Peacefully Reminisce around a Fire

Now, you there.

Huh? You mean me?

Yes, you. Who are you?

If you're going to be part of my crew, I figure I should probably know your name.

...I'm Mandricardo.

Never heard of you.

...That so.

And what's with that wooden sword? Don't you have any other halfway decent weapons you could be using instead?

At first I thought it might change into a real sword when you activate your Noble Phantasm, but apparently not.

None of your business.

Besides, all weapons are pretty much the same anyway.

You think? Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but I think you might be in the overwhelming minority there.

Take Atalante. The bow she got from Artemis was easily her most prized possession.

I found that out firsthand when she put me in an armlock that nearly tore my arms clean out of their sockets after I hid it under her bed as a prank.

Hey, don't knock the thrill of messing with someone else's prized possessions until you've tried it!

You're terrible...

She wouldn't even stop after I very clearly screamed "I give!"

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I don't know. We've met at least one other Servant who said much the same thing as Mandricardo.

Let's see, who was it...?

!!!

Right! It was Hektor!

That line... Right! It was Hektor!

!!!

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Hmm. Well, this might just be this old man's opinion, but ultimately, it doesn't matter what kind of weapon you use.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of work involved in getting ready to fight...

...but every weapon and piece of armor'll fall apart eventually if you use them long enough.

So if you're so dead set on only using one particular weapon that you don't know how to handle anything else...

...well, you're not a real warrior in my book.

The way I see it, a real warrior needs to be proficient with swords, spears, bows, axes... Everything, really.

That goes for Masters, too.

You can't always just have a Berserker charge straight into the enemy and expect to get very far.

Even if you don't have any weapons at all, you can't just give up your will to fight or stop trying new things.

You need to keep your mind flexible, always thinking about what you need to do to win.

It might be hard at first, but it gets easier the more you stick with it.

Besides, there's nothing harder to take than losing.

... ...No kidding.

Hektor the hero really said that?

Ha! That sounds exactly like something he would say!

Though that's not to say he's wrong!

Of course, I doubt any amount of will or resourcefulness is going to make much difference in this situation!

...All that aside, this Lostbelt really is intriguing.

You figure something out, Professor?

I noticed it's been easier to maintain my Spirit Origin ever since we set foot on this island.

And the original Captain Nemo is already back to his old self, even after sustaining critical injuries.

Oh, that? That's probably just the Theos Klironomia at work.

That's part of it, yes, but it's helped along by the fact that this Lostbelt is absolutely steeped in magical energy.

These Lostbelts the Trees of Emptiness create don't resurrect the past. They're continuations of worlds that exist as a present-day phenomenon.

In our world, the atmosphere's magical energythat is, manahas been declining steadily since the A.D. era began...

...but in this world, it's almost absurd how much of it there is.

It's practically everywhere you look, and on a level that would be unimaginable in Proper Human History.

Most of the other Lostbelts had plenty of magical energy to spare too, but this is on a completely different scale.

So given how we're all beings made out of magical energy ourselves, it makes sense that we would be in such good condition here.

And that's not all.

Um, why did you start digging?

Magical energy has even seeped into the soil.

So much so that if a Servant were to bury themself in it up to their head and go to sleep, they would be able to remain active for a significant amount of time without any additional sources of magical energy.

And if we dig a little further...

What's that?

What is it?

？！

There are a number of ways that islands typically form...

...but these appear to have formed around some sort of machine that ceased functioning.

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Yes, exactly.

I'm not sure how or why, but these remains became the base for these islands; these islands then went on to spawn plants, animals, and eventually, an entire civilization.

Moderately sized remains were repurposed as weapons, armor, and prosthetics...

...while larger ones became the central points for villages.

I suspect the "temples" we've been visiting were originally something installed in these remains.

That is to say, these ruins are actually

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...You took the words out of my mouth. That is somewhat irritating.

Well hey, what's done is done. I don't know what else you want Master to say...

Anyway, spaceships, huh? That's nuts. Wouldn't that make this place a full-blown alternate world?

Basically, yes. However...

I'm still not sure how these spaceships tie into the Olympian gods.

That's the biggest mystery confronting me now...

Even Triton is telling me "I don't remember my father being that mechanical."

I'm sure it's just one of the differences between our and this Lostbelt. Either way, it's got nothing to do with us.

You can indulge your academic pursuits all you like once we've kicked Odysseus's ass.

...You might be right, but I can't just not think about these things.

That's my job as the professor, after all.

On a different matter, it looks like Bartholomew is calling us.

There aren't any border guards stationed here. At least, there usually shouldn't be...

Food's ready!

By all means.

You are human, after all, so you need to eat to keep up your strength!

Oh, and Charlotte is fine.

As my Master, I think I'd prefer it if you call me that.

...Oh, but of course, that's just what I think. If you'd rather keep calling me Corday, that's fine.

Ah...

？！

？！

No, that's okay. It feels...right, hearing you call me Charlotte.

In fact, I actually think I'd prefer it if you did.

？！

(Munch, munch) Not bad. A little booze and it'd be even better.

Absolutely not.

I know, I know.

That was delicious, Corday. Thank you for cooking.

Oh, it was no trouble. Especially with Mandricardo helping me out.

I wouldn't've minded cooking either, you know.

No, this is my job. I'm not much use in battle, after all, so it's the least I can do.

(I don't think that's true at all...but she probably wouldn't listen even if I told her so.)

(And hell, it's not like she's the only Servant here with low self-esteem...)

(Still, at least she can use a knife. That's gotta be way better than me and my wooden sword.)

Uh... Gotcha...

(That's all I can think of to say. I can't come up with even a single pithy remark.)

?

Never mind. Just forget it.

...Hm? Hey, where'd Fujimaru go?

Oh, he said he was going to get some fresh air.

...'Scuse me for a bit.

？！

Yo.

I, uh, I understand if you're feeling bummed and would rather be alone right now...

...'Preciate it.

...You don't gotta thank me. I mean, I'm still technically a Servant.

？！

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?

What's the problem? It's normal for people to be broken up when someone they care about dies, amirite?

...No, wait. That's not the right way to use that expression, is it?

I just think it's pointless to tell someone who's feeling sad to stop feeling sad.

Don't get me wrong. If someone were to start whining in the middle of a battle, I'd be the first to slap some sense into 'em.

But if you're not in battle, and you're feeling sad, then I say go ahead and feel sad.

You might be our Master, but more than that, you're just a decent human being.

So of course you're gonna wanna grieve for the dead.

...That being said...

Servants don't answer summons so you can feel sad for them.

(Seeing how that lady used to be a pirate who probably went around stealing and killing when she was alive...)

(...I'd guess getting to save humanity meant even more to her than it would most other Servants.)

(Well... Not that I got any idea how pirates think.)

...So as long as you don't forget about her, I'd bet that's all the reward she needs.

？！

...Yeah, makes sense.

... ...

(Crap... Now what should I say?)

(I kinda get the feeling that no matter what I say now, it's just gonna make him feel worse.)

(I could tell him to not feel bad for us 'cause we're just pawns, but something tells me he wouldn't find that too convincing...)

Man, this is so hard. ...Ah.

(Aw, crap! I can't believe I just said that out loud!)

？！

Y-yeah, for sure.

...Well hey, if you ever need to vent, I'm always happy to join you.

Not that I'm an especially good talker. Or a good listener.

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Pointless chitchat sounds perfect.

After all, I already wasted half my life on pointless stuff anyway.

...Hm? What's with the look?

Oh, right. You're not too familiar with my legend, are you?

Whoa, whoa, don't worry! I'm not offended at all! Believe me, I get it!

Still...

I suppose one boring story could be a good distraction.

...I used to be the king of some nation somewhere. At least...I think I was.

Now that I'm a Servant, I can't even remember what it was called.

Man, that sounds pretty cold when I put it like that, huh?

Anyway, I gave up my claim to the throne and became an adventurer so I could avenge my father.

That part's all fine. The problem came when I found a set of armor on one of my adventures.

The armor was Hektor's, one of the legendary heroes of the Trojan War, and that war had heroes out the wazoo.

The armor had belonged to the hero who made a name for himself by defending his city for years, right up to his death.

So once I found that armor, a fairy talked me into making a stupid pledge.

I vowed that until I found Hektor's sword, the legendary, one-of-a-kind Durendal...

...I would never wield another sword for as long as I lived.

？！

No, see, that's the thing. I DID find it, just like I wanted to.

But

There you are! Come on, Fujimaru. You need to get plenty of sleep to make sure you're well-rested for tomorrow.

...All right. Guess we can finish the story later.

Oh, but trust me, it's not much of a cliff-hanger. Not to get too spoilery, but I can tell you right now:

... ...

Is something wrong, Mr. Jason?

I know captains often tend to be on edge, but you look like seaweed that's been left out in the sun for too long.

You do look kind of pale... Are you feeling okay?

I'm fine. It's nothing.

...All right, it's something. I've been getting chills down my spine for some reason.

Maybe I'm coming down with a cold?

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Well sure, but then how else do you explain these chills?

Unless...SHE'S here.

She?

Who?

Foo?

Medea, of course! Who else could I possibly mean!?

The most terrifying, ill-tempered person ever! The last person I'd ever want to make angry, let alone be around when she IS!

Hell, I don't even want to be around her much when she isn't angry.

That's who! Medea, the haughty queen of the four crowns!

Isn't that only because of how you typically conduct yourself, Mr. Jason? Because you are, to put it mildly, sea scum?

Really? This is a woman once used a Demon God Pillar TO MAKE PANCAKES, and you think I'M the problem?

Yikes.

A-anyway, putting all of that aside, does this mean Medea is here?

Because if she is, she could be a tremendous help to us!

True. Right now, all we've got is a Rider (me), a Saber (Jason), an Assassin (Corday), and a Shielder (Mash).

So having a Caster backing us up from the rear could make our whole team stronger.

Oh gods, please no. Ghh, then again...

...Just so you know, if she tries to kill me the moment we see her, I'm running away and never looking back, got it?

You're that worried about her? This is a bit much, don't you think?

... ...Hm?

Smells like there's some Demonic Beasts up ahead. Probably be a good idea to get your weapons ready.

I hope it's not Medea...

A Demonic Beast.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're supposed to make your wife happy, not angry.

Please don't. I don't wanna die.

？！

...What's going on? Are they defending that cave?

No, they're not. Take a look through these binoculars, Master.

？！

Either way, it looks like a safe bet that there's something in that cave we'll probably wanna see for ourselves.

Just say the word, Master, and we'll sneak up and take them by surprise!

This looks just like the interior of the temples we've seen here...

Strictly speaking, those aren't actually temples and were never used for worship.

They're more like...Theos Klironomia dispensing devices.

The internal machinery is all in perfect working order.

...Why were we able to get in here, when those Demonic Beasts weren't?

I thought the same thing. I noticed a momentary flash of magical energy when we came in, but aside from that...

...This is Medea's doing.

It looks like she put up a Bounded Field that would keep out any unwanted visitors...

...while also making sure it would automatically disengage if someone from Chaldea showed up. Or I did.

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Yes. ...Would you mind going back outside without me?

I want to read this in private.

All right. Come on, everyone, let's go then!

Go on! Time's a wasting!

Ah! Corday, wait!

...You okay?

Of course I am. Don't be ridiculous. Now hurry up and go already.

...Okay.

Now then...

Hello! I'm glad you're here!

Gah! You scared me!!!

Wait, what is this? Some sort of hologram or something?

I put a lock on this letter to ensure that only you could read it, Lord Jason.

Is everyone else gone?

Yeah, yeah, they're gone. Why do you ask? Was that some kind of dig?

...All right, Lord Jason.

I love you. Completely and fully. From the bottom of my heart.

But of course, that all goes without saying, doesn't it?

Yes, yes, I know already.

I wrote this letter after you abandoned us.

...Yes, that's right.

If you're reading this, then I've either successfully made it to Olympus...

Or you're dead?

...or I'm dead.

But either way, I have no regrets. I'm sure Heracles felt the same.

Without his valiant sacrifice, we...

No, it wasn't just him. Everyone has given all they havetheir weapons, their will, even their very selvesto this fight.

I don't know how many of us will make it to Olympus...

...but I'm going to do the best I can to save the world.

And you know, Lord Jason?

In spite of everything, I still trust you. Completely.

Oh please.

Well, no, when it comes to how you act around women and such, I don't trust you one bit...

But I do fully trust in your heroism.

...Hmph.

Which is why I prepared an absolutely wonderful present for you!

Oh?

It's a Mystic Code I made just for you! I put my heart and soul into it!

Oh? Interesting.

Well, if nothing else, you always were a ridiculously prodigious talent when it came to magecraft.

Very well, I will accept this gift of yours!

You'll find it enclosed with this letter! This charm can

Are you kidding me!?

What kind of idiotic effect is that!? Couldn't she have included at least one halfway useful spell!?

Well, I guess it's at least better than nothing... Or is it?

I expect you may be somewhat dissatisfied with it, and for that, I'm sorry.

Making that Mystic Code really took a lot of effort, and it really was the best I could do...

(...Wait. I can see... She looks so sickly, even in the hologram.)

Oh, and one more thing.

I've left you some data on the islands you'll encounter up ahead.

I think you'll find it useful.

Oh, yeah. Honestly, that's the most helpful thing I've gotten out of this whole mess by far.

Frankly, if she hadn't included it, I don't know what the hell we would've done...

Farewell, my beloved Lord Jason.

...And may your journey be blessed with good fortune.

Ha. Good fortune my ass.

What god would go around handing out good fortune when it's the gods themselves we're trying to destroy?

Heracles and I will be showering blessings down upon you!

...Oh. Well, I guess in that case...

Oh, and, um... Nnn...

I'm also enclosing some of my love. Mwah!

... ...

...Hmm.

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Good, you're all here. Take a good look at me.

?

I haven't been cursed or anything, have I?

Because that letter ended in one hell of a bombshell.

Uh, no, you don't look any different to me.

'Course, that might just be 'cause I'm not a Caster.

My analysis isn't detecting anything unusual either.

I-I see. Well, that's a relief...

Aaahhh get her off get her off get her oooff!!!

Fujimaru... Don't. Even. Joke. Not about that. Not ever!!!

(Sigh) I swear...

(...Nope! Forget it! I didn't see anything!)

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Well, at any rate, we've got our next destination.

We do? How do you know?

Because Medea left me data on all the other islands.

We want to add more people to our party, right? Then I've got our next stop!