2nd Area: Crater B

Now the race for the second area is underway. All the teams are starting off on equal footing again.

I've calculated the difference in times between when everyone arrived at the first checkpoint, so we do have a provisional ranking at the moment.

But it's still too early to tell how things will play out.

You said it. That's the one thing we've got to avoid no matter what.

So make sure you keep tabs on every team, got it, Fujimaru?

That's very true. I'm glad everyone made it through there.

You gotta admit the crowd loved it, though. You know, enthusiasm at a race is a lot like faith.

And in this case, the stronger that faith is, the more certain this Singularity will be to disappear.

？！

Since you've put such an unusual amount of time and money into this event...

...I guess you really must want everyone to finish this race, right, Ishtar?

Uh, yup, I sure do!

Anyway, I'm glad everyone made it through the first area!

Now...what awaits our racers in the second area!?

As they all left the starting line at the same time, it shouldn't be long now before they notice the change in their surroundings!

Fancy scene transition, go!

Whoa it's hot here! Yikes! It's downright scorching! Are they trying to set us on fire?

Wait. Am I already starting to tan?

Now I'm really glad we went through the snow cone drive-through!

Huh!? It's so hot here that my snow cone already melted into a puddle of syrupy water! Although...(sip) at least it still tastes good!

Uuh, so hot... Need to, cool down... (Sticking out tongue)

Hmm. I see you are attempting to lower your body's temperature by expelling your internal heat using the same method as overheating dogs.

Naturally, I find that behavior completely adorable!

Don't you compare my friend's daughter to a dog!

My...this heat seems a match for the fires of hell. Not that I have any experience with those, of course.

...Personally, this place reminds me of the Flaming Mountains. Oh no... I'm getting flashbacks of rope...and a king stuffing himself with pork buns... Oogh, my head!

This heat is really abnormal. It should not be possible topographically, but it looks like...we're near a volcanic crater?

...Hm? I think I see someone up ahead.

Hey there, good of you to come. You must be tired after such a long journey.

Are you hungry? Shall I make you a galette? They say you can't something-something on an empty stomach, after all.

Oh my, Ms. Boudica. I feel as though it has been ages since I saw you outside of the kitchen.

And a "gullet," you say? Fascinating. I've never heard of anyone making a dish out of gullets before.

How do you go about preparing such a dish?

Hahaha.

You'll see when I rip your "gullets" from your throats.

!?

...Boudica. What are you doing here? What is the meaning of this hostility?

I recall Master saying he has seen you like that before, but little else.

My land has been taken from me. That's all the reason I need.

And then...there's what happened last year.

Last year?

I was told to wear a swimsuit and sit in a hammock, where numerous photos were then taken of me!

I was a little embarrassed, but I agreed because I thought it would make everyone happy.

And when I was then told that the resulting photos were some of the more popular 3★ entries, I dared to believe that when this year's summer event rolled around...

...I might even get a playable swimsuit version of myself!

So then why...why haven't they given me a swimsuit!? What sort of world do we live in where hard work isn't rewarded!?

Ugh, you sound like the mysterious Shinsengumi woman who tried to catch me off guard right before I boarded my vehicle!

One misstep, and my new swimsuit form could have been lost forever.

And now, here YOU are!

...Heh. (Smirk)

An inferior mass-produced Saber like that one could have never hoped to match me.

Tonight, my Secret Calibur will bathe in blood!

Er...well, she coughed up some blood before giving up the ghost!

As you can see, this bloodthirsty mad dog went and took her out of her own accord! All that said, Boudica.

You may want to be careful. This may be kinda rich coming from me, but if you say things like that too often, you'll start to lose credibility.

...Of course, in my case, I've already given up on ever being taken seriously!

No, I have become an Avenger consumed by rage. This is as far as you all go.

I'm glad you're all in vehicles. That will let me use my chariot to make you all bow down before me.

...But I do not merely want to defeat you. I want to utterly break your spirit. That is the only way I can truly protect my land.

Is that so? What an amusing concept.

We summer housekeepers have exceptionally strong spirits, for no matter what manner of filth we must clean, we do not have the option of resigning. How then do you intend to go about breaking our spirits?

A game of chicken, to the mouth of the volcano.

(Chicken? Does this mean she's still talking about food after all?)

I've set things up so that you'll never be able to cross this mountain unless you defeat me.

She's right. I've taken a quick look around, and I don't see any alternative route.

Anything like that has probably been hidden with magecraft, or physically obstructed in some way.

Regardless, we can't do anything about that with an opponent facing us.

In other words...we really do have no choice but to accept her challenge.

And I'm okay with that! It sounds like fun!

I have no objections either, Boudica. It is clear that words will not suffice to break your delusion.

This too must be fate. Our match shall be both a race, and a battle to demonstrate our resolve.

Above all, I shall never back down from a challenge in which I must risk my life!

A game of chicken? At first I thought it might be a competition to see who can eat the most turkey...but I can tell that the situation is more dire than that.

I grant you, though, that I am not concerned with your enthusiasm for this competition, Nero, I can see that you take it seriously. I would not mock those who dare risk their lives for what they desire.

Just this once, I shall acquiesce and let the sub-driver take the glory. You shall have this maid's full support, Drama Queen!

Umu! And you in turn have my gratitude! I shall dedicate a song to you once we have won!

...

You two... You share the same vehicle. Why... Why are you...?

...Hmm, I see, I see! There you have it, folks!

Looks like the second area will be kicking off with a game of chicken against Boudica and her chariot!

The victor will be the team that can get her and return to the main race fastest!

Are you sure about this? Racing towards the mouth of an active volcano seems like a very bad idea!

You think? I doubt they'll have to worry about anything besides lava hail and pyroclastic clouds.

？！

Don't worry about it! If things really do get dicey, I'll step in to help.

I guess if you can't help but worry, you and Mash can keep bringing them supplies like you did last time.

I've got pit stops set up there and everything.

Yes...I suppose you're right. Let's do our best again, Senpai.

Fooou.

All right, it looks like the game of chicken with Boudica is about to get underway!

The countdown...will be handled by Boudica herself, apparently. Well, I'm sure she'll be fair about it.

Three...two...one...

...

Go!

Come on, we'd better move it! Wait...huh?

Has the Legend's body just grown extremely heavy, or are we not moving at all!?

Nitocris, listen to me very closely.

There is only one possible outcome of this game.

Death.

You don't know that!

Yes, I do. Given your pride, earnest nature, and sense of responsibility...

...I see no possible ending for this race...

...that does not include our deaths.

Therefore, I am left with no choice but to activate the Legend's Full Spike Mode.

It is designed to let it cling to the ground in case of avalanches and landslides. We must proceed first and foremost with caution.

Do you even understand what the goal of a race is!?

What's this!? We're still at the very beginning of the second area, but one team's already lagging behind!

Meanwhile, the other teams' vehicles are neck and neck with Boudica's chariot!

At this point, let me offer the same advice I gave in the first area.

If you get crushed by a boulder or melted by lava, walk it off! You'd better make sure that each and every one of you makes it to the finish line!