Section 4: Like Iron and Steel

Then why not become beasts?

I have to return home.

Why would you need to leave? Everything you could ever want is right here.

No. Penelope isn't.

...No. I won't let you leave. I'll never let you leave.

I'm not seeing anything unusual about this room.

Same here. There's no sign, no fire, no ice... Nothing.

Great. Then we can just keep going.

Hmm...

Hey, Odysseus. Try throwing that rock over there.

How's this?

...I take it back.

There may not be any fire or ice here, but there are invisible lasers.

I'm impressed you noticed those.

What can I say? You can't pull the wool over the queen witch's eyes.

Well, what do we do now? Should we go back the way we came and try a different route?

I doubt that will work.

Taking the rest of the labyrinth's layout into consideration, it's clear that any other path we choose ultimately leads back here.

...Huh, I just noticed there's a switch on the other side of the room.

It's practically screaming "You wanna turn the lasers off? Go on then, flip me."

All right, I'll give it a shot.

Huh?

...Hmm. It deflected my arrow. How odd.

When you said "give it a shot," I didn't think you meant literally!

How about a little warning the next time you pull a stunt like that!? That switch could've been a bomb for all you knew!

You know, this clarifies something I've been mulling over for a while.

At a glance, Arjuna might seem like the kind of guy who keeps things from getting out of hand...

...but he's actually the kind who goes around pouring gas on the fires of chaos, metaphorically speaking.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I always keep a clear head, and serve as a calm and collected leader for the others in my group.

And the worst part is, he doesn't even realize it.

Hmm... Nnn... Is this it...?

There we go. Now we can see those lasers no problem.

Oh good, that makes this much easier.

All weand by we, I mean one of youhave to do now is run over there and hit that switch.

It's pretty obvious that that's all we need to do to clear this room.

(Sigh) All right, fine. You guys, wait here.

Are you sure you'll be okay?

Hm?

What's that look for? You worried about me or something?

A little, yes.

Given all the other traps we've seen so far, I have to think there's still more to this one than meets the eye.

...Yeah, I do too. But in the meantime, let's see how this goes.

I'll start by doubling my protective magical energy field.

Okay, Master, be right back!

？！

Huh?

Bwah!?

Ow ow ow ow! What the what!? The hell was that!?

Damn. Those lasers all started targeting Circe the moment she set foot in the room...

Y-yikes, that was close!

Those things punched through my multiple protective fields like they were nothing!

I think my clothes and hair are a little singed!

Are you okay?

I'm fine! But now what do we do?

Whoever set this room up obviously doesn't actually want us to clear it!

Come now, that's not true.

？！

Good day, everyone. I am what happens when beauty, chastity, and purity all decided to put on a dress and walk around.

Yes, it is I, the goddess Euryale. What? You got a problem with that description?

Problems, no. Doubts, yes.

Oh my, I'm so scared. You look like a hunter eyeing his prey. So you're a warrior with brains AND bravery, huh?

I swear, you human so-called heroes. I can't tell any difference between you and your everyday barbaric warrior.

？！

... ...

So, how would you like me to tell you how you can get through this room?

(She just straight up ignored him!)

This trapI mean, trial, requires two people to work together in perfect sync.

You'll need to both step on the same floor tile at the same time, and evade the lasers like you're dancing a waltz.

Here, I even wrote down the exact instructions for you. Take a moment to memorize them.

G-geez, this looks pretty tough.

It may be complicated, but it's not impossible. Trust me. I am a goddess, after all.

That's funny, 'cause if there's one thing I know about goddesses, it's that they're NOT to be trusted.

Did you say something?

(Doing his best teddy bear impression)

...May I ask you a question, Euryale?

What is it?

All the other traps we've seen so far included some sort of hint on how to get past them.

So why did you not include a hint for this trap?

You think I need a reason? Don't get too full of yourself, human.

Those hints were but the merciful whims of a goddess.

I offer hints if and when I feel like it. End of story.

Found sign. You lost. Euryale!

Here!

Hey! Can't you see I'm in the middle of a call here!?

...Anyway, there's your answer!

Now I see. So basically, you just goofed up.

...Hmm.

In that case, this will all come down to who can best match Circe beat for beat.

Master is automatically out, of course. We can't risk putting him in any danger.

So that just leaves us.

Me? Stay in sync with Circe? Queen Witch Circe?

Yeah, that's never happening.

Same goes for me.

Considering that Arjuna and I come from very different times and cultures...

...Odysseus would seem the most sensible choice.

...Forget it.

Why?

I can't explain why. I just don't like it.

If I teamed up with Odysseus here, it would feel like the godser, god, has me dancing right in the palm of her hand!

Well, yeah, in one sense, you definitely would be, but come on, this is no time to be selfish.

I said forget it!

Ugh. Go on, Master, give her a good scolding.

We can't!?

Ghh... D-dammit. Now that you've said that...

...it really does make me feel like I'm just being selfish.

Hmm...

Well, definitely not Jason or Orion. I mean, talk about being out of the question.

What was that!?

I don't have any intention of teaming up with you either, but that doesn't mean I'm out of the question!

I've never been so humiliated!

Medea.

Urk.

Lady Artemis.

Urk.

As for Arjuna and Georgios...

Nnn, something tells me we wouldn't be able to stay in sync very well...

I am uncertain how much basis that opinion has in fact, but I still agree.

？！

So it looks like... Nnn...

You really are the only choice...

I guess...

So it would seem. But at least neither of us has anything to be embarrassed about at this point.

After all, we're already dead.

Well, yeah, I know... But it's still complicated for me, all right!?

This is what we have to do to make our way through the Labyrinth.

...I'm sure you have your reasons for disliking me...

...but I hope you can put them aside, at least for the moment.

See!? That, right there! THAT'S what I don't like about you!

Unfortunately, this seems to just be who I am.

...(Sigh)

Man, I'm glad I put these limiters on my feelings. We could've ended up killing each other here otherwise.

All right, I've had enough. Besides, we'll never get anywhere if I keep going in circles like this.

Let's go, Odysseus. You'd better be able to keep up with me.

Understood.

...Make sure you stick close.

How's this?

That's too close, you idiot! Back off a little.

Okay, here goes. Let's see...

First, we step here.

...I see. We just barely managed to dodge it. It appears the goddess was telling the truth.

We're not done yet. Left! Right! Center!

Duck! Jump! Together and turn!

They really do work well together. I knew this was the right call.

NO COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY!

One, two, three... And turn!

It really does look like ballroom dancing.

Hey, this isn't as easy as we make it look! We're fighting for our lives out here!

Indeed.

If a goddess is behind this disturbance, then these lasers must pack quite a punch.

Duck!

Riiiight!

Hahaha, looks like Odysseus is fighting pretty desperately too

...Hey. How did a lock of my prized blond hair just burn away?

Are you telling me this is an actual death trap!?

Why do you think we're fighting for our lives right now!?

All that said, it really is a lovely dance.

Okay, you two, let's see those pearly whites.

Now!?

Fine! You want us to smile? We'll smile! But we're also gonna duck...now!

There, we made it! Time to shut this thing down!

It looks like the lasers are gone. Shall we be on our way then?

Hm?

Guess it was too much to hope we wouldn't have to fight another battle, too.

I see the goddess wasn't exaggerating about her whims. All right then, we'll just have to end this quickly.

Hm? Interesting...

Did you just get some more memories back?

I did. All of them, in fact.

Well, with one exception: I still don't know why I was summoned here.

But never mind that now.

...Circe. You're Circe, aren't you?

What, you finally remembered who I am?

That's right. It's me, Circe. The queen witch of Aeaea Island.

I'm glad to finally recognize you again. ...It's been a long time, hasn't it?

Well, sorry to burst your nostalgia bubble...

...but I'm not as touched by this impromptu reunion as you are. Hehehe.

Did you seal your emotions away with magecraft again?

Again?

You did that a number of times when I was here, too.

Whoa, really? What was I like then?

You mean you don't remember?

Uh, no. Not at all.

...To be honest, I don't know if I can bring myself to tell you.

And why is that!?

Hahahaha. Forgive me, I was only joking.

... ...?

Hey, Odysseus, let me ask you something. What do you think of me?

Good question.

You are the proud queen witch, and a wise sage knowledgeable in all things.

I only wish you would do something about your habit of turning people into animals.

Hmph. I'll have you know I'm selective about who I turn.

？！

Aah! Master!

To be perfectly honest, Circe...I've always thought you would turn anyone and everyone into pigs.

Indeed, I've long had the same impression. Do you actually have some sort of criteria?

Sure I do!

But I'm not gonna tell you guys what it is.

That's all right. I already know what your criteria is.

You do!? How? I didn't think I ever told anyone.

Well, it's only a guess on my part, and I could be wrong.

But regardless, I'll keep it to myself, since I'm sure you'd prefer it remain a secret.

...Hmph.

(Y-yes, it's very exciting, isn't it, Senpai?)

Sorry, but I'm not gonna give it up now. Turning people into piglets is kind of my thing.

Why don't you try being turned into a piglet yourself and see how YOU like it!?

？！

Hmm...

Another photo, Georgios?

I just had to capture that wonderful expression on your face.

I see. I'll take that as a compliment.

Now then, let's go see the goddess who stole my memories and made this Singularity, shall we?

Once we do that, this case will be firmly closed. I think.

...Okay. Then let's get going!

But first...I'm feeling rather hungry.

As a Rogue Servant, I apparently don't have enough magical energy to sustain myself.

Forming a contract would be the quickest way to remedy it, but

I don't think that would be very wise.

...No, I'd better not.

？！

Minute or not, a goddess is still involved with this Singularity.

So you shouldn't go around forming contracts with Servants unless you're absolutely sure you can trust them.

Does that mean you don't even trust yourself?

That's right. I don't.

In that case, maybe a meal could replenish your magical energy? And I've got just the dish in mind! It's

Kykeon.

Right you are!

Great, kykeon...

What? Why do you look so glum about it?

I'm not glum. I'd be very happy to have it again for the first time in ages.

Right? I figured this kind of thing might happen.

Which is why I never go anywhere without my kykeon-made-kwick kit.

What situation could you have possibly imagined that would call for such a thing?

Very well then, let's take a short break while Circe makes her kykeon.