Section 7: The Giver and the Taker

Seal Designation...

If the Clock Tower, the de facto headquarters of the entire magecraft world, uses that label for youone given to a single gifted individual only once per generation...

...that mage will then be preserved"sealed" forever...

...whether they want to be or not.

The hunters who do that are known as Enforcers.

Sometimes I wonder...

As Bazett Fraga McRemitz, a Seal Designation Enforcer...

...how many mages have I hunted?

No...not only mages.

How many innocent people did I kill in cold blood simply to accomplish my missions?

They must all have had dreams they were chasing, futures ahead of them.

Most of them probably had families they cared about, too. And I ripped everything away from them.

...That's why I don't understand.

How could someone like me, who only knows how to take...

...be chosen as the vessel for Manannan, a god famed for giving?

... ...

Then again...

At this point...who cares?

It doesn't matter...anymore...

...You're wrong.

That's not true, Bazett Fraga McRemitz.

Manannan...mac Lir...

You can't save everyone just by giving.

Sometimes we need to take away their grief...fate...all manner of obstacles.

But there's something else, Bazett.

When the Holy Grail gave you life, and tossed you out into this world all alone...

...you made friends with the locals and fought alongside trusted companions to achieve a common goal.

Surely this must have helped you realize that there's more to you than simply taking things away from people.

...You think so? I still don't know...

But, if you were right...

...that would be wonderful.

... ...

Either way, it doesn't matter now. It's too late.

I'm a fake. An imposter. The only thing I can do now is...disappear...

... ...

You're not going to disappear. After all

Manannan...? What are you

Along this journey, you found love, kindness, and a reason to fight...

And so, I am going to take everything that makes me who I am...my Spirit Core, my Spirit Origin...

...and give it all to you.

Wha...?

Wait. If you do that...what will happen to you?

At the moment, I'm a combination of both Manannan the Divine Spirit, and Bazett, her vessel.

But if I make you my new vessel once again and reconstruct my Pseudo-Servant form...

...I'm sure I will ultimately be a different person.

I won't be able to retain my memories from this small journey if I return to the Throne of Heroes.

So...I want you to remember them for me.

Manannan, I...

...Are you sure that's really the right thing to do here?

...Yes. I believe it is.

I think this is what Manannan mac Lir needs to become a complete, fully realized Servant.

... ...

And so, I entrust all of Manannan to you, Bazett Fraga McRemitz.

All I ask of you is that you allow Manannan to remain in your heart, right alongside who you are...

...and continue on, ever forward.

And finally, when all else is said and done...

...my greatest wish is for you and that Master to bestow light upon this world, together...

Take this!

Custos Morum!

Caress of the Medusa!

Did we do it!?

We hit it with both our Noble Phantasms at the same time! Was that still not enough!?

Ah!

？！

Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't have much magical energy left, either.

In retrospect...

...transforming into Super Baby Caren without a Holy Grail may not have been the best idea...

？！

... ...

Medusa...? Are you okay?

I'm fine! This is nothing!

Although...my magical energy levels are almost depleted from fighting all those monsters...

Hehe, yeah. Things aren't looking good for us.

...Huh?

Oh!

Is that...!?

... ...

I'm here, now, everyone.

Sorry I'm so late.

Bazett? No, wait. Is this...Manannan's magical energy?

Who... Which one are you?

...Sorry I worried you, Medusa.

...I'm the same Bazett Fraga McRemitz you all know.

But...

You're Bazett!? Then, what happened to Manannan!?

Right now...

I am an ordinary human who has come to possess the power of Manannan, the Divine Spirit.

I am the one who gives all, and takes all!

I am the Pseudo-Servant Manannan mac Lir, god of the sea!

... ...

I see... So her job is over.

That Bazett is now...

... ...

Cú Chulainn...

IBazett...was terrified of you.

No, that's not right... I was terrified of seeing you again.

When Servants return to the Throne, their memories are only preserved as records.

That means you've forgotten about me...and everything we shared...

I didn't think I could ever bear to face you again.

But I'm not running from you anymore!

I, Manannan, will use these fists to rip out my weakness and throw it away!

Is that...rune magecraft!?

Ath nGabla!

Now, there's no turning backany warrior who draws that formation can no longer flee in defeat, and any warrior who sees it cannot retreat.

It is a solemn oath signifying a warrior's unwavering spirit and determination to claim victory!

... ...

If you really are Cú Chulainn, then you know exactly what this rune means.

Theobroma, tree who seeks revenge upon humans, let us settle this matter once and for all.

Will your grudge be enough to pierce me...or will I take your honor as mine?

This battle will be decided with a single blow.

Hmph...

...All right.

I don't know what you've got against me, and I don't care...

But if it's a fight to the death you want, I'm game. Bring it on, Red Branch sprout!

It's over. You're outta here!

Curruiiid!

Heed my call...Answerer!

Coinchenn!!!

Sword of Reverse Light...

Fragarach Aonbharr!!!

She did it! Her Noble Phantasm pierced the trunk of the Theobroma tree!

Look! It's starting to disappear!

... ...

Cú Chulainn... No, Theobroma...

...Thank you. Thank you for letting me see Cú Chulainn once again.

May your soul rest in peace.

These humans... No. We humans may never stop being fools...

...but I still hope we can live in peace together, until this planet finds the answer it seeks.

... ...

？！

You know...I'm not sure myself.

I hope he was, though.

Well, putting all that aside...

...my Holy Grail has returned to me, safe and sound.

Now that's what I call a happy ending.

Yah.

Hey. What do you think you're doing?

Confiscating it! Obviously!

You've proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that nothing good can come of you having a Holy Grail!

This Grail is going back to Chaldea, where they're going to put it to good use.

I swear...

You just can't help but make trouble for everyone around you, can you?

Caren Hortensia.

Oh, right. I forgot the paper bag.

But you know, Bazett, you're really too uptight.

Even Servants need a bit of spice in their lives now and then, right?

Oh, Caren. You could be such a good preacher if you'd just act the part.

Hehe...

Maybe you should take a page from Father Kirei's book and learn to be a little less selfish?

... ...

I think you and I have VERY different impressions of him.

We should have tea and catch up once we get back to Chaldea.

I still don't understand your relationship very well...

...but if you're going to have a tea party, then I insist on joining.

Oh, I'd like to attend, too. I still have questions for Bazett.

Do you mind if I come? I can introduce you to my sisters, too.

Chaldea...

Unfortunately, once this minute Singularity is repaired...I expect I'll disappear along with it.

I hate to say goodbye to you all like this, but

Oh?

I think all that muscle in your head has made you forget something important.

？！

Ah...

Right... That's true.

This did all begin when Manannan was summoned to Chaldea, didn't it?

... ...

I should warn you, I'm still not used to Manannan's power.

But, if that's okay with you

？！

？！

Hehe... Now that that's settled, I have even more good news for you.

You can see the real Cú Chulainn once you get to Chaldea.

(Gulp)

I think there are four of them, right? I wonder which one you knew.

Four of them!?

H-hang on. I need a moment to take all this in...

I know I was talking all big with the Theobroma tree...

...but I'm not actually sure how I should act when I see him again...

Maybe I should resume my journey and take more time soul-searching!

I think you're forgetting something else.

Let's go back to town for now.

I think I know just the gift for you.