Section 3: That Which Emerges Last and Cuts First

All right, I put up a simple Bounded Field all around the town.

It's not much more effective than vermin deterrent, but it should still help against unintelligent creatures.

Alas, I'm afraid I have to remain in town to maintain it.

As much as it pains me to do this, I have to ask you to investigate the woods without me.

Hehe.

I knew we could count on a Divine Spirit like Amor. What a perfectly logical decision that was.

I could never hope to put up a Bounded Field that large.

With her maintaining it, I can leave the town knowing it's in good hands.

We'll have to make the most out of this expedition as a way of thanking her for her help.

I guess if we're being extremely generous, we could say we're just giving the right job to the right person.

The truth of the matter is that she's just using you, though, Bazett.

I agree. You're too honest for your own good.

She's obviously pawning all the hard work off on us.

Huh? You've got to be kidding!

So, what? You're saying I've been fooled into going somewhere dangerous, and convinced it was my idea!?

I pride myself on being skilled enough to handle anything on my own, even missions that would normally require a team.

I'm an elite Seal Designation Enforcer who's equally adept at exploration, negotiation, and combat.

And I'm an excellent judge of character as well, I'll have you know!

At least...I think I am? What do you think?

...Well, I'm convinced. You're definitely a combat expert.

And an obvious mark.

You may as well have a giant target painted on your forehead as far as someone like Amor's concerned.

？！

What? You want to say something, Fujimaru?

You know, I was a Master once, too. You could be a little more respectful when you talk to me.

Really, if anything, you should be begging me to teach you, since I have so much more experience.

？！

Come to think of it, you said something to that effect earlier too, didn't you?

Does that mean you once took part in a Holy Grail War?

The Holy Grail War...

I know it's a ritual involving seven mages summoning seven Servants...

...and having them fight to activate a Holy Grail that can grant the winner a wish.

At least, that's what the grown-up me said.

Yes, that's right.

It's just the sort of plot I'd expect to see from a handful of scheming humans.

No miracle gained in that manner could be of any actual value.

...

I suppose it makes sense that you'd think so, since you're a Divine Spirit.

But fate is a force that's simply too powerful for humans to reckon with.

It doesn't matter how successful or talented a person may be. Everybody wishes for something.

...Does that mean you had a wish you wanted granted as well?

...I don't know. That's one of the things I can't seem to remember clearly.

All I know is that I was one of the Masters who fought in a war...

...that I was forced to drop out halfway after a bitter defeat...

...and that I managed to summon the greatest hero I could ask for as my partner.

Oh? Hehe, I can see you're dying to know who it was.

Well, don't worry, Fujimaru. I'm sure you've heard of him, too.

My partner was none other than Ireland's Child of Light... The great hero known as Cú Chulainn!

？！

Hehe, surprised? Of course you are.

I mean, this is THE Cú Chulainn I'm talking about! Hero among heroes! Warrior among warriors!

He's not the kind of person any old human can hope to come across!

I mean, I can't remember what he looked like right now, but I still know for a fact it was him!

？！

？！

... ...

How?

What is he doing there...? No, wait. More importantly...!

Does this mean that, if I were to go to Chaldea too, I could...see him again?

Wait! Hang on! I-I need more time to prepare!

(Oh?)

(Do you think...?)

(Nod)

(Just look at how she's reacting.)

You two! I know what you're whispering about! Knock it off!

？！

Me? Go to Chaldea...?

... ...

N-no, I shouldn't.

It wouldn't be right for me to answer a summon for personal reasons.

And besides, right now, I've been called to this land and sworn to protect that town.

I can't think of anything else besides that until I've completed my mission!

Waaah... Waaah...

Ulp.

I'm sorry, Fujimaru. I didn't realize that would be such a shock to you.

I-I never meant to make you cry. It's just, there's an order to these things that

？！

What a bitter cry...

If we hear it this clearly, it can't be coming from that far off.

Ah! Look, over there.

It's...a shack? What's a shack doing out here?

It doesn't look like anyone's home.

Or that anyone's been here in a long time, for that matter.

Waaah... Waaah...

No, wait. There's someone crying in that corner.

... ...

The ghost of a sailor? That must be who was crying.

Hey, wait. I just had a thought.

Are you the sailor who brought something into these woods?

...! ...!

Hmm... He's definitely trying to tell us something.

？！

Yes, it does look like that's what he's saying. It's a shame we can't seem to hear him.

Waaah...

He's gone...

But I think I saw him pointing to something before he disappeared.

It was probably the book on this desk. Looks like it's some kind of journal.

Hmm...

It seems to be more of a memoir than a logbook.

Seems like his captain was a real piece of work. There're pages and pages of complaints.

... ...

？！

At one point, it looks like he discovered a mysterious fruit on another continent.

His captain apparently didn't want to hear about this fruit, even though the locals treasured it.

The sailor figured he could make a bundle from it...

...so he decided to take some back with him to do just that.

A mysterious fruit? Does it have any connection to our business here?

I'm not sure...

After he finally found a "shady-looking local" that was willing to do business with him...

...he eventually managed to get ahold of a few seeds.

At least, that's what his memoir says.

So not the fruit, but the seeds. What did the sailor do with those seeds?

After he brought them back to this land...

...he began secretly growing them in a number of remote places where no one else would find them, starting with these woods.

It says he called the seeds "Theobroma" and came here regularly to care for them.

Theobroma... That's Greek; it means "food of the gods."

Quite a nice name, especially from a boorish sailor.

？！

What is it, Master? Is there something on your mind?

？！

Oh, wait, there's more.

Apparently, just when the Theobroma had finally started to sprout...

...he fell seriously ill, and was unable to come care for them for a long time as a result.

Then, when he finally came back, he found that the sprouts had already died...

I see. That's too bad.

That must have been very disappointing...

The rest of the memoir is filled exclusively with his...regrets.

It's all like, "Just plant it anywhere, my ass," and, "Some easy-to-grow plant that turned to be..."

And, "How dare that damn local and her stupid suspicious outfit trick me?" and so forth.

Then his handwriting becomes reaaally sloppy...and that's where it ends.

I see. So that ghost must have wanted someone to hear his tale of woe.

He must have been trapped here ever since he died, unable to move on because of his grudge.

It's a selfish, petty reason, but I can't help but feel a little sorry for him, anyway.

Hmm...

I was hoping we'd learn something about those monsters, but it seems we weren't so lucky.

Well, this turned out to be a complete waste of time, didn't it?

...!!! ...!!!

？！

Medusa, that scythe of yours can kill the undead, right? Why don't you put him out of his misery?

Um... I'm not really comfortable with that.

I think we should bring Amor here later. She seems like she'd be an expert on helping spirits pass on to the afterlife.

My, my. How surprisingly kind of you. And here I thought Medusa was famous for being a terrifying monster.

Or is this just what you were like before you grew up?

All right then, we can let Eroser, Amor take it from here. In the meantime, let's see if we can find anything else in these woo

Shh! Quiet!

I knew it. This IS where the monsters are coming from. I wonder if they're returning from an assault.

The town should be safe with Amor looking after it, but the roads outside are still unprotected.

We need to find out where they're coming from as soon as possible if we're going to resolve this problem for good.

I bet we'll find their nest if we follow them.

Come on, let's go. Try not to lose sight of them.

...!

？！

...!?

Wha...

What the...!?

What a horrific looking tree... What in the world happened here!?

I can't imagine anything like this being natural!

I wonder...

Could this be the Theobroma tree that ghost sailor mentioned in his memoir?

？！

Cacao? You mean, that's a cacao tree?

Then, that sailor brought back cacao seeds!?

But, I thought his memoir said that the sprouts died.

Everyone, look what those monsters are doing...

They're...dissolving into that dark liquid at the foot of the tree?

And it looks like that's revitalizing the tree...

Aha, I see what's going on now.

Those monsters are essentially working for that tree. They go out to steal motivation from humans...

...then they come back here and feed it to the tree!

... ...

Saying it aloud really drives home how absurd this all is...

You're saying those monsters are stealing motivation from people...

...and using it as food to help this tree of theirs grow?

Ngh...

There's no doubt about it. This tree must be the cause of the minute Singularity.

I'd like to get rid of it right now if we could...

...but it'll probably sap our will to fight if we get too close, just like that monster did with Astraea.

How do we go about this, Master?

？！

That's quite the tall order, Master. But yes, I think we can manage that.

Medusa, Bazett. On my mark, I want all three of us to attack at the same

... ...

Huh?

Bazett? What are you doing!?

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!

These children may still be weak...

...but that doesn't mean you can steal their dreams.

No adult with a lick of common sense is going to stand back and let you do that.

...I may still have a lot to learn, but even I know that much.

？！

Be warned, Theobroma monsters. I don't get angry often...

...but you've managed to really piss me off.

If you think you can steal my motivation, you're welcome to try.

But don't expect me to go down without a fight!

(Sigh)...

Didn't you say you used to be a Master yourself, Bazett?

I must say, I feel for your Servant.

Astraea...

Still, for better or worse, Chaldea is full of busybodies who just can't mind their own business.

If you ever plan on being summoned there yourself one day, you'd better start getting used to working as a team.

Please listen to Astraea. I can't bear to watch you put yourself in danger, all alone.

You don't just have to rely on your own muscles anymore, Bazett. It's okay to rely on us, too. We've got some experience as Servants, you know.

Mmm...

I honestly did feel pretty good about my chances fighting them solo... But you're right.

So with that in mind, will you guys help me out? What do you say, Fujimaru?

？！

Hehe... I like that look in your eyes, Master of Chaldea.

All right then, as the more experienced Master here, I guess I'd better show you what I can really do.

...! ...!!!

Now...get out of our way, you fiends.

I'm going to get rid of that evil monster tree once and for all, even if I have to bring it down with my bare hands!

...! ...!!!

The path ahead is clear! I can see the tree now!

Then let's pay it our...respects!

Nngh! Even my Gandr can't touch it!?

!!!

There's a high-density magical energy signal building up inside the tree! Everyone get down!

It's going to try and hit us with something big!

Hngh!

All this magical energy...it must be the tree's trump card!

And at this distance...!

Fujimaru! I'm going to reveal my Noble Phantasm!

Your Noble Phantasm!?

...!

(That's right. She said she was sure she would win a Noble Phantasm face-off...)

(Then, that must mean her Noble Phantasm is actually...)

Answerer...

(...a counterattack Noble Phantasm!)

Fraga...

...rach!!!

？！

You snapped the whole giant tree at its root... What incredible power.

How did a modern-day human like you get a Noble Phantasm like that?

Aha. Now I see.

This is a Mystic that's been passed down from human to human since the Age of Myth.

You're a Carrier of the Gods... The first one I've ever seen.

Even for a Divine Spirit like myself, against a fellow Mystic, there's no telling what may have happened if we had clashed.

Phew...

Looks like...it worked out.

Huh!?

Wha

What's going on!? That should have completely destroyed the tree!

Look! It's regenerating!

No... That's impossible!

？！

Khh! We'll just have to fall back for n

Um, 'scuse me?

Huh?

This's gonna get a little hairy. Mind moving back a bit?

C'mere. Just a little further.

I-it's you! The stinking no-good huckster!

Just look at them. They obviously can't be trusted.

Who are you, and what are you up to!?

Y-you want us to step back? Is this good?

That's it! Perfect! That's perfect♪

Okay, go ahead!

Ghh... What was that...?

The tree... The monsters... They all just disappeared in an instant.

？！

!!!

You there! Stop! Identify yourself!

... ...

Wha...?

No way!

？！

... ...

...Until we meet again.

Aww, so we're not gonna "talk it out" here? Oh well, I guess there's a time and place for these things.

Heeheehee, welp, you heard the lady, folks! Until we meet again!

Adios, for now!

That was...

...That was me.

Why's there another me!?

？！

Yes, it is. But...

...I still can't help but wonder who that Bazett look-alike was.

Do you really have no idea who she could be, Bazett?

... ...

No, I'm sorry. I'm still trying to process all this myself.

What's more, that light... That blindingly powerful light...

(Was that...Fragarach?)

(And the original one from the Age of Gods, no less? From before the legends...?)

Oh, hey there, Boss. How'd the forest investigation go?

Heh, never mind. The look on your face makes clear it didn't go great.

Well hey, cheer up. Besides, we've got bigger fish to fry right now.

I see you got rid of the monsters. Congratulations on a job well done, everyone.

It's not much, but I prepared a little something to celebrate. Here, follow me.

？！

Oh, hello.

You certainly took your time getting here. Or did I just arrive too soon?

Anyway, please, follow me. We don't want the food to get cold.

... ...

What are YOU doing here!?