Section 4: Tropical Hunting with Wandjina

Oh, you're awake. You were up pretty late last night. Are you all right?

Well, that's good to hear.

See? This is what happens when you stay up too late. Go wash your face. It'll help you wake up.

？！

All right, everyone's up, the skies are clear, our gear is in good shape, and we're all assembled. Excellent.

So sleepy...

(Yaaawn...)

I know we don't have to sleep, but even so, whenever I wake up, I'm always weirdly groggy.

Both of you, go wash your faces.

Yes, ma'am...

All right, let's get started.

Are we all going to look for it together again, without splitting up?

Good question...

Given how zippy the Holy Grail is even before we knew it had built-in jets, maybe splitting up is worth the risk.

？！

Then perhaps we should agree on a rough number that will help each team determine whether to flee or fight.

You mean something like, run away if you see a hundred, but stand your ground if there's only five?

Indeed.

？！

All right, here are our teams.

Wandjina, Taisui Xingjun, Voyager, myself, Mash, and Master will be one...

...and Yagyu Munenori, Erice, and Altera will be the other. Will the three of you be okay without Master?

You forgot to include yours truly, but yes, we should be fine.

Yeah, I think this allocation makes sense if Master's going with you.

I have no objections.

If things take a bad turn, we can always run away with Zerco.

Oh? It's not like you to make such an obvious mistake, Altera. Did you forget you can always ride on my back?

I know what I said.

If anything, I'm more worried about this team.

Why's that? We're pretty strong, too.

That's not the problem. It's more...well...

？！

Yah.

I couldn't argue with you, so I settled for venting my frustrations with a finger flick.

I'll do my best.

Yeah! Just leave it all to me!

Let's race to see who can find it first!

I'm sorry, but you can't do that. We all need to stick together.

Fiiine.

Okay, Master, everyone, let's get going!

I suggest we be on our way as well.

Agreed.

I promise I'll do a good job!

You needn't put such pressure on yourself. That will only lead you to missing what you would otherwise notice.

Try to be calm and collected at all times. As long as you keep your mind clear, you will

Ho ho ho. Yes, that...is what will make you Santa.

...Indeed.

...I really feel like I'm only getting part of the story here.

I found bananas! Can I have one!?

No. Servant or not, it's not a good idea to just eat whatever fruit you find in the wild.

She's right. Those bananas are poisonous. I don't think they'd hurt you, but they still wouldn't taste very good.

Aww, too bad!

Is the Holy Grail here, Wandjina?

Hmm... I can't sense it at all, so probably not.

That's a shame. I guess it was too much to hope for.

？！

Yeah, you're right.

Say, is it true you're flying through space?

Yup, I am.

I'm actually flying through space right now. I know it's strange.

So, like...

...don't you ever get lonely?

Oh, that's a tough one...

...Yeah. Of course I do.

But, that doesn't mean I'm sad.

Whenever I start to feel lonely...

...I think about all the people, and all the stars, that saw me off.

No matter how far away they are, they'll still be right here, with me. As long as I have them, I'll be fine.

I see. Wow. Now I'm kind of jealous.

You're...jealous?

Nobody's ever seen me off before...

Oh.

...But now, things are different! Fujimaru!

？！

Nothing! Come on, let's keep looking!

... ...

Something wrong?

I was just thinking how hard it must be for Wandjina.

Huh?

Aah! Demonic Beasts!

Let's go!

'Kay!

Hold it, you two! Wait for the rest of us! Come on, Master, it's time for battle! Hurry!

All right, that's enough for today. Let's mark this area and head back to the campsite for now.

What if the Holy Grail moves after we've left?

That's possible, but

Oh, I don't think we have to worry about that.

I think that Holy Grail only runs away in response to our intentions.

Like, whenever we're trying to catch it or do something about it.

So...it'll probably stay put as long as we haven't found it!

I think!

Really?

Really.

Plus, even though I can't tell exactly where it is, I do get the feeling it hasn't moved!

I see. All the more reason not to force ourselves to keep searching right now.

And since the other team hasn't contacted us, I doubt they've had any luck, either. All right, everyone, let's go.

Wheee!

...What are you doing?

I just found a great stick!

It really is.

Wow, that's awesome!

Well, just be careful not to hit anyone with it.

... ...

Aah! I really AM acting like a babysitter!

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No! I'm not giving up yet! Even if I HAVE slowly been coming to terms with it!

Hang in there, Kriem-Kriem!

Good luck.

Yeah! Persistence is good!

Nnn... I don't like my chances.

Huh?

Look. It may not be Christmas, but I still have some presents for all you good little children:

Bananas.

？！

...Ho ho ho. Excuse me while I go look for different presents...

Oh, no, that's okay! We already have plenty of food!

I thought you'd all be happy to get these...

We really do appreciate the thought.

I see. Well, Santa very much appreciates your smile, Voyager. In fact, I feel rejuvenated now.

It's too bad we can't eat 'em, but I still love getting presents!

I can eat them. May I?

No. As Santa, I want to give you a proper present you'll be happy to get.

Aww...

Don't worry. Next time, I'll get you a Christmas present you can not only eat, but enjoy as well.

(She DOES know it's nowhere near Christmas, right?)

(Shh. Don't ruin this for her.)

(Huh? Don't tell me you're telepathic!?)

(No. I'm whispering.)

Wonderful day. I'm proud to see you coming into your own as Santa, Altera.

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There's always more woolI mean, room to grow. Take it from a sheep.

...Hm.

What is it, Yagyu?

I sense an assassin nearby.

？！

Okay, it should be cooked through by now... Hey, this came out pretty good. I didn't do half bad.

Ahh. A beautiful night sky... A toasty campfire...

There's just something about a campfire that really puts you at ease...

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Aah! Who's there!?

Oh, Master, it's you. 'Sup. Huh? What'm I doing here?

Well, I'm camping out.

When I saw I could Rayshift to this jungle, I thought, "Hey, this place'd be perfect." And now, here I am.

Man, you really are a lot more daring than you seem, aren't you, Mandricardo?

I figured I might not get another chance to go camping on my own like this...

You're camping on your own? Is it fun?

'Course it is! But, well, one disclaimer: different people might enjoy different things about it!

Yes, that's true. Just about everyone likes to spend time alone occasionally.

Wow!

I can give you a tip, if you want.

If you ever want to try going it solo for real, ask the greatest survivalist of all time for help.

Oh? Who's that?

Geronimo.

I'm completely sure that even if the whole world was destroyed, he'd find a way to survive.

You do, Master? Ahh... I knew if anyone would get me, it'd be you!

Hey, next time you want to take a solo camping trip, let me know, and I'll give you some great gear recommendations.

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All right, all that aside, since you're here, you can help too.

You got it!

All right then, Mandricardo. I have a mission for you.

Sure thing. I'll help out however I can.

Get us some food, please.

You got it! I hope you like chicken and beef!

Could you scavenge some fruit, too? Don't worry, the director will see if it's safe.

(Since when am I the fruit expert?)

All right, see you later!

Here we go.

I've got Demonic Beasts that could be made into beef, Demonic Beasts that are literal chickens, and some Demonic Beasts that I don't think are edible just in case.

Oh, and here's the fruit. I'm no fruit expert, but it should be safe to eat... Probably.

What do you think?

Fine, fine. Let's have a look.

... ...

(Gulp)

Well done, Mandricardo. These are all perfectly safe.

Sweet!

Then, can I eat some now!?

Now, now, be patient. Let me send you some choice recipes from the database first.

Oh, that sounds perfect. All right, everyone, let's all work together to make a delicious dinner, shall we?

Yeah!

That was great!

Good night!

We have found the Holy Grail.

Way to go! Now we just need to make sure it doesn't escape.

...Hmm.

Hmm?

Okay, Kriemhild, would you go over the plan, please?

If the Grail wants to fly away from us, we'll just fly to catch it.

That's where you come in, Altera.

Ho ho ho. Leave it to me.

And of course, I, Dumuzid, your heart's navigator, will be her wingsheep.

Just try to have fun with it. You ARE Santa.

I will. All right, I'll go wait to ambush it in the air.

Right on. Oh, I'll be helping out with this Holy Grail hunt from now on too, of course.

So, you just want me to charge straight at it and capture it if I can, yeah?

？！

Okay, I got this! So what if it's got legs, or flies around with jets!

I...okay, sorry. Maybe I don't got this.

Well, at least you're quick to come clean!

Let's ride, Brigliadoro!

Damn, that thing IS fast!

Be impressed later! Keep on it!

O-oh, right. Come on, Brigliadoro!

There are Demonic Beasts up ahead, but you don't have time to fight them. Just do your best to avoid them!

Got it! Hey, where'd everyone else go?

Master and the others are all closing in on it from a different direction.

I just hope this works...

Is there a reason it wouldn't?

Let's just say this place is...unusual, even as Singularities go.

Oh, yeah, I guess you're right. Now that you mention it, I kinda felt like something was off, too.

Oh well, we'll just have to give it our best. Keep going a little further, would you?

Yes, ma'am!

We're tracking the Holy Grail as well. It's moving fast, but it's at least heading in the direction we expected.

That said, it could always break out the jets and fly off at any moment.

We really need to catch it!

Yup. But as long as Altera comes through, we should have a good chance!

Demonic Beasts detected.

We only have a brief window to deal with them. Awaiting your orders, Master!

？！

The Holy Grail has taken flight again.

？！

I'll prove I can ascend just as quickly as it can. Fantastical sheep streak across the night sky!

Candy Star Photon Ray!

So far so good. It's all up to you three now.

We've got this!

Let's do it!

We're gonna get that Holy Grail!

To make matters as simple as possible...

...you do not need to actually capture the Holy Grail. Just touching it should suffice.

Ultimately, the Holy Grail is just a bundle of high-density magical energy.

Of course, it can only grant wishes within the bounds of what magical energy it possesses.

Really, that is one of the tragedies of this Holy Grail, and wish granters in general.

Once someone takes them in their hands and wishes for something, they have to shut down and grant it.

Well then, I think the three of you working together might be able to catch it.

Yeah!

I'm gonna get it!

...Let us see what happens.

...Huh?

The Holy Grail just...vanished.

The Holy Grail's signal is gone... Huh? Did you touch it, Taisui Xingjun?

No, not yet.

Huh? What just happened? Now it feels like...the Holy Grail went really far away...

Let me see... Okay, I've got it. According to our map, it's about three hundred kilometers from you now.

Which must mean... No way. It teleported!? Man, this is the most exciting Holy Grail I've ever seen!

O-of all the things I thought it might try next, teleporting certainly wasn't on the list...

How did it go, Master?

？！

...I see. Oh well.

We'll just have to try again. Can you take us to it, Wandjina?

... ...

Wandjina?

Oh, uh, yeah! No problem!

Although...I don't know if I can take any more people than before.

Oh, then don't worry about me. I wasn't supposed to Rayshift here anyway.

Good point. Let's prioritize the Servants Sheba said were a good match for this mission.

See you all later!

Okay, here goes!

Whoa, they all flew outta here in no time.

... ...

...I knew it. Something still feels off about this place. Hopefully I'm just imagining it...