Section 1: Blessings Upon You

This is Mash Kyrielight! We've arrived at the Singularity! The area seems normal. No magical energy fluctuations.

So I see. The Holy Grail's location hasn't changed, either.

I guess it's being kept somewhere.

The air is nice and clean, and while there are some Demonic Beasts...

...their numbers don't seem to be particularly alarming.

Then it looks like we'll be able to explore this Singularity at our leisure!

Oh my, what a lovely idea!

？！

You're right. We have a job to do first!

Once we pin down this Singularity's source and resolve it, we should have some time to spare.

So why don't we settle everything here, then relax and explore?

Yay!

Hahaha.

Unfortunately, it's still a little early to be thinking that far ahead.

Indeed.

Still, just because we're on a journey to save the world doesn't mean we can't have any fun doing it.

It's all about balance. We can and should stay alert without tiring ourselves out!

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Da Vinci, are you certain the Holy Grail's signal is coming from within the town?

Definitely. Could you start by checking it out?

Okay, let's go!

Hmm. There doesn't seem to be anything strange about the town, either.

Thank you, good sir.

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Yes. It wasn't anything extraordinary...

...but apparently, there's a suspicious figure who skulks around the town church at night.

Hmm, I see. Do you know where this church is?

Yes, it's right this way!

... ...

(They're all praying.)

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(Someone should stay here to keep an eye on the church in the meantime.)

(I'll stay here and pray. The rest of you can take some time to explore the city and return after nightfall.)

(Good idea. We'll see what we can find out elsewhere.)

(That said, my gut tells me we're not going to find much...)

(Yes, I know what you mean... All right, let's meet up again in five hours.)

(Zzz...) (Gasp) I'm awake! I mean, I wasn't asleep!

Yes, you were.

...I was. Ugh! How could I be so careless?

Servants don't even need to sleep. But...then why was I asleep?

Because I put you to sleep.

Nursery!

It's almost the time we agreed on with Johanna, Master.

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'Kaaay!

... ...

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Well, we can't interrupt her if she's praying.

Oh? But what if she's actually just sleeping? I hear that happens sometimes when you're praying.

She could be our very own Sleeping Beauty.

Haha. I can't say I've ever imagined a pope as Sleeping Beauty.

Johanna. It's time to start the investigation.

Oh, already? Hehe, time sure flies when you're lost in prayer, doesn't it?

Are you sure you weren't asleep? There's a bit of drool at the corner of your mouth.

... ...Wh-who, me? H-hehe, don't be ridiculous.

Are you warm, Johanna? You seem to be sweating quite a lot.

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Ahem. Why don't I begin by telling you what I've learned?

I heard rumors about our suspicious figure, but didn't see anyone fitting the description around here.

However, it also seems this church has a basement.

Well, "basement" isn't really the right word.

I asked one of the clergymen about it, and they said this church was built specifically to seal something beneath the ground.

Apparently, building a church here was the only way to purify the evil that lay under the surface.

Hmm, so something evil has been sealed away underground. Things are finally getting interesting.

Whatever this evil is, there's a very good chance it could be what spawned this Singularity.

If that is correct

Then it's probably about to wake up!

Ticktock, ticktock. I wonder if we'll find a white rabbit carrying a pocket watch down there!

Oh yes, that's certainly possible. Okay, Master, let's head down, shall we?

This is...surprisingly spacious.

Fujimaru, Mash.

There's a powerful magical energy signal up ahead, most likely the Holy Grail.

And, of course, we're detecting a hostile entity in the area.

Understood.

Hmm... What do you think, Master?

Should we try to ambush it, or see if there is any chance of reasoning with it?

Of course, since Sheba has classified it as hostile, I expect any attempt at negotiation to be doomed.

But there are likely still things to be learned from attempting to talk with it.

So, what do you say, Master? Shall we go on the attack, or try to negotiate?

Personally, I think an attack is the way to go, but I'll leave the final decision to you!

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Understood. Then, I'm up.

No, no, king from a faraway land.

I shall be going first.

Round and round the door never stops, right into the bubbling pot!

What the...!?

I'm so sorry, evildoer.

But I do hope you'll enjoy your endless sleep in the lost woods outside the pot!

Good work. Now let's keep it up!

I agree. It's important to resolve things peacefully when you can.

If my hunch is right, we may still ultimately need to defeat this person.

But that doesn't mean we should give up before we've even tried.

Got it! I'll try talking to them!

Heeey! Can you hear meee!?

...Who goes there?

...No, never mind. There's no point in asking. This must be the Counter Force at work.

I see. So this Holy Grail was valuable enough to send all of you here to retrieve it.

So you do have a Holy Grail here. Do you plan to use it to grant your wish?

Of course.

This quantity of magical energy still has its limits, but it should be more than sufficient to grant my pointless wish.

You may not believe me, but I can sense something wicked about that Holy Grail.

Even if it does grant your wish, it won't do so in the way you want.

The people who built this church to seal it away must have sensed and feared that malevolence themselves.

The devil may not exist, but as a concept it can still do great evil.

That sort of drivel is just what I'd expect to hear from a member of the Church. So? Did you really expect your babbling to stop me?

... ...No, I didn't.

Master, I'm afraid our attempt at negotiation has failed.

This person isn't going to stop attempting to have their wish granted, no matter the cost of doing so.

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Indeed.

Still, I can't help but admire how unabashedly direct you are with your intentions.

...Which is why I will attempt to sever your head from your body as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Prepare yourself, wicked mage, for your wish will never come true!

Oh? We'll see about that.

The Holy Grail's magical energy is spiking! The mage must have formed a connection to it!

Hehehe. Have at you!

Owl of wisdom! By the grace of God, flap your wings!

Ghh!

The enemy has been incapacitated, Master.

Indeed. Even with the Holy Grail's help, they can no longer move so much as a finger.

Heh... Hehehe...

...!

True, I can't...

And since I can't move so much as a finger...I certainly can't cast a spell...

But...I don't need my fingers...to make my wish!

...No!

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I wish...for...!

Oh, no you don't!