The Lost City of Water

Oh my. This is...not what I was expecting...

？！

It's true. There are so many people everywhere you look... There must be at least thirty thousand coming and going on the main street alone!

Oh yes, isn't it wonderful?

México City is currently home to a hundred thousand, all ocelomeh warriors.

The noncombatantswomen and childrenhave built villages in the neighboring jungles, where they work to support México City.

Hmm. So this city was built solely for commerceor rather, ritual purposes, then?

And what's more, you're saying they didn't do so on top of the ruins of an existing city, like with Chichén Itzá?

That they actually built this enormous metropolis from scratch?

...Not quite. I hate to admit it, but the actual city itself was provided by Tezcatlipoca.

Tezcatlipoca, the Divine Spirit Servant Daybit of the Crypters summoned.

He gave the ocelomeh civilization in the form of this city and revived Aztec mythology here in Mictlān.

So here they worship the black sun, Tezcatlipoca, the smoking mirror, as opposed to Kukulcan.

As a species, ocelomeh are much weaker than deinos, but thanks to their far greater numbers, their adaptability...

...and most importantly, their aggressive naturesomething the deinos entirely lackthey've flourished, as you can see.

I understand that this Tezcatlipoca guy and the ocelomeh are Chaldea's enemies...

...but all that aside, I've got to say, this city doesn't suck!

It's full to bursting with the energy of people determined to live and improve their lives!

If anything, this city is closer to the colors Fujimaru and Mash emit than anywhere else I've seen!

...

Young Miss, as an aspiring leader, I must advise against making statements which might hurt or offend your supporters, especially when they're standing right beside you.

What are you talking about!? I'm not saying the ocelomeh are better than the deinos or anything!

Did you not hear the "all that aside" part!?

Besides, if we're talking about who we like more, I like Tepeu a hundred times more! He's way smarter and nicer than any ocelomeh I've met!

Anyway, I think you've got a sense for México City now, right?

Then let's get to the reason we came here: Chaldea's abducted staff.

Leonardo da Vinci, Sion Eltnam, Nemo, and Kadoc.

I suggest our first order of business should be to find out where they're being held.

Does that mean you think we should split up? I'm not sure that's a good idea.

We may look like ocelomeh to the people here thanks to my disguise spell, but we still can't understand them.

It's true. Even the Ortinax's built-in translator doesn't seem to work with their language.

That neatly rules out gathering information by conversing with the locals.

So our only choice is to search for a likely holding area on foot.

Somewhere heavily guarded, perhaps...or where we can sense Nemo's presence.

Of course, were I in Tezcatlipoca's position, I'd keep them somewhere which would block detection of such things.

？！

I think those are twin temples. They're both about sixty meters tall.

Each has a path leading up to its roof, and I can see what looks like altars in the center between them.

Oh, yes. Those are the sacrificial altars where they pluck out the still-beating hearts of their sacrifices.

But that's not important right now, so we can save that topic for later.

Those temples are dedicated to Tlāloc and Huītzilōpōchtli.

Huītzilōpōchtli's temple contains a divine space for Tezcatlipoca to rest...

...and Tlāloc's temple contains the throne of the ocelomeh's king.

I'm afraid your disguise spell won't work on Tezcatlipoca, Father Kotomine.

And since he'll almost certainly kill us the moment he sees us, we should keep our distance from those temples.

？！

Huītzilōpōchtli is said to be the Aztec tribal god of the sun and war.

When the Aztec people lost their land, and were forced to wander around Central America, Huītzilōpōchtli guided them to Metztliapan, the Lake of the Moon.

He's a war god who demanded countless sacrifices as fuel with which to move the sun.

...It's said he wields the fiery snake Xiuhcoatl as a weapon and that he has blue arms and legs.

This has led to some people claiming he was actually the god Tezcatlipoca from Mayan mythology before the Aztec people adopted him.

？！

Yes. Since Huītzilōpōchtli wielded Xiuhcoatl as a weapon, he was said to be an enemy of Quetzalcoatl.

？！

Daybit rarely comes to México City.

The other times I've come here, he was out in the jungle, investigating old ruins.

It seemed pretty clear that he was leaving city mattersthat is, the war between the deinos and the ocelomeh, in Tezcatlipoca's hands.

...All so he could focus entirely on his personal fieldwork.

I swear, I still can't tell if he hates being a Crypter or loves it.

Daybit rarely comes to México City.

The other times I've come here, he was out in the jungle, investigating old ruins.

It seemed pretty clear that he was leaving city mattersthat is, the war between the deinos and the ocelomeh, in Tezcatlipoca's hands.

...All so he could focus entirely on his personal fieldwork.

I swear, I still can't tell if he hates being a Crypter or loves it.

？！

Huītzilōpōchtli is said to be the Aztec tribal god of the sun and war.

When the Aztec people lost their land, and were forced to wander around Central America, Huītzilōpōchtli guided them to Metztliapan, the Lake of the Moon.

He's a war god who demanded countless sacrifices as fuel with which to move the sun.

...It's said he wields the fiery snake Xiuhcoatl as a weapon and that he has blue arms and legs.

This has led to some people claiming he was actually the god Tezcatlipoca from Mayan mythology before the Aztec people adopted him.

？！

Yes. Since Huītzilōpōchtli wielded Xiuhcoatl as a weapon, he was said to be an enemy of Quetzalcoatl.

Well, never mind that. It sounds like we can go around the city as we like, yeah?

This will be my first time getting to see actual humans in their element!

Fujimaru, Mash, I'm counting on you two to explain anything I don't understand!

I'm afraid that won't be possible, Young Miss.

Since we can't actually speak to anyone here, we'll need to make more effective use of our resources.

Given the possibility of unforeseen complications, I think it'd be best if you and Tepeu waited outside the city.

What!? How come!?

It's because of my size, isn't it?

I may look like an ocelotl, but I'll still bump into people in large crowds.

And similarly

Oh... Right. Olga Marie's horns...

What? No, I don't. And are you aware that with each passing day, you treat me with less and less respect!?

You say the most bizarre things sometimes. You know that, right? And of course we can't!

And don't ask me to make them smaller! Believe me, I've already made them as compact as I possibly can!

？！

I'm so sorry, Olga Marie, but...I think we need you to do the prudent thing this time...

...Yeah, okay. Your companions' lives are hanging in the balance here.

Fine. I'll save my colonial observations for another time.

But in exchange, I want you and Fujimaru to get a good look at this city in my place!

If we're going to fight the ocelomeh, learning about their culture, ideology, and way of life is the least we can do!

I know we've had to fight them without knowing anything about them so far, but things are different now that we have a chance to learn.

And since you'll be acting as my special secretaries, I don't want you two using ignorance as an excuse for brutality!

I'll start checking the alleys off the main road. If things take a turn for the worst, I'll come rescue you on my motorcycle♡

I'll take a look around the temples. Don't worry, I'll keep my distance. I just want to get a handle on their structure.

You two should take the main street. Don't forget to behave like ocelomeh.

Looks like we have a big street to cover.

It's a shame that we won't be able to talk to any of the ocelomeh, since we don't understand their language...

Yeah, I know. There are no child ocelomeh in this city, so it'd only draw more attention if I materialized and used a disguise.

Besides, I can always pop out and help you fight in an emergency. Don't worry about me. You two take your time looking around.

？！

？！

Yes, this street was nothing but shops...

Although...don't you think this city feels a little TOO lively?

It's hard to be sure since everyone's wearing masks, but they all seem strangely on edge.

？！

...I don't like this. I'm worried about those who were captured.

I know it's dangerous, but I think we're going to have to talk to the ocelomeh if we're going to get any informa

Hm?

Huh!? What do you mean, you won't trade with me!?

Last time you said this was worth the same as ten rattlesnakes! Huh? You don't need any more because the ritual's tomorrow?

Oh. I see... So you already have enough blood. That makes sense.

Aw maaan. And after all the work I put into catching these to trade for that beautiful barrette...

U-um, Senpai? I think that sounded like

？！

Hm? You mean me? Well, thank you for talking to

...

I was right! Excuse me, um, about the language you're speakingor rather, WE'RE speaking...

?

Oh, don't worry, sir. They're not speaking deinos language.

This is the new language Tezcatlipoca's priest, Daybit, uses.

It's not easy to learn, but it makes for much more precise communication than ocelotl words and gestures, so it's very handy.

Just be patient. It won't be long before you'll get to learn it in school, too.

, .

Now then, where were we? Nice to meet you, travelers! My name's Cuāuhtli! What're yours?

I see you learned how to speak Proper Human History language too, just like King Izcalli.

Yup! It wasn't easy, but it was so cool and stylish that I picked it up in no time!

Are you impressed? Are you going to compliment me? Hehe, never mind. Such direct praise can be kind of embarrassing!

？！

...So, how come you went out of your way to talk to me in a foreign language?

Are you trying to beef up security ahead of tomorrow's ritual?

I guess the rumors about Chaldean conquerors in the area must be true.

But, sorry. I'm not a soldier, myself.

I just came to México City today to get this beautiful jade barrette.

So I'm afraid I can't take part in the sacrificial ritual.

I'm a landscaper and a farmer, not a fighter.

(So all the female ocelomeh do live outside the city, just like Koyanskaya said.)

(I'm not sure this lady knows too much about México City, Master. What would you like to do?)

？！

Maybe. The jungle is pretty thick, and it's easy to lose sight of things in there.

So maybe we passed each other without realizing it.

Or maybe...

...you've traveled with someone who looks a lot like me? What a lovely coincidence that would be.

.

Hm? You smell honey? From him? And you'd be willing to trade for that?

Um... Just out of curiosity, you wouldn't happen to have anything sweet on you, would you?

？！

, ! , !

Oh wow! I don't need to understand what he's saying to know this has him really excited!

He seems to be asking to trade for it!

？！

! , !

？！

Huh? You're giving this to me? May I ask why?

？！

...I see. So that's how you two think.

Okay then, don't mind if I do! Wow, a human's never given me a present before!

Let me tell you something that just might help you out, as my way of thanking you.

The Chaldean conquerors King Izcalli and Tezcatlipoca brought here are scheduled to be sacrificed tomorrow.

They all have special blood, so they've been chosen as sacrifices to the sun.

So if you wanted to, say, rescue them? I'd get on that as quickly as I could, if I were you.

Otherwise, you might wind up having to fight all the hundred thousand ocelomeh in the city at once.

Then again, being clever is kind of what you people from Proper Human History are about. Isn't it, Fujimaru?

？！

I'm sorry, Senpai. I lost track of her.

She wasn't especially fast, but she slipped through the crowd almost like wind through tree leaves...

？！

Right. If what she said is true, then we don't have a moment to lose.

Let's hurry and find the others so we can come up with a plan!

They're going to sacrifice the Chaldeans!? By plucking out their still-beating hearts!?

What the heck did they do to deserve that!? I wouldn't punish someone like that even for defaming the president!

You're mistaken, Young Miss. These sacrifices are not criminals.

The Aztecs offer up their hearts as a holy act. A sinner would not be given this privilege, even were they to ask for it.

Those typically chosen as sacrifices are warriors from defeated enemy tribes or people raised specifically to be sacrificed.

I know that! That's the whole human sacrifice thing, right!? But that doesn't change the fact that they're killing prisoners!

These rulers should be ashamed of themselves, killing outsiders and hoping it'll make things better for themselves!

She really is. The circumstances our friends are in seem to be genuinely upsetting her.

？！

...Hmph. I'm upset because I'm disappointed in myself.

I'm disappointed that I was so impressed by the ocelomeh building such a big city that I gave them four stars.

...Excuse me. May I ask a question?

Why sacrifice them? Did this sort of thing happen in Proper Human History as well?

I understand it's more important to focus on how we're going to rescue these four Chaldeans BEFORE they're sacrificed, but...

Not at all. These are precisely the questions which will allow us to begin understanding the ocelomeh, which may well be key in rescuing the hostages.

It's quite a pertinent question, Tepeu. In fact, I have a question for you as well, but it can wait until later.

For the moment, this represents a good chance to explain the purpose human sacrifice played in Aztec civilization.

I advise you to listen well too, Fujimaru.

？！

All right, I'll try to be as concise as I can.

The Aztecs were not the first civilization in Central America. Some, such as the Olmecs and Zapotecs, predate even the Aztecs.

And as Aztec mythology was the last to originate in Mesoamerica...

...it was heavily influenced by Mayan mythology, which itself was influenced by the Olmecs.

My thinking is that the mythologies of Latin America are not separated by tribe or civilization...

...but rather, that there is a sort of shared remembrance of the creation of the world, continuously passed on by all who live here.

...Remembrance, hmm. Is this like some sort of image the jungle has planted in people's minds?

That's right. Remember, this land is vast, and these intertribal conflicts were a constant part of their daily lives.

So the people who lived there would never be so greedyor perhaps, arbitrary, as to mix in their own motives with their creation myths.

No, I suspect they simply built up their myths based on whatever they were feeling at the time, which surely included staring into the jungle's swirling darkness and harmonizing with it.

True. Compared to other mythologies, Mesoamerica's cosmological timeline is fairly fractured.

Similar meanings carry different names, and even its perception of time is highly unusual.

So while we do have written historical records, it's difficult to piece everything together and keep it all free of contradictions.

And you think that's because this mythology wasn't created by humans...

...but was instead created by the land itself, or possibly something greater still?

Indeed. The people of Central America never kept large livestock, never used vehicles to transport anything, and never rode animals.

Though they had all the necessary knowledge to do so had they wished.

I can only assume they intentionally denied themselves any development which might have made their lives easier or more comfortable if it meant humans reigned supreme in the jungle.

In contrast to this, they were intensely interested in astronomy. Unusually so, one could argue.

Their astronomical techniques were by far the most accurate of any other ancient civilization.

Suffice to say, they were extremely interested in, as well as respectful and fearful of outer space. Why? The answer is obvious.

Their ancestors were once threatened or even victimized by something which came from it.

The memories of the very land they lived in told them that their world had once been destroyed by something alien to it.

In fact, in Aztec mythology, the world meets its end several times.

Do you know how many times, Fujimaru?

？！

That's right. Five times. Well, four to be precise, since in Aztec mythology, the fifth time is the age we're living in now.

While there are tales of the world itself being destroyed in other mythologies...

...tales of it being destroyed and rebuilt time and time again are unique to the Aztecs.

Suffice to say, in Aztec civilizationreally in all of Central Americathe land holds clear memories of devastation and rebirth, and the people who lived there took that as a lesson.

I see. If something like that were to happen multiple times, it would be sensible for people to learn from and prepare for it.

So you say they learned to practice astronomy, and their way to address the dangers they saw was these human sacrifices?

Indeed. The Aztecs believed that the world would end every fifty-two years.

"Years"?

It would supposedly take place on the day their two calendarsXiuhpōhualli, their agricultural calendar, and Tōnalpōhualli, their sacred calendaraligned.

On this day, the sun would lose its power, and the world would be plunged into darkness.

And that is a very brief overview of Aztec eschatology.

During the twilight of this day, the Aztec people would hold a grand ceremony in their capital city of Tenochtitlan.

People would put out each and every fire in their homes and village. These symbolized the old years. They would then offer their own blood for the ceremony, fervently praying for the sun's return out of fear tomorrow may never come.

Aztec priests, filled by the fervent wishes of their people, would then tear the still-beating hearts from the sacrifices and offer them to a new grand fire, which symbolized the new cycle.

The belief was that this would grant the sun sufficient power to keep the world alive for the next fifty-two years, allowing the world to be reborn.

Human sacrifices were neither an offering to the gods, nor a means of controlling the populace.

They were the embodiment of the people's wish for the world to be born again.

In Aztec mythology, there is no way to save the world from devastation.

It is inevitable.

That was the common understanding among all the people of Central America.

The fact that they simply accepted the sun's death and the world's end as facts of life goes to show how harsh and unforgiving life must have been for them.

I can't believe it. You're all from Proper Human History, and you're all so gentle and rational.

To take such utter madness so seriously...

Did no one point out to them that the sun operates quite independently of any human intervention?

Madness or not, this was their truth.

Only those who were alive at the time can take issue with it. All we can do now is remember and record their experiences.

...That being said, I believe that, in terms of magecraft, this was all very much real.

The fact is, once the Aztecs stopped making human sacrifices, their empire came to an end. Their mythology, and their world, is now completely gone.

Huh? That's news to me. Is this just your own weird interpretation of things?

This interpretation is all in keeping with their mythology, Koyanskaya.

You may recall that earlier, I said that Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl used to feud...

...but I never said what it was they were feuding over.

After everything I've told you, perhaps now you can say what it is they disagreed on, Fujimaru?

...Exactly what is the Quetzalcoatl you know...like? Some kind of meatheaded noblewoman?

No matter. Quetzalcoatl would always have been delighted to see the human race living well now, and to see their lands boast a flourishing civilization.

At any rate, the correct answer is "the ritual of human sacrifice."

？！

Some legends have posited that, of the Aztec pantheon, Quetzalcoatl was the only god who opposed human sacrifices.

Tezcatlipoca, on the other hand, was all for it. You can learn a great deal about these gods' natures from this conflict alone.

Tezcatlipoca believed strongly in upholding the land's teachings and protecting the Mesoamerican people.

Meanwhile, Quetzalcoatl believed people's lives could and should be better and wanted to get rid of what he saw as old-fashioned, obsolete beliefs.

When Spaniards first arrived in Central America in the sixteenth century...

...they were astonished at the Aztec Empire's prosperity, and the glittering city of Tenochtitlan.

One can imagine them saying something like, "This must be the greatest water-top city in the entire world."

"And yet, they not only continue the barbaric practice of human sacrifice, but it remains a core part of their religion."

The Spaniards quickly found similarities between Quetzalcoatl and the Christian saints, so they decreed him the "good" god.

And almost by default, Tezcatlipoca, his rival and opposite in many ways, was labeled "evil."

In spite of this, Moctezuma II, the king of Tenochtitlan at the time...

...not only let Hernán Cortés, leader of the Spaniards and eventual conqueror of the Aztecs into his city...

...you may recall he did so with open arms.

So why did he invite Cortés into his city?

Some say it's because he believed Cortés was Quetzalcoatl, whose second coming was prophesized after his banishing...

...but that doesn't quite make sense.

Tenochtitlan worshipped the rain god Tlāloc and the tribal god Huītzilōpōchtli at the time.

So why would the king be so willing to welcome Quetzalcoatl, whose legends state he opposed the very ritual sacrifice his city's gods encouraged?

Now that you mention it...it DOESN'T make sense.

People say Cortés tricked Moctezuma II...

Thinking about it, though, it seems just as possible Moctezuma II was actually using Cortés himself.

Exactly, the historical record tells us Moctezuma II was relatively weak compared to other well-known rulers...

...but he was also wise, open-minded, and above all, had the vision to imagine a better future for the Aztec Empire, sharing similar values to Quetzalcoatl.

It may be that he believed the Aztec Empire's neighboring tribes would eventually destroy them...

...and so brought in an outside power in the form of the Spaniards.

For that to happen, he knew he would have to destroy the foundation of human sacrifice upon which their culture was built.

When Cortés showed up and was said to be the second coming of Quetzalcoatl, Moctezuma II saw him as a tool be used.

So he invited the conquistador into his city, knowing he was poisonous. But then he found himself on the losing side of the game the two of them were playing.

Cortés was a foreigner; he knew absolutely nothing of Mesoamerican cultures.

So my guess is that Moctezuma II thought it would be easy to make use of him.

But before he and Moctezuma II met, Cortés met a woman who would prove to be his very own good luck charm...

...a local woman called Malintzin, nowadays nicknamed "La Malinche."

The daughter of a nobleman, La Malinche was an intelligent woman who had been sold to a rival tribe as a slave.

She was then taken by Spaniards as spoils of war after they defeated La Malinche's new tribe in battle. Her noble background and education meant she had no trouble learning their language.

She taught Cortés about the Aztec Empire's language and culture, and investigated its weaknesses for him.

Consequently, it is believed Moctezuma II was the one who wound up deceived...

...and the Aztec Empire fell to the Spanish one.

It's said that the Spaniards' victory was a miracle, since they only had six hundred cavalry to the Aztecs' two hundred thousand soldiers...

But the truth is, La Malinche was the true cause of the Aztec Empire's downfall.

Her, and a coalition of all the rival tribes the Aztecs had been subjugating for years.

Though of course, once the Aztec Empire was gone, the Spaniards would go on to eradicate those other tribes as well.

...I see.

And so the emperor who thought to stop the ritual of human sacrifice is the man who invited the Aztec Empire's downfall.

The end result is that their culture ground to a complete stop. Thus, paradoxically, it would have been better for the ritual to continue. Is that your argument?

Yes, though only if we set aside questions of ethics and human rights.

For it was just when a dull grey light was shone on their ritual of rebirtha Mystic dating to the Age of Myth...

...that their sun died.

Now, here is my question for you, Tepeu: Has the sun in Mictlān ever gone out?

？！

... ...

Yes. It has.

I've never experienced it myself, but they say that once, ages and ages ago, Malla was covered in shadow, and the sun was lost.

The deinos refer to that event as The Night of Dread. The sun disappeared and night lasted for what seemed like an eternity.

Hmm... So if Mictlān's sun has in fact been lost before, the ocelomeh are actually somewhat justified in practicing this ritual.

They truly have brought Proper Human History's Aztec culture back to life. This means stopping the ritual of sacrifice itself would be tremendously difficult.

One wrong move, and we would be fighting a war against a hundred thousand ocelomeh. And I doubt that's a war we supposed conquerors can win.

It seems then that the best course of action open to us is likely rescuing the hostages at an opportune moment in the ritual, then escaping as quickly as we can.

...By the way, Tepeu, do you know of anyone who could tell us more about this Night of Dread?

I've only heard the priests speak of it, and then only to say that it happened.

The only ones who would know more are Kukulcan and the observatory's

...No, never mind.

There may be a detailed record in the Solar Sojourn, Chichén Itzá's throne room.

Understood. Perhaps we'll get a chance to see it later then.

At any rate, thank you all for your patience. Let's return to the matter at hand.

Tomorrow, the captured Chaldeans will be used as human sacrifices.

The only way we can stop that is by rescuing them before the ritual begins.

However, I'm afraid I have some very unfortunate news to share in that regard.

The prisoners are being kept underground, beneath Tlāloc's temple.

What's more, the temple is guarded by a frankly absurd number of armed ocelomeh.

Never mind rescuing them from their cells. We wouldn't even be able to get close.

So you already knew where they were being kept. No wonder you took your time with all that ritual talk.

If the look on your face is anything to go by, you've reached a conclusion too, though I'm guessing it's probably the same as mine.

Indeed. It may not be possible to sneak into the temple now, but tomorrow will be a different story.

In Proper Human History, the Aztec ritual of human sacrifice was part of a ceremony to bring new life to the world...

...and involved every Aztec citizen ceasing battle and prostrating themselves in prayer for the ritual's success.

The ocelomeh are likely no different. At the very least, we can expect the warriors outside the temple will be following the traditions of the ritual.

Of course, there are bound to be some soldiers inside the temple as well, but I trust you can handle those, Fujimaru.

So, the plan is

？！

Correct. Of course, you'll require a route suited to sneaking in, but I believe our capable bunny here can look into that.

In the meantime, the rest of us can recover our strength, then set out for the temple at dawn. How does that sound?

Why are you even asking? There's obviously no alternative.

Very well. I shall secure a route into the temple. The rest of you, enjoy your pleasant little chat.

I swear on NFF Services that I'll find the safest route possible.

The torches are lit all along the main street... It will soon be a year since the ritual began.

I suppose this will be the last time I see the waterway that runs down the city's center, or the moon's silvery blue path.

I can't believe you're out on your own on a sunless night.

You should know better than that, Izcalli. Or have you forgotten that you're a king now?

Tlāloc!? No, I promise you I haven't forgotten.

This is México City's sanctuarya holy area only the king, the gods, and the sacrifices may enter.

No miscreant would dare come here. I'll be fine on my own.

More importantly...why are you dressed like a human from Proper Human History?

...Don't worry about it. I'm just matching my brother.

He told me that if I'm going to protect México City, I need to make a visible effort to be part of its culture.

He also said that nobody likes antiquated, old-fashioned gods, and that the ocelomeh would say I'm behind the times if I don't keep up.

With all due respect to Tezcatlipoca, I have no issue with your usual manner of dress, Tlāloc.

If anything, it suits Mictlān well. It perfectly embodies both the blessings of rain, and the deaths caused by flooding.

...That's true. This is a Lostbelt Mictlān.

It's very different from the overly soft Mictlān of Proper Human History. Here, only fighters can survive.

Do you know what Aztec mythology considered paradise, Izcalli?

A world where Mictlān is populated by nonwarriors.

A world where the only people who go to the afterlife are those who died from natural causes instead of in battle. It doesn't even matter whether they're good or evil.

It couldn't be more different from this Mictlān. At least for the ocelomeh.

The ocelomeh are all brave warriors, yes. Dying in battle is the greatest offering they could make to Tezcatlipoca.

That is where Proper Human History's Aztecs went wrong. Not just with the ritual of rebirth.

They ritually sacrificed people every day as offerings to the gods, or as payment for the gift of rain.

Each and every day, they slicked their beautiful city with blood by carving out civilians' hearts.

Not a day went by that the streets did not run red with blood, staining the moon's path.

Such idiocy. How did they imagine they could change the world with the blood of ignorant slaves!?

We're nothing like that. We would never spill such useless blood. We only take organs with real power.

Power enough to resurrect a god.

And soon, we will have enough sacrifices to accomplish our goal.

The Chaldean mage and the expertly-made artificial human both have hearts rarer than any deinos.

They will be the perfect final sacrifice to resurrect the true Tezcatlipoca.

The deinos hearts we've collected have been sent to Mictlān's lowest stratum via the moon's path.

Did my brother tell you about the lowest stratum?

He did. He said there's a weapon sleeping there that will destroy Proper Human History once and for all.

One year ago, Tezcatlipoca came up here to the fifth stratum from the bottom one and blessed us with weapons...

...so we could return with him to the bottom stratum in a year's time and use the weapon there to destroy Proper Human History.

That is his will, and we will gladly obey.

We will, here in México City, eradicate the deinos, seize power over all of Mictlān, replace the absurd Proper Human History, and become the next dominant species of this world.

...Yes, that's more or less correct. Very well then.

Resolute Izcalli. You have grown much over this past year, and proven yourself to be the Human Tezcatlipoca.

Make sure that the ritual tomorrow is a success. Remember, if it fails, your own life is forfeit.

Yes, Tlāloc. I won't let you down. I will destroy Proper Human History's world.

If the remaining Chaldeans have any backbone, they'll probably come and try to stop it.

The mage would also make a good sacrifice.

So I will cut off both their heads at the altar, and offer up their still-beating hearts to you and Tezcatlipoca.

...Did you forget that they beat you once before? Have you grown arrogant because death holds no sway over you?

Your body was charred to a crisp at the Storm Border. I pulled you from the river myself.

So remember your debt to me, and be honest: Do you consider Proper Human History a worthy foe, or not?

...I look down on them, but I do take the threat they pose seriously.

They're immature fools who lose all sense when they see one of their compatriots die. As a warrior, I am neither able to understand their feelings, nor do I wish to.

Even if they intend to kill us, they are woefully unprepared for the possibility of their allies dying.

I've never hated anyone so much in all my life. These Proper Human History humans are absolutely revolting.

I was raised by Tezcatlipoca. I see the very foundations of their civilization repugnant to me.

...I see. So he refuses to understand them, yet he still can't let go of his hatred for them.

Tlāloc?

I was just thinking out loud. But if you heard me, then think carefully about what I meant.

AhI, um... Tlāloc, please wait.

What is it?

Is your, um, forehead okay? I mean, where Tezcatlipoca shot you?

If it still hurts, I can have some medicine brought to you right awa

That will not be necessary. I told you, I'm tough.

Such thoughtfulness is a mark against you as Tezcatlipoca. But don't worry, I won't tell my brother.

As I thought, we cannot call anyone from in here. It looks like this building itself is a sanctuary.

Maybe it is the home of a very powerful Divine Spirit... No, that alone would not explain jamming of this nature.

This is almost like an entirely different world. Like the inside of a living creature...

...or the inside of a spaceship which cuts off all radio waves.

Kadoc, are you listening? How long do you intend to sit around, sulking?

You do realize you are going to be sacrificed tomorrow, right!? Do you not care about getting out of here!?

Keep it down, will you!? I'm just trying to save my strength!

We've investigated this place as much as we can, and all we've learned is that we can't escape it on our own.

So our only choice is to wait for them to show up. There's a small chance thatNah, not a small chance. They'll be here.

And when they come, I don't want to be so exhausted that I can't help.

...Sure, I'm worried about Da Vinci and Nemo, but there's nothing we can do with them off in a different cell.

So I'm gonna get some sleep while we wait for a certain nut we all know couldn't stay away even if he wanted to

There, you see? I knew he'd get here in ti

Sorry. I doubt I'm the nut you hoped for.

Daybit!?

...No, I shouldn't be surprised. This is your Lostbelt.

It even sounds like you were the one who sent the ocelomeh after us right after the Border crashed.

Not to mention how, in the last meeting, you and Beryl were both talking about how your Lostbelts gave you plenty of opportunities for methodical killing.

I sure as hell didn't expect you'd hand guns out to the locals and make them into an army, though.

It was my Servant's decision to go pay your ship a visit. I had nothing to do with it.

I've been away attending to a different matter. I only just got back to México City.

Still, if I had been here, I'd have done the same thing, except I'd have finished you all off on the spot.

So you are Daybit Sem Void...

Nice to meet you. I am Sion Eltnam Sokaris, one of Chaldea's allies.

Sorry. Should've introduced myself. Just call me Daybit.

You must be the intermediary between Chaldea and the Wandering Sea, and the engineer of the anti-Foreign God weapon.

I'll make a note of your name and face. You're probably one of the first we should kill.

I'm not as talented as Wodime, but at least in terms of memory, I can hold my own against anyone else.

If we're ever in the same room again, you'll be the first one I kill. Promise.

Uh, okay...

(Kadoc, correct me if I am wrong, but he just announced his intent to kill me, did he not?)

(What'd you think he was doing, proposing? ...More importantly...)

If you're talking about meeting again, I'm guessing you're not gonna kill us now. Why not? You're the last Crypter.

And unlike Kirschtaria, you're not openly rebelling against the Foreign God.

There's no reason for you to keep Chaldea alive. Or me, for that matter, now that I've sided with them.

I didn't take you prisoner. Tezcatlipoca did.

He has his own ideas and goals. Messing with them when I'm late to the party just feels wrong.

Guess you could say he beat me to the punch.

He's not the type to announce when he's heading out. And when he does come back he'll say things like...

"Hey, I spent your life savings. Hope you don't mind," as if it was no big deal.

(That sounds more like an abusive relationship than anything.)

Heh. So you two don't get along for shit, huh?

So you're not killing us 'cause you're afraid of your own Servant. That about right?

Yes. He's one hell of a Servant, truly.

He pulled Mictlān out from under the thumb of the alien being that was ruling it and established Proper Human History rules here in only a year.

In fact, México City really belongs to him.

He summoned temples, trained the ocelomeh, had them build this city, and chose their king.

I only summoned him. Nothing more.

If Chaldea means to go to war with this Lostbelt...

...he's the one you'll need to defeat, not me.

Does that mean you have no interest in this Lostbelt then, Daybit?

That you do not mind if Chaldea should succeed at excising it?

Today, it'd be a problem. Ten days from now, I'd be fine with it.

Huh, interesting. Then conversely, does that mean if Chaldea could cut down the Tree of Emptiness within ten days, your plans would be ruined?

IF you could, yes. Personally, I don't really care either way...

...but since Wodime saw his plans through all the way to the end, I mean to do the same with my Order.

...What're you talking about? Kirschtaria sure as hell didn't see his plans through.

Did you forget about Beryl turning traitor and killing him right at the end there?

I'm speaking of will, not results.

He didn't go about his plan because he was absolutely certain it would work.

He managed so much, though he was at death's door the whole time, because he was driven by his will. He had no choice.

Even at the end, he never lost that will. He might've wished things ended up differently, but he had no regrets about his actions.

That's what I mean when I say he saw his plans through to the end, even if he didn't succeed.

...Well...I guess you've got a point there.

But I digress. This isn't what I came to talk about, and I don't have much time to spare today.

I have a question for you, Kadoc. Why don't you have your own Servant with you?

You're a Master. If you used a Servant, escaping this place would be easy.

Why would I have one of my own? I'm a Crypter turned traitor.

Chaldea'd never let me summon a Servant of my own, and I wasn't planning to ask anyway.

No, not that. I'm asking you why you don't use what you already have.

Huh?

...Ignorance really must be bliss. I see why Peperoncino couldn't stop himself from looking after you.

I'm talking about your Sirius Light.

The spell inside you that can generate dozens of times more magical energy than a Command Spell, the explosive device that instantaneously amplifies the user's magical circuits.

Of course, using it kills you, since it causes you to implode.

The Sirius Light is a bomba kind of insurance Marisbury prepared to ensure a Crypter could always complete their Order at their Rayshift destination if they failed...

...even if it meant destroying the entire site to do so.

It's a good thing Ophelia was already on the brink of death. She died before her Sirius Light could kill her.

Had she used it before she was injured so badly...

...she would have died, taking Chaldea and the Shadow Border with her.

...I kinda figured. That's why Beryl was there, right? To make sure we used them.

If a Crypter ever got scared and tried to run from a Singularity...

...he'd force them to activate their Sirius Light and complete the Order by destroying the Singularity's distortion.

That's why there were seven of us, because Marisbury never believed we'd actually be able to restore humanity.

That was his intention from the start, yes.

Hmph. So what are you saying? You think I should use my Sirius Light and kill both of us here and now?

You could, but Da Vinci and Nemo are both in the next cell.

If you don't mind killing them too, I won't stop you...but I wouldn't recommend it.

The Sirius Light may be a bomb, but for a Master, it's also a wild card.

It lets you order your Servant to do something far beyond the usual bounds.

Remember what I said about Ophelia? You won't implode if you kill yourself shortly after using it.

Once you use it, your death may be inevitable, but it can at least give you the chance to accomplish something first. The choice is yours, Kadoc.

...That's it!? What'd you even come here for!?

To see who I'm up against.

Since I can't kill you, it was the least I could do.

Well now, that was something. Nothing I heard about him could have prepared me for meeting him in person.

Even though he was right there in front of me, it still did not feel real. Nor did I have any idea what he was talking about!

I am impressed you were on a team with him, Kadoc.

It felt more like I was talking to a hole in the very world than a person.

...Yeah, I know. I felt the same way at first.

Believe it or not, he's actually pretty thoughtful, and the guy can read a room.

He's the kind of guy who only says what you need to hear. So...

(...So there must be a reason why he brought up the Sirius Lights just now. He's telling me to think about where I want to use mine, and what to use it for.)

Sion, I have a favor to ask you. Would you mind keeping this discussion to

(Sigh) Yes, yes, Copy that. You want me to keep what he said about the Sirius Lights' intended use to myself, right?

I would like to refuse, but I am forced to admit that you still have yours because I was unable to remove it from you.

So I will follow your lead here. I too know how to read a room, after all!

Having trouble sleeping, Fujimaru!? *This is not a bug

Having trouble sleeping, Fujimaru!? *This is not a bug

Are you that worried about tomorrow's rescue operation!?

？！

Hey, it's okay. When you're worried about your friends, your brain waves form this...beautiful spiral pattern. I'll praise you for that.

But I can also tell you're not going to get any rest like this. And that, I cannot allow!

Uh, what's the expression here? "Good things come to those who sleep"? No... "A well-slept child is a well-kept child"?

Eh, whatever. Point is, you need to sleep before a big day, right?

If you can't do that on your own, then I'll help you. You just need to be really, really tired, right?

Then leave it to me! I've never done this before, but it's super easy so I'm sure it'll go great.

？！

All right, empty your mind and leave your body in the universe's hands!

Channel, open! Program name: President of Earth!

Now get ready for hell inside my mind!

Hehehe. Well? What did you think of my special simulation!?

？！

Th-that can't be right. I spent a whole day trying to get the balance right!

Okay, then! Tell me EXACTLY which part was bad! Be specific!

...$^&@$#%&!? Th-th-th-that can't be right!

I know I set it for combat! I made virtual enemies and everything!

Wh-why are your brain wave colors so sad!?

Khh... All right, just you wait. I'll make sure the next battle's way more interesting!

？！

？！

Heh. So you did get what I was going for.

That's right. That last enemy was my recreation of Tlāloc, the Divine Spirit we heard about at the Storm Border.

There's a really good chance we'll fight her tomorrow, right? So I let you get some practice in ahead of time.

If you're going to fight her, you need to be prepared for endless floods and river currents so strong you can hardly move!

She never would have taken them by surprise if I'd been there, but there's still no telling when battle might break out.

But now that you've fought her once, you should be able to form a plan, right? Especially since you've never lost a rematch!

You could choose Servants who always float, or Servants who can handle the strong currents with no trouble at all.

Either way, I'm sure you can find a way to win. I'm counting on you, Fujimaru.

...It's fine. Besides, this is all I can do to be useful.

There you go again. I keep telling you, I'm the president, not the director.

Director's obviously a much lower rank than the leader of a nation...although for some reason, you calling me that doesn't bother me.

？！

Whoopsie.

Tepeu!? You're awake, too!?

I am. Don't be too surprised, though. Mash is eavesdropping right over there, too.

Khh. So none of you can sleep? Fine then!

I'll just send you all to my simulation! Don't expect to get any sleep tonight!

？！