Section 3: Flourish and Fabrication

So this is...Chicago...!

Fo...fooou? Foufofofofofofofofouu?

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Wow! It's like London! Exactly like London!

Foufofofofofofofofooo?

Jack, shh! This is Chicago. We just have to make that clear with our words. No mentioning that.

Ohhh. We don't care where we are. As long as it's a city that Mommy might be in, we're fine.

I wonder where we should go...? Ah!

Hey, outta my way! Get that huge body of yours off the street!

I-I'm sorry...!

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Sh-shut up...! Tsk!

Th-thank you, Master...

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Well...because...I'm so big. I just assumed that I would be a burden to everyone...

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R-really...?

You're right... There are some pretty...unusually large people, like Kiara and Gorgon...

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What...makes me...unique...

Hm! As long as it is not illegal, uniqueness is to be embraced. That's what the U.S. is all about!

Now to gather information. That mage will probably have left some trace of their activities.

So we're going to split up and search! Like detectives!

If we find Mommy, can we dismember her to make sure it's her?

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Okaaay. We'll hold back. Could you make more hamburg steaks for us, then?

Let's go, Senpai!

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One!

Two!

Third!

Fooou!

So, status? Report, everyone. Sidenote: I have nothing.

One look at me and everyone from animal control to the police came rushing in. There were even heroes who kept calling me villain.

Guess what? I ate a pizza THIS big! It was really tall and delicious!

Yep! It was really good!

You should try it next time, Master!

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...Well, that's all very...useful.

I have one thing to report.

Oh that's a relief...! I was afraid this would only end up being about our dining experience...

There was this shop called "Club High Society," where a group of occult fans gathered.

Many of them are not mages at all, but such a place almost certainly has the backing of the Mages' Association.

I see. It may be a good idea to check them out.

Let us head over to "Club High Society"!

Hey, stop right there. No kids allowed.

Hm? Are you speaking of Master? He may look young, but I assure you, he is no child.

Maybe this will change your mind. (Passes him something under the table)

Edison just handed over a huge wad of money to the bouncer...!

The obvious go-to move for a successful businessman!

Well, when you put it like that... (Fumble, fumble). But I still can't let those little girls in.

You can't?

I'm sure I'm older than you.

No can do, little girl. Now be good little girls and stay outside.

Awwww, we want to dismember too.

Dismember...? Whatever. There's a coffee shop open twenty-four hours just around the corner.

I'll let them know a couple of kids are coming.

Do they have any sweet taffy? Or maybe a nice cake?

Of course they do. Chicago donuts are the best donuts in the world.

Oh, donuts! The holes in donuts must be a portal to a wonderful world!

Let's go, Jack. But... I'm a little sad that we're not going to be with Bunyan.

Yep. Master, take good care of Bunyan.

Wait right there. We'll be right back.

Ready? New customers coming in!

Hahahahaha. What did you think of the medium reading the other day?

Ah, it was so incredible. Spiritual enlightenment is a once in a lifetime experience, after all!

I'm planning to head to THAT town next. I hear there's a grimoire that's been there since its early days as a settlement.

They seem to be talking about some complicated things...

I don't get it. They all look so serious. Why don't they just talk about useful things?

It's mostly a bit of harmless misinformation. The Mystics of the Spirits would never truly be revealed to the untrustworthy.

Concealing Mystics, huh? So you agree with the Mages' Association?

It's not about the Association. It's simply that in our tradition, those with the lineage of the Spirits must live up to that position.

Should knowledge of the Spirits be made public, it would become mundane; it would lose its value.

That's an opinion worth listening to. I'd like to hear more, but looks like we don't have the time.

Indeed. You can see it too, right, Master? That woman there is the only one with actual magical energy.

The...pretty lady...?

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Please be careful. That is not the Mata Hari we know.

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Tee hee. Welcome to Club High Society. Pleased to meet you. I'm Mata Hari, this club's mistress.

I wonder how long it's been since a real mage has set foot in here...

And now...goodbye.

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What's...this? My head's getting fuzzy...!

Senpai!?

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Senpai, what were you just thinking!?

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S-Senpai!? Wh-what did you...!? What do you mean, "little eggplant"!?

Please...stop! You mustn't...you mustn't...you mustn't stop!

Tee hee...that's right...drown in your pleasure. I am Mata Hari, "The Woman with the Eyes of the Sun"!

There's no way you can escape from this charm. Goodbye, strange mage from another world.

Not a chance.

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Impossible!? But I used my Noble Phantasm on them...!

How unfortunate for you. Did you think Geronimo and I would be unprepared?

We've set up a barrier around this club.

We asked Miss Nursery Rhyme to act if anything unusual happened.

Don't think for an instant that a lone Assassin's magical energy would suffice against three Casters!

I see.

I knew this would happen. Fine. Much as I do not approve of the male manner of problem-solving...

Get them, men.

What's the problem here?

Club High Society is my castle. Don't you dare think you can get out of here alive!

Take...that...! Please get out of the way!

Gyaaaaaah!!!

So this is the end. Tee hee...you're so strong...

Please, tell me.

Where is these girls' "Mommy," the mage who summoned me?

...I suppose it's about time someone told you.

The World's Columbian Exposition. Go there, and you will meet the one you seek.

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...World's Columbian Exposition?

Listen, Paul Bunyan.

(She's petting me...without getting scared.)

Humans...even if you are a Heroic Spirit...can live on just by being loved.

You are loved by your Master. That's why you were able to reach this place...despite your unlucky stars.

Someday...there will be a Master who will use a Grail to power me up to level 100 too...

Perhaps...the me in your Chaldea is like that...

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...We are transient existences, ephemeral guests in this world, spiritual forms of what was once human...

Yet, when we do exist...each time we are summoned, we are given new consciousness.

Master. The bond that you and the rest of the Servants have formed is a real one.

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Let's go, Master. To the World's Columbian Exposition!

So this is the World's Columbian Exposition...!

Yes. Historically, this is the World's Fair held in 1893.

So it is an event to showcase the current culture and innovation of modern nations. Is this sort of boasting really necessary, though?

I would normally think that cultural exchange without combat is a good thing, but this fair is proving to be the exception to that rule.

This place is fairly dripping with the arrogance of privilege. Hideous. It is truly hideous.

...Yes. During the 1893 World's Fair there were many..."exhibitions" of minorities.

Agreed! This is far from rational!

The worst part is this horrible use of electricity! It's AC! They're using AC!

The Edison Tower's DC should have been more than sufficient!

You're like an argumentative spiritual leader in the guise of a thunder god worshipper. But I still respect you... If you still can call that rational.

Indeed! That's the DC way of thinking!

I know this place has its flaws. But it's still fun.

There's lots of buildings. There's lots of detail put in them. The carpenters, the plasterers, and the gardeners...they all put in a lot of effort.

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Yep. I like to destroy, but that's my job.

Making something is really fun. And I love to see what other people make too.

Tee hee. I agree. I enjoy them too. Because things made by others are always wonderful.

It doesn't matter who the storyteller is. It's an intimate contract between the reader and the work.

Such things are everywhere, but not anywhere. That's why it's so wonderful! Right, Jack?

Yep. You're right.

But your story ends here. Abruptly.

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Like a shooting star that cuts through the sky...like a wavering candle flame...

Even if you think it has some shape, it will disappear. That's the fate of all stories.

I am Davy Crockett, guardian of the fading pride, and protector of order.

Ah. So you're a guardian of the World's Fair this time. Then I have one question for you.

Very well, Edison, king of inventions. What is your question? You have the right to ask, as you are one of those who began the Age of Reason.

WHY AC!?

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I ask of you: why use AC!!??

It's obvious. Because the great genius, Nikola Tesla is right here.

AC can shine its light in any darkness. It promises quiet and stability.

Yes. AC is good civilization. DC is bad civilization.

WHAT DID YOU SAY!?

Putting that aside, I cannot let you pass beyond this point.

That's our line! I'm going to skewer you on the Edison Tower and make you into a decoration!

I, as a gentleman, am reasonably, justifiably angry! Understand, Master!? Note that in my biography!

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Good! I will use mathematics and Newtonian mechanics to destroy everything efficiently! Scientifically!

So you're saying we're going to solve this with violence?

Ultimately, yes! And that's really the whole notion! I'll make them cry!

Then I shall show you who it is that truly rules the heavens as the modern-day thunder god!

The World's Fair's power engine...the Allis Engine has stopped...! Impossible...! What is that power...!?

Didn't you know, mister professor? Unpredictable things can happen anywhere, at any time!

That's what storytelling is. Coincidence trumps certainty. That's how the good ones always go!

I see... I shall take that into account in my future theories... That way, we needn't say AC lost to DC.

Wait a minute, you bastard! What did you just say!?

See you later! Good luck on the rest of your journey!

Why you! Hey! Don't you dare think running away makes you the victor! Though... I suppose my technology doesn't get used so much later on.

...I didn't know that...

I don't blame Edison for being so emotional...let's just leave him alone.

And this is your final stand, Davy Crockett.

So it is.

Let me give you a warning, Paul Bunyan and Master.

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You should not proceed further. If you do, you will be faced with your worst nightmare.

Nightmare... Are you saying there's a nightmare waiting ahead?

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That's right. We are with you, and Master's also here. Mash, Mister Lion, and Geronimo's also with you.

Thank you...!

Let's go in further...to the center of the World's Fair!

Is this the center of the World's Fair?

Hm. There's a Japanese pavilion with a Japanese garden. It seems Japanese craftsmen built all of this.

Even today in 2019, this site is preserved in Jackson Park as the Osaka Garden.

Fou, fooou.

The street light that I made using a bamboo filament from Kyoto is also displayed. DC all the way!

But why is the Japanese pavilion the center? I doubt it's anything to do with magecraft.

No point wondering! We've already been through enough!

Let's go. The Japanese pavilion is farther in.

This is the pavilion? What a strange building.

Senpai, this is... I don't know to express it...but everything is just...wrong...

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...This is a story where endless wandering, unnecessary repetition, and lies have all clumped together.

Who's there!?

At the end of all these nonsensical digressions and drawn-out plots...you have finally managed to reach your final destination.

That's right...none of you are destined to reach the third anniversary!

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No way! A...(mumble, mumble) that resembles Senpai!?

My name is

I'm a Master from a Chaldea different than your own...from one of the many parallel worlds.

That's who I am.

Mommy... You're Mommy.

Yes. Jack the Ripper, Nursery Rhyme, and all the Servants you defeated...

I'm the one who summoned them all.

But it may be easier for Fujimaru to understand if I say that I got them all from the gacha.

Tell me. You summoned us and created a Singularity. What is your plan?

Paul Bunyan. I didn't summon you.

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You're not a Servant. You're just a phantom, no more than an urban legend roaming about.

Paul Bunyan was just a joke amongst the settlers of North America. Then some trash tabloids wrote some articles on it for shits and giggles.

She has no basis in myth, and nobody actually believes in her existence. She's the very lowest form of spiritual existence: a hazy shadow without a will.

But then I let her possess udon dough, and gave her shape.

I'm... I'm...not a Heroic Spirit...!?

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That should be obvious! To make a welfare Servant to give out for the second anniversary of FGO!

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Don't "huh?" me! You're a Master. I KNOW you know!

For F2P Masters like me, welfare Servants are the most important Servants!

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No more boring small talk! The great thing about social games like this is that anyone can enjoy playing without thinking about them or even paying attention!

An idyllic world where everyone is equal! To make that so, strong gold Servants are necessary!

That's why I used udon dough to create Bunyan's Spirit Origin. My plan was to produce a giant! To make the goddess who shapes the very world!

...I get it now. Bunyan's legend contains mankind's universal belief in a deity of creation.

It's not possible to summon an actual god, but an artificial one, possessing godlike qualities...

I see...that's me...

Right. That's why I poured all my Grails and QP into you! But even so... EVEN SO...

What we actually got was just a wacky...useless thing! If we gave YOU as a welfare, Chaldea would be DEAD!

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Eh?

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Oh come on. What the hell else would I call it?

I mean, it's a ★1. ★1! You get those in the FP gacha!!!

That thing is absolutely worthless! No Servant below ★4 is worth a damn!

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Senpai...!

Oh, big talk, huh? Trust is just something the weak use to cover their weakness! So why hasn't my little eggplant turned into a ★5?

Strong bonds don't overcome lack of rarity. You should know that as a Master...

In the end, only the Masters who post Servants over Lv. 90 get picked as Support!

They have a handful of limit broken Kaleidoscopes, and they have a surplus of event CEs!!!

A world that celebrates only the ultra-whale Masters, where only they get all the glory and friend requests! That is what I am trying to put a stop to!

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Hnnnnnnnnnghhhhhh!!! Your logic is... I don't even have a comeback for that!

Humph. But let's chill it out a minute here. Sure, our playstyles differ.

But... Do you really want to give your loyalty to a development team who won't give you an NP animation skip button, and die with this useless Servant?

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Obviously! The only Servants we need are beautiful female Saberfaces!

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There's no value in something without use. Bunyan is... Well, she was a failure.

So, I wanted her to vanish into a secluded forest. But noooo, you had to bring her all the way here...

What I want are ★5 Servants, or the one exception to that rule: my cutie, Astolfo.

Now that you've come this far, I'll have to eradicate Bunyan and all of you from this other world.

How horrible! Just horrible! Bunyan's our friend!

Master, I...

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Eh? What, are you thinking of fighting me? Even though we're both Masters? Seriously?

It's all your fault. If you guys hadn't just waltzed out here, this worthless Servant would've disappeared!

...I see. You may be right...and yet!

Paul Bunyan is right here before us! We cannot turn a blind eye to that fact!

...Agreed. Even if her lore was a joke in the early States, I cannot ignore that she stands before me!

The only thing that must disappear is you, Master from another world.

Eh? Are you seriously going to fight me? Come on, take a joke! This is like...a tiny prank!

I mean, I also saved Humanity. Don't I deserve Servants that I prefer and want?

Shut up! This is a bad dream, Master that is not mine!

I'm sorry, but this is part of our job! We will destroy your evil ruse!

Oh-ho. Look who's acting all big, my little eggplant. And you're so cool. Much more than usual.

Not that I'm unhappy about your change, but I'm not wild about this biting the hand that feeds you crap.

Fine. If you're going to defend Bunyan, I just have to fight you.

I'm afraid you know too much, and now...you must die.

It's your prim and proper party versus my poor but beautiful party.

Let's see which Chaldea reigns supreme!

Gwaaaaahhhh!!! My C, B, AND A teeeeeeammms!

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Oh. Well, yeah. Of course I have some ★5s. I've been playing since launch!

And yet...all my cute, precious Servants... You defeated them so easily...!

Well... They were all so under leveled...

Being lazy and failing to level your Servants has finally come back to bite you. Now be a good Master and go back to your own world!

But...! In this Singularity, I was able to Summon to my heart's content without using any Quartz...!

Ahhh, I'm awakening from my dream... help me, Jack, Nursery...!

We're not gonna help. Cuz you're not our Mommy.

You closed the book on your own. So, it's the end for you now.

The one promise you as a reader made with me, the story was to believe in me.

Nooo... I... I just wanted everyone to have a laugh! And I wanted to do so many other lewd things...!

Yep. Begone!

Gwaaaaaahhhh! Ah crap! I let the truth spill out there at the last moment!

Master. You don't need to be sad about this.

She was consumed by her evil ambitions.

She was no longer human...or maybe she wasn't from the start? Anyway, she was not a good Master.

We saved a soul who was swallowed up by an evil Spirit... That's how we should remember this.

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...Let's go home. There's nothing left here.

I'm hungry. I want to eat hamburg steak.

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Goodbye, other person who might have been another Senpai...

I'll...try not to wonder too much why the other me wasn't here with you...