Stratum 30: Top of the Giant Tree

Gaaah, this is really pissing me off!!!

Why? Why isn't it working the way I want it to!?

I put in so much effort! It's supposed to work, dammit!

Ugh. They're gonna be here any moment now. I swear, why does time always fly by when you need it to slow down!?

At times like this... Yeah. That's right. I need to stay calm, like Mother. Just caaalm down, Baobhan Sith. Take it easy.

The logic checks out. You're almost there.

You just need to be careful and keep going. Let's try adjusting this...

... ...

Dammit, it overflowed! Why!? Why won't you work, you piece of shit!?

(Huff, huff...)

Ugh, I'm pathetic. My hands are shaking, I can't concentrate...I'm getting too worked up trying to take advantage of this opportunity.

Man, I hate delicate operations like this. Reminds me of her and her stupid smug face.

Wait. That backwater faerie's got nothing to do with this! Snap out of it, Baobhan Sith!

Remember how easily you picked up the fundamentals of magecraft!? You're the queen's daughter! You'd never lose to the likes of her!

Okay, let's...take a step back. You're probably just tired. Yeah, that's it.

I think now's a good time to have one of those puddings I put in the fridge. I'll say this for Proper Human History: they make pretty good sweets.

Okay, aaand back to work... What do I even do, though? I've tried everything I can think of.

...Hm? Huh? Was the data always arranged like this?

Wait a sec. Is it...done? Perfect, even?

So was I just already done back when I was having my shit fit? Has to be, right? There's no one else here who could've done it...

For that matter... Aha, so THAT'S what I had to do. It's 'cause this and this are connected.

So then, all I have to do now is adjust this, and it'll work fine! Ha, this is awesome! I'm a genius!

Stupid! Did you really think my own creation could just turn against me?

All right, that just leaves the finishing touches! Man, I guess pudding IS brain food!

You know, I think I'll have another pudding to reward myself☆ Hell, if eating one made this big a difference, having two or three oughta make the rest go buttery smooth!

Yay, I did it!

Now I just have to wait for it to finish cooking, so to speak. Man, I'm the best! And so is pudding!

？！

Aah! G-geez, don't scare me like that. I didn't know you were already here.

And, you are...?

Baobhan Sith!

It feels like there's something special about this place. I don't see any path to go further up.

And then there's that suspiciously glowing object over there...

I think it's safe to say this is the heart of the tree, and by extension, the whole forest.

And that must mean

What, do I have to spell it out for you? You're not THAT senile, right?

Eh, fine. Since my mind's sharper than ever right now, I'll go ahead and tell you.

Yeah, this was all my doing. Congrats on making the trek all the way up here.

Can I ask why you did all this?

No, you can't. That's still a secret. I don't want to spoil anything.

？！

...Okay, I guess I can tell you that much. Yeah, you're right.

But do you really think it's gonna be that easy? Especially when I'm right here?

I still don't understand what's happening here, but it seems pretty clear that we have to fight you.

You got it. I'm a little surprised you're standing on that side...

...but, it shouldn't be a problem. At least for now.

... ...

？！

Yap all you want, you pathetic little Chihuahua of a Master. It's not gonna make any difference.

Hmph. You guys are SO annoying.

And here I was about to say the same of you!

I mean, really, do you really need so many interference skills?

Hey, I'm a vampire. Messing with people is my whole thing.

Still...looks like it's time to bail.

See you 'round. Do whatever you want now for all I care.

？！

That's too bad. I was hoping to get her to tell us why she did all this in the first place.

I'm not sure what to write in my report now.

I don't think winning was ever going to convince her to tell us why she did this.

She struck me as the sort who just does as she likes...

...and makes up her own rules along the way.

Yes, that's true. She definitely marches to the beat of her own drum.

Baobhan Sith likes to describe herself as "easily bored"...

...but once she decides to do something, she'll plug away at it very diligently.

At any rate, it seems like that glowing thing there is what's really important.

True. Baobhan Sith basically admitted as much.

...Uh, Medusa, you probably shouldn't be touching it so much.

We still don't know what it is.

Let's see what a quick scan can tell us... Hmm. It looks like it's more of a spiritual object than a physical one.

So I don't think swords or shields will have much effect on it.

Let's think about what to do once we've investigated some more, determined that light's nature, and figured out any magecraft significance it might have.

... ...

Why go to all that trouble? We already know this thing is the core.

And we know destroying it will resolve the situation, right? So let's just get it over with.

Don't worry, I'll take care of it. It'll be easy to shatter once I petrify it.

It might be spiritual rather than a living thing, but I should still be able to manage it if I concentrate.

I wouldn't usually do this since it really tires me out and makes it a lot harder to focus on living creatures...

...but since there don't seem to be any more enemies around, that shouldn't be a problem.

Whoa, whoa, hold on a second!

I'm saying we should figure out what kind of effects that could have BEFORE you

...Phew.

I think that should do it.

You don't know that! Yes, there's a good chance destroying that thing will put everything back to normal...

...but what if something else goes wrong because you destroyed it carelessly!?

Uh-oh. Everything's shaking!

？！

See!? This is exactly what I was talking about!

The sim's parameters are fluctuating like crazy! There's no telling what kind of extreme environmental changes you might see!

With this big a forest disappearing, it's no surprise the place is literally shaking apart...

...and there's no guarantee you'll be safe if you stay where you are.

At any rate, your well-being takes top priority, so right now, I want you all to get back here as soon as possible!

I'll put out a call to all the Servants at the rest spots, too!

Understood! This way, Master!

Medusa, what's done is done. Right now, we need your help to escape!

Good point. Maybe I did go about it a little carelessly.

...I'm sorry.

Mash and Fujimaru are back? Along with everyone else? Good. At least we've got the bare minimum taken care of.

But everything else is a train wreck. Not only is the simulator not settling down

Oh crap. I think it's actually expanding!

Whoa, whoa! What the hell's going on here, Da Vinci!?

Fou, fooou!

All hands, emergency alert! Our fail-safes aren't working!

The Storm Border's about to be swallowed up!