Round 5: The Sound of the River

...I agree, Master.

Getting to travel with you like this is a very nice change of pace for me.

Hmm. I was a little perplexed when Arjuna said he wished to send someone in his place for this mission...

...but now, it all makes sense.

Though I do wonder if there was any deeper significance to him entrusting his own alter with this mission...

So hey, Arjuna Alter. I didn't want to get into this if I didn't have to, but considering the possible risks involved, I think it's better if we just clear the air now.

There's a lot we don't know about your state of mind, so I have to ask:

What do you think of Karna?

So hey, Arjuna Alter. I didn't want to get into this if I didn't have to, but considering the possible risks involved, I think it's better if we just clear the air now.

There's a lot we don't know about your state of mind, so I have to ask:

What do you think of Karna?

Kar...na...

All of my memories from my human life are vague and hazy.

At this point, they mean nothing to me.

Still, I do sense something about Karna. Something I cannot quite put into words.

Still, even that sensation means nothing to me. My only concern now is vanquishing evil by Master's side.

I see. It sounds like you do have a somewhat different stance than Archer Arjuna then.

What about you, Karna?

...

As I am now, I don't know you all that well, but Aśvatthāman told me:

"He might be a different aspect of him, but he's still Arjuna. Just treat him like you usually would, dammit."

So even though you look different, if you truly are the same Arjuna who studied with me under the same teacher...

...then that's just what I'm going to try to do.

？！

...?

This is something I've done with Arjuna as well.

I'm told it's something one does when you are reunited with someone you remember fondly, as well as at the start and end of a battle fought together.

It doesn't matter if you're enemies or allies. This is something done by any two people who engage in combat.

...I see. Very well then.

(He gave Karna a fist bump!)

Hmm... This is new information, and a new sensation. I'll make sure certain it's accurately recorded in my memory.

Well, we certainly shouldn't be wanting for firepower with you taking over for Arjuna, Sir Alter.

You may fight differently than he does, of course, but with my knowledge and experience...

...I'm certain I can put together a new team strategy that will let us defeat this Singularity's dragon.

That's kind of you to say, but I know I'm not nearly as strong as the other dragon-slayers you've had. I'm sorry.

Though that's not to say I won't do my very best in this battle.

？！

Thank you, Master. I know I have big shoes to fill, and though I'm not sure I can fill them, I'll definitely try.

That aside...I still wonder why in the world Siegfried suggested I go on this mission in his place?

I mean, I do have some experience taking down evil dragons with Sigurd, but...

I really don't feel confident going up against a dragon that's gone toe-to-toe with gods.

Oh, you need not feel as though this mission's success rests entirely on your shoulders. Sir Karna, Sir Alter, and myself are all here as well.

I'm also well aware that Sir Siegfried's dragon-slaying skills are every bit the equal of Lord Sigurd's.

If he sent you here in his place, he must have had an excellent reason for doing so.

What did Siegfried actually say to you, anyway?

Um... "It is Christmas, after all." I'm still not sure what he meant by that.

Oho. That sounds like it has something to do with Santa as well.

I'm sorry. I really couldn't say.

Oh well, no biggie. Either way, this is the lineup we've got today, so let's get going!

What did Siegfried actually say to you, anyway?

Um... "It is Christmas, after all." I'm still not sure what he meant by that.

Oho. That sounds like it has something to do with Santa as well.

I'm sorry. I really couldn't say.

Oh well, no biggie. Either way, this is the lineup we've got today, so let's get going!

It looks like this used to be a river before it was frozen solid.

The river bankswell, cliffs, really, are clearly too slippery and dangerous to traverse by foot...

...so I think your best course of action is to make your way up the river itself, but be cautious!

Understood. All right, everyone, let's be on our way.

This world certainly is...freezing, isn't it.

That is simply how Christmas is.

I see.

(I know they're just making small talk, but those two are so much larger than life...)

(...that it feels like they're having a some deep, profound conversation...)

？！

(Man, it must be nice to have that kind of gravitas come to you naturally. I'm kind of jealous!)

So hey, since we've got a while till you reach the target anyway, I might as well pass on something our analysis team just discovered.

I don't know how pertinent this fact is to our mission, but it's still a neat bit of trivia.

？！

These occluded Singularities' original environments have all been frozen over into these wintery landscapes, right?

You might think this was caused by a huge temperature drop, but it actually isn't. The cold is apparently just a side effect of sorts.

In a sense, the coldness was added on after the fact to match everything being frozen.

What do you mean?

Hmm, how can I put this...?

Okay, so these worlds look frozen, right? In actuality, though, they're just...stopped.

Basically, the concepts behind these worldsor the space they occupy, if you preferhave been shut down.

They've been blocked from functioning as normal, like the name "occluded" suggests.

So now, they just...exist. Complete entities unto themselves, neither affecting nor being affected by anything else.

Consequently, they look frozen solid, even though that's not technically what happened.

For example, say you used some kind of fire magecraft or fire-based Noble Phantasm to burn an entire area here to the ground.

It would definitely affect that area temporarily, but it wouldn't do anything to the base reality of the world itself.

Even with the bamboo forest from yesterday, Aśvatthāman was able to use his Noble Phantasm to make a simple path, but it would've been fundamentally impossible to destroy the forest itself.

Hell, even the paths he made will have blocked themselves off again by now.

So hey, since we've got a while till you reach the target anyway, I might as well pass on something our analysis team just discovered.

I don't know how pertinent this fact is to our mission, but it's still a neat bit of trivia.

？！

These occluded Singularities' original environments have all been frozen over into these wintery landscapes, right?

You might think this was caused by a huge temperature drop, but it actually isn't. The cold is apparently just a side effect of sorts.

In a sense, the coldness was added on after the fact to match everything being frozen.

What do you mean?

Hmm, how can I put this...?

Okay, so these worlds look frozen, right? In actuality, though, they're just...stopped.

Basically, the concepts behind these worldsor the space they occupy, if you preferhave been shut down.

They've been blocked from functioning as normal, like the name "occluded" suggests.

So now, they just...exist. Complete entities unto themselves, neither affecting nor being affected by anything else.

Consequently, they look frozen solid, even though that's not technically what happened.

For example, say you used some kind of fire magecraft or fire-based Noble Phantasm to burn an entire area here to the ground.

It would definitely affect that area temporarily, but it wouldn't do anything to the base reality of the world itself.

Even with the bamboo forest from yesterday, Aśvatthāman was able to use his Noble Phantasm to make a simple path, but it would've been fundamentally impossible to destroy the forest itself.

Hell, even the paths he made will have blocked themselves off again by now.

Vritra used to create widespread drought by blocking off the world's water and sealing it away in mountains.

So it's safe to say she has an inherent ability to similarly block other things off.

I see.

Hm...? This should already be basic knowledge for you. We were both taught that growing up.

Unfortunately, this body is no longer human...

...so there may well be things the human Arjuna knew that I do not.

...

Good timing. We've been walking for a long while now, so let's take a short break here.

We can have a quick bite to eat, and go over everything we know about this situation to ensure we're all on the same page.

？！

Just a moment, Master... There, it's done. Here you go.

Then we'd better do something about it. Here you go.

？！

Whatever's in that pot really does look delicious. What kind of dish is it?

Just a simple chicken and garlic sauce dish I used to make all the time.

I think these days, it's known as chkmeruli.

？！

I've heard chicken is one of the best foods you can eat for weight control. Especially the white meat.

What is it, Arjuna?

To be honest...I don't really understand flavor.

At most, I can tell if something is especially spicy or sweet.

I am not sure that I can taste the nuances of flavors in this food the way you all do.

Even so...I can tell it is very warm.

...I see. Then you should take your time eating it.

...No, I'm serious. You really ought to slow down.

Servant or not, you could still burn your mouth if you try to eat it all in just a few bites.

Here. Try bringing the spoon up to your lips and blowing on it before you take a bite.

...(Blowing gently)

That's it. Perfect.

(It might be rude of me to even be thinking this, seeing how he's practically a god...)

(...but in some ways, he reminds me a lot of, well, us.)

(We homunculi are born fully grown, and exist solely to fulfill our designated purpose.)

(At least, that's how we're designed.)

(But now, he's changing naturally over time, just like we do.)

(It just goes to show that, even transient as our existences may be...we're all still alive.)

Go on, eat up. You need plenty of stamina to defeat a dragon, after all.

Oh, that reminds me. I had a question about that.

See, neither Siegfried nor Sigurd will tell me any details about how they defeated their dragons.

Pretty much all they say is that they were so desperate to survive, that they don't remember anything.

Ah, yes, well...I'm afraid that's rather complicated.

It may very well be that they simply are not able to tell you anything.

You see, fighting a dragon is very different from fighting a typical monster.

True dragons, like Fafnir, are born from an abundance of human greed, and are thus more like concepts than actual creatures.

They are great lizards and formless demons all at once. Thus, defeating one demands the entirety of your being and ability.

If you can't pull out every bit of strength you've gained from your life up to that point, the dragon will do it for you.

That is the threat true dragons pose.

？！

What I mean is, facing a dragon is no different from telling the story of your entire life.

Describing the broad strokes is easy enough, but delving into details can soon become embarrassing.

Not to mention that in many cases, we simply cannot recall some things any longer.

That's why we can only discuss surface level tricks, like the best way to get your sword through their scales.

(So Georgios can't describe it well, either... I guess that's just how it is?)

So what's a dragon's weakness? Its chin?

Dragons can have many different weaknesses, but you should also not expect them to have any at all.

Still, we can plan ahead for a few possible patterns, then go over how to

...?

？！

Something is headed this way.

I never imagined the river would fracture vertically. That was close.

That wasn't like Lambdaryllis's ice waves.

Some kind of undulation came from upstream that caused the frozen river to temporarily break apart.

Welp, now I need to work on a way to detect these undulations before they reach you.

That wasn't like Lambdaryllis's ice waves.

Some kind of undulation came from upstream that caused the frozen river to temporarily break apart.

Welp, now I need to work on a way to detect these undulations before they reach you.

Is everyone all right?

？！

Here comes another one. Get ready.

It's coming down the left side! Move to the right!

If we get swallowed up in one of those fissures...

...we'll end up trapped below the river's frozen surface with no way out.

Fortunately, strange as it may sound, the fissures also repair themselves quickly, so the ice should still be safe to traverse once the danger has passed.

We'll just have to make our way along this narrow river while evading direct contact with the fissures.

？！

I've seen Ganesha playing games like that. They seem like a good way to improve hand-eye coordination.

Any threat with the potential to kill Master is...evil...

Hold on. I'm sure you're more than strong enough to just block those fissures outright, but if you do that, the backlash will just create even more fissures.

I see. So if I destroy these fissures now, Master will be unable to progress any further.

Understood. Then for now, I will focus solely on defending him, until I can eliminate this evil at its source.

You guys all rode Tarasque to evade a similar threat before, right?

I wish I could turn into my dragon form more easily so I could fly you all to the target...

...but it's just too hard to maintain that Noble Phantasm for that long.

That's quite all right. We can evade this threat ourselves easily enough, and we wouldn't want you to be exhausted by the time we get to the big fight.

Come to think of it, that reminds me of another important question I had.

While I do possess Siegfried's dragon-slaying power, I'm also part Fafnir myself.

So, um... Does that mean you're going to go all "originating from sin" on me?

Hehe, not to worry. I'm not about to put an ally to the sword merely because they happen to be part dragon.

As I said before, dragons are more akin to concepts than creatures.

If someone still possesses such a concept even after becoming a Servant...

...then there must be a good reason.

I can understand that there are circumstances in which a dragon becomes an inextricable part of a Servant's life, or duty, or fate.

Though of course, being who I am, I will still remain vigilant around them.

Yes. For example...

Even if that Servant was an ally fighting on my side...

...and even were they someone with whom I had previously shared pleasant conversations...

...should I determine they were, in fact, an evil dragon who must be put the sword, I would not hesitate to do so.

...Got it. Then I'll do everything I can to make sure I don't end up turning evil.

If you can say that and mean it, then you'll be just fine. I guarantee it.

Here comes another one. Time for more sidestep training. Be ready!

Master, please move to your ten o'clock. And quickly. No evil will escape my sight.

You should be fairly close to the target now... Does anything seem different?

...Yes. I can hear something.

？！

Ah yes, I do enjoy singing. It's been so long since I've last heard any.

Whoa, no singing? I can't even imagine what a dull life you must have led. You poor thing.

But that must mean your ears are just overloaded with delight now!

You are just so amazingly lucky to end your musical dry spell with a bunch of MY songs!

Plus, I think you're the first audience who's everAhem, I mean, the first in a long time...

...to stay and listen quietly instead of writhing around on the floor or running away as fast as you can!

So, any requests? Maybe a ballad that'll have you spilling your bodily fluids?

Or an unhealthy metal number that'll ramp up your taste for cruelty?

Hmm. Surprise me.

I do enjoy singing, but I don't know much about it. Or rather, I can't really tell songs apart.

There is just something nice about singing, period. It makes everything more fun.

Wait. Does that mean you couldn't tell the difference between any of the songs I've sung so far?

Honestly, no.

Oh, but don't worry. I could tell that some were like clawing a piece of steel with a scale, while others were more akin to death throes.

So you're just happy with any song at all? I mean low standards is one thing, but this is insane!

Maybe I shouldn't have gotten so carried away? Or maybe I'd be better off being evaluated by one of those karaoke scoring machines?

Wait, never mind that now! Puppy! When did you get here!?

Well this changes everything! At first I thought we were filming a promo video or something, not an actual concert...

...so I'm relieved to see my live audience growing!

Didn't I tell you more would be coming?

？！

Right. She appears to be the same type of reproduction we've seen in other occluded Singularities.

So that's not really her? Good. Then I won't have to worry about holding back.

Huh? You're in the presence of a genuine stage idol, and that's all you have to say? Are you one of those people who doesn't "get" music or something?

Yes, I suppose I am. I'm sorry.

Hey, at least you're honest! That counts for a lot in my book. Anyway, that must mean this is your first concert ever, right!?

It's practically the destiny of an idol's idol like me to help guys like you see the light of our glory!

How about the rest of you then? Got any favorite genres?

I've always enjoyed hymns, myself.

Hymns, huh? That sounds like songs of encouragement!

Okay, got it! I sing those kinds of songs to myself all the time anyway, so I'm sure I can hymn it up all day!

I've heard some people like to listen to music on headphones while doing their roadwork.

So you want catchy songs to get you pumped up! Got it!

I never had many chances to engage with music myself.

I used to think I could never understand it, but oddly, after hearing your singing voice...I felt something.

The lilt of your intonation. The rhythm of your words. I see... So that is music.

I never dreamed I would hear sounds that spoke to me like that after I stripped myself of all desires besides those pertaining to my duty.

This has been a noveleven comforting experience.

Whoa, whoa! What's even happening here!?

I can't remember the last time I had someone in the audience just straight up compliment me! Want an autograph? A photo book? A commemorative CD set?

Oh wow, my very own stan! You're going for my entire pin collection!? Thanks!

This...certainly is...a lot of stuff.

Damn, she's pushing her merch on him like crazy! I guess this was bound to happen when the Hero of the Endowed finally met a wannabe idol.

Damn, she's pushing her merch on him like crazy! I guess this was bound to happen when the Hero of the Endowed finally met a wannabe idol.

Hmm? And who is that?

He smells...strange. Far too much like the gods for my liking.

So even beings like that can become empty shadows? How annoying.

Well, no matter. Since I have no intention of fighting any gods just yet, I think I will let Elisabeth here handle this and be on my

Hold it, Vritra.

Oh? You have a strange aura about you too, boy.

I'm a dragon, too. ...Well, I guess I should say I'm also a dragon.

That's why I want to talk to you.

And I should hear what you have to say because we are two of a kind? Is that it?

Don't bother. That doesn't mean anything to me.

Even Elisabeth here only acquired that form through a twist of fate.

I didn't choose her for this because she's a dragon.

No, wait... ARE you actually a dragon?

Hehehe. Let's just say we idols have lots of secrets, by which I mean "No comment."

The only other thing I'll say is that we're obligated to be everyone's fantasy. We're pretty meta like that.

...I know what she is. She's an Innocent Monster.

She ended up that way because the things she did in life were said to be so depraved that people thought she had ties to demons.

I don't know how true this is, but according to Chaldea's database...

...Elisabeth gained her dragon properties because the Báthory family coat of arms included dragon teeth.

Though personally, I think there's a little more to the story than that.

I don't know how true this is, but according to Chaldea's database...

...Elisabeth gained her dragon properties because the Báthory family coat of arms included dragon teeth.

Though personally, I think there's a little more to the story than that.

...True. There's a reason I'm a dragon, so there must be a reason she is, too.

And I'm sure there's a reason you are as well, Vritra.

Although, maybe it was foolish of me to try to talk to you dragon to dragon...

However, Santa doesn't care if you're a dragon or a serpent. That has nothing to do with why I'm here.

All I want is to take back Christmas, and become a true Santa Claus.

You can't be too considerate of your opponent's circumstances, Sieg. It'll only weaken your fists.

I see. I guess you're probably right...

Okay. Everything else aside, I understand what it is we have to do now.

Thank you for reminding me that I'm here today as a dragon-slayer, not a dragon.

I am here...to pass judgment on evil. So first, Vritra...I will see if that is what you are...

I already told you, I'm not going to fight any gods today. I've always been one to save the best for last.

Don't worry, it's just about timing. I'll face you all myself soon enough.

If I were you, I'd make sure I was as strong as I could possibly be before that time comes.

It looks like she got away again...

Not a problem. I can tell we're driving her deeper into the corner of the ring with every step.

If that's what you think, Karna, that's good enough for me.

My goal for today is to help Santa and free this occluded Singularity, and I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen.

Yes, I think that's for the best. You can't go straight for a dragon's eye and expect your sword will reach it.

It's best to start by attacking its limbs and throwing it off balance.

Strange though it may seem, there is more to being a dragon-slayer than merely slaying a dragon.

That part only comes when one has proven they have the will to stay and fight...

...even when faced with an adversary as formidable as a dragon.

I see. Well, if there's one thing I have going for me, it's my will.

I owe Siegfried my life. Now that he's entrusted me with this mission, running away is simply not an option.

I don't know if I'm up to becoming a dragon-slayer or not, but I won't do less than my best!

Huh? You guys are gonna try to slay me now? Seriously?

Look, I can understand being so infatuated with me that you'd rather slay me than share me with anyone else, but I'm sorry, idols just don't do romance. It'd be such a scandal for the rest of our adoring fans.

Oh, uh, no, that's not what I meant. It was just a figure of speech.

(Although, copy or not, if we have to defeat her, I guess she'll still end up dead anyway...right?)

Ohhh, I gotcha. So you're basically saying you've gotta treat every concert as if it were a battlefield. Well yeah, duh.

All right! Get ready for the concert of a lifetime!

？！

Huh? It's over already?

But I only just finished warming up my vocal chords! Can't I at least get an encooore!?

...I can no longer hear that song...

Don't worry. You can hear it anytime you want once you get back to Chaldea.

Also, I have a sneaking suspicion you might also enjoy that one Roman emperor's singing too.

Well, Lord Sieg? How do you feel now that you've achieved a great victory in your mission?

Honestly, I still don't know. I'm not sure that I did a good job here, much less "achieved a great victory."

I think I did at least manage to do what I was supposed to as today's dragon-slayer...

...but this only reaffirms for me that I'll never be the kind of hero Siegfried is.

I'm a dragon, and a dragon-slayer. Both and neither at the same time. That's just who I am.

That said

Okay, Santa, there's the core! Go ahead and do your thing!

Okay, Santa, there's the core! Go ahead and do your thing!

That said...now that I've gotten to fight alongside Master, as well as all of you...

...I do feel like I can hold my head a little higher than I could before.

I think, maybe...this is what it feels like to be proud of who you are.

I see. Perhaps it was in fact that very feeling Lord Siegfried wished to give you as a gift.

It is that time of year, after all.

Hmm. Well, if we're talking gifts, then as Santa, I can't afford to fall behind.

Still, after hearing that, I think I accomplished the bare minimum of what I needed to as well.

Boxers are supposed to inspire children by how bravely they fight, after all. This works out perfectly, so consider that your present from me.

...

Master, Arjuna Alter has been staring at the river for a while now.

？！

Master. Is this scenery...normal?

...I see.

There is nothing I either like or dislike, so I have no criteria by which to judge it...

...but if you say it's normal, then I'll trust that it is.

...Yes, I suppose it is.

There is nothing I either like or dislike, but if this scenery brings a smile to your face...

...then I am certain its tranquility must be a very good thing indeed.

？！

All right, only one more occluded Singularity left to go. This could well be the site of our final battle.

So let's go out there and give it all we've got!

All right, only one more occluded Singularity left to go. This could well be the site of our final battle.

So let's go out there and give it all we've got!