First Underworld: Tlatlauhqui

So Tepeu, what are these Underworld Boundaries, anyway!?

The boundaries of the underworld are abnormal regions. They have strong magnetic fields whose distortions keep Malla's blessings at bay.

Well, I say magnetic field distortions, but it's more accurate to call them dimensional distortions.

Mindless deinos used to wander them, but after Tezcatlipoca showed up...

...the underworlds became host to trials which must be completed for the dead to truly die.

A great deal depends on your mental state.

The boundaries of the underworld are treacherous places so long as you do not perceive yourself as having overcome their trials.

I see. So as long as you can overcome their trials at least once, you'll know they are no threat to you anymore...

...but since this will be our first time visiting one, we're going to be in for a difficult time.

I have to ask the obvious, then: Have you completed these trials, Tepeu?

Yes, as far as the third layer of the underworld. Fortunately, the trials in the first layer are relatively easy.

By the way, Tepeu, you said something about enormous iguanas in the first layer of the underworld yesterday.

Were these iguanas called "Xochitónal," by any chance?

Oh, you know of them, Mash? Does that mean Proper Human History has similar underworlds then?

Yes. In Proper Human History, "Mictlān" refers to the subterranean underworld of Aztec mythology.

According to myth, the world was divided into the heavens, the surface, and the underworld.

The gods were said to reside in the thirteen heavens, while humans lived on the surface world.

The underworld world was said to consist of nine layers, and collectively, this world was known as Mictlān.

People who died of natural causes rather than in combat would descend through the nine layers of Mictlān.

Their goal was to conquer many trials and make their way to the bottom layer, Chiconahualóyan, where they would come to terms with their own life, allowing their soul to return to the natural world.

Aztec civilization was marked by human sacrifice, slavery, and endless war, so it was certainly one of the harshest societies in human history...

...but at its heart, it retained an inherent respect for nature, and gratitude to the godsthat is, the larger world.

This Mictlān may not have ever developed a system of belief based on gods...

...but I think its emphasis on respecting nature means it still shares the same roots.

I see. So that is Proper Human History's version of Mictlān. Then I assume it also had Xochitónal?

That's right. The first subterranean layer of Mictlān was called Itzcuintlan and contained an enormous river called the Apanohuacalhuia.

The dead had to cross this river with the help of a hairless breed of dog called Xoloitzcuintle...

...in order to make it to the other side without the Xochitónal eating them.

What's a dog?

Oh, it's a kind of animal, and a great one! I can't describe them too well, but I can draw you a picture later!

Thank you, Marine. But I'm guessing...

...they look something like this. Am I right?

Whoa, how did you know!? And wow, you're such a good artist, too!

Your imaginationno, your powers of observation really are remarkable. You're already a full-blown scholar of Proper Human History!

Oh yes. I want to learn as much about it as I can.

Your history is terrifying, but it's also intensely captivating.

Hmm. So there's a Mictlān in Proper Human History, and a Mictlān in this Lostbelt, right?

And in Proper Human History, humans lived on the planet's surface, but you deinos live underground...

Why is that? You're not all dead or anything, right?

I suspect it is because the surface of our world is no longer habitable.

A long, looong time ago, a meteorite devastated everything on the surface.

We managed to survive by escaping underground. From there, Malla created Mictlān, and we continued to propagate.

Now this underground world is our home. We will never return to the surface, especially while it continues to burn.

Huh? It's still burning, even now? I don't understand.

Even if the impact destroyed everything on the surface, it's still had millennia to recover, hasn't it?

Is this planet just really, really lazy or something?

Oh well. That's probably not important right now.

More importantly, I have a question for you, Tepeu. Or you guys, if you can answer it.

Have you ever heard of ORT?

ORT? I can't say I've heard the name before. What about the rest of you?

Huh? Did I say something wrong? What kind of rumors?

？！

...As a matter of fact, ORT is one of the reasons we came here.

There's a creature that goes by that name in Proper Human History.

We came to this Lostbelt to try to find it before anyone else. But now...

Hm? What's different now?

？！

Makes sense. Your first priority now is reaching the Storm Border, and then you've got to do something about the Bleached Earth Phenomenon, right?

I agree! Of course you wouldn't have time to go looking for some weird random creature then!

Besides, now that you've got me, you have all the firepower you need!

Y-you mean, you're not looking for ORT yourself, U-Olga Marie?

Why would I be? I just asked 'cause it's one of the few words I still remember.

Although, now that you mention it...I do get the feeling I might have been looking for it myself... Maybe that's not important now either.

Why worry about the little things?

I'm okay with small creatures, and little doubts like this aren't worth pursuing, anyway!

？！

Ooh, I can hear running water! We must be near the river!

All right! I'm gonna be the first one there!

A jungle river oughta be no problem for me, so I swear by Triton I'll get us across easy-peasy!

？！

There's no waaay! I couldn't get us across this even if all twenty-four of us Marines were here!

It's sure pretty, though! And the mist from these ginormous waterfalls feels nice too!

Yeah. You don't see places this spectacular even in the Land of Faeries.

I'm impressed! Mesoamerican mythology is on an entirely different scale!

It's true! They remind me of the Guiana Highlands of South America, known as the last frontier on Earth!

I'm also very impressed that you were able to cross these humongous falls, Tepeu.

You must have superhumaner, superdeinos leg strength and exploration skills to have made it past here.

Please, tell us. What route did you use to cross?

Uh, yes. I do think I must have managed it.

Tepeu?

？！

I'm sorry, I don't know what this is. It's utterly terrifying.

Forgive me, this is much, much bigger than the river I crossed.

Fujimaru, Mash...is this what you were envisioning?

？！

I see... Then this change has nothing to do with your mental state.

...So Chaldea's arrival here has changed things in the underworld boundaries, much like the Crypter's arrival.

Perhaps we should proceed on that assumption. Still, all that aside...

That aside?

What a truly spectacular sight! I wish my acquaintances could see this!

Hmm!?

Save the celebration for later! Tepeu, Marine, Fujimaru, you guys better stand back!

Something's coming up the waterfall! Maybe it's those giant iguana things!

Mash, you and I will handle the iguanas! Habbycat, you guard the noncombatants! Got it!?

(Habbycat!?)

Understood! Ready when you are, Olga Marie!

I was surprised to see those things, but you two handled them like they were nothing! Thanks, Mash! Thanks, Prez!

O-oh, no, the only reason I was able to go on the offensive like that is because Olga Marie was here. But thank you, Senpai!

Oh, yeah! Good point! I love the "Believe in U-O and justice will prevail" strategy, too!

Heh, naturally. And I'm starting to get used to these lizards, too. Who cares how big something is if size is all it has going for it?

？！

Nice job, you two. You were right, I didn't have to step in at all.

Though you might be being a little too overprotective. Fujimaru's still a full-fledged Master, you know.

As long as he stays far enough away from the fighting, he can protect himself just fine AND get a firm handle on how the battle's playing out.

So maybe you could try trusting him a little more?

R-really? ...Hmm. Full-fledged, huh? That's great.

But it wasn't Fujimaru I was worried about just now.

It was you and Mash.

You use the energy stored in Mash's shield when you materialize, right, Habbycat?

And that energy can only be restored at the Storm Border, correct? So you should conserve it as much as possible.

Even my sensors aren't operating at full capacity in all directions at all times, you know.

Just because I'm the strongest doesn't mean I'm omnipotent.

So I'm counting on you to support Mash if she ever has to go off on her own. Got that, Habbycat?

I see. Okay, Olga Marie, you got it. If Mash is ever in trouble, that's when I'll step in.

？！

Oh, don't be so sensitive! It was just a figure of speech!

I might have been a tiny bit worried about you too, okay!?

...Hmph. Anyway, that takes care of the enormous iguanas.

So what do we do now, Tepeu? I mean, it's not like we're going to swim across, right?

No. I can't swim at all.

Last time, I chopped down trees to make a raft, but that's clearly not going to work now.

I'm afraid not. These falls are anything but even. More importantly, they're just too big. It would be like trying to cross the ocean.

Ah, yes, you mentioned oceans back in the cornfield. Exactly how large is an ocean?

Oh, it's huge! It's a massive world of water that goes on forever in all directions!

The ocean is filled with hopes, dreams, romance, and adventure! It's my true home. When we're done, I'll tell you all about it!

Oh my, I can't wait. I do love how you see the world, Marine.

Still, I'm afraid this isn't the time to admire the view.

We still have to cross it, but we can't swim across or use a raft. What should we do, Master?

？！

True. Off the top of my head, I can think of Noah, Moses, Icarus, Sinbad...

Any one of those Heroic Spirits would probably have a Noble Phantasm that could get us across this, uh, river.

Unfortunately, that's not an option right now, though we still don't understand why that is, so...

... ...

It wouldn't matter even if he could. None of those Heroic Spirits would be any help here.

Don't let your eyes fool you.

We need a mythological approach, which means we need a Servant who's familiar with the underworld.

Oh! You're right, Director! I should have known Chaldea'sAh.

Hm? Chaldea's what?

Uh, Chaldea's...dependable...font of knowledge!

Font?

Um, excuse me... Did you just say "Chaldea"?

I hope I didn't mishear you... If I didn't, that would be wonderful.

But the others would all pick on me if I did mishear you, and I really don't want that...

Whwh-wh-wha (Dumbfounded)

So I'm just gonna smoosh you all now, okay?

Don't worry, it won't hurt. You don't have to be scared. It'll all be over in an instant.

Something big's here!!!

Oh no. I did it again... I'm so sorry for scaring you...

I thought you were the bad guys who brought down the Storm Border...

But, you're actually the Master of Chaldea...right? Do you know who I am?

Yay! I knew it was you, Fujimaru!

I'm so glad to see you again! Kingprotea, at your service!

Really? That's weird. I sure remember you...

...Oh. Maybe this is one of those things where we met in my past...

...but for you, it hasn't happened yet?

Anyway, I'm glad to see you. I'm Kingprotea, an Alter Ego.

I splashed down here from the Void Sea to help you as best as I could!

？！

Wait, what!? How are you just...TALKING to her!? Isn't she dangerous!? Is she actually your ally or something?

What, is it just ANYTHING goes with Servants!?

I-I'm surprised too, but it's true: Protea isn't giving off any hostile readings.

Plus, Master seems to already know her, and...

Master doesn't seem to be familiar with her, but...

...she did introduce herself very properly. It's nice to meet you, Protea!

Oh, I know! She must be one of the Servants we summoned in the Border!

Remember how we were supposed to summon three more besides Nitocris? I bet Protea's one of them.

Yes, that's right, Marine. I'm one of the four Servants who came to help Chaldea.

But... Well, I thought I could help Chaldea out...

...but next thing I knew, I was here, surrounded by a bunch of water and these really noisy bats.

I was so anxious I couldn't move, but then you came by, and I heard your voices, and, well, here we are.

Hehe. I'm glad I worked up the courage to stand up.

I'm sorry again for surprising you! But at least it means we met up! I hope I can be helpful, Master!

？！

I-I see. Well, if you guys are okay with this, that's fine.

You there. What sort of Heroic Spirit are you?

Because from what I recall, the Alter Ego class shouldn't exist in Proper Human History.

Me?

I'm composed of several goddesses' essences and one of Mother's personalities.

The goddesses who compose me are a number of archetypal mother goddesses.

And then there's Airāvata, a Divine Beast, and...

...Huh? There's something else mixed in with me? That's weird. What could this be...?

Airāvata!? The one from Indian mythology?

The Airāvata that was born from the ocean of milk?

Yes, that's right! According to that myth, the gods' decline had left the surface devoid of vitality, leaving behind a dead world.

So, to bring life back to the world, the gods joined with the Asura, their sworn enemies...

...and performed a ritual meant to revive and rebuild the world.

That was the ocean of milk; it was a tremendous feat that brought life back to a dead world.

The gods poured the ocean of milk all across the world, churned it, and created Amrita, the nectar of immortality.

That same process also led to the birth of Airāvata, an elegant white elephant who swam across the ocean of milk!

A world devoid of vitality... Creating life from death...

Hmm. Does that mean this event took place in the underworld?

That's right. Protea has a trait that lets her cross both the sea of life and the sea of death.

Which means

Hey, yeah! We can just have her carry us! And since she's so big, there's plenty of room for all of us!

Hey, watch it, Marine. Even if you don't mean anything by it, you shouldn't call people "big" unless you know they're okay with it.

Oh, right! I'm sorry! As punishment, I'll just swim across on my ooown! (Crying)

No, it's okay. I'm just glad to hear you say that.

Although...

...you want me to help you all cross this river? By being your boat?

... ...

...Um...

Is that what you want too, Fujimaru?

？！

Okay, you got it. I'm technically a kaiju, so I don't know how gentle I can be...

...but I've never had such a big job before, so I'll do the very best I can!

Wooow, you're so fast, Protea! You could even give Captain a run for his money when he's in his merman form!

Uh-oh, there's another drop two hundred meters ahead! What's Protea gonna do!?

She just hopped right over it like it was nothing! Man, even the Nautilus can't move like this!

Marine is sitting on top of Protea's head pretending to steer her. Protea's having a lot of fun with it, too.

I guess they have no trouble getting along since both of them are tied to the sea.

It is. She's such an elegant swimmer, and still so bold. Her joy is almost contagious.

On a different note, I still can't quite believe she's truly able to carry all of us.

To think Kingprotea can change her size at will...

She was already at an astonishing size even before she grew large enough to fit us all on her hand.

But why are you floating up there by yourself, U-Olga Marie? There's plenty of room down here on Kingprotea's palm.

Don't be ridiculous. Why would I willingly ride on the hand of some Servant I know nothing about?

Are you nuts? See those horns? You do know those are Tiamat's horns, right?

For a human like you, even touching those things would make you collapse from the huge difference in magical energy density between you. Or do you WANT to just be flotsam in a river?

On a different note, I still can't quite believe she's truly able to carry all of us.

To think Kingprotea can change her size at will...

She was already at an astonishing size even before she grew large enough to fit us all on her hand.

But why are you floating up there by yourself, U-Olga Marie? There's plenty of room down here on Kingprotea's palm.

Don't be ridiculous. Why would I willingly ride on the hand of some Servant I know nothing about?

？！

As long as I don't need to carry anyone, I can hover just fine. All I need to do is lay a gravity field on her shoulder.

I see, so you're essentially having her tow you. What a clever way to conserve your energy.

You'd be a great president in the age of green energy!

Hey. Cut that crap out, would you? I can't tell if you're praising me or raising protests.

O-oh, I'm sorry, Director. I'm just so happy to be with you again that I keep running my mouth...

Hmph. Forget it. I can tell from the color you're emitting that you're saying this out of affection.

We're almost to the halfway point. Is everyone okay? Is anyone scared or feeling uncomfortable?

I've been doing my best to keep nice and steady, but the current's pretty strong, so...

？！

!

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that.

I've really only ever been good at breaking things, so I'm so glad to be helpful for once!

Thank you for trusting me, even though I'm so big.

Say, Master of Chaldea? Once we finish crossing, could I joi

...Huh?

？！

Protea!?

No way! Something cut Protea's back! Oh man, I gotta patch her up!

But I don't have any medical skiiills! (Crying) Sorry I'm not Nuuurse!

Ghh...! Something's here! I can't see it, but there's definitely something!

Come on, Protea... If you collapse now, everyone's gonna drown! You've gotta hang in there...!

Hold on, everyone! I'll at least get you to the nearest shore!

？！

？！

What an utter disgrace. She was meant to bar your way, not open it. Treachery.

The reward for treachery is death. I bring death.

So I had to kill her. She had to die in the underworld.

Ha. Haha. Hahahahahahahaha. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Welcome, apes! Welcome, underworld pilgrims!

You're welcome here! What a delight it is to see new sacrificial blood in boring old Mictlān!

Now remember my name, and remember it well! I am the bringer of death, the king of the underworld...

I am Camazotz, the winged headhunter of the living!

？！

Hm? Protea? Oh, her. I see. So you're interested in her too.

Fine, I can share. Unlike Tezcatlipoca, I'm generous!

Bahahahahaha! That tastes terrible!

I knew it. Quality beats quantity any day. One mouthful is all you need. I've learned my lesson, Priest of Chaldea.

Servant blood is truly awful. I should have kept my curiosity under control.

Ahahahahaha! Sure, I'll get out of your way!

You and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other, so I want to make sure we're on good terms!

But give me a chance to rest my wings. We kings aren't much for exerting ourselves.

？！

Camazotz... That's the name of the menacing bat god who lives in the Mayan underworld and drinks human blood!

If that's your name, then you must be

That's right. I'm no friend to the deinos. I'm a creature of myth, just like all of you.

You there. Priest boy. You're the same sort of creature as that insane Crypter, right?

If you plan on making a pilgrimage to the underworld, then you'd better remember my name, just like he did.

？！

That's right. You two are enemies. You compete with each other, interfere with each other, polish each other's souls...

And in the end, tragically, only one of you will survive. Ahh, I can't wait. I really can't wait.

Hmm, I know. Usually, I'd just cut off your head and taste your blood here and now...

...but I am so loving the anger on your face. Oh...oh yes, it's wonderful!

Hehe... Hahaha... HAHAHAHA! I love it! I want more! So much more!

This is how an ape who dared be angry with me should die!

Come forth, Black Xochitónal! Answer my cursed Command Spell!

I'll let the guardian deal with you. Now, will you kill? Or, maybe, be killed?

Make your choice, Chaldean! That's the trick to surviving in Mictlān!

？！

The one calling himself Camazotz has vanished! And now I'm picking up a different but very powerful magical energy signal!

It's about forty meters below us, and it's coming up the cliffs right now! Be careful, everyone!

It...it is! Her Spirit Origin is different, but it's still Kingprotea!

？！

...

I'll let the guardian deal with you. Now, will you kill? Or, maybe, be killed?

Make your choice, Chaldean! That's the trick to surviving in Mictlān!

？！

The one calling himself Camazotz has vanished! And now I'm picking up a different but very powerful magical energy signal!

It's about forty meters below us, and it's coming up the cliffs right now! Be careful, everyone!

It...it is! Her Spirit Origin is different, but it's still Kingprotea!

？！

...

Oh man, what do we do!? Look at Protea! She's out for blood!

There's gotta be mind control or something at work here! I don't wanna fight her!

I know, but we have no choice. As big as she is, she'll just catch us if we try to run!

Whether we want to beat her or escape, we're going to have to really wallop her!

Fujimaru! Mash! Use the Black Barrel without the Dead Counter! That should at least be enough to stun her!

And whatever you do, focus on getting out of here alive!

Master! Please prepare for combat! I'm going to neutralize the giant enemy Servant!

No way! TWO hits with the Black Barrel and she's still coming! She's even stronger than the president!

I hate to admit it, but it's true! Dammit, why am I so weak!?

Let's just run! She won't be able to see us once we're under the cover of the jungle!

If we're unlucky, she might end up stepping on us, but it's better than staying here until she DEFINITELY crushes us!

？！

Oh man, oh man! She's pounding the ground like crazy!

We're not gonna make it!

Stay calm, Marine. Remember, Camazotz called her "Xochitónal."

If she truly is a guardian of the underworld, then she'll need to stay in the river, and won't be able to follow us into the jungle.

All we need is a little luck, and we'll get to safety.

Then we're all set! I've got galactically good luck!

Even when your chances are ninety-nine to one against drawing the short straw, I draw it every time! Hahaha!

？！

Hm? Who turned off the lights?

？！

Let's talk strategy!

Creepy? Yeah, creepy. Maybe U-O just can't be beat?

I noticed you waited to come back for me until it was safe. Did you enjoy seeing me flattened like that?

？！

Now, now. We may have come awfully close to being wiped out, but the important thing is that we're all safe and sound.

Sure, but now we have an even bigger problem. Is there nothing we can do for Protea?

She couldn't hear us at all. Even the river looked so...red...

That was because Protea was still bleeding from the wounds on her back.

I tried, but I couldn't help her or close her wounds.

She didn't even cry out in pain. I don't know much about mythological beings, but she just may not have any pain receptors.

About that... I hope it doesn't just mean she couldn't cry out regardless of how much she was bleeding...

That bastard! When I get my hands on him, I'm gonna MAKE him turn Protea back to normal!

I would if I could.

The creep is at least fifty kilometers from here already, though. Slippery little bat bastard.

？！

Well, this is quite the conundrum.

Protea got us halfway across the river, but now she herself blocks our progress.

If we don't eliminate her, we'll never be able to make our way through the first layer of the underworld.

You mean, kill her?

That would be one option. But as we just saw for ourselves, that would be exceedingly difficult.

We aren't strong enough to neutralize her. We either need to sneak past her, or...

I'm sorry. Just give me a second, would you?

Or...we simply wait for nature to run its course. U-O, you said she was still bleeding, yes?

Then it's only a matter of time until she dies. We could simply wait here until that happens.

？！

Waaah! Tepeu, you big jeeerk! Why would you say something so cruuuel!?

We can't just leave Protea like thaaat! We've gotta help her somehooow!

Marine, please. You're hurting me.

？！

Wait! I can hear footsteps! Someone is coming this way!

？！

Good morning, everyone.

Are you having some problem a passing priest may be able to assist you with?

Thank you for saving me the trouble of introducing myself to your new compatriots, Fujimaru.

You are more than welcome to call me either Rasputin or Father Kotomine.

I must confess, I am surprised to run into you while I was seeking another. Perhaps the hand of the Lord is at work here.

Oh, you needn't explain what's happening here. I believe I understand your situation.

You're trying to make it through this first layer of the underworld to reach the Storm Border.

But the guardian of this underworld has forced you to retreat, yes?

？！

Right. You're an enemy of Chaldea.

I can't think of any reason for you to be here except to stop us from cutting down the Tree of Emptiness.

Hahahaha. Oh, this is truly unfortunate. There has, I am afraid, been a misunderstanding.

The other Disciples may have left a poor impression on you. But I assure you that, as I am a man of the cloth, I have no interest in a fight.

And, as I mentioned a moment ago, I am here looking for someone. That's all.

So long as I find her, I have no quarrel with you. Happily, I've just completed that particular objective.

Hm?

So this is where you've been, Young Miss. I'm here to take you home.

I was quite worried when I saw you fall, but I'm relieved to see you've not got a scratch on you.

Now, let us return to the great majestic houseto your Earth Unification Headquarters.

You have a great deal of work and studying left to do, and no shortage of good food waiting for you.

Huh? What're you talking about? Who the hell are you?

Hahaha. While nothing new, I see your sense of humor is as cutting as ever.

It's me, Rasputin, your faithful butler. Surely you haven't forgotten me?

? ??? ??????

Hahahahaha. Hahahahahahahaha.

Forgive me. I was so moved by your magnanimity that I couldn't help but laugh.

You've forgotten my name, then. Not to worry. You may simply refer to me as "Father" if you like.

What matters is that I am your butler. I am both your loyal manservant, and your ally.

You do understand that, yes?

Yeah, sure. I don't remember anything about you, but I can tell you're not lying.

You can't get much darker than this shade of blue. Hell, it's so dark it's almost black. So I guess you really are my manservant.

Are you sure about this, U-O!? This guy's the most obviously suspicious priest I've ever seen!

Did you...forget you have amnesia!? You need to be way more cautious so you don't get taken advantage of!

Heh. Nobody's taking advantage of me. Besides, it would be much stranger if someone as noble as I am DIDN'T have a butler.

Exactly, Young Miss. You may have lost your memory, but you clearly haven't lost your spirit.

Hahahahahaha.

？！

Olga Marie is so smart, but he just won her over in an instant...

What are you up to, Father Kotomine!?

A young mind should not be so suspicious. Dialogue is the best way to solve a great many things.

I am, in a sense, facing a situation every bit as unexpected as you are.

Here I am, trying to find my missing mistress, only to find her associating with some...unusual new friends.

For my part, I would prefer she cut ties with you immediately and remember who she truly is, but

Huh? Are you trying to make me into a figurehead instead of a real president?

I told Fujimaru and Mash I'd help them and the rest of Chaldea, so that's just what I'm going to do.

At the very least, I'm not leaving their side until they reach the Storm Border.

Olga Marie! Thank you so much!

I see. Then I must respect my mistress's wishes.

As long as the Young Miss insists on helping Chaldea, I'll do the same.

That said, I'm afraid I can be of no help in combat. I am simply an ordinary, powerless priest, as you can see.

？！

It's no lie. I'm an ordinary butler. I believe that suits you better too, no?

...

(I think he's right, Senpai. If Olga Marie learns that he's a Disciple of the Foreign God...)

(...she'd then learn who and what the Foreign God actually is, too.)

(There's no telling how she might react if she learns the truth.)

(So if we're going to keep this up, I think we have no choice but to bring him with us and go along with his butler act.)

I'm so glad you understand. Do not worry. I promise I will make no effort to influence the young miss's decisions.

I'm not so starved for entertainment that I would dash the young miss's beautiful dream of friendship now that it's blossomed here in this subterranean world.

？！

？！

A good question. So far as I know, the young miss is the strongest being on this planet by a wide margin. I cannot imagine what could have caused her to lose her memory.

On the subject of things I cannot possibly imagine...

I'd like to ask you something as well. Tell me about Limbo's final moments?

I can't say I ever cared for him, but he was technically a colleague.

L-Limbo's final moments? I, um... Senpai?

？！

...

All right, let's forget I asked. More pressingly, I think we need to discuss strategy.

You need to do something about the underworld guardianthe Servant who became a Xochitónal, yes?

I'm afraid I don't have much expertise to share, but I do have some words of wisdom to offer on the subject of exorcisms.

Exorcisms? Did you just say "exorcisms"?

I did. That Servant has been possessed by an evil spirit. Said spirit clearly dwells in that mask.

In Mexico, they call it a "calavera," or skull. I could sense a powerful Divine Spirit's power inside it.

If you can remove that mask, the Servant should return to her senses. Whether she'll be able to return to her old self, however, is another question.

Huh? What do you mean?

You're saying those who become guardians of the underworld can never leave the underworld again?

That while the living can try to escape the underworld, and the dead can try to descend through it as part of their trials...

...its guardians are simply not permitted to leave their posts unattended?

Did the gods of Proper Human History decide that rule?

Indeed. You really are quite intelligent, aren't you, Tepeu? I believe it was indeed decided by deities.

However, this also gives us an opportunity. This boundary of the underworld was overwritten by Proper Human History's myths.

That means it is both inside this Lostbelt while not being part of it. Mash, I believe your little machine can measure a location's Foundation of Humanity value, can it not?

Yes, it can... Huh? It looks like this location's value is...fluctuating.

What does this mean?

It means this location is subject to both the Chronicle Theoretical Phenomenon and the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon.

Put another way, the past, present, and future all mingle in this one spot, each equally valid.

In this place, you can summon as many Heroic Spirits with ties to Chaldea as your magical energy permits.

What's more, you can even temporarily draw on connections on things that may have happened or that may have been feasible.

For example, a Heroic Spirit Fujimaru A never met...

...could still be summoned as long as Fujimaru B DID meet them at some point.

That being said, there are still only so many Servants you can summon as a lone mage.

Conversely, with access to the Storm Border's power source, you could summon Servants by the hundred.

Like what you planned to do in Tunguska.

Y-you know about that, too?

Not for sure; not until you confirmed it just now. Something of a leading question. Of course, I had my suspicions that you would resort to such a plan in the end.

You are so wonderfully forthcoming, Mash. Kadoc could learn a great deal from you.

At any rate, I trust I have made my point. You can summon nearly anyone you like here.

You need only consider which Servants would be most helpful against the Xochitónal, then summon them.

？！

Father, Fujimaru has been unable to summon Heroic Spirits ever since he arrived in Mictlān.

Which, unfortunately, means your plan isn't viable.

So it would seem, given that Camazotz was using the Command Spells you lost.

Where did you relinquish them, Fujimaru?

？！

？！

I see. A world covered in fog, and a deal you made to come back... All right, I understand.

You offered your Command Spells in exchange for a narrow escape from death. And now, Camazotz has those very same Command Spells.

No wonder he was able to transform Kingprotea into an Alter.

You must once have contracted with her in one timeline or another.

And so your Command Spells could order her to become a guardian of the underworld.

Then...that's why Protea transformed like that? Because she believed that was one of Master's Command Spells?

Most likely. Otherwise, she would never have offered up her soulher Spirit Core, so easily.

But that's not what's important.

What's important, Fujimaru, is that you gave up your Command Spells to come back to life.

However, this is the underworld, not the world of the living. In which case, I suspect

I see. As long as he's in the underworld, the contract he made to exchange his Command Spells to come back to life doesn't apply...

...because the contract is effectively voided at any time he isn't alive. Is that what you're saying?

Your intellect continues to impress, Tepeu. I hope you'll join me for some Russian tea later.

Hey, yeah. You haven't actually tried to summon since we came to this first underworld. You just assumed it wouldn't work.

Why don't you give it a shot now, Fujimaru?

？！

That's enough. Now that we know you can indeed summon Servants, you just have to come up with a plan of action.

You can only summon so many on your own, so you will need to choose carefully.

As long as you can avoid any egregious errors, you should have no trouble defeating the Xochitónal.

？！

Hm? I expected you would be happy to have such a clear path to success. Why do you look so sad?

？！

I know.

My suggestion was merely for defeating the Xochitónal, not killing Kingprotea.

I may be the so-called Mad Monk Rasputin, but I'm also the temptation of immortality, and a priest with a talent for dealing with wicked thoughts.

As long as you're able to hold the Xochitónal in place...

...I'll be able to remove the tumor bound to her Spirit Origin through that mask.

I am a priest, you know. I may not be useful in combat, but I have plenty of experience treating wounds.

Then, we really can save Protea! This is great! You're such a capable butler!

Of course he is. I'd never have a butler who was anything less than truly excellent.

Aw, you don't even remember him, Madam President☆ But that's okay, I still love you! I'm so glad you're here!

All right, it's time you chose your Servants.

Remember, your opponent is a High Servant combined with the giant Xochitónal's Spirit Origin.

You'll be facing a titanic river guardian with potent defenses, and a constant drain on your stamina courtesy of that mask of death.

Master Fujimaru, this battle will hinge on both what you know now and the choices you make very soon.

Master! The skull mask removal team is in position!

I'll make sure Father Kotomine gets high enough to reach Protea's mask!

I'll keep her pinned down! No thrashing around, no retreating to the river, nothing!

The moment she makes a move a Servant can't keep up with, I'll be there to slap her down!

We'll cheer you on from way over here! Good luck, everyone!

The Xochitónal is drawing near. Let's see how well you handle the first underworld trial.

？！

Protea has been pinned in place! Sheba says she'll begin using her self-replication to regenerate from her wounds in ten seconds!

I'll launch you up to the mask now, Father Kotomine!

Thank you. Do try to give me a soft landing, if you can.

I need no scalpel or anesthesia. A spirit medium's method consists of simply reaching in and pulling out the infected area directly.

Pain. Suffering. Agony. In the name of the evil dragon representing death, I bear witness to the incessant rot.

The taint of death, the malaria of evil, calls on people from all walks of life. As muck spills forth without end, I shall be the one to scoop it up.

Pomiluj Nas, Gospodi. Lord, have pity on this poor soul.

Ah...

Ah...

Aaaaaah!

We did it! We got the mask off her!

The plan worked!

Look out, Mash! This isn't over yet! The mask is starting to move on its own!

Hope you're ready for more fighting, Fujimaru! Now that it's just the mask, I won't have to hold anything back!

I don't know the first thing about these underworld guardians, but I came to Earth to rule it!

So you'd better give me all the support you can!

So it would seem. Though not in the truest sense.

You have neither regained your qualifications as a summoner, nor has the Command Spell regained its abilities.

At most, you should now be able to summon a Servant or two in Mictlān, outside the boundary of the underworld.

How dare you? How dare you!? This is unforgiveable.

No...not unforgiveable. Unbelievable. How could a giant like me fall to a human?

And an arrogant human who thinks of himself as a summoner, no less? I stepped out of myths of gods and giants! This is an unforgiveable disgrace.

？！

...

？！

...Well, whatever the case, facts are facts. And the fact is...I've been saved.

Fine then. I hate to give up this Alterization, but I will. Do with me what you like.

But I won't forget this humiliation, Master. The next time we meet, I'm going to make you pay.

...(Gasp!) D-did I just say something!?

I'm sorry... I don't remember what happened.

I mean, I was conscious up to the point you were nice enough to remove my mask for me, but...

Um... Was I acting strange afterward?

Like, lording it over you, or acting tough, or generally...um...being bad?

？！

Thank goodness! And thank YOU, Master!

Wearing that mask was really painful, and I couldn't even see or say anything.

I thought I would stay trapped in that kaiju form, that I'd be killed...but you never gave up on me!

I'm so, sooo happy right now!