Section 3: First Chain: India's Superhero

Okay, let's make sure we're all on the same page. We're facing four Servants who have been transformed into chains to guard the statue.

Every one of their Spirit Origin values seems to be pretty high, so we know they're all dangerous Servants.

So, that would mean...they're like my very own Four Heavenly Kings!

You seem really happy about that, Johanna.

There is?

(Seemingly uninterested)

？！

Hmm.

Since they're all here to protect Johanna, maybe they're affiliated with the Church?

You know, like Georgios, Martha, or Jeanne d'Arc.

You mean, we'll be fighting my ideal self!? O-oh gosh, what am I going to do, Reindeer?

Not necessarily. Let's not forget Valentine's Day is approaching.

So they could be Servants who each embody love in some form.

Love... Y-you mean like, a couple that adores each other?

That means we would probably be seeing Servants like Sigurd and Brynhild.

？！

What do you mean? Siegfried and Kriemhild are archenemies!

Huh?

I watched Kriemhild tell Siegfried that she hated him! Right to his face!

And Siegfried replied, very earnestly:

"I see. Then I'll just have to do my best to earn your affection."

And when she heard that, Kriemhild just screamed and ran out of the room.

That means she must hate him! Why else would they fight like that!?

I'm...really not sure how to explain their relationship...

Those two do have a very, um, special relationship...

Um... Jeanne Lily?

I know how it looks, but the fact is, Siegfried and Kriemhild are very much in love!

Pfft. Yeah right!

Master, I don't know how to explain this any better...

？！

For the time being, I'll tell them to be more mindful of how they behave in public, since they're setting a bad example for the children.

Okay, as for the townspeople...

...they're pretty fired up thanks to the mysterious magical energy that statue is feeding them.

You say fired up, I say filled with murderous bloodlust.

It does look like we'll be able to use the magical energy we got from pacifying those people for ourselves, but...

Hmm... It could also be dangerous if we keep too much of it on hand.

Probably the best thing we can do is convert it into something else so we're not holding too much at a time.

Like, say, chocolate. There's plenty of demand for that in Chaldea right now!

...Well, whoever these Servants are, it ultimately doesn't matter.

They're here to protect my statue, so once they see me, they should be willing to listen.

So let's start by talking to them!

Got it. I'll send you the coordinates of the Servant closest to you now.

Why don't you head there first?

Hahaha, this town still has a great wind blowing through it!

A perfect day to guard the statue!

Who might you be!?

？！

Aren't Servants supposed to keep their True Names to themselves?

... ...

Well, I guess it'd be rude to just keep quiet when someone asks your name! I am Bhīma, one of the five Pandava princes!

That was surprisingly easy! And Bhīma of the Pandavas, no less!

Oh! You know Arjuna!?

Get outta here. Small world, huh?

How's he been doing? Have you got his contact info? Hell, is he even materialized right now?

I'd love to hear anything you can tell me about him!

Allow me to explain.

The five Pandava princes were brothers known throughout India for their martial skill.

In fact, you already know one of them.

Arjuna.

That's my big brother.

Oh wow, you guys know my little bro!? How's he doing!? He eating enough!?

？！

Hmm. That changes things.

Plus, it looks like you guys are the reason I was summoned here...

You know, I think it's time for a break from the chain guardian gig. I wanna talk to you guys for a bit!

Huh?

Course, if we're gonna talk, we need some food too.

There's a little place over that way. C'mon, let's go grab a bite.

W-wait! Aren't you supposed to be protecting the statue!?

Okay, no drinking for me since I'm on the job. But...bottoms up!

I can't believe this is what we're doing. But, at least places like this aren't so bad.

This doesn't make sense... Something's not right here.

Um... Bhīma, was it?

That's me. I'm a Lancer! How about you?

Oh, right, I'm sorry. We should have introduced ourselves sooner.

I'm Mash Kyrielight, a Shielder.

？！

I'm Rama, a Saber.

I'm Nursery Rhyme, a Caster. Though I doubt hearing my True Name will mean much to you.

And I'm Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily, a Lancer.

Nice to meet you!

I'm Johanna, a Ruler. I'm also the statue you're protecting.

Got it!

... ...

Hang on. That was a lot, give me a second to get my head around all of it.

Let's see... You said you're a Shielder, right?

I've never heard your True Name before...but you have fierce eyes. That shield looks pretty sturdy too.

So you must be a great Heroic Spirit, whatever your name is!

Thank you.

And you're Fujimaru, huh? Hmm... So you're a Master, not a Servant.

Fine with me. Nice to meet you!

？！

Rama, the famous king of the "Ramayana." You're from my own country, so I definitely know who you are.

They say you once fought alongside Hanuman?

That great monkey god is a child of Vāyu, just like me.

As far as I'm concerned, that makes him my brother from another mother.

It's an honor to meet one of his trusted comrades!

Thank you. I've heard more tales of your strength and valor than I can count, too.

Hahahaha! Hopefully they're ones that make me look good!

Now, um... You said "Nursery"? Ha, sorry, I have no idea who you are!

Teehee, that's okay. That's just the kind of Servant I am.

Now, the next two are the real problems.

What do you mean by that!?

Okay, uh... You said your name was Jeanne d'Arc...

That's right!

...Sansa...Dilly? And you're a Lancer, right?

Santa Lily.

Hmm, that's a mouthful!

I'll just call you "Santa Santa Santa Lily"!

Wow, he gave up on my name! Did you hear that, Reindeer!? He just went and gave up on my name entirely!

I think this is a cryable offense, don't you!?

？！

Yaaay.

Okay, now that we've got that squared away, let's get to you.

Johanna.

As in, big statue Johanna?

Exactly.

...What're you doing here?

Master, can I try explaining the situation to him?

Okay. This is going to get a little complex, but...

Hm. Okay, so what you're saying is, this is all your fault.

That's an awfully uncharitable summary, don't you think!?

But, I guess that's all right. The point is, the statue needs to be destroyed.

No way!

...Why not?

That statue is the heart and soul of this town.

So even if the person it was built to honor says she hates it and it should be destroyed...

...I just can't let that happen!

A lot of people'd be real sad if that statue were destroyed. I can't let a sad wind like that blow through this town!

Gnnn...

So, there you have it. It's a shame I can't actually fight, though.

I understand. You can't fight.

Wait, what?

I guess something went wrong when I got summoned, 'cause I can't fight worth a damn right now!

H-hold on, give me a second! ...Oh wow, he's right!

Of the chain Servants, Bhīma's and only Bhīma's Spirit Origin values are lower than even a Phantom Spirit's!

Huh? But I thought he was supposed to be incredibly strong!

H-hmm... Maybe...he just looks the part?

So...you're saying that because he acts strong, we've mistaken him for a Servant who actually IS strong?

Hey, let's get this guy another round! On me!

And bring in another big helping of food while you're at it! Say, how'd you season this dish, anyway?

Coming right up! The seasoning's a trade secret, though!

Tch. Figures.

So, what do we do now?

Well, I guess I'll just have to do my best to remember the taste, then keep trying until I can replicate it.

I didn't mean the food!

Oh, the statue? Go ahead and defeat me. I can't even fight back anyway.

...No, I can't.

...

Even if it may be necessary for humanity...

...beating up a helpless person is simply out of the question.

Hmm. I see.

But, if you don't, you guys won't get another chance.

Can't say I love that idea, either.

The choice to protect something may not be entirely rational, but you still need a reason for it.

Indeed.

The strong have a duty to protect the weak, but the weak in turn need a reason to be protected.

Wh-what do you mean?

It's not complicated, I assure you.

For example...let's say you see an old man distraught over having lost something.

What would you do in that case, Jeanne Lily?

Help him, of course.

Saints help people in need, so it's my job.

...Even though I may not technically be a saint just yet.

Agreed. But now, let's say the old man is not distraught.

That is, he's simply going about his business normally and hasn't lost anything.

Oh? Well, in that case...there wouldn't be any need to help him.

Exactly.

In fact, if you have him something he hadn't lost and told him you were assisting him because he needed help...

Well, that would be the opposite of helpful. Don't you think?

Yes, I do.

That is an extreme example, of course.

But the point is, you need a very good reason to protect someone. Same goes for attacking someone, too.

That's what Bhīma is talking about. He wants us to prove that we have a good reason.

Thanks for laying it out so well! Here, let me get another helping of this!

Absolutely!

Master.

？！

Oho, this is the same tension I feel before a battle! I like it!

It's true, though. This is a kind of battle. Wind of victory, I'm counting on you to blow my way.

Now, come on! Let's see if you can overcome my stubbornness and convince me!

Lord Bhīma, you do understand that the statue was never meant to be part of human history, yes?

Of course. But there can't be any harm in having an extra statue around, can there?

There can, yes. A great deal, in fact. That statue, by its very existence, threatens humanity itself.

So, if humanity's so weak that one little statue threatens it, we can just train it to be stronger.

Unfortunately, I don't think you can train an entire species like a sports team...

Come on, everyone. Let's go.

Johanna, um...

Does that mean you're giving up on destroying the Lovey-Dovey Heart Johanna Statue?

No, it doesn't. And please, just call it "the statue," if you don't mind.

The other three chains are proper Servants, yes?

I think so.

Then I'll come back to you once we've defeated them.

There's no point in fixating on what can't be done, so I'll start with what can be done!

Right now, I clearly lack the wordsor perhaps something other than words, to convince you, Lord Bhīma.

So, I'll just try my luck again later!

Hahaha, got it! You're pretty smart, aren't you!?

Oh, I don't know about that. Maybe I'm just a coward.

Nah. Cowards can't see their own shortcomings.

You realized you were missing something, so you allowed yourself to let go of something else you almost had in hand.

All right then, I'll stay here and wait for your return.

So in the meantime...

...good luck finding a good reason to destroy the Lovey-Dovey Heart Johanna Statue!

Thank you!

Also, not that this matters, but "Lovey-Dovey Heart"? That's one hell of a name.

It's because it's overflowing with love!