Tokyo/The Call of Duty case II

The Count?

You mean the guy on that audio file they just played for us? Uh, you know...

The guy who scattered all those questionable you-know-whats?

Yup, that's the one.

He created different versions of U-Olga Marie, each themed around a specific element, and declared war on us.

It looks like he's the latest of the Foreign Disciples.

Right, right, that guy. ...He kinda reminds me of Limbo.

Ahaha, he did have that same kind of slimy, conspiratorial vibe. Still, that being said...

...we have no idea if he's focused entirely on the moment, like Caster of Limbo was, or if he's more the sort to plan ahead.

At present, we don't even know his True Name, so ideally, I'd like to narrow down some possible identities.

It'd be great if Trismegistus II could just work it out, but it'd need data we just don't have.

Which brings me to why we're gathered here, having this old-fashioned, in-person meeting.

So, this is where we come in?

Exactly!

Eh, fine, whatever. At least there's tea and snacks.

I guess that makes up for making me listen to that infuriating asshole.

Also, shouldn't you be talking to the tacticians here? Why us, of all people?

Because today is the French group's turn!

That's why you, Jeanne d'Arc, and Marie Antoinette are here.

Hmm. Though, I guess it'd be more accurate to call this the French girls' group, or the First Singularity group...

Anyway, this is our very first meeting of the Anti-Count Committee!

Okay, so then, why am I the only one here in the same Spirit Origin I had in the Singularity?

Uh, not that it was actually me. I just know there's a record of me being there is all.

Hey, wasn't I actually the bad guy there or something like that?

？！

Shut up.

... ...

The Count...

...Master.

Yes, I can see something's bothering you.

Are you okay? I can take you to the infirmary if you need.

No, I'm okay. But thank you, Jeanne.

？！

Um, I don't have anything concrete I can point to. I don't even have a clear memory of it.

But, there was something about the voice you played for us that seemed...familiar somehow.

It was very vague. Almost like a dream. But...yes, I think there was something nostalgic about it.

Hmm, a voice that inspires nostalgia in Queen Marie Antoinette, huh? Fascinating!

Does this mean the Count is connected to eighteenth-century French royalty?

I don't know if it's that clear-cut, but it's definitely not impossible. He is a count, after all.

Sure, it could just be a nickname or an alias, but it could also mean he really did used to be a noble.

？！

...Yeah, sure. There's gotta be lots of counts out there.

Right. For starters, there are the Big Three Counts!

？！

O-oh, um... I suppose it might just be me who refers to them that way...

Then how the hell're we supposed to know who they are!?

Now, now, she didn't mean any harm. So, can you tell us who these big three are?

Y-yes, of course!

First, there's Count Dracula, the famous fictional vampire based on Vlad.

Uncle Vlad, huh?

Second, there's Edmond Dantès, the Count of Monte Cristo.

I haven't spoken with him much, but I know that title was one of the many names he went by.

I haven't had a chance to speak with him yet, but I know that title was one of the many names he went by.

Oh, yeah, him.

I kind of hate how fancy that name makes him sound. "Ooh, look at me, I'm the Count of Monte Cristo."

Hehe. Well, I think his title suits him very well.

Oh, right. You guys are basically from the same time period.

Yes, that's right.

So who's the third count then?

That would be Count Cagliostro. He was most notably involved in a distressing incident pertaining to Queen Marie.

Personally, I had a hard time choosing between him and Count Fersen for the third cou

...Say, Mash?

What is it, Marie? Why's your finger on your lips

...Oh! Right! I-I'm so sorry!

Nah, Count Fersen doesn't seem right to me.

Count Cagliostro, on the other hand... I've had my eye on him as a possible Foreign Disciple, too. Do you remember anything about him, Marie?

Um...

So what's this big "distressing incident," huh? He try to overthrow the royal family?

Umm, I'm not sure.

Maybe...possibly...that might have been part of it? I think?

Oh, great. That clears it right up, then.

The incident was known as "The Affair of the Diamond Necklace." It was a high-profile scandal involving the diamond necklace it's named for.

The criminals responsible forged Queen Marie's signature, which led to a lot of public outrage aimed directly at her.

Of course, the rumors turned out to be baseless, and her name was eventually cleared, but...

Yes, that's right.

I do love that necklace. I really do. It's absolutely beautiful, and it shines like the stars in the sky.

But...I can't deny there are some...unpleasant memories associated with it.

...Just a few, mind you.

？！

At the time, the people of France were already very unhappy with the political situation and their own livelihoods...

...so in a sense, the necklace incident may have given them a perfect target for their frustrations.

No, of course not.

... ...

？！

Okay, Queenie, listen up. When that shit happens, you burn everything to the ground. Every. Thing.

I can relate just a tiny bit, but seriously, do not do that.

Anyway, the one thought to be chiefly responsible for the whole affair was

...Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. He was an aventurieran adventurer, who was immensely popular with the people of France at the time.

？！

I'm afraid I don't know much. I only met him in person once.

Let's see... I think he made a splash in high Parisian society by claiming to be an expert in evocation.

The word on the street was that he was a summoner, an alchemist, a physician, and a philanthropist.

I think there were even some rumors that said he was the prince of an Eastern country that had fallen to ruin.

I heard that he really did help the people of Paris by healing their illnesses and giving them money...

...so maybe he wasn't all that bad at heart.

Are you freakin' shitting me?

This is the same guy who tried to frame you for fraud, right? That's plenty evil in my book.

That assumes he really was the mastermind, but yes. Especially since the necklace in question was valued at 1.6 million livres.

But the thing is, he was never tried for that crime in court, was he?

...No, he wasn't.

Wait, really?

In the end, we never knew for sure whether he was innocent or just covered his tracks really well. Either way, he was still ultimately forced to leave Paris.

Suffice to say, he was a mysterious man indeed, and we have no idea what he really did or didn't do.

Some people believe that the distrust people felt for the royal family as a result of this necklace incident...

...makes Count Cagliostro partly responsible for the French Revolution.

Huh. Impressive.

If that's true, that would make him an enemy of the royal family's authority

...And an aventurier of the people.

... ...

？！

Well, I remember his manners were impeccable.

But, at the same time...

...it also kind of felt like there was something...empty behind his smile...

？！

Right, Senpai. I feel like Marie's impressions of Count Cagliostro...

...align with our impressions of his voice from when we encountered him the other day.

Yeah. And that's not all.

That whole bit about his smile being empty sounds super Limboish to me.

？！

Indeed, that's entirely possible.

(Edmond Dantès!)

U-um, Count?

My name's Mash Kyrielight. I'm sorry I haven't been able to introduce myself properly before now.

I-it's nice to meet you. I'm Mash Kyrielight.

I saw your name in the database, but this is our first time actually meeting.

...Heh. Of course it is, bright one.

I'm sure it's difficult for you to find me, since my Spirit Origin is made from the shadows of a starless night.

Could you cut the whole popping up from the shadows routine out? You're gonna give me a heart attack.

Not a fan of surprises, Alter? What are we going to do with you?

Stop acting like you're my damn big sister. Creeps me out.

Hehehe.

Teehee. It's so nice to see two sisters getting along so well. I love you both!

Of course, I also love Mash, Da Vinci, and you too, Master.

And I love you as well, Count!

...

...Heh.

"Heh" what, huh? What's that even supposed to mean?

I-I'm curious, too!

Good question...

Teehee. So you came to see us today. How do you do, Count?

(Now I see it! This is most certainly Edmond Dantès!)

？！

...Oh, I'm sorry. I really should be more specific, shouldn't I?

How do you do, Count of Monte Cristo?

...Your Majesty.

So, Dantès. You just said, "That's entirely possible."

Can I ask what exactly it was you were talking about?

Am I right in assuming you meant the possibility that this new Foreign Disciple is Count Cagliostro?

You are.

From everything I've heard, the Countthe new Foreign Disciple, seems to fit Cagliostro to a tee.

As I recall, you said he used a woman's dead body?

...Yes, he did.

How very like him to dress up base vulgarity as satire. He makes me sick.

Be warned, Fujimaru: Cagliostro will stop at nothing to corner his prey.

That so?

Hmm. Interesting.

What is?

Oh, that he's apparently so confident about this. I take it there are reasons you're so sure it's him, Dantès?

Yes. He and I are bound together, no matter how much I wish it were otherwise.

Bound together?

Count Cagliostro may have been exonerated in regards to the necklace incident, but he went on to be imprisoned in Rome, where he died in 1795.

So, how could you and he be bound together?

How old were you back then? You must've been pretty young, no?

I fail to see how you could've had much interaction with him.

Your logic is sound. I first met him in 1838...

...but the man I saw was either blessed with eternal youth, or an unnaturally extended lifespan.

He would hardly be the first of his kind. ...Still, be careful around him.

He is as slippery and tenacious as a serpent.

Hey! He just disappeared back into your shadow!

Teehee. He must really like it in there.

？！

See? It's 'cause you keep letting people get away with this kind of shit that... Ah, whatever. If you're fine, it's fine.

Hmmm. So according to Dantès, Count Cagliostro did NOT die at Forte di San Leo in 1795...

...but was somehow able to extend his lifespan such that he was still active in 1838.

Well, he was rumored to be a summoner and an alchemist. If he really was part of the magecraft world, then it's definitely possible.

Of course, ever since the A.D. era began, most mages have tried to keep themselves out of the history books, but I guess there are always exceptions.

That's rich, coming from you. Oh, but I guess it's not really YOU, is it?

!

Come now, Alter. Mash was going to point that out before you stole her thunder.

O-oh, no, I wasn't! I was just, um...

Ahaha. No, you have a point. My previous self was unusual in that regard. She was an unparalleled Renaissance genius, after all!

Well, of course. Everyone knows Leonardo da Vinci was a genius who made an indelible mark on history. It's amazing what you accomplished.

(Triumphant giggle)

Is being a genius really all that great?

It sure is! Heh!

？！

Hehehe.

Of course it's great. If I'd happened to go to the same school as you, Fujimaru...

...I'd get full marks on every test in every subject, no question!

Oh, except for PE, of course!

No fair. And excluding PE only makes it more unfair. But like, even putting that aside, aren't you too young to go to the same school as him?

Not necessarily. A genius like her could have skipped a few grades to get there.

Huh, is that right? Then I guess it'd probably work out.

？！

Hehehe. Then again, I'd probably make a better teacher than student.

Oh my, what an adorable teacher you'd make. I know I'd love attending a school where you were teaching.

That sounds great. I wish we could all go to a school like that. I've never attended school before...

Me neither. I'd like to go to the school you teach at too, Ms. Da Vinci!

School, huh... That does sound like fun, but opening a school in Chaldea would be one hell of a job.

...Say, Master. You used to go to school before you came to Chaldea, right?

Any geniuses like her at your school?

？！

？！

Ordinary, huh. Yeah, that's about your speed.

... ...

...Hmm.

Perhaps I said too much.

Still, it was worth the trouble. Now I know where my Spirit Originmy flames, must go.

...The call of duty, hm? Very well.

Then I will answer that call in my own way.

The Count?

You mean the new Foreign Disciple? What about him?

...Count Cagliostro? I see. True, he's arguably one of the greatest con artists of all time.

... ...

......

...All right, Fujimaru, if you won't say it, I will.

Around Chaldea, the first person the title "Count" brings to mind can only be...

...Edmond Dantès, the Count of Monte Cristo.

And then there's what happened with Holmes. Technically, he may not have betrayed us, but

？！

I see.

Okay, I get that you trust Dantès, but from where I sit, it just looks like you're leaving yourself vulnerable.

So, listen to me and listen well: however much you trust him, don't let that blind you.

I won't tell you to stay away from him, but make sure you at least keep an eye on him.

So what? There are any number of ways to disguise your voice with magecraft or even just modern technology.

That alone doesn't prove anything. Am I wrong?

？！

...Hey, come on. I'm not blaming you or anything.

I'm just saying, if you want to trust him, don't do it blindly.

You don't have to stay away from him, but you should at least keep an eye on him. That's all.

...Yeah. That's fair.

But let me just say this. No matter how much you trust someone, you should never do it blindly.

I won't tell you to stay away from him, but make sure you at least keep an eye on him.

I didn't know Holmes as well as you did, but from what I remember, if he was here, he'd tell you the same thing.

...Sheesh. That was maybe the most begrudging nod I've ever seen. But, I guess it's fine.

My job here is just to nitpick. You're the last Master of Chaldea.

Whatever you decide, it's your call to make.

Cut that out. If anything, I'm the one who should be thanking you.

...Don't call me that.

？！

Huh!?

An emergency alert!? What's going on!?

My apologies. That was supposed to be a code yellow, not a red alert!

At any rate, Master, please come to the Command Room as soon as possible!

？！

Let's go!

Senpai!

There you are, Fujimaru!

Fooou!

？！

Fooou...

Exactly one minute after I contacted you. Excellent work as always, Master of Chaldea.

Our condition is currently set to green. We are not expecting to engage in combat at this time...

...but the situation remains dire. Right, Technical Advisor?

Yeah. First off: Fujimaru, Kadoc, thanks for coming.

In the event of an alert, it's standard operating procedure to stand by in the Command Room.

Not really the kind of thing you need to thank us for.

It's another unexpected situation. Even I couldn't quite believe what was happening.

... ...

？！

The Heroic Spirit summoning system activated on its own.

？！

This isn't a matter of someone just being added to the Spirit Origin graph; they fully materialized right here on the Border.

Is...that even possible? I mean, it takes a ton of magical energy to summon a Heroic Spirit.

I've heard there are four Magical Reactors here on the Storm Border...

...but they've got to have their hands full just keeping all the existing Heroic Spirits around.

I know there are exceptions like when Habetrot materialized, but even so...

What the hell's going on with the activation controls? Don't tell me you forgot to lock them down properly.

We didn't, no. They're constantly protected by electronic, physical, and magical safeguards.

Disabling them requires authorization from both the director and Da Vinci.

...And Senpai, the Master forming the contract with the summoned Servant, needs to be present to activate it as well.

At least, that was my understanding...

I don't understand! How can this be happening!?

Normally, it shouldn't be possible for the system to activate on its own, especially since it needs to connect to the Magical Reactors to power itself.

So whatever happened, the Nemos in the engine room must have seen it.

And on that note... Go ahead, engine room!

Hey, this is the engine room. It's like I told ya:

Usually, whenever you summon a Servant, we get a request for energy allotment and adjust the reactors accordingly...

...but we did nothin' of the sort this time. Far as I can tell, the damn levels adjusted themselves!

Wha...!? Then, you're saying the machinery activated on its own!?

It ain't like that. It's runnin' all the time anyway. And the longer you run something like this without giving it a break, the better the chances of weird stuff happening.

There's no way for us to be completely certain that everything's working in perfect order.

Professor's been checking to see if anything's broken and Captain Jackass is trying to figure out what went wrong.

He's pretty worked up, too. Says it's not right that he doesn't know what's going on in his own body.

So not even Captain Nemo knows what's going on...

Hard to believe he really has no idea what's happening with his own Noble Phantasm.

Good point. I may need to take a little more time to really dig into the details.

I'm going to go plug into the ship and run a scan on the whole Border. Would you give me a hand, Sion?

Certainly.

This, um, isn't turning into one of those horror movie moments, is it? You know, like where the call's coming from inside the house?

Most things we're afraid of are unknown, so in that sense, maybe.

We've got a room full of experienced mages who know all about Mystics most people have no clue exist...

...and yet we still have no idea what's giving us the runaround here. Yep...sounds like a horror movie.

Fou, fou.

Ow! Stop that! I don't need you headbutting my side!

？！

Well, about tha

Oh! Right!

I-I'm so sorry, Senpai. I completely forgot to tell you this crucial detail!

The Heroic Spirit who was summoned on their own is...well, someone we're kind of familiar with, in a sense.

Really?

Yes. You see

？！

Sorry! I tried to get him to stay put, but he wouldn't listen!

He just kept heading this way no matter what I Hey! Stop! Stop, dammit!

...There you are.

I finally found you.

？！

I am Hassan. Hassan of the Shining Star, Assassin.

We meet again, Master.

Again?

...Did you just say "again"?

That's unusual. Maybe he retains records of his past materializations.

？！

Did you forget the time we fought together in Tokyo?

I know we didn't promise to meet again...but we must have formed a connection that brought us together.

I see. If you're here, then this must be Chaldea.

？！

Wait!

Is...this what I think it is?

...There ARE theories that say our understanding of the passage of time doesn't apply to the Throne of Heroes.

Maybe that's what's going on here. It could be that this Hassan of the Shining Star is

Huh?

You don't remember me? Is that what's going on?

Hmm...?

It wasn't just Shinjuku. We fought at Odaiba, too.

...No, wait. I can see you really don't remember.

？！

...I see. I must have been summoned too early.

No way! Then, you're saying...

...you met Fujimaru here in a future Singularity!?

Huh!?

？！

You and I have met before. ...Isn't that right?

... ...

...I'm not sure.

! Hassan!

(He just took up his blade. It looks like...Dantès has set him on edge.)

You...

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Senpai!

Are you insane!? Don't step between two Heroic Spirits about to fight!

？！

...Fujimaru? Are you okay?

I know that look! He's about to fall into another REM REM state! Prepare to support his vital signs!

？！

...There are three in total.

No... You people need to either disable or filter all the remaining distortions.

I know I'm only repeating what you've heard before, but listen up. These distortions are like Singularities...

...but they aren't connected to human history. At the moment, the only Singularities you need to be wary of are the Elements.

This means that every one of these distortions is located somewhere far beyond what you're used to.