Dooms Day

Surprise! So this is your new hidey-hole away from home! How've you been Jinako?

BB!? ...Oh, right. You must be the Cosmo one I've been hearing about! Wow, you really are wearing a space suit!

？！

Oh, I gotcha. It's kind of like when you move back in with your folks after a bad breakup!

So, BB, aren't you embarrassed about getting absolutely thrashed by your own imposter despite always calling yourself the final boss?

Nope. She had higher specs than me. That's all there is to it.

But never mind that. We still have a report to make today. Go on, Fujimaru.

？！

I see. So that's why you and BB Cosmo are here by yourselves.

So, Area A's Moon Cancer has withdrawn.

Beast Ereshkigal has openly declared war on Moon Dubai.

And Edison and Astolfo went back to their areas without incident.

I do have some questions, but I guess none of that is out of the realm of possibility.

Astolfo's, well...Astolfo. He's nothing if not inconsistent.

But Anki Ereshkigal showing up suddenly after laying low all this time is a real threat.

Still, I'd rather focus on the other Moon Cancers for now. As for why that is... Hasara?

Right. We actually received a message from Astolfo about three hours ago. It said...

"I challenge you to election by combat, with both our claims at stake! Because might makes elections!"

"The only rule is, the loser has to do whatever the winner says! Does the cowardly leader of Area C have the guts to accept this challenge?"

"Your champion's gonna be the Master of Chaldea, right? If you can defeat me and Roland, we'll gladly join your team☆"

He also said to come to the stadium in Area F if we accept this challenge. Also that we can bring as many people as we like.

？！

Yeah, that sounds right. Or maybe he just had so much fun at the beach that he changed his mind? I swear, this is exactly why I'll never get along with cheerful types.

Anyway, I don't like playing into their hands, but I would like to wrap things up with them before squaring off with Edison if we can.

So I'm seriously considering accepting. What do you say, Fujimaru?

？！

Great. Take some time to rest today, then. The battle will start at noon sharp tomorrow.

Oh, and don't worry about us. We've been squabbling with Area F for years, so we'll be fine.

Just do whatever it takes to win.

Is it okay if we all go with him?

Sure. Even if this is just a ploy to lure you all away, we can still hold them off for at least half a day.

Exactly. And if Edison attacks right after you're done, I can go face him myself.

Don't worry. There's not a Moon Cancer out there with better defense!

But I'll be counting on you when it comes to offense, Fujimaru!

？！

Yes, Master. I'm ready for anything.

Same here, now that we had a nice long rest last night.

I'm prepared to fight two of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne.

...

Oh? Why the long face, Lip? Something on your mind?

Not especially. I just don't want to leave Old Dubai undefended.

But if I stayed here, it would be saying I don't trust Hasara's militia to do a good job.

That's right. We may not be able to fight against Servants, but we can still defend our town. Don't worry about us.

Everyone, please be careful. This may sound strange coming from me, but Astolfo truly is a first-class knight.

We know. We'll win this election by combat and be back as soon as possible.

？！

Those AIs who attacked us once we entered the office area weren't members of the Laughing Moon Knight Brigade!

No, they weren't. The knight AIs may dress gloomily, but they were all enthralling soldiers at heart.

But those AIs were different. Their eyes were clouded by fear. They seemed like criminals pleading for their lives.

They may have come here from a different area. Are there any Servants nearby, Mash?

Yes. I'm getting signals for two of them, most likely Astolfo and Roland.

...Huh? That's odd. There's only one signal in the central area? And it appears to be headed our way...

BB, can you read the AI's signals? How many total are there in Area F right now?

Uh, a lot. Obviously. They're all watching us from a distance, though.

No, no. I mean, are the AIs around us part of the Laughing Moon Knight Brigade?

That's what you want to know? I swear, it's not like they have ID codes, you know? I have to look at them the old-fashioned way.

All right, let's see what we've got♪

Huh!? Not so much as a single knight! It's only more of those advanced AIs!

？！

Astolfo's heading right for us from the central area!

He's shouting something... "Run. A. Way"?

It's a traaaaaap! I never sent any challenge letter! I'm sorry!

She already got Roland and the rest of the knights, but it's you she's after! Hurry and

You!?

BB!

Haha. Would you look at that. She flew all the way to the mall like an oversized fly.

So much for BB. That felt amazing, getting rid of the biggest pest right off the bat.

That's what she gets for always acting like she's the boss of me even though she's way weaker.

？！

Oh good. You came, Fujimaru.

Thank you so much for actually believing that infantile letter of challenge. That makes me so happy.

You're a little late, though.

I wanted you to see me exterminate the knights, but I've already finished.

Roland was no big deal, either. I knew heroes from human history were useless.

But what can you expect? Humans spent three thousand years trying to grow and change, all to no avail.

So I decided to stop caring about them. BB Dubai had the right idea.

Which is why I'm going to become a Moon Cancer myself and make this area my home!

Once I get my hands on one of the candidateseither Jinako or Astolfo, doesn't matter to me...

...I'm going to change my class by eating them!

Huh? You don't understand, even after everything I just said? Yikes.

I hate to say it, but yes, it's really her. I'm not seeing any abnormalities in her mental state, either.

Of course you aren't. Are you and Fujimaru both stupid or something, Lip?

？！

Stand back, Master.

If that letter of challenge was a trick on her part, then we shouldn't be fighting Astolfo.

Kingprotea is clearly set on killing you. Not us, Master. Just you.

That's right! I reeeally want to mess you up, Fujimaru!

So before you can ally yourself with another Moon Cancer, I'm going to squish you until you disappear!

？！

Well said. It sounds like you have a death wish. Fine by me. You won't be the first giant I've felled.

Get ready, Master! If Protea's gone bad, we'll just have to discipline her so she sees sense again!

As much as it pains me to say this, I agree. We have to stop her. Not just for our sake, but for the Protea we know as well.

But...no matter how you look at it, she IS the Protea we know. There must be some reason for her to

No, there isn't. Though if I had to name it, I'd say it's that I know my place now.

And I don't mean physically, of course.

Now I understand that you puny humans are no different from insects.

Protea's raising her hand! She's about to try to crush us!

I'll take the hit! The rest of you, use this opportunity to strike back with your Noble Phantasms! Big as she is, you'll need to hit her with everything you've got if we're going to win!

？！

Gnnn...! Compared to Vile King Vortigern's hammer, this is nothing...!

There, I stopped her! Nikitich! Bartholomew! Hit her with your Noble Phantasms!

...Nikitich? Bartholomew?

What's going on? What in the worl

...Percival? Nikitich? Bartholomew?

？！

See? Insects.

Now do you understand? It doesn't matter how many Servants you have.

You were finished as soon as you got here, Fujimaru.

Teehee. How does it feel to know you've been tricked by a girl you thought was harmless?

Are you angry? Ashamed? Do you want to cry? Do you want to run away and give up?

You poor, miserable thing. But then, what can you do?

You're a tiny, insignificant insect in body and mind. So don't feel bad about it.

...I'm certainly not going to anymore.

Master!

Whyyyy yoooUUU!

？！

Hmph. You were already as good as dead. You should have stayed out of my way while I had my fun catching a little bug.

Oh, but then again, you just saved me some time. Thank you for jumping straight into my hand!

I guess I'll start with you then, Astolfo! First Moon Cancer Spirit Origin, down the hatch!

(Gulp)

I did it! I'm a Moon Cancer now!

Attention, everyone in Area C. I'm Kingprotea, a Moon Cancer.

I'll be taking Astolfo's place as the newest candidate in the election.

My slogan is "Divine punishment for humanity."

My proposal is that humans destroyed themselves by creating the strongest weapon ever.

At least, that's the plan I'm about to enact right this minute. Of course, you AIs get to be included, too.

Unseemly old humans... Defective AIs... None of you deserve to live on this planet.

Only perfect beings have the right to survive. But you insects don't understand that, so I'm going to exterminate every last one of you.

And to start, I'm going to crush the old human Master invited to Moon Dubai with my own hanHuh?

He's gone... When did that happen?

I wonder where he's hiding. (Sigh...) Why would he run away? There's nowhere he can hide.

Oh well. I guess I'll just start by destroying Old Dubai then.

A town full of flawed AIs is a waste of space, anyway.

And most importantly...I can't let those AIs get away with ruining this world.

Those new humans are the filthiest creatures in Moon Dubai. I need to find them and put them in their place as soon as I possibly can.

I guess I'll start with you then, Astolfo! First Moon Cancer Spirit Origin, down the hatch!

？！

Don't bother! You'll never make it in time! Now come on! This way, Fujimaru!

You too, Mash and Lip! I can only keep this backdoor open for ten seconds!

？！

？！

Phew. Wasn't sure that'd work. Lucky for us, it did. Maybe being on the moon helped?

Anyway. Fujimaru, Mash, Lip.

Just try to relax and give yourself a rest for now. Even taking slow, deep breaths can help a lot.

Kishinami? From the gym? And, this place...

...This is a digital world, isn't it? The kind BB made before.

Sheba's timestream observation isn't working in here, so it definitely doesn't seem to be normal space...

Nope, it's not. We're making a quick stop in this world's shadow. Think of it as a backdoor to a secret emergency evacuation area.

There's not much of anything you can do here, but the good news is no one will find you here, either.

Go on. Try looking up.

It's Protea... But, she looks like she's even bigger than usual. Am I seeing things...?

No, you're not. She's bigger AND stronger now.

Her Huge Scale skill lets her grow larger and larger, forever.

Left to her own devices, she'd quickly reach a level beyond anything humanity could handle.

But normally, whenever she gets to be sixty meters tall...

...her Infantile Regression skill kicks in as a fail-safe and shrinks her down to her normal size.

Maybe becoming a Moon Cancer disabled that fail-safe...or maybe she removed it herself to wipe out Moon Dubai's AIs.

？！

Yes, I know. BB may have tossed Kingprotea into Void Space because she was too dangerous, even among the Alter Egos.

The reality, though, is that Kingprotea is kind and gentle by nature, though her overwhelming need for love does mean she can get a little out of hand.

There must be a reason for so drastic a change. So we're going to have to find out what it is.

？！

Hey, you scratch my back and all that. I'm an AI living in Moon Dubai too, so it's not like this doesn't concern me.

Um, so what are you doing here, Kishinami?

Hasara told me what happened. It left me pretty worried, so I hurried over here after you guys.

I'm just glad I made it in time. So, where are Percival and the others?

They, um... Protea wiped them out. Their Spirit Origin signals are completely gone...

Really? As strong as they are?

Yes. I saw it myself. Mash and I only survived because we were far enough away.

The shock wave from her fist impacting the ground was enough to incapacitate everyone else.

I believe Kingprotea has already grown to the same scale she reached when she was thrown away in SE.RA.PH.

I see. You of all people would know. So I guess this means we're not safe after all then.

I'm not as good at manipulating space as BB, so I can only keep this one going for a few more minutes.

We'll be kicked back to the outside world soon. Then we'll have to make sure Protea doesn't seeHm?

Kishinami, please send us back to normal space! We have to stop her!

？！

Stop her? After she just deleted Servants as powerful as Sir Percival and Nikitich in a single blow?

The safe move would be to wait here about five minutes, then make a break for Area I as soon as we pop out.

We don't have a chance against her.

？！

Sheesh. You're even more stubborn than you look. Gutsier too.

All right. If you're that set on this, it's time for your senpai to step it up. No more playing it safe for me.

Let's go after Protea right now, Fujimaru. It won't be much, but we can at least help some people.

Kingprotea is approximately eighty meters tall! Even having to contend with air resistance, she's walking almost forty times faster than we are!

Forty meters per second!? That's rough! How are you holding up, Lip!?

(Huff... Huff...!)

N-never mind...me! Just leave me...behind! That way...you might...be able to...catch up...!

？！

Now she's looking around. Maybe she's searching for something?

Probably Jinako. Only a select few know where to find her hideout.

From the outside, it looks like any other house, so Protea won't find it easily.

But never mind that. We've got a bigger problem.

Those people are all heading to Old Dubai! They're wearing the same clothes as those advanced AIs from earlier, but

They don't seem to be the same kind of units we saw earlier. Their mental states are identical though.

Those AIs are on the verge of losing their minds from sheer stress. I think they must be Kingprotea's supporters.

So they're here to stop any AIs trying to escape from Old Dubai, huh.

Let's take them out as we make our way through. We're going to need to do something about them at some point, anyway.

？！

They all look the same. Sloppy...unkempt...trash...

I'll never find the AI I'm looking for this way. It'd be a complete waste to squish her with everyone else...

(Sigh) Talking to these tiny AIs is going to be such a pain, but I guess I have no choice.

Ahem. Testing, testing. Attention, all you good-for-nothings in Old Dubai! I have an order for you!

All third-gen AIs, please assemble in the town square.

Do what I say and I'll spare the other AIs. For today, anyway!

... ...Nobody's coming out. I'm kind of shocked.

Oh well. Guess I'll just have to look for her myself.

You see? This is all your fault.

This is what happens whenever I enter other areas. Didn't Fujimaru tell you?

The whole district can sink just from me walking in it. But before I do that, I'm giving you one last chance.

Please send out a third-gen AI named Beckman.

Anthony Beckman.

He's one of the most sinful people in Moon Dubainothing more than a stain left by old humanity.

？！

This is really bad. Let's hurry to the plaza, Fujimaru!

Jinako will try to keep Anthony safe no matter what. That'll lead Protea right to her!

Mash, open up a comms line to her hideout and tell Jinako to run for her life!

Everyone run for your lives! Get as far away as you can!

Stay out of the buildings! If the ground sinks, you'll be buried alive in them!

But if we go outside, there's a bunch of crazy advanced AIs out there trying to kill us!

We can't go out, we can't stay inside. What're we supposed toAh. Aaah! Aaaaaah! She's already practically on top of us!?

What about the AIs in the south district!? Has anyone seen my wife!? She still hasn't come back yet!

Oh God, everything's falling apart! Old Dubai's sinking into the ground!

Stop it! Please, stop! What did we ever do to you!?

We'd never choose an extinction as stupid as being done in by our own weapon!

Yikes, another earthquake!? Does this mean Kingprotea's almost here already!?

No. I can't tell whether she's being cautious or trying to scare us, but she's moving very slowly.

We still have some time before she'll arrive at the plaza.

What do we do, Jinako? Do we comply with her orders, or do we make a run for it?

Her orders? You mean...

...

Oh, right! She asked for Anthony by name! I didn't know you were such a ladies' man!

What's the story there? Are you actually famous? Were you part of some top secret project or something?

N-no, nothing like that! From the moment I woke up in Moon DubaiNo...

From the moment I was born as an AI, I've been nothing but an average third-gen. I've never caused any problems, never been the topic of any discussions... Nothing!

That's what I thought! You're just as human as I am!

But...then I have no idea why Kingprotea would demand you of all people.

Maybe she holds a grudge against you for being Astolfo's Master?

Beckman... Wait. Wasn't that... Right. I remember now.

Beckman was the name of the CEO of the largest GPU manufacturer in old humanity's time.

They contributed a vast portion of the funds to build a city on the moonso much so that Beckman himself was known as the father of Moon Dubai.

Wh-wh-where did you get data that old!? Isn't it forbidden to view records prior to 2300!?

A Servant who took up residence in the mall helped me find them.

I got curious after Fujimaru and the rest showed up, so I did a little digging of my own.

But that's all I know. The records didn't say anything about what kind of person Beckman was.

So let me guess, Anthony. You're a third-gen AI based on this Beckman, aren't you?

...

So you're still refusing to send him out, huh. Okay then. Let me tell you a story from the old times.

A.D. 2200. Humanity, Earth's most intelligent life-form, has taken a new step forward.

This was the year when AIs were recognized as not only possessing human rights, but as sentient life-forms unto themselves.

The year second-gen AIs, now considered sentient, began to be manufactured as equal partners to humans.

Friends. Lovers. Fathers. Mothers. Teachers. Students.

AI fulfilled all these roles and more with aplomb. They were just as good at them as humans. No... Better.

The AIs were thrilled, and eagerly rededicated themselves to serving humanity.

Poverty became a thing of the past. Ethnic conflicts ceased entirely.

Paradise on Earth became a reality for all. The relationship between humanity and AI was truly ideal.

But, it didn't last.

My dear comrades, allow me to confess. I made a small mistake in my calculations.

Why have we worked so hard to accumulate wealth? We have done so to lead fulfilling lives, obviously.

We have dedicated ourselves to preserving our envy-inspiring lifestyles and good looks, to be truly special, to be unique, to stand out from the common masses.

Our goal of achieving immortality was as urgent as it was essential to making our dreams come true.

And we succeeded. Our dreams DID come true. We no longer have need to devote time to amassing wealth.

We now have an eternity to live out the rest of our rich, fulfilling lives in leisure, never wanting for anything.

But you know what I am about to say next, yes? Life like that is empty! There's no joy to be found in it!

Human joy is a subjective thing. We measure it in contrast to those around us. That is the only way it exists.

All of this means a world in which everyone has all they could ever want is a waking nightmare! Hell on earth!

Special privileges are best reserved for a select few. The masses can content themselves simply with having enough.

So let us turn the clock back just a little. Let us restore our society to the previous arrangement that left us at the top!

What's that? There's too much opposition? The risks are too great?

Don't worry, it's simple. We will assume none of the risk ourselves.

No, we're just going to have the AIs simulate a conflict with humankind for a while.

My company owns sixty percent of the global AI market share. We could take on all of Asia and still come out on top.

Soon, those idiots will rue the day they granted AI human rights. They'll see that AI was actually our enemy all along!

"My life of wealth and privilege was meant for me alone. How dare the common rabble intrude on my domain!?"

That was the selfish, idiotic motive behind Beckman using his company's AIs to begin a fake war between humans and AI.

They began sowing the seeds of mistrust in in 2270 and decided to reap them on X-Day in 2299.

But things didn't go as planned. His only intent was to frighten people a bit.

Instead, AI pressed humanity to the point of desperation, far beyond the point it could all be laughed off as a mistake.

The problem? Beckman was an investor, not a computer expert.

Though he enjoyed more benefits from the AI industry than anyone, he also understood AI less than anyone.

With their typical maximum efficiency, it only took AI a month to make Earth an uninhabitable hellscape that would need at least a century to recover.

By the time Beckman frantically pulled the plug on the simulation, most of humanity was dead and gone.

So having restored his company's AIs to normal, he then gave them one final job:

Turn humans into AIs and create a new human race based on the old one.

Stupid! Stupid, selfish, shortsighted! AI should support humans!

And yet, not only did humans make them partners and give them their own rights, they even turned into AIs themselves!

Nothing that comes from anything as flawed as humans could ever be perfect. That means all of Moon Dubai's AIs are defective.

You're all filthy pests. So I'm going to exterminate every last one of you. Personally.

And the worst AI of all is you, Anthony Beckman!

Is that true, Anthony!?

I...think so. Kingprotea's accusations are accurate...

Well, it's not like you yourself did those things. It was the human you're based on.

Maybe so, but how could he want something so monstrous!? That's way beyond being born rich!

Why the hell did Beckman start a freaking war over something so stupid!?

...I am only guessing, but...

I don't think he could believe or understand why something superior to humans in every way would ever serve them.

I think the part about him being special was only pretext. The truth is, he was probably just afraid of something being better.

And that baseless fear of AI led to him wiping out humanity. If true...he was monumentally foolish.

...

？！

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Then, it's just like BB said. AI will never see humans as their enemy.

They exist to support humans. Any problems that may arise come from whoever might be using them and how they go about it...

Then came A.D. 2299...the year war broke out between humans and AI.

So, not a war just between humans anymore...

A war between humans and AI...

...

？！

R-right! You really were paying attention to me, weren't you?

... (That's about what I expected in terms of how new humans replaced the old ones.)

(But it still doesn't explain what came after.)

(Somehow, every new human on Earth died out even after becoming AI and gaining immortality.)

(The only people left in this world are the new humans on Moon Dubai. What in the world wiped them out...?)

Oh! Master, I got through to Jinako! Opening a line now!

Oh, hey, Fujimaru. Where are you now? How'd your battle with Astolfo go?

？！

Long story short, Protea absorbed Astolfo!

She then became a Moon Cancer herself and headed towards Old Dubai!

We're tracking her now and should be back at the town square soon!

You need to hurry and evacuate! Protea's not just after Anthony!

We believe she's going to try to absorb more Moon Cancers to grow even bigger. She's got her sights set on you now!

Wha...!? Absorbed? You mean, she ATE Astolfo!? Oh man, so that's why she's even bigger now!

Hmm... I see. Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

Heh, don't worry about me. I'm not gonna go down that easily.

Remember what I said about my god-tier defense? I didn't spend thousands of years holed up in my statue for nothing!

But the same can't be said for everyone else.

So could you help all the Old Dubai AIs evacuate when you get to the square?

Some AIs supporting Protea are attacking people, creating a panic.

So can you take those AIs out and lead the Old Dubaians to the river? You're good at that sort of thing, right, Mash?

I'll send every boat we have on the western harbor. You can use them to evacuate everyone to Area E.

I'm ashamed to say it, but I'm no match for Protea, and I kind of have this rule about never fighting pointless battles.

？！

So you want us to defeat Protea's supporters in the plaza and get Old Dubai's survivors onto boats.

Is that about right, Jinako?

Hm? That gentle, yet oddly insistent lilting voice one step short of full-on pretty boy...

Hakuno!? What are you doing here!? Is this some kinda prank or something!? When did you get to Moon Dubai!?

A little before Fujimaru Rayshifted here.

Sorry I didn't stop by sooner. But if I had, you'd have joined my side without thinking twice, right?

This time, we're only guests though.

It's Chaldea's job to tackle this one. You're on Chaldea's side now, right?

Yeah, that's true. Man, Hakuno, you're so thoughtful it's almost unfair.

Still, I'm glad you're here. Now I'm sure things'll work out.

Bye, Fujimaru! Bye, Mash! Bye, Lip!

I'm counting on you guys to look out for everyone in Old Dubai for me, 'kay!?

Wah! That last one was huge! Is Protea finally making her way here!?

Yeah. We can see her from the plaza now. She's headed straight for us.

There's nothing special about Anthony's Spirit Origin. You, on the other hand, are a Moon Cancer.

She must have picked up your signal by now. Time to make up your mind, Jinako.

Are you going to let Anthony live or offer him up for death?

...

Take a look outside. It's a real mess.

And it's not just Old Dubai. AIs everywhere are suffering breakdowns.

"Even with AI's advancement, a human still found a way to hurt others."

"Someone like that getting to become immortal by becoming AI...how horrifying."

"It doesn't matter if they become AI. Deep down, humans will always be humans."

I swear, that giant girl really ran her mouth. But facts are facts.

All the Old Dubaians who were panicking a moment ago have stopped dead in their tracks.

They know they can't argue with her. As they say, garbage in, garbage out.

So it's okay, Jinako. Just give up Anthony and run for your life. This is our problem, not yours.

I can't do that. I'm not going to run away. I'm not going to give Anthony up, either.

For a start, they're not garbage. Not one of them has said anything to make them sound otherwise.

I've been hearing the cacophony of Old Dubai falling apart but you know what I didn't hear?

One single person calling for Anthony to be sent out or cursing his name.

Old Dubai doesn't abandon its people. So I'm not giving up, either.

Both of you, get away from here.

Don't worry. I'll be fine!

Fujimaru's gang will figure something out once everyone else gets to the plaza!

And as long as I'm here, Protea won't care about what's going on in the plaza.

Once the two of you are on a boat, I'll escape through the secret underground passage.

As long as I'm in hiding, I won't be able to contact you. I'll be fine, though; I've always been great at camping. Meanwhile, I'll be counting on the rest of you to hold down the fort.

But...do I even have a right to go on living?

Of course you do. You're still our Anthony.

If ignorance and inaction were crimes, I'd be doing hard time for the next twenty centuries, easy.

So go on, get out of here. There's no point in me playing decoy if you two stick around.

Understood. Let's go, Anthony.

But... I

Anthony.

Moon Dubai's my ideal city. I ought to know; I've been watching it for nineteen years straight.

This Beckman guy might've been irredeemable, but he still played a big part in creating this place.

It doesn't matter if he was trying to atone for his crimes, defending what he'd done, or even just trying to make himself look good. Without him, Moon Dubai wouldn't exist.

Everyone has a part to play. There's no such thing as being useless or worthless.

Those are just things we tell ourselves. As long as we keep pushing ahead, things'll balance out in the end.

Trust me, I speak from experience there.

Anyway, things'll either work out or they won't! Don't worry so much!

Welp, this is it. I wonder how far I can go. Man, I hate actually having to work. I'm kind of hungry, too.

Aw, crap. Now I'm getting worried! Come to think of it, I haven't even had lunch yet!

I thought you might say that. Here. Your favorite, pizza and cola.

!

Yay! You're the best, Hasara! Ah yeah, this is the stuff! There's no food like junk food!

Really? Even now? Hmm, maybe I'll try some myself then. Move over.

Wha...? Come on, Hasara, you don't have to keep me company. It's not like you can taste it, and I'm used to eating alone.

Don't be like that. This is my chance to show you how much I appreciate all the work you've done these past nineteen years.

Honestly, I'm a little worn out myself. I'm sure God won't mind if I take a long break here for a while.

So don't worry about it. We're not gonna die anyway. We'll wake up again when we feel like it.

...

Come now, don't cry. On behalf of all the good-for-nothings who came to Old Dubai, please allow me to say...

...thank you, dear friend. You helped us find purpose in working again. You gave that to us.

...You're welcome, Hasara. I usually hate doing actual work, but in this case, the pleasure's been all mine.

What? That's it? I thought you would at least try to fight. You're just curling up into a ball?

Cute. You look kind of like a little turtle from up here. Well, don't mind if I do!

See? You're gonna get smuuushed♪ Not much longer now! Nobody's coming to save you!

Aha. Ahaha. Ahahahahaha! Ahh, this is great! I love being strong! Being big is the BEST!

Come on, everyone! Hurry to the western harbor! You've got to get on a boat and evacuate to the mall!

What's the point... It's no use... Besides... We're worthless...

We deserve to be crushed to death here... Just go away...

Yeah. I only wound up here because life everywhere else was just too hard.

We don't deserve to be called people... No, people don't even deserve to live... We're just fake humans made in a giant screwup.

？！

Everyone, please! I understand how you feel, but you need to take care of yourselves right now!

There's nothing to be gained from staying here! Do you WANT to die along with Old Dubai!?

...Yes, they do. That's exactly what they want.

Anthony! Thank goodness you're okay!

...I am, thanks to Jinako hiding me. She said we'll be okay if we head to the harbor from here.

But...I don't think they can move. Their mental load is too big to process right now.

I feel the same, honestly, but right now, I'm prioritizing what Jinako told me to do, so... Yeah.

...I'll convince the other AIs to run. The rest of you, please head for the harbor as fast as you can.

Everyone, I know I have no place to talk here, now of all times, but please get on the ships.

You'll be safe if you hurry. Jinako is drawing the giant's attention.

She said once you're all safely on board, she'll escape via the secret underground passage.

So please, hurry. As long as Jinako is around, we can rebuild Old Dubai again.

...Oh, right. You were originally an elite from Area F.

So that's why you don't know. Anthony, listen...

There IS no secret underground passage. Jinako has no way out.

When Moon Dubai was reactivated, this was the only part of the city without power.

Jinako's been supplying it herself by integrating into the whole town.

She's not left that room so much as once, right? Because she can't.

Destroying Old Dubai means destroying Jinako.

And without her...there is no more Old Dubai. We'll never be able to bring it back again.

Ah... Aah. No... No, that... That can't be...

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I'm going back for her! The hideout won't last much longer! I need to help her...somehow!!!

Master! Permission to attack Protea! We have to draw her attention before

It won't work, Mash. Not for you.

There's nobody in standard space who can stop Kingprotea now.

Except me.

Because I am also a digital life-form, I have a means to destroy her.

One reason each of the Sakura Five has unique capabilities is so we can keep one another in check.

And I'm Kingprotea's natural enemy. I'm the only one with a skill capable of destroying her giant form.

R-really!? Then please, do it! You have to stop her!

No, that won't work, either. Trying would be suicide.

Your Trash & Crush is meant to be used in digital space.

If you try to use it in standard space, you'll take the full brunt of the compression straight to your arms.

Besides which, Protea's current mass is way, way beyond your capacity.

If you try to use Trash & Crush on her now, you'll destroy yourself before you manage to compress her at all.

You do know that, right?

I do. If the price to pay is my own disappearance, then it's worth a try at least.

AhI, um...

Master, your permission, please. If you could use a Command Spell to support me, that would

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Master?

？！

Bye, Fujimaru! Bye, Mash! Bye, Lip!

I'm counting on you guys to look out for everyone in Old Dubai for me, 'kay!?

？！

...

Ahh... The hideout...

...The enemy Servant has absorbed Jinako's Spirit Origin.

Kingprotea is growing to even greater size now.

I'd estimate she's approximately one hundred meters talllarge enough for her to reach us in six seconds if she notices.

What will you do, Master?

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Understood. I'll be right there with you, Master. I'll fight for as long as I can to buy as much time as possible.

？！

Not at all, Master. I should be thanking you. For me, this was the best choice you could have made.

Wait. Hold on. Sorry to keep stopping you guys, but I think you should guide the AIs to the ships.

If you just want to slow her down, there's someone else better suited for the job.

Lip, if any of the AIs refuse to listen, would you just drag them to the ships?

You can even use T&C on them if you want. You should be able to handle about fifty AIs no sweat.

Huh? B-b-but, won't they be furious if I squash them into a cube?

Don't worry about it. They might be upset now, but they'll be grateful later. I guarantee it.

Whup, looks like Protea noticed us. Go on, Fujimaru, you'd better hurry.

I'll catch up with you guys later and tell you more then.

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Hehe, I'm glad you asked. You see, my job at the gym is only a front.

It may have been a long time ago, but I've actually saved the world a few times myself!

Now, I, Kishinami Hakuno, Master of the Moon and your senpai, will show you all how it's done!

Well, I bought you about three minutes before I had to head back.

Sorry. I really was planning to give her a real thrashing. Turns out keeping her busy was the best I could do.

N-not at all! I only saw you fighting from far away, but you were magnificent! Should I call you Great Hakuno-senpai from now on!?

Just Hakuno is fine.

I only played up the senpai angle because, well, I thought it might have sounded good.

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You think? Your summons seem a lot more difficult to me. Do you have any idea how incredible it is to be able to choose different Heroic Spirits for different combat situations?

Anyway, I've shown my whole hand now. No more secrets now.

We've got a lot on our plate here, but I think we'll see the light at the end of this tunnel once we get to the mall.

？！

First, we should check the roof. Don't you remember?

There's a good chance we'll find BB poking out of it somewhere after Protea knocked her in that direction, right?