Floor 20: Joint Exhibition of the World's Fine Arts

It looks like the crowds have thinned out a bit now that we're higher up. Makes sense.

Though in exchange, it seems there are even more wishmen walking around in obviously poor health.

Why don't they just leave before they get to the point of collapsing? They almost look like zombies.

And some even sound like them!

I wakarunderstand how they feel. If I'd finally managed to make my way to a shop with rare goodies like this, I don't think I'd be able to force myself to leave, either...

They really are like walking shikabane... Hang in there. You can do this...

...?

？！

I thought I sensed a...masterful artist?

My curiosity about how someone could sense that will have to wait. She's right. Servant signals ahead!

Oh, it is Hokusai and Van Gogh. I, too, recognize them as two of the most talented artists ever to exist.

H-hi... It's me, Van Gogh. Ehehe, Hokusai and I were just out on a little shopping d-d-date...

I-I mean, why wouldn't we be, seeing how we're so close... Ehehe...kidding. Just a little Van Goghk...

What she said! Me an' Van Gogh've been chattin' up a storm! It's been great gettin' to talk shop with another painter!

I've been learnin' a ton from her paintin' technique, and I got ideas for new pictures comin' out the wazoo.

Hmm. Since this all started when we sat down for a cup of tea and wound up talkin' 'bout sunflowers for hours on end 'cause we were havin' so much fun...

...I guess this prolly counts as a date.

Eep! Teehee, ehehe...

Anywho, whadda we got here? This the beautiful sculpture-turned-human lady I been hearin' about lately?

Well I'll be damned. You really are a work of art. Not a flaw to see anywhere, and I'm lookin' everywhere.

Mind if I touch ya so I can get a better feel for the more intricate details? Hmm, hmm... Interestin'...

If it's not too creepy, I'd like to get a better feel, too... E-ehehe, your construction really is divine... (Pat, pat)

Thank you. That's very kind, but King Pygmalion is the one who deserves all the credit.

Are you two involved in the arts as well?

Yeah, but only the kind ya make with a brush.

Though I have tried my hand at whittlin' some things here an' there.

Teehee. Oil paintings and ukiyo-e both have three-dimensional aspects to them...

So we do try to take balance and perspective into account when we're painting...

Oh yeah, that reminds me. I might not be an expert sculptor or nothin', but game recognizes game.

Like, whenever I pass by one of Unkei or Kaikei's famous Buddhist statues, I can't help but stop and take it all in.

And the same goes for you. I could stare at ya all day long.

...Thank you.

All right, that is enough. I certainly understand the urge to caress a form as lovely as hers...

In point of fact, I have done so on several occasions now, but you need to get away from her or we will be stuck here all day!

？！

...Right. I can't imagine the only reason you two came this far up the tower is to buy art supplies.

Hmm. Where do I begin...?

Look around, Master. Whadda ya see here?

？！

Now that you mention it, there are a lot more dolls here than there are human shoppers.

'Zactly!

I ain't never seen so many superbly well-made dolls all in one place! It's excitin', don't ya think?

I can tell whoever's makin' 'em still ain't really givin' it their all, but their sheer talent's unmistakable all the same.

With their artistic skills and how quickly they're making 'em they're definitely the real McCoy. Y'see why I'd wanna meet?

E-ehehe. As an artist myself, I couldn't pass up a chance to meet someone who can bring models to life...

Maybe they could even teach me how to give my paintings life...

I don't know, but I'm so excited to get Van Goghing and find out!

So we're askin' ya, Servant ta Master: Would ya let us go on ahead so we can talk shop with this King of Figures guy? There's a buncha things I'd like ta pick his brain on.

'Sides, ya can't make ukiyo-e without woodblocks, so I also wanna try an' recruit him ta be our resident wood-carver!

Is that not okay with you, Master? Teehee, oh gosh, now I'm stuck between a Master and a Hokusai place...

Is this what it feels like to be so popular people fight over you? ...No? I'm sorry. Really.

I'm so sorry for being excited about the painful punishment I'm about to get, whether it's in battle or having a Command Spell used on me...!

They're not gonna back down!

？！

Guess their minds have been made. You could use a Command Spell to make them stand down, but I don't think it'd be worth it.

I think our only option is to subdue them by force!

Guess their minds have been made. You could use a Command Spell to make them stand down, but I don't think it'd be worth it.

I think our only option is to subdue them by force!

Damn, ya got us good!

Teehee, I guess it's time for me to Van Gogh down gracefully, hehe. Even my sunflower's all wilted...

？！

Eep! Oh no, it's fine. I'm the one who should be apologizing. You're too kind, Master... Ehehe.

All right, we Edoites know when we're licked! Go ahead! Do your worst!

Um, as long as you let us pass without more fuss, we're not going to do anything else to you...

I am sorry about this, but I have to go on ahead of you two.

...Ah well, I guess that's okay. 'Sides, now I got a new lead on another wood-carver.

?

Could I just take one last look at you before I go? Especially your eyes?

Ehehe, thank you.

...I kind of feel like looking at one of Gauguin's paintings again.

I think it was called "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?"

Is there some deeper meaning to that?

I don't know. It just came to me now. Ehehe.

...You're looking for something, aren't you? Whatever it is, I hope you find it.

...(Nod)

Come on. We're almost halfway up the tower.

Sheesh.

Hey, Van Gogh. It ain't just me, right? You can tell from comparin' her to all the other dolls 'round here too, can't ya?

Teehee, of course. Whoever made those dolls definitely uses the same techniques that were used to make Galatea, but they're not the one who made her.

Right? So then, takin' that last scuffle into account...

...

Hmm. What's it all mean?

Teehee. Beats me...

Just as I thought. I move my space general from the back to the front and have her attack the Demon God cavalry attacking my space infantry!

Heh, impressive. I would expect no less from a true hero.

All right, now I need to roll the dice...

...to see if my Demon God cavalry's defense prevails against your space general's attack.

Allow me to roll in your stead, as an impartial third party. It is truly in a god's hands. Hup.

I'm sorry. The space general's attack succeeds, and your Demon God cavalry's defense does not.

Well, sometimes, a battle just comes down to luck. This is still better than my entire army being wiped out, which I'm sure would have happened had I been rolling myself.

...

Is something wrong?

Oh, no, I was just waiting for a good time to say this. Well, while my space fairy army takes advantage of this opportunity to flank your army...

Lakshmi Bai, I am sure your...ill-fortuned disposition must cause you no end of headaches.

Even in this game, I can see it is quite an imposition to have someone else handle all the important dice rolls for you.

However...I may be able to use my Primordial Runes to keep your bad luck in check.

Really?

Yes, but I don't want Lady Qin Liangyu's army to be taken out just yet, since that would ensure my own army's defeat as well. So, for the time being, I'm going to send out reinforcements.

That sounds too good to be true, in more ways than one.

True, it is certainly not easy to change something intangible. I will have to be very careful when casting my runes.

Heh. I appreciate the offer, foreign goddess, but I'll have to pass.

Are you sure?

I am. Alakshmi's nature is an inextricable part of who I am now. I have no wish to rid myself of it.

I'll figure out some way I can succeed. I'd much prefer that to losing what makes me who I am.

Besides, having you roll the dice in my stead...

...may even help me steal some good rolls that would otherwise have gone to you.

A good point. That just goes to show that good luck and bad luck are two sides of the same coin, and there is often hope where you least expect it. I commend your integrity!

Hehe. You warriors never change, do you?

I'm sorry. This is just who I am.

All right, enough with the therapy session already! This is supposed to be a game, remember!?

I swear, it's confusing as hell to hear you talk about life stuff like you're talking about board game strategy!

Hmph. You'd think you'd be more appreciative of me sparing some of my precious time to join you in one of these games for once.

I guess you still haven't realized that I'm mainly doing this to show I've still got what it takes to be Connacht's commanding officer, huh?

On that note, let's see what you think when I send my entire army of Good-Looking Braves (not the real unit name) after you!

You usually can't initiate a close-quarter battle when you have your army move at top speed, but I can thanks to my space barbarian army's special ability!

This is so Celt!

Huh!? Why would you make that kind of move now!?

I definitely didn't see this coming. This is bad.

Wait. What possible tactical merit could there be to making such a move?

Merit? When did "'cause I wanna" stop being enough?

If I want cattle, I take them! If I want men, I take them, too! That's how we Celts fight! Now come on, roll the dice!

I guess this goes to show that not all generals are driven by logic and reason. I'll have to remember that...

Aw man. So that's the draw, huh.

Hmm. Got more of a gift for words than I credited you with, don'tcha?

Hey now.

That just slipped out, all right? Really. Take my word for it.

Personally, I'm happy to take you at your word.

On a different note, my fair lady, would you consider moving your bangs eeever so slightly to your left?

I can tell you have the potential for overwhelming beauty with one eye alluringly hidden.

You do know you're not gonna win anyone over like that, right?

Hahaha. Well if nothing else, I figured it would be all right to say as much to you.

Hah, that's a lot of commotion over a single card. But hey, I wouldn't have it any other way when playing cards with outlaws.

This here card game's fun an' all, but I can't help but be a mite disappointed that we ain't playin' poker.

Hey, you know a fair few of us have our share of poker-related trauma.

So it's much better to play a game none of us knows well. Fairer, too.

It's true. 'Sides, this modern card game's pretty fun too.

And it's plenty exciting as long as you bet something worth losing.

All right, the moment of truth. Go ahead and shuffle and redeal our discarded cards!

Understood. One moment, please.

(The whole reason we brought in a pro dealer who ain't one to tolerate funny business's 'cause none of us know our way 'round this game.)

(But, if I CAN manage to put one over on her...)

(Then I can win this game for sure!)

(Sooo...to cheat, or not to cheat.)

There. Everyone, turn your cards over, please.

Whoa, look at that! I guess I got really lucky! A few more hands like this, and that "make anyone I like have hidden eyes" ticket is as good as

Remove him.

(Yikes! A lion made of light just dragged Bartholomew out by the scruff of his neck!)

(That ain't a natural way for a neck to bend... He'd be dead on the spot if he weren't a Servant.)

I sensed there was cheating at play, so I had him removed.

Any questions? No? Good. Then let us get back to the game.

(Th-that was too close for comfort...)