？！

You're just using your bad luck as an excuse to take the easy way out. It's the cheapest form of self-sacrifice.

No soldier, hell, no person at all has any business doing that.

Did you ever stop to think about what it's like for those of us left behind?

To hear you praised for dying like a saint, like your death is something to celebrate?

...You never stop wondering what might have happened. If only you hadn't let her fight alone. If only you'd stayed behind, instead of running away...

I knew it... It IS you...

...Yeah, it's me. I didn't experience these things myself, but these regrets ended up becoming core to who I am.

That other version of methe one who would go on to become a ship captainfought in the sepoy rebellion, lost someone important to him...

...and unlike you, who stayed and fought to the very end, he ran away like a coward.

We may have fought in very different regions...and neither of us may have been in a position to influence the other's battles...

...but after being inspired by the rumors I heard about you, and knowing we were fighting at the same time, I can't help but feel a connection...

...The path I took was the only one available to me. I'm not going to judge you for the choices you made. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with choosing to survive.

It is no different now. There is something I need to do, and I'm the only one who can do it...so that's what I'm going to do. That's all there is to it!

...No. That's not all there is to it.

Huh?

What I'm trying to say is, that wasn't the only way then, and it isn't now, either. You need to pay more attention to your surroundings.

？！

Yeah, I do. I wouldn't have said all that otherwise. Though I kind of hate how this is playing out just like Sion said it would.

Da Vinci, I need you to grant me authority. You've already figured out why I came along, right?

Well, now's the time. Much as I'd rather not do this, I suppose I must.

I knew you were sneaking around doing something. Does this mean we're finally going to get some answers?

...(Sigh) I wish I could've just stuck to maintenance. Initiating a naval battle of my own accord is really hard.

But as hard as that is, letting another far-off comrade in arms go to her death would be even harder.

This thing manifests whenever I accept that this is just the sort of Phantom Spirit I am.

Sion secretly installed it inside this ship.

Hmm. Does this thing you speak of have something to do with the part that was meant to be activated in India?

...Yeah, I guess so. It's kind of like a system that makes this trial fitting possible.

I only have one question. Will this thing you speak of let us get across this poisonous ocean of milk?

I think so. You should all know what I'm talking about, too.

Sion isn't just trying to improve the Border. She's trying to improve me, too.

Because you're going to need both of us if you're going to cross that stormy ocean.

Well, maybe not me so much as my ship.

My ship is a dream of the future made real. A high tech concept once considered a mere flight of fancy.

It's called the Nautilus, a ship of hope that can conquer any sea in the world, no matter how deep.

Aw yeah! If we're gonna do this thing, let's DO this thing!

No more holding back for me! Every good ship's gotta have good waters to sail!

Okay crew, get to your posts! Any back talk, even from Master, and you'll be swabbing the poop deck for a month!

？！

Why wouldn't I be excited!? I've been waiting to go on my maiden voyage since I got summoned!

Imaginary Aronnax Phantasm rigging...all set!

Connecting lines to my Spirit Origin and giving them power!

Okay, that's all of my Noble Phantasm's magical energy. And I'll make sure the Border doesn't feel a thing!

Wh-wh-what is this!? What's going on!? You're not about to explode on us, are you!?

It looks like...a mysterious light is surrounding the Border, starting at the front...

The front, you say? As opposed to the drivetrain, or the engine...?

By Jove, I've got it! The Aronnax Phantasm is a naval ram, the Nautilus's most famous feature!

Right you are. My Nautilus was known far and wide as a monster of a ship.

And by attaching its naval ram to a vessel, other ships can be retroactively defined as the Nautilus too!

？！

Hehe. But that's not all.

Indeed, it's not. Now that you've come out of your shell, I can sense the Western god inside you.

That's right. I am the great Triton, son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea! The deep seas are my beloved domain!

And I'm also Captain Nemo, the lone sailor who fights against oppression and tyranny wherever he goes!

Aha! I KNEW you were an amalgamation Servant! But wow, those are some big names to combine!

I see... Ms. Sion had already admitted you were a Phantom Spirit. She must have intentionally combined an ancient Mystic with a newer legend...

I'm the "no one" called Nemo. The guardian of sea travelers who can chart a course through any ocean.

A guardian... Now that you mention it, this warmth I'm sensing feels...familiar...

No way! Am I reading this right!?

What is it, Meunière!?

An explosion? It's an explosion, isn't it?

Dammit! I knew I shouldn't have let some pip-squeak from who knows where mess around with my Border!

No, no, it's not an explosion! I just noticed this fixed wavelength in the Border's data! It's almost identical to the thing we observed back during our Zero Sail on the way to Scandinavia!

What!? Then, that strange entity we encountered back then was actually...!?

Yes, that was my true Nautilus. I was out on patrol there on Sion's orders.

I think I remember giving you a little nudge in the right direction when I spotted you guys there.

Now I see. If Mr. Goredolf hadn't had us make an emergency exit in his panic...

...we might have benefited from your guidance even more.

W-well how was I supposed to know any better at the time!?

While I'd love to dig into these new revelations about your ship and the Atlas Institute's Zero Sail technology...

...right now, we still have to worry about this ship! How's it looking?

It's doing great. I've had my eye on it for a while now, and it's turning out to be just as good a ship as I thought. Better, even!

I'm a Phantom Spirit, not a typical Servant. My entire reason for being is my love of the sea.

So when I was summoned to this earth without a decent body of water anywhere to be seen, and told to lend my aid to humanity, well...

Honestly, I was pretty upset. Sion's nice and all, but she's not really human.

And the Wandering Sea may be a sea, but there's no life to be found in it anywhere.

So when you Chaldeans showed up...I didn't have high hopes for you all, either.

I figured modern people must be to blame for the Earth ending up like this.

But now that I've seen you in action here in India...

...I can tell you're the kind of good people I remember.

You're travelers who keep rowing forward no matter how roughly the seas toss your ship.

No matter what kind of predicament you encounter, or what kind of enemy you go up against, you're the kind of people who can smile and laugh about the experience when it's all over.

So now that I know that, I'm done moping around. Besides, I also remembered that my Nemo side still has some unfinished business to take care of.

So you'd better believe I'm going to help you out! I declare this here and now, as the guardian of voyages!

From this point forward, this ship is no longer limited to the waters of Void Space!

There is now no storm it can't cross, and no ocean it can't sail!

Whether we're up against the sea of storms or a poisonous ocean of milk, you no longer have anything to fear!

Now let's go! Full speed ahead!

Well, if the world's most famous captain insists, I guess we'll just have to oblige! Let's do this thing!

Hold it! I still haven't given this the all cleaAAAH! A-are you sure we'll be okay!? We're not going to dissolve!?

It would seem there is nothing to worry about. The Border's hull is holding strong against the poison.

Heh, this is nothing compared to the time I hid inside an undersea volcano. We won't have any problem reaching land!

Though that's not to say it doesn't sting a bit. Generally, when my ship is damaged, I hurt too.

You don't have to do this...

Don't worry about it, Lakshmi Bai. Not this time.

Here, there are no cowards willing to send you off to your death just because you refuse to stop fighting when they've already given up.

Of course, I ran away from the rebellion to build the Nautilus, so I might've been just as cowardly until now...

...But I'm not anymore. This time, I'm staying right here.

I'm going to get you there safely, help you save these people, and fight at your side until the very end.

...You are a good man and a good friend, Captain Nemo. Thank you.

...All right, we're almost across the ocean of milk! No turning back now! Are you all ready to disembark!?

？！

Yes. This may not be strictly true, but I feel as though I have trained my fiery spear for thousands of years.

I WILL cut through Arjuna's mind, even if I have to use every bit of my essence for kindling.

I'll help out as much as I can, too. Though I'm still so exhausted that I think watching out for Rama is all I can do right now.

...

Oh well, all right! At this point, I don't care how you go about it.

Go ahead and use every dirty trick in the book if you have to! Just make sure you take him down! Director's orders!

Oh my, he's really going there, isn't he? It's almost impressive how low he's willing to sink!

I could've sworn he was much cooler back when he was driving the Border. That sure didn't last...

Maybe he's the type of guy who only really shines when the chips are down?

We've made land! We can see the Tree of Emptiness with our naked eyes now!

Go on and take the portside hatch out of here, Fujimaru! I'll lower the ramp now!

Once you've all disembarked, I'll head back out and wait for you in the bay so the enemy can't attack the Border!

Don't worry about holding anything back! As long as you win this battle, I promise I'll come and get you!

Now go out there and settle this thing once and for all!

...We will! Thank you, Captain Nemo!

Master Fujimaru, five Servants, and one allied Master...

...preparing to enter the Indian Lostbelt's final phase on behalf of Proper Human History!

？！

They would appear to be cluster amaryllises...known in some parts of the world as "flowers of heaven." The environmental readings appear stable, so they shouldn't pose any threat.

Only eight hundred meters to go! The Indian Tree of Emptiness is right past that hill!

Its heat signature is rising rapidly! Try to hurry as best you can, guys!

Understood! We'll continue to approach the Tree of Emptiness on foot!

(Ghh... It looks like this curse isn't getting any better with time, as I'd hoped it would...)

Then it seems I have no other choice. All of you, wait. I need to say something.

What's up, Rama?

I'm sure Arjuna will be waiting for us at the tree. Before we fight him again...I need to talk to you, Karna.

What is it, King of Kosala? You seem to be in poor health.

I am. That's why I have a request to make of you, son of Surya.

I want to entrust you with my Brahmastra.

Huh?

...Your reasoning?

Ghh, argh... Surely you can see why for yourself.

My body is still suffering from Krishna's curse that I drew away from Aśvatthāman.

Frankly, I'll never be able to fight to the best of my ability like this. So this is all I can do.

While I do hate to do this, since it feels like I'm letting Fujimaru down as his Servant...a good king knows when to delegate.

As the son of Surya, and the one true hero who fought for the Kauravas, there is no one better suited to wield the Brahmastra in my place than you.

...

Besides, no one in this world knows of my adventures. That fame, or lack of it in this case, makes it impossible for me to fight at my full strength even without the curse.

But the same holds true for me.

No, it doesn't. There's at least one person here who sees you differently.

See that? Those are the eyes of someone who knows deep down in her soul how heroic you truly are.

That makes you better suited than me to be a hero in this land. And so, my power is now yours.

...

But be warned.

Now that Aśvatthāman has entrusted you with Shiva's power, and I have entrusted you with Vishnu's...

...if you were to lose to Arjuna now, it would be an absolute disgrace!

Remember, he has my wife's goddess form in his possession! He holds within himself Alakshmi's younger sister. Alakshmi's wish to free her sister is in your hands now.

And so, I implore you, Karna: save Sita in my place!

...!

Master, I'm sorry to ask your forgiveness rather than your permission, but is this all right with you?

？！

What a strange thing to say, Master. I am your Servant. I answer to you, not the King of Kosala.

But, for now, I will humbly accept this great honor you have both entrusted to me, and swear to you this:

I will use all the power I have been given to see that Arjuna is brought to justice!

Bwaaa!!?? Your hair! Your spear! They're totally different now!

I don't know what's going on, but it's freakin' badass! I can't put it any better than that!

You were already a sight for sore eyes before, but now those eyes are just popping out of their sockets!

This is so unfair! But I'm not complaining! Hell no!

I see. It's an honor to hear you think so highly of me, Ganesha.

I-I'm kind of taken aback by this myself, to be honest, but this is all for the good.

You are no longer merely borrowing my power, nor Aśvatthāman's.

This new form of yours is clearly the result of you making it your own. I could ask for nothing more.

(What incredible power. I can't be certain it will be enough to defeat Arjuna...but it just might do the trick!)

All right, no sense staying put any longer than we need. Let's go!

...

There he is!

Karna... Kar...na...

Arjunaaa!!!

...Kar...na... Karna...!

Yes, it's me. Though I have changed a little since we last met.

This power is incredible. To think this is still only a fragment of Shiva and Vishnu's strength.

I...see... Hehehe, now I see! So you have...also come closer...to becoming a perfect god!

Good. That is how it should be. If you mean to stand in my way, that is exactly how it should be!

...? What a strange thing to say.

What...?

Neither of us is at all close to being a perfect god. That could not be clearer.

Would a perfect god be so fixated on my name, as you have been thus far?

That can only mean one thing... Your humanity is showing through.

...!!!

You are very much still human deep down inside, Arjuna. That is why we can do battle like this.

I, for one, am grateful that neither of us are gods. We are both warriors. Nothing more.

Karna...you bastard!

Mmm, how very surprising! I never thought the Hero of Benefaction could cut so deep with but a few words!

In that case, allow me the honor of stopping up this god's ears, so as to shield them from these wicked words!

God! God! God of this land! If you feel as though you are still lacking...

If you sense that what you have may still not be enough, then rest assured that I am here to ease your concerns!

Behold...a benefaction from the one true god!

Behold these stairs that link us to the skies! This texture that transforms everything into its rightful form!

This Lostbelt may be yet another frail bastion for humanity, but its way of life is completely unique!

In place of a future that expands ever outward, it has elected a future that narrows infinitely inward!

Indeed, that is the one good thing about this Lostbelt! It will reach its end goal quicker that way.

Turn, turn, turn! Every time the cycle turns, more is shaved off! Now, its destruction reaches a fever pitch!

The roots of cosmic fantasy have descended upon us, and the Tree of Ideology has died! Hear me, foundation of a new world, and bloom!

Your name is Tree of Emptiness Spiral! You are the many finite boundaries that surround this planet!

Th-the Tree of Emptiness...!

It's opening up even further! And not only that...!

What is this!?

This change in color... It seems to be like what we saw in China, only taken even further...?

I don't know what this new black color means, but I believe the tree's structure remains identical to the one in China.

That is to say, the Tree of Emptiness contained its own pocket dimension. Now, the Tree has opened up, exposing the galaxy inside.

There's no time to analyze it further, and as of yet, no telling what it means.

All I can say for certain at this point...is that a tremendous amount of magical energy is flowing from it and into Arjuna!

(Orochi. Sombrero. Mayall. And now, Spiral. As I suspected, they're all names of different galaxies.)

(They must be weapons of invasion from other celestial bodies. But why invade like this?)

(With that much sheer magical energy, they could just as easily incinerate the Earth's surface, as Goetia did.)

(So why would our enemies go out of their way to model the trees after galaxies? Are they truly weapons of invasion?)

Ahh... Haha, hahaha, hahahahaha!

I feel just as powerful now as I did when I first absorbed the gods. No, even more so...!

It doesn't matter how much power you take in from elsewhere, Arjuna. This changes nothing.

...Oh, right. I have been told that I have a tendency to say too little rather than too much, so let me be abundantly clear about this.

If the dark Krishna inside you truly has become who you are now...

...then you yourself have become something you saw as defective, and you just haven't realized it yet.

Though, honestly, I never saw you as defective at all.

So let me ask you: What are your own deficiencies? What is your own evil?

Have you ever looked at yourself, and admitted that you might also have faults?

The Arjuna I know was no god, but he knew the value of taking a good, long look at himself.

Looking... Yes... Like the way you're looking at me now.

Stop that, Karna... Don't look at me...like that...

That's it. That was exactly the last piece we needed. Karna put it into place without even trying.

A god is most vulnerable when they begin to question their own infallibility!

You're doing it again... Your eyes are trying to make me see something inside myself!

That is...a sin. It is evil. I must pass judgment on you...with my own hands!

Karnaaa!!!

The only thing I see now is the fact that you can no longer ignore my spear.

Now that you have abandoned that irksome detachment, I finally have the chance I've been waiting for.

It doesn't matter if you're a god. I will keep trying to surpass you, just as I always have!

Arjunaaa!!!

He... He did it, Master! Arjuna has been fatally wounded!

...How?

I should have completely outclassed you! Even if you do have Shiva and Vishnu's power now, I have the power of every god!

Not only do I too have Shiva and Vishnu, I also have Agni, Indra, Brahma, Soma... All of them...!

You're still searching for a reason? You truly are a thickheaded man.

Very well then, I'll tell you why you lost... Though I'll admit, I too only realized this while we were fighting.

It is because you lack something crucial. Something that I possess, and you do not.

What...? That...that can't be. I possess every Divinity in the

What you lack...is that.

？！

...!

That's right. Companions. To put it another way...a god is only a god if there are people who recognize them as such.

A god cannot be a god if they are all alone.

You grew dependent on power from beyond this world in the Tree of Emptiness, and wholly abandoned its people.

You may have become a nigh omnipotent god thanks to that power, able to create and destroy entirely by yourself...

...but such a god is no god at all.

You must have known that yourself, even if you didn't realize it.

What...?

This Spirit Core informed me all about the last Lōkapāla, a fusion of god and man, more balanced than any other.

Then...you're saying his was the strength of a god in tune with people?

It sounds like you know whom I mean.

Now that you understand, all that remains to say is this:

While I did not do so using solely my own strength... I won this time, Arjuna.

G-ghhh... Karna...!

This failure is...unacceptable... I've never been...so humiliated...

...Humiliated...?

...

...

Heh... Hehehe...

This frustration at my defeat is the sort of defective, useless, and unnecessary evil I sought to eliminate.

Haha! So what is it doing inside of me!?

Now I see. I was never a complete being to begin with... Of course not. I am too flawed to be a perfect god...

I only sought perfection, greedily, to my own detriment... To the point I no longer realized I was doing so.

You are right, Karna... It was the dark, greedy Krishna inside me...

The one who consumed even the gods, and tolerated no evil whatsoever... That is who I...

...Now I understand why I lost. My blade of destruction could not be turned on myself.

No matter how many yuga cycles passed, my obsession with you...my evil...would always remain.

It was that obsession that drove me to become a perfect god beyond what was necessary.

So the god I becamethe final god, born of evil, who tried to guide his people toward a proper world...

...still harbored a dreadful evil within his soul.

I probably should have tried to destroy that first, before I turned my focus to the world...

...

Now, that evil I failed to destroy has become my own destruction... So foolish of me...

All I know is, a being like you could only have come about in a world like this.

You're one of this Lostbelt's victims, something that could only exist in the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon.

I don't need your pity.

Pity? I don't pity you. I was just thinking what a great shame this is.

The Arjuna I truly aim to defeat is an ordinary man. He was never given the role of a god, final or otherwise.

But incomplete as he was, he never stopped seeking completion. I think that is who you were meant to be.

The world is no different. Once it is truly "complete," there is nowhere left for it to go.

And having nowhere left to go...strikes me as woefully incomplete.

Ha... So it's a paradox. I believed I was complete, all while failing to notice the ways in which I was not.

What's more, believing myself complete was itself the seed of further deficiency.

Now I see. I was a walking paradox, right from the beginning.

I couldn't even be the man... you wanted me to be...

(It's over... I warned you, Arjuna.)

(Your way of doing things was only ever going to lead to your own death, and not one you'd be happy with, either.)

(...It's a real shame, isn't it?)

(If only that Alter Ego hadn't shown up, you and I might've been able to make something of this Lostbelt after all.)

Anyway, now it's time to decide what I'm going to do next...

...

You're right! I can't turn back now!

I only washed my hands of this Lostbelt's king, not the Lostbelt itself.

Besides, it's not like any of us ever had a real choice anyway, especially with you watching over us. Right, U?

... ...

Aww, maybe she didn't like me calling her that. It's too bad we can't communicate more easily.

Still...that gave me the push I needed. Time to take responsibility for looking the other way all this time.

I wonder if you understood what we were really doing here, Fujimaru.

We didn't give the people of this world weapons and teach them to fight so they could live.

We just wanted them to survive to use them to defeat Arjuna, with no real concern for what came afterward.

The only reason we helped these people was so that we could more efficiently erase their god, and eventually, them.

The Servants may have known enough to keep quiet about it...

...but I could see how it wore on you and Mashie.

I'm sure you both wished there was a way these people could all live happily ever after from now on.

But you both know you don't have any right to say that when you're taking their future away from them.

That's very responsible of you, especially when you're both still so young.

But, unfortunately, none of that matters to me. I can say it all I want.

These people aren't livestock reduced to following a god gone wrong. They deserve more than that.

So as one of the people responsible for helping them take back their lives, I'm coming down on their side now.

All right...time to take care of this last bit of business.

Otherwise, how could I show my face to Kadoc, Ophelia, and Akuta?

Even though they were fighting for the fate of this world...

...it seemed to me like their battle was intensely personal.

That's usually what battles between true warriors boil down to.

I'm grateful to you, Fujimaru.

I can feel Alakshmi's joy in knowing that Lakshmi's Divinity has been freed.

All I need to do is return the favor. So, that is the Tree of Emptiness responsible for creating this false world.

Very well, I will do what you ask. Although...this will be my first time felling a tree instead of fighting a war or rebellion.

It's weird seeing it pulsing and squirming like that. Makes me kind of motion sick to watch...

Even after seeing it in China, I still don't know what to make of it! Me, one of the Clock Tower's most prodigious talents!

Still, however it works, it's clear that thing is what's keeping this Lostbelt in place!

That's true. Don't hold back now, Fujimaru. This is just like the other ones.

I'll try to analyze it as much as I can, but that's not really our priority right now.

We still have to take back the world we lost...and to do that, that tree's gotta go down!

And hey, now that Arjuna's gone, the sacred beasts and kali are vanishing too, so there's no one left to get in your way.

Well that's mean. What am I, chopped liver?

Or is it just that you can't imagine that a Master without a Servant could be a threat, Meunie?

Come to think of it, I never did greet you guys properly, did I? Well, better late than never. Welcome to my Lostbelt.

It's so nice of you to come all this way, remnants of Chaldea. But now...it's time to say goodbye.

My name is Scandinavia Peperoncino. On behalf of the Crypters...I'm going to kill you now.

...!

？！

Aww, why do you look so disappointed, Fujimaru? Were you hoping for someone stronger?

Well, that's fine with me. It'll make my job easier. I guess this means it was worth traveling with you guys after all.

But hey, I still kept my end of the bargain, right? We only agreed to work together until Arjuna was defeated.

？！

Me neither... Pepe, I don't understand.

We've been traveling around India together all this time. We've talked about so many things.

I thought there was no reason for us to fight each other anymore!

Yeah! I was just listening in on your conversations most of the time, but you sounded like you were all really getting along!

I thought we, you know, had an understanding!

An understanding? ...That must be because we all happened to feel the same way about this world.

I sure don't remember discussing anything deeper than that.

？！

Oh my! Of all the things I wish you'd forgotten, you just couldn't let that one go, huh!?

Well, if your memory is that good, you should have no problem remembering what I said and didn't say.

I do consider you Chaldeans friends now. I really do. And it's true that I don't have any reason to fight you.

Buuut...did I ever say I was willing to fight for Proper Human History?

...!

B-but, I thought you only agreed to help the Foreign God in exchange for your life because you had no other choice.

Well, you're wrong. All of us are here by choice.

Make sure you don't ever say that to any of the other Crypters, Mashie. Not unless you want to insult us.

Yes, we did agree to help the Foreign God in exchange for our lives. But we made that choice willingly, not reluctantly.

Personally, I thought the Foreign God's conditions were fair, and Kirschtaria's plan was in the right.

Do you get it now? I chose my own life over the rest of the world.

That makes me an irredeemable villain. You guys would call me an enemy of humanity.

...Yeah, I get it now. You don't hate other people, and you don't hate yourself.

No, you hate something much bigger than that. You hate human society. You're literally a public enemy.

Eee☆ Does that make me a terrorist? Ooh, how glamorous!

But no, you're wrong there.

I never hated this Lostbelt, putting aside how Arjuna ran it.

You understand, right, Fujimaru? This is the fourth Lostbelt you've seen so far, correct?

It's peaceful here. There's hope for the future, and love to be had just by being alive. You could live a full life here.

It's rare for a world to turn out like this, even if the people who live here don't know that.

In the big picture, it's never been troubled by war or revolt.

And in the little picture, it's never had to worry about communities growing old and dying off, or a beloved brand going under, or a hot new trend fizzling out.

The more complicated society gets, the harder it gets to survive in it. It's cruel and unforgiving, and so many things slip through the cracks.

But this Lostbelt never had anything like that. Life was simple here. People were happy.

...That's why it was destroyed. Pruned away.

History decided this world was too happy, too perfect, and pruned it away for being unnecessary.

Can you believe that? You people fighting for humanity always say you want peace...

...but then you go and reject a world like thisa truly peaceful place. It's like you can't conceive of a world not dominated by pain and suffering.

So I don't ever want to hear you say that Proper Human History is more peaceful than any of these worlds.

Trust me, your world is a crueler, more disgusting hell than any world you'll find in a Lostbelt.

...

So, now do you understand why you and I can never see eye to eye?

Fou...

...You're right. I agree with you.

I doubt that any Lostbelt is as awful as the modern world Mr. Fujimaru hails from.

But that's all the more reason for us to be proud of it!

Any history daring to call itself Proper Human History should aspire to overcome all manner of hells!

If anything, this journey has only made me more certain that mankind has chosen the most difficult route possible.

Mr. Fujimaru has spent his whole life on the forefront of that route. If he wishes to continue down this path, we will be there with him every step of the way!

？！

Ooh, I knew you'd say something like that, Holmsie! I do love that side of you!

Anyway, I think that's enough talking. Ready to go, Karnie?

I'm impressed how long you've been holding out, but you must be at your limit by now, no?

Huh? Why're you bringing Karna into this now? He's not double-crossing us, is he?

No way, what am I even saying? The odds of Karna doing that are down there with the idea of a game series having a hundred sequels!

...I'm sorry. I'm afraid...I may end up betraying you after all, Ganesha.

No way!

...Let me ask you something, Rama. How are you feeling now?

Me? Now that you mention it, I feel great.

Krishna's curse must have been lifted when Arjuna vanished.

Good. Then I can return your sword of evil's bane. Thank you for lending it to me. It was a great help.

Now then... Master, there is something I need to tell you.

？！

I used the last of my strength during my battle with Arjuna.

In fact, my Spirit Origin is already gone. I'm only here right now by sheer force of will.

Really!? Holy shit, he's right! Karna's magical energy signal is gone! He really is just there by force of will!

!

...That is what I meant by betraying you. All that remains now is what was here to begin with.

...I feel like I should return it now. Especially as that's what he wants.

？！

...Now I gotcha. So that's how it is, huh? Haha, that's just like you, Karna.

...Do you want it?

You bet I do, hon. Besides, I figured this would happen. Why do you think I stood back and didn't say anything?

In spite of everything, I still can't bring myself to abandon them. I couldn't even if I wanted to.

...I like them too much.

I see. Then it's yours. Though I suppose it was always yours to begin with.

I'm told I'm the Hero of Benefaction, after all, so I would feel wrong about holding onto it.

Suit yourself, hon. Just don't expect a thank-you. Although, are you sure you're okay with this?

I am. ...I have faith in my Master.

Man... I can't believe you're still doing the right thing here, Karna. Geez, get a clue, will you?

I'm sorry.

And stop apologizing so much. Then again, you wouldn't be you otherwise, would you?

Anyway, since it looks like we're saying goodbye and all, I just want you to know.

Once this is all over, I plan on going right back to my old carefree shut-in self, so don't you worry about me.

This is a rare opportunity. As you're now a god, I suggest getting out there and seeing a little more of the world.

Besides, you've just finished being shut away for countless years. The outside world should seem even newer to you now.

Aww.

Besides... This may be goodbye, but we don't know for how long.

As long as you wear that Ganesha hat, I have a feeling that I will have another chance to fight by your side.

Hey, don't say that! Coming from you, it sounds like it'll actually happen!

I've had more than enough fighting to last me my whole life, thank you very much!

(Still... Considering how the best I could do before was cower in fear behind him...)

(...getting to fight by Karna's side is definitely something new...)

...Well, see you around.

And you.

So he's disappearing? ...No, it would seem not.

No, he isn't. I can tell what's about to happen...

...Tch, he gave my gift right back to me, huh? Pisses me the hell off.

You wanted more?

Nah, I'm just angry. Same as usual.

I know what's going on here. I could see it happening while I was inside him.

Looks like it's time to keep my promise, and get angry on your behalf. Am I right?

That'd be grand. Would you mind?

Ha? The hell you mean, would I mind? Don't ask me, order me, dammit! You're my Master, aren't you?

...Well then, don't mind if I do, my angry little Servant.

Good grief. Just when I think it's over, we have to go up against yet another formidable hero.

Then again, if this is a new chapter in the chronicles of the King of Kosala, I could ask for nothing more!

In fact, I'm grateful you've given me this last chance to show off what I can truly do!

Aw man, my joints are still really stiff... And I really don't like going up against these Shiva types.

But, I'm pretty sure the whole reason Ganesha came here in the first place was to do something about that tree. There's no way I can back out of this one!

It doesn't matter who stands in our way. I will see this through to the end. It's the least I can do for my comrade in arms who brought us here.

...

Ooh, you're all so fired up now! I love it!

That just leaves you and Mashie, Fujimaru.

You're the Master who's the key to this whole operation, right? So what are you hanging your head for?

You've fought hard and bravely to get this far, right? And not just here in India, but everywhere you've been.

So now's the time to take responsibility for making it all this way. I want you to thrill me one last time, just like you've been doing all along.

...Pepe...

If this is about responsibility... If our only choice now is to do what must be done...

Then we're not going to back down either. We can't. Not after coming this far!

Awaiting your orders, Master!

Our goal is to defeat the enemy Crypter and Aśvatthāman... and to cut down the Tree of Emptiness!

？！

...Well done. You've managed to fell the tree. I can see its magical energy signal fading rapidly.

Looks like there's only one thing left to do... It might be too little too late, but if I use my Sirius Light

Don't bother. You know just as well as I do.

This anger's only a runway. It's meant to help you get back up to speed so you can keep on going.

This isn't the destination by a long shot. So it's okay. Don't sweat it.

...I guess our teamwork just wasn't up to snuff.

Maybe things would've been different if we'd kept our contract this whole time. I'm sorry, Aśvatthāman.

You think? It pisses me off, but I felt like I got to raise more hell out there than I thought I would. Seems to me like we were a pretty good match.

...Sorry I couldn't win this one for you. Believe me, I'm pissed off about it too.

Hey, I'm still alive. That's good enough for me.

Ha. So you decide for yourself whether you've won or lost, huh? You really are a clever Master.

...See ya.

...Goodbye, my awkward Servant.

What were you doing? I'm pretty sure we could have won if you'd helped us out.

...Khh! Gah...! Phew...

Yes, yes, I had every intention of assisting, truly I did.

But I'm afraid I ran into some entirely unexpected trouble of my own...

...Now then...

Let's get this over with, shall we?

Now that everyone's gaze is rooted to the god high in the sky, it's time I introduced myself properly.

Indeed, how could they not be in awe at the god of a Lostbelt? Mmm, truly, they cannot help it.

Just as I cannot help it if I take advantage of this moment...

...to pluck the Master of Chaldea's heart clean out of his chest.

Hey.

Yes?

MmmmmraaAAAHHH! What is this!?

Just as I thought.

I hate not being able to go into specifics, but damn if my head doesn't feel much clearer now.

Good thing I realized in my final moments that I might've caught some bug I wasn't aware of. All that was needed to cure it was my death.

...Aha. So you made one of your resurrection tonics.

You think I could make that as a Servant? Hardly. Maybe if there was a gorgon around here, but short of that...no.

No, the best I can manage now is a slow-acting mimetic. But I can still make sure it at least works well for me.

As the saying goes: physician, heal thyself.

So, you used your own death to restore yourself to your original state...

I'm impressed you figured out a way to escape from Arjuna's divine control!

That, however, does not explain why you're getting in my way now, Asclepius.

Why else? As soon as I came to my senses, I knew exactly where to find the malignant tumor eating away at this world, and I also knew I could never live with myself if I didn't excise it.

Once I surgically remove you from this world, my work as a doctor will be done.

Hm? Ahahaha, I didn't even realize how beat up you were! That's hilarious!

Hehehe, I doubt THIS Spirit Origin I'm using here will last much longer! And it seems a great deal of time has passed as well...

Enough for the tree bestowed upon this world to be destroyed. Ah, what a shame! Ah, what a pity!

Still...there is always next time. Mmmhehehehehehe.

I knew it. That body is just a shikigamia shadow of yourselfisn't it? I wonder where the real you might be?

Well, I won't worry about that for now. Besides, we both still answer to the same leader, don't we?

Indeed we do. As long as we still share the same goal, of course. Hehehe...!

(...Indeed. I heard you say this Lostbelt would get to its end goal quicker this way, Limbo...)

(You knew this Lostbelt was doomed, didn't you?)

(But instead of trying to prevent its destruction, you tried to hurry it along... There's more to the Disciples' goals than you're letting on, isn't there?)

Hey, Koyanskaya? Think we can cut a deal here?

But of course. I presume you'd like a one-way trip to the Greek Lostbelt then?

Why yes. Where there's demand, so too will there be supply. That's just as true in neighboring towns as it is in neighboring nations.

Whether it's a late-night bus or a brand-new space shuttle, Tamamo Vitch Koyanskaya at NFF Services is here to provide♡

No! Pepe, wait!

？！

I swear, Daybit never misses a beat.

I still can't believe he came all this way just to teach me how to call on you.

Well, if it's a trip between Lostbelts you're looking for, just sit back and let me handle everything. We can discuss what I am sure will be a most generous compensation later.

Do be advised, this is a one-time only tour package, complete with a...special payment plan.

Yes, yes, I'm aware. I knew I was making a deal with the devil.

...Mash. Fujimaru. I really enjoyed our time together here. I mean it.

But at the same time...I can't turn my back on the other Crypters either. Just how it is!

So, what can you do? I say we just blame it all on the world and our unlucky lots in life and leave it at that.

I resigned myself to it a long time ago. Since birth, honestly.

Anyway, with any luck, maybe I'll see you again someday! Adieu!

Tch, he got away.

That's just how it goes sometimes. Frankly, after all the nonstop fighting we've been doing, I'm just amazed we managed to take out the tree.

I think Fujimaruand the others deserve a big round of commendations from you, Commander.

Hmm... Yes, I suppose you're right...

Hehe, and speaking of commendations, I almost forgot to give some myself.

We couldn't have made it to God's Skyboulder or freed Ganesha and Lakshmi without you, Gordy. You really came through.

Why don't you let me handle the driving from here, and get yourself some well deserved rest?

You don't have to tell me! This may not be my most glamorous move as commander-in-chief, but I'm leaving the rest of this mission in your hands!

I'll deal with the aftermath later! Right now, my stress and exhaustion are both at their pearrrgh.

Damn, he just went out like a light the moment he sat down.

Lucky guy. Maybe I should head to the break room for a nap too.

Go for it! Captain and I can take it from... Huh? Where'd he go?

Oh, right, he must've gone to say his goodbyes to her. Well, I can't blame him for that.

Meunière, go ahead and tell the rest of the staff we're officially off high alert.

And make sure to let them know they've all been doing a great job, too!

Now that my task is fulfilled, it seems this world is sending me back where I came from. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you...

？！

I appreciate that... But it doesn't change the fact that I made a mistake in not trusting you.

I hope I'll have a chance to repay this debt I owe you someday...though I doubt you'll ever need a Servant like me.

？！

You really don't hesitate with that sort of thing, do you...?

...I've already given you a ticket. You're free to board my ship at any time.

Thank you. I suppose fighting to take back the world is a form of rebellion in its own right, isn't it?

If I get the chance to ride your ship again someday, I expect I should have no trouble succeeding in whatever my next rebellion may be.

Farewell, old comrade.

...Bye.

Why couch your wishes in so many hypotheticals? No need to hold back. You can and should join us again.

Let me be absolutely clear: you were not nearly as powerless or as troublesome as you think.

You may harbor the goddess of misfortune, but the worst I saw from you amounted to no more than an amusing bit of clumsiness. And that, heh, I consider to be good fortune.

I think you must have been controlling your bad luck unconsciously, more than you realized.

You are a great warrior, and a queen who protected her people admirably. Be proud and hold your head high, Lakshmi Bai.

Or would you prefer I call you Sister-in-Law, in honor of Alakshmi's power?

No thank you. I've had quite enough excitement for one rebellion.

...See you around, King of Kosala.

It has been an honor to fight alongside the heroes of my childhood bedtime stories.

I suppose I would even say...it was fortunate.

Though I am the avatar of misfortune, it seems good things may still come my way.

So I'm certain it's possible that you will one day be reunited with the one you love as well. I pray that day comes. Farewell.

...Lastly, there is something I need to say to you, Fujimaru.

Now that I'm about to meet my end in this place...

...I need you to answer the question I've been putting off until now.

Was there meaning in us fighting alongside the people of this world against its god?

？！

Yes. I already know my own answer to that question.

Peperoncino knew that our urging them to fight would ultimately lead to their destruction.

So I can't accept that they're simply going to disappear now that this battle is over.

Nor do I condone everything we did to reach this point, my own actions included.

In that sense...I may even hate you for leading them to this fate.

？！

...

...However. However!

I may not accept this fate, but that doesn't mean I've lost hope!

Lakshmi...?

I refuse to let things end like this. I refuse to let this be their ending!

I was born in this land. I grew up believing in reincarnation.

And so I have no problem rejecting this resolution.

Who cares if they go back to the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon? Who cares if the Felling Theoretical Phenomenon is resolved? All I know for certain...is that these people's lives aren't going to end here.

There's bound to be a next time for them. There's bound to be! I just know a proper reincarnation is waiting to save all of them!

They'll all be reborn in accordance with their karma, and go on to be even better people in the future.

That's how the world works. That's the natural state of things.

Others may think it sounds like some sort of fairy tale, but Iwe, truly believe that all life always has another chance...

？！

...I'm sorry. No need to look so sad. I'm not saying you need to believe this as well.

I'm only saying that this is what I wish to believe.

Come to think of it...you've already ended three other worlds in this manner, haven't you? The sheer weight of that responsibility is only just sinking in.

If you continue down this path, you'll be choosing to make yourselves out to be the villains in the eyes of every other world out there.

？！

I'm impressed. Not many would have the strength of will to do something like that. For that, you have my respect.

...Farewell, my comrade in arms. And good luck.

My work here is done too. Though I think I'll hold off on going back to being a shut-in, at least for a bit.

Hehe. Well, Karna pretty much told me to, right?

Yuppers. Pretty much.

？！

Besides, my real self might be a hopeless NEET, but right now, for whatever reason, I'm a god.

How can I put this... It kind of feels like I'm riding the safest car in the whole world?

And since that kinda chance doesn't come 'round every day, I thought I'd hold off on shutting myself back in and see what else is out here.

I've never seen anyone treat being a god like owning a vehicle before...

And that's not all. You know how there's not a single god left in this world now, right?

I'm guessing that's new for this place.

So now, for the first time ever, these people are gonna have to learn to live in a world without any gods in it.

They don't have to pray in hopes it'll save them from being murdered by beasts, but they also won't have paradise coming around every ten days to look forward to.

They've only ever known a world where their god was trying to lead them towards "perfection"...so I think all this new freedom might be a lot for them to deal with.

I mean this whole brand of freedom has a lot of dangers they're not used to, y'know?

It's like suddenly telling a NEET they're free to do whatever they want and throwing them out on the street.

There's no right or wrong way for these people to live anymore. Now, they just have to figure out how to exist as best they can.

So as the last god remaining, I feel like it's up to me to keep an eye on them.

But...this world isn't going to...

Yeah, I know. Sometimes, there's just nothing you can do. Hmm, what's a good example... Oh, I know.

It's like if your favorite manga café is closing for good, and you just want to wander around it on its last day of business and enjoy it while it lasts.

Sometimes you come across a shelf with a series you never noticed, and others, you might be browsing books you've read dozens of times.

It might not change anything in the end, but I think there's still meaning to be found in just being there.

？！

A manga café, huh. I've only heard stories about them...

Whoa, really? You mean you've never been to one? I can't believe it... Other than convenience stores, they're one of the few other paradises outside my home I can visit...

Well hey, you know what they're like, right, Fujimaru? Why don't you tell Mash about them sometime? Or even better, you could build one in your base!

？！

Just what I like to hear. Welp, that's all I've got to say, so I guess I'll be going then. And hey, congrats on a job well done!

H-her statue can...move around on its own. I...had no idea...

All right, so: You remember the other reason we came to this Lostbelt, right?

...As clearly as a blue-ringed octopus.

I need to perform the Aronnax Phantasm's activation ritual, and only in a particular area in India.

Luckily, I already synced up with the Border earlier, so we're pretty much halfway there.

Well, that is most encouraging.

Once that is complete, we will then finally be able to reach a certain Lostbelt protected by especially tempestuous seas.

While I do look forward to that future expedition, there is no need to rush. I would say we have more than earned ourselves a little break before we begin making our way towards Captain Nemo's coordinates.

...Um, if we're taking a break anyway...could I make a request?

There's somewhere I'd like to stop on the way.

？！

I know there's no point in going there.

But...I also feel like we should. I think...we're obligated to...

Oh my, what's this? Gordy's supposed to decide where we go next, but he's off snoozing it up.

Oh well, guess that means no one is going to gripe about it...

...if a certain beautiful genius who's taken back the wheel decides in his place, will they?