Section 2: Once Upon a Time

She could do whatever you imagine.

She could heal people, transform them, make poison, provide advice, make prophecies...

There wasn't a thing in the world that was beyond her ability.

...You know, there's something about you that reminds me of iron.

Odysseus, the legendary hero!? The one who was not only responsible for winning the Trojan War...

...but whose incredibly epic journey led to the coining of the word "odyssey"!? THAT Odysseus!?

And now, you're telling us he was also your

...I'm sorry.

It's okay! Just go ahead and say it, Mash. It's not like the others were shy about it!

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Don't be ridiculous!!!

Wait. Then again, maybe it's not so ridiculous? ...But, no, what am I saying. It's not like that.

...(Sniff sniff) There it is... The scent of pure, concentrated roman(tic comedy)ce talk.

Romance talk!?

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Gaaah! (Piercing shriek)

Come on, you, tell us how you really feel!

I told you, it's not like...

... ...

...Then again...is it?

Ugh, great. Now even I can't tell who I am anymore.

Me, the queen witch.

Come on, let's just head back.

If you still want closure, then tell him. If you don't, then just leave him be.

You've got to keep a clear head even when it comes to romance.

Great. Now I've got a teddy bear lecturing me on the finer points of love!

Hohoho. (Laughing)

I might look cute as fluff, but I'm still a seasoned veteran when it comes to relationships!

It's not what it looks like!!!

Hyukhyukhyuk. (Laughing)

(Might not be now, but I've seen how these things go often enough to know he's not getting out unscathed.)

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All right, just give me a moment. I'm going to cast a charm on myself so I don't end up embarrassing, well, myself.

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... ...

There we go. All set.

What'd you just do?

I put a limiter on my emotions. It's like being in a constant state of enlightenment.

Well, maybe "enlightenment" isn't quite the right word, but it feels close enough!

Oh good, you're back. What happened back there?

Oh, you know...this and that. So, about that guy we found

If you mean this Servant, I'm afraid I have some terrible news.

Huh?

It seems I've lost my memory.

You mean, you've got amnesia?

I asked him a number of questions, and he doesn't appear to be lying.

Well don't worry. I can tell you his True Name.

How would you know that?

Circe told us. His name's Odysseus.

As in, the famous hero of the Trojan War.

...I see.

So he is Odysseus. That would certainly explain his exceptional skill.

Huh? Tell me you guys didn't fight him while we were gone.

We didn't have to. I am a warrior.

I can immediately tell how skilled someone is just from the way they carry themselves.

...I see. So my name is Odysseus?

Has hearing your name shaken loose any memories?

I'm afraid not.

I feel as though I'm trapped in an impenetrable labyrinth.

Odysseus... It still doesn't feel as though it's truly my name.

Well, this isn't good. Circe, do you have any elixirs that can cure amnesia?

Not on hand, but I could make one if I wanted to...

... ...Ugh.

H-here, let me take a look at you.

If we're going to cure you, first we need to figure out what's wrong.

By all means. Thank you.

... ...

There're traces of a spell on you. Can't fix this with just an elixir.

This means your memories weren't just lost. They were stolen.

!!!

Well, now what are we going to do?

If nothing else, I think we can assume that Odysseus here has a strong connection to this Singularity.

We should also consider the possibility that I'm actually the one responsible for it.

Sure, maybe, but that doesn't mean we can just tie you up and leave you here.

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Of course.

Fortunately, remembering my True Name has helped me remember how to use my Noble Phantasm as well.

Apparently, I still possess the same common knowledge and records as other Servants...

...so as long as there is no issue there, I should be able to use my Noble Phantasm now as well.

Then we're agreed.

Odysseus will work hand in hand with us to resolve this Singularity.

... ...

Are you okay with that, Circe?

...Yeah, sure, that's fine.

You said your name was Circe?

Sure is, Odysseus.

...All right, I guess I can stick around. At least until your memory comes back.

Thank you. I appreciate your help.

(Glare)

... ...

Come on, Circe, can't you be just a little more, y'know...friendly?

Hey, this is how I've always been. Get used to it. Okay, let's go, Master!

Don't you know better than to talk to the queen witch like that!?

No back talk. Come on!

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... ...

It's great to see a Master and his Servant getting along so well.

(Doesn't look like he feels much of anything for her...)

For the time being, we can start by following the traces left behind by the spell that's been cast on him.

They're a little hard to find thanks to all these Demonic Beasts hanging around...

But don't worry, I've got it covered.

By all means. Thank you.

Uh, yeah, no problem. All right, here goes nothing...

You think!?

Stop staring at me like that, Piglet!

You're gonna give him the wrong idea!

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Is everything okay, Circe?

I'm fine! Just stay away from me!

...All right.

There's no need to be rude.

Is that really any way to behave towards an old friend?

Khh! A one-two punch from the stuffed shirt brigade!

I mean, from where we sit, you're just being a bitch kicking an amnesiac when he's down.

You guys don't get it.

This guy's practically made out of solid iron. Bones, muscles, nerves... Everything.

I see. So that is what you think of me...

It's true. Your words did not hurt me in the slightest...

...because I understand there is a reason for your behavior.

Well, well. He really trusts you, doesn't he, Queen Witch?

...I oughta cast a pancake curse on you for smirking at me like that.

Please don't.

Hm?

Hey, sorry to ask, but would you guys mind taking care of all those Demonic Beasts up ahead?

Sure, we could just go around them, but I don't want them following us.

Hmm.

Guess you're up, Odysseus.

Hm?

Let's see the kind of Trojan War heroics that put you on the same level as Achilles and Hektor.

Of course, Heracles is, and always will be, the greatest hero Greece has ever known...

...but you've still got a decent shot at second place.

I see.

True, I suppose a demonstration of my skill in battle may well be the only method I have of proving myself.

I can back you up if you have any concerns.

Please do. Even a thousand-to-one chance of losing is more than we can afford to risk.

So, you're not gonna be all, "No need. I'll do it myself" there, huh?

With my memories gone, playing the part of a proud hero would be sheer hubris.

I have no intention of depending entirely on anyone's help, but I will also not refuse it when it is offered.

Fujimaru, I await your orders!

...There. Will that do?

I certainly have no objections. That was a textbook example of a perfect battle.

Though I did notice you fight more like a tactician than a warrior.

Apparently, that is the path I walked up to this point.

Can you continue tracing the spell now, Circe?

... ...

Circe?

Oh, uh, right.

I was just thinking about how I'd never actually seen you fight before.

You hadn't?

Since we used to know each other, I would have thought that included fighting alongside one another as well.

Aeaea Island was so peaceful that we never had to.

Because you turned everyone who set foot on it into animals, right?

Exactly! I'm not the queen witch for nothing!

That's not really something to be proud of.

Incidentally, your crew was no exception. I turned all of them into animals, too.

What do you think? Pretty terrifying, right?

No, not especially.

I try not to jump to conclusions before I've examined all the evidence, especially when it comes to judging others.

Besides, I'm a shadow of history now. It would be meaningless to hold on to a grudge I held back when I was alive.

... ...Hmph!

?

Circe?

Sorry, it's nothing.

I guess this just means...

...it doesn't mean anything to you anymore, does it?

I am afraid I cannot give you an answer, at least while I am not in possession of my memories.

...Hehe. No wonder you're the best tactician in all of Achaea!

There we go!

Now that the Demonic Beasts are gone, I can see the spell's traces more clearly.

This way, straight ahead!

Great! Let's go!

I still can't tell whether those two are getting along or not...

Perhaps it would be better for you if you left this particular bear unpoked?

By the way, Georgios, what did you take that last picture for?

Oh, that? Those two just looked so good together that I couldn't help myself.

So you're basically our acting war photographer, huh...

Do you think Circe still has, um...feelings?

For Odysseus, I mean?

Good question. We won't ever know that for sure unless we pry it out of her.

Personally, I'd love to give it a try. It sounds like fun.

I'm with Orion. I could really use some blackmail material on her.

That way, I can be sure she'll keep me safe if anything really bad goes down.

Ahh, I see. You mean with your wife, Lady Mede

EX-wife! Ex! She's her own person, and I'm mine!

I've made it a point to live my life that way, and I'm not about to change it now!

...I see something.

No way...

This is your island. Do you have any idea what it is?

...No, I don't.

Well, full disclosure, I do know that building...

But I have no idea what it's doing here.

Hmm... This is becoming quite an interesting problem.

Piglet! Can you come here, please?

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Take a look at this.

Do those stairs lead underground? Oh no. I've got a very bad feeling about this!

Do you know what these stairs might be doing here, Circe?

I've no idea! They were never here before!

So we have a clear discrepancy between this place and the true Aeaea Island.

It seems whoever's behind this is practically inviting us in. What do you think we should do, Fujimaru?

Understood.

Yes! Me!

In my opinion, do an about-face, leave this Singularity, and head right back home!

Ha ha ha, and what would that solve? Denied.

Tch.

Well, come on, an underground labyrinth? They couldn't be any more obvious about this being a trap if they tried.

I don't need to go down there to know that.

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Well, like it or not, going down there's our only choice.

Very well then, I'll scout ahead.

I'll bring up the rear.

Master, Circe, and Odysseus will stay in the middle, while Jason and Orion form the rear guard.

Hey, great. That sounds easy.

... ...

Jason, if you let me die, I WILL haunt the hell out of you.

Get out of my mind!

All right, then let us be on our way. Would you give the order, Fujimaru?

Understood. Go, go, go!

...Why did you make me do that?

Nobody made you do anything!

Yeaaah!

Keep up, will ya!?

Sorry.

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