Interlude

It's time. This regularly scheduled discussion is now in session. Candidates may speak at will.

Good day, everyone. I'm Kazuradrop, and my proposal is to end humanity via an Earth restoration effort gone bad.

So far, I have no issues with any of your opinions.

I'm Astolfo, representative for the "Let Humanity Do Whatever" movement! Can someone please do something about Kingprotea in my area!?

How'm I ever gonna get my approval rating up if she keeps breaking our meetings up?

My idea to make Earth a water planet is...not going well.

It's hard to express how wonderful the sea is when nobody in Moon Dubai has ever seen it for themselves...

I don't have any opinion one way or the other. I don't have any fancy slogans, either.

The "Shelter Life for All of Humanity" party isn't going to fight with anyone, so please stop invading us already.

Also, I wanna say something to Area E! You're totally wasting Moon Dubai's resources!

Why is your area glowing like that!? Light pollution is what it is! Quit trying to be all charismatic!

Oh? Is charisma a bad thing now? Need I remind you, this is a contest to determine which of us will be the final boss for all of humanity.

The entire premise of my campaign is that I'm richer and more innovative than anyone.

Frankly, if you ask me, I can't understand why you choose to live so...plainly.

I just don't have the energy to be fashionable! Besides, it's a waste of resources and it doesn't contribute anything to society!

But a shut-in? Now THAT'S someone who knows how to conserve energy.

True, it does take energy to be fashionable. A lot of energy. I'll grant you that much.

However! Objectively viewing my fashionable self in turn generates energy, and as a result...

...I am then able to expand my stylish horizons even further! It's truly a perpetual motion machine!

No, it's not! That's just narcissism! Come on, guys! Are you really going to let someone like her take the lead!?

She'll ruin all of Earth!

Earth will be fine. Remember, we are on the moon. For that matter, I don't hate her mall. There's a real vision behind it.

Heh. No need to get so worked up, Area C. Area E's lead is only temporary.

I have faith the wise citizens of Moon Dubai will ultimately realize my campaign is the only one that makes sense.

Despite becoming AI, humankind was foolish enough to obsess over their humanity. A clash of ideologies was inevitable, even once immortality became the norm.

Thus, humanity retreated to the more rational conclusion: my mechanized human empire!

Hahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha! Viva commercialismmm!

Your area's no better than E! Give me back my home-slash-Ferris wheel already, jerk!

Hahaha, I acquired that fair and square. If you wish to take it back, I suggest you prepare an item of similar value.

I'm glad to see you all getting along so well. Your positions may be different, but you're all rivals of equal standing.

And while the rules don't forbid direct conflict between participants, I would prefer to avoid it if we can.

I want you to win the citizens of Moon Dubai over not with strength, but with your ideas.

On that note, I have something to tell you. A new threat has just joined this battle.

A Beast.

...What was that?

A Beast. Though this Beast isn't in the same category as you.

It's not possible for a Beast to manifest now that there are no humans on Earth, so this one must have come from a different universe.

This Beast is an unknown factor. If you find them, I want you to let me know immediately.

Oho. A Beast, eh? Hmm, hmm. That's one weapon even my Alvatron Company doesn't possess.

As summoned Servants, both the fellow from Area F and I are arguably representatives of humanity.

So we'll have to take great care not to allow this Beast to simply eat us alive.

Hmm. You know, just for the sake of argument, let's say this Beast proved too powerful for us to deal with...

...and that they then proved to be hostile to all of Moon Dubai.

What would happen should they eliminate all of us, leaving no candidates alive?

Does that mean humankind would then continue to exist?

Don't worry about that. The results are a foregone conclusion. Even if all of you were to be defeated...

...a Moon Cancer would still go on to eradicate humanity.

All right, that's all from me. You can all go back to your campaigns now.

Remember, humanity's extinction should be an event everyone can get behind.

Humanity's extinction should be an event everyone can get behind.

...Khh. (Huff, huff...)

Are you okay? Why don't you take a break? This is your opportunity to be alone for a while.

You might not be able to shut down completely, but you can at least enter sleep mode. Your CPU is clearly struggling to keep up.

...I'm fine. I'm just a little mentally fatigued. This always happens whenever I talk to the seven final boss candidates.

Even if some of them don't actually have what it takes, we still need them here.

You can't truly be a final boss unless you've trampled over at least one small, powerless faction with a righteous claim, after all.

You refuse to compromise on that, huh. How like you.

All right then, I'll stick around until the end, too, since it looks like you don't actually want to be alone.

...Are you sure you don't want to be out there helping Chaldea?

That's his job. We played rock-paper-scissors for it.

Huh?

That said, I guess I am a little worried. He's probably really enjoying himself, since it's been so long since we've had a Master.

It's not that we lack purpose. It's more like we've become a little too inured to danger.