2nd Area: Race Highlights

Impressive, Boudica! You're pedal to the metal with not a whit of concern for volcanic bombs, and you know how to use your chariot's heavy rear to drift across the terrain!

Even in my Olympia, there are none who could match your skill!

However...I will show you that it takes more than determination to claim victory!

...I won't lose to you this time. I'm going to win, no matter what it takes!

Whoa! This heat is giving me atmosphere reentry flashbacks! Yeowch!

I mean, I designed my ship to protect us from extreme heat, but I never imagined how hot it could get in here!

It feels like I'm working in a sweatshop! Could I maybe take off my jacket? Or even better, just race in a swimsuit!?

What's this? You're attempting to use the surrounding chaos as a ploy for you to change into a swimsuit yourself? Ingenious!

Still, if we get even more characters with your face in swimsuits, it's likely to start a riot!

And yet, this heat really is unbearable... Very well then...in the spirit of the summer event, I might as well just sell out completely!

I shall consider this our own personal summer festival!

Oh yeah, everyone's loving it! And it's all thanks to me!

Um, I think you're confusing flames of excitement with ACTUAL FLAMES, but I AM getting kinda excited now, too...!

My Altrium's running so hot you could fry noodles on it!

Time to strike while the griddle is hot!

Our surrounding environment keeps getting harsher and harsher. Though I guess that's no surprise, since we're getting closer to the mouth of a volcano.

...!?

Red goopy...paste... Is that stuff the same as the food I eat every day?

The kind that tastes like it's made for babies!?

I know what sort of food artificial life-forms eat, and it doesn't come bubbling up from the ground.

This seems a bizarre revelation about my dear daughter's background, but I shall chalk it up to being a figment of my imagination!

Well, this certainly isn't good. A stream of lava just cut us off from the others!

...Uuh... Can we...go through it?

I'm afraid not. Continuing to press forward now would be tantamount to suicide.

I could vent some steam to let us fly over it, but

That sounds like a wonderful solution! Go on then, do it!

Unfortunately, after running the numbers, I can't rule out the possibility that Ishtar might shoot us down. Flying is against the rules of this race, after all.

Perhaps she would overlook it as our sole purpose is to avoid the lava? ...No, probably not.

Then I'm afraid this is our only option. Locomotive Form, off!

Uh? (Sitting on his head)

In this form, I'm not venting steam to fly, but to leap, thus lowering our odds of being shot down.

This way, we can move forward and avoid the lava. It does slow us down, but it's better than being stuck here.

...Uh! (Nod)

Just a moment! Where am I supposed to sit!?

I too would like to be carried away like something out of a fairy tale, you know!

I'm afraid that's impossible. There's not enough room for you, so carrying you both would cause stability issues.

Fortunately, you can leap quite well under your own power. I've seen you do so when using your Noble Phantasm.

And have you any idea what a toll that takes on my back to do that at my age!?

Every leap and bound is taken at great peril of sciatica, hernia, and other such dangers, to say nothing of the gunfire giving me tinnitus!

Trust me when I tell you that I would just as soon not be making any such literal leaps of faith! You can't imagine the strain all this activity puts on your body once you get to be a gentleman of advancing years!

Something's changed in the surrounding environment. I wonder if

...Oh no! I can't believe I forgot!

Not to worry. I know what you're thinking. I have been thinking it myself.

You have been biding your time waiting for the perfect chance to rid this vehicle of its most useless energy...

Namely, its source of alter-something or otherand now the opportunity to do so has presented itself in the form of an active volcano.

Fortunately, I have already prepared a lever for precisely this eventuality. Pull it, and that half-witted eccentric will be ejected straight into the lava. Go on, then. Whenever you're ready.

Haaahahahaha! You great hairy fool! In a vehicle where safety is paramount, alternating current is the only viable choice!

Your cut-rate direct current doesn't even work with transformers! I believe we've both had enough of you and your childish antics. Go on, Ms. Helena, all you need do is press this button.

It will open a hatch directly beneath the furry villain. Gravity will handle the rest in a most glorious and gratifying display!

Ugh, stop it! This sort of thing is exactly why I forgot!

You two and your constant, ridiculous antics kept me too distracted to realize how bizarre this place really is.

Hmm. What do you mean by that?

This is a volcano. Ever since ancient times, people have believed that volcanoes hold mystical power.

And whenever a volcano is about to erupt, mysterious lights are also frequently spotted nearby!

Uh... O-oh, yes, I think I've heard of something like that!

I believe such light arises not from mystical means, but because of

Shut up, you half-wit!

You know what this must mean, I think I'm nearing Mahatma again!

I can't pass up this chance now thatHuh? Did you see that light in the sky just now!? I think I just saw something fly by!

Forget the race for the moment. We've got fieldwork to do!

Wasn't that just the drone flying around to broadcast the race?

Didn't I tell you to shut up? Some things are better left to the imagination.

As far as this race goes, I believe we should let Ms. Blavatsky do as she pleases.

Oh man... People are starting to drop off left and right.

And yet, you seem quite unperturbed.

Well sure! I'm used to these sorts of places, after all. Not to mention I get to stay on Bailong, I don't have to cross fires barefoot...

...AND I don't have to gather Banana Leaf Fans, Excalibanana or otherwise!

It's still really hot here, of course, but aside from that, this is so easy it almost feels wron

...

In fact, maybe it IS wrong. Compared to the others, we must look like we're slacking off big-time in the eyes of the Buddha.

Not at all. I am fiercely maintaining my vigilance for even the slightest violation of decency. I believe the Buddha himself would be proud of my efforts.

Hmm, yeah, you probably don't have anything to worry about.

Plus, I can see you're picking up the pace to catch up to that shameless emperor's team, which is great.

I guess I'm just more worried about myself. Like, just the fact that I'm thinking this, well...

It feels like I might be upsetting the balance between enjoying the Buddha's protection and trying to complete the trial he's given me?

There, you see!? That was a volcanic bomb!

This is bad. It's spooking the horses...

Oh no... I knew it.

I figured we would never fall in the volcano as long as we had the Buddha's protection, so we could easily win as long as we kept going at full Buddha speed.

But I should have known that he would see right through that.

I'm beyond ashamed. I just have to accept that I still have a long way to go on my journey!

In gratitude, I will smash a thousand volcanic bombs! Five Elements Mountain Buddha Palm! Eiyah!

I am no heartless oni either. Indeed, I will not be likened to one of those winged insects who deserve only a swift execution!

And so...I shall show mercy. I will hold this ground here and give potential offenders a chance to remedy their ways for the duration of this rock storm.

I am not the only one who can protect public decency, after all. What's more...I sense I have some sort of connection to those people there.

Listening to constructive criticism from friends and reflecting on the manner in which one conducts oneself is a perfectly valid type of reform in its own right.

It appears as though most of the other racers have dropped out. Few things are better than stains that easily come out in the wash.

A predictable outcome. This course is a melting pot of heat and passion, just like my own Vesuvius.

Rome may delight in all manner of entertainment, but even we Romans do not usually race on an active volcano more than once a decade at most!

I, of course, have already raced on such a course, so I am well aware of the necessary techniques! It is all but impossible for neophytes to any hope of keeping up!

We're still here, you know! I'm an old hand when it comes to seeing truth amid flames!

Tell me, have you ever danced with a Nobbu in the pale firelight!?

Huh? What do you mean nobody will get that reference these days!?

Curse you... Curse you, Rome! I won't lose this battle. This is OUR land!

They're going even faster! They'll reach the mouth of the volcano in no time!

...The volcano's mouth is already upon us. If we do not slow down soon, our lives will be forfeit.

What would you have us do, sub-driver? We have no traction on this ground.

Slamming the brakes will not let us stop in ti

Understood. Then we floor the accelerator as hard as we can! Hold on, dark maid!

I told you I was serious about this battle, and I meant it. I may enjoy making light, but I have never once spoken falsehoods!

...I see. Very well then, I shall entrust this to you.

All is in your hands now, Nero Claudius!

Umu! Vesuvius is my garden; the embodiment of the passion within my heart! We have nothing to fear from it!

Well, I HAVE heard that it caused a disaster at Pompeii after I died, but that was not my fault.

Oh yes it was! It's all your fault! All of it!

It is because you Romans broke your promise that our landmy daughters, tribe, and alliesall perished!

...That is why I fight. That is why Rome, and you Romans, are my sworn enemy!

...I am not Roman.

That's right... Why? Why is a child of Britain working with a Roman?

...No. Whatever your reasons may be, that only makes it more important that I not allow myself to lose!

So you would attack us again!? Very well! This shall be our final standoff!

...!

... ...!

They're getting closer and closer to the mouth of the volcano! A-are they going to be okay!?

？！

Hrngggh!

Raaaaaah!

(No matter what happens, I can't let myself lose this fight!)

(I need to get ahead of Nero, even just a tiny bit...)

(And prove to everyone how brave I am...that I'm not just a loser who suffered a humiliating defeat at Rome's hands! And if winning this game will accomplish that...)

(I don't care if I fall into the volcano!)

(Even as my body burns, I'll face her and say...)

("Take that, you coward!" and "So much for the great Rome!")

(That...that will be my greatest victory!)

...Boudica, I am sorry! I know I shouldn't say this, but I can hold myself back no longer!

I can tell that you are prepared to die in order to secure your victory. In light of your determination, I am compelled to tell you this!

What is it? What do you have to tell me, now that you're about to lose!?

Well, since I can't hold back any longer, I suppose I'll have to just spit it out...

I am having the time of my life! I am not prepared to face death! I would much rather live!

That is why this is so enjoyable! We continue to challenge death to sing the praises of life!

I am not making light of your choice to race headlong to your death. I would be sad to see you die!

!?

Wh-what? What are you saying?

...This is a battle: one between the conqueror and the conquered! I bear you only scorn and contempt!

Umu, you have every right to loathe Rome. You may denounce my name as much as you like. But this? This is a battle between you and me.

And unlike our previous battle, there is no one who will humiliate you or your daughter without my knowledge.

Your people will not die. There is no land for anyone to take. There is nothing but the contest to see which of is will be the victor.

And I must tell you, Boudica: that I am able to compete with you like this now makes my heart sing with joy!

It makes me wish that we could become sisters in arms! Friends who share each other's bravery, buttress each other's determination, and swallow each other's fear!

...!

Boudica! Proud charioteer, and queen of victory! Please reconsider your decision to claim this victory even at the cost of your own life!

If you truly mean to take revenge on Rome and me, then achieve a complete victory!

Use your skill to surpass me, and laugh as you watch me fall into the volcano!

...

All right, the moment of truth is upon us!

Is this the time for me to shine brighter than Rome has ever shined before!?

...Now! Hit the brakes!

Well, so much for breaking their spirit.

Boudica! Why do you not rein in your horses!? You're about to fall into the volcano!

Whew. We just made it.

Oh thank goodness... Her chariot may have fallen into the volcano...

...but Nero managed to grab hold of Boudica before she could follow it!

And Altria has hold of Nero, so she was able to lean out of their car and grab hold of Boudica!

...Hm? What are you looking at? Hurry up and get in.

...There was something I wanted to ask you as well, child of Britannia.

You fought against Rome too. You should hate it every bit as much as I do.

So then...why are you able to fight alongside her?

...

...I cannot say. Pondering such weighty matters is better left to royalty.

Right now, I am no more than a housekeeper. I have set such lofty matters aside for the time being. However...

"It makes me wish that we could become sisters in arms," eh? Everything this woman says is steeped in the opulence of the victorious.

And yet, there is something strangely pleasing about that opulence. It is like a deus ex machina that one actually wishes to see come about.

Hehe... I see. Now I get it.

I should have realized it all along. I've been a spirit for a long time now.

Heroic Spirits are shadows of people who have made their mark on history. They aren't actually those people themselves.

The real me who once lived, and the Heroic Spirit I am now aren't the same person. I even said that back when I tried to make myself look good once.

But now...I don't know. When I was summoned here, it was like my Spirit Origin was different somehow.

I guess that's why I ended up flying off the handle like that. I'm sorry.

...I really did make a lot of trouble for you all, didn't I.

Hold it. Don't go disappearing. We still need to discuss something important. Did we win this battle?

We stopped our vehicle right near the volcano's edge, but your body went closer towards it than ours.

Is the winner of this battle determined via the vehicle's position, or the driver's?

Oh, that? Naturally, it's

Wahahahaha! Not so fast! You got so careless you failed to see the true victor emerging from behind!

You Sabers pretending to be a Caster and a Rider got sloppy!

First we secretly followed you from behind so as not to kill the serious mood, and now our plan's going to pay off by letting us win!

What's more, I anticipated something like this might happen, so I had a drop-off detection system just like the one that R**mbas use installed in the V6 Demon King!

Nothing can beat the technology found in those clever little cleaning robots!

They never once fall down a staircase, no matter how close they get to the edge!

Which means I can use that same technology to get as close as possible to the edge of the volcano without falling in!

Kazusa-no-Suke's great victory!

My my, first I steal her turn to get a swimsuit, now I steal her catchphrase! Sometimes I'm so awesomely evil I surprise even myself!

Yes, this vehicle is designed to shut off its engine if it detects a significant drop-off.

Excellent. Just as I ordered.

Wait. Did you say "shut off"?

That's right! So our inertia will send us driving right over into the lava!

What!? What kinda crappy design is that for a rocket!?

It's not crappy! Rockets don't need silly little control structures like that, so I omitted them!

Honestly, I don't really know much about how spaceships are designed anyway!

Hmm, we really are hopeless, aren't we!

My, what a breathtaking lava dive that was.

For some reason Oda is still smirking and giving a thumbs-up as she sinks into the lava.

I guess this means they won? Both they and their vehicle went the farthest, after all...

...Well, see you around. You'll find the road to the next area after I disappear. Good luck.

Hmm. I can't help but be a little disappointed with how this ended...but, oh well.

She WAS smiling in the end, after all! Truly a great race befitting the Queen of Chariots!

Now what is going on!?

Oh no... It's going to erupt! Get back!

Ugh... This ship can withstand reentry heat, so it's not going to melt in lava or anything.

But it looks like its reactor set off something in the volcano that triggered an eruption!

Really? That sounds pretty dire. Like, "wipe out human civilization dire," no?

Can we escape it?

I think it'll probably end up blowing us out of here on its own. It might even send us into space!

All right! THAT's a Nobbu kinda plan! I'll just skip taking over the rest of the world after Japan and go right on to conquering the whole damn universe! Ahahaha!

Just as well! This planet could never hope to contain all my awesome anyway!

...Either way, it can't be helped!

It erupted!

？！

So, not even the earth's fiery fury is enough to kill Nobbu.

Still, it did succeed at banishing her into the stratosphere...

Hehehe... That's what she gets for running off and getting a swimsuit by herself! This is divine justice at work! Now I can rest easy until a Summer Okita comes out next year!

Fou!?

Yes, I saw a mysterious Shinsengumi woman pass by whispering something serious-sounding too, but I'm sure it doesn't mean anything. Well, mostly sure.

A vertical off course, huh. ...Well, they did say their vehicle can reenter the atmosphere, so they'll probably come back sooner or later.

Since it wasn't their fault, I won't treat this as a flying violation...but if they try to cheat for distance when they come back, I'll shoot them right the hell down.

Anyway, let's keep going with the race.

Especially now that the other teams caught up while the emperor was settling the score with Boudica.

Let's see how things go from here!