Act III: The Nutcracker, Once More (3/3)

All set? Then let's get going to the boss fight!

Or should I say, princess rescue mission? If all goes well, you'll be handsomely rewarded.

You'll get a ton of Sakurament, and I'll have one less job to worry about. Everybody wins.

？！

You got it. Once you're there, there'll be no turning back. Make sure you use your items wisely!

...What's going on here? Some kind of limit on the number of people that could use that not-at-all-suspicious item of yours or something?

Heh heh heh. Even alone and outgunned, you're ready to let fly with the snark.

Not that I'd expect anything less from an Alter who's just so...INTO that Evil alignment of his. I'm a fan, you know.

...Heh.

Hm? What's so funny?

I'm saying we may as well be friends, seeing as how we're both bad guys and all.

Really? Spare me the crap. We're nothing alike, and that you'd even say that is worth a laugh.

I don't have any hidden aspects. What you see is what you get. I kill because I have to.

I don't sympathize with my victims. I don't toy with them. I gave up that conflicted, sadistic crap you love back when I was alive.

...So what's your offer? You kept me here because you have something you want from me, and something you think I want from you, right?

...You're quick on the uptake, aren't you. Good. It'll keep things easier down the road.

I WAS planning to use this chance to squish a B-rank Servant, but you seem like you could be useful.

So I'll give you a chance to survive. To put it bluntly...

I want you to betray Chaldea and follow my orders instead.

Kill every surviving human on SE.RA.PH, and capture Fujimaru.

Do that, and you'll learn the truth about SE.RA.PH. That's part of your job as a Counter Force Guardian, right?

...So, you want me to do your dirty work, huh?

I like the way you think, BB. I was just getting fed up with keeping those goody two-shoes safe.

We're here! ...What the hell? BB didn't say anything about this!

And they're not all small potatoes either, Master! Some of them are Servants in disguise!

Those cowardly cretins! Not even an Assassin would have the gall to hide in a crowd like this! I'm THIS close to losing it!

BB didn't send these guys! She's incapable of doing anything that would make people truly hate her!

...Now I see. So it wasn't a coincidence when Lip showed up at the Separator!

？！

Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!

Dammit, now Passionlip's acting up too!

Okay, settle down! Keep your shit together, you brats!

？！

Yes, we had a few technical issues, but I've already accounted for these kinds of difficulty spikes!

Matcha, Melty, Kitty! Start by taking out those Attack Programs!

You can free Lip after you're done with that! Don't worry, I believe in you, Senpai!

All right, I guess I can afford to put in a little overtime, paid or not! Come on, Master of Chaldea!

I'll show you how much better my technique is after BB put me through the wringer.

Aaahhh!

Crap, I'm all out of tricks! I can't stop her!

Hey, I did my best! Especially considering how little time I had to work with!

？！

We can't take a single step without being attacked! Now what do we do, Master!?

Easy! You just have to get inside Lip!

Bwuh!?

Inside her, eh? Believe me, I'd looove to do just that... (wink wink)

Is THAT what you wanted me to say!? Have you finally bugged out!?

Not at all! I'm talking about a CCC tradition with a long and storied history.

A battle to conquer not the body, but the mind... The Maiden Coaster!

？！

I knew it. So this is why you had Fujimaru buy that Code Cast!

But are you sure you can do this? I thought only humans could analyze other human minds!

That's true for normal humans, but I should be able to manage a Karmaphage-infected Servant!

However, in order to do that, Senpai will have to place his hand directly on the target's chest!

I'm sure it won't be easy, Senpai, but try to pin her down so you can touch her safely!

Are you nuts!? There's no way we can handle that big of a target!

Meltryllis! You're an Alter Ego too, right!? Can't you do something!?

I can slice just about anything up, but I have no chance of physically overpowering Lip!

Only Servants with EX-rank strength could even hope to pin her down!

Then I shall do my best to assist! I believe pinning her in a full nelson should suffice!?

？！

Please excuse my tardiness, Fujimaru! I will compose a formal apology anon!

I shall hold her in place! Use that chance to do what you must!

Gawain! You're alive! But are you really going to do something that reckless while you're so injured!?

Yeah, you're in way worse shape than us! There's no reason to put yourself on the line for an Alter Ego!

Rest assured...I do this neither out of obligation, nor to repay a favor!

That lady's heart is pure. To lay down one's life in service of a fair maiden, to put an end to her tears, is the true wish of any knight!

If we fight to save her, rather than kill her, I have no qualms about risking everything!

...

Hurry! Truth be told, even I cannot hold her for long!

Okay, Fujimaru! Do it!

？！

Contact, confirmed! Initiating Pseudo-Spiritron conversion for existence verification...

Temporarily separating soul concept for conversion. Setting size and form concepts to Spiritron border.

Substituting Alter Ego Passionlip values. Pseudo-Spiritron reconstruction will begin upon reaching the mindscape's innermost region.

Now, begin the spiral down into the depths!!

Remember, Senpai, you're about to embark on a battle of the minds! You don't have to worry about damaging her body, so feel free to go all-out!

Aaahhh! Aaahhh!

Lip!

？！

On it! These paws were made for scooping up downward descending damsels!

Well done, Fujimaru.

I cannot tell what sort of battle took place in the instant it seemed to take...

But I can tell you have succeeded in freeing that poor girl from her bonds. Truly, this is cause for celebration.

Now I, too, can rest in peace...

Gawain... I can't believe you risked your life to save Lip...

Hm? What was that, Lady Meltryllis?

...I must say, things really are quite different here on SE.RA.PH. Ordinarily, a battle of such mild intensity would never cause me to become dizzy.

As for Lady Lip, I shall attend to her. The poor thing...she must be exhausted, having been fighting all this time.

I would like to bring her to the church and let her rest there. Is that all right with you, Fujimaru?

...

...I knew that knight was tough as nails, but yeesh. It's like he's unbreakable in mind AND spirit.

Talk about a Prince Charming. Boggles the mind, really.

Okay, I'll carry Lip straight back to the church. See you later, Master!

It is a shame to lose Cat as a fighter, but we can rest assured knowing the young maiden is in good hands. Now, where did Robin Hood go...?

Oh, he snuck off while Fujimaru was busy with Lip.

I decided to let him go this time, since he's worth next to no EXP.

Now, let's focus on the reason we're here. The Central Command Room is just up ahead.

According to Mable, there should still be one or two survivors left.

We shouldn't have to worry about BB interfering anymore, but let's stay sharp and keep moving.

...It can't be.

？！

...It's not possible. What is the meaning of this!?

What is a Demon God Pillar doing here!?

That...that was incredible! I can't believe you beat that monster!

Thank you, thank you! I can't thank you enough!

Once that monster showed up, all we could do was cower in the corner!

You're our hero, our savior! I'm thrilled to have met such a brave soul! And one so young too!

Judging from your uniform...you must be from Chaldea! Then you DID get my distress signal!

？！

I knew it! I'm Arnold, secretary to the director of Seraphix. ...A government official, basically.

So how is the rescue proceeding? Is this digitization thing finally over?

I see... So you're the only one who came to our aid.

And not only that, it's taken you hours on end just to make it here? I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up...

Your disparagement of my lord is uncalled for, Arnold. Master Fujimaru has been working tirelessly to rescue any survivors and resolve matters here.

Your appraisal is entirely inappropriate. I suggest you rethink your words. Immediately.

...

S-sorry about that. I guess being cooped up here for so long has left my nerves frayed.

What I should have said was, "You did great to make it here all on your own."

I hope you'll forgive me, Fujimaru. I meant no offense.

...Do you have to be THAT much of a boy scout? You're starting to seriously tick me off.

Thanks. It hasn't been easy, but as you can see, I'm still alive.

The key thing to do in an emergency is to stay calm, examine your surroundings, assess the situation, and believe in yourself.

Do that, and you can make it out of even the most dire of situations.

And since this is an oceanic oil rig, I was already well-trained in how to deal with emergencies.

？！

So tell me, superhuman who managed to survive: what happened to the rest of the staff?

A-an Alter Ego!? Wh-wh-what is she doing here!?

Don't you know she works directly for BB!? What are you thinking!?

R-really...? Is she really on our side?

...I see. Well that's...good to hear... Alter Egos are a lot stronger than Servants, after all...

In fact, I've been wondering if we could control them somehow, like that one with the huge claws...

Hey! Can't you at least say something like "She's a goddess, a lifesaver, and we'd be lost without her"!?

No, that was well put. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, after all.

？！

...At the end of the day, you're saying we can count on her to help get us through this fight, yes? Then all right.

To answer her question: I'm the only one left.

There were two others besides me not too long ago... One of them was rather timid by nature.

She tried to run many times, and many times I talked her out of it. But in the end she gave in to her fear and fled. I doubt she's still alive.

The other...his body is in the locker over there. He overdosed and went into a coma. He's gone now.

Then, we were too late... Or perhaps, we simply never had enough time to begin with.

Nonetheless, I can assure you that Lady Mable is safe, thanks to Fujimaru.

？！

Mable? ...Oh, you mean the woman who ran away? You saved her?

I can't believe she's still alive after running off like that... She must have been incredibly lucky.

Fujimaru, time is of the essence. Let us return to our investigation.

First, we should look over the Seraphix records being kept here in the Command Room.

After that... the planetarium. I thought it would be near here, but I cannot find it anywhere.

If it is in another area, perhaps we can find it by searching nearby routes.

Hey, stop that! Outsiders aren't supposed to see those records without authorization!

And what's this about a planetarium? There's no place like that! If there was, I'd know about it!

You need authorization from the director of Chaldea, the head of the Animusphere family, in order to see Seraphix's records.

You can't go looking through them just because you're the rescue team.

You could end up costing me my job!

I am afraid that is a potential consequence we shall have to live with.

Master Fujimaru has been tasked with investigating and resolving this crisis, not protecting your career.

...

...It's no use. This data's been deleted too. I thought this clown might have done it back then, but it was deleted well before we got here.

Guess we'll have to find the planetarium ourselves.

Furthermore... Oh? What's this code? This wasn't here last time...

？！

...I was just thinking out loud.

Anyway, isn't this the passcode to that log we found in the church?

But...why would such a code be kept in the Command Room? If it is meant to be used in the church, why is it not kept there?

That's... Well...

Some time ago, we survivors came together to form a colony here.

At that time, we had someone from the church who commuted here to provide therapy to those in need of it.

I didn't see the need for it myself, but many of the others were religious. Unfortunately...

These believers eventually became quite upset and felt like God had abandoned them, and, well...

They turned violent and killed her. The person from the church, I mean. And not suddenly, but in a fit of rage.

They did so slowly, torturously. So much so that she had enough time to leave behind a passcode.

...There was nothing I could do for her.

Once a crowd gets worked up like that, all you can do is wait for them to run out of steam...

？！

Demon God Pillar? Is that what that monster was called? That was the final nightmare.

One day, it sprung up out of the floor, killed the people who had murdered the doctors, then absorbed their bodies.

But that was all. It was creepy, of course, but as long as we kept our distance, it left us alone.

We were still terrified of it, naturally, but we had no choice but to stay put here and make do.

So a Demon God Pillar appeared and absorbed a number of people... I am afraid I alone cannot fix this.

I agree. Our journey here may have been in vain, but at least we have rescued Arnold.

Furthermore, Lady Mable and Tristan are at the church. We should consult with them as well.

Indeed. Despite its appearance and power, it was not the sort of Demon God Pillar we are familiar with.

It seemed...empty, somehow. As though it lacked a soul.

？！

Are you done talking? Then let's get out of here.

There's nothing for us here now since we have no route to the planetarium... At least we managed to free Lip, but...

Y-yes?

...Great, even more dead weight to worry about. I can't catch a break even when I cheat...

Dead weight, eh... I guess you're not wrong. Those of us from the staff aren't much use in battle.

So I will indeed be counting on Chaldea's combat capability to keep me safe.

Thank you again for your help, Fujimaru. Allow me to introduce myself properly.

My name is Arnold. Arnold Beckman.

Arnold!? You're alive!

O-oh, thank you, uh... Mable! Yes, Mable! I was...so worried about you too, yes!

(I knew it. He's the kind of guy who only bothers to remember his superiors' names. Hehehe.)

I am glad to see you have returned safely. Tamamo Cat told me all about what happened.

It saddens me that I was unable to witness Sir Gawain's wild, heroic exploits for myself.

I wish I could tell your wife all about how you risked your life for the sake of a chesty young woman.

Hahahahah. I see you are a bit envious that you did not have your own chance to shine, Sir Tristan.

Very well, we can discuss this later, behind the church. If that is the game you wish to play, be aware that I have many stories about you as well.

...

Well well, if it isn't the Archer we lost. How's it feel to come crawling back with nothing to show for it?

Yeah yeah. Not my finest moment, but right now, this church offers the best odds of survival.

...Besides, I've got something I want to confirm. Having Seraphix people here will save me some time.

Heeey! Welcome back, Master! Let me introduce you to the new girl!

Come on out, you little dickens! Don't be shy, you're more than kawaii enough!

O-okay... Thank you for being so considerate, Cat.

...Nice to meet you, everyone. I'm Passionlip, an Alter Ego.

I, um, understand if you're not happy to see me after I caused so much trouble for you...

？！

...

I-I, um... I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.

He means you are very attractive, milady. And I wholeheartedly agree.

Yup, Lip's definitely got the whole gentle and graceful thing going on! BB and Melt could learn a thing or two from her!

There's nothing to be suspicious of, Lip. Fujimaru is just happy to see you doing better.

We all fought to free you, after all.

Fujimaru never thought of you as an enemy, not even once.

Like me, he saw that you had a heart, and hated seeing you suffer.

...Really? Even though I'm an Alter Ego, with arms like these?

That's true. Just be careful you don't fall in by mistake, Fujimaru.

Lip's trash compactor is actually in her chest. Try to cop a feel, and it may be the last thing you do.

Th-that's not true! I worked really hard, and now I can get things back out even if they fall in!

I see...

...I'm really happy to hear that. You were honest about how you feel, and you still trust me.

？！

See? What'd I tell you! Master's not gonna bail on you just 'cause you're a manicurist's nightmare!

I mean, there's waaay scarier Servants than you at Chaldea! Physically, psychologically, you name it!

I see. Hehe. Chaldea must really be something.

...

...Um, Fujimaru?

？！

You might not believe this coming from me, but...

I want to help you all out! Please, let me fight alongside Melt!

Th-thank you, Master!

Definitely! When it comes to sheer strength, I stand above any Alter Ego!

？！

I, um... I also wanted to thank you, Gawain.

I was still restrained back then, so I couldn't respond at the time, but...I did hear what you said.

...Thank you for seeing me and Melt as girls.

(Hm? What does she mean, Fujimaru? I am happy to have her gratitude, of course, but I am unsure what she is talking about.)

...Ah, yes, so I did. ...I am glad I said that.

Hahaha, surely you jest, Master. Hahaha. ...I didn't really say that, did I?

？！

...Ahem. At any rate, Lady Passionlip, it is your own strength that you should be thanking for your safe return.

Indeed, I am grateful to you as well. Earlier, I said that putting an end to a maiden's tears is the true wish of any knight.

But in my own life, I have had precious few opportunities to discharge such an honorable duty.

So to see your happy smile now is more reward than I could have ever hoped for.

Aw yeah, now we're talking! Between Lip, Melt, and Mable...

we've got the Shrinking Violet, the Biting Wit, and the Incessant Talker! The Girly Gang's all here!

That said, are you okay with this, Sir Tris? You reeeally don't trust Alter Egos, right?

...Indeed. I still do not trust them, but Meltryllis has proven that they excel in combat, at least.

Furthermore, Meltryllis is not under BB's control. That also seems true of Passionlip now that she is free.

In which case, there is no harm in waiting to see how matters develop. If you are concerned about a falling out... I would worry more about that Archer.

He has been ready to kill for some time now.

I'm not the one you should be worried about. Fujimaru's the one who recruited the Alter Egos, not me.

I'm just here to exchange information. I couldn't care less about who you include in your party.

(Oh man, another Alter Ego. At least Lip seems like a nice, sweet girl.)

(Does this mean we could have talked things out with them all along? If that's true...)

(Arnold really screwed up by telling us they were our enemies and making us attack them.)

I have no objections either. Fujimaru is the one leading this team, after all.

If anything happens, he'll take full responsibility, right? As such, I'm happy to go along with whatever a seasoned Master like him decides.

On another note, would you mind if I went and got some rest? To be honest, I reached my limit some time ago.

Oh, in that case, why don't I show you to the rooms? There's lots of them on the second floor.

...What about you, Sir Gawain? I believe some rest would do you good.

We Servants may not require sleep, but I cannot stand to see you so clearly exhausted.

If it would leave you free to focus on recuperation, I would be happy to guard Fujimaru in your absence.

I appreciate your concern, Sir Tristan, but there is no need for that.

As Chaldea's Saber, I must remain Fujimaru's sword to the end.

That said, I cannot deny that I am thoroughly exhausted. I shall therefore rest after we resolve one more matter.

Oh? And what matter would that be, Sir Gawain?

The journal passcode we acquired in the Command Room.

If there is more to that journal than what we already saw, it must contain important information.

Fujimaru. Would you open the journal and tell us what it says?

...Even I didn't know there was more to that journal than what we saw...

I've got a really bad feeling about this, Fujimaru, but can I ask you to take a look anyway?

？！

To whosoever finds this record: this is a confession, recorded with a method even I don't understand.

I am asleep, and yet here I am, recording this.

...I am the Demon God Zepar. One of the seventy-two pillars.

No, no! That's not right!

I've been possessed. Even I don't know who I am anymore. The name "Zepar" will not leave my mind.

I can't remember my own name at all. Still, I've decided to leave behind a record of all that I know.

Seraphix was created to run a certain experiment.

It functioned as an oil rig as well, but deep inside, it contained a top-secret magecraft workshop.

This was done both to evade the watchful eyes of the other Lords, and because the seabed was the only place where the experiment could be conducted.

...With what I've become...I really don't know if this was right or wrong. I'm not even sure what human lives are worth anymore.

So I'm just going to stick to the facts.

Today's Supplies: 3 humans, aged XX

Magical Circuit, Grade: A/Volume: C/Structure: Normal Rayshift Compatibility: Shows signs of promise

5 subjects damaged from overload. Disposed. Prototype with B or higher compatibility required for immediate resupply.

The regular crew had no idea that the materials they brought in from the dock also contained these other supplies.

As for whether the Animuspheres were right to do this, or whether this plan of theirs was irredeemably evil... I leave that for you to judge.

Right now, I want to convey that it is possible Seraphix could be restored from its current partially digitized state.

"There's no need to be scared. A god has chosen you."

That was the day Zepar first spoke to me. It had been several days since I had locked the door to the church.

"I am Zepar. You can think of me as a high-level information life-form. Mages refer to me as a Demon God."

"You humans defeated me, and I commend you for it."

"I was particularly impressed by how much energy your mental activities have the potential to generate."

"I want to help you realize that potential. I want to use you inferior humans effectively."

"But, I no longer have a body. It was taken from me when I suffered my defeat."

"So, while I am truly sorry about this, I am afraid I must use your body for my own."

This couldn't be real. Why me? Why did it choose my body?

I so desperately wished that this...thing would just leave me alone.

To my shame, I would have done anything to be free. I even offered to find it a new body in place of my own.

"No need for that. Human bodies are not significantly different. Yours will easily suffice as a vessel."

"But rest assured, my little seedbed. I won't erase your mind just yet."

"Once they determine that a Demon God Pillar still lives, someone will come to dispose of me."

"I'm still injured. Right now, I need rest. I must build up my strength. I need time in which to create my world."

"Which is why I'll use your personality. I will pose as you, and learn all I can about this facility."

"In time, I will transform this facility into another world, and be reborn as a Demon God. That is when you shall be freed."

"I am not like humans. I reward those who suffer for me. So, when I am reborn, I shall spare you, and you alone."

"Until then, you and I are of one body. You don't want to die, do you? In that case..."

"Do not breathe a word about me. Hide the fact that you have become my pawn. In the meantime, you are to transform this facility into hell."

...Forgive me. Please, let me go.

I am taken over each and every day. I am helping to create a demon.

...No. I cannot let things end like this. That would be too tragic a turn.

I want to get back at him somehow, even if only at the very end.

I pray that this record will do that.

Once Seraphix becomes completely digitized, the next phase will probably be "connection."

This facility is sure to be Rayshifted to 2030 in order to keep Chaldea from finding out. From there, it will sink down the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth.

Once it reaches the bottom, Zepar will be reborn.

...I've finally outlived my usefulness.

Now that BB has been summoned here as Zepar's new partner, I doubt I have much time left.

Soon, my consciousness will be obliterated. All I can do now is talk to myself like this.

But I dearly hope you will believe me when I tell you that this body's true owner did everything she could to save Seraphix.

You must not let SE.RA.PH reach the seabed. You must not let that...thing be reborn.

Curse the Demon God. May the human race be saved.

Ahh... I can hear the sound of the waves. The ominous cry of a newborn.

Please, stop SE.RA.PH before that happens. Before this paradise swallows up everything.

？！

Oh, did I forget to mention?

The Demon God summoned BB to Seraphix. She's been running SE.RA.PH for him as his navigator.

？！

"You didn't say a word about him. Why didn't you tell us?" You're about to do that whole bit, right?

Don't bother. I got it.

I may not be on BB's side, but Lip and I were still born from her. It's impossible for AI to defy their admin.

Lip and I are no exception. BB placed a number of restrictions on us.

We were specifically prohibited from telling anyone about SE.RA.PH's true origin and purpose.

It was impossible for me to just come out and tell you all this. So, I hoped you'd figure it out on your own.

Still, I'm surprised there was a record like this. BB must have really screwed up.

I never would have guessed that one of the four Demon God Pillars that escaped the Temple of Time would have hidden in Seraphix.

And unlike the others, this one's careful and calculating. He understands why they lost.

So he thought he would start by creating a new playing field that's arranged so he can't lose.

He took over Seraphix, somehow learned about the Moon Holy Grail from a different time line, and summoned BB.

Then he appointed BB as his navigator and had her turn Seraphix into SE.RA.PH, all so that he could be reborn without anyone realizing.

...So it would seem. However, that being the case, why did they summon Servants from the outside?

Until now, I had merely thought it part of BB's plot to toy with us for her own twisted satisfaction.

Um... I'm afraid we don't know why either. Mother's way of thinking has always been kind of...you know...

？！

It's all about resources. Servants are chock-full of nutrients.

SE.RA.PH may look like a labyrinth, but it's actually a city-type engine designed to perform powerful calculations.

On the moon, the Mooncell Automaton provided all the necessary resources. But this is Earth... Well, it's the deep ocean.

There was no other way to procure the Pseudo-Spiritrons needed to keep SE.RA.PH running than to summon Servants.

I see... So you were using us Servants as fuel. I cannot say I approve of that.

...It's true. Melt and I were firmly against it, but...we couldn't stop her. I'm sorry...

Don't apologize, Lip. A human summoned BB to begin with. We're just by-products.

And she already punished us by scrapping me and putting those restraints on you. We didn't hurt anyone.

Well, the humans did attack me at first, but it didn't hurt at all, so I just tried to scare them.

？！

Indeed. Now that we know a Demon God Pillar is responsible, this is something we must address.

We must stop SE.RA.PH from reaching the seabed, and we must find Zepar and defeat him.

One objective may lead to the other, but as Servants of Chaldea, it is our duty to see them done.

To that end, we must first

？！

I agree that we should go after BB. I shall make her regret treating Servants like fuel.

I'll help with exploring SE.RA.PH. There're still plenty of areas on the rear side we haven't checked yet.

No argument here! I can settle my score with Suzuka while we're at it!

Then it would seem we are in agreement.

Of course, one of our goals has always been to explore all of SE.RA.PH.

But now, we also know who we are up against, and what our ultimate objective is.

I suggest we all rest up and reconvene in six hours. Is that all right with you, Fujimaru?

Lip and I will be waiting outside. Yell if you need us.

？！

The humans are too scared to stay under the same roof as Alter Egos, so we have to wait out here.

Ridiculous, isn't it? As if draining a human or two would make a difference to us.

You say that, Melt, but you're still being considerate of everyone's feelings and giving them space.

Before, you would have just said something about how you couldn't stand to look at such weaklings and run off.

Believe me, I'd still love to do just that!

But I've learned how weaklings like humans think, and what they're afraid of.

I'll never like those crew members, but I don't have anything against them. If I hated them for being weak, I'd end up hating all humans everywhere.

Hehe, and you don't want that to happen now, huh. I wonder what happened to change your mind while I was captured?

Meeting an amazingly wonderful Master, perhaps?

I don't see how else your feelings towards humans could have gone from hate to just not liking them.

I...wouldn't say he's amazing. Or even wonderful.

...In the end, I couldn't even keep my promise, or get him to hold my hand.

Hm?

...Never mind. Just drop it. There's nothing I can do now, and it really doesn't matter anymore.

Oh, okay. I'm sorry I'm so bad at choosing topics. I don't mean to keep upsetting you all the time.

But, can I ask one last thing? ...What happened to your hands?

...Oh, so you noticed. I'm impressed.

Well sure, you're my friend. I could tell right away that you were in pain.

I see. You know, not so long ago, you were so wrapped up in your own problems that you never would have said something like that.

...I guess I can trust you with this now.

I was planning on keeping this a secret so as not to burden you, but...can I ask for your help, Lip?

Of course. I'd love to know what happened to you, and what it is you want to do now...and how I can help.

Then close your eyes.

I don't have time to tell you everything, but since we can share our experiencesour datawith each other, I don't have to.

So I'll share everything with you. What I've seen... Who I couldn't save... And what it is I have to do.

Because you're my sister, born from the same AI as me.

...That's all of it. Do you understand the situation now, Passionlip?

...

Lip!? Are you okay!? Did I hurt you!?

N-no. It's not that...

It's just...just...

...If you say you feel sorry for me, then you and I are through, Lip. I'm not at all

No, it's not that either. It is really sad, but...it also makes me really happy.

Every part of that memory shone so bright. Even though it didn't happen to me, I'm still really proud of it.

It's really unfair, isn't it? A miracle like this would make any AI come to love humans.

...

Please let me help, Meltryllis. I want to do whatever I can to support you.

...Okay. Thank you, Lip. I'm really glad to hear you say that.

Then I'll ask you once again: Passionlip, Alter Ego of love and hatred...

Please lend me your Virgin Laser, the Spear of Palladion.

...This time, I'll make sure the three of us succeed at taking down that monster.

Are you the one who called me here? What is it you wished to speak to me abo

？！

Fujimaru...

I don't believe it. He may have been cheeky, but he was nothing if not dependable.

？！

Gawain is dead. He was killed, right here, while all of you were sleeping.

I can tell from his residual magical energy. There's no sign of battle, so it must have been an ambush.

？！

...Impossible. No mere ambush could fell Sir Gawain!

This was doubtless a trap. A cunning, cowardly trap that no self-respecting Heroic Spirit could ever lay.

Don't you agree...Alter Ego Meltryllis?

Finger-pointing already, huh? That was quick. Granted, I AM the only one here with an obvious motive.

Of course, just because I'm opposed to BB doesn't mean I'm a friend to you humans.

If once we killed BB and the Demon God Pillar, I said I was going to take over SE.RA.PH and declare war on humanity...

...I mean, would that really shock any of you? Hardly.

I-is that true, Fujimaru!? I thought you had managed to tame those Alter Egos!

Hmph. Some creatures just aren't made to be domesticated.

One of them has silver legs that slice up anything they touch, while the other has golden claws that crush anything they hold.

The Alter Egos can't defy BB. Which means the only ones who can beat her are Servants or humans.

They're just temporarily fighting alongside us because they want us to defeat BB for them. You shouldn't trust them for a moment.

Th-then... Does that mean they really are the ones who killed Gawain?

Make up your own damn mind. After all, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you we didn't, would you?

...Hmm. There's clearly something shady going on here. But it's hard to put into words...

What are you saying!? We're merely presenting the facts!

Now that we know the Alter Egos are dangerous, we have to take immediate measures!

Tell your Servants to capture them! I refuse to discuss this further until you do!

Well, that IS the only logical conclusion. After all, we were both outside the church until just now.

It would be impossible for either of us to assassinate Gawain. He was more wary of me than anyone, remember?

In fact, I'd say that out of everyone here, I'd have the worst chance of actually ambushing him. Am I wrong?

？！

...We have neither evidence, nor the time to deliberate.

Fujimaru, I would ask that you continue your investigation of SE.RA.PH.

I shall continue to protect this church, along with Lady Mable and Sir Arnold.

That said...

Emiya. You will accompany Fujimaru.

If you refuse, I shall never let you set foot in this church again.

If you do not like that, then we shall see which of us is the superior Archer.

...I had my own things I wanted to investigate, you know.

So you want me to go with Fujimaru in order to keep an eye on them?

Keep an eye on them? If you're concerned enough to keep an eye on the Alter Egos, you should just dispose of them now and be done with it.

(You're mistaken, Arnold. It's not the Egos that Tristan wants to keep an eye on...)

I see. So I'm the one you don't trust, huh. You're awfully level-headed to make a call like that right after losing your friend. Impressive.

Do not misunderstand. I do not trust the Alter Egos any more now than I did before. It is simply sound tactics to have two suspicious parties watch each other.

I do not understand why, but Meltryllis and Passionlip clearly have a need for Fujimaru.

Conversely, despite being a Servant of Chaldea, you are not especially concerned for Fujimaru's wellbeing.

So you will keep watch over the Alter Egos, and they shall protect Fujimaru.

Given these circumstances, there should be no issue with the three of you working together.

Oho. And as for me, I'm on Lip AND Master's side. If worse comes to woof, I might be the only winner. Top Cat!

...Fine. It's a pain in the ass, but I guess I don't have a choice. Besides, it'll be faster just to go with you.

Let's get going, Fujimaru. I'm sure we'll find Gawain's killer soon enough.

？！

Gawain... I'm so sorry... I never got a chance to properly thank you, or apologize to you...

But don't worry. I promise to serve as Fujimaru's shield in your absence!

My resilience is the only thing I have going for me, after all! So I swear I'll put it to good use!