Section 2: Introduction

Hm, hm, I see... This is a really unusual case.

The whole premise is based on a what-if, and yet its whole purpose for being is consistency.

This is all so mysterious. I've been up working on it for days, and it still never ceases to surprise.

I'm so sorry. It took me longer to get ready than I expected! I hope I haven't been keeping you waiting long...?

Whoa, whoa, it's okay. You're right on time.

Nice to meet you, Murasaki Shikibu. Sorry to call you here on such short notice.

Not at all. So, what was this big favor you wanted to ask me...?

Well, I've been observing a small Singularity for a while now, and I wanted to ask your help in erasing it.

Usually I'd be talking to Fujimaru about this, but I thought it might be best to do a bit of groundwork before bringing him in.

See, this latest case is kind of...unusual.

I had Sheba examine it, and it turns out that this Singularity has sort of a...unique structure.

It's hard to describe, but it kind of looks like it's in the Caribbean, only it also has a bunch of other locations packed into it...

It's kind of like this tiny world with models from various time periods all lined up willy-nilly.

These models are all extremely detailed, but none of them are real.

I know you aren't familiar with this particular culture, so I hope this is making sense.

A tiny world with all sorts of models...

...Admittedly I know almost nothing about this, but that sounds like it might be good for filming a moving picture.

Yes, exactly. It's a movie.

Huh?

This latest Singularity is basically a film world. Well, to be completely fair, it's something of an unfinished work so far as I can tell.

I'm speculating here, but I think this began when a ghost, probably a director, passed on before he could finish his last movie.

Then this ghost probably happened upon a Holy Grail fragment, and ended up making a Singularity out of his regrets.

So to resolve this one, we need to focus first and foremost on finishing the movie. But the catch is that the whole premise this world is built on is that the movie is unfinished.

This ghost director can never finish the movie on his own, so eventually, when his wish fails to come true, the Singularity should disappear on its own.

Since this is such a minute Singularity and all, I estimate that will happen in around three days.

...I see. So, we don't have to do anything about it then?

Well, yes and no. See, when a Singularity disappears on its own, it doesn't leave anything behind.

But, if we resolve what is causing the Singularity and collect the Holy Grail fragments within it, we can get a ton of magical energy.

And since Chaldea is constantly running low on magical energy, well... This is very hard for me to say, but...

...You want us to resolve this Singularity before it disappears on its own?

Well, yes. And preferably as soon as possible, before it exhausts its magical energy.

Like I said, we know what needs to be done to make this Singularity go away. We just have to finish the movie.

But once again, since this world's premise is that the movie is unfinished, we're going to need help to do that.

The ghost director no longer exists. All that remains now are this world's systems.

If I had to give it a name, I guess I'd call it "Drifting Cinema Space Hollywood" or something? Just don't tell Edison about it.

He's infamous in Hollywood, after all! I wouldn't be surprised if he were drawn and quartered the moment he Rayshifted there!

But enough about Edison.

What I'd like from you is for you to make your way into this alternate Hollywood and make sure the movie gets finished somehow.

It could be whatever genre you like. The only thing I ask is that you try to make it a good movie if you can.

I'm pretty sure that the better the movie turns out, the more resources we can collect when it's over.

That's why I asked you to come here. I figured an author Servant would be the best choice to write and direct the film.

Huh!?

B-but...I don't know the first thing about movies!

Poems, novels, plays, and movies might seem to have a lot in common, but they're all very different beasts...

B-but all right, I'll try. I know I usually cause nothing but trouble for everyone around here...

...so if there's a way for me to make up for that and show how grateful I am to be here by putting pen to paper, I'll do the best I can.

Hahaha, you're an earnest one, aren't you, Murasaki! You'll tire yourself out in no time if you keep that up!

You should take a page from Da Vinci's playbook and just smile all the time without a care in the...

No, on second thought, the last thing we need is another Da Vinci running around. Besides, like they say, good fences make good neighbors.

Basically, do take the assignment seriously, but I hope you'll also take some time to relax, you know?

After all, this is a movie we're talking about. You can't make a masterpiece if the crew isn't enjoying themselves.

That said, we don't have much crew of our own to spare for this case...or much in the way of supplies and participants.

So we need to keep the cast to a minimum, and you need to finish the script ASAP. The Singularity disappears in three days, so you're in for some serious crunch time. Think you can do it?

...I'll do my best.

(It's going to be even harder since I didn't get much sleep after staying up all night reading that wonderful book, but I can't back out now!)

Thanks, Murasaki. It's really encouraging to hear that.

I'll talk to Fujimaru about this and fill him in...

...so all you have to worry about is coming up with a great movie.

Understood. All right then, I suppose I'd better get started...

If you need me, I'll be brainstorming down in the library.

...And that's pretty much it!

？！

Thank you for filling us in with thirty percent less tension than usual, Doctor.

So, how can Senpai and I help? ...Do you need me to be Master's bodyguard?

No, we're barely seeing anything in the way of hostilities here, so there shouldn't be any need for that.

This time, all you have to do is enjoy yourself, Mash. I do have a job for you though, Fujimaru.

Here, take this.

Ta-daaa! It's the Chaldean video camera Da Vinci secretly made a while back!

Pretty awesome, right? Check out how light it is! Not for nothing, this thing cost us a small fortune!

Everything it captures will turn out beautifully no matter how little the cameraperson knows about shooting video, and it can record for dozens of hours straight.

I know, why don't you try using it to record your entire daily life for practice! Well, everything except the bedroom and bathroom, of course!

？！

(That camera has Senpai utterly entranced...!)

Um, Doctor, if we're making a movie, won't we need a proper film crew?

Unfortunately, we don't have a Heroic Spirit versed in directing film. Well, I think we actually do have one, but I have a feeling it would be more trouble than it's worth.

Anyway, as long as we get some kind of film out of it, even if it's just a documentary, everything should be fine.

Even if there's an accident or something that means we have to stop shooting, we can still edit something together as long as we have enough footage.

I do trust Murasaki Shikibu to do a good job, but since none of the cast has ever acted before, well...you never know.

That's why I want you be there recording everything you observe, Fujimaru.

You already need to look after your Servants as their Master anyway, so you're the perfect man for the job.

Anyway, that's all I've got! The rest is up to you guys! You can start by hashing things out with Murasaki!

(There do seem to be costumes in the Singularity, but I won't know if we can use them until we get there...)

(I'll need to take that into consideration when making my casting decisions. I've already got Servants in mind for most of the parts...)

(But, the one best suited to this last role is)

Hello, Murasaki. Dr. Roman told us to come see you here.

Master Fujimaru and his main Servant, Mash Kyrielight...

...are ready to Rayshift at any time.

Oh, hello, Lady Mash and Master...

Th-the script is... Well...

... ...

？！

N-no, everything's fine. I already told the cast my idea, and they all said something along the lines of:

"I've never made a movie before, but if it will help with Chaldea's resource troubles, I'm in."

...and readily agreed to participate.

If possible, um...I was hoping you would be willing to perform in it too, Lady Mash...

...Would that be all right with you?

Y-yes, I'd be glad to.

D-don't worry, Senpai. I think I'm a pretty decent actor, if I do say so myself...!

Wonderful!

All right... As for the rest of the main cast...

Huh? Is that...Moriarty? I wonder what he's doing there.

...!

... ...

(Gaaah, my back!)

(Of all the places for this ticking time bomb to go off! Doctor! Where's the doctor!?)

(No, that won't do. Come on, Moriarty old boy, count the decimals in pi and get a hold of yourself... All right, I think I can manage if I can just sit down slowly.)

(Oh crap, I'm losing my balance!)

Hey, mister? Did you see the book with a peppermint-green hardcover I left around here?

It's very delicate, so it could fall apart if someone steps on it by mistake. Have you seen it anywhere?

Hmm. A peppermint-green book, you say.

(That's the very book I just destroyed!)

Well, um, as a matter of fact...I think I saw someone take it with him before I sat down here? (Lying through his teeth)

Oh, okay. Then...I'll wait here until he comes back.

I'm sorry, my girl, but you would be wasting your time. You'll feel better if you resign yourself to never seeing him again.

Really? Then...what should I do?

Well, I would hate to see a child cry.

All right, I tell you what. I'll give you anything else your heart desires instead!

(And while I'm doing that, I'd better think of a way to somehow repair the book!)

(Let's see, was there a Servant here who could go back in time, or restore an object's physical integrity...?)

Um, Lord James Moriarty?

Y-yes, what is it? Can't you see I'm busy scheming right now!?

There's something complicated I'd like to talk to you about, if you don't mind.

...I see. Yes, of course! I don't mind at all!

As long as it doesn't involve my poor back!

You guys are going to talk about grown-up stuff, huh? Okay, I'll try not to bother you then.

Just please don't forget your promise, mister.

I won't! I'll take care of it just as soon as we're done here!

(I'm saved...!)

Well, it all started when...

...I see. Under the circumstances, I would certainly be willing to perform...

...on one condition.

What is it?

I'd like you to restore a book for me. ...Or rather...

...to forgive me for inadvertently ruining it.

You are the mistress of books, yes? Surely you can fix it?

Please, tell me you can fix it!

(Ah, thank goodness... I knew he would be perfect for the most difficult part!)

...Lord Fujimaru. Lady Mash. Lord Moriarty.

Our task this time is not to win a battle, but to perform a story.

Please do keep that in mind.

A-all right, then let's go Rayshift to our filming location...Drifting Cinema Space Hollywood!