Epilogue: Post-Akihabara Party

Ahhh! There's nothing like an ice-cold drink every now and then! It feels like forever since I last had one!

Waitress! Another round, if you would!

(Nom, nom) Just to make extra sure, "all you can eat" really does mean "ALL you can eat," right?

As in, I could eat an infinite Servantverse's worth of food and still not pay any more for it, right?

They're not lying to me, right?

I'm pretty sure it's legitimate. Man, we never had places like this back when I was alive.

You're probably right... I'm being paranoid. It's just such a heavenly deal that it makes me feel like I'm doing something devilishly wrong.

Like, what if my patronage here is contributing to some shady space underground scene or something?

I guess I'll just be extra vigilant while I order another helping of rump and brisket! Oh, and don't forget the loin, too!

Sake time! Just keep it coming!

And meat! I want ALL the meat!

Hoo boy. You look like you've already had one too many, Izo.

Looks like there're lots of yummy things here. Do they have frog?

Hahaha. I've heard some restaurants offer that, but I'm guessing this isn't one of them.

Damn. Too bad.

All right, Izo, Oryou's just gonna have some of whatever you're having.

Hey! I just finished cooking that offal!

Now, now, no need to fight. There's plenty to go around.

Hm? Did you say something, Ryouma?

You stay out of this!

Hey, that's mine! Order your own meat, dammit!

Hahaha, you know, maybe I'll join you for a drink.

I have to say, it's nice getting together like this.

Have all you like, okay? Just don't forget to eat your veggies, too.

I-I won't! Mmm, everything looks great!

(I definitely wasn't planning to have dinner with these two before Europa roped me in out of nowhere...)

(...But, oh well! I used to get dragged all over the place plenty back in Troy, too!)

Um, I'm perfectly capable of cooking my own meat and feeding myself...

Now, now, don't be like that. Just open wide and say "ahhh."

(Ulp... What a kind, yet unyielding aura. I want to say no, but I can't...) A-ahhh.

(My sisters can never, ever know...!)

Keep the meat coming! I still haven't had nearly enough!

Hahahahaha! If you think you can outeat me, you've got another thing coming!

Waiter, more meat! Don't even bother cooking it first!

A bottle of red wine would pair wonderfully with this. Huh? You have some? Ooh la la!

Hahaaa, this stuff is great!

I gotta wonder, though. How's this place turn a profit when they let you eat all this for a flat price?

They don't even charge extra for pepper. Now I'm real curious what the trick to all this is...

While I suspect you're already quite aware of this, since you asked, I believe the trick lies in the time limit, the pricing plans, and the margins.

Once they get you in the door, I have no doubt they employ plenty of techniques designed to get you to order things that aren't included in the all-you-can-eat menu as well.

On that note: Waiter, could I get a bowl of chilled noodles, please? Alas, I can't eat as much meat as I did in my younger days.

Yay, the meat's here! Let's eat!

So, uh, I probably should've said this before sitting down at the same table...but aren't we s'posed to be enemies?

I guess Roland and Mante might feel that way, but I don't see the harm.

All that's water under the bridge. We died! That's like hitting the reset button.

Holy hell! Nothing can get you cheerful types down, huh!?

(Then again, I prolly could've guessed he was on a totally different level from me just from the way he dresses.)

(Man, I don't think I've got him beat on anything...)

(Munch, munch...)

Mmm, this is yummy! Oh, but I heard wrapping it in this leafy vegetable can make it even yummier!

Let's try it! Here, Mandricardo! I wrapped one for you, too!

O-oh... Thanks...

(Munch, munch...) Mmm, it really IS better this way!

Uh, y-yeah, sure is.

(Crap.)

(This is just straight up tasty. I think I'm having fun...)

Ulp. I think I ended up having a little more than I should have. You don't have any stomach medicine on you, do you?

Indigestion? What a despicably dull condition.

You are a Servant, aren't you? Can't you come down with something more interesting?

I don't think so. Not on short notice, anyway.

So what can I do to feel better, Doc?

Hmph. As a Servant, you have no end of treatment options available to you.

For example, you could turn into your spirit form and

No, wait. Now that I think about it, that might not make any difference. For one thing, what is it that makes a Servant feel full, anyway?

We know that calories from food can be converted into magical energy, but do we know exactly how the conversion process works?

This could be a whole new avenue of study... (Muttering to himself)

Umm... Hello?

I've changed my mind. Let's take a look at you. And by "take a look," I mean I want to vivisect you so I can examine your stomach directly.

What!? Nooo!

Why not? Oh, wait... I understand your reluctance now.

You do?

Don't worry. I'll be sure to use an anesthetic first.

Still no!

If you're looking for stomach medicine... I happen to have some I made myself right here...

Geez, it's so loud in here. I was hoping to enjoy my meal with a little more peace and quiet.

You think? I can deal with a little noise for food this good.

Here you go. Another plate of super spicy ribs, and a bowl of hellish hot bibimbap.

Thank you. Just put them down there, please.

...So? How did it feel?

Huh? How did what feel, Ms. FujimuI mean, Caren?

How did it feel to save the day superhero-style? You certainly worked hard enough for it.

Oh, that? I don't think there was anything that heroic about it... It's just what Nightwatch does.

If anything, this job being in Akihabara made it feel almost normal.

Be that as it may, you seem like you're very happy with how things turned out.

I do? ...Yeah. I guess I am.

It didn't feel like I was just being the Grim Reaper killing evil Servants...

...since I get the feeling I'll get to see Galatea again someday.

And it's also nice to feel like I actually protected this town for once, as presumptuous as that might sound.

Hehe. I see.

Sounds to me like...love. (Obviously proud)

P-please knock that off. That hardly qualifies as a meme.

(Giving a thumbs up)

That's not any better, honestly.

Oh, right. I'll need to tell Voyager all about your daring exploits, epic fantasy-style.

Please, just stop already! Ugh, you can be so mean sometimes.

...Look. I managed to protect the city I care about, and stop a friend from going down the wrong path.

...I think that's worth telling him about myself.

I see.

Well now.

Oh, good morning, Lady Artemis. Lord Orion.

Morning.

Good morning! How are you taking to Chaldea? It looks like you've already made some friends.

Yes, things are going well, thank you. There are a lot more Servants like me here than I expected, and we've had a lot to talk about.

That's great to hear.

Um... Lady Artemis?

Oh, sorry. I just wanted to check something. Please, don't mind me.

(Sniff, sniff) (Poke, poke) (Staaare...)

(Man, no fair! I'd be dead in an instant if I tried the same thing!)

Are those impure thoughts I sense, Darling?

Oh come on! I didn't even say or do anything yet!

Anyway, sorry about that, Galatea. It looks like everything's fine.

I see. I'm not sure what that was all about, but I'm glad to hear you're satisfied.

Actually, while we're here, let me ask you something: What do you think of me?

Hm? Well... You're Lady Artemis, one of the great gods of the Olympic pantheon.

You're also the...sister, I suppose, of Lady Aphrodite, who I can't thank enough for bringing me and King Pygmalion together.

Yup, that all sounds right!

Sorry for taking up your time. I hope we can be friends now that you're here.

Okay, see you around!

Goodbye.

Looks like she still has no clue. And by the looks of it, she's not gonna figure it out anytime soon.

You sure you don't wanna tell her about Aphrodite being a fundamental part of her?

What would be the point?

Besides, even I'm not entirely sure what that actually means.

It's only a fragment of Aphrodite's already partial Urania self, and all set to initial parameters, so at this point, it's really just another part of Galatea.

I can't tell how that fragment was implemented inside her from the outside.

What do you mean?

Hmm... I guess it all boils down to how their romance started.

I get King Pygmalion falling in love with his own statue...but when did the statue fall in love with him?

When did it become aware of his feelings and begin reciprocating them?

When was she really born, in the true sense of the word?

Hmm. Well, I can think of a few possibilities.

Did her consciousness begin when a fragment of Aphrodite became embedded in an ordinary statue?

Or was the statue a little bit conscious to begin with, and Aphrodite just helped it develop into a person?

I guess romantically, it is a question of when love begins in the first place.

What do you think, Darling?

Did Aphrodite love the king's love for his statue? Or did she love the statue who loved the king back?

...Does it really matter either way? It's not like it affects who she is now.

And even if we did figure it out, telling her now wouldn't change anything.

You're so right, Darling! I knew you'd understand!