Prologue: A Bored Man in the Bakumatsu

A storm of upheaval once swept through Ki-ki Restoration City, SAITAMA.

This is a record of the many great heroes who lost their lives to a Bakumatsu world, fighting to realize an ambition they would never see fulfilled.

Sakamoto Ryouma, the Hero of the Restoration.

Wielding a spear of the gods cast down from the heavens, he was reborn along the White Orochi of Takachiho.

Okada Izo, the peerless man-slayer. Though his skills with a sword were frequently put to use to kill, his true gift lay in protecting others.

Takechi Zuizan, leader of the Kinnou Party. His boundless courage, so potent as to be feared even by the gods, may be the last of the samurai pride lost to time.

Takechi Zuizan's right-hand man, Tanaka Shinbei. His soulful cries have paved the way for his lord and echoed throughout the heavens themselves.

Along with the young mage from Chaldea, these men, drawn to this land by fate...

...vanquished an evil god that lurked in human hearts.

And then there's Takasugi Shinsaku, the child prodigy from Choushu...

Hey there. Long time no see. You look well.

？！

Yup. I'm not a ghost, an AI, or anything like that. I'm the genuine, one-of-a-kind Choushu superstar, Takasugi Shinsaku.

Don't tell me. It's written all over your face. You're wondering how the hell I'm still alive, right?

That's what I want to know, too. But, since I'm back now, how about a feast to celebrate?

I was just feeling a little peckish, anyway.

No need for anything fancy. How about some ramen from that stand over there?

？！

I think I'll go with shoyu ramen. You're a tonkotsu guy, right? You'll have to let me try a bite of yours.

Don't be shy. I'm happy to share some of my shoyu, too.

？！

Oh, right. On a related, very important subject...

...do you have any money on you?

So you just found yourself here with no clue how it happened, huh?

Me? Same deal.

After you guys left, I thought I'd gone out like an ultimate badass. Buuut...

No, wait. Since I'm a Servant now, I guess it was more of a vanishing act?

Eh, never mind that. Point is, next thing I knew, I was waking up here in SAITAMA.

Phew... That's better. I haven't had anything providing me with decent magical energy since I was summoned, you know?

That's why I need at least the occasional meal just to get enough to survive.

Let me just get right to it: Will you form a contract with me? You don't know what to do now that you've suddenly found yourself here either, right?

So how about a helping hand from none other than Takasugi Shinsaku, Choushu's miraculous hero himself?

You know, you're a lucky guy.

You're the only mage I've ever agreed, or ever will agree, to form a contract with.

Well, of course. Life would be a lot easier if people could change on a dime, but they can't. That goes double for Heroic Spirits.

Uh-oh, we'd better hurry. They're already here.

Rude much? I never try the same trick twice, and that includes secretly being the evil mastermind.

Anyway, we'd better hurry. They're already here.

？！

You must be the Chaldean mage. Don't try to resist.

？！

Well, I'll be damned. I never thought I'd have to fight my own Kiheitai.

You there. What's going on here?

Oh, right. Of course you wouldn't know. How could you, when even I'm at a total loss here?

Don't you try to resist either, Servant, or we'll kill you.

Oh well, since it doesn't look like we'll be getting any answers from these guys, we might as well just get rid of them.

Now hurry up with the contract and magical energy supply. I might not look it, but I'm pretty damn weak right now.

Not wasting time hemming or hawing, eh? Glad to see it.

I wouldn't have made it so far without confidence.

？！

Whoa!

So, this is the kind of magical energy the mage of Chaldea provides.

Hmm. Yeah, oughta do the trick.

All right, I never thought I'd end up fighting my own Kiheitai one day, but it seems like it should be fun!

Right then.

Time to show you what Choushu boys are really made of!

Not another move.

Huh? I lost?

Come on, Shinsaku, what the hell are you doing? This was supposed to be your big moment.

？！

That's weird. I've always been pretty confident in my sword skills.

I've even been taught the ways of Yagyu Shinkageryu. Pretty amazing, right?

Arrest him and the mage. We're taking them both back to HQ.

Well, shit. Hey, I don't suppose you've got any hidden reinforcements up your sleeve like last time, do you?

You know, like the Shinsengumi, or that Shielder with the war horn conch? There's no point in trying to look cool by holding back, you know?

？！

Hang on. Does this mean I'm finished? That I'm totally done for?

Well, this is no fun. No, wait. Actually, this could just be getting truly intere

Quit running your mouth.

Urgh!? Where'd you come from...?

I figured this guy was a joke the moment I saw him, and it looks like I was dead-on. Can't tell how much he's serious and how much he's just messing around.

？！

Tell HQ we've captured the targets. We're bringing them in now.

Yes, sir!

Chairman, we've received word that the Chaldean mage has been captured.

I see. I knew you wouldn't let me down. Bring the mage to me, please.

Yes, sir! And what should we do with the Servant?

Bring him to me as well, please.

Understood.

...The Chaldea Security Organization, and their young mage.

If these records are accurate, then my wish is no longer a pipe dream.

Hehe... When one's resolve is firm, one's spirits are high, as they say.

All right then, let's keep this dream going, shall we, Shinsaku?