Section 8: At the End of Memory

This place seems much bigger than it needs to be.

That's partly because there is also an emergency shelter here. One never knows when one might need it.

We're prepared for anything here. We have food and medicine alike in ample supply.

I see. So where is this medicine we need?

I think it was on this shelf... Oops!

(There goes the bottle...)

(Now!)

(Perfect timing!)

Ngh... My head...

Salazar? What's wrong?

I... I just remembered...

That's it, Salazar... Now you go into assassin mode.

？！

Are you all right, Salazar?

That... That is not my name!

Wha... How dare you!

Gaaaaaah!

A truly riveting performance, but I do think he's taking it a bit too far. It's as though he truly has lost his mind. Ugh, method actors.

...Forget his mind. He's lost his freakin' humanity! Can't you tell!?

His Servant Spirit Origin is falling apart like a house of cards.

He's practically a goddamn vengeful spirit now!

Oh my, that won't do at all. Then it is time this great detective brought the case to a close!

No! This is still my scene!

Leave him to me! All you need concern yourselves with is capturing my glorious combat prowess on film.

But, this great detective needs to

Sorry, birdbrain, you snooze, you lose! I'm gonna see how this ghost likes a punch to the face and getting roasted alive! Er, dead! Whatever!

Ahh... How very sad...

Salazar! Snap out of it already!

...My apologies. I don't know what came over me.

What the hell, Salazar!? You turned into a goddamn monster! What gives!?

(Ixnay on the onster-may!)

So you have finally settled down. Good.

I am surprised that cannon sound affected you so dramatically. You must have been through something exceptionally traumatic.

You could say that. It was a cannon blast that killed me.

At least now, I can finally introduce myself properly. My name is Bartholomew...

Bartholomew Roberts.

Oh! The famous pirate!

I never would have guessed it, since you're so different from the other pirates we know.

I am delighted to hear a lady with such beautiful hidden eyes say so.

Well drat, we could have figured this out much sooner if we'd only had Blackbeard take a look. Oh well!

I recall Sir Blackbeard saying that he doesn't look at other guys' faces closely enough to tell them apart.

Ugh, so the old bastard's there too, huh.

I know even as I say it how unlikely it is, but I hope he hasn't been causing you too much trouble.

On behalf of pirates and dashing men everywhere, I apologize for his...entire existence.

It would be one thing if times were peaceful, but under the current circumstances... At any rate, there is nothing we can do about it now.

Um, Bartholomew? It looks like you're...

Heh... Please don't worry your beautiful head about me, milady.

This dashing man was fated to disappear along with this Singularity anyway.

(Even now, he's trying to sell us on how dashing he is! Maybe that sort of bluster is what I've been lacking?)

My Spirit Origin has always been like an ember on the verge of flickering out. I just happened to exhaust what little I had left in that battle.

There's no need for you to concern yourself, Master.

So, this is where we part ways. It was enjoyable while it lasted, Bartholomew.

Master... I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for giving me a new role to play when I had nothing to look forward to but disappearing.

I'm so sorry my leaving you like this will only make things harder for you.

Forgive me for leaving in the middle of all this.

？！

By the way, about the lovely lady with the beautiful bangs

？！

!

Heh... I'm sorry for being so crude.

I wish I could stick around to see this film completed...so if anything, I really regret not being able to do so...

If I ever see you again, I hope you'll show it to me.

Well, farewell, everyone! Farewell, beautiful lady with the hidden eyes!

SalazarI mean, Bartholomew...

What is your obsession with my eyes being hidden, anyway?

Don't worry about it, Mash. You're better off not knowing.

Yeah, beats me. Maybe that's just his fetish? People are into different stuff, I guess.

I, uh, I see...

I wouldn't worry about it if I were you, Mash, but you should really brush up on this shit, Fujimaru.

Especially before Mr. God's-Gift-to-Women shows up for real.

？！

Now that you've formed a connection with him, he's bound to come back sooner or later.

Anyway, now what do we do?

Hmm. Good question...

I am not sure there is anything we can do now that he has disappeared.

Hmm. This is indeed quite a pickle.

I'm sure we managed to record Salazar losing his mind and attacking Vargas.

If we edit it well enough...

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that will be sufficient.

There's no way to film the story we originally envisioned without a scene where Salazar reveals his true identity and motive.

At best, it would just be a muddled mess for our audience.

What should we do about the last half of the scene, where he turns into a vengeful spirit?

Something, something...symbolism, I guess.

...Very well then, we shall just have to come up with a different climax.

If only it were that easy!

We already filmed the scene with Salazar and Vargas going to look for medicine in the storehouse.

With two people going in, and only one coming out, it would only stand to reason that Vargas killed Salazar.

What was that? Well, technically, I suppose Vargas did kill him...

We could always just leave that scene out, of course...but that presents us with other problems.

Right. It would be very strange for Salazar to suddenly turn up dead or just disappear from the film.

However, we do have a scene where Salazar and Vargas hit each other at the same time.

If we made it so that Salazar inflicts a fatal wound on Vargas, and Vargas summons up the last of his strength to take Salazar down with him, resulting in both of their deaths...

...I think that may give us the most options for continuing the story naturally. How does that sound?

...Interesting. So my choices are to become the villain, or to exit the movie for good!

Hmm. This IS a pickle.

Well, logically, both Vargas and Salazar would have to die here...

Unfortunately, there's no time for any reshoots. We'll simply have to use the footage we already have.

Right. Murasaki doesn't seem likely to wake up anytime soon, and our top priority is to finish the movie, so...

Hmm. I never even considered that my role might end like this.

But, very well. As Mash said, finishing the movie comes first, so I will accept Vargas's death.

Besides, Isidoro and Adriana haven't been getting enough screen time anyway.

Examining the crime scene should be a perfect opportunity for them.

We should be able to fake Salazar's corpse with a mannequin and a leftover outfit from the dressing room.

Oh, as for Vargas, you can simply lay on the floor and pretend to be dead, Pharaoh.

To think my final scene would involve my playing a dead body... Hehe, hehahahahaha! Amusing! This is most amusing!

It seems nothing ever quite goes as planned in the making of a movie!

What should they say when they're examining the bodies? I'm not coming up with anything...

You and Tristan there should figure something out while we get ready to shoot.

We can save the reason that Salazar turned on Vargas for the conclusion.

At worst, we can always chalk it up to somehow being the true culprit's doing.

？！

Hehehe.

As long as it doesn't turn out Miguel was actually alive the whole time, I can get away with saying whatever I want!

You probably should've kept your mouth shut on that one. You just shot yourself in the foot.

Now things could work out so that you end up getting blamed for all the crimes.

...Ahem.

At any rate, we need to get back to filming! Come now, everyone, let's all do our best to finish strong!

What was that? Whatever it was, it was really loud.

Thank goodness you're all right, Elise.

Everyone, come quick! We found Vargas and Salazar in the storehouse...dead...

Vargas is dead!? No way...

We should go see for ourselves. You can grieve for your friend afterward.

Vargas... This can't be happening...!

They're both dead. It looks like they killed each other.

Which one of them attacked first?

Vargas would never ambush anyone!

It looks like you're right. Vargas bled out from a wound on his back. Salazar must have attacked him from behind.

He probably meant to kill Vargas with one strike and hide the body somewhere.

But he obviously failed, leaving Vargas with just enough strength to strike back...

Nobody could have taken Vargas down in a fair fight, not even if it was three against one.

He must have known he wasn't going to make it, so he made sure to take Salazar down with him.

It looks like they knocked over a bottle of volatile chemicals during their fight. That was almost certainly the cause of the explosion we heard.

Salazar must've already known he couldn't talk his way out of it...

We could've interrogated them and gotten to the bottom of this a lot faster if just one of them had survived.

...

What's wrong, detective? You haven't said a word.

M-Mr. Poggioli is also known as "Isidoro the Sleeper," because he always gets very quiet whenever he's considering evidence.

...It's true. Even as we speak, my mind is evaluating all the possibilities at a dizzying pace.

Didn't you say you were known as "Isidoro the Reaper" before?

...Hypnos and Thanatos are said to be brothers. Thus, my Sleeper and Reaper personas are two sides of the same coin.

Ugh, whatever. Just stop bragging and tell us what you figured out already.

I can't. Not when the culprit is listening.

Oh? Then you're saying one of us is the culprit?

I will leave that to your imagination. For now, all I can say is this:

There is no case so inscrutable that I, Isidoro Poggioli, cannot solve it. You may sit back and rest assured that I have matters well in hand.

They do say every good story needs surprises...but usually a story is more than just a series of plot twists and shocks.

Ahh, if only Sir Bartholomew hadn't disappeared!

Good grief. It looks like we might just have to come up with an ending for this story after all.

Then we'd better stock up on pens and paper while we have the chance.

Quite honestly, I'd much prefer that the cast arrive at a natural conclusion themselves.

Hey, Holmes. There's something that's been nagging at me for a while now.

And what might that be?

Instead of going to Hokusai about the painting...wouldn't it have been better to start by asking Moriarty?

I beg your pardon?

Like you said yourself, Murasaki's condition was an unfortunate accident.

So since Moriarty didn't do anything wrong this time, you could just as easily have asked him, since he had to have been there too.

I know you two are mortal enemies and everything, but in this specific instance, I don't think he has anything to hide.

Were that the case, he should have brought up the portrait before we thought to investigate it.

True, if he wanted filming to go smoothly, he should have mentioned the portrait being redone the first chance he got.

I don't care for the way he holds onto information while snidely waiting to see what the rest of us do without it.

Even if I called him out on it, he'd just claim it slipped his mind, and that would be that.

I get how you feel, Holmes, but that still doesn't explain why you didn't ask him.

Fair enough. I don't know if this will convince you, but here it is.

I am a detective, so I believe I have an obligation to solve any mystery I come across.

Don't know where that came from, but okay. I doubt there's any mystery you couldn't solve, but never mind that.

However, there's a phase that takes place while learning about the mystery I'm about to solve.

A phase where I examine all facts closely, free of preconceptions, and try to notice anything that seems out of place.

In meticulously questioning everything, the relevant facts come to light, and the mystery reveals itself.

Hmm. So you're saying your approach revolves around careful examination and questioning what you observe.

Right. But on the flip side, it also means that one cannot engage with a case without such examination and attendant suspicion.

And when it comes to preventing a detective from seeing matters clearly, and therefore suspecting them, there is no criminal more devious than James Moriarty.

Wait, really? How does that work when him just being around makes anyone naturally suspicious?

There is such a thing as being too suspicious, you see. It makes it difficult to determine how much one should suspect other things...

...ultimately making it impossible to focus on the proper issues in a case.

I'm certain the whole reason he was able to rule the underworld for so long is because he made sure to never be anywhere that would arouse suspicion.

In nineteenth-century London, he would dispense his criminal schemes to others while erasing all trace of his presence from their surroundings.

He ruled his network like a spider waiting in the middle of its web, all while remaining completely out of sight.

If nothing else, it was an impressive feat. It even took me some time to be certain my suspicions were correct.

...Not to mention a painful sacrifice.

His presence was really that invisible, huh?

...It would be easy to interrogate him now, but in doing so, I would also be showing my hand as to my own method of thinking and questioning.

Given that there's no telling when he and I might be on opposing sides again, I'd prefer to give him as few opportunities as possible to learn how I think.

So if I'm going to investigate a case he's involved in, my only choice is to discover the core mystery while remaining as hands-off as I can.

(So he doesn't want Moriarty to learn how he thinks, huh. Or maybe not just Moriarty...)

Ah, never mind. Basically, you're saying it is your examination and suspicion that lets you see a mystery before you, and if you have neither, there is no mystery, hm?

So we have arguably the world's greatest detective, and the Napoleon of crime... Talk about a complicated relationship.

Oh, if it isn't Mr. Tristan. How can we help you?

I was hoping you could tell me something, Sir Holmes.

How exactly does a detective, um, detect?

I'm afraid I have arrived at the realization that I have no idea how to be a great detective only after I went and declared that my character was one.

Now I don't know what to do...

Hmm, I see. Well, you've asked a very fundamental question.

I only accepted this role because I thought following Murasaki Shikibu's script would make me look good.

But now, I'm at a complete loss for words. All I can do is stand around like a scarecrow.

No, it's even worse than that. At least scarecrows have some use, even if it's only keeping crows at bay. Ahh, I am so sad right now.

A scarecrow, huh. I'll have to remember that one.

This is hardly funny.

The way this film is going, my scarecrow impersonation may well be preserved for posterity...forever.

I don't even want to think about how Sir Bedivere would pity me if he saw me like that...

I see... Very well, Mr. Tristan, I understand your concerns.

But, to be quite honest, my particular brand of deduction is rather...beyond your abilities.

That's not just honest, it's brutal...!

Now, now, don't misunderstand. I'm still prepared to give you advice.

All I mean is that my deductions are ill-suited to puzzles whose solutions are known. I'm not so keen at filling in the bits in the middle. It's a matter of aptitude.

I see...

Never mind him. That's just his poor attempt at humor.

I assure you, I'm quite serious...

Now then, Mr. Tristan, what sort of deductions would you like to make?

I'd like them to make everyone go, "Of course! Now it all makes sense!" in admiration...

...and have them cement me as Sir Tristan, the smartest and most handsome knight of the Round Table.

Nothing too spectacular.

That sounds like quite the tall order. For one thing, the Round Table is home to a great many handsome knights.

We knights always strive to be the best in everything we do. Having minds as sharp as the teeth of Caerbannog is but one of many examples.

But unfortunately, as I said, I don't know the first thing about playing a detective, so...I am at a loss.

Try turning your assumptions on their ear, Mr. Tristan. Decide what your goal is first, then find a path towards it.

What do you mean by that?

He means a plot with a foregone conclusion. Once you know how it ends, all you have to do is come up with a story that fits it.

Precisely.

First, decide on a truth you would like to see. The more interesting the better, in this case.

Next, find all the clues that support that truth, and then simply set aside any that do not.

This should lead you to a truth sufficiently compelling for your audience to ignore any loose threads you may have.

Of course, it would be a severe problem if the police or district attorney handled investigations this way, but since this is for a movie where there is nothing but entertainment at stake, it should be fine.

I see... Thank you, Holmes. This has been a revelation.

I now know exactly what I have to do:

Come up with a shocking and compelling truth. The explanation will simply follow that!

(I'm not convinced... I get the feeling he could still inadvertently turn this thriller into a comedy...)

Well, if you don't mind me just rattling things off the top of my head, I could share some ideas with you.

I appreciate the offer, but as a matter of fact, I just came up with a brilliant idea myself.

...Is that so. I have my doubts, but all right. It's a dick move to give unsolicited criticism on someone's story. I look forward to seeing what you've come up with.

Not to worry. I promise I will live up tonay, exceed your expectations. Now then, if you'll excuse me!

...However this turns out, there is only so much we can do until Ms. Murasaki wakes up.

From here on, we may as well just sit back and enjoy the show.

You're not wrong, but that's a hell of a way to put it!

Hahaha. Well, however this turns out, it should be entertaining at the very least.

It's a dick move to give unsolicited criticism on someone's story. I look forward to seeing what you've come up with.

Not to worry. I promise I will live up tonay, exceed your expectations. Now then, if you'll excuse me!

(I'd better tell Master right away.)

Hmm. You guys all hear that?

I'm not usually in the habit of eavesdropping...but I simply couldn't help but overhear in this case.

Hey, it's not our fault he didn't even notice we were here.

Anyway, this explains why he's been so quiet during filming so far.

Haha, I guess in one sense, he was feeling more pressure than any of us.

Anyway, I guess we can just wait for Tristan to present his idea for the conclusion to Master.

(Hmm... In that case, maybe I'll have a little fun myself.)

(I'm glad I happened to overhear that. I might just be able to tie everything together after all.)

(I still need to live up to Queen Marie's expectations, so what would I... No, what would Antonio do...)

(Maybe... Just maybe...)

Master, I need to talk to you.

？！

I believe I have found a way to bring this movie to a satisfying conclusion.

Just give me...let's say thirty minutes to collect my thoughts.

On second thought, make that an hour, just to be safe.

Is this true?

You've been stealing my thunder thus far, so I plan to make sure I at least go out with a bang.

That sounds great. I can't wait to see it. Okay, I'll go let everyone else know.

(All right, time to come up with something that will blow everyone away.)

(Hehehe... Remember this day, my fellow Knights of the Round Table. Today is the day Sir Tristan, knightly detective, bursts onto the scene.)

(All I have to do now is decide on the culprit before the hour is up...)

(I'm counting on you, future me...!)

I haven't seen Tristan that excited in a while. I guess this means we'll be done filming soon?

Looks that way. After editing the footage we've got so far, I'd say we've got about an hour's worth of movie in the can.

So we need to find a way to end the story in about thirty minutes, no matter how many possibilities we leave on the cutting room floor.

At least Sir Tristan looks like he has a good idea up his sleeve. He's a poet at heart, right?

So I think he'll come up with something that appeals to a wide audience.

？！

Well of course! I've been monitoring the whole thing on my end, too!

I don't think I'm enjoying it quite as much as you, since you're the one actually filming everything...

...but I've still been having a blast watching the whole production from start to finish!

It is a shame that I haven't been able to see you in action, since all the footage is from your perspective...

...but I figure Mash can fill me in on that side of things once you all get back.

Still...the way things are going now, it might not all be smooth sailing.

What do you mean? Do you think the characters are still in danger?

Only if Sir Tristan's idea turns out to be something violent. No, I have a different concern.

I suspect the rest of the cast might be thinking along the same lines as him.

From everything I've seen so far, they've all gotten really into their roles...

...so it's only natural that they'd all want their character to be the star of the show and come out on top.

I expect that's true for you too, Mash. Am I wrong?

Are you secretly hoping that Fujimaru gets to enjoy the spotlight too?

Well, uh... Yes, I would like to record Senpai's valiant figure on film for posterity...

Right? So the real work of resolving this Singularity is just beginning.

Fujimaru, I'm guessing it won't be long now before you have each actor speaking up with their own idea about how the film should end.

I'm sure they'll all be interesting in some way. Jeanne might even try bullying you into going with her ending.

But no matter how good they are, we can't use all of them. A movie can only have one ending, after all.

So as their Master, you're the one who's going to have to choose.

There's no right or wrong answer for this movie, and I'm sure each actor's idea for the ending will have some core truth to it.

So I'd like you to think about what sort of movie you want to film before you make your decision.

That will be the answer to this Singularity...and I think satisfying the late director's spirit will also help us get a better reward.