We Are the Charles Commandos!

Good morning, Senpai.

Fooou.

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And a lovely morning it is.

Right you are.

It looks to be perfect weather for your first day of work as part of the new commando unit.

There's not a single bad omen to be seen. ...I think.

Good morning, everyone. It's me, Xu Fu. I know it's short notice, but I think we should get going right away.

The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get back and rest up. (Munch, munch)

Maybe this is because I was such a hard worker in life, but ever since being summoned, I've been seeking for breaks more than anything.

Now that's what I like to hear. (Munch, munch)

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... ...(Munch)

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Gooooood morning, everyone! I hope you're as excited to get started as I am!

How are you this peppy THIS early?

Hehe. If you guys hadn't come along, I'd have had to work with him alone... Hehehe... My stomach aches just thinking about it...

Hahaha. Be that as it may, just because it's morning doesn't mean we won't run into any enemies.

We'll have to take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate how useful we can be.

Then I'll take the front line just as we discussed yesterday.

Lord Holmes, Lord Fujimaru, you two shall keep to the middle.

And you, Lady Xu Fu, shall bring up the rear. Are we agreed?

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I'll come along, too. Doesn't seem like there'll be anything for me to do around here on my own.

Then let us be on our way! We'll leave from the north gate by the main road.

You know, I've been wondering since we got here... Does commerce even function in this realm?

Better than you'd think. Of course, all transactions are made with QP.

Besides, there's no point in hanging on to more enhancement resources than you need after killing a Demonic Beast.

That's how the Servants of all three realms enhance their Spirit Origins.

I still have a long way to go, myself...but at least I'm doing better than you guys.

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Oh, hang on. I actually want to do some shopping while we're here.

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Hey. Can you see me?

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Hey, looks like we both got away clean. Congrats!

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Oh, this? Let's just say I've got my reasons for wanting to keep to myself around here.

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Yep, yep! Everything's fine.

Honestly, I'm more worried about you.

But, you seem like you're doing fine, so never mind!

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I think I'll just hang out around here for a while!

This place isn't nearly as savage as the Revenge Realm, so I've got a feeling things'll work out!

How about you? ...You're off on a mission?

Hmm. I wish I could help you out, I really do...but I'm afraid that's easier said than done. Sorry.

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Awesome! You've totally got this! All right, I think I'll get going, too. Bye!

Something wrong?

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Then try to keep up. This mission looks like it's gonna be a real bitch, both coming and going.

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Oh, right. I guess you wouldn't know, since you were passed out.

Our destination is way up in the mountains, and there's no ropeway or anything to help us get there.

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(Huff, huff...) What is it?

Are we gonna have to do this on the way back, too?

What do you think!?

Then I think, maybe...we should take a little break.

I don't think that's a good idea!

Huh? Why not?

There tends to be a lot of snakes in this area.

What, snakes? That's no big deal. I can just cast a simple spell to

I believe these particular snakes are called "orochi" in the Far East.

Why are you only mentioning this NOW!?

Way to go, everyone! (Clapping)

Then again, it's not like we can take any credit.

I helped...technically.

Of course you all helped! Your aid was invaluable!

Yeah? Well, that's good to hear.

So, you're a Caster specializing in summoning, huh, Fujimaru?

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Wonderful. I feel as though I've gained a seasoned warrior for an ally.

Hahaha. You don't know the half of it.

The sheer strength of Mr. Fujimaru's summoned shadows often leaves even me speechless. Suffice to say, I suggest you expect the unexpected.

Great! That should make this mission a snap, then!

I admit, I was pretty worried when I heard three Casters were assigned to this mission...

...but now, it looks like I'll get to take it easy the whole time! Yaaay♪

All right, let's keep going. We should reach the recon area soon.

Come to think of it... Ms. Xu.

Hm?

As a matter of interest, I must inquire: Did you ever succeed in finding the elixir of immortality?

Oh. Uh... I think maybe? Or maybe not? Or maybe it didn't really matter either way?

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Ah!

Can you please forget I just said that? On the off chance Emperor Qin Shi Huang gets summoned, I don't want this coming back to bite me!

Then again, maybe it's okay, since I doubt they'd get summoned to this Singularity anyway!

...They won't, right?

Hahaha. Forgive me for interrupting...

...but we're almost to the Tower of Xanten.

It's an observation tower located right between the Revenge Realm and the Righteous Realm.

Of course, the sky hasn't turned red yet, so that means we're still in the Righteous Realm.

Red sky? Huh?

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The Revenge Realm dyes the sky red to demarcate its domain and demonstrate its vengeful spirit.

It's their way of telling outsiders, "This's my territory. Trespass and die."

...You know, since land can't actually talk.

Mr. Ua Duibhne, would you be so kind as to tell us more about what this mission entails?

I believe we were told to gauge the enemy's strength?

That's right. We learned a small battalion had been stationed here not too long ago.

Our objective is to find out what kind of Servants are in it.

Of course, depending on the situation, we may also decide to eliminate them.

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About ten to twelve Servants or so. They do outnumber us a bit...

...but we should be able to handle them just fine, as I'm told they're all no more than Phantom Spirit-level Servants.

So now, we just have to decide what our first move will be.

A tower, huh?

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Same here. It's a little big for a lookout tower.

Hmm... Fascinating.

Did you figure something out?

Not from the exterior alone, no. We'll have to make our way inside first.

...Shh.

I see they have patrols out.

I don't see any lookouts standing watch outside...but they have to have at least a few somewhere.

We can safely assume there are Assassins about, hiding themselves with Presence Concealment.

Probably two...no, three of them. And if I were in charge of where they were stationed...

...I'd post one on either side of the doors and another behind the first two.

Then I'll try drawing them out of hiding.

Now that you've narrowed down the field of possibilities, I should be able to use an effective Taoist art.

I'll also put up a soundproofing Bounded Field while I'm at it.

If we're lucky, we'll be able to make it into the tower without anyone noticing.

Amazing. We're lucky to have you with us, Lady Xu Fu.

As long as you appreciate it. Okay, is everyone ready?

Ready.

Indeed.

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Good.

Motion forbidden, spirit enlightened, body pacified. Then add a dash of tongue twisting and silencing.

Wha...!? Enemies!? But...I can't move!

Enemy attack! Enemy attack! ...D-dammit! They can't hear me, either!

I am Diarmuid Ua Duibhne of the Knights of Fianna! Have at you!

I'll just stay anonymous if it's all the same to you, thanks!

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You're actually telling them who you are? Then at least get your stories straight!

Hahaha. All right then, let's take care of them, shall we?

Dammit...!

...I don't see any reinforcements coming. It looks like we're still clear.

I don't sense anyone on the other side of these doors, either. Let's go in.

Hmm. At first glance, there doesn't appear to be much of note here.

Let's see what's on these documents...

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They appear to be the plans for this tower. Hmm.

What? Anything significant?

Ms. Xu Fu.

Huh?

I suspect this tower may be directly connected to a leyline.

Would it be possible to confirm that?

Hmm. I might be able to tell from the basement.

Then would you be so kind?

Huh? You want me to go down by myself? No, thank you.

Hahaha, a fair point.

Go with her, Fujimaru.

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I'll come, too. It could be dangerous with only two Casters.

So where're you gonna go, Holmes?

The top of the tower, of course.

Then let us head down and see what we find. Come on!

Oh, all right. This looks like it's gonna be a major pain in the ass, though.

Hmm. Hmmm...

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So this goes here... And that goes there... Huh. Why would they do this?

...All right, let's ask them.

"Them", who?

Those Casters working over there. I'll leave them to you.

Hup.

Huh!? I can't move!

Good luck. And you might want to hurry. Since they're Casters, they'll probably figure out how to break that spell pretty quickly.

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Aha, so that's how they... Hmm.

I'm afraid we killed them all. Is that going to be a problem?

No, no. It's fine. "Ask" was more of a figure of speech there.

I can basically tell what they were doing here from their actions, their gait, and the spells they left behind.

That's what I meant by "ask."

Aha. I knew it.

This design is for sucking up magical energy straight from the leyline and sending it to the top of the tower.

It's still not active, though. Maybe they were about to test it.

Hmm. How much magical energy do you think they were planning to gather?

Maybe...a little less than you'd need to form a Holy Grail?

That's quite a lot.

They must have been planning to perform a special summon here.

Master.

I passed Xu Fu's analysis on to Holmes, and he says he wants you to come to the top of the tower right away.

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My apologies for calling you all here on such short notice. I see you got into a bit of a scrap of your own.

We ran into a little resistance too, but Holmes took care of it in no time.

As for you guys...I guess Diarmuid must've played a big part.

It was nothing. I was fortunate enough to have Lady Xu Fu's protections and Lord Fujimaru's summons.

It was a group effort, and a very successful one.

UGH! How are you this nice AND this handsome!? Do pretty people have to have EVERYTHING!? It kind of pisses me off!

(Look of genuine confusion)

I heard about your discovery (from Ms. Kyrielight). Are you certain?

Pretty certain, yes.

I see. Then we can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

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Agreed. It would seem I was correct.

Which is why I wanted to take a look at the top of this tower as soon as possible.

See for yourselves, Mr. Ua Duibhne, Ms. Xu Fu.

Except for a partially constructed stand, there's nothing here.

I suspect this tower is intended to be a means of direct attack on the Righteous Realm.

Their plan was most likely to convert the energy taken from the leyline into pure physical forcea powerful projectile.

Which means this stand is meant to be an artillery battery.

But once again, as you can see for yourselves, there's nothing here. Not yet.

I suspect they simply haven't been able to build a cannon large or durable enough to fire such an enormous mass of magical energy.

Well, that's comforting...

For the time being, I suggest we investigate any Servants in the Revenge Realm who had a hand in this tower.

If we can keep them in check, that will naturally prevent them from completing the cannon meant for this tower.

Should we be found out, our backup plan can be simply destroying this tower.

The Servants who were on patrol should be coming back any moment now.

Let's hurry and get out of here.

The next part of our mission is to secure an abandoned stronghold. This will also be within Righteous Realm territory.

It would take us about an entire day to get there on foot...

...so we're going to borrow a horse-drawn carriage from a nearby safe house and take that most of the way.

I love not having to walk♪

A safe house, hmm... Do you perhaps have one in every region?

Yes, we do. The secretary ordered us to build them.

We have four in the Righteous Realm, two in the Revenge Realm, and one in the Reinstatement Realm.

They're all hidden very well, and none have been discovered by the enemy yet.

I see. It sounds as though you've done a good job covering your tracks.

(They certainly have a great deal more than I would have thought, though. Perhaps they're meant for some other purpose.)

Come, let's be on our way then. We can use the key the secretary gave me to get inside.

It needs a key?

Yes. The safe houses are fitted with spells to blow the whole thing up if someone tries to enter without the right key. Better safe than splattered, I suppose.

I see. That does make sense.

Key or not, most any Servant could break into most anywhere if they wished...

...but if you rig a place to explode upon forced entry, you eliminate the risk of the enemy getting crucial information.

What about stealth entry via spirit form?

I'm told each individual room has its own Bounded Field, and they're set to explode if they detect any spirit forms, too.

Haha, well done!

This way.

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It's here, underneath the broken down wagon.

Hahaha, I understand how you feel. It's a real secret base, after all.

We obviously couldn't keep a living horse here on standby indefinitely, so I think it's a kind of golem.

Oh, right. Those things that Kabbalist Caster's always making.

The Revenge Realm uses Demonic Beasts to pull their carriages. I hope I'll get a chance to ride one of those too, at some point.

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Oh, you've got spare weapons here, huh? Mind if I take one?

They're more for decoration than defense since they're only meant to be used in an emergency.

But, if you're all right with that, then by all means. Besides, nobody else is going to use them!

Yeah, that tracks.

Oh, you've got protective Mystic Codes, too. I don't suppose I could also... On second thought, never mind.

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('Cause I don't want my collar reacting to it and going off...)

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So they've got Western wine, but no Shaoxing wine here, huh. And no beer, either. Damn.

Oh well, once we're done with this mission, I'll just put in a request with the secretary!

All right, we'd better get going. I'll be the coachman. The rest of you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Be warned: I'll be driving pretty fast, so it may get bumpy. Ready? Hyah!

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We're here! Come on, we'll walk the rest of the way on foot.

You can come down from the carriage now.

... ...I think I'm gonna be sick...

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Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize I was going so fast!

Good thing I turned into my spirit form. I don't wanna think about what would've happened if I hadn't...

I'm surprised you guys didn't do the same. You're really cautious sorts, aren't you?

I'm sorry to ask, but have you got any meds for motion sickness?

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Thanks.

Honestly, I feel a little sick myself just watching through the monitor...

Okay, now that we're all settled in...

There's a stronghold up ahead that the Revenge Realm meant to use as a bridgehead for invading the Righteous Realm.

Luckily, the Righteous Realm just barely managed to eke out a win, forcing the Revenge Realm Servants to retreat from this region.

Unfortunately, we suffered a lot of casualties in the process, so we couldn't lay claim to the fort itself.

We can't just abandon it out here, but we also don't want to do anything to draw attention to ourselves.

So we decided to start storing supplies here in secret but made sure we let it look abandoned...

...even as we bolster its defenses.

But since it's abandoned, Demonic Beasts have taken up residence.

So the first thing we need to do is destroy them.

Once we're done with that, supply crews will come to stock the place, so we just need to concentrate on ridding these demonic beasts.

Then let's go take care of these beasts now. By the way, there aren't any Demon Boars among them, are there?

Can't guarantee there aren't. Why? Got something against them, Diarmuid?

Well, one killed me, so...

(Somber) May you rest in peace.

He's not dead yet, though.

Actually, I was already! Haha!

Uh, yeah, right! (How is that funny to him?)

I'll put up a Bounded Field around the stronghold to make sure no Demonic Beasts escape.

From there, well...you know...I'll figure something out.

I'm not hearing a lot of planning in this plan.

Hey, if anything, you should be admiring me for my flexibility. Well, here goes nothing.

Let's begin!

Grrr...

Welp, time for this knight to beat a hasty retreat!

Already!?

...Apologies. A bad joke...

I really am conceptually weak against Demon Boars, though!

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Thank you, everyone!

...Oh, right!

Back then, I didn't have the right weapon to fight a boar.

But things are different now. This time, I won't let anything stop me!

That's the last of the hostiles. No other readings detected nearby.

Great job, Master.

All done.

Thank you for fighting those boars in my stead. I truly appreciate it.

I did it!

Phew. That wasn't nearly as bad as I was dreading.

Of course, this was a very different situation, and I am a lot stronger now...

...but I may have still had a bit of a complex about Demon Boars all the same.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to overcome it!

Damn. I thought that pleasant breeze was coming from the stronghold, but no, it's just a beautiful man being beautiful in freaking spirit, too.

What about the stronghold?

Oh, we're fine there. Luckily, it looks like the supply crew just arrived.

Here you go.

Thanks. Sign this, and you can officially take over.

Done.

All right, we'll let you guys handle it from here.

Understood.

...Phew. I'm glad we're taking our time on the ride back.

More importantly, this would seem to bring our first mission to a successful conclusion.

Feels like a pretty roundabout way to accomplish our goal...

...but I guess this is just what we have to do in a weird Singularity like this.

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Indeed. Although, in that case...

...there's one person I'm concerned about leaving in his current state.

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Precisely.

According to what I've heard (from Chaldea), both his Spirit Origin and contract remain intact.

I suspect he's still right where we left him.

We should at least collect his body and bring him somewhere safer.

Why don't we talk to Charles the Great about it?

Good idea.

It would be prudent to ask his assistance.

We're almost to the safe house. From there, we'll be hoofing it again!

... ...

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