Act I: Swan Lake Returns (1/6)

Welcome, visitors, to the Spiritron Virtual World: Serial Phantasm.

Known as SE.RA.PH for short, this reborn pure land of pleasure is modeled after the digital world.

128 Masters and Servants have come here in order to prevent the real world from being destroyed.

While we have nothing but praise for this noble purpose...

Human desires are insatiable, and our audience won't be satisfied with nobility alone.

Thus, one more condition for victory has been added to SE.RA.PH:

Kill all 127 other Masters. Be the last one standing.

Once you are, you will be granted the Mooncell, a source of unfathomable power.

But please do be careful. SE.RA.PH has no exit.

And doing nothing is not an option.

Whether you fight, or kill one another...you have no choice but to put your survival first.

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Heh heh heh. Heh heh heh heh...!

There you are, Senpai! Welcome to the For-Adults-Only trap! There's no going back now!

No wonder you conquered the Temple of Time! I have to admit that you've got courage!

Of course, that's pretty much the only thing you've got going for you, so I don't expect you to stand out in any other way.

Wait, that's what's bothering you? You're a lot pettier than your data indicated.

But the fact remains that you just don't have much going on down there, so you'll have to deal with it!

Sorry! But hey, don't worry: it's not about the size, it's the shape that matters.

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...Let's see. You're completely cut off from Chaldea, and you don't possess the skills of a wizard.

Since you're so hopeless, I guess the helpful game masterthat's mewill just have to do the work of explaining the rules to you.

At the moment, there are a bunch of Servants butting heads with each other here in SE.RA.PH.

And why not? This Holy Grail War is nothing but a battle to the death between all 128 of them!

And just like you, Senpai, they all came here like lambs to the slaughter.

Maaaybe because I fooled them into thinking there was a teensy-weensy world-ending threat to contend with.

Little did they know that this was really nothing more than a way for me to kill some time!

That's right. It's a tacky little game I whipped up based on the Moon Holy Grail War.

Of course, the Mooncell had a whole tournament thing going on, while this is just a straight-up down-and-dirty battle royale.

Well duh! Who do you think I am, anyway?

I'm BB! The original fallen heroine, the "Oops, did I do that?" kouhai who ends up destroying the world!

This time, to put it modestly, I actually went out of my way to make sure you all suffer!

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Anyway... You really don't have anything going for you, do you, Senpai? Without any Servants around, it's almost sad how weak you are.

So since even I can't help but feel a little sorry for you, I'll help you out just a little more.

Yes, this is Seraphix.

Think of it as a zone made entirely out of light, where everything has been digitized into Pseudo-Spiritrons.

As long as intellectual activity is taking place here, an information life-form like myself and an organic life-form like you can interact in the same space-time.

Furthermore, knowledge, experience, and power sources you attain here will be carried over when you return to the physical world.

So any battle you engage in here on SE.RA.PH has the same significance that it would in real life, and things that happen here can and do affect reality.

What's that? How did this happen? You mean, why did Seraphix end up digitized?

You'll have to figure that out for yourself, Senpai. It wouldn't be fair to the others if I told you.

Now, that is where Seraphix's front gate used to be. It's the entrance that all the regular staff used when commuting here from the company dormitory.

Makes the perfect place for you to start your SE.RA.PH expedition, if I do say so myself. Don't you think?

Yup. It had to be rebuilt after the digitization destroyed it.

Just ignore that. Even I find it embarrassing.

Still, once I took over the system, it was inevitable that the oil rig would assimilate with my consciousness.

Doesn't really take a genius to figure out what shape it would take when it was reformatted during the digitization, does it?

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Anyway, now that you're here, Senpai, there's no quitting or running away!

Your only choice is to scuttle along SE.RA.PH like an ant carrying a sugar cube.

And if you don't like that idea, you'll have to unravel the whole mystery of what's happening here toot sweet!

Once you do that, you'll finally be free of the ant life! Oh, but that said...

Time isn't exactly on your side here, you know?

Once SE.RA.PH sinks to the bottom of the trench, everyone dies. Even I can't change that.

So you'll have to fulfill the victory conditions and make it back alive. Assuming you stupid humans are capable of that, of course.

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Yeah, no. Not gonna happen. After all, you're gonna die, like, right now.

Well look at you! Even if it was just dumb luck, I'm impressed you managed to dodge my Daitouren!

Is that, like, your deal? You're the guy with destiny on his side?

Well, I guess you're not too bad-looking. I get why BB took an interest.

Falling on your ass is pretty lame, though. You lose points there.

Plus, you totes won't be dodging this! Time to die!

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...How sad. Really, this is just deplorable.

It's sad how you were about to be killed with no means of defending yourself, and it's sad how you preyed on a helpless beginner.

This may be a barbaric slaughterfest, but it is precisely times like this when one must conduct oneself elegantly. Otherwise, you'll lose your audience.

The victor who triumphs over every obstacle must act with all due decorum.

But what decorum is there to be found in killing a Master who has yet to even properly take the stage?

Isn't that right, Suzuka? You don't deserve such fine brocade if this is how you choose to act.

You!? What're you doing here!?

...Oh, this is lovely. Just seeing you all flustered like this is enough to put a spring in my step.

Very well then, since we aren't complete strangers, I suppose I can answer your question.

Why did I help this human? Why am I here in the first place?

Do you even need to ask? I'm a prima ballerina who follows her heart wherever it takes her. I never forget when someone has humiliated me.

So I have quite literally flown back up from the bowels of the earth for a chance to fight you all once more.

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...

Hmm. I really only helped you on a whim, but I see you don't have any Servants, do you?

That works out well. Very well, in fact. You see, I've been looking for a puppetahem, a Masterof my own.

So I'll help rescue you from her, if you form a contract with me. And you really should.

After all, it is either that, or die here.

...Well? You don't have much time. Listen up, because I'm only going to say this once:

I'm Meltryllis, the Alter Ego of pleasure. I'll serve as your sword for as long as I feel like it.

Now tell me you're my Master like a good little slave, okay?

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Then we have a contract. I can feel magical energy flowing into me, though it really isn't much. Being decisive is an admirable trait, Fujimaru.

All right, I'll take it from here.

Suzuka's attacks have long range, so keep your distance to ensure you don't get caught in the crossfire. But don't go so far away that I can't see you.

When it comes right down to it, I don't trust humans.

So if you get too far away from me, even once, I might just melt you down like an old candle, okay?

Hah! Big talk for walking scrap!

Looks like I was right to check out that weird lightning! It led me straight to some rare prey!

Come on, Meltryllis!

Let's find out once and for all if your ballet can beat my dancing!

Not bad for a half-dead buncha scrap! This is actually getting interesting!

You are special among the Alter Egos, after all. Just like the girl from Swan Lake!

Is that so? I'm actually finding this all very...boring. It's beyond disappointing.

What's wrong with your body? How is your passive skill able to reduce all external impacts by ninety percent? Don't tell me you've become frigid?

You probably got the idea from BB, didn't you? You've certainly fallen far while I was away, Suzuka.

Hah, who do you think you're fooling? You're mega jelly! Karmaphage is like, winner's circle kinda stuff! The mark of a true Sentinel!

Besides, I wouldn't even have gotten the gig if you hadn't abandoned your role in the first place.

It's the same with SE.RA.PH, and your fall from grace. The humans only have themselves to blame.

So why shouldn't I get to do what I wanna? It's not like there's morals or justice here!

So I'll kill all the other Servants, get the Holy Grail for myself, and transform into my Spirit Origin as the Demon King's daughter!

Pretty sweet life goal, right? Once I've done that, I can choose my own Master.

I'm totes serious about this, you know? So if I want to make my dream come true, I'd better start by taking the kind of power that'll let me do whatever I want!

Is that so. Too bad for you that you're still not seeing the whole picture then. Or is it that you're just so desperate you can't afford to take it all in?

Did you really think I was just slashing away at you for no reason? Your Karmaphage may be tough, but it doesn't repel drugs or poisons, does it?

If it did, you could never apply lotion or makeup, and that would just devastate you, wouldn't it?

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I'm the Alter Ego of pleasure, queen of poison and nectar. I am weaker now, but my viruses are still deadly.

Oh, you bitch...! You, like...knew about my skill all along, didn't you?

Of course. I was a Sentinel before you were.

...Fine. I didn't plan ahead for viral warfare, so you won this one. I'll back down for now.

Besides, this literally isn't my jurisdiction anyway. I just came to see what all the lightning was about.

As for you, the mediocre Master who's only just realizing how far he's been left behind...

I totally forgot to introduce myself, didn't I? My bad. Lemme take care of that now!

I'm Suzuka Gozen! The daughter of the Demon King of the Fourth Heaven, a Saber, and a high school girl in the prime of her youth!

Now that we've met, it's only a matter of time before I hunt you down and cut you to ribbons!

I'm gonna keep your heart for myself, so you and it aren't going anywhere! I'll text you, left-swipe!

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...So, have you gotten your bearings, Fujimaru?

No need to thank me. I was just looking for a Master myself.

I'm sure this is all very new and strange to you, but try to calm down.

Come on. I'll explain the basics on the way.

Yes. I may not be a Heroic Spirit, but I am a Servant. We'll come back to that later.

I overheard it during your talk with BB. You could've figured that out for yourself if you'd tried.

You're not very bright, are you? It's very annoying.

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No. I'm appraising you, to see if you're a puppet worthy of being my Master.

Hmm... Relax. You pass, if only barely.

And don't worry. I won't dispose of you after I'm done using you either.

I'll tell you what. If you manage to be a good Master for me right to the end, I'll definitely probably send you back to your own world.

So if I were you, I'd do what I say for now.

If you have even a modicum of sense, you won't do anything foolish like end our contract.

Especially since SE.RA.PH is brimming with enemies, like Suzuka and that attack program she had with her.

A mere human like you can't survive here on your own. You need a Servant to keep you safe.

From the looks of you, I'm guessing you're a failed Master who couldn't manage to form a contract with any decent Heroic Spirits?

Then you should be overjoyed that a goddess like myself has deemed you worthy of her aid.

Yes. Specifically, I'm a High Servant amalgamation of multiple goddesses.

As a Master, I believe you're able to see a Servant's stats?

Go ahead and check mine later. You'll be shocked when you see what I'm capable of.

Don't just stand there with that blank look on your face. Makes you an eyesore.

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At any rate, let's push on. The front gate here may be completely digitized, but some of the other facilities are still intact.

Let's see...

We can start by heading for the main oil deck cable area, and sneak into the main facility from there.

If you stay in digitized areas like this corridor, you'll eventually be disintegrated.

After a few hours or so in a place like this, humans end up converted to data and imported to SE.RA.PH. Not a concern for me, though.

Even Servants won't last more than a few days. BB may have said this is a game, but don't trust her.

There is nothing fair or balanced about this game. Everyone will be converted into data well before SE.RA.PH reaches the bottom of the trench.

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In the real world, yes. But in SE.RA.PH, time passes a hundred times quicker than it does in reality...

As such, one minute of real-world time is equivalent to one hundred minutes here.

So yes, in reality, you will reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench in two and a half hours.

But to us here in SE.RA.PH, that two and a half hours will seem like ten days.

What's more, while SE.RA.PH may be based off of Seraphix, it is actually far larger.

Understand? You could use all the time remaining to you, and still not be able to conquer this place.

On top of that, you'll only be able to walk around here for about two and a half hours without a break.

Can't you tell that your body is already starting to be converted into data?

In two and a half hours, you'll be fully imported into SE.RA.PH, so we need to find a safe area to serve as a base before that happens.

...Well? Are you following me so far?

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...Good. That saves us time.

Let me do all the fighting. You just worry about reaching a safe area as soon asWhat?

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Shake on it...?

Seriously? Did you not hear me say you don't have any time to spare?

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Hold it. Wait just a moment. Come...on...!

Rrrgh! You think I can't do this? I can do this!

There, I raised my hand! That should do it, right!?

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Ah...

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...Huh. That was easy.

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Nothing. I'm just shocked to find a human who would actually touch an Alter Ego.

Come on, Fujimaru. You're about to enter a dangerous digital realm positively brimming with enemies.

But don't worry, the least I can do is be your escort. Just try not to wander off, okay?

I see. So that's your story. Well, good job breaking it all down.

Chaldea's situation, the reason you came to SE.RA.PH, and BB's asinine presentation...

It fits pretty well with what I expected. It seems protecting you was the right choice.

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Happenstance. I saw that a new human had dropped in, so I went to see for myself.

I knew that BB was paying extra attention to you for some strange reason, so I figured you must be more important than the other Masters or researchers.

At any rate, is that really your only question? There's still a lot you don't understand, after all.

Let's see... Why don't we start with SE.RA.PH.

SE.RA.PH is a digital labyrinth loosely based off of the Seraphix oil rig...

Yet it's still only an imitation. The original SE.RA.PH is even bigger.

You see, the inside of the moon is an entire world made up of photonic crystals called Mooncell Automatons. That world belongs to us rather than humans.

The original SE.RA.PH was a city-type engine that was created to run this giant Mooncell processor

It was a network that excelled in its role by having many humans, AIs, and NPCs live inside of it.

It was also the site of the Moon Holy Grail War. You have Holy Grails in your world too, right?

In our world, the Mooncell itself is an inexhaustible Holy Grail.

It also chooses for itself which human will wield it.

But the Mooncell is just an observational device. It has no way to make value judgments about the quality of humans within it.

So it opted to use a battle to the death as a "fair and impartial standard" for weeding out candidates.

It invited 128 Masters to SE.RA.PH, and had them compete to win the Holy Grail.

It didn't care what the surviving human was like, or what methods they used to survive. It simply decided that whoever survived would have proven their superiority...

So the Moon Holy Grail War ended up a slaughterfest. And now, things are more or less the same here on this SE.RA.PH too.

That said, one difference is that the Moon Holy Grail War was a tournament, rather than this barbaric free-for-all battle to the death.

It lasted for seven rounds, and the administrators decided who would fight who.

In that sense, it was actually quite rational. But the one on this SE.RA.PH is anything but.

"Kill whoever you want, as many as you want. All that matters is being the last one standing."

That is the sort of trap you find yourself in now: a battle royale.

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BB is a high-grade AI, an information life-form mapped out all the way down to her soul. She was stationed on the moon during the Holy Grail War.

She was to keep Masters healthy during the war... A pure, righteous being in charge of their health.

But then, she bugged out and started to style herself as the Ruler of the Moon.

Her prime directive to PROTECT humans started creating errors, and she now thinks that MANAGING humans is what she should be doing.

She even went so far as to take control of the Mooncell. However, she messed up and lost to a human.

As for me, I was an aspect of BB's personality before she cut me away from herself. I'm the Alter Ego that was created from her sense of pleasure.

That's why the other Alter Egos and I resemble herwe were all born from her.

Of course, now that I'm an Alter Ego, she and I are completely separate life-forms.

So I'm under no obligation to obey her orders.

Honestly, I saved you just to piss her off. I do hate humans, but I hate BB even more.

So, does that satisfy your curiosity? As far as I'm concerned, humans, Masters or otherwise, are no more than a source of experience points.

You and I are not equals, and we do not trust each other. Is that clear, human?

Really? Because I could have sworn you just did.

If you consider a perfunctory summary like that to be "nice," I have to wonder if you actually have a capybara inside your head instead of a brain.

Of course it is. It's easy to move around in, streamlined, and, above all, shows off my perfect figure.

It is chaste, feminine, and in all other aspects a perfect garment for the ultimate Alter Ego. If anything, it deserves even more praise!

In fact, you SHOULD praise it! Go on! I think I deserve at least that much!

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...Never mind. Now is not the time. Getting out of here before you dissolve is marginally more important than praising my outfit.

Since you lack a Master's proper detection abilities, I should tell you that there are other Servants up ahead.

And as I said earlier, every Servant you meet here is your enemy. You'll have to defeat them to stay alive.

...Hehe, this one should be easy, though. He hasn't noticed we're here.

Luckily, one of my many specialties is ambushing my enemies. I'll take him down before he even knows what's happened.

All you have to do is give me the order, and maybe help out with a Command Spell if things take a turn.

...I hate to say this, but I'm afraid I pushed myself too hard on the way here.

Consequently, I'm unfortunately just a tad below my peak performance level.

If we're really unlucky, I could even end up losing to a lower-class opponent. So make sure you're ready with a Command Spell in case we need it.

If you could be generous enough to use one that lets me unleash my Noble Phantasm at the start of the battle, that would be even better...

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Oh, shut up. I was just suggesting a more effective plan of attack!

Besides, if I win, you win! So don't hold back and do everything you can to support me!

...Okay, the enemy Servant's now within firing range! Let's crush them, Fujimaru! But keep it elegant!

Hup...! I say, you're quite skilled, milady!

However, I cannot imagine whose Heroic Spirit you may be...! In fact, I find it hard to believe you are a Heroic Spirit at all!

Of course I'm not a Heroic Spirit. That was a low blow, even for...

...Hang on. You're Gawain, aren't you? I don't remember you being among the 128 Servants...

Oh? Is that you, Fujimaru? ...It is, isn't it?

Thank goodness I found you. I was quite worried when we were separated during the Rayshift.

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Hahaha, surely you jest, Master Fujimaru.

I, Gawain, am one of the three Servants who accompanied you here.

Surely you recall that I came to protect you along with an Archer and, ah, whatever you might call that other thing?

!?

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What!?

Huh!?

What's this!?

...Hmm. It would seem you are serious. I am not sure how this misunderstanding arose...

But I can assure you that I am one of the Servants who accompanied you here from Chaldea, not one who was summoned by SE.RA.PH.

Worry not, Master Fujimaru. It seems you've had a spot of difficulty since our arrival, but you may rest easy now that I am here to keep you safe.

I too heard BB's speech. I have a fair idea of what is going on here.

Let us resolve this situation and return to Chaldea together.

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Hold up. What's going on?

You came here with other Servants? THREE of them!?

You didn't say anything about that. I thought I was the only one here you could count on!

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I'm not angry. I'm just asking a question! Now hurry up and tell me exactly what's going on here!

I see. You must be the one who saved Fujimaru from his predicament.

You have my thanks, Meltryllis. However...

(...The timing is far too convenient. An Alter Ego would have no reason to cooperate with Chaldea.)

(We certainly cannot trust her completely... But she does not appear to be lying...)

...Fine. Just tell me who the other Servants that came along with you are.

Hmm... An Archer with twin blades and a red coat, and a fox-eared Caster in a shrine maiden outfit...

...Did you say an Archer in a red coat?

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Not really. I just remember wanting to carve him up the moment I saw his face.

At any rate, this means you have other assets at your disposal. ...Well, that's good to know.

(...I can't afford to be picky right now. I'll never get another chance...)

So then, in addition to finding you a safe area, we also need to find your other Servants.

Oh? So you will continue to accompany Master Fujimaru even though I'm here?

Of course. You can't escape from me that easily, Fujimaru.

I'm not going to end our contract just because you happen to have other Servants.

...As we are still unfamiliar with this place, I would welcome an ally who knows her way around SE.RA.PH. However...

You can't trust her, right? I don't blame you. I mean, she's obviously hiding something.

Who can be trusted? Who's the real heroine?

Where could the other two Servants have gone!?

Well, not to worry! Your personal angel, BB, is here for the third time today to answer your questions! BB Channel time!

Just kidding!♡ I gotta say, I wasn't quite expecting this little situation, so here we are.

As the Ruler of the Moon, I decided to come squash these annoying bugs myself♡

That's right! Thanks for the sultry encore!

I knew you wouldn't disappoint when it came to the reaction shot, Senpai! That whole "Huh!? The last boss!?" thing you had going on was perfect!

But, it still makes me sad.

I wish I didn't have to punish you for being such a naughty boy, Fujimaru.

But there's nothing for it now, is there?

It's your fault for taking forever to get through the very first area, after all.

...And here I thought you'd remember it's slow and steady that wins the race.

What are you up to, BB? Aren't you the one breaking the rules by showing up here in person?

Shouldn't the last boss be holed up in the innermost chamber watching from a monitor or something?

And in general, I intend to do just that. But it's no fun following the rules ALL the time, now is it?

Still, a Master with more than one Servant?

That's the one thing I'll never, ever stand for!

(Master, get behind me. This could be our chance to settle this here and now.)

(Now that the source of our troubles has appeared before us, I shall do my utmost to capture her!)

As you wish. I do not yet know what she is capable of, so I shall begin by testing her!

What's this, Senpai!? Who are you gazing at with such passion!? Whatever could you be talking about!?

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Just kidding! You didn't really think it was going to be that easy, did you? Neither battle nor dialogue has any effect on me, after all!

Why, you ask? Why is that, you ask!?

Because nothing happens here on SE.RA.PH unless I want it to happen!

Don't worry, I'll give you all a personal hard-knocks style lesson to show you what I mean. Trust me, it'll get you right in the Spirit Origins.

You're up, Matcha. Go ahead and show them your brand spanking new animations.

Ow! How many times have I told you not to summon me while I'm eating!? What am I, a rabbit you pull out of your hat or something!?

Oh... Oh gosh, Matcha, I didn't realize you thought so highly of yourself. I'm sorry...

All this time, I've been thinking of you as a disposable pocket warmer, or a worn-out hanky...

I had no idea you dreamed of becoming a popular character...

Okay then, next time, instead of the rabbit trick, I'll throw a cloth over you and use you to practice my Human Pincushion act!

No thanks.

Knowing you, you'd just stab me with real swords, then act like you made me disappear!

Sheesh. Just my luck that I'd run into an AI that's gone super-rogue...

You there, Archer. You aren't a Chaldea Servant, are you?

Hm? Are you asking if I know your Master?

Well gosh, that's awfully kind of you to form a contract with a half-assed Heroic Spirit like me. It says...uh...a lot about you.

But, we're on opposing sides here, so I'm still going to do my best to try and kill you.

Wow, look at you, Matcha! Not even an ounce of sympathy for an old acquaintance! I love it!☆

In fact, there's nothing I like better than that kind of ruthlessness. So...make sure you don't hold back in any way, shape, or form. Got it?

'Cause if I smell even a whiff of betrayal from you, it'll be off to the trash compactor with you.

And I'm sure you don't want to be tossed into the deep sea after being squished into a cube, now do you?

Yeah yeah, you don't gotta tell me.

You already paid up front, so don't worry, I'll do my job.

All right, bring it on, Chaldea Servant.

I don't know what things are like on the outside, but this here is SE.RA.PH. Down in this digital ocean, rules are everything.

You might have a first-class Spirit Origin, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to make full use of it here. Come on: I'll show you what I'm talking about firsthand!

What was that thing just as the battle started...!?

Hehehe. Hehehehe! That slot machine is this episode's showcase feature!

You know how there are strong Servants, weak Servants, lucky Masters, and unlucky Masters?

Well, thanks to this evil little roulette, everyone can now equally relish the fear that they might lose their next battle!

I call it: "BB's Terrible Slot Machine"!

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Hey, showbiz is relentless. You can't expect audiences to be satisfied with the same old thing forever.

Oh, Senpai! You're so weak and fragile...and dumb! For someone with all those difficulties to get this far and not be praised for it... I mean, really!

That's why I came up with this little treat: to make sure you get your due for succeeding in spite of being you! So no complaining, 'kay?

Then...you mean to tell us that every battle we fight here will be subject to this interference!?

Of course. I didn't get a chance to tell you about it earlier thanks to an unexpected interloper...

But...I think we can let bygones be bygones there.

This is where the game really begins!

Will SE.RA.PH continue to sink, taking everyone down with it!? It's time for...

The Great Deep-Sea Escape Game!☆ Will YOU be the Master to walk away with the Holy Grail!?

I know it's a rip-off of the Moon Holy Grail War, but try not to let that spoil your fun, 'kay?

This game is a battle to the death between no less than 128 Servants.

To win, you need to either uncover the truth behind SE.RA.PH, or be the last Servant standing.

Once either of these victory conditions has been met, you'll all be free to go.

Go ahead and pick whichever one you like♡

As the game master, I'll just be over here watching you all toil away regardless.

Yes, that is where you belong. So why did you show up in person this time?

Well, you know... It gets kind of lonely just fanning the flames remotely all the time...

So before I knew it, I found myself coming here to do some bug-squashing.

I don't need anyone here who doesn't appreciate my game, so I thought I might as well squish 'em now.

But I guess it would be kind of silly to go and kill them myself after I went to all the trouble of bringing them here, huh. Oops!

See what I mean, Fujimaru? BB has clearly bugged off the deep end.

Hmph. What about you, Melt? Why're you taking the humans' side?

I don't remember ever ordering you to do that.

...I'm the Alter Ego of pleasure. I care more about enjoying myself than SE.RA.PH's rules.

Besides, I'm still a Sentinel. You shouldn't have any problem with how I spend my time as long as I fulfill my ultimate role, right?

Aha, so that's the approach you're going with, eh Melty? No wonder you're my sadistic Alter Ego!

You're way more devious than the other Sentinels! It's almost scary, and this is ME talking!

...Hmph. If you're satisfied now, then get out of here. We need to hurry and find a safe zone.

You probably messed with the route leading to the dock too, right? Let us explore in peace.

Yeah, yeah, it's all my fault. Go ahead and blame me.

I feel better now that I've had a little fun anyway, so I'll go ahead and wait for you in the boss room.

Oh, and if you're going to focus on exploring instead of fighting, let me give you some advice.

As the admin, I've locked down a number of SE.RA.PH's passageways.

Buuut, if you want to bribe me, I'd be happy to open them up for you without telling the other players!

Still, you might not want to explore TOO much, you know? The further you go, the stronger the attack programs will get.

Oh, and you'll also start running into Sentinelsspecial Servants tasked with guarding SE.RA.PH.

？！

Yup! I'm the producer for this battle arena, so I made sure CCC is synonymous with emotional barriers and Sentinels!

SE.RA.PH is what you'd get if you took somebody's mind and turned it into a labyrinth. Put another way, it's like the digital embodiment of humanity's inner world.

It used to also be called The Sakura Labyrinth, but that's a story for another exposition dump.

Basically, there's no program in the world that's more complicated, weird, and downright messed up than a human mind.

The Sakura Labyrinth and those Sentinels turn these inherently irrational structures into defense mechanisms.

Each Sentinel is given a powerful passive skill called a Karmaphage, or KP for short.

KPs make Sentinels all but impossible to beat with normal Servants, so I'd avoid them if I were you.

Of course, the Sentinels will also try to stop you from investigating SE.RA.PH, so you might want to try and beat them anyway?

There's five Sentinels all together, and each one guards a different fifth of SE.RA.PH!

So make sure you know what you're in for when moving to a new area, 'kay?♡

Okay, that's all for now. BB, out☆

Oh, right, I almost forgot. Back to life with you☆

Yeowww! What the hell!? That hurt even more than getting killed did!

And what was the deal with that last battle!? Why did I get knocked all the way down to level 30!?

I spent hours grinding away to max it out after you refused to cheat on my behalf!

Oh, you did? I'm sorry, I didn't realize.

When I saw you'd gone and maxed yourself out, I kind of got annoyed and ended up draining you...

But thanks to that, I got a little level-up myself!

So I'd call that a nice win-win! Thanks for the present, Matcha!

What!? I'm not giving you any gifts! If anything, you should be giving ME a gift, like a bonus!

Cripes, I can't believe this. What kind of employer steals her employees' hard-earned nest eggs andWha...!?

...Sorry about that, guys. I wish you hadn't had to see that...

Don't worry, I'll give Matcha a good talking-to. And start him out with negative levels next time...

Okay, let's try this again. Bye for now☆ See you soon at the same BB-time, same BB-channel!

...Oh, wait.

Let me make a little correction to something that Da Vinci Servant said back at Chaldea.

It may be difficult to Rayshift to the future, but it isn't inherently impossible.

So why did she say it was?

Because all of you at Chaldea aren't capable of Rayshifting past 2019.

Anyway, that doesn't have anything to do with this current turn of events, so don't worry about it. What I WOULD worry about is finding a way to survive, so...good luck with that, 'kay?