Section 1: Breathe Like It's Monday Morning

(Sigh)...

I've been feeling really...uninspired lately...

Fooou...

I see Circe's doing nothing but lying on Senpai's bed again...

Circe.

If you don't get off his bed soon, it'll just be a matter of time until Senpai comes back and finds you there.

Oh, don't worry about that. I already cast a locator spell.

I see. But then, isn't that violating his privacy?

Ah, it'll be fine. Besides, I can't help it. I'm just worried about Master.

？！

Gaaah!!!

H-hey there, my beloved Piglet! That's weird. Why isn't my locator spell working?

...It was Medea, wasn't it!? Ugh, she's gotten so spiteful in her old age!

Who does she think she is, poking her nose into other people's romantic affairs!? This is exactly why she's been single for so long!

Fou, fooou. (Special Translation: Like mentor, like student, I guess.)

...Circe.

I understand we are different classes and come from different cultures, and so it behooves us to try to avoid conflict resulting from our differing values...

...but this latest deed of yours has gone one step too far. Go stand in the corner.

Aw, come on. What are you, a prefect or something?

A prefect...? Hmm. Yes, perhaps I am.

Osakabehime once told me that there are only two positions for those with white school uniforms like me: prefect, or student council president.

That's right! The classic trope from Japanese schools!

Fou, fo fooou! (Special Translation: Uh-oh. Mash's common sense is becoming dangerously close to UNcommon!)

...But never mind that now. We just discovered a new minute Singularity.

...

!

Mash, Da Vinci asked me to give you a message.

She said she would like you to monitor Fujimaru during this mission.

Oh? I'm not sure what's going on, but I know I can trust a prefect! Roger that!

Mash, I was told to ask you to handle monitor duty for this mission, since Chaldea's staff is still busy analyzing the Lostbelts.

Understood. Thank you for passing on the message directly, student council president!

So, where's this new Singularity at?

It's located at...

...Aeaea Island.

... ...

Say that again?

Ghh... Ngh... Rgh...

... ...

... ...Yes.

？！

So you know it already. Good, that will save us time.

Speaking of time, this Singularity isn't quite situated during the Age of Gods, but it's close.

Ughhh, why does it have to be THERE of all places...? I've got nothing but bad memories of that place...

...I actually think I had a bad dream about Aeaea Island just the other day.

Well... Uh...

？！

Ha!

You can't fool me. You just want to take it easy, right? Well, so do I!

Ooh, ooh, me too.

Besides, Artemis isn't even here now, and I sure can't do anything to help on my own.

Putting you aside for the moment, Jason... What happened to your goddess, Orion?

All the goddesses are having their own little get-together today, so in the meantime, I'm a free bear. Uh, man.

Then that's all the more reason we can't leave you behind.

If anything, taking you along will make it much easier to keep an eye on you.

What's that supposed to mean!?

Sounds eminently reasonable to me.

That's enough, you two.

If Circe doesn't feel like coming, we can't force her.

I'll go.

Will you now, Georgios? It's not every day I see you go on a mission.

？！

I'm afraid my presence could cause Jason undue anxiety.

I have the feeling he would get so worked up trying to show me how much he's grown that he would ultimately end up making avoidable mistakes.

So if I may be so bold, I suggest you try asking Lord Georgios to go in my stead.

I have absolute faith in his ability to keep a party grounded, regardless of how chaotic its lineup may be.

Say whaaat!? Are you freaking kidding me!?

Why would I get anxious just because Chiron was there!?

Have you lot forgotten I'm the one who captained the Argo through treacherous waters!?

I know this might sound rich coming from me, but I can totally see you screwing up like that.

Agreed. I can imagine such a scene all too easily.

Well, bully for you!

But, never mind that for now. So, what's it gonna be, Circe?

Just so you know, I got no problem whatsoever with you staying behind.

It's just a minute Singularity, after all, so three Servants ought to be plenty.

What about me?

What, you thought I was counting you? Do I look like a guy who needs help from a talking teddy bear?

？！

Oho, very perceptive of you, Master.

It's true. I'm very good at taking a step back and seeing the larger picture.

Fou...

Uh... As for me, um... I'm sorry, but...

？！

Hm?

No, wait... I need some time to think.

(Uh... Why's Ms. Queen Witch just sitting on a corner of the bed shaking like a leaf?)

Well, ready or not, we're leaving.

Besides, I'm sure we can make do just fine without a queen witch or two.

Wha...!?

C-c-come on, Jason, don't be rude. Who couldn't use a queen witch to help them out?

...All right, let's get going!

Huh? Wait! Hang on! I still need more time to

？！

We could've waited all day and it wouldn't have made any difference. Now come on, Queen Witch.

I knew I had a bad feeling about this. Ugh...

Hmm. This certainly is a lovely place.

Just look at the colors of that beautiful Greek sea. I'd better get a picture of it.

You know, I've been wondering this for a while, Georgios: Where'd you get that camera, anyway?

I can't say. Photography became a favored hobby of mine before I'd even realized it had happened.

Perhaps I wished for it upon winning a Holy Grail War.

I kid, of course.

......Right! Of course! (I can never tell when serious guys like this are joking.)

...Oh. That didn't take long.

It looks like there's a Servant reading not too far from you.

So we've got a Rogue Servant, huh?

Right. They seem to be an unknown Heroic Spirit that isn't registered in Chaldea's Spirit Origin graph.

We don't yet know if they're friend or foe, so we'll need to approach them carefully.

Yeah, sure, makes sense.

Though you know, a Rogue Servant's a hell of a thing to call someone.

What do you expect? They're not exactly wild Servants either, so what we call them should reflect that.

Now, musclehead types like Atalante or Penthesilea? Those are what I'd call wild Servants.

Um, Jason? I feel I should let you know that both Atalante and Penthesilea are here in the Command Room...

Congratulations, Jason. You have earned yourself a very warm welcome indeed on your return.

Please, permit me to be among those who welcomes you back.

Tell me, Jason, what role in such a party appeals to you? A live archery target, or a crash test dummy?

Dammit Mash, why didn't you tell me who else was there with you sooner!?

Are you TRYING to get me killed!?

Couldn't you just...not say anything mean?

Who asked you, Mr. Rational!? I can't help it if I have opinions I need to share!

That sort of thing is exactly what people mean by "putting one's foot in one's mouth."

(Sighhh)... I am so not feeling up for this...

？！

Oh, yeah, don't worry. This is just a mental problem, not a physical one.

Do you really have that many bad memories associated with Aeaea Island?

...No, most of them are pretty good.

But there is one really bad memory that kind of feels like it's tainting all the good ones...

You mean Odysseus?

Cripes! Anyone ever told you you can be a real insensitive jerk sometimes!?

Tons.

Then why the hell haven't you done anything about it by now!?

Hey, it was just a matter of time until it came to light, anyway. I mean, your legend's one of the most famous around.

You know it too, right, Master?

!!!

Craaap.

I guess that at least means I don't have to tell you about it, huh? Now come on, let's keep moving!

Long story short, she basically just got her ass dumped by the guy she was in love with.

Did you have to put it that bluntly!? Ugh, guys like you are exactly why I hate human royalty!

Great! Trust me, Piglet, you're better off not knowing!

Well, I suppose I can take the opportunity to fill you in.

Don't. You. Dare.

It was after the Trojan War had come to an end.

Odysseus had set sail to return to his homeland...

You. Little. Bastard.

...only for him and his crew to end up adrift at sea.

Eventually, they all washed up here on Aeaea Island.

But unfortunately for them, that misanthropic queen witch there had been changing every human who set foot on her island into wild animals.

Boars, lions, wolves, you name it.

Odysseus's crew fared no better, as she turned them all into pigs.

Enraged, Odysseus turned his sword on her, nearly killing her, and she made some quick apologies.

Urk, ack, gah... (Writhing in agony)

After that, Odysseus agreed to stay with her in exchange for her turning his crew back to normal.

...Damn, now that I think about it, you're a lot better at cutting deals than I realized.

THAT'S what you're impressed with!?

However, Odysseus was already married to a woman named Penelope.

So once he'd recovered his strength on Aeaea Island, he decided to resume his journey homeward.

(Curling up in the fetal position)

And that's when her ass got dumped!

Gee, thanks for explaining the most painful episode of my life in excruciating detail, guys! How would you like me to turn you into pigs in gratitude!?

？！

...Hm?

Hey, Master, is that the Rogue Servant over there?

'Cause he doesn't look like he's doing too good, what with being sprawled out on the ground and all.

Those Demonic Beasts sniffing around him don't look like good news, either.

？！

Agreed. Come, let us be on our way!

Hang on. I still have something to sa

Will you just help us already!?

There we go. All right, everyone.

?

Say cheese.

Okay, I know I smiled on reflex, but was that picture really necessary?

You can't put a price on memories.

(Sigh) Don't you think we should wake that Servant up and make sure he's okay before we start arguing about photo ops?

I swear, you heroes never think about anyone but yourselves. Hey, are you okay?

... ...

Nn? Nnnnnn?

？！

Uh, n-no, nothing. Wh-why do you ask?

Aha. So his head is shaped funny because he's got a helmet on.

We'd better take it off him before he drowns.

... ...

Come on, Mr. Georgios, give us a hand.

All right. Up we go.

N...gh... Wh-where am I...?

Oh hey, you're still alive.

Who...are you?

？！

Chaldea...?

Maybe you've never heard of Chaldea, but what about Jason and Orion?

...Yes, I know those names. They are both legendary heroes... Is that who you two are?

Not me. My name is Georgios. This tiny bear is Orion.

And the man standing there with his arms crossed, ready to turn tail and run at a moment's notice...

...though you wouldn't know it to look at him, of course...is Jason.

Hey! Jackass! Where do you get off ruining my first impression!?

And then there's

Huh? Where did Circe go?

？！

...Circe?

It looks like Circe snuck away when you weren't looking.

Geez, the hell was she thinking?

Okay, you guys better stay here. Master and I'll go bring her back.

Ugh, what a slacker.

Circe...

Circe is the famous Queen Witch of Aeaea Island. We'll have her take a look at you.

Ugh... Great, just great. How come it's always the BAD feelings that turn out to be right!?

I thought I'd be fine as long as I avoided running into him...

Wait. Why did I run away in the first place!?

It's not as though I did anything wrong.

And besides, I'm Fujimaru's Servant now.

... ...

...Man, I really thought I had this stuff all sorted out.

Oh shut up! Just don't think about it!

？！

Crap. Master!

(Fiddling with her hair)

(Poking her cheeks)

(Looking at her face in a hand mirror)

(Looking the other way before turning around with a smile)

Hey there, Piglet! What can I do for you!?

How 'bout putting down your damn mirror and fighting those things already!!!

What's your problem, fur ball!? Can't you give a girl time to freshen up!?

？！

... ...Ghh.

About that guy we just found on the beach...

？！

You better believe it.

...He's Odysseus.

He's one of the few heroes that survived the Trojan War.

He's the one who came up with the idea for the Trojan Horse, and the one who ultimately led the Achaeans to victory.

...He never gave up on making it back home to his beloved wife, even after ages spent adrift at sea...

...and he's the man I once spent some time with right here on Aeaea Island.