Wonderer

The days of contemplation were long. Very, very long.

For ten... A hundred... A thousand... Ten thousand years...humanity piled success on top of success.

Having won the battle for survival, they advanced their science and engineering, and removed everything that caused them mental or physical discomfort.

Every human was given the gift of utopiaa life of endless delight, free from the terror of death.

In spite of this, everyone hit the same dead end. No one was satisfied with what they had.

That dead end, those doubts, always seemed to overshadow whatever success they achieved.

"Why do we exist?"

That was the only order that demanded an answer. There were no other roles left to fulfill.

But nobody could figure out an answer. And they definitely couldn't judge what was right and wrong.

After all, people have been wondering what it means to be human for thousands of years. In all that time, no one has ever come up with a definitive answer.

I'm pretty sure the problem will never be solved. In fact, I don't know if anyone ever really wanted to solve it.

The problem is so vague, so complex that everyone gives up on solving it while they still live.

In fact, I don't think it's the kind of problem that even can be solved while you're still alive.

"Oh. So that's the answer."

Eureka. And thus, our world was saved in the nick of time.

That's right. Why are we here? Why else WOULD we be here?

Our last, and most important job, was to leave this world to our successor with smiles on our faces.

It's been a long, long summer for Earth.

In our world, Earth's civilization came crashing down in 2030.

Everyone thought it would slowly die out, which prompted countless mages to congregate in SE.RA.PH on the moon.

Some wanted to use the power of the Holy Grail to restore civilization. Some wanted to use it to break humanity's domain out of its shell.

Over time, Iwe, got to know these many mages. We fought them, killed them, and ultimately, we were the ones to acquire the Holy Grail.

We used its power to make SE.RA.PH into humanity's new domain, and created a whole new human society.

It was just as much work as making another Earth from scratch. By virtue of our position, we became the face of this new humanity.

From there...work continued to pile up. From there...we continued to wear ourselves out.

Before we knew it, a thousand years had passed...and our bodies had become relics of an older time.

We then had a thought. We've become representative of all humanity.

We've worked as hard as we could. We've produced as many results as possible.

But, are weKishinami Hakunosure we don't still have some unfinished business left?

？！

Oh good, you're back. Congratulations again on defeating the Moon Cancer.

So tell me, where's the oh-so-kind-and-gentle Servant who caught you when you were falling?

I couldn't help but notice a good deal of time passed between her catching you and you rejoining us.

I can confirm that Protea Alter already disappeared and returned to Chaldea.

She's been working pretty hard all this time, so she readily agreed to go back without a fight.

？！

That's right. The prefect look really feels like it suits me best!

That being said, BB Dubai isn't gone for good. I can still swap out with her if I have to.

But right now, I'm in serious health management AI mode, so I'm not going to!

？！

She went back to the observatory. Said she was exhausted.

Once again, I'm so glad you're all okay. That really is the most important thing.

If I recall correctly, BB, you said defeating the Moon Cancer would restore Moon Dubai's Foundation of Humanity value and set Chaldea's foundation back on the right track.

If that's true, then it's wonderful news all around! Congratulations, Senpai!

So, if Moon Dubai's Foundation of Humanity value is back, then does that mean

Yup. This world doesn't have to worry about being purged any longer.

Yes, the fact that you managed to defeat the Moon Cancer played a big part in that...

...but the definitive factor was the change in attitude among Moon Dubai's citizens.

They agreed to accept the Archetype as their successor and gracefully step aside as the world's dominant species.

It won't change the fact that there are still no humans left on Earth, but as far as Moon Dubai is concerned...

...I'd say it'll last another three thousand years easy as long as I'm here managing it.

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What!? Who do you think I am, anyway!? Do I look like a cyberdemon who would abandon my deligh

I mean, my duties as Chaldea's health management AI just for a fling in a new world!?

(Absolutely, yes.)

Then, putting aside our own thoughts for the moment, I'm glad you'll be coming back to Chaldea with us, BB.

Then, the one who WILL be staying in Moon Dubai is

BB Dubai, of course.

Having said that, there aren't enough resources in Moon Dubai to make a new body for her...

...so she'll be staying behind as a frameless, purely digital cyberdemon, just like old times!

Well, since I've also fully synced her assets with mine, it won't be the BB model staying behind here.

It'll be Last Slot, just like how she used to be.

？！

Most of the third-gen AIs' frames were burned up when the Moon Cancer converted this world's textures.

I'd guess they're all reintegrating their data back in their towers so they can output new ones about now.

What Ciel said. All the citizens of Moon Dubai, especially Anthony...

...would like to give you and Mash a proper thank-you, Fujimaru...

...but since there isn't much electricity to spare for the towers right now, they just asked me to pass that along.

Not at all. I couldn't have summoned up the courage without their inspiration.

Please tell them they all did an absolutely wonderful job.

Huh? Wh-what's going on? Why am I glowing all of a sudden!?

Does this mean that my time is up!? But I haven't even seen any of Moon Dubai yet!

I'm not ready to go back to Kur yet!

I see. BB Dubai's banishment must have kicked in now that you're back to your Chaldean Spirit Origin.

Don't worry, you'll be sent back to Chaldea, not the underworld! Though you will have to give up on sightseeing in Dubai!

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Okay. Thank you, Master. I'll be counting on you then.

Well, everyone, I guess this is it! Congratulations on a job well done!

In spite of everything that happened...I wouldn't trade this summer for anything!

Oh, and I'm sorry for destroying those towers. Please apologize to the other Moon Dubaians for me, would you?

It looks like Ereshkigal made it safely back to Chaldea.

Honestly, I was on pretty high alert when I first noticed a Beast signal here, but she's fully on humanity's side!

Forget Evil of Humanity; she's clearly a Love of Humanity! I can rest easy knowing I don't have to worry about her!

Um... I know you denied it before, but...

...does this mean you did originally come to Moon Dubai because there was a Beast here?

Hmm, good question. The Church did tell me there was going to be a planetary incident in this sector...

...but I only came here to scope things out, not because I was given any particular target.

So I decided to enjoy some Moon Dubai sightseeing while looking into what was going on here.

But it looks like there wasn't much cause for concern.

You Chaldeans took care of the Beast AND the Moon Cancer. I just helped out a little bit.

Come on, don't say things like that. I'm just an Executor, not a True Ancestor guardian.

If you keep talking about that, I'm liable to pop back up from practically anywhere and get carried away, so let's leave off here.

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Come on, don't say things like that. I'm just an Executor, not a True Ancestor guardian.

If you keep talking about that, I'm liable to pop back up from practically anywhere and get carried away, so let's leave off here.

Oh, that's right! I saw Archetype: EARTH pop out from your back!

That was... Um... I think, it's some kind of True Ancestor curse?

Like, even though I defeated her, she still kind of ended up taking control of maybe a fifth of my body?

You mean she can transform your body through a curse!? What kind of summoning technique IS that!?

I didn't summon her! That stupid True Ancestor just showed up on her own! I know my body's made of ether now, but that doesn't make it okay!

？！

Come on, don't say things like that. I'm just an Executor, not a True Ancestor guardian.

If you keep talking about that, I'm liable to pop back up from practically anywhere and get carried away, so let's leave off here.

Oh, that's right! I saw Archetype: EARTH pop out from your back!

That was... Um... I think, it's some kind of True Ancestor curse?

Like, even though I defeated her, she still kind of ended up taking control of maybe a fifth of my body?

You mean she can transform your body through a curse!? What kind of summoning technique IS that!?

I didn't summon her! That stupid True Ancestor just showed up on her own! I know my body's made of ether now, but that doesn't make it okay!

？！

...Ahem. Anyway, getting back on track...

I may have come here on behalf of the Lord of all order and law in the universe, but now, it's time for me to go.

I'm actually quite busy most of the time, and I have another assignment to get to.

Though, I will be taking the liberty of getting a bit of rest on Earth before I head out...

That being said, I'm still a member of humanity myself, so this won't be the last time we meet.

We have a bond forged across time and space now, so if you're ever in trouble, I'll be there to help.

All right, everyone, take care! If you ever run into any space vampires, please let me know!

There she goes.

Percival... Karna... Bartholomew... Nikitich... Tenochtitlan... Xu Fu... Ereshkigal...

Everyone who came with us from Chaldea should be back home safely now.

Although...

？！

Oh, crap. Did I not tell you guys yet?

BB?

I'm sorry. I only learned this when I merged with BB Dubai, but...

...Lip wasn't actually erased.

BB Dubai made it look like she had been when she hit her with the Mooncell's observation light...

...but when I looked into it, she'd actually just been sent back to Chaldea.

In fact, BB Dubai's body count in all of this might very well be...zero?

Then, Lip's already back in Chaldea? Without any damage to her Spirit Origin?

Yep. BB Dubai talked a good game as villains go, but it looks like that's all it was: talk! Though as a fellow BB myself, I do have to question her choices there!

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Yes! We'll finally return to Chaldea along with everyone we brought here!

...

...BB?

Actually, it might be too soon to celebrate.

Mash, Fujimaru, neither of you are ready to leave this world yet.

Huh!?

The Foundation of Humanity here still isn't repaired. You still have something left to do.

For example...maybe there's still a Moon Cancer here who's refusing to let humans give up their position as the dominant species.

？！

I do. It's been fun hanging out with you guys. It really has. But now, we can finally put an end to this.

Let's head back to the Burj Khalifa. The true last battle should be held somewhere with style.

Let's settle this once and for all. The fate of Moon Dubai will be decided where all this began.

...

...

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...

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I wouldn't say I knew. It was just a guess.

Whenever humanity achieves immortality, the question of what succeeds them as the dominant species always comes up.

It was a problem in our world, too. So when I heard there was an issue with the Foundation of Humanity here, I at least had an idea of what it might be.

When we then went to the museum, and I found out this world's people had developed an Archetype, that was what clinched it for me.

The people of this world didn't just fail to pass on the title of prime species. They rebelled against it.

It would've been one thing if an Archetype had never shown up. Then they could have just died out without their world being pruned away.

But to knowingly have an Archetype around and not pass on the torch is the worst sin they could have committed. It didn't just make their world worthless. It made it actively evil.

No wonder humanity came in an effort to stamp it out. Honestly, deep down, I figured this place was doomed.

But right there at the end, it managed to pull out of its tailspin. Really goes to show that humans can do anything they put their minds to.

Kishinami...

？！

We were lucky. An Archetype was born on its own, and we humans as a species quickly came to a mutual understanding with it.

In the year 3000, we were preparing to launch the Archetype into space.

But I ended up being summoned here to Moon Dubai right before the launchthe morning of the day when my role would finally be over.

Your role? You mean, as the dominant species on your world?

Right. I spent a lot of my time working at a desk, and then, just when I thought I would finally be free...

...I found myself here, looking at a female version of myself. It was a shock, to be sure.

But it also gave me an idea. "Whatever the circumstances, this might just be the miracle I've been waiting for."

Maybe now, I don't have to be the bigger person about my role being finished. Maybe now, I have a chance to do what I couldn't before.

...

Iwe, still have some unfinished business. And, I'm sorry, but if we have to take advantage of you to finish it...we will.

？！

We're here. Let's go in.

We've been putting it off for a long while, but it's time for humanity to finally graduate.

？！

That's right! This is the Tsukumihara Academy's former campus, where BB once went wild! It's one of my most treasured memories!

I have to hand it to you, BB, your eye for detail in this recreation is impeccable! Now I'm even more excited!

U-um, excuse me, but what in the world

Oh, there they are. It's about time. Heeey! Over here!

I've got plenty of tea and dumplings to go around! Let's have a little cherry blossom picnic before we do this!

Well, there you go. Might as well take her up on her offer.

What kind of dumpling would you prefer, Fujimaru? Sweet bean or soy sauce?

？！

Don't worry about it. Here, come with me for a second. We still have some time.

Hey there. This is our first real chance to talk, isn't it? Nice to properly meet you, Fujimaru and Mash.

I'm Kishinami Hakuno. My story's pretty much the same as boy me over there, so I'll spare you the details.

Go on now, let's enjoy these dumplings together.

Let's see... How about we toast to Moon Dubai's liberation and Chaldea's future?

O-okay. Thank you.

Oh wow, this is delicious! Could I try one of those with soy flour, too!?

So you're a completionist, huh, Mash? Sure, go ahead.

Just be careful not to eat too many, or you'll hurt your diaphragm.

Please do.

I've only been able to watch you eating together on a monitor, but you always seemed to be enjoying yourselves.

I was hoping I'd get a chance to join you myself.

Thanks for your concern. But it's okay. Our future's just starting now.

？！

It's time, you two. Are you ready?

Yeah. Let's get down to business.

Fujimaru, Mash, I think you know why I brought you here.

...but I'm going to spell it out anyway! I am...

I am...

...your final opponent!

I see. Is that true, Senpai?

Didn't you already tell them?

No. Fujimaru's pretty perceptive, so I figured he'd work it out.

Yikes. No wonder boy me is such a dud with the ladies...

Well, excuse me for being indecisive!

Right? You can just tell with this kind of thing!

？！

So...you two aren't our last enemy, but just, um...

？！

That's right. We both want to fight you. We have good reason, too.

Remember how I told you that Moon Dubai itself called us here?

Heroic Spirits summoned by the land itself become Servants on the side of humanity. Every Master knows that.

But Moon Dubai is an unusual case. It didn't call us here to protect humanity.

It called us here to protect the desire to reject the Archetype, which does make us your enemy.

Right. As long as we're here, this world's Foundation of Humanity will never recover.

So for you two to go back to Chaldea, you're going to need to defeat us first.

Don't worry. This won't be a fight to the death or anything like that. You just need to beat us.

That'll be enough for humanity to accept your victory. Think of this as an exhibition match.

Whichever side can make the other admit defeat will win. But we will be coming at you with everything we have.

？！

"Because I want to" doesn't do it for you?

We're both seasoned Masters. Why shouldn't we want to see how far we can go against an incredibly talented fellow Master?

In our case, you're the last Master of humanity, and we're the Master who made it through the Moon Holy Grail War.

So as your senpai, and the last Master of the Moon, we want to see our kouhai off in style.

We didn't get a typical youth. Wasn't really in the cards for us.

So now that we've finally got a worthy kouhai Master, we can't help but want to act like a proud senpai.

Though, if having our fight behind the schoolhouse is a little old-fashioned for you, we'll understand.

Not at all! I've heard it's a beloved trope, that it's used all the time in manga!

？！

Yup. Sounds like fun, right?

And of course, we've got a worthy reward all ready for you, too.

BB! BB! One victory trophy, please! And make it a Holy Grail, okay!?

I knew we could count on you, BB! Can you make that Holy Grail a double? For me!?

What am I, your maid!? Fine, fine! Two Holy Grails, coming right up!

？！

Okay, the stage is set! And with prizes like that on the table, I want to win this thing even more now!

Let's go, Fujimaru and Mash! Show us what the two of you can do when you're working together!

Sorry if girl me is kinda aggressive. I can't really deny that I feel the same way, though.

Well, Fujimaru? May we have this fight?

？！

Thank you. Now, we can finally move on without any regrets.

I am Kishinami Hakuno, Master of the Moon!

And I, Kishinami Hakuno, am also Master of the Moon!

Now, in the name of Mooncell Driver, we will defeat the last Master of humanity!

...Damn. It's really over now.

That was fun. But man. It kind of sucks to slap your trump card on the table and still lose.

We were the Masters representing all of humanity right up until we fell asleep. But...

Yeah. Ours was a very silver time, devoid of any love or romance right until our final moments. But...

I hate to admit it, but that was a damn good fight. What did you think?

I hate that we lost, but I'm satisfied, no question. In fact, this kind of felt like

A graduation ceremony, right?

You took the words right out of my mouth. Thanks, Fujimaru. Mash.

It sucks that we lost that fight, but I have no regrets.

Pretty cool, right? Let's just say that's the kind of thing you can pull off when you've been a Master as long as we have.

Really? We just kind of made that up after we came to Moon Dubai, and you're going to play the experience card?

Come on, give me a break. You do need experience to adapt on the fly like that, right?

？！

That truly was an incredible display of teamwork and Noble Phantasm expertise!

You synchronized your heartbeats, your magical circuits, even your perceptions of the world into a single Noble Phantasm...

It was one of the greatest expressions of skill I've seen demonstrated by any Servant. No... By any Master.

The kind of godlike technique only you two could pull off. It's been such an honor to fight the two of you.

？！

We feel the same way.

All that's left now...is to carry out our last job as AIs born from humanity.

Oh good, you two are getting ready to return to your own world. I'm so relieved.

？！

Actually, this is where we disappear for good. Right, BB?

...Right.

You two are an unusual case. During your Rayshift, a shift in the possibility spectrum caused you to be summoned here as both a man and a woman.

The moment you arrived in Moon Dubai, you became something foreign, something your original world will no longer accept.

Th-then, you mean you two can't go home after all!?

But that's okay! You two have nothing at all to be sad about! You completed all of your duties!

What's more, your world served its purpose some time ago. It's one of the few Chronicle Theoretical Phenomena to have actually reached the finish line.

It doesn't need a Master anymore. So you can disappear without any concerns☆

BB!

Thanks for being upset on our behalf, Mash. It's okay, though. Don't blame BB. Everything she said is true.

Our world was... Well, it was much harder on AIs than the world of Moon Dubai.

It had its fair share of troubles, including a Humanity Filtration Correction Phenomenon called Amnesia Syndrome...

...but in most ways, I think it was a lot more like your world.

AI could well be in for a harsh time in your world too.

In our world, there was widespread AI misuse by an immature human race, leading to a decline across all of civilization.

The very concept of creation changed. Once it became possible to copy anything, people began duplicating personalities as well as culture.

Our nation set itself on the path to ruin when it decided to officially allow AI to make copies of people and personalities.

It turns out that all it takes to make the social order fall apart is to fill the world with people whose opinions are identical.

That's the kind of world we come from. We're some of the very first duplicated humans.

The world wasn't all bad, though. If anything, it was liberated, spacious, crazy, and with no shortage of work to do.

But even there, things finally calmed down in A.D. 3000. Our job is done, and now, we can finally rest.

So it's okay if we disappear here. In fact, it's only right that we do.

We only had two hours left in our world before we hit our operational limit. Our lives were supposed to be over already.

Being summoned to Moon Dubai put it off for a bit, that's all.

？！

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Yes, Master of Chaldea?

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...Until we meet again, Master of Chaldea.

And when we do, it'll be from a time when we were younger.

Yup. It'll probably be me or him, though, not both. I recommend me, personally.

Anyway, that just leaves our stubborn kouhai.

It's okay, BB. Nobody's watching anymore. These are our final moments. Why not go back to your usual self?

But...I'm not the BB you two knew. I'm from Chaldea, and

That's what you're worried about? It doesn't matter where you go. You'll always be the same BB.

Yeah, we haven't forgotten. You can always get another special case (read: CCC) back on SE.RA.PH in no time at all.

We don't know what you've been up to in Chaldea yet, but we've seen what you've done in Moon Dubai, and that's plenty.

You're the same timid, prone to lonesomeness, attention-seeking, incredibly patient, hard worker you always were.

And most importantly, you're our kouhai pride and joy! Congrats on another job well done, BB!

(Sniff...) Ghh...!

You're... You're the worst! Stupid, stupid, stupid Senpai!

I've been doing my VERY best to be a BB you didn't know! Why'd you have to go and say that!?

Oh, right. I almost forgot "crybaby." Sorry.

Please don't say such mean things! That's one of my favorite things about you!

Dammit! I wanted to show you how cool I can be! I wanted you to see me being a perfect health management AI!

I-I didn't want a tear-streaked face just as we're about to say goodbye!

Now I look like the same pathetic immature crybaby I used to be!

Not at all. You're the best AI ever.

Yeah, that golden form of yours was awesome. Couldn't have been nay cooler if you'd tried.

You... You mean it?

Then, was I like the BB you remember after all?

You sure were. You might be gone from our world now, but here, you were the exact same BB.

I'm so glad we could see you here like this.

I couldn't be happier that you're still such a great friendno...partner, to humanity.

You're the greatest contribution to humanity we could have made.

...

We didn't come here to say goodbye.

We came to this campus to see our precious kouhai off on her journey.

Humanity may no longer be at the top, but that doesn't mean our history is over. There is still plenty of future left ahead.

And we want you to be part of it. We want you to keep going. We want you to go further than we ever could.

Further than you, Senpai? You mean, even if...

Yup. Even if it means leaving this whole planet behind. You've got a bright future ahead. And it's far, far away from your hometown.

So go on. Stand up and smile. Isn't that what you're supposed to do at graduations?

...Right. You're right. There's something special about graduations...

I know that's why...you always wanted to go to one...

, .

, .

...

I will! Don't worry! Humanity's future is in good hands with me!

No matter how annoying they think I am, I'm gonna give them the best care in the universe!

I was born from unusual circumstances that existed only as a result of your kindness. My job is to keep humans healthy and watch over their development.

That is why my lifemy loveexists...

To use it for the people who saved me.

？！

Right, Senpai! That takes care of our final mission! Now we have a gift to bring back to Ereshkigal!

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...Right. I hope BB and the Kishinamis had a chance to say a proper goodbye...

BB tends to go overboard when it really matters, so I can't help but worry a little...

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No need to worry about us. I carved them the greatest memorial anyone could ask for.

Shouldn't you two be worrying about yourselves? You do know you need my help to get back to Chaldea, right?

？！

I knew your reaction wouldn't disappoint, Senpai! In fact, I like it so much, I'll even let what you said earlier slide!

Thank you, BB! And welcome back!

Hm? What are you so happy about, Mash?

Because you're smiling so happily. It looks like I really was worried for nothing.

...(Sigh) I really can't put anything past you, Mash. Well, thank you for worrying about me, just the same.

But never mind that! We don't have time for chitchat!

You need to hurry back to Chaldea soon, or you'll be horribly out of sync with everyone else who's already gone back!

This would normally be the part where I make you fight me for no real reason...

...show off what an awesome and awesomely charming Moon Cancer I truly am...

...and captivate you both so hard you'd never even see any other M.C.s besides me.

But you'll just have to look forward to that next time! I can't wait to be summoned to your room☆

Now, on that note... Yah☆ Goldeeen...Rayshiiift!

Bwa!?

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Time flows like a river, and you two are like ants caught in quicksand♡

Congratulations on another job well done, Master. The Foundation of Humanity should take one more step towards its proper value now.

However...

...parallel world or not, Moon Dubai is still far in the future. You won't be able to bring your memories with you to the present.

Once the Golden Rayshift is over, you'll be back to right when summer began.

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What was that? Did you say something, Senpai? I'm sorry, you're just so quiet, I can't make it out!

But don't worry. You won't be losing anything. All the experience each of you gained is still inscribed in your Spirit Origins

But humanity doesn't learn and grow without living in the present. So...let's all forget what happened here in the future.

Don't worry. You'll get your memories of this adventure back once you make it to the future again.