Section 5: The Calamity Called the Queen Witch

I'm leaving.

I won't let you.

Why do you want to go home so badly?

The woman you loved must be married to someone else by now.

...That is not the issue. Yes, I will be sad if she is, but it doesn't matter.

I'm going because I love her.

Even if we are no longer wed... Even if my return should lead to nothing but regret...

I'm going home because it's where we belong. If we have to risk our lives to get there, so be it.

...Why? Why did you leave me?

Okay, kykeon's ready! It's a special batch I whipped up to help you replenish your magical energy.

Oho, I haven't had this in forever.

Mmm, delicious. It's just as good as I remember from when I was alive.

Teehee. (Triumphant look)

But of course! Go on, eat as much as you like.

You can't live your life thinking everything you eat's been tampered with, Piglet! That's just being paranoid!

？！

Oh man, this is really good. And the honey is so sweet.

Hmm, I see. So you really are more bear than man now.

Don't even joke about that!

Don't you know how tragic it is for people to be turned into animals in Greek mythology!?

Thou art a bear, and thus, thou must have sinned.

Not you too, Teacher!?

Hahaha, I'm just kidding.

What's so tragic about being turned into an animal, Orion?

You mean you don't know? Okay, I'll tell you. There's plenty of examples to draw on from our corner of the world.

There's King Lycaon, who Zeus turned into a wolf and banished for killing his own infant son.

There's Actaeon, who got turned into a stag and eaten just because he happened to see Artemis bathing.

There's Callisto, who got turned into a, um...bear...

Indeed, tales of transformation are found in legends all throughout the world.

People are said to have been turned into wolves, serpents, bears...and of course, dragons, like in Fafnir's case.

Incidentally, bears are said to symbolize lechery.

？！

Me too... No, wait! I can't let myself see that!

Howeverand this may be because pigs have long been kept as livestock...

...it is rare for people to be turned into pigs, even in myth.

Though there is Kamapuaʻa, the god of pigs in Hawaii...

For the record, my pigs aren't livestock OR gods.

By the way, Circe...

You put those emotion limiters on and all, but could they ever come off?

Hahahaha, naw, no way they'd come off.

Still, that being said...

...I guess they could technically come off on their own if I were to experience a really huge emotional upheaval or something.

Hmm. And what would happen if they came off on their own?

Well, with the caveat that it's never happened before...

All the emotions that had been held back up to that point would come bursting to the surface...

...and I'd have just as much control over them as a child. Which is to say, none.

(How's that any different from her usual?)

But anyway, it's never gonna happen, so don't worry about it. Care for kykeon seconds?

Yes, please.

Kykeon seconds?

I'd like some curry flavored kykeon, myself... Well, honestly, I'd just like actual curry...

Then have some after we get home!

You know, I think I will.

All that aside...

It's a little surreal, seeing you all sitting on the floor of the Labyrinth eating kykeon.

It does feel rather avant-garde. I think I'll take some photos to commemorate the occasion.

Think I could get a copy of those pics?

Of course. Just let me know which ones you want.

'Kay.

All right then, shall we get going?

？！

I'm seeing two... No, three Servant readings in here, Master. Please be careful.

... ...

Hey, Master? I know this is short notice, but is it okay if I leave now?

？！

I know, but I've got a reaaally bad feeling about this place! Oh crap, oh crap! I'm outta heeere!

Caught you.

And release.

Argh! Stupid stuffed shirts!

Are you the ones who stole my memories and created this Singularity?

That's us, yes.

It was. Hard work.

I see. Asterios's involvement would certainly explain the presence of the Labyrinth.

That being said...we're only accomplices. This wasn't our idea, actually.

It was hers.

Huh? Who are you talking about?

Me, Auntie!

... ...

...Auntie? Did you just call ME "Auntie"!?

No, wait. The only one who would ever call me "Auntie" is

Hello, Auntie!

Meeedeeeaaa!!!

That's me! Hello!

And a very fine hello to you too, Lord Jason! Greetings! Good day! Salutations!

Gaaah! I knew it! I knew this had your fingerprints all over it!

Medea!

That's right!

I'm the one who used a Holy Grail to make this Singularity!

Wow, it's so rare to have a culprit be so...forthcoming. Honestly, I'm not quite sure how to respond...

Yeah, she used to be her apprentice back in the day.

I thought she'd been awfully quiet lately. So this is what she was plotting...

？！

...May I ask why you did this?

Hmm. I guess I can tell you that...

But first, there's something else we should do:

Fight!

I suppose that does keep things simple.

Indeed.

All right, let's begin. I am Medea, princess of Colchis, first disciple of Hecate...

...and the devoted witch who has dedicated her life to the pursuit of magic. Now have at you!

Guess this is it. That's enough, Asterios.

'Kay.

Thank you, you two.

No problem. It was fun coming up with those traps.

Come on, Asterios, let's go. Give me a ride, will you?

Got it.

Bye-bye, Master!

？！

All right, I think it's time you came clean. Why did you do this?

Okay, I'll tell you!

Oh man, I've got a really bad feeling about this...

I did this to help you and Auntie Circe get closer!

... ...

...I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?

Sure.

I wanted you and Auntie Circe to get closer!

S-s-s-say whaaat!?

Auntie Circe...

You might not remember this very well...

...but whenever you get really, reeeally drunk, you just talk nonstop about Odysseus.

Bwuhhh!? (No recollection whatsoever)

Back when you were alive, there were all sorts of things getting in your way.

Your respective social positions as hero and witch, king and goddess...

But now that you're both Servants, you can enjoy your relationship without worrying about any of that, right?

Just like me and Lord Jason!

Huh? (I don't think we're especially close now, nor do I really want to be)

Keep your mouth shut, will you!? This is all complicated enough already!

... ...I see.

TH-THAT'S why you went to such ridiculous lengths!?

Yep!

If I hadn't, I'm certain you'd end up spending your whole materialization at Chaldea moaning about this.

Oh man, I seriously don't remember any of that...

All that being said, I can't help but think that stealing my memories was a step too far.

You're right, and I do apologize profusely for that.

But I'm afraid I had no other choice.

In every scenario I simulated, you two always ended up on the outs whenever you started with all your memories.

The outs? ...Oh no!

Medea... Please don't tell me you still have yet to return THOSE memories to him?

I, uh...

... ...

What do you mean? Am I still missing some of my memories?

But, as long as she's around...

Medea.

...Look. While I do like the very witchy way you took the shortest and most crafty path to your goal...

...this is still something for Odysseus and I to work out on our own. Now give him back the rest of his memories.

Think of it as rewarding him for winning our battle if you have to.

Okay...

Besides, when you get right down to it, that isn't the part I'm hung up on.

Well then, let me return your memories.

G-good. Thank you.

...I...