Act Four: Remedy for Intoxication, Part Three

Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. I can understand your concerns, but I really don't have any magical energy to spare on changing my outfit right now.

Not to mention I get the sense that the situation here is even tougher than I thought, so I'd really prefer to stick with the outfit I'm used to.

As things stand now, there is no telling when or if we might receive aid.

I'm sorry, but I think it is only wise that I conserve my magical energy for matters of life and death.

After all, if I were to let my guard down, I could easily end up dead...

Ahem. Well, in the end, I suppose this isn't really my Ooku anyway.

And I do also feel like it would be wrong to impose my Ooku's customs on women from different cultures, especially when they're here to help in our hour of need.

So, it's all right. Yes, please don't worry about it.

...I am still concerned about the effect this could have on the young pages' education, should we happen to run into any of them here...

...but I can cross that bridge if we come to it.

Thank you for your understanding...

And please, don't worry. If we end up visiting the real Ooku after we take care of things here, of course we'll be sure to dress appropriately.

It's like they say: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Er, or the Japanese, in this case.

So if you want me to wear twelve layers of kimono when that time comes, I'll be glad to.

At any rate, right now, we should focus on making our way through this labyrinth.

Don't worry, Tsubone. I'm sure Mata Hari and Scheherazade will be great additions to our team.

All right, I think we'd better get back to... Hm? What's wrong, Master?

？！

Are you okay? Do you want some water?

That's strange. We know Master hasn't had any alcohol.

This room does admittedly have some very strong fumes, but those alone shouldn't be enough to hurt you.

Your cheeks don't look flushed, and I'm sure your resistance to poison is still working fine. I don't see any way you could be intoxicated.

So then, why is this happening?

...I believe it is time you came clean, Lady Sessyoin.

Earlier, you demonstrated that you know more about this Ooku than the rest of us.

Perhaps you can explain this change in Master's condition.

Really? That's amazing! Do you think you could tell me what's going on too?

...I have no special knowledge, personally. Kama was quite clear with us about how this labyrinth works.

It just stood out to me more by virtue of my being a nun.

If we continue on from the precepts against killing and falsehoods, then I think this floor's theme...is the precept against intoxication.

？！

Kama mentioned those first two herself.

It should be safe to say that these are the themes of each of the Ooku's floors.

Themes, you say?

Yes. Each is the name of one of Buddhism's five preceptsdoctrines that describe things one must not do if one wishes to attain enlightenment.

Fusesshoukai is the precept against killing. Fumougokai is the precept against lying. And Fuonjukai is the precept against drinking alcohol.

So, if we keep that in mind, and think back to what we've done on each floor so far...

...You should clearly see that thinking at work in designing this version of the Ooku.

Um, let's see... What did we do so far...

On the first floor, we just fought those attendants. Most of them weren't very strong, though.

Hearing that brings to mind the fact that even if these attendants are inhuman dolls, destroying one could be construed as killing.

On the last floor, we had to first lie to ourselves about wanting to move forward, then follow paths in places that falsely presented themselves as dead ends... So now, on this floor, we have to drink alcohol to progress...?

I'm afraid we've already forgotten what our goal was earlier in trying to get you guys to drink, but...

Yes, I think I can still vaguely remember that...we were trying to bring you somewhere...

I still can't say with any certainty whether becoming intoxicated is necessary to penetrate to the next floor, but if it is...

...that would mean this Ooku wants us to proceed by breaking these precepts, no?

？！

By that token, it would be impossible for us to proceed if we DO follow these precepts.

So, applying that rule to our current situation would

...Would mean Master's current poor condition is a result of him coming this far without imbibing.

That definitely sounds plausible. Though it does feel counterintuitive to think he's getting a hangover because he HASN'T been drinking.

Though if that is the case, his condition might get worse and worse the further we progress.

In the worst-case scenario, he might no longer be able to stand, or start gushing blood from his eyes and nose.

That's awful. He could end up dead...!

I am uncertain why these are the constraints by which we are bound here, but if Kama did build the Ooku with them in mind, she must have had a reason for doing so.

If that is true, then I thought it might be dangerous to simply go along with whatever she has planned.

That is why I declined their invitations earlier.

But we absolutely cannot let Master die.

I know it is dangerous to have him drink to the point of intoxication, as there is no telling what might happen, but we may also have no alternative...

No, you mustn't! Headaches tend to be a sign of a much more serious condition! At the risk of repeating myself, you could end up dead...!

Oh no you don't!

It's too dangerous to just go along with our enemy's plan, especially when we still don't know what her goal is.

Times like this, our best bet is to stall and look for another way out. What do you think pillow talk is for?

？！

Maybe there's another way? One where we can safely make our way through without playing into Kama's hands?

If there is, I'm not seeing one. Hmm...

...Mm?

Wait, I just got an idea! Master, do you mind if I try a little experiment?

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I don't know if this will work, but...

When you think about it, what does it really mean to be intoxicated?

I mean, some people can feel tipsy without having so much as a drop of alcohol, right?

So I thought I'd try to replicate that with my Noble Phantasm.

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That's right. The one that shares my name. It's a brainwashing Noble Phantasm.

I see. So, since Master is unable to become intoxicated through drinking...

...you want to use your Noble Phantasm to replicate an intoxicated state in his mind.

Right. Though I don't know if that will be enough to convince this Ooku that he's really drunk.

？！

Okay, here goes. Just relax, open your eyes, and let yourself drown in me...

...How do you feel?

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How are you doing? Does your head hurt?

？！

So you've helped Master become intoxicated without so much as a drop of liquor... Perfect! It seems you've found a loophole that will let us circumvent the rule.

And since you're using your Noble Phantasm to do it, you can also undo it the moment we leave this floor. This seems perfect.

Nonetheless, given that Master is now effectively intoxicated, the rest of us must work harder than ever.

I implore all of you to remain vigilant.

Of course. I will be so very sad to bid farewell to this delightful intoxication, but yes, we must remain on our guard.

I overheard the whole thing.

I'm still not quite clear on how you did it, Lady Mata Hari, but I can tell that you have saved Lord Fujimaru from his predicament.

Well done! You did great! (Pat pat)

Oh, gosh, haha. I don't think I've been praised so directly since I was a child.

I'm sure you've been through many hardships, but you're still young. That makes you a child in my eyes.

Now then... If this "you must be this drunk to proceed" rule really is the premise for this floor...

...there may be other hidden aspects in line with that rule that could help us make our way through it.

So let's all keep a close eye on our surroundings for clues...

...as well as to make sure Lord Fujimaru doesn't stumble into any trouble while he's inebriated!