Round 6: Love Never Freezes

Watch yourself, Master! There's gonna be a bunch more hazards popping up from both above and below!

I wish we could figure out how to anticipate them so we could you better warning, but the best we can do right now is warn you right before they show up!

Heads up! Ice geyser at your two o'clock about five meters ahead of you in eight seconds! Get out of there!

Heads up! Ice geyser at your two o'clock about five meters ahead of you in eight seconds! Get out of there!

Next, I have a forecast for the next round of fire bombs headed your way!

They should reach you in about twenty to thirty seconds, though they may change trajectory depending on where they hit the iceberg!

...Have things settled down? At least for the most part?

...Have things settled down? At least for the most part?

Yes, it would seem so.

Though between the ice geysers bursting out of the ground, and the fire bombs coming at you from a distance at the same time...

...it has been yet another difficult environment to traverse.

Well, you certainly don't come across a frozen field of lava every day. No surprise that it is both strange and dangerous.

Be that as it may, our only option is to keep making our way forward.

The only time you can stop moving feet during a roadwork session is when you're shadowboxing.

So, this evil seeks to interfere with our effort to eradicate a greater evil at its source... The world is still just as full of evil as ever...

So hey, are you sure I'm the right guy for this job?

Sure, I did defeat a dragon...

...but that was when I was an old man, not in my prime like I am now.

I mean, I still remember doing it, since I'm a Servant and all...

But at this point, fighting a dragon now sounds like more of a hassle than anything.

So I don't know how much help I'm gonna be here.

Don't worry, you'll be fine. We crunched the numbers, and you've definitely got what it takes for this mission.

Besides, you're not gonna leave after coming this far, right?

Don't worry, you'll be fine. We crunched the numbers, and you've definitely got what it takes for this mission.

Besides, you're not gonna leave after coming this far, right?

Hell no. Just 'cause I don't like dragons doesn't mean I'm gonna pass up a party like this!

And hey, since I won't be fighting it on my own, maybe I can even let one of you guys handle the annoying parts of fighting a dragon and just enjoy going to town on it.

'Sides, I like this Santa's style. Ain't many things more hardcore than fighting with just your fists.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

？！

Agreed. Now is absolutely not the time for an impromptu sparring match. Save it for later.

Right now, we need to focus on making our way forward while avoiding these obstacles.

Well, I can tell you guys what we know so far.

It looks like the ice geysers are a natural phenomenon, but the fire bombs are probably some kind of attack.

They've all been making a beeline for you guys, and there are no signs of them anywhere else.

I'm also pretty sure their cores are made up of lumps of igneous rock taken straight from the area you're in.

So whoever's lobbing them is probably digging up or shattering frozen rocks, enveloping them in superheated flame...

...and firing them at you with all the force of a siege engine.

They're as hot as they are heavy, and you really don't want one hitting you.

Well, I can tell you guys what we know so far.

It looks like the ice geysers are a natural phenomenon, but the fire bombs are probably some kind of attack.

They've all been making a beeline for you guys, and there are no signs of them anywhere else.

I'm also pretty sure their cores are made up of lumps of igneous rock taken straight from the area you're in.

So whoever's lobbing them is probably digging up or shattering frozen rocks, enveloping them in superheated flame...

...and firing them at you with all the force of a siege engine.

They're as hot as they are heavy, and you really don't want one hitting you.

Not a problem. If nothing else, I will make certain no evil reaches Master.

The enemy must be raring to go if they're already chucking these things at us. My kinda party!

By the way, I don't know much about this Vritra dragon. Does she breathe fire and stuff?

I think she may have, considering that some stories say she was born from fire.

You don't say.

As I recall, the dragon you defeated was also a fire-breather, correct?

You and I haven't had many chances to talk until now...

...so I'm hoping to take this opportunity to learn more of your own dragon-slaying tale.

I'd like to oblige, but like I said, it was a much older me who did that.

And honestly, I don't remember much of it very clearly.

How did I feel about it? Was I glad to go? Did I enjoy it? Was I afraid? I have no idea.

All I can say for sure is...

...I did it 'cause I had to.

I was a king back then. Didn't matter that I never set out to be one.

I understand. Evil had to be punished, didn't it?

Maybe. The main thing is that I was king, so I couldn't stand back and do nothing while the dragon was eating my people.

I see...

Well said.

As a follower of the Lord, I could not turn away way when I came across that town under a poisonous dragon's talon.

Doing nothing was never an option. It had to be slain, so I slew it.

It does seem fate plays at least some role in steering us toward most dragon hunts.

I don't know about that, but I do agree about doing what needs to be done.

Just like how I have to do this to become a true Santa Claus...

...and take back Christmas as it's meant to be.

Does that mean even the Hero of Benefaction hates seeing a kid cry at not being able to open their present?

...There have always been things people desiredthings they needed, to survive.

As someone who possessed such things, it was only natural for me to share them with those I met who needed them.

I never gave much thought to what happened to them afterwards...but, you may be right.

I do think there's something wrong with giving someone a gift that makes them sad instead of happy.

In fact, Ganesha just recently admonished me about this.

"Getting people's hopes up only to dash them is the worst! Especially when you do it with a totally straight face like that!"

？！

Of course. Come on, let's go.

Tch, now we're seeing more of those geysers and fire bombs than ever!

I will cut them all down...!

Make sure to conserve your magical energy! You'll need every bit of it for the main fight!

Master, I think you should hold on to my back. It'll be easier to sidestep and parry that way.

？！

We haven't made much progress in a while, have we?

Be nice if we could at least focus on just the ice geysers or the fire bombs instead of both at once.

Hrah! Haha, now that's hot!

I swear, there's no end to this fire, is there? I wonder if this is what it was like with the dragon I fought, too.

...You know, I think that might've jogged my memory. How'd I do this last time...?

Did you remember a strategy that could help us, Beowulf!?

I'm not sure. But whatever I did back then, I bet it went something like this!

First, I dodge this son of a bitch...

Then I chop it down! Hrunting Nailing!

...?

Next, I pick it up, and... Hnghhh!

You cut down that ice pillar and made it into a shield! Nice! But, uh, isn't it kind of heavy!?

You cut down that ice pillar and made it into a shield! Nice! But, uh, isn't it kind of heavy!?

'Course it is! That's why we gotta hurry! Come on!

Sir Karna, take Master and stay behind Sir Beowulf! Sir Alter and I will help him fend off the fire bombs!

Got it.

Lady Mash, Lady Da Vinci, please focus on warning us about upcoming geysers. We'll take care of the rest!

But, won't the heat from the fire bombs melt that ice shield pretty quickly!?

Not a problem! I'll just make another one every time that happens! Now come on!

(Impressive. He has all the incredible power of his youth, and the wisdom of a wise king.)

(I knew you would be a fine dragon-slayer, Sir Beowulf.)

All right! We're here!

There, I see them! It's Vritra and...Kiyohime!

Hello, Master♡ It's about time you got here!

Hmm. I'm not sure how, but I think I made a mistake with this one's copy.

Or are Berserkers just...like this?

？！

Ahh, I knew it! I knew you would understand everything without so much as a single word, Master!

This can truly only be...destiny! Love! Je t'aime!

Hm. No. I still don't get it.

Almost as soon as I made her, she started flinging those fire bombs your way. I didn't even say anything.

What did you do to get on her bad side?

My, how dare you! I never breathed so much as a lick of fire! Those weren't fire bombs; they were love bombs!

I knew that if I flung them at my darling Master, he would follow them straight to me!

Hmm. True, I suppose getting lost is one thing we never had to worry about...

First, I channeled my overwhelming love into scooping out great hunks of ice... Infused them with a burst of my deep, passionate love...

...then I just wished for my love to be reciprocated as I put my back into flinging them towards the object of my affection!

Ahh, what an elegant, dainty, compassionate way to lead my beloved to me... And now that it worked so well, it's a clear sign we should have our wedding tomorrow, if not sooner!

Incidentally, I got the idea for making a trail out of bread crumbs from an old fairy tale!

I think it was called "Hansel and Gretel"?

Grendel? Now what'd he do?

I don't think she's talking about your sworn enemy, Beowulf. Gretel is the name of the younger sister in the story!

I haven't the slightest idea what she's talking about, but her passion is something to behold.

She's clearly more than eager to burn you down to cinders.

Of course! That's what love is all about!

(I really, really don't get it...)

At any rate... Yes, I think she should make a fine final obstacle.

If you're able to defeat her...

...you should then be just about ready to face me.

But do be careful. The sweet spot doesn't last as long as you might think.

If you show her any mercy, let down your guard, or hold anything back...you could end up being too late.

And that would spoil my fun as well. Don't disappoint me, all right?

Me, hold back? Never.

I need to defeat you as soon as possible so I can finally become a true Santa.

Otherwise, Christmas won't even come once this year.

So if I need to win this match to earn the right to challenge you, then I'll put everything I have into making my fists shine as brightly as possible.

？！

You only have eyes for me, Master!? Ahh, what a joy it is to hear you declare your love for me so loudly!

Though I do have to ask why you qualified that with "for now."

Because that almost makes it sound like you plan to cheat on me in the future.

Why don't we have a little private couple's counseling inside my bell right now, just so we can...clear that up?

Oh! I just realized something. I'm not actually me, am I?

So then, does that mean Master was planning to cheat on me...with the real me?

I suppose I can accept thWait, no I can't! Copy or no, I still want to keep him all to myself!

？！

So, you managed to overcome the final obstacle. Good.

Then I have no compunction about fighting you. You have proven yourselves worthy of facing me.

Heh! Well ain't that nice of you!

Nothing more need be said.

You won't get away. All that's left now is for me to defeat you, and become a true Santa.

Good, good. That's the spirit.

Oh, but before we get started, let me just say this:

I don't care how much you scream, or cry, or otherwise make an absolute disgrace of yourselves.

Actually, I absolutely love that. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my tail.

But whatever you do...don't give up in the middle of things. That would be pathetically anticlimactic.

Vritra's magical energy pattern is changing... She's preparing to attack! Please be careful, Master!

...This isn't...over yet. I'll keep...getting up...as many times...as it takes...!

...

(Everyone's standing their ground admirably...but we've all taken a lot of damage. And that's not all!)

The hell's going on here? We're not even touching her!

Hmm. I seem to have grown accustomed to this much sooner than I expected.

Is that...a Holy Grail!?

So she did have a Holy Grail all along. I thought as much.

Even for a being as powerful as Vritra...

...interfering with Santa's power at its root, and blocking off multiple Singularities at once...

...would have been well beyond her ability to achieve alone.

But even setting that aside, where is that nigh-invulnerability coming from?

So she did have a Holy Grail all along. I thought as much.

Even for a being as powerful as Vritra...

...interfering with Santa's power at its root, and blocking off multiple Singularities at once...

...would have been well beyond her ability to achieve alone.

But even setting that aside, where is that nigh-invulnerability coming from?

I should have known I would have trouble getting used to power other than my own. I can never seem to control it.

Oh well. What's done is done.

Now that I've regained my true powerthe power I had when I fought Indra...

...it seems your attacks no longer have any effect on me.

Well that's a pity. I guess there's no fun to be had in continuing this any longer then.

What a dull way to end this. I guess the only thing left to do now...

...is to kill you.

？！

(What an incredibly murderous aura! But we can't retreat now. We need to at least stall her long enough for Master to escape!)

I will hold you back even if it should cost me my life! Ascalon!!!

Activate, sword of recursion

...

(All that magical energy behind our attacks, and we still couldn't even scratch her. How is this possible?)

I can't believe neither of their Noble Phantasms had any effect!

Okay, I'm calling it! This isn't working. You all need to get the hell out of there, right now!

We'd already have done it if we could! But look at her! We can't turn our backs on her now!

But, your attacks obviously aren't working

Okay, I'm calling it! This isn't working. You all need to get the hell out of there, right now!

We'd already have done it if we could! But look at her! We can't turn our backs on her now!

But, your attacks obviously aren't working

Doesn't matter! Like I said before...

When something's gotta be done, you've just gotta do it!

Which is why I'm going back to this! Here goes!

Grendel Buster!!!

Agreed. As long as I can still move, I'm going to keep throwing punches.

Power of Surya, come to my fists! Winning Arkaputra!!!

Oh?

(It wasn't much, but it looks like that did get her attention!)

(It wasn't much, but it looks like that did get her attention!)

It's no use. There is nothing you can do to stop me anymore. Give up.

Hold it, evil dragon.

？！

...!

Hm?

Oh, it's you again. I wondered where you went off to after that guy who looks sort of like you showed up.

So, what do you want, child of Indra?

Have you come to beg for their lives?

I can't conceive of anything more foolish for you to attempt here.

What I do with these depressingly boring people is no business of yours. I see no reason to listen to you.

I'm not here to beg for their lives. I'm just here to tell you something.

Namely...that I know the real reason you've been stealing Santa's presents.

...Oh?

Does that mean you know what it is I want?

Of course.

And you don't think it's too late now that I've ended up like this?

Hardly. If anything, you gave up much too soon.

Keeheehee! Very well, child of Indra!

I'll play along with your game for now.

Besides, it's not as though anything will change if I wait a little longer.

You have one day. Any more than that, and my boredom will get the best of me.

Hmm... I suppose I can wait for you in my clouds. But remember... You have one day. Not a second longer.

...Vritra's signal has completely vanished.

I'm sorry for overstepping my bounds, Master.

？！

I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that right now.

My mind is all mixed up, and I'm still not sure what I should and shouldn't say.

I will tell you anything you need to know, of course. I just need a little more time.

For the moment, I think all you need to focus on...

...is that your final confrontation with Vritra has been postponed...

...and that once you defeat her, things will go back to normal, just like they always do.

Hey, I'm sure you have your reasons for not saying more, so we don't want to try to force the issue.

Besides, just getting another chance to regroup before facing Vritra again is a huge help.

Hey, I'm sure you have your reasons for not saying more, so we don't want to try to force the issue.

Besides, just getting another chance to regroup before facing Vritra again is a huge help.

There's one other thing I'm curious about, though. What did Vritra mean when she said she'd be waiting in her clouds?

Vritra is said to have caused a massive drought by trapping the world's water inside a tall mountain.

But there are also stories which say the mountain was in fact the clouds that cover the skies.

This means that, for her, clouds and mountains are essentially the same thing.

So I'm reasonably confident that when she mentioned clouds, she was actually referring to the Himalayas.

There was something...strange about that...

I'll say. Why the hell was she so tough? This crap's exactly why I hate dragons.

I wish they'd just let us settle these things a little more straightforwardly.

I can see why Vritra was able to rival the gods. Her strength was truly astounding.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to back down from this fight.

I can't believe she shrugged off my punches so easily.

Does this mean I'm still not strong enough to become a true Santa?

Has all my training been for nothing!?

...