Act Seven: God of Love

Hahaha! It's about time you lot got here! Go on, kick back and relax! That's an order from the shogun!

He's here!? I know you told us what happened to him, but I still can't believe how funnI mean, weird this is!

His mind must have been tampered with, like ours were...

？！

...(Cough) You still fail to understand? How unbelievably foolish.

Now, now. That's just how humans are, you know? Just when you think they can't possibly get any dumber, they say something like that. Ugh, so hopeless.

But, no matter how much I detest them, I can still love them anyway. I am the god of love, after all.

(So she is capable of loving humans without actually loving them... Ahh... We may seem similar on the surface, but we have absolutely nothing in common...)

Be quiet! No more nonsense! I want to know where are you keeping Lord Iemitsu!?

You don't really think I'm just going to tell you that, do you? No, I can see you don't.

So I'm going to surprise you by actually answering honestly. I have to admit that when you hate someone, it's fun to take the wind out of their sails.

Anyway, Iemitsu, was it? The shogun who was originally here? Oh yes, he was the first anchor. Veeery important.

That's why I'm holding on to him myself. Let's see... Ah, here we go.

Huh? Did she just take that out of her cleavage? No, wait, it came out of her chest? Isn't that...?

...A pillbox!?

Uh-huh. These are the anchors. They're the shoguns' life energytheir souls, basicallyall wrapped up in neat little packages.

And please don't ask what it is they're anchoring. Even you clowns have worked out that it's Ooku, right?

So you say that pillbox you hold is actually Lord Iemitsu's soul?

That's right. Tell you what. I'll be exxxtra nice and start at the beginning.

When I first showed up here, I started out by creating a single room that I could make into anything I liked.

It was a tiny little zonea part of me, in a waythat I fit into a bit of empty space inside the real Ooku.

I then invited Lord Iemitsu to join me there once he paid the Ooku a visit. All it took was a few words, and a few steps off his usual path.

Once he came inside, I entertained him myself. I didn't stop until he was satisfied. I didn't stop until he forgot about eeeverything else.

He must have been sooo exhausted from his duties, because he put up almost no fight at all.

...! How dare you be so brazen with Lord Iemitsu!

I'm just telling it like it is.

Anyway, after I'd gotten hold of Lord Iemitsu's soul...I followed his bonds, his connections to gather more material.

I started with the other people in the Ooku, then I spread out to cover everyone in Edo Castle.

I dipped down into the nearby castle town too, but only a little here and there.

And then...you used those people's souls to build this false Ooku?

Oh no, I still didn't have nearly enough material for that. That's why I next decided to follow Lord Iemitsu's connections vertically.

And by that...I mean through time, to his past and future.

？！

Lord Iemitsu had a lot of deep ties in all sorts of concepts. The Tokugawa family, the shogun, the shogunate... So I went looking for people with some connection to those, both in the past and the future.

Then I basically took aaall of their life energysorry, their souls, and made them into materials.

Then, you mean all the pillboxes we've been collecting are actually...!?

That's right. They're the souls of several shogun from the past and future. As you'd expect, being a shogun is very significant, so I made all of them into anchors.

Still, I only used them as guidelines when I was making the other floors, so I didn't really need any of them besides this first one once I was done.

In the end, I just repurposed them as a power source for the attendants. Wait, have you been collecting them and using them yourself?

Aww, that's so touching.

So then, after you built this Ooku...that was when you came after Chaldea.

You tricked Goredolf into coming here, then you used his bonds to perform a reverse-summon attack on Chaldea...

Hm? Did someone say my name? Come now, why are you all still standing there!

Go on, have a seat! You have my permission! There's plenty of delicious drinks and delectable roast beef for everyone!

...Maybe we should gag him for a bit, so he doesn't ruin the mood?

All right, I understand how you made this Ooku. But I still don't understand what your goal is.

I'm sure you didn't make this place just for fun. You obviously want to use it for something.

While we're on the subject, I also want to know why you attacked Chaldea.

Is it because we posed a threat to this Singularity zone that showed up here thanks to your messing with the timeline?

Are you trying to grow it so that it destroys all of humani

Pfft.

Aww, sorry there, Pārvatī. You were so hilariously off base that I couldn't help but make a goofy face.

My goal? Really? You're really struggling with something that simple? Damn, you never change.

Just like you couldn't figure out what would happen to a god who was ordered to get Shiva's attention by firing an arrow...

...you can't tell what's going on here either, huh. Ugh, you're just the best at being the worst.

Then again, maybe you just don't want to get it? I hate to break it to you, but that innocent act of yours got old ages ago.

？！

Making a Singularity? Using it to destroy humanity? Wrong. I honestly couldn't care less what happens to this place.

I didn't have to use the Tokugawa bonds. I didn't have to make a new Ooku at all.

It could have been the Topkapı Palace harem, or China's inner palace. It's all the same to me.

I only went with the Ooku because it happened to catch my eye at the right time.

Yes...it happened to be just the right kind of place to drown you in my love, Fujimaru...

？！

Th-then, your true goal was

That's right. I've only wanted one thing all along... You, Fujimaru.

What do you call it? Novum Chaldea? It would usually be impossible for me to do anything with a bizarre place like that.

The only reason I could manage it at all, Fujimaru, is because you and I are tied together through fate.

It's all thanks to that fate that my voice was able to reach Chaldea.

I'd hoped that just inviting you here would be enough, like it was with Chubs here.

But once the alchemist caught on and got in the way, I decided to have you make your way through this Ooku of your own volition.

I can see you tried all sorts of tricks to get around it, but, sorry, none of them worked.

You might not have gotten as much as I'd hoped, but you still accepted my love and made your way deep inside me.

And now...it's taken effect.

？！

Master!? Are you okay!? Please, snap out of it!

A mental attack? ...No, it's...!

Hey, worthless human? The one crawling around on the floor? What's your name?

？！

？！

...!

(Cough)... Fools. Even with an example right in front of you, you still failed to realize the truth?

Hahaha, hahaha! Now, now, no need to prostrate yourself, Fujimaru!

This Ooku is a curse. It is designed to turn anyone who makes their way to the innermost sanctum by breaking the five precepts into Tokugawa.

If we define the Ooku as a place devoted to the shogun's pleasure...

...then anyone who experiences pleasure there would have to be a shogun, right?

...I see now. All this time, I failed to grasp the greater picture. You weren't trying to corrupt Master to indulge in further depravity...

You wanted to corrupt him to turn him into a Tokugawa... What an absurdly obtuse way of expressing your love.

...Would you kindly SHUT THE HELL UP!? You're making a distraction of yourself.

Anyway, Chubs there isn't brainwashed. He was the first one invited to this Ooku after I completed it.

He turned out to be a perfect subject for my first Tokugawafication experiment.

I've never heard of such a massive specialized spell as that in all the stories I've ever read!

Even if you are a Divine Spirit, there is no way you could easily

Yes, I can, thanks to the power of my love. All I have to do is prove it.

When I prove my love, it makes the concept behind this Ooku I created even stronger. That's why I went with this particular kind of labyrinth.

What did you think? The five precepts were perfect for proving my love, weren't they?

People seem to have the idea that they won't go to hell as long as they don't do those things...

...so I thought I'd suggest doing them all, and enjoying yourself on the way to hell.

After all, doing what is forbidden feels sooo good...

So go ahead. It's okay. Just do whatever you want.

No matter how much you kill... Or how much you lie...

Or how much you drink... Or how much you steal...

Or how much you fornicate... Really, no matter how worthless you are...

I'll still love you, even if you go to hell.

That is the proof of my love. Whatever you want to do, I'll accept it unconditionally and love you anyway...

That... That's not love at all! It's the definition of depravity!

Define the word however you like. It does not matter.

The recipients of Lady Kama's love will inevitably end up becoming Tokugawa, just like this man.

And once they have become Tokugawa, they can never escape her Ooku...

？！

Please, snap out of it, Master! You're not a Tokugawa! You're just Fujimaru!

R-right! I may be your acting wet nurse right now, but that's only because I sensed you had talent!

I never meant that you were a Tokugawa shogun in your own right!

Please, get a hold of yourself!

I would ask that the two of you continue talking to Master. We will try a different tactic.

Yes. Simple though it may be, I can see the path we must take to bring this story to a close...

All that said, I guess Fujimaru's Tokugawafication is taking longer than I expected thanks to your pointless attempts to resist it on your way here.

Fine, I see how it is.

I'll just have to give Fujimaru one last push to send him tumbling into hell myself.

Once he experiences pleasure here in the Ooku's innermost sanctum, he'll no longer be able to resist turning into a Tokugawa.

？！

Are you even listening to me, young man? Ugh, you're so annoying.

Look, I'll fill you in on a little secret: I don't even remember where I put everyone from Chaldea, human or Servant.

They could be in the staircase you just came down, or they could be in one of the countless wallboards you walked by.

All right, I probably shouldn't say this, but the only way you'll ever free them is by getting rid of me.

Doesn't sound so easy, does it? That's because it's not. But don't worry. It's okay.

I might despise everyone besides meworthless gods, hopeless humans, and pathetic Servants alike...

In fact, the very thought of them might make me want to puke...

But, even though I'll always despise you...I'll still love you all, forever and ever... To the very end...

(How is this happening? My sword refuses to do as I wish. It feels...heavy.)

Would you stop wasting my time already?

I really, really couldn't care less about all that, "You can do anything with passion and hard work!" crap. It just makes me want to vomit.

Try to pull that nonsense on me again, and it'll just put me in an even fouler mood.

...Great. Here it comes.

You dragging this out has gotten me a bit fired up.

I'm not even trying to release it. It's just slipping out.

Huh!? Kama... What happened to you!?

As if you didn't know. Your freaking hubby did this to me, if you don't recall!

It looks like...her arms and legs are burning...? And what is that glow...?

You guys really have no idea what I am, huh? Not even with good old Pārvatī there.

This is so terrible it's fun. I bet there's all sorts of things you still don't have a clue about.

Well, here's some food for thought: Where do you all think you are right now?

Huh!?

The other floors might be borderline, but this inner chamber IS me.

You're all literally enveloped by me, and my love.

Go on, take a look around. See for yourselves what the love enveloping you right now truly is!

...! Oh no. Are you...? You can't be

So, you finally figured it out, Pārvatī? That's right. I'm Ananga, the formless one, now.

How did I end up this way? Why, because Shiva incinerated me with his third eye, of course.

I...I know that story.

The god Shiva was so deep in meditation that not even Pārvatī could reach him.

The gods sent you to get Shiva's attention using your arrows of love, but when you did...

...he flew into a rage and opened his third eye, turning your body to ash...

...

Let me tell you what happened as a result of getting dragged into that little shit show.

As you can tell from my expression, it's just hiii-larious.

Shiva's third eye, and the unfathomable power it possesses turned me to ash. That power was capable of incinerating the universe itself.

It didn't just disintegrate my body. It made my very existence into something vague and hazy.

Now, here's a question for you. Don't worry, it's a reeeal easy one.

Let's say there's a void left over from Shiva's incineration standing right in front of you. What is it, exactly?

...! Now I understand. The more powerful a Divinity, the greater the ramifications their actions will have.

Since Shiva is meant to incinerate the universe, and he incinerated you...you yourself could now be the universe!

Then on the conceptual level, you and the universe are now fundamentally linked...!

？！

True, it doesn't make any sense. Normally, it would be too much for someone to handle.

But that wasn't the case for me. I was no ordinary god of love.

Since this is the climax, I'll make it nice and simple.

I'm a demon king.

I knew it... You're Mara!

I mean, you're still Kama, too...but the Demon King Mara side of you is much stronger!

Wh-what does that mean?

The divinity known as Kama is also considered to be a separate divinity known as Mara, though they are often conflated.

As the embodiment of love and lust, Mara is said to be an ultimate evil, leading all she encounters to their doom!

So, I know I just said I was a demon king, but I'm still not sure there's any point in distinguishing between Kama and Mara.

We're both the same thing in the end. It's probably just a case of humans thinking of love as evil.

I guess I can see their point. Love can arguably make people unhappy just as much as it makes them happy...

I always thought this could be a possibility. And I'm sure Sion and Mash considered that the two divinities were linked too, since it is a famous story.

But, even if Kama and Mara are the same being, Mara shouldn't be able to come out that easily. So how is she here now?

However she accomplished, we are left with the fact of her presence here and now. We had best accept it.

Indeed, I can sense it myself. That is the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven Papiyas, Takejizaiten.

A demon king of love who has gained the power of the universe...

Gained? I guess you could say that, but I'm not sure it's entirely accurate.

This innermost space inside the Tokugawa Ooku is now essentially my own self-contained universe.

Do you get it? You are all inside me, even as we speak.

So I wouldn't count on being able to use your bodies like normal if I were you.

？！

As I said, this is my own universe, my own personal world.

I could end all your lives in an instant if I wanted, and you wouldn't be able to do anything about it. And you think you're going to fight me? Puh-lease!!!

Or what, are you really going to take on the universe itself? Don't bother. You can't possibly win.

So just give up and enjoy my love.

Let my love carry you into the depths of depravity, like Chubs there.

I say, I was rather taken aback when the lights went out, but it's simply beautiful in here! I guess you would call this a drink under the stars? Ahh, this is paradise!

Although, I say, you there. Fujimaru, was it?

Prostrating yourself in respect is all well and good, but I think you may be overdoing it. You look as though you're trying to dig a hole with your head.

You need to be a tad kinder to yourself when paying your respects, understood?

Otherwise, you'll put me right off my good mood! Hahahaha!

Um, Nobutsuna? Would you mind getting him out of here, so we don't have to listen to him anymore?

...As you wish, my lady.

My, what a rare experience this is.

Between how heavy my body feels, and how difficult it is to breathe, it truly does feel as though we've set foot in another world...

But, there's still one thing I don't understand. No matter how you look at it, this is all...too much.

Even if you are Mara the Demon King, you shouldn't be able to wield anywhere near this much of the universe's power.

You must still be hiding one more trick.

...Oh. I see what's going on.

I didn't pay you any attention before, given how pathetic your Spirit Origin is, but now that I take a closer look...

Kiara, is it?

Well, since you brought it up, I guess I'd better come clean.

True, my being Mara is nothing more than a premise.

The whole reason I'm here right now is because of another level of power I awakened.

And the reason I awakened to that...is because the scales tipped.

...What do you mean?

See? This is what I'm talking about. Your body already knows what's going on, but your brain can't or won't keep up.

That willful idiocy of yours is what I hate most about you, Pārvatī.

You and I are two sides of the same avatar. You must have sensed when I was born in the rift that lies between us.

Isn't that why you came to stop me now that I'm one of the Evils of Humanity? Because it's your responsibility as the god closest to me?

？！

If the weight causing a scale to tip towards its Right side is removed, then of course it's going to dip back down on the Left.

I mean, it's only natural, right?

Hehe. Hehehe. I knew it. I KNEW it.

Now that I've invited you into my own universe and changed into this form, I finally understand.

You're a fragment of the Right vessel, aren't you, Kiara?

Yes. I may have been...involved in something along those lines before.

Though I expect you and I are the only ones here who can fully appreciate what that entails.

So, now that you know what I amor waslet me ask you again: Why go after Master?

A failed Beast with a Master? What a joke.

That's basically my reason right there.

When you were still an immature R, it was Fujimaru himself who stopped you from maturing.

So if, as the immature organism opposite to you, I manage to surpass Fujimaru...

...that would mean I evolved further than you ever could! That is how I will become complete!

I am one of the Seven Evils of Humanity: Beast III, the Beast of Pleasure. I am the one who will cause humans everywhere to Lapse into depravity.

So get it through your thick skulls! You're all in the throes of my lovethe love of Beast III/L!

A Beast...? You're one of the Beasts of Disaster that threatens to end all of mankind!?

Oh, I don't know about ending them all. I just do what I want and let the chips fall where they may.

I loathe humans more than anything, so I will keep giving them love until they all Lapse into depravity.

I'm a demon king of love, and I'm linked to all the universe. There's no limit to what I can do.

The universe is infinite, and so is love...

Apparently, R called herself the orifice of pleasure and the embodiment of self-love, and tried to gather all of the world's love into herself...

...but her selfish desires, her goal, and her body all grew so ludicrously big that she ended up at the mercy of Servants.

Then to top it all off, she ended up falling apart under her own dead weight. She ended up being more funny than scary, it turned out.

But I'm not selfish like that. If anything, I'm the polar opposite.

All I want to do is fill all of mankindall of the universewith my love.

You make it sound awfully nice, but you'll have to forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical.

Because if you're the same kind of being as Goetia, and he was a disaster for all of mankind...I doubt it's as simple as that.

Yes... That would be bad. Very, very bad.

If the god of love were to spread her love to all things until everyone, everywhere was completely satisfied...

...that would be the end of love altogether.

When living things are given infinite love, they become complete in and of themselves, and no longer need anything from anyone else.

And that means there could never be any new love for meI mean, others, coming into this world...

But the recipients of my infinite love will get to enjoy themselves forever and ever.

I can satisfy any desire they have. I can rid them of any disappointment they have.

I can spoil them utterly rotten, no matter how hopeless they may end up.

And if I do this for all mankind, doesn't that mean I've saved them?

No... No, that can't be right! That...that isn't real love!

(Sigh) Fine, call it depravity if you want. The name really isn't important.

A Goody Two-shoes like you could never understand what's so great about a world like this.

The perfect lover should never betray you. Never disappoint you. Never let you grow bored. Never die on you.

But you wouldn't know that isn't normal, because that's the kind of lover you've been promised since you were born.

...Now, come to me, Fujimaru.

I know you're not even close to cured. You've just been desperately trying to fight it all this time, haven't you?

I can't stand to look at you, and you're so garbage I can't help but laugh, but I'll still love you. I'll still make sure you're all filled up.

You're a Tokugawa now. You have no choice but to indulge in this pit of depravitythis Ooku filled to the brim with my loveforever.

Go on, you'll feel muuuch better once you give in. Just accept it, and this will all be over.

？！

So, you truly are vermin, endangering Master and the Tokugawa family alike. I must cut you down, even if it should cost me my life.

We cannot let her have Master! There must be a way...something we can do...!

Master, hang on to me as much as you need! I don't even care if you have to throw up on me!

Just don't give in, whatever you do! You can't forget who you really are...!

Oh wow, that's just cruel. Spartan much, are we? Just put him out of his misery and let him give in.

It's okay, Fujimaru. Don't worry about a thing. Just give yourself over to me...and Lapse into depravity.

This is a cold, lonely, endless world. An infinite universe without beginning or end.

Here, I'll show you what real love and desire are, just like I did for the one who trained under the Bodhi Tree.

You don't have to do anything hard. You don't have to search for any meaningless right answers.

I can provide infinite depravity for everyone. I can provide eternal satisfaction for all.

It's okay, trust me. The fires of my love are more than strong enough to heat up this entire universe!

Weren't you listening to me? I told you, you don't stand a chance.

How could I let this happen...!

Not only is she incredibly strong, she has an overwhelming territorial advantage too. She doesn't just have the high ground, she IS the high ground...!

Ahh... I really did not want to die...

(...We are both immature Beasts. I am certain there is a way I could win...)

(If I break my vow to exist only as a Servant of Chaldea, I should be able to defeat her...)

(But then what? I don't think defeating her once will put a stop to this...)

(If I am correct about Beast III/L's nature, then...)

Khh... How did you get so powerful!? It shouldn't be possible!

Of course it is. I'm neither the Kama nor the Mara you know anymore.

？！

So even though your mind and body are both falling apart, your will to resist is still going strong, huh?

Wow, look at you flailing around like a bug with its legs torn off. Gross.

Nobutsuna?

Yes, my lady?

I think I'm going to try a different approach. Bring Chubs in here.

...Yes, my lady.

Hm? What's this all about? Now you're all crawling around on the floor?

I've grown tired of all this playing dog! No more leaving others out, either! Don't you lot know that feasts are supposed to be enjoyed all together!?

Forgive them, Lord Shogun. Your glory is simply too much for them to behold.

They are so afraid to raise their heads before you that they cannot even sit up.

Oh? I see, I see. Well, I can certainly understand how they must feel.

However, this is the Ooku. A place where the shogun can relax and enjoy himself however he pleases.

Besides, knowing when to put formalities aside is the mark of a truly broad-minded shogun.

So I grant you all permission to relax and recuperate here in my glorious Tokugawa Ooku as well.

Now come on, pick yourselves up and have a seat right here.

We can crack open another bottle of wine, partake in some delicious meat, and enjoy ourselves here forever.

？！

Oh, wait, are you a Tokugawa too? You are, aren't you? Well then, all the more reason not to hold back!

So, that would mean...we're related? I see, I see. I like that. That means I can truly let my hair down!

Surely there can't be any problem now. Let's all just relax and enjoy ourselves here. What do you say?

？！

Gnn. What is this weight his words carry? Is this why my sword has felt so heavy...?

Surely you of all people can understand, Tajima-no-kami. This is the Ooku's innermost chamber. The ultimate place reserved for the Tokugawa shogun.

Here, a Tokugawa can truly be who they are. The significance of their title is stronger than ever.

Thus, anyone who knows the authority a Tokugawa wields cannot help but obey what they say here.

Even if that Tokugawa should be a new Tokugawa from a Western country...

It's nothing so overt as using your voice to directly control others.

It's like an unconscious nudge that makes you feel like going along with whatever they say would be a good idea.

Oh, I have that same property too, of course. And for a Tokugawa retainer...

...I'd imagine this works on an instinctual level, before you can even think about reaching for your sword.

So for Servants who've had their Spirit Origins pummeled half to death, or a human on the verge of turning Tokugawa himself...

...that property alone might be more than strong enough for a finishing blow.

...You no longer have any means with which to fight back.

I know Yagyu Tajima-no-kami Munenori's strength better than anyone here, and his sword may as well be made out of heavy stone at this point.

...It is over. You should have known all along, as I do. No one can defeat a god, nor a monster on par with one...

...It is over. You should have known all along, as I do. No one can defeat a god, nor a monster on par with one...

...Ah, yes, I forgot about you, Kasuga-no-Tsubone. But, there is nothing you can do either. You are still a retainer to the Tokugawa family yourself.

Oho, what's this now? A beautiful girl like yourself shouldn't go around looking so forlorn.

Here, come sit by me. You can pour me a drink and tell me something funny.

Don't worry, I'll be sure to reward you. What would you like? Beautiful clothes? A jeweled hairpin? Just tell me what you want, and it's yours.

I'm the shogun, after all. The world is my oyster. I can give you any manner of gemstone you like. I can procure medicine that will work on any ailment.

If there's none to be had, I'll have someone make it. If someone else possesses it, I'll order them to hand it over or commit seppuku.

So what do you say? Come, entertain me. Help me enjoy myself. Let me forget all about my troubles.

Naturally, if we should hit it off well, I would be willing to give you an even greater reward. I have plenty of time tonight for us to

You...

Yes?

YOU FOOL!

Ouch!

This is NOT how a shogun is meant to behave!

EVER!

Huh!? What's going on!? She's only a soul! She should feel more psychological pressure to obey him than anyone!

Ah... Ah...

The Tokugawa shogun is supposed to be the one who holds all of Japan together! He is supposed to be the commander in chief who keeps his country safe!

His temperance and courtesy must serve as an example for every samurai in the land!

That responsibility does not end even when he rests. He must continue to exercise moderation in all things.

Overeating is debilitating to one's health! Lecherous promiscuity and excessive drinking have no place in a shogun's life whatsoever!

Is that clear?

...

IS. THAT. CLEAR!?

E-eeeyaaah! Y-yes, ma'am!

I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Toole! It was just a passing flight of fancy! I don't know what came over meee!

Besides, I'm a grown-up now! I have my racing license and everything! I didn't even cheat to get it!

So come on, let me enter this race! I've always wanted to try racing!

I know I'm a one-man team! And I'm sorry I used up all of Daddy's nest egg! Wait. Stop! Please! Not the discipline room again!

............Huh?

What have I been doing all this time? And why are you lot looking at me like that? (Teary eyed)

Stop that! Dignitaries are not supposed to cry in public!

Bwa!? Fujimaru! Why is one of your Servants yelling at me out of nowhere!?

No way. He's back to normal?

The hell? It only took one slap? Guy must have some serious repressed trauma this reminded him of or something...

Hey, wait! Can you actually hit him!?

Technically, he is a genuine Tokugawa shogun, especially here. How can you possibly stand up to him?

Why wouldn't I? If my shogun is in the wrong, this is exactly what I would do, no matter what the time or circumstance.

B-but, the shogun is the most powerful authority figure in this country... He's like a king.

If you treat a king like that, you could easily end up dead.

Of course it's a grave crime to raise your hand to the shogun. Yes, it's punishable by death.

But so what?

If it's absolutely necessary to raise a hand to him to ensure he is raised properly, then refraining is not an option.

That's the whole reason I'm here.

Once I've admonished the shogun for his mistake, and he understands what he did wrong, if the actions I took are still deemed punishable by death...

...then I need simply go to my death with my head held high.

!

That is what it truly means to be a wet nurse.

Even if my actions end up pointing a blade at my own throat, it is well worth it as long as they guide the Tokugawa shogun down the right path.

My own life is a trivial sacrifice to pay to ensure the leader of all of Japan is raised to know right from wrong.

If that is how I must meet my end, I would die a happy woman!

Are you freaking KIDDING ME with this crap?

That's... That's just... Ugh, I hate it. I hate everything about it. Just when I thought I couldn't despise humans any more.

You humans don't need to bother with that utter tripe!

All you need to do is surrender yourselves to my love. If it's good enough to satisfy the whole universe, it's good enough for

I still have no idea what's going on here, but my keen insight tells me you're an enemy!

Not only are you dressed incredibly suspiciously...

...Fujimaru is glaring at you like you're the scum of the earth, despite him being strangely out of sorts!

Take this! My sadness, my lament, and all of my sorrow! Ironic Gof Puuunch!

Huh!? You're an unpredictable one, aren't you. I can't say I saw that coming.

(Did he just try to slug a Beast!?)

(His grasp on the situation is so tenuous that he actually ended up acting heroically...!)

What would you have me do, Lady Kama?

Oh, no, it's okay. His Tokugawafication hasn't been completely undone.

The shock to his system just temporarily reverted his mind back to his original self.

Come on now, why are you all cowering in fear? She's just one woman! Just follow my lead and

...

Oh? What's this now? Was I showing off my famous Shogun Fist to liven up the party or something?

So we have had not one, but two miracles sufficient to distract the Beast, have we? Well then...

...I certainly can't afford to let this opportunity pass me by, now can I?

Love, love, love. So, your love is a fire of depravity fit to consume the whole of the universe, hmm?

Perhaps it might have been possible for us to join forces somehow, but in the end, you and I are simply too different as Beasts.

So instead, I think I will do everything in my not inconsiderable power to slow you down.

？！

Hehe. Thank you for choosing me, Master.

I'm so sorry I won't be able to bear witness to your abstinence anymore.

You...! Get out of my face!

Ahh, every bit as cold as I thought... I do so love drinking in love in all its many forms, but the absence of passion is one thing I cannot abide.

As a Beast myself, I simply cannot permit you to drown all of creation in a love such as this.

Shut up! You already had your shot, and you failed! The only love this universe needs is the kind I radiate!

The way you try to take all the love in the world for yourself... The sheer greed of refusing to be satisfied with anything less...

I knew it. You and I are fundamentally incompatible!

Teehee. On that, we agree.

I am just a fragment of my true self now, though. I lack the power to truly defeat you.

And frankly...I refuse to give up being a Servant just for you.

So I think this is the best thing I can do here.

Huh? She's turning towards us...?

I believe that when things begin to get dull, starting over can be a wonderful way to bring a new kind of joy to experience.

So I'm going to fling you all back outside. Now that you know the obstacles that await you here, you should be able to come up with ways around them, right?

Oh, before you go, let me give you one last piece of advice.

Keep collecting those hanafuda cards.

They are essentially Karmaphages...though I suppose you wouldn't know what those are, would you? I can't say I have fond memories of them myself.

At any rate, you'll find they are very useful. I'm sure they will help you fill in the gaps.

I don't know whether they'll lead you to joy or pain, but then, hehe, it's all the same in the end...

？！

Huh? Whoa, whoa, hang on! Did you just say you were gonna...fling us!?

That's right. If we cannot escape her grasp no matter where we run...then my being here in the Ooku doesn't make any difference.

This pressure...! Kiara! Are you saying you don't care what happens to you!?

You mean you're going to shield us to the end!?

？！

Oh no, that's all right. I'll always be there if you think of me, and gone if you don't. That is simply what I am.

Besides, it was only ever a fluke that I was able to converse with you at all. That would never have happened were it not for the Beast's stench causing the world to go astray.

So it doesn't matter what happens to me here. As long as you make it back to Chaldea safely, I'm sure we will see each other again someday.

When that day comes, I would be ever so grateful if you could find it in you to be merciful to me again.

Of course, having a woman like me around certainly won't do anything good for Chaldea's sense of decency.

I'm sure humanity would be better off if you cut ties with me here, but, oh well...

...

I gave them love. But at the same time, just for a moment, I was forced to give that woman some love too.

That was...so gross...

But, it's okay. R shouldn't be giving me any more trouble now that I've completely erased her.

...I'm going to pull off exactly what you failed to do, Rapture.

So just sit back and watch as I grow to true maturation and fill all of creation with my love.

(Cough)... What will you do now, my lady?

Between Chubs and everyone else from Chaldea, I still have plenty of hostages to spare.

He has no choice but to come back here. All I have to do is wait for him to show up again.

Understood.

Besides... Hehe, I've already accounted for this sort of thing. I still have plenty left to keep them entertained.

You know that just as well as I do, don't you, Nobutsuna?

...I am your retainer, Lady Kama. I will do whatever you ask of me.

Just say the word, and it shall be done...

(...)