Volume 4 "Flaming Mountain: That Mountain is Very Fun!"

Guys! Those mountains there must be so much fun!

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...? Our master seems to be very hyper. I wonder what's up with her?

We defeated Red Boy. In that case, our next big obstacle is the Flaming Mountains.

...On a different note, my master... We are being followed.

Did you sense their presence? That's fine. It's natural that we're being targeted by demons.

It's actually rather convenient for us. We can lose them in the Flaming Mountains up ahead!

...Hot... It's...so...hot... Oink... Brother Fujimaru, to be honest...

Despite my appearance, I can't stand the heat... It's like I'm going to get roasted...

Yes... These evil mountains are worse than expected.

The flames here don't extinguish with rain, nor do they burn out. They say they can even melt the toughest iron.

No wonder Servants, much less normal humans, would want to avoid this place...

？！

Of course! I mean, those mountains are definitely interesting!

!

My master, he's saying, "It's not just about having fun!" Oink!

That's because you haven't had enough training! Perfect, let's earn you some Training Points right now!

This is the Buddha's providence! You just need to get used to hardships!

We can't get to Tianzhu without crossing these burning mountains! Never!

？！

Don't worry about it.

Aside from the demons, I too had anticipated these Flaming Mountains.

I've piled on merits during my journey to acquire scriptures, so I can walk freely on fire.

The ascetic exercise of fire-walking, huh?

This hellfire, too, was once just a leaping flame from the Eight Trigrams Furnace up in heaven.

If it's a trial from the Buddha, this fire will surely die if I walk through it!

？！

Just watch. ...Although I might need some time!

(Inhale... Exhale...) (Inhale... Exhale...)

I wanna see♪ how brave our master is♪

(Gulp)

...She went for it. She's really walking on the flame...

She's gone. I didn't think she would really do it, oink.

But still, speaking from my experience as a roasted pig... Even if you can walk on fire, there's still the intense heat and smoke, you know?

Ah! You're right! I should have thought about that!

!

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Cough...cough cough... Ugh... I thought I was gonna die...

Apparently, flesh burns even if it's not touching the fire... So that's what it means to smoke something...

If I wasn't wearing the Tathagata's kasaya, I would have turned into coal...

Beyond uncool... These mountains were not fun at all... (Sniff)

I'm... I'm beyond sorry... I have learned my lesson...

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But...

It's different... It's completely different! They're not the Flaming Mountains I know!

What do you mean, my frizzy-haired master?

...pai...Senpai...are...there...!?

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Oh...thank goodness... I've been waiting so long, Senpai!

Doctor! Doctor! Please come to the Command Room immediately!

Oh. A transmission from Chaldea?

The line's very unstable... I will put it briefly before the signal cuts off!

...Oh.

No, it's nothing. You just talk with them, Brother.

Yes, take your time. We'll cover you.

Those are...the demons that we drove off in the mountains!? They're coming this way...

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Yes, Senpai.

The Doctor is here too, but he's a little busy at the moment!

So I will relay the message for now!

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...And that was the report on the summoning experiment, and the analysis on this unexpected incident.

The situation is not resolved yet. We can't let our guard down.

However, I'm surprised... To think there would be this much time lag between us!

It has already been a month since we first departed from Tartar territory.

On our side, it's only been four days since the accident Oh...

I'm still detecting Servant readings around the Flaming Mountains. I even picked up traces of potent Ether.

I suspect some kind of crazy experiment with magecraft. It must've been conducted by a high-ranking Caster as well.

？！

Xa-xa-xa-xa-xa-xa-xa-xa!

Great! Eternal flame of Sanat Kumara! I will boil down this Dagda's Cauldron like it was jam!

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I don't know who's been summoned, but I'm sure she's a troublesome Servant, oink.

I'm at a loss for words, too. But I'm sure this is also the Buddha's unwavering will.

Xuanzang... Sanzang? I see... so you are a woman!

Oh no... The signal is unstable... The communication... I can't...correct...time difference...

Fujimaru! Make sure you tell Sanzang what we talked about.

Also tell her... that she herself is the key!

The transmission got cut off again. I wonder when we will be able to communicate with them again.

They seem to be having difficulty bringing us back to Chaldea.

I'm pretty sure it's because Mash is not here. She would normally have set up the summoning circle for us.

...We cannot afford to turn back now, either.

The idea of heading to Tianzhu and being at the mercy of Buddha's guidance doesn't sound too absurd anymore.

Eh... So you agreed to travel with me half-heartedly?

Hmmm... For Shuwen, he's content as long as he gets to fight powerful enemies.

Maybe I'm the same? But what about Brother Fujimaru?

...What...do you think? Fujimaru?

Of course! I won't give up after only one or two lifetimes!

Because this is my story! Thank you, Fujimaru!

The skinny guy from Chaldea said the same thing. In that case, then I'm truly dancing on top of the Buddha's palm...

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Brothers, wait.

The Flaming Mountains... They are a test.

Uh!?

Oh, a new face? At any rate, not one we have seen in Chaldea.

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...Ugh... You are... Ugh... I feel like I can almost remember you...

Why? It's so frustrating! This intense feeling of déjà vu is suffocating...

Impossible. Can not remember.

That memory. Inside. This scripture.

!?

Lamentable. Xuanzang Sanzang. Once pure and holy. Currently despicable. Mediocre woman.

No will to sacrifice thyself. Bereft tolerance and benevolence. Know there is... no shortcut to Tianzhu.

Simply put. You. No longer fit as Qitian Dasheng's master.

Uh! (Shocked)

Chat. Completed.

You're wrong, Brother. If the hair doesn't reach the shoulders, it's more appropriate to call it "pigtails," oink.

？！

That person might appear collected, but in truth, she was agitated to the point that she abandoned her role as an observer and interfered...

Yeah. She seemed like she knew our master well... Well?

To be honest... I can't quite remember...

I see. Your memory has been locked away. However... I have an idea as to who she really is.

That flaming spear must be the Fire-tipped Spear... And those bangles she wore must be the Universe Ring...

In addition, her young appearance... Although she does speak in a strange tone...

It appears that she might be Prince Nezha, the Marshal of the Central Altar One with a name as well-known as Qitian Dasheng, Sun Wukong.

Ne...zha...

Don't underestimate that young warrior. She's a doll made entirely of Paopei.

In Chaldea's terminology, she would probably be called a Noble Phantasm Human. I feel I must cross swords with that warrior.

?

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She left with the scripture that contains the master's memory.

So we came up dry this time. It seems like we can't cheat.

There's always someone watching... I guess that's the same in every country.

...Banana Leaf...Fan...

I remember now! Yes, the Banana Leaf Fan!

Listen, we took the wrong steps. We need a Noble Phantasm... An item to cross the Flaming Mountains!

We need the Banana Leaf Fan! Princess Iron Fan's Noble Phantasm!

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