Soldier-Sage's Trap

...All right.

All hands, I'm about to take the Shadow Border and my Noble Phantasm, the Nautilus, that's synchronized with it...

...and transmigrateno, make them ascend into something new.

This will probably make my Spirit Origin expand like a puffer fish, so don't panic if that happens.

My guess is that expanding the ship with Hephaestus Klironomia like this...

...will change it into something that more strongly reflects my Triton side than the Nautilus did.

Either way, my captain's intuition tells me we're going to have something amazing when it's done. Count on it.

Are you all ready!?

Aye, aye, Captain!!!

Aye, aye, Captain!!!

The Hephaestus Klironomia are prepped and ready for administration, sir.

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What I'm about to show you now is the Shadow Border's untapped potential.

This ship you and your crew put together is something really special...

And I'm going to prove it right now!

The Nautilus is my ship. The Shadow Border is Chaldea's ship.

And now...

Administering nanomachines!

I'm about to create a third ship!

A ship that uses the Nautilus for a keel, the Shadow Border for a core...

...and the full power of Hephaestus, the god of the forge, in all other respects.

A ship with the power of Triton; a ship that can sail through the Lostbelts' supercell storm walls with ease. I give you...

The Storm Border!

Wha... What just happened?

It's been reborn!

This is the Storm Bordera genuine dimension-piercing battleship that can cross the sea and conquer its depths!

I... Wha... Really!?

It's even bigger than a modern-day nuclear submarine.

Here's the blueprint data if you want to take a look.

How is this even the same ship!? Everything's different! In every possible way!

Hey, hey! This is Da Vinci down in the computer room! That expansion was something else! My head is spinning!

Don't worry. I made sure to minimize the load on the computer room.

The only thing you need to be in charge of is the Shadow Border part of the Storm Border.

Now that my Spirit Origin has settled, the Shadow Border can be sent out separately.

From now on, we can use it as both a landing ship and an emergency lifeboat.

So it would seem. Kind of reminds me of a parent turtle and its baby turtle.

At any rate, I love this new, bigger computer room.

It feels like going from a current pool to a waterslide!

Well that's not good. I'll have to station a few crewmates there to help you out later.

...Though of course, they'll only be so helpful, since nobody else can do what you do.

Why thank you♪

Now then. Bartholomew. Jason.

Hey there. Does this mean it's finally time to settle things?

That's up to our leader, the captain of the Argonauts.

Initiating data link. Putting up the map now...

Can you see it, Jason?

More or less.

All right, listen up. We might be vastly underprepared, underequipped, and understaffed...

But thanks to the NautilusI mean, the Storm Border, we now have a shot at victory.

Of course, this will be an all-out fleet vs. fleet battle...

...and unfortunately, both my Argo and the Royal Fortune are too old to be of any help.

The only way we can overcome our numbers disadvantages is to rely on Servants and the Storm Border.

So.

Our next step is to head straight into the waiting arms of Odysseus's forces.

Whoa, whoa. Just a minute there, Jason.

I understand we'll need to fight them at some point, but does it really have to be right now? No matter how you slice it, don't you think it's far too soon for that?

Don't be so simpleminded, Goredolf!

Let's get one thing straight:

We need to act under the assumption that the enemy already knows exactly what we're thinking.

Yeah, good point.

If there's one thing Odysseus is really good at, it's ambushing his enemies when they're catching their breath.

Considering how badly we got trounced, I have to agree with that.

That's why we need to ensure we always have options available to us, even when the enemy knows exactly what we're going to do.

Which is why making land on a different island is the riskiest thing we could do now.

Which is why you want to just run straight at them?

Frankly, it's the only way.

Holmes, your whole thing is making accurate and levelheaded deductions under pressure, right? Perhaps now would be a good time for one such deduction?

Hmm.

While I would normally be happy to oblige, the fact is, I'm not a military man.

So without an alternative strategy to consider, I'm in no position to say anything.

What about you three, Achilles, Paris, and Orion? You are warriors, and so your input would be of far more use than mine.

'Fraid you're barking up the wrong tree there. I'm a hunter, not a warrior.

I mean, I fight when I have to, sure, but that's not the same thing as being a soldier or a general.

So it's not my place to say anything either.

I don't think I should even try to come up with anything clever. I mean, this is Odysseus we're dealing with.

It's a pretty safe bet that he already knows exactly what I'm thinking.

That goes for Paris too, since he's actually faced him before.

If only my brother was here. I'm sure he would've come up with a foolproof plan.

Well, he's not. So quit bitching.

Hmph. Like I don't know...

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... ...

What about you, Mandricardo? Do you have anything to say?

Uh... I guess, yeah.

I, uh... I don't have a ton of experience with this sort of thing, but there's one saying I think applies here:

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Hmm, a fair point.

So I don't see the harm in going with Jason's plan.

We all trust him, and we're gonna put our faith in his plan.

...Whether we can beat Odysseus or not all hangs on that.

Ghhh...

The fact is, we're at an overwhelming disadvantage here.

Even if this plan goes off without a hitch, I'd say our odds of winning are twenty percent at best.

At worst, we might not even have a ten-percent shot a victory.

Not only are we vastly outnumbered, Odysseus himself is a force to be reckoned with...

...since he'll see through almost any strategy we try.

That being said, I've still got an ace or two up my sleeve that might just work on him.

If I can get my bomber, ace to blow up in his face, then we might have a shot. Maybe.

From here on, everything's going to come down to how many trump cards I can squeeze into our hand.

Since we don't have any clear or obvious cards to play like "Lots of soldiers" or "Massive fleet," we'll have to double down on the other cards we have.

First up: Achilles!

Yeah?

You're no longer immortal now that your heel's been shot, right?

'Fraid not. My heel's my conceptual weak point, after all.

The moment it was shot, I became just regular old Achilles.

So I'm not immortal anymore, and I can't run as fast as before either. All I can do now is fight till I die.

Yikes. So you've gone past meathead all the way to pseudo-Berserker.

Well, at least you should be helpful in the upcoming battle then.

You know it.

Just tell me how long I gotta hold out for, and that's how long I'll hold out.

Ha! Do I even need to say it?

I'm going to throw you at the most formidable adversary we're currently facing besides Odysseus:

Chiron.

But there are literal boatloads of other enemies I want you to beat before you get to him.

So whatever you do, don't die before you reach Chiron, got it!?

Don't worry. Whatever you want me to do in your plan, I'll make sure it gets done.

I swear on Peleus, my father. I swear on Thetis, my mother. I will do what needs to be done.

Hmph. Well don't YOU worry, because I'm going to put you to work and then some.

On that note, Achilles, I want you to let Paris ride your chariot.

Meanwhile, you'll be running from ship to ship, destroying sails and engines. Can you do that?

Well, sure, that's fine with me, but...

You want ME to ride HIS chariot!?

That's right. And the first sign of attitude you give me, I'm going to slap you so hard you'll wish you'd never materialized.

You will pick off anyone headed towards my ship from the air. I don't care if you think you can handle it or not. Do it.

O-okay...

Mandricardo, Mash, Master... Huh, that's a lot of names that start with "Ma," isn't it?

Not that that's particularly important right now.

It REALLY isn't!

You three will be on the Argo destroying the sails and engines of enemy ships, just like Achilles.

You'll jump over to an enemy ship, destroy it, come back to the Argo, rinse and repeat until all the enemy ships are gone.

Now, this next part is especially important.

Storm Border, as our most powerful asset, you'll need to corner and neutralize Odysseus's army...

...but you're not, repeat, not, to neutralize them completely.

...Why is that?

There's a better than even chance that Odysseus will try to have Artemis wipe us all out, even if that means he ends up in her line of fire himself.

So before he can do that, we'll need the Royal Fortune to take Orion and make a beeline for Nemesis Island.

If we time this badly, the Royal Fortune could end up sunk, or Artemis could end up blowing everything away.

I'll let you decide how to best maneuver the Storm Border, Nemo. Don't wait around for me to tell you what to do.

Got it. I'd prefer that, too.

Bartholomew, I don't want you joining the battle until you reach a point when you don't have any other choice.

Your job is to get Orion to Nemesis Island. That's all I want you to focus on.

You got it.

As for you, Orion, when the time comes, I want you to do the thing.

Huh? What thing?

You know! The thing! Use that fancy power you got from Poseidon! If you're not going to use it now, then when!?

...Ohh, THAT thing! Right on!

Gee, how reassuring. Now, as for you, Corday

Y-yes!?

...There's not a whole lot you can do.

That's true...

The fact is, you're just not cut out for this kind of direct assault.

Which is why I'm going to trust you with the most important job of all.

...Okay!

Master? Do you have a minute?

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There's something I wanted to talk to you about.

First, I just wanted to thank you again for saving me.

But, I also have to make a confession.

I've committed a terrible sin, and there's nothing I can do to atone for it. I just have to live with the guilt.

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Oh, no, no! I don't blame you at all.

This is something I was always going to have to come to terms with...

...so that's exactly what I'm trying to do now.

Oh, and there's one more thing I need to tell you. It's about my body, and the Athena Klironomia it has now.

Oh no, there's no pain.

Oh no, not at all. If anything, I feel lighter than ever.

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... ...

It's just that...sooner or later, my body's going to fall apart.

I had a feeling my Spirit Origin was too flimsy to handle it, and I was right.

Anything that has to do with gods is just too divine for my blood.

If the Athena Klironomia are taken out of me, I'll die. And even if they aren't...it won't be long before I fall apart and disappear.

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So that's why, um...

That's why I think it's best if I leave, like Jason said I should.

...Maybe. But risky or not, I still need to leave.

Yes, they might. But that's still better than the way things are now.

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I won't be of any help in a battle. But if I go off on my own here...

...then I might have a chance to be helpful.

Of course, there's still every chance I could fail. I could very well end up dying without accomplishing anything.

And even if I do succeed... I'll probably still end up dead.

That might be the best kind of ending I could hope for. But

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...I wish you all the best of luck. May fortune find you wherever you go.

Goodbye, Master.

...Goodbye, Fujimaru.

Sorry I'm late.

It's fine.

Just remember, we're not gonna slow down much for you, so try not to trip and fall.

I told you, I'll be fine.

...You're in a surprisingly good mood. Are you sure you understand the situation?

Yes, yes, I do. Don't worry.

I'll put up the best struggle I can, in my own way.

That so? All right, knock yourself out then. ...So, did you finish saying goodbye?

Yup! I'm all set.

Well don't leave any scars, all right? Unlike me, he's just an ordinary person, after all.

...I kind of hope I left at least a little scar...

Did you really think I wouldn't be able to hear you if you whispered, you big dummy!?

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please make sure he isn't hurt!

Never mind all that now! Just go already!

...Here goes!

Welp, should've seen that coming.

Oh well, I'm sure it'll work out somehow. There's no way a Servant could drown, after all.

I take it Charlotte Corday's desertion was successful then?

I wouldn't say that. She fell, well, way short on the jump and landed in the sea instead of on the island.

So she was a klutz right to the end, huh. But then, that's part of what made her so cute.

If only her bangs were a little longer, she'd be perfect.

True. ...I mean, what? No. Gods, you're messed up.

Anyway, I wouldn't call her cute. Not one damn bit. I can't stand her sort.

Because she reminds you of your ex?

Hell if I know.

(Cough, cough, hack!) O-oh man, I really did make a fool of myself right to the end!

I'm so glad Fujimaru wasn't here to see that!

You know, I wonder if Jason told me to say goodbye to him in his room because he foresaw this happening...

...(Sniff) That's so nice of him...

Anyway, I should get to work.

I guess the first thing I should do is find a boat...

Sir! We've spotted one of the enemy ships!

We've confirmed that Jason is acting as its helmsman!

Keep scanning the depths. The Nautilus is almost certainly close behind.

Yes, sir!

...I knew they would have to face us directly, but even if we account for the Nautilus, they should still have another ship.

What are you thinking, Jason?

...That said, we definitely have an overwhelmingly difficult road ahead of us.

I didn't make a mistake. This will work. It has to.

No matter how bad your hand might be, Odysseus, you can still come to the table and win.

Fou, fou?

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Fou fou.

Fooou?

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...H-hey.

... ...Wh-whoa.

Foooooou!?

Sorry. That got me in the feels a lot harder than I expected. Anyway, uh...

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...I just wanted to make sure you weren't too nervous or anything.

Gotcha. That's good. Just wanted to make sure.

...But while I'm here, there's something else I wanted to say!

Kinda, yeah.

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Oh, yeah. Jason let me use some of the Argo's spare lumber.

That's one of the perks of being me. You can make do with just about anything.

...Ahem.

Anyway, I know we've been at a huge disadvantage pretty much from the get-go.

Even if we do manage to beat Odysseus, Artemis, and Poseidon...

...we'll still have to do something about that Crypter.

And I just can't see any way for us to beat him and put an end to this.

It honestly feels like we'll never cut down that damned tree.

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...So hey, this is gonna sound pretty corny, but...

Ever since the woman I loved betrayed me, you know, while I was alive...to say nothing of how I betrayed myself...

...making friends has been kind of hard for me.

But, uh... Now, you and I are frie... Frie...

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Yeah, you're right.

...You and I are friends now.

So, uh... You know... We're gonna be okay.

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Yeah! Things are gonna work out!

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Yeah! We're gonna win!

We're gonna defeat Odysseus! Shoot down Artemis!

Defeat Poseidon! Reach Olympus!

And cut down the Tree of Emptiness!

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Let's do this thing!

... ...

...And with that, my friend, is pretty much me hitting my limit for social interaction today.

Man, it's hard cheering people up when you're already kind of a downer.

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Huh? You think? Hmm...

I guess I have been pushing myself pretty hard to be cheerful and social lately. Or maybe it's the other way around.

I guess...

...I've been so focused on cheering you up that I didn't have time to worry about my own hang-ups.

'Cause it doesn't take much for a downer to go back to his old ways, you know?

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...Yup.

Crap. I got no idea what to talk about anymore...

...Wanna talk politics or something? No?

W-well, uh... Maybe the weather?

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...Dammit, what's a good topic...?

Fou fou.

Maybe Fou?

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Fou!?

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You really latched onto that, didn't you!? Crap, now I'm wondering if I messed up!