Section 5 "It's Frozen, So Let It Go"

There's no need to introduce myself! That's right, it's me, Ibaraki!

If you noticed me there, you should've said something! Or are you teasing me!?

Sorry. I thought you were some child trying to stalk us for some sweets!

Y-You... Y-Y-You...!

You thought I would hang around just for some sweets!? They were good, yes, but still...!

？！

Argh! You're all a bunch of imbeciles! Don't you know who I am!?

I'm the leader of the oni, as well as a skilled thief notorious in the capital!

I am Ibaraki-Douji, a thief so great that I was able to build the great Ibuki Shuten Palace on Mt. Ooe!

A thief... Right, I suppose that's accurate... There are records of you stealing treasures from the nobility...

Hahahaha, that's right!

"Princess Kaguya" is such a joke! If I had been around in that period, those five treasures would've easily been mine!

So, do you fear me now!? Do you respect me!? Will you praise me!? Will you give me some sweets!?

I am an evil monster, an oni... Achoo!

Sniff... It's cold... I hate being cold... Mother always told me to wear a belly warmer...

...Um, wait. Uh, where was I in my story?

？！

Enough, eh? I see, I see. Then you're quick to understand. That's not a bad thing.

But Mash. You look as cold as me. Aren't you uncomfortable? Do you not have a belly warmer?

No, I'm fine... But it's true that the temperature is low in this area.

Senpai, as long as you're in your Chaldea uniform, you should be fine. It's resistant to both the cold and the heat.

What about you, Elisabeth? Um, since you're exposing yourself more than usual...

...I'm cold...

？！

I-I'm a hero, so it shouldn't be a problem! Heroes don't catch colds!

I don't think she's okay... Let's get through here as quick as we can.

Y-Yes, good idea...

From a pharaoh point of view, I think it's best we just run right through.

My garments don't cover much either!

Got it. Then let's go for a little run!

Waaah, it's cold!

My lovely phantoms normally cool me down, but in this weather, they're kind of annoying!

Yeah... Even I'm cold. And I'm one of the more properly dressed ones.

By the way, Ibaraki! Why did you come here!?

(Talking with mouth full of something) Oh, no special reason. I just felt like it.

...Oh. You just felt like it...

And it's not for extremely selfish reasons, correct?

？！

I don't understand. Is that a password? But that tart thing was delicious.

And this "candy" stuff is exceptional as well! But it's so sweet, I'm afraid my fangs will melt!

...Sheesh. Back in the day, a single piece of konpeitou was enough to make me swing between joy and sorrow...

I wish Mother were here, because then I could give her some... But anyway, mmm, I'm very curious about those pound cake things too...

You've developed quite the sweet tooth...

No wonder Shuten treats you like a child...

What are you talking about? This is not my intention!

Humans are the ones who offer me sweets to save their lives!

Meat is a better choice than sweets when you get hungry. Then again, after becoming a Servant, I am never hungry!

So I'll let them live in exchange for this unsubstantial offering of sweets, but just this once. Welp, I feel like I'm going to melt!

I see. Intentions aside, your true feelings are totally showing.

But once you step out of town, what the heck is going on!? "Treat! Treat! Treeeaaat!"

I keep yelling the password, but no one shows up! Ah! Oh no! I'm getting sugar withdrawal symptoms...!

I need something to munch on! Something sugary! Something tough!

But if you don't have anything like that, one of those Evil Bones you always have stocked up will do!

？！

Then candy! Marshmallows would be fine, too!

Come to think of it, running around in the cold is making me crave something with calories in it!

S-Senpai!?

Mmm, she looks soft but not sweet! Rejected!

Hahaha. That's because we used a lot on Caster Elisabeth.

What...did you just say!?

？！

So... no more sweets? All gone?

But I still haven't had my favoritethis thing you call "chocolate"!

That's the way the cookie crumbles...

Grrr, grrr, hahahaha! ...I'm going home...

I'm going back to the mountain!

P-Please, wait, Ibaraki! I'll give you sweets when we get back to Chaldea!

Our meeting up here must be fate. Please, won't you help us?

Bwahahaha!

Nonsense. A human seeking help from an oni is the height of absurdity!

You're right, but...

... (Rustle, rustle)

In the first place, I only came here for fun. I am what you could call a visitor from out of town, and yet you ask for my help toMmmpph!

Hmm?

Ohhh... Oooooohhh!

Fou!

Whoops, silly me, throwing chocolate around like that! I was saving that for the kids in town...

Although I suppose this works in a Japanese sense. Don't people there yell "Oni out, luck in!" while throwing food?

This is...choco...chocolate...! It's sweet as hell...and sweet as hell to boot!

This oni here isn't good at expressing herself.

But it won't work. Just a measly piece of chocolate won't work on me at all! It won't work...!

She's gritting her teeth through a torrent of tears... Her lament is making me choke up...

Yaaa! What's wrong, good man in green!? Aren't you going to attack me more!? Come on, come on!

Like the time at Rashomon! Just like at Rashomon!

Well, I wish I could give you more, but...

Uh-oh, something's coming. This is no time to be throwing chocolate around.

Hahahahaha, this infuriates me even more! Scum! Get out of here. I'll rip you limb from limb!

M-Moving to battle formation! Whenever you're ready, Master!

Green man! Green good tidings, green pilgrim, green hermit, green geezer!

As you can see, the pests are gone! So come on! Pretend it's Setsubun and throw me some sweets!

All right, all right. I suppose you deserve it. But call me a geezer again and you can kiss chocolate goodbye.

Mmm. Understood. I'm clever in that area. But... Mmm. Mmm-mmm-mmm.

We got rid of those enemies as quickly as the chocolates melting in my mouth.

Even this delicious chocolate isn't enough to keep me here. This place isn't worthy anymore! You heard me!

Farewell! Farewell!

Oh really? I was going to say... If you can defeat the queen living in that pyramid, you'll have all the sweets you can eat. Too bad.

I knew that pyramid was trouble. When do we leave?

？！

Hmm. She's an unexpected addition to our party, but Ibaraki-Douji's strength is the real deal. Besides...

Besides what, Doctor?

I think it's a good thing she's showing an interest in human culture.

Even if her underlying aggression towards humans can't be changed, having a favorite food in common with us is a positive thing.

Yes, certainly. I think that leads to mutual understanding.

Yeah. So, Fujimaru, I know it'll be tough, but please look after her.

？！

So where do we go from here?

Next is... the Lava Zone! ...But why is there lava...?

L-Let's just go. We won't know until we see it for ourselves...!

IT'S SO HOT!