Crisis After Crisis

Zero Sail complete. Returning to Reality Space now.

...The outside ocean is ice-cold. I hate to say it after we just arrived, but we've already got our work cut out for us.

All hands, let's keep a tighter grip on this situation than a blue-ringed octopus does on its prey. We need to be able to respond at a moment's notice.

...Right. I was hoping I could wait a little longer, until Sion finishes reworking my equipment.

But it looks like the circumstances won't allow for that...

Nope. Our future is always just hanging on by a thread.

So, we're finally heading for the Atlantic...

Just what sort of civilization could these people possibly have built there?

I'm afraid that's all but impossible to say at this point, given the fantastical nature of this world's history.

All the more so given that we are dealing with a kind of nation that none of us have ever seen before.

I expect the truth of the matter will be more difficult to pin down than a passing mugger.

However, there is one thing I can say for certain.

Greece is home to one of the most famous and influential mythologies in all the world:

The gods of Mount Olympus.

It is therefore highly likely that they have had a strong influence on this Lostbelt.

Atlantis is currently thriving much more than any other Lostbelt on Earth.

You can tell that from the fact that we can observe its Tree of Emptiness from outside the storm wall, if only just.

That means it has grown so large it is now impossible to cover up.

It is hard to believe something so imposing could be so empty.

I expect a tree like that will put up quite a fight indeed when it is finally time to cut it down.

All right, Reality Space established. Hull...stable.

We'll start to emerge once we've confirmed there are no hostiles nearby

...! Hostiles detected! Abort surfacing!

Dammit, I can't believe how sharp their eyes are! Not only have they already seen us, they're headed straight for us!

Wha...!?

You mean we're already under attack!? What in the world were you doing, Captain!?

They were waiting for us.

They must've pinpointed our location in the time it took us to establish Reality Space after the Zero Sail!

What kind of observational equipment are they using!?

That is like throwing a stone into the ocean and tracking it down using nothing but the sound it made!

I know we didn't make so much as a peep. My diving is smoother than the slickest dolphin's.

The only thing they could have possibility spotted is the faintest of ripples we made when we entered the Lostbelt...

...and to do that, they would have had to be continuously observing the entire storm wall without a moment's rest!

Never mind how this happened! Just get us out of here, dammit! Meunière! Full reverse!

Wait! Don't take any evasive maneuvers just yet!

Pull up the monitor and take a look at the surface! Hurry!

？！

What...are those...?

How awesome! Those ships are using technology beyond anything in our civilization! And a whole fleet at tha

What are you doing, Marines!? I don't want to listen to Sion prattling on either, but you can't just cut her off!

Don't blame us, Captain! It's not our fault!

Some sort of atmospheric interference has cut off our connection to Novum Chaldea!

Uh-oh! I've got a report to make too, Captain!

It's not just enemy ships! I'm picking up a Servant out there on the water too!

The one we really, really, really didn't want to run into!!!

Heh. 'Bout time you Chaldea cretins got here.

Now I'm gonna murder the absolute shit outta you for making me wait all this time.

Caenis, the Divine Spirit! She's here along with this entire fleet!?

What are you lot waiting for!? Get us the hell out of here now! We don't have any other options!

. . Chadea.

A transmission!?

？！

No, it's not...

Attention enemy vessel from Chaldea. Attention enemy vessel from Chaldea.

Requesting line of communication. Over.

A transmission!

(Does this mean their civilization has advanced to the point that they've developed long-range communications as well, even if only ones that use magical energy!?)

...I'm going to pick up, Fujimaru.

Okay, you're on.

Th-this is Goredolf Musik, commander of the Shadow Border, speaking on behalf of Novum Chaldea.

I am Odysseus, commander of the Olympus Defensive Forces.

Wha...

...!!!

I am contacting you with your first and only warning. We have come to kill you.

There will be no surrender, no offers of amnesty, and no negotiations.

We will not stop until we have confirmed that every last one of you is dead.

...Eep...!

？！

This communication is terminated, as you will be shortly.

So we can't even attempt to talk things out in an effort to maintain the status quo. The situation could not be worse.

We'll just have to make an escape! There's no way we can possibly defeat Caenis at sea!

Engineer, grab a salt lick! I'm gonna crank the engine as high as it can go!

What was that!? You wanna run that by me again, you Cap-Bastard!?

What kinda predicament did you get my poor little ship into!? When this is over, I'm gonna kick your ass so hard you'll taste nothing but shoe leather for a week!

All right guys, I'm taking the safety valve off the Triton Wheel! All four compartments now running simultaneously! Thirty seconds until we're at full battle speed!

Holmes! Meunière! Set a course for minus twelve hundred seconds! We're going to dive back once the engine hits critical!

Yes, I'm well aware! Preparing for a Zero Sail now!

Throw the prototype at them. We'll move to cut them off while it keeps them busy.

Yes, sir!

Opening cage and inputting target! Injecting Theos Klironomia!

Go, go, go!

...It's still not enough. Caenis, you go too.

You don't gotta tell me! No way I'm letting them get away! I'm gonna make 'em all wish they'd never been born! Especially that little runt!

I see. That vessel of theirs smells of Triton.

They do say the sins of the parent are visited upon the child...though why Poseidon would bother to create such dull familial bonds is beyond me.

I'm getting something on the sonar! Hostile contact closing fast!

Crap! It's going to intercept us before we can Zero Sail!

If we get hit now, the Nautilus's whole outer layer will be completely shattered!

...Abort Zero Sail! Change the spells over to physical defense!

Da Vinci, give me an escape route! Our only hope is to smash through this dragnet!

？！

You head out with Mash and hold back that Servant on the surface!

If Caenis makes it inside the ship, we'll all be well and truly done for!

I'll solidify the water near the Nautilus so you can use it as a foothold. Hopefully that'll be enough!

Understood! Master!

？！

Roger that! Surfacing now! Opening the hatch!

？！

It's a completely new type of enemy; it doesn't match anything in our records.

I would normally encourage you to approach it with caution, but I'm afraid we simply don't have the time.

Those other ships are making their way here as we speak. If we take too long, they'll have us completely trapped.

Right! I'll be as careful as I can. Engaging now!

Awaiting your orders, Master!

Wha... What in the world is that thing!? And how is it so absurdly strong!?

I can't get a read on it! Our scans are being deflected or something! All of its stats are showing up as "Unknown"!

If our instruments can't even measure it, I think that means it might be a Divine Beast!

Khh...!

？！

...I'm going to release my Noble Phantasm. Get ready, Engineer!

Are you nuts!? Why would you use up our trump card now, you moron!?

Ugh. Fine! We're good to go at any time! Do it! And if you die from this, I'm taking over as the lead Nemo!

...Swapping Great Ram over to Impact Form!

Holmes!

I'm on it! Go ahead and give it all you've got!

Run it through! Great Ram Nautilus!

Good! The ram struck it dead-on! Argh, but it's still alive! Dammit!

Yes, but you did manage to slow it down. Now's our chance to escape!

Both of you, get back here on the double!

I'm so sorry I wasn't able to defeat it!

No need for apologies.

In terms of pure destructive power and durability, that thing is easily on par with the highest rank of Servant.

Right now, we just need to get as far away as we possibly Hold it! Right there! Magnify!

Wh-what in the blue blazes is that...?

Holy cow, these magical energy readings are off the charts...

No, wait, it's not the readings themselves. It's the sheer number of fluctuations I'm seeing.

That...thing is fluctuating fast enough to turn a human into a mummy and back again in the blink of an eye!

There appears to be something moving about in its abdominal region.

It would appear to be...Lamias and Chimeras. Fully grown to boot.

You mean...it's birthing monsters? What the actual hell!? HOW!?!?!?

What's more, it's doing so at great speed. It would seem we are dealing with the mother of all monsters, in a very literal sense.

...Now the monsters it birthed are heading our way!

Master!

？！

Right!

There, we've got a lull in between waves. Now's our chance!

I know! We'll begin evasive maneuvers as soon as we collect you!

We'll make our way through any creatures we can't avoid with the naval ram and anti-submarine net cutters!

Forget that, Captain! We've gotta get out of here now, before she gets here!

...!

There! Above us

Ghh...!

？！

I'm... I'm okay! Although...

(That one blow was so powerful...)

？！

Why do I gotta bother telling you my name now? 'Sides, we already exchanged pleasantries in Scandinavia.

Then again, I'm enjoying that terrified look on your face, so why not? You wanna know who I am? Fine, you got it!

My name is Caenis, a Divine Spirit! I am the lightning that tears this shitty ocean apart!

I'm also Kirschtaria Wodime's Servant and the envoy who's going to end every last one of you!

But hey, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be mean. I'm actually real happy that I get to see you lot like this.

Between Russia, Scandinavia, China, and India, I figured you would have died way before getting here. Hell, I was so sure of it I'd already put you out of my mind.

But then you show up like the pack of morons you are, flying by the seat of your pants.

Now I know what it feels like to bust a gut laughing! You're gonna be worth destroying just as much as that fake-ass Triton!

So hey, take your pick. What'll it be? Skewered alive or torn limb from limb?

Either one's fine by me. All I want's to hear you scream for mercy!

...

Oh? What's the freakin' nerd herd doin' out here? How 'bout you go back to your calculators and shit, and just leave the fighting to the grown-ups, huh?

While I would love to do just that, I'm afraid that a few extra hands will be necessary to deal with a Divine Spirit.

The name's Sherlock Holmes.

I'm afraid I missed my chance to say hello back in Scandinavia, so here I am now to make up for my lack of manners.

...

That so? Well, I like that you mind your manners. At least in the sense that you don't piss me the hell off.

On the other hand, I can't stand that whole prim and proper shit, so I think I'll split the difference and rip your guts out first.

Did you really think a couple of human Heroic Spirits could even stand a chance against me?

I'll show you what happens when trash like you tries to pick a fight with a god!

Ugh! I've had to take a lot of weak-ass Noble Phantasms to the face before, but yours is by far the most irritating!

Khh...!

？！

None of our attacks worked! Is that due to Caenis's Noble Phantasm? Or perhaps it's a type of Authority?

Perhaps Captain was right. It may not be possible to so much as scratch Caenis at sea... Or rather, on the Greek gods' own ocean.

...Yeah, that's right. I'm immortal when I'm out on this sea. That's just how I'm made.

I didn't ask for that, though; you can thank that piece of shit Poseidon for it. I would've been fine with just my lightning.

Anyway...

...?

...Time's up. I'll say this for you, scrawny: at least you know how to defend yourself.

All right, I'm gonna pull back, just like Odysseus planned.

I was looking forward to beating the Master of Chaldea and that fake-ass Triton to death with my bare hands...

...but not enough to risk my own life.

Later, Chaldea.

I'll be nice and at least make sure you die a painless death.

Caenis has...retreated.

...I've got a very bad feeling about this. Return to the Nautilus!

...Oof.

Are you okay, Mr. Holmes!?

Oh, I'll be all right. I feel at least slightly better than I did after my encounter with Sigurd, after all.

Then again, I suppose I was only able to handle Caenis's spear thanks to my experience against his demonic sword.

At any rate, finding a way out of this situation is still our most urgent priority. Let's hurry on to the cockpit.

I don't know why Caenis fell back, but I sincerely doubt it was to give us time to rest.

Good, all crew members have returned safely! Submerging Nautilus now!

The Nautilus is safely underwater. Hopefully this will buy us some time...

Damn you, Kirschtaria! Wasn't that strange Demonic Beast enough!? Did you really have to sic Caenis on us, too!?

It's just so...childish to be so overprepared for our arrival!

Um, Gordy, I'm not so sure "childish" is the right word? I mean, this was pretty much the opposite of playing around.

Yes, good point! But never mind that now! We need to focus on getting out of here! Are we still not ready to Zero Sail!?

Between that unidentified Demonic Beast's attacks, and the damage Caenis's lightning did to the armor, repairs are going to take some time.

If we tried to Zero Sail now, we'd all be crushed to a pulp under the pressure of Void Space.

And since we don't want that happening, we'll just have to find another way out of these waters.

The sonar's going nuts! A whole bunch of somethings are headed our way!

Crap! Are those depth charges!? ...No, wait. They're creatures!

There's what looks to be a ton of living...somethings headed our way from the surface!

Shit! They're gonna collide with us at ninety knots!

What living thing could possibly move that fast!?

I've finished analyzing them! I think they're probably Lamiaaas!

Evasive maneuvers! All hands, brace, brace, brace!

...!!!

Oh man, this is really bad! They punctured Section Two! We're starting to take on water!

I'll seal it up once the crew is out of there! Three, two, one... There, it's sealed!

What the hell!? I know those were living creatures! So where'd the depth charges come from!?

This is Hatch Lookout, I'm hearing something strange! Oh man! I think they're trying to pry it open!

Sonar, reporting in! I'm seeing a ton of ships on the surface both ahead and behind us!

There must be at least fifty of them! We can't possibly break through so many!

...Engine, all ahead, flank speed!

Shake off the creatures that're trying to pry open the hatch!

Roger that! Flank speed!

E-eep! What should we do!? I don't wanna die out here!

？！

That strange sound coming from the hatch stopped! Did we lose them?

...No, I don't think we did. Though I can't say I'm surprised.

Wh-what's going on? Can't we just make a run for it now?

We're surrounded. ...They knew exactly what we were going to do.

Proceeding to Phase Three.

Activate the Lamias we built on the seabed. Once they've secured the target, we'll immediately

There's nowhere left to go.

The sea is usually a world of freedom. I've never felt so restrained here before!

...Uh-oh! I'm getting something on the sonar again!

Now we've got hostiles coming from the seabed! They're pretty much the same as the ones before!

W-was that another depth charge!?

No, sir! That sounded more like... some sort of metallic grinding...

Engine status? Are they still functioning?

No, sir! They're all tangled up in something! We can't move so much as a centimeter!

We can't cut it off with the anti-submarine net cutters, either! The only way we can get it off is for someone to go out there!

D-d-d-does that mean they're going to crush us to death!? Wouldn't it be better to dash it all and risk the Zero Sail!?

We still need a bit longer to prepare for that! They're not giving us any time at all to react!

Once they've been cornered, the only option they'll have left is a Zero Sail.

That means there's still a chance they could escape if we continue to attack them with ordinary means.

Therefore...

...we need to give them the salve of the heavens, so that there can be no room for miracles or coincidences.

All ships, make sure you follow my commands to the letter. Anyone caught retreating will be punished severely.

Yes, sir!

...Ah.

...!?!?!?

What? What is it? What's the matter now!?

Is that...a high-energy signature coming in from orbital space?

We should have an ultra long-range lens now thanks to Sion, right!?

Use that to zoom in as close as you can!

Roger! Activating ultra long-range lens now!

Zooming in to sixteen thousand meters... Thirty-two thousand meters... Sixty-four thousand meters... One hundred and twenty thousand meters... Two hundred and forty thousand meters... Five hundred thousand meters...

...Whoa! There's something there! Putting it up on the monitor now!

...Wat?

... ...

Is that really...?

... ...

？！

...I presume this is orbiting directly above us at this moment?

That's what it...looks like...

What IS that!? What in the ever-loving blazes IS that!?

I thought the Lostbelts were supposed to be places where human history stalled out!

How can they have a...a spaceship that looks like something our top scientists could only have dreamed about!?

We might've been able to gather more information about it if we still had our connection to Sion...

But at a glance, it sure looks like it's more advanced than anything in our own world...

？！

Master? What's wrong?

？！

Die...?

Ah

Hostile entity detected. Authenticating request... Confirmed.

Verifying target coordinates via ground-level ether sonar.

Readying cannon to fire on target location: anatolé, októ-tría.

We'll never be able to evade this by conventional means! Professor! Allocate all resources towards maximizing defenses!

Understood. Activating Bounded Field spells.

Authorizing Code L: New Moon.

Activating Bounded Field spells One through Sixty, and spatial distortion spell up to maximum depth.

Good! But don't fall behind on those Zero Sail preparations, either!

...!

Here it comes!!!

Dispatching interstellar cannon evacuation alert. Firing energy charge in three...

Two... One...

Shooting Star Ortygia

Bounded Field spells One through Sixty have been destroyed. The spatial distortion spell has already been eroded to two percent capacity.

Time for the distortion to repair itself... Five seconds. The spell isn't going to hold.

Initiate Zero Sail!

Captain, we can't! If we try in this state!

？！

It's a hit. The Chaldeans' ship has been completely vaporized.

...Too bad for the guys who had to keep them surrounded...

A necessary sacrifice. We couldn't give them time to fall back.

Shall we go home now, sir?

...No, not yet. We're going to check the target area for any remains.

Are you sure, sir? There's not so much as a scrap of them left.

And that is reason not to look because...?

...Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir. We'll start searching the area right away.

Is this why he paid that fox woman such an exorbitant price for that Shadow Border analysis? Because he foresaw this turn of events?

That light I saw at the end...