Act IV: The Sinking Beauty (4/4)

Ah, that was easy!

Oi, Melt! Why me!? You're too heavy!

Who else was going to do it? I had no choice!

Damn you, BB! Don't think we'll keep falling through these pits forever!

W-watch out down there! No one's going to be laughing if I end up squishing you all!

Yes, Fujimaru! Good to see you safe and sound!

Hahaha, we caught up with you, Master! Those acrobatics I did mid-flight sure paid off!

？！

Yes, we're all here. That seems oddly convenient, which worries me, but I'm sure she has a reason for it.

Let's get this over with.

This is the Cruel Thenar: the area that was assigned to me.

On Seraphix, they excavated oil...or at least claimed to. But they were actually investigating Leylines in secret.

To put it simply, they were investigating Earth's brain waves. Kind of like stepping on grapes to make wine.

But never mind about that. We're short on time.

I'll cut right to the chase... Please enter me, Fujimaru.

Meowhat!?

...!

(Well, she sure gets right to the point... Almost like a shark chasing its prey...)

Th-that's very forward of you, Melt... But shouldn't you beI don't knowa little more ladylike?

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What? You've already done that to plenty of other girls. Don't tell me it's because of ME you can't get...excited...about the idea.

Oh, come on. You know what I really mean. You've already got the "key" to me, remember?

This is my temple, and you have the special BB key that will let you into my heart.

So fight me and defeat me already. That is, after all, what you never did.

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You mean to go along with this!? Did any of what she said make sense to you!?

Don't interfere. Fujimaru didn't understand at all. Not one bit.

...But Fujimaru has total faith in me. That's why I don't have to explain anything to him.

Well, let's get on with it already. Just be careful, okay?

My body might be a bit rough right now, but in my heart, I'll be in top condition!

That's where my hedonistic Alter Ego form, which did as it pleased on the Far Side of the Moon, resides.

You're faced with an impossibly powerful enemy, you know? One false move, and you'll be done for.

What? Well, that's disappointing.

I am still the queen of nectar, so it would have been nice to be tempted with sweet ambrosia now and then.

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...Fujimaru.

If we beat Melt inside her heart, her Karmaphage will also disappear and this area will be unlocked.

That's the final key. So please take care of her.

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Oh...how satisfying. It's been ages since I danced like that.

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Oh my. I'm sorry if I made it hard on you.

But considering the opponents you've yet to face, it's probably for the best.

...Why are you sitting there? Did you not just tell us that we have no time?

Should we not start looking for a route to the surface and find the planetarium that powers SE.RA.PH?

Oh, that. Where exactly do you think you guys are, anyway?

We're on the underside of the Portopia Thigh. This is my domain. Here, let me show you.

What!? We're back on the front side!?

That's the church right there. Rest up a bit before we head to the planetarium.

I'll stay here. I can't move anymore.

I don't want to be a burden. Just leave me. My usefulness pretty much ended when we unlocked the Core anyway.

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HEY! Watch out! Have you lost your mind!? My legs...they'll tear you up if you give me a piggyback.

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Yes. I think it's for the best, Melt.

...Thank you so much, Fujimaru.

...Indeed. We are stopping by the church anyway, so it will be no trouble at all to carry you there.

Does an Alter Ego's life force not exceed a Servant's? If it does, then resting in the church will help you recover.

That's...true, but... Okay, I suppose you're right. The church is the best place to rest.

I won't stop you, but...be careful, Fujimaru.

...My body is quite hard and, um, spiky in places. My knees, for instance. Try not to touch them...

I do not see anybody. There are no signs of Mable or Arnold...

Not even the edgy Archer?

I mean, he DID say he was headed back for the church when he left us...

(This faint stench... Ah yes, it seems we have company.)

Um, testing, testing! Can you hear me okay? You can? Great.

So sorry to have kept you waiting. This announcement is for everyone left alive on SE.RA.PH.

Thank you so much for all time you've put into killing, hating, and encouraging each other.

I wish I could say it's been fun, but all...mediocre things must come to an end. Seraphix will soon reach its final destination at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

In other words...game over! This Holy Grail War has ended! Thanks for playing!

But unfortunately, nobody emerged victorious this time, either. Only three survivors makes the game null and void.

As such, that makes me, the sponsor, the game's winner. This is where we part ways.

Final result: humans defeated. Winner: Demon God Zepar.

So that's that! Before long, SE.RA.PH will emerge, and you will all be consumed.

But making the game impossible was pretty unfair, don't you think? That's why I'm here with a special offer!

Available for a limited time only! The chance to fight yours truly... BB!

Any comments, questions, protests, complaints, or requests should be brought to the attention of the sponsor who awaits at the Core♡

As the game master that has carried you this far, I decided to make the ending especially fun for you!

Only three Servants left. Me, that dumb cat, and the one with long hair...

Meltryllis and Lip are Alter Egos, so they don't count.

Not on SE.RA.PH any longer, I'd gather. That moron. This is what happens when you put yourself ahead of everyone.

Hehehe. He was basically BB's pawn. I don't think he counts as a participant.

He's always giving me a hard time, I'd love to give him a taste of his own medicine!

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...I am worried for the safety of Arnold and Mable, but we are very short on time.

Reluctant as I am to accept BB's invitation, we should hurry to the Corethe planetarium.

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...Would you object to us leaving you here in the church, Meltryllis? You are not in any condition to fight.

...Not at all. I'll stay here and try to heal my Spirit Origin.

Besides, we can't fight BB. In fact, there's not much reason for Lip to accompany you, either.

...But, well... I'm counting on you, Lip. Our fate is in your hands.

Don't worry, Melt! This is a once-in-a-lifetime mission! I won't let you down!

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...We've exhausted all our options. Lip and I were the only ones left last time.

But now it's not just us. There has to be a way out.

...Which is why...Suzuka, Tamamo, Tristan, I implore you: give Fujimaru a chance to fight back.

You are not Alter Egos. That devil shouldn't be able to consume full-fledged Servants like you.