EP 2: Battle at the Coastline

Hmm...

...

...It's quiet. Very quiet. Don't you think, St. Martha?

Indeed. The ocean waves are calm tonight. By the way, St. Georgios...

What is it? Oh, you want a photo?

Unfortunately, my specialty is landscapes, not people.

No one wants one of your photos. I'm talking about those.

Oh, these? My apologies. It's about time, yes. Will you go first?

Oh, my. I'm a little embarrassed.

But I cannot turn down your offer, St. Georgios.

Excuse me... Aaah.

Oh! These smell so good, and its texture on the tongue! It's super-duper yummyAhem.

It tastes splendid. The wisdom of the East is not to be dismissed.

I'll have some for myselfAhem. This is...Oho! It's hot! It's hot, but sweet!

It seems simple, but you don't tire of it. It has a smooth surface, but a complex taste.

Simple, yet deep. How to describe it?

You describe it as tasty, you two. If you'll excuse me, I'll have one myself.

Hmm... Mm...They're bite-sized, but not so small that it's not enough.

These dumplings are clearly the work of a master. I am in awe.

Truly, you can find geniuses in any era.

...

What's wrong, Martha? Is there something stuck on my face?

No, I was just wondering what that black, honey-like sauce was.

I don't want one for myself. For one thing, I don't trust you.

You've been tagging along with us for days. Why don't you tell us what you're after?

My goal is as I spoke of when we first met. I seek a duel with you. That is all.

And I refused. I preach the folly of battle.

Besides, why must I fight you? I'm not the type.

Oh? Is that really true?

It's true! You sound like you don't believe me! Are you making fun of me?

What is your problem, anyway? Are you even a real samurai?

Hahaha. You saw right through me. When I have to act like a samurai, I can.

I am a wanderer, I act differently at different times.

But I'm not the only one. You seem to be carrying such burden as well.

A particularly big one. Tarasque, was it?

Huh!? You're after my Tarasque? Not me!?

I don't know how many wyverns you've taken down, but I doubt you can do anything with that skimpy sword?

Don't underestimate the scales of the Tarasque. They were thick enough to withstand one of my punches!

Oh, your punches? How interesting. I thought your weapon was a staff?

!!! Oh, how silly of you. Ahahah.

Perhaps you're hard of hearing? I'm a saint. I would never punch anyone.

Hahaha. Come to think of it, before "He" gave her the staff, St. Martha was completely empty-handed, I'm told.

So before you settled in as a Saint, you were fighting dragons with your bare hands, huh?

I find that fascinating. As a fellow dragon slayer, I would've liked to have caught that with my camera.

I have not punched any dragons! I don't street-brawl anymore, and I've never fought with my bare hands in my life!

And Georgios, didn't you say you only photographed landscapes?

...Another set of three Servants. I guess you could call these the three dragon slayers...

We're lucky Siegfried isn't here. ...Let's get ready to head in, Master!

Enough cooking and eating dumplings! Surrender peacefully to the ropes!

Huh? What's this about ropes?

She means to not struggle against her. In old Japan they'd tie up criminal's bodies with ropes before taking them away.

R-Ropes... Couldn't they just tie our hands... That's crazy, tying up someone's whole body...

Criminals? I've no idea what you're talking about.

...Um, I'm sorry, Mr. George. Those dumplings were stolen from Chaldea.

So I think you became guilty the moment you ate them.

But if you just give them back, we can forget all about it...

...I see. Even if we didn't know, how could we do such a thing?

We paid for this food, but if it was stolen in the first place...

Miss, we've never met before, but you seem to be telling the truth.

I'll return this bag of food to you. That is the least we can do.

Huh...Oh, right. That would be a big help, but...

？！

Of course. We're famous saints, you know.

We admit when we're wrong, and strive to correct it. Though I do wish I could've had some more.

And only St. Georgios paid any money. Since I am not at any loss I don't really mind.

That's right. Now, please take them. And return to this "Chaldea" place of yours.

I'm simply a freeloader, so I have no objection. Battle solves nothing.

Everyone... Senpai, let's go back. The mission is complete!

Hmm? Wait a second.

That was very touching, but I think that samurai's hiding a rare dumpling in his pocket.

Hmm? Samurai? Do you mean me?

And the saint has some behind her back, right?

Wh-what are you talking about?

How disgraceful, you two... I do apologize.

I'll stay here. Feel free to take these criminals back with you.

And you, the man with long hair, your camera pack is stuffed with hidden dumplings.

THOU ART A DRAGON!?

Mr. George...

Huh!? What a sharp-eyed lady... It seems we have no choice but to fight...

Indeed. It's not fair to call me a thief, and I want more dumplings anyway.

Just this once, I'll abandon my holy vows. Even though they are weightier than Tarasque.

Tarasque's pretty light then, huh?

Kojirou, you fight, as well. You've eaten plenty of free food up until now.

Yes, I've got nothing to do with this, but fair enough. You shall taste the wrath of my secret blade.

？！

Right! They weren't listening to us at all!

What have I done... What got into me?

It must be the magical energy of the moon that compelled me to use Ascalon.

Please realize, milady... The true enemy...is close at hand... (ka-thud)

？！

...I never before fought out of greed, and now greed has dulled my blade...

In the moment greed took over, my defeat was assured... Bean paste buns are scary...

Oh, and I was strangely strong not because I'm on my home ground, but because of my class affinity? (ka-thud)

？！

Both of them died well... We have the dumplings right here, so I'll get some incense for the funeral.

They haven't disappeared. They're just pretending to pass out because they're embarrassed.

Men can be so proud over the silliest things. Who cares if you lose a fight?

A brutal strike! DWAH!

Such merciless truth! KWAH!

？！

It's true that men and women may have different views on fighting.

Statistical data shows that women engage in competition on a daily basis, and don't obsess over a single defeat.

They'd prefer to use the extra calories obsessing over more constructive things, I hear.

I...I don't know. I haven't fought enough to really find value in the outcome of a fight.

Yes, but this is just statistical data. It differs for each individual.

？！

Hey, guys, I hate to interrupt, but that scary woman is running straight for the sea.

Hahahaha! It's too late! Come forth, Tarasque! Scramble ride!

I'm outta here, kiddies! Next time we meet, I'll get you for this!

Oh! The sea parted, and a dragon came out... No, a turtle? An extremely tired-looking iron dragon?

Whatever it is, it's spinning up into the sky!

It looks just like an unidentified flying object, doesn't it, Senpai?

？！

Oh, but as a way of expressing our gratitude for the dumplings...

Yes, we did buy them off of a strange group in a glass carriage

But later we ran into a fat man calling himself an emperor, and gave him the other half.

He was very skilled at persuasion...A professional debtor. The type who never pays back what he owes.

Be careful! You'll find him in the wasteland!

Hmm, after saying all that, she just flew off.

Looks like we've got more work to do. I don't mind, though. I'm having fun.

What will you do, Mash, Fujimaru? If you're going to give up, now might be the time.

No, we'll get as many dumplings back as we can.

Let's go, Master. That fat man is definitely our next foe!