Section 19 Node 5 Super Recollection Quest (3/3)

(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!

？！