Shop 50: Junk≒Treasure

It looks like Akihabara has some wonderful electronics shops, too. It really does feel like "electric town" here!

Yeah, I'm kind of relieved to know that this place at least is what I expected.

Hm? Is that...?

Oh, never mind those two. They're just arguing over who gets to buy a certain part.

They both say they're going to use it to invent something revolutionary. Don't ask me what, though.

？！

Exactly. So don't worry about them.

I guess there's just something inventors find exciting about out-of-date gadgets like this?

I don't get it, but I do know they're definitely more worked up than usual.

It's true. There may not be much cutting-edge tech in that shop...

But the simpler it is, the more fun it is to tinker with.

Wow, Da Vinci, I don't know if I've ever seen you this waku waku before.

So is there something about this shop that genius inventors like yourself can't pass up?

Ehehe, something like that. When I first saw what this store had, I found myself making a shopping list and handing it off to Babbage before I even knew what I was doing.

You'd think it'd be easy to find parts that are just a little out-of-date, but it's actually surprisingly tough.

I concur. Now that I'm here, I'm having a hard time resisting the pull of these wares myself. They're like clay just begging to be sculpted.

It's true. There may not be much cutting-edge tech in this shop...

But the simpler it is, the more fun it is to tinker with.

Wow, you're waku waku about this place too, Da Vinci?

So is there something about this shop that genius inventors like yourself can't pass up?

Hehehe, kind of. You'd think it'd be easy to find parts that are just a little out-of-date, but it's actually surprisingly tough.

Indeed. I too am having a hard time resisting the pull of these wares. They're like clay just begging to be sculpted.

They have the potential to transform into any mechanism one can imagine, with ingenuity the only limiting factor.

Mr. Babbage! I didn't know you were here, too!

With all these mechanical types here, any task this store throws at us should be a cakewalk!

Tell you what. I'll ask the employee at the counter what the challenge entails...

...and have these guys go ahead and clear it if it's something they can handle, which I'm sure they can.

In the meantime, you all can take it easy and just enjoy yourselves, okay?

Hmm... I don't see any reason not to. Why don't we take Helena up on her kind offer, Senpai?

By the way...are you the new Servant I've been hearing about?

Yes, hello. My name's Galatea.

Hmm.

I understand that you are genuinely human now, which makes what I am about to ask doubly rude...

But you see, I'm simply fascinated by automata, so I can't help but find you and your equipment intriguing.

Would you mind if I took a closer look at you?

No, that's fine. As a matter of fact, I'm interested in your model's construction as well.

Would it be all right if I examined you, too?

Yes, of course. Very well then

Hold it. Aaah.

Victor's girl? What do you think you're doing?

No ogling girls' bodies in public places. Bad Babbage.

I'm only interested in the technical aspects of her construction, not her actual body...

But, if you insist, I suppose I have no choice. I'll put up a steam barrier then.

？！

Sorry, Master. It's to protect our privacy.

Now I see. So that's how you reinforced your frame... Very interesting.

SHE's the one checking HIM out? Hmm.

Oh, hello. Who might you be?

I'm Fran.

...You have it too.

May I ask if you're also originally a creation given life by love, like I am?

Uh-huh. I don't know about love, but I am an artificial human.

...No, it was definitely love that brought you to life. I'm sure of it.

I can tell from your construction, and how well you move, walk, and talk.

Um... Would you mind if I took a closer look at you, too?

Mmm... Okay.

Hmm. I suppose I should be glad that Victor's girl has made a new friend.

？！

As I suspected, her equipment was made during the Age of Gods.

While I may be able to make some simple adjustments to it thanks to the similar examples we have at Chaldea...

I expect she is the only one with the knowledge and skill needed to repair her gear in the event of a failure.

I suppose I can think of one or two Servants who might know something about her Aphrodite Unit, butHm?

That must be where they sell those maid outfits! This is so exciting, isn't it, Darling?

I just know that once I put one on, and you remember all over again how beautiful I am, you're going to throw me up against a wall and order me to call you Master!

Uh-huh. Better look out. Whatever will you do.

But I hope you're not expecting me to throw you all that far with these little bear paws.

Don't you think wearing a maid outfit might hurt your, uh, divine rep?

Oh Darling, you're so much cuter when you're being the strong and silent type.

(Little does she suspect that I still plan on losing her!)

(This store's so packed with stuff, I should have plenty of chances to give her the slip...)

(And once I do, I think I'll check out one of these maid cafés for myself, if she loves maid outfits so much!)

Perfect timing. Excuse me, might I ask for a moment of your time?

Hm? What's up? Oh wow. This feels like...

Allow me to introduce you. Artemis, this is Galatea. Galatea, Artemis.

(Staring)

Lady Artemis? Oh, wow.

It's an honor to meet you. I'm Galatea, King Pygmalion of Cyprus's wife.

(Mmm, nice! Very nice! I especially like how she's so much more dignified than Artemis!)

Gaaah! I wasn't staring! I swear! P-p-p-please don't wring me! I don't wanna be a dishraaag!

Oh, it's okay. There's no need to be so formal.

I'm not going to act all high-and-mighty around anyone here just because they happen to be Greek.

More importantly...

?

Her equipment seems to be connected to Aphrodite. What do you make of it?

...As far as I can tell, yes, it does look like it originally belonged to Aphrodite.

You said you were from Cyprus? I could definitely see her just giving a mortal from there such a gift, since it's almost like her hometown.

King Pygmalion's phenomenal sculpting skills were renowned even among the gods...

So I think that's how I came into possession of these items.

Hmm. That might be it, but then again... Hmm...

Could I take a closer look at you? There's something I'd like to check.

Yes, of course. I wouldn't have this life if it weren't for my king's love and Lady Aphrodite's power, so by all means, examine away.

Hmm. Maybe that's what's nagging at me...

I'll help.

Aww, thanks! That's so nice of you!

？！

Master, come quick! We have a situation!

We sure do. And I think we need to do something about it soon. ...Oh, here comes Ms. Blavatsky.

Well, Master, to be brief...

It happened again.

？！

The event here turned out to be a contest to see who could make the better gizmothem, or the head of the Junk Shop Association.

So our resident geniuses each racked their brains to come up with the most inventive machines they could make from outdated parts...

And now, Mahatmally speaking, things are a little out of control.

？！

The good news is, the head of the Junk Shop Association admitted defeat, so we got the points we came for.

The bad news is, well, everything else.

Some robots have gone haywire, some mecha have declared war on humanity, and some gadgets have even begun self-destruct countdowns!

I swear, what is it with Chaldea's inventors and artisans!? I mean, I know some of them actually fix things instead of break them, but still!

I'm so sorry. I don't think they meant any harm. They just slipped right into their bad habits.

A-at any rate, we have to stop these machines before they cause any more trouble! Come on, Senpai!

Um... Shouldn't we go help them?

Your body is so cool to the touch. I could lie on your lap forever... (Zzz...)

(Damn, I never did manage to give her the slip...) So what was that all about with Galatea, anyway?

It looked like something was really nagging at you.

Mmm... Let's just say it's best to be cautious whenever Aphrodite's involved.

Aphrodite, huh...

She cursed Medea and messed up Paris's life so she could win a contest against Hera and Athena, right?

Honestly, she's the sort I'd rather avoid if I can.

Yeah, she definitely has an, um, mischievous side.

But she's also the sort who would take notice of a mortal really caring for a statue...

...and even grant his wish to make that statue human.

Well, she's not exactly alone among you gods in having more than one side to her.

(That's true... But for some reason, it still feels to me like there's something more going on here...)

Heh. This is it. This is what I've been looking for!

It certainly is!

...By the way, can I ask why you're wearing a swimsuit?

Is that just what you're, um, into?

Cut that shit out. This is my doujin-making uniform, got it?

Screw that sweaty, stuffy armor.

I, uh, I see...?

Anyway, let's check the store out! ...Oh wow, there are so many doujinshi here!

Ooh, I've never seen this ship before! And could that be

Keep it together, little girl.

I don't know about you, but I'm here to scope out the competition.

I just wanna get an idea of who's drawing what these days.

But hey, it's none of my business what you get up to. Me, I'm just gonna look around and see what kinda shit I can find. ...Hmm. Whoa... Huh...

(She can protest all she wants, but I saw her putting together a list of all the doujin she wants to buy earlier!)

Gosh, I've never seen a bookstore devoted to doujin like this before. They've got all kinds of genres I've never even heard of.

Oh, and they don't just have manga, either. Some of these are how-to guides!

Yeah, but they're kind of a crapshoot, since anyone can write anything they want in them.

That said, you know anyone who'd want to write an in-depth guide like this has gotta be a huge nerd on the subject, so in some cases, you might find one with even more detail than something written by a professional.

Check it out. There's a bunch of people with time on their hands just itching to learn all they can.

Sí, sí! This is just the kind of detailed wrestling encyclopedia I've been looking for, yes!

It's got information on every wrestler from their combat styles to their finishing holds. Just looking at it is giving me so much inspiración!

I'd almost forgotten just how many people there are out there I still want to fight, yes...

Oh my, a book full of horror movie reviews... Hehe, even I've never heard of some of these films.

And the reviews are all written so entertainingly it makes me want to see them regardless of their star rating.

Oho. A book of assorted rice recipes.

My rice balls may not need anything more than a little salt to taste perfect, but a little variety certainly wouldn't hurt. I think I'll pick it up.

But oh man, just reading these recipes is making me hungry...

How do you deal with this sort of thing, Madam?

When you've run an inn as long as I have, Lord Touta, you naturally start to separate your own desires from your job, chirp.

You do have to think all the food you cook looks delicious, of course, but you can't forget that it's ultimately for the customer.

If you think your hunger might make you want to sneak a bite, it's better to fix yourself a snack so you don't give in to temptation, chirp.

I see. So you can't lose sight of the line between you and the other side. That sounds like a lesson that applies just as much to the battlefield as the kitchen.

So, what kind of book did you find, Madam?

Oh, this? It's a book of recipes for regional specialty dishes from all over Japan, chirp.

There's nothing wrong with Akihabara culture, but these kinds of dishes are a much better fit for the Enma-tei.

My ultimate goal is to make it a place where anyone can feel at home, regardless of where they came from, chirp.

(Her drive to constantly improve herself is relentless, isn't it? I could learn a lot from her...)

Hmph. There we go. I knew this place would have it.

I've been wanting to read this bad boy forever. You just had to play hard to get, didn't you?

Huh, this cover design's real nice. Looks like a good read, too... All right, I'll get it.

So this is like a abridged version of the whole story? Must be pretty popular to merit that. Better check it out.

...

(...Why do I feel like someone's been watching me?)

(Whoa. This doujin guy's good!)

Hahaha. Easy there, youngster. No need to be scared.

Me!? Scared!? Your ass is TOAST, nerd.

Nice comeback. But no open fires in my store. Says so in the rules.

Tch...

Hehehe. Usually, this is the part where I'd teach you how to respect your elders...

But I'm in such a good mood right now that I'm gonna give you this instead.

A doujinshi...?

I'm told it's the best book in the whole store. Hehehe. Go ahead. Take it.

I dunno what this is based on, but I do feel like I could learn some lessons for it.

Fine, I'll take it off your hands. I might even check out the source material, if I feel like it.

Oh, and here.

Oh? You drew this?

You're giving this to me for free, right? So the polite thing to do's give you one of mine, too.

(Oho. She's sharper than she looks.)

Hahaha, looks like this new generation's still got potential. Guess I'll just have to stick around a while longer to see them live up to it!

...I hate to say this, but honestly, this store's been giving me a fierce creative urge.

C'mon, Gareth! You and I are going back to the drawing board! Literally!

Huh? Why me, too!?

'Cause I can tell you've got the chops to be a good assistant. Now c'mon. I'll whip you into shape myself.

But, I still wanted to take another look around the stor

I mean, uh, get back to our mission of repairing this Singularity! That's our highest priority, after all!

I only came here to take a break. Even at the Round Table, getting enough rest was of paramount importance.

Yeah, yeah, I know. Which is why we're gonna knock this job out ASAP so we can get to drawing!

Wait! Just a little longer!