Section 2: Delightful Xocolatl

It's about time you all got here.

I was so bored I was just starting to think about taking a corner of this tavern...

...and renovating it into an improvised confessional.

Please don't...

Hey, Boss's friends. You know this lady, right?

？！

What do you think you're doing here!?

... ...

Ahem... Eros? May I ask what it is you're doing here?

I'm quite sure you heard the briefing. Only myself and Medusa were to accompany Master on this Rayshift.

Besides, given the situation, I can't imagine you got permission to Rayshift here after us.

So how did you get here?

How? Hmm. All I can say is...

...it was God's will. (Bright smile)

There must be many people in this land, as well, who are in dire need of lovewhich is to say, me.

Master.

I haven't seen a Servant this suspicious since BB. I think we should take this chance to get rid of her for good.

？！

Oh my. Hehe, such amazing mental fortitude, Master. Tell me, do you have any interest in almsgiving?

...(Sigh)

What is it about Aphrodite's people that makes them all so...freewheeling?

Still, she is a Chaldean Servant. I doubt she would do anything that would truly be a problem for Master.

Now, more importantly...

Eros, do you mind if I ask you something?

What is it?

You're the only one who saw the Servant we're looking for.

Tell me, is this her?

... ...

... ...

No, I don't think so.

Same here. I'm sure I would remember meeting someone as weird

I mean, "special" aser, eccentric, as her.

(...I'll just keep the fact that I'm itching to deck her with a right cross to myself...)

I see... That's too bad. It would have saved us a lot of time if this was her.

I guess we still need to look for this other Servant, then.

Hmm...

It sounds as though you've got problems of your own. Would you mind telling me your story first?

The Chaldea Security Organization for the Preservation of Humanity... Yes, I've heard that name before.

As I recall, the Animusphere familywho holds one of the Lord positions of the Clock Towerwas working on creating it.

I think I remember hearing it was a tiny observatory far up in the mountains, but of course, this is a Lord we're talking about.

I'm not at all surprised that they were secretly building a much bigger organization behind the scenes.

I also heard a little bit about Heroic Spirits and Servants.

They say the Heroic Spirits summoned to Chaldea aren't there to fight a Holy Grail War.

Instead, they've been summoned to help protect humanity. That's probably why I was summoned, too.

(What a strange twist of fate for a Clock Tower mage like myself...)

(...to become a Servant in my own right...)

But never mind me. If what you're telling me is true...

...then that would make you the last Master of all of humankind.

？！

The pleasure's all mine.

I only just awoke as a Servant myself, so I still have a lot of questions...

But I think I should also be able to help you.

... ...

Bazett, I hope you don't mind...

...but there's something I've been wanting to ask you about for a while now.

Did you not receive any knowledge from the Throne of Heroes like you were supposed to?

... ...

No, I didn't.

All I have are memories of my life as a human in the twenty-first century.

And even those memories are kind of...spotty in some parts.

The twenty-first century... That's the time you're from, isn't it, Master?

Strange... I don't recall seeing anything about a hero or other famous person named Bazett in any of the files I saw.

How about you, Master?

？！

I don't understand that myself.

I do have some experience with Heroic Spirits thanks to a certain...event I was involved in when I was alive...

But aside from that, as a human, I was just an ordinary freelance mage.

Then again...

Maybe, at some point, I actually accomplished some great feat without realizing it?

Is that even possible? Especially when everyone told me I was an old-fashioned Carrier?

... (Seems like she has a really low opinion of herself...)

... ...

True, you may well have accomplished something great in the future, before even Master could learn about it.

That kind of thing has happened before, after all.

Though, since you yourself don't remember what that accomplishment could be...

...we should probably assume that something went wrong when you were summoned.

How did you materialize here, Bazett?

...I don't know. When I came to, I was just standing here in this world.

Then, I just saw one of those monsters attacking someone from this town.

After I saved them, they asked me if I would stay here and keep protecting them, and that's how I got my bodyguard gig.

Well, Da Vinci did mention that a few days might have passed between the time this Singularity was created and us actually arriving.

So then, Bazett must have been fighting all alone up until we met...

？！

That's right. I got by somehow, punching them until they disappeared.

(...Is she a meathead?)

(Definitely a meathead.)

There's no other word for her than "meathead."

Hehe.

You don't mince words, do you? Still, it's strange; hearing that actually helps me feel calmer.

Maybe I used to know someone who was harsh like that with me.

...No... Not maybe... ...I definitely did...

I can't remember their name or what they looked like very well now that I'm a Servant...

...but I do remember they were also short, had the same hair color, and the same complete lack of filter as you.

But I don't mean that in a bad way.

I think, whoever they were...they were probably one of the few friends I had.

... ...

？！

Yes, it's me, Amor. What is it, Master?

？！

Non. Besides, that's not important right now.

Bazett. A Servant's memories of their life are kind of like taxes.

You gain nothing from dwelling on them, and you stand to lose a lot.

So don't worry about trying to remember. All that matters is that you're here now.

...Yes. You're right. Thank you. That's very kind of you to say, um...

...mysterious paper-bagged stranger.

Please, call me Amor.

All right. I think we understand your situation now.

That just leaves one more questionthe most important one.

What in the world are those monsters?

... ...

I can only tell you what I've managed to work out myself.

From what I've learned, they first showed up pretty recently.

One day, they just showed up and made their way into town, attacking anyone they saw.

Nobody knows what they are, or where they come from.

All we know for sure is that they steal motivation.

We can also guess that, since they move so slowly...

...their nest, or wherever they come from, is probably somewhere close by.

Unfortunately...

I have a job to do here. And I can't afford to leave this town unprotected.

So I haven't been able to find out anything more about those monsters on my own.

I see. So you don't know much more than we do.

But now that we're here, if you're willing to work with us...

...couldn't we keep the town safe and also investigate those monsters at the same time?

Yes, I think that's a very good idea.

Putting aside the matter of the Rogue Servant for the time being...

I believe these monsters are closely tied to this minute Singularity, Master.

So I think finding out what they are and eradicating them completely should help resolve this situation.

？！

Then why don't we split into two teams and go talk to the townspeople to find out what they know?

Master and Astraea can be one team, and Bazett and Medusa can be the other.

This way, you can talk to more people, gather more information, and still make it back to this tavern by night.

How does that sound?

(I see she was careful to exclude herself from that plan...)

(You can tell she really doesn't want to work, can't you?)

... ...

Bazett?

Oh, uh, right.

It probably would be better if someone stayed behind as a liaison.

Are you okay with that, Fujimaru?

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Hey, it's mister bodyguard guy!

I heard you beat up another monster, mister!

That's awesome! You're so cool, mister!

Hmph...

Listen, boys.

I'm not a mister, okay? I'm a miss.

And it's still very dangerous outside town, so make sure you don't wander without an adult.

Is that clear?

Yes sir, mister!

Hngh...

But you know, we're training in secret so that we can fight the monsters someday, too.

And once we're really strong, we're gonna protect the whole town ourselves! That goes for you too, mister!

... ...

That's...great to hear. Hard work will never let you down.

Yeah! So make sure you call us if you're ever in trouble, got it!?

All right, we've gotta get to our secret training now!

See you later, mister! Don't follow us, 'kay!?

... ...

(Sigh...)

Bazett...

Are you...not good with children?

Urk...

Don't be silly. I'm an adult. Of course I don't have any problem dealing with children.

Are you sure? Because you didn't seem very happy to be paired up with me back at the tavern, either.

Are you sure you weren't secretly thinking something like:

"Ugh, I can't believe I've got to team up with a kid. What a pain..."

O-of course not! I would never treat Medusa the Divine Spirit like just some kid!

And I wasn't unhappy about being paired up with you, either. Really, I wasn't. It's just that...

... ...

I...yeah. I'm sorry, you're right; a part of me really was bothered by the fact that you look like a child.

I guess...I'm not entirely comfortable around kids.

I think it's something about how innocent they are at that age.

I never had the luxury of innocence back when I was alive...

...so I never really learned how to interact with children.

... ...

Oh, I see.

You're kind of an awkward person, aren't you?

Awkward!?

I guess it does take courage to trust someone you can't read very well when you're out in the field...

I understand. I have difficulty with information gathering on field missions, too.

But if we work together, I'm sure we can learn something useful.

Fortunately, I have some experience with this, so if you need help, you can ask me.

...Got that?

I-it's not that.

Collecting information is part of my job, so I don't really have any problem with...

... ...

No... You're right. Working together's the way to go.

So if I'm ever in trouble, Medusa, I'll be counting on your help.

Those monsters? Hmm. It sounds like they pop up just about everywhere...

But I remember they attacked me on the north side of town.

I see... It sounds as though these creatures come and go at a moment's notice...

...but it seems like more people have been attacked on the north side than anywhere else.

Is there anything particularly noteworthy there?

On the north side? Nah, just a thick forest.

Oh, wait. That reminds me...

This happened a long time ago, but I think...

...I remember hearing about a sailor who brought something into those woods...or something like that.

？！

A European sailor...

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I suppose you're right.

More importantly, there's something I've been wondering about ever since we got to this town.

Those monsters have been terrorizing the people of this town, right?

So I don't understand...

How can the town be so peaceful and lively, as if there's no threat at all?

Oh, that?

That's all thanks to the xocolatl.

Xocolatl...?

Yay! It's the xocolatl!

The xocolatl's here!

Ahh, thank goodness!

... ...

So, there's a mysterious man who comes to town every now and then to hand out a drink he calls xocolatl.

And as soon as you drink it, it restores all the motivation the monsters took from you and leaves you feeling like a million dollars.

So, is it just me...

...or is that incredibly suspicious?

？！

Well, at least this man showed up to town at just the right time.

Let's collar him and make him cough up everything he knows.

？！

Heee hee hee hee!

Come one, come all! Heed my call and collect your haul! My xocolatl is guaranteed to provide satisfaction and full bellies!

Everyone, line up nice and neat! Rich and poor alike are welcome here!

Ah, but no pushing, no jostling, and no cutting in line! Keep a respectable distance! You're all smart folk, right?

Don't worry, there's plenty of xocolatl to go around!

Now raise your cup and drink your fill! Recover your fatigue, relieve your stress...just be careful not to overdrink it!

Don't miss out on the biggest hit of the year! Step right up and get your favorite tasty treat: delicious xocolatl!

？！

Huh? Yeah, freakin' duh. Only Chaldea would bother to help

(Oh crap. They're here.)

I mean... Who, me? No, nooo, of course not. I'm just a passing chocolate fairy, that's all.

You couldn't be more suspicious if you tried. Tell me, what is it you're doing here?

If you know anything about the monsters, we'll be glad to hear what you have to say.

Come on now, tell us everything.

Eep.

Uh... Well, never mind that now. Excuse me, miss? The one who looks like she's got a talent for arm bars?

Now that I look closer, heeheehee, I can see that there's...

...a m-m-monster behind you!

Oh please.

Yes, I enjoy a good arm bar as much as the next girl, but that doesn't mean I'm going to fall for the oldest trick in the book.

If you don't want to talk to us, I'll be happy to give you a live demonstration of a jumping reverse armlo

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Monsteeers!!!

Run for your lives!!!

Like they say, speak of the devil. And on that note, shop's closed for the day!

Thank you, good luck with those monsters, and please come again!

Why...that...

...stinking no-good huckster!!!

...!

？！

Come now, Master. Who do you think I am?

I may not be back at peak condition yet, but I'm certainly not about to let rabble like this get the better of me!

Master! Astraea! Sorry we're late!

I can't believe so many of them showed up in the middle of town!

Fujimaru, I'm going to need your help! Let's get these things out of this town!

Oh, hello, everyone. Welcome back. How did it go?

I've just been collecting alms after hearing the odd confessions here and there.

Stop. Please, just stop. I'm begging you.

The entire point of coming to a bar is drinking your troubles away, not dwelling on them!

Ugh! The nerve of that stinking no-good huckster!

Next time I see him, I'm going to put him in the chokehold of his life before he even gets a word out!

Hmm...

I'd heard rumors of a man distributing xocolatl...

...but for some reason, he never seems to show up when I'm in town.

I wonder who he could be...?

If he's a Chaldean Servant, too...

...then does that mean he Rayshifted here, like Amor did?

Or did someone in this minute Singularity use the Holy Grail to summon him?

？！

I see. I guess you had an eventful outing then.

This, um, stinky huckster does sound interesting... But what about information pertaining to the monsters?

Yes, we did learn something about them.

Apparently, a sailor living in the woods north of town once brought a mysterious something there.

It would probably be worth our time to go check the woods out.

I see. Part of me wants to head out right now...

But we should probably wait till morning.

The last thing we need is to run into more of those magical energy

I mean, motivation-stealing monsters in the dead of night.

？！

Oh, right. I'm sure it'll be cramped, having all four of you stay in one room.

So why don't you come stay in mine, Fujimaru? I'd like to hear more about Chaldea, anyway.

... ...

... ...

Whoa...

Very nice. Just the kind of hellish vibes I'd expect to see around Valentine's Day.

Might I suggest a less potentially violent means of deciding room assignments?

Good idea! Oh, come to think of it...

I've heard that rock-paper-scissors is a fair and impartial way of settling differences of opinion.

Why don't we go with a round of that?

Fine by me. I know how to play.

And with Master here to watch over things, we can be sure there'll be no cheating.

Oho...

Are you sure about this? I'm very good at rock-paper-scissors, you know.

Bring it on! All right, here goes!

Rock! Paper! Scissors!