Section 1: They Live

The way I see it, we should be grateful for our food, not critical of it.

Hmm. You're saying we should gladly accept what we are given.

I'd agree with that. If you ask me, we should be like deep-sea fish and eat whatever we can, whenever we can.

I gotta say, I like the way you think. ...But, uh, does that not take taste into account?

Hey. Servants don't actually NEED to eat. Let's not forget that.

So if we are gonna eat, might as well make sure it's the good stuff.

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Well of course you do. You rely on it to survive and thrive, after all.

By the way, Saito or whatever, there's something I wanted to ask you.

"Or whatever"...? Ah, fine.

What is it?

Be straight with me: What did the people of your time think of Sister?

What'd they think of her?

Hmm... Honestly, I don't think they had any opinions on her, really.

What?

I mean, we were literally carrying the fate of Japan on our shoulders back then.

We had way too much on our plate to worry about some random daimyo from the Warring States period.

Hngh.

That being said...Lady Nobunaga's name was definitely invoked to criticize the shogunate sometimes.

There's only so much nasty food I can stomach. How much can you handle?

As much as I have to.

...You're quite modest for a hero.

The leader of a dying nation can't afford to be a picky eater, you know.

Whoops. I hope I didn't say too much.

All I mean is, we mustn't forget to count our blessings at the end of the day.

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I mean, think about it. Historically, we went from Oda Nobunaga to Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Tokugawa Ieyasu, right?

So as far as the Tokugawa shogunate was concerned, Hideyoshi might've been noteworthy as Lady Nobunaga's retainer, but as for Nobunaga herself, well...

Grrr!

That arrogant brat! He was just the Imagawa clan's errand boy! And what would the people of your era know about Sister, anyway!?

Well, yeah. I mean, how COULD they know her?

Oh, there was this one guy from the Edo period, Arai Hakuseki. I remember he had some pretty choice words for Nobunaga in his books.

What!? How dare he!? I am SO gonna review bomb him for this!

Then we get to the Bakumatsu period, when we Shinsengumi were around, and folks started to hold her in high regard.

Makes sense, since the tide was turning against the Tokugawa shogunate by then. But it just goes to show how fickle people are.

Well of course they held her in high regard! Sister should be seen as humanity's crowning achievement no matter the era!

The same thing happened with the Shinsengumi. People couldn't make up their minds about us either.

History's a fickle mistress, that's for damn sure.

By the way, Sister's Master, what do YOU think of her?

...One of these days, I'm going to have to sit you down and explain in excruciating detail why you're wrong.

Now, now. Let's just take it easy, 'kay?

Huh, you think so? ...Well, I guess you've got a point...

But there's more to her than just her frightening aura. Huh? You're aware?

All right, that's fine then.

？！

I agree that it's important to be thankful for the food we're given, regardless of the taste.

However, I don't think that's the same as deciding whether or not to pursue delicious food.

It's natural for humans to desire and enjoy delicious food, or want to share that experience with others.

Though of course, moderation in all things should be a guiding principle.

I see. Well, I don't have any reason to disagree with that.

People's opinions change along with their social standing, thought process, ethics, and environment, including their time period.

But that's just my opinion. I'm not trying to force it on you all.

Still, at times, the very fact that we spoke out about something can have a significant impact on others.

Then we can just keep our mouths shut.

I don't see a need for that. Any influence we have would be relegated to when we were still alive.

Basically, yes.

Now then, Master of Chaldea, I think it's time we ended our break and were on our way.

Oh, and while I know this goes without saying...

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Correct.

...Ah, dammit. This is hopeless.

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Yeah, we've landed ourselves in one hell of a weird place.

Didn't they say we'd be Rayshifting to Europe?

We seem to be in the modern era, but...

...I don't smell a damn thing. Don't sense anything, either.

Yeah. It's just an ordinary office building hallway.

Indeed.

That this place was chosen as the destination of a Rayshift is already strange enough.

Beats me.

Fortunately...well, I guess fortunately, there's no sign of any other people or animals.

Whatever. Let's just get this mission over with.

My Sister energy is depleting as we speak!

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Oh, right, I just remembered. Are our comms working here, Sister's Master?

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Huh.

I can't tell whether it's just bad reception or something actively blocking communications.

I wonder what Sister would make of it...

Well, if nothing else, I'm sure dressed for the occasion. I feel like I blend in here perfectly.

Hm?

Is something wrong?

Nah. I just realized I feel a little off.

...Now that you mention it, I feel strangely heavy, as well.

So do I.

If I'm typically a dolphin, right now I feel more like a horse mackerel.

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It feels as though I'm under some kind of pressure. However, I don't think it should have any effect on my performance.

... ...

What? Why're you poking at the walls?

...There's nothing here.

(It's too empty. Something ain't right. The hell's going on?)

(Every other Singularity we've been to's had at least some residual magical energy.)

(But I don't even feel that here...which means this place is already done for.)

(So what's weakening us, and how?)

Well, we won't learn anything standing around here. Let's begin searching for at least some sort of clue.

The more we explore, the more it looks like just another office building.

Sounds like some B-rated horror movie title.

Agreed. Though it's a shame we don't have any leads.

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All right, we may as well keep going then.

... ...

What about you? Are you just going to stand there?

I've got something to do.

Hmm, is that so. Well, whatever.

Okay, here's our report.

We found documents about the company that used to be in this building, but no personal belongings.

And obviously, the phones are all dead.

The electronicsthat is, the computers, still work but they only show login screens.

Unfortunately, I don't know the login credentials, so I got no further.

We might be able to learn more if we could contact Chaldea, but since we can't...

... ...

I can't see anything outside the windows. It's pitch-black.

Maybe we should take a look at what's outside?

...It's probably safer not to until we know what's going on in here.

I agree. We should first make sure this building is

Arjuna.

...Yes?

You just feel something?

Hm? If you mean the presence of hostile entities, then no, I don't sense anything.

Gotcha...

Why do you ask? Is something wrong?

Something just attacked me.

...!!!

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Everyone, close ranks around Master!

Huh? Wh-where did that come from!? Keep your head down until we know it's safe, Sister's Master!

It's all clear over here! Can you tell us what's going on here, Cú Chulainn Alter!?

... ...

You said something attacked you, yes? What was it exactly?

...I don't know.

...What?

Don't look at me like that. I don't know what I don't know.

I didn't feel, smell, or see anything nearby.

Dammit. That's the first time I've been wounded by something I can't make heads or tails of.

You're saying it was that fast?

If it were just too fast to see, I'd know.

It isn't just that I was blindsided; I couldn't even tell what was happening.

I sehuh!?

...It seems I've just been attacked, too. My Spirit Origin is damaged.

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This is...quite a strange experience.

The fact that we've been attacked means there must be something here...

...but I have no idea what it could be.

Think it's got something to do with us being weakened?

Nah, it ain't that.

Weakened or not, Servants are still weapons.

I can't imagine there's any sort of attack out there I can't get my head around.

Only reasonable answer is something from a whole other dimension.

...How're you doing, Nobukatsu?

I'm still uninjured...I think.

But there's no way in hell I could hope to dodge an attack even those two couldn't see coming!

Yeah, that tracks. I'm pretty confident about my ability to survive...

...but around these two, I don't think it'll make much of a difference.

Battles where you never so much as see the enemy aren't battles. They're massacres.

And of course, we'll be the ones getting massacred. If we stay here, we'll lose. Simple as that.

...We need to get out of here, Master.

I agree. I propose we make a temporary retreat.

Much as I hate to say it...

Sounds fine to me.

It's way better to run off with our tails between our legs than to stay here and get slaughtered.

Of course. We can, and should, come back once we've had a chance to regroup.

It's a chance to ask Sister what she thinks, so I definitely agree!

You don't think she'll get mad that you ran off with your tail between your legs?

No, she wouldn't.

There's nothing wrong with a tactical retreat when it's necessary.

Oh, yeah, good point.

Now that you mention it, when Lady Nobunaga ran, it was full speed, wasn't it?

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All right, let's head back to the hallway we Rayshifted to.

Master, stay low and keep your head down. Don't look up for anything, got it?

Nobukatsu and I will be at your front and rear.

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... ...

... ...

Dammit!

We're under attack!

...It's no use! I can't see 'em anywhere!

Me neither! What the hell is this!?

We'll just have to fight 'em off as best we can. Be ready to destroy the whole damn hallway!

Arjuna!

...What are your orders, Master?

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Understood. Transitioning to combat mode!

...Who's there!?

Hm!?

What do you people think you're doing!?

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Never mind that now. Where are your glasses!? You need glasses!

Let's see... Good, I've got two extra pairs. Here!

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Great!

...That's more like it. All right, Master, let's hear your orders!

Long as I can see it, I can kill it!

This thing's persistent, but I can still finish it off for good!

Stop! Killing it will just make things worse!

Huh!?

What're you talking about?

I'll tell you later! There's a safe room not too far from here!

If we can just make it there, we'll be safe for a bit!

...Got it.

Huh. Never would've expected you to be so...compliant.

We don't know what these things are, why they're like this, or what the hell's going on, so we don't have much of a choice.

Normally I'd just fight these things off, but this is pretty far from normal.

You can say that again.

All right, guy, show us the way to this safe room then.

Of course. This way!

... ...

...Nope, can't see without 'em on. Not to mention that

...Ah, whatever.

...Phew.

...The enemy didn't follow us here. Looks like we're safe for now.

Well, that's good to know. Phew... ...All right, so who are you, anyway?

Oh, right. I'd like to tell you my name, and I know this is when I should...

...but I'd really rather not. Sorry.

Ahahahaha. You really think that's gonna fly?

I'm a Servant. That much is certain.

Perhaps I was summoned here to resolve this situation...

...or maybe it was because I was searching for a Holy Grail.

Either way, it doesn't change the unfortunate fact that...I have no Servant abilities.

Right now, I'm really not much more than a typical human in strength and ability!

...It seems you're telling the truth. So then

Yes, so I'm afraid I'm a little too ashamed to actually give you my name right now.

I mean, think about it.

Let's say I said I was King Arthur, only without Excalibur, the Round Table...

...or even the faintest idea of how to use a sword.

How would you react?

I'd think you were messing with us.

Right?

So I hope you can forgive me for not introducing myself properly.

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Hmm, good point. Let's see...

How about Miuh, Michael? Can't get much more common than that, right?

I'll say. Hell, it's so common it feels almost weird to call a Servant that.

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The pleasure's all mine.

All right, now that things have settled down, let me tell you what's going on, starting at the beginning.

First, those invisible Demonic Beasts.

You probably already know this, since some of you already fought and were injured by them...

...but they operate on a very troublesome concept.

It's not just that you can't see them. It's that technically they don't exist to begin with, even when they're attacking you.

They don't exist...?

That's right. Which is why we're not able to harm them. They're invisible, have no scent, can't be sensed...

In spite of all that, they can still harm US. In fact, it's the only way they can interact with us.

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Hahaha, I guess you could say that.

...My guess is, those Demonic Beasts are the reason why this Singularity is the way it is.

And unfortunately, I still don't know how to defeat them.

Hang on. I'm not buying it.

The glasses are what let me fight the Demonic Beast. And I can tell I did some damage.

I could've finished it off if you hadn't stopped me.

You think I didn't try doing exactly that?

...

...Now I see. Let me guess.

Your power was stolen.

That's right! I'm impressed! You must be either very intuitive or have exceptional powers of observation.

It just seemed like the logical conclusion, given the situation and your lack of abilities.

Whoa, whoa, back up. Your power was stolen?

That's right. Though I don't know if the Singularity itself or the Demonic Beasts were responsible.

All I know for certain is that once a Demonic Beast is defeated, it disappears along with the power of the person who defeated it.

And, I've unfortunately learned that there are quite a few of these Demonic Beasts.

Even if each of you defeated one of them, it wouldn't so much as put a dent in their numbers.

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I take it you're their Master?

Then you can rest easy for now, at least unless you suddenly become as strong as a Servant.

It seems like the Demonic Beasts are only going after meals they find satisfying, so to speak.

All right, next question. What's with the glasses?

They're part of this Singularity. Think of them as a kind of Mystic Code.

They don't just let you see those Demonic Beasts. They also...

Yes, that's right.

These glasses have been enchanted so that their wearers may act with some measure of intellect.

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I don't really gotta tell you that I'm a Berserker, Master.

My Madness Enhancement would never let me stop mid-battle unless it was for something earth-shattering.

Not to mention this Michael guy here isn't even my Master.

There's no way I'd stop in the middle of a fight to listen to some random guy under normal circumstances.

So the fact that I was able to must mean there's something up with these glasses.

That's right. These glasses make their wearer intellectual.

They don't alter your typical combat prowess, but they will give you rational warnings against hasty killings.

Tch...

I'm guessing you're the most prone to going berserk here, so the self-control says a lot.

Is that everything you know?

Yes.

Right after my summoning, the Demonic Beasts attacked me, and I was forced to retreat.

I happened upon these glasses in the basement and learned they were Mystic Codes.

So I put on a pair, went back to fight the Demonic Beasts, and won.

Aha. Gotcha.

So these glasses can suppress madness, but they don't suppress reason.

That means you ignored the warning your rational mind was giving you, coldly finished off the Demonic Beast, and

Ahahaha. I guess it just goes to show how important it is to listen to your rational mind sometimes!

Anyway...

At this point, this may be obvious, but I believe you and I share a goal.

What do you say we work together to resolve this Singularity?

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Great! It's a deal!

All right, we should discuss our next course of action.

First of all, we'll need glasses for everyone.

I brought two spare pairs just in case the pair I've got on now broke, but

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Right. However, I'm fairly sure there were more glasses where I found these.

Let's go to the basement. If we run into any Demonic Beasts on the way, remember to focus on driving them off, not killing them.

Got it.

We should avoid combat as much as possible. Fortunately, with your strength, we should be able to do that.

I don't like relying on you so much, but...

Don't worry about it. That's our job as Servants.

We just have to make it to the basement. All right, let's go!