Section 5: Major Counterattack by the Imperial Army

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Whoa... Lady Huyan Zhuo! Lord Huang Feihu!

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And that's Qin Liangyu, the female general who cracked down mercilessly on bandits!

A-and that's

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Taigong Wang...the legendary tactician!

Here are our formations!

Qin Liangyu, you'll lead the left wing. Huang Feihu, you'll lead the right.

Yes, my lady!

You got it!

And Lord Taigong Wang, you will be overseeing our tactical operations. I trust there are no objections!?

Then let us begin our third assault on Mount Liang! All units, advance!

We're under attack! Again!

Bahahahaha! So, those villainous scoundrels have yet to learn their lesson, have they!?

Very well then! I, Don Quixote de la Mancha, shall tear them to shreds and use those shreds as confetti!

...Hmm. I'm getting a bad feeling about this, sir.

Especially after what I'm seeing in the advance party.

R-really!?

What do you think, Lady Boudica? Lady Zenobia?

Hmm... It looks like the commanders have changed? No, wait... There's also more of them.

...This is very bad. This army is far more formidable than it was yesterday.

It shouldn't be possible to make so many soldiers this much stronger overnight.

Which must mean their commanders are

...

What's wrong, Robin Hood?

I've got some bad news. More Servants have joined the Imperial Army.

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I think the first one is Qin Liangyu.

And it looks like the second is...Taigong Wang.

You mean the real one!?

Or at least, that's what the Imperial Soldiers are saying.

...! If that's true...that's very bad indeed.

I can't see him too well from here, but he already seems like a tactician's tactician.

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For the time being, let's see how far we can get in battle.

After all, this is Mount Liang: the end of the line for outlaws on the run.

Even if we wanted to flee, there's nowhere to go.

You heard him, Leader! We'll just have to do the best we can!

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Yeah!

Whoa!

Keep firing! Don't worry about running out of arrows! Keep that archer pinned in place!

Rrgh, get off my case!

C'mon! Somebody else shoot 'em back already!

We can't! We're not nearly as good as you!

As soon as we stick our heads out, they'll be filled with arrows!

Oh, right. Good point!

Amakusa Shirou asked me to come here to help!

Though it doesn't seem that there is much I can do!

How're things looking on the other side!?

Hraaah!

Hrn!

If you thought you could surprise me with an ambush, think again.

Hup.

Not even a two-pronged one.

Yikes...

Well, I'm out of ideas... Okay, I'm getting out of here.

Yes, I think you should.

Psych!

...So, you dodged that as well.

No, I can't take credit for that one. That was all our excellent Master's doing!

...That's what he said!

I see... So they do have the pumpkin-headed version of you on their side, Master.

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Still, I'm guessing that means the other Master formed a contract with Huyan Zhuo.

Hmm. Oh, right. We're still fighting.

All right then, let's give them all we've got!

Now you're talking!

Hell yeah. My fists'll take them all down!

This won't be an easy battle, but let's hang in there as best we can!

It was close, but we made it! They're certainly putting up a fearsome fight, though.

...! Here she comes!

Ha!

Elisa the Nine-Tattooed Dragon! Yan Qing! This ends here and now!

...However, if you surrender willingly, no more harm will come to you!

'Fraid we can't do that! After all, we're with Mount Liang!

That's right! ...Little Zhuo!

I'm happy to be called that, but I still need you to cut it out!

Please fall back, Lord Taigong Wang! And make sure Master stays safe.

You got it. I'll command the army while you're otherwise occupied.

What do you wanna do here, EllyI mean, Nine-Tattooed Dragon?

...I'm gonna fight Little Zhuo one-on-one!

If I can beat the snot out of her here, it should turn the tide all at once!

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I can, and I will! Please, Shi Jin. Lend me your strength!

...Understood!

Aha! I knew you were here, Shi Jin! Elisa the Nine-Tattooed Dragon! I'm going to do whatever it takes to stop you!

Death to Mount Liang!

Let's fall back, Master. I think we should both stay out of this!

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Here I come!

Let's go!

Got you!

Urk... Khh...

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Now...do you see...you can't...win? So just...give up...and surrender!

...No.

...!

No, no, no! I don't wanna surrender! I'll never surrender!

You stubborn little...!

Huyan Zhuo, you big jerk! You big dummy! Meanie!

Ghh!

I... I...

I hate you!!!

Gah!

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Those insults must've hit her really hard!

Hmm... Since our general is coughing up blood, I guess this is as far as we go today.

But that's all right. We were winning up till now, and we can always do so again.

Sounds like you're pretty confident.

Hehehe.

(Now then, who should I attempt to contact secretly once this battle is over...?)

Hm?

Pardon me, madam. Would you accept my business card?

Oh, how polite of you. I take it you're about to retreat then?

That's right. We decided to call it a draw for today. Give the order to retreat!

Yes, sir!

All hands, retreat! Retreat!

D-did we win?

No... They're only letting us go for the time being.

I don't know if we'll be able to hold out the next time they attack.

Heeey! Someone help me reset these traps!

I will. Or rather, one of my golems will.

I appreciate the thought, but these traps are kind of intricate. Can those things handle delicate operations?

This is a figure one of them painted.

Holy hell, the attention to detail's insane...

Bottoms up!

Should we really be doing this now? Wouldn't a postmortem be better?

We can't do that. Just look at poor Elly.

Waaaaaaah!!!

Sh-she's actually having a tantrum! Complete with flailing around on the floor and everything!

I... I... I...!

I told her I hate her...

Oh. And here I thought you were upset about losing.

Who cares about losing!? I feel so bad about what I said to Huyan Zhuooo!

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Leadeeer! What'm I gonna dooo!?

...Well, usually when you have a fight with a friend, you would apologize for starters, but...

It's also a fact that Huyan Zhuo's been trying to destroy Mount Liang.

So I honestly don't feel like she can complain about you hating her.

But I don't hate her! I like her!

This is harder than I thought.

Oh, I don't know. Maybe we're just overthinking this.

How so?

Hey, Elly?

Hm?

Do you want to apologize to Huyan Zhuo?

...Uh-huh.

But you don't want to let her have Mount Liang either, right?

...Nuh-uh.

Then let's start by apologizing to her. Tell her you're sorry for saying you hate her.

Just because you're not willing to let Mount Liang go doesn't mean you can't apologize for that.

But...

Yes, I know.

Huyan Zhuo...Little Zhuo? Little Zhuo is trying to destroy Mount Liang.

We can't let her do that. But...

...there's no rule that says you have to hate her because of it.

And remember...

...she looked pretty shocked when you told her you hate her.

Which means she doesn't hate you, either.

(Gasp!)

And that means you two can still make up.

You do like her, right?

...Yeah. Yeah!

Now, come on. You still haven't eaten, right?

Why don't you have some of the yummy food everyone made and cheer up?

Okay! Bye-bye!

...Impressive. I don't think I could have ever gotten through to her like that.

Hehe, let's just say this sort of thing lines up with my particular skills.

You know, Huyan Zhuo may be trying to destroy Mount Liang, but she doesn't mean Elly any harm.

I feel like there may be more to this than we're seeing right now...

Now then.

The fact that he gave me this "card" (read: talisman) must mean there's more going on with them than we knew about.

...Let's go over everything we know.

Our enemy thinks that getting rid of Mount Liang will make this Singularity disappear.

And we think that completing it is what will make it disappear.

Under most circumstances, the Imperial Army would definitely be correct.

Yet we are the ones with Elisa the Nine-Tattooed Dragon, which basically proves we're correct.

Hmm, that's strange. Something doesn't add up...

So you noticed too, hm?

Taigong Wang? Is that you?

Yes, it is. I see you're all alone right now.

I didn't see any reason to tell the others. It would probably just make things more complicated.

So, what's going on here, anyway?

I'm so glad you understand! As far as I can tell, the biggest problem is Mount Liang itself.

If I'm not mistaken, both of the options we're choosing between...

...would result in disaster.

You mean, we shouldn't destroy OR complete it?

That's right. So if those options are off the table, what other choices do we have?

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I'm fine. I'm completely fine.

Like hell you are. You're going to bring the whole army's morale down if they see you like that.

I'll give the soldiers their orders for now. You just stay here.

Keep an eye on her, Master.

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I'm fine. Really. I knew this kind of thing would happen.

How could it not, with me trying to destroy Mount Liang?

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How am I gonna go ooon!?

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It's not like I don't have a good reason for this!

I do! A really, really important one!

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I, uh... I don't think my heart could handle that. The memories... They're just too painful...

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Yes... I suppose I could tell you, Master. That should be okay.

Oh, but, I do have one request to make. Could you please hold on to me while I'm talking?

I need a constant reminder that someone else is here with me, or else I'll feel like I'm hopelessly alone.

Anywhere except my leg is fine. I wouldn't want you to burn yourself.

Oh, and if I could make one more request...I'd really appreciate it if you could praise me here and there.

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...P-perfect. Okay, I'll tell you.

If you can forgive me for using foul, cruel, and pathetic language...

...it's a horribly shitty story.

...And there you have it.

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Huh? Do...do you really think I should...?

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I... I don't want to...

She might say she hates me again... And besides, there's a chance she might realize it herself...

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But...I don't think I could take it...if the Servants of Mount Liang said anything negative about me again...

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!!!

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...I-I see.

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But...I still need one more push...

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Hmm... Speaking as an Empusa more than Huyan Zhuo, I think I'd like you to appreciate who I am on the inside.

So, if you could say things like "You're not fragile. You're sensitive"... Or "You're not just putting up a bold front. You have real pride"...

Or "You're not naive. You're kind and empathetic"... I think those are the kinds of compliments I need to hear now.

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I'm very sensitive, so if you don't praise me well, I'm going to bawl like a little baby!

Now, please! Go ahead!

Hey. Have you calmed down ye

Um... Is there a reason you're crawling around convulsing on the floor?

Heh, hehehe... Hello, Huang Feihu. Don't mind me... I've just been hearing a few too many flowery words...

I think I might just be the greatest in the whole world...

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Hmm, I see. Well, as long as there's nothing wrong...

So, what shall we do tomorrow?

You need to ask? ...Tomorrow, we settle this once and for all.

I'm going to destroy Mount Liang...

...and I'm going to recruit everyone there to our side.

Say what?

That's right. I want it all.

Shi Jin, Elisa, Yan Qing...they're all my precious allies.

So I'm going to do whatever it takes to win them over, just like Lord Song Jiang!

Heh... Talk about being greedy! But I like it! I like it a whole lot!

Right!?

And if we lose, then we lose! In the worst case, I'll be there to pick up the pieces!

Heh... You still don't get me, do you, Huang Feihu?

Hm?

Please don't make me think about losing before we've even begun to fight!

It makes me scared of losing, which makes me constantly second-guess myself...

...and before long, I start worrying that everything I do will make us lose so much that I basically become paralyzed!

O-oh. I see. Um... I'm sorry?

Let's just think about winning! Just winning!

... ...Ghh.

That's the spirit, Lady Huyan Zhuo! You're just as great as I thought you were!

I AM pretty great, aren't I!?

Yes, you are!

(That was close! Thank you, Lady Qin Liangyu!)

(Not at all. I understand how she feels. All we have to do is back her up.)

All right, why don't we start by having Lord Taigong Wang come up with a plan of attack?

We obviously can't afford to have things go the same tomorrow as they did today, after all.

Somebody bring Lord Taigong Wang here!

Yes, my lady.

Taigong Wang, at your service. I take it this is about tomorrow's operation?

Yes, that's right.

I have something I wish to discuss with you about it.

By all means.

I'd like to avoid killing the Mount Liang Servants if at all possible.

I don't want to see them dead. I want to win them over to our side.

I know this is a selfish request, but

A tactician exists to make their commanding officer's wishes come true.

It would be one thing if this were impossible barring a miracle...

...but I would be a poor excuse for a tactician if I refused a request that was perfectly possible.

That being said, we WILL need a somewhat...outlandish scheme now that we've come this far.

Or perhaps it's more accurate to say we'll need to be reckless and foolhardy?

Just so we're perfectly clear, you say you want to win the Mount Liang Servants over to our side?

And that you would prefer not to kill them, if possible?

...That's right.

Understood!

Then here's the plan. I'd like you all to... (Whisper, whisper)

All right. Thanks for being patient, Master.

Did you bring the others with you?

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Hey.

So what's this all about? We've got an early morning tomorrow, you know.

Master said you wanted to talk to us, Molay?

...I take it whatever this is about is urgent.

Yes, it is. First, I need to tell you something: I've been in contact with Taigong Wang.

Welp, time for you to die then.

Wait! At least hear me out first! Besides, if I'd betrayed you, why would I be telling you this!?

Do you see any signs of a nighttime ambush here!? No, you don't! Because there isn't one!

I suppose you're right. Hmm... So does this mean Taigong Wang is betraying them?

No, he would never do that, either. I'll let you in on a secret, but first, we need to do a little analysis.

Yan Qing, I called you here because you know all about Mount Liang.

And Amakusa Shirou, I called you here because I need your help analyzing some magecraft.

You ARE good at that sort of thing, right?

Of course I am. So, tell me more about this secret.

To make a long story short, completing Mount Liang would be a huge disaster.

Putting all logic and reason aside, doing so would trigger a magecraft ritual.

Are you serious?

Hmm. Sounds similar to a Holy Grail War.

Exactly. It's the type of ritual that sacrifices Heroic Spirits to let the caster do whatever they want.

If Mount Liang were to succeed in gathering 108 outlaws...

...it would trigger a ritual that would provide magical energy to someone who has yet to reveal themself.

Now, here's a question. What sort of person would this hidden someone be?

Well...whoever they are, they couldn't be up to anything good if they haven't shown themself by now.

Hmm... What does Taigong Wang make of this?

Oh, hey there. I think it's safe to say I'm one of the founders of sage arts...maybe?

Anyway, I'm Taigong Wang.

I originally came from the Kunlun Mountains, and now I'm a tactician for the Imperial Army.

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Neither can I, but here I am. I suppose you never know what fate has in store!

Certainly, I don't think anyone would take issue with your skills as one of the founders of sage and Taoist arts.

All right, please, tell us what you think.

Very well.

It's actually not just sage arts that are being used in this spell, but suffice to say, some things are readily apparent to me just by looking at them.

For example, this mastermind's true nature.

Whoever they are, they are either unwilling or unable to show themself. Instead, they're trying to seize power through any cowardly means available.

That's not the sign of someone strong and confident. Whoever is doing this is certainly at the end of their rope.

Well, we definitely can't let the ritual go on as planned then.

True, but that doesn't mean that interfering with Mount Liang's completion is a good idea, either.

Huh? Why not?

If you guys are telling the truth, then completing it'd be a disaster, right?

Yes, it would. But if you avoid completing it because of that...

...then what would you do?

Hmm.

...You make a good point.

Honestly, at this point, I don't think we could stop it, anyway.

Yeah...you're probably right.

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Also?

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Oh...

Hahaha, I'd certainly like to avoid that if at all possible.

The simplest solution would be for all of you to abandon Mount Liang and kill all the Servants who've gathered there, but

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I thought you might say that!

Personally, I would never consider such a poor plan a viable strategy either. So then, what should we do?

Fortunately, I've already made a commitment to Lady Huyan Zhuo.

She told me she doesn't want to kill any of Mount Liang's Servants if at all humanly possible.

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Then our goals are aligned. In that case

Whoa, whoa. Slow down, Taigong Wang.

It doesn't matter how much our goals are aligned.

Those two aren't nearly mature enough to resolve their differences like grown-ups!

...!

You...you're absolutely right!

Oh man, I can't think of a single counterargument. Now what do we do?

Hahaha, good point. I imagine it'd probably go something like this.

Let's be friends!

Yes, let's!

So from now on, you're all my allies!

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We have to keep Mount Liang going! There's no way I'm joining the Imperial Army!

And there's no way I'M ever aligning myself with bandits again!

(Deep breath)

You're dead!!!

The more we try to explain, the more complicated things would get.

And it won't make them any more likely to join the other's side.

When you get right down to it, words alone won't be of any help.

They're going to have to share how they both really feel with each other in another way.

In other words...a duel, huh. I suspected as much.

All right, let's have them fight each other as much as they want and get it out of their systems.

So what do we do to stop Mount Liang from being completed?

Hmm, good question. Ideally, I'd hope you all could do something about that before morning.

Lord Yan Qing. Lord Amakusa Shirou. Master of Chaldea. Can I ask you to take care of that?

Specifically, I'd like you to find all of the traps that I'm sure have been placed around Mount Liang...

...and dismantle them before morning arrives!

Well, we've been doing everything we can to find them while the others are asleep, including slipping in and out of our spirit forms, but

Yes, I'm afraid it's hard to track them with magical energy, since there are just so many Servants there...

I was afraid of that.

Well damn, what do we do now, then? Where're we supposed to look?

If only there was something else we could track...

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Elisa Particles?

Oh, yeah. That's that weird Elisabeth-only element we saw back during the whole Mecha Eli-chan incident, isn't it?

That's it! We should be able to use those particles to track down the traps now!

Um, let me see. The biggest reading I'm getting is...from Elisa the Nine-Tattooed Dragon, of course.

Though naturally, there's also a thin layer of Elisa Particles covering just about all of Mount Liang...

Hm? What's this?

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Y-yes, I did!

I'm picking up a strong Elisa Particle signal in the ground underneath Mount Liang.

Hmm. That certainly sounds suspicious.

We'll go check it out right away. How can we get there?

Right. First, you need to leave the mountain, then...

Okay, you should be able to get into a cave from there!

... ...Stop.

What is it, Amakusa? Is what we're looking for here?

Unfortunately, I'm afraid there's nothing but traps here.

Traps set by the mastermind?

Indeed. Whoever they are, they must really want to keep whatever's hidden in here secret.

There are trap spells from China, the Far East, the Middle East... Even Western-style ones.

Well damn...

And on top of that, there are physical traps that don't rely on magecraft here, too.

We could dismantle them if we took our time, but time is the one thing we don't have right now.

Let's see. We've got seven hours until morning...

...and about eight if we count up until everyone has had breakfast.

Master. Could I ask you a favor?

I'd like you to lend me Hessian Lobo.

With their help, I should be able to get through these traps more quickly.

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True, they are very proud...

If they refuse, then I'll go in by myself. I'll just need you to buy me as much time as possible.

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Yan Qing, would you go back with Master for now? I'll wait here until I receive word.

Got it. We're counting on you, Amakusa!

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Welcome, Wolf King. And you, Headless Horseman.

... ...

Now, now, please don't growl at me like that. If you don't want to do this, you can leave whenever you like.

I only want your help in detecting the traps. I'll take care of the rest.

(Giving a strong thumbs up)

Hahaha, thank you.

All right, let's go. We could be in for a long night.