Section 1: Port Town Bodyguard

Yes, I'm here.

The Rayshift doesn't seem to have affected my Spirit Origin at all. How about you, Astraea?

No need to worry about me. I made it here just fine as well.

Naturally, I didn't fall from the sky or inadvertently bombard a village, either.

Master, you should let Chaldea know that we arrived here safely.

？！

Hmm, it doesn't look like we can get through. Maybe we have a poor connection?

Or maybe something about this minute Singularity messes with electronic devices?

？！

Good grief. Well, communication difficulties like this are nothing new at this point, but still.

At least you've undergone training to handle these sorts of unforeseen situations.

And, lest you forget, you have no fewer than two goddesses with you.

You have absolutely nothing to worry about.

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Um, about that, Astraea...

I may technically be a goddess, but I'm kind of, um...an unusual one.

I'm awfully inexperienced compared to my sisters, or Gorgon, my Avenger self...

So please, just keep in mind that there are some things I can do, and some things I can't, okay?

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...Ahem.

How modest of you. Are all scythe-wielders like that?

Oh, wait. That used to be a sacred spear, didn't it?

You may look fragile at a glance, but deep down, you possess true inner strength...

Medusa, I have complete confidence in your abilities.

Believe me when I say you're not nearly as weak as you think yourself.

...

...Thank you, Astraea. I'm glad to be on a team with you.

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(And what's so surprising about that?)

(I'm always kind to the innocent.)

... ...

Master? Astraea? It's a bit sudden, but I have a small request.

O-oh? What is it?

I want to investigate this area more thoroughly. Would you help me?

Yes, of course, but how exactly can we do that?

I don't see any sort of high ground nearby that would let us get a better view of our surroundings.

... ...

Ahh, now I see.

Would you mind?

Hehe, very well. Just be warned that I won't take responsibility for whatever might happen.

？！

Well, the best way to survey an area is from a high vantage point, right?

Indeed. All right then, I'm going to put everything I have into this!

(Slowly inhaling)...

Yaaah!!!

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That was an excellent toss, if I do say so myself!

She should be able to see for kilometers from that altitude.

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... ...

Medusa, the unusual goddess... She truly is a fascinating girl.

I know she's a Servant, but deep down, I had my concerns about sending a young child out to fight.

Fortunately, it seems my concerns were unfounded.

Most people would never even imagine doing something like this, let alone go so far as to request it.

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By the way, Master.

Did you know that when humans have a near-death experience, they often feel as though they are ascending to heaven?

But, never mind that.

That discussion can wait for another time. Stand back a little, would you?

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Thank you for waiting. I finished surveying the nearby area.

Hm? Is something wrong?

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Oh no, I'm fine. I'm used to falling from great heights. And besides, I'm a Servant.

Of course I'm perfectly okay. See? Not so much as a scratch.

Welcome back, Medusa.

So, what do you make of our surroundings? Did you notice anything interesting?

Yes, I did.

It looks like we're on the southern edge of a peninsula, near the ocean.

The nearby area seems to be peaceful. I didn't see anything unusual, but as for points of interest...

...I noticed what looked to be a port town to the west.

Hehe, excellent work.

Then let's start by heading there, shall we?

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So, I was helpful? I'm glad.

Once we've found this unidentified Rogue Servant, repaired this minute Singularity, and recovered the Holy Grail...

...I think taking a little beach vacation here would be a lovely idea.

I can't wait to see the looks on those lazy goddesses' faces when we tell them all about the good times we had here.

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Everything we've seen so far has been rather unremarkable.

It may be minute, but this is still a Singularity, right? I thought it would be a little more, you know...exciting.

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I-I know that. I was just thinking out loud.

Master, Astraea.

Look, over there. I think that's the way into the town.

Hold it, you three.

I can tell from the way you're dressed that you're not from around here.

No, it's not just that...

You two, the child and the blonde. You're Servants, aren't you?

!!!

And you must be their Master.

Stand back, Master!

It seems this woman is a Servant, too!

What!? Then, is she the Servant we're looking for!?

...A perfect shift in your center of gravity, magical energy primed and ready. What a magnificent display.

I never expected to run into other Servants all the way out here.

As for you, the Master, I'm surprised to see you controlling two Servants at once. You're either a great mage, or...

Well, no matter. First, I'm going to neutralize all of you.

Once I've got you all restrained, I can hear what you have to say.

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Hehe... No, Master, I think this will be faster.

She's already come in range. As soon as she drops her guard, I can just do something like...

...THIS!

Dammit!

(No way. How did she escape Astraea's grasp!?)

(She's so fast!)

I see. No wonder you're so confident. Looks like you're a grappling expert.

But that's all right. I was planning to fight you at a distance, anyway.

Oh my. That's disappointing.

But if you think keeping me at arm's reach will let you best me, you're gravely mistaken.

I am Astraeathat's Lady Justice to you. It'll take more than some half-baked magecraft to throw me for a loop!

Astraea the Divine Spirit...

So, you're the Greek goddess who passes judgment on people with the scales of justice.

But even if you are a goddess, you can't possibly have materialized in your original state.

Your power is constrained by your Servant Spirit Origin. And if it comes down to a Noble Phantasm face-off...

...I'll come out on top.

(...!)

(What the...? Such an intimidating presence... It feels as though it's overwhelming my consciousness!)

... ...

Now, come at me with everything you've got.

One strike will decide it all!

Huh!?

That shriek just now... Someone's in trouble!

Master, over there! A wagon on the road to the town is under attack!

That merchant must just be coming back to town!

Hmph... I guess this will have to wait.

Stay exactly where you are while I

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Okay!

You don't have to tell me twice!

... ...

Who in the world are those people...?

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I'll draw it away from the wagon!

And I'll handle the rest!

Got you!

...!!!

What the...!?

Oh barbell! I feel like I'm being pulled apart from the inside!

Get back!

You can't grapple with that thing! It'll steal your magical energy!

...!

Stand back, Astraea. I'll handle this one!

You there, the Master. You should be able to figure out what's going on here!

So now that you've stuck your noses in my business, stay here and help me get rid of this thing!

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...!!!

Phew...

The enemy has disappeared... No, wait. It looked like it was absorbed into the ground.

What in the world was that thing?

You there.

Thank you for your help. But why did you help us when you clearly saw us as enemies earlier?

To be honest with you, I'm not sure.

Ah! Sorry, we'll have to talk later.

N-ngh...

Damn... Was I too late?

What happened to him? Did he have his magical energy sucked out, like Astraea?

Yeah... When I was grappling with that monster...

...it felt as though I was losing a great deal of magical energy all at once.

What was that, exactly?

I know I said it was magical energy before...

...but it would be more accurate to say it's the drive to work, to move. Motivation, you could say.

... ...

Motivation?

That's right. You've been sapped of your motivation, just like this man has.

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Motivation... Maybe vitality? Life force, you could say.

Now that you mention it, I still don't feel like my usual self at all...

You won't for a while. You'll just need to rest until you feel better.

You seem to know a lot about that monster.

I think it probably has something to do with our objective. Could you please tell us what you know?

... ...

...All right, I think I can tell you. You don't seem to be bad people.

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I'm...

... ...

No, I'm Bazett. Bazett Fraga McRemitz.

I'm a Rogue Servant working part-time for that town as a bodyguard.

My class is Boxer.

... ...

(Now there's another one!?)

Hmm.

I thought this town would be...gloomier, what with monsters like that running around.

But if anything, it seems to be positively brimming with energy.

Yeah. Even the children are all cheerful here.

I'd never think they were under threat from monsters if I hadn't seen it for myself.

I took that man to a doctor. He should be okay for now.

Oh, I've been renting a room in that tavern there.

It should be a good place to talk.

Hey hey, welcome back, Boss! I heard you took another one down!

Yes, but not before it claimed another victim. This isn't good enough. Not by a long shot.

Haha, don't worry about it. Long as you keep 'em out of town, that's good enough for us.

By the way...are those folks friends of yours?

Something like that.

Sorry for the short notice, but do you have a room where they can stay?

Oh, sure, no problem. I'm just surprised you know so many people.

Look, another friend of yours is waiting for you over there.

Another...?

There you are. It's about time you got here.

It's been very lonely out here in this strange land all by myself.

Oh, sir? Would you put my meal on their tab? Thanks.

... ...

What are YOU doing here!?

... ...

She does have pretty...odd fashion sense, doesn't she?