The Stars Scattered across the Land

You know, I still don't get why Servants even have to feel pain at all.

So... What should I do now?

...The heavens probably aren't going to be too happy with stars moving about on their own.

...Still, this isn't very impartial, is it?

...Hm?

Oh, it's you. What's up?

... ...

Don't feel like talking? Fine with me. Go ahead and warm yourself by the fire.

Come on, have a seat.

... ...

...I get the feeling there's a lot more to this silence than usual. Something wrong?

...Do you remember when we first met?

Huh? Well sure, of course.

Summoned for about a week♪ Here to save humanity♪

But all I've been doing is huntiiing♪

Hah. What a joke.

(Sigh)... From what I hear, most of the other Servants already set off for Olympus.

Hmm. Maybe I should just catch up to them already? I'd need a ride to do that, though.

... ...

Aw crap! Artemis!?

... ...Disgusting.

...I'm sorry?

Your muscles, your skin, your face, your disposition, your smell, your voice... Everything about you is disgusting.

Hey!

That's the first thing you say after nabbing the prettiest pretty boy in all of Greece!?

Then again, if you don't know who I am, you must be the Artemis from this world.

It's because of weak, obese, frail, rotten-to-their-very-soul humans like you that I had to come down from Olympus.

You're the worst. I hate you. Just do the world a favor and die.

All right, I see how it is.

You want to pick a fight with me? You got it!

I reeeally don't relish the idea of going up against you, but if this is what you want, then bring it on!

...I'm not going to fight you.

Huh?

I can't fight you, no matter how much I would like to, and I would very much like to.

The only difference between your Artemis and our Artemis...

...is that yours had a hero by the name of Orion.

Okay. What's your point?

...I'll let you live. But I can't have you working to assist Proper Human History.

So you're going to swear an oathan orkos.

Yeah? And what's in it for me if I do?

Refuse, and I will destroy the entire island of Hestia.

...!

IWe, are not playing around.

...Okay, I got it. You want me to swear an oath? Done.

Basically, you just wanna keep an eye on me, right?

... ...

Then fine, do what you gotta do. But on one condition.

I want you to swear an oath to me that you'll never kill anyone in front of me.

I'm just a terminal; one observational unit out of many.

I don't have any combat capabilities of my own.

If things get dire...

Yeah?

I'll self-destruct.

Oh. I see... (Crap, I think she means it.)

I've heard Poseidon's blood runs in your veins.

So if you truly mean to engage with this world as a demigod...

...I will be watching closely to see how you do so.

Yup, good times. So, you been enjoying the show so far?

...I can't say I have.

All you have done is eat meat, hit on women, eat meat, hit on women, eat meat, hit on women, eat meat, and hit on women.

Ouch! That's harsh. I'm pretty sure I did at least a few more things besides that.

You come and go as haughtily as you please, possessing godlike physical strength...

...yet you have done nothing with that power but use it to live your life freely.

And on top of all that, you have also been fickle.

You were as lazy and lackadaisical as a cloud. Your very existence was wasteful and inefficient.

I swear...

I have no idea what the me from your world could have possibly seen in you.

...Okay.

...Chaldea has finally arrived.

Apparently, they evaded our main cannon by the skin of their teeth and came to this island.

They're the ones you rescued.

I

I didn't report it.

If I had, the main unit would have blown up this entire island without a moment's hesitation.

True.

...But now, the Chaldeans have finally been caught.

On Heracles Island. That's where they are now.

What!? Don't tell me you

...I'm certain the main unit will use the primary cannon to destroy the whole island.

You're going to help them, aren't you?

Yeah, I am.

Don't blame me. You're the one who broke our oath.

Even though they're here to kill us?

I...

Either way, you'll never make it now. Not with a leisurely boat ride, anyway.

... ...You got a better idea?

The Sea of Atlantis is part of our domain. I'm therefore authorized to exercise partial Authority.

Take my hand. I'll teleport you there.

Why're you doing this for me? You do know I'm going to save your enemies, right?

... ...

I'm not sure myself. I just...felt like it.

Well look at that. You do know how to smile!

I wish you'd done that sooner. It suits you way better.

...I don't want to smile. I just can't help it when I'm around you.

...Come on, let's go. I'll put an end to our oath.

I think that's the last thing I'm meant to do.

... ...

Yup, they're here all right. Decent number of them, too.

How should we go about this? Should we just charge them head-on, or sneak up and take them by surprise?

Yeah, makes sense.

If we can't take down guys like these, we'll never make it all the way to Olympus.

As an Assassin, I'm not really cut out for such direct combat...but I suppose I can figure something out!

Besides, taking people by surprise head-on is my specialty!

Understood.

Then I'll go face them head-on so I can surprise attack them.

？！

A head-on surprise attack...?

Wait... That seems...wrong.

No, not in the slightest. Now come on!

Heeelp pleeease! Somebody! Save meee!

Halt! Stay right where you are!

Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that there's a Demonic Beast coming this way!

Eeeeeek! I can't take it anymore!

A Demonic Beast? I don't see any

It's me! Surpriiise!

Now we just destroy their weapons... Tie 'em up... And...

All done, Fujimaru!

We couldn't have done it without you!

Oh, yes, a little bit. But it's okay. This is noth

Oh...

I, um... Thank you. You're too kind.

？！

(Clears throat) Ahem.

Let's continue on to the temple!

... ...

(Mandricardo wisely assessed the situation, and soon realized he was better off not getting involved.)

Why're you lounging around like an anglerfish? Aren't you coming?

...U-uh, yeah, be right there.

?

(There's something inhuman about this guyer, Heroic Spirit. It's kind of freaky.)

(I never ran into guys like this much back home. I don't know how to talk to him...)

(Then again, I never know how to talk to anybody!)

Sure does. I think I should be able to get nanomachines out of this one the same way.

Me neither.

Every other Lostbelt we've been to felt like we were stepping into the past, since their civilizations had stagnated long ago...

Well, maybe with the exception of the Chinese Lostbelt, depending on how you look at it.

So I never expected to find technology in this one that in many ways surpasses our own.

Between how strong the people here are, the amazing properties of their clothing...

...Never mind. It's nothing.

？！

Okay, here goes nothing.

Olympian lineage confirmed. Bloodline value: ERROR

Releasing Theos Klironomia.

... ...Phew.

How do you feel?

...A lot better. In fact, I'd say I'm about ninety-eight percent back to my old self.

...But now that we've come this far, I can't help but want more.

The Nautilus I built with Sion was only ever a stand-in.

It was a transitory thing and was forced to rely on my Nautilus to get us through this ocean from the Age of Gods.

We didn't have the resources in the Wandering Sea to accomplish what Sion really had her sights set on...

But if these nanomachines can reinforce my Spirit Origin, and if I can share them with the Border...

...I might just be able to make a new Nautilusa new Shadow Border.

Fujimaru, I have a favor to ask of you. Please, help me make that dream come true.

Don't forget our promise with Drake. We still need to get another Servant's worth of nanomachines.

You got it. Okay, let's try the release code she gave us...