Final Showdown: The Hollow Sea God

All ships, full speed ahead! All systems green!

All systems are green on the Shadow Border too.

And judging by the comms link status, it looks like that's true for the other two ships too.

Looks like Hephaestus is gone now. Along with the rest of Perse Island... Dammit.

I bet. He was oddly human for a god.

Nonetheless, at the very end...

...he both saved your lives and created a bow designed to destroy Artemis.

I only wish the other gods who sided with humanity had survived as well.

Me too.

I know the Greek gods are generally depicted as very, um, emotional beings, but all the same...

You're not wrong there, Mash. That definitely describes Lord Apollo.

Hey now, you don't know that. I could just be an automated system running a bunch of programs, right?

It's more than possible to simulate a personality, along with external displays of emotion.

Of course, if the system itself is designed to express emotion...

...then who's to say there's any difference between such "fake" emotions and real ones?

And if there is a difference, what could it be?

？！

This isn't about philosophy! This is a purely practical matter!

What do you think, Orion?

You mean about you guys having feelings? Of course you do.

Well now. I'm surprised you didn't even need to think about it.

What's there to think about?

You could list all the differences between humans and machines you like, and it wouldn't change anything for me.

Once you get to a point where you're testing zeroes and ones for nigh infinity, that's basically analog in my book.

We all get to decide what emotions are for ourselves. It doesn't matter what anyone else says.

Here, Apollo, I'll ask you myself: Are your emotions real?

...Well I'll be damned. I never thought I'd ever lose a debate to a barbarian like you.

The fact is, when it comes to things you make and wish with all your heart were real, it becomes impossible to tell what is real from what is not.

That's enough talking. I'm going to head to the next island now.

We might have evaded Artemis again, but Odysseus still knows we're here.

If we dawdle for too long, it'll only be a matter of time until he has us surrounded again.

Our next stop is Eris Island, the island right before our ultimate destination of Nemesis.

I am afraid Lady Corday is still comatose.

That's because the Zeus and Hephaestus nanomachines are fighting each other for control...

...so she's been effectively deactivated as a result.

That said, I ran an analysis on her Spirit Origin, and it looks like she's slowly wasting away.

So it's a race against time then.

Yeah.

In that case, I take it you won't mind if we sail full speed ahead to Eris Island, fearless leader?

Not at all.

Our next goal is to find the Athena Klironomia.

Once we've used them to revive Ms. Happy-Go-Lucky there, we'll use the Hephaestus Klironomia to finish work on the Nautilus.

From there, we'll be heading out to cut down the Tree of Emptiness, but of course

We'll need to figure out the right time to destroy Artemis and deal with Odysseus's army.

And let's not forget we'll also need to take down Poseidon while we're at it.

...I say, isn't that a preposterously tall order?

Forget tall. It's damn near impossible.

That said, the Argo is the very pirate ship that made the impossible possible. So don't worry, Subordinate A, I've got everything well in hand.

Hahaha. Surely you're not referring to ME as "Subordinate A" are you?

I assume you mean the shifty uninsured layabout idly fiddling around with the console there, yes?

It's Meunière! Meunière! Meu! Ni! Ère! Three syllables! It's not that hard!

？！

Oh, I'd like to go with you. Is that okay, Holmes?

That's fine. I expect we'll be continuing our dive for some time yet.

... ...

？！

No, she doesn't.

Hopefully that's true, but there's no way we can tell she's not having, say, horrible nightmares.

Da Vinci...

Hey hey! Sorry for the intrusion, but I thought I'd go ahead and take a little break myself.

Oh, in that case, go ahead and take the chair. We don't mind standing.

Thanks! Phew...

Looks like you two have been through a whole lot, huh?

？！

Ahaha, that's for sure.

Still, you made the right choice. No, that's not quite right.

Back then, at that moment, YOU were in the right. Completely and fully.

I agree.

MasterSenpai doesn't always do the right thing. I know he's snuck food sometimes, for example.

But I absolutely, wholeheartedly support the choice he made back there.

That aside, you really shouldn't sneak food, you know? It's not fair to the rest of us, and it's not good for you, either.

？！

Fou fou!

It looks like you've made an enemy of Fou.

We're coming up on Eris Island now.

Jason said he wants Fujimaru and Mash to come to the Argo.

Understood.

...Please hang in there just a little longer, Corday.

？！

This time, I want to get in and get out as quickly and quietly as possible.

Mandricardo, Achilles, Paris, Chiyome, Master, Mash.

Go out there and bring back the Athena Klironomia as fast as you can!

I'll stay here on ship duty.

？！

Good to have you on the team.

(Snub)

Little punk.

Very well then, I will go scout ahead as per usual. Come, Master and Lady Mash, let us be on our way.

Thank you, Chiyome! I'm glad you're here with us!

... ...

Teehee.

(She's real happy to have someone looking up to her. I can tell.)

We have made land.

...Uh-oh. I smell blood in the air. Do not let down your guard.

Blood? I don't smell any blood...

Me neither, but I can feel in my bones that something went down here.

...Now that you mention it, I think maybe I feel something like that too!

(He really doesn't want Achilles to beat him at anything, does he? ...Not that I can blame him.)

Aha, this must be the source of that smell.

It's a dead Demonic Beast.

Blegh. It's a little...grotesque, isn't it?

Well, it is missing its head, so...

Let me see that. ...Yup, it was killed by a single strike.

This was clearly a person's doing. Based on the cut, I believe they must have used a sword or similar large blade.

Damn, that must mean the soldiers got here ahead of us.

Then again, this is the closest island to Nemesis, so I guess it makes sense that they'd be here.

In that case, we have all the more reason to secure the Athena Klironomia and make a hasty retreat.

Fortunately, we know exactly where to look thanks to Lord Hephaestus's precise coordinates.

True.

So we'd better get a move on if we're gonna make the most of our advantage.

Make sure you don't fall behind, Paris!

Why am I the only one you're calling out by name!?

Cause you're the one who was looking at butterflies and going "Ooh, pretty" not five minutes ago.

G-gnnn...

Lord Paris, I am afraid I think your behavior may be too frivolous for our present circumstances.

I-I'm sorry.

Come on then, let's get going. We don't have any time to waste.

？！

(Nod)

According to Hephaestus, the temple should be directly to the northwest of these woods.

Yup, there it is. I can see it over there.

And there's the guards.

We should take them quickly, before they have a chance to contact the others.

Paris, I want you to get the ball rolling. You can handle that, right?

...Yeah, I can. How about you, Master? Are you ready?

？！

Okay! Here I go!

I'm counting on your help, Lord Apollo! Yaaa!

Wait, you meant as an actual baaall!?

They were much stronger than I thought!

Y-yes, they were.

It did feel like they were on another level than the ones we've fought before, didn't it?

Ah well, doesn't matter now. We don't have time to stand around pondering what-ifs. Let's keep moving.

...!

Chiyome!?

Ah, dammit. I just felt the same thing.

I-it would seem...another message has been left here for us.

Fujimaru. Authorization complete.

Initiating prior visitor support mission.

Uploading holographic data.

Hey there. Looks like we're all still alive.

This will probably be the last transmission we send from Atlantis.

You should be able to acquire the Athena Klironomia you came here for once it's over.

How are you holding up, Master of Proper Human History. We have not yet met, but I hope you are not too exhausted.

Between the robotic gods, the nanomachine-infested Demonic Beasts, and Odysseus, there are more than enough adversaries here powerful enough to break your spirit.

I can only hope you've found the strength to continue on undeterred.

As for us, we've finished most of what we needed to accomplish, and we've made a few arrangements we hope will prove useful later.

All that remains now is to hope they work as intended.

Mochizuki Chiyome, Mandricardo, I'm sorry for asking you both to stay behind.

Though I know Jason bailed out of his own accord...

It's okay, ■■. I'm positive Lord Jason will bounce back sooner or later.

...Anyway, there you have it.

We'll be setting off to Olympus now.

I promise we'll find a way to help you.

Odysseus's army is right on our heels even as we record this.

Chevalier d'Eon, Charles-Henri Sanson, can I ask you two to handle the rest?

Of course. Though I'm afraid we won't be able to do much more than buy the rest of you some time.

Just be sure you make the most of the time we buy you, ■■.

Of course. The time you buy us here will be worth its weight in gold.

...Hm? What is it, Kintoki?

Oh, you know, since this is the last time we're gonna call, I just thought I'd say somethin' before we hang up.

See you in Olympus, Master of Chaldea!

I'll be waiting there for you too. And I'll make sure to have some lovely tea leaves ready.

All right then, Master of Chaldea. We look forward to meeting you.

Good luck!

(So their identity remained a mystery, right to the very end...)

Here come the Athena Klironomia! I'll start the extraction procedure!

Athena Klironomia extraction complete. It looks like there's only enough for one Servant.

So this'll let us put Corday back to normal, huh?

I hope so...

You don't sound too sure.

I understand that the plan is to use the Hephaestus Klironomia to keep the Zeus Klironomia at bay...

...until we can use the Athena Klironomia to get rid of them, but that is easier said than done.

Every part of that is taking a significant toll on her Spirit Origin.

Yeah, that's true.

Hell, her Spirit Origin was already on the verge of falling apart thanks to the Zeus Klironomia alone.

Who knows if she'll be able to handle their removal...

Only the gods know, as they say.

He's right. All we can do now is bring this stuff back to Corday.

Though of course, this will all be for nothing if she ends up dying.

Shut up, Apollo, or I'll turn you into a soccer ball.

You keep your hands off of Lord Apollo!

That's up to him.

All right, we have heard the others' last message, and we have acquired the Athena Klironomia we came for.

Best we leave while we can.

？！

I see him. I'm taking the shot.

...!

Sorry, Master!

？！

Master!

Tch!

？！

I had to move at ultrasonic speed. That's why I apologized in advance.

Dammit, they figured out we're here!

Where did that arrow come from!?

Hang on, Master! I'll be right

Stay back!

Huh!?

Mash! Your shield!

!

Khh...!

Oh, what a shame. I missed.

That's 'cause I made you miss. ...Ugh, I still feel sick whenever I see you.

What the hell're you doing aiming at Master, Chiron!?

Why wouldn't I? It is the soundest, most efficient strategy.

And when the enemy's most key figure is also completely helpless on the field of battle...

...don't you think it only makes sense to go after him first?

It...can't be...

No, wait. Achilles! Is he

Yeah. He's Lostbelt-aligned Chiron!

Chiron!?

He was the one who taught Jason, Achilles, Heracles, and Asclepius...

He's the greatest sage Greece has ever known!

If he is on the Lostbelt's side now, then there is no room whatsoever to resolve this peacefully!

Dammit... You'll just have to all rush him at once! It's the only way you can win!

Jason's plan is a good one, heroes I have never had the pleasure of meeting.

However, there is one thing I must say in response:

Did I ever say I was alone?

Dammit! I should've known he'd be good at this!

There are no records in Proper Human History of Chiron ever taking part in battle himself...

But it would seem the same is not true in this Lostbelt.

Right you are.

Whatever the Chiron of your world may have been like, I am firmly on the gods' side in this conflict.

Whatever you guys do, don't let your guard down! I'm gonna do everything I can to keep Master out of harm's way!

Don't expect much support from him! I'm not planning to stop for anything!

...!

Tch!

？！

Don't say anything! You could end up biting right through your tongue!

？！

...!

Dammit, he's got us pinned down on two sides!

Khh...!

？！

As I thought. I knew I made the right choice, shooting your heel.

YOU did that!?

Yeah, he completely blindsided me. He knew everything I was gonna do before I did it.

Indeed, thanks to the combat data I took from the Proper Human History's Chiron.

...That's it. It all makes sense now. ...You killed my teacher, you bastard.

...Yes, I did.

...!

？！

...Yeah, I know. You don't have to tell me.

He's taunting me. One step and I'd be in the jaws of his trap, playing right into his hands.

...Master, I'm gonna ask you again: What are your orders?

？！

...Understood!

Mandricardo! Chiyome! You two bring up the rear!

Understood!/On it!

We're all ready to leave. Hurry back to the shore!

!

A single wooden sword, hm? How recklessly brave of you.

Khh!

Let us see how you like dealing with the cursed god pillar, Ibukidaimyoujin!

Hya!

Oho, so you use nanomachines as well. But unfortunately...

Ghh!

Hephaestus Klironomia are simply outmatched when pitted against the superior Zeus Klironomia.

Hephaestus may have been a god, but he was a hapless fool of a god whose one and only talent was swinging a hammer.

Now, if they had been Athena Klironomia, matters might have been different.

So my hidden trump card had no effect...

At least we bought some time! Now come on!

Very well then, let us bring this skirmish to a close.

As I am part of Olympus here, I did not meet the same end as my Proper Human History counterpart.

But fortunately, now that I have killed him...

...I too have unlocked this Noble Phantasm.

O malevolent scorpion, the time of your purge has come. Dissipate among the stars!

Antares Snipe!

Serment de Durendal!

Ghh, aaaaaahhh!

Hrgh!

And done.

Khh...!

Oh? That's strange. I was sure I had killed them...

Ghh... Gah!

Ah, now I see. His Noble Phantasm shielded them from any fatal injuries.

But unfortunately for you, it seems you won't be doing any more fighting, now that your "sword" is broken.

...You sure about that?

?

This is my Noble Phantasm...

Serment de Durendal!

!!!

Come on, let's get out of here!

...I am sorry. I cannot.

What do you mean, you can't!?

Never mind me. Just go! Run!

But

I have another way out of this! Hurry!

...Got it!

I see.

Now I know there are some heroes out there who are able to use their Noble Phantasms with or without a weapon.

We'll go after the

Don't bother. There's no need for that.

The one they call Mandricardo may have gotten away unscathed, but this one was not so lucky.

And I doubt the Hephaestus Klironomia will help her recover from her injuries soon enough to be a problem.

Now then...

...Dammit!

Khh...

Normally, I would just kill her now and have done with it, but she will be more useful to us alive and in custody.

What do you mean, sir?

The Echidna is running low on magical energy. She should make for a good snack.

A...snack...?

Heh... Hahahaha! If my choices are becoming a snack or dying with pride, I gladly choose the latter!

Not so fast!

Ghh...

... ...

Take her away.

Yes, sir!

I'm sorry, Odysseus. I failed to acquire the Athena Klironomia.

It's all right.

We already have enough for one Servant. That should satisfy Olympus.

But won't we be at a disadvantage if the Chaldeans use the Athena Klironomia for themselves?

We were able to recover some fragments of Hephaestus's video footage before Lady Artemis destroyed him.

Oh? But I thought he was thoroughly vaporized.

He and Lady Artemis had a short conversation right before he met his end.

We were able to retrieve a tiny bit of footage from that.

And if it's to be believed...the Chaldeans plan to use Athena's legacy to save a single insignificant Servant.

Oh? Insignificant, you say?

We might have been at something of a disadvantage if they had used it on a hero like Orion...

...but with Charlotte Corday, we have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Understood. Then I will make my way back now.

Fine.

I'm sure Chaldea will come fully prepared, but that's as far as it will go.

There will be no surprises, no coincidences, and no lucky breaks. We will simply crush them, quickly and thoroughly.

Understood. Then I will take the spoils of our victory with me.

Good.

One more Servant's worth of magical energy should be enough to let the Echidna produce another Cerberus.

I'm counting on you, comrade.

Worry not, comrade. I have everything well in hand.

Sorry I'm late!

？！

Where's Chiyome!?

...I had to leave her behind. I'm sorry.

...Is she dead?

She wasn't when I left her...

But given how all those border guards were closing in around her, I don't think she'll

That's okay. As long as she's not dead, she still has a chance to fight back.

I...don't think so. Not in this case.

... ...No, you're probably right.

Does she have some sort of secret plan?

I mean, she's a ninja. She'll have some explosives hidden somewhere on herself won't she?

Perhaps she means to take a hostage or something along those lines?

...It'd be nice if that were the case.

Anyway, let's go. We still need to give Corday the Athena Klironomia.

You're really going through with that?

I know you need the Hephaestus Klironomia to refit the Border...

...but right now, the Athena Klironomia still doesn't belong to anyone.

You could just as easily use them to strengthen Orion or Achilles.

Well? What do you two say to that?

I don't need them.

Me neither.

There you go.

Man, you guys are stubborn... But okay. I won't stop you.

As long as you're not putting Paris in harm's way.

Besides, it'd be a waste of good nanomachines to give him Athena's power.

So go ahead, follow your heart or whatever.

？！

That's right!

I believe that whenever you're unsure of what you should do next, the best thing you can do is follow your heart!

Then again, following my heart is what led to the Trojan War...

You really oughta learn how to reel yourself in...

There's been no change in her condition, aside from continuing to slowly waste away.

Theoretically, the way we'd go about this is that we'd give her the Athena Klironomia first...

...have them fight off the Zeus Klironomia in place of the Hephaestus Klironomia...

...and then extract the Hephaestus Klironomia back out of her.

At the moment, she's just barely hanging in there, thanks to the three Servants' worth of Klironomia we've given her.

The biggest risk is whether she'll hold out until we can extract Hephaestus's...

...since all three gods will basically be vying for dominance inside her body.

We also don't know if the Athena Klironomia will be able to beat Zeus's after we take the Hephaestus Klironomia out.

If they can't, she'll probably end up dead. And even if they can, her Spirit Origin might not hold out.

At this point, whether she can overcome all of this depends entirely on her endurance and her will to survive.

Okay...let's do it, Fujimaru.

？！

Mash, Nemo Nurse, would you mind helping me out?

Because if the information Hephaestus gave us is anything to go by...

...what I'm about to do is going to hurt a hell of a lot.

Of course. I'd be glad to.

Understood!

...Here goes!

...!!! ...Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow owww!

Ahaaaaaaaaahhh!

O-oh no. That sounded like

Shit, she just snapped a bone! Hold her down!

Dammit, I'll help out toAah!

Orion!

I-I'm okay! But, how the hell did she do that?

I can't believe how strong she is now!

It must be 'cause Zeus, Athena, and Hephaestus are all going nuts inside her!

Get in here, Orion! You too, Mandricardo!

Khh... Agh!

It's 'cause the nanomachines are crazy powerful all by themselves. It's like they're fighting a war inside her body!

？！

...Hold her hand!

After that, it's all up to her, and how badly she wants to pull through.

Her vitals are all over the place! Her Spirit Origin can't take much more of this!

...No...more... Please... It hurts...so much... Just let me die!

I just want the pain...to go awaaay!

... B-but...

I can't...hold out...anymo

I don't...think I can!

？！

There, the Hephaestus Klironomia are all out!

Now we just have to see if the Athena Klironomia can win!

...Don't worry about it, Fujimaru.

You're praying and wishing as hard as you can right now.

It makes total sense that you didn't know what to do or say back then. Nobody could've.

So you can't tell yourself it was wrong or cowardly.

Isn't that right, Mash?

...Yes. Definitely.

？！

Look. As your friend, I'm telling you: don't whine about it.

All you can do now is pray she pulls through.

Even if she doesn't, none of us have any right to blame you.

And if anyone tries, I'll put 'em in their place for you.

I-I will too.

I know you made the right choice. I'm sure of it.

And I'll gladly say so to anyone who asks.

Hey, this was my idea to begin with. If anyone here deserves to be blamed, it's me.

Don't forget us. We should've realized what was going on sooner.

...N-no...

？！

I'm the one...who should be blamed.

Thank you, Master...

How are the Zeus Klironomia?

I think they're gone now.

I can feel the Athena Klironomia circulating throughout my body.

？！

I don't know if I'd say that... I kind of feel equal parts okay and not okay right now.

After all, Orion should have been the one to use these Klironomia...

Don't sweat it.

I don't need any Athena Klironomia. In fact, it'd probably be worse if I'd used them.

Really, I'd have to be out of my damn mind to borrow Athena's power when going up against Artemis.

So don't worry about taking something from someone more deserving or anything like that. Just be glad you survived.

O-okay. Thank you!

You know, Orion, I

Yeah? Go on. You're in love with me? Burning with passion for me? Ready to go somewhere more...private with me?

Well, lucky for you, I'm Mr. Convenience Store, baby! I'm open for "business" twenty-four seven!

......

...I think you're a reeeaaally nice guy!

Nooo! I've been thrown into the friend zone!

She really took her time building up to it, too...

Not to mention the backpedaling. It looks to me like he's got zero chance with her.

I just plugged the numbers into the Greek Romance Equation, and I can say unequivocally that he has no shot whatsoever.

Hey! I didn't ask for a peanut gallery!

... ...

？！

Hm?

... ...I'm glad too!

Hehe. I'm sorry for making so much trouble for you.

？！

You know, Master...

I really do love you.

!

Fou!?

And I love Orion, and Achilles, and Paris, and Mandricardo...

...and all the people from Chaldea who aren't here right now, and Mochizuki Chiyome, and Mash.

(She really had me scared for a moment...)

And I love myself.

...Oh, though I guess it sounds kind of narcissistic when I put it that way, huh?

Um, how can I put this? ...Not too long ago, I used to hate myself.

...

In fact, if I had died just now...I would've gone back to the Throne still hating myself.

So, thank you. Thank you for helping me learn to love myself.

Ahaha, I'm sorry if that's a strange thing to thank you for.

Come on, you know that's not true. You held my hand. You prayed for me. You wished for me to live.

That's more than enough as far as I'm concerned.

？！

...All right.

Now that we've got the Hephaestus Klironomia back...

...I'd like to start renovating the Shadow Border in earnest.

Got it.

Don't worry. I'm still keeping it low-key.

(Inhale...) (Exhale...) Though honestly, part of me can't wait to get started!

Deep breaths.

Okay, I'm ready for the Hephaestus Klironomia now. At last, it's finally time.

Now, at last, I can create a non-Nautilus Nautilus...

A completely new, cutting-edge ship just for Chaldea!