Into the Woods

Hmm? Are you outside the apartment right now? Seems like you're in the vicinity.

Fujimaru, you're supposed to investigate the building. What are you doing outsid

Hmm. The reception's not good here. There's a weird magnetic fieland the observation has sto

Senpai, we've lost contact with the Doctor!

Although I don't think it's mechanical failure, since the spiritrons are unstable around here...

Speaking of which, what are we doing here, Senpai? The Doctor said our range of investigation should be within the apartment building.

No, Fujimaru's intuition is right. This is the spot.

Shiki?

...Someone strange is here. Come out. If you want to hide, you should do something about that murderous aura.

I don't have such bloodlust. All I have is this righteous rage.

...A-A Servant? But... I can't see him... I can't see him at all, Master!

He's right in front of me, but all that's there is pure darkness...

He's a little different than the remnants of Servants - Shadow Servants!

Also, not Saber... Lancer... Archer... He doesn't belong to any of the seven classes!

？！

Mediation is the furthest thing from what I do. I'll take that as you picking a fight with me.

Who are you all, anyway? Why would you walk around killing ghosts?

They were unrewarded in life, and their regrets keep them away from death.

The defeated who were abandoned by life, and left behind by death. They chose emptiness over peacefulness.

...Yes, they are nameless, formless monsters. These souls, rejected by even the other side, need peace.

If Hell denies them, then I will create a new Hell. That's why this tower must be filled with their grudges.

That is my faith, and why I exist. Oh light, do not stand in my way.

Fou, fou, fooooooou!

Fou is more excited than ever! That ghost doesn't seem to be an ordinary ghost!

Oh, this is not good. This is not good, Master Fujimaru.

That's an Innocent Monster with super-recovery, super-stamina, and super-skills. The ultimate form of someone who absolutely hates humans.

In the world of Magecraft, there's this thing called something-Murder that can reliably kill any primate species.

And what we have here is a nameless weakling who seems to be reaching that state.

A shame. My dream of seeing Master's destruction is going to end here. You know why, yes?

Because we are all going to die here.

You're giving up awfully early, clown.

True, we'll be done here if that's a real Monster of Gaia, but... he's just a defective Monster of Alaya.

If our opponent is a ghost who's fallen into madness after death, we'll just have to fight with the same amount of madness.

Shiki? Huh? What's going on?

Nice to meet you, Mash. Good evening, Fujimaru.

I was trying my best not to come out, but given who we're fighting, I had no choice.

If you'd like, please use me for a little bit.

Y-Yes, thank you very muc Wait, that's not it!

Senpai, Shiki's acting weird! The fact that she all of a sudden changed clothes is not the problem...

...It's that she's so graceful, flowers themselves bloom in shame. She is the embodiment of pure beauty.

Oh my. That's what surprises you? It's refreshing seeing you acting like a girl.

...Really, it's a bit of a shame. You aren't cut out for battle, Mash.

...Humph. You ruined the mood. I was starting to feel so sad and warm, too...

It's the fault of the land here that a ghost like this grew so strong.

I just remembered. Is this where that mage died?

I know. Now let's finish this!

Yes. I don't remember it, but if you do...

Hehe. Then it must be fate. It's strange, but it makes me very happy.

？！

You said you wanted to create a Hell here. But that's Lord Enma's jurisdiction.

Even Hell doesn't welcome an amplifier for hateful screams... Your possible dream... Let it disappear into the rift of this world.

Enemy ghost eliminated! We did it! Thank you very much Shi...ki?

Oww... I tripped on a tree root. That was lame of me...

Hmm? Oh, you took care of it while I was screwing around. Thanks, Fujimaru, Mash.

No, um... That was you, actually.

...You're right. She seems to have her reasons.

...But that kimono was so beautiful. I wish I could've asked her more questions.

Magical girl? What are you talking about? I'm too old to be a "girl" anyway.

？！

Fou, foou!

Oh, what is it, Fou? You want praise, too? ...Wait, what's that? A key?

Seems like it was hidden here. Good work, Fou. (Pat, pat)

...

Oh my! It seems Shiki wants to touch his fur, too! Go ahead and touch my cape, then!

My cape is an exquisite item made from 100% devil hair!

Come on, touch it! It's gorgeous!

...Fine. I guess it'll have to do. Let me touch it.

Oh no! Mephy's in danger! You just tried to sever my cuticles, didn't you!?

Oh, sorry. I couldn't help myself. That long hair was annoying me.

You're doing it all wrong! You use scissors to cut hair! Your knife would shave my entire head bald!

I try very hard to be a dandy gentleman! I'll defend my hair to the death!

!!! It's a fashion statement!?