Team Formation: Fast & Furious & High

Okay... Now that Fujimaru's on board, it's just a matter of getting enough participants involved!

But I think I should choose who to give the crown to myself, seeing as it's the most important part.

There's no shortage of candidates to choose from, but...!

I think I'll trust this vessel's instincts and give it to the ones who look likeI mean to those two!

There's a flyer here on the wall... "The Ishtar Cup"? "Beat the heat with a cool summer race"?

A race! How delightful!

One cannot hear the name Emperor Nero and not immediately think of my superb racing skills! That is, after all, how I won the chariot race at Nero Fest!

And of course, my victory was strictly an honorable one, with no deceitful skulduggery of any kind.

I mean, I may have called for the race to be suspended temporarily when I fell off my vehicle...but I had no ulterior motive for doing so.

...Nonetheless, I cannot involve myself with this now. A race does sound nice, but I have already promised myself I will go to the beach with Master this year.

I've even procured a new swimsuit for the occasion. So I shall pretend I did not see this flyer and

Oh, Fujimaru! Excellent timing! I was just thinking about you!

Are you unoccupied at the moment? Is your schedule open? Ah, no matter, I am certain you will free it up even if it is not.

I have been made to understand that there is a delightful soiree in Hawaii.

I wish to attend. I am drawn as a moth to flame. But I would be lonely were I to go unaccompanied.

As you are the one who has formed a contract with me, I trust no further words are needed, Fujimaru?

Let us go and enjoy a vacation in the tropical seas together!

？！

Wh-what's this? You seem more radiant than usual... You gaze upon me with the fiery charm of a goddess exercising her Authority...

Then you press me against the wall, use one hand to cut off my escape, and whisper sweet nothings in my ear... Umu, I've never seen you so passionate...

Still, the race... Of course I enjoy racing as well, but...given how spring break turned out, I had my heart set on going to the beach this summ

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...! I-I see. So you wish to cheer only for me, do you!?

Umu! I cannot refuse such a direct confession as that! The beach can wait until next year!

You wish for me to take first place in the race? Then it shall be done!

Admittedly, I do not understand why you care so much about this, but I, Nero Claudius, swear I will not fail you!

And when I win, you shall be prepared to commend me with an embrace worthy of the occasion!

Hm? I see there is a flyer on the wall... "Ishtar Cup"? "Beat the heat with a cool summer race"?

...Hmph.

Another worthless event. This Ishtar... What a shame to see a goddess so given to frivolity.

Chaldea is no playground. It is a collection of warriors who abide by strict rules, execute missions with focus and precision, and maintain order.

In other words, it is an elite unit that does not take vacations, regardless of the season.

...Indeed, none are exempt. Though if any deserved such a holiday, it would be Master, given his exceptional achievements under extreme duress.

...And if he were to go on such a holiday, I suppose he would wish to visit the beach, as it is indeed summer now.

The only beaches I know of are fraught with raging waves, but I imagine Anne Bonny could introduce me to a fine resort beach with clear skies and calm seas.

Very well then. It is decided: I am off to the beach! Fujimaru, you shall accompany me!

...Yes, I believe that is what I shall say. Hehe, it seems the summer heat has lifted even my spirits.

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Wha...! How long have you been there...!? And why is your face glowing like that!?

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...

...Very well. Speak not another word. You have made your feelings quite clear. I am not so dim-witted as to be oblivious to the significance of such an act.

Ordinarily, you ask for nothing. But today, you have made your preferences abundantly clear.

I am not incapable of understanding another's feelings.

...I am Tristan, merely passing by... I am the Child of Sadness, and an ill-fortuned poet...

If I may, my foul-tempered liege: Did you say something? I thought someone was speaking of me.

Indeed, you are correct! Begone, Tristan! (Blows him away)

As you wish, my liege! (Knocked flying) But, what am I to do about this waaall!?

Unwelcome intrusions aside, I have heard your feelings loud and clear. You wish for me to claim victory in this race, correct?

However...as an Alter, I cannot indulge in hedonistic pleasures.

I cannot participate in this race as a king, and so I shall comply by taking a different approach.

I shall take part in this dubious event by ensuring that it is conducted properly and fairly.

Heh... Just you wait. When next you see me, I shall have a new class.

I shall then dominate this Ishtar Cup affair and reign supreme as the greatest maid of all time.

Once that happens, I expect to hear the rest of what you attempted to tell me earlier. When you do, see that your words of flattery are sufficiently eloquent!

Uh oh, maybe I overdid it a little... I didn't think those two would turn out to be such pushovers.

I feel like I might have just unwittingly set things into motion that may lead to some serious carnage!

Oh well, at least they're both motivated now, and I'm sure Fujimaru will figure out a way to survive somehow!

Still, I don't want to stir the pot up any more than I already have, so I think I'll let Fujimaru handle the rest of the invitations!

Da Vinciii! It's me! I have need of your convenient genius!

Oh, Your Majesty. What is you want todaOho. Ohoho.

What a wonderful outfit! You've made a complete one-eighty from your usual masculine getup to showing off quite a lot of skin!

What a great way to start my day. I'll have to return the favor.

Tell you what: just for today, I'll give you a 30% hottie discount.

Thank you, but I am not here for your wares. I am here for your skills as an inventor.

Oh?

I have here a blueprint for the vehicle I require. It must be red, and embody speed, divinity, and Rome!

I want you to use this blueprint to build for me the fastest, most powerful vehicle in the world. And it must be completed by tomorrow.

Tomorrow!? You want me to build you a custom-made race car, from scratch, in a single day!?

Correct! But as an emperor, I will not ask the impossible. I have plenty of QP with which I can quite handsomely compensate you.

I see... Well, let me see the blueprint. ...Hmm, interesting. You clearly did your homework.

Hmm. If Holmes helped me out, I might be able to handle the engine and frame.

But I'm afraid that's all I could do, Your Majesty. I just don't have enough helpers.

Helpers, you say? What sort of help would you require?

A welder, for one thing. I'd need a highly skilled welder in order to recreate this body as smoothly as the design calls for.

Next, I'd need a dexterous artisan to put together the more detailed parts. It would also be nice if we had someone who could polish the body.

Finally, we'd need an engineersomeone who could test the engine and measure its RPM and temperature when it burns gasoline

Very well then, I shall find these people.

What is this!? Who are you, and where did you come from!?

Heh. I understand your surprise, for I am just as surprised as you are. I was unaware that it was so pleasant to wear a swimsuit.

Well now, if it isn't the ice queen Altria! I must say, it's a surprise to see you like this!

What bizarre alternate world did I end up in today!? You're in a swimsuit, AND you're saying you'll find me the help I need to build this car!?

Indeed. My original purpose in coming here was to have you build me a race car, but it appears Drama Queen here was one step ahead of me.

How unfortunate for you, Trench Coat. But it IS fortunate that you are quick to grasp the situation.

Now that you understand I have beaten you to the punch, you may go. There is no place for you here.

Hmph. If anyone here is fortunate, it is you. Ordinarily I would not hesitate to take your place by force, but today I am here to see justice served.

At any rate, I took a look at your design, and it does seem as though it would be a formidable race car. It is somewhat evocative of my sacred sword.

Drama Queen, I presume you shall be participating in the Ishtar Cup? As will I.

I was planning to compete alone, as I specialize in motorcycles. However, upon closer examination, there is a stipulation in this race's entry rules.

As you seem to have missed it in your ebullience, I shall enlighten you. Take a look at this here...

...Hm? Racers must compete in teams of two, with one driving and one acting in a supporting role...!?

Indeed. I was as dismayed as you when I first noticed this. A good maid works alone, after all.

Her role is to serve others, not be served herself. But, such are the rules of this event.

Thus, I came here intending to procure a vehicle, and happened upon another Servant seeking to enter alone.

Drama Queen. You and I may not care for one another in the slightest, but we have few options.

And so I offer you, the lowest of all Sabers, a chance to team up with the greatest. If you can cooperate with Tamamo Shark, you can cooperate with me.

Do not stand there twiddling that antenna-like strand of hair thinking you will have another chance. You will not. This is a onetime offer. Team up with me now.

...I knew you were dull and dour, but I did not know you were so dreadfully blunt as to be THIS dull.

Very well, I shall overlook your incorrigible insolence. However, I will ask you one thing.

Why would you go to such lengths to ally with me? Surely there are others you could ask?

I have my reasons. However, this much is certain: I must win this race, no matter the cost.

If that means I must work with someone like you, so be it. At this moment, I require a skilled partner more than I do a familiar subordinate.

You appear to be accustomed to racing, and you seem to have more than your fair share of luck.

...I see. So you are utterly determined to win this race. What a coincidence! I am too.

Very well, I accept your invitation. Fortunately, I have no interest in the reward, so you may have it.

Is that so? If it is not the reward you seek, why do you race?

For the honor of victory, of course. That is worth more than any mere physical reward.

(That said, if this reward will aid Master in some form, I won't hesitate to keep it all to myself.)

Is that so? For me, it is the complete opposite. I most certainly seek the physical reward.

(It should be of use to Master, after all. Of course, the important thing is to demonstrate my superior strength above all else.)

Heh... Hehehehe...

Then it is settled!

Wow, that was the scariest handshake I've ever seen! You'd think you were about to fight each other to the death instead of team up!

Hahaha, I can endure some humiliation if it will bring about my victory.

Very well, Trench Coator should I call you Dark Maid?I shall permit you to join me. But first...

There is something of utmost importance we must decide. It would be nice if we could do it amicably, but I am sure that is out of the question.

Ah, yes, I was thinking the same myself. As we are both Sabers, a duel is our only option.

Let us do battle to see which of us shall be the driver!